The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-06
Advance WIN BE Rapid.
now BRANDFoRr WAS TAKEN.
After a Little Smelling the Beers he
gan TreISking.


Brandfort, May 4-The capture of the
town was the result of an admirably con-
ceived and well executed combined move
ment The night before the British ad-
vance 1900 Beers moved here, taking up
a strong line of defense with the avowed
object of opposing the British to the bitter
end.
As result of the strategy of Lord Rob-
erts they were forced to retreat hastily
nearly losing convoy of guns and aban-
doning the defense of The town.
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 and HamIlton's brig
ade moved eastwardly along the line of
kopje, communicating by road with
the railway. In close touch followed Max
wells brigade, with Wavells ON the left,
all under command of Lieut.. Gen. Tuck
er Gen. Pole-Carew's division formed
she center advance, composed of Jones'
and Stevenson's brigades, while Hutton's
mounted infantry. mainly of Canadians,
Australians and New Zealanders, moved
up, made a wide detour and arrived at
the east of the town.
The night before the occupation of
Brendfort the British seized two small
kopjes, commanding a deep and ugly
spruit, which sit was known the Beers
oa1ly occupied. Gen. Pole-Carew ordered
TWO batta1ions of guards to move silent-
ly after nightfall and occupy the kopjes.
which was done without opposition. This
greatly facilitated the advance, as the
boers reinquished the spruit, allowing the
passage of the whole force unopposed.
beginning of the Fight.
About three hours after the advance
commenced, com heavy artillery firing
wei, finding that the Beers had
TWO guns posted on a good position,
engaged them with his artillery at 1,500
yards range. Both sides fired furiously
sienced.
The gun fire was heard to the left, where
zen. Hutton had come into touch with
the boers, who were holding a strong po-
eltlon. Owing, however, TO the unexpected
arrival of the British. the Beers left small
NHopIes unoccupied and, separating these,
zen Hutton opened fire with his battery,
Col. Anderson going to outdanlS the Beers
on the left.
me Beers, unable to withstand the
snrapnel, evacuated their kopjes and
Ieamed across the plain towards a smah
town - '-'0
AS they retreated the battery placed sew
rots ia smells, with great accuracy, in their
eest ana they imemdiately retreated
1o ron their second position, move that
VA, %as perceived by Hutton, who sent a per-
1 nGn OF his troops in pursuit. Rimington
SThd Syzed the kopje seized by the Beers.
, eupon the Beers retired leaving the
@ vown at the mercy Of the British. In the
H"a, Hneantime Col. Anderson. trying to out
LAM itank' found the Beers position. His GAL
aping Maxim received a heavy pompom
are and was obliged to retire.
IN ton the other side Maxwell forced the
ooers position.
Retreat of the Beers.
..ny o'clock the whole force was seen
,',. Dur miles off trelsking north. Several
p,.sohers We're taken, including a com
stpo.l M who had returned in order to de-
ny me telegraph instruments
lne townspeople declare that the Irish
bsIleah contingent with the Beers be-
sns seu rlo'ously when the lighting began
n, to refused 70 take part in H. only man
r kopte close 90 the town.
VII. ne military attaches with the Beers
L"'sehed the fight through glasses from
p'es north OF the town. following the