The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-04-04
A British Convoy Captured.
Six Guns and Large Number
Of Men and Wagons
Taken,

Bushmap Kop, Saturday, March 81
The British force commanded by
Col Broad wood, consisting Of the
Tenth Hussars, household cavalry, two
horse batteries aud force of mounted
infaatr3 under Col Pitcher, which had
been garrisorIng Thaba N'Chu, vas
Obliged 10 copseqaesce Of the near
approach of a large force Of Beers TO
leave last night
Col Broadwood marched to the
Bloemfonteio waterwoTks, south Of the
Modder river where be eocsmped at 4
O'CLOCK this morning.
At early dawo the camp was sbelied
by the eoemy from point nearby
Col Brosdwood sent eff Convoy With
the batteries, while the rest of the
force remained to act as rear guard
The convoy arrived at deep spruit
where the Beers we're concealed and
the entire body walked into ambush
aud were captured together With six
guns.
The loss of life vas cot great since
most Of the British had walked ioto the
trap before shot was fred.
Ger Colvii!e's division which left
Bloemfontein early this morpiog ar
rived here ST pocn and he is Dow
shelliog the Beers
London, April "a 80 a. Geo
Buffers anxious inquiry whether
British officers will ever learn the value
of scouting comes back with enforced
emphasis to the British public today Cd
receipt of the tidings that 8 convoy
With guns has walked deliberately iuso
Boer ambush withio about 20 miles
Of Bloemfor.eio Lord Roberts owo
report Of the affair. if ye: received by
the war Office, has not been Published
and DO account of the affair is available
to the public except the dispatch from
Busbmau Kop Notbisg cau be said,
therefore, regarding tho exact extent Of
TIE British misfortune
Evidently CO! Broad wood thought it
necessary tc retrea, 10 haste from Ths
ba N'Cbu as be marched al through
Friday night, apparently followed by 3
considerable force of tie eremy. The
convoy and guns had to pass through g
deep spruit which the Beers had occu
pied.
Six Of twelve guns. comprising two
batteries. all of the wagons, aod i, is
feared many meu, fell into the hands of
the Beers, whose dariug displayed 80
near Bloemfontein. shows that they are
rapidly recovering heart after their
recent reverses.
The hope is expressed here that Gen
Colville will recover the convoy and
guns but this is hardly likely 10 such
difficult country and it is probable
that the next news will be that. otter
a stiff fight. Gen Coiville bes extrioa;ed
Gel Broadwood from his difficult posi-
,ioo bu: failed to retrieve the disaster.
Severe criticisms are beard regarding
the renewal Of the old mistake Of
undertaking tie Beers and the absence
of proper precau;ioa. No doubt the
affair will revive Boer hopes and inspire
confidence among the enemy at q
critica! moment
Great things are expected by the
Beers of tbc new commsnde. IL chief,
Gen Botha, sno has mado bis repusa
zion wholly daring the present csm
paign. Foreigo ofioers serving With
the Beers have expressed surprise a:
his clever tactics
The proof of costicuiog Boer activity
in the Free State will compel greater
circumspeosiou on the part of the Brit
isb aud will probably delay toe march
of Lord Roberts northwaed
Detailed accounts of the fight at
Karee siding estimate the Bcer forces
variously from 3 600 to 5000 ucu
Braoaot's horse occupied WePener
last Thursday nnappcsed
Lord Me,bueD has issued the follow
iOg notification at Kimberley:
II have received Instructions tha. If
any disturbance occurs west of the
Vaal ,iver my force is to return and
p1ois5 the rebels Immediately
Greenwood, March 31.-The cele
brated King case is at an end. The
jury was out only about three hours
and brought in verdict of "guilty,