Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. "4 ——— BOERS ACTIVE ROUND LADYSMITH. JIBAVY FIGHTING: BELEAGUERED GARRISON HARD PRESSED. SEVENTY OF THE SUFFOLEB TAKEN CAPTIVE. KURTTMAN AT LAST CAPITULATES. PILCHER'S MAGNIFICENT MARCH. LORD DUNDONALD'S RECONNAISSANCE. MORE TROOPS FOR THE FRONT. GENERAL WHITE HARD PRESSED. The following telegrams from General Buller have been received at the War Office: FBBKS CAMP, Jan. 6. Following telegram received from General White: (Begins.) January 6, nine a.m.Eneaiy attacked Cassar's Camp at 2.45 this morning in considerable force. Enemy everywhere repulsed, but fighting still continues. (Ends.) Pawn CASCT; Jannary 6. Following message received one p.m. to-day fron? General White: (Begins.) January 6, eleven a.m. Attack con- tinues, and enemy has been reinforced from South. FURB CAMP, January 6. Following message received four p.rt. from General White: r v (Begins.) January 0, 12.45 p.m. Have beaten enemy off at present, but they are still round me in great numbers, especially to south, and I think renewed attack very probable. (Ends.) The sun has failed, so I cannot get further infor- mation from Ladysmith until to-morrow. FRBRB CAMP, January 7. Received following message to-day from White: (Begins.) January 6, 3.15 p.m. Attack renewed. Very hard pressed. (Ends.) I have absolutely no more news, and there is no eun. There is a camp rumour that he defeated the enemy at five p.m. and took 400 prisoners. I sent all available troops yesterday to make demonstration at Colenso. The trenches there were all occupied by enemy. SERIOUS MISHAP TO THE SUFFOLK REGIMENT. CAPE Tows, January 6. French reports, January 6, situation much the same as yesterday but I regret to report that serious accident has happened to the 1st Suffolk Regiment. From news just come to hand from them I gather that,, with the authority and with the kowledge of French, four companies of the 1st Suffolk advanced by night against low hill, one mile from their camp. They attacked at dawn. Xieutenant-Colonel Watson, commanding, gave orders to charge. He was at once wounded. Orders for retirement were given, it is said by the enemy. Three-quarters of the force retreated to camp. Remainder held their ground till, overpowered by greater numbers, they surrendered. Seventy taken prisoners, including seven officers, French reports that commando which attacked on January 4 lost 50 killed, besides wounded and prisoners, and dispersed. January 7, 4.55 p.m. No change in situation as regards Methuen and Gatacre. Referring to my te'egram of January 6, French reports January 6 medical officer sent out to collect all wounded to north-east of Colesberg to-day. Exact list of persons missing not yet ascertained, probably about 70. 1st Essex Regiment has been sent to re- place 1st Suffolk. Position of affairs tacticed, strategic without altera- tion. Boer medical officer admits that it was intended to go away from Colesberg. Enemy's loss day by day from our fire heavy. FALL OF KURUMAN. Cornet Visser, in a despatch dated Kuruman, January 2, reports to Pretoria (message received in London via Lorenzo Marques): I commenced a bombardment of the town on Ifonday morning, aiming at the police barracks. The fight lasted until six in the evening, when the Garrison surrendered, coming out from the forts and ying down their arms. ",We took 120 prisoners, including Captains Bates, Dennison, Magte, and Hilliard, and eight ether officem" We have captured 70 natives of the Bastard tribe and Kaffirs and a number of rifles, revolvers, and ammunition. Fifteen British wounded are < being attended by us, with the help of the English Dr. Bearne. The horses, oxen, mealies, and flour taken from the prisoners have been sent via Vryburg to Pretoria." COLONEL PILCHER'S MARCH. Colonel Pilcher's night march from Cook's Farm was (according to a Router's despatch of the 5th tnst. from Belmont) an admirable performance. It was decided upon in consequence of information which reached Colonel Pilcher to the effect that the Boers in two columns, one 600 and the other 200 etrong, intended to effect a junction and attack the column. At eight o'clock in the evening the order was given to "in-span" and up saddle," and the whole force moved out quietly and noiselessly. The night was dark, but the arrangements were so complete as to keep- ing distances that there was not the slightest hitch throughout the march. A halt was made for two hours in the middle of the night to allow both men and horses some sleep. The guns and Queens- landers formed the rearguard, touch being main- tained by the mounted infantry. The