No More Convincing Example Could Be
Adduced Both Of The Advantage Of The Defence Over The Attack, And
Of The Harmlessness Of The Fiercest Shell Fire If Those Who Are
Exposed To It Have Space And Time To Make Preparations.
A fortnight had elapsed since Lord Roberts had launched his forces
from Ramdam, and that fortnight had wrought a complete revolution
in the campaign.
It is hard to recall any instance in the history
of war where a single movement has created such a change over so
many different operations. On February 14th Kimberley was in danger
of capture, a victorious Boer army was facing Methuen, the lines of
Magersfontein appeared impregnable, Clements was being pressed at
Colesberg, Gatacre was stopped at Stormberg, Buller could not pass
the Tugela, and Ladysmith was in a perilous condition. On the 28th
Kimberley had been relieved, the Boer army was scattered or taken,
the lines of Magersfontein were in our possession, Clements found
his assailants retiring before him, Gatacre was able to advance at
Stormberg, Buller had a weakening army in front of him, and
Ladysmith was on the eve of relief. And all this had been done at
the cost of a very moderate loss of life, for most of which Lord
Roberts was in no sense answerable. Here at last was a reputation
so well founded that even South African warfare could only confirm
and increase it. A single master hand had in an instant turned
England's night to day, and had brought us out of that nightmare of
miscalculation and disaster which had weighed so long upon our
spirits.
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