New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-03
ROBERTS TELLS OF THE REVERSE.

OMMANDERIN-CHIEFs REPORT OF THE
DISASTER NEAR BLOEMFONTEIN
London. April 2-The War Office has received
the following dispatch from Lord Roberts. dated
Boemfontein. April l:
received news late yesterday afternoon from
Colonel Broadwood who was ar Thaba Nchu,
thirty-eight miles east Of here, that information
had reached him that the enemy was approach
ing in two forces. from the north and the east
He stated that II the report proved true he
would retire toward the waterworks, seventeen
miles nearer Boemfontein, where we have had
a detachment OF mounted infantry for the pro-
lection OF the works.
Broadwood was told IN reply that the Ninth
Division. with Martyrs mounted infantry will
march at daylight to-day TO support him. and
that If he considers il necessary he should retire
from the waterWOrks. He moved there during
the night and bivouacked. At dawn to-day he
was shelled by the enemy who attacked on
three sides. He Immediately dispatched two
horse artillery batteries and his baggage to-
ward Bloemfonten covering some Of them with
his cavalry.
Some two miles from the waterworls the
road crosses a deep nullah, sprut, in which
during the night a force OF Beers had con-
cealed themselves. So well they hidden
that our leading scouts passed over the drift
without discovering them. and il was not until
the wagons and guns were entering the drift
that the Beers showed themselves and opened
fire Many Of the drivers of the artillery horses
were Immediately shot down at short range
and several OF the guns were captured. The
remainder gallOped away. covered by Roberts S
Meanwhile Lieutenant Chestermasters, Of
RiningtOn's Scouts. found passage across the
9Piu - - 0e-iis' ~
remainder Of Broadwood's force crossed. They
reformed with great steadiness, nOtwithstand-
ing all that had previously occurred.
BrOadwOOd's report. which has just reached
me, and which contains details. stated that
he had lost seven guns and all his baggage.
He estimates all his casualties at about $50 in
Guiding 200 missing.
On hearing this morning that Broadwood
was hard pressed Immediately ordered Cen
gades. 20 follow in support OF the Ninth Di-
vision. The latter after magnificent march,
arrived on the scene OF action shortly after
p.
Broadwood's force consisted OF the ROYAL
Household Cavalry. the 10th Hussars. Q and L
Batteries Of the Roval Horse Artillery and
Pitchers Battalion Of Mounted Infantry
The strength Of the enemy is estimated at
from eight thousand 70 ten thousand, with guns,
the number OF which is not yet reported.
Another dispatch from Lord Roberts. dated
from Bloemfonten April l. S:15 p. m, reached
the War Office. After referring 20 his previous
telegram. he gives a partial list of the mis- ing
British officers. OF Q Battery four officers were
wounded, two Of whom are missing One gun
ner was killed and forty non-commissioned
officers and men are wounded or missing Lord
Roberts then continues:
In Battery all missing except Major
Taylor and a sergeant-major The two cavalry
regiments did not suffer much.
report has just come in that the enemy has
retired toward Ladybrand. leaving twelve
wounded officers and some seventy men at the
waterworks We are now sending an ambulance
for them.
A dispatch from Boemfontein. dated to-day,
says:
The loss Of the guns was attended by Incl
dents OF splendid heroism- The leading bat
terry was so near the Beers ambuscaded in the
river bed that the latter said:
1T is useless your attempting to advance
Throw down your arms"
The sergeant Of the battery, fearing the other
battery would misunderstood the hindrance
rushed through the convoy and warned his
comrades enabling the rearmost battery to
save portion Of the guns, which came into
action later
Life guardsmen and a gunner got a gun out
under tremendous fire and four others were
saved by the men dragging them off after their
horses had been shot.