The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-21
CRONJE's RETREAT.


again splendid"
CRONJE's RETREAT.
London, Feb. PA correspondent OF
the Daily Chronicle telegraphing Sun
day thus describes Gen. Cronje's retreat
with the Beers at Magersfontein, on
learning of Gen. French's success:
"On Thursday at midnight, headed by
Gen. Cronje, 5000 Beers, with their
heavy guns and OK wagons evacuated
the Afagersfontein lines. At dawn on
Friday the retreating Boer army was
seen from the British naval gun station
on Kilpdrift kopje trekking eastward
across the British front at a distance of
5000 yards. Our guns opened upon
them and a force of mounted infantry,
crossing the river, made a dashing
charge in the attempt to cut off the
head of the enemy's column. But in half
an hour their whole force had gained
shelter under line of kopjes.
Meanwhile two of our batteries had
come up and the Oxfords, Bluffs, West
ridings and Gloucesters. Our infantry
crossed the drift and for three hours
were engaged with the enemy while our
batteries shelled his position. The
mounted infantry kept hard at work.
unable to Withstand our CALLING fire,
the enemy retired, diSputing every inch
of the way and took up. a second posi-
/ ton on the kopjes to the eastward. 1t
was a magnificent spectacle to see the
Boer army thus at bay. Their rear
! guard, 1900 strong, fought US, while the
main body trekked further east and
/ then brought their guns into action,
! While the rear guard retired.
THE action lasted throughout the
/ day. Our infantry fought splendidly,
| but the enemy held his ground under
! the continued bombardment. Later on
! the Boer commander Ventured on
| bold stroke. Leaving 1000 Of his men
| under cover he withdrew the rest from
/ his main position and headed for Kip
kraal drift six miles to the east.
This movement was soon discover
! ed. Our mounted infantry came back
1 across the drift and marched along the
south bank to endeavor to head off the
enemy. When they reached the neigh
| bOrhOOd of Klipkraal drift night had
fallen and half the Beers were already
across to the southside. Our mounted
! infantry harassed their movements.
Meanwhile the Boer rear guard, hav-
ing covered the crossing of the main
| body retired slowly and successfully
4 passed the drift The rear guard fought
desperately, and as it fell back to the
| river it was harassed on the flank and
| rear by the British.
Having thus passed the Modder IN
I der cover of darkness the Beers trekked
/ throughout the night in the direction of
4 BiOemfOntein. Gen KelIy-Kenny, with
the Sixth division, pursued them at
| daylight, Gen. Macdonald, with the
/ Highlanders, following him. MacDon-
aid reached Klipkraal Drift by forced
marches Sunday. Gen. Kelly-Kenny
moving from KIipkraal Drift, was en-
| deaVOring to outf1ank the enemy and to
| cut them off from BlomfOntein so as to
| drive them back into Gen. MacDonald's s
hands. When 1 left the front General
Kelly-Kenny had not come up with the
| enemy"
dispatch to the Daily Mail from
Mafelzing, dated Friday, February 9,
says:
IAN business here is being conducted
i underground. The resident commits
sioner has sumptuous apartment in a
4 Subterranean bomb proof
THE Cape police have a large hall
with a plano. The Mafeking hotel din
ing room seats 40 All these have been
dug out and are impervious to shells"
GEN. MAC DONALD WOUNDED.
London, Feb 21-It is reported that
Gen. Hector Macdonald, commander of
the Highland brigade was severely
wounded yesterday. The last news re-
ceived about Gen. Macdonald and the
Highianders was that they were pur-
suing Gen CrOnje.
CRONJE IN A CLOSE PLACE.
London, Feb. PA private telegram
received here from Berlin this after
noon declares that Gen. Cronje is in a
bad position, bearing out yesterdays
Berlin rumor that Gen. CrOnje was sur
rounded, and that time limit had beer
given him within which to capitulate.
Arundel dispatches, dated February
20, show Beers in force made a deter
mined attempt to invest Arundel, bu
of the British mounted troops.
Cecil Rhodes is expected to arrive il
Cape Town February "a
curious dispatch from Pretoria
dated Tuesday, February 20, announces
that Commandant Ferrereira was killed
February 10, adding that his death was
believed to be the result of an accident
BAD FOR MAFEKING.
London, Feb, 21-The war office de-
clares that it is unable to substantiate
the reports of the relief of Ladysmith.
But does not prevent the public from
believing the queen has again forestall-
ed the authorities at Pail Mall and pre-
ferred to communicate the glad news
direct to the public through the mayor
! OF Windsor Just as yesterday she dra-
matically announced through Lord Vim
Cecil, commander of a militia corps, the
tidings of Gen. Buffers success hours
before the war office was able to relieve
the impatient anxiety of the United
Kingdom.
Nevertheless,as the queens words are
not actually quoted in today's an
nOuncement, official confirmation is
eagerly awaited, especially as Gen. Bull
ler's dispatch of yesterday is very gen
orally regarded as fOreshadowing a
junction of his and Gen. Whites forces
some time today. Public interest, ex-
pectation and anxiety therefore sway
INCREASINGLY and impatiently between
LadySmith and BlOemfontein The prac-
teal relief of the former place is re-
! SdEQeQ dS que more TO ElelQ Ma1Snal
Lord Roberts brilliant strategy in
drawing off the Beers than to General
Buffers numerous assaults, and news OF
the result of the battle between General
Kitchener and Gen. Cronje, reinforced
by the forces thus drawn off from La
dysmith is expected to almost syn
chronize with the announcement that
Gen. Butler has reached his objective
The accomplishment of the latter
event, however, is regarded with great
er confidence than is the ability of Gen
Kitchener to thoroughly cripple Gen
Cronje: for the BOer general has proved
himself so clever and daring in slipping
through the British lines that even il
Lord Roberts quickly occupied B1oem-
fontein, there are many fears expressed
| that Gen. Cronje might still preserve
the effectiveness of his mobile force.
The war office this afternoon an
nounced that it had no news from other
sources. There is yet nothing to throw