The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-11
al MacDonald's plan being to repel at

raj A1acDOnalu pan UclIlS " ASPSAe -
tacks.
Things went quietly until Wednesday.
when the Beers advanced along the ridge
within 900 yards, mounting two mountain
7-pounders, which were invisible 1rons
the plain. They also held smaller
drift three miles to the west. On re-
ceipt Of this news, General Methuen dls-3
patched a large force of cavalry and TWO
horse-batteries under General Bablngton
with the purpose of surrounding tne
Beers. In order to further this plan,
General Macdonald adopted merely de-
fepsive tactics. 1t was not attempted
to force back the rights right. which
move might have resulted in their gene
raj retirement too soon. General Bah
ington left Modder river at 11:3O in the
morning and arrived within two miles of
Koodoosberg at 4:So P. NJ, too late to
begin the turning movement
THE BOERS FLED.
The next morning it was found that
the Beers had fed from the lower DRIFT,
but still remained on the hill which they
also left when they perceived Babins-
tons movements.
Early in the morning, Darlington Wig
orously shelled the retiring Beers. The
whole British force is now returning to
camp. This little affair reflects great
credit upon General MacDonaids tactics
and proves that the Highlanders have
thoroughly recovered their old go and
courage.
ENGLISH CABINET MEETS.
LONDON, February 10.-An extra Cab
met Council was held this afternoon IN
response to summonses issued yesterday.
The Council lasted over two hours,
Several members of the defense commit
tees were present and Lord Salisbury
presided. The premier held supplement
tary consultation after the departure OF
the ma jority of his colleagues.
THE RETIREMENT.
LONDON, Feb. 10-A despatch to the
London Times from Springfield Bridge,
dated Friday, February 9th says:
.'Our force at Nualkrantz entrenched
itself as well as possible, but, neverthe-
less, we continued to lose men ana no
advance was made. Ihe Boer arthlelS
fired necessarily and as Wednesday pro.
ceeded. it was increasingly apparent that
although the infantry might. by very
determined assault, force its way
through the centre of the Beers position.
# would become impossible during subse-
o,lent operationS to MAINTAIN the secut-
ity of the lines of communication ana 'ie
.y,c,ation was decided upon The re-
ti,omort commenced at . o'clock at n!SSa.,
the pontoon bridge being removed ai.el
Gen. Hildyard's force had crossed this
morning The whole force retired pc
yond the range of the Boer guns, WHICH
continued shelling.
MERELY TEMPORARY.
sneciai dispatch dated Spearman
ramn FRIDAY, February 9th. says tha'
General Buffers retirement was mercy
Temporary. owing to a determination te
change tactics. The force, the dispa.ei 49,,
adds will soon resume operations. ne
casualties we're mostly slight WOUNDS.
The fact that the news OF LORD toner's
message TO Presidents Kruger ana StS ns
came from the NIodder River Is taken "a
an additional indication mat the coi'i
mander-in-chief has gone there.
DURHAM, Feb 10.-The Boers nave
taken Inkandla. a Zululand masistracS'
The magistrate, the night previous. eN
nlodcd the magazine and with ms stan
and the police evacuated the place ana
proceeded to Eshowe-
EOEI, HEAD LAAGER, LADY SM ll'a'
l-sidav. Feb. 9-It is reported from the
IrnlDer I,ugela that in yesterday hsh''
while driving the British across the river
wifi, heavy loss to them, the Boers haa
four men killed and eight wounded
On taking the konje twenty-five boefSS
were found killed. The alarm was given
at midnisht that the Ladysnllth troops
were trying to force passage IN Vile
direction of the Free State Lager. Heavv
firing was heard, but, no particulars nave
been received.