Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-01-06
THE BATTLE AT CoLEsBURG.
Fighting About French's Position
Devclopes Into General Engage


London, Jan. 6.-Tnconclusive fighting
around Colesburg was renewed this
morning, the British artillery opening
to the westward of the town. Dis
patches indicate that the attack is de-
veloping into general engagement.
While Gen. French's adrot maneuv-
ers and gallant repulse of the enemy's S
determined attack are of superior inter-
est as incidents of actual warfare. pub
lie attention can not be diverted from
the impending battle at the Tugela.
Heavy fighting had been expected
from hour to hour by military men, who
could not be convinced that Sir Redvsrs
Butler would wait for the single battery
and the small force of hussars which
had been dispatched from Cape Town
10 Durham. but when the official bulle-
tin. dated yesterday from Frere Camp
and containing his thanks in the name
of the army for the holiday remem-
brances from home, was posted, the
Impression prevailed at the clubs that d
decisive battle would be deferred until
Monday. when h could command every
available man, gun and morse.
This opinion WAS unchanged at mid
night The censorship was screwed
down to the tightest notch. so that only
trivial camp Incidents We're related by
the news agenciesl
EXPERTS FIGHT IT OUT.
The military Writers for the press
were divided in their forecasts of the
plan of attack. one group held that
fnhlawe mountain would be the first OBJ
pective point. and that the southern
bank would be cleared before any at
tempt was made to force the passage OF
the river.
The second group, undismayed by the
failure of previous forecasts. assumed
that there would be turning move
ment long distance away, With front
attack at the other end OF the lire and
a vigorous artillery attack at the cen
ter, and they cioed as proofs of thei.
theory the reports of systematic scout
ling on the upper Tugela near Spring
Iheld, the massng of Warrens division
at Estcourt, whence it could be sen,
toward Weenen. and the organization OF
| the mule transportation system ON a
| large scale
The last detail was certainly signifi-
cant, since no turning movement on tht
lower Tugela could be made without
mule transport. Dut an experienced fNet-
eran who managed the transport system
| in the previous campaign in South At
RIGA told me late last night that this
was not conclusive evidence, since tht
mule train would be required at one,
between Coienso and Ladysmith afte.
the passage of the river, as the railway
had probably been torn up by the Beers
NO EXCUSE FOR DELAY.
Gen. Butler must have received yes,
terday strong cavalry reinforcements
consisting of the South African Ligh
Horse and the Eighteenth Hussars, am
when the last battery afloat with ;
small force of Hussars arrives he vii
be as strong as he can be expected to b
and with nothing to gain by delay.
The strength of his army is underes
1 timated by the London press, since tn
military authorities have not wished tn
enemies to know the full extent of tn
concentration of the force upon the Tu
gela river. The last word before mid
might was that the ambulance corps ha
i been ordered to the front from Durba
and Maritzburg.
Gen. French's position was officiall