The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-02
TRAPPED.
Beers Ambush Gen. BrOadWOod
Near BlOemfOntcin.
Capture Seven Guns and All of
His Baggage.
RITISH LOSS HEAVY.
oberts Reports Casualties at
$50 Including Prisoners.
British Marched BIindly Into
Trap of the Beers.

London, April 2-12:5O P. M.-The war
Office reports that Cox Broadwood lost
seven guns and all. his baggage in an
ambush laid for him by the Beers on
Saturday. The casualties numbered
$50.
The war office has received the fol-
lowing dispatch from Lord Roberts, da-
ted BIoemfontein, April 1:
I received news late yesterday even
ing from Col. Broadwood who was at
Thaba N'Chu, IS miles east of here that
information had reached him that the
enemy was approaching in two forces,
from the north and the east. He stated
that If the report proved true he would
retire towards the waterwOrks, II miles
nearer Bloemfontein, where we have
had a detachment of mounted infantry
for the protection of the works, Broad
wood was told in reply that the Ninth
division of Martyrs mounted infantry
will march at daylight today to support
him, and that if he considers it neceS-
sary he should retire from the water
works. He moved there during the
night and bivOuacked. At dawn today
he was shelled by the enemy, who at
E tackled on three sides. He Immediately
dispatched two horse artillery batteries
and his baggage towards sBloemfontein,
covering some of them with his cav
airy
Some two miles from the water
works the rOad crosses a deep nullah or
sprU which during the night a force
had concealed themselves. So
were they hidden that our leading
~-outs passed over the drift without
discovering them and it was not until
the wagons and guns were entering the
drift that the Beers showed themselves
Sud opened fire. Many of the drivers
and artillery horses were Immediately
shot down al short range and several of
the guns We're captured. The remainder
gallOped away, covered by Roberts
Horse, which suffered heavily.
Meanwhile, Lieut. Chestermasters of
RemingtOn'S scouts found a passage
across the spruit uHoccupieG by the en-
emy, by which TIE remainder of Broad
woods force crossed. They reformed
with great steadiness. Notwithstanding
an that had previously occurred.
'BrOadwOod's report, which has just
reached me, and which contains no de-
tails stated that he had lost seven guns
and all his baggage. He estimates all
his casualties at about $50, including 200
missing.
"On hearing this morning that Broad
nd was hard pressed I Immediately
dered Gen. French with the remain
cavalry brigades to follow in sup
Sort of the Ninth division. The latter
er a magnificent march arrived on
-he scene Of action shortly after .. m.
'J3roadWood's force consisted of the
-oyai HO sehOId cavalry the Tenth
Hussars, G., and L. batteries of the
Royal Horse artillery and Pitchers bat
TALON of mounted infantry.
ne strength OF the enemy is oSti-
lated at from 5000 to 10000 with guns
the number Of which is not yet report
ed"
GREAT BOER ACTIVITY.
Kimberley, Sunday. April There Is
great Boer activity along the Vaa
river. About 5000 burghers have as
8embled at various points between
Fourteen Streams and Christiana
About 700 men are occupying Witrand
north of klipdam. and 400 men are
ItOeTEan
BRITISH ARE ASTONISHED.
London, April 2-The rumors of tn,
recapture by the British of the seve1
guns taken from Col Broadwood's force
based on dispatch to the Chronicle
from BlOemfOntein, which It is said il
all probability is correct, fails to com
pensate London for the severe shOcl
experienced by the humiliatine defea
sustained within a few miles of tn
headquarters of the British army of oc
cupation.
The The public lie is paipfulJl surprised t
that British officers Of Hgh position ca
still neglect precautl3ns which tn
Veriest tyro might bel expected to oh
serve, and blunder int9 traps which tn
observance of the elementary militia,
rules would have revaaled. There is II
attempt here to minimize the discredij
lableness Of the whole affair so far d
fthe British are CONCERNED, or detraC
from the deXterity of the Beers, wh
were apparently Commanded by Gel
De Wit. The tactics of the burghe1
we're evidently excellently conceive
and boldly carried out and unless III
d reinforcements sent by Lord Robert
have turned the tide and recaptured tf
prisoners, a couple of hundred me
from two crack corps of the HOusehOi
H cavalry and the Tenth Hussars are no
on their way to swell the growing de
E posit Of British prisoners a t Pretoria.
President Kruger is said to haI
4 promised to Te-occupy BIOemfOntei
this week ana the stubborn burghe1
seem to be closing around the place
such fnrce as promises to be troubl,
some especially when it is realized thu
the activity of a strong BOer force
u the vicinity of Paardeberg has alread
1 Interrupted direct communication b,
tween Lord Roberts and Kimberle
But for the overwhelming numbers
the disposal Of Lord Roberts the stu;
tiOn would justly cause Great Brita
~ Z greater anxiety. AS it is the nation
I beginning to realize from the nature
1.-THE guerilla, warfare that it is liable
iembarrass the future movements Of t.
British troops.
y WATER CUT OFF.
- A special dispatch from Bloemfonte
Z reports that the water supply Of Il
~ place has been cut off. This is the ma
ural sequence Of the Boer success
the waterworlts. But the authoriti
"a are hopeful that the strong reinforc
ments sent by the commander-in-chi
will promptly remedy this.
1t Is evident from Lord Roberts di
patch that a big engagement is in pr
Fress Although it is difficult to est
they probably exceed even the eight
ten thousand men which the Beers a
estimated to number
Tlle scene Of the British disaster a
pearn to be Mealie Spruit, where t