The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-01-26
GIN. WARRENS VICTORY
he Captures Spion Kop With Prob
ably Heavy Loss Of Life.
A GENERAL AMONG THE KILLED.

General Woodgate snccumhs to =
Wound Received in the BattIe-The
Dritons Are stiIl Twelve or Fifteen
Miles From LRdysmith.
London, Jan. 26.-Yesterday the war
office issued the following dispatch
from General Butler, dated Spearmans
Camp, Jan. rs:
General Warren's troops last night
occupied Spion Kop. surprising the
small garrison. who fed. II has been
held by lis all day. though We were
heavily attacked, especially by very
annoying shell fire. / fear our casual
ties are considerable. and have to in
form you, with regret, that General
Woodgate was dangerously wounded.
General Warren is Of the opinion that
he has rendered the enemys position
untenable. The men are splendid"
A later dispatch from the front says
that General W0odgate has died from
his wound.
General Buffers phrase. "the men
are splendid" thrills England with
pride and confidence. His taking and
holding Spion Kop are considered per-
manent advantages.
Sir Charles Warren's opinion that
miles Of the adjacent Boer entreuch-
ments are untenable Is accepted by
most expert observers as obviously
true, because Of the height of the po-
sition, although some point out that
it may lack adequate gun platform to
resist artillery fire from the two ex-
tended sides.
1t is not likely that General Warren
will let go anything he holds, and
news Of further success is calmly
awaited. The military authorities rec
ognize, Of course. that in the u or Is
miles between Spion kop and Lady,
smith there are continuous defensive
positions and rugged hills and ravines
which far outrange Spion Kop, hut
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:
ut is exceedingly difficult to arrive
at any exact estimate of the advant-
age gained. A definite tactical object
has been attained, and definite steps
have been taken in the fultillment of
the strategic plan. 1t is necessary to
await fuller information before attach
Ing undue weight to the successes thus
far attained AT least there has been
steady progress.
The KiIdonan Castle reached Dur
ban yesterday with 1000 additional
troops for General Butler, and three
troopships have arrived from India.
bringing, among others, regiment of
lancers. Beyond these it is not pub
licly known here how heavily General
Butler has been reinforced, but those
having certain connections with the
war Office are confident that General
Buller will have as many more men as
he may need to make his work easier.
The situation in the neighborhood
of the other armies is unchanged, but
forward movement by General
French is daily expected A dispatch
to The Standard from Renshurg de-
scribes General French's dispositions
as now forming II great semi-circlo
around the Boer positions. The corre-
Epondent says he could take Colesberg,
two miles away, at any time.
A letter from Pretoria gives the text
Of a complaint which President Kru-
ger made to President Steyn regarding
the want of cooperation on the part
Of the Free Skaters at Modher river,
and also President Steyn's address to
the Free Staters. Mr.. Kruger said he
had learned With regret that only
about 1000 men of the Free State
fought in the last battle. and that many
Others remained in their camps while
their brothers resisted and even de-
fealed their army"
These statements appear to give Of
fcial confirmation to the reports of dis
agreements between the allies.