The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-14
RESCUE OF LADYSMITH.
English Correspondents Write of Bull
1er's Movements
(Correspondence OF Assoeiated Press.l

lerS movem entS-
Correspondence of Associated Press.)
London, March THE siege of Lady
smith with it's narrowing experience has
passed into history, yet it is only now
that the British public has a chance to
get a connected account and to learn
the details of the sanguinary struggle
which accomplished its relief. The latest
mails only take the graphic story up
to General Buffers third attempt, when.
on February 6, for the second time he
crossed at POtgieters drift and after
three days fighting was forced to re-
tire from Vaalkrantz. To this series OF
actions Bennett-Burleigh deyotes four
columns of the Daily Telegraph, while
the other CORES OndentS are not far be-
hind in point of length. After describ-
ing the feelings of keen disappointment
that followed Spion Kop, Mr.. Burleigh
writes:
I'VE all knew on Sunday, February 4,
that next day General Butler intended
attacking the line of low hills opposite
Potgteters drift. Brakfontein is the
principal feature of that chain, run
ming nearly east and west, connects the
Spion Kop mountain ridges with Dorm
klOOp. There was to be feint or dem
onstration from our left against Brak-
fontein and a determined attack later
in the day upon the right to carry the
separate crested hills of Vaalkrantz.'
Referring to the many difficulties en-
eountered. owing to the broken nature
of the ground, the correspondent says:
Guns were with infinite labor placed
upon Swartz kop and Warren's division
with other troops. moved down towards
the intended field of action. The ever
wonderful mules, somehow, notWlth-
standing many falls, got the mountain
battery up, although the place was as
steep in parts as the side of a house
The sailors, helped by the Scottish rifles,
with steel haWSerS, warped their guns
up over the worst parts. It was alto
heaving batteries to the masthead of a
ship. AS for the ammunition, the SOL
dierS carried it by hand, each man bear
ing a shell or powder charge. Except
by using ones hands, there were parts
of the hill it was impossible otherwise
to surmount. saw six mules toiling up
on a later day with water breakers for
the men. The leading one, when near
the top, missed his footing, rolled over
and over, carOning against the others.
Down with fearful clatter of falling
rocks, Scrambling hoOfS and affrighte1
snortings, went the six mules, some 200
feet Killed to the last kicker? Not a
bit of it. Only their harness knocked
about. About six a. the cavalry
went forward, but it was an hour later
ere our naval guns from Mount Alice
began the battle. They directed their
fire against the Boer works upon SpiOn
kop. BrakfOntein and the positions
fronting Potgieters.
Colonel now Major General Wynn had
shire brigade since General Woodgate
was wounded. About 9 a. m. he led
his men forward from behind the five
low detached hills, or hillOcks, a mile
north of Potgieters drift. The new
balloon was sent up to spy out what the
Beers were about, and more particular
ly where their cannon were placed. As
the Lancashire brigade went forward in
widely spread and far apart successive
lines of skirmishers, five field batteries
and the fifty-pound howitzers thunder
ed lyddite and shrapnel upon the en-
emy's trenches and works. The balloon
list directed by telephone where the
Beers clustered thickest behind their
defenses The infantry went steadily,
slowly forward. as if to charge the
Boer works. BY nine they were near
enough for the enemy to begin sniping
in earnest at range of 1900 yards or
less. Their craftsmanship was indiffer-
ent and the troops disregarding their
tormentors, walked or ran forward. At
convenient stages they would lie down
fat upon the ground and opened indie
pendent and volley firing at the enemy
concealed in dongas and trenches.