e. Mr. Freeman, conductor,
has done very well; and the white drivers, McPheeson and Blewitt,
excellently. I find the gun teams of eight oxen under the two latter
are very useful.

* * * * *

[_The Times_, Thursday, March 1st, 1900.]

The following despatch from General Buller has been received at the
War Office:--

Headquarters, Hlangwane Plain,
_February 28th_, 8.5 a.m.

Finding that the passage of Langewachte Spruit was commanded by strong
entrenchments, I reconnoitred for another passage of the Tugela. One
was found for me below the cataract by Colonel Sandbach, Royal
Engineers.

On the 25th we commenced making an approach to it, and on the 26th,
finding that I could make a practicable approach, I crossed guns and
baggage back to the south side of the Tugela, took up the pontoon
bridge on the night of the 26th, and relaid it at the new site, which
is just below the point marked "cataract."

During all the time the troops had been scattered, crouching under
hastily-constructed small stone shelters, and exposed to a galling
shell and rifle fire, and throughout maintained the most excellent
spirit.

On the 27th General Barton, with two Battalions 6th Brigade and the
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, crept about one and a half miles down the
banks of river, and, ascending an almost precipitous cliff of about
500 feet, assaulted and carried the top of Pieters Hill.

This hill to a certain extent turned the enemy's left, and the 4th
Brigade, under Colonel Norcott, and the 11th Brigade, under Colonel
Kitchener, the whole under General Warren, assailed the enemy's main
position, which was magnificently carried by the South Lancashire
Regiment about sunset.

We took about sixty prisoners and scattered the enemy in all
directions.

There seems to be still a considerable body of them left on and under
Bulwana Mountain.

Our losses, I hope, are not large. They certainly are much less than
they would have been were it not for the admirable manner in which the
artillery was served, especially the guns manned by the Royal Navy and
the Natal Naval Volunteers.

* * * * *

[_The Times_, Thursday, March 8th, 1900.]

_From our Special Correspondent._

Ladysmith,
_March 5th._

The following special Army Order has bee