The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-17
THE SURPRISE AT SANNA'S POST.
Brilliant Blow struck at the British BY Gen.
Christian De Wet.

A graphic account of the surprise OF the
British force at Sanna's post, near the Bloem-
fontein waterworks. on March 81. Is given
by a Boer correspondent who was with Gen.
De Vets force on that occasion. The con-
ception and execution Of the operation. which
Is described with great simplicity md clearness,
stamps Gen. De Wet as an brilliant officer and
strategist, and unless his career is cut short
In the chances Of the war, he seems destined
TO take high rank as a partisan lender.
When the British column Of SOM 1850 men
belonging TO Gen. French's division occupied
1haba N'Chu, Gen. De Wet was with his force
near Brandport. On learning the strength
Of the British he started with the commands
under Commandants Piet and Christian DE
Wet and Andres Cronje in the direction Of
Thaba N'Chu. the total force not exceeding
1900 men. On March 30 they were in lager
at Marai's farm, about fifteen miles southeast
Of Brandport, when word was received that
the British had struck camp Mt Thaba .N'Chu,
and were preparing TO retire on HloeHfontein:
II was afterward learned that they had heard
OF the presence Of Gen, olivier east Of Thaba
NChu and feared an attack IRON, that quarter.
Gen, De Wet Immediately decided, 10 strike
at the ret,eating column; and selected TIE
are situated as the point OF attack, Orders
We're given on the same afternoon, March 20.
for a forced march during the night and the
Fight guns accompanied the column, but the
train was reduced to the smallest number
Of wagons possible, and the march was made
rapidly and quietly, none but the leaders know
Toward morning the column had reached
the hills overlooking the valley and the scouts
reported that the British force was encamped
near the waterworks. Or learning the dis;
| position Of the British, Zen De Wet developed
his plan. The valley, which Is about three
aAlA. v-tlA - La IN an.ts l.xny vlyr
ton. opening out into the plain east Of Bloenl-
fontein. The waterworks are situated at
the upper end Of the valley some twenty miles
east Of Bloemfontein. About two and a half miles
below the waterworks the Koorn Sprult crosses
the wagon road running from Thaba N'Chu
to Blocnfontein, and Joins the Modder River.
point whore the road crosses the koorn Spruit
there Is a drift rather difficult to pass, Com
mandant Christian De Vet moved down into
the Spruit with 400 men and took M positions
where the, could intercept the enemy. IN the
| event Of his retreatinG toward ~Bloemfontein.
They were entirely concealed and IN a position
of great natural strength, where they waited
for the British Ike hunters waiting for their
game. Commandants PET De Wet and Cronje
with the remaining l.2M men then moved
r r,ns on to the fan sr,''o q E Fea5 ana Sve pIs@IfiH 'h ths
British camp. where they waited for day.
So soon "a the light enabled them to aim
the Beers opened fire on the British. who. taken
completely by surprise, made no attempt to
return the FIRE, but hurriedly struck their bly,
ouac and began a precipitate retreat In the d.
r%ection Of Bloemfontein down the road across
the Spruit. Believing the force In their rear
to be that under Gen. Olivier from east OF Thaba
N'Chu, they made no attempt TO- reconnoitre
their front but pushed blindly on into the trap
Commandment Christian De Wet passively
waited until the British wagon train was In
the drift. and two wagons had actually crossed
the stream, before he gave the order to fire.
The Beers then spranR up and poured IN Q dead
ly fire with their Mausers. The British were
The cavalry. breaking away to the south,
made their escape good and left the infantry
TO take care OF themselves. The transport
train was thrown into wild confusion, the ami
bullets reared and plunged overturning sew
eral wagons and the infantry unable TO extri-
cate themselves from the fire In front and rear.
Beers promptly removed the killed and wounded
animals from the wagons and started the train
back to prevent its r~ecapture. There was some
but the affair was practically all over by 0
o'clock.
The number Of prisoners captured was 4Os.
Seven guns with more than a hundred rounds
OF ammunition each. were taken. along with 40
wagons loaded with provisions and ammuni-
ton, l.400 draught animals, 40 cavalry horses.
$50 Iae-Metford rifles and 20 carts.
During the afternoon a strong British force
marched out from BloemfOntein. but the Beers
having effected their purpose retired north
CARVING their prisoners Ts1 and booty away With
struck greatly encouraged the burghers and
Gen, De Wet, speaking Of 1t afterward. said:
We feel that the war has only Just begun,
ana we nave every reason 70 be hopeful OF the
result"
He is now In command Of the forces operating
against Lord Roberts's communications, and
Judging by. the recent captures Of the Duke Of
CambridRe,s Yeomanry and the Fourth Militia
battalion OF the Derbyshire Regiment, he IL cap
able OF rendering the British position at johann
commission to examine into the whole circum-
stances Of the Sanna's Post disaster will. II In
said. be appointed by the British War ONCE. but
the inclination Is to let II pass into oblivion
on, account Of the exalted rank Of the officer
held to be chiefly responsible for Il.