The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1900-01-27
BRITISH GAIN A POINT.
warren's Troops Occupy Position
Formerly Held by Beers.

London, Jan, 25.-The wal Office
early this morning issued the follow =
ing dispatch from Spearman's Camp, IL
dated January "a: 4
General warren's troops last night.
occupied Spion kop, surprising the I
small garrison, who fled. 1t has
been held by us all day, though we
were heavily attacked, especially by "a
very annoying small fire.
IL fear our CASUALTIES are con-
siderable, and | have to inform
you, with regret, that General Wood
gate was dangerously wounded.
General warren is Of the opinion that
he has rendered the enemy's position
%untenable. The men are splendid.
Advices have been received from
Spearman's camp that General Wood
gate has %succumbed to the wounds |
he received 10 the attack upon Spion
kOp.
General Buffers phrase "the men
are splendid" thrills England with
pride and confidence. His taking
and holding Splon kop are considered
permanent advantages.
Sir Charles Warren's opinion that
miles of adjacent Boer intrenchments
are untenable Is accepted by most
expert observers as obviously true,
because of The height of the position,
although some point out that II may
lack adequate gun platform to resist
artillery fire from the two extended
sides.
1t is not likely that General War
, rem will let go anything he holds,
, and news OF further success Is calmly
awaited. The military authorities
recognize, Of course, that In the
twelve or fifteen miles between
SpiOn kop and ~Ladysmith, there are
continuous defensive positions and
rugged hills and raylnes which far
outrange SpiOn kop, but they are
, sure that the troops who have turned
. the Beers out of difficult places can
! do it again. The military expert Of
: the Times says:
at is exceedingly difficult to ar
a rive at any exact estimate Of the
) advantage gained. A definite tacital
9 object has been attained and definite
9 steps have been taken in the fulfill
. : ment Of the strategic plan. II is
necessary to await fuller information
= before attaching undue weight to the
a successes thus far attained, At least
there has been steady progress.
The Kildonan Castle reached Dur
ban yesterday Thursday with 2,oOt
additional troops for General BCller
1t and three troop ships have arrived
! from India, bringing, among Others
a regiment of lancers. Beyond thi
!. 1t is is not publicly known here hov
. heavily General Butler has bee
\. reinforced. but those having certat
connections with the wal Office ar
ID confident that General Butler wi
~ have as many more as he may need &
as make his work easier.
IN General Buffers statement tina
there was only n small Boer gaJriSo
th at SpiOn kop came somewhat as
surprise, IA " was imagined III
ty Beers were there in great force, M
IL is taken In some quarters to il
dictate the Beers we're not so SIT
ne prised at the assault as il appearc'
ny but previously drew of their maj
body and LETT a small force to will
Is stand the British advance. 1t
ls' even suggested that the Beers il
vs. yeigled the British into occupyir
no Spion kop and haw. now %surround'
nm them.
1t IL evident. in spite Of the IA
that the British hold PotgeiteI
drift and the hills above, that u
MS Beers have succeeded In bringing /
enough artillery TO inflict consider
a. bic losses on the British force whit
, Of seized Spion kop, although Lo
OF Dundonald is supposed to have be-
mi securing the country beyond d
- ranges 10 order to- prevent this We
thing, and although General Lytlet
ere ought TO have gone near enough
Spion kop to either intercept :
~. %retreating Beers or prevent a seriC
attack after the British had TAX
ON possession OF the Hill.