Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-25
THE BRITISH MOVE.
Gen. Butler Occupies the Hills Be-
yond Petgieter's Drift.
The BOER TRENCHES THEN SHELLED


The Dispatch from spear
mans Farm.
London, Jan. is.--Gen. Butler COM
pletely surprised the Beers and oc-
cupied the hills beyond Petgieter's
drift, 10 miles west of Colenso, on
Wednesday, January 10. This intelli-
gence is contained in an exclusive
dispatch to the Times, dated yester-
day. He followed up the movement
by Smelling the Boer trenches. This
news completely disposes of the state
ment that Sir Charles Warren's force
went in the direction of Weenen, and
II tends greatly to restore confidence
In Gen. Buffers tactics. The SUPPOSE
ton that he had divided his forces
into three columns had given cause
for anxiety. 1t is now seen that
such view was erroneous as Gen.
Buffers forces are concentrated.
In Cape Colony Gen. Methuen has
made a demonstration in force,
Smelling the Boer works. Gen. Cat
acre is skirmiSling around Molteno
and Gen. French has been throwing
q few shells at the Beers at Rens-
berg. Col. Pumer Is moving to the
relief of Maieking from Bechuanaland.
He Is now in command of less than
1000 men, Nlafeking is in n bad
way; the siege is being pressed with
determination, and the Kaffirs are
deserving because of pinched rations
and the necessity of eating horse
meat.
The Standards vivid account of the
assault upon Ladysmith shows that
the garrison was surprised and that
several times the situation was crit
ical. Out of detachment of 80 Cor
don llighlanders who surrendered,
every man was wounded, says the cor
respondent. Curiously enough, this
Is the first mention Of the capture
Of lIighlanders. The Boer repulse
at Ladysmith was the heaviest coun-
Ter stroke Of the war.
j, j. Van Aliens offer to give
fed hospital section, to consist of
three wagons, 25 cots and 90 trans
port animals, with all the appliances,
has been accepted by the war office.
The section will be called the Amer
lean section OF the hospital to which
Il is attached.
British Fordsd Pstgistsr's Drift
London, Jan. ls.--'rhe other morn
Ing papers are ont with extra editions
confirming the dispatch from Spear
mans farm to the Times. The Daily
Telegraph's correspondent, under
date OF yesterday, says: 81 am per-
mitted to wire from Spearman's farm
that Gen. Littleton yesterday after
noon ferried and forded Petgieters
drift and seized with little opposition
q line OF low ridges mile from there.
During the night a, Howitzer battery
was carried across. To-day from
Mount Alice, near Swartzkop, naval
guns and llowitzcrs effectively shelled
the Boer position which is strong.
Gen. Warren also to-day crossed the
Tugela, six miles farther west, near
Wagon drift, with all arms, in the
face of n hot and heavy fire from
Boer cannon and rifles. He has effect
ed most satisfactory Judgment two
miles further on toward Sproenkop."
The Beers Taken by surprise.
London, Jan. ls.-The Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from
Spearman's farm, dated January II,
$3.50 p. M; "The force marched west
ward on January 10, Lord Dundon-
aid, by dashing movement, occupied
the hills above Petgieter's drift, Is
miles west of Colenso, taking the
Beers completely by surprise. The
same evening the infantry followed.
Gen. Littleton's brigade crossed the
river yesterday, and to-day sheled the
Boer trenches beyond with IIowitzers.
Gen. Warren's force is now cross
ing Trichardte drift, five miles above.
lie is not opposed, although the Beers
are holding position five miles from
the river"
- -, -.----As
London, Jan, so.-Every hour t.at
Gen. Butler delays his combined IT.
tack makes his position stronger.