The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-09

GATACRE ATTACKED.
a dispatch from Sterkstroom. dated
this morning, that the Beers
are attacking General Gatacre from
two directions. Firing was then pro-
ceeding between the outposts.
A delayed Sterkstroom dispatch,
dated Monday, February 5th. says that
a body of troops left the camp Febru-
airy srd and that important develop
ments were expected Ut is quite prob
able hat this explains Lord Roberts
departure and that the commander-in-
chief wishes either to be present at or
supervise the long intended movement
by General Gatacre to join forces with
General Kelly-Kenney. and hence
strongly reinforce General French,
completing the latter's work at Coles
berg amt establishing without fear OF
serious opposition the advanced posi-
ton for the main movement. This,
however, does not indicate that the
main advance has begun. The COM
manders will probably be back at Cape
Town within a short time.
|. 1t is pointed out that the term going
to the front u not be interpreted
into the idea that a great movement
upon Pretoria, by way of Bloemfontein,
has seriously commenced. 1t will be, a
month, or perhaps much longer. before
this can be brought about. In the
meanwhile, the preliminary steps are
likely to enfiven the campaign with
sharp fighting, and news from Sterks-
troor and Colesberg is eagerly
awaited.
EXCITEMENT IN LONDON OVrR
NEWS OF BULLER'S ADVANCE.
When the dispatch announcing the
lighting on the upper Tugela' was pub
liShel !, there was the usual scene of
excitement on the streets. The big
placard attracted newspaper buyers.
anG the news was eagerly discussed
in all quarters. There was notable
excitement in the house of commons,
where, in addition to the war office
announcement that General BulIer had
crossed the Tugela Monday and was
advanting upon Ladysmith. a news
agency telegram was posted saying
that one hundred additional ambu-
lance stretchers had been sent to the
front from Durham.
The war office at present is only
able ito add, regarding General Bull
lerS advance, THE operations are still
in progress. but We have no informa-
ton regarding the result"
The available maps do not show the
drifts mentioned in the Boer dis
patches.
The war office message as given out
furnishes no clue as to where the Tu-
gela was crossed, nor the lumber
supporting General Buffers movement;
but it is presumed this third attempt
Will be a supreme effort on the part
of the general to cut his way through
and that in it he will employ every
available mar The expression in the
official diSI dtch, lis now advancing
upon Ladysmith," it is pointed out,
must not betaken to mean that he has
cut down all opposition. but merely
that he is headed in the direction Of
h nCtn~n oy- n
therefore, is naturally on tenter hooks.
In regard to the next news.
BULLER,S ADVANCE. CHECKED.
London February IA special tele-
gram from Spearman's camp dateS
Wednesday, February 7th, says:
Our farther advance is at the mo-
ment prevented, as the Beers enfiladed
US from their positions on Spion kop
and Dorm kloof. Our casualties. al
though estimated at $50. are trifing.
considering n great Importance OF the
movement just concluded"
DESCRIPTION OF BULLER'S At
TACK.
London, February S.-The Standard
has the following from Spearman's
Camp. dated February It'll:
THE force under General Butler is
again advancing to the relief of Lady
smith, and, after two days Of severe
fighting, it may fairly be said to have
made a good first step on Id road TO
the besieged town.
1.-The movement was begun at an
early hour on Monday morning by way
OF Potgieter's drift. The Eleventh bril-
gade, forming a part Of the Fifth di-
vision, under General Warren, made a
feint attack upon the kopjes immedi-
ately on III front. The assault was
delivered at h c outset under cover of
naval guns on Mount Alice and suhse-
quently under that of field batteries.
The infantry advanced steadily to-
ward the Boer entrenehed position at
B~rakfontein and kept the enemy busily
employed.
While this diversian was being made
the remainder Of infantry told of for
the attack, who had bivouacked SUN
day night under Mount Alice. moved