Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-03-08
TENACITY OF The BOERS
Fighting Capacity Of CrOl js'S Men Was
Simply Marvellous.
How Roberts EncirGled The Boer General J. Ninth
Division Mistaken for RsiBIOrcemeIts -
Macdonald Leading His Men.

Sun, dated Paardeberg, February 20,
via Moder river, February 20, p. m,
says: The conveyance of the British
forces at this point resulted In the sur
rounding of Cronje's army. The Sixth
division, under General Kelly-Kenny,
FASTENED to the Northeast and occupied
hill to the east of Cronie'5 lager
Cronje, so the Boer prisoners say, ex-
pected requirements under Comman-
dant Andres at this point. He mistook
the men of the Sixth division for An
dries commando and allowed them to
occupy the slope of the ridge without
opposition.
The Boer position was this: Cronje
was to the south and Suyman and
Fourie to the north. The Sixth divi-
sion occupied position to the south
east, and French arrived on the 18th
in time to complete the Enclosure of
the Beers. But 1t was the Ninth divi-
sion, especially the Highland brigade.
that had the hardest fighting. They
arrived at midnight on February 18th,
after forced march from outside ia
cobsdal, in time to see Boer rockets
signalling the whereabouts of Cronje's
army to the expected requirements.
The British saw intervening rockets
and knew an enemy was near, but
could not decide whether 1t was Boer
requirements that were giving the
answering signals. Therefore, the
Ninth division rested for a few hours
east Of the Boer position.
At dawn the men of the Ninth Iivi-
sion advanced, and their mounted in
fantry soon encountered Boer Shippers
who were sheltered in the trees that
covered the banks Of the river The
shooting kept on increasing until s
o'clock, when the men of the Ninth
saw that great battle was raging. In
the forenoon the Beers brought
Hotchkiss gun over the veldt from
Kigs Kop to the southern bank Of the
river and used it with deadly effect
over the ground which the Ninth had
to cross. General Hector Macdonald
dismounted and led the advance. In
the early part Of the forenoon he was
hit by bullet in the foot while leading
the Highland Brigade, which was
CT IeyQ oil rnf oh <,r hull ut
toward the bushes. In this charge the
Seaforth Highlanders lost heavily.
Near the top of the slope on the right,
opposite the Boer lager, the Seaforths
and the Duke of CORVALLIS Light
Infantry, belonging to another brigade
OF the Ninth division, drove the Beers
from cover around a drift and bayonct-
ed several Of them who had been shoot
ing from trees. Then they waded waist
deep through the river and held the
northwest side with the Gordons, while
the Canadians were held in reserve.
It was at this point, while charging
fearlessly. that the Cornwalls suffered
severely. They lost their Colonel and
Adjutant, and had ninety-six casual
ties. The mounted infantry suffered
severely while attacking the Boer laag-
er from the north, where 1t was sup
posed to be least protected. The Sixth
Division, holding position on the
east, got into an engagement before
noon with strong force of Beers
which was trying to escape to the
south bank of the river. The West
Riding Regiment repealed this attempt
at the point of the bayonet, but suf-
fered considerably.
Meanwhile the British artillery kept |
ON Smelling the Boer lager, which vas
soon on fire in many places. French's |
cavalry dashed in rapidly from a |
northern kopje in the afternoon and
began sending In deadly volleys.
Crowds of Beers were driven from the |,
river banks, and when darkness came |,
on Cronje was surrounded. Boer pris-
oners declare that they lost 900 men in |
the days fighting. The Seventh divi-
sion, under Tucker, and a naval bri- |
gade arrived on Monday and the she'll
ing of the Boer lager was resumed.
There were a few infantry engage
ments and the Beers were driven into
dongas around their lager. Some in
domitable Boer snipers on the river
banks fought TO the very last.
The endurance Of the Beers, consid-
ering the weeks marrying of their
rear guard and their remarkable trek.
followed by a fierce attack ON all sides