The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-01-19

d Telegraph company has received
the following dispatch, dated January
| 16, from Piotermaritzburg: "There
is no news from the front, but heavy
firing was heard to-day in the direc-
ton of Frere. II is probable that Gen.
Butler is engaging the enemy. A ru-
NOR is current here that portion OF
the British force is near Ladysmith."
Beers Contesting Gen. BulIers Passage.
London, Jan. IA dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Pietermaritzburg
dated Tuesday, says: There was
very heavy firing to the north yester-
day. believe the Beers are contest
ing Gen. Buffers passage of the
Tugela. Howitzers are evidently
busy, as the firing is described as the
heaviest yet heard in Natal"
Yesterdays REPORT
London, Jan. 1s.-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 i'm 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
It 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 n view was erroneous as Gen.
Buffers forces are concentrated.
In Cape Colony Gen. Methuen has
made demonstration in force,
Smelling the Boer works. Gen. Cat
acre is skirmishing around Molteno
and Gen. French has been throwing
few shells at the Beers at Rens-
berg. Col. Plumer is moving to the
+ relief of Mafeking from Bechuanaland.
He is now in command of less than
1000 men. Mafekipg is in 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
zeal. Out of detachment of 30 Cor
don Highlanders who surrendered,
every man was wounded, says the cor
respondent. Curiously enough, this
is the first mention of the capture
of Highlanders. The Boer repulse
at Ladysmith was the heaviest coun.
ter stroke of the war.
j. j. Van Aliens offer to give a
field hospital section, to consist OF
three wagons, 25 cots and 20 trans.
port animals, with all the anpliancee
has been accepted by the war Office.
The section will be called the Amer
lean section of the hospital to which
it is attached.
British Forded Pstgiotor's Drift
London, Jan. 1S.-The other morn.
ing papers are out 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 Petgieter's
drift and seized with little opposition
a line of low ridges mile from there
During the night a Howitzer battery
was carried across. To-day from
Mount Alice, near Swartzkop, nava
guns and Howitzers effectively shelleC
the Boer position which is strong
Gen. Warren also to-day crossed tn,
Tugela, six miles farther west, neal
Wagon drift, with all arms, in tn,
face of hot and heavy fire from
Boer cannon and rifles. lie has effect
ed a most satisfactory Judgment tive
miles further on toward Sproenkop.'
The Beers Taken by Surprise.
London, Jan. 1s.-The Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from
Spearman's farm, dated January II
900 p. m: "The force marched west
ward on January TO- Lord Dundon
aid, by dashing movement, occupied
! the hills above Petgieters drift, 1
/, miles west of Colenso, taking tn
Beers completely by surprise. Tn
same evening the infantry followed
Gen. Littleton's brigade crossed tn
river yesterday, and to-day shelled tn
Boer trenches beyond with Howitzers
= Gen. Warren's force is now cross
: ing Trichardte drift, five miles above
= He is not opposed, although the Boer
L are holding position five miles iron
y the river"
n RI.EW NIIT THE GAS