Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-19
RELIEF OF LApYsMlTH
Roth Butler and warren Hnve cross.
ell Tho Tugcln River and n Great
hattie Is Imminent IT Not Actu-
nIIy in proErcss-ArrivaI OF Britt
i.h Wounded From tho Front
what Bulior Fncos.
(By Telegraph to virglnian-Pilot.)

(By Telegraph to V.reinian-Piot)
London, Jan. 1s.-At last the mys-
terry of General Buffers movements is
solved. y special cable to the Daily
Telegraph from its war correspondent,
Mr.. Bennett Burleigh, with the Lady
smith relief force, was received in Lon
don. giving the important news that
both Butler and Warren have crossed
the Tugcla between Potgietcr's Drift
and Wagon Drift, and have seized
strong positions from mile TO two
miles to the north OF the river bank.
General Warren, 1T appears, fought his
way across against a heavy fire.
This important news bears out what
l cabled yesterday as to the proba bic
plan Of General Buffers campaign. He
is pushing ahead on his left, where he
has strength. 1t does not follow that
he will cntangle his cavalry and light
artillery among the upper foothills of
the Drakenberg range. in which he will
operate.
These forces may be and probably are
FUR away ON the right. In fact, it was
stated Tuesday morning that a large
column mad been sent down to Durham
and were going thence into Zululand
Tor the purpose OF working round on
Inc extreme eastern flank and heading
for the Utrecht and Nryheid districts.
Unless they can cut In on the Trans
vaal communications they Will find
themselves at or near the Lndysmith
and Newcastle railway.
EARLY BATTLE PROBABLE.
From the Telcgraphs dispatch IL is
evident that General Butler has q
strcnS force OF Beers in front of him.
AS General 1'yttlcton's brigade crossed
on Tuesday and General NVarren's col
umn yesterday, and Smelling of the
Eoer position began Immediately, II is
probable that Il great battle will be
fought to-day. or perhaps has already
started for General Butler is not the
man. after the lesson learned ut Co
lenso. to give the Beers any more time
than he is compelled to Go, by reason
OF the condition of his own men. to
hurry achievements across the coun-
try 10 threaten positions. We may,
therefore, hear before many hours OF
the result of this battle, in which not
less than forty thousand men will be
engaged
General Buffers movement to attack
on the west may lead to Il counter at
tack by the Beers on the east.
Nothing is more probable than that
any Beers there may have been 10 the
eastward will by this time have been
recalled TO Colenso rs Il centre or pos
sibly further west. but, however desert
cd Colcnso and Groblcrs Kloof NAV
have appeared, it is absurd to suppose
that it had been evacuated.
POSSIBLE MOVE BY CLERY.
That their numbers have been de-
creased to meet General Buffers adj
vance is true. and it may be part of
tho British plan for General Clery's
division 10 make second attempt to
cross the Tugela Mt this point stimuli
taneously with Buffers attack on the
left.
OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION
London. Jan 1881 p. m.-The War
Office has issued the following;
From Butler, Spearman's Camp, jan
uary IS:
One field artillery, Howitzer bat
terry and Lyttleton's Brigade are across
the Tugela at Potgeiter's Drift The
enemy's position is being bombarded by
us.
Five miles higher up. Warren has
crossed the river by n pontoon eighty
five yards long. He hopes his force
will, by evening. have advanced five
miles from the river to his right front
The enemy is busily entrenching."
G4tTACRE HEARD FROM.
"From Roberts, Cape Town. January
18th:
'Gatacre reports that 300 men of all
ranks have been moved from Bush
mans Hoeck to Hoperberg, and that
the Seventyfourth Field Battery and
one company OF Mounted Infantry from
Stcrksstroom to Bushman's Hoeck.
Otherwise there is no change
RELIEF OF LADYSMITI.
Mount Alice, Near Potgieters Drift,
Natal. Monday. 15.-The forward move
ment for the relief of Ladysmith began
on Wednesday, January 10, from Frere
ana Chieveley. Lord Dundonald's
mounted brigade, with the Fifth Bril-
ga0e under General Hart. comprising
The Dubiins. the Connaughts. the Inns-
killins and the Bordor Regiment, pro-
oeeded northwesterly to Springfield.
The position had previously been
thoroughly reconnotered.
a few miles outside OF Frere Lord