Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

EVERY STEP CONTESTED. SIR CHARLES WARREN TAKES BOER POSITIONS. There was heavy fighting on the north bank of the Tugela on Saturday. We have three official telegrams relating to the engagement. The first tells us that General Clery, who it had hitherto been presumed had been left behind at Chieveley, was in command; and that be had a portion of General Warren's brigade under him. Ridge after ridge was captured; artillery played a prominent part in the battle, and our looses were estimated at 100 wounded. In a later telegram General Buller adds that the action was fought near Venter's Spruit, which flows into the Tugela south of Acton Homes'. Eleven officers were wounded, of whom one afterwards died, and 279 uon-commissioned officers and men were wounded. The Manchestei- Guardian's correspondent's description makes some important additions to the official news. He notes that the collision with the enemy came far sooner than bad been expected, and after mentioning the splendid fashion in which the INFANTRY SCALED THE HILLS and captured one kopje after another, adds that at last the troops came to a hill which was more diffi- cult to climb than its predecessors, and the skirmis- hers were compelled to fall back. During their retirement they were exposed to a shrapnel fire, and it is believed the shells came from one of our guns captured at the battle of Colenso. This is confirmed by a telegram from General Buller, sent off on Sunday, announcing that Sir Charles Warren had been engaged nearly all that day and was, he believed, making substantial progress. While this action Was proceeding on our extreme left General Lyttelton's Brigade, which is encamped just across Potgieter's Drift, and the naval gunners on Mount Alice, overlooking the drift from the south bank, were not idle. Under cover of a bom. bardment, to which the BOERS REPLIED WITH ARTILLERY for the first time since the seizure of the drift, General Lyttelton on Saturday made a reconnais- sance, in which our casualties were two men killed, twelve wounded, and two missing from the 3rd King's Royal Rifles. The object of this reconnais- sance, General Buller says, was to relieve the pres- sure on Sir Charles Warren and to ascertain the strength of the enemy in position in front of Potgieter's Drift.

WERE OUR PLANS KNOWN TO THE BOERS? The two official telegrams from the Boer side are somewhat remarkable for the knowledge they show of our plans. The first, which was sent so long back as Tuesday, says Sir Redver Builer's second move was a reconnaissance in force with an armoured train and a large body, supported by cannon, to- wards Colenso on the preceding night. This, no doubt, refers to the reconnaissance by the troops from Chievely Camp. A heavy bombardment, the report adds, ensued, after which the British re- turned to camp, having wounded one Boer. The burgher forces made no reply. The message describes the movement from Chievely as a feint TO COVER EXTENSIVE MOVEMENTS up the river. In the second despatch, on Thursday, the Boer Commandant, says the British troops were still in the same position. They had not then got a single gun acros-I the river, but from the ridges of Zwart's Kop a battery and a half of siege guns opened fire on the Boer position. Frequently, also, five naval guns were fired simultaneously at one redoubt. The bombardment, the despatch SITS, was one of the most terrifying ever witnessed on land. On this occasion, however, the message makes no mention of the Boer casualties. Telegrams from the front received in Pretoria announced that on Saturday morning the British troops were still crossing the Tugela and taking up po.-n ions on lhe northern side. A battle was expected shortly.

