The Battle of Spioen Kop (; ) was a military engagement between British forces and two Boer Republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State, during the campaign by the British to relieve the besieged city Ladysmith during the initial months of the Second Boer War. The battle was fought 23–24 January 1900 on the hilltop of Spioen Kop(1), about west-southwest of Ladysmith. It resulted in a Boer victory. Prelude Planning and crossing the Tugela General Sir Redvers Buller, VC, commander of the British forces in Natal, was attempting to relieve a British force besieged in Ladysmith. The Boers under General Louis Botha held the Tugela River against him. Although Botha's men were outnumbered, they were mostly equipped with modern Mauser rifles and up-to-date field guns, and had carefully entrenched their positions. In late December, 1899, Buller made a frontal assault on the Boer positions at the Battle of Colenso. The result was a heavy British defeat. Over the next few weeks, Buller received further reinforcements, and also acquired sufficient carts and transport to operate away from the railway line which was his main supply line. Buller devised a new plan of attack to relieve Ladysmith. His army was to launch a two-pronged offensive designed to cross the Tugela River at two points and create a bridgehead. They would then attack the defensive line that blocked Buller's advance to Ladysmith. The area was only from Ladysmith. Buller delegated control of his main force to General Sir Charles Warren, to cross at Trichardt's Drift. Buller would then send a second smaller force, under Major-General Neville Lyttelton to attack east of Warren's force as a diversion at Potgieter's Drift. Once across the Tugela the British would attack the Boer defensive positions and then cross the open plains to relieve Ladysmith. Warren's force numbered 11,000 infantry, 2,200 cavalry, and 36 field guns. (2nd and 5th Divisions) The Order of Battle for the British were: Cavalry Brigade, commanded by the Earl of Dundonald comprised: 1st Royal Dragoons, 13th Hussars, Bethune's Mounted Infantry, Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, Natal Carbineers, South African Light Horse, Imperial Light Horse, Imperial Light Infantry and the Natal Police. Second Division, commanded by Lt.-Genl. Sir C.F. Clery comprised: Second Brigade commanded by Maj-Genl. Hildyard: 2nd East Surreys, 2nd West Yorks, 2nd Devons, 2nd Queens, West Surreys. The 4th Brigade commanded by Maj-Genl Lyttleton: 1st Rifle Brigade, 1st Durham Light Infantry,