The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-02-16
.BDuER'S FORWARD MOVE
DECEIVEs THE BoBRs BY HIS
STRATEGY.
Storms and Occupies the Summit Of
Krantz Kloof-Had to Defend it Next
Against Determined Cannonadlng.

sPEARMAN'S CAMP, February u
since Monday morning Buffers entire
army has been on the move in a thru
attempt to relieve Ladysmith. While
II would be premature to state definite
~ the result, ] can say that Butler is
effectively established north of the Tu-
gela, with his line of communication
wei protected, to pour in full force
what is expected to be the final effort
to smash through the Boer lines.
Early Monday morning a balloon as
cended at Potgieter's Drift, ostentati-
ously, within sight of the Boer position
at Spion Kop. simultaneously British
troops under Colonel Wynne lined the
river banks from Potgieter's to Zwartz
Mop, while three batteries of field ar
tillery opened a heavy sharpnel fire on
the enemy's position. This fire soon be-
gan telling. The Boer guns on Spion
hop replied. Then the Lancastershire
brigade deployed in open order appar-
emily intending another assault. The
Boer fire grew hotter every moment
soon it got too accurate for comfort
dropping sharpnel among the British
gunners and making the infantry seek
every possible point of shelter.
This unequal artillery duel kept I'D
Tor awhile. when word was received
from Butler ordering a retreat AT this
point Little difficulty was enconntar7
ed in effecting a retirement. The Bo-
ers, as on previous occasions, failed to
Follow up their apparent success.
mere mad been no secret that this
attack was merely a feint, and officers
and men were equally gratifed to learn
mat their share in the days program
mad been complete success.
meantime the real attack had been
quietly pushed ahead from a point
north of Doom Kop, under cover of
naval guns masked on Zwartz Kop and
Doom Kop. The engineers construcred
a pontoon bridge directly facing the
rising upland known as Krantz Kloof
on the north side of the river.
Amid the general din of artillery
operations on the left the engineers
completely escaped the enemy's notice
Then word was given for the Infantry
TO advance at a lively gait, and men
swarmed from every quarter in the di-
rection of the pontoon bridge, crossing
without attracting the Beers fire which
was still busily engaged with Wynne's
brigade on the left. Vaal Krantz
which is the summit of Krantz Kloof
| was quickly stormed by the British q
fantry supported by seven batteries
or artillery. With a wild rush the mer
scampered up the hill. bayonets fixed
every nerve braced for the expected
| rifle fire which the Beers have hereto
fore reserved till we'll within short
range.
The Durham Light Infantry assaiIed
the lower ridges, while Hidyard's brit
gade made for the loftier heights,
Everywhere the attack was a complete
success. The Beers, mistaking the feint
for the real attack, were caught nan
ping for the first time in this campaign
While the British advance guard
busted themselves in strengthening the
position occupied re-enforcements
poured in rapidly
| The Boer guns then directed their at.
tention to the British position on the
krantz range, but they We're too late
| as darkness closing down, left RulIe,
master of the key of Joubert's hitherto
| lmpregnable line of defenses.
The number of casualties is remark
ably small considering the Importance
of the result
Yesterday (Tuesday) expectations of
hard lighting were fully realized. The
Beers, evidently flushed by their sup
posed victory at Pont Drift turned
their attention to Buffers position on
the Vaal Krantz. The British strength
greatly surprised Joubert's forces. The
first attack was easily repulsen and
heavy artillery opened fire from half
dozen directions. This was met with
almost equal force, and the duel of big
guns continued till D. m.
4fVan TrIN Dat,