The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-06

not improbable. as the Beers are
scarcely expected to make a stand
there.
The significance Of General Kitche-
Iner's presence at Arundel Is not yet
but wherever he goes some
thing Is likely TO happen, and develop
lments may shortly show strategic
lplans as interesting as those which
illuminated in the capture of General
iCronje.
HEAVY FIGHTING AT MAFEKING.
London, March IA special from
Cape Town says that a telegram has
been received from Mafeking announc-
ling that the Beers made a severe n
lprotracted assault on February 18th.
but were driven OF at all points The
truce which is usually observed Sun
days was broken February 18th by
lanother fierce attack, but after deter
mined fighting the Beers were repulsed
with q loss of forty killed and wound
led.
The defenders who were able to take
advantage of the shelter Of earthworks
lost only two killed and three wound
HOW THE BOERS TOOK THEIR
DEFEAT.
London, March with such de-
ltermined enemies" says a special cor
respondent ~telegraphing from Paarde-
berg, under date of February 9th "one
would % tina the Beers would
have destroyed their guns, small arms
and ammunition before surrenderine.
The only thing injured, however, was
la Vickers-Maxim piece, which had
been hit by a British shell. A British
%lofficer and nine British soldiers, who
were prisoners. had been provided with
deep holes by the Beers and kindly
treated.
THE Beers inquired anxiously
whether Bloemfortein was in posses
sion of the British.
When the order came for the Boer
prisoners to cross the river to the Brit
fish camp they took all that they could
carry of such things as pots, pans
and blankets. throwing their rifles in
two heaps that gradually increased
to huge proportions.
AS the ford had been swollen by a
heavy rain, the Beers o o off their
trousers and waded across. The scene
looked like play rather than war. The
men laughed and splashed each other
In the water, but among them were
some grim faces which looked with
disfavor o such ~sportiveness."
THE STORMING OF PETERS HILL
Colenso Camp, February 27.-Today,
1.-THE anniversary of Majuba hill, the
British successfully stormed the Boer
positions on PETERS hill. Since Fri
days attack the whole of the position
has been shelled at intervals. but from
learly his morning the trenches direct
ly opposite the British front and the
neck separating Peters hill from an
other hill were simply strewn with
iLyddite shells and %shrapnel. 1t appears
marvellous that anything human could
live on the hill. At 3 o'clock both the
batteries fired salvoes and all the heavy
Ordinance was in constant action.
General Barton led his command to
the extreme right. Colonel Kitchener,
who had taken Wynne's command,
lstormed the centre. The brigade under
Colonel Northcole attacked Railway
hill. The infantry on the right advanc-
ed over the hill, forcing the Beers into
the neck, while Colonel Kitchener led
his men over Railway hill, meeting
little opposition. The Beers remained
in the trenches from which a terrible
cross fire was sent during Mondays
fight. A few of them escaped to the
next trench and hoisted a white flag,
which they waved vigorously. Some
%prisoners were taken. The infantry
lcheered and charged and took Peters
hill with ike bayonets. Here they
were met with a heavy musketry fire.
The British now command Railway
hill and the direct road to Ladysmith.