SATURDAY'S FIGHTING. SPLENDID ARTILLERY WOHK. General Buller's advance to the relief of Lady- smith was resumed in force on Satlltday. The enemy were slowly but surely driven in, 111 their chosen positions with heavy losses, and everything points to an early and crowning success and the relief of the beleagured town. The operations were commenced soon after day- break by Sir Charles Warren's column, which is now established at Acton Homes. Warren went straight for the enemy's right where the Boers were in a strong position. A TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT was maintained upon this position for hours with- out a shot being fired in reply by the enemy, but at two o'clock the Boer guns opened fire, and our big guns concentrated their fire upon them. Our infantry then attacked, and a hot rifle fire ensued. The Boers contested their ground with courage and tenacity, but were ultimately com- pelled to give way, and our men swarmed over the ridge in pursuit. The Boer retreat was orderly, and they qmck[y took up a second position. Our artillery again poured shell upon them. The lyddite shells from the Howitzer Battery burst among the Boers with fearful effect. Their position became untenable, and the enemy again fled, closely pressed by War- ren's men. Two strong position had now been captured, and towards evening Warren and Clery commenced a furious bombardment of the main position of the enemy. This has now ceased, and our men bi- vouacked on the ground so gallantly won. While Warren and Clery were at work to the west., Lyttleton's Brigade was RENDERING INVALUABLE SERVICE nearer this camp. The objective of this brigade was the enemy's frontal position west of Potgieter's Drift. The infantry were pushed forward, while a howitzer brigade and two naval guns beyond the river raked the Boer trenches with shell. The whole movement was finely supported by other naval guns upon the plateau on the side of Potgieter's Drift and upon the commanding eminence known as Mount Alice. Our artillery fire was marvellously accurate and sustained. It was directed throughout upon the Boer left, and our shells burst incessantly in the crowded trenches with what must have been deadly effect. Before long the Boers became demoralised by the bombardment and fell back, with the result that our field artillery were able to come into action and to DISTRIBUTE A GALLING FIRE of shrapnel amongst the already shaken enemy. All this time the enemy had maintained a sullen silence. Their guns were masked so cunningly that our gunners had no idea of their positions. In order to ascertain this information the infantry were pushed forward towards the Boer trenches under cover of our shrapnel fire. Then the Boers broke silence with guns and rifles. Forthwith our howitzers and naval guns poured lyddite shells upon the Boer guns with such terrific effect that within a quarter of an hour they were silenced. The Boers were in considerable force. From time to time numbers of them were seen galloping between the various positions near the kopjes. They must have lost heavily, but our casualties were exceptionally small.

STEADY BRITISH SUCCESSES. STUBBORN RESISTANCE BY THE BOERS. One of the special war correspondents telegraph- ing on Sunday night said:- Heavy fighting has been proceeding practically without an interval since yesterday morning. After ten hours of continuous and terrible fire yesterday, Generals Clery and Hart advanced 1,000 yards and bivouacked. During the night the Boers maintained an irregular fusilade, to which our outposts made no reply. At daybreak on Sunday morning the enemy opened a stiff fire. Our men stood to their guns, by which they had slept, and the engagement was resumed as vigorously as before. The FIELD ARTILLERt POURED SHRAPNEL into the enemy's trenches. While fighting was proceeding a rumour got about that Ladysmith had been relieved. The report enlivened the troops, who received it with a ringing cheer. This was taken for an advance. The first kopje was carried at the point of the bayonet. The enemy retreated to the next kopje, which, like the others, was strewn with immense boulders, with mounds on the summit. We advanced steadily, the enemy at the same time slightly relaxing their efforts. They did not display such tenacity as before. Their Nordenfelts fired at long intervals, and their cannon very seldom. Ammunition for their big guns is ap- parently scarce. The roll of musketry fire, however, was con- tinuous all day. We took three of the enemy's positions on the mountain. Cur men took shelter behind the boulders on the positions evacuated by theenemy. Early on Sunday morning Sir Charles Warren COMMENCED HIS FLANKING MOVEMENT on the extreme left of our position. At 5 a.m. the infantry advanced along the irregular mountain formation called Tabanmyana, the eastern end of which is known as Spion Kop. The artillery occupied positions in the rear of the infantry and on the plain. Our advance line proceeded along the hills until we reached a long ridge leading from the rising ground to the plain and overlooking a donga. The troops advanced to within 1,000 yards of the hill occupied by the Boers. The enemy kad concen- trated on a commanding kopje strewn with im- mense boulders, giving them a tremendous advan- tage. Our attack was mainly conducted by the artillery. Our batteries worked continually, POURING TONS OF SHRAPNEL ,1 p among the enemy who devoted their attention principally to our foremost infantry. Our officers behaved nobly, and their men showed extraordinary coolness under a very heavy musketry fire from all directions. The enemy stuck to their rook fastnesses with great tenacity all day. They apparently had only a few guns. One piece of cannon was fired irregularly, doing very little damage. A Nordenfelt, which the soldiers christened Buck-up," fired frequently. The Dublin Fusiliers advanced to the firing line, and behaved splendidly. Captain Ileusley, of the Dablins, was mortally wounded while encouraging his men, and died subsequently.

