The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-22

Successful Movement at Spion Kop
Under Great Difficulties.


LONDON, JAN 21.-The War Office has
received the following from General Butler.
dated Spearman's Camp, Jan. 21, 6:55 a. m. /:
I'm order TO relieve the pressure on General
Warren and TO ascertain the strength of
the enemy in the position in front of Pot
gieter's drift. General Lyttleton made a
reconnaissance in force yesterday This
kept the enemy in their trenches in full
strength all day.
Our casualties-Third Battalion, Kings
Royal Rifles: Two killed, twelve wounded.
two missing"
SPEARMAN'S CAMP, Jan. 2. 9:2O a. M
General Warrens engagement continues.
He has forced the enemy from three posi-
tions. The Lancashire and Irish brigades
are advancing steadily. The fire is very
severe occasionally.
LONDON. Jan. H.-The War Office has
posted this dispatch from General Butler.
dated Jan. 2l, 10 a. m.: 'The following
were wounded in the action near Ventor's
spruit yesterday: Officers-Staff Colonel p.
Hamilton and Major c. McGregor: Second
Lancashire Frsiliers, Captain r. B. Blunt
and Second Lieutenants NJ G. Crofton and
r. j. M. Barrett; First Border Rifles. Cam
tain {. ID. Vaughan and Second Lieutenant
Murier; First York and Lancashires. Second
Lieutenant A. H. Kerrey: Second Dublin
t'usiliers, Captain G. A Hensley (since
dead. and Major F. English; Second Cor
dons. Second Lieutenant p. d. Stewart: and
zis non-commissioned officers and men,"
KEi TO THE POSITION.
The Daily Telegraph has the following
dispatch. dated Saturday, from Spearman's
Camp:
General Warren's forces have fought q
deliberately planned and successful battle
ihis important engagement occurred to the
west OF Spion kop. and practically resulted
III our securing the rough table-land which
constituted the key of the Boer position,
AFTER a fierce cannonade had been di-
rected against the enemy's lines for soma
time. the British troops assembled near an
eminence known as Three Tree hill. which
forms the center OF a semi-circle of crests
crowned with the enemy's works and some
of these six miles long.
steadily and with great dash the British
infantry went forward In the face of a
heavy fusillade from Mauser rifles. Our
troops were disposed as follows: Major
General Woodgates brigade on the right
Major General Hare's brigade in the center
and Major General Hildyard's brigade on
the left. Soon after midday the battle on
the hill became furious, and from In the
afternoon until the fire from both cannon
and rifles was very heavy. Point after
point or the enemy's position was seized.
and eventually the Boer right broke and
was forced back toward Spion kop.
Our force bivouacked upon the ground
II had captured so calamity. During the
action to-day the army brought into play
new guns. one OF which was a auick-frer.
Tomorrow ought 10 settle the matter. In
to-day's fighting our losses were trifing.
but the Beers suffered heavily
while General Warren was fighting his
engagement an effectual demonstration was
proceeding at Potgieter's drift, the enemy's
positions near there being vigorously
| shelled by the British batteries"
DURHAM, Jan. 21.-The Natal Advertiser
has the following from Spearman's camp.
dsted yesterday: General warren's COL
umn attacked long Boer position on the
| northern ridge OF Spion's kop. heavy
bombardment by field battery preceded
the the advance. The Beers eventually
replied with two guns. several machine
guns and rifles. The British responded SIM
Harry. and long range firing became gen.
eral. lasting until dark. General Hildyard
drew the Beers from a splendid position
simultaneously by a demonstration on their
frontal position. drawing feeble fire from
their Nordenfeldts and rifles. The British
naval guns and howitzers shelled the
trenches with excellent effect and many
Beers were observed boiling. The British