Shut up in Ladysmith; Lieut. Walker in command.
The Boers seize the heights dominating Ladysmith.
There was a lull until the 30th. Between the 26th and 29th the Boers, repeating their Dundee tactics, seized the ridge to the north of Ladysmith known as Pepworth Hill, about 7,000 yards from the town, and placed two or more heavy 40-pounder siege guns in position there. They also brought up a large number of smaller guns—Schneider-Canet quick-firers and Maxim automatic 1-pounders—from the ample store with which the gold wrung from the Outlanders had provided them, and throwing up entrenchments, further strengthened a naturally strong and commanding position.
NATAL CARBINEERS WITH MAXIM GUN.
This picture represents the detachment under Lieut. Gallway in camp at Ladysmith. They were taken prisoners in the battle of Dundee.
[Oct. 29, 1899.
On October 29 a war balloon which had just arrived from England was sent up, and the Boer positions were reconnoitred. Late in the evening the greater part of two battalions of infantry—the Gloucesters and Dublin Fusiliers—under Colonel Carleton, with a mountain battery, a total of about 1,200 men, were detailed to move out, under cover of night, to seize two hills close to the Klip River and six miles to the north of Ladysmith, thus securing the British left for next day's work. The only enemies expected to be encountered in this direction were the Free Staters, who were reported to be in no great force.
LADYSMITH CAMP IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE WAR.