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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of With the Naval Brigade in Natal (1899-1900), by 
+Charles Richard Newdigate Burne
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: With the Naval Brigade in Natal (1899-1900)
+       Journal of Active Service
+
+Author: Charles Richard Newdigate Burne
+
+Release Date: April 21, 2008 [EBook #25117]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Christine P. Travers and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected, all
+other inconsistencies are as in the original. The author's spelling
+has been maintained.]
+
+
+[Illustration: Twenty thousand men encamped under General Buller.]
+
+
+
+
+               WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE IN NATAL
+
+                          1899-1900
+
+
+
+
+                 Journal of Active Service
+
+KEPT DURING THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH AND SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS IN
+NORTHERN NATAL AND THE TRANSVAAL, UNDER GENERAL SIR REDVERS BULLER,
+V.C., G.C.B.
+
+
+                             BY
+
+
+                    LIEUTENANT BURNE, R.N.
+
+
+
+
+                           LONDON
+                        EDWARD ARNOLD
+                            1902
+
+
+
+
+FOR THE ARMY, OUR COMRADES AND OUR FRIENDS, THE NAVY HAS NOTHING BUT
+THE DEEPEST RESPECT AND ADMIRATION.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+This Journal, completed before leaving the front in October, 1900,
+does not assume to be more than a somewhat rough and unadorned record
+of my personal experiences during ten months of the South African
+(Boer) Campaign of 1899-1900 while in detached command of two
+12-pounder guns of H.M.S. _Terrible_ and H.M.S. _Tartar_. Having been
+asked by some of my friends to publish it, I am emboldened to do so,
+in the hope that the Journal may be of interest to those who read it,
+as giving some idea of work done by a Naval Brigade when landed for
+service at a most critical time. A few notes on Field Gunnery are
+appended with a view to give to others a few ideas which I picked up
+while serving with the guns on shore, after a previous experience as
+Gunnery Lieutenant in H.M.S _Thetis_ and _Cambrian_.
+
+For the photographs given I must record my thanks to Lieutenant
+Clutterbuck, R.N., Mr. Hollins, R.N., and other kind friends.
+
+                                        C.R.N.B.
+
+_April_, 1902.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+    CHAPTER I
+                                                                  PAGE
+    Outbreak of the war -- The Transport Service and
+    despatch of Army Corps from Southampton -- Departure of
+    a Naval Brigade from England and landing at Capetown and
+    Durban -- I join H.M.S. _Philomel_                            1-10
+
+
+    CHAPTER II
+
+    I depart for the front with a Q.-F. Battery from H.M.S.
+    _Terrible_ -- Concentration of General Buller's army at
+    Frere and Chieveley -- Preliminary bombardment of the
+    Boer lines at Colenso -- The attack and defeat at
+    Colenso -- Christmas Day in camp                             11-21
+
+
+    CHAPTER III
+
+    Life in Camp and Bombardment of the Boer lines at
+    Colenso -- General Buller moves his army, and by a flank
+    march seizes "Bridle Drift" over the Tugela -- The heavy
+    Naval and Royal Artillery guns are placed in position --
+    Sir Charles Warren crosses the Tugela with the 5th
+    Division, and commences his flank attack                     22-32
+
+
+    CHAPTER IV
+
+    Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz -- General Buller withdraws
+    the troops and moves once more on Colenso -- We hold
+    Springfield Bridge -- Buller's successful attack on
+    Hussar Hill, Hlangwane, and Monte Christo -- Relief of
+    Kimberley                                                    33-44
+
+
+    CHAPTER V
+
+    Passage of Tugela forced and Colenso occupied -- Another
+    move back across the river to Hlangwane and Monte
+    Christo -- The Boers at length routed and Ladysmith is
+    relieved -- Entry of Relief Force into Ladysmith --
+    Withdrawal of H.M.S. _Terrible's_ men to China -- I
+    spend a bad time in Field Hospital--General Buller's
+    army moves forward to Elandslaagte -- Boers face us on
+    the Biggarsberg                                              45-58
+
+
+    CHAPTER VI
+
+    End of three weary months at Elandslaagte -- A small
+    Boer attack -- The advance of General Buller by
+    Helpmakaar on Dundee -- We under General Hildyard
+    advance up the Glencoe Valley -- Retreat of the Boers to
+    Laing's Nek -- Occupation of Newcastle and Utrecht -- We
+    enter the Transvaal -- Concentration of the army near
+    Ingogo -- Naval guns ascend Van Wyk, and Botha's Pass is
+    forced -- Forced march through Orange Colony -- Victory
+    at Almond's Nek -- Boers evacuate Majuba and Laing's Nek
+    -- Lord Roberts enters Pretoria -- We occupy Volksrust
+    and Charlestown                                              59-72
+
+
+    CHAPTER VII
+
+    Majuba Hill in 1900 -- We march on Wakkerstroom and
+    occupy Sandspruit -- Withdrawal of H.M.S. _Forte's_ men
+    and Naval Volunteers from the front -- Action under
+    General Brocklehurst at Sandspruit -- I go to hospital
+    and Durban for a short time -- Recover and proceed to
+    the front again -- Take command of my guns at Grass Kop
+    -- Kruger flies from Africa in a Dutch man-of-war --
+    Many rumours of peace                                        73-86
+
+
+    CHAPTER VIII
+
+    Still holding Grass Kop with the Queen's -- General
+    Buller leaves for England -- Final withdrawal of the
+    Naval Brigade, and our arrival at Durban -- Our
+    reception there -- I sail for England -- Conclusion         87-100
+
+
+    CHAPTER IX
+
+    Gunnery Results: The 12-pounder Q.-F. Naval gun -- Its
+    mounting, sighting, and methods of firing--The Creusot
+    3"-gun and its improvements -- Shrapnel fire and the
+    poor results obtained by the Boers -- Use of the
+    Clinometer and Mekometer -- How to emplace a Q.-F. gun,
+    etc., etc.                                                 101-120
+
+
+    APPENDIX I
+
+    Hints on Equipment and Clothing for Active Service         121-128
+
+
+    APPENDIX II
+
+    Extracts from some of the Despatches, Reports, and
+    Telegrams regarding operations mentioned in this Journal   129-145
+
+
+    APPENDIX III
+
+    Diary of the Boer War up to October 25th, 1900             146-152
+
+
+    APPENDIX IV
+
+    The Navy and the War: A Résumé of Officers and Men mentioned
+    in Despatches for the Operations in Natal                  153-156
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+                                                     _To face page_
+  TWENTY THOUSAND MEN ENCAMPED UNDER GENERAL BULLER  _Frontispiece_
+
+  A BATTERY CROSSING THE LITTLE TUGELA                        8
+
+  NAVAL BATTERY OF 4.7's AND 12-POUNDERS AT DURBAN            8
+
+  NAVAL BRIGADE PITCHING CAMP AT FRERE, DECEMBER, 1899       14
+
+  NAVAL GUNS IN ACTION AT COLENSO                            22
+
+  LIEUT. BURNE'S GUNS FIRING AT SPION KOP                    34
+
+  4.7 EMPLACED ON HLANGWANE                                  34
+
+  COLT GUN AT HLANGWANE FIRING AT BOERS                      48
+
+  NAVAL 12-POUNDERS ADVANCING AFTER ALMOND'S NEK             70
+
+  4.7 ON A BAD BIT OF ROAD                                   70
+
+  BRINGING IN A BOER PRISONER                                82
+
+  IN CAMP AT GRASS KOP                                       82
+
+  ONE OF LIEUT. HALSEY'S NAVAL 12-POUNDERS                   82
+
+  LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR H. J. T. HILDYARD, K.C.B.               95
+
+  CAPTAIN PERCY SCOTT, C.B., R.N.                           102
+
+  NAVAL 12-POUNDER EMPLACED                                 120
+
+  BOER GUN POSITIONS AT COLENSO                             120
+
+  CAPTAIN E. P. JONES, R.N.                                 154
+
+  MAP                                                    _at end_
+
+
+
+
+WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE IN NATAL
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+     Outbreak of the war -- The Transport Service and despatch of Army
+     Corps from Southampton -- Departure of a Naval Brigade from
+     England and landing at Capetown and Durban -- I join H.M.S.
+     _Philomel_.
+
+
+During a short leave of absence in Scotland, after my return from
+Flag-Lieutenant's service in India with Rear-Admiral Archibald L.
+Douglas, that very kind friend, now Lord of the Admiralty, appointed
+me (5th October, 1899) to the Transport Service at Southampton, in
+connection with the embarkation of the various Army Corps for the war
+in South Africa. As the summons came by wire, I had to leave Stirling
+in a hurry, collect my various goods and chattels in London, and make
+the best of my way to Southampton. I reported myself at the Admiralty
+Transport Office on Monday the 9th, and at once commenced work,
+visiting certain ships with Captain Barnard, the Port Transport
+Officer, and picking up the "hang" of the thing, and what was wanted.
+Captain Graham-White, R.N., came down in the afternoon to take charge
+of our proceedings. From that date up to the 22nd, or thereabouts, we
+Transport Lieutenants simply had charge of certain vessels fitting
+out, and had to inspect for the Admiralty the many freight and
+transport ships which came in from other centres, such as London,
+Liverpool, etc., to be officially passed at Southampton; among others
+the _Goorkha_ and _Gascon_, two Union Liners, came particularly under
+me, and I shall always remember the courtesy of their officials,
+particularly Captain Wait and the indefatigable Mr. Langley, who saw
+that we transport officers were well looked after on board each day.
+Everything in connection with this Line seemed to me during my time at
+Southampton to be very well done, and so our work went swimmingly.
+
+Besides myself were Lieutenants McDonald, Nelson, and Crawford, R.N.,
+as Transport Officers, and we co-operated with a staff of military
+officers under Colonel Stacpole, D.A.A.G., with whom we got on very
+well, so that we ran the work through quickly and without a hitch. Sir
+Redvers Buller left Southampton in the _Dunottar Castle_ on the 15th
+October, and we all saw him off; in fact, McDonald and I represented
+the Admiralty at the final inspection of the ship before sailing.
+There was, of course, a scene of great enthusiasm, and many people
+were there, among whom were Sir Michael Culme Seymour, Alexander
+Sinclair his Flag-Lieutenant, and Lady and Miss Fullerton. All this
+time we were more than busy inspecting and getting ships ready up to
+the 22nd, when the departure of the First Army Corps commenced; we got
+away five transports that day within half an hour of each other, all
+taking some 1,500 men; they were, if my memory serves me, the _Malta_,
+_Pavonia_, _Hawarden Castle_, _Roslin Castle_, and _Yorkshire_; the
+next few days we did similar work from 8 a.m. till dark, getting away
+about three ships a day on an average.
+
+During the week Commander Heriz, R.N., and myself, representing the
+Admiralty, inspected the hospital ships _Spartan_ and _Trojan_ before
+their start; they had been fitted out under the Commander's
+superintendence, and were perfect; in fact, one almost wished to be a
+sick man to try them! All these continued departures aroused great
+public interest; on one day we had the Commander-in-Chief (Lord
+Wolseley), Lord Methuen, Sir William Gatacre, and many other Generals;
+and on another the Duke of Connaught came to see the 1st Bn. Scots
+Guards off in the _Nubia_ and gave them a message from the Queen; he
+came again a few days later to see his old regiment, the Rifle
+Brigade, off in the _German_, and he and the Transport Officers were
+photographed many times. I was told afterwards that my own portrait
+appeared very often in the cinematographs of these scenes, which were
+then very popular and were exhibited to crowded audiences in all the
+London and Provincial Music Halls and elsewhere. I was very pleased on
+this occasion to meet my old First Lieutenant of the _Cambrian_, now
+Commander Mark Kerr, R.N., who was also seeing the Rifle Brigade off
+with a party of relatives whom I took over the _Kildonan Castle_.
+
+Here I may mention, to show the different rates of speed, that the
+_German_ carrying the Rifle Brigade, actually arrived at Capetown some
+hours after the _Briton_ (in which I myself left later on for South
+Africa), although it started ten days before us. I have very pleasant
+recollections of being associated with Major Edwards of the Berkshire
+Regiment in embarking the Reserves of the 3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards in
+the _Goorkha_, which ship I had been superintending for so long; I was
+able to get their Commanding Officer, Major Kincaid, two good cabins,
+for which I think he was much obliged to me. These Reserves were going
+to Gibraltar to pick up the main Battalions of their regiment which
+took part later on (3rd and 4th November) in Lord Methuen's actions at
+Belmont and Graspan.
+
+After the 27th October the transport ships left Southampton in ones
+and twos, and we were not so hard pushed; in fact, the work was
+becoming rather monotonous, till, on the evening of the 2nd November,
+our Secretary, Mr. Alton, R.N., rushed up to me with a wire telling me
+to be prepared immediately to leave for the Cape. I was very pleased,
+and thought myself extremely lucky to get out to the scene of war with
+a chance of going to the front; and after saying a hurried good-bye to
+all my friends I left Southampton on the 4th November in the _Briton_;
+my father[1] saw me off and gave me some letters of introduction; Lord
+Wolseley also kindly wrote about me to Sir Redvers Buller; all my old
+colleagues of the Transport Service gave me a most cordial send-off,
+and we steamed out of the docks about 7 p.m. in heavy rain, which did
+not, however, damp the enthusiasm of hundreds of people who waited to
+see the last of us. In saying farewell to the Transport Service I
+could not help thinking how much courtesy and assistance we transport
+officers received from the captains and officers of all the ships
+under our inspection, and how much we admired their keen feeling and
+hard work in the interests of the public service. I hope this may be
+recognised when war rewards are given.
+
+         [Footnote 1: General Sir Owen Tudor Burne.]
+
+Our voyage was a good one, being calm enough after the first day, and
+all going well up to Madeira (where I landed for the sixth time) as
+well as on the onward voyage in which we went through the usual
+routine of ship life until we arrived at the Cape on Monday, 20th
+November. The Bay was full of transports, and they seemed still to be
+pouring in every hour; we did not hear much news except that
+Ladysmith was still safe, and we at once entrained for Simon's Bay, a
+pretty train journey of about an hour and a half, where the fleet were
+lying. Now commenced the bad luck of the Brigade "wot never landed,"
+we all got drafted to various ships instead of going to the front in a
+body as we had hoped and expected, and my lot was to join the flagship
+_Doris_. Much to our disappointment a Naval Brigade had been landed
+the day before our arrival for Lord Methuen's force; we ourselves were
+therefore regarded for the moment as hardly wanted, and the Admiral
+was, we were told, dead against landing any more sailors. So we were
+both afflicted and depressed. I had, however, a pleasant time on the
+_Doris_, and found myself senior watch keeper on board. At night many
+precautions were taken in the fleet; guards were landed in the
+dockyard with orders to fire on any suspicious boat, and a patrol boat
+steamed round the fleet all night up to daylight with similar orders;
+we ourselves often went on shore for route marching and company drill
+and had a grand time.
+
+I may mention, in passing, that all the bluejackets who were landed at
+Simon's Bay for shore duty were fitted with khaki suits, viz., tunics
+and trousers and hat covers, drawn from the military stores. With the
+trousers the men wore brown gaiters, and each man was provided with
+two pairs of service boots; they all wore their white straw hats
+fitted with khaki covers and looked very workmanlike in heavy marching
+order. The Marines also wore khaki and helmets, and had stripes of
+marine colours (red, blue and yellow) on the helmets to distinguish
+the Corps. Each batch of bluejackets that were sent to the front,
+about twelve men in a batch, was allowed two canvas bags to hold spare
+clothes and other gear, and took three days' provisions and water. The
+haversacks were all stained khaki with Condy's fluid, and the guns
+were all painted khaki colour.
+
+We saw a great many people at Capetown, and while there, Colonel
+Gatcliffe, Royal Marines, the head Press censor, told Morgan and
+myself a lot of instructive facts about the work at the Telegraph
+Offices, and how all foreign telegrams in cipher to South Africa
+giving news to the Boers, as well as those from them, had been
+stopped. Some 300 telegrams sent after Elandslaagte by Boer agents at
+Capetown had been thus suppressed. When we saw Colonel Gatcliffe he
+was busily engaged passing telegrams, which had to be read and signed
+by him at the Telegraph Office before they were allowed to be
+despatched.
+
+All went well at Simon's Bay until November 24th, when we heard of
+Lord Methuen's fight and heavy casualties at Belmont, followed soon by
+news of the heavy loss (105 killed and wounded) incurred by the Naval
+Brigade at Graspan chiefly among the marines. I think that the general
+idea in the fleet was admiration for our comrades and gratitude to
+Lord Methuen for giving the Navy a chance of distinction; but I am
+told these views were not shared by our Chief. A force of forty seamen
+and fifty marines were now ordered off to the front at once to fill up
+these casualties. Naturally we all wanted to go, but the Admiral could
+not send us and drafted us off to various ships, my own destination
+being H.M.S. _Philomel_, then at Durban, which I reached in the
+transport _Idaho_, a Wilson Liner. We had on board a Field Battery and
+other details with six guns and 250 horses. I was much interested in
+the horses, who had a fine deck to themselves and were very fit; they
+were in fact _'Bus_ horses, and very good ones.
+
+There were some Highland officers and others on board who had been
+wounded and were now going back to Natal after recovery; they told us
+how cunning the Boers were in selecting positions; one saw nothing of
+them, they said, on a hill but the muzzle of their rifles; they are
+only killed in retreat; they pick out any dark object as a man, such
+as a great-coat, training their rifles on it so as to fire directly he
+rises and advances. One of the officers told us how he saw at
+Elandslaagte a Scotchman who had been put by the Boers in their firing
+line with his hands tied behind his back because he had refused to
+fight for them; apparently the man escaped uninjured and was taken
+prisoner with the rest after the fight by our Lancers, swearing when
+liberated many oaths of vengeance on the Boers. Colonel Sheil told one
+of our officers, Commander Dundas, who was in charge of him and other
+prisoners on board the _Penelope_ at Simon's Bay, that the only fault
+of our men was their rashness, and our Cavalry did not, he said, throw
+out sufficient scouting parties, missing himself and others on one
+occasion by not doing so; the Boers had not reckoned, he said, on
+Naval guns being landed, and placed great reliance on European
+interference. In his opinion, the war would be over the moment we
+entered Boer territory, and everything seemed at the moment to point
+to this conclusion. These Boer prisoners, who were all got at
+Elandslaagte, talked English well, and appeared, by all accounts, to
+have a good feeling and respect for the English, but they were very
+down upon the capitalists and others whom they blamed for the war.
+
+To-day, at sea, as I write this (28th November), a S.E. breeze makes
+it delightfully cool. Indeed, I found the climate of Capetown,
+although the hot weather was beginning, delightful; a regular
+champagne air and a very hot sun, yet altogether a nice dry heat which
+quickly brought all the skin off my face at Simon's Bay after one
+day's march with the Battalion up the hills. I expect to find Natal
+much damper, and no doubt it will be very wet and cold at night in the
+hill country.
+
+_Thursday, 30th November._--The wind which has been blowing in our
+teeth has now moderated, so we may reach Durban earlier than we hoped,
+as we are only about 300 miles off. I watched the battery horses being
+exercised and fed this morning; they are mostly well accustomed to the
+ship's motion, but it is amusing sometimes to see about a dozen
+stalwart gunners shoving the horses behind to get them back to their
+stalls and eventually conquering after much energy and language, and
+after desperate resistance on the part of the horses; these old 'Bus
+horses are strong and fit, and have very good decks forward and aft
+for their half-hour exercise each day; while they are exercising,
+their stalls are cleaned out and scrubbed with chloride of lime. It is
+most interesting to watch their eagerness to go to their food, for
+they are always hungry!
+
+[Illustration: A Battery crossing the Little Tugela.]
+
+[Illustration: Naval Battery of 4.7's and 12-pounders at Durban.]
+
+_Friday, 1st December._--We arrived at Durban at 5 a.m. and anchored
+in the roadstead. In the Bay are H.M.S. _Terrible_ and _Forte_; also a
+Dutch man-of-war, the _Friesland_, a fine looking cruiser; there are
+also eleven transports at anchor. Inside the Bay are the _Philomel_
+(my ship) and _Tartar_, besides a lot of other transports, including
+my old friend the _Briton_. Durban is a striking place from the sea;
+very green and cultivated, and with rows of houses extending along a
+high ridge overlooking the town. It all looks very pretty and one
+might fancy one's self in England. A strong breeze is blowing, so it
+is quite cool. An officer from the _Forte_ tells us that Estcourt is
+relieved and that the Boers are massing south of Colenso ready for a
+big fight. Our army have apparently to bridge some ravines before
+advancing. The guns of the _Forte_ and _Philomel_ are at Estcourt
+with landing parties. Commander Dundas and Lieutenants Buckle and
+Dooner join the _Forte_ and I join the _Philomel_. Tugs came out at 1
+p.m. and took us in over the bar; we passed close to the _Philomel_
+and were heartily cheered; then we went alongside the jetty, where
+staff officers came on board with orders. Commander Holland (Indian
+Marine) is here in charge of Naval transport and is an old
+acquaintance, as we met last year at Bombay. I got on board the
+_Philomel_ without delay and found myself Captain of her, as her
+Captain (Bearcroft) had gone to take the Flag-Captain's place with
+Lord Methuen's force, and Halsey, the First Lieutenant, was at
+Estcourt with some 12-pounder guns. About thirty men of the _Philomel_
+are on shore under two officers, and one of her 4.7 guns is up at
+Ladysmith. I hear that all guns north of Pietermaritzburg are under
+command of Captain Jones, R.N., of the _Forte_; and, in fact, all the
+ships here at present, viz., the _Terrible_, _Forte_, _Philomel_, and
+_Tartar_, have landing parties at the front.
+
+I reported myself to Commander F. Morgan, senior officer of the
+_Tartar_, who was pleased to see me as he is an old friend, I having
+served with him in 1894 in the Royal yacht (_Victoria and Albert_),
+from which we were both promoted on the same day (28th August, 1894).
+I also called on the Commandant of Durban, Captain Percy Scott of the
+_Terrible_, at his headquarter office in the town. I found him busily
+engaged in making-up plans and photos of Durban, as well as his
+designs for field and siege mountings for the 4.7 and 12-pounder guns,
+to forward to Admiral Douglas, my late Commander-in-Chief; he showed
+them to me, and ordered me to take over command of the _Philomel_ for
+the present. I have met a lot of old friends, and find the ship itself
+clean, smart, and comfortable. The weather is changeable and very
+hot. Captain Scott has ordered martial law in the town, and everyone
+found in the streets after 11 p.m. is locked up. The story goes that
+Captain Scott himself was locked up one night by mistake!
+
+_Tuesday, 5th December._--Captain Scott sent on board a kind letter
+from the Governor of Natal (Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson) who has spoken
+to Sir Redvers Buller about me. An early advance is expected on
+Colenso, and it seems on the cards that some strategic move will soon
+be made to outflank the Boers and commence relief operations on behalf
+of poor Ladysmith.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+     I depart for the front with a Q.-F. Battery from H.M.S.
+     _Terrible_ -- Concentration of General Buller's army at Frere and
+     Chieveley -- Preliminary bombardment of the Boer lines at Colenso
+     -- The attack and defeat at Colenso -- Christmas Day in camp.
+
+
+On the 6th December there was much rejoicing in the fleet on account
+of an order from Headquarters that a battery of eight Naval guns was
+to go to the front to reinforce Sir Redvers Buller. Lieutenant Ogilvy,
+of the _Terrible_, was appointed to command, while Melville of the
+_Forte_, Deas of the _Philomel_, and myself, were the next fortunate
+three who were to accompany it. The battery, drilled and previously
+prepared by Captain Scott and Lieutenant Drummond, entrained the next
+day (7th) for its destination; but as I had to remain behind awaiting
+a wire from Headquarters, I was unable to start till the next morning,
+when I left for Frere, accompanied by my servant, Gilbert of the
+Marines. What a day of excitement we passed through, and how much we,
+who were off to the front, felt for those left behind! I gave over
+command of the _Philomel_ to Lieutenant Hughes, the men gave me three
+cheers, and I left Durban amid many farewells and congratulations at
+my good luck.
+
+Reaching Pietermaritzburg early on the 8th, we went onwards after
+breakfast to Estcourt. The railway is a succession of sharp curves and
+steep gradients and is a single line only. All the bridges on the line
+are carefully guarded, as far as Mooi River, by Natal Volunteers. I
+was much struck with the outlook all the way to Estcourt; a very fine
+country, beautifully green, with a succession of hills, valleys, and
+small isolated woods; in fact, if the country was more cultivated one
+might have thought it England, but it seems to be mostly grass land
+and mealy (Indian corn) fields. At Mooi River a farmer got into the
+train who had been driven from his farm near Estcourt when the Boers
+invaded Natal; he had lost all his cattle and clothes, while
+everything on his farm had been wantonly destroyed, and the poor
+fellow was now returning to the wreck with his small daughter.
+
+On reaching Estcourt in the afternoon we found to our dismay that we
+could not get on any further for the moment; so I walked up to see
+Halsey of the _Philomel_, at his camp about half a mile from the
+station, and took him some newspapers. We had a bathe in the Tugela
+River, and I afterwards met Wyndham of the 60th Rifles who was A.D.C.
+to the Governor of Ceylon while I was Flag-Lieutenant to Admiral
+Douglas, and we were mutually pleased to meet again so unexpectedly.
+The Somersets marched in during the course of the morning from
+Nottingham Road; they all looked very fit, but seem to have the
+somewhat unpopular duty of holding the lines of communication.
+
+Here I met also Lady Sykes and Miss Kennedy, doing nursing; they were
+staying at a Red Cross sort of convent close to the station. Lady
+Sykes gave me some books and wished me the best of luck, at which I
+was pleased. I believe she is writing a book of her experiences in the
+war and I shall be much interested to read it when I get home. It came
+on to pour with rain, with vivid lightning, about 8 p.m., so I was
+thankful to be under cover at the station; the poor soldiers outside
+were being washed out of their tents, and some unfortunate Natal
+Mounted Volunteers, who only arrived an hour beforehand, had no tents
+at all and had a very poor time of it.
+
+Eventually I got off by train next morning (9th) for Frere, Captain
+Reeves, R.S.O., of the Buffs, who did me many kindnesses later on,
+having secured a compartment for me in a carriage which was shunted
+for the night, and in which I was very comfortable, although disturbed
+by continuous shuntings of various trains and carriages which made one
+realize how much work was falling on the railway officials and
+employés. In our train were fifty Natal Naval Volunteers under
+Lieutenants Anderton and Chiazzari. I was much struck with their good
+appearance and their silent work in stowing their gear in the train,
+and I realized their worth all the more when they joined up later on
+with our Brigade; all staid, oldish men, full of go and well dressed,
+while their officers were very capable, with a complete knowledge of
+the country.
+
+We reached Frere Station on the morning of the 10th, passing the sad
+sight of the Frere railway bridge completely wrecked by the Boers. I
+walked out to the camp and had never seen such a fine sight before;
+rows and rows of tents stretching for miles, and an army of about
+20,000 men. I found our electric search-light party at the station
+waiting to go on, and I was thankful to get a breakfast with them.
+Eventually our train moved on to the camp of the Naval batteries,
+about 2-1/2 miles due north of Frere, and I at once marched up with
+the Natal Naval Volunteers, reported myself to Captain Jones, and
+joined my guns, finding all the rest of the Naval officers here, viz.:
+Captain Jones, Commander Limpus, and Lieutenants Ogilvy, Melville,
+Richards, Deas, Hunt, and Wilde, with half a dozen "Mids" of the
+_Terrible_. In camp were two 4.7 guns on the new field mounting, one
+battery of eight 12-pounders, and another of four 12-pounder
+quick-firers.
+
+On Sunday afternoon (10th December) an impressive Church service was
+held in the open, with ourselves forming the right face of the square
+along with Hart's Irish Brigade. In the course of next day (11th) I
+rode up to see James' battery on the kopje to our front defending the
+camp, and got my first glimpse of Colenso and the country around, some
+ten miles off. I found that James's guns had very mobile limbers which
+he had built at Maritzburg, very different to our cumbersome wagons
+with guns tied up astern. In the afternoon Melville and I had tea with
+General Hart who was very agreeable and kind, and said he knew my
+father, and my aunt, Lady Brind, very well.
+
+In the evening orders suddenly came for Limpus' battery of 4.7's, my
+two 12-pounders, and Richards' four 12-pounders to advance the next
+morning (12th) at 4 a.m. to Chieveley, some seven miles from the Boer
+lines; and here again I was in luck's way as being one of the
+fortunates ordered to the front. All was now bustle and hurry to get
+away, and eventually the line of Naval guns, some two miles long with
+ammunition and baggage wagons, moved out in the gray of morning over
+the hills, with an escort of Irish Fusiliers, who looked very smart,
+"wearin' of the green" in their helmets.
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Middlebrook, Durban._
+
+Naval Brigade pitching camp at Frere, Dec. 1899.]
+
+We reached Chieveley at 8 p.m. (12th), after a long, dusty march, and
+got into position next morning on a small kopje about two miles to its
+front, called afterwards "Gun Hill." Guns were unlimbered and shell
+pits dug, while the wagons were all placed under cover; we received
+orders on arrival for immediate action, and at 9.30 a.m. we commenced
+shelling the enemy at a range of 9,500 yards. The 4.7 guns on the
+right fired the first shot, my two 12-pounders followed quickly, and a
+desultory shell fire went on for some hours. At my position we dug
+pits for the gun trails in order to get a greater elevation, and we
+plumped one or two shots on the trenches near the Colenso Bridge. The
+shooting of the 4.7's, with their telescopic sights and easy ranging,
+was beautiful; shell after shell, many of them lyddite, burst in the
+Boer trenches, and we soon saw streams of Boer wagons trekking up the
+valley beyond, while at the same time one of the Boer camps, 10,000
+yards off, was completely demolished.
+
+All this time our Biograph friends from home were gaily taking views
+of us, and they took two of myself and my guns while firing. Of
+course, the anxious officers of batteries had to lay the guns
+personally at this early stage, and every shot was a difficult matter,
+as at the extreme range we were firing, with the lengthening pieces
+on, the sighting was rather guesswork, and we had to judge mainly by
+the explosion at a distance of five and a half miles. We were all done
+up after our exertions under a broiling sun, and hence were not used
+any more that day (12th). Behind us we saw miles of troops and
+transport on the march onwards, which gave us the idea, and also
+probably the Boers, that Buller was planning a forward attack; and
+indeed, late at night on the 13th, the 4.7 Battery was told to move on
+to a kopje two miles in advance; my own guns, with the Irish Fusiliers
+being left to protect the ground on which we were then camped.
+
+Orders came shortly afterwards for a general advance to the Tugela,
+and Captain Jones told me that I had been given the rear and left to
+defend from all flank attacks, and that I was to move on at daybreak
+of the 15th to an advanced kopje and place myself under Colonel Reeves
+of the Irish Fusiliers. All was now excitement; the first great fight
+was at length to come off and our fellows were full of confidence.
+
+At 2 a.m., pitch dark, after a lot of hard work to get our guns
+ready, we struck camp; up rode Colonel Reeves with his regiment and
+threw out an advanced guard, and out we tramped and crossed the
+railway. Here we found all the field guns and Infantry on the move,
+and had great difficulty in getting on; but at last, at 5 a.m., we
+reached the desired kopje where I had been sent on to select gun
+positions. Before us stretched the battlefield for four miles to
+Colenso and the river; the Boers across the Tugela occupied an
+enormously strong position flanked by hills, all their trenches were
+absolutely hidden, and gun positions seemed to be everywhere. The iron
+bridge of Colenso was plainly visible through my telescope and was
+intact, and to all intents and purposes there was not a soul anywhere
+in sight to oppose our advance.
+
+The Naval Battery of 4.7 and the 12-pounders under Captain Jones
+quickly got into position in front of us, and on all sides we saw our
+troops being thrown forward in extended order, forming a front of
+about four miles, with Cavalry thrown out on the flanks and field
+batteries galloping up the valley to get into range at 4,000 yards.
+All was dead silence till about 5.30 a.m., when the Naval guns
+commenced a heavy shell fire on the Boer positions. It was a fine
+sight; shell after shell poured in for an hour on the Boer trenches at
+a range of 5,000 yards, and all was soon one mass of smoke and flame.
+Not a sound came in reply till our troops reached the river bank, when
+the most terrific rifle fire I have ever heard of, or thought of, in
+my life, was opened from the Boer rifle pits and trenches on the river
+bank which had completely entrapped our men. Colonel Long, in command
+of the Artillery on the right of the line, unwittingly or by order,
+led his batteries in close intervals to within easy rifle range of
+those pits, when suddenly came this hail of bullets, which in a few
+minutes completely wrecked two field batteries (the 14th and 66th
+Batteries), killed their horses and a large number of the men, and
+threw four of the Naval 12-pounders under Ogilvy into confusion,
+although he was fortunately able to bring the guns safely out of
+action in a most gallant manner, with the loss of a few men wounded
+and thirty-seven oxen.
+
+Many brave deeds were done here. Schofield, Congreve, Roberts, Reed,
+and others of the R.A. specially distinguished themselves by
+galloping-in fresh teams or using the only horses left in the two
+batteries, and bringing two guns out of action. With others at this
+spot poor Roberts met a heroic death and Colonel Long was badly
+wounded.
+
+The firing all along the river bank was now frightful; shells from
+well-concealed Boer batteries played continuously upon our troops; the
+sun was also fearfully hot without a breath of air; and about 9 a.m.
+we noticed a sort of retiring movement on the left and centre of our
+position, and saw men straggling away to the rear by ones and twos
+completely done up, and many of them wounded. A field battery on the
+left had a hot time of it just at this moment and drew out of action
+for a breather quite close to our guns. I myself saw a dozen shells
+from the Boers go clean through their ranks, although, happily, they
+did not burst and did but little injury. Our troops were admirably
+steady throughout this hot shell fire.
+
+Our Naval guns on Gun Hill, at about 5,000 yards range, were hard at
+it all this time trying to silence the Boer guns, and the lyddite
+shells appeared to do great damage; but the enemy never really got
+their range in return, and many of their shells pitched just in front
+of my own guns with a whiz and a dust which did us no harm. A little
+1-pounder Maxim annoyed us greatly with its cross fire, like a
+buzzing wasp; it was fired from some trees in Colenso village, and
+enfiladed our Infantry in the supporting line, which was in extended
+order; but it did not do much damage so far as I could see, although
+it was cleverly shifted about and seemed to be impossible to silence.
+
+By 11 a.m. (15th) we saw that our left attack was a failure; exhausted
+men of the Connaughts and Borderers poured in saying that their
+regiments had been cut up; and, indeed, many of their officers and men
+were shot and many drowned, in gallant attempts to cross the Tugela.
+Soon the ground was a mass of ambulance wagons, and stretcher parties
+bringing in the wounded; and a mournful sight, indeed, it was! The
+centre attack also failed, our men retiring quite slowly and in good
+order.
+
+On the right, where the object of the advance was to carry a hill
+called Hlangwane, which was afterwards recognised to be the key of the
+whole position, our men, owing to want of numbers, could make but a
+feeble attack and were unable, unsupported, to pass the rifle pits
+which had been dug all along the valley in front of the hill. The
+Cavalry were, of course, of no use behind a failing Infantry attack
+with a river in front of them, and although extended to either flank
+it never got a chance to strike.
+
+At 1 p.m. all firing ceased, except an intermittent fusillade by the
+Boers on our ambulance tents till they saw the red cross, when this
+ceased; the troops were all retired in mass to their original
+positions, and I myself had to clear out my guns as best I could to
+our old camping ground in the rear. To crown all, it came on to rain
+heavily about 5 p.m. by which we all got a good wetting. On our march
+back I had a few minutes of interesting talk with General Barton.
+
+For many days all sorts of rumours flew about as to our losses at
+Colenso, which we afterwards found to be ten guns captured, fifty
+officers and 852 rank and file killed and wounded, and twenty-one
+officers and 207 N.C.O.'s and men missing and prisoners, a sad and
+unexpected end to our day's operations. An armistice to bury the dead
+was asked for by our people, and agreed to, but I do not believe that
+the Boer losses were at all heavy; and I am persuaded that if instead
+of the insufficient heavy batteries at Colenso, we could have had at
+the front, say two more batteries of 4.7 guns and two batteries of six
+6" Q.-F., the Colenso disaster might never have happened. Against the
+fire of such guns, for say a week, moved up properly to within
+effective range, with reconnaissances carefully made and with an
+Infantry attack well pushed home in the end, I do not think that the
+Boers could or would have stayed in their positions; and I am
+confirmed in this opinion by a good many after experiences.
+
+_Saturday, 16th December._--Had a peaceful night and slept well, all
+being very much exhausted by the previous day's fighting and hot sun;
+we were kept very busy marking out ground for the Naval batteries
+which were all massed once more on our old camping ground.
+
+_Sunday, 17th December._--Commenced shelling Colenso Bridge at noon
+with a view to destroy it; but after a few rounds the order was
+cancelled and we again returned to camp.
+
+_Monday, 18th December._--Stood to arms at 4 a.m., then went to
+general quarters for action, when the 4.7 guns opened fire at daylight
+on Colenso Bridge for about two hours with lyddite, at a range of
+7,300 yards. Lieutenant Hunt, on the left, struck one of the piers
+with a shell and took the roof off a small house close by; otherwise
+not much harm was done. It was a frightfully hot and depressing day
+with a wind like air from a furnace; and, bad luck to it, directly the
+sun was down at 5 p.m. a heavy dust storm came on which covered
+everything in a moment with black filthy dust, followed by vivid
+lightning and drenching rain which was quite a treat to us dried-up
+beings. I myself succeeded in catching a tubful of water which ensured
+me a good wash and a refreshing sleep for the night.
+
+_Tuesday, 19th December._--A cool nice morning and all the men in good
+spirits. At 8 a.m. the 4.7 guns opened fire again on Colenso Bridge.
+Lieutenant England's gun--the right 4.7 gun--knocked the bridge away;
+a very lucky and good shot, at which, needless to say, Sir F. Clery
+was very pleased.
+
+_Wednesday, 20th December._--Again a nice and cool day. In the evening
+I fired my 12-pounders at trees and villages to the left of Fort
+Wylie; the 4.7 gun, manned by the Natal Naval Volunteers, also did
+good work. We are now living like fighting-cocks, as the field canteen
+is open, with many delicacies, about half-a-mile to our rear. We also
+received unexpectedly to-day, with acclamation, lots of letters and
+English papers.
+
+_Thursday, 21st December._--Stood to arms at 4 a.m. and commenced
+firing about 6 a.m., in a very good light; my own guns were directed
+on the rifle pits 8,500 to 9,000 yards away, on the other side of the
+Tugela River. At this range the ammunition carries badly and the guns
+shoot indifferently. I put some common shells, however, into the
+enemy's rifle pits, but we are all getting tired of this sort of
+desultory firing and existence.
+
+_Saturday, 23d December._--About 8.30 a.m. the Commander-in-Chief and
+Sir F. Clery and Staff, accompanied by the foreign attachés, rode up
+to our guns and stayed for an hour sketching the hills on the right
+of Colenso, which I presume is now our objective. Mr. Escombe, late
+Premier of Natal, was also up with us all day watching our firing.
+Captain Jones also came to ask me to represent the Naval Brigade on
+the Sports Committee for Christmas Day; so I went down to General
+Barton's tent, met Colonel Bethune, Captain Nicholson, and others, and
+we arranged a good programme between us.
+
+_Sunday, 24th December._--No firing to-day. Church Parade at 8 a.m.,
+when we brigaded with the Irish Brigade. A very large stock of beer,
+cakes, pine-apples, and other good things arrived in camp for the
+Natal Naval Volunteers; they gave a good share to our fellows who were
+very pleased, having none, and all are now busy preparing their
+plum-puddings for Christmas Day.
+
+_Christmas Day, 25th December._--We stood to arms at 4 a.m., but
+orders came for the guns not to fire. I was up at 5.30 a.m. to take my
+Sports party down to camp for the Brigade events. Our men won the
+Brigade Tug-of-war right out, and got great fun out of the wrestling
+on horseback on huge Artillery steeds, so that we came back to camp
+very elated. At 3 p.m. we marched down again for the finals in Sports;
+our fellows rigged up an Oom Paul and a Naval gent on a gun limber;
+this we dragged all round the camps and created quite a _furore_. The
+heat and dust were awful in the sports, but we pulled them off on the
+whole successfully, and all came back to camp tired out. I had my
+Christmas dinner with the Irish Fusiliers, who had drawn out an
+amusing menu of _Whisky Powerful_, _Champagne Terrible_, _Cutlets ŕ
+l'Oom Paul_, and so on. I thought much of my people and friends at
+home, and was glad enough to get to bed without the prospect of any
+night alarm or attack, after such a big dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+     Life in Camp and Bombardment of the Boer lines at Colenso --
+     General Buller moves his army, and by a flank march seizes
+     "Bridle Drift" over the Tugela -- The heavy Naval and Royal
+     Artillery guns are placed in position -- Sir Charles Warren
+     crosses the Tugela with the 5th Division, and commences his flank
+     attack.
+
+
+_Tuesday, 26th December._--We stood to arms at 4 a.m., and shelled the
+Boer camp and trenches for two hours during the day. The Biograph
+people, who are still with us, took a scene of the Tug-of-war, our Oom
+Paul, and then a tableau of the hanging of Kruger! Captain Jones came
+to give the Sports prizes away, which greatly pleased our men; he told
+me afterwards that he had selected my two 12-pounders and the 4.7 guns
+to advance with him when ordered, at which needless to say I was very
+much gratified. Another heavy dust storm, followed by thunder and
+heavy rain. On the few following days we went through our usual
+cannonading, following a new practice of firing at night by laying our
+guns just at dusk, placing marks to run the wheels on, and using
+clinometers for elevation at the proper moment. All our shells burst,
+and, we were told afterwards, with effect, greatly disturbing sleeping
+Boers in Kaffir kraals at Colenso.
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Middlebrook, Durban._
+
+Naval Guns in Action at Colenso.]
+
+_Friday, 29th December._--Again more firing at a new work that the
+Boers were making, apparently for guns. Seeing an officer on a white
+horse directing them, we banged at them all and cleared them off.
+Again a heavy storm, but sunshine reached us during it in the shape
+of boots and great-coats from Frere, for which we were all grateful.
+The following day was wet and cold. I went to camp to try and buy poor
+young Roberts' pony, but the price was too high for me. Lord Dundonald
+came to arrange with Captain Jones a sham night attack on the Boer
+lines which happily did not come off as it was a horrible wet night.
+
+_New Year's Day, 1900._--At midnight of the old year my middy, Whyte,
+and myself turned out, struck sixteen bells quietly on a 4.7 brass
+case, and had a fine bowl of punch, with slices of pine-apple in it,
+which we shared with our men on watch, wishing them all a happy New
+Year. Good old 1899! Well, it is past and gone, but it brought me many
+blessings, and perhaps more to come. We gave the Boers some 4.7 liver
+pills, which we hope did them good. All our men are well and cheery,
+but our Commander has a touch of fever, so that I am left in executive
+charge of the men and camp. Winston Churchill came up to look at our
+firing. During the next few days, in addition to our firing, our
+12-pounder crews started to make mantlets for the armoured train; a
+very big job indeed, as they had to cover the whole of the engine and
+tender, afterwards called "Hairy Mary," as well as the several trucks.
+The officer in command congratulated our men on their work under the
+indefatigable Baldwin, chief gunner's mate of the _Terrible_, who was
+in charge. The military also started entrenchments and gun pits on the
+hill, which we call "Liars Kopje"; at dusk they came to a standstill
+over some big boulders that the General asked us to remove, which was
+a compliment to the powers of the Navy. We soon made short work of the
+boulders, much to the General's satisfaction, and got on fast with the
+mantlets. Still heavy rain at night.
+
+_Thursday, 4th January._--Again more firing. My own 12-pounder crews
+and those of Richards' guns hard at the mantlets for the armoured
+train, and doing the job very well. On the 2nd, Lord Dundonald rode up
+and arranged an attack on a red house 6,000 yards from us and supposed
+to contain some of the enemy, but we found nobody at home. We were all
+glad to receive letters from home to-day. I was busy all day shifting
+one of my 12-pounder gun wheels for a new and stronger pair of
+skeleton iron ones, just sent from Durban, in view of a feint to the
+front with the object of drawing the Boers away from Ladysmith.
+
+_Saturday, 6th January._--This feint was made and we had no
+casualties. Poor Ladysmith! Our men there are hard pressed and must
+have a bad time; very heavy firing all day, and we heard by heliograph
+that the Boers had made a heavy attack in three places, although,
+happily, repulsed with heavy loss (including Lord Ava) to ourselves.
+We have Bennet Burleigh, Winston Churchill, Hubert of _The Times_, and
+many others, constantly on Gun Hill looking at our firing.
+
+_Sunday, 7th January._--From Sir George White's signals we realize
+what a close shave they had yesterday in Ladysmith. A nice cool day
+and no firing; in fact, a day of rest. We attended Church Parade at 6
+p.m. with the 2nd and 6th Brigades. The Boers are as usual in the
+trenches working hard, while our time just now is spent in rain and
+constant calls to arms.
+
+_Wednesday, 10th January._--A move at last, and I received orders to
+join General Hildyard's Brigade with my two guns, while the others
+were attached to other Columns. We were all hard at work to-day
+loading up wagons, and I was busy copying a large map of the country
+which our Commander lent me. In the evening General Hildyard sent for
+me on business, and I sat down with him and his Staff to dinner,
+including Prince Christian, Captain Gogarty (Brigade Major), and
+Lieutenant Blair, A.D.C. General Hildyard was very kind, and said he
+was glad I was to go with him; and the next morning I moved off my
+guns at daylight, and arrived at the rendezvous by the hour named. It
+was a fine morning, although the wet and soft ground gave me doubts
+about getting our guns across country. But off we started; the Cavalry
+scouting ahead, then the East Surreys, Queen's, and Devons, and the
+7th Battery Field Artillery, followed by my guns escorted by the West
+Yorks. About a mile from Chieveley we had to cross a drift in which my
+wagons went in mud up to the tops of the wheels, and one gun got
+upset, which I got right again with the assistance of three teams of
+oxen and a party of the West Yorks. It was indeed a job, because the
+ground was like a marsh, and our ammunition wagons, with three tons'
+weight on them, were half the time sunk up to the axles; but we all
+smiled and looked pleased while everybody helped, and in six hours we
+were clear and on the road. We were all done up with the shouting and
+hot sun, and the General ordered us a two hours' rest while he took
+the Brigade on to Pretorius' farm, which we ourselves reached at 6
+p.m., crossing another bad drift on the way. The men were absolutely
+done up, and we were glad to arrive and find ourselves in a fine
+grassy camp with plenty of water. General Hildyard called me up and
+said he was pleased with the splendid work we had put through that
+day. On our left were miles of baggage wagons of various Brigades
+going into camp along a road further west of us.
+
+_Thursday, 11th January._--Shifted my ammunition to fifty rounds per
+gun to lighten the wagons, and moved off at 5 a.m., passing General
+Hildyard who was looking on at the foot of the camp. We marched with
+the whole force to Dorn Kop Nek and then halted; the General and
+others, including myself, riding up to a high kopje to examine the
+Boer position on the Tugela at about 8,800 yards off. Prince Christian
+Victor came and sat on a rock by me and had a good look at the
+position through my telescope which he borrowed. The General ordered
+one of my guns up this kopje, and we brought it up with a team of oxen
+and fifty men on drag ropes to steady her. It was an awful climb, and
+the ground was strewn with boulders; the poor gun upset once, but we
+got it up at last into position on a beautiful grass plateau on top
+with a clear view of the Boer positions. The Queen's Regiment, who
+were our escort this morning, carried fifty rounds of ammunition up
+the kopje for me, and I shall always remember how on all occasions we
+received the greatest assistance from the Queen's and West Yorks. The
+General pushed on with the R.A. and the rest of the troops and
+reconnoitred the enemy from the next kopje. Eventually we were all
+ordered back to camp, and I had a great job in getting my guns down
+the hill again. I think it was worse than going up.
+
+_Friday, 12th January._--Prince Christian (Acting Brigade Major) and I
+had a short talk together; we touched on a scheme of mine for making
+light limbers for our guns. In the afternoon I rode out to General
+Clery's camp, three miles to the west, to see our Naval guns, but
+found they had been pushed on with Lord Dundonald's Cavalry to hold
+ground leading to Potgieter's Drift. I dined with Captain Reed of the
+7th Battery, R.A., who knew my R.A. brother well in the 87th Battery.
+I found I had met him last year at the Grand National, and it is quite
+curious that I meet out here everyone that I ever knew.
+
+_Saturday, 13th January._--Sent Whyte, my middy, a nice fellow and
+useful to me, over to Frere on a horse to see about many things I
+wanted for the battery, and at 9.30 a.m. read out to my men on parade
+General Buller's address to the troops, dated 12th January, 1900. This
+is the text of it. "The Field Force is now advancing to the relief of
+Ladysmith where, surrounded by superior forces, our comrades have
+gallantly defended themselves for the last ten weeks. The General
+commanding knows that everyone in the force will feel as he does; we
+must be successful. We shall be stoutly opposed by a clever
+unscrupulous enemy; let no man allow himself to be deceived by them.
+If a white flag is displayed it means nothing, unless the force who
+display it halt, throw down their arms, and throw up their hands. If
+they get a chance the enemy will try and mislead us by false words of
+command and false bugle calls; everyone must guard against being
+deceived by such conduct. Above all, if any are even surprised by a
+sudden volley at close quarters, let there be no hesitation; do not
+turn from it but rush at it. That is the road to victory and safety. A
+retreat is fatal. The one thing the enemy cannot stand is our being at
+close quarters with them. We are fighting for the health and safety of
+comrades; we are fighting in defence of the flag against an enemy who
+has forced war on us from the worst and lowest motives, by treachery,
+conspiracy, and deceit. Let us bear ourselves as the cause deserves."
+
+_Sunday, 14th January._--Church Parade at 6 a.m. with the West Yorks,
+Devons, East Surreys, and Queen's. About 8 a.m. a wagon and team
+crawled up to our camp; this turned out to be the light trolley I had
+sent for and which Lieutenant Melville had kindly hurried forward from
+Frere. I was awfully pleased to see it as our load before was
+absurdly heavy. The General was also quite glad to see and hear of the
+new trolley. At 2 p.m. in came my new horse from Frere, and a bag of
+excellent saddlery; the horse was in an awful state; he had apparently
+bolted on getting out of the train at Frere and injured two Kaffirs
+who tried to stop him; then the Cavalry chased him and caught him ten
+miles from Frere towards the Drakensberg mountains. The poor animal
+was very much done up and I found him afterwards a fine willing beast.
+
+_Monday, 15th January._--Struck tents and limbered up ready to march
+at 6 a.m., and moved off in rear of the 7th Battery R.A.; they have
+been very good to us all along, shoeing ponies and giving us water. A
+nice cool morning, and all in good spirits. We soon passed the first
+drift across a spruit about four feet deep; my guns just grazed the
+top of the water but luckily we had taken care to stuff up the muzzles
+with straw. The bullocks had a very hard pull, more especially as my
+men were obliged to ride across the gun wagons. The General looked on
+and we got on very well; all working, laughing, joking, and helping,
+especially our good friends the Tommies. We marched across a green
+veldt, with the usual kopjes at intervals; and after about eight miles
+passed through the camp of the Somersets who came out to see us go by
+and were very cordial; about a mile further on we crossed the Little
+Tugela Bridge, and had a very heavy pull shortly afterwards across our
+last drift, which was a bad one. Countless bullock wagons, mule carts,
+and transport of all descriptions of the Clery, Hart, and Coke
+Brigades extended for miles along the two roads leading to our
+advanced position. We were delighted to see a river at last, and men
+and horses had a fine drink. After a meal in pelting rain I rode on to
+report to General Hildyard, and had tea with him and his staff,
+including Prince Christian; they are all always very nice to me.
+
+_Tuesday, 16th January._--A stream of transport wagons is still
+crossing the drift this morning, and the Drakensberg mountains look
+very grand and beautiful in this clear air. We drew fresh meat to-day
+in our provisions. What a surprise and a treat! The Boer position on
+the Big Tugela lies six miles off; and here Dundonald and his Cavalry,
+with one 4.7 gun, are watching the enemy who are working day and night
+at their trenches. About noon, Colonel Hamilton, of General Clery's
+Staff, rode into our camp and told me that orders had come for my guns
+to proceed at once into position with Lieutenant Ogilvy's battery. He
+asked me how long I should be. I said two hours to collect oxen and
+pack up, and so we were ordered to march at 1.45 p.m. I was very sorry
+to be suddenly shifted again out of General Hildyard's Brigade, and I
+asked him to intervene if we were again detached, which he promised to
+do. We marched up to time, and got to camp about 5 p.m., escorted by a
+troop of the Royal Dragoons. As usual, it came on to pour; everything
+was quickly a sea of mud, and the men in their black great-coats,
+marching along with the horses and guns mixed up with them, reminded
+one strongly of scenes in pictures of Napoleon's wars. We found that
+we had to move on in an hour's time with Ogilvy's guns to a plateau
+further on. I rode out to see Captain Jones and the 4.7's in position,
+a grand one on top of a very steep cliff kopje some 1,000 feet above
+the Tugela; the plateau selected for our 12-pounder guns was some 600
+feet lower down and 2,000 yards nearer the enemy. We had a tough march
+out, and did not get to our plateau till 11.30 p.m. I had a snack and
+gave the others all I could, and the great Maconochie ration and beer
+will never be forgotten, that night at any rate. I myself turned in
+to sleep under a trolley, just as I was, and very tired we all were
+after our hard day.
+
+_Wednesday, 17th January._--Out at daybreak to bring our 12-pounders
+into action. The drift over the Tugela, about half-a-mile to our right
+front, had been seized by Dundonald, and a howitzer battery had been
+pushed across some 2,000 yards nearer than ourselves, supported by the
+King's Royal Rifles, the Scottish Rifles, the Durhams, and the
+Borderers; to our right front was also to be seen the Engineer
+balloon, under Captain Phillips, R.E., being filled with gas. About 10
+a.m. a message came up from General Lyttelton to bring four guns into
+action on our left flank, which I did at once under Ogilvy's orders,
+and a little later Captain Jones rode down to us and told us to
+support Sir Charles Warren's advance to our left across the river. I
+opened fire with my right gun, and got the range in two shots, after
+which the whole four guns opened fire and burst several shells over
+the correct spot. I heard that Sir Charles Warren signalled in the
+evening to say we had by our fire put two Boer guns out of action and
+made them retire, and we were all delighted. His force was plainly to
+be seen occupying the ridge about 6,000 yards to our left front. The
+firing of the howitzer battery was very fine to-day; also our 4.7 guns
+did well. The howitzers landed salvos of their shells, six at a time,
+all bursting within fifty yards of one another and right on the Boer
+works on the sky-line, where our Naval 4.7's were also working away at
+a greater distance off. As no tents were allowed us I again slept in
+my clothes under a wagon.
+
+_Thursday, 18th January._--A beautiful morning, and we were all up at
+daybreak commencing a slow firing at the Boer trenches, and many fine
+shots were made; the howitzers, during the afternoon, pushed on about
+500 yards nearer the enemy under cover of three small kopjes. Looking
+at the position from our plateau one wondered how the Boers could have
+allowed us to get here and cross the river unopposed. If we had been
+resisted we must have had an awful job, both here and at the Little
+Tugela. All our army experts are surprised, and we think we must have
+caught them on the hop, as they don't reply to our artillery fire.
+Still, they are opposing Sir Charles Warren's advance as well as they
+can, and very hard fighting is going on to our left, although we only
+hear the shots and see the flashes of our guns, with volleys of
+musketry, while the enemy are hidden behind a high hill called Spion
+Kop. The panorama before us is magnificent; and the Tugela, our
+bugbear at Colenso, lies before us, beautiful, meandering, and
+apparently conquered. At 5 p.m. a demonstration in force against the
+trenches at Brakfontein was ordered, and we commenced rapid firing
+with eight guns, making very fine practice and sending off some 600
+shells to cover our Infantry advance which was pushed on right up to
+the foot of the Boer kopjes and about 1,500 yards from their trenches.
+The Engineer balloon floated proudly in the air watching the
+operations. We retired at dusk, the object being to draw the Boers to
+their trenches and to relieve Sir Charles Warren's left attack which
+was advancing very slowly. We laid our guns at dusk and fired them
+every half-hour during the night.
+
+_Friday, 19th January._--We began firing again at daybreak, General
+Lyttelton and Staff looking on. They told us that our guns had shot
+very well the evening before. A very hot day. The fighting on the left
+seems to be heavier and more distant, and all sorts of rumours are
+current as to demonstrations and successes.
+
+_Saturday, 20th January._--Firing as usual. We hear again heavy firing
+on the left. About 3 p.m. our balloon went right out over the Boer
+trenches, while our Infantry attacked in force on the right and
+demonstrated in front in extended order; we kept up our firing, while
+James's guns which had been pushed across the river took the right
+hills, and with the howitzers put a Boer Pom-pom out of action. The
+balloon did well; it was fired at by the Boers with Maxims and rifles,
+and was hit in several places; in fact, Captain Phillips, in charge of
+it, had his forehead grazed by a bullet. During the afternoon my right
+gun trail smashed up and I had to employ all the talent near at hand
+to repair it. With a baulk of timber from the Royal Engineers we
+finished it, and at the same time shifted the wheels to a beautiful
+pair of gaudily-painted iron ones from Durban. I now call it the
+"Circus Gun."
+
+_Sunday, 21st January._--A very hot day. The armourers and carpenters
+still hard at work on my gun trail. Orders came for two guns to
+advance across the river, and Ogilvy told me off for that honour. By
+dint of hard work my right gun was finished by 11 a.m., and I
+inspanned and went off two hours afterwards. A very steep hill was the
+only thing to conquer going down, and we successfully crossed the
+Tugela in a Boer punt--guns, oxen, and my horse. We got the guns up to
+our new position by 6 p.m., and found ourselves about 4,200 yards from
+the enemy's trenches, with James's guns on our right. We had a cordial
+meeting with the Scottish Rifles; they had been a week in their
+clothes, with no tents or baggage, so I put up one of our tarpaulins
+for their mess tent and we enjoyed a real good dinner. At 9 p.m. up
+came Ogilvy to our position, to my surprise, as he had received sudden
+orders to bring the rest of the guns on across the river; the road and
+river must have been very nasty in the dark, but Ogilvy is a clever
+and capable fellow, who is always determined, sees no difficulties,
+and invents none.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+     Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz -- General Buller withdraws the troops
+     and moves once more on Colenso -- We hold Springfield Bridge --
+     Buller's successful attack on Hussar Hill, Hlangwane, and Monte
+     Christo -- Relief of Kimberley.
+
+
+_Monday, 22nd January._--We placed the battery of six guns at daybreak
+in a kloof between two kopjes, in a half-moon formation, commanding
+the old position near Spion Kop, at about 4,500 yards, mine being in
+the centre. I was in charge all day and fired shots at intervals. The
+wind was too high for balloon reconnoitring. My first shot, a
+shrapnel, at the left part of Spion Kop, disabled twenty of the enemy
+digging in the trenches, so we were afterwards told by native scouts;
+and we were praised by those looking on for our accurate firing. We
+had now our telescopic sights on the guns, and very good ones on the
+whole they were, although we found the cross wires too thick and
+therefore hid an object such as a trench which at long range looks no
+more than a line. I found my deflection by a spirit-level on the
+trail, to test the inclination of the wheels one way or the other.
+There was very heavy fighting to-day on our left. Sir Charles Warren
+is in fact forcing his way on, and we hear reports of 400 of our
+fellows being killed and wounded, and the Boer trenches being taken by
+bayonet charges. So far as we know, General Buller's object is to
+outflank the Boers on the left, and then when Sir Charles Warren has
+done this, to attack in front and cut them off.
+
+_Tuesday, 23rd January._--Another day, alas, red with the blood of our
+poor fellows. Sir Charles Warren continued his operations at 1 p.m.,
+and from then till midnight the fight raged. Musketry and guns booming
+all round, the Maxims and Vickers 1-pounder guns, being specially
+noticeable. At daylight we ourselves stood to guns and concentrated
+our fire on the Boer trenches and positions to the front and right, in
+order to draw the enemy away from Warren's force; while the Infantry
+with us (Rifle Brigade, King's Royal Rifles, Durhams and Scottish
+Rifles) made a demonstration in force to within 2,000 yards of the
+main trenches under cover of our fire. The attack under Warren got
+closer and closer each hour, and we could watch our fellows,
+apparently the Lancashire Brigade, storming the top of Spion Kop, in
+which, I afterwards heard, my father's old regiment (the Lancashire
+Fusiliers) bore a splendid part. Meanwhile our own attack on the
+Brakfontein trenches was withdrawn, and we brought our guns into
+action on the left to assist the operations on Spion Kop but soon had
+to desist for fear of hitting our own men. The fight raged all day and
+was apparently going well for us. At 4 p.m. came a message from
+General Buller ordering the King's Royal Rifles and Scottish Rifles to
+storm Spion Kop from our side, which they did, starting from our guns
+and making a prodigious climb right gallantly in a blazing heat and
+suffering a considerable loss. Poor Major Strong, with whom I had just
+breakfasted, was one of the wounded and, to my great sorrow, died of
+his wound. Our guns meanwhile were searching all the valleys and
+positions along the eastern slopes of Spion Kop; but it was all
+unavailing, as we were apparently forced to retire after heavy losses
+during the night. We ourselves were all dead beat, but had to be up
+all night with search-lights working on the Boer main position; but
+what of poor Warren's force after five days' constant marching and
+fighting!
+
+[Illustration: Lieut. Burne's Guns firing at Spion Kop.]
+
+[Illustration: 4.7 Emplaced on Hlangwane.]
+
+_Wednesday, 24th January._--No more firing and many rumours; but at
+last it was a great surprise and blow to us to hear a confirmation of
+the report that Warren's right had been forced to abandon Spion Kop
+during the night, and to be also told that we ourselves were to go
+back to our old plateau in the rear. I had my guns dragged up to
+Criticism Kop with great labour by eighty of the Durhams, who are now
+our escort; and with the Rifle Brigade we hold the three advanced
+hills here, while Ogilvy has been moved back across the river. We hear
+of a loss of some 1,600 men, the poor 2nd Bn. of the Lancashire
+Fusiliers specially suffering heavily;[2] there is therefore great
+depression among all here, a cessation of fire being ordered, and
+nothing in front of us except ambulances. Our mail came in during the
+evening and I was very pleased to get letters from Admiral and Mrs.
+Douglas. We feared a night attack, so had everything ready for the
+fray. I was on the watch all night with Whyte, but our search-light
+kept off the danger and all remained quiet.
+
+         [Footnote 2: Having lost over 100 officers and men killed and
+         wounded at Venter's Spruit, the 2nd battalion of the regiment
+         went subsequently into action at Spion Kop 800 strong, and
+         only 553 answered the roll call next day.]
+
+_Thursday, 25th January._--A quiet day, the Boers and our own
+ambulance parties burying the dead on Spion Kop. And so went the next
+few days, we shelling the Boers at intervals although sparingly.
+Rumour says that General Buller is confident of beating the Boers in
+one more try, and is shortly going to try it. May the key fit the
+lock this time! He seems determined, and we all hope he will be at
+last successful.
+
+_Monday, 29th January._--We are firing as usual. Colonel Northcote of
+the Rifle Brigade came over from his kopje to see me, and I proposed
+the construction of two rifle-proof gun pits on the river bank, to
+which he agreed. A very hot day and raining heavily at night.
+
+_Wednesday, 31st January._--We have orders to watch carefully the
+right of the Boer position. I let Mr. Whyte fire a dozen shells, which
+he did very well, and I finished my gun pits, and very good ones they
+are. Just at dark up came an officer from General Buller with an order
+that we were to retire our Naval guns at daybreak to the plateau,
+which we had to do much to our disappointment, moving off at daybreak
+next morning and taking the guns in a punt across the river. I learnt
+to my great sorrow that poor Vertue of the Buffs, my friend of Ceylon
+days when he was an A.D.C. to the General there, was killed at Spion
+Kop, and I am much depressed as I liked and admired him immensely.
+
+_Friday, 2nd February._--The Boers are busy burying their dead on
+Spion Kop under a flag of truce, so we have a quiet day and no firing.
+
+_Saturday, 3rd February._--The troops are all again on the move; no
+less than nine field batteries are pushed over the river with some
+Battalions of Infantry, while Boers are on the sky-line at all points
+watching us.
+
+_Sunday, 4th February._--Sir Charles Warren arrived on our gun plateau
+with his Staff, and pitched his camp close to my guns. I found that
+Sir Charles knew my father, and he told me that the Boers had had a
+severe knock at Spion Kop and were ready to run on seeing British
+bayonets; he spoke of his plans for the morrow and of our prospective
+share in them. My share is to be a good one, as I am to have an
+independent command and am so actually named in the general orders for
+battle. I went over the plan of battle carefully with Captain Jones,
+R.N., and our Commander, who thought Pontoon No. 3 was the weak spot.
+
+_Monday, 5th February._--A fateful day of battle. At daybreak we stood
+to our guns, but it was not till 6.30 a.m. that our Artillery, no less
+than seven batteries, advanced under cover of our fire. On the left
+were the 4.7 guns on Signal Hill; my two 12-pounders were on the gun
+plateau in the centre, and on the right, on Zwartz Kop, were six more
+of our 12-pounders under Ogilvy. The broad plan of attack was a feint
+on the left and then a determined right attack. This developed slowly;
+the Artillery and Infantry advanced, and we all shelled as hard as we
+could for some hours, when the Infantry laid down just outside
+effective rifle range from the Brakfontein trenches, and the
+Artillery, changing front to right, withdrew from the left, except one
+battery, to assist in the centre attack on Vaal Krantz. Our Naval guns
+went on shelling the left where the Boer guns were well under cover
+and were very cleverly worked. About 12 noon the Infantry withdrew
+from the left and it was evident that our feint had fully succeeded in
+its object, _i.e._, to get the enemy drawn down to their trenches and
+stuck there. The Artillery, after crossing No. 2 Pontoon, were drawn
+up in the centre shelling Vaal Krantz, while Lyttelton's Brigade was
+pushed forward to attack it and succeeded in reaching the south end of
+it. Our own firing on the left was incessant. I found afterwards that
+I had fired 250 rounds during the day, and I had many messages as to
+its direction and effect from Sir Charles Warren, and General
+Talbot-Coke, who was just behind us with his Staff. Little firing
+during the night. Very tired.
+
+_Tuesday, 6th February._--At it again at daylight, the Boers
+commencing from their 100 lb. 6" Creusot at 6,000 yards to the east of
+Zwartz Kop. I had suddenly got orders during the night from Sir
+Charles Warren to move my guns off the plateau and join Buller's force
+at daybreak at the east foot of Zwartz Kop, so I moved off at the time
+named, feeling very thankful that I had my extra oxen to do it. We had
+some miles to go, over a vile road, and on the way we passed the 7th
+Battery R.A. and some Cavalry and ambulances. All this, meeting us on
+a narrow and badly ordered road, delayed us so much that it was 8 a.m.
+before I was able to report my guns to the Commander-in-Chief, which I
+did personally; he turned round and said, rather pleased, "Oh, the
+Naval guns are come up," and, pointing me out the Boer 6" Creusot and
+a 3" gun enfilading our Artillery, he asked me if I could silence
+them; the 6" was at 6,500 yards and the 3" at 10,000 yards, so I
+replied, "Yes, the 6"," and by the General's order I brought my guns
+into action about 200 yards away from him and his Staff. As I was
+preparing to fire my right gun, bang came a 100 lb. shell right at it,
+striking the ground some twenty yards in front and digging a hole in
+the ground of about six feet long, covering us with dust, although
+happily the shell did not burst but jumped right over our heads. This
+was followed by a shrapnel which burst, but the pieces also went right
+over our heads. After hard pit digging, I tried for the 3" at 9,000
+yards, with full lengthening pieces, with my left gun, but I could not
+range it; so we kept up a hot fire with both guns on the Boer Creusot,
+which was also being done by the two 5" guns in front of us and by our
+Naval battery on the top of Zwartz Kop. We silenced this gun from 8.30
+a.m. to 5 p.m. when it again opened on us (with its huge puff of black
+powder showing up finely), but without doing us much harm. At 11 a.m.
+the Boers brought some field guns up at a gallop to Vaal Krantz,
+running them into dongas or pits about 6,000 yards away from us, and
+then sending shrapnel into our troops on the Kop and trying to have a
+duel with us; we quickly silenced them, however, as well as a Pom-pom
+in a donga about 4,000 yards off, and they beat a retreat over the
+sky-line. I here found my telescopic sight very useful for observing
+every movement while personally laying guns. The General sent me many
+messages by his Staff, and was pleased at our driving off the guns. As
+the day passed, the cannonade became fast and furious and our attack
+advanced but slowly; we silenced most of the Boer guns by 5 p.m. and
+slept that night as we stood. I had the Boer 100 lb. 6" shell (which
+had fallen close to us without bursting) carried up the hill to show
+the Commander-in-Chief and Staff; they were all interested but rather
+shy of it, but one of them took a photo. We picked up many fragments
+of shells which had fallen close to us during the day and from which
+all of us had narrow escapes, for we were in a warm corner. General
+Hildyard and Staff who were sitting close by us at one part of the day
+had a 100 lb. shell fired over them which just missed Prince
+Christian.
+
+_Wednesday, 7th February._--Dawn found us still fighting on this the
+last day of our attempt to relieve Ladysmith from this side; heavy
+firing commenced at daybreak, and we did our best to keep down the
+Boer fire, the 4.7 Naval gun on Signal Hill making fine practice.
+Meantime our troops now on Vaal Krantz, viz., Hildyard's East Surreys,
+Devons, and West Yorks, pushed the attack or held their trenches under
+heavy fire, while we were trying to silence the enemy's guns. By this
+time the long range of hills to the east of Brakfontein was all ablaze
+from our shells, and also one flank of Vaal Kop. All looked lurid and
+desolate, and at times the cannonading was terrific, the Boer 6" with
+its black powder vomiting smoke and affording an excellent mark. At 4
+p.m. the Engineer balloon went up in our rear to reconnoitre, and
+brought down a disheartening report of unmasked Boer guns and
+positions which would enfilade our advance from here all the way to
+Ladysmith; so that after a Council of War the Commander-in-Chief
+decided to retire the troops; my orders from Colonel Parsons, R.A.,
+being to make preparations to withdraw my two guns to Spearman's Kop
+as soon as the moon rose, and to cover the retirement. In fact,
+according to his words the Council of War decided that while we could
+get through to Ladysmith from here, we should be hemmed in afterwards
+owing to the new positions disclosed by Phillips' balloon report. It
+was just dusk; Infantry and Artillery were being hastily moved up to
+cover the retirement, and after loading up our ammunition off we
+ourselves went. My poor men were very done up after the constant
+marching, firing, and working ammunition of the last three days; we
+had, in fact, shot off no less than 679 rounds, and the sun was awful
+the whole time. The withdrawal was very well carried out in the dark;
+we ourselves followed the ammunition column, and the Field Artillery
+followed us. As the foot of Gun Hill was completely blocked I brought
+my guns out down by the Tugela, ready to cover the troops; and we
+slept as we stood, while a constant stream of Artillery, Infantry, and
+ambulances were struggling to get up the steep hill; indeed, it was a
+most memorable day and night. Poor Colonel Fitzgerald of the Durhams
+was carried past me in a stretcher about 5 p.m. shot in the chest with
+a Mauser. I had known him before when holding the kopjes over the
+river with his regiment; he insisted on talking to me and sat up to
+have a cup of tea, and I was glad to hear afterwards that he had
+eventually recovered. Our total casualties for the three days were
+about 350; our Infantry had done brilliantly; and, while we were all
+savage at having to withdraw, we were confident that the
+Commander-in-Chief knew best, and indeed it seems from information
+received later on that he did the right thing.
+
+_Thursday, 8th February._--At daylight the Boer 6" went on shelling us
+at 10,000 yards but did little damage, so I got up the hill about 9
+a.m. after a hasty breakfast, and passing Sir Charles Warren's tent
+got into my old position on the plateau, finding the 7th Battery R.A.
+holding the hill close alongside. My men were quite done up, so that
+the temporary rest was acceptable, although we had to keep a sharp
+look-out, and twice silenced Boer guns firing on our Infantry at 6,500
+yards from Spion Kop. At noon the kopjes in front were evacuated, our
+pontoon taken up, and the Boer punt sunk by gunpowder. So good-bye to
+the Tugela once more; all our positions gone and the Boers down again
+at the river. At dusk I got permission to withdraw my guns over the
+ridge on account of sniping, and it was well I did so as the Boers
+came very close to us during the night.
+
+_Friday, 9th February._--Got orders from the Commander-in-Chief to
+withdraw with others on to Springfield Bridge; we were almost the last
+guns off, and had a hot march of eight miles escorted by a party of
+the Imperial Light Infantry under Captain Champneys. How we did enjoy
+a bathe from the river bank, as well as our sleep that night! It was
+all quite heavenly.
+
+_Saturday, 10th February._--About 9 a.m. I was ordered by Colonel
+Burn-Murdoch of the Royal Dragoons to bring my guns up to his
+entrenched camp behind the bridge to assist in its defence. I had
+breakfast with him and he seemed very nice. He is now Brigadier-General
+and Camp Commandant, and we are left in defence here, to protect
+Buller's left flank, with "A" Battery Horse Artillery, the 2nd
+Dragoons and 13th Hussars, the Imperial Light Infantry, and the York
+and Lancasters. The rest of the troops had all gone to Chieveley. The
+day was very hot again, and I was very glad to give the men another
+rest, with fresh butter, milk, chickens, and fruit to be had, brought
+in by Kaffirs from neighbouring farms. Just think of it!
+
+_Sunday, 11th February._--Again very hot. About 7 a.m. there was a
+heavy rifle fire to the N.E.; our Cavalry pickets were in fact
+attacked, and as I saw Boers on the sky-line, I got leave to open
+fire, but did no damage, as the hill, we afterwards found out, was
+some eight miles off. So much for African lights and shades, which,
+after eight months' experience of them, are most deceptive. It turned
+out that our Cavalry pickets had been surprised by the Boers unmounted
+in a donga, and unluckily Lieutenant Pilkington and seven men were
+taken prisoners, and several men wounded--a bad affair.
+
+_Monday, 12th February._--Another awfully hot day which made me feel
+feverish. We were busy in fortifying our gun positions, but otherwise
+I had a quiet day in the mess of the York and Lancasters, a very nice
+regiment. At 4 p.m., much to our joy, rain and thunder came on and
+cleared the heavy air. Glad to hear that a Naval 6" gun has been sent
+up to the front at last, and that Lord Roberts had entered the Orange
+Free State with a large force.
+
+_Tuesday, 13th February._--Still very hot, although again a welcome
+thunderstorm in the afternoon. Busy with fortifying and with taking
+more gun ranges with a mekometer borrowed from the York and
+Lancasters.
+
+_Wednesday, 14th February._--The Boers appeared in considerable force
+on the sky-line to the left of Portjes Kopje about 8 a.m. I was
+summoned with others by Colonel Burn-Murdoch to a Council of War, and
+afterwards rode out with him and Staff to reconnoitre the enemy and to
+look at country for gun work. We pushed up to a farm about 1,600 yards
+from the enemy; we were fired on at that distance and all returned
+about 4 p.m., when it was decided to attack the Boers next day. They
+are some 9,000 yards off the camp, and seem to have no guns. During
+our reconnoitring we saw a hare on the Kop, the first game I have come
+across as yet in South Africa.
+
+_Thursday, 15th February._--At 6 a.m. the Horse Artillery and Cavalry
+were pushed out to attack, and my guns advanced to a kopje at 8,000
+yards. But to our annoyance the Boers had made off during the night
+and we had nothing to do. We received an English mail to-day, much to
+our delight, and it brought a sketch in the _Daily Graphic_ of my
+father inspecting a detachment of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade. My
+servant Gilbert in hospital with fever, poor fellow.
+
+_Friday, 16th February._--A red-letter day, and all quiet in camp.
+Fitted rollers under my gun trails. News came that General French had
+relieved Kimberley, and there was much cheering in camp.
+
+_Sunday, 18th February._--We heard heavy firing all day, which turned
+out to be General Buller attacking Hlangwane and Monte Christo Hills,
+to the right of the Boer position at Colenso, but on our side of the
+river. The positions were brilliantly taken at the point of the
+bayonet; and all in camp are very cheerful at hearing of Cronje being
+in full retreat, Magersfontein evacuated, and Methuen free to move.
+This must be the beginning of the end. Raining hard, for the rains of
+February are on us at last.
+
+_Tuesday, 20th February._--Still heavy rain and tropical heat. Our
+trenches full of water. Heavy firing on Colenso side and good news of
+Buller's advance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+     Passage of Tugela forced and Colenso occupied -- Another move
+     back across the river to Hlangwane and Monte Christo -- The Boers
+     at length routed and Ladysmith is relieved -- Entry of Relief
+     Force into Ladysmith -- Withdrawal of H.M.S. _Terrible's_ men to
+     China -- I spend a bad time in Field Hospital -- General Buller's
+     army moves forward to Elandslaagte -- Boers face us on the
+     Biggarsberg.
+
+
+_Thursday, 22nd February._--General Buller occupied Colenso, and wired
+to our Commandant to join him with his whole force. The Cavalry left
+at 5 a.m. and at 2 p.m. the rest of us moved off, my guns being
+escorted by the York and Lancasters, with the Imperial Light Infantry
+in rear, the whole under Colonel Fitzpatrick. We made a quick march to
+beyond Pretorius' farm where we camped for the night.
+
+_Friday, 23rd February._--Off at daylight in a beautiful cool morning.
+On the west of the hill, where we rested to water and feed the oxen,
+Colenso was plainly visible, and we found heavy shelling going on. We
+reached Chieveley at 10 a.m. and going up to our old friend, Gun Hill,
+we joined Drummond with the 6" Q.-F. gun, and pitched our camp. The 6"
+gun looked a regular monster on its field carriage, and fired several
+times at Grobler's Hill, at 15,000 yards; I was struck by its smart
+crew of bluejackets and stokers, but the gun is much too far off the
+enemy. An English mail came in to-day.
+
+_Saturday, 24th February._--General Buller is shelling hard the kopjes
+at Pieters beyond Colenso, but our Infantry do not seem to be gaining
+an inch. As my guns were in reserve, I went up by train to Colenso,
+with Captain Patch, R.A. We were much interested, as we saw all the
+now famous spots where we had shelled the place out in December and
+January--the village and hotel being in ruins, and everything wantonly
+sacked and destroyed. I never saw such a scene in my life; pianos
+pulled to pieces and furniture smashed up. I went on to the pont where
+Lieutenant Chiazzari was in charge, and met many wounded being carried
+across to the ambulance train; among others were General Wynne, and a
+poor officer of the Lancashire Brigade just dying with a bullet in his
+chest, also young Hodson of the _Terrible_ ill with fever. We crossed
+the Tugela on planks over the ruins of the fallen railway bridge with
+a swirling torrent about a foot below us, as the river was now in
+flood. It was sad to see this magnificent bridge with all its spans
+blown up and fallen across the river, and one buttress demolished.
+Patch and I climbed up the kopjes beyond, saw the Boer system of
+trenches, and inspected the places where they had blasted the reverse
+slopes of the kopje, perpendicularly cut behind, and had got under
+safe cover from shell. The panorama of battle which spread out in
+front of us was most impressive with shells bursting close to us; our
+firing line was some two miles on, resting on small kopjes near
+Pieters that were taken during the night; our guns, great and small,
+were massed in or beyond Colenso behind small kopjes which gave a
+certain amount of cover; on the left were the 4.7 guns and four
+12-pounders, then the 4.5 guns; and two miles to the right were other
+field batteries and Ogilvy's four 12-pounders across the river on
+Hlangwane, making some eighty guns in all. Behind the kopjes were
+massed our men in reserve, besides all the Horse Artillery and Cavalry
+and wagons. There was now very heavy Boer shelling over Colenso,
+giving our men a bad time of it; for instance the whole of our 5" crew
+of garrison gunners were killed and wounded by a shrapnel, and many of
+the 4.7 men were hit about the same time. Our own shelling was
+magnificent and deadly, all our fire being concentrated at one kopje
+about 6,000 yards off; the musketry fire was also very heavy all along
+the line. I never saw such a fine sight before. I returned from
+Colenso to my guns about 3 p.m., in an ambulance train, with Major
+Brazier Creagh. We are losing about 450 men a day and are advancing
+very slowly, while the Boers appear to be bringing up more guns on our
+left. No news from Ladysmith, but we were all glad to hear the
+brilliant news of the capture of Cronje and all his force by Lord
+Roberts, and the cheering in the fighting line on the news being
+communicated was wild. A very heavy musketry fire raged all night, and
+the Inniskillings in a night attack on Railway Hill lost a lot of men,
+in fact were cut up.
+
+_Sunday, 25th February._--Once more the Commander-in-Chief found his
+position untenable, and half of the guns were withdrawn in the night
+across to our side of the Tugela on to Hlangwane; all the wagons and
+stores were also shifted out of Colenso and the majority of the troops
+moved to the right to the Hlangwane and Monte Christo slopes. Colenso
+was still held in force however by the 10th Brigade under General
+Talbot Coke. Two of our 4.7 guns on platform mountings were now
+ordered up to Hlangwane from our hill, and were got into position with
+much labour at 2,500 yards by Lieutenant Anderton, Natal Naval
+Volunteers; they did very good work at that decisive range. There was
+to-day what we called a Boer Sunday, that is, a cessation of firing
+on both sides after a hard ten days of it; the day was wet and we were
+all washed out of our tents, some of which were blown clean down.
+
+_Monday, 26th February._--The attack still hangs fire while our troops
+are being massed on Hlangwane and Monte Christo. The shelling of
+Colenso by the Boers is still going on pretty heavily, and one only
+wonders how Naval 12-pounders like ours can be left here as they are,
+no less than six of our guns doing nothing at all. Drummond left the
+6" gun under me for a time; and, on spotting a Boer gun on Grobler's
+Hill, I let drive at 15,000 yards, 28° elevation. As the shot only
+fell some 200 yards short, I recommended a move to closer range, but
+the gun eventually never was moved closer. While on Gun Hill we had
+several civilians from Pietermaritzburg and Durban looking on at the
+fighting. A very wet night, which made our positions a swamp, but I
+was warmed by a warning to be ready to move my own guns to the front.
+
+[Illustration: Colt Gun at Hlangwane firing at Boers.]
+
+_Tuesday, 27th February._--A wire was handed to me in the night to
+join the 10th Brigade with the Yorks and Lancasters, and off we went
+at 6 a.m. in good spirits but in a thick drizzle of rain, passing
+along the eastern slope of Hlangwane and winding up a fearful road to
+the front. The Yorks and Lancasters at this point suddenly turned off,
+and feeling that something was going wrong I halted my guns and rode
+on to the Headquarters Staff, about half a mile on, finding the
+Infantry attack just about to commence, the men all looking very
+weary, and no wonder. I spoke to Ogilvy, who was there with his guns,
+and afterwards to General Buller, who was standing quite close
+surveying the general attack of our Infantry on the centre and right
+3,000 yards ahead of us. The guns were giving the Boers lyddite and
+shrapnel, and the fighting line were cheering as kopje after kopje
+was taken. It was evident to my unpractised eye that we had the Boers
+on the run at last. I told the Commander-in-Chief that my guns had
+arrived, when he replied, "Why, you should be in Colenso," and turned
+to his Staff, saying that some mistake had been made. I therefore
+showed my written orders, and after reading them, the General said,
+"It is not your fault, but march to Colenso as quickly as possible";
+and he detached Lord Tullibardine to show us the way; I had seen a
+good deal of him at Springfield. "The Pontoon bridge is up," he added;
+"you must use the Boer pont and so ferry across the Tugela." So off we
+went, and got to Colenso at 2 p.m. after a very hot march.
+
+The ground at the railway crossing which we had to cross was being
+heavily and accurately shelled, so leaving my gun train for a time in
+a spot safe from the bursting shrapnel I rode on to prepare the pont
+for our crossing the river. We got the first gun over to the Colenso
+side of the river after hard work, the rotten bank giving way and the
+gun being half submerged in the water; then the somewhat unhandy
+soldiers in charge of the pont capsized a team of gun oxen when
+half-way across the river by rocking the pont, and, nearly drowning
+the poor oxen, swam ashore themselves and left them to their fate. It
+was now 5 p.m. and as there were no men to do anything it was an
+impossible position, with the pont sunk in the middle of the flooded
+river; so that at dusk, after telling some soldiers who had come up
+from General Coke's Brigade in response to my request what to do to
+right the pont, I drew up my remaining gun and wagons on the south
+bank, and put the gun which was already across the river out of action
+under a guard below the river bank in case of any Boer swoop on it.
+
+_Wednesday, 28th February._--A red-letter day. Before daylight I set
+my men to work to bale out the pont and to get my second gun across
+the river with 100 rounds of ammunition, and also off-loaded and got
+over a spare wagon and 250 rounds more. All this was a terrible hard
+job; two empty military wagons trying to get across the drift at this
+spot were carried away before my eyes and only picked up a quarter of
+a mile down stream. At 11 a.m. I was able at last to march on to join
+General Coke's Brigade in Colenso, and to get my guns into position. I
+was very exhausted and was feeling rather ill, but I was able to dine
+with the General under a tarpaulin and had much talk over old times in
+the Mauritius in 1898. It was a very wet evening, and my men who were
+bivouacking with no tents had a bad time of it. The sudden cessation
+of firing most of the day seemed to foreshadow some change at the
+front, and we found afterwards to our joy that a detachment of the
+Imperial Light Horse under Lord Dundonald had ridden into Ladysmith at
+6 p.m. unmolested by the Boers who were reported to be in full
+retreat.[3]
+
+         [Footnote 3: The number of killed, wounded, and missing in
+         the Natal Field Force, in the operations thus briefly alluded
+         to, from Colenso (15th December, 1899) to the Relief of
+         Ladysmith (28th February, 1900), amounted to 301 officers and
+         5,028 men.]
+
+_Thursday, 1st March._--Everything seems to feel dull and
+unprofitable; all the country round is deserted and Colenso is almost
+unbearable from the odour of dead horses. At about 11 a.m. the pickets
+reported Boers in force coming down Grobler's Kloof, but the party
+turned out to be our own men; some of the garrison Cavalry, in fact,
+riding in from Ladysmith, who told us that the Boers were in full
+retreat. In the afternoon I rode round Colenso. What a scene of
+desolation and dirt; huts and houses unroofed and everything smashed
+to pieces! Long lines of abandoned trenches, and the perpendicular
+shelters which the Boers had blasted out behind all the kopjes against
+shell fire plainly showed how well they knew how to protect
+themselves. The trenches, about a mile long, in the plain to the right
+of Colenso are very deep and are sandbagged; parts of them are full of
+straw; many shelters are erected in them; and holes are burrowed out
+and strewn with chips of cartridges and pieces of shell, bottles, and
+every imaginable article. Being somewhat curious as to the effect of
+our shelling which had gone on from the 10th December to the 12th
+January at this line of trenches, I rode along them and came to the
+conclusion that not one of our shells had actually hit these splendid
+defences, although no doubt our fire annoyed and delayed the workers
+in them. I picked up many curios here.
+
+_Friday, 2nd March._--Not a Boer to be seen within miles. Very hot and
+odoriferous here, and I feel queer and tired out although fortunately
+able to lie down all day. In the middle of the night had a sudden and
+alarming attack of colic and was in great agony. I really thought I
+was done for, but my men gave me hot tea and mustard and water which
+did me good.
+
+_Saturday, 3rd March._--Woke up feeling weak and ill, but as luckily
+there was no work on hand I was able to lay still under an ammunition
+wagon and was much revived with some champagne which my best
+bluejacket named House got for me from my friend Major Brazier Creagh
+of the Hospital train. The doctor from the Middlesex lines who came to
+see me in the evening told me he had been into Ladysmith and had found
+the garrison looking very feeble; the Cavalry were hardly able to
+crawl and could not therefore pursue the Boers; the rations had been
+reduced to one and a half biscuits per day per man in addition to
+sausages and soup called Chevril, made from horseflesh. It seems that
+Ladysmith could have held out for another month, but the garrison had,
+after our failure at Spion Kop, given up all hope of our relieving
+them. Poor chaps! they have had an awful time of it. We learn that the
+Boers had left a huge unfinished dam of sandbags across the Klip River
+so as to flood out our shelter near the banks of the town; another
+week would have seen this really marvellous work completed; but
+luckily, as it was, our friends had to decamp in a hurry, leaving
+tents, wagons and ammunition strewn all over the neighbourhood; I wish
+I could add guns, but none were found, and I fear that the retreat
+took place for one reason only, viz., Kruger's fear of being cut off
+by Lord Roberts at Laing's Nek. Except for this I doubt whether we
+should ever have moved the Boers out of the Colenso position with our
+30,000 men; indeed, I hear that the German Attaché said it was a
+wonder, and that his people would not have attempted it under ten
+times the number. As it is, we are all glad that General Buller has
+succeeded.
+
+_Tuesday, 6th March._--Nothing special to note except that wagons and
+ambulances have been pouring out of Ladysmith down Grobler's Hill
+during the last few days.
+
+_Wednesday, 7th March._--In the afternoon General Coke kindly came to
+wish me good-bye as his Brigade had received orders to sail for East
+London, and at the same time gave me orders to proceed to Ladysmith.
+Meanwhile the Naval Brigade under Lionel Halsey passed our camp on the
+way to Durban, and we drew up to cheer them and received their cheers
+in return. Poor fellows, they looked as weak as rats.
+
+_Thursday, 8th March._--We left Colenso at 5.30 a.m. with the 73rd
+Field Battery for Ladysmith. We were much interested on the Grobler's
+Hill road to see the Boer trenches and shelters, which were simply
+marvellous and made the place impregnable. The trenches were blasted
+out of solid rocks, some 6 feet, and some 6 to 8 feet thick, of solid
+rock and boulder; these were all sandbagged, fitted with shelters with
+burrowed-out holes, and were extended for a front of half a mile
+facing Colenso. On the other side of the road, slightly higher up, was
+another line of similar trenches, while the road itself was defended
+by a series of stone conning towers--to use a Naval term--all
+loopholed and commanding the entire passage. It was a wonderful
+revelation to us after the "prepare to dig trench" exercise prescribed
+by our own drill book. The Governor of Natal, Sir Walter
+Hely-Hutchinson, happened to ride by when our Naval guns were drawn
+up, and when he found that I was in command he sent for me, was very
+kind, and said he would write to my father to tell him he had seen me.
+Although still feeling ill from dysentery I tried not to make much of
+it, but I could no longer ride my horse so got on a wagon. We moved on
+to Ladysmith at 4 p.m. and were much interested in the various hills
+and positions _en route_; we passed over Cćsar's camp, which we found
+a very straggling uninteresting sort of place. The town itself lay on
+the left and was now used as a hospital; we passed along over the iron
+bridge where the troops from India were encamped, and much admired
+their khaki tents and green ambulances; and climbing the hill leading
+to the convent to join our Naval camp we found Ogilvy in command, who
+said, much to my regret, that the men of the _Terrible_ who manned my
+own and their guns, were ordered to be withdrawn for service in China.
+
+_Friday, 9th March._--Having struggled long against my dysentery I am
+now compelled to go on the sick list; and feel it to be a great blow,
+after all my trouble and training, that my _Terrible_ bluejackets are
+to go. Good fellows. It seems bad for the force, putting aside all
+personal reasons, that all our trained men now well up to the country
+we fight in, should thus suddenly have to go, and that Mountain
+Battery gunners and others should be sent to fill their place. The
+men, however, seem glad to go back to their ships after all their
+severe work; and indeed the bluejacket is in some respects an odd
+composition; he turns up trumps when there is work to be done, but he
+is not always content with existing conditions and likes changes! Sir
+Redvers Buller is very pleased with us, so says the Naval A.D.C., and
+the telegrams just read out to the Naval Brigade from home are
+extremely complimentary.
+
+They are (1) from the Queen--"Pray express my deep appreciation to the
+Naval Brigade for the valuable service they have rendered with their
+guns"; (2) from Admiral Harris--"The Lords Commissioners of the
+Admiralty desire me to express to the Naval and Marine officers and
+Bluejackets and Marines who have been engaged in the successful
+operations in Natal and Cape Colony, the sense of their great
+admiration for the splendid manner in which they have upheld the
+traditions of the service, and have added to its reputation for
+resourcefulness, courage and devotion"; (3) from the Vice-Admiral
+Commanding Channel Squadron--"Very hearty congratulations from
+officers and men to Naval Brigade." We were all pleased at these
+wires, and especially that, among others, Sir Harry Rawson had not
+forgotten us.
+
+_Saturday, 10th March._--Alas, at last I have to go to our Field
+Hospital much against my will, while to add to my sorrow all my good
+men of the _Terrible_ are starting off to rejoin their ship. We were
+all glad to-day to hear of Ogilvy's promotion to Commander for
+distinguished service in the field. He thoroughly deserves it.
+
+_Tuesday, 13th March, to Thursday, 22nd._--A bad time, and I can
+hardly walk a few yards without being tired. While in hospital, about
+the 15th, a frightful hailstorm came on, the hailstones being as big
+as walnuts and even as golf balls; the horses in camp broke loose and
+stampeded, tents were blown down and flooded; several poor enteric
+patients died from the wetting, and we had a very bad time. Meanwhile
+important changes have gone on; Ladysmith has been emptied of Sir
+George White's troops; Sir Charles Warren and General Coke are gone to
+Maritzburg; the Naval Brigade is broken up, and our Naval guns are
+turned over, alas, to Artillery Mountain Batteries. Captains Scott and
+Lambton are made C.B.'s; the _Powerful_ has left for England, and the
+_Terrible_ leaves for China; our flag is hoisted at Bloemfontein, and
+the tone of the Foreign Press has altered; still more troops are
+pouring out from England, and we hear that 40,000 more men are to be
+landed before April, which is a very good precaution.
+
+_Friday, 23d March._--There are rumours that the Boers have evacuated
+the Biggarsberg hills, and at any rate all our troops are moving on to
+Elandslaagte. The Dublins celebrated St. Patrick's Day on the 17th
+with great _éclat_, and all the Irish soldiers throughout Natal wore
+the shamrock. They have behaved splendidly all through the operations
+and it is a pity that the Irish nation is not more like the Irish
+soldier.
+
+_Sunday, 25th March._--Out of hospital to-day, but so weak that I can
+hardly walk a yard, so I have to give in and go down country much
+against my will. General Kitchener of the West Yorks told me of a
+private house of the Suttons' at Howick, near Maritzburg, and strongly
+advised me to go there; so I left Ladysmith on the 27th and got a warm
+welcome from the Honourable Mr. and Mrs. Sutton and their family who
+were most kind; and on the best of foods I soon began to pick up. The
+house is a very pretty combined country and farm house facing the
+Howick Falls, 280 feet high, of the Umgeni River. While here news came
+of the disaster at Sanna's Post and the capture of 500 of the Irish
+Rifles at Reddesberg, so we are all disappointed and think the end of
+the war further off than we thought. My twenty-seventh birthday on the
+1st April passed quietly in this peaceful spot, and after a pleasant
+stay I left on the 13th, my lucky day, fairly well, although still a
+stone under weight. I was very sorry to leave my more than kind
+friends and hope to meet them again some day.
+
+_Saturday, 14th April._--Reached Elandslaagte and rejoined the Naval
+Brigade at the foot of the historical kopje which the Gordons and
+Devons stormed in October last. The 4.7's are on top in sandbagged
+emplacements, and the 12-pounders are in other positions on the right.
+We are with General Clery, in General Hildyard's Brigade, and we hold
+the right while Sir Charles Warren holds the left, of our long line of
+defence. The Boers face us a long way off on kopjes north of us beyond
+a large plain.
+
+_Sunday, 15th April (Easter Day)._--All quiet here. About lunch time
+Commander Dundas and Lieutenants Buckle and Johnson of the _Forte_
+arrived to pay us a visit, and they were all very interested in what I
+and others were able to show them.
+
+_Tuesday, 17th April._--I feel much stronger and better now. Orders
+having come for General Clery's Division to withdraw to Modder Spruit,
+it did so at 6 p.m., leaving the Rifle Brigade and Scottish Rifles
+with us, all under General Coke.
+
+_Friday, 20th April._--Nothing moving in front. I have been given
+James's guns to command as he has slight fever, and I have had all the
+work and worry of dragging them up this kopje, making roads and gun
+emplacements which are now too elaborate for my liking. Generals
+Hildyard and Coke came to look at my gun positions and said they were
+both glad to see me again; they have always been considerate and
+perfect to work under. General Hildyard has now Sir Charles Warren's
+(the Fifth) Division. I am very glad to be under him, although sorry
+that Sir Charles Warren leaves us, which he does to administer the
+Free State. Some sensation in camp to-day at Lord Roberts' comments on
+Spion Kop; undoubtedly he is very sharp and mostly right; he is now
+our one great hope out here and seems to be afraid of no one.
+
+_Saturday, 21st April._--At daybreak we were hurried out by reports of
+Boers in force to the front, and we saw several hundreds on the kopjes
+at 8,000 to 10,000 yards. We are now in a position on the hill where
+Elandslaagte was fought. The graves of some of our own men are here.
+In the centre of the hill are those of the Boers, and the remains of
+hundreds of dead horses and cattle are still lying about. The
+collieries of Elandslaagte lie two miles to our left; and further
+again to the left are the 5" military guns and two 12-pounders in
+emplacements, while our own Naval 12-pounders and the 4.7's are on
+this hill. Our right flank for some reason seems to be left
+practically undefended. At 7 a.m. the Boers brought a 15-pounder
+Creusot down on this flank and threw several shells just over us at
+4,800 yards; our 4.7's and one of my own 12-pounders replied with
+shrapnel and silenced it. The Boers appear to be in force in front,
+moving backwards and forwards through Wessels Nek, so we have kept up
+a desultory fire all day. At night they fired the grass in front of us
+for about four miles; we were up all night expecting a night attack,
+but none came; we were well prepared for it, as the hill was defended
+by some 300 men in all round the guns.
+
+_Sunday, 22nd April._--At daylight stood to our guns in a heavy mist
+but no Boers reported. Received a box of fresh food from one of my
+kind friends, Mrs. Moreton, daughter of Mrs. Sutton of Howick.
