Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-03
CONVOY DISASTER
Due to Inability to Cut eff
OIivier's Retreat.
British Fought RraveIy but We're
Slaughtered by Beers.
CoIvilie's Arrival Saved Greater Disaste.
Meihuen Again Hard Pressed.

London, April 3.-45o A. M-The
latest news from the front adds little
to thu public knowledge Of the convoy
disaster No credence is given to re-
ports that the Beers numbered be
tween 5000 and 10000 men. The gen
eral belief is that there could not have
been more than half that number but
the mere fact that even so many az
half could have been collected so near
Of the British commanders provokes
uneasy criticism
The disaster is regarded as a direct
result VI the inability Of Gen. French
"a cut Of the commando Of Gen. Oliver
ana the other commanders when es-
Gaping from the Orange river.
Lord Roberts own dispatch dated
two hours later than the Daily Chron-
icle's says nothing about the guns be
ing rccapturcd. The story, therefore,
looks doubtful. -
Little news has arrived from other
points. Kenhardt VAS formally reoc-
cupicd Saturday. The report that the
Beers are massinS in the vicinity Of
Taungs ana klipdam is confirmed
Lord Methuens difficulties are APP
par"ntly Increasing. He has Boer
laagers or guerilla bands on three
sides Of him. ana he will lie obliged To
watch carefully his I mmunications
with Orange river.
The BlOemfontein correspondent OF
the Daily Chronicle telegraphing. Sun
day, and describing the loss Of the con-
Noy, says: The Beers opened with
murderous fire. 1t was simply slaugh-
ter. The kaftir drivers of the convoy
ran away. leaving their teams and il
was impossible for our men to hit the
hidden enemy.
our gunners fought bravely, trying
TO save the guns but our people were
greatly hampered by the Kaffirs who
ran hither and thither, looking for
cover from the fearful fire that poured
in on all sides. Meanwhile the enemy
We're hotly pressing Col. Broadwood,
whose mounted troops We're completely
surrounded
The British showed magnificent
bravery. The officers were quite cool
and composedy directed operations.
The opportune arrival Of reinforce
ments saved col Broadwood from an
Inhalation.
The water supply was cut and the
pumping gear destroyed. as well as
the field telegraph. one hundred
wagons We're lost through the coward
ice Of the Kaffir drivers
1T is reported that two guns have
been recapturei. The whole force is
retiring on Bloemfontein
The Bloemfontein correspondent Of
the Standard says that the Prince Of
Teck was in charge Of the transport,
but is safe.
The BloemfOntein correspondent of
the Times. telegraphing, Sunday, with
reference ~ the capture Of the convoy
says: The whole affair was a flash
intended to brighten Free Staters who
were DESTROYS of surrendering to Lord
Roberts.
When Gen. Colville arrived. al
though he was almost destitute OF
mounted men and had marched Is
miles, he determined to turn the river.
crossing at some point lower down
than that occupied by the enemy Ac-
cordingly Gen. Smith Dorriens bri-
gade, including Canadians. attempted
another drift which turned the enemy's
original position.
For some reason Lieut.. Col. Flint's
was detached. at 2 o'clock. to
the right, where il remained for a con
siderable period. Smelling at 5000 yards
range three If the enemy's guns that
we're placed in the open in the vicinity
of Col BroadWOOd's encampment
a large foce of Beers
visible on the far side Of the Modder
rscaped punishment ana retired slowly
rs our infantry advanced
FINALLY our guns took up 4 position
on rising ground between the two bril-
@adcs. thus commanding both drifts,
bui by that time their support was not
needed. as the only resistance to the
advance Of the British infantry came
from guns firing shrapnel at far too
long 4 range. We could, however, see
the enemy in force in a laager at the
foot Of some hills lying between the
Moddcr ana Thaba N'Chu, and we
could see them move off our convoy to
the rear. Gen. Colville's division
bivouacked on the river bank, Saturday
night. awaiting the arrival of Gen.
FrenCh'S cavalry"
London. April at is officially an
nounced that Queen Victoria has ap-
CONTINUED on page 81