Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-02-28
BRAVERY OF BOERs.
GEN. CRONJE'S GRIM vALOR
WINS ADMIRATION.
Free Stale Leaders InfiexibIe Courage
in a Defenseiess Position-The En-
trapped Burghers Are Subjected to "a
Most Terrible Artillery Fire.

Early ON the morning of the third day
og Gen. Cronje's grim resistance the
British infantrs engaged the enemy IN
The dgs bed u the Alodder River. The
niafllimg S,.i disclosed the Beers toiling
ike. ms on entrenehments around their
ls..erS 4 few shells were fired 70 pre-
fpnt them from continuing the work.
Every opportunity Vas given the Beers
20 surrender but when toward afternoon
there Was no sign Of amy such intentions,
Lord Roberts determined TO crush once
aud for all Gen. Cronje's resistance. on
the south bank OF the river at range Of
about 1000 yards three field batteries
and two naval twelve-pounders were po-
sit.oned On the north be- ak and EMILIA
ding the whole river. one iowitzer, three
field batteries aud three naval a.I guns
were placed.
Then followed most wonderful scene.
Over foo powerful gums concentrating
their fire upon spot about mile square.
The exploding lyddite shells raised great
clouds OF green smoke, completely hllng
the bed Of the giver. The shrapnel burst
on the edge OF each bank, except for
short space where the proximity of the
British infantry made il dangerous. Brit
ish shells searched every bush and every
rayine of the river bed. The entilading
guns suust have done terrible execution.
The roar was deafening yet with spirit
of desperate madness now and again the
Beers would attempt 10 snipe the naval
guns which were firing at a range of
1000 yards. The long line Of three bat
teries belched forth death, while ON each
side lay two battalions of infantry whose
Maxims sounded petty beside the roaring
big guns. What loss the Beers suffered
is not known yet.
There was a vague rumor current IN
London Thursday night that Gen,
Cronje, with his 600 men, had surren'
dercd. No official confirmation Of the
rumor could then be had. According to
unofficial advices Gen. Cronje was sur
rom ded and his force torn and slaugh'
tered by the encircling steel fire, yet hold
ing out in grim determination to do his
hest to verify President krnger's famous
ante -bellum declaration that the Beers
reception to the British would 'stagger
humanity" The Boer gems al apparent
IL had exhausted his ingenuity in trying
to secure all possible delay. He asked
an arinistice Of twenty-four hours, ac'
coriing to the unofficial dispatches, in
which to bury his dead. When this was
refused. with a slur on British inhu'
manity." he invited negotiations looking
TO surrender. Then when visited by Gen.
Lord Kitchener he declared the whole
business was a mistake. that he never
thought of surrcndering. that he intended
to yanouish his imperialistic Zoe or leave
the lifeless bodies of himself and his sol
diers on the battlefield These negotia
TORS required time, and meanwhile it is
thought Gen. Cronje was awaiting the
arrival of re-enforcements.
1t is universally held that this Modder
River battle is one of the most desperate
of history. Cronje's position in itself was
moi OF the best. but he was surrounded by
fat ground. across which the British
must move to rush the enemy's force,
1t was this unprotected stretch of coun.
try which caused Lord Roberts to hest
tate. He knew that men would fall
there by hundreds if an attempt Were
made To traverse it. Accordingly he
planted guns ON commanding points and
from distance he began 10 hurl lyd.
uIre Huu ssr,... 4 1850 la. Roc,s' Iaapnr
In face of this helehing out OF sulphur
Gus death Cronje's force held on-an ex'
traortlinary exhibition of desperate pluck
that compels expression of admiration on
every hand. Yet it is declared that he
is open to grave censure for usclessly
and wantonly sacrificing the lives of his
men.