+
+_Monday, April 23rd to Friday 27th._--Boers reported to be returning
+on Newcastle. The long-expected presents from England for the Naval
+Brigade from our good friends Rev. A. Drew, Miss Weston, Lady
+Richards, and Mr. Tabor, have at last reached us from Durban, where
+they have been lying for upwards of four months. As we have only sixty
+bluejackets left up here we are overloaded. I took some tobacco, a
+beautiful pipe in case, some books, and a neck scarf. After all this
+kindness from friends at home what can we do for them in return? Poor
+James, and also my servant Gilbert, have gone to hospital with
+enteric. I am myself not much up to the mark but am thankful to have
+command of guns again, and so try to keep well.
+
+_Monday, 30th April._--No events of importance during the last few
+days. Weather a trifle cooler. I rode over to the hospital on Saturday
+to see Gilbert who is very bad, poor fellow, and will have to go home.
+I gave him clothes and books and tried to cheer him up a bit. On my
+return I found a fine large parcel of clothes from my own people at
+home. Took the Naval Brigade to Church yesterday and marched past
+General Hildyard afterwards.
+
+_Sunday, 6th May._--Nothing has been stirring during this past week,
+and we are getting rather weary of the quiet. We have news from home
+of the Queen's inspection at Windsor of the _Powerful_ men and of a
+fierce debate in Parliament on the Spion Kop despatches. We had our
+own Church service to-day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+     End of three weary months at Elandslaagte -- A small Boer attack
+     -- The Advance of General Buller by Helpmakaar on Dundee -- We
+     under General Hildyard advance up the Glencoe Valley -- Retreat
+     of the Boers to Laing's Nek -- Occupation of Newcastle and
+     Utrecht -- We enter the Transvaal -- Concentration of the army
+     near Ingogo -- Naval guns ascend Van Wyk, and Botha's Pass is
+     forced -- Forced march through Orange Colony -- Victory at
+     Almond's Nek -- Boers evacuate Majuba and Laing's Nek -- Lord
+     Roberts enters Pretoria -- We occupy Volksrust and Charlestown.
+
+
+_Monday, 7th May._--Still at Elandslaagte. Rumours of a possible
+attack made us stand to guns before daylight, and it was well we did
+so, as at 5.45 a.m. a party of Boers tried to rush the station and
+were repulsed with slight loss on both sides; they managed to clear
+off in the dim light. The attacking commando became afterwards known
+as the "Ice Cream Brigade," being largely composed of Italians and
+Scandinavians.
+
+_Thursday, 10th May._--Rumours of a move. Poor Captain Jones is laid
+up with jaundice, and indeed all in camp are a little off colour. Nice
+letters to-day from my father and Admiral Douglas. The Middlesex and
+Halsey's guns are shifted over to Krogman's farm. Self busy putting to
+rights some of our wagon wheels which had shrunk from the tyres owing
+to the great heat and drought.
+
+_Friday, 11th May._--A great move this morning. The Dorsets trekked at
+daylight to hold Indudo Mountain and Indumeni on our right. General
+Clery's Division marched with Dundonald's Cavalry up Waschbank Valley,
+and the 5" have been shifted to cover this advance. We were much
+amused to-day in reading the first edition of the _Ladysmith Lyre_
+(Liar), which perhaps I may be forgiven for quoting, with songs sung
+by the garrison:--A duet by Sir George White and General Clery, "O
+that we two were maying"; by Buller's Relief Force, "Over the hills
+and far away"; by the Intelligence Officer, "I ain't a-going to tell";
+by Captain Lambton, "Up I came with my little lot"; then a letter from
+Ladysmith to Paradise Alley, Whitechapel:
+
+     "DEAR MARIA,
+
+     "This 'ere seige is something orful. We sits and sits and sits
+     and does nothing. Rations is short, taters is off, and butter is
+     gone. We only gets Dubbin. These blooming shells are a fair
+     snorter; they 'um something 'orrid. 'Opin' this finds you as it
+     leaves me,
+
+     "Your affectionate,
+
+                                        "MARTHA."
+
+Among other amusing items was, "Mrs. K. says her dear Oom is getting
+too English: he no longer turns into bed in his clothes and boots."
+
+_Sunday, 13th May._--We got our marching orders at last about 11 a.m.,
+and I was just in the act of mounting my horse in good spirits to ride
+off and see my guns brought down over Elandslaagte Kop, when something
+startled him and he bolted over the rocks near the camp; having only
+one foot in the stirrup I overbalanced and came heavily on my head and
+left shoulder and was knocked silly for twenty minutes with a gash
+over my eye to the bone. I was carried to my tent and kindly stitched
+up by Dr. Campbell of the Imperial Light Infantry, and being much
+shaken I was obliged to hand over command of my guns to poor Steel
+who was only just recovering from jaundice and had to trek off at 3
+p.m. to Sunday's River Drift. By keeping very quiet in the 4.7 camp in
+Hunt's tent I got over my fall better than I expected, and was able to
+move on, with a bandaged head and a sore body, with the 4.7 Battery
+when they marched at daybreak on the 17th to Waschbank Bridge which we
+reached at about 11 p.m. after a very hot and dusty march--all done up
+and cross, and self in addition bandaged up and feeling altogether
+unlovely after a slow and horribly dusty ride of eighteen miles. The
+position of affairs now seems to be this: General Buller with Clery's
+Division (the 2nd) and the Cavalry have occupied Beith and moved on
+Dundee from which the Boers fled on the 14th with 4,000 men and
+eighteen guns. Thus, Buller is in Dundee; Lyttelton's Division (the
+4th) is still near Ladysmith under orders to advance; and we (the 5th)
+are to move to Glencoe with all speed up Glencoe Pass and along the
+railway line route.
+
+_Friday, 18th May._--At 7 a.m. we trekked under General Hildyard and
+had a very trying march with dust, dust, dust, sometimes a foot thick,
+till arriving half-way to Glencoe we outspanned oxen. We found all the
+railway bridges and the culverts of the line, some twenty-eight all
+told, blown up along our line of march. The Boer positions we passed
+on the road were extraordinarily strong, as usual; and one can well
+understand why they held on to this place and the Biggarsberg ranges
+on each side, a position ten times stronger than any Colenso. We
+reached Glencoe about 5 p.m., and marching through it bivouacked for
+the night a mile beyond the town on the level uplands. Here we
+received orders to advance with all speed to Newcastle, where the
+Commander-in-Chief is with the 2nd Division; so on we moved by
+moonlight in a cloud of dust and passed the night on an awful rocky
+place at Hatton's Spruit, trekking on in the morning towards
+Newcastle; but when five miles on our march we received orders to move
+back to Glencoe as the line had broken down and there were no supplies
+for us at Newcastle. All disappointed, but back we had to go! The
+weather is bitterly cold, and although we have our tents, we are, no
+doubt for good reasons, not allowed to pitch them.
+
+_Sunday, 20th May._--Took over my guns from Steel feeling rather low
+with a plastered cut on my face. General Hildyard has congratulated us
+all on the hard work and marching of the last few days. Both he and
+his Staff have always a kind word for everyone, and I was greatly
+pleased when they and Prince Christian, on seeing me with my faithful
+guns once more, told me how glad they were that I had got so well over
+my fall.
+
+_Tuesday, 22nd May._--Busy getting my wagon wheels and guns right
+after their trek over the bad road, and obliged to send them into
+Dundee to be cut and re-tyred. I rode with Steel and Hunt to Dundee
+which is five miles off; it is a small and miserable place with
+tin-roofed houses, bare dusty surroundings, and awful streets. We saw
+poor General Penn Symons' grave with the Union Jack flying over it,
+and other graves marked by faded wreaths and wooden crosses. We had a
+talk with the Chaplain who said that the Boers had passed through on
+Sunday in full flight with all their guns. We rode back from this
+desolate scene, amid the dust of ages and smell of dead animals,
+wondering how poor General Symons ever allowed the Boers to occupy
+Talana Hill which is only half a mile from the town and completely
+commands it; in fact, there should never have been a Talana, and our
+troops did splendidly to retake it.
+
+_Wednesday, 23rd May._--Sudden orders to move off at 2 p.m., so all is
+rush and hurry. I rode once more at the head of my guns, and all went
+well with us except that one of the poor oxen broke a hind leg in the
+trek chains down a steep bit of road and had to be left behind and
+shot. For four hours after this our long line of march was stuck in a
+drift, but at last, at 11 p.m., we got over it and at 1 a.m.
+bivouacked at Dannhauser.
+
+_Thursday, 24th May._--The Queen's birthday. God bless her. Up at
+daylight, very cold, and no tents. Poor Captain Jones still very sick
+with jaundice. Steel also, following my example, got a bad fall on the
+rocks from his horse and is in Field Hospital. At noon we all paraded
+in line with the Naval Brigade on the right; General Talbot Coke made
+a speech and we gave Her Majesty three cheers from our hearts and
+drank her health in the evening.
+
+_Friday, 25th May._--Orders came to get our guns in position to defend
+the camp, so off I had to go to do this on one flank and Halsey on the
+other; and we lay out all day ready for an attack, with the cattle
+grazing just in front of us. To our right about fifty miles off is
+Majuba Hill.
+
+_Saturday, 26th May._--We left Dannhauser at daybreak--oh, how
+cold--marched with the 10th Brigade, and trekked on to Ingagane,
+meeting on the road Lyttelton's Division (the 4th), which was hurrying
+to the front. We reached Ingagane at 5 p.m., and met General Buller
+and Staff just as we were going into camp for the night. The General
+looked well; and the sight of him, somehow, always cheers one up, as
+one feels something is going to be done at once.
+
+_Sunday, 27th May._--Up at daybreak and awfully cold. We marched off
+to Newcastle, the fine Lancashire Fusiliers, my father's old
+regiment, doing rearguard just behind our guns. Met Archie Shee of the
+19th Hussars who recognised me from old _Britannia_ days, where he and
+I were together. He told me that my cousin Ernest St. Quintin of the
+19th had gone home with enteric after the Ladysmith siege. On getting
+to the top of the hills overlooking Newcastle we were much struck with
+the view and the prettiness of the town which the Boers had hardly
+wrecked at all--quite the best I have seen in Natal from a distance.
+We went gaily down the hill and over a footbridge into camp where we
+found all three Divisions together, barring a Brigade pushed on with
+some 5" and 12-pounders to Ingogo. We hear that Lord Roberts is across
+the Vaal, and that Hunter is pushing up through the Orange Free State
+parallel with us, while the enemy are holding Majuba, Laing's Nek and
+tunnel, and Pougwana Hill to the east of the Nek, with 10,000 men.
+
+_Monday, 28th May._--Moved off with the 5th Division under General
+Hildyard towards Utrecht. After an eight-mile march we crossed the
+bridge over Buffalo River and Drift unopposed by Boers, and entered
+the Transvaal at last. We were the first of the Natal force to do so,
+so I record it proudly. At 9 p.m.--a very cold night--orders came for
+an advance on Utrecht, my guns and some Infantry under Major Lousada
+being left to hold the bridge and drift here. I visited all the
+salient points of defence and outposts from Buffalo River to
+Wakkerstroom Road and carefully selected my gun positions, then
+brought the guns, each with an ammunition wagon, up the ridge, a steep
+pull up, and placed them one commanding the Utrecht Road and one
+Wakkerstroom Road--unluckily one mile apart, which could not be
+helped. I put my chief petty officer, Munro, in command of the left
+gun and took the right one myself, riding between the two to give
+general directions when necessary. At night as no Boers appeared we
+withdrew the guns and wagons behind the ridge.
+
+_Wednesday, 30th May._--Drew the guns out of laager at sunrise and
+again got into position and arranged details of defence with Major
+Lousada so far as my own work was concerned. All was quiet however
+to-day, and we saw no Boers nearer than Pougwana. And so it went on
+for the next few days, during which the Landrost of Utrecht, after
+twenty-four hours' armistice, delivered up the town to General
+Hildyard, saying that he had done the same in 1881 to a British force
+which had never occupied it after all. So history repeats itself.
+
+_Saturday, 2nd June._--Marched along the right bank of Buffalo River
+towards Ingogo, while Lyttelton's Brigade moved on our right on the
+other side of the river towards Laing's Nek. After a pleasant trek
+across the open veldt, and therefore no dust, we reached De Wet's farm
+near Ingogo in the evening and bivouacked; a grand day marching right
+under Majuba and Prospect and yet no sign of the enemy. Had a short
+talk with General Hildyard and Prince Christian on the march, as they
+rode by my battery, reminding the latter that I had first seen him
+when I was in the Royal yacht in 1894 and took his father and himself
+about in her steam launch at Cowes--a very different scene to this.
+The Prince said he knew all along he had seen me before somewhere.
+
+_Tuesday, 5th June._--Rode to Ingogo and saw the spot where the fight
+took place in 1881, the huge rocks from which our fellows were
+eventually cut up by Boer rifle fire, the monument set up to the 3rd
+Bn. Royal Rifles, and some graves higher up of which one was to a
+Captain of the R.E. Poor, unlucky, but gallant Sir George Colley; he
+went from Ingogo to Majuba and there met his untimely death. The view
+from here of Laing's Nek was glorious at sunset, Majuba frowning on
+one side with Mount Prospect and Pougwana on the other, and the bed of
+the Ingogo River below in a green and fertile valley. The Boer
+position is very strong although our heavy Artillery ought to be able
+to force it.
+
+_Wednesday, 6th June._--All on the move, as the armistice which
+General Buller was trying to arrange with Chris Botha is up, the
+latter replying: "Our heavy guns and Mausers are our own and will be
+moved at our convenience; the armistice is over." We hear that Lord
+Roberts is in Pretoria and that Kruger has fled; but how
+unsatisfactory that this does not end the war. In fact, marching to
+Pretoria was the feature and romance of the war, and now must commence
+anxious and weary guerilla tactics which may last a long time. About
+dark in came orders to the Naval guns to move on and occupy Van Wyk
+to-night: and off we went through large grass fires and along awful
+roads, getting to the foot of the hill at about 1 a.m. with no worse
+mishap than the upset of one of my guns twice on huge rocks hidden in
+the long grass.
+
+Captain Jones ordered me to go on up the hill during the night,
+leaving the 4.7 guns at the bottom; so we commenced a weary climb up
+Van Wyk (6,000 feet) on a pitch-dark night lighted only by the lurid
+gleams of grass fires which the enemy had set going on the slopes of
+the mountain. With thirty-two oxen on each gun it was only just
+possible to ascend the lower slopes, and thus we made very slow
+progress. But as Colonel Sim R.E. kindly showed me a sort of track up,
+on we toiled for six hours, my men not having had a scrap of food or a
+rest since starting while the night was deadly cold and dark. In the
+gray dawn, just as we were attempting the last slope which was almost
+precipitous, the wheels of one of the guns gave out and there we had
+to leave it till daylight, pressing on with the sound one and getting
+it up to the top exactly at daylight (7th June) in accordance with our
+orders, taking the gun and limber up separately, with all my oxen and
+100 men pulling. We found the position was held by the 10th Brigade,
+and very heavy sniping going on down the N.W. slopes--a regular
+crackle of musketry.
+
+I soon got my gun along the crest into an emplacement prepared by the
+Royal Engineers, and opened fire at once at 7,000 yards at a Boer camp
+on the slopes of an opposite kop; but finding the camp practically
+deserted we did not waste much fire on it. My men were now half dead
+with fatigue and cold, so we all got a short rest in a freezing wind.
+
+Sir Redvers Buller, quite blue with cold, rode up about 9 a.m. with
+his Colonial guide, and carefully surveyed the position through my
+long telescope. Prince Christian also came up later to talk over the
+Boer position and seemed in great spirits. After a good look round we
+could not see many signs of the enemy in front, and he was just going
+off to report this, but at that moment the spurs of the berg opposite
+to us became alive with them at 6,000 or 7,000 yards off; they came in
+a long line out of a dip and donga and advanced in skirmishing order
+with ambulances in rear and a wagon with what looked like a gun on it.
+I opened fire at once and put my first two shells at 6,000 yards right
+into some groups of horsemen; we saw them tumbling about, so after
+about a dozen shots from my gun off they went like greased lightning,
+seeming to sink into the earth and evidently quite taken aback to find
+we had a gun in such a position. In a few minutes not a sign of them
+was left, and the Commander-in-Chief riding up appeared much pleased
+and congratulated us on our straight shooting; he seemed very
+satisfied that we had got the guns up Van Wyk at all, and rode off
+leaving us quite rewarded with his appreciation, besides that of
+General Hildyard and his Staff who were with him.
+
+Up to about noon we had nothing but long range sniping going on, but
+to make all sure the 4.7 guns were sent up the hill by an easier and
+more circuitous road than we had come, and took up position in
+emplacements close to us. We on our part were busy all day completing
+our ammunition up to 100 rounds a gun from the wagons which we had
+been obliged to leave in the night half-way down the hill. Horribly
+cold! I slept in the open under a limber.
+
+_Friday, 8th June._--An attack on Botha's Pass arranged for 10 a.m.
+The 10th Brigade and Naval guns are to hold Van Wyk and cover the
+advance, with a range of 8,000 yards from the pass itself, and about
+three miles of valley and road between to search with our fire; the
+11th Brigade is to attack in the centre, advancing along the valley to
+the foot of the pass; the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division to attack on
+the right, in echelon, and clear the slopes and spurs of the berg on
+our right flank; we ourselves to form the left of the line.
+
+Our first objective was a conical high kop, called Spitz Kop, about
+3,000 yards on our right and this was occupied without resistance by
+the South African Light Horse; our guns searched all the valleys and
+dongas up to the pass with a furious fire for some two hours assisted
+by May's batteries below us. We could hear General Clery pounding
+Laing's Nek with the two 4.7 guns on Prospect Hill and four 5" guns on
+our right, although Majuba and Pougwana were shut out by Mount Inkwelo
+from our actual view; and we knew that General Lyttelton had been
+detached to operate to the N.E. of Wakkerstroom. The attack developed
+about noon and we saw below us our Infantry and field batteries spread
+out in the plain like ants while we still pointed our guns ahead of
+them on to the top of the berg and pass. Up to the foot of the berg
+our men met with no resistance, but at last a furious fire of rifles
+and Pom-poms broke out on our right centre from Boers concealed in
+dongas and trenches on the spurs. Our gallant 11th Brigade, with the
+pressure eased by our fire and by the advance of the 2nd Brigade, took
+the hills and pass in grand style, and with small loss comparatively
+to ourselves. About 4 p.m. the enemy, driven up to the sky-line, lit
+large grass fires and cleverly slipped off towards the N.E. under
+cover of the smoke. We saw and fusilladed the Pom-poms through this
+smoke at 10,000 yards with the 4.7's, and at 5 p.m. we had the whole
+ground in our possession. Our troops in the valley were pushed on all
+night, and we ourselves also received orders to descend Van Wyk and
+press on. A shocking night; very wet and bitterly cold, with a heavy
+Scotch mist settled over us. Down Van Wyk we came, although delayed by
+our escort of Dublin Fusiliers losing their way all night in the fog,
+but the Dorsets helped us instead. We had a tough job coming down the
+steep hill in the mist but I had some fifty men on each of my guns to
+drag back and steady them, and we eventually got down to the lower
+ground without accident, but very much worn out and only just before
+daylight.
+
+_Saturday, 9th June._--At 6 a.m. moved on for Botha's Pass Road at
+full speed, and skirting a crest of hills overlooking a deliciously
+cool river, we soon came to the valley where our attack was advanced,
+and eventually got up the pass at dusk, at the tail end of a huge
+column all racing to get up first. If the Boers had properly
+entrenched the place it would have been impregnable. We bivouacked in
+Orange River Colony at the top of the pass, all in good spirits at our
+success and at being in a new country.
+
+_Sunday, 10th June._--Off at daybreak through delightful hard roads
+and veldt as compared with mountainous Natal; we can now realize Lord
+Roberts' fine forced marches on seeing the difference between these
+and the Natal roads. Our bullocks slipped along at the rate of three
+miles an hour, and passing farms flying white flags and flat veldt
+country we bivouacked for the night on Gansvlei Spruit, finding the
+boundary here of the Transvaal (a bend of the Klip River) quite close
+to us.
+
+[Illustration: Naval 12-pounders advancing after Almond's Nek.]
+
+[Illustration: 4.7 on a bad bit of road.]
+
+_Monday, 11th June._--Off at 5 a.m., and got our Naval guns in
+position to attack, but found that the Boers had evacuated the ground
+in front of us. Up and on at a great rate over the grassy veldt, the
+guns now marching in four columns and keeping a broad front. At about
+1 p.m. sudden firing in front and the familiar whirr of Boer shells
+made us come into action at 4,500 yards on Almond's Nek Pass, through
+which our road lay. The Boers were evidently in possession, judging by
+the warm greeting of Pom-poms and the Creusot 5", which played on us
+without much damage. The troops were now all halted, and formed up for
+attack which was to commence in an hour's time. The Commander-in-Chief
+(Buller) directed the operations, carried out at 2 p.m. by the
+Infantry advancing in long extended lines, the 10th Brigade in the
+centre, the 11th on the right, and the 2nd on the left, the field
+batteries and Naval guns covering the advance with lyddite. The 10th
+Brigade, which had 3,000 yards of plain to cross and a small kop to
+take, dislodged the Boers and their Pom-poms quietly and steadily
+under a heavy rifle and gun fire, the noise being terrific, as the
+hills and ravines were smothered by shrapnel and lyddite; in
+half-an-hour the Boers were on the run again and their fire was
+silenced, after treating us with Pom-pom and 45-lb. shrapnel, one
+piece of which narrowly escaped my left foot--a detail interesting to
+myself to recall. The attack of the Queen's, East Surreys, and Devons,
+on the left of the pass, and especially of the Dorsets on the conical
+hill, was most gallant and irresistible. Thus, about 5 p.m., at dusk
+we were in possession of the ridges 5,000 feet high on the left and
+right of the pass, which we thought a great achievement, while the
+Cavalry and Horse Artillery were pushed on to complete the Boer rout,
+but darkness coming on prevented this. General Buller and his Staff
+rode along our guns evidently very pleased, and indeed the force had
+won a brilliant little victory which cleared our way effectually and
+turned Laing's Nek besides. The Boers lost, as we thought, about 140
+killed, of whom we buried a good many, while our casualties in killed
+and wounded were 137; but we afterwards learnt from an official Boer
+list found in Volksrust that their losses on this occasion reached
+500, chiefly from our shrapnel fire. General Talbot Coke who directed
+the centre attack congratulated Captain Jones on the fine shooting of
+the Naval guns, as did also General Buller who said it had enabled
+them to take the position in front of us with such small loss. Again
+bitterly cold, and we bivouacked for the night on the battlefield.
+
+_Tuesday, 12th June._--On again an hour before dawn through Almond's
+Nek; a thick mist came down, but all being eventually reported clear
+ahead we marched on towards Volksrust and bivouacked.
+
+_Wednesday, 13th June._--All our men in high spirits; the 11th
+Brigade, with the Naval guns, moved on Volksrust, while the 10th
+Brigade and Royal Artillery guns marched to Charlestown, and we thus
+occupied the two towns simultaneously. Volksrust is a cold-looking,
+tin-roofed town; all houses and farms are showing the white flag, the
+men are gone, and the women are left behind weeping for their dead. We
+captured here a store of rifles and ammunition besides wagons and
+forage, not to mention Boer coffins left in their hurried flight.
+
+_Thursday and Friday, 14th and 15th June._--At Volksrust resting on
+our laurels, and all in good heart, although feeling this bitter
+mid-winter cold. General Hildyard sent for names to mention in his
+despatches, and I believe I am one. As commanding the _Tartar_ guns I
+was also very pleased to be able to mention six of my men, and am full
+of admiration of the way in which my bluejackets have worked, shot,
+and stood the cold and marching. To sum up our recent operations, they
+are:--March from Elandslaagte to Glencoe, reoccupation of Newcastle;
+crossing of Buffalo Drift and occupation of Utrecht; ascent of Van Wyk
+at night with guns; turning and capture of Botha's Pass; march through
+Orange River Colony and Transvaal in pursuit of the Boers; taking of
+Almond's Nek and occupation of Volksrust and Charlestown, with the
+strong position of Laing's Nek turned and evacuated by the enemy who
+are in full flight. This is all very satisfactory, and we hear of
+congratulations from the Queen and others to General Buller. The Boers
+have, however, with their usual cleverness and ability, got away their
+guns by rail, but we hope to get them later. We are now busy refitting
+wagons and gear for a further advance. I hope the services of the
+bluejackets in these operations, which have been invaluable, will
+receive the recognition they deserve at the end of the campaign.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+     Majuba Hill in 1900 -- We march on Wakkerstroom and occupy
+     Sandspruit -- Withdrawal of H.M.S. _Forte's_ men and Naval
+     Volunteers from the front -- Action under General Brocklehurst at
+     Sandspruit -- I go to hospital and Durban for a short time --
+     Recover and proceed to the front again -- Take command of my guns
+     at Grass Kop -- Kruger flies from Africa in a Dutch man-of-war --
+     Many rumours of peace.
+
+
+_Saturday, 16th June._--Starting about 10 a.m. I rode over to Laing's
+Nek with Captain Jones and Lieutenants Hunt and Steel, taking
+Charlestown on our way and getting up to the railway tunnel where
+Clery's Division is encamped. The Boer scoundrels have blown down both
+ends of the tunnel, blocking up the egress, and putting a dead horse
+at each end! We found also a deep boring they had made over the top of
+the nek through the slate with the object of reaching the roof of the
+tunnel and exploding it; but this having failed, from our friends not
+getting deep enough, the damage is insignificant and the rail will be
+cleared by the Engineers within a few days. We rode along the top of
+Laing's Nek and looked at the trench, some three to four miles long,
+which the Boers had made there; it completely defends the nek from
+every point of attack and gives the defender, by its zigzag direction,
+many points for enfilading any assaulting party. In fact, the work is
+marvellous; the Boers must have had 10,000 men employed on it, the
+trench being some five feet deep on stone and slate, with clever gun
+positions, stretching from Pougwana, to the east of the nek, to
+Amajuba on the west, as we saw plainly later on from Majuba and
+elsewhere. We rode up Majuba Hill as far as we could, finding it a
+great upstanding hill with a flat top overlooking the nek. On the way
+we passed many small trenches and sniping pits evidently made for
+enfilading fire. From the top of the grassy slope (when it became too
+steep for the horses to climb) we commenced the ascent of the actual
+hill on foot, climbing, one might say, in the footsteps of the Boers
+of 1881 when they made the wonderful attack on Colley and turned his
+men off the top. Right well can we now understand how they did it; it
+is almost too clear to be credible to us, and one cannot but regret
+the omission of the English force to hold the spurs of the mountain
+when occupying the top, seeing that any attacking party, safe from
+fire from the top of the hill on account of the projecting spurs,
+could get up untouched to within a few feet of the top of this
+northern face; this is what the Boers did while holding poor Sir
+George Colley's attention by long-range fire from the valley below. We
+saw what must have been the very paths up which the Boers crept, and
+when it came to the point where they had to emerge the slope was
+precipitous but short; here, so records tell us, by a heavy rifle-fire
+while lying flat on their stomachs, they drove our men off the
+sky-line, and once at the top the whole affair became a slaughter.
+Climbing this last steep bit as best we could, we reached the flat top
+quite blown and found it about 300 yards wide with the well-known,
+cup-shaped hollow, in the centre of which lie our poor fellows buried
+in a wire enclosure--sad to say twenty-two bluejackets among them,
+beside Gordons, King's Royal Rifles, and others. An insignificant
+stone heap marks the place where poor Colley was shot, and on one
+stone is put in black-lead "Here Colley fell." The sky-line which our
+men held had only a few small rocks behind which they tried to shelter
+themselves but no other defence at all in the shape of a wall or
+trench. All the east and south faces overlooking the nek have now
+(nineteen years later) been very heavily trenched by the Boers at
+great expense of labour; they were evidently expecting we should
+attack and perhaps turn them out of Majuba, although the slope of the
+hill on the south side is quite too precipitous for such an operation.
+I picked up some fern and plants near where Colley fell, as a memento.
+We took an hour and a half to get down again, meeting General Buller
+and his Staff walking up to inspect the hill, and I rode back ten
+miles to Volksrust blessed with a headache from the steep climb and
+strong air. The view from the top of Majuba, showing the Boer trenches
+on Laing's Nek, was wonderful; well might they think their position
+impregnable and well might we be satisfied to have marched through
+Botha's Pass and forced the enemy to evacuate such an impregnable
+place with so little loss to ourselves.
+
+_Sunday, 17th June._--Left Volksrust early to march on Wakkerstroom,
+news having come in that General Lyttelton was somewhat pressed and
+was unable to get on. Our march was uneventful, as we only passed the
+usual farms with white flags and batches of Dutch women--as
+mischievous as they pretend to be friendly. Bivouacking for one night
+we got to Wakkerstroom--a march of twenty-eight miles--on the 18th,
+bivouacking outside the usual style of town, very cold and gray
+looking, one or two tall buildings, and situated in a treeless valley
+at the foot of some high hills. Very cold and wet.
+
+_Wednesday, 20th June._--Moved away from this spot the same way we
+came, and had no incident except hard marching; we passed Sandspruit
+on the Pretoria line, which we found undefended. Lees, the Naval
+A.D.C., here came up and told Captain Jones that the General wanted
+him. He rode off in a great hurry, first asking self and Halsey
+whether our small commandos wanted to stop or go off. We both replied
+"Stop, and see it out." Captain Jones came back to say that the
+_Forte_ men and the Natal Naval Volunteers were to be withdrawn, and
+the 4.7 guns to be turned over to the military; we are to remain. He
+did not seem to know whether to be glad or sorry but told us that
+Admiral Harris had wired to the Commander-in-Chief that he wanted the
+_Forte_ men for an expedition up the Gambia on the west coast. Such is
+the Naval Service, here one day and off the next.
+
+_Friday, 22nd June._--The 11th Brigade and Naval guns marched off at 9
+a.m., leaving myself with the 18th Hussars, Dorsets, 13th Battery R.A.
+and so on, to defend Sandspruit Bridge. I was very sorry to say
+good-bye to Captain Jones and all, especially Hunt, Steel and
+Anderton, after our seven months' campaigning and hardships together,
+and I feel quite lonely. General Hildyard introduced me to General
+Brocklehurst who commands here. We selected gun positions and got the
+37th Company R.E. to make two emplacements for my guns. I had a look
+at the bridge at which the Boers had fired gun shots to carry an
+important trestle away, but they did but slight damage.
+
+_Saturday, 23rd June._--Rode about all day looking at the defences
+with our Brigade Major (Wyndham), selecting positions and giving my
+opinion on some of them. Was asked to lunch with General Brocklehurst
+and Staff (Wyndham of the Lancers, Corbett of the 2nd Life Guards, and
+Crichton of the Blues) and had tea with them as well--all a very nice
+lot. Trains are running through to Standerton where the
+Commander-in-Chief and General Clery are at present.
+
+_Sunday, 24th June._--A quiet and cold day. Called on the Dorsets and
+found that Colonel Cecil Law is a cousin, and very nice and kind.
+
+_Monday, 25th June._--A hard frost and heavy mist. General
+Brocklehurst moved out with the 11th Hussars, two guns of the 13th
+Battery, my own guns, and a Company of the Dorsets, against some Boers
+who had been often sniping us and our guides from the Amersfoort Road.
+We got into position about 2 p.m., and had a small action lasting till
+dark; my guns clearing the ridges on the right at 4,500 yards with
+shrapnel, while the Hussars and guns advanced over a high ridge in
+front. Here the Boers resisted and retired, but on our drawing off
+into camp later on, to save the daylight, they came after us in full
+force and we had a small sort of action with lots of firing; we gave
+them fifty shrapnel. The General seemed pleased with our shooting.
+Trekked back to camp and dined with Colonel Law and the Dorsets who
+fed us up right well. Sent General Brocklehurst and his A.D.C. some
+damaged and fired brass cartridge cases which they wanted as a
+memento.
+
+_Thursday, 28th June._--About 2 p.m. a Flying Column from Volksrust
+passed through here to follow up the Boers at Amersfoort. This war
+certainly seems likely to last a long time.
+
+_Friday, 29th June._--To-day General Talbot Coke with a Flying Column
+moved out at 8 a.m. supported by the 18th Hussars and some of our
+guns, but he had to fall back in face of a superior force of 2,000
+Boers and 6 guns against him. We had some twenty casualties.
+
+_Saturday, 30th June._--I have been for some days sick and ill with
+jaundice, arising from exposure and hard work, but am anxious not to
+give in. To-day I am advised however to do so, and to-morrow may see
+the last of me here as I go into hospital, and here I may say I
+remained till the 5th July when I was able to get up although as weak
+as a rat. I was advised by the doctor to run down to Durban to the
+warmer climate, so as I felt too weak to do anything else I had to ask
+the General for sixteen days' leave which he gave me. Thus on the 6th
+July after giving over my guns to Lieutenant Clutterbuck, I left
+Sandspruit in an empty open truck at 4 p.m., got down to Volksrust at
+dark, and met Reeves, R.S.O., who had had jaundice and who offered me
+a bed in his office, which I was delighted to have; also met again
+Captain Patch, R.A. We all dined together at the station and wasn't I
+ravenous! We all came to the conclusion that we were rather sick of
+campaigning if accompanied by jaundice and other ills of the flesh.
+
+_Saturday, 7th July._--At 8.30 a.m. went on by train to Ladysmith
+which I reached at 8 p.m., and got into Durban the next morning at 9
+a.m. A lovely morning and a nice country covered with pretty gardens
+and flowers--such a change from that awfully dried up Northern Natal.
+I secured a room at the Marine Hotel, feeling ill and glad to get
+sleep and oblivion for a time.
+
+_Wednesday, 11th July._--The weather at Durban is lovely and I am
+already feeling better. Have met Nugent of the _Thetis_ and Major
+Brazier Creagh, also down with jaundice. My letters have lately all
+gone wrong, but to-day I received a batch to my great delight.
+
+And now I must perforce close this record of personal experiences,
+written perhaps more to amuse and satisfy myself than for the perusal
+of others; more especially as this being a personal Diary I have been
+obliged by force of circumstances to use the pronoun "I" more than I
+would otherwise wish. The war seems played out so far as one can
+judge. It appears to be becoming now a guerilla warfare of small
+actions and runaway fights at long ranges; these furnish of course no
+new experiences or discoveries to Naval gunners; in fact, the sameness
+of them is depressing, and what with marching, fighting, poor living,
+dysentery, and jaundice, I humbly confess that my martial zeal is at a
+much lower ebb than it was a year ago. Yet time may produce many
+changes and surprises, and I may yet find myself again at the front;
+who knows!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Thursday, 26th July._--The quick return to health which the change to
+the warmth of Durban effected made me only too glad to get back to the
+front again with the object of "being in at the death." I travelled up
+as far as Ingogo with Captain Reed, R.A. (now a V.C.); thence on to
+Sandspruit, and on again in a Scotch cart, which Major Carney, R.A.,
+M.C., lent me, to Grass Kop, a hill six miles off the station and some
+6,000 feet high. Ugh! I shall never forget the drive and the jolting,
+and the sudden cold after Durban weather. Still I was able to rejoin
+my guns before dark, and to receive them over from Lieutenant
+Clutterbuck who had been sent to relieve me when I was obliged to
+leave the front. He fortunately had a share in taking this hill with
+the Dorsets when in command of my guns. With a whole battalion at
+first of Dorsets under Colonel Law (who had dug marvellous good
+trenches), and later on with three Companies of the South Lancashires,
+and after that two Companies of the Queen's (note the descending scale
+of numbers), we defend this position, monarchs of all we survey, and
+therefore bagging all we can get, not only of the numerous guinea
+fowl, partridge, and spring buck dwelling on its sides and in its
+ravines, but also, it must be confessed, of the tamer and tougher
+bipeds from surrounding farms that were nearly all deserted by their
+owners. For many weeks we had a great deal of fun in our little
+shooting expeditions. Major Adams of the Lancashires, a keen
+sportsman, was always sighting game through his binoculars as he was
+going on his constant patrols round the defences, and he allowed the
+rest of us to shoot when able. Thus in the midst of our work we had
+many a jolly hour in those occasional expeditions close to our lines;
+one day we made a large bag of geese and started a farmyard just in
+front of our guns on a small nek, giving our friends the geese a
+chance of emulating the deeds of their ancestors at the Roman Capitol;
+for who can tell whether they may not yet save Grass Kop if our
+friends the Boers are game enough to attack.
+
+_Sunday, 12th August._--The gales of wind up here are something awful.
+This evening as we were toasting the "Grouse" at home, a furious blast
+blew down and split up my own tent and that of others, although
+fortunately we had a refuge in the mess-house which the Dorsets had
+made by digging a deep hole roofed over with tin; here we are fairly
+comfortable and have stocked this splendid apartment with Boer
+furniture, including a small organ. Our evenings with the South
+Lancashires in this mess-house have been as merry as we could make
+them, and our president, Major Adams, whom we all like, occasionally
+fires off a tune on the organ which he plays beautifully such as it
+is. The Volunteers with us are to be seen at all times sitting on the
+side of the hill surveying the country through their binoculars and
+watching the movements of the enemy. Marking the interest which this
+being "able to see" gives men, I sincerely hope that in future wars
+each company of a regiment or of a battleship may be always supplied
+with a certain proportion of binoculars, or with small hand
+telescopes, for possible outpost duty.
+
+_Monday, 13th August._--General Hildyard rode up here and expressed
+himself much pleased with our trenches and defences. I had a talk with
+him about matters and he does not seem to anticipate a further advance
+of the 5th Division just yet. However, here we are, and the kop "has a
+fine healthy air," as the General who was quite blue with cold
+remarked. Neither my men nor self have had any letters for weeks,
+which is rather dreary for us; our mails are, no doubt, chasing the
+Commander-in-Chief at Ermelo. One feels a certain amount of pity for
+these Boers; they are, owing to their reckless and cunning leaders, in
+the position of a conquered race, and this position to such a people
+who are naturally proud, cunning and overbearing must be awful. One
+notices this much even among the few old men, boys and women who are
+left on the farms; they display a certain air of dejection and are
+even cringing till they see that they are not going to be robbed or
+hurt when their self-confidence soon reasserts itself. There is a
+typical old Boer farmer and his family living at the foot of Grass
+Kop; a few presents of coffee and sugar have made this family grateful
+and quite glad to see us; still one detects the cunning in their
+nature, and they don't hide for a moment that they wish the English
+anywhere but in their country. Poor people, they have one good point
+in their characters which is that they won't hear of anyone running
+down their President even although he has terribly sold them.
+
+_Wednesday, 15th August._--We have now watched two fights round the
+town of Amersfoort, about eighteen miles north of us. On the 7th
+General Buller occupied the place and we were all in readiness to
+defend our right flank if need be, but our friends the Boers bolted
+to Ermelo instead of coming our way. We were all rather annoyed at
+Grass Kop, however, to see a Boer laager with a dozen wagons, guns and
+ambulances inspan at almost the last moment and slip off under the
+very noses of our Cavalry who were drawn up in force under a long
+ridge, doing nothing for an hour at least. This is all the more vexing
+because for a fortnight or more we had sent in accurate reports as to
+this very laager which a single flank movement of the Cavalry would
+have easily taken _en bloc_, instead of which they paid no attention
+to our heliograph from Major Adams to "hurry up and at them." These
+frontal attacks on towns without flanking movements seem to be absurd,
+as the enemy and his guns invariably get away under our noses. To-day
+General Buller occupied Ermelo, but as ill-luck will have it the
+commandos which split up before him have come south-east and are
+giving trouble on the Natal border.
+
+_Friday, 24th August._--The winter is slipping away, and to-day I am
+writing in one of those horrible north-west gales of wind which knock
+our tents into shreds and whirl round us dust as thick as pea-soup.
+Our kop life is becoming a little monotonous but we manage to get on.
+
+[Illustration: Bringing in a Boer prisoner.]
+
+[Illustration: In Camp at Grass Kop.]
+
+[Illustration: One of Lieut. Halsey's Naval 12-pounders.]
+
+_Monday, 27th August._--The Boers have again cut the line and are
+shelling Ingogo, so we must evidently march on their laager. Down
+comes the rain in a perfect deluge for three days which is most
+depressing, more especially as our poor mess-house is full of water
+from a leaky roof and we have to take our meals with feet cocked up on
+tin sheets. The South Lancashires have suddenly got the order to move
+for which we are all very sorry. I presented Major Adams with two old
+brass cases and two blind 12-pounder shells for the regiment from the
+Navy detachment, as a memento of our pleasant time with them. We
+have been very busy making our positions secure from attack in case of
+accidents with barbed wire, besides sangars and trenches.
+
+_Wednesday, 5th September._--Very thick mists up here, and as we hear
+rumours of attack we have very alert and wakeful nights. A great many
+movements in our front which only succeed in dispersing the Boer
+commandos without capturing them. We hear of Lord Roberts'
+proclamation of the 1st September annexing the Transvaal, and we give
+three cheers![4]
+
+         [Footnote 4: The following is a copy of a telegram which the
+         Governor received from Lord Roberts, dated 13th September,
+         1900:
+
+         "I have ordered the following proclamation to be printed and
+         widely circulated in English and Dutch.
+
+         "The late President, with Mr. Reitz, and the archives of the
+         South African Republic, have crossed the Portuguese frontier
+         and arrived at Lourenso Marques, with a view of sailing for
+         Europe at an early date. Mr. Kruger has formally resigned the
+         position he held as President of the South African Republic,
+         thus severing his official connection with the Transvaal.
+
+         "Mr. Kruger's action shows how hopeless, in his opinion, is
+         the war which has now been carried on for nearly a year, and
+         his desertion of the Boer cause should make it clear to his
+         fellow-burghers that it is useless for them to continue the
+         struggle any longer.
+
+         "It is probably unknown to the inhabitants of the Transvaal
+         and Orange River Colony that nearly 15,000 of their
+         fellow-subjects are now prisoners of war, not one of whom
+         will be released until those now in arms against us surrender
+         unconditionally.
+
+         "The burghers must now by this time be cognisant of the fact
+         that no intervention on their behalf will come from any of
+         the Great Powers, and, further, that the British Empire is
+         determined to complete the work which has already cost so
+         many valuable lives, and to carry to its conclusion the war
+         declared against her by the late Governments of the Transvaal
+         and Orange Free State--a war to which there can be but one
+         ending.
+
+         "If any further doubts remain in the minds of the burghers as
+         to Her Britannic Majesty's intentions, they should be
+         dispelled by the permanent manner in which the country is
+         gradually being occupied by Her Majesty's forces, and by the
+         issue of the proclamations signed by me on the 24th May and
+         the 1st September, 1900, annexing the Orange Free State and
+         the South African Republic respectively, in the name of Her
+         Majesty.
+
+         "I take this opportunity of pointing out that, except in the
+         small area occupied by the Boer army under the personal
+         command of Commandant General Botha, the war is degenerating
+         into operations carried on in an irregular and irresponsible
+         manner by small, and, in very many cases, insignificant
+         bodies of men.
+
+         "I should be failing in my duty to Her Majesty's Government
+         and to Her Majesty's Army in South Africa, if I neglected to
+         use every means in my power to bring such irregular warfare
+         to an early conclusion.
+
+         "The means which I am compelled to adopt are those which the
+         customs of war prescribe as being applicable to such cases.
+
+         "They are ruinous to the country, entail endless suffering on
+         the burghers and their families, and the longer this guerilla
+         warfare continues the more vigorously must they be
+         enforced."]
+
+_Wednesday, 12th September._--Not much to record. Lieutenant Halsey,
+R.N., looking very fit, came to see me yesterday from Standerton, and
+from what he says we are likely to remain on here for some time longer
+defending the position which is no doubt an important one. My oxen are
+well, but some of the men are getting enteric. We have to be on the
+alert against Kaffirs who prowl up the hill with a view, as we think,
+of taking a look round on the defences.
+
+_Friday, 14th September._--Engaged in writing details of the graves of
+two of the _Tartar_ men who, as the Admiral said in a memo, on the
+subject, had given their lives for their Queen and country. Apparently
+the Guild of Loyal Women of South Africa have engaged to look after
+all the graves of H.M. sailors and soldiers in this country and have
+written to ask for their position. What a kindness this is, and what a
+comfort to the poor families in England who cannot come out to do so!
+The two services must be ever in debt for it. We are all glad to hear
+that Kruger has bolted from the country viâ Delagoa Bay. But why let
+him escape?
+
+_Sunday, 23rd September._--Still here, with all sorts of news and
+rumours constantly coming up; Kruger sailing to Europe in a Dutch
+man-of-war; Botha said to be on the point of surrendering; some 15,000
+Boer prisoners in our hands and so on; while at Volksrust the burghers
+are surrendering at the rate of fifty a day, and here at Sandspruit
+they are dribbling in by half-dozens for what it is worth. But from
+now up to 1st October at Grass Kop we have to record "Nothing,
+nothing, always nothing," although in the outer world we hear of great
+doings, and of C.I.V.'s, Canadians, Guards, Natal Volunteers, and
+others all preparing to go home for a well-deserved rest. Our turn
+must soon come, and I am busy preparing my Ordnance and Transport
+accounts in view of sudden orders to leave the front. The following
+circular may be of interest as showing the gifts given for the troops
+in Natal during these operations by native chiefs and others in that
+colony.
+
+     CIRCULAR WITH LINES OF COMMUNICATION ORDERS.
+
+     No. A 23.
+
+     The following gifts of money have been sent from native chiefs,
+     committees, and others in Natal for the benefit of the troops in
+     Natal. The amounts received for the sick and wounded have been
+     handed over to the principal medical officer, lines of
+     communication, and the other gifts to the officers commanding
+     concerned:
+
+                          _Date_
+  _From whom received._ _received._  _Amount._  _On what account._
+                                     Ł  s. d.
+  Ngeeda (of Chief
+  Ndguna's tribe)         7/3/00     7  0  0  1st Manchester Regiment.
+
+  Chief Xemuhenm          22/3/00   10  0  0  For troops who defended
+                                              Ladysmith.
+
+  Berlin Mission (New
+  Germany)                22/3/00    8  0  0  For sick and wounded.
+
+  Native Christian
+  Communities             28/3/00   15  0  0  For war funds.
+  Chief Umzingelwa        28/3/00    5  0  0  For relief purposes.
+  Chief Laduma            30/3/00    8  0  0  For sick and wounded.
+  Members of Free
+    Church of Scotland
+    Mission (natives)     30/3/00    9  5  6-1/2    "    "
+  Natives of Alexandra
+    Division               3/4/00    7 15  3  For Royal Artillery who
+                                              fought at Colenso.
+  Free Church of
+    Scotland (Impolweni
+    natives)               6/4/00    3 17  4  For sick and wounded.
+  Loyal Dutch round
+    Tugela district       12/4/00   41  7  6        "    "
+  J. H. Kumolo (Lion's
+    River District)       13/4/00    3 18  0        "    "
+  P. M. Majozi            16/5/00    3  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Gayede
+    (Amakabela Tribe)     19/5/00    6  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Ndgungazwe        26/5/00    8  9 10-1/2    "    "
+  Headman Umnxinwa        26/5/00    3  0  0  { For Sergeant who led
+  Headman Umnxinwa        15/7/00    0 17  0  { East Surreys at
+                                              { Pieter's Hill.
+  Chief Bambata, of
+    Umvoti Division       3/6/00     3  0  0  For sick and wounded.
+  Chief Christian Lutayi,
+    and Mr. Bryant Cole   5/6/00     9  1  0  For sick and wounded.
+  Chief Ncwadi            9/6/00   219  6  0        "    "
+  Chief Ncwadi           15/7/00   147  1  6        "    "
+  Chief Mqolombeni       10/6/00     5  0  0        "    "
+  Native Chiefs
+    (Timothy Ogle and
+    Ntemba Ogle)         15/6/00    20  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Mahlube          21/6/00    15  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Nyakana
+    (Mampula Division)   28/6/00     2  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Xegwana           7/7/00     1 10  0        "    "
+
+  NEWCASTLE,               H. HEATH (_Lieut.-Colonel_),
+  _30th July, 1900._         _C.S.O., Lines of Communication._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+     Still holding Grass Kop with the Queen's -- General Buller leaves
+     for England -- Final withdrawal of the Naval Brigade, and our
+     arrival at Durban -- Our reception there -- I sail for England --
+     Conclusion.
+
+
+_Tuesday, 2nd October._--Grass Kop. Still here with the Queen's and my
+friends Major Dawson and Lieutenant Poynder. What an odd sort of
+climate we seem to have in South Africa. Two days ago unbearable heat
+with rain and thunder, and to-day so cold, with a heavy Scotch mist,
+as to make one think of the North Pole; so we are shivering in wraps
+and balaclavas, while occasional N.W. gales lower some of our tents.
+The partridges seem to have forsaken this hill, so poor "John" the
+pointer doesn't get enough work to please him; but his master, Major
+Dawson, when able to prowl about safe from Boer snipers, still downs
+many a pigeon and guinea fowl which keeps our table going.
+
+_Friday, 5th October._--We are all delighted to hear that Lord Roberts
+is appointed Commander-in-Chief at home; report says that he comes
+down from Pretoria in a few days to inspect the Natal battlefields and
+to look at his gallant son's grave at Colenso. I must try and see him
+if I can. One of our convoys from Vryheid reported to be captured on
+the 1st by Boers, the Volunteer escort being made prisoners and some
+killed; this has delayed the return of the Natal Volunteers who were
+to have been called in for good on that day.
+
+_Wednesday, 10th October._--Still we drag on to the inevitable end.
+The reported capture of a convoy turns out to be only a few wagons
+escorted by a small party of Volunteers who were unwounded and
+released after a few days.
+
+This is a great week of anniversaries. Yesterday, the 9th, was that of
+the insolent Boer Ultimatum of 1899 which brought Kruger and his lot
+to ruin; to-day and to-morrow a year ago (10th and 11th October), the
+Boer forces were mobilizing at this very place, Sandspruit; and on the
+12th they entered Natal full of bumptious boasting. They were going,
+as they said, to "eat fish in Durban" within a month, and many of them
+carried tin cases containing dress suits and new clothes in
+preparation for that convivial event. And they would have done so
+except for the fish (sailors) and the women (Highlanders), as they
+styled us, who, they said, were too much for them, combined I think
+with the Ladysmith sweet shop, which proved their Scylla with Colenso
+as their Charybdis.
+
+Major Burrell of the Queen's was up here a few days ago and made a
+special reconnaissance to Roi Kop under cover of my guns; he told us
+many amusing stories of his experiences with Boer and foreign
+prisoners at Paardekop while sweeping up the country round there; one
+Prussian Major of Artillery had come in from Amersfoort and
+surrendered, saying he had blown up seven Boer guns just previously by
+Botha's orders. This German Major, it seems, was a curious type of
+man; waving his hands airily he would say that foreigners were obliged
+to come and join the Boers so as to study the art of war which only
+the English got any chance of doing in their little campaigns; this
+being so, he said, "Ah, I shall go back to my native land, then six
+months in a fortress perhaps, after that, _sapristi_, a good military
+appointment. _Eh bien_! what do you think?" He also said about our
+taking of Almond's Nek that Erasmus, who was commanding at Laing's
+Nek, had been told that we were turning his flank and was advised to
+send ten guns to stop us; he thought a minute and said "No, I will not
+send guns, it is Sunday and God will stop them." Perhaps the Prussian
+Major's veracity was not of the highest class, but this yarn if told
+to General Buller would no doubt interest him, because undoubtedly if
+the Boers had had ten more guns defending Almond's Nek we should have
+had considerable more difficulty in taking it. The following Natal
+Army Orders of 17th July, 1900, will show how considerately we dealt
+with the Boers and others in the foregoing operations in the matter of
+paying for supplies.
+
+     SUPPLIES REQUISITIONED, ETC.
+
+     The following are the prices fixed to be paid for supplies
+     requisitioned, etc.:
+
+     No bills will, however, be paid by supply officers or others
+     until approved by the Director of Supplies.
+
+     Receipts will be given in all cases on the authorized form, and
+     duplicates forwarded same day to Director of Supplies. The
+     receipts will show whether the owner is on his farm or on
+     commando.
+
+  Oat hay, per 100 bundles       15s. to 18s. according to quality.
+  Manna hay,       "             10s.
+  Blue grass,      "              3s.
+  Straw,           "              7s.
+  Mealies, per 100 lbs            5s.
+  Potatoes, per sack of 150 lbs. 10s.
+  Milk, per bottle                6d.
+  Eggs, per dozen                 1s. to 1s. 3d.
+  Fowls, each                     1s. to 1s. 6d.
+  Ducks,   "                      2s. to 2s. 6d.
+  Geese,   "                      3s. to 3s. 6d.
+  Turkeys, "                      6s. to 8s.
+  Butter, per lb.                 1s. to 1s. 6d.
+
+_Saturday, 13th October._--Many exciting things have crowded
+themselves into the last few days. The Boers who had slipped away from
+the Vryheid district are again moving north, and are reported in some
+force at Waterfal on the Elandsberg, 20° N.E. of us. They are said to
+have a Pom-pom and two Creusots; it seems to be the Wakkerstroom
+commando and Swaziland police, some 300 strong; the Ermelo commando
+has also moved on to the Barberton district. These commandos have been
+raiding cattle and horses every day, keeping well out of reach of our
+guns; many rumours of their intent to attack us at Grass Kop have been
+brought in but we are quite ready for them. This raiding has had the
+effect of bringing all the Dutch farmers and their sons flying back to
+their farms to look after their stock; they are highly indignant with
+the looters, have all surrendered and taken the oath at Volksrust, and
+ride up here to the foot of the hill every day with many reports and
+much advice about their former comrades' movements, and how to attack
+and kill them! Many old Dutch women have come also to the hill in
+tears over their losses from Boer marauders and say they are starving.
+All this gives Major Dawson and Lieutenant Poynder, Adjutant of the
+Queen's, a great deal of work and many walks down the hill to
+interview these people.
+
+Our Naval camp has been strengthened by building stone sangars round
+our tents to prevent any risk of the enemy creeping up and sniping us
+in our sleep; still, with barbed wires round the hill, hung with old
+tins, and trenches and sangars to protect the position, we feel pretty
+safe, although the gallant Cowper of the Queen's has gone down with
+one company to reinforce Sandspruit and we miss him greatly.
+
+To go back a few days, I must now mention that on the 11th October
+came a wire from Admiral Harris to Halsey telling him to arrange the
+return of our remnant of Naval Brigade to Natal as soon as possible,
+our brother officers and men who were with Lord Roberts on the other
+side having left Pretoria on the 8th and arrived at Simon's Town. This
+wire, as may be imagined, caused us much joy up here after a year's
+fighting, and I personally celebrated it with the Queen's by a great
+dinner on some partridges and pigeons that I had bagged down hill on
+the 10th.
+
+To cap this telegram I received one forwarded on from Standerton next
+day: "Admiral, Simon's Town, wires, Burne appointed _Victoria and
+Albert_ Royal Yacht; he should proceed to Durban whence his passage
+will be arranged." This came as a surprise to me, but at my seniority
+to serve Her Majesty once more on her yacht, where I was a
+Sub-Lieutenant in 1894, is a very great honour. I cannot well get away
+however just yet, as arrangements are being made for the relief of all
+guns by garrison gunners, and I am intent to "see it out," and indeed
+I must do so in order to turn over all the ordnance and transport
+stores and accounts for which I am personally responsible, and which
+after six months mount up a bit. I expect therefore to leave this hill
+and the front with our Naval Brigade next week, and then for "England,
+home, and beauty" once more. I shall hope, when able to do it, to
+revert to my gunnery line by-and-bye, as it has stood me in good stead
+in the past.
+
+_Monday, 15th October._--Another wire from Halsey, who is at
+Standerton, telling me he hoped to arrange for our leaving together on
+the 18th for Durban, so we are busy preparing, and I send off to-day
+my returns of ox transport, which show that out of 84 oxen we have
+lost 17 in action and otherwise. Old Scheeper, the Boer farmer at the
+bottom of our hill, whose son is Assistant Field Cornet with the
+Wakkerstroom commando, has sold me his crane and is making a cage for
+it. I shall take it down to Maritzburg and present it to the Governor
+(Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson), who has done me kindnesses in two parts
+of the world. I am also busy packing up my collection of Boer shells
+and relics of Colenso, Vaal Krantz, Almond's Nek, and Grass Kop. We
+may yet be attacked before leaving, as Boers were reported about ten
+miles off last night moving south along the Elandsberg. Sir Redvers
+Buller passed through Sandspruit on the 14th _en route_ for Maritzburg
+and England, so it is quite on the cards that I may go home in the
+same ship which will be interesting.
+
+_Friday, 19th October._--Still not relieved. The railway line has been
+cut two nights running between Paardekop and Standerton, and about a
+mile and a half of it torn up, and this perhaps accounts for the
+delay. We hear that General Buller has had a great reception at
+Maritzburg as he deserves and that he goes on to Durban this week; he
+is undoubtedly the "Saviour of Natal," as they call him. The Governor
+accepts my Transvaal crane for his garden, so I shall take it down in
+the cage I am having made for it and leave it _en route_ down at
+Maritzburg.
+
+_Saturday, 20th October._--Anniversary of Talana Hill. Sir Redvers
+Buller arrived to-day in Durban and had a great reception. All the
+newspapers praise him, and the earlier and difficult days of our
+rebuffs on the Tugela are wiped out in public opinion by subsequent
+brilliant successes. The General is, indeed, immensely popular with
+the army he has led through such difficult country and through so much
+fighting and marching. Very pleased to meet at Volksrust to-day
+Captain Fitz Herbert of the South African Light Horse who came out
+with me in the _Briton_ a year ago. He was originally in the Berkshire
+Regiment, but joined the South African Light Horse at Capetown and
+was taken prisoner by the Boers at Colenso. His experiences with the
+Boers for four months as a prisoner were, he tells me, somewhat awful.
+The first week he was handcuffed and put in the common jail for
+knocking down an insolent jailer, and he had to live all his time on
+mealies, with meat only once a week. He shows the marks of all this
+and is quite grey.
+
+_Sunday, 21st October._--A wire at last ordering us to leave on
+Wednesday for Durban. Off I went, therefore, to Volksrust to close my
+ordnance accounts with my middy, Mr. Ledgard, from Paardekop, who had
+met me with his papers. Hard at it since the 15th, turning over
+stores, making out vouchers, answering wires, and writing reports.
+
+_Tuesday, 23rd October._--I gave over my guns here and at Paardekop on
+Sunday to Lieutenant Campbell and Captain Shepheard, of the Royal
+Artillery, and to-day we are all busy packing, and doing the thousand
+and one things one always finds at the last moment to do. As we are
+off at 7 a.m. to-morrow, to catch the mail train at Sandspruit, the
+Queen's are giving me a farewell dinner to-night, while Bethune's
+Horse are dining my men. Rundle, French, and Hildyard are reported to
+be closing in all round in a circle (this place being the centre), and
+5,000 Boers within the circle are being gradually forced slowly in
+towards us. The many men who come in to surrender report that the main
+body will be obliged either to surrender or to attack us somewhere to
+get a position. I wired yesterday to General Hildyard, who is at Blood
+River, sending my respects to him and his Staff on leaving his
+command, and I received a very kind reply to-day: "I and my Staff
+thank you for your message. I am very sorry not to have seen you
+before you leave, but I hope you will tell your gallant officers and
+men how much I have appreciated their cheerful and ready assistance
+while with me during the campaign."
+
+My men have to-day hoisted a paying-off pennant with a large bunch of
+flowers at the end of it. This looks very fine and is greatly admired
+in camp. Much to our surprise we had a little excitement in the
+afternoon as the Boers round us bagged a patrol of Bethune's Horse,
+and on coming within shell fire to drive oxen and horses off from
+Parson's farm, my beloved gun in this position was brought into action
+by the Garrison Artillery under Lieutenant Campbell (who had taken
+over from me on the 21st), four shells bursting all round the
+marauders and scattering them at once.
+
+Later on the Boers sent Bethune's captured men back to Grass Kop,
+having shot their horses and smashed their rifles before their eyes.
+Poynder and the Major gave me a big farewell dinner, and we all turned
+in early this evening expecting an attack during the night, but
+nothing happened. So next morning, the 24th, we got under way, with
+our paying-off pennant streaming in the wind from a wagon, after
+saying good-bye (amid cheers and hand-shakings) to all our kind
+military comrades and friends at Grass Kop. I was more than sorry to
+leave the Queen's.[5]
+
+         [Footnote 5: Poor Poynder! I was dreadfully sorry to hear he
+         died of enteric at Kronstadt just a year after this event;
+         there was never a nicer chap or a better soldier, and it's
+         hard lines losing him.]
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Knight, Aldershot._
+
+Lt.-Gen. Sir H. J. T. Hildyard, K.C.B.]
+
+I won't describe the journey down at length; the entraining at
+Sandspruit and meeting all the rest of the Brigade; the farewells and
+cheers and "beers" from the Queen's; and the false bottle of whisky
+handed to Halsey by Colonel Pink, D.S.O., which I could not get him to
+open on the way down. We saw Reeves, R.S.O., at Charlestown, and
+many other old friends, and ran through to Durban by 8 a.m. on the
+25th. Unluckily, I and the middy were in a carriage from Maritzburg in
+which we couldn't get a wash, so one's feelings at Durban may be
+imagined when we got out dirty and tired, and saw a large crowd of
+officers and the Mayor of Durban and others ready to receive us on the
+platform. What a welcome they did give us! The speeches, the cheers of
+the crowd, the marching through the streets, and the breakfast, I
+leave an abler pen than mine, the _Natal Advertiser_, to describe:
+sufficient to say, I felt very proud of our men who looked splendid,
+hard as nails and sunburnt, in fact, _men_; and Halsey surpassed
+himself when he was suddenly turned on to return thanks to the Mayor
+in the street, and later on at the breakfast. The witty and
+appropriate speech also of Colonel Morris, Commandant, will make him
+to be remembered by the men of the Naval Brigade as the "Wit of
+Durban," and not the "Villain of Durban," by which title he described
+himself.
+
+Here is what the _Natal Advertiser_ says of the day's proceedings:--
+
+     Among the first of the "handy men" who, with their 4.7 guns, went
+     to the front, were those of H.M. ships _Philomel_ and _Tartar_.
+     Though in many of the reports H.M.S. _Terrible's_ men got the
+     credit of the work done, the duties were equally shared by the
+     two other contingents from the cruisers. On October 29th,
+     twenty-nine men of the _Tartar_ left Durban, and on November
+     11th, thirty-three men and two officers of the _Philomel_ were
+     entrained to Chieveley. These men went forward to the relief of
+     Ladysmith, and had to face many hardships and many a stiff fight.
+     To-day the last of them returned from the front. Out of the
+     twenty-nine men of H.M.S. _Tartar_ that went forward, only
+     eighteen returned; and out of the thirty-three men and two
+     officers of H.M.S. _Philomel_ twenty-three men and two officers
+     came down. These losses speak eloquently of the tasks performed,
+     and the hardships endured. Of those who could not answer the
+     roll-call this morning, some have been killed in action, others
+     died of disease, while a few have been invalided. After the men
+     of the _Powerful_, the _Terrible_, and the Naval Volunteers
+     returned, the _Philomel_ and _Tartar_ contingents were kept at
+     their posts, and, even on their return they had trouble at Grass
+     Kop and Sandspruit. The officers in charge of the men were
+     Lieutenant Halsey, Lieutenant Burne, and Midshipman Ledgard.
+
+     Shortly after 8 o'clock this morning a crowd began to assemble at
+     the Railway Station, awaiting the arrival of the down mail train.
+     On the platform were: the Commandant, Colonel Morris, the Mayor
+     (Mr. J. Nichol), Commander Dundas, of H.M.S. _Philomel_, the
+     Deputy Mayor (Mr. J. Ellis Brown), Lieutenant Belcombe, Mr. W.
+     Cooley, Surgeon Elliott, and Paymaster Pim. About 100 men of
+     H.M.S. _Philomel_, under Sub-Lieutenant Hobson, were drawn up in
+     a double line outside the station. The train was a trifle late in
+     arriving, but as soon as it drew up, the warriors were marched
+     outside. A ringing cheer from a crowd of nearly 1,500 welcomed
+     them as soon as they took up a position and were called to
+     attention.
+
+     The Mayor addressed them, and, on behalf of Durban, offered them
+     a hearty welcome back. These men, he said, had been entrusted to
+     go to the front to defend the Colony, and they had done it well.
+     They were among the first in the field and were the last to
+     leave, and he felt sure they had done their duty faithfully,
+     honestly, and well. (Applause.) They might be relied upon to do
+     that in any part of the world, wherever or whenever called upon.
+     They were looked upon as the "handy men," the men who had done
+     the greatest portion of the work during the campaign. They and
+     their guns saved the situation. Even when they were marching
+     down, he understood they had had some fighting. On behalf of
+     Natal, he thanked them for what they had done through these
+     trying times. (Applause.)
+
+     Lieutenant Halsey, replying, said that after forty-eight hours in
+     the train it was difficult for them to take a reception like
+     this. The men and officers of the Brigade had done their duty,
+     and would do it again if called upon. (Applause.) They were glad
+     that they had been able to do anything in the fighting line, and
+     they thanked the Mayor for the kind welcome extended to them. He
+     called for three hearty cheers for the Mayor.
+
+     The crowd joined in the response, and raised another for "Our
+     Boys." Lieutenant Halsey called for cheers for the Naval
+     Volunteers, who had helped the Brigade so ably during the war.
+
+     The concourse of people had now greatly increased, and the Post
+     Office front was thronged. The Brigade were given the word to
+     march, and cheers were raised again and again until the men
+     turned out into West Street. Headed by the Durban Local
+     Volunteers' Band, the _Philomel_ and _Tartar_ men marched along
+     to the Drill Hall. They were followed by Captain Dundas' piper,
+     two standard bearers, and their comrades of the _Philomel_. At
+     the Drill Hall arms were piled and the men again fell in, the
+     band playing them along to the Princess Café, where they were
+     entertained. The Mayor, the Commandant, Major Taylor, Mr. J.
+     Ellis Brown, and Mr. E. W. Evans received them. At the order of
+     the Commandant one khaki man sat between two white men, the
+     comrades of the warriors being dressed in their white ducks. At
+     the order of the Town Council Mr. Dunn had provided a most
+     substantial breakfast, to which the men did full justice.
+
+     The loyal toast having been duly honoured.
+
+     Colonel Morris proposed "Our Guests," and said he did not know
+     why the "villain of Durban" should be called upon to take up this
+     toast, or why the honour of proposing it had been conferred on
+     him. He begged to tell them, for the information of those fellows
+     who had just come down from the front, that he was the "villain
+     of Durban." (Laughter.) He meant that if any of these chaps were
+     out after 11 o'clock at night he would find for them nice
+     accommodation in the Superintendent's cells. There was a long
+     time between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., and he trusted they would not
+     get into trouble. The villain of the piece had to propose the
+     health of these fellows who had come down from the front.
+     (Cheers.) Now, these Navy fellows, if they could do so well on
+     land, how much better could they not do at sea? (Cheers.) They
+     knew how Jack had fought in the old days of Trafalgar, St.
+     Vincent, and at other great battles, and if they had to fight
+     again they might depend upon it that Jack the "handy man" was
+     just as good to-day as he was then. (Cheers.) Jack had proved
+     himself a splendid fellow ashore, and he wondered what any of
+     the landlubbers would do at sea. (Laughter.) The sea was a
+     ripping good place to look at, but from his point of view he
+     would rather be on land. (Laughter.) Anyway, Jack did not like
+     the land; he preferred to be on sea. Therefore, when at home on
+     the sea Jack would do a hundred times better than he had on
+     shore. (Cheers.) He recommended any people who thought of
+     fighting them on sea to take care what they were going against.
+     He did not believe that the British Navy was to be beaten here or
+     hereafter--(cheers)--and he was positively certain, from what he
+     saw of the Navy when they were at the front, that those who went
+     to look at them would say, "No, we will not play the game with
+     you on the water." He was positively certain that they would all
+     be admirals in time. (Laughter.) That was if they only waited
+     long enough (cheers), and if they did not come across the
+     "villain of Durban" they would be all right. He wished them all
+     thundering good luck, and he was sure that every one of them
+     would grow younger, because he did not believe any naval man grew
+     older. When they got their feet on board again they would feel
+     like chickens. He hoped they would all see the dear old country
+     soon. (Applause.) If they did not see it soon they would see it
+     later on. (Laughter.) Now, if they came across an enemy at sea he
+     knew exactly what would happen, and what they would read in the
+     papers--that the enemy had gone to the bottom of the sea.
+     (Laughter.) He dared say the Navy would be able to respond to the
+     toast. He did not know their capacities for talking, but Jack was
+     never hard up for saying something when he was called upon to do
+     so. Again he wished them jolly good luck. (Cheers.)
+
+     All save the guests rose, and led by the Commandant's stentorian
+     voice, sang "They are Jolly Good Fellows."
+
+     Chief Petty Officer Munro returned thanks on behalf of his
+     comrades, and said that the reception had been quite unexpected.
+     They had had very hard times, and they had had very good times.
+     They had done what they did willingly--(applause)--and they were
+     ready to do the same thing again for Her Majesty and the Empire,
+     and also to uphold the good old name of the Navy. (Cheers.) He
+     advised the fellows to keep out of the clutches of the
+     Commandant, for from what he saw of him he thought it would be
+     better. (Laughter.) When nearly twelve months ago they landed at
+     Durban, the people were a bit more excited than they were to-day.
+
+     Lieutenant Halsey asked the men to drink to the Mayor and Council
+     of Durban. Everybody outside knew, he said, how kindly Durban was
+     looked upon. Durban was one of the best places in the
+     station--(applause)--and it was on account of the wonderful way
+     everything was managed by the Mayor and Council. (Cheers.)
+
+     The toast was pledged with enthusiasm, and the Mayor said they
+     were proud to have them here, and to entertain them.
+
+     The men then fell in again in Field Street, and marched off to
+     the Point, the Durban Light Infantry Band playing "Just a little
+     bit off the Top" as a march.
+
+     The _Philomel_ and the hospital ship _Orcana_ had been dressed
+     for the occasion, and a number of their comrades assembled at the
+     Passenger Jetty and cheered them on arrival. They were afterwards
+     conveyed to the cruisers.
+
+     Among the Navals who returned from the front this morning is a
+     little canine hero, "Jack" the terrier, which has shared their
+     fortunes throughout the war. When they left Durban ten months ago
+     a little fox terrier followed them. While at the front he never
+     left them, although he was not particular with whom he fed or
+     what kind of weather prevailed. The firing of a 4.7 gun did not
+     discourage him, and through the booming of big guns and the
+     rattle of musketry he stuck by his adopters. Through every
+     engagement he went, and has come back bearing an honourable scar
+     on the head--shot by a Mauser bullet. The men, needless to say,
+     idolise the little hero, whose neck is decorated with a large
+     blue ribbon from which is suspended a Transvaal Commemoration
+     Medal.
+
+After inserting this account, there is, perhaps, nothing more to be
+recorded except to say how grateful we all felt to the Mayor and
+people of Durban for the kind and indeed magnificent reception they
+gave us; and we could not but add our thanks to Commander Dundas of
+the _Philomel_, to whose energy and good will, as senior Naval
+Officer, the success of the reception was greatly due.
+
+_Tuesday, 30th October._--After saying good-bye to many old friends of
+the _Philomel_, and others, and undergoing lunches and dinners (of
+which the most amusing and lively one was with Captain Bearcroft of
+the _Philomel_ who led the Naval Brigade under Lord Roberts and whom I
+was glad to have met before sailing) I got on board the _Tantallon
+Castle_, finding Commander Dundas on board and coming home in the same
+mail. We left Durban on a beautiful day, and I was glad to find myself
+in possession of a large cabin. And so I must end this long and
+rambling Journal on seeing the last of Natal, merely adding that we
+had rather a rough passage, after touching at Port Elizabeth, up to
+Mossel Bay, a most picturesque place on account of the towering peaks
+and ranges of hills running close to the coast-line. We reached
+Capetown on the 5th November, and I found Table Mountain and the
+general view much more striking than I had previously thought. We had
+to wait here till the 8th November, when we finally bid farewell to
+South Africa which with every beat of the screw gradually faded from
+view into the dim shadows of an interesting past.
+
+While the revolving wheel of life bears one on to other scenes and
+toils, with dear old England looming once more on the horizon, we
+leave South Africa behind with the problem of the war still unsettled,
+and with desultory but fierce fighting still going on. But let us hope
+that the shadows will lift, and that the glory of a rising sun will
+eventually dim and absorb the sea of blood which has submerged that
+wonderful and hitherto unfortunate land. The lines from the "Light of
+Asia"--
+
+          "Om Mani padme Hun, The sunrise comes,
+           The dew-drop slips into the shining sea"--
+
+express, I think, the hope of every British heart for South Africa, as
+they do that of my own.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+     Gunnery Results: The 12-pounder Q.-F. Naval gun -- Its mounting,
+     sighting, and methods of firing -- The Creusot 3" gun and its
+     improvements -- Shrapnel fire and the poor results obtained by
+     the Boers -- Use of the Clinometer and Mekometer -- How to
+     emplace a Q.-F. gun, etc., etc.
+
+
+A word or two now as to what we with the guns have learnt during the
+campaign, although I feel that this may be rather a dull, professional
+sort of chapter except to those interested in guns and gunnery, and
+that the subject as treated by myself may be open to criticism from
+others similarly engaged. I may certainly say that it was not for at
+least three months after our opening fire at the first battle of
+Colenso (December 15th, 1899) that I personally felt myself as "fairly
+well up" to the constantly varying conditions of gun positions, gun
+platforms, enemy's positions, and the ever-changing "light and shade"
+of the South African climate, against all of which one had to fight to
+get correct shooting; the last-named of these, viz., "light and
+shade," being perhaps our greatest bugbear, often throwing one many
+thousand yards out in judging a range by eye, which gift is, I think,
+the best a gunner can possess!
+
+Then, too, the Naval guns as they were sent up (owing to the work
+being pushed at the last moment), some on high wheels and some on low
+ones, some with drag-shoes opened out and others which wouldn't take
+the wheels, some with the wires from them to trail plate handles the
+right length and others much too long, caused (I am talking of the
+12-pounders) these guns, instead of forming a level shooting battery,
+to be each one a study in itself as regarded its shooting powers; and
+we constantly found one gun shooting, say, three or four hundred yards
+harder or further than the one next to it although laid to the same
+range on the sights. This at first sight was rather mystifying, but
+all these small but important matters above mentioned were not long in
+being put to rights. On any future occasion such defects will, of
+course, be avoided from the start by the guns being altogether more
+strongly mounted on broad-tyred wheels and broad axles of similar
+height, size and pattern, and, above all, with a strong and uniform
+system for checking the recoil of the carriage, of which the
+drag-shoe, as it was fitted and sent up to us, was certainly not
+capable.
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Symonds, Portsmouth._
+
+Captain Percy Scott, C.B., R.N.]
+
+I am rather keen on this question of the best means of checking the
+recoil of a field carriage. A very strongly made drag-shoe fitted with
+chains to the centre of gun trail will do very well; and these were,
+later on in the campaign, fitted by the Ordnance authorities at
+Maritzburg to new "Percy Scott" carriages, which they sent up to us to
+replace the original "Percy Scott" carriages, which, as I remarked
+before, were not strongly enough built, particularly as regards the
+wheels, to stand any very bad country or a lengthened campaign, in
+both of which we found ourselves involved. In these remarks, please
+let no one think that I am running down the 12-pounder carriage for a
+purpose; not so. I simply wish to point out details that, if more time
+had been available, would certainly have been avoided in them by their
+very clever designer, Captain Percy Scott, R.N., to whom the
+service in general (and I personally) owe a debt of gratitude; for
+assuredly not a Q.-F. gun, or a single one of us with the batteries,
+would ever have been landed unless it had been for him and his brains
+and his determination to have the Royal Navy represented in the
+campaign, as was their due--being on the spot with what was most
+wanted, namely, heavy guns.
+
+Here I wish to distinctly state my own opinion, and that also of the
+many officials and gunners, Naval and Military, with whom I have
+talked over the matter, _i.e._, that not only did the Naval guns save
+Ladysmith, but they also in a great measure helped to save the
+campaign outside for its relief, and with it Natal. And my opinion
+now, when the war is nearly over, is only strengthened and confirmed
+by what I have heard the Boers say of the guns, viz., that they are
+the only things when using shrapnel that have shaken them much during
+the fighting, and, considering the country, naturally so. That it was
+to the Navy and not to the garrison gunners that the original credit
+has gone, was simply because we were here and they were at home at the
+start. One is, as regards their gunnery powers, as good as the other,
+and the garrison gunners earned their laurels later on. Still, I have
+a great hankering after a gun's crew of "handy men" to beat any crew
+in this world for all-round service and quick shooting, and I am ready
+to back my opinion heavily.
+
+Returning from this digression to the subject of recoil, we found that
+sandbags placed at a certain distance in rear of each wheel not only
+effectually checked the carriage, but also (a great consideration) ran
+it out again. This system was used both by the 4.7's and ourselves at
+the end of the war; and seeing that the guns had only half crews, it
+was a _most_ important saving to men who had perhaps marched ten
+miles, loaded and off-loaded ammunition, and then had perhaps to
+fight the guns under a hot sun for hours. To fill and carry the bags,
+however, is a nuisance, and some better system on the same principle
+is needed, such as the inclined wedges that I saw by photos the Boers
+were using in rear of wheels; and I should very much like to see some
+such system substituted for our present one. I have not seen the
+hydraulic spade used, perhaps that is the _best_.
+
+To put it briefly, the hastily improvised gun-carriage of the
+12-pounders had, on account of this very haste, the following
+defects:--
+
+     (1.) Too weak generally in all parts, particularly wheels and
+     axles, for any long campaign.
+
+     (2.) Wheels and axles being a scratch lot, none in any of the
+     batteries were interchangeable, which caused many times later in
+     the campaign when wheels began to give out, much anxiety. Several
+     times we only had guns ready for action or trekking by the "skin
+     of one's teeth," and it must be borne in mind that any new wheels
+     wired-for sometimes took two months to arrive on the very
+     overcrowded railway--a single line.
+
+     (3.) The system of checking the recoil of the field carriage was
+     a bad one.
+
+     (4.) All the 12-pounders except two were in the first instance
+     sent up without limbers, and therefore had to be limbered up to
+     wagons. This for practical purposes in the country we had to trek
+     over was absolutely useless and caused endless delays. Eventually
+     we all got limbers built at Maritzburg, and equivalent gun-oxen
+     to drag the guns separately from the wagons.
+
+     (5.) The trail of the gun consisted of a solid block of wood some
+     12 feet long; so that if one laid the gun to any long range (in
+     most over 7,000 yards, I think) the oil cylinder under the gun,
+     on trying to elevate it, would bring-up against this trail and
+     prevent laying. This therefore necessitated digging pits for
+     trails to shoot much over 7,000 yards, which in bad ground often
+     took some considerable time. To obviate this defect would of
+     course be very easy with a steel trail of two side plates, and
+     space for gun and the cylinder between the sides.
+
+     (6.) The general idea of all the mountings I saw was narrow axles
+     and high wheels, whereas, for all trekking purposes, it should be
+     broad space between the wheels and low wheels. This was amply
+     proved to us by the number of times the high-wheeled narrow
+     mountings upset on rocky ground, whilst the broad low type went
+     along steadily. The 12-pounder gun itself did its work
+     beautifully, shooting hard and lasting well, and owing to the dry
+     climate of Africa we had no trouble at all to keep the guns clean
+     and all gear in good order.
+
+     (7.) Perhaps the most troublesome defect of all was that the
+     gun-carriage had no brake fitted. The gunnery drill-book system
+     of "lash gun wheels" may be at once erased from the book for all
+     practical purposes over any rocky or bad country; it simply, as
+     we soon found, tears the wheels to pieces, and chokes the whole
+     mounting up. An ordinary military Scotch cart brake, or a brake
+     fitted as the trek wagons here have, under the muzzle of the gun
+     on the forepart of the wheels, acts very well, and my
+     bluejackets, although not carpenters, fitted these for me. They
+     are screw-up brakes.
+
+The sighting of the gun (drum and bar system) cannot be beaten, I
+think. Perhaps a V-shaped notch to give one the centre of the H, or
+hind sight, might be an improvement, as here personal error often
+occurs. Lieutenant, now Commander, Ogilvy, R.N., always made his men
+correct their final sighting of the gun for elevation from about six
+paces in rear of the trail, and my experience is that this is a small
+but important matter, especially for fine shooting say at a trench at
+5,000 yards, which merely appears to one as a line on the ground. One
+invariably finds that the gun, with the eye of a man laying close up
+to the hind sight, is laid slightly short of the object; so this
+should be noticed in the gunnery drill-book as regards field guns.
+_Telescopic_ sights, the patent, I believe, of Lieutenant-Colonel L.
+K. Scott, R.E., were sent out and used by us with the 12-pounders to
+fire on the trenches at Spion Kop and Brakfontein, when fine shooting
+was required. These sights had the cross wires much too thick, so we
+substituted cobwebs picked off the bushes and stuck on with torpedo
+composition, and these did admirably. Still this sight was not
+altogether a success. The power of the telescope, especially in the
+rays of the sun, was poor, and it took a man a long time to lay his
+gun with it, thus further reducing the quick-firing power of the
+12-pounder reduced already by the recoiling field carriage. As to the
+4.7's, it was found that the ordinary Naval small telescope, fitted on
+a bar and with light cross wires, could not be beaten as a sight for
+ranges they had to fire at. It is a very good useful glass, and it
+was, I believe, used both in Natal and elsewhere right through the
+campaign, and I unhesitatingly give it the palm.
+
+As to the system of firing and gear used, electric firing was very
+successful as long as one had the gear for refitting and repairing and
+an armourer attached to one's guns; this, of course, as the guns
+became split up into pairs was impossible, and I may say that carting
+electric batteries (which of necessity for quickness have to be kept
+charged) in wagons or limbers over rocks and bad roads, and with
+continual loading and off-loading, becomes a trouble and anxiety to
+one. So for active service I should certainly recommend that
+percussion firing should be regarded as the first and principal method
+to be used with guns on the move, carrying also the electric gear for
+use if guns are left for any time at fixed spots as guns of position.
+I may here remark that when firing with electricity from a field
+carriage the battery has to be placed on the ground, clear of recoil,
+and therefore the wire leads must be adjusted in length accordingly. I
+am uncertain whether our other 12-pounders used mostly electric or
+percussion, but I think on the whole, percussion; and, speaking for
+myself, I certainly did so after experiencing the disappointments
+which miss-fires often gave one, when trying to get in a quick shot,
+say from the line of march, with the electric gear. These "miss-fires"
+are, moreover, often unavoidable under active service conditions, such
+as we had with our semi-mobile guns. The guns and connections get
+sometimes an inch thick in mud or dust and require time to clean, when
+one has no time to spare: the use of percussion tubes avoids all this.
+
+Before we leave the subject of guns the following description of the
+French 3" Creusot gun by the _Revue d'Artillerie_ will be of interest,
+viz.:--
+
+     _South Africa._--The Field Artillery of the Boers consists for
+     the most part of Creusot 3" rapid-firing guns made after the 1895
+     model. These guns were purchased by the South African Republic
+     during the year 1896.... The gun, which is constructed of forged
+     and tempered steel, has a 3" bore. Its total length is 8 feet and
+     its weight is 726 pounds. The body of the gun consists of three
+     elements:--1. A tube in which the breech piece is fixed. 2. A
+     sleeve covering the tube for a length of 3 feet 6 inches. 3. A
+     chase hoop. The chamber is provided with twenty-four grooves of
+     variable pitch which have a final inclination of 8°.
+
+     The system of breech closing is that of the interrupted screw,
+     which presents four sectors, two of them threaded and two plain,
+     so that the breech is opened or closed by a quarter revolution of
+     the screw. The mechanism is of the Schneider system, patented in
+     1895, and has the advantage of allowing the opening or closing of
+     the breech to be effected by the simple motion of a lever from
+     right to left, or _vice versâ_.
+
+     The gun is fired by means of an automatically-cocked percussion
+     apparatus. A safety device prevents any shots from being fired
+     until after the breech is closed.
+
+     The carriage is provided with a hydraulic recoil-cylinder fitted
+     with a spring return. It is also furnished with a "spade," which
+     is placed under the stock at an equal distance from the trail and
+     the axle, and which is of the model that General Engelhardt has
+     adopted for the Russian Artillery.
+
+     During a march this spade is turned back and fastened to the
+     stock. The carriage is likewise provided with a road brake, which
+     is to be employed in firing only when the nature of the ground is
+     such that the spade cannot be used.
+
+     The gun is placed in a bronze sleeve that carries the brake
+     cylinders and the various other connecting pieces for the return
+     spring and the aiming apparatus.
+
+     The hydraulic recoil consists of two cylinders placed laterally
+     and at the height of the axis of the piece.
+
+     The axle has the peculiarity that in its centre there is a wide
+     opening in which are placed the cradle and the gun. It is
+     provided with two screw trunnions, around which the pivoting
+     necessary for lateral aiming is effected. This arrangement of the
+     gun with respect to the axle has the effect of greatly
+     diminishing the shocks that firing tends to produce.
+
+     Elevation and depression are accomplished by rotating the axle in
+     the wheels of the carriage. This is done by means of a crank
+     which, through an endless screw and pinion, controls a toothed
+     sector attached to the sleeve.
+
+     Pointing in direction is done by means of a lever known as a tail
+     piece. Mounted upon the axle there are two small sights, forming
+     a line of aim, that permit of bringing the carriage back in the
+     direction of the target as soon as a shot has been fired. All
+     that the gunner has to do is to give the piece a slight
+     displacement laterally with respect to the carriage by means of a
+     hand-wheel, which turns the gun 2° to one side or the other.
+
+     The line of aim is found by a back and front sight arranged upon
+     the right side of the sleeve in which the gun is mounted. The
+     back side permits of aiming while the gun is being loaded. It
+     carries a small oscillating level that indicates the elevation of
+     the gun during rapid firing.
+
+     The weight of the carriage, without wheels, is 1,146 lbs. and
+     with wheels, 1,477 lbs.
+
+     The ammunition consists of cartridges containing charge and
+     projectile and having a total weight of 19 lbs. The powder
+     employed is of the smokeless kind, designated by the letters B.N.
+     The weight of the charge is 1-3/4 lbs. The projectiles are of
+     three kinds--ordinary shells, shrapnel shells, and case shot. The
+     weight of each is the same, say 14-1/4 lbs. The shrapnel shells
+     contain 234 balls, weighing 155.8 grains each, and an explosive
+     charge of 3.13 ozs.
+
+     As the gun can be pointed at a maximum angle of 20°, and the
+     initial velocity is 1,837 feet, the projectiles can be fired to a
+     distance of 26,248 feet.
+
+     The crew necessary to serve the gun consists of six men--a
+     gunner, a man to manoeuvre the breech-piece, a man to manoeuvre
+     the pointing lever, two men to pass the ammunition, and a man to
+     regulate the fuse. The rapidity of firing can easily be raised to
+     ten shots a minute.
+
+     The accuracy of the gun is most remarkable. Upon the occasion of
+     the trials made when the guns were received, the following firing
+     was done: a regulating shot, a first volley of six shots in
+     forty-two seconds, and a second volley of six shots in forty-six
+     seconds.
+
+     The fore carriage of the gun and that of the caisson are
+     identical. They carry a chest containing thirty-six cartridges,
+     and are capable of accommodating four men.
+
+     The back carriage of the caisson carries two chests like that of
+     the fore carriage.
+
+     The total weight of the gun and fore carriage loaded is 3,790
+     lbs., and that of the caisson 4,330 lbs.
+
+On reading over this description of the French 3" Creusot gun, it
+seems to me that the kind of axle used with it is first class and
+should be used in our field carriages for quick-firing guns; it must
+certainly take the strain of recoil off the centre of the axle, which
+recoil we found cracked our axles as we used them (once in my own
+guns) so badly that the whole thing had to be shifted and replaced.
+Another advantage it has is to lower the whole gun and mounting, and
+the centre of gravity of the weight of it and carriage, and therefore
+the gun is much harder to upset on rocky ground or going up steep
+precipices, as we had to do in Natal. This detail of wheels and axle
+is, I think, the most important one almost in a field carriage. The
+axle I mention is one bent down in its centre for about two-thirds of
+its length.
+
+In regard to the ammunition. The cordite charges in their brass
+cylinders and zinc-lined boxes did admirably, and the amount of
+knocking about which the cases and boxes out here stand is marvellous.
+At one time early in the campaign before Colenso and Ladysmith, a
+decided variation in shooting of our guns was noticed, and was put
+down in many cases to the variation of the cordite itself, the brass
+cases sometimes lying out, in fact, in a powerful sun for hours, while
+the guns were waiting or in action, and often becoming then too hot to
+touch. Now, however, I personally don't think that this theory was
+right but am of opinion that the variation then noticed, and even
+after in the shooting, was simply due to the varying recoil of guns on
+different slopes of ground and with indifferent drag-shoes. Royal
+Artillery officers confirm one in this opinion.
+
+As for the shells, both common and shrapnel, they stood the knocking
+about well, and I never saw or heard of a single common shell used
+with 12-pounders not exploding on striking, which speaks well for the
+base fuse. The shrapnel I am not quite so sure about; one noticed
+often a great deal of damp collected in the threads of the fuse plug
+and nose of the shell; owing, I presume, to condensation in their
+shell boxes under the change of heat and cold. Still they did very
+well and I think seldom failed to burst when set the right distance. I
+say the right distance because this at first was a slight puzzle to
+us, the subject of height in feet above the sea-level of course never
+having before presented itself to us as altering very considerably the
+setting of the time fuse; and I don't think that a table of correction
+for this exists in the Naval Service; at any rate, I have never seen
+one.
+
+To illustrate this, we found at Spion Kop (about 3,500 feet above the
+sea-level) that it was necessary to set the time fuse for any given
+range some 500 yards short to get the shell to burst at all before
+striking; and on the top of Van Wyk, fronting Botha's Pass (some 6,500
+feet above sea-level) I had to allow the fuse 800 to 900 yards short
+of the range, and similarly at Almond's Nek. This is, I take it, due
+to the projectile travelling further against a reduced air pressure at
+any height than it does for the same sighting of the gun at sea-level,
+for which of course all guns are sighted. I should like to talk to
+experts regarding this as we are not quite sure about it up here.[6]
+
+         [Footnote 6: I am since glad to hear from Lieutenant
+         Henderson of H.M.S. _Excellent_, that he is engaged in
+         working out a table of corrections, such as I mention, and is
+         also interesting himself in the question of "range-finders,"
+         and "filters," and other necessities for naval service.]
+
+Of course this firing from a height gives one therefore some 1,000
+yards longer range with shrapnel, say at 6,000 feet up, which is a
+most important fact to remember in shore fighting, and was well
+illustrated by the Boer 6" gun at Pougwana Mount (7,000 feet) over
+Laing's Nek, killing several of our Infantry on Inkwelo (Mount
+Prospect) at 10,000 yards range; of course this was helped by the
+height they were up, as well as by their superior double-ringed time
+fuse which we have picked up on their shrapnel, and which gives them
+in shrapnel fire a great advantage over any of our guns, which have
+not got these fuses at present. It is interesting to note that many
+4.7 lyddite shells were picked up, or rather dug up, by our own men
+and others, quite intact--this, of course, was always in soft ground,
+noticeably near the river (Tugela), and shows that the "direct action
+fuse" should have been screwed into the nose of the shell, instead of
+the "delay action fuse" that it had in it for use against thin plates
+of ships.
+
+Before leaving this subject of the gun and its fittings (12-pounder),
+I again wish to emphasise the fact of how important is the question of
+recoil. At one time, in front of Brakfontein with the 8-gun 12-pounder
+battery, we all dug trail pits and blocked the trails completely up in
+rear to prevent the guns recoiling at all on the carriage. This most
+certainly gave a gun thus blocked up over one allowed to recoil on the
+level an advantage of several hundred yards at an ordinary range of
+say 6,000 yards; but of course it threw on our weak makeshift wooden
+trails an undue strain, and after a couple had been smashed had to be
+given up. Still, although I would never advocate doing this to any
+field gun (_i.e._, bringing a gun up short as it shakes the mounting
+too much) the fact remains that the range or shooting power of the gun
+may be varied with the recoil in a great degree, and that therefore
+what I mention about a system to check recoil uniformly and with
+certainty seems to me to be an important one with our Naval field
+guns. This fact of increased range, got by blocking up a gun, is
+useful to remember in many cases, especially in this war when the
+Boers had the pull of our guns at first, and when it might have been
+worth while just temporarily disabling one gun, and to get one shot
+into them and so frighten them off.
+
+The newspaper controversy, very hot at one time, as to whether the
+Boer guns were better or not than ours, and the ridiculous statements
+one both read and heard from persons who knew little about the matter,
+were rather amusing and perhaps a little annoying. I unhesitatingly
+state that on all occasions the British Naval guns inch for inch
+outranged and outshot the Boer guns; and that the 4.7 Q.-F. even
+outranged, by some 2,000 yards, the Boer 6" Creusot. This I saw amply
+proved, at least to my own satisfaction, at Vaal Krantz, when the Boer
+6" gun on about the same level as our 4.7 was, on Signal Hill, vainly
+tried to reach it and couldn't, whilst our gun was all the time giving
+them an awful hammering and blew up their magazine.
+
+In one way, and one only, the Boer guns had the advantage over us in
+shooting, that is, with their shrapnel shell, many of which were
+fitted with a special long range time fuse (double-ringed); here they
+certainly overshot us, but failed to make much use of the advantage,
+as they invariably burst their shrapnel, through incorrect setting of
+fuse, either too high up in the air to hurt much or else on striking
+the ground. Another great advantage the Boer guns as a rule possessed
+was the heights at which they were placed, generally firing down upon
+our guns and troops. Notwithstanding all this, I say again, that their
+guns inch for inch were not in the hunt with ours as regards shooting
+power, nor was this likely or possible seeing the great length of the
+Naval Q.-F. gun and its much heavier charge.
+
+It must be remembered that Naval guns are solely designed and built
+for use at sea, or in forts, or against armour; and so to get the
+necessary muzzle energy, velocity, and penetration, a long gun is
+required; whereas the Boer gun was essentially a field or heavy land
+service gun. Their guns up to the 6" being on proper field mountings,
+and much lighter, shorter in the barrel, and consequently more mobile
+than ours, while firing a lighter charge; and perhaps in this way only
+it could be said that they were certainly better and handier than our
+guns. On the march and trekking up mountains this must have helped
+them a good deal, and from photos which I saw after the Boers had been
+driven out of Natal I should certainly say that their heavy guns on
+the march must have been much easier to move than ours.
+
+To give an idea of the difference in weight between the heavier guns I
+may quote the following figures; that of the Boer guns I take as I
+read of them in Military Intelligence books:
+
+            _Weight._                          _Weight._
+  British Naval 6" Q.-F. gun               }
+    (wire)                   7 tons 8 cwt. } Boer 6" Creusot gun,
+  British Naval 4.7 Q.-F.                  }     2 tons 10 cwt.
+    wire gun                 2 tons 2 cwt. }
+
+From these weights it may be at once noticed that inch for inch there
+is no comparison between the Boer and British heavy gun as regards
+range and power of gun itself, consequent on our heavier charges.
+Taking their 3-1/2" Creusot Q.-F. guns (15 lbs.) and comparing them
+with our Elswick Naval 12-pounders I should say that there is little
+to choose between them, they having the advantage only in their long
+range fuses for shrapnel shell, which fuses should be issued to ours
+as soon as possible. One always heard these small French Q.-F. guns
+alluded to with great awe as the "high velocity" gun of the enemy, but
+I doubt much if they have one foot per second more mean velocity at
+ordinary ranges than our Naval 12-pounder, although perhaps they may
+have more at the muzzle, which is of little account.
+
+To illustrate what small use the Boer gunner made of his advantage
+over us in long range shrapnel, I should say that it was generally
+noticed by all in the Natal Field Force how very high up they burst
+their shell as a rule, and so doing much less damage than they might
+have done; as Tommy described it, the bullets often came down like a
+gentle shower of rain and could be caught in the hand and pocketed.
+This of course, I should say, was the result of faulty setting of
+their time fuse; probably they did not apply the necessary correction
+for height above sea-level and so the shell either burst at too high a
+period of its flight, or else on striking did little damage to us. The
+front face of this kopje from where I am now writing (Grass Kop at
+Sandspruit, and 6,000 feet high) is full of holes made by Boer
+shrapnel shell, burst after striking in the hole dug by the shell
+itself and leaving all their bullets and pieces buried in these holes.
+There was no damage done by their heavy shrapnel fire at all when the
+Dorsets took the hill, and solely because of this faulty setting of
+the time fuse. We have dug up many of these shells here, and bullets
+simply strew the ground.
+
+The 12-pounder gun limber, especially made by our Ordnance people from
+a design supplied by Lieutenant James, R.N., when at Maritzburg in
+November, was afterwards supplied to all the guns, and none too soon;
+but we did not get them till Ladysmith was relieved and they were
+badly wanted all the time. These limbers were very well made and very
+excellent, fitted to carry forty rounds complete of 12-pounder Q.-F.
+ammunition which was invariably found by us as sufficient, as a first
+or ready supply, giving eighty rounds to a pair of guns. More could,
+however, have been carried if necessary, up to sixty rounds complete
+on each limber; these limbers were strong, with very good wheels and
+broad tyres (a great contrast to the wretched little gun wheels we had
+to get along with at one time) and on them there was room also for
+gun's crew's great-coats, leather gear, gun telescopes, and other
+impedimenta, which was most convenient.
+
+One fault in them, I think, might be corrected if again required;
+_i.e._, the platform or floor of the limber instead of being built
+only on the forepart of the axle should extend also behind or on rear
+side of the axle; by this means the Q.-F. boxes of ammunition may be
+distributed to balance the weight equally on each side of the axle,
+and so bring the least weight possible on the necks of the oxen or
+other draught animals drawing the limber and gun along. This, in a
+hilly country, is important.
