Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1900-04-27
BRITISH GOT INTO A 1RAP|
CONVOY AND SIX GUNS GONE
British Are Aggressive-Had One Sc
we're Fight-Large Number of Brit
ish FeIl-General News of south
Africa.


Pitcher, which has been garrisoning Than
chu, was obliged in consequence of tn
near approach of large force of Beers t,
| leave.
Colonel Broadwood marched to tn,
| Bloemfontein waterworks, south of tn
Modder, where he encamped. At earl,
dawn the camp was shelled by the enemy
from near point. Colonel BroadwooC
sent off convoy with the batteries whil'
the rest of the force remained to act as
rear guard. The convoy arrived at a deeI
spruit, where the Beers were concealed ant
the entire body walked into ambush ant
was captured, together with six guns. The
loss of life was not great, since most of the
British had walked into the trap before
a shot was fired.
General Colville's division which lefi
Bloemfontein early Saturday arrived here
at noon and shelled the Beers.
A Surprise for England.
London, April General Buffers anx.
ious inquiry whether British officers will
ever learn the value of scouting comes
back with enforced emphasis to the Brit.
ish public on receipt of tidings that a
convoy with guns has walked deliberately
into Boer ambush within about 20 miles
of Bloemfontein.
Evidently Colonel Broadwood thought
it necessary to retreat in haste from Thar.
banchu, as he marched all through Friday
night, apparently followed by consider.
able force of the army. The convoy and
guns had to pass through a deep spruit
which the Beers had occupied.
Six of the IL guns, comprising two bat
teries, with the wagons, and it is feared
many men, fell into the hands of the
Beers, whose daring, displayed SO near
Bloemfontein, shows that they are rapidly
recovering heart after their recent re-
verses.
The hope is expressed here that General
Colville will recover the convoy and guns,
but this is hardly likely in such difficult
country, and it is probable the next move
will be that after a stiff fight General
Colyille has extricated Colonel Broadwood
from his difficult position, but failed to
relieve the disaster.
Several criticisms are heard regarding
the renewal of the old mistake of under
rating the Beers and the absence of prop
er precaution. No doubt the affair will
revive the Boer hopes and inspire conf
dence among the enemy at critical mo-
ment
Great things are expected by. the Beers
of the new commander n-chief,. General
Botha, who has made his reputation
wholly during the present campaign. For
eign officers serving with the Beers have
expressed sympathy with his clever tao
tics.
Detailed accounts of the fight at Karee
Siding estimated the Boer forces vari-
ously from 5000 to 5000
Brabant's horse occupied Wepener last
Thursday unopposed.
Lord Methuen has issued the following
notification at Kimberley: 81 have re-
ceived instructions that if any disturb
ance occurs west of the Vaal river my
force is to return and punish the rebels
Immediately"
Lord Roberts Advances.
London, April 2.-According to spec
lal dispatch from Pretoria, Lord Roberts
has commenced his advance northward.
The dispatch says there are daily Skin
nishes, and that big battle is imminent.
This may, however, refer to the operations
preceding the engagement at Karoo Sid
ng, which apparently cleared the way as
we'll as secured an advantageous position
whence the next operation may be con-
lucted.
fuckers division is now strongly occu-
lying the Boer camp at Karoo Siding,
With the way cleared at Brandfort, which
s reported already evacuated.
Orders have been received at Cape Town
or the Eighth division to be disembarked
nd sent north Immediately on its arrival
here.
The Beers in the neighborhood of Paar- |
eberg are reported to be actively en-
aged in marauding and in attempting to |
apture British horses left on the veldt |
wing to their weak condition. Six hun
red Barley refugees sent back from Cape
own are stranded, the Kimberley mill
airy authorities refusing assistance to all
{ them to proceed
Much Kaffir looting is reported at Kip
am.
An active campaign is in progress on the
resent loyalists of Cape Colony for, an
exation of the republics and punishment
the colonials who served in the Boer
rmy. Meetings in support of this policy
ave been held in many important centers
nder the auspices of the South African
'ague.
The transportation of the prisoners to
t. Helena is arousing the anger of the
oers, who threaten to retaliate by send
g British prisoners to Koomatipoort, re-
lted the worst fever den in South Africa.
The transport Norfolk has recently
lied from Southampton for Cape Town,
I'd had an enthusiastic sendoff. K
Speaking at Trowbridge recently, Ri.
on. Walter Hume Long, M. P. for West
arby, Liverpool, said when the war was
Ter Great Britain should have to see that
e people of South Africa, no matter Q
hat their color, religion or politics, have /,
ual liberty. He could not say when the