General White, therefore, decided to hold the town. He had now under his orders about 12,000 men and 48 guns—36 15-pounders of the field artillery and 12 7-and 9-pounders of little value. Of the total force about 2,400 were mounted men. Against these the Boers had from 25,000 to 30,000 men and a large number of guns. They were, to a man, mounted, and good horsemen; many of them knew the country; all were accustomed to the peculiar warfare which the terrain in South Africa renders necessary.
A SUNDAY SERVICE IN LADYSMITH.
[CHAPTER III.]
THE INVESTMENT OF LADYSMITH, MAFEKING, AND KIMBERLEY.
The Boers seize the heights dominating Ladysmith—The Battle of Farquhar's Farm—White withdraws to save the town—The guns brought off—Dramatic advent of the Bluejackets—Loss of Carleton's column—Neglect of precautions at Ladysmith—The town beleaguered—Condition of affairs on the Western Frontier—Doubtful attitude of the Schreiner Ministry—First act of war—Attempts to capture Mafeking—The Boers seize Vryburg—Kimberley isolated—Bombardment commenced—Stormberg district abandoned by the British—Attitude of the Cape Dutch.
On October 27 a strong British column marched out of Ladysmith and reconnoitred. The enemy, being not as yet in sufficient strength, or possibly anxious to draw the British on, fell back, and there was nothing more than an interchange of shots.
MARITZBURG HOTCHKISS GUN DETACHMENT.