Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-02
Of General French Is Wei
coined in England.
THE TACTICS EMPLOYED
By Him Are Recommended TO the Con-
Siderati0n of the War 0ffice-The
Occupation Of Colesburg is a Good
Move.

London, Jan. ?. 4:30 a. m.-The success
Of Gen. French in driving the Beers from
Colesburg has shot a welcome ray OF light
through the gloom of the campaign in
South Africa. Everywhere it is COM
mented upon as an example OF SOUND tac-
tics and as an illustration of may
be done when the right methods are en-
ployed with the Beers. The government
is urged to take the lesson to heart and
to see that no stone be aeft unturned in
the endeavor to get the largest possible
force of cavalry and mounted infantry
to the front.
Now that Gen. French has the Beers on
the run. the hope is expressed that he will
give them no rest, but will harrass them
until they have found their way across
the Orange river, which is twelve miles
distant. The old wagon u to the Free
State traverses Colesburg and crosses the
river by a fine bridge, 1900 feet long. 1t
is believed that the Beers retreated to-
ward Norvaispont. further east, and the
question is whether French will be able
to secure these two bridges before the
Beers destroy them.
One important result of the success of
Gen. French is that it will have a deter
elect Oh bGlIu uiSd1lGCllOls luSIC
is some disposition here to ~eXaggerate the
Importance of small skirnishes and en-
gagements. 1t should be borne in mind
that Gen. French has only 1000 men and
SO far as the important points Of cam
paign are concerned the situation is vir-
tually unchanged.
At Modder river the Beers ppear to be
modifying somewhat their line Of defense.
Gen. Buffers scouts have discovered a
Boer camp established in the vicinity of
Springfield. southwest of Colenso, by a
Free State commando. A similar move
merit has been made at Modder river. A
large force of Beers. it is reported, has
formed a new laager about fifteen miles
down the stream at kameelhoek.
Telegraph reports from Ladysmith
show that all was well on Dec. 81. The
bombardment was being continued, but
its intensity had relaxed An official dis
patch from Ladysmith confirms the re-
port cabled yesterday that several officers
Of the Devonsllire regiment were severely
wounded by the explosion Of a Boer shell
in the mess tent.
A new rmUred train has reached Gen.
Butler from Durham.
A CapetoWn dispatch says that an ex-
change of prisoners is under considera-
ton.
The entire Seventh division will have
sailed from England by Jan. II.
lAoIu "olSeley, Replying 10 d COfre-
spondent who had asked for information
regarding the British artillery, wrote "our
field artillery is at least as good as any
field artillery in Europe"
A British firm, according to the Daily
News. after keen competition with sew
eral American firms, has secured the gov
contract for the new seven span
bridge over the Tugela river at Colenso.
The firm is working night and day to
complete the order.
1t is said that John Churchill, younger
brother of Winston Churchill, will accom-
pan the Duke of Marlborough to the seat
of war.
Loldon. lam 1.-The Daily Mail has the
following dispatch, dated Jan. /, from
Rensberg: Yesterday afternoon a big
force of cavalry and infantry with 10
guns, under the personal Of
General French, moving 10y detour, occu-
pied some hills three miles from Coles
burg. where the Beers were in strength,
confident in the natural aid afforded them
by THE hills around.
The enemy's position extended six miles
around the erttire village. At daybreak
our artillery opened the BATTLE. The Beers
were taken by surprise, but replied Wig
orously. An artillery duel was maintain
ed for two hours. Then a Boer Hotchkiss
collapsed and was abandoned. We cap
tured it. A Beer gun WAS silenced but
this and fhe other Boer guns were With
drawn ITO the morthward which they used
Ito harrass the British The loyalists are