The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-04
WHITES TROOPS DISMAYED.
News of Buffers First Cheek Caused
CONSERVATION.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
LONDON, Jan. 24.-War letters from
Ladysmith monopolize to-day's London pa
pers. The Times correspondent at that
place writes under date of Dec. 10:
ut is impossible to express the feeling
of CONSERVATION with which the news of
received. All had made up their minds
that the period Of enforced inactivity was
at an end. We were proud to think that
we should be able to meet the relieving
troops with little histories of our own re-
garding the gun and Surprise hill batteries.
No one for a moment imagined that the
southern force would be anything but sue.
cessful On Dec. II heavy firing had been
heard in the direction of Colenso, while on
the following day the pickets on Caesars
camp and Wagons hill had the smoke
made by the bursting shrapnel. Then we
waited for news-waited breathlessly for
orders to be given to the flying column,
composed of the DevOnshire and Manches-
ter regiments and the Gordon Highlanders
to leave camp to complete lie devastation
which the southern force had begun. Men
and women congratulated themselves In
the streets when they heard that one of
our heavy guns had been sent to Wagon
hill TO cover the movement of the flying
column but the silence was prolonged
though the hello winked ceaselessly from
the hilltops, but rumor had its way and
stories were told of a splendid victory, of
deserving Beers, of fleeing Dutch and
slaughtered burghers, but nothing from
headquarters.
Dec. 16 was Digaans day, the anniver-
sary of the Declaration of Independence OF
the South African Republic by the Trium-
virate in 1880. 1t was thought that this
would be a suitable day for us TO crush the
power of the rebel state. Day dawned and
with the advent of the sun the big gun on
Bulwana opened Spiteful fire. Twenty
one rounds were fired into the town. The
Beers had remembered the salute which we
rad fired on the Prince of Wales's birth
day. Grimiy on Digaan's day they returned
the salute and with effect, for there We're
three fatal casualties from the fire. Still
the garrison congratulated itself. This sa-
lutte was but the song of the dying swan.
In a fit of bravado the enemy had fired
into US before removing the gun TO escape
the advance of the south. A story came in
from Intombi Camp that the Beers had
sent number of wounded Dutch for treat
ment. Excitement ran high and a specula-
tive photographer circulated a notice to
the effect that now the siege was practical
ly at an end he would be happy to take
a mask group OF the civilians who had sur
vived.
But on Saturday night a sinister order APP
peared. The batteries attached to the fly
ing column were sent back TO their posi-
tions on the line of defense On the morrow
the following general order was published
TO the garrison: THE general officer COM
handing the national field force regrets to
have TO announce that Sir Redvers Butler
failed 10 make good his first attack on CO.
lenso. Reinforcements will not, therefore.
arrive here as early was expected Sir
George White is confident that the defense
of Ladysmith will be continued by the gar
rison In the same spirited manner as 1t has