Boers Siege Ladysmith: British Hold South African Line
Ladysmith had been under siege since October 1899. On January 6, 1900, the Boers made their move — a night assault on the British garrison. They nearly took it. Boer commander Louis Botha got his troops onto Wagon Hill and Caesar's Camp before the British pushed back. By morning, the attack had failed. The siege continued for another six weeks. The British eventually relieved Ladysmith in February, but the campaign made clear that 35,000 farmers with rifles were willing to fight the British Empire on equal terms.
January 6, 1900
126 years ago
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