[Illustration: "ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF THEM. "

THE BLACK WATCH AFTER THE BATTLE OF MAGERSFONTEIN. 

From the Drawing by R. Caton Woodville. ]

 SOUTH AFRICA

 AND THE

 TRANSVAAL WAR

 BY LOUIS CRESWICKE AUTHOR OF "ROXANE, " ETC. 

 WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS

 IN SIX VOLUMES

 VOL. II. --FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR TO THE BATTLE OF COLENSO, 15TH DEC. 1899

 EDINBURGH: T. C. & E. C. JACK 1900

 CONTENTS--VOL. II. 

 PAGECHRONOLOGICAL TABLE vii

 CHAPTER I

THE CRISIS AT HOME 1

IN SOUTH AFRICA 2

THE OCCUPATION OF DUNDEE 7

THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE 14

ELANDSLAAGTE 20

THE RETREAT FROM DUNDEE 32

SIR W. PENN SYMONS--GLENCOE 35

THE BATTLE OF REITFONTEIN 36

LADYSMITH 38

THE BATTLE OF LOMBARD'S KOP 41

THE DISASTER OF NICHOLSON'S NEK 45

THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH 51

 CHAPTER II

THE SIEGE OF MAFEKING 55

KIMBERLEY 64

 CHAPTER III

NATAL 70

THE INVASION OF CAPE COLONY 76

THE BATTLE OF BELMONT 86

THE BATTLE OF GRASPAN 92

THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER 97

AFTER THE FIGHT 108

 CHAPTER IV

THE INVESTMENT OF LADYSMITH 110

ESTCOURT 119

ARMOURED TRAIN DISASTER AT CHIEVELEY 121

ESTCOURT 126

THE FIGHT ON BEACON HILL 132

LADYSMITH 135

ESTCOURT AND FRERE 139

SURPRISES AT LADYSMITH 145

FRERE CAMP 151

 CHAPTER V

ACTIVITY AT THE CAPE 154

WITH GENERAL GATACRE 159

THE REVERSE AT STORMBERG 163

AT THE MODDER RIVER 168

THE BATTLE OF MAJESFONTEIN 171

 CHAPTER VI

CHIEVELEY CAMP 187

THE BATTLE OF COLENSO 188

FACSIMILE OF MS. OF MR. RUDYARD KIPLING'S WAR POEM "THE ABSENT-MINDED BEGGAR" 203

 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS--VOL. II. 

CHART SHOWING STAFF APPOINTMENTS MADE AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR _At front_

 1. _COLOURED PLATES_

 PAGE"ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF THEM. " The Black Watch after the Battle of Majesfontein. By R. Caton Woodville _Frontispiece_

OFFICER OF THE 9TH LANCERS 38

SERGEANT, KING'S ROYAL RIFLES 80

PRIVATE AND CORPORAL OF THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS 96

SERGEANT AND PRIVATE OF THE DUBLIN FUSILIERS 102

SIGHTING A NAVAL FIELD GUN 128

SERGEANTS OF THE ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY WITH A 12-POUNDER 144

SERGEANT-MAJOR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES LANCERS 154

 2. _FULL-PAGE PLATES_

THE OUTBREAK OF WAR--THE DRAKENBERG MOUNTAINS 6

THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR--TRANSPORT LEAVING ENGLAND FOR THE CAPE 16

THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE 26

BEFORE LADYSMITH--HORSE ARTILLERY GALLOPING TO TAKE UP A NEW POSITION 42

LADYSMITH, NATAL 54

NIGHT SORTIE FROM MAFEKING 64

THE BATTLE OF BELMONT 90

THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER 106

SCENE ON THE TUGELA 112

REPELLING AN ATTACK FROM THE TRENCHES AROUND LADYSMITH 138

FROM FRERE TO CHIEVELEY 150

STORMBERG PASS 160

THE MODDER RIVER 172

THE BATTLE OF COLENSO--QUEEN'S (ROYAL WEST SURREY) REGIMENT LEADING THE CENTRAL ATTACK 188

THE BATTLE OF COLENSO--THE DUBLIN FUSILIERS ATTEMPT TO FORD THE TUGELA 192

THE BATTLE OF COLENSO--THE LAST DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO SAVE THE GUNS 198

 3. _FULL-PAGE PORTRAITS_

LIEUT. -GENERAL J. D. P. FRENCH 22

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR W. PENN SYMONS, K. C. B. 32

GENERAL JOUBERT 48

COLONEL ROBERT S. S. BADEN-POWELL, the Defender of Mafeking 58

RIGHT HON. SIR REDVERS HENRY BULLER, K. C. B. , V. C. 74

LIEUT. -GENERAL LORD METHUEN, C. B. 86

GENERAL SIR GEORGE STEWART WHITE, V. C. , G. C. B. , the Defender of Ladysmith 118

MAJOR-GENERAL ANDREW G. WAUCHOPE, C. B. 176

 4. _MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS IN THE TEXT_

COLOURED MAP OF SEAT OF WAR _At Front_

MAP OF NORTHERN NATAL 9

POSITION OF FORCES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE 15

THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE 17

POSITION OF FORCES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE, NOON 21

PLAN OF BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE 25

MAP OF LADYSMITH AND SURROUNDING HEIGHTS 42

THE CREUSOT QUICK-FIRING FIELD GUN, OR "LONG TOM" 44

4. 7-INCH NAVAL GUN ON IMPROVISED MOUNTING 52

12-POUNDER NAVAL GUN ON IMPROVISED CARRIAGE 52

15-POUNDER FIELD GUN 62

AN ARMOURED TRAIN 68

THE MAXIM GUN 79

LORD METHUEN'S LINE OF ADVANCE 87

PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF BELMONT 90

PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER 101

COMPLETE MACHINE GUN DETACHMENT OF MOUNTED INFANTRY 118

THE 5-INCH HOWITZER OR SIEGE GUN 127

FACSIMILE OF PAGE OF NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN LADYSMITH DURING THE SIEGE 137

TELEGRAPH SECTION OF THE ROYAL ENGINEERS 144

4. 7 NAVAL GUN ON CAPT. PERCY SCOTT'S IMPROVISED CARRIAGE 154

MAP ILLUSTRATING THE OPERATIONS ON THE SOUTH OF THE ORANGE RIVER 164

BATTLE OF MAJESFONTEIN 174

SKETCH PLAN OF POSITIONS AT MAJESFONTEIN 176

SKETCH PLAN OF BATTLE OF COLENSO 191

MAP SHOWING THE ATTEMPTED PASSAGE OF THE RIVER BY GENERAL BULLER ON DECEMBER 15 194

 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE--VOL. II. 

OCTOBER. 

 11. --Boer Ultimatum time-limit expired. Great Britain commenced to be at war with Transvaal and Orange Free State. 

 12. --Text of Great Britain's reply to Boer Ultimatum issued. It stated that the conditions demanded were such as her Majesty's Government deemed it impossible to discuss. 

 Mr. Conyngham Greene recalled. 

 Armoured train captured by Boers near Mafeking. 

 Colonel Baden-Powell moved a large force outside Mafeking, and took up a strong defensive position. 

 13. --Newcastle abandoned. 

 14. --Sir R. Buller and Staff left England. 

 15. --Boers occupied Newcastle. 

 16. --Dundee evacuated. 

 17. --Parliament opened. 

 Successful sortie by Colonel Baden-Powell from Mafeking. 

 Armoured train in action near Kimberley during reconnaissance. 

 18. --Mr. Balfour announced that the Militia and Militia Reserves were to be called out. 

 19. --Transvaal flag hoisted at Vryburg. 

 20. --Boers repulsed by British at Talana Hill (Glencoe). 

 21. --General French, with about 2000 men, attacked a Boer force under General Kock at Elandslaagte. 

 22. --General Symons promoted to be Major-General. 

 General Yule retired from Dundee on Ladysmith. 

 23. --Death of General Symons. 

 Mafeking bombarded. 

 Transvaal National Bank seized at Durban. 

 24. --Sir George White engaged Boers at Reitfontein. 

 Services accepted of Sir William M'Cormac, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, to attend the wounded. 

 26. --Generals Yule and White joined forces at Ladysmith. 

 Bombardment of Mafeking commenced. 

 28. --Boers were closing round Ladysmith. 

 Proclamation issued declaring the Boer "commandeering" of certain portions of Cape Colony null. 

 30. --Engagement at Lombard's Kop. 

 Sir George White sent out from Ladysmith to Nicholson's Nek a Mountain Battery, with the Irish Fusiliers and the Gloucesters, to turn the enemy's right flank. Mules, with guns and reserve ammunition, stampeded into enemy's lines. After gallantly defending their position for six hours, men's ammunition was exhausted, and about 800 were captured. Naval Brigade did excellent work. 

 31. --Sir Redvers Buller landed at Cape Town. 

NOVEMBER. 

 1. --Boers invaded Cape Colony. 

 2. --Free Staters' position at Besters brilliantly taken by cavalry. Boers lost heavily; our casualties slight. Boers treacherously used white flag. 

 Colenso evacuated by the British. 

 Arrangements for a supplementary Naval Brigade completed. 

 Orders issued for mobilising the Militia. 

 3. --Naauwpoort and Stormberg evacuated by the British garrisons. 

 5. --Death of Commander Egerton, of _Powerful_. 

 6. --Ladysmith isolated. 

 9. --Boers attacked Ladysmith, and repulsed with heavy loss. 

 Orders issued for mobilisation of a Fifth Division. 

 10. --Engagement of Belmont. Colonel Keith Falconer killed. 

 11. --Captain Percy Scott, of H. M. S. _Terrible_, appointed commandant of the forces defending Durban. 

 12. --Lord Methuen arrived at Orange River. 

 14. --Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Warren appointed to command the Fifth Division for service in South Africa. 

 15. --Armoured train wrecked by Boers near Frere. Mr. Winston Churchill and a number of Dublin Fusiliers and Volunteers captured. 

 Boers defeated at Estcourt. 

 16. --Fighting near Orange River. 

 17-22. --Transports arrived at Cape Town with 22, 000 troops. 

 20. --Lord Methuen's force reached Witteputts. 

 23. --Lord Methuen attacked Boers at Belmont. 

 Boers routed at Willow Grange. 

 25. --Lord Methuen engaged the Boers at Graspan (Enslin), and after four hours' hard fighting carried position. 

 26. --Mooi River Column joined at Frere by General Hildyard. 

 28. --Lord Methuen engaged enemy, 8000 strong, at Modder River, and after ten hours' desperate fighting, drove them back. 

 30. --Sixth Division for South Africa notified. 

DECEMBER. 

 2. --General Clery reached Frere. 

 3. --Transport _Ismore_ wrecked 180 miles north of Cape Town--all troops landed. 

 6. --Sortie from Kimberley. Major Scott Turner killed. 

 7. --Arundel occupied by British. 

 8. --British sortie from Ladysmith, Lombard's Kop being carried. 

 9. --General Gatacre sustained serious reverse at Stormberg, having been misled by guides. 

 Lieutenant-Colonel Metcalfe, 2nd Rifle Brigade, with 500 men from Ladysmith, captured Surprise Hill, destroying a howitzer. 

 10. --General French drove the enemy from Vaal Kop. 

 11. --Lord Methuen attacked 12, 000 Boers entrenched at Majesfontein, but attack failed, although British troops held their position. Major-General Wauchope, Major Lord Winchester, and Colonel Downman killed. 

 13. --General French defeated 1800 Boers between Arundel and Naauwpoort. British loss, 1 killed, 8 wounded. 

 14. --Orders given for the mobilisation of a Sixth Division, and a Seventh in reserve. 

 Sir Charles Warren and Staff arrived at the Cape. 

 15. --General Buller suffered a serious reverse at Colenso, troops having to retire to Chieveley, leaving behind 11 guns. 

 General Hector Macdonald appointed to succeed General Wauchope. 

CHART OF STAFF APPOINTMENTS MADE AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR, AS ISSUED BY THE WAR OFFICE, 7TH OCTOBER, 1899. 

 LINES OF COMMUNICATION. 

The Lines of Communication will be under the general command anddirection of Lieut. -General Sir F. W. E. F. Forestier-Walker, K. C. B. , C. M. G. 

The following Officers will be employed and will have the Staff positionshown opposite their names:--

Names of Officers Selected. Staff Position. 

Colonel H. H. Settle, C. B. , Colonel on Staff. D. S. O. , p. S. C. 

Captain F. A. Molony, p. S. C. , Staff Officer to Colonel on R. E. Staff. 

Colonel J. W. Murray, p. S. C. Colonel on Staff. 

Colonel W. D. Richardson, C. B. Deputy Adjutant-General for Supplies and Transport. 

Lieut. -Colonel F. F. Johnson, Staff Officer to Deputy Army Service Corps Adjutant-General for Supplies and Transport. 

Brevet-Colonel C. H. Bridge, Deputy Adjutant-General C. B. , Army Service Corps for Transport. 

Brevet-Major (local Director of Railways. [A] Lieut. -Colonel) E. P. C. Girouard, D. S. O. , R. E. 

Captain H. G. Joly de Staff Officer to Director of Lotbinière, R. E. Railways. 

Captain (local Major) J. H. \ Twiss, R. E. } Assistant Directors ofCaptain (local Major) V. } Railways. [B] Murray, R. E. /

Major J. E. Capper, R. E. \ Deputy-Assistant DirectorsCaptain H. C. Manton, R. E. } of Railways. Capt. W. D. Waghorn, R. E. /

Major (local Lieut. -Colonel) A. E. Wrottesley, R. E. Director of Telegraphs. [A]

Colonel R. S. R. \ Fetherstonhaugh, h. P. }Brevet-Colonel C. P. Ridley, } 2nd Bn. Manchester Regt. }Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel P. T. } Rivett-Carnac, 1st Bn. } Station Commandants. [A] West Riding Regt. }Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel H. P. } Shekleton, p. S. C. , 1st Bn. } South Lancashire Regt. /

Capt. J. G. Baldwin, Royal \ Garrison Artillery }Captain A. E. Lascelles, 2nd } Staff Officers to Station Bn. Norfolk Regt. } Commandants. [C]Captain C. R. Ballard, 1st } Bn. Norfolk Regt. }Captain C. V. C. Hobart, } D. S. O. , 2nd Bn. Grenadier } Guards /

Brevet-Colonel E. W. D. Ward, \ C. B. , Army Service Corps. } AssistantCol. J. K. Trotter, C. M. G. , } Adjutant-Generals. P. S. C. }Lieut. -Col. F. W. Bennet, R. E. }Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel H. M. } Lawson, p. S. C. , R. E. /

Lieut. -Colonel S. H. Winter, \ Army Service Corps }Lieut. -Colonel W. R. Winter, } Army Service Corps }Lieut. -Col. R. B. M'Comb, } Army Service Corps } Deputy-AssistantBrevet-Lieut. -Colonel F. W. B. } Adjutant-Generals. Landon, Army Service Corps }Major J. H. Poett, p. S. C. , } 2nd Bn. Dorsetshire Regt. }Major C. Rawnsley, Army } Service Corps }Major R. B. Gaisford, p. S. C. , } Royal Scots Fusiliers }Brevet-Major E. G. T. } Bainbridge, 2nd Bn. East Kent } Regt. }Major R. C. B. Haking, p. S. C. , } Hampshire Regt. }Major A. W. Thorneycroft, } 2nd Bn. Royal Scots } Fusiliers }Captain E. H. Hughes, p. S. C. , } 1st Bn. York and Lancaster } Regt. }Captain G. S. St Aubyn, King's } Royal Rifle Corps /

Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel J. Adye, \ p. S. C. , Royal Garrison } Artillery }Major H. N. C. Heath, p. S. C. , } Yorkshire Light Infantry }Brevet-Major C. J. Mackenzie, } 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders }Major R. L. Walter, 7th Hussars }Major E. F. Gosset, p. S. C. , } 2nd Bn. East Yorkshire Regt. }Brevet-Major A. G. } Hunter-Weston, R. E. }Major G. D. Baker, p. S. C. , } Royal Garrison Artillery }Major E. S. C. Kennedy, West } General Duty. India Regt. }Captain A. W. Elles, 2nd Bn. } Yorkshire Light Infantry }Captain E. St G. Pratt, 1st } Bn. Durham Light Infantry }Capt. C. B. Jervis-Edwards, } 1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall's } Light Infantry }Captain F. B. Maurice, } Derbyshire Regt. }Lieutenant W. M. C. Vandeleur, } 2nd Bn. Essex Regt. }Lieutenant G. P. Appleby, } 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. }Lieutenant F. S. Reeves, 1st } Bn. East Kent Regt. /

 COLERIDGE GROVE, M. S. WAR OFFICE, _4th October 1899_. 

_Note. _--The above list only shows the Officers employed on Staff dutieson the Lines of Communication. It does not show those employed onmedical, ordnance, clerical, supply, pay, &c. , services. --C. G. 

FOOTNOTES:

[A] Graded as Assistant Adjutant-Generals. 

[B] Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals. 

[C] Graded as Staff Captains. 

 NATAL FIELD FORCE. 

Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected. 

General Officer Commanding Lieutenant-General Sir G. S. (Lieut. -General on Staff) White, V. C. , G. C. B. , G. C. S. I. , G. C. I. E. 

Assistant Military Secretary Colonel B. Duff, C. I. E. , p. S. C. , Indian Staff Corps. 

Aides-de-Camp (2) Captain R. G. Brooke, D. S. O. , 7th Hussars. Captain F. Lyon, R. F. A. 

Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel I. S. M. Hamilton, C. B. , D. S. O. 

Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Major F. Hammersley, Adjutant-Generals p. S. C. , Lancashire Fusiliers. (_b_) Major E. R. O. Ludlow, p. S. C. , Army Service Corps. 

Officer Commanding Royal Lieut. -Colonel and Brevet-Col. Artillery C. J. Long, R. H. A. 

Commanding Royal Engineer Lieut. -Colonel W. F. N. Noel, (Colonel on Staff) R. E. 

Principal Medical Officer Lieut. -Colonel R. Exham, R. A. M. C. 

Medical Officer Major J. F. Bateson, M. B. , R. A. M. C. 

Chaplains (2) Rev. L. J. Matthews (R. C. ) Rev. E. G. Macpherson, B. A. 

Assistant Provost-Marshal[D] Major A. G. Chichester, 1st Bn. Royal Irish Regt. 

Signalling Officer Captain J. S. Cayzer, 7th Dragoon Guards. 

FOOTNOTES:

[D] Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General. 

 4TH DIVISION. 

Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected. 

General Officer Commanding Colonel (local Lieut. -General) (Lieut. -General on Staff) Sir W. P. Symons, K. C. B. 

Aides-de-Camp (2)

Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel C. E. Beckett, C. B. , p. S. C. 

Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Major and Adjutant-Generals Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel Sir H. S. Rawlinson, Bart. , p. S. C. , 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards. (_b_) Captain T. D. Foster, Army Service Corps. 

 7TH BRIGADE. 

Major-General Colonel (local Major-General) F. Howard, C. B. , C. M. G. , A. D. C. 

Aide-de-Camp Captain H. E. Vernon, D. S. O. , 4th Bn. Rifle Brigade. 

Brigade-Major Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel Hon. C. G. Fortescue, C. M. G. , p. S. C. , Rifle Brigade. 

 8TH BRIGADE. 

Major-General \Aide-de-Camp } To be nominated locally. Brigade-Major /

 3RD CAVALRY BRIGADE. 

Major-General Colonel (local Major-General) J. F. Brocklehurst, M. V. O. Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant H. W. Viscount Crichton, Royal Horse Guards. Brigade-Major Captain G. P. Wyndham, p. S. C. , 16th Lancers. 

 COLERIDGE GROVE, M. S. WAR OFFICE, _3rd October 1899_. 

 STAFF OF 1ST ARMY CORPS. 

Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected. 

General Officer Commanding General Rt. Hon. Sir R. H. Army Corps (General Buller, V. C. , G. C. B. , Commanding-in-Chief) K. C. M. G. 

Military Secretary Colonel Hon. F. W. Stopford, C. B. , p. S. C. 

Aides-de-Camp (4) Captain H. N. Schofield, R. A. Captain C. J. Sackville-West, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Lieutenant A. R. Trotter, 2nd Life Guards. 2nd Lieut. C. A. Howard, Shropshire Light Infantry. 

Chief of the General Staff Major-General Sir A. Hunter, (Major-General on Staff) K. C. B. , D. S. O. 

Aide-de-Camp Brevet-Major A. J. Kings, Royal Lancaster Regt. 

Deputy Adjutant-General Colonel A. S. Wynne, C. B. 

Assistant Adjutant-Generals Colonel H. S. G. Miles, M. V. O. , (2) p. S. C. Colonel C. W. H. Douglas, A. D. C. 

Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Lieut. -Colonel C. à Adjutant-Generals (4) Court, p. S. C. (_a_) Major L. E. Kiggell, p. S. C. , Royal Warwickshire Regt. (_b_) Major P. J. Lewis, Army Service Corps. (_b_) Major A. H. Thomas, Army Service Corps. 

Commandant, Head-Quarters[E] Colonel R. Pole-Carew, C. B. , h. P. 

Principal Medical Officer Surgeon-General W. D. Wilson, M. B. 

Medical Officers Major W. G. A. Bedford, M. B. , R. A. M. C. Captain M. L. Hughes, R. A. M. C. 

Provost Marshal[E] Major Hon. J. H. G. Byng, p. S. C. , 10th Hussars. 

Intelligence Duties-- Assistant Adjutant-General Major E. A. Altham, p. S. C. , (1) Royal Scots. Deputy-Assistant Major H. J. Evans, p. S. C. , Adjutant-Generals (2) Liverpool Regiment. Captain Hon. F. Gordon, p. S. C. , Gor. Highlanders. 

Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General for Lieut. -Colonel W. W. C. Topography Verner, p. S. C. 

Commanding Royal Artillery Colonel (local Major-Gen. ) (Major-General on Staff) G. H. Marshall. 

Staff Officer, Royal Artillery Major H. C. Sclater, R. A. 

Aide-de-Camp, R. A. Captain A. D. Kirby, R. F. A. 

Chief Engineer (Major-General Colonel (local Major-Gen. ) E. On Staff) Wood, C. B. 

Staff Officer, Royal Engineers Major E. H. Bethell, p. S. C. , Royal Engineers. 

Aide-de-Camp, Royal Engineers Brevet-Major R. S. Curtis, Royal Engineers. 

Military Mounted Police[F] Brevet-Major R. M. Poore, 7th Hussars. 

Press Censor[F] Major W. D. Jones, p. S. C. , Wiltshire Regt. 

Principal Chaplain Rev. E. H. Goodwin, B. A. 

Director of Signalling[E] Major (local Lieut. -Colonel) E. Rhodes, D. S. O. , Royal Berks Regt. 

Chief Ordnance Officer Colonel R. F. N. Clarke, Army Ord. Department. 

Principal Veterinary Officer Veterinary Lieut. -Colonel I. Matthews, Army Veterinary Department. 

Orderly Veterinary Officer

 CORPS TROOPS. 

Officer Commanding Corps Colonel C. M. H. Downing. Artillery (Colonel on Staff)

Adjutant Captain E. S. E. W. Russell, Royal Field Artillery. 

Officer Commanding Royal Horse Lieut. -Colonel W. L. Davidson, Artillery Royal Horse Artillery. 

Adjutant, R. H. A. Captain G. W. Biddulph, Royal Horse Artillery. 

Officer Commanding F. A. (I. ) Lieut. -Colonel J. S. S. Barker, p. S. C. , R. F. A. 

Adjutant Captain E. J. Duffus, R. F. A. 

Officer Commanding Field Lieut. -Colonel P. C. E. Artillery (II. ) Newbigging, R. F. A. 

Adjutant Captain E. C. Cameron, Royal Field Artillery. 

Officer Commanding Corps Lieut. -Colonel C. A. Troops, Royal Engineers Rochfort-Boyd, R. E. 

Adjutant Lieut. S. D. Barrow, R. E. 

FOOTNOTES:

[E] Graded as Assistant Adjutant-General. 

[F] Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals. 

 1ST ARMY CORPS--1ST DIVISION. 

Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected. 

General Officer Commanding Lieut. -General P. S. Lord (Lieut. -General on Staff) Methuen, K. C. V. O. , C. B. , C. M. G. 

Aides-de-Camp (2) Major H. Streatfield, Grenadier Guards. Captain J. A. Bell-Smyth, 1st Dragoon Guards. 

Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel R. B. Mainwaring, C. M. G. 

Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Brevet Lieut. -Colonel Adjutant-Generals H. P. Northcott, C. B. , p. S. C. , Leinster Regt. (_b_) Major R. H. L. Warner, p. S. C. , Army Service Corps. 

Assistant-Provost-Marshall[G] Captain R. J. Ross, 1st Bn. Middlesex Regt. 

Chaplains (2) Rev. T. F. Falkner, M. A. Rev. E. M. Morgan (R. C. )

Principal Medical Officer Colonel E. Townsend, C. B. , M. D. , R. A. M. C. 

Medical Officer Major C. H. Burtchaell, M. B. , R. A. M. C. 

Divisional Signalling Officer Lieut. Hon. E. D. Loch, D. S. O. , 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards. 

 1ST BRIGADE. 

Major-General Major-General Sir H. E. Colvile, K. C. M. G. , C. B. 

Aide-de-Camp Captain G. C. Nugent, Grenadier Guards. 

Brigade-Major Captain H. G. Ruggles-Brise, p. S. C. , Grenadier Guards. 

 2ND BRIGADE. 

Major-General Major-General H. J. T. Hildyard, C. B. , p. S. C. 

Aide-de-Camp Lieut. A. Blair, King's Own Scottish Borderers. 

Brigade-Major Major L. Munro, p. S. C. , Hampshire Regt. 

FOOTNOTES:

[G] Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General. 

 1ST ARMY CORPS--2ND DIVISION. 

Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected. 

General Officer Commanding Major-General (Local (Lieut. -General on Staff) Lieut. -General) Sir C. F. Clery, K. C. B. , p. S. C. 

Aides-de-Camp (2) Major F. E. Cooper, Royal Artillery, p. S. C. Captain L. Parke, Durham Light Infantry. 

Assistant Adjutant-General Major and Bt. -Colonel B. M. Hamilton, p. S. C. , East Yorkshire Regiment. 

Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Captain H. E. Gogarty, Adjutant-General p. S. C. , Royal Scots Fusiliers. (_b_) Captain W. G. B. Boyce, Army Service Corps. 

Assistant Provost-Marshal[H] Major G. F. Ellison, p. S. C. , Royal Warwickshire Regt. 

Chaplains (2) Rev. A. A. L. Gedge, B. A. Rev. J. Robertson (P. ). 

Principal Medical Officer Colonel T. J. Gallwey, M. D. , C. B. , R. A. M. C. 

Medical Officer Major W. Babtie, M. B. , C. M. B. , R. A. M. C. 

Divisional Signalling Officer Lieut. J. S. Cavendish, 1st Life Guards. 

 3RD BRIGADE. 

Major-General Maj. -Gen. A. G. Wauchope, C. B. , C. M. G. 

Aide-de-Camp Captain J. G. Rennie, R. H. 

Brigade-Major Major and Bt. -Lieut. -Col. J. S. Ewart, p. S. C. , Cameron Highlanders. 

 4TH BRIGADE. 

Major-General Major-General Hon. N. G. Lyttelton, C. B. 

Aide-de-Camp Captain Hon. H. Yarde-Buller, Rifle Brigade. 

Brigade-Major Captain H. H. Wilson, p. S. C. , Rifle Brigade. 

FOOTNOTES:

[H] Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General. 

 1ST ARMY CORPS--3RD DIVISION. 

Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected. 

General Officer Commanding Major-General (local Lieut. -Gen. ) (Lieut. -General on Staff) Sir W. F. Gatacre, K. C. B. , D. S. O. , p. S. C. 

Aides-de-Camp (2) Lieutenant A. J. M'Neill, 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders. 

Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel R. E. Allen, p. S. C. 

Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Lieut. -Colonel W. H. H. Adjutant-Generals Waters, M. V. O. , p. S. C. (_b_) Major P. E. F. Hobbs, Army Service Corps. 

Assistant Provost-Marshal[I] Captain J. R. F. Sladen, p. S. C. , East Yorkshire Regt. 

Chaplains (2) Rev. E. Ryan (R. C. ) Rev. R. Armitage, M. A. 

Principal Medical Officer Lieut. -Colonel J. D. Edge, M. D. , R. A. M. C. 

Medical Officer Maj. G. E. Twiss, R. A. M. C. 

Divisional Signalling Officer Captain S. Fitz G. Cox, 2nd Bn. Lincolnshire Regt. 

 5TH BRIGADE. 

Major-General Major-General A. Fitzroy Hart, C. B. , p. S. C. 

Aide-de-Camp Captain Hon. St L. H. Jervis, King's Royal Rifle Corps. 

Brigade-Major Major C. R. R. MacGrigor, p. S. C. , King's Royal Rifle Corps. 

 6TH BRIGADE. 

Major-General Major-General G. Barton, C. B. , p. S. C. 

Aide-de-Camp

Brigade-Major Captain J. A. E. MacBean, D. S. O. , p. S. C. , Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 

FOOTNOTES:

[I] Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General. 

 STAFF OF CAVALRY DIVISION. 

Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected. 

General Officer Commanding Col. (Lieut. -General) J. D. P. French. (Lieut. -General on Staff)

Aides-de-Camp (2) Lieutenant J. P. Milbanke, 10th Hussars. 

Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel Hon. G. H. Gough, C. B. , p. S. C. 

Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Major D. Haig, p. S. C. , 7th Adjutant-Generals Hussars. (_b_) Major G. O. Welch, Army Service Corps. 

Officer Commanding, Royal Horse Lieut. -Colonel F. J. W. Artillery Eustace, R. H. A. 

Adjutant, R. H. A. Capt. A. D'A. King, R. H. A. 

Chaplain (1)[K] Rev. W. C. Haines

Principal Medical Officer Lieut. -Colonel W. Donovan, Royal Army Medical Corps. 

Medical Officer Major H. G. Hathaway, Royal Army Med. Corps. 

Assistant Provost-Marshal[L] Captain P. A. Kenna, V. C. , 21st Lancers. 

Intelligence Department-- Deputy-Assistant Captain Hon. H. A. Lawrence, Adjutant-General p. S. C. , 17th Lancers. 

 1ST BRIGADE. 

Major-General Col. (local Major-General) J. M. Babington. 

Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant F. W. Wormald, 7th Hussars. 

Brigade-Major Captain C. J. Briggs, 1st Dragoon Guards. 

Officer Commanding Mounted Major and Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel Infantry[J] E. A. H. Alderson, p. S. C. , Royal West Kent Regt. 

Adjutant Mounted Infantry[L] Captain H. M'Micking, Royal Scots. 

 2ND BRIGADE. 

Major-General Colonel (local Major-Gen. ) J. P. Brabazon, C. B. , A. D. C. 

Aide-de-Camp Major Hon. C. E. Bingham, 1st Life Guards. 

Brigade-Major Captain Hon. T. W. Brand, 10th Hussars. 

Officer Commanding Mounted Captain and Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel Infantry[J] R. J. Tudway, 2nd Bn. Essex Regt. 

Adjutant Mounted Infantry[L] Captain H. L. Ruck-Keene, Oxford. Light Infantry. 

FOOTNOTES:

[J] Graded as Assistant Adjutant-General. 

[K] Will act for both Brigades. 

[L] Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals. 

 COLERIDGE GROVE, M. S. _2nd October 1899. _

 SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAAL WAR

 CHAPTER I

 THE CRISIS AT HOME

 "Patience, long sick to death, is dead. Too long Have sloth and doubt and treason bidden us be What Cromwell's England was not, when the sea To him bore witness, given of Blake, how strong She stood, a commonweal that brooked no wrong From foes less vile than men like wolves set free, Whose war is waged where none may fight or flee-- With women and with weanlings. Speech and song Lack utterance now for loathing. Scarce we hear Foul tongues, that blacken God's dishonoured name With prayers turned curses and with praise found shame, Defy the truth whose witness now draws near To scourge these dogs, agape with jaws afoam, Down out of life. Strike, England, and strike home. "

 --ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE. 

In the face of the insolent Ultimatum which had been addressed to GreatBritain by the South African Republic, the nation closed its ranks andrelegated party controversy to a more appropriate season. The Britishpeople were temporarily in accord. A wave of indignation surged over thecountry, and united men of different shades of politics and of varyingreligious creeds, making them forget their private feuds, and rememberonly the paramount fact that they were sons of the Empire. There weresome, it is true, who remained afar off--a few exceptions to prove therule of unanimity, beings with souls so dead that never to themselveshad said, "This is my own, my native land, " and who yet looked upon theBoer as an object of commiseration. But these were, first, men linkedeither by birth or family ties with the Afrikander cause; second, fractious Irishmen and political obstructionists who posed for notorietyat any price; and, third, eccentrics and originals, whose sense ofopposition forbade them from floating at any time with the tide ofpublic opinion. Every one else cried aloud for a chance to uphold GreatBritain's prestige, and the War Office was so beset with applicationsfrom volunteers for the front that it was found almost impossible evento consider them. Nor was the excitement confined to officers alone. Recruiting went on apace, and not only did recruits pour in, butdeserters, who had slunk away from regimental duty, now returned andgave themselves up, praying to be allowed to suffer any penalty and thenmarch out to battle as soldiers of the Queen! Two Royal Proclamationshaving been issued--the one directing the continuance in army service, until discharged or transferred to the reserve, of soldiers whose termof service had expired or was about to expire; the other, ordering thearmy reserve to be called out on permanent service--some 25, 000 menreceived notice to rejoin the colours. These in large numbers promptlyappeared. The New South Wales Lancers, who had been going through acourse of cavalry training at Aldershot, at once volunteered theirservices and started for the Cape amidst scenes of great enthusiasm. Other colonial troops were as eager to join, and the spirit of militaryrivalry throughout Her Majesty's dominions was both amazing andinspiriting. 

Queensland had the honour of opening the ball. Her sympathy with thepolicy of Great Britain and her loyalty to the mother country was shownin practical form. She intimated, in the event of hostilities, herwillingness to send 250 mounted infantry and a machine-gun to the front. New Zealand followed suit; she also offered two companies of mountedrifles fully equipped at the cost of the Colony. These offers weregratefully accepted. Not to be behind-hand, Western Australia andTasmania made similar offers, and Her Majesty's Government gladly agreedto accept one unit of 125 men from each. The Parliament of Victoriavoted the despatch of a contingent of 250 men to South Africa, and theGovernments of New South Wales and South Australia actively discussedsimilar measures. This expression of Colonial public opinion, embodyingas it did the independent judgments of so many free juries, uninfluencedby personal or direct interests, had a significance which, besides beingpolitically important, was eminently satisfactory. All Her Majesty'sdominions, on which the sun never sets, were at this critical momentholding hands in a wide circle that encompassed the earth, and thepicture of the small mother country with all her big children gatheredaround her in her hour of need was not one that the romance of historycan afford to disregard. 

 IN SOUTH AFRICA

Before hostilities had actually begun, refugees from Johannesburg beganto pour down to Natal and the Cape, and there were daily reports ofinsults received by the Uitlanders at the hands of the Boers. Ladieswere spat upon, and passengers suffered indignities sufficient to makean Englishman's blood boil. Fresh troops began to arrive from India, andSir George White, in a chorus of farewell shouts, "Remember Majuba, "went off from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. This was on the 7th of October1899. At that time the troops were thus distributed:--

 At Pietermaritzburg--1st Battalion Manchester Regiment and Mounted Infantry Company; 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. 

 At Estcourt--Detachment Natal Naval Volunteers; Natal Royal Rifles. 

 At Colenso--Durban Light Infantry. 

 At Ladysmith--5th Lancers; Detachment 19th Hussars; Brigade Division, Royal Artillery; 10th Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery; 23rd Company, Royal Engineers; 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment; 1st Battalion Liverpool Regiment, and Mounted Infantry Company; 26th (two sections) British Field Hospital, and Colonial troops. 

 At Glencoe--18th Hussars; Brigade Division, Royal Artillery; 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and Mounted Infantry Company; 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, and Mounted Infantry Company; 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and Mounted Infantry Company; 6th Veterinary Field Hospital. 

 There was also one Company 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps at Eshowe, and a detachment of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles at Helpmakaar. 

Meanwhile, at Pretoria, the Boers, protesting at the notice taken of the"chimerical grievances of the so-called Uitlanders, " made energeticefforts to appoint General Viljeon, a rabid anti-Briton, in place ofGeneral Joubert as Commander-in-Chief of the Transvaal forces. 

The troops under Commandant Cronje, the hero of Potchefstroom, advancednearer to the border, in the direction of Mafeking, and in theexpectation of attack, this town was securely fortified, while all thewomen and children were advised to leave. The fortification of Kimberleywas also commenced. The European exodus from all quarters continued, defenceless men and women alike being subjected to insult andill-treatment by the Boers. Mr. Kruger's birthday was kept at Pretoriawith general rejoicing, and on the following day a telegram was sent byPresident Kruger to the _New York World_ saying:--

 "Through the _World_ I thank the people of the United States most sincerely for their sympathy. Last Monday the Republic gave Great Britain forty-eight hours' notice within which to give the Republic an assurance that the present dispute would be settled by arbitration or other peaceful means, and that the troops would be removed from the borders. This expires at five to-day. The British Agent has been recalled. War is certain. The Republics are determined, if they must belong to Great Britain, that a price will have to be paid which will stagger humanity. They have, however, full faith. The sun of liberty will arise in South Africa as it arose in North America. "

From this letter it was patent that Mr. Kruger was either pursuing hispolicy of bluff, or had made long and elaborate preparations for warwith the British. On the same date an announcement was published in thetown of Pretoria:--

 "GOVERNMENT HOUSE, _October 11_. 

 "Her Majesty's Agent at Pretoria was to-day instructed to make the following communication to the Government of the South African Republic: 'The Imperial Government have received with great regret the peremptory demands of the Government of the South African Republic conveyed in the telegram of October 9. You will inform the Government of the South African Republic that the conditions demanded by the Government of the South African Republic are such as Her Majesty's Government deem it impossible to discuss. With the delivery of the above, ' the Imperial Government add, 'as the Transvaal Government stated in their Note that a refusal to comply with their demands would be regarded as a formal declaration of war, the British Agent is instructed to ask for his passports. '"

Of course, this news caused intense excitement, and all who had remainedsanguine of peace now gave up hope. At Bloemfontein President Steynsimultaneously issued a Proclamation to the Burghers of the Free State. He said that "the sister Republic is about to be attacked by anunscrupulous enemy, who has long looked for a pretext to annihilate theAfrikanders. "

He went on to say that the people of the Orange Free State were bound tothe Transvaal by many ties, as well as by formal treaty, and solemnlydeclared, in the presence of the Almighty, that they are compelled toresist a powerful enemy owing to the injustice done to their kith andkin. 

Solemn obligations, continued the Proclamation, have not protected theTransvaal against an annexation conspiracy. When its independenceceases, the existence of the Orange Free State as an independent Statewill be meaningless. Experience in the past has shown that no reliancecan be placed on the solemn promises and obligations of Great Britainwhen the Administration at the helm is prepared to tread treaties underfoot. 

After giving a historical sketch of the wrongs which he alleged had beendone to the Transvaal, President Steyn said: "The original Conventionshave been twisted and turned by Great Britain into a means of exercisingtyranny against the Transvaal, which has not returned the injustice doneto it in the past. No gratitude has been shown for the indulgence whichwas granted to British subjects, who, according to law, had forfeitedtheir lives and property. Compliance with the British demands would beequivalent to the loss of our independence, which has been gained by ourblood and tears. For many years British troops have been concentratingon the borders of the Transvaal in order to compel it by terrorism tocomply with British claims. The crafty plans of those with whom love ofgold is the motive are now being realised. While acknowledging thehonour of thousands of Englishmen who abhor deeds of robbery andviolence, the Orange Free State execrates the wrongful deeds of aBritish statesman. "

After expressing confidence that the Almighty would help and aid them, and counselling the Burghers to do nothing unworthy of Christians andBurghers of the Free State, the President concluded with the followingwords: "Burghers of the Free State, stand up as one man against theoppressor and violator of right. "

Meanwhile Sir George White, accompanied by Colonel Ian Hamilton(Assistant Adjutant-General), Colonel Duff (Assistant MilitarySecretary), Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Rawlinson, and Captains Brookeand Lyon, aides-de-camp, was proceeding on his journey to Ladysmith. Theprincipal British camps were situated near Glencoe Junction andLadysmith, and around these some twelve or fifteen thousand Boers werereported to be stationed between Sandspruit, Volksrust, andWakkerstroom, while on the western side the Natal border was threatenedby the Orange Free State's forces, which were posted in theneighbourhood of Van Reenen's Pass. 

A Proclamation, signed by Sir Alfred Milner and Mr. Schreiner, wasissued in Cape Town, warning British subjects of their duty to theQueen, while at the same time the German Consul-General officiallyordered his countrymen to remain neutral. A similar warning was given bythe German Consul to Germans in Johannesburg. Preparations were made forthe immediate landing of a Naval Brigade from the British battleships inSimon's Bay, and volunteers of all kinds hurried to tender theirservices for special corps. In Pretoria a further manifesto was issued, calling on Afrikanders to resist the British demands, and accusing LordSalisbury, Mr. Chamberlain, and Sir Alfred Milner of pursuing a"criminal policy. " It also declared that it was perfectly clear that thedesire and object of Great Britain was to deprive the Transvaal Republicof its independence on account of the gold-mining industry on the Rand. 

The manifesto went on to say that Great Britain had offered twoalternatives--a five years' franchise or war. It pointed out that thedifference between the two Governments of two years in the matter of thefranchise had been considered as a sufficient justification for HerMajesty's Government to endeavour to swallow up the Republics, and itreminded the Afrikanders that God would assuredly defend the right. 

The manifesto was signed "Francois Willem Reitz, Secretary of State. " Itcreated a profound sensation, and a million copies were printed in Dutchand English. 

By this time General Viljoen, in command of the Free State artillery, was marching towards Albertina, and a party of Boers was encroaching onthe Natal border near Berg. Newcastle was warned that a state of war hadbegun. It was abandoned by the British, and taken possession of by theBoers, while Mafeking held itself in readiness to withstand the enemy. At Sandspruit the Boers were scattered in various camps over a widearea, and on the Portuguese border the Barberton and Lydenburgcommandoes were concentrating. Terrified refugees were still fleeing tothe Cape in such large numbers that it was almost impossible to findaccommodation for them, and large sums of money were being subscribedboth there and in Great Britain for the relief of the unhappy exiles. Mr. Rhodes, as usual, gave munificently in aid of the sufferers, and SirAlfred Milner exerted himself to save the unhappy victims of British andBoer disagreement from destitution. The treatment that these poorpersons received from the Boers in the course of their journey causedintense indignation, and profound sympathy was felt for the homelessones who thus suddenly had been cast adrift from domestic comfort tocomplete poverty. 

It was now believed that, following the precedent of 1881, an attemptwould be made to isolate Mafeking and Kimberley, and carry on irregularsieges at these places. The enemy's forces on the northern frontier ofNatal were estimated at some 13, 000 men, while at Mafeking and Kimberleythey were supposed to number some three thousand each. On the east, theseaport of Lorenzo Marques now sprung into great importance, and thesupposed neutralisation of the harbour was effected. 

On the 11th of October Mr. Coningham Greene, the British Agent inPretoria, left that place for Cape Town; and on the 14th General SirRedvers Buller, as Commander-in-chief of the British forces engagedagainst the Boer Republics, started from England. The state of war hadcommenced in earnest. The Boers in hot haste began to issue furtherProclamations, and President Steyn continued to call on his Burghers to"stand up as one man against the oppressor and violator of rights. "Twenty-four hours later they were over the border, tearing up railwaylines and severing telegraph wires, and thus cutting off communicationbetween Mafeking, Vryburg, Rhodesia, and Cape Colony. The investment ofKimberley was imminent, but it was generally believed that the DiamondCity was strong enough to hold its own till our troops should come tothe rescue. The First Brigade of the Army Service Corps started on the20th of October from Southampton, the second left on the following day, and the third sailed on Sunday the 22nd. About the same time theCanadian Government decided to contribute 1000 men for service in SouthAfrica, and the New Zealand Contingent sailed for the Cape. 

[Illustration: THE OUTBREAK OF WAR--THE DRAKENBERG MOUNTAINS WHERE THEBOERS WERE LAAGERED. ]

In spite of the energetic movements that were suddenly set on foot, afew pessimists ventured to declare that we would be bound to reap theresults of our previous unpreparedness, and that in consequence of ourprocrastination and the weakness of the Government in not having takenthe initiative and allowed us to mobilise earlier, the Boers would get agood six weeks' start--a loss it would be hard for the best tacticiansor the finest fighting men in the world to retrieve. But the mouths ofthe grumblers were silenced. Every one was convinced that the fate ofthe nation was perfectly safe in the hands of Sir Redvers Buller and Mr. Thomas Atkins, and, so convinced, thousands upon thousands flocked tosee them off, and roared their God-speed with cheery British lungs, albeit with sad and anxious hearts. 

 THE OCCUPATION OF DUNDEE

Late in September a force consisting of two battalions of infantry, aregiment of cavalry, and two field-batteries was hurriedly pushedforward to occupy Dundee. Affairs between the British and the Boers werenearing a crisis. It was beginning to be believed that the Dutchmenmeant to take the initiative and strike a blow against our supremacy inSouth Africa, though some at home were still shilly-shallying withsentimental arguments as to the propriety of fighting our "brother Boer"at all. As we now know, it wanted but the smallest move on the part ofthe British to bring things to a head. Large commandoes were gatheredtogether with a rapidity which would have been marvellous had the Boersnot designedly brought about the issue of war, and the frontier of thenorthern angle of Natal was threatened. Dundee is an importantcoal-mining centre situated some forty-eight miles north-east ofLadysmith. Why it was chosen as our advance post is hard to decide. Itscommunications with Ladysmith were open to attack from either flank, and, in the light of after events, we see that the position there of adetached force was highly precarious. General Sir George White in anofficial despatch thus describes his action in the matter:--

"Since my arrival in the Colony I had been much impressed by the exposedsituation of the garrison of Glencoe, and on the evening of October 10 Ihad an interview on the subject with his Excellency the Governor, atwhich I laid before him my reasons for considering it expedient, from amilitary point of view, to withdraw that garrison, and to concentrateall my available troops at Ladysmith. After full discussion hisExcellency recorded his opinion that such a step would involve gravepolitical results and possibilities of so serious a nature that Idetermined to accept the military risk of holding Dundee as the lesserof two evils. I proceeded in person to Ladysmith on October 11, sendingon Lieutenant-General Sir William Penn Symons to take command atGlencoe. 

"The Boers crossed the frontier both on the north and west on October12, and next day the Transvaal flag was hoisted at Charlestown. My greatinferiority in numbers necessarily confined me strategically to thedefensive, but tactically my intention was, and is, to strike vigorouslywhenever opportunity offers. "

Everything at this juncture depended on the rapidity with which our armyat home could be mobilised and sent to the Cape, and though we took toourselves some credit for the energy displayed by all concerned, we werereally scarcely up to date in the matter of activity. For instance, in1859 it took only thirty-seven days for France to collect on the river Poa force of 104, 000 men, with 12, 000 more in Italy, while in 1866 thePrussian army, numbering 220, 000 men, were placed on the frontiers ofSaxony and Silesia in a fortnight. But more expeditious still was Germanyin 1870. In nine days she was able to mobilise her forces, and in eightmore to send to the French frontier an army of 400, 000 soldiers and 1200guns! We had, it is true, to ship off our troops a distance of some 8000miles, but, without counting this--a natural disadvantage--there wereothers--many others, the upshot of red-tapism--to be contended with. ThisSir George White was beginning to feel, but his sufferings in regard tothe initial delay were threefold later on. 

To return to Dundee. It was maintained both by the Government and thepeople of Natal that the valuable coal supply should be protected, andan attempt was therefore made to guard it. The misfortune was that fromthe first Lieutenant-General Sir W. Penn Symons--who, before the arrivalof Sir George White, commanded in Natal--seemed to be ill acquaintedwith the enormous forces that the Boers could bring to bear against him. It was true that he could not at that time be certain, any more thanappeared to be the Government at home, that the Free Staters would jointhe Republicans; but to any one acquainted with the subject, the factthat President Steyn had pulled the strings of the Bloemfontein affairwas sufficient evidence of a contemplated alliance. With the Free Stateneutral, the aspect of affairs might have been entirely changed, andDundee, with Ladysmith to support it, might have held its own. As itwas, these small places were from the first placed in the mostunenviable quandary. 

General Symons, on the arrival of Sir George White in Natal, tookcommand of the forces in Dundee, and began active preparations for thereception of the Dutchmen. 

[Illustration: MAP OF NORTHERN NATAL. SCALE 15 STATUTE MILES TO THEINCH. ]

The latter, immediately after the declaration of war, took possession ofNewcastle, and our patrols soon came in touch with the enemy. In spiteof their animated and aggressive movements, however, Sir W. Penn Symonswas disinclined to believe that the enemy meant a serious attack uponDundee, and though fully prepared for hostilities, he was somewhatamazed when really informed of the rapid advance of the unitedRepublicans. But he lost no time. He made inquiries, and satisfiedhimself that he was in a position of some danger and that he mustpromptly leap to action. The chief difficulty of the situation lay inthe number of passes through which the Boers with their easily mobilisedforces could manage to pour in bodies of men, and the limited number ofBritish troops at General Symons's disposal. From the movements of theBoers it was obvious that the plan of attack had long been cleverly andcarefully arranged. The Free State Boers on the 12th of October seizedAlbertina Station, near the Natal frontier, and took possession of thekey, the stationmaster having to make his way on a trolley to Ladysmith. There, as yet, all was externally peaceful, as though no enemy werenear, but a suppressed anxiety to be "up and at 'em" prevailed among thetroops. Their ardour was in nowise damped by the incessant rain thatfell, and converted the surrounding country into a wide morass, nor bythe snow that followed, which gave the Drakenberg Mountains anadditionally impregnable aspect and rendered them at once picturesqueand forbidding. 

A steady increase of the commandoes in the neighbourhood of Doornbergcontinued, and an attack within a few days seemed imminent. 

Thereupon a large number of troops left Ladysmith for Acton Homes, wherea Boer commando of four miles long was reported to be laagered. But theBoers retreated, and the troops remained some ten miles from Ladysmith, the Dublin Fusiliers alone moving back to Glencoe, whence they had comeby train by order of General Symons. 

At Glencoe we had, as before stated, some 4000 men, but report said thatGeneral Viljeon had an enormous force, nearly double ours in number, which was lying at the foot of Botha's Pass, one and a half miles on theNatal side of the Border. Besides this, General Kock had a commando atNewcastle. The invasion of Natal by the Boers in three columns wasformally announced by an official statement from the Governor:--

 "PIETERMARITZBURG, _October 16_. 

"Natal was invaded from the Transvaal early on the morning of the 12thinst. , an advance being made by the enemy in three columns. On the righta mixed column of Transvaal and Free State Burghers with HollanderVolunteers marched through Botha's Pass. In the centre the main column, under General Joubert's personal command, crossed Lang's Nek and movedforward _viâ_ Ingogo. On the left a large commando advanced fromWakkerstroom _viâ_ Moll's Nek and Wool's Drift. The object of all threecolumns was Newcastle, which was occupied on the night of the 14th, thecentral column having slept the previous night at Mount Prospect, General Colley's old camping-place. On Sunday an advance party of 1500Boers, with artillery, pushed south of Ingagane, but the greater portionof this commando retired later in the day on Newcastle. A Boer forcewhich had been concentrating at De Jager's Drift captured six Natalpolicemen. A picket of the King's Royal Rifles Mounted Infantry hasexchanged a few shots with the enemy. This has hitherto been the onlyfighting. 

"A large force of Free State Boers, estimated at from 11, 000 to 13, 000, is watching the passes of the Drakensberg from Olivier's Hoek toCollins's Pass. They have pushed a few patrols down the berg, buthitherto the main force has not debouched from the actual passes, whichare being intrenched. "

As will be seen, the advance of the foe seemed to be converging on SirGeorge White's position from all directions, and threatening Glencoefrom the north, east, and possibly west. Still the troops remainedcheerful and looked forward to a brush with the enemy. On the 18thhostilities were begun by the Free State commando moving about ten milesdown the Tintwa Pass. They opened fire with their artillery on somesmall cavalry patrols, but their shooting was distinctly inferior, andno one was injured. They retreated on the advance of the 5th Lancers. Several more commandoes were known to have advanced to join a forcestationed at Doornberg, some twelve miles from Dundee, and the enemy'sscouts having also been seen some seven miles off Glencoe, an engagementwas expected at any moment. An interesting account of this interval ofsuspense was given by an officer writing on the 16th October fromDundee, interesting and pathetic, too, when, in reading it, we rememberthat the gallant fellow to whom the writer alluded is alive no longer. He said:--

"Hitherto there has been no fighting at all, but our patrols are intouch with the enemy. I was out on my first patrol the day beforeyesterday since the declaration of war. My orders were to start at 6A. M. , push on about twelve miles along the Newcastle road, and stay outtill about 6 P. M. I went out to a small hill about four miles from thecamp and reconnoitered, and then went on to a place called HaddingSpruit, where I found a few people at the station and the stationmaster. This is at present the terminus of the line, all the rolling stock northof this having been sent south, and all the wires cut and instrumentsremoved by the railway people. There is a large coal-mine here, and thepeople are in a deadly funk about being blown up. I pushed on to a largekopje, a few miles this side and west of Dannhauser, and climbed to thetop, where I spent an hour or so, as from there one can see as far asIngagane Nek, four miles this side of Newcastle, the place I sketched. Just as I looked over the top of the hill I saw two men on ponies withguns. They were talking to a Kaffir. I at once put them down as Boers, and thought of firing at them, but decided not to disclose my positionand watch them. This was lucky for them, as I caught them later, andfound them to be refugees flying from the Boers, who I discovered werein occupation of Ingagane and Newcastle, and had their patrols outnearly to Dannhauser. 

"I then went on to Dannhauser, which consists of a railway station, twofarms, a store, a couple of coolie stores, a mine, and a few huts. Weapproached with magazines charged and expected to see a Boer everyminute, but found that they were not expected to come down as far asthat till next day. I then made my way slowly back by the main road, andreached camp about 5 P. M. , when I found that the other patrol (six menand an officer is the strength of each) had proceeded to De Jager'sDrift and had not returned. A telephonic communication from thepolice-station at De Jager's Drift said, 'A large force of forty Boershave crossed Buffalo to cut off your patrol. Am trying ... '--and thenended abruptly. It eventually transpired that the Boers rushed thepolice-station before the message could be completed. Thackwell, who wasin command of the patrol, pursued twelve Boers up to the river. Thenthirty-four crossed to our side, and twelve lower down, the twelvetrying to cut him off behind. However, he retired on to a nek behind, and as they did not come on, he moved off in about half an hour byanother road. This was lucky for him, as he saw the twelve men who hadcrossed by Landsman's Drift disconsolately coming down from a lot ofrocks where they had been lying in wait for him on the road he had comeby. 

"There seems to have been something going on at Kimberley. I wish theywould buck up here and do something. I am on picket to-night, whichmeans no sleep and a lot of bother, as the picket is about seven milesfrom camp at the junction of the Vant's Drift and De Jager's Driftroads, where there is a chance of being plugged at. The picket on theHelmakaar road was shot at the other night. 

"One of the armoured trains came up here yesterday--an ugly-lookingbeast with the engine in the middle, all covered with iron, so that onlyjust the top of the funnel is visible. I do not believe in them. If anyone puts a dynamite cartridge under a rail--pop! up goes the armouredtrain. 

"I think this will be a very interesting war, as the railway will playsuch an important part in the tactics. Thus the other day we sent theDublin Fusiliers down to Ladysmith to repel an expected attack athalf-an-hour's notice, and brought them back the same night.... 

"We are under an awfully nice General--one Penn Symons--a real goodchap. "

On the 18th of October the Carabineers were in touch with the enemy inthe neighbourhood of Bester's Farm a great part of the day, andLieutenant Galway, son of the Chief-Justice of Natal, who remained towatch his troops off the kopje, was reported missing. The Carabineerswere compelled to retire owing to being completely outnumbered by theBoer force, and had they not done so they would have run the risk ofbeing cut off from their supports. There were some hair-breadth escapes, and Major Taunton, who was riding at the head of his squadron, camethrough a vigorous hail of bullets quite uninjured. 

Major Rethman, in command of 300 Natal Mounted Rifles, also activelyengaged the enemy near Acton Homes, but was also compelled to retire forfear of being cut off. Being quite conversant with Boer tactics, herefused to be drawn by the pretence of retreat made by the Dutchmen, knowing that concealed forces of the enemy in great numbers were waitingto entrap him. Major Rethman, believing in the old saw that brevity isthe soul of wit, reported his loss as "one hat. "

The Dutchmen now advanced. An armoured train, sent by Sir George Whiteto bring in wounded from Bester's Farm, returned discomfited, as therails over the bridge four miles off Ladysmith had been tampered with. It was found that a farm, which had been deserted earlier in the day, was now in the occupation of the Boers, but these, though established onthe south side of the line, made no effort to attack the train andallowed it to return unmolested. Rumours of fighting were in the air, and skirmishes between advance parties of British troops and Boers werethe order of the day. A report reached the Glencoe camp that the Boershad been seen some seven miles off, whereupon Major Laming with asquadron of the 18th Hussars rode out to reconnoitre. Lieutenant Cape, the advanced officer's patrol, discovered a strong advance party of theenemy, who delivered a heavy fire, but fortunately without result. Thismost probably was due to the swift and clever manoeuvring of theHussars. 

The Carabineers and Border Mounted Rifles, who were in action nearly thewhole of the 18th of October, returned to camp at three in the morningof the 19th. They were quite worn out and famished, having been fortwenty-four hours without food, and three days and two nights in thesaddle. Considering the excitement and fatigue, they were in excellentspirits. Their experience was a novel one, for on this occasion theBoers, who usually prefer to skulk under cover, made incipient rushesat certain points. They gave way, however, before the pressingattentions of the Maxims, and fled helter-skelter to cover again; buttheir departure was on the principle of "those who fight and run awaylive to fight another day. " They reserved themselves for a more decisiveeffort. 

At midday on the 19th a mixed train running from Ladysmith to Dundee wascaptured by the enemy about a mile off Elandslaagte Station, whichstands about fifteen miles from Ladysmith, and is the first station fromthence on the line. A war correspondent was taken prisoner, fourCarabineers were wounded, and some horses and cattle seized. Telegraphiccommunication in the north was cut off, and four trucks of stores in theElandslaagte Station were captured. 

 THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE

On the night of the 19th, Sir W. Penn Symons discovered that he wassurrounded by the enemy. Three of their columns were converging on hisposition--one from the north-west under General Erasmus by theDannhauser-Hattingspruit road; one from Utrecht and Vryheid byLandsman's Drift from the east, under Commandant Lucas Meyer; and athird under General Viljoen from Waschbank on the south, this latterbeing the force which cut through the Ladysmith-Dundee railway. 

The Boer plan was to deliver simultaneously different attacks from allsides of the Glencoe camp. The column under Erasmus was to open theattack from the north-west, and falling back, was to draw Symons inpursuit away from his camp. Then Viljoen and Meyer were to close on thepursuers from either flank and annihilate them. 

Fortunately this skilfully-devised programme was not fulfilled. For thisreason: The force under Lucas Meyer was the first to arrive, and itsleader, impatient to secure the glories of war, decided on anindependent course of action. Before the other columns could put in anappearance he opened the attack. On the hills round Glencoe the Boershad posted cannon, and from thence at daybreak on the 20th of OctoberMeyer's gunners began to fire plugged shells into the camp. A flash--apuff of smoke--a whizz and a crash! Hostilities had begun! By 5 A. M. AllGeneral Symons's troops were under arms. It was evident that the enemywere in force, and that their guns were some half-a-dozen in number. Their range was 5000 yards, but, fortunately, their shots, though welldirected, flew screaming overhead and buried themselves in the softearth, doing no damage whatever. A few tents fell, a few marquees weretorn up. That was all. Our artillery soon came into action, at first attoo long a range, but afterwards--from a position south of Dundee--withgreater success. They then replied to the enemy's challenge withconsiderable warmth and excellent effect; and, since our batteriesnumbered some three to one, by 11. 30 o'clock the enemy's Krupps weresilenced. In the meantime the infantry, the 1st King's Royal Rifles andthe 2nd Dublin Fusiliers, formed for attack opposite the enemy'sposition, which was situated some two miles off at the top of an almostimpregnable hill. Huge boulders margined the sides of it, and half-wayup an encircling wall added to the impassability of the position. Butthe word impossible is not to be found in the dictionary of a soldier, and General Symons gave an order. The hill was to be taken. The buglesrang out; the infantry fixed bayonets. Then was enacted another, only agrander, Majuba, but now with the position of the contending forcesinverted. Doubtless the memory of that historic defeat inspired our men, for they evidently decided that what the Boer had done, the Briton alsocould do, and, spurred by their officers, who showed an absolutedisregard of the possibilities of danger, went ahead and carried thecrest in magnificent style. No such brilliant achievement of Britishinfantry has been recorded since Albuera. But this, as we shall see, wasnot accomplished in a moment. It involved tremendous exposure incrossing an open plain intersected with nullahs under a terrific fire, followed by a long spell of dogged climbing, finally on hand and knees, over more than a mile of broken, sometimes almost perpendicular, ground, and in the midst of an incessant and furious fusilade. 