+
+I would here note that when on the march with guns under any
+conditions, one's men should always be allowed to march light,
+slinging their rifles on the gun muzzles and putting leather gear with
+S.A. ammunition, water bottles and days' provisions handy on top of
+the limbers. The carrying of any of these things only exhausts the
+men for no object, and when one remembers what heavy work they may
+have to do on the march at any moment--bringing guns into action,
+rapid firing and running out the guns, digging pits and trenches,
+off-loading and loading the Q.-F. ammunition, and keeping up a supply
+which in South Africa at any rate may be at the bottom of a steep
+kopje with the gun at the top--one recognises the great advantage
+gained in giving the men as much latitude as possible, and bringing
+them into action after a march comparatively fresh. For these reasons
+I would advocate that a gun limber should be made for any service gun,
+with the object of allowing a certain amount of extra room for the
+gun's crew's gear and stores.
+
+In respect to range finding, the mekometer (range finder) as supplied
+to the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Artillery and also to every
+company in a regiment (and which therefore was easy to borrow during
+the campaign), proved most useful to us in getting ranges roughly. To
+get a range over 5,000 yards one has to use the double base with this
+instrument, and ranges may then be found up to 10,000 yards, and, with
+practised observers, fairly correctly. At any rate it is most useful
+to have something to start on when you get up into position. This
+instrument is extremely small and portable and should be supplied to
+Naval field batteries, and also a certain proportion to the rifle
+companies for land service; it may be carried slung like a small Kodak
+camera on one's back. Of course ranges can be very quickly found by
+shooting one or two shots to find them out, and this was done by our
+guns a good deal, and necessarily so when in action when one has no
+time to waste and the objects are moving ones; but I strongly advise
+anyone who gets his guns into a position where he is likely to stop,
+such as in defence of a camp, or on top of a kopje defending a
+railway line, or in position to bombard an enemy's fixed trenches and
+lines, at once to find his ranges roughly all round to prominent
+objects by the mekometer, as it gives one added confidence and is
+invaluable when shooting over the heads of one's own men to cover
+their attack, which is often a ticklish job and to be successful must
+be continued up to the very last moment it can be, with safety.
+
+This instrument, the mekometer, together with the clinometer, for
+setting the gun for elevation independent of the sight arc, and an
+ordinary spirit-level to place on gun trail to tell which way the
+wheels or carriage of the gun are inclined on uneven ground (so
+altering the deflection scale), might in my opinion be supplied to
+every Naval field battery, heavy or light.[7]
+
+         [Footnote 7: Since writing this opinion I think, perhaps, it
+         will be well to pause till the results of Professor George
+         Forbes', F.R.S., experiments with a new stereoscopic
+         instrument in South Africa are to hand; he is there at
+         present by request of Lord Kitchener with his new invention.
+         For full report of this instrument I would refer to Professor
+         Forbes' paper read at the Society of Arts, December 18th,
+         1901. It is sufficient now to say that the instrument folds
+         up to 3 foot 6 inches in length, can be used by one observer
+         only standing, kneeling, or lying down, has great accuracy
+         and portability, and has received the support of Sir George
+         Clarke and other authorities.]
+
+I may mention that the 4.7's and 6" Q.-F. were often fired at
+elevations which did not even come on the graduated elevation arc, and
+so the clinometer had to be borrowed from the military and used to lay
+the guns; it is most useful.
+
+For night firing on shore, as practised by us at Colenso and Spion
+Kop, guns are laid for required distant object just before dusk. The
+position of the wheels is accurately marked by pegs and lines, and
+when the gun is laid the sight is lowered to some white object placed
+fifty yards in front of gun, on which when dark a lantern may be
+placed; the elevation is read off either on arc of sight or by
+clinometer placed on the gun. To keep on firing at this distant object
+when dark, the gun is run out to same wheel marks every time and laid
+for same direction by the lantern on the near object, and elevation by
+clinometer. The C.O.'s of regiments always most kindly put their
+mekometer and trained observers at our disposal on escorting us up to
+a position.
+
+A plane table survey, using a mekometer to measure one's base, is
+pretty easily made to get position of kopjes, trenches, well-defined
+gun emplacements and their ranges, roughly, but it wants a certain
+amount of time to do it.
+
+As to the emplacing of a 12-pounder or other Q.-F. gun for attack or
+defence, all hard and fast rules may, in my opinion, be at once
+dismissed, the matter entirely depending on the nature of the ground
+occupied and the direction and extent of fire required. Still I submit
+the following points as being useful to remember:--
+
+     (1.) Carefully select the ground. If on a ridge, hill, or kopje,
+     the emplacement must be over the sky-line either on one slope or
+     the other; take a place where Nature helps you, if possible
+     screened by trees, free of rocks, and with soft ground, dongas,
+     or water round it, so that the enemy's shells will bury
+     themselves and not burst on striking. Of course in South Africa,
+     except on the flat, this could hardly ever be done.
+
+     (2.) The best form of emplacement is a gun pit about 1 foot 6
+     inches deep, according to our experience in Natal, the earth or
+     rock taken out forming a circular parapet 3 feet 6 inches high,
+     and as bulky or thick as ever you like on the front face, the
+     floor of the pit being levelled and a gradual slope made out of
+     it for guns to be moved easily in and out of the pit. The size of
+     the pit should be just enough to allow the gun trail to move
+     round on any arc of training when the gun muzzle is run out over
+     the front face or parapet, and to allow three feet more over and
+     above this for the recoil of the gun in the drag-shoes, so as not
+     to fetch the trail up sharp on recoiling.
+
+A narrow ditch may be dug all round the inside of the parapet to allow
+the crew to get into it for additional cover, and the ammunition boxes
+may either be placed in this ditch or a magazine dug and sandbagged
+over when plenty of time is available. A couple of drainage holes may
+be required in heavy rains to empty the pits on each side. The
+circular parapet can be built up any thickness, as just said; it
+should then be sandbagged over till the required height. If in grassy
+ground, instead of sandbags put large sods of grass to hide the
+emplacement and to keep the dust from flying, as sandbags are
+conspicuous. If neither grass nor sandbags are available, make your
+Kaffirs or camp followers cow-dung the surface of your parapet
+instead; this dries, and all dust under muzzle on firing is avoided. I
+constantly tried this plan and found it very effective.
+
+Of all points this avoidance of dust is the most important, as, unless
+prevented, it rises in a cloud under the muzzle of the gun at every
+shot. At long ranges, used by the Boers and ourselves, it was almost
+impossible to locate a gun firing cordite or other smokeless powder
+except by this cloud dust. So avoid it at all costs. Make the colour
+of your emplacement as much like that of the surrounding ground as
+possible, including your sandbags, if used.
+
+[Illustration: Naval 12-pounder emplaced.]
+
+[Illustration: Boer Gun positions at Colenso.]
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX 1
+
+HINTS ON EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.
+
+
+As a few hints in regard to an officer's kit for active service may
+not be unacceptable to some, I offer a few observations on the subject
+so far as I am able to speak from my own experiences.
+
+Good telescopes are most important articles to have in any land
+company of soldiers or sailors; they were especially useful in South
+Africa. The Naval Service long-telescope with its big field is very
+good and powerful in any light where there is no haze (at or before
+sunrise or when the sun is low for instance), but when the sun is well
+up it becomes of little use; and then comes the turn of the smaller
+telescope as used by all Naval officers on board ship. This is a
+particularly useful glass, and I myself felt quite lost, late in the
+campaign, when I unfortunately dropped the top of mine when riding. As
+to binoculars, we found the Zeiss or Ross's very excellent, and all
+military officers seemed to use them; but, in my humble opinion, they
+are not to be compared with a good small telescope.
+
+At the start of the campaign the want of good telescopes among the
+military was most marked, and ours were generally in great request.
+Many military officers with whom I have talked on the subject agree
+with me in thinking that a certain proportion of small telescopes
+should be supplied, say two for every company in a regiment, for the
+use of those on outpost and look-out duties. It is astonishing to see
+the added interest which any man placed on these duties shows when he
+can really make out for himself advancing objects and enemy's
+positions without being entirely dependent on their officers to tell
+them. A good glass will render reports from these men reliable and
+valuable, instead of, as they often are, mere guesswork. At Grass Kop,
+where we had one Volunteer Company all armed with binoculars which
+were presented to them on leaving England (with the South
+Lancashires), the hill was always lined with look-out men on their own
+account; so interested were they in the matter.
+
+Our water supply, as at first run, with one water-cart to the whole
+Naval Brigade, was inadequate; but later on each unit with guns got,
+as they should have, their own water-cart, or else made them with a
+cask fixed upon axle wheels, which we were obliged to do for a long
+time. Transport for these was either mule or ox; the former, quickest
+and best. A field filter for each unit should be supplied if
+possible.[8]
+
+         [Footnote 8: The proper filtering of water for use in
+         water-bottles and indeed for all drinking purposes, is most
+         important, and especially so in hot weather, when men are
+         always wanting a drink at off times, and will have it of
+         course. Late in the war, the "Berkefeld Field Service Filter"
+         was supplied to us by the Ordnance Department, and is very
+         good; it packs up in what looks like a large-sized luncheon
+         basket, and is very portable; it is simple to look after, if
+         directions are followed, and will make about thirty-four
+         pints in ten minutes, or, enough to fill fifteen men's
+         water-bottles; consequently it can easily be used on the
+         march during short halts, and whenever water is passed to
+         fill up water-bottles, and it is quickly packed up again. For
+         any individual who wishes to carry a filter on his own
+         person, I would recommend a small "Berkefeld Cylinder or
+         porous candle" and small "Pasteur pump" with the necessary
+         rubber tubes; this makes a very small parcel; it would only
+         take up about one quarter of the Service haversack, and is
+         well worth taking I am sure. The "Berkefeld Filter" should be
+         supplied to ships in case of landing Brigades--one to every
+         unit of 100 is the proper proportion as recommended by the
+         firm.]
+
+A few remarks may not here be out of place as to the best fighting kit
+to have ready for an officer who wishes to be comfortable, and also
+perhaps at certain times smart, when stationary in a standing camp for
+some time or on lines of communication. Needless to say that when
+actually marching or fighting one wears anything and everything that
+first comes to hand. Khaki has certainly done us very well; twill at
+first during the heat, and serge or cord later on when the cold came
+on; but it is well to avoid khaki twill in cold weather as it becomes
+clammy and uncomfortable. Personally I should say that a serge or
+cord, thin for heat and thick for cold weather, is much the best for
+general wear.
+
+I started the campaign with two pairs of khaki twill riding breeches
+and two serge tunics (thin); these supplemented by a thick pair of
+khaki riding cord breeches that I got made at Durban when the cold
+came on, lasted me well through the campaign. For camp wear one can
+always use the ordinary twill or serge trousers, as served out from
+time to time by the Ordnance to all hands if required. On one's legs
+one should wear ordinary brown leather or canvas riding gaiters, only
+_not_ the Naval Service gaiters, as they are of no use for hard work
+or much riding. Many of us wore putties, and the men all did, but I
+don't like them myself as they are too hot in hot weather and make
+one's legs sore in cold.
+
+Riding breeches should be strapped inside the knee and doubled, and
+perhaps to lace up at the knee would be more comfortable than
+buttoning. Here I should mention that all the Naval officers
+commanding guns were mounted, and eventually all got mounts in some
+way; so riding plays a great part and is absolutely necessary if one
+wishes to be useful.
+
+I also had two pairs of strong brown boots (an emphasis on the brown),
+they are far the best; and the soles should be protected with small
+nails carefully put in so as not to hurt one's feet. A pair of
+rubber-soled shoes for scouting, sporting, or camp work, and a pair of
+warm slippers to sleep in are indispensable. Long rubber or sea-boots,
+on account of their weight and bulk, are a nuisance. When it rained in
+South Africa it so quickly dried up that we found rubber shoes quite
+good enough for everything.
+
+It is useful to take three flannel shirts, and under-clothing in
+proportion; cholera belts also become necessary to most of us I am
+afraid, and are very important; it is also advisable to have plenty of
+socks and to change them frequently. Light silk neck-scarves are most
+useful and prevent sunburnt necks; and in the cold and bitter winds we
+experienced, and when sleeping in the open at night with heavy frosts,
+Balaclavas, woollen comforters, Tam-o'-shanters, and Jaeger gloves are
+highly desirable. Thanks to our kind friends at home we were loaded
+with these articles during the campaign and found them invaluable.
+
+In the hat line our bluejackets' straw hats, smartly covered with
+khaki twill and with cap ribbon, did very well for the sun and are
+nice and shady; they also last a long time when covered well, or even
+when painted khaki colour which stiffens and preserves them. I found
+my helmet also useful till I lost it. It is as well to take one
+Service cap with khaki covers, and a squash hat of gray or khaki;
+these latter are most comfortable and everybody wore them in camp; but
+I found that they don't keep out the sun enough during the day, they
+stow very close however, and can always be worn if one loses or
+smashes one's other hats.
+
+As to bedclothes, this is a most important matter in the freezing
+cold. I advise a Wolseley valise to be got at the Army and Navy
+Stores, with mattress and pillow and Jaeger bag inside; one should
+have over one at night the two Service blankets allowed, and one's
+great-coat. Unless one sleeps on a stretcher, which can't be always
+got, it is well to cut long grass and put it under the valise in the
+cold weather, as it makes a wonderful difference on the frozen ground
+and gives one a good night as a rule.
+
+If there are means of transport, it is as well to carry a Wolseley kit
+bag to hold one's clothes and boots, etc. I think that every officer
+in this war had these two things, the kit bag and valise, although of
+course a great deal may be rolled up and carried in the valise only
+and the bag left behind if it comes to a pinch.
+
+The following articles are most useful to carry always, viz.:--Service
+telescope, and also binoculars as well if one can afford it (Zeiss or
+Ross's); a knife with all implements (especially corkscrew); a light
+tin cylinder to hold charts, plans, intelligence maps, and private
+maps or sketches; also writing materials, diary and order books, can
+be carried in a flat waterproof sponge bag case. As luxuries which can
+be done without:--A collapsible india-rubber bath basin and waterproof
+sheet, very compact as got at the Army and Navy Stores; a small
+mincing machine (the only means of digesting a trek ox), and sparklet
+bottle and sparklets are very handy. Such other luxuries as cigars,
+cigarettes, pipes, etc., can always be stowed in some corner of the
+valise or bag. Carry brown leather polish, dubbing, and laces.
+
+Leather gear as carried on one's back should be a "Sam Brown Belt" of
+the single cross strap kind, in preference to the Naval Service gear.
+On this one can carry one's revolver, water-bottle, and haversack,
+which with glasses slung over all and separately, complete all one
+requires as a gunner. Swords were not carried during this war by
+officers, as in cases where the rifle was substituted, they only
+proved an incumbrance. A stick for the marching officer, like "Chinese
+Gordon" had, cannot be beaten.
+
+A hint as to food before we part. Don't go on the principle "because I
+am campaigning I must resign myself to feed badly on what I can pick
+up and on what my stomach is entirely unaccustomed to." There was
+never a greater mistake. On the contrary, feed yourself and those
+under you on the best, sparing no expense, and when you can get wine
+instead of muddy water, drink it to keep you going and your blood in
+good order. Do yourself as well as you can, is my advice and
+experience, after perhaps rather thinking and going the other way at
+first. It simply means that when others run down and go sick with
+dysentery, fever and other ills, you are still going strong and fit
+for work. Naturally advice on this point is entirely dependent on
+means of transport; but when this exists, as it did with the Naval
+Brigade who had ammunition wagons, a hundred pounds weight or so makes
+little difference to them if not already overloaded. Take the best
+advantage, therefore, of it that you can within reason, and up to a
+certain extent, there being of course always a limit to all good
+things.
+
+Tents are a great and important feature in any long campaign. I don't
+hesitate to say that the single canvas bell tent as supplied to the
+British Forces, should be at once converted into double canvas tents.
+In the many long sweltering days when the Natal Field Force before
+Colenso, and later at Elandslaagte, were forced to lie doing nothing,
+the heat of the sun coming through the tent was very bad; one was
+always obliged to wear a helmet inside one's tent; and I think in the
+men's tents (ours with, say, ten in them, and the military who had, I
+am told, up to fifteen in one tent) the state of things was abominably
+unhealthy under the blazing South African sun, and I am persuaded that
+half the sickness among the forces was due to this insufficient
+protection from the sun. The double canvas bell tent with air space in
+between the two parts does very well, in both keeping heat and cold
+off. The Indian tents, of khaki canvas, double and generally
+square-shaped, are much the best ones we saw on the Natal side and
+should be used generally in the Army; the extra expense would be saved
+in the end by prevention of fever and sunstroke.
+
+My own experience (when I and three other officers lay in a field
+hospital outside Ladysmith just after the relief, in a single bell
+tent, and saw Tommies all around us crowded into these tents with
+fever and dysentery, whereby all our cases, I am sure, were made much
+worse by the torturing sun which poured in all day on our heads),
+makes me very glad that the "Hospital Commission" is now sitting, and
+I sincerely hope that such absurd mistakes will be noticed and
+corrected by them for the good of the whole British Forces.
+
+Regarding the Mauser rifle, as compared with the Lee-Metford, I
+personally have little experience, but I can only say that the Mauser
+to hold and carry is much the better balanced of the two, and that the
+fine sighting is superior. Also some military officers seem to say it
+is a better shooter at long ranges, and its magazine action is far
+quicker and superior.[9] Revolvers, as far as I know, have had no test
+at all in this war. The cavalry carbine, I believe, is universally
+condemned by all cavalry officers out here, and is doomed to go I
+hope, being, if used against foes with modern weapons, only waste
+lumber.
+
+         [Footnote 9: Since writing this about the Mauser, Captain
+         Cowper of the Queen's tells me that on the whole he considers
+         the Lee-Metford superior, and that the Boers he has met have
+         told him they hold it to be a harder shooter at long ranges.
+         However, it seems to me that the better balance and magazine
+         of the Mauser counteract this and give it the preference.]
+
+I believe that I am right in saying that pouches for carrying the
+rifle ammunition are universally condemned in favour of a bandolier,
+with flaps over every ten cartridges or so. In our Naval bandoliers
+the want of these flaps was especially noticeable, and the wastage of
+ammunition dropped out was, I am sure, excessive, besides leaving
+loose ammunition lying about for Boer or Kaffir to pick up, as they
+are reported to be doing. The web bandolier is lighter than the
+leather, and better, so I recommend it, if fitted with flaps, to the
+notice of the Naval authorities.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX II
+
+EXTRACTS FROM SOME OF THE DESPATCHES, REPORTS, AND TELEGRAMS,
+REGARDING OPERATIONS MENTIONED IN THIS JOURNAL
+
+
+[_London Gazette_, January 26th, 1900.]
+
+_From General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., G.C.B._
+
+                                        Chieveley Camp,
+                                       _December 17th, 1899._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+I enclose a reconnaissance sketch of the Colenso position. All visible
+defences had been shelled by eight naval guns on the 13th and 14th.
+During all this time and throughout the day, the two 4.7 and four
+12-pounder Naval guns of the Naval Brigade and Durban Naval
+Volunteers, under Captain E. P. Jones, R.N., were being admirably
+served, and succeeded in silencing every one of the enemy's guns they
+could locate.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_London Gazette_, March 30th, 1900.]
+
+_From Captain E. P. Jones, R.N., Commanding Naval Brigade._
+
+                                        Chieveley Camp,
+                                       _December 16th, 1899._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+The whole force under Sir Redvers Buller advanced at 4 a.m. yesterday,
+intending to take the positions of the enemy on the other side of the
+Tugela. The Brigade under my command was disposed as follows:--Two 4.7
+guns and four 12-pounders which were on the outpost line in a position
+10,000 yards from the main works of the enemy, from which place we had
+been shelling them on the previous day, advanced to a small rise about
+5,000 yards from the entrenched hills across the Tugela. Six
+12-pounders under Lieutenant Ogilvy with Lieutenant James of H.M.S.
+_Tartar_ and Lieutenant Deas of _Philomel_ were attached to the Field
+Artillery under Colonel Long. Two 12-pounders under Lieutenant Burne
+held the kopje from which we advanced.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_London Gazette_, March 12th, 1901.]
+
+_From Captain Jones, R.N., Commanding Naval Brigade, Natal._
+
+                                        Naval Camp, Spearmans Hill,
+                                       _February 8th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+As to Vaal Krantz, the Naval guns were disposed as follows: ... Two
+12-pounders with Lieutenant Burne on the plateau between this hill and
+the river. At daylight on the 6th, Lieutenant Burne's two guns were
+moved to a position at the east of Zwartz Kop.
+
+February 18th, 1900. Lieutenant Burne with two 12-pounder guns was
+left with General Warren at Spearmans and marched on the 10th to
+Springfield Bridge where he remains under Colonel Burn-Murdoch.
+
+From General Sir R. Buller to Admiral Sir R. Harris, March 5th, 1900.
+"I much appreciate your congratulations. I can hardly tell you how
+much of our successes are due to the Navy: their gunnery was
+admirable."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N., February 16th, 1900, enclosed in
+letter of March 28th, 1900, from the Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good
+Hope Station.
+
+_Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N._
+
+                                        Springfield Camp,
+                                       _February 16th, 1900._
+
+I have the honour to report as follows:--
+
+Since being detached from Lieutenant Ogilvy's command I moved back
+across the Tugela river from the advanced kopjes on February 1st. On
+Sunday, February 4th, I learnt that I was attached to Sir Charles
+Warren's Division, and received my orders from him personally on that
+day on Gun Plateau, regarding the next day's operations; I also
+interviewed yourself on that day in reply to signal received. On
+Monday, 5th, my guns were shelling the enemy incessantly all day in
+conjunction with the feint on the left, and in reply to a Boer 3"
+Creusot and two Maxim Vickers 1-1/4 lbs. I received many directions
+from both General Warren and General Talbot-Coke, as to points they
+wished shelled, and at the end of the day had expended 250 common and
+shrapnel shell. At 8 p.m. I received orders from General Warren to
+march at daybreak on Tuesday, and join the Commander-in-Chief at the
+fort of Zwartz Kop; this I did, and though delayed on the hill by
+wagons and by the 7th Battery R.F.A. coming up, and later, by streams
+of ambulance in the narrow road close to Zwartz Kop, I arrived and
+reported my guns to General Buller about 8 a.m., at the foot of the
+kopje. He told me to bring my guns into action, and help to silence
+the Boer 6" Creusot, and, if possible, the 3" Creusot, which were
+firing from Spion Kop (position 2) at our field batteries.
+
+As I came into action, and was aiming my right gun at the Boer 6", a
+shell from it struck twenty yards in front, and covering us with dirt,
+jumped over our heads without exploding; the shell was plainly visible
+in the air to me on coming down, and I saw it strike on its side and
+the fuse break off. The shell was picked up intact at my wagons which
+were just coming up, by Edward House, A.B., and we have it now. I
+concentrated my fire on the 6" gun at 6,400 yards, and in an hour it
+was silenced for the rest of the day; this, of course, was effected in
+conjunction with the fire from the 5" guns just in front of me, and
+from one 4.7 on Signal Hill.
+
+During the day my guns also drove back at least two Boer field guns at
+6,500 yards, which had been brought down into Vaal Krantz, and which
+tried to find our range but just fell short; they shifted position,
+but were finally driven over the sky-line. There was also a 1-1/4 lb.
+Pom-pom in a donga in the valley, which we silenced many times, and at
+the end of the day had fired some 230 rounds.
+
+On Wednesday, February 7th, we commenced again at daylight; the 6"
+opened a heavy fire on one pontoon (No. 3), and on the field batteries
+in front of us, which had been pushed forward there before daybreak.
+My fire was directed solely at the big gun; my No. 2 standing by and
+firing directly he saw it appear. During the day my ammunition supply
+was kept up by direct communication by orderly with the column under
+Major Findlay. In the forenoon the Boer field guns were brought down
+again in the valley, and shelled the pontoon, Krantz Kop, and us; they
+were driven off in an hour or so, but recommenced again later.
+
+In the afternoon, more field guns and Pom-poms on the burnt kopjes to
+the left of us opened a heavy fire on Krantz Kop, but were driven off
+by our guns, the howitzer battery (100 yards in our rear), and by the
+Naval guns on Zwartz Kop.
+
+About 5 p.m. the fire from the Boer 100-pounder was very heavy, and
+came all round us, the Staff, and Infantry in reserve, and twice my
+crews only escaped by lying down. Just at that moment I got the order
+from Colonel Parsons, R.A., to withdraw my guns by moonlight, and
+cover our retirement on Gun Plateau. This was done, but the steep hill
+being jammed with traffic, I did not get up to my old position on Gun
+Plateau till next morning, when I reported to General Warren.
+
+Between February 8th and 9th, I assisted to cover the retirement of
+our troops over the Tugela, and on the 9th was withdrawn at 11 a.m.,
+and arrived at Springfield Bridge at 3 p.m.
+
+On February 10th, by order of Colonel Burn-Murdoch (1st Dragoons) and
+the Camp Commandant, I placed my guns in the entrenched camp half a
+mile beyond the bridge, and up to 14th was employed in making gun
+epaulements and pits, and finding the ranges.
+
+On February 13th, the Boers appearing in force on the kopjes to our
+left at 9,000 yards, I rode out with Colonel Burn-Murdoch and other
+Commanding Officers, to reconnoitre, and find gun positions. They
+sniped at us at 1,600 to 2,000 yards, and at the advanced Cavalry
+pickets all night, but next morning, the 14th, after "A" Battery Royal
+Horse Artillery and my guns had been pushed forward, they were found
+to have retreated altogether, and we surmised them to be a commando of
+Free State Boers returning to the Free State.
+
+To-day, the 16th, we received news of General French's relief of
+Kimberley. All quiet in this neighbourhood.
+
+At present I have 500 rounds of ammunition with me, and 300, in
+reserve, in charge of the officer of the ammunition column here.
+
+I will conclude by saying that I have nothing but praise for the
+conduct and hard work performed by my men during the last ten days,
+especially when under fire; their spirit is now excellent. I should
+specially mention my captains of guns, T. Mitchell, 1st class P.O.,
+and J. Mullis, 1st class P.O., for their hard work, the latter the
+best and quickest shot of the two. I must recommend E. A. Harvey,
+P.O., 2nd class, and leading shipwright, as rendering me most useful
+and clever work on the gun mountings, etc., and for further designs.
+Of the rest P. Treherne, A.B.; D. Shepherd, A.B., S.G.T.; Henry House,
+A.B.; W. Jones, A.B., S.G.T.; Fred Tuck, O.S.; C. Patton, signalman;
+and W. Dunetal, stoker, deserve special mention. Mr. White,
+midshipman, has rendered me useful assistance. Mr. Freeman, conductor,
+has done very well; and the white drivers, McPheeson and Blewitt,
+excellently. I find the gun teams of eight oxen under the two latter
+are very useful.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_The Times_, Thursday, March 1st, 1900.]
+
+The following despatch from General Buller has been received at the
+War Office:--
+
+                                   Headquarters, Hlangwane Plain,
+                                  _February 28th_, 8.5 a.m.
+
+Finding that the passage of Langewachte Spruit was commanded by strong
+entrenchments, I reconnoitred for another passage of the Tugela. One
+was found for me below the cataract by Colonel Sandbach, Royal
+Engineers.
+
+On the 25th we commenced making an approach to it, and on the 26th,
+finding that I could make a practicable approach, I crossed guns and
+baggage back to the south side of the Tugela, took up the pontoon
+bridge on the night of the 26th, and relaid it at the new site, which
+is just below the point marked "cataract."
+
+During all the time the troops had been scattered, crouching under
+hastily-constructed small stone shelters, and exposed to a galling
+shell and rifle fire, and throughout maintained the most excellent
+spirit.
+
+On the 27th General Barton, with two Battalions 6th Brigade and the
+Royal Dublin Fusiliers, crept about one and a half miles down the
+banks of river, and, ascending an almost precipitous cliff of about
+500 feet, assaulted and carried the top of Pieters Hill.
+
+This hill to a certain extent turned the enemy's left, and the 4th
+Brigade, under Colonel Norcott, and the 11th Brigade, under Colonel
+Kitchener, the whole under General Warren, assailed the enemy's main
+position, which was magnificently carried by the South Lancashire
+Regiment about sunset.
+
+We took about sixty prisoners and scattered the enemy in all
+directions.
+
+There seems to be still a considerable body of them left on and under
+Bulwana Mountain.
+
+Our losses, I hope, are not large. They certainly are much less than
+they would have been were it not for the admirable manner in which the
+artillery was served, especially the guns manned by the Royal Navy and
+the Natal Naval Volunteers.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_The Times_, Thursday, March 8th, 1900.]
+
+_From our Special Correspondent._
+
+                                        Ladysmith,
+                                       _March 5th._
+
+The following special Army Order has been issued:--
+
+"The relief of Ladysmith unites two forces which have striven with
+conspicuous gallantry and splendid determination to maintain the
+honour of their Queen and country. The garrison of Ladysmith for four
+months held the position against every attack with complete success
+and endured its privations with admirable fortitude. The relieving
+force had to make its way through unknown country, across unfordable
+rivers, and over almost inaccessible heights in the face of a
+fully-prepared, well-armed tenacious enemy. By the exhibition of the
+truest courage, which burns steadily besides flashing brilliantly, it
+accomplished its object, and added a glorious page to our history.
+Sailors, soldiers, Colonials, and the home-bred have done this, united
+by one desire, and inspired by one patriotism.
+
+"The General Commanding congratulates both forces on their martial
+qualities, and thanks them for their determined efforts. He desires to
+offer his sincere sympathy to the relatives and friends of the good
+soldiers and gallant comrades who have fallen in the fight.
+
+                                        "BULLER."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade._
+
+                                        Ladysmith,
+                                       _March 10th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+I enclose reports sent in to me by Lieutenants Ogilvy and Burne, who
+were mostly detached from me.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Enclosure from Lieutenant Burne, R.N._
+
+                                        Colenso,
+                                       _March 7th, 1900._
+
+Since my last letter dated from Springfield Bridge, I have the honour
+to report that I left Springfield on February 23rd, marching with the
+York and Lancaster Regiment to rejoin the main column. We reached
+Chieveley Camp on the 24th, and I pitched camp on Gun Hill, where I
+found Lieutenant Drummond and the 6" gun. We remained here till a
+telegram and written orders were handed me on the night of the 26th,
+from Lieutenant Drummond, to march at daybreak with the York and
+Lancaster Regiment to join the 10th Brigade. We marched at 6 a.m. on
+the 27th, with the Regiment, by Hussar Hill round Hlangwane. Here we
+found the Commander-in-Chief, who told me, on my reporting the guns,
+that the 10th Brigade were in Colenso; he added that it was no fault
+of mine that we had come out of the way, as the orders had not been
+clear, but told me to cross the Tugela by the Pont as quickly as
+possible, the pontoon bridge having been removed. At the Pont I had to
+off-load all my wagons, as the drift below was impassable; and after
+having got one gun and ox team safely across, the Pont was upset in
+the middle of the river, and all the work was jammed. During this time
+there was a heavy shell fire on Colenso Station from a Boer 3" gun,
+but we were not touched. I had the Pont righted, and my men baled it
+out before daylight on the 28th, and I took my other gun and two
+wagons and loads of ammunition across, and hurried on to join General
+Coke. On the morning of March 1st a body of men rode in from
+Ladysmith. They proved to be Ladysmith scouts, and brought General
+Coke his first intimation of the relief of Ladysmith on the previous
+evening. My guns were in position, and we bivouacked with the troops
+for some days, but I have now pitched camp and withdrawn the guns.
+Hearing many rumours here that the Naval men are to return to their
+ships, I should like to bring to your notice the very excellent
+service which has been rendered me by my captains of guns, R.
+Mitchell, P.O., 1st class, and especially G. Mullis, P.O., 1st class,
+and the clever and hard work of F. Harvey, P.O., 2nd class (leading
+shipwright), and to mention the following names not before
+mentioned:--H. House, A.B., F. Long, O.S. (bugler), S. Ratcliffe,
+O.S., and to state my appreciation of the work done by all.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_The Times_ of April 16th, 1900.]
+
+_Extract from "Times" Natal Military Correspondent, dated March 22nd,
+1900._
+
+The Naval contingent of the _Powerful_ left Ladysmith for England on
+the 7th, and that of the _Terrible_ left to rejoin their ship on the
+11th. The 4.7 guns remain in the hands of the Naval gunners of the
+_Forte_, _Philomel_, and _Tartar_, under Captain Jones of the _Forte_,
+but most of the 12-pounders have now been handed over to the 4th
+Mountain Battery. It seems a great pity that the Naval gunners of the
+_Terrible_ could not have been spared to finish the campaign. Three
+months' practice ashore has made them nearly perfect in the management
+of their guns, and they themselves would be the first to admit that,
+at any rate in that part of the gunnery that was not learnt on board
+ship, such as rapidity of fire under their present altered conditions
+and mobility, they have improved twofold since they first landed.
+Their rapidity of fire was wonderful when it is remembered that their
+carriages are fitted with none of the automatic appliances for
+returning the gun to the firing position, but have to be dragged back
+every time by hand, and then carefully adjusted with the wheels at
+exactly the same level. As regards mobility, they have on at least one
+occasion--namely Zwartz Kop--taken their guns up a place condemned by
+the Royal Artillery as impossible. All this experience is now to be
+made no further use of, and the guns pass into the hands of men who
+will have to learn it afresh. A great advantage the Naval gunners had
+over the Royal Artillery was their use of the glass. Besides the
+telescopic sights used with the big guns, they were provided with a
+large telescope on a tripod, at which an officer was always seated
+watching the effect of the shells, and, in the case of an advance the
+movements of our Infantry as well, and they were never guilty, as the
+Royal Artillery have been more than once, of firing on our own men. On
+January 24th, whilst the fighting on the top of Spion Kop was taking
+place, the Naval guns on Mount Alice were able at a distance of rather
+over four miles clearly to distinguish our men from the Boers, and
+shell the latter. Compare this with one instance that came under my
+personal observation on February 27th. An officer in command of a
+battery was totally unable to distinguish, with a pair of the
+field-glasses supplied by Government, at a distance of a little over
+one mile, between our Infantry charging and the Boers running away. I
+see that your Cape correspondent has already said that in this
+campaign, where we are perpetually fighting against an invisible foe,
+good glasses are of paramount importance to the rifle. They are even
+more essential to the gunners than to the other branches of the
+service, and they are in this respect most inadequately supplied.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Speech of the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Goschen) at Royal
+Academy Banquet, May 5th, 1900._
+
+"I do not propose to dilate on the courage or resourcefulness, or
+other great qualities of the Naval Brigades. The nation has acclaimed
+them. The Sovereign with her own lips has testified to their deeds....
+
+"The ships' companies of the _Powerful_ and _Terrible_ would be sorry
+if they were to monopolise the public eye, clouding the performances
+of men from other ships. Many other ships have sent contingents to the
+front--the _Monarch_, the _Doris_, the _Philomel_, the _Tartar_, the
+_Forte_--all these ships have sent men who have taken their part in
+those gallant combats of which we read."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Again at Reception of Naval Brigade (H.M.S. "Powerful") in London,
+May 7th, 1900._
+
+"With your comrades in other forces of the Queen, by the defence and
+the relief of Ladysmith you have saved the country from such a
+disaster as has never fallen the British arms. The defence and relief
+of Ladysmith will never be forgotten in British history."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_London Gazette_, March 12th, 1901.]
+
+_From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade._
+
+                                        De Wet's Farm,
+                                       _June 5th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+"On May 14th, two more 12-pounders under Lieutenant Steele (Lieutenant
+Burne having had a severe fall from his horse, and being
+incapacitated) occupied another hill across the river....
+
+"Lieutenant Burne has quite recovered from his injuries and has
+returned to duty at Glencoe."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade._
+
+                                        Volksrust,
+                                       _June 14th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+"It became apparent that the hill (Van Wyk) must be held. General
+Hildyard was out there and decided to hold it, sending back for the
+rest of the Brigade.
+
+"I arrived back in camp at 4 p.m. and was ordered to start after
+dark--as the route was exposed to the enemy's fire--and, if possible,
+to get two 12-pounders (Lieutenant Burne's) up the hill by daylight,
+and the 4.7's to the bottom. This we did after a most difficult march,
+arriving at the bottom at 4 a.m. I halted the 4.7's and pushed the
+12-pounders up to the top. One arrived at daylight, the other broke a
+wheel and did not get up to the top till we were able later to get
+another pair of wheels from a limber and adapt them."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_From General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., G.C.B._
+
+                                        Laing's Nek, Natal,
+                                       _June 19th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+"On June 5th I directed General Hildyard, who with the 5th Division
+was encamped at De Wet's farm, to occupy on the 6th the height south
+of the Botha's Pass Road, marked on the map as Van Wyk.... The ascent
+of the hill was very difficult, and it was due to the energy of
+Captain Jones, R.N., and the officers and men of the Naval Brigade
+that one 12-pounder (Lieutenant Burne) was in position at Van Wyk at
+daylight. The other 12-pounder lost a wheel in the bad ground.... The
+Naval guns and the 10th Brigade were brought down from Van Wyk during
+the night. I may here remark that hard and well as Captain Jones and
+the men of the Naval Brigade worked during this war, I do not believe
+they ever had harder work to do or did it more willingly than in
+getting their guns up and down Van Wyk. They had to work continuously
+for thirty-six hours...."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, V.C., G.C.B._
+
+                                        Pretoria,
+                                       _July 10th, 1900._
+
+"I have much pleasure in supporting the recommendations put forward by
+Sir Redvers Buller on behalf of the Officers and Petty Officers of the
+Royal Navy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N._
+
+H.M.S. _Monarch's_ (late H.M.S. _Tartar's_) 12-pounder Q.-F. Battery,
+
+                                        Grass Kop, Sandspruit.
+                                       _October 24th, 1900._
+
+On withdrawal from the front, I wish to forward for the favourable
+consideration of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir Robert Harris,
+K.C.M.G., a short report on detachment of H.M.S. _Monarch's_ (late
+_Tartar's_) men now under my command, and who have served on shore
+with the Natal Army for over a year. Since my last report to Captain
+Jones, R.N., the Officer commanding Naval Brigade, on June 16th, after
+the victory of Almond's Nek, this battery has taken part in the march
+on Wakkerstroom and its occupation, the defence of Sandspruit and
+action four miles north of it, with Cavalry and other Artillery, under
+General Brocklehurst, M.V.O., which was a spirited little affair, and
+where the battery earned the commendation of the General on the
+shooting; later, the attack on Grass Kop and its occupation by the
+Dorsets was covered by these guns and other artillery on July 24th,
+and drew a heavy shell fire from four Boer Creusot guns in its
+defence, this battery at that time being led by Lieutenant
+Clutterbuck, R.N., when I was ill with jaundice, but whom I again
+relieved on July 27th, and have continued since that date in the
+defence of Grass Kop. My guns from here covered the right flank of two
+separate attacks in force on Comersfoort, the first under General
+Hildyard on July 30th, and the second under Sir Redvers Buller on
+August 7th, when the town was taken. We have also covered many
+reconnaissances, and have come into action at long ranges several
+times against marauding Boers on the plain at the foot of this hill,
+but hitherto they have not attacked us, as the hill is magnificently
+entrenched and has been held in turn by the Dorsets, the South
+Lancashires, and now the Queen's Regiment. The whole of the
+intelligence from Grass Kop as to movements of the enemy since July
+24th up to this date, has been furnished by my look-outs with our long
+telescope; and this I need scarcely say has been a considerable and
+arduous duty for the men under the conditions of violent winds, rain,
+mist, and storms which prevailed up here (a height of 6,500 feet),
+since we occupied the hill. These wind-storms have destroyed our tents
+once, sometimes continuing for days, and have caused much discomfort
+both to ourselves and the troops, and I have lost a good many oxen by
+exposure and lung sickness. Orders having come for the withdrawal of
+the Naval Brigade, I can only say I have been well and faithfully
+served by the Officers and men of the detachment under my command; and
+during these months have formed a high opinion of their excellence as
+a battery, under the varying conditions of climate, heights, and
+positions, they have gone through in Natal, the Orange Colony, and
+the Transvaal. All these men, in spite of much sickness at times, have
+stuck to their work with the Natal Army for a year now, and
+consequently I think, fully deserve any advancement or reward it is
+possible to give them, and I am sure H.M.S. _Tartar_ may be proud of
+the men representing her during the war. I wish to bring this general
+opinion of the men of the detachment, which I hold, to the favourable
+notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and to specially recommend the
+following for good service rendered with the guns:
+
+     A. L. Munro, C.P.O. and torpedo instructor (late of H.M.S.
+     _Tartar_).
+
+     G. H. Epsley, P.O., 2nd class and captain 1st gun (late of H.M.S.
+     _Tartar_).
+
+     E. Cheeseman, A.B., S.G., and acting captain 2nd gun (late of
+     H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     D. Smith, A.B., S.G.T., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     J. Macdonald, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     G. Baldwin, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     J. Sawyer, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     H. Wright, A.B., T.M., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+For his good services as armourer and work drawing ordnance and
+transport, stores, money, and in charge of commissariat, I
+particularly recommend O. A. Hart, armourer's mate, H.M.S. _Tartar_
+(late), a man thoroughly reliable.
+
+As regards the Officer and six men of H.M.S. _Philomel_ attached to my
+command, three of whom have since been invalided, I must strongly
+recommend Mr. W. R. Ledgard, midshipman, who since July 28th I have
+detached, as ordered by G.O.C. 5th Division, in independent command of
+one gun, first at Opperman's Kraal, and then at Paardekop; he has
+carried out this duty with ability and success, and for a young
+officer I know it has been a trying one.
+
+I also recommend T. Payne, A.B., S.G., H.M.S. _Philomel_, for good
+service with the guns.
+
+Expressing my gratification at having had the opportunity to command
+H.M.S. _Tartar's_ (now _Monarch's_) Detachment, I have, etc.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX III
+
+DIARY OF THE BOER WAR UP TO OCTOBER 25TH, 1900.
+
+
+1899.
+
+Oct. 11.--Time fixed by the Boers for compliance with "ultimatum"
+expired at 5 p.m.
+
+Oct. 14.--Boers march on Kimberley and Mafeking.
+
+Oct. 15.--KIMBERLEY ISOLATED.
+
+Oct. 20.--Boer position on TALANA HILL captured by the British under
+Symons.
+
+Oct. 21.--White moves out force under French to eject Boers from
+ELANDSLAAGTE. Boers routed.
+
+Oct. 22.--Yule retires from Dundee on Ladysmith _viâ_ Beith.
+
+Oct. 23.--Death of General Symons at Dundee.
+
+Oct. 30.--General sortie from Ladysmith. Naval guns silence Boer siege
+artillery.
+
+  Surrender of part of two battalions and a Mountain Battery at
+  Nicholson's Nek.
+
+Oct. 31.--General Sir Redvers Buller lands at Capetown.
+
+Nov. 1.--Boers invade Cape Colony.
+
+Nov. 2.--LADYSMITH ISOLATED.
+
+Nov. 9.--General attack on Ladysmith repulsed with heavy loss to
+Boers.
+
+Nov. 15.--Armoured train wrecked by Boers near Chieveley. Over 100
+British troops captured.
+
+Nov. 19.--Lord Methuen's column for the relief of Kimberley
+concentrated at Orange River.
+
+Nov. 23.--Methuen attacks Boers at BELMONT with Guards' Brigade and
+9th Brigade. Boers driven from their position.
+
+Nov. 25.--Methuen attacks Boers in position at Enslin and dislodges
+them.
+
+  General Sir Redvers Buller arrives in Natal.
+
+Nov. 28.--Methuen engages 11,000 Boers at MODDER RIVER. Battle lasting
+all day. Boers evacuate position.
+
+Nov. 30.--Sixth Division for South Africa notified.
+
+Dec. 1.--Australian and Canadian Contingents leave Capetown for the
+front.
+
+Dec. 10.--Gatacre attempts night attack on STORMBERG, but is surprised
+and driven back with heavy loss.
+
+Dec. 11.--Methuen attacks Boer position at MAGERSFONTEIN and is
+repulsed with heavy loss. General Wauchope killed.
+
+Dec. 15.--Buller advances from Chieveley against Boer positions near
+COLENSO. British Force repulsed on Tugela with 1,100 casualties and
+loss of 12 guns.
+
+  Mobilization of 7th Division ordered.
+
+Dec. 18.--Lord Roberts appointed Commander-in-Chief in South Africa,
+with Lord Kitchener as Chief of Staff.
+
+Dec. 19.--Regulations issued for employment of Yeomanry and Volunteers
+in South Africa.
+
+Dec. 20.--Formation of City of London Volunteer Corps for South Africa
+announced.
+
+
+1900
+
+Jan. 6.--Suffolk Regiment loses heavily near Rensburg, over 100
+prisoners taken.
+
+  BOER ATTACK ON LADYSMITH REPULSED.
+
+Jan. 10.--LORD ROBERTS AND LORD KITCHENER ARRIVE AT CAPETOWN.
+
+Jan. 10.--Forward movement for relief of Ladysmith resumed.
+
+Jan. 11.--Dundonald seizes pont on Tugela at Potgieter's Drift.
+
+Jan. 18.--Buller makes SECOND ATTEMPT to relieve Ladysmith. Dundonald
+having crossed Tugela engages Boers near Acton Homes.
+
+  Crossing of Tugela by Warren and Lyttelton concluded.
+
+Jan. 21.--Warren attacks Boers' right flank.
+
+Jan. 23-4.--SPION KOP captured and held during 24th, but evacuated on
+the night of Jan. 24-25. General Woodgate fatally wounded.
+
+Jan. 26-7.--Buller's force recrosses the Tugela.
+
+Feb. 3.--Macdonald with Highland Brigade marches out from Modder
+River.
+
+Feb. 5.--Buller's THIRD ATTEMPT to relieve Ladysmith commenced.
+Lyttelton crosses Tugela, and delivers attack on VAAL KRANTZ, which he
+captures and occupies.
+
+Feb. 7.--Vaal Krantz evacuated and British Force withdrawn across the
+Tugela.
+
+Feb. 9.--Lord Roberts arrives at Modder River.
+
+Feb. 11.--French, having been summoned from Southern Frontier, leaves
+Modder River with Cavalry Division and Horse Artillery.
+
+Feb. 13.--Lord Roberts at Dekiel's Drift.
+
+Feb. 15.--Lord Roberts at Jacobsdal.
+
+  RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY.
+
+Feb. 17.--Rearguard action between Kelly-Kenny and Cronje _en route_
+to Bloemfontein.
+
+  FOURTH ATTEMPT to relieve Ladysmith.
+
+  Buller presses advance on Monte Christo Hill.
+
+Feb. 19.--Buller takes Hlangwane Hill.
+
+Feb. 20.--Boers under Cronje, having laagered near Paardeberg, are
+bombarded by Lord Roberts.
+
+Feb. 21.--Fifth Division crosses Tugela.
+
+Feb. 23.--Buller unsuccessfully attacks Railway Hill.
+
+Feb. 26.--Buller makes fresh passage of Tugela.
+
+Feb. 27.--CRONJE SURRENDERS AT PAARDEBERG.
+
+  PIETERS HILL, the main Boer position between Ladysmith and the
+  Tugela, carried by Hildyard.
+
+Feb. 28.--RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.
+
+  Clements occupies Colesberg.
+
+Mar. 5.--Gatacre occupies Stormberg.
+
+  Brabant again defeats and pursues Boers.
+
+  Overtures of peace made by Boer Presidents.
+
+Mar. 6.--Field Force arrives at Carnarvon to quell rising in
+North-West.
+
+Mar. 7.--Lord Roberts routs a large force of Boers at Poplar Grove.
+
+Mar. 10.--Lord Roberts defeats Boers at Driefontein.
+
+Mar. 11.--Overtures of peace rejected by Lord Salisbury.
+
+Mar. 13.--Lord Roberts, without further fighting, takes possession of
+BLOEMFONTEIN. Boers retire on Kroonstad.
+
+Mar. 27.--DEATH OF GENERAL JOUBERT.
+
+Mar. 31.--Broadwood attacked at Waterworks. During retirement R.H.A.
+and convoy entrapped at Koorn Spruit. Six guns lost, 350 casualties.
+
+April 3.--Detachment of Royal Irish Rifles and Mounted Infantry
+surrounded near Reddersburg.
+
+April 7.--Colonel Dalgety isolated near Wepener.
+
+April 15.--Chermside leaves Reddersburg to relieve Wepener.
+
+April 25.--Dalgety relieved. Boers retreat northwards, under Botha.
+
+May 10.--Zand River crossed, Boers rapidly retreating before Lord
+Roberts's advance.
+
+May 12.--Lord Roberts enters KROONSTAD without opposition, President
+Steyn having retired to Heilbron, which he proclaims his new capital.
+
+  Attack on Mafeking repulsed, 108 Boer prisoners, including
+  Commandant Eloff, taken.
+
+May 13.--Mahon with Mafeking Relief Column repulses attack at
+Koodoosrand.
+
+May 15.--Buller occupies Dundee and Glencoe, having driven the Boers
+from the Biggarsberg.
+
+  Plumer, reinforced by Canadians and Queenslanders from Carrington's
+  Division, joins hands with Mahon.
+
+May 17-18.--RELIEF OF MAFEKING.
+
+May 24.--Advance portion of Lord Roberts's force crosses the Vaal near
+Parys.
+
+May 28.--ANNEXATION OF ORANGE FREE STATE under name of Orange River
+Colony formally proclaimed at Bloemfontein.
+
+May 30.--FLIGHT OF PRESIDENT KRUGER FROM PRETORIA.
+
+May 31.--BRITISH FLAG HOISTED AT JOHANNESBURG.
+
+  Surrender of 500 Yeomanry at Lindley.
+
+June 2-4.--Futile negotiations between Buller and Christian Botha for
+armistice.
+
+June 5.--OCCUPATION OF PRETORIA.
+
+June 8.--Hildyard takes Botha's Pass.
+
+Surrender of 4th Derbyshires at Roodeval.
+
+June 11.--Stubborn fight at Almond's Nek. Heavy Boer losses.
+
+June 12.--Boers evacuate Laing's Nek.
+
+  Roberts defeats Botha at DIAMOND HILL, east of Pretoria.
+
+June 14.--Boer attack on Zand River repulsed.
+
+July 4.--Roberts and Buller join hands at Vlakfontein.
+
+  Railway to Natal clear.
+
+July 11.--Surrender of Scots Greys and Lincolns at Uitval Nek.
+
+July 21.--Advance eastwards towards Komati Poort begins.
+
+July 30.--SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO and 3,000 Boers to Hunter in
+Brandwater basin.
+
+Aug. 16.--Elands River garrison relieved.
+
+Aug. 25.--Execution of Cordua for conspiracy to kidnap Lord Roberts.
+
+Aug. 26-7.--Fighting at DALMANUTHA.
+
+Aug. 30.--British occupy Nooitgedacht and release 2,000 prisoners.
+
+Sept. 6.--Buller occupies Lydenburg.
+
+Sept. 11.--KRUGER, FLYING FROM THE TRANSVAAL, takes refuge at Lorenzo
+Marques.
+
+Sept. 13.--Proclamation issued by Roberts calling on burghers to
+surrender.
+
+  French occupies Barberton.
+
+Sept. 25.--British Force occupies Komati Poort. Many Boers cross
+Portuguese frontier and surrender to Portuguese.
+
+Oct. 9.--De Wet driven across the Vaal out of Orange River Colony.
+
+Oct. 19.--Kruger sails from Lorenzo Marques for Marseilles on Dutch
+man-of-war.
+
+Oct. 24.--Buller sails from Capetown for England.
+
+Oct. 25.--FORMAL ANNEXATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, to be styled
+Transvaal Colony.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX IV
+
+THE NAVY AND THE WAR.
+
+A RÉSUMÉ OF OFFICERS AND MEN MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES FOR THE
+OPERATIONS IN NATAL.
+
+_Extract from "Natal Advertiser."_
+
+
+GENERAL SIR REDVERS BULLER, in his despatches which have just been
+published with reference to the operations in Natal, calls attention
+to a number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men whose
+services deserve "special mention." He gives thanks to Sir W.
+Hely-Hutchinson, the Governor of Natal; to Colonel the Hon. A. H.
+Hime, Prime Minister, and all the members of the Government of the
+colony. Rear-Admiral Sir R. H. Harris, K.C.M.G., had also been most
+helpful. Then follows the list of men "especially worthy of
+consideration":--
+
+Captain Percy Scott, C.B., H.M.S. _Terrible_, has discharged the
+difficult duties of Commandant of Durban with the greatest tact and
+ability, and has been most helpful in every way.
+
+Captain E. P. Jones, H.M.S. _Forte_, as senior officer of the Naval
+Brigade, has earned my most heartfelt thanks. The assistance they have
+rendered to me has been invaluable; the spirit of their leader was
+reflected in the men, and at any time, day or night, they were always
+ready, and their work was excellent.
+
+Commander A. H. Limpus and Lieutenant F. C. A. Ogilvy, H.M.S.
+_Terrible_, and Lieutenant H. W. James, H.M.S. _Tartar_. These three
+Officers were indefatigable. There never was a moment in the day that
+they were not working hard and well to advance the work in hand.
+
+The names of the following officers, warrant officers,
+non-commissioned officers, and men of the Naval Brigade, Sir Redvers
+Buller adds, have been brought to his notice for gallant or
+meritorious services by general officers and officers commanding
+units:--
+
+  OFFICERS--NAVAL BRIGADE.
+
+  Lieutenant C. P. Hunt, H.M.S. _Forte_.
+  Lieutenant C. R. N. Burne, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Staff-Surgeon F. J. Lilly, H.M.S. _Forte_.
+  Surgeon C. C. Macmillan, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Surgeon E. C. Lomas, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Acting-Gunner J. Wright, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Midshipman R. B. Hutchinson, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Midshipman H. S. Boldero, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Midshipman G. L. Hodson, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Clerk W. T. Hollin, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Debenham, Southsea._
+
+Captain E. P. JONES, R.N.]
+
+  WARRANT, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, AND MEN.
+
+  Chief Petty Officer T. Baldwin, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Chief Petty Officer W. Bate, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Chief Petty Officer B. Stephens, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  First-Class Petty Officer P. Cashman, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Second-Class Petty Officer C. Challoner, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Second-Class Petty Officer J. J. Frennett, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Master-at-Arms G. Crowe, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Armourer Ellis, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  F. Moore, A.B., H.M.S. _Forte_.
+
+
+THE NAVAL BRIGADE.
+
+General Sir Redvers Buller, in a despatch dated Laing's Nek, June
+19th, 1900, says: "I desire to bring to notice the following
+officer:--
+
+"Captain E. P. Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade.
+
+"It was due to the energy and perseverance of the officers and men
+alike, following the excellent example set them by their Commander,
+Captain Jones, that it was possible to place the Naval guns in
+position on the 8th, and get them forward subsequently in time to
+accompany the advance on the 10th. The excellent marksmanship of the
+Naval Brigade, and the skilful distribution of their fire, contributed
+materially to the successful result of the attack on Allemann's Nek on
+June 11th."
+
+The following names are mentioned by Commanders as having performed
+good services, in addition to those previously mentioned:--
+
+  Lieutenant G. P. Hunt, H.M.S. _Forte_.
+  Lieutenant F. W. Melvill, H.M.S. _Forte_.
+  Lieutenant C. R. N. Burne, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Lieutenant A. Halsey, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Midshipman W. R. Ledgard, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  John Restal, chief armourer, H.M.S. _Tartar_.
+  Alexander Monro, C.P.O., H.M.S. _Tartar_.
+  J. Weatherhead, P.O., H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  E. Waring, yeoman of signals.
+
+Referring to the work at the base and on the lines of communication,
+General Buller, in the despatch dated ss. _Dunvegan Castle_, November
+9th, says:--
+
+"The Naval transport work at Durban has been throughout under the
+charge of Captain Van Koughnet, R.N. I desire to take this opportunity
+of bringing to notice the excellent service which he has rendered.
+Owing to his tact and ability, the difficult and ofttimes very heavy
+work of embarkations and disembarkations has passed smoothly and well.
+
+"Commander G. E. Holland, D.S.O., Indian Marine, has also been
+employed at Durban throughout. His genius for organisation, and his
+knowledge of transport requirements, is, I should say, unrivalled. He
+undertook the alteration of the transports which were fitted at Durban
+as hospital ships, and the result of his work has been universally
+admitted to have been a conspicuous success. I strongly recommend him
+to your consideration.
+
+"Warrant Officer Carpenter S. J. Lacey, R.N., has rendered valuable
+service in supervising the fitting of hospital ships and in transport
+work generally. I recommend him to your favourable notice.
+
+"The following officers acted as my aides-de-camp, and I submit their
+names for your favourable consideration. Each and all of them are
+thoroughly capable and deserving officers, and rendered me great
+assistance:--
+
+"Commander Edgar Lees, Royal Navy (and others).
+
+"Lieutenant A. Halsey, R.N., H.M.S. _Philomel_, commanded the last
+detachment of the Naval Brigade which was left with the Natal Field
+Force, and, like all the rest of the Brigade, their services were most
+valuable."
+
+[Illustration: Map.]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With the Naval Brigade in Natal
+(1899-1900), by Charles Richard Newdigate Burne
+
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of With the Naval Brigade in Natal (1899-1900), by 
+Charles Richard Newdigate Burne
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: With the Naval Brigade in Natal (1899-1900)
+       Journal of Active Service
+
+Author: Charles Richard Newdigate Burne
+
+Release Date: April 21, 2008 [EBook #25117]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Christine P. Travers and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<p class="tn">Transcriber's note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected,
+all other inconsistencies are as in the original. The author's spelling has been
+maintained.</p>
+
+<a id="img001" name="img001"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img001.jpg" width="500" height="257" alt="" title="">
+<p class="small p0_t italic">Photo by Middlebrook, Durban.</p>
+<p class="smcap">Twenty thousand men encamped under General Buller.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<h1>WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE IN NATAL</h1>
+
+<p class="center">1899-1900</p>
+
+<p class="p4 smcap center font105">Journal of Active Service</p>
+
+<p class="center font90">KEPT DURING THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH AND SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS IN
+NORTHERN NATAL AND THE TRANSVAAL, UNDER GENERAL SIR REDVERS BULLER,
+V.C., G.C.B.</p>
+
+<p class="p4 center">BY</p>
+
+<h2>LIEUTENANT BURNE, R.N.</h2>
+
+<p class="p4 center small">LONDON<br>
+  EDWARD ARNOLD<br>
+  1902</p>
+
+<p class="p4 center smcap font105">For the Army, our comrades and our friends,<br>
+the Navy has nothing but
+the deepest respect and admiration.</p>
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagev" name="pagev"></a>(p. v)</span> INTRODUCTION</h2>
+
+<p>This Journal, completed before leaving the front in October, 1900,
+does not assume to be more than a somewhat rough and unadorned record
+of my personal experiences during ten months of the South African
+(Boer) Campaign of 1899-1900 while in detached command of two
+12-pounder guns of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span> and H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>. Having been
+asked by some of my friends to publish it, I am emboldened to do so,
+in the hope that the Journal may be of interest to those who read it,
+as giving some idea of work done by a Naval Brigade when landed for
+service at a most critical time. A few notes on Field Gunnery are
+appended with a view to give to others a few ideas which I picked up
+while serving with the guns on shore, after a previous experience as
+Gunnery Lieutenant in H.M.S <span class="italic">Thetis</span> and <span class="italic">Cambrian</span>.</p>
+
+<p>For the photographs given I must record my thanks to Lieutenant
+Clutterbuck, R.N., Mr. Hollins, R.N., and other kind friends.</p>
+
+<p class="left60">C.R.N.B.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">April</span>, 1902.</p>
+
+<a id="toc" name="toc"></a>
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagevii" name="pagevii"></a>(p. vii)</span> CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<p class="center font105">CHAPTER I</p>
+<p>&nbsp;<span class="ralign">PAGE</span></p>
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Outbreak</span> of the war&mdash;The Transport Service and despatch of
+  Army Corps from Southampton&mdash;Departure of a Naval Brigade
+  from England and landing at Capetown and Durban&mdash;I join
+  H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page001" title="Link to page 1">1-10</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">CHAPTER II</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">I depart</span> for the front with a Q.-F. Battery from H.M.S.
+  <span class="italic">Terrible</span>&mdash;Concentration of General Buller's army at
+  Frere and Chieveley&mdash;Preliminary bombardment of the Boer
+  lines at Colenso&mdash;The attack and defeat at Colenso&mdash;Christmas
+  Day in camp
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page011" title="Link to page 11">11-21</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">CHAPTER III</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Life in</span> Camp and Bombardment of the Boer lines at Colenso&mdash;General
+  Buller moves his army, and by a flank march seizes "Bridle Drift"
+  over the Tugela&mdash;The heavy Naval and Royal Artillery guns are
+  placed in position&mdash;Sir Charles Warren crosses the Tugela with
+  the 5th Division, and commences his flank attack
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page022" title="Link to page 22">22-32</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">CHAPTER IV</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Spion Kop</span> and Vaal Krantz&mdash;General Buller withdraws the troops
+  and moves once more on Colenso&mdash;We hold Springfield Bridge&mdash;Buller's
+  successful attack on Hussar Hill, Hlangwane, and Monte Christo&mdash;Relief
+  of Kimberley
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page033" title="Link to page 33">33-44</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105"><span class="pagenum"><a id="pageviii" name="pageviii"></a>(p. viii)</span> CHAPTER V</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Passage</span> of Tugela forced and Colenso occupied&mdash;Another move
+  back across the river to Hlangwane and Monte Christo&mdash;The
+  Boers at length routed and Ladysmith is relieved&mdash;Entry
+  of Relief Force into Ladysmith&mdash;Withdrawal of H.M.S.
+  <span class="italic">Terrible's</span> men to China&mdash;I spend a bad time in Field
+  Hospital&mdash;General Buller's army moves forward to Elandslaagte&mdash;Boers
+  face us on the Biggarsberg
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page045" title="Link to page 45">45-58</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">CHAPTER VI</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">End of three</span> weary months at Elandslaagte&mdash;A small Boer attack&mdash;The
+  advance of General Buller by Helpmakaar on Dundee&mdash;We
+  under General Hildyard advance up the Glencoe Valley&mdash;Retreat
+  of the Boers to Laing's Nek&mdash;Occupation of Newcastle
+  and Utrecht&mdash;We enter the Transvaal&mdash;Concentration
+  of the army near Ingogo&mdash;Naval guns ascend Van Wyk, and
+  Botha's Pass is forced&mdash;Forced march through Orange Colony&mdash;Victory
+  at Almond's Nek&mdash;Boers evacuate Majuba and
+  Laing's Nek&mdash;Lord Roberts enters Pretoria&mdash;We occupy
+  Volksrust and Charlestown
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page059" title="Link to page 59">59-72</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">CHAPTER VII</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Majuba Hill</span> in 1900&mdash;We march on Wakkerstroom and occupy
+  Sandspruit&mdash;Withdrawal of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Forte's</span> men and Naval
+  Volunteers from the front&mdash;Action under General Brocklehurst
+  at Sandspruit&mdash;I go to hospital and Durban for a short
+  time&mdash;Recover and proceed to the front again&mdash;Take command
+  of my guns at Grass Kop&mdash;Kruger flies from Africa in
+  a Dutch man-of-war&mdash;Many rumours of peace
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page073" title="Link to page 73">73-86</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">CHAPTER VIII</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Still holding</span> Grass Kop with the Queen's&mdash;General Buller leaves
+  for England&mdash;Final withdrawal of the Naval Brigade, and
+  our arrival at Durban&mdash;Our reception there&mdash;I sail for England&mdash;Conclusion
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page087" title="Link to page 87">87-100</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105"><span class="pagenum"><a id="pageix" name="pageix"></a>(p. ix)</span> CHAPTER IX</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Gunnery Results:</span> The 12-pounder Q.-F. Naval gun&mdash;Its mounting,
+  sighting, and methods of firing&mdash;The Creusot 3"-gun and
+  its improvements&mdash;Shrapnel fire and the poor results obtained
+  by the Boers&mdash;Use of the Clinometer and Mekometer&mdash;How
+  to emplace a Q.-F. gun, etc., etc.
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page101" title="Link to page 101">101-120</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">APPENDIX I</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Hints on</span> Equipment and Clothing for Active Service
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page121" title="Link to page 121">121-128</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">APPENDIX II</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Extracts</span> from some of the Despatches, Reports, and Telegrams
+  regarding operations mentioned in this Journal
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page129" title="Link to page 129">129-145</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">APPENDIX III</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">Diary of</span> the Boer War up to October 25th, 1900
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page146" title="Link to page 146">146-152</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center font105">APPENDIX IV</p>
+
+<p class="resume"><span class="min2em">The Navy</span> and the War: A Résumé of Officers and Men mentioned
+  in Despatches for the Operations in Natal
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#page153" title="Link to page 153">153-156</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagex" name="pagex"></a>(p. x)</span> LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+<ul class="smcap">
+<li class="illo">&nbsp;<span class="ralign italic">To face page</span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">TWENTY THOUSAND MEN ENCAMPED UNDER GENERAL BULLER
+<span class="ralign italic"><a href="#img001" title="Link to Illustration">Frontispiece</a></span>
+
+<li class="illo">A BATTERY CROSSING THE LITTLE TUGELA
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img002" title="Link to Illustration">8</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">NAVAL BATTERY OF 4.7's AND 12-POUNDERS AT DURBAN
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img003" title="Link to Illustration">8</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">NAVAL BRIGADE PITCHING CAMP AT FRERE, DECEMBER, 1899
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img004" title="Link to Illustration">14</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">NAVAL GUNS IN ACTION AT COLENSO
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img005" title="Link to Illustration">22</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">LIEUT. BURNE'S GUNS FIRING AT SPION KOP
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img006" title="Link to Illustration">34</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">4.7 EMPLACED ON HLANGWANE
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img007" title="Link to Illustration">34</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">COLT GUN AT HLANGWANE FIRING AT BOERS
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img008" title="Link to Illustration">48</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">NAVAL 12-POUNDERS ADVANCING AFTER ALMOND'S NEK
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img009" title="Link to Illustration">70</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">4.7 ON A BAD BIT OF ROAD
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img010" title="Link to Illustration">70</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">BRINGING IN A BOER PRISONER
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img011" title="Link to Illustration">82</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">IN CAMP AT GRASS KOP
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img012" title="Link to Illustration">82</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">ONE OF LIEUT. HALSEY'S NAVAL 12-POUNDERS
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img013" title="Link to Illustration">82</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR H. J. T. HILDYARD, K.C.B.
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img014" title="Link to Illustration">95</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">CAPTAIN PERCY SCOTT, C.B., R.N.
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img015" title="Link to Illustration">102</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">NAVAL 12-POUNDER EMPLACED
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img016" title="Link to Illustration">120</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">BOER GUN POSITIONS AT COLENSO
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img017" title="Link to Illustration">120</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">CAPTAIN E. P. JONES, R.N.
+<span class="ralign"><a href="#img018" title="Link to Illustration">154</a></span></li>
+
+<li class="illo">MAP <span class="ralign italic"><a href="#img019" title="Link to Map">at end</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+
+<h1><span class="pagenum"><a id="page001" name="page001"></a>(p. 001)</span> WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE IN NATAL</h1>
+
+<h3>CHAPTER I</h3>
+
+<p class="resume">Outbreak of the war&mdash;The Transport Service and despatch of Army
+     Corps from Southampton&mdash;Departure of a Naval Brigade from England
+     and landing at Capetown and Durban&mdash;I join H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>.</p>
+
+<p>During a short leave of absence in Scotland, after my return from
+Flag-Lieutenant's service in India with Rear-Admiral Archibald L.
+Douglas, that very kind friend, now Lord of the Admiralty, appointed
+me (5th October, 1899) to the Transport Service at Southampton, in
+connection with the embarkation of the various Army Corps for the war
+in South Africa. As the summons came by wire, I had to leave Stirling
+in a hurry, collect my various goods and chattels in London, and make
+the best of my way to Southampton. I reported myself at the Admiralty
+Transport Office on Monday the 9th, and at once commenced work,
+visiting certain ships with Captain Barnard, the Port Transport
+Officer, and picking up the "hang" of the thing, and what was wanted.
+Captain Graham-White, R.N., came down in the afternoon to take charge
+of our proceedings. From that date up to the 22nd, or thereabouts, we
+Transport Lieutenants simply had charge <span class="pagenum"><a id="page002" name="page002"></a>(p. 002)</span> of certain vessels
+fitting out, and had to inspect for the Admiralty the many freight and
+transport ships which came in from other centres, such as London,
+Liverpool, etc., to be officially passed at Southampton; among others
+the <span class="italic">Goorkha</span> and <span class="italic">Gascon</span>, two Union Liners, came particularly under
+me, and I shall always remember the courtesy of their officials,
+particularly Captain Wait and the indefatigable Mr. Langley, who saw
+that we transport officers were well looked after on board each day.
+Everything in connection with this Line seemed to me during my time at
+Southampton to be very well done, and so our work went swimmingly.</p>
+
+<p>Besides myself were Lieutenants McDonald, Nelson, and Crawford, R.N.,
+as Transport Officers, and we co-operated with a staff of military
+officers under Colonel Stacpole, D.A.A.G., with whom we got on very
+well, so that we ran the work through quickly and without a hitch. Sir
+Redvers Buller left Southampton in the <span class="italic">Dunottar Castle</span> on the 15th
+October, and we all saw him off; in fact, McDonald and I represented
+the Admiralty at the final inspection of the ship before sailing.
+There was, of course, a scene of great enthusiasm, and many people
+were there, among whom were Sir Michael Culme Seymour, Alexander
+Sinclair his Flag-Lieutenant, and Lady and Miss Fullerton. All this
+time we were more than busy inspecting and getting ships ready up to
+the 22nd, when the departure of the First Army Corps commenced; we got
+away five transports that day within half an hour of each other, all
+taking some 1,500 men; they were, if my memory serves me, the <span class="italic">Malta</span>,
+<span class="italic">Pavonia</span>, <span class="italic">Hawarden Castle</span>, <span class="italic">Roslin Castle</span>, and <span class="italic">Yorkshire</span>; the
+next few days we did similar work from 8 a.m. till dark, getting away
+about three ships a day on an average.</p>
+
+<p>During the week Commander Heriz, R.N., and myself, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page003" name="page003"></a>(p. 003)</span>
+representing the Admiralty, inspected the hospital ships <span class="italic">Spartan</span> and
+<span class="italic">Trojan</span> before their start; they had been fitted out under the
+Commander's superintendence, and were perfect; in fact, one almost
+wished to be a sick man to try them! All these continued departures
+aroused great public interest; on one day we had the
+Commander-in-Chief (Lord Wolseley), Lord Methuen, Sir William Gatacre,
+and many other Generals; and on another the Duke of Connaught came to
+see the 1st Bn. Scots Guards off in the <span class="italic">Nubia</span> and gave them a
+message from the Queen; he came again a few days later to see his old
+regiment, the Rifle Brigade, off in the <span class="italic">German</span>, and he and the
+Transport Officers were photographed many times. I was told afterwards
+that my own portrait appeared very often in the cinematographs of
+these scenes, which were then very popular and were exhibited to
+crowded audiences in all the London and Provincial Music Halls and
+elsewhere. I was very pleased on this occasion to meet my old First
+Lieutenant of the <span class="italic">Cambrian</span>, now Commander Mark Kerr, R.N., who was
+also seeing the Rifle Brigade off with a party of relatives whom I
+took over the <span class="italic">Kildonan Castle</span>.</p>
+
+<p>Here I may mention, to show the different rates of speed, that the
+<span class="italic">German</span> carrying the Rifle Brigade, actually arrived at Capetown some
+hours after the <span class="italic">Briton</span> (in which I myself left later on for South
+Africa), although it started ten days before us. I have very pleasant
+recollections of being associated with Major Edwards of the Berkshire
+Regiment in embarking the Reserves of the 3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards in
+the <span class="italic">Goorkha</span>, which ship I had been superintending for so long; I was
+able to get their Commanding Officer, Major Kincaid, two good cabins,
+for which I think he was much obliged to me. These Reserves were going
+to Gibraltar to pick up the main Battalions of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page004" name="page004"></a>(p. 004)</span> their
+regiment which took part later on (3rd and 4th November) in Lord
+Methuen's actions at Belmont and Graspan.</p>
+
+<p>After the 27th October the transport ships left Southampton in ones
+and twos, and we were not so hard pushed; in fact, the work was
+becoming rather monotonous, till, on the evening of the 2nd November,
+our Secretary, Mr. Alton, R.N., rushed up to me with a wire telling me
+to be prepared immediately to leave for the Cape. I was very pleased,
+and thought myself extremely lucky to get out to the scene of war with
+a chance of going to the front; and after saying a hurried good-bye to
+all my friends I left Southampton on the 4th November in the <span class="italic">Briton</span>;
+my father<a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1" title="Go to footnote 1"><span class="smaller">[1]</span></a> saw me off and gave me some letters of introduction; Lord
+Wolseley also kindly wrote about me to Sir Redvers Buller; all my old
+colleagues of the Transport Service gave me a most cordial send-off,
+and we steamed out of the docks about 7 p.m. in heavy rain, which did
+not, however, damp the enthusiasm of hundreds of people who waited to
+see the last of us. In saying farewell to the Transport Service I
+could not help thinking how much courtesy and assistance we transport
+officers received from the captains and officers of all the ships
+under our inspection, and how much we admired their keen feeling and
+hard work in the interests of the public service. I hope this may be
+recognised when war rewards are given.</p>
+
+<p>Our voyage was a good one, being calm enough after the first day, and
+all going well up to Madeira (where I landed for the sixth time) as
+well as on the onward voyage in which we went through the usual
+routine of ship life until we arrived at the Cape on Monday, 20th
+November. The Bay was full of transports, and they seemed still to be
+pouring in every hour; we did not hear much news <span class="pagenum"><a id="page005" name="page005"></a>(p. 005)</span> except that
+Ladysmith was still safe, and we at once entrained for Simon's Bay, a
+pretty train journey of about an hour and a half, where the fleet were
+lying. Now commenced the bad luck of the Brigade "wot never landed,"
+we all got drafted to various ships instead of going to the front in a
+body as we had hoped and expected, and my lot was to join the flagship
+<span class="italic">Doris</span>. Much to our disappointment a Naval Brigade had been landed
+the day before our arrival for Lord Methuen's force; we ourselves were
+therefore regarded for the moment as hardly wanted, and the Admiral
+was, we were told, dead against landing any more sailors. So we were
+both afflicted and depressed. I had, however, a pleasant time on the
+<span class="italic">Doris</span>, and found myself senior watch keeper on board. At night many
+precautions were taken in the fleet; guards were landed in the
+dockyard with orders to fire on any suspicious boat, and a patrol boat
+steamed round the fleet all night up to daylight with similar orders;
+we ourselves often went on shore for route marching and company drill
+and had a grand time.</p>
+
+<p>I may mention, in passing, that all the bluejackets who were landed at
+Simon's Bay for shore duty were fitted with khaki suits, viz., tunics
+and trousers and hat covers, drawn from the military stores. With the
+trousers the men wore brown gaiters, and each man was provided with
+two pairs of service boots; they all wore their white straw hats
+fitted with khaki covers and looked very workmanlike in heavy marching
+order. The Marines also wore khaki and helmets, and had stripes of
+marine colours (red, blue and yellow) on the helmets to distinguish
+the Corps. Each batch of bluejackets that were sent to the front,
+about twelve men in a batch, was allowed two canvas bags to hold spare
+clothes and other gear, and took three days' provisions and water. The
+haversacks were all <span class="pagenum"><a id="page006" name="page006"></a>(p. 006)</span> stained khaki with Condy's fluid, and
+the guns were all painted khaki colour.</p>
+
+<p>We saw a great many people at Capetown, and while there, Colonel
+Gatcliffe, Royal Marines, the head Press censor, told Morgan and
+myself a lot of instructive facts about the work at the Telegraph
+Offices, and how all foreign telegrams in cipher to South Africa
+giving news to the Boers, as well as those from them, had been
+stopped. Some 300 telegrams sent after Elandslaagte by Boer agents at
+Capetown had been thus suppressed. When we saw Colonel Gatcliffe he
+was busily engaged passing telegrams, which had to be read and signed
+by him at the Telegraph Office before they were allowed to be
+despatched.</p>
+
+<p>All went well at Simon's Bay until November 24th, when we heard of
+Lord Methuen's fight and heavy casualties at Belmont, followed soon by
+news of the heavy loss (105 killed and wounded) incurred by the Naval
+Brigade at Graspan chiefly among the marines. I think that the general
+idea in the fleet was admiration for our comrades and gratitude to
+Lord Methuen for giving the Navy a chance of distinction; but I am
+told these views were not shared by our Chief. A force of forty seamen
+and fifty marines were now ordered off to the front at once to fill up
+these casualties. Naturally we all wanted to go, but the Admiral could
+not send us and drafted us off to various ships, my own destination
+being H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, then at Durban, which I reached in the
+transport <span class="italic">Idaho</span>, a Wilson Liner. We had on board a Field Battery and
+other details with six guns and 250 horses. I was much interested in
+the horses, who had a fine deck to themselves and were very fit; they
+were in fact <span class="italic">'Bus</span> horses, and very good ones.</p>
+
+<p>There were some Highland officers and others on board who had been
+wounded and were now going back to Natal <span class="pagenum"><a id="page007" name="page007"></a>(p. 007)</span> after recovery;
+they told us how cunning the Boers were in selecting positions; one
+saw nothing of them, they said, on a hill but the muzzle of their
+rifles; they are only killed in retreat; they pick out any dark object
+as a man, such as a great-coat, training their rifles on it so as to
+fire directly he rises and advances. One of the officers told us how
+he saw at Elandslaagte a Scotchman who had been put by the Boers in
+their firing line with his hands tied behind his back because he had
+refused to fight for them; apparently the man escaped uninjured and
+was taken prisoner with the rest after the fight by our Lancers,
+swearing when liberated many oaths of vengeance on the Boers. Colonel
+Sheil told one of our officers, Commander Dundas, who was in charge of
+him and other prisoners on board the <span class="italic">Penelope</span> at Simon's Bay, that
+the only fault of our men was their rashness, and our Cavalry did not,
+he said, throw out sufficient scouting parties, missing himself and
+others on one occasion by not doing so; the Boers had not reckoned, he
+said, on Naval guns being landed, and placed great reliance on
+European interference. In his opinion, the war would be over the
+moment we entered Boer territory, and everything seemed at the moment
+to point to this conclusion. These Boer prisoners, who were all got at
+Elandslaagte, talked English well, and appeared, by all accounts, to
+have a good feeling and respect for the English, but they were very
+down upon the capitalists and others whom they blamed for the war.</p>
+
+<p>To-day, at sea, as I write this (28th November), a S.E. breeze makes
+it delightfully cool. Indeed, I found the climate of Capetown,
+although the hot weather was beginning, delightful; a regular
+champagne air and a very hot sun, yet altogether a nice dry heat which
+quickly brought all the skin off my face at Simon's Bay after one
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page008" name="page008"></a>(p. 008)</span> day's march with the Battalion up the hills. I expect to
+find Natal much damper, and no doubt it will be very wet and cold at
+night in the hill country.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 30th November.</span>&mdash;The wind which has been blowing in our
+teeth has now moderated, so we may reach Durban earlier than we hoped,
+as we are only about 300 miles off. I watched the battery horses being
+exercised and fed this morning; they are mostly well accustomed to the
+ship's motion, but it is amusing sometimes to see about a dozen
+stalwart gunners shoving the horses behind to get them back to their
+stalls and eventually conquering after much energy and language, and
+after desperate resistance on the part of the horses; these old 'Bus
+horses are strong and fit, and have very good decks forward and aft
+for their half-hour exercise each day; while they are exercising,
+their stalls are cleaned out and scrubbed with chloride of lime. It is
+most interesting to watch their eagerness to go to their food, for
+they are always hungry!</p>
+
+<a id="img002" name="img002"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img002.jpg" width="500" height="362" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">A Battery crossing the Little Tugela.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a id="img003" name="img003"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img003.jpg" width="500" height="331" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">Naval Battery of 4.7's and 12-pounders at Durban.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 1st December.</span>&mdash;We arrived at Durban at 5 a.m. and anchored
+in the roadstead. In the Bay are H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span> and <span class="italic">Forte</span>; also a
+Dutch man-of-war, the <span class="italic">Friesland</span>, a fine looking cruiser; there are
+also eleven transports at anchor. Inside the Bay are the <span class="italic">Philomel</span>
+(my ship) and <span class="italic">Tartar</span>, besides a lot of other transports, including
+my old friend the <span class="italic">Briton</span>. Durban is a striking place from the sea;
+very green and cultivated, and with rows of houses extending along a
+high ridge overlooking the town. It all looks very pretty and one
+might fancy one's self in England. A strong breeze is blowing, so it
+is quite cool. An officer from the <span class="italic">Forte</span> tells us that Estcourt is
+relieved and that the Boers are massing south of Colenso ready for a
+big fight. Our army have apparently to bridge some ravines before
+advancing. The guns of the <span class="italic">Forte</span> and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page009" name="page009"></a>(p. 009)</span> <span class="italic">Philomel</span> are at
+Estcourt with landing parties. Commander Dundas and Lieutenants Buckle
+and Dooner join the <span class="italic">Forte</span> and I join the <span class="italic">Philomel</span>. Tugs came out
+at 1 p.m. and took us in over the bar; we passed close to the
+<span class="italic">Philomel</span> and were heartily cheered; then we went alongside the
+jetty, where staff officers came on board with orders. Commander
+Holland (Indian Marine) is here in charge of Naval transport and is an
+old acquaintance, as we met last year at Bombay. I got on board the
+<span class="italic">Philomel</span> without delay and found myself Captain of her, as her
+Captain (Bearcroft) had gone to take the Flag-Captain's place with
+Lord Methuen's force, and Halsey, the First Lieutenant, was at
+Estcourt with some 12-pounder guns. About thirty men of the <span class="italic">Philomel</span>
+are on shore under two officers, and one of her 4.7 guns is up at
+Ladysmith. I hear that all guns north of Pietermaritzburg are under
+command of Captain Jones, R.N., of the <span class="italic">Forte</span>; and, in fact, all the
+ships here at present, viz., the <span class="italic">Terrible</span>, <span class="italic">Forte</span>, <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, and
+<span class="italic">Tartar</span>, have landing parties at the front.</p>
+
+<p>I reported myself to Commander F. Morgan, senior officer of the
+<span class="italic">Tartar</span>, who was pleased to see me as he is an old friend, I having
+served with him in 1894 in the Royal yacht (<span class="italic">Victoria and Albert</span>),
+from which we were both promoted on the same day (28th August, 1894).
+I also called on the Commandant of Durban, Captain Percy Scott of the
+<span class="italic">Terrible</span>, at his headquarter office in the town. I found him busily
+engaged in making-up plans and photos of Durban, as well as his
+designs for field and siege mountings for the 4.7 and 12-pounder guns,
+to forward to Admiral Douglas, my late Commander-in-Chief; he showed
+them to me, and ordered me to take over command of the <span class="italic">Philomel</span> for
+the present. I have met a lot of old friends, and find the ship itself
+clean, smart, and comfortable. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page010" name="page010"></a>(p. 010)</span> The weather is changeable and
+very hot. Captain Scott has ordered martial law in the town, and
+everyone found in the streets after 11 p.m. is locked up. The story
+goes that Captain Scott himself was locked up one night by mistake!</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 5th December.</span>&mdash;Captain Scott sent on board a kind letter
+from the Governor of Natal (Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson) who has spoken
+to Sir Redvers Buller about me. An early advance is expected on
+Colenso, and it seems on the cards that some strategic move will soon
+be made to outflank the Boers and commence relief operations on behalf
+of poor Ladysmith.<a href="#toc"><span class="small">[Back to Contents]</span></a></p>
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page011" name="page011"></a>(p. 011)</span> CHAPTER II</h3>
+
+<p class="resume">I depart for the front with a Q.-F. Battery from H.M.S.
+     <span class="italic">Terrible</span>&mdash;Concentration of General Buller's army at Frere and
+     Chieveley&mdash;Preliminary bombardment of the Boer lines at
+     Colenso&mdash;The attack and defeat at Colenso&mdash;Christmas Day in camp.</p>
+
+<p>On the 6th December there was much rejoicing in the fleet on account
+of an order from Headquarters that a battery of eight Naval guns was
+to go to the front to reinforce Sir Redvers Buller. Lieutenant Ogilvy,
+of the <span class="italic">Terrible</span>, was appointed to command, while Melville of the
+<span class="italic">Forte</span>, Deas of the <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, and myself, were the next fortunate
+three who were to accompany it. The battery, drilled and previously
+prepared by Captain Scott and Lieutenant Drummond, entrained the next
+day (7th) for its destination; but as I had to remain behind awaiting
+a wire from Headquarters, I was unable to start till the next morning,
+when I left for Frere, accompanied by my servant, Gilbert of the
+Marines. What a day of excitement we passed through, and how much we,
+who were off to the front, felt for those left behind! I gave over
+command of the <span class="italic">Philomel</span> to Lieutenant Hughes, the men gave me three
+cheers, and I left Durban amid many farewells and congratulations at
+my good luck.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching Pietermaritzburg early on the 8th, we went onwards after
+breakfast to Estcourt. The railway is a succession of sharp curves and
+steep gradients and is a single line only. All the bridges on the line
+are carefully guarded, as far as Mooi River, by Natal Volunteers. I
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page012" name="page012"></a>(p. 012)</span> was much struck with the outlook all the way to Estcourt; a
+very fine country, beautifully green, with a succession of hills,
+valleys, and small isolated woods; in fact, if the country was more
+cultivated one might have thought it England, but it seems to be
+mostly grass land and mealy (Indian corn) fields. At Mooi River a
+farmer got into the train who had been driven from his farm near
+Estcourt when the Boers invaded Natal; he had lost all his cattle and
+clothes, while everything on his farm had been wantonly destroyed, and
+the poor fellow was now returning to the wreck with his small
+daughter.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching Estcourt in the afternoon we found to our dismay that we
+could not get on any further for the moment; so I walked up to see
+Halsey of the <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, at his camp about half a mile from the
+station, and took him some newspapers. We had a bathe in the Tugela
+River, and I afterwards met Wyndham of the 60th Rifles who was A.D.C.
+to the Governor of Ceylon while I was Flag-Lieutenant to Admiral
+Douglas, and we were mutually pleased to meet again so unexpectedly.
+The Somersets marched in during the course of the morning from
+Nottingham Road; they all looked very fit, but seem to have the
+somewhat unpopular duty of holding the lines of communication.</p>
+
+<p>Here I met also Lady Sykes and Miss Kennedy, doing nursing; they were
+staying at a Red Cross sort of convent close to the station. Lady
+Sykes gave me some books and wished me the best of luck, at which I
+was pleased. I believe she is writing a book of her experiences in the
+war and I shall be much interested to read it when I get home. It came
+on to pour with rain, with vivid lightning, about 8 p.m., so I was
+thankful to be under cover at the station; the poor soldiers outside
+were being washed out of their tents, and some unfortunate Natal
+Mounted <span class="pagenum"><a id="page013" name="page013"></a>(p. 013)</span> Volunteers, who only arrived an hour beforehand, had
+no tents at all and had a very poor time of it.</p>
+
+<p>Eventually I got off by train next morning (9th) for Frere, Captain
+Reeves, R.S.O., of the Buffs, who did me many kindnesses later on,
+having secured a compartment for me in a carriage which was shunted
+for the night, and in which I was very comfortable, although disturbed
+by continuous shuntings of various trains and carriages which made one
+realize how much work was falling on the railway officials and
+employés. In our train were fifty Natal Naval Volunteers under
+Lieutenants Anderton and Chiazzari. I was much struck with their good
+appearance and their silent work in stowing their gear in the train,
+and I realized their worth all the more when they joined up later on
+with our Brigade; all staid, oldish men, full of go and well dressed,
+while their officers were very capable, with a complete knowledge of
+the country.</p>
+
+<p>We reached Frere Station on the morning of the 10th, passing the sad
+sight of the Frere railway bridge completely wrecked by the Boers. I
+walked out to the camp and had never seen such a fine sight before;
+rows and rows of tents stretching for miles, and an army of about
+20,000 men. I found our electric search-light party at the station
+waiting to go on, and I was thankful to get a breakfast with them.
+Eventually our train moved on to the camp of the Naval batteries,
+about 2-&frac12; miles due north of Frere, and I at once marched up with
+the Natal Naval Volunteers, reported myself to Captain Jones, and
+joined my guns, finding all the rest of the Naval officers here, viz.:
+Captain Jones, Commander Limpus, and Lieutenants Ogilvy, Melville,
+Richards, Deas, Hunt, and Wilde, with half a dozen "Mids" of the
+<span class="italic">Terrible</span>. In camp were two 4.7 guns on the new field mounting, one
+battery of eight 12-pounders, and another of four 12-pounder
+quick-firers.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page014" name="page014"></a>(p. 014)</span> On Sunday afternoon (10th December) an impressive Church
+service was held in the open, with ourselves forming the right face of
+the square along with Hart's Irish Brigade. In the course of next day
+(11th) I rode up to see James' battery on the kopje to our front
+defending the camp, and got my first glimpse of Colenso and the
+country around, some ten miles off. I found that James's guns had very
+mobile limbers which he had built at Maritzburg, very different to our
+cumbersome wagons with guns tied up astern. In the afternoon Melville
+and I had tea with General Hart who was very agreeable and kind, and
+said he knew my father, and my aunt, Lady Brind, very well.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening orders suddenly came for Limpus' battery of 4.7's, my
+two 12-pounders, and Richards' four 12-pounders to advance the next
+morning (12th) at 4 a.m. to Chieveley, some seven miles from the Boer
+lines; and here again I was in luck's way as being one of the
+fortunates ordered to the front. All was now bustle and hurry to get
+away, and eventually the line of Naval guns, some two miles long with
+ammunition and baggage wagons, moved out in the gray of morning over
+the hills, with an escort of Irish Fusiliers, who looked very smart,
+"wearin' of the green" in their helmets.</p>
+
+<a id="img004" name="img004"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img004.jpg" width="500" height="236" alt="" title="">
+<p class="small p0_t italic">Photo by Middlebrook, Durban.</p>
+<p class="smcap">Naval Brigade pitching camp at Frere, Dec. 1899.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>We reached Chieveley at 8 p.m. (12th), after a long, dusty march, and
+got into position next morning on a small kopje about two miles to its
+front, called afterwards "Gun Hill." Guns were unlimbered and shell
+pits dug, while the wagons were all placed under cover; we received
+orders on arrival for immediate action, and at 9.30 a.m. we commenced
+shelling the enemy at a range of 9,500 yards. The 4.7 guns on the
+right fired the first shot, my two 12-pounders followed quickly, and a
+desultory shell fire went on for some hours. At my position we dug
+pits <span class="pagenum"><a id="page015" name="page015"></a>(p. 015)</span> for the gun trails in order to get a greater
+elevation, and we plumped one or two shots on the trenches near the
+Colenso Bridge. The shooting of the 4.7's, with their telescopic
+sights and easy ranging, was beautiful; shell after shell, many of
+them lyddite, burst in the Boer trenches, and we soon saw streams of
+Boer wagons trekking up the valley beyond, while at the same time one
+of the Boer camps, 10,000 yards off, was completely demolished.</p>
+
+<p>All this time our Biograph friends from home were gaily taking views
+of us, and they took two of myself and my guns while firing. Of
+course, the anxious officers of batteries had to lay the guns
+personally at this early stage, and every shot was a difficult matter,
+as at the extreme range we were firing, with the lengthening pieces
+on, the sighting was rather guesswork, and we had to judge mainly by
+the explosion at a distance of five and a half miles. We were all done
+up after our exertions under a broiling sun, and hence were not used
+any more that day (12th). Behind us we saw miles of troops and
+transport on the march onwards, which gave us the idea, and also
+probably the Boers, that Buller was planning a forward attack; and
+indeed, late at night on the 13th, the 4.7 Battery was told to move on
+to a kopje two miles in advance; my own guns, with the Irish Fusiliers
+being left to protect the ground on which we were then camped.</p>
+
+<p>Orders came shortly afterwards for a general advance to the Tugela,
+and Captain Jones told me that I had been given the rear and left to
+defend from all flank attacks, and that I was to move on at daybreak
+of the 15th to an advanced kopje and place myself under Colonel Reeves
+of the Irish Fusiliers. All was now excitement; the first great fight
+was at length to come off and our fellows were full of confidence.</p>
+
+<p>At 2 a.m., pitch dark, after a lot of hard work to get <span class="pagenum"><a id="page016" name="page016"></a>(p. 016)</span> our
+guns ready, we struck camp; up rode Colonel Reeves with his regiment
+and threw out an advanced guard, and out we tramped and crossed the
+railway. Here we found all the field guns and Infantry on the move,
+and had great difficulty in getting on; but at last, at 5 a.m., we
+reached the desired kopje where I had been sent on to select gun
+positions. Before us stretched the battlefield for four miles to
+Colenso and the river; the Boers across the Tugela occupied an
+enormously strong position flanked by hills, all their trenches were
+absolutely hidden, and gun positions seemed to be everywhere. The iron
+bridge of Colenso was plainly visible through my telescope and was
+intact, and to all intents and purposes there was not a soul anywhere
+in sight to oppose our advance.</p>
+
+<p>The Naval Battery of 4.7 and the 12-pounders under Captain Jones
+quickly got into position in front of us, and on all sides we saw our
+troops being thrown forward in extended order, forming a front of
+about four miles, with Cavalry thrown out on the flanks and field
+batteries galloping up the valley to get into range at 4,000 yards.
+All was dead silence till about 5.30 a.m., when the Naval guns
+commenced a heavy shell fire on the Boer positions. It was a fine
+sight; shell after shell poured in for an hour on the Boer trenches at
+a range of 5,000 yards, and all was soon one mass of smoke and flame.
+Not a sound came in reply till our troops reached the river bank, when
+the most terrific rifle fire I have ever heard of, or thought of, in
+my life, was opened from the Boer rifle pits and trenches on the river
+bank which had completely entrapped our men. Colonel Long, in command
+of the Artillery on the right of the line, unwittingly or by order,
+led his batteries in close intervals to within easy rifle range of
+those pits, when suddenly came this hail of bullets, which in a few
+minutes completely wrecked two <span class="pagenum"><a id="page017" name="page017"></a>(p. 017)</span> field batteries (the 14th and
+66th Batteries), killed their horses and a large number of the men,
+and threw four of the Naval 12-pounders under Ogilvy into confusion,
+although he was fortunately able to bring the guns safely out of
+action in a most gallant manner, with the loss of a few men wounded
+and thirty-seven oxen.</p>
+
+<p>Many brave deeds were done here. Schofield, Congreve, Roberts, Reed,
+and others of the R.A. specially distinguished themselves by
+galloping-in fresh teams or using the only horses left in the two
+batteries, and bringing two guns out of action. With others at this
+spot poor Roberts met a heroic death and Colonel Long was badly
+wounded.</p>
+
+<p>The firing all along the river bank was now frightful; shells from
+well-concealed Boer batteries played continuously upon our troops; the
+sun was also fearfully hot without a breath of air; and about 9 a.m.
+we noticed a sort of retiring movement on the left and centre of our
+position, and saw men straggling away to the rear by ones and twos
+completely done up, and many of them wounded. A field battery on the
+left had a hot time of it just at this moment and drew out of action
+for a breather quite close to our guns. I myself saw a dozen shells
+from the Boers go clean through their ranks, although, happily, they
+did not burst and did but little injury. Our troops were admirably
+steady throughout this hot shell fire.</p>
+
+<p>Our Naval guns on Gun Hill, at about 5,000 yards range, were hard at
+it all this time trying to silence the Boer guns, and the lyddite
+shells appeared to do great damage; but the enemy never really got
+their range in return, and many of their shells pitched just in front
+of my own guns with a whiz and a dust which did us no harm. A little
+1-pounder Maxim annoyed us greatly <span class="pagenum"><a id="page018" name="page018"></a>(p. 018)</span> with its cross fire, like
+a buzzing wasp; it was fired from some trees in Colenso village, and
+enfiladed our Infantry in the supporting line, which was in extended
+order; but it did not do much damage so far as I could see, although
+it was cleverly shifted about and seemed to be impossible to silence.</p>
+
+<p>By 11 a.m. (15th) we saw that our left attack was a failure; exhausted
+men of the Connaughts and Borderers poured in saying that their
+regiments had been cut up; and, indeed, many of their officers and men
+were shot and many drowned, in gallant attempts to cross the Tugela.
+Soon the ground was a mass of ambulance wagons, and stretcher parties
+bringing in the wounded; and a mournful sight, indeed, it was! The
+centre attack also failed, our men retiring quite slowly and in good
+order.</p>
+
+<p>On the right, where the object of the advance was to carry a hill
+called Hlangwane, which was afterwards recognised to be the key of the
+whole position, our men, owing to want of numbers, could make but a
+feeble attack and were unable, unsupported, to pass the rifle pits
+which had been dug all along the valley in front of the hill. The
+Cavalry were, of course, of no use behind a failing Infantry attack
+with a river in front of them, and although extended to either flank
+it never got a chance to strike.</p>
+
+<p>At 1 p.m. all firing ceased, except an intermittent fusillade by the
+Boers on our ambulance tents till they saw the red cross, when this
+ceased; the troops were all retired in mass to their original
+positions, and I myself had to clear out my guns as best I could to
+our old camping ground in the rear. To crown all, it came on to rain
+heavily about 5 p.m. by which we all got a good wetting. On our march
+back I had a few minutes of interesting talk with General Barton.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page019" name="page019"></a>(p. 019)</span> For many days all sorts of rumours flew about as to our
+losses at Colenso, which we afterwards found to be ten guns captured,
+fifty officers and 852 rank and file killed and wounded, and
+twenty-one officers and 207 N.C.O.'s and men missing and prisoners, a
+sad and unexpected end to our day's operations. An armistice to bury
+the dead was asked for by our people, and agreed to, but I do not
+believe that the Boer losses were at all heavy; and I am persuaded
+that if instead of the insufficient heavy batteries at Colenso, we
+could have had at the front, say two more batteries of 4.7 guns and
+two batteries of six 6" Q.-F., the Colenso disaster might never have
+happened. Against the fire of such guns, for say a week, moved up
+properly to within effective range, with reconnaissances carefully
+made and with an Infantry attack well pushed home in the end, I do not
+think that the Boers could or would have stayed in their positions;
+and I am confirmed in this opinion by a good many after experiences.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 16th December.</span>&mdash;Had a peaceful night and slept well, all
+being very much exhausted by the previous day's fighting and hot sun;
+we were kept very busy marking out ground for the Naval batteries
+which were all massed once more on our old camping ground.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 17th December.</span>&mdash;Commenced shelling Colenso Bridge at noon
+with a view to destroy it; but after a few rounds the order was
+cancelled and we again returned to camp.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 18th December.</span>&mdash;Stood to arms at 4 a.m., then went to
+general quarters for action, when the 4.7 guns opened fire at daylight
+on Colenso Bridge for about two hours with lyddite, at a range of
+7,300 yards. Lieutenant Hunt, on the left, struck one of the piers
+with a shell and took the roof off a small house close by; otherwise
+not <span class="pagenum"><a id="page020" name="page020"></a>(p. 020)</span> much harm was done. It was a frightfully hot and
+depressing day with a wind like air from a furnace; and, bad luck to
+it, directly the sun was down at 5 p.m. a heavy dust storm came on
+which covered everything in a moment with black filthy dust, followed
+by vivid lightning and drenching rain which was quite a treat to us
+dried-up beings. I myself succeeded in catching a tubful of water
+which ensured me a good wash and a refreshing sleep for the night.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 19th December.</span>&mdash;A cool nice morning and all the men in good
+spirits. At 8 a.m. the 4.7 guns opened fire again on Colenso Bridge.
