The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-23
BRITISH CLOSING IN.
Correspondent of the Daily Mail Looks
Through Rosy Glasses.


Daily Mail has the following dated Sun
day night from Spearman's Comp:
There has been hGt fighting all day.
At dawn our attack was resumed along
the entire line. all the brigades taking
part. We soon discovered that the
Beers stll occupied the range of hills
in force, their position being very strong.
The range is intcrsected by steep rayines
and many approaches very different Of
access.
To-day the Beers who were driven
from their trenches Yesterday took cover
in dug-outs and behind the rocks with
which the hills are Strewn. The forces.
therefore. commenced the task of driv-
ing them out and set TO work with good
heart in the early morning. Much firing
took place and our progress was slow,
hut gradually British pluck told its tale.
and the enemy fell back to another
kopje. We swarmed on and occupied il.
and then the attack recommended WITH
the utmost gallantry.
The country simply abounds in hills
favorable to guerilla warfare, and our
task is an arduous one. Nevertheless.
it is being gradually accomplished.
Whenever any of the enemy were OH
IL
field batteries poured in showers OF
shrannel and the rapid movement of the
guns. followed by accurate shooting
must have greatl.J distressed them.
The enemy were on the defensive al
most the entire day. save once when
they attempted TO outfank our left and
were Signally checkmated. They relied
almost entirely on rifle fire. \ few shells
We're fred from a hea>, piece of ord
nance. but ,,!eSc fell harmless
I'VE now occupy the lower crest of the
left and are convcrging slowly hut surely
To the Boer centre. The Boer loss is
unknown hut must have been heavy.
The killed and wounded are carried
away to the rear rapidly. Strong ru-
mors are i'll circulation that the Beers
are retiring. The battlc will he resumed
tomorrow
a FURIOUS RIEIE FIRE.
London, Jan. 3.-(Tuesday.) Tho
Daily Telegraph publishes the following
dispatch, delayed by the censor. from
Rensburg dated Sunday afternoon:
Last evening about 8 O'Clock the Boeus
began firing furionsy all along their main
position. Three tiers of rifle fire were
visible The firing lasted three quarters
Of an hour. The reason for the alarm is
not known here
TRYING THE LONG CECIL"
L0ndon. Jan. 23.-(Tuesday.)-A dis
patch to the Daily Telegraph from Kim
bei'ley, dated Friday. January 10Th, says:
"A 2S-pMlnder gun christened Long
Cecil, which was manufactured at the
DcBeer's workshops. was tried today and
fired accurately at a range of eight hun
bred yards"
SWARMS OF LOCUSTS.
Sterkstrocm, Jan. 22.-Affairs here con-
time quiet. Tremendous swarms of
locusts are passing over the British camp
in Il northerly direction are destroying
the grass on the yeldt.
Commandapt Oliver threatens to retain
as prisoners of war any newspaper cor
respondents captured by his forces.
STUBBORN RESISTANCE.
London, Jan. 23.-Tuesdayl--The Daily
Chronicle has received the following dat
ed January 22nd. i:l5 p. M. from Spear
mans Camp:
The Beers admit p casualties during
General Lyttleton'S skilmish On Satur-
day.
General Warren continues pushing
forward though he is necessarily making
very slow progress, aS the Beers are num-
orous and strongly entrenchtd.
Our infantry are working over parall-
el ridges. with Lord Daindonald's cavalry
lying well out on the left flank and await
ing developments. The Beers contest
every inch OF the ground.
This morning General Warrcn's artil-
lcry re-opened fire, but the Beers did
not reply, and our fire became less hot.
THE naval guns in front have been
quiet.
"A Boer prisoner who was brought in
hoasted that it would take MS three
months to reach Ladysmith.'