Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-28
CR0NJE A PRISONER.
Continued from page ~

'Paardeberg, II o'clock. Tuesday
Morning.-From information furnished
to me daily by the intelligence depart
ment it became apparent that Gen
Cronje's force was becoming more de-
pressed and that the discomfort of the
troops and the discord among the lead
ers was rapidly increasing. This feel
ing was doubtless accentuated by the
disappointment caused when the Boer
achievements which tried to relieve
Gen. Cronje were defeated by our
troops on Feb. %. l resolved, there
fore, to bring pressure to bear on the
enemy. Each night the trenches Were
pushed forward towards the enemy
laager 50 as to gradually contract his
position. and at the same time 1 bonn
barded it heavily with artillery, which
was, yesterday, materially aided by the
arrival of four 6-inch Howitzers which
1 had ordered up from De Aar. In car
rying out these measures a captive
balloon gave great assistance by keep
ing us informed of the disposition and
movements Of the enemy.
AT 3 A. NJ, today, n most dashing
advance was made by the Canadian
Regiment and some engineers, support
ed by the LIST Gordon Highlanders and
2nd Shropshires, resulting in our gain
ing a point some 600 yards nearer the
enemy and within about so yards OF
his trenches. where our men entrench-
ed themselves and maintained their po-
sition till morning, a gallant deed wor-
thy of our colonial comrades and which
l am glad TO say, was attended by
comparatively slight loss.
This apparently clinched matters
for, at daylight. today. a letter signed
by Gen. Cronje in which he stated that
he surrendered Internationally was
brought to our outposts under a flag OF
truce. In my reply l told Gen. Cronje
he must present himself at my camp
and that his force must come out of
their lager after laying down their
arms.
by A. NJ. | received Gen. CrOnje
and dispatched a telegram to you an
conversation he asked for kind treat
ment at our hands and also that his
Wife. grandson, private secretary, ad-
jutant and servants might accompany
him wherever he might be sent. l as
sured him and told him his request
would be complied with. l informed
him that a general officer would be
sent with him to Cape Town to ensure
his being treated with proper respect
en- route. He will start. this evening,
under charge Of Major General Pretty
man. who will hand him over to the
general commanding cape Town.
The prisoners. who number about
L
under our own officers They will al
so leave here, today, reaching the Mod
der river. tomorrow. when they will
be rallied to Cape Town in detach-
ments."
The above dispatch was read in both
the House of Lords ana the House Of
Commons. The reference to the Ca
nadians evoked immense ana prolong-
ed cheering.
London, Feb. 27.-G.25 p. Nit is
now announced that Lord Roberts has
notified the war office that the num-
Der of Boer prisoners approximates
1000. of which 11J0 are citizens Of the
Orange Free State. The remainder are
citizens Of the Transvaal. Twenty
nire Transvaal officers were captured
and Is Free State officers We're made
prisoners.
The guns captured from the Trans
vaal forces we're seven J-centimetre
Krupps. one 9-poundcr and the Maxim
sun. From the Free Staters the Brit
ish captured one 5-centimetre Krupp
and one Maxim gun.
The enthusiasm exhibited in Parlia-
tails of the surrender of Gen Cronie
spread rapidly in the streets. Crowds
of people again gathered about the war
Office and the other bulletin places, in
spite of the rain. which had been fall
ing since morning. Frequent cheers
were given for "Bobs" who is the hero
of the hour. and one old soldier became
50 excited in recounting the details of
the victory that he fell dead.
In the more frcquented parts of the
metropolis flags We're few and far be
tween and in Pail Mall, where the war
office is situated. there was not Il sin
Gle bit of bunting flying. while one flag
flew over the Strand. But. in the west
end of London there were many small
flags waving from the windows Of
snualid dwellings, and as the evening
fell Londoners gave themselves up to
rejoicing.
on all sides the gallantry of the Ca
nadians was much commented upon.
Gable dispatches poured in from the
colonies and the settlements announc-
ing that the rejoicing in those parts
Of the world over Lord Roberts victory
was mo less enthusiastic than in Great
Britain. It is reported that the Lacy
Roberts, the wife of Field Marshal
Roberts. will shortly start to join her
husband.
London. Feb. 27.-6.35 p. M.-The war
office has issued list of 721 non-com-
missioned officers and men wounded in
the fighting at Paardeberg, Sunday,
Feb. Is. including 63 Canadians and
l73 HiGhlanders.
London, Feb. ga dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Pietermaritzburg,
dated Monday, describes at consider
able length the enormous difficulties OF
Gen. Buffers task and says: THE real
advance began last Wednesday. The
nature of the task was only
when being on the spot one
was able to realize what it means to
hurl infantry at positions aligned in
VERY direction with carefully prepared