On October 11th,1899 long-simmering tensions between Britain and the Boer Republics - the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic - finally erupted into the conflict that would become known as the Second Boer War. Two days after the first shots were fired, a young writer by the name of Winston Churchill set out for South Africa to cover the conflict for the Morning Post.
The Boer War brings together the two collections of despatches that Churchill published on the conflict. London to Ladysmith recounts the future Prime Minister's arrival in South Africa and his subsequent capture by and dramatic escape from the Boers, the adventure that first brought the name of Winston Churchill to public attention. Ian Hamilton's March collects Churchill's later despatches as he marched alongside a column of the main British army from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. Published together, these books are a vivid eye-witness account of a landmark period in British Imperial History and an insightful chronicle of a formative experience by Britain's greatest war-time leader.
Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on two occasions, from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951-1955. Celebrated as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th Century, he was also a gifted orator, statesman and historian. He was awarded the Novel Prize for Literature in 1953.
London to Ladysmith
Foreword
I.SteamingSouth
II.TheState of the Game
III.Alongthe Southern Frontier
IV.InNatal
V.ACruise in the Armoured Train
VI.DistantGuns
VII.TheFate of the Armoured Train
VIII.Prisonersof War
IX.Throughthe Dutch Camps
X.InAfrikander Bonds
XI.IEscape from the Boers
XII.Backto the British Lines
XIII.Christmasand New Year
XIV.AMilitary Demonstration and Some Good News
XV.TheDash for Potgieter's Ferry
XVI.Trichardt'sDrift and the Affair of Acton Homes
XVII.The Battle of Spion Kop
XVIII.Through the Five Days' Action
XIX.AFresh Effort and an Army Chaplain
XX.TheCombat of Vall Krantz
XXI.HussarHill
XXII.The Engagement of Monte Cristo
XXIII.The Passage of Tugela
XXIV.The Battle of Pieters: The Third Day
XXV.Upon Majuba Day
XXVI.The Relief of Ladysmith
XXVII.After the Siege
Ian Hamilton's March
I.ARoving Commission
II.ExitGeneral Gatacre
III.AtHalf-Way House
IV.TwoDays with Brabazon
V.TwoDays with Brabazon - continued
VI.TheDewetsdorp Episode
VII.IanHamilton's March
VIII.IanHamilton
IX.TheAction of Houtnek
X.TheArmy of the Right Flank
XI.Lindley
XII.Concerninga Boer Convoy
XIII.Actionof Johannesburg
XIV.TheFall of Johannesburg
XV.TheCapture of Pretoria
XVI."Heldby the Enemy"
XVII.Action of Diamond Hill
Appendix: Composition of Lieut.-General Ian Hamilton's Force
Index
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