THE SIEGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 49

THE SIEGE.

EXTENDING OVER 118 DAYS.

FEATURES OF DAILY LIFE

The siege of Ladysmith has lasted 118 days. The Boer Republic declared war on October 11 last year, the Free State annexing a Natal train on the same day. „ On the following day Natal Mas invaded. On October 20 the enemy attacked Dundee in force,^ but were defeated. On the following day General French attacked the Boers in their entrenched position at Elandslaagte, and inflicted on them a severe defeat, over 300 Boers being taken prisoners, while over 100 were known to have been killed. On October 25 General Yule evacuated Dundee, and fell back on Ladysmith. On the following day the Boer?, occupying a strong position near Ladysmith, retreated before a, column without any engagement, but on the 29th General Joubert advanced and took up a strong position and entrenched himself. On the 30th the Boers began shelling Ladysmith, but their guns were quickly silenced . On the 30th October, the day on which General Buller reached Capetown, the Nicholson's Nek disaster occurred. The Boers opened fire on Ladysmith, but their 40-pounders were soon silenced. The real siege commenced on November 2. On that day the British guns opened fire at very lore; lange, and intermittent firing continued till 10 a.m. At that hour communication was cut off, and the Boers appearing in force at Colenso, that little town was evacuated by Colonel Cooper. Ladysmith has since been beleaguered on all sides, and intermittently bombarded. The following is a diary- of the principal events of the siege: — November 3.— Sharp cavalry action to tne south of the town, near Beaters. Free

Staters roughly handled. November 9. — Boers a&saulted the town in force, but were repulsed with heavy losses. British casualties insignificant. Grand salvo of lyddite in honour of the Prince

of Wale&'s Birthday. November 19.— Invalids and a number of women and children removed to a neutral camp near the racecourse by mutual con-

sent. November 21.—

n—Sharp skirmish near Lor-

bard's Kop Nek. December 8. — Daring sortie under the direction of General Hunter. Boer 96-pounder and howitzer blown tip and a Maxim captured. British loss, one killed and three

wounded. December 10. — Second sortie. Surprise Hill captured by the Rifle Brigade and Boer howitzer destroyed. British casualties about 60. Many Boers bayoneted. December 18.— Sir George -White reports an increase of enteric fever and dysentery. Seven men killed and 12 wounded by

December 22.— Nine men killed and 16

wounded by shell. January 6. — Determined Boer assault gloriously repulsed on every side vrith great loss, the fighting having lasted for 16 hours. March I.— Relieved by General Buller.