Chapter III: Natal (2)

But this fight, that has taken so short a time to describe, and which was over in less than four hours, was hardly won. Forms all bloodily dashed lay here and there and everywhere, and the Scots Guards, who had stormed the kopje to inspiriting strains of drums and pipes, were doomed later on to hear the wail of the pibroch for many comrades mourned and buried. In all, our losses--about 200--were comparatively small considering that the engagement was a series of three battles, during which the Boers were constantly carrying off dead and wounded. Very many of our officers were wounded and three were killed. One--Lieutenant Fryer of the Grenadier Guards--was slain while gallantly leading his men and creeping along the bed of a stream in the enemy's rear. After the battle 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 exceptional difficulties, and we had as an enemy a past-master in the tactics of mounted infantry. With troops such as you are, a commander can have no fear of the result. There is a sad side, and you and I are thinking as much of those who have died for the honour of their country and of those who 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 white flag; a Boer holding a white flag in his left hand murdered Lieutenant Brine with his right, and Lieutenant Blundell-Hollinshead-Blundell (3rd Batt. Grenadier Guards) was shot in the merciful act of tending a wounded Boer. Lord Methuen after the fight sent a remonstrance to the Boer commander, saying, "Acting quite fairly with you, I decline to take Kimberley men who know the country, because their parole cannot be accepted. I must ask you to warn your wounded not to shoot our officers. I must warn you not to use Dum-Dum bullets, or use the flag of truce treacherously. Such action is cowardly in the extreme, and I cannot countenance it."

The Boer losses were reported as very small, but no credence can be placed on their statements, for the very good reason that it has been President Kruger's policy to conceal from outsiders, and even from his own 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 quickly as possible. His family are left in ignorance as to his fate, and their only conclusion is to assume that he is dead. But Mr. Kruger's methods and his ruthless military oligarchy were disapproved even by his own countrymen, and more especially by his own countrywomen, who now began to mistrust the continual story of Boer victory, and asked pitifully for permission themselves to seek for fathers, sons, and brothers from whom they never heard. In some cases many of these were lying not an inch below their feet, for a British search party came upon a portion of the veldt that was literally mosaicked with dead Dutchmen whose bodies were scarcely more than peppered with earth!

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

Drawing by Frank Dodd, R.I.]

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

A curious experience befell the Hon. George Peel, who was trying to reach Kimberley, where his sister, the Hon. Mrs. Rochfort Maguire, was imprisoned. Roaming about after the battle of Belmont, he came by accident on a Boer camp. A Dutchman promptly emerged, and when he was preparing to meet a grim fate, deciding that all hope was lost, he found himself accosted and handed a Bible. He was in the very act of congratulating himself on his lucky escape when on the scene came two grenadiers, who seeing his battered condition and his Bible, mistook him for a Boer spy and carried him off as a prize. Fortunately he was recognised by a member of Lord Methuen's camp and liberated.

Very interesting are the following official particulars given by the General Officer Commanding the 9th Brigade to the Chief Staff Officer of the 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 battle of 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 next station northwards on the way to Kimberley. There Lord Methuen decided they should not long remain. He thought, to use his own words, "that it would be best to march the division at once to Swinks Pan, which would place me on the left front of the enemy's position, and that if I worked one battery round each flank, sent my cavalry and mounted infantry well forward, the greater part of the cavalry being on the eastern side, I ought to capture the eastern force. The Naval Brigade and 9th Brigade I left for protecting the guns or assaulting a position if necessary. The Guards Brigade I left with the baggage to march to Enslin, where I had my next camp. The brigade could always give a hand if wanted. I had left 1st Battalion Scots Guards at Belmont Station, also two companies Munster Fusiliers, because there were 500 Boers and a gun, so it was said, threatening Belmont. I made this my divisional battle, marching straight from Belmont to Enslin. The armoured train with infantry was to give me a help from the line." Thus the General briefly described his programme.

