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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Second Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers
+in the South African War, by Cecil Francis Romer and Arthur Edward
+Mainwaring
+
+
+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: The Second Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the South African War
+       With a Description of the Operations in the Aden Hinterland
+
+
+Author: Cecil Francis Romer and Arthur Edward Mainwaring
+
+
+
+Release Date: May 26, 2008  [eBook #25618]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECOND BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN
+FUSILIERS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, Christine P. Travers, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 25618-h.htm or 25618-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/6/1/25618/25618-h/25618-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/6/1/25618/25618-h.zip)
+
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR
+
+With a Description of the Operations in the Aden Hinterland
+
+by
+
+MAJORS C. F. ROMER & A. E. MAINWARING
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: _W. & D. Downey._
+
+H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, K.G.,
+Commander-in-Chief of The Mediterranean Forces, and Colonel-in-Chief
+of The Royal Dublin Fusiliers.]
+
+
+
+[Illustration: E Libris, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers.]
+
+
+London: A. L. Humphreys, 187 Piccadilly, W.
+1908
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+The 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers is one of the oldest
+regiments in the service. It was raised in February and March, 1661,
+to form the garrison of Bombay, which had been ceded to the Crown as
+part of the dowry of the Infanta of Portugal, on her marriage with
+King Charles II. It then consisted of four companies, the
+establishment of each being one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign,
+two sergeants, three corporals, two drummers, and 100 privates, and
+arrived at Bombay on September 18th, 1662, under the command of Sir
+Abraham Shipman. Under various titles it took part in nearly all the
+continuous fighting of which the history of India of those days is
+principally composed, being generally known as the Bombay European
+Regiment, until in March, 1843, it was granted the title of 1st Bombay
+Fusiliers. In 1862 the regiment was transferred to the Crown, when the
+word 'Royal' was added to its title, and it became known as the 103rd
+Regiment, The Royal Bombay Fusiliers. In 1873 the regiment was linked
+to the Royal Madras Fusiliers, whose history up to that time had been
+very similar to its own. By General Order 41, of 1881, the titles of
+the two regiments underwent yet another change, when they became known
+by their present names, the 1st and 2nd Battalions Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers.
+
+The 2nd Battalion first left India for home service on January 2nd,
+1871, when it embarked on H.M.S. _Malabar_, arriving at Portsmouth
+Harbour about 8 a.m. on February 4th, and was stationed at Parkhurst.
+Its home service lasted until 1884, when it embarked for Gibraltar. In
+1885 it moved to Egypt, and in 1886 to India, where it was quartered
+until 1897, when it was suddenly ordered to South Africa, on account
+of our strained relations with the Transvaal Republic. On arrival at
+Durban, however, the difficulties had been settled for the time being,
+and the regiment was quartered at Pietermaritzburg until it moved up
+to Dundee in 1899, just previous to the outbreak of war.
+
+The late Major-General Penn-Symons assumed command of the Natal force
+in 1897, and from that date commenced the firm friendship and mutual
+regard between him and the regiment, which lasted without a break
+until the day when he met his death at Talana. The interest he took in
+the battalion and his zeal resulted in a stiff training, but a
+training for which we must always feel grateful, and remember with
+kind, if sad, recollections. It was his custom to see a great deal of
+the regiments under his command, and he very frequently lunched with
+us, by which means he not only made himself personally acquainted with
+the characters of the officers of the regiment, but also had an
+opportunity of seeing for himself the deep _esprit de corps_ which
+existed in it, and without which no regiment can ever hope to
+successfully overcome the perils and hardships incidental to active
+service.
+
+As the shadow of the coming war grew dark and ever darker on the
+Northern horizon, the disposition of the Natal troops underwent some
+change, and General Penn-Symons' brigade, of which the regiment formed
+part, was moved up to Dundee, and was there stationed at the time of
+the outbreak of hostilities. In spite of the long roll of battle
+honours, of which both battalions are so justly proud, the South
+African Campaign was the first active service either had seen under
+their present titles, and the first opportunity afforded them of
+making those new titles as celebrated as the old ones which had done
+so much towards the acquisition of our Indian Empire. Imbued with
+these feelings the regiment lay camped within full view of Talana