Connecticut western news., 1900-04-05
PREPARING FOR BATTLE
Boers and British Facing Close
 to Scene of Ambush.
FRENCH NEARLY READY ToATTAoK
Burghers Stin Hold waterworks-In Considerable Force Throughout the District-Cnrrington May Lead the Mafekirg Relief Expedition.

London. April 4.-All the signs that come from the seat of war indicate that | great battle is impending to the east of 3loemfontein. probably close to the point where the detachment of Broadwood' s 'olumn was ambushed Saturday with uch serious results.
 From Maseru come reports that the 3oers are advancing. Firing was heard yesterday near Thaba N'chu.
 While no severe engagement has ap- parently taken place yet, General Col vile has kept constantly in touch with the foe. Evidently the Boers still hold the Bloemfontein waterworks or some portion of them and have not been dis lodged by the superior British force.
 The Daily Mails Bloemfontein corre- spondent cables that 1,S00 Boers were at the time still on the hills near the water works and that General Colville was smelling them from Bushman's kop, while General French was maneuvering to cut off their retreat.
 According to the latest telegrams, the Boers and British were still watching each other Monday morning near Kova spruit, fighting having ceased at noon on Sunday. The Boers continue to hold the waterworks, and French is holding the drift on Waterval spruit, which is one of the three or four streams forming the sources of the Modder.
 The British cavalry commander is re- ported to be only waiting for his prepara- tions to be completed to make a move against the enemy.
 The temporary loss of the waterworks is not felt by the troops or the citizens of Bloemfontein, for the reserve reservoirs oIn tr ha RoI C water.
 Boers Advance on BIoemfontein.
 It is evident that the Boers are ap- preaching Blocmfontein from the north, notwithstanding the recent dispersal of the force stationed at Karee Siding and it's retirement to Broadfort. Probably there are Boer commanders at Buttfon- tein, to the northwest, and at Paarde- berg to the west.
 New evidence is given daily that the great strength of the Boers lies in their ability to recover their spirit quickly. Being an army of irregulars, they are not so sensitive to defeat as disciplined troops.
 No further light is thrown by late dis patches on the Korn spruit disaster. Ii now appears that only a battery and
 
 by the ambuscaded Boers. A battery which was behind, galloped off 1.20O yards and opened fire. The Boer blast finally drove this battery into retreat leaving two of its guns behind, owing to the slaughter of men and horses. In the meantime the sergeant major of U battery, after repeated attempts, res cued one gun out of six. Up to the pres ent time not one of these seven guns has been recaptured.
 There is no confirmation of the rumol that a Ladybrand commando has been cut to pieces by French's cavalry.
 The swiftness with which the situation in the Orange Free State has changed is a remarkable illustration of the mobility of the Boers. It is only ten days since Commandants Grobler and Olivier were hurriedly retiring along the border oi Basutoland, pursued by the British from Cape Colony, while French's cavalry was supposed to be ready to cut of their retreat.
 Large Force From Kroonstad.