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

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

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

In advance of the troops came the armoured train, a pachydermatous monster which moved cumbrously in front of the column, and was saluted by the smoking wrath of big guns as soon as it appeared. It retired cautiously, and disgorged its gallant crew of marines to help in handling the naval guns. Lord Methuen deployed the cavalry on the flanks, while the artillery took up positions in front of the Boer trenches. Meanwhile the 9th Brigade went forward in skirmishing order. This consisted of the Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Northamptons, half-Battalion Loyal North Lancashires, 2nd Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. With the 9th was the Naval Brigade, commanded by Captain Prothero. At six o'clock an active artillery duel began, the guns of the foe being splendidly posted, and their range, as before-said, carefully calculated. Their shells burst with appalling fracas over our batteries, but the brave British gunners never swerved. They gave the Boers some smart and telling replies, and presently, on withdrawing their guns to a new position, quite defeated the calculations of the enemy, whose shells now began to fall wide of the mark. The rifle-fire of the Dutchmen was not so accurate as usual, and was evidently under no control, though there were sharpshooters who crept under cover for the purpose of sniping at any prominent person who might be taken for an officer. As has been stated, there was now no outward or visible sign of rank, so for the time being the enemy's efforts were unsuccessful. They were more deadly--grievously deadly--however, when the gallant Naval Brigade, the officers of which were distinguishable by their swords, came to the foot of the hill. The fire from the kopjes was terrific, and every moment men threw up their arms and fell. They had advanced in extended order, but in converging upon the position to be taken, found themselves closed in, and in that formation attempted the ascent.

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

The next instant there was a roar and a rush, and all were leaping forward to clear the second position. This was only accomplished after some desperately hard work and a quarter of an hour's hand-to-hand fighting--an eternity it seemed to those engaged--for the kopje was stubbornly held. But even Boer pluck, of which in this case there was no lack, could not resist the impetuous advance of the British infantry, and at last, when the hill-top was one crimson crown of blood and half the gallant number were struck down, the Boers bolted one after another down the back of the hill, pursued by our artillery fire, and made for their horses. Finally, as they were retreating in hot haste across the plain, the 9th Lancers charged them, and succeeded in catching up their rear close to a kopje where they were sheltering. But here the place literally swarmed with Dutchmen, and the Lancers, whose numbers were small, and whose horses were exhausted, were forced to retire.

Still the object of the fight was magnificently accomplished. The rout of the enemy was complete. The gallant Naval Brigade, Yorkshire Light Infantry, and Loyal North Lancashires remained masters of the situation. A party of Boers who had rushed from their sheltering kopje were intercepted 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 the desperate fight, was the subject of general eulogy. Many of these splendid fellows had three wounds, while some had four. Sixty per cent. of the officers and sergeants were hit. Nothing could have been more heroic than the conduct of poor Huddart, who so gloriously fell in doing his duty.

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

But magnificent deeds were numerous. Lieutenant W. J. C. Jones, Royal Marine Light Infantry, though he had a bullet in his thigh, led his men up the kopje, and only after the day was won consented to have his wound dressed. 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 at a critical moment acted with great coolness in shooting down an enemy who 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-fought action, and all must unite to condole with this much-tried commander on the manner in which he had been handicapped from the first. Lord Methuen in his despatch drew attention to the excellent work done by the Naval Brigade 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 curious incident of this battle may be quoted. Four men were captured by Rimington's Guides, but three of them being unarmed were released. It was subsequently discovered that these same persons had taken to the Jacobsdal commando minute details regarding the British camp, with the result that a Boer force was detached to attack the station. The total British casualties were estimated at 197, including twenty killed and seven missing. At the close of the action, Lord Methuen complimented the members of the Naval Brigade on their splendid behaviour, and expressed regret at the losses they had sustained.

The following is the list of officers killed, wounded, and missing at the 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_.

Photo by Gregory & Co., London.]

Lord Methuen addressed his division in stirring words, congratulating his 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 for many a long day. Not a single point, he added, could they afford to give to the enemy. The Boers' tactics had been proved excellent and their courage admirable. The gallant General added that when called on to fight for his country, he preferred to fight against a foe worthy of his steel rather than against savages, whose sole recommendation was bravery. He hoped that he and his men had gained each other's confidence, and that they would all do their duty to their country as Englishmen should. Lord Methuen described as dastardly the firing by the enemy on ambulance waggons, the shooting of a British officer by a wounded Boer, and the use of Dum-Dum bullets; but he refused to believe that these acts were characteristic of the enemy; he would give them credit until he was convinced to the contrary that they wished to fight fair and square. Addressing the Scots Guards, the General said that they had acted as he expected his old battalion would.

