The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-30
DEFEAT AT SPION K0P
Boer Account of Fighting That Caused
Warren to Retreat,
LONDON is GREATLY DlSMAYED.
All Hope of Relieving Ladysmith n
sneedily is Abandoned. and Ex-.
per, Opinion Urges shifting the
Theatre of War from Natal
TO the Open Ecidt OF
tho Free state.

LONDON. Jan. 2a.-The War Office yes
terdaylpostad the following disPalch from
General Butler:
"sPEARMAN,s CAMP, Saturday. Jan.
y-G:1O p. Mon January 2pth warren
drove back the enemy and obtained pos
session OF the southern crests OIL ine
high tablc-land extending from the llne OF
Acton Homes and I4onser,s Poort 10 Tue Tue
western Ladysmith hills From ,hen 10
January a5tn he remained in close con-
tact with the enemy.
The eremy held q strong posilioii oi'
a range Of small kopjes stretching from
northwest to southeast across the plateau
from Acton Homes through Spion hop'
to the left bank of the Tusela-
The actual position held was perlecs's
teraple but did not lend ltsell 10 III
advance, as the southern slopes were 81 81
steep that Warren could not get an el-
fective artillery position, ana water sup
ply was difficulty.
..Or January ed I asscnted 10y ms
attacking Spfon Kop, large hill. indeed
: a mountain. which was evidently the Key
of the position, but was far more acces-
sjble from the north than from the soulh
NO WATER THERE
ION the night of January 23d he at
tackled Spion kop, but found it very Dill
ficuit to hold, as its perimeter was too
large and water which he had been LED
IN believe existed i'll this extraordinary
dry sason, was found very efficient
.sThe crests were held all day that DAY
against severe attacks and heaEE shei
fire. Our men fought with great gar
j.11 mention
conduct Of the Second Ca1neronians and
the Third Kings Rifles. who supported
rho attack on the mountain, from the steep
est side, and in each case tousht .iieii
way TO the top; and the Second Lahca-
shire Fusiliers and Second zMlddieseN, wiz
magnifcently maintained the best tIaui'
tions of the British army throughout Inc
trying day of January 24th; and Ihorny-
crorts Mounted Infantry, VINO 1oush'
throughout the day equally well alons'
eide of them.
ABANDONED IT.
general Woodgate, who was in com
mand at the summit, having been wound
ed the officers who succeeded him oe-
clded on the night Of January 24th le
abandon the position. and did SO peloit
dawn, January 18th
II reached Warrens camp at . "A: NJ
on January 25th, and decided that sec
ind attack upon Spion kop was useless
and that the cncmy's right was TOO sttolie
to allow me to force II.
Accordingly / decided to withdraw the
force to the south of the Tugela. Al
A, NJ. we commenced withdrawing lnt
train, and by A. Nj. January 2th toat
,lrday) Warren.s force was concentrated
south of the Tugela without the loss o.
a man or a pound of stores.
1.-The fact that the force could WIN
The lines were less than thousand yarus
anart-witf the enemy in the manner i
aid Is. I think, Sufficient evidence OF tht
morale Of the troops, and rfhat we "ers
perm;tted to withdraw our cumbrous o.
and mule transport across me river
eichty-five yards broad, with twenty
foot banks and a Very swift current, un
molested, is. think, proof that tht
enemy has been taught TO respect ou'
soldiers fighting powers.
GALLANTRY OF TROOPS.
SPEARMAN'S CAMP. Jan. 2G-6:4o A
M.-Delay ed.-On Tuesday night force
,,nder Gen Woodgate attacked Spion MOI
and took the position at>the point OF tne
bayonet. At 40 on Wednesday the BRIT
ish were half way up to the summit arc
the field guns We're pushed forward.
Gen Lyrtelton's brigade extended IL
the centre opposite Potgeiter's Drltt
oning to comrades who were climbing pc.
hind the rocks, on the west side OF the
hill.
While the British advanced from the
& east there was tremendous crossdlre
from the highest point Of the hill. The
troops must have suffered heavily While
crossing the zone of fire. The Eoer guns
were hard TO locate. Their positions hae
been selected with mastery skill
n
down over the nek, the naval guns play
ing lyddite on them.
AT P NJ the whole hill UP to the nea
was held by the British, who began throw
ing up intrencfments. At about O'CLOCK
advances began on the west sde
The Third Kings Royal Rifles and the
s Second Eaaneronans made maSnificen
assault up the most precipitous side of The
sugar-loaf mountain, reaching the sum
NIT at s:15 O clock. This is the northeas'
extremity Of the key of the position.
THE RECAPTURE,
BoER CAMP. MODDEK SPRU1T. UP
PER TuGELA RIVER. Jan. A.-At
O'Clock this morning some VrSheid bursh
ers forming the outposts on the hiShes
hills OF The Spion kop, rushed into the
laager announcing that the British hat
taken Spion liop. Reinforcenents were
SAummoned, hut nothing could be don'
#sor some time. as the hill was cnvelopec
IN mist
At dawn there was a significant sign
the Kafllrs fleeing to their kraals from tht
hills. Tciesrailhic communication will
The head iaager was also cut OF.
AZ daylight the Heidelberg and Caroline
contingents. who were supplemented
commenced the ascent. There are three
spurs. rather nreeipi,ous projections. fac
dng the Boer position. Up these tht
hurshers. leaving their horses at the frs
bank OF rocks. ascended.
At the summit they found tho british
heavily entrcnched. Be,ween the Erltisi
trenches and the Boer conma,iaos there
was stretch of open seldt. which had II
be rushed unsr q heavy rifle, 'yddite and
sisrarnei fire.
Meanwhile two parties Of burshers as