New-York tribune., 1900-05-24
CAPTURE OF ELOFF AND HIS MEN.
DRAMATIC CLOSE OF THE LONG SIEGE
OF MAFEKING.

Mafeking May 1s-The whole town is ami
mated with keen sense of exultation yes
terday's victory. which complete decisive
and far reaching. The military position shortly
after sunrise was extraordinary. All the out
lying works of the town were intact; the British
had lost hardly any men. and yet three bodies
of Federals right inside the British liEes, had
been surrounded cut off and an opportunity
given tc surrender. which they had declined.
Commandant Sarel Elon did not realize that
his supports had been driven back. and he in
formed a messenger that the town was at his
mercy. Toward noon there was lull in the
sishting Everybody at headquarters went to
breakfast and the commissariat requisitioned
for horse sausage. bread and water for the men
on the fighting line. There was thought of
half rations: every one got all he could eat.
The British in the Staat. moving from rock TO
rock. gradually drew in their circle around the
Federals whom they corralled like cattle in
compound. Shortly after 4:30 D. white
flag was hoisted by the enemy. and then, amid
ringing cheers. the first batch of Beers was dis
armed and sent to the town. The erstwhile be-
siesers furnished an inspiritng spectacle to the
townsfoIk themselves so long cooped up AS
the hungry, dirty. battle stained Beers marched
between the cleaning bayonets of the British
the British population received them respect
fully but the Kafiirs gave full rein to their
enthusiasm in boots. yells and similar express
sions of delight. The prisoners seemed glad that
the fight over.
As the afternoon advanced the crackle of
kerry began again, continuing until nearly
o'clock. when Captain Singleton shouted Cease
fire. A message had come from headquarters
TO the effect that Eloff his officers and men had
surrendered and had laid down their
conditionaly Colonel Hore. who with hand
ful OF men, had been a prisoner of Eloff during
most of the day.
Shortly before this fusillade was heard. 1t
was Elof and the men who stood by him firing
on their deserters. eighty of whom fed.
AS the news spread by telephone to the garri-
sons of the various forts. cheer upon cheer re-
sounded. In the town some started God
Save the Queen" and the strains of the
tional anthem mingled for few minutes with
the hoarse shouting of the natives.
Soon Captain Singleton and Colonel Hore ap-
preached, accompanied by Commandant Elof
and mis- officers The meeting between Colonel
Baden-Powell and the Boer commander was dra-
matte. This is Commandant Eloff. SIR said
Captain Singleton Good evening. Command
ant" said Colonel Baden Powell Wont you
come and have some dinner?"
AS the British had already captured 100 prfs-
oners, about all they could handle Colonel
Baden-Power sent word to Lord Charles Ben
tihch 10 open bie way anu 10 d4io" lhe scdtCeTeu
remnants of the Federals to be driven from the
Staat. In half an hour everything was over;
and in the messroom at headquarters the three
Roer officers dining
Nearly every mess in town raked up some
where hidden store of liquor, bottle of cham
payne in one place. a flask of whiskey in an
other. The whole town Joined in the jubilation
singing God Save the Queen and other pa
triotic songs all night long
The rank and file of the Boer prisoners were
lodged at Masonic Hall. Most of them are Jo-
hannesburgers. They seemed in excellent spir-
IT'S scrambled for the blankets issued wrote let