menced the bombardment of Colenso, and
the troops forming the garrison of that place fell back on Estcourt,
where was stationed a force of considerable strength. By "considerable
strength" it must be understood that the force was sufficiently strong
for purposes of defence, though not for purposes of offence. As a matter
of fact, the force in Natal was not, and has not since been,
sufficiently strong for attack of a foe in such powerfully intrenched
positions. From beginning to end our military commanders on that side of
the theatre of war were sorely handicapped by the tardy recognition by
the Home Government of the gravity of the situation. But here it is now
desirable that something should be said of the early history of the
towns of Mafeking and Kimberley, which, like Ladysmith, were by this
time almost completely isolated, rails and telegraph wires having been
cut around both places respectively.

[Illustration: LADYSMITH, NATAL.

Photo by Wilson, Aberdeen.]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Colonel Sherston, D.S.O., of the Rifle Brigade, in which he held the
rank of Major, was a son of the late Captain Sherston, of Evercreech
House, Somerset, and a nephew of Lord Roberts. He entered the army on
February 12, 1876, and on the Afghan War breaking out two years later was
appointed aide-de-camp to his uncle, then Sir Frederick Roberts. He was
present in the engagement at Charasiah on October 6, 1879, and the
subsequent pursuit of the enemy, his services being mentioned in
despatches. A similar distinction fell to his lot in connection with the
operations around Cabul in 1879, including the investment of Sherpore. He
accompanied Lord Roberts in the famous march to Candahar, and was present
at the battle at that place, when he was again mentioned in despatches.
His services during the operations were rewarded with the medal with three
clasps and the bronze decoration. In 1881 he took part in the Mahsood
Wuzeeree Expedition, and on August 20, 1884, he received his company. He
served with the Burmese Expedition in 1886-87 as D.A.A. and Q.G. on the
Headquarters Staff, and was again mentioned in despatches and received the
Distinguished Service Order and the medal with clasp. On October 15, 1898,
A.A.G. in Bengal.

[2] Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Henry Gunning, of the 1st King's Royal
Rifles, was the eldest son of Sir George William Gunning, fifth Baronet,
of Little Horton House, Northampton, the Chairman of the Conservative
Party in Mid