The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-14
Graphic story of the Attempt by Beers
to Break Through Kftchener's
Ring of Steel and Fire.
FIFTY-MILE LINE OF BATTLE
MADE SPECTACULAR BY ARMORED
TRAINS AND sEARCHLIGHTs.
Desperate Charges by the Burghers,
Who Were Subjected to a Gall
Ing Fire-Many Captured.

LONDON, Feb. 13.-The detailed accounts
which have just reached here of Lord
Kitchener's combined movement 10 drive
olf the Beers from the inclosure of block
house fines, show that the conflict WIS very
picturesque and the most exciting INCIDENT
of the whole campaign. Although appar-
emily surrounded by an impenetrable ring
Of fire and steel, the Beers dauntless brav-
cry and dashing charges ultimately re-
suited in the majority's escape from Lord
Kitchener's close-drawn net.
The British commanders scheme was the
most extensive ever carried out during the
present war. 1t consisted of a continuous
line over fifty miles in length. Lord Kit
chener, who personally directed the opera
tions. was in close touch. day and nj. hit
with every detail of the movements. The
Beers, though hard pressed, shrank from
attempting to cross the railway. which
was patrolled throughout the night by
armored trains. equipped with powerful
searchlights. The train lights were supple
mented by stationary searchlights, and the
spectacular effect, as witnessed from the
trains, was most striking By the side of
the railroad were the dark forms of men
lying in trenches, or standing doing sentry
DUTY. The gloom of the moonless night was
intermittently relieved by the sweep of
the searchlights.
The battle at Heilbron ragged from 9
o'clock. Friday night until 2 o'clock Sat-
urday morning. Throughout the five hours
a fearful ring of fire from rifles, cannon
and pompons' swept along the British lines,
in holding De Vets Beers, who made re-
peated attempts to break out of the circle
of troops From various positions, behind
rocks and dongas. the Beers kept up a
vigorous fusillade. hoping to find a weak
spot in the line. simultaneously others
charged. but again ard again were the
Beers repulsed. leaving dead, wounded and
prisoners i'm the hands of the British.
At the outset of the preparations the
Beers realized that the operations were not
merely an ordinary drive but q move
ment threatening them with total annihila-
ton, and General De Wet assembled his
whole force and discussed the situation
with the commanders. with the result that
the Beers were split up into three forces.
On Thursday night 500 Beers, headed by
Van Golfers, rushed a force of the Imperial
Lighthouse, yelling:
storm. burghersi"
About 100 Beers got through. but the re-
mainder, encountering a tremendous fire.
were turned back.
Friday nights conflict ebbed and swelled
over the area OF forty to fifty miles, i'm
which the long-hunted, harassed and
desperate men endeavored TO find outlets.
The Beers at one spot got within thirty
yards Of the British firing line but the
barbed wire baked the burghers and
forced them to retreat The firing never
ceased. Aided by the electric searchlights
the British narrowed the surrounding ter
ritory with shrapnel shells and Maxim
bullets.
In the northern section the Beers made 8
desperate effort to break through. Collect
ing a number of cattle. the Beers drove
them down the British lines. Bending
low I'm their saddles the Beers rode among
the cattle, making II impossible TO dis
tinguish them in the darkness. The British
pickets opened terrible Nre and the Beers
were everywhere met will a relentless hal
OF bullets. A long line OF flame ran up and