The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-01-31
In SOUTH AFRICA.

LONDON, Jan. 24.-General Buffers
great turning mOveT ent," of which so
much has been expected has come 10
standslill. His carefully worded mes
sage TO the war flee telling this, after
silence OF two days reads like an apol-
ogy and an explanation.
General Warren holds the ridges, but
The enemys positions are higher. The
B,itish artillery are playing on the
Boer positions and the Beers are re.
plyi ing The British infantry is sepa-
rated by onl, 1,400 yards from the
the enemy; but an approach to the
steep slopes across the bare open would
expose the British 10 fatal rifle fire.
General Buffers plans have reached
their development. He declines to
send bis infantry across this zone
against the Beers formidable position
by day light, and disclose his purpose to
assault the Spion Kop heights during
the night. This appears to be the key
to the Boer defences. If be takes it
and thus commands the adjacent
country an important and possibly de-
cisive step will be accomplished.
Gen. Buffers despatch reached the
war flee early in the evening and was
the subject of prolonged conference
between Lord Lansdowne, Mr.. Balfour
and several staff officials. A deter
mination appears to have been reached
not to give out the message during the
night; but toward two A. NJ, copies of
the despatch were made for distribution
among the newspaper offices. These
arrived too late for extended comment.
The Morning Post and the Standard
touch lightly upon the unpleasant feat
ures of the despatch aud take hope
from the projected night attack; but,
all things considered, the despatch
looks like preparation for worse news.
LONDON, Jan. 25-Gen. Butler
wires that Warren has been victorious.
He captured Spion Kop Tuesday night,
the Beers fleeing before him. Their
garrison was not large. Warren held
the hill all day against fierce attack.
British loss is heavy.
LONDON, Jan % The command
ing generals despatch dated ,esr-
mans Camp, Thursday, January %,
1910 A. M, says: "Gep. Warren's
troops yesterday evening tuesday
occu lied Spion Kop, surprlsil the
small B Jer garrison, who fed. 1t has
been held by Us al day, though we
were heavily attacked, especially by a
most annoying shell fire. l fear our
casualties are considerable ard regret
TO inform YOU that Gen. Woodgate is
dangerously wounded Warren, it is
believed, has rendered the enemy's pc.
sition untenable. The men are in
splendid condition." Buffers reports
were at once forwarded to the Q leen,
Lord Sail bury and other ministers.
Military clubs were early crowded.
The general opinion is that Butler suc-
ceeded in driving the entering wedge,
and relief for LAdysmith is not far off
Gen. E r. p. Woodgate is dangerou ly
wounded. He commanded the Ninth
brigade of Wsrren's division, was dis
tinguished officer and served in the
Ashanti and Zulu wars. He previous
ly commanded troops in Sierre Leone
and suppressed the rebellion.
LONDON, Jan. 2G The war office
posted the following bulletin this
morning: "Spearman's Camp, Jan.
25th, IL 05 NJ The Warren garri-
son, am sorry to say, find this morn
ing, had in tue night abandoned Spion
Kop." Signed, BUTLER
LONDON, Jan. 26 The bad news
spread rapidly. Crowds, as usual,
flocked ito the war Office for fun Their
news. Nothing, however, was for b.
coming. High military officials refuse
to discuss the reverse until full details
are learned, blu admit it may again
halt Natal campaign. 1t is believed
that the war flee has further advices
which are being withheld for present.
LONDON, Jan. 26.-The war office
has made pu bic dispatches from Gen
era Butler reporting the casualties
Wednesday while the British were
attempting to hold Spion Kop. Total
killed go far reported is twenty-four;
wounded, one hundred fifty-four, and
missing thirly-one.
LONDON, Jan. 26 The detailed loss
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