Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-03-01
Ladysmith Relieved.

Ladysmith Relieved.
London, March Ian immense
crowd by some intuition packed Pal
Mall at an early hour aud at $50 their
esgerness for news was rewarded by the
posting of the following on the war Of
fee bulletin board:
"Lyttleton's headquarters, March l..
-9:05 a. m.-'DuudOnald with the
Natal csrbineers and composite regi-
ment entered Ladysmith last night.
The country between me and Lady
smith is reported clear of the enemy.
| am moving on NelthOrpe.
BUTLER"
The news flew through the throng
which surged against the building,
surged back again and shouted, scream
ed, waved bats and canes, many actual
ly weeping for joy. Then those on the
outskirts started of on the run and
spread the glad tidings. The same
scenes were repeated at all centres OF
information throughout the city. When
extras appeared the newsbOys were
mobbed and given half crowns. sixpences
and shillings, no one waiting for change
The first impulse of Englishmen every
where was TO give credit for the relief
of Ladysmi.h to Lord Roberts, over
looking Butler.
London, March 1.-The Lord Mayor
read General Buffers dispatch an
nouncing the relief of Lsdysmith from
the steps of the Mansion House to al
immense throng. The crowd here was
90 great that all traffic had to be sus-
pended for some time. The people
sang in their JOY and cheered continu-
ously for "Bobs." White and Butler.
The bells of ST. Paul's will toll tonight
in honor of British victories.
To add to the enthusiasm, the follow
ing message was received from Lord
Roberts at Pssrdeberg:
"Uoder date OF February % General
Clements reports that, hearing that
Colesberg had been evacuated, he sent
a force to occupy Colesberg junction
and then rode into Colesberg. The
British received an enthusiastic vel
come. They secured certain amount
of ammu uitioD, arrested several rebels,
and then returned to Rensberg. The
railroad is working to Lanewelemans
siding. The British now hold Coles
berg and Colesberg Junction"
Windsor. March 1.-Qneen VictOris
was Informed early Of the good news
and expressed the liveliest joy at the
lidings. Flags were at once hoisted on
the castle and the Queen cent tele-
grams OF generalization 10 General
Butler and General White.
Buffers relief of Ladysmith came in
the nick of time. Only the belief that
relief was sure this time, apparently
enabled the garrison to hold out. Pri.
vste reports from Ladysmith showed
that the garrison was not only short of
food but that the water on which they
depended was poison. Tea made from
il was thick with stringy sediment
which was nothing less than sewage
from the Boer camp. The few spots
sheltered from the bombardment were
speedily polluted and those who escap-
ed from fever or dysentery were in
wretched physical condition. For
long time the garrison has subssted on
horse and mule flesh. Luxuries were
beyond the means of the majority.
Eggs were 50 dozen. A can of milk
cost 80; tobacco was 1925 pound and
a case of whisky was rallied OF for
800. The number of men within the
lines at Ladysmith was reported the
early part of February to be 1900 of
whom 5000 were civilians and 800 Dc
tives. Lsdysmith has been besieged
almost exactly four months, wire CON-
municatioD with the place having been
cut by the Beers on Nov. 2.
CspetowD, March 1.-The city is
seething with excitement over the
news of the relief of Ladysmitb.
Crowds thronged the streets singing
and shouting, and flags appeared every
where. The excitement rapidly de-
veloped spirit of violence against the
Dutch element here. A mob stoned
the offices of the Dutch newspapers
and stormed the government house,
hosting Union Jack over it IS pro-
test against the Shreiner ministry.
London, March 1.-General Butler
telegraphs from Nelthorpe under to-
days date, $40 p. m, as follows: II
have just returned from Ladysmith.
Except for small rear guard north of
Hill, the whole enemy has re-
tired in hot haste and south of the
town the country is free from them.
The Ladysmith garrison was reduced
to one-balf pound of meal a day and
were Supplementary their meat ration
with horses and mules. The men will
need a little nursing before they are fit
for the field"
London, March 1.-Dispatches from
the provinces show that the exciting
scenes here were duplicated in all the
towns of the kingdom Immediately the
news of the relief of Ladysmith became
known. Business was closed and
crowds paraded the streets singing and
cheering.
At Liverpool the Lord Mayor address,
ed crowd Of 10000 persons 10 front OF
the town hall.
Brussels, March DIR. Leyds who
has returned here said today that the |
moral effect of the relief of Ladysmith |
was bad for the Boers. He said the
Beers in the Orange Free State would |
now concentrate at Winburg, in the
hills northeast OF B'oemfonteiD.