The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-18

Special Dispatch to the Post-1ntelligencer.
CHICAGO, Jan. ia special from
Spearmas farm, Natal. dated Jan. IL,
0I0 p. m, says: Lord Dundonald, with a
mounted brigade. pushed suddenly for
ward Thursday last and seized the SPRING
field bridge. Then hurrying forward, he
took very strong position at Swarzkop.
commanding the Potgieters drift. finding
Beers totally unprepared for the Brit
ish advance. A number of the enemy
were bathing in the river when Dundon-
AIDS force approached. and Lyttleton's
brigade was sent to hold the position.
The whole British force, with the excep-
tion of a garrison to hold Colenso. ad-
vanced without delay. Gen. Hildyard's
command is now at Springfield.
The South African light horse desired
to bring pontoon ferryboat to the south
side of the river, and six men of that
command therefore swan the river and
brought the boat over under Lieut. Car
lyle. After wait of four days. the Brit
ish advance was resumed yesterday Lyt-
tleton's brigade crossed Potgieters drift in
the evening, and is holding the kopjes on
the British right. Warren's division
made left flank attack on the enemy.
Inc TemdiNuer OI tlc Culuiuh 10 INV
crossing the river.
Boers Taken by Surprise.
LONDON. Jan. 1S.-The Times publishes
the following dispatch from Spearman's
farm, dated January II, 9:20 p. M:
"The force marched westward on jan
uary TO- Lord Dundonald, by a dashing
movement occupied the hill above Pot
gieters drift, fifteen miles west Of Colen-
so, taking the Beers perfectly by surprise.
LyttIeton Crosses the River.
"The same evening the infantry fol-
lowed. Gen. Lyttleton's brigade crossed
the river yesterday, and today. shelled
the Beers beyond with howitzers.
Warren Not Opposed.
"Gen. Warren's force is now crossing
Trichardte drift. five miles above. He is
not opposed, although the Beers are hold
ing a position five miles from the river"
Making Satisfactory Progress.
The Daily Mail has the following, dated
yesterday, from Pietermaritzburg
News has been received that Gen. Bull
Ter is making satisfactory progress"
DimcuIty in Crossing River.
A special dispatch from spearman's s
farm, dated January II, says:
"The British column moved to Spear-
mans farm, beyond Springfield, on jan
uary IL. The difficulties in crossing the
swollen river were great, the wagons be-
ing quite covered"
story of DundonaId's Advance.
A dispatch to the Daily News from
Spearman's farm describes Lord Dundon-
AIDS advance to Swartzkop hill. COM
manding Potgleters drift, and says:
"Gen. Lyttleton's brigade was sent to
hold position on Swartzkop hill. Leav-
ing a strong body to hold Colenso and
Gen. Hjldyard's brigade at Springfield, our
whole force advanced without delay.
AFTER four days halt on the south side
of the Tugela our advance northward be-
gan on Tuesday, January 16 Gen. Lyt-
tletons brigade crossed the drift that
evening and held the kopjes on our right
"Sir Charles Warren's division has made
an attack upon the enemy's left flank.
The column is now crossing the river"
Action Was West of Colenso.
Gen. Butler completely surprised the
Beers and occupied the hills beyond Pot