The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-23

That the Brf7Sn IN a noTIn-
easteriy direction will be hercely re-
sisted is fully anticipated. The Boer
strength Is probably superior 10 the
British. and the dispatches SHOW the
burghers occupy strong positions.
There Is some doubt as to whether the
Sproen kop occupied by General War
rem is Identical with Spion kop. If 50
the British are within a few miles OF
Acton Homes the scene OF the earlier
conflicts between General Whites
forces and the invading Free Staters
whence there is a good road direct to
Ladysmith.
While General warren's force was
croSsing the Tugela river. h Beers
occupied a thickly wooded plantation
a mile north OF the river and sent sew
eral volleys> into the advance guard.
The British replied and the artillery
opened on a ~neighboring kopje- As rs
British pushed across the river the
Beers found their position uncomfo-t-
able and retired TO the hills. Immsdi-
ately after the pontoon bridge was
completed h whole British force
crossed. Meanwhile the naval guns on
Swarts kop a been persisiently
the kopjes occupied by Lyttleton's
brigade.
EVE OF 4 BIG BATTLE.
LONDON, JdnudIy ~, 4 a. n--A1Ll-
tary critics in utilization with the war
office consider that the expected battle
along the wide arc out and west OF
Ladysmith, a hardly be delayed be-
yond today. From Durham IL IS report
ed that fighting has already begun.
Genera Buffers forces. engaged IN
the thanking operation across the Tu-
gela are some 49, 900 or Ii, 900 bayonets.
], 200 horses and 40 guns. The DISPOSE
49, 80 ls- 81 - nnn - on nAn - l.
not known, although the assumption
is that the whole army viii be in ac-
ton when the hour for combined move
ment arrives.
Three weeks ago General Butler had
1900 men. Considerable reinforce
nlents have since reached him, giving
him probably $1,000 men and so guns
all told.
Estimates of how many men and
guns the Beers have 10 oppose him are
mere guess work. In not replying TO
General Lyttleton's shells they are
using the tactics hat proved so uc-
cessful in the battles of Magersfontein
and Colenso-lying in their trenches
and thus hoping to conceal their precise
position until the infantry advance.
The Daily Chronicles military expert
sees a curious analogy between Gener-
al Buffers situation now and the V
of MagerSfontein. Now, as then, the
Beers are making a stand, with their
backs to investing lines within a few
miles. As Lord 'Methuen, after cross
ing Modder river, had to attack the
S~pytfontein and Magersfontein hills,
so General Butler, after passing the
Tugela, faces invisible entertainments
in a rough country.
BULLER HINTS AT NO QUARTER.
General Buffers warning about the
+hA III d. 49, 81 nA-r-
in his proclamation to the troops is con-
sidered a rather broad hint to give no
turning back" is played upon editorially
by the morning papers as presagi
cheerful announcements.
The absorbing interest felt in the
situation in Natal makes other points
in the theatre of war seem microscopic.
Lord Methuen lies behind his works at
Modder river. 1t is estimated that his
| forces will have to be nearly or quite
doubled before he can relieve Kimber-
ley.
British reinforcements are moving
toward General French at Rensburg.
With these he is expected to advance.
General Gatacre'S men occupy Lopes-
burg, a slight advance.
The war office that next
[ week will be embarked ~ guns, :, nc
men and 2,210 horses. This is the larg-
est consignment of artillery ever sent
abroad. The war office invites 500 vol
unteers for a sharpshooters battalion
Of yoemanry.
The British losses in killed, wounded
and captured up to date are 1887 off
GERS and men.