+Lieutenant England's gun&mdash;the right 4.7 gun&mdash;knocked the bridge away;
+a very lucky and good shot, at which, needless to say, Sir F. Clery
+was very pleased.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 20th December.</span>&mdash;Again a nice and cool day. In the evening
+I fired my 12-pounders at trees and villages to the left of Fort
+Wylie; the 4.7 gun, manned by the Natal Naval Volunteers, also did
+good work. We are now living like fighting-cocks, as the field canteen
+is open, with many delicacies, about half-a-mile to our rear. We also
+received unexpectedly to-day, with acclamation, lots of letters and
+English papers.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 21st December.</span>&mdash;Stood to arms at 4 a.m. and commenced
+firing about 6 a.m., in a very good light; my own guns were directed
+on the rifle pits 8,500 to 9,000 yards away, on the other side of the
+Tugela River. At this range the ammunition carries badly and the guns
+shoot indifferently. I put some common shells, however, into the
+enemy's rifle pits, but we are all getting tired of this sort of
+desultory firing and existence.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 23d December.</span>&mdash;About 8.30 a.m. the Commander-in-Chief and
+Sir F. Clery and Staff, accompanied by the foreign attachés, rode up
+to our guns and stayed <span class="pagenum"><a id="page021" name="page021"></a>(p. 021)</span> for an hour sketching the hills on
+the right of Colenso, which I presume is now our objective. Mr.
+Escombe, late Premier of Natal, was also up with us all day watching
+our firing. Captain Jones also came to ask me to represent the Naval
+Brigade on the Sports Committee for Christmas Day; so I went down to
+General Barton's tent, met Colonel Bethune, Captain Nicholson, and
+others, and we arranged a good programme between us.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 24th December.</span>&mdash;No firing to-day. Church Parade at 8 a.m.,
+when we brigaded with the Irish Brigade. A very large stock of beer,
+cakes, pine-apples, and other good things arrived in camp for the
+Natal Naval Volunteers; they gave a good share to our fellows who were
+very pleased, having none, and all are now busy preparing their
+plum-puddings for Christmas Day.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Christmas Day, 25th December.</span>&mdash;We stood to arms at 4 a.m., but
+orders came for the guns not to fire. I was up at 5.30 a.m. to take my
+Sports party down to camp for the Brigade events. Our men won the
+Brigade Tug-of-war right out, and got great fun out of the wrestling
+on horseback on huge Artillery steeds, so that we came back to camp
+very elated. At 3 p.m. we marched down again for the finals in Sports;
+our fellows rigged up an Oom Paul and a Naval gent on a gun limber;
+this we dragged all round the camps and created quite a <span class="italic">furore</span>. The
+heat and dust were awful in the sports, but we pulled them off on the
+whole successfully, and all came back to camp tired out. I had my
+Christmas dinner with the Irish Fusiliers, who had drawn out an
+amusing menu of <span class="italic">Whisky Powerful</span>, <span class="italic">Champagne Terrible</span>, <span class="italic">Cutlets ŕ
+l'Oom Paul</span>, and so on. I thought much of my people and friends at
+home, and was glad enough to get to bed without the prospect of any
+night alarm or attack, after such a big dinner.<a href="#toc"><span class="small">[Back to Contents]</span></a></p>
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page022" name="page022"></a>(p. 022)</span> CHAPTER III</h3>
+
+<p class="resume">Life in Camp and Bombardment of the Boer lines at
+     Colenso&mdash;General Buller moves his army, and by a flank march
+     seizes "Bridle Drift" over the Tugela&mdash;The heavy Naval and Royal
+     Artillery guns are placed in position&mdash;Sir Charles Warren crosses
+     the Tugela with the 5th Division, and commences his flank attack.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 26th December.</span>&mdash;We stood to arms at 4 a.m., and shelled the
+Boer camp and trenches for two hours during the day. The Biograph
+people, who are still with us, took a scene of the Tug-of-war, our Oom
+Paul, and then a tableau of the hanging of Kruger! Captain Jones came
+to give the Sports prizes away, which greatly pleased our men; he told
+me afterwards that he had selected my two 12-pounders and the 4.7 guns
+to advance with him when ordered, at which needless to say I was very
+much gratified. Another heavy dust storm, followed by thunder and
+heavy rain. On the few following days we went through our usual
+cannonading, following a new practice of firing at night by laying our
+guns just at dusk, placing marks to run the wheels on, and using
+clinometers for elevation at the proper moment. All our shells burst,
+and, we were told afterwards, with effect, greatly disturbing sleeping
+Boers in Kaffir kraals at Colenso.</p>
+
+<a id="img005" name="img005"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img005.jpg" width="500" height="250" alt="" title="">
+<p class="small p0_t italic">Photo by Middlebrook, Durban.</p>
+<p class="smcap">Naval Guns in Action at Colenso.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 29th December.</span>&mdash;Again more firing at a new work that the
+Boers were making, apparently for guns. Seeing an officer on a white
+horse directing them, we banged at them all and cleared them off.
+Again a heavy <span class="pagenum"><a id="page023" name="page023"></a>(p. 023)</span> storm, but sunshine reached us during it in
+the shape of boots and great-coats from Frere, for which we were all
+grateful. The following day was wet and cold. I went to camp to try
+and buy poor young Roberts' pony, but the price was too high for me.
+Lord Dundonald came to arrange with Captain Jones a sham night attack
+on the Boer lines which happily did not come off as it was a horrible
+wet night.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">New Year's Day, 1900.</span>&mdash;At midnight of the old year my middy, Whyte,
+and myself turned out, struck sixteen bells quietly on a 4.7 brass
+case, and had a fine bowl of punch, with slices of pine-apple in it,
+which we shared with our men on watch, wishing them all a happy New
+Year. Good old 1899! Well, it is past and gone, but it brought me many
+blessings, and perhaps more to come. We gave the Boers some 4.7 liver
+pills, which we hope did them good. All our men are well and cheery,
+but our Commander has a touch of fever, so that I am left in executive
+charge of the men and camp. Winston Churchill came up to look at our
+firing. During the next few days, in addition to our firing, our
+12-pounder crews started to make mantlets for the armoured train; a
+very big job indeed, as they had to cover the whole of the engine and
+tender, afterwards called "Hairy Mary," as well as the several trucks.
+The officer in command congratulated our men on their work under the
+indefatigable Baldwin, chief gunner's mate of the <span class="italic">Terrible</span>, who was
+in charge. The military also started entrenchments and gun pits on the
+hill, which we call "Liars Kopje"; at dusk they came to a standstill
+over some big boulders that the General asked us to remove, which was
+a compliment to the powers of the Navy. We soon made short work of the
+boulders, much to the General's satisfaction, and got on fast with the
+mantlets. Still heavy rain at night.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page024" name="page024"></a>(p. 024)</span> <span class="italic">Thursday, 4th January.</span>&mdash;Again more firing. My own
+12-pounder crews and those of Richards' guns hard at the mantlets for
+the armoured train, and doing the job very well. On the 2nd, Lord
+Dundonald rode up and arranged an attack on a red house 6,000 yards
+from us and supposed to contain some of the enemy, but we found nobody
+at home. We were all glad to receive letters from home to-day. I was
+busy all day shifting one of my 12-pounder gun wheels for a new and
+stronger pair of skeleton iron ones, just sent from Durban, in view of
+a feint to the front with the object of drawing the Boers away from
+Ladysmith.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 6th January.</span>&mdash;This feint was made and we had no
+casualties. Poor Ladysmith! Our men there are hard pressed and must
+have a bad time; very heavy firing all day, and we heard by heliograph
+that the Boers had made a heavy attack in three places, although,
+happily, repulsed with heavy loss (including Lord Ava) to ourselves.
+We have Bennet Burleigh, Winston Churchill, Hubert of <span class="italic">The Times</span>, and
+many others, constantly on Gun Hill looking at our firing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 7th January.</span>&mdash;From Sir George White's signals we realize
+what a close shave they had yesterday in Ladysmith. A nice cool day
+and no firing; in fact, a day of rest. We attended Church Parade at 6
+p.m. with the 2nd and 6th Brigades. The Boers are as usual in the
+trenches working hard, while our time just now is spent in rain and
+constant calls to arms.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 10th January.</span>&mdash;A move at last, and I received orders to
+join General Hildyard's Brigade with my two guns, while the others
+were attached to other Columns. We were all hard at work to-day
+loading up wagons, and I was busy copying a large map of the country
+which our Commander lent me. In the evening <span class="pagenum"><a id="page025" name="page025"></a>(p. 025)</span> General Hildyard
+sent for me on business, and I sat down with him and his Staff to
+dinner, including Prince Christian, Captain Gogarty (Brigade Major),
+and Lieutenant Blair, A.D.C. General Hildyard was very kind, and said
+he was glad I was to go with him; and the next morning I moved off my
+guns at daylight, and arrived at the rendezvous by the hour named. It
+was a fine morning, although the wet and soft ground gave me doubts
+about getting our guns across country. But off we started; the Cavalry
+scouting ahead, then the East Surreys, Queen's, and Devons, and the
+7th Battery Field Artillery, followed by my guns escorted by the West
+Yorks. About a mile from Chieveley we had to cross a drift in which my
+wagons went in mud up to the tops of the wheels, and one gun got
+upset, which I got right again with the assistance of three teams of
+oxen and a party of the West Yorks. It was indeed a job, because the
+ground was like a marsh, and our ammunition wagons, with three tons'
+weight on them, were half the time sunk up to the axles; but we all
+smiled and looked pleased while everybody helped, and in six hours we
+were clear and on the road. We were all done up with the shouting and
+hot sun, and the General ordered us a two hours' rest while he took
+the Brigade on to Pretorius' farm, which we ourselves reached at 6
+p.m., crossing another bad drift on the way. The men were absolutely
+done up, and we were glad to arrive and find ourselves in a fine
+grassy camp with plenty of water. General Hildyard called me up and
+said he was pleased with the splendid work we had put through that
+day. On our left were miles of baggage wagons of various Brigades
+going into camp along a road further west of us.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 11th January.</span>&mdash;Shifted my ammunition to fifty rounds per
+gun to lighten the wagons, and moved <span class="pagenum"><a id="page026" name="page026"></a>(p. 026)</span> off at 5 a.m., passing
+General Hildyard who was looking on at the foot of the camp. We
+marched with the whole force to Dorn Kop Nek and then halted; the
+General and others, including myself, riding up to a high kopje to
+examine the Boer position on the Tugela at about 8,800 yards off.
+Prince Christian Victor came and sat on a rock by me and had a good
+look at the position through my telescope which he borrowed. The
+General ordered one of my guns up this kopje, and we brought it up
+with a team of oxen and fifty men on drag ropes to steady her. It was
+an awful climb, and the ground was strewn with boulders; the poor gun
+upset once, but we got it up at last into position on a beautiful
+grass plateau on top with a clear view of the Boer positions. The
+Queen's Regiment, who were our escort this morning, carried fifty
+rounds of ammunition up the kopje for me, and I shall always remember
+how on all occasions we received the greatest assistance from the
+Queen's and West Yorks. The General pushed on with the R.A. and the
+rest of the troops and reconnoitred the enemy from the next kopje.
+Eventually we were all ordered back to camp, and I had a great job in
+getting my guns down the hill again. I think it was worse than going
+up.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 12th January.</span>&mdash;Prince Christian (Acting Brigade Major) and I
+had a short talk together; we touched on a scheme of mine for making
+light limbers for our guns. In the afternoon I rode out to General
+Clery's camp, three miles to the west, to see our Naval guns, but
+found they had been pushed on with Lord Dundonald's Cavalry to hold
+ground leading to Potgieter's Drift. I dined with Captain Reed of the
+7th Battery, R.A., who knew my R.A. brother well in the 87th Battery.
+I found I had met him last year at the Grand National, and it is quite
+curious that I meet out here everyone that I ever knew.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page027" name="page027"></a>(p. 027)</span> <span class="italic">Saturday, 13th January.</span>&mdash;Sent Whyte, my middy, a nice
+fellow and useful to me, over to Frere on a horse to see about many
+things I wanted for the battery, and at 9.30 a.m. read out to my men
+on parade General Buller's address to the troops, dated 12th January,
+1900. This is the text of it. "The Field Force is now advancing to the
+relief of Ladysmith where, surrounded by superior forces, our comrades
+have gallantly defended themselves for the last ten weeks. The General
+commanding knows that everyone in the force will feel as he does; we
+must be successful. We shall be stoutly opposed by a clever
+unscrupulous enemy; let no man allow himself to be deceived by them.
+If a white flag is displayed it means nothing, unless the force who
+display it halt, throw down their arms, and throw up their hands. If
+they get a chance the enemy will try and mislead us by false words of
+command and false bugle calls; everyone must guard against being
+deceived by such conduct. Above all, if any are even surprised by a
+sudden volley at close quarters, let there be no hesitation; do not
+turn from it but rush at it. That is the road to victory and safety. A
+retreat is fatal. The one thing the enemy cannot stand is our being at
+close quarters with them. We are fighting for the health and safety of
+comrades; we are fighting in defence of the flag against an enemy who
+has forced war on us from the worst and lowest motives, by treachery,
+conspiracy, and deceit. Let us bear ourselves as the cause deserves."</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 14th January.</span>&mdash;Church Parade at 6 a.m. with the West Yorks,
+Devons, East Surreys, and Queen's. About 8 a.m. a wagon and team
+crawled up to our camp; this turned out to be the light trolley I had
+sent for and which Lieutenant Melville had kindly hurried forward from
+Frere. I was awfully pleased to see it as our load <span class="pagenum"><a id="page028" name="page028"></a>(p. 028)</span> before
+was absurdly heavy. The General was also quite glad to see and hear of
+the new trolley. At 2 p.m. in came my new horse from Frere, and a bag
+of excellent saddlery; the horse was in an awful state; he had
+apparently bolted on getting out of the train at Frere and injured two
+Kaffirs who tried to stop him; then the Cavalry chased him and caught
+him ten miles from Frere towards the Drakensberg mountains. The poor
+animal was very much done up and I found him afterwards a fine willing
+beast.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 15th January.</span>&mdash;Struck tents and limbered up ready to march
+at 6 a.m., and moved off in rear of the 7th Battery R.A.; they have
+been very good to us all along, shoeing ponies and giving us water. A
+nice cool morning, and all in good spirits. We soon passed the first
+drift across a spruit about four feet deep; my guns just grazed the
+top of the water but luckily we had taken care to stuff up the muzzles
+with straw. The bullocks had a very hard pull, more especially as my
+men were obliged to ride across the gun wagons. The General looked on
+and we got on very well; all working, laughing, joking, and helping,
+especially our good friends the Tommies. We marched across a green
+veldt, with the usual kopjes at intervals; and after about eight miles
+passed through the camp of the Somersets who came out to see us go by
+and were very cordial; about a mile further on we crossed the Little
+Tugela Bridge, and had a very heavy pull shortly afterwards across our
+last drift, which was a bad one. Countless bullock wagons, mule carts,
+and transport of all descriptions of the Clery, Hart, and Coke
+Brigades extended for miles along the two roads leading to our
+advanced position. We were delighted to see a river at last, and men
+and horses had a fine drink. After a meal in pelting rain I rode on to
+report to General <span class="pagenum"><a id="page029" name="page029"></a>(p. 029)</span> Hildyard, and had tea with him and his
+staff, including Prince Christian; they are all always very nice to
+me.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 16th January.</span>&mdash;A stream of transport wagons is still
+crossing the drift this morning, and the Drakensberg mountains look
+very grand and beautiful in this clear air. We drew fresh meat to-day
+in our provisions. What a surprise and a treat! The Boer position on
+the Big Tugela lies six miles off; and here Dundonald and his Cavalry,
+with one 4.7 gun, are watching the enemy who are working day and night
+at their trenches. About noon, Colonel Hamilton, of General Clery's
+Staff, rode into our camp and told me that orders had come for my guns
+to proceed at once into position with Lieutenant Ogilvy's battery. He
+asked me how long I should be. I said two hours to collect oxen and
+pack up, and so we were ordered to march at 1.45 p.m. I was very sorry
+to be suddenly shifted again out of General Hildyard's Brigade, and I
+asked him to intervene if we were again detached, which he promised to
+do. We marched up to time, and got to camp about 5 p.m., escorted by a
+troop of the Royal Dragoons. As usual, it came on to pour; everything
+was quickly a sea of mud, and the men in their black great-coats,
+marching along with the horses and guns mixed up with them, reminded
+one strongly of scenes in pictures of Napoleon's wars. We found that
+we had to move on in an hour's time with Ogilvy's guns to a plateau
+further on. I rode out to see Captain Jones and the 4.7's in position,
+a grand one on top of a very steep cliff kopje some 1,000 feet above
+the Tugela; the plateau selected for our 12-pounder guns was some 600
+feet lower down and 2,000 yards nearer the enemy. We had a tough march
+out, and did not get to our plateau till 11.30 p.m. I had a snack and
+gave the others all I could, and the great Maconochie ration and beer
+will never be forgotten, that night at any <span class="pagenum"><a id="page030" name="page030"></a>(p. 030)</span> rate. I myself
+turned in to sleep under a trolley, just as I was, and very tired we
+all were after our hard day.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 17th January.</span>&mdash;Out at daybreak to bring our 12-pounders
+into action. The drift over the Tugela, about half-a-mile to our right
+front, had been seized by Dundonald, and a howitzer battery had been
+pushed across some 2,000 yards nearer than ourselves, supported by the
+King's Royal Rifles, the Scottish Rifles, the Durhams, and the
+Borderers; to our right front was also to be seen the Engineer
+balloon, under Captain Phillips, R.E., being filled with gas. About 10
+a.m. a message came up from General Lyttelton to bring four guns into
+action on our left flank, which I did at once under Ogilvy's orders,
+and a little later Captain Jones rode down to us and told us to
+support Sir Charles Warren's advance to our left across the river. I
+opened fire with my right gun, and got the range in two shots, after
+which the whole four guns opened fire and burst several shells over
+the correct spot. I heard that Sir Charles Warren signalled in the
+evening to say we had by our fire put two Boer guns out of action and
+made them retire, and we were all delighted. His force was plainly to
+be seen occupying the ridge about 6,000 yards to our left front. The
+firing of the howitzer battery was very fine to-day; also our 4.7 guns
+did well. The howitzers landed salvos of their shells, six at a time,
+all bursting within fifty yards of one another and right on the Boer
+works on the sky-line, where our Naval 4.7's were also working away at
+a greater distance off. As no tents were allowed us I again slept in
+my clothes under a wagon.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 18th January.</span>&mdash;A beautiful morning, and we were all up at
+daybreak commencing a slow firing at the Boer trenches, and many fine
+shots were made; the howitzers, during the afternoon, pushed on about
+500 yards <span class="pagenum"><a id="page031" name="page031"></a>(p. 031)</span> nearer the enemy under cover of three small
+kopjes. Looking at the position from our plateau one wondered how the
+Boers could have allowed us to get here and cross the river unopposed.
+If we had been resisted we must have had an awful job, both here and
+at the Little Tugela. All our army experts are surprised, and we think
+we must have caught them on the hop, as they don't reply to our
+artillery fire. Still, they are opposing Sir Charles Warren's advance
+as well as they can, and very hard fighting is going on to our left,
+although we only hear the shots and see the flashes of our guns, with
+volleys of musketry, while the enemy are hidden behind a high hill
+called Spion Kop. The panorama before us is magnificent; and the
+Tugela, our bugbear at Colenso, lies before us, beautiful, meandering,
+and apparently conquered. At 5 p.m. a demonstration in force against
+the trenches at Brakfontein was ordered, and we commenced rapid firing
+with eight guns, making very fine practice and sending off some 600
+shells to cover our Infantry advance which was pushed on right up to
+the foot of the Boer kopjes and about 1,500 yards from their trenches.
+The Engineer balloon floated proudly in the air watching the
+operations. We retired at dusk, the object being to draw the Boers to
+their trenches and to relieve Sir Charles Warren's left attack which
+was advancing very slowly. We laid our guns at dusk and fired them
+every half-hour during the night.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 19th January.</span>&mdash;We began firing again at daybreak, General
+Lyttelton and Staff looking on. They told us that our guns had shot
+very well the evening before. A very hot day. The fighting on the left
+seems to be heavier and more distant, and all sorts of rumours are
+current as to demonstrations and successes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 20th January.</span>&mdash;Firing as usual. We hear again heavy firing
+on the left. About 3 p.m. our balloon <span class="pagenum"><a id="page032" name="page032"></a>(p. 032)</span> went right out over
+the Boer trenches, while our Infantry attacked in force on the right
+and demonstrated in front in extended order; we kept up our firing,
+while James's guns which had been pushed across the river took the
+right hills, and with the howitzers put a Boer Pom-pom out of action.
+The balloon did well; it was fired at by the Boers with Maxims and
+rifles, and was hit in several places; in fact, Captain Phillips, in
+charge of it, had his forehead grazed by a bullet. During the
+afternoon my right gun trail smashed up and I had to employ all the
+talent near at hand to repair it. With a baulk of timber from the
+Royal Engineers we finished it, and at the same time shifted the
+wheels to a beautiful pair of gaudily-painted iron ones from Durban. I
+now call it the "Circus Gun."</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 21st January.</span>&mdash;A very hot day. The armourers and carpenters
+still hard at work on my gun trail. Orders came for two guns to
+advance across the river, and Ogilvy told me off for that honour. By
+dint of hard work my right gun was finished by 11 a.m., and I
+inspanned and went off two hours afterwards. A very steep hill was the
+only thing to conquer going down, and we successfully crossed the
+Tugela in a Boer punt&mdash;guns, oxen, and my horse. We got the guns up to
+our new position by 6 p.m., and found ourselves about 4,200 yards from
+the enemy's trenches, with James's guns on our right. We had a cordial
+meeting with the Scottish Rifles; they had been a week in their
+clothes, with no tents or baggage, so I put up one of our tarpaulins
+for their mess tent and we enjoyed a real good dinner. At 9 p.m. up
+came Ogilvy to our position, to my surprise, as he had received sudden
+orders to bring the rest of the guns on across the river; the road and
+river must have been very nasty in the dark, but Ogilvy is a clever
+and capable fellow, who is always determined, sees no difficulties,
+and invents none.<a href="#toc"><span class="small">[Back to Contents]</span></a></p>
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page033" name="page033"></a>(p. 033)</span> CHAPTER IV</h3>
+
+<p class="resume">Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz&mdash;General Buller withdraws the troops
+     and moves once more on Colenso&mdash;We hold Springfield
+     Bridge&mdash;Buller's successful attack on Hussar Hill, Hlangwane, and
+     Monte Christo&mdash;Relief of Kimberley.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 22nd January.</span>&mdash;We placed the battery of six guns at daybreak
+in a kloof between two kopjes, in a half-moon formation, commanding
+the old position near Spion Kop, at about 4,500 yards, mine being in
+the centre. I was in charge all day and fired shots at intervals. The
+wind was too high for balloon reconnoitring. My first shot, a
+shrapnel, at the left part of Spion Kop, disabled twenty of the enemy
+digging in the trenches, so we were afterwards told by native scouts;
+and we were praised by those looking on for our accurate firing. We
+had now our telescopic sights on the guns, and very good ones on the
+whole they were, although we found the cross wires too thick and
+therefore hid an object such as a trench which at long range looks no
+more than a line. I found my deflection by a spirit-level on the
+trail, to test the inclination of the wheels one way or the other.
+There was very heavy fighting to-day on our left. Sir Charles Warren
+is in fact forcing his way on, and we hear reports of 400 of our
+fellows being killed and wounded, and the Boer trenches being taken by
+bayonet charges. So far as we know, General Buller's object is to
+outflank the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page034" name="page034"></a>(p. 034)</span> Boers on the left, and then when Sir Charles
+Warren has done this, to attack in front and cut them off.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 23rd January.</span>&mdash;Another day, alas, red with the blood of our
+poor fellows. Sir Charles Warren continued his operations at 1 p.m.,
+and from then till midnight the fight raged. Musketry and guns booming
+all round, the Maxims and Vickers 1-pounder guns, being specially
+noticeable. At daylight we ourselves stood to guns and concentrated
+our fire on the Boer trenches and positions to the front and right, in
+order to draw the enemy away from Warren's force; while the Infantry
+with us (Rifle Brigade, King's Royal Rifles, Durhams and Scottish
+Rifles) made a demonstration in force to within 2,000 yards of the
+main trenches under cover of our fire. The attack under Warren got
+closer and closer each hour, and we could watch our fellows,
+apparently the Lancashire Brigade, storming the top of Spion Kop, in
+which, I afterwards heard, my father's old regiment (the Lancashire
+Fusiliers) bore a splendid part. Meanwhile our own attack on the
+Brakfontein trenches was withdrawn, and we brought our guns into
+action on the left to assist the operations on Spion Kop but soon had
+to desist for fear of hitting our own men. The fight raged all day and
+was apparently going well for us. At 4 p.m. came a message from
+General Buller ordering the King's Royal Rifles and Scottish Rifles to
+storm Spion Kop from our side, which they did, starting from our guns
+and making a prodigious climb right gallantly in a blazing heat and
+suffering a considerable loss. Poor Major Strong, with whom I had just
+breakfasted, was one of the wounded and, to my great sorrow, died of
+his wound. Our guns meanwhile were searching all the valleys and
+positions along the eastern slopes of Spion Kop; but it was all
+unavailing, as we were apparently forced to retire after heavy losses
+during the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page035" name="page035"></a>(p. 035)</span> night. We ourselves were all dead beat, but had
+to be up all night with search-lights working on the Boer main
+position; but what of poor Warren's force after five days' constant
+marching and fighting!</p>
+
+<a id="img006" name="img006"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img006.jpg" width="500" height="329" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">Lieut. Burne's Guns firing at Spion Kop.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a id="img007" name="img007"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img007.jpg" width="500" height="372" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">4.7 Emplaced on Hlangwane.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 24th January.</span>&mdash;No more firing and many rumours; but at
+last it was a great surprise and blow to us to hear a confirmation of
+the report that Warren's right had been forced to abandon Spion Kop
+during the night, and to be also told that we ourselves were to go
+back to our old plateau in the rear. I had my guns dragged up to
+Criticism Kop with great labour by eighty of the Durhams, who are now
+our escort; and with the Rifle Brigade we hold the three advanced
+hills here, while Ogilvy has been moved back across the river. We hear
+of a loss of some 1,600 men, the poor 2nd Bn. of the Lancashire
+Fusiliers specially suffering heavily;<a id="footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2" title="Go to footnote 2"><span class="smaller">[2]</span></a> there is therefore great
+depression among all here, a cessation of fire being ordered, and
+nothing in front of us except ambulances. Our mail came in during the
+evening and I was very pleased to get letters from Admiral and Mrs.
+Douglas. We feared a night attack, so had everything ready for the
+fray. I was on the watch all night with Whyte, but our search-light
+kept off the danger and all remained quiet.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 25th January.</span>&mdash;A quiet day, the Boers and our own
+ambulance parties burying the dead on Spion Kop. And so went the next
+few days, we shelling the Boers at intervals although sparingly.
+Rumour says that General Buller is confident of beating the Boers in
+one more try, and is shortly going to try it. May the key fit the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page036" name="page036"></a>(p. 036)</span> lock this time! He seems determined, and we all hope he will
+be at last successful.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 29th January.</span>&mdash;We are firing as usual. Colonel Northcote of
+the Rifle Brigade came over from his kopje to see me, and I proposed
+the construction of two rifle-proof gun pits on the river bank, to
+which he agreed. A very hot day and raining heavily at night.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 31st January.</span>&mdash;We have orders to watch carefully the
+right of the Boer position. I let Mr. Whyte fire a dozen shells, which
+he did very well, and I finished my gun pits, and very good ones they
+are. Just at dark up came an officer from General Buller with an order
+that we were to retire our Naval guns at daybreak to the plateau,
+which we had to do much to our disappointment, moving off at daybreak
+next morning and taking the guns in a punt across the river. I learnt
+to my great sorrow that poor Vertue of the Buffs, my friend of Ceylon
+days when he was an A.D.C. to the General there, was killed at Spion
+Kop, and I am much depressed as I liked and admired him immensely.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 2nd February.</span>&mdash;The Boers are busy burying their dead on
+Spion Kop under a flag of truce, so we have a quiet day and no firing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 3rd February.</span>&mdash;The troops are all again on the move; no
+less than nine field batteries are pushed over the river with some
+Battalions of Infantry, while Boers are on the sky-line at all points
+watching us.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 4th February.</span>&mdash;Sir Charles Warren arrived on our gun plateau
+with his Staff, and pitched his camp close to my guns. I found that
+Sir Charles knew my father, and he told me that the Boers had had a
+severe knock at Spion Kop and were ready to run on seeing British
+bayonets; he spoke of his plans for the morrow and of our prospective
+share in them. My share is to be a good <span class="pagenum"><a id="page037" name="page037"></a>(p. 037)</span> one, as I am to have
+an independent command and am so actually named in the general orders
+for battle. I went over the plan of battle carefully with Captain
+Jones, R.N., and our Commander, who thought Pontoon No. 3 was the weak
+spot.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 5th February.</span>&mdash;A fateful day of battle. At daybreak we stood
+to our guns, but it was not till 6.30 a.m. that our Artillery, no less
+than seven batteries, advanced under cover of our fire. On the left
+were the 4.7 guns on Signal Hill; my two 12-pounders were on the gun
+plateau in the centre, and on the right, on Zwartz Kop, were six more
+of our 12-pounders under Ogilvy. The broad plan of attack was a feint
+on the left and then a determined right attack. This developed slowly;
+the Artillery and Infantry advanced, and we all shelled as hard as we
+could for some hours, when the Infantry laid down just outside
+effective rifle range from the Brakfontein trenches, and the
+Artillery, changing front to right, withdrew from the left, except one
+battery, to assist in the centre attack on Vaal Krantz. Our Naval guns
+went on shelling the left where the Boer guns were well under cover
+and were very cleverly worked. About 12 noon the Infantry withdrew
+from the left and it was evident that our feint had fully succeeded in
+its object, <span class="italic">i.e.</span>, to get the enemy drawn down to their trenches and
+stuck there. The Artillery, after crossing No. 2 Pontoon, were drawn
+up in the centre shelling Vaal Krantz, while Lyttelton's Brigade was
+pushed forward to attack it and succeeded in reaching the south end of
+it. Our own firing on the left was incessant. I found afterwards that
+I had fired 250 rounds during the day, and I had many messages as to
+its direction and effect from Sir Charles Warren, and General
+Talbot-Coke, who was just behind us with his Staff. Little firing
+during the night. Very tired.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page038" name="page038"></a>(p. 038)</span> <span class="italic">Tuesday, 6th February.</span>&mdash;At it again at daylight, the Boers
+commencing from their 100 lb. 6" Creusot at 6,000 yards to the east of
+Zwartz Kop. I had suddenly got orders during the night from Sir
+Charles Warren to move my guns off the plateau and join Buller's force
+at daybreak at the east foot of Zwartz Kop, so I moved off at the time
+named, feeling very thankful that I had my extra oxen to do it. We had
+some miles to go, over a vile road, and on the way we passed the 7th
+Battery R.A. and some Cavalry and ambulances. All this, meeting us on
+a narrow and badly ordered road, delayed us so much that it was 8 a.m.
+before I was able to report my guns to the Commander-in-Chief, which I
+did personally; he turned round and said, rather pleased, "Oh, the
+Naval guns are come up," and, pointing me out the Boer 6" Creusot and
+a 3" gun enfilading our Artillery, he asked me if I could silence
+them; the 6" was at 6,500 yards and the 3" at 10,000 yards, so I
+replied, "Yes, the 6"," and by the General's order I brought my guns
+into action about 200 yards away from him and his Staff. As I was
+preparing to fire my right gun, bang came a 100 lb. shell right at it,
+striking the ground some twenty yards in front and digging a hole in
+the ground of about six feet long, covering us with dust, although
+happily the shell did not burst but jumped right over our heads. This
+was followed by a shrapnel which burst, but the pieces also went right
+over our heads. After hard pit digging, I tried for the 3" at 9,000
+yards, with full lengthening pieces, with my left gun, but I could not
+range it; so we kept up a hot fire with both guns on the Boer Creusot,
+which was also being done by the two 5" guns in front of us and by our
+Naval battery on the top of Zwartz Kop. We silenced this gun from 8.30
+a.m. to 5 p.m. when it again opened on us (with its huge puff of black
+powder showing up <span class="pagenum"><a id="page039" name="page039"></a>(p. 039)</span> finely), but without doing us much harm.
+At 11 a.m. the Boers brought some field guns up at a gallop to Vaal
+Krantz, running them into dongas or pits about 6,000 yards away from
+us, and then sending shrapnel into our troops on the Kop and trying to
+have a duel with us; we quickly silenced them, however, as well as a
+Pom-pom in a donga about 4,000 yards off, and they beat a retreat over
+the sky-line. I here found my telescopic sight very useful for
+observing every movement while personally laying guns. The General
+sent me many messages by his Staff, and was pleased at our driving off
+the guns. As the day passed, the cannonade became fast and furious and
+our attack advanced but slowly; we silenced most of the Boer guns by 5
+p.m. and slept that night as we stood. I had the Boer 100 lb. 6" shell
+(which had fallen close to us without bursting) carried up the hill to
+show the Commander-in-Chief and Staff; they were all interested but
+rather shy of it, but one of them took a photo. We picked up many
+fragments of shells which had fallen close to us during the day and
+from which all of us had narrow escapes, for we were in a warm corner.
+General Hildyard and Staff who were sitting close by us at one part of
+the day had a 100 lb. shell fired over them which just missed Prince
+Christian.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 7th February.</span>&mdash;Dawn found us still fighting on this the
+last day of our attempt to relieve Ladysmith from this side; heavy
+firing commenced at daybreak, and we did our best to keep down the
+Boer fire, the 4.7 Naval gun on Signal Hill making fine practice.
+Meantime our troops now on Vaal Krantz, viz., Hildyard's East Surreys,
+Devons, and West Yorks, pushed the attack or held their trenches under
+heavy fire, while we were trying to silence the enemy's guns. By this
+time the long range of hills to the east of Brakfontein was all ablaze
+from our shells, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page040" name="page040"></a>(p. 040)</span> and also one flank of Vaal Kop. All looked
+lurid and desolate, and at times the cannonading was terrific, the
+Boer 6" with its black powder vomiting smoke and affording an
+excellent mark. At 4 p.m. the Engineer balloon went up in our rear to
+reconnoitre, and brought down a disheartening report of unmasked Boer
+guns and positions which would enfilade our advance from here all the
+way to Ladysmith; so that after a Council of War the
+Commander-in-Chief decided to retire the troops; my orders from
+Colonel Parsons, R.A., being to make preparations to withdraw my two
+guns to Spearman's Kop as soon as the moon rose, and to cover the
+retirement. In fact, according to his words the Council of War decided
+that while we could get through to Ladysmith from here, we should be
+hemmed in afterwards owing to the new positions disclosed by Phillips'
+balloon report. It was just dusk; Infantry and Artillery were being
+hastily moved up to cover the retirement, and after loading up our
+ammunition off we ourselves went. My poor men were very done up after
+the constant marching, firing, and working ammunition of the last
+three days; we had, in fact, shot off no less than 679 rounds, and the
+sun was awful the whole time. The withdrawal was very well carried out
+in the dark; we ourselves followed the ammunition column, and the
+Field Artillery followed us. As the foot of Gun Hill was completely
+blocked I brought my guns out down by the Tugela, ready to cover the
+troops; and we slept as we stood, while a constant stream of
+Artillery, Infantry, and ambulances were struggling to get up the
+steep hill; indeed, it was a most memorable day and night. Poor
+Colonel Fitzgerald of the Durhams was carried past me in a stretcher
+about 5 p.m. shot in the chest with a Mauser. I had known him before
+when holding the kopjes over the river with his regiment; he insisted
+on talking to me and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page041" name="page041"></a>(p. 041)</span> sat up to have a cup of tea, and I was
+glad to hear afterwards that he had eventually recovered. Our total
+casualties for the three days were about 350; our Infantry had done
+brilliantly; and, while we were all savage at having to withdraw, we
+were confident that the Commander-in-Chief knew best, and indeed it
+seems from information received later on that he did the right thing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 8th February.</span>&mdash;At daylight the Boer 6" went on shelling us
+at 10,000 yards but did little damage, so I got up the hill about 9
+a.m. after a hasty breakfast, and passing Sir Charles Warren's tent
+got into my old position on the plateau, finding the 7th Battery R.A.
+holding the hill close alongside. My men were quite done up, so that
+the temporary rest was acceptable, although we had to keep a sharp
+look-out, and twice silenced Boer guns firing on our Infantry at 6,500
+yards from Spion Kop. At noon the kopjes in front were evacuated, our
+pontoon taken up, and the Boer punt sunk by gunpowder. So good-bye to
+the Tugela once more; all our positions gone and the Boers down again
+at the river. At dusk I got permission to withdraw my guns over the
+ridge on account of sniping, and it was well I did so as the Boers
+came very close to us during the night.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 9th February.</span>&mdash;Got orders from the Commander-in-Chief to
+withdraw with others on to Springfield Bridge; we were almost the last
+guns off, and had a hot march of eight miles escorted by a party of
+the Imperial Light Infantry under Captain Champneys. How we did enjoy
+a bathe from the river bank, as well as our sleep that night! It was
+all quite heavenly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 10th February.</span>&mdash;About 9 a.m. I was ordered by Colonel
+Burn-Murdoch of the Royal Dragoons to bring my guns up to his
+entrenched camp behind the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page042" name="page042"></a>(p. 042)</span> bridge to assist in its defence.
+I had breakfast with him and he seemed very nice. He is now
+Brigadier-General and Camp Commandant, and we are left in defence
+here, to protect Buller's left flank, with "A" Battery Horse
+Artillery, the 2nd Dragoons and 13th Hussars, the Imperial Light
+Infantry, and the York and Lancasters. The rest of the troops had all
+gone to Chieveley. The day was very hot again, and I was very glad to
+give the men another rest, with fresh butter, milk, chickens, and
+fruit to be had, brought in by Kaffirs from neighbouring farms. Just
+think of it!</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 11th February.</span>&mdash;Again very hot. About 7 a.m. there was a
+heavy rifle fire to the N.E.; our Cavalry pickets were in fact
+attacked, and as I saw Boers on the sky-line, I got leave to open
+fire, but did no damage, as the hill, we afterwards found out, was
+some eight miles off. So much for African lights and shades, which,
+after eight months' experience of them, are most deceptive. It turned
+out that our Cavalry pickets had been surprised by the Boers unmounted
+in a donga, and unluckily Lieutenant Pilkington and seven men were
+taken prisoners, and several men wounded&mdash;a bad affair.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 12th February.</span>&mdash;Another awfully hot day which made me feel
+feverish. We were busy in fortifying our gun positions, but otherwise
+I had a quiet day in the mess of the York and Lancasters, a very nice
+regiment. At 4 p.m., much to our joy, rain and thunder came on and
+cleared the heavy air. Glad to hear that a Naval 6" gun has been sent
+up to the front at last, and that Lord Roberts had entered the Orange
+Free State with a large force.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 13th February.</span>&mdash;Still very hot, although again a welcome
+thunderstorm in the afternoon. Busy with <span class="pagenum"><a id="page043" name="page043"></a>(p. 043)</span> fortifying and with
+taking more gun ranges with a mekometer borrowed from the York and
+Lancasters.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 14th February.</span>&mdash;The Boers appeared in considerable force
+on the sky-line to the left of Portjes Kopje about 8 a.m. I was
+summoned with others by Colonel Burn-Murdoch to a Council of War, and
+afterwards rode out with him and Staff to reconnoitre the enemy and to
+look at country for gun work. We pushed up to a farm about 1,600 yards
+from the enemy; we were fired on at that distance and all returned
+about 4 p.m., when it was decided to attack the Boers next day. They
+are some 9,000 yards off the camp, and seem to have no guns. During
+our reconnoitring we saw a hare on the Kop, the first game I have come
+across as yet in South Africa.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 15th February.</span>&mdash;At 6 a.m. the Horse Artillery and Cavalry
+were pushed out to attack, and my guns advanced to a kopje at 8,000
+yards. But to our annoyance the Boers had made off during the night
+and we had nothing to do. We received an English mail to-day, much to
+our delight, and it brought a sketch in the <span class="italic">Daily Graphic</span> of my
+father inspecting a detachment of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade. My
+servant Gilbert in hospital with fever, poor fellow.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 16th February.</span>&mdash;A red-letter day, and all quiet in camp.
+Fitted rollers under my gun trails. News came that General French had
+relieved Kimberley, and there was much cheering in camp.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 18th February.</span>&mdash;We heard heavy firing all day, which turned
+out to be General Buller attacking Hlangwane and Monte Christo Hills,
+to the right of the Boer position at Colenso, but on our side of the
+river. The positions were brilliantly taken at the point of the
+bayonet; and all in camp are very cheerful at hearing of Cronje being
+in full retreat, Magersfontein evacuated, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page044" name="page044"></a>(p. 044)</span> and Methuen free
+to move. This must be the beginning of the end. Raining hard, for the
+rains of February are on us at last.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 20th February.</span>&mdash;Still heavy rain and tropical heat. Our
+trenches full of water. Heavy firing on Colenso side and good news of
+Buller's advance.<a href="#toc"><span class="small">[Back to Contents]</span></a></p>
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page045" name="page045"></a>(p. 045)</span> CHAPTER V</h3>
+
+<p class="resume">Passage of Tugela forced and Colenso occupied&mdash;Another move back
+     across the river to Hlangwane and Monte Christo&mdash;The Boers at
+     length routed and Ladysmith is relieved&mdash;Entry of Relief Force
+     into Ladysmith&mdash;Withdrawal of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible's</span> men to China&mdash;I
+     spend a bad time in Field Hospital&mdash;General Buller's army moves
+     forward to Elandslaagte&mdash;Boers face us on the Biggarsberg.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 22nd February.</span>&mdash;General Buller occupied Colenso, and wired
+to our Commandant to join him with his whole force. The Cavalry left
+at 5 a.m. and at 2 p.m. the rest of us moved off, my guns being
+escorted by the York and Lancasters, with the Imperial Light Infantry
+in rear, the whole under Colonel Fitzpatrick. We made a quick march to
+beyond Pretorius' farm where we camped for the night.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 23rd February.</span>&mdash;Off at daylight in a beautiful cool morning.
+On the west of the hill, where we rested to water and feed the oxen,
+Colenso was plainly visible, and we found heavy shelling going on. We
+reached Chieveley at 10 a.m. and going up to our old friend, Gun Hill,
+we joined Drummond with the 6" Q.-F. gun, and pitched our camp. The 6"
+gun looked a regular monster on its field carriage, and fired several
+times at Grobler's Hill, at 15,000 yards; I was struck by its smart
+crew of bluejackets and stokers, but the gun is much too far off the
+enemy. An English mail came in to-day.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page046" name="page046"></a>(p. 046)</span> <span class="italic">Saturday, 24th February.</span>&mdash;General Buller is shelling hard
+the kopjes at Pieters beyond Colenso, but our Infantry do not seem to
+be gaining an inch. As my guns were in reserve, I went up by train to
+Colenso, with Captain Patch, R.A. We were much interested, as we saw
+all the now famous spots where we had shelled the place out in
+December and January&mdash;the village and hotel being in ruins, and
+everything wantonly sacked and destroyed. I never saw such a scene in
+my life; pianos pulled to pieces and furniture smashed up. I went on
+to the pont where Lieutenant Chiazzari was in charge, and met many
+wounded being carried across to the ambulance train; among others were
+General Wynne, and a poor officer of the Lancashire Brigade just dying
+with a bullet in his chest, also young Hodson of the <span class="italic">Terrible</span> ill
+with fever. We crossed the Tugela on planks over the ruins of the
+fallen railway bridge with a swirling torrent about a foot below us,
+as the river was now in flood. It was sad to see this magnificent
+bridge with all its spans blown up and fallen across the river, and
+one buttress demolished. Patch and I climbed up the kopjes beyond, saw
+the Boer system of trenches, and inspected the places where they had
+blasted the reverse slopes of the kopje, perpendicularly cut behind,
+and had got under safe cover from shell. The panorama of battle which
+spread out in front of us was most impressive with shells bursting
+close to us; our firing line was some two miles on, resting on small
+kopjes near Pieters that were taken during the night; our guns, great
+and small, were massed in or beyond Colenso behind small kopjes which
+gave a certain amount of cover; on the left were the 4.7 guns and four
+12-pounders, then the 4.5 guns; and two miles to the right were other
+field batteries and Ogilvy's four 12-pounders across the river on
+Hlangwane, making some eighty guns in all. Behind the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page047" name="page047"></a>(p. 047)</span> kopjes
+were massed our men in reserve, besides all the Horse Artillery and
+Cavalry and wagons. There was now very heavy Boer shelling over
+Colenso, giving our men a bad time of it; for instance the whole of
+our 5" crew of garrison gunners were killed and wounded by a shrapnel,
+and many of the 4.7 men were hit about the same time. Our own shelling
+was magnificent and deadly, all our fire being concentrated at one
+kopje about 6,000 yards off; the musketry fire was also very heavy all
+along the line. I never saw such a fine sight before. I returned from
+Colenso to my guns about 3 p.m., in an ambulance train, with Major
+Brazier Creagh. We are losing about 450 men a day and are advancing
+very slowly, while the Boers appear to be bringing up more guns on our
+left. No news from Ladysmith, but we were all glad to hear the
+brilliant news of the capture of Cronje and all his force by Lord
+Roberts, and the cheering in the fighting line on the news being
+communicated was wild. A very heavy musketry fire raged all night, and
+the Inniskillings in a night attack on Railway Hill lost a lot of men,
+in fact were cut up.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 25th February.</span>&mdash;Once more the Commander-in-Chief found his
+position untenable, and half of the guns were withdrawn in the night
+across to our side of the Tugela on to Hlangwane; all the wagons and
+stores were also shifted out of Colenso and the majority of the troops
+moved to the right to the Hlangwane and Monte Christo slopes. Colenso
+was still held in force however by the 10th Brigade under General
+Talbot Coke. Two of our 4.7 guns on platform mountings were now
+ordered up to Hlangwane from our hill, and were got into position with
+much labour at 2,500 yards by Lieutenant Anderton, Natal Naval
+Volunteers; they did very good work at that decisive range. There was
+to-day what we called a Boer <span class="pagenum"><a id="page048" name="page048"></a>(p. 048)</span> Sunday, that is, a cessation of
+firing on both sides after a hard ten days of it; the day was wet and
+we were all washed out of our tents, some of which were blown clean
+down.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 26th February.</span>&mdash;The attack still hangs fire while our troops
+are being massed on Hlangwane and Monte Christo. The shelling of
+Colenso by the Boers is still going on pretty heavily, and one only
+wonders how Naval 12-pounders like ours can be left here as they are,
+no less than six of our guns doing nothing at all. Drummond left the
+6" gun under me for a time; and, on spotting a Boer gun on Grobler's
+Hill, I let drive at 15,000 yards, 28° elevation. As the shot only
+fell some 200 yards short, I recommended a move to closer range, but
+the gun eventually never was moved closer. While on Gun Hill we had
+several civilians from Pietermaritzburg and Durban looking on at the
+fighting. A very wet night, which made our positions a swamp, but I
+was warmed by a warning to be ready to move my own guns to the front.</p>
+
+<a id="img008" name="img008"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img008.jpg" width="500" height="319" alt="" title="">
+<p class="small p0_t italic">Photo by Middlebrook, Durban.</p>
+<p class="smcap">4.7 Emplaced on Hlangwane.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 27th February.</span>&mdash;A wire was handed to me in the night to
+join the 10th Brigade with the Yorks and Lancasters, and off we went
+at 6 a.m. in good spirits but in a thick drizzle of rain, passing
+along the eastern slope of Hlangwane and winding up a fearful road to
+the front. The Yorks and Lancasters at this point suddenly turned off,
+and feeling that something was going wrong I halted my guns and rode
+on to the Headquarters Staff, about half a mile on, finding the
+Infantry attack just about to commence, the men all looking very
+weary, and no wonder. I spoke to Ogilvy, who was there with his guns,
+and afterwards to General Buller, who was standing quite close
+surveying the general attack of our Infantry on the centre and right
+3,000 yards ahead of us. The guns were giving the Boers lyddite and
+shrapnel, and the fighting line were <span class="pagenum"><a id="page049" name="page049"></a>(p. 049)</span> cheering as kopje
+after kopje was taken. It was evident to my unpractised eye that we
+had the Boers on the run at last. I told the Commander-in-Chief that
+my guns had arrived, when he replied, "Why, you should be in Colenso,"
+and turned to his Staff, saying that some mistake had been made. I
+therefore showed my written orders, and after reading them, the
+General said, "It is not your fault, but march to Colenso as quickly
+as possible"; and he detached Lord Tullibardine to show us the way; I
+had seen a good deal of him at Springfield. "The Pontoon bridge is
+up," he added; "you must use the Boer pont and so ferry across the
+Tugela." So off we went, and got to Colenso at 2 p.m. after a very hot
+march.</p>
+
+<p>The ground at the railway crossing which we had to cross was being
+heavily and accurately shelled, so leaving my gun train for a time in
+a spot safe from the bursting shrapnel I rode on to prepare the pont
+for our crossing the river. We got the first gun over to the Colenso
+side of the river after hard work, the rotten bank giving way and the
+gun being half submerged in the water; then the somewhat unhandy
+soldiers in charge of the pont capsized a team of gun oxen when
+half-way across the river by rocking the pont, and, nearly drowning
+the poor oxen, swam ashore themselves and left them to their fate. It
+was now 5 p.m. and as there were no men to do anything it was an
+impossible position, with the pont sunk in the middle of the flooded
+river; so that at dusk, after telling some soldiers who had come up
+from General Coke's Brigade in response to my request what to do to
+right the pont, I drew up my remaining gun and wagons on the south
+bank, and put the gun which was already across the river out of action
+under a guard below the river bank in case of any Boer swoop on it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 28th February.</span>&mdash;A red-letter day. Before <span class="pagenum"><a id="page050" name="page050"></a>(p. 050)</span>
+daylight I set my men to work to bale out the pont and to get my
+second gun across the river with 100 rounds of ammunition, and also
+off-loaded and got over a spare wagon and 250 rounds more. All this
+was a terrible hard job; two empty military wagons trying to get
+across the drift at this spot were carried away before my eyes and
+only picked up a quarter of a mile down stream. At 11 a.m. I was able
+at last to march on to join General Coke's Brigade in Colenso, and to
+get my guns into position. I was very exhausted and was feeling rather
+ill, but I was able to dine with the General under a tarpaulin and had
+much talk over old times in the Mauritius in 1898. It was a very wet
+evening, and my men who were bivouacking with no tents had a bad time
+of it. The sudden cessation of firing most of the day seemed to
+foreshadow some change at the front, and we found afterwards to our
+joy that a detachment of the Imperial Light Horse under Lord Dundonald
+had ridden into Ladysmith at 6 p.m. unmolested by the Boers who were
+reported to be in full retreat.<a id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3" title="Go to footnote 3"><span class="smaller">[3]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 1st March.</span>&mdash;Everything seems to feel dull and
+unprofitable; all the country round is deserted and Colenso is almost
+unbearable from the odour of dead horses. At about 11 a.m. the pickets
+reported Boers in force coming down Grobler's Kloof, but the party
+turned out to be our own men; some of the garrison Cavalry, in fact,
+riding in from Ladysmith, who told us that the Boers were in full
+retreat. In the afternoon I rode round Colenso. What a scene of
+desolation and dirt; huts and houses unroofed and everything smashed
+to pieces! Long <span class="pagenum"><a id="page051" name="page051"></a>(p. 051)</span> lines of abandoned trenches, and the
+perpendicular shelters which the Boers had blasted out behind all the
+kopjes against shell fire plainly showed how well they knew how to
+protect themselves. The trenches, about a mile long, in the plain to
+the right of Colenso are very deep and are sandbagged; parts of them
+are full of straw; many shelters are erected in them; and holes are
+burrowed out and strewn with chips of cartridges and pieces of shell,
+bottles, and every imaginable article. Being somewhat curious as to
+the effect of our shelling which had gone on from the 10th December to
+the 12th January at this line of trenches, I rode along them and came
+to the conclusion that not one of our shells had actually hit these
+splendid defences, although no doubt our fire annoyed and delayed the
+workers in them. I picked up many curios here.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 2nd March.</span>&mdash;Not a Boer to be seen within miles. Very hot and
+odoriferous here, and I feel queer and tired out although fortunately
+able to lie down all day. In the middle of the night had a sudden and
+alarming attack of colic and was in great agony. I really thought I
+was done for, but my men gave me hot tea and mustard and water which
+did me good.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 3rd March.</span>&mdash;Woke up feeling weak and ill, but as luckily
+there was no work on hand I was able to lay still under an ammunition
+wagon and was much revived with some champagne which my best
+bluejacket named House got for me from my friend Major Brazier Creagh
+of the Hospital train. The doctor from the Middlesex lines who came to
+see me in the evening told me he had been into Ladysmith and had found
+the garrison looking very feeble; the Cavalry were hardly able to
+crawl and could not therefore pursue the Boers; the rations had been
+reduced to one and a half biscuits per day per man in addition to
+sausages and soup called Chevril, made <span class="pagenum"><a id="page052" name="page052"></a>(p. 052)</span> from horseflesh. It
+seems that Ladysmith could have held out for another month, but the
+garrison had, after our failure at Spion Kop, given up all hope of our
+relieving them. Poor chaps! they have had an awful time of it. We
+learn that the Boers had left a huge unfinished dam of sandbags across
+the Klip River so as to flood out our shelter near the banks of the
+town; another week would have seen this really marvellous work
+completed; but luckily, as it was, our friends had to decamp in a
+hurry, leaving tents, wagons and ammunition strewn all over the
+neighbourhood; I wish I could add guns, but none were found, and I
+fear that the retreat took place for one reason only, viz., Kruger's
+fear of being cut off by Lord Roberts at Laing's Nek. Except for this
+I doubt whether we should ever have moved the Boers out of the Colenso
+position with our 30,000 men; indeed, I hear that the German Attaché
+said it was a wonder, and that his people would not have attempted it
+under ten times the number. As it is, we are all glad that General
+Buller has succeeded.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 6th March.</span>&mdash;Nothing special to note except that wagons and
+ambulances have been pouring out of Ladysmith down Grobler's Hill
+during the last few days.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 7th March.</span>&mdash;In the afternoon General Coke kindly came to
+wish me good-bye as his Brigade had received orders to sail for East
+London, and at the same time gave me orders to proceed to Ladysmith.
+Meanwhile the Naval Brigade under Lionel Halsey passed our camp on the
+way to Durban, and we drew up to cheer them and received their cheers
+in return. Poor fellows, they looked as weak as rats.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 8th March.</span>&mdash;We left Colenso at 5.30 a.m. with the 73rd
+Field Battery for Ladysmith. We were much interested on the Grobler's
+Hill road to see the Boer trenches and shelters, which were simply
+marvellous and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page053" name="page053"></a>(p. 053)</span> made the place impregnable. The trenches were
+blasted out of solid rocks, some 6 feet, and some 6 to 8 feet thick,
+of solid rock and boulder; these were all sandbagged, fitted with
+shelters with burrowed-out holes, and were extended for a front of
+half a mile facing Colenso. On the other side of the road, slightly
+higher up, was another line of similar trenches, while the road itself
+was defended by a series of stone conning towers&mdash;to use a Naval
+term&mdash;all loopholed and commanding the entire passage. It was a
+wonderful revelation to us after the "prepare to dig trench" exercise
+prescribed by our own drill book. The Governor of Natal, Sir Walter
+Hely-Hutchinson, happened to ride by when our Naval guns were drawn
+up, and when he found that I was in command he sent for me, was very
+kind, and said he would write to my father to tell him he had seen me.
+Although still feeling ill from dysentery I tried not to make much of
+it, but I could no longer ride my horse so got on a wagon. We moved on
+to Ladysmith at 4 p.m. and were much interested in the various hills
+and positions <span class="italic">en route</span>; we passed over Cćsar's camp, which we found
+a very straggling uninteresting sort of place. The town itself lay on
+the left and was now used as a hospital; we passed along over the iron
+bridge where the troops from India were encamped, and much admired
+their khaki tents and green ambulances; and climbing the hill leading
+to the convent to join our Naval camp we found Ogilvy in command, who
+said, much to my regret, that the men of the <span class="italic">Terrible</span> who manned my
+own and their guns, were ordered to be withdrawn for service in China.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 9th March.</span>&mdash;Having struggled long against my dysentery I am
+now compelled to go on the sick list; and feel it to be a great blow,
+after all my trouble and training, that my <span class="italic">Terrible</span> bluejackets are
+to go. Good fellows. It <span class="pagenum"><a id="page054" name="page054"></a>(p. 054)</span> seems bad for the force, putting
+aside all personal reasons, that all our trained men now well up to
+the country we fight in, should thus suddenly have to go, and that
+Mountain Battery gunners and others should be sent to fill their
+place. The men, however, seem glad to go back to their ships after all
+their severe work; and indeed the bluejacket is in some respects an
+odd composition; he turns up trumps when there is work to be done, but
+he is not always content with existing conditions and likes changes!
+Sir Redvers Buller is very pleased with us, so says the Naval A.D.C.,
+and the telegrams just read out to the Naval Brigade from home are
+extremely complimentary.</p>
+
+<p>They are (1) from the Queen&mdash;"Pray express my deep appreciation to the
+Naval Brigade for the valuable service they have rendered with their
+guns"; (2) from Admiral Harris&mdash;"The Lords Commissioners of the
+Admiralty desire me to express to the Naval and Marine officers and
+Bluejackets and Marines who have been engaged in the successful
+operations in Natal and Cape Colony, the sense of their great
+admiration for the splendid manner in which they have upheld the
+traditions of the service, and have added to its reputation for
+resourcefulness, courage and devotion"; (3) from the Vice-Admiral
+Commanding Channel Squadron&mdash;"Very hearty congratulations from
+officers and men to Naval Brigade." We were all pleased at these
+wires, and especially that, among others, Sir Harry Rawson had not
+forgotten us.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 10th March.</span>&mdash;Alas, at last I have to go to our Field
+Hospital much against my will, while to add to my sorrow all my good
+men of the <span class="italic">Terrible</span> are starting off to rejoin their ship. We were
+all glad to-day to hear of Ogilvy's promotion to Commander for
+distinguished service in the field. He thoroughly deserves it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 13th March, to Thursday, 22nd.</span>&mdash;A bad time, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page055" name="page055"></a>(p. 055)</span> and I
+can hardly walk a few yards without being tired. While in hospital,
+about the 15th, a frightful hailstorm came on, the hailstones being as
+big as walnuts and even as golf balls; the horses in camp broke loose
+and stampeded, tents were blown down and flooded; several poor enteric
+patients died from the wetting, and we had a very bad time. Meanwhile
+important changes have gone on; Ladysmith has been emptied of Sir
+George White's troops; Sir Charles Warren and General Coke are gone to
+Maritzburg; the Naval Brigade is broken up, and our Naval guns are
+turned over, alas, to Artillery Mountain Batteries. Captains Scott and
+Lambton are made C.B.'s; the <span class="italic">Powerful</span> has left for England, and the
+<span class="italic">Terrible</span> leaves for China; our flag is hoisted at Bloemfontein, and
+the tone of the Foreign Press has altered; still more troops are
+pouring out from England, and we hear that 40,000 more men are to be
+landed before April, which is a very good precaution.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 23d March.</span>&mdash;There are rumours that the Boers have evacuated
+the Biggarsberg hills, and at any rate all our troops are moving on to
+Elandslaagte. The Dublins celebrated St. Patrick's Day on the 17th
+with great <span class="italic">éclat</span>, and all the Irish soldiers throughout Natal wore
+the shamrock. They have behaved splendidly all through the operations
+and it is a pity that the Irish nation is not more like the Irish
+soldier.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 25th March.</span>&mdash;Out of hospital to-day, but so weak that I can
+hardly walk a yard, so I have to give in and go down country much
+against my will. General Kitchener of the West Yorks told me of a
+private house of the Suttons' at Howick, near Maritzburg, and strongly
+advised me to go there; so I left Ladysmith on the 27th and got a warm
+welcome from the Honourable Mr. and Mrs. Sutton and their family who
+were most kind; and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page056" name="page056"></a>(p. 056)</span> on the best of foods I soon began to
+pick up. The house is a very pretty combined country and farm house
+facing the Howick Falls, 280 feet high, of the Umgeni River. While
+here news came of the disaster at Sanna's Post and the capture of 500
+of the Irish Rifles at Reddesberg, so we are all disappointed and
+think the end of the war further off than we thought. My
+twenty-seventh birthday on the 1st April passed quietly in this
+peaceful spot, and after a pleasant stay I left on the 13th, my lucky
+day, fairly well, although still a stone under weight. I was very
+sorry to leave my more than kind friends and hope to meet them again
+some day.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 14th April.</span>&mdash;Reached Elandslaagte and rejoined the Naval
+Brigade at the foot of the historical kopje which the Gordons and
+Devons stormed in October last. The 4.7's are on top in sandbagged
+emplacements, and the 12-pounders are in other positions on the right.
+We are with General Clery, in General Hildyard's Brigade, and we hold
+the right while Sir Charles Warren holds the left, of our long line of
+defence. The Boers face us a long way off on kopjes north of us beyond
+a large plain.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 15th April (Easter Day).</span>&mdash;All quiet here. About lunch time
+Commander Dundas and Lieutenants Buckle and Johnson of the <span class="italic">Forte</span>
+arrived to pay us a visit, and they were all very interested in what I
+and others were able to show them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 17th April.</span>&mdash;I feel much stronger and better now. Orders
+having come for General Clery's Division to withdraw to Modder Spruit,
+it did so at 6 p.m., leaving the Rifle Brigade and Scottish Rifles
+with us, all under General Coke.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 20th April.</span>&mdash;Nothing moving in front. I have been given
+James's guns to command as he has slight fever, and I have had all the
+work and worry of dragging <span class="pagenum"><a id="page057" name="page057"></a>(p. 057)</span> them up this kopje, making roads
+and gun emplacements which are now too elaborate for my liking.
+Generals Hildyard and Coke came to look at my gun positions and said
+they were both glad to see me again; they have always been considerate
+and perfect to work under. General Hildyard has now Sir Charles
+Warren's (the Fifth) Division. I am very glad to be under him,
+although sorry that Sir Charles Warren leaves us, which he does to
+administer the Free State. Some sensation in camp to-day at Lord
+Roberts' comments on Spion Kop; undoubtedly he is very sharp and
+mostly right; he is now our one great hope out here and seems to be
+afraid of no one.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 21st April.</span>&mdash;At daybreak we were hurried out by reports of
+Boers in force to the front, and we saw several hundreds on the kopjes
+at 8,000 to 10,000 yards. We are now in a position on the hill where
+Elandslaagte was fought. The graves of some of our own men are here.
+In the centre of the hill are those of the Boers, and the remains of
+hundreds of dead horses and cattle are still lying about. The
+collieries of Elandslaagte lie two miles to our left; and further
+again to the left are the 5" military guns and two 12-pounders in
+emplacements, while our own Naval 12-pounders and the 4.7's are on
+this hill. Our right flank for some reason seems to be left
+practically undefended. At 7 a.m. the Boers brought a 15-pounder
+Creusot down on this flank and threw several shells just over us at
+4,800 yards; our 4.7's and one of my own 12-pounders replied with
+shrapnel and silenced it. The Boers appear to be in force in front,
+moving backwards and forwards through Wessels Nek, so we have kept up
+a desultory fire all day. At night they fired the grass in front of us
+for about four miles; we were up all night expecting a night attack,
+but none came; we were <span class="pagenum"><a id="page058" name="page058"></a>(p. 058)</span> well prepared for it, as the hill was
+defended by some 300 men in all round the guns.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 22nd April.</span>&mdash;At daylight stood to our guns in a heavy mist
+but no Boers reported. Received a box of fresh food from one of my
+kind friends, Mrs. Moreton, daughter of Mrs. Sutton of Howick.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, April 23rd to Friday 27th.</span>&mdash;Boers reported to be returning
+on Newcastle. The long-expected presents from England for the Naval
+Brigade from our good friends Rev. A. Drew, Miss Weston, Lady
+Richards, and Mr. Tabor, have at last reached us from Durban, where
+they have been lying for upwards of four months. As we have only sixty
+bluejackets left up here we are overloaded. I took some tobacco, a
+beautiful pipe in case, some books, and a neck scarf. After all this
+kindness from friends at home what can we do for them in return? Poor
+James, and also my servant Gilbert, have gone to hospital with
+enteric. I am myself not much up to the mark but am thankful to have
+command of guns again, and so try to keep well.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 30th April.</span>&mdash;No events of importance during the last few
+days. Weather a trifle cooler. I rode over to the hospital on Saturday
+to see Gilbert who is very bad, poor fellow, and will have to go home.
+I gave him clothes and books and tried to cheer him up a bit. On my
+return I found a fine large parcel of clothes from my own people at
+home. Took the Naval Brigade to Church yesterday and marched past
+General Hildyard afterwards.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 6th May.</span>&mdash;Nothing has been stirring during this past week,
+and we are getting rather weary of the quiet. We have news from home
+of the Queen's inspection at Windsor of the <span class="italic">Powerful</span> men and of a
+fierce debate in Parliament on the Spion Kop despatches. We had our
+own Church service to-day.<a href="#toc"><span class="small">[Back to Contents]</span></a></p>
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page059" name="page059"></a>(p. 059)</span> CHAPTER VI</h3>
+
+<p class="resume">End of three weary months at Elandslaagte&mdash;A small Boer
+     attack&mdash;The Advance of General Buller by Helpmakaar on Dundee&mdash;We
+     under General Hildyard advance up the Glencoe Valley&mdash;Retreat of
+     the Boers to Laing's Nek&mdash;Occupation of Newcastle and Utrecht&mdash;We
+     enter the Transvaal&mdash;Concentration of the army near Ingogo&mdash;Naval
+     guns ascend Van Wyk, and Botha's Pass is forced&mdash;Forced march
+     through Orange Colony&mdash;Victory at Almond's Nek&mdash;Boers evacuate
+     Majuba and Laing's Nek&mdash;Lord Roberts enters Pretoria&mdash;We occupy
+     Volksrust and Charlestown.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 7th May.</span>&mdash;Still at Elandslaagte. Rumours of a possible
+attack made us stand to guns before daylight, and it was well we did
+so, as at 5.45 a.m. a party of Boers tried to rush the station and
+were repulsed with slight loss on both sides; they managed to clear
+off in the dim light. The attacking commando became afterwards known
+as the "Ice Cream Brigade," being largely composed of Italians and
+Scandinavians.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 10th May.</span>&mdash;Rumours of a move. Poor Captain Jones is laid
+up with jaundice, and indeed all in camp are a little off colour. Nice
+letters to-day from my father and Admiral Douglas. The Middlesex and
+Halsey's guns are shifted over to Krogman's farm. Self busy putting to
+rights some of our wagon wheels which had shrunk from the tyres owing
+to the great heat and drought.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 11th May.</span>&mdash;A great move this morning. The Dorsets trekked at
+daylight to hold Indudo Mountain <span class="pagenum"><a id="page060" name="page060"></a>(p. 060)</span> and Indumeni on our right.
+General Clery's Division marched with Dundonald's Cavalry up Waschbank
+Valley, and the 5" have been shifted to cover this advance. We were
+much amused to-day in reading the first edition of the <span class="italic">Ladysmith
+Lyre</span> (Liar), which perhaps I may be forgiven for quoting, with songs
+sung by the garrison:&mdash;A duet by Sir George White and General Clery,
+"O that we two were maying"; by Buller's Relief Force, "Over the hills
+and far away"; by the Intelligence Officer, "I ain't a-going to tell";
+by Captain Lambton, "Up I came with my little lot"; then a letter from
+Ladysmith to Paradise Alley, Whitechapel:</p>
+
+<div class="quote">
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Maria</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"This 'ere seige is something orful. We sits and sits and sits
+     and does nothing. Rations is short, taters is off, and butter is
+     gone. We only gets Dubbin. These blooming shells are a fair
+     snorter; they 'um something 'orrid. 'Opin' this finds you as it
+     leaves me,</p>
+
+<p class="left40">"Your affectionate,<br>
+<span class="left20">"<span class="smcap">Martha</span>."</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noindent">Among other amusing items was, "Mrs. K. says her dear Oom is getting
+too English: he no longer turns into bed in his clothes and boots."</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 13th May.</span>&mdash;We got our marching orders at last about 11 a.m.,
+and I was just in the act of mounting my horse in good spirits to ride
+off and see my guns brought down over Elandslaagte Kop, when something
+startled him and he bolted over the rocks near the camp; having only
+one foot in the stirrup I overbalanced and came heavily on my head and
+left shoulder and was knocked silly for twenty minutes with a gash
+over my eye to the bone. I was carried to my tent and kindly stitched
+up by Dr. Campbell of the Imperial Light Infantry, and being much
+shaken I was obliged to hand over command of my <span class="pagenum"><a id="page061" name="page061"></a>(p. 061)</span> guns to poor
+Steel who was only just recovering from jaundice and had to trek off
+at 3 p.m. to Sunday's River Drift. By keeping very quiet in the 4.7
+camp in Hunt's tent I got over my fall better than I expected, and was
+able to move on, with a bandaged head and a sore body, with the 4.7
+Battery when they marched at daybreak on the 17th to Waschbank Bridge
+which we reached at about 11 p.m. after a very hot and dusty
+march&mdash;all done up and cross, and self in addition bandaged up and
+feeling altogether unlovely after a slow and horribly dusty ride of
+eighteen miles. The position of affairs now seems to be this: General
+Buller with Clery's Division (the 2nd) and the Cavalry have occupied
+Beith and moved on Dundee from which the Boers fled on the 14th with
+4,000 men and eighteen guns. Thus, Buller is in Dundee; Lyttelton's
+Division (the 4th) is still near Ladysmith under orders to advance;
+and we (the 5th) are to move to Glencoe with all speed up Glencoe Pass
+and along the railway line route.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 18th May.</span>&mdash;At 7 a.m. we trekked under General Hildyard and
+had a very trying march with dust, dust, dust, sometimes a foot thick,
+till arriving half-way to Glencoe we outspanned oxen. We found all the
+railway bridges and the culverts of the line, some twenty-eight all
+told, blown up along our line of march. The Boer positions we passed
+on the road were extraordinarily strong, as usual; and one can well
+understand why they held on to this place and the Biggarsberg ranges
+on each side, a position ten times stronger than any Colenso. We
+reached Glencoe about 5 p.m., and marching through it bivouacked for
+the night a mile beyond the town on the level uplands. Here we
+received orders to advance with all speed to Newcastle, where the
+Commander-in-Chief is with the 2nd Division; so on we moved by
+moonlight <span class="pagenum"><a id="page062" name="page062"></a>(p. 062)</span> in a cloud of dust and passed the night on an
+awful rocky place at Hatton's Spruit, trekking on in the morning
+towards Newcastle; but when five miles on our march we received orders
+to move back to Glencoe as the line had broken down and there were no
+supplies for us at Newcastle. All disappointed, but back we had to go!
+The weather is bitterly cold, and although we have our tents, we are,
+no doubt for good reasons, not allowed to pitch them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 20th May.</span>&mdash;Took over my guns from Steel feeling rather low
+with a plastered cut on my face. General Hildyard has congratulated us
+all on the hard work and marching of the last few days. Both he and
+his Staff have always a kind word for everyone, and I was greatly
+pleased when they and Prince Christian, on seeing me with my faithful
+guns once more, told me how glad they were that I had got so well over
+my fall.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 22nd May.</span>&mdash;Busy getting my wagon wheels and guns right
+after their trek over the bad road, and obliged to send them into
+Dundee to be cut and re-tyred. I rode with Steel and Hunt to Dundee
+which is five miles off; it is a small and miserable place with
+tin-roofed houses, bare dusty surroundings, and awful streets. We saw
+poor General Penn Symons' grave with the Union Jack flying over it,
+and other graves marked by faded wreaths and wooden crosses. We had a
+talk with the Chaplain who said that the Boers had passed through on
+Sunday in full flight with all their guns. We rode back from this
+desolate scene, amid the dust of ages and smell of dead animals,
+wondering how poor General Symons ever allowed the Boers to occupy
+Talana Hill which is only half a mile from the town and completely
+commands it; in fact, there should never have been a Talana, and our
+troops did splendidly to retake it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page063" name="page063"></a>(p. 063)</span> <span class="italic">Wednesday, 23rd May.</span>&mdash;Sudden orders to move off at 2 p.m.,
+so all is rush and hurry. I rode once more at the head of my guns, and
+all went well with us except that one of the poor oxen broke a hind
+leg in the trek chains down a steep bit of road and had to be left
+behind and shot. For four hours after this our long line of march was
+stuck in a drift, but at last, at 11 p.m., we got over it and at 1
+a.m. bivouacked at Dannhauser.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 24th May.</span>&mdash;The Queen's birthday. God bless her. Up at
+daylight, very cold, and no tents. Poor Captain Jones still very sick
+with jaundice. Steel also, following my example, got a bad fall on the
+rocks from his horse and is in Field Hospital. At noon we all paraded
+in line with the Naval Brigade on the right; General Talbot Coke made
+a speech and we gave Her Majesty three cheers from our hearts and
+drank her health in the evening.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 25th May.</span>&mdash;Orders came to get our guns in position to defend
+the camp, so off I had to go to do this on one flank and Halsey on the
+other; and we lay out all day ready for an attack, with the cattle
+grazing just in front of us. To our right about fifty miles off is
+Majuba Hill.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 26th May.</span>&mdash;We left Dannhauser at daybreak&mdash;oh, how
+cold&mdash;marched with the 10th Brigade, and trekked on to Ingagane,
+meeting on the road Lyttelton's Division (the 4th), which was hurrying
+to the front. We reached Ingagane at 5 p.m., and met General Buller
+and Staff just as we were going into camp for the night. The General
+looked well; and the sight of him, somehow, always cheers one up, as
+one feels something is going to be done at once.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 27th May.</span>&mdash;Up at daybreak and awfully cold. We marched off
+to Newcastle, the fine Lancashire Fusiliers, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page064" name="page064"></a>(p. 064)</span> my father's old
+regiment, doing rearguard just behind our guns. Met Archie Shee of the
+19th Hussars who recognised me from old <span class="italic">Britannia</span> days, where he and
+I were together. He told me that my cousin Ernest St. Quintin of the
+19th had gone home with enteric after the Ladysmith siege. On getting
+to the top of the hills overlooking Newcastle we were much struck with
+the view and the prettiness of the town which the Boers had hardly
+wrecked at all&mdash;quite the best I have seen in Natal from a distance.
+We went gaily down the hill and over a footbridge into camp where we
+found all three Divisions together, barring a Brigade pushed on with
+some 5" and 12-pounders to Ingogo. We hear that Lord Roberts is across
+the Vaal, and that Hunter is pushing up through the Orange Free State
+parallel with us, while the enemy are holding Majuba, Laing's Nek and
+tunnel, and Pougwana Hill to the east of the Nek, with 10,000 men.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 28th May.</span>&mdash;Moved off with the 5th Division under General
+Hildyard towards Utrecht. After an eight-mile march we crossed the
+bridge over Buffalo River and Drift unopposed by Boers, and entered
+the Transvaal at last. We were the first of the Natal force to do so,
+so I record it proudly. At 9 p.m.&mdash;a very cold night&mdash;orders came for
+an advance on Utrecht, my guns and some Infantry under Major Lousada
+being left to hold the bridge and drift here. I visited all the
+salient points of defence and outposts from Buffalo River to
+Wakkerstroom Road and carefully selected my gun positions, then
+brought the guns, each with an ammunition wagon, up the ridge, a steep
+pull up, and placed them one commanding the Utrecht Road and one
+Wakkerstroom Road&mdash;unluckily one mile apart, which could not be
+helped. I put my chief petty officer, Munro, in command of the left
+gun and took the right one myself, riding between the two to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page065" name="page065"></a>(p. 065)</span>
+give general directions when necessary. At night as no Boers appeared
+we withdrew the guns and wagons behind the ridge.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 30th May.</span>&mdash;Drew the guns out of laager at sunrise and
+again got into position and arranged details of defence with Major
+Lousada so far as my own work was concerned. All was quiet however
+to-day, and we saw no Boers nearer than Pougwana. And so it went on
+for the next few days, during which the Landrost of Utrecht, after
+twenty-four hours' armistice, delivered up the town to General
+Hildyard, saying that he had done the same in 1881 to a British force
+which had never occupied it after all. So history repeats itself.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 2nd June.</span>&mdash;Marched along the right bank of Buffalo River
+towards Ingogo, while Lyttelton's Brigade moved on our right on the
+other side of the river towards Laing's Nek. After a pleasant trek
+across the open veldt, and therefore no dust, we reached De Wet's farm
+near Ingogo in the evening and bivouacked; a grand day marching right
+under Majuba and Prospect and yet no sign of the enemy. Had a short
+talk with General Hildyard and Prince Christian on the march, as they
+rode by my battery, reminding the latter that I had first seen him
+when I was in the Royal yacht in 1894 and took his father and himself
+about in her steam launch at Cowes&mdash;a very different scene to this.
+The Prince said he knew all along he had seen me before somewhere.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 5th June.</span>&mdash;Rode to Ingogo and saw the spot where the fight
+took place in 1881, the huge rocks from which our fellows were
+eventually cut up by Boer rifle fire, the monument set up to the 3rd
+Bn. Royal Rifles, and some graves higher up of which one was to a
+Captain of the R.E. Poor, unlucky, but gallant Sir George Colley; he
+went from Ingogo to Majuba and there met his untimely <span class="pagenum"><a id="page066" name="page066"></a>(p. 066)</span> death.
+The view from here of Laing's Nek was glorious at sunset, Majuba
+frowning on one side with Mount Prospect and Pougwana on the other,
+and the bed of the Ingogo River below in a green and fertile valley.
+The Boer position is very strong although our heavy Artillery ought to
+be able to force it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 6th June.</span>&mdash;All on the move, as the armistice which
+General Buller was trying to arrange with Chris Botha is up, the
+latter replying: "Our heavy guns and Mausers are our own and will be
+moved at our convenience; the armistice is over." We hear that Lord
+Roberts is in Pretoria and that Kruger has fled; but how
+unsatisfactory that this does not end the war. In fact, marching to
+Pretoria was the feature and romance of the war, and now must commence
+anxious and weary guerilla tactics which may last a long time. About
+dark in came orders to the Naval guns to move on and occupy Van Wyk
+to-night: and off we went through large grass fires and along awful
+roads, getting to the foot of the hill at about 1 a.m. with no worse
+mishap than the upset of one of my guns twice on huge rocks hidden in
+the long grass.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Jones ordered me to go on up the hill during the night,
+leaving the 4.7 guns at the bottom; so we commenced a weary climb up
+Van Wyk (6,000 feet) on a pitch-dark night lighted only by the lurid
+gleams of grass fires which the enemy had set going on the slopes of
+the mountain. With thirty-two oxen on each gun it was only just
+possible to ascend the lower slopes, and thus we made very slow
+progress. But as Colonel Sim R.E. kindly showed me a sort of track up,
+on we toiled for six hours, my men not having had a scrap of food or a
+rest since starting while the night was deadly cold and dark. In the
+gray dawn, just as we were attempting the last <span class="pagenum"><a id="page067" name="page067"></a>(p. 067)</span> slope which
+was almost precipitous, the wheels of one of the guns gave out and
+there we had to leave it till daylight, pressing on with the sound one
+and getting it up to the top exactly at daylight (7th June) in
+accordance with our orders, taking the gun and limber up separately,
+with all my oxen and 100 men pulling. We found the position was held
+by the 10th Brigade, and very heavy sniping going on down the N.W.
+slopes&mdash;a regular crackle of musketry.</p>
+
+<p>I soon got my gun along the crest into an emplacement prepared by the
+Royal Engineers, and opened fire at once at 7,000 yards at a Boer camp
+on the slopes of an opposite kop; but finding the camp practically
+deserted we did not waste much fire on it. My men were now half dead
+with fatigue and cold, so we all got a short rest in a freezing wind.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Redvers Buller, quite blue with cold, rode up about 9 a.m. with
+his Colonial guide, and carefully surveyed the position through my
+long telescope. Prince Christian also came up later to talk over the
+Boer position and seemed in great spirits. After a good look round we
+could not see many signs of the enemy in front, and he was just going
+off to report this, but at that moment the spurs of the berg opposite
+to us became alive with them at 6,000 or 7,000 yards off; they came in
+a long line out of a dip and donga and advanced in skirmishing order
+with ambulances in rear and a wagon with what looked like a gun on it.
+I opened fire at once and put my first two shells at 6,000 yards right
+into some groups of horsemen; we saw them tumbling about, so after
+about a dozen shots from my gun off they went like greased lightning,
+seeming to sink into the earth and evidently quite taken aback to find
+we had a gun in such a position. In a few minutes not a sign of them
+was left, and the Commander-in-Chief <span class="pagenum"><a id="page068" name="page068"></a>(p. 068)</span> riding up appeared much
+pleased and congratulated us on our straight shooting; he seemed very
+satisfied that we had got the guns up Van Wyk at all, and rode off
+leaving us quite rewarded with his appreciation, besides that of
+General Hildyard and his Staff who were with him.</p>
+
+<p>Up to about noon we had nothing but long range sniping going on, but
+to make all sure the 4.7 guns were sent up the hill by an easier and
+more circuitous road than we had come, and took up position in
+emplacements close to us. We on our part were busy all day completing
+our ammunition up to 100 rounds a gun from the wagons which we had
+been obliged to leave in the night half-way down the hill. Horribly
+cold! I slept in the open under a limber.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 8th June.</span>&mdash;An attack on Botha's Pass arranged for 10 a.m.
+The 10th Brigade and Naval guns are to hold Van Wyk and cover the
+advance, with a range of 8,000 yards from the pass itself, and about
+three miles of valley and road between to search with our fire; the
+11th Brigade is to attack in the centre, advancing along the valley to
+the foot of the pass; the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division to attack on
+the right, in echelon, and clear the slopes and spurs of the berg on
+our right flank; we ourselves to form the left of the line.</p>
+
+<p>Our first objective was a conical high kop, called Spitz Kop, about
+3,000 yards on our right and this was occupied without resistance by
+the South African Light Horse; our guns searched all the valleys and
+dongas up to the pass with a furious fire for some two hours assisted
+by May's batteries below us. We could hear General Clery pounding
+Laing's Nek with the two 4.7 guns on Prospect Hill and four 5" guns on
+our right, although Majuba and Pougwana were shut out by Mount Inkwelo
+from our actual <span class="pagenum"><a id="page069" name="page069"></a>(p. 069)</span> view; and we knew that General Lyttelton had
+been detached to operate to the N.E. of Wakkerstroom. The attack
+developed about noon and we saw below us our Infantry and field
+batteries spread out in the plain like ants while we still pointed our
+guns ahead of them on to the top of the berg and pass. Up to the foot
+of the berg our men met with no resistance, but at last a furious fire
+of rifles and Pom-poms broke out on our right centre from Boers
+concealed in dongas and trenches on the spurs. Our gallant 11th
+Brigade, with the pressure eased by our fire and by the advance of the
+2nd Brigade, took the hills and pass in grand style, and with small
+loss comparatively to ourselves. About 4 p.m. the enemy, driven up to
+the sky-line, lit large grass fires and cleverly slipped off towards
+the N.E. under cover of the smoke. We saw and fusilladed the Pom-poms
+through this smoke at 10,000 yards with the 4.7's, and at 5 p.m. we
+had the whole ground in our possession. Our troops in the valley were
+pushed on all night, and we ourselves also received orders to descend
+Van Wyk and press on. A shocking night; very wet and bitterly cold,
+with a heavy Scotch mist settled over us. Down Van Wyk we came,
+although delayed by our escort of Dublin Fusiliers losing their way
+all night in the fog, but the Dorsets helped us instead. We had a
+tough job coming down the steep hill in the mist but I had some fifty
+men on each of my guns to drag back and steady them, and we eventually
+got down to the lower ground without accident, but very much worn out
+and only just before daylight.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 9th June.</span>&mdash;At 6 a.m. moved on for Botha's Pass Road at
+full speed, and skirting a crest of hills overlooking a deliciously
+cool river, we soon came to the valley where our attack was advanced,
+and eventually got up the pass at dusk, at the tail end of a huge
+column all racing <span class="pagenum"><a id="page070" name="page070"></a>(p. 070)</span> to get up first. If the Boers had properly
+entrenched the place it would have been impregnable. We bivouacked in
+Orange River Colony at the top of the pass, all in good spirits at our
+success and at being in a new country.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 10th June.</span>&mdash;Off at daybreak through delightful hard roads
+and veldt as compared with mountainous Natal; we can now realize Lord
+Roberts' fine forced marches on seeing the difference between these
+and the Natal roads. Our bullocks slipped along at the rate of three
+miles an hour, and passing farms flying white flags and flat veldt
+country we bivouacked for the night on Gansvlei Spruit, finding the
+boundary here of the Transvaal (a bend of the Klip River) quite close
+to us.</p>
+
+<a id="img009" name="img009"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img009.jpg" width="500" height="339" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">Naval 12-pounders advancing after Almond's Nek.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a id="img010" name="img010"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img010.jpg" width="500" height="412" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">4.7 on a Bad Bit of Road.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 11th June.</span>&mdash;Off at 5 a.m., and got our Naval guns in
+position to attack, but found that the Boers had evacuated the ground
+in front of us. Up and on at a great rate over the grassy veldt, the
+guns now marching in four columns and keeping a broad front. At about
+1 p.m. sudden firing in front and the familiar whirr of Boer shells
+made us come into action at 4,500 yards on Almond's Nek Pass, through
+which our road lay. The Boers were evidently in possession, judging by
+the warm greeting of Pom-poms and the Creusot 5", which played on us
+without much damage. The troops were now all halted, and formed up for
+attack which was to commence in an hour's time. The Commander-in-Chief
+(Buller) directed the operations, carried out at 2 p.m. by the
+Infantry advancing in long extended lines, the 10th Brigade in the
+centre, the 11th on the right, and the 2nd on the left, the field
+batteries and Naval guns covering the advance with lyddite. The 10th
+Brigade, which had 3,000 yards of plain to cross and a small kop to
+take, dislodged the Boers and their Pom-poms quietly and steadily
+under a heavy rifle and gun fire, the noise being terrific, as the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page071" name="page071"></a>(p. 071)</span> hills and ravines were smothered by shrapnel and lyddite;
+in half-an-hour the Boers were on the run again and their fire was
+silenced, after treating us with Pom-pom and 45-lb. shrapnel, one
+piece of which narrowly escaped my left foot&mdash;a detail interesting to
+myself to recall. The attack of the Queen's, East Surreys, and Devons,
+on the left of the pass, and especially of the Dorsets on the conical
+hill, was most gallant and irresistible. Thus, about 5 p.m., at dusk
+we were in possession of the ridges 5,000 feet high on the left and
+right of the pass, which we thought a great achievement, while the
+Cavalry and Horse Artillery were pushed on to complete the Boer rout,
+but darkness coming on prevented this. General Buller and his Staff
+rode along our guns evidently very pleased, and indeed the force had
+won a brilliant little victory which cleared our way effectually and
+turned Laing's Nek besides. The Boers lost, as we thought, about 140
+killed, of whom we buried a good many, while our casualties in killed
+and wounded were 137; but we afterwards learnt from an official Boer
+list found in Volksrust that their losses on this occasion reached
+500, chiefly from our shrapnel fire. General Talbot Coke who directed
+the centre attack congratulated Captain Jones on the fine shooting of
+the Naval guns, as did also General Buller who said it had enabled
+them to take the position in front of us with such small loss. Again
+bitterly cold, and we bivouacked for the night on the battlefield.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 12th June.</span>&mdash;On again an hour before dawn through Almond's
+Nek; a thick mist came down, but all being eventually reported clear
+ahead we marched on towards Volksrust and bivouacked.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 13th June.</span>&mdash;All our men in high spirits; the 11th
+Brigade, with the Naval guns, moved on Volksrust, while the 10th
+Brigade and Royal Artillery guns <span class="pagenum"><a id="page072" name="page072"></a>(p. 072)</span> marched to Charlestown, and
+we thus occupied the two towns simultaneously. Volksrust is a
+cold-looking, tin-roofed town; all houses and farms are showing the
+white flag, the men are gone, and the women are left behind weeping
+for their dead. We captured here a store of rifles and ammunition
+besides wagons and forage, not to mention Boer coffins left in their
+hurried flight.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday and Friday, 14th and 15th June.</span>&mdash;At Volksrust resting on
+our laurels, and all in good heart, although feeling this bitter
+mid-winter cold. General Hildyard sent for names to mention in his
+despatches, and I believe I am one. As commanding the <span class="italic">Tartar</span> guns I
+was also very pleased to be able to mention six of my men, and am full
+of admiration of the way in which my bluejackets have worked, shot,
+and stood the cold and marching. To sum up our recent operations, they
+are:&mdash;March from Elandslaagte to Glencoe, reoccupation of Newcastle;
+crossing of Buffalo Drift and occupation of Utrecht; ascent of Van Wyk
+at night with guns; turning and capture of Botha's Pass; march through
+Orange River Colony and Transvaal in pursuit of the Boers; taking of
+Almond's Nek and occupation of Volksrust and Charlestown, with the
+strong position of Laing's Nek turned and evacuated by the enemy who
+are in full flight. This is all very satisfactory, and we hear of
+congratulations from the Queen and others to General Buller. The Boers
+have, however, with their usual cleverness and ability, got away their
+guns by rail, but we hope to get them later. We are now busy refitting
+wagons and gear for a further advance. I hope the services of the
+bluejackets in these operations, which have been invaluable, will
+receive the recognition they deserve at the end of the campaign.<a href="#toc"><span class="small">[Back to Contents]</span></a></p>
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page073" name="page073"></a>(p. 073)</span> CHAPTER VII</h3>
+
+<p class="resume">Majuba Hill in 1900&mdash;We march on Wakkerstroom and occupy
+     Sandspruit&mdash;Withdrawal of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Forte's</span> men and Naval
+     Volunteers from the front&mdash;Action under General Brocklehurst at
+     Sandspruit&mdash;I go to hospital and Durban for a short time&mdash;Recover
+     and proceed to the front again&mdash;Take command of my guns at Grass
+     Kop&mdash;Kruger flies from Africa in a Dutch man-of-war&mdash;Many rumours
+     of peace.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 16th June.</span>&mdash;Starting about 10 a.m. I rode over to Laing's
+Nek with Captain Jones and Lieutenants Hunt and Steel, taking
+Charlestown on our way and getting up to the railway tunnel where
+Clery's Division is encamped. The Boer scoundrels have blown down both
+ends of the tunnel, blocking up the egress, and putting a dead horse
+at each end! We found also a deep boring they had made over the top of
+the nek through the slate with the object of reaching the roof of the
+tunnel and exploding it; but this having failed, from our friends not
+getting deep enough, the damage is insignificant and the rail will be
+cleared by the Engineers within a few days. We rode along the top of
+Laing's Nek and looked at the trench, some three to four miles long,
+which the Boers had made there; it completely defends the nek from
+every point of attack and gives the defender, by its zigzag direction,
+many points for enfilading any assaulting party. In fact, the work is
+marvellous; the Boers must have had 10,000 men employed on it, the
+trench being some five feet <span class="pagenum"><a id="page074" name="page074"></a>(p. 074)</span> deep on stone and slate, with
+clever gun positions, stretching from Pougwana, to the east of the
+nek, to Amajuba on the west, as we saw plainly later on from Majuba
+and elsewhere. We rode up Majuba Hill as far as we could, finding it a
+great upstanding hill with a flat top overlooking the nek. On the way
+we passed many small trenches and sniping pits evidently made for
+enfilading fire. From the top of the grassy slope (when it became too
+steep for the horses to climb) we commenced the ascent of the actual
+hill on foot, climbing, one might say, in the footsteps of the Boers
+of 1881 when they made the wonderful attack on Colley and turned his
+men off the top. Right well can we now understand how they did it; it
+is almost too clear to be credible to us, and one cannot but regret
+the omission of the English force to hold the spurs of the mountain
+when occupying the top, seeing that any attacking party, safe from
+fire from the top of the hill on account of the projecting spurs,
+could get up untouched to within a few feet of the top of this
+northern face; this is what the Boers did while holding poor Sir
+George Colley's attention by long-range fire from the valley below. We
+saw what must have been the very paths up which the Boers crept, and
+when it came to the point where they had to emerge the slope was
+precipitous but short; here, so records tell us, by a heavy rifle-fire
+while lying flat on their stomachs, they drove our men off the
+sky-line, and once at the top the whole affair became a slaughter.
+Climbing this last steep bit as best we could, we reached the flat top
+quite blown and found it about 300 yards wide with the well-known,
+cup-shaped hollow, in the centre of which lie our poor fellows buried
+in a wire enclosure&mdash;sad to say twenty-two bluejackets among them,
+beside Gordons, King's Royal Rifles, and others. An insignificant
+stone heap marks the place where poor Colley was shot, and on one
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page075" name="page075"></a>(p. 075)</span> stone is put in black-lead "Here Colley fell." The sky-line
+which our men held had only a few small rocks behind which they tried
+to shelter themselves but no other defence at all in the shape of a
+wall or trench. All the east and south faces overlooking the nek have
+now (nineteen years later) been very heavily trenched by the Boers at
+great expense of labour; they were evidently expecting we should
+attack and perhaps turn them out of Majuba, although the slope of the
+hill on the south side is quite too precipitous for such an operation.
+I picked up some fern and plants near where Colley fell, as a memento.
+We took an hour and a half to get down again, meeting General Buller
+and his Staff walking up to inspect the hill, and I rode back ten
+miles to Volksrust blessed with a headache from the steep climb and
+strong air. The view from the top of Majuba, showing the Boer trenches
+on Laing's Nek, was wonderful; well might they think their position
+impregnable and well might we be satisfied to have marched through
+Botha's Pass and forced the enemy to evacuate such an impregnable
+place with so little loss to ourselves.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 17th June.</span>&mdash;Left Volksrust early to march on Wakkerstroom,
+news having come in that General Lyttelton was somewhat pressed and
+was unable to get on. Our march was uneventful, as we only passed the
+usual farms with white flags and batches of Dutch women&mdash;as
+mischievous as they pretend to be friendly. Bivouacking for one night
+we got to Wakkerstroom&mdash;a march of twenty-eight miles&mdash;on the 18th,
+bivouacking outside the usual style of town, very cold and gray
+looking, one or two tall buildings, and situated in a treeless valley
+at the foot of some high hills. Very cold and wet.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 20th June.</span>&mdash;Moved away from this spot the same way we
+came, and had no incident except hard <span class="pagenum"><a id="page076" name="page076"></a>(p. 076)</span> marching; we passed
+Sandspruit on the Pretoria line, which we found undefended. Lees, the
+Naval A.D.C., here came up and told Captain Jones that the General
+wanted him. He rode off in a great hurry, first asking self and Halsey
+whether our small commandos wanted to stop or go off. We both replied
+"Stop, and see it out." Captain Jones came back to say that the
+<span class="italic">Forte</span> men and the Natal Naval Volunteers were to be withdrawn, and
+the 4.7 guns to be turned over to the military; we are to remain. He
+did not seem to know whether to be glad or sorry but told us that
+Admiral Harris had wired to the Commander-in-Chief that he wanted the
+<span class="italic">Forte</span> men for an expedition up the Gambia on the west coast. Such is
+the Naval Service, here one day and off the next.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 22nd June.</span>&mdash;The 11th Brigade and Naval guns marched off at 9
+a.m., leaving myself with the 18th Hussars, Dorsets, 13th Battery R.A.
+and so on, to defend Sandspruit Bridge. I was very sorry to say
+good-bye to Captain Jones and all, especially Hunt, Steel and
+Anderton, after our seven months' campaigning and hardships together,
+and I feel quite lonely. General Hildyard introduced me to General
+Brocklehurst who commands here. We selected gun positions and got the
+37th Company R.E. to make two emplacements for my guns. I had a look
+at the bridge at which the Boers had fired gun shots to carry an
+important trestle away, but they did but slight damage.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 23rd June.</span>&mdash;Rode about all day looking at the defences
+with our Brigade Major (Wyndham), selecting positions and giving my
+opinion on some of them. Was asked to lunch with General Brocklehurst
+and Staff (Wyndham of the Lancers, Corbett of the 2nd Life Guards, and
+Crichton of the Blues) and had tea with them as well&mdash;all <span class="pagenum"><a id="page077" name="page077"></a>(p. 077)</span> a
+very nice lot. Trains are running through to Standerton where the
+Commander-in-Chief and General Clery are at present.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 24th June.</span>&mdash;A quiet and cold day. Called on the Dorsets and
+found that Colonel Cecil Law is a cousin, and very nice and kind.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 25th June.</span>&mdash;A hard frost and heavy mist. General
+Brocklehurst moved out with the 11th Hussars, two guns of the 13th
+Battery, my own guns, and a Company of the Dorsets, against some Boers
+who had been often sniping us and our guides from the Amersfoort Road.
