On Wednesday night Lord Dandonald's cavalry entered Ladysmitl., and on
Thursday General Bailer himself visited the garrison, and thus proclaimed to the world that the town was relieved beyond all doubt and question. Before, however, this could be accomplished General Buller had to fight a series of closely contested battles, and to keep trying to pierce the enemy's lines first at one point and then at another. Fortunately both the General and his men are of a dogged breed. Undaunted and undismayed by perpetual disappointments, and by finding that when they had taken one range of kopjes bristling with rifles and guns there was always behind it a line still higher and still more strongly held, they grimly persisted in their task. It was magnificently accomplished, and as far as the military qualities of courage, endurance, and the sense of duty are concerned, the relief of Ladysmith will rank as second to none in the annals of our Army. But not less gallant was the conduct of the General and the men who have held so weak a position as Lady- smith against such a foe as the Boers for four months. That is a moral victory if ever there was one, for by all the rules of war Ladyemith was untenable in face of the brave, ably directed, and numerous troops who were attacking it. The miseries of the siege have been terrible, especially for the sick and wounded, but they are all forgotten in the joy of relief.
