The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-02

London, January 2S.-The following
dispatch from General Butler, dated
Spearman's Camp, Natal, Saturday,
January q, 6:1O p. m, was made pub
lie by the war office today:
ON January Goth Warren drove back
the enemy and obtained possession of
the southern crests of the high table,
land and extending from the line of
Acton Homes and Honger's poort to
the western Ladysmith hills. From
that time to January 25th h remained
in close contact with the enemy.
The enemy held a 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 Tu-
gela.
The actual position held by US was
perfectly tenable, but did not lend it
self TO an advance, as the southern
slopes were SO steep that Warren could
not get an effective artillery position,
and the water supply was a difficulty.
ON January 23rd l assented to his
attacking SpiOn kOp, a large hill, in
deed q mountain, which was evidently
the key of the position, but was far
more accessible from the north than
from the south.
. the night of January 23rd he at
tackled Splon kOp, but found it very
difficult to hold, as it's perimeter was
too arge, and water, which he had
been led to believe existed, in this ex-
~traOTdinary dry season was found very
deficient.
The cTests were held all that day
against severe attacks and a heavy
shell fire. Our men fought with great
Sailantry. 1 would especially mention
the of the Second Cameronians
and n 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 Sec
Ond MiddleSeX, who magnificently
maintained the best traditions of the
British army throughout the trying day
of JanuaTy 24th, also Thornycrofts
counted infantry, who fought through
Out the day equally well alongside of
them.
General WoOdgate. who was in COM
manG at the summit, having been
wounded, the officer who succeeded him
decided on the night of January oath
to the position. and did so be-
fore dawn, January 25th.
Il reached Warren's camp at > q. m.
OF January 25th, and decided that a
second attack upon SpiOn kOp was use
less and that the enemy's right was too
strong to ALLOW me to force it.
Accordingly l decided to withdraw
the force to the south of the Tugela.
At 8 o'clock a. m. we commenced with
drawing the lain. and by s o'clock a.
force was Concentrated south of the
Tugeia Without the loss of d man or
pound of stores.
The fact that the force could with
draw from actual touch lin some cases
the lines We're less than 1000 yards
aIarD with the enemy in the manner
it did IS, J think. sufficient evidence
OF the morale of the troops. That we
We're permitted to our cum
brOus OK and mule transport across
the river, e~ighty-fve yards broad, with
tw~enty-fOot banks, and a very swift
current, Unmoiested is, I think, proof
IA the enemy has been taught to re-
Spect our soldiers fighting powers"
General Butler, it is also stated, will
probably try to force his way to Lady
smith by another route. He has tried
the central and western routes and the
only n left open seems to be the one
east of C~OlenSO, by way of Weenen.
y change of plans like his would
probably involve a delay of at least
two weeks. In the meantime Lady
smith might be forced to surrender.
An opinion held in London is that
Genera Sir George Stewart White, at
LadySmith. will fire off all his ammu-
milton, blow up his annon. break his
rifles and hen walk out and surrender
to the Beers.
REPORTED SURRENDER OF LADY
SMITH.
New York. January ga special
CGblegram from London to The Even
ing World says: 1T is learned from a
reliable source a Field Marshal Lord
Roberts has advised the abandonment
of Ladysmith. At the war office the
dispatch adds, no confirmation could be
obtained of the advices said to nave
been given by Lord Roberts,"
London. January 29.-The war office
denies n report hat Ladysmith has
surrendered and that a very
heavy list of casualties will be issued
tonight.
Great anxiety has been removed by
the announcement that Lord Dundon'
AIDS cavalry forces, which IL was fear
ed were isolated among the hills In the
neighboThood of Acton Homes, are SAFE
on the south bank of the Tugela river
Berlin. January ga semi-ofhcia
dispatch from Lisbon says the repor'
that the Beers have crossed the Mo
Zambique frontier is unfounded.
PRESIDENT STEYN REACHES PRE-
TORIA.
Pretoria. Friday. January 26.-Presi
dent Steyn. of the Orange Free State
and a. Fischer. of the executive coun
ell Of that republic, arrived here thi:
morning. They were met at the rail
road station by President Kruger anC
other officials and were cheered Will,
driving 10 the residence of the presi
dent Of the Transvaal- The Volk:
Stem. the official organ of the govern
ment. in welcoming the guests of tn
state says: But for the courageou:
attitude of the Free State the condi
lions of the struggle would be chang
ed. 1t would have been impossible 70
the T~ransvaa1 to have taken the cours'
followed with such success"
UGLY FACTS FOR THE BRITISH.
London, January 29.-It is frankly &C
knowledged that the most serious ef
fort of the present war a dismal!
failed. Their is no sign OF a wish Oh
the part of the leaders of publlc opln
ion to disguise the ugly facts; put o.