Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-23

LONDON, February 23.-The Daily
News has the following from Mod
der River, dated Wednesday after
noon, February Fl,
s"The Boer forces under Gen. Cron-
je are estimated at 5000 men. At IL
o'clock he asked an armistice of "a
hours, which was refused. Later he
sent a messenger to say that he
would surrender.
seThe British general sent a reply
telling him TO come into camp. Cron-
je refused, saying there had been a
mfsunderstandinga and that he would
fight to the death.
"The bcmbardment was then re-
opened and our lydaite shells set
fire to the Boer wagons. We con-
tinued Smelling tShe laager through
the night and in the morning we
resumed with maxims and rifles,
principally from the north side.
son Sunday there was mucr waste
of life in attacking and same result
will be achieved without it. Dur
ing Monday night seven Beers made
an attempt to break through our
lines, but they were captured and
their leader was killed. Four were
carrying letters. 1t is believed
that there was one other who got
through.
''Otber prisoners say that Gen.
Cronje marched from Magersfontein
here without outspanning, dis
lance of thirty-three miles. Had
he succeeded in escaping it would
have been one of the finest PERFORM
nnces in the annals of war. The
Canadians made gallant charge at
the larger, hut were driven back
with loss. Gen. Macdonald and
Gen. Knox are slightly wounded"
PAARDEBERG DRIFT, Orange
Free State, Tuesday, February 90
Gen. Cronjes magnificent march from
Magersfontein now appears likely to
end in disaster. The main body Of
the Beers is enclosed in a terrible
death trap. The enemy are hiding in
the bed of the Nc oder river. COM
manded by the British artillery and
enclosed, on the east and west, by the
British infantry.
Sunday witnessed gallant stand on
the part of the retreating foe. Tired,
harrassed, they still maintained a
bold front 1t is somewhat difficult
to explain the Sunday action in which
an eh1B British force was engaged in
which Gen. Cronje under difficult con-
ditions, managed to hold his own. On
Saturday night the British mounted
infantry came into touch with Cron-
Je's rear guard, driving them back up
on the main body. On Sunday morn
ing the action was renewed; but the
Beers who had entrenched the river
bed during the night prevented fur
Their advance of the mounted infan-
try in this direction.
Meanwhile the Highland brigade,
consisting of the Seaforths, the Black
Watch and the Argylls advanced from
the south bank and the Essex, Welsh
and Yorkshires formed a long line on
the left which rested on the river, the
OAIiCihC A1sAI DSlllS Lie WelSu lie
whole line was ordered to envelope
the Beers who lined goth banks of the
river.
The firing soon became heavy. The
Beers holding slendid position, COW
ering the left of the bridge, which ad-
vanced partly up the river and part in
the open while the rest of the brigade
with the other regiments swung round
the front of the Highland brigade on
the level, coverless ground, 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 half past seven in the morning.
Through the dreadful heat and a ter
rible thunder storm our men hung to
the position, answering the Boer fire
and shooting steadily.
In the meantime the rest of the in
fantry completed the enveloping move
ments, the Welsh regiment having sue
ceeded in Selling the drift, thus clos
ing in the Beers who had fought
throughout with splendid courage.
Gen. Cronje's lager, full of carts, ana