New-York tribune., 1900-01-09
THE TENSION RELIEVED.
WHITES GALLANT DEFENCE OF LADY
SMITH CHEERS THE ENG
LISH NATION.
tCopyright; 1900: By The New-York Tribune
Inv cARIE 10 Tie TRIBUNE.l

IBY CABLE THE TRIBUNEl
London, Jan. 9, l a. m.-London was en-
shrouded in gloom yesterday until o'clock. when
the news of General Whites victory came like a
sudden burst Of sunlight. There had been earlier
messages from the Central News and other agen-
cies. based upon the camp story of the repulse
of the Beers and the capture OF four hundred
prisoners by the Ladysnith garrison. but these
were lightly regarded because Sir Redvers Bull
Ter had not attached any Importance to the
rumors current.
Among the soldiers the situation at Ladysmith
was generally considered to be critical until the
security Of the triumphant garrison was estab-
lished beyond cavil or suspicion by General
Whites bulletin announcing the complete re-
pulse of the enemy after prolonged and des-
perate fight lasting nearly seventeen hours
The good news caused a sudden revulsion Of
public feeling, and last night there were radiant
faces and merry voices in the clubs. General
Buffers work still to be done, and 1t would
be stern and arduous. but Ladysmith was de-
Iivered from its deadly peril and the second bat
lie OF the Tugela would not be fought too late.
General Whites report did full justice to the
courage and galantry Of the enemy. The idea
that the Beers while sdroit and tenacious in
defence under cover were not effective in at
tack was not borne out by memories of Majuba
HILL where they carried an almost inaccessible
and apparently impregnable position by the
finest fighting qualities. They displayed the
same combination Of intrepidity and caution in
creeping up under such cover they could
find and assailing the British intrenchments
OF Ladysmith. General Whites troops were on
their mettIe, and fought with invincible cour-
age. patience and stubbornness.
FIERCE ATTACK AND DEFENCE
The battle centred upon the parallel ridges
Eouth of Ladysmith, and some intrenchments
on the western hills We're captured three times
by the Beers. only to be retaken at the point of
the bsyonet by the British. 1t long and
trying day in which the gallant defenders We're
attacked again and again by fresh swarms Of
assailants and 1t brought TO end by a
fine bayonet charge of the Devons. during
rainstorm. when the enemy driven from
position occupied from the time of dawn.
General Whites dispatch was dated on Sun
day afternoon, and made reference TO
newal of the fighting after Saturday at
General Joubert's bolt had been shot, and II
had failed TO carry TO the fever stricken Cesar's
Camp, short as the ammunition supply undoubt
edIy was and hard pressed as were Whites men
early in the afternoon.
The Boer losses for once greatly exceeded the
British casualties details Of which were re-
served for a subsequent report
General White singles out for special
rnendatfon Colonel Ian Hamilton Z who COM
rnsnded q position on Wagon Hill. where the
fighting was the hottest and Colonel Park who
led the Devons in the final charge. The Devon
battalion was formerly under Yule's command
and was at Glencoe. Colonel Hamilton is
f-aIIant ScotchIaan, who has been one Of Gen
fral Whites most efficient and vigilant officers
il the siege OF Ladysmith, and is well known
II London. Colonel Park is less familiar fig
ure. but has evidently earned his promotion and
decoration. The Devon battalion is the only
one mentioned by General White. but there were