[Illustration: POSITION OF FORCES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE. ]

At 7. 30 A. M. The head of the Hattingspruit column appeared; appeared butto vanish--for it was at once saluted by the 67th Field Battery, andbeing unprepared for this somewhat boisterous attention, made haste tobeat a retreat. At 8. 50 the infantry brigade was ordered to advance. Soon the Dublin Fusiliers and the Rifles, who had been reinforced by theRoyal Irish Fusiliers, were steadily moving on, firing by sections, andusing what cover the ground afforded. Overhead, from the hilldescribed, and from another south of the road, the ever-active shellscontinued their grim music, while all around was the dense curtain offine rain that drizzled down like wet needles from an opaque sky, makinga screen between the opposing forces. But on and on, led by theirgallant officers, our infantry continued to toil, their advance evercovered by the 13th and 67th Field Batteries--under the commandrespectively of Major Dawkins and Major Wing--while the enemy from abovepoured upon them volley after volley as hard as rifles would let them. When half-way up, where the kopje was girded by a flat terrace and astone wall, the troops, scattered by the terrific fire, hot, drenched, and panting with their climb, made a halt. There, under the lea of thehill, it was necessary to get "a breather, " and to gather themselvestogether for the supreme effort. The scene was not exhilarating. Thegrey mist falling--the scattered earth and mud rising and spluttering, the shrieking shells rending the air, already vibrant with the whirr ofbullets--the closer sounds and sights of death and destruction--allthese things were sufficient to stem the courage of stoutest hearts. Still the British band remained undaunted, still they prepared boldlyfor the final rush. Presently, with renewed energy the three gallantregiments, steadily and determinedly as ever, started off, scaled thewall, clambered up the steep acclivity, and finally, with a rush and aroar as of released pandemonium, charged the crest. 

The rout of the enemy was complete. At the glint of the steel theyturned and ran--ran like panic-stricken sheep, helter-skelter over thehill, in the direction of Landmann's and Vant's Drifts. Their retreatwas harried by cavalry and mounted infantry, and, so far as it waspossible, in view of the inaccessible position, by the field artillery. At this juncture the enemy displayed a white flag--without any intentionof surrender, it appears--but our firing was stopped by order of theartillery commander. Two guns and several prisoners were captured, together with horses and various boxes of shells for Maxim, Nordenfeldt, and Krupp quick-firing guns. Our wounded were many, and some companieslooked woefully attenuated as the remnant, when all was over, whistledthemselves back to camp. Their gallant leader, General Penn Symons, whohad taken no precautions to keep under cover, but, on the contrary, hadmade himself conspicuous in being accompanied by a lancer with a redflag, fell early in the fight, mortally wounded. His place was taken byBrigadier-General Yule, whose position at that time was far fromenviable. A message had been brought in by scouts, stating that some9000 Boers were marching with the intention of attacking the British inthe rear, and that at the very moment the advancing multitude might becloaked in a dark mist that was gathering round the hills. Fortunatelythe hovering hordes failed to appear, and the first big engagement ofthe war terminated in a glorious victory for British arms. 

[Illustration: THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR--TRANSPORT LEAVING ENGLAND FORTHE CAPE. 

Drawing by Charles J. De Lacia. ]

From all accounts the two hostile columns numbered respectively 4000 and9000 men, and against these forces Sir Penn Symons had at his command inall about 4000. Among these were the 13th, 67th, and 69th FieldBatteries, the 18th Hussars, the Natal Mounted Volunteers, the 8thBattalion Leicester Regiment, the 1st King's Royal Rifles, the 2ndDublin Fusiliers, and several companies of mounted infantry. But on theDublin Fusiliers, the King's Royal Rifles, and the Royal Irish Fusiliersfell the brunt of the work, the task of capturing the Boer position, andthe magnificent dash and courage with which the almost impossible featwas accomplished brought a thrill to the heart of all who had the goodfortune to witness it. 

[Illustration]

Though the fight was a successful one, a grievous incident occurred. The18th Hussars had received orders at 5. 40 A. M. To get round the enemy'sright flank and be ready to cut off his retreat. They were accompaniedby a portion of the mounted infantry and a machine-gun. Making a wideturning movement, they gained the eastern side of Talana Hill and therehalted, while two squadrons were sent in pursuit of the enemy. From thattime, though firing was heard at intervals throughout the day, ColonelMoeller, with a squadron of the 18th Hussars and four sections ofmounted infantry, was lost to sight. The rain had increased and the mistcovered the hills, and it was believed that in course of time thismissing party would return. But the belief was vain. In a few days itwas discovered that they were made prisoners and had been removed toPretoria. The following is a list of the gallant officers who were sounluckily captured:--

 Colonel Moeller, 18th Hussars; Major Greville, 18th Hussars; Captain Pollok, 18th Hussars; Captain Lonsdale, 2nd Battalion Dublin Fusiliers; Lieutenant Le Mesurier, 2nd Battalion Dublin Fusiliers; Lieutenant Garvice, 2nd Battalion Dublin Fusiliers; Lieutenant Grimshaw, 2nd Battalion Dublin Fusiliers; Lieutenant Majendie, 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps; Lieutenant Shore, Army Veterinary Department, attached to 18th Hussars. 

An official account of the circumstances which led to the capture wassupplied by Captain Hardy, R. A. M. C. , who said: "After the battle, threesquadrons of the 18th Hussars, with one Maxim, a company of the DublinFusiliers, a section of the 60th Rifles and Mounted Infantry, ColonelMoeller commanding, kept under cover of the ridge to the north of thecamp, and at 6. 30 moved down the Sand Spruit. On reaching the open theforce was shelled by the enemy, but there were no casualties. 

"Colonel Moeller took his men round Talana Hill in a south-easterlydirection, crossed the Vant's Drift road, captured several Boers, andsaw the Boer ambulances retiring. Colonel Moeller, with the B Squadronof the Hussars, a Maxim, and mounted infantry, crossed theDundee-Vryheid railway, and got near a big force of the enemy, whoopened a hot fire, and Lieutenant M'Lachlan was hit. 

"The cavalry retired across Vant's Drift, 1500 Boers following. ColonelMoeller held the ridge for some time, but the enemy enveloping hisright, he ordered the force to fall back across the Spruit. The Maximgot fixed in a donga (water-hole). Lieutenant Cape was wounded, three ofhis detachment were killed, and the horses of Major Greville and CaptainPollok were shot. 

"The force re-formed on a ridge north of the Sand Spruit, and held itfor a short time. While Captain Hardy was attending to Lieutenant Crum, who was wounded, Colonel Moeller retired his force into a defile, apparently with the intention of returning to camp round the ImpatiMountain, and was not seen afterwards. "

The following list of casualties shows how hardly the glory of victoriesmay be earned:--

 Divisional Staff. --General Sir William Penn Symons, mortally wounded in stomach; Colonel C. E. Beckett, A. A. G. , seriously wounded, right shoulder; Major Frederick Hammersley, D. A. A. G. , seriously wounded, leg. Brigade Staff. --Colonel John Sherston, [1] D. S. O. , Brigade Major, killed; Captain Frederick Lock Adam, Aide-de-Camp, seriously wounded, right shoulder. 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. --Lieutenant B. De W. Weldon, wounded slightly, hand. 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. --Second Lieutenant A. H. M. Hill, killed; Major W. P. Davison, wounded; Captain and Adjutant F. H. B. Connor, wounded (since dead); Captain M. J. W. Pike, wounded; Lieutenant C. C. Southey, wounded; Second Lieutenant M. B. C. Carbery, wounded dangerously, face and shoulder; Second Lieutenant H. C. W. Wortham, wounded severely, both thighs. Royal Dublin Fusiliers. --Captain George Anthony Weldon, killed; Captain Maurice Lowndes, wounded dangerously, left leg; Captain Atherstone Dibley, wounded dangerously, head; Lieutenant Charles Noel Perreau, wounded; Lieutenant Charles Jervis Genge, wounded (since dead). 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifles. --Killed: Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Gunning, [2] Captain M. H. K. Pechell, Lieutenant J. Taylor, Lieutenant R. C. Barnett, Second Lieutenant N. J. Hambro. --Wounded: Major C. A. T. Boultbee, upper thigh, dangerously; Captain O. S. W. Nugent, Captain A. R. M. Stuart-Wortley, Lieutenant F. M. Crum, Lieutenant R. Johnstone, both thighs, severely; Second Lieutenant G. H. Martin, thigh and arm, severely. 18th Hussars. --Wounded: Second Lieutenant H. A. Cape, Second Lieutenant Albert C. M'Lachlan, Second Lieutenant E. H. Bayford. 

The Boer force engaged in this action was computed at 4000 men, of whomabout 500 were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. Three of their gunswere left dismounted on Talana Hill, but there was no opportunity ofbringing them away. 

Our own losses were severe, amounting to 10 officers and 31non-commissioned officers and men killed, 20 officers and 165non-commissioned officers and men wounded, and 9 officers and 211non-commissioned officers and men missing. 

Though General Symons was known to be at the point of death, his promotionwas speedily gazetted, and it was some consolation to feel that thegallant and popular officer lasted long enough to read of the recognitionof his worth by an appreciative country. The following is an extract fromthe _Gazette_:--

"The Queen has been pleased to approve of the promotion of Colonel(local Lieutenant-General) Sir W. P. Symons, K. C. B. , commanding 4thDivision Natal Field Force, to be Major-General, supernumerary to theestablishment, for distinguished service in the field. "

An officer who was taken prisoner by the enemy, writing home soon afterthis engagement, made touching reference to some of the killed andwounded: "Poor Jack Sherston! Several of the officers here saw him lyingdead on the hill at Dundee. When he left with the message entrusted tohim he said to me, 'I shall never return. ' Poor Captain Pechell! He hada bullet through the neck. General Symons was wounded and thrown fromhis horse, but he remounted and was conducted to the hospital, where helearnt that the height had been taken by our troops. His health improveda little, but he died on the following Tuesday. What a list of lossesalready! It is terrible to think that our own cannon were fired bymistake on our men, killing a large number. I saw M'Lachlan when he waswounded with a bullet in his leg. He went about on horseback saying thatit did not hurt him, but at last he had to go to the hospital. Mybugler, such a pleasant fellow, was hit in the head, the body, and thethroat, and killed on the spot.... From a wounded officer, who is aprisoner, I hear that poor Cape had a bullet in the throat and anotherin the leg. He emptied his revolver twice ere falling. He is progressingtowards recovery.... He had the command of our Maxim gun which fell intothe hands of the enemy. The entire detachment which worked the gun waskilled or wounded. At that moment bullets were whistling all round us. Cape, I think, has been exchanged for one of the enemy's wounded. Isuppose that he will be sent home invalided. I wonder what the futurehas in store for us? It is really heart-breaking to think that we arepenned in here without being able to do anything but wait. "

 ELANDSLAAGTE

Amongst other things, it was known in Ladysmith on the 18th of Octoberthat General Koch's commando was moving to the Biggarsberg Pass on theway to Elandslaagte. The advanced guard of the Boers finding a train atthe Elandslaagte station, attempted to seize it, but the driver withremarkable pluck turned on steam, and, though pelted with bullets, gotsafely to Dundee. The second train was captured, however, and with itits valuable cargo of live stock, and two newspaper correspondents, whowere made prisoners. Finding that the enemy was gathered in force roundDundee, and that an attack there was hourly to be expected, and, moreover, that several Free State commandoes were shifting about roundLadysmith, the inhabitants of that town had an uneasy time. Major-General French, who had but recently arrived from England, wasdirected by Sir George White to make a reconnaissance in force in theneighbourhood of Elandslaagte. He moved his cavalry in the pouring rainsome twelve miles along the Dundee road, but besides locating the enemy, and beyond the capture of two of their number, who seemed notill-disposed to be made prisoners, little was done. On the followingday, Saturday, another reconnaissance was made. General French withLieutenant-Colonel Scott Chisholme and the Imperial Light Horse, theNatal Volunteer Artillery with six guns, supported by half a battalionof the Manchesters, with railway and telegraph construction companies, started in the direction occupied by the enemy on the preceding day. General French's orders were simple and explicit, namely, to clear theneighbourhood of Elandslaagte of the enemy and to cover the constructionof the railway and telegraph lines. The troops slowly proceeded along alow tableland which terminated in a cliff. On a plain below this clifflay the station and village of Elandslaagte, and round and about thissettlement mounted Boers were swarming. These no sooner espied theBritish than they made off as fast as their nimble steeds could carrythem, ascending in the direction of a high kopje some 5000 yards away. Those who remained in the station were fired on by our VolunteerBattery, while a squadron under Major Sampson moved round to the northof them. 

[Illustration: POSITION OF FORCES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE, NOON]

The first two shells caused considerable consternation among theDutchmen, but they were soon returned with interest. Though the enemyused smokeless explosives, their battery was revealed by the yellowflash of the guns in the purple shadow of the hill. These guns wereworked with marvellous accuracy, but, fortunately, many of theshells--fired with percussion fuses--dug deep into the sand beforebursting. The Volunteer Battery found their own guns so inferior tothose of the enemy that there was little chance of silencing them, andGeneral French, seeing there was no question of occupying Elandslaagtewith the small force at his disposal, moved his guns back towards hisarmoured train, telephoned to Sir George White, and withdrew in thedirection of Modder's Spruit. There he awaited reinforcements fromLadysmith. These at 11 o'clock began to appear: One squadron of the 5thDragoon Guards, one squadron of the 5th Lancers under Colonel King, andtwo batteries of artillery, the latter having come out at a gallop withdouble teams. Then the infantry arrived under Colonel Ian Hamilton, thesecond half-battalion of the Manchester Regiment, a battalion of theDevonshire Regiment under Major Park, and five companies of the GordonHighlanders under Lieutenant-Colonel Dick-Cunyngham, V. C. 

At 3. 30 P. M. General White arrived on the scene, but the executivecommand of the troops engaged remained in the hands of General French. The Boers were discovered to be magnificently posted on ahorseshoe-shaped ridge about 800 feet above the level of the railway tonorth of the Ladysmith-Dundee road, standing almost at a right anglefrom the permanent way, though some 2000 yards removed from it. On theside nearing the railroad the ridge was crowned with a peaked kopje, which hill was connected by a nek with another eminence of the samekind. These hills were held by the enemy, while their laager wassituated on the connecting ridge. The position was strewn on both flanksby very rough boulders which afforded excellent cover. On the main hillwere three big guns strongly posted at three different points so as tocommand a wide expanse of country and leave a retreat open over thehills in the direction of Wessel's Nek. Facing the ridge was a wideexpanse of veldt rising upwards in the direction of Ladysmith. 

At four--an unusually late hour for the commencement of hostilities--thefirst gun boomed out; the range was 4400 yards. A few moments of furiouscannonading, then the enemy's guns ceased to reply. The silence enabledthe artillerymen to turn their attention on a party of the foe who wereannoying them with a persistent rifle-fire on the right flank at a rangeof 2000 yards. It was an admirable corrective, and the Boersharpshooters retired discomfited. Meanwhile the infantry had beenbrought up in preparatory battle formation of small columns covered byscouts. The position of the infantry was then as follows:--

The first battalion Devonshire Regiment, with a frontage of 500 yardsand a depth of 1300 yards, was halted on the western extremity of ahorseshoe-shaped ridge. The opposite end of this ridge, which wasextremely rugged and broken, was held by the enemy in force. The firstbattalion Manchester Regiment had struck the ridge fully 1000 yards tothe south-east, just at the point where it begins to bend roundnorthwards. The second battalion Gordon Highlanders were one mile inrear. 

[Illustration: LIEUT. -GENERAL J. D. P. FRENCH. 

Photo by Lambert Weston & Son, Folkestone. ]

Now, no sooner had the Devonshire Regiment commenced to move forwardthan they attracted the shell of the enemy, but owing to the looseformation adopted, the loss at this time was slight. In spite of thefurious fire, the regiment still pushed on to within 900 yards of theposition, and then opening fire, held the enemy in front of them till 6P. M. The batteries also advanced and took up a position on a ridgebetween the Devonshire and Manchester Regiments, about 3200 yards fromthe enemy. Then began an animated artillery duel, the roar of gunsmingling with the thunder of heaven, which at this juncture seemed tohave attuned itself to suit the stormy state of the human tempest thatwas raging below. At this period considerable damage was done. CaptainCampbell, R. A. , was wounded, an ammunition waggon overturned, and manymen and horses were killed or injured. For some time the interchange ofdeadly projectiles was pursued with vigour, then the 42nd Field Batterycame into action. The Imperial Light Horse now moved left of the enemy'sposition; some mounted Boers at once pushed out and engaged them. Soonafter this the guns from above ceasing firing, our gunners turned theirattention to the mounted Boers, who rapidly fell back. Then, as the sunwas setting and dark clouds were rolling over the heavens and screeningthe little light that remained, the infantry pressed forward. The planwas that while the Devonshire Regiment made a frontal attack, theManchester Regiment, supported by the Gordons with the Imperial LightHorse on the right, were to advance along the sloping ridge, turn theenemy's flank and force him back on his main position. This movement wasto be supported by the artillery, which was to close in as the attackdeveloped. 

The Devons, under Major Park, marched out, as said, leading the wayacross the plateau and into the valley coolly and deliberately, thoughunder a terrific fire from above. The Boer guns, which were served withgreat courage, invariably gave tongue on the smallest provocation, andthe ground was ploughed up in every direction with bursting shell. Butfortunately few of the gallant Devons were hit. Later on they drewnearer the position, and the regiment, halted under cover of convenientant-hills, and opened fire. The rifles of the enemy were not slow toreply. Their Mauser bullets whirred like swarms of bees around the headsof the plucky fellows, who, heedless of them, dauntlessly advanced towithin some 350 yards of the summit of the hill. There they awaited thedevelopment of the flank attack. 

Meanwhile the Manchesters, with the Imperial Light Horse and theGordons, were winding round the lower steeps, the Gordons bearing to theright through a cutting in the hills. Here, ascending, they came underthe artillery fire of the enemy, the Boers having moved their guns. Shells, and not only shells but huge boulders, dropped among theadvancing troops, crushing and mutilating, and leaving behind a streakof mangled bodies. But though the ordeal was terrible, and the sound andsight of wounded and bleeding were enough to paralyse the stoutestheart, the ever "gay" Gordons plodded on, passing higher and higher, while their officers leading, cheered and roared them up the precipitousascent. Thus they clambered and plodded, with men dropping dead at theirelbows, with torn and fainting comrades by their sides. A storm of rainfrom the gathering thunderclouds drenched them through to the skin, butthey heeded it not. A storm of bullets from the Boers sensiblydiminished their numbers, but they never swerved. Then their gallantcommander fell. Colonel Dick-Cunyngham, the honoured and beloved, wasshot in two places. Several other dashing Scottish officers werewounded, but many still heroically stumbled and reeled over theboulders, some even waving their helmets to pretend they were unhurt, and to encourage their companions to the great, the final move.... 

At last the signal for the charge was sounded. The bugle blared out andwas echoed and re-echoed. Then came flash of bayonet and sound ofcheering throats, the rush of Devons, Manchesters, Gordons, anddismounted Imperials--a wild, shouting mass making straight for theenemy's position. 

To account for the presence of the Devons in the grand melée it isnecessary to go back somewhat, as the great assault was not accomplishedin a moment. 

Our men were advancing in short rushes of about fifty yards, the Boersall the while lying under cover and shooting till the troops were withinsome twenty or thirty yards of them. Then the Dutchmen, as suited theirconvenience, either bolted or surrendered. 

When the end ridge was gained and the guns captured, the enemy's laagerwas close in sight. A white flag was shown from the centre of the camps. At this Colonel Hamilton gave an order. The "Cease fire" was sounded. There was a lull in the action, some of our men commencing to walkslowly down-hill towards the camp. Suddenly, without warning, thecrackle of musketry was heard, and a deadly fire poured from a smallsugar-loaf shaped kopje to east of the camp. For one short moment ourmen, staggered by the dastardly action and the fierce suddenness of theattack, fell back, and during this moment a party of some forty Boershad stoutly charged uphill and effected a lodgment near the crest. 

[Illustration: PLAN OF BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE]

But this ruse was a failure and their triumph short-lived. The 1stBattalion Devonshire Regiment, who, as we know, had been holding theenemy in front during the commencement of the infantry attack, and hadsince then pushed steadily forward, had now reached to 350 yards fromthe enemy. Here they lay down to recover breath before charging withfixed bayonets. Five companies assaulted the hill to the left and fiveto the right; and a detachment of these, arriving at the critical momentwhen the Boers were making their last stand, helped to bring about thetriumphant finale. 

Like the lightning that shot through the sky above, the Boers, at thesound of the united cheers, had fled! Some scampered away to theirlaager on the Nek, and from thence to other kopjes. Others filed introops anywhere, regardless of consequences. While they were in fullretreat, and the mists of darkness, like a gathering pall, hung over thescene, the 5th Lancers and the 5th Dragoon Guards charged the flyingenemy--charged not once nor twice only, but thrice, dashing through thescattered ranks with deadly purpose, though at terrible risk of life andlimb. Never were Boers so amazed. The despised worms--the miserableRooineks--had at last turned, and, as one of them afterwards describedit, they had "come on horses galloping, and with long sticks with spikesat the end of them, picked us up like bundles of hay!"

The cost of victory, however, was heavy. Roughly estimated, we lost 4officers and 37 men killed; 31 officers and 175 men wounded. Ten menwere missing. The Boers lost over 300 Burghers killed and wounded, besides several hundred horses. Their hospital with wounded prisonerswas placed under the care of the British hospital, they having only onedoctor, who, with his primitive staff, was quite unable to cope with thearduous work of attending the multitude of sufferers. 

Numbers of the enemy of all nationalities--Germans, Hollanders, Irish, and others--were made prisoners, and among them were General de Koch andPiet Joubert, nephew of General Joubert. General Viljoen was killed. Themongrel force, estimated at about 1200 strong, was commanded by ColonelSchiel, to whom it doubtless owed its excellent tactical disposition. This officer was wounded and taken prisoner. The _Times_ gave somewhatinteresting character sketches of prominent Boers who were killed orwounded on this occasion:--

 "General Koch was Minute-Keeper to the Executive, and was President Kruger's most influential supporter. His son, Judge Koch, was appointed to a seat on the Bench, but was not popular, and was regarded as a puppet. The fighting Koch is not to be confounded with the General Koch, who belongs to Vryheid, and is a sterling warrior. 

 "Advocate Coster was State Attorney at the time of the Reform trials, but resigned owing to President Kruger having insulted him at a meeting of the Executive. He was an accomplished man, a member of the Inner Temple, and was very popular with the Dutch Bar. 

 "General Ben Viljoen was responsible for most of the fire-eating articles which appeared in the _Rand Post_. "

 "Colonel Schiel was court-martialled in past days for shooting four natives whom he accused of insubordination. "

The courage of the Boers during this battle was immense. About twothousand were engaged, and these, though certainly aided by the strengthof their position, fought valiantly, facing doggedly the heavyconsummately well-directed fire of the British artillery, and returningit with undiminished coolness. 

An interesting incident is mentioned in connection with the battle. Whenthe fire of the British guns became overwhelming, eight plucky Boersdashed forward from cover, and, standing together, steadily opened fireon the men of the Imperial Light Horse, with the evident purpose ofdrawing their fire, while their comrades should change position. Out ofthis gallant little band, only one man was left to tell the tale!

[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE--CHARGE OF THE 5th LANCERS. 

Drawn by R. Caton Woodville. ]

The following is the casualty roll of officers killed at the battle ofElandslaagte:--

 Imperial Light Horse. --Colonel Scott Chisholme, [3] commander, killed; Major Wools Sampson, bullet wound, thigh, severely; Captain John Orr, bullet wound, neck, severely; Lieutenant William Curry, bullet wound, foot, severely; Lieutenant Arthur Shore, bullet wound, chest, severely; Lieutenant and Adjutant R. W. Barnes, wounded severely; Lieutenant Lachlan Forbes, wounded severely; Captain Mullins, wounded; Lieutenant Campbell, wounded; Lieutenant Normand, wounded. 21st Battery Field Artillery. --Captain H. M. Campbell, bullet wound, chest, severe; Lieutenant W. G. H. Manley, shell wound, head, severe. Staff. --Captain Ronald G. Brooke, 7th Hussars, bullet wounds, thigh and head, severe. 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment. --Second Lieutenant H. R. Gunning, severely, bullet wound in chest; Second Lieutenant S. T. Hayley, severely, bullet wounds in hand and leg; Second Lieutenant G. F. Green, severely, bullet wound in forearm; Captain William B. Lafone, slightly, bullet wound. 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment. --Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Curran, bullet wound, shoulder; Captain Charles Melvill, bullet wound, arm, severe; Captain William Newbigging, bullet wound, left shoulder, severe; Captain Donald Paton, bullet wound, thigh, severe; Lieutenant Cyril Danks, bullet wound, scalp, slight. 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders. --Killed: Major H. W. D. Denne, Lieutenant C. G. Monro, Second Lieutenant J. G. D. Murray, Lieutenant L. B. Bradbury. Wounded: Lieutenant-Colonel Dick-Cunyngham, bullet wound, arm, severe; Major Harry Wright, bullet wound, right foot, severe; Captain J. Haldane, bullet wound, leg, severe; Captain Arthur Buchanan, bullet wound, right side, severe; Lieutenant M. Meiklejohn, fractured humerus, severe; Lieutenant C. W. Findlay, bullet wound, arm and thigh, severe; Lieutenant J. B. Gillat (attached from Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders); Second Lieutenant I. A. Campbell, bullet wound, head and chest, dangerous; Lieutenant A. R. Hennessy (3rd Batt. ), bullet wound, head and chest, severe. 

The following tribute to the memory of Colonel Scott Chisholme is takenfrom Mr. John Stuart's correspondence to the _Morning Post_:--

"No death has been more severely felt than the Colonel's. He was a goodman and a good soldier, brave to the point of recklessness, awonderfully-inspiriting leader, and, as I judged from abouta month's knowledge of him, single-minded, fervent in all his work, passionately in earnest. His regiment almost worshipped him. On the dayof the fight their keenness was increased because he was keen, and theyignored the hardships they had gone through because he shared them andtook them lightly, and did his best to improve matters. 

"During the fight he only took cover once or twice, going from troop totroop, praising and encouraging the men in words that were always wellchosen, for no man could phrase his blame or praise more aptly. At thelast ridge he stopped to tie up the leg of a wounded trooper, and wasshot himself in the leg. Two of his men went to his assistance, but hewaved them off, telling them to go on with their fighting and to leavehim alone. Then he was shot in one of the lungs, and the men went to hishelp, but while they were trying to get him to cover, a bullet lodged inhis head and killed him. The last words he was heard to say were, 'Myfellows are doing well. ' His fellows will always remember that. 

"I may be allowed to recall one or two interesting recollections of theColonel. One is the speech he delivered when the Maritzburg Club dinedhim and his officers. Both he and General Symons spoke. Neither man wasan orator, and yet each was more convincing than many orators, speakingsimple, soldierly, purposeful words, words whose simplicity drove themhome. Almost a week before the battle I saw the Colonel arranging hiscamp. He had taken off his tunic and helmet, and did twice as muchdirection as any other officer, and he worked as hard as any of the men. It was then, when I saw his vigour in full activity, that I realised hiswonderful capacity for work--a capacity of which I had often heard, butwhich I had not been able to comprehend before. 

"The last time I saw him was at the outspan before the battle began. Hecame to a group of us and gave one or two orders in such pleasant wordsthat one knew that to obey him must in itself be a real delight. Then hesat down and gossiped with us, first about his luck in the morning, whena shell that hit the ground between his horse's feet had failed toburst, and afterwards about luck in general. He advised the officers totell their men to sleep while they could, and then he said, 'Now I'll goand get half-an-hour's sleep myself. ' But at that moment an aide-de-campcame saying that General French wanted to see him. When the Colonelreturned, it was to order his regiment to saddle up and prepare tomount. In half-an-hour he was leading the attack on the first kopje. 

"I like to think that before death smote him he knew that the battle waswon, and that his fellows had done well, as he expected that they would, as he had helped them to do by example and generous encouragement. "

A private of the Gordon Highlanders, in a letter dated Ladysmith, November 2, gave a vivid account of the charge of the Gordons atElandslaagte, and described how Lieutenant-Colonel Dick-Cunyngham waswounded when leading his men, and that officer's chagrin at his beingrendered impotent. He said: "We charged three times with the bayonet, and my gun was covered with whiskers and blood, though I don't rememberstriking anybody, but I was nearly mad with excitement, shells burstingand bullets whizzing round like hail. I was close behind the commandingofficer when he was wounded. He was shot and had to sit down, but hecheered on his men. 'Forward, Gordons, ' he cried, 'the world is lookingat you. Brave lads, give it to the beggars, exterminate thevermin--charge. ' He then started crying because he could no longer leadhis battalion, and he would not retire from the field until the day waswon. He is a fine man to lead a battalion--as brave as a lion. TheGordons were the last line, and we raced through the Manchesters and theDevons and the Light Horse Volunteers, all charging together. "

Here we have a proof how much the morale of soldiers may be influencedby their immediate chief. 

The _Natal Advertiser_ in its account of the final scene said:--

"By a quarter past six the Devonshire Regiment, the Gordon Highlanders, and the Manchester Regiment, with the Imperial Light Horse, were in aposition to storm the Boer camp from the enemy's front and left flank, and the signal for the bayonet charge was sounded. Then was witnessedone of the most splendid pieces of storming imaginable, the Devonstaking the lead, closely followed by the Gordons, the Manchesters, andthe Light Horse, in the face of a tremendous, killing fire, the rattleand roar of which betokened frightful carnage.... A bugler boy of the5th Lancers shot three Boers with his revolver. He was afterwardscarried round the camp amid cheers. "

So many acts of gallantry were performed that they cannot all berelated. It is impossible, however, to allow the wondrous pluck ofSergeant Kenneth M'Leod to go unrecorded. During the charge this gallantScot was twice struck, once in the arm and once in the side. He howevercontinued to pipe and advance with the Gordons to their final rush. Presently came more bullets, smashing his drones, his chanter, and hiswindbag, whereupon the splendid fellow had to give in. 

Perhaps the most heart-rending period was that following the last gleamof daylight, when the Medical Staff went forth to do their melancholyduty. All were armed with lanterns, which, shining like pale glow-worms, made the dense gloom around more impenetrable still. Yet, groping andshivering through the black horror of the night, they patiently pursuedtheir ghastly task with zeal that was truly magnificent. Dead, dying, wounded, were dotted all over the veldt. There, bearded old Boers, boys, Britons in their prime, were indiscriminately counted, collected, tended, the Field Hospital men and Indian stretcher-bearers workingincessantly and ungrudgingly till dawn. Gruesome and heart-rending werethe sights and scenes around the camp-fires when such wounded as couldcrawl dragged themselves towards their comrades. Pitiable the faces ofthe survivors as news came in of gallant hearts that had ceased to beat. A pathetic incident was witnessed in the grey gloom of the small hours. One of the bearers chanced on an ancient hoary-headed Boer, who waslying behind a rock supporting himself on his elbows. The bearerapproached warily, as many of the enemy were known to have turned onthose who went to their succour. This man, however, was too weak fromloss of blood to attempt to raise his rifle. Between his dying gasps hebegged a favour--would some one find his son, a boy of thirteen, who hadbeen fighting by his side when he fell. The request was obeyed. Thelittle lad, stone-dead, was discovered. He was placed in the failingarms of his father. The unhappy old fellow clasped the clay-cold form, and hugged it despairingly to himself, and then, merciful Providencepitied him in his misery--his stricken spirit went out to join his son. 

An officer who was wounded, and who spent the night in the terriblescene, thus described his own awful experiences: "I lay where I fell forabout three-quarters of an hour, when a doctor came and put afield-dressing on my wound, gave me some brandy, put my helmet under myhead as a pillow, covered me with a Boer blanket which he had taken froma dead man, and then went to look after some other poor beggar. I shallnever forget the horrors of that night as long as I live. In addition tothe agony which my wound gave me, I had two sharp stones running into myback; I was soaked to the skin and bitterly cold, but had an awfulthirst; the torrents of rain never stopped. On one side of me was aGordon Highlander in raving delirium, and on the other a Boer who hadhis leg shattered by a shell, and who gave vent to the mostheart-rending cries and groans. War is a funny game, and no one canrealise what its grim horrors are till they see it in all its barbarousreality. I lay out in the rain the whole of the night, and at daybreakwas put into a doolie by a doctor, and some natives carried me down tothe station. The ground was awfully rough, and they dropped me twice; Ifainted both times. I was sent down to Ladysmith in the hospital train;from the station I was conveyed to the chapel (officers' hospital) in abullock-cart, the jolting of which made me faint again. I was the lastofficer taken in. I was then put to bed, and my wound was dressed justseventeen hours after I was hit. They then gave me some beef-tea, whichwas the first food I had had for twenty-seven hours. "

The amazing spirit of chivalry that animated all classes, generalofficers, medical officers, chaplains, and even stretcher-bearers, inthis campaign has been the subject of much comment. It was thought thatmodernity had rendered effete some of the sons of Great Britain, and thewar, if it should have done no other good, has served to prove thattimes may have changed, but not the tough and dauntless character of themen who have made the Empire what it is. 

The following, from a Congregational minister of Durban, who hadvolunteered to go to the front as honorary chaplain to the Natal MountedRifles, in which corps many of his congregation enrolled, is of immenseinterest. It gives us an insight into the inner core of valour--thevalour of those who, unarmed, share the dangers without theintoxications of the fight. It runs:--

 "The Lancers, who were mistaken by the Boers in the growing darkness for a body of their own men, fell upon them and turned a rout into a wild flight. Commander Schiel was very furious at losing the battle, and said he would like to kill every man, woman, and child in Natal. In this he was the exception to the rule, for the captives whom we liberated said the Boers had treated them with great kindness. After the battle Dr. Bonnybrook and I spent the night on the field of battle, and also followed the retreating Boers for a distance of six or seven miles, searching for and tending the wounded and dying. In the early hours of the morning we came to a Boer field-hospital, and shouting out, 'Doctor and Predicant, ' we entered and rested, and slept there awhile. By daybreak we were out again. About six miles from camp Dr. Bonnybrook rode up to twenty-five mounted and armed Boers, and told them they were his prisoners. Ordering two to take the weapons of their comrades, he marched them into camp prisoners. For an unarmed man to accomplish alone, this was an exceedingly brave thing to do. After the battle one of the captured held up his gun and said, 'Look through this. I have not fired a shot. I am a Britisher. They forced me to come. '"

Among other heroes of Elandslaagte was Lieutenant Meiklejohn of theGordon Highlanders. This young officer, one of the "Dargai boys, " helpedthe charge in an endeavour to embarrass the Boer flank. Supported by aparty of Gordons, so runs the narrative, Meiklejohn waved his sword andcried out to his party hastily gathered round him. But the Boer rankswere alert, and poured in a deadly fire on the gallant band. LieutenantMeiklejohn received three bullets through his upper right arm, onethrough the right forearm, a finger blown away, a bullet through theleft thigh, two bullets through the helmet, a "snick" in the neck, whilehis sword and scabbard were literally shot to pieces. He has by now losthis right arm, but, happily, being left-handed, it is hoped he mayremain in the profession he is so well calculated to adorn. 

A private soldier in the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders recounted anextraordinary personal experience. He said:--

 "We, the Devons, Imperial Light Horse, and others, had a fight at Elandslaagte with the Boers, and I never enjoyed myself so much before. You first have to get christened to fire, and then you think nothing of the shells bursting about you, and the bullets which go whistling past like bees. We went forward by fifty-yard rushes, and at every rush you could hear a groan, and down would go one of our comrades, either killed or wounded, poor chap. When we were miles from the enemy they opened fire on us with shell, and as we were going along in mass, one of the shells burst on the left of the company, and one of our men of my section--Bobby Hall--got shot dead with a piece of the shell going straight through his head. That was what made more than one wish to turn and run. But what would Britain do if her soldiers ran from the enemy? At last we got to where we could get a shot at the Boers with our rifles, and you may bet we gave them more than one, as perhaps the papers have told you. I got through the rifle-fire down to the bayonet charge on the hillside, when I felt a sting in the left arm, and looking down, found I was shot in the wrist. In changing my position I got shot in the centre of the forehead. The bullet did not go straight through. It glanced off my nose-bone, and came out above my right temple.... On looking round, I was just in time to see the blood squirt from the first wound. I shifted my position in quick time, for I did not want another from the same rifle. I lay still after doing this for a while, when the thought came to me to get my wrist bandaged and try to shoot again. On changing my position I got a bullet right in the 'napper. ' I was out of action then, for all was dark. I heard the officer I was going to get the bandages from say, 'Poor chap! he's gone. ' But no, I am still kicking. "

 THE RETREAT FROM DUNDEE

Owing to the Boers having posted their 15-centimetre gun on the Impatifor the purpose of shelling the camp and town, the troops andinhabitants removed to a position some three miles south of Dundeevillage. The movement was fraught with many discomforts. Rain fell intorrents, making the roads a mass of slush and enveloping everything ina thick mist, while provisions, which had been hastily gatheredtogether, were scarce. On the following day, Sunday, an attempt was madeto return to camp, but the Boer firing continued so active that theproject had to be abandoned. Thereupon, on Sunday night the wholecolumn, having first loaded four days' supplies from their old camp andset there lighted candles sufficient to cause such an illumination aswould suggest to the Boers an idea of occupation, quietly stole away. Noone exactly knew their destination. At nine of the clock the ArmyService Corps waggons moved to the camp, were loaded, and by midnightcommenced rumbling along in the damp obscurity. The advance column, after passing through Dundee, where it was joined by transport andrearguard, proceeded along the Helpmakaar road on the way toLadysmith. 

[Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL SIR W. PENN SYMONS, K. C. B. 

Photo by R. Stanley & Co. , London. ]

On Monday afternoon the first halt was called, but the rest was of shortduration, for at ten the column was again plodding along through themiry roads in hourly dread lest the whole scheme should be spoilt, andthe Boers suddenly arrest the course of the two-mile-long column. 

And they had indeed good reason for alarm. They were forced to plodthrough a narrow pass in the Biggarsberg range of mountains, so narrowindeed that a hundred Boers might have effectually barred their way. Here, through this perilous black cylinder of the hills, they marched atdead of night. It took them between the hours of half-past eleven tillthree, stumbling and squelching in the mire, and knowing that should theenemy appear, should they but shoot one of the oxen of the leadingwaggon of the convoy, and thus block the cramped defile, all chance ofgetting safely through to Ladysmith would be at an end. This was by nomeans a happy reflection to fill men's minds in the dripping, almostpalpable, darkness of the night, and the resolute spirit of the gallantfellows who unmurmuringly stowed away all personal wretchedness andstuck manfully to their grim duty is for ever to be marvelled at andadmired. Fortunately the Dutchmen, "slim" as they were, had not countedon the possibility of this march being executed at all, still less ofits being executed in pitch darkness. They were caught napping, and theparty, who had left kit, provisions (except for the four days), andeverything behind them, who were now drenched to the skin in the onlyclothes they possessed, at last reached Sunday River in safety. 

Here they eagerly awaited an escort of the 5th Lancers, which had beendetached by Sir George White from Ladysmith to meet them. These, to thegreat joy of the worn-out travellers, appeared on Wednesday afternoon. On that evening the column again started off for a last long wearisometramp, the men, who had not been out of their clothes for a week, beingnow ready to drop from sleeplessness and exhaustion. But valiantly theyheld on. Not a word, not a grumble. All had confidence in General Yuleand his officers, who shared with the men every hardship and everyfatigue; each realised his individual duty to make the very best of avery bad job, and pluckily kept heart till the last moment. Torrents ofrain fell, making the night into one vast immensity of slough and pool, but the stumbling, straining left, right, left, right, of the retreatingmen continued ceaselessly through the weary hours. On Thursday morning, the 26th, to their intense relief, they found themselves at last in thelong-looked-for camp at Ladysmith. 

The excitement of arrival was almost too much for the exhausted, fainting troops, but the cheers that went up from a thousand throatsbrought light to their sleep-starved eyes and warmth to their chilledframes. There was rest at last--rest and safety, food and warm covering, though of a more practical than artistic kind. The Devons--who had justcome grandly through the fight at Elandslaagte and looted the Boer campof innumerable saleable odds and ends--out of their newly-gained wealth"stood treat. " In the joy of their hearts each of the men subscribedsixpence, and the gallant Dublin Fusiliers, the heroes of Glencoe, who, all unwashed and unshorn, now looked like chimney-sweeps rather than thewarriors they were, were invited to a fine "square meal. " It isdifficult to imagine the condition of those battered braves after theirweek of hardship, fighting, and privation, and sticklers for etiquettewould have been shocked at the manners and customs enforced by warlikeconditions. One who dined with the Dundee column gave the followinggraphic description of the luxurious repast:--

"To begin with, there was no sort of furniture either in the messroom orthe anteroom. If you wanted to sit down, you did so on the floor. Weeach got hold of a large tin mug, and dipped it into a large tinsaucepan of soup and drank it, spoons not existing. A large lump of saltwas passed round, and every one broke off a piece with his fingers. Nextyou clawed hold of a piece of bread and a chunk of tongue, and gnawedfirst one and then the other--knives and forks there were none. Thisfinished the dinner. Add to this two or three tallow-candles stuck on acocoa tin, and the fact that none of the officers had shaved, or had hadtheir clothes off for a week, and had walked some forty-five milesthrough rivers and mud, and you will have some idea of how the officers'mess of one of the smartest of Her Majesty's foot regiments do forthemselves in time of war. Not a murmur or complaint was to be heard. "

Their state must certainly have been pitiable, for it will be rememberedthat on the retirement from Dundee rations for four days only wereloaded, and provisions for two months, besides all officers' and men'skit and hospital equipment, were left behind. 

And, sad to say, so also were the wounded. It was necessary for theirfuture well-being to desert them. The men who had so gloriously led tovictory now found themselves stranded and in a strange position--thevanquishers at the mercy of the vanquished! Most melancholy of all musthave been the plight of those unhappy sufferers when they first learntthat their comrades were marching farther and farther away, and thatthey, in all their helplessness, must be left lonely--unloved, andperhaps untended--in charge of the enemy. One dares not think of theagonies of those sad souls--the nation's invalids--bereft of kindlywords and kindred smiles; one cannot linger without a sense ofemasculating weakness on the sad side-picture of battle that, in itsdumb wretchedness, seems so much more paralysing than the active horrorof facing shot and shell in company with glorious comrades in arms. Letus hope there was some one to whisper to them, to persuade them that allwas for the best; that the safety of their sick selves and their soundmates depended on this retreat, this wondrous retreat which, when thetale of the war in its entirety shall be told, will shine like adazzling light among records whose brilliancy in the history of Britishachievements cannot be excelled. Perhaps, too, they had faith to inspirethem with the certainty that all that they had suffered in that darkhour for their country and for the weal of their fellows, would beremembered to their glory in the good times to come. 

While the retreat was going forward Glencoe's gallant hero was breathinghis last. After hopelessly lingering for three days, General Sir W. PennSymons passed away. He expired in the hands of the enemy at Dundeehospital on Monday the 23rd of October. The next day he was quietlyburied with profound signs of mourning. 

 SIR W. PENN SYMONS--GLENCOE

By the death of Major-General Sir William Penn Symons, the British armylost a brilliant and distinguished soldier, and a man of great valourand courage. He came of a Cornish family, the founder of which was aNorman knight who came over with William the Conqueror. The eldest sonof the late William Symons, Recorder of Saltash, he was born in 1843, and in 1863 joined the South Wales Borderers--the old 24th Regiment. Hebecame lieutenant in 1866, captain in 1878, major in 1881, lieutenant-colonel in 1886, and colonel in 1887. 

His first experience of active service was in 1877, when the Bordererstook the field against the Galekas. In the Zulu War of 1879 he servedwith distinction, but was not present at the battle of Isandlwana, beingaway from his regiment on special duty. In 1885 he served asDeputy-Assistant-Adjutant and Quarter-Master-General, organising andcommanding the Mounted Infantry in the Burmese Expedition. Beinghonourably mentioned in dispatches for his services with the Chin FieldForce, he received a brevet-colonelcy. In 1889-90 he was given a brigadein the Chin-Lusha Expedition, was again mentioned in despatches, made aC. B. , and received the thanks of the Government of India. He commanded abrigade of the Waziristan Field Force in 1894-95 with like distinction, but he will best be remembered in connection with the campaign on theNorth-West Frontier of India in 1897-98, after which he was made aK. C. B. In 1898 he gave up his appointment in India and took command ofthe British troops in Natal. 

He was one of the best shots in the army, his military hobby in factbeing musketry, though he was also a great authority on the subject ofmounted infantry. He was a keen sportsman, an excellent linguist. He washighly respected by all who knew him. As an evidence of how he wasregarded by his brother officers, one may quote from the telegram whichwas sent from Sir G. White to the War Office on the morrow of the battleof Glencoe. The communication said: "The important success is due to hisgreat courage, fine generalship, and gallant example, and the confidencehe gave to the troops under him. "

Mr. Winston Spencer Churchill's remarks about him, in a letter to the_Morning Post_, show how fully he was appreciated for his social as wellas for his military qualities. 

"So Sir Penn Symons is killed! Well, no one would have laid down hislife more gladly in such a cause. Twenty years ago the merest chancesaved him from the massacre at Isandhlwana, and Death promoted him in anafternoon from subaltern to senior captain. Thenceforward his rise wasrapid. He commanded the First Division of the Tirah Expeditionary Forceamong the mountains with prudent skill. His brigades had no misfortunes;his rearguards came safely into camp. In the spring of 1898, when thearmy lay around Fort Jumrood, looking forward to a fresh campaign, Iused often to meet him. Every one talked of Symons, of his energy, ofhis jokes, of his enthusiasm. It was Symons who had built a racecourseon the stony plain; who had organised the Jumrood Spring Meeting; whowon the principal event himself, to the delight of the private soldiers, with whom he was intensely popular; who, moreover, was to be first andforemost if the war with the tribes broke out again; and who wasentrusted with much of the negotiations with their _jirgas_. Dinner withSymons in the mud tower of Jumrood Fort was an experience. The memory ofmany tales of sport and war remains. At the end the General would drinkthe old Peninsular toasts: 'Our Men, ' 'Our Women, ' 'Our Religions, ' 'OurSwords, ' 'Ourselves, ' 'Sweethearts and Wives, ' and 'Absent Friends'--onefor every night in the week. The night I dined it was 'Our Men. ' May theState in her necessities find others like him!"

 THE BATTLE OF REITFONTEIN

On the morning of the 23rd, thirty men of the 18th Hussars rode intocamp at Ladysmith, after having had some exciting adventures. The factswere these. On the arrival at Glencoe camp of the news of the Boerdefeat at Elandslaagte, General Yule had detached a force to cut off theflying Boers. Unfortunately, the Hussars who were sent out for thispurpose were themselves cut off, but at last, with the enemy at theirheels, succeeded in fighting their way down a dangerous pass, andeventually effecting their escape. This, too, without the loss of a man!

To return to the great retreat. While General Yule was falling back toeffect a junction with General White, the latter officer conceived abrilliant plan to ensure the safety of the returning force. He was awarethat Yule's column was marching _via_ the Helpmakaar road, Beith, andthe Waschbank and Sunday River Valleys, and therefore, to cover themovement, he sent out a strong force to the west of the road. The forceconsisted of the 21st, 42nd, and 53rd Field Batteries, 1st Devons, 1stLiverpools, 1st Gloucesters, 2nd King's Royal Rifles (just arrived fromMaritzburg), 19th Hussars, 5th Lancers, Natal Carabiniers, BorderMounted Rifles, and Imperial Light Horse. 

The enemy was already strongly posted on the kopjes a mile and a halfwest of the railway and two miles south-east of Modder Spruit station, in all, some seven miles from Ladysmith. It was necessary, therefore, tokeep him well occupied, and divert his attention from the Dundee column. On both sides firing soon commenced, but our guns were promptlysilenced. Then the British took up a position three-quarters of a milewest of the railway, and for some twenty minutes kept up a heavyartillery fire supplemented by sharp volleys from the infantry. Beforelong the kopjes were cleared and the object of the British attackaccomplished. The main body of the Boers retired in the direction ofBesters, a point to the south of Ladysmith, where, in the circumstances, it was more advisable for them to be. In this battle a great deal ofsharpshooting, especially at officers, took place on the part of thefoe, who also resorted to their old tactics of discharging their gunsand running away, again discharging them and again running--a trick theyhad been mightily fond of in their dealings with the Zulus, and whichwas calculated to tire out the fleetest antagonists. Colonel Wilford ofthe 1st Gloucester Regiment was mortally wounded. Sir George White had anarrow escape, as the Boers turned their artillery on the Staff, andtheir first shell came screaming within fifteen yards of the General. Captain Douglas, 42nd Battery, had also a marvellous escape, his horsehaving been wounded and his haversack ripped open by a splinter. In thissmart engagement, as Sir George White in his official statementdeclared, "Our side confined its efforts to occupying the enemy andhitting him hard enough to prevent his taking action against GeneralYule's column. " The manoeuvre, as we know, was eminently successful, but was not executed without cost to those who assisted in it. Thefollowing was the official list of the officers killed and wounded:--

 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. --Killed: Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel Edmund Percival Wilford. 42nd Battery Field Artillery. --Wounded: Lieutenant S. W. Douglas, shell-graze of abdomen, slight. 53rd Battery Field Artillery. --Major Anthony J. Abdy, shell-graze of right knee, slight; Lieutenant Arthur Montague Perreau, bullet wound, right leg, severe; Lieutenant George Herbert Stobart (from 34th Battery), bullet wound, finger, slight. 19th Hussars. --2nd Lieutenant A. Holford, bullet wound, slight. 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. --Lieutenant Carlos Joseph Hickie, slightly. 

The Boers, triumphant, entered Dundee about the same time as GeneralYule and his worn-out troops were being enthusiastically greeted inLadysmith. They attacked the Dundee Town Guard, putting it to flight, and turned many civilians out of their houses. Later, they mounted twobig guns at Intintanyone, some 4500 yards from the Ladysmith camp, andtheir energies pointed to further activities. 

 LADYSMITH

Here it may be as well to review the geographical position of this nowfamous place. Ladysmith, as a position for purposes of defence, is verybadly situated. It lies in the cup of the hills, and stony eminencescommand it almost in a circle. Towards the north is Pepworth's Ridge, aflat-headed hill fringed at the base with mimosa bushes. North-east isLombard's Kop, which is flanked by a family of smaller kopjes. South ofthis hill and east of Ladysmith is a table-headed hill called Umbulwana. South of this eminence runs the railway through the smaller stations ofNelthorpe and Pieters towards Colenso. To the west of Pepworth's Ridgeis Surprise Hill, and other irregular hills which rise from four to fivehundred feet on all sides. The place is watered by the Klip River, whichenters the valley between the hills on the west, twists gracefully infront of the town, and turns away among the eastern hills before makingits way to the south. The position, commanded as it was on every hand, was not an enviable one, but the glorious fellows who had fought in twobrilliant engagements were in no wise disconcerted. 

[Illustration: OFFICER OF THE NINTH LANCERS. 

Photo by Gregory & Co. , London. ]

Yet all were on the alert, for the Boers had now closed in round thetown, and an engagement was hourly expected. A little desultory fightingtook place, but when the British troops advanced, those of the OrangeFree State at once retired towards the border. The town, however, wassomewhat harassed for want of water, owing to the Boers having cut offthe main pipes. The inconvenience was merely temporary, as the KlipRiver, which runs through the main position, was fairly pure, andthere were wells which could be made serviceable. A captive balloon wasinflated by the Royal Engineers, and was used for the purpose of makingobservations, much to the annoyance of the Dutchmen, who had securelyperched themselves at points of vantage on the surrounding hills. Theywere at this time on the north and east, having laagered south-east ofModder Spruit and Vlaak Plaats, some seven miles from Ladysmith, andwere preparing to arrange a closely-linked chain of earthworks thatshould effectually surround the garrison. An exchange of shots now andthen, however, was all that took place for a while between thecontending parties, though both sides were evidently gatheringthemselves together for some definite move. The situation was thusdescribed by a captive in Ladysmith:--

"Saturday and Sunday have passed without any demonstration being made bythe enemy. The camp has again assumed its condition of readiness andwatchfulness. On Saturday afternoon it was rumoured that GeneralJoubert, with the commando encamped at Sunday River, was experiencingdifficulty in transporting the 40-pounders across the spruit, which wasswollen after the heavy rains. Small parties of Boers are constantly onthe alert, and are harassing the British outposts. 

"Scarcely a day passes without the outlying pickets being fired upon. The latest reports say that the enemy are gathered in considerable forceon Dewdrop Farm. 

"Great excitement has been caused in the Artillery camp by the captureof a supposed spy, who was caught in the act of tampering with the guns. The man had eluded the vigilance of the sentry, and had opened thebreech of one of the 15-pounders when he was noticed. He was promptlyarrested. When asked what he was doing, he said he was a lieutenant inthe 18th Battery. Questioned further, he contradicted himself, and saidthat it was quite by accident that he opened the breech. He admittedthat he belonged to Johannesburg. He was marched off in custody of theguard. The sequel of the story has not been made public. 

"No camp followers are allowed, and all here have been ordered to leave. The enemy are now undoubtedly closing round Ladysmith. A large commandois reported to be on the Helpmakaar road, and a large camp has beenformed between the Harrismith Railway Bridge and Potgieter's Farm. Thecamp on Dewdrop Farm extends for four miles. The enemy have anexceptional number of waggons. The Boer patrols are very venturesome;they have approached within three and a half miles of the town, and oneparty actually removed carcasses ready dressed for consumption fromwithin the slaughtering lines. "

The prospect was far from cheering, particularly as Sir George White waswell aware that his field-guns were ineffective against the powerfulguns of position which the enemy were handling with unpleasantdexterity. At this critical period the united forces of Ladysmith andGlencoe only amounted to some 10, 000 men, more than half of whom wereinfantry. The General, however, put the best face he could on thematter, telegraphed home for big guns--and waited!

General Joubert now expressed his opinions on the causes of the war. Hisideas, published in the German journals, were of interest as showing thesentiments of the opposite camp:--

 "It was evident to our Government after the Jameson raid, that Great Britain would be forced in time by various sordid elements into a war of extermination with the Boers. It was equally clear that this danger could only be averted by armaments on a most extensive scale. We were conscious that the impending war of annihilation would incur the sharpest condemnation on the part of the other European Powers, but history had taught us that not one of these Powers would be roused to intervene in our favour. In these circumstances we had to rely on our own strength. 

 "By indefatigable zeal and heavy sacrifices to augment our forces, and yet to secrete them from the observation of the British--these were the objects of our noblest exertion. Well, we succeeded, and hoodwinked the British. Spies were permitted to obtain glimpses of our obsolete artillery, but until the war was on the point of breaking out they had no suspicion of the formidable extent of our stores of modern material. 

 "We counted on the unreliability of the British announcements concerning their own preparedness, and attended as little to their cries of 'To Pretoria!' as did the Germans in 1870 to the Parisian boasters who shouted 'À Berlin!' Without completely denuding her colonies of troops, Great Britain cannot possibly despatch more than about 85, 000 men to South Africa. Of this imposing force, only half will be available for the chief battles. It may be possible for Great Britain to effect the landing in various places of these troops by the middle of December. I estimate, however, that the losses in prisoners, killed, sick, and wounded will amount in the meantime to some 10, 000. There will thus remain 75, 000 men. 

 "Even should we fail to prevent the junction of the British troops under Sir Redvers Buller and be compelled to retreat, the British army would become from natural causes so debilitated that it would represent a force for operative purposes not exceeding 35, 000. The remainder would have to be employed in protecting lines of communication extending some 700 miles. 

 "Our lines of depôts, on the contrary, are in home territory. They are constructed at regular distances in three directions, and barely 500 men are necessary to cover them. Excellently-organised communications have been established between them, and if any one of them be seriously threatened, the stores--if rescue be impossible--will be destroyed. 

 "Moreover, defensive warfare--to which we need not think, however, of resorting for a long time to come--is fraught with far greater advantages to us than offensive operations. With a change of _terrain_ there will be a change of tactics. In Natal and the south we have to deal with unfamiliar conditions. On the high plains of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State we shall be at home, and the British will meet opposition from us and from Nature at every step of the way, and at all times be prepared for action on two or three fronts. In this way will be developed a guerilla warfare of a most inconceivably bloody character, such as the British will be unable to endure for more than a few months. "

General Joubert then protested that the Boers were fighting merely forthe freedom of their own "narrower" Fatherland, and not with a view tothe destruction of British preponderancy in South Africa. Heacknowledged the bravery of the British soldiers, but imagined thathardships and deprivations would so demoralise them that they would beunable to hold out against an enemy superior in numbers. 

 "In these circumstances, " he continued, "do not accuse me of boasting when I frankly say that victory will be ours. Every one of us is filled with the same conviction and unshakeable faith in God, that He will remain as true to us in this as in former wars, and that He will not allow the blood shed and to be shed in this struggle, that will probably last yet a year, to extinguish us and our children. "

 THE BATTLE OF LOMBARD'S KOP

Towards the end of October Sir George White decided that something mustbe done to protect his line of communication with the south. The Boerswere spreading out in crescent form and drawing gradually nearer to thetown. On the north were troops commanded by General Joubert. On the westwas a Free State commando, and on the east was General Lucas Meyer, whoowed us a grudge after the events of Talana Hill. Reinforced by troopsfrom General Erasmus, he now desired to press towards the railway with aview to seizing it at some point south of the town. It was necessary atall costs to put a stop to this scheme. Colonel Ian Hamilton with anInfantry Brigade was therefore despatched on the 27th to Lombard's Kop, a hill some five miles east of Ladysmith. There he bivouacked for thenight, with a view to clearing the enemy out at the point of the bayoneton the morrow. He never brought his plan into execution, however, forSir George White, having been informed of the size of Meyer's force, ordered him to fall back on the town. On Sunday the 29th it wasdiscovered that the Boers were intrenched in lines that extended overtwenty miles, while "Long Tom, " their six-inch gun, was perched onPepworth Hill, its big ominous muzzle being situated some 7500 yards tothe north of Ladysmith. In addition to this formidable weapon, field-guns with a range of some 8000 yards were posted about inwell-concealed positions. For the protection of our line ofcommunication it was necessary that the enemy, though three times asstrong as the British force, should be dispersed, and that night, athalf-past ten o'clock, Colonel Hamilton again set out with threebattalions, the Devons, the Gordons, the Manchesters, and a BrigadeDivision of Artillery. The night was dark but clear, and the troopsmarched along the Newcastle Road to Limit Hill, a strong kopje somethree miles north of Ladysmith, and half-way between that town andPepworth Hill. There they bivouacked for the night. While this party wasmoving as described, a small force under Colonel Carleton, composed offour and a half companies of the Gloucestershire Regiment and sixcompanies of the Royal Irish Fusiliers and No. 10 Mountain Battery, wasmoving towards Nicholson's Nek with a view of seizing it. But of ColonelCarleton's column anon. 

[Illustration: MAP OF LADYSMITH AND SURROUNDING HEIGHTS]

On Colonel Ian Hamilton's right flank, towards Lombard's Kop, wasColonel Grimwood, with the 1st and 2nd King's Royal Rifles, theLiverpools, Leicesters, and Dublin Fusiliers, three Field-Batteries, andthe Natal Volunteer Artillery. On the extreme right, when day broke, wasGeneral French with a Cavalry Brigade and some volunteers. The idea was, that while Colonel Grimwood was shelling the Boer position to the northof Lombard's Kop, General French should prevent any attempt to turn hisright; the enemy's artillery silenced, Colonel Grimwood was to drive himalong the ridge running to Pepworth, and, under cover of the Britishguns, press the Boers towards their centre. Meanwhile our centre, underColonel Hamilton, was to attack a hill where the enemy was in force, rout him and join in the general scheme, while Colonel Carletonprotected the centre from a flank movement. Unfortunately "the best laidschemes o' mice and men gang aft agley, " and General White's admirablescheme failed, as we shall learn. An artillery duel began operations, and this continued for two long hours, while the warm spring morningdeveloped, and the Boers, who had been warned of our plans and hadchanged their position during the night, were laughing in their sleevesat the capital surprise they had prepared. They had drawn off their menfrom the point that was to have been the objective of our centre, andextending and reinforcing their left, were calmly waiting our attack. The artillery duel continued till seven o'clock, our batteries withgreat difficulty searching out the enemy's position. Colonel Grimwood, with two battalions of the King's Royal Rifles, held the kopjes andridges in front of Farquhar's Farm, while mounted infantry and troopersof the 18th Hussars, supported by the Liverpools and Leicesters, wereposted on the hills on the right. Behind them came the artillery, whodirected their fire at the hill above the farm, where the enemy wassupposed to be intrenched. 

