Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-03
BRITISH DRAGONS ROUTED.
Gen. Kitchener Reports Fight at
Boschmans Kop.

A dispatch from London yesterday says:
Lord Kitchener In a dispatch from Pre-
toria. made public this evening, announces
that the I'd Dragon Guards fought sharp
rear-guard action near Boschmans Kop
during the evening Of March 81. Four
officers are known to have been wounded.
No further details of the casualties have
been received
The column commander, Colonel Iawley,
detached the dragons with the object of
surprising Boer iaager reported to have
been located ten miles east of Boschma ms
Kop. The Dragons found the Beers
strongly posted and the burghers were
subsequently largely REINFORCED. with the
result that the dragons had to fight
hard, rear-Guard action in order to regain
the main column. The heavy firing called
up Col. Lawley and his troops. who drove
off the Beers. The latters loss is reported
to have been heavy.
1t has been suggested that the train
wreck near Barberton, Transvaal Colony,
March 30, resulting In the death of thirty
nine soldiers and the wounding of forty
five others. nearly all of whom belonged
to the Hampshire Regiment was caused
by the Beers, but Lord Kitchener 'eports
that it was accidental. The train was de-
scending a steep grade when the engine
and five trucks jumped the track and
turned over.
Details of the train wreck show that sf-
ter leaving Barberton the engineer lest
control Of the train on the dowHsrade and
for three miles it went at the rate Of
eighty miles an hour. The engine jumped
the rails at sharp curve with five trucks
filled with soldiers. A terrific smaSh-up
followed and the boiler Of the engine ex-
ploded. The engineer and fireman were
killed. Six of the injured soldiers have
since died.
The Morning Leader publishes the al
legged story of the crimes which led to the
court-martial and execution of two Aus
tralian officers in South Africa. which is
just now exciting keen Indignation in Aus
traiia.
The newspaper asserts that several Of
ficers of this particular irregular corps
shot natives like rabbits, and that they
are even suspected of numbering men Of
their own command against whom they
had grudges. The incident which led to
their court-martial was the cold blooded
execution" by those officers of ten Roers
who were journeying to Petersburg with
the object Of surrendering. 1t was sup
posed these Beers had 10000 with them
Actuated by cupidity, the Australians
stopped the Beers, tried them by mock
court-martial. and ordered all to be shot
This was done by a squadron Of the SOL
diers after some OF the non-commissioned
officers had refused to carry out the death
sentence The officers then ransacked the
Boer wagons and were disguised upon find
that the f20 600 was in Transvaal paper
money. 4,.
Continuing. the Moxning Leader says
German missionary a few miles distant
1totn lac SCt1e " tR85S LSNecutlOu nearQ OF
the affair. Lieutenant Hancock, one Of the
Australians concerned, fearing he would
divulge his information shot the mission
airy dead. This shooting eventually led to
complaint by the German consul to Lord
Kitchener. who proceeded to court-martial
the Australians , leg
A special from Nen Orleans says:
Governor Heard sof Louisiana has re-
ported to the State Department at Wash
ington that, in his option, the British gov
eminent Is matntxintifg a military camp
within the territory, Df the United States
THE camp I'M question is the one To-
Gated a few mites ibeiow this city for the
trans shtpmenti.1f horses and mules to
South Africa, there to- be used by British
soldiers in the war against the Beers.
Several weeks ago General Pierson, the
Boer leader. visttedsthis. city and held q
conference with the Louisiana state Of
ficials. He created no little comment by
his public declaration that he was ready
to lead a force OF armed men to attack
the camp. He wassdenied permission to do
this"