The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-11
FLIGHT OF BOERS.
MacDonaId's HighIanders Not Re-
pulsed. as First Reported.


LONDON, Feb 1O.-The latest news from
Modder river shows that General MacDon-
AIDS retirement from Koodoesburg was
effected in complete order. The most rea-
sonable explanation of his movement is
that Ii was undertaken more to restore
confidence of the Highland Brigade, still
nervous from their terrible experience at
Magersfontein, than to gain any impor-
tant objective. With this important unit
General Methuen's force is rehabilitated
for a vigorous attack on General Cronje,
and an attempt to relieve Kimberley may
be looked for, more than likely superin-
tended by Lord Roberts, while the Seventh
Division and part of General French's cav
east of Jacobsdal.
The Queens keen interest in General
Macdonald and the Highland Brigade was
evidenced by the great concern she showed
at the first news of MacDonald's retire.
ment from Koodoesberg. Her Majesty sent
special inquiries to the War Office, but as
the officials had no knowledge of the move
ment last midnight the Queen made her
secretary telegraph twice to Reuters news
agency. asking for the most minute details,
whence the news came and who sent it.
and requesting the earliest notification of
any news received.
A dispatch from Modder river, dated
Feb. 8, noon, says: General Macdonald
scored distinct success at Koodoesburg
His original orders were to hold the drift
and construct a fort. The position, however,
was extremely difficult, long range of
high hills running northwest and terminal
ing close to the drift on the north bank
OF the river. AS IL was impossible to hold
the whole summit General Macdonald
constructed strong works across the cen
ter, which were held by the Seaforth
Highlanders and three companies of the
Black Watch. While the Highland Light
Infantry held a small kop on the right, the
Ninth Lancers patrolled the left toward the
river, General MacDonald's plan being to
repel attacks. Things went quietly until
Wednesday, when the Beers advanced
along the ridge within 800 yards, mounting
two seven-pounders, which were invisible
from the plain. They also held a smaller
drift three miles to the west On receipt of
this news General Methuen dispatched a
large force of cavalry and two horse bat
teries under General Darlington, with the
purpose of surrounding the Beers. In order
10 further this plan, General Macdonald
adopted merely defensive tactics. 1t was
not attempted to force back the Beers
right, which move might have resulted In
their general retirement too soon. General
Darlington left Modder river at IL 80 in the
morning and arrived within two miles of
kOodoeSburg at 4:S0 d. m, too late to at
tempt the turning movement, The next
morning Ii was found the Beers had fed
from the lower drift, but still remained on
the lower hill, which they also left when
they perceived Babington's movements.
Early in the morning Darlington vigorously
shelled the retiring Beers. The whole Brit
ish force is now returning to camp. This
little affair reflects great credit on Gen.
eral MacDonald's tactics and proves that
the Highlanders have thoroughly recovered
their old go and courage"
a dispatch from Rensberg. dated Friday,
Feb 9, reports much aggressive activity
against all the British accommodating and
declares the Beers in sense sur
rounded at Colesberg, but are simply held
in check by a series of camps, forming a
semicircle from east to west. The Beers, 1T
is added, are still in full possession of their
lines of communication with the Free State
and hold strong positions around Coles
berg. During the morning of Feb. q
bombardment with lyddite occurred at
Rensberg and the Beers Maxim Vickers
guns are believed to have been silenced. A
dozen dead Beers were found on the
kopjes.
Lord Roberts has addressed another let
ter to Presidents Kruger and Steyn, COM
planning of the wanton destruction of prop
erty in Natal. The fact that the news came
from the Modder river is taken as an ad-
ditional indication that the commander-in-
chief has gone there.