The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-29

plateau from Acton Homes. through
spion Kop. to the left bank Of the Tu.
gela,
"The actual position held was per-
fectly tenable, but It did not lead itself
to an advance. as the southern slopes
were so steep that Warren could not
get. an effective artillery position. and
water supply was difficulty.
ION January 20 1 assented to his at
tacklng splon Kop. large hill. indeed
mountain. which was evidently the
key of the position. but was far more
accessible from the north than from
the south.
ION the night Of January q he at
tackled spi0n Kop. but found 1t very
difficult to hold. as It's perimeter was
too large. and water, which he had
been led TO believe existed in this ex-
traordinary dry season, was found
very deficient.
Crest Held All Day.
"The crests were held all day against
severe attacks and heavy she'll fire. Our
men fought with great gallantry. /
would especially mention the conduct
OF the Second Cameronians, and the
Third Kings Rifles, who supported the
attack on the mountain from the steep
est side, and in each case fought their
way to the top, and the Second Lam
cashire FusllIers and Second Middle
sex, who magnlfcentIy maintained the
best traditions Of the British army
throughout the trying day OF January
"a, and Thornycroft's mounted Infan-
try, who fought throughout the day.
General Woodgate. who was in
command at the summit. having been
wounded, the officer who succeeded
him decided on the night Of January
"a to abandon the position, and did so
before dawn, January 25.
II reached warren's camp at a.
m. on January 25. and decided that
second attack upon spIon Kop was
useless, and that the enemy's right
was too strong to allow me to force 1t.
Accordingly decided to withdraw
the force to the south of the Tugela.
At 6 a. m. we commenced Withdraw
ing the train and by 8 a. M, January
27 Saturday. warren's force was con-
centrated south OF the Tugela, with
out the loss of man or a pound of
stores.
Less Than 1000 Yards Apart.
"The fact that the force could with
draw from actual touch-ln some cases
the. lines were less than thousand
yards apart-wIth the enemy in the
manner 1t did, is 1 think sufficient evil
dence Of the morals Of the troops, and
that we we're permitted to withdraw
our cumbrous OK and mule transport
across the river elghty-fve yards
broad, with twenty-root banks and a
very swift current. unmolested, is, |
think, proof that the enemy has been
taught to respect our soldiers fighting
powers.
At o'clock on the morning OF jan
uary "a Wednesday,, when heavy
clouds rested upon the kopjes, the main
point OF the Boer position, Tabanyama
was stormed by the British infantry
under General woodgate. Our forces
crossed over ravlne and climbed the
mountainslde steadily, getting within
thirty yards Of the enemy's first line of
trenches.
"The Beers, who had been asleep,
decampad, leaving everything behind,
and the British, with ringing cheer,
climbed to the summit.
Beers Splendid MArksmanship.
"rhe Beers opened Are from several
points, but it was apparent that they
had been taken completely by surprise,
and their resistance was dispErlted. The
western crest OF the hill was soon won
and the infantry crept along the top
Of the hill.
AT daybreak, however. the Beers
from hiGa point on the extreme east,
sent wltherInE fire among the Brit
ish, whlcn momcntal4ly staggered us,
The Beers had the range fixed to a
nlccty, and their artillery sent several
shells right to the top of the crest,
forcing the infantry to take cover. A
Boer Nordrnfeldt also was worked with
great precision.
"The British held the position against
great odds. At 10 o'clock strong REIN
rorcements were sent up the hill and
advanced in skeleton formation. the
enemy being driven back to the ex-
treme point.