CHAPTER III.
Ladysmith Besieged The Orange Free State and the South African Republic held a joint council of war on the 1st of November, and it was then decided to lay siege to Ladysmith.
We also agreed to send out a horse-commando in the direction of Estcourt.

This commando, under Vice-General Louis Botha, had several skirmishes with the enemy.

On the 15th of November he engaged an armoured train, capturing a hundred of the British troops.

This was General Botha's chief exploit, and shortly afterwards he returned to camp.

But I must not anticipate.
On the night of the council of war, General Piet Cronje was sent to occupy positions to the south and south-west of Ladysmith.