The Worthington advance., 1900-04-06
oo.~mana of Col. Broadwood Walk,
!. Into 4 yrap-six Guns, and 4
II II Thought Many Men,
: s.,#. ! Are Taken. 10y

~
batteries, while the rest of the force
remained to act as rear guard. The
convoy arrived at a deep spruit, where
the Beers wer:. concealed, and the en-
tire body walked into ambush and was
captured, together with six guns. The
loss of life was not great, since most
of the British had walked into the
trap before shot was fired. Gen. Col
ville's division, which left Bloemfontein
early this morning, arrived here. at
noon, and he is now shelling the Beers.
Walked Into Ambush.
London, April Cen. Buffers anx-
ious inquiry whether British officers
will ever learn the value of scouting
comes back with an enforced emphasis
to the British public on receipt of the
tidings that a convoy with guns has
walked deliberatelyinto Boer ambush
within about 20 miles of Bloemfontein.
Lord Roberts own report of the
affair, if yet received by the war
office, has not been published, and no
account of the affair is available to the
public except the dispatch from
Bushman kop. Nothing can he said,
therefore, regarding the exact extent
of the British misfortune.
Fear Many Were Captured.
Evidently Gel. Broadwood thought
it necessary to retreat in haste from
Thaba N'Chu, as he marched all through
Friday night, apparently followed by
considerable force of the enemy. The
convoy and guns had to pass through
deep spruit which the Beers had oc-
cupied.- Six of the twelve guns, COM
prising two batteries, all the wagons
and, it is feared, many men, fell into
the hands of the Beers, whose daring,
displayed so near Bloemfontein, shows
that they are rapidly recovering heart
after their recent reverses. The hope
is expressed here that Gen. Colville will
recover the convoy and guns, but this
is hardly likely in such a difficult coun-
try, and it is probable that the next
news will be- that. after stiff fight,
Gen. Colville has extricated Col. Broad
wood from his difficult position, but
failed to retrieve the disaster.
Severe criticisms are heard regard
ing the renewal of the old mistake of
undertaking the Beers and the absence
OF proper precaution. No doubt the af-
fair will revive Boer hopes and inspire
confidence among the enemy at a
critical moment.
Much Expected of Dotha.,
Great things are expected by the
Beers of the new commander in chief.
Gen. Botha, who has made his reputa-
tlon wholly during the present cam
paign. Foreign officers serving with
the Beers have expressed surprise at
his clever tactics.
The proof Of continuing Boer actiy.
1ty in the Free State will compel great
er circumspection on the part of the
British and will probably delay the
march of Lord Roberts northward.
Detailed accounts of the fight at
karee Siding estimate the Boer forces
variously from 5000 to 5000 men. Bra
bant's horse occupied Wepener last
Thursday unopposed.
Beers Give Battle.
London, April 2.-The war Office
has posted the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts, dated at Blocmfontein.
March 30, evening:
reports point to the enemy's leaving
Brandfort and proceeding in a northerly
direction. The casualties in yesterdays
engagement were more numerous than at
FIST reported: Officers killed. two: wound
ed, eight; rank and file. killed, ten: wound
ed, 10y; missing, three"
Roberts Expresses Sorrow,
Bloemfontein, April 2.-Gen. Lord
Roberts has sent telegram of condo
lence to President Kruger on the death
Of Gen. Joubert. Rudyard kipling has
written a poem on Joubert's death.
which appears in The Friend of the Free
State.
Sickness Among Prisoners.
Cape Town, April 2.-The departure
of the British transports with the Boer
prisoners for st. Helena has been de-
layed in consequence of the increased
sickness among the prisoners. Three
died to-day and 12 have died during the
week. Arrangements are being made
to prevent overcrowding. The prison
ers do not complain Of their treatment
or their food. Many of Gen. Cronje's
men when captured were completely
worn out with the hardships they had
undergone and little strength was left
them to fight disease. Moreover, the
confinement on shipboard is very irk-
some to men who have been accustomed
to outdoor life.