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Page 23
On January 20th better news was received from Sir Redvers Buller; his
advance had been very satisfactory. Reports stated that he had reached
Acton Holmes, and that four brigades had crossed the Tugela. His shells
were seen falling thickly on Thabba Nyama mountain.
The tea and sugar rations were, however, cut down to half. The health of
the men began now to generally improve, probably owing to better
drinking water which was obtainable from the condenser, recently
arranged for, at the railway station.
Very heavy gun fire, night and day, was continually heard from the
direction of Spion Kop and Acton Holmes, and on the 23rd a demonstration
was made from Ladysmith, the mounted troops going out under cover of the
fire of all the guns. The Ladysmith guns on all the fronts opened, but
were answered only by the Boer guns on Gun Hill and Bulwana. There was
but little musketry fire from Pepworth direction, and Surprise Hill
seemed deserted.
Still no relief appeared, and the rations were:--
12 oz. of beef,
1 lb. of bread.
Half ration of sugar.
Half ration of tea.
An order published on the 23rd gave hope:--
"Sir George White has received further satisfactory news as to Sir R.
Buller's advance. The relief of Ladysmith may be said to be within
measurable distance."
Very heavy gun fire was heard from 3 a.m. on the 24th till 2 p.m., and
in the evening further encouragement was circulated:--
"Reassuring news has been received from Sir R. Buller."
No news from the relieving army was received on the 25th. Heavy firing
continued, and in the evening the Boers were seen trekking from the
direction of Spion Kop, all the laagers on the rear slopes of the
mountain clearing off and making for Vanreenen's Pass and Newcastle. In
fact, the whole country round Spion Kop seemed about to be hurriedly
abandoned by the Boers. Great excitement prevailed in Ladysmith.
An investigation of the slopes of Spion Kop through the glasses at
daybreak on the following morning proved, however, disappointing, for
the laagers which had cleared off the night before were back again in
their places. Moreover, the Boers round Ladysmith were very truculent on
the morning of the 26th, which necessitated the garrison standing to
arms till 6 a.m.
Prices at the weekly auction had gone up considerably.
Two vegetable marrows were sold for 5s. 6d.
Pumpkins fetched 2s. 6d. each.
A small plate of potatoes reached 11s.
Whilst four sticks (4 oz.) of black tobacco, "Fair-maid" brand, changed
hands at �5 10s.
From now till the end of the siege two companies of the Regiment were
moved to a healthier spot, known as the "Convalescent Camp." It was
situated at the eastern end of Convent Hill. This post was relieved
weekly, and as the men were concealed and in a healthier position the
change was much appreciated.
On the morning of January 27th a native runner brought in news. His
account was:--
"Boers lost heavily from artillery fire on Wednesday, and say that the
British artillery is too much for them. I saw six field cornets dead on
one wagon. Some English were taken prisoners, and they were from the
left flank attack. The English attacked Spion Kop and surrounded the
base of the hill, and the Boers lost heavily from the English shrapnel
fire. When the English got to the top of the hill the Boers ran down the
other side. The Boers are much disheartened by their losses."
Judging from the above, the native must have then run away and not have
waited to see the finish, for in the evening the following news came
in:--
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