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

THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER

This battle, to use Lord Methuen's words, was one of the hardest and most trying fights in the annals of the British army. He might also have truly said that it was one of the most gloriously-fought engagements that has been known in modern warfare. On reconnoitring the enemy's position, the Boers were found to be strongly entrenched and concealed behind a fringe of furze and foliage and in front of trees in the neighbourhood of Modder River. From native sources it was learnt that the river and the Riet River were fordable anywhere--a statement which was afterwards found to be entirely false. The enemy was discovered on the east of the village to be in strong force and aggressive. His trenches commanded the plain for a distance of 1600 yards, and there was no means of outflanking him, as the Modder River was in flood.

The word Modder means muddy, and this term was appreciated in its full significance when our parched troops came to make acquaintance with it. But there are times and seasons when even ochreous water becomes clear as crystal to the fevered imagination, and before this day of days was over--in the sweltering, merciless sun, with the thermometer at 110 degrees in the shade--men felt as though they would stake their whole chance of existence for one half-bottle of the reviving fluid. But this is a digression. The horror of that day's thirst had barely set in at the time treated of--4 to 8 A.M. At that hour there was no suspicion that the enemy, strong in numbers, would continue to fight, and be strengthened by some 8000 more Dutchmen. He appeared to be retiring, and there were no signs that the village would be held. But at 8.10 a fierce roar of guns multifarious declared that the river was fringed by the enemy, and that he was well and skilfully concealed.

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

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

The Guards Brigade had orders to develop their attack first, which they did with the 1st Battalion Scots Guards on the right, with directions to swing their right well round in order to take the enemy in flank, the 2nd Battalion Coldstreams and the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers making the frontal attack, the former on the left to keep touch with the 9th Brigade; the 1st Battalion Coldstreams in reserve in the right rear. Well, before they could look about them and settle down into their positions, the whole force found itself facing the Boer commando 8000 strong, two large guns, Krupp guns, &c. The Scots Guards on the extreme right marched through the old reservoir, and directly they emerged from cover a shower of bullets greeted them. Soon after their Maxim gun was disabled by the Hotchkiss gun of the enemy, and presently their whole detachment was completely wiped out. First the sergeant in charge was killed, then an officer was wounded, then Colonel Stopford of the Coldstream Guards was hit in the neck and killed, and the horse ridden by Colonel Paget was shot in five places and dropped dead. Meanwhile the 75th Battery in return launched some magnificent shots in the direction of the Dutchmen. The third of these struck a farmhouse in which the Boers and a gun were posted, and set the whole place in a blaze. Not till the roof was burnt about their ears, however, did the Boers budge. They clung with ferocious tenacity to every position, and the fight at all times of the day was one of great stubbornness. The 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards had extended, and, swinging their right round, had prolonged the line of the Scots Guards to the right. Farther advance was checked by the Riet River. The troops then lay down, being fairly under cover in that position. The heat was scorching, and in the plain occupied by our troops Mauser bullets swept the field in thousands. There was absolutely no cover save the shelving bank of the river, which served no purpose directly they rose on elbow from the ground. For hours our men lay on their faces unable to show a head without inviting a shower of lead--lay on the blistering sand with the hot African sun grilling them, some of the Highlanders having their legs veritably toasted, their mouths parched and full of sand, while bullets were fluting a death-song in the air, and the thunderous detonations of the big guns seemed to be raking the very bowels of the earth. Still the Boers stuck to their posts. For hours they plied their guns without sign of exhaustion. A terrific fire was kept up on both sides for a long--a seemingly interminable--time, but without any appreciable advance in the state of affairs. It was felt that nothing could be done on the right flank till the guns had cleared the position. The 18th Battery, however, came vigorously into play, and so brilliantly acquitted itself that finally the enemy was forced to evacuate their ferociously-contested positions among the houses. But so ably had they constructed their intrenchments that from these it was impossible to dislodge them. Meanwhile the 9th Brigade had advanced the Northumberland Fusiliers along the east side of the railway line, supported by half a battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The Yorkshire Light Infantry moved along the west side of the railway, supported by the remaining half battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The half battalion Loyal North Lancashire prolonged the line to the left, and endeavoured to cross the river and threaten the enemy's right flank. The six companies of Northamptons acted as a baggage-guard.

