The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-29
HIsTORY OF MOYEMENT
By Which Butler Hoped to Break
Through Boer Lines

Through Boer Lines
New York. Jan z9-The Herald's mill
itary expert, discussing the situation
in South Africa. says.
General Buffers Hank movement to
reach LadysmIth has come to nauShL-
Esepulsed n his first attempt to cross
the Tugela by a frontal attack at Co
lenso, ne has low been compelled to
give up ais attempt TO pass around the
lerE OF the BOeF line. His new repulSe
may have been equally disastrous IN
casualties and certainly must be more
damaging TO his reputation for general
snip and have greater effect on the IS
sue or the Natal campaign
After Sir George White had succeeded
IN beating off the determined attack
Of the Beers at Caesars camp, the de-
Velopfnent OF Buffers new plans became
lleF1IA1le- his preparations had been
deliberate, but nothing was allowed to
become known as TO his real intentions
until a dispatch from the general him.
POrgIeters drift, On the upper Tugela.
ard was getting his force across -Four
or i've days followed. in the course of
which General IsyJtleton placed his
brigade on the north Of Potgieter's drift
ready 10 ATTACK q BOeE position Al
Brakfonteiu comma nding a road TO
DeWdrop. while General Warren was
preparing to throw his division against
the extreme right Of the long line of
the Beers Warren had crossed at
richards drift. some five or six miles
TO the west of Potgieter,s He had met
with more opposition. but his cavalry,
under Lord Dund0nald. were able ap-
paFentIy to reconnoiure for q consider
able distance in the direction of Acton
Homes working round on Warren's far
left
So deliberate was this whole move
ment OF Buffers army. as if the general
were intent of throwing away no chances
or taking any risks that the Boer gem
erals had ample time TO concentrate
sar7-- - IN
they wished General Joubert was at
the front, with Generals Botha and
Cronje- Warren found himself at once
confronted with an opposing army
thrown right across his path A long
ridge ran four miles to the northwest
Of Trtchard'S drift. ascending from the
river The ridge runs into spurs OF the
mountains, making the boundary OF
Natal and the Orange Free State On
the right OF Warren as he advanced
lay the mountain Of Spion kop, facing
the river, with precipitous sides, but
more accessible from the north by a
series Of SUBMITS leading to its real
head. The country on either side
swans with hills favorable for guerilla
warfare and the Boer Entertainments ex-
tended along to Brakfontein and east
ward to Colenso and the TugeIa- Eight
Boer camps were located by the British
( along this line Of defense
The main position OF the Beers, how
ever. which has been the scene OF the
west OF Spfon kOp. and il is clear that
/ General Warren " as unable TO get sufh-
( GENTLY TO his left to make d really
| fanHng movement There was moth
/ ing for II but TO force his way through
the barrier. 50. having got up his ar
tiIlery. he sent forward. under cover of
/ his long range FIRE, the brigades Of
I Generals Hart and Clery. On Saturday.
I the 10Th instant, an action began at
six in the morning. and continued IN
/ til the evening Ridge after ridge was
I captured but the advance was slow
( the Beers stubbOFnly contesuug every
| foot of ground Harris troops wheeling
round On the left along the rocky spur
onto the semi-circhIar position Of the
Beers came under q heavy fire from
three directions, but the British
biv0uacked on the ground they had
distance Of the BOsr lines These losses.
so far, had not been heavy but only
three miles progress had been made,
and in front was an open gtacis-
There appeared to Warren but one
chance for attacking this position under
the storm Of bullets that the troops
must pass through If Spion kop could
be taken, artillery from its dominant
height might sweep the Boer Intrench-
meuEs on either side Last Monday and
Tuesday the artillery duel went on IN
ceaSingiy, but no impression was made
were made for the ascent Of Spion kop-
To approach it there was a natural
giacis three-quarters OF a mile wide.
Then five hundred feet had to be climbed
up a steep slope
For the present the deadlock to which
the British relieving army IN Natal is
reduced is worse than ever. To imagine
that LadysE1ith can now await the Is
sue of another movement that must
take weeks TO effect is an inpessibIIity.