SLOPES OF INTINTANYONE.
ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS AT THE FOOT OF INTINTANYONE THE DAY BEFORE THE BATTLE.
The Boer tactics.
The Boer strategy was of archaic simplicity, but great effectiveness; it aimed at enveloping the British forces, in small detachments, entrenching Boer commandoes round the British camps, bringing up artillery of the heaviest possible calibre, and then inviting attack. The Boers themselves rarely assaulted. They had infinite patience, and, when once the British were shut in, waited for time and hunger to accomplish the required object.
The town of Ladysmith was badly situated for defensive purposes. It was dominated by two high hills which rose the one to the north-east and the other to the east, known as Lombard's Kop and Bulwana Mountain, four or five miles distant. To the rear of the town was the Klip River, which was fordable except during heavy rains. Here centred the roads and railways from the Transvaal, from the Free State, and from eastern and southern Natal. Here also great quantities of stores and ammunition had been accumulated, in readiness for a forward move. The distance by railway from Pietermaritzburg, the capital of Natal, was 119 miles; from Durban, the real British base, 189 miles.
GENERAL SIR GEORGE WHITE UNDER FIRE AT ELANDSLAAGTE.
[Oct. 27, 1899.
White decides to hold Ladysmith.