Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1900-02-24
MANAGED TO HOLD HIS OWN
Entire British Force Engaged in Sundays
Attack on Cron lie.

AJIaCk on CrOn Jes
Il PAARDEBERG DRIFT, Orange Free
State, Tuesday Feb. 22 General Cron-
je's magnific cent nig ght march from Ma
gersfontein appears now likely to end
in disaster. The main body Of Beers is
enclosed in a terrible death trap. The
enemy is hiding in the bed Of the Mod
der, commanded by the British artillery
and enclosed on the east and west BY
the British infantry
Sunday witnessed gallant stand on
the part Of the retreating foe. Tired
and harrassed, they still maintained a
bold 'front.' tt is somewhat difficult to
explain the Sunday action in which
General Gronje, under difficult circum-
stances, managed to hold his own
against the entire British force. Satur-
day night the British 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, who
had entrenched the river bed during
the night
Prevented Further Advance
of the mounted infantry in this direc-
hon. Meanwhile the Highland brigade
advanced from the south bank and the
Essex, Welsh and Yorkshires formed a
long line on the left, which rested on
the river, the extreme right being the
Welsh. The whole line was ordered to
envelope the Beers, who lined both
banks Of the river. The firing soon be-
came heavy. The Beers, holding a
splendid position, covered 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 other regiments swung round
the front Of the Highland brigade on
the left level, exposed to a terrible fire,
which obliged them to lie upon the
ground as they did for the remainder
of the day. This began at 7:30 in the
morning. Through the dreadful heat
and a terrible thunder storm
Our Men Hung TO the Position,
answering the Boer fire and shooting
steadily. In the meantime the rest of
the infantry completed the enveloping
movement, the Welsh regiment having
succeeded in seizing the drift, thus clos
ing in the Beers, who had fought
throughout with splendid courage. Gen
eral Cronje's lager, full of carts, am
munition and supplies, could be plainly
seen near the north bank. e
General Smith Dorrien collected big
body Of men, including the Canadians,
and crossed the river by Paardeberg
drift, advancing toward the lager.
which was being vigorously shelled.
This force made a gallant attempt to
charge into the laager but failed. Be-
fore seizing the Western drift the Beers
occupied a kopje on the south bank runs
ming down the river. Therefore their
force is cut in two. As night fell
there was
Sudden Cessation of Fire
as both sides were thoroughly tired and
glad to rest. The work Of collecting the
dead and wounded proceeded, and the
men slept W here they had fought the
whole day The action was one Of the
most fearfully contested IN the history
81 the war. The Beers were griimly.
fighting for their lives while the British
determinedly harrrassea them. .5
Sunday evening the Gordon around
the Beers was completely closed on
every side in perfect silence. A few
Beers came into camp during the night
and confessed they were sick of lighting
and that General Cronie was being