The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-03-01
KEEPS UP THE FIGHT.
Gen. Cronje Still Refuses to Lay
Down His Arms.

Paardeberg, Orange Free State, Feb.
23.--Gen. Cronje's position is more
hopeless than ever. Our guns dominate
the sloping ascents from the river on
all sides, and by the rush of the Shrop-
shires on Wednesday night up the river
bed the Beers lost 200 yards space in
their cover. Deserters say the British
fire has been very deadly and affirm
that Gen. Cronje himself is willing to
surrender, but is overborne by the
young Beers from the Tlansvaal.
There are women and children with
the Boer force. Gen. Roberts proposed
to let them pass out of danger, but this
suggestion, as well as the proffer of
medical aid, has been rejected. The
kopje captured by the British last
Wednesday, when so prisoners were
taken, is most important strategical
position. It's possession should enable
us to repulse any Boer reenforcements
from the eartward.
Roberts Latest Dispatches.
London, Feb. 26.--The war Office pub
lished the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts:
"Paardeberg, Feb. 24.-Parties of Beers
recently arrived from Natal attacked our
outposts in force again yesterday. They
lost a good many killed and wounded and
nearly 100 prisoners, including a COM
mandant and three field coronets Our
casualties were four officers wounded, nine
men killed, 20 men wounded, two men miss
ing. On the 21st and 22d one officer and Is
men were wounded.
six men were wounded yesterday by hol-
low-nosed mauser bullets. The nickel case
is slit with four Sits, making the projectils
of the most expansive and explosive nature
possible. A wounded Boer brought to our
hospital yesterday has 60 OF these bullets
in his pockets.
During the advance to and at Kimberley
the casualties were: Oficers, two killed,
lS wounded; men, four killed, 70 wounded.
"Methuen reports that Bsrky West was
occupied by our troops on February AZ
The loyal inhabitants displayed great en-
thusiasm. The country west Of the rail-
way from Cape Town to Kimberley is grad
ually settling down. A detachment has
started from De Aar for Britstown; and
Douglas and Prieska will shortly be visited
by our troops"
Scene of the Fighting.
A dispatch from Paardeberg says:
Il
ing is one of the prettiest spots in South
Africa. The river, at the point where Gen.
Cronje is esconced and fighting for life,
resembles some parts Of the Hudson river,
the ground all around sloping toward the
stream. All the highlands are covered by
British artillery. Cronje is faced in the
front and rear from both banks by the
British, while Gen. French's horse, far
away on the tanks, prevents sudden in
rush of Beers.
Many Prisoners Taken.
Gen. French has sent in rs prisoners. A
British patrol, eight miles to the west, dis
covered 80 Beers wandering away and cor
rallied them. Already this force has cap
tured 400 of the enemy, while many dead
Beers have been seen. The Boer prisoners
are all depressed at the present course of
the war, and they comment bitterly upon
Gen. Cronje's persistence, which they call
murder
Cronje short of Ammunition.
London, Feb. ga dispatch to the
Morning Post from Kimberley, dated
| Friday, says: Gen. Cronje is reported
to have plenty of provisions, but to be
running short of ammunition. Mr..
Rhodes is extremely hopeful that the
war has reached it's concluding stage.
Draw Near to Ladysmith.
London, Feb. 26.-The Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from Co
lenso, dated Saturday: The British
are now within two miles of being in
touch with Ladysmith, but the
ground still to be covered is the hard
est part and very severe fighting must
be expected.
Want Kruper In Sue for Pence
London, Feb. 26.-The Lourenzo
Marques correspondent of the Times
says: The feeling in official circles at
Pretoria border on CONSERVATION.
Gen. Louis Botha and President Steyn
are both urging President Kruger to
sue for peace. AT Bloemfontein Gen.
Cronje's position is regarded as hope
less.
Capt. Montmorency Killed.
Sterkstroom, Feb. ga reconnais-
sance Saturday in force under Gen. Cat
acre, with eight guns, found the Beers
occupying a ridge three miles beyond
Molteno, in the Stormberg direction.
Montmorency's scouts charged the
Beers, who crept round the scouts
flank, pouring in a deadly fire. The
scouts were finally compelled to retire,
having lost heavily. Fourteen are miss
ing. Capt. Montmorency was killed.
Battle ut Glober's Kloof.
London, Feb. ga dispatch from
Colenso, dated Saturday, says:
"The fourth day Of Gen. Cronjs's fine de.
tense opened in startling fashion. Soon
after dawn a most terrific rattle Of rife
fire broke out, waking the sleeping camp.
1t was the heaviest fire during the war. and
all awaited with foreboding the news OF
its effect. 1t soon developed that the
Gloucesters and Essexes had lost their
way and had bivouacked, in error, close to
the Boer laager on the north side of the
river. AS soon as they were perceived by
the enemy, the latter fusilated. Wonderful
to tell, the British casualties were practic-
ally none.
There was desultory firing all day long
on both the north and south banks, Gen
Knox's brigade holding and pushing for
ward the line south of the river, while Gen
Smith Dorrien, on the north side, worked
toward the lager Meanwhile Gen. French
advanced, in a far easterly direction, near
a kopje held by strong force of Cronje's
men, reinforced by a Ladysmith contin'
gent At the same time Gen. Broadwood's
brigade, with battery of horse artillery
| took up positions to the left and rear OF
the same kopje.
Beers Fly.
"The front of the hill was thoroughly
searched by a raking fire. Suddenly the
Beers bolted from every side toward Gen
French, who headed toward the drift, she'll