The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-19
HURRYING TO BL0EMFONTEIN.
CRONJE's ARMY ESCAPED AND is
IN FULL RETREAT.

rectlOn-heIy-henn lis in Direct
Pursuit of the Burghers-Boers
Left Their Big Guns Behind-se-
we're Fighting on saturday-If
Beers Leave the TugeIa Butler
VIII Move on TO Ladysmith.
London. Feb. 10. 4:20 a. NIT is amply
confirmed that Gen. Cronje escaped.
Every detail received. however, proves
how admirable Lord Roberts plan were
conceived and were succeeding But for
the unexpected delay at Dekiels Drift.
which was almost impossible for wag-
ons, the whole Boer force would have
been surrounded. The delay of one day
there gave them their chance for a hasty
retreat.
All the movements of Lord Roberts were
executed exactly to time. Apparently
Gen. Cronje Is retiring with the main
army, and then If he escapes altogether
he will probably lose ali his baggage.
There is still something doubtful about
the capture of the British convoy. Ac-
cording to a Daily Mail correspondent
with the convoy. which consisted of 200
wagons, each loaded with six thousand
drawn by sixteen oxen--it was quite un>
expectedly attacked by a commando sup
posed to come from Colesberg. The es-
cort consisting of eighty of the Gordon
Highlanders, forty men of the army SER
vice corps and few of Kitchener's corps,
maintained defense until the arrival of
reinforcements, sustaining insignificant
casualties
Captured British Wagons.
The Standards correspondent at Jacobs
dal, telegraphing Thursday, Feb. is, says
IAN attack was made yesterday upon
The rear guard of our main body by a
force of 1,4OO Beers who were hurried up
from Colesberg They succeeded in cap
turing some of Our wagons but Lord
Roberts did not delay his march to re-
take these. There were few casualties on
our side.
The last of our supply columns arrived
from Honey Nest kloof to-day, having met
with no opposition ON the way
Specials from Ladysmith report an ap-
parent movement on the part of the Beers
toward the Free State, presumably with
the object of assisting Gen. Cronje. The
news that Gen. Butler is attempting an
other crossing of the Tugela, east of Co
ieisOy after ltS capture OIL 11ldOSWa0e
hill, therefore, gives great satisfaction.
Buffers losses SO far have been about
twenty in wounded. His entire army
with the exception of Gen. Hart's brigade
is engaged in the operation.
In is announced that the channel squad
ron instead of going to Gibraltar, has
been ordered to remain in British waters
until March.
Beers Left Their Guns.
The Daily News publishes the following
dispatch, dated Sunday morning Feb. IS,
from Modder river:
Our sudden appearance seems to have
astounded the enemy and thrown them in
to panic. All of their positions were hur-
Tiedly evacuated and the big guns at Ma
gersfontein and Kimberley were left De-
hind.
Gen. Cronje moved his transport, con-
ssting of many hundred wagons along
bank of kopjes north of the Modder, to-
ward Koffyfontein. It got past our
mounted infantry, but owing TO WEAKNESS.
had to stop. Thereupon our infantry
opened upon it. The main body of the
Boer force kept up running fight the
whole day, vainly trying to escape.
Each time their advance guard sought
to move off. our mounted infantry gal
loped round and checked them. We never
attempted to stop their main movement
contenting ourselves with trying to
check them.
Their position at Koffyfonteiu is said
to be very strong. They entertain a whole
some dread oe 10000 cavalry moving more
quickly than they do themselves. We
hope TO be in Bloemfontein shortly"
Fought All Day Friday.
The Daily News has another dispatch
from the Modder river military camp,
dated Sunday morning, which says:
AT dawn on Friday the Beers were
observed moving wagons along the kopjes
toward Koffyfontein Our mounted in
fantry was sent out from Kip drift, but
was driven back and the enemys wagons
passed
Cen Knoxs Twelfth Brigade, however,
quickly attacked the enemy's main body,
and severe fighting went on all day over
hne which was very extended. The
enemy, making a desperate attempt, fin
eliy escaped, owing TO the serpentine bend
ol the river. The mounted infantry suf-
Iered from the trying fianking movement.
our force has now been reinforced"
Pursuit of Cronje.
rhe correspondent OF the Times at Mod
uer river, wiring yesterday, says:
Gen. Cronjes army of 10000 men with
thousand wagons, Is in full retreat to-
ward Bloemfontein, hotly pursued by Gen.
Nelly Kenny. 1t will probably be a rear
guard fight all the way TO Bloemfonteln.
Uur cavalry has already returned from
Nlinherley to join in the pursuit"
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