The Government met the situation created by the news of
General Bailer's failure to force the passage of the Tugela in the best possible spirit. They at once determined to organise another army, and to despatch it to South Africa with-
out delay. Briefly, they decided to do the following :—(1) To call out the remainder of the Reserves ; (2) to send out the Seventh Division, now being mobilised, as well as more artillery, including a howitzer brigade; (3) to authorise the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa to raise as many local mounted troops as he thinks fit; (4) to allow twelve bat- talions of Militia to volunteer for service abroad, and to em- body twelve more for service at home ; (5) to form out of volunteers from the Yeomanry a strong mounted body for service in the field; (6) to select from among Volunteers offering their services enough men to add a company to every regular battalion now in the field; (7) to accept as far as possible the patriotic offers of help made from the Colonies, especially as regards mounted contingents; (8) to send out Lord Roberta to take supreme command, with Lord Kitchener as Chief of the Stiff,—the object being, not, of course, to supersede Sir Redvers Buller, but to leave him to work out the Natal campaign unimpeded by the need of having to superintend other campaigns.
