The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1900-04-06
own WATER SUPPLY
Beers Shut Off Drink of the
English Soldiers.
Casually, They Also Rounded I'm n
Few Hundred of the Brit
ish Fighters.

London, April 2.-The war office has
received the following dispatch from
| Lold Roberts, dated Bloemfontein. Sun-
day:
Il received news late yesterday even
ing from Colonel Broadwood at Thaba
d'Chu, 80 miles east of here. that in.
! formation had reached him that the
enemy was approaching in two forces
from the north and east. He stated
that If the report proved to be true he
would retire toward the water works IT
miles nearer Bloemfontein. where we
| nave mad detachment of mounted in
tantry for the protection of the works.
"BroadwOOd was told in reply that
the Ninth division with Martv's mount
ed infantry would march at daylight to-
day to support him and that if he con-
slders 1t necessary he should retire from
the water works. He moved there dur
ing the night and bivOuacked.
Attacked at Daybreak.
cat dawn today he was sheIled bv the
enemy, who attacked him on three sides
lie Immediately dispatched two horse
artillery batteries and his baggage to-
ward Bloemfontein, covering some Of
them with his cavalry. Some two miles
from the water works the road crosses q
deep muIIah or spruit, in which during
the night force of Beers had concealed
themselves. SO we'll were they hidden
that our leading scouts passed over
them and 1t 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 guns CAPTURED.
The remainder galloped away covered
by Roberts horse, which suffered heavily.
meanwhile Lieutenant Chester Mast
ers OF RemingtOn's scouts found q pass
age across the spruit unOccupied by the
enemy, by which the remainder of
BrOadwOod's force crossed. They re-
formed with great steadiness, nOtwith,
standing what had previously occurred.
The Loss Was Heavy.
"Broadwood's report, which has Just
reached me, contains no details, but
states he had lost seven guns and all his
baggage. He estimates all his casualties
at about $50, including 200 missing. On
hearing this morning that BrOadwood
was hard pressed, Immediately ordered
General French with the two remaining
brigades to follow in support of the
Ninth division. The latter, after a
magnificent march, arrived on the scene
OF action shortly after 2 p. m. Broad
woods forces consisted Of the Royal
Household cavalry, the Tenth Hussars.
the Q and ! batteries of the ROyai
Horse artillery and Pitchers battalion
OF mounted infantry. The strength of
the enemy is estimated from 5000 to
10000, with guns, the number of which
is not yet reported"
Beers Took the Waterworks.
London, April "A special dispatch
from BlOemfOntein this morning saws
that the water supply of that place has
been cut OIL. This is the natural Sc
quence OF the BOer success at the water
works. But the authorities are hopeful
that the strong reinfOrcements sent by
the cOmmander-in-chief will promptly
remedy this. 1t is evident from Roberts
dispatch that a big engagement is in
progress.
Although it is difficult to estimate the
number of British engaged they prob
ably exceed even the eight or ten thous-
and men which the Beers are estimated
to number. The scene of the British
disaster appears to be Mealie spruit,
where the BlOemfOntein road crosses q
tributary of the Modder river.
To Dispute the Advance.
Kimberly, April 1-There is a great
Boer activity along the Vaal river.
About six thousand burghers have as
sembled at various points between Four
teen Streams and Christiana. About
700 men are occupying Wirand north OF
klipdam and 400 men are laagered at
BOOtsap.
British in Trap.
Bushman KOp, Saturday, March 81
The British force commanded by Colonel
BrOadwoOd, consisting of the Tenth
Hussars, household cavalry, two-horse
batteries and force of mounted infan-
try under Colonel Pitcher, which has been
garrisOning Thanchu, was obliged in
consequence OF the near approach OF a
large force OF Beers to leave last night.
Colonel BrOadWOOd marched to the
BlOemfOnteln water works, south of the
Modder, where he encamped at 4 O'Clock
this morning. At early dawn the camp
wes shelled by the enemy from a near
point. Colonel BrOadwoOd sent off a
convoy with the batteries while the rest
Of the force remained to act as a rear
guard. The convoy arrived at a deep
spruit, where the Beers were concealed
and the entire body walked into ambush
and 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 left
BloemfOntein early this morning arrived
here at noon and is now shelling the
| Beers.
Republican Gains in Montana.
Helena, Mont April 2-Republican
| gains are reported from most parts OF
the state where municipal elections were
held today. The most notable republi-
can victory was in Helena, where Ed
wards, republican, defeated Sullivan,
democrat, by a majority of 800, and
elected aldermen in all but one of the
seven wards, including other candidates
| IN tho citv tinknt Tho Cunstiou nj