The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-09

along at the foot O. warts kop in the
direction of our light.
"A pontoon bridge was thrown across
the Tugela by the engineers under the
fire of the enemy. The first battalion
to move across in the forenoon was the
| Durham Light Infantry of General
Lyttleton's brigade. They a
against VaalkrantZ. which lies on the
most direct road to Ladysmith, and at
ter two hours splendid work they got
within charging distance OF the Beers.
The first of the kopjes was carried
by them at the point Of the bayonet
with the utmost gallantry. Almost
simultaneously the first battalion rifle
brigade cleared the second kopje and
after moving along the long ridge they
~bivouacked on the spot.
The feint attack at Potgieter's drift
having served its purpose in preventing
the concentration of the enemy at the
critical point, the Eleventh brigade fell
back to the river.
In the course of the operation both
the infantry and the artillery had been
subjected to a severe shell fire.
Yesterday Tuesday, at 4 O'Clock in
the afternoon, encouraged doubtless by
their success at Spion kop. the Beers
endeavored TO r~e-capture the position
taken by US at Vaalkrantz. They were
beaten back however, with loss
The work accomplished so far has
been magnicently done The shell and
Maxim fire poured in by the Beers has
been extremelyS severe. but our losses
are, comparatively speaking, small.
The Durham light Infantry took a
few prisoners in the course of their
charge.
THE enemy. as usual. fought with
the utmost Stubbornness. The British
m~anouvering and the accuracy on the
part Of the British artillery during the
lighting on MONDAY were beyond pratr-..
There is not the slightest likelihood
that the Beers will succeed in dislodg-
ing US from the positions we nave
gained. and the prospects Of the relief
Of Ladysmith are decidedly hopeful"
GOOD SERVICE FROM BALLOONS.
Spearman's Camp, Wednesday. Feb
ruary 1.-THE war balloon has. proved
a most useful adjunct, making as
cents daily and getting information as
to the Boer positions. The Beers di-
rected a heavy shrapnel fire in the en-
leave TO destroy the balloon appa-
ratus.
The artillery behaved splendidly
throughout, ably covering the infantry
retirement from the feint attack in the
face of a heavy Boer she'll fire.
1t is believed that the Beers suffered
very heavily, as their ambulances
We're hard ar work.
The Boer position consisted Of a line
or kopjes, strongly e~ntrenched. extend
ing three miles from Spion kop. curry
ing sharply at the eastern end to the
south, about opposite Zwartz kop,
which is a steep hill south Of the Tu-
gela that The British occupied before
the seizure Of Potgieter's drift.
DESPERATE ASSAULT BY Beers.
Their assault was made upon the nor
the heavy Boer fire prevented a fur
t1er advance Monday. The next MORN
ing the Beers INDUCED in ong range
shell fire, but in the afternoon the
made a vigorous attempt TO recapture
the position.
heir assault was made upon the nor
thern end Of the kopje. and at first 1t
was successful. Reinforcements were,
however. hurried up and the British re-
carried the position at the point of the
bayonec and advanced along the ridge.
AS the British have a large force of
troops the outlook is hopeful.