ABSTRACT
Methuen's defeat at Magersfontein two days later counted as the second disaster of 'Black Week'. Coming on the heels of Gatacre's reverse, Methuen's defeat increased the urgency for Buller to score a decisive victory over the enemy and thus regain momentum. His soldiers in South Africa and the civilians back at home were in desperate need of some good news to restore their morale. A timely victory would also re-establish the credentials of Buller as well as those of the entire Wolseley Ring in the eyes of Lord Lansdowne and the War Office. Buller, in the east, was thus forced by political exigency to relieve General White's besieged Natal Field Force held up in Ladysmith.1
