New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-26

1t soon developed that the Gloucesters and
Essexes had lost their way. and had bivouacked,
in error, close to the Boer laager on the north
side of the river AS as they were per-
ceived by the enemy, the latter fusilladed Won
derful to tell the British casualties were prac-
tically none.
There desultory firing all day long on both
the north and south banks, General Knox's
brigade holding and pushing forward the line
south of the river while General Smith Dorrien,
on the north side, worked toward the laager.
Meanwhile General French advanced in a far
easterly direction, near kopje held by strong
force of Cronje's men, reinforced by a Lady
smith contingent At the same time General
Broadwood's brigade with a battery of horse
artillery took up positions to the left and rear
of the same kopje.
The front Of the hill was thoroughly searched
by a rakng fire. Suddenly the Beers bolted
from every side toward General French, who
headed toward the drift, Smelling vigorously.
A great number escaped, but many killed
by shrapneI and about forty We're captured.
AS the kopje was evacuated this cor
respondent visited it. The position was found
to be wonderfully strong naturally, and TO form
the real key to the position in the case of de-
fence against Boer reinforcements advancing
from the east.
The first contact with the Ladysmith Beers
singularly unfortunate for them. A great
deal of forage, provisions and equipment was
captured, and the kopje frequently dotted
with blood, showing that many wounded had
been removed.
The Boer method of removing their dead is
to tie couple of reins to the body, which is
thus dragged off by two horsemen at full gallop
/ There several pourparlers to-day on the
subject Of short armistice 1t seems that Gen
eral Cronje is willing to surrender; but that the
young Transvaalers refuse. The other be-
leaguered Beers are anxious to give up
A British doctor who visited the Boer lines
to see the wounded found the trenches along
the river full of wounded and many dead.
A deserter who came into camp last night says
that yesterdays bombardment was appalling in
its effects, especially in the of the howitzer
batteries enilading the river.
The position to-day is practically the same.
The Beers strengthening their intrench-
ments around the lager, but the case is hope
less. The capture of the kopje to-day has given
the British a splendid position and will prevent
a Boer relieving force reaching Cronje.
Everybody admires the splendid stand of the
burghers; but. from humanitarian point Of
view it is considered that further resistance on
the part of General Cronje will be criminal.
Every shrapnel shell finds a victim and unless
a miracle occurs his force must be wiped out
captured. The former result is terrible to con-
template; but, although it would require few
days it would be easy to accomplish.
To-day Lord Roberts sent General Cronje an
offer of a safe conduct for the women and chill
dren together with free pass to any point for
them, and also offer of doctors and medicine.
Cronje's reply curt refusal, and desultory
Smelling resumed.
Paardeberg, Thursday, Feb 22-Artillery
Smelling continued during the early part Of last
night AS soon the last gun was fired, the
Shropshires who had been occupying the river
bed since Sunday rushed forward, seized ad-
ditiona! two hundred yards of ground
and intrenched fresh position before daybreak.
At dawn General Cronje found himself locked
that amount of space. The Shropshires had
done excellent work under CALLING fire since
Sunday and they were relieved by the Gordons
to-day.
The exchange Of positions had its amusing
features In spite OF the danger The Gordons
crawled on their stomachs to the trenches and
the Shropshires crept out of these by actually
reaching over the Gordons
The scene of the last five days fighting is one
of the prettiest spots in South Africa. The
river AT the point where General Cronje is
| 1conced and fighting for life resembles some
| ar+s or the Hudson River, the ground all
ound sloping toward the stream. All the
| h;ebIands are covered by British artillery.
| Croria &c faced in the front and rear from both
| ranks by the British, while General Frenchs