New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-17
LIFE IN REsIEGED LApYsM1rH.
GARRISON FAIRLY CHEERFUL ON A DIET OF
HORSE AND MULE MEAT

GARRISON FAIRLY CHEERFUL ON A DIET OF
HORSE AND MULE MEAT
London. Feb 16.-The correspondent of The
Associated Press at Ladysmith from which
place he escaped on February 10. and arrived at
Durham on February a. sends the following,
written before he left Ladysmith:
Since the furious cannonade in the early part
of the week quietness has reigned. The hills
which the relief columns Iyddite shells were
bursting in hundreds a few days previously are
only occupied by grazing cattle Further away
on the north side of Spion Kop the Boer laagers
can be seen, evidently bigger than before, show
ing they have no idea at present OF retiring from
their position.
Much disappointment is felt at the non-ap-
pearance of General Butler as from the severity
of the fire every heart glowing with hope
and excitement at the prospect Of immediate
relief; not that are at all in the blues, for
every capable Of shouldering a rife is con-
1dent in our ability to hold the town against
any force the Beers are capable OF putting in
the field. Still, the continued diet of horse and
mule flesh is getting somewhat monotonous al
though the health of the camp, taking every
thing into consideration, is better than could be
expected Enteric fever and dysentery have
abated. The camp fever is not virulent, but Is
slightly increasing.
The scarcity of vegetables is very trying to
the troops. LuXuries beyond the means of
the majority. Eggs SO shillings dozen, a
small fowl is IS shillings and pence, pumpkins
II shilings EACH small vegetable marrow
shillings, tin of jam II shillngs and pence,
VI
sardnes shillings, and tobacco 80 shillings
pound. a case of whiskey raftied for HAD.
The Beers are smuggling tobacco into camp
through natives. A local factory Is turning out
excellent horse sausages and another Is making
nourlshing soup. which is much appreciated by
the troops, who certainly have increased In
strength since these were served out
The escape of The Associated Press CORE
spondent was most adventurous and arduous.
Leaving Ladysmith the evening of February
10, guided by a native, he soon encountered
Boer patrol who fired upon him. Escaping the
patrol, he crawled twenty-five miles or the
toughest and stoniest paths. hiding in native
huts and kraals during the day and proceeding
at night. Once q Boer patrol came to the door
Of the hut where he was hidden under blankets.
He swan the Tugela River and reached Chieve-
ley on the morning Of February ID, where he
took train for Durham.
The correspondent says that except for two
slight attacks of fever, which never incapaci-
tated him, Sir George White, the British COM
mander in Ladysmith, has been in excellent
health throughout the siege.
The total number Of people within the British
lines, including Intombi Camp, is 1900, all of
them troops except 5000 civilians and 800
blacks.
When The Associated Press correspondent left
the live stock on hand included 1000 horses, 700
mules and $50 cattle and the garrison had no
fear that the necessaries of life would be ex-
hausted for some time to come.