The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-06
battle 0 BRANF)RT
GRAPHIC RECITAL OF HOW THE
BoERS WERE DRIVEN FROM
THEIR STRONGHOLD
MOVED LIKE CLOCKWoRK
British Advance Was Perfect I'm Ar
rangement and ExecutiOn-Boers'
Departure From Town
Preeipitate.

BRANDFORT, May 4.-The cautpre of
the town was the result of an admirably
conceived and well executed combined
movement. The night before the British
advance 1900 Beers moved here, taking
on q strong line of defense, with the
avowed object of opposing the British to
the bitter end. AS a result Of the stra.-
tegy of Lord Roberts they were forced 10
leave hastily, nearly losing q convoy OF
guns, and abandoning the defense of
guns. Lord Roberts was present while
the operations were in progress, on a
kopje north Of Karee in which position
he was in heliograph communication with
each column. On the right Bruce
Hamilton's brigade moved eastwardly
along the line of kopje communicating
by road with the railway. In close
touch followed Maxwell's brigade, with
Wavell on his left, all under command
OF Lieut.. Gen. Tucker. Gen. Pole-Carew's
division formed the center advance corl-
posed Of Jones and Stevenson's brigades,
while Hutton's mounted infantry, made
up mainly Of Wyans Australians and
New Zealanders, made a wide detour and
arrived at the east of the town
The night before the occupation OF
Rrandfort the British seized two small
kopjes, commanding deep and ugly
spruit, which it was known the Beers
daily occupied. Gen. Pole-CaTew ordered
two battaIions of guards to move silent.
ly, after nightfall, and occupy the kopjes,
which was done without opposition. This
greatly facilitated the advance, as the
Beers relinquished the spruit, allowing
the passage of the whole. force unop
posed.
About three hours after the advance
commenced, heavy artillery firing was
heard TO the right. Maxwell. finding that
the Beers had two guns posted in a good
position. engaged them with his artillery
at q l.500 yards range. Both sides fired
furiously, but the Beers guns were soon
completely silenced.
BOERS FORCED TO RETIRE.
where Gen. Hutton had come into touch
with the Beers. who were holding
strong position. Owing. however, to the
unexpected arrival of the British, the
Beers left their r. kopJes unoc-
cupied, and, seizipg these, the
British opened fire, {" and Col
Anderson went to outfanki them on the
left. The Beers, unable tofwithstand the
shrapnel, evacuated their kopjes scat
tered across the plains towards small
kopje Immediately above. Recommending
the town. AS they retreated, the battery
planted several shells with great accur-
acy in their midst, and they Immediately
retreated from their second position, q
move that was perceived by Hutton, who
sent a portion of his troops in pursuit
Remington seized the kopje seized by the
Beers. Thereupon the Boers retired
leaving the town. at the mercy of the
British. In the meantime Col. Anderson,
trying to outfiank, found the Beers po-
sition.
On the other side Maxwell forced the
Boer position. By 2 o'clock the whole
force was seen four miles off, trekking
no. tn. Several prisoners were taken, in
Guiding a cammandant, who had returned
in order to destroy the telegraph instru-
ments. 4~ s.G'-4'
The town people declare that the Irish
haved riotously when the fighting began,
and refused to take part. in it, only man
ming a kopje close to the town. The
attaches with the Beers watched
the fight through glasses from kopjes,
following the movement "'on maps. It
appears that while watching the British
advance in front they failed to. perceive
movement and his arrival
caused them to retreat precipitatey.
LIKE CLOCK WORK.
All the British movements were carried
out like clock work The casualties
were very few. Their advance presented
a superb spectacle as the long line moved
slowly forward. After the retreat of
the Beers the whole mounted infantry
was sent in pursuit and entered the
town at p. M, close behind the retreat
ing Beers, but the latter were too quick
to be overtaken
While Gen. Pole-Carew's division was
occupying the town, Cen Tucker en-
gagged force of seYerala. thousand on
the British right, south of the town.
During the artillery duel fuckers brig
ade came under the concentrated fire OF
the Boer guns, and were forced to re-
tire
The Beers retired with several guns dis
abled, making good their retreat The
prisoners say there were 5000 Beers in
the town. including 1000 who were oppo-
sing the British at Thaba N'Chu.