+We got into position about 2 p.m., and had a small action lasting till
+dark; my guns clearing the ridges on the right at 4,500 yards with
+shrapnel, while the Hussars and guns advanced over a high ridge in
+front. Here the Boers resisted and retired, but on our drawing off
+into camp later on, to save the daylight, they came after us in full
+force and we had a small sort of action with lots of firing; we gave
+them fifty shrapnel. The General seemed pleased with our shooting.
+Trekked back to camp and dined with Colonel Law and the Dorsets who
+fed us up right well. Sent General Brocklehurst and his A.D.C. some
+damaged and fired brass cartridge cases which they wanted as a
+memento.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 28th June.</span>&mdash;About 2 p.m. a Flying Column from Volksrust
+passed through here to follow up the Boers at Amersfoort. This war
+certainly seems likely to last a long time.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 29th June.</span>&mdash;To-day General Talbot Coke with a Flying Column
+moved out at 8 a.m. supported by the 18th Hussars and some of our
+guns, but he had to fall back in face of a superior force of 2,000
+Boers and 6 guns against him. We had some twenty casualties.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 30th June.</span>&mdash;I have been for some days sick <span class="pagenum"><a id="page078" name="page078"></a>(p. 078)</span> and
+ill with jaundice, arising from exposure and hard work, but am anxious
+not to give in. To-day I am advised however to do so, and to-morrow
+may see the last of me here as I go into hospital, and here I may say
+I remained till the 5th July when I was able to get up although as
+weak as a rat. I was advised by the doctor to run down to Durban to
+the warmer climate, so as I felt too weak to do anything else I had to
+ask the General for sixteen days' leave which he gave me. Thus on the
+6th July after giving over my guns to Lieutenant Clutterbuck, I left
+Sandspruit in an empty open truck at 4 p.m., got down to Volksrust at
+dark, and met Reeves, R.S.O., who had had jaundice and who offered me
+a bed in his office, which I was delighted to have; also met again
+Captain Patch, R.A. We all dined together at the station and wasn't I
+ravenous! We all came to the conclusion that we were rather sick of
+campaigning if accompanied by jaundice and other ills of the flesh.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 7th July.</span>&mdash;At 8.30 a.m. went on by train to Ladysmith
+which I reached at 8 p.m., and got into Durban the next morning at 9
+a.m. A lovely morning and a nice country covered with pretty gardens
+and flowers&mdash;such a change from that awfully dried up Northern Natal.
+I secured a room at the Marine Hotel, feeling ill and glad to get
+sleep and oblivion for a time.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 11th July.</span>&mdash;The weather at Durban is lovely and I am
+already feeling better. Have met Nugent of the <span class="italic">Thetis</span> and Major
+Brazier Creagh, also down with jaundice. My letters have lately all
+gone wrong, but to-day I received a batch to my great delight.</p>
+
+<p>And now I must perforce close this record of personal experiences,
+written perhaps more to amuse and satisfy myself than for the perusal
+of others; more especially as this being a personal Diary I have been
+obliged by force <span class="pagenum"><a id="page079" name="page079"></a>(p. 079)</span> of circumstances to use the pronoun "I"
+more than I would otherwise wish. The war seems played out so far as
+one can judge. It appears to be becoming now a guerilla warfare of
+small actions and runaway fights at long ranges; these furnish of
+course no new experiences or discoveries to Naval gunners; in fact,
+the sameness of them is depressing, and what with marching, fighting,
+poor living, dysentery, and jaundice, I humbly confess that my martial
+zeal is at a much lower ebb than it was a year ago. Yet time may
+produce many changes and surprises, and I may yet find myself again at
+the front; who knows!</p>
+
+<p class="spaced4">*****</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Thursday, 26th July.</span>&mdash;The quick return to health which the change to
+the warmth of Durban effected made me only too glad to get back to the
+front again with the object of "being in at the death." I travelled up
+as far as Ingogo with Captain Reed, R.A. (now a V.C.); thence on to
+Sandspruit, and on again in a Scotch cart, which Major Carney, R.A.,
+M.C., lent me, to Grass Kop, a hill six miles off the station and some
+6,000 feet high. Ugh! I shall never forget the drive and the jolting,
+and the sudden cold after Durban weather. Still I was able to rejoin
+my guns before dark, and to receive them over from Lieutenant
+Clutterbuck who had been sent to relieve me when I was obliged to
+leave the front. He fortunately had a share in taking this hill with
+the Dorsets when in command of my guns. With a whole battalion at
+first of Dorsets under Colonel Law (who had dug marvellous good
+trenches), and later on with three Companies of the South Lancashires,
+and after that two Companies of the Queen's (note the descending scale
+of numbers), we defend this position, monarchs of all we survey, and
+therefore bagging all we can get, not only of the numerous guinea
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page080" name="page080"></a>(p. 080)</span> fowl, partridge, and spring buck dwelling on its sides and
+in its ravines, but also, it must be confessed, of the tamer and
+tougher bipeds from surrounding farms that were nearly all deserted by
+their owners. For many weeks we had a great deal of fun in our little
+shooting expeditions. Major Adams of the Lancashires, a keen
+sportsman, was always sighting game through his binoculars as he was
+going on his constant patrols round the defences, and he allowed the
+rest of us to shoot when able. Thus in the midst of our work we had
+many a jolly hour in those occasional expeditions close to our lines;
+one day we made a large bag of geese and started a farmyard just in
+front of our guns on a small nek, giving our friends the geese a
+chance of emulating the deeds of their ancestors at the Roman Capitol;
+for who can tell whether they may not yet save Grass Kop if our
+friends the Boers are game enough to attack.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 12th August.</span>&mdash;The gales of wind up here are something awful.
+This evening as we were toasting the "Grouse" at home, a furious blast
+blew down and split up my own tent and that of others, although
+fortunately we had a refuge in the mess-house which the Dorsets had
+made by digging a deep hole roofed over with tin; here we are fairly
+comfortable and have stocked this splendid apartment with Boer
+furniture, including a small organ. Our evenings with the South
+Lancashires in this mess-house have been as merry as we could make
+them, and our president, Major Adams, whom we all like, occasionally
+fires off a tune on the organ which he plays beautifully such as it
+is. The Volunteers with us are to be seen at all times sitting on the
+side of the hill surveying the country through their binoculars and
+watching the movements of the enemy. Marking the interest which this
+being "able to see" gives men, I sincerely hope that in future wars
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page081" name="page081"></a>(p. 081)</span> each company of a regiment or of a battleship may be always
+supplied with a certain proportion of binoculars, or with small hand
+telescopes, for possible outpost duty.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 13th August.</span>&mdash;General Hildyard rode up here and expressed
+himself much pleased with our trenches and defences. I had a talk with
+him about matters and he does not seem to anticipate a further advance
+of the 5th Division just yet. However, here we are, and the kop "has a
+fine healthy air," as the General who was quite blue with cold
+remarked. Neither my men nor self have had any letters for weeks,
+which is rather dreary for us; our mails are, no doubt, chasing the
+Commander-in-Chief at Ermelo. One feels a certain amount of pity for
+these Boers; they are, owing to their reckless and cunning leaders, in
+the position of a conquered race, and this position to such a people
+who are naturally proud, cunning and overbearing must be awful. One
+notices this much even among the few old men, boys and women who are
+left on the farms; they display a certain air of dejection and are
+even cringing till they see that they are not going to be robbed or
+hurt when their self-confidence soon reasserts itself. There is a
+typical old Boer farmer and his family living at the foot of Grass
+Kop; a few presents of coffee and sugar have made this family grateful
+and quite glad to see us; still one detects the cunning in their
+nature, and they don't hide for a moment that they wish the English
+anywhere but in their country. Poor people, they have one good point
+in their characters which is that they won't hear of anyone running
+down their President even although he has terribly sold them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 15th August.</span>&mdash;We have now watched two fights round the
+town of Amersfoort, about eighteen miles north of us. On the 7th
+General Buller occupied the place and we were all in readiness to
+defend our right <span class="pagenum"><a id="page082" name="page082"></a>(p. 082)</span> flank if need be, but our friends the Boers
+bolted to Ermelo instead of coming our way. We were all rather annoyed
+at Grass Kop, however, to see a Boer laager with a dozen wagons, guns
+and ambulances inspan at almost the last moment and slip off under the
+very noses of our Cavalry who were drawn up in force under a long
+ridge, doing nothing for an hour at least. This is all the more vexing
+because for a fortnight or more we had sent in accurate reports as to
+this very laager which a single flank movement of the Cavalry would
+have easily taken <span class="italic">en bloc</span>, instead of which they paid no attention
+to our heliograph from Major Adams to "hurry up and at them." These
+frontal attacks on towns without flanking movements seem to be absurd,
+as the enemy and his guns invariably get away under our noses. To-day
+General Buller occupied Ermelo, but as ill-luck will have it the
+commandos which split up before him have come south-east and are
+giving trouble on the Natal border.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 24th August.</span>&mdash;The winter is slipping away, and to-day I am
+writing in one of those horrible north-west gales of wind which knock
+our tents into shreds and whirl round us dust as thick as pea-soup.
+Our kop life is becoming a little monotonous but we manage to get on.</p>
+
+<a id="img011" name="img011"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img011.jpg" width="500" height="257" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">Bringing in a Boer prisoner.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a id="img012" name="img012"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img012.jpg" width="500" height="258" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">In Camp at Grass Kop.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a id="img013" name="img013"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img013.jpg" width="500" height="261" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">One of Lieut. Halsey's Naval 12-pounders.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 27th August.</span>&mdash;The Boers have again cut the line and are
+shelling Ingogo, so we must evidently march on their laager. Down
+comes the rain in a perfect deluge for three days which is most
+depressing, more especially as our poor mess-house is full of water
+from a leaky roof and we have to take our meals with feet cocked up on
+tin sheets. The South Lancashires have suddenly got the order to move
+for which we are all very sorry. I presented Major Adams with two old
+brass cases and two blind 12-pounder shells for the regiment from the
+Navy detachment, as a memento of our pleasant time with them.
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page083" name="page083"></a>(p. 083)</span> We have been very busy making our positions secure from
+attack in case of accidents with barbed wire, besides sangars and
+trenches.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 5th September.</span>&mdash;Very thick mists up here, and as we hear
+rumours of attack we have very alert and wakeful nights. A great many
+movements in our front which only succeed in dispersing the Boer
+commandos without capturing them. We hear of Lord Roberts'
+proclamation of the 1st September annexing the Transvaal, and we give
+three cheers!<a id="footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4" title="Go to footnote 4"><span class="smaller">[4]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page084" name="page084"></a>(p. 084)</span> <span class="italic">Wednesday, 12th September.</span>&mdash;Not much to record. Lieutenant
+Halsey, R.N., looking very fit, came to see me yesterday from
+Standerton, and from what he says we are likely to remain on here for
+some time longer defending the position which is no doubt an important
+one. My oxen are well, but some of the men are getting enteric. We
+have to be on the alert against Kaffirs who prowl up the hill with a
+view, as we think, of taking a look round on the defences.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 14th September.</span>&mdash;Engaged in writing details of the graves of
+two of the <span class="italic">Tartar</span> men who, as the Admiral said in a memo, on the
+subject, had given their lives for their Queen and country. Apparently
+the Guild of Loyal Women of South Africa have engaged to look after
+all the graves of H.M. sailors and soldiers in this country and have
+written to ask for their position. What a kindness this is, and what a
+comfort to the poor families in England who cannot come out to do so!
+The two services must be ever in debt for it. We are all glad to hear
+that Kruger has bolted from the country viâ Delagoa Bay. But why let
+him escape?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page085" name="page085"></a>(p. 085)</span> <span class="italic">Sunday, 23rd September.</span>&mdash;Still here, with all sorts of news
+and rumours constantly coming up; Kruger sailing to Europe in a Dutch
+man-of-war; Botha said to be on the point of surrendering; some 15,000
+Boer prisoners in our hands and so on; while at Volksrust the burghers
+are surrendering at the rate of fifty a day, and here at Sandspruit
+they are dribbling in by half-dozens for what it is worth. But from
+now up to 1st October at Grass Kop we have to record "Nothing,
+nothing, always nothing," although in the outer world we hear of great
+doings, and of C.I.V.'s, Canadians, Guards, Natal Volunteers, and
+others all preparing to go home for a well-deserved rest. Our turn
+must soon come, and I am busy preparing my Ordnance and Transport
+accounts in view of sudden orders to leave the front. The following
+circular may be of interest as showing the gifts given for the troops
+in Natal during these operations by native chiefs and others in that
+colony.</p>
+
+<div class="quote">
+<p class="center smcap">Circular with Lines of Communication Orders.</p>
+<p class="right">No. A 23.</p>
+
+<p>The following gifts of money have been sent from native chiefs,
+     committees, and others in Natal for the benefit of the troops in
+     Natal. The amounts received for the sick and wounded have been
+     handed over to the principal medical officer, lines of
+     communication, and the other gifts to the officers commanding
+     concerned:</p>
+
+<table  border="0" cellpadding="3" summary="Gifts of money">
+<colgroup>
+    <col width="37%">
+    <col width="2%">
+    <col width="10%">
+    <col width="2%">
+    <col width="5%">
+    <col width="5%">
+    <col width="5%">
+    <col width="4%">
+    <col width="30%">
+</colgroup>
+<tr>
+<td class="center"><span class="italic">From whom received.</span></td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center"><span class="italic">Date received.</span></td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center" colspan="3"><span class="italic">Amount.</span></td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center"><span class="italic">On what account.</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="4">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">Ł</td>
+<td class="right">s.</td>
+<td class="right">d.</td>
+<td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="9">&nbsp;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Ngeeda (of Chief Ndguna's tribe)</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">7/3/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">7</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td>1st Manchester Regiment.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Xemuhenm</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">22/3/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">10</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td>For troops who defended Ladysmith.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Berlin Mission (New Germany)</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">22/3/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">8</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td>For sick and wounded.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Native Christian Communities</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">28/3/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">15</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td>For war funds.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="pagenum"><a id="page086" name="page086"></a>(p. 086)</span> Chief Umzingelwa</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">28/3/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">5</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td>For relief purposes.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Laduma</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">30/3/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">8</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td>For sick and wounded.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Members of Free Church of Scotland Mission (natives)</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">30/3/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">9</td>
+<td class="right">5</td>
+<td class="right">6&frac12;</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Natives of Alexandra Division</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">3/4/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">7</td>
+<td class="right">15</td>
+<td class="right">3</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td>For Royal Artillery who fought at Colenso.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Free Church of Scotland (Impolweni natives)</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">4/4/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">3</td>
+<td class="right">17</td>
+<td class="right">4</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td>For sick and wounded.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Loyal Dutch round Tugela district</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">12/4/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">41</td>
+<td class="right">7</td>
+<td class="right">6</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>J. H. Kumolo (Lion's River District)</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">13/4/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">3</td>
+<td class="right">18</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>P. M. Majozi</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">16/5/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">3</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Gayede (Amakabela Tribe)</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">19/5/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">6</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Ndgungazwe</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">26/5/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">8</td>
+<td class="right">9</td>
+<td class="right">10&frac12;</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td rowspan="2">Headman Umnxinwa</td>
+<td rowspan="2"class="bdr-left">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">26/5/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">3</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td rowspan="2"class="bdr-right">&nbsp;</td>
+<td rowspan="2">For Sergeant who led East Surreys at Pieter's Hill.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="center">15/7/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">17</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Bambata, of Umvoti Division</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">3/6/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">3</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td>For sick and wounded.</td>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Christian Lutayi, and Mr. Bryant Cole</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">5/6/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">9</td>
+<td class="right">1</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td rowspan="2">Chief Ncwadi</td>
+<td rowspan="2" class="bdr-left">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">9/6/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">219</td>
+<td class="right">6</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="center">15/7/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">147</td>
+<td class="right">1</td>
+<td class="right">6</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Mqolombeni</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">10/6/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">5</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Native Chiefs (Timothy Ogle and Ntemba Ogle)</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">15/6/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">20</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Mahlube</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">21/6/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">15</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Nyakana (Mampula Division)</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">28/6/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">2</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Chief Xegwana</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="center">7/7/00</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="right">1</td>
+<td class="right">10</td>
+<td class="right">0</td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="spaced2">""</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Newcastle</span>,    <span class="left20">H. HEATH (<span class="italic">Lieut.-Colonel</span>),</span><br>
+  <span class="italic">30th July, 1900.</span>         <span class="italic left20">C.S.O., Lines of
+Communication.</span><a href="#toc"><span class="small">[Back to Contents]</span></a></p>
+</div>
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page087" name="page087"></a>(p. 087)</span> CHAPTER VIII</h3>
+
+<p class="resume">Still holding Grass Kop with the Queen's&mdash;General Buller leaves
+     for England&mdash;Final withdrawal of the Naval Brigade, and our
+     arrival at Durban&mdash;Our reception there&mdash;I sail for
+     England&mdash;Conclusion.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 2nd October.</span>&mdash;Grass Kop. Still here with the Queen's and my
+friends Major Dawson and Lieutenant Poynder. What an odd sort of
+climate we seem to have in South Africa. Two days ago unbearable heat
+with rain and thunder, and to-day so cold, with a heavy Scotch mist,
+as to make one think of the North Pole; so we are shivering in wraps
+and balaclavas, while occasional N.W. gales lower some of our tents.
+The partridges seem to have forsaken this hill, so poor "John" the
+pointer doesn't get enough work to please him; but his master, Major
+Dawson, when able to prowl about safe from Boer snipers, still downs
+many a pigeon and guinea fowl which keeps our table going.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 5th October.</span>&mdash;We are all delighted to hear that Lord Roberts
+is appointed Commander-in-Chief at home; report says that he comes
+down from Pretoria in a few days to inspect the Natal battlefields and
+to look at his gallant son's grave at Colenso. I must try and see him
+if I can. One of our convoys from Vryheid reported to be captured on
+the 1st by Boers, the Volunteer escort being made prisoners and some
+killed; this has delayed the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page088" name="page088"></a>(p. 088)</span> return of the Natal Volunteers
+who were to have been called in for good on that day.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Wednesday, 10th October.</span>&mdash;Still we drag on to the inevitable end.
+The reported capture of a convoy turns out to be only a few wagons
+escorted by a small party of Volunteers who were unwounded and
+released after a few days.</p>
+
+<p>This is a great week of anniversaries. Yesterday, the 9th, was that of
+the insolent Boer Ultimatum of 1899 which brought Kruger and his lot
+to ruin; to-day and to-morrow a year ago (10th and 11th October), the
+Boer forces were mobilizing at this very place, Sandspruit; and on the
+12th they entered Natal full of bumptious boasting. They were going,
+as they said, to "eat fish in Durban" within a month, and many of them
+carried tin cases containing dress suits and new clothes in
+preparation for that convivial event. And they would have done so
+except for the fish (sailors) and the women (Highlanders), as they
+styled us, who, they said, were too much for them, combined I think
+with the Ladysmith sweet shop, which proved their Scylla with Colenso
+as their Charybdis.</p>
+
+<p>Major Burrell of the Queen's was up here a few days ago and made a
+special reconnaissance to Roi Kop under cover of my guns; he told us
+many amusing stories of his experiences with Boer and foreign
+prisoners at Paardekop while sweeping up the country round there; one
+Prussian Major of Artillery had come in from Amersfoort and
+surrendered, saying he had blown up seven Boer guns just previously by
+Botha's orders. This German Major, it seems, was a curious type of
+man; waving his hands airily he would say that foreigners were obliged
+to come and join the Boers so as to study the art of war which only
+the English got any chance of doing in their little campaigns; this
+being so, he said, "Ah, I shall go back to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page089" name="page089"></a>(p. 089)</span> my native land,
+then six months in a fortress perhaps, after that, <span class="italic">sapristi</span>, a good
+military appointment. <span class="italic">Eh bien</span>! what do you think?" He also said
+about our taking of Almond's Nek that Erasmus, who was commanding at
+Laing's Nek, had been told that we were turning his flank and was
+advised to send ten guns to stop us; he thought a minute and said "No,
+I will not send guns, it is Sunday and God will stop them." Perhaps
+the Prussian Major's veracity was not of the highest class, but this
+yarn if told to General Buller would no doubt interest him, because
+undoubtedly if the Boers had had ten more guns defending Almond's Nek
+we should have had considerable more difficulty in taking it. The
+following Natal Army Orders of 17th July, 1900, will show how
+considerately we dealt with the Boers and others in the foregoing
+operations in the matter of paying for supplies.</p>
+
+<div class="quote">
+<p class="center smcap">Supplies Requisitioned, Etc.</p>
+
+<p>The following are the prices fixed to be paid for supplies
+     requisitioned, etc.:</p>
+
+<p>No bills will, however, be paid by supply officers or others
+     until approved by the Director of Supplies.</p>
+
+<p>Receipts will be given in all cases on the authorized form, and
+     duplicates forwarded same day to Director of Supplies. The
+     receipts will show whether the owner is on his farm or on
+     commando.</p>
+
+<table  border="0" cellpadding="3" summary="Supplies requisitioned.">
+<colgroup>
+    <col width="10%">
+    <col width="10%">
+    <col width="30%">
+    <col width="50%">
+</colgroup>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="3">Oat hay, per 100 bundles</td>
+<td>15s. to 18s. according to quality.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="2">Manna hay,</td>
+<td>"</td>
+<td>10s.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="2">Blue grass,</td>
+<td>"</td>
+<td>3s.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="2">Straw,</td>
+<td>"</td>
+<td>7s.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="3">Mealies, per 100 lbs</td>
+<td>5s.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="3">Potatoes, per sack of 150 lbs.</td>
+<td>10s.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="3">Milk, per bottle</td>
+<td>6d.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="3">Eggs, per dozen</td>
+<td>1s. to 1s. 3d.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="3">Fowls, each</td>
+<td>1s. to 1s. 6d.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Ducks,</td>
+<td colspan="2">"</td>
+<td>2s. to 2s. 6d.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Geese,</td>
+<td colspan="2">"</td>
+<td>3s. to 3s. 6d.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>Turkeys,</td>
+<td colspan="2">"</td>
+<td>6s. to 8s.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="3">Butter, per lb.</td>
+<td>1s. to 1s. 6d.</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page090" name="page090"></a>(p. 090)</span> <span class="italic">Saturday, 13th October.</span>&mdash;Many exciting things have crowded
+themselves into the last few days. The Boers who had slipped away from
+the Vryheid district are again moving north, and are reported in some
+force at Waterfal on the Elandsberg, 20° N.E. of us. They are said to
+have a Pom-pom and two Creusots; it seems to be the Wakkerstroom
+commando and Swaziland police, some 300 strong; the Ermelo commando
+has also moved on to the Barberton district. These commandos have been
+raiding cattle and horses every day, keeping well out of reach of our
+guns; many rumours of their intent to attack us at Grass Kop have been
+brought in but we are quite ready for them. This raiding has had the
+effect of bringing all the Dutch farmers and their sons flying back to
+their farms to look after their stock; they are highly indignant with
+the looters, have all surrendered and taken the oath at Volksrust, and
+ride up here to the foot of the hill every day with many reports and
+much advice about their former comrades' movements, and how to attack
+and kill them! Many old Dutch women have come also to the hill in
+tears over their losses from Boer marauders and say they are starving.
+All this gives Major Dawson and Lieutenant Poynder, Adjutant of the
+Queen's, a great deal of work and many walks down the hill to
+interview these people.</p>
+
+<p>Our Naval camp has been strengthened by building stone sangars round
+our tents to prevent any risk of the enemy creeping up and sniping us
+in our sleep; still, with barbed wires round the hill, hung with old
+tins, and trenches and sangars to protect the position, we feel pretty
+safe, although the gallant Cowper of the Queen's has gone down with
+one company to reinforce Sandspruit and we miss him greatly.</p>
+
+<p>To go back a few days, I must now mention that on the 11th October
+came a wire from Admiral Harris to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page091" name="page091"></a>(p. 091)</span> Halsey telling him to
+arrange the return of our remnant of Naval Brigade to Natal as soon as
+possible, our brother officers and men who were with Lord Roberts on
+the other side having left Pretoria on the 8th and arrived at Simon's
+Town. This wire, as may be imagined, caused us much joy up here after
+a year's fighting, and I personally celebrated it with the Queen's by
+a great dinner on some partridges and pigeons that I had bagged down
+hill on the 10th.</p>
+
+<p>To cap this telegram I received one forwarded on from Standerton next
+day: "Admiral, Simon's Town, wires, Burne appointed <span class="italic">Victoria and
+Albert</span> Royal Yacht; he should proceed to Durban whence his passage
+will be arranged." This came as a surprise to me, but at my seniority
+to serve Her Majesty once more on her yacht, where I was a
+Sub-Lieutenant in 1894, is a very great honour. I cannot well get away
+however just yet, as arrangements are being made for the relief of all
+guns by garrison gunners, and I am intent to "see it out," and indeed
+I must do so in order to turn over all the ordnance and transport
+stores and accounts for which I am personally responsible, and which
+after six months mount up a bit. I expect therefore to leave this hill
+and the front with our Naval Brigade next week, and then for "England,
+home, and beauty" once more. I shall hope, when able to do it, to
+revert to my gunnery line by-and-bye, as it has stood me in good stead
+in the past.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Monday, 15th October.</span>&mdash;Another wire from Halsey, who is at
+Standerton, telling me he hoped to arrange for our leaving together on
+the 18th for Durban, so we are busy preparing, and I send off to-day
+my returns of ox transport, which show that out of 84 oxen we have
+lost 17 in action and otherwise. Old Scheeper, the Boer farmer at the
+bottom of our hill, whose son is Assistant Field Cornet <span class="pagenum"><a id="page092" name="page092"></a>(p. 092)</span> with
+the Wakkerstroom commando, has sold me his crane and is making a cage
+for it. I shall take it down to Maritzburg and present it to the
+Governor (Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson), who has done me kindnesses in
+two parts of the world. I am also busy packing up my collection of
+Boer shells and relics of Colenso, Vaal Krantz, Almond's Nek, and
+Grass Kop. We may yet be attacked before leaving, as Boers were
+reported about ten miles off last night moving south along the
+Elandsberg. Sir Redvers Buller passed through Sandspruit on the 14th
+<span class="italic">en route</span> for Maritzburg and England, so it is quite on the cards
+that I may go home in the same ship which will be interesting.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Friday, 19th October.</span>&mdash;Still not relieved. The railway line has been
+cut two nights running between Paardekop and Standerton, and about a
+mile and a half of it torn up, and this perhaps accounts for the
+delay. We hear that General Buller has had a great reception at
+Maritzburg as he deserves and that he goes on to Durban this week; he
+is undoubtedly the "Saviour of Natal," as they call him. The Governor
+accepts my Transvaal crane for his garden, so I shall take it down in
+the cage I am having made for it and leave it <span class="italic">en route</span> down at
+Maritzburg.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Saturday, 20th October.</span>&mdash;Anniversary of Talana Hill. Sir Redvers
+Buller arrived to-day in Durban and had a great reception. All the
+newspapers praise him, and the earlier and difficult days of our
+rebuffs on the Tugela are wiped out in public opinion by subsequent
+brilliant successes. The General is, indeed, immensely popular with
+the army he has led through such difficult country and through so much
+fighting and marching. Very pleased to meet at Volksrust to-day
+Captain Fitz Herbert of the South African Light Horse who came out
+with me in the <span class="italic">Briton</span> a year ago. He was originally in the Berkshire
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page093" name="page093"></a>(p. 093)</span> Regiment, but joined the South African Light Horse at
+Capetown and was taken prisoner by the Boers at Colenso. His
+experiences with the Boers for four months as a prisoner were, he
+tells me, somewhat awful. The first week he was handcuffed and put in
+the common jail for knocking down an insolent jailer, and he had to
+live all his time on mealies, with meat only once a week. He shows the
+marks of all this and is quite grey.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Sunday, 21st October.</span>&mdash;A wire at last ordering us to leave on
+Wednesday for Durban. Off I went, therefore, to Volksrust to close my
+ordnance accounts with my middy, Mr. Ledgard, from Paardekop, who had
+met me with his papers. Hard at it since the 15th, turning over
+stores, making out vouchers, answering wires, and writing reports.</p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Tuesday, 23rd October.</span>&mdash;I gave over my guns here and at Paardekop on
+Sunday to Lieutenant Campbell and Captain Shepheard, of the Royal
+Artillery, and to-day we are all busy packing, and doing the thousand
+and one things one always finds at the last moment to do. As we are
+off at 7 a.m. to-morrow, to catch the mail train at Sandspruit, the
+Queen's are giving me a farewell dinner to-night, while Bethune's
+Horse are dining my men. Rundle, French, and Hildyard are reported to
+be closing in all round in a circle (this place being the centre), and
+5,000 Boers within the circle are being gradually forced slowly in
+towards us. The many men who come in to surrender report that the main
+body will be obliged either to surrender or to attack us somewhere to
+get a position. I wired yesterday to General Hildyard, who is at Blood
+River, sending my respects to him and his Staff on leaving his
+command, and I received a very kind reply to-day: "I and my Staff
+thank you for your message. I am very sorry not to have seen you
+before you leave, but I hope <span class="pagenum"><a id="page094" name="page094"></a>(p. 094)</span> you will tell your gallant
+officers and men how much I have appreciated their cheerful and ready
+assistance while with me during the campaign."</p>
+
+<p>My men have to-day hoisted a paying-off pennant with a large bunch of
+flowers at the end of it. This looks very fine and is greatly admired
+in camp. Much to our surprise we had a little excitement in the
+afternoon as the Boers round us bagged a patrol of Bethune's Horse,
+and on coming within shell fire to drive oxen and horses off from
+Parson's farm, my beloved gun in this position was brought into action
+by the Garrison Artillery under Lieutenant Campbell (who had taken
+over from me on the 21st), four shells bursting all round the
+marauders and scattering them at once.</p>
+
+<p>Later on the Boers sent Bethune's captured men back to Grass Kop,
+having shot their horses and smashed their rifles before their eyes.
+Poynder and the Major gave me a big farewell dinner, and we all turned
+in early this evening expecting an attack during the night, but
+nothing happened. So next morning, the 24th, we got under way, with
+our paying-off pennant streaming in the wind from a wagon, after
+saying good-bye (amid cheers and hand-shakings) to all our kind
+military comrades and friends at Grass Kop. I was more than sorry to
+leave the Queen's.<a id="footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a href="#footnote5" title="Go to footnote 5"><span class="smaller">[5]</span></a></p>
+
+<a id="img014" name="img014"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img014.jpg" width="400" height="599" alt="" title="">
+<p class="small p0_t italic">Photo by Knight, Aldershot.</p>
+<p class="smcap">Lt.-Gen. Sir H. J. T. Hildyard, K.C.B.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>I won't describe the journey down at length; the entraining at
+Sandspruit and meeting all the rest of the Brigade; the farewells and
+cheers and "beers" from the Queen's; and the false bottle of whisky
+handed to Halsey by Colonel Pink, D.S.O., which I could not get him to
+open on the way down. We saw Reeves, R.S.O., at <span class="pagenum"><a id="page095" name="page095"></a>(p. 095)</span>
+Charlestown, and many other old friends, and ran through to Durban by
+8 a.m. on the 25th. Unluckily, I and the middy were in a carriage from
+Maritzburg in which we couldn't get a wash, so one's feelings at
+Durban may be imagined when we got out dirty and tired, and saw a
+large crowd of officers and the Mayor of Durban and others ready to
+receive us on the platform. What a welcome they did give us! The
+speeches, the cheers of the crowd, the marching through the streets,
+and the breakfast, I leave an abler pen than mine, the <span class="italic">Natal
+Advertiser</span>, to describe: sufficient to say, I felt very proud of our
+men who looked splendid, hard as nails and sunburnt, in fact, <span class="italic">men</span>;
+and Halsey surpassed himself when he was suddenly turned on to return
+thanks to the Mayor in the street, and later on at the breakfast. The
+witty and appropriate speech also of Colonel Morris, Commandant, will
+make him to be remembered by the men of the Naval Brigade as the "Wit
+of Durban," and not the "Villain of Durban," by which title he
+described himself.</p>
+
+<p>Here is what the <span class="italic">Natal Advertiser</span> says of the day's proceedings:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="quote">
+<p>Among the first of the "handy men" who, with their 4.7 guns, went
+     to the front, were those of H.M. ships <span class="italic">Philomel</span> and <span class="italic">Tartar</span>.
+     Though in many of the reports H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible's</span> men got the
+     credit of the work done, the duties were equally shared by the
+     two other contingents from the cruisers. On October 29th,
+     twenty-nine men of the <span class="italic">Tartar</span> left Durban, and on November
+     11th, thirty-three men and two officers of the <span class="italic">Philomel</span> were
+     entrained to Chieveley. These men went forward to the relief of
+     Ladysmith, and had to face many hardships and many a stiff fight.
+     To-day the last of them returned from the front. Out of the
+     twenty-nine men of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span> that went forward, only
+     eighteen returned; and out of the thirty-three men and two
+     officers of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span> twenty-three men and two officers
+     came down. These losses speak eloquently of the tasks performed,
+     and the hardships endured. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page096" name="page096"></a>(p. 096)</span> Of those who could not
+     answer the roll-call this morning, some have been killed in
+     action, others died of disease, while a few have been invalided.
+     After the men of the <span class="italic">Powerful</span>, the <span class="italic">Terrible</span>, and the Naval
+     Volunteers returned, the <span class="italic">Philomel</span> and <span class="italic">Tartar</span> contingents were
+     kept at their posts, and, even on their return they had trouble
+     at Grass Kop and Sandspruit. The officers in charge of the men
+     were Lieutenant Halsey, Lieutenant Burne, and Midshipman Ledgard.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after 8 o'clock this morning a crowd began to assemble at
+     the Railway Station, awaiting the arrival of the down mail train.
+     On the platform were: the Commandant, Colonel Morris, the Mayor
+     (Mr. J. Nichol), Commander Dundas, of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, the
+     Deputy Mayor (Mr. J. Ellis Brown), Lieutenant Belcombe, Mr. W.
+     Cooley, Surgeon Elliott, and Paymaster Pim. About 100 men of
+     H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, under Sub-Lieutenant Hobson, were drawn up in
+     a double line outside the station. The train was a trifle late in
+     arriving, but as soon as it drew up, the warriors were marched
+     outside. A ringing cheer from a crowd of nearly 1,500 welcomed
+     them as soon as they took up a position and were called to
+     attention.</p>
+
+<p>The Mayor addressed them, and, on behalf of Durban, offered them
+     a hearty welcome back. These men, he said, had been entrusted to
+     go to the front to defend the Colony, and they had done it well.
+     They were among the first in the field and were the last to
+     leave, and he felt sure they had done their duty faithfully,
+     honestly, and well. (Applause.) They might be relied upon to do
+     that in any part of the world, wherever or whenever called upon.
+     They were looked upon as the "handy men," the men who had done
+     the greatest portion of the work during the campaign. They and
+     their guns saved the situation. Even when they were marching
+     down, he understood they had had some fighting. On behalf of
+     Natal, he thanked them for what they had done through these
+     trying times. (Applause.)</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Halsey, replying, said that after forty-eight hours in
+     the train it was difficult for them to take a reception like
+     this. The men and officers of the Brigade had done their duty,
+     and would do it again if called upon. (Applause.) They were glad
+     that they had been able to do anything in the fighting line, and
+     they thanked the Mayor for the kind welcome <span class="pagenum"><a id="page097" name="page097"></a>(p. 097)</span> extended to
+     them. He called for three hearty cheers for the Mayor.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd joined in the response, and raised another for "Our
+     Boys." Lieutenant Halsey called for cheers for the Naval
+     Volunteers, who had helped the Brigade so ably during the war.</p>
+
+<p>The concourse of people had now greatly increased, and the Post
+     Office front was thronged. The Brigade were given the word to
+     march, and cheers were raised again and again until the men
+     turned out into West Street. Headed by the Durban Local
+     Volunteers' Band, the <span class="italic">Philomel</span> and <span class="italic">Tartar</span> men marched along
+     to the Drill Hall. They were followed by Captain Dundas' piper,
+     two standard bearers, and their comrades of the <span class="italic">Philomel</span>. At
+     the Drill Hall arms were piled and the men again fell in, the
+     band playing them along to the Princess Café, where they were
+     entertained. The Mayor, the Commandant, Major Taylor, Mr. J.
+     Ellis Brown, and Mr. E. W. Evans received them. At the order of
+     the Commandant one khaki man sat between two white men, the
+     comrades of the warriors being dressed in their white ducks. At
+     the order of the Town Council Mr. Dunn had provided a most
+     substantial breakfast, to which the men did full justice.</p>
+
+<p>The loyal toast having been duly honoured.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Morris proposed "Our Guests," and said he did not know
+     why the "villain of Durban" should be called upon to take up this
+     toast, or why the honour of proposing it had been conferred on
+     him. He begged to tell them, for the information of those fellows
+     who had just come down from the front, that he was the "villain
+     of Durban." (Laughter.) He meant that if any of these chaps were
+     out after 11 o'clock at night he would find for them nice
+     accommodation in the Superintendent's cells. There was a long
+     time between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., and he trusted they would not
+     get into trouble. The villain of the piece had to propose the
+     health of these fellows who had come down from the front.
+     (Cheers.) Now, these Navy fellows, if they could do so well on
+     land, how much better could they not do at sea? (Cheers.) They
+     knew how Jack had fought in the old days of Trafalgar, St.
+     Vincent, and at other great battles, and if they had to fight
+     again they might depend upon it that Jack the "handy man" was
+     just as good to-day as he was then. (Cheers.) Jack had proved
+     himself a splendid fellow ashore, and he wondered <span class="pagenum"><a id="page098" name="page098"></a>(p. 098)</span> what
+     any of the landlubbers would do at sea. (Laughter.) The sea was a
+     ripping good place to look at, but from his point of view he
+     would rather be on land. (Laughter.) Anyway, Jack did not like
+     the land; he preferred to be on sea. Therefore, when at home on
+     the sea Jack would do a hundred times better than he had on
+     shore. (Cheers.) He recommended any people who thought of
+     fighting them on sea to take care what they were going against.
+     He did not believe that the British Navy was to be beaten here or
+     hereafter&mdash;(cheers)&mdash;and he was positively certain, from what he
+     saw of the Navy when they were at the front, that those who went
+     to look at them would say, "No, we will not play the game with
+     you on the water." He was positively certain that they would all
+     be admirals in time. (Laughter.) That was if they only waited
+     long enough (cheers), and if they did not come across the
+     "villain of Durban" they would be all right. He wished them all
+     thundering good luck, and he was sure that every one of them
+     would grow younger, because he did not believe any naval man grew
+     older. When they got their feet on board again they would feel
+     like chickens. He hoped they would all see the dear old country
+     soon. (Applause.) If they did not see it soon they would see it
+     later on. (Laughter.) Now, if they came across an enemy at sea he
+     knew exactly what would happen, and what they would read in the
+     papers&mdash;that the enemy had gone to the bottom of the sea.
+     (Laughter.) He dared say the Navy would be able to respond to the
+     toast. He did not know their capacities for talking, but Jack was
+     never hard up for saying something when he was called upon to do
+     so. Again he wished them jolly good luck. (Cheers.)</p>
+
+<p>All save the guests rose, and led by the Commandant's stentorian
+     voice, sang "They are Jolly Good Fellows."</p>
+
+<p>Chief Petty Officer Munro returned thanks on behalf of his
+     comrades, and said that the reception had been quite unexpected.
+     They had had very hard times, and they had had very good times.
+     They had done what they did willingly&mdash;(applause)&mdash;and they were
+     ready to do the same thing again for Her Majesty and the Empire,
+     and also to uphold the good old name of the Navy. (Cheers.) He
+     advised the fellows to keep out of the clutches of the
+     Commandant, for from what he saw of him he thought it would be
+     better. (Laughter.) When nearly twelve months ago <span class="pagenum"><a id="page099" name="page099"></a>(p. 099)</span> they
+     landed at Durban, the people were a bit more excited than they
+     were to-day.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Halsey asked the men to drink to the Mayor and Council
+     of Durban. Everybody outside knew, he said, how kindly Durban was
+     looked upon. Durban was one of the best places in the
+     station&mdash;(applause)&mdash;and it was on account of the wonderful way
+     everything was managed by the Mayor and Council. (Cheers.)</p>
+
+<p>The toast was pledged with enthusiasm, and the Mayor said they
+     were proud to have them here, and to entertain them.</p>
+
+<p>The men then fell in again in Field Street, and marched off to
+     the Point, the Durban Light Infantry Band playing "Just a little
+     bit off the Top" as a march.</p>
+
+<p>The <span class="italic">Philomel</span> and the hospital ship <span class="italic">Orcana</span> had been dressed
+     for the occasion, and a number of their comrades assembled at the
+     Passenger Jetty and cheered them on arrival. They were afterwards
+     conveyed to the cruisers.</p>
+
+<p>Among the Navals who returned from the front this morning is a
+     little canine hero, "Jack" the terrier, which has shared their
+     fortunes throughout the war. When they left Durban ten months ago
+     a little fox terrier followed them. While at the front he never
+     left them, although he was not particular with whom he fed or
+     what kind of weather prevailed. The firing of a 4.7 gun did not
+     discourage him, and through the booming of big guns and the
+     rattle of musketry he stuck by his adopters. Through every
+     engagement he went, and has come back bearing an honourable scar
+     on the head&mdash;shot by a Mauser bullet. The men, needless to say,
+     idolise the little hero, whose neck is decorated with a large
+     blue ribbon from which is suspended a Transvaal Commemoration
+     Medal.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>After inserting this account, there is, perhaps, nothing more to be
+recorded except to say how grateful we all felt to the Mayor and
+people of Durban for the kind and indeed magnificent reception they
+gave us; and we could not but add our thanks to Commander Dundas of
+the <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, to whose energy and good will, as senior Naval
+Officer, the success of the reception was greatly due.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page100" name="page100"></a>(p. 100)</span> <span class="italic">Tuesday, 30th October.</span>&mdash;After saying good-bye to many old
+friends of the <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, and others, and undergoing lunches and
+dinners (of which the most amusing and lively one was with Captain
+Bearcroft of the <span class="italic">Philomel</span> who led the Naval Brigade under Lord
+Roberts and whom I was glad to have met before sailing) I got on board
+the <span class="italic">Tantallon Castle</span>, finding Commander Dundas on board and coming
+home in the same mail. We left Durban on a beautiful day, and I was
+glad to find myself in possession of a large cabin. And so I must end
+this long and rambling Journal on seeing the last of Natal, merely
+adding that we had rather a rough passage, after touching at Port
+Elizabeth, up to Mossel Bay, a most picturesque place on account of
+the towering peaks and ranges of hills running close to the
+coast-line. We reached Capetown on the 5th November, and I found Table
+Mountain and the general view much more striking than I had previously
+thought. We had to wait here till the 8th November, when we finally
+bid farewell to South Africa which with every beat of the screw
+gradually faded from view into the dim shadows of an interesting past.</p>
+
+<p>While the revolving wheel of life bears one on to other scenes and
+toils, with dear old England looming once more on the horizon, we
+leave South Africa behind with the problem of the war still unsettled,
+and with desultory but fierce fighting still going on. But let us hope
+that the shadows will lift, and that the glory of a rising sun will
+eventually dim and absorb the sea of blood which has submerged that
+wonderful and hitherto unfortunate land. The lines from the "Light of
+Asia"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem20">"Om Mani padme Hun, The sunrise comes,<br>
+  The dew-drop slips into the shining sea"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>express, I think, the hope of every British heart for South Africa, as
+they do that of my own.<a href="#toc"><span class="small">[Back to Contents]</span></a></p>
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page101" name="page101"></a>(p. 101)</span> CHAPTER IX</h3>
+
+<p class="resume">Gunnery Results: The 12-pounder Q.-F. Naval gun&mdash;Its mounting,
+     sighting, and methods of firing&mdash;The Creusot 3" gun and its
+     improvements&mdash;Shrapnel fire and the poor results obtained by the
+     Boers&mdash;Use of the Clinometer and Mekometer&mdash;How to emplace a
+     Q.-F. gun, etc., etc.</p>
+
+<p>A word or two now as to what we with the guns have learnt during the
+campaign, although I feel that this may be rather a dull, professional
+sort of chapter except to those interested in guns and gunnery, and
+that the subject as treated by myself may be open to criticism from
+others similarly engaged. I may certainly say that it was not for at
+least three months after our opening fire at the first battle of
+Colenso (December 15th, 1899) that I personally felt myself as "fairly
+well up" to the constantly varying conditions of gun positions, gun
+platforms, enemy's positions, and the ever-changing "light and shade"
+of the South African climate, against all of which one had to fight to
+get correct shooting; the last-named of these, viz., "light and
+shade," being perhaps our greatest bugbear, often throwing one many
+thousand yards out in judging a range by eye, which gift is, I think,
+the best a gunner can possess!</p>
+
+<p>Then, too, the Naval guns as they were sent up (owing to the work
+being pushed at the last moment), some on high wheels and some on low
+ones, some with drag-shoes <span class="pagenum"><a id="page102" name="page102"></a>(p. 102)</span> opened out and others which
+wouldn't take the wheels, some with the wires from them to trail plate
+handles the right length and others much too long, caused (I am
+talking of the 12-pounders) these guns, instead of forming a level
+shooting battery, to be each one a study in itself as regarded its
+shooting powers; and we constantly found one gun shooting, say, three
+or four hundred yards harder or further than the one next to it
+although laid to the same range on the sights. This at first sight was
+rather mystifying, but all these small but important matters above
+mentioned were not long in being put to rights. On any future occasion
+such defects will, of course, be avoided from the start by the guns
+being altogether more strongly mounted on broad-tyred wheels and broad
+axles of similar height, size and pattern, and, above all, with a
+strong and uniform system for checking the recoil of the carriage, of
+which the drag-shoe, as it was fitted and sent up to us, was certainly
+not capable.</p>
+
+<a id="img015" name="img015"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img015.jpg" width="400" height="617" alt="" title="">
+<p class="small p0_t italic">Photo by Symonds, Portsmouth.</p>
+<p class="smcap">Captain Percy Scott, C.B., R.N.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>I am rather keen on this question of the best means of checking the
+recoil of a field carriage. A very strongly made drag-shoe fitted with
+chains to the centre of gun trail will do very well; and these were,
+later on in the campaign, fitted by the Ordnance authorities at
+Maritzburg to new "Percy Scott" carriages, which they sent up to us to
+replace the original "Percy Scott" carriages, which, as I remarked
+before, were not strongly enough built, particularly as regards the
+wheels, to stand any very bad country or a lengthened campaign, in
+both of which we found ourselves involved. In these remarks, please
+let no one think that I am running down the 12-pounder carriage for a
+purpose; not so. I simply wish to point out details that, if more time
+had been available, would certainly have been avoided in them by their
+very clever designer, Captain Percy Scott, R.N., to whom the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page103" name="page103"></a>(p. 103)</span> service in general (and I personally) owe a debt of
+gratitude; for assuredly not a Q.-F. gun, or a single one of us with
+the batteries, would ever have been landed unless it had been for him
+and his brains and his determination to have the Royal Navy
+represented in the campaign, as was their due&mdash;being on the spot with
+what was most wanted, namely, heavy guns.</p>
+
+<p>Here I wish to distinctly state my own opinion, and that also of the
+many officials and gunners, Naval and Military, with whom I have
+talked over the matter, <span class="italic">i.e.</span>, that not only did the Naval guns save
+Ladysmith, but they also in a great measure helped to save the
+campaign outside for its relief, and with it Natal. And my opinion
+now, when the war is nearly over, is only strengthened and confirmed
+by what I have heard the Boers say of the guns, viz., that they are
+the only things when using shrapnel that have shaken them much during
+the fighting, and, considering the country, naturally so. That it was
+to the Navy and not to the garrison gunners that the original credit
+has gone, was simply because we were here and they were at home at the
+start. One is, as regards their gunnery powers, as good as the other,
+and the garrison gunners earned their laurels later on. Still, I have
+a great hankering after a gun's crew of "handy men" to beat any crew
+in this world for all-round service and quick shooting, and I am ready
+to back my opinion heavily.</p>
+
+<p>Returning from this digression to the subject of recoil, we found that
+sandbags placed at a certain distance in rear of each wheel not only
+effectually checked the carriage, but also (a great consideration) ran
+it out again. This system was used both by the 4.7's and ourselves at
+the end of the war; and seeing that the guns had only half crews, it
+was a <span class="italic">most</span> important saving to men who had perhaps marched ten
+miles, loaded and off-loaded ammunition, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page104" name="page104"></a>(p. 104)</span> and then had
+perhaps to fight the guns under a hot sun for hours. To fill and carry
+the bags, however, is a nuisance, and some better system on the same
+principle is needed, such as the inclined wedges that I saw by photos
+the Boers were using in rear of wheels; and I should very much like to
+see some such system substituted for our present one. I have not seen
+the hydraulic spade used, perhaps that is the <span class="italic">best</span>.</p>
+
+<p>To put it briefly, the hastily improvised gun-carriage of the
+12-pounders had, on account of this very haste, the following
+defects:&mdash;</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li class="list">(1.) Too weak generally in all parts, particularly wheels and
+     axles, for any long campaign.</li>
+
+<li class="list">(2.) Wheels and axles being a scratch lot, none in any of the
+     batteries were interchangeable, which caused many times later in
+     the campaign when wheels began to give out, much anxiety. Several
+     times we only had guns ready for action or trekking by the "skin
+     of one's teeth," and it must be borne in mind that any new wheels
+     wired-for sometimes took two months to arrive on the very
+     overcrowded railway&mdash;a single line.</li>
+
+<li class="list">(3.) The system of checking the recoil of the field carriage was
+     a bad one.</li>
+
+<li class="list">(4.) All the 12-pounders except two were in the first instance
+     sent up without limbers, and therefore had to be limbered up to
+     wagons. This for practical purposes in the country we had to trek
+     over was absolutely useless and caused endless delays. Eventually
+     we all got limbers built at Maritzburg, and equivalent gun-oxen
+     to drag the guns separately from the wagons.</li>
+
+<li class="list"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page105" name="page105"></a>(p. 105)</span> (5.) The trail of the gun consisted of a solid block of
+     wood some 12 feet long; so that if one laid the gun to any long
+     range (in most over 7,000 yards, I think) the oil cylinder under
+     the gun, on trying to elevate it, would bring-up against this
+     trail and prevent laying. This therefore necessitated digging
+     pits for trails to shoot much over 7,000 yards, which in bad
+     ground often took some considerable time. To obviate this defect
+     would of course be very easy with a steel trail of two side
+     plates, and space for gun and the cylinder between the sides.</li>
+
+<li class="list">(6.) The general idea of all the mountings I saw was narrow axles
+     and high wheels, whereas, for all trekking purposes, it should be
+     broad space between the wheels and low wheels. This was amply
+     proved to us by the number of times the high-wheeled narrow
+     mountings upset on rocky ground, whilst the broad low type went
+     along steadily. The 12-pounder gun itself did its work
+     beautifully, shooting hard and lasting well, and owing to the dry
+     climate of Africa we had no trouble at all to keep the guns clean
+     and all gear in good order.</li>
+
+<li class="list">(7.) Perhaps the most troublesome defect of all was that the
+     gun-carriage had no brake fitted. The gunnery drill-book system
+     of "lash gun wheels" may be at once erased from the book for all
+     practical purposes over any rocky or bad country; it simply, as
+     we soon found, tears the wheels to pieces, and chokes the whole
+     mounting up. An ordinary military Scotch cart brake, or a brake
+     fitted as the trek wagons <span class="pagenum"><a id="page106" name="page106"></a>(p. 106)</span> here have, under the muzzle
+     of the gun on the forepart of the wheels, acts very well, and my
+     bluejackets, although not carpenters, fitted these for me. They
+     are screw-up brakes.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p>The sighting of the gun (drum and bar system) cannot be beaten, I
+think. Perhaps a V-shaped notch to give one the centre of the H, or
+hind sight, might be an improvement, as here personal error often
+occurs. Lieutenant, now Commander, Ogilvy, R.N., always made his men
+correct their final sighting of the gun for elevation from about six
+paces in rear of the trail, and my experience is that this is a small
+but important matter, especially for fine shooting say at a trench at
+5,000 yards, which merely appears to one as a line on the ground. One
+invariably finds that the gun, with the eye of a man laying close up
+to the hind sight, is laid slightly short of the object; so this
+should be noticed in the gunnery drill-book as regards field guns.
+<span class="italic">Telescopic</span> sights, the patent, I believe, of Lieutenant-Colonel L.
+K. Scott, R.E., were sent out and used by us with the 12-pounders to
+fire on the trenches at Spion Kop and Brakfontein, when fine shooting
+was required. These sights had the cross wires much too thick, so we
+substituted cobwebs picked off the bushes and stuck on with torpedo
+composition, and these did admirably. Still this sight was not
+altogether a success. The power of the telescope, especially in the
+rays of the sun, was poor, and it took a man a long time to lay his
+gun with it, thus further reducing the quick-firing power of the
+12-pounder reduced already by the recoiling field carriage. As to the
+4.7's, it was found that the ordinary Naval small telescope, fitted on
+a bar and with light cross wires, could not be beaten as a sight for
+ranges they had to fire at. It is a very good useful glass, and it
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page107" name="page107"></a>(p. 107)</span> was, I believe, used both in Natal and elsewhere right
+through the campaign, and I unhesitatingly give it the palm.</p>
+
+<p>As to the system of firing and gear used, electric firing was very
+successful as long as one had the gear for refitting and repairing and
+an armourer attached to one's guns; this, of course, as the guns
+became split up into pairs was impossible, and I may say that carting
+electric batteries (which of necessity for quickness have to be kept
+charged) in wagons or limbers over rocks and bad roads, and with
+continual loading and off-loading, becomes a trouble and anxiety to
+one. So for active service I should certainly recommend that
+percussion firing should be regarded as the first and principal method
+to be used with guns on the move, carrying also the electric gear for
+use if guns are left for any time at fixed spots as guns of position.
+I may here remark that when firing with electricity from a field
+carriage the battery has to be placed on the ground, clear of recoil,
+and therefore the wire leads must be adjusted in length accordingly. I
+am uncertain whether our other 12-pounders used mostly electric or
+percussion, but I think on the whole, percussion; and, speaking for
+myself, I certainly did so after experiencing the disappointments
+which miss-fires often gave one, when trying to get in a quick shot,
+say from the line of march, with the electric gear. These "miss-fires"
+are, moreover, often unavoidable under active service conditions, such
+as we had with our semi-mobile guns. The guns and connections get
+sometimes an inch thick in mud or dust and require time to clean, when
+one has no time to spare: the use of percussion tubes avoids all this.</p>
+
+<p>Before we leave the subject of guns the following description of the
+French 3" Creusot gun by the <span class="italic">Revue d'Artillerie</span> will be of interest,
+viz.:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="quote">
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page108" name="page108"></a>(p. 108)</span> <span class="italic">South Africa.</span>&mdash;The Field Artillery of the Boers
+     consists for the most part of Creusot 3" rapid-firing guns made
+     after the 1895 model. These guns were purchased by the South
+     African Republic during the year 1896.... The gun, which is
+     constructed of forged and tempered steel, has a 3" bore. Its
+     total length is 8 feet and its weight is 726 pounds. The body of
+     the gun consists of three elements:&mdash;1. A tube in which the
+     breech piece is fixed. 2. A sleeve covering the tube for a length
+     of 3 feet 6 inches. 3. A chase hoop. The chamber is provided with
+     twenty-four grooves of variable pitch which have a final
+     inclination of 8°.</p>
+
+<p>The system of breech closing is that of the interrupted screw,
+     which presents four sectors, two of them threaded and two plain,
+     so that the breech is opened or closed by a quarter revolution of
+     the screw. The mechanism is of the Schneider system, patented in
+     1895, and has the advantage of allowing the opening or closing of
+     the breech to be effected by the simple motion of a lever from
+     right to left, or <span class="italic">vice versâ</span>.</p>
+
+<p>The gun is fired by means of an automatically-cocked percussion
+     apparatus. A safety device prevents any shots from being fired
+     until after the breech is closed.</p>
+
+<p>The carriage is provided with a hydraulic recoil-cylinder fitted
+     with a spring return. It is also furnished with a "spade," which
+     is placed under the stock at an equal distance from the trail and
+     the axle, and which is of the model that General Engelhardt has
+     adopted for the Russian Artillery.</p>
+
+<p>During a march this spade is turned back and fastened to the
+     stock. The carriage is likewise provided with a road brake, which
+     is to be employed in firing only when the nature of the ground is
+     such that the spade cannot be used.</p>
+
+<p>The gun is placed in a bronze sleeve that carries the brake
+     cylinders and the various other connecting pieces for the return
+     spring and the aiming apparatus.</p>
+
+<p>The hydraulic recoil consists of two cylinders placed laterally
+     and at the height of the axis of the piece.</p>
+
+<p>The axle has the peculiarity that in its centre there is a wide
+     opening in which are placed the cradle and the gun. It is
+     provided with two screw trunnions, around which the pivoting
+     necessary for lateral aiming is effected. This arrangement of the
+     <span class="pagenum"><a id="page109" name="page109"></a>(p. 109)</span> gun with respect to the axle has the effect of greatly
+     diminishing the shocks that firing tends to produce.</p>
+
+<p>Elevation and depression are accomplished by rotating the axle in
+     the wheels of the carriage. This is done by means of a crank
+     which, through an endless screw and pinion, controls a toothed
+     sector attached to the sleeve.</p>
+
+<p>Pointing in direction is done by means of a lever known as a tail
+     piece. Mounted upon the axle there are two small sights, forming
+     a line of aim, that permit of bringing the carriage back in the
+     direction of the target as soon as a shot has been fired. All
+     that the gunner has to do is to give the piece a slight
+     displacement laterally with respect to the carriage by means of a
+     hand-wheel, which turns the gun 2° to one side or the other.</p>
+
+<p>The line of aim is found by a back and front sight arranged upon
+     the right side of the sleeve in which the gun is mounted. The
+     back side permits of aiming while the gun is being loaded. It
+     carries a small oscillating level that indicates the elevation of
+     the gun during rapid firing.</p>
+
+<p>The weight of the carriage, without wheels, is 1,146 lbs. and
+     with wheels, 1,477 lbs.</p>
+
+<p>The ammunition consists of cartridges containing charge and
+     projectile and having a total weight of 19 lbs. The powder
+     employed is of the smokeless kind, designated by the letters B.N.
+     The weight of the charge is 1-&frac34; lbs. The projectiles are of
+     three kinds&mdash;ordinary shells, shrapnel shells, and case shot. The
+     weight of each is the same, say 14-&frac14; lbs. The shrapnel shells
+     contain 234 balls, weighing 155.8 grains each, and an explosive
+     charge of 3.13 ozs.</p>
+
+<p>As the gun can be pointed at a maximum angle of 20°, and the
+     initial velocity is 1,837 feet, the projectiles can be fired to a
+     distance of 26,248 feet.</p>
+
+<p>The crew necessary to serve the gun consists of six men&mdash;a
+     gunner, a man to man&oelig;uvre the breech-piece, a man to
+     man&oelig;uvre the pointing lever, two men to pass the ammunition,
+     and a man to regulate the fuse. The rapidity of firing can easily
+     be raised to ten shots a minute.</p>
+
+<p>The accuracy of the gun is most remarkable. Upon the occasion of
+     the trials made when the guns were received, the following firing
+     was done: a regulating shot, a first volley of six <span class="pagenum"><a id="page110" name="page110"></a>(p. 110)</span>
+     shots in forty-two seconds, and a second volley of six shots in
+     forty-six seconds.</p>
+
+<p>The fore carriage of the gun and that of the caisson are
+     identical. They carry a chest containing thirty-six cartridges,
+     and are capable of accommodating four men.</p>
+
+<p>The back carriage of the caisson carries two chests like that of
+     the fore carriage.</p>
+
+<p>The total weight of the gun and fore carriage loaded is 3,790
+     lbs., and that of the caisson 4,330 lbs.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>On reading over this description of the French 3" Creusot gun, it
+seems to me that the kind of axle used with it is first class and
+should be used in our field carriages for quick-firing guns; it must
+certainly take the strain of recoil off the centre of the axle, which
+recoil we found cracked our axles as we used them (once in my own
+guns) so badly that the whole thing had to be shifted and replaced.
+Another advantage it has is to lower the whole gun and mounting, and
+the centre of gravity of the weight of it and carriage, and therefore
+the gun is much harder to upset on rocky ground or going up steep
+precipices, as we had to do in Natal. This detail of wheels and axle
+is, I think, the most important one almost in a field carriage. The
+axle I mention is one bent down in its centre for about two-thirds of
+its length.</p>
+
+<p>In regard to the ammunition. The cordite charges in their brass
+cylinders and zinc-lined boxes did admirably, and the amount of
+knocking about which the cases and boxes out here stand is marvellous.
+At one time early in the campaign before Colenso and Ladysmith, a
+decided variation in shooting of our guns was noticed, and was put
+down in many cases to the variation of the cordite itself, the brass
+cases sometimes lying out, in fact, in a powerful sun for hours, while
+the guns were waiting or in action, and often becoming then too hot to
+touch. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page111" name="page111"></a>(p. 111)</span> Now, however, I personally don't think that this
+theory was right but am of opinion that the variation then noticed,
+and even after in the shooting, was simply due to the varying recoil
+of guns on different slopes of ground and with indifferent drag-shoes.
+Royal Artillery officers confirm one in this opinion.</p>
+
+<p>As for the shells, both common and shrapnel, they stood the knocking
+about well, and I never saw or heard of a single common shell used
+with 12-pounders not exploding on striking, which speaks well for the
+base fuse. The shrapnel I am not quite so sure about; one noticed
+often a great deal of damp collected in the threads of the fuse plug
+and nose of the shell; owing, I presume, to condensation in their
+shell boxes under the change of heat and cold. Still they did very
+well and I think seldom failed to burst when set the right distance. I
+say the right distance because this at first was a slight puzzle to
+us, the subject of height in feet above the sea-level of course never
+having before presented itself to us as altering very considerably the
+setting of the time fuse; and I don't think that a table of correction
+for this exists in the Naval Service; at any rate, I have never seen
+one.</p>
+
+<p>To illustrate this, we found at Spion Kop (about 3,500 feet above the
+sea-level) that it was necessary to set the time fuse for any given
+range some 500 yards short to get the shell to burst at all before
+striking; and on the top of Van Wyk, fronting Botha's Pass (some 6,500
+feet above sea-level) I had to allow the fuse 800 to 900 yards short
+of the range, and similarly at Almond's Nek. This is, I take it, due
+to the projectile travelling further against a reduced air pressure at
+any height than it does for the same sighting of the gun at sea-level,
+for which of course all guns are sighted. I should like to talk to
+experts <span class="pagenum"><a id="page112" name="page112"></a>(p. 112)</span> regarding this as we are not quite sure about it up
+here.<a id="footnotetag6" name="footnotetag6"></a><a href="#footnote6" title="Go to footnote 6"><span class="smaller">[6]</span></a></p>
+
+<p>Of course this firing from a height gives one therefore some 1,000
+yards longer range with shrapnel, say at 6,000 feet up, which is a
+most important fact to remember in shore fighting, and was well
+illustrated by the Boer 6" gun at Pougwana Mount (7,000 feet) over
+Laing's Nek, killing several of our Infantry on Inkwelo (Mount
+Prospect) at 10,000 yards range; of course this was helped by the
+height they were up, as well as by their superior double-ringed time
+fuse which we have picked up on their shrapnel, and which gives them
+in shrapnel fire a great advantage over any of our guns, which have
+not got these fuses at present. It is interesting to note that many
+4.7 lyddite shells were picked up, or rather dug up, by our own men
+and others, quite intact&mdash;this, of course, was always in soft ground,
+noticeably near the river (Tugela), and shows that the "direct action
+fuse" should have been screwed into the nose of the shell, instead of
+the "delay action fuse" that it had in it for use against thin plates
+of ships.</p>
+
+<p>Before leaving this subject of the gun and its fittings (12-pounder),
+I again wish to emphasise the fact of how important is the question of
+recoil. At one time, in front of Brakfontein with the 8-gun 12-pounder
+battery, we all dug trail pits and blocked the trails completely up in
+rear to prevent the guns recoiling at all on the carriage. This most
+certainly gave a gun thus blocked up over one allowed to recoil on the
+level an advantage of several <span class="pagenum"><a id="page113" name="page113"></a>(p. 113)</span> hundred yards at an ordinary
+range of say 6,000 yards; but of course it threw on our weak makeshift
+wooden trails an undue strain, and after a couple had been smashed had
+to be given up. Still, although I would never advocate doing this to
+any field gun (<span class="italic">i.e.</span>, bringing a gun up short as it shakes the
+mounting too much) the fact remains that the range or shooting power
+of the gun may be varied with the recoil in a great degree, and that
+therefore what I mention about a system to check recoil uniformly and
+with certainty seems to me to be an important one with our Naval field
+guns. This fact of increased range, got by blocking up a gun, is
+useful to remember in many cases, especially in this war when the
+Boers had the pull of our guns at first, and when it might have been
+worth while just temporarily disabling one gun, and to get one shot
+into them and so frighten them off.</p>
+
+<p>The newspaper controversy, very hot at one time, as to whether the
+Boer guns were better or not than ours, and the ridiculous statements
+one both read and heard from persons who knew little about the matter,
+were rather amusing and perhaps a little annoying. I unhesitatingly
+state that on all occasions the British Naval guns inch for inch
+outranged and outshot the Boer guns; and that the 4.7 Q.-F. even
+outranged, by some 2,000 yards, the Boer 6" Creusot. This I saw amply
+proved, at least to my own satisfaction, at Vaal Krantz, when the Boer
+6" gun on about the same level as our 4.7 was, on Signal Hill, vainly
+tried to reach it and couldn't, whilst our gun was all the time giving
+them an awful hammering and blew up their magazine.</p>
+
+<p>In one way, and one only, the Boer guns had the advantage over us in
+shooting, that is, with their shrapnel shell, many of which were
+fitted with a special long range time fuse (double-ringed); here they
+certainly overshot us, but <span class="pagenum"><a id="page114" name="page114"></a>(p. 114)</span> failed to make much use of the
+advantage, as they invariably burst their shrapnel, through incorrect
+setting of fuse, either too high up in the air to hurt much or else on
+striking the ground. Another great advantage the Boer guns as a rule
+possessed was the heights at which they were placed, generally firing
+down upon our guns and troops. Notwithstanding all this, I say again,
+that their guns inch for inch were not in the hunt with ours as
+regards shooting power, nor was this likely or possible seeing the
+great length of the Naval Q.-F. gun and its much heavier charge.</p>
+
+<p>It must be remembered that Naval guns are solely designed and built
+for use at sea, or in forts, or against armour; and so to get the
+necessary muzzle energy, velocity, and penetration, a long gun is
+required; whereas the Boer gun was essentially a field or heavy land
+service gun. Their guns up to the 6" being on proper field mountings,
+and much lighter, shorter in the barrel, and consequently more mobile
+than ours, while firing a lighter charge; and perhaps in this way only
+it could be said that they were certainly better and handier than our
+guns. On the march and trekking up mountains this must have helped
+them a good deal, and from photos which I saw after the Boers had been
+driven out of Natal I should certainly say that their heavy guns on
+the march must have been much easier to move than ours.</p>
+
+<p>To give an idea of the difference in weight between the heavier guns I
+may quote the following figures; that of the Boer guns I take as I
+read of them in Military Intelligence books:</p>
+
+<table  border="0" cellpadding="3" summary="Weight of guns.">
+<colgroup>
+    <col width="40%">
+    <col width="18%">
+    <col width="2%">
+    <col width="40%">
+</colgroup>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="2" class="center"><span class="italic">Weight.</span></td>
+<td colspan="2" class="center"><span class="italic">Weight.</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>British Naval 6" Q.-F. gun (wire)</td>
+<td>7 tons 8 cwt.</td>
+<td rowspan="2" class="bdr-right">&nbsp;</td>
+<td rowspan="2">Boer 6" Creusot gun, 2 tons 10 cwt.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td>British Naval 4.7 Q.-F. wire gun</td>
+<td>2 tons 2 cwt.</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page115" name="page115"></a>(p. 115)</span> From these weights it may be at once noticed that inch for
+inch there is no comparison between the Boer and British heavy gun as
+regards range and power of gun itself, consequent on our heavier
+charges. Taking their 3-&frac12;" Creusot Q.-F. guns (15 lbs.) and
+comparing them with our Elswick Naval 12-pounders I should say that
+there is little to choose between them, they having the advantage only
+in their long range fuses for shrapnel shell, which fuses should be
+issued to ours as soon as possible. One always heard these small
+French Q.-F. guns alluded to with great awe as the "high velocity" gun
+of the enemy, but I doubt much if they have one foot per second more
+mean velocity at ordinary ranges than our Naval 12-pounder, although
+perhaps they may have more at the muzzle, which is of little account.</p>
+
+<p>To illustrate what small use the Boer gunner made of his advantage
+over us in long range shrapnel, I should say that it was generally
+noticed by all in the Natal Field Force how very high up they burst
+their shell as a rule, and so doing much less damage than they might
+have done; as Tommy described it, the bullets often came down like a
+gentle shower of rain and could be caught in the hand and pocketed.
+This of course, I should say, was the result of faulty setting of
+their time fuse; probably they did not apply the necessary correction
+for height above sea-level and so the shell either burst at too high a
+period of its flight, or else on striking did little damage to us. The
+front face of this kopje from where I am now writing (Grass Kop at
+Sandspruit, and 6,000 feet high) is full of holes made by Boer
+shrapnel shell, burst after striking in the hole dug by the shell
+itself and leaving all their bullets and pieces buried in these holes.
+There was no damage done by their heavy shrapnel fire at all when the
+Dorsets took the hill, and solely because of this <span class="pagenum"><a id="page116" name="page116"></a>(p. 116)</span> faulty
+setting of the time fuse. We have dug up many of these shells here,
+and bullets simply strew the ground.</p>
+
+<p>The 12-pounder gun limber, especially made by our Ordnance people from
+a design supplied by Lieutenant James, R.N., when at Maritzburg in
+November, was afterwards supplied to all the guns, and none too soon;
+but we did not get them till Ladysmith was relieved and they were
+badly wanted all the time. These limbers were very well made and very
+excellent, fitted to carry forty rounds complete of 12-pounder Q.-F.
+ammunition which was invariably found by us as sufficient, as a first
+or ready supply, giving eighty rounds to a pair of guns. More could,
+however, have been carried if necessary, up to sixty rounds complete
+on each limber; these limbers were strong, with very good wheels and
+broad tyres (a great contrast to the wretched little gun wheels we had
+to get along with at one time) and on them there was room also for
+gun's crew's great-coats, leather gear, gun telescopes, and other
+impedimenta, which was most convenient.</p>
+
+<p>One fault in them, I think, might be corrected if again required;
+<span class="italic">i.e.</span>, the platform or floor of the limber instead of being built
+only on the forepart of the axle should extend also behind or on rear
+side of the axle; by this means the Q.-F. boxes of ammunition may be
+distributed to balance the weight equally on each side of the axle,
+and so bring the least weight possible on the necks of the oxen or
+other draught animals drawing the limber and gun along. This, in a
+hilly country, is important.</p>
+
+<p>I would here note that when on the march with guns under any
+conditions, one's men should always be allowed to march light,
+slinging their rifles on the gun muzzles and putting leather gear with
+S.A. ammunition, water bottles and days' provisions handy on top of
+the limbers. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page117" name="page117"></a>(p. 117)</span> The carrying of any of these things only
+exhausts the men for no object, and when one remembers what heavy work
+they may have to do on the march at any moment&mdash;bringing guns into
+action, rapid firing and running out the guns, digging pits and
+trenches, off-loading and loading the Q.-F. ammunition, and keeping up
+a supply which in South Africa at any rate may be at the bottom of a
+steep kopje with the gun at the top&mdash;one recognises the great
+advantage gained in giving the men as much latitude as possible, and
+bringing them into action after a march comparatively fresh. For these
+reasons I would advocate that a gun limber should be made for any
+service gun, with the object of allowing a certain amount of extra
+room for the gun's crew's gear and stores.</p>
+
+<p>In respect to range finding, the mekometer (range finder) as supplied
+to the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Artillery and also to every
+company in a regiment (and which therefore was easy to borrow during
+the campaign), proved most useful to us in getting ranges roughly. To
+get a range over 5,000 yards one has to use the double base with this
+instrument, and ranges may then be found up to 10,000 yards, and, with
+practised observers, fairly correctly. At any rate it is most useful
+to have something to start on when you get up into position. This
+instrument is extremely small and portable and should be supplied to
+Naval field batteries, and also a certain proportion to the rifle
+companies for land service; it may be carried slung like a small Kodak
+camera on one's back. Of course ranges can be very quickly found by
+shooting one or two shots to find them out, and this was done by our
+guns a good deal, and necessarily so when in action when one has no
+time to waste and the objects are moving ones; but I strongly advise
+anyone who gets his guns into a position where he is likely to stop,
+such as in defence of a camp, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page118" name="page118"></a>(p. 118)</span> or on top of a kopje defending
+a railway line, or in position to bombard an enemy's fixed trenches
+and lines, at once to find his ranges roughly all round to prominent
+objects by the mekometer, as it gives one added confidence and is
+invaluable when shooting over the heads of one's own men to cover
+their attack, which is often a ticklish job and to be successful must
+be continued up to the very last moment it can be, with safety.</p>
+
+<p>This instrument, the mekometer, together with the clinometer, for
+setting the gun for elevation independent of the sight arc, and an
+ordinary spirit-level to place on gun trail to tell which way the
+wheels or carriage of the gun are inclined on uneven ground (so
+altering the deflection scale), might in my opinion be supplied to
+every Naval field battery, heavy or light.<a id="footnotetag7" name="footnotetag7"></a><a href="#footnote7" title="Go to footnote 7"><span class="smaller">[7]</span></a></p>
+
+<p>I may mention that the 4.7's and 6" Q.-F. were often fired at
+elevations which did not even come on the graduated elevation arc, and
+so the clinometer had to be borrowed from the military and used to lay
+the guns; it is most useful.</p>
+
+<p>For night firing on shore, as practised by us at Colenso and Spion
+Kop, guns are laid for required distant object just before dusk. The
+position of the wheels is accurately marked by pegs and lines, and
+when the gun is laid the sight is lowered to some white object placed
+fifty yards <span class="pagenum"><a id="page119" name="page119"></a>(p. 119)</span> in front of gun, on which when dark a lantern
+may be placed; the elevation is read off either on arc of sight or by
+clinometer placed on the gun. To keep on firing at this distant object
+when dark, the gun is run out to same wheel marks every time and laid
+for same direction by the lantern on the near object, and elevation by
+clinometer. The C.O.'s of regiments always most kindly put their
+mekometer and trained observers at our disposal on escorting us up to
+a position.</p>
+
+<p>A plane table survey, using a mekometer to measure one's base, is
+pretty easily made to get position of kopjes, trenches, well-defined
+gun emplacements and their ranges, roughly, but it wants a certain
+amount of time to do it.</p>
+
+<p>As to the emplacing of a 12-pounder or other Q.-F. gun for attack or
+defence, all hard and fast rules may, in my opinion, be at once
+dismissed, the matter entirely depending on the nature of the ground
+occupied and the direction and extent of fire required. Still I submit
+the following points as being useful to remember:&mdash;</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li class="list">(1.) Carefully select the ground. If on a ridge, hill, or kopje,
+     the emplacement must be over the sky-line either on one slope or
+     the other; take a place where Nature helps you, if possible
+     screened by trees, free of rocks, and with soft ground, dongas,
+     or water round it, so that the enemy's shells will bury
+     themselves and not burst on striking. Of course in South Africa,
+     except on the flat, this could hardly ever be done.</li>
+
+<li class="list">(2.) The best form of emplacement is a gun pit about 1 foot 6
+     inches deep, according to our experience in Natal, the earth or
+     rock taken out forming a circular parapet 3 feet 6 inches high,
+     and as bulky or thick as ever you like on the front face, the
+     floor of the pit being levelled <span class="pagenum"><a id="page120" name="page120"></a>(p. 120)</span> and a gradual slope
+     made out of it for guns to be moved easily in and out of the pit.
+     The size of the pit should be just enough to allow the gun trail
+     to move round on any arc of training when the gun muzzle is run
+     out over the front face or parapet, and to allow three feet more
+     over and above this for the recoil of the gun in the drag-shoes,
+     so as not to fetch the trail up sharp on recoiling.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p>A narrow ditch may be dug all round the inside of the parapet to allow
+the crew to get into it for additional cover, and the ammunition boxes
+may either be placed in this ditch or a magazine dug and sandbagged
+over when plenty of time is available. A couple of drainage holes may
+be required in heavy rains to empty the pits on each side. The
+circular parapet can be built up any thickness, as just said; it
+should then be sandbagged over till the required height. If in grassy
+ground, instead of sandbags put large sods of grass to hide the
+emplacement and to keep the dust from flying, as sandbags are
+conspicuous. If neither grass nor sandbags are available, make your
+Kaffirs or camp followers cow-dung the surface of your parapet
+instead; this dries, and all dust under muzzle on firing is avoided. I
+constantly tried this plan and found it very effective.</p>
+
+<p>Of all points this avoidance of dust is the most important, as, unless
+prevented, it rises in a cloud under the muzzle of the gun at every
+shot. At long ranges, used by the Boers and ourselves, it was almost
+impossible to locate a gun firing cordite or other smokeless powder
+except by this cloud dust. So avoid it at all costs. Make the colour
+of your emplacement as much like that of the surrounding ground as
+possible, including your sandbags, if used.</p>
+
+<a id="img016" name="img016"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img016.jpg" width="500" height="308" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">Naval 12-pounder emplaced.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a id="img017" name="img017"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img017.jpg" width="500" height="329" alt="" title="">
+<p class="smcap">Boer Gun positions at Colenso.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page121" name="page121"></a>(p. 121)</span> APPENDIX 1</h3>
+
+<p class="chapter">HINTS ON EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.</p>
+
+
+<p>As a few hints in regard to an officer's kit for active service may
+not be unacceptable to some, I offer a few observations on the subject
+so far as I am able to speak from my own experiences.</p>
+
+<p>Good telescopes are most important articles to have in any land
+company of soldiers or sailors; they were especially useful in South
+Africa. The Naval Service long-telescope with its big field is very
+good and powerful in any light where there is no haze (at or before
+sunrise or when the sun is low for instance), but when the sun is well
+up it becomes of little use; and then comes the turn of the smaller
+telescope as used by all Naval officers on board ship. This is a
+particularly useful glass, and I myself felt quite lost, late in the
+campaign, when I unfortunately dropped the top of mine when riding. As
+to binoculars, we found the Zeiss or Ross's very excellent, and all
+military officers seemed to use them; but, in my humble opinion, they
+are not to be compared with a good small telescope.</p>
+
+<p>At the start of the campaign the want of good telescopes among the
+military was most marked, and ours were <span class="pagenum"><a id="page122" name="page122"></a>(p. 122)</span> generally in great
+request. Many military officers with whom I have talked on the subject
+agree with me in thinking that a certain proportion of small
+telescopes should be supplied, say two for every company in a
+regiment, for the use of those on outpost and look-out duties. It is
+astonishing to see the added interest which any man placed on these
+duties shows when he can really make out for himself advancing objects
+and enemy's positions without being entirely dependent on their
+officers to tell them. A good glass will render reports from these men
+reliable and valuable, instead of, as they often are, mere guesswork.
+At Grass Kop, where we had one Volunteer Company all armed with
+binoculars which were presented to them on leaving England (with the
+South Lancashires), the hill was always lined with look-out men on
+their own account; so interested were they in the matter.</p>
+
+<p>Our water supply, as at first run, with one water-cart to the whole
+Naval Brigade, was inadequate; but later on each unit with guns got,
+as they should have, their own water-cart, or else made them with a
+cask fixed upon axle wheels, which we were obliged to do for a long
+time. Transport for these was either mule or ox; the former, quickest
+and best. A field filter for each unit should be supplied if
+possible.<a id="footnotetag8" name="footnotetag8"></a><a href="#footnote8" title="Go to footnote 8"><span class="smaller">[8]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page123" name="page123"></a>(p. 123)</span> A few remarks may not here be out of place as to the best
+fighting kit to have ready for an officer who wishes to be
+comfortable, and also perhaps at certain times smart, when stationary
+in a standing camp for some time or on lines of communication.
+Needless to say that when actually marching or fighting one wears
+anything and everything that first comes to hand. Khaki has certainly
+done us very well; twill at first during the heat, and serge or cord
+later on when the cold came on; but it is well to avoid khaki twill in
+cold weather as it becomes clammy and uncomfortable. Personally I
+should say that a serge or cord, thin for heat and thick for cold
+weather, is much the best for general wear.</p>
+
+<p>I started the campaign with two pairs of khaki twill riding breeches
+and two serge tunics (thin); these supplemented by a thick pair of
+khaki riding cord breeches that I got made at Durban when the cold
+came on, lasted me well through the campaign. For camp wear one can
+always use the ordinary twill or serge trousers, as served out from
+time to time by the Ordnance to all hands if required. On one's legs
+one should wear ordinary brown leather or canvas riding gaiters, only
+<span class="italic">not</span> the Naval Service gaiters, as they are of no use for hard work
+or much riding. Many of us wore putties, and the men all did, but I
+don't like them myself as they are too hot in hot weather and make
+one's legs sore in cold.</p>
+
+<p>Riding breeches should be strapped inside the knee and doubled, and
+perhaps to lace up at the knee would be <span class="pagenum"><a id="page124" name="page124"></a>(p. 124)</span> more comfortable
+than buttoning. Here I should mention that all the Naval officers
+commanding guns were mounted, and eventually all got mounts in some
+way; so riding plays a great part and is absolutely necessary if one
+wishes to be useful.</p>
+
+<p>I also had two pairs of strong brown boots (an emphasis on the brown),
+they are far the best; and the soles should be protected with small
+nails carefully put in so as not to hurt one's feet. A pair of
+rubber-soled shoes for scouting, sporting, or camp work, and a pair of
+warm slippers to sleep in are indispensable. Long rubber or sea-boots,
+on account of their weight and bulk, are a nuisance. When it rained in
+South Africa it so quickly dried up that we found rubber shoes quite
+good enough for everything.</p>
+
+<p>It is useful to take three flannel shirts, and under-clothing in
+proportion; cholera belts also become necessary to most of us I am
+afraid, and are very important; it is also advisable to have plenty of
+socks and to change them frequently. Light silk neck-scarves are most
+useful and prevent sunburnt necks; and in the cold and bitter winds we
+experienced, and when sleeping in the open at night with heavy frosts,
+Balaclavas, woollen comforters, Tam-o'-shanters, and Jaeger gloves are
+highly desirable. Thanks to our kind friends at home we were loaded
+with these articles during the campaign and found them invaluable.</p>
+
+<p>In the hat line our bluejackets' straw hats, smartly covered with
+khaki twill and with cap ribbon, did very well for the sun and are
+nice and shady; they also last a long time when covered well, or even
+when painted khaki colour which stiffens and preserves them. I found
+my helmet also useful till I lost it. It is as well to take one
+Service cap with khaki covers, and a squash hat of gray <span class="pagenum"><a id="page125" name="page125"></a>(p. 125)</span> or
+khaki; these latter are most comfortable and everybody wore them in
+camp; but I found that they don't keep out the sun enough during the
+day, they stow very close however, and can always be worn if one loses
+or smashes one's other hats.</p>
+
+<p>As to bedclothes, this is a most important matter in the freezing
+cold. I advise a Wolseley valise to be got at the Army and Navy
+Stores, with mattress and pillow and Jaeger bag inside; one should
+have over one at night the two Service blankets allowed, and one's
+great-coat. Unless one sleeps on a stretcher, which can't be always
+got, it is well to cut long grass and put it under the valise in the
+cold weather, as it makes a wonderful difference on the frozen ground
+and gives one a good night as a rule.</p>
+
+<p>If there are means of transport, it is as well to carry a Wolseley kit
+bag to hold one's clothes and boots, etc. I think that every officer
+in this war had these two things, the kit bag and valise, although of
+course a great deal may be rolled up and carried in the valise only
+and the bag left behind if it comes to a pinch.</p>
+
+<p>The following articles are most useful to carry always, viz.:&mdash;Service
+telescope, and also binoculars as well if one can afford it (Zeiss or
+Ross's); a knife with all implements (especially corkscrew); a light
+tin cylinder to hold charts, plans, intelligence maps, and private
+maps or sketches; also writing materials, diary and order books, can
+be carried in a flat waterproof sponge bag case. As luxuries which can
+be done without:&mdash;A collapsible india-rubber bath basin and waterproof
+sheet, very compact as got at the Army and Navy Stores; a small
+mincing machine (the only means of digesting a trek ox), and sparklet
+bottle and sparklets are very handy. Such other luxuries as cigars,
+cigarettes, pipes, etc., can always be stowed in <span class="pagenum"><a id="page126" name="page126"></a>(p. 126)</span> some corner
+of the valise or bag. Carry brown leather polish, dubbing, and laces.</p>
+
+<p>Leather gear as carried on one's back should be a "Sam Brown Belt" of
+the single cross strap kind, in preference to the Naval Service gear.
+On this one can carry one's revolver, water-bottle, and haversack,
+which with glasses slung over all and separately, complete all one
+requires as a gunner. Swords were not carried during this war by
+officers, as in cases where the rifle was substituted, they only
+proved an incumbrance. A stick for the marching officer, like "Chinese
+Gordon" had, cannot be beaten.</p>
+
+<p>A hint as to food before we part. Don't go on the principle "because I
+am campaigning I must resign myself to feed badly on what I can pick
+up and on what my stomach is entirely unaccustomed to." There was
+never a greater mistake. On the contrary, feed yourself and those
+under you on the best, sparing no expense, and when you can get wine
+instead of muddy water, drink it to keep you going and your blood in
+good order. Do yourself as well as you can, is my advice and
+experience, after perhaps rather thinking and going the other way at
+first. It simply means that when others run down and go sick with
+dysentery, fever and other ills, you are still going strong and fit
+for work. Naturally advice on this point is entirely dependent on
+means of transport; but when this exists, as it did with the Naval
+Brigade who had ammunition wagons, a hundred pounds weight or so makes
+little difference to them if not already overloaded. Take the best
+advantage, therefore, of it that you can within reason, and up to a
+certain extent, there being of course always a limit to all good
+things.</p>
+
+<p>Tents are a great and important feature in any long campaign. I don't
+hesitate to say that the single canvas <span class="pagenum"><a id="page127" name="page127"></a>(p. 127)</span> bell tent as supplied
+to the British Forces, should be at once converted into double canvas
+tents. In the many long sweltering days when the Natal Field Force
+before Colenso, and later at Elandslaagte, were forced to lie doing
+nothing, the heat of the sun coming through the tent was very bad; one
+was always obliged to wear a helmet inside one's tent; and I think in
+the men's tents (ours with, say, ten in them, and the military who
+had, I am told, up to fifteen in one tent) the state of things was
+abominably unhealthy under the blazing South African sun, and I am
+persuaded that half the sickness among the forces was due to this
+insufficient protection from the sun. The double canvas bell tent with
+air space in between the two parts does very well, in both keeping
+heat and cold off. The Indian tents, of khaki canvas, double and
+generally square-shaped, are much the best ones we saw on the Natal
+side and should be used generally in the Army; the extra expense would
+be saved in the end by prevention of fever and sunstroke.</p>
+
+<p>My own experience (when I and three other officers lay in a field
+hospital outside Ladysmith just after the relief, in a single bell
+tent, and saw Tommies all around us crowded into these tents with
+fever and dysentery, whereby all our cases, I am sure, were made much
+worse by the torturing sun which poured in all day on our heads),
+makes me very glad that the "Hospital Commission" is now sitting, and
+I sincerely hope that such absurd mistakes will be noticed and
+corrected by them for the good of the whole British Forces.</p>
+
+<p>Regarding the Mauser rifle, as compared with the Lee-Metford, I
+personally have little experience, but I can only say that the Mauser
+to hold and carry is much the better balanced of the two, and that the
+fine sighting is superior. Also some military officers seem to say it
+is <span class="pagenum"><a id="page128" name="page128"></a>(p. 128)</span> a better shooter at long ranges, and its magazine action
+is far quicker and superior.<a id="footnotetag9" name="footnotetag9"></a><a href="#footnote9" title="Go to footnote 9"><span class="smaller">[9]</span></a> Revolvers, as far as I know, have had
+no test at all in this war. The cavalry carbine, I believe, is
+universally condemned by all cavalry officers out here, and is doomed
+to go I hope, being, if used against foes with modern weapons, only
+waste lumber.</p>
+
+<p>I believe that I am right in saying that pouches for carrying the
+rifle ammunition are universally condemned in favour of a bandolier,
+with flaps over every ten cartridges or so. In our Naval bandoliers
+the want of these flaps was especially noticeable, and the wastage of
+ammunition dropped out was, I am sure, excessive, besides leaving
+loose ammunition lying about for Boer or Kaffir to pick up, as they
+are reported to be doing. The web bandolier is lighter than the
+leather, and better, so I recommend it, if fitted with flaps, to the
+notice of the Naval authorities.</p>
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page129" name="page129"></a>(p. 129)</span> APPENDIX II</h3>
+
+<p class="chapter">EXTRACTS FROM SOME OF THE DESPATCHES, REPORTS, AND TELEGRAMS,
+REGARDING OPERATIONS MENTIONED IN THIS JOURNAL</p>
+
+
+<p class="center smaller">[<span class="italic">London Gazette</span>, January 26th, 1900.]</p>
+
+<p class="center italic">From General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., G.C.B.</p>
+
+<p><span class="left50">Chieveley Camp,</span><br>
+[<span class="italic">Extract.</span>]<span class="left50 italic">December 17th, 1899.</span></p>
+
+<p>I enclose a reconnaissance sketch of the Colenso position. All visible
+defences had been shelled by eight naval guns on the 13th and 14th.
+During all this time and throughout the day, the two 4.7 and four
+12-pounder Naval guns of the Naval Brigade and Durban Naval
+Volunteers, under Captain E. P. Jones, R.N., were being admirably
+served, and succeeded in silencing every one of the enemy's guns they
+could locate.</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center smaller">[<span class="italic">London Gazette</span>, March 30th, 1900.]</p>
+
+<p class="center italic">From Captain E. P. Jones, R.N., Commanding Naval Brigade.</p>
+
+
+<p><span class="left50">Chieveley Camp,</span><br>
+[<span class="italic">Extract.</span>]<span class="left50 italic">December 16th, 1899.</span></p>
+
+<p>The whole force under Sir Redvers Buller advanced at 4 a.m. yesterday,
+intending to take the positions of the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page130" name="page130"></a>(p. 130)</span> enemy on the other
+side of the Tugela. The Brigade under my command was disposed as
+follows:&mdash;Two 4.7 guns and four 12-pounders which were on the outpost
+line in a position 10,000 yards from the main works of the enemy, from
+which place we had been shelling them on the previous day, advanced to
+a small rise about 5,000 yards from the entrenched hills across the
+Tugela. Six 12-pounders under Lieutenant Ogilvy with Lieutenant James
+of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span> and Lieutenant Deas of <span class="italic">Philomel</span> were attached to
+the Field Artillery under Colonel Long. Two 12-pounders under
+Lieutenant Burne held the kopje from which we advanced.</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center smaller">[<span class="italic">London Gazette</span>, March 12th, 1901.]</p>
+
+<p class="center italic">From Captain Jones, R.N., Commanding Naval Brigade, Natal.</p>
+
+<p><span class="left50">Naval Camp, Spearmans Hill,</span><br>
+[<span class="italic">Extract.</span>]<span class="left50 italic">February 8th, 1900.</span></p>
+
+<p>As to Vaal Krantz, the Naval guns were disposed as follows: ... Two
+12-pounders with Lieutenant Burne on the plateau between this hill and
+the river. At daylight on the 6th, Lieutenant Burne's two guns were
+moved to a position at the east of Zwartz Kop.</p>
+
+<p>February 18th, 1900. Lieutenant Burne with two 12-pounder guns was
+left with General Warren at Spearmans and marched on the 10th to
+Springfield Bridge where he remains under Colonel Burn-Murdoch.</p>
+
+<p>From General Sir R. Buller to Admiral Sir R. Harris, March 5th, 1900.
+"I much appreciate your congratulations. I can hardly tell you how
+much of our successes are due to the Navy: their gunnery was
+admirable."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page131" name="page131"></a>(p. 131)</span> Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N., February 16th, 1900,
+enclosed in letter of March 28th, 1900, from the Commander-in-Chief,
+Cape of Good Hope Station.</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center italic">Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N.</p>
+
+<p class="left50">Springfield Camp,<br>
+  <span class="add3em italic">February 16th, 1900.</span></p>
+
+<p>I have the honour to report as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Since being detached from Lieutenant Ogilvy's command I moved back
+across the Tugela river from the advanced kopjes on February 1st. On
+Sunday, February 4th, I learnt that I was attached to Sir Charles
+Warren's Division, and received my orders from him personally on that
+day on Gun Plateau, regarding the next day's operations; I also
+interviewed yourself on that day in reply to signal received. On
+Monday, 5th, my guns were shelling the enemy incessantly all day in
+conjunction with the feint on the left, and in reply to a Boer 3"
+Creusot and two Maxim Vickers 1-&frac14; lbs. I received many directions
+from both General Warren and General Talbot-Coke, as to points they
+wished shelled, and at the end of the day had expended 250 common and
+shrapnel shell. At 8 p.m. I received orders from General Warren to
+march at daybreak on Tuesday, and join the Commander-in-Chief at the
+fort of Zwartz Kop; this I did, and though delayed on the hill by
+wagons and by the 7th Battery R.F.A. coming up, and later, by streams
+of ambulance in the narrow road close to Zwartz Kop, I arrived and
+reported my guns to General Buller about 8 a.m., at the foot of the
+kopje. He told me to bring my guns into action, and help to silence
+the Boer 6" Creusot, and, if possible, the 3" Creusot, which were
+firing from Spion Kop (position 2) at our field batteries.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page132" name="page132"></a>(p. 132)</span> As I came into action, and was aiming my right gun at the
+Boer 6", a shell from it struck twenty yards in front, and covering us
+with dirt, jumped over our heads without exploding; the shell was
+plainly visible in the air to me on coming down, and I saw it strike
+on its side and the fuse break off. The shell was picked up intact at
+my wagons which were just coming up, by Edward House, A.B., and we
+have it now. I concentrated my fire on the 6" gun at 6,400 yards, and
+in an hour it was silenced for the rest of the day; this, of course,
+was effected in conjunction with the fire from the 5" guns just in
+front of me, and from one 4.7 on Signal Hill.</p>
+
+<p>During the day my guns also drove back at least two Boer field guns at
+6,500 yards, which had been brought down into Vaal Krantz, and which
+tried to find our range but just fell short; they shifted position,
+but were finally driven over the sky-line. There was also a 1-&frac14; lb.
+Pom-pom in a donga in the valley, which we silenced many times, and at
+the end of the day had fired some 230 rounds.</p>
+
+<p>On Wednesday, February 7th, we commenced again at daylight; the 6"
+opened a heavy fire on one pontoon (No. 3), and on the field batteries
+in front of us, which had been pushed forward there before daybreak.
+My fire was directed solely at the big gun; my No. 2 standing by and
+firing directly he saw it appear. During the day my ammunition supply
+was kept up by direct communication by orderly with the column under
+Major Findlay. In the forenoon the Boer field guns were brought down
+again in the valley, and shelled the pontoon, Krantz Kop, and us; they
+were driven off in an hour or so, but recommenced again later.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon, more field guns and Pom-poms on the burnt kopjes to
+the left of us opened a heavy fire on <span class="pagenum"><a id="page133" name="page133"></a>(p. 133)</span> Krantz Kop, but were
+driven off by our guns, the howitzer battery (100 yards in our rear),
+and by the Naval guns on Zwartz Kop.</p>
+
+<p>About 5 p.m. the fire from the Boer 100-pounder was very heavy, and
+came all round us, the Staff, and Infantry in reserve, and twice my
+crews only escaped by lying down. Just at that moment I got the order
+from Colonel Parsons, R.A., to withdraw my guns by moonlight, and
+cover our retirement on Gun Plateau. This was done, but the steep hill
+being jammed with traffic, I did not get up to my old position on Gun
+Plateau till next morning, when I reported to General Warren.</p>
+
+<p>Between February 8th and 9th, I assisted to cover the retirement of
+our troops over the Tugela, and on the 9th was withdrawn at 11 a.m.,
+and arrived at Springfield Bridge at 3 p.m.</p>
+
+<p>On February 10th, by order of Colonel Burn-Murdoch (1st Dragoons) and
+the Camp Commandant, I placed my guns in the entrenched camp half a
+mile beyond the bridge, and up to 14th was employed in making gun
+epaulements and pits, and finding the ranges.</p>
+
+<p>On February 13th, the Boers appearing in force on the kopjes to our
+left at 9,000 yards, I rode out with Colonel Burn-Murdoch and other
+Commanding Officers, to reconnoitre, and find gun positions. They
+sniped at us at 1,600 to 2,000 yards, and at the advanced Cavalry
+pickets all night, but next morning, the 14th, after "A" Battery Royal
+Horse Artillery and my guns had been pushed forward, they were found
+to have retreated altogether, and we surmised them to be a commando of
+Free State Boers returning to the Free State.</p>
+
+<p>To-day, the 16th, we received news of General French's relief of
+Kimberley. All quiet in this neighbourhood.</p>
+
+<p>At present I have 500 rounds of ammunition with me, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page134" name="page134"></a>(p. 134)</span> and 300,
+in reserve, in charge of the officer of the ammunition column here.</p>
+
+<p>I will conclude by saying that I have nothing but praise for the
+conduct and hard work performed by my men during the last ten days,
+especially when under fire; their spirit is now excellent. I should
+specially mention my captains of guns, T. Mitchell, 1st class P.O.,
+and J. Mullis, 1st class P.O., for their hard work, the latter the
+best and quickest shot of the two. I must recommend E. A. Harvey,
+P.O., 2nd class, and leading shipwright, as rendering me most useful
+and clever work on the gun mountings, etc., and for further designs.
