The age-herald., 1900-02-23
H[MM[D IN BY BRITISH INFANTRY
 CRONJE MAKES 4 DESPERATE STAND
Like a Tiger at Bay He Announces a Fight to the Death and
 Fearful Battle is Raging

;s enclosed in a terrible death-trap. The enemy are hiding in the bed of the Modder river, commanded by the British artillery, and enclosed on the east and west by the British infantry Sunday witnessed a gal lant stand of the present retreating foe. Tired and harassed, they still maintained a bold front. It Is somewhat dimcult 10 explain the Sunday action, fn which all une British force was engaged, in which Gen. eral Cronje, under difficult conditions, man. aged ot hold his own. On Saturday night the British mounted infantry came into touch with Cronje's rear guard, driving them back upon the main body On Sun day morning the action was renewed; out the Boers, who had entrenched the river bed during the night, prevented further advance of the mounted infantry in this direction.
 Meanwhile, the Highland brigade, con sistlng of the ZafortIhs, the Black Watch and the Argyls, advanced from the south bank, and the Essex Welch and Yorkshires formed a long line on the left, which rested on the river, the extreme right being the Weoh. The whole line was ordered to envelope the Boers and lined both banks of the river.
 Firing Bee lme Heavy
 The firing soon became heavy. The Boers holding a splendid position, covered the left of the Highland brigade, which ad- vsnced partly up the river bed and partly in the open, while the rest of the brigade, with the other regiments swung around the front of the Highland brigade on the level, coverless ground, exposed to a terrible fire, which obliged them to lie upon the ground, as they did for the remainder of the day. This began at 7:30 in the morning. Through the dreadful heat and terrible thunder storm our men hung to the position, swering the Boer fire and shooting stead fly.
 In the meantime the rest of the infantry rOmUleted the pnVPlODment movement the eighth regiment having succeeded in seiz- ing the drift, thus closing in the Boers who had fought throughout with splendid cour- age. General CronJe's laager full of carts, ammunition, and stores could be plainly seen near the north bank.
 General Smith-Dorrden collected large body of men, including the Canadians, and crossed the river by Paardeberg drift ad- vancing towards the laager which was be- ing vigorously shelled This made an att tempt to charge into the laager, but failed. Before seizing the western drifts, the Boers occupied kopje on the south bank run ming down the river Therefore their force is cut in two. The Boers hold the kopje and have one Vickers-Max1m, and probably one or two other guns.
 Picturesque Scene at Night Toward evening the battery on the south side opened, cooperating with the battery on the north side. A wonderful sight fol- | lowed. The shells fell with amazing pre- ciSion along the river bed opposite the | laager, which was sheled thoroughly, gall | ling everything 1t contained. One shell set l on fire small ammunition wagon, which l burned nearly all day. Many other wagons l were set on fire, and the glare was visible | at a considerable distance far into the night. The infantry also maintained terri l ble fire, which was answered vigorously. | The scene toward nightfall was terribly | picturesque with the blazing wagons, the | roaring artillery, and the crackling rifle | fire.