[Illustration: BEFORE LADYSMITH--HORSE ARTILLERY GALLOPING TO TAKE UP ANEW POSITION. 

Drawn by R. Caton Woodville. ]

The Boers, who in great hordes had streamed from the hills like amountain torrent and concealed themselves in the surrounding ridges, nowmade all Colonel Grimwood's plans impossible. He seemed, indeed, indanger of being annihilated by sheer force of superior numbers, whentroops from the centre were pushed forward to his support. A smartengagement ensued, the Boers making energetic efforts to penetrate theline between the Infantry and Artillery, while the 53rd Battery changedfront to meet the attack and the 5th Lancers struggled to form up on theleft of the rifle regiments. But the enemy's automatic quick-firing gunvomited forth its death-dealing steel with such persistence that thecavalry was forced to retire at a gallop. The gunners again came to therescue, and six field-batteries, spread over in a semicircular front ofthree-quarters of a mile, sent their shrapnel over the heads of theinfantry to crash on the ridges occupied by the Boers. 

At this critical moment, when the turmoil of warfare was at itshottest, and when our gallant troops were struggling unsuccessfully tohold their own against an overwhelming number of the enemy, a messagecame from Sir George White to retire. Some sort of a panic had takenplace in the town, owing partly to the fact that the Boers werethreatening it from another quarter, partly to the persistent shellingof "Long Tom, " which, as some one described, was like a voluble virago, determined to have the last word! All efforts to silence the horribleweapon had failed, and for some three or four hours it had sent itseighty-four-pound shells shrieking into the town. There was no resourcebut to fall back, which was done to the appalling detonations of theBoer guns all going at once, while "Long Tom, " like some prominentsolo-singer, dominated the whole clamouring orchestra. To silence himand to cover the retreat, a Lieutenant of the _Powerful_, in charge of agun drawn by a team of oxen, went out on the road between Limit Hill andLadysmith. Before the gun could be got in position, however, "Long Tom"had spotted it--barked at it--overturned it, and killed several of theoxen. But his triumph was short-lived. Another rival performer had comeon the scene, namely, the twelve-and-a-half-pounder of the NavalBrigade. It came, saw, and conquered, knocking out "Long Tom" at thefourth shot!

[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS--THE CREUSOT QUICK-FIRING FIELD GUN, OR"LONG TOM"]

The whole action of the Naval Brigade reads like a fairy story. Ladysmith on the point of exhaustion, with all its troops engaged and nobig guns wherewith to meet the terrific assaults of the six-inch cannonon Pepworth Hill, was almost in despair. At the eleventh hour up camethe Naval Brigade under Captain the Hon. Hedworth Lambton of H. M. S. _Powerful_ with 280 Bluejackets, two 4. 7 guns, and fourtwelve-and-a-half-pounders. Then the affair was done. It was just one, two, three, and away--for the fourth splendidly-directed shot saved thesituation. 

In this engagement great feats of daring were accomplished, feats whichhave now become so general that we have almost ceased to gasp in wonderat the heroism of the "mere man" of the nineteenth century. When theregiments were forced to retire from the death-laden region of Lombard'sKop, Major Abdy of the 53rd Battery R. A. , dashing across the plain undera storm of shells from a quick-firing gun, brought his battery betweenthe enemy and the straggling mass of retreating soldiers. Horse and manrolled over, but the fire of the 53rd never slackened till the imminenceof danger was past. The correspondent of the _Standard_, who waspresent, said: "When the moment came for the battery to fall back, thelimber of one of the guns had been smashed and five horses in one teamhad been killed. Captain Thwaites sent back for another team and waggonlimber, and brought back the disabled gun under a concentrated fire fromthe enemy, who were not more than four hundred yards distant. LieutenantHiggins, of the same battery, also distinguished himself for gallantry. One of the guns was overturned in a donga. In the face of a close andheavy fire the Lieutenant succeeded in righting the gun and bringing itinto a place of safety. "

The following is a list of killed and wounded among the officers whowere engaged on Lombard's Kop:--

 13th Field Battery, R. A. --Major John Dawkins, wounded, slightly. 42nd Field Battery. --Lieutenant James Taylor M'Dougall, killed. 69th Field Battery. --Lieutenant Harold Belcher, bullet wound, forearm, severely. 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifles. --Major W. T. Myers (7th Battalion), Lieutenant H. S. Marsden, and Lieutenant T. L. Forster, killed; Lieutenant H. C. Johnson, bullet wound in shoulder, severely. 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifles. --Major H. Buchanan Riddell, bullet wound, abdomen, severe. 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. --Captain Willcock, bullet wound, shoulder and wrist; Captain Bertram Fyffe, bullet wound, forearm and chest, severe; Captain Frederick Staynes, bullet wound, forearm, severe. Royal Army Medical Corps. --Major Edward G. Gray, killed. Natal Mounted Rifles. --Lieutenant W. Chapman, killed. 

 THE DISASTER OF NICHOLSON'S NEK

The circumstances which attended the movements of Colonel Carleton'scolumn are even now somewhat fraught with mystery. He carried out thenight march unmolested until within two miles of Nicholson's Nek. Thensome boulders, loosened evidently for the purpose, rolled down the hill, and a sudden crackling roll of musketry stampeded the infantryammunition mules. The alarm became infectious, with the result that thebattery mules also broke loose from their leaders, practically carryingwith them the whole of the gun equipment. The greater part of theregimental small-arm ammunition reserve was similarly lost. Inconsequence of this misfortune, Colonel Carleton's small force, after aplucky fight and heavy loss, had to capitulate. The real truth about theaffair may never be known, but for the lamentable result Sir GeorgeWhite in an official dispatch, with heroic courage--greater perhaps thanany required by warriors in the field--took upon himself the entireblame. The General knew well that the failure of his programme in theengagement of Lombard's Kop had inevitably brought about the disaster tothe isolated force. 

The list of officers taken prisoners by Boers was as follows:--

 Staff. --Major W. Adye. 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. --Lieutenant-Colonel F. R. C. Carleton; Majors F. H. Munn and C. S. Kincaid; Captains Burrows, Rice, wounded, and Silver, severely wounded; Lieutenants A. E. S. Heard, C. E. Southey, W. G. B. Phibbs, A. H. C. MacGregor, H. B. Holmes, A. L. J. M. Kelly, W. D. Dooner, wounded; Second Lieutenants R. J. Kentish, C. E. Kinahan, R. W. R. Jeudwine; Chaplain Father Matthews. 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. --Majors S. Humphrey, H. Capel Cure, and W. R. P. Wallace; Captains S. Duncan and R. Conner, both slightly wounded; Lieutenants A. Bryant, F. C. Nisbet, J. O'D. Ingram, R. M. M. Davy, C. S. Knox, W. A. M. Temple, A. H. Radice, F. A. Breul, W. L. B. Hill, P. H. Short; Second Lieutenants H. H. Smith, W. S. Mackenzie, R. L. Beasley, Lieutenant and Quartermaster R. J. Gray. Royal Artillery Mountain Battery. --Major G. E. Bryant; Lieutenants Wheeler, G. R. H. Nugent, W. H. Moore, Webb (attached): Newspaper Correspondent, J. Hyde. 

Some details of their misfortune were given by the prisoners inPretoria, and they serve to throw more light on the subject. 

Colonel Carleton, as we know, was sent towards Nicholson's Nek to holdit and prevent the Free Staters from coming to the assistance of theother Boers. Having lost his reserve ammunition and the water of all thebattery through the stampede of the mules, he set to work to construct adefensive position. But stones were scarce and the defences wereslender, and by the light of dawn his position was revealed. At thistime a long-range fire was opened from three hills to south and west, dropping from 1500 yards into the position, and taking it both in flankand in rear. From his observations Colonel Carleton discovered thatGeneral White's scheme had failed--that it was being abandoned. Inconsequence of this failure the whole Boer force was enabled to swarmfrom all directions towards the isolated column. Firing fierce andincessant, exhausted the already worn-out Irish Fusiliers, while theadvanced companies of the Gloucesters were severely mauled by theMartini bullets of the enemy. The hill was now completely surrounded, the ammunition expended; still Colonel Carleton had no idea of givingin. The bayonet was left, and by the bayonet he meant to stand or fall. Suddenly a wounded officer ordered the white flag to be raised. It wasthen hoisted, but uncertainty prevailed as to the authority for theexhibition of the flag, and some of our men still continued to fire. However, the mischief was done, and the surrender was merely a matter ofmoments. 

The most vivid account of the disaster, from an outsider's point ofview, was given by the _Times_ special correspondent at Ladysmith. Hewrote:--

 "This column, consisting of six companies of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, four and a half companies of the Gloucestershire Regiment, and No. 10 Mountain Battery, left camp on Sunday night at 10. 30, with the object of occupying a position from which it would be able to operate upon the right of the Boer position on Pepworth Hill. The column was guided by Major Adye, of the Field Intelligence, and a staff of the headquarters guides. Their destination was Nicholson's Nek, a position which, when reconnoitred from this side, appeared to possess the necessary tactical advantages for a detached force. Nicholson's Nek lies about four miles up Bell's Spruit, a donga due north of Ladysmith. The men blundered along in the darkness, the Irish Fusiliers leading, the battery in the centre, the rear being brought up by the Gloucestershire Regiment. There seems no doubt upon one point, and that is, the enemy were aware of this part of the movement from the beginning. Probably they were aware of the whole of the plans for Monday, for in Ladysmith it was impossible to say who was a Boer agent and who not. However that may be, it is certain that the enemy were on the flanks of the column all night, one of the survivors positively stating that he constantly heard the snapping of breeches, and once the peculiar noise which a rifle makes at night when it is dropped. 

 "Two hours before daybreak, while the column was in enclosed country, either a shot was fired or a boulder rolled into the battery in column of route. The mules stampeded, and easily broke away from their half-asleep drivers. They came back upon the Gloucestershire Regiment, the advance party of whom fired into the mass, believing in the darkness that it was an attack. This added to the chaos; the ranks were broken by the frenzied animals, and they dashed through the ranks of the rearguard, carrying the first and second reserve ammunition animals with them. It became a hopeless panic; the animals, wild with the shouting and the turmoil, tore down the nullah into the darkness, and the last that was heard of them was the sound of ammunition-boxes and panniers as they were splintered against the boulders. The hubbub of those few minutes was sufficient to have alarmed the enemy. By a strenuous effort the officers succeeded in getting the men again under control, and when daylight came they seized the first position which presented itself, and which was about two miles short of the original goal. They were forced to take advantage of the first kopje, as Boer scouts were all round them, and the day was ushered in with desultory firing. It was a sorry position which they had chosen, and the men were in a sorrier plight. All their reserve ammunition was gone, and though they had saved pieces of the screw-guns, they were not able with these pieces to patch up a single mounting. 

 "The position itself was a flat kopje commanded on the south by a self-contained ridge. To the east was another kopje, which commanded the top of the position at about 500 yards. On the west were two similar spurs, also commanding the position at short ranges. The summit of the kopje was a plateau, all the sides being gradual slopes except the eastern, which was almost sheer, this latter being the side from which access had been gained. From below it appeared a defensible position, but when once the top was reached it was evident that it was commanded from all sides. The men busied themselves attempting to build breastworks. The Gloucestershire companies, with their Maxim gun, were given the northern face to hold, two companies being detached on to a self-contained ridge of the position which lay on the south side. The Irish Fusiliers had the precipitous flank to defend. 

 "From earliest daybreak Boer scouts were reconnoitring, and about eight o'clock mounted Boers could be seen galloping in small groups to the cover at the reverse of the hill on the west. Later two strong parties of mounted men took position on the far side of the two hills commanding the kopje from the west. About nine o'clock these two parties had crowned the hills and opened a heavy fire at short ranges right down upon the plateau. Our men made a plucky attempt to return this fire, but it was impossible; they were under a cross-fire from two directions, flank and rear. The two companies of Gloucesters holding the self-contained ridge were driven from their shelter, and as they crossed the open on the lower plateau were terribly mauled, the men falling in groups. The Boers on the west had not yet declared themselves, but about 200 marksmen climbed to the position which the two companies of the Gloucesters had just vacated. These men absolutely raked the plateau, and it was then that the men were ordered to take cover on the steep reverse of the kopje. As soon as the enemy realised this move, the men on the western hill teemed on to the summit and opened upon our men as they lay on the slope. They were absolutely hemmed in, and what had commenced as a skirmish seemed about to become a butchery. The grim order was passed round--'Faugh-a-Ballaghs, fix your bayonets and die like men!' There was the clatter of steel, the moment of suspense, and then the 'Cease fire' sounded. Again and again it sounded, but the Irish Fusiliers were loth to accept the call, and continued firing for many minutes. Then it was unconditional surrender and the men laid down their arms. "

[Illustration: GENERAL JOUBERT. 

Photo by Elliott & Fry, London. ]

An officer of the Gloucestershire Regiment described the affair thus:--

 "HOSPITAL, WYNBERG, 9/11/1899. 

 "We were ordered out with six companies of Royal Irish Fusiliers and No. 10 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, to make a night march through the Boer lines and hold a hill behind their right flank till the rest of the troops took us off, which they expected to do about 11 A. M. As it turned out, they were not able to do this, but they did keep the Boer guns employed, luckily for us. We started off at 8. 30 P. M. , and got to the foot of our hill about 2 A. M. The Royal Irish Fusiliers were in front, then the battery and S. A. A. Mules, and last ourselves. The Royal Irish Fusiliers had got part way up the hill--a very steep one--when three mounted Boers galloped down amid clouds of dust, rolling stones, &c. They started off the battery and S. A. A. Mules, the Boers firing as they passed. The mules cut right through the regiment, and all was chaos for a time. 

 "It was pitch dark, and the noise of the mules and the loads and the stores falling about was enough to put any one off. Several men were hurt, some got in next day, some are missing. --Part of Stayner's, Fyffe's, and my company were cut off from the rest altogether, and when we got them in some sort of order, we had quite lost the rest of the column. The orders were to push on, no matter what happened, and every one left to look out for himself. After some time trying to find the path, we came across a straggler, who told us which way the regiment had gone, and eventually we found them on the top of a hill. We were ordered, as soon as we got on the hill, to put up sangars, which we worked at by the light of a very small moon till daylight. Then the Boers began on us all round, not very many, till about half-past eight. From then till 2. 30 the fire was hot, and hottest at 2. 30, when our ammunition being almost down and the fire devilish from all sides, we had to give in. 

 "I got a grazing shot on my left hand and a bullet in my right forearm early (about 8. 30 A. M. , and two more grazers--right thigh and left elbow)--later, finally, a bullet from behind through the right shoulder about a quarter of an hour before the end. I don't know who gave the order to 'Cease fire. ' The firing could not have gone on five minutes more on our side for want of ammunition, and the Boer fire was tremendous from all round. It was like 'magazine independent' at the end of field-firing. The astonishing thing is so few were hit. If we had had our guns and ammunition, I think we could have held on until night and then got off, but there were 1200 of them, they said, to our 800, not counting gunners, and you could not till the very end see a dozen of them. The way they take cover is simply wonderful. All the prisoners were marched off at once and sent by rail to Pretoria. It was a terribly hot day, and no shade or water except what the Boers gave us. They were very good about water, giving us all they had, and fetching more from the bottom of the hill, one and a half mile away. "

An officer of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, writing from StaatsmodelSchule, Pretoria, said:--

 "We were all taken prisoners, together with the Gloucester Regiment and a Battery of Mounted Artillery, which accounts for us being in Pretoria so soon. As we were going up the hill in the dark, a small party of Boers dashed through our ammunition mules, causing them to stampede. By this move we lost all our mules, 200 in all, and with them all our ammunition and artillery.... You don't know what it means shooting a Boer; he is behind a rock, and all you can ever see is his rifle sticking out. For the last hour of the fight I had a rifle and ammunition which I took from a dead man, and blazed away for all I was worth. Then we fixed bayonets and prepared for a rush, when the 'Cease fire' sounded. Our senior Captain has told me that my name has been mentioned to our Colonel, who was commanding the force, as having caused a lot of men to rally. We were all then taken prisoners, except two officers killed and eight wounded, and marched to the Boer laager, and sent off that night to a station twenty miles distant in waggons. While we were in their laager they treated us extremely well, and gave us food and tobacco. All you read about the Boers in England is absolutely untrue. They are most kind to the wounded and prisoners, looking after them as well as their own wounded, and anything they've got they will give you if you ask them, even if they deprive themselves. We came up to Pretoria in first-class sleeping-carriages, and the way they treated us was most considerate, feeding us and giving us coffee every time we stopped. The day we arrived we took up quarters on the racecourse, but we have been moved into a fine brick building with baths, electric light, &c. They provide us with everything, from clothes down to tooth-brushes. They also feed us, and we are constantly getting presents of vegetables and cigars from private people. In fact, we can have everything we like except our liberty; for some reason or other they won't at present give us parole, and we are surrounded by sentries. There are close upon fifty officers in this building, and they have got any amount of wounded ones in different places. They say they won't exchange the officers at any price. "

As this letter had evidently to pass through the hands of the prisoncensor, we may take the eulogies of the Boers for what they were worth!However, it is but just to own that there are Boers and Boers. Forinstance, it is a fact that Captain Gerard Rice, who was wounded in theankle and unable to move, offered a Boer half-a-sovereign to carry himoff the field. The man refused the money, but performed the action withgreat kindness. 

Father L. Matthews, chaplain of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, who wascaptured at Nicholson's Nek on October 31 and subsequently released, gave the following version of the disaster:--

 "We were sent out to occupy the position with the object of preventing the two Boer forces from joining. We started at 8. 30 on Sunday night, marched ten miles, and got to the hill at 1 A. M. The first mishap was that the mountain battery stampeded and scattered the whole lot of mules. We formed up again and gained the top of the hill. The guns were gone, but not all the ammunition. I do not know what stampeded the mules. They knocked me down. It was pitch dark. 

 "We had one hour's sleep. Firing began just after daylight. It was slack for some time, but the Boers crept round. Then the firing became furious. Our men made a breastwork of stones. 

 "After 12 o'clock there was a general cry of 'Cease fire' in that direction. Our fellows would not stop firing. Major Adye came up and confirmed the order to cease fire. Then the bugle sounded 'Cease fire. ' In our sangar there was a rumour that the white flag was raised by a young officer who thought his batch of ten men were the sole survivors. 

 "We were 900 alive, having started perhaps 1000. I think that many of the battery men escaped. Our men and officers were furious at surrendering. The Boers did not seem to be in great numbers on the spot, but I heard that the main body had galloped off. 

 "The men had to give up their arms. The officers were sent to Commandant Steenekamp. The officers then ordered the men to fall in. The officers were taken away from the men and sent to General Joubert. On the same day the officers went in mule-waggons and slept at some store _en route_, and next day took the train at Waschbank for Pretoria. The officers are very well treated, and so, I have heard, are the men. There has been no unpleasantness in Pretoria. The officers are in the Model School, and are allowed to walk as they please in the grounds. 

 "I think that the surrender was a great blunder, and was caused by a misunderstanding. Major Adye was much put out. The white flag was not hoisted by the Irish Fusiliers. "

Father Matthews puts the case mildly. Some of the officers of the IrishFusiliers were so exasperated at the exhibition of the white flag, thatthey set to work and smashed their swords rather than give them up. 

The final figures of the losses sustained at Nicholson's Nek were asfollows: The total of missing of the Gloucesters and Royal IrishFusiliers was 843. Thirty-two of the Gloucesters, 10 of the Fusiliers, and 10 of the Mountain Battery were found dead on the field, while 150wounded were brought into camp at Ladysmith. Between 70 and 100 of themen escaped and got back to camp. 

 THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH

It was now found necessary to issue a proclamation giving all strangersthe option of leaving the town at twenty-four hours' notice. In spite ofthis notice, however, many civilians remained. Meanwhile, shellscontinued to drop uproariously, if harmlessly, into the town, while theballoon corps worked steadily in their task of locating the hostileguns. The enemy objected to that original form of spy, and aimed at himmany a shot, but, fortunately, without effect. The Naval Brigade, alwaysanimated, active, and efficient, completed the mounting of thelong-range guns which were to add to the safety of the place and thediscomfiture of its besiegers. On the whole, the position was becomingsomewhat serious, particularly for those whose nerves were unaccustomedto the uproar of diurnal thunderstorms. Lord Wolseley has somewhere saidthat "the effect of artillery fire is more moral than actual; it killsbut very few, but its appalling noise, the way it tears down trees, knocks houses into small pieces, and mutilates the human frame when itdoes hit, strikes terror into all but the stoutest hearts. " It may beimagined that the early days of this experience must have been somewhatembarrassing, though later on, so attuned became the nerves, even ofwomen, that they engaged in shopping in the midst of bombardment, quiteunmoved. 

On 2nd November at 2. 30 P. M. The telegraphic communication withLadysmith was interrupted, but it was undecided whether the Boers hadgot sufficiently far south to promote the interruption or whether thewires had been cut by Dutch sympathisers or small scouting parties ofthe enemy. The Boers applied for an armistice with a view to buryingtheir dead, their real object most probably being, as in many previouscases of a similar nature, to obtain time for refitting their heavyguns. This request was refused, but they were permitted to bury theirslain under a flag of truce. Meanwhile, General Joubert's force receivedlarge reinforcements of Free State burghers under the command of LucasMeyer, and additional commandoes from the Middleburgh and Leydenburgdistricts under Schalkburger were expected. 

After this the siege of Ladysmith began in real earnest. "Long Tom, "though temporarily incapacitated, soon resumed his volubility, and wasassisted by another of his calibre nicknamed "Slim Piet. " Curiouslyenough, the first house hit during the siege was a commodiousbungalow-shaped residence with large verandah belonging to Mr. Carter, the author of the now well-known "Narrative of the Boer War. " The ownerfortunately had left before the bombardment, and the premises were thenoccupied by nurses. 

[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS--12-POUNDER NAVAL GUN ON IMPROVISEDCARRIAGE]

[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS--4. 7-INCH NAVAL GUN ON IMPROVISED MOUNTING]

Lieut. Frederick Egerton, of the _Powerful_, who was wounded by a shellin the left knee and right foot, was promoted to the rank of Commanderin Her Majesty's fleet for special services with the forces in SouthAfrica. But his promotion came too late. He expired after some hours ofsuffering. [4]

The Boers by now had established batteries on Grobler's Kloof, a commanding eminence from whence they could attack both Ladysmith onthe north and Colenso on the south. Women and children vacated theplace, and the trains coming in and out had to run the gantlet of theBoer fire, both Nordenfeldt quick-firing guns and Mauser rifles beingbrought to bear on the refugees. The Boers, however, continued to salutethe town without much effect, while the naval gunners replied withtelling emphasis. They succeeded in dismounting the Boers' 40-pounderwhich had been so comfortably posted on Pepworth's Hill. 

The carriages and platforms on which the naval guns were mounted atLadysmith, and which proved so important a feature in promoting thedefence of the place, were specially designed by Captain Percy Scott ofthe cruiser _Terrible_. In regard to this officer's resourcefulness the_Times_ expressed an opinion that is worthy of remembrance:--

"Captain Percy Scott, of the _Terrible_, came to the rescue, adding onemore to the numerous instances in which this country has owed toindividual resource and initiative its escape from the disasters invitedby the incompetence of the War Office. There is no need to inquire justnow into the balance of political and military considerations whichdetermined the policy of making a stand at Ladysmith. It is enough thatthat policy was definitely adopted in ample time to allow of providingLadysmith with the long-range guns which its position renders peculiarlynecessary, dominated as it is by hills on three sides. Why were suchguns not provided? Why was it left to fortunate accident to furnish thegarrison at the very last moment with the means of defence? Theconclusions of German military science, as will have been noted by allwho read the interesting account of German manoeuvres which wepublished yesterday, are all in favour of saving the lives of theinfantry by a very free use of artillery at long ranges. The countryaround Ladysmith seems to be one that calls loudly for even a morelavish artillery equipment than might normally suffice. Yet, in spite ofscience and of common-sense, the Ladysmith garrison, occupying apredetermined position open to artillery fire from all sides, was leftabsolutely destitute of long-range guns, and none too well provided withfield-artillery. But that Captain Scott proved himself able, just intime, to improvise out of the rough materials at hand an effectivegun-carriage, there would have been nothing to prevent the Boers fromusing their big guns at half the distance they have actually had tokeep. "

At this time British troops were withdrawn from Colenso and movedfarther south, and Boer armies continued to close round Ladysmith. Isimbulwana Hill, lying east of Ladysmith, was taken possession of, anda force advancing from Dewdrop, on the west of the town, moved southtowards Colenso, and there on high ground posted its guns. Yet, in spiteof this, the town showed itself to be "all alive and kicking. " Thoughcut off from the telegraph, it sent out pigeon-posts; though engirdledby Boers, it made sorties of the most animated description, andliterally laughed at the hint of surrender. On the 2nd, ColonelBrocklehurst made an attack on the enemy's laagers with a force ofcavalry, mounted infantry, and mounted volunteers, surprising theDutchmen and driving them back with comparatively small loss, and on thefollowing day fighting lasted for some hours between the Britishcavalry, supported by field-artillery, Imperial Light Horse, and NatalMounted Volunteers, and the Republicans. Many shells were pitched intothe town, and an artillery duel rampaged with such relentless vigourthat the general sensation to those who remained enclosed in the townwas as though a thunderstorm with earthquake was passing over the place. Nothing worse happened, and the enemy for a while were driven back totheir camp and some thirty or more prisoners were taken. Major CharlesKincaid, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, with nine wounded prisoners, wasexchanged by the Boers for eight of their countrymen in similar plight. Others of them were not fit to travel. The enemy continued active, replacing disabled guns with new ones and dragging fresh powerfulweapons to bear on the situation. On the 4th of November they announcedtheir annexation of Upper Tugela, and a counter-proclamation of thenature already quoted was issued by the Governor. 

A large commando of the enemy commenced the bombardment of Colenso, andthe troops forming the garrison of that place fell back on Estcourt, where was stationed a force of considerable strength. By "considerablestrength" it must be understood that the force was sufficiently strongfor purposes of defence, though not for purposes of offence. As a matterof fact, the force in Natal was not, and has not since been, sufficiently strong for attack of a foe in such powerfully intrenchedpositions. From beginning to end our military commanders on that side ofthe theatre of war were sorely handicapped by the tardy recognition bythe Home Government of the gravity of the situation. But here it is nowdesirable that something should be said of the early history of thetowns of Mafeking and Kimberley, which, like Ladysmith, were by thistime almost completely isolated, rails and telegraph wires having beencut around both places respectively. 

[Illustration: LADYSMITH, NATAL. 

Photo by Wilson, Aberdeen. ]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Colonel Sherston, D. S. O. , of the Rifle Brigade, in which he held therank of Major, was a son of the late Captain Sherston, of EvercreechHouse, Somerset, and a nephew of Lord Roberts. He entered the army onFebruary 12, 1876, and on the Afghan War breaking out two years later wasappointed aide-de-camp to his uncle, then Sir Frederick Roberts. He waspresent in the engagement at Charasiah on October 6, 1879, and thesubsequent pursuit of the enemy, his services being mentioned indespatches. A similar distinction fell to his lot in connection with theoperations around Cabul in 1879, including the investment of Sherpore. Heaccompanied Lord Roberts in the famous march to Candahar, and was presentat the battle at that place, when he was again mentioned in despatches. His services during the operations were rewarded with the medal with threeclasps and the bronze decoration. In 1881 he took part in the MahsoodWuzeeree Expedition, and on August 20, 1884, he received his company. Heserved with the Burmese Expedition in 1886-87 as D. A. A. And Q. G. On theHeadquarters Staff, and was again mentioned in despatches and received theDistinguished Service Order and the medal with clasp. On October 15, 1898, A. A. G. In Bengal. 

[2] Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Henry Gunning, of the 1st King's RoyalRifles, was the eldest son of Sir George William Gunning, fifth Baronet, of Little Horton House, Northampton, the Chairman of the ConservativeParty in Mid-Northamptonshire, by his marriage with Isabella Mary FrancesCharlotte, daughter of the late Colonel William Chester-Master, of theAbbey, Cirencester, and was born on July 17, 1852. Educated at Eton, heentered the army as a sub-lieutenant on March 26, 1873, and was gazettedto the 60th Foot (now the King's Royal Rifle Corps) as a lieutenant onSeptember 9, 1874. He served in the Zulu War of 1879 with the thirdbattalion of his regiment, and was present at the action of Gingindhlovuand the relief of Ekowe, afterwards serving as adjutant of the battalionthroughout the operations of "Clarke's Column, " for which he wore themedal with clasp. He was gazetted captain in August 1883, was an adjutantof the Auxiliary Forces (the 5th Militia Battalion of the King's RoyalRifles) from March 1886 to March 1891, having obtained the rank of majoron June 25, 1890. In 1891-92 he took part in the war in Burma, beingengaged in the operations in the Chin Hills in command of the Baungshecolumn, for which he wore a second medal with clasp. His commission aslieutenant-colonel bore date April 16, 1898. Colonel Gunning, who was inthe Commission of the Peace for the county of Northants, married in 1880Fanny Julia, daughter of the late Mr. Clinton George Dawkins, formerly HerMajesty's Consul-General at Venice. 

[3] Colonel John James Scott Chisholme, who was killed at Elandslaagte, belonged to the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, and who was detached on specialservice in South Africa, came of an old Scottish family, the Chisholmes ofStirches, Roxburghshire, his family seat being situate at the latterplace. He was the only son of the late Mr. John Scott Chisholme (whoassumed the name of Scott in 1852 under the will of his uncle, Mr. JamesScott of Whitehaugh), by his marriage with Margaret, eldest daughter andco-heir of the late Mr. Robert Walker of Mumrells, Stirlingshire, and wasborn in 1851. He entered the army in January 1872, his first servicesbeing with the 9th Lancers, and reached the rank of captain in March 1878. From that year till 1880 he served with the 9th Lancers in the Afghan War, was present at the capture of Ali Musjid, took part in the affair of SiahSung, where he was severely wounded, and in the operations around Cabul inDecember 1879, when he was again wounded, and obtained mention indespatches, being rewarded with the brevet of major (May 2, 1881), and themedal with two clasps. He reached the substantive rank of major inDecember 1884, and from that year till 1889 was a major of the 9thLancers, when he was transferred to the 5th Lancers. He was MilitarySecretary to Lord Connemara when Governor of Madras from 1888 to 1891. Hereached the rank of lieutenant-colonel in August 1894, and that of colonelon August 12, 1898. 

[4] Commander Egerton was a nephew of the Duke of Devonshire and of thefirst Earl of Ellesmere. He was the son of the late Admiral the Hon. Francis Egerton, M. P. For East Derbyshire, 1868-86. Commander Egerton, whowas in his thirty-first year, entered the navy seventeen years ago. Hebecame a lieutenant in 1891, and in 1897 he was appointed gunnery officerin the cruiser _Powerful_, having specially qualified in gunnery. Hepossessed honorary certificates from the Royal Naval College, but he hadhad no previous experience of war service. 

 CHAPTER II

 THE SIEGE OF MAFEKING

President Kruger's Ultimatum having been accepted in its fullsignificance, General Cronje crossed the border and the telegraph wiresto Mafeking were cut. Mafeking is a smart little town on theBechuanaland Railway. It stands about eight miles from the Transvaalborder, about 200 miles north of Kimberley, and some 875 miles from CapeTown. It is the headquarters of the Bechuanaland Border Police, a crackcorps, whose every member is thoroughly wide-awake and well versed inthe niceties of the guerilla style of warfare favoured of the Boers. Inthe town is the "Surrey Hotel" and others; English, Dutch, and Wesleyanchurches; a cricket-ground and a racecourse. Its supplies, in time ofpeace, are drawn from Dutch farms situated in the Marico Valley, whileits pure water is drawn from the springs at Rooi Grond in the Transvaalterritory. 

Mafeking itself is less than a mile square. The railroad, running northand south, takes a westerly bend as it crosses the Molopo River some 300yards south of the town. In this westerly direction is a native Stadt, aconstellation of mushroom huts wherein the blacks congregate. To east, north, and west the surrounding country is flat; elsewhere it rises andaffords a certain amount of cover. Towards the south-east is Sir CharlesWarren's old fort, named Cannon Kopje, which was viewed as the key ofthe position and promptly rendered impregnable. In the north-west cornerof the town was the railway station, now useless; on the north-east, theconvent; on the south-east, Ellis House; and south-west, the Pound, nearwhich were the quarters of the British South African Police. Thepopulation of the town consisted of some 2000 whites, while in theStadt, owing to the presence of native refugees, there were about 7000blacks. 

On the outbreak of hostilities, Colonel Baden-Powell, who had been sentout on special service to South Africa to report on the defences ofRhodesia, applied himself at once to face a situation which made demandson all his extensive capabilities. In the very early days of theinvestment he got guns into position and made dashing sorties, determining to show the besiegers that they would not have what inpopular phrase is known as "a walk over. " So great was the versatilityof this officer, that, while these energetic measures for the protectionof those around him were going forward, he yet managed to correct andsend home proofs of a "Manual on Scouting, " a work at the moment mostinteresting and precious to the military man, while to the layman itmakes as good reading as the "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. " InMafeking was also Major Lord Edward Cecil (Grenadier Guards), D. S. O. , the fourth son of the Prime Minister--whose activity and energy wereremarkable, even in a community where those qualities wereubiquitous--and Captain Gordon Wilson (Royal Horse Guards), with hiswife, Lady Sarah Wilson, a lady of much enterprise, to whose energiesthe garrison owed not a little. Among others there were Colonel Hore(South Staffordshire Regiment), Major Godley (Royal Dublin Fusiliers), Captain Marsh (Royal West Kent Regiment), Captain Vernon (King's RoyalRifles), Captain FitzClarence (Royal Fusiliers), Lord CharlesCavendish-Bentinck (9th Lancers), the Hon. H. Hanbury-Tracy (Royal HorseGuards), Lieut. Singleton (Highland Light Infantry), Captain the Hon. D. Marsham (4th Bedfordshire Regiment), Captain Pechell (3rd King's RoyalRifles), and Major Anderson (R. A. M. C. ). There were in addition severalColonial officers who proved themselves the soul of activity--notablyCaptain Goodyear, Captain Nesbitt, V. C. , Lieuts. Paton and Murchison, and several others. Colonel Vyvyen and Major Panzera also worked likeTrojans to secure the safety of the town. Major Baillie of the _MorningPost_ made himself useful in every capacity. Later on he forwarded adescription of the garrison which gave a good idea of the splendid planof organisation adopted. He said:--

 "The town was garrisoned by the Cape Police under Captains Brown and Marsh. These and the Railway Volunteers were under Colonel Vivian, while Cannon Kopje was entrusted to Colonel Walford and the B. S. A. P. Colonel Baden-Powell retained one squadron of the Protectorate Regiment as reserve under his own immediate control. These arrangements were subsequently much augmented. After the convent had been practically demolished by shell-fire, and the railway line all round the town pulled up or mined during the close investment by the Boers, the small work was erected at the convent corner, garrisoned by the Cape Police and a Maxim under Lieutenant Murray, who was also put in charge of the armoured train, which had been withdrawn to the railway station out of harm's way. 

 "The Railway Volunteers garrisoned the cemetery, and had an advance trench about 800 yards to the front and immediately to the right of the line. To the westward came Fort Cardigan, and then again Fort Miller; to the south-west was Major Godley's Fort, at the north of the native stadt, with Fort Ayr, and an advance fort crowning the down to the northern end of the stadt, and though rather detached, having command of the view for a great distance. To the south of the northern portion of the stadt the Cape Police were intrenched with a Maxim, and 500 yards to the west front of Captain Marsh's post lay Limestone Fort, commanding the valley, on the other side of which lay the Boer laager and intrenchments. At the south-western corner, and on the edge of the stadt Captain Marsh's fort was situated. The whole of the edge of the stadt was furnished with loopholes and trenches, and was garrisoned by the native inhabitants. Near the railway were situated two armoured trucks with a Nordenfeldt, and Cannon Kopje with two Maxims and a 7-pounder lay to the south-east. And now to the immediate defences of the town. At the south-western corner is the Pound, garrisoned by Cape Police under Captain Marsh, then eastwards is Early's Fort, Dixon's Redan, Ball's Fort, Ellis's corner, with Maxim and Cape Police, under Captain Brown. On the eastern front are Ellitson's Kraal, Musson's Fort, De Kock's Fort with Maxim, Recreation Ground Fort. To the left of the convent lies the Hospital Fort. All these, unless otherwise mentioned, are defended by the Town Guard. "

Operations began on the 12th with an episode that cannot afford to beforgotten. It was discovered that two trucks of dynamite were in thestation yard, and it was at once decided, for the safety of thepopulation, that they must be removed. An engine was, therefore, despatched in charge of a plucky driver (Perry) for the purpose ofconveying the trucks into the open, where they might explode withoutdanger to the town. While he was engaged in the work of deporting thedestructive material, the enemy suddenly appeared and commenced to fire. Perry, with the utmost coolness, a coolness which in the circumstanceswas nothing less than heroism, uncoupled his engine, and leaving thetrucks to their fate, steamed back to the town. Before he could reachhis destination, however, the shock of an awful detonation greeted hisears. The Boers had again fired on the trucks, believing them to be fullof passengers, and, as a natural consequence, the dynamite had exploded!

The garrison, numbering from 800 to 1000, now began to furbish itselfup, to arm and practise with the rifle. The old forts round the placewere put into repair, and the armoured train, with a Maxim gun and aNordenfeldt, was made ready for coming excursions. Nothing wasneglected. It was well known that the Boers looked upon the town astheir personal property, and when it came to fighting, meant to make itso--if they could! The two available regiments, the ProtectorateRegiment and the Mounted Police, spent most of their time manoeuvring, with a view to awakening the intelligent interests of the ranks andinstructing the men on the nature of the ground in the vicinity. ColonelBaden-Powell lost no opportunity of preparing for the gallant Cronje, and, in order to show that he did not mean to be caught napping, somenights were passed by the garrison in their day kit. 

On the 12th October an armoured train that was escorting two light gunsof old pattern from the Cape to Mafeking was seized by the Boers, whohad torn up the rails at Kraalpan. They pounded the machine withartillery, and captured it with guns and men in charge--all, save theengine-driver, being made prisoners. Lieutenant Nesbitt was wounded andthe driver lost five fingers. The latter escaped through hiding himselfin the sand and thus avoiding observation. In Mafeking itself theSisters of the Roman Catholic Convent busied themselves. These noblewomen refused to leave the place, electing to remain face to face withdanger in order to nurse the sick. Many of the houses were convertedinto hospitals, all the streets were barred with waggons, and even theinhabitants of the town were supplied with rifles and taught the use ofthem. The telegraph wires were now cut at Maribogo, some forty milessouth of Mafeking. The bridge that crossed the Molopo River aboveMafeking was next blown up by the Boers with tremendous uproar. Stillthe inhabitants were not dismayed. They had implicit confidence in theircommander and worked incessantly. As a defensive position, Kimberley, whose history will be told later, had the advantage of Mafeking. Therefuse heaps from the mines at the former place served as naturalfortifications. But Mafeking was in one way fairly secure: its troops, though few, were efficient, and owing to its not being the abode of Mr. Rhodes, it was no longer looked upon by the Boers as the most attractiveprize of the war. Besides this, Colonel Baden-Powell's plans of defencewere very complete. 

The town was divided into sections, each one of which had its separatearrangements for defence. The perimeter was about six miles incircumference. Huge earthworks were thrown up. Shelters were built, withpanellings and roofings of corrugated iron. Colonel Baden-Powell haddecided to hold the town, and declared that if he should hold it at all, his grip should be a firm one. For himself, he constructed a bomb-proofbureau, where his literary work could safely be pursued, if need be, tothe accompaniment of a score of guns, and round him were telephoniccommunications with each of his outposts. He had also a privatesignaller placed with telescope on the watch to inform him of outsidedoings and forewarn the garrison in case of assault. Wire communicationswere arranged so that each discharge of a shell might be reported by analarum, in order that inhabitants of the threatened quarter might havetime to burrow in places of safety. During the daytime the bell of thesignaller was actively employed, but at night the Boers seldom bombardedthe place, and its inhabitants were free to emerge from theirhiding-places and breathe the fresh air. 

Fortunately in the matter of food much foresight had been exercised. With everything against him, Colonel Baden-Powell had succeeded inmaking provision for, if necessary, a prolonged state of siege. 

[Illustration: COLONEL ROBERT S. S. BADEN-POWELL, THE DEFENDER OFMAFEKING. 

Photo by Elliott & Fry, London. ]

At daylight on the 14th, the whole garrison was on the alert. Reportsdeclared the Boers to be advancing on the south. Firing was at thesame time heard from the north, and Lord Charles Cavendish-Bentinck wasreported to be in action. While the firing continued the armoured trainwas hurriedly got in readiness, and started with the object of engagingthe enemy. 

The crew of the leading truck, "Firefly, " consisted of a detachment ofthe British South African Police and Railway Volunteers, Captain AshleyWilliams himself being in command, Mr. Gwayne being the driver of theengine, and Mr. A. Moffat acting as stoker. The second truck was incharge of Lieutenant More, an engineer on the Bechuanaland Railway. No. 1 truck was armed with a Maxim, and its crew mostly with Lee-Metfords. Truck No. 2, which carried another Maxim, rejoiced in the name of"Wasp. " A third truck, the "Gun, " carried a Hotchkiss. The crew of thetrucks numbered barely fifteen in each. The train, after passing LordCharles Bentinck's squadron, who hailed it with a cheer and varioushumorous sallies, came on the enemy, about 500 strong, to right front ofthe trucks. 

A fierce interchange of bullets followed, the Mafeking party firing withsuch success that the enemy cautiously withdrew into the distance; stillthey kept up a rattling fire against the armour of the train, whichcareered up and down the line for some time with imperturbable yetcheerful activity. Presently, however, Colonel Baden-Powell despatchedCaptain FitzClarence with a squadron of men to cover its retreat, butbefore this could be effected the Boers again appeared, and a determinedengagement ensued. Some sharp fighting took place, and CaptainFitzClarence, though ordered to return to Mafeking, was unable to do sowithout reinforcements on account of the number of his wounded. Thephonophore having been connected with the railway line, a telegraphmessage to this effect was sent to headquarters. Thereupon Lord CharlesBentinck was ordered to take his squadron to the relief of CaptainFitzClarence. Meanwhile Captain Ashley Williams and a party of the SouthAfrican Police alighted from the train, and went unarmed to theassistance of the wounded. Among these was Lieutenant Brady ofQueenstown. Soon, the helpless were removed into the trucks, and thetrain was steaming on its return to Mafeking after having done greatexecution among the enemy. 

Travelling in an armoured train, even when you are not wounded, isscarcely an enjoyable experience; indeed, it may be described as one ofthe most superb tests of warrior qualities. The machine itself resemblesa species of tank-truck, boxed round with seven-feet high walls of ironor steel, without doors or windows, and with no covering for theoccupants save the dome of heaven. You climb in and you climb out as youwould into a bath, by hanging on to the loopholes made for the rifles, and planting your feet on the exterior ridges that act as steps for thenimble toe. Once in, there is comparative safety. From all sides thereis shelter from rifle-fire save when going down-hill below the enemy, who can then with ease pour cascades of bullets upon the heads of thetravellers. The machine is painted kharki colour to make it lessobservable to the enemy, and has the distinction of being quite theugliest of the many ugly inventions of modern science. Occasionally theexterior is of varied hue--particularly in green country, when it ismade to look verdant and covered with boughs to give it an arborealaspect, and render its shape less observable. But the ugliness andinconvenience of the train are nothing to the dangers it may have toencounter. The occupant may find himself surrounded by a party of theenemy before he has been a mile out from his base; he may find the railcut behind him; he may steam straight into an ambush at any moment, orbe blown up before he can wink. It has rightly been called a "deathtrap, " for it provides chances of dissolution many and varied. 

But notwithstanding these risks, the machine was at this timecontinually in use, and the pluck of the defenders of Mafeking rosesuperior to all tests. The engagement of the 14th, with all itsthrilling and painful experience, bore good fruit; for all felt that theencounter had been beneficial in many ways, more especially instrengthening the sense of security that everywhere began to prevail. Toshow how much courage and determination was the order of the course, itmust be noted, in somewhat Irish phrase, that the manning of the townwas assisted by women, some of whom refused to go into laager, butelected to handle their Lee-Metfords for the protection of themselvesand their companions. 

In the engagement of this day, Lord Charles Cavendish-Bentinck andLieutenant Brady were both slightly wounded. Major Baillie had a narrowescape, his horse having been shot under him, while his water-bottle wasalso struck by a bullet. In the evening Colonel Baden-Powell issued ageneral order congratulating the A and L squadrons, commanded by CaptainFitzClarence and Lord Charles Bentinck, and the crew of the armouredtrain, under Captain Williams and Lieutenant More, for their highlycreditable performances. 

About this time some discomfort and anxiety was occasioned by the factthat water became scarce in the town, owing to the Boers having takenpossession of a fountain from which the inhabitants were supplied. Still, as Colonel Baden-Powell is an officer of genius, full of resourceand infinite capacity for taking pains, all had confidence that he wouldnot allow himself to be overcome by a temporary difficulty, and that heand his would emerge from all tests much as Colonel Pearson and hisgallant party emerged from the ordeal of Eshowe. So the water difficultywas soon settled. Under Major Hepworth's supervision all the wells werecleaned out, and Sir Charles Warren's old well re-opened. On the 16thof October Commandant Cronje's commandoes took up a position among thethorns above the racecourse and opened fire on the town. Then a Boerparty bearing a flag of truce was sent by Cronje to demand surrender toavoid further bloodshed. "Certainly, but when will bloodshed begin?"asked Colonel Baden-Powell, who, alive to all the little dodges of hisenemies, knowingly kept the Burgher messenger blindfolded while heformulated his reply. Of course he meant to hold out, and he said so inround terms, and the Burgher departed discomfited and without havingsecured a plan of the fortifications! Subsequently some Boer Kruppbatteries were brought up to cover the town, to impress those concernedand to show that the enemy meant business. But the bombardment so farwas not fraught with much damage, for Colonel Baden-Powell, telegraphingon the 21st, thus comically described the situation: "All well. Fourhours' bombardment. One dog killed. "

[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS--15-POUNDER FIELD-GUN. PHOTO BY CRIBB, SOUTHSEA. ]

The Boers had now begun to penetrate to Tuli in Rhodesia. Tuli is thenearest post on the north to Transvaal territory. It stands on a riverthat comes down from the Matopo Hills, and joins the Limpopo abouttwenty miles beyond the town, which commands the cross-roads from theTransvaal to Buluwayo and from Mafeking to Victoria. The troops herewere under the command of Colonel Plumer, who, from the time thatMafeking was besieged, was untiring in his efforts to come to therescue. With Colonel Plumer were the following officers: Majors Pilsenand Bird, Captain Maclaren (13th Hussars), the notable polo-player, Captain Blackburn (Cameronians), Captain Rolt (York and LancashireRegiment), Lieutenant Rankin (7th Hussars), Lieutenant French (RoyalIrish Regiment), and several others. 

On the 19th of October a party of the enemy was suddenly met on theRhodesian side of the river by a reconnoitring patrol. The Dutchmenfired on the patrol, wounding a trooper. Captain Glynn went off for thepurpose of locating the enemy, and discovered the presence of a Boercolumn in his neighbourhood. Two days later a smart skirmish took placebetween a strong patrol and the enemy, who was encountered at Rhodes'sDrift, with the result that two troopers were killed and two wounded. The Boers afterwards took up a strong position on a kopje at Pont'sDrift, fired in a dastardly manner on Major Pilsen, Sergeant Shepstone, and his party while they were removing dead and wounded to an ambulanceand a cart brought for the purpose, and their work of mercy had to becarried on under the most trying and aggravating conditions. There werealso some skirmishes at Crocodile River. An armoured train got withinabout 1500 yards of a Boer laager three miles south of Crocodile Poort. Captain Blackburn (Cameronians) was seriously wounded and died on theroad to Tuli, whither the British retired by Colonel Plumer's orders. Itis satisfactory to note that Sergeant Shepstone, who gallantly came toCaptain Blackburn's assistance, received his commission. 

Skirmishing took place at odd intervals, and Colonel Plumer continued tosend reconnoitring parties up and down the river. On many occasionsthese were fired upon, but without serious result. On the 28th, however, Captains White and Glynn reconnoitred a kopje at Pont's Drift--eachapproaching the hill on a different side--whereupon a brisk skirmishensued, when five of their men were shot by the enemy and four wounded. Later on, after his reconnaissance westward along the Crocodile River, Colonel Plumer returned to Tuli. Boer commandoes were at that timesupposed to have retired to the neighbourhood of either Pietersburg orMafeking. Colonel Spreckley's camp was shelled by the enemy on the 3rdof November, and the mules and horses belonging to the squadron promptlystampeded. 

To return to Mafeking. The Boers had now begun their activities, andminiature artillery duels were continually taking place between theBritish and the enemy. More guns were brought to bear upon the positionby Cronje and his gang, and they set to work to do as much damage aspossible. The Convent was hit, but no one was injured. Finally, afterseveral days of bombardment and reciprocated shelling, ColonelBaden-Powell decided to give the enemy a taste of cold steel. A councilof war was held, and on the 27th of October a most courageous nightattack was made on the Boer trenches by Captain FitzClarence. Asdarkness descended, the little force stole noiselessly out of theirstronghold with fixed bayonets, creeping like cats along the veldt, breath even being almost suspended lest a sound should put the enemy onguard. Then, on a given signal--a whistle from Captain FitzClarence--themen dashed forward on the foe, cheering lustily, while from the town theechoes and the voices of anxious watchers gave back cheer for cheer. Thetussle was short and sharp. It was a case of fifty desperate men withfifty bayonets dealing destruction to a roaring rabble under thetarpaulins! Then came a storm of hostile bullets from the rear of thetrenches, a swift reply from the attacking party, followed by CaptainFitzClarence's whistle, "Cease fire. Scatter homeward. " Under awithering fire the forces obeyed, returning as they went, in silence andin darkness. Then came the roll-call. Six were killed and elevenwounded, but of the latter all returned, none being left on the field. Here we may read Colonel Baden-Powell's general order:--

 "The Colonel commanding wishes to record his high appreciation of the dash with which the attack on the enemy's trenches was carried out last night by D squadron of the Protectorate Regiment, under Captain FitzClarence, supported by the Cape Police under Lieutenant Murray. The whole operation was executed exactly as was wanted, and the results, though gained at the cost of several gallant lives, were entirely successful and of great value. By this action the intention of the enemy to push their intrenchments to within rifle distance of the town has been checked, and the heavy loss that they have sustained has given them a wholesome fear of the dash of our men, and they have had an introduction to cold steel such as will not encourage them willingly to face it again. The steadiness of the Town-Guard on the east front was noticeable later in the night, when the enemy had a scare, and broke into wild firing, to which the guard made reply. --By order (Signed) E. H. CECIL, Major, C. S. O. "

After this the Boers brought a big gun to bear on the position, andblazed away at a distance of seven miles from the town. Out of sixteenshells only one struck. This set fire to a store. The huge weaponevidently proved a white elephant, for before long the besiegers, muchto the joy of the besieged, ceased their attempts to work it. 

But heavy bombardment still took place. The Boer hosts attacked the townfrom three sides at once and were steadily repulsed by the BritishMaxims. All through the week Cronje's commandoes indulged in desultoryrifle-fire, now and again throwing a shell by way of variety, to whichattentions Colonel Baden-Powell and his smart garrison responded withsuch zest and animation, that the Boers, discomfited, declared that theplace contained "not men, but devils!"

On Tuesday, the 31st of October, in the early hours of the morning, somehard fighting again took place. Colonel Walford and his detachment ofthe British South African Police held the fort called Cannon Kopjeagainst an advance of the enemy, made under cover of four heavy guns andone 100-pounder. The affair ended in an entire defeat of the Dutchmen, but not before some gallant lives were sacrificed. The following order, issued the same day by Colonel Baden-Powell, describes the action:--

 "The detachment of British South African Police forming the garrison at Cannon Kopje under the command of Colonel Walford, have this day performed a brilliant service by the gallant and determined stand made by them on their post in the face of a very hot shell-fire from the enemy. The intention of the Boers had been, after getting their guns and attacking force into position during the night, to storm Cannon Kopje at daybreak, and thence to bombard the south-east position of the town and carry it with a large force. They collected in the Molopo Valley. Their whole scheme has been defeated by the gallant resistance made by the garrison at Cannon Kopje, who not only refused to budge from their position under a cross-fire of artillery, but succeeded in inflicting such losses on the enemy as compelled them to retreat. In this way they were assisted by the timely and well-directed fire of a seven-pounder, under Lieutenant Murchison. The Colonel Commanding deplores the loss of the gallant officers and men who fell this day. By the death of the Hon. Douglas Henry Marsham and Captain Charles Alexander Kerr Pechell, Her Majesty loses two officers of exceptional promise and soldier-like qualifications. The Colonel Commanding believes he is giving voice to the feeling of the whole Mafeking garrison in expressing the deepest sympathy with the British South African Police in their loss. At the same time he congratulates Colonel Walford and his men on their brilliant achievement. "

A pathetic funeral followed, the honoured dead being wrapped in theUnion Jack, and buried by the grim light of a lantern, while the Rectorand Roman Catholic Chaplain each said over the graves the last solemnwords according to the rites of his Church. There was no Dead March, norwere any volleys fired, but the dumb grief of the community told its owntale of mourning. 

[Illustration: NIGHT SORTIE FROM MAFEKING. 

Drawing by R. Caton Woodville. ]

 KIMBERLEY

Kimberley, as has been said, is by no means a picturesque place. Onfirst acquaintance it appears to be surrounded by redoubts or forts, being dotted with mounds of greyish slag, technically called "tailings, "which represent the refuse soil from which the diamondiferous ore hasbeen extracted. The buildings are somewhat formal and unpleasing, beingfor the most part of corrugated iron, and conveying the impression thatthey are constructed with a view to being carried off at any moment. There are a few private residences, which the orthodox house-agentmight style "handsome" or "commodious. " The hotel is merely useful as aplace for passengers to alight at and depart from, and that it is nomore may be accounted for by the fact that Kimberley hospitality is sodouble-handed that visitors are seldom left to the tender mercies ofpublic caterers. The Kimberley Club dispenses hospitality royally, andfor this reason travellers are made independent of outside luxury. RoundKimberley are the suburbs of Beaconsfield, Kenilworth, and Gladstone. Beaconsfield, which was once a growing town, has become stunted, whileKenilworth has blossomed forth under the auspices of Mr. Rhodes. 

When the Boer Ultimatum was pronounced, all eyes turned naturally in thedirection of the Diamond City, and as naturally the Diamond City, underthe direction of Colonel Kekewich, prepared to defend itself. Thepopulation to be protected numbered some 33, 000, of whom 19, 000 wereblacks. Among these latter were 4000 women. At that time it was doubtfulif the Zulus, Matabeles, and Basutos were to be trusted, andconsequently the position of the Colonel in supreme command was one ofgreat responsibility. Fortunately the place was stocked with arms andammunition, though the number of the regulars was absolutely inadequateto the requirements of so large an area. 

The Imperial garrison sent to Kimberley for the defence only consistedof the 23rd Company Royal Garrison Artillery, with six 7-poundermountain guns, Major Chamier commanding; one section of the 7th FieldCompany Royal Engineers, under Lieutenant M'Clintock; Captain Gorle andthree non-commissioned officers and men of the Army Service Corps, andthe headquarters and four companies of the Loyal North LancashireRegiment, under Major Murray; in all, 564 officers and men. The staffincluded Lieutenant-Colonel Kekewich, North Lancashire Regiment, commanding; Major Scott-Turner, Royal Highlanders (staff officer);Captain O'Meara, Royal Engineers (Intelligence Officer); and LieutenantMacInnes, Royal Engineers. The volunteer forces, when first called outfor active service, consisted of one battery Diamond Fields Artillery, six 7-pounder field-guns, Major May, 3 officers, and 90 rank and file;Diamond Fields Horse, Major Rodger, 6 officers, 142 rank and file;Kimberley Regiment, Colonel Finlayson, 14 officers, 285 rank andfile:--total all ranks, 1060. 

The whole garrison was reviewed, and a town-guard was formed atBeaconsfield, under the command of Major Fraser. Colonel Harriscommanded the Volunteers, most of these being employees of the De Beersmines. Preparations were made for the arrival of Mr. Cecil Rhodes, whowas hastening to the scene of his early life-work, and for whose body, alive or dead, it was reported the Boers had sent out an offer of£5000. The artillery was exercised and defences were erected on allsides. Ladies and children made haste to leave by every train, but onelady of note, the Hon. Mrs. Rochfort Maguire, remained. The Commandantof Kimberley gave orders that trees should be felled and the bushcleared, in order to open a fine field for firing, the garrison to a manexerting themselves so as to give a warm reception to the enemy directlyhe should show a head above the kopje. On the 12th of October Mr. CecilRhodes arrived. His entry was somewhat melodramatic, as his train wasdelayed and spies were actually on the platform lying in wait for him. Fortunately he was not recognised. The magnetism of his presence addedfresh zest to the proceedings in the town, while the calm confidence ofhis bearing became absolutely infectious. In fact, he soon delightedevery one by stating that he considered Kimberley to be every bit "assafe as Piccadilly. " At this time the town was well provisioned and themines were kept working. Most of the garrison occupied the brigadegrounds, while the detachment of regulars and the Kimberley regimentswere stationed at the Sanatorium. The Town-Guard soon numbered 2000. 

Skirmishing took place on Friday, the 14th of October, and on thefollowing day there were more encounters. One squadron in an armouredtrain was held up by the Boers, and their attack was supported by asecond force. The second squadron of the Protectorate regiment grandlyrepelled the attack. The train, in which were several Imperial officers, was uninjured. The Boer artillery gave way at last, and the forceswithdrew, but not before having sustained heavy loss. 

On the 15th a proclamation was made establishing martial law inGriqualand West and Bechuanaland. Persons not members of the defendingforces were ordered to register their firearms, and no one was allowedto leave their houses between nine at night and six in the morning. Thecanteens without permits were opened only for a few hours during theday. Death was to be the punishment for acts contrary to civilisedwarfare. Fourteen Streams and Vryburg were now evacuated, the policedetachments retiring from them on Kimberley. 

In order to maintain internal order, Colonel Kekewich divided the towninto four sub-districts, and the people were cautioned against holdingcommunication with the Queen's enemies. The consumption of meat wasregulated, each man being allowed 1 lb. Daily, while the exports offoodstuffs and forage were prohibited. Roads were closed, and no onewithout authority or a permit was allowed to pass in or out. Thedefences everywhere were strengthened. 

On the 21st of October, an armoured train that went out to reconnoitrediscovered the enemy in the neighbourhood of Spyfontein. A proclamationhaving been issued by the Boers at Vryburg annexing Bechuanaland, mostprobably for the purpose of impressing the disloyal Dutch, ColonelKekewich forthwith issued another, threatening that British subjectsfound assisting the Queen's enemies would be summarily dealt with asbase rebels. He also declared that, in spite of the hoisting of theVierkleur in Vryburg, the status of British subjects in Griqualand andBechuanaland would remain unaltered. An armoured train was again engagedon this date, but only one man was killed. Two trucks of dynamite, however, which had been safely removed, were blown up by the Boers. Thetown was now completely isolated, the railway line being cut north andsouth. 

On the 24th inst. The garrison, supported by two armoured trains, had afresh and an exceedingly animated encounter with the enemy. ColonelScott Turner and 270 mounted volunteers marched north to Macfarlane'sFarm. There they off-saddled and kept a look-out for the Boers. Soonafterwards they appeared, and Colonel Turner opened fire. The Boerspromptly intrenched themselves behind a sandheap, and from thence keptup a hot fusilade. To Colonel Turner's assistance there came the LoyalNorth Lancashire Regiment, followed at noon by their Colonel--ColonelMurray--with two guns, two Maxims, and 70 mounted men. 

[Illustration: AN ARMOURED TRAIN]

The Boers advanced on Colonel Murray and tried to cut off the party, andin endeavouring to frustrate their efforts Colonel Turner found himselfin the thick of a furious fire which burst from a dam wall 500 yards onhis left. 