Cornwalls have marched in, having done the 22 miles in two days, besides being kept alert all night-a most creditable performance. Two companies of the Canadians held a pass six miles from here to prevent the enemy from attempting to cut off the force. LORD EDWARD CECIL IN HOSPITAL. Inquiries made through the War Department at Pretoria have elicited the information that neither Lord Edward Cecil nor Lord Charles Bentinck was wounded in the sortie from Mafeking on Decern- ber 26. Lord Edward Cecil is in hospital at Mafeking with fever. A private letter received from Modder River states that substantial officers' quarters are being completed there. GENERAL FRENCH REINFORCED. There was more fighting on Thursday of last week between General French's force in the vicinity of Colesberg and the Boers who are holding that place. The enemy early on that morning made a strong attack on our left flank, but were repulsed by the Inniskillings, and, when our artillery came up in support, were driven back into the hills immediately surrounding the town, which, at latest advices, they xtill held. checking the British advance along the railway. Their loss on Monday of last week Was about 60 killed, besides wounded, and on the follow- ing Thursday about 100, including 20 prisoners. The British loss was slight. General French has been reinforced by the Household Cavalry, a battery of Field Artillery, and the 1st Battalion Essex Regi- ment. CYPHKRGAT AND MOLTENO. Details have been received of the action on Wed- nesday of last week between General Gatacres force Mid a body of Boers who attacked our outpost between Cyptergat and Molteno. The enemy were .upported by the fire of a b.g gun which they had Mounted on an eminence m front of Bushman s Hoek, and there was a good deal of desultoryfiring without marked advantage to either si e i artillery got into position and opened a fir compelled the Boers in a few minutes to retreat. As the British force were deficient in cavalry, 1 •nemy were able to carry off their gun and baggage. The Sritish did not lose a single man killed or wounded. As to the enemy's loss there is no mior- mation. The motive of their advance is unknown. They had on Thursday of last week completely with- ■, drawn from Molteno. THE MAFEKING SORTIE. ,j The Times correspondent at Mafeking sends de- spatches recording the evewis of the siege down to December 26, and giving details of the sortie of that day, when Colonel Baden-Powell made a determined attempt to capture the enemy's position ut Game. Tree, two miles from Mafeking. The attempt was unsuccessful, the fort having been strengthened during the previous night—it is believed in consequence of informatidn treacherously conveyed to them of the intended attack. Some of our men fought their way right up to 'the Boer defences, but were unable to carry them, and Captai nw-Saudford and Vernon and Lieutenant Paton, with 18 non-commissioned officers and men, were killed, and about 30 wounded. The Time" correspondent alleges that the Boers used ex- plosive bullets, and plundered our dead and wounded. LORD DUNDONALD'S RECONNAISSANCE. From Frere the Times correspondent telegraphs that on Saturday morning from three to eight o'clock the Boers bombarded Ladysmith more heavily than at any previous tirne during the siege. The trenches at Colenso were empty, and many Boers were seen riding rapidly northward. On Friday of last week a large mounted force under Lord Dundonald, with two field guns. reconnoitred Hlangwane. The field guns and naval guns shelled the hill, the Boers only retbonding with a few rifle-shots at our outposts. The reconnoitring force then returned to camp. On Saturday a demonstration in force was made against Colenso. THE CARGO OF THE BUNDESRATH. The Times correspondent at Cape Town says it is reported that the German liner Bundesrath, seized in Delagoa Bay, has on board 7000 saddlesv and pro- bably,other goods which constitute contraband of war. concealed in the midst of an ostensible cargo of foodstuffs, besides 20 German volunteers in khaki. The question of the seizure of vessels continues to be discussed by the German Press, and several of the more influential journals now admit that the Action of our cruisers is strictly legitimate, and that Germany would, in similar circumstances, act in the same way. The steamer Herzog, belonging to the same line as the Bundesrath, has been seized by j} British cruiser, and was brought to Durban on V THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT ON THE WAR. The Duke of Connaught, speaking on Saturday at a meeting held at Newport, Isle of Wight, under