THIRTY YEARS’ SECRET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21022, 10 May 1930, Page 14

THIRTY YEARS’ SECRET.

SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. SIR lAN HAMILTON’S STORY. Sir lan Hamilton, speaking at a gathering of the “Defenders of Ladysmith ” in Loudon a few weeks ago, told some “ secret history ” of the South African War. “ I will deal with matters of which I have intimate knowledge, beginning with Elandslaagte,” Sir lan said. . ‘On October 21, 1899, General French, who was out reconnoitring to the north, phoned in at 8 a.m, tlfrough the railway telegraph lines to Sir George White that he was in touch with the enemy and wanted reinforcements. “ I was sent out in Command of two batteries of field artillery, the Devons, Manchesters, and Gordons. At 11 a.m. we arrived at Modder Spruit, five miles from the enemy who lay at Elandslaagte. There General French came down to the line and met us. The matter was talked over and I was keen on pressing on at once. General French said he could not until the horses had been fed and watered. “ One way and another we didn’t start till 3 p.m., and did not get into action till 4.30. We carried the position at 5.45. Night was falling. You know the course of the battle. With half an hour more of daylight none of the Boers would have escaped. That would have given the enemy some pause. “But the biggest chance of making an immortal scoop that ever came my way was on October 27. The cavalry had reported a big Boer commando with guns to be in laager five miles northeast of Ladysmith. I was sent out with one infantry brigade and found our cavalry had left to guard the railway between Ladysmith and Colenso, but an officer left behind showed us the laager and gave us an excellent sketch of the ground. “In the laager were 5000 Boers and II guns. From the farm where my brigade lay concealed a road led right up to the laager only two miles off. I sent in to Ladysmith and got leave to make a night attack. They gave me leave. My orders were issued: ‘Start at 1 a.m. by tbe light of a small moon. Empty magazines and fixed bayonets.' “ The thing was a ‘ cert.’ ■ The cavalry had come back and French had agreed to plan and to pursue whenever it grew light. The Royal Irish Fusiliers and Gordon Highlanders were to lead. We said our prayers . and lay down to sleep. At 11 p.m. I was awakened. I thought the hour had struck. “Alas! It was an order to get back into Ladysmith at once. Had that attack came off there would have been no mournful Monday and no Siege of Ladysmith. But then, dear friends, wc wouldn’t be here.”