The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-18

London. February IS.-Tnc detailed
accounts which have just reached here
nf Lord Kitchener's combined move
ment to drive out the Beers from the
enclosure OF blockhoCse lines show that
The conflict was very picturesque and
the most exciting incident of the whole
campaign. Although apparently sur.
rounded by an ~impenctrable ring Of fire
and s,eel, the Beers launtless bravery
and dashing charges ultimately resulted
in the majority's escape from the
meshes of Lord KitcLener-s close-drawn
net.
The British commanders scheme was
the most extensive ever carried uui
during the present war. Ii consisted
Of a continuance lire over fifty mile.
in length. Lord Kitchener. who per
sonaily directed the cncratlons. was IL
close touch. day and night. with every
detail Of the movement
The Beers, though hard pressed.
shrank from attempting to cross the
railroad. which was p2t.olled through.
out the night by armCred trains. equip
ped wi h powerful searchli2hus. Inc
train lights were supplemented by sta
tionary searchlights. dnd the spectacu-
lar effect. as witnessed from the trains
was most striking.
The battle at Hebron ragged from &
o'clock Friday night until ? O clock sat
urday morning. Throughout the five
hours u fearful ring Of fire from rifles.
cannon and pompoms swept along the
British lines. holding IA GeWetS Beers.
who made repeated attempts to break
out of the circle of troops.
From various positlcns behind rocks
and dongas. the Beers kept up a vigor-
Gus fusillade, hoping % fin u weak
spot in the line. simultaneously Others
charged, but again and again were the
Beers repulsed leaving dead. wounded
and prisoners in the hands of the
British.
AT the outset or the Preparations the
Boers realized that the operations were
not merely an ordinary drive" but n
movement threatening them with total
humiliation, and General deWet assem-
bled his whole force and discussed the
situation with the commanders. wi h
the result that the Beers were split up
into three forces.
On Thursday night 500 Beers. headed
by VanCollers, rushed a force Of the
imperial light horse. ~yellins. storm
Burghers." About 100 Beers gor through
but the remainder, errounterlng d ire
mendous fire. were TUNED back.
Friday nights conflict ebbe1 and
swelled over an area o. forty 10 sixty
miles in which the long hunted. har-
raised and despera Q men GnceFVored
to find outlets. The Ducrs, at %" spot.
got within thirty wards OF the ~i-ritis:i
firing line, but the barbed wire baked
the burghers and forced them to re-
treat. The firing never ceased. AIDED
by the electric searCnl!ghts. the Brit
ish narrowed the surrounding territory
with sharpnel. shells and Maxim hull
lets.
In the northern section the Beers
maGe n desperate effort 10 break
through. Collecting a rumber OF cattle.
the Beers drove them down on the BIN
ish lines. Bending low IN their saddles
the Beers rode among the cattle. max
in it impossible to dis inguish them il
the darkness. The British picketS
opened a terrible fire and the Boei
were everywhere met with a relentless
hail of bullets. a long line or lame RAJ
VI and down the firing line, nearly
thirty miles in length. as the armoreC
rains flashed their a"arch,ishts o:el
miles of the country.
This lasted for some twenty minute:
when gradually the rattle lied cow
until onlv the crack CT single shots wa:
heard. Then all was again quiet.
The Beers attempt 20 b. eah the Brit
ish circuit had failed. A few OF then
| succeeded in crossing the line ant