The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-02-09
All Along the Zine In South
Africa.
BULLER CROSSES THE TUGELA
And Captures an Important Po-
sition.
The Beers RepuIsed In Attempting
ReCapture.

tween the British and Beers this week.
Gen. Butler made an assault on the
Boer lines north of the Tugela, Mon
day, and at the latest advices, was hold
ing his position and preparing for an
advance, Wednesday.
A dispatch from Spearman's camp on
the Tugela, Wednesday evening, gives
the following particulars of Buffers
movements:
London, Feb. THE Standard has
the following from Spearman's Camp,
dated Feb. Z:
"'The force under General Butler is
again advancing to the relief of Lady
smith, and after two days of severe
fighting, it may be said to have made
good first step on the road to the be-
sieged town.
"The movement was begun at an ear
ly hour on Monday evening by way of
Potgieter's Drift. The Eleventh Bri-
gade forming part of the Fifth Divis-
ion under Gen. Warren, made a feint
attack upon the kopjes Immediately on
our front. The assault was delivered
at the outset under cover of naval guns
on Mt. Alice and subsequently under
that of field batteries.
''The infantry advanced steadily to-
ward the BOer entrenched position at
Brakfontien, and kept the enemy bust
| ly employed. While this diversion was
being made, the remainder of the in
fantry told off for the attack, who had
bivouacked Sunday night under Mt.
Alice, moved along at the foot of Zwart
Kop in the direction of our right.
ga pontoon bridge was thrown across
the Tugela by the engineers under the
fire of the enemy. The first battalion
to move across in the forenoon was the
Durham Light Infantry, of Gen. Lyttle'
toms brigade. They advanced against
Vaalkrantz, which lies on the most di
rect road to Ladysmith, and after two
hours splendid work they got within
charging distance of the Beers.
"The first of the kopjes were carried
by them at the point of the bayonet, by
the utmost gallantry. Almost stimuli
taneously the battalion rifle brigade
cleared the second kopje, and, aftel
moving across the long ridge, the.
bivouacked on the spot.
"The feint attack at Potgieters hav
ing served its purpose in preventing
the concentration of the enemy at tht
critical point, the Eleventh Brigade
fell back to the river. In the course o
the operation both the infantry and thu
lartillery had been subjected to severe
Ishell fire.
yesterday (Tuesday), at four in tn
afternoon, the enemy, encouraged
doubtless by their success at SpiOn KOp
endeavored to recapture the position
taken by US at Vaal Krautz. The.
were beaten back, however, with loss
1.-THE work accomplished so far ha
been magnifcently done. The shel
and Maxim fire poured in by the Boer
has been extremely severe, but ou
losses are, comparatively speaking
!, small The Durham Light Infantr
took a few prisoners in the course c
their charge. The enemy, as usua
fought with the utmost stub5Ornness
The British maneuvering and the az
curacy of aim on the part of the Brit
ish artillery during the fighting o
Monday were beyond praise. There
not the slightest likelihood that tn
Beers will succeed in dislodging L
from the positions we have gained, an
the prospects of the relief of Lady
smith are greatly hopeful"
Roberts flowing on Boer Forces a
Bloemfontein and Kimberly.
IL London, Feb. 8.-(4 a. m. THE Bri
ish columns are putting themselves
motion in all parts of the South Afr
can war field. A combined attack O
the Beers appears to be in progres
General Butler has gained a footing @
:. the plateau north of the Tugela afte
two days hard fighting. On the fl
western border Lord Methuen has b
!, gun a turning movement against I'll
= Boer right, while General MacDona
. threatens the Boer flank, thus relievir
the pressure on Lord Methuen's from
Il Lord Roberts, who according to {
formant in close touch with the W;
office, is in the middle of theater of wa
has begun the march on Bloemfontei
The Beers have taken the initiati
II against General Gatacre, attacking ty
r, of his positions at Sterkstroom.