The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-05-19

LONDON, May 19-The story of the
siege of Mafeking is yet to be told in full,
but enough Is known OF the hardships to
make it certain that the tale Will be one
of thrilling interest in every detail. The
relief Of the beleaguered South African
town by a detachment Of General Roberts
forces has recalled the fact that the Beers
surrounded Baden-PoweITs stronghold
October Il last. Thus the siege lasted
pa days.
Baden PoweII's fighters numbered at
first about 500 men, all irregulars except
a few officers. He had eight guns. six of
them machine. Seven hundred white wo-
men and children and 1000 blacks were
also hemmed in. The besieging force has
varied from 1000 to 5000.
Cronje first attacked Mafekiug on oc-
tober Is, following up the destruction OF
an armored train at Kraaipan, below the
town Repulse with heavy loss was the
result. Heavy guns were brought up and
bombardment began. A fierce assault on
October 81 was futile, both sides losing
heavily Weeks Of shipping" and inter
mittent bombardment eliminated Decem-
Der 26 in an unsuccessful British rally
against Game Tree Fort. Twenty-one Of
the garrison were killed. and thereafter
Baden Powell remained on the defensive.
Colonel Plumer. with 1000 men from.
Rhodesia. moving south to raise the siege.
got within fourteen miles of the town on
March Is. but was beaten back by the
Beers. led by Snyman. General Roberts
sent word that relief would arrive by
May Is.
Ever since January all In aafeking have
been on reduced rations Life has been
supported by means Of horse and mule
meat, soup made from the animals skirs.
and porridge concocted from fodder oats
Six ounces OF bread, quart of soup. and
two quarts of porridge was the daily ration
q month ago
The Casualties.
Casualties in the towns fighting force
up to April 2s totaled 24O, including i6
killed and 1913 wounded. Deaths from dis
ease add fully so more. making a 20 per
cent loss during the siege. The deaths
among non-combatants probably number
100 more.
To meet the peculiar exgencies of the
situation. Baden Powell issued paper cur
rency and postage stamps. The resource
full commander also built a gan of steel
cannon. which comprised one weapon made
in the last century. He hal thrown his
defence lines far out. thus preventing a
concentration of heavy fire on a small
space. which would soon have knocked the
town to pieces
When, Just before the outbreak Of the
war. Colonel Baden Powell had underta-
ken to put MafekiEg into & state of de
fence he was speedily Joined by Lord SAL
isbury's soldier son, Major Lord Edward
Cecil who had been one OF Lord Kltche-
ner's aides-de-c camp in the khartOum CAM
paign. Lord Charles Cavendish BentinCk
brother of the Duke Of Portland. an officer
OF the Ninth Lancers received a cavalry
command, while among the other officer:
were CoIOnels Goold-Adams and HOre
both Of African experience; Colonel Wal
ford. the Hon. Douglas Marsham. a sou
OF the Earl Of Romney: Lieutenant Pech-
ell a son Of Admiral Pechell; Captain Yer
non, who was well known at Cape Town a
an attache at the Government House, an,
Major PanZera, an artilleryman.
Capt Gordon c. W Wilson. of the ROya
Horse Guards. was also sent up to Mafe
king on special duty. and he was jOine'
there by his wife, Lady Sarah Wilson
the youngest daughter of the seventh Duk
and aunt of the present Duke Of MarlbOr
ough. This adventurous woman attempte
at the outset OF the siege to make her es
cape south to Kimberley. accompanied Onl,
by her maid servant. on horseback. Shr
was. however. captured by the Beers. an,
after some weeks imprisonment was offeret
by General Snyman in exchange for Vii
tOen, a notorious character. Through tn,
remainder Of the siege Lady Sarah Wilson
took prominent part in organizing and su
perintending an auxiliary hospital. and a
an amateur correspondent gave to thu
world many graphic details OF life in tn
besIeged town.
Lady Sarah, who certainly derives he
military Instincts from her great ancestors
has many relatives serving in the field
Her sisters, the Duchess of Roxburghe. La
dy Wimborne and Lady Tweedmouth, hav
all sons at the front. The little siX-year
old son Of Captain and Lady Sarah Wilso
was perforce left safe at home. where Lad
Sarah's bright presence in the Quor
hunting field has been much missed
Bravery of the Civilians.
Among the civilian population must b
mentioned the Mayor of Mafeking. Fran
whitley, who had charge Of the laage
containing six or seven hundred women an
children, and had many hairbreath escape
from the shells directed upon that quartz
by the Beers: and B. B. Well, membe
of weIl-known South African firm. S
keen was the spirit among the townsfOll
at the beginning Of the siege that two wo
men-the wife and daughter Of a railwa
employe-absolutely declined TO go To tn
women's lager Both were good shots
and. having their own Lee Metfords, wer
capable of taking care Of themselves.
Another of the defenders of Mafeking G
some note was Frank Milligan. the well
known Yorkshire cricketer. He went out
play cricket and stayed to fight the Bozrs
obtaining a commission in the Bechuana
land frontier force. He was wounded l
one of the skirmishes and is a pris0na
with the Beers.
OF the gallant band Of officers by whoI
the defence was sustained few came OF
OF the siege unscathed, still fewer with
out having suffered from fever or som
sort OF disease due to the siege The hr:
serious losses were sustained In the hgt
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