Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-02-22
They Are Shelled Within Barricade
and Are Said to Have Lost 300
Men From British Fire.
LADYSMITH TO BE RELIEVED
General 0ronje Asked for Armistice for One
Day-The Beers Have Abandoned
All Positions South Of the
Tugela River.
BOERS IN A PEN.


the costliest actions Of the war occurred
at Paardeberg drift Sunday, February
IS. General Kelly-K Kenny, In pursuit OF
Genersi Cronje, caught hisgrear .gus~d
at Kip drift, followed the burghers to
their laager at Koodoosrand drift, and
began an action at daybreak, the
mounted infantry driving the Boer rear
guard up the river toward the main
body, while another body of mounted
infantry maneuvered on the right front
and flank Of the Beers. The British
main body advanced to outfiank the
Boer laager on the north bank Of the
river. Kelly-Kenny having seized two
drifts, found the Beers strongly in
closed, and ordered an attack, with the
Highland brigade on the left and Cen
eral Knox's brigade on the center and
right, while General Smith-Dorrlen' s
brigade crossed the river and advanced
along the north bank. On both the
north and south banks the ground is
level. and the advance across this was
deadly and the British losses heavy.
The battle was an exact replica of that
of the Modder river. The soldiers were
under fire all day. The fighting had no
definite result, as the Beers 1aager was
we'll barricaded, and they remained
therein. The British guns shelled the
laager vigorously. The Beers confessed
to loss of over 800 men. The terrific
shelling was resumed Monday, when
Cronje asked an armistice. The she'll
ing was continued Tuesday, over fifty
guns pouring lead into the Boer camp.
GARRISON IN GOOD SPIRITS.
London, February 22.-The Morning
Posts second edition publishes dis
patch from Ladysmith, dated February
10, which says bombardment continues
with unusual persistence and activity
from Bulwan and Blaauwbank, but is
doing small damage. The garrison is in
good spirits over General Roberts sue
cess and the advance of Butler, which
Is now visible.
SOON TO REACH LADYSMITH.
Chieveley. Camp, Natal, February 21.
The steady progress of the relief COL
umn Is uninterrupted by the Beers.
Tuesday they were forced from their
last position south of the Tugela, re-
sulting In the evacuation Of Colenso,
which was promptly reoccupied by the
Dublin Fusileers and the Thorneycroft's s
horse. The Transvaal flag was cap
tured. The Beers heavily shelled
Hlangawana hill and Colenso wednes-
day, 21st inst. The British advanced
infantry was subjected to severe mus
kerry fire, but had an excellent cover,
and the casualties were few.
The Beers had the railroad running
from Colenso to Bulwan. The British
continue to discover large quantities of
ammunition. The Beers were we'll sup
piled with food a quantity Of provi-
sions was left behind. 1t is expected
further resistance will be f-hearted
and Ladysmith be reached in a few
days.
BOTHA BEATEN.
London, February %, S:s7 p. MA
special from Paardeberg, dated
Wednesday, 21st inst, says: Com
mandant Botha has been attempting to
relieve General Cronje. There has been
severe fighting. Botha's force is scat
tered with heavy losses"
BRITISH CAPTURE A KOPJE.
Paardeberg, February 81, 6:20 p. m.-
A Boer kopje has been captured, with
fifty prisoners. Cronje's position is un-
changed.
A CASUALTY LIST.
London, February 22.-General Butler
reports his casualties February 19 were:
Killed, Captain Thorburn, of the Royal
Fusileers. Wounded, two officers and
fourteen men.
ROBERTS REPORTS.
London, February 20, AIT p. m.-The
war Office has received from Lord Rob-
erts the following message, which was
delayed in transmission, dated Paarde-
berg. Wednesday. February 81: YES
terday afternoon was satisfied, by
careful reconnaissance in force Of the
enemy's position, that I could not as
sault It without very heavy loss. which
I was most anxious to avoid. Accord
ingly, decided to lombard him with
artillery and turn my attention to the
enemy's re-enforcements. The result
was most satisfactory. The Beers were
driven off in all directions, losing good
many killed and wounded and about
fifty prisoners, who say they arrived
from Ladysmith two days ago by rail-
road. They also say It was our artillery
fire which caused them to abandon the
kopje they were occupying. Our loss
was two officers, Captain Campbell, oi
the 9th Lancers, and Lieutenant Hous.
ton. Of the artillery, and four men, al
slightly wounded.
HURRY ORDERS.
London, February 22.--Artillery Off
GERS received hurry orders to-day t.
proceed to South Africa with fifty /
FOUNDER Maxim -Nordenfeldt guns.
CRONJE SURROUNDED.
London, February 22.--From informa
ton received here 1t appears that Lor,
Roberts completely surrounds Genera
Cronje with artillery, thus releasing tn
other arms, Of which the military ex
perts assert he has plenty to defeat al
re-enforcements Of Beers as they arriv
in detail. The fact that Cronje aslse,
an armistice points to great losses, .
well a. indicating that he recognises
that his hope lies In securing delay |,
\ order TO allow Bosr s.enforcements t
]. create : diversion n Robsrts reer.