The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-01-19
SURPRISED THE BOERS
British Troops Cross the Tugela,
Meeting Little Resistance.
The Enemy l., However, Holding a
Fortified Position Five Miles
Back From the River, Where
a Fierce Battle IL Expected.

IL Expected.
London, Jan. 1s.-The Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from
SPearman's farm, dated january u,
800 p. m:
The force marched westward on
January 10. Lord Dundonald by a
dashing movement occupied the hills
above POtgieters drift, IS miles west
of ColensO, taking the Beers com
pletely by surprise.
The same evening the infantry fol-
lowed. Gen. Lytleton's brigade crossed
the river yesterday, and to-day
shelled the BOer trenches beyond
with hOwitzers.
Gen Warren's force is now cross
ing Trichardte drift five miles above.
He is not opposed, although the Beers
are holding a position five miles from
the river.
This news completely disposes of
the statement that Sir Charles War
ren's force went in the direction of
Weenen. and il tends greatly to re-
store confidence 10 Gen. Buffers tao
tics. The supposition that he had di-
vided his forces into three columns
had given cause for anxiety. 1t is
now seen that such a view was errone-
Gus, as Gen. Buffers forces are con-
centrated.
in Cape Colony Gen. Methuen has
made a demonstration in force. she'll
ing the BOer works. Gen. Gatacre is
skirmishing around MOlteno, and Gen.
French has been throwing a few shells
nj the Beers al Rensberg. Col. Plumer
is moving 20 the relief Of Mafeking
and Bechuanaland. He is now in com
mand Of less than 1000 men. MAIZE
king is in a bad way; the seige is be-
ing pressed with determination, and
the Kafirs are deserving because Of
pinched rations and the necessity of
eating horse meat.
The Standard publishes an account
of the assault upon Ladysmith on
June which shows that the garrison
was surprised and that several times
The situation was critical. Out Of a de-
tachment Of 80 Gordon Highlanders
WHO surrendered every man was
wounded. ssts the Correspondent.
Curiously enough. this is the first
mention Of the capture of Highland
ers. The Boer repulse at Ladysmith
was the heaviest counter stroke of
the war.
London, Jan. 1s.-A special to the
Times from Spearman's farm, dated
January II. says: The British col
umn moved 20 Spearman's farm, be-
Fond Springfield. on January II. The
difficulties in crossing the swollen
river were great, the wagons being
quite covered"
London. Jan. 1s.-The Pietermaritz-
burg correspondent of the Daily Mail
felegraphing late Wednesday evening,
January u, SAYS: arrivals from Est
court report that there was fighting
on the Tugela to-day. The result is
not known here"
Lorenzo Marques. Jan. ia dis
patch by way Of Beira. dated January
II. announces that Col. Plumer has
arrived near MOchudi, about 100 miles
north Of Mafeking. with portion of
his forces from Tuli.
Sterkstroom. Jan. 17.-Gen. Gatacre
has warned the BOer commandant
that if the women are not removed,
they must take their chances of being
shot in the event Of an attack. All is
quiet here.
London. Jan. 1s.-The Daily Mail
has the following, dated January i.
from Pietermaritzburg: News has
been received that Butler is making
satisfactory progress"
Modder River, Cape Colony, Jan. Is.
There was a demonstration in force
under Gen. Methuen Tuesday, a d.
vision being engaged, with the object
of ascertaining the strength and dis
position of the Boer force. and also
IN order 10 try 10 draw the Beers from
Kimberley, where lately they have
been active. The British discovered
the Beers in great force, and being re-
inforced from the direction of Jacobs
dal.
At 4:3O the artillery opened fire, the
shells dropping in the Boer entrench-
ments with great precision. The at
tack was directed against the BOer
left. The firing continued until sun
set, mostly with artillery, although
the guards, on the right, fired some
long range vOlleys. The Beers re-
served their fire until the British were
returning 10 camp in the darkness,
when six shells followed them.
There were no casualties among the
British troops.
Fire on Board n Ship.
London, Jan. 1s.-A fire broke out
on the evening of January j. in the