The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-30

the hate for England, but many men
have come from America.and even Aus
tralia. Ever since the war began this
steady stream of fighting men has been
pouring into the Transvaal over the
Portuguese border, although the Eng
lish officials there have done everything
in their power to stop it.
Every train arriving from Lorenzo
Marques brings from ten to fifty re-
cruits, and a short time ago such a
large number of men were clamOrinE
for transportation from the Portuguese
town that an extra train was run for
their accommodation.
1t reminds one of the days in Amer
lea after the fight in Manila when
Dewey came into prominence. The
fight on Spion kop in the latter part of
January was the first of any great con-
sequence, inasmuch as a British victory
would have been followed by the rais-
ing of the siege of Ladysnith. A defeat
for the Beers would have changed the
tide of the entire campaign in Natal,
and to guard against such a calamity
General Joubert placed Gen. Botha in
charge.
To show how successful Botha was in
combating the British forces, it is only
necessary to say that seven days after
the battle there remained on the sides
of Spion kop and in the valley below
more than 700 bodies of English sold
iers. while the total loss of the Beers
was so killed and 123 wounded.
The total BOer force engaged in the
fight was not more than $50. while the
British force was no less than 1000, and
probably twice that number.
Botha did not seem to be proud of his
victory, but spoke only of the bravery
Of the British soldiers and the injustice
of the war which made such slaughter
necessary.
After the battle of Colenso, ''the gen
eral began, with the forces under my
command as a result of careful plan
ming of President Kruger and their own
proweSs, 1 was preparing to return to
Pretoria for a short rest when I re-
ceiVed instructions from the president
to go at once toward the Upper Tugela,
whittier the British forces were advanc-
ing to the relief of Ladysmith They
had crossed the river at Trichardts
drift and were on the main road which
leads into the besieged city when I ar
rived in Gen. Burgher's camp at 5
O'Clock in the morning.
4 saw there was nothing to do but
prepare for an immediate attack, and
for four days fought on a large
plateau to the right of Spion kop on
the evening of the fifth day the British
forces suddenly retired toward Trich-
ardts drift. but instead of recrossing
the stream they took up positions on
Spion kop. This point was of great
strategic Importance, and General
Burgher and I agreed that We must
have it. During the night we selected
our men from different commandos in
the vicinity, took our positions, and
waited for the dawn before beginning
hostilities
only $50 men We're in these positions,
but there were more near by to render
assistance if it became necessary. Dur
ing the day before we estimated the
British forces at 5000, although there
might have been more
For short time it was really anus
ing to see our men so close to the Brit
ish soldiers that at least 25 of them
were able to seize their rifles from their
hands. Finally, after very severe fight
ing. we gained the day, and as night
came over the scene we had taken 200
prisoners. The British retreated during
the night. leaving many of their wound
ed and all their dead behind on the
mountain top.
THE following morning I personally
counted the dead bodies and found $50
of them scattered around the hill The
wounded left on the hill all night were
geo. and those sent back the following
morning. On the other side of the hill
no less than $50 British were killed.
'fThe loss on our side was so killed
and 100 wounded -