The British guns promptly began to blaze on the enemy, who very brisklyresponded. In the end, however, they were compelled to fall back. Atthis juncture the Lancashires, whose pluck and dexterity weremagnificent throughout, hastily occupied the position, fixed bayonets, and gallantly drove off the enemy whenever he turned to make a stand. The fight, which was in every way a brilliant success, lasted four longhours. The British loss was three killed and twenty-one wounded, whilethat of the Boers was considerable. Commandant Botha was said to beamong the killed. During this engagement Kimberley, as may be imagined, was in a state of frantic excitement, and the return of the troops waslooked for by swarms of people, including women, who crowded thetrenches and received the gallant defenders with great enthusiasm. Mr. Rhodes afterwards made an amusing speech to the Volunteers, complimentedthem on their splendid work, and explained that there was one man whomthe Boers wished to capture, and that man was himself. Owing to theefficiency of the troops, however, he declared that he rejoiced in asense of complete security. Cheers followed, for the Queen, theGovernor, Mr. Rhodes, and the officers of the corps. After this thingswere fairly quiet, though the garrison remained on the alert. LordMethuen, it became known, had started from the Orange River on the 22nd, and was daily decreasing the distance between his relieving force andthe town; and, in order to meet his energetic advance, the Boers wereunable to afford a sufficient number of troops to force the town intosurrender. So Kimberley kept up its spirits--it viewed life with "oneauspicious and one drooping eye"--mingling the discharge of guns withthe chime of marriage-bells. This is no figure of speech, for there wasactually a wedding--two people, at least, having found time to beromantic in their love amid the storm and stress of war. A dance and aconcert also took place. Indeed, things were conducted with such highspirit and in so convivial a manner that it might have been imaginedthat the Boers were commissioned to supply the fireworks, and that aspecies of "Brock's benefit" was got up whenever events were inclined towax monotonous. Reports computed the investing force at 4000, and it wasfurther stated that General Cronje's commando would be reinforced by thearrival of some 1500 more. Yet the gallant little town smiled withinitself and said "The more the merrier. " Colonel Scott Turner made areconnaissance on the 1st of November, found the enemy posted on akopje, was thundered at with thirteen shells, but returned with hisforce in safety. On the 4th of November Commandant Wessels invitedColonel Kekewich to hand over the troops and town on pain ofbombardment. The exact terms of the invitation are not known, but someportions of the communication were as follows:--

 "In case your Honour should determine not to comply with this demand, I hereby request your Honour to allow all women and children to leave Kimberley, so that they may be placed out of danger, and for this purpose your Honour is granted time from noon on Saturday, November 4, 1899, to 6 A. M. On Monday, November 6, 1899. I further give notice that during that time I shall be ready to receive all Afrikander families who wish to remove from Kimberley, and also to offer liberty to depart to all women and children of other nations desirous of leaving. "

The Boers soon began to receive the reinforcements which have beenmentioned. These came from the direction of Mafeking, that place havingproved too much a "spitfire" for their liking. As a last resource, theydirected their attention to Kimberley, and by way of exercise blew upsome £3000 worth of dynamite which was stored in some huts belonging tothe De Beers Company. While these exciting events were taking place, andwith the roar of intermittent explosions in his ears, Mr. Rhodes pursueda placid way. His labours were eminently horticultural--at least so theyappeared on the surface. He engaged himself at Kenilworth, the suburbwhich he may be said to have created, in planting an avenue a mile longwith orange-trees, espalier vines, and pepper-trees. It was called hisSiege Avenue. There was suggestion in the arrangement, and the mindinstinctively conjured up visions of mystery--mystery somewhat prolongedand clinging, with spice of a stimulating kind thrown in. 

News from the Orange River, which came in by fits and starts, hintedthat after the evacuation of Colesberg would come the abandonment ofStormberg. Stormberg was intended to be the depôt where stores, tents, ammunition, and all the commissariat details of the Third Division underGeneral Gatacre would be accumulated. These stores, owing to the Boeradvance from Bethulie and Aliwal North, were now being removed toQueenstown, some sixty miles down the line. 

 CHAPTER III

 NATAL

In consequence of the incursion of about 3000 refugees--some of themmost undesirable in character--it was deemed expedient to issue aproclamation of martial law in Natal. This was followed by the seizureof the Transvaal National Bank at Durban, a most exciting episode, whichcaused quite a ferment in the town. All around the offices a curious andsomewhat rowdy rabble congregated, and it was found necessary to guardthe premises with Bluejackets and marines. However, after the place hadbeen searched, the men, looking strangely transmogrified in theirkharki, returned to Her Majesty's ship _Tartar_, and affairs went on asusual. At the Cape, owing to widespread rumours of disloyalty, SirAlfred Milner issued the following proclamation, dated October 28:--

 "Whereas it has been reported to me that a proclamation has been made by or on behalf of the Government of the South African Republic purporting to declare as part of the territory of the Republic certain portions of that part of this Colony situated north of the Orange River, and which have been invaded by the forces of the said Government; and whereas it is necessary to warn all Her Majesty's subjects, especially those resident in the aforesaid portions of this Colony, of the invalidity of such proclamation:

 "Now therefore, in virtue of the authority committed to me as Governor of this Colony, I do hereby proclaim and make known that any such proclamation, if made, is null and void and of no effect, and I do hereby further warn and admonish all Her Majesty's subjects, especially those resident in the aforesaid portions of this Colony, that they do, in accordance with their duty and allegiance, disregard such proclamation, as being of no force and effect whatsoever, and observe their obligations to her Majesty, her Crown and Government, and in no way voluntarily accept or recognise the Government of the South African Republic in any part of this Colony which may have been proclaimed territory of that Republic. 

 "And I do further warn that any one failing, in contravention of the law, to obey the terms of this proclamation, will render himself liable to be prosecuted for the crime of high treason. "

To Mr. Chamberlain he wrote on the subject on the same date:--

 "It is impossible accurately to find out what has happened as regards the alleged annexation by the Government of the South African Republic or Orange Free State of portions of the Cape Colony. 

 "No copies of any proclamation by either Government to that effect have reached me here, but news coming from various parts of districts west and north of Kimberley clearly show that the people there credit the annexation theory. 

 "It seems, however, more probable on the whole that it is the Government of the South African Republic which has annexed the district north of the Vaal River. 

 "With the consent of Ministers, I issued yesterday the proclamation contained in my previous message, in order to check the mischief which this widespread report is causing. "

Apropos of Sir Alfred Milner's letter, it must be mentioned that severalof the Bechuanaland Dutch had openly joined the Boers; and on theoccasion of the hoisting of the Transvaal flag in Vryburg, CommandantDelarey took occasion to deliver himself of an effective speech, inwhich he said that the flag of the country was now floating over thewhole Orange River, and that the flag of Britain would never again do sounless it were hoisted over the dead bodies of the Burghers. At Klipdamalso the Boers put in an appearance, and celebrated their incursion byholding "at homes" in the Magistrates' Court; but hearing of the Britishsuccesses at Kimberley, and judging discretion to be the better part ofvalour, they decamped northwards, leaving food and stores behind. 

The disaffection of the Dutch was as yet almost confined to the westernborder. On the eastern side the inhabitants for the most part werestaunch. Indeed, in the history of the war the splendid loyalty of Natalas a whole will ever be remembered. Her trials were many and her faithalmost sublime. Weekly the _Times of Natal_ had poured forth its plainton the dilatoriness or insouciance of the Imperial Government, yetnothing was done till those who put their trust in the good faith of themother country were deprived of home and fortune, and in theirbitterness were tempted to declare that British protection was asDead-Sea fruit--a profitless show, that was apt to turn to ashes in themouth. The following letters serve to show the attitude of a staunchloyalist under the severe strain put upon him, and they are quotedbecause they are descriptive, not of individual anxiety and distress, but of the general feeling of the Colony in those months of supremetrial. 

One letter, dated October 27, began:--

 "Those brave fellows up at Ladysmith have been fighting all day. We heard their cannon even after dusk. What is the result, I wonder? I fear we shall not hear till to-morrow. That essential but most aggravating censor causes such delays, and dishes up such garbled accounts of the actual facts, as to astound those who know the truth.... There is little chance of our being able to attempt even to defend this place. It simply means evacuation or surrender, and stand by and see the Transvaal flag go up! O England! England! As ever, unprepared. "

The next letter, dated October 31, said:--

 "Here we are in peace and quiet, such as it is possible to enjoy with the roar of artillery booming over the few miles of echoing hills which divide us from the scene of battle and bloodshed, torn limbs and ceaseless pain. I am weary of the contemplation of all this frightful suffering and brutality.... I do not know what opportunities you have of obtaining correct information, for the trash the papers publish after the real facts have been distorted by the censor is as good as useless. I hardly like to say too much, as one never knows into whose hands one's letters may fall, and our own noble defenders are as severe in suppressing the knowledge of the true facts of the battles and movements of the forces as any enemy could possibly be. However, the game is with the English still.... If only Ladysmith is held, the Colony is safe. This shocking flight of women and children from town after town is too awful to witness. Shame on the British Government to make our Colony the scene of this bloody struggle, and leave the handful of soldiers sent out all unsupported, unprepared--unprepared as usual--all smug and self-confident in the little overcrowded, over-comfortable island, and forgetful of the horrors to which unfortunate colonists are exposed across the sea. "

The Governor of the British prison at Misina, Pomeroy, Natal, wrote in asimilar heart-breaking strain:--

 "I have only time for a few lines. I am tired out, having been turned out of house and home by the cursed Boers. I have ridden the ninety-one miles to Pietermaritzburg. I and four other Government officials had to remain at our posts till the last. We had to ride for our lives. I never shall forget these times. We waited almost too long--long enough for the five of us to have a shot at the advanced guard, of whom we captured two, and rode with them to the Volunteer camp, eighteen miles from Pomeroy, at Tugela. I never felt like shooting any one before a commando of about 400 came down for myself and the magistrate. "

In regard to the readiness of Natal to support British supremacy, avisitor who participated in the raising of the volunteer regiments therestated that there were 4500 volunteers in the field, three-fourths ofwhom were drilled men. They were enrolled at the rate of 200 a day. Durban a month later raised a splendid corps of colonial scouts for thepurpose of checking Boer raiding. It was composed of some sixty orseventy men of the best families in the place. 

The conduct of the Natal women was especially noteworthy. Theirpatience, their fortitude, their eager desire to be of service, theirreadiness to face sacrifice, won general esteem. One eye-witness statedthat while shells were hurtling through the air and bursting on theground, they--the women-folk of the place--calmly traversed the streetsin ordinary costume and with ordinary demeanour, as though no hostileBoer or bellowing gun was within a hundred miles of them. Not a trace offear or panic was manifest. It was not surprising to learn that acommunity boasting such noble specimens of womanhood decided to remainwhere they were rather than accept the dubious shelter offered them bythe Boer general. 

Mr. Winston Spencer Churchill, writing of the Natalians in the _MorningPost_, feelingly said: "There are several points to be remembered inthis connection. Firstly, the colonists have had many dealings with theBoers. They knew their strength; they feared their animosity. But theyhave never for one moment lost sight of their obligations as a Britishcolony. Their loyalty has been splendid. From the very first they warnedthe Imperial Government that their territories would be invaded. Throughout the course of the long negotiations they knew that if warshould come, on them would fall the first fury of the storm. Nevertheless, they courageously supported and acclaimed the action ofthe Ministry. Now at last there is war--bitter war. It means a good dealto all of us, but more than to any it comes home to the Natalian. He isinvaded; his cattle have been seized by the Boer; his towns are shelledor captured; the most powerful force on which he relies for protectionis isolated in Ladysmith; his capital is being loopholed and intrenched;Newcastle has been abandoned, Colenso has fallen, Estcourt isthreatened; the possibility that the whole province will be overrunstares him in the face. From the beginning he asked for protection. Fromthe beginning he was promised complete protection; but scarcely a wordof complaint is heard. The townsfolk are calm and orderly, the Pressdignified and sober. The men capable of bearing arms have respondednobly. Boys of sixteen march with men of fifty to war--to no light, easywar. The Imperial Light Infantry is eagerly filled. The Imperial LightHorse can find no more vacancies, not even for those who will servewithout pay. The Volunteers and Town-Guards bear their parts like men. "Of the excellence of the service of the Natalians a great deal remainsto be said. At present the story must proceed. 

The arrival of Sir Redvers Buller at Cape Town on the 31st of Octoberwas a signal for general rejoicing. The streets were filled tooverflowing, and cheer after cheer rung from thousands of throats. Asthe General drove to Government House, he was greeted by cries of"Avenge Majuba!" and "Bravo, General!" and by the amount of emotionexpended and the universal expression of relief evidenced, it was plainthat the Cape colonists, like the cockney Londoner, were prepared "tobet their bottom dollar" on the combination of Sir Redvers Buller andMr. Thomas Atkins!

On the 2nd November the Boers proclaimed the Upper Tugela division ofNatal to be Free State Territory, and they seized Colesberg Bridge, someeighteen miles north of the town of Colesberg, where the road betweenthat place and Philippolis crosses the Orange River. However, as OrangeRiver, De Aar, Colesberg, and Stromberg were still held by our forces, the inhabitants remained confident. Yet reports of the Boer advance onColesberg were scarcely reassuring, and rumours of increaseddisaffection among the Dutch farmers in this region were rife. 

It was a curious fact that some of the Boers started from Johannesburgfor the frontier wearing in their hats the national colours, red, white, and blue--and green, with above them a yellow band, thus completing theinsignia of the United South Africa for which they were to fight. Itwould be interesting to know how the red, white, and blue becameassociated with the green, and whether Aylward, the agitator, and hisFenian friends introduced it for the purpose of giving prominence to thesympathy of the Anti-English brotherhood in the Emerald Isle. Thedisloyal Natal Dutch, such of them as there then were, weredistinguished by a red rose badge. These signs were of no consequence inthemselves, but they served to demonstrate the preconcerted nature ofBoer actions, which were supposed by certain persons to have been asudden and spontaneous outcome of British oppression. 

Racial feeling grew stronger and fiercer day by day, and Mr. Kruger'sthreat to "stagger humanity" was by some declared to be within an ace ofbeing fulfilled. The Boer is inherently as tough as the Briton, and asobstinate: he was now well equipped for warfare, well led, and thechances of a terrific and bloody struggle seemed hourly to become moreand more certain. Fortunately, each day brought our troops nearer to theCape, and after the 9th of November they began to disembark--a total, sofar, of 11, 000 in all. At first sight this military multitude seemed animposing addition to our force, but, in view of the losses we hadsustained and the general complications of the position, some 100, 000was nearer the figure required. However, the Home authorities chose tosend out their help in driblets, and the same Home authorities weresupposed to know how the driblets might be adequately disposed. It wasonly to the ignorant "man in the street" that the problem of how to meetthe massed armies of the Boers with diffused handfuls of troops becameincomprehensible. 

Among the misfortunes with which the British had to contend was theunfit state of the horses after prolonged travel. Horses are intenselyliable to sea-sickness; they also suffer much from being cribbed, cabined, and confined for any length of time; and the difference betweenthe state of the Australian and the British animals on landing was verymarked. The former were in good working fettle, while the latter hadswollen and stiff joints, and were generally below par. The New Zealandchargers were all that could be desired, and they made an excellent showwhen compared with those of some of the other mounted regiments. Horse-sickness had also to be contended with, and it was with greatdifficulty averted. Some of the officers, however, discovered that bykeeping the horses protected by their nosebags during the dewy hoursof early morning the liability to the complaint was lessened. Thequestion of horses was a serious one, almost as important as thequestion of guns. The exceeding mobility of the Boer army for long hadbeen a matter of surprise, if not to the initiated, at least to thegeneral public, and, as it later appeared, to the Government itself. They had sent out important generals and learned tacticians, and afairly large and unwieldy mass of men, who were bound by their healthyappetites to stick to their base and hug the railway lines, while theenemy shifted about with the most annoying and confounding velocity, delighting to deceive as to their position, and in their deception beingfor the most part eminently successful. There is a passage in theScriptures that mentions that "the king of Israel is come out to seek aflea as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountain, " and thisquotation on the approach of our weighty military machine, the Boers, ever Biblical, must have been inclined to remember and to appreciate. 

[Illustration: Rt. Hon. SIR REDVERS HENRY BULLER, K. C. B. , V. C. 

Photo by Knight, Aldershot. ]

The opinion seemed prevalent, particularly in Colonial circles, thatEnglish generals, in consequence of their European or Indianexperiences, were unequal to a struggle with the "slim" and shiftyBoers. Laing's Nek, Ingogo, and Majuba had all proved that someextraordinary weakness, either tactically or mentally, seemed to possessthe bravest warriors in the face of this incomprehensible foe. Since thedate of Majuba the ways of the Boers had become still more of aconundrum. They had kept up their habit of sharpshooting, and hadacquired an insight into German tactics. For all that, on occasioncertain of their old commanders resorted to the primitive tricks of theZulus, and advanced in horn fashion, keeping one horn in ambush as longas possible, so as to create a surprise for an unprepared enemy. Even toeminent tacticians like General Clery and others, the blend of modernGerman and antique Zulu in the ordering of war must have beenconfounding, and it is scarcely surprising that they took some littletime to master the subject. 

The landing, on the 8th November, of the Naval Brigade with twenty gunsfor the defence of Durban was a move in the right direction, and thearrival and marching in of the brigade was an inspiriting sight. Thestreets swarmed with an enthusiastic multitude that welcomed the jollyJack Tar with delight, and cheered itself hoarse, almost drowning thevigorous strains of the band of the _Terrible_, which played outside theTown-Hall. Captain Percy Scott of the _Terrible_, inventor of the nowcelebrated gun-carriages, replaced Major Bethune as commandant of theforces defending the port, while the latter officer returned to theactive command of the Uitlander corps. 

The tide of reinforcement now began to flow evenly into Cape Colony andNatal, and there was great excitement owing to the arrival of the_Moor_, which left Southampton on October the 21st. Among those on boardwere Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen, commanding the First Division ofthe Field Force; Major-General Sir C. F. Clery, commanding the SecondDivision; and Major-General Sir W. F. Gatacre, commanding the ThirdDivision; and a large number of officers for service on the Staff. 

 THE INVASION OF CAPE COLONY

The position of affairs in the direction of the Orange River was atfirst somewhat stationary. The British were awaiting the arrival oftroops and keeping on the alert; the Boers were making proclamations andannexing adjacent villages. 

A column from Cape Colony had started, and more troops were pushing upas fast as train could carry them in the direction of De Aar. A letterfrom a British officer from that place describes the state of affairs onthe 20th of October. He said:--

"This place is to be a big base when the British troops arrive; 10, 000are to come here, but are not expected for at least a month. At presentwe are the only regiment here, and have to keep the line open and guardall the stores coming up for the 10, 000 troops. We have not got halfenough men, as the front of our position is nearly five miles, and wecannot watch it properly. Our position is strong as long as we can holdthe hills; but if the Boers can get artillery near us, they will wipe usout in a few hours without getting within rifle range at all, as we haveno guns ourselves. We keep on telegraphing for them, but the officialsat home and at Cape Town do not seem to understand the position. Theworst of this place is that there is not a loyal native within twentymiles of us, and they are only waiting for a good opportunity to rise. We can only be ready for them--that is, we cannot attack them, as theyhave not yet declared openly for the Transvaal, though they are allspies, and give the Boers information on all our dispositions. "

In this short letter we find the keynote of all our subsequent troubles. The complete and almost absurd confidence of the British, supported asit was by valour without wisdom or activity, was a "voice" and nothingmore. Deeply have we suffered since those words were written, for anarrogant under-estimation of the enemy, a reprehensible delay inpreparing for him, and a parsimonious system of carrying out thosepreparations when attempted. However, it is useless to cry over spiltmilk. 

To thoroughly appreciate the situation at this period it is necessary tounderstand the direction in which our troops were moving. Modder River, Hope Town, and Orange River are situated on the railway betweenKimberley and the junction of the lines which run south to Cape Town andPort Elizabeth respectively. De Aar, of which we began to hear so much, is an important station at the apex of the triangle, just over 500 milesfrom Cape Town, and here towards the end of the month of October manytroops were congregating. Here, though no hostilities were actuallytaking place, there was a good deal of simmering activity; for it mustbe remembered that De Aar Junction was our advanced supply base in theColony, and owed its strategical importance at this critical period tothe fact that it was the junction of Cape Town and Port Elizabethrailways. It is situated about sixty miles from the Orange River andFree State border. 

The contrast at this time between camps British and camps Dutch in theneighbourhood of the border was curious. The Boers were prepared, takingtheir ease. The British were in suspense. Disaffection was visible onall sides, and yet inaction, irritating inaction, was obligatory. Morning, noon, and night a perennial sand-storm blew; overhead, the sungrilled and scorched. Meals, edibles, and liquids were diluted with 10per cent. Of grit, and when perchance Tommy strove to strain hishardly-earned beer--to make a filter of a butter-cloth--phut! would comea gust of wind and bring the experiment to a melancholy conclusion. PoorThomas's temper was much tried! He was, of necessity, an exceedinglytemperate fellow in those days, but when he got a pot of beer hepreferred it to be beer, and not porridge. He did not relish in hismouth the same thing that the wind was distributing impartially intoears and eyes. He said he could take in--at the pores--enough of that tosuit his liking. But he was no grumbler, as a rule. He worked hard andincessantly, Colonel Barter determining to keep his men of the YorkshireLight Infantry quite up to the mark. It was necessary to take everyprecaution against surprise, and for commanding officers to remaineternally on the _qui vive_. It needed considerable tact to ordersufficient work, and only sufficient. It was dangerous to over-fatiguetroops who might be required to leap to arms at any moment; it was alsorisky to allow active men in a hot sun to give way to inertia. There wasthe never-ceasing routine of guards and picquets, the practice of routemarching and field manoeuvres, and the daily round of minor campduties to keep the warriors hale and hearty, and prepare their thews fora tough tussle. A regular system of scouting was matutinally carried on, and it was thought that the enemy would not be able to encroach beyondhis border without enjoying a startling reception. At this time he wasnot visible, and all that scouts could detect, beside some innocenthares and springbok among the hills, was now and then a flying horsemanwho disappeared on their approach. 

But the Boers were not far off. They were encamped close to the border. One adventurous individual, for his personal satisfaction, performed thefeat of travelling north and swimming across the Orange River toreconnoitre. In the darkness of the night he stole out, plungedcautiously into the river, clothes and all, and swam safely to the otherside. Then striking out in a north-easterly direction, he made for asmall kopje overlooking the Boer camp. Meanwhile the moon had sailedout, and began to throw a sheet of silver over the panorama. Below, thethree lines of tents were outlined, and these were flanked andinterspersed with multitudinous waggons, which formed a chain almostalong the entire length of the valley. In the early dawn more objectsbecame discernible, the flickering red tongues of the camp-fires, thewinking eye of a lantern that hung from a pole. By this illumination itwas possible to note the general scene of disorder. Scattered garmentsand goods in promiscuous array--ammunition and provisions, harness, saddles, biltong, and gin-bottles--a multifarious, slovenly litter, shedhere, there, and everywhere. Only two sentries were visible, and theseour friend stealthily evaded. One Cerberus sat on the ground with hisback planted against a waggon wheel yawning dolefully, and farther onslouched another, hands in pockets, head on chest, walking back andforwards with the air of an automaton. The individual creeping pastthem, close under their noses, smiled softly to himself. How simple tosweep off a dozen or two of the inmates of the camp before theseso-called sentries recovered from their dozing. Fifty men and fiftybayonets could have got in without difficulty, and the rout of therebels would have been an affair of moments. Now, perhaps beforenightfall the whole commando would have melted away!

Presently at the bottom of the kopje came horsemen--some five ofthem--galloping along, and the adventurous one made haste to hide. TheBoer patrol passed within some two hundred yards of him, and he wassafe. It was now time to hurry off. The day was breaking. Again a plungeinto the icy river, again a fight with the racing current, again a safelanding, this time on the British bank. So the escapade ended, but itenabled those interested to form a fair idea of the lack of organisationamong the Dutch, and to argue that if once they should leave theirnaturally strong fortifications and intrenchments, the first united andsustained attack on the part of the British would mean their certaindiscomfiture. 

At the end of October the Border Regiment arrived upon the scene. TheYorks almost immediately struck camp and prepared to entrain for OrangeRiver; but presently a counter-order arrived, and, much to their regret, the regiment again resumed its former routine. 

The place at this time was under military law, and precautions wererigorously taken against spies. The railway stations were cautiouslyguarded night and day, and none was allowed to approach without properauthority. Troops soon began to pour through on the way to Orange River, whence the advance was shortly to take place. Tremendous labour came onthe hands of Lieut. -General Sir F. Forestier Walker, who took tripsalong the lines of communication to ascertain that all arrangements weresatisfactory. 

[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS--THE MAXIM GUN. PHOTO BY GREGORY, LONDON]

In readiness for the influx of troops new sidings were constructed tonorth and south of the railway station, and the little karoo junctionbegan to assume an air of wonderful importance. Among the innovationswas a branch of the Standard Bank adjoining Friedlater's Store, showingthat, though not a Klondyke, this place, which has been described as"the windiest, dustiest, most unfinished, most inhospitable corner ofthe South African wilderness, the veritable jumping-off place of theglobe, " was fast becoming the base of gigantic military operations. Theoutlying farms were still in occupation, though inhabitants were few. These apparently were indifferent to the progress of coming events, butpossibly at that time they were engaged in careful investigation as tothe side of the bread which held the most butter before committingthemselves to an attitude. Their sole obvious desire was that patrolsshould not omit to close the gates after them whenever they chanced topass through their domains. The Border Regiment soon after its arrivalmoved to Naauwpoort, and a battery and a half of artillery swelled thelittle garrison. The development of the place now went on more rapidly. 

Mr. E. F. Knight, the brilliant correspondent of the _Morning Post_, wrote an interesting description of this now important locality only afew days before he had the misfortune to lose his arm through thetreachery of the Boers. He said:--

 "The township, which surrounds the railway station, is merely a congregation of a few houses belonging to people connected with the railway. It stands in the midst of a desert--a dusty, treeless plain covered with sparse low sage brush and enclosed by rocky ridges. The camp is ever increasing in size, but, as I write, it consists of two encampments, one to the north and one to the south of the township, all the troops being under canvas. In the North Camp are the 2nd Battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, eight hundred strong, and a field-battery and a half-battery (15-pounders), and in the South Camp, in which I have pitched my tent, is the remount camp, with a company of the Army Service Corps, a supply detachment of the same corps, with a field-bakery, two half-sections of the Royal Engineers, a company of the Army Ordnance Corps, and a detachment of the Volunteer Medical Staff Corps. A wing of the Berkshire Regiment has also just come in from Naauwpoort, which we have abandoned as being untenable by the small force which could at present be spared to defend it. There are at De Aar now about two thousand men all told, including Major Rimington's two hundred scouts. More artillery is expected from Cape Town, and by the time this letter reaches England we shall probably be largely reinforced. Several redoubts, lines of intrenchments, and sangars on the heights protect the camps, and a few small guns have been posted on the neighbouring kopjes. The surrounding country is being well patrolled, and we cannot well be taken by surprise.... In short, one sees here all that skilled, laborious, indispensable preparation for the campaign of which the British public knows so little, and which never receives its due credit at home. 

 "It is wonderful, indeed, that the Boers did not attempt to seize this valuable prize a week or so ago, when the camp was practically undefended, and when our officers, momentarily expecting attack, were sleeping in their boots. Our position is far from secure even now; our force here is insignificant, and it seems that the Boers are getting nearer. They have crossed the river at various points. 

 "Our scouts have been in touch with their commandoes. We have had some false alarms since I have been here; it is rumoured to-day that they are close to, and that the attack on De Aar is but a question of hours. But still the heavily-laden trains come in with their valuable freight and the military stores accumulate. It is to be hoped that we shall have the men, too, without delay. "

[Illustration: SERGEANT OF THE KING'S ROYAL RIFLES. 

Photo by Gregory & Co. , London. ]

In the above words we have, repeated, the story of suspense and anxietythat was told by one and all who had the misfortune to spend October andNovember on the Transvaal border, a story of brave Britons, practicallyunarmed--heroically valorous but impotent--standing almost in theteeth of the enemy and sickening with hope deferred. 

The Dutchmen came to work much fresher. The warrior-farmer wasuntrammelled by red tape--unwearied by routine. He was not hampered byminute regulations, though he was bound to look after himself and relyon his own resources. He provided his own provisions, his own waggon andhorses, but the Government in the event of his requiring it supplied himwith the necessaries of the campaign. He could have luxuries _adlibitum_ sent from home, and while battle was not absolutely going on hehad little to do but to eat, drink, and sleep. Drills and fieldexercises were unknown, though, of course, each had to take his turn atguard duty. In action the operations of the Boer commandoes werepresided over by field-cornets, and in camp the work was carried out bycorporals, who superintended the supply department--the munitions of"war" and "mouth, " as we call them, on which the fighting line dependedfor ammunition and food. 

General Wood arrived at De Aar on the 4th of November and took over thecommand of the troops. His first action was to employ the Engineers andsome Cape boys to throw up defensive works and erect sangars on aridge--some 2000 yards from the camp--which by a sheer accident had notbeen seized by the Boers. From this point of vantage it was possible forthe British guns to command the plain for many miles round. He then putthe place under martial law, as Dutchmen and spies were slinking aboutin the neighbourhood of the railway and the camps. The General'sregulations ran thus:--

 "No person is allowed to remain in or to quit De Aar without a permit signed by the Magistrate, and countersigned by the Camp Commandant. The permits for railway officials will be signed and issued by the heads of the traffic, locomotive, and engineering departments, those for postal officials by the heads of that department. Any person found selling intoxicating liquors to a soldier or to a native or coloured person will be immediately apprehended and the whole of his goods will be seized. The sale of intoxicating liquors to others can only take place between the hours of 11 A. M. And 6 P. M. This includes sale of liquors to persons staying in any hotel or boarding-house in De Aar. Every person keeping an hotel or boarding-house, or any one receiving persons into his private house to stay for one night or more, is required to obtain permission of the Camp Commandant before doing so. No persons other than railway and postal officials, who will be provided with a special pass, will be allowed to be out of their houses after 9. 30 P. M. Any person infringing these regulations will be dealt with by martial law. "

We must now move in the direction of the Orange River, where moreactivities were taking place. Information having been received that theBoers in great numbers were gathered at Kaffir's Kop, a hill some 500feet high east of Belmont, a reconnaissance was made in that directionon the 10th of November. The reconnoitring force was composed of acouple of squadrons of the 9th Lancers and detachments of the MunsterFusiliers, the Northumberland Fusiliers, and the Loyal NorthLancashires. With these were a handy lot of mounted infantry and a halfbattery of field-artillery. They bivouacked two nights before on thenorth side of the bridge, in order to be ready to move on at daybreak. Early on Thursday morning they marched out, the cavalry forming a widescreen, behind which were the mounted infantry and guns. Belmont, whichwas some twenty-eight miles off, was reached at 2. 30, but not a sign ofthe Dutchmen was to be seen. The troops consequently returned toFincham's Farm, some ten miles back, where they spent the night. In themorning they went east, where the enemy was reported to have retired. The object of the reconnaissance was to ascertain the strength of theenemy, and this was soon achieved, for he was found to be in immenseforce in a position of natural strength flanked by huge hills. Somesmart skirmishing ensued. Colonel Gough with a battery of fieldartillery engaged the Boers and sent one and a half companies of mountedinfantry to turn the enemy's left flank and discover his laager. Fighting continued for more than three hours, during which ColonelKeith-Falconer, [5] Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed. LieutenantWood, North Lancashire Regiment, was shot through the head, andLieutenants Bevan and Hall of the Northumberland Fusiliers were alsowounded. An armoured train came to the rescue and attracted the Boerfire, pouring from two Maxims a withering storm of bullets on the enemyand inflicting heavy loss. The Dutchmen were discovered to be in greatforce all around, and as they blocked the road to Kimberley, the promiseof more spirited engagements was in the air. Already it was ascertainedthat a number of culverts on the railway line had been destroyed by thehostile troops, and rumours of Boer invasion were continually beingbrought in. 

The next day, amid universal regret, the two gallant officers who hadlost their lives in leading their men against the powerful enemy, wereburied. 

Lieutenant Brook (9th Lancers) on the day of the reconnaissancehad a narrow escape, and experiences more exciting than pleasurable. Early in the morning he had gone on ahead of the column for the purposeof making a route sketch. This done, he sent it back by his orderly, andwhile continuing his investigations found himself confronted with theenemy. A shower of bullets greeted him. His horse was shot and he wasbrought to the ground. It was neck or nothing now, and he ran for dearlife pursued by a horde of mounted Boers. Fortunately he came to a wirefence, vaulted it, and was for a moment safe. The enemy's ponies couldnot follow. But the Boers sent shots after his retreating form, shotswhich luckily missed him, and he was enabled to reach two troops of the9th Lancers which galloped up to the rescue. 

On the 12th Lord Methuen arrived, and there was general satisfactionamong the troops. They were now in fine fighting condition, and, havinghad one taste of battle, were longing to advance and get in touch withthe enemy. 

But the advance of Lord Methuen's column was no simple affair. It mustbe remembered that from Cape Town to the base, De Aar, is 500 miles, toBelmont 591, to Kimberley 647, and to Mafeking 870 miles, and therailway from place to place needed continual guarding, and especiallythe bridges in localities where the disaffected portion of the Dutchcommunity resided. Lord Methuen's route, too, lay across a species ofdusty Sahara, over boulder-strewn plains with scarcely a tree to offershade, though dotted about now and then with some ancient kopjes to varythe monotony of the South African scene. On these kopjes it was aslikely as not that Boer sharpshooters might already be hidden, for theaffluent Dutchmen forced their poorer countrymen to maintain eyrie-likepositions--padded with blankets and hedged in with boulders--inreadiness for the approach of an army, while they themselves arrivedfresh, spick and span, only on the rumour of battle. 

With all its alarms, however, life in camp was not without itsjoviality. The Naval Brigade prepared for action laughing and singing, and Jack Tar indulged in promiscuous hornpipes between the conversationsof his big guns. A correspondent of the Central News Agency gave anentertaining account of his sojourn among the military. He said:--

"There are, of course, pleasantries and pleasantries. The other night acorrespondent was returning to camp when he was met with the usualchallenge. 'Who goes there?' shrieked the sentry. 'A friend, ' repliedthe correspondent. 'Stand, friend, and give the countersign, ' promptlydemanded the watchful guardian of the camp. The correspondent hadforgotten the countersign. He knew it related to Yarmouth. As a matterof fact, it was Yarmouth. So he made a desperate bid for bed, andreplied 'Bloaters. ' The sentry replied, 'Advance, friend, ' and thescene closed. You doubt this as _ben trovato_. Well, do not doubt anylonger when I plead conviction in personal guilt. I was 'Bloaters. 'Nevertheless, to an active sentrydom, as well as to vigilant curfew, wewere becoming cheerfully accustomed. It is martial law, and the camp isthe centre of Boerdom. Anything, indeed, is welcome, even martial law, if it relieves boredom at the same time. "

On the 14th of November General Wauchope, commanding the HighlandBrigade, arrived on the Orange River, followed a day or two later byMajor-General Sir H. Colvile, who assumed command of the Guards Brigadeand camp north of the river. The First Division was composed of twobrigades. The Ninth was an Infantry Brigade, consisting of portions ofthe Northumberland Fusiliers, a wing of the North Lancashires, portionsof the Manchesters, the Yorkshires, and the Northamptonshire Regiment. The Guards Brigade was composed of the Scots Guards, two battalions ofthe Coldstreams, and one of the Grenadiers. To this brigade was attachedthe Naval Brigade (Captain Prothero, H. M. S. _Doris_). There were alsotwo squadrons of the 9th Lancers, "bits" of the Engineers, of the A. S. C. And the Army Medical Corps--the whole force numbering some 9000 men. Thetransport arrangements having been completed, the advance was to be madein the course of the week. Officers and men were to wear uniform assimilar as possible, in order not to give the sharpshooters a chance ofdistinguishing them. The men covered their buttons with mud and sand inorder to make them more of a piece with their kharki, and theirhaversacks in the same way were darkened to match. 

At this time Naauwpoort and Stormberg were evacuated by order of SirRedvers Buller, on the ground that our frontier line was weak and toomuch extended. The troops from the former place reinforced De Aar, thosefrom the latter strengthened Queenstown. The enemy, though he left DeAar in peace, was active elsewhere. A Boer commando of 1300 to 2000strong entered Colesberg on the 15th November before dawn, and planteditself on the kopjes surrounding the town, much to the surprise of theinhabitants. The invaders possessed themselves of the keys of the town, and endeavoured with great parade to hoist the Free State flag. Theceremony was a fiasco, however, as before the flag reached the top ofthe staff, the halyard, which had been secretly cut partly through bysome loyalists, broke, so that the flag, flying a little abovehalf-mast, could neither be hoisted properly nor hauled down again. Ultimately the Boers tied another flag on to the end of a long bamboo, and sent that up instead. The Mayor endeavoured, in impassioned periods, to address the loyal inhabitants, but his eloquence was useless. Hecould not make himself heard, and had at last to desist. 

The Mounted Police, who were forced to retreat from Colesberg, joinedthe New South Wales Lancers at Naauwpoort, and from thence went on to DeAar. Aliwal North was occupied by a Free State commando, and theinhabitants of Lady Grey were ordered to vacate the place. They wereallowed until the 25th November to obey orders. The public offices therewere closed, and preparations were made to occupy the town. 

Here must be noted the story of a woman in a thousand--the post-mistressof Ladygrey. When the Boers came to seize the post-office, she "stuck toher post" with a vengeance. She refused to budge or to give it up, andwhen the Free State flag was hoisted, she promptly hauled it down andsubstituted the Union Jack. Not content with this, she tore down theproclamation of the Boers annexing the district, and put in its placethe Governor's proclamation against treason. Pluck carried the day; theBoers were worsted, and the post-mistress remained mistress of thesituation. What became of this heroine of the war is not yet known. 

Proclamations emanating from Bloemfontein, and signed by Mr. Wessels, President of the Volkraad, were also issued, declaring the whole ofGriqualand West, except Kimberley and Mafeking and the districts fourmiles around each of these places, to be Free State territory. In theface of these energetic movements action on the part of the British wasnecessary to restore the confidence of the wavering people, andconsequently the following telegram was despatched by the GeneralCommanding in Chief to the officer commanding at Queenstown:--

 "_November 15. _--General Gatacre, with the 1st Battalion of the Seventh Brigade, left yesterday for East London. More troops will follow as they arrive. 

 "Owing to the distance from England, it has not been possible to give the frontier districts, at first, the protection they merit, and the enemy's troops have in places entered our territory. 

 "Make known as widely as possible that her Majesty's Government will exact compensation for any actual injury done to the property of individuals who remain loyal, and take every means in your power to obtain and record the names of any who may act disloyally, with a view to the consideration of their cases afterwards. Circulate this as widely as you can in English and Dutch. "

On the other side the enemy exerted himself freely. A curious appeal wasmade to the farmers about Colesberg by the Boer commander. He addressedthe crowd with great fervour, and called on all to join the Republicancause and to throw off the yoke of England, whose tyranny could nolonger be endured. War, he declared, had been forced upon them. Theywere now fighting for liberty, and it was the will of God. He said itdepended on the Afrikanders themselves whether they would for evercontinue to be ruled from Downing Street or become an independentnation. So far, he added, their arms had been victorious, and God hadbeen with them. 

 * * * * *

Meanwhile Lord Methuen and his troops were preparing to march to therelief of Kimberley _via_ Witteputs, and in expectation of his arrival(of which they were duly informed by their many spies and the disloyalDutch in the neighbourhood), the Boers, reinforced, posted a cannon atBelmont Station, and again took up a powerful position on the Kaffir'sKop range of hills. 

[Illustration: LIEUT. -GENERAL LORD METHUEN, C. B. 

Photo by Elliott & Fry, London. ]

 THE BATTLE OF BELMONT

On the morning of Tuesday, the 21st of November, at three o'clock, LordMethuen's march to the relief of Kimberley definitely began. The forceconsisted of the Naval Brigade, the 9th Brigade under ColonelFeatherstonhaugh, the Guards Brigade under General Sir H. Colvile, twobatteries of Field Artillery, Rimington's Guides, and the 9th Lancers. The first halt was made at Fincham's Farm, some twelve miles off, wherethe troops breakfasted, and whence the 9th Lancers and Rimington'sGuides started on a reconnoitring expedition, which was not without itsexcitement. The Boers were reported to be somewhere in the vicinity, andsoon they were espied, some three hundred of them, climbing a kopje withthe evident intention of firing down on the party. This they did, andwith such rapidity that only by sheer luck the men escaped. They went onto the farm of one Thomas, a supposed loyalist, for the purpose ofwatering their horses. This person had declared that there were no Boersin the neighbourhood; but no sooner had the tired beasts begun to diptheir dusty noses in the cool and longed-for draught than a brisk firewas opened on them from all sides, and the troops had hurriedly toreturn to the main body at Fincham's. But they lost three horses. 

On the following day the division moved on to the said Thomas's Farm. The advance party again came under fire--"Just by way of salute, " asTommy said--but the enemy was promptly silenced. Here the troopsbivouacked. 

On the night of the 22nd coffee was served out about twelve o'clock, andafter this the whole force prepared to move. 

The general orders were as follows: "At three A. M. Guards Brigade toadvance from small white house near railway on Gun Kopje, supported bybattery on right plus Naval Brigade; 9th Brigade on west side of TableMountain; at same hour, bearing already taken, supported by battery onleft, 9th Lancers, two squadrons, one company Mounted Infantry, marching north of Belmont Station, keeping one to two miles on leftflank and advanced; Rimington's Guides, one squadron Lancers, onecompany Mounted Infantry from Witte Putt to east of Sugar Loaf; onecompany Mounted Infantry on right of Naval Brigade, protecting right;the force having got over open ground should arrive at daybreak onenemy; 9th Brigade having secured Table Mountain to swing round left andkeep on high ground, and then advance east to west on A (on plan; notprinted); Guards Brigade conform, being pivot; then Guards advance oneast edge of Mount Blanc, guns clearing entire advance with shrapnel;cavalry to get round rear of enemy, securing horses and laager. "

[Illustration: LORD METHUEN'S LINE OF ADVANCE]

This carefully-arranged programme, however, was not followed in itsentirety. In the grim blackness of the small hours the Grenadiers lostdirection, and Lord Methuen was committed to a frontal attack. But stillthe attack was a brilliant success. The Boers were caught napping, forthey were in the happy belief that the troops were still at Witte Puttat the very hour when they were marching steadily upon them. 

The infantry tramped four miles in pitch darkness and took up theirposition on a long low hill facing the enemy. The Boers occupied amagnificent horseshoe-shaped position on a series of kopjes and ridgeseastward of Belmont railway station. As usual, they had utilised theboulders as screens, behind which they could safely blaze away at theadvancing ranks. Near daybreak--the hot summer morning dawned about fouro'clock--firing began. The Guards had opened out for the attack, and theBoers, suddenly espying them from the heights, thereupon commenced topelt and batter them. The Scots and Grenadiers nevertheless proceeded. Their position was far from comfortable, as it was necessary to crosssome hundred yards of arid open veldt with no cover at all, while theenemy, ensconced behind tremendous rocks some 500 feet above theirlevel, had nothing to do but to point their rifles and send theirbullets whizzing at the advancing mass. But the Guards stoutly heldtheir own, lying down and returning volley after volley for a fullhalf-hour. Meanwhile the 9th Brigade advanced across the plain inextended order, and at half-past four two batteries posted near therailway commenced shelling the enemy's position. 

Now the Guards began to proceed. Steadily forward they went--the thin, extended line moved as on parade, no supports being behind them. 

Scarcely had they reached the base of the hill than a fierce storm oflead poured like a cascade from guns and rifles. It was useless now toattempt to return the fire--the Boers were invisible. There was no helpfor it; the men had only to move on and trust to their best "coldSheffield" and their warm, gallant hearts. They fixed bayonets. MajorKinloch gave the word to his men to advance. "Now, boys, as hard as youcan go!" he sang out. The other officers shouted their orders; all weredashing along like lions loosened from a cage. Cheers rent the air, bullets buzzed, cannons roared, blood streamed and spouted, plucky menand brave boys dropped dead on every side. Yet on went the infantrybrigades! The first kopje was stormed! The Boers had vanished!

It was a sight to thrill the blood, to make the heart leap to thethroat--so grand, so awful, so reminiscent of all the great traditionsof British history. The enemy went helter-skelter to their second kopjeon the right, where another force was strongly intrenched. Here theywere sheltered by a number of "schantz, " or trenches built of bouldersand arranged in gallery form, and here our men mounted afterthem--Coldstreams, Grenadiers, Scots Guards, Northumberlands, Northamptons, and 2nd King's Own Yorkshires, now steadily advancingwithout excitement and with stern determination, and through a horriblecross-fire from the death-dealing rifles of the enemy. 

Their advance was grand--a feat of heroism--with the Boer missilesflying about their heads and the track of blood seeming to tinge thevery atmosphere with red. On and on they pushed, cheering loudly up thesteep incline and over the boulders, nimble as goats, determined asgiants, on and on, and, with a mighty roar, took the position. Dead menlay at their feet, but honour, with its laurel crown, wreathed theirheads!

Again the Boers made a hasty, a desperate retreat; again they sought astrongly-fortified position; again, our cavalry being too far off toreach them, the infantry combat was renewed. 

A hurricane of bullets poured down. Death for the third time stared andgibbered; for the third time our gallant fellows, all in mass, againadvanced to the attack. The Naval Brigade brought up four guns, andCaptain Prothero got his cannon in position of 1800 yards and blazed outa chorus of distraction. 

The enemy fled. The rout was now complete. Away went the 9th Lancers, away went the Mounted Infantry, both pursuing the fugitives for a goodfive miles. Thus the battle of Belmont was won. The whole of the campwaggons, filled with boxes of clothing, hundreds of horses and bullocks, were captured, and tons of ammunition were destroyed. 

But this fight, that has taken so short a time to describe, and whichwas over in less than four hours, was hardly won. Forms all bloodilydashed lay here and there and everywhere, and the Scots Guards, who hadstormed the kopje to inspiriting strains of drums and pipes, were doomedlater on to hear the wail of the pibroch for many comrades mourned andburied. In all, our losses--about 200--were comparatively smallconsidering that the engagement was a series of three battles, duringwhich the Boers were constantly carrying off dead and wounded. Very manyof our officers were wounded and three were killed. One--LieutenantFryer of the Grenadier Guards--was slain while gallantly leading his menand creeping along the bed of a stream in the enemy's rear. After thebattle Lord Methuen made the following address to the troops: "Comrades, I congratulate you on the complete success achieved by you this morning. The ground over which we had to fight presented exceptionaldifficulties, and we had as an enemy a past-master in the tactics ofmounted infantry. With troops such as you are, a commander can have nofear of the result. There is a sad side, and you and I are thinking asmuch of those who have died for the honour of their country and of thosewho are suffering as we are thinking of our victory. "

Three instances were reported of the despicable treachery of the Boers. Lieutenant Willoughby was shot at from an ambush under cover of the whiteflag; a Boer holding a white flag in his left hand murdered LieutenantBrine with his right, and Lieutenant Blundell-Hollinshead-Blundell (3rdBatt. Grenadier Guards) was shot in the merciful act of tending a woundedBoer. Lord Methuen after the fight sent a remonstrance to the Boercommander, saying, "Acting quite fairly with you, I decline to takeKimberley men who know the country, because their parole cannot beaccepted. I must ask you to warn your wounded not to shoot our officers. Imust warn you not to use Dum-Dum bullets, or use the flag of trucetreacherously. Such action is cowardly in the extreme, and I cannotcountenance it. "

[Illustration: PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF BELMONT. ]

The Boer losses were reported as very small, but no credence can beplaced on their statements, for the very good reason that it has beenPresident Kruger's policy to conceal from outsiders, and even from hisown country, the extent of his losses. Whenever the Boer dies in battle, his body is weighted and cast into a river, or into a trench as quicklyas possible. His family are left in ignorance as to his fate, and theironly conclusion is to assume that he is dead. But Mr. Kruger's methodsand his ruthless military oligarchy were disapproved even by his owncountrymen, and more especially by his own countrywomen, who now beganto mistrust the continual story of Boer victory, and asked pitifully forpermission themselves to seek for fathers, sons, and brothers from whomthey never heard. In some cases many of these were lying not an inchbelow their feet, for a British search party came upon a portion of theveldt that was literally mosaicked with dead Dutchmen whose bodies werescarcely more than peppered with earth!

Mr. Knight, the correspondent of the _Morning Post_, who was a generalfavourite, was wounded in a singularly treacherous manner. He was in thefiring line of the Northamptons, who were then attacking the Boers. Someof the enemy suddenly emerged from behind rocks and displayed ahandkerchief attached to a rifle. On this sign Mr. Knight with twoothers rose, and all three were instantly shot with Dum-Dum bullets. Mr. Knight's sufferings were great, and the arm was amputated. The use ofDum-Dum bullets had been proscribed, as, after hitting the mark, theyexpand and cause wounds as large as a five-shilling piece. The Boers, besides using them on occasion, so manoeuvred the Mauser bullets thatthey could act in identical fashion. Another treacherous Boer device wasthe wearing of the red cross upon their sleeves--an action on a par withthe display of the white flag--for convenience' sake. However, it mustalways be remembered that the Boer armies were commandeered andcosmopolitan armies, and not disciplined troops. 

[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF BELMONT, 23rd November 1899--BAYONET ATTACKBY THE SCOTS AND GRENADIER GUARDS. 

Drawing by Frank Dodd, R. I. ]

During the heat of the fray Colonel Crabbe, commanding the GrenadierGuards, became detached from his regiment. He was instantly surroundedby Boers, and being wounded, might probably have been killed had not aprivate suddenly rushed to the rescue. The plucky fellow shot two of theenemy, silenced a third with his bayonet, and finally, amid a shower ofbullets, carried off the Colonel to the shelter of an ambulance waggon. Colonel Crabbe sustained injuries to wrist and thigh, but was notdangerously wounded. 

A curious experience befell the Hon. George Peel, who was trying toreach Kimberley, where his sister, the Hon. Mrs. Rochfort Maguire, wasimprisoned. Roaming about after the battle of Belmont, he came byaccident on a Boer camp. A Dutchman promptly emerged, and when he waspreparing to meet a grim fate, deciding that all hope was lost, he foundhimself accosted and handed a Bible. He was in the very act ofcongratulating himself on his lucky escape when on the scene came twogrenadiers, who seeing his battered condition and his Bible, mistook himfor a Boer spy and carried him off as a prize. Fortunately he wasrecognised by a member of Lord Methuen's camp and liberated. 

Very interesting are the following official particulars given by theGeneral Officer Commanding the 9th Brigade to the Chief Staff Officer ofthe 1st Division:--

 "BELMONT, _Nov. 23, 1899_. 

 "SIR, --I have the honour to submit the following report of the part taken by the brigade under my command in the action which took place to-day. The rendezvous was left at 3. 7 A. M. In the following formation: Northumberland Fusiliers, in column of companies, on the left, directing, and fifty paces from them moved the Northamptonshire Regiment in similar formation, and parallel to them. In rear of both these battalions was the 2nd Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and two companies Munster Fusiliers. " (Having described the operations which ended in the occupation of a ridge south of Table Mountain, Major-General Featherstonhaugh continues:) "This party of the enemy was finally dislodged at the point of the bayonet, and 'independent fire' poured into them at a distance of fifty yards, when a white flag was hoisted by the party. On our men ceasing fire, the white flag still being displayed, a shot was fired by this party at our men; but the actual bearer of the flag of truce, followed by some eleven or twelve unarmed Boers, surrendered themselves to Colonel Money and were made prisoners. --Signed for Major-General Featherstonhaugh, EDWARD S. BULFIN, _Captain, Brigade Major, 9th Brigade_. "

The following is the list of officers killed and wounded at the battleof Belmont:--

 3rd Grenadier Guards. --Lieutenant Fryer, killed; Lieutenant Blundell-Hollinshead-Blundell, dangerously wounded; Second Lieutenants Leslie and Vaughan, wounded; Lieutenants Gurdon Rebow and Russell, slightly wounded; and in addition the following officers reported as wounded: Lieutenants Lygon and Cameron, and Lieutenant-Colonel Crabbe. 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. --Lieutenant Grant, wounded. 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards. --Lieutenant the Hon. Claude Willoughby, slightly wounded; Second Lieutenant Burton, severely wounded. 1st Battalion Scots Guards. --Major the Hon. North Dalrymple Hamilton, severely wounded; Second Lieutenants Bulkley and Alexander, wounded. 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. --Captain Eagar and Lieutenant Brine, killed; Major Dashwood and Lieutenant Festing, dangerously wounded; Captain Sapte and Lieutenant Fishbourne, Brigadier-General Featherstonhaugh, Captain Freeland, 2nd Northampton, Lieutenant Barton, 2nd Northampton, severely wounded. 

 THE BATTLE OF GRASPAN

The commandos defeated at Belmont fell back upon Graspan, the nextstation northwards on the way to Kimberley. There Lord Methuen decidedthey should not long remain. He thought, to use his own words, "that itwould be best to march the division at once to Swinks Pan, which wouldplace me on the left front of the enemy's position, and that if I workedone battery round each flank, sent my cavalry and mounted infantry wellforward, the greater part of the cavalry being on the eastern side, Iought to capture the eastern force. The Naval Brigade and 9th Brigade Ileft for protecting the guns or assaulting a position if necessary. TheGuards Brigade I left with the baggage to march to Enslin, where I hadmy next camp. The brigade could always give a hand if wanted. I hadleft 1st Battalion Scots Guards at Belmont Station, also two companiesMunster Fusiliers, because there were 500 Boers and a gun, so it wassaid, threatening Belmont. I made this my divisional battle, marchingstraight from Belmont to Enslin. The armoured train with infantry was togive me a help from the line. " Thus the General briefly described hisprogramme. 

On the day following the battle of Belmont, a hot, blistering day, withthe sun glaring pitilessly till the heavens looked like a sheet ofburnished brass, the Division, with the Yorkshire Light Infantry asadvance guard, moved on towards Graspan. This place is probably calledGraspan because it is the centre of a circular phalanx of huge kopjes, which, rising out of the smooth white sand, have an air of quaintpicturesqueness resembling that of some ancient ruined arena. There thetroops encamped. Here, in the light of the stars and rolled in theirblankets, they laid them down to their hard-earned rest. 

Before cock-crow, however, the men were up and doing, and as thelavender hues of dawn began to lighten the horizon, the gallant warriorswere on the move. It was known that the enemy was near at hand, sneakingon the surrounding heights, therefore the last two miles were covered infighting formation, the Naval detachment and the 5th Fusiliers beingsupported by the Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Northampton Regiment. 

The enemy, not 400 strong as was supposed, but 2500, with six guns, oneHotchkiss, and one Maxim, was posted on a series of five kopjes over 200feet in height, joined by neks, all of which save one were stronglyoccupied. In a laager in the remote distance 500 more Boers werereported to be hidden in reserve. The ground on all sides had beenpreviously measured to find the ranges, the Boers having evidently beenquite well informed regarding the British plan of action. 

In advance of the troops came the armoured train, a pachydermatousmonster which moved cumbrously in front of the column, and was salutedby the smoking wrath of big guns as soon as it appeared. It retiredcautiously, and disgorged its gallant crew of marines to help inhandling the naval guns. Lord Methuen deployed the cavalry on theflanks, while the artillery took up positions in front of the Boertrenches. Meanwhile the 9th Brigade went forward in skirmishing order. This consisted of the Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd BattalionNorthamptons, half-Battalion Loyal North Lancashires, 2nd BattalionKing's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. With the 9th was the Naval Brigade, commanded by Captain Prothero. At six o'clock an active artillery duelbegan, the guns of the foe being splendidly posted, and their range, asbefore-said, carefully calculated. Their shells burst with appallingfracas over our batteries, but the brave British gunners never swerved. They gave the Boers some smart and telling replies, and presently, onwithdrawing their guns to a new position, quite defeated thecalculations of the enemy, whose shells now began to fall wide of themark. The rifle-fire of the Dutchmen was not so accurate as usual, andwas evidently under no control, though there were sharpshooters whocrept under cover for the purpose of sniping at any prominent person whomight be taken for an officer. As has been stated, there was now nooutward or visible sign of rank, so for the time being the enemy'sefforts were unsuccessful. They were more deadly--grievouslydeadly--however, when the gallant Naval Brigade, the officers of whichwere distinguishable by their swords, came to the foot of the hill. Thefire from the kopjes was terrific, and every moment men threw up theirarms and fell. They had advanced in extended order, but in convergingupon the position to be taken, found themselves closed in, and in thatformation attempted the ascent. 

Meanwhile the rest of the infantry was moving forward in preparation forattack. The Northamptons worked from the left round to the right, wherethey were joined by the Yorkshires and Northumberlands. All this time ascene of terrific slaughter was taking place, a tremendous and unceasingfire being poured from the Boer positions upon our steadily advancingmen. But these were undefeatable, the 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry, theMarines, and the 1st North Lancashire acquitting themselves nobly in amost perilous situation. One after another of their numbers dropped. Stones and sand were heaped with the mutilated and fainting, and dyedwith the life-blood of trusty comrades that a moment ago had been heartyand hale; but on they went, these gallant lads, while a storm ofshrapnel bellowed overhead, and bullets whistled past their ears, anddust and dirt blinded their eyes. With a ringing cheer the Yorkshire mendirected a fusilade towards the crest of the enemy's sangar, and thenthe whole mass crawled up with splendid effort, neared the summit, andprepared to charge. The Boers, however, began discreetly to removethemselves to a second position still better intrenched, from whencethey could fire on the British as they gained the top. At this time theBritish guns were forced to be almost inactive, as the storming line wasnow so near the crest that the shrapnel could only be directed on theenemy by enfilading the position from the ridge of the kopje on theleft, and it was during the lull that Lieutenant Taylor, Yorkshire LightInfantry, and Lieutenant Jones, of the Marines, scaled the sangar. 

The next instant there was a roar and a rush, and all were leapingforward to clear the second position. This was only accomplished aftersome desperately hard work and a quarter of an hour's hand-to-handfighting--an eternity it seemed to those engaged--for the kopje wasstubbornly held. But even Boer pluck, of which in this case there was nolack, could not resist the impetuous advance of the British infantry, and at last, when the hill-top was one crimson crown of blood and halfthe gallant number were struck down, the Boers bolted one after anotherdown the back of the hill, pursued by our artillery fire, and made fortheir horses. Finally, as they were retreating in hot haste across theplain, the 9th Lancers charged them, and succeeded in catching up theirrear close to a kopje where they were sheltering. But here the placeliterally swarmed with Dutchmen, and the Lancers, whose numbers weresmall, and whose horses were exhausted, were forced to retire. 

Still the object of the fight was magnificently accomplished. The routof the enemy was complete. The gallant Naval Brigade, Yorkshire LightInfantry, and Loyal North Lancashires remained masters of the situation. A party of Boers who had rushed from their sheltering kopje wereintercepted by the detachment of the New South Wales Lancers, who, charging, forced them back to their hiding-place. 

The amazing gallantry of the Marines, who bore the brunt of thedesperate fight, was the subject of general eulogy. Many of thesesplendid fellows had three wounds, while some had four. Sixty per cent. Of the officers and sergeants were hit. Nothing could have been moreheroic than the conduct of poor Huddart, who so gloriously fell in doinghis duty. 

Captain Le Marchant, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who was left incommand of the Naval Brigade with Lord Methuen's force after the actionat Graspan, reported as follows: "It is with deep regret that I have toreport the death of Midshipman Huddart, who behaved magnificently, andstill advanced after he had been twice wounded, until he was finallystruck down mortally wounded. " A brother naval officer also wrote: "Atthe bottom of the hill Huddart was hit in the arm, and half-way up hewas shot in the leg, but still he pressed on. On reaching the top of thekopje he was shot through the stomach and fell. " Captain Le Marchant, when his senior officers were killed or wounded, led the remnant of theNaval Brigade up the kopje with splendid pluck and ability. 

But magnificent deeds were numerous. Lieutenant W. J. C. Jones, RoyalMarine Light Infantry, though he had a bullet in his thigh, led his menup the kopje, and only after the day was won consented to have his wounddressed. Colour-Sergeant Waterhouse was also mentioned by Lord Methuen, who said in his despatch, "I beg to bring to your notice No. 1843, Colour-Sergeant Waterhouse, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who ata critical moment acted with great coolness in shooting down an enemywho had been doing great execution on our men at 1150 yards. "

The General deplored the lack of a cavalry brigade and horse artillery, owing to which he was unable to reap the fruits of his hard-foughtaction, and all must unite to condole with this much-tried commander onthe manner in which he had been handicapped from the first. Lord Methuenin his despatch drew attention to the excellent work done by the NavalBrigade near the line. He said:--

 "Lieutenants Campbell and L. S. Armstrong displayed great coolness in conducting the fire of their guns. Petty Officers Ashley, _Doris_, and Fuller, _Monarch_, laid their guns with great accuracy under fire. 

