New-York tribune., 1900-03-01
BROKE THE BCER CENTRE.
BULLER'S COMPLEX OPERA
TIONS ON THE TUGELA.
Copyright: 1900: by The New-York Tribune
GBY CABLE To The TRIBUNE.I


London, March !, / a. n.-General Buffers
~:-=ratiors have been clearly explained in press
dispatches and in highly encouraging bulletin
which posted at the War Office yesterday
He had cleared the southern bank Of the Tugela
by February 21, and had occupied CoIenso and
Fort Wylie. The enemy's position was a long
horseshoe. beginning Grobler's Kloof run
ming along Langewacht Spruit to the railway
south of Pieter's Station. and curving backward
10 Bulwana Mountain, near Ladysnith
The attack began Wednesday week on the
British left toward Grobler's Kloof, and was
continued by the Lancashire brigade on Thurs
day from Onderbrook Spruit When the outer
most positions had been taken, lost and re
captured. General Butler decided that II was
impracticable to turn capture Grobler's Kloof
and ordered Hart's brigade to attack on Friday
Railway Hill, on the right Of Peters Station.
This was done under a heavy fire. and the
trenches were taken. General Butler convinced
himself on Saturday that the passage of Lange-
wacht Spruit could be made by a frontal at
tack the intrenchments, and retired with his
entire force the Tugela Sunday and
Monday, recalling the battalions from the posi-
tions which they had stormed. and taking up
the pontoon bridge. two miles from Peters
Bridge. it relaid Monday night q few miles
lower down the Tugela, and on Tuesday two of
Barton's battalions. with the Dublin Fusiliers
high, and carried by storm Peters Hill, turn
ing the enemy's position at Langewacht spruit.
General Warren, with two brigades, then
sailed this position, and took ii about sunset,
the South Lancashire leading the forces.
SUCCESS AFTER MUCH HARD WORK.
These operations enabled General Buffers
army to pierce the centre of the enemy's horse
shoe line of defences The British at
Pieters, with the Beers still ir-PossessiCn OF
Grobler's Kloof and Bulwana, at the ends Of
the horseshoe General Butler reported that the
British losses had been kept down by the ad-
nnirable management of the artillery, and that
he had taken sixty prisoners He had clearly
broken through the Boer line Of defence. and
was in a position for marching toward Lady
smith along the line Of railway. with the enemy
still in considerable force around Bulwana
Mountain Press dispatches received before
midnight referred mainly to the earlier stages
of these complex operations especially 10 the
gallant attack of the Irish Brigade on Railway
Hill on Friday. in which heavy losses were sus-
tanned. General Buffers movements can only
be understood after patient study Of the maps,
but it is clear that since crossing the Tugela
below Colenso he has been feeling his way, first
on the left along Onderbrook Sprut; next, east
ward at Langewacht Spruit, and, finally, still
further eastward, when, after retreating to the
south bank and recrossing below Peters, he
succeeded in turning and carrying the NAH.
Boer position. The patience, endurance and gal
lantry Of his army worthy Of the highest
praise and General Butler himself is displaying
tenacity of purpose and invincible courage. His
campaign among the hills is a most arduous
one since the Beers are in strong force and
fighting with remarkable persistence and skill,
having impregnabie positions two mountains
and Using cover every turn for destructive
rnusketry fire While the results OF General
Robertss campaign have been more brilliant.
the endurance and soldierly qualities Of Buffers
army cannot be surpassed
SHELL FIRE AND MUsKETRY.
Press dispatches from Paardeberg describing
tbe scene Of the surrender Of General Cronje do
not alter the essential facts Of victorious re-
cital on Majuba Day. The Boer forces. when
ibeir laager was abandoned, were treated with
great respect by the British soldiers, since their
yalor was generally recognized. The movement
Of the large body of prisoners to Modder River
Sraffon has been slow. but General Cron5e and
officers already their way TO Cape
:, The Boer losses during the siege are not