+Of the rest P. Treherne, A.B.; D. Shepherd, A.B., S.G.T.; Henry House,
+A.B.; W. Jones, A.B., S.G.T.; Fred Tuck, O.S.; C. Patton, signalman;
+and W. Dunetal, stoker, deserve special mention. Mr. White,
+midshipman, has rendered me useful assistance. Mr. Freeman, conductor,
+has done very well; and the white drivers, McPheeson and Blewitt,
+excellently. I find the gun teams of eight oxen under the two latter
+are very useful.</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center smaller">[<span class="italic">The Times</span>, Thursday, March 1st, 1900.]</p>
+
+<p>The following despatch from General Buller has been received at the
+War Office:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="left50">Headquarters, Hlangwane Plain,<br>
+  <span class="add3em italic">February 28th</span>, 8.5 a.m.</p>
+
+<p>Finding that the passage of Langewachte Spruit was commanded by strong
+entrenchments, I reconnoitred for another passage of the Tugela. One
+was found for me below the cataract by Colonel Sandbach, Royal
+Engineers.</p>
+
+<p>On the 25th we commenced making an approach to it, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page135" name="page135"></a>(p. 135)</span> and on
+the 26th, finding that I could make a practicable approach, I crossed
+guns and baggage back to the south side of the Tugela, took up the
+pontoon bridge on the night of the 26th, and relaid it at the new
+site, which is just below the point marked "cataract."</p>
+
+<p>During all the time the troops had been scattered, crouching under
+hastily-constructed small stone shelters, and exposed to a galling
+shell and rifle fire, and throughout maintained the most excellent
+spirit.</p>
+
+<p>On the 27th General Barton, with two Battalions 6th Brigade and the
+Royal Dublin Fusiliers, crept about one and a half miles down the
+banks of river, and, ascending an almost precipitous cliff of about
+500 feet, assaulted and carried the top of Pieters Hill.</p>
+
+<p>This hill to a certain extent turned the enemy's left, and the 4th
+Brigade, under Colonel Norcott, and the 11th Brigade, under Colonel
+Kitchener, the whole under General Warren, assailed the enemy's main
+position, which was magnificently carried by the South Lancashire
+Regiment about sunset.</p>
+
+<p>We took about sixty prisoners and scattered the enemy in all
+directions.</p>
+
+<p>There seems to be still a considerable body of them left on and under
+Bulwana Mountain.</p>
+
+<p>Our losses, I hope, are not large. They certainly are much less than
+they would have been were it not for the admirable manner in which the
+artillery was served, especially the guns manned by the Royal Navy and
+the Natal Naval Volunteers.</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center smaller"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page136" name="page136"></a>(p. 136)</span> [<span class="italic">The Times</span>, Thursday, March 8th, 1900.]</p>
+
+<p class="center italic">From our Special Correspondent.</p>
+
+<p class="left50">Ladysmith,<br>
+<span class="add3em italic">March 5th.</span></p>
+
+<p>The following special Army Order has been issued:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The relief of Ladysmith unites two forces which have striven with
+conspicuous gallantry and splendid determination to maintain the
+honour of their Queen and country. The garrison of Ladysmith for four
+months held the position against every attack with complete success
+and endured its privations with admirable fortitude. The relieving
+force had to make its way through unknown country, across unfordable
+rivers, and over almost inaccessible heights in the face of a
+fully-prepared, well-armed tenacious enemy. By the exhibition of the
+truest courage, which burns steadily besides flashing brilliantly, it
+accomplished its object, and added a glorious page to our history.
+Sailors, soldiers, Colonials, and the home-bred have done this, united
+by one desire, and inspired by one patriotism.</p>
+
+<p>"The General Commanding congratulates both forces on their martial
+qualities, and thanks them for their determined efforts. He desires to
+offer his sincere sympathy to the relatives and friends of the good
+soldiers and gallant comrades who have fallen in the fight.</p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Buller.</span>"</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 center italic">From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade.</p>
+
+<p><span class="left50">Ladysmith,</span><br>
+[<span class="italic">Extract.</span>]<span class="left50 italic">March 10th, 1900.</span></p>
+
+<p>I enclose reports sent in to me by Lieutenants Ogilvy and Burne, who
+were mostly detached from me.</p>
+
+<p class="spaced4"><strong>......</strong></p>
+
+<p class="p2 center"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page137" name="page137"></a>(p. 137)</span> <span class="italic">Enclosure from Lieutenant Burne, R.N.</span></p>
+
+<p class="left50">Colenso,<br>
+  <span class="add3em italic">March 7th, 1900.</span></p>
+
+<p>Since my last letter dated from Springfield Bridge, I have the honour
+to report that I left Springfield on February 23rd, marching with the
+York and Lancaster Regiment to rejoin the main column. We reached
+Chieveley Camp on the 24th, and I pitched camp on Gun Hill, where I
+found Lieutenant Drummond and the 6" gun. We remained here till a
+telegram and written orders were handed me on the night of the 26th,
+from Lieutenant Drummond, to march at daybreak with the York and
+Lancaster Regiment to join the 10th Brigade. We marched at 6 a.m. on
+the 27th, with the Regiment, by Hussar Hill round Hlangwane. Here we
+found the Commander-in-Chief, who told me, on my reporting the guns,
+that the 10th Brigade were in Colenso; he added that it was no fault
+of mine that we had come out of the way, as the orders had not been
+clear, but told me to cross the Tugela by the Pont as quickly as
+possible, the pontoon bridge having been removed. At the Pont I had to
+off-load all my wagons, as the drift below was impassable; and after
+having got one gun and ox team safely across, the Pont was upset in
+the middle of the river, and all the work was jammed. During this time
+there was a heavy shell fire on Colenso Station from a Boer 3" gun,
+but we were not touched. I had the Pont righted, and my men baled it
+out before daylight on the 28th, and I took my other gun and two
+wagons and loads of ammunition across, and hurried on to join General
+Coke. On the morning of March 1st a body of men rode in from
+Ladysmith. They proved to be Ladysmith scouts, and brought <span class="pagenum"><a id="page138" name="page138"></a>(p. 138)</span>
+General Coke his first intimation of the relief of Ladysmith on the
+previous evening. My guns were in position, and we bivouacked with the
+troops for some days, but I have now pitched camp and withdrawn the
+guns. Hearing many rumours here that the Naval men are to return to
+their ships, I should like to bring to your notice the very excellent
+service which has been rendered me by my captains of guns, R.
+Mitchell, P.O., 1st class, and especially G. Mullis, P.O., 1st class,
+and the clever and hard work of F. Harvey, P.O., 2nd class (leading
+shipwright), and to mention the following names not before
+mentioned:&mdash;H. House, A.B., F. Long, O.S. (bugler), S. Ratcliffe,
+O.S., and to state my appreciation of the work done by all.</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center smaller">[<span class="italic">The Times</span> of April 16th, 1900.]</p>
+
+<p class="center italic">Extract from "Times" Natal Military Correspondent, dated March 22nd,
+1900.</p>
+
+<p>The Naval contingent of the <span class="italic">Powerful</span> left Ladysmith for England on
+the 7th, and that of the <span class="italic">Terrible</span> left to rejoin their ship on the
+11th. The 4.7 guns remain in the hands of the Naval gunners of the
+<span class="italic">Forte</span>, <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, and <span class="italic">Tartar</span>, under Captain Jones of the <span class="italic">Forte</span>,
+but most of the 12-pounders have now been handed over to the 4th
+Mountain Battery. It seems a great pity that the Naval gunners of the
+<span class="italic">Terrible</span> could not have been spared to finish the campaign. Three
+months' practice ashore has made them nearly perfect in the management
+of their guns, and they themselves would be the first to admit that,
+at any rate in that part of the gunnery that was not learnt on board
+ship, such as rapidity of fire under their present altered conditions
+and mobility, they have <span class="pagenum"><a id="page139" name="page139"></a>(p. 139)</span> improved twofold since they first
+landed. Their rapidity of fire was wonderful when it is remembered
+that their carriages are fitted with none of the automatic appliances
+for returning the gun to the firing position, but have to be dragged
+back every time by hand, and then carefully adjusted with the wheels
+at exactly the same level. As regards mobility, they have on at least
+one occasion&mdash;namely Zwartz Kop&mdash;taken their guns up a place condemned
+by the Royal Artillery as impossible. All this experience is now to be
+made no further use of, and the guns pass into the hands of men who
+will have to learn it afresh. A great advantage the Naval gunners had
+over the Royal Artillery was their use of the glass. Besides the
+telescopic sights used with the big guns, they were provided with a
+large telescope on a tripod, at which an officer was always seated
+watching the effect of the shells, and, in the case of an advance the
+movements of our Infantry as well, and they were never guilty, as the
+Royal Artillery have been more than once, of firing on our own men. On
+January 24th, whilst the fighting on the top of Spion Kop was taking
+place, the Naval guns on Mount Alice were able at a distance of rather
+over four miles clearly to distinguish our men from the Boers, and
+shell the latter. Compare this with one instance that came under my
+personal observation on February 27th. An officer in command of a
+battery was totally unable to distinguish, with a pair of the
+field-glasses supplied by Government, at a distance of a little over
+one mile, between our Infantry charging and the Boers running away. I
+see that your Cape correspondent has already said that in this
+campaign, where we are perpetually fighting against an invisible foe,
+good glasses are of paramount importance to the rifle. They are even
+more essential to the gunners than to the other branches of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page140" name="page140"></a>(p. 140)</span>
+the service, and they are in this respect most inadequately supplied.</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center italic">Speech of the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Goschen) at Royal
+Academy Banquet, May 5th, 1900.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not propose to dilate on the courage or resourcefulness, or
+other great qualities of the Naval Brigades. The nation has acclaimed
+them. The Sovereign with her own lips has testified to their deeds....</p>
+
+<p>"The ships' companies of the <span class="italic">Powerful</span> and <span class="italic">Terrible</span> would be sorry
+if they were to monopolise the public eye, clouding the performances
+of men from other ships. Many other ships have sent contingents to the
+front&mdash;the <span class="italic">Monarch</span>, the <span class="italic">Doris</span>, the <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, the <span class="italic">Tartar</span>, the
+<span class="italic">Forte</span>&mdash;all these ships have sent men who have taken their part in
+those gallant combats of which we read."</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center italic">Again at Reception of Naval Brigade (H.M.S. "Powerful") in London,
+May 7th, 1900.</p>
+
+<p>"With your comrades in other forces of the Queen, by the defence and
+the relief of Ladysmith you have saved the country from such a
+disaster as has never fallen the British arms. The defence and relief
+of Ladysmith will never be forgotten in British history."</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center smaller">[<span class="italic">London Gazette</span>, March 12th, 1901.]</p>
+
+<p class="center italic">From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade.</p>
+
+<p><span class="left50">De Wet's Farm,</span><br>
+[<span class="italic">Extract.</span>]<span class="left50 italic">June 5th, 1900.</span></p>
+
+<p>"On May 14th, two more 12-pounders under Lieutenant Steele (Lieutenant
+Burne having had a severe fall from <span class="pagenum"><a id="page141" name="page141"></a>(p. 141)</span> his horse, and being
+incapacitated) occupied another hill across the river....</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Burne has quite recovered from his injuries and has
+returned to duty at Glencoe."</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center italic">From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade.</p>
+
+<p><span class="left50">Volksrust,</span><br>
+[<span class="italic">Extract.</span>]<span class="left50 italic">June 14th, 1900.</span></p>
+
+<p>"It became apparent that the hill (Van Wyk) must be held. General
+Hildyard was out there and decided to hold it, sending back for the
+rest of the Brigade.</p>
+
+<p>"I arrived back in camp at 4 p.m. and was ordered to start after
+dark&mdash;as the route was exposed to the enemy's fire&mdash;and, if possible,
+to get two 12-pounders (Lieutenant Burne's) up the hill by daylight,
+and the 4.7's to the bottom. This we did after a most difficult march,
+arriving at the bottom at 4 a.m. I halted the 4.7's and pushed the
+12-pounders up to the top. One arrived at daylight, the other broke a
+wheel and did not get up to the top till we were able later to get
+another pair of wheels from a limber and adapt them."</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center italic">From General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., G.C.B.</p>
+
+<p><span class="left50">Laing's Nek, Natal,</span><br>
+[<span class="italic">Extract.</span>]<span class="left50 italic">June 19th, 1900.</span></p>
+
+<p>"On June 5th I directed General Hildyard, who with the 5th Division
+was encamped at De Wet's farm, to occupy on the 6th the height south
+of the Botha's Pass Road, marked on the map as Van Wyk.... The ascent
+of the hill was very difficult, and it was due to the energy of
+Captain Jones, R.N., and the officers and men of the Naval Brigade
+that one 12-pounder (Lieutenant Burne) was in position at Van Wyk at
+daylight. The other <span class="pagenum"><a id="page142" name="page142"></a>(p. 142)</span> 12-pounder lost a wheel in the bad
+ground.... The Naval guns and the 10th Brigade were brought down from
+Van Wyk during the night. I may here remark that hard and well as
+Captain Jones and the men of the Naval Brigade worked during this war,
+I do not believe they ever had harder work to do or did it more
+willingly than in getting their guns up and down Van Wyk. They had to
+work continuously for thirty-six hours...."</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center italic">From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, V.C., G.C.B.</p>
+
+<p class="left50">Pretoria,<br>
+  <span class="add3em italic">July 10th, 1900.</span></p>
+
+<p>"I have much pleasure in supporting the recommendations put forward by
+Sir Redvers Buller on behalf of the Officers and Petty Officers of the
+Royal Navy."</p>
+
+<p class="p2 center italic">Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N.</p>
+
+<p class="center p0_b">H.M.S. <span class="italic">Monarch's</span> (late H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar's</span>) 12-pounder Q.-F. Battery,</p>
+<p class="left50 p0_t">Grass Kop, Sandspruit.<br>
+<span class="add3em italic">October 24th, 1900.</span></p>
+
+<p>On withdrawal from the front, I wish to forward for the favourable
+consideration of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir Robert Harris,
+K.C.M.G., a short report on detachment of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Monarch's</span> (late
+<span class="italic">Tartar's</span>) men now under my command, and who have served on shore
+with the Natal Army for over a year. Since my last report to Captain
+Jones, R.N., the Officer commanding Naval Brigade, on June 16th, after
+the victory of Almond's Nek, this battery has taken part in the march
+on Wakkerstroom and its occupation, the defence of Sandspruit and
+action four miles north of it, with Cavalry and other Artillery, under
+General Brocklehurst, M.V.O., which was a spirited little affair, and
+where the battery earned the commendation of the General on the
+shooting; later, the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page143" name="page143"></a>(p. 143)</span> attack on Grass Kop and its occupation
+by the Dorsets was covered by these guns and other artillery on July
+24th, and drew a heavy shell fire from four Boer Creusot guns in its
+defence, this battery at that time being led by Lieutenant
+Clutterbuck, R.N., when I was ill with jaundice, but whom I again
+relieved on July 27th, and have continued since that date in the
+defence of Grass Kop. My guns from here covered the right flank of two
+separate attacks in force on Comersfoort, the first under General
+Hildyard on July 30th, and the second under Sir Redvers Buller on
+August 7th, when the town was taken. We have also covered many
+reconnaissances, and have come into action at long ranges several
+times against marauding Boers on the plain at the foot of this hill,
+but hitherto they have not attacked us, as the hill is magnificently
+entrenched and has been held in turn by the Dorsets, the South
+Lancashires, and now the Queen's Regiment. The whole of the
+intelligence from Grass Kop as to movements of the enemy since July
+24th up to this date, has been furnished by my look-outs with our long
+telescope; and this I need scarcely say has been a considerable and
+arduous duty for the men under the conditions of violent winds, rain,
+mist, and storms which prevailed up here (a height of 6,500 feet),
+since we occupied the hill. These wind-storms have destroyed our tents
+once, sometimes continuing for days, and have caused much discomfort
+both to ourselves and the troops, and I have lost a good many oxen by
+exposure and lung sickness. Orders having come for the withdrawal of
+the Naval Brigade, I can only say I have been well and faithfully
+served by the Officers and men of the detachment under my command; and
+during these months have formed a high opinion of their excellence as
+a battery, under the varying conditions of climate, heights, and
+positions, they have gone through <span class="pagenum"><a id="page144" name="page144"></a>(p. 144)</span> in Natal, the Orange
+Colony, and the Transvaal. All these men, in spite of much sickness at
+times, have stuck to their work with the Natal Army for a year now,
+and consequently I think, fully deserve any advancement or reward it
+is possible to give them, and I am sure H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span> may be proud
+of the men representing her during the war. I wish to bring this
+general opinion of the men of the detachment, which I hold, to the
+favourable notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and to specially
+recommend the following for good service rendered with the guns:</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li class="list">A. L. Munro, C.P.O. and torpedo instructor (late of H.M.S.
+     <span class="italic">Tartar</span>).</li>
+
+<li class="list">G. H. Epsley, P.O., 2nd class and captain 1st gun (late of H.M.S.
+     <span class="italic">Tartar</span>).</li>
+
+<li class="list">E. Cheeseman, A.B., S.G., and acting captain 2nd gun (late of
+     H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>).</li>
+
+<li class="list">D. Smith, A.B., S.G.T., gun crew (late of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>).</li>
+
+<li class="list">J. Macdonald, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>).</li>
+
+<li class="list">G. Baldwin, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>).</li>
+
+<li class="list">J. Sawyer, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>).</li>
+
+<li class="list">H. Wright, A.B., T.M., gun crew (late of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>).</li>
+</ul>
+
+
+<p>For his good services as armourer and work drawing ordnance and
+transport, stores, money, and in charge of commissariat, I
+particularly recommend O. A. Hart, armourer's mate, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>
+(late), a man thoroughly reliable.</p>
+
+<p>As regards the Officer and six men of H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span> attached to my
+command, three of whom have since been <span class="pagenum"><a id="page145" name="page145"></a>(p. 145)</span> invalided, I must
+strongly recommend Mr. W. R. Ledgard, midshipman, who since July 28th
+I have detached, as ordered by G.O.C. 5th Division, in independent
+command of one gun, first at Opperman's Kraal, and then at Paardekop;
+he has carried out this duty with ability and success, and for a young
+officer I know it has been a trying one.</p>
+
+<p>I also recommend T. Payne, A.B., S.G., H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, for good
+service with the guns.</p>
+
+<p>Expressing my gratification at having had the opportunity to command
+H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar's</span> (now <span class="italic">Monarch's</span>) Detachment, I have, etc.</p>
+
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page146" name="page146"></a>(p. 146)</span> APPENDIX III</h3>
+
+<p class="chapter">DIARY OF THE BOER WAR UP TO OCTOBER 25TH, 1900.</p>
+
+<p class="center">1899.</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 11.&mdash;Time fixed by the Boers for compliance with "ultimatum"
+expired at 5 p.m.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 14.&mdash;Boers march on Kimberley and Mafeking.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 15.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Kimberley isolated.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 20.&mdash;Boer position on <span class="smcap">Talana Hill</span> captured by the British under
+Symons.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 21.&mdash;White moves out force under French to eject Boers from
+<span class="smcap">Elandslaagte</span>. Boers routed.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 22.&mdash;Yule retires from Dundee on Ladysmith <span class="italic">viâ</span> Beith.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 23.&mdash;Death of General Symons at Dundee.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 30.&mdash;General sortie from Ladysmith. Naval guns silence Boer siege
+artillery.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Surrender of part of two battalions and a Mountain Battery at Nicholson's Nek.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 31.&mdash;General Sir Redvers Buller lands at Capetown.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Nov. 1.&mdash;Boers invade Cape Colony.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Nov. 2.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Ladysmith isolated.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Nov. 9.&mdash;General attack on Ladysmith repulsed with heavy loss to
+Boers.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Nov. 15.&mdash;Armoured train wrecked by Boers near Chieveley.
+Over 100 British troops captured.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page147" name="page147"></a>(p. 147)</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Nov. 19.&mdash;Lord Methuen's column for the relief of Kimberley
+concentrated at Orange River.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Nov. 23.&mdash;Methuen attacks Boers at <span class="smcap">Belmont</span> with Guards' Brigade and
+9th Brigade. Boers driven from their position.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Nov. 25.&mdash;Methuen attacks Boers in position at Enslin and dislodges
+them.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">General Sir Redvers Buller arrives in Natal.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Nov. 28.&mdash;Methuen engages 11,000 Boers at <span class="smcap">Modder River</span>. Battle lasting
+all day. Boers evacuate position.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Nov. 30.&mdash;Sixth Division for South Africa notified.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Dec. 1.&mdash;Australian and Canadian Contingents leave Capetown for the
+front.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Dec. 10.&mdash;Gatacre attempts night attack on <span class="smcap">Stormberg</span>, but is surprised
+and driven back with heavy loss.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Dec. 11.&mdash;Methuen attacks Boer position at <span class="smcap">Magersfontein</span> and is
+repulsed with heavy loss. General Wauchope killed.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Dec. 15.&mdash;Buller advances from Chieveley against Boer positions near
+<span class="smcap">Colenso</span>. British Force repulsed on Tugela with 1,100 casualties and
+loss of 12 guns.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Mobilization of 7th Division ordered.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Dec. 18.&mdash;Lord Roberts appointed Commander-in-Chief in South Africa,
+with Lord Kitchener as Chief of Staff.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Dec. 19.&mdash;Regulations issued for employment of Yeomanry and Volunteers
+in South Africa.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Dec. 20.&mdash;Formation of City of London Volunteer Corps for South Africa
+announced.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page148" name="page148"></a>(p. 148)</span> 1900</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li class="chrono">Jan. 6.&mdash;Suffolk Regiment loses heavily near Rensburg, over 100
+prisoners taken.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2"><span class="smcap">Boer attack on Ladysmith Repulsed.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Jan. 10.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener arrive at Capetown.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Jan. 10.&mdash;Forward movement for relief of Ladysmith resumed.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Jan. 11.&mdash;Dundonald seizes pont on Tugela at Potgieter's Drift.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Jan. 18.&mdash;Buller makes <span class="smcap">Second Attempt</span> to relieve Ladysmith. Dundonald
+having crossed Tugela engages Boers near Acton Homes.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Crossing of Tugela by Warren and Lyttelton
+  concluded.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Jan. 21.&mdash;Warren attacks Boers' right flank.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Jan. 23-4.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Spion Kop</span> captured and held during 24th, but evacuated on
+the night of Jan. 24-25. General Woodgate fatally wounded.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Jan. 26-7.&mdash;Buller's force recrosses the Tugela.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 3.&mdash;Macdonald with Highland Brigade marches out from Modder
+River.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 5.&mdash;Buller's <span class="smcap">Third Attempt</span> to relieve Ladysmith commenced.
+Lyttelton crosses Tugela, and delivers attack on <span class="smcap">Vaal Krantz</span>, which he
+captures and occupies.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 7.&mdash;Vaal Krantz evacuated and British Force withdrawn across the
+Tugela.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 9.&mdash;Lord Roberts arrives at Modder River.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 11.&mdash;French, having been summoned from Southern Frontier, leaves
+Modder River with Cavalry Division and Horse Artillery.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 13.&mdash;Lord Roberts at Dekiel's Drift.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 15.&mdash;Lord Roberts at Jacobsdal.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page149" name="page149"></a>(p. 149)</span> </li>
+
+<li class="chrono2"><span class="smcap">Relief of Kimberley.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 17.&mdash;Rearguard action between Kelly-Kenny and Cronje <span class="italic">en route</span>
+to Bloemfontein.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2"><span class="smcap">Fourth Attempt</span> to relieve Ladysmith.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Buller presses advance on Monte Christo Hill.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 19.&mdash;Buller takes Hlangwane Hill.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 20.&mdash;Boers under Cronje, having laagered near Paardeberg, are
+bombarded by Lord Roberts.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 21.&mdash;Fifth Division crosses Tugela.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 23.&mdash;Buller unsuccessfully attacks Railway Hill.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 26.&mdash;Buller makes fresh passage of Tugela.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 27.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Cronje Surrenders at Paardeberg.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono2"><span class="smcap">Pieters Hill</span>, the main Boer position between
+  Ladysmith and the Tugela, carried by Hildyard.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Feb. 28.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Relief of Ladysmith.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Clements occupies Colesberg.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Mar. 5.&mdash;Gatacre occupies Stormberg.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Brabant again defeats and pursues Boers.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Overtures of peace made by Boer Presidents.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Mar. 6.&mdash;Field Force arrives at Carnarvon to quell rising in
+North-West.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Mar. 7.&mdash;Lord Roberts routs a large force of Boers at Poplar Grove.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Mar. 10.&mdash;Lord Roberts defeats Boers at Driefontein.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Mar. 11.&mdash;Overtures of peace rejected by Lord Salisbury.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Mar. 13.&mdash;Lord Roberts, without further fighting, takes possession of
+<span class="smcap">Bloemfontein</span>. Boers retire on Kroonstad.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Mar. 27.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Death of General Joubert.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Mar. 31.&mdash;Broadwood attacked at Waterworks. During retirement
+R.H.A. and convoy entrapped at Koorn Spruit. Six guns lost, 350
+casualties.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page150" name="page150"></a>(p. 150)</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">April 3.&mdash;Detachment of Royal Irish Rifles and Mounted Infantry
+surrounded near Reddersburg.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">April 7.&mdash;Colonel Dalgety isolated near Wepener.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">April 15.&mdash;Chermside leaves Reddersburg to relieve Wepener.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">April 25.&mdash;Dalgety relieved. Boers retreat northwards, under Botha.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">May 10.&mdash;Zand River crossed, Boers rapidly retreating before Lord
+Roberts's advance.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">May 12.&mdash;Lord Roberts enters <span class="smcap">Kroonstad</span> without opposition, President
+Steyn having retired to Heilbron, which he proclaims his new capital.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Attack on Mafeking repulsed, 108 Boer
+  prisoners, including Commandant Eloff,
+  taken.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">May 13.&mdash;Mahon with Mafeking Relief Column repulses attack at
+Koodoosrand.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">May 15.&mdash;Buller occupies Dundee and Glencoe, having driven the Boers
+from the Biggarsberg.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Plumer, reinforced by Canadians and Queenslanders
+  from Carrington's Division, joins
+  hands with Mahon.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">May 17-18.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Relief of Mafeking.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">May 24.&mdash;Advance portion of Lord Roberts's force crosses the Vaal near
+Parys.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">May 28.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Annexation of Orange Free State</span> under name of Orange River
+Colony formally proclaimed at Bloemfontein.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">May 30.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Flight of President Kruger from Pretoria.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">May 31.&mdash;<span class="smcap">British Flag Hoisted at Johannesburg.</span><span class="pagenum"><a id="page151" name="page151"></a>(p. 151)</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Surrender of 500 Yeomanry at Lindley.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">June 2-4.&mdash;Futile negotiations between Buller and Christian Botha for
+armistice.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">June 5.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Occupation of Pretoria.</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">June 8.&mdash;Hildyard takes Botha's Pass.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Surrender of 4th Derbyshires at Roodeval.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">June 11.&mdash;Stubborn fight at Almond's Nek. Heavy Boer losses.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">June 12.&mdash;Boers evacuate Laing's Nek.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Roberts defeats Botha at <span class="smcap">Diamond Hill</span>, east
+  of Pretoria.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">June 14.&mdash;Boer attack on Zand River repulsed.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">July 4.&mdash;Roberts and Buller join hands at Vlakfontein.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">Railway to Natal clear.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">July 11.&mdash;Surrender of Scots Greys and Lincolns at Uitval Nek.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">July 21.&mdash;Advance eastwards towards Komati Poort begins.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">July 30.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Surrender of Prinsloo</span> and 3,000 Boers to Hunter in
+Brandwater basin.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Aug. 16.&mdash;Elands River garrison relieved.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Aug. 25.&mdash;Execution of Cordua for conspiracy to kidnap Lord Roberts.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Aug. 26-7.&mdash;Fighting at <span class="smcap">Dalmanutha</span>.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Aug. 30.&mdash;British occupy Nooitgedacht and release 2,000 prisoners.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Sept. 6.&mdash;Buller occupies Lydenburg.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Sept. 11.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Kruger, flying from the Transvaal</span>, takes refuge at Lorenzo
+Marques.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Sept. 13.&mdash;Proclamation issued by Roberts calling on burghers to
+surrender.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono2">French occupies Barberton.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Sept. 25.&mdash;British Force occupies Komati Poort. Many Boers
+cross Portuguese frontier and surrender to Portuguese.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page152" name="page152"></a>(p. 152)</span></li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 9.&mdash;De Wet driven across the Vaal out of Orange River Colony.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 19.&mdash;Kruger sails from Lorenzo Marques for Marseilles on Dutch
+man-of-war.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 24.&mdash;Buller sails from Capetown for England.</li>
+
+<li class="chrono">Oct. 25.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Formal Annexation of South African Republic</span>, to be styled
+Transvaal Colony.</li>
+</ul>
+
+
+<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page153" name="page153"></a>(p. 153)</span> APPENDIX IV</h3>
+
+<div class="chapter"><p>THE NAVY AND THE WAR.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">A Résumé of Officers and Men mentioned in Despatches for the
+Operations in Natal.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="italic">Extract from "Natal Advertiser."</span></p></div>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">General Sir Redvers Buller</span>, in his despatches which have just been
+published with reference to the operations in Natal, calls attention
+to a number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men whose
+services deserve "special mention." He gives thanks to Sir W.
+Hely-Hutchinson, the Governor of Natal; to Colonel the Hon. A. H.
+Hime, Prime Minister, and all the members of the Government of the
+colony. Rear-Admiral Sir R. H. Harris, K.C.M.G., had also been most
+helpful. Then follows the list of men "especially worthy of
+consideration":&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Captain Percy Scott, C.B., H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>, has discharged the
+difficult duties of Commandant of Durban with the greatest tact and
+ability, and has been most helpful in every way.</p>
+
+<p>Captain E. P. Jones, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Forte</span>, as senior officer of the Naval
+Brigade, has earned my most heartfelt thanks. The assistance they have
+rendered to me has been invaluable; the spirit of their leader was
+reflected in the men, and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page154" name="page154"></a>(p. 154)</span> at any time, day or night, they
+were always ready, and their work was excellent.</p>
+
+<p>Commander A. H. Limpus and Lieutenant F. C. A. Ogilvy, H.M.S.
+<span class="italic">Terrible</span>, and Lieutenant H. W. James, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>. These three
+Officers were indefatigable. There never was a moment in the day that
+they were not working hard and well to advance the work in hand.</p>
+
+<p>The names of the following officers, warrant officers,
+non-commissioned officers, and men of the Naval Brigade, Sir Redvers
+Buller adds, have been brought to his notice for gallant or
+meritorious services by general officers and officers commanding
+units:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="center">OFFICERS&mdash;NAVAL BRIGADE.</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li class="list">Lieutenant C. P. Hunt, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Forte</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Lieutenant C. R. N. Burne, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Staff-Surgeon F. J. Lilly, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Forte</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Surgeon C. C. Macmillan, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Surgeon E. C. Lomas, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Acting-Gunner J. Wright, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Midshipman R. B. Hutchinson, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Midshipman H. S. Boldero, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Midshipman G. L. Hodson, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Clerk W. T. Hollin, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<a id="img018" name="img018"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/img018.jpg" width="400" height="586" alt="" title="">
+<p class="small p0_t italic">Photo by Debenham, Southsea.</p>
+<p class="smcap">Captain E. P. Jones, R.N.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="center">WARRANT, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, AND MEN.</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li class="list">Chief Petty Officer T. Baldwin, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Chief Petty Officer W. Bate, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Chief Petty Officer B. Stephens, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">First-Class Petty Officer P. Cashman, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Second-Class Petty Officer C. Challoner, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page155" name="page155"></a>(p. 155)</span> Second-Class Petty Officer J. J. Frennett, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Master-at-Arms G. Crowe, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Armourer Ellis, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Terrible</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">F. Moore, A.B., H.M.S. <span class="italic">Forte</span>.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p class="p2 center">THE NAVAL BRIGADE.</p>
+
+<p>General Sir Redvers Buller, in a despatch dated Laing's Nek, June
+19th, 1900, says: "I desire to bring to notice the following
+officer:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Captain E. P. Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade.</p>
+
+<p>"It was due to the energy and perseverance of the officers and men
+alike, following the excellent example set them by their Commander,
+Captain Jones, that it was possible to place the Naval guns in
+position on the 8th, and get them forward subsequently in time to
+accompany the advance on the 10th. The excellent marksmanship of the
+Naval Brigade, and the skilful distribution of their fire, contributed
+materially to the successful result of the attack on Allemann's Nek on
+June 11th."</p>
+
+<p>The following names are mentioned by Commanders as having performed
+good services, in addition to those previously mentioned:&mdash;</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li class="list">Lieutenant G. P. Hunt, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Forte</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Lieutenant F. W. Melvill, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Forte</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Lieutenant C. R. N. Burne, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Lieutenant A. Halsey, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Midshipman W. R. Ledgard, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">John Restal, chief armourer, H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">Alexander Monro, C.P.O., H.M.S. <span class="italic">Tartar</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">J. Weatherhead, P.O., H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>.</li>
+<li class="list">E. Waring, yeoman of signals.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page156" name="page156"></a>(p. 156)</span> Referring to the work at the base and on the lines of
+communication, General Buller, in the despatch dated ss. <span class="italic">Dunvegan
+Castle</span>, November 9th, says:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The Naval transport work at Durban has been throughout under the
+charge of Captain Van Koughnet, R.N. I desire to take this opportunity
+of bringing to notice the excellent service which he has rendered.
+Owing to his tact and ability, the difficult and ofttimes very heavy
+work of embarkations and disembarkations has passed smoothly and well.</p>
+
+<p>"Commander G. E. Holland, D.S.O., Indian Marine, has also been
+employed at Durban throughout. His genius for organisation, and his
+knowledge of transport requirements, is, I should say, unrivalled. He
+undertook the alteration of the transports which were fitted at Durban
+as hospital ships, and the result of his work has been universally
+admitted to have been a conspicuous success. I strongly recommend him
+to your consideration.</p>
+
+<p>"Warrant Officer Carpenter S. J. Lacey, R.N., has rendered valuable
+service in supervising the fitting of hospital ships and in transport
+work generally. I recommend him to your favourable notice.</p>
+
+<p>"The following officers acted as my aides-de-camp, and I submit their
+names for your favourable consideration. Each and all of them are
+thoroughly capable and deserving officers, and rendered me great
+assistance:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Commander Edgar Lees, Royal Navy (and others).</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant A. Halsey, R.N., H.M.S. <span class="italic">Philomel</span>, commanded the last
+detachment of the Naval Brigade which was left with the Natal Field
+Force, and, like all the rest of the Brigade, their services were most
+valuable."<a href="#toc"><span class="small">[Back to Contents]</span></a></p>
+
+<a id="img019" name="img019"></a>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a href="images/img019.jpg">
+<img src="images/img019tb.jpg" width="500" height="568"
+alt="Map of the operations in Natal." title=""></a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p class="p4"><a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a>
+<strong>Footnote 1:</strong> General Sir Owen Tudor Burne.<a href="#footnotetag1"><span class="small">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a>
+<strong>Footnote 2:</strong> Having lost over 100 officers and men killed and wounded
+at Venter's Spruit, the 2nd battalion of the regiment went
+subsequently into action at Spion Kop 800 strong, and only 553
+answered the roll call next day.<a href="#footnotetag2"><span class="small">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a>
+<strong>Footnote 3:</strong> The number of killed, wounded, and missing in the Natal
+Field Force, in the operations thus briefly alluded to, from Colenso
+(15th December, 1899) to the Relief of Ladysmith (28th February,
+1900), amounted to 301 officers and 5,028 men.<a href="#footnotetag3"><span class="small">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a>
+<strong>Footnote 4:</strong> The following is a copy of a telegram which the Governor
+received from Lord Roberts, dated 13th September, 1900:</p>
+
+<p>"I have ordered the following proclamation to be printed and widely
+circulated in English and Dutch.</p>
+
+<p>"The late President, with Mr. Reitz, and the archives of the South
+African Republic, have crossed the Portuguese frontier and arrived at
+Lourenso Marques, with a view of sailing for Europe at an early date.
+Mr. Kruger has formally resigned the position he held as President of
+the South African Republic, thus severing his official connection with
+the Transvaal.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Kruger's action shows how hopeless, in his opinion, is the war
+which has now been carried on for nearly a year, and his desertion of
+the Boer cause should make it clear to his fellow-burghers that it is
+useless for them to continue the struggle any longer.</p>
+
+<p>"It is probably unknown to the inhabitants of the Transvaal and Orange
+River Colony that nearly 15,000 of their fellow-subjects are now
+prisoners of war, not one of whom will be released until those now in
+arms against us surrender unconditionally.</p>
+
+<p>"The burghers must now by this time be cognisant of the fact that no
+intervention on their behalf will come from any of the Great Powers,
+and, further, that the British Empire is determined to complete the
+work which has already cost so many valuable lives, and to carry to
+its conclusion the war declared against her by the late Governments of
+the Transvaal and Orange Free State&mdash;a war to which there can be but
+one ending.</p>
+
+<p>"If any further doubts remain in the minds of the burghers as to Her
+Britannic Majesty's intentions, they should be dispelled by the
+permanent manner in which the country is gradually being occupied by
+Her Majesty's forces, and by the issue of the proclamations signed by
+me on the 24th May and the 1st September, 1900, annexing the Orange
+Free State and the South African Republic respectively, in the name of
+Her Majesty.</p>
+
+<p>"I take this opportunity of pointing out that, except in the small
+area occupied by the Boer army under the personal command of
+Commandant General Botha, the war is degenerating into operations
+carried on in an irregular and irresponsible manner by small, and, in
+very many cases, insignificant bodies of men.</p>
+
+<p>"I should be failing in my duty to Her Majesty's Government and to Her
+Majesty's Army in South Africa, if I neglected to use every means in
+my power to bring such irregular warfare to an early conclusion.</p>
+
+<p>"The means which I am compelled to adopt are those which the customs
+of war prescribe as being applicable to such cases.</p>
+
+<p>"They are ruinous to the country, entail endless suffering on the
+burghers and their families, and the longer this guerilla warfare
+continues the more vigorously must they be enforced."<a href="#footnotetag4"><span class="small">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a id="footnote5" name="footnote5"></a>
+<strong>Footnote 5:</strong> Poor Poynder! I was dreadfully sorry to hear he died of
+enteric at Kronstadt just a year after this event; there was never a
+nicer chap or a better soldier, and it's hard lines losing him.<a href="#footnotetag5"><span class="small">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a id="footnote6" name="footnote6"></a>
+<strong>Footnote 6:</strong> I am since glad to hear from Lieutenant Henderson of
+H.M.S. <span class="italic">Excellent</span>, that he is engaged in working out a table of
+corrections, such as I mention, and is also interesting himself in the
+question of "range-finders," and "filters," and other necessities for
+naval service.<a href="#footnotetag6"><span class="small">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a id="footnote7" name="footnote7"></a>
+<strong>Footnote 7:</strong> Since writing this opinion I think, perhaps, it will be
+well to pause till the results of Professor George Forbes', F.R.S.,
+experiments with a new stereoscopic instrument in South Africa are to
+hand; he is there at present by request of Lord Kitchener with his new
+invention. For full report of this instrument I would refer to
+Professor Forbes' paper read at the Society of Arts, December 18th,
+1901. It is sufficient now to say that the instrument folds up to 3
+foot 6 inches in length, can be used by one observer only standing,
+kneeling, or lying down, has great accuracy and portability, and has
+received the support of Sir George Clarke and other authorities.<a href="#footnotetag7"><span class="small">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a id="footnote8" name="footnote8"></a>
+<strong>Footnote 8:</strong> The proper filtering of water for use in water-bottles
+and indeed for all drinking purposes, is most important, and
+especially so in hot weather, when men are always wanting a drink at
+off times, and will have it of course. Late in the war, the "Berkefeld
+Field Service Filter" was supplied to us by the Ordnance Department,
+and is very good; it packs up in what looks like a large-sized
+luncheon basket, and is very portable; it is simple to look after, if
+directions are followed, and will make about thirty-four pints in ten
+minutes, or, enough to fill fifteen men's water-bottles; consequently
+it can easily be used on the march during short halts, and whenever
+water is passed to fill up water-bottles, and it is quickly packed up
+again. For any individual who wishes to carry a filter on his own
+person, I would recommend a small "Berkefeld Cylinder or porous
+candle" and small "Pasteur pump" with the necessary rubber tubes; this
+makes a very small parcel; it would only take up about one quarter of
+the Service haversack, and is well worth taking I am sure. The
+"Berkefeld Filter" should be supplied to ships in case of landing
+Brigades&mdash;one to every unit of 100 is the proper proportion as
+recommended by the firm.<a href="#footnotetag8"><span class="small">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a id="footnote9" name="footnote9"></a>
+<strong>Footnote 9:</strong> Since writing this about the Mauser, Captain Cowper of
+the Queen's tells me that on the whole he considers the Lee-Metford
+superior, and that the Boers he has met have told him they hold it to
+be a harder shooter at long ranges. However, it seems to me that the
+better balance and magazine of the Mauser counteract this and give it
+the preference.<a href="#footnotetag9"><span class="small">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With the Naval Brigade in Natal
+(1899-1900), by Charles Richard Newdigate Burne
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+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of With the Naval Brigade in Natal (1899-1900), by
+Charles Richard Newdigate Burne
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: With the Naval Brigade in Natal (1899-1900)
+       Journal of Active Service
+
+Author: Charles Richard Newdigate Burne
+
+Release Date: April 21, 2008 [EBook #25117]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Christine P. Travers and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected, all
+other inconsistencies are as in the original. The author's spelling
+has been maintained.]
+
+
+[Illustration: Twenty thousand men encamped under General Buller.]
+
+
+
+
+               WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE IN NATAL
+
+                          1899-1900
+
+
+
+
+                 Journal of Active Service
+
+KEPT DURING THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH AND SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS IN
+NORTHERN NATAL AND THE TRANSVAAL, UNDER GENERAL SIR REDVERS BULLER,
+V.C., G.C.B.
+
+
+                             BY
+
+
+                    LIEUTENANT BURNE, R.N.
+
+
+
+
+                           LONDON
+                        EDWARD ARNOLD
+                            1902
+
+
+
+
+FOR THE ARMY, OUR COMRADES AND OUR FRIENDS, THE NAVY HAS NOTHING BUT
+THE DEEPEST RESPECT AND ADMIRATION.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+This Journal, completed before leaving the front in October, 1900,
+does not assume to be more than a somewhat rough and unadorned record
+of my personal experiences during ten months of the South African
+(Boer) Campaign of 1899-1900 while in detached command of two
+12-pounder guns of H.M.S. _Terrible_ and H.M.S. _Tartar_. Having been
+asked by some of my friends to publish it, I am emboldened to do so,
+in the hope that the Journal may be of interest to those who read it,
+as giving some idea of work done by a Naval Brigade when landed for
+service at a most critical time. A few notes on Field Gunnery are
+appended with a view to give to others a few ideas which I picked up
+while serving with the guns on shore, after a previous experience as
+Gunnery Lieutenant in H.M.S _Thetis_ and _Cambrian_.
+
+For the photographs given I must record my thanks to Lieutenant
+Clutterbuck, R.N., Mr. Hollins, R.N., and other kind friends.
+
+                                        C.R.N.B.
+
+_April_, 1902.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+    CHAPTER I
+                                                                  PAGE
+    Outbreak of the war -- The Transport Service and
+    despatch of Army Corps from Southampton -- Departure of
+    a Naval Brigade from England and landing at Capetown and
+    Durban -- I join H.M.S. _Philomel_                            1-10
+
+
+    CHAPTER II
+
+    I depart for the front with a Q.-F. Battery from H.M.S.
+    _Terrible_ -- Concentration of General Buller's army at
+    Frere and Chieveley -- Preliminary bombardment of the
+    Boer lines at Colenso -- The attack and defeat at
+    Colenso -- Christmas Day in camp                             11-21
+
+
+    CHAPTER III
+
+    Life in Camp and Bombardment of the Boer lines at
+    Colenso -- General Buller moves his army, and by a flank
+    march seizes "Bridle Drift" over the Tugela -- The heavy
+    Naval and Royal Artillery guns are placed in position --
+    Sir Charles Warren crosses the Tugela with the 5th
+    Division, and commences his flank attack                     22-32
+
+
+    CHAPTER IV
+
+    Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz -- General Buller withdraws
+    the troops and moves once more on Colenso -- We hold
+    Springfield Bridge -- Buller's successful attack on
+    Hussar Hill, Hlangwane, and Monte Christo -- Relief of
+    Kimberley                                                    33-44
+
+
+    CHAPTER V
+
+    Passage of Tugela forced and Colenso occupied -- Another
+    move back across the river to Hlangwane and Monte
+    Christo -- The Boers at length routed and Ladysmith is
+    relieved -- Entry of Relief Force into Ladysmith --
+    Withdrawal of H.M.S. _Terrible's_ men to China -- I
+    spend a bad time in Field Hospital--General Buller's
+    army moves forward to Elandslaagte -- Boers face us on
+    the Biggarsberg                                              45-58
+
+
+    CHAPTER VI
+
+    End of three weary months at Elandslaagte -- A small
+    Boer attack -- The advance of General Buller by
+    Helpmakaar on Dundee -- We under General Hildyard
+    advance up the Glencoe Valley -- Retreat of the Boers to
+    Laing's Nek -- Occupation of Newcastle and Utrecht -- We
+    enter the Transvaal -- Concentration of the army near
+    Ingogo -- Naval guns ascend Van Wyk, and Botha's Pass is
+    forced -- Forced march through Orange Colony -- Victory
+    at Almond's Nek -- Boers evacuate Majuba and Laing's Nek
+    -- Lord Roberts enters Pretoria -- We occupy Volksrust
+    and Charlestown                                              59-72
+
+
+    CHAPTER VII
+
+    Majuba Hill in 1900 -- We march on Wakkerstroom and
+    occupy Sandspruit -- Withdrawal of H.M.S. _Forte's_ men
+    and Naval Volunteers from the front -- Action under
+    General Brocklehurst at Sandspruit -- I go to hospital
+    and Durban for a short time -- Recover and proceed to
+    the front again -- Take command of my guns at Grass Kop
+    -- Kruger flies from Africa in a Dutch man-of-war --
+    Many rumours of peace                                        73-86
+
+
+    CHAPTER VIII
+
+    Still holding Grass Kop with the Queen's -- General
+    Buller leaves for England -- Final withdrawal of the
+    Naval Brigade, and our arrival at Durban -- Our
+    reception there -- I sail for England -- Conclusion         87-100
+
+
+    CHAPTER IX
+
+    Gunnery Results: The 12-pounder Q.-F. Naval gun -- Its
+    mounting, sighting, and methods of firing--The Creusot
+    3"-gun and its improvements -- Shrapnel fire and the
+    poor results obtained by the Boers -- Use of the
+    Clinometer and Mekometer -- How to emplace a Q.-F. gun,
+    etc., etc.                                                 101-120
+
+
+    APPENDIX I
+
+    Hints on Equipment and Clothing for Active Service         121-128
+
+
+    APPENDIX II
+
+    Extracts from some of the Despatches, Reports, and
+    Telegrams regarding operations mentioned in this Journal   129-145
+
+
+    APPENDIX III
+
+    Diary of the Boer War up to October 25th, 1900             146-152
+
+
+    APPENDIX IV
+
+    The Navy and the War: A Resume of Officers and Men mentioned
+    in Despatches for the Operations in Natal                  153-156
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+                                                     _To face page_
+  TWENTY THOUSAND MEN ENCAMPED UNDER GENERAL BULLER  _Frontispiece_
+
+  A BATTERY CROSSING THE LITTLE TUGELA                        8
+
+  NAVAL BATTERY OF 4.7's AND 12-POUNDERS AT DURBAN            8
+
+  NAVAL BRIGADE PITCHING CAMP AT FRERE, DECEMBER, 1899       14
+
+  NAVAL GUNS IN ACTION AT COLENSO                            22
+
+  LIEUT. BURNE'S GUNS FIRING AT SPION KOP                    34
+
+  4.7 EMPLACED ON HLANGWANE                                  34
+
+  COLT GUN AT HLANGWANE FIRING AT BOERS                      48
+
+  NAVAL 12-POUNDERS ADVANCING AFTER ALMOND'S NEK             70
+
+  4.7 ON A BAD BIT OF ROAD                                   70
+
+  BRINGING IN A BOER PRISONER                                82
+
+  IN CAMP AT GRASS KOP                                       82
+
+  ONE OF LIEUT. HALSEY'S NAVAL 12-POUNDERS                   82
+
+  LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR H. J. T. HILDYARD, K.C.B.               95
+
+  CAPTAIN PERCY SCOTT, C.B., R.N.                           102
+
+  NAVAL 12-POUNDER EMPLACED                                 120
+
+  BOER GUN POSITIONS AT COLENSO                             120
+
+  CAPTAIN E. P. JONES, R.N.                                 154
+
+  MAP                                                    _at end_
+
+
+
+
+WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE IN NATAL
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+     Outbreak of the war -- The Transport Service and despatch of Army
+     Corps from Southampton -- Departure of a Naval Brigade from
+     England and landing at Capetown and Durban -- I join H.M.S.
+     _Philomel_.
+
+
+During a short leave of absence in Scotland, after my return from
+Flag-Lieutenant's service in India with Rear-Admiral Archibald L.
+Douglas, that very kind friend, now Lord of the Admiralty, appointed
+me (5th October, 1899) to the Transport Service at Southampton, in
+connection with the embarkation of the various Army Corps for the war
+in South Africa. As the summons came by wire, I had to leave Stirling
+in a hurry, collect my various goods and chattels in London, and make
+the best of my way to Southampton. I reported myself at the Admiralty
+Transport Office on Monday the 9th, and at once commenced work,
+visiting certain ships with Captain Barnard, the Port Transport
+Officer, and picking up the "hang" of the thing, and what was wanted.
+Captain Graham-White, R.N., came down in the afternoon to take charge
+of our proceedings. From that date up to the 22nd, or thereabouts, we
+Transport Lieutenants simply had charge of certain vessels fitting
+out, and had to inspect for the Admiralty the many freight and
+transport ships which came in from other centres, such as London,
+Liverpool, etc., to be officially passed at Southampton; among others
+the _Goorkha_ and _Gascon_, two Union Liners, came particularly under
+me, and I shall always remember the courtesy of their officials,
+particularly Captain Wait and the indefatigable Mr. Langley, who saw
+that we transport officers were well looked after on board each day.
+Everything in connection with this Line seemed to me during my time at
+Southampton to be very well done, and so our work went swimmingly.
+
+Besides myself were Lieutenants McDonald, Nelson, and Crawford, R.N.,
+as Transport Officers, and we co-operated with a staff of military
+officers under Colonel Stacpole, D.A.A.G., with whom we got on very
+well, so that we ran the work through quickly and without a hitch. Sir
+Redvers Buller left Southampton in the _Dunottar Castle_ on the 15th
+October, and we all saw him off; in fact, McDonald and I represented
+the Admiralty at the final inspection of the ship before sailing.
+There was, of course, a scene of great enthusiasm, and many people
+were there, among whom were Sir Michael Culme Seymour, Alexander
+Sinclair his Flag-Lieutenant, and Lady and Miss Fullerton. All this
+time we were more than busy inspecting and getting ships ready up to
+the 22nd, when the departure of the First Army Corps commenced; we got
+away five transports that day within half an hour of each other, all
+taking some 1,500 men; they were, if my memory serves me, the _Malta_,
+_Pavonia_, _Hawarden Castle_, _Roslin Castle_, and _Yorkshire_; the
+next few days we did similar work from 8 a.m. till dark, getting away
+about three ships a day on an average.
+
+During the week Commander Heriz, R.N., and myself, representing the
+Admiralty, inspected the hospital ships _Spartan_ and _Trojan_ before
+their start; they had been fitted out under the Commander's
+superintendence, and were perfect; in fact, one almost wished to be a
+sick man to try them! All these continued departures aroused great
+public interest; on one day we had the Commander-in-Chief (Lord
+Wolseley), Lord Methuen, Sir William Gatacre, and many other Generals;
+and on another the Duke of Connaught came to see the 1st Bn. Scots
+Guards off in the _Nubia_ and gave them a message from the Queen; he
+came again a few days later to see his old regiment, the Rifle
+Brigade, off in the _German_, and he and the Transport Officers were
+photographed many times. I was told afterwards that my own portrait
+appeared very often in the cinematographs of these scenes, which were
+then very popular and were exhibited to crowded audiences in all the
+London and Provincial Music Halls and elsewhere. I was very pleased on
+this occasion to meet my old First Lieutenant of the _Cambrian_, now
+Commander Mark Kerr, R.N., who was also seeing the Rifle Brigade off
+with a party of relatives whom I took over the _Kildonan Castle_.
+
+Here I may mention, to show the different rates of speed, that the
+_German_ carrying the Rifle Brigade, actually arrived at Capetown some
+hours after the _Briton_ (in which I myself left later on for South
+Africa), although it started ten days before us. I have very pleasant
+recollections of being associated with Major Edwards of the Berkshire
+Regiment in embarking the Reserves of the 3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards in
+the _Goorkha_, which ship I had been superintending for so long; I was
+able to get their Commanding Officer, Major Kincaid, two good cabins,
+for which I think he was much obliged to me. These Reserves were going
+to Gibraltar to pick up the main Battalions of their regiment which
+took part later on (3rd and 4th November) in Lord Methuen's actions at
+Belmont and Graspan.
+
+After the 27th October the transport ships left Southampton in ones
+and twos, and we were not so hard pushed; in fact, the work was
+becoming rather monotonous, till, on the evening of the 2nd November,
+our Secretary, Mr. Alton, R.N., rushed up to me with a wire telling me
+to be prepared immediately to leave for the Cape. I was very pleased,
+and thought myself extremely lucky to get out to the scene of war with
+a chance of going to the front; and after saying a hurried good-bye to
+all my friends I left Southampton on the 4th November in the _Briton_;
+my father[1] saw me off and gave me some letters of introduction; Lord
+Wolseley also kindly wrote about me to Sir Redvers Buller; all my old
+colleagues of the Transport Service gave me a most cordial send-off,
+and we steamed out of the docks about 7 p.m. in heavy rain, which did
+not, however, damp the enthusiasm of hundreds of people who waited to
+see the last of us. In saying farewell to the Transport Service I
+could not help thinking how much courtesy and assistance we transport
+officers received from the captains and officers of all the ships
+under our inspection, and how much we admired their keen feeling and
+hard work in the interests of the public service. I hope this may be
+recognised when war rewards are given.
+
+         [Footnote 1: General Sir Owen Tudor Burne.]
+
+Our voyage was a good one, being calm enough after the first day, and
+all going well up to Madeira (where I landed for the sixth time) as
+well as on the onward voyage in which we went through the usual
+routine of ship life until we arrived at the Cape on Monday, 20th
+November. The Bay was full of transports, and they seemed still to be
+pouring in every hour; we did not hear much news except that
+Ladysmith was still safe, and we at once entrained for Simon's Bay, a
+pretty train journey of about an hour and a half, where the fleet were
+lying. Now commenced the bad luck of the Brigade "wot never landed,"
+we all got drafted to various ships instead of going to the front in a
+body as we had hoped and expected, and my lot was to join the flagship
+_Doris_. Much to our disappointment a Naval Brigade had been landed
+the day before our arrival for Lord Methuen's force; we ourselves were
+therefore regarded for the moment as hardly wanted, and the Admiral
+was, we were told, dead against landing any more sailors. So we were
+both afflicted and depressed. I had, however, a pleasant time on the
+_Doris_, and found myself senior watch keeper on board. At night many
+precautions were taken in the fleet; guards were landed in the
+dockyard with orders to fire on any suspicious boat, and a patrol boat
+steamed round the fleet all night up to daylight with similar orders;
+we ourselves often went on shore for route marching and company drill
+and had a grand time.
+
+I may mention, in passing, that all the bluejackets who were landed at
+Simon's Bay for shore duty were fitted with khaki suits, viz., tunics
+and trousers and hat covers, drawn from the military stores. With the
+trousers the men wore brown gaiters, and each man was provided with
+two pairs of service boots; they all wore their white straw hats
+fitted with khaki covers and looked very workmanlike in heavy marching
+order. The Marines also wore khaki and helmets, and had stripes of
+marine colours (red, blue and yellow) on the helmets to distinguish
+the Corps. Each batch of bluejackets that were sent to the front,
+about twelve men in a batch, was allowed two canvas bags to hold spare
+clothes and other gear, and took three days' provisions and water. The
+haversacks were all stained khaki with Condy's fluid, and the guns
+were all painted khaki colour.
+
+We saw a great many people at Capetown, and while there, Colonel
+Gatcliffe, Royal Marines, the head Press censor, told Morgan and
+myself a lot of instructive facts about the work at the Telegraph
+Offices, and how all foreign telegrams in cipher to South Africa
+giving news to the Boers, as well as those from them, had been
+stopped. Some 300 telegrams sent after Elandslaagte by Boer agents at
+Capetown had been thus suppressed. When we saw Colonel Gatcliffe he
+was busily engaged passing telegrams, which had to be read and signed
+by him at the Telegraph Office before they were allowed to be
+despatched.
+
+All went well at Simon's Bay until November 24th, when we heard of
+Lord Methuen's fight and heavy casualties at Belmont, followed soon by
+news of the heavy loss (105 killed and wounded) incurred by the Naval
+Brigade at Graspan chiefly among the marines. I think that the general
+idea in the fleet was admiration for our comrades and gratitude to
+Lord Methuen for giving the Navy a chance of distinction; but I am
+told these views were not shared by our Chief. A force of forty seamen
+and fifty marines were now ordered off to the front at once to fill up
+these casualties. Naturally we all wanted to go, but the Admiral could
+not send us and drafted us off to various ships, my own destination
+being H.M.S. _Philomel_, then at Durban, which I reached in the
+transport _Idaho_, a Wilson Liner. We had on board a Field Battery and
+other details with six guns and 250 horses. I was much interested in
+the horses, who had a fine deck to themselves and were very fit; they
+were in fact _'Bus_ horses, and very good ones.
+
+There were some Highland officers and others on board who had been
+wounded and were now going back to Natal after recovery; they told us
+how cunning the Boers were in selecting positions; one saw nothing of
+them, they said, on a hill but the muzzle of their rifles; they are
+only killed in retreat; they pick out any dark object as a man, such
+as a great-coat, training their rifles on it so as to fire directly he
+rises and advances. One of the officers told us how he saw at
+Elandslaagte a Scotchman who had been put by the Boers in their firing
+line with his hands tied behind his back because he had refused to
+fight for them; apparently the man escaped uninjured and was taken
+prisoner with the rest after the fight by our Lancers, swearing when
+liberated many oaths of vengeance on the Boers. Colonel Sheil told one
+of our officers, Commander Dundas, who was in charge of him and other
+prisoners on board the _Penelope_ at Simon's Bay, that the only fault
+of our men was their rashness, and our Cavalry did not, he said, throw
+out sufficient scouting parties, missing himself and others on one
+occasion by not doing so; the Boers had not reckoned, he said, on
+Naval guns being landed, and placed great reliance on European
+interference. In his opinion, the war would be over the moment we
+entered Boer territory, and everything seemed at the moment to point
+to this conclusion. These Boer prisoners, who were all got at
+Elandslaagte, talked English well, and appeared, by all accounts, to
+have a good feeling and respect for the English, but they were very
+down upon the capitalists and others whom they blamed for the war.
+
+To-day, at sea, as I write this (28th November), a S.E. breeze makes
+it delightfully cool. Indeed, I found the climate of Capetown,
+although the hot weather was beginning, delightful; a regular
+champagne air and a very hot sun, yet altogether a nice dry heat which
+quickly brought all the skin off my face at Simon's Bay after one
+day's march with the Battalion up the hills. I expect to find Natal
+much damper, and no doubt it will be very wet and cold at night in the
+hill country.
+
+_Thursday, 30th November._--The wind which has been blowing in our
+teeth has now moderated, so we may reach Durban earlier than we hoped,
+as we are only about 300 miles off. I watched the battery horses being
+exercised and fed this morning; they are mostly well accustomed to the
+ship's motion, but it is amusing sometimes to see about a dozen
+stalwart gunners shoving the horses behind to get them back to their
+stalls and eventually conquering after much energy and language, and
+after desperate resistance on the part of the horses; these old 'Bus
+horses are strong and fit, and have very good decks forward and aft
+for their half-hour exercise each day; while they are exercising,
+their stalls are cleaned out and scrubbed with chloride of lime. It is
+most interesting to watch their eagerness to go to their food, for
+they are always hungry!
+
+[Illustration: A Battery crossing the Little Tugela.]
+
+[Illustration: Naval Battery of 4.7's and 12-pounders at Durban.]
+
+_Friday, 1st December._--We arrived at Durban at 5 a.m. and anchored
+in the roadstead. In the Bay are H.M.S. _Terrible_ and _Forte_; also a
+Dutch man-of-war, the _Friesland_, a fine looking cruiser; there are
+also eleven transports at anchor. Inside the Bay are the _Philomel_
+(my ship) and _Tartar_, besides a lot of other transports, including
+my old friend the _Briton_. Durban is a striking place from the sea;
+very green and cultivated, and with rows of houses extending along a
+high ridge overlooking the town. It all looks very pretty and one
+might fancy one's self in England. A strong breeze is blowing, so it
+is quite cool. An officer from the _Forte_ tells us that Estcourt is
+relieved and that the Boers are massing south of Colenso ready for a
+big fight. Our army have apparently to bridge some ravines before
+advancing. The guns of the _Forte_ and _Philomel_ are at Estcourt
+with landing parties. Commander Dundas and Lieutenants Buckle and
+Dooner join the _Forte_ and I join the _Philomel_. Tugs came out at 1
+p.m. and took us in over the bar; we passed close to the _Philomel_
+and were heartily cheered; then we went alongside the jetty, where
+staff officers came on board with orders. Commander Holland (Indian
+Marine) is here in charge of Naval transport and is an old
+acquaintance, as we met last year at Bombay. I got on board the
+_Philomel_ without delay and found myself Captain of her, as her
+Captain (Bearcroft) had gone to take the Flag-Captain's place with
+Lord Methuen's force, and Halsey, the First Lieutenant, was at
+Estcourt with some 12-pounder guns. About thirty men of the _Philomel_
+are on shore under two officers, and one of her 4.7 guns is up at
+Ladysmith. I hear that all guns north of Pietermaritzburg are under
+command of Captain Jones, R.N., of the _Forte_; and, in fact, all the
+ships here at present, viz., the _Terrible_, _Forte_, _Philomel_, and
+_Tartar_, have landing parties at the front.
+
+I reported myself to Commander F. Morgan, senior officer of the
+_Tartar_, who was pleased to see me as he is an old friend, I having
+served with him in 1894 in the Royal yacht (_Victoria and Albert_),
+from which we were both promoted on the same day (28th August, 1894).
+I also called on the Commandant of Durban, Captain Percy Scott of the
+_Terrible_, at his headquarter office in the town. I found him busily
+engaged in making-up plans and photos of Durban, as well as his
+designs for field and siege mountings for the 4.7 and 12-pounder guns,
+to forward to Admiral Douglas, my late Commander-in-Chief; he showed
+them to me, and ordered me to take over command of the _Philomel_ for
+the present. I have met a lot of old friends, and find the ship itself
+clean, smart, and comfortable. The weather is changeable and very
+hot. Captain Scott has ordered martial law in the town, and everyone
+found in the streets after 11 p.m. is locked up. The story goes that
+Captain Scott himself was locked up one night by mistake!
+
+_Tuesday, 5th December._--Captain Scott sent on board a kind letter
+from the Governor of Natal (Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson) who has spoken
+to Sir Redvers Buller about me. An early advance is expected on
+Colenso, and it seems on the cards that some strategic move will soon
+be made to outflank the Boers and commence relief operations on behalf
+of poor Ladysmith.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+     I depart for the front with a Q.-F. Battery from H.M.S.
+     _Terrible_ -- Concentration of General Buller's army at Frere and
+     Chieveley -- Preliminary bombardment of the Boer lines at Colenso
+     -- The attack and defeat at Colenso -- Christmas Day in camp.
+
+
+On the 6th December there was much rejoicing in the fleet on account
+of an order from Headquarters that a battery of eight Naval guns was
+to go to the front to reinforce Sir Redvers Buller. Lieutenant Ogilvy,
+of the _Terrible_, was appointed to command, while Melville of the
+_Forte_, Deas of the _Philomel_, and myself, were the next fortunate
+three who were to accompany it. The battery, drilled and previously
+prepared by Captain Scott and Lieutenant Drummond, entrained the next
+day (7th) for its destination; but as I had to remain behind awaiting
+a wire from Headquarters, I was unable to start till the next morning,
+when I left for Frere, accompanied by my servant, Gilbert of the
+Marines. What a day of excitement we passed through, and how much we,
+who were off to the front, felt for those left behind! I gave over
+command of the _Philomel_ to Lieutenant Hughes, the men gave me three
+cheers, and I left Durban amid many farewells and congratulations at
+my good luck.
+
+Reaching Pietermaritzburg early on the 8th, we went onwards after
+breakfast to Estcourt. The railway is a succession of sharp curves and
+steep gradients and is a single line only. All the bridges on the line
+are carefully guarded, as far as Mooi River, by Natal Volunteers. I
+was much struck with the outlook all the way to Estcourt; a very fine
+country, beautifully green, with a succession of hills, valleys, and
+small isolated woods; in fact, if the country was more cultivated one
+might have thought it England, but it seems to be mostly grass land
+and mealy (Indian corn) fields. At Mooi River a farmer got into the
+train who had been driven from his farm near Estcourt when the Boers
+invaded Natal; he had lost all his cattle and clothes, while
+everything on his farm had been wantonly destroyed, and the poor
+fellow was now returning to the wreck with his small daughter.
+
+On reaching Estcourt in the afternoon we found to our dismay that we
+could not get on any further for the moment; so I walked up to see
+Halsey of the _Philomel_, at his camp about half a mile from the
+station, and took him some newspapers. We had a bathe in the Tugela
+River, and I afterwards met Wyndham of the 60th Rifles who was A.D.C.
+to the Governor of Ceylon while I was Flag-Lieutenant to Admiral
+Douglas, and we were mutually pleased to meet again so unexpectedly.
+The Somersets marched in during the course of the morning from
+Nottingham Road; they all looked very fit, but seem to have the
+somewhat unpopular duty of holding the lines of communication.
+
+Here I met also Lady Sykes and Miss Kennedy, doing nursing; they were
+staying at a Red Cross sort of convent close to the station. Lady
+Sykes gave me some books and wished me the best of luck, at which I
+was pleased. I believe she is writing a book of her experiences in the
+war and I shall be much interested to read it when I get home. It came
+on to pour with rain, with vivid lightning, about 8 p.m., so I was
+thankful to be under cover at the station; the poor soldiers outside
+were being washed out of their tents, and some unfortunate Natal
+Mounted Volunteers, who only arrived an hour beforehand, had no tents
+at all and had a very poor time of it.
+
+Eventually I got off by train next morning (9th) for Frere, Captain
+Reeves, R.S.O., of the Buffs, who did me many kindnesses later on,
+having secured a compartment for me in a carriage which was shunted
+for the night, and in which I was very comfortable, although disturbed
+by continuous shuntings of various trains and carriages which made one
+realize how much work was falling on the railway officials and
+employes. In our train were fifty Natal Naval Volunteers under
+Lieutenants Anderton and Chiazzari. I was much struck with their good
+appearance and their silent work in stowing their gear in the train,
+and I realized their worth all the more when they joined up later on
+with our Brigade; all staid, oldish men, full of go and well dressed,
+while their officers were very capable, with a complete knowledge of
+the country.
+
+We reached Frere Station on the morning of the 10th, passing the sad
+sight of the Frere railway bridge completely wrecked by the Boers. I
+walked out to the camp and had never seen such a fine sight before;
+rows and rows of tents stretching for miles, and an army of about
+20,000 men. I found our electric search-light party at the station
+waiting to go on, and I was thankful to get a breakfast with them.
+Eventually our train moved on to the camp of the Naval batteries,
+about 2-1/2 miles due north of Frere, and I at once marched up with
+the Natal Naval Volunteers, reported myself to Captain Jones, and
+joined my guns, finding all the rest of the Naval officers here, viz.:
+Captain Jones, Commander Limpus, and Lieutenants Ogilvy, Melville,
+Richards, Deas, Hunt, and Wilde, with half a dozen "Mids" of the
+_Terrible_. In camp were two 4.7 guns on the new field mounting, one
+battery of eight 12-pounders, and another of four 12-pounder
+quick-firers.
+
+On Sunday afternoon (10th December) an impressive Church service was
+held in the open, with ourselves forming the right face of the square
+along with Hart's Irish Brigade. In the course of next day (11th) I
+rode up to see James' battery on the kopje to our front defending the
+camp, and got my first glimpse of Colenso and the country around, some
+ten miles off. I found that James's guns had very mobile limbers which
+he had built at Maritzburg, very different to our cumbersome wagons
+with guns tied up astern. In the afternoon Melville and I had tea with
+General Hart who was very agreeable and kind, and said he knew my
+father, and my aunt, Lady Brind, very well.
+
+In the evening orders suddenly came for Limpus' battery of 4.7's, my
+two 12-pounders, and Richards' four 12-pounders to advance the next
+morning (12th) at 4 a.m. to Chieveley, some seven miles from the Boer
+lines; and here again I was in luck's way as being one of the
+fortunates ordered to the front. All was now bustle and hurry to get
+away, and eventually the line of Naval guns, some two miles long with
+ammunition and baggage wagons, moved out in the gray of morning over
+the hills, with an escort of Irish Fusiliers, who looked very smart,
+"wearin' of the green" in their helmets.
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Middlebrook, Durban._
+
+Naval Brigade pitching camp at Frere, Dec. 1899.]
+
+We reached Chieveley at 8 p.m. (12th), after a long, dusty march, and
+got into position next morning on a small kopje about two miles to its
+front, called afterwards "Gun Hill." Guns were unlimbered and shell
+pits dug, while the wagons were all placed under cover; we received
+orders on arrival for immediate action, and at 9.30 a.m. we commenced
+shelling the enemy at a range of 9,500 yards. The 4.7 guns on the
+right fired the first shot, my two 12-pounders followed quickly, and a
+desultory shell fire went on for some hours. At my position we dug
+pits for the gun trails in order to get a greater elevation, and we
+plumped one or two shots on the trenches near the Colenso Bridge. The
+shooting of the 4.7's, with their telescopic sights and easy ranging,
+was beautiful; shell after shell, many of them lyddite, burst in the
+Boer trenches, and we soon saw streams of Boer wagons trekking up the
+valley beyond, while at the same time one of the Boer camps, 10,000
+yards off, was completely demolished.
+
+All this time our Biograph friends from home were gaily taking views
+of us, and they took two of myself and my guns while firing. Of
+course, the anxious officers of batteries had to lay the guns
+personally at this early stage, and every shot was a difficult matter,
+as at the extreme range we were firing, with the lengthening pieces
+on, the sighting was rather guesswork, and we had to judge mainly by
+the explosion at a distance of five and a half miles. We were all done
+up after our exertions under a broiling sun, and hence were not used
+any more that day (12th). Behind us we saw miles of troops and
+transport on the march onwards, which gave us the idea, and also
+probably the Boers, that Buller was planning a forward attack; and
+indeed, late at night on the 13th, the 4.7 Battery was told to move on
+to a kopje two miles in advance; my own guns, with the Irish Fusiliers
+being left to protect the ground on which we were then camped.
+
+Orders came shortly afterwards for a general advance to the Tugela,
+and Captain Jones told me that I had been given the rear and left to
+defend from all flank attacks, and that I was to move on at daybreak
+of the 15th to an advanced kopje and place myself under Colonel Reeves
+of the Irish Fusiliers. All was now excitement; the first great fight
+was at length to come off and our fellows were full of confidence.
+
+At 2 a.m., pitch dark, after a lot of hard work to get our guns
+ready, we struck camp; up rode Colonel Reeves with his regiment and
+threw out an advanced guard, and out we tramped and crossed the
+railway. Here we found all the field guns and Infantry on the move,
+and had great difficulty in getting on; but at last, at 5 a.m., we
+reached the desired kopje where I had been sent on to select gun
+positions. Before us stretched the battlefield for four miles to
+Colenso and the river; the Boers across the Tugela occupied an
+enormously strong position flanked by hills, all their trenches were
+absolutely hidden, and gun positions seemed to be everywhere. The iron
+bridge of Colenso was plainly visible through my telescope and was
+intact, and to all intents and purposes there was not a soul anywhere
+in sight to oppose our advance.
+
+The Naval Battery of 4.7 and the 12-pounders under Captain Jones
+quickly got into position in front of us, and on all sides we saw our
+troops being thrown forward in extended order, forming a front of
+about four miles, with Cavalry thrown out on the flanks and field
+batteries galloping up the valley to get into range at 4,000 yards.
+All was dead silence till about 5.30 a.m., when the Naval guns
+commenced a heavy shell fire on the Boer positions. It was a fine
+sight; shell after shell poured in for an hour on the Boer trenches at
+a range of 5,000 yards, and all was soon one mass of smoke and flame.
+Not a sound came in reply till our troops reached the river bank, when
+the most terrific rifle fire I have ever heard of, or thought of, in
+my life, was opened from the Boer rifle pits and trenches on the river
+bank which had completely entrapped our men. Colonel Long, in command
+of the Artillery on the right of the line, unwittingly or by order,
+led his batteries in close intervals to within easy rifle range of
+those pits, when suddenly came this hail of bullets, which in a few
+minutes completely wrecked two field batteries (the 14th and 66th
+Batteries), killed their horses and a large number of the men, and
+threw four of the Naval 12-pounders under Ogilvy into confusion,
+although he was fortunately able to bring the guns safely out of
+action in a most gallant manner, with the loss of a few men wounded
+and thirty-seven oxen.
+
+Many brave deeds were done here. Schofield, Congreve, Roberts, Reed,
+and others of the R.A. specially distinguished themselves by
+galloping-in fresh teams or using the only horses left in the two
+batteries, and bringing two guns out of action. With others at this
+spot poor Roberts met a heroic death and Colonel Long was badly
+wounded.
+
+The firing all along the river bank was now frightful; shells from
+well-concealed Boer batteries played continuously upon our troops; the
+sun was also fearfully hot without a breath of air; and about 9 a.m.
+we noticed a sort of retiring movement on the left and centre of our
+position, and saw men straggling away to the rear by ones and twos
+completely done up, and many of them wounded. A field battery on the
+left had a hot time of it just at this moment and drew out of action
+for a breather quite close to our guns. I myself saw a dozen shells
+from the Boers go clean through their ranks, although, happily, they
+did not burst and did but little injury. Our troops were admirably
+steady throughout this hot shell fire.
+
+Our Naval guns on Gun Hill, at about 5,000 yards range, were hard at
+it all this time trying to silence the Boer guns, and the lyddite
+shells appeared to do great damage; but the enemy never really got
+their range in return, and many of their shells pitched just in front
+of my own guns with a whiz and a dust which did us no harm. A little
+1-pounder Maxim annoyed us greatly with its cross fire, like a
+buzzing wasp; it was fired from some trees in Colenso village, and
+enfiladed our Infantry in the supporting line, which was in extended
+order; but it did not do much damage so far as I could see, although
+it was cleverly shifted about and seemed to be impossible to silence.
+
+By 11 a.m. (15th) we saw that our left attack was a failure; exhausted
+men of the Connaughts and Borderers poured in saying that their
+regiments had been cut up; and, indeed, many of their officers and men
+were shot and many drowned, in gallant attempts to cross the Tugela.
+Soon the ground was a mass of ambulance wagons, and stretcher parties
+bringing in the wounded; and a mournful sight, indeed, it was! The
+centre attack also failed, our men retiring quite slowly and in good
+order.
+
+On the right, where the object of the advance was to carry a hill
+called Hlangwane, which was afterwards recognised to be the key of the
+whole position, our men, owing to want of numbers, could make but a
+feeble attack and were unable, unsupported, to pass the rifle pits
+which had been dug all along the valley in front of the hill. The
+Cavalry were, of course, of no use behind a failing Infantry attack
+with a river in front of them, and although extended to either flank
+it never got a chance to strike.
+
+At 1 p.m. all firing ceased, except an intermittent fusillade by the
+Boers on our ambulance tents till they saw the red cross, when this
+ceased; the troops were all retired in mass to their original
+positions, and I myself had to clear out my guns as best I could to
+our old camping ground in the rear. To crown all, it came on to rain
+heavily about 5 p.m. by which we all got a good wetting. On our march
+back I had a few minutes of interesting talk with General Barton.
+
+For many days all sorts of rumours flew about as to our losses at
+Colenso, which we afterwards found to be ten guns captured, fifty
+officers and 852 rank and file killed and wounded, and twenty-one
+officers and 207 N.C.O.'s and men missing and prisoners, a sad and
+unexpected end to our day's operations. An armistice to bury the dead
+was asked for by our people, and agreed to, but I do not believe that
+the Boer losses were at all heavy; and I am persuaded that if instead
+of the insufficient heavy batteries at Colenso, we could have had at
+the front, say two more batteries of 4.7 guns and two batteries of six
+6" Q.-F., the Colenso disaster might never have happened. Against the
+fire of such guns, for say a week, moved up properly to within
+effective range, with reconnaissances carefully made and with an
+Infantry attack well pushed home in the end, I do not think that the
+Boers could or would have stayed in their positions; and I am
+confirmed in this opinion by a good many after experiences.
+
+_Saturday, 16th December._--Had a peaceful night and slept well, all
+being very much exhausted by the previous day's fighting and hot sun;
+we were kept very busy marking out ground for the Naval batteries
+which were all massed once more on our old camping ground.
+
+_Sunday, 17th December._--Commenced shelling Colenso Bridge at noon
+with a view to destroy it; but after a few rounds the order was
+cancelled and we again returned to camp.
+
+_Monday, 18th December._--Stood to arms at 4 a.m., then went to
+general quarters for action, when the 4.7 guns opened fire at daylight
+on Colenso Bridge for about two hours with lyddite, at a range of
+7,300 yards. Lieutenant Hunt, on the left, struck one of the piers
+with a shell and took the roof off a small house close by; otherwise
+not much harm was done. It was a frightfully hot and depressing day
+with a wind like air from a furnace; and, bad luck to it, directly the
+sun was down at 5 p.m. a heavy dust storm came on which covered
+everything in a moment with black filthy dust, followed by vivid
+lightning and drenching rain which was quite a treat to us dried-up
+beings. I myself succeeded in catching a tubful of water which ensured
+me a good wash and a refreshing sleep for the night.
+
+_Tuesday, 19th December._--A cool nice morning and all the men in good
+spirits. At 8 a.m. the 4.7 guns opened fire again on Colenso Bridge.
+Lieutenant England's gun--the right 4.7 gun--knocked the bridge away;
+a very lucky and good shot, at which, needless to say, Sir F. Clery
+was very pleased.
+
+_Wednesday, 20th December._--Again a nice and cool day. In the evening
+I fired my 12-pounders at trees and villages to the left of Fort
+Wylie; the 4.7 gun, manned by the Natal Naval Volunteers, also did
+good work. We are now living like fighting-cocks, as the field canteen
+is open, with many delicacies, about half-a-mile to our rear. We also
+received unexpectedly to-day, with acclamation, lots of letters and
+English papers.
+
+_Thursday, 21st December._--Stood to arms at 4 a.m. and commenced
+firing about 6 a.m., in a very good light; my own guns were directed
+on the rifle pits 8,500 to 9,000 yards away, on the other side of the
+Tugela River. At this range the ammunition carries badly and the guns
+shoot indifferently. I put some common shells, however, into the
+enemy's rifle pits, but we are all getting tired of this sort of
+desultory firing and existence.
+
+_Saturday, 23d December._--About 8.30 a.m. the Commander-in-Chief and
+Sir F. Clery and Staff, accompanied by the foreign attaches, rode up
+to our guns and stayed for an hour sketching the hills on the right
+of Colenso, which I presume is now our objective. Mr. Escombe, late
+Premier of Natal, was also up with us all day watching our firing.
+Captain Jones also came to ask me to represent the Naval Brigade on
+the Sports Committee for Christmas Day; so I went down to General
+Barton's tent, met Colonel Bethune, Captain Nicholson, and others, and
+we arranged a good programme between us.
+
+_Sunday, 24th December._--No firing to-day. Church Parade at 8 a.m.,
+when we brigaded with the Irish Brigade. A very large stock of beer,
+cakes, pine-apples, and other good things arrived in camp for the
+Natal Naval Volunteers; they gave a good share to our fellows who were
+very pleased, having none, and all are now busy preparing their
+plum-puddings for Christmas Day.
+
+_Christmas Day, 25th December._--We stood to arms at 4 a.m., but
+orders came for the guns not to fire. I was up at 5.30 a.m. to take my
+Sports party down to camp for the Brigade events. Our men won the
+Brigade Tug-of-war right out, and got great fun out of the wrestling
+on horseback on huge Artillery steeds, so that we came back to camp
+very elated. At 3 p.m. we marched down again for the finals in Sports;
+our fellows rigged up an Oom Paul and a Naval gent on a gun limber;
+this we dragged all round the camps and created quite a _furore_. The
+heat and dust were awful in the sports, but we pulled them off on the
+whole successfully, and all came back to camp tired out. I had my
+Christmas dinner with the Irish Fusiliers, who had drawn out an
+amusing menu of _Whisky Powerful_, _Champagne Terrible_, _Cutlets a
+l'Oom Paul_, and so on. I thought much of my people and friends at
+home, and was glad enough to get to bed without the prospect of any
+night alarm or attack, after such a big dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+     Life in Camp and Bombardment of the Boer lines at Colenso --
+     General Buller moves his army, and by a flank march seizes
+     "Bridle Drift" over the Tugela -- The heavy Naval and Royal
+     Artillery guns are placed in position -- Sir Charles Warren
+     crosses the Tugela with the 5th Division, and commences his flank
+     attack.
+
+
+_Tuesday, 26th December._--We stood to arms at 4 a.m., and shelled the
+Boer camp and trenches for two hours during the day. The Biograph
+people, who are still with us, took a scene of the Tug-of-war, our Oom
+Paul, and then a tableau of the hanging of Kruger! Captain Jones came
+to give the Sports prizes away, which greatly pleased our men; he told
+me afterwards that he had selected my two 12-pounders and the 4.7 guns
+to advance with him when ordered, at which needless to say I was very
+much gratified. Another heavy dust storm, followed by thunder and
+heavy rain. On the few following days we went through our usual
+cannonading, following a new practice of firing at night by laying our
+guns just at dusk, placing marks to run the wheels on, and using
+clinometers for elevation at the proper moment. All our shells burst,
+and, we were told afterwards, with effect, greatly disturbing sleeping
+Boers in Kaffir kraals at Colenso.
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Middlebrook, Durban._
+
+Naval Guns in Action at Colenso.]
+
+_Friday, 29th December._--Again more firing at a new work that the
+Boers were making, apparently for guns. Seeing an officer on a white
+horse directing them, we banged at them all and cleared them off.
+Again a heavy storm, but sunshine reached us during it in the shape
+of boots and great-coats from Frere, for which we were all grateful.
+The following day was wet and cold. I went to camp to try and buy poor
+young Roberts' pony, but the price was too high for me. Lord Dundonald
+came to arrange with Captain Jones a sham night attack on the Boer
+lines which happily did not come off as it was a horrible wet night.
+
+_New Year's Day, 1900._--At midnight of the old year my middy, Whyte,
+and myself turned out, struck sixteen bells quietly on a 4.7 brass
+case, and had a fine bowl of punch, with slices of pine-apple in it,
+which we shared with our men on watch, wishing them all a happy New
+Year. Good old 1899! Well, it is past and gone, but it brought me many
+blessings, and perhaps more to come. We gave the Boers some 4.7 liver
+pills, which we hope did them good. All our men are well and cheery,
+but our Commander has a touch of fever, so that I am left in executive
+charge of the men and camp. Winston Churchill came up to look at our
+firing. During the next few days, in addition to our firing, our
+12-pounder crews started to make mantlets for the armoured train; a
+very big job indeed, as they had to cover the whole of the engine and
+tender, afterwards called "Hairy Mary," as well as the several trucks.
+The officer in command congratulated our men on their work under the
+indefatigable Baldwin, chief gunner's mate of the _Terrible_, who was
+in charge. The military also started entrenchments and gun pits on the
+hill, which we call "Liars Kopje"; at dusk they came to a standstill
+over some big boulders that the General asked us to remove, which was
+a compliment to the powers of the Navy. We soon made short work of the
+boulders, much to the General's satisfaction, and got on fast with the
+mantlets. Still heavy rain at night.
+
+_Thursday, 4th January._--Again more firing. My own 12-pounder crews
+and those of Richards' guns hard at the mantlets for the armoured
+train, and doing the job very well. On the 2nd, Lord Dundonald rode up
+and arranged an attack on a red house 6,000 yards from us and supposed
+to contain some of the enemy, but we found nobody at home. We were all
+glad to receive letters from home to-day. I was busy all day shifting
+one of my 12-pounder gun wheels for a new and stronger pair of
+skeleton iron ones, just sent from Durban, in view of a feint to the
+front with the object of drawing the Boers away from Ladysmith.
+
+_Saturday, 6th January._--This feint was made and we had no
+casualties. Poor Ladysmith! Our men there are hard pressed and must
+have a bad time; very heavy firing all day, and we heard by heliograph
+that the Boers had made a heavy attack in three places, although,
+happily, repulsed with heavy loss (including Lord Ava) to ourselves.
+We have Bennet Burleigh, Winston Churchill, Hubert of _The Times_, and
+many others, constantly on Gun Hill looking at our firing.
+
+_Sunday, 7th January._--From Sir George White's signals we realize
+what a close shave they had yesterday in Ladysmith. A nice cool day
+and no firing; in fact, a day of rest. We attended Church Parade at 6
+p.m. with the 2nd and 6th Brigades. The Boers are as usual in the
+trenches working hard, while our time just now is spent in rain and
+constant calls to arms.
+
+_Wednesday, 10th January._--A move at last, and I received orders to
+join General Hildyard's Brigade with my two guns, while the others
+were attached to other Columns. We were all hard at work to-day
+loading up wagons, and I was busy copying a large map of the country
+which our Commander lent me. In the evening General Hildyard sent for
+me on business, and I sat down with him and his Staff to dinner,
+including Prince Christian, Captain Gogarty (Brigade Major), and
+Lieutenant Blair, A.D.C. General Hildyard was very kind, and said he
+was glad I was to go with him; and the next morning I moved off my
+guns at daylight, and arrived at the rendezvous by the hour named. It
+was a fine morning, although the wet and soft ground gave me doubts
+about getting our guns across country. But off we started; the Cavalry
+scouting ahead, then the East Surreys, Queen's, and Devons, and the
+7th Battery Field Artillery, followed by my guns escorted by the West
+Yorks. About a mile from Chieveley we had to cross a drift in which my
+wagons went in mud up to the tops of the wheels, and one gun got
+upset, which I got right again with the assistance of three teams of
+oxen and a party of the West Yorks. It was indeed a job, because the
+ground was like a marsh, and our ammunition wagons, with three tons'
+weight on them, were half the time sunk up to the axles; but we all
+smiled and looked pleased while everybody helped, and in six hours we
+were clear and on the road. We were all done up with the shouting and
+hot sun, and the General ordered us a two hours' rest while he took
+the Brigade on to Pretorius' farm, which we ourselves reached at 6
+p.m., crossing another bad drift on the way. The men were absolutely
+done up, and we were glad to arrive and find ourselves in a fine
+grassy camp with plenty of water. General Hildyard called me up and
+said he was pleased with the splendid work we had put through that
+day. On our left were miles of baggage wagons of various Brigades
+going into camp along a road further west of us.
+
+_Thursday, 11th January._--Shifted my ammunition to fifty rounds per
+gun to lighten the wagons, and moved off at 5 a.m., passing General
+Hildyard who was looking on at the foot of the camp. We marched with
+the whole force to Dorn Kop Nek and then halted; the General and
+others, including myself, riding up to a high kopje to examine the
+Boer position on the Tugela at about 8,800 yards off. Prince Christian
+Victor came and sat on a rock by me and had a good look at the
+position through my telescope which he borrowed. The General ordered
+one of my guns up this kopje, and we brought it up with a team of oxen
+and fifty men on drag ropes to steady her. It was an awful climb, and
+the ground was strewn with boulders; the poor gun upset once, but we
+got it up at last into position on a beautiful grass plateau on top
+with a clear view of the Boer positions. The Queen's Regiment, who
+were our escort this morning, carried fifty rounds of ammunition up
+the kopje for me, and I shall always remember how on all occasions we
+received the greatest assistance from the Queen's and West Yorks. The
+General pushed on with the R.A. and the rest of the troops and
+reconnoitred the enemy from the next kopje. Eventually we were all
+ordered back to camp, and I had a great job in getting my guns down
+the hill again. I think it was worse than going up.
+
+_Friday, 12th January._--Prince Christian (Acting Brigade Major) and I
+had a short talk together; we touched on a scheme of mine for making
+light limbers for our guns. In the afternoon I rode out to General
+Clery's camp, three miles to the west, to see our Naval guns, but
+found they had been pushed on with Lord Dundonald's Cavalry to hold
+ground leading to Potgieter's Drift. I dined with Captain Reed of the
+7th Battery, R.A., who knew my R.A. brother well in the 87th Battery.
+I found I had met him last year at the Grand National, and it is quite
+curious that I meet out here everyone that I ever knew.
+
+_Saturday, 13th January._--Sent Whyte, my middy, a nice fellow and
+useful to me, over to Frere on a horse to see about many things I
+wanted for the battery, and at 9.30 a.m. read out to my men on parade
+General Buller's address to the troops, dated 12th January, 1900. This
+is the text of it. "The Field Force is now advancing to the relief of
+Ladysmith where, surrounded by superior forces, our comrades have
+gallantly defended themselves for the last ten weeks. The General
+commanding knows that everyone in the force will feel as he does; we
+must be successful. We shall be stoutly opposed by a clever
+unscrupulous enemy; let no man allow himself to be deceived by them.
+If a white flag is displayed it means nothing, unless the force who
+display it halt, throw down their arms, and throw up their hands. If
+they get a chance the enemy will try and mislead us by false words of
+command and false bugle calls; everyone must guard against being
+deceived by such conduct. Above all, if any are even surprised by a
+sudden volley at close quarters, let there be no hesitation; do not
+turn from it but rush at it. That is the road to victory and safety. A
+retreat is fatal. The one thing the enemy cannot stand is our being at
+close quarters with them. We are fighting for the health and safety of
+comrades; we are fighting in defence of the flag against an enemy who
+has forced war on us from the worst and lowest motives, by treachery,
+conspiracy, and deceit. Let us bear ourselves as the cause deserves."
+
+_Sunday, 14th January._--Church Parade at 6 a.m. with the West Yorks,
+Devons, East Surreys, and Queen's. About 8 a.m. a wagon and team
+crawled up to our camp; this turned out to be the light trolley I had
+sent for and which Lieutenant Melville had kindly hurried forward from
+Frere. I was awfully pleased to see it as our load before was
+absurdly heavy. The General was also quite glad to see and hear of the
+new trolley. At 2 p.m. in came my new horse from Frere, and a bag of
+excellent saddlery; the horse was in an awful state; he had apparently
+bolted on getting out of the train at Frere and injured two Kaffirs
+who tried to stop him; then the Cavalry chased him and caught him ten
+miles from Frere towards the Drakensberg mountains. The poor animal
+was very much done up and I found him afterwards a fine willing beast.
+
+_Monday, 15th January._--Struck tents and limbered up ready to march
+at 6 a.m., and moved off in rear of the 7th Battery R.A.; they have
+been very good to us all along, shoeing ponies and giving us water. A
+nice cool morning, and all in good spirits. We soon passed the first
+drift across a spruit about four feet deep; my guns just grazed the
+top of the water but luckily we had taken care to stuff up the muzzles
+with straw. The bullocks had a very hard pull, more especially as my
+men were obliged to ride across the gun wagons. The General looked on
+and we got on very well; all working, laughing, joking, and helping,
+especially our good friends the Tommies. We marched across a green
+veldt, with the usual kopjes at intervals; and after about eight miles
+passed through the camp of the Somersets who came out to see us go by
+and were very cordial; about a mile further on we crossed the Little
+Tugela Bridge, and had a very heavy pull shortly afterwards across our
+last drift, which was a bad one. Countless bullock wagons, mule carts,
+and transport of all descriptions of the Clery, Hart, and Coke
+Brigades extended for miles along the two roads leading to our
+advanced position. We were delighted to see a river at last, and men
+and horses had a fine drink. After a meal in pelting rain I rode on to
+report to General Hildyard, and had tea with him and his staff,
+including Prince Christian; they are all always very nice to me.
+
+_Tuesday, 16th January._--A stream of transport wagons is still
+crossing the drift this morning, and the Drakensberg mountains look
+very grand and beautiful in this clear air. We drew fresh meat to-day
+in our provisions. What a surprise and a treat! The Boer position on
+the Big Tugela lies six miles off; and here Dundonald and his Cavalry,
+with one 4.7 gun, are watching the enemy who are working day and night
+at their trenches. About noon, Colonel Hamilton, of General Clery's
+Staff, rode into our camp and told me that orders had come for my guns
+to proceed at once into position with Lieutenant Ogilvy's battery. He
+asked me how long I should be. I said two hours to collect oxen and
+pack up, and so we were ordered to march at 1.45 p.m. I was very sorry
+to be suddenly shifted again out of General Hildyard's Brigade, and I
+asked him to intervene if we were again detached, which he promised to
+do. We marched up to time, and got to camp about 5 p.m., escorted by a
+troop of the Royal Dragoons. As usual, it came on to pour; everything
+was quickly a sea of mud, and the men in their black great-coats,
+marching along with the horses and guns mixed up with them, reminded
+one strongly of scenes in pictures of Napoleon's wars. We found that
+we had to move on in an hour's time with Ogilvy's guns to a plateau
+further on. I rode out to see Captain Jones and the 4.7's in position,
+a grand one on top of a very steep cliff kopje some 1,000 feet above
+the Tugela; the plateau selected for our 12-pounder guns was some 600
+feet lower down and 2,000 yards nearer the enemy. We had a tough march
+out, and did not get to our plateau till 11.30 p.m. I had a snack and
+gave the others all I could, and the great Maconochie ration and beer
+will never be forgotten, that night at any rate. I myself turned in
+to sleep under a trolley, just as I was, and very tired we all were
+after our hard day.
+
+_Wednesday, 17th January._--Out at daybreak to bring our 12-pounders
+into action. The drift over the Tugela, about half-a-mile to our right
+front, had been seized by Dundonald, and a howitzer battery had been
+pushed across some 2,000 yards nearer than ourselves, supported by the
+King's Royal Rifles, the Scottish Rifles, the Durhams, and the
+Borderers; to our right front was also to be seen the Engineer
+balloon, under Captain Phillips, R.E., being filled with gas. About 10
+a.m. a message came up from General Lyttelton to bring four guns into
+action on our left flank, which I did at once under Ogilvy's orders,
+and a little later Captain Jones rode down to us and told us to
+support Sir Charles Warren's advance to our left across the river. I
+opened fire with my right gun, and got the range in two shots, after
+which the whole four guns opened fire and burst several shells over
+the correct spot. I heard that Sir Charles Warren signalled in the
+evening to say we had by our fire put two Boer guns out of action and
+made them retire, and we were all delighted. His force was plainly to
+be seen occupying the ridge about 6,000 yards to our left front. The
+firing of the howitzer battery was very fine to-day; also our 4.7 guns
+did well. The howitzers landed salvos of their shells, six at a time,
+all bursting within fifty yards of one another and right on the Boer
+works on the sky-line, where our Naval 4.7's were also working away at
+a greater distance off. As no tents were allowed us I again slept in
+my clothes under a wagon.
+
+_Thursday, 18th January._--A beautiful morning, and we were all up at
+daybreak commencing a slow firing at the Boer trenches, and many fine
+shots were made; the howitzers, during the afternoon, pushed on about
+500 yards nearer the enemy under cover of three small kopjes. Looking
+at the position from our plateau one wondered how the Boers could have
+allowed us to get here and cross the river unopposed. If we had been
+resisted we must have had an awful job, both here and at the Little
+Tugela. All our army experts are surprised, and we think we must have
+caught them on the hop, as they don't reply to our artillery fire.
+Still, they are opposing Sir Charles Warren's advance as well as they
+can, and very hard fighting is going on to our left, although we only
+hear the shots and see the flashes of our guns, with volleys of
+musketry, while the enemy are hidden behind a high hill called Spion
+Kop. The panorama before us is magnificent; and the Tugela, our
+bugbear at Colenso, lies before us, beautiful, meandering, and
+apparently conquered. At 5 p.m. a demonstration in force against the
+trenches at Brakfontein was ordered, and we commenced rapid firing
+with eight guns, making very fine practice and sending off some 600
+shells to cover our Infantry advance which was pushed on right up to
+the foot of the Boer kopjes and about 1,500 yards from their trenches.
+The Engineer balloon floated proudly in the air watching the
+operations. We retired at dusk, the object being to draw the Boers to
+their trenches and to relieve Sir Charles Warren's left attack which
+was advancing very slowly. We laid our guns at dusk and fired them
+every half-hour during the night.
+
+_Friday, 19th January._--We began firing again at daybreak, General
+Lyttelton and Staff looking on. They told us that our guns had shot
+very well the evening before. A very hot day. The fighting on the left
+seems to be heavier and more distant, and all sorts of rumours are
+current as to demonstrations and successes.
+
+_Saturday, 20th January._--Firing as usual. We hear again heavy firing
+on the left. About 3 p.m. our balloon went right out over the Boer
+trenches, while our Infantry attacked in force on the right and
+demonstrated in front in extended order; we kept up our firing, while
+James's guns which had been pushed across the river took the right
+hills, and with the howitzers put a Boer Pom-pom out of action. The
+balloon did well; it was fired at by the Boers with Maxims and rifles,
+and was hit in several places; in fact, Captain Phillips, in charge of
+it, had his forehead grazed by a bullet. During the afternoon my right
+gun trail smashed up and I had to employ all the talent near at hand
+to repair it. With a baulk of timber from the Royal Engineers we
+finished it, and at the same time shifted the wheels to a beautiful
+pair of gaudily-painted iron ones from Durban. I now call it the
+"Circus Gun."
