The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-02-10

changed Between Butler and
White-War once Refuses to Con-
nrm the Reports Regarding the
British Advance - Buffers Guns
Are Heard in Ladysmith.
Durham, Feb. 6.-Gen. Butler crossed
the Tugela river Friday night and is
marching on Ladysmith. No definite
news will be permitted to go out until
Ladysmith is reached.
London, Feb. Ga special dispatch
from Durham, dated Sunday, and re-
ferring to Gen. Butler crossing the
Iugela and advance upon Ladysmith,
says: ut is probable Gen. Butler
crossed at a spot above richards
drift, and that, leaving the enemy to
the right, he Is marching to Acton
Homes, whence the road to Ladysmith
runs almost due east through a fairly
open country. 1t is expected here that
be will reach Ladysmith tonight
Communicating With Lady.mith.
London, Feb: g.. The Daily Tele-
graph has the following dispatch from
Spearman's Camp, dated Sunday even
Ing: messages are nov freely ex-
changed between the camps Of Gen.
Butler and Gen. White-by night with
calcium lamp, by day with heliograph.
The men here are enthusiastic at the
prospect of a speedy advance under
| ZION RNyI10NSC ircfu,,o~-~ --.
large supply Of provisions for the be.
sieged garrison will accompany the re-
lteving force. The British have re-
paired the bridge ver the Tugela at
Colenso sufficient for the passage of
cavalry"
War ONCE Holds Back.
London, Feb. 6.-Although there is
no actual confirmation Of the report
that Gen. Butler has recrossed the Tu-
gela on a third desperate attempt to
relieve Ladysmith, it is known that
the war office has received several
South African dispatches which have
not yet been published, but if the adj
vance is an actual fact, the secret is
being well kept. There are newspaper
dispatches in plenty from Spearman
Camp up to Sunday, but there is no
hint that an advance has begun, and
It is assumed in some quarters here
that Lord Dundonald'c reconnaissance
In the direction of Hongorspoort has
beer the only foundation for the state
ment that Gen. Butler has started. On
the other hand dispatches from Lady
smith rather indicate that the advance
Is in operation by reporting heavy fir
Ing On Friday and Saturday from the
direction Of Potgieter's drift and Colcn-
80. A dispatch to the Daily Chronicle
from Ladysmith, dated yesterday,
says: "a report has reached us that
one brigade has crossed the Tugela."
The reports that the Beers are recon-
noitering around Ladysmith are also
an indication that preparations are be-
Ing made
To Resist Gen. Butler
or for an attempt to reattack the garri-
son in anticipation of his advance. The
fact, however, that no firing has been
reported under yesterdays date, either
from Ladysmith or Spearman's Camp,
might be interpreted to mean either
that the attempt had failed or that
Gen. Butler had merely made q dem
p%nstration on Friday or Saturday.
Various INT are current. One says
that Gen. Butler is again attacking
Spion pop from the side Of Gen. Lyt-
tleton's camp. Another is that he re-
ceived information from the owner Of
Spion Kop farm and crossed by fords
further west than richards drift.
The military authorities in London
think it more likely that the crossing
would be made eastward Of Zwart
kop. Speculation, however, is useless.
The public can only wait in patience,
and it may also be said in t~repidation.
Nor is the feeling Of anxiety much re-
lieved by the possibility that Gen.
Butler has been considerably rein
forced since the disaster at Spion Kop.
Reach Labyrinth This Week.
London. Feb. 6. - The Pietermaritz-
burg correspondent of the Daily Mail,
~telegraphing yesterday, says: "Gen.
Butler has undoubtedly secured the
road to Ladysmith and should reach
his objective this week. It is be-
lieved here that the object Of the Beers
in occupying Nguta, Zululand, is to Sc
cure the road from Dundee to Vryheid
in case of retreat.
II learn from a reliable source that
Gen. JOubert was seriously injured by
a shell in the fight at Willow Grange
and that he never will be able to COM
mand again on horseback. NV in
formant says that he has, in fact, re.
tired from the field. The Beers admit
that attack on Ladysmith was a seri-
GUS blunder and would not have &C.
Cured If Gen. Joubert had been in
command. Gen. Lucas Meyer played
the coward at Talana and sheltered
himself in a Red Cross wagon, sham
ming sickness. He has been unable to
face the Beers since and they threaten
to shoot him. The Beers say Great
Britain made a mistake in not sending
Gen. Sir Evelyn Wood. I understand
they have still thousands Of bags of
aour stored in reserve at Delagoa
Bay"
Beers Cleared Out.
Rensberg, Feb. 6.-The New Zealand
ers, Remington's guides and a squad.
ron Of Life guards made q, sweep. of
several miles along the hills adjacent
to the British right flank. One kopje
occupied by Beers was rushed. the
Beers clearing out after a slack rests.
lance. One New Zealander was wound.
ed. Small parties in the distance re.
treated whenever the British force q n
pears.
Ladysmith Hears Buffers Guns.
Ladysmith, Feb. 6.-By heliograph,
via Signal Hill. ~ Gen. Buffers guns
have been heard again. Otherwise 1t
1. vnrv nuiet. We. are awaiting fur.