, 1900-02-23
IN A DEATH TRAP
CRONJE'S ARMY HIDING IN THE
BED OF THE MODDER
RIVER.
Is Enclosed on East and West By Brit
ish Infantry and is Commanded by
British Artillery-Graphic Story of
the Tremendous Battle Tuesday in
Heat and Thunderstorm.

Paardeberg Drift, Orange Free State
Tuesday, Feb. 20.-General Cronje'i
magnificent night march from Mayors
fontein now appears likely to end II
disaster. The main body Of Beers /.
inclosed in a terrible death trap. The
enemy is hiding in the bed of the Mod.
der, commanded by British artillery
and enclosed on the east and west by
British infantry.
Sunday witnessed a gallant stand on
the part of the %retreating foe. Tired
and harrassed, they still maintained o
bold front. 1t is somewhat difficult tc
explain the Sunday action, in which all
the British force was engaged, in which
Cronje, under difficult conditions. man.
aged to hold his own. On Saturday
night the British mounted infantry
came in touch with Cronje's rear guard,
driving them back upon the main body.
On Sunday morning the action was re-
newed, but the Beers. who had en-
trenched in the river bed during the
night, prevented a further advance of
mounted infantry in this direction.
Meanwhile, the Highland brigade,
consisting Of the Seaforths. Black
Watch and Argylls, advanced from the
south bank and the Essex, Welsh and
iorkshires formed a long line on the
left, which rested on the river, the ex-
treme right being Welsh. The whole
line was ordered to envelop the Beers.
who lined both banks of the river.
The firing soon became heavy. Beers,
holding a splendid position, covered
the left Highland brigade, which ad-
vanced partly up the river bed and
partly in the open, while the rest Of the
brigade, with other regiments, swung
around in front of the Highland bri-
gade on the level. coverless ground.
we're exposed to a terrible fire which
obliged the men to lie upon the ground.
as they did for the remainder Of the
day. This began at half past Z in the
morning. Through the dreadful heat
and a terrible thunderstorm our men
hung to their position, answering the
Boer fire and shooting steadily.
In the meanwhile the rest OF the in
fantry completed the enveloping move
ment, the Welsh regiment having sue
ceeded in Selling the drift, thus closing
in the Beers. who had fought through
out with splendid courage. Cronje's
lager, full Of carts, ammunition and
stores, could be plainly seen near the
north bank.
General Smith Dorrien collected a
large body Of men. including the Ca
nadians, and crossed the river by the
Paardeberg drift, advancing toward the
lager, which Vering vigorously she'll
ed. This force made a gallant attempt
to charge into the lager, but failed.
Before seizing the western drifts. the
Beers occupied a kopje on the south
bank, running down the river. There
fore, their. force Is cut in two. The
Beers hold the kopje and have one
Vickers Maxim and probably n or
two other guns.
Toward evening the battery on the
south side opened, cooperating with
the battery on the north side. A won
derful sight followed. Shells fell with
amazing precision along the river bed,
opposite the lager, which was shelled
thoroughly, calling everything it con-
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