+
+_Sunday, 21st January._--A very hot day. The armourers and carpenters
+still hard at work on my gun trail. Orders came for two guns to
+advance across the river, and Ogilvy told me off for that honour. By
+dint of hard work my right gun was finished by 11 a.m., and I
+inspanned and went off two hours afterwards. A very steep hill was the
+only thing to conquer going down, and we successfully crossed the
+Tugela in a Boer punt--guns, oxen, and my horse. We got the guns up to
+our new position by 6 p.m., and found ourselves about 4,200 yards from
+the enemy's trenches, with James's guns on our right. We had a cordial
+meeting with the Scottish Rifles; they had been a week in their
+clothes, with no tents or baggage, so I put up one of our tarpaulins
+for their mess tent and we enjoyed a real good dinner. At 9 p.m. up
+came Ogilvy to our position, to my surprise, as he had received sudden
+orders to bring the rest of the guns on across the river; the road and
+river must have been very nasty in the dark, but Ogilvy is a clever
+and capable fellow, who is always determined, sees no difficulties,
+and invents none.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+     Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz -- General Buller withdraws the troops
+     and moves once more on Colenso -- We hold Springfield Bridge --
+     Buller's successful attack on Hussar Hill, Hlangwane, and Monte
+     Christo -- Relief of Kimberley.
+
+
+_Monday, 22nd January._--We placed the battery of six guns at daybreak
+in a kloof between two kopjes, in a half-moon formation, commanding
+the old position near Spion Kop, at about 4,500 yards, mine being in
+the centre. I was in charge all day and fired shots at intervals. The
+wind was too high for balloon reconnoitring. My first shot, a
+shrapnel, at the left part of Spion Kop, disabled twenty of the enemy
+digging in the trenches, so we were afterwards told by native scouts;
+and we were praised by those looking on for our accurate firing. We
+had now our telescopic sights on the guns, and very good ones on the
+whole they were, although we found the cross wires too thick and
+therefore hid an object such as a trench which at long range looks no
+more than a line. I found my deflection by a spirit-level on the
+trail, to test the inclination of the wheels one way or the other.
+There was very heavy fighting to-day on our left. Sir Charles Warren
+is in fact forcing his way on, and we hear reports of 400 of our
+fellows being killed and wounded, and the Boer trenches being taken by
+bayonet charges. So far as we know, General Buller's object is to
+outflank the Boers on the left, and then when Sir Charles Warren has
+done this, to attack in front and cut them off.
+
+_Tuesday, 23rd January._--Another day, alas, red with the blood of our
+poor fellows. Sir Charles Warren continued his operations at 1 p.m.,
+and from then till midnight the fight raged. Musketry and guns booming
+all round, the Maxims and Vickers 1-pounder guns, being specially
+noticeable. At daylight we ourselves stood to guns and concentrated
+our fire on the Boer trenches and positions to the front and right, in
+order to draw the enemy away from Warren's force; while the Infantry
+with us (Rifle Brigade, King's Royal Rifles, Durhams and Scottish
+Rifles) made a demonstration in force to within 2,000 yards of the
+main trenches under cover of our fire. The attack under Warren got
+closer and closer each hour, and we could watch our fellows,
+apparently the Lancashire Brigade, storming the top of Spion Kop, in
+which, I afterwards heard, my father's old regiment (the Lancashire
+Fusiliers) bore a splendid part. Meanwhile our own attack on the
+Brakfontein trenches was withdrawn, and we brought our guns into
+action on the left to assist the operations on Spion Kop but soon had
+to desist for fear of hitting our own men. The fight raged all day and
+was apparently going well for us. At 4 p.m. came a message from
+General Buller ordering the King's Royal Rifles and Scottish Rifles to
+storm Spion Kop from our side, which they did, starting from our guns
+and making a prodigious climb right gallantly in a blazing heat and
+suffering a considerable loss. Poor Major Strong, with whom I had just
+breakfasted, was one of the wounded and, to my great sorrow, died of
+his wound. Our guns meanwhile were searching all the valleys and
+positions along the eastern slopes of Spion Kop; but it was all
+unavailing, as we were apparently forced to retire after heavy losses
+during the night. We ourselves were all dead beat, but had to be up
+all night with search-lights working on the Boer main position; but
+what of poor Warren's force after five days' constant marching and
+fighting!
+
+[Illustration: Lieut. Burne's Guns firing at Spion Kop.]
+
+[Illustration: 4.7 Emplaced on Hlangwane.]
+
+_Wednesday, 24th January._--No more firing and many rumours; but at
+last it was a great surprise and blow to us to hear a confirmation of
+the report that Warren's right had been forced to abandon Spion Kop
+during the night, and to be also told that we ourselves were to go
+back to our old plateau in the rear. I had my guns dragged up to
+Criticism Kop with great labour by eighty of the Durhams, who are now
+our escort; and with the Rifle Brigade we hold the three advanced
+hills here, while Ogilvy has been moved back across the river. We hear
+of a loss of some 1,600 men, the poor 2nd Bn. of the Lancashire
+Fusiliers specially suffering heavily;[2] there is therefore great
+depression among all here, a cessation of fire being ordered, and
+nothing in front of us except ambulances. Our mail came in during the
+evening and I was very pleased to get letters from Admiral and Mrs.
+Douglas. We feared a night attack, so had everything ready for the
+fray. I was on the watch all night with Whyte, but our search-light
+kept off the danger and all remained quiet.
+
+         [Footnote 2: Having lost over 100 officers and men killed and
+         wounded at Venter's Spruit, the 2nd battalion of the regiment
+         went subsequently into action at Spion Kop 800 strong, and
+         only 553 answered the roll call next day.]
+
+_Thursday, 25th January._--A quiet day, the Boers and our own
+ambulance parties burying the dead on Spion Kop. And so went the next
+few days, we shelling the Boers at intervals although sparingly.
+Rumour says that General Buller is confident of beating the Boers in
+one more try, and is shortly going to try it. May the key fit the
+lock this time! He seems determined, and we all hope he will be at
+last successful.
+
+_Monday, 29th January._--We are firing as usual. Colonel Northcote of
+the Rifle Brigade came over from his kopje to see me, and I proposed
+the construction of two rifle-proof gun pits on the river bank, to
+which he agreed. A very hot day and raining heavily at night.
+
+_Wednesday, 31st January._--We have orders to watch carefully the
+right of the Boer position. I let Mr. Whyte fire a dozen shells, which
+he did very well, and I finished my gun pits, and very good ones they
+are. Just at dark up came an officer from General Buller with an order
+that we were to retire our Naval guns at daybreak to the plateau,
+which we had to do much to our disappointment, moving off at daybreak
+next morning and taking the guns in a punt across the river. I learnt
+to my great sorrow that poor Vertue of the Buffs, my friend of Ceylon
+days when he was an A.D.C. to the General there, was killed at Spion
+Kop, and I am much depressed as I liked and admired him immensely.
+
+_Friday, 2nd February._--The Boers are busy burying their dead on
+Spion Kop under a flag of truce, so we have a quiet day and no firing.
+
+_Saturday, 3rd February._--The troops are all again on the move; no
+less than nine field batteries are pushed over the river with some
+Battalions of Infantry, while Boers are on the sky-line at all points
+watching us.
+
+_Sunday, 4th February._--Sir Charles Warren arrived on our gun plateau
+with his Staff, and pitched his camp close to my guns. I found that
+Sir Charles knew my father, and he told me that the Boers had had a
+severe knock at Spion Kop and were ready to run on seeing British
+bayonets; he spoke of his plans for the morrow and of our prospective
+share in them. My share is to be a good one, as I am to have an
+independent command and am so actually named in the general orders for
+battle. I went over the plan of battle carefully with Captain Jones,
+R.N., and our Commander, who thought Pontoon No. 3 was the weak spot.
+
+_Monday, 5th February._--A fateful day of battle. At daybreak we stood
+to our guns, but it was not till 6.30 a.m. that our Artillery, no less
+than seven batteries, advanced under cover of our fire. On the left
+were the 4.7 guns on Signal Hill; my two 12-pounders were on the gun
+plateau in the centre, and on the right, on Zwartz Kop, were six more
+of our 12-pounders under Ogilvy. The broad plan of attack was a feint
+on the left and then a determined right attack. This developed slowly;
+the Artillery and Infantry advanced, and we all shelled as hard as we
+could for some hours, when the Infantry laid down just outside
+effective rifle range from the Brakfontein trenches, and the
+Artillery, changing front to right, withdrew from the left, except one
+battery, to assist in the centre attack on Vaal Krantz. Our Naval guns
+went on shelling the left where the Boer guns were well under cover
+and were very cleverly worked. About 12 noon the Infantry withdrew
+from the left and it was evident that our feint had fully succeeded in
+its object, _i.e._, to get the enemy drawn down to their trenches and
+stuck there. The Artillery, after crossing No. 2 Pontoon, were drawn
+up in the centre shelling Vaal Krantz, while Lyttelton's Brigade was
+pushed forward to attack it and succeeded in reaching the south end of
+it. Our own firing on the left was incessant. I found afterwards that
+I had fired 250 rounds during the day, and I had many messages as to
+its direction and effect from Sir Charles Warren, and General
+Talbot-Coke, who was just behind us with his Staff. Little firing
+during the night. Very tired.
+
+_Tuesday, 6th February._--At it again at daylight, the Boers
+commencing from their 100 lb. 6" Creusot at 6,000 yards to the east of
+Zwartz Kop. I had suddenly got orders during the night from Sir
+Charles Warren to move my guns off the plateau and join Buller's force
+at daybreak at the east foot of Zwartz Kop, so I moved off at the time
+named, feeling very thankful that I had my extra oxen to do it. We had
+some miles to go, over a vile road, and on the way we passed the 7th
+Battery R.A. and some Cavalry and ambulances. All this, meeting us on
+a narrow and badly ordered road, delayed us so much that it was 8 a.m.
+before I was able to report my guns to the Commander-in-Chief, which I
+did personally; he turned round and said, rather pleased, "Oh, the
+Naval guns are come up," and, pointing me out the Boer 6" Creusot and
+a 3" gun enfilading our Artillery, he asked me if I could silence
+them; the 6" was at 6,500 yards and the 3" at 10,000 yards, so I
+replied, "Yes, the 6"," and by the General's order I brought my guns
+into action about 200 yards away from him and his Staff. As I was
+preparing to fire my right gun, bang came a 100 lb. shell right at it,
+striking the ground some twenty yards in front and digging a hole in
+the ground of about six feet long, covering us with dust, although
+happily the shell did not burst but jumped right over our heads. This
+was followed by a shrapnel which burst, but the pieces also went right
+over our heads. After hard pit digging, I tried for the 3" at 9,000
+yards, with full lengthening pieces, with my left gun, but I could not
+range it; so we kept up a hot fire with both guns on the Boer Creusot,
+which was also being done by the two 5" guns in front of us and by our
+Naval battery on the top of Zwartz Kop. We silenced this gun from 8.30
+a.m. to 5 p.m. when it again opened on us (with its huge puff of black
+powder showing up finely), but without doing us much harm. At 11 a.m.
+the Boers brought some field guns up at a gallop to Vaal Krantz,
+running them into dongas or pits about 6,000 yards away from us, and
+then sending shrapnel into our troops on the Kop and trying to have a
+duel with us; we quickly silenced them, however, as well as a Pom-pom
+in a donga about 4,000 yards off, and they beat a retreat over the
+sky-line. I here found my telescopic sight very useful for observing
+every movement while personally laying guns. The General sent me many
+messages by his Staff, and was pleased at our driving off the guns. As
+the day passed, the cannonade became fast and furious and our attack
+advanced but slowly; we silenced most of the Boer guns by 5 p.m. and
+slept that night as we stood. I had the Boer 100 lb. 6" shell (which
+had fallen close to us without bursting) carried up the hill to show
+the Commander-in-Chief and Staff; they were all interested but rather
+shy of it, but one of them took a photo. We picked up many fragments
+of shells which had fallen close to us during the day and from which
+all of us had narrow escapes, for we were in a warm corner. General
+Hildyard and Staff who were sitting close by us at one part of the day
+had a 100 lb. shell fired over them which just missed Prince
+Christian.
+
+_Wednesday, 7th February._--Dawn found us still fighting on this the
+last day of our attempt to relieve Ladysmith from this side; heavy
+firing commenced at daybreak, and we did our best to keep down the
+Boer fire, the 4.7 Naval gun on Signal Hill making fine practice.
+Meantime our troops now on Vaal Krantz, viz., Hildyard's East Surreys,
+Devons, and West Yorks, pushed the attack or held their trenches under
+heavy fire, while we were trying to silence the enemy's guns. By this
+time the long range of hills to the east of Brakfontein was all ablaze
+from our shells, and also one flank of Vaal Kop. All looked lurid and
+desolate, and at times the cannonading was terrific, the Boer 6" with
+its black powder vomiting smoke and affording an excellent mark. At 4
+p.m. the Engineer balloon went up in our rear to reconnoitre, and
+brought down a disheartening report of unmasked Boer guns and
+positions which would enfilade our advance from here all the way to
+Ladysmith; so that after a Council of War the Commander-in-Chief
+decided to retire the troops; my orders from Colonel Parsons, R.A.,
+being to make preparations to withdraw my two guns to Spearman's Kop
+as soon as the moon rose, and to cover the retirement. In fact,
+according to his words the Council of War decided that while we could
+get through to Ladysmith from here, we should be hemmed in afterwards
+owing to the new positions disclosed by Phillips' balloon report. It
+was just dusk; Infantry and Artillery were being hastily moved up to
+cover the retirement, and after loading up our ammunition off we
+ourselves went. My poor men were very done up after the constant
+marching, firing, and working ammunition of the last three days; we
+had, in fact, shot off no less than 679 rounds, and the sun was awful
+the whole time. The withdrawal was very well carried out in the dark;
+we ourselves followed the ammunition column, and the Field Artillery
+followed us. As the foot of Gun Hill was completely blocked I brought
+my guns out down by the Tugela, ready to cover the troops; and we
+slept as we stood, while a constant stream of Artillery, Infantry, and
+ambulances were struggling to get up the steep hill; indeed, it was a
+most memorable day and night. Poor Colonel Fitzgerald of the Durhams
+was carried past me in a stretcher about 5 p.m. shot in the chest with
+a Mauser. I had known him before when holding the kopjes over the
+river with his regiment; he insisted on talking to me and sat up to
+have a cup of tea, and I was glad to hear afterwards that he had
+eventually recovered. Our total casualties for the three days were
+about 350; our Infantry had done brilliantly; and, while we were all
+savage at having to withdraw, we were confident that the
+Commander-in-Chief knew best, and indeed it seems from information
+received later on that he did the right thing.
+
+_Thursday, 8th February._--At daylight the Boer 6" went on shelling us
+at 10,000 yards but did little damage, so I got up the hill about 9
+a.m. after a hasty breakfast, and passing Sir Charles Warren's tent
+got into my old position on the plateau, finding the 7th Battery R.A.
+holding the hill close alongside. My men were quite done up, so that
+the temporary rest was acceptable, although we had to keep a sharp
+look-out, and twice silenced Boer guns firing on our Infantry at 6,500
+yards from Spion Kop. At noon the kopjes in front were evacuated, our
+pontoon taken up, and the Boer punt sunk by gunpowder. So good-bye to
+the Tugela once more; all our positions gone and the Boers down again
+at the river. At dusk I got permission to withdraw my guns over the
+ridge on account of sniping, and it was well I did so as the Boers
+came very close to us during the night.
+
+_Friday, 9th February._--Got orders from the Commander-in-Chief to
+withdraw with others on to Springfield Bridge; we were almost the last
+guns off, and had a hot march of eight miles escorted by a party of
+the Imperial Light Infantry under Captain Champneys. How we did enjoy
+a bathe from the river bank, as well as our sleep that night! It was
+all quite heavenly.
+
+_Saturday, 10th February._--About 9 a.m. I was ordered by Colonel
+Burn-Murdoch of the Royal Dragoons to bring my guns up to his
+entrenched camp behind the bridge to assist in its defence. I had
+breakfast with him and he seemed very nice. He is now Brigadier-General
+and Camp Commandant, and we are left in defence here, to protect
+Buller's left flank, with "A" Battery Horse Artillery, the 2nd
+Dragoons and 13th Hussars, the Imperial Light Infantry, and the York
+and Lancasters. The rest of the troops had all gone to Chieveley. The
+day was very hot again, and I was very glad to give the men another
+rest, with fresh butter, milk, chickens, and fruit to be had, brought
+in by Kaffirs from neighbouring farms. Just think of it!
+
+_Sunday, 11th February._--Again very hot. About 7 a.m. there was a
+heavy rifle fire to the N.E.; our Cavalry pickets were in fact
+attacked, and as I saw Boers on the sky-line, I got leave to open
+fire, but did no damage, as the hill, we afterwards found out, was
+some eight miles off. So much for African lights and shades, which,
+after eight months' experience of them, are most deceptive. It turned
+out that our Cavalry pickets had been surprised by the Boers unmounted
+in a donga, and unluckily Lieutenant Pilkington and seven men were
+taken prisoners, and several men wounded--a bad affair.
+
+_Monday, 12th February._--Another awfully hot day which made me feel
+feverish. We were busy in fortifying our gun positions, but otherwise
+I had a quiet day in the mess of the York and Lancasters, a very nice
+regiment. At 4 p.m., much to our joy, rain and thunder came on and
+cleared the heavy air. Glad to hear that a Naval 6" gun has been sent
+up to the front at last, and that Lord Roberts had entered the Orange
+Free State with a large force.
+
+_Tuesday, 13th February._--Still very hot, although again a welcome
+thunderstorm in the afternoon. Busy with fortifying and with taking
+more gun ranges with a mekometer borrowed from the York and
+Lancasters.
+
+_Wednesday, 14th February._--The Boers appeared in considerable force
+on the sky-line to the left of Portjes Kopje about 8 a.m. I was
+summoned with others by Colonel Burn-Murdoch to a Council of War, and
+afterwards rode out with him and Staff to reconnoitre the enemy and to
+look at country for gun work. We pushed up to a farm about 1,600 yards
+from the enemy; we were fired on at that distance and all returned
+about 4 p.m., when it was decided to attack the Boers next day. They
+are some 9,000 yards off the camp, and seem to have no guns. During
+our reconnoitring we saw a hare on the Kop, the first game I have come
+across as yet in South Africa.
+
+_Thursday, 15th February._--At 6 a.m. the Horse Artillery and Cavalry
+were pushed out to attack, and my guns advanced to a kopje at 8,000
+yards. But to our annoyance the Boers had made off during the night
+and we had nothing to do. We received an English mail to-day, much to
+our delight, and it brought a sketch in the _Daily Graphic_ of my
+father inspecting a detachment of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade. My
+servant Gilbert in hospital with fever, poor fellow.
+
+_Friday, 16th February._--A red-letter day, and all quiet in camp.
+Fitted rollers under my gun trails. News came that General French had
+relieved Kimberley, and there was much cheering in camp.
+
+_Sunday, 18th February._--We heard heavy firing all day, which turned
+out to be General Buller attacking Hlangwane and Monte Christo Hills,
+to the right of the Boer position at Colenso, but on our side of the
+river. The positions were brilliantly taken at the point of the
+bayonet; and all in camp are very cheerful at hearing of Cronje being
+in full retreat, Magersfontein evacuated, and Methuen free to move.
+This must be the beginning of the end. Raining hard, for the rains of
+February are on us at last.
+
+_Tuesday, 20th February._--Still heavy rain and tropical heat. Our
+trenches full of water. Heavy firing on Colenso side and good news of
+Buller's advance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+     Passage of Tugela forced and Colenso occupied -- Another move
+     back across the river to Hlangwane and Monte Christo -- The Boers
+     at length routed and Ladysmith is relieved -- Entry of Relief
+     Force into Ladysmith -- Withdrawal of H.M.S. _Terrible's_ men to
+     China -- I spend a bad time in Field Hospital -- General Buller's
+     army moves forward to Elandslaagte -- Boers face us on the
+     Biggarsberg.
+
+
+_Thursday, 22nd February._--General Buller occupied Colenso, and wired
+to our Commandant to join him with his whole force. The Cavalry left
+at 5 a.m. and at 2 p.m. the rest of us moved off, my guns being
+escorted by the York and Lancasters, with the Imperial Light Infantry
+in rear, the whole under Colonel Fitzpatrick. We made a quick march to
+beyond Pretorius' farm where we camped for the night.
+
+_Friday, 23rd February._--Off at daylight in a beautiful cool morning.
+On the west of the hill, where we rested to water and feed the oxen,
+Colenso was plainly visible, and we found heavy shelling going on. We
+reached Chieveley at 10 a.m. and going up to our old friend, Gun Hill,
+we joined Drummond with the 6" Q.-F. gun, and pitched our camp. The 6"
+gun looked a regular monster on its field carriage, and fired several
+times at Grobler's Hill, at 15,000 yards; I was struck by its smart
+crew of bluejackets and stokers, but the gun is much too far off the
+enemy. An English mail came in to-day.
+
+_Saturday, 24th February._--General Buller is shelling hard the kopjes
+at Pieters beyond Colenso, but our Infantry do not seem to be gaining
+an inch. As my guns were in reserve, I went up by train to Colenso,
+with Captain Patch, R.A. We were much interested, as we saw all the
+now famous spots where we had shelled the place out in December and
+January--the village and hotel being in ruins, and everything wantonly
+sacked and destroyed. I never saw such a scene in my life; pianos
+pulled to pieces and furniture smashed up. I went on to the pont where
+Lieutenant Chiazzari was in charge, and met many wounded being carried
+across to the ambulance train; among others were General Wynne, and a
+poor officer of the Lancashire Brigade just dying with a bullet in his
+chest, also young Hodson of the _Terrible_ ill with fever. We crossed
+the Tugela on planks over the ruins of the fallen railway bridge with
+a swirling torrent about a foot below us, as the river was now in
+flood. It was sad to see this magnificent bridge with all its spans
+blown up and fallen across the river, and one buttress demolished.
+Patch and I climbed up the kopjes beyond, saw the Boer system of
+trenches, and inspected the places where they had blasted the reverse
+slopes of the kopje, perpendicularly cut behind, and had got under
+safe cover from shell. The panorama of battle which spread out in
+front of us was most impressive with shells bursting close to us; our
+firing line was some two miles on, resting on small kopjes near
+Pieters that were taken during the night; our guns, great and small,
+were massed in or beyond Colenso behind small kopjes which gave a
+certain amount of cover; on the left were the 4.7 guns and four
+12-pounders, then the 4.5 guns; and two miles to the right were other
+field batteries and Ogilvy's four 12-pounders across the river on
+Hlangwane, making some eighty guns in all. Behind the kopjes were
+massed our men in reserve, besides all the Horse Artillery and Cavalry
+and wagons. There was now very heavy Boer shelling over Colenso,
+giving our men a bad time of it; for instance the whole of our 5" crew
+of garrison gunners were killed and wounded by a shrapnel, and many of
+the 4.7 men were hit about the same time. Our own shelling was
+magnificent and deadly, all our fire being concentrated at one kopje
+about 6,000 yards off; the musketry fire was also very heavy all along
+the line. I never saw such a fine sight before. I returned from
+Colenso to my guns about 3 p.m., in an ambulance train, with Major
+Brazier Creagh. We are losing about 450 men a day and are advancing
+very slowly, while the Boers appear to be bringing up more guns on our
+left. No news from Ladysmith, but we were all glad to hear the
+brilliant news of the capture of Cronje and all his force by Lord
+Roberts, and the cheering in the fighting line on the news being
+communicated was wild. A very heavy musketry fire raged all night, and
+the Inniskillings in a night attack on Railway Hill lost a lot of men,
+in fact were cut up.
+
+_Sunday, 25th February._--Once more the Commander-in-Chief found his
+position untenable, and half of the guns were withdrawn in the night
+across to our side of the Tugela on to Hlangwane; all the wagons and
+stores were also shifted out of Colenso and the majority of the troops
+moved to the right to the Hlangwane and Monte Christo slopes. Colenso
+was still held in force however by the 10th Brigade under General
+Talbot Coke. Two of our 4.7 guns on platform mountings were now
+ordered up to Hlangwane from our hill, and were got into position with
+much labour at 2,500 yards by Lieutenant Anderton, Natal Naval
+Volunteers; they did very good work at that decisive range. There was
+to-day what we called a Boer Sunday, that is, a cessation of firing
+on both sides after a hard ten days of it; the day was wet and we were
+all washed out of our tents, some of which were blown clean down.
+
+_Monday, 26th February._--The attack still hangs fire while our troops
+are being massed on Hlangwane and Monte Christo. The shelling of
+Colenso by the Boers is still going on pretty heavily, and one only
+wonders how Naval 12-pounders like ours can be left here as they are,
+no less than six of our guns doing nothing at all. Drummond left the
+6" gun under me for a time; and, on spotting a Boer gun on Grobler's
+Hill, I let drive at 15,000 yards, 28 deg. elevation. As the shot only
+fell some 200 yards short, I recommended a move to closer range, but
+the gun eventually never was moved closer. While on Gun Hill we had
+several civilians from Pietermaritzburg and Durban looking on at the
+fighting. A very wet night, which made our positions a swamp, but I
+was warmed by a warning to be ready to move my own guns to the front.
+
+[Illustration: Colt Gun at Hlangwane firing at Boers.]
+
+_Tuesday, 27th February._--A wire was handed to me in the night to
+join the 10th Brigade with the Yorks and Lancasters, and off we went
+at 6 a.m. in good spirits but in a thick drizzle of rain, passing
+along the eastern slope of Hlangwane and winding up a fearful road to
+the front. The Yorks and Lancasters at this point suddenly turned off,
+and feeling that something was going wrong I halted my guns and rode
+on to the Headquarters Staff, about half a mile on, finding the
+Infantry attack just about to commence, the men all looking very
+weary, and no wonder. I spoke to Ogilvy, who was there with his guns,
+and afterwards to General Buller, who was standing quite close
+surveying the general attack of our Infantry on the centre and right
+3,000 yards ahead of us. The guns were giving the Boers lyddite and
+shrapnel, and the fighting line were cheering as kopje after kopje
+was taken. It was evident to my unpractised eye that we had the Boers
+on the run at last. I told the Commander-in-Chief that my guns had
+arrived, when he replied, "Why, you should be in Colenso," and turned
+to his Staff, saying that some mistake had been made. I therefore
+showed my written orders, and after reading them, the General said,
+"It is not your fault, but march to Colenso as quickly as possible";
+and he detached Lord Tullibardine to show us the way; I had seen a
+good deal of him at Springfield. "The Pontoon bridge is up," he added;
+"you must use the Boer pont and so ferry across the Tugela." So off we
+went, and got to Colenso at 2 p.m. after a very hot march.
+
+The ground at the railway crossing which we had to cross was being
+heavily and accurately shelled, so leaving my gun train for a time in
+a spot safe from the bursting shrapnel I rode on to prepare the pont
+for our crossing the river. We got the first gun over to the Colenso
+side of the river after hard work, the rotten bank giving way and the
+gun being half submerged in the water; then the somewhat unhandy
+soldiers in charge of the pont capsized a team of gun oxen when
+half-way across the river by rocking the pont, and, nearly drowning
+the poor oxen, swam ashore themselves and left them to their fate. It
+was now 5 p.m. and as there were no men to do anything it was an
+impossible position, with the pont sunk in the middle of the flooded
+river; so that at dusk, after telling some soldiers who had come up
+from General Coke's Brigade in response to my request what to do to
+right the pont, I drew up my remaining gun and wagons on the south
+bank, and put the gun which was already across the river out of action
+under a guard below the river bank in case of any Boer swoop on it.
+
+_Wednesday, 28th February._--A red-letter day. Before daylight I set
+my men to work to bale out the pont and to get my second gun across
+the river with 100 rounds of ammunition, and also off-loaded and got
+over a spare wagon and 250 rounds more. All this was a terrible hard
+job; two empty military wagons trying to get across the drift at this
+spot were carried away before my eyes and only picked up a quarter of
+a mile down stream. At 11 a.m. I was able at last to march on to join
+General Coke's Brigade in Colenso, and to get my guns into position. I
+was very exhausted and was feeling rather ill, but I was able to dine
+with the General under a tarpaulin and had much talk over old times in
+the Mauritius in 1898. It was a very wet evening, and my men who were
+bivouacking with no tents had a bad time of it. The sudden cessation
+of firing most of the day seemed to foreshadow some change at the
+front, and we found afterwards to our joy that a detachment of the
+Imperial Light Horse under Lord Dundonald had ridden into Ladysmith at
+6 p.m. unmolested by the Boers who were reported to be in full
+retreat.[3]
+
+         [Footnote 3: The number of killed, wounded, and missing in
+         the Natal Field Force, in the operations thus briefly alluded
+         to, from Colenso (15th December, 1899) to the Relief of
+         Ladysmith (28th February, 1900), amounted to 301 officers and
+         5,028 men.]
+
+_Thursday, 1st March._--Everything seems to feel dull and
+unprofitable; all the country round is deserted and Colenso is almost
+unbearable from the odour of dead horses. At about 11 a.m. the pickets
+reported Boers in force coming down Grobler's Kloof, but the party
+turned out to be our own men; some of the garrison Cavalry, in fact,
+riding in from Ladysmith, who told us that the Boers were in full
+retreat. In the afternoon I rode round Colenso. What a scene of
+desolation and dirt; huts and houses unroofed and everything smashed
+to pieces! Long lines of abandoned trenches, and the perpendicular
+shelters which the Boers had blasted out behind all the kopjes against
+shell fire plainly showed how well they knew how to protect
+themselves. The trenches, about a mile long, in the plain to the right
+of Colenso are very deep and are sandbagged; parts of them are full of
+straw; many shelters are erected in them; and holes are burrowed out
+and strewn with chips of cartridges and pieces of shell, bottles, and
+every imaginable article. Being somewhat curious as to the effect of
+our shelling which had gone on from the 10th December to the 12th
+January at this line of trenches, I rode along them and came to the
+conclusion that not one of our shells had actually hit these splendid
+defences, although no doubt our fire annoyed and delayed the workers
+in them. I picked up many curios here.
+
+_Friday, 2nd March._--Not a Boer to be seen within miles. Very hot and
+odoriferous here, and I feel queer and tired out although fortunately
+able to lie down all day. In the middle of the night had a sudden and
+alarming attack of colic and was in great agony. I really thought I
+was done for, but my men gave me hot tea and mustard and water which
+did me good.
+
+_Saturday, 3rd March._--Woke up feeling weak and ill, but as luckily
+there was no work on hand I was able to lay still under an ammunition
+wagon and was much revived with some champagne which my best
+bluejacket named House got for me from my friend Major Brazier Creagh
+of the Hospital train. The doctor from the Middlesex lines who came to
+see me in the evening told me he had been into Ladysmith and had found
+the garrison looking very feeble; the Cavalry were hardly able to
+crawl and could not therefore pursue the Boers; the rations had been
+reduced to one and a half biscuits per day per man in addition to
+sausages and soup called Chevril, made from horseflesh. It seems that
+Ladysmith could have held out for another month, but the garrison had,
+after our failure at Spion Kop, given up all hope of our relieving
+them. Poor chaps! they have had an awful time of it. We learn that the
+Boers had left a huge unfinished dam of sandbags across the Klip River
+so as to flood out our shelter near the banks of the town; another
+week would have seen this really marvellous work completed; but
+luckily, as it was, our friends had to decamp in a hurry, leaving
+tents, wagons and ammunition strewn all over the neighbourhood; I wish
+I could add guns, but none were found, and I fear that the retreat
+took place for one reason only, viz., Kruger's fear of being cut off
+by Lord Roberts at Laing's Nek. Except for this I doubt whether we
+should ever have moved the Boers out of the Colenso position with our
+30,000 men; indeed, I hear that the German Attache said it was a
+wonder, and that his people would not have attempted it under ten
+times the number. As it is, we are all glad that General Buller has
+succeeded.
+
+_Tuesday, 6th March._--Nothing special to note except that wagons and
+ambulances have been pouring out of Ladysmith down Grobler's Hill
+during the last few days.
+
+_Wednesday, 7th March._--In the afternoon General Coke kindly came to
+wish me good-bye as his Brigade had received orders to sail for East
+London, and at the same time gave me orders to proceed to Ladysmith.
+Meanwhile the Naval Brigade under Lionel Halsey passed our camp on the
+way to Durban, and we drew up to cheer them and received their cheers
+in return. Poor fellows, they looked as weak as rats.
+
+_Thursday, 8th March._--We left Colenso at 5.30 a.m. with the 73rd
+Field Battery for Ladysmith. We were much interested on the Grobler's
+Hill road to see the Boer trenches and shelters, which were simply
+marvellous and made the place impregnable. The trenches were blasted
+out of solid rocks, some 6 feet, and some 6 to 8 feet thick, of solid
+rock and boulder; these were all sandbagged, fitted with shelters with
+burrowed-out holes, and were extended for a front of half a mile
+facing Colenso. On the other side of the road, slightly higher up, was
+another line of similar trenches, while the road itself was defended
+by a series of stone conning towers--to use a Naval term--all
+loopholed and commanding the entire passage. It was a wonderful
+revelation to us after the "prepare to dig trench" exercise prescribed
+by our own drill book. The Governor of Natal, Sir Walter
+Hely-Hutchinson, happened to ride by when our Naval guns were drawn
+up, and when he found that I was in command he sent for me, was very
+kind, and said he would write to my father to tell him he had seen me.
+Although still feeling ill from dysentery I tried not to make much of
+it, but I could no longer ride my horse so got on a wagon. We moved on
+to Ladysmith at 4 p.m. and were much interested in the various hills
+and positions _en route_; we passed over Caesar's camp, which we found
+a very straggling uninteresting sort of place. The town itself lay on
+the left and was now used as a hospital; we passed along over the iron
+bridge where the troops from India were encamped, and much admired
+their khaki tents and green ambulances; and climbing the hill leading
+to the convent to join our Naval camp we found Ogilvy in command, who
+said, much to my regret, that the men of the _Terrible_ who manned my
+own and their guns, were ordered to be withdrawn for service in China.
+
+_Friday, 9th March._--Having struggled long against my dysentery I am
+now compelled to go on the sick list; and feel it to be a great blow,
+after all my trouble and training, that my _Terrible_ bluejackets are
+to go. Good fellows. It seems bad for the force, putting aside all
+personal reasons, that all our trained men now well up to the country
+we fight in, should thus suddenly have to go, and that Mountain
+Battery gunners and others should be sent to fill their place. The
+men, however, seem glad to go back to their ships after all their
+severe work; and indeed the bluejacket is in some respects an odd
+composition; he turns up trumps when there is work to be done, but he
+is not always content with existing conditions and likes changes! Sir
+Redvers Buller is very pleased with us, so says the Naval A.D.C., and
+the telegrams just read out to the Naval Brigade from home are
+extremely complimentary.
+
+They are (1) from the Queen--"Pray express my deep appreciation to the
+Naval Brigade for the valuable service they have rendered with their
+guns"; (2) from Admiral Harris--"The Lords Commissioners of the
+Admiralty desire me to express to the Naval and Marine officers and
+Bluejackets and Marines who have been engaged in the successful
+operations in Natal and Cape Colony, the sense of their great
+admiration for the splendid manner in which they have upheld the
+traditions of the service, and have added to its reputation for
+resourcefulness, courage and devotion"; (3) from the Vice-Admiral
+Commanding Channel Squadron--"Very hearty congratulations from
+officers and men to Naval Brigade." We were all pleased at these
+wires, and especially that, among others, Sir Harry Rawson had not
+forgotten us.
+
+_Saturday, 10th March._--Alas, at last I have to go to our Field
+Hospital much against my will, while to add to my sorrow all my good
+men of the _Terrible_ are starting off to rejoin their ship. We were
+all glad to-day to hear of Ogilvy's promotion to Commander for
+distinguished service in the field. He thoroughly deserves it.
+
+_Tuesday, 13th March, to Thursday, 22nd._--A bad time, and I can
+hardly walk a few yards without being tired. While in hospital, about
+the 15th, a frightful hailstorm came on, the hailstones being as big
+as walnuts and even as golf balls; the horses in camp broke loose and
+stampeded, tents were blown down and flooded; several poor enteric
+patients died from the wetting, and we had a very bad time. Meanwhile
+important changes have gone on; Ladysmith has been emptied of Sir
+George White's troops; Sir Charles Warren and General Coke are gone to
+Maritzburg; the Naval Brigade is broken up, and our Naval guns are
+turned over, alas, to Artillery Mountain Batteries. Captains Scott and
+Lambton are made C.B.'s; the _Powerful_ has left for England, and the
+_Terrible_ leaves for China; our flag is hoisted at Bloemfontein, and
+the tone of the Foreign Press has altered; still more troops are
+pouring out from England, and we hear that 40,000 more men are to be
+landed before April, which is a very good precaution.
+
+_Friday, 23d March._--There are rumours that the Boers have evacuated
+the Biggarsberg hills, and at any rate all our troops are moving on to
+Elandslaagte. The Dublins celebrated St. Patrick's Day on the 17th
+with great _eclat_, and all the Irish soldiers throughout Natal wore
+the shamrock. They have behaved splendidly all through the operations
+and it is a pity that the Irish nation is not more like the Irish
+soldier.
+
+_Sunday, 25th March._--Out of hospital to-day, but so weak that I can
+hardly walk a yard, so I have to give in and go down country much
+against my will. General Kitchener of the West Yorks told me of a
+private house of the Suttons' at Howick, near Maritzburg, and strongly
+advised me to go there; so I left Ladysmith on the 27th and got a warm
+welcome from the Honourable Mr. and Mrs. Sutton and their family who
+were most kind; and on the best of foods I soon began to pick up. The
+house is a very pretty combined country and farm house facing the
+Howick Falls, 280 feet high, of the Umgeni River. While here news came
+of the disaster at Sanna's Post and the capture of 500 of the Irish
+Rifles at Reddesberg, so we are all disappointed and think the end of
+the war further off than we thought. My twenty-seventh birthday on the
+1st April passed quietly in this peaceful spot, and after a pleasant
+stay I left on the 13th, my lucky day, fairly well, although still a
+stone under weight. I was very sorry to leave my more than kind
+friends and hope to meet them again some day.
+
+_Saturday, 14th April._--Reached Elandslaagte and rejoined the Naval
+Brigade at the foot of the historical kopje which the Gordons and
+Devons stormed in October last. The 4.7's are on top in sandbagged
+emplacements, and the 12-pounders are in other positions on the right.
+We are with General Clery, in General Hildyard's Brigade, and we hold
+the right while Sir Charles Warren holds the left, of our long line of
+defence. The Boers face us a long way off on kopjes north of us beyond
+a large plain.
+
+_Sunday, 15th April (Easter Day)._--All quiet here. About lunch time
+Commander Dundas and Lieutenants Buckle and Johnson of the _Forte_
+arrived to pay us a visit, and they were all very interested in what I
+and others were able to show them.
+
+_Tuesday, 17th April._--I feel much stronger and better now. Orders
+having come for General Clery's Division to withdraw to Modder Spruit,
+it did so at 6 p.m., leaving the Rifle Brigade and Scottish Rifles
+with us, all under General Coke.
+
+_Friday, 20th April._--Nothing moving in front. I have been given
+James's guns to command as he has slight fever, and I have had all the
+work and worry of dragging them up this kopje, making roads and gun
+emplacements which are now too elaborate for my liking. Generals
+Hildyard and Coke came to look at my gun positions and said they were
+both glad to see me again; they have always been considerate and
+perfect to work under. General Hildyard has now Sir Charles Warren's
+(the Fifth) Division. I am very glad to be under him, although sorry
+that Sir Charles Warren leaves us, which he does to administer the
+Free State. Some sensation in camp to-day at Lord Roberts' comments on
+Spion Kop; undoubtedly he is very sharp and mostly right; he is now
+our one great hope out here and seems to be afraid of no one.
+
+_Saturday, 21st April._--At daybreak we were hurried out by reports of
+Boers in force to the front, and we saw several hundreds on the kopjes
+at 8,000 to 10,000 yards. We are now in a position on the hill where
+Elandslaagte was fought. The graves of some of our own men are here.
+In the centre of the hill are those of the Boers, and the remains of
+hundreds of dead horses and cattle are still lying about. The
+collieries of Elandslaagte lie two miles to our left; and further
+again to the left are the 5" military guns and two 12-pounders in
+emplacements, while our own Naval 12-pounders and the 4.7's are on
+this hill. Our right flank for some reason seems to be left
+practically undefended. At 7 a.m. the Boers brought a 15-pounder
+Creusot down on this flank and threw several shells just over us at
+4,800 yards; our 4.7's and one of my own 12-pounders replied with
+shrapnel and silenced it. The Boers appear to be in force in front,
+moving backwards and forwards through Wessels Nek, so we have kept up
+a desultory fire all day. At night they fired the grass in front of us
+for about four miles; we were up all night expecting a night attack,
+but none came; we were well prepared for it, as the hill was defended
+by some 300 men in all round the guns.
+
+_Sunday, 22nd April._--At daylight stood to our guns in a heavy mist
+but no Boers reported. Received a box of fresh food from one of my
+kind friends, Mrs. Moreton, daughter of Mrs. Sutton of Howick.
+
+_Monday, April 23rd to Friday 27th._--Boers reported to be returning
+on Newcastle. The long-expected presents from England for the Naval
+Brigade from our good friends Rev. A. Drew, Miss Weston, Lady
+Richards, and Mr. Tabor, have at last reached us from Durban, where
+they have been lying for upwards of four months. As we have only sixty
+bluejackets left up here we are overloaded. I took some tobacco, a
+beautiful pipe in case, some books, and a neck scarf. After all this
+kindness from friends at home what can we do for them in return? Poor
+James, and also my servant Gilbert, have gone to hospital with
+enteric. I am myself not much up to the mark but am thankful to have
+command of guns again, and so try to keep well.
+
+_Monday, 30th April._--No events of importance during the last few
+days. Weather a trifle cooler. I rode over to the hospital on Saturday
+to see Gilbert who is very bad, poor fellow, and will have to go home.
+I gave him clothes and books and tried to cheer him up a bit. On my
+return I found a fine large parcel of clothes from my own people at
+home. Took the Naval Brigade to Church yesterday and marched past
+General Hildyard afterwards.
+
+_Sunday, 6th May._--Nothing has been stirring during this past week,
+and we are getting rather weary of the quiet. We have news from home
+of the Queen's inspection at Windsor of the _Powerful_ men and of a
+fierce debate in Parliament on the Spion Kop despatches. We had our
+own Church service to-day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+     End of three weary months at Elandslaagte -- A small Boer attack
+     -- The Advance of General Buller by Helpmakaar on Dundee -- We
+     under General Hildyard advance up the Glencoe Valley -- Retreat
+     of the Boers to Laing's Nek -- Occupation of Newcastle and
+     Utrecht -- We enter the Transvaal -- Concentration of the army
+     near Ingogo -- Naval guns ascend Van Wyk, and Botha's Pass is
+     forced -- Forced march through Orange Colony -- Victory at
+     Almond's Nek -- Boers evacuate Majuba and Laing's Nek -- Lord
+     Roberts enters Pretoria -- We occupy Volksrust and Charlestown.
+
+
+_Monday, 7th May._--Still at Elandslaagte. Rumours of a possible
+attack made us stand to guns before daylight, and it was well we did
+so, as at 5.45 a.m. a party of Boers tried to rush the station and
+were repulsed with slight loss on both sides; they managed to clear
+off in the dim light. The attacking commando became afterwards known
+as the "Ice Cream Brigade," being largely composed of Italians and
+Scandinavians.
+
+_Thursday, 10th May._--Rumours of a move. Poor Captain Jones is laid
+up with jaundice, and indeed all in camp are a little off colour. Nice
+letters to-day from my father and Admiral Douglas. The Middlesex and
+Halsey's guns are shifted over to Krogman's farm. Self busy putting to
+rights some of our wagon wheels which had shrunk from the tyres owing
+to the great heat and drought.
+
+_Friday, 11th May._--A great move this morning. The Dorsets trekked at
+daylight to hold Indudo Mountain and Indumeni on our right. General
+Clery's Division marched with Dundonald's Cavalry up Waschbank Valley,
+and the 5" have been shifted to cover this advance. We were much
+amused to-day in reading the first edition of the _Ladysmith Lyre_
+(Liar), which perhaps I may be forgiven for quoting, with songs sung
+by the garrison:--A duet by Sir George White and General Clery, "O
+that we two were maying"; by Buller's Relief Force, "Over the hills
+and far away"; by the Intelligence Officer, "I ain't a-going to tell";
+by Captain Lambton, "Up I came with my little lot"; then a letter from
+Ladysmith to Paradise Alley, Whitechapel:
+
+     "DEAR MARIA,
+
+     "This 'ere seige is something orful. We sits and sits and sits
+     and does nothing. Rations is short, taters is off, and butter is
+     gone. We only gets Dubbin. These blooming shells are a fair
+     snorter; they 'um something 'orrid. 'Opin' this finds you as it
+     leaves me,
+
+     "Your affectionate,
+
+                                        "MARTHA."
+
+Among other amusing items was, "Mrs. K. says her dear Oom is getting
+too English: he no longer turns into bed in his clothes and boots."
+
+_Sunday, 13th May._--We got our marching orders at last about 11 a.m.,
+and I was just in the act of mounting my horse in good spirits to ride
+off and see my guns brought down over Elandslaagte Kop, when something
+startled him and he bolted over the rocks near the camp; having only
+one foot in the stirrup I overbalanced and came heavily on my head and
+left shoulder and was knocked silly for twenty minutes with a gash
+over my eye to the bone. I was carried to my tent and kindly stitched
+up by Dr. Campbell of the Imperial Light Infantry, and being much
+shaken I was obliged to hand over command of my guns to poor Steel
+who was only just recovering from jaundice and had to trek off at 3
+p.m. to Sunday's River Drift. By keeping very quiet in the 4.7 camp in
+Hunt's tent I got over my fall better than I expected, and was able to
+move on, with a bandaged head and a sore body, with the 4.7 Battery
+when they marched at daybreak on the 17th to Waschbank Bridge which we
+reached at about 11 p.m. after a very hot and dusty march--all done up
+and cross, and self in addition bandaged up and feeling altogether
+unlovely after a slow and horribly dusty ride of eighteen miles. The
+position of affairs now seems to be this: General Buller with Clery's
+Division (the 2nd) and the Cavalry have occupied Beith and moved on
+Dundee from which the Boers fled on the 14th with 4,000 men and
+eighteen guns. Thus, Buller is in Dundee; Lyttelton's Division (the
+4th) is still near Ladysmith under orders to advance; and we (the 5th)
+are to move to Glencoe with all speed up Glencoe Pass and along the
+railway line route.
+
+_Friday, 18th May._--At 7 a.m. we trekked under General Hildyard and
+had a very trying march with dust, dust, dust, sometimes a foot thick,
+till arriving half-way to Glencoe we outspanned oxen. We found all the
+railway bridges and the culverts of the line, some twenty-eight all
+told, blown up along our line of march. The Boer positions we passed
+on the road were extraordinarily strong, as usual; and one can well
+understand why they held on to this place and the Biggarsberg ranges
+on each side, a position ten times stronger than any Colenso. We
+reached Glencoe about 5 p.m., and marching through it bivouacked for
+the night a mile beyond the town on the level uplands. Here we
+received orders to advance with all speed to Newcastle, where the
+Commander-in-Chief is with the 2nd Division; so on we moved by
+moonlight in a cloud of dust and passed the night on an awful rocky
+place at Hatton's Spruit, trekking on in the morning towards
+Newcastle; but when five miles on our march we received orders to move
+back to Glencoe as the line had broken down and there were no supplies
+for us at Newcastle. All disappointed, but back we had to go! The
+weather is bitterly cold, and although we have our tents, we are, no
+doubt for good reasons, not allowed to pitch them.
+
+_Sunday, 20th May._--Took over my guns from Steel feeling rather low
+with a plastered cut on my face. General Hildyard has congratulated us
+all on the hard work and marching of the last few days. Both he and
+his Staff have always a kind word for everyone, and I was greatly
+pleased when they and Prince Christian, on seeing me with my faithful
+guns once more, told me how glad they were that I had got so well over
+my fall.
+
+_Tuesday, 22nd May._--Busy getting my wagon wheels and guns right
+after their trek over the bad road, and obliged to send them into
+Dundee to be cut and re-tyred. I rode with Steel and Hunt to Dundee
+which is five miles off; it is a small and miserable place with
+tin-roofed houses, bare dusty surroundings, and awful streets. We saw
+poor General Penn Symons' grave with the Union Jack flying over it,
+and other graves marked by faded wreaths and wooden crosses. We had a
+talk with the Chaplain who said that the Boers had passed through on
+Sunday in full flight with all their guns. We rode back from this
+desolate scene, amid the dust of ages and smell of dead animals,
+wondering how poor General Symons ever allowed the Boers to occupy
+Talana Hill which is only half a mile from the town and completely
+commands it; in fact, there should never have been a Talana, and our
+troops did splendidly to retake it.
+
+_Wednesday, 23rd May._--Sudden orders to move off at 2 p.m., so all is
+rush and hurry. I rode once more at the head of my guns, and all went
+well with us except that one of the poor oxen broke a hind leg in the
+trek chains down a steep bit of road and had to be left behind and
+shot. For four hours after this our long line of march was stuck in a
+drift, but at last, at 11 p.m., we got over it and at 1 a.m.
+bivouacked at Dannhauser.
+
+_Thursday, 24th May._--The Queen's birthday. God bless her. Up at
+daylight, very cold, and no tents. Poor Captain Jones still very sick
+with jaundice. Steel also, following my example, got a bad fall on the
+rocks from his horse and is in Field Hospital. At noon we all paraded
+in line with the Naval Brigade on the right; General Talbot Coke made
+a speech and we gave Her Majesty three cheers from our hearts and
+drank her health in the evening.
+
+_Friday, 25th May._--Orders came to get our guns in position to defend
+the camp, so off I had to go to do this on one flank and Halsey on the
+other; and we lay out all day ready for an attack, with the cattle
+grazing just in front of us. To our right about fifty miles off is
+Majuba Hill.
+
+_Saturday, 26th May._--We left Dannhauser at daybreak--oh, how
+cold--marched with the 10th Brigade, and trekked on to Ingagane,
+meeting on the road Lyttelton's Division (the 4th), which was hurrying
+to the front. We reached Ingagane at 5 p.m., and met General Buller
+and Staff just as we were going into camp for the night. The General
+looked well; and the sight of him, somehow, always cheers one up, as
+one feels something is going to be done at once.
+
+_Sunday, 27th May._--Up at daybreak and awfully cold. We marched off
+to Newcastle, the fine Lancashire Fusiliers, my father's old
+regiment, doing rearguard just behind our guns. Met Archie Shee of the
+19th Hussars who recognised me from old _Britannia_ days, where he and
+I were together. He told me that my cousin Ernest St. Quintin of the
+19th had gone home with enteric after the Ladysmith siege. On getting
+to the top of the hills overlooking Newcastle we were much struck with
+the view and the prettiness of the town which the Boers had hardly
+wrecked at all--quite the best I have seen in Natal from a distance.
+We went gaily down the hill and over a footbridge into camp where we
+found all three Divisions together, barring a Brigade pushed on with
+some 5" and 12-pounders to Ingogo. We hear that Lord Roberts is across
+the Vaal, and that Hunter is pushing up through the Orange Free State
+parallel with us, while the enemy are holding Majuba, Laing's Nek and
+tunnel, and Pougwana Hill to the east of the Nek, with 10,000 men.
+
+_Monday, 28th May._--Moved off with the 5th Division under General
+Hildyard towards Utrecht. After an eight-mile march we crossed the
+bridge over Buffalo River and Drift unopposed by Boers, and entered
+the Transvaal at last. We were the first of the Natal force to do so,
+so I record it proudly. At 9 p.m.--a very cold night--orders came for
+an advance on Utrecht, my guns and some Infantry under Major Lousada
+being left to hold the bridge and drift here. I visited all the
+salient points of defence and outposts from Buffalo River to
+Wakkerstroom Road and carefully selected my gun positions, then
+brought the guns, each with an ammunition wagon, up the ridge, a steep
+pull up, and placed them one commanding the Utrecht Road and one
+Wakkerstroom Road--unluckily one mile apart, which could not be
+helped. I put my chief petty officer, Munro, in command of the left
+gun and took the right one myself, riding between the two to give
+general directions when necessary. At night as no Boers appeared we
+withdrew the guns and wagons behind the ridge.
+
+_Wednesday, 30th May._--Drew the guns out of laager at sunrise and
+again got into position and arranged details of defence with Major
+Lousada so far as my own work was concerned. All was quiet however
+to-day, and we saw no Boers nearer than Pougwana. And so it went on
+for the next few days, during which the Landrost of Utrecht, after
+twenty-four hours' armistice, delivered up the town to General
+Hildyard, saying that he had done the same in 1881 to a British force
+which had never occupied it after all. So history repeats itself.
+
+_Saturday, 2nd June._--Marched along the right bank of Buffalo River
+towards Ingogo, while Lyttelton's Brigade moved on our right on the
+other side of the river towards Laing's Nek. After a pleasant trek
+across the open veldt, and therefore no dust, we reached De Wet's farm
+near Ingogo in the evening and bivouacked; a grand day marching right
+under Majuba and Prospect and yet no sign of the enemy. Had a short
+talk with General Hildyard and Prince Christian on the march, as they
+rode by my battery, reminding the latter that I had first seen him
+when I was in the Royal yacht in 1894 and took his father and himself
+about in her steam launch at Cowes--a very different scene to this.
+The Prince said he knew all along he had seen me before somewhere.
+
+_Tuesday, 5th June._--Rode to Ingogo and saw the spot where the fight
+took place in 1881, the huge rocks from which our fellows were
+eventually cut up by Boer rifle fire, the monument set up to the 3rd
+Bn. Royal Rifles, and some graves higher up of which one was to a
+Captain of the R.E. Poor, unlucky, but gallant Sir George Colley; he
+went from Ingogo to Majuba and there met his untimely death. The view
+from here of Laing's Nek was glorious at sunset, Majuba frowning on
+one side with Mount Prospect and Pougwana on the other, and the bed of
+the Ingogo River below in a green and fertile valley. The Boer
+position is very strong although our heavy Artillery ought to be able
+to force it.
+
+_Wednesday, 6th June._--All on the move, as the armistice which
+General Buller was trying to arrange with Chris Botha is up, the
+latter replying: "Our heavy guns and Mausers are our own and will be
+moved at our convenience; the armistice is over." We hear that Lord
+Roberts is in Pretoria and that Kruger has fled; but how
+unsatisfactory that this does not end the war. In fact, marching to
+Pretoria was the feature and romance of the war, and now must commence
+anxious and weary guerilla tactics which may last a long time. About
+dark in came orders to the Naval guns to move on and occupy Van Wyk
+to-night: and off we went through large grass fires and along awful
+roads, getting to the foot of the hill at about 1 a.m. with no worse
+mishap than the upset of one of my guns twice on huge rocks hidden in
+the long grass.
+
+Captain Jones ordered me to go on up the hill during the night,
+leaving the 4.7 guns at the bottom; so we commenced a weary climb up
+Van Wyk (6,000 feet) on a pitch-dark night lighted only by the lurid
+gleams of grass fires which the enemy had set going on the slopes of
+the mountain. With thirty-two oxen on each gun it was only just
+possible to ascend the lower slopes, and thus we made very slow
+progress. But as Colonel Sim R.E. kindly showed me a sort of track up,
+on we toiled for six hours, my men not having had a scrap of food or a
+rest since starting while the night was deadly cold and dark. In the
+gray dawn, just as we were attempting the last slope which was almost
+precipitous, the wheels of one of the guns gave out and there we had
+to leave it till daylight, pressing on with the sound one and getting
+it up to the top exactly at daylight (7th June) in accordance with our
+orders, taking the gun and limber up separately, with all my oxen and
+100 men pulling. We found the position was held by the 10th Brigade,
+and very heavy sniping going on down the N.W. slopes--a regular
+crackle of musketry.
+
+I soon got my gun along the crest into an emplacement prepared by the
+Royal Engineers, and opened fire at once at 7,000 yards at a Boer camp
+on the slopes of an opposite kop; but finding the camp practically
+deserted we did not waste much fire on it. My men were now half dead
+with fatigue and cold, so we all got a short rest in a freezing wind.
+
+Sir Redvers Buller, quite blue with cold, rode up about 9 a.m. with
+his Colonial guide, and carefully surveyed the position through my
+long telescope. Prince Christian also came up later to talk over the
+Boer position and seemed in great spirits. After a good look round we
+could not see many signs of the enemy in front, and he was just going
+off to report this, but at that moment the spurs of the berg opposite
+to us became alive with them at 6,000 or 7,000 yards off; they came in
+a long line out of a dip and donga and advanced in skirmishing order
+with ambulances in rear and a wagon with what looked like a gun on it.
+I opened fire at once and put my first two shells at 6,000 yards right
+into some groups of horsemen; we saw them tumbling about, so after
+about a dozen shots from my gun off they went like greased lightning,
+seeming to sink into the earth and evidently quite taken aback to find
+we had a gun in such a position. In a few minutes not a sign of them
+was left, and the Commander-in-Chief riding up appeared much pleased
+and congratulated us on our straight shooting; he seemed very
+satisfied that we had got the guns up Van Wyk at all, and rode off
+leaving us quite rewarded with his appreciation, besides that of
+General Hildyard and his Staff who were with him.
+
+Up to about noon we had nothing but long range sniping going on, but
+to make all sure the 4.7 guns were sent up the hill by an easier and
+more circuitous road than we had come, and took up position in
+emplacements close to us. We on our part were busy all day completing
+our ammunition up to 100 rounds a gun from the wagons which we had
+been obliged to leave in the night half-way down the hill. Horribly
+cold! I slept in the open under a limber.
+
+_Friday, 8th June._--An attack on Botha's Pass arranged for 10 a.m.
+The 10th Brigade and Naval guns are to hold Van Wyk and cover the
+advance, with a range of 8,000 yards from the pass itself, and about
+three miles of valley and road between to search with our fire; the
+11th Brigade is to attack in the centre, advancing along the valley to
+the foot of the pass; the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division to attack on
+the right, in echelon, and clear the slopes and spurs of the berg on
+our right flank; we ourselves to form the left of the line.
+
+Our first objective was a conical high kop, called Spitz Kop, about
+3,000 yards on our right and this was occupied without resistance by
+the South African Light Horse; our guns searched all the valleys and
+dongas up to the pass with a furious fire for some two hours assisted
+by May's batteries below us. We could hear General Clery pounding
+Laing's Nek with the two 4.7 guns on Prospect Hill and four 5" guns on
+our right, although Majuba and Pougwana were shut out by Mount Inkwelo
+from our actual view; and we knew that General Lyttelton had been
+detached to operate to the N.E. of Wakkerstroom. The attack developed
+about noon and we saw below us our Infantry and field batteries spread
+out in the plain like ants while we still pointed our guns ahead of
+them on to the top of the berg and pass. Up to the foot of the berg
+our men met with no resistance, but at last a furious fire of rifles
+and Pom-poms broke out on our right centre from Boers concealed in
+dongas and trenches on the spurs. Our gallant 11th Brigade, with the
+pressure eased by our fire and by the advance of the 2nd Brigade, took
+the hills and pass in grand style, and with small loss comparatively
+to ourselves. About 4 p.m. the enemy, driven up to the sky-line, lit
+large grass fires and cleverly slipped off towards the N.E. under
+cover of the smoke. We saw and fusilladed the Pom-poms through this
+smoke at 10,000 yards with the 4.7's, and at 5 p.m. we had the whole
+ground in our possession. Our troops in the valley were pushed on all
+night, and we ourselves also received orders to descend Van Wyk and
+press on. A shocking night; very wet and bitterly cold, with a heavy
+Scotch mist settled over us. Down Van Wyk we came, although delayed by
+our escort of Dublin Fusiliers losing their way all night in the fog,
+but the Dorsets helped us instead. We had a tough job coming down the
+steep hill in the mist but I had some fifty men on each of my guns to
+drag back and steady them, and we eventually got down to the lower
+ground without accident, but very much worn out and only just before
+daylight.
+
+_Saturday, 9th June._--At 6 a.m. moved on for Botha's Pass Road at
+full speed, and skirting a crest of hills overlooking a deliciously
+cool river, we soon came to the valley where our attack was advanced,
+and eventually got up the pass at dusk, at the tail end of a huge
+column all racing to get up first. If the Boers had properly
+entrenched the place it would have been impregnable. We bivouacked in
+Orange River Colony at the top of the pass, all in good spirits at our
+success and at being in a new country.
+
+_Sunday, 10th June._--Off at daybreak through delightful hard roads
+and veldt as compared with mountainous Natal; we can now realize Lord
+Roberts' fine forced marches on seeing the difference between these
+and the Natal roads. Our bullocks slipped along at the rate of three
+miles an hour, and passing farms flying white flags and flat veldt
+country we bivouacked for the night on Gansvlei Spruit, finding the
+boundary here of the Transvaal (a bend of the Klip River) quite close
+to us.
+
+[Illustration: Naval 12-pounders advancing after Almond's Nek.]
+
+[Illustration: 4.7 on a bad bit of road.]
+
+_Monday, 11th June._--Off at 5 a.m., and got our Naval guns in
+position to attack, but found that the Boers had evacuated the ground
+in front of us. Up and on at a great rate over the grassy veldt, the
+guns now marching in four columns and keeping a broad front. At about
+1 p.m. sudden firing in front and the familiar whirr of Boer shells
+made us come into action at 4,500 yards on Almond's Nek Pass, through
+which our road lay. The Boers were evidently in possession, judging by
+the warm greeting of Pom-poms and the Creusot 5", which played on us
+without much damage. The troops were now all halted, and formed up for
+attack which was to commence in an hour's time. The Commander-in-Chief
+(Buller) directed the operations, carried out at 2 p.m. by the
+Infantry advancing in long extended lines, the 10th Brigade in the
+centre, the 11th on the right, and the 2nd on the left, the field
+batteries and Naval guns covering the advance with lyddite. The 10th
+Brigade, which had 3,000 yards of plain to cross and a small kop to
+take, dislodged the Boers and their Pom-poms quietly and steadily
+under a heavy rifle and gun fire, the noise being terrific, as the
+hills and ravines were smothered by shrapnel and lyddite; in
+half-an-hour the Boers were on the run again and their fire was
+silenced, after treating us with Pom-pom and 45-lb. shrapnel, one
+piece of which narrowly escaped my left foot--a detail interesting to
+myself to recall. The attack of the Queen's, East Surreys, and Devons,
+on the left of the pass, and especially of the Dorsets on the conical
+hill, was most gallant and irresistible. Thus, about 5 p.m., at dusk
+we were in possession of the ridges 5,000 feet high on the left and
+right of the pass, which we thought a great achievement, while the
+Cavalry and Horse Artillery were pushed on to complete the Boer rout,
+but darkness coming on prevented this. General Buller and his Staff
+rode along our guns evidently very pleased, and indeed the force had
+won a brilliant little victory which cleared our way effectually and
+turned Laing's Nek besides. The Boers lost, as we thought, about 140
+killed, of whom we buried a good many, while our casualties in killed
+and wounded were 137; but we afterwards learnt from an official Boer
+list found in Volksrust that their losses on this occasion reached
+500, chiefly from our shrapnel fire. General Talbot Coke who directed
+the centre attack congratulated Captain Jones on the fine shooting of
+the Naval guns, as did also General Buller who said it had enabled
+them to take the position in front of us with such small loss. Again
+bitterly cold, and we bivouacked for the night on the battlefield.
+
+_Tuesday, 12th June._--On again an hour before dawn through Almond's
+Nek; a thick mist came down, but all being eventually reported clear
+ahead we marched on towards Volksrust and bivouacked.
+
+_Wednesday, 13th June._--All our men in high spirits; the 11th
+Brigade, with the Naval guns, moved on Volksrust, while the 10th
+Brigade and Royal Artillery guns marched to Charlestown, and we thus
+occupied the two towns simultaneously. Volksrust is a cold-looking,
+tin-roofed town; all houses and farms are showing the white flag, the
+men are gone, and the women are left behind weeping for their dead. We
+captured here a store of rifles and ammunition besides wagons and
+forage, not to mention Boer coffins left in their hurried flight.
+
+_Thursday and Friday, 14th and 15th June._--At Volksrust resting on
+our laurels, and all in good heart, although feeling this bitter
+mid-winter cold. General Hildyard sent for names to mention in his
+despatches, and I believe I am one. As commanding the _Tartar_ guns I
+was also very pleased to be able to mention six of my men, and am full
+of admiration of the way in which my bluejackets have worked, shot,
+and stood the cold and marching. To sum up our recent operations, they
+are:--March from Elandslaagte to Glencoe, reoccupation of Newcastle;
+crossing of Buffalo Drift and occupation of Utrecht; ascent of Van Wyk
+at night with guns; turning and capture of Botha's Pass; march through
+Orange River Colony and Transvaal in pursuit of the Boers; taking of
+Almond's Nek and occupation of Volksrust and Charlestown, with the
+strong position of Laing's Nek turned and evacuated by the enemy who
+are in full flight. This is all very satisfactory, and we hear of
+congratulations from the Queen and others to General Buller. The Boers
+have, however, with their usual cleverness and ability, got away their
+guns by rail, but we hope to get them later. We are now busy refitting
+wagons and gear for a further advance. I hope the services of the
+bluejackets in these operations, which have been invaluable, will
+receive the recognition they deserve at the end of the campaign.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+     Majuba Hill in 1900 -- We march on Wakkerstroom and occupy
+     Sandspruit -- Withdrawal of H.M.S. _Forte's_ men and Naval
+     Volunteers from the front -- Action under General Brocklehurst at
+     Sandspruit -- I go to hospital and Durban for a short time --
+     Recover and proceed to the front again -- Take command of my guns
+     at Grass Kop -- Kruger flies from Africa in a Dutch man-of-war --
+     Many rumours of peace.
+
+
+_Saturday, 16th June._--Starting about 10 a.m. I rode over to Laing's
+Nek with Captain Jones and Lieutenants Hunt and Steel, taking
+Charlestown on our way and getting up to the railway tunnel where
+Clery's Division is encamped. The Boer scoundrels have blown down both
+ends of the tunnel, blocking up the egress, and putting a dead horse
+at each end! We found also a deep boring they had made over the top of
+the nek through the slate with the object of reaching the roof of the
+tunnel and exploding it; but this having failed, from our friends not
+getting deep enough, the damage is insignificant and the rail will be
+cleared by the Engineers within a few days. We rode along the top of
+Laing's Nek and looked at the trench, some three to four miles long,
+which the Boers had made there; it completely defends the nek from
+every point of attack and gives the defender, by its zigzag direction,
+many points for enfilading any assaulting party. In fact, the work is
+marvellous; the Boers must have had 10,000 men employed on it, the
+trench being some five feet deep on stone and slate, with clever gun
+positions, stretching from Pougwana, to the east of the nek, to
+Amajuba on the west, as we saw plainly later on from Majuba and
+elsewhere. We rode up Majuba Hill as far as we could, finding it a
+great upstanding hill with a flat top overlooking the nek. On the way
+we passed many small trenches and sniping pits evidently made for
+enfilading fire. From the top of the grassy slope (when it became too
+steep for the horses to climb) we commenced the ascent of the actual
+hill on foot, climbing, one might say, in the footsteps of the Boers
+of 1881 when they made the wonderful attack on Colley and turned his
+men off the top. Right well can we now understand how they did it; it
+is almost too clear to be credible to us, and one cannot but regret
+the omission of the English force to hold the spurs of the mountain
+when occupying the top, seeing that any attacking party, safe from
+fire from the top of the hill on account of the projecting spurs,
+could get up untouched to within a few feet of the top of this
+northern face; this is what the Boers did while holding poor Sir
+George Colley's attention by long-range fire from the valley below. We
+saw what must have been the very paths up which the Boers crept, and
+when it came to the point where they had to emerge the slope was
+precipitous but short; here, so records tell us, by a heavy rifle-fire
+while lying flat on their stomachs, they drove our men off the
+sky-line, and once at the top the whole affair became a slaughter.
+Climbing this last steep bit as best we could, we reached the flat top
+quite blown and found it about 300 yards wide with the well-known,
+cup-shaped hollow, in the centre of which lie our poor fellows buried
+in a wire enclosure--sad to say twenty-two bluejackets among them,
+beside Gordons, King's Royal Rifles, and others. An insignificant
+stone heap marks the place where poor Colley was shot, and on one
+stone is put in black-lead "Here Colley fell." The sky-line which our
+men held had only a few small rocks behind which they tried to shelter
+themselves but no other defence at all in the shape of a wall or
+trench. All the east and south faces overlooking the nek have now
+(nineteen years later) been very heavily trenched by the Boers at
+great expense of labour; they were evidently expecting we should
+attack and perhaps turn them out of Majuba, although the slope of the
+hill on the south side is quite too precipitous for such an operation.
+I picked up some fern and plants near where Colley fell, as a memento.
+We took an hour and a half to get down again, meeting General Buller
+and his Staff walking up to inspect the hill, and I rode back ten
+miles to Volksrust blessed with a headache from the steep climb and
+strong air. The view from the top of Majuba, showing the Boer trenches
+on Laing's Nek, was wonderful; well might they think their position
+impregnable and well might we be satisfied to have marched through
+Botha's Pass and forced the enemy to evacuate such an impregnable
+place with so little loss to ourselves.
+
+_Sunday, 17th June._--Left Volksrust early to march on Wakkerstroom,
+news having come in that General Lyttelton was somewhat pressed and
+was unable to get on. Our march was uneventful, as we only passed the
+usual farms with white flags and batches of Dutch women--as
+mischievous as they pretend to be friendly. Bivouacking for one night
+we got to Wakkerstroom--a march of twenty-eight miles--on the 18th,
+bivouacking outside the usual style of town, very cold and gray
+looking, one or two tall buildings, and situated in a treeless valley
+at the foot of some high hills. Very cold and wet.
+
+_Wednesday, 20th June._--Moved away from this spot the same way we
+came, and had no incident except hard marching; we passed Sandspruit
+on the Pretoria line, which we found undefended. Lees, the Naval
+A.D.C., here came up and told Captain Jones that the General wanted
+him. He rode off in a great hurry, first asking self and Halsey
+whether our small commandos wanted to stop or go off. We both replied
+"Stop, and see it out." Captain Jones came back to say that the
+_Forte_ men and the Natal Naval Volunteers were to be withdrawn, and
+the 4.7 guns to be turned over to the military; we are to remain. He
+did not seem to know whether to be glad or sorry but told us that
+Admiral Harris had wired to the Commander-in-Chief that he wanted the
+_Forte_ men for an expedition up the Gambia on the west coast. Such is
+the Naval Service, here one day and off the next.
+
+_Friday, 22nd June._--The 11th Brigade and Naval guns marched off at 9
+a.m., leaving myself with the 18th Hussars, Dorsets, 13th Battery R.A.
+and so on, to defend Sandspruit Bridge. I was very sorry to say
+good-bye to Captain Jones and all, especially Hunt, Steel and
+Anderton, after our seven months' campaigning and hardships together,
+and I feel quite lonely. General Hildyard introduced me to General
+Brocklehurst who commands here. We selected gun positions and got the
+37th Company R.E. to make two emplacements for my guns. I had a look
+at the bridge at which the Boers had fired gun shots to carry an
+important trestle away, but they did but slight damage.
+
+_Saturday, 23rd June._--Rode about all day looking at the defences
+with our Brigade Major (Wyndham), selecting positions and giving my
+opinion on some of them. Was asked to lunch with General Brocklehurst
+and Staff (Wyndham of the Lancers, Corbett of the 2nd Life Guards, and
+Crichton of the Blues) and had tea with them as well--all a very nice
+lot. Trains are running through to Standerton where the
+Commander-in-Chief and General Clery are at present.
+
+_Sunday, 24th June._--A quiet and cold day. Called on the Dorsets and
+found that Colonel Cecil Law is a cousin, and very nice and kind.
+
+_Monday, 25th June._--A hard frost and heavy mist. General
+Brocklehurst moved out with the 11th Hussars, two guns of the 13th
+Battery, my own guns, and a Company of the Dorsets, against some Boers
+who had been often sniping us and our guides from the Amersfoort Road.
+We got into position about 2 p.m., and had a small action lasting till
+dark; my guns clearing the ridges on the right at 4,500 yards with
+shrapnel, while the Hussars and guns advanced over a high ridge in
+front. Here the Boers resisted and retired, but on our drawing off
+into camp later on, to save the daylight, they came after us in full
+force and we had a small sort of action with lots of firing; we gave
+them fifty shrapnel. The General seemed pleased with our shooting.
+Trekked back to camp and dined with Colonel Law and the Dorsets who
+fed us up right well. Sent General Brocklehurst and his A.D.C. some
+damaged and fired brass cartridge cases which they wanted as a
+memento.
+
+_Thursday, 28th June._--About 2 p.m. a Flying Column from Volksrust
+passed through here to follow up the Boers at Amersfoort. This war
+certainly seems likely to last a long time.
+
+_Friday, 29th June._--To-day General Talbot Coke with a Flying Column
+moved out at 8 a.m. supported by the 18th Hussars and some of our
+guns, but he had to fall back in face of a superior force of 2,000
+Boers and 6 guns against him. We had some twenty casualties.
+
+_Saturday, 30th June._--I have been for some days sick and ill with
+jaundice, arising from exposure and hard work, but am anxious not to
+give in. To-day I am advised however to do so, and to-morrow may see
+the last of me here as I go into hospital, and here I may say I
+remained till the 5th July when I was able to get up although as weak
+as a rat. I was advised by the doctor to run down to Durban to the
+warmer climate, so as I felt too weak to do anything else I had to ask
+the General for sixteen days' leave which he gave me. Thus on the 6th
+July after giving over my guns to Lieutenant Clutterbuck, I left
+Sandspruit in an empty open truck at 4 p.m., got down to Volksrust at
+dark, and met Reeves, R.S.O., who had had jaundice and who offered me
+a bed in his office, which I was delighted to have; also met again
+Captain Patch, R.A. We all dined together at the station and wasn't I
+ravenous! We all came to the conclusion that we were rather sick of
+campaigning if accompanied by jaundice and other ills of the flesh.
+
+_Saturday, 7th July._--At 8.30 a.m. went on by train to Ladysmith
+which I reached at 8 p.m., and got into Durban the next morning at 9
+a.m. A lovely morning and a nice country covered with pretty gardens
+and flowers--such a change from that awfully dried up Northern Natal.
+I secured a room at the Marine Hotel, feeling ill and glad to get
+sleep and oblivion for a time.
+
+_Wednesday, 11th July._--The weather at Durban is lovely and I am
+already feeling better. Have met Nugent of the _Thetis_ and Major
+Brazier Creagh, also down with jaundice. My letters have lately all
+gone wrong, but to-day I received a batch to my great delight.
+
+And now I must perforce close this record of personal experiences,
+written perhaps more to amuse and satisfy myself than for the perusal
+of others; more especially as this being a personal Diary I have been
+obliged by force of circumstances to use the pronoun "I" more than I
+would otherwise wish. The war seems played out so far as one can
+judge. It appears to be becoming now a guerilla warfare of small
+actions and runaway fights at long ranges; these furnish of course no
+new experiences or discoveries to Naval gunners; in fact, the sameness
+of them is depressing, and what with marching, fighting, poor living,
+dysentery, and jaundice, I humbly confess that my martial zeal is at a
+much lower ebb than it was a year ago. Yet time may produce many
+changes and surprises, and I may yet find myself again at the front;
+who knows!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Thursday, 26th July._--The quick return to health which the change to
+the warmth of Durban effected made me only too glad to get back to the
+front again with the object of "being in at the death." I travelled up
+as far as Ingogo with Captain Reed, R.A. (now a V.C.); thence on to
+Sandspruit, and on again in a Scotch cart, which Major Carney, R.A.,
+M.C., lent me, to Grass Kop, a hill six miles off the station and some
+6,000 feet high. Ugh! I shall never forget the drive and the jolting,
+and the sudden cold after Durban weather. Still I was able to rejoin
+my guns before dark, and to receive them over from Lieutenant
+Clutterbuck who had been sent to relieve me when I was obliged to
+leave the front. He fortunately had a share in taking this hill with
+the Dorsets when in command of my guns. With a whole battalion at
+first of Dorsets under Colonel Law (who had dug marvellous good
+trenches), and later on with three Companies of the South Lancashires,
+and after that two Companies of the Queen's (note the descending scale
+of numbers), we defend this position, monarchs of all we survey, and
+therefore bagging all we can get, not only of the numerous guinea
+fowl, partridge, and spring buck dwelling on its sides and in its
+ravines, but also, it must be confessed, of the tamer and tougher
+bipeds from surrounding farms that were nearly all deserted by their
+owners. For many weeks we had a great deal of fun in our little
+shooting expeditions. Major Adams of the Lancashires, a keen
+sportsman, was always sighting game through his binoculars as he was
+going on his constant patrols round the defences, and he allowed the
+rest of us to shoot when able. Thus in the midst of our work we had
+many a jolly hour in those occasional expeditions close to our lines;
+one day we made a large bag of geese and started a farmyard just in
+front of our guns on a small nek, giving our friends the geese a
+chance of emulating the deeds of their ancestors at the Roman Capitol;
+for who can tell whether they may not yet save Grass Kop if our
+friends the Boers are game enough to attack.
+
+_Sunday, 12th August._--The gales of wind up here are something awful.
+This evening as we were toasting the "Grouse" at home, a furious blast
+blew down and split up my own tent and that of others, although
+fortunately we had a refuge in the mess-house which the Dorsets had
+made by digging a deep hole roofed over with tin; here we are fairly
+comfortable and have stocked this splendid apartment with Boer
+furniture, including a small organ. Our evenings with the South
+Lancashires in this mess-house have been as merry as we could make
+them, and our president, Major Adams, whom we all like, occasionally
+fires off a tune on the organ which he plays beautifully such as it
+is. The Volunteers with us are to be seen at all times sitting on the
+side of the hill surveying the country through their binoculars and
+watching the movements of the enemy. Marking the interest which this
+being "able to see" gives men, I sincerely hope that in future wars
+each company of a regiment or of a battleship may be always supplied
+with a certain proportion of binoculars, or with small hand
+telescopes, for possible outpost duty.
+
+_Monday, 13th August._--General Hildyard rode up here and expressed
+himself much pleased with our trenches and defences. I had a talk with
+him about matters and he does not seem to anticipate a further advance
+of the 5th Division just yet. However, here we are, and the kop "has a
+fine healthy air," as the General who was quite blue with cold
+remarked. Neither my men nor self have had any letters for weeks,
+which is rather dreary for us; our mails are, no doubt, chasing the
+Commander-in-Chief at Ermelo. One feels a certain amount of pity for
+these Boers; they are, owing to their reckless and cunning leaders, in
+the position of a conquered race, and this position to such a people
+who are naturally proud, cunning and overbearing must be awful. One
+notices this much even among the few old men, boys and women who are
+left on the farms; they display a certain air of dejection and are
+even cringing till they see that they are not going to be robbed or
+hurt when their self-confidence soon reasserts itself. There is a
+typical old Boer farmer and his family living at the foot of Grass
+Kop; a few presents of coffee and sugar have made this family grateful
+and quite glad to see us; still one detects the cunning in their
+nature, and they don't hide for a moment that they wish the English
+anywhere but in their country. Poor people, they have one good point
+in their characters which is that they won't hear of anyone running
+down their President even although he has terribly sold them.
+
+_Wednesday, 15th August._--We have now watched two fights round the
+town of Amersfoort, about eighteen miles north of us. On the 7th
+General Buller occupied the place and we were all in readiness to
+defend our right flank if need be, but our friends the Boers bolted
+to Ermelo instead of coming our way. We were all rather annoyed at
+Grass Kop, however, to see a Boer laager with a dozen wagons, guns and
+ambulances inspan at almost the last moment and slip off under the
+very noses of our Cavalry who were drawn up in force under a long
+ridge, doing nothing for an hour at least. This is all the more vexing
+because for a fortnight or more we had sent in accurate reports as to
+this very laager which a single flank movement of the Cavalry would
+have easily taken _en bloc_, instead of which they paid no attention
+to our heliograph from Major Adams to "hurry up and at them." These
+frontal attacks on towns without flanking movements seem to be absurd,
+as the enemy and his guns invariably get away under our noses. To-day
+General Buller occupied Ermelo, but as ill-luck will have it the
+commandos which split up before him have come south-east and are
+giving trouble on the Natal border.
+
+_Friday, 24th August._--The winter is slipping away, and to-day I am
+writing in one of those horrible north-west gales of wind which knock
+our tents into shreds and whirl round us dust as thick as pea-soup.
+Our kop life is becoming a little monotonous but we manage to get on.
+
+[Illustration: Bringing in a Boer prisoner.]
+
+[Illustration: In Camp at Grass Kop.]
+
+[Illustration: One of Lieut. Halsey's Naval 12-pounders.]
+
+_Monday, 27th August._--The Boers have again cut the line and are
+shelling Ingogo, so we must evidently march on their laager. Down
+comes the rain in a perfect deluge for three days which is most
+depressing, more especially as our poor mess-house is full of water
+from a leaky roof and we have to take our meals with feet cocked up on
+tin sheets. The South Lancashires have suddenly got the order to move
+for which we are all very sorry. I presented Major Adams with two old
+brass cases and two blind 12-pounder shells for the regiment from the
+Navy detachment, as a memento of our pleasant time with them. We
+have been very busy making our positions secure from attack in case of
+accidents with barbed wire, besides sangars and trenches.
+
+_Wednesday, 5th September._--Very thick mists up here, and as we hear
+rumours of attack we have very alert and wakeful nights. A great many
+movements in our front which only succeed in dispersing the Boer
+commandos without capturing them. We hear of Lord Roberts'
+proclamation of the 1st September annexing the Transvaal, and we give
+three cheers![4]
+
+         [Footnote 4: The following is a copy of a telegram which the
+         Governor received from Lord Roberts, dated 13th September,
+         1900:
+
+         "I have ordered the following proclamation to be printed and
+         widely circulated in English and Dutch.
+
+         "The late President, with Mr. Reitz, and the archives of the
+         South African Republic, have crossed the Portuguese frontier
+         and arrived at Lourenso Marques, with a view of sailing for
+         Europe at an early date. Mr. Kruger has formally resigned the
+         position he held as President of the South African Republic,
+         thus severing his official connection with the Transvaal.
+
+         "Mr. Kruger's action shows how hopeless, in his opinion, is
+         the war which has now been carried on for nearly a year, and
+         his desertion of the Boer cause should make it clear to his
+         fellow-burghers that it is useless for them to continue the
+         struggle any longer.
+
+         "It is probably unknown to the inhabitants of the Transvaal
+         and Orange River Colony that nearly 15,000 of their
+         fellow-subjects are now prisoners of war, not one of whom
+         will be released until those now in arms against us surrender
+         unconditionally.
+
+         "The burghers must now by this time be cognisant of the fact
+         that no intervention on their behalf will come from any of
+         the Great Powers, and, further, that the British Empire is
+         determined to complete the work which has already cost so
+         many valuable lives, and to carry to its conclusion the war
+         declared against her by the late Governments of the Transvaal
+         and Orange Free State--a war to which there can be but one
+         ending.
+
+         "If any further doubts remain in the minds of the burghers as
+         to Her Britannic Majesty's intentions, they should be
+         dispelled by the permanent manner in which the country is
+         gradually being occupied by Her Majesty's forces, and by the
+         issue of the proclamations signed by me on the 24th May and
+         the 1st September, 1900, annexing the Orange Free State and
+         the South African Republic respectively, in the name of Her
+         Majesty.
+
+         "I take this opportunity of pointing out that, except in the
+         small area occupied by the Boer army under the personal
+         command of Commandant General Botha, the war is degenerating
+         into operations carried on in an irregular and irresponsible
+         manner by small, and, in very many cases, insignificant
+         bodies of men.
+
+         "I should be failing in my duty to Her Majesty's Government
+         and to Her Majesty's Army in South Africa, if I neglected to
+         use every means in my power to bring such irregular warfare
+         to an early conclusion.
+
+         "The means which I am compelled to adopt are those which the
+         customs of war prescribe as being applicable to such cases.
+
+         "They are ruinous to the country, entail endless suffering on
+         the burghers and their families, and the longer this guerilla
+         warfare continues the more vigorously must they be
+         enforced."]
+
+_Wednesday, 12th September._--Not much to record. Lieutenant Halsey,
+R.N., looking very fit, came to see me yesterday from Standerton, and
+from what he says we are likely to remain on here for some time longer
+defending the position which is no doubt an important one. My oxen are
+well, but some of the men are getting enteric. We have to be on the
+alert against Kaffirs who prowl up the hill with a view, as we think,
+of taking a look round on the defences.
+
+_Friday, 14th September._--Engaged in writing details of the graves of
+two of the _Tartar_ men who, as the Admiral said in a memo, on the
+subject, had given their lives for their Queen and country. Apparently
+the Guild of Loyal Women of South Africa have engaged to look after
+all the graves of H.M. sailors and soldiers in this country and have
+written to ask for their position. What a kindness this is, and what a
+comfort to the poor families in England who cannot come out to do so!
+The two services must be ever in debt for it. We are all glad to hear
+that Kruger has bolted from the country via Delagoa Bay. But why let
+him escape?
+
+_Sunday, 23rd September._--Still here, with all sorts of news and
+rumours constantly coming up; Kruger sailing to Europe in a Dutch
+man-of-war; Botha said to be on the point of surrendering; some 15,000
+Boer prisoners in our hands and so on; while at Volksrust the burghers
+are surrendering at the rate of fifty a day, and here at Sandspruit
+they are dribbling in by half-dozens for what it is worth. But from
+now up to 1st October at Grass Kop we have to record "Nothing,
+nothing, always nothing," although in the outer world we hear of great
+doings, and of C.I.V.'s, Canadians, Guards, Natal Volunteers, and
+others all preparing to go home for a well-deserved rest. Our turn
+must soon come, and I am busy preparing my Ordnance and Transport
+accounts in view of sudden orders to leave the front. The following
+circular may be of interest as showing the gifts given for the troops
+in Natal during these operations by native chiefs and others in that
+colony.
+
+     CIRCULAR WITH LINES OF COMMUNICATION ORDERS.
+
+     No. A 23.
+
+     The following gifts of money have been sent from native chiefs,
+     committees, and others in Natal for the benefit of the troops in
+     Natal. The amounts received for the sick and wounded have been
+     handed over to the principal medical officer, lines of
+     communication, and the other gifts to the officers commanding
+     concerned:
+
+                          _Date_
+  _From whom received._ _received._  _Amount._  _On what account._
+                                     L  s. d.
+  Ngeeda (of Chief
+  Ndguna's tribe)         7/3/00     7  0  0  1st Manchester Regiment.
+
+  Chief Xemuhenm          22/3/00   10  0  0  For troops who defended
+                                              Ladysmith.
+
+  Berlin Mission (New
+  Germany)                22/3/00    8  0  0  For sick and wounded.
+
+  Native Christian
+  Communities             28/3/00   15  0  0  For war funds.
+  Chief Umzingelwa        28/3/00    5  0  0  For relief purposes.
+  Chief Laduma            30/3/00    8  0  0  For sick and wounded.
+  Members of Free
+    Church of Scotland
+    Mission (natives)     30/3/00    9  5  6-1/2    "    "
+  Natives of Alexandra
+    Division               3/4/00    7 15  3  For Royal Artillery who
+                                              fought at Colenso.
+  Free Church of
+    Scotland (Impolweni
+    natives)               6/4/00    3 17  4  For sick and wounded.
+  Loyal Dutch round
+    Tugela district       12/4/00   41  7  6        "    "
+  J. H. Kumolo (Lion's
+    River District)       13/4/00    3 18  0        "    "
+  P. M. Majozi            16/5/00    3  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Gayede
+    (Amakabela Tribe)     19/5/00    6  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Ndgungazwe        26/5/00    8  9 10-1/2    "    "
+  Headman Umnxinwa        26/5/00    3  0  0  { For Sergeant who led
+  Headman Umnxinwa        15/7/00    0 17  0  { East Surreys at
+                                              { Pieter's Hill.
+  Chief Bambata, of
+    Umvoti Division       3/6/00     3  0  0  For sick and wounded.
+  Chief Christian Lutayi,
+    and Mr. Bryant Cole   5/6/00     9  1  0  For sick and wounded.
+  Chief Ncwadi            9/6/00   219  6  0        "    "
+  Chief Ncwadi           15/7/00   147  1  6        "    "
+  Chief Mqolombeni       10/6/00     5  0  0        "    "
+  Native Chiefs
+    (Timothy Ogle and
+    Ntemba Ogle)         15/6/00    20  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Mahlube          21/6/00    15  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Nyakana
+    (Mampula Division)   28/6/00     2  0  0        "    "
+  Chief Xegwana           7/7/00     1 10  0        "    "
+
+  NEWCASTLE,               H. HEATH (_Lieut.-Colonel_),
+  _30th July, 1900._         _C.S.O., Lines of Communication._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+     Still holding Grass Kop with the Queen's -- General Buller leaves
+     for England -- Final withdrawal of the Naval Brigade, and our
+     arrival at Durban -- Our reception there -- I sail for England --
+     Conclusion.
+
+
+_Tuesday, 2nd October._--Grass Kop. Still here with the Queen's and my
+friends Major Dawson and Lieutenant Poynder. What an odd sort of
+climate we seem to have in South Africa. Two days ago unbearable heat
+with rain and thunder, and to-day so cold, with a heavy Scotch mist,
+as to make one think of the North Pole; so we are shivering in wraps
+and balaclavas, while occasional N.W. gales lower some of our tents.
+The partridges seem to have forsaken this hill, so poor "John" the
+pointer doesn't get enough work to please him; but his master, Major
+Dawson, when able to prowl about safe from Boer snipers, still downs
+many a pigeon and guinea fowl which keeps our table going.
+
+_Friday, 5th October._--We are all delighted to hear that Lord Roberts
+is appointed Commander-in-Chief at home; report says that he comes
+down from Pretoria in a few days to inspect the Natal battlefields and
+to look at his gallant son's grave at Colenso. I must try and see him
+if I can. One of our convoys from Vryheid reported to be captured on
+the 1st by Boers, the Volunteer escort being made prisoners and some
+killed; this has delayed the return of the Natal Volunteers who were
+to have been called in for good on that day.
+
+_Wednesday, 10th October._--Still we drag on to the inevitable end.
+The reported capture of a convoy turns out to be only a few wagons
+escorted by a small party of Volunteers who were unwounded and
+released after a few days.
+
+This is a great week of anniversaries. Yesterday, the 9th, was that of
+the insolent Boer Ultimatum of 1899 which brought Kruger and his lot
+to ruin; to-day and to-morrow a year ago (10th and 11th October), the
+Boer forces were mobilizing at this very place, Sandspruit; and on the
+12th they entered Natal full of bumptious boasting. They were going,
+as they said, to "eat fish in Durban" within a month, and many of them
+carried tin cases containing dress suits and new clothes in
+preparation for that convivial event. And they would have done so
+except for the fish (sailors) and the women (Highlanders), as they
+styled us, who, they said, were too much for them, combined I think
+with the Ladysmith sweet shop, which proved their Scylla with Colenso
+as their Charybdis.
+
+Major Burrell of the Queen's was up here a few days ago and made a
+special reconnaissance to Roi Kop under cover of my guns; he told us
+many amusing stories of his experiences with Boer and foreign
+prisoners at Paardekop while sweeping up the country round there; one
+Prussian Major of Artillery had come in from Amersfoort and
+surrendered, saying he had blown up seven Boer guns just previously by
+Botha's orders. This German Major, it seems, was a curious type of
+man; waving his hands airily he would say that foreigners were obliged
+to come and join the Boers so as to study the art of war which only
+the English got any chance of doing in their little campaigns; this
+being so, he said, "Ah, I shall go back to my native land, then six
+months in a fortress perhaps, after that, _sapristi_, a good military
+appointment. _Eh bien_! what do you think?" He also said about our
+taking of Almond's Nek that Erasmus, who was commanding at Laing's
+Nek, had been told that we were turning his flank and was advised to
+send ten guns to stop us; he thought a minute and said "No, I will not
+send guns, it is Sunday and God will stop them." Perhaps the Prussian
+Major's veracity was not of the highest class, but this yarn if told
+to General Buller would no doubt interest him, because undoubtedly if
+the Boers had had ten more guns defending Almond's Nek we should have
+had considerable more difficulty in taking it. The following Natal
+Army Orders of 17th July, 1900, will show how considerately we dealt
+with the Boers and others in the foregoing operations in the matter of
+paying for supplies.
+
+     SUPPLIES REQUISITIONED, ETC.
+
+     The following are the prices fixed to be paid for supplies
+     requisitioned, etc.:
+
+     No bills will, however, be paid by supply officers or others
+     until approved by the Director of Supplies.
+
+     Receipts will be given in all cases on the authorized form, and
+     duplicates forwarded same day to Director of Supplies. The
+     receipts will show whether the owner is on his farm or on
+     commando.
+
+  Oat hay, per 100 bundles       15s. to 18s. according to quality.
+  Manna hay,       "             10s.
+  Blue grass,      "              3s.
+  Straw,           "              7s.
+  Mealies, per 100 lbs            5s.
+  Potatoes, per sack of 150 lbs. 10s.
+  Milk, per bottle                6d.
+  Eggs, per dozen                 1s. to 1s. 3d.
+  Fowls, each                     1s. to 1s. 6d.
+  Ducks,   "                      2s. to 2s. 6d.
+  Geese,   "                      3s. to 3s. 6d.
+  Turkeys, "                      6s. to 8s.
+  Butter, per lb.                 1s. to 1s. 6d.
+
+_Saturday, 13th October._--Many exciting things have crowded
+themselves into the last few days. The Boers who had slipped away from
+the Vryheid district are again moving north, and are reported in some
+force at Waterfal on the Elandsberg, 20 deg. N.E. of us. They are said to
+have a Pom-pom and two Creusots; it seems to be the Wakkerstroom
+commando and Swaziland police, some 300 strong; the Ermelo commando
+has also moved on to the Barberton district. These commandos have been
+raiding cattle and horses every day, keeping well out of reach of our
+guns; many rumours of their intent to attack us at Grass Kop have been
+brought in but we are quite ready for them. This raiding has had the
+effect of bringing all the Dutch farmers and their sons flying back to
+their farms to look after their stock; they are highly indignant with
+the looters, have all surrendered and taken the oath at Volksrust, and
+ride up here to the foot of the hill every day with many reports and
+much advice about their former comrades' movements, and how to attack
+and kill them! Many old Dutch women have come also to the hill in
+tears over their losses from Boer marauders and say they are starving.
+All this gives Major Dawson and Lieutenant Poynder, Adjutant of the
+Queen's, a great deal of work and many walks down the hill to
+interview these people.
+
+Our Naval camp has been strengthened by building stone sangars round
+our tents to prevent any risk of the enemy creeping up and sniping us
+in our sleep; still, with barbed wires round the hill, hung with old
+tins, and trenches and sangars to protect the position, we feel pretty
+safe, although the gallant Cowper of the Queen's has gone down with
+one company to reinforce Sandspruit and we miss him greatly.
+
+To go back a few days, I must now mention that on the 11th October
+came a wire from Admiral Harris to Halsey telling him to arrange the
+return of our remnant of Naval Brigade to Natal as soon as possible,
+our brother officers and men who were with Lord Roberts on the other
+side having left Pretoria on the 8th and arrived at Simon's Town. This
+wire, as may be imagined, caused us much joy up here after a year's
+fighting, and I personally celebrated it with the Queen's by a great
+dinner on some partridges and pigeons that I had bagged down hill on
+the 10th.
+
+To cap this telegram I received one forwarded on from Standerton next
+day: "Admiral, Simon's Town, wires, Burne appointed _Victoria and
+Albert_ Royal Yacht; he should proceed to Durban whence his passage
+will be arranged." This came as a surprise to me, but at my seniority
+to serve Her Majesty once more on her yacht, where I was a
+Sub-Lieutenant in 1894, is a very great honour. I cannot well get away
+however just yet, as arrangements are being made for the relief of all
+guns by garrison gunners, and I am intent to "see it out," and indeed
+I must do so in order to turn over all the ordnance and transport
+stores and accounts for which I am personally responsible, and which
+after six months mount up a bit. I expect therefore to leave this hill
+and the front with our Naval Brigade next week, and then for "England,
+home, and beauty" once more. I shall hope, when able to do it, to
+revert to my gunnery line by-and-bye, as it has stood me in good stead
+in the past.
+
+_Monday, 15th October._--Another wire from Halsey, who is at
+Standerton, telling me he hoped to arrange for our leaving together on
+the 18th for Durban, so we are busy preparing, and I send off to-day
+my returns of ox transport, which show that out of 84 oxen we have
+lost 17 in action and otherwise. Old Scheeper, the Boer farmer at the
+bottom of our hill, whose son is Assistant Field Cornet with the
+Wakkerstroom commando, has sold me his crane and is making a cage for
+it. I shall take it down to Maritzburg and present it to the Governor
+(Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson), who has done me kindnesses in two parts
+of the world. I am also busy packing up my collection of Boer shells
+and relics of Colenso, Vaal Krantz, Almond's Nek, and Grass Kop. We
+may yet be attacked before leaving, as Boers were reported about ten
+miles off last night moving south along the Elandsberg. Sir Redvers
+Buller passed through Sandspruit on the 14th _en route_ for Maritzburg
+and England, so it is quite on the cards that I may go home in the
+same ship which will be interesting.
+
+_Friday, 19th October._--Still not relieved. The railway line has been
+cut two nights running between Paardekop and Standerton, and about a
+mile and a half of it torn up, and this perhaps accounts for the
+delay. We hear that General Buller has had a great reception at
+Maritzburg as he deserves and that he goes on to Durban this week; he
+is undoubtedly the "Saviour of Natal," as they call him. The Governor
+accepts my Transvaal crane for his garden, so I shall take it down in
+the cage I am having made for it and leave it _en route_ down at
+Maritzburg.
