ROBERTS' APPOINTMENT TO THE COMMAND IN SOUTH AFRICA.

[Sidenote: Realisation at home of the magnitude of the task before the
country.]

[Sidenote: Danger of possible Boer offence.]

After three reverses at Stormberg, Magersfontein and Colenso, it was
clear to all that forces far larger than had been estimated would be
now required for the war. Much had already been done before the news
of Colenso arrived. Another division--the 5th--prepared at home early
in November for service in South Africa, was due in a few days' time
at Cape Town. A sixth division had been mobilised at the end of
November and was on the point of embarkation,[244] and the
mobilisation of a seventh had been ordered as soon as the news of
Stormberg and Magersfontein had reached England. Yet there was cause
for anxiety. Until the 5th division actually landed, not a man was
available to be sent forward to reinforce either Lord Methuen on the
Modder, or the troops under Sir R. Buller's immediate command facing
the Tugela. After Stormberg, Sir W. Gatacre had been strengthened with
the 1st Derbyshire from the lines of communication. He had now a weak
brigade to cover all the eastern province, from Queenstown northwards.
Lt.-General French had, it is true, successfully checked the Boer
advance into the Colesberg district, but his success had been due to
skilful tactics and audacity, not to any superiority in strength. The
true strategy for the enemy would be to assume the offensive, and,
using his superior mobility, attack the lines of communication with
the coast of one or more of the three British columns in Cape Colony,
each of which was in fact in a sense isolated. Bold raids executed for
this purpose would have probably secured the active support of a large
number of disaffected colonists, whose loyalty had been seriously
impaired by the recent victories of their kinsmen. The attitude of
many in the districts through which the Cape lines of communication
passed was already very unsatisfactory.

[Footnote 244: The despatch of a 6th division to South Africa
had been offered to, and accepted by, Sir R. Buller. His
telegram is dated 1st December, 1899. He wished this division
to arrive in Cape Colony on 1st January, by which date he
then hoped to begin his advance into the Free State by
Bethulie.]

[Sidenote: Dec. 15th, after Colenso Buller sends message home, "I
ought to let Ladysmith go."]