The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-23

rived. They were terribly frightened
and shaken by their awful experience.
They reported that they had water in
abundance, but were only able to draw
scanty supplies from their laager dur
ing the night.
Today was the third day of General
Cronje's imprisonment and grim resist
ance. Early this morning the infantry
engaged the enemy in the bed of the
river driving him back q short distance
The morning sun disclosed the Beers
toiling like ants on entertainments
around their laager. A few shells were
fired to prevent them from continuing
the work, but most OF the day was
quiet.
Gen. French's artillery was heard off
to the east presumably engaging the
Beers reinforcements.
Every opportunity was given the
Beers to surrender, but when towards
afternoon there was no sign OF such
intentions, Lord Roberts determined 10
crush once and for all Gen. Cronje's re-
sistance. On the south bank of the riv-
er at a range of about 1000 yards, three
field batteries and two naval II pound
ers were positiOned. On the north bank
and enflading the whole river one How
itzer, three field batteries and three ma
val Al guns We're placed. Then follow
ed the most wonderful scene it ever was
my lot to witness. Once before in
TheSSaly 1 had seen one hundred and ten
guns in action, but never such a num-
Der OL powerful guns concentrating
their fire upon a spot about a mile
square.
The exploding 1yddite shells raised
great clouds of green smoke, complete
ly filing the bed of the river The
Shrapnell burst on the edge of each
bank except for a short space where the
proximity of the British infantry made
it dangerous. Our shells searched ev-
cry bush and every ravine of the river
bed. The enfilading guns must have
done terrible execution. The roar was
deafening yet with a spirit of desper-
ate madness now and again the Beers
would attempt to snipe the naval guns
which were firing at a range of 1,C00
yards. The long line of three batteries
belched forth death, while on each side
lay two battaliOns of infantry whose
MaXimS sounded petty beside the roar
ing big guns. What loss the Beers suf-
fered is not known yet.
I am writing in the middle of sleep
ing camp. Not a sound disturbs the
heavy Slumber of tired soldiers. Down
the river bed not a fire is seen, not a
cry heard. There is something tragic in
the stern resistance which Gen. Cronje
is hOpelessly offering. 1t is impossible
not to admire his pluck, but all con-
denim the wickedness of uselessly sac
rificing the lives of his brave followers.
HEAVY FIGHTING AT LADYSAITH.
Hoofd Laager, Ladysmith, Wed
nesday, Eel. .21.-There was heavy fight
ing all Monday and Tuesday and it still
continues since early THIS morning. our
officers hope to dislodge the British
from their position. Last night a body
of British troops tried to cross the riv-
err but were beaten back with heavy
loss. Our loss was slight. Our posi-
tions are being bombarded from Lady
smith at a point where the Kip river
passes through the hills. Our Long
Tom is replying with good effect.
146 BRITISH KILLED.
London, Feb. 2S.-The official report
Tuesday including SO IIighlanders and
Is Canadians.
BOERS DRIVEN NORTHWARD.
Arundel, Thursday, Feb. 22.-Evening
Col. HendersOn'S squad of the InniS-
killings with two guns recOnnOitered
westward to MOOifOntein farm on the
direct road to Colesberg and Hanover
They got close to the Beers in the hills
and were fired on. They quickly got
their guns in position and shelled the
hills.
Eventually the Beers were driven out,
retiring nOrthward. when they came I'M
| der fire of two other guns supported by
a company of Australians near the
British western post on Dragon hill.
| Col Henderson proceeded to MOoifon-
/ tein farm which he now occupies. The
British patrols from Hanover also came
out that far. The Beers are not in
great force. They have been persistent
! ly followed all day long and have with
/ drawn a considerable distance north
/ ward.
BULLER'S MOVEMENTS.
! Colenso, Natal, Wednesday, Feb. 21-
| Via Chieveley, Feb. 22.-The British
have crossed the Tugela over pontoon
/ nOrthward of Hlangwana and now oc-
| cupy Fort Wylie. While the naval
! brigade was bombarding Grobler's Kloof
| the Beers big creuOSOte replying yes
/ terday after the occupation of Colenso a
small party of Thorneycroft's Horse
/ crossed the river but were driven back
/ by fire from the trenches. The Boer
/ guns are still shelling the relieving
/ force from the hills, south of Ladysmith,
/ but the impression is spreading that
( they are merely covering the retreat of
! the entire Boer force.
CRoNJEs FORCED MARCH.