The second half battalion followed them.




CHAPTER II

SIEGE OF LADYSMITH

1899-1900


The siege of Ladysmith had now commenced; communication to the south was
interrupted on November 2nd, and on the same day the Boers had their
guns in action on Bulwana Mountain and were shelling the works and town
freely.

The perimeter of Ladysmith was divided into four sections, A, B, C, D,
under Colonel W.G. Knox, General Howard, Colonel Hamilton, and Colonel
Royston respectively. Section A extended from Devon Post to Cove
Redoubt; on the west of this was section B, extending as far as Range
Post on the Klip River. Section C included Maiden Castle, Wagon Hill,
and Cæsar's Camp, whilst the plain between Cæsar's Camp and Devon Post
was held by the Natal Volunteers under Colonel Royston.

The battalion was ordered to take up the two posts of Cemetery Hill and
Helpmakaar Hill. These were the most eastern kopjes of the defences.
They skirted the Helpmakaar road and were immediately under Bulwana and
Gun Hill. These were distant only some five thousand yards, and
dominated Devon Post.