The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1900-04-06
Once Again They Underestimate
Strategy Of the BnrgherS.
LEFT THEIR ARTILLERY BEHIND
BrOadwOOd's Command flakes
TASTY Retreat With Trans
walters In Close Pursuit.

Advices received at London from
Bushman Kop, under date of March
3lst, stated that the British force COM
manded by Colonel Broadwood, con-
sisting of the Tenth Hussars, House
hold cavalry, two-horse batteries and
force of mounted infantry under
Colonel Pitcher, which had been gar
risoning at Thabanchu, was obliged,
in consequence Of the near approach
OF large force of Beers, to leave their
position Friday night.
Colonel Broadwood marched to the
Bloemfontein waterworks, south of
the Modder river, where he encamped
at A o'clock Saturday morning. At
early dawn the camp was shelled by
the enemy from a near point. Colonel
BroadwoOd sent off convoy with the
batteries, while the rest Of the force
remained to act as a rear guard.
The convoy arrived at deep spruit,
where the Beers were concealed, and
the entire body walked into ambush
and was captured, together with six
guns.
The loss of life is not great, since
most of the British had walked into
the trap before a shot was fred.
LONDON DISAPPOINTED.
A London special of Monday morn
ing says: General Buffers anxious in
quiry whether British officers will ever
learn the value of scouting comes back
with enforced emphasis to the British
public on receipt of the tidings that
convoy with guns has walked deliber-
ately into a Boer ambush within about
twenty miles of Bloemfontein.
Lord Roberts own report of the
affair, if yet received by the war Office,
has not been published and no ac-
count of the affair is available to the
public except the dispatches from
Bushman kOp. Nothing can be said,
therefore, regarding the exact extent of
the British misfortune.
Evidently Col. Broadwood thought
it necessary to retreat in haste from
Thabanchu, as he marched all through
Friday night, apparently followed by
a considerable force of the enemy.
The convoy and guns had to pass
through deep spruit which the Beers
had occupied.
Six of twelve guns, comprising two
batteries, 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
are rapidly recovering heart after their
recent reveTses.
The hope is expressed that General
Colville will recover the convoy and
guns and extricate Colonel Broadwood
from his difficult position.
Severe criticisms are heard re-
garding the renewal of the old mistake
of undertaking the Beers and the abb
sence of proper precaution. No doubt
the affair will revive Boer hopes and
inspire confidence among the enemy
at critical moment.
Great things are expected by the
Beers of the new COMMUNICATIVE chief,
General Botha, who has made his rep
utation wholly during the present
campaign. Foreign officers serving
with the Beers have expressed surprise
at his tactics.
The proof of continuing Boer activity
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
variously from 5000 to 5000 men.
Brabants horse occupied Wepener last
Thursday unopposed.
Lord Methuen has issued the follow
ing notification at Kimberly:
81 have received instructions that il
any disturbance occurs west of the
Vaal river, my force is to return and
punish the rebels Immediately"