 "I again draw attention to the exceptional organising power of Colonel Townsend. At Swinks Pan at 11. 30 P. M. I was informed that, owing to all the ambulances having been used for taking the wounded to the train at Belmont, I had scarcely a field-hospital mounted officer, only three ambulances and three stretchers. I knew I had to fight next morning, so got together fifty blankets in order to carry wounded with help of rifles. I also sent to Colonel Townsend to make arrangements for wounded by 3 A. M. , a messenger having to ride seven miles to him. He met me on the field with full supply of ambulances, and I never saw anything more of him or the wounded, because he had a train ready for them between Graspan and Belmont. His only complaint is that there is not much of his mules left, an observation which applies equally to men and animals. "

To show how completely all the British projects were known, a curiousincident of this battle may be quoted. Four men were captured byRimington's Guides, but three of them being unarmed were released. Itwas subsequently discovered that these same persons had taken to theJacobsdal commando minute details regarding the British camp, with theresult that a Boer force was detached to attack the station. The totalBritish casualties were estimated at 197, including twenty killed andseven missing. At the close of the action, Lord Methuen complimented themembers of the Naval Brigade on their splendid behaviour, and expressedregret at the losses they had sustained. 

The following is the list of officers killed, wounded, and missing atthe battle of Graspan or Enslin of 25th November:--

 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Light Infantry. --Wounded: Captain C. A. L. Yate, Lieutenant H. C. Fernyhough, Lieutenant C. H. Ackroyd. Naval Brigade. --Killed: Commander Ethelston, _Powerful_;[6] Major Plumbe, R. M. L. I. , _Doris_; Captain Senior, R. M. A. , _Monarch_; C. A. E. Huddart, Midshipman, _Doris_. 

The following were severely wounded:--

 Flag-Captain Prothero, _Doris_, and Lieutenant Jones, R. M. L. I. , _Doris_. 

[Illustration: PRIVATE AND CORPORAL OF THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS. 

Photo by Gregory & Co. , London. ]

Lord Methuen addressed his division in stirring words, congratulatinghis men on the work they had done and the hardships they had surmounted. The work, he said, was the severest accomplished by the British army formany a long day. Not a single point, he added, could they afford to giveto the enemy. The Boers' tactics had been proved excellent and theircourage admirable. The gallant General added that when called on tofight for his country, he preferred to fight against a foe worthy of hissteel rather than against savages, whose sole recommendation wasbravery. He hoped that he and his men had gained each other'sconfidence, and that they would all do their duty to their country asEnglishmen should. Lord Methuen described as dastardly the firing by theenemy on ambulance waggons, the shooting of a British officer by awounded Boer, and the use of Dum-Dum bullets; but he refused to believethat these acts were characteristic of the enemy; he would give themcredit until he was convinced to the contrary that they wished to fightfair and square. Addressing the Scots Guards, the General said that theyhad acted as he expected his old battalion would. 

The troops rested well on the night of the 27th, and on the followingday proceeded towards Modder River, where the General was aware that thepassage of the river would involve a bloody fight. By this time GeneralPole-Carew had taken command of the 9th Brigade, in place of GeneralFeatherstonhaugh, who was wounded. 

 THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER

This battle, to use Lord Methuen's words, was one of the hardest andmost trying fights in the annals of the British army. He might also havetruly said that it was one of the most gloriously-fought engagementsthat has been known in modern warfare. On reconnoitring the enemy'sposition, the Boers were found to be strongly entrenched and concealedbehind a fringe of furze and foliage and in front of trees in theneighbourhood of Modder River. From native sources it was learnt thatthe river and the Riet River were fordable anywhere--a statement whichwas afterwards found to be entirely false. The enemy was discovered onthe east of the village to be in strong force and aggressive. Histrenches commanded the plain for a distance of 1600 yards, and there wasno means of outflanking him, as the Modder River was in flood. 

The word Modder means muddy, and this term was appreciated in its fullsignificance when our parched troops came to make acquaintance with it. But there are times and seasons when even ochreous water becomes clearas crystal to the fevered imagination, and before this day of days wasover--in the sweltering, merciless sun, with the thermometer at 110degrees in the shade--men felt as though they would stake their wholechance of existence for one half-bottle of the reviving fluid. But thisis a digression. The horror of that day's thirst had barely set in atthe time treated of--4 to 8 A. M. At that hour there was no suspicionthat the enemy, strong in numbers, would continue to fight, and bestrengthened by some 8000 more Dutchmen. He appeared to be retiring, andthere were no signs that the village would be held. But at 8. 10 a fierceroar of guns multifarious declared that the river was fringed by theenemy, and that he was well and skilfully concealed. 

Parallel to the river on the north side the Boers had constructed, withtheir wonted cunning, long sandbag trenches and various complicatedbreastworks, which afforded them splendid cover. The line extended oversome five miles, and they were discovered to be posted on both sides ofthe water. Where the stream of the Riet joins the Modder there is asmall and picturesque island some two acres in extent. It has shelvingbanks all fringed with willows, and thus forms an excellent naturalcover for troops. Till now this spot had been the resort of picnickersand pleasure-seekers from the Diamond City. On the north bank werefarmhouses and hotels, which had been evacuated by their owners and hadbeen taken possession of by the Boers. Here they had posted guns ofevery available kind, in every available spot. They had Hotchkiss gunsand Maxim guns, and the deadly, much-abhorred Vickers-Maxim quick-firer, a machine which, by the way, was offered some time ago to the BritishGovernment--and refused! This objectionable weapon was christened bysome "Putt-Putt, " by others "Bong-Bong, " and one officer styled it "theGreat Mogul, " because its presence was invariably greeted with profoundsalaams and Chinese prostrations. With these guns the enemy began toshow that he meant business, as will be seen. 

The division, that had been strengthened by the Argyll and SutherlandHighlanders, had moved out from Wittekopslaager about 5 A. M. , breakfastless, because it was thought that on reaching the river, whichwas but a short march of five miles off, there would be ample time for ameal. But by seven o'clock the fighting had begun. The General hadarranged with the officer commanding the Royal Artillery to prepare theinfantry attack with both batteries from the right flank, and theInfantry Division being still some miles distant, he gave them twodistinct points to march on, which allowed of the brigades keeping inextended order and covering a very wide front. 

The Guards Brigade had orders to develop their attack first, which theydid with the 1st Battalion Scots Guards on the right, with directions toswing their right well round in order to take the enemy in flank, the2nd Battalion Coldstreams and the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers making thefrontal attack, the former on the left to keep touch with the 9thBrigade; the 1st Battalion Coldstreams in reserve in the right rear. Well, before they could look about them and settle down into theirpositions, the whole force found itself facing the Boer commando 8000strong, two large guns, Krupp guns, &c. The Scots Guards on the extremeright marched through the old reservoir, and directly they emerged fromcover a shower of bullets greeted them. Soon after their Maxim gun wasdisabled by the Hotchkiss gun of the enemy, and presently their wholedetachment was completely wiped out. First the sergeant in charge waskilled, then an officer was wounded, then Colonel Stopford of theColdstream Guards was hit in the neck and killed, and the horse riddenby Colonel Paget was shot in five places and dropped dead. Meanwhile the75th Battery in return launched some magnificent shots in the directionof the Dutchmen. The third of these struck a farmhouse in which theBoers and a gun were posted, and set the whole place in a blaze. Nottill the roof was burnt about their ears, however, did the Boers budge. They clung with ferocious tenacity to every position, and the fight atall times of the day was one of great stubbornness. The 1st Battalion ofthe Coldstream Guards had extended, and, swinging their right round, hadprolonged the line of the Scots Guards to the right. Farther advance waschecked by the Riet River. The troops then lay down, being fairly undercover in that position. The heat was scorching, and in the plainoccupied by our troops Mauser bullets swept the field in thousands. There was absolutely no cover save the shelving bank of the river, whichserved no purpose directly they rose on elbow from the ground. For hoursour men lay on their faces unable to show a head without inviting ashower of lead--lay on the blistering sand with the hot African sungrilling them, some of the Highlanders having their legs veritablytoasted, their mouths parched and full of sand, while bullets werefluting a death-song in the air, and the thunderous detonations of thebig guns seemed to be raking the very bowels of the earth. Still theBoers stuck to their posts. For hours they plied their guns without signof exhaustion. A terrific fire was kept up on both sides for a long--aseemingly interminable--time, but without any appreciable advance in thestate of affairs. It was felt that nothing could be done on the rightflank till the guns had cleared the position. The 18th Battery, however, came vigorously into play, and so brilliantly acquitted itself thatfinally the enemy was forced to evacuate their ferociously-contestedpositions among the houses. But so ably had they constructed theirintrenchments that from these it was impossible to dislodge them. Meanwhile the 9th Brigade had advanced the Northumberland Fusiliersalong the east side of the railway line, supported by half a battalionof the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The Yorkshire Light Infantrymoved along the west side of the railway, supported by the remaininghalf battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The halfbattalion Loyal North Lancashire prolonged the line to the left, andendeavoured to cross the river and threaten the enemy's right flank. Thesix companies of Northamptons acted as a baggage-guard. 

Early in the day a plucky attempt was made on the extreme right of theline to cross the Modder. Colonel Codrington and Captain Feilding of the1st Coldstreams, with Captain Selheim of the Queensland Permanent Forcewith some two dozen men, forded the river. The water was almost chindeep, and while they crossed, the Hotchkiss gun directed an appallingfire on them. Though laden with all their gear and 150 rounds ofammunition, they yet succeeded in reaching the other side, where theyfound themselves almost swamped in mud. As they were not supported theyhad to retire. But this was easier said than done. On the return passagetwo men were almost drowned, and had it not been for the ingeniousdevice of their comrades, who, by joining hands and slinging theirputties together, managed to drag them ashore, they would certainly haveperished. 

Soon after this the General, who had been moving about surveying andcommanding, was shot through the thigh. Then followed some confusion, asthe two brigades, in the absence of orders, had to act independently ofeach other, and there was some fear that the 9th Brigade would fire onthe 1st. Command of the field was now assumed by Major-General Sir H. E. Colvile, whose headquarters were on the right close to the river. It hadbeen Lord Methuen's idea to take the position at nightfall at the pointof the bayonet, but owing to the tremendous day's work, the heat, theabsence of food, and the general fatigue that all had undergone, thisproject was abandoned. There was another reason for the change of plan. 

Just as it was beginning to grow late some of the most brilliant work ofthe day commenced. As the trenches were found to be utterly impregnableto rifle-fire, it was felt that only desperate measures would rout theDutchmen from their stronghold. Colonel Barter (King's Own YorkshireLight Infantry) and Lieutenant Thorpe, with some men of the Argyll andSutherland and North Lancashire Regiments, started off, and, much to thesurprise of the Boers, who had evidently not calculated upon suchdauntless agility, got safely across the river. The wonderful way inwhich this feat was accomplished was described by an eye-witness, acorrespondent of the _Times_. 

"That it could even be attempted to cross the river sliding sidewaysthrough the rush of water over the paddles along a rickety iron bar oneby one, clinging to the short supports in full view of the oppositeshore, was an act of reckless heroism against which even the wary Cronjehad not provided. This, however, is what was actually done, and it wouldbe difficult to find a parallel for the stubborn pluck of the men whoaccompanied Colonel Barter across the 300 yards of dam and weir. One byone some 400 of them crossed. Then a detachment of the Royal Engineers, showing how well they could take their part in the forefront of thefighting line, followed them, after that some more of the YorkshireLight Infantry. Little by little a force was collected which clearedseveral of the nearest houses on the right and effected an occupation ofan irrigation patch from which they were never dislodged. " It was quitewonderful to note the effect of the gallant British cheer which rang outfrom General Pole-Carew's men as they burst from the river, bayonet inhand. The Boers were startled and fled, with our men closely in pursuit. At the rousing, ringing, menacing sound, their hopes had failed--theythought that the rumour of victory was already in the air. "The thundergrowl edged with melodious ire in alt, " as Carlyle called it, never didbetter work. It demoralised and brought about the end. 

[Illustration: PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER]

Shortly after, a battery of Royal Artillery came upon the scene, butbefore it had time to unlimber, more Boers took to their heels, fallingover each other in their haste to be off and catch their horses. Thesound of British lungs in their rear and the sight of the guns was toomuch for them. Thus after twelve hours' fighting the day was practicallywon, for, when morning came, it was found that the enemy had entirelycleared out, and removed to fresh intrenchments half-way between theriver and Spyfontein. 

It was a brilliant but a hardly-earned victory. It is stated that theNaval guns fired over 500 rounds, and the 18th Battery more than 1100. The 75th fired 900 rounds, the 62nd (who came to the rescue from theOrange River late in the day), 500 rounds. The glorious gunners viedwith one another in the display of gallantry and proficiency. 

A vivid story of the energetic march of the 62nd Battery was told by anofficer, who must have had an even more trying time than most. 

"We had orders to reinforce the main body at once; marched twenty milesthe first day, had a few hours' rest, and started at the first streak ofdawn again. We did about twenty-five miles, and were just going to havea well-earned rest when an orderly came galloping up with the order togo at once (I am talking of the 62nd now), as the battle was goingagainst our troops. We started off again at a trot, and kept it up forabout five miles, when our horses were just done up. We had to take fourout of our gun-teams, as they dropped dead of exhaustion. The sergeantshooked their own horses in, and off we went again. We lost more horses, and had to walk after we had done about eight miles. We were only ableto just make the horses drag the guns into action. I shall never forgetit. I was feeling very queer. I don't think any of us were afraid, butwe were all of us expecting to be shot every minute, as the bullets camein showers.... We were in action in this place about two hours. Ourtroops were being shot down in heaps, and things were looking veryblack, when Lord Methuen came up to our Colonel and asked him to sendhis batteries up closer (we were then 1500 yards from the Boer trenches, and you must understand that a rifle carries 2500 yards). Our Coloneldid. We then advanced up past our own infantry and came into actionabout 900 yards closer than artillery had ever taken up position before. After severe loss on our side we managed to silence the Boer guns. Theorder was then given to retire. We got out of range, and were on thepoint of congratulating ourselves on being so lucky, when up rode anorderly giving us instructions to go and relieve the Guards. Our Majoradvanced.... We took up our position 800 yards from the Boer trenches, and, by Jove! the Boers let us have a fearful reception. Before I got myhorses out they shot one of my drivers and two horses ... And broughtdown my own horse. We then got my gun round on the enemy, when one of mygunners was shot through the brain and fell at my feet. Another of mygunners was shot whilst bringing up shell, and I began to feel queer.... At last we had a look in; our shells began to tell. We were firing sixrounds a minute, and were at it until it was too dark to fire any more. The Boer firing had ceased, and the Guards were able to get up andretire. They blessed the artillery that day. We had to keep our positionall night, with not a soul near us and nothing to eat and drink. Ourorders were to open fire as soon as it was light enough, and theinfantry were to take the place at the point of the bayonet.... But inthe morning the Boers had fled. The field presented a terrible sight atdaybreak; there were dead and dying in every direction. I couldn'tdescribe it; it was awful. We lost heavily on our side, but the Boerlosses must have been heavier. The Boers bury their dead in the trenchesas soon as they drop, so that one cannot gauge their loss, but wecounted hundreds. "

[Illustration: SERGEANT AND PRIVATE OF THE DUBLIN FUSILIERS. 

Photo by Gregory & Co. , London. ]

It is pleasant to remember that this hurried march and its trials werefully appreciated by Lord Methuen, who reported that the 62nd Batterywas of great service. It must be noted that it came into action betweenthree and four o'clock in the afternoon. The gunners had made a splendidforced march from Orange River in some twenty-three hours, yet there andthen, with worn-out horses and jaded frames, joined in the fight. 

Heroic actions were so abundant that they made quite a formidable listin the General's despatch, but they afford such inspiriting reading toall who honour Great Britain's heroes, that the list is reproduced inits entirety. 

"_From the Lieut. -General Commanding the First Division to the Chief Staff Officer. _

 "MODDER RIVER, _Dec. 1, 1899_. 

 "I have much pleasure in bringing to your notice the names of the following officers and rank and file who distinguished themselves during the day:--

 "Major Count Gleichen, C. M. G. , for the coolness shown by him throughout the engagement, especially in attending to the wounded under a heavy fire. 

 "Sergeant Brown and Private Martin, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, who helped him, were both shot. 

 "Sergeant-Major Cooke, 3rd Battalion Grenadiers, displayed remarkable coolness under fire. 

 "Lieutenant the Hon. A. Russell showed great coolness in working the machine-gun, which he did with marked success. 

 "Major Granville Smith, Coldstream Guards, in volunteering to find a ford, which he did in dangerous mud and a strong river. 

 "Captain and Adjutant Steele, Coldstream Guards, for excellent service during the day. 

 "Sergeant-Major S. Wright, Coldstream Guards, showed great coolness when a change of ammunition carts was being made, and was of great value at a critical time. 

 "Native Driver Matthews for making the other natives stick to their carts when they would otherwise have bolted. 

 "Drill and Colour-Sergeant Price, Coldstream Guards, at Belmont and at Modder River rendered excellent service whilst commanding half a company. 

 "Drill and Colour-Sergeant Plunkett, Coldstream Guards, collected 150 men, and helped the 9th Brigade crossing the river under Captain Lord Newtown Butler. 

 "No. 1825, Lance-Corporal Webb, Coldstream Guards, twice asked leave to go into the open to bind up the wounds of a Grenadier; under a heavy fire he succeeded in his object. 

 "Captain Hervey Bathurst, Grenadier Guards, was of great value in rallying a number of Grenadiers and Coldstreams shaken by the fire. 

 "I again call attention to Colonel Paget's cheerfulness and intelligence under the most trying surroundings. 

 "He draws attention to Captain Moores, Royal Army Medical Corps, who, although wounded in the hand, said nothing, but continued his duties. Also he draws attention to the good services of the Master of Ruthven, Scots Guards. The valuable services of Captain Nugent, aide-de-camp, and Captain Ruggles-Brise are again noted. 

 "The names of Lieut. -Colonel Barter, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and Major the Hon. C. Lambton, Northumberland Fusiliers, are mentioned for having rendered invaluable assistance to their Brigadier. Captain Bulfin, Yorkshire Regiment, did his duty admirably. 

 "Lieutenant Percival, Northumberland Fusiliers, managed with great difficulty to establish himself with a small party on a point near the railway, from which, by his judgment and coolness, he was able to keep down the fire of the enemy, many of his small party being killed. 

 "Nos. 3499, Lance-Corporal R. Delaney, 4160, Private J. East, 4563, Private Segar, 4497, Private Snowdon, Northumberland Fusiliers, under a very heavy fire picked up and brought in a wounded man of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; No. 3955, Private Smarley, Northumberland Fusiliers, No. 1 of a Maxim detachment, who showed great coolness and judgment when wounded. 

 "Major Lindsay, Royal Artillery, 75th Battery, ignored a painful wound, and continued in command of his battery. Lieutenant Begbie, Royal Artillery, suddenly placed in command of his battery, led it and brought it into action with great coolness. 

 "Captain Farrell, wounded a second time, continued to do his duty, having first placed a wounded man on one of the gun-carriages. Wounded gunners and drivers continued at their duty. 

 "Lieutenant Rochford Boyd, Royal Artillery, on this, as on former occasions, showed himself reliable and capable of acting without orders. 

 "I personally bring to notice the value of Lieut. -Colonel Rhodes's service and Major Streatfeild's service in sending forward reinforcements to Major-General Pole-Carew, for on this movement the result of the evening's success depended. 

 "I cannot too highly commend the conduct of the troops, ably assisted by the Naval Brigade, for on them the whole credit of our success rests. "

There were some miraculous escapes, one sergeant in the ColdstreamGuards having had many nasty experiences. In an account of them hesaid:--

 "During the afternoon some one seemed to have spotted me from the trenches. First a shot struck the side of my boot and struck my rifle just in front of my face, filling my eyes with dirt and splinters. I rose up a little, when another shot struck the middle finger of my left hand. I had got on my knees, when a bullet struck me fair in the chest on the buckle of my haversack, breaking it through the centre and causing a slight puncture of the skin and bruising my chest. Have been congratulated as being the luckiest beggar in my battalion. "

The terrible nature of the fighting was described by an officer in theGuards, who must have had a charmed life. He wrote:--

 "We had no cover except little scrub bushes about six inches high, and the ground sloped gently down to the Boers from about 2000 yards. I don't suppose troops have ever been in a more damnable position. I sat up occasionally to see how things were going, but only for a moment, as it was always the signal for a perfect storm of bullets. My ammunition-bearer had his head blown to bits by a 1-lb. Shell from a 37-millimetre Maxim, a most damnable gun. I happened to be in the line of it just before dark, and they pumped six rounds at me. The first four pitched in a line about twenty, ten, fifteen, and the fourth four yards in front of me, and threw dirt all over me, and the next two just pitched behind me. I didn't like it a bit.... It was the worst day I have ever spent in my life. Twelve hours under a constant and heavy fire of Maxims, 12-pounders, and other quick-firing guns and rifles, a hot sun, no cover, no water, and no food is more than enough for yours truly.... The guns yesterday fought magnificently, and I believe fired more rounds per gun than have ever been fired in a battle before.... We had a lovely wash this morning. I washed shirt and drawers, besides myself--I wanted it. My clothes have not been off since we left the Orange River on November 21.... Cronje and Steyn are said to have both been present at the battle. "

In this battle the hardships of warfare were accumulated. Not only hadthe troops to display active but passive heroism. Though the longing forwater exceeded the craving for food and repose, the unfortunate fellowswere very near the verge of famine. Their position at times must havesavoured of the tortures of Tantalus, for many of the men were gropingafter the enemy in a doubled-up fashion and under a shower of lead, along farms and gardens, while hens clacked, pigs grunted, goats offeredmilk, and potatoes and other edibles smiled a mute invitation. When theBoers were routed, however, these delicacies at last became the rewardof their labours, but of the niceties of the culinary operations it isbest not to speak. Our gallant Highlanders needed the services of noVatel--an old can and a wood fire right royally served their purpose. The crossing of the river, which was so splendidly effected, particularly by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was fraught withunlooked-for dangers, as the following quotation from a letter of aprivate in the regiment will show. Talking of the enemy he said:--

 "They held their position for five or six hours, and it was with great difficulty that we managed to shift them. Our regiment was the first to cross the river on the left flank, and my company was the first to get over. We advanced along the river and drove the Boers before us; but, unfortunately, our big guns dropped two or three shells uncomfortably close to us, entirely by mistake. When the first of these shells fell, I was only about ten yards past the spot. About twenty of our men were killed by the Boer bullets; and our regiment, I think, sustained the heaviest loss of any that took part in the fight. I felt a bit frightened when I first went into battle, but as the day advanced I got myself again. My legs are badly burned by the sun, and are very sore, but I am rapidly getting all right again. We expect to have another fight this week, and it will be even worse than the last, so one never knows the hour when he may fall. "

[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER, THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLANDHIGHLANDERS CROSSING THE DRIFT. 

Drawing by Allan Stewart. ]

Indeed they did not, and it was a pathetically common experience to wisha man good luck one morning and on the next to find that his helmet andbelongings were being gathered together--all that was left of him--to besent home to his friends. For instance, there was the case of poorColour-Sergeant Christian of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, ahero who did magnificent work, but who never lived to receive thedecorations he deserved. An extract from one of his last letters is fullof pathetic interest:--

 "We have been fairly roughing it since we came out here. I have lost everything, and have nothing but what I stand up in. I haven't had the kilt off since we landed from the boat three weeks ago, and we consider it very lucky if we can manage to get a wash once a week. Just now we are all right, as the river is close at hand. You wouldn't know the regiment now if you saw us; we are brown all over. They have taken our sporrans away and covered our kilts with khaki cloth; in fact, I believe they will be making us dye our whiskers khaki colour next. Not a man has shaved since we left Dublin, so you can imagine what we are like. I haven't said anything about the battle, as I am sure you will know more about it at home than we do here. It may seem strange, but it is true. The people at home know more about what is going on than we do here. We have been receiving congratulatory telegrams from every one connected with the regiment, giving us great praise for our share in the battle, and really I must say the regiment did very well, considering we have so many youngsters in the ranks. The most trying part was lying down so long under fire without seeing any one to fire at. I was rather luckier, having to retire at first, and then chase some Boers out of the house with the bayonet, and then we had to ford the river and clear the north bank of the river. We were clearing them beautifully with the bayonet when a shell from our own guns burst among us. This seemed to demoralise every one, and they all commenced to retire. But, seeing this was my first fight, I couldn't see my way to retire without seeing who I was retiring from, and besides there was a lot of wounded lying about; so a major of the North Lancashire Regiment and myself succeeded in rallying ten men of different corps and held an enclosure. We were soon tackled by the Boers, but after we killed half-a-dozen of them they appeared to get tired of it and cleared off, and we managed to get all the wounded in. I believe I have got recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Victoria Cross for my share in this, but of course it is one thing being recommended and quite another thing getting it. "

Boer treachery, of which we had many examples, had hitherto beenpractised with monotonous regularity. They had fired on the white flagand disregarded the sacred sign of the red cross. They had shot the handthat tended them, they had used Dum-Dum and explosive bullets, but onthis occasion the triumph of originality in treacherous trickery wasachieved. On the principle of "all is fair in love and war, " the enemyutilised their ambulance for the purpose of removing their Hotchkiss gunfrom the field, and that too when the precious weapon was not eveninvalided!

Tales of many plucky actions which were recorded would fill a volume initself. Private Anderson, Scots Guards, over and over again traversedthe fire zone and carried off the wounded to a place of safety. Lieutenant Fox, Yorkshire Light Infantry, was seriously wounded whilstvaliantly leading an assault against the enemy's strong position. Whenthe horses approached to take the guns out of action, the Boers at oncecommenced to aim at them, and for the moment it seemed as though thework of removing the guns could not be persisted in. Twenty-five horseswere killed, but the chargers of several officers were next utilised, and the officers themselves, some of them wounded, walked or crawled offthe field in order that the valuable weapons should be borne off insafety. A driver was also heroically self-abnegating. Though shotthrough the lungs, he refused to leave his post, and valiantly drove hisgun out of action. 

The list of killed and wounded was a grievously long one:--

 Killed: Staff--Lieutenant-Colonel H. P. Northcote. [7] 2nd Coldstream Guards--Lieutenant-Colonel H. Stopford, [8] Captain S. Earle. Wounded: Field Artillery--Major W. Lindsay, hand; Captain Farrell, foot; Lieutenant Dunlop, shoulder; Lieutenant Furse. 3rd Grenadier Guards--Major Count Gleichen, severely; Lieutenant Hon. E. Lygon, slight. 2nd Coldstream Guards--Lieutenant Viscount Acheson. Royal Army Medical Corps--Captain Gurse Moore. Killed: 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry, Second Lieutenant L. W. Long. Wounded: Staff--Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen, slightly; bullet flesh wound in thigh. Royal Engineers--Captain N. G. Von Hugel, slightly. 3rd Grenadier Guards--Second Lieutenant A. H. Travers, slightly. 1st Scots Guards--Lieutenant H. C. Elwes, seriously; Second Lieutenant W. J. M. Hill, 1st Loyal North Lancashire--Lieutenant R. B. Flint, slightly. 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry--Major H. Earle, Major G. F. Ottley, Lieutenant R. M. D. Fox. 1st Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders--Lieutenant H. B. F. Baker-Carr, Second Lieutenant W. G. Neilson. 

 AFTER THE FIGHT

All night long energetic members of the Ambulance Corps picked their wayover the battlefield collecting the wounded and succouring them. Notonly had our unhappy sufferers to be attended to, but many of the enemy, of whom there was an unusual number. So anxious had been the Dutchmen toclear out before our troops could reach them in the morning, that, contrary to custom, they had left wounded, doctors, and ambulance trainbehind them. 

After the uproar of the conflict and the night of merciful repose wereover, the troops were able to inspect their new quarters. The prettylittle village presented a strange sight--a study in contrasts for themeditative mind. A pastoral calm reigned everywhere, though scarcely ahouse, farm, or hotel but could bear witness to the terrible energy ofthe British fire. 

The scene was one of picturesque green fertility and black blisteredruin. Peacefully flowed the cool rippling river--the river in which thedelighted Tommy rushed to bathe--while in its bosom lay the bodies ofthe slain, Boer men and Boers' horses, which had hurriedly been castaway and hidden, so that the full tale of loss might never be revealed. Serenely waved the willows and acacias on the banks and neighbouringislets, smiling with polished green leaves over the forms of the ragged, grimy, unkempt slain--the riffraff of the Boer commandoes, who were leftlying as they fell. The dark trail of blood dyed the earth round mimosaand cactus hedges, while a thousand perforations on the roofs of thecorrugated iron dwellings confessed to the all too fervent kisses ofBritish lead. Shell holes, shattered doors and broken windows, telegraphpoles lying about, with their hairy whiskers twisting raggedly over theveldt, farmhouses burnt to cinders, hotels that had once been smart intheir way now weevilled by shrapnel--all these things surrounded theencamped division which so brilliantly had crossed the river. And in thehearts of the conquerors there was also (in some measure) a reflectionof these contrasts--there was rejoicing over animal comforts restored, the freedom to quench thirst, to remove boots, to eat and to smoke afteran over-long spell of battle; yet at the same time, deep down, therelurked a numb and dumb feeling of regret for the good fellows who weregoing--were known to be sinking into eternity, and for those--so manyof them!--who had already gone. 

Very simple but very sad and impressive was the funeral of ColonelStopford, who was shot early in the fight the day before. His grave wasmade in a peaceful spot beside one of the gardens of the village, andgarlands gathered by his men of the 2nd Coldstream Guards were placedall over it. Major the Marquis of Winchester--so soon to join his lostcomrade--acted as chief mourner. He took over the duties of Commandantof the regiment, which duties he was doomed to perform for twelve daysonly. But we are anticipating. 

During the whole of the days following, a melancholy procession ofinvalids passed to the railway, and on, home for good, or to hospital, whence they hoped to return again to pay their debt to the enemy. Onsome death had set his mark, with others he had but shaken hands andpassed on. 

The river was soon found to be crowded with dead men and horses, whichhad been hurriedly consigned to the mercy of the waters, andarrangements had to be made for encampment farther up the stream. Quantities of Boer spies still lingered about the camp, some of thempretending to be ambulance drivers, in order to get nearer and closerinspection of British movements. Fortunately these wily folk somewhatoverreached themselves, and their further activities were interrupted byarrest. 

Meanwhile the sappers wrought wonderful things. They had shown the stuffthey were made of by crossing over the river-dam in the teeth of theenemy. They now demonstrated their ability in their own special line. The Modder bridge was entirely wrecked, but very speedily a temporaryone was constructed, and the railway, which had also suffered at thehands of the enemy, was repaired with great celerity, and brought intoworking order. Lieutenant Crispin of the Northumberland Fusiliers waswounded while out on patrol duty. Fortunately the injury sustained byLord Methuen was slight, and there was every hope that he would be equalto active duty in the course of a very few days. 

We must now leave this division in the enjoyment of its well-earnedrepose and return to Ladysmith, which was fast becoming the cage of 9000of our gallant troops. 

FOOTNOTES:

[5] Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Cecil Edward Keith-Falconer, born in October1860, was gazetted to the Northumberland Fusiliers in January 1883. He waspromoted Captain in 1892 and passed through the Staff College withhonours. He served with the 13th Soudanese Battalion in the DongolaExpeditionary force under Lord Kitchener in 1896, and acted asBrigade-Major to Colonel H. Macdonald at the engagements of Abu Hamed, Berber, Atbara, and finally at the battle of Omdurman. In recognition ofthese services he was three times mentioned in despatches, promoted asBrevet-Major in March 1898, and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in November1898, and received the Khedive's medal with four clasps. He acted asA. D. C. To Lord Loch when Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Victoria from1887 to 1889, and subsequently at the Cape of Good Hope from 1889 to 1890. Colonel Keith-Falconer was the eldest son of the late Major the Hon. Charles J. Keith-Falconer, son of the seventh Earl of Kintore. 

[6] Commander Alfred Peel Ethelston, of the cruiser _Powerful_, who wasamong the killed at the battle of Graspan, joined the navy in 1875, andtwo years later became a midshipman. In 1882 he attained the rank ofsub-lieutenant, was promoted to a lieutenancy in 1885, and was madecommander at the beginning of 1897. As sub-lieutenant of the _Helicon_ hetook part in the naval and military operations in the Eastern Soudan atSuakim in 1884-85, for which he received the Egyptian medal and theKhedive's bronze star. Commander Ethelston was appointed to the _Powerful_two years ago. 

[7] Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel H. Ponting Northcote, who belonged to thePrince of Wales's Leinster Regiment, became a Lieutenant in 1877, Captainin 1886, and Major in 1894. He served in the Sherbro' Expedition in 1883with the 2nd West India Regiment, and was mentioned in despatches, receiving a medal, and was afterwards created a C. B. In 1888 he served inthe operations in Zululand as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General, while in1895 he accompanied the expedition to Ashanti under Sir Francis Scott, receiving the star. 

[8] Lieutenant-Colonel Horace Robert Stopford, of the Coldstream Guards, was appointed a Lieutenant in 1874, Captain in 1885, and Major in 1893. Hehad not previously been on war service. 

 CHAPTER IV

 THE INVESTMENT OF LADYSMITH

Before going farther it may be interesting to inspect a rough tableshowing approximately the composition and total strength of the Britishand Boer forces at the various points mentioned:--

 LADYSMITH

BRITISH BOER

21st, 42nd, and 53rd Field \ \Batteries; Battalion of Natal | |Artillery; two guns of the | |Natal Naval Reserve; Natal | |Mounted Volunteers; 5th | |Lancers; 19th Hussars; 1st | |Battalion Liverpool Regiment; | |2nd Battalion Gordon | |Highlanders; 1st Battalion | |Devonshire Regiment; 1st | |Manchesters; several companies | |of Mounted Infantry; Medical | |Corps; Veterinary Corps; 23rd | |Company Royal Engineers; | |reinforcements from | Combined Free State and |Maritzburg; Naval Brigade }13, 550 Transvaal forces }30, 500(750) | | | |_Following from Glencoe_:-- | | | |13th, 67th, and 69th Field | |Batteries; 18th Hussars; Natal | |Mounted Volunteers; 1st | |Battalion Leicestershire | |Regiment; 1st and 2nd | |Battalions King's Royal | |Rifles; 2nd Battalion Dublin | |Fusiliers; several companies | |of Mounted Infantry; Field | |Hospital Corps / /

 KIMBERLEY

Four companies of the Loyal \ Free Staters, and probably \North Lancashire Regiment; | some Transvaal Boers, with |Battery of Royal Garrison | four field-guns, 3500; on |Artillery, consisting of six }2500 Orange River, 2000; }65007-pounder mountain-guns; a | Reinforcements from |large party of Royal | Mafeking, 1000 |Engineers; detachment of the | |Army Medical Corps / /

 MAFEKING

Colonel Baden-Powell, with 500 \ 1000 Transvaal Boers under \Cavalry, 200 Cape Mounted | Commandant Cronje; 500 |Police and B. S. A. Company's | Boers at Maritzani |Mounted Police, 60 Volunteers, }1500 }15006 machine-guns, two | |7-pounders, 200 to 300 | |townsmen used to arms / /

At Tuli, or moving towards Mafeking, was Colonel Plumer's column, whichconsisted of about 1000 men, and was opposed by an equal force ofBoers. 

At Palapye there was a British force of 700, which was watched by aBurgher force of about 1000. 

The Boers had also a force estimated at 3000 in laager near KomatiPoort. 

At Estcourt there was a considerable force under Brigadier-GeneralWolfe-Murray, and at Pietermaritzburg other troops. 

Distributed along the northern border of Cape Colony were some 5000 FreeState Boers and about 1000 or 1500 British troops and police. 

The Natal Field Force was now confronted with the bulk of the Boercommandoes, whose strength was vastly superior to its own, and whosecourage was generally acknowledged to be splendid. The Dutch have ever astoical stolidity which serves them in the hour of need as does thebulldog tenacity of the Briton, and therefore "those who knew" were notwithout apprehension in regard to the upshot of hostilities. It wasplain to all who were in any way familiar with previous history and withlocal conditions that the struggle was likely to be both prolonged andbloody, and they urged on the attention of those at home the need ofreinforcements. Yet the soldiers, particularly those who had recentlyarrived, were light-hearted and confident, full of satisfaction to belet loose from their hencoops in the ships, and keen to try conclusionswith the Boers. At Ladysmith the state of affairs was becoming more andmore complicated, and the invasion of the Free Staters into Cape Colonywas now an accomplished fact. The enemy's tactics everywhere wereacknowledged to be excellent, and where tactics failed tricks succeeded. The Boer dodges, though scarcely honourable, might be described by theAmericans as "cute. " For instance, an enterprising officer of theTransvaal artillery conceived the idea of utilising the flag of truce ina new and original fashion. Disguised as an ambulance driver, he arrivedat Ladysmith, and improved the occasion by observing the effects of Boerartillery fire on the town. 

The use of the white flag by the enemy was now beginning to bedistrusted, for daily evidences of treachery were forthcoming. As onecorrespondent said in writing home of the subject, "Its advantages theyseem to construe in too liberal a spirit, but of its obligations on themen who hoist it they do not appear to be aware. " As in old times, theytried to use the white flag to assist them in going from cover to cover, or to create delay while guns were being adjusted in more convenientpositions. Nor was this all. A wounded Boer accepted water with one handfrom a British soldier, while he shot him with the other, and numberlessaccounts of dastardly deeds of a similar nature were reported andauthenticated. 

On November 2 the Boers began to occupy the points of vantage aroundLadysmith, and telegraphic communication with the south was cut. Theyenergetically commenced the building of emplacements for their guns ofposition, which were fast being forwarded from the Transvaal. Reinforcements from the Free State were also pouring in, and a Boercommando was creeping towards Colenso. In spite of threatened seriousinconveniences, hopes were high and spirits cheery, especially among thenewspaper correspondents, who, regardless of danger, drove four-in-handround the camp and fortifications, and helped to maintain adevil-may-care attitude that was certainly reassuring. Ammunition wasplentiful, but water--Klip water--was somewhat inclined to cause colic, and, in consequence, to be generally suspected. It was no uncommon sightto see at the Royal Hotel ladies heating their kettles prior to drinkingtheir doubtful contents. Flies were so numerous as to make anotherpersistent inconvenience. They destroyed such repose as the inhabitantsmight otherwise have enjoyed. Added to these petty discomforts werenight-alarms of various kinds, and curious and disconcertingdiscoveries. For example, one young man--an immaculate young man--wellturned out and apparently plentifully endowed with ready money, wasdiscovered to be a Boer spy, and was promptly arrested. An account ofthe last days of a British sojourner in Ladysmith serves to give anexample of the trials and anxieties through which hundreds had topass:--

"Since my last note to you we have had some lively times of it atLadysmith. I always had a liking to see a real battle, but never thoughtthat it would be my luck. However, I have now seen four battles, and Ithink that I am satisfied. I can assure you that it is anything butpleasant to go on the field after battle. The sights of the wounded anddead are horrible, and yet the soldiers are always laughing and jokingwhen they are going out to fight, and the poor fellows are getting verylittle rest. They never have a chance to get their boots off. They haveto be always ready to move at a moment's notice, and they do it withlight heart. Your heart would have ached to see the lot that came downto Ladysmith from Dundee. They were not strong enough for the Boers, sothey made a forced march of it, and they had terribly bad weather. Itwas raining all the time, and when they came into Ladysmith they weremud all over and in rags. Some of them were carrying their boots intheir hands and could hardly crawl. Mrs. V. And myself made some bucketsof coffee and let them have a pull at it; and were not they thankful forit? A word about how we are going on here. I don't know whether you aregetting any news at home about the war, but we can't get to knowanything here, as the whole country is under martial law, and they won'tlet the papers publish any news concerning the war.... Now the Boers areall round Ladysmith, and our troops can only defend the town. I don'tthink for a moment that the Boers will take Ladysmith unless they getstrongly reinforced, and I don't think that will happen. However, thesooner that troops arrive for the relief of the garrisons that are hereand hemmed in by the Boers the better it will be for Britain. There isno doubt about it that the Boers have got our troops in a tight corner, and Britain is a bit slow, not having her troops here before now. I hearthat troops are likely to land next week, and I hope that it is true. Ihad to leave Ladysmith on November 2; the military authorities would notgrant me a permit to stay, so they gave me my free pass to Durban, whereI intend to stop until the trouble is over. You would have laughed tosee some of the men running out into the street with no clothes on whenthe Boers sent their first shell into Ladysmith. It came into the townat 5. 15 A. M. I was up and partly dressed, as I had heard the firing, andwas going to have a look at the battle, when in came the shell rightover the house I was staying in and dropped on the road. I was sure thatit was going to hit the house. The shell makes a terrific whistling asit travels through the air.... The Bluejackets did some very good work. They arrived by train about eleven o'clock, and by twelve o'clock theyhad off-loaded their guns and got them into action, and their third shotsilenced the Boers' 40-pounder. "

[Illustration: SCENE ON THE TUGELA. ]

Our cavalry while reconnoitring discovered a large force of the Boerswhich was manoeuvring to the south of the town. The troopers charged, and succeeded in cutting their way through the enemy. Meanwhile atGrobler's Kloof the Volunteer Light Infantry, a corps that had beendoing splendid work throughout, met the enemy, and a sharp encounter wasmaintained, but they were outnumbered by their assailants. An armouredtrain brought troops to their assistance, and these enabled them toreturn safely to headquarters. The naval gunners were active, and scoredas usual, for they finally succeeded in putting the big gun on HepworthHill out of action. "Long Tom, " an objectionable weapon and a greatfavourite with the enemy, was now posted on Mount Umbulwana, whence atintervals it spat viciously upon the town, but without causing seriousdamage. The enemy, as we know, made a move towards Colenso, and theofficer commanding at that place decided to fall back with men andhorses on Estcourt. The move over some twenty miles of hilly country wasadmirably executed, and all stores, huts, kit, &c. , were preserved. 

Meanwhile Sir George White sent out a strong force under the command ofColonel Brocklehurst, reinforced by the 5th Dragoon Guards, Royston'sHorse, and two batteries, for the purpose of making a flank attack onthe Boer commando that was advancing on Colenso. Splendid work was done, the Boers being routed from all their positions and three guns silenced. The Imperial Light Horse pressed too far into a gully, and for a timetheir position was critical, but they were extricated by the 5th DragoonGuards. The Boers took up a strong position on the hills, and wereshelled with terrific effect by the British artillery. Finally theyretreated, and were cut to pieces by the cavalry. Quantities ofprisoners were made, and over a thousand burghers were said to beslain--in fact, the veldt was a complete parquet of dead Dutchmen. Lieutenant the Hon. R. Pomeroy, 5th Dragoon Guards, greatlydistinguished himself by pluckily riding to the rescue of a dismountedtrooper and carrying him out of the fire zone. Captain Knapp andLieutenant Brabant were killed. 

At Ladysmith there was temporary peace after the enemy's fire hadsucceeded in hitting the hospital and a hotel. Fortunately no one wasinjured. All were mourning the loss of Major Taunton, Captain Knapp, andLieutenant Brabant, who fell in the engagement on the previous day. General French, by what is termed "a close shave, " succeeded in gettingout of Ladysmith, and went down to Cape Town to take over the command ofthe Cavalry Brigade, and General Wolfe-Murray at Estcourt, with amounted battery, reconnoitred in the direction of Colenso. Efforts weremade to restore communication with Ladysmith, but in vain; yet thetroops within kept up a cheerful attitude, and a continuous artilleryduel was carried on between besiegers and besieged. 

The art of dodging shells had by this time begun to be studied by theleast nervous, for no place was safe from these screeching messengers ofdeath. Hard roadways were rent in twain and deep gulfs dug in theirmidst. Gardens, from being trim and neat, became a scene of upheaval anddilapidation; the open veldt was strewed with dust and debris, and rockswere shot from their positions and sent hurtling here and there toassist in the work of wreckage. It was curious to notice upon differenttemperaments the effect of the shells' arrival. Some persons might beseen holding their hands to their heads as though to protect them fromdamage; others shrank under the nearest available cover or screwedthemselves up as though endeavouring to make smaller parcels ofthemselves, or hoping to lessen their own obstructiveness to the passageof the devilish invader; some would flatten their backs against awall--make pancakes of themselves--while others would fall prone toearth, and there grovel till the moment of peril was past. Many wouldrush helter-skelter towards the river-caves, vast places of refuge thathad been dug into the deep-shelving clay and sandbanks of the Klip, andthere, in their rocky hiding-places, breathe freely and await theinevitable fracas that told them, temporarily, that the coast was clear. These caves and their powers of accommodation began to be deeplyinteresting to the community, and daily the soldiers were set to workconstructing new ones for the safety of the apprehensive. The placesvaried in size and quality according to the demands of their tenants. Some would accommodate a dozen people standing upright in them, and evenadmitted of furniture of a rough kind--bedding, seats, eatables, andcooking-pots--just enough to enable nervous folks to go "out of town"for a day or two during a period of bombardment. Others were merefox-holes, as it were, alcoves scooped out of the bank to serve as ascreen for the more hardy souls who were content to breathe the air ofthe river-brink, and only popped their heads under cover in ostrichfashion when danger threatened. The banks thus became honeycombed, andit was not unusual to find a whole family perched all day long withtheir backs against the protecting wall and their eyes fixedmeditatively on the purling stream, awaiting with resignation the whimsof "Long Tom. "

In the early days of the siege a great deal of scooping and excavatingwent on, and you might see on one side some gallant tiller of the soilproviding cover for a lady, while another rigged up shelteredgarden-seats for children. An amusing picture was beheld of threemassive Gordons in their kilts plying pick and shovel for a small couplein distress, a natty little woman in a state of panic which agreed badlywith her smart ribbons, and her small lord who shared her anxiety for aplace of safety. The Scotsmen delved and scooped and built the temporaryshelter, indulging in the gayest jokes, and laughing and talking thewhile delicious "Aberdeen awa, '" till the hearers became so absorbed andinterested that they almost forgot the fact that such a thing as a "LongTom" existed. The daily operations were also of a highly-spiritedcharacter, for the British forces not only defended themselves with thegreatest animation against artillery somewhat superior to their own, butat times took the offensive and harassed the enemy considerably. Onthree different occasions they made attacks on the Boer batteries onUmbulwana Hill, and though the British losses were somewhat heavy, thoseof the Boers were still greater. A message was sent by Sir George Whiteto General Joubert requesting him to allow women, children, andnon-combatants to leave the town in order to escape the effects of thebombardment, and the Boer General invited those who wished to go, to doso under protection of the Umbulwana guns, but intimated that all whohad borne arms would be treated as prisoners of war. Finally, however, after a meeting had been held and the matter discussed threadbare, itwas decided that the citizens of Ladysmith could accept no terms fromthe enemy, and the meeting dispersed to the tune of "God save theQueen, " in which all fervently joined in chorus. The only means ofcommunication with the outer world was now by pigeon-post, and there wastherefore much excitement when Lieutenant Hooper (5th Lancers) arrivedon the scene. Guided by a Natal policeman, he had managed to sneakunnoticed through the Boer lines and to reach the British camp insafety. 

All sorts of efforts were made to save Ladysmith from her doom, and anarmoured train was sent from Estcourt for the purpose of reestablishingcommunication with the town, but the train had to return withoutaccomplishing its mission. In spite of this, the proprietor of a hotelin Ladysmith very cleverly managed to travel from the beleaguered townto Estcourt without being captured by the Boers. He made a detour alongKaffir paths in order to elude the Boer outposts, riding all night andarriving at his destination unharmed. At that time, as may be imagined, the investment of Ladysmith was almost complete. The enemy's big gunsdominated the town east, north, and west, "Long Tom" pursuing itsannoying and disquieting vocation with intermittent vigour. Most of thepeople had now quitted their homes and were taking refuge in the cavesbefore described, while the shops, in default of customers, were closed. The convent, which was occupied by nuns together with the wounded, wasstruck by a shell, but happily without injury to its inmates. Theneutrals betook themselves to a camp under Mount Umbulwana, which someinventive person appropriately christened "Funkumdorf, " but there someplucky women and children refused to go, preferring to cast in their lotwith the valiant defenders of the little town. At this time people andhorses were still in good condition and spirits; the militaryinhabitants amused themselves with polo and cricket, as though there wasno chance of being bowled out by "Long Tom, " while the ladies gavelittle concerts for the amusement of the select circle. So great was thepluck of this little community, that they even edited a paper called the_Ladysmith Lyre_, a species of Transvaal edition of _Truth_, which, ifnot _vero_, was certainly _ben trovato_. 

A new instance of the Boers' treachery soon took place. They sent inunder a flag of truce a number of refugees from the Transvaal. They weremet outside the pickets by a flag of truce from Ladysmith, but no soonerhad the parties separated, and before the British could reach thepickets, than the Boers fired upon them. These continued breaches of thelaws of civilised warfare continued to exasperate the troops, who, whenever they got a chance, naturally tried to wipe off old scores. 

On the 9th November, the King's Royal Rifles and the Rifle Brigade inthe north, and the Manchester Regiment in the south, succeeded inrepelling two simultaneous attacks, inflicting on the Boers a lossroughly estimated at about 700 to 1000. A deep trench which had beenmade by the enemy on their temporary retirement, to bring forwardhorses, was promptly captured by the Rifle Brigade. From thence, whenthe Boers returned, they were briskly fired on, with the result thatthey retreated in hot haste across open ground. Taking advantage of thisopportunity, the artillery commenced an effective fire, inflicting onthe Dutch considerable loss. The Manchester Regiment, which occupied aposition at Cæsar's Camp, for the purpose of protecting thesouth-western side of the town, caught several hundred Boers hiding fromshells in a ditch. They poured on them several volleys, and the enemysuffered severely. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Lethbridge (Rifle Brigade)was mortally wounded, and Lieutenant Fisher, of the Manchesters, received a slight wound in the shoulder. About noon, after seven hours'continuous fighting, the combined attack upon the town failed and theBoers retired. Then, in honour of the Prince of Wales's birthday, thebig guns in the Naval redoubts commenced a salute of twenty-one guns, each shot in stately procession following the other and bursting overthe Boer positions. Outside the battery, on King Kop, stood Sir GeorgeWhite surrounded by his Staff. The General led the way by raising threecheers for the Prince, and then Captain Lambton and the gunners on thetop of the breastwork took up the roar and passed it on to the RifleBrigade, lying in their sangars along the top of the ridge, till thewhole atmosphere was vibrant with loud and prolonged cheering. In theevening the troops drank to the health of his Royal Highness, andsucceeded in sending home telegraphic congratulations. On that day thetownspeople, for greater safety, went into laager on the racecourse, andthe military lines were removed some three miles out, so as to avoid thepersistent shelling of the enemy. Major Gale, R. E. , was wounded whilesending a message. 

Efforts were made to establish heliographic communication betweenEstcourt and Ladysmith, but the atmospheric conditions were entirelyagainst the success of the operation. Bombardment continued, and lifewas pursued to the continuous thunder of the Naval guns firing lydditeand the "Long Toms" of the Boers, now within a three-mile range, replying with persistent and deadly reverberation. But the community inLadysmith were not so depressed by their incarceration as to lose thespirit of fun altogether. In default of other entertainment, theybeguiled the time by indulging in various practical jokes at the expenseof the Boers. The greatest achievement was the preparation of a smartdummy, on which the irate Dutchmen wasted a considerable amount ofammunition. The effigy was manufactured of straw and attired in theuniform of the Lancers, by whom it was modelled. Its imposing form, placed near the Boer position, had an air of lifelike reality, andnaturally the enemy jumped at a chance of riddling so venturesome a foe. Away whistled Mauser bullets round the head of the supposed courageousLancer, who budged never a bit. Shot failing--the big gun was turned on. Bang, bang! Boom, boom! Still was the warrior unperturbed. Afterconsiderable expenditure of both shot and shell, the truth, much to thedisgust of the assailants, dawned upon them!

[Illustration: COMPLETE MACHINE GUN DETACHMENT OF MOUNTED INFANTRY. 

PHOTO BY ELDRIDGE, COLCHESTER]

So pleasing was the success of this manoeuvre, that the Liverpools, for further recreation, got up a miniature Tussaud's. They arrayed a rowof martial effigies, and waited with the glee of school-boys while theartillery from the neighbouring hills pounded away at what they imaginedto be some dauntless Britons who dared to defy them. 

Efforts to signal to Ladysmith by heliograph still continued to fail, atleast to reach those for whom the display was intended, though the Boerheliograph graciously acknowledged the communication. It answeredjocosely, "Will be with you to-morrow. " The British reply wasmonosyllabic! The pigeon-post medium was resorted to, and by this meansthose outsiders struggling for its relief were informed that withLadysmith all was well. 

[Illustration: GENERAL SIR GEORGE STEWART WHITE, V. C. , G. C. B. , THEDEFENDER OF LADYSMITH. 

Photo by Window & Grove, London. ]

The process of pigeon postal communication was exceedingly interesting. Mr. Arthur Hirst, who at the onset of the war had started a loft of thebest Yorkshire racing pigeons at Durban, settled himself at theIntelligence Department Headquarters, Ladysmith, and from thence sentout his intelligent birds. Of these he had some 200, all of which weretrained by himself and his assistants. His early experiments were mostsuccessful. He despatched thirteen pigeons to Durban, a distance of 200miles, yet they arrived safely with messages within five hours. Thebirds were returned from thence for more work. After that time Mr. Hirstcontinued training a hundred young birds to travel from the seat of warto Ladysmith, and great interest was taken by all who began tounderstand that news of the outer world would shortly be very limitedindeed. 

On the 14th the Free State troops took up a position on a small kopjewhence a British battery strove to rout them. There was some smartcannonading, till the British were forced to fall back on the town. Their day assault over, the Boers tried a new experiment, that of amidnight attack. All the Afrikander cannon simultaneously opened fire onthe town, turning the sleeping scene into a lurid inferno. Severalbuildings caught fire, and the whistling and shrieking shells atintervals made terrifying music in the weird silence of the night. 

 ESTCOURT

Opinions regarding Estcourt differ. Some consider it a picturesque andverdant little village, placed in the bosom of the hills and verysimilar to a Sussex hamlet on the Downs. Others have described it aswell deserving the name of being the hottest and most unpleasant regionin the high veldt of Natal. It is in the thorn country, and issurrounded with rough irregular kopjes. The railway bridge over theBushman's River is an imposing structure, and the line leads from Durbanto Maritzburg, Colenso, and Ladysmith, and thence to the Orange FreeState and the Transvaal. A little lower down the river is a substantialbridge that runs across from Estcourt to Fort Napier, a quaint-lookingstructure, neither ornamental nor useful, for hills behind and round itcommand the situation. Thus commanded, it is utterly indefensible, andwould need an army corps to hold it. The garrison, underBrigadier-General Wolfe-Murray, at this time consisted of the RoyalDublin Fusiliers, the Border Regiment, one squadron of Imperial LightHorse, Natal Field Artillery, and some scouts. This small force wouldhave been absolutely inadequate to the defence of the place had it beenseriously attacked. The Boers in hordes were supported at Colenso byheavy guns, while the British troops that had to evacuate that villagehad but one obsolete nine-pounder manned by volunteers. The absence ofgood guns was everywhere deplored. At Ladysmith the position was merelysaved by the hasty arrival at the very last moment of the Naval Brigadewith their formidable weapons, and at Colenso the regrettable evacuationwas obligatory solely on account of the lack of guns. The depressingeffect of retreat on the unhappy colonists who had their homes in theneighbourhood may be imagined. 

From Estcourt on a clear day, with a northerly wind blowing, theexciting sound of hostilities in the neighbourhood of Ladysmith wasdistinctly to be heard, the deep bass of "Long Tom" booming upon theair, while the heavy baritone of the 4. 7 Naval guns kept up thediabolical duet. Intense curiosity as to the doings of the besiegedprevailed, but it was impossible to do more than mount up some of thehighest hills and look down into the cup of shadow where Ladysmith wasknown to be. In that direction the hollow presented the air of an activevolcano, volumes of smoke floating upwards, and spreading their messageof bombardment and resistance far and wide. But nothing active could bedone. The tiny garrison, it was true, was receiving reinforcements, butthese came in by driblets. General Wolfe-Murray engaged himself inplanning defences which should at all events make Estcourt into a hardnut to crack, and caused redoubts and intrenchments to be constructed sothat the place might be safe against such attack as the Boers wouldmake. The troops were kept in excellent training, to ensure theirfitness to take the field at a moment's notice. 

On the 9th of November there was general satisfaction owing to the safearrival, under a flag of truce, of ninety-eight wounded from Dundee. Theofficers among them were Colonel Beckett of the Natal Field Force, MajorHammersley, Lancashire Fusiliers; Captain Adam, A. D. C. ; CaptainM'Lachlan, Major Boultbee, King's Royal Rifles; Lieutenant C. N. Perreau, Captain Dibly, Dublin Fusiliers; and Lieutenant B. De W. Weldonof the Leicesters. There was also some grim rejoicing in hearing reportsthat were brought in that the Boers in their attack on Ladysmith hadsuffered severely, and that Bester's Farm, to meet the strain, had beenturned by them into a hospital. The first detachment of thelong-looked-for division was now expected, and every one in camp beganalready to think the siege of Ladysmith might be considered a thing ofthe past. 

Nothing warlike took place for some days. On the 14th, however, at noon, the sound of three guns gave evidence that parties of the enemy hadsomewhere made their appearance. The garrison--now counting the WestYorks--numbering some 3000 men, stood to arms. Colonel Martyn, incommand of the mounted troops, at once started off in the directionwhence a crackling of musketry proceeded. The Boers, in some force, werelocated on the summit of a hill firing at our scouts, who quicklyretired. Two guns of the Natal Field Artillery were at once sent for, but their arrival was a signal for the enemy to beat a hasty retreat. Their retirement was merely momentary, however, for they went along achain of hills, and appeared again on another eminence in full force. Asquadron of the Natal Carabineers attempted to turn their flank for thepurpose of ascertaining their strength, and in so doing estimated theirnumbers at about 500; any effort to dislodge so large a party wouldtherefore have been useless, and Colonel Martyn with his small force wasjust about to retire to the hills above Estcourt, when the Boers wereobserved to be on the move. They were evidently preparing to clear off, which they rapidly did, particularly when assisted by a volley from theNatal Carabineers, whose nimble horses clambered up to the crest withmarvellous celerity. After this, in default of sufficient cavalry, therewas no choice but to retire. Men and horses were absolutely "dead beat. "The expedition, with the mounting of the almost impregnable hill, hadoccupied six hours. This, however, was only an example of the many, almost daily, encounters that were necessary to arrest the enemy in hisadvance to the south. 

 ARMOURED TRAIN DISASTER AT CHIEVELEY

So little is known by civilians of the nature and appearance of armouredtrains, which played so prominent a part in the war, that a rough sketchof the "altogether" of one of these ungainly and diabolical machines mayhere be given. Armoured trains are hastily-constructed affairs, consisting of a locomotive and a few waggons, the engine generally beinglocated about the middle of the train. The waggons and locomotive arecovered by boiler-plating three-quarters of an inch thick, as firmlyriveted as time will allow. One of these trains was constructed atMafeking, where there are several railway shops, the town being on thenew main line from the Cape to Buluwayo. The locomotive is the only partof the train that does not carry guns, the steel casing being solely toprotect the mechanism of the engine from the shot of the enemy. Theremainder of the armour is thickly perforated with portholes, throughwhich guns of varying calibre peep, the Maxim, Nordenfeldt, and Gatlingbeing the most serviceable weapons for this kind of work. The smallerholes are for the rifles of the marksmen, and usually the deadliestshots in a regiment are, when possible, selected for the position. Ittakes an expert marksman to shoot with satisfactory results from aquickly-moving train. Usually an armoured train is also supplied with apowerful searchlight, in view of a possible night attack. Of course, theboiler tubing can offer no resistance to artillery. In fact, rifle shotsfired at short range will sometimes penetrate the plates, and to meetsuch a possibility sand-bags are often provided, as was the case in theEgyptian campaign, when the Sirdar found the armoured train of greatservice. The man in command of an armoured train thinks first, when anemergency arises, of his engine. So long as that remains in workablecondition the odds are on his side; but once the vital parts of thelocomotive are damaged, the outlook becomes serious, for an armouredtrain can only carry a small body of men, who would be quicklysurrounded by the enemy, who might number hundreds or thousands. Thechances are that an armoured train could not be damaged to such anextent unless artillery, dynamite, or some equally destructive forcewere used. 

A machine of this kind, but of third-rate pretensions, was nowcontinually used by the troops at Frere for the purpose of discoveringthe whereabouts of the enemy, and on the 15th of November an excitingand disastrous voyage was made in the "death-trap, " as it was called. The troops had orders to proceed from Estcourt to Frere, and beyond ifpossible, to ascertain how far the line was practicable for the passageof an army. 