the presidency of Princess Henry of BALttenberg, to promote the local fond in connection with the equipment of the Imperial Yeomanry, said the addition to the British forces in South Africa of intelligent men who had become efficient Yeomanry and Volunteers would be an enormous advantage to any general who had command of them. After- wards, acknowledging a vote of thanks to Princess Henry and himself, the Duke said that on Monday he would assume the command of her Majesty's forces in Ireland. Perhaps he would have liked to assume another command. It was the duty of the soldier to obey, however, and so far as in him lay no stone would be left unturned to make his residence in Ireland popular among the Irish people and the troops under his command. "THE LORD MAYOR'S OWN." At the Armoury-house, City-road, on Saturday, the Lord Mayor of London attended instate to swear in the men of the Honourable Artillery Company attached to the battery of quick-firing guns which is being sent out to South Africa in connection with the City of London Imperial Volunteer Corps. Abont 50 of the men had been previously enrolled, and between 50 and 60 were sworn in on Saturday; more than 20 will be sworn in privately later. At the conclusion of the enrolment Lord Denbigh, Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the Honourable Artillery Company, said the present was a great event in the history of the company. He only hoped that this movement might be the turning point in the attitude which, in his opinion, had too long been adopted in certain quarters towards the volunteer forces of the land-an attitude that had been too much one of toleration and too little one of en- couragement. Lord Colville of Culross and the Lord Mayor "afterwards spoke. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London on Saturday afternoon re- ceived at the Guildhall the colours of the 2nd Bat- talion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), which is now serving in Natal. The colours have been deposited with the City authorities for safe keeping while the battalion is in the field. MORE TROOPS FOR THE FRONT. The transport British Prince sailed from the Royal Albert Dock on Saturday with 13 officers, 403 men, and 347 horses, composing the mounted infantry detachments of the 2nd Gloucester, 2nd Worcester, and 2nd Royal West Kent Regiments. The War Office announced on-Saturday the-^Mtailed organisation of the four brigade divisions of field artillery which are being formed for South Africa, giving 72 more guns (18 of them howitzers) with 2630 officers and men and 2134 horses. The transport Britannic sailed from Southampton for Cape Town on Sunday with 1103 officer* eind sol- diers—the 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment and de- tails-for Cape Town. It has been resolved to raise a corps of gentlemen to serve in South Africa as mounted infantry, and to form aa integral part of the Imperial Yeomanry. THE OPERATIONS ROUND COLESBERG. The following telegrams have been received at the War Office from the General Commanding at Cape Town: CAPK Towir, January 5. French reports 4th January: Left flank about three miles from Colesberg to the north attacked by 1000 of the enemy early in the morning, squadron of the 6th Dragoon Guards furnishing picket charged effectively, but large number of Boers gaining ground by opening with rifles and quick-firing artillery guns, two companies of the 2nd Berkshire and four com- panies of the 1st Suffolk, expeditiously assisted by Royal Horse Artillery (attacked them). Meantime 10th Hussars and section of Royal Horse Artillery on the right flank by their combina- tion caused withdrawal of many, but few hundreds held out on kopje. Our heavy fire prepared the advance of 150 mounted infantry who pushed on under cover of ground, and dismounting captured kopje and 19 prisoners. Enemy's loss 50. Boers disclosed to-day fresh position five miles from Colesberg, to the north, with two heavy guns. Enemy's evident effort to-day was to reopen com- munication with Bactu. Casualties: 10th Hussars, killed, Major Harvey; slightly wonnded, Major Alexander. A few men hit. 6th Dragoons, only known casualty, dangerously wounded, 2nd Lieutenant Gibson. Three men hit. 1st Suffolk.