The Van Buren press., 1900-02-24
BULLER'S LATE OPERATIONS.
winston Churchill Describes Recent
Movements on the Tugcla.


fishes the following dispatch from
Winston Churchill, dated al Gen. Bull
ler's headquarters, Chieveley Camp
Monday night:
Scope of Recent Operations.
"ro understand the scope and mean
ing of the recent operations here it is
necessary TO study the map of the en-
virons of Colenso. The shortest road
to Ladysmith lies through Colenso
Uieters and Nelthorpe.
Advancing by this an army secures
railway communication. Moreover, tho
water question presents little difficult
ty.
Gen. Buffers Intentions.
When Gen. Butler determined to
break off the attack on the Boer posi-
tions beyond Potgieter's drift, he fully
intended to make fresh attempt, and
he preferred to run the risk and put
the matter to decisive test as near
Ladysmith and as near railway COM
munications as possible, although this
road runs through a difficult country,
beginning with the almost impregna-
bic Colenso position, and further OBJ
structed by other strong positions in
the rear Of Colenso.
The Position Described.
The position spreads in wide horse
shoe around Chieveley. The western
half lies on steep, often precipitons
bluffs near Grobler's kloof, and among
the low hills, kopjes and scrub around
Colenso village.
Against this position part of the at
tack OF December IS, was directed.
Decided ON the Eastern Half.
Gen. Butler has now decided to try
the eastern half, which lies on the
south side Of the Tugela river, run
ming over IIlwana hill, along the green
hills resting on the high ridges OF
Monte Cristo, and beyond it lngola
kop and the mex between he two lat"
ter.
Hussar hill was seized by cavalry
and occupied by the army the 18th
eve dnesday). On the 18th CThursday)
batteries were established on this po-
sition, and heavy siege and naval guns,
oil well intrenched.
A spnsmodic Bomhardmcnt.
On tnc 18th friday spasmodic
bombardment was kept up, but the
Beers were well concealed, and only
replied with long-range guns, causing
few casualties.
On the 18th Saturday Cen Bull
LEI attacked the extreme Boer left On
Cingoa kop with two divisions and
cavalry, holding their right and cen
ter with formidable line Of field aud
siege artillery. Action began at siN
o'clock. The infantry, covered by the
guns, advanced through broken, scrub
by country, across Gomba strel II,
upon Cingola kop, continually reach
ing out TO eastward to find the true
Beer flank.
Cavalry Made u Dctour.
The cavalry brigade under Lord Dun
dcrald, made n dctour of ten miles,
and climbed the eastern end of Cling )la
lop through tn edense slope, and 'rr
almost precipitious slope, and arrived
al the summit at ten o'clock.
After brief slirmish with the Doer
pickets, Maj. Gought's regiment grad
uglly cleared the whole ridge. The
Green's lancers, who now arrived on
the extreme right of the infantry at
tack, supported them in holding the
hill which had been won,
nocrs Retired Under Fire.
The Beers lost several killed and
wounded. Ten horses were captured,
The Roers retired under heavy fire
across the mex TO Monte Crsto.
The cavalry, then crossing Cingola
kop reached out to the Tugeln river
and the South African light horse adj
vanced ON the plain beyond the ridge
level with the infantry,
The Beers had now been driven from
Chgola, but still occupied Monte
Crislo strongly, The nek between
was commanded by the fire of both
conbnianis, the road across It being
available TO neither
The Docrs' Left TUNED.
At right angles to Monte Crlst0
ridge runs long spur to the Tugela
river. The Boer left was now turned
bocl. nlong this, and the operations on
the l7th closed with cavalry facing In
rantry md holding the ridge.
During Saturday and Sunday Gen,
Butler began turning movement ON
The eastward around the Bocr right
resting ON the high hills, Clngola kop
and Monte Cristo.
Successful Operations.
The operations SO far nrc entirely
successful, Both hills We're captured
without heavy loss, The cavalry on
the extreme right, under Lord Dun
donald, menuced the Boer rear,
The noer losses In the bomburdmrnt
must have been considerable. | per-
sonaly saw wounded dragged away.
Fierce Fighting Expected.
Az last we have got on their flank
and, although herco fighting lies be-
fore us, II will give us considerable
strategic advantage and the relief OF
Lndysmlth looks q good deal more
hopeful.
The devotion Of the infantry WIS
ugOin splendid.