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From: "Geo." <>
Subject: [TRIVVIES] From The Northern News-Saturday, January 6,1900-BULLER'S PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACKING.
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:56:36 +0900


Transcribed by Emily Smith.

Geo.

The Northern News
With Which Are Amalgamated The
HALTWHISTLE and ALSTON NEWS and NORTH CUMBERLAND REFORMER
No. 514 —Vol. XI. Saturday, January 6, 1900

BULLER'S PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACKING.
BOERS' DEFENSIVE TACTICS.
The special correspondent of the "Standard" and "The Yorkshire Post" telegraphs from Frere Camp, Monday, January 1:—Sir Charles WARREN'S Division is now nearly complete. The headquarters are at Estcourt. A new armoured train, the trucks of which are filled with half roofs of concave form, is now ready, and will be sent forward as far as possible in the direction of Colenso for the purpose of reconnoitring the enenmy's position at close quarters and drawing the fire of their big guns. Hitherto they have succeeded in masking with the utmost skill the exact situation of their heavy artillery. All ranks are impatiently awaiting the order to advance.The men are fully alive to the nature of the position, and are quite determined that the next attack shall be decisive, if only for the sake of the beleaguered garrison at Ladysmith. The rumour is again current that the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, captured by the enemy in the battle of the 15th ultimo, are mounted on the hills commanding the drift over the Tugela River at Springfield. The statement that the abandonment of the guns was due to the failure of the ammunition is now said to be erroneous. The Boers, it seems captured as much as 620 rounds of shrapnel. The diffficulties confronting Sir Redvers BULLER have been immeasurable increased by the enforced delay since the last engagement. He has now before him a series of walls and fortified hills running for a distance of 16 miles along the bank of the Tugella. There are swarming with the enemy, posting in positions of great strength, and are bristling with guns. And in front of all runs a river that is now in full flood. In these circumstances the coming battle will certainly be the stiffest and probably the most momentous of the whole compaign. The naval guns continue to pound the enemy's front, while our patrols search his flanks.

--
Emily Smith


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