The crew of this train consisted of Captain Haldane (GordonHighlanders), in command of some seventy non-commissioned officers andmen of the Dublin Fusiliers, Lieutenant Frankland, Captain Wylie, andLieutenant Alexander, with forty-five non-commissioned officers and menof the Durham Light Infantry, and five Bluejackets under a pettyofficer. Mr. Winston Spencer Churchill, who was acting as warcorrespondent to the _Morning Post_, also accompanied the party, and inaddition to him were certain railway employees to repair damages. Nosooner had the train got to Frere and telegraphed "all well" thantrouble began. It started to go still farther forward, in spite of thefact that natives were seen gesticulating warnings. On reachingChieveley Station, it was found that there were Boers, who had hithertobeen lying in ambush, eagerly looking out for them. These were posted inlarge numbers on either side of the line. Of course, the train began atonce to steam back, but even as it did so a volley was poured on it fromthe enemy. With hideous clatter the bullets thudded on the iron, andseveral cannon began at once to play on the unlucky machine. Then, toadd to its misfortunes, without pause or warning of any kind, the truckssuddenly, with a jerk and a crash, leapt into the air. They, at least, appeared to do so, overturning in the act, and shooting their contentshelter-skelter, "like potatoes out of a sack. " The words are quoted fromthe description of a sufferer who himself experienced the unpleasantsensation. Several of the men were mortally injured. A platelayer waskilled on the spot. The cause of the disaster was simple and easily tobe explained. The Boers had laid a trap for the train, and placed animpediment on the rails behind it, so that on its retreating journey itshould become a complete wreck, and thus place the troops entirely attheir mercy. And their ingenious machinations succeeded. 

The enemy, triumphant, then opened fire with a Maxim and two 9-poundersfrom a kopje covered with brushwood, while Boer sharpshooters hidden indongas and behind boulders also assisted. The Dublins and Volunteersfought gallantly; thrice they drove the enemy back, but the bravefellows, already suffering from the shock of having been shot with greatforce on the line, were from the first at a disadvantage, and unable atonce to gather themselves together to meet the instantaneous fire of theDutchmen. All they could do was to scramble to their feet--some were toosecurely jammed under the trucks to be freed--take up a position as firmas barked knees and bruised spines would allow, and defend themselvesagainst the sudden attack. Mr. Churchill and Lieutenant Franklandimmediately called for volunteers to help in clearing the line. Manyhearty voices responded. Wildly they worked amid a hailstorm of bulletsto free the engine and remove the wreckage, Mr. Churchill, between thescreams of the injured and the rattling of the rifles, rallying the menand helping them, though every moment volley after volley picked offsome of their numbers and sensibly thinned them. Some of these men werenot only men but marvels; they worked with the zeal of giants and thepluck of heroes. Vigorously the Dublins and Durhams continued to fire atthe unseen enemy, while the rest of the party by sheer main force gotthe engine into working order, smashing everything in its way, andpacking it, as tenderly as possible, with the helpless creatures whosegroans and cries were in themselves enough to make the blood of thestoutest hearts run cold. Every man seemed bent on eclipsing the courageof his comrade and following the example set by the gallant warcorrespondent. Sergeant Bassett of the Dublins roared his orders withfirm and steady voice, giving his men the range with an air of coolunconcern that was truly reassuring, while Wright of the Durham LightInfantry was also conspicuous. During the turmoil he fired from the kneein the regular position, and was as calm and collected as if he had beenat a rifle-range. With each shot he cracked a joke and kept his comradesfrom getting excited. All this time the poor fellow was wounded, halfhis right ear having been shot away. Private Kavanagh, the wag of theDublins, chaffed his comrades, telling them the Boer shells wereharmless, they could hit nothing "at all, at all!" and Corporal Dickie, though wounded and lying on his back, continued to bellow to his mates, "Give 'em beans, boys! give 'em beans!" And meanwhile Mr. Churchill, though rained on with lead and almost stunned by the noise, was coollygiving directions for the lifting of the wounded and for the moving ofthe engine. Finally, he had the satisfaction of getting the engine andtender safely charged with their mutilated human freight and started onthe melancholy return journey. Swiftly the train steamed off, protectedby the fire of Dublins and Durhams, and as it did so, Mr. Churchill, whowent with it a little way, but who had stoutly refused all requests tocontinue farther, returned to the help of such of the wounded as hadbeen left behind. His noble self-sacrifice, however, was of no avail. Directly afterwards he was set on by the enemy and made a prisoner, incompany with two brave officers, Captain Haldane and LieutenantFrankland, and fifty-eight of the wounded. The unfortunate party wasthen marched in the pouring rain to Colenso. On the following morningthey were taken to the Boer camp before Ladysmith, and thence _via_Modder Spruit to Pretoria. In the course of the journey a greatconcourse of persons crowded to see the captured, and in justice to theBoers it must be said that there was only one exception to prove therule that courtesy on all sides was observed. 

An officer writing of the armoured train affair at Chieveley so welldescribed the glorious deeds that were performed that his version wasquoted even by war correspondents. It is therefore reproduced here. 

"The train, " he writes, "had gone on past Frere towards Chieveley, whena party of about 200 Boers were seen evidently watering their horses. After watching them for some time the train reversed, and went back at afair speed. On rounding a curve, a truck containing men of the DurhamLight Infantry toppled over, almost burying the inmates. Fortunately themen had room to scramble out, although three or four had almost to bedug out before they got free. In the meantime the Boers were pouring arifle-fire into the train, and were working their big guns and Maxim asfast as it was possible for them to load and fire. The Dubs (DublinFusiliers) in the truck in what was now the rear of the train werefiring as hard as they could, and the Naval men on an open waggon at therear opened fire with their 7-pounder, but after about three shots itwas put out of action. Gradually all the men got out of the overturnedtruck, and, seeking cover behind waggons, returned the Boer fire, butthe enemy was so well protected that hardly a man could be seen. It soonbecame apparent that the foe being in overwhelming force and providedwith heavy artillery, the best thing was to endeavour to get the roadclear. 

"Twenty volunteers were called for, and it was at this point thatLieutenant Winston Churchill so distinguished himself. With the greatestcoolness he superintended the operation of getting the trucks free ofthe line. He encouraged the men at work by walking about in the openwith bullets flying round him, and telling the working party not to mindthe Boer fire, as the aim was bad. 

"The engine was backed and then pushed against the trucks on the line, and it was when this operation was going on that another truck, behindwhich the men were firing to cover the working party, fell over andinjured one or two D. L. I. Seriously. They had been ordered to stand backwhile the engine butted against the derailed trucks, but they evidentlydid not hear the order. 

"After nearly an hour's hard work and harder fighting, the line wasclear enough for the engine to go forward, but the waggons behind had tobe uncoupled and left. The Dubs who were in them and the Naval men, however, had got out, and had gone away in extended order, and theengine had moved on just when the line was clear. 

"Captain Wyllie was shot in the thigh and dropped. Sergeant Tod, who hadalso been injured in the hand, went to the Captain's assistance andbuilt up a cover of stones as a protection against rifle-fire. Just ashe was lying down a shell burst right in front, scattering the stones inall directions, and some of the pieces struck Tod in the hip, inflictingan ugly but not a serious wound. 

"The engine in the meantime had gone forward, and was brought byLieutenant Churchill to pick up as many wounded as could be found. Captain Wyllie and Tod were taken up on the tender, and the engine wenton some distance farther, when Captain Haldane of the Gordons andLieutenant Churchill jumped off and joined the men fighting their wayback; but the Boers were now closing all round, and the engine barelygot through. "

The _Echo_, in a leading article, spoke warmly of Mr. Churchill'sexploit. It said: "In this affair Mr. Churchill, though a non-combatant, displayed the courage of his stock, and cheered the men in the work ofrescuing the wounded and the bodies of the dead, crying, 'Come on, men!'with all the courage that his father showed in political warfare or hisgreat ancestor on the fields of Blenheim or Malplaquet. When the enginesteamed off, Mr. Churchill remained behind to help. Every one will hopethat he is not killed. "

It is somewhat interesting here to note Mr. Churchill's soliloquy on hisjourney in an armoured train, published in the _Morning Post_ at thevery time the noble fellow was suffering for his bravery on an identicaltrip. "This armoured train, " he said, "is a very puny specimen, havingneither gun nor Maxims, with no roof to its trucks and no shutters toits loopholes, and being in every way inferior to the powerful machinesI saw working along the southern frontier. Nevertheless it is a usefulmeans of reconnaissance, nor is a journey in it devoid of interest. Anarmoured train! The very name sounds strange; a locomotive disguised asa knight-errant--the agent of civilisation in the habiliments ofchivalry. Mr. Morley attired as Sir Lancelot would seem scarcely moreincongruous. The possibilities of attack added to the keenness of theexperience. We started at one o'clock. A company of the Dublin Fusiliersformed the garrison. Half were in the car in front of the engine, halfin that behind. Three empty trucks, with a plate-laying gang and sparerails to mend the line, followed. The country between Estcourt andColenso is open, undulating, and grassy. The stations, which occur everyfour or five miles, are hamlets consisting of half-a-dozen corrugatediron houses, and perhaps a score of blue gum trees. These little specksof habitation are almost the only marked feature of the landscape, whichon all sides spreads in pleasant but monotonous slopes of green. Thetrain maintained a good speed; and, though it stopped repeatedly toquestion Kaffirs or country folk, and to communicate with the cyclistsand other patrols who were scouring the country on the flanks, reachedChieveley, five miles from Colenso, by about three o'clock; and fromhere the Ladysmith balloon, a brown speck floating above and beyond thedistant hills, was plainly visible. 

"Beyond Chieveley it was necessary to observe more caution. The speedwas reduced--the engine walked warily. The railway officials scanned thetrack, and often before a culvert or bridge was traversed we disembarkedand examined it from the ground. At other times long halts were madewhile the officers swept the horizon and the distant hills withfield-glasses and telescopes. But the country was clear and the lineundamaged, and we continued our slow advance. "

Little did he know when these thoughts passed though his busy brain thatin a few days he would find himself in the State School of Pretoria, aprisoner, far from kith and kin, and uncertain whether or not he, likeothers, might be tried by Judge Gregorowski, who would take a grimpleasure, as he did in the case of the Uitlanders, in sentencing him todeath. On this score great anxiety was felt, and it is no exaggerationto say that his countrymen, whether friends or strangers, were allequally regretful at his loss, and deeply anxious as to the fate thatmight befall so gallant a descendant of a great line. 

 ESTCOURT

Things were now going from bad to worse. The Ermelo commando, some 2000strong, with six 7-pounders and two French guns, took up a threateningposition near Ennersdale, with a view to attacking Estcourt at an earlydate, and there was every chance that the place would be surrounded. 

Meanwhile the inhabitants of Ladysmith reported themselves in goodhealth, some of them having taken refuge during the daytime in thecaves by the river-bank, returning to their homes only to sleep. Thewar-balloon continued to attract a great deal of the enemy's attention, and they expended a vast quantity of ammunition in taking pot-shots atits tranquil form as it floated on the skyline of the hill behind thehollow from which it was sent up. Lieut. -Colonel Sir Henry Rawlinson, ofthe headquarters staff, while aloft making a reconnaissance had a narrowescape. A shrapnel shell pierced the balloon, came out on the otherside, and burst some distance beyond. Had it exploded while traversingthe gas-bag, the balloon and its occupant would have been done for; asit was, the balloon made a gentle and dignified descent, and the solecasualty reported was "one balloon wounded. "

[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS--THE 5-INCH HOWITZER OR SIEGE GUN. PHOTO BYCRIBB, SOUTHSEA]

Various commandoes were now seen advancing towards the railway bridge, which is half a mile north-west of Estcourt, and also from a northerlydirection. Upon this General Hildyard's force stood to arms. The outpostfired on the enemy, and one shell at 8000 yards' range was launched fromthe Naval guns. The effect was good, for the enemy with all celerityretired. At the same time around Ladysmith the Boers were continuingtheir bombardment from four strong positions: the first at Wonona, thesecond on Intintanyone Hill, the third on Umbulwana Hill, and the fourthat Grobler's Kloof. Sorties from time to time took place, thusfrustrating the intention of the enemy to make the investment closer. Sir George White's lyddite shells were discovered to be more effectivethan those of the Boers, many of which were charged with sand, andjocosely said to be "made in Germany. " As a matter of fact, the shellswere charged with cordite which had probably grown stale and ineffectivefrom over-keeping. It may be remembered that they were stored for useagainst the British after the Jameson Raid. 

On the 19th November General Hildyard found that it was necessary eitherto reinforce the mounted troops that were posted at Willow Grange, thusdividing the forces at his disposal, or to evacuate the place. Hedecided on the latter alternative, and thereupon the Boers, withdelighted expedition, commenced to make preparation for a triumphantprogress to Maritzburg. 

The weather now grew intensely hot, and at night the fall in thethermometer became almost dangerously pronounced. In fact, the troopshad all the discomforts of India without the conveniences commonly athand in that country for the amelioration of its conditions. The railwaybetween Maritzburg and Estcourt was cut, and further aggressive actionseemed to be brewing. All news from Ladysmith came out either bypigeon-post or by Kaffir runners, who, in a manner peculiar tothemselves, managed to get through the enemy's lines. Food in thebeleaguered town was still moderate in price, meat being tenpence apound and bread threepence. A good deal of concern prevailed because thecountry between Ladysmith and the south was fast being taken possessionof by the enemy, and the peaceful farmers and loyalists in the vicinitywere shaking in their shoes, spending days and nights in an agony ofsuspense as to their future and the safety of their belongings. 

[Illustration: SIGHTING A NAVAL FIELD GUN. 

Photo by Gregory & Co. , London. ]

The people in the neighbourhood of Willow Grange at this time had someexciting and alarming experiences. The Boers bound for Maritzburg, ofcourse, made their way into such farms as suited them. They had encampedthemselves on the surrounding kopjes, and these soon became livinghives, moving hills, of horses, cattle, and human beings, dotted withsome fourteen or fifteen ambulances carrying red-cross flags. Theyendeavoured to make themselves agreeable to such of the inhabitants asremained, assuring them that they did not intend to hurt those who satquietly on their farms, though they meant to loot and raid everythingfrom deserted homesteads. Here is a description given at the time by anowner of a farm who entertained Field-Cornet Joubert to breakfast--aplucky lady who determined to show that the Boers had no terrors forher. 

"We hurried breakfast, and had hardly finished when the yard was full ofmen, galloping all through the trees. I went out, and was fiercelygreeted with, 'Where are the other two men? We have taken threeprisoners (Thorneycroft's scouts) out of five, and two are here. '

"They rode into the stable, looked through my outside bedroom door, dairy, and every conceivable place. Luckily, the men got clear. 

"Shortly afterwards the Boers began to pass, cutting fences and ridingin all directions, anywhere through the homestead; no disciplinewhatever, just like a pack of hounds when the fox is lost. They linedour kopjes overlooking Willow Grange, Weston, and Estcourt. They couldhear the cannon at Ladysmith, and were not more than a mile from thehouse. But as scouts our boys are not in it. No stranger would havebelieved that stony hills were full of men and horses. I don't thinkthat there were more than 400 or 500, evidently the advance-guard. Wewere kept lively the whole time, as almost every man and horse came intothe yard for water, which is in a spring fifty yards from the frontdoor, and had to be got out in buckets. They asked for anything andeverything except meat. We gave as long as we could, thinking discretionthe better part of valour. They invariably offered to pay, but ouranswer was, 'We are under martial law. '

"On Monday three men came to commandeer our carriage horses, oneriding-horse, and my youngest boy's pony. We argued; but no! They musttake them, as they were big and fat. My husband had almost given it up, being tired out. When they entered the stable, I stood by my favouriteand slated them. The men were not Boers, but some of the scum who havejoined. 

"One, as ugly as sin, replied, 'Well, we will allow the lady to keep hertrap-horses, but we will take the two riding-horses. We want thisflat-backed, nice-looking pony for a stout man. '

"Then followed a scene. My son, aged eleven, rushed and threw his armsround his pony's neck, sobbing, and shouting out, 'I'll shoot the firstDutchman that touches him' (the boy is a cadet). 

"'What a ---- of a row, mates; let's clear. '

"It was too much even for that scoundrel. 

"Within an hour they brought down the troop branded N. G. , put them inthe kraal, caught unbroken mares with foals--anything the wretches couldlay hands on. 

"I stood by, and said, 'Are you Boers (farmers) like ourselves orvagabonds? I'll put a fire in the grass for you. '

"A genuine Boer remonstrated with them, but it was of no use; so, for aloaf of bread, he agreed to take a note to Commandant-General DavidJoubert. 

"I wrote explaining matters, and received a courteous reply, saying theyhad no authority from him. He called later on, and told us to resistthem; that if he required anything he would write, and send one of hisown officers; and Mr. Kirby must go into the camp and pick out all thehorses--an honour he declined, saying we were under martial law, and hewished to have nothing to do with them. 

"On my going out to meet General Joubert, he sat on his horse, pipe inmouth, slouch hat well pulled over his ears. 

"His aide-de-camp said, 'Our Commandant-General. '

"I shook hands, and said, 'Commandant who?'

"He replied, 'David Joubert;' he's only a second-cousin of the other. 

"Later on we had a visit from Commandant Trichardt. He also expressedregret, saying he had men of all nations, and could not keep order. 

"But it's funny to watch them. They never salute an officer or stand atattention; they talk and crack jokes round them, and when ready, say, 'Let's be going. ' This, mind, to men in command. 

"They shot our sheep. 

"I sent my youngest son into camp. The Boers asked after several people, whom the child did not know. They crowded round him a dozen deep. Theyoung native with him began to cry, but the boy enjoyed it. He pickedout a number of horses, which they eventually caught again and clearedwith. He spotted the ugly fellow who wanted to steal his pony, andcalled out, 'You wanted to take my horse, and to-day you've got Scrick, the fright. '

"The others laughed and jeered the fellow. 

"They told us some funny tales. One was that the balloons are theEnglish people's gods, but Slim Piet sent £5 worth of shot at one andbrought it down, as he wanted to see it. 

"Another was, 'We don't mind Rhodes, but show us old Franchise; that'sthe man we want. '

"Some say they are tired of this life, as they have it 'bitter sware, 'but will fight for their country for five years, as they believe this isthe war the Bible speaks of. After this we shall have a thousand years'peace. 

"On Sunday a skirmish took place. David Joubert's son was wounded. Theyfired on to the Hoek farmhouse. 

"On Wednesday heavy firing was heard in the direction of Willow Grange, and on Friday every man was on the alert. We, knowing nothing of theoutside world, expected a night attack, and put food and wraps ready forthe night, as we were afraid of the British shells coming on to thehouse. 

"They advised us to hoist the white flag, but we steadily refused, norwill we carry a flag of truce, as they advised, if we left the house fora hundred yards.... 

"One man came for dry firewood, and tried to be agreeable; gave a veryvivid description of our balloons, and finished off by saying, 'Youwould have laughed last night (Friday night). The Dutch and Fusiliersgot mixed up. When they found it out, one ran one way and one the other. The Fusiliers shot one of our scouts only; but they are good fellows, these Fusiliers; they are nearly as tough as we are. '

"One had a big lump out of his leg, his hand blown off, and a hole inhis cheek. He stood up and said, 'Well, I've had enough. ' He furthersaid, 'The Fusiliers can fight; we fought them seven and a half hoursbefore we took 1200 prisoners. They fought hard, and would not give in. 'He evidently admired them. 

"The Dutch troopers carry all they have with them on horseback (notransport); they have one blanket, one mackintosh, and live principallyon meat (grilled); each cooks for himself. They sleep out in the openveldt--no tents, except for their heads; and one Boer said he had neverhad his clothes off for a month. They water their horses, and then swilltheir faces in the dregs. 

"Our neighbour had deserted his home. They turned his house into ahospital, hoisted the red-cross flag on his chimney, and have broken anddestroyed everything about his place, killed off his sheep, &c. , eatenbottles of fruit, and broken the bottles. 

"The description they themselves gave of wrecked homes washeart-rending. Some of them sported all sorts of loot, and were dressedin clothes that were never bought by them. 

"I offered (through a trooper) to exchange Field-Cornet Joubert hats. Iwould give him a new grey felt helmet for the one he wore--a battered, brown, hard felt hat, bound with Transvaal colours, two bullet-holesright through the crown, just above the band. No doubt he had placed iton a stone as a target. I was told he had been in hospital with a woundin his leg, got at the same time his hat was hit, but he was so strongand tough he soon came out again. I don't know if he would haveexchanged, as I only made the offer the morning they retreated. Ithought of sending it to our museum. "

On the 20th of November some 700 Boers from Weenen took up a strongposition at Highlands, which is situated some thirteen miles fromEstcourt. They occupied two farms north-east of the Mooi River. On thefollowing day communication with Estcourt was interrupted and thetelegraph wires south of the place were cut, and later on the lines weretorn up. That done, the Boers began to shell the Mooi River village. They were posted in two strong positions, but their fire, thoughaccurate, did little damage. Cattle-looting was briskly continued, theenemy varying the monotony by firing at intervals. In this districtalone the direct loss to the loyal colonists amounted to over £25, 000. From the north a hot artillery fire was poured into the Mooi River camp, while from the west further Free State commandoes were marching in. Great caution was observed in the camp, as it was known that the enemyhad entirely captured the railway line, and there was no knowing whattheir next tactics, or rather dodges, might chance to be. 

 THE FIGHT ON BEACON HILL

Some definite action was now bound to be attempted, for after theevacuation of Willow Grange the investment of Estcourt was practicallycomplete. The enemy, some 7000, with eight big guns and led by theCommandant-General, had taken up a strong position about six miles southof Willow Grange. There was nothing now between him and Maritzburg butthe force at Mooi River, and, in fact, there was no knowing how soon hemight overrun the whole colony of Natal. 

The curious entanglement of military operations at this time formed apuzzle that, had the British not been too gravely interested, would haveafforded them entertainment. The rules of no known military war gamecould be applied to the situation, and its uniqueness was a matter asincomprehensible to the tactician as to the ignoramus. For instance, from Maritzburg to Ladysmith one side alternated with the other atintervals along the line. There were British troops at Maritzburg, Boersat Balgowan; British at Mooi River, Boers at Willow Grange; British atEstcourt, Boers at Ennersdale; British within Ladysmith, and Boerswithout. To the Commander this complicated sandwich of friend and foemust have been most confounding, and the upshot of the war, even byexperts, could no longer be hopefully foretold. 

Sir George White was surrounded at Ladysmith, General Hildyard atEstcourt, and General Barton at Mooi River, and the Boers seemed able, after detaching troops sufficient to form three forces, consisting inall of about 17, 000 men, still to be going onward with 7000 odd towardsthe sea. 

During the afternoon of the 22nd of November a column moved out of campin the direction of Beacon Hill to check the Boer advance. No sooner hadthey started than a tremendous downpour of rain accompanied by heavythunder began to transform the whole earth into one huge morass. Naturally the already heavy task of marching was made doubly severe; butthe splendid "Tommies" nevertheless plodded steadily over five miles ofundulating ground, always steep in parts, and now terribly slippery fromslush. Torrents continued to fall, accompanied by large hailstones, butstill the troops moved on, arriving eventually at the foot of BeaconHill where the Boer camp was situated, and beginning with steady anddogged steps to climb. Rivulets swollen by rain were successfullycrossed, swamps negotiated, and massive boulders stumbled over. Theforce, which consisted of the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, half 2nd Battalion of Queen's, seven companies 2nd Battalion East SurreyRegiment, and the Durham Light Infantry, on reaching its destination, bivouacked for the night. A Naval 12-pounder gun was placed on thesummit of the hill, and the 7th Battery Royal Field Artillery was alsoin position. These forces were under the command of Colonel Kitchener, who was directed to make a midnight attack and seize the enemy's gunsand laager. The Border Regiment from Estcourt was to arrive in themorning and assist in the operations. 

Unfortunately the troops, while taking up their position at the base ofBeacon Hill, were discovered by the enemy, who at once blazed out withtheir artillery. Thereupon the Naval gun from its post on the hillsnorted defiance, and from this time the Boers remained on the alert. Nevertheless in the grey gloom of the early dawn the ascent was begun, the West Yorks, supported by the Queens and East Surreys, struggling tothe summit over steep and rocky ground. From the base of the hill on theleft flank of the enemy's position a wall led straight to the crown, andthis wall and the absence of beaten tracks helped to make the alreadyhard task additionally arduous. However, by patience and perseverancethe crest of the hill was at last gained, and the troops, with a lustycheer, cleared out some 150 Boers at the point of the bayonet. Thesewith remarkable agility fled to a second position, on which the bulk oftheir force was situated. So precipitate was the flight that thirtyhorses were left behind and captured, together with saddlery and campequipment. The West Yorks then took up a position on the hill behind abarricade of stones. 

Meanwhile hard work during the afternoon and night of the 22nd and 23rdhad been taking place in other directions. The Naval gun, supported bythe Durham Light Infantry, with the greatest difficulty had beentransported over the veldt, and lugged by sheer force of muscle up thealmost inaccessible mountain. The route of the strugglers lay eitheracross sponge or rock, and the choice was not exhilarating. The 7thBattery of Field Artillery also toiled manfully in bringing guns up thesteep incline. 

When the day broke, the enemy opened fire from the surrounding kopjes, and the Yorks finding the Boers had to an inch the range of theirposition, were then forced to retire. A heavy Boer gun had been postedon a hill to west of Willow Grange Station, and this murderous weaponblazed away at the infantry with unabated zeal, though our guns warmlyreturned the fire. The Boer shells did practically no damage, while ourshots from the Naval gun failed to reach the hostile quarters, its rangebeing shorter than that of the Boer weapons. However, the object of thereconnaissance was attained, namely, to prevent the enemy from taking upcertain positions overlooking Estcourt and from spreading farther to thesouth. The mounted troops, under Lieut. -Colonel Martyr, were directed toco-operate at daylight by a movement towards Willow Grange Station, andsubsequently to patrol towards Highlands. Bethune's Mounted InfantryRegiment was directed to operate on Colonel Kitchener's right flank. Thetroops under Lieut. -Colonel Martyr, after holding a party of some 300Boers south of Willow Grange, moved to the support of ColonelKitchener's left flank, where they did valuable service in helping himback and assisting to get the wounded of the 2nd Battalion WestYorkshire Regiment down the hill. The troops, after being under armsfrom 2 P. M. On Wednesday 22nd to 5. 30 P. M. Of Thursday 23rd of November, gradually returned into camp. The 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regimentwas the last to retire. During the movement the Border Regiment, DurhamLight Infantry, and Natal Royal Rifles held Beacon Hill, supported bythe 7th Battery of Artillery. The Imperial Light Horse, Carabineers, Natal Police, and King's Mounted Infantry took conspicuous parts in theengagement. The Volunteers, by their well-directed volleys, compelledthe enemy to remain at a respectful distance. General Hildyardcommanded, and Colonel Kitchener, Lieut. -Colonel Martyr, and MajorMackenzie of the Carabineers did yeoman service. A curious feature ofthe fight was the fact that Boer women must have been engaged on thehill, as some of their side-saddles were captured among the guns, ammunition, blankets, &c. , seized by the West Yorks when the Boers wererouted from the hill-top. 

Many acts of gallantry and devotion were performed, especially byLieutenant Nicholson, Corporal Wylde, and Private Montgomery. PrivateMontgomery, though shot through the thigh, went on firing, and when shotthrough the other thigh, refused to be taken to the rear for fear ofexposing the stretcher-bearers. Major Hobbs was made prisoner whileattending to a wounded man. General Hildyard especially commented on thevalorous behaviour of Lieutenant Davies, Mounted Infantry Company, King's Royal Rifles. This young officer, under a heavy fire, dismounted, disentangled the reins of a horse he was driving in front of him, andassisted one of his men, who had lost his horse, to mount and escape. Lieutenant James, Royal Navy, who commanded the Naval gun, greatlydistinguished himself in his efforts to reach the enemy's position, inspite of the persistent attentions of a Creusot gun which had the rangeof him. Captain Bottomley, Imperial Light Horse, rescued several of thewounded under a heavy fire, and Lieutenant Palmer, R. A. M. C. , whileattending the sufferers, was taken prisoner. He was subsequentlyreleased. An amusing story was told of a trooper who was found to haveshot a very smart Boer, dressed in the regulation coat and polishedleather boots. "He was, " explained Tommy, "such a swell of a toff, thatone couldn't help potting him. " One of the West Yorks also viewed lifewith much pluck and some jocosity. Though hopelessly shot through theneck, with the bullet emerging in his left eye, he still demandedtobacco, saying, "Ah wor varry near killed befoor wi' fallin' off ahouse, but ah'm noan dead yet, and ah'm noan bown to dee. " Let us hopethe plucky fellow lived to give his doctors the lie. The gloriousbehaviour of all men of the West Yorks was especially eulogised. Theyconducted themselves heroically; and those of the 2nd Battalion EastSurrey behaved with great gallantry under most trying circumstances. 

During the fight Lieutenant Bridge, R. A. , attached to the Imperial LightHorse, under a heavy fire of both shot and shell rushed to a wounded manof the West Yorks, picked him up, slung him over his shoulder, andbrought him to a place of safety. Trooper Fitzpatrick, I. L. H. , brotherof the author of "The Transvaal from Within, " and a prominent member ofthe Reform movement--specially referred to in General Hildyard'sdespatch--was killed while gallantly helping to save a wounded man. TheWest Yorks' ambulance had just been reached when the poor fellow wascaught by a bullet in the back of the neck. He was buried in theafternoon with military honours, his body being carried to the grave byhis comrades. Our loss was estimated at eleven killed and sixty wounded. 

This highly successful night attack was, strategically speaking, ofprodigious value. The hostile hordes that were advancing to the southwith the intention of overrunning the Colony of Natal were summarilydisposed of, their treatment at the hands of Colonel Kitchener and hissmall force being such that they preferred not to try conclusions withhim again for some time to come. They at once took themselves off toColenso, and in a very short space of time the telegraph lines and railsbetween Weston, Estcourt, and Frere were restored. The arrival of thefirst trains in camp was greeted with uproarious cheers. 

 LADYSMITH

The inhabitants of Ladysmith had almost begun to accustom themselves tothe promiscuous arrival of shells at odd hours throughout the day, whenGeneral Joubert hit on the happy idea of varying the monotony of thedaily routine by making the night into a "lurid inferno"--the term isborrowed from the Boers. Now no sooner were the besieged wrapped inslumber than boom! bang! a shower of 94-pound shells was launched intotheir midst. In an instant all was confusion. Strange forms, some weird, some grotesque, all terrified, fled from their beds and hung hovering ingardens and verandahs, uncertain whether to believe their eyes and ears. The nights were mostly dark, and from the black ridges occupied by theenemy came with a swish and a roar red tongues of flame and thespitting, splitting fury of bursting steel, which produced in the mindof those who had recently been folded in the arms of Morpheus asensation as of fevered nightmare or threatened madness. But the sturdysoon attuned themselves to the terrific reality, though for some days, while the midnight cannonading continued, many of the more nervous werewell-nigh distraught. The bombardment was accounted for in differentways. Some said it was to celebrate a victory over the advance-guard ofHildyard's brigade, others declared that the firing had been attractedby some companies of the Liverpool Regiment who had gone to cutfirewood, and were visible in the gleams of the moonlight. This midnightuproar continued for several days with more or less vigour, and then itlanguished, possibly from economy, possibly because the Boers themselvesdesired to sleep. On the 18th Dr. Stark, a naturalist who had come toNatal to study birds, was killed as he was standing near the door of theRoyal Hotel, a shell having descended through the roof and come out bythe door. 

It grew ever more and more difficult to communicate with the relievingforces, as the Kaffir runners stood in fear of their lives, many havingbeen killed during their hazardous journeys. Shells from "Long Tom" andthe new gun on Bulwana continued to cause horror in the daytime and topursue uninterruptedly their mission of mutilation. The porch of theEnglish Church was destroyed, several rooms of houses wrecked, andsplinters and flying fragments of brick and rock kept all who movedabroad in a state of suspense and mental anxiety. No! not _all_. Therewas one imperturbable Scot who occupied a house between the Naval gunsand the Boer position, who watched the havoc played by the shells in hishouse or garden, and occasionally applauded with the remark, "Aye, aye!Lord, man, that wuz a hummin'-bird damned weel hatched!"

[Illustration: FACSIMILE OF PAGE OF NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN LADYSMITHDURING THE SIEGE. ]

On the 21st an inhuman action defaced the ordinary programme of warfare. As before said, the Town Hall had been turned into a hospital for sick, and this, by reason of its conspicuous clock-tower with the red flagflying above it, made a convenient mark for the shots of the enemy. Inspite of all remonstrances, the Boer commandant proceeded to batter theplace with shell after shell, with the result that on one occasion thewing of the hall was destroyed, fortunately without loss of life, and onanother, a shell breaking through the roof, some nine poor patients werewounded and one killed. The General had chosen this way of expressinghis annoyance that his proposed arrangements were not complied with. Hehad insisted that the wounded should be taken to the neutral camp atIntombi, where they would have been virtually prisoners. This could notbe allowed, and therefore he was evidently determined, out of spite, tomake the life of the unhappy sick in the hospital a long-drawn agony. They were helpless, stricken in body and nerve, and the perpetualcrashing of bursting steel, the rending of buildings in their vicinity, was almost worse than the pang of actual death. Still, in spite ofeverything, the garrison bore up wonderfully and tried to put a goodface on matters. A message sent out on the 25th of November, even showedsigns of spurious jocosity. The writer said, "Shells and flies verynumerous, but the latter more annoying. " There was a pathetic ring inthe little pleasantry. In reality, valiant Ladysmith was beginning todroop with the suspense of hope deferred that maketh the heart sick. Theheat was getting terrific, and cases of fever were beginning to appear. The Boer firing was becoming more accurate, and their commandoes seemedto remain at their full strength, some 10, 000. The besieged lost aboutseventy head of cattle--a terrible mishap at this crisis--and thesecould not, unfortunately, be recovered. A party went in pursuit of thevaluables, but had to return worsted! The total casualties up to thisdate were eight killed and twenty-three wounded. Searchlight fornight-signalling began to be in continual use, and Sir George White, being fully acquainted with the plan of campaign, was preparing himselfto co-operate whenever the great hour and moment should arrive. Thethird big cannon, which had been christened "Franchise, " now began toopen fire on the tunnels in which the British were said to be concealed, and assisted actively in the already murderous chorus. On the 29th, muchto the joy of the community, a message from the Prince of Wales wasreceived, thanking officers and men for the birthday congratulationsthey had succeeded in forwarding to him. Hopes of speedy relief revived. It was known that General Clery had by this time some 23, 000 men(including Natal Volunteers) coming to the rescue, and these, togetherwith Sir George White's 9500 in Ladysmith, would, when the time forjunction should arrive, make a not insignificant total with which tomeet the Boers. But the troops were beginning to grow somewhat restlessand impatient for the hour when they should be let loose to settle theirlittle account with those outside. At this juncture CommandantSchalk-Burger grew "slimmer" than ever. In order still further tocramp Sir George White, the Dutch general sent to him a crowd of some400 coolies, on the score that they were British subjects whom he couldnot feed. As it was impossible to receive any addition to the numerousmouths already inside the place, Sir George suggested their being senton to Estcourt; so the little ruse was defeated. 

[Illustration: FIX BAYONETS! REPELLING AN ATTACK FROM THE TRENCHESAROUND LADYSMITH. 

Drawing by R. Caton Woodville. ]

 ESTCOURT AND FRERE

Tugela Drift was next attacked by the enemy. Some 300 Boers advancingfrom Helpmakaar were met by Umvoti Mounted Rifles under Major Leucharsand some Natal Police under Sub-Inspector Maxwell. Two good hours offighting ensued, after which the Boers turned tail and made off. Here wemust note that every one spoke highly of the Natal Mounted Police. Themembers of the force, mostly gentlemen, were fine horsemen and crackshots. Being Colonial bred, they were conversant with every inch of thecountry, having done splendid service in Zululand, Pondoland, and theoutlying districts. Their experience was, therefore, invaluable. 

At this time two important events took place, the Tugela River rose, andbecame impassable save for boats and punts, and the long-looked-forarrival of Sir Redvers Buller at Maritzburg was the signal for generalrejoicing. He now began the direction of operations. 

So many are the minor yet exciting incidents of war, that it isimpossible to recount them; yet in these minor incidents many gloriouslives have been heroically hazarded, and indeed sacrificed, with scarceany recognition from the country in whose service the daring deeds weredone. Some idea of the adventures of scouting parties may be obtainedfrom an account given by the correspondent of the _Natal Times_ on the25th of November. 

"A patrol party of sixty members of the Rifle Association went outto-day under Captains Gough and D. E. Simmons to locate the enemy on theBerg side of the railway. 

"They found the enemy encamped on Simmon's farm, and commissariatwaggons on Blaker's farm, about twenty-two miles from here, and sevenand a half west of Mooi River. 

"On reaching the swollen river near Nourse Varty's farm, eight of theparty swam across on horseback to scale the kopje. 

"While doing so, the scouts, who had been sent along the river-bank, gave the alarm, and reported that the Boers were closing round the kopjeto cut them off. 

"They at once retreated, and crossed the river, but the horses could notclimb the bank and returned riderless to the other side. 

"The riders swam in and brought them back, and succeeded in dragging theexhausted animals up, when they discovered that they had been thevictims of a false alarm. 

"After resting, the party again crossed the river, leaving their clothesbehind. 

"Without a vestige of clothing, they proceeded to a height a mile off, and saw the Boers breaking up camp, and moving towards Ulundi Road. 

"The naked party remained watching for an hour and a half, when Simmonsrecrossed the river and came back to camp to report the news, leavingGough to report the enemy's further movements. "

Here it must be mentioned that General Hildyard spoke most highly of themembers of the Rifle Association and of the admirable scouting done bythem. He said also that great credit was due to Captains Symonds andRoss and their officers for the wonderful efficiency which they haddisplayed. 

From the accounts received of the battle that took place outside ofEstcourt while that village was shut off, it was believed that Boerwomen had come to help their lords to smash the "verdomde rooineks. "Those who are well acquainted with the Boers suggest that their ladieswere brought upon the scene to act in the place of white flags, forcertainly in the storming of Beacon Hill one of our officers ceased tofire because he was confronted with a woman. Others declared that theyformed a portion of a trek which had come to implore the Boer generalsto cease the war. As we all know, the Boer women in ancienthistory--such ancient history as the trekkers have--egged their husbandsand fathers on to warfare, loading their guns for them, and even firingthemselves when needful; therefore the idea of their being desirous ofpeace was improbable. It is possible they would scorn to treat thepetticoat in the light of a white flag, and prefer to stand side by sidewith their mates in their thinning ranks. 

The Boers now entirely vacated their position along the Highland rangeof hills, owing, it was believed, to the River Mooi being in flood, andalso in consequence of a smart engagement that had taken place withGeneral Hildyard's troops. Ladysmith remained calm, and though there wassome cannonading, it evoked no response. The Boers congratulatedthemselves that the days of Ladysmith were numbered, that another weekwould find them in possession of the place, and, though no greathumourists, they indulged in mild witticisms, christening their big guns"Suzerainty" and "Franchise. " The besieged meanwhile consoledthemselves. Their position was stronger than ever, having been made sowith redoubts and breastworks, and they awaited the coming of SirRedvers Buller and his forces with cheerfulness and confidence. 

On the 26th of November the British troops began to advance on Colenso, marching from Estcourt to Frere, where they found that the railwaybridge had been destroyed. The lines, however, were rapidly repaired. Bythis time all had learnt to look cautiously out for the derailing of thetrains, and Kaffirs with flags were posted at points in the line tosignal if danger were ahead. Another contingent of the Naval Brigadefrom Her Majesty's ship _Terrible_ started from Durban with guns andspecial mountings invented by Captain Percy Scott. The officers incommand were Commander Limpus, Lieutenants Richards, Wilde, and England. Surgeon Lomas accompanied them. 

The new gun-carriage designed by Captain Percy Scott at this time camein for a great share of attention. The feature of the invention is aspade which holds the gun in position, while the recoil is absorbed bythe compression of oil and springs. Great strain is thus placed on thespade, and consequently its success depends largely on the character ofthe soil and the hold obtained. 

On this subject a correspondent writing to the _Times_ from Natalsaid:--

"You may be interested to hear a little about the Navy, who have come tothe front as usual and met an emergency. From the first it would seemthat what was wanted were long-range guns which could shell the enemy ata distance outside the range of their Mauser rifles, and the captain ofthe _Terrible_, therefore, proposed a field-mounting for the Naval long12-pounder of 12 cwt. , which has a much longer range than any artillerygun out here. A pair of waggon wheels were picked up, a balk of timberused as a trail, and in twenty-four hours a 12-pounder was ready forland service. Captain Scott then designed a mounting for a 4. 7-inchNaval gun by simply bolting a ship's mounting down on to four pieces ofpile. Experts declared that the 12-pounder would smash up the trail, andthat the 4. 7-inch would turn a somersault; the designer insisted, however, on a trial. When it took place, nothing of the kind happened, except that at extreme elevation the 12-pounder shell went 9000 yardsand the 4. 7-inch (lyddite) projectile 12, 000 yards. Captain Scott was, therefore, encouraged to go ahead, and four 12-pounders were fitted andsent round to Durban in the _Powerful_, and also two 4. 7-inch guns. People say here that these guns saved the situation at Ladysmith. ANaval friend writing to me from the camp says: 'The Boers complain thatwe are not "playing the game"; they only expected to fight rooineks, notsailors who use guns that range seven miles, and they want us to go backto our ships. One of our lyddite shells went over a hill into theircamp, killed fourteen men and wounded thirty. Guns of this descriptionare not, according to the Boer idea, at all proper, and they do notlike our way of staggering humanity. Had these guns been landed earlier, how much might have been saved? It is a peculiar sight to see the4. 7-inch fired. Many thought it would turn over, but Captain Percy Scottappears to have well calculated the stresses; there is with a fullcharge of cordite a slight rise of the fore end, which practicallyrelieves all the fastenings. Hastily put together, and crude as itlooks, it really embraces all the points of a scientific mounting, andit wants a great expert to pronounce an opinion on it. The gun ismounted so high that to the uninitiated it looks as if it must turn overon firing, but it does not, and the higher angle of elevation the lessstrain there is on it. The arrival of our guns practically put the RoyalArtillery guns out of use, for they can come into action 2000 yardsbehind those supplied to the soldiers and then make better practice. Their arrival has, every one admits, quite changed the situation. '

"Captain Scott has also rigged up a searchlight on a railway truck witha flasher attachment, the idea being to use it for communication withKimberley and Ladysmith if these places are surrounded. It has beentested at a distance of forty miles, and proved a great success. I amtold, too, that he is now engaged in designing a travelling carriage fora 6-inch gun, and has, indeed, converted the _Terrible_ into a factoryfor curiosities in gun-mountings. 

"Each mounting, by the way, has an inscription upon it, presumablyconcocted by the ship's painter. One, a parody upon the Scotch proverb, runs, 'Those who sup with me will require a devil of a long spoon';another, 'For what we are going to receive may the Lord make us trulythankful--Oom Paul'; and a third, 'Lay me true and load me tight, theBoers will soon be out of sight. ' I saw one of these guns fired with anelevation of 24 degrees and a range of 12, 000 yards, and fully expectedto see the whole thing capsize, but it hardly moved. After the firing ofseveral rounds I carefully examined the mounting, and noticed that, crude as it might appear, a wonderful amount of practical knowledge wasapparent in its construction; the strain was beautifully distributed, every bolt and each balk bearing its proportionate share. It is in everyway creditable to the navy that when emergency arises such a thing couldbe devised and made by the ship's engineering staff in twenty-fourhours. "

While the brigade was pushing on to the front, General Joubert wasfalling back, with a view to disputing the passage of the Tugela River. He was believed to be concentrating three corps--one on Ladysmith, oneon the Tugela, and one to east of Maritzburg. 

As the scene of the armoured train disaster was only about two milesfrom Frere camp, several of the officers rode out to look at thewreckage of the machine. The trucks were still lying on the line, amost lamentable evidence of shock and collapse. One armoured truck wasoff the metals, two unarmoured trucks were also overturned, onecontaining the platelayers' tools standing on its head, wheelsuppermost, in a state of melancholy abandonment. All the trucks weremute witnesses to the fierce fire to which the train and men had beensubjected. Shell-holes were here, there, and everywhere, and the ironwas ripped up and rent as though it had been matchwood. The spring ofone of the waggons had been blown into space, and the Naval gun whichwas posted on one of the low-sided trucks must have gone with it, for notrace of its existence remained. The method of derailing the train hadbeen simple. A railway metal had been arranged across the lines withstones at the end to weigh it down and keep it from being pushed clear. Besides this, fish-plates had been loosened, and stones put under therails. Round the scene still lay helmets and remnants of clothing, manyof these being blood-stained and ragged. 

At Estcourt all was quiet. Farmers were returning to their homes andprovisions streaming in. Much satisfaction was displayed at the arrivalof some 500 cattle and sheep which the Boers had apparently looted andleft behind them. 

With Lord Methuen's advance in the west and General Buller's arrival inthe east the campaign may be said to have begun in earnest. The Boerprogramme in a fashion seemed to have collapsed; the support of the CapeDutch, on which it had relied, was not forthcoming. The idea of theRepublics was to consolidate themselves and capture Natal, while minorforces were to blockade Mafeking, Vryburg, and Kimberley. This latterplace was to be the rallying-point of the Cape Dutch. But fortunatelythe Cape Dutch did not see it. They did not rise to time and cut off allthe railway systems, and Lord Methuen in his part of the world was tooactive in bringing up his advance to allow for the development of anynefarious schemes which might have been on the tapis. In face of thisdisappointment and this advance, the Boers had to gather themselvestogether. They had no reserves to send down to the assistance of theirforces in the southern borders, and could only assist these bywithdrawing men from commandoes already in the field. As a naturalconsequence, therefore, certain commandoes had to be withdrawn fromMafeking and Kimberley. In Natal all watched the forward march of theBritish with eager eyes. The Boers, hampered by a long train of waggons, captured cattle, and miscellaneous loot, had been headed off at the onlypoint on the Tugela where a crossing, since the heavy rains, could beeffected. It seemed, therefore, that Fortune had twisted her wheel, andthat before long the prospects of South Africa would be brightened, andthe remembrances of eighteen years would be entirely sponged out. Rumours were afloat, however, that the Boers were concentrating in theirold positions near Colenso at the back of Grobler's Kloof, andeverything pointed to the fact that a last determined effort would bemade to prevent the British from crossing the Tugela. 

[Illustration: TELEGRAPH SECTION OF THE ROYAL ENGINEERS. PHOTO BYELLIOTT & FRY]

In spite of the success of our flying column in driving the foe backacross the river, there was cause for regret that the distance was toogreat to allow of our bringing up guns and reinforcements in time tosave the bridge from destruction. But the distance from Frere to Colensowas considerable, and roads were so heavy that the dragging of guns fromone place to the other would have meant a stiff day's work. There wasapparently no option, the Frere bridge being broken, but to let theenemy destroy the Colenso bridge, invaluable as it was. It became veryevident that the enemy meant to fight tooth and nail, and that thepassage of the Tugela would be disputed inch by inch. However, none wasdismayed: all believed that when the great tug-of-war should come, theywould be equal, and more than equal, to the occasion. Indeed, now thatthe forward movement of the troops had commenced, the camp was animatedby a wave of patriotic fervour. The men were literally on fire withenthusiasm. They longed to press on and come to some distinctturning-point in the history of the campaign. 

A word must here be said of the splendid work done at this time by theirregular mounted troops, about 700 in number. Their value in all mannerof ways was continually being demonstrated. This force was made up of atroop of Natal Mounted Police under Captain Fairlie, the Imperial LightHorse, Bethune's Horse, 60th Rifles Company of Thorneycroft's MountedInfantry, Mackenzie's Carabineers, and the 7th Battery of field-guns. 

[Illustration: SERGEANTS OF THE ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY WITH A 12-POUNDER. 

Photo by Gregory & Co. , London. ]

The Boers were now energetically preparing a warm reception for GeneralBuller. Small parties were found in the neighbourhood of Chieveley, andthese were endeavouring to post their long-range guns in convenientpositions for the defence of the river. They were not destined to havethings entirely their own way, however, and were promptly engaged by theImperial Light Horse and forced to retire. This they did to the tune ofa tremendous explosion, which could be heard for miles off. It wascaused by the blowing up of the Colenso bridge, for the purpose ofimpeding our possible advance. The iron bridge over the Tugela River hadpreviously been rendered a hopeless wreck. The number of Boers roundColenso at this time was said to be about 15, 000, with some 15 guns. AtFrere camp our troops numbered about 3500, and at Estcourt there wereabout the same number, but reinforcements were expected. 

 SURPRISES AT LADYSMITH

At Ladysmith, St. Andrew's Day was duly kept by the Gordon Highlanders, and Scottish compliments, appropriately seasoned with whisky--nowgetting tragically scarce--were passed round. Sir George White dinedwith the gallant regiment. Now that the town was in heliographiccommunication with Sir Redvers Buller, and military intelligence wasreceived regarding the movements of the relieving force, there was ageneral sense of security among those who had been incarcerated so long. The Ladysmith force under General White's command amounted to a total ofsome 12, 500 troops, and these, could they once get free and join theforce, numbering about 20, 000, at Sir Redvers Buller's disposal, wouldhave made a sensible difference on the fortunes of Natal. At this timeprovisions were fairly moderate in price, meat being one shilling apound and bread fourpence a pound, but luxuries, liquors, &c. , weregrowing scarce. For instance, a tin of milk--the last inLadysmith--fetched three shillings, and eggs were purchasable for sixshillings a dozen. The military authorities had commandeered alleatables, arranging that bread and meat should be sold at prices fixedfor all. The health of the troops was kept up by athletic exercises, andthe officers at times played polo. The bars at the hotels were closed, but mineral waters were obtainable. Horses began to look lean, thoughoats and mealies, bran and hay were forthcoming in sufficient quantity;but of pasturage there was little. The Boers made great efforts to shootthe cattle, thinking that though they might not storm the garrison theymight starve it to surrender. Very few newspapers were smuggled intothe town, and these were rapturously seized and devoured. Life wasmonotonous and a little sickness began to be apparent, many of the casesarising from using the muddy water of the river. 

It was now discovered that the fashionable entertainment of the Dutchladies was to take special weekly trains from Pretoria for the purposeof joining the Boers on the hills outside Ladysmith and inspecting theunhappy town. The forces surrounding the place were commanded bySchalk-Burger and Louis Botha, who doubtless, with Pretorian dames, werethe heroes of the hour. 

On Sundays Divine Service took place in the Church of England, theCongregational minister's house, and in the Convent, all these religiousdevotions partaking of a particularly solemn and earnest character. Every man stood, as it were, with his life in his hands before his God, and week after week it was impossible to say which of the devout flockmight be missing, and have gone out into the invisible to solve the_grana peut-être_. There was a pathetic atmosphere surrounding thesereligious meetings that none who joined in them will ever forget. 

On the 8th of December a very brilliant operation took place atLombard's Kop. General Hunter, with a hundred picked men of the ImperialLight Horse under Colonel Edwards (5th Dragoon Guards), and five hundredNatal Carabineers under Colonel Royston, started from Ladysmith campabout nine o'clock on the previous night. Four abreast they marched fromthe outpost and faded in the gloom. The march lay across a stony, ruggedplain, through the scrub of mimosa bush and among dongas deep andshallow. Close on the heels of Major Henderson and several of the Corpsof Guides the troops pressed on. About ten o'clock they reached the baseof the hill under Lombard's Kop, and there took up a position. Whilestill pitch dark--two o'clock in the morning--they began to advance ontheir perilous enterprise, climbing up steep and slippery slopes, andstumbling over boulders, and tripping on loosened stones. The starsblinked, the sky seemed slumbering in one vast dream of blue. Stealthilythey moved with the footfalls of tigers stalking their prey. Not a wordwas spoken. Scarcely a breath drawn. 

Above, on the flat top of the hills, were the objects of Britishdesire--the Boer guns. A 6-inch Creusot, throwing a 94-lb. Shell, and a4. 7-inch howitzer, firing a 40-lb. Shot. More anxious than sweetheartfor the sight of his lady-love were these gallant fellows for the touchof these treasures. Up they went, each outracing the other, strainingevery nerve and muscle to gain the summit of the hill, to be first tohandle the prize!

At last, when about half the distance had been cleared, they werechallenged by the picket. "Wie gaat daar?"--"Who goes there?" he sangout in alarm. It was a thrilling moment. To the challenge there could bebut one reply. That reply they gave. Shots rang out in the darkness. There was now no more creeping. Tongues of flame darted from every side. The troops pushed forward in the grey mysterious gloom to the ping ofbullets that whizzed in shoals swiftly past their ears. Major Hendersondropped. More bullets rained down. A Guide fell wounded by cyclebearing-balls shot from a rifle--so it was subsequently said. Onegallant fellow after another threw up his arms dying or dead. But stillthe troops pressed on, Colonel Edwards in advance shouting them on tovictory. "Fix bayonets, " he called with a voice of thunder, knowingthere were but four bayonets among the lot. "Give 'em cold steel, "shouted some one else with delirious rapture, and the Carabineers andLight Horse, with scarce a bayonet to their name, cheered and charged!But the Boers delayed not to find out if there were steel or no steel. They fled in dismay, leaving behind them their cherished guns. So swiftindeed was their flight, that hats, boots, letters, everything--werescattered to the winds. 

Thereupon Captain Fowke and Lieutenant Turner, R. E. , with great skilldestroyed a 6-inch gun and a 4. 7-inch howitzer with gun-cotton. Theyalso captured a Maxim. This magnificent piece of work, counting from themoment the order to charge was given, was performed in three-quarters ofan hour, with the loss to our troops of only seven men. The conduct ofthe Imperial Light Horse was superb, and Major Edwards was the first manin the embrasure. The following is an account of the destruction of theguns given by the war correspondent of the _Standard_:--

 "In order to give the rest of the force time to complete its work, Major Edwards, who was the first man to set foot on the summit, led his men of the Imperial Light Horse to the far side of the hill, and poured volleys in the direction of the Boer retreat. Some of their vedettes could be seen hovering about, but they were evidently too demoralised to approach us closely. 

 "Meanwhile, the Volunteers and Sappers were making a hurried search for the big guns. For a moment the horrible thought seized us that there might be no guns at all--that the enemy, as has so often been the case of late, had somehow got wind of the projected attack, and had removed the cannon to a safe distance. But at last, to the delight of everybody, 'Long Tom' itself was discovered, snugly ensconced behind a parapet of sand-bags no less than 31 feet thick. A 4. 7-inch howitzer was found in an emplacement hardly less strong, with a Maxim gun between the two--posted there, apparently, for the purpose of repelling any such assault as the one we had actually delivered. 

 "Lieutenant Turner, with a party of two sappers and six artillerymen, at once took charge of 'Long Tom, ' and, getting to work with crowbars and hammers, smashed the breach and elevating gear. Two charges of gun-cotton were then placed in the breech and muzzle and connected with fuses. While 'Long Tom' was thus being provided for, similar attentions were bestowed on the howitzer by Captain Fowke and the other sappers and gunners. 

 "The preparations being complete, General Hunter ordered the men to make their way back down the hill, and the fuses were set light to with the burning ends of the officers' cigars. Everybody fell back, with the exception of Captain Fowke, who remained midway between the big guns, and, after a couple of minutes' suspense, a loud report showed that our object had been accomplished. Captain Fowke hastened to examine the _débris_, and found that the 6-inch gun had two gaping holes in its muzzle, which was badly bulged, and that the breech and rifling had been destroyed beyond all chance of repair. The howitzer was in an even worse plight, the explosion having wrecked the carriage as well as the gun. "

The force under General Hunter was composed of a hundred men selectedfrom three squadrons of the Imperial Light Horse: Squadron B, CaptainMullens; Squadron E, Captain Codrington; Squadron F, Captain Fowler;Commanding Officer, Colonel A. H. M. Edwards, of the 5th Dragoon Guards, with Major "Karri" Davis, and Captain Fitzgerald, Adjutant of theRegiment. The second hundred men were chosen from the Natal Volunteers, and were led by Major Addison. The flanking parties, under ColonelRoyston, were composed of Natal Mounted Rifles, under Major Evans;Border Mounted Rifles, under Major Rethman; Carabineers, under ColonelGreene; and Natal Mounted Police, under Inspector Clarke; ColonelRoyston in command. Major Henderson was in charge of the Guides. Ourcasualties were nine wounded, one mortally. 

A little later in the day a smart skirmish commenced between ColonelKnox with one squadron of the 19th Hussars and the Boers on PepworthHill. The enemy thinking that all the troops had been engaged, to theirdiscomfiture, near Lombard's Kop, arranged that they would seize theopportunity to approach the town. Again they were somewhat surprised tofind Colonel Knox and his party in readiness for them. Some briskfighting ensued, but all was over by six o'clock, and the net result ofthe morning's work was considered highly satisfactory. The voice of"Long Tom" was completely silenced, and Ladysmith had got a Maxim to thegood. The Boer telegraph lines were cut and their kraals burnt. On thewhole, the troops were well pleased with themselves, and returned toreceive an enthusiastic reception from those within the town. The onlyregret was that Major Henderson, D. A. A. G. , 1st Argyll and SutherlandHighlanders, should have been wounded in two places. 

Probably this was the first time in the history of British arms thatguns have been stormed by Mounted Infantry, and the complete success ofthe movement reflected the utmost credit, not only on the troopsthemselves, but on Major-General Hunter, who so magnificently led theassault. After the men returned to camp, General White had theVolunteers, Light Horsemen, and other portions of the force paraded, andaddressed them as follows:--

 "Colonel Royston, officers and men of the Natal Mounted Volunteers, officers and men of the Imperial Light Horse, and officers and men of the Imperial Forces, --I have heard the details of last night's work from Major-General Hunter, who so ably planned the undertaking and carried it out. He has asked me to express to you his appreciation--and deep appreciation--of the admirable manner in which you supported him in it throughout. It is a great pleasure to me that I am here, not only to acknowledge the fine work you did last night and your valuable services, but also as I was longing for an opportunity of acknowledging the value of your services since this campaign commenced. I am glad to think that the very important service rendered last night was got through with so few casualties. It will be a great pleasure to me to report to General Sir Redvers Buller, whom we all hope to see in a few days, the good behaviour and great help we have had from the Natal Volunteers, who, I may say without any inflated or exaggerated language, are a credit, not only to their own Colony, but to the Empire. We I daresay, have a lot of severe fighting before us, and it is a great gratification to me to know I have the help of such men as I see before me. I know you had a bad night last night and are needing rest, but I thought you would not, perhaps, mind my turning you out to tell you how all the officers of this force appreciate your behaviour, and I hope you will keep it up to the end. Colonel Royston, I won't keep the parade any longer. "

Hearty cheers were given for General White, Major-General Hunter, andthe Queen. 

General White also addressed the Royal Engineers and Artillery, statingthat all praise was due to the officer in charge for the able manner inwhich he had performed his duty, and to the men for the steadiness withwhich they had assisted individually. 

General White visited the I. L. H. Camp, inspecting the corps on parade, and expressed himself in similar terms to those used to the Volunteers. 

Doubtless the success of the last midnight sortie roused a spirit ofemulation in the breast of the gallant besieged, for another daringmanoeuvre was secretly planned. It was decided that an effort shouldnow be made to destroy an inconveniently active 4. 7-inch howitzer whichwas posted on a height appropriately termed Surprise Hill. When theshades of night began to fall, five companies of the Rifle Brigade, withan Engineer detachment in charge of Lieutenant Digby Jones, R. E. , started off from King's Post on their dangerous mission. The moon, however, shone clear and white, throwing undesirable magnesian lightover their progress. It was a night for Hero and Leander, not for deedsdark and deadly. For this reason they halted at the base of ObservationHill until such time as it was possible to proceed in safety. Presentlythe moon sank behind clouds and they moved on. At half-past one theycrossed the railway lines and commenced, stealthy as cats, to ascendthe hill. One company and a half was left on the right, and one companyand a half on the left flank. A half company was posted in a nullah nearthe railway. The remainder of the force, led by Colonel Metcalfe, deployed into line and ascended with steady, cautious step. The Boerpicket was evidently dozing, as the party was never challenged till theBritish had almost reached the top of the hill. Then, with a suddensurprised "Who goes there?" and a leap to arms, the enemy fired severalshots. Directly afterwards, the order to "Fix bayonets" was given. Thiswas followed by the click of steel and the rush of our men wildlycheering--cheering till the midnight echoes rang with weirdreverberations. The crest of the hill was carried! The Boers, afterfiring a few shots, had vanished into space. 

