The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-11-16
SOME TACTICS
EMPLOYED in
LATE BATTLES
How General cronie Hoped to Gain
Possession of the Town Of
Iadysmoth.
A SUCCESSION OF TRENCHES.
The Move, However, Was Anticipat-
ed, and It Awaited Little or
Nothing to the Beers.

LONDON, Nov. 15.-A dispatch tc the
Daily Mall from MafekIng, sent by way
Of Magalapye because the rumors sent
sou,hward were unable to traverse the
Boer lines, gives an interesting account
of the fighting during the last week in
october. The correspondent says;
AFTER the failure to rush the town,
General Cronje had recourse to the tac-
tics employed during the siege of
Potcherstroom in 1881, making an ad-
vance to the town by succession of
trenches N Echelon. Such a move had
been anticipated by US for some time
and for that reason there had been sent
out parties to worry the Beers Inces-
sanity by night attacks.
"These tactics the enemy distiked, but
he contented himself with daily shell
FIRE which exposed him to little personal
risk. Then Colonel Baden-Powell play
ed his trump card by sending out FItz-
clarence's Yarty to worry the occupants
Of the trenches. The party stole out
silently in the darkness. No shot was
fred and the men, with fixed bayonets,
creeping rather than walking along,
gradually approached the chief Boer
position, near the race course. Then,
as they closed in there was a slrlll
screech, 1t was Fltzclarences whistle
and the signal for onslaught.
"a ringing British cheer, which the
listeners back in camp caught up, was
the only reply as the party dashed into
the trenches, There was fearful
struggle, the attacking forces catching
and bayoncting the Beers under the
tarpaullRs where they crouched. crying
for mercy. At least fifty bayonets got
to work, and the havoc they wrought,
was terrible.
For Jus, a moment there was no sys-
icmatic return fire. but then perfect
haIlstorm Of bullets poured in from the
trenches to the rear. Again ITltGclar-
ence's whistle sounded. 1t meant cease
fire and scatter homeward.' The Brit
!sh forces scattered. silently creeping
back under the furious llre in the dark
ness to the appointed rendezvous, whore
the roll was called.
Splendid Work Done.
Colonel Baden Powell met and con-
graduated Captain Fltzclnrence and his
men upon their splendid work, saying
it was a 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 nov the
envy and pride OF the garrison. Even
the Boer commander. Botha, expressed
admiration of the attack and added
that he would take Mafeklng before
long, for he meant to do one thing or
the other quickly.
sunday passed quietly, the volunteer
band playing in the women's LANCER
All Sunday night the Beers poured II
rifle fire into the town. It was Sc: go
ing after dinner Sunday evening, when
Colonel Baden Powell hoIstcd red
lamp on the commonage. which was the
scene of Captain Fltzclarence's night
attack. The ruse answered splendidly
The moment the light appeared the
Beers opened fire, and their fusilade
lasted the whole night through
There has been tremendous waste
Of AMMUNITION. Indeed. 1t is estimated
that 10000 rounds OF ball cartridges
We're wasted on the occasion OF the
night attack upon the Boer trenches.
Double rations have been served out to
The men. who are under shelter, so as
, be on the safe side II the Beers
mould sweep the town by long range
rife fire. The garrison is hanging on
finely. Colonel Baden Powell has the
fullest confidence in everybody. espec-
Ially in the matter of implicit obedience
to the order to hold the fire until the
Beers get to close range.
The sheling continued all sunday at
intervals. About 4 o'clock In the after
noon General Cronje sent in flag OF
truce giving MafekIng last chance to
surrender at the eleventh hour. While
the flag was receiving attention the
heavy bombardment continued"
The dispatch then describes General
Cronje's great attack OF Monday, the
details OF which have already been ca
bled from Colonel Baden POwell's otll-
cial dispatches.
The end came" says the corespon-
dent, after five hours fighting. The
enemy retired. being heavily beaten for
all time 50 far as MafckIng is concern
ed. 1t was the hottest day OF the siege
aud the firing was terrific. the BOers
evidently recognizing that the way into
Mafeking, II any, is by a kopJe which
was calamity defended by Colonel wal
fori's men. The garrison is jubilunt.
while the Beers have been hurled back
IN disorder on their LANCER and viii have
10 content themselves with long range
bombardmcnt unless they are strongly
reinforced.
The enemy lost heavily. For hours
after their lighting line had been rolled
back two wagons went slowly along
their position. picking up the dead and
wounded. The kople resemblcd a sham-
bc5 after the fight All the men We're
killed by bullets or shells. The lookout
tower was shot TO pieces, while even
the saddles of the horses were teaffully
battered about, The whole place was
simply smashed up By the concentrated
fro OF seven guns and a thousand
rifles"