+
+_Saturday, 20th October._--Anniversary of Talana Hill. Sir Redvers
+Buller arrived to-day in Durban and had a great reception. All the
+newspapers praise him, and the earlier and difficult days of our
+rebuffs on the Tugela are wiped out in public opinion by subsequent
+brilliant successes. The General is, indeed, immensely popular with
+the army he has led through such difficult country and through so much
+fighting and marching. Very pleased to meet at Volksrust to-day
+Captain Fitz Herbert of the South African Light Horse who came out
+with me in the _Briton_ a year ago. He was originally in the Berkshire
+Regiment, but joined the South African Light Horse at Capetown and
+was taken prisoner by the Boers at Colenso. His experiences with the
+Boers for four months as a prisoner were, he tells me, somewhat awful.
+The first week he was handcuffed and put in the common jail for
+knocking down an insolent jailer, and he had to live all his time on
+mealies, with meat only once a week. He shows the marks of all this
+and is quite grey.
+
+_Sunday, 21st October._--A wire at last ordering us to leave on
+Wednesday for Durban. Off I went, therefore, to Volksrust to close my
+ordnance accounts with my middy, Mr. Ledgard, from Paardekop, who had
+met me with his papers. Hard at it since the 15th, turning over
+stores, making out vouchers, answering wires, and writing reports.
+
+_Tuesday, 23rd October._--I gave over my guns here and at Paardekop on
+Sunday to Lieutenant Campbell and Captain Shepheard, of the Royal
+Artillery, and to-day we are all busy packing, and doing the thousand
+and one things one always finds at the last moment to do. As we are
+off at 7 a.m. to-morrow, to catch the mail train at Sandspruit, the
+Queen's are giving me a farewell dinner to-night, while Bethune's
+Horse are dining my men. Rundle, French, and Hildyard are reported to
+be closing in all round in a circle (this place being the centre), and
+5,000 Boers within the circle are being gradually forced slowly in
+towards us. The many men who come in to surrender report that the main
+body will be obliged either to surrender or to attack us somewhere to
+get a position. I wired yesterday to General Hildyard, who is at Blood
+River, sending my respects to him and his Staff on leaving his
+command, and I received a very kind reply to-day: "I and my Staff
+thank you for your message. I am very sorry not to have seen you
+before you leave, but I hope you will tell your gallant officers and
+men how much I have appreciated their cheerful and ready assistance
+while with me during the campaign."
+
+My men have to-day hoisted a paying-off pennant with a large bunch of
+flowers at the end of it. This looks very fine and is greatly admired
+in camp. Much to our surprise we had a little excitement in the
+afternoon as the Boers round us bagged a patrol of Bethune's Horse,
+and on coming within shell fire to drive oxen and horses off from
+Parson's farm, my beloved gun in this position was brought into action
+by the Garrison Artillery under Lieutenant Campbell (who had taken
+over from me on the 21st), four shells bursting all round the
+marauders and scattering them at once.
+
+Later on the Boers sent Bethune's captured men back to Grass Kop,
+having shot their horses and smashed their rifles before their eyes.
+Poynder and the Major gave me a big farewell dinner, and we all turned
+in early this evening expecting an attack during the night, but
+nothing happened. So next morning, the 24th, we got under way, with
+our paying-off pennant streaming in the wind from a wagon, after
+saying good-bye (amid cheers and hand-shakings) to all our kind
+military comrades and friends at Grass Kop. I was more than sorry to
+leave the Queen's.[5]
+
+         [Footnote 5: Poor Poynder! I was dreadfully sorry to hear he
+         died of enteric at Kronstadt just a year after this event;
+         there was never a nicer chap or a better soldier, and it's
+         hard lines losing him.]
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Knight, Aldershot._
+
+Lt.-Gen. Sir H. J. T. Hildyard, K.C.B.]
+
+I won't describe the journey down at length; the entraining at
+Sandspruit and meeting all the rest of the Brigade; the farewells and
+cheers and "beers" from the Queen's; and the false bottle of whisky
+handed to Halsey by Colonel Pink, D.S.O., which I could not get him to
+open on the way down. We saw Reeves, R.S.O., at Charlestown, and
+many other old friends, and ran through to Durban by 8 a.m. on the
+25th. Unluckily, I and the middy were in a carriage from Maritzburg in
+which we couldn't get a wash, so one's feelings at Durban may be
+imagined when we got out dirty and tired, and saw a large crowd of
+officers and the Mayor of Durban and others ready to receive us on the
+platform. What a welcome they did give us! The speeches, the cheers of
+the crowd, the marching through the streets, and the breakfast, I
+leave an abler pen than mine, the _Natal Advertiser_, to describe:
+sufficient to say, I felt very proud of our men who looked splendid,
+hard as nails and sunburnt, in fact, _men_; and Halsey surpassed
+himself when he was suddenly turned on to return thanks to the Mayor
+in the street, and later on at the breakfast. The witty and
+appropriate speech also of Colonel Morris, Commandant, will make him
+to be remembered by the men of the Naval Brigade as the "Wit of
+Durban," and not the "Villain of Durban," by which title he described
+himself.
+
+Here is what the _Natal Advertiser_ says of the day's proceedings:--
+
+     Among the first of the "handy men" who, with their 4.7 guns, went
+     to the front, were those of H.M. ships _Philomel_ and _Tartar_.
+     Though in many of the reports H.M.S. _Terrible's_ men got the
+     credit of the work done, the duties were equally shared by the
+     two other contingents from the cruisers. On October 29th,
+     twenty-nine men of the _Tartar_ left Durban, and on November
+     11th, thirty-three men and two officers of the _Philomel_ were
+     entrained to Chieveley. These men went forward to the relief of
+     Ladysmith, and had to face many hardships and many a stiff fight.
+     To-day the last of them returned from the front. Out of the
+     twenty-nine men of H.M.S. _Tartar_ that went forward, only
+     eighteen returned; and out of the thirty-three men and two
+     officers of H.M.S. _Philomel_ twenty-three men and two officers
+     came down. These losses speak eloquently of the tasks performed,
+     and the hardships endured. Of those who could not answer the
+     roll-call this morning, some have been killed in action, others
+     died of disease, while a few have been invalided. After the men
+     of the _Powerful_, the _Terrible_, and the Naval Volunteers
+     returned, the _Philomel_ and _Tartar_ contingents were kept at
+     their posts, and, even on their return they had trouble at Grass
+     Kop and Sandspruit. The officers in charge of the men were
+     Lieutenant Halsey, Lieutenant Burne, and Midshipman Ledgard.
+
+     Shortly after 8 o'clock this morning a crowd began to assemble at
+     the Railway Station, awaiting the arrival of the down mail train.
+     On the platform were: the Commandant, Colonel Morris, the Mayor
+     (Mr. J. Nichol), Commander Dundas, of H.M.S. _Philomel_, the
+     Deputy Mayor (Mr. J. Ellis Brown), Lieutenant Belcombe, Mr. W.
+     Cooley, Surgeon Elliott, and Paymaster Pim. About 100 men of
+     H.M.S. _Philomel_, under Sub-Lieutenant Hobson, were drawn up in
+     a double line outside the station. The train was a trifle late in
+     arriving, but as soon as it drew up, the warriors were marched
+     outside. A ringing cheer from a crowd of nearly 1,500 welcomed
+     them as soon as they took up a position and were called to
+     attention.
+
+     The Mayor addressed them, and, on behalf of Durban, offered them
+     a hearty welcome back. These men, he said, had been entrusted to
+     go to the front to defend the Colony, and they had done it well.
+     They were among the first in the field and were the last to
+     leave, and he felt sure they had done their duty faithfully,
+     honestly, and well. (Applause.) They might be relied upon to do
+     that in any part of the world, wherever or whenever called upon.
+     They were looked upon as the "handy men," the men who had done
+     the greatest portion of the work during the campaign. They and
+     their guns saved the situation. Even when they were marching
+     down, he understood they had had some fighting. On behalf of
+     Natal, he thanked them for what they had done through these
+     trying times. (Applause.)
+
+     Lieutenant Halsey, replying, said that after forty-eight hours in
+     the train it was difficult for them to take a reception like
+     this. The men and officers of the Brigade had done their duty,
+     and would do it again if called upon. (Applause.) They were glad
+     that they had been able to do anything in the fighting line, and
+     they thanked the Mayor for the kind welcome extended to them. He
+     called for three hearty cheers for the Mayor.
+
+     The crowd joined in the response, and raised another for "Our
+     Boys." Lieutenant Halsey called for cheers for the Naval
+     Volunteers, who had helped the Brigade so ably during the war.
+
+     The concourse of people had now greatly increased, and the Post
+     Office front was thronged. The Brigade were given the word to
+     march, and cheers were raised again and again until the men
+     turned out into West Street. Headed by the Durban Local
+     Volunteers' Band, the _Philomel_ and _Tartar_ men marched along
+     to the Drill Hall. They were followed by Captain Dundas' piper,
+     two standard bearers, and their comrades of the _Philomel_. At
+     the Drill Hall arms were piled and the men again fell in, the
+     band playing them along to the Princess Cafe, where they were
+     entertained. The Mayor, the Commandant, Major Taylor, Mr. J.
+     Ellis Brown, and Mr. E. W. Evans received them. At the order of
+     the Commandant one khaki man sat between two white men, the
+     comrades of the warriors being dressed in their white ducks. At
+     the order of the Town Council Mr. Dunn had provided a most
+     substantial breakfast, to which the men did full justice.
+
+     The loyal toast having been duly honoured.
+
+     Colonel Morris proposed "Our Guests," and said he did not know
+     why the "villain of Durban" should be called upon to take up this
+     toast, or why the honour of proposing it had been conferred on
+     him. He begged to tell them, for the information of those fellows
+     who had just come down from the front, that he was the "villain
+     of Durban." (Laughter.) He meant that if any of these chaps were
+     out after 11 o'clock at night he would find for them nice
+     accommodation in the Superintendent's cells. There was a long
+     time between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., and he trusted they would not
+     get into trouble. The villain of the piece had to propose the
+     health of these fellows who had come down from the front.
+     (Cheers.) Now, these Navy fellows, if they could do so well on
+     land, how much better could they not do at sea? (Cheers.) They
+     knew how Jack had fought in the old days of Trafalgar, St.
+     Vincent, and at other great battles, and if they had to fight
+     again they might depend upon it that Jack the "handy man" was
+     just as good to-day as he was then. (Cheers.) Jack had proved
+     himself a splendid fellow ashore, and he wondered what any of
+     the landlubbers would do at sea. (Laughter.) The sea was a
+     ripping good place to look at, but from his point of view he
+     would rather be on land. (Laughter.) Anyway, Jack did not like
+     the land; he preferred to be on sea. Therefore, when at home on
+     the sea Jack would do a hundred times better than he had on
+     shore. (Cheers.) He recommended any people who thought of
+     fighting them on sea to take care what they were going against.
+     He did not believe that the British Navy was to be beaten here or
+     hereafter--(cheers)--and he was positively certain, from what he
+     saw of the Navy when they were at the front, that those who went
+     to look at them would say, "No, we will not play the game with
+     you on the water." He was positively certain that they would all
+     be admirals in time. (Laughter.) That was if they only waited
+     long enough (cheers), and if they did not come across the
+     "villain of Durban" they would be all right. He wished them all
+     thundering good luck, and he was sure that every one of them
+     would grow younger, because he did not believe any naval man grew
+     older. When they got their feet on board again they would feel
+     like chickens. He hoped they would all see the dear old country
+     soon. (Applause.) If they did not see it soon they would see it
+     later on. (Laughter.) Now, if they came across an enemy at sea he
+     knew exactly what would happen, and what they would read in the
+     papers--that the enemy had gone to the bottom of the sea.
+     (Laughter.) He dared say the Navy would be able to respond to the
+     toast. He did not know their capacities for talking, but Jack was
+     never hard up for saying something when he was called upon to do
+     so. Again he wished them jolly good luck. (Cheers.)
+
+     All save the guests rose, and led by the Commandant's stentorian
+     voice, sang "They are Jolly Good Fellows."
+
+     Chief Petty Officer Munro returned thanks on behalf of his
+     comrades, and said that the reception had been quite unexpected.
+     They had had very hard times, and they had had very good times.
+     They had done what they did willingly--(applause)--and they were
+     ready to do the same thing again for Her Majesty and the Empire,
+     and also to uphold the good old name of the Navy. (Cheers.) He
+     advised the fellows to keep out of the clutches of the
+     Commandant, for from what he saw of him he thought it would be
+     better. (Laughter.) When nearly twelve months ago they landed at
+     Durban, the people were a bit more excited than they were to-day.
+
+     Lieutenant Halsey asked the men to drink to the Mayor and Council
+     of Durban. Everybody outside knew, he said, how kindly Durban was
+     looked upon. Durban was one of the best places in the
+     station--(applause)--and it was on account of the wonderful way
+     everything was managed by the Mayor and Council. (Cheers.)
+
+     The toast was pledged with enthusiasm, and the Mayor said they
+     were proud to have them here, and to entertain them.
+
+     The men then fell in again in Field Street, and marched off to
+     the Point, the Durban Light Infantry Band playing "Just a little
+     bit off the Top" as a march.
+
+     The _Philomel_ and the hospital ship _Orcana_ had been dressed
+     for the occasion, and a number of their comrades assembled at the
+     Passenger Jetty and cheered them on arrival. They were afterwards
+     conveyed to the cruisers.
+
+     Among the Navals who returned from the front this morning is a
+     little canine hero, "Jack" the terrier, which has shared their
+     fortunes throughout the war. When they left Durban ten months ago
+     a little fox terrier followed them. While at the front he never
+     left them, although he was not particular with whom he fed or
+     what kind of weather prevailed. The firing of a 4.7 gun did not
+     discourage him, and through the booming of big guns and the
+     rattle of musketry he stuck by his adopters. Through every
+     engagement he went, and has come back bearing an honourable scar
+     on the head--shot by a Mauser bullet. The men, needless to say,
+     idolise the little hero, whose neck is decorated with a large
+     blue ribbon from which is suspended a Transvaal Commemoration
+     Medal.
+
+After inserting this account, there is, perhaps, nothing more to be
+recorded except to say how grateful we all felt to the Mayor and
+people of Durban for the kind and indeed magnificent reception they
+gave us; and we could not but add our thanks to Commander Dundas of
+the _Philomel_, to whose energy and good will, as senior Naval
+Officer, the success of the reception was greatly due.
+
+_Tuesday, 30th October._--After saying good-bye to many old friends of
+the _Philomel_, and others, and undergoing lunches and dinners (of
+which the most amusing and lively one was with Captain Bearcroft of
+the _Philomel_ who led the Naval Brigade under Lord Roberts and whom I
+was glad to have met before sailing) I got on board the _Tantallon
+Castle_, finding Commander Dundas on board and coming home in the same
+mail. We left Durban on a beautiful day, and I was glad to find myself
+in possession of a large cabin. And so I must end this long and
+rambling Journal on seeing the last of Natal, merely adding that we
+had rather a rough passage, after touching at Port Elizabeth, up to
+Mossel Bay, a most picturesque place on account of the towering peaks
+and ranges of hills running close to the coast-line. We reached
+Capetown on the 5th November, and I found Table Mountain and the
+general view much more striking than I had previously thought. We had
+to wait here till the 8th November, when we finally bid farewell to
+South Africa which with every beat of the screw gradually faded from
+view into the dim shadows of an interesting past.
+
+While the revolving wheel of life bears one on to other scenes and
+toils, with dear old England looming once more on the horizon, we
+leave South Africa behind with the problem of the war still unsettled,
+and with desultory but fierce fighting still going on. But let us hope
+that the shadows will lift, and that the glory of a rising sun will
+eventually dim and absorb the sea of blood which has submerged that
+wonderful and hitherto unfortunate land. The lines from the "Light of
+Asia"--
+
+          "Om Mani padme Hun, The sunrise comes,
+           The dew-drop slips into the shining sea"--
+
+express, I think, the hope of every British heart for South Africa, as
+they do that of my own.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+     Gunnery Results: The 12-pounder Q.-F. Naval gun -- Its mounting,
+     sighting, and methods of firing -- The Creusot 3" gun and its
+     improvements -- Shrapnel fire and the poor results obtained by
+     the Boers -- Use of the Clinometer and Mekometer -- How to
+     emplace a Q.-F. gun, etc., etc.
+
+
+A word or two now as to what we with the guns have learnt during the
+campaign, although I feel that this may be rather a dull, professional
+sort of chapter except to those interested in guns and gunnery, and
+that the subject as treated by myself may be open to criticism from
+others similarly engaged. I may certainly say that it was not for at
+least three months after our opening fire at the first battle of
+Colenso (December 15th, 1899) that I personally felt myself as "fairly
+well up" to the constantly varying conditions of gun positions, gun
+platforms, enemy's positions, and the ever-changing "light and shade"
+of the South African climate, against all of which one had to fight to
+get correct shooting; the last-named of these, viz., "light and
+shade," being perhaps our greatest bugbear, often throwing one many
+thousand yards out in judging a range by eye, which gift is, I think,
+the best a gunner can possess!
+
+Then, too, the Naval guns as they were sent up (owing to the work
+being pushed at the last moment), some on high wheels and some on low
+ones, some with drag-shoes opened out and others which wouldn't take
+the wheels, some with the wires from them to trail plate handles the
+right length and others much too long, caused (I am talking of the
+12-pounders) these guns, instead of forming a level shooting battery,
+to be each one a study in itself as regarded its shooting powers; and
+we constantly found one gun shooting, say, three or four hundred yards
+harder or further than the one next to it although laid to the same
+range on the sights. This at first sight was rather mystifying, but
+all these small but important matters above mentioned were not long in
+being put to rights. On any future occasion such defects will, of
+course, be avoided from the start by the guns being altogether more
+strongly mounted on broad-tyred wheels and broad axles of similar
+height, size and pattern, and, above all, with a strong and uniform
+system for checking the recoil of the carriage, of which the
+drag-shoe, as it was fitted and sent up to us, was certainly not
+capable.
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Symonds, Portsmouth._
+
+Captain Percy Scott, C.B., R.N.]
+
+I am rather keen on this question of the best means of checking the
+recoil of a field carriage. A very strongly made drag-shoe fitted with
+chains to the centre of gun trail will do very well; and these were,
+later on in the campaign, fitted by the Ordnance authorities at
+Maritzburg to new "Percy Scott" carriages, which they sent up to us to
+replace the original "Percy Scott" carriages, which, as I remarked
+before, were not strongly enough built, particularly as regards the
+wheels, to stand any very bad country or a lengthened campaign, in
+both of which we found ourselves involved. In these remarks, please
+let no one think that I am running down the 12-pounder carriage for a
+purpose; not so. I simply wish to point out details that, if more time
+had been available, would certainly have been avoided in them by their
+very clever designer, Captain Percy Scott, R.N., to whom the
+service in general (and I personally) owe a debt of gratitude; for
+assuredly not a Q.-F. gun, or a single one of us with the batteries,
+would ever have been landed unless it had been for him and his brains
+and his determination to have the Royal Navy represented in the
+campaign, as was their due--being on the spot with what was most
+wanted, namely, heavy guns.
+
+Here I wish to distinctly state my own opinion, and that also of the
+many officials and gunners, Naval and Military, with whom I have
+talked over the matter, _i.e._, that not only did the Naval guns save
+Ladysmith, but they also in a great measure helped to save the
+campaign outside for its relief, and with it Natal. And my opinion
+now, when the war is nearly over, is only strengthened and confirmed
+by what I have heard the Boers say of the guns, viz., that they are
+the only things when using shrapnel that have shaken them much during
+the fighting, and, considering the country, naturally so. That it was
+to the Navy and not to the garrison gunners that the original credit
+has gone, was simply because we were here and they were at home at the
+start. One is, as regards their gunnery powers, as good as the other,
+and the garrison gunners earned their laurels later on. Still, I have
+a great hankering after a gun's crew of "handy men" to beat any crew
+in this world for all-round service and quick shooting, and I am ready
+to back my opinion heavily.
+
+Returning from this digression to the subject of recoil, we found that
+sandbags placed at a certain distance in rear of each wheel not only
+effectually checked the carriage, but also (a great consideration) ran
+it out again. This system was used both by the 4.7's and ourselves at
+the end of the war; and seeing that the guns had only half crews, it
+was a _most_ important saving to men who had perhaps marched ten
+miles, loaded and off-loaded ammunition, and then had perhaps to
+fight the guns under a hot sun for hours. To fill and carry the bags,
+however, is a nuisance, and some better system on the same principle
+is needed, such as the inclined wedges that I saw by photos the Boers
+were using in rear of wheels; and I should very much like to see some
+such system substituted for our present one. I have not seen the
+hydraulic spade used, perhaps that is the _best_.
+
+To put it briefly, the hastily improvised gun-carriage of the
+12-pounders had, on account of this very haste, the following
+defects:--
+
+     (1.) Too weak generally in all parts, particularly wheels and
+     axles, for any long campaign.
+
+     (2.) Wheels and axles being a scratch lot, none in any of the
+     batteries were interchangeable, which caused many times later in
+     the campaign when wheels began to give out, much anxiety. Several
+     times we only had guns ready for action or trekking by the "skin
+     of one's teeth," and it must be borne in mind that any new wheels
+     wired-for sometimes took two months to arrive on the very
+     overcrowded railway--a single line.
+
+     (3.) The system of checking the recoil of the field carriage was
+     a bad one.
+
+     (4.) All the 12-pounders except two were in the first instance
+     sent up without limbers, and therefore had to be limbered up to
+     wagons. This for practical purposes in the country we had to trek
+     over was absolutely useless and caused endless delays. Eventually
+     we all got limbers built at Maritzburg, and equivalent gun-oxen
+     to drag the guns separately from the wagons.
+
+     (5.) The trail of the gun consisted of a solid block of wood some
+     12 feet long; so that if one laid the gun to any long range (in
+     most over 7,000 yards, I think) the oil cylinder under the gun,
+     on trying to elevate it, would bring-up against this trail and
+     prevent laying. This therefore necessitated digging pits for
+     trails to shoot much over 7,000 yards, which in bad ground often
+     took some considerable time. To obviate this defect would of
+     course be very easy with a steel trail of two side plates, and
+     space for gun and the cylinder between the sides.
+
+     (6.) The general idea of all the mountings I saw was narrow axles
+     and high wheels, whereas, for all trekking purposes, it should be
+     broad space between the wheels and low wheels. This was amply
+     proved to us by the number of times the high-wheeled narrow
+     mountings upset on rocky ground, whilst the broad low type went
+     along steadily. The 12-pounder gun itself did its work
+     beautifully, shooting hard and lasting well, and owing to the dry
+     climate of Africa we had no trouble at all to keep the guns clean
+     and all gear in good order.
+
+     (7.) Perhaps the most troublesome defect of all was that the
+     gun-carriage had no brake fitted. The gunnery drill-book system
+     of "lash gun wheels" may be at once erased from the book for all
+     practical purposes over any rocky or bad country; it simply, as
+     we soon found, tears the wheels to pieces, and chokes the whole
+     mounting up. An ordinary military Scotch cart brake, or a brake
+     fitted as the trek wagons here have, under the muzzle of the gun
+     on the forepart of the wheels, acts very well, and my
+     bluejackets, although not carpenters, fitted these for me. They
+     are screw-up brakes.
+
+The sighting of the gun (drum and bar system) cannot be beaten, I
+think. Perhaps a V-shaped notch to give one the centre of the H, or
+hind sight, might be an improvement, as here personal error often
+occurs. Lieutenant, now Commander, Ogilvy, R.N., always made his men
+correct their final sighting of the gun for elevation from about six
+paces in rear of the trail, and my experience is that this is a small
+but important matter, especially for fine shooting say at a trench at
+5,000 yards, which merely appears to one as a line on the ground. One
+invariably finds that the gun, with the eye of a man laying close up
+to the hind sight, is laid slightly short of the object; so this
+should be noticed in the gunnery drill-book as regards field guns.
+_Telescopic_ sights, the patent, I believe, of Lieutenant-Colonel L.
+K. Scott, R.E., were sent out and used by us with the 12-pounders to
+fire on the trenches at Spion Kop and Brakfontein, when fine shooting
+was required. These sights had the cross wires much too thick, so we
+substituted cobwebs picked off the bushes and stuck on with torpedo
+composition, and these did admirably. Still this sight was not
+altogether a success. The power of the telescope, especially in the
+rays of the sun, was poor, and it took a man a long time to lay his
+gun with it, thus further reducing the quick-firing power of the
+12-pounder reduced already by the recoiling field carriage. As to the
+4.7's, it was found that the ordinary Naval small telescope, fitted on
+a bar and with light cross wires, could not be beaten as a sight for
+ranges they had to fire at. It is a very good useful glass, and it
+was, I believe, used both in Natal and elsewhere right through the
+campaign, and I unhesitatingly give it the palm.
+
+As to the system of firing and gear used, electric firing was very
+successful as long as one had the gear for refitting and repairing and
+an armourer attached to one's guns; this, of course, as the guns
+became split up into pairs was impossible, and I may say that carting
+electric batteries (which of necessity for quickness have to be kept
+charged) in wagons or limbers over rocks and bad roads, and with
+continual loading and off-loading, becomes a trouble and anxiety to
+one. So for active service I should certainly recommend that
+percussion firing should be regarded as the first and principal method
+to be used with guns on the move, carrying also the electric gear for
+use if guns are left for any time at fixed spots as guns of position.
+I may here remark that when firing with electricity from a field
+carriage the battery has to be placed on the ground, clear of recoil,
+and therefore the wire leads must be adjusted in length accordingly. I
+am uncertain whether our other 12-pounders used mostly electric or
+percussion, but I think on the whole, percussion; and, speaking for
+myself, I certainly did so after experiencing the disappointments
+which miss-fires often gave one, when trying to get in a quick shot,
+say from the line of march, with the electric gear. These "miss-fires"
+are, moreover, often unavoidable under active service conditions, such
+as we had with our semi-mobile guns. The guns and connections get
+sometimes an inch thick in mud or dust and require time to clean, when
+one has no time to spare: the use of percussion tubes avoids all this.
+
+Before we leave the subject of guns the following description of the
+French 3" Creusot gun by the _Revue d'Artillerie_ will be of interest,
+viz.:--
+
+     _South Africa._--The Field Artillery of the Boers consists for
+     the most part of Creusot 3" rapid-firing guns made after the 1895
+     model. These guns were purchased by the South African Republic
+     during the year 1896.... The gun, which is constructed of forged
+     and tempered steel, has a 3" bore. Its total length is 8 feet and
+     its weight is 726 pounds. The body of the gun consists of three
+     elements:--1. A tube in which the breech piece is fixed. 2. A
+     sleeve covering the tube for a length of 3 feet 6 inches. 3. A
+     chase hoop. The chamber is provided with twenty-four grooves of
+     variable pitch which have a final inclination of 8 deg..
+
+     The system of breech closing is that of the interrupted screw,
+     which presents four sectors, two of them threaded and two plain,
+     so that the breech is opened or closed by a quarter revolution of
+     the screw. The mechanism is of the Schneider system, patented in
+     1895, and has the advantage of allowing the opening or closing of
+     the breech to be effected by the simple motion of a lever from
+     right to left, or _vice versa_.
+
+     The gun is fired by means of an automatically-cocked percussion
+     apparatus. A safety device prevents any shots from being fired
+     until after the breech is closed.
+
+     The carriage is provided with a hydraulic recoil-cylinder fitted
+     with a spring return. It is also furnished with a "spade," which
+     is placed under the stock at an equal distance from the trail and
+     the axle, and which is of the model that General Engelhardt has
+     adopted for the Russian Artillery.
+
+     During a march this spade is turned back and fastened to the
+     stock. The carriage is likewise provided with a road brake, which
+     is to be employed in firing only when the nature of the ground is
+     such that the spade cannot be used.
+
+     The gun is placed in a bronze sleeve that carries the brake
+     cylinders and the various other connecting pieces for the return
+     spring and the aiming apparatus.
+
+     The hydraulic recoil consists of two cylinders placed laterally
+     and at the height of the axis of the piece.
+
+     The axle has the peculiarity that in its centre there is a wide
+     opening in which are placed the cradle and the gun. It is
+     provided with two screw trunnions, around which the pivoting
+     necessary for lateral aiming is effected. This arrangement of the
+     gun with respect to the axle has the effect of greatly
+     diminishing the shocks that firing tends to produce.
+
+     Elevation and depression are accomplished by rotating the axle in
+     the wheels of the carriage. This is done by means of a crank
+     which, through an endless screw and pinion, controls a toothed
+     sector attached to the sleeve.
+
+     Pointing in direction is done by means of a lever known as a tail
+     piece. Mounted upon the axle there are two small sights, forming
+     a line of aim, that permit of bringing the carriage back in the
+     direction of the target as soon as a shot has been fired. All
+     that the gunner has to do is to give the piece a slight
+     displacement laterally with respect to the carriage by means of a
+     hand-wheel, which turns the gun 2 deg. to one side or the other.
+
+     The line of aim is found by a back and front sight arranged upon
+     the right side of the sleeve in which the gun is mounted. The
+     back side permits of aiming while the gun is being loaded. It
+     carries a small oscillating level that indicates the elevation of
+     the gun during rapid firing.
+
+     The weight of the carriage, without wheels, is 1,146 lbs. and
+     with wheels, 1,477 lbs.
+
+     The ammunition consists of cartridges containing charge and
+     projectile and having a total weight of 19 lbs. The powder
+     employed is of the smokeless kind, designated by the letters B.N.
+     The weight of the charge is 1-3/4 lbs. The projectiles are of
+     three kinds--ordinary shells, shrapnel shells, and case shot. The
+     weight of each is the same, say 14-1/4 lbs. The shrapnel shells
+     contain 234 balls, weighing 155.8 grains each, and an explosive
+     charge of 3.13 ozs.
+
+     As the gun can be pointed at a maximum angle of 20 deg., and the
+     initial velocity is 1,837 feet, the projectiles can be fired to a
+     distance of 26,248 feet.
+
+     The crew necessary to serve the gun consists of six men--a
+     gunner, a man to manoeuvre the breech-piece, a man to manoeuvre
+     the pointing lever, two men to pass the ammunition, and a man to
+     regulate the fuse. The rapidity of firing can easily be raised to
+     ten shots a minute.
+
+     The accuracy of the gun is most remarkable. Upon the occasion of
+     the trials made when the guns were received, the following firing
+     was done: a regulating shot, a first volley of six shots in
+     forty-two seconds, and a second volley of six shots in forty-six
+     seconds.
+
+     The fore carriage of the gun and that of the caisson are
+     identical. They carry a chest containing thirty-six cartridges,
+     and are capable of accommodating four men.
+
+     The back carriage of the caisson carries two chests like that of
+     the fore carriage.
+
+     The total weight of the gun and fore carriage loaded is 3,790
+     lbs., and that of the caisson 4,330 lbs.
+
+On reading over this description of the French 3" Creusot gun, it
+seems to me that the kind of axle used with it is first class and
+should be used in our field carriages for quick-firing guns; it must
+certainly take the strain of recoil off the centre of the axle, which
+recoil we found cracked our axles as we used them (once in my own
+guns) so badly that the whole thing had to be shifted and replaced.
+Another advantage it has is to lower the whole gun and mounting, and
+the centre of gravity of the weight of it and carriage, and therefore
+the gun is much harder to upset on rocky ground or going up steep
+precipices, as we had to do in Natal. This detail of wheels and axle
+is, I think, the most important one almost in a field carriage. The
+axle I mention is one bent down in its centre for about two-thirds of
+its length.
+
+In regard to the ammunition. The cordite charges in their brass
+cylinders and zinc-lined boxes did admirably, and the amount of
+knocking about which the cases and boxes out here stand is marvellous.
+At one time early in the campaign before Colenso and Ladysmith, a
+decided variation in shooting of our guns was noticed, and was put
+down in many cases to the variation of the cordite itself, the brass
+cases sometimes lying out, in fact, in a powerful sun for hours, while
+the guns were waiting or in action, and often becoming then too hot to
+touch. Now, however, I personally don't think that this theory was
+right but am of opinion that the variation then noticed, and even
+after in the shooting, was simply due to the varying recoil of guns on
+different slopes of ground and with indifferent drag-shoes. Royal
+Artillery officers confirm one in this opinion.
+
+As for the shells, both common and shrapnel, they stood the knocking
+about well, and I never saw or heard of a single common shell used
+with 12-pounders not exploding on striking, which speaks well for the
+base fuse. The shrapnel I am not quite so sure about; one noticed
+often a great deal of damp collected in the threads of the fuse plug
+and nose of the shell; owing, I presume, to condensation in their
+shell boxes under the change of heat and cold. Still they did very
+well and I think seldom failed to burst when set the right distance. I
+say the right distance because this at first was a slight puzzle to
+us, the subject of height in feet above the sea-level of course never
+having before presented itself to us as altering very considerably the
+setting of the time fuse; and I don't think that a table of correction
+for this exists in the Naval Service; at any rate, I have never seen
+one.
+
+To illustrate this, we found at Spion Kop (about 3,500 feet above the
+sea-level) that it was necessary to set the time fuse for any given
+range some 500 yards short to get the shell to burst at all before
+striking; and on the top of Van Wyk, fronting Botha's Pass (some 6,500
+feet above sea-level) I had to allow the fuse 800 to 900 yards short
+of the range, and similarly at Almond's Nek. This is, I take it, due
+to the projectile travelling further against a reduced air pressure at
+any height than it does for the same sighting of the gun at sea-level,
+for which of course all guns are sighted. I should like to talk to
+experts regarding this as we are not quite sure about it up here.[6]
+
+         [Footnote 6: I am since glad to hear from Lieutenant
+         Henderson of H.M.S. _Excellent_, that he is engaged in
+         working out a table of corrections, such as I mention, and is
+         also interesting himself in the question of "range-finders,"
+         and "filters," and other necessities for naval service.]
+
+Of course this firing from a height gives one therefore some 1,000
+yards longer range with shrapnel, say at 6,000 feet up, which is a
+most important fact to remember in shore fighting, and was well
+illustrated by the Boer 6" gun at Pougwana Mount (7,000 feet) over
+Laing's Nek, killing several of our Infantry on Inkwelo (Mount
+Prospect) at 10,000 yards range; of course this was helped by the
+height they were up, as well as by their superior double-ringed time
+fuse which we have picked up on their shrapnel, and which gives them
+in shrapnel fire a great advantage over any of our guns, which have
+not got these fuses at present. It is interesting to note that many
+4.7 lyddite shells were picked up, or rather dug up, by our own men
+and others, quite intact--this, of course, was always in soft ground,
+noticeably near the river (Tugela), and shows that the "direct action
+fuse" should have been screwed into the nose of the shell, instead of
+the "delay action fuse" that it had in it for use against thin plates
+of ships.
+
+Before leaving this subject of the gun and its fittings (12-pounder),
+I again wish to emphasise the fact of how important is the question of
+recoil. At one time, in front of Brakfontein with the 8-gun 12-pounder
+battery, we all dug trail pits and blocked the trails completely up in
+rear to prevent the guns recoiling at all on the carriage. This most
+certainly gave a gun thus blocked up over one allowed to recoil on the
+level an advantage of several hundred yards at an ordinary range of
+say 6,000 yards; but of course it threw on our weak makeshift wooden
+trails an undue strain, and after a couple had been smashed had to be
+given up. Still, although I would never advocate doing this to any
+field gun (_i.e._, bringing a gun up short as it shakes the mounting
+too much) the fact remains that the range or shooting power of the gun
+may be varied with the recoil in a great degree, and that therefore
+what I mention about a system to check recoil uniformly and with
+certainty seems to me to be an important one with our Naval field
+guns. This fact of increased range, got by blocking up a gun, is
+useful to remember in many cases, especially in this war when the
+Boers had the pull of our guns at first, and when it might have been
+worth while just temporarily disabling one gun, and to get one shot
+into them and so frighten them off.
+
+The newspaper controversy, very hot at one time, as to whether the
+Boer guns were better or not than ours, and the ridiculous statements
+one both read and heard from persons who knew little about the matter,
+were rather amusing and perhaps a little annoying. I unhesitatingly
+state that on all occasions the British Naval guns inch for inch
+outranged and outshot the Boer guns; and that the 4.7 Q.-F. even
+outranged, by some 2,000 yards, the Boer 6" Creusot. This I saw amply
+proved, at least to my own satisfaction, at Vaal Krantz, when the Boer
+6" gun on about the same level as our 4.7 was, on Signal Hill, vainly
+tried to reach it and couldn't, whilst our gun was all the time giving
+them an awful hammering and blew up their magazine.
+
+In one way, and one only, the Boer guns had the advantage over us in
+shooting, that is, with their shrapnel shell, many of which were
+fitted with a special long range time fuse (double-ringed); here they
+certainly overshot us, but failed to make much use of the advantage,
+as they invariably burst their shrapnel, through incorrect setting of
+fuse, either too high up in the air to hurt much or else on striking
+the ground. Another great advantage the Boer guns as a rule possessed
+was the heights at which they were placed, generally firing down upon
+our guns and troops. Notwithstanding all this, I say again, that their
+guns inch for inch were not in the hunt with ours as regards shooting
+power, nor was this likely or possible seeing the great length of the
+Naval Q.-F. gun and its much heavier charge.
+
+It must be remembered that Naval guns are solely designed and built
+for use at sea, or in forts, or against armour; and so to get the
+necessary muzzle energy, velocity, and penetration, a long gun is
+required; whereas the Boer gun was essentially a field or heavy land
+service gun. Their guns up to the 6" being on proper field mountings,
+and much lighter, shorter in the barrel, and consequently more mobile
+than ours, while firing a lighter charge; and perhaps in this way only
+it could be said that they were certainly better and handier than our
+guns. On the march and trekking up mountains this must have helped
+them a good deal, and from photos which I saw after the Boers had been
+driven out of Natal I should certainly say that their heavy guns on
+the march must have been much easier to move than ours.
+
+To give an idea of the difference in weight between the heavier guns I
+may quote the following figures; that of the Boer guns I take as I
+read of them in Military Intelligence books:
+
+            _Weight._                          _Weight._
+  British Naval 6" Q.-F. gun               }
+    (wire)                   7 tons 8 cwt. } Boer 6" Creusot gun,
+  British Naval 4.7 Q.-F.                  }     2 tons 10 cwt.
+    wire gun                 2 tons 2 cwt. }
+
+From these weights it may be at once noticed that inch for inch there
+is no comparison between the Boer and British heavy gun as regards
+range and power of gun itself, consequent on our heavier charges.
+Taking their 3-1/2" Creusot Q.-F. guns (15 lbs.) and comparing them
+with our Elswick Naval 12-pounders I should say that there is little
+to choose between them, they having the advantage only in their long
+range fuses for shrapnel shell, which fuses should be issued to ours
+as soon as possible. One always heard these small French Q.-F. guns
+alluded to with great awe as the "high velocity" gun of the enemy, but
+I doubt much if they have one foot per second more mean velocity at
+ordinary ranges than our Naval 12-pounder, although perhaps they may
+have more at the muzzle, which is of little account.
+
+To illustrate what small use the Boer gunner made of his advantage
+over us in long range shrapnel, I should say that it was generally
+noticed by all in the Natal Field Force how very high up they burst
+their shell as a rule, and so doing much less damage than they might
+have done; as Tommy described it, the bullets often came down like a
+gentle shower of rain and could be caught in the hand and pocketed.
+This of course, I should say, was the result of faulty setting of
+their time fuse; probably they did not apply the necessary correction
+for height above sea-level and so the shell either burst at too high a
+period of its flight, or else on striking did little damage to us. The
+front face of this kopje from where I am now writing (Grass Kop at
+Sandspruit, and 6,000 feet high) is full of holes made by Boer
+shrapnel shell, burst after striking in the hole dug by the shell
+itself and leaving all their bullets and pieces buried in these holes.
+There was no damage done by their heavy shrapnel fire at all when the
+Dorsets took the hill, and solely because of this faulty setting of
+the time fuse. We have dug up many of these shells here, and bullets
+simply strew the ground.
+
+The 12-pounder gun limber, especially made by our Ordnance people from
+a design supplied by Lieutenant James, R.N., when at Maritzburg in
+November, was afterwards supplied to all the guns, and none too soon;
+but we did not get them till Ladysmith was relieved and they were
+badly wanted all the time. These limbers were very well made and very
+excellent, fitted to carry forty rounds complete of 12-pounder Q.-F.
+ammunition which was invariably found by us as sufficient, as a first
+or ready supply, giving eighty rounds to a pair of guns. More could,
+however, have been carried if necessary, up to sixty rounds complete
+on each limber; these limbers were strong, with very good wheels and
+broad tyres (a great contrast to the wretched little gun wheels we had
+to get along with at one time) and on them there was room also for
+gun's crew's great-coats, leather gear, gun telescopes, and other
+impedimenta, which was most convenient.
+
+One fault in them, I think, might be corrected if again required;
+_i.e._, the platform or floor of the limber instead of being built
+only on the forepart of the axle should extend also behind or on rear
+side of the axle; by this means the Q.-F. boxes of ammunition may be
+distributed to balance the weight equally on each side of the axle,
+and so bring the least weight possible on the necks of the oxen or
+other draught animals drawing the limber and gun along. This, in a
+hilly country, is important.
+
+I would here note that when on the march with guns under any
+conditions, one's men should always be allowed to march light,
+slinging their rifles on the gun muzzles and putting leather gear with
+S.A. ammunition, water bottles and days' provisions handy on top of
+the limbers. The carrying of any of these things only exhausts the
+men for no object, and when one remembers what heavy work they may
+have to do on the march at any moment--bringing guns into action,
+rapid firing and running out the guns, digging pits and trenches,
+off-loading and loading the Q.-F. ammunition, and keeping up a supply
+which in South Africa at any rate may be at the bottom of a steep
+kopje with the gun at the top--one recognises the great advantage
+gained in giving the men as much latitude as possible, and bringing
+them into action after a march comparatively fresh. For these reasons
+I would advocate that a gun limber should be made for any service gun,
+with the object of allowing a certain amount of extra room for the
+gun's crew's gear and stores.
+
+In respect to range finding, the mekometer (range finder) as supplied
+to the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Artillery and also to every
+company in a regiment (and which therefore was easy to borrow during
+the campaign), proved most useful to us in getting ranges roughly. To
+get a range over 5,000 yards one has to use the double base with this
+instrument, and ranges may then be found up to 10,000 yards, and, with
+practised observers, fairly correctly. At any rate it is most useful
+to have something to start on when you get up into position. This
+instrument is extremely small and portable and should be supplied to
+Naval field batteries, and also a certain proportion to the rifle
+companies for land service; it may be carried slung like a small Kodak
+camera on one's back. Of course ranges can be very quickly found by
+shooting one or two shots to find them out, and this was done by our
+guns a good deal, and necessarily so when in action when one has no
+time to waste and the objects are moving ones; but I strongly advise
+anyone who gets his guns into a position where he is likely to stop,
+such as in defence of a camp, or on top of a kopje defending a
+railway line, or in position to bombard an enemy's fixed trenches and
+lines, at once to find his ranges roughly all round to prominent
+objects by the mekometer, as it gives one added confidence and is
+invaluable when shooting over the heads of one's own men to cover
+their attack, which is often a ticklish job and to be successful must
+be continued up to the very last moment it can be, with safety.
+
+This instrument, the mekometer, together with the clinometer, for
+setting the gun for elevation independent of the sight arc, and an
+ordinary spirit-level to place on gun trail to tell which way the
+wheels or carriage of the gun are inclined on uneven ground (so
+altering the deflection scale), might in my opinion be supplied to
+every Naval field battery, heavy or light.[7]
+
+         [Footnote 7: Since writing this opinion I think, perhaps, it
+         will be well to pause till the results of Professor George
+         Forbes', F.R.S., experiments with a new stereoscopic
+         instrument in South Africa are to hand; he is there at
+         present by request of Lord Kitchener with his new invention.
+         For full report of this instrument I would refer to Professor
+         Forbes' paper read at the Society of Arts, December 18th,
+         1901. It is sufficient now to say that the instrument folds
+         up to 3 foot 6 inches in length, can be used by one observer
+         only standing, kneeling, or lying down, has great accuracy
+         and portability, and has received the support of Sir George
+         Clarke and other authorities.]
+
+I may mention that the 4.7's and 6" Q.-F. were often fired at
+elevations which did not even come on the graduated elevation arc, and
+so the clinometer had to be borrowed from the military and used to lay
+the guns; it is most useful.
+
+For night firing on shore, as practised by us at Colenso and Spion
+Kop, guns are laid for required distant object just before dusk. The
+position of the wheels is accurately marked by pegs and lines, and
+when the gun is laid the sight is lowered to some white object placed
+fifty yards in front of gun, on which when dark a lantern may be
+placed; the elevation is read off either on arc of sight or by
+clinometer placed on the gun. To keep on firing at this distant object
+when dark, the gun is run out to same wheel marks every time and laid
+for same direction by the lantern on the near object, and elevation by
+clinometer. The C.O.'s of regiments always most kindly put their
+mekometer and trained observers at our disposal on escorting us up to
+a position.
+
+A plane table survey, using a mekometer to measure one's base, is
+pretty easily made to get position of kopjes, trenches, well-defined
+gun emplacements and their ranges, roughly, but it wants a certain
+amount of time to do it.
+
+As to the emplacing of a 12-pounder or other Q.-F. gun for attack or
+defence, all hard and fast rules may, in my opinion, be at once
+dismissed, the matter entirely depending on the nature of the ground
+occupied and the direction and extent of fire required. Still I submit
+the following points as being useful to remember:--
+
+     (1.) Carefully select the ground. If on a ridge, hill, or kopje,
+     the emplacement must be over the sky-line either on one slope or
+     the other; take a place where Nature helps you, if possible
+     screened by trees, free of rocks, and with soft ground, dongas,
+     or water round it, so that the enemy's shells will bury
+     themselves and not burst on striking. Of course in South Africa,
+     except on the flat, this could hardly ever be done.
+
+     (2.) The best form of emplacement is a gun pit about 1 foot 6
+     inches deep, according to our experience in Natal, the earth or
+     rock taken out forming a circular parapet 3 feet 6 inches high,
+     and as bulky or thick as ever you like on the front face, the
+     floor of the pit being levelled and a gradual slope made out of
+     it for guns to be moved easily in and out of the pit. The size of
+     the pit should be just enough to allow the gun trail to move
+     round on any arc of training when the gun muzzle is run out over
+     the front face or parapet, and to allow three feet more over and
+     above this for the recoil of the gun in the drag-shoes, so as not
+     to fetch the trail up sharp on recoiling.
+
+A narrow ditch may be dug all round the inside of the parapet to allow
+the crew to get into it for additional cover, and the ammunition boxes
+may either be placed in this ditch or a magazine dug and sandbagged
+over when plenty of time is available. A couple of drainage holes may
+be required in heavy rains to empty the pits on each side. The
+circular parapet can be built up any thickness, as just said; it
+should then be sandbagged over till the required height. If in grassy
+ground, instead of sandbags put large sods of grass to hide the
+emplacement and to keep the dust from flying, as sandbags are
+conspicuous. If neither grass nor sandbags are available, make your
+Kaffirs or camp followers cow-dung the surface of your parapet
+instead; this dries, and all dust under muzzle on firing is avoided. I
+constantly tried this plan and found it very effective.
+
+Of all points this avoidance of dust is the most important, as, unless
+prevented, it rises in a cloud under the muzzle of the gun at every
+shot. At long ranges, used by the Boers and ourselves, it was almost
+impossible to locate a gun firing cordite or other smokeless powder
+except by this cloud dust. So avoid it at all costs. Make the colour
+of your emplacement as much like that of the surrounding ground as
+possible, including your sandbags, if used.
+
+[Illustration: Naval 12-pounder emplaced.]
+
+[Illustration: Boer Gun positions at Colenso.]
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX 1
+
+HINTS ON EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.
+
+
+As a few hints in regard to an officer's kit for active service may
+not be unacceptable to some, I offer a few observations on the subject
+so far as I am able to speak from my own experiences.
+
+Good telescopes are most important articles to have in any land
+company of soldiers or sailors; they were especially useful in South
+Africa. The Naval Service long-telescope with its big field is very
+good and powerful in any light where there is no haze (at or before
+sunrise or when the sun is low for instance), but when the sun is well
+up it becomes of little use; and then comes the turn of the smaller
+telescope as used by all Naval officers on board ship. This is a
+particularly useful glass, and I myself felt quite lost, late in the
+campaign, when I unfortunately dropped the top of mine when riding. As
+to binoculars, we found the Zeiss or Ross's very excellent, and all
+military officers seemed to use them; but, in my humble opinion, they
+are not to be compared with a good small telescope.
+
+At the start of the campaign the want of good telescopes among the
+military was most marked, and ours were generally in great request.
+Many military officers with whom I have talked on the subject agree
+with me in thinking that a certain proportion of small telescopes
+should be supplied, say two for every company in a regiment, for the
+use of those on outpost and look-out duties. It is astonishing to see
+the added interest which any man placed on these duties shows when he
+can really make out for himself advancing objects and enemy's
+positions without being entirely dependent on their officers to tell
+them. A good glass will render reports from these men reliable and
+valuable, instead of, as they often are, mere guesswork. At Grass Kop,
+where we had one Volunteer Company all armed with binoculars which
+were presented to them on leaving England (with the South
+Lancashires), the hill was always lined with look-out men on their own
+account; so interested were they in the matter.
+
+Our water supply, as at first run, with one water-cart to the whole
+Naval Brigade, was inadequate; but later on each unit with guns got,
+as they should have, their own water-cart, or else made them with a
+cask fixed upon axle wheels, which we were obliged to do for a long
+time. Transport for these was either mule or ox; the former, quickest
+and best. A field filter for each unit should be supplied if
+possible.[8]
+
+         [Footnote 8: The proper filtering of water for use in
+         water-bottles and indeed for all drinking purposes, is most
+         important, and especially so in hot weather, when men are
+         always wanting a drink at off times, and will have it of
+         course. Late in the war, the "Berkefeld Field Service Filter"
+         was supplied to us by the Ordnance Department, and is very
+         good; it packs up in what looks like a large-sized luncheon
+         basket, and is very portable; it is simple to look after, if
+         directions are followed, and will make about thirty-four
+         pints in ten minutes, or, enough to fill fifteen men's
+         water-bottles; consequently it can easily be used on the
+         march during short halts, and whenever water is passed to
+         fill up water-bottles, and it is quickly packed up again. For
+         any individual who wishes to carry a filter on his own
+         person, I would recommend a small "Berkefeld Cylinder or
+         porous candle" and small "Pasteur pump" with the necessary
+         rubber tubes; this makes a very small parcel; it would only
+         take up about one quarter of the Service haversack, and is
+         well worth taking I am sure. The "Berkefeld Filter" should be
+         supplied to ships in case of landing Brigades--one to every
+         unit of 100 is the proper proportion as recommended by the
+         firm.]
+
+A few remarks may not here be out of place as to the best fighting kit
+to have ready for an officer who wishes to be comfortable, and also
+perhaps at certain times smart, when stationary in a standing camp for
+some time or on lines of communication. Needless to say that when
+actually marching or fighting one wears anything and everything that
+first comes to hand. Khaki has certainly done us very well; twill at
+first during the heat, and serge or cord later on when the cold came
+on; but it is well to avoid khaki twill in cold weather as it becomes
+clammy and uncomfortable. Personally I should say that a serge or
+cord, thin for heat and thick for cold weather, is much the best for
+general wear.
+
+I started the campaign with two pairs of khaki twill riding breeches
+and two serge tunics (thin); these supplemented by a thick pair of
+khaki riding cord breeches that I got made at Durban when the cold
+came on, lasted me well through the campaign. For camp wear one can
+always use the ordinary twill or serge trousers, as served out from
+time to time by the Ordnance to all hands if required. On one's legs
+one should wear ordinary brown leather or canvas riding gaiters, only
+_not_ the Naval Service gaiters, as they are of no use for hard work
+or much riding. Many of us wore putties, and the men all did, but I
+don't like them myself as they are too hot in hot weather and make
+one's legs sore in cold.
+
+Riding breeches should be strapped inside the knee and doubled, and
+perhaps to lace up at the knee would be more comfortable than
+buttoning. Here I should mention that all the Naval officers
+commanding guns were mounted, and eventually all got mounts in some
+way; so riding plays a great part and is absolutely necessary if one
+wishes to be useful.
+
+I also had two pairs of strong brown boots (an emphasis on the brown),
+they are far the best; and the soles should be protected with small
+nails carefully put in so as not to hurt one's feet. A pair of
+rubber-soled shoes for scouting, sporting, or camp work, and a pair of
+warm slippers to sleep in are indispensable. Long rubber or sea-boots,
+on account of their weight and bulk, are a nuisance. When it rained in
+South Africa it so quickly dried up that we found rubber shoes quite
+good enough for everything.
+
+It is useful to take three flannel shirts, and under-clothing in
+proportion; cholera belts also become necessary to most of us I am
+afraid, and are very important; it is also advisable to have plenty of
+socks and to change them frequently. Light silk neck-scarves are most
+useful and prevent sunburnt necks; and in the cold and bitter winds we
+experienced, and when sleeping in the open at night with heavy frosts,
+Balaclavas, woollen comforters, Tam-o'-shanters, and Jaeger gloves are
+highly desirable. Thanks to our kind friends at home we were loaded
+with these articles during the campaign and found them invaluable.
+
+In the hat line our bluejackets' straw hats, smartly covered with
+khaki twill and with cap ribbon, did very well for the sun and are
+nice and shady; they also last a long time when covered well, or even
+when painted khaki colour which stiffens and preserves them. I found
+my helmet also useful till I lost it. It is as well to take one
+Service cap with khaki covers, and a squash hat of gray or khaki;
+these latter are most comfortable and everybody wore them in camp; but
+I found that they don't keep out the sun enough during the day, they
+stow very close however, and can always be worn if one loses or
+smashes one's other hats.
+
+As to bedclothes, this is a most important matter in the freezing
+cold. I advise a Wolseley valise to be got at the Army and Navy
+Stores, with mattress and pillow and Jaeger bag inside; one should
+have over one at night the two Service blankets allowed, and one's
+great-coat. Unless one sleeps on a stretcher, which can't be always
+got, it is well to cut long grass and put it under the valise in the
+cold weather, as it makes a wonderful difference on the frozen ground
+and gives one a good night as a rule.
+
+If there are means of transport, it is as well to carry a Wolseley kit
+bag to hold one's clothes and boots, etc. I think that every officer
+in this war had these two things, the kit bag and valise, although of
+course a great deal may be rolled up and carried in the valise only
+and the bag left behind if it comes to a pinch.
+
+The following articles are most useful to carry always, viz.:--Service
+telescope, and also binoculars as well if one can afford it (Zeiss or
+Ross's); a knife with all implements (especially corkscrew); a light
+tin cylinder to hold charts, plans, intelligence maps, and private
+maps or sketches; also writing materials, diary and order books, can
+be carried in a flat waterproof sponge bag case. As luxuries which can
+be done without:--A collapsible india-rubber bath basin and waterproof
+sheet, very compact as got at the Army and Navy Stores; a small
+mincing machine (the only means of digesting a trek ox), and sparklet
+bottle and sparklets are very handy. Such other luxuries as cigars,
+cigarettes, pipes, etc., can always be stowed in some corner of the
+valise or bag. Carry brown leather polish, dubbing, and laces.
+
+Leather gear as carried on one's back should be a "Sam Brown Belt" of
+the single cross strap kind, in preference to the Naval Service gear.
+On this one can carry one's revolver, water-bottle, and haversack,
+which with glasses slung over all and separately, complete all one
+requires as a gunner. Swords were not carried during this war by
+officers, as in cases where the rifle was substituted, they only
+proved an incumbrance. A stick for the marching officer, like "Chinese
+Gordon" had, cannot be beaten.
+
+A hint as to food before we part. Don't go on the principle "because I
+am campaigning I must resign myself to feed badly on what I can pick
+up and on what my stomach is entirely unaccustomed to." There was
+never a greater mistake. On the contrary, feed yourself and those
+under you on the best, sparing no expense, and when you can get wine
+instead of muddy water, drink it to keep you going and your blood in
+good order. Do yourself as well as you can, is my advice and
+experience, after perhaps rather thinking and going the other way at
+first. It simply means that when others run down and go sick with
+dysentery, fever and other ills, you are still going strong and fit
+for work. Naturally advice on this point is entirely dependent on
+means of transport; but when this exists, as it did with the Naval
+Brigade who had ammunition wagons, a hundred pounds weight or so makes
+little difference to them if not already overloaded. Take the best
+advantage, therefore, of it that you can within reason, and up to a
+certain extent, there being of course always a limit to all good
+things.
+
+Tents are a great and important feature in any long campaign. I don't
+hesitate to say that the single canvas bell tent as supplied to the
+British Forces, should be at once converted into double canvas tents.
+In the many long sweltering days when the Natal Field Force before
+Colenso, and later at Elandslaagte, were forced to lie doing nothing,
+the heat of the sun coming through the tent was very bad; one was
+always obliged to wear a helmet inside one's tent; and I think in the
+men's tents (ours with, say, ten in them, and the military who had, I
+am told, up to fifteen in one tent) the state of things was abominably
+unhealthy under the blazing South African sun, and I am persuaded that
+half the sickness among the forces was due to this insufficient
+protection from the sun. The double canvas bell tent with air space in
+between the two parts does very well, in both keeping heat and cold
+off. The Indian tents, of khaki canvas, double and generally
+square-shaped, are much the best ones we saw on the Natal side and
+should be used generally in the Army; the extra expense would be saved
+in the end by prevention of fever and sunstroke.
+
+My own experience (when I and three other officers lay in a field
+hospital outside Ladysmith just after the relief, in a single bell
+tent, and saw Tommies all around us crowded into these tents with
+fever and dysentery, whereby all our cases, I am sure, were made much
+worse by the torturing sun which poured in all day on our heads),
+makes me very glad that the "Hospital Commission" is now sitting, and
+I sincerely hope that such absurd mistakes will be noticed and
+corrected by them for the good of the whole British Forces.
+
+Regarding the Mauser rifle, as compared with the Lee-Metford, I
+personally have little experience, but I can only say that the Mauser
+to hold and carry is much the better balanced of the two, and that the
+fine sighting is superior. Also some military officers seem to say it
+is a better shooter at long ranges, and its magazine action is far
+quicker and superior.[9] Revolvers, as far as I know, have had no test
+at all in this war. The cavalry carbine, I believe, is universally
+condemned by all cavalry officers out here, and is doomed to go I
+hope, being, if used against foes with modern weapons, only waste
+lumber.
+
+         [Footnote 9: Since writing this about the Mauser, Captain
+         Cowper of the Queen's tells me that on the whole he considers
+         the Lee-Metford superior, and that the Boers he has met have
+         told him they hold it to be a harder shooter at long ranges.
+         However, it seems to me that the better balance and magazine
+         of the Mauser counteract this and give it the preference.]
+
+I believe that I am right in saying that pouches for carrying the
+rifle ammunition are universally condemned in favour of a bandolier,
+with flaps over every ten cartridges or so. In our Naval bandoliers
+the want of these flaps was especially noticeable, and the wastage of
+ammunition dropped out was, I am sure, excessive, besides leaving
+loose ammunition lying about for Boer or Kaffir to pick up, as they
+are reported to be doing. The web bandolier is lighter than the
+leather, and better, so I recommend it, if fitted with flaps, to the
+notice of the Naval authorities.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX II
+
+EXTRACTS FROM SOME OF THE DESPATCHES, REPORTS, AND TELEGRAMS,
+REGARDING OPERATIONS MENTIONED IN THIS JOURNAL
+
+
+[_London Gazette_, January 26th, 1900.]
+
+_From General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., G.C.B._
+
+                                        Chieveley Camp,
+                                       _December 17th, 1899._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+I enclose a reconnaissance sketch of the Colenso position. All visible
+defences had been shelled by eight naval guns on the 13th and 14th.
+During all this time and throughout the day, the two 4.7 and four
+12-pounder Naval guns of the Naval Brigade and Durban Naval
+Volunteers, under Captain E. P. Jones, R.N., were being admirably
+served, and succeeded in silencing every one of the enemy's guns they
+could locate.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_London Gazette_, March 30th, 1900.]
+
+_From Captain E. P. Jones, R.N., Commanding Naval Brigade._
+
+                                        Chieveley Camp,
+                                       _December 16th, 1899._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+The whole force under Sir Redvers Buller advanced at 4 a.m. yesterday,
+intending to take the positions of the enemy on the other side of the
+Tugela. The Brigade under my command was disposed as follows:--Two 4.7
+guns and four 12-pounders which were on the outpost line in a position
+10,000 yards from the main works of the enemy, from which place we had
+been shelling them on the previous day, advanced to a small rise about
+5,000 yards from the entrenched hills across the Tugela. Six
+12-pounders under Lieutenant Ogilvy with Lieutenant James of H.M.S.
+_Tartar_ and Lieutenant Deas of _Philomel_ were attached to the Field
+Artillery under Colonel Long. Two 12-pounders under Lieutenant Burne
+held the kopje from which we advanced.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_London Gazette_, March 12th, 1901.]
+
+_From Captain Jones, R.N., Commanding Naval Brigade, Natal._
+
+                                        Naval Camp, Spearmans Hill,
+                                       _February 8th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+As to Vaal Krantz, the Naval guns were disposed as follows: ... Two
+12-pounders with Lieutenant Burne on the plateau between this hill and
+the river. At daylight on the 6th, Lieutenant Burne's two guns were
+moved to a position at the east of Zwartz Kop.
+
+February 18th, 1900. Lieutenant Burne with two 12-pounder guns was
+left with General Warren at Spearmans and marched on the 10th to
+Springfield Bridge where he remains under Colonel Burn-Murdoch.
+
+From General Sir R. Buller to Admiral Sir R. Harris, March 5th, 1900.
+"I much appreciate your congratulations. I can hardly tell you how
+much of our successes are due to the Navy: their gunnery was
+admirable."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N., February 16th, 1900, enclosed in
+letter of March 28th, 1900, from the Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good
+Hope Station.
+
+_Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N._
+
+                                        Springfield Camp,
+                                       _February 16th, 1900._
+
+I have the honour to report as follows:--
+
+Since being detached from Lieutenant Ogilvy's command I moved back
+across the Tugela river from the advanced kopjes on February 1st. On
+Sunday, February 4th, I learnt that I was attached to Sir Charles
+Warren's Division, and received my orders from him personally on that
+day on Gun Plateau, regarding the next day's operations; I also
+interviewed yourself on that day in reply to signal received. On
+Monday, 5th, my guns were shelling the enemy incessantly all day in
+conjunction with the feint on the left, and in reply to a Boer 3"
+Creusot and two Maxim Vickers 1-1/4 lbs. I received many directions
+from both General Warren and General Talbot-Coke, as to points they
+wished shelled, and at the end of the day had expended 250 common and
+shrapnel shell. At 8 p.m. I received orders from General Warren to
+march at daybreak on Tuesday, and join the Commander-in-Chief at the
+fort of Zwartz Kop; this I did, and though delayed on the hill by
+wagons and by the 7th Battery R.F.A. coming up, and later, by streams
+of ambulance in the narrow road close to Zwartz Kop, I arrived and
+reported my guns to General Buller about 8 a.m., at the foot of the
+kopje. He told me to bring my guns into action, and help to silence
+the Boer 6" Creusot, and, if possible, the 3" Creusot, which were
+firing from Spion Kop (position 2) at our field batteries.
+
+As I came into action, and was aiming my right gun at the Boer 6", a
+shell from it struck twenty yards in front, and covering us with dirt,
+jumped over our heads without exploding; the shell was plainly visible
+in the air to me on coming down, and I saw it strike on its side and
+the fuse break off. The shell was picked up intact at my wagons which
+were just coming up, by Edward House, A.B., and we have it now. I
+concentrated my fire on the 6" gun at 6,400 yards, and in an hour it
+was silenced for the rest of the day; this, of course, was effected in
+conjunction with the fire from the 5" guns just in front of me, and
+from one 4.7 on Signal Hill.
+
+During the day my guns also drove back at least two Boer field guns at
+6,500 yards, which had been brought down into Vaal Krantz, and which
+tried to find our range but just fell short; they shifted position,
+but were finally driven over the sky-line. There was also a 1-1/4 lb.
+Pom-pom in a donga in the valley, which we silenced many times, and at
+the end of the day had fired some 230 rounds.
+
+On Wednesday, February 7th, we commenced again at daylight; the 6"
+opened a heavy fire on one pontoon (No. 3), and on the field batteries
+in front of us, which had been pushed forward there before daybreak.
+My fire was directed solely at the big gun; my No. 2 standing by and
+firing directly he saw it appear. During the day my ammunition supply
+was kept up by direct communication by orderly with the column under
+Major Findlay. In the forenoon the Boer field guns were brought down
+again in the valley, and shelled the pontoon, Krantz Kop, and us; they
+were driven off in an hour or so, but recommenced again later.
+
+In the afternoon, more field guns and Pom-poms on the burnt kopjes to
+the left of us opened a heavy fire on Krantz Kop, but were driven off
+by our guns, the howitzer battery (100 yards in our rear), and by the
+Naval guns on Zwartz Kop.
+
+About 5 p.m. the fire from the Boer 100-pounder was very heavy, and
+came all round us, the Staff, and Infantry in reserve, and twice my
+crews only escaped by lying down. Just at that moment I got the order
+from Colonel Parsons, R.A., to withdraw my guns by moonlight, and
+cover our retirement on Gun Plateau. This was done, but the steep hill
+being jammed with traffic, I did not get up to my old position on Gun
+Plateau till next morning, when I reported to General Warren.
+
+Between February 8th and 9th, I assisted to cover the retirement of
+our troops over the Tugela, and on the 9th was withdrawn at 11 a.m.,
+and arrived at Springfield Bridge at 3 p.m.
+
+On February 10th, by order of Colonel Burn-Murdoch (1st Dragoons) and
+the Camp Commandant, I placed my guns in the entrenched camp half a
+mile beyond the bridge, and up to 14th was employed in making gun
+epaulements and pits, and finding the ranges.
+
+On February 13th, the Boers appearing in force on the kopjes to our
+left at 9,000 yards, I rode out with Colonel Burn-Murdoch and other
+Commanding Officers, to reconnoitre, and find gun positions. They
+sniped at us at 1,600 to 2,000 yards, and at the advanced Cavalry
+pickets all night, but next morning, the 14th, after "A" Battery Royal
+Horse Artillery and my guns had been pushed forward, they were found
+to have retreated altogether, and we surmised them to be a commando of
+Free State Boers returning to the Free State.
+
+To-day, the 16th, we received news of General French's relief of
+Kimberley. All quiet in this neighbourhood.
+
+At present I have 500 rounds of ammunition with me, and 300, in
+reserve, in charge of the officer of the ammunition column here.
+
+I will conclude by saying that I have nothing but praise for the
+conduct and hard work performed by my men during the last ten days,
+especially when under fire; their spirit is now excellent. I should
+specially mention my captains of guns, T. Mitchell, 1st class P.O.,
+and J. Mullis, 1st class P.O., for their hard work, the latter the
+best and quickest shot of the two. I must recommend E. A. Harvey,
+P.O., 2nd class, and leading shipwright, as rendering me most useful
+and clever work on the gun mountings, etc., and for further designs.
+Of the rest P. Treherne, A.B.; D. Shepherd, A.B., S.G.T.; Henry House,
+A.B.; W. Jones, A.B., S.G.T.; Fred Tuck, O.S.; C. Patton, signalman;
+and W. Dunetal, stoker, deserve special mention. Mr. White,
+midshipman, has rendered me useful assistance. Mr. Freeman, conductor,
+has done very well; and the white drivers, McPheeson and Blewitt,
+excellently. I find the gun teams of eight oxen under the two latter
+are very useful.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_The Times_, Thursday, March 1st, 1900.]
+
+The following despatch from General Buller has been received at the
+War Office:--
+
+                                   Headquarters, Hlangwane Plain,
+                                  _February 28th_, 8.5 a.m.
+
+Finding that the passage of Langewachte Spruit was commanded by strong
+entrenchments, I reconnoitred for another passage of the Tugela. One
+was found for me below the cataract by Colonel Sandbach, Royal
+Engineers.
+
+On the 25th we commenced making an approach to it, and on the 26th,
+finding that I could make a practicable approach, I crossed guns and
+baggage back to the south side of the Tugela, took up the pontoon
+bridge on the night of the 26th, and relaid it at the new site, which
+is just below the point marked "cataract."
+
+During all the time the troops had been scattered, crouching under
+hastily-constructed small stone shelters, and exposed to a galling
+shell and rifle fire, and throughout maintained the most excellent
+spirit.
+
+On the 27th General Barton, with two Battalions 6th Brigade and the
+Royal Dublin Fusiliers, crept about one and a half miles down the
+banks of river, and, ascending an almost precipitous cliff of about
+500 feet, assaulted and carried the top of Pieters Hill.
+
+This hill to a certain extent turned the enemy's left, and the 4th
+Brigade, under Colonel Norcott, and the 11th Brigade, under Colonel
+Kitchener, the whole under General Warren, assailed the enemy's main
+position, which was magnificently carried by the South Lancashire
+Regiment about sunset.
+
+We took about sixty prisoners and scattered the enemy in all
+directions.
+
+There seems to be still a considerable body of them left on and under
+Bulwana Mountain.
+
+Our losses, I hope, are not large. They certainly are much less than
+they would have been were it not for the admirable manner in which the
+artillery was served, especially the guns manned by the Royal Navy and
+the Natal Naval Volunteers.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_The Times_, Thursday, March 8th, 1900.]
+
+_From our Special Correspondent._
+
+                                        Ladysmith,
+                                       _March 5th._
+
+The following special Army Order has been issued:--
+
+"The relief of Ladysmith unites two forces which have striven with
+conspicuous gallantry and splendid determination to maintain the
+honour of their Queen and country. The garrison of Ladysmith for four
+months held the position against every attack with complete success
+and endured its privations with admirable fortitude. The relieving
+force had to make its way through unknown country, across unfordable
+rivers, and over almost inaccessible heights in the face of a
+fully-prepared, well-armed tenacious enemy. By the exhibition of the
+truest courage, which burns steadily besides flashing brilliantly, it
+accomplished its object, and added a glorious page to our history.
+Sailors, soldiers, Colonials, and the home-bred have done this, united
+by one desire, and inspired by one patriotism.
+
+"The General Commanding congratulates both forces on their martial
+qualities, and thanks them for their determined efforts. He desires to
+offer his sincere sympathy to the relatives and friends of the good
+soldiers and gallant comrades who have fallen in the fight.
+
+                                        "BULLER."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade._
+
+                                        Ladysmith,
+                                       _March 10th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+I enclose reports sent in to me by Lieutenants Ogilvy and Burne, who
+were mostly detached from me.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Enclosure from Lieutenant Burne, R.N._
+
+                                        Colenso,
+                                       _March 7th, 1900._
+
+Since my last letter dated from Springfield Bridge, I have the honour
+to report that I left Springfield on February 23rd, marching with the
+York and Lancaster Regiment to rejoin the main column. We reached
+Chieveley Camp on the 24th, and I pitched camp on Gun Hill, where I
+found Lieutenant Drummond and the 6" gun. We remained here till a
+telegram and written orders were handed me on the night of the 26th,
+from Lieutenant Drummond, to march at daybreak with the York and
+Lancaster Regiment to join the 10th Brigade. We marched at 6 a.m. on
+the 27th, with the Regiment, by Hussar Hill round Hlangwane. Here we
+found the Commander-in-Chief, who told me, on my reporting the guns,
+that the 10th Brigade were in Colenso; he added that it was no fault
+of mine that we had come out of the way, as the orders had not been
+clear, but told me to cross the Tugela by the Pont as quickly as
+possible, the pontoon bridge having been removed. At the Pont I had to
+off-load all my wagons, as the drift below was impassable; and after
+having got one gun and ox team safely across, the Pont was upset in
+the middle of the river, and all the work was jammed. During this time
+there was a heavy shell fire on Colenso Station from a Boer 3" gun,
+but we were not touched. I had the Pont righted, and my men baled it
+out before daylight on the 28th, and I took my other gun and two
+wagons and loads of ammunition across, and hurried on to join General
+Coke. On the morning of March 1st a body of men rode in from
+Ladysmith. They proved to be Ladysmith scouts, and brought General
+Coke his first intimation of the relief of Ladysmith on the previous
+evening. My guns were in position, and we bivouacked with the troops
+for some days, but I have now pitched camp and withdrawn the guns.
+Hearing many rumours here that the Naval men are to return to their
+ships, I should like to bring to your notice the very excellent
+service which has been rendered me by my captains of guns, R.
+Mitchell, P.O., 1st class, and especially G. Mullis, P.O., 1st class,
+and the clever and hard work of F. Harvey, P.O., 2nd class (leading
+shipwright), and to mention the following names not before
+mentioned:--H. House, A.B., F. Long, O.S. (bugler), S. Ratcliffe,
+O.S., and to state my appreciation of the work done by all.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_The Times_ of April 16th, 1900.]
+
+_Extract from "Times" Natal Military Correspondent, dated March 22nd,
+1900._
+
+The Naval contingent of the _Powerful_ left Ladysmith for England on
+the 7th, and that of the _Terrible_ left to rejoin their ship on the
+11th. The 4.7 guns remain in the hands of the Naval gunners of the
+_Forte_, _Philomel_, and _Tartar_, under Captain Jones of the _Forte_,
+but most of the 12-pounders have now been handed over to the 4th
+Mountain Battery. It seems a great pity that the Naval gunners of the
+_Terrible_ could not have been spared to finish the campaign. Three
+months' practice ashore has made them nearly perfect in the management
+of their guns, and they themselves would be the first to admit that,
+at any rate in that part of the gunnery that was not learnt on board
+ship, such as rapidity of fire under their present altered conditions
+and mobility, they have improved twofold since they first landed.
+Their rapidity of fire was wonderful when it is remembered that their
+carriages are fitted with none of the automatic appliances for
+returning the gun to the firing position, but have to be dragged back
+every time by hand, and then carefully adjusted with the wheels at
+exactly the same level. As regards mobility, they have on at least one
+occasion--namely Zwartz Kop--taken their guns up a place condemned by
+the Royal Artillery as impossible. All this experience is now to be
+made no further use of, and the guns pass into the hands of men who
+will have to learn it afresh. A great advantage the Naval gunners had
+over the Royal Artillery was their use of the glass. Besides the
+telescopic sights used with the big guns, they were provided with a
+large telescope on a tripod, at which an officer was always seated
+watching the effect of the shells, and, in the case of an advance the
+movements of our Infantry as well, and they were never guilty, as the
+Royal Artillery have been more than once, of firing on our own men. On
+January 24th, whilst the fighting on the top of Spion Kop was taking
+place, the Naval guns on Mount Alice were able at a distance of rather
+over four miles clearly to distinguish our men from the Boers, and
+shell the latter. Compare this with one instance that came under my
+personal observation on February 27th. An officer in command of a
+battery was totally unable to distinguish, with a pair of the
+field-glasses supplied by Government, at a distance of a little over
+one mile, between our Infantry charging and the Boers running away. I
+see that your Cape correspondent has already said that in this
+campaign, where we are perpetually fighting against an invisible foe,
+good glasses are of paramount importance to the rifle. They are even
+more essential to the gunners than to the other branches of the
+service, and they are in this respect most inadequately supplied.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Speech of the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Goschen) at Royal
+Academy Banquet, May 5th, 1900._
+
+"I do not propose to dilate on the courage or resourcefulness, or
+other great qualities of the Naval Brigades. The nation has acclaimed
+them. The Sovereign with her own lips has testified to their deeds....
+
+"The ships' companies of the _Powerful_ and _Terrible_ would be sorry
+if they were to monopolise the public eye, clouding the performances
+of men from other ships. Many other ships have sent contingents to the
+front--the _Monarch_, the _Doris_, the _Philomel_, the _Tartar_, the
+_Forte_--all these ships have sent men who have taken their part in
+those gallant combats of which we read."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Again at Reception of Naval Brigade (H.M.S. "Powerful") in London,
+May 7th, 1900._
+
+"With your comrades in other forces of the Queen, by the defence and
+the relief of Ladysmith you have saved the country from such a
+disaster as has never fallen the British arms. The defence and relief
+of Ladysmith will never be forgotten in British history."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[_London Gazette_, March 12th, 1901.]
+
+_From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade._
+
+                                        De Wet's Farm,
+                                       _June 5th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+"On May 14th, two more 12-pounders under Lieutenant Steele (Lieutenant
+Burne having had a severe fall from his horse, and being
+incapacitated) occupied another hill across the river....
+
+"Lieutenant Burne has quite recovered from his injuries and has
+returned to duty at Glencoe."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade._
+
+                                        Volksrust,
+                                       _June 14th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+"It became apparent that the hill (Van Wyk) must be held. General
+Hildyard was out there and decided to hold it, sending back for the
+rest of the Brigade.
+
+"I arrived back in camp at 4 p.m. and was ordered to start after
+dark--as the route was exposed to the enemy's fire--and, if possible,
+to get two 12-pounders (Lieutenant Burne's) up the hill by daylight,
+and the 4.7's to the bottom. This we did after a most difficult march,
+arriving at the bottom at 4 a.m. I halted the 4.7's and pushed the
+12-pounders up to the top. One arrived at daylight, the other broke a
+wheel and did not get up to the top till we were able later to get
+another pair of wheels from a limber and adapt them."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_From General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., G.C.B._
+
+                                        Laing's Nek, Natal,
+                                       _June 19th, 1900._
+
+[_Extract._]
+
+"On June 5th I directed General Hildyard, who with the 5th Division
+was encamped at De Wet's farm, to occupy on the 6th the height south
+of the Botha's Pass Road, marked on the map as Van Wyk.... The ascent
+of the hill was very difficult, and it was due to the energy of
+Captain Jones, R.N., and the officers and men of the Naval Brigade
+that one 12-pounder (Lieutenant Burne) was in position at Van Wyk at
+daylight. The other 12-pounder lost a wheel in the bad ground.... The
+Naval guns and the 10th Brigade were brought down from Van Wyk during
+the night. I may here remark that hard and well as Captain Jones and
+the men of the Naval Brigade worked during this war, I do not believe
+they ever had harder work to do or did it more willingly than in
+getting their guns up and down Van Wyk. They had to work continuously
+for thirty-six hours...."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, V.C., G.C.B._
+
+                                        Pretoria,
+                                       _July 10th, 1900._
+
+"I have much pleasure in supporting the recommendations put forward by
+Sir Redvers Buller on behalf of the Officers and Petty Officers of the
+Royal Navy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N._
+
+H.M.S. _Monarch's_ (late H.M.S. _Tartar's_) 12-pounder Q.-F. Battery,
+
+                                        Grass Kop, Sandspruit.
+                                       _October 24th, 1900._
+
+On withdrawal from the front, I wish to forward for the favourable
+consideration of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir Robert Harris,
+K.C.M.G., a short report on detachment of H.M.S. _Monarch's_ (late
+_Tartar's_) men now under my command, and who have served on shore
+with the Natal Army for over a year. Since my last report to Captain
+Jones, R.N., the Officer commanding Naval Brigade, on June 16th, after
+the victory of Almond's Nek, this battery has taken part in the march
+on Wakkerstroom and its occupation, the defence of Sandspruit and
+action four miles north of it, with Cavalry and other Artillery, under
+General Brocklehurst, M.V.O., which was a spirited little affair, and
+where the battery earned the commendation of the General on the
+shooting; later, the attack on Grass Kop and its occupation by the
+Dorsets was covered by these guns and other artillery on July 24th,
+and drew a heavy shell fire from four Boer Creusot guns in its
+defence, this battery at that time being led by Lieutenant
+Clutterbuck, R.N., when I was ill with jaundice, but whom I again
+relieved on July 27th, and have continued since that date in the
+defence of Grass Kop. My guns from here covered the right flank of two
+separate attacks in force on Comersfoort, the first under General
+Hildyard on July 30th, and the second under Sir Redvers Buller on
+August 7th, when the town was taken. We have also covered many
+reconnaissances, and have come into action at long ranges several
+times against marauding Boers on the plain at the foot of this hill,
+but hitherto they have not attacked us, as the hill is magnificently
+entrenched and has been held in turn by the Dorsets, the South
+Lancashires, and now the Queen's Regiment. The whole of the
+intelligence from Grass Kop as to movements of the enemy since July
+24th up to this date, has been furnished by my look-outs with our long
+telescope; and this I need scarcely say has been a considerable and
+arduous duty for the men under the conditions of violent winds, rain,
+mist, and storms which prevailed up here (a height of 6,500 feet),
+since we occupied the hill. These wind-storms have destroyed our tents
+once, sometimes continuing for days, and have caused much discomfort
+both to ourselves and the troops, and I have lost a good many oxen by
+exposure and lung sickness. Orders having come for the withdrawal of
+the Naval Brigade, I can only say I have been well and faithfully
+served by the Officers and men of the detachment under my command; and
+during these months have formed a high opinion of their excellence as
+a battery, under the varying conditions of climate, heights, and
+positions, they have gone through in Natal, the Orange Colony, and
+the Transvaal. All these men, in spite of much sickness at times, have
+stuck to their work with the Natal Army for a year now, and
+consequently I think, fully deserve any advancement or reward it is
+possible to give them, and I am sure H.M.S. _Tartar_ may be proud of
+the men representing her during the war. I wish to bring this general
+opinion of the men of the detachment, which I hold, to the favourable
+notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and to specially recommend the
+following for good service rendered with the guns:
+
+     A. L. Munro, C.P.O. and torpedo instructor (late of H.M.S.
+     _Tartar_).
+
+     G. H. Epsley, P.O., 2nd class and captain 1st gun (late of H.M.S.
+     _Tartar_).
+
+     E. Cheeseman, A.B., S.G., and acting captain 2nd gun (late of
+     H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     D. Smith, A.B., S.G.T., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     J. Macdonald, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     G. Baldwin, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     J. Sawyer, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+     H. Wright, A.B., T.M., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).
+
+For his good services as armourer and work drawing ordnance and
+transport, stores, money, and in charge of commissariat, I
+particularly recommend O. A. Hart, armourer's mate, H.M.S. _Tartar_
+(late), a man thoroughly reliable.
+
+As regards the Officer and six men of H.M.S. _Philomel_ attached to my
+command, three of whom have since been invalided, I must strongly
+recommend Mr. W. R. Ledgard, midshipman, who since July 28th I have
+detached, as ordered by G.O.C. 5th Division, in independent command of
+one gun, first at Opperman's Kraal, and then at Paardekop; he has
+carried out this duty with ability and success, and for a young
+officer I know it has been a trying one.
+
+I also recommend T. Payne, A.B., S.G., H.M.S. _Philomel_, for good
+service with the guns.
+
+Expressing my gratification at having had the opportunity to command
+H.M.S. _Tartar's_ (now _Monarch's_) Detachment, I have, etc.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX III
+
+DIARY OF THE BOER WAR UP TO OCTOBER 25TH, 1900.
+
+
+1899.
+
+Oct. 11.--Time fixed by the Boers for compliance with "ultimatum"
+expired at 5 p.m.
+
+Oct. 14.--Boers march on Kimberley and Mafeking.
+
+Oct. 15.--KIMBERLEY ISOLATED.
+
+Oct. 20.--Boer position on TALANA HILL captured by the British under
+Symons.
+
+Oct. 21.--White moves out force under French to eject Boers from
+ELANDSLAAGTE. Boers routed.
+
+Oct. 22.--Yule retires from Dundee on Ladysmith _via_ Beith.
+
+Oct. 23.--Death of General Symons at Dundee.
+
+Oct. 30.--General sortie from Ladysmith. Naval guns silence Boer siege
+artillery.
+
+  Surrender of part of two battalions and a Mountain Battery at
+  Nicholson's Nek.
+
+Oct. 31.--General Sir Redvers Buller lands at Capetown.
+
+Nov. 1.--Boers invade Cape Colony.
+
+Nov. 2.--LADYSMITH ISOLATED.
+
+Nov. 9.--General attack on Ladysmith repulsed with heavy loss to
+Boers.
+
+Nov. 15.--Armoured train wrecked by Boers near Chieveley. Over 100
+British troops captured.
+
+Nov. 19.--Lord Methuen's column for the relief of Kimberley
+concentrated at Orange River.
+
+Nov. 23.--Methuen attacks Boers at BELMONT with Guards' Brigade and
+9th Brigade. Boers driven from their position.
+
+Nov. 25.--Methuen attacks Boers in position at Enslin and dislodges
+them.
+
+  General Sir Redvers Buller arrives in Natal.
+
+Nov. 28.--Methuen engages 11,000 Boers at MODDER RIVER. Battle lasting
+all day. Boers evacuate position.
+
+Nov. 30.--Sixth Division for South Africa notified.
+
+Dec. 1.--Australian and Canadian Contingents leave Capetown for the
+front.
+
+Dec. 10.--Gatacre attempts night attack on STORMBERG, but is surprised
+and driven back with heavy loss.
+
+Dec. 11.--Methuen attacks Boer position at MAGERSFONTEIN and is
+repulsed with heavy loss. General Wauchope killed.
+
+Dec. 15.--Buller advances from Chieveley against Boer positions near
+COLENSO. British Force repulsed on Tugela with 1,100 casualties and
+loss of 12 guns.
+
+  Mobilization of 7th Division ordered.
+
+Dec. 18.--Lord Roberts appointed Commander-in-Chief in South Africa,
+with Lord Kitchener as Chief of Staff.
+
+Dec. 19.--Regulations issued for employment of Yeomanry and Volunteers
+in South Africa.
+
+Dec. 20.--Formation of City of London Volunteer Corps for South Africa
+announced.
+
+
+1900
+
+Jan. 6.--Suffolk Regiment loses heavily near Rensburg, over 100
+prisoners taken.
+
+  BOER ATTACK ON LADYSMITH REPULSED.
+
+Jan. 10.--LORD ROBERTS AND LORD KITCHENER ARRIVE AT CAPETOWN.
+
+Jan. 10.--Forward movement for relief of Ladysmith resumed.
+
+Jan. 11.--Dundonald seizes pont on Tugela at Potgieter's Drift.
+
+Jan. 18.--Buller makes SECOND ATTEMPT to relieve Ladysmith. Dundonald
+having crossed Tugela engages Boers near Acton Homes.
+
+  Crossing of Tugela by Warren and Lyttelton concluded.
+
+Jan. 21.--Warren attacks Boers' right flank.
+
+Jan. 23-4.--SPION KOP captured and held during 24th, but evacuated on
+the night of Jan. 24-25. General Woodgate fatally wounded.
+
+Jan. 26-7.--Buller's force recrosses the Tugela.
+
+Feb. 3.--Macdonald with Highland Brigade marches out from Modder
+River.
+
+Feb. 5.--Buller's THIRD ATTEMPT to relieve Ladysmith commenced.
+Lyttelton crosses Tugela, and delivers attack on VAAL KRANTZ, which he
+captures and occupies.
+
+Feb. 7.--Vaal Krantz evacuated and British Force withdrawn across the
+Tugela.
+
+Feb. 9.--Lord Roberts arrives at Modder River.
+
+Feb. 11.--French, having been summoned from Southern Frontier, leaves
+Modder River with Cavalry Division and Horse Artillery.
+
+Feb. 13.--Lord Roberts at Dekiel's Drift.
+
+Feb. 15.--Lord Roberts at Jacobsdal.
+
+  RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY.
+
+Feb. 17.--Rearguard action between Kelly-Kenny and Cronje _en route_
+to Bloemfontein.
+
+  FOURTH ATTEMPT to relieve Ladysmith.
+
+  Buller presses advance on Monte Christo Hill.
+
+Feb. 19.--Buller takes Hlangwane Hill.
+
+Feb. 20.--Boers under Cronje, having laagered near Paardeberg, are
+bombarded by Lord Roberts.
+
+Feb. 21.--Fifth Division crosses Tugela.
+
+Feb. 23.--Buller unsuccessfully attacks Railway Hill.
+
+Feb. 26.--Buller makes fresh passage of Tugela.
+
+Feb. 27.--CRONJE SURRENDERS AT PAARDEBERG.
+
+  PIETERS HILL, the main Boer position between Ladysmith and the
+  Tugela, carried by Hildyard.
+
+Feb. 28.--RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.
+
+  Clements occupies Colesberg.
+
+Mar. 5.--Gatacre occupies Stormberg.
+
+  Brabant again defeats and pursues Boers.
+
+  Overtures of peace made by Boer Presidents.
+
+Mar. 6.--Field Force arrives at Carnarvon to quell rising in
+North-West.
+
+Mar. 7.--Lord Roberts routs a large force of Boers at Poplar Grove.
+
+Mar. 10.--Lord Roberts defeats Boers at Driefontein.
+
+Mar. 11.--Overtures of peace rejected by Lord Salisbury.
+
+Mar. 13.--Lord Roberts, without further fighting, takes possession of
+BLOEMFONTEIN. Boers retire on Kroonstad.
+
+Mar. 27.--DEATH OF GENERAL JOUBERT.
+
+Mar. 31.--Broadwood attacked at Waterworks. During retirement R.H.A.
+and convoy entrapped at Koorn Spruit. Six guns lost, 350 casualties.
+
+April 3.--Detachment of Royal Irish Rifles and Mounted Infantry
+surrounded near Reddersburg.
+
+April 7.--Colonel Dalgety isolated near Wepener.
+
+April 15.--Chermside leaves Reddersburg to relieve Wepener.
+
+April 25.--Dalgety relieved. Boers retreat northwards, under Botha.
+
+May 10.--Zand River crossed, Boers rapidly retreating before Lord
+Roberts's advance.
+
+May 12.--Lord Roberts enters KROONSTAD without opposition, President
+Steyn having retired to Heilbron, which he proclaims his new capital.
+
+  Attack on Mafeking repulsed, 108 Boer prisoners, including
+  Commandant Eloff, taken.
+
+May 13.--Mahon with Mafeking Relief Column repulses attack at
+Koodoosrand.
+
+May 15.--Buller occupies Dundee and Glencoe, having driven the Boers
+from the Biggarsberg.
+
+  Plumer, reinforced by Canadians and Queenslanders from Carrington's
+  Division, joins hands with Mahon.
+
+May 17-18.--RELIEF OF MAFEKING.
+
+May 24.--Advance portion of Lord Roberts's force crosses the Vaal near
+Parys.
+
+May 28.--ANNEXATION OF ORANGE FREE STATE under name of Orange River
+Colony formally proclaimed at Bloemfontein.
+
+May 30.--FLIGHT OF PRESIDENT KRUGER FROM PRETORIA.
+
+May 31.--BRITISH FLAG HOISTED AT JOHANNESBURG.
+
+  Surrender of 500 Yeomanry at Lindley.
+
+June 2-4.--Futile negotiations between Buller and Christian Botha for
+armistice.
+
+June 5.--OCCUPATION OF PRETORIA.
+
+June 8.--Hildyard takes Botha's Pass.
+
+Surrender of 4th Derbyshires at Roodeval.
+
+June 11.--Stubborn fight at Almond's Nek. Heavy Boer losses.
+
+June 12.--Boers evacuate Laing's Nek.
+
+  Roberts defeats Botha at DIAMOND HILL, east of Pretoria.
+
+June 14.--Boer attack on Zand River repulsed.
+
+July 4.--Roberts and Buller join hands at Vlakfontein.
+
+  Railway to Natal clear.
+
+July 11.--Surrender of Scots Greys and Lincolns at Uitval Nek.
+
+July 21.--Advance eastwards towards Komati Poort begins.
+
+July 30.--SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO and 3,000 Boers to Hunter in
+Brandwater basin.
+
+Aug. 16.--Elands River garrison relieved.
+
+Aug. 25.--Execution of Cordua for conspiracy to kidnap Lord Roberts.
+
+Aug. 26-7.--Fighting at DALMANUTHA.
+
+Aug. 30.--British occupy Nooitgedacht and release 2,000 prisoners.
+
+Sept. 6.--Buller occupies Lydenburg.
+
+Sept. 11.--KRUGER, FLYING FROM THE TRANSVAAL, takes refuge at Lorenzo
+Marques.
+
+Sept. 13.--Proclamation issued by Roberts calling on burghers to
+surrender.
+
+  French occupies Barberton.
+
+Sept. 25.--British Force occupies Komati Poort. Many Boers cross
+Portuguese frontier and surrender to Portuguese.
+
+Oct. 9.--De Wet driven across the Vaal out of Orange River Colony.
+
+Oct. 19.--Kruger sails from Lorenzo Marques for Marseilles on Dutch
+man-of-war.
+
+Oct. 24.--Buller sails from Capetown for England.
+
+Oct. 25.--FORMAL ANNEXATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, to be styled
+Transvaal Colony.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX IV
+
+THE NAVY AND THE WAR.
+
+A RESUME OF OFFICERS AND MEN MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES FOR THE
+OPERATIONS IN NATAL.
+
+_Extract from "Natal Advertiser."_
+
+
+GENERAL SIR REDVERS BULLER, in his despatches which have just been
+published with reference to the operations in Natal, calls attention
+to a number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men whose
+services deserve "special mention." He gives thanks to Sir W.
+Hely-Hutchinson, the Governor of Natal; to Colonel the Hon. A. H.
+Hime, Prime Minister, and all the members of the Government of the
+colony. Rear-Admiral Sir R. H. Harris, K.C.M.G., had also been most
+helpful. Then follows the list of men "especially worthy of
+consideration":--
+
+Captain Percy Scott, C.B., H.M.S. _Terrible_, has discharged the
+difficult duties of Commandant of Durban with the greatest tact and
+ability, and has been most helpful in every way.
+
+Captain E. P. Jones, H.M.S. _Forte_, as senior officer of the Naval
+Brigade, has earned my most heartfelt thanks. The assistance they have
+rendered to me has been invaluable; the spirit of their leader was
+reflected in the men, and at any time, day or night, they were always
+ready, and their work was excellent.
+
+Commander A. H. Limpus and Lieutenant F. C. A. Ogilvy, H.M.S.
+_Terrible_, and Lieutenant H. W. James, H.M.S. _Tartar_. These three
+Officers were indefatigable. There never was a moment in the day that
+they were not working hard and well to advance the work in hand.
+
+The names of the following officers, warrant officers,
+non-commissioned officers, and men of the Naval Brigade, Sir Redvers
+Buller adds, have been brought to his notice for gallant or
+meritorious services by general officers and officers commanding
+units:--
+
+  OFFICERS--NAVAL BRIGADE.
+
+  Lieutenant C. P. Hunt, H.M.S. _Forte_.
+  Lieutenant C. R. N. Burne, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Staff-Surgeon F. J. Lilly, H.M.S. _Forte_.
+  Surgeon C. C. Macmillan, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Surgeon E. C. Lomas, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Acting-Gunner J. Wright, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Midshipman R. B. Hutchinson, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Midshipman H. S. Boldero, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Midshipman G. L. Hodson, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Clerk W. T. Hollin, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+
+[Illustration: _Photo by Debenham, Southsea._
+
+Captain E. P. JONES, R.N.]
+
+  WARRANT, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, AND MEN.
+
+  Chief Petty Officer T. Baldwin, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Chief Petty Officer W. Bate, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Chief Petty Officer B. Stephens, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  First-Class Petty Officer P. Cashman, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Second-Class Petty Officer C. Challoner, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Second-Class Petty Officer J. J. Frennett, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Master-at-Arms G. Crowe, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  Armourer Ellis, H.M.S. _Terrible_.
+  F. Moore, A.B., H.M.S. _Forte_.
+
+
+THE NAVAL BRIGADE.
+
+General Sir Redvers Buller, in a despatch dated Laing's Nek, June
+19th, 1900, says: "I desire to bring to notice the following
+officer:--
+
+"Captain E. P. Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade.
+
+"It was due to the energy and perseverance of the officers and men
+alike, following the excellent example set them by their Commander,
+Captain Jones, that it was possible to place the Naval guns in
+position on the 8th, and get them forward subsequently in time to
+accompany the advance on the 10th. The excellent marksmanship of the
+Naval Brigade, and the skilful distribution of their fire, contributed
+materially to the successful result of the attack on Allemann's Nek on
+June 11th."
+
+The following names are mentioned by Commanders as having performed
+good services, in addition to those previously mentioned:--
+
+  Lieutenant G. P. Hunt, H.M.S. _Forte_.
+  Lieutenant F. W. Melvill, H.M.S. _Forte_.
+  Lieutenant C. R. N. Burne, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Lieutenant A. Halsey, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  Midshipman W. R. Ledgard, H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  John Restal, chief armourer, H.M.S. _Tartar_.
+  Alexander Monro, C.P.O., H.M.S. _Tartar_.
+  J. Weatherhead, P.O., H.M.S. _Philomel_.
+  E. Waring, yeoman of signals.
+
+Referring to the work at the base and on the lines of communication,
+General Buller, in the despatch dated ss. _Dunvegan Castle_, November
+9th, says:--
+
+"The Naval transport work at Durban has been throughout under the
+charge of Captain Van Koughnet, R.N. I desire to take this opportunity
+of bringing to notice the excellent service which he has rendered.
+Owing to his tact and ability, the difficult and ofttimes very heavy
+work of embarkations and disembarkations has passed smoothly and well.
+
+"Commander G. E. Holland, D.S.O., Indian Marine, has also been
+employed at Durban throughout. His genius for organisation, and his
+knowledge of transport requirements, is, I should say, unrivalled. He
+undertook the alteration of the transports which were fitted at Durban
+as hospital ships, and the result of his work has been universally
+admitted to have been a conspicuous success. I strongly recommend him
+to your consideration.
+
+"Warrant Officer Carpenter S. J. Lacey, R.N., has rendered valuable
+service in supervising the fitting of hospital ships and in transport
+work generally. I recommend him to your favourable notice.
+
+"The following officers acted as my aides-de-camp, and I submit their
+names for your favourable consideration. Each and all of them are
+thoroughly capable and deserving officers, and rendered me great
+assistance:--
+
+"Commander Edgar Lees, Royal Navy (and others).
+
+"Lieutenant A. Halsey, R.N., H.M.S. _Philomel_, commanded the last
+detachment of the Naval Brigade which was left with the Natal Field
+Force, and, like all the rest of the Brigade, their services were most
+valuable."
+
+[Illustration: Map.]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With the Naval Brigade in Natal
+(1899-1900), by Charles Richard Newdigate Burne
+
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