Overview

Edward Spiers, a leading authority on the Victorian British army, presents here a select edition of letters from the siege of Ladysmith (1899–1900) that have not been seen since their original publication in metropolitan and provincial newspapers. The 250 letters were published in different British newspapers and provide crucial insights into contemporary perceptions of the battles that preceded the siege, the onset of the siege itself, and the desperate and bloody attempts to relieve the town. Subsequent efforts to defend Ladysmith – and to march to its relief – became the great dramatic saga of the early phase of the Anglo–Boer War, providing the context for a series of dramatic battles that embarrassed the Empire and destroyed established reputations. Much has been written about the failings of the British commanders but it is clear that in no other theatre in the war were the practical difficulties so real – or the stakes so high. These letters reflect vividly the feelings of junior officers and other ranks as they struggled to cope with the demands of modern warfare, provide first-hand commentary upon the events in Natal that shattered the pre-war confidence in Britain.

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9781848327566

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The war correspondents were censored but letters home were not ...a much more relevant personal and very different view of the events than a traditional military history book. Researchers would be very fortunate indeed to find a letter written by an ancestor, but may find one from the same regiment as individual who was in the same battle or part of the siege itself. This book includes an extensive bibliography of other materials about the siege and the battles surrounding it. --FGS FORUM

Author Information

EDWARD SPIERS is the Professor of Strategic Studies at the School of History of the University of Leeds and the author of dozens of influential publications, including The Late Victorian Army 1866-1902 and The Victorian Soldier in Africa. IAN KNIGHT is a Zulu military history expert. His books include Brave Men's Blood and Nothing Remains But To Fight.

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