Early in the day a plucky attempt was made on the extreme right of the line to cross the Modder. Colonel Codrington and Captain Feilding of the 1st Coldstreams, with Captain Selheim of the Queensland Permanent Force with some two dozen men, forded the river. The water was almost chin deep, and while they crossed, the Hotchkiss gun directed an appalling fire on them. Though laden with all their gear and 150 rounds of ammunition, they yet succeeded in reaching the other side, where they found themselves almost swamped in mud. As they were not supported they had to retire. But this was easier said than done. On the return passage two men were almost drowned, and had it not been for the ingenious device of their comrades, who, by joining hands and slinging their putties together, managed to drag them ashore, they would certainly have perished.

Soon after this the General, who had been moving about surveying and commanding, was shot through the thigh. Then followed some confusion, as the two brigades, in the absence of orders, had to act independently of each other, and there was some fear that the 9th Brigade would fire on the 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 had been Lord Methuen's idea to take the position at nightfall at the point of the bayonet, but owing to the tremendous day's work, the heat, the absence of food, and the general fatigue that all had undergone, this project 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 of the day commenced. As the trenches were found to be utterly impregnable to rifle-fire, it was felt that only desperate measures would rout the Dutchmen from their stronghold. Colonel Barter (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) and Lieutenant Thorpe, with some men of the Argyll and Sutherland and North Lancashire Regiments, started off, and, much to the surprise of the Boers, who had evidently not calculated upon such dauntless agility, got safely across the river. The wonderful way in which this feat was accomplished was described by an eye-witness, a correspondent of the _Times_.

"That it could even be attempted to cross the river sliding sideways through the rush of water over the paddles along a rickety iron bar one by one, clinging to the short supports in full view of the opposite shore, was an act of reckless heroism against which even the wary Cronje had not provided. This, however, is what was actually done, and it would be difficult to find a parallel for the stubborn pluck of the men who accompanied Colonel Barter across the 300 yards of dam and weir. One by one some 400 of them crossed. Then a detachment of the Royal Engineers, showing how well they could take their part in the forefront of the fighting line, followed them, after that some more of the Yorkshire Light Infantry. Little by little a force was collected which cleared several of the nearest houses on the right and effected an occupation of an irrigation patch from which they were never dislodged." It was quite wonderful to note the effect of the gallant British cheer which rang out from General Pole-Carew's men as they burst from the river, bayonet in hand. The Boers were startled and fled, with our men closely in pursuit. At the rousing, ringing, menacing sound, their hopes had failed--they thought that the rumour of victory was already in the air. "The thunder growl edged with melodious ire in alt," as Carlyle called it, never did better work. It demoralised and brought about the end.

Shortly after, a battery of Royal Artillery came upon the scene, but before it had time to unlimber, more Boers took to their heels, falling over each other in their haste to be off and catch their horses. The sound of British lungs in their rear and the sight of the guns was too much for them. Thus after twelve hours' fighting the day was practically won, for, when morning came, it was found that the enemy had entirely cleared out, and removed to fresh intrenchments half-way between the river and Spyfontein.

It was a brilliant but a hardly-earned victory. It is stated that the Naval 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 the Orange River late in the day), 500 rounds. The glorious gunners vied with one another in the display of gallantry and proficiency.

