The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-01-18
GEN. BULLER'S ADVANCE
Surprises the Beers and 0c-
cupies the Hills Beyond
Potgieter's Drift.
GREAT BATTLE In PROGRESS
THE BRITISH COLUMNS HAVE
CROSSED THE TUGELA.
All Doubt Concerning General Warren
Cleared Up-His Division Is with Bull
ler and Not Mar ching Toward Weenan
ment-Great Difficulties Overcome In
Getting Over the River.
Getting Over the River.

Getting Over the River.
London, Jan. 1S-4:30 a. m.-General
Butler completely surprised the Beers
and occupied the hills beyond Potgie-
ter's Drift, fifteen miles west of Colenso
on Wednesday, January 10. This intel"
ligence is contained in an exclusive dis
patch to the Times, dated yesterday. He
followed up the movement by shelling
the Boer trenches. This news complete
ly disposes of the statement that Sir
Charles Warrens force went in the d-
rection of Weenen and it tends greatly
to restore confidence in General Buffers
tactics. The supposition that he had
had given cause for anxiety. 1t is now
seen that such a view was erroneous,
as General Buffers forces are concen-
trated.
The Times dispatch is from Spear
mans Farm, under date of January II,
9:20 p. M, and is as follows:
"The force marched westward on Jan
uary 10, Lord Dundonald, by dashing
movement, occupying the hills above
Potgieters Drift, fifteen miles west of
Colenso, taking the Beers completely
by surprise. The same evening the in
fantry followed. General Lyttleton's
brigade crossed the river yesterday and
to-day shelled the Boer trenches beyond
with howitzers. General Warren's force
is now crossing the Richardte Drift, five
miles above. He is not opposed al
though the Beers are holding position
five miles from the river"
Another special dispatch from Spear
mans Farm, dated January IT, says:
1.-THE British column moved to Spear
mans Farm, beyond Springfield, on
January H. The difficulties in crossing
the swollen river were great, the wagons
being quite covered"
The other morning papers are out
with extra editions confirming the
despatch from Spearman's Farm TO the
Times The Daily Telegraph's corre-
spondent under yesterdays date. says:
II am permitted to wire from Spear
mans Farm that General Lyttleton yes
terday afternoon ferried and forded
Potgieter's Drift and seized with lit
tie opposition line Of low ridges a
mile from there. During the night a |
Howitzer battery was carried across. |
To-day. from Mount Alice, near Swartz |
Kop, naval guns and Howitzers effect
lively shelled the Boer position, which |
is strong.
General Warren also to-day crossed
the Tugela, six miles further to the
west, near Wagon drift, with all arms,
in the face of hot and heavy fire from
Boer cannon and rifles. He has effect
ed a most satisfactory lodgment two
miles further on toward Sproonkop.
A despatch to the Daily News from
Spearman's Farm describes Lord Dun
donald's advance to Swartz kop hill,
Potgleters drift, and
says:
General Lyttletons brigade was sent
to hold a position on Swartzkop hill.
Leaving strong body to hold Colenso
and General Hildyard's brigade at
Springfield nearly the whole force adj
without delay. The ferry pont at
Potgeiter's was on the further bank of
the Tugela, and in order to bring it to
our side Lieutenana Carlyle and five
men of the South African light horse
swan across the river and brought it
over.
"After four days halt on the south
side of the Tugela our advance north
ward began on Tuesday, January is.
General Lyttleton's brigade crossed the
drift that evening and held the kopjes
on our right. Sir Charles Warrens di-
vision had made an attack upon the
left flank. The column is
now crossing the river"