The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-19

TSssing OF Tugefa River by the
British Forces-Boers Retire to
Their Trenches, and Fail to Re.
spond to Artillery Attack. Awatts
Ing Onslaught of Infantry.
AONDoN, Jan. ia special dispatch
from Durham dated Wednesday, SAYS:
Advices from Petgieter's Drift. dated
yesterday (Tuesday). say that Sir Charles
Warren has arrived within twelve miles
OF Ladysmfth and that British wounded
are arriving at Moot river field hospital
by every train from the front, indicatina
tnat there has been some severe fighting.
Neither report has yet been confirmed"
A Cape Town special dispatch, dated
today, says 1t is persistently reported
there that Ladysmith has been relieved.
WAR OFFICE REPORT.
AT midnight the war office announced
that 1t had no further news for publica-
ton. When questioned with regard to the
rumored British victory and the relief of
Ladysmith. the officials replied that they
had received no information to bear out
either feature of the rumor and were in.
ciined to think that vicious fighting must
precede the relief of the town.
ADVANCE OF .BULLER.
MOUNT ALICE, Near Potgieter's Drift.
Natal, Monday. Jan. 15.-The forward
movement for the relief of Ladysmith be-
gan on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from Frera
and Chieveley. Lord Dundonald's mount-
ed brigade, with the Fifth brigade, un-
der Gen. Hart, comprising the Dublins.
the Connaughts, the Enniskillens and the
border regiment, proceeded northwester-
ly to Springfield. The position had pre-
vlousiy been thoroughly reconnoitered AZ
few miles outside of Frere Lord Dundon-
aid passed the targets erected by the
Beers to represent a force advancing in
skirmishing order. Evidently the Beers
mad been firing at these from the adjacent
hills.
Lord Dundonald pushed on, and as the
main column advanced 1t was notified
that Springfield was not coupled by Beers
and that the Fifth brigade had taker,
possession. The British transport ex-
tended for several miles and comprised
some 5000 vehicles.
The mounted brigade advanced rapidly,
not meeting with any opposition. The
British scouts had minutely searched
all the suspicious country, but there was
no sign of the enemy The column adj
vanced to Mount Alice, facing the ene-
mys mountain fortress
BOERs SURPRISED.
The Beers had been at Potgieter's Drift
the previous day, but body of South
African horsemen swan the stream under
fire and brought over the pontoon from
the Beers side. The Beers were evident-
ly 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. Al
buggy was seen leaving for fne hills on
the right presumably with Gen. Joubert
or some other commandant. Gen. Buller
took up his quarters In a pleasantly situ-
ated farm house belonging to Martinus
Prectorus, who had disappeared. =
On Friday a loud explosion was heard.
Subsequently 1t was found that the Beers
had destroyed a bridge under construc-
ton, seven miles above Potgieter's Drift.
NO RETREAT.
Gen. Butler has issued a spirited appeal
and instruction to the forces, beginning:
I'VE are going to the relief of our COM
rades in Ladysmith There will be no
turning back"
The order proceeds to advise the men,
when they charge, regarding the condi-
tions under which they should receive the
warns them that the Beers are treacher-
Gus in the use Of the white flag. This or
der has been received with enthusiasm in
every camp.
The march was very trying. but the
troops are now encamped amid very
pleasant surroundings. Their health is
excellent. and all are confident.
BoERs OCCUPY PRIEsKA.
CRADDOCK, Cape Colony, Jan. 1S.-On
Saturday, Jan. 1S. the Beers. with COM
mando of colonial rebels, occupied Pries-
ka. a village on the Orange river, about
seventeen miles northwest Of De Aar.
BOERs DESTROY CULvERTs.
sTERKsTROoM, Jan. 1S.-Yesterday
the Beers blew up three culverts on the
Dordrecht line. five miles beyond an out
post Of the police camp. The commando
at Dordrecht numbers 1,OOo
SUPREME STRUGGLE.
LONDON, Jan. 1S.-Military critics in
connection with the war office consider
that the expected battle along the wide
arc south and east Of Ladysmitb can
hardly be delayed beyond today. From
Durham II Is reported that fighting has
already begun.
Gen. Buffers forces, engaged in the
flanking operation across the Tugela, are
some 1900 or IA, 900 bayonets, l,2U horses
and 40 guns The disposition of his other
IL. 900 or q, 900 men Is not known, although
the assumption Is that the whole army
will be in action when the hour for COM
bined movement arrives.
Three weeks ago Gen. Butler had 10000
men. Considerable reinforcements have
since reached him, giving him probably
81. 600 men and so guns all told. Estimates
of how many men and guns the Beers
have to oppose him are mere guesswork.
Ir not replying to Gen. Lyttleton's shells
they are using the tactics that proved so
successful in the battles of Magersfontein
and Colenso-lying low in their trenches,
and thus hoping to conceal their position
until the infantry advance.
LIKE MAGERSFONTETN.
The Daily Chronicles military expert
sees a curious analogy between Gen. Bull
ler's situation now and the eve of Magers-
fontein. Now, as then. the Beers are
making q stand with their backs to in
yesting lines within few miles. LORD
Methuen, crossing Modder river, had 10
attack the Spytfontein and Magersfontein
hills. so Gen. Butler. after passing tno
Tugela. faces invisible Entertainments IN
q rough country
One correspondent mentions Gen. Bui-
Ier's wheeled transport Of 6,oOo venicies'
which connect him with the railroad.
about thirty miles to the rear. Amons
these vehicles are thirty traction engines
Continued ON Fifth Page.