The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-20
A DAYS BOMBARDMENT T
NAVAL GUNS SHELL TRENCHES
BEFORE BULLER.
DEMONSTRATION BY LYTTLEToN'S FORCE
It Was in the Direction Of the Brakefontein
Kopies Under Cover of Heavy Ar
tiIlery Fire, But the Beers
Did Not Respond.

London, Jan. 2O.--(a 30 y. VI. )-Eye1y
hour that General Butler delays his
combined attack makes his position
stronger Transports continue to arrive
Mt Durham. and fresh troops are being
sent up the line to reinfoce those in
front Of ColcnsO. Ii appears that Gen.
eral Buffers troops north of the Tugeia
number ut least - 000 and possibly %.
600 with 80 guns. His total forces. iorm'
ing Il great outer curve south and west
of LadySmith probably number 10000.
While General Buffers forward opera
tions which began on January 10th de
velop rather leisurely, the Beers appear
to be fully aware that they must meet
Il strenuous assault Balloon observers
have roughly estimated that ten thous-
and Beers are using spade and pick in
artihcially strengthening positions which
nature has rendered easy of defense.
Military critics in touch with the War
Office ihink that news that General
fighting has begun may be expected AT
any hour. 1t is not thought that one
days fighting will settle the fate or
LadySmith. but rather that there will be
two oi. three days of continuous fight
ing.
DUNDONAID WINS AN ACTION.
London, Jan. 19-General Butler tele-
graphs:
''Spearman's Camp Jan 1S.-LOrd Dun
donald with a body of amounted troops
came into action this afternoon with a
force of Beers west of ACTON Homes.
After q fight he occupied several kopjes
which he is still holding. Field cornet
Heilbium was killed. Twenty hurghers
were killed or wounded and fifteen priS-
oners taken. Two British soldiers killed
and two wounded.
BOERS EVACUATE PRIESKA.
Spearman's Camp, Thursday, Jan.
1S.-(S:25 p. m.)-The Boer trenches
have been persistently shelled by the
naval guns all day long. Small parties
of Beers were seen at intervals. and 1t
large force, from the direction Of Lady
smith. was seen trekking towards the
north westward British portion. \
balloon did good service in observing
that LyttletOn's force made a demonstra-
ton in the direction of the Brakefontein
kopjes, four miles north of the British
under cover of heavy artillery fire, to
which the Beers did not respond. On
the left General Warren's troops re-
mained in possession of two prominent
kopjes behind Srion kOp. There was
some Boer sniping. but it was ineffcc-
tive.
The Graafrienet Beers evacuated
Prieska January 10th and returned
across the river.
BOERS SUFFERED SEVERELY.
London, Jan. 194:2O 7. m.-The
War Office has made pubic dispatches
from Field Marshal Lord Roberts dated
today, recording the scouting movements
in Cape Colony and adding:
"A Beer deserter states thaE The
enemy suffered severely in attacking
French's advanced nost January 10Th.
Seventy Beers are still unaccoInted for.
RECONXAISlANCE BY METH UEN.
Modder River, Jan. 1S.-ThursdayJ
General Methuen, who is in robust
health personally directed another
strong reconnaissance yesterday. The
Highanders succeeded in driving the
Beers from the Brush River bank by
long range volleyS. The Boer fire was
ineffective.