The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-02
WALKED INTO BOER AMBUSH.
CONVOY AND TWO BATTERIES CAP
TURED BY THE ENEMY.

Beers Got Away With Six GUNS, and,
1t Is Feared, a Large Number of
Nsen-Col. BrOadwOOd Had to with
draw His FOrces-Boers Operating
Near BIOemfOntein They Are
Taking Heart and Expect Much
From Gen. BOtha.
Bushman Kop, March 31.-The British
forces, commanded by Col. Broadwood,
consisting of the Tenth Hussars, House
hold Cavalry, two horse batteries and
force of mounted infantry under Col Pill
cher, which had been garrisoning Thaban-
chu, was obliged, in consequence of the
near approach of a large force of Beers,
to leave last night.
Col. Broadwood marched TO the Boem-
fontein water works south of the Modder,
where he encamped at 4o'clock this morn
ing.
At early dawn the camp was shelled by
the enemy from a point nearby. Col.
Broadwoo6 sent off convoy with the bat
teries, while the rest of the force remain
ed to act as a rear guard.
The convoy arrived at a deep spruit.
where che Beers were concealed, and the
entire body walked into ambush and were
captured, together with six guns
The loss of life was not great since
most of the British had walked into the
trap before a shot was fired
Gen. Colvilles division, which left
Bloemfontein early this morning, arrived
here at noon and he is now shelling the
Beers.
View of 1t in London.
London, April ?, $50 a. m.-Gen. Buffers
anxious inquiry whether British officers
will ever learn the value of scouting
comes back with enforced emphasis to
the British public to-day on receipt of The
tidings that a convoy with guns has walk
ed deliberately into a Boer ambush with
in about twenty miles of Bloemfontein.
Lord Roberts own report of the affair,
T. yet received by the war office, has not
been published, and no account of the
affair is available TO the public except the
dispatch from Bushman kop Nothing
can be said, therefore, regarding the ex-
act extent Of the British misfortune.
Evidently Col Broadwood thought it ne
cessary to retreat in haste from Thaban-
chu, as he marched all through Friday
night, apparently followed by a consider
able force of the enemy. The convoy and
guns had TO pass through a deep spruit
which the Beers had occupied.
Beers Recovering Heart
Six out of twelve guns, comprising two
batteries, all the wagons, and it is feared
many men, fell into the hands of The
Beers whose daring displayed so near
Bloemfontein, shows that they are rapidly
verses.
The hope is expressed here that Gen.
Colvile will recover the convoy and guns,
but this is hardly likely in such diff
cult country, and it is probable that the
next news will be that, after a stiff fight,
Cen Colville has extricated Col Broad
WOOD from his difficult position but failed
to retrieve the disaster.
severe criticisms are heard regarding
the renewal of the old mistake of under
rating the Beers, and the absence of prop
er precaution No doubt the affair will
revive Boer hopes and inspire confidence
among the enemy at a critical moment
Much Expected of BOtha
Great things are expected by the Beers
OF the new commander-in-chief, Gen.
Botha, who has made his reputation
wholly during the present campaign. For
egn officers serving with the Beers have
expressed surprise at his clever tactics.
Ihe proof of continuing Boer activity in
t-e Free state will compel greater circum-
spection on the part of the British and
VIII probably delay the march of Lord
Roberts northward
Detailed accounts of the fight at Karee
Siding estimate the Boer forces variously
from 5000 to 5000 men.
Brabants horse occupied Wepener last
Thursday unopposed.
Lord Methuen has issued the following
notification at Kimberley:
have received Instructions that if any
disturbance occurs west Of the Vaal river
my force is TO return and punish the reb-
els Immediately"