Station and
Vanreenens, and at 4 p.m. a derrick was seen hoisted over the big gun on
Bulwana, and the naval guns opened fire on him. The Boers dismounted him
under a heavy fire from one 4.7 and two naval 12-pounders, and got him
away.

At 6.20 p.m. a welcome sight greeted the eyes of the weary garrison, for
suddenly out of the bush appeared two squadrons of mounted men, riding
leisurely in across the plain from the direction of Intombi, and the
truth dawned on the garrison that Ladysmith was at last and in reality
relieved.

The siege had lasted four calendar months to the day.

Frantic cheering greeted them as they crossed the ford and reached the
town.

On the following day a column, consisting of the Devons, Gordon
Highlanders, three batteries of artillery, all the cavalry who had
horses, and the two mounted colonial corps, the whole under the command
of Colonel W.G. Knox, sallied forth at 10 a.m. towards Modder Station to
pursue and to stop the Boers getting their big guns away by train. On
arriving abreast of Pepworth Hill, which the Boer rear-guard had
occupied, the advanced troops, consisting of Devons and the batteries,
came under rather a sharp fire. All further progress was stopped, and
the column returned to camp. The Devons had two men wounded. Camp was
reached at 4.30 p.m. The battalion was met on the way home by Major
Davies, Captains Bols and Vigors, Lieutenants Lafone and Munro, all of
the 2nd Battalion. These had ridden in from their camp, and brought with
them tobacco, whisky, rum, and milk. The companies of the 2nd Battalion
sent in to their corresponding companies tea, sugar, tobacco, matches,
etc. These were all most eagerly accepted.

Sir Redvers Buller and his staff rode into Ladysmith in the afternoon.

Explosions at Modder Station and on the railway could be heard,
signifying that the Boers were making good their retreat by blowing up
the bridges.

On March 3rd General Buller made his public entry into Ladysmith at the
head of his army. The march of Buller's army through Ladysmith was a
pageant which those who took part in the siege will never forget.

The garrison of Ladysmith lined the streets. Sir George White with his
staff took his stand mounted, under the damaged clock tower of the Town
Hall--the Gordons on the one hand, the Devons on the other--the Gordon
pipers facing him on the opposite side of the road.

It was a great sight, and those who had been through the siege and had