HL Deb 20 February 1900 vol 79 cc502-3
*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (The Marquess of LANSDOWNE)

It may interest your Lordships to hear a telegram which has just been received by the War Office from Sir Redvers Buller It runs as follows:— The Fusilier Brigade yesterday took Hlangwane Hill, the right of the enemy's position and commanding Colenso, the rest of the force advancing towards the Tugela this morning. The enemy has withdrawn all his troops north of the Tugela, and has practically evacuated Colenso. To-day General Hart has occupied Colenso after a very slight resistance by a weak rear guard, and we hold the line of the Tugela on the south side from Colenso to Eagle's Nest. The enemy seem to be in full retreat, and are apparently only holding a position which they occupy across the Colenso-Ladysmith railway, where it is close to the angle of the Tugela, with a weak rear guard. General Hart's advanced guard is crossing at Colenso. Our casualties yesterday and to-day have, I hope, been but few.