[English] How Mafeking was Relieved.

THE WAR.

How Mafeking was Relieved.

London, May 23. - From various accounts received in London it is now possible to describe the manner in which Mafeking was relieved. Major Mahon's column, which contained among its officers Col. Sir John Willoughby and Col. Rhodes, left Barkley West on the 4th of May. Learning, however, that Cronje, a nephew of the veteran, with a column of 3,000 strong, had been despatched to intercept him and was in camp at Pudimoe, it was decided to make a wide detour, avoiding Koodoos Rand; but the British column encountered another commando on the 15th May ambushed at Janmasivia, seven miles north-west. Being joined opportunely, however, by Col. Plumer's Rhodesians and with a detachment of Sir Frederick Carrington's Queenslanders and Canadians, both of whom had daily done forced marches of 30 miles, with the utmost speed, the force was able to take the offensive. Lieutenant Moresome, with a number of Protectorate Troops, also reached the scene after many hair-breadth escapes and a daring ride of 300 miles.

The Light Horse dislodged the Boers, who endeavoured to enfilade our convoy, but the Artillery and pom-poms prevented this movement. The enemy then fled, our rear-guard, consisting chiefly of Kimberley men, enfilading their retreat. Our casualties were six killed and 20 wounded, and theirs were very heavy. Mr. Hinds, the Daily Mail correspondent, received a compound fracture of the thigh.

A final attack on the besiegers of Mafeking was then concerted.

By this time Commandant Eloff had been repulsed by the Garrison of Mafeking and was holding the native town, where he had made good his lodgment. The fight had lasted 16 hours, the garrison having been driven back and fighting having taken place in the very streets of Mafeking.

The attack on the besieging force commenced at dawn on the following day, the enemy in the meanwhile having been largely reinforced. They advanced at first from the east, but this was only a feint. For while the attack on that side was developing, the main force of the enemy, guided by rebel natives, had craftily followed the Molopo River in the night, and 300 of the Boers rushed the town pickets and entered through the burned Baralong location, the huts blazing nearly a mile in length. As the Boers entered the Mafeking defences, Commandant Eloff shouted - 'Hurrah! Come out, you skulkers; today we take Mafeking.' Instantly, another called out 'Run, here are the rooineks.' The majority turned and fled, their leader crying out 'Come back; Almighty, we are surrounded.' Captain Marsh, of the Protectorate Regiment, then opened fire from a fort on the Boers, which threw the enemy into confusion, and repulsed their main body (whereof the Dutch kept in the rear), driving the vanguard and 150 mixed natives into the burning location. Here the enemy divided, one half entering the stone cattle kraal, and the other being hemmed in behind a kopje inside the other defences. Meanwhile another body of Boers, 500 strong, reached the camp close to the railway, surprising and capturing Colonel Hore and others. All were speedily penned up with 40 of the enemy in the offices of the Protectorate Government, which was covered by the fire of the western fort. Captain Gordon Wilson, General Baden-Powell's Aide-de-Camp, then summoned the Boers to surrender. They, however, refused, and fighting was resumed for several hours, the Boers, breaking under the steady hammering and losing very heavily. Ultimately one party of the enemy escaped, the other two being captured, Col. Hore triumphantly securing his late captor. A general rush was made after dark when a handful escaped, but a dozen being knocked over, the rest surrendered, numbering about 80. They were composed mainly of French, German and Portuguese, and included Commandant Eloff, Counts de Bremont, and Herr Von Weiss, all of whom were lodged in the Masonic Hall. Meanwhile, the section driven into the burning native kraal also surrendered, though a few escaped, and 25 of them were lodged in the gaol. The total number captured was 118.

The London Times praises Lord Roberts for accomplishing the relief of Mafeking as promised, and for doing so without impairing the general strategy and despite the severe pressure brought to bear upon him to induce him to set his plans aside.

The Morning Post Mafeking correspondent reports that the Boers grossly violated the Sunday truce on the 6th instant, killing the cattle guard and stealing their horses. Influenza and low fever infest the whole district, and the only salvation of the troops in Mafeking has been the cleanliness and their general activity.

London, May 26. - The Church parade at Mafeking on Sunday was a brilliant affair.

Colonel Baden-Powell insists he is in the best of health and despite the protestations of his friends he insists on remaining at the front. The Burghers have rallied ten miles to the east of the town. They were sick of the siege and declare that Commandant Eloff was sold by Snyman who has the reputation of being a cruel bully. General Snyman credits Colonel Baden-Powell with supernatural powers. General Snyman has always sworn if ever Mafeking was relieved the Boer cause would be lost.

Baden-Powell Interviewed

May 26. - An interviewer was able on the 7th of this month, some weeks before relief arrived - to get into Mafeking and obtain an interview with General Baden-Powell, which has just been published. The interviewer pointed out to the defender of Mafeking that relief would, undoubtedly, come soon, to which the latter replied:-

'Better make certain of the relief in two months' time than be beaten in attempting relief in one;' and added smilingly -

'In Zululand days, natives called one "umhlalapanzi," meaning thereby one who does not rush things.' Asked for a message to England, he replied:-

'You chaps have got an exaggerated notion of my personality. I am merely a figure-head of the good ship "Mafeking."'

Source:

1. Page 3, "China Mail", 11th Day, 5th Month, 26th Year of Guang-xu

   • 11th Day, 5th Lunar Month, Geng-zi Year

   • Thursday, 7th June, 1900 Common Era

2. Page 3, "Hong Kong Daily Press", 12th Day, 5th Month, 26th Year of Guang-xu

   • 12th Day, 5th Lunar Month, Geng-zi Year

   • Friday, 8th June, 1900 Common Era