Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-19
THE DoERs SURPRISED.

BOEhS
The Beers were evidently surprised
at the appearance of the British on
the scene A long camp could be seen
on Tugela Heights, facing Mount Alice,
but the enemy quickly struck camp
and cleared off into the mountains. y
buggy was seen leaving for the hills
on the right presumably with General
Joubert or some other commandment
General Butler took UP his quarters in
pleasantly situated farm house be-
longing to Martinus Prectorus. who had
disappeared
On Friday n loud explosion was
heard. Subsequently it was found that
the Beers had destroyed n bridge I'M
der construction seven miles above
Potgicter's Drift.
BULLER ISSUES ORDER.
General Butler has issued n spirited
appeal and instructions to the forces
beginning:
I'VE are going to the relief of our
comrades in Ladysmith. There will be
no turning back
The order proceeds to advise the men,
when they charge, regarding the condi-
tons under which they should receive
the surrender of any of the enemy. 1t
also warns them that the Beers are
troacherous I'm the use of the white nag
This order has been received with en-
thusasm In every camp. This march
was very trying, but the troops are
now cncamped amid very pleasant sur
roundinBs. Their health Is excellent
and all are confident.
SEVERE FIGHTING.
London. Jan. 1S.-A special dispatch
from Durbnn dated Wednesday says
Advces from Potgieters Drift. dated
nxrl C.t..
Charles Warren has arrived within sew
cnteen miles of Ladysmith. and that
British wounded are arriving at Mooi
River field hospital by every train
from the front, indicating that there
has already been severe lighting.
Neither report has yet been con-
flrmcd.
BOER TRENCHES SHIELDED.
Spearman's Farm, Natal Jan. 1910
II. m-General Lyttlctons brigade,
with Il HowitZer battery, crossed the
Tusela river at PotgietcI's Drift on
Tuesday, January 10. The water rose
Beers fired two shots and then recall
cd their forces to the trenches, the
passage being uninterrupted.
The British advanced in skirmishing
order and the small lopjcs on the sum-
mits were occupied by 6:30 p. IN. Dur
ing the night it raincd heavily
Yesterday "wednesday the Boer
trenches were vigorously shclled IN
front of Mount Alice, while the British
remained in possession of the kopjes
and plain. Heavy mists enveloped the
hills. but the naval guns and the How
itzer battery made good practice. thor
oughty searching tire
I5oer right Il breach was made In
sand bag cmplaccment, where 1t is
supposed Boer guns had been placed.
The cannonadc was heavy and contin
nous, and the Boers were observed
leaving the trenches in small parties
The hill facing the British position was
shclled next.
General Warren has forced n passage
OF the Tusela seven miles to the left.
TURNING OF THE TIDE.
London, Jan. 1S.-The officials OF the
War Office here are satisfied that the
tide has turned and that news of a
more hopeful character, from q. Brit
ish point OF view. will hereafter be the
rule Instead of the exception. That the
British advance In a northeastcrly d.
rection will be fercely resisted is fully
anticipated. The Boer strength is prob
ably superior to the British. and the
dispatches show the burghcrs occupy
strong positions.
There is some doubt as to whether the
Sproenkop occupied by General Warren
rs Identical with Spionkop. If so the
British are within n few miles of Acton
Homes. the scene of the earlier conflicts
between General Whites forces and the
invading Free Slnters, whence there is
good road direct to Ladysmith.
While General Warrens force was
crossing the Tugcla river, the Beers
occupied u thickly-wooded plantation n
mile north of the river and sent sew
eral volleys into The advance guard.
The British rcnlled and the artillery
opened on neighboring kopje. AS
the British pushed across the river. the
Rocrs found their position uncomfort
able and retired to the hills. Imme-
diately after the nontoon bridge was
completed the whole British forces
crossed.
Meanwhile the naval guns on Swarts-
kop have been Professionally Smelling the
Roer entertainments facing the kopjes.
occupied by Littleton's brigade.
WHAT BUTLER FACES.
London. Jan. 1S.-As Lord Methuen.
after crossing Modder river, had to at
tack the Sypthntein and Magersfontein
hills. so General Butler after passing
the Tugela, faces invisible entrench-
ments in Il rough country.
One correspondent mentions Buffers
wheeled transport OF 5000 vehicles.
which connect him with the rail head.
! about thirty miles TO the rear. Among
these vehicles are thirty traction en-