The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-06
OLD HICKORY AGAIN.
Lesson Taught British Being Learned
Over-Gen- Breckinridge's Views.
Especial to Baltimore SUM-

Especial to Baltimore SUM-
New York. January 29.-The Herald
tomorrow Will publish the following
dispatch from Washington:
Great interest is being shown in Of
fetal and army circles in the progress
pf military operations in South Africa.
The best Informed opinion seems to be
that General Buffers retreat across the
Tugela was necessary to prevent a
o force from getting in between him
and the river, which had begun to
swell. Such an event woul have been
lmore dangerous TO the morale Of his
troops than the detreat.
Brigadier Genera J. c. Breckenridge,
inspector general of the United States
army, who has been closely following
developments in the campaign, said to-
day:
THE situation in South Africa is gen.
Ierally what everybody ought to have
anticipated when the war began. The
English have undertaken the subjuga-
ltion of a body CT God-fearing frontiers
men, who knoW perfectly how to take
Icare of themselves in the Open, how
Ito overcome the obstacles of nature and
how to handle their weapons.
The Beers are as fearless as any
white men living. Besides, they are
$50 distant from England that time be-
O@-@~ - $1,000 ~ an AAAsN APP NS@AAS~H
The British government is now under
going exactly the same experience it
Ibid with our ancestors, though proba-
IDly with greater difference in the pres
lent case, as the points of assault are
farther from the seacoast, which is her
Ichance of communication.
I'm our case at the close of the sec
lond war for independence, as We used
to call it, probably 40 nation ever a
a more instructive battle than the Eng
llish lac under Pakenham at New Or
LEANS when they met General Andrew
jackson. There they marched directly
upon the position assumed for defense
by frontiersmen, who withheld their
fire until they saw the whites of the
ieyes of their enemy. The discharge of
their rifles simply wiped away the
british lines. The Beers pursued SIM
Iilar t~aStics, for 1 notice they waited
until the British were within 200 yards
when they opened fire.
The tactical requirements of the sit
l%uation, 1uctuating day by day, prevent
absolute judgment being passed
upon what induced a movement upon
amy particular day. In general terms
lit seems that no officer under the con-
EDITIONS and ornaments existing On
modern battlefieldS, is entitled to an
Iticipate. victory unless he a a posi-
tive instinct for the enemy'S flank; n
I'M Ills case GENERA bull6T, dIleT uTSC
striving to pierce the center, has made
lsome effort to urn his enemy's left
without success.
The burgherS are a very religious
Trace, brought up free and independent,
land the only way to dominate them is
Ito whip them individually. To capture
their capital is of less consequence tina
if their country were an empire"
CRITICISED BY SCHOFIELD.
st. Augustine, Fla, January o.
General John NJ. Schofield, retired, for
army, said here today:
1.-The present British situation in
South Africa is serious because Of the
loriginal faulty operation by which the
force at L~adysmith became shut up in
THAT place instead of joining the REIN
Iforcements coming from the rear. h
result may be the sacrifice of the gar
IriSon of LadySmith, but ever in that
Ievent the Beers will have paid pretty
dearly for their success.
1.-The present failure to penetrate the
lBoer lines was to have been expected.
THE British will probably now organize
a separate army strong enough to pen
citrate Boer territory by another line
land thus turn the Boer position about
LadySmith.
1.-The final result is not to be reached
Iby capturing one or ever many posi-
ltions; but by a long selies of ard
fought battles, in which superior num-
lberS and ought finally to pre-
vail. 1t is a battle between heroes who
Twill fight it out to a finish"