The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-24
CAPTURE OF ELOFF.
Details of Baden-POwell's Last Fight
with the Beers.


with the Beers.
MAFEKING, May 1S.-The whole town is
animated with a keen sense of exultation
over yesterdays victory. which was COM
plete, decisive and far-reaching. The mill
tary position, shortly after sunrise, was ex-
traordinary. All the outlying works Of the
town were intact; the British had lost
hardly aIy men, and yet three bodies Of
federals, right inside the British lines. had
been surrounded, cut off and given an op-
portunity to surrender. which they had de-
clined. Commandant Sarel Eloff did not
realize his supports had been driven back
and he informed messenger that the town
was at his mercy.
Toward noon there was a lull in the
fighting. Everybody at headquarters went
to breakfast and the commissariat requi-
sitioned for horse sausage. bread and water
for the men on the fighting line. There was
no thought of half rations. Every one got
all he could eat. The British I'm the Staat,
moving from rock to rock, gradually drew
in their circle around the federals. whom
they corralled like cattle In a compound.
Shortly after 4:sO a 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
besiegers furnished an inspiriting spectacle
to the townsfolk, themselves so long cooped
up. AS the hungry, dirty, battle-stained
Beers marched between the cleaning bayo-
nets of the British. the British population
received them respectfully, but the Kafirs
gave full rein TO their enthusiasm in boots.
yells and similar expressions of delight
The prisoners seemed glad the fight was
over.
AS the afternoon advanced the crackle
of musketry 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
laid down their arms Internationally to
Colonel Hore, who, with a handful of men,
had been a prisoner Of Eloff during most of
the day.
Shortly before this fusillade was heard.
1t was Eloff and the men who stood by him
firing on their. own deserters, eighty OF
whom fed.
AS the news spread by telephone to the
garrisons of the various forts. cheer upon
cheer resounded. In the town some one
started God Save the Queen" and the
strains of the national anthem mingled for
few minutes with the hoarse shouting of
the natives.
Soon Captain Singleton and Colonel Hore
approached, accompanied by Commandant
Eloff and his officers. The meeting between
Colonel Baden-Powell and the Boer COM
mander was dramatic.
This is Commandant Eloff, sir" said
Captain Singleton
Good evening, commandant," said Col
Baden-Powell, welcome, and have some
dinner"
As the British had already captured the
120 prisoners, about all they could handle,
Colonel Baden-Powell sent word to Lord
Charles Bentinck to open the way and to
allow the scattered remnants of the fed
erals to be driven from the Staat In half
an hour everything was over and in the
messroom at headquarters the three Boer
officers were dining.
Nearly every mess in town raked up
somewhere, a hidden store Of liquor, a
bottle of champagne in one place, flask Of
whisky in another. The whole town Joined
In the jubilation, singing God Save the
Queen" and other patriotic songs all night
long.