The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-20
NEWS OF BATTLE
HOURLY EXPECTED :: 1. ] ] ..|.:.|
Buffers Force North Of
Tugela $4,000.
WITH FIFTY GU Ms.
He is. Being Constantly Reinforced
With Fresh Troops.
BOERS PREPARING FOR FIGHT.
Balloon Observers Estimate Roughly
That Zen Thousand are Usin.
Pick and Spade Strengthening
Positions Which Nature
Has Made Easy
of Dcfcncc.

LONDON, Jan. 2o--4 a. M.-Every hour
that General Butler delays his combined
attacl, makes his position stronger. Trans
ports continue to arrive at Durham ana
fresh troops are being sent up the line
to reinforce those in front of Coienso.
1t appcars that General Buffers troops
north of the TuScla number at least
2e0oo and possibly 2o,000, with 80 guns.
His total forces, forming a great outer
curve south and west of Ladysnnth'
probably number 10000
While General Buffers forward opera
tons, which began on January 10th, de-
velop more surely, the Beers appear 10
be fully aware that they must meet d
strenuous assault. Balloon @ observers
have roughly estimated that 10000 Beers
are using the spade and pick ana
strengthening positions which nature mas
rendered easy of defence.
Military critics in touch with the War
Office think Ghat news that general tsht-
ing has begun may be expected At any
hour.
ing will settle the fate OF Ladysmith, bue
rather. that there Will he two or sAree
days of continuous fighting,
DIFFICULT MARCH.
LONDON, Jan. 2o-A dispatch 10 the
Daily Telegraph dated Thursday, from
Snearman.s Camp, describes the ditil-
cultes Of the march, owing to the un-
wiodly baggage column. including all
the tents and sheep, over bad roads IN
wet weather. The correspondent then
says:
Some 10000 Beers arrived in the vicin-
ity of Potgieters on Thursday, and began
establishing formidable lines OF trenches.
"A balloon to-day reported that no
guns were visible in the enemy's works,
but that there was a large Beers camp
on a ridge four miles from Potgieters
Drift
s.Boers arrived in large numbers to-
day from Colenso and Ladysmith. They
have certainly run branches OF the rail
way from Nodder Spruit around Mount
Bulwayu Nearly adj the Beers have
gone to attempt 10 check General War
rens advances, but he made no sign
to-day
LONDON, Jan. pa dispatch to the
Daily Telegraph from Spearman's Camp,
dealing with Lord Dundonaid,s move
mcnt5 to the west, says:
His success gives us control of an
easy entrance to Ladysmith. Our guns
continue TO lombard the Boer line. the
Beers replying but feebly. General War
ren is advancing steadily"
OJTMANOEUVRED.
LONDON. Jan. .o0-The Standard
publishes the following dated Thursday
from Spearman's Farm
1t is reported that the Beers opposite
Colens0 on finding that General Butler
had outmanoeuvred them, crossed to the
south of the Tugtla on Monday and set
fire q f.1a hOilSpS in the villa
AS the force from Chieveley advanced
the Beers retired before them to trenches
on q hill i'll line with Colenso. The In
fantry advanced in skirmishing order TO
'the attack, followed by supports and rec
serves, our cavalry scouting on the right
close up to the river.
The Boer forces at Colenso must have
been considerably weakened by the dis
patch of large reinforcements westward
to meet General Buffers advance and they
now hurriediy evacuated the river trenches
and the lsopje opposite the village and
scattered before our shrapnel. By even
ing none of the enemy was left within
sight of Colenso The British forces then
retired to Chevelcy.
NEAR LADY SMITH.
LONDON, Jan. ga Durham special
dated Thursday night. says:
1T is reported here that Lord Dundon-
aid has smashed a Boer convoy. General
EULER is said to be within twelve miles Of
Ladysmith and General Warren to be
about six miles to the rear"
LADYSMI1IfI, Jan. 1S-Via Spearman's
Camp, Jan 19.-ENerything is quiet; there
is no change and there is little lombard
ment The welcome sound of the British
guns was heard yesterday from Colenso
and Springfield. The heat is intense, but
there is no increase OF sickness.
LONDCN, Jan. 20.-rhc Daily Mail pub
fishes the following, dated Thursday, froA
Spearman s Camp:
1T is reported that the. Beers have
evacuated Colenso in order 10 reinforce
the troops here. Heavy gun fire was
heard from I.adysmitli this morning.
General Buffers order instructs the men
to hold the White lag of the Beers only
when they lay down their arms. 1t also
iustructs them 10 beware of false buSle
calls.
LONDON, Jan. 19.-General Butler has
telegraphed the War Office from Spear
mans Camp, under date of last evening,
as follows:
Lord Dundonald, with body of
mounted troops came into action this
afternoon with a force of Beers west of
Acton Homes. After a fight he occupied
several kopjes which he is still holding.
Field Cornet Haeilbrum and twenty Boers
were killed and Is prisoners taken Two
British soldiers killed and two wound
ed
BOERS SHBLBED.
sPEARMAN'S CAMP, NATAL, Thurs
day, Jan ls-S:25 p. A1.-Thc Eoer trench
es have been persistently shelled by the
naval guns all day long. Small parties
of Beers were seen at intervals and large
force from the direction of Ladysmith
was seen trekking toward the northwest
ward OF British, posi- ton. A balloon did
good service in observing them. Lyttletons
force made q demonstration in the direc-
ton of the Brakcfoontcin kupjes for
cover of heavy artillery fire to which the
Boers did not respond. On the left Cen
eral Warren.s troops remained in Eossesa.
sion OF two prominent kopies behind
.-.;+tcnlon 'rher, r,ac Beer eSr,;,,54