Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-02-10
WILL CHANGE "HIs TACTICS"

causes.
First-There is strong belief that
Buffers last attempt was only dem
onstration on large scale; second
Wiser critics had warned the public
not to expect the immediate relief of
General White. Third-The nation
had settled down to realization that
the war will last long time.
London, Feb. 10-An extra cabinet
council was held this afternoon in re-
sponse to summonses issued yester-
day evening. Council lasted over
two hours.
London, Feb. 10-A dispatch to the
London Times" from Springfield
Bridge, dated Feb. 9th, says: "Our
force at Vaalkrantz entrenched itself
as well as possible, but nevertheless
we continued to lose men and no ad.
vance was made. The Boer artillery
fired necessarily, and as Wednesday
proceeded it was increasingly appar-
ent that although the infantry might
by determined assault, force its way
through the center OF the Boer posi-
ton, it would be impossible, during the
subsequent operations, to maintain
the security Of the lines and an evacu-
alton was decided upon. The retire
ment commenced at o'clock at night,
pontoon bridge being removed after
General Hildyard's force had crossed
this morning. The whole force re-
tired beyond the range of the Boer
guns which continued shelling.
Durham, Feb. 10-The Beers have
taken Inkanla, Zululand magistracy
The magistrate exploded the maga
zine, and with his staff and police
evacuated the place.
London, Feb 10-A special, dated
Spearman's Camp, Friday, Feb 9th
says Buffers retirement is merely
temporary, owing to determination
to change tactics. The force will soop
resume operation. The casualties
were mostly slight wounds.
Headquarters Camp, Springfield
Bridge, Feb. 10. The position taken
north of the Tugela river proved a
difficult one to maintain. Regiments
sent across as reinforcements, went
into the front line trenches, but owing
to the great strength of the Beers in
the Brakfontein hills to the left, it
was found impossible to advance with
out risking unnecessary loss. The
Beers continued shelling the British
position. Several Long Tom" shells
fell among the transport trains, and
four burst at Swat Kop, but the Beers
could not get the range. The Brit.
ish guns continued to work their Nor
denfelts, on the British infantry who
were entrenched on the hill. The
fire was severe at times Wednesday
afternoon General Butler resolved not
to press the advance by this route
The transport train moved back, and
the infantry retired from Vaallxrantz
Wednesday night the guns on Zwarl
Kop, replied TO the Beers shelling
When they commenced to shell the
transport train, the Beers got large
number of cannon into position. TheiI
superiority in shell fire rendered an
advance impossible
Modder River noon, Feb. 10-Gen
eral Macdonald scored a distinct sue
> cess at Koodoosberg His origina
orders were to hold the drift and con
struct fort The position however
was extremely difficult, the long range
5 of high hills running northwest, ter
r minating close to the drift on tn,
t north bank of the river. As it wal
impossible to hold the whole summit
1 General Macdonald constructed
q strong works across the center, whicl
|. were held by the Seaforth H1ghlanders
t and three companies of the Blacl
/. Watch. While the Highland Light in
d fantry held small kopje to the righ
S the Ninth Lancers patrolled towarl
!, the river, General MacDonaId's plal
n being to repel the attacks. Thing
y went quietly until Wednesday, whel
the Beers advanced along the ridg
r within 900 yards. mounting two mour
It tain seven Founders which were ii
It visible from the plain. They ais
i held smaller drift three miles wes
d On the receipt of this news Methue
s. dispatched large force of cavalr
Ie and two horse batteries, under Genera
10 Darlington, with the purpose of su
s. rounding the Beers. In order to fur
p ther this plan Macdonald adopte
merely defensive tactics. It was nc
attempted to force back the Boer
: right which move might have result
ed in their general retirement sool