The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-08

across the long ridge they bivouacked
on the spot.
The feint attack at Potgieters having
served Its purpose in preventing the con-
centration of the enemy at the crucial
point. the tenth brigade fell back to the
river.
I'm the course OF the operation both the
infantry and the artillery had been SUBJ
5ected to severe shell fire.
Beers Beaten Back.
Yesterday Tuesday, at o'clock In the
afternoon the enemy, encouraged doubt
less by their success at spion kop. en-
deavored to recapture the position taken
by US at vaal Krantz. They were beaten
back, however, with loss.
The work accomplished so far has been
maKnificently done. The shell and maxim
flre poured in by the Beers has been ex-
tremely severe but our losses are, COM
paratively speaking. small.
1.-THE Durham light infantry took few
prisoners In the course OF their charge.
Boers Fight with stubborness.
'"The enemy, az usua.. fought with the ut
most stubbornncss. The British maneu-
vering and the accuracy of aim on the part
OF the British artillery during the fighting
on Monday were beyond praise. There II
not the slightest likelihood that the Beers
win succeed In dislodging MS from the po-
sitions we have gained. and the prospects
OF the relief OF I.adysmith are decidedly
hopeful
Casualties Not Heavy.
special from Spearmans camp dated
Wednesday, February Z. says:
"our further advance Is at the moment
prevented az the Beers enfilade us from
their positions on Spion kop and Doorm
k.oof. Our casualties. although estimated
at 40. are trifing considering the great
Importance OF the movement Just con-
cluded."
The Boer Account.
BoER HEAD LAGER. Ladysmith.
Tuesday, Feb. 6. II a. m-Further reports
of yesterdays lighting at the upper Tugea
river show that the British lost heavily at
pont drift but took an important position
on a small kopfe on the Molen drift side
-Four Beers were killed The British losses
unknown They are stiIl in possession OF
the kopje and the big guns have ceased
nrinx.
Fighting NJ sterlstroom.
CAPE TOWN. Feb. 7.--Fighting begun
this morning at sterkstroom and Is now in
progress No details have been received
Ar British Columns Advance. Z
LONDON, Feb. 3, 4 a. m.-JThe British
columns are putting themselves In motion
in all parts OF South African war field.
A combined attack upon the Beers appears
10 he In progress. Gen, Butler has gained
4 footing on the plateau north OF the tn
geia, after two days hard fighting
On the far western border Lord Methuen
has begun turning movement against
the Boer right while Gen. Mcdonald threat
ems the Boer flank, thus relieving the pres
sure on Lord Mefhuer's front
Move Toward BIoenfontein.
Lord Roberts. who. according to an In |
formant In close touch with the war Of |
fee. Is In the middle Of the theater Of |
war has begun to maYh on Bloemfontein.
The Beers have taken the initiative |
against Gen. Gatacre. attacking two Of his |
positions at sterkstroom.
what mailer Has Done.
II really locks as though the general |
forward movement 40 long talked OF were |
In progress. Gen. Buffers third attempt at |
f.adysmith absorbs attention. |
kilograms OF from 100 10 200 words from |
4 dozen correspondents have been passed |
by the censor. who has apparently related
messages written Monday or Tuesday to
Wednesday at 8 p. m. From these It Is
clear that Gen. Butler, up to Tuesday even
ing. had taken one hill, had repulsed a
Bcer counter attack and was holding the
position against an eniilading fire from
Spion kop and Doorm kloof. His losses
an mentioned by one correspondent are go |
The only kilograms from Bocr sources
assert that one OF Cen Buffers attempts
10 seize tue fords failed. but they admit
that ne has lodged forces on one kopje.
here, the war office not contributing any |
information,
Other War Preparations.
Three thousand militia have been ordered
10 prepare for embarkatiou. The obsolete
guns at the various coast defenses are be-
Ing replaced with modern naval guns. The
government II preparing a plan TO be sub
mitted to parliament for the conversion OF
the yeomanry volunteers and militia into a
wen organized and properly equipped army
for home defense.
Daily Teiegraph's story.
The Daily Teiegraph's correspondent at
spearmans camp. In dispatch dated
Monday night says;
Under the personal direction Of Gen
Buller tho attack ON the Hoer positions
WAS begun this morning by nearly the
whois OF our batteries saventy-two--
Smelling the ridges where the enemy have
their trenches and redoubts on tho Brak-
fontsin and the Low crest facing Potgieters
drift.
The enemy suffered severely, Several
hills were smoking like volcanoes from the
effects OF the hombardment, which set
on IRE their stores and the grass.
Against Brakfontetu.
while the third pontoon bridge was be-
ing constructed under hre near Schiel
drift the Eleventh brigade, now uuder
the command Of Col. Wynne. made a
against the Drakfonteln
ridge. marching across the meadows with
tho support OF seven batteries 81 artillery
at n O'Clock the enemy opened n
heavy cannenade OF shrApnal. eosnnaa
shells and pompom shcis. chiefly from
spton kop. I1lis was Accompanied by a
rattling muSketry nre. our gilnnars be-
haved admirably and were as cool Al II
upon parade.