|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 13
On November 30th General Clery opened up signalling communication with
Ladysmith by flashing his message with his searchlight at night on to
the clouds. The message, which was in cipher, could be easily read by
every one, but the garrison was unable to reply as they had no
searchlight.
In the early days of December, in order to keep the men as far as
possible in a condition for any eventualities, the Regiment evacuated
their works twice a week at dusk and went for a march twice round the
town. Starting at nightfall the works were regained about 10 p.m. The
exercise was good for the men's limbs and the change of scene
undoubtedly nourishment for their minds, but it is doubtful if it
conduced to the health of the men, as during the march they were
smothered in their own dust, and also in that kicked up by the artillery
horses exercising at the same time and on the same roads. It certainly
gave the men something to think about besides rocks and stones and
building, and the walking stretched their legs.
On December 2nd Colonel Knox, desirous of carrying on the work of
building in the daytime as well as by night, ordered some canvas screens
to be put up in the Post, behind which the men could work concealed from
view. But although stained the colour of the surroundings, the screens
were seen at once by the Boers, and the battalion was much troubled by a
new gun stationed near Pepworth Hill, which opened fire shortly after
they were erected. One shell from this howitzer topping the hill pitched
within a yard of the guard tent underneath, which was full of men. No
damage was done, however, beyond scattering the ammunition boxes and
covering the men with mud. The screens were then taken down, and on the
disappearance of the noxious objects the firing ceased, and the Boers
appeared pacified. At 10 p.m., whilst the Regiment was at work building
on Cemetery Hill, an order came to parade at once and march to a
rendezvous down in the town in Lyle Street. It was given out "for
operations near Limit Hill." On reaching the rendezvous it was learnt
that the force consisted of two brigades of infantry, some batteries,
and all the mounted troops. After half an hour's wait, a staff officer
rode up to say that the operations were cancelled.
About this time the siege newspaper, the _Ladysmith Lyre_, came into
existence. There were only four issues, on account of want of paper.
Shelling continued daily with but little or no result. The Boers were
apparently much incensed with the Town Hall, upon which the Geneva red
cross flag was flying, and which was being used as a hospital, for they
continually fired at it till the flag was taken down early in December,
when they scarcely ever fired at it again.
[Illustration: Town Hall, Ladysmith, Clock-tower damaged by shell fire]
On December 7th General Hunter made his sortie to Gun Hill. The secret
was well kept. In the evening, at dark, the battalion was sent to
Abattis Hill with orders to entrench, the scheme ostensibly being that a
force was to go out and stir up the Boers round Pepworth Hill whilst the
Regiment threatened to attack the Boers on the other flank.
At 11 p.m. a letter was received telling the officer commanding the
Devon Regiment to meet General Hunter under Devon Post at 11.30 p.m.
Shortly after this hour a force of Colonial mounted infantry, with
General Hunter at their head, passed the post to assault Gun Hill. This
they found but sparsely guarded, and, dispersing the small picquet, they
succeeded in blowing up the two big guns and a Maxim located there. The
Regiment remained out till the operation was over. It had been placed in
this position on Abattis Hill to act as a flank guard, with the object
of preventing the Boers attacking from the left round General Hunter's
rear, which was very open, and to act as a support upon which General
Hunter could fall back in case his surprise failed and he was driven in.
This successful operation was accomplished with the loss of seven men
wounded.
The operation that followed was not, however, so successful. Colonel
Knox reported that his mounted troops had gone out eight miles up the
Newcastle road past Limit Hill, and had not met or seen a single Boer.
He suggested that the Cavalry Brigade should go out and capture and burn
the Boer stores at Elandslaagte Station. They proceeded to carry out the
suggestion, starting at 7 a.m., but they fell in with a large force of
Boers under Pepworth Hill who had been in their laagers when the
reconnaissance was made and had thus escaped detection. They came under
heavy musketry fire as well as shell fire, and retired back to Ladysmith
with a loss of three killed and fifteen wounded.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|