NEWS FROM BULLER. TO SEIZE SPION KOP. The following was issued by the War Office on Wednesday morning:- From Sir Redvers Buller to Secretary of State for War. Received January 24 SPEARMAN'S CAMP, JANUARY 23. Warren hold the position hi: gained two cia) R ago. In front of him at about 1,400 yards is the enemy's position west of Spion Kop. It is on higher ground than Warren's position, so it is impossible to see into it properly. It can only be approached over bare, open slopes. The ridges held by Warren are so steep that guns cannot be placed on them, but we are shelling the enemy's position with howitzers and field artillery placed on the lower ground behind the infantry. Enemy reply with Creusot and other artillery. In this duel the advantage rests with us, as we appear to be searching his trenches and his artillery fire is not causing us much loss. An attempt will be made to-night (Tuesday) to seize Spion Kop, the salient feature of which forms the left of enemy's position, facing Trichard's Drift, and divides it from the position facing Potgieter's. It has considerable command over all the enemy's entrenchments.

WITH FRENCH'S COLUMN. AN AUSTRALIAN PATROL TRAPPED. R.ENSBURG, Wednesday. A patrol of the New South Wales Lancers, con- sisting of nineteen men, had an unpleasant experi- ence yesterday afternoon. They had been scouting in the neighbourhood of Norvtil'.s Farm and were returning to camp when a party of 60 Boers sought to cut them off. The Lancers immediately made for an adjacent kopje, intending to hold it against the enemy until they were relieved. It was a hard race between them and the mounted Boers. When they reached the kopje, however, they found that an- other party of Boers were in possession of it, and the Australians were thus between two fires. The enemy proceeded to shoot the Lancers' horses, though three .men managed to break through and having good mounts reached camp in safety. Of the remaining sixteen, two were killed and fourteen taken prisoners.

THE MODDER RIVER RECON- NAISSANCE. SPLENDID ARTILLERY WORK. JJJODDER RIVER, Thursday. During the demonstration which was made on Tuesday, a Boer laager was discovered. Accord- ingly a small column, consisting of Mounted Infantry and Artillery and three battalions of Infantry under Lord Methuen himself, yesterday made a reconnaissance in the direction of the laager, which was found to have been removed during the night. The infantry were drawn from the Highland and 9th Brigades. Our artillery made splendid practice. The Highlanders advancing up the river fired volleys into the bush, effectually clearing it. The enemy returned our fire briskly, but without effect. The object of the reconnais- sance was most successfully attained. During the afternoon a lyddite shell from one of our guns fired the brushwood on a kopje occupied by the euemy. The fire blazed merrily until the evening, when the Boers extinguished it under cover of darkness. There was heavy shelling by our big guns this morning, the lyddite shattering the face of the enemy's position. Our naval men have a profound admiration for one of the enemy's gunners, who can plainly be seen sitting out in the open in his shirt sleeves calmly taking observations of our position. He gets back to cover as soon as he sees the smoke of our guns. The Riet River is in flood.

