The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-19
TO VICTORY OR
The Advance 10 Relieve LadySmith Is
Fairly Commenced.
BRITISH HAVE MOVED NORTH
Camped al a Position Formerly Held
by the Beers.
e.
II,bssaSa o. Nth No RESISTANCE
9'sas M t5stlet.
=
Butler Said IL lsso acre win Be No
Ilrh". OK"
NOW FACING FORTRESS OF THE ENEMY
British Expect TO Hear of Serious
Fighting Before White Is
| Relieved.
VOW FACING FORTRESS OF THE ENEMY
british Expect to Hear of Seriout
Fighting Before White Is
Relieved.

London, January iS.-The war office has
received the following dispatch from Gen
eral Roberts. dated Capetown today: 81
have received telegram from General
Butler stating that one brigade and how
itzer battery have crossed the TugeIa river
at Potgieters Drift. Five miles further
west at richards Drift General Warren
has thrown pontoop bridge over the
river. BY this move part of his force
crossed yesterday. The remainder is ex-
pected by this morning to be on the north
bank. Warren hopes he will be able to
turn the enemy's position, which, Ave
miles off TO his right front, is being
strongly entrenched."
London, January 49, 9:37 p. m.-The wat
office has issued the following:
From Butler, Spearman's Camp, Janu-
AIRY 1S.-One field artillery, howitzer bat
terry and Lyttleton's brigade are across the
Tugea at Potgieter's Drift. The enemy's
position is being bomharded by us Five
miles higher up. Warren has crossed the
river by pontoon. elghty-six yards long.
He hopes his force will by evening have
advanced five miles from the river to his
right front. The enemy is entrenching."
From Roberts. Capetown, January 49,
Gatscre reports that 500 men of all ranks
have been moved from Bushmans Hoeck
to Hope bridge and the Seventy fifth
field battery and one company of mounted
infantry from Sterkstroem to Bushman's
Hoeck Otherwise there is no change"
Mount Alice. Near Potgeter's Drift, Ma
tai, Monday, January 15,-The forward
movement for the relief of Ladysmith be-
gan Wednesday, January 10, from Frere
and Chievely, Lord Dundoualds mounted
brigade with the Fifth brigade under Gam
eral Hart. comprising the Dublins, the
Connaughts, the Innisklllings and the Bor-
DIR regiment. proceeded uorthwesterly 10
Springfield The post had previously been
thoroughly reconnoitered. A few miles
outside OF Frere Lord Dundonald passed
targets erected by the Beers TO represent
force advancing in skirmishing order
Evidently the Beers had been firing at
these from the adjacent hills.
Lord Dundonald pushed on and as the
main column advanced it was noticed that
Springfield was not occupied by Beers
and that the Fifth brigade had taken pos
session. The British transport extended
for several miles and comprised some 5000
vehicles. The mounted brigade advanced
rapidly. not meeting with any opposition.
The British scouts had infinitely searched
all the suspicious country, but there was
no sign of the enemy. The column ad :
yanced to Mount Alice. facing the enemy s
mountain fortress.
The Beers had been at Potgleters Drift
the previous day, but body of the South
African Horse swan the stream under
fire and brought over the pont from the
Boer side, The Beers were evidently sur
prised al the appearance OF the British on
the scene. long camp could be seen on
Tugela, but the enemy quickly struck
camp and cleared off into the mountains.
buggy was seen leaving for the hills ON
the right, presumably with General Jou-
bert or some other commandment General
Butler took up his quarters in pleasantly
situated farm house belonging to Martinus
Prectorus, who had disappeared. On Fri
day loud explosion was heard. Suisse
quently It was found that the Beers had
destroyed a bridge under construction
seven miles above Potgieter's Drift
General Butler has issued n spirit
forces, beginning, 1--WE nre going Ia
the reIicf of our comrades in Lady
smith. There viii he no turning
back"
The order proceeds to advise the men
whey they charge. regarding the condi-
tions under which they should receive the
surrender OF any of the enemy. 1t also
warns them that the Beers are trcacherous
in the use of the white flag. This order
has been received with enthusiasm in
every camp.
The march was very trying but the
troops are now encsmped amid very
pleasant surroundings Their health is ex.
eellent and all are confident.
London. January IA special dis
patch from Durham. dated Wednesday.
says ~Adviees from Potgieter's Drift,
dated yesterday Tuesday. say that Sir
Charles Warren has arrived within sew
enteen miles of Ladysmith and that British
wounded are arriving at Mooi river field
hospital by every train from the front.
indicating that there has already been
severe lighting Neither report has ye.