The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-26

via Koffyfontein with the object of cut
ment at Colesberg. Another possibility
that the advance was merely a feint
on the left flank, intended to weaken the
defense of MagerSfontein. On the morn
ing of the 18th Count Sternberg, attracted
by heavy artillery fire, found the EngllS n
endeav9rlng to cFoss the b balu iines io eI
tended along the Riet river toward koffy-
fontein. Two wounded Inniskill1ng drag
oons told him that Lord kitchener was
proceeding to the relief of Kimberley with
While bathing in the Riet the count
himself saw several English regiments
march past. Escaping notice, he gal
Hoped back to Cronje's camp and told
incredulity the Beers insisting that large
bodies of troops neither would nor could
undertake such movement: me only
action taken by General CronJe was 70
send 200 men across the river to cut on
the English transport wagons, which they
On the following day five miles from
the camp Count Sternberg saw at a
short distance huge clouds OF DUST, Wnlcn
indicated the presence behind some low
hills of troops on the march. At this
time General Cronje was waiting IN the
trenches at Magersfontein in expectation
of an attack. Count SternbergS news
was laughed at by the Beers In camp,
who were all convinced that ne was ms
taken. 1t was not possible 10 olsslpale
the doubts until one of their own num-
Der. Commissary Arnold, accompanied
the count later and himself saw the
British cavalry under General French and
the burning Free State camp which
they had destroyed some + shi hIIrshaIs
occupied favorable positions and took no
more trouble to follow the movements OF
the enemy.
It was not until the next day that Cen
eral Cronje began to recognize the Sc
robustness of the situation, Inc cannon
were hastily withdrawn from Mayors
fontein. two guns being dispatched to at
tack General French's cavalry. IN the
engagement at Kalkfontein the dlsorder
10.
fired on distant detachments without
knowing for certain whether they were
BoeTs were still of the opinion that the
attack was directed against their camp,
and consequently set ABOUT raising ue-
lenses in the rear.
T,androst Steyn. who arrived from
Jacobsdal, was convinced that the game
was lost on the Modder river, Whlle zen
eraI Cronje still awaited the main at
tack in the Entertainments at Mayors
fontein, and did not wish to weaken ms
nosition there. The immediate vicinity
of the British with a large force OF ar ar
tiIlery had created great confusion IN the
camp, which at 2 o'clock IN the morning
removed to a safer position about tnree
miles to the southwest. The breaking
mn of the camp greatly affected the
spirits of the entire Boer force. When
next morning it was evident TO COUNT
sternberg that the bqrghers had no
stomach for the fight. He says:
LAS / rode out l met numbers of flying
Beers. whom 1 vainly endeavored to re-
strain. The panic was general, anu eacR ~
sought safety in the intrenchments OF
Magersfontein. AS the supreme control
was quite ineffective. and had; ,a so TO TO
lion could be carried out that day. To-
ward noon when large numbers Of Beers
had already made off, a very bad spirit
began to prevail in camp
ssTThe field comets urged CronJe TO
summon a council of war. and although
Tooet Of the Boer officers, including their
hest men were absent conducting opera
tions elsewhere, those present decided TO
evacuate the camp ana retreat 10 Bloera-
high words at this council. at which
Villebiers and I were also present The
majority of the Free state purgners'