Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-23
IN A DEATH TRAP.
Cronje's Army Penned In
Must Surrender or Die.
Tremendous Slaughter, Sunday
Beers Admit Losing 800 Men.
Cronje ASKS Armistice But is Tod 10 Fiaht
or Surrender.

Palrdebcrg Drift Orange Free State,
Tuesday, Feb. 2G-Gen. Cronje's mag
nficcnt night march from Magersfon-
tcin now appears likely to end in dis
aster. The main body Of the Beers is
enclosed in a terrible death trap. The
enemy are hiding in the bed Of the
Moddcr, commanded by the British ar
till.ry ana enclosed on the east and
west Dy The British infantry. Sunday
Witnessed n gallant stand on the part
Cf tn. rctrcating foe. Tired. harrassed,
they still maintain a bold FRONT
II is somewhat difficult to explain
Sundays action. in which all the Brit
ish force was engaged and in which
Cen. CrJnje. under difficult conditions.
managed u held his own. ON Satur-
day night, the British mounted in
fantry came in touch with CrOnie's
rear guard, driving III back upon the
main body. On Sunday morning, tn.
action was renewed but the Beers who
had cntrcuChcd Jhe river b.d. during
the night Ii vented q further advance
vi tin mounted infantry III this dir-c-
tion.
MalrHh.l. tte Highland Brigade.
consisting IT tho Seato.jhs, The Black
M.toA ...l ,n. ar1sNlls. advanced from
ta '.u'u '"aE. l! t.. Ess.z Welsh
ali i.i- huns f..u.t "a long lua on
tnn i.. .n..h ..-l.d va th" riser. WY.
,tr .m. rsi, H.iu- tt. Welsh. The
'.. ..- .-I.t.a ,J onv,lup the
E...s. vH. uu.I bu,h banks Of the
..-.r.
Ta- Hi:- y. 5.a.m. heavy The
i, rr. NDt 70 sil.A.'I position. COW
...i lu. 1.H nr Jh- Highland brigade.
Whi,a advanced partly W the river
VIVID ANU par.I> in thu open, while the
rest of the brigade, with the other reg
iments, swung around the front of the
Highland brigade on the level. cover
less ground. exposed to a terrible fire
which obliged the men to lie upon the
ground as they did for the remainder
Of the day.
This began at 80 in the morning.
Through the dreadful heat and the ter
rible thunder storm. our men hung to
the position. answering the Boer fire
and shooting steadily.
In the meantime the rest of the in
fantry completed the envelOping move
ment. the Welsh Regiment having ste
ceeded in Selling the drift, thus closing
in the Beers who had fought through
out in splendid courage. Gen. Cronjes
laager, full Of carts, ammunition and
stores could be plainly seen near the
north bank.
Gen. Smith, Orrien collected large
body OF men. including the Canadians
and crossed the river by Paardeberg
drift. advancing toward the lager,
which was being vigorously shelled-
This force made q gallant attempt to
charge the lager. but failed
Before Selling the western drifts the
Beers occupied kopje on the south
bank. running down to the river
Therefore their force is cut in two.
The Beers hold the kopje and have
one Nickers- Maxim and probably one
or two other guns.
Toward evening. the battery on the
south side opened, cooperating with
tine battery Oh the north side. A Won
Grrful sight followed. The shells fell
with amazing precision along the river
bed opposite the lager, which was
thoroughly shelled. damaging every
thing il contained. one shell set on
fire 4 small ammunition wagon. which
burned nearly all day. Many other
wagons We're set On fire and the glare
was visible at a considerable distance
far into the night.
The infantry also maintained a terri
blc fire. which was vigorously an
SWcrcd.
The scene toward nightfall was ter
ribly picturesque. with blazing wagons.
tho rearing artillery ana the cracking
rifle fire.