River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-04-05
TRAPPED BY BOERS.
bush Near Observation-Disclosures
Capture seven Guns.

London, April 3. - The war Office re-
ports that Col. Broadwiid lost seven
guns and all his baggage in the ambush
laid for him by the Beers on Saturday.
The casualties numbered $50.
The war Office has received h fol-
lowing dispatch from Lord Roberts,
dated Bloemfontein, April /:
II received news late yesterday evening
from Col. Broadwood, who was at Thaba
n'Bhu, 80 miles east of here, that In
formation has reached hin 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 Bloemfon-
TEN, where we have had a detachment OF
mounted infantry for the protection Of the
works.
"~Broadwood was told in reply that the
Ninth division with Martyrs mounted In
fantry Will march at daylight to-day TO
support him, and that If he considers II
necessary he should retire from the water
works. He moved there during the night
and bivouaeked. AT dawn to-day, lie was
shelled by the enemy, who attacked on
three sides. He Immediately dispatched
two horse artillery batteries and his bag
gage toward Bloemfontein, covering some
of them with his cavalry.
Some two miles from the waterworks
lie fOdI CIOAStS u uCGD nulidiis VI ~ 80
in which during the night a force of Beers
had concealed themselves. So well were
they hidden that our leading scouts passed
over the drift without discovering them,
and II was not until the wagons and guns
were entering the drift that the Beers
showed themselves and opened fire. Many
OF the drivers of the artillery horses were
Immediately shot down at short range, ana
several of the guns were captured. The re-
mainder galloped away, covered by Rod
erts' horse. which suffered heavily.
Meanwhile, Lieut.. Chestermasters, of
R~emington's scouts, oun passage across
the spruit unoccupied by the enemy, by
which the remainder OF Broadwood's force
crossed. They reformed with great stead!-
ness, Notwithstanding all that had pre-
viously 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 MS
casualties at about $50, including 200 miss
ing.
ION hearing this morning that Broadwood
was hard pressed. / Immediately ordered
Gen. French with two remaining cavalry
brigades to follow in support of tho Ninth
division. The latter, after a magnificent
march, arrived on the scene of action
shortly after two p. m.
"Broadwood's force consisted of the Roy
al household cavalry, the Tenth hussars,
Q and u, batteries of the Royal horse ar
tillery and Pitchers battalion of mounted
infantry.
THE strength of the enemy is estimated
at from 5000 to 10000. wit guns, the mum
Der of which is not yet reported"
New York, April "A dispatch to
the Herald from Pretoria says: Gen.
Louis Botha has been appointed to sue
coed Gen. Joubert as commander in
chief of the Transvaal forces.
Bloemfontein, April 2.-Gen. Lord
Roberts has sent a telegram of condo
lence to President Kruger on the death
of Gen. Joubert. Rudyard Kipling has
written a poem on Joubert's death,
which appears in The Friend of the Free
State.
Kansas City, Mo-, April "A journal
special from Washington says: Web
ster Davis, of Kansas City, will tender
his resignation to the president as as
sistant secretary of the interior. Mr..
Davis decided to take this course as the
result of his visit to South Africa. He
has decided TO deliver a public address
touching the entire scope of the pres
ent wal and believes that he can best
do so while free from any restraint
which his present position would i'm
pose upon him. When taking his de-
parture for home from Pretoria 1900
people appealed to him in tears to state
their cause to the American people,
and Mr. Davis says his conscience would
haunt him if he proved recreant to that
pitiful appeal. He believes the Ameri-
can people are not truly informed on
the situation. He will therefore avail
himself of an early opportunity to re-
late his experience and observations at
a public meeting that shall be free
to all.