—Two men slightly wounded. Boers still in force on hills to south-east of Coles- berg. Enemy's loss January 1 more than 50, including 1 two Field Cornets, many wounded, one gun damaged. ) Enemy reoccupied Dordrecht. Gatacre reports Boers withdrew to Stormberg. Elsewhere no change. THE RHODESIAN BORDER. Once more from Gaberones we have news of the presence of a British force, and this time it is said that Colonel Plumer and his men are with it. Colonel Pltraier has been a good guardian of the Rhodesian border, and his patrol into the Transvaal from the north may have been made to satisfy himself that he could leave Tuli without danger to Rhodesia, and move down towards Mefeking. The British force is said to be 2000 strong, and should be able to take or turn the Boer position opposed to it. It is quite time that Mafeking should be relieved, if it ever is to be. The garrison was at the commencement not a large one, and its losses in its countless engage- ments and skirmishes must be severe. It has done its work of acting as a blister on the shoulder of the Transvaal, and if Plumer can break through the garrison and inhabitants would probably withdraw with him to Rhodesia, for the frontier guards of Rhodesia could not allow themselves to be invested. Lucknow was evacuated when it had played its part during the Mutiny, and it would be no disgrace now for Colonel Baden-Powell to leave the husk of Mafe- king to the Boers. GENERAL CLERY'S NARROW ESCAPE. The Daily Chronicle's war correspondent with General Buller, writing from Frere Camp, on December 14, says: General Clery narrowly escaped being shot or tabn prisoner last Friday (December 8). The General had gone out on a tour of inspection in the direction of the Tugela River, and had ridden, accompanied by his galloper, alone, near Colenso, which was occupied by the enemy. Suddenly the General and his attendant were fired on by at least 50 Boers at reasonable range. The. fire was so hot that General Clery and his companion were compelled to gbllop for their lives. In the meanwhile Mauser bullets whistled pass them in most disagreeable proximity. The General was fortunate in escaping without a scratch. EARL OF AVA WOUNDED. A private telegram hAS been received in London stating that the Earl of Ava, eldest son of thu Mar- quis of Dufferin, has been dangerously wonnded in the thigh during the assault on Ladysmith. Lord Ava first saw military service an a trooper in Methuen's Horse in the Bechuanaland expedition if 1885. Here he so distinguished himself that he received a commission in the 17th Lancers, the "Death or Glory Boys." He subsequently retired from the army, and has been serving on the Staff at Ladysmith. The title be bears Is a record of the annexation of Upper Burmah by Lord Dufferin, when Viceroy ef India, Ava being the ancient capital of the old Burmese Empire. A DISTINGUISHED ARMY MEDICO. One of the most prominent men of the Arriiy Medical Staff now shut up in Ladysmith is Major David Bruce, R.A.M.C., who was among the first ordered to the front from Pietermaritzburg, in which town his quarters lie. He is well known in scientific circles in London in connection with investigation made in South and Central Africa on the dreaded Fly Disease," so fatal to horses and cattle, and his demonstration of the agency of the tsetse fly in producing it. Reports on the subjects were made to Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, the Governor of Natal, who actively supported Major Bruce by official grants of money, as well as by giving him much pormal euemrflgelnertt. Major Bruce was among the chosen 15 who were last year elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society. It was on account of the successful prosecution of experimental work in Zulufand—conducted chiefly at Ubombo—in regard to the ravages of tsetse in. the "dy-bett" regions, that the Colonial OIBeè- was induced to request the Royal Society to appoint a committee to eo-opearte with Major Bruce in his researches. He has in fact, been doing the same kind of good work for Colonists in South Africa that Major Sosa has elsewhere '8 in another department accomplished an malarial inquiries. The disease which enSu^m after the bite of the tsetse fly is invariably fati&j to horses and donkeys, which would augur ill for the I enormous number of mounts in South Africa were it not that fortunately the present location of oar troops is fairly outside the fly zone. The pest occurs, however, in Bechuanaland. It may be taken as certain that the Boers are well aware of the different fly-infested portions of the whole country, and of the necessity for avoiding them as a matter of safety for their horses and cattle; but it is, on the other hand, comforting to know that the Governor of Natal has ready at hand for the military authorities, if required, full information derived from the extended observations of Major Bruce. SAD SCENES AT MODDER CAMP. Yesterday (says a special correspondent of the Daily