The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-04-03
BRITISH
AreAmbushed snd suffer Severe
LO.s


LONDON, APRIL SIS a. m-The
latest news from the front adds little
to the public knowledge Of the convoy
disaster. No credence Is given to re-
ports that the Beers numbered between
eight and ten thousand men. The gen
eral belief is that there could not have
been NOR than half that number, but
the fact that half could be collected so
near headquarters without knowledge
OF tine British commanders. provokes
direct risult OF the inability OF Gen
French to cut off the command OF Gen.
Olivier and the other commaneoes
when escaping from the Orange river.
Lord Roberts own dispatch, dated
two hours later than the Daily Chror-
icle's, says nothing about the guns be-
ing re-captured. The story, therefore.
looks doubtful
Little news has srived from other
points Kenhardt was formally re-oc-
cupied Saturday The repoa that the
Beers are massing In the vicinity OF
Taunga and Kip dam is confirmed.
Lord Makhuens d fficufnes are appar-
emily increasing He has Boer laagers
or guerilla bands on three sides OF him
and he will be obliged to watch care
fully his communication with the
river.
BUsHNfAN's KOP, Sunday April l.
Following the scouts Of General FreRch's
cavalry division to the scene OF battle,
this correspondent witnessed one Of the
most terrible spectacles OF the war.
Horses lay stiffened in the various atti-
tt1des Of the sudden death, and mingled
among them were ghastly human bod o.,
with the wrecks OF wagons and food aad
forage scattered wide. Everything told
OF terrible tale of surprise and car
mage.
1t would be impossible TO conceive anE-
thing more ingenious than the Boer trap
and the only wonder is that a single man
escaped.
on crossing the spruit. where the
ground raises Immediately toward a
grassy knoll, with stony slopes facing the
drife. one came upon an enclosure from
which It was impossible to fire over the
drift. AT this point the sprult makes a
circular bend, while the south embank-
ment which is protected by the partially
constructed railway embankment, ena3l-
ed the enemy to pour in a CALLING fre on
three sides. as well as a double tier OF
fire in front.
When the convoy was first attacked
a scene OF frightful confusion followed
The mules stampeded and the wagons
were overturned, while the concealed enc
my poured In a deadly fire.
When the first battery appeared the
the slaughter and called upon the Brit
ish to surrender. AT that moment. how
ever, "B'' battery. which was escaping,
from the rear OF the convoy. under heavy
fire, wheeled into action and began she'll
ing the Beers with the four remaining
guns. The Beers confess that this bat
terry accounted for FIVE killed and nine
wounded OF their losses.
Early In the afternoon the Beers coll
lected about the convoy. began removing
the guns and wagons and permitted the
collection OF the British dead and wound
ed. Our actual casualties were less than
had been expected.
Despite this regrettabe incident. II is
impossible not to admire the gallant man
ner In which the little force was able to
extricate itself from an almost hopeless
position.
LONDON. APRIL 3.-The Bloemfontein
correspondent Of the Times. teIegraphing
Sunday with reference TO the capture OF
the convoy says:
The whole affair was fash inier
to frlghten Free staters who were deslr-
Gus of surrendering to Lord ROBBERS.
When General Colville arrived al hough
he was almost destitute Of mounted men
and had march eighteen miles, he de-
termined to turn the river crossing at
some point lower down than that occu-
pied by the enemy. Accordingly General
smith-Dorreins brigade including the
attempte danother drift. which
turned tho enemy's original position,
For same reason Lieutenant Colonel