The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-08
and Colesberg. They shelled Porters
Hill Yesterday inefectually.
BULLER's ADVANCE.
Early Fighting Described by Special
Correspondents

London Feb S.-The Standard has the
following from Spearman's camp, dated
February Z
THE force under General Butler is
again advancing TO the relief of Lady
smith, and after two days of severe fight
ing it may fairly be said to have made a
good first step on the road to the be-
sieged town.
THE movement was begun at an early
hour on Monday morning by way of Pot
geiters Drift. The Eleventh brigade
forming a part of the Fifth division un-
der General Warren made feint at
tack upon the kopjes Immediately on our
front. The assault was delivered at the
outset under cover of naval guns on
Mount Alice and subsequently under that
of field batteries.
The infantry advanced steadily toward
the BOer entrenched position at Braken~
fOntein and kept the enemy busily en-
ployed. While this diversion was being
made the remainder of the infantry told
off for the attack, who had
bivouacked Sunday night under Mount
Alice moved along at the foot of warts
kop in the direction of our right.
"A pOutOOn bridge was thrown across
the Tugela by the engineers under the
fire of the enemy. The first battalion to
move across III the forenoon was the Dur
ham light infantry, of General Lyttle-
Vaal Krantz, which lies on the most dt-
rect road to Ladysmith. and after two
charging distance of the Beers.
THE first of the kopies was carried by
IlefN at the point ul lL6 Ouy Oi1Sl DN lllc
utmost gallantry. Almost simultaneously
the battalion rifle brigade cleared the sec
ond kopje, and after moving across the
long ridge they bivouacked on the spot.
THE feint attack at POtgeiterS having
served its purpose in preventing the con-
centration of the enemy at the critical
point. the Eleventh brigade fell back to
the river.
infantry and artillery had been subjected
70 a severe shell fire.
Tuesday at 4 in the afternoon. the en-
eny encOurag aged doubtless by their sue
cess at Spion Kop. endeavored to recap
ture the position taken by US at Naal
Krantz. They were beaten back. how
.sThe work accomplished so far has been
magnihcently done. The shell and maxim
fire poured in by the Beers has been eX
tremely severe but our losses are, COM
THE Durham Light infantry, took a
few prisoners in the course of their
''TRe enemy as usual. fought with the
utmost stubbOrnness. The British man
part of British artillery during the light
ing Monday, were beyond praise.
the Beers Will succeed in dislodglng us
from the positions we nave gained and
the prospects of the, relief of Ladysmith
are decidedly hopeful.
The Daily Telegraphs correspondent at
Spearman's camp in a dispatch dated
Monday night, SAYS:
ssUnder the personal direction of Cen
eral Butler. the attack on the Boer posi-
uonS was Degun TINS morning py nearly
the whole of our batteries-seventy-t 1.-TWO
guns-shelling the ridges where the enemy
have their trenches and redoubts on the
Brakefontein and low crest facing Pot
geiter's Drift
The enemy suffered severely. Several
hills were smoking like vocanoes from
the effects of the bonn bardment, which
set on fire their stores and the grass
.sWhile the third pontoon bridge was be-
ing constructed under fire near Skiet
Drift, the Eleventh brigade now under
the command of Colonel Wynne. made a
demonstration against the BrakefOntein
ridge. marching across the meadows with
10 of batteries of 1Ttil-
At II o'clock the enemy opened a heavy
cannOnade of shrapneI common shell and
pompon shells, chiefly from Spion Kop.
This was accomplished by a rattling mus
kerry fire. Our gunnerS behaved admir-
ably and were as cool as If upon parade.
''The demonstration having gained its
was delivered at 4 O'Clock The Durham
light infantry carried Vaal Krantz, the
Hildyard'S brigade assailed the higher
ridges The general and his troops are
bivouac cking upon the field of battle. In
the language of bOudOir bulletins, mother
and child are doing well. Our losses are
The British columns are putting them
selves in motion IN all parts OF the south
upon the Beers appears. to be in progress.
! General Butler has gained 2 footing on
the plateau north Of the Tugela, after
On the far western border Lord Methuen
has begun a turning movement against
aid threatens the Boer flank. thus re-
lieving the pressure of Lord Methuen' 5
front.
Lord Roberts. who according to an in
fOrmant in close touch with the war office
is in the middle of the theater of war,
has begun to march on BloemfOntein.
The Beers have taken the initiative
against General Gatacre attacking two
of his positions at Sterkstr0om.
1t really looks as though the general
! forward movement. so long talked Of.
/ were in progress. General Buffers third
attempt at relieving Ladvsmith absOrbs
! attention. kilograms of from 100 and 200
words from a dozen correspondents. have
/ been passed by the censor, who has APP
| parently redated nessa ges written Mon
| day or Tuesday to Wednesday at p. m.
J Ter up to Tuesday evening. had taken one
and was holding the position against an
enhlad ding fire from Spion Kop and Doorm
| Kloof. His losses. as mentioned by one
! correspondent are $50.
The only kilograms from Boer sources
assert that one of General Buffers at
tempts to seize the fords failed but they
| admit that he had lodged forces on one
| kopje.
/ Light on General Buffers operations
( ceases here. the war office not contribut-
ing any information
The 5000 more militia have been ord
/ cred for enbarkation. The obsolete guns
at the various coast defenses are being
| replaced with modern naval guns. The
government IS preparing plan to be sub
mitted to parliament for the conversion
| of the yeOmanry. volunteers and militia
J into a well organized and properly