Graphic in a letter from Modder River just to hand, dated the 12th ult.) I had the good fortune to meet Captain McMann, of the Howitzer Section Am- munition Column, R.A., who kindly invited me to attach myself to his corps. The same day (11th) the 3rd Section received orders to entrain for Orange River, under the command of Lieutenant Montgomery, and I received permission to accompany them. We started immediately, and arrived at Orange River at ten p.m.. where orders awaited in to push on to Modder River with lyddite and other ammunition, and three days' provisions. When the morning dawned, and we were able to discern objects, it be- came clear that we were on the track of the war lay the broken telegraph posts, dead horses, and the swarms of Aasvogel,' who were describing their lazy circles above their meal, or sitting placidly on the carcase, unscared by our passing train. Near every siding we found entrenchments, with guns pointing towards the line, pickets of troops, groups of tents, and camp fires. At four a.m. we crossed the Modder River by the new bridge built by the Royal Engineers, and slowly crossing, steamed into the station. Here we heard the dreadful news of Monday's battle, and soon had evidence of its truth. The first sight was a large mule waggon full of dead, covered with sail-cloth, accompanied by a section of men with picks and spades, and followed by an officer and men with rifles slung downwards. Soon atterwards a long train of 15 mule waggons, flying the Red Cross, came slowly from the distant field, through the camp, to deliver its wounded at the Crown and Royal Hotel, followed at short intervals by another. The wounded were lying closely packed underneath the verandah, in stables, under- near trees, and in garden houses—in. fact, eveifp' where. I counted otter 200, who were graduao being attended to, and then removed on stretchers £ the hospital tents. It was a sight I shall never forget, and with it there was silence everywhere. The Boers still hold the almost impregnable position on the kopje about five miles distant, and in full view of Modder River Camp, and have been replying to our lyddite shells. Our troops are now return- ing to camp, and the artillery fire has ceased. The officer in command of our section informs me that it would be useless to waste any more shells on this kopje, and that we shall have to fall back on our camp and await reinforcements." A HIGHLAND FUNERAL. I have just been (says the same correspondent in a postscript to the letter above quoted) "attending the funeral of the officers and men of the Highland Brigade—51 men and eigbtofficers-tbe most impres- sive scene I have ever witnessed. About 50 yards to the left of the burial trenched lay the bodies of the Highlanders. A procession was formed, led by the pipers, who were followed by a company of men with rifles slung downwards; between their lines the bodies were carried on stretchers. The company then formed around the graves, resting their rifles muzzles downwards on the ground. The burial service was read by the field chaplain. The silence among the thousands of men assembled was so great that one could hear sighs, and faint whispers of orders given to lower the bodies. After the service the men returned in slow march to their camps, to the doleful strains of the bagpipes." OVERDOING THE BAYONET. The report that a battalion commander in the force which is attacking Colesberg made a dawn attack with four companies, which was repulsed with the loss of one whole company left in the enemy's hands, seem to ptove (rays Mr. Spenser Wilkinson, the military critic of the Morning Post) that the tactical training of the British Army is defective. We have dO disposition to criticise Generals or officers at the front, but the constant repetition of the dawn attack, too often in close order, suggests that there hall been in the army a very dangerous relapse from the doctrine that the weapon of infantry is the bullet, and that as a rule, and apart from very ex- ceptional conditions, the bayonet has no chance against the bullet, and ought not to be used until thq bullet has done its work. There is some reason to say, after the experience of the last two months, that British generals have been too easily outmanoeuvred by Boer eenemin.A The training of leaders is in the British Service a function of the Commander-in-Chief. At the pre-, sent moment, a writer who has for years been advo- eating more thorough tactical training for all ranks, and a more thorough strategical training for the higher ranks can hardly be reproached if he point4, out that there has hitherto