After some moments of anxious search the gun--the object of the Britishoperations--was found. It was promptly surrounded, and the breech-blockand muzzle were destroyed with gun-cotton by Lieutenant Digby Jones, R. E. The fuse unluckily declined at first to ignite, causing the delayof some twenty minutes, during which interval the Boers, reinforced, hadswept back round the kopje and sandwiched themselves between theattacking force as they retired down-hill and the reserves. Theconfusion that ensued was lamentable, as the fighting line were forcedto cut their way through with the bayonet, but this with extremecaution, as in the darkness it was difficult to distinguish betweenfriend and foe. The Boers cunningly enhanced the difficulty of theposition by passing themselves off as British, and repeating our criesand orders, and calling "Is that the Rifle Brigade?" &c. On receiving ananswer they promptly fired, our reserve being unable to make returnowing to a fear of injuring our own force. The Boers' losses were great. Our own were: Lieutenant Fergusson, 2nd Rifle Brigade, and ten rank andfile killed; Captain Paley, Second Lieutenant Davenport, SecondLieutenant Bond, and forty rank and file wounded. Six men of the RifleBrigade who remained in charge of the wounded were taken prisoners. 

Sir George White now continually used his balloon for purposes ofobservation. He was also in communication with Frere Camp, where anelectric searchlight was in operation, and with Umkolanda, near Weenen, where Captain Cayzer of the Dragoons worked the heliograph. 

The garrison still remained cheerful although the Boer bombardment grewheavier. Threatening sounds of firing in the neighbourhood of Colensocaused them to sustain hope, though the pinch of siege life, suspense, sickness, and shell-fire were beginning to be felt. However, owing tothe admirable forethought of Colonel Ward, Army Service Corps, the foodsupply was still equal to the drain upon it. 

 FRERE CAMP

General Sir F. C. Clery arrived at Frere on the 2nd of December, andassumed command of the Second Division. He took up his quarters at theshattered house of the stationmaster. Preparations were set on foot torepair Frere bridge, which had been entirely wrecked, and a mountedforce under Lord Dundonald was actively engaged in chasing large partiesof Boers on their return to Colenso. Great interest was caused by thearrival in camp of another of the inventions of Captain Scott of the_Terrible_. It consisted of a searchlight apparatus for signalling toLadysmith, with engine and dynamo, entirely armoured. Communication withLadysmith by heliograph was soon successfully established, much to theconsternation of the Boers at Colenso, who tried their best to interferewith messages. The camp was daily increasing in size, andreinforcements, with their baggage, horses, waggons, and guns, began topour in from Maritzburg, while the Durban Light Infantry and a batteryof Natal Field Artillery were posted to protect Estcourt, Willow Grange, and Mooi River from raiders and attacks on lines and telegraph wires. 

[Illustration: FROM FRERE TO CHIEVELEY--DIFFICULTIES OF TRANSPORT. 

Drawing by R. Caton Woodville. ]

The arrival of Generals Buller and Clery and the increasingconcentration of troops now began to presage an important and, it washoped, decisive movement. Visual communication was being held nightlywith General White, and a combined action seemed quite possible. It wasrecognised, however, that the Boer position at Colenso could not betaken by direct frontal attack, and that some arrangement to turn theleft of the enemy must simultaneously accompany a demonstration infront. Mounted troops had now joined the British forces, and there wasevery hope that the Dutchmen, once routed, could be pursued and kept onthe run. But so far the Boers were unconcerned; they seemed to be infine fettle, and even indulged in humour at the expense of the Britishgarrison. When the heliographers questioned the enemy, "Are you Boers?"they replied, "Yes. " They were then asked, "Where are you going?" andbounced back, "To Maritzburg. " "God help you, " said we. "We think Hewill, " they devoutly replied. They also indulged in compliments of aless righteous description, finishing up with the crude and scarcelyeloquent expression, "Go to h--ll. " But, as a mild diversion, Boerhumour was accepted, for, in the routine of the soldier's existence, thesmallest mercies in the form of distraction were thankfully received. Life just then, even for the officers, was not roseate--the messes had aubiquitous menu of bully beef and bread, and the mess-tents were made ofthe tarpaulins of the big mule-waggons. Repose was a beautiful name. Thetorture of sleeping on a valise on the ground for weeks at a stretchwas--so an officer declared--much the same as that produced by some bedsin Irish inns--after lying down for some hours, you have to get up andtake a rest!

Meanwhile, Provost-Marshal Major Chichester, at Frere Camp, distinguished himself. On the 7th of December he started off with thirtymen of the Natal Carabineers and a few Mounted Police for the purpose ofarresting three colonists suspected of aiding the enemy. They left campfor the Gourton district at about 5 A. M. , and marched through thecountry beneath the snow-capped Drakensberg Mountains some fifty miles. There the landscape is picturesque and beautiful as any in Natal; buttheir object was not to admire scenery, but to pursue traitors. At asmall farm they came upon the objects of their search. The miscreantswere promptly seized, together with their loot, some 150 head of cattle. With these the party started to return, but were fired on by six Boersfrom a neighbouring donga or ditch. Major Chichester then orderedforward part of his troop with the prisoners in charge, while he and therest of his men held the enemy at bay. A brisk fusillade ensued, inwhich five of the enemy's ponies were killed, and several of the Boerswere shot. The party returned to camp safely, after having accomplishedthe object of their expedition in the space of twenty-three hours. 

The trestle bridge at Frere was now completed, and trains began to runover it. Frere Bridge, on the Natal Government Railway, some twentymiles from Ladysmith, was, it may be remembered, the first to be blownup by the Boers on their retreat from Estcourt to Colenso. 

The following is a rough list of the force, under General Sir RedversBuller, Major-General Sir C. F. Clery, Major-General Hildyard, andMajor-General Barton, which was now advancing towards Ladysmith fromDurban by way of Pietermaritzburg, Mooi River, Estcourt, and Colenso:--

 1st Border Regiment, 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 2nd West Yorkshire, 2nd East Surrey, 2nd West Surrey, 2nd Devonshire, 1st Welsh Fusiliers, 2nd Scottish Rifles, 2nd Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers, 1st Royal Dragoons, 1st Durham Light Infantry, 13th Hussars, 1st Connaught Rangers, 1st Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Gordon Highlanders, 1st Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Somersetshire Light Infantry, 3rd King's Royal Rifles, B Squadron 6th Dragoon Guards, one Squadron Imperial Light Horse, Durban Light Infantry, various Local Rifle Associations, Naval Detachments, Volunteer Cavalry and Infantry, Uitlander Corps under Major Thorneycroft, 7th, 14th, 64th, 66th, 73rd Field Batteries, several Companies Royal Engineers, several Companies R. A. M. C. , Field Hospitals. 

Besides the arrival of incoming regiments, camp life at Frere wasenlivened by many minor episodes. Provost-Marshal Major Chichester paidmore surprise visits to Dutch farms whose owners were suspected ofaiding the enemy. Though looting was strictly forbidden, some of theraiding parties returned with interesting souvenirs of theirexpeditions--sometimes in the form of corpulent turkey, squeakingsucking-pig, or other dainty with which to vary the monotony of campfare. Good-nature prevailed among the troops, and the health of the mentestified to the excellence of their feeding. Fair beef, occasionalmutton, and beer were available, and with these at hand and the enemy infront, and shortly to be interviewed by heavy guns plus the bayonet, "Tommy" was well content. Meanwhile, reinforcements continued to come upfrom Maritzburg in all haste. The march from thence to Balgowan made thefirst twenty-five miles. On to Nottingham Road made another ten. After ahalt they took another twelve miles stretch to Mooi River. To Estcourtwas twenty-four miles over fresh and verdurous country, and to FrereCamp was another fifteen. The troops, as a rule, were on the move aboutthree in the morning, for it was now the Cape summer, and as much toilas possible was accomplished before the sun was up. Striking tents, loading waggons, feeding and watering horses, swallowing breakfast, tookplace in twilight, and then they proceeded to saddle up and march. Arrived at their destination, the troops off-saddled, attended to thehorses, pitched tents, and performed other camp duties. Rationsconsisted of bread, tea, coffee, sometimes meat and potatoes. Water wasa luxury, and so little was wasted for external application that severaltroopers offered to play the part of Othello without any make up. Thewar kit of the men was somewhat of the Christmas-tree order. On themwere haversacks containing food, horse-brush, currycomb, and towel, water-bottle, bandolier with fifty cartridges, waistbelt and gunweighing ten pounds. Often as not they turned in to rest, if not exactlythus equipped, at least booted and spurred, ready to be up and doing ata moment's notice!

On the morning of the 14th of December the troops advanced from Frere toChieveley. Reveille was sounded at 3 A. M. , and soon the camp was onebuzz of active life. In the warm glow of camp-fires tents were struck, kits packed, horses fed and watered, and the men breakfasted. Fourregiments of infantry "fell in" and moved out from the camp, followed atintervals by other arms. The procession measured some eight miles long, and was composed of variegated objects, such as ambulance waggonsdragged by innumerable oxen, mule and donkey carts, the teams and gunsof six field-batteries, cavalry and infantry, and hale and hearty JackTars, looking very ship-shape, square and determined, and joking asthough they were off to a ball. All were equally jovial, all confidentthat the big move was begun, and a big and glorious ending was instore. 

The entire force encamped three miles from the Tuegla River tonorth-west of Chieveley Station; the Infantry Brigades being on theextreme front, while the Cavalry, Mounted Infantry, and Artillery werenearer to Chieveley. Soon after this the Naval guns set to work tosearch the intrenchments and positions of the enemy north of Colenso. These guns, consisting of two 4. 7-inch and four 12-pounders, were postedsome 3000 yards south of the Tugela, about three miles from Colensovillage, and facing what was afterwards discovered to be the Boers'position. Their bark resounded over the kopjes for miles, throwing upgigantic volcanic eruptions, which resembled mammoth mushrooms suddenlyspringing to life. But beyond filling the hearts of hearers with awe, they produced no result. The Boers were silent, so silent indeed thatsome imagined that they had vacated their positions and that the passageof the Tugela would after all be quite a frolicsome picnic, withperchance a few crackers thrown in. All were deceived--even those wellacquainted with Boer tricks and duplicity--and all imagined that theenemy had fallen back, possibly for the closer protection of Ladysmith. 

But before going further, it is necessary to keep in touch with otherbrave defenders of the Empire. 

[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS--4. 7 NAVAL GUN ON CARRIAGE IMPROVISED BYCAPT. PERCY SCOTT OF H. M. S. _Terrible_. PHOTO BY E. KENNARD, MARKETHARBOROUGH]

 CHAPTER V

 ACTIVITY AT THE CAPE

Boer annexations continued with insolent persistency, and the HighCommissioner, Sir Alfred Milner, telegraphed thus to Mr. Chamberlain:--

 "_16th November_--Having been informed that Orange Free State have issued Proclamations annexing Griqualand West and portions of the Aliwal North, Albert, and Colesberg districts, I issued counter-Proclamation on 10th November and 15th November of a similar kind to that in my telegram of 28th October, and have declared latter districts to be under martial law. "

[Illustration: SERGEANT-MAJOR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES LANCERS. 

Photo by Gregory & Co. , London. ]

At this time the British reinforcements arriving in Cape Colony were:--

 3rd Battalion Staffordshire, 1st Highland Light Infantry and Mounted Infantry, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 2nd Northampton Regiment, 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders, part of 2nd East Surrey, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, 2nd Battalion Devonshires, 12th Lancers, Engineers, R. A. M. C. , Field Hospitals, Post-Office Corps, Seamen and Marines, and 2nd Royal Irish Rifles--about 10, 900. 

It must here be noted that among the many prominent persons who hadplaced themselves at the disposal of their country and were leaving forthe front were Sir W. MacCormac and Mr. Makins, whose surgical skill wasoffered to relieve the suffering. Mr. Treves, the eminent surgeon, hadalso volunteered his services. The following regiments arrived at CapeTown on the 20th of November, and went on to reinforce the advancecolumns or to preserve the lines of communication under the command ofLieut. -General Sir W. E. F. Forestier-Walker:--

 12th Lancers, one squadron 14th Hussars, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers, four companies 2nd Berkshire, 2nd Royal Highlanders, 1st Highland Light Infantry, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 1st Welsh Regiment, several Corps of Engineers, including Balloon Sections, Batteries, Field Hospitals, Seamen and Marines, Post-Office Corps, Railway Engineers, Corps of Light Horse (in course of formation), New Zealand contingent:--a total of about 8000 men. 

The South African Light Horse, a corps formed of the Uitlanders, wasbeing rapidly organised, and great enthusiasm prevailed among theColonists. All were anxious to be first in the field and to displaytheir loyalty to the Sovereign. Indeed, there was not a little jealousylest other Colonists might debar those at the Cape from proving theirdevotion to the full. The new regiment started on the 30th of Novemberfor the north amid enthusiastic cheers. 

Quantities of reports having been circulated and a great deal ofmisapprehension caused as to the policy and intention of the Government, Sir Alfred Milner issued a proclamation addressed to the people of CapeColony. In it he said:--

 "Misleading manifestoes from beyond the borders represent the Imperial Government as desiring to oppress the Dutch, and the idea has been spread abroad that the Dutch are to be deprived of constitutional rights. 

 "There is absolutely no truth in such allegations. The Imperial Government desires the greatest freedom of self-government for Dutch and British alike, and the extension, not the curtailment, of the above. The Constitution can solely be endangered by rebellion. 

 "The Imperial Government adheres firmly to the principles of equal freedom for all loyal Colonists. 

 "Her Majesty the Queen during her long reign has given innumerable proofs that she does not favour one race at the expense of another. All allegations to the contrary are made either in ignorance or with the deliberate intention of shaking the loyalty of a section of the community, including many connected by close ties of kinship with a people with which we are now at war. 

 "An attempt is being made to inflame their minds, and to convert feelings of sympathy with kinsmen into a spirit of rebellion, by representing the Imperial Government as hostile to the Dutch, and by otherwise distorting its acts and objects. 

 "I gladly recognise that the majority, nevertheless, maintain a law-abiding attitude, and I am proud of their worthiness of the confidence reposed in them. But the statements which continue to be spread abroad are producing a deplorable effect in some quarters, and I therefore most earnestly warn all against being misled into defection from their allegiance, and thereby exposing themselves to grave consequences. 

 "I call upon all the Queen's subjects, of whatever race, to stand together in support of the Crown and its authority. "

But, for the treachery of some of Her Majesty's subjects, the devotionand fealty of others made glorious atonement. There are loyal people inthe Cape, who, if they live to be as old as Methuselah, will neverforget the opening of December. The streets of Cape Town were literallypanting with enthusiasm, every hole and corner being alive with animatedcrowds to welcome the New Zealanders, Australians, and Canadians, gallant fellows, who, from sheer pride in being associated with thedefence of the mother country, came trooping to do battle in her cause. Each successive arrival of the Colonists was the cue for freshdemonstrations and for the display of flags and banners bearing mottoes, "For Queen and Empire, " "Welcome, Brother Colonists, " and the like; andby the time the Canadians had landed patriotic feeling had reached itsclimax. Then public enthusiasm literally seemed to burst all bounds. The streets, windows, verandahs, roofs, were packed with an excited, surging, shouting, cheering throng, and the air was thick with hats, andflags, and handkerchiefs, waving a hearty welcome to our Britishbrethren from across the seas. The Canadians, about 1000 strong, were "asicht for sair e'en, " as the Scots would say, a hale, well-grown, muscular set of men, who evidently appreciated the magnificent receptionthat was accorded them, and who as evidently meant to earn laurels inthe service of the great Queen Mother. Indeed, all the Colonial troopswere remarkable for their excellent appearance, and the sight of themarriving from every corner of the earth to support the honour andprestige of the Empire was vastly inspiriting. One may safely assertthat such an exhibition of patriotic solidarity and power was withoutprecedent in the world's history. 

There never was such a show of fine men, said all who saw them; but--. There was a great But. We were deficient still in other ways. We had themen, but in the matter of guns we were still lamentably weak; we couldnot compete with our enemies. Those in power seemed to have beenignorant of, or apathetic to, the fact that the expenditure of theTransvaal Government for artillery during the previous four years hadbeen enormous. The marvel was that our Intelligence Department shouldhave taken no cognisance of these gigantic preparations, or that if ithad, the Cabinet had not acted on its information. In 1894 £100, 000 washanded over to Krupp of Germany, and the same amount to an Austrianfirm. Two of the finest guns in the world were imported in 1895. Thesewere 48 feet long, 120 tons in weight, throwing a shell weighing 2300lbs. , and requiring 904 lbs. Of powder for each discharge. Both wereamply provided with ammunition, which, in addition to the great steeland iron shells, consisted of shrapnel holding 3000 balls, weighing 3½ounces each. One of these treasures was pointed at Ladysmith, and theother was used to defend the fortifications of Pretoria. 

This was not all. In 1895 Krupp received another £100, 000, andfield-guns of long range, which we now know too well, were forwarded, and also certain mountain and bush guns suited to high ground and hotclimate. In 1896 further developments took place. Six Creusot guns wereintroduced, to be followed later on by eighteen more. In 1897, '98, and'99 further additions to the Boer artillery were made, and the frontierkopjes fortified, and distances marked and measured. Then were boughtforty-eight rapid-fire Schneider-Canet 14½ pounders, that throw ashrapnel containing 234 bullets, to be fired 200 times per minute, witha range of 3½ miles. Maxims in plenty were invested in, as those inMafeking and Ladysmith knew to their cost, and the Boers also securedfour batteries of 12-lb. Quick-firing Vickers Maxim guns, with a rangeextending up to 5000 yards. Four guns with a range of 1200 yards weredistributed between hills guarding the Drakensberg passes, Ladysmith, and Pretoria. 

With this array of guns only our Naval guns could compete. As regardshorses, we were also deficient. The sea-voyage played terrible havocwith the poor beasts. Ill-luck seemed to pursue us, for on the 4th ofDecember grievous news arrived that the _Esmore_ with the 10th Hussarsand a battalion of infantry on board had gone ashore at St. Helena, some180 miles from Cape Town. Fortunately the men were rescued from thetransport, but their chargers were all lost. This was a terrible blow, for at the time cavalry was almost a nullity, and operations weresomewhat suspended, if not entirely crippled, owing to the lack of thatarm. Indeed, Lord Methuen's brilliant operations on the Orange River hadall been heavily handicapped owing to the impossibility of pushing hisvictories home, and at this time the one cry of the commandants inchorus was, "Oh for a Cavalry Brigade!" There was General French, a borncavalry commander, minus mounted troops; General Gatacre with hisdivision distributed in fragments everywhere; Lord Methuen hampered asbefore described, all because the nation had allowed itself to slumberand drift, and put its hand to the helm too late!

As there were continual changes in the military situation, it may be aswell to make a rough computation of the troops engaged in the variouscampaigns. In Ladysmith, Sir George White had some 9500 men, while atColenso, Weenen, and Natal, Generals Buller and Clery had between themsome 23, 000. Advancing from Queenstown to attack Stormberg was GeneralGatacre with 6000 men, while a probable 3000--cavalry and infantry--werewith General French at Naaupoort. In the west, advancing from the ModderRiver to the relief of Kimberley, Lord Methuen had less than 8000 men, and on the line of communications at Graspan, Orange River, and De Aarwere some 8000 more. At Kimberley there were about 2000 troops, whilewith Colonel Baden-Powell at Mafeking and Colonel Plumer in Rhodesiawere about 1000 men respectively. The newly-arrived Canadian contingent, numbering some 1000 men, were sent to the front to act in concert withthe Black Watch and Seaforth Highlanders. Quantities of soldiers andvolunteers were daily arriving, all of them in high spirits at a chanceof seeing service. Among the many passengers who landed on the 11th ofDecember was one whose zealous determination to serve his country causednot a little emotion in those who heard his story. He was a reservistbelonging to the Seaforth Highlanders, who was absent when called up. Hehad been in France, and only arrived in England twenty-four hours afterthe troopship which brought out his regiment started. He thereforeproceeded to Southampton, paid his passage to Cape Town, and went on tothe front at his own expense. 

Of course, this is a solitary example of devotion to duty, but there arethousands which might be recorded. Millionaires rushed from theirpalaces, from the lap of nineteenth-century luxury into sober kharki, with all its accompaniment of bully beef and muddy water; bridegroomstore themselves from winning brides, and scurried from the altar-railsto sacrifice their lives--at that moment more precious than at any othertime--for the honour of the Empire. Not only "Dukes' sons, " but a Dukeindeed joined in the magnificent mob who clamoured to fight for thegreat cause. This impetuosity of gallantry had even its comic side, fordeserters came from hiding ready to face shot and shell rather than beout of it; small boys tried spurious dodges to bring themselves to"regulation" height; and many fibbed right royally as to their ages!Some even, when rejected, were found stowed away after the transportshad put to sea! "Trifles these, " some prosaic readers will remark. Possibly, but to others such trifles made confirmation "strong as holywrit" that the martial majesty of our mighty nation was never moregrandly evident than in the declining years of Victoria's reign!

The glorious work done by Cape Colony in aid of the Empire may beappreciated in viewing the following figures, which show that nearly6000 South African volunteers were called out for service during themonth of December:--

 Prince Alfred's Own Artillery, Cape Town, 120; Cape Garrison Artillery, Cape Town, 450; Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles, Cape Town, 1000; Cape Town Highlanders, Cape Town, 500; Prince Alfred's Guard, Port Elizabeth, 600; Uitenhage Rifles, Uitenhage, 200; Kaffrarian Rifles, East London, 400; 1st City Volunteers, Grahamstown, 500; Queenstown Rifle Volunteers, Queenstown, 300; Kimberley Regiment, Kimberley, 650; Diamond Fields Artillery, Kimberley, 120; Frontier Mounted Rifles, Cathcart, 200; Komgha Mounted Rifles, Komgha, 100; Transkei Mounted Rifles, Butterworth, 125; Xalanga Border Mounted Rifle Club, 72; Tembuland Mounted Rifle Club, 52; Engcobo Mounted Rifle Club, 47; Cape Medical Staff Corps, 200:--total, 5636. 

This number only included volunteers, and did not take in the paidirregular regiments, Mounted Police, and other bodies, of which therewere several thousand more. In fact, it was estimated that the Coloniallevies in Cape Colony alone numbered, at the end of 1899, about 12, 000men. 

The troops in South Africa early in December, apart from the force underSir George White, were approximately the following:--

 CAVALRY DIVISION (Lieut. -General French). --1st Brigade (Major-General Babington)--R Battery R. H. A. , 6th Dragoon Guards, 10th Hussars, Mounted Infantry, Ammunition Column, No. 9 Field Hospital. 2nd Brigade (Major-General Brabazon)--O Battery R. H. A. , 1st Royal Dragoons, 6th Dragoons, 2nd Dragoons, Ammunition Column, No. 12 Company R. A. M. C. 

 KIMBERLEY RELIEF COLUMN (Lord Methuen's Command). --Major-General Sir H. E. Colvile's Brigade--1st Scots Guards, 1st Coldstream Guards, 2nd Coldstream Guards, 3rd Grenadier Guards. Major-General Pole-Carew's Brigade--1st Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment, 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (half-battalion). Major-General Wauchope's Brigade--1st Highland Light Infantry, 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 2nd Royal Highlanders, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, No. 8 Field Hospital. Naval Brigade, G and P Batteries R. H. A. , 18th, 37th (howitzer), 62nd, and 75th Royal Field Artillery, 9th and 12th Lancers, 7th Field Company Royal Engineers, Ammunition Column, No. 19 Field Hospital. 

 COLONIAL FORCES (in support of Lord Methuen). --Canadian Contingent, New South Wales Lancers, New Zealand, South and West Australian, Tasmanian, and Victorian Contingents. 

 TROOPS IN SOUTH NATAL (Lieut. -General Sir C. F. Clery's Command). --Major-General Hildyard's Brigade--2nd Royal West Surrey, 2nd West Yorkshire, 2nd East Surrey, 2nd Devonshire. Major-General Lyttleton's Brigade--2nd Scottish Rifles, 1st Durham Light Infantry, 1st Rifle Brigade, 3rd King's Royal Rifles, No. 14 Field Hospital. Major-General Barton's Brigade--1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers, 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, 2nd Royal Fusiliers, Field Hospital. Major-General Fitzroy Hart's Brigade--1st Connaught Rangers, 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, No. 10 Field Hospital Company, No. 16 Bearer Company, 2nd Somerset Light Infantry, 1st Borderers, 2nd King's Royal Rifles, 1st Gordon Highlanders, 7th, 14th, 64th, 66th, and 73rd Batteries R. F. A. , 12th Field Company R. E. , Ammunition Column, No. 3 Field Hospital. 

 IN CAPE COLONY (Lieut. -General Gatacre's Command). --1st Welsh Regiment, 1st Royal Scots, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Royal Berkshire, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, 1st Rifle Brigade, 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers, 2nd Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry, 74th, 77th, and 79th Batteries R. F. A. , Two Station Hospitals. 

 CORPS TROOPS. --4th, 38th, 61st, 65th, and 78th Batteries R. F. A. , 4th Mountain Battery, 13th Hussars, 1st Telegraph Division R. E. , 10th Railway Company R. E. , 26th Field Company R. E. , 1st Field Park R. E. , Pontoon Troop R. E. , Balloon Section R. E. , No. 5 Field Hospital. 

 UNATTACHED. --1st Suffolks, 1st Essex. 

 WITH GENERAL GATACRE

By the end of November two British forces were advancing from EastLondon by way of Queenstown to the Stormberg and Colesberg districts inthe north of Cape Colony. With General French's advance we must dealanon: that of Major-General Sir W. F. Gatacre calls for immediateattention. The General had under his command what was by courtesy termedthe 3rd Division, namely, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, four companies of the1st Royal Berkshire Regiment, a troop of the New South Wales Lancers, some companies of Army Medical Corps, Field Hospital, and VolunteerMounted Infantry. The total was about 5000 men. 

On the 28th of November he was reinforced by the 2nd NorthumberlandFusiliers. His force, as we see, was none too large, for he wasproceeding through country where it may be said that every hand waseither openly or stealthily turned against him. For strategical reasons, and for the purpose of reassuring the British population, however, General Gatacre had decided that some sort of advance must be made. Hereconnoitred in and around Molteno, and visited the outposts ofregulars, irregulars, and police, and ascertained to an almost pitifuldegree the slenderness of his resources should any strain occur. 

[Illustration: STORMBERG PASS--THE SCENE OF GENERAL GATACRE'SOPERATIONS. 

Drawing by J. C. S. Wright. ]

On the 26th November the Boers occupied Stormberg, and on the 28thGeneral Gatacre moved to Bushman's Hoek with a battalion of infantry andsome mounted infantry, the main body being at Putter's Kraal. On the29th he accomplished a smart piece of work, though any really decisiveaction could not be attempted till more troops arrived from the Cape. The General concentrated a force at Molteno, commandeered five trains, and secured 1000 bags of flour which were in danger of being captured bythe Boers. 

On the 5th December the headquarters of the 3rd Division were still atPutter's Kraal, and here reinforcements were arriving daily. Manifestations of disloyalty grew more and more prevalent throughoutCape Colony, and the spread of the spirit of rebellion around Stormbergpointed to the fact that there were deliberate designs to assist in theoverthrow of British supremacy. 

On the 5th of December it was decided that a forward movement must atlast be made. The plan was for the column to start by train to Molteno, and from thence march to the Boer laager at Stormberg. A dash was to beattempted in the darkness preceding dawn, and the position was to becarried at the point of the bayonet. 

The project was fraught with extreme risk, but General Gatacre, thoughfully aware that he was without the necessary reinforcements to makegood a continuous advance, resolved to accept the hazard for the sake ofthe chance of success, and for the sake of the moral effect such successmight make in a district weevilled with disaffection. The game of war isone where reputation, armies, and empires are the stakes, and needs tobe played not only with science, but with bluff, and no committee ofgenerals, not even one composed of Napoleon, the Archduke Charles, andWellington, could have laid down any fixed theory on the art of war aspractised in the Transvaal at that moment. So our officers had to watchwhich way the wind blew and trim their sails accordingly; and SirWilliam Gatacre judged that it would be perilous to delay an attack onStormberg until circumstances seemed to be absolutely propitious. TheColonial Boers were daily joining the enemy in considerable numbers, British subjects were imploring aid to save their property fromdestruction, and it was imperative to make some strong move which, ifsuccessful, would immediately arrest the threatened tide of rebellion. The worst of it was that everything depended on the strength of themove, and it was exactly this strength that was wanting. The ThirdDivision was broken up and distributed in various parts of the country, and General Gatacre was forced to make a hazardous venture with onlysuch forces as he could muster. On all sides the same unfortunate taleof weakness could be told. Our force was so divided up that each generalwas crippled with the consciousness that he had no hope of gettingreinforcements for some time to come. Lord Methuen, now on the extremewest, while struggling for the relief of Kimberley, had kept the FreeStaters at bay with great loss to himself, and was suffering from theweakness consequent on violent strain to his resources. General French, his eye fixed on Colesberg, with a diminutive and totally inadequateforce, had dodged about from town to town, keeping the enemy ever on thealert and allowing him no time to snore behind his intrenchments, and noopportunity to proceed farther in his invasion of the Colony; whileGeneral Gatacre was now about to do his best in the midst of a swarmingenemy to capture Stormberg. Thus we see that at one and the same timefour different battles, in the most trying circumstances, were takingplace in the Transvaal, and that the flower of our army was beingexposed on all sides to the murderous shells of an overwhelming foepowerfully posted in places of his own choosing--at Modder River, atArundel, at Stormberg, at Colenso--in each of these regions thecontinuous thunder of guns, the gallant advance of heroes, the stubbornand courageous defence of a preponderating enemy. It is somesatisfaction to think that, though from the first the British sufferedfrom inferiority in numbers, though they were out-fought by sheer weightof the Boer commandoes and guns, still they displayed an undismayedfront, and those superb fighting qualities which tradition has taught usto look for in the British race, and which the enemy, misled orself-deceived, had chosen to under-estimate. It was also a matter forcongratulation that the foe, with all the natural advantages of thesituation, his knowledge of every inch of the ground, his great mobilityand advanced preparations, merely succeeded in repelling the Britishattack, and never took the initiative in attempting one single forwardmovement in the face of the British army. But it must be allowed our ownforward moves were so stubbornly resisted, that General Sir WilliamGatacre, while attempting to advance, recognised that in some bold andwell-conceived plan of action lay his only chance of success. Such aplan he attempted to carry out, but with deplorable results, as we shallsee. 

 THE REVERSE AT STORMBERG

General Gatacre left Putter's Kraal and concentrated at Molteno the 2ndNorthumberland, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, and Nos. 74 and 77 Batteries ofField Artillery, with Mounted Infantry, Cape Mounted Rifles, the 12thCompany of Engineers, and details--in all about 2500 men. At 9 P. M. OnDecember 9th, began the march that was destined to be so ill-fated. Thenight was black, the ground was rocky, and the guide, a local policeman, from ignorance, under-estimated the distance and led the troops by acircuitous route absolutely into the teeth of the enemy. Instead ofgoing north-east for nine miles, the men were led north-west, a detourof twenty miles. A terrible night-march this, which none who undertookit can ever forget. Tramp, tramp, through the long midnight hours, overhills and down nullahs, through rivers and stumbling over stony kopjeswith bayonets fixed, in grim silence, with scarce a whisper allowed, andwith never a pipe as consolation lest the scent should betray thestealthy advance. For seven long hours the force, like a phantomprocession, trudged and stumbled until they came to a small V-shapedplateau surrounded by kopjes, which, unknown to them, was fronting theenemy's position. This was on a high unscalable eminence called RooiKop, that jutted black against the clear grey of early morning. Fromhere the Boers, chuckling doubtless at their own cunning, were slylywatching the approach of the party; for it was now dawn. On nearing theplateau below this eminence, the Irish Rifles, with General Gatacre andhis staff at the head of the column, were greeted, to theirastonishment, by a fierce tornado which was suddenly opened by the enemyon the right. Though the column was marching in fours and utterlyunsuspicious of the position of the enemy, they gathered themselvestogether with marvellous rapidity. Following the Rifles were over ahundred of the Northumberland Fusiliers, and in the rear the artillery. In a very short space of time General Gatacre got his column into linefor action, and a hot fight ensued, in which the Rifles--all honour tothem!--distinguished themselves in distressing circumstances. It was notpossible to recover easily from the surprise, and it was evident thatthe General and his men were totally unprepared to meet, and unequal tocrushing, a powerful enemy in an intrenched position. Naturally thecasualties were many. However, the artillery were soon climbing a smallkopje on the left, while the Rifles and Northumberland Fusiliers, inskirmishing order, mounted the hill held by the Republicans. Footsoreand weary with their long midnight march, they toiled up the steepsamidst a cruel hailstorm from the enemy's fire, which came pouring atthe same time from three separate quarters in flank and rear. One ofthe almost impregnable hill-tops was gained at the point of the bayonet, but so furious became the storm of bullets that the British, nowoutnumbered at the rate of seven to one, were forced to retire. Meanwhile the artillery were drawing the fire of the enemy's guns andlaunching their shrieking shells into the fort that the Boers hadconstructed at the corner of the kopje. But the position wasunassailable. The Boers had expected the attack, and by an elaboratesystem they had measured and marked off distances from theirbatteries--a system which could not be upset in a moment. The Dutchmenswarmed in hundreds behind excellent cover and were not to be routed. Our men, who, many of them, had been occupied the whole previous day infatigue-work, were numb from exhaustion, dropping here and there, fainting or asleep, in the very face of death. 

[Illustration: MAP ILLUSTRATING THE OPERATIONS ON THE SOUTH OF THEORANGE RIVER]

The infantry, with the Maxim detachment, were then ordered to retiretowards Molteno, while the artillery remained to cover the retreat. Butthe retirement was not so easy. The triumphant Boers now brought theirguns to the tops of the kopjes, and sent shell after shell to catch thetroops as they slowly wound along the valley. Many of the shells burstwith terrific force, ploughing up the roadway around our men, andshooting clouds of blinding dust into eyes and ears and throats, butfortunately doing little damage. The Boers also brought their rifles tobear on the little force, and our worn-out troops suffered the horribleexperience of being hunted like hares along roads through which they hadso laboriously, so hopefully, toiled the night before, tramping theweary ten miles to Molteno with the enemy taking long shots at them frominnumerable points of vantage. Their progress was necessarily slow, forsometimes they had to hide in cornfields, to crouch among boulders, andoccasionally to fall prone to earth when shells came screaming andbursting along their line of route. Afterwards they would rise again, still holding their life in their hands, and plod on in the expectationthat every step would be their last. For eight long miles this excitingform of torture was experienced, numbers of the poor fellows droppingall along the road from wounds, exhaustion, and from the effects of thenow fiercely blazing sun. Terrible was their plight both during theattack and after it, for the Boers, as usual, paid no heed to the sacreddemand of the wounded or of the white flag, and no sooner saw a party ofstretcher-bearers approach to pick up a man than they made the event thesignal for a volley. All, therefore, that could be done for thosestricken down was to wait patiently till they could crawl a shortdistance out of the line of fire and swoop down on them and bear themhastily away. The unfortunates who were too severely wounded to socrawl, and those who were killed, had to be left where they fell. Nordid those who were successfully removed in the ambulance waggon faremuch better, for this was fired on continually, but luckily, owing tothe shells not bursting, caused more horror than harm. 

They reached Molteno at last in safety, but with numbers woefullythinned. When they formed up for the roll-call, the ominous silence thatfollowed the call of name after name was more than tragic. Dismayblanched every face. Where were the 366 splendid fellows of theNorthumberland Regiment who had started out in rude health only thenight before? They were missing, perhaps dead! Where, too, were theroistering, cheery boys of the Royal Irish Rifles--some 294 ofthem--none of whom, when his name was spoken, was there to give back theword? They too were missing, perhaps dead! In this hour of mute regretthose who were left could only thank God that they had come safelythrough the terrible ordeal, and think with awe on the strange workingsof fate that had caused some to be taken and others left. 

Naturally enough after a disaster so great, all had something to say ofthe mistakes which brought it about. Reuter's correspondent declaredthat "the primary and greatest mistake made on the 10th inst. Was thatwhat was to have been at the utmost a four hours' night-march lengthenedout to over seven hours, and landed us right into the enemy's positionin broad daylight. Of course, the guides went wrong, took the force aroundabout way, and are accordingly blamed. But how is it that ourleaders, knowing that four hours should suffice to take them to theirobjective, should have wandered on for seven without suspecting thatsomething was radically wrong? Then, also, at the end of that time ourtroops walked, in daylight, in a column four deep, right under theenemy's nose. No scouts or skirmishers were out, and it was here that welost so heavily, the Boers from covered positions firing volley aftervolley right into the mass of men below. Again, the men, most of whomhad been on duty since 4 A. M. The previous (Saturday) morning, weretired and hungry, and yet were asked to storm the position without restimmediately after a long and tiring night-march. "

The _Times_ correspondent attributed some of the misfortune to the factthat "the Berkshire Regiment, by whom the redoubts now occupied by theBoers at Stormberg had been built, and to whom every inch of the groundwas familiar, were left at Queenstown, instead of being employed torecapture the works which they had so unwillingly evacuated about amonth previously. The consequence of no one knowing where he was goingor what he had to attack or when proximity to the enemy had beenreached, was that the infantry, marching in fours, were suddenly firedinto at a point where, after ascending but a few feet, their furtheradvance against the enemy was precluded by an unclimbable precipice. Themoment that the first shots were fired companies doubled straight at thepoints whence the firing seemed to have proceeded, and commenced toscale the hill. Soon, however, they came upon a perpendicular wall ofrock, from the summit of which the Boers were plying their rifles athalf-a-dozen yards' distance. Here fell Lieutenant-Colonel Eager, andclose to him Major Seton of the Royal Irish Rifles. Colonel Eager wasthe man who reached the highest point attained by any of the attackers, and was then shot down, where many another British officer has fallenbefore now, at the head of his battalion, gallantly leading them as inthe days of old, when long-range weapons had not been invented. "

Others hinted that it was the habit of the General to overwork histroops--a habit so well known that it had earned for him in Egypt thetitle of "General Backacher. " Further comments were made by those whoalways find the art of criticism so much easier than the art ofperformance, but to repeat them at a time when the principal actors inthe sorry affair are unable to defend themselves would be unjust andungenerous. Our Generals, besides treachery, had from the first unusualignorance to deal with. One of our misfortunes has been the necessity torely for information on friendly Kaffirs, or those who affected to befriendly. Now, as all know, the Kaffirs, even when honest, are scarcelyreliable. Their notions of size, for instance, are on a par with thoseof the man who described the dimensions of a bump by saying it was aboutthe size of a piece of chalk. To the Kaffir an impi is an army, whethersmall or large, and it is almost impossible to bring home to him thevalue of exactness. In fact, in the matter of ambiguity the Kaffir hasthe makings of a politician, and therefore it was no wonder that so manyof the well-organised military schemes in this unlucky war came togrief. But in the case at Stormberg there were other difficulties tocontend with. The map of the ground was utterly unreliable. Theconfiguration of the hills was incorrectly presented and the distancesbadly judged. The general knowledge of the direction was so imperfectthat none was sufficiently well informed to put a check upon themovements of the guide, nor had the position been reconnoitered by anyof those engaged against it. In this way the winding and circuitousroute more than doubled the march, knocked up the troops, and ruined theeffect of the night assault; for it was full daybreak before the Britishapproached the point of attack. One of the sufferers from the disasterdeclared that the British were so worn out that after the engagementthey threw themselves down and did not mind whether they were takenprisoners or not. He himself crawled to within three miles of the basecamp, and then lay down on the veldt and fell asleep. How long heremained asleep he did not know. Most of the prisoners, he believed, were taken by the Boers while the men were asleep. 

A report was circulated that General Gatacre had shot with his own handsthe guide who led him astray, but this statement was entirely incorrect. The military authorities thoroughly sifted the case of the sergeant ofthe Cape Police who acted as guide on the occasion, and it was allowedthat he erred genuinely in mistaking the enemy's position. 

The following officers were wounded in the engagement at Stormberg:--

 2nd Royal Irish Rifles--Lieutenant-Colonel Eager (since dead), Major Seton, Captain Bell, Captain Kelly, Lieutenant Stephens, Lieutenant Barnardstone. Suffolk Regiment--Second Lieutenant Maynard. Missing: Captain Weir, Lieutenant Christie, Second Lieutenant Rodney. 74th Field Battery--Lieutenant Lewis. 77th Field Battery--Major Percival. 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers--Missing: Major Stevens, Captain Fletcher, Captain Morley, Second Lieutenant Wake, Second Lieutenant Coulson, Lieutenant Radcliffe. Dorset Regiment--Three hundred and six non-commissioned officers and men were also missing. 

The scene of General Gatacre's disaster was on the junction of theeastern line of railway in Cape Colony running from East London throughQueenstown, Molteno, and Burgersdorp to Bloemfontein in the Orange FreeState. There were many strategical reasons for wishing to seize upon it. First, it was desirable to engage the enemy in the centre, and so savethe Boer commandoes from falling in too great strength on Lord Methuen'sline of communications. Secondly, from the situation of the place it waspossible also to effect a junction by rail with General French. Thirdly, a victory gained in the centre of the disaffected districts would havebeen a feather in the cap of the General, for it must have drawn to himsuch waverers whose vacillating loyalty was daily growing dangerous. Themelancholy reverse was, therefore, from many points of view to beregretted. Perhaps, however, it achieved one object. It forced those athome to realise the necessity for sending more than sprinklings oftroops to meet a strong, courageous, and well-equipped foe. 

The General, in giving an explanation of the reverse, declared that theoperation which proved so wretched a failure was started under thepromise of complete success. By himself and the local guide, however, the distance was under-estimated. He did not consider that the guide wasguilty of treachery, merely of unintentional error. However this mayhave been, it is certain that the British plans were entirely wellknown, and that the Boers had had ample time to prepare for the comingof the force. It was evident that the gallant General did not take aleaf out of the book of Metellus, the Spanish commander, who, when askedhow he should proceed the next day, said, "If my shirt knew I would putit in the fire. " Possibly, being a great theorist, as was poor SirGeorge Colley, he may have agreed with the opinion held by MarshalBugeaud, that military affairs were too often wrapped in mysterioussilence. Certainly there was no secrecy about the strategy of theadvance on Stormberg, and the guileless manner in which the Generaltrusted to the guidance of a local policeman was commented on none toogenerously by the distressed public, whose disappointment was too greatto allow them to look coolly at the ups and downs of warfare and thefallibility of human designs. General Gatacre, after the reverse, heldBushman's Hoek and Cyphergat, two positions to the south of Molteno, where he could await the reinforcements which would shortly reach himfrom the Cape. 

 AT MODDER RIVER

At dawn on the day following the battle the guns opened fire, with aview to effecting the clearance of the enemy, but it was soon discoveredthat the Boers had made themselves scarce, preferring to march throughthe long midnight hours to remaining where a chance of the bayonet mightbe awaiting them. Their artillery they at first left, but discoveringthat the British had not crossed the river, they returned and removed itto Spyfontein, where the next encounter was expected to take place. Hadonly the troops been less worn out--they were so expended that theycould scarcely move one leg before the other--these guns might have beencaptured and victory assured. But fatigue must overcome the finestwarriors, and ours had done prodigious work in circumstances of the mosttrying and varied kind. The next morning Lord Methuen's forces quietlyoccupied the town, and spent the day in the melancholy duty of buryingthe dead. 

Owing to the carcasses of beasts and the corpses of dead men in thestream, the troops had soon to bivouac some three miles farther up. There they could enjoy the rare luxury of a bath and drink their fill insafety. No "wee drappie" ever cheered the heart of Scotsman as did thequarts of Modder that went down the throats of thirsty Highlanders whohad been toasted inside and out during the long hours of the battle. Asone appropriately, if not elegantly, described it:--

 "When it comes to slaughter You'll do your work on water, And lick the bloomin' boots of him that's got it. "

But the water everywhere was bad, and for safety boiling was imperative. For some days the men had been bathing in and drinking from the pollutedstream, and it was quite wonderful that enteric had not seized upon thetroops. A Dutch lady stated that she had seen four dead Boers withstones round their necks thrown into the river by their comrades, butwhen the bed of the stream came to be investigated, at least seventeencorpses were hauled out. The enemy's loss was estimated at 500, anddoubtless those of the slain who were not lying under an inch layer ofsand were disposed of in the river. The air, too, was far fromsalubrious. The winds of evening were reminiscent of the dead horses andmules that remained half-buried on the banks. Fortunately the vulturesand ants, and other useful agents, soon reduced the pestiferous massesto harmless skeletons. 

Meanwhile the rest of the Highland Brigade was on its way up to joinLord Methuen at headquarters. Some went by train and others marched, asthe line--a single one--was frightfully congested with traffic. Storesand ammunition and baggage of all kinds were being sent up, while thewounded, in "emptied" trains, were being sent down. The march was atrying one, even for hardy men who could well have managed twenty-fiveto thirty miles a day on their native heath. Now, they were supposed tocarry 35 lbs. Each, without counting clothes, and twelve miles a day inthe broiling heat of a South African midsummer was counted remarkablygood going. What with rifle, 100 rounds of ammunition, a big coat, atwo-quart water-bottle, field-glasses, and haversack, officers and menwere nearly as heavily weighted as itinerant peddlers. They carriedtheir warlike pack over sandy roads that threw off clouds of dust whichcaked hair and skin, and made the whole outer man a complete study inkharki. What failed to go down their throats went into their eyes, blinding or worrying, while overhead a merciless sun blazed andtortured. There was no shade; there was little water. The night was coldas the day was hot. In the small hours the men were thankful for thesingle blanket which was allowed each of them, and which was carried inmule and bullock waggons for their use. Luxuries for the toilet were nolonger in vogue. A sponge, a shirt, a pair of socks--these made the sumtotal of the Highland officers' wardrobe. Some still stuck to theirrazors, and others had succumbed to necessity and wore nature's hirsutedecorations, plus a peppering of ochreous dust. But they were in thebest of tempers, and looked forward to some reviving dips in the Modderon their arrival there. 

Lord Methuen resumed command of the troops on the 6th of December, andall were glad to find that the injury to their gallant commander hadbeen slight. It was now clear that the Boers intended to make a stand atSpyfontein, for they were preparing for themselves fortified positionssuch as their souls delighted in--deep, and long, and rocky. They hadtime at their disposal, for a long halt at Modder River was imperativefor the purpose of replenishing the ammunition of the artillerybatteries and for bringing up relays of stores and food. Our expenditureof ammunition in the fight on the 28th was said to have been 200 roundsper gun, and consequently an extra supply was necessary before pursuingaggressive operations. 

Having deserted the river, the Boers were now planted in front of and onthe British right flank, so close indeed that daily passages at armstook place between our patrols and those of the enemy. Several ofRimington's Scouts were wounded, and wild rumours of approaching attackwere afloat. During the night of the 6th and the morning of the 7th thecommunications by rail and telegraph at Enslin were cut. 

On this occasion the 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment had a narrow escape. They had been left by Lord Methuen to guard the line of communicationsat Enslin, and there they were attacked by a Boer force 1000 strong. Fortunately the General, hearing the news, despatched in hot haste tothe assistance of the regiment the 12th Lancers and the SeaforthHighlanders, who had just arrived at the camp, under Brigadier-GeneralWauchope, together with the 62nd Field Battery. The attack commenced at4. 30, and continued till eleven, at which time the Lancers and Seaforthsappeared. The Boers thereupon retired with all speed, the Lancersfollowing closely in pursuit. The British loss was one killed and sixwounded. On the same day the first train ran over the temporary bridgewhich had been rapidly constructed by the Engineers, whose smartworkmanship elicited general admiration. 

An interesting affair took place on the 9th of December. At night one ofthe Naval 4. 7-inch guns, which had been fitted with a field-carriage anddignified with the name of "Joe Chamberlain, " was hauled by a team ofthirty-two oxen to a ridge on the north side of the town. At an earlyhour in the morning the Naval detachment manned the gun and opened fireon a Boer position that had been previously located by Colonel Rhodes. More than a dozen shells were scattered among the enemy, causingfrightful consternation. The Boers at the time were busily engaged inconstructing an emplacement for one of their 40-pounders, but when "JoeChamberlain" made himself not only heard but felt, there was a stampede. The lyddite ploughed up the hills with terrific uproar, and thesurrounding atmosphere appeared as though a sirocco of red sand hadswept over the district. 

The force now massing on the Orange River, with Lieutenant-General LordMethuen in command, consisted of:--

 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd Northamptonshire, 1st Loyal North Lancashire (Mounted Infantry), 1st Loyal North Lancashire, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, 3rd Grenadier Guards, 1st Coldstream Guards, 2nd Coldstream Guards, 1st Scots Guards, 9th Lancers, 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 1st Highland Light Infantry, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, Part of 2nd Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), several Companies of Royal Engineers, 18th, 62nd, and 65th Field Batteries, one or two Horse-Artillery Batteries, part of Kimberley Light Horse, part of Diamond Fields Horse, Naval Brigade, Contingents from Australia, several Companies of Army Medical Corps, Field Hospitals, Colonial Mounted Irregulars, Rimington's Scouts, South African Reserve. 

The total was about 14, 000 men. 

The number of Boers prepared to meet the British advance was supposed tobe between 15, 000 and 18, 000, but, in spite of this, it was decided thatsome onward move must soon be made. The week's delay for the arrival ofreinforcements and other preparations was now over, and Spyfontein wasahead. There the Boers held, if possible, a stronger position than anythat had yet been attacked. Towards the east they were congregating fromthe direction of Jacobsdal, and the extent occupied by them was alreadyenormous. Lord Methuen, if he meant to get to Kimberley at all, wasforced to attempt to do so by frontal attack, as the area occupied bythe Boers was so great that no other means of tackling them wasfeasible. Still the troops were in excellent spirits, the prospect ofshortly relieving a besieged multitude giving them courage to compensatefor their fatigue. 

On the morning of the 10th there was a voluntary Church Parade. According to a wag who reported from the camp, a Saturday-night's orderwas given, which stated briefly that Presbyterians must go washed, Church of England might go unwashed! The question of ablutions did notaffect the devotions of Tommy, who heartily joined in the singing ofhymns, which he said reminded him more than anything else of home. 

 THE BATTLE OF MAJESFONTEIN

On Sunday, the 10th of December, Lord Methuen, having completed hisplans, moved forward from his position for the momentous fight, whichwas not only to decide the fate of Kimberley, but determine the attitudeof the waverers among the Dutch, of which there were now very many. TheBoers occupied a wide crescent-shaped front, extending some six milesfrom the hills on the west of the railway at Spyfontein to the kopjes onthe east of the Kimberley road at Majesfontein. 

The northern portion of the position consisted of a kopje about threemiles long, and the southern end terminated in a high hill which waslooked upon as the key to the position. Towards these rugged kopjes theveldt sloped gently upwards from the river a distance of five miles, andthough from afar this plain seemed to face the ridge of hills spreadingfrom east to west, it in reality penetrated wedgewise into theboulder-strewn area. Someone described the great Boer position as theend of a pocket, a veritable _cul de sac_, doubtless lined with Boerguns and Boer trenches--the jaws of a dragon, in fact. 

[Illustration: THE MODDER RIVER. 

Photo by Miss E. C. Briggs. ]

Orders were given that this stronghold was to be bombarded, and from4. 50 P. M. To 6. 30 P. M. The guns, including the Naval 4. 7-inch, playedover kopjes and trenches with accuracy, and, it was thought, with deadlyeffect. The operation was carried on with precision and perseverance aslong as a gleam of daylight lasted, but no response was elicited fromthe enemy, who carefully concealed their very existence. At night atremendous downpour of rain descended and saturated the troops, who werebivouacking where they were, some 4000 yards in front of theMajesfontein position, thus rendering their already uncomfortablesituation more uncomfortable still. But this was merely an item in themisfortunes they were shortly destined to endure. 

The general plan was for the Highland Brigade, supported by guns, toassault the southern end of the kopje, their right and rear beingprotected by the Guards Brigade. According to Lord Methuen's despatch, it seems that before moving off Major-General Wauchope explained allthat was to be done, and the particular part each battalion was to playin the scheme: namely, that they were to march direct on the south-westspur of the kopje, and on arrival near the objective before daybreak theBlack Watch were to move to the east of the kopje, where he believed theenemy to be posted under shelter, while the Seaforth Highlanders were tomarch straight to the south-east point of the kopje, with the Argyll andSutherland Highlanders prolonging the line to the left; the HighlandLight Infantry to be in reserve until the action was developed. Thebrigade was to march in mass of quarter columns, the four battalionskeeping touch, and, if necessary, ropes were to be used for the leftguides. The three battalions were to extend just before daybreak, twocompanies in firing line, two companies in support, and four companiesin reserve, all at five paces interval between them. 

Soon after midnight the march began. The distance was only two and ahalf miles, and daybreak was due about 3. 25 A. M. But the gruesome nightrendered the progress of the troops unusually slow. Rain came down intorrents, thunder growled, lightning played over the hill, glinted onrifles, and disorganised the compasses by which Major Benson wassteering his course. Towards dawn the gloom of Erebus seemed to deepenrather than lift, and in the obscurity they must have been quite unawareof the exceedingly close proximity of the enemy, for the HighlandBrigade--in the following order, Black Watch, Seaforths, Argyll andSutherland, and Highland Light Infantry--continued to approach inquarter column though within some two hundred yards of the Boerentrenchments. It was imagined that the Dutchmen were in force on akopje on the other side of the veldt, and not a soul suspected theexistence of the formidable line of intrenchments on which our soldierswere gaily advancing. Before they could discover their mistake they weregreeted by the Dutchmen--who had allowed the brigade to approach withoutshowing any signs of life--with a raking fire on their flanks. The wholehill seemed on the instant to become alive with the roar of musketry. Fire vomited as from a live volcano at their very feet. A moment beforethey had seen only a dark barrier of bush and shrub, and then, flash!the earth yawned, crackled, and emitted the flame of hell. 

[Illustration: BATTLE OF MAJESFONTEIN]

So seemed to them the sudden conflagration in that first, awful moment. They started back--a confused, congested mass, with death in theirmidst. Their Colonel then ordered the Seaforths to fix bayonets andcharge. The officers commanding other battalions followed suit. At thismoment, darkness still reigning, some one called "Retire. " There was arush, many hurrying and hustling off to obey one order, while otherswere still charging forwards to obey the other. The confusion wasintense, dead men dropping thick as autumn leaves, bullets whirring, shouts, orders--conflicting orders--ringing out on every side. For someseconds the rout of the gallant Highlanders seemed to be imminent. Theirretirement, however, was due mainly to sudden panic, the consternationand amazement at the murderous outburst, blazing as it did in the dimdeceitful dusk, from the unsuspected trenches. These, it must be owned, were most skilfully concealed at the foot of a series of kopjes. Theywere screened from sight by a tangle of brushwood and scrub, while roundthe glacis of the trenches was crinkled a triple line of barbed wire. When, therefore, a deadly furnace broke from this tangle, the troopswere aghast. For the first moment the superb crowd, unduly huddledtogether and helpless, threatened to become disorganised, but it wasonly for a moment. The Highlanders retired some 200 yards, and then theyinstantly formed up, such as were left of them, for out of two companiesof the Black Watch only fifty men escaped. A more tragic scene than thatat the onset of the battle cannot be conceived. From all directions camean avalanche of lead, sweeping south and east and west in the gloaming, and flecking the whole visible universe with red. Cries and groans andcurses and shouts intermingled with orders innumerable. "Advance, "shouted some one; "Retire, " called another; "Fix bayonets, " cried athird; "Charge, " roared a fourth. Meanwhile Seaforths and Black Watch, scrambling and tripping over the bodies of fallen comrades, werepressing on through the high wire entanglements, tearing their alreadyexcoriated legs, and struggling for the enemy's trenches. Here felltheir gallant leader, dauntless Wauchope--fell never to rise again. Butdying he cheered on the men of the Black Watch by his side. "Good-bye, men, " he called to them with his last breath; "fight for yourselves--itis man to man now. " And they did fight, struggling over and over againto make their way to the trenches in spite of the menace of almostcertain death. Valiantly they held their ground, availing themselves ofsuch cover as there was, bushes and scrub that were dotted here andthere, and returning to the deadly greetings of the Mausers no meanreply. At this time the avalanche of buzzing, whirring, death-dealinglead was enough to make the stoutest heart quail, but the officers wereseen marching boldly forward, and where they led--veritably into thejaws of death--there their loyal Highlanders followed. Meanwhile, sosoon as it was light enough to see, the artillery had come to therescue, and so remarkable were its performances that even the enemyconfessed that on this day they had suffered greater loss than at anyother time during the war. The howitzer battery was placed directly infront of the position, and poured forth a terrible fire over the wholeface of the hill. Lyddite shells sped snorting into the trenches, and, with a terrific detonation, shot up the earth in clouds. One destroyed alaager on the kopje, others did fearful execution, striking the hardrocks and boulders, and spreading devastation far and wide. But stillthe enemy failed to budge from their strong entrenchments. The 62nd and18th Field Batteries, under Majors Grant and Scott respectively, took upa position behind the Highlanders, sending shell after shell into theenemy's position with such amazing accuracy that the Boer numbers wereconsiderably thinned. During this feat they were assailed with ascourging storm of lead from the whole line of intrenchments. The Boersdisplayed more than their ordinary courage, standing upright in theirtrenches, and sometimes advancing, the better to aim at the aggressive"men-women, " as they called the kilted warriors, though at other timesthey completely hid themselves and fired wildly, in consequence ofholding their guns above the level of their heads. The Brigade, nevertheless, advanced to within 300 yards of the enemy, where theypluckily held their position in the teeth of galling fire for somehours. Both their tenacity and their dash were astounding, for thevolleys of the enemy were accurate and persistent, and sufficientlydeadly to demoralise the most veteran troops in the world. The Boers, having been reinforced during the engagement, their number had nowmounted to some 18, 000 men. Eye-witnesses have described this, hisfourth fight, as quite the stiffest on Lord Methuen's record, and havedeclared that the obstinate resistance of the Highland Brigade, and themagnificent coolness and daring of its officers, quite equalled the mostsplendid deeds of British history. The Brigade about noon was reinforcedby the Gordons, and these, as they advanced towards the wire-girdedtrenches, were exposed to a terrific cross-fire from the enemy, theirroute having taken them past a Boer trench from which the concealed foepromptly assailed them, and they found themselves literally battered byvolleys in front, flank, and rear. 

[Illustration: SKETCH MAP OF POSITIONS AT MAJESFONTEIN]

The Guards Brigade meanwhile were taking a heavy share of the work. Theyoccupied the centre and right, moving due north over a level plain whichwas shelled by the Boers from the ridges. The extreme right rested onthe river, where the Yorkshire Light Infantry, under a tremendous fire, held the drift. These clung tenaciously to their position throughout theday, even after all their ammunition was exhausted. They fired in allsome 7000 rounds, inflicting terrible damage and losing only tenwounded. 

About two o'clock, after the enemy had been reinforced, the firing, which had temporarily slackened, began again with stertorous uproar. Theair was thick with projectiles dealing death and mutilation on everyside. Then it was that the real disaster of the day occurred. Theportions of the shattered Highland Brigade, which, in spite of theshock to its numbers, had stuck manfully to its terrific duty, suddenlybecame disorganised. As a matter of fact, though it was not at themoment recognised, nearly all its officers had fallen. A few minuteslater and they retired, by whose order none knows. The order was given. No shouting of counter-orders could rally them; and indeed how could it, since the revered familiar voices of their commanders were silent, someof them perhaps never to be heard again! Major Ewart, Brigade-Major ofthe Highlanders, rode up with an order--almost an entreaty, somesay--from the commanding officer to the effect that all he asked of theBrigade was to hold the position till dark. But the officer in thisdesperate situation could actually find no other to help him to repeatthe command to the scattered remnant, and he was thankful for theassistance of Colonel Dawney, who, as a civilian, was surveying thebattle from Horse Artillery Hill. Eventually a rally was effected, andthe brigade, stiffened and supported by the Scots Guards, got back tothe guns; but their nerve was shattered by the terrific experiences ofthe morning, by the losses they had sustained, and by the disappointmentof being unable to fulfil the glorious expectations which the renownedHighland Brigade has ever encouraged and ever nobly fulfilled. 

[Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL ANDREW G. WAUCHOPE, C. B. 

Photo by Horsburgh, Edinburgh. ]

It will serve no purpose to dwell further on the miserable details ofmighty effort wasted, splendid lives sacrificed, and gallant heartscrushed by mischance. There are moments when, like the Oriental, one canbut lift helpless hands to the Unseen and cry "Kismet!"

While the engagement was going forward, Major-General Pole-Carew sent anarmoured train, under cover of a Naval gun, within 2500 yards of theBoer position. This gun during the whole day, whenever occasionrequired, made itself prominent by its magnificent practice, firinglyddite shells behind the main ridge, and searching kopjes, trenches, and laager with amazing accuracy. For instance, at one moment a train ofbullocks drawing guns was seen by the Naval Brigade--in the next thewhole affair had ceased to exist! In the same summary way the Guardsdealt with the foe. They came on a picket of some forty Boers, who hadbeen left for purposes of observation, and in shorter time than it wouldtake to tell the tale the whole party were killed, wounded, or takenprisoners. The troops held their own in front of the enemy, entirelyclearing them out of the upper intrenchments until darkness put a stopto the operations. This was another of the day's misfortunes, for at thevery hour of dusk the Boers were deciding to evacuate their position. Then our troops intrenched themselves in face of the Boer position. Butfinally, on the following day, they had to retire to Modder River onaccount of the scarcity of water. 

