The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-23
WAS ANOTHER MoDDER RIVER.
Fight at Paardeberg in which Both
Sides Lost Heavily.

Raardeberg Drift, o. f. s., Tuesday,
Feb 20, via Modder river Feb. 2l.-One of
the costlest actions of the war occurred at
Paardeberg Drift Sunday, Feb. IS.
Gen. Kelly Kenny. in his pursuit Of
Gen. Cronje caught his rear guard at
Kip Drift and followed the 5urghers to
the Boer lager at Koodoo's rand. The
drift action began at daybreak, the mount
ed infantry drawing the Boer rear guard
up the river towards the main body of
mounted infantry Unanswered on The
right front and flank of the Beers. The
British main body advanced TO outfianS
the Boer lager on the north bank of the
river.
Gen. Kelly-Kenny having seized two
drifts found the Beers strongly enclosed
and ordered an attack, with the Highland
brigade on the left and Gen. Knox's
brigade on the center and right, while
Gen. 6mith-Dorrien's brigade crossed the
river and advanced along the north bank.
On both the north and south banks the
ground is level and the advance across
this was deadly and the British losses
were heavy.
The battle was an exact replica of the
Modder river. The soldiers were under
fire all day long and all the fighting had
no definite result, as the Boer laager was
well barricaded and they remained there
in The British guns shelled the laager
vigorously, and the Beers confessed to a
loss of over 800 men.
The terrific Smelling was resumed to-day,
when Gen. Cronje asked for an armistice.
The Smelling was continued Tuesday, over
fifty guns pouring lead into the Boer camp.
Beers In Death Trap.
Gen. Cronje's magnificent night march
from Magersfontein now appears likely to
end in disaster. The main body of the
Beers is enclosed in a terrible death trap.
The enemy are hiding in the bed of the
Modder, commanded by British artillery
and enclosed, On the east and west, by the
British infantry.
Sunday witnessed a gallant stand on the
present retreating foe Tired, harrassed.
they still maintained bold front 1t Is
somewhat difficult to explain the Sunday
action In which all the British forces were
engaged, and in which Gen Cronje, under
difficult conditions managed to hold his
own.
On Saturday night the British mounted
infantry came into touch with Cronje's
rear guard driving them back upon the
main body. On Sunday morning the ac-
ton was renewed but the Beers who had
entrenched the river bed during the night,
prevented further advance of the mount
ed infantry in this direction.
Meanwhile the Highland brigade, consist
ing of the Seaforths, the Black Watch and
bank and the Essex. Welsh and York
shires formed a long line on the left
which rested on the river. the extreme
right being the Welsh. The whole line
was ordered to envelop the Beers WHO
lined both banks of the river.
The Firing Was Heavy.
The firing soon became heavy. The
Beers holding splendid position, cover
ed the left of the Highland brigade, which
advanced partly up the river bed and part
Iy In the open while the rest OF the brig
ade with the other regiments swung
around the front of the Highland brigade
on the level coverless ground exposed to
terrible fire which obliged the men 10
lie upon the ground as they did for the
remainder of the day. This began at 1870
o'clock in the morning.
Through the dreadful heat and a ter
rible thunderstorm our men hung to the
position. answering the Boer fire and
shooting steadily.
In the meantime the rest of the infantry
completed the enveloping movement, the
Welsh regiment having succeeded in seiz-
ing the drift thus closing In the Beers
who had fought throughout with splendid
courage. Gen. Cronje's laager, fun of
carts, ammunition and stores could be
plainly seen near the north bank.
Charge the Boer LANCER.
Gen. Smith-Dorrien collected a large