New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-03
LADYsuITH WAS IN SORE STRAITS
HAD THE BOERS KNOW N 1T THEY COULD
HAVE EASILY CAPTURED 1T.


Iadysmith, March 1-Surrounded by cheer
ing soldiers, townspeople and coolies celeorat-
ing the relief of the town. Sir George White. at
the postoffice addressed the throng. He said:
People of Iadysmith I thank you for the
heroic and patient manner In which you ASSIST
ed me during the siege 1t hurt me .errioiy 70
cut down the rations. but, thank God we kept
the flag flying!
Then. profoundly moved. General White led
the assembly in singing God Save the queen!
London, March 3-"The Standard" publishes
the following dispatch from Ladysmith. dated
Thursday March 1:
The once dashing cavalry brigade has prac-
ttcany ceased to exist At the beginning OF the
year we had $500 horses and 4.3oU mules be
fore the end of January we could only feed l'ioO
horses the others had either been converted
into joints. soups and sausages or had been ler5
to forage for themselves. These poor. emaclated
auimals-rnere phantoms of horses-were among
the painful sights of the siege
Had we possessed unlimited amount OF
heavy guns and ammunition, we might nave
made the position more bearable. Although not
shot was fired. except in dire necessity
there were February l only forty ROUNDS
left for each naval gun, while the supply lot
the field artillery would have been exhausted
In a couple OF minor engagements. fortunately
the Beers were ignorant of the true state OF
affairs. Had they known our real Weak ness
they might have displayed greater daring with
results which-now that we are safeL osert can
venture to contemplate We were victorious
solely because of mastery inactivity
The bombardment heavy, but on the
whole ineffective. 1t is estimated that during
the investment about twelve thousand smells
were thrown into the town, average OF three
tons of explosives daily: yet we had only thirty
five men killed and 1SS wounded. Our largest
losses were from disease
Winston Churchill. who accompanied the Lady
smith relief column. telegraphng his expert
ences. says
During the afternoon of February 2S the cav
airy brigades pressed forward, under CoioneI
Burn Murdoch. toward Bulwana Hill and under
Lord Dundonald in the direction of Ladysrnitn.
The Beers fired on both with artillery from Bull
wana.
About o'clock Major Coughs regiment. when
was in the advance. found the ridges surround
Ing and concealing Ladysmith apparently I'M
occupied He reported the fact to LORD Dun
donald who determined TO ride through the gap
with the Light Horse and Carbineers-
The rest OF the brigade was sent back to Gen
eral Buffers picket line. II was evening Wnen
we started About hour OF daylight re-
manned. We galloped on swiftly. IN spite OF the
rough ground. up and down hill, through scrub
and rocks and dongas until we could see the
British guns flashing from Wagon Hill; but on
we went faster. until suddenly there came a
challenge from tine scrub. Who goes there.
The Ladysmith relieving army we replied;
and then the tattered and almost boGtless men
crowded around. cheering very feeby. Even in
the gloom could see how thin ana pare they
looked: but how glad they WERE