The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-27
SERIES OF INTERESTING FIGHTS.
Details of the Activities Around
Paardeberg Last Friday.


Paardeberg Saturday, Feb. 24.-Yester-
day there was most interesting series
of fights along the British front One
thousand Beers, commanded by Gen. De
wet, who were known to be operating in
the immediate front, at early dawn yes
terday, determined to attempt to break
through the British lines to aid Gen.
Cronje. A body of 500 Beers moyed to-
ward the British left and cantered in
the direction of a kopje, with the OBJ
ject of occupying it. Unfortunately for
the Beers, however the kopje was held
by a company of Scottish Borderers, who
opened heavy fire. The Beers galloped
off, but moved again toward another Brit
ish position, with exactly the same re-
suit
Then they made third attempt to occupy
another position, but the Borderers were
again ready to receive them. The third
repulse thoroughly disconnected the Beers
who galloped away in panic. Later, per-
celving another kopje, the Beers moved
quickly toward it. This kopje was unoc-
cupied, but the Borderers. not to be beaten,
raced the Beers for the position and won,
occupying the kopje and driving off the
Beers. A portion of the latter ultimately
occupied a kopje fanked partially by the
Borderers and facing another kopje held
by the Yorkshires. A vigorous fusilade
ensued, the British firing accurately and
succeeding in silencing the Boer fire.
Meanwhile the Bluffs were ordered
to reinforce the Yorkshires in
case the Beers should be reinforced. The
British attack worked around to the right
of the kopje held by the Yorkshires, where
The Seventh Battery was stationed, the
Sixty-second Battery being placed at a
farm near the center of the Borderers' po-
sitlon A vigorous sheAing accompanied
by a British fusiIlade, completely siienced
the Beers. A company of Yorkshires
were sent 10 clear out the Beers, but the
attemNt failed, the Beers opening a heavy
fire and the British having no cover.
The British then again opened a heavy
rife fire, which slenced the Beers. The
Beers made several attempts TO run, but
the Maxims opened upon them effectually
and checked them.
The Bluffs now worked carefully and eau
tiously around and got within 150 yards of
the Beers Eighty Beers surrendered, but
many il appears escaped, going singly.
Most of the prisoners had just arrived
from Ladysmlth. They complained of the
bad generalship of their leader. Nearly
every man carried explosive bullets, and
five British were wounded with these mis-
siles. l have seen the bullet, of which one
Boer carried fifty,
There is no longersthe slightest doubt
that the Beers are gradually discarding
all rules of civilized warfare. The other
day they poured the contents of a Vickers-
Maxim gun into an ambulance, which hap
pened however to be empty, some 800
yards away from the nearest troops
The war balloon is doing excellent SER
vice Early this morning it arose to
great hight and discovered i'm the bed
of the river four wagons. which con-
tanned ammunition. These were exploded
by the British shells an hour afterward.
The balloon observer also discovered
number of horses concealed near by, and
these also received attention from the
British shrapnel.
The Gordons are now incorporated in
the Highland Brigade. making four killed
regiments The Highland Light Infantry,
who are not killed nnd are a fine body of
men. are going to join Gen. Smith-Dor-
rien's regiment.