The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-19

The mounted brigade advanced RAPIDLY.
not meeting with any opposition. The
British scouts had infinitely searched
all suspicious country, but there was no
sign of the enemy.
The column advanced to Mount Alice,
facing the enemy's mountain fortress.
The Beers had been at Potgieters
Drift the previous day but Il body of
South African horse swan the stream
under fire and brought over the pont
from the Beers side
The Beers were evidently surprised at
the appearance of the British on the
scene. y long camp could he seen on
Tugela heights, facing Mount Alice, but
the enemy quickly struck camp and
cleared off into the mountains. n buggy
was seen leaving for the hill on the right
presumably with General Joubert or
some other commandment. General Bull
Ter took up his quarters in pleasantly
situated farm house belonging to Mar
tinus Prectorus who had disappeared.
On Friday a loud explosion was heard
Subsequently ii was found that the
Beers had destroyed bridge under con-
struction seven miles above Potgieter's
Drift.
General Butler has issued spirited
appeal and instructions to the forces
beginning:
I'VE are going to the relief of our COM
rades i'll Ladysmith. There will be no
turning back
The order proceeds to advise the men,
when they charge. regarding the condl-
tons under which they should receive
the surrender of any of the enemy 1t
also warns, them that the Beers are
treacherous in the use of the white flag.
This order has been received with en-
thusiasm in every camp
The march was very trying, but the
troops are now encamped amid very
pleasant surroundings. Their health is
excellent and all are confident
AAIBUSHED BY BOERS.
Ren>burg. Cape Coloney, Jan IL
Wednesday)-A patrol composed of 16
men of the y. s. W. Lancers and South
Australians was ambuShed yesterday
by the Beers and overwhelmed after Il
severe fight. Eight of the detachment
escaped and have arrived in camp. To
day patrol visited the scene Of the
fight and found one dead Australian and
one wounded. a number of dead Boer
horses were Also found showing that
the Australians made Il gallant fight be-
fore surrendering.
When the Australians encountered the
first body of Beers and found their re-
treat cut off, they galloped for nearby
kopie hoping to beat off the Beers, but
on arriving they found another force of
burgherS there.
SMELLING BOER TRENCHES.
Sportsman Farm. Natal. Jan. $50
Il. straightforward Lyttleton 5
brigade. With howitZer battery, cross
ed the Tugela River at Potgieter's Drift
on Tuesday, January 1ith The waiter
rose above the Waists of the men The
Beers fired two shots and then recalled
their forces to the trenches the passage
being uninterrupted
The British advanced in skirmishing
order, and she small kopjes on the sum-
mits were occupied by $3.50 p. IN.
During the night it rained heavily.
Yesterday Wednesday, the Boer
trenches were vigorously shelled in
front of Mount Alice while the British
remained i'll possession OF the kopjes and
plain. Heavy mistS enveloped the hills,
but the naval guns and the hCwitzer bat
terry made good practice. thoroughly
searching the trenches. On the Boer
right breach was made in sand bag
emplacement. where it is supposed b Je1'
guns had been placed.
The connonade was heavy and coLtinu-
Gus and the Beers were observed leay-
ing the trenches in small parties. The
hill facing the British position was shell
ed next.
General Warren has forced passage
of the TugeEa seven miles to the left.
ENGLAND'S HOPES RISE.
London, Jan. 1S.-1he officials of the
War OFFICE here are satisfied that the
tide has turned and that news of =
more hopeful character from British
point of view will hereafter be the rule
instead of the exception. That the Brli
iSh advance i'll a northeasterly direction:
will be resisted is fully anticipated. The
Boer strength is probably superior to the
British and the dispatches show the
burghers occupy strong positions.
There is some doubt as to whether tnr
SproenkCp occupied by General Warren
is Identical with Spionkop. IF so the
British are within a few miles of Acton
Homes, the scene of the earlier conflicts
between General Whites forces and the
invading Free Staters, whence there IS
u good road direct to Ladysmith.
While General Warren's force was
crossing the Tugela River, the Beers oc-
clpied thicllly-wooded plantation a mule
north of the river and sent several volleys
into the advance guard. The British To-
piled and the artillery opened on neigh
boring kopie. AS the British pushed
across the river the Beers found their 20
sition uncomfortable and retired tG The
hills Immediately after thc pontoon
bridge was completed the whole British
force crossed.
Meanwhile the naval guns ON Swarts-
kop have been persistently SHILLING tho
Boer entertainments facing the Ropes
Il NV I 1-++1otcf,'c b1sip11p