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

"We had orders to reinforce the main body at once; marched twenty miles the first day, had a few hours' rest, and started at the first streak of dawn again. We did about twenty-five miles, and were just going to have a well-earned rest when an orderly came galloping up with the order to go at once (I am talking of the 62nd now), as the battle was going against our troops. We started off again at a trot, and kept it up for about five miles, when our horses were just done up. We had to take four out of our gun-teams, as they dropped dead of exhaustion. The sergeants hooked 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 able to just make the horses drag the guns into action. I shall never forget it. I was feeling very queer. I don't think any of us were afraid, but we were all of us expecting to be shot every minute, as the bullets came in showers.... We were in action in this place about two hours. Our troops were being shot down in heaps, and things were looking very black, when Lord Methuen came up to our Colonel and asked him to send his batteries up closer (we were then 1500 yards from the Boer trenches, and you must understand that a rifle carries 2500 yards). Our Colonel did. We then advanced up past our own infantry and came into action about 900 yards closer than artillery had ever taken up position before. After severe loss on our side we managed to silence the Boer guns. The order was then given to retire. We got out of range, and were on the point of congratulating ourselves on being so lucky, when up rode an orderly giving us instructions to go and relieve the Guards. Our Major advanced.... 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 my horses out they shot one of my drivers and two horses ... and brought down my own horse. We then got my gun round on the enemy, when one of my gunners was shot through the brain and fell at my feet. Another of my gunners 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 six rounds 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 and retire. They blessed the artillery that day. We had to keep our position all night, with not a soul near us and nothing to eat and drink. Our orders were to open fire as soon as it was light enough, and the infantry were to take the place at the point of the bayonet.... But in the morning the Boers had fled. The field presented a terrible sight at daybreak; there were dead and dying in every direction. I couldn't describe it; it was awful. We lost heavily on our side, but the Boer losses must have been heavier. The Boers bury their dead in the trenches as soon as they drop, so that one cannot gauge their loss, but we counted hundreds."

Photo by Gregory & Co., London.]

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

Heroic actions were so abundant that they made quite a formidable list in the General's despatch, but they afford such inspiriting reading to all who honour Great Britain's heroes, that the list is reproduced in its 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 Coldstream Guards having had many nasty experiences. In an account of them he said:--

"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 the Guards, 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 had the troops to display active but passive heroism. Though the longing for water exceeded the craving for food and repose, the unfortunate fellows were very near the verge of famine. Their position at times must have savoured of the tortures of Tantalus, for many of the men were groping after the enemy in a doubled-up fashion and under a shower of lead, along farms and gardens, while hens clacked, pigs grunted, goats offered milk, and potatoes and other edibles smiled a mute invitation. When the Boers were routed, however, these delicacies at last became the reward of their labours, but of the niceties of the culinary operations it is best not to speak. Our gallant Highlanders needed the services of no Vatel--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 with unlooked-for dangers, as the following quotation from a letter of a private 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."

Drawing by Allan Stewart.]

Indeed they did not, and it was a pathetically common experience to wish a man good luck one morning and on the next to find that his helmet and belongings were being gathered together--all that was left of him--to be sent home to his friends. For instance, there was the case of poor Colour-Sergeant Christian of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, a hero who did magnificent work, but who never lived to receive the decorations he deserved. An extract from one of his last letters is full of 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 been practised with monotonous regularity. They had fired on the white flag and disregarded the sacred sign of the red cross. They had shot the hand that tended them, they had used Dum-Dum and explosive bullets, but on this occasion the triumph of originality in treacherous trickery was achieved. On the principle of "all is fair in love and war," the enemy utilised their ambulance for the purpose of removing their Hotchkiss gun from the field, and that too when the precious weapon was not even invalided!

Tales of many plucky actions which were recorded would fill a volume in itself. Private Anderson, Scots Guards, over and over again traversed the fire zone and carried off the wounded to a place of safety. Lieutenant Fox, Yorkshire Light Infantry, was seriously wounded whilst valiantly leading an assault against the enemy's strong position. When the horses approached to take the guns out of action, the Boers at once commenced to aim at them, and for the moment it seemed as though the work of removing the guns could not be persisted in. Twenty-five horses were killed, but the chargers of several officers were next utilised, and the officers themselves, some of them wounded, walked or crawled off the field in order that the valuable weapons should be borne off in safety. A driver was also heroically self-abnegating. Though shot through the lungs, he refused to leave his post, and valiantly drove his gun 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 way over the battlefield collecting the wounded and succouring them. Not only 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 to clear out before our troops could reach them in the morning, that, contrary to custom, they had left wounded, doctors, and ambulance train behind them.

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