Battles of the nineteenth century (1901) (14759261796)

Identifier: battlesofninetee06forb (find matches)
Title: Battles of the nineteenth century
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Forbes, Archibald, 1838-1900 Atteridge, A. Hilliard (Andrew Hilliard)
Subjects: Battles Military history, Modern
Publisher: London New York : Cassell and Company
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive



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which would not, under ordinary circum-stances, become exhausted in three months.But the artillery were not so well placed. Thesupply of shell worked out to a little over 300rounds per gun in the field batteries, and evenwith the naval guns it was evident thatexpenditure would have to be made with asparing hand. Ladysmith does not lend itselfreadily to defence. Roughly, the town lies inthe bend of a horse-shoe. But the hills whichmake this formation are disconnected, and theranges and spurs straggle over a large area.Not only are they uneven, but their continua-tions stretch away in every direction, and formpositions which in the majority of cases actuallycommand the town. With the force at his dis-posal, it was, of course, absolutely impossible tohold every hill ; and even contracting his front soas to hold the majority of the strategical points, * Letter of November ist, published December 19th,1899.
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BOERS FIRING ON GENERAL FRENCHS TRAIN. 62 THE BOER WAR. Sir George White found his q,ooo men, ofwhich only 5,ooo odd were infantry, holding aline of posts extending over eleven miles.The attacking force was estimated at upwardsof 20,000 men. It was supposed that Jouberthad in all from 25,000 to 30,000 men inNorthern Natal, so that while holding hispositions round Ladysmith he could afford todetach a strong column for operations furthersouth. Soon after dawn on November 2nd the Boersopened fire upon the town with their heavyCreusot gun, which was mounted on PepworthHill. The two heavy guns of the NavalBrigade replied. One of the earlier shots fromthe enemys gun mortally wounded LieutenantEgerton, R.N., of the Terrible, who was incommand of the naval battery. He was underthe long barrel of one of his guns, leaning onthe parapet of the battery, when the enemysshell came through the earthwork withoutbursting and shattered both his legs. Thesurgeons tried to save him. They amputatedone leg