Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-02-23
, - -
Beers, who lined both banks Of tho

river.
The firing soon became heavy, the
Beers holding splendid position, cover
Ing the left Of the bridge, which adj
yanced partly up the river and part In
the open, while the rest of the brigade,
with the other regiments, swung round
the front of the Highland brigade on the
level, coverless ground, exposed to ter
rible fire, which obliged the men to lie
upon the ground, as they did for the re-
mainder of the day. This began about
7:30 in the morning. Through the dread
full heat and a terrible thunderstorm,
our men held to the position, answering
the Boer fire and shooting steadily.
In the meantime the rest of the in
fantry completed the enveloping move
ment, the Welsh regiment having sue
ceeded in selling the drift, thus closing
in the Beers, who had fought through
out with splendid courage. General
Cronje's laager, full Of carts, ammuni-
ton and stores, could be plainly seen
near the north bank.
General Smith Dorrien collected a
large body of men, including the Cana
dians, and crossed the river by Paarde-
berg drift, advancing toward the lager,
which was being vigorously shelled.
This force made gallant attempt to
charge into laager, but failed. Before
selling the western drifts the E.ers oe-
cupied a kopje on the south bank run
ming down the river. Therefore their
force is cut in two The Beers hold the
kopje and have one Vickers- Maxim, and
probable one or two other guns.
Toward evening the battery on the
south side opened, cooperating with
the battery on the north side. A won
derful sight followed. The shells fell
with amazing precision along the river
bed, opposite the lager. which was
shelled thoroughly, damaging every
thing it contained. One shell set on fire
a small ammunition wagon, which
burned nearly all day. Many other
wagons were set on fire, and the glare
was visible at a derable distance far
into the night. The infantry also main
tanned terrible fire, which was an
swered vigorously. The scene toward
nightfall was terribly picturesque, with
the blazing We & lns, the roaring artillery
and the cracking rifle fire.
One Of the costliest actions of the waI
occurred at Paardeberg drift, Sunday,
Feb. 49, General ly-kenpy, in his
pursuit Of General Cronje, caught his
rear guard at Kip drift and followed the
Burghers to the Beers lager at Koodoos
rand. The drift action began at day
break, the mounted infantry driving the
Boer rear guard up the river towards
the main body, while another body OF
mounted infantry manoeuyered on the
right front and flank of the Beers. The
British main body advanced to outflank
the Beers laager on the north bank OF
the river. General Kelly Kenny having
seized two drifts, found the Beers
strongly enclosed and ordered an attack,
with the Highland brigade on the left
and General Knox's brigade on the CEN
tire and right, while General Smith-Dor-
rien S brigade crossed the river and adj
vanced along the north bank.
On both the north and south banks the
ground is level and the advance across
this was deadly and the British losses
We're heavy The battle was an exact
replica of the Modder river, The sol
diers were under fire all day long, and
all the fighting had no definite results,
as the Beers lager was well barrieaded
and they remained therein. The British
guns shelled the lager vigorously and
the Beers confessed to a loss Of over SOC
men.
The terrific Smelling was resumed
Monday, when General Cronje asked for
an armistice.
The Smelling was continued Tuesday,
over so guns pouring lead into the Boer
camp.