THE BOMBARDMENT OF MAFEKING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2412, 24 May 1900, Page 24

THE BOMBARDMENT OF MAFEKING.

A SCRAMBLE FUii SHELLS.

A Reuter's telegram from Mafeking, dated March 14, by May of Crocodile Pools, bays: — • Early on Monday morning a detachment of colonial natives, under command of Mackenzie, made an advance to Jackal Tree Fort,

the position originally occupied by the siege gun on the south-western heights. The Boers got "wind of the movement, and evacuated the position before the advance. To cover the advance on Jackal Tree, a detachment of Baralong natives was despatched to make a feint on Fort Snyman, a new work created by the Boers, and threatening the most advanced of our western positions. They succeeded in creeping within 30 yards of the enemy, many of whom were sleeping outside and in rear of the fort, and poured in two or three rapid volleys. A white man, named "Webb, was sufficiently close to the fort to blow out the brains of one of the enemy. Then the natives beat a rapid retreat, in accordance with previous instructions, having inflicted losses on the enemy. In the brickfields the Cave boys were reinforced by a detachment of the Protectorate Regiment under Captain Fitzclarence. On the same day the enemy recommenced the bombardment with a 6-inch gun, which was comparatively silent for a week before, and a man. was killed, shrapnel being used against the troops in open file. These' projectiles are ineffective, so long vs one can obtain cover, but are more dangerous to persons passing to and fro in the streets. On Monday evening, at twilight, a shell was firad which severely wounded a corporal of the Bechuanaland Rifles. A native was also wounded. On Tuesday shrapnel, bursting just above my bomb-proof, sprinkled the walls of tho Brigade Office with pellets, which extended to the bedrooms of Dixon's Hotel, now unoccupied. A steel-plate shell was thrown into the wall of the offices, and being spent, fell beneath the table, and was scrambled for by the staff clerks: In the afternoon a shell bursting near the Courthouse killed two natives and wounded four slightly, who belonged to an unfortunate working party passing at the moment. A woman was also slightly wounded. On Monday a raiding party of Baralongs went out upon their own initiative, and encountered a patrol of the enemy, who opened fire, killing one man. whose rifle and bandolier they obtained. The Boors retired for reinforcements, and the TSaralongs ambushed the reinforcements from p convenient elite 111 1 at Madibi siding. The enemy fell back in confusion, losing six men. 'The Baralongo were unable to cope with the long-rruige fire, and commenced to retire upon Mafeking, having captured two horse?, saddles, bridle 1 ;, and bandoliers. Finding the Bor-rs pursuing them, and fearing the arrival of reinforcements from the investing; fore°s, they leturned to a kopje in the vicinity of Madihi, maintaining their position until. dark, when they made a good retreat into the. sladl. having lost one killed, and bringing in two wounded, three being missing. Of -course it ip impossible to prevent the Baralcngs from retaliating upon the murderer? of their women and children by raids of this description — in fact, the colonei'b refusal to allow them to attempt to capture the big gun might well have resulted in a, mutiny.' E. G. Bell is of infinite use in our dealings with the natives, and a board is now being appointed by the colonel commanding to go thoroughly into the native question. The great difficulty will come at a later date, when the enemy commanee their retirement on Pretoria. The Baralongs, understanding the Momic law of revenge, will wpnt to wreak vengeance upon Boer women and children.