Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-16

Way of Magale-Now York World Cable
gram-Special Telegram )-Mcssage carried
by native runner through the Boer lines and
220 miles north to Magalapye, Rhodesia.
Dispatch held back by the British censor and
edited.
RHoDEsIA, Nov. S.-111O a. m.-There
has been a continuous but desultory bonn
bardment of Mafeking. General CroDjes de-
mand for the surrender of the town was de-
clined by Colonel Baden Powell with thanks.
The successful defense of Mafeking is certain
as the ultimate issue of the campaign here.
British Make Night Attacks.
LONDON, Nov. 16.-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Mafeking, sent by way of
Magalapye, because the runners sent south
ward were unable to traverse the Boer lines,
gives an interesting account of the firing in
the last week of October. The message says:
After the failure to reach the town Cen
eral Cronje had recourse to the tactics en-
ployed during the seige of Potchefstroom in
1881, making an advance to the town by
succession Of trenches in Echelon. Such
move had been anticipated by us for some
time and for that reason there had been sent
out parties to worry the Beers necessarily
by night attacks.
These tactics the enemy dsliked, but he
contented himself with daily shell fire
which exposed him to little personal risk.
Then Colonel Baden Powell played his trump
card by sending out Fitz- -Clarences party
to worry the occupants of the trenches. The
little force stole out. silently in the dark
ness No shot was fired and the men with
fixed bayonets, creeping rather than walking
along, gradually approached the chief Boer
position. Then as they closed in there was
a shrill screech. 1t was Fitz- Clarence's
whistle and the signal for an onslaught.
Bnyonet Sleeping Beers.
"a ringing British cheer, which the listen
ers back in camp caught up, was the only
reply as the party dashed into the trenches.
There was a fearful struggle, the attacking
forces catching and bayoneting the Beers
under the tarpaulins where they crouched
crying for mercy. At least fifty bayonets
got to work and the havoc they wrought was
terrible.
For just moment there was no sys-
tematic return fire, but then a perfect hail
storm OF bullets poured in from the trenches
to the rear. When again Fitz- -Clarence's
whistle sounded, 1t meant, Scatter and
homeward.' The British force scattered
silently, creeping back under the furious
fire in the darkness to the appointed
rendezvous, where the roll was called.
ulated Captain Fitz-Clarence and his men on
their splendid work, saying that it was
heavy price to pay, but that the Beers had to
be stopped making rifle trenches within
range Of the town. The members of the
party are the envy and pride of the forces.
Even the Boer commander expresses ad-
miration of the action and added he would
take Mafeking before long, for he meant to
do one thing or the other.
Sunday passed quietly, the volunteer
band playing in the women's i1hager All
Sunday night the Beers poured a, rifle fire
Into the town. 1t was set going after din
ner Sunday evening, when Colonel Baden
Powell hoisted red lamp on the COM
which was the scene Of Captain
Fitz- Clarences midnight attack. The ruse
splendidly. The moment the light
the Beers opened. fire and their
fusillade lated the whole night through.
There has been a tremendous waste OF
indeed it is estimated that SO-
900 rounds of ball cartridges were wasted
on the occasion of the night attack on the
Beer trenches. Double rations have been
served out to the men who are under shell
ter, so as to be on the safe side, If the
Beers should sweep the town by a long
range rife fire. The garrison is hanging on
finely.
Colonel Baden Powell has the greatest
confidence in everybody, especially in the
matter of implicit obedience to the order to
hold the fire until the Beers get to close
range.
"The shellng continued all day Sunday
at intervals. About o'clock in the after
noon General Cronje sent in flag OF truce,
giving Mafeking the last chance to sur
render While the flag was receiving at
tention the heavy bombardment continued"
Description of Cronje's Attack.
The dispatch then describes Cronjes at
lack of Monday, the details of which have
been cabled to Colonel Baden Powell.
THE end came" says the correspondent,
after five hours fighting The enemy re-
ired, being heavily beaten for all time, so
'ar as Mafeking Is concerned. 1t was the
hottest day of the siege and the firing was
errifc, the Beers evidently recognizing that
he way into Mafeking, If any, is by kopje, !
which was gallantly defended by Colonel
men. The garrison is jubllant,
while the Beers have been hurled back in
disorder on their laager and will have to .
content themselves with long range bonn
oardment until they are strongly rein
orced.
We firing line had been hurled back two
wagons went slowly along their position,
,icking up the dead and wounded. The
Iopje resembled a shambles after the fight. /.
III ths men were killed by bullets or shells. |,
rhe lookout tower was shot to pieces, while b
wen the saddles of the horses we're fear
ully battered about. The whole place was
imply smashed up by the concentrated
Ire OF seven guns and thousand rifles.
"The Beers at first held on to their ad-
'ance pluckily but they could not live
when they came to short range, the men
,eing shot down at 300 yards. The enemy
S expected to draw off early in order to de-
end Pretoria. There is still no news from
he south. AS send this message 600 Beers
lave gone south with wagons and have
commenced sheling."
British Reinforcements Arriving.
LONDON. Nov. 15,-The troopship Ha-
warden Castle, with the Second battalion of
he Royal Irish Fusileers. has arrived at
DURHAM, bringing the number OF reinforce
nents that have landed there 'uD to 5.227
rive other troopships are now enroute from
'apetown to Durham.
The total renforcements that have arrived
n South Africa since Friday are 10000 men,
iaau inf ri, 1 |