The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-09
Finally Driven from Their Last Position at
the Point of the BayOnet.
Whites Force Believed to Be Short of Ammunition,
and Ill Prepared for Another Attack
Herosm at Tugela River.

LONDON. Jan. 9, 3:45 a. m.-General
White still holds out, or did SO sixty hours
ago when the Beers, ousted from their
foothold inside the works, suspended their
assault at nightfall. England has taken
heart. The situation, however, is worse.
The beleaguered force must have expended
not be replenished and must have lost
number of officers and men, which is coun-
ferbalanced, so far as the garrison is
concerned by the greater loss of the Beers.
General White still needs relief. and the
difficulties confronting General Butler are
great as before. The formers unadorned
sentences, as read and reread, suggest elo-
quenSy the peril in which the town was
for fourteen hours. and how barely able
his 1900 men were to keep from being over
come. The latest concerning the situation
at Ladysmith was received yesterday
At s:54 o'clock in the afternoon, the War
Office received the following from General
Butler. dated Frere Camp, Natal. Jan. s:
1.-THE following is from White, GATED 2
p. m yesterday: An attack was COM
menced GA my position. but was chiefly
against Caeser's camp and Wagon hill. The
enemy was in great strength and has
pushed the attack with the greatest cour-
age and energy. Some of the intrench-
ments on Wagon hill were three times
A.
The attack continued until 7:3O ID. m. One
point in our position was occupied by the
enemy the whole day. but at dusk. in a
very heavy rainstorm, they were turned
out OF this position at the point of the
bayonet. in a most gallant manner by the
Devonshires. led by Colonel Park Colonel
Ian Hamilton commanded on Wagon hill
and rendered valuable service. The troops
have had a very trying time and have be-
haved excellently. They are elated at the
service they have rendered the Queen.
The enemy were repulsed everywhere
with very heavy loss, greatly exceeding
that on my side. which will be reported as
soon as the lists are completed"
1t Is understood that the War Office has
received some figures on the casualties,
but not the list itself. These have not yet
been made public.
AMMUNITION SHORT.
The chief concern for General White is
In respect to ammunition. Sixty-eight days
ago. at the beginning of the siege, his
small arm ammunition was vaguely de-
scribed as plenty" His artillery then had
three hundred rounds per gun. Some of the
batteries have been in action frequently
since then. and all were probably engaged
last Saturday. His stock of shells. conse-
quently. must be low. and this will make
1t difficult for General White to cooperate
in movement by General Butler.
The intrenchments at Ladysmith, as
described in a message that left a day
or two before the fight and has Just come
through, are fortified hills. well covered
with rifle pits and trenches. down which
the infantry move in single file TO the vari-
otis posts in absolute safety. Full rations
are still served, but no whisky or tobacco
Mr.. Spencer Wilkinson. in the Post
points out that there is one division only
at Chievely. another at Frere and thirc
at Estcourt- AS Chievely is seven mile:
from Colenso. the second division woult
have to march twelve miles to get into ac
tion and the third division twenty .tw,
miles. General Buffers $1,000 men and sew
enty guns were therefore almost inactiv,
on Saturday. and when Geasrai whis.
photographed General Butler could reail,
make move but an ineffective demon
stration.
Not since the day of General Butler
reverse has such a crowd Of inquirers Wis
tied the War Office as on yesterday. Dur
ing the afternoon rumor obtained cur
rency that Ladysmith had surrendered ans
the depression In the lobbies had turned
TO excitement, when an official appeare,
and a loud voice shouted: Good news,
and posted the dispatch chronicling bril-
liant victory for the British troops. Read