Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-04-02
Afternoon Dispatched

office has received the following dis.
patch from Lord Roberts, dated Bloom.
fontein, April j;
81 received news late yesterday
evening from Col. Broadwood, who was
at Thaba d'Chu, thlrty-eight miles east
Of here. that Information had reached
him that the enemy was approaching
In two forces from the north and the
east lie stated that II the report
proved true. he would retire towards
the waterworks. seventeen miles nearer
Bloemfonteln where we have had a
detachment Of mounted infantry for
the protection OF the works
BRITISH RETREAT.
"Broadwood was told in reply that
the ninth division with Martyrs
mounted infantry would march al day
light today 20 support him. and that
if be considered 1t necessary he should
retire from the waterworks He
moved there during the night and biy-
ouacked.
AT dawn today be was shelled by
the enemy, who attacked on three sides
he Immediately dispatched two horse
artillery batteries and his baggage to-
ward BIoemfonteln. covering some OF
them with his cavalry
CAUGHT IN AN AMBUSH.
some two miles from the water
works the road crossed a deep mulldhi
or sprult, 10 which, during the night
force OF Beers had concealed Them
selves So well were they hidden that
our leading scouts passed over the
drift without discovering them, and IL
was not until the wagons and guns
We're entering "a. drift that The Beers
showed themselves and opened fire.
Many of the drivers OF the artillery
horses were Immediately shot Gown at
short range. and several OF the guns
were captured.
The remainder galloped away, COW
cred by Roberts horse, which suffered
heavily
Meanwhile Lieut. Chestermasters OF
Remingtons scouts. found "a passage
across the spruit unoecupied by the
enemy by which the remainder OF
Broadwoods force crossed. They re-
formed with great steadiness. uotwith-
standing all that had previously oc-
cured
HEAVY LOSSES SUSTAINED.
"Broadwood's report. which has Just
reached me. and contains no details,
stated be had lost seven guns and an
his baggage. He estimates all his
casualties about $50. including 200 miss
ins.
"On hearing this morning that Broad
wood was hard pressed. I Immediately
ordered General French with two re-
naming cavalry brigades TO follow 10
support of the ninth division. The
latter after a magnificent march, ar
rived on the scene Of action shortly
after y. m.
"Broadwood's force consisted OF the
royal household cavalry, the tenth hus-
sars. the @ and n batteries OF the royal
horse artillery, and Pitchers battalion
Of mounted infontry.
ESTIMATE BOER STRENGTH.
"The strength OF the enemy is estl-
mated at from 5000 10 10000. with guns.
the number Of which Is not yet report.
ed"
London. April 2. l.25 pm.-The war
office has received another dispatch
from Lord Roberts. dated Bloemfonteln.
Sunday. April l. S:l5 p. mo IN which.
after referring 20 his previous telegram.
he gives a partial list OF the missing
British officers OF Q battery four OFF,
GERS were wounded. two of whom are
missing one gunner was killed and
forty non-commisaoned officers and
men are wounded or missing. Lord
Roberts then continues
CAPTURED A WHOLE BATTERY
In u battery an are missing except
Major Taylor and a sergeant major
Two cavalry regiments did not suffer so
much.
"A report has just come in that the
enemy has retired towards Ladybrand,
leaving 80 wounded officers and some
seventy men az the waterWorks.
we are now sending an ambulance
Tor them"
II will be noticed that IN the foregoing
advices Lord Roberts says nothing ln
regard 70 the British guns being recap
tured.
BOERS ACTIVE ELSEWHERE.
Kimberley, Sunday April There Isl
great Boer activity along the Naal
river. About COCO burghers have as
sembled al various points between
Fourteen Streams and Christlana.
About 200 men are occupy!ng Witrand.
north OF Klipdam. and 400 mvE are
lasgered az B0otsap.
LONDON is SHOCKED.
London. April 2. p.m.-Rumor Of the
recapture by the British OF the seven
guns taken from Col Broadwood's
force. based on a dispatch 90 the Chron-
icle from Bloemfonlein. which is IN an
probability correct fails 90 compensate
London FOR the severe shock cxperl-
cnccd boy the humiIiaung defeat sus-
talned within a few miles of the head
quarters OF the British army OF oCcupa-
lion. The public is painfully surprised
20 learn after AN that British officers 90
high position can stu neglect precau-
lions which the veriest tyro might Doe
expected 90 observe. and buuler into
traps which the observance Of ele-
mentary military rules would have re-
yealed
AFFAIR DIsCREDITABLE.
There IL no attempt here 20 minimize
The Observation-Disclosures OF the whole az
fair so Tar as the British are concerned
or detract from the dexterlty OF the