lieutenant-general sir george white in command of forces in natal requested that forces at glencoe (dundee) be withdrawn to concentrate his forces at ladysmith where he held the bulk of the british garrison. the governor of natal considered it necessary to hold the position for political and economic reasons, so he dispatched lieutenant-general sir william penn symons to take control of the troops at glencoe. war was declared at 5pm on 11 october with the boers invading on the 12 october.