Ladysmith

The town of Ladysmith in Natal (today KwaZulu-Natal), South Africa, was besieged by the Boers from 2 November 1899 until 28 February 1900, when, after many attempts, the British commander Redvers Buller finally succeeding in breaking the siege.

Town in province of KwaZulu-Natal (formerly Natal), South Africa, 185 km/115 mi northwest of Durban, near the Klip River; population (2001) 225,500. It has textile, clothing, and other light industries, and has an important railway depot. Founded in 1851, it was besieged for 118 days during the Boer War. It was named after the wife of the governor of Natal, Sir Harry Smith.

Siege of Ladysmith When the Boer War broke out in 1899 various detachments of troops in Natal were concentrated in Ladysmith under General Sir George White. He sent out two detachments to assault Boer positions in the district, both of which were defeated. The Boers then closed in and on 2 November the last train left the town, the telegraph was cut, and the town surrounded. During the siege 3,200 British soldiers were killed or died of disease. The Boers under General Joubert agreed to the evacuation of the women and children to Ntombi Camp which was regarded as neutral ground. Attempts to relieve the town by a column under General Sir Redvers Buller repeatedly failed. A sortie from the town by 600 troops on 8 December captured a Boer gun, and the Boers made a determined attack on the town on 6 January which was repulsed. Eventually, at his 12th attempt, Buller succeeded in reaching the town and ending the siege on 28 February 1900.

Ladysmith

City and administrative headquarters of Rusk County, northern Wisconsin, on the Flambeau River, 80 km/50 mi northeast of Eau Claire; population (2000) 3,900. It is situated in a lake resort and farming area. It processes dairy products and produces canned vegetables, paper, and wooden items.

It is the seat of Mount Senario College (1962).