Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-04-02
NOT SINGLE SHOT FIRED
A Strong Effort Will he Made to Re-
cover the Guns and to That End
Gen. COlville's Batteries Are VigOr-
OuSly Smelling the BOer Camp.

~ %AAN -
try under Colonel ilcher, which has been
garrisoning Thaba Nchu was obliged. in
consequence of the near approach of a
large force of Beers, to leave last night.
Colonel Broadwood marched to the
Bloemfontein waterworks, south of the
oMdder, where he encamped at 4 o'clock
his morning. AT early dawn the camp
was shelled by the enemy from a near
point. Colonel Broadwood sent off a con-
voy with the batteries while the rest
of the force remained to act as a rear
guard. The convoy arrived at a deep
spruit. where the Beers were concealed.
and the entire 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 a shot was fired.
General Colyille's division. which left
Bloemfontein early this morning. ar
rived here at noon and is now Smelling
the Beers.
n April 2, 4:30 a. m.-General
Buffers anxious inquiry whether British
officers will eve learn the value OF
scouting, comes back with enforced en-
phasis to the British public to-day on
receipt of tidings that a convoy with
guns has walked deliberately into a
Boer ambush within about twenty miles
OF BlOemfontein.
Lord Roberts own report OF the ar
fair, 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 be said. therefore.
regarding h exact entent of the Brit
ish misfortune.
Evidently Colonel Broadwood thought
it necessary to retreat in haste from
! Thabu. Nchu. as he marched all Friday
night, apparently followed by a con-
! siderable force of the enemy. The con-
voy and gun had to pass through u
deep spruit which the Beers had occu-
pied. Six of the IL guns. comprising two
batteries, all the wagons and, 1t Is
feared Tar me 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 Cen
eral Colville will recover the convoy and
guns. but this is hardly likely in such
a difficult country and it is probable
the next news will be that, after a stiff
fight, General Colville has extricated
Coloenl Broadwood from his dihlcult
position, but failed to retrieve the dlsas-
3, ter.
Several criticism are heard regarding
the renewal of the old mistake OF UNI
I uCIIdtll1k luC DOclS dl1u In dOSCHCC VI
proper p%recaution. No doubt the affair
will revive Boer hopes and inspire con-
tidence among the enemy at a critical
moment.
Great things are expected by the
Beers of the new commander-in-chief,
Geenra Botha, who has made his 'repu-
tation wholly during the present CAM
paign. Foreign officers serving with
the Beers nave expressed sympathy at
his clever tactics. The proof of con-
tiny1inr pnoV oofiy3fyy in tho Twoo Gfofa
will compel greater circumspection on
the part of the British and will prob,
ably delay the march of Lord Roberts
ncrthward.
Detailed accounts of the fight at Karee
siding estimated the Boer forces various
ly from 5000 to 5000.
Brabant's horse occupied Wepener last
Thursday unopposed. Lord Methuen has
issued the following notification at Kim
berley: IT a received Instructions
that if any disturbance occurs west Of
Vaal river, my force is to return and pun
ish the rebels Immediately
Capetown, Saturday March 31.-The
, parture of the British transports with the
Boer prisoners for st. Helena has been
delayed in consequence of the sickness
among the prisoners. Three died today
and y have died during the week. Ar
rangements are being made to prevent
o~vercrowding. The prisoners do not COM
plain of their treatment of their food.
, Many of General Cronje's men when cap
tured, werecompletely worn out with the
hardships they had undergone AMI little
strength was left them to fight disease.
Moreover. the confinement o shipboard
is equally irksome to men who ave been
accustomed to outdoor life.
Bloemfontein, Friday, March 3O.-Lord
Roberts has sent the following dispatch
to President Kruger:
Have just heard of the death of Gen.
eral JOubert n desire to offer my sin
cere condolences upon the sad event
Would ask you to convey to General Jou-
bert's family an expression Of my most
respectful sympathy at their sad bereave.
ment and to assure them also from m
that all ranks Of her majesty's forces
sudden and untimely end Of so distin-
guished a gentleman who devoted his lift
to the service of his country and whose
personal gallantry was only surpassed by
his humane conduct n chivalrOus bear.
ing under all circumstances"
London, April 2.-Spencer Wilkinson, ii
the Morning Post says: The attack OF
Thaba Nchu and t~heconvoy is a sample
of the mode in which the Beers will tr!
to conduct the war. 1t is a legitimat,
made and the most effective for Boer pur
poses. So long as the BOer army keep
the field such attacks will embarrass tn,
British and, perhaps. the best way to ge
vance and decisive blows against tn
main Boer army.