Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-02-01
GEN. BULLER'S DESPATCH.

London, Jan. &.-The following is tho
text of Gen. Buffers despatch, dated
Spearman's Camp. Saturday, Jan. 2. G;lO
p. M:
ION January 20 Warren drove back the
enemy and obtained possession of the
southern crests of the high table land eX-
tending from the line of Acton Homes
and Honger's Poort to the western Lady
smith hills. From then to Jan. 70 he re-
manned in close contact with the enemy.
The eNemy held Il strong position on
a range of small kopjes stretching from
northwest to southeast across the plateau
from Acton Homes, through Spion kop,
to the left bank Of the Tuguela.
The actual position held vas perfect
ly tenable, but did not lend itself to an
advance and the southern slopes were so
steep that Warren could not get an eff
fective artillery position and the water
supply was IA difficulty.
ON January q | assented to his attack
ing Spion kop. ii largo hill, indeed Il
mountain, which was evidently the key
of the position but was far more Access
Sible from the north than from the south.
"On the night of Jan. % he attacked
Spion kop but found it very difficult to
hold. as its pIimetcr was too lare and
water, which he had been led to believe
existed, in this extraordinary dry season.
was found TO be deficient.
The crests were held all that day
against severe attacks and a heavy smell
fire. Our men fought with great gallan-
try. Would especially mention the con-
duet OF he Second Cameronians and the
Third Kings Rifles, who supported the at
tack on the mountain from the steepest
side and in each case fought their way 10
the top, and the Second Lancashire Fus-
Tiers and Second Middlesex. who magni-
ficently maintained the best traditions of
the British army throughout the trying
day of Jan. q, and Thornycrofts mounted
infantry, who fought throughout the day
equally well alongside of them.
Gen. Woodgate, who was in command
at the summit. having been wounded, the
officer who succeeded him, decided on the
night of Jan. "a to abandon the position
and did SO before dawn, Jan. %.
Il reached Warren's camp at 5 a. m,
on Jan. 25. and decided that "A second at
tack upon Spion Kop was useless and thai
the enemy's right was too strong to al
low me tc force 1t.
Accordingly, ! decided to withdraw the
force to the south of the Tuguela. AT [
a. m. we commenced Withdrawing the
train and by s a, m. Jan. n Saturday.
Warren's force was concentrated south OF
the Tuguela, without the loss of a man OF
n pound OF stores.
III fact that the force could withdraw
from actual touch-in some cases the line,
were less than a thousand yards apart
with the enemy in the manner 1t did is
| think sufficient evidence of the moral,
of the troops and that we were permitted
to withdraw our cumbrous OK and null,
transports across the river. ST yards broad
with H-foot banks and a very swift cur
rent, unmolested Is, | think, proof tina.
the enemy has been taught TO respect oul
soldiers lighting powers"
BRITISH STORY OF THE FIGHT.
Spearmans Camp. Friday, January %
A hnpt fup n'f1ngk on tho r1orpipu ~ JuO
uary "A "wednesday when heavy cloud'
rested upon the kopjes. the main poin
of the Boer position. Tabanyama, wal
stormed by the British infantry undo
Gen. Woodgatc. our force crossed over
ravine and climbed the mountain sid,
steadily. getting within thirty yards o
the enemy's first line OF trenches.
The Beers, who had been asleep. dc
camped leaving everything behind ant
the British, with vinging cheers, climbed
to the summit.
The Beers opened fire from severa