The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-04
Convoy Attacked by About 1900
Burshers Led by DeIarey and
Other weIl-Knovn Fighters.
LIGHT ON REMOUNT QUESTION
PARLIMENTARY PAPER THAT Is
SAID TO INDICT THE WAR OFFICE.
Demands for Horses I'm South Africa
Not Promptly Met-American
Mules the Best.

LONDON, March SIN a dispatch from
Pretoria, dated to-day. Lord Kitchener
sends details of the disaster to the escort OF
the convoy of empty wagons at Vondonop.
southwest of Klerksdorp. Transvaal Colony.
The British casualties, in killed, wounded
and men made prisoners. reach the total of
632 In addition the Beers captured two
guns. Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, who
commanded the British force. and who has
returned to Kraaipan. Cape Colony, with
nine officers and 245 men. reports that when
his advanced guard was within ten miles
of Klerksdorp, during the morning Of Feb
25 the Beers opened heavy rifle fire on
the troops from the scrub. The burghers
were driven of and the convoy resumed it's
march, when a more determined attack was
made on the convoy's left flank, the Beers
getting within hundred yards and stam-
peding the mules harnessed to a number
of wagons. The attacking forces were
again driven off.
At about $50 in the morning the rear
guard was attacked by strong force Of
Beers and simultaneously another body of
Beers boldly charged and recharged riding
down the separated British units. The
fighting lasted for two hours during which
the two British guns and pompom almost
exhausted their ammunition A detachment
of two hundred infantry from Klerksdorp
attempted TO reinforce the British, but
were held in check by the Beers
Lieutenant Colonel Anderson added that
the strength of the Beers was estimated at
from 1900 to LOO. COmmandants Delarey.
Kemps. Oilers. Lemmer, Wolmarans and
Pottgieter were all present. Commandant
Lemmer is said TO have been killed
A parliamentary paper was issued to-
night containing dispatches regarding the
remount question in South Africa. 1t re-
fers TO the American mules as being the
best received from any source, magnificent
workers and kept I'm condition under the
most adverse circumstances" The Amer
lean horses. the report says. varied greatly,
but the majority were excellent.
The paper on the remOunt department in
South Africa is considered the strongest IN
dictment of its own incapacty yet issued
by the War Office. and II will go far to ex-
plain 10 the public the reasons why the war
has been so unduly protracted This paper
shows continued conflict throughout the
war between the generals at the front, ap-
pealing for horses. and the officials of the
War Office, who were endeavoring TO find
the number of horses sent out
When the war broke out the remount de-
partment in Cape Colony consisted of one
officer fifty men. one veterinary officer and
300 animals, and when the British reverses
came a scratch remOunt establishment was
hurriedly got together. This proved itself
utterly incapable of dealing with the sud-
den demands. 1t appears that in August.
that the opinion of experts was adverse TO
mules Again. in December. after the mis-
haps to Lord Methuen. General Forester
Walker suggested that no more American
mules were wanted After the disaster TO
General Butler the government first began
an extensive purchase of remounts and the
strain caused chaos TO reign in the remount
department.
The blue book shows that the percentage
of losses in horses during their transit by
sea was comparatively small. but great
wastage arose from the fact that the horses
We're put to work too quickly after their
voyage
After Partdeburg Lord Roberts wired ur-
gently for remounts. adding: Without mo-
bile forces | can do nothing in this coun-
try" Again. March 9. 1890. Lord Roberts
repeated his appeal.
Lord LansdOwne. about this time, was
pressing Lord Roberts to forecast the time
when the supply OF horses could be dimin-
ished After Pretoria captured, i'm
July. Lord Roberts thought the supply of
horses might be reduced 10 per cent" He
soon revised this miscalculation. however.
and in August was urging the governme ut
TO send more horses. In the meanwhile.
Lord LansdOwne was equally urging the
necessity 10 diminish the demands for ami
mails.
In November of 1900 Mr.. Brodrick came
upon the scene with represen tations of
financial necessities and the suggestion
that now the hardest portion OF the cam
paign Is over" the supply might be dimin-
shed In March. May, June and Septem-
her of 1901. Mr.. Brodrick wanted TO dimin-