(_Boston Globe_, Jan. 21, 1900. By =Franklin K. Young=.)
“It is plain that when the Boers took position at Colenso they prepared
their plan for the protection of their flanks; to deny this would be to
assume that men who had displayed superb military sagacity were ignorant
of the simplest processes of warfare.
“What that plan is will be unfolded very rapidly should Gen. Buller
attempt to pierce the line of Boer vedettes posted upon the Spion Kop and
concealing as near as can be determined from the present meagre facts,
either the Second, or the Fourth Ambuscade.
“In either case it signifies that the Boers are confident of annihilating
Gen. Buller’s army if it should cross the Tugela.
“About this time the Boers are watching Gen. Warren and his command and
watching him intently. Something may happen to him.”
* * * * *
(_London Times_, Jan. 22, 1900.)
“On Friday, Jan. 19, Gen. Warren began a long, circuitous march to the
westward for the purpose of turning the right of the Boer position.
“This attempt was abandoned on account of the long ridge running from
Spion Kop being occupied by the Boers in such strength as to command the
entire route.
“Saturday, Jan. 20, Gen. Warren, having crossed the Tugela River with the
bulk of his troops, ordered a frontal attack. Our men behaved splendidly
under a heavy cross-fire for seven hours. Our casualties were slight.
Three lines of rifle fire[1] were visible along the Boer main position.”
[1] The Second Ambuscade. Vide “Secret Instructions” of Frederic the
Great.
* * * * *
(_British War Office Bulletin_, Jan. 22, 1900.)
“Gen. Warren has been engaged all day chiefly on his left, which he has
swung forward a couple of miles.”
(Signed) _Buller._
* * * * *
(_British War Office Bulletin_, Jan. 24, 1900.)
“Gen. Warren holds the position he gained two days ago. The Boer position
is on higher ground than ours and can be approached only over bare and
open slopes. An attempt will be made tonight to seize Spion Kop.”
(Signed) _Buller._
* * * * *
(_British War Office Bulletin_, Jan. 25, 1900.)
“Gen. Warren’s troops last night occupied Spion Kop, surprising the
small[2] garrison which fled.”
(Signed) _Buller._
[2] Merely the outposts and vedettes of the Second Ambuscade.
* * * * *
(_British War Office Bulletin_, Jan. 26, 1900.)
“Gen. Warren’s garrison, I am sorry to say, I find this morning had in
the night abandoned Spion Kop.”
(Signed) _Buller._
* * * * *
(_British War Office Bulletin_, Jan. 28, 1900.)
“I decided that a second attack on Spion Kop was useless[3] and that the
enemy’s right was too strong to allow me to force it. Accordingly I
decided to withdraw the troops to the south side of the Tugela River.”
(Signed) _Buller._
[3] The proffer of an untenable post always is the bait of the Second
Ambuscade.
* * * * *
(_London Daily Mail_, Jan. 29, 1900.)
“The richest and what was hitherto considered the most powerful nation
in the world is today in the humiliating position of seeing its armies
beaten back with heavy losses by two small states.”