Chapter XIII: SPION KOP. Jan. 16-27, 1900

Warren's Divisions cross the Tugela--The enemy
entrenching--The artillery and transport cross--A
long delay--Spion Kop bombarded--Lyttelton's feigned
attack--The cavalry seize Acton Homes--Desultory
movements before Spion Kop--Change of plan--Advance
on the left ordered--Capture of Three-tree Hill and
Bastion Hill--Death of Major Childe--Assault ordered and
countermanded--Lyttelton's advance--Warren telegraphs
for howitzers--Rumoured relief of Ladysmith--Another
day of little progress--Pathetic humour--Assault
ordered and postponed--Another council of war--Warren
reinforced--The storming force--Ascent of Spion Kop--A
Boer picket surprised--The storming force halts
too soon--Tardy reinforcements--Botha determines
to recapture the hill--Positions of the opposing
forces--The Boers bombard the British position--Woodgate
wounded--Thorneycroft put in command--A frightful
struggle--Lack of artillery support--Boer attempts
to rush the position--The King's Royal Rifles
storm a ridge--Desperate straits--Confusion of
commands--Thorneycroft determines to withdraw--Scene on
the hill after the battle--Losses in the action--The
retreat--Causes of the defeat 263-307

CHAPTER XIV.--VAAL KRANTZ. Jan. 30-Feb. 7, 1900.

Substantial reinforcements--Guns taken to summit of
Zwart Kop--Plan of attack on Vaal Krantz--Lie of the
land--Another crossing of the Tugela--Demonstration
towards Brakfontein--Bombardment of Vaal
Krantz--Infantry storm the height--Difficulty of
holding the position--Disappearing guns--Renewed
attacks--Council of war--Evacuation of the
ridge--Losses--Disappointment in Britain 308-319