Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-25

| from the west Dy assdlHnp 'ne hiFi
ridges of the Sproenkop. A balloon
list to-day reported that no guns were
visible in the enemy's works, ''u
there was a large Boer camp in 'h'
direction of Brakfontein. a brown
ridge four miles from Potgieter''
drift. Beers arrived in large number'
to-day from Colenso and Ladysmith
They have certainly run branches o.
the railway from Moddersprri'
around Mount Bulwaya. Nearly FL
the Beers have gone to attempt tt
check Gen. Warren's advance, but HI
made no sign to-day
Boer- burn All the Houses In Colen-o
London, Jan. 20.-The Standi ri
publishes the following, dated Thurs
day, from Spearman's farm. III is
reported that the Beers opposite Co
lenso, on finding thai Gen. Butler
| had Outmanoenyered them, crossed 10
the south of the iugela on Monday
and set fire to all the houses In the
village, As the force from Chlevely
advanced the Beers retired before
| them 10 trenches on hill in line
with Colenso. Our infantry advanced
to the attack in diminishing order,
followed by supports and reserves,
our cavalry scouting on the right
close up to the river The Boer for
ccs at Colens0 must have been con-
sidcrably weakened by he dispatch
of larger reinforcements westward to
meet Gen. Buffers advance and they
now hurriedly evacuated the river
trenches and the kopjes opposite the
village and scattered before our
shrapnel. BY evening none of the en-
envy was left within rife shot of Co.
lenso. The British force then re-
tired to Chievely.'
Heavy Firing Heard from Ladvsmi'h.
London, Jan. 2O,--l'he Daily Mail
publishes the following dispatch da-
ted Thursday from Spearman's camp:
at is rumored that the Beers have
evacuated Colenso in order to rein
force their troops here. Heavy gun
fire was heard from Ladysmith this
morning. Gen. Buffers order in
strucs the men to heed the white
flag of the Beers only when they lay
down their arms. II also instructs
them to beware Of false bugle calls
A Long Wagon T.ain.
London, Jan. 90 The Times has
the following dispatch, dated Thurs
day, from Pietermaritzburg: Gen.
Buffers wagon train is 10 miles in
length and embraces 400 wagons and
5000 animals. As some of the drifts
are narrow and muddy. only one
wagon is able to cross at time
A Battle Hourly Expected
Spearmans Camp, January 20.-Sir
Charles Warren and Lord Dundona ID
are continuing a cautious advance,
hourly expecting battle There has
been slight artillery firing here, at
Ladysmith and Chievely. Natives re.
port that the kopjes are full of Beers.
GEN Butler Nearing Ladysmlth.
LONDON, Jan. TO-. "A Durham special
dated Thursday night, says: at is
reported here that Lord Dundonald
has smashed n Boer convoy. Gen.
Butler is said to be within IL miles OF
Iadysmith and Gen. Warren to be
about six miles to the rear"
London, Jan. %. Yesterday was
quite a record day at the war office.
AS If anticipating important news, the
authorities announced on Saturday
that the Hobbies of the war Office
would be open throughout Sunday
and the knowledge that great cru
cial battle was proceeding brought
continuous stream of inqurers of all
classes Some gloomy forebodings
were caused by the bulletin announce
ing that nearly 800 had been wound
ed, but in general CHEEKY confidence
was expressed in the success of Gen.
Buffers movement, On it being an
nounced that further official dis
patches were improbable at night
the crowd dispersed, expressing disap-
pointment that the news was no bet
Ter.
British S,lenced the Roer Fire
Durham, Jan. 29.-The Natal Adyer-
tiser has the following from Spear
mans camp, dated Saturday: seen.
Warren's column attacked lengthy
Boer position on the northern ridge of
Spionkop. A heavy bombardment by
field battery preceded the advance.
The Beers eventually replied with two
guns, several machine guns and rifles
The British responded similarly and
long-rnnge firing became general, last
ing until dark Gen. Hildyard drew
the Beers from splendid position
simultaneously by demonstration on
their frontal position drawing Il fee
bic fire from their Nordenfeldts and
rifles. The British navy guns and
HoMitzers shelled the trenches with
excellent effect and many Beers were
observed bdlting, The British artil-
lery completely silenced the Boer fire
and at nightfal the British infantry
occupied an excellent advanced posi-
ton
stre'cher Bearers Desert to beers.
London, Jan. ~. The Durham CORE
spondent of the Standard says: at is
reported that ten volunteer stretcher
bearers, ON their arrival Mt the front,