New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-06
a GREAT BATTLE IMMINENT,
ENGLAND ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR
NEWS FROM THE TUGELA.
Copyright; 1900: By The New-York Tribune
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE


lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London, Jan. 6, a. m-Whie General Frencb's
adroit maneuvres and gallant repulse of the en-
en1y's determined attack are of superior interest
as incidents of actual warfare, public attention
cannot be diverted from the Impending battle at
the Tugela- Heavy fighting had been expected
from hour TO hour by military men who could
not be convinced that Sir Redvers Butler would
wait for the single battery and the small force of
hussars which had been dispatched from Cape
Town TO Durham, but when the official bulletin
dated yesterday from Frere Camp, and contain
ing his thanks in the name of the army for the
holiday remembrances from home was posted
the impression prevailed at the clubs that de-
cisive battle would be deferred unfit Monday
when he could command every available man.
gun and horse.
This opinion was unchanged at midnight The
censorship was screwed down to the tightest
notch, that only trivial camp incidents
selated by the news agencies.
TWO PLANS OF ACTION
The military writer's for the press were divided
IN their forecasts Of the plan of attack. One
group held that Inhlawe Mountain would be
the first objective point and that the southern
bank would be cleared before any attempt
made TO force the passage of the river. The
second group, undismayed by the failure Of pre-
vious forecasts, assumed that there would be
turning movement long distance away. with a
feint attack at the other end of the line and
vigorous artillery fire at the centre. and they
cited as proofs of their theory the reports of
systematic scouting on the upper Tugea near
Springfield the massing of Warrens division at
Estcourt, whence it could be sent toward Wee
men. and the organization of the mule transport
system large scale.
The last detail was certainly significant, since
no turning movement on the lower Tugela could
be made without mule transport, but an expe-
rienced veteran who managed the transport sys-
tenn in the previous campaign in South Africa
told me late last night that this was not conclu-
sfve evidence, since the mule train would be re-
ouired at once between Colenso and Ladysplith
after the passage of the river, as the railway
had proba bly been torn up by the Beers
General Butler must have received yesterday
strong cavalry reinforcements, consisting of the
South African Light Horse and the 18th Hus-
sars and when the last battery af1oat with a
small force of Hussars arrives. he will be as
strong as he can be expected to be- and with
nothing to gain by delay
BULLER's FORCE UNDEREsTIMATED-
The strength of his army is underestimated
by the London press. since the military authori-
ties have not wished the enemy to know the full
extent of the concentration of the force upon
night was that the ambulance corps had been
ordered TO the. front from Durham and Maritz-
burs General French's position was ofIIclally
reported as unchanged Thursday but Reu-
Ter the Central News and various correspond
ents brought news of a spirited fight and OF
the defeat OF the Dutch forces yesterday. He
had chosen his position well that they con-
stdered il necessary to take leaf from his DOCK
Of British tactics and to attack his left flank at
asybreak after a short night march. His in
fantry were not taken by surprise but held their
and the enemy when menaced with flank at
tack was forced TO retire upon kopje heaVy
rife and shell fire maintained until the
mounted infantry left their horses and charged
the position. There had been an earlier charge
by the Inniskilling dragons who cut their way
through the enemy's line. The 10th Hussars
harassed the retreating enemy, but Major Har-
vey was killed while leading them, and Major
Alexander was wounded. Otherwise the British
casualties were light while the Beers lost heavi-
ly in proportion to their number. and LEFT hfty
killed and fifty prisoners behind them
ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR FRENCH.
While only eight hundred Beers were engaged
in this fight General French's tactics were ad-
u1irable and his victory complete and achieved
at small cost The situation is not entirely
clear, but the Beers apparently still in force
On the hills surrounding Colesberg, and are
blocking General French's advance on the rail-
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