Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-04-02
Col. Broadwood's Force Ambush
ed and Seven Cannon and
Many Supplies Captured.
ENGLAND's LOSSES HEAVY.
Beers Were so well Concealed
That the English Advance
Passed UnsusplcIous.
RELIEF ARRIVES TOO LATE

LONDON, April zine war ONCE re-
ceived the following from Lord Rob-
erts, dated Bloemfontein, April L
l received news, late yesterday even
ing, from Colonel Broadwood, who was
at Thabau Chu, thirty-eight miles
east of here, that information had
reached him that the enemy was ap-
preaching in two forces from the north
and east. He stated if the report
proved true he would retire towards
the waterworks, seventeen miles near
er Bloemfontein, where we had a de-
tachment of mounted infantry for the
protection of the works. Broadwood
was told in reply that the ninth divis-
ion, with Martyrs infantry, would
march at daylight today to support
him and if he considers it necessary
he should retire from the waterworks.
He moved there during the night and
bivouacked. At dawn today he was
shelled by the enemy who attacked
him on three sides. He Immediately
dispatched two horse artillery bat
teries and his baggage toward Bloem-
fontein, covering some of them with
his cavalry. Some two miles from
the waterworks the road crosses a
deep nullah or spruit, in which, dur
ing the night, a force of Beers con-
cealed themselves. So well were they
hidden that our leading scouts passed
over the drift without discovering
them. and it was not until the wagons
and guns were entering the drift that
the Beers showed themselves and
opened fire. Many drivers of the ar
tillery horses were Immediately shot
down at short range and several guns
captured. The remainder galloped
away covered by Roberts horse which
suffered heavily. Meanwhile. Lieut..
Chestermasters, of Remingtons' scouts,
found the passage across the sprult
unoccupied by the enemy by which the
remainder of Broadwood's force
crossed. They reformed with great
steadiness, notwithstanding all that
had previously occurred. Broad
woods report which has just reached
me and which contains no details,
stated he lost seven guns and all his
baggage He estimates all casualties
at $50, including 200 missing. On
hearing, this morning, that Broadwood
was hard pressed, l Immediately or
dered General French, with the tw1
remaining cavalry brigades, to follow
in support of the ninth division. The
latter, after a magnificent march, ar
rived at the scene Of action shortly
after 3 p. m. Broadwood's force con
sisted of the Royal household cavalry
the Tenth Hussars, G and U batter
les of the Royal Horse artillery and
Pitchers battalion of mounted infan
try. The strength of the enemy is es
timated at from 5000 to 10000 with
guns, the number Of which is not yet
reported.
London, April 2-The rumor of the
recapture by the British of the sever
guns taken from Colonel Broadwood's
force, based on a dispatch to the
chronicle" from Bloemfontein, fails
to compensate London for the severe
shock experienced by the humiliatint
defeat sustained within few miles
of the headquarters of the British
army of occupation. The public II
painfully surprised to learn that Brit
ish officers in high position can still
neglect precautions which the veries
tyro might be expected to observe anC
blunder into traps which the obser-
vance of the elementary military rules
would have revealed. Presiden
Kruger is said to have promised to re
occupy Bloemfontein this week anC
the stubborn burghers seem to be clos
ing around the place in such forc'
as promises to be troublesome, es.
pecially when it is realized that th'
activity of strong Boer force in tn
vicinity of Paardeberg has already in
terrupted direct communication be
tween Lord Roberts and Kimberley
But for the overwhelming numbers a
49, afr,,1eo1 - Dobo~fc fho cffuoffoI
would justly cause Great Britain great
er anxiety. AS it is. the nation is be
ginning to realize from the nature O
the guerilla warfare that it is liable t
embarrass the future movements 0
the British troops. A special fror
Bloemfontein reports the water suppl
cut off, through the Boer success a
the waterworks. But the authoritie
are hopeful that the strong reinforce
ments sent by the commander-in-chie
win promptly remedy this. It is ev
dent from Lord Roberts dispatch tha
q big engagement is in progress.
Kimberley, April There is grea
activity along the vaal river. Abol
5000 burghers are assembled at va
ious points between Fourteen Stream
and Christiana About zoo men al
occupying Witrand. north Of Kllpdal
and 400 men are laagered at Boetsal
London. April 2-(4i55 p. M )-Tu
war Office received another dlspafe
from Lord Roberts, dated Bloemfon
teii April Isl, s:15 p. ma in which b
RIves q partial list OF the mlssin