The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-02
BRITISH
OCCUPY
COLESBURG.
A Change in the Complexion 0
the News From the
BRITISH SUCCESS REPORTED.
Roer Hotchlkiss Collapsed and Was
Captured by the British, and the
Beers Retrsated.

LONDON, Jan. 2-l:SO a m.-The
sucress OF General French in driving
the Beers from colesburg has shot a
welcorne ray OF light through the gloom
Of the campaign in South Africa hy-
erywhere II IS commented on as an ex-
ample Of sound tactics and as an Illus
tration OF what may be done when the
right methods are employed with the
Beers. The government is urged to
take the lesson to heart and to see
that no stone is left unturned in the
endeayor to get the largest possible
forces OF cavalry and mounted infantry
TO the front. Now that General French
has the Beers on the run, the hope IS
expressed that he will give them no
rest until they find their way across
the orange river which is twelve
miles distant. The old wagon route to
the Free state traverses Colesburg and
crosses the river by fine bridge, 1870
feet long. 1t is believed that the Beers
retreated toward Norval's Point, fur
ther east. and the question is whether
General French will be able to secure
these two bridges before the Beers de-
stroy them.
One Important eject of the success OF
General French is that It viii prob
ably have a deterrent influence upon
Dutch dlsaffection. There is some dis.
position here to exaggerate the import
ance of small skirmishes and engage
ments. 1t aliould be borne in mind that
General French has only 1000 men, and
SO far as the important points of the
campaign are concerned, the situation
Is virtually unchanged.
Modifying Line Of Defense.
Al Modder river the Beers appear to
be modifying somewhat their line Of
defense. General Buffers scouts have
discovered a Boer camp established in
the vicinity Of Springfield, southwest
OF Cotenso, by Free state commando.
A similar movement has been made at
Modder river. A large force of Beers,
it is reported. has formed a new laager
about iifteen miles down the stream at
Kameelhoek.
Heliograph reports from Ladysmlth
show that ali was'well on December 81.
The bombardment was being con-
tinued, but It's intensity had relaxed.
An official dispatch from Ladysmith
confirms tho report, cabled yesterday,
that several officers of the Devonshire
regiment we're severely wounded by the
explosion OF a Boer shell in the mess
tent.
A new armored train has reached
General Butler from Durham.
"A Cape Town dispatch says that an
exchange of prisoners is under con-
slderntIon. The entire seventh divis-
lon Will have sailed from England by
January II.
Lord wolseley, replying to corr
respondent who had asked for intor-
nation Regarding the British artillery,
wrote:
Our Heiu tIttheIS 10 ~ lSNSt 10 bVOA
as any field artillery In Europe"
A British arm according to the
Daily News, after keen competition
with several American firms, has se-
cured the government contract for the
new seven-span bridge over the Tugela
river at Colenso. The firm Is working
night and dny to complete the order.
It is said that John Churchill, younger
brother Of Winston Churchill. will Rc-
company the Duke of Marlborough to
tho seat -Tar.