Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-04-02


has received the following dispatch from
Roberts, dated Bloemfontein, Sunday: Il
received news late yesterday evening
from Colonel Broadwood at Thaba D-Chu
thirty -eight miles east of here, that in
formation had reached him that the ene-
my was approaching in two forces from
the north and east. He stated that II
the report proved true he would retire to"
wards the waterworks, seventeen miles
nearer Bloemfontein, where he will have
d detachment of mounted infantry for
the protection of the works.
Broadwood was told In reply that the
Ninth division with Martyrs mounted
infantry will march at daylight to-day
to support him, and that If he considers
1t necessary, he should retire from the
waterworks. He moved there during the
night and bivouacked. At dawn to-day
h. ys.es sllelled by the enemy who attack
ed 'sn three sides; he immediately dis
patched two horse artillery batteries ana
his baggage toward Bioemfontein order
ing some of them with his cavalry. Some
two miles from the waterworks the road
crosses deep mullah or spruit in which
during the night a force of Beers had
concealed themselves. So we'll were they
hidden that our leading scouts passed
over the drift without discovering them
and it was not until the wagons and guns
were entering the drift that the Beers
showed themselves and opened fire.
Many of the drivers Of the artillery
horses were Immediately shot down at
short range and several of the guns were
captured. The remainder galloped away
covered by Roberts horse which suffered
heavily. Meanwhile Lieutenant Chess
terhlasters of Remington's scouts found
q passage across the spruit unoccupied
by the enemy by which the remainder OF
Broadwoods force crossed. They re-
formed with great steadiness notWith-
standing what had previously occurred.
Bnoadwood's report which has just
recehed me. contains no details. but
states he had lost seven guns and all his
ba ggage He estimates all his casual-
ties about $50, including 200 missing.
On hearing this morning that Broad
wood WAS hard pressed Immediately or
dered General French with two remain
ing cavalry brigades to follow in support
Of the ninth division. The latter, after
magnificent march arrived on the scene
| OF action shortly after p. M. Broad
woods force consisted of the royal house,
hold cavalry, the tenth Hussars, the q.
, and u batteries of the Royal Horse Ar
tillery and Pietchers battalion of mount
ed infantry The strength of the enemy
is estimated at from 5000 to 10000 with
guns, the number of which is not yet re-
ported.
London, April 2, 4:25 p. m.-The war Of
| Ace has received another dispatch from
| Lord Roberts dated Bloemfontein. Sun
day. 8:15 D. M, in which after referring TO
/ his previous telegram he gives partial
lstsof missing British officers. or Q bat
4 terry four officers We're wounded. two Of
whom are missing. One gunner was kill
ed and forty non-cOmmissioned officers
/! and men are wounded or missing.
I Roberts then continues In u battery
all are missing except Major Taylor and
I a sergeant major. Two cavalry regi-
ments did not suffer SO much.
+ Report has just come in that the enemy
i has retired towards Ladybrand, leaving
/ twelve wounded officers and some sew
enty men at the waterWorks. We are now
/; sending an ambulance for them. 1t Will
/ be noticed that in the foregoing advices
Lord Roberts says nothing in regard to
| the British guns being recaptured.
| LoYdon April "A rumor of the recap
ture. by the British of the seven guns
Z takan from Colonel BroadwoOd's force
based on dispatch to the Chronicle from
Bloemfonten, which is in all probability
correct, fails to compensate London for
!; the severe shock experienced by the hu-
initiating defeat sustained within a few
miles of the headquarters of the British
/ army of occupation. The public is pain
: frlly surprised to learn after all that the
British officers of high position can still
neglect precautions which the veriest
. tyro might be expected to observe and
blurher into traps which any observ-
ance OF elementary military rules would
b hsye revealed. There is no attempt here
IN so6ininize the Observation-Disclosures of the
!. whole affair SO far rs the British are CON-
cerned, or detract from the dexteiity Of
/