Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/381

 1899.] Africa. — Natal. — Attack on Ladysmith. [373

The naval force arrived on October 30. A sortie was made that day to attack a position where the enemy had mounted heavy guns, but after several hours' fighting the main body returned to their camps. On the evening before, a mountain battery with four and a half companies of the Gloucester Eegi- ment and six of the Eoyal Irish Fusiliers — all under Colonel Carleton — had been sent to march up Bell's Spruit and seize Nicholson's Nek. The mules of the mountain battery and those laden with the greater part of the rifle ammunition were stampeded by the Boers, and bolted. The enemy were in great force and had many guns, and on the afternoon of the following day at three o'clock the men, though the hill was taken and held, had exhausted their ammunition and were obliged to surrender. Some 843 officers and men were taken and sent as prisoners of war to Pretoria. The British were all in action in this battle of Farquhar's Farm and that of Nicholson's Nek and lost 80 men, but the Boer loss was much greater. This reverse only stimulated the British Empire to make greater efforts. The Army Beserve was called out, and contingents from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other colonies offered their services for the war. Large sums were raised for the relief of soldiers' widows and orphans, and many contributions came from the ends of the earth. The reverses in Natal changed all plans of the campaign. It was decided that Ladysmith and Kimberley must be relieved.

Colenso was evacuated by the British on November 2, and they fell back to Estcourt. The Boers began raiding and pillaging the country round about, and on the 15th an armoured train was wrecked by them near Chieveley. Many were killed and wounded, and nearly 100 men were taken prisoners, including Mr. Winston S. Churchill, son of Lord Randolph Churchill, who acted with great courage, although a non-combatant. A general attack on Ladysmith was made on November 9, and the Boers were repulsed with heavy loss. The British, taught by the enemy, lay snugly among the boulders while a tempest of lead swept over their heads.

A night operation at Beacon Hill, in which Colonel Kitchener took a prominent part, under Major-General Hildyard (Nov. 23) resulted in a strategical success of the greatest value. An attack made on the advancing Boers for the time dispersed them, and restored communication with Pietermaritzburg, and the Boers were driven back from Tugela Drift by the Natal troops.

Sir Bedvers Buller arrived in Natal on November 25, and a British force moved up to Frere, about fifteen miles south of Colenso. There General Clery arrived on December 2. On December 8 General Hunter made a brilliant sortie at night from Ladysmith, with 500 Natal troops, and destroyed two big guns of the enemy and captured a Maxim ; and Colonel Metcalf making another dash with 500 of the Second Rifle