Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-02-03

|
2j.--6 p. m.-British dead left on bat.
tlefield yesterday numbered 1900.
London, Jan. 30.-General Buller's
dispatch to the war Office states that
Spion kop was abandoned on account
OF lack OF water, inability TO bring the
artillery there, and heavy Boer fire
Butler gives no list OF casualties. His
whole force withdrew south of the
Tugela river, with the evident inten-
tion Of reaching Ladysimth by anoth-
| er route.
Following is the text OF Buller's
dispatch, dated Spearman's camp, Sat
urday, January "a, G:10 p. m:
"On January 20 Warren drove back
| the enemy and obtained possession Of
the southern crests of the high table
| land extending from the line Of Acton
| Homes and Honger's poo"t TO the
western Ladysmith hills. From then
TO January rs he remained in close
contact with the enemy.
The enemy held n strong position
on range of small kopjes stretching
from northwest to southeast across
the plateau from Acton Homes,
through Spion kop, to the left bank of
the Tugela.
"The actual position held was per-
fectly tenable, but did not lend 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.
"On January % assented to his at
tacking Spion kop, large hill, indeed
n mountain, which was evidently the
key Of the position, but was far more
accessible from the north than from
the south.
"On the night of January % he at
tackled Spion kop, but found it very
dnicult 10 hold, rs its perimeter was
too large and water, which he had
been led to believe existed, in this eX-
traorGinary dry season was found very
deficient.
"Thc crests were held all that day
ngainst successive attacks and heavy
shell fire. Our men fought with great
gallantry. | would especially mention
the conduct of the Second Cameronl-
ans and Third Kings rifles, who sup
ported the attack on the mountain
from the steepest side, and in each
case fought their way to the top, and
the Second Lancashire fusileers and
Second MiddleseX, who magniiicently
maintained the best traditions of the
British army throughout the trying
day of January -, and Thornycrofts
mounted infantry, who fought
throughout the day equally welt along
side of them.
General Woodgate, who was in com
mand at the summit, having been
wounded, the officer who sue
ceeded him decided on the night OF
January "a TO abanlon the position,
and did so before dawn January 25. /
reached Warren's camp at a. m. on
January %, and decided that Sec
ond attack on Spion kop was useless
and that the enemy's crest was roo
strong to allow me TO force it.
Accordingly decided to withdraw
the force to the south of the Tugela.
At o'clock a. III. we commenced with
the train, and by n. IN. Jan
uary % Saturday Narren's force
was concentrated south of the Tugell
without the loss of man or a pound |
of stores.
"rhe fact that the force could with |
draw from actual touch-in some |
cases the lines were less than 900 |
yards apart--with the enemy in the |
il did, is, think, sufficient ev-
idence Of the morale of the troops. and |
that we were permitted TO withdraw |
our cumbrous OK and mule transports |
across the river, eighty-fvc yards |
broad, with twentyfoot banks and !
very swift current. unmolested, is, | |
think, proof that the enemy has been
taught to respect our soldiers fight
ng powers"
During Sunday morning and the
earlier part of the afternoon n placard
bearing the words, "No news" hung
On the iron railing in front of the war
office, but about 3 p. IN. the placard
was taken i'm and on the bulletin
boards inside General Buffers long
lispatch was placed. The Sunday pa
Ders issued extras, but only the faint
'st interest was manifested i'm the
streets.
At the clubs the situation as re-
'ealed by General Butler was consid-
red very unpleasant. His excuses or
were characterized as
cry weak. The absence of water,
which Sir Charles Warren was ''led to
believe" existed, and the facts that
'pion kop was indeed mountain"
md that its ''perimeter was too large"
re all mn1IerS which nNen Rnller'S