Nor was this all: for the moment Sir R. Buller thought that, by direct
order of the Cabinet, the 5th division had been assigned to the task
of relieving Kimberley,[245] and he judged that without reinforcements
the relief of Ladysmith was impracticable. Late, therefore, in the
evening of the 15th December, when the work of that exhausting and
disheartening day was drawing to a close, he telegraphed in the
following terms to the Secretary of State for War:--

"My failure to-day raises a serious question. I do not think I am
now strong enough to relieve White. Colenso is a fortress, which
I think, if not taken on a rush, could only be taken by a siege.
There is no water within eight miles of the point of attack, and
in this weather that exhausts infantry. The place is fully
entrenched. I do not think either a Boer or a gun was seen by us
all day, yet the fire brought to bear was very heavy. Our
infantry were quite willing to fight, but were absolutely
exhausted by the intense heat. My view is that I ought to let
Ladysmith go, and occupy good positions for the defence of South
Natal, and let time help us. But that is a step on which I ought
to consult you. I consider we were in face of 20,000 men to-day.
They had the advantage both in arms and in position. They admit
they suffered severely, but my men have not seen a dead Boer, and
that dispirits them. My losses have not been very heavy. I could
have made them much heavier, but the result would have been the
same. The moment I failed to get in with a rush, I was beat. I
now feel that I cannot say I can relieve Ladysmith with my
available force, and the best thing I can suggest is that I
should occupy defensive positions, and fight it out in a country
better suited to our tactics."

[Footnote 245: On 14th December Lord Lansdowne had
telegraphed to Sir F. Forestier-Walker: "On arrival, Warren
is to be sent immediately to assume command of the forces
under Methuen. Buller will be informed of this by telegraph."
This telegram did not prescribe the disposal of the 5th
division, but that of Lt.-General Sir C. Warren, its
commander.]

[Sidenote: Sir R. Buller's arrangements for Natal;]

[Sidenote: for the western theatre of war.]

In pursuance of this policy Sir R. Buller sent Sir G. White, next
morning, a c