Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-24
22a, WHEELING ". VA SATURDAY. FEBRUARY "a 1900

such NUMBER OF powerful guns con-
centrating their fire upon spot
about a mile square. The exploding
lyddjte shells raised great clouds Of
green smoke, completely filling the
bed of the river. The shrapnel burst
on the edge of each bank except for
a short space where the proximity of
the British infantry made it danger
Gus. Our shells searched every bush
and every ravine of the river bed.
The enflading guns must have done
terrible execution. The roar was
deafening, yet with a spirit OF desper-
ate 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 Maxims sounded pretty beside
the roaring big guns.
am writing in the middle of a
sleeping camp. Not a sound disturbs
the heavy slumber of the tired SOL
diers. Down the river bed not fire
is seen, not a cry heard. There is
something tragic in the stern resist
ance which Gen. Cronje is hopelessly
offering. 1t is impossible not to adj
mire his pluck, but all condemn the
wickedness of uselessly sacrificing
the lives of his brave followers.
Monday morning broke finding the
Beers In the same place, they having
during the might constructed en-
trenchments around the lager, which
was still threatened by Gen. Smith
n0rioo, Tho inf trxy r-octod oftor tho
terribly hard days fighting on Sun
day.
The mounted infantry and a battery
of horse artillery started to observe the
enemy, who was holding kopjc, but
while riding around the southern side
of the kopje they received heavy
fusillade and were obliged to move
farther out. They sustained no casu-
atty, another proof of the bad Boer
craftsmanship. Rushing on, the de-
tachment found that the kouje extend
ed a considerable distance west, slop-
ing gradually to the plain. They seiZ-
ed good defensive position, which
was garrisoned. They continued the
movement and completely turned The
Beers, whose left was held strongly by
a farm house, which was vigorously
shelled. The detachment returned to
camp at nightfall, leaving garrison
on the ridge. Meanwhile a desultOry
bombardment of the Boer position was
kept up and a good deal of rifle fire
concentrated where the Essexes were
attempting to rush up the river.
About midday the cry that Gen.
French had arrived was passed down
the ranks, but his division operated
out of sight of our force. When Lord
Roberts arrived he addressed several
regiments and was vigorously .cheered.
Early in the day Gen. Cronje asked
for a 24-hour armistice in order to bury
his dead. Lord Kitchner refused, and
little later came another messen-
ger with word to the effect that If the
British were inhuman enough to re-
fuse an armistice for the purpose of
burying the dead, Gen. Cronje saw no
other resource but to surrender. Upon
receipt of this messenger Lord Kitch-
ener proceeded to the Boer lager in
order to arrange the capitulation, but
ne was met by a messenger who an
nounced that Gen. Cronje said that the
whole thing was mistake, that Gen.
CronJe had not the slightest intention
OF surrendering, but would fight until
be died. Gen. Kitchener returned and
ordered a bombardment of the Boer
position. Three field batteries and a
howiter battery took position directly
in front of the lager and began ter
rible accurate fire, the howitzers using
lyddite shells freely.