Second Boer War: Ladysmith Besieged

November 2, 1899 - Boer forces besiege British troops at Ladysmith, South Africa. With the outbreak of hostilities, Boer forces moved quickly to isolate British garrisons such as Ladysmith and Mafeking. With the enemy encircling his position, Lt. Gen. George White attempted to break out from Ladysmith on October 29/30, 1899. This attack was repulsed and the British were forced to assume a defensive position near the town. Aware of White's situation, Gen. Sir Redvers Buller moved to relieve Ladysmith. His advance was blocked by Boer troops and he was defeated at Colenso on December 15. Able to communicate with Ladysmith via searchlight and heliograph, he advised White to break out or surrender. Though he was unable to attack, White refused to capitulate. In January, unhappy with the pace of the siege, several Boar officers convinced Commandant-General Petrus Joubert to attack. Moving forward, they attempted to the storm White's position on January 5, 1900, with no success. With his men slowly starving, White held out until Buller was finally able to achieve a breakthrough on February 27. The first relief columns reached the town the next day.