The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-04-04
A British Convoy Captured.
Six Guns and Large Number
OF Men and Wagons
Taken,

Bushmao Kop, Saturday, Marob 81
The British force commanded BY
Col Broadwood. consisting Of the
Tenth Hussars. household cavalry, two
horse batteries and force of mounted
infantry under Col Pitcher, which had
been garrisouiug Thaba N'Chu, was
Obliged 10 cousequeuee of the near
approach of large force of Beers to
leave las. night.
Col Brosdwood marched to IN.
Bloemfonteiu waterworks, south Of The
Modder river where be eucam ped at 4
O'Clock this morning.
At early dawo the Damp was shslled
by the eoemy from a point nearby
Col Broadwood sent Of a couvov with
tie batteries. while the rest of the
force remained to act as rear guard
Tbe convoy arrived ct deep sprui,
where the Boers we're concealed and
the entire body walked into ambush
aud were captured together With six
guns.
The loss of life vas not great since
most OF the British bad walked into the
trap before a shot was fred.
Gen Colville's division which left
BIoemfontein early this moroiop ar
rived here st Doon and he is uow
shelliog the Beers
London, April "a 80 a. % Gen
Buller's anxious inquiry whether
Brltish offoers will ever learn the value
OF scouting comes back with enforced
emphasis to the British public today on
receipt OF the tidiogs that q CONVOY
with guns has walked deliberately into
Boer ambush withio about 20 miles
OF Bloemfonteio. Lord Roberts owo
report Of ,be affair. if yet received By
the war Office, has not been published
and 90 account Of the affair is available
to the public except the dispatch from
Busbman Kop Notbisg eau be said,
therefore. regarding tho exact exsen. of
the British misfortune.
Evidently Col Broad wood tboue ht i,
necessary to retreat 10 haste from Tha
ba NCbu as be marched ell through
Friday night. apparently followed BY a
considerable force of the euemy. The
convoy and guns had to pass through
deep sproit which the Beers had occu
pied.
Six OF twelve guns. comprising two
batteries. ell Of the wagons, and it ia
feared many men. fell into the hands of
tho Bosrs, whose daring displayed 90
near Bloemfonteio, shows that they are
rapidly recovering heart after their
| recent reverses.
The hope is expressed here that Gen
Colville will recover The convoy and
guns but this 10 hardly likely 10 sucb
difficult coustry and it is probable
that the next news will be that, otter
q stiff fight. Gen Coiville hss extrioa,ed
Col Broadwood from bis difficult posi-
t'on but failed to retrieve the disaster.
Severe criticisms are beard regarding
the renewal Of the old mistske of
undertaking the Boers and the absence
OF proper precau,ion. No doub, the
affair will revive Boer hopes and inspire
confidence among the enemy at a
critical moment.
Great things are expected by the
Beers of the new comm uder 10 chief.
Gen Bo'ha. who has mado bis reputa
'ion wholly during the prcseo. cam
paigu. Foreign ioers serving with
the Beers have expressed surprise q.
bis clever tactics.
The proof of coutic uing Bosr activi.y
10 the Free State will compel greater
oircumspeotioo on the part of the Brit.
ish and will probably delay toe march
Of Lord Roberts north ward.
Detailed aOoounts of the fight q,
Karee siding estimate the Boer forces
vsriously from 8. 900 to 5000 mon
Brsbaut's horse occupied Wepeuer
last Thursdsy uoopposed
Lord Methueo has issued the follow.
log notification at kimberley:
81 have received instructions that il
any disturbance occurs wes. of the
Vasl liver my force is to return and
n.rNiah Tho en6ole