West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1902-02-14
Beers PRESSED HARD.
BUT MAJORITY MANAGED TO &C.
CAPE BRITISH GORDON.
Gen. De Wet f.mcag These Who CO..
Away-Conflict Picturesque
and Exciting.

London, Feb. lathe detailed &C.
counts which have just reached here
Of Lord Kitchener's combined move
ment to drive out the Beers from the
enclosure of blockhouse lines show
that the conflict was very picturesque
and the most exciting incident of TIE
whole campaign. Although appar-
emily surrounded by an impenetrable
ring Of fire and steel. the Beers
dauntless bravery and daShing
charges ultimately resulted in the
majority escaping from the meshes
OF Kitchener's close drawn net.
Line Over Fifty Miles III Length.
The British commanders scheme
consisted OF a continuous line over
80 miles in length. General Kitcn-
ener, who personally conducted the
operations, was in close touch day
and night with every detail of the
movements. The Beers, though hard
pressed, shrank from attempting to
cross the railroad, which was pa.
trolled throughout the night by ar
mored trains. equipped with powerful
search lights. The train lights were
supplemented by stationary search
lights. BY the side of the railroad
were the dark forms of men lying in
trenches or standing doing sentry
duty.
The battle at Hebron ragged from
y o'clock Friday night until 2 o'cloc..
Saturday morning. Throughout the
five hours fearful ring of fire from
rifles, cannon and pom-poms, swept
along the British lines, in holding
De Vets Beers, who made repeated
attempts to break out of the circle o.
troops. From various positions, be-
hind rocks anil dongas, the Boer-
Kept up a vigorous fusilade, hoping
to find & weak spot in the line. Sim
ultaneously others charged, but again
and again were the Beers repulsed
leaving the dead, wounded and pris-
oners in the hands Of the British.
The Beers were split up into three
forces. On Thursday night 500 Beers
headed By Van Golfers, rushed a force
CT the imperial light horse, yelling
Storm, burgheIs." About 100 Beers
got through, but the remainder, en-
countering a tremendous fire, were
turned back.
Friday nights conflict ebbed and
| swelled over an area Of 10 to so miles.
in which the lOng-hunted. harasseI
and desperate nen endeavorcd to fnl
outlets.
Desperate Ruce CT Beers Fail.
In the northern section the Beers
made desperate effort 10 break
through. Collecting a number Of cal
tie the Beers drove them down on
the British lines. Bending low IN
their saddles the Beers rode among
the cattle, making it impossible to
distinguish them in the darkness.
The British pickets opened a terrible
fire and the Beers were everywhere
met with a relentless hail of bullets.
A long line Of fame ran up and down
the firing line. nearly 80 miles in
length, IS the armOred trains flashed
their search lights over miles of coun.
try. The reports of the quick firing
guns along the entrenched line and
the booming Of the field guns and
pom-poms sounded deep amid the
tharp cracking Of the musketry.
while Hebron fort contributed 10
the universal din with the deep roa-
Of its naval gun.
This lasted for 20 minutes, whe.l
gradually the rattle died down until
only the crack Of single shots was
heard. Then all was again quiet.
The Beers attempt to break the
British circle lad failed. A few OF
Rem succeeded In crossing the Lac
and among them was General De Wet.