The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-02-08
THE ADVANCE
TO RELIEVE
LADYSMITH,
Met with Determined Resistance,
But British Captured
Krantz noOf.
FIGHTING AT STFRKSTRoOM'
British shells Exploded the 1[aga-
zine Of a Big BOsr Gun,
Knocking It Out

LONDON, Feb. 8 q A M.l-The Brit
ish columns are putting themselves in
motion in all parts of the South Afri-
can war field. "A combined attack upon
the Beers appears to be in progress:
Gen. Butler has gained a footing upon
the plateau north Of the Tugela after
two days bard fighting.
on tht far western border Lord Me-
thuen has begun a turning movement
against the Boer right, while Gen. Mac
Donald threatens the Boer nanls, thus
relieving the pressure on Lord Me-
thuen's front
Lort Robert, who, according to an
informant In close touch with the war
ONCE, is in the middle of the theatre Of
war. has begun the march on Bloom
fontein.
The Bosrs have taken THE initiative
against Gen, Gatacre, attacking two OF
his positions at sterkstroom.
1t really looks as though the gem
eral forward movement so long talkes
of is in progress. Gen. Buffers third
attempt at relieving Ladysmlth absorbs
attention. Telegrams of from 100 to 200
words from dozen Correspondents
have been passed by the censor. who
has apparently re-dated messages writ
ten Monday or Tuesday to wednesday
at p. m. From these 1t is clear that
Gen. Butler up to Tuesday evening had
taken one hill. had repulsed a Boer
counter attack and was holding the
position against an entiladlng nre from
spIon Kop and DOOrm Kloof. His losses
as mentioned by one correspondent are
$50,
Tue only telegrams teoEp RoaF, aullsees
assert that one of Gen. Buffers at
tempts to seize the tords failed, but
they admit that he has lodged forces on
one kopje.
Light on Gen. Buffers operations
ceases here, the war Office not contrib
utlng any information.
Three thousand more militia have
been ordered to prepare for embarka-
tion. The obsolete guns at the varIous
coast defenses are being replaced with
modern naval guns, The government
is preparing plan to be submitted to
parliament for the conversion OF yeo-
manry, volunteers and militia into a
well organized and properly equipped
army for home defense
-----
CAPE TOWN, Feb. 7.-Tlghdng be-
gan this morning at sterkstroom. and
is now in progress. No details have
been received.
BoER HEAD LAGER, LADY
SMITH. Tuesday. Feb. 8, II a, m.-Fur-
ther reports of yesterdays lighting at
the upper Tugela river show that the
British lost heavily at Pont Drift, but
took an important position on small
kopJe on the MOlen Drift side. Four
Beers were killed. The British loss is
unknown. They are still in possession
of the kopJe and the big guns have
ceased firing.
LONDON, Feb. S--A special dispatch
from spearmnn's Camp, dated wednes-
day. Feb. {, says:
Our further advance is at the mo-
ment prevented. as the Beers enfilade
us from their positions on splon Eop
and Doorm EloOf, Our casualties. al,
though estimated at $50, are triHlng,
considering the great Importance OF the
movement Just concluded"
sPEARAiAN'S CAMP. Wednesday,
Feb. Z, 9 p. m.-Gtnera Butler com.
menced the advance for the relief of
Ladysmlth Monday. The naval guns
opened nt o'clock in the morning and
a feint attack was made in front Of
our position. Three battallons advanced
toward the Franktontein with six bat
terIes. AT II the Beers opened with ar
tlllery FIRE and sent several shells
among the British infantry, who retired
an hour later. Meanwhile vigorous
attack was made on the extreme right,
where the engineers expeditiousiy con-
structed a position. Several pieces OF
cannon hidden among the trees on
zwart's Kop bombarded heavily. The
British infantry advanced and the
Beers were entirely surprised. At 4
o'clock, a high hill. continuation Of
the BrakfOnteln, had been taken. The
operations were excellently planned.
The name Of the hill taken is Krantz
Kioof. The bombprdment of the Boer
position was resumed this yesterday
morning. The Beers worked dIsap-
pearlns cannon from the high Doorm
Klo6f range on tho right OF the captur-
cd hill, but the British shells exploded
its magazine and the gun was put out
Of action until late IN the day.
Musketry fre was intermittent until
the afternoon, when the Beers made a
determined effort to re-take the hill.
Reinforcemcnts rushed up cheering.
the Beers were repulsed ana the Brit
ish advanced along the ridge,
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