Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-03-01
BRAVERY OF BOERs.
|oEN. CRoNJE's GRIM vALoR
WINS ADMIRATION.
Free state Leader's Inhexible Courage
In . Defensclcss Position-The En-
trapped Burghers Are Subjected TO a
Most Terrible Artillery Fire.

Early on the morning of the third day
II Gen. Cronje's grim resistance the
| British infantry engaged the enemy In
| he dry bed OF the Modder River. The
morning sun disclosed the Beers toiling
ike ants on entertainments around their
aagers. A few shells were fired TO pre-
rent them from continuing the work.
Every opportunity was given the Beers
10 surrender, but when toward afternoon
chere was no sign OF any such intentions,
Lord Roberts determined to crush once
and for all Gen. Cronje's resistance. On
the south bank of the-river at range OF
! about 1000 yards three field batteries
and two naval twelve-pounders were po-
sitioned. On the north bank and emilia
| ding the whole river, one howitzer, three
field batteries and three naval AT guns
were placed.
Then followed a most wonderful scene.
Over 100 powerful guns concentrating
their fire upon spot about mile square.
The exploding lyddite shells raised great
clouds OF green smoke, completely hlling
the bed of the river. The shrapnel burst
ON the edge Of each bank, except for a
short space where the proximity Of the
British infantry made it dangerous. Brit
lsh shells searched every bush and every
ravine Of the river bed. The enfilading
guns must have done terrible execution.
The roar was deafening, yet with spirit
Of desperate madness now and again the
Beers would attempt to snipe the naval
guns which were firing at range Of
1000 yards. The long line of three bat
teries belched forth death, while on each
10 Iox hat % ND ntru wlnGQ
Maxims sounded petty beside the roaring
big guns. What loss the Beers suffered
is not known yet.
There was a vague rumor current In
London Thursday night that Gen.
Cronje, with his 1000 men, had surren-
dered. No official confirmation Of the
rumor could then be had. According to
unofficial advices Gen. Cronje was sur
rounded and his force torn and slaugh-
tered by the encircling steel fire, yet hold
ing out in grim determination to do his
best to verify President Kruger's famous
ante-bellum declaration that the Beers
reception to the British would "stagger
humanity" The Boer general apparent
" had exhausted his ingenuity in trying
to secure all possible delay. He asked
an armistice Of twenty-four hours, ac-
cording to the unofficial dispatches, in
which to bury his dead. When this was
refused, with a slur on British 'inhu-
manity," he invited negotiations looking
to surrender. Then when visited by Gen.
Lord Kitchener he declared the whole
business was mistake, that he never
thought of surrendering, that he intended
to vanquish his imperialistic foe or leave
the lifeless bodies of himself and his sol
diers on the battlefield. These negotia-
tions required time, and meanwhile it is
thought Gen. Cronje was awaiting the
arrival Of re-enforcements.
1t is universally held that this Modder
River battle is one of the most desperate
Of history. Cronje's position in itselfwas
not of the best, but he was surrounded by
fat ground, across which the British
must move to rush the enemy's force.
1t was this unprotected stretch Of coun-
try which caused Lord Roberts to hest
tate. He knew that men would fall
there by hundreds if an attempt were
made to traverse it. Accordingly he
planted guns on commanding points and
from a distance he began to hurl lyd-
dite and shrapnel into the Beers lager.
In face of this belching out of sulphur
GUS death Cronje's force held on-an ex-
traordinary exhibition Of desperate pluck
that compels expression of admiration on
every hand Yet it is declared that he
is open to grave censure for uselessly
and wantonly sacrificing the lives of his
men.