New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-24
WARM WORK ON THE MODDER
A CORRESPONDENT DESCRIBES THE
FIGHTING ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

collecting the dead and wounded proceeded, and
the men slept where they had fought the whole
! day.
The action Of the most fearfuily con-
! tested in the history of the war for the Beers
were grmly fighting for their lives while the
British determinedly harassed them. The
mounted infantry did good work. and the High
land Brigade fought steadily and sternly. The
whole force behaved we'll.
On Sunday evening the Gordon around the
Beers completely closed every side in
perfect silence. few Beers came into camp
during the night and confessed they sick
of fighting and that General Cronje was being
urged to surrender.
All the animals and the suffered terribly
from thirst it impossible to transport
water. heavy thunderstorm in the afternoon.
however, considerably relieved their sufferings
Lord Kitchener was present With the force
MACDONALD's WOUND NOT SEVERE.
General Macdonald was wounded in the foot
but not severely
General Cronje's force occupies the river bed
The British marched splendidly to overtake the
retreating enemy. Deserters say that great
number of the Beers lost their horses, Trek
oxen are daily seen wandering over the plain,
and many come into the British lines.
Monday morning broke finding the Beers in
the place. they having during the night
constructed intrenchments around the laager,
which was still threatened by General Smith
Dorien. The infantry rested after the terribly
hard days fighting on Sunday.
The mounted infantry and battery of horse
artillery started to observe the enemy, who
holding kopje. but while riding around the
southern side of the kopje they received a
heavy fusillade and were obliged to move fur
Their out. They sustained no casualty-another
proof of the bad Boer craftsmanship. Pushing
on the detachment found that the kopJe ex-
tended q considerable distance west. sloping
gradually TO the plain. They seized good de-
fensive position. which was garrisoned. They
continued the movement and completely turned
the Beers whose left held strongly by
farmhouse. which was vigorously shelled The
detachment returned to camp at nightfall leav-
ing a garrison on the ridge. Meanwhile des-
ultory bombardment of the Boer position was
kept up, and a good deal Of rifle fire concen-
trated where the Essex Regiment attempt
ing to rush up the river.
FRENCH JOINS THE ACTION.
About midday the cry that General French
had arrived was passed down the ranks. but
his division operated out of sight OF our force.
When Lord Roberts arrived he addressed sew
eral regiments. and vigorously cheered.
Early in the day General Cronje asked for
twenty-four hours armistice. in order to bury
later came another messenger with word to the
effect that If the British inhuman enough
to refuse an armistice for the purpose OF bury
ing the dead General Cronje saw no other
recourse except surrender. Upon receipt of this
message Lord Kitchener proceeded toward the
Boer laager in order to arrange the capitula-
ton but he met by messenger who
nounced that General Cronje said that the whole
thing was a mistake. that CronJe had not the
fight until he died General Kitchener returned
and ordered a bombardment of the Boer posi-
ton Three field batteries and howitzer bat
terry took position directly in front of the Iaager
and began a terribly accurate fire, the howitzers
using lyddite shells freely. The Beers seen
retiring from the trenches to the river bed in
order to seek cover. but cover could protect
them from such accurate and deadly fire. The
howitzers especially dropped lyddite shells with
marvellous precision into the very bed OF the
river and the trenches were filed with
terrible fumes and green smoke, but still the
enemy held grmy on
Again during the night deserters arrived
They were terribly frightened and shaken by
had water in abundance, but were only able to
draw scanty supplies from their lager during
the night.
CRONJE'S GRIM RESISTANCE.
To-day was the third day of General Cronje's
Imprisonment and grim resistance. Early this
morning the infantry engaged the enemy in
the bed of the river, driving him back short
distance
The morning disclosed the Beers toiling
like ants on intrenchments around their lager
A few shells We're fired to prevent them from
continuing the work, but most Of the day was
quiet
General French's artillery was heard off TO the
east, presumably engaging the Beers reinforce
ments.
Every opportunity given the Beers to
surrender, but when toward afternoon there
was no sign Of any such Intentions Lord Rob
eraI Cronjes resistance. on the south bank OF
the river at range of about two thousand
yards three field batteries and two naval -
Founders were pOsitioned. On the north bank
and enfiIading the whole river one hOwitzer
three field batteries and three naval Al guns
placed. Then followed the most wonderful
scene it my lot to witness. Once be-
fore, in Thessaly, L had seen one hundred and
ten guns in action, but never such a number of
powerful guns concentrating their fire upon a
spot about mile square. The exploding lyd-
dite shells raised great clouds of green smoke
completely filling the bed Of the river The
shrapnel burst on the edge OF each bank except
for a short space where the proximity of the
British infantry made IL dangerous. The Brit
ish shells searched every bush and every rayine
of the river bed The enfadng guns must
have done terrible execution. The roar was
deafening, yet. with spirit OF desperate mad
ness. now and again the Beers would attempt
to snpe at the naval guns which were firing at
a range of 200 yards. The long line OF three
batteries belched forth death. while on each side
lay two battalions OF infantry. whose Maxims
sounded petty beside the roaring big guns
What loss the Beers suffered is not known vet
am writing in the middle OF a sleeping camp
Not a sound disturbs the heavy slumber OF the
tired soldiers Down the river bed not a Are IA
seen. not cry heard. There Is something
tragic In the stern resistance which General
Cron1e Is hopelessly offering. 1t is impossible
not to admire his pluck, but all condemn the
Wickedness of uselesslv sacrificing the lives of