A CRITICAL MOMENT. The London Mail correspondent wires: Rens- burg, January 17. Later information with re spect to the skirmish near Slingersfontein on Mon- day shows that under the continuous roar of musketry, which prevented our men from showing themselves over cover, 200 Boers crept up the hill, hiding behind stones. Captain Orr fell badly wounded, and several men of the small force were killed. Just at this moment Captain Maddocks, of the New Zealanders, hearing the heavy fire on tho Yorkshire side of the rushed up, saw the critical situation, and gave the order in stentorian tones to fix bayonets and charge. The effect was magical. Our men rushed forward with great courage, and led by Maddocks, swept the enemy from the hills. They left their killed to be buried by us.

THE LADYSMITH FIGHTING. The Times Pietermaritzburg correspondent wires: -Wediiesday.-A- Times of Natal runner brings news from Ladysmith down to the 10th inst. There appears to have been two attacks on the 6th on two of our positions, and they were met with splendid defence. The attacks lasted 17 hours. The enemy fought most stubbornly, and it was the pluckiest work attempted by them yet. That we won the day is due chiefly to the Infantry. The Devons executed a splendid charge. The Imperial Light Horse had some desperate work to carry through, and they fought like heroes. There are eight of their officers wounded out of ten. A furious hail- stoim burst overhead while the action was in progress. When the wind changed and the hail was blown towards the energy the Devons charged with the bayonet with the storm at their backs, giving one prolonged yell while they rushed the enemy. The Boers pluckily maintained a heavy fusilade from cover with the hail in their faces. The Devons, heedless of the fearful fire, never hesitated. The Boers became utterly demoralised, their leaders being killed. Some con- tinued to fire, notwithstanding the grim hopeless- ness of the position, but the majority finally ran away. The Devons received showers of shrapnel throughout the engagement from distant heights. The enemy's strength at both attacks was 10,000. The above is only one out of many exciting incidents which occurred in the course of the determined attack. According to the latest estimate the enemy lost 1,100 killed and wounded. All was quiet at Ladysmith between the 6th and 10th.

THE BOERS REPORTED IN FINANCIAL STRAITS. AND THE CONSEQUENCES. A prominent banker of New York, with impor- tant Amsterdam and Paris connexions, has assured the Manchester Guardian's correspondent that his private information is that the Boers are in great straits for money, and are absolutely unable to place a loan. The supplies they had on hand at the beginning of the war are, he understands, nearly exhausted. Besides buying material of war, they have had to expend enormous sums in paying the salaries of foreign officers in the employ of the Transvaal, and the latter refuse to serve one day after their pay is stopped. According to the correspondent's informant, banking houses having the closest relations with the Boer Republics are of opinion that all the English have to do after relieving Ladysmith and Kimberley is to maintain a rigid blockade of all the frontiers, and the Boer cause will collapse for lack of funds.

FOR ENGLAND." LADY LINDSAY'S POEM. We take the two following verses from the patriotic poem which Lady Lindsay has written. The en tire profits derived from the sale of "For England," which is by special permission dedicated to H.R.H. the Princess of Wales, are handed over to the Soldiers and Sailors' Families' Association and in this way, during the last four weeks, £100 has been sent to Colonel Gildea for distribution. Copies of the poem (price 6d, post free 7d) may be obtained from Lady Lindsay, 41, Hans Place, London, S.W. Booksellers willing to assist in the sale are invited to communicate with Lady Lindsay. "For England" may be recited without per- mission and without fee. Lies he upon the battle plain, Wounded, and calls ? Again, again he calls, And calls in vain- And I Not nigh, t; To bind his hurt and ease his pain, And bring him back to life and joy again Perchance the darkness falls Upon that ghastly bleak hill-side Where they, who make our grief, but more our pride, They whom we ne'er forget, Our soldier heroes, all unconquered yet, Save by grim Death, Unyielding to the foe, yield now their valorous breath For England. He lives Methinksl hear him speak to-night: Dear heart, you would Not keep me if you could. Your hand, your little English hand, Points to the fight. For sake of this our motherland, Her honour and her might, I went. Dear heart, If yours must prove the harder part: To stay and watch and wait From early dawn till evening late, From evening late to early dawn again to stay, And watch and wait, and so from day to day- Yet, as you love me, hold sweet courage high. God's care shall guard my wife Ay, whether He demand or spare my life, Whether I live or die For England!"

