The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-01
EXCEEDS 1000.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.)

ing every man and gun on the summit of
the hill and attacking with the greatest
spirit. The British artillery was unable to
cope with the superior long range Boer
guns and during the afternoon it became
evident the infantry could not endure
another day. 1t was impossible to
drag guns TO the summit of Spion with
out elaborate preparations or to fortify
the hill strongly enough to protect the
defenders from unassailed artillery. There
fore, Thornycrofts decision to abandon it
was both wise and necessary. The troops,
still stubborn and formidable. marched
back to the camps in regular order. Every
effort was made to rescue the wounded,
of which many were left on the summit.
The official lists give the losses. The de-
Tense of the hill by the English infantry.
particularly the Lancashire regiments. was
a glorious episode. The whole army is
proud of IL.
THE Boer positions before Ladysmith
are perhaps impregnable to 25,000 men, but
the troops are resolved to have another
try. The public must initiate the equa-
namity of the troops. Spion kop is not a
disaster. Neither guns were lost nor I'M
wounded prisoners made. II was simply
a bloody action In which Judgment in the
enemy's intrenchments was effected, but
which proved untenable. The Beers were
sometimes within thirty yards of the Brit
ish lines. They have also suffered. Their
loss must be greater, compared with their
strength, than ours. The process of attri-
ton must ultimately settle the war. The
troops bear the worst cheerfuly and the
nation must remain calm, dignified and
determined"
A special to the Herald from Spearman's
camp, dated Jan. "a. says: There has
been long train of ambulances arriving
at the Spearman's camp field hospitals
with wounded. The Lancashire brigade
suffered the heaviest losses There was no
panic. The troops retired from the hill
I'm good order. This morning several men
were shot in returning to the positions
held before they carried Spion kop
Thornycrofts mounted infantry and the
third battalion of the Kings Royal Rifles
lost heavily. The men of the Imperial Light
Infantry received their baptism of fire,
shooting and killing the Boer marksmen
snipers. Sergeant Mason. of Thornycroft's
Mounted Infantry, had a duel with Beers,
who drilled five holes through his helmet
Sergeant Mason caught three Beers creep
fixed sights. One he instantly killed and
then another, the third took shelter and
for half an hour they exchanged shots
The Boer hit him in the shoulder. but
Mason returned the compliment, and at
the next shot killed his antagonist"
A dispatch from the Associated Press
representative at Spearman's farm. dated
Jan. %, describing the fight and retire
ment from Spion kop, says: 1--WE filed down
sadly, but in perfect order. The Kings
Royal Rifles colonel was struck down at
the moment a heliograph message order
ing the retirement was handed to him.
The enemy is holding thanksgiving serv-
ices tonight The surgeons who assembled
the hill were allowed to remove our
wounded. The scene at the top was fear
full and terrible witness to the destructive
ness of the artillery. All day our stretch
er-bearers were busy carrying down men"