Nearly all the loss was borne by the Highland Brigade, who lostfifty-three officers either killed, wounded, or missing, and a total of650 of all ranks. Our line was three and a half miles long, while thatof the Boers was almost double. The loss of the enemy in mountedinfantry was enormous, and their Scandinavian commando of eighty strong, which, under Baron Faderscwold, had been removed from Mafeking, wasentirely destroyed, every man being killed or wounded except seven, whowere taken prisoners. 

There seems to be little doubt that Lord Methuen's ill-success waslargely due to treachery, for in the course of the battle an officerdetected a Cape Dutchman on the left rear in the act of exchangingsignals with the Boers. In fact, much of the information supplied bothto General Gatacre and General Methuen was found to be deliberatelyfalse, and it was known that the districts through which they had topass were seething with disaffection. For this reason most probably thisglorious and desperate fight proved a drawn battle, but there were, ofcourse, other possible causes to be considered. Lord Methuen hadadvanced from De Aar with a brilliant army which had already acquitteditself nobly, though with great loss, in three battles, against an enemyentrenched in stony hills. With his thinned force of some 8000 men henow hurled himself against troops which not only had been greatlyreinforced, but were situated behind complicated earthworks miles inlength, built on the most approved system of modern tactics. 

In regard to strategy, there was no doubt that the Boers had scored. They had been lying in wait fully aware of our plans, and had theapproach of the troops signalled to them by means of a lantern fixedhigh on the hills. The Highlanders were fairly at their mercy. By thetime the shouts and orders and counter-orders had rung out, those whohad uttered them were dead or dying, and many who were left wererushing--rushing and dropping--to get out of the fiery furnace intowhich they had been led. It must be remembered that on that day therewas no artillery preparation; the heights had not been searched, and theenemy was master of the field. The artillery operated later in themorning; but after the first momentary retirement the Brigade of its ownaccord formed up, consigned itself again to the hell of flame and death, and there stuck as targets for the enemy till midday. 

In the official despatch occurs the line, "I attach no blame to thissplendid brigade. " Fortunately there is none among the great multitudeto whom the story of the tragic affair is known who would dream ofassociating the word blame with the glorious band who so grievously havesuffered. Where the blame rests it is not for the civilian to say. Indeed the exact facts of the matter can never be known, as the two deadheroes most concerned cannot speak, and those who live can never arguewith certainty of facts occurring in the turmoil of battle. In referenceto the Brigade Lord Methuen said:--

 "I have made use of Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes Hallett's report (the acting Brigadier) for the description of the part the Highland Brigade took in this action. Major-General Wauchope told me, when I asked him the question, on the evening of the 10th, that he quite understood his orders, and made no further remark. He died at the head of the brigade, in which his name will always remain honoured and respected. His high military reputation and attainments disarm all criticism. Every soldier in my division deplores the loss of a fine soldier and a true comrade. The attack failed; the inclement weather was against success; the men in the Highland Brigade were ready enough to rally, but the paucity of officers and non-commissioned officers rendered this no easy matter. I attach no blame to this splendid brigade. "

Examples of individual daring and individual self-abnegation during thisglorious though ineffectual fight were too numerous to be quoted. TheMedical Staff, for instance, exposed themselves with a persistence thatwas truly marvellous, succouring the injured and carrying them off toshelter, till in some instances they themselves were shot. Very tragicwas the state of the gallant wounded, the bravest of the brave, who haddared to advance too near the trenches, for these in the wretched plightcould not even enjoy the medical attention lavished on the others, as nosooner were the doctors seen to be approaching them than a storm of firewas immediately sent in their direction. The patience of the suffererswas at times more than heroic. Notwithstanding their agonies and thehorrible pangs of thirst that are the inevitable result of wounds, some, knowing that water was too scarce to go round, would not consent to domore than moisten their lips from the water-bottle offered them, whileothers hid the fact of their being wounded, so as not to absorbattention from those more in need of it than themselves. 

The Marquis of Winchester was one of those who fell nobly. For the mostpart of the day he seemed to have a charmed life, and though bulletswhizzed through his helmet and round his ears, he moved fearlessly amonghis men instructing each as to the direction in which he should fire. Atlast, however, came the fatal shot which pierced his spine and laid himlow. 

The gallant colonel of the Gordons, Colonel Downman, was seen shoutingon his men till a bullet dealt him a mortal wound. Another Scottishhero, a private, was heard wildly remonstrating as the stretcher-bearerstried to remove him from the field. His ankle was smashed, but he stillroared that he had been wounded for twelve hours, and had been fightingall the while, and was still as fit as any man in the army!

He was not alone in his valour, for instances of remarkable gallantryoccurred on every side. Sergeant Gash (Rimington's Horse) singlyassisted a wounded man, sticking to him under a heavy fire till the poorfellow was placed out of harm's way, and Lieutenant Riley (YorkshireLight Infantry) bore on his back a man of the Mounted Infantry whilecovered by Sergeant Cassen and Privates Bennett and Mawhood. The reasonwhy so many officers fell may be attributed to the fact that the Boersemployed sharpshooters who walked coolly about lifting theirfield-glasses and picking off such persons as appeared in any wayconspicuous. The prominence of the officers, however, was not due topeculiarity in their uniforms, they having discarded swords, revolvers, and belts, and adopted kharki aprons over their kilts. One of theSeaforth Highlanders wrote pathetically of the awful day's work. Hesaid:--

 "We were in quarter-column of companies in line--that is, we were offering a front of, say, 50 yards--and immediately behind, following in double ranks, were company after company of the Highland Brigade, of, say, 3500 men. Suddenly the whole hillside was one mass of flame, and the Seaforths, leading, received a discharge of rifle-fire from over 16, 000 Boers. It was awful. Talk about 'hell'--the hillside was one continuous line of fire. We immediately scattered and spread one in lines right and left.... Monday's work was a huge blunder, and who is to blame I do not know; but there is no doubt the Highland Brigade were led like lambs to the slaughter. We were led more as if we were on a Volunteer review at Hyde Park. We had a sorrowful job on Tuesday night. We had fifty-three dead brought in and buried. You could hear nothing but the wailing of the pibrochs as the Highlanders were buried. "

A colour-sergeant of the 2nd Black Watch writing from hospital thusdescribed the moments when the unlucky Brigade which had stoodgloriously against the terrific shock first became disorganised:--

 "The brigade was moving in mass of quarter-column, with a few mounted scouts in front and our battalion leading the Brigade. We had to file through a narrow part and form up as we got through, and when my company got to its place I could see the dim outline of the hill in front, and thought we were in a very dangerous place if the enemy, as I thought, occupied it, for it was the extreme left of their position, and therefore they were bound to strongly hold the flank. However, the brigade formed up nicely on the open ground, and a lamp that was shining on the left on a prominent spur was put out. Simultaneously the whole of the hillside was lit up with the most damnable discharge of rifles, &c. , that any one can possibly imagine. They seemed to be formed up in tiers all up the hillside, and were pouring magazine fire into us at a terrific rate. Then came all sorts of shouts--'Lie down, ' 'Charge, ' 'Extend, ' &c. , and of the whole brigade there was only the front rank of A Company of ours that could have used their rifles, as everybody else was straight in rear of them. Well, two companies in front did charge, but were stopped by barbed wire fences and entanglements fifteen yards from the trenches and mostly shot down. Others broke to right and left or retired, and after waiting about a minute for a bullet to hit me, as it appeared impossible to escape one, and as it did not arrive, I thought perhaps it was advisable to go with the remainder. I walked away to the right, still expecting one, but they were all going too high, and it was not yet light. I got clear away and discovered a mob of excited soldiers of all regiments, and with Captain Cameron we tried to get them together, but they had lost their head, and several Boers who had moved out of the trenches to get round our flank happening to fire in this direction, they became disorganised. It was then daylight before sunrise. The Boers, moving smartly, then showered us with bullets, and many were bowled over. I walked along quite casually, shouting to one and another to take cover and keep cool, and I was once followed about 200 yards by quite an accompaniment of bullets, I should say about twelve keeping it up; but as they were evidently aiming at me, none hit me. Slowly getting back with any amount dropping, I lost sight eventually of these persevering gentlemen, when another alarm came from a fresh direction. Thinking possibly it was some of our own troops, I lay down behind an ant-heap facing the direction, loaded my rifle, and waited to be certain before firing. I did not fire, however, as at that moment somebody hit me on the back of the neck with a bar of iron weighing two tons and a half, for so it seemed to me; it quite numbed me for a few seconds, and a chap who had lain down beside me shouted he was shot and began to howl, upon which I politely asked him to shut up and get it bandaged, and I then moved away to find out where they were forming up. After half an hour my equipment became too heavy for me, and meeting a stretcher-bearer he took it off and bandaged me up. The bullet had entered the left side of my neck, and, taking a downward course, passed through the neck and out at the back of the right shoulder. I was then conducted to the ambulance and away to hospital, and on my way down saw the Gordons marching up from the baggage to take a part in it, but the artillery had been working away for two or three hours then. "

Could any troops, officerless, unhinged, riddled through and through, instantly gather themselves together with sufficient force to hold outagainst a foe flushed with triumph and intoxicated with success?Impossible! Students of Napier may recall the description of the panicto the Light Division in the middle of the night, when no enemy wasnear, and may understand how the bravest and most warlike troops, whenexposed to unexpected and unknown danger, have shrunk back in dismay. Onthe occasion referred to some one called out "A mine!" and such was theforce of the shock to the imagination that "the troops who had not beenstopped by the strong barrier, the deep ditch, the high walls, and thedeadly fire of the enemy, staggered back appalled by a chimera of theirown raising. " If this result can have been effected by a chimera, howthen could anything else be expected by a real shock, a tangible shock, such as the gallant Brigade suffered in that dark hour of horror anddespair? It is difficult for the outsider within the protecting walls ofhome to realise the awful moments, each long as a lifetime, throughwhich these noble fellows passed--moments full of heroism as they werefull of pathos! For instance, when the clamour of battle was at itsloudest, when no voice of officer could be heard, and the strickenHighlanders were groaning in heaps upon the blistering veldt, CorporalM'Kay, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, standing in the midstof the cyclone of lead, struck up "The Campbells are coming" in order torally the unfortunate men. These, jaded and broken as they were, drewtaut their aching limbs, and, reviving with the heartening strains, oncemore dragged themselves towards the whirlwind of lead, determining oncemore either to do or to die. 

The desperate situation in which the Highlanders were placed may also bepictured from descriptions given by two more of their ill-starrednumber. 

The first wrote:--

 "At twelve o'clock we started to advance. Well, we got to within 500 yards of the position, and if ever a man was led into a death-trap my regiment was. We led the brigade. Our general must have been under the impression that the Boers had left the hill, for he had us up in mass of quarter column. When we got within 500 yards they opened fire at us. My God, I shall never forget it in my life. It was terrible, fearful; we were shot down like dogs, without a chance to return their fire. The groans of those hit sound in my ears yet, and will do for many years to come. Well, as soon as they opened fire we fell flat, and got the order to fix bayonets and charge. We did so. The Black Watch only got into their trenches, and I am happy to tell you my bayonet has still got on it the stain of a Boer's blood. Not having any support from any other regiment, we got the order to retire to 400 yards, and I can tell you there were not many who got into the trenches who ever left them. There is hardly any man in the regiment that has any part of his equipment left whole. I have three holes in my kilt. "

The second corroborated the above statement:--

 "The Black Watch in front made an attempt to charge the position, but we had to retire and simply run for it, the enemy blazing at us all the way and dropping our fellows like skittles from their splendid positions. There was nothing for it but to lie down and pretend to be dead, and this I did about 5. 30 A. M. Till I suppose 6 P. M. , the sun pouring down on me all the time, and not a drink of water all day, and dare not stir hand or foot, and expecting every instant to be my last. I could hear nothing but the cries, moans, and prayers of the wounded all round me, but I daren't so much as look up to see who they were. Shots and shells were going over me all day from the enemy and our side, and plenty of them striking within a yard of me--I mean bullets, not shells--and yet they never hit me. I believe some of the fellows went off their heads and walked right up to the enemy's place, singing till they dropped them. One youngster lying close to me said he would make a dart for it about 3 P. M. I tried my best to persuade him not to, but he would go. A couple of seconds after I could hear them pitting at him, and then his groans for about a minute, and then he was quiet. About this time the sun began to get fearfully hot, and I began to feel it in the legs, which are now very painful and swollen, besides was parched with thirst. Most of the wounded round me had ceased groaning by this time. As it began to get dark, I managed to wriggle my body through the shrub farther back, and after I had been at it some time, on looking up found myself right in front of another intrenchment of the enemy. They sent a few rounds at me, but they struck just in front and ricochetted over my head. After a bit, it getting darker, I got up and walked back, and there was nothing but dead Highlanders all over the place. "

Can anything be more pathetic than these rough outlines of the tragicscene where so many valiant souls sacrificed their lives without achance to win for themselves even the shroud of glory? Truly in thissurprisingly-fought yet disastrous battle--

 "A thousand glorious actions that might claim Triumphant laurels and immortal fame, Confused in crowds of gallant actions lie, And troops of heroes undistinguished lie. "

Dim, as the dawn of that dire December morning, is our knowledge of thereal agony of those appalling moments, the absolute magnificence ofthese human souls who were ordered to march to the grave as surely aswas the Light Brigade at Balaclava. For though Balaclava was a scene oftriumph and Majesfontein was one of misery, both brigades startedgloriously forth, and both were martyrs to a mistake. If ever monumentshould be erected to the brave Scottish dead who were sacrificed atMajesfontein, these four words should be carved thereon, that all whohereafter may read of their high failure may remember also, that thisfailure was entirely due to the tragic fact that "Some one hadblundered. "

The picture of disaster given by the _Daily News_ was heart-breaking:--

 "General Wauchope was down, riddled with bullets; yet gasping, dying, bleeding from every vein, the Highland chieftain raised himself on his hands and knees and cheered his men forward. Men and officers fell in heaps together. The Black Watch charged, and the Gordons and the Seaforths, with a yell that stirred the British camp below, rushed onward--onward to death or disaster. The accursed wires caught them round the legs until they floundered, like trapped wolves, and all the time the rifles of the foe sang the song of death in their ears. Then they fell back, broken and beaten, leaving nearly 1300 dead and wounded. "

Yes; dead and wounded--for many of the latter even remained there tillmorning. Among these was poor young Wauchope, the soul of gallantry. Hewas hit in four places, and lay for hours in the bitterly cold nightglued to the ground in his own gore. He was not picked up till dawn. Butgruesome as was his position, he was in the company of heroes. Round andabout were the most splendid fellows that had ever worn kilt; ColonelCoode, and brave brilliant MacFarlan, the Adjutant of the Black Watch, who, times and again, rallied not only his men, but any stragglers whocould be got to follow his dauntless lead. And beyond all these, closein the teeth of the enemy, was the glorious General, the intrepidwarrior, who, after distinguishing himself in many battlefields, in theshambles of Majesfontein "foremost fighting fell. "

No word, no lament, can sufficiently express the mourning of the nation. Of him only can we say, as was said of Sir John Moore at Coruna, "Ifglory be a distinction, for such a man death is not a leveller!" Neitherfor such a man is there any death! Though his dust may mingle with thedust of the veldt, his actions must stand out for all time, and remindhis countrymen that of such glorious, immemorial dust the British Empirehas been built!

General Wauchope was born in 1846, and entered the army in1865; was Lieutenant in 1867, Captain in 1878, Major in 1884, Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel the same year, Colonel in 1888, andMajor-General in 1898. He served in the Ashanti War in 1873, wasslightly wounded in the advance-guard engagement of Jarbinbah, andseverely wounded at the battle of Ordashu. He was mentioned indespatches, and was awarded the medal and clasp. 

In the Egyptian War of 1882 he served with the Black Watch, and tookpart in the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, receiving medal with clasp and theKhedive's Star. Two years later he was in the Soudan Expedition underSir Gerald Graham as D. A. A. G. , and was severely wounded at El Teb, receiving the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and two clasps for hisbravery. In the Nile Expedition of 1884-85 Colonel Wauchope was attachedto Major-General Earle's river column, and in the engagement of Kerbekanwas again wounded--this time very severely. At the conclusion of thecampaign he was awarded two clasps. In 1898 he took part in the SoudanExpedition under Lord Kitchener, and led the first British brigade intoaction at the battle of Omdurman. For his services he was madeMajor-General, was awarded the medal and the Khedive's medal withclasps, and received the thanks of Parliament. When the present war inSouth Africa began, he was appointed to command the Highland Brigade ofLord Methuen's column. 

In the political sphere Major-General Wauchope distinguished himselfalso, though he never entered Parliament. He was, however, Mr. Gladstone's opponent in the re-election for Midlothian in 1892. It was afight which excited the keenest interest all over Great Britain, and wasconducted by Colonel Wauchope with untiring energy. The result was thathe reduced the Radical majority from the 4631 of the previous election(of 1885) to 690. He would probably have been returned in 1895, but hewas then once more on the active list of the army. In June 1898 hecontested South Edinburgh, but lost by a Liberal majority of 831. Thenews of his death caused a feeling of great distress in the Scottishcapital, and the sorrow among his tenantry in Midlothian was intense. 

The following is the list of officers killed and wounded:--

 Highland Brigade (Staff)--Killed: Major-General Wauchope. Seriously wounded: Lieutenant Macleod (West Riding Regiment). Wounded: Lieutenant Wauchope (2nd Royal Highlanders), Lieutenant Vaughan (1st York and Lancaster Regiment), slightly. 2nd Royal Highlanders--Killed: Lieut. -Colonel Coode, [9] Captain Elton, Lieutenant Edmonds, Captain Hon. Cumming Bruce, Captain MacFarlan, Lieutenant Ramsay. Wounded: Major Cuthbertson, Captain Cameron, Lieutenant St. J. Harvey, Lieutenant Berthon, Lieutenant Tait, Second Lieutenant Bullock, Second Lieutenant Drummond, Second Lieutenant Innes. Slightly wounded: Major Duff, Major Berkeley, Lieutenant J. Harvey. 2nd Seaforth Highlanders--Killed: Captain J. R. Clark, Lieutenant Cox, Second Lieutenant Cowie, Captain Brodie. Missing: Major K. R. Mackenzie. Wounded: Captain Featherstonhaugh, Lieutenant Chamley, Second Lieutenant Waterhouse (dangerously), Second Lieutenant Hall, Second Lieutenant Wilson, Second Lieutenant Clive, Second Lieutenant Baillie. 1st Highland Light Infantry--Killed: Captain Cowan, Captain Lambton. Wounded: Lieut. -Colonel Kelham (slightly), Captain Noyes (severely), Captain Wolfe Murray (slightly), Captain Richardson, Second Lieutenant A. J. Martin, Second Lieutenant Knight, Second Lieutenant Fraser, 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders--Killed: Lieut. -Colonel Goff. [10] Wounded: Major Robinson (since died), Lieutenant Graham, Second Lieutenant King, Second Lieutenant Scott (seriously), Captain Campbell (slightly). 1st Gordon Highlanders-of wounds: Captain Wingate. Dangerously wounded: Lieut. -Colonel Downman, [11] Captain W. E. Gordon, Second Lieutenant Campbell. Seriously wounded: Captain Macnab. Guards Brigade. --1st Coldstream Guards--Wounded: Lieut. -Colonel Codrington, Major Hon. W. Lambton, Captain J. Sterling, Second Lieutenant W. Beckwith, Second Lieutenant G. Follett. 2nd Coldstream Guards--Killed: Major the Marquis of Winchester. [12] Cavalry Brigade (Staff)--Wounded: Captain Briggs (1st Dragoon Guards), Brigade-Major. Mounted Infantry--Killed: Major Milton, Major Ray (1st Northumberland Fusiliers). Wounded: Lieut. -Colonel Bigron (Australian Artillery) (attached), and Lieutenant Cowie. Royal Horse Artillery--Wounded: Lieutenant Tudor (G Battery) and Major Maberley. Royal Army Medical Corps--Wounded: Lieutenant Douglas. Taken prisoner: Major C. H. Burtchaell. 

FOOTNOTES:

[9] Lieutenant-Colonel John Henry Collier Coode, of the 2nd BattalionRoyal Highlanders (Black Watch), entered the army in 1875, obtained hiscompany in 1882, was major in 1890, and lieutenant-colonel in June 1898. From 1884 to 1889 he was an adjutant of the Auxiliary Forces, but untilthe present campaign had seen no active service. 

[10] Lieutenant-Colonel Gerald Lionel Joseph Goff, of the 1st Argyll andSutherland Highlanders, was the eldest surviving son of the late Mr. Joseph Goff, of Burton Grange, Herts, by his marriage with Lady AdelaideHenrietta Louise Hortense, a daughter of the second Earl of Ranfurly. Hewas born on March 8, 1855, and entered the army on March 10, 1875, fromthe Militia, being posted as a lieutenant to the 91st Foot (now the Argylland Sutherland Highlanders). He obtained his company on July 1, 1884, andwas adjutant of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the North StaffordshireRegiment from January 2, 1888, to January 1, 1893. He reached the rank ofmajor on September 21, 1892, and that of lieutenant-colonel on July 23, 1898. This was not his first service in South Africa, he having taken partwith the 91st Highlanders in the Zulu war of 1879, when he was present atthe action of Gingindhlovu and the relief of Ekowe, for which he had themedal with clasp. He was a magistrate for Hants and Wilts, and resided atHale Park, Salisbury. He married in 1894 Ellen, the youngest daughter ofSir Robert Dundas, of Arniston, Midlothian, who survives him. 

[11] Lieutenant-Colonel George Thomas Frederick Downman, of the 1stBattalion Gordon Highlanders, who subsequently died of wounds received inthis battle, joined the army twenty-three years ago, became captain in1883, and major in 1891. In 1896 he was appointed second in command of hisregiment, and received a brevet lieutenant-colonelcy in May 1898. He firstsaw service in the Soudan campaign of 1884, and was present at El Teb andTamai, receiving the medal with clasp and the Khedive's star. In the NileExpedition which followed he was with the River Column under Major-GeneralEarle, and was awarded a clasp. In 1895 he was with his regiment inChitral under Sir Robert Low, and took part in the storming of theMalakand Pass, being mentioned in despatches and receiving the medal withclasp. Then in 1897-98 he went with his battalion to the North-WestFrontier under Sir William Lockhart and was present in the engagement atDargai and at the subsequent storming of the Dargai heights, beingmentioned again in despatches. He was present also at the capture of theSampagha and Arhanga Passes, and went through the succeeding operations inthe Maidan, Waran, and Bara Valleys. His name was mentioned also in thesedespatches, and his services secured for him, besides his brevet oflieutenant-colonel, two clasps. He was forty-four years of age, and wasgazetted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his regiment in July 1899. 

[12] Augustus John Henry Beaumont Paulet, Marquis of Winchester, PremierMarquis of England and the fifteenth bearer of the title, was born in1858, and succeeded his father in 1887. Educated at Eton, he entered theColdstream Guards in 1879, was lieutenant in 1881, captain in 1890, andreceived his majority in April 1897. He served in the expedition to theSoudan in 1885 as aide-de-camp to Sir John M'Neill, and was present in theengagements at Hasheen and the Tofreck Zereba, and at the destruction ofTamai, receiving the medal with two clasps and Khedive's star. He went outto the Cape with his regiment in the _Gascon_, arriving there just a monthago. It was only on the previous Saturday that his appointment as secondin command of the regiment was notified, the vacancy having been caused bythe death of Lieutenant-Colonel Stopford at the battle of Belmont. LordWinchester was the hereditary bearer of the Cap of Maintenance--a cap ofdignity carried before the Sovereigns of England at their coronation. Hewas a D. L. For the county of Southampton, was unmarried, and is succeededby his brother, Lord Henry William Montagu Paulet, formerly a lieutenantof the 3rd Battalion Hampshire Regiment, who has just attained his 37thyear. 

 CHAPTER VI

 CHIEVELEY CAMP

Deeply to be deplored, yet generally recognised, was the fact that sofar, no decisive defeat had been inflicted on the Boers. We had foughtgloriously, sometimes successfully; great men and brave had writtentheir names in blood on the roll of heroes and had passed away, butnothing decisive had been done. It was true that the enemy had beenrouted time after time, but he had got away without chastisement, and inmost cases with his guns. The main reason for his safe flight was ourlack of cavalry, and also the fact, that such horses as we had were notof the same nimble build as those--inferior, yet smart--which werepossessed by the Boers. These, thoroughly acclimatised and also educatedto the curious nature of the boulder-strewn country, were able to careerinto space before our heavier chargers could get even with them. 

Lord Methuen had fought three glorious battles successfully, and afourth, equally glorious though productive of no result, insomuch as thedistance of his troops from Kimberley remained the same, while theirnumbers were very materially attenuated. It was reasonably to besupposed that a general who had come victoriously through threeengagements--all accomplished within a week--should, in a measure, haveexhausted some of his fighting material, and that such unequalled featsof arms as had been displayed must be paid for. The morale and staminaof the troops had been tried in every way. They had faced shot and shellat Belmont, at Enslin, and at Modder River. They had marched many milesunder a torrid sun and slept many nights exposed to contrasting cold. Yet, at Majesfontein they had risen to the occasion, and flungthemselves into the hurlyburly of battle as though a hint of fatiguewere unknown. And their ill-success, it was discovered, was mainly dueto treachery, against which it was almost impossible to be entirelyguarded. 

The one compliment that can be paid to a Boer is to call him "slim" orsly, and this slimness in warfare has helped the foe to circumvent thebroader and more open tactics of the Briton. There was, indeed, noknowing how far or how ingeniously the ramifications of "slimness" hadextended, and, to be even with them at all, our warriors have needed toadd to the courage of lions the astuteness of weasels! Some of the CapeDutch had worked surreptitiously for the foe, others affected anattitude of neutrality, more dangerous than open antagonism; whileKaffirs, either from fear of being made biltong of, or for bribes, hadlent themselves to delude and trick the British on more than oneoccasion. However, notwithstanding impediments, every one waitedanxiously to hear a decisive note in the war news, and continued to hopefor the best. Lord Methuen having done his part, all eyes were nowturned towards the Natal force and Sir Redvers Buller, in expectation ofrelief. In England the tension was becoming painful; in the Cape it wascausing colourless loyalty to become tinged with doubt; in the besiegedtowns it was bringing patience to the snapping-point. In effect, thewhole nation was standing with bated breath for the great, the importantstroke, and the entire world looked to Colenso, that hitherto unknownspot in the Empire, for one of the biggest battles of the campaign. 

 THE BATTLE OF COLENSO

On Friday the 15th December the Ladysmith relief column under SirRedvers Buller attacked the enemy in full force. The Dutchmen held verystrong positions north of Colenso, their camps and laagers being linkedwith those surrounding the southern side of Ladysmith, while to thesouth of the river they also held a formidable and commanding post. About three miles in front was an open plain, with hardly a vestige ofcover in any direction. All around was a crescent-shaped constellationof high kopjes. The great hill of Hlangwane, on the left flank of theenemy, though it was not known at the onset, was strongly fortified, and_vis-à-vis_ to the Hlangwane guns on the extreme right were posted moreguns. Between these two eminences was the plain aforesaid, veined withdongas which reached to the terribly steep banks of the river, wherewere more intrenchments. From Fort Wylie, another of the fortifiedkopjes, the Boers commanded the little village of Colenso and theexpanse of country through which Sir Redvers Buller proposed to advanceto Ladysmith. The Tugela, wide and deep, ran between the foes, except onthe left of the Doer position, where the Dutchmen held both banks of theriver. 

Upon their defensive works the Boers had spent a vast amount of labour. Besides rows of trenches cunningly concealed by grass and scrub upon theflats on both sides of the river, barbed wire entanglements complicatedthe situation both at the trenches and under the water at the riverfords. The water of the river was also deepened by means ofcleverly-made dams, in order that any troops which might endeavour toford the current would find themselves carried off their feet. 

[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF COLENSO--QUEEN'S (ROYAL WEST SURREY)REGIMENT LEADING THE CENTRAL ATTACK. 

Drawing by J. Finnemore, R. I. ]

But, of course, the intricacy of these ingenious arrangements was onlydiscovered at the cost of bitter experience. Later on, a great deal ofafter-the-event wisdom was forthcoming, and the ignorance of allconcerned regarding the nature of the position to be attacked wasseverely commented upon. It was said that no satisfactory reconnaissanceof the enemy's position was made, and that accurate knowledge of thenature of the ground to be passed over was not forthcoming. It was alsoaverred that neither subordinate officers nor men were informed of whatwas expected of them, and that the only maps supplied to regimentalofficers were small-scale maps of the whole of South Africa, forty milesto the inch. However, it is clear that General Buller fully believed inhis ability to force the passage of the Tugela, and viewed the position, though formidable, as less formidable than it really was. From allaccounts it was plain that all the generals believed the village ofColenso to be evacuated, and none of them seemed to foresee verypowerful opposition from that quarter or to take into account theexceeding rapidity with which the Boers managed to return to positionstemporarily vacated. 

Selections from the general orders of the day will show the proposedplan of action, and help to an understanding of how much one side maypropose and the other dispose in a modern campaign:--

 GENERAL ORDERS. 

 "Orders of Lieutenant-General Sir Francis Clery, commanding the South Natal field forces. 

 "CHIEVELEY, _Dec. 14, 1899_ (10 P. M. ). 

 "1. The enemy is intrenched in the kopjes north of the Tugela; one large camp is reported to be near the Ladysmith road, about five miles north-west of Colenso. Another large camp is reported in the hills which lie off the Tugela in a northerly direction from Hlangwane Hill, a rough scrub-covered kopje. 

 "2. It is the intention of the General Officer Commanding to force a passage of the Tugela to-morrow. 

 "3. The 5th Brigade (Major-General Hart's) will move from its present camp at 4. 30 A. M. And march towards Bridle Drift (a ford about four miles west of Colenso), immediately west of the junction of Doornkop Spruit and the Tugela. The brigade will cross at this point, and after crossing move along on the left bank of the river towards the kopjes north of the iron bridge. 

 "4. The 2nd Brigade (Major-General Hildyard's) will move from its present camping-ground at 4 A. M. , and, passing south of the present camping-ground of No. 1 and No. 2 of the divisional troops, will march in the direction of the iron bridge at Colenso, and the brigade will cross at this point and gain possession of the kopjes north of the iron bridge. 

 "5. The 4th Brigade (Major-General the Hon. N. G. Lyttelton's) will advance at 4. 30 A. M. To the point between Bridle Drift and the railway south, and can support either the 5th or the 2nd Brigade. 

 "6. The 6th Brigade (Major-General Barton's), less half a battalion as escort to the baggage, will move at 4 A. M. East of the railway in the direction of Hlangwane Hill to a position where it can protect the right flank of the 2nd Brigade, and, if necessary, support it or the mounted troops referred to later as moving towards Hlangwane Hill. 

 "7. The officer commanding the mounted brigade (the Earl of Dundonald) will move, at 4 A. M. With a force of 1000 men and one battery, No. 1 brigade division, in the direction of Hlangwane Hill. He will cover the right flank of the general movement, and will endeavour to take up a position on Hlangwane Hill, where he will enfilade the kopjes north of the iron bridge. The officer commanding the mounted troops will also detail two forces of 300 and 500 men, to cover the right and left flanks respectively and protect the baggage. 

 "8. The Second Brigade Division of the Royal Field Artillery will move, at 4. 30 A. M. , following the Fourth Brigade, and will take up a position whence it can enfilade the kopjes north of the iron bridge. The Sixth Brigade (Major-General Barton's) will act on any orders it receives from Major-General Hart. The six Naval guns, twelve-pounders, now in position north of the Fourth Brigade, will advance on the right of the Second Brigade Division Royal Field Artillery. No. 1 Division Royal Field Artillery, less one battery detached to the mounted brigade, will move at 3. 30 A. M. East of the railway, and proceed, under cover of the Sixth Brigade, to a point from which it can prepare a crossing for the Second Brigade. The six Naval guns will accompany and act with the Brigade Division. "

It must be remembered that the railway bridge had been blown up, but afootbridge still existed. 

[Illustration: SKETCH PLAN OF BATTLE OF COLENSO, MADE ON THE SPOT BY AMILITARY DRAUGHTSMAN. ]

Before dawn Lord Dundonald with a mounted brigade and a battery ofartillery moved to the east, while General Hart and his brigade startedto try and cross Brindle Drift. The field-guns came next withcavalry--the 1st Royals and 13th Hussars--to protect either flank. Major-General Hildyard's brigade advanced to occupy the post of honourin the centre of the theatre of war. On the right were the West Surreywith the West Yorks in support. On the left marched the Devons with theEast Surrey in rear. At 6 A. M. The Naval Contingent opened theproceedings. Their 12-pounders began to snort and to roar, and lydditewhizzed and shrieked over to Grobler's Hill and in the neighbourhood ofFort Wylie. But it whizzed and shrieked in vain. The Boers were "mum. "They were "lying low, " and had determined to keep their position maskedas long as possible. They adopted the same tactics which had soconfounded us at Majesfontein. The infantry now advanced, while ColonelsLong and Hunt made haste--undue haste, as lamentable experienceproved--to come into line with their field-batteries. At this moment, when all seemed to be going well, when Hart's, Hildyard's, and Barton'sbrigades were moving to their several positions, the sudden combinedroar of Boer artillery and musketry was heard, coming not, as mighthave been supposed, from the distance, but _from the immediate front_, and apparently from all sides. A very cyclone of Mauser bullets sweptall around, rattling and barking from the river bank, from trenchesnorth and south of the Tugela, from Fort Wylie, and from every availablepoint of vantage. Flame in tongues and forks belched out as from acrackling bush. The advancing infantry--the Devons and the WestSurrey--found themselves almost carried off their feet; leaden hail beatthe dust around, digging deep into the earth and sending up spurts ofblinding dust, or whistling a warning of death to the heart of many anhonest lad and true. So deadly, so awful was this fusillade, that itseemed impossible to do aught but flee. Yet the gunners stood tight totheir guns, and the infantry with set faces like masks of bronze, regardless of the companions that dropped thick and fast around and uponthem, stared Death straight in the face--stared at and recognised andknew him, and still maintained their ground! More--they advanced; nearerand ever nearer to the invisible enemy they came, afterwards lying downand returning the fire with interest, while the guns of Long's andHunt's field-batteries boomed and bellowed and vomited fire like Infernoreleased. Fort Wylie and its neighbourhood were swept with shrapnel andalmost silenced, but only for a moment. Disaster was in the air. Theconcealed sharpshooters of the enemy, who crowded the Boer lines, hadapplied themselves to making a concentrated attack on the guns, pickingoff horses and officers and men, and finally reducing the snortingweapons which had been galloped too quickly into action, and were within700 yards of the enemy's trenches, to a condition of pitiable impotence. Only the third field-battery and the Naval battery could move, and thesewere quickly drawn off to a place of safety. Amidst this scene oftragedy and uproar the Devons and West Surrey were steadily pursuingtheir way with a heroism that absolutely defies description. The enemywas driven out of the platelayers' and surrounding houses, and Colensovillage was cleared. What the guns failed to do the bayonetaccomplished, and before the glint of the steel--the cold, stern steelthey so much dread--the Boers had bolted. But all around them Krupps andMaxims and Hotchkiss guns were still working hard, spouting andshrieking, and tearing earth and men and horses, and throwing themtogether in one horrible, hideous heap. 

Certainly the advance of Hildyard's men was a noble achievement. Theireffort to capture the road bridge and hold the village of Colenso inface of a scene of carnage was an act of splendid courage anddetermination; but they were assailed with so deadly a storm of shot andshell that they had no choice but to retire. Though they had imaginedthe village to be evacuated, the place had been swarming with Boers, they evidently having expected to be attacked in this quarter. Not onlywere they strongly intrenched, but the guns on the surrounding hillscommanded the position, and when the Boers were temporarily routed theguns still continued to sweep the whole place with such unerringaccuracy and fierceness that the ground was thickly strewn with thebodies of the mangled. Until those guns could be silenced, efforts ofthe infantry were so much waste of valiant flesh and blood; but ourpower to silence them was at an end. The guns of the 14th and 66thBatteries were doomed. They had, as before said, been approached tooclose to the river, and thus been exposed to the unerring rifle-fire ofthe Boer mercenaries. The attack was immediately returned, but beforelong the whole party, officers, gunners, and horses, were simply mowndown. As fast as more horses were brought up they were annihilated. Inaddition to this the gunners ran short of ammunition. To await thearrival of this, such survivors as there were doubled back to theshelter of a donga twenty yards in their rear. At that time there wasno intention of abandoning the guns. Superb were the efforts made tosave them. Three officers rushed forward into the open, and, with someheroic drivers and such horses as they could get, made their way verydeliberately towards the two field-batteries and into the mouth of aflaming hell. These were Captain Schofield, R. A. (A. D. C. To GeneralBuller), Captain the Hon. F. Roberts, 60th Rifles, and Captain Congreve, Rifle Brigade. This glorious bravery was almost an act of suicide, andin sheer amazement at the wondrous valour of these dauntless Britons, the Boer rifle-fire, for one instant, was suspended. In the next, shotand shell burst forth afresh and the scene became too harrowing fordescription. Roberts, the gallant and the beloved, dropped, wounded infive places, while his horse was blown to bits, and Congreve, his jacketriddled to ribbons, was hit several times. Schofield, by a miracle, camewhole from the ordeal, and succeeded in the almost impossible task ofhauling off the two guns, for which all three and many others had riskedtheir lives. The rest of the guns were captured by the enemy, but ofthis anon. 

[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF COLENSO--THE DUBLIN FUSILIERS ATTEMPT TOFORD THE TUGELA. 

Drawing by Rene Bull and Enoch Ward, R. B. A. ]

Major-General Hart's Brigade, consisting of the Dublins, Inniskillings, Borderers, and Connaughts, fulfilled in a measure what was expected ofthem. Some of them actually crossed the Tugela, but, alas! to nopurpose. The position near the other side was untenable. A dam had beenthrown across the water to deepen it. Cascades of artillery shrapnelwere so liberally poured upon them, there was no holding up a head insuch a fusillade. Yet they pushed on to the river, and the enemy fellback before them or dropped under their steady determined fire. TheDutchmen were driven to the north bank of the Tugela, and the IrishBrigade gallantly plunged in, thinking the water was knee-deep or atleast fordable, and it was only then that they discovered that the wireentanglements that had been spread around the trenches were also underwater, and that the flood itself was unexpectedly deep, owing to theingenious dam that had been constructed by the "slim" adversary. Therewere now ten feet of water instead of two, and sad was the plight ofmany a poor fellow of the Dublins and Connaughts, who, weighted withammunition and accoutrements, found it impossible to swim to shore oreven to return. They were drowned in the flood, while others dropped inheaps under the enemy's fire, and even under volleys of our own men, who, unluckily, mistook them for the foe. But the Irishmen's blood wasup, and some, at any cost, determined to reach the other side to get onegrip of the enemy, but what many of them thought to be the other bankwas merely the bank of a winding spruit, which took them no farthertowards the foe. The disappointment and rage was intense. Boom, boom, went the cannons roaring their dirge of death; bang, bang, bellowed theNaval battery in reply; rattling and raking came the bullets above theheads of the plunging Irishmen; splash, splash, sang the cold muddywater in their ears as they scrambled from rock to stone or swam fordear life. All that gallantry could do was done, but there was noappreciable advance with them, or indeed anywhere--ill-luck or badmanagement frustrated the best efforts on every hand. Men fell in heaps;horses with half their bodies blown away littered the veldt; the gunswere stuck fast--useless lumber, too valuable to leave, too heavy to getaway. Some say that had it not been for the action of the artillerycommander in taking a whole brigade division--three batteries--up at agallop to within 700 yards of the enemy's trenches, the day might stillhave been ours. The valiant Irishmen would still have pursued theirrisky advance. Others declared that the want of proper scouting causedthe whole fiasco, and that all the pluck of the Irish Brigade was somuch heroism wasted. They had no information relative to theintrenchments of the place to be attacked by them, nor any conception ofthe strength of the opposition they were liable to meet. No scoutsappear to have discovered the position of the ford by which they wereordered to cross, or the nearness of the enemy to that point, andconsequently the brigade marched in quarter-column into the very jaws ofdeath, only deploying when shells had already begun to burst in theirmidst. Like the guns of the Royal Artillery, they found themselvesbefore they were prepared in the midst of a close and deadlyfusillade--the more deadly and unnerving because on the clearest of daysnot a whiff of smoke betrayed the quarters from whence the murderousassaults were coming. 

[Illustration: MAP SHOWING THE ATTEMPTED PASSAGE OF THE RIVER BY GENERALBULLER ON DECEMBER 15. ]

General Barton's brigade, like Hart's and Hildyard's, failed to effectits object. It was found impossible to obtain possession of HlangwaneHill, which was much more strongly held than it was believed to be. Thetroops were assailed from thence by such galling shell and rifle firethat they were eventually forced to retire. 

On the extreme right, the mounted troops, under Lord Dundonald, made avigorous attack at the Hlangwane Hill, on which was posted the Boerpieces which had wrought such devastation among the British batteries. However, in advancing up the valley, they were outflanked by the Boers, and had eventually to retire under a storm of bullets. The irregulars, for their part, worked splendidly. The South African Horse advanced onthe front under a heavy shell fire. Thorneycroft's Horse, the NatalCarabineers, the Imperial Light Horse, and the Mounted Infantry at thesame time attempted the flanking attack; but the Boer lines, which ranalong some high ground to the right of the flanking party, defeatedtheir best efforts. Owing to the bad light, and to the fact that theBoers used smokeless powder, their fire failed to reveal their position, and the discomfort of the attacking party was considerable. 

Meanwhile the 7th Battery, which was with Lord Dundonald, kept shellingHlangwane and Fort Wylie in turns, the latter being done in order toassist the general advance. About noon Lord Dundonald was ordered toretire. This, however, was immediately impossible. So soon as the menbegan to move they became targets for the foe. Many of the men werereluctant to retire at all, and were pressing in their desire to still"have a go" at the enemy. The retirement at last, after a two hours'struggle, was accomplished without undue loss. The 7th Battery, undercommand of Major Henshaw, made splendid practice. During the engagementLord Dundonald sent a team of gun and waggon horses, under Captain Reed, to assist the 14th and 66th Batteries to recover their guns. CaptainReed returned to the 7th Battery, and though he came back with a bulletin his leg, he insisted on remaining with it until he was ordered backto camp. 

Generals Buller and Clery were ubiquitous, riding coolly about anddirecting where the hurricane of lead was thickest, and running riskswhich rendered all who saw them anxious for their safety. Indeed, assome one remarked, one would have thought they were lieutenants tryingto make a name, and not generals with the responsibility of an army ontheir minds. The loss of either of these prominent officers would havebeen counted by the Boers as a sign of victory, and therefore, when onewas hit in the side and another in the arm by glancing bullets, therewas considerable alarm among those who were near enough to observe whathad taken place. Captain Hughes, R. A. M. C. , was killed, and others of theStaff were wounded. Lord Gerard twice had narrow escapes, his horsebeing twice wounded. 

A squadron of the Imperial Horse had an exciting experience. The men, who had dismounted to move in extended order across level country, werebeginning to cross a ploughed field. Suddenly a rifle volley was openedupon them, and they were forced to lie down for cover. But the enemy, though on a kopje not 500 yards distant at this time, was quiteinvisible; and on this clear, hot day, though the song of the Mauserwent on persistently, there was no smoke to betray the enemy's position. The Imperial Horse lay quiet, and the enemy thinking they were perhapsannihilated ceased firing. Presently, however, when the troopersventured out, the firing was renewed, and many were killed and wounded. It is invidious to mention special regiments when all fought soresolutely. The behaviour of the irregular forces, however, was thesubject of general remark. They held their position under a heavycross-fire, refusing to retire without their wounded. And when they didretire, the movement was executed without flurry, with precision andcomposure, as if the battlefield were one vast manoeuvring ground. Meanwhile the Boers still struggled to outflank our right, and the 13thHussars had a lively time, Colonel Blagrove having his charger shotunder him; but there were few serious calamities, only two of thetroopers being killed. 

Many instances of heroism were recorded on the part of men and officersbelonging to all the regiments engaged in the battle. LieutenantPonsonby, of Thorneycroft's Horse, while endeavouring to save a woundedman, was fired at, the shot striking his unhappy burden and mortallywounding him. The young officer was slightly wounded himself, butmanaged to escape after shooting his assailant dead at very closequarters. The conduct of the Dublins was the subject of universalpraise. They lost heavily; some 216 out of 900 men. When ordered toretire, although the crossing of the Tugela Drift was a sufficientlyfearful experience, they were intensely disgusted. "Let us only see thebeggars!" they asked. "Give us a chance with the bayonet!" said thesegallant fellows, who had already passed through a hurricane of shot andshell. The Scottish Fusiliers lost 75 out of 301, but they were stillready, still bent, if allowed, upon carrying the bridge at all costs. Their enterprise was badly rewarded. They got left in an untenableposition and were surrounded. 

Captain Herbert, Staff Officer to Colonel Long, had his horse killedunder him, while the Colonel himself was severely wounded by a bulletfrom a shrapnel shell. Captain White-Thomas, while on his way back tothe limbers to get blankets for the injured, received a nasty wound. Colonel Brook (Connaught Rangers) was shot, and while being carried offthe field by some of his men, one of these was wounded. The Colonelinsisted on being put down, but Pat also insisted that he was equal tocarrying his burden to a place of safety, and did so, though a shot hadpierced his neck and passed clean out on the other side. 

So many valiant deeds were performed that space will not admit of allbeing recounted. The irregulars and regulars seemed determined toout-distance each other in feats of chivalry. Private Farmer, of theCarabineers, struggled to save a comrade at the risk of his own life. Colour-Sergeant Byrne, in a storm of bullets, gallantly saved three ofhis comrades who were drowning, though he and they were heavily weightedwith ammunition and equipment. Major Gordon, wounded as he was, fiercelyand nobly led on his men till he dropped from exhaustion. The conduct ofsome of the drivers was simply amazing, and their daring was repeatedand reflected in the achievements of the infantry. Quite wonderful wasthe bearing of these men, mere private soldiers, in their magnificentnobility of sacrifice, their utter regardlessness of self. Each stroveto set an example to the other of steadfast, almost reckless devotion toduty. 

The circumstances attending the capture of the guns were deeply tragic. Late in the terrible afternoon, when the red sun was sending horizontalrays across the blood-dyed field, a strong party of Boers swam the riverfor the purpose of seizing the guns and forcing the wounded, who werehuddled together in the donga, to surrender. It was a fearful moment. Our worn-out, fainting, and dying men were lying about drenched in theirown gore, helpless, and none could move to save the precious guns fromfalling into alien hands. Some raged, some wept with mortification attheir powerlessness to stay the inevitable. Three Boers approached themfor the purpose of demanding their instant surrender, and were shot atfrom the donga. A larger body then arrived, and though Colonel Bullockdoggedly refused to surrender, and was struck down by their leader, theyeventually forced the party to submit. It is said--let us hope it wasmere report--that they threatened to shoot the wounded if they did not!However, the fact was mentioned by Sir Redvers Buller, who doubtless hadbeen well informed on the subject. 

The following is the list of casualties in the engagement at Colenso:--

 Royal Field Artillery--Killed: Captain A. H. Goldie, Lieutenant C. B. Schreiber. Royal Dublin Fusiliers--Killed: Captain A. H. Bacon, Lieutenant P. C. Henry. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers--Killed: Captain Frank C. Loftus. Devon Regiment--Wounded: Captain M. J. Goodwyn (b), Captain J. F. Radcliffe (b), Captain P. U. W. Vigor (c), Lieutenant H. B. W. Gardiner (c), Second Lieutenant H. J. Storey (c). Rifle Brigade--Wounded: Second Lieutenant R. G. Graham (b), Captain W. N. Congreve (c). Fifth Brigade Staff--Wounded: Captain Hon. St. Leger Jervis (b). Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers--Died of wounds: Major G. F. W. Charley. Wounded: Captain A. G. Hancocks (a), Captain W. F. Hessey (b), Captain E. J. Buckley (b), Lieutenant H. A. Leverson (b), Second Lieutenant T. W. Whiffen (b), Lieutenant A. D. Best (b), Lieutenant W. W. Weldon (c), Lieutenant J. G. Devenish (b). Border Regiment--Wounded: Major K. H. G. Heygate (b), Captain J. E. S. Probyn (c), Lieutenant G. T. Marsh (b). Connaught Rangers--Wounded: Colonel L. G. Brooke (a), Lieutenant G. F. Brooke (a). Royal Dublin Fusiliers. --Wounded: Major A. W. Gordon (b), Captain H. M. Stewan (b), Second Lieutenant M'Leod (b). Royal Irish Fusiliers--Wounded: Captain T. E. R. Brush (b). Royal Horse Artillery--Wounded: Colonel Long (a). Royal Field Artillery--Wounded: Lieut. -Colonel H. Hunt (c), Captain H. D. White-Thomson (c), Captain H. L. Reed (c), Captain F. A. G. Elton (b). Lieutenant Frank Goodson (c). Royal Army Medical Corps--Killed: Captain M. C. Hughes. Wounded: Major F. A. Bracington (? Brannigan) (c). Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry--Killed: Lieutenant C. M. Jenkins. Wounded: Lieutenant W. Otto (b), Lieutenant Ponsonby (c), Second Lieutenant Holford, 19th Hussars (attached) (a). Natal Carabiniers--Wounded: D. W. Mackay (b), Lieutenant R. W. Wilson (c). South African Light Horse--Wounded: Lieutenant B. Banhurst (b), Lieutenant J. W. Cock (c). King's Royal Rifles--Wounded: Lieutenant Hon. F. H. S. Roberts (since died). Field Artillery--Prisoners: Second Lieutenant R. W. St. L. Gethin, Major A. L. Bailward, Lieutenant A. C. Birch, Second Lieutenant C. D. Holford, Major W. Y. Foster. Devon Regiment--Prisoners: Lieut. -Colonel G. Bullock, J. M'N. Walter, Lieutenant S. N. F. Smyth-Osbourne. Essex Regiment--Prisoner: Lieutenant W. F. Bonham. Royal Scots Fusiliers--Prisoners: Captain D. H. A. Dick, Captain H. H. Northy, Lieutenant E. Christian, Lieutenant E. F. H. Rumbold, Lieutenant M. E. M'Conaghey, Second Lieutenant G. E. Briggs. Royal Artillery--Missing: Lieutenant S. T. Butler. Connaught Rangers--Missing: Captain G. H. Ford-Hutchison, Second Lieutenant E. V. Jones. 

 (a) dangerously wounded; (b) seriously; (c) slightly. 

Our losses were 1167 all told. Killed, 5 officers and 160 men; wounded, 36 officers and 634 men; missing and prisoners, 26 officers and 311men--a terrible list for one day's work. 

[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF COLENSO--THE LAST DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO SAVETHE GUNS OF THE 14th and 66th BATTERIES. 

Drawing by Sidney Paget. ]

Sad to state, our ambulances were designedly fired upon. Five shellsfell in the neighbourhood of a waggon packed with wounded, and one partyof ambulance men was forced twice to abandon their work of succour. Thetents of the field-hospitals were no sooner erected than shells fell allround them, and the men were forced to desist from their labours. Theheroic conduct of the civilian stretcher-bearers was generally thesubject of remark. These men, though fired at by the enemy and injured, continued zealously to carry on their humane work, and assisted insaving many lives which might otherwise have been sacrificed. The forceof the enemy opposed to us was estimated at 12, 000 to 14, 000. From atactical standpoint the Boers had overwhelming advantages. Their numberswere immense, and the dangerous high-banked river, which they themselveshad carefully dammed and filled with wire entanglements, made aformidable shield for the defensive party. In addition to this, theyhad constructed long, highly scientifically-arranged trenches, alongwhich their Nordenfeldt gun could quickly travel, and thus defy anyattempt of our gunners to get the range. Still the Naval guns werewonderfully worked, and wrought considerable havoc among the Boers inthe over-hanging kopjes. Though their loss could not be accuratelyestimated, it was declared to be about 2000. The trenches were said tobe choked with dead Dutchmen. 

On the 16th of December an armistice was agreed upon, to last from noontill midnight, to enable both sides to collect and bury their dead. 

The following "recommendations to notice" illuminated the somewhat sadnature of the General's despatch:--

"From the General Commanding-in-Chief the Forces in South Africa to the Secretary of State for War. 

 "CHIEVELEY CAMP, _Dec. 16, 1899_. 

 "SIR, --I have the honour to bring the following cases of Distinguished Service in the Field to your notice. 

 "At Colenso, on December 15, the detachments serving the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, had all been either killed, wounded, or driven from their guns by infantry fire at close range, and the guns were deserted. 

 "About 500 yards behind the guns was a donga, in which some of the few horses and drivers left alive were sheltered. The intervening space was swept with shell and rifle fire. 

 "Captain Congreve, Rifle Brigade, who was in the donga, assisted to hook a team into a limber, went out and assisted to limber up a gun; being wounded, he took shelter, but seeing Lieutenant Roberts fall badly wounded, he went out again and brought him in. Some idea of the nature of the fire may be gathered from the fact that Captain Congreve was shot through the leg, through the toe of his boot, grazed on the elbow and the shoulder, and his horse shot in three places. 

 "Lieutenant the Honourable F. Roberts, King's Royal Rifles, assisted Captain Congreve. He was wounded in three places. 

 "Corporal Nurse, Royal Field Artillery, 66th Battery, also assisted. I recommend the above three for the Victoria Cross. 

 "Drivers H. Taylor, Young, Petts, Rockall, Lucas, and Williams, all of the 66th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, rode the teams, each team brought in a gun. I recommend all six for the Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field. 

 "Shortly afterwards Captain H. L. Reed, 7th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, who had heard of the difficulty, brought down three teams from his battery to see if he could be of any use. He was wounded, as were five of the thirteen men who rode with him; one was killed, his body was found on the field, and thirteen out of twenty-one horses were killed before he got half-way to the guns, and he was obliged to retire. 

 "I recommend Captain Reed for the Victoria Cross, and the following non-commissioned officers and men, 7th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, for the Medal for Distinguished Service in the Field:--

 "86, 208 Corporal A. Clark, wounded; 87, 652 Corporal R. J. Money; 82, 210 Acting-Bombardier J. H. Reeve; 28, 286 Driver C. J. Woodward; 22, 054 Driver Wm. Robertson, wounded; 22, 061 Driver Wm. Wright, wounded; 22, 051 Driver A. C. Hawkins; 26, 688 Driver John Patrick Lennox; 22, 094 Driver Albert Nugent, killed; 23, 294 Driver James Warden; 32, 087 Driver Arthur Felton, wounded; 83, 276 Driver Thomas Musgrove; 26, 523 Trumpeter William W. Ayles, wounded. 

 "I have differentiated in my recommendations, because I thought that a recommendation for the Victoria Cross required proof of initiative, something more, in fact, than mere obedience to orders, and for this reason I have not recommended Captain Schofield, Royal Artillery, who was acting under orders, though I desire to record his conduct as most gallant. 

 "Several other gallant drivers tried, but were all killed, and I cannot get their names. --I have, &c. , REDVERS BULLER, General. "

Appended is an account of the battle given by Captain Walter NorrisCongreve, one of the heroes of the day. It is deeply interesting, thoughit makes little reference to his own gallant action for which he gainedthe Victoria Cross:--

 "Our big Naval guns shelled the enemy's position off and on all day, but could get no response. We could see very few Boers about, and it was a horrid position to attack.... I don't believe any troops could have taken it. However, we tried yesterday and failed. We bombarded every place that looked like holding Boers for two hours, without response and without a sign of a Boer. To see the shells bursting, you would have thought nothing could have been left alive in the vicinity. After this, infantry, which had already got into position, advanced line after line and extended widely. Instantly thousands of bullets began pattering about, and their guns pitched shells all over the place. Where they came from no one could see till the end. Sir Redvers Buller rode all along the line, and came in for a good deal of attention from bullets and shells. 

 "My first experience was my stick being knocked out of my hand by a bullet; then a horse beside me was killed by a shell. About 10 o'clock two batteries which had advanced far too close ran short of ammunition. Their waggons were about 800 yards behind, the horses and men sheltering in a deep narrow nullah. General Buller told them to take the waggons up to the battery, but instantly they emerged a stream of bullets and shells fell all round, and most of the men got into the nullah again. Generals Buller and Cleary stood out in it and said, 'Some of you go and help Schofield. ' A. D. C. Roberts, myself, and two or three others went to the waggons, and we got two waggons horsed with the help of a corporal and six gunners. I have never seen even at field-firing the bullets fly thicker. All one could see were little tufts of dust all over the ground accompanied by a whistling noise, 'phut, ' where they hit, and an increasing rattle of musketry somewhere in front. 

 "My first bullet went through my left sleeve and just made the point of my elbow bleed. Next a clod of earth caught me a smack on the other arm; then my horse got one; then my right leg one, and my horse another. That settled us, for he plunged, and I fell about 100 yards short of the guns we were going to. A little nullah was by, and into that I hobbled and sat down. I had not been in a minute before another bullet hit the toe of my boot, went into the welt, travelled up, and came out at the toe-cap, two inches from the end of the toe. It did not even scratch me, but I shifted my quarters pretty quickly to a better place, where I found Colonels Hunt and Long, R. A. , and a dozen or so wounded gunners; a doctor, Colonel Bullock, and about fifteen men of his regiment--all that were left of the escort and two batteries. 

 "At about 11 o'clock the fire slackened, and I went out, finding poor Roberts badly wounded, and with help got him into the nullah. There we lay from 11 till 4. 30: no water, not a breath of air, no particle of shade, and a sun which I have never felt hotter even in India. My jacket was taken to shade Robert's head, and what with blood and dirt I was a pretty object by the time I got out. At 4. 30 the Boers rode up and asked us to surrender, or they would shoot us all. Colonel Bullock was the senior unwounded officer, and had, perhaps, twenty rifles all told. He refused, and they at once began a fusillade from fifty yards distant, and our people returned it. It was unpleasant, and only a question of minutes before they enfiladed our trenches and bagged the lot. Bullock's men knocked over two, and they then put up a white flag, parleyed, said we might remove our wounded, and the remainder either be taken prisoners or fight it out. However, while we were talking 100 or so crept round us. We found loaded rifles at every armed man's head, and we were forced to give in. One of our ambulances came up, and we were gradually collected at one spot, and a colour-sergeant of the Devon Regiment carried me upon his back. "

 END OF VOLUME II. 

 Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. Edinburgh & London

[Illustration: _Facsimile of MS. Of_ MR. RUDYARD KIPLING'S _War Poem_"THE ABSENT-MINDED BEGGAR"]

[Illustration]

_The above facsimile is printed by arrangement with the Daily MailPublishing Co. , London_

+------------------------------------------------------------------------+| TRANSCRIBERS' NOTES || ||General: Errors and inconsistencies in punctuation have been corrected || without individual notes. ||Pages vi, 6, 10: Drakenberg standardised to Drakensberg. ||Page vii: repeated date 2 November removed. ||Chart of Staff Appointments; Natal Field Force; 4th Division: Aides- || de-Camp(2) blank in original ||Chart of Staff Appointments; Staff of 1st Army Corps: Orderly || Veterinary Officer blank in original ||Chart of Staff Appointments; 1st Army Corps 3rd Division; 6th Brigade: || Aide-de-Camp blank in original ||Chart of Staff Appointments; Staff of Cavalry Division: Aides-de-Camp ||(2)--Only one listed in original ||Page 32: rear-guard standardised to rearguard. ||Pages 35, 36: Isandhlwana/Isandlwana not standardised as it is used as || part of a quotation. ||Page 37: viâ standardised to via. [N. B. Other usages not standardised as|| part of a quotation. ] ||Page 44: Blue-jackets standardised to Bluejackets. ||Page 45: similarily corrected to similarly. ||Page 46: Brvant corrected to Bryant. ||Page 51: fortunnately corrected to fortunately. ||Pages 53, 121: Nordenfelt standardised to Nordenfeldt. ||Page 82: reconnaisance corrected to reconnaissance. ||Page 91: Comanding corrected to Commanding. ||Pages 114, 148: debris/débris not standardised as it is used as part of || a quotation. ||Page 120: McLachlan standardised to M'Lachlan. ||Page 145: comandeered corrected to commandeered. ||Page 147: sandbags standardised to sand-bags. ||Page 150: downhill standardised to down-hill. ||Page 151: search-light standardised to searchlight. ||Page 183: The quotation from Addison is actually incorrect. It should || read: || || "A thousand glorious actions, that might claim || Triumphant laurels, and immortal fame, || Confused in clouds of glorious actions lie, || And troops of heroes undistinguished die. " || ||Page 185 (footnote): Gingindhlovo standardised to Gingindhlovu. ||Page 187: Repeated 'the' removed from 'remained the the same' || |+------------------------------------------------------------------------+