The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-24

position directly in front of the lager and
began a terribly accurate fire. the howitz-
ers using lyddite shells freely. The Beers
were seen retiring from the trenches TO the
river bed in order 10 seek cover, but no
cover could protect them from such accu-
rate and deadly fire. The howitzers eSpe-
cially dropped lyddite shells with marvel
Gus precision into the very bed of the river,
and the trenches were soon filled with ter
rible fumes and green smoke, but again the
enemy held grimly on. Again during the
night deserters arrived. They were terri
bly, frightened and shaken by their awful
experience. They reported that they had
water in abundance but were only able to
draw scanty supplies from ,heir lager
during the night"
THIRD DAY OF THE BATTLE.
A third dispatch from Paardeberg drift
dated Feb 20. says: To-day was the third
day of General Cronjes imprisonment and
grim resistance. Early this morning the
infantry engaged the enemy in the bed Of
the river. driving him back a short dis
lance. The morning sun disclosed the
Beers toiling like ants on intrencnments
around their lager. A few shells were
fired to prevent them from continuing the
work, but most of the day was quiet. Gen.
eral French's artillery was heard off to the
east, presumably engaging the Boer rein
forcements Every opportunity was given
the Beers to surrender, but when, towards
afternoon, there was no sign of any such
intentions. Lord Roberts determined to
crush once and for all General Cronje's re-
sistance. On the south bank of the river,
at range of about 1000 yards, three field
batteries and two naval twelve-pOunderS
were positioned On the north bank, and
enfiading the whole river, one howitZer,
three field batteries and three naval At
guns were placed.
Then followed the most wonderful scene
it was ever my lot to witness. Once before,
in Thessaly, L had seen ITO guns in action,
but never such a number of powerful guns
concentrating their fire upon a spot about a
mile square. The exploding lyddite shells
raised great clouds of green smoke, which
hid the bed of the river from view. The
shrapnel burst on the edge of each bank
except for a short space where the prox-
unity of the British infantry made It dan
gerouS. Our shells searched every bush
and every ravine of the river bed. The
enfilading guns must have done terrible ex-
ecution. The roar was deafening, yet with
a spirit of desperate madness now and
again the Beers would attempt to snipe the
naval guns which were firing at a range Of
1000 yards. The long line of three batter
les belched forth death, while on each side
lay two battalions of infantry, whose Max
inns sounded petty beside the roaring big
guns What loss the Beers suffered is not
known yet.
81 am writing this dispatch in the middle
of a sleeping camp. Not sound disturbs
the heavy sumber of the tired soldiers.
Down the river bed not a fire is seen, not a
cry heard. There is something tragic in
the stern resistance which General Cronje
is hopelessly Offering. 1T is impossible not
to admire his pluck, but all condemn the
wickedness of uselessly sacrificing the
lives of his brave followers"