COUNTY MEETING AT SHREWS- BURY. THE EQUIPMENT OF THE YEOMANRY. On Saturday afternoon a county meeting was held in the Shire Hall, Shrewsbury, to consider the equipment of the Shropshire squadron of the Imperial Yeomanry and the Rifle Volunteers. The Earl of Powis presided, and there was a representa- tive attendance, which included Lord Forrester, Lord Kenyon, Mr Stanley Leighton, M.P., Colonel Kenyon-Slaney, M.P., Mr H D Greene, Q.C., M.P., Mr Jasper Moore, M.P., Colonel Cotes, Major Lovett, Colonel Baldoch, Colonel Anstice, Sir Offlev Wake- man, Bart., Sir Walter Smythe, Bart., Colonel Leeke, Major General the Hon VV H Herbert, &c.- Lord Powis said it was unnecessary for him to go into the question as to why the Yeomanry and Volunteers had been called to the front; they all kiie A, the reason well enough, and they wished them God-speed on their journey and a safe return. He was sure it was the desire of every Salopian that the men who had so gallantly volunteered should be equipped in the best possible way, able to defend themselves and to give a good account of themselves. A considerable sum of money had already been .1 y subscribed to the appeal made on behalf of the Yeomanry, and the fund amounted to about Y,2,000 (applause). He had himself received many generous contributions. Viscount Boyne had promised X200, Lords Rowton and Bromilow ClOO each, Mr Stanier (Pe pton) X100, and he (Lord Powis) should be happy to give another zE200 (applause). It was impossible to give an exact estimate of what would be required, but it was thought advisable to ask for Y,6,500, and he hoped the county would meet the call made upon them in the same generous spirit that had been manifested hitherto.-Col. Baldoch said that to properly equip the 116 men-all of whom belonged.to the county—who would form the Shropshire squadron a sum of S6,000 would be required. He spoke highly of the training the men had undergone, and said that out of 33 in one section there were 29 marksmen (applause).—Col. Anstice, speaking on behalf of the Volunteers, said that 9500 would be required.—Colonel Kenyon-Slaney, M.P., moved "That it is desirable that a fund, to be called the 'Lord Lieutenant's Equipment Fund,' be now raised for the purpose of aiding in the equipment of the Imperial Yeomanry, artillery, and infantry Volunteers from the Salop who have so patrioti- cally offered their services for the war now being carried on in South Africa."—The Hon G Ormsby. Gore seconded the motion, which was carried.-Mr Greene moved, "That a committee ccnsistiug of the following gentlemen be and are hereby ap- pointed for the purpose of administering the fund, with power to deal with any surplus as they may deem best, viz.:—The Earl of Powis, Sir Offley Wakeman, Bart, Mr J Poweri-Jones, Col Kenyon- Slaney, Colonel Baldoch, Colonel Anstice, Colonel Masefield, Major Ormsby-Gore, with power to add to their number."—Lord Kenyon seconded the proposition, which was carried.—On the proposition of Mr Stanley Leighton, seconded by Major-General Herbert, Col Cresswell Peele was appointed hon. secretary and treasurer to the fund. It was an- nounced at the close of the meeting that the sub- scriptions amounted to about n,500, among the contributors, in addition to those mentioned, being Captain Foster X300, Mr W II Foster L200, Mr and Mrs Wynne Corrie £100 each, and Mr and Mrs H D Greene X100 each. Printed and Published by Samuel Salter and David Rowlands, at their Offices, 21, Berriew Street, Welshpool, in the County of Montgomery, and Rock View, Towyn, in the County of Merioneth. —Thursday, January 25, 19CO.