The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-02-03
GEN. BULLER'S REPORT.
Dispatch to the war ONCE Giving Reasons
for the Withdrawal From
Spion KOp.

london, Jan. 29.-Gen. Buffers dis
pitch TO the war office states thai
Spion kop was abandoned on account
OF lack of water, inability TO bring ar
tillerN there, and the heavy Boer fire
Gen. Butler gives no list of casualties
His whole force withdrew south of the
Tugela river with the evident intention
o. reaching Ladysmith by another
route.
Following is the text OF Gen. Butler
dispatch dated Spearman's Camp, Sat
urday January 81, g. 10 p. M:
"On January 20 Warren drove back
the enemy and obtained possession of
the southern crests of the high table
land extending from the line of Acton
Homes and Monger Poort, to the west
err Ladysmith hills. From then to
January 25 he remained in close con-
tact with the enemy.
The enemy held a strong position
OF a range Of small kopjes stretching
from northwest to southwest across
the plateau from Acton Homes through
Spion kop, to the left bank of the
TuRela.
The actual position held was per-
fectiy tenable, but did not lend itself
to an advance. as the southern slopes
were so steep that Warren could not
gci an effective artillery position, and
water supply was difficulty.
"On January % assented to his at
Ia !
mountain. which was evidently the
key TO the position. but was far more
accessible from the north than from
the south.
''Ol the night of January % he at
tucked Spion kop, but found il very
difiicult to hold. as its perimeter was
too large. and water. which he had
been led to believe existed. in this ex-
tri-nrdinary dry season was found very
deficient. The crests were held all
day against severe attacks. Our men
fought with great gallantry. 1 would
especially mention the conduct of the
Second Cameronians and the Third
Kings Rifles. who supported the at
tack on the mountain from the Steep
ea: side and. in each case, fought their
way to the top; and the Second Lanca-
shire fusiliers and Second Middlesex.
who magnificently maintained the best
Traditions of the British army through
GU; the trying day of January "a. and
Inornycroft's mounted infantry, who
fought through the day equally well
alongside of them.
Gen. Woodgate, who was in COM
nand al the summit. having been
wounded. the officer who succeeded |
him decided. on the night of January |
II. to abandon the position. and did |
Sd before dawn January 25. reached |
Narren's camp at a. m. on January |
%, and decided that second attack
upon Spion kop was useless. and the
erelnys right was too strong to allow
me tC force it.
Accordingly. | decided to withdraw
the force 10 the south of the Tugela
At a. m. we commenced withdrawing
the train, and by a. m. January y
saturday.. Warren's force was con-
;entrated south of the Tugela without
me loss OF man or pound of stores.
The fact that the force could with
1raw from actual touch-in some cases
The lines were less than a thousand
Faros apart-with the enemy in the
manner it did, is, | think. sufficient
evidence of the morale of the troops.
ma that we were permitted to with
iraw our cumbersome OK and mule
transports across the river IS wards
broad with 20-foot banks and a very
WITT current, unmolested. is, | think.
'rto1 that the enemy has been taught
o respect our soldiers fighting pow
rs