The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-03-01
The south African War.

In his falling back process before Lord
Roberts forces after the relief of Kim
berry, the Boer, Gen. Cronje, took the
line of the Modder river, falling back and
fighting as he went, to Parrdeberg Drift,
where, with his force of about 5000 men,
he was practically surrounded. Ibis
was Monday of last week. Early IN the
day, upon the arrival of Lord Roberts,
Gen. Cronje asked for "a hours armis
tice in order to bury his dead. Lord
Kitchener refused and little later came
another messenger with word to the
effect that if the British were inhuman
enough to refuse an armistiee for the
purpose of burying the dead, Gen. ROME
saw no other course but to surrender.
! Upon receipt of his message Lord Kitch-
ener proceeded to the Boer lager in
order to arrange the equalization, but he
was met by messenger who announced
that Gen. Cronje said that the whole
thing was mistake, that Gen. ROME
had not the slightest intention of sur
rendering, but would fight until he died.
He evidently expected reinforcements.
Tuesday fighting was resumed but
with no signal advantage
Every opportunity was given the Beers
to surrender, but when towards afternoon
| there was no sign of any such intention,
Lord Roberts determined to crush once
and for all Gen. Cronje's resistance.
On the south bank of the river at n
| range of about 1000 yards three field
batteries and two naval II Founders were
positioned On the north bank and en-
| filidating the whole river, one howitzer,
three field batteries and three naval 7
guns were placed. Then followed the
most wonderful thing it was ever my lot
to witness Once before, in Thessaly,
| had seen ITO guns in action, but never
such number of powerful guns concen-
trating their force upon spot about a
mile square
Gen Cronje's wife is described by the
prisoners as urging him to surrender in
order to save the lives of his men, but
! he would not
A dispatch to the Daily Chronicle from
Parrdeberg, dated Friday, Feb. %, says:
"Gen Cronje's attempt to mount guns
was frustrated by our artillery
Within the past few days 200 prisoners
have arrived at Cape Town and prepare
tons are being made to receive large
numbers Fifty officers and men have
been dispatched to Walfisch Bay, where
it is reported that Roer munitions are
being landed 1t is said that about so
per Rrabants horse have taken their
discharges, having completed their en-
gagement for three months Various
reasons are given.
Parrdeberg, Saturday afternoon, Feb,
"a -Methuen reports that Barkley West
was occupied by our troops, Feb. %.
The loyal Inhabitants displayed great
enthusiasm. The country west of the
railway from Cape Town to Kimberley
is gradually settling down.
ing despatch from Lord Roberts: "Paar-
deberg, Feb. 81 q 40 any. Gen. Cronje
and all of his TO ce captulated uncondi-
tionslly at daylight and is now prisoner
in nv camp. The strength of his force
will be communicated later. hope that
her majesty's government will consider
this event satisfactory, occurring as it
doc 8 on the anniversary of Majuba."
Lord Roberts has done more than to
capture four thous nd Beers, and few
guns. He is with striking distance OF
one of the Boer oapita ais and Is master OF
a large district Of the FREE State. He
has given shock 10 Boer cOnfidercp and
UNNECESSARILY restored the spirit OF his
own troops. In captu ing Cronj,, he
has taken leader whose preeenc alone
was worth thousands to the Beer cause.
The best opinion here is that the Trans
vaalers are certain TO continue The fight
wiz h und minished valor; but it is not
SO certain about the Free Staters.