The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-23

hest actions of the war occurred at Paar-
deberg Drift Sunday, February 18th.
General Kelly-Kenny. in his pursuit of
General Cronje, caught his rear guard at
Kiln Drift and followed the Burghers TO
the Beers laager at Koodoosrand. The
drift action began at daybreak, mounted
infantry driving the Boer rear guard uu
the river towards the main body, while
another body of mounted infantry ma
noeuvred on the right front and flank or
the Beers. The British MAIN body adj
yanced TO outfanl the Boer laager ON the
north bank of the river. General Kelly
Kenny having seized two drifts, found
the Beers strongly enclosed and ordered
an attack. with the Highland brigade On
the left and General knox's brigade OH
the centre and right, while General
Smith Dorriens brigade crossed the river
and advanced along the north bank. On
the north and south banks the ground Is
level. and the advance across this was
deadly and the British losses heavy. The
battle was an exact replica of the Mod
der river battle. The soldiers were under
fire all day long. and adj the fighting had
no definite result, as the Beers lager was
well barTicaded and they remained there
in. The British gums Shelled the laager
vigorously, and the Beers confessed 10 a
loss of over 500 men.
The terrific shelling was resumed Mon
day. when General Cronje asked for an
armistice.
The shelhng was continued Tuesday,
over fifty guns pouring lead into the Boer
camp.
General Cronje's magnificent night
march from Magersfontein now appears
likely TO end in disaster. The main body
Of the Beers Is enclosed in a terrible
death trap. The enemy are hiding in the
bed of the Modder commanded by the
British artillery and enclosed on the
east and west, by the British infantry.
Sunday witnessed Il gallant stand on the
Tsart OF the rptreating foe. Tired, harass-
ed. they still maintained a bold front 1t
is somewhat difficult to explain the Sun
day action in which all the British force
was engaged in which General CronJe,
under great difficulties managed TO hold
his own. On Saturday night the Brit
iSh mounted infantry came into touch
with Cronje'S rear guard. driving them
back upon the main body. On Sunday
morning the action was renewed: but the
Beers pho had entrenthed the river bed
during the night. prevented a further adj
vance of the mounted infantry in this
dissection.
Meanwhile the Highland brigade con
sisting Of the ScaforthS tine Black
Watch and the Areyles advanced from
the south bank and the Essex, Welsh
and Yorkshires formed a long line on the
LEFT. which rested on The river. the eX-
treme right being the Welsh. The whole
line was ordered to envelop the Beers,
who lined both banks Of the liver
The firing soon became heavy. The
Beers. holding splendid position. cover
ed the left of the Highland brigade,
which advanced partly up the river bed
and partly in the open while the rest OF
the brigade with the ether regiments
swung around the frcnt Of the Highland
brigade on the level. coyerleSs ground
exposed 10 a terrible FIRE which obliged
the men to lie upon the ground as they
did for the remainder of the day. This
began at half past seven in the morning.
Through the dreadful heat and terri
lle thunderstorm. cur men hung to the
pGiticn. answering tine Boer fire and
shooting steadily.
In the meantime the rest Of the infan-
try conn ie,ed The cnvcloping movement.
the Welsh regiment having succeeded
in seiz:ng the drift. thus closing in the
Boc1S VINO fought throughout with
splendid courage General Cronje'S
aaeer. full Of carts. ammunition and
stores. could be plainly seen near the
north bank
General Smith-Dorr;en collected a large
| body Of men. including the Canadians,
and crossed the river By Paardeberg
| Drift. advancing toward the laager,
| which was being vigorously Shelled. This
| force made a gallant attempt to charge
| into the laager. but failed. Before Seiz-
! ing the western drifts the Beers occu-
| pied a kopje on the south bank. running
| down the river. Therefore their force
| IS cut IN two. The Beers hold the kopIcs
and have ore NickerS- Maxim and prob
| ably one or two other guns.
Toward evening the battery on the
south side opened. cooperating with the
battery On the north side a wonderful
sight followed. The SHELLS fell with
amazing precision along the river bed.op-
poste the laa@er, which was Shelled
thoroughly. damaging everything il con-
tained. One she'll set fire to n small am
munition wagon. which burned nearly all
day. Many ether wagons were set on
fire. and the glare was visible at Il con-
siderable distance far into The night The
infantry also maintained n terrible fire.
which was answered vigorously. The
scene toward nSht-faI was terribly
picturesque. with the hlazing wagons. the
roering artillery and the cracking rifle