The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-23
BULLER HARD HIT
Rumors of Defeat Come Thick
and Fast.
His Defeat IS Reported in Dis
patches to Berlin.
London Hears He Has Lost Two
BattaIiOns.
WAROFFICEIGNORANT
A Shot From Long Ten"
Smashes Whites Quarters.
Heavy BOmbardment or Kim
berley in Progress.
Advantages Gained by British
Of No Importance.
WAROFFICEIGNORANT
A Shot From "LOng Ten -
Smashes Whites Quarters.
Heavy BOmbardment or Kim.
berley in Progress.
Advantages Gained by British
Of No Importance.

Berlin, Jan. 23.-There was a rumor
on the bourse today that Gen. Butler
has suffered defeat.
London, Jan. 23.-2:2O p. NIT was
reported on the stock exchange today
that two battalions of British troops
have been captured by the Beers.
WHITES QUARTERS SMASHED.
Head Boer Lager, Ladysmith. Mon
day. Jan. 22.-The quarters of Generals
White and Hunter We're smashed this
morning by a shot from Long Tom"
It is not known whether any of the oc-
cupants of the building were killed.
WAR OFFICE HAS NOT HEARD.
London, Jan. 2S.-There is nothing
here to confirm the report on the Ber-
lin boerse of the defeat of Gen. Butler.
or the rumor on the stock exchange of
this city of the capture of two British
battalions by the Beers. The fact that
Gen. Butler was heard from this morn
ing when he sent lists of casualties to
the British troops, seems to disprove
these stories.
Absence of news of yesterdays move
ments north of the TugeIa river is oc-
casioning some additional anxiety but
Gen. Butler is engaged in a big opera
ton which will take considerable time
to work out. Even the slight advance
of Gen. Warren's forces after two days
lighting does not appear to have yield
ed an important advantage to the Brit
ISM as the captured kOpJes were evil
IDENTIFY only held as advanced posts in
order to delay the progress of the Brit
1sh troops and enable the Beers to COM
p4ete their entertainments and to mount
guns on the position on which they
have elected to make a stand. 1t is re-
marked that the Beers thus far have
used little artillery from which it is
judged that their guns are already
mounted on tactical positions from
which the British will have to dislOdge
the republicans before reaching Lady
smith.
There is no confrnatf ton of the report
that Lord DundonaId has entered
Ladysmith and none is expected. Ex-
perts opine that the Beers would only
be too glad to let him in unOppOsed.
The indignation and disgust express
ed at the blunders and incapacity of the
yeonanry staff, to whom is aScribabie
the rank failure threatening to over
Wnetm the movement started with such
a fanfare Of trumpets, are increasing
daily Those who were able to carry
the scheme to success have been met at
every turn with red tape and all kinds
of obstacles and Sights by the inner
circle of titled incapables, resulting in
scores of good men Withdrawing from
participation. in the plans. In the case
of South Bedfordshire yeomanry, a
whole company of 10 selected men has
disbanded in disgust
The dispatch posted at the war office
up to o'clock this afternoon, though
dated Spearman's Camp, to-day. con-
tain nothing but reports OF casualties.
Gen Butler reports that the wounded
January 20 included:
Second ancashires-Captains DOde
White and Almond and Lieut.. Camp
bell
York and Lancaster regiment-Lieu-
tenants Halford and Duckworth.
West Surreys-Captains Baitt (since
dead and Warden, and Lieutenants
Smith and Wedd.
Staff Captain Dallas.
JOUBERT'S BIRTHDAY.
Head Laager, Ladysmith, Natal, Sat
urday, Jan 20-The sixty-ninth birth
day of Gen. JOubert was celebrated bv
Gen. Botha making a reconnaissance
in force towards the Drakensburg
mountains and turning the British ad-
vance after a short engagement Gen.
JOubert accOmpanied President Stevu
to the Free State laagers south of Lady
smith The president was in high
spirits. He proposes to make a tour
of all the 1aagers. Ladysmith sent up
many cOlOred rockets last night.
The Boer movement on the British
advance above referred to may have
reference to Gen. Warren's forward
fighting, in which according to advices
from British sources received Yesterday
the Beers We're on the defensive almost
the entire day Sunday, save once, when
they attempted to outfank the British
left and were signally checkmated.
FIGHTING AT COLESBURG.
Pretoria, Jan PA dispatch from
Colesburg, Cape Colony, says the Brit
tsh attacked the BOer positions there at
10 O'Clock this morning. There was
heavy fighting, but with what result is
not known. According to the latest ac-
counts the Beers We're holding their
positions.
A dispatch from Colenso, of Thurs
day, January IS. says a patrol of 200
men under Field Cornet Opperman,
succeeded in fighting its way back It
is reported that four men were killed
and that thirty were wounded and
made prisoners.
INCH BY INCH.
London, Jan. 23.-The Daily Chronicle
has received the following dated jan
uary p, AIS p. m. from Spearman's
Camp:
THE Beers admit 81 casualties during
Gen. Lytletons skirmish on Saturday
Gen. Warren is still pushing, though
he is necessarily making very slow pro-
gress as the Beers are numerous and
strongly entrenched.
Our infanry are working over par
a1lel ridges with Lord Dundonald's cav
airy, lying well out on the left flank and
awaiting developments. The Beers con-
test every inch Of the ground.
This morning Gen. Warrel' s artil-
Isry reopened IRE but the Beers did