CHAPTER XII

.--THE FLANK MOVEMENT IN NATAL. Dec. 15, 1899-Jan.

16, 1900.

Further preparations for the relief of Ladysmith--Burial of Lieutenant Roberts--Destruction of Colenso road-bridge--Picket surprised by Boers--Fifth Division reaches Natal--Want of howitzers--Arrival of a balloon and traction engines--Christmas in camp--Disposition of relief force--Boer positions--Mr. Winston Churchill escapes--Boer attack on Cæsar's Camp--Messages from Ladysmith--Relief force attacks Colenso--Advances on Springfield and Hussar Hill--Fail to draw the Boers--Further message from Ladysmith--Storm ends a desultory movement--The flag still flying in Ladysmith--Heroes in rags--Mud everywhere--Composition of the relief force--The army moves--Hampered by baggage--Difficulties of the march--Dundonald seizes Zwart Kop--The pont intact--The Boers entrenching--General Buller's plan of attack--The crossing of Potgieter's Drift 235-262

##