The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-04-07

DuSuIldu NOu, ApIlA o.-AAC oiAtAoA
force commanded by Col. Broadwood,
consisting of the Tenth Hussars,
Household cavalry, two horse batter
les and q force of mounted infantry
under Col. Pitcher which had been
garrisoning Thaba Nchu, vas obliged,
in consequence of the near approach
Of a large force Of Beers, to leave
Friday night. Col. B%roadwood marched
marched to the Bloemfontein water
works. south Of the Moddcr, where he
encampcd at 4 Saturday morning. At
early dawn the camp was shelled by
the enemy from a near point. Col.
Broadwood sent off Il convoy with the
batteries. while the rest of the force
remained to act as Il rear guard. The
convoy arrived at a deep spruit, where
the Beers were concealed and the en-
tire body walked into ambush and
were captured, together with six guns.
The loss of life was not great since
most Of the British had walked into
the trap before Il shot was fired. Gen-
Colville's division. which left Bloesn-
fontein early Saturday morning. ar
rived here at noon Sunday and he 1s
now Smelling the Beers.
Reiterated In Haste.
London, April 3.-Gen. Buffers anX-
ious inquiry whether British officers
will ever learn the value Of scouting
comes back with enforced emphasis to
the British public to-day on receipt Of
tidings that a convoy with guns has
walked deliberately into n Boer am
bush within about twenty miles OF
BlOemfOntein.
Lord Roberts own report of the af-
fair, if vet received by the war office.
has not been published. and no ac-
count of the affair is available to the
public except the dispatch from Bush
man Kop. Nothing a be said, there
fore, regarding the exact extent of the
British misfortune. Evidently Col.
Broadwood thought it necessary to re-
treat in haste from Thaba Nchu, as
he marched all through Friday night,
apparently followed by 4 considerable
force of the enemy. The convoy ana
guns had to pass through a deep
spruit, which the Beers had occupied.
Six or ten guns, comprising two bat
teries. all the wagons, and, it is feared,
many men, fell into the hands of the
Beers. whose daring, displayed so near
Bloemfontein, shows that they r
rapidly recovering heart arter the re-
cent reverses. The hope is expressed
here that Gen. .Colyille will recover
the convoy and guns, but this is hard
ly likely in such a difficult country.
and it is probable that the next news
will be that
After n Stin Fight
Con. Colville has extricated Col.
Broadwood from his difficult position,
but failed to retrieve the disaster.
Severe criticisms are heard regarding
the renewal of the old mistakes Of IN
derrating the Beers and the absence
of proper %precaution. No doubt the az
fair will revive Boer hopes and inspire
confidence among the enemy at q criti-
ral moment. Great things are expect
ed by the Beers Of the new command
er-in-chief. Gen. Botha, who has made
his reputation wholly during the pres
ent campaign. Foreign officers SEW
ing with the Beers have expressed
surprise at his clever tactics.
The proof of continuing Boer Gctiv-
ity in the Free State will compel
greater circumspection on the part OF
the British. and will probably delay the
march of Lord Roberts northward.
Detailed accounts of the fight at Karee
Siding estimate the Boer forces varl-
ously from 5000 to 5000 men. Bra
bant's horse occupied Wepener last
Thursday n~nopposed. Lord Methuen
Kimberley:
81 have received instructions that If
any disturbances occur west of the
Vaal river my force is to return ana
punish the rebels Immediately"
-sx 49,. S---. TA.-
ritory.
London, April 3. - The Lisbon cor
respondent Of the Daily Mail says:
''The Portuguese government has
wired orders to Beira that British
troops and ammunition be allowed to
& through freely to Rhodesia. The
minister Of foreign affairs, Veigo Beiro,
has announced in the chamber of dep
mites that the government is in pos.
session of railway bonds with which
to nay the award of the Delagoa Bay
railway arbitration tribunal.
steyn to Stir Them Up.
Meseru, April 3.-President Steyn is
reported to have gone to Ladybrand to
stir. up the burghers there to renewed
resistance. The Beers have removed
from the immediate vicinity of Platte
berg and taken up q commanding po-
sition adjacent. The Dutch who sur
rendered their arms at Ladybrand are
now suffering seizures of their live
stock. 7~ ~. -
Roberts Graceful Act.
Bloemfontein, April 3.-Lord Roberts
has sent the following dispatch to
President Kruger:
"Have Just. heard Of the death Of
Gen. Joubert. and desire to- offer my.
sincere condolences upon the sad event.
Would ask you to convey to Gen. Jou-
bert's family an expression Of my
most respectful sympathy with their
sad bereavement. and to 8 them
also from me that all ranks Of her
maiesty'sS forces share my feelings of
deep regret at the sudden and untime-
" end of; SO distinguished q general.
who devoted his life to. the service of
his country and whose personal gal
laantry was only surpassed by his hui
name conduct and chivalrous bearing
under NIL circumstances"
Both4 Jeqbert's Choice.
Pretoria, April 3.-President kruger
said.3fn public that the last expressed
desire of the late aGen.. Joubert was
that he should. be succeeded as com
mandant general - Luis Botha.