The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-29
LADYSM|TH GIVEN Up.

January 23 he remained in close con-
tact with the enemy.
1.-The enemy held a. strong position on
a range of small kopjes stretching from
northwest to southeast across the plat
eau from Acton Homes, through Spion
Kop, to the left bank of the Tugela.
'HThe actual position held was per-
fectly tenable, but did not lend itself
to an advance as the southern slopes
were so steep that Warren could not
get an effective artillery position, and
water supply was a difficulty.
'On January % 1 assented to his at
tacking Spion Kop, a large hill-in-
deed, a mountain-which was evidently
the key to the position, but was far
more accessible from the north than
from the south.
ION the night of January % he at
tackled Spion Kop, but found it very
difficult to hold, as its perimeter was
too large, and water, which he had
been led to believe existed in this ex-
traordinary dry season, was found very
deficient.
''The crests were held all that day
against several attacks and a heavy
shell fire. Our men fought with great
gallantry. 1 would especially mention
the conduct of the Second Cameronians
and the Third Kings rifles, who sup
ported the attack on the mountain from
the steepest side and in each case
fought their way to the top, and the
Second Lancashire fusiliers and Sec
ond Middlesex, who magnificently
maintained the best traditions of the
British army throughout the trying day
OF January "a, and ThOrnycrOft's
mounted infantry, who fought through
the day equally we'll alongside of them.
General Woodgate, who was in COM
made at the summit having been
wounded, the officer who succeeded him
decided on the night of January "a to
abandon the position and did so be-
fore dawn January 25.
4 reached Warren's camp at 5 a. m.
on January 25 and decided that a sec
ond attack upon Spion Kop was use
less, and that the enemy's right was
too strong to allow me to force it.
Accordingly, decided to withdraw
the force to the south of the Tugela
At a.. m. we commenced Withdrawing
the train, and at a. m, January 81
Saturday Warrens force was concen-
trated south of the Tugela, without loss
of a man or a pound of stores.
The fact the force could withdraw
from actual touch-in some cases
the lines were less than 1000 yards
apart-With the enemy, in the manner
it did. is, L think, sufficient evidence
we were permitted to withdraw our
cumbrous OK and mule transports
across the river, eighty-five yards
broad, with tWSnty-fOot banks and a
very swift current. unmolested, is, I
think, proof that the enemy has been
taught to respect our soldiers fighting
powers"
EXPLANATIONS CONSIDERED
NEAK.
During the morning and the earlier
part of the afternoon a placard, bear
ing the words mo news" hung on the
iron railing in front of the war office:
and the shivering sentries who stood
guard on Pail Mall in the rain and sleet
had the district all to themselves. About
3 D. m, however, the placard was taken
in and on the bulletin boards inside
Gen. Buffers long dispatch was dis
played.
The Sunday papers issued extras, but
only the faintest interest was manifest
ed in the streets. At the several clubs
the situation as revealed by Gen. Bull
Ter was considered very unpleasant. His
excuses or explanations were character
lied as very weak. The absence of wa
ter which Sir Charles Warren was led
to believe" existed, and the facts that
Spion kop was indeed a mountain"
and that it's 'perimeter was too large
are all matters which even Gen. BuI-
lers warmest admirers hold should
have been ascertained before he attack
ed.
One comforting feature of the situa-
ton. however, is the fact that Gen. Bull
lerS retirement across the Tugela was
accomplished without loss, which puts
an end to the unpleasant rumors that
were in circulation here and on the
continent. The splendid gallantry of the
men in capturing Spion kop is read of
with great pride and satisfaction. 1t
is taken as an assurance of the ulti-
mate success of British arms.
The war office does not give any idea
of the casualties in taking and holding
SpiOn kOp. but a report from the BOer
headquarters near Ladysmith, via Lor-
renzo Marques, says that 1900 British
dead were left on the battlefield. This
number is thought to include the
The report also stated that Gen. Bull
Ter had been down with fever. but had
recovered.
If Boer reports are to be accepted
''the abandonment of Spion kop was
due to the inability of the British to
resist the Boer attack, the Boer carry
ing the first trenches and taking 150
prisoners"
The following dispatch has been re-
ceived in London from Pretoria, dated
January 25, via Lourenzo Marques, Jan
uary %:
The government is advised that. af-
ter heavy fighting near Spion kop some.
hoisted a white flag. One hundred and
fifty prisoners. God be thanked, al
though we also had to give brave and
valuable lives"
WORST DISASTER OF CAMPAIGN
London. Jan. 29.-The week has OPEN
ed with the utmost gloom for the Brit
ish public, a. the reaction is all the
stronger because of the high hopes that
were reposed in Gen. Buffers turning
movement and of his announcement
that there would be no turning back ="
At the very moment when Dr. Leyds
is being received as an honored guest in
the highest circles on the Continent
Great Britain has to face the worst
disaster. in a campaign thus far dis
astrous Open talk is heard of the alb
solute necessity of abandoning Lady
smith to its fate, while Lord Roberts
reverts to the original plan of an ad-
vance over the Orange river upon
Bloemfontein.
GLAD TO ESCAPE
London, Jan. 29-2:19 p. m.-The US
ual airy attempts to minimize the ser