Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-03-02
NEXT FIGHT MAY BE WYNBURG
Roberts VIII Have to Meet a
Large Force of Boers Before
He Can Reach Bloem-
fonteIn.
LADYSMITH CASUALTIESGIvEN

Orange River, March General
cronje and wife passed here last night
en- route to Cape Town. Cronje looks
miserable. He entered the refresh
ment room accompanied by his wife
son and interpreter. and General Pret-
lyman and staff. Taking a seat at the
table Cronje covered his face with his
hands for few moments as he en-
gagged in prayer
Paardeberg. Feb. 2S-All prisoners
were paroled yesterday afternoon,
The look upon the faces of the men
as they passed showed they were all
overjoyed at the release from daily
hell of shell and shot
They chatted freely with the Brit
ish, discussing the different battles
in which they fought. All the pris-
oners have an intense admiration for
the bravery and pluck of the High
landers. Some sick prisoners have
given a vivid description OF Cronje's
night march. 1t began in a panic
Terrible confusion prevailed. Huge
wagons crowded the narrow road. De.
sertions were numerous. The Boer
rations consisted of a pound and a
half of fresh meat daily and pound
and a half of coffee, three pounds or
sugar and FIVE pounds OF -four per man
weekly
Every man Off duty visited the Boer
lager yesterday. The soldiers wei e
allowed to take whatever they likeG,
They carried off clothing, kettles,
cups, even umbrellas. The last re.
ports announce that largo force OF
Beers is operating ten miles away on
the British right front.
London, March "a dispatch from
General Butler was received at the
war Office this morning announcing
that seventy-three wagon loads of sap
plies were now entering Ladysmith
the first eleven wagons containing
hospital comforts.
A<OhQOAy p iii WIN llO plOcpCCl
of any exciting news from Ladysmith
in the near future, all eyes are turned
once more towards Field Marshal Lord
Roberts advance into the Orange Free
State. Critics in the afternoon news
papers are almost unanimous in ex--
pecting the main stand of the Beers to
occur at Wynburg, or vicinity Be
fore the advance on Bloemfontein can
become effective. a strong force of
Beers, already gathered southwest of
Paardeberg, must be dispersed. Brit
ish lack of remounts and the necessity
OF thorough transport organization
may delay a decisive action in this
quarter for several days, and perhaps
weeks.
Mafeking alone now awaits a relief,
and a force to accomplish this is prob
ably already on the way. It is believ-
ed that Colonel Baden-Powell's gal
liant little band will be able to hold out
till succor arrives. In northern Cape
Colony the British campaign progress
es well. The whole line of the Orange
River should shortly be in their pos
session.
Cape Town March General Cron-
je and party arrived at Simonstown
today. Cronje was received by Cen
eral Sir Frederick Forestier-Walker
and a representative of Sir Alfred Mil
ner governor of Cape Colony.
London, March General Buffers
casualties among officers during the
fighting of Feb 9th, were: Killed
Colonel O'Leary, of the Lancashires;
Major Lewis, Captain Sykeses Lieut..
Simpson. of the Scots Fusileers;
Lieut.. Morilyean, of Warwickshires;
Lieut. DAILY, of the Irish Fusileers.
Wounded-General Barton, Colonel
Carr, Scots Fusileers and twenty
three others.
There were in Ladysmith. at the be-