cannot connect with tsql

Hello everyone, i am having dificulty connecting with tsql to test if  
i can connect to a SQL server.
I installed the most recent stable of freetds.
i can ping and telnet into the server on the proper port.
well the telnet connection gives me:

Trying [IP address removed}...
Connected to [IP address removed].
Escape character is '^]'.
Connection closed by foreign host.

so the server is there and up.

but my tsql line:

tsql -H [ip address] -p 5000 -U uname -P password

returns:
ocale is "en_CA.UTF-8"
locale charset is "UTF-8"
Msg 20017, Level 9, State -1, Server OpenClient, Line -1
Unexpected EOF from the server
Msg 20002, Level 9, State -1, Server OpenClient, Line -1
Adaptive Server connection failed
There was a problem connecting to the server


is this a security problem on the SQL server side or something  
problematic with my freetds instal or something i haven't even thought  
of, i cannot find any information on this error online.
thanks
-kevin