Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-02-15
4 BRITISH ADVANCE.
A Combined Attack Upon the Beers
Seems to Be In Progress.
Gen. BUTLER CAPTURES A HILL.
The Standards Dispatch from Spearmans
Campfire FIRST Of the kOpjes Car
ried by the British ~ the Point Of
the HAyonet.


the Bayonet.
London. Feb. S.-The British col
umns are putting themselves in mo-
ton in all parts Of the South African
war field. A combined attack upon
the Beers appears to be in progress,
Ten. Butler has gained "a footing on
the plateau north of the Tugela, after
two days hard fighting. On the far
western border Lord Methuen has
begun a turning movement against
the Boer right, while Gen. Macdonald
threatens the Boer flank, thus reliev-
ing the pressure on Lord Methuens
front. Lord Roberts, who, according
to an informant in close touch with
the war office, is in the middle of the
theater of war, has begun to march on
Bloemfontein. The Beers have taken
the initiative against Gen. Gatacre,
attacking two OF his positions at
Sterkstroom.
It really looks as though the gen
eral forward movement SO long talked
of were in progress. Gen. Buffers
third attempt at relieving Ladysmith
absorbs attention. kilograms Of from
100 to 200 words, from dozen CORE
spondents, have been passed by the
censor, who has apparently related
messages written Monday or Tuesday
to Wednesday. From these 1t is clear
that Gen. Butler, up to Tuesday even
ing. had taken one hill, had repulsed
q Boer counter attack and was hold
ing the position against an enflading
fire from Spion kop and Dorm kloof.
His losses, as mentioned by one CORE
spondent, are $50.
The only kilograms from Boer
sources assert that one of Gen. Bull
ler's attempts to seize the fords failed,
but they admit that he has lodged
forces on one kOpje.
Three thousand more militia have
been ordered to prepare for embarka-
ton. The obsolete guns Of the various
coast defenses are being replaced with
modern naval guns. The government
is preparing plan to be submitted
to parliament for the conversion of
the yeomanry, volunteers and militia
into a well-organized and properly
equipped army for home defense.
Tho Standards Dispatch.
London, Feb. S.--The Standard has
the following from Spearman's camp.
dated February 7: "rhe force under
Gen. Butler is again advancing to the
relief Of Ladyslnith, and after two
days Of severe fighting IT may fairly
he said to have made good first step
ON the road to the beseiged town. The
movement was begun at an hour on
Monday morning by way of Potgiet-
er's drift. The Eleventh brigade,
forming part of the Fifth division
under Gen. Warren, made feint AT
tack upon the kopies Immediately on
our front. The assault was delivered
ut the outset under cover of naval
guns on Mount Alice and subsequent
ly under that of field batteries. The
infantry advanced steadily toward the
Boer entrenched position al Brakfon
tein and kept the enemy busily en-
ployed. While this diversion was be-
ing made the remainder of the in
fantry told off for the attack, who
had bivouacked Sunday night under
Mount Alice, moved along at the foot
of zwarts kpp in the direction of our
right.
: "A 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 in
faEtry of Gen. Lyttleton's brigade.
They advanced against Naal krantz,
which lies on the most direct road to
Iadysmith, and after two hours
splendid work they got within charg-
ing distance of the Beers. The first
Of the kopies was carried by them AT
the point of the bayonet, by the ut
most gallantry. Almost simultane-
ously the battalion rife brigade
cleared the second kopie and after
moving across the long ridge they
bivouacked on the spot.
"rhe enemy as usual, fought with
the utmost stubbornness. The Brit
ish manuevering and the accuracy of
aim on the part of the British artil-
lery during the fighting on Monday
were beyond praise. There is not the
slightest likelihood that the Beers
will succeed in dislodging us from the
positions we have gained, and the
prospects of the relief Of Iadysmith
are decidedly hopeful"
- s---.---
London, Feb. 9.-All the messages
from the observers with Gen. Butler
throw In phrase or two about 1.-THE
strength of the Boer positions and
the difficulties of Gen. Buffers
work" but they do not carry events
beyond Tuesday evening. Their last
slender narratives leave the British
advance on Vaal Krantz, in the center
OF semi-circle, where the troops are
exposed to the Boer artillery on both
sides and in the center. The heaviest
fighting appears to have been on Tues
day. Gen, Buffers 800 casualties are
mentioned as having occurred before
noon Tuesday, Large lists are conse-
quently expected for the rest of the
day. The casualties already reported
bring the total British losses during
fba txtnr IN IN piI ls,ll.,l ,,tn,.,Al.l .,.l