The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-23
CRoNJE Will FIGHT
Continued From First Page

managed to hold his own. Saturday night
the British mounted infantry came into
touch with Cronje'S rear guard, driving
them back upon the main body. On Sun
day morning the action was renewed, but
the Beers who had intrenched the river
bed during the night prevented a fur
Their advance of the mounted infantry in
this direction.
Meanwhile the Highland brigade, con-
sisting of the Seaforths, the Black Watch
and the Argylls, advanced from the
south bank, and the Essex, Welsh and
Yorkshires formed long line on the left,
which rested on the river, the extreme
right being the Welsh. The whole line
was ordered to envelop the Beers, who
lined both banks of the river.
BoERS FIGHT BRAVELY.
The firing soon became heavy The
Beers, holding a splendid position, cover
ed the left of the Highland brigade, which
advanced partly up the river bed and
partly in the open,. while the rest of
the brigade, with the other regiments,
swung round the front of the Highland
brigade on the left level, exposed to a
terrible fire, which obliged the men to
lie upon the ground as they did for the
remainder of the day. This began at
7:30 in the morning. Through the dread
men hung to the position, answering the
Boer fire and shooting steadily. In the
meantime the rest of the infantry COM
pleted the enveloping movement, the
Welsh regiment having succeeded in seiz-
ing the drift thus closing in the Beers,
who had fought throughout with splen-
did courage. Gen. Cronje's laager, full Of
carts, ammunition and supplies could be
plainly seen near the north bank.
BoER ARMY CUT IN TWO.
Gen. Smith-Dorrien collected big body
of men, including the Canadians, and
crossed the river by Paardeberg Drift,
advancing toward the laager, which was
being vigorously sheiled. This force made
gallant attempt to charge into the
laager, but failed.
Before Selling the Western drift the
Beers occupied kopje on the south
bank running down the river. Therefore
their force is cut in two, the Beers hold
ing the kopjes having one Vicker-Maxim
and probably some other guns.
To wards evening the battery on the
south side opened, cooperating with the
battery on the north side. A wonderful
sight followed. The shells fell with amaz
ing precision along the river bed, opposite
the laager, which was shelled thoroughly,
CALLING everything 1t contained. One she'll
which burned nearly all day. many other
wagons were set on fire and the glare
was visible at a considerable distance far
into the night. The infantry also main
tanned terrible fire, which was answered
vigorously. The scene toward nightfall
was terribly picturesque, with the blazing
wagons, the roaring artillery and the
cracking rifle fire.
COSTLY ACTION.
One of the costliest actions of the waN
, occurred at Paardeberg Drift Sunday,
Feb. Is. Gen. Kelly-Kenny, in his pur,
suit of Gen. Cronje, caught his rear
guard at Kip Drift, and followed the
burghers to the Boer laager at Koedoes
Rand. The drift action began at day.
break, the mounted infantry driving the
Beer rearguards up the river toward the
main body, while another body of mount
ed infantry unanswered on the right
front and flank of the Beers. The British
main body advanced to outfiank. the Boef
lager on the north bank of the river.
Gen. Kelly-Kenny, having seized two
drifts, found the Beers strongly enclos ed,
and ordered an attack, with the Highland
! brigade on the left and Gen. Knox.s bri-
gade in the center and right, while Gen.
Smith oriien's brigade crossed the rly-
er and advanced along the north bank.
ground is level, and the advance was
deadly across this, and the British losses
were heavy. The battle was an exact re-
plica of the Modder River.
The soldiers were under fire all day
lorg, and all the fighting had no definite
result, as the Boer lager was well barn.
caded and they remained therein. The
British guns shelled the lager vigorously
and the Beers confessed to a loss of over
800 men,.
The terrific Smelling was resumed Mon
day, when Gen. Cronje asked for an ar.
mistice. The Smelling was continued
Tuesday, over fifty guns pouring shell in
to the Boer camp.
GLAD TO REST.
AS night fell after the terrific fighting
which lasted all day Sunday, there was a
sudden cessation of fire. as both sides
were thoroughly tired and glad to rest.
The work of collecting the dead and
wounded proceeded, and the men slept
where they had fought the whole day.
The action was one of the most fearfully
contested in the history of the war. The
Beers were grimly fighting for their
lives, while the British determinedly ha-
raised them. The mounted infantry did
good work, and the Highland brigade
fought steadily and sternly. The whole
force behaved WELL
Sunday evening the Gordon around the
side, In perfect silence. "A few Beers
came into camp during the night and
confessed they were sick of lighting.