been little or nothing in the present war to dispel the uneasiness which the scanty tactical and strategical training given to the Britisher officer has long occasioned in the minds of close observers. ESCAPE OF BOER PRISONERS. It is reported that three Boer prisoners have escaped from the Manila at Simons Bay, and have not been recaptured. This incident has reopened the question of the advisability of admitting visitors to see the prisoners. el ARREST OF COLONIAL IRREGULARS. Several men of Dutch extraction belonging to the Colonial irregular corps have been brought to Cape Town under arrest for suspicious conduct. WHITE'S FIGHT FROM DAWN TO DUSK » SUPERB GALLANTRY. On IVxonday afternoon, after a morning of painful suspense, the War Office issued to the public the fol- lowing despatch from Sir George White, showing how the Ladysmith garrison rolled back the wave of attacking Boers and at the end of a great day's fight stood where it did before the battle started. To say that the news of the victory was received throughout the country with deep relief and keen satisfaction would be to give but. a very faint idea 01 its extraordinary effect on the public mind. It, is not too much to say that nino out of every ten peOplE were, while hoping- for the best, prepared for tlft worst. This is the official telegram. From General Duller: FUlUUC CAMI-, January 8. Following message just received from General VRute: LADTSmrru, Sunday (2 p.m.). £ n attack was commenced on my position, but" chiefly against Caesar's Camp and Wagon Hill. The enemy were in great strength, and pushed their attack with the greatest courage and energy. Some of our entrenchments on Wagon Hill were three times taken by the enemy and retaken by us. The attack continued until 7.30 p.m. One point in our position was occupied by the enemy the whole of the day, but at dusk, in a very heavy rainstorm, they were turned out of this posi- tion at the point of the bayonet in the most gallant nanner by the Devon Regiment, led by Colonel Park. Colonel Ian Hamilton commanded on Wagon Hill, and rendered valuable services. The troops have had a very trying time, and behaved excellently. They are elated at the services they have rendered, to the Queen. The enemy were repulsed everywhere with very heavy loss, greatly exceeding my side, which will be reported as soon as lists are completed. MENTIONED BY GENERAL WHITE. Of the two soldiers so prominently mentioned in the foregoing despatch, Colonel Ian Hamilton was *bom at Corfu in 1853, and was educated at Welling- ton College. He served with the 92nd Highlanders in the Afghan war of 1878-80, and was twice men- tioned in despatches. In the Boer war of 1881 be was severely wounded, d again mentioned in despatches. In the "Ktie expedition of 1884 be served with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and was Captain of the guard to Major General |-Earle. More active service awaited him in the .Burmese expedition of 1886, aud he served with the IlWtimn which marched to the relief of Chitral, his d ijndnct in that campaign gaining him his C.B. In Tirah campaign on the North-West Frontier he Commanded the 3rd Brigade. He greatly distin- guished himself at Elandslaagte. He has written a few books, one of which is en- titled The Fighting of the Future." Colonel O. W. Park, of the 1st Devons, who led 4he great bayonet charge, went through the Afghan war of 1878-80 and the operations round Kabul. He was promoted to be major in 1897, and quite recently, on October 9, was made lieutenant-colonel, and promoted to the command of his regiment. A REMINDER OF PLEVNA. The story of the struggle for Wagon Hill recalls Sltobeleff's desperate assault on the Green Hill 1 redoubt at Plevna. This work was carried by the Russians, but only at the cost of terrible losses. "A torrent of men," says Mr. Archibald Forbes, who saw the battle, swept over and into the Turkish entrenchments. There were a few minutes of despe- rate mcUe; then the Turks gave ground, and the R> Mi ms swarmed into the redoubt." During the fol owing night the Turks again and again attempted to reconquer it. With day they renewed their efforts, and finally regained their lost position after 48 hours of almost continuous bloodshed. My regiments," said Skobeleff, when he came back, no longer exist." DIARY OF THE LADYSMITH jlIEGE. Ladysmith had, up to Tuesday, been invested for 88 days. On November 2, three days after the disaster of Nicholson's Nek, the Boers closed in, communication by wire and rail was cut, and the town has since been beleaguered by the enemy on all sides, and inter- mittently bombarded. The following is a diary of the principal events of the siege: November 3.—Sharp cavalry action to the south of the town, near Besters. Free Staters roughly handled. November 9.—Boers assaulted the town in force, but were repulsed with heavy losses. British casualties insignificant. Grand salvo of lyddite in honour of the Prince of Wales's birthday. November 19.—Invalids and a number of women and children removed to a neutral camp near the racecourse by mutual consent. November 21.—Sharp skirmish near Lombard's Kop Nek. December 8.—Daring sortie under the direction of General Hunter. Boer 96-pounder and howitzer blown np and a Maxim captured. British loss, one killed and three wounded. December IO.-Second sortie. Surprise Hill cap- tured by the Rifle Brigade and Boer howitzer de- stroyed. British Casualties about 60. Many Boers bayoneted. December 18.—Sir George White reports an in- crease of enteric fever and dysentery. Seven men killed and 12 wounded by shells. December 22.—Nine men killed and 16 wounded by shells. January 6.—Determined Boer assault repulsed on every side with great loss. BOERS DISCONCERTED. By the courtesy of the editor of the Morning Post, a contemporary has been enabled to print the fol- lowing illuminative telegram from their Ladysmith correspondent, Mr. John Stuart: LADYSMITH, Jan 2. (By runner to Frere Camp, Jan. 6, 7.30 p.m.). The Boer shelling slackened towards the end of last week, but was renewed vigorously yesterday. To-day three men were killed and yesterday two. The Bulwana gun fired 11 consecutive shells yesterday afternoon, the previous record having been seven. The naval guns replied effec- tively, and also shelled the Boers in the nek between Bulwana and Lombard's Kop. It is reported that the Boers are withdrawing their waggons behind Biggarsberg. The Boers are utterly disconcerted. They get bread cnce a week, and coffee is very short. The Free Staters are indignant at the arbitrary assumption of authority by the Transvaal officers. They complain bitterly that no captured cattle are served from the commissariat, which only supplies them with mealie meal. The Transvaal officials inform them that if they want cattle they canst go to Ladysmith and get it. All the Doers are extremely frightened at what the Kaffirs call Buller's "paramn guns," and intend to give one battle and then retreat to Majuba. But I fancy that they will attempt to defend the Biggarsberg line. The Boers have stretched wires across the roads, which ring electric bells near the piquets when they are touched. Louis Botha and Ben ViJjoen are acting as supreme commandants in Natal. General Joubert and General Burger have gone to Pretoria. 0 BOERS PLAYING AT QUOITS. "This morning (wired a Laffan's correspondent, at Modder River on Saturday) the captiva balloon located some new trenches constructed by the Boers about three miles out, where they have mounted t wo guns. Yesterday evening they fired some shells from these in the direction of the Guards' piquets, but without result. The Naval Brigade gunners euh&Rge a^f$w*hjots witk.fche«ixemy morning ,and evening. On Thursday an officer of the Marines, named Hays, saw a party of Boers playing quoits in front of the trenches at the base of the kopjes. A civil judge from Kimberley is co-operating with the military court here. A number of suspects have been examined. To-day witnessed the completion of the third pontoon bridge across the Modder. The news of General French's success near Coles berg has been posted in camp and received wifh enthusiam. AFTER THE LADYSMITH BATTLE. The situation in its material aspect (remarks rr. Spenser Wilkinson of the Morning Post) is what, it was on the eve of the battle. Ladysmith is still in- vested, Sir George White's force still urgently needs relief, and the difficulties which confront Sir Redvers Buller are as great as they were before. Indeed, in two respects the situation is worse, for Sir George White's force on Saturday must have expended a large amount of ammunition, which until the. relief of Ladysmith cannot be replenished, and must I, have lost a number of officers and men, a loss not counterbalanced, as far as Ladysmith is concerned, by tbe larger losses of the Boers, for the Boer I force was much more numerous. But in war the moral forces, or as it is perhaps better to say, the spiritual forces, are more important than the physical, and, Saturday's battle must have had a great effect on the spiritual element in both the contending camps. The British troops, so long cooped up in Ladvitinitb, so long harassed by bom- bardment and watchfulness, have had the chance to face the enemy in conditions which were less unequal than tho they have hitherto experienced, and of proving that they can resist a most desperate and determined attack. The result must bo that their con- fidence in themselves and their leaders is renewed they feel again that they are men, and better men than the Boers. The Boers, on the other hand, have learned what attack means they have found out by trial what it is to go through what the British have so often gone through: an attack on a prepared .JI'O- position. If they are not shaken they are in a con. dition of readiness to be shaken, for they have the sense of failure in their hearts. Now, therefore .while the effect of the repulses of Saturday is fresh on them and before the consciousness of failure has disappeared, is the time for Sir Redvers Buller to make his attack. THE MILITARY SITUATION. The great attack on Ladysmith (observes the Times) has happily failed, and the gtlrtigon, in spite of its privations and the lone strain of the invest- ment, has most gallantly upheld the traditions of the British Army. The several counter-attacks which were delivered and the final bayonet work of the 1st Devonshire prove that the spirit of Sir G. White's troops remains undiminished. The troops," he reports, "have had a very trying time and behaved excellently." This tribute is certainly well deserved, and at a time of great depression the conspicuous bravery of the devoted and much- enduring garrison of Ladysmith will evoke a sense of gratitude and of pride throughout the nation. The troops, says Sir G. White, "are elated at the services they have rendered to the Queen." They have certainly earned the right to feel elation after their great success of Saturday, and the Queen and the country will remember their services. Mili- tary history supplies few instances of forces com- mitted to the defence of such a miserable position as Ladysmith. From some points of view the closest parallel is, perhaps, that of the Austrian Army in 1805, which, instead of occupying the strong line of the Inn River where it could have awaited with confidence the arrival of its Russian allies, was conducted to Ulm to be quickly isolated and lost. The communications of Plevna were cut by October 24, 1878, and the place fell on December 10; but Plevna, its resources apart, was an infinitely more defensible position than Lady- smith, isolated since November 2. We have not yet come down to half rations," states the Times special correspondent; but the greatest difficulty is medical accommodation for the wounded and sick." This also was one of tha most dire needs of Plevna, and after the recent fighting it Will be terribly felt at Ladysmith, where the losses must have been severe. Painful suspense is inevitable until the list of casual- ties can be transmitted, and in the circumstances delay cannot well be avoided. While the result of the fighting on Saturday is necessarily gratifying, it cannot be said to have changed the situation in Natal. Sir Redvers Buller's demonstration and the large expenditure of shells to which the enemy "made no reply," cannot in the least have relieved the pressure upon Sir G. White. If it could have been turned into an attack, or if on Sunday the expected advance had been made before the Boers had recovered from their repulse, there might have been a substantial gain. As it is, the military results of the gallant efforts of the Ladysmith garrison depend upon the impression, moral and material, made upon the enemy. Sir G. White reports the loss of the Boers as greatly exceeding his own, and it is difficult to see how heavy losses could have been avoided in such a prolonged attack so repulsed. It is not at present possible to estimate the casualties, and moral effect is an unknown quantity. The gross and palpable illusions which were cherished before the war in some quarters as to the effect which small losses would produce upon the Boers have been so completely falsified by events that speculation on the subject ia idle. On the other hand, we cannot (continues the Times) ignore the fact that the expenditure of ammunition by the garrison of Ladysmith must have made a heavy deduction from the available supply, and that the garrison will brohainpered by a large addition to the number of wounded for whose care it must be difficult to make proper provisions., The repulse may suffice to deter the Boers from further attacks of this nature; but it must necessarily reduce the offensive power of the garrison. The situation in Northern Natal depends upon what the large force under -Sir Bedvers Buller can accomplis hi