The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-23
Beers i'm a Death Trap.

PAARDEBERG DRIFT, Tuesday, Feb
20-General Cronje's magnificent night
march from Magersfontein now appears
likely to end in disaster. The main body
of the Beers is inclosed in a terrible death
trap. The enemy is hiding in the bed of the
Modder, commanded by the British artil-
lery and inclosed on the east and west
by the British infantry. sunday witnessed
gallant stand on the part of the retreat
ing foe. Tired and harassed, they still
maintained a bold front.
1t is somewhat difficult to explain the
Sunday action, in which all the British
force was engaged, in which General
Cronje under difficult conditions managed
to hold his own. On Saturday night the
british mounted infantry came into touch
with Cronje's rear guard. driving them
back upon the main body. On Sunday
morning the action was renewed, but the
Beers, who had intrenched in the river
bed during the night, prevented further
advance of the mounted infantry in this
direction.
Meanwhile the Highland brigade, consist
ing of the Seaforths, the Black Watch and
the Argylls, advanced from the south bank
and the Essex, Welsh and Yorkshires
formed long line on the left which
rested on the river, the extreme right be-
ing the Welsh. The whole line was ordered
to envelop the Beers, who lined both banks
of the river.
The firing soon became heavy The Beers,
holding a splendid position, covered the
left of the Highland brigade. which ad-
vanced partly up the river bed and partly
in ha xvbi he Of
with the other regiments swung round
the front of the Highland brigade on the
level, coverless ground exposed to a ter
rible fire, which obliged the men to lie
upon the ground. as they did for the re-
mainder of the day. This began at half past
Z o'clock in the morning. Through the
dreadful heat and terrible thunder
storm our men hung to the position, an
swering the Boer fire and shooting steadily
In the meantime the rest OF the infantry
completed the enveloping movement, the
Welsh regiment having succeeded in seiz-
ing the drift thus closing in the Beers
who had fought throughout with splendid
courage. General Cronjes laager, full of
carts, ammunition and stores, could be
| plainly seen near the north bank General
Smith-Dorrien collected a large body of
men, including the Canadians, and crossed
| the river by Paardeberg drift, advancing
| toward the laager, which was being Wig
orously shelled. This force made gallant
| attempt to charge into the laager, but
failed. Before seizing the western drift
| the Beers occupied kopje on the south
bank, running down the river. Therefore
| their force is cut in two. The Beers hold
| the kopje and have one vickers-Maxim and
| probably one or two other guns
Toward evening the battery on the south
| side opened, cooperating with the battery
| on the north side. A wonderful sight fol-
lowed. The shells fell with amazing pre-
| cision along the river bed, opposite the
laager, which was shelled thoroughly, gall
Ing everything it contained. One shell set
| on fire a small ammunition wagon, which
! burned nearly all day. Many other wagons
| were set on fire and the glare was visible
| at a considerable distance far into the
| night. The infantry also maintained a ter
rfble fire, which answered vigorously
The scene toward nightfall was terribly
picturesque. with the blazing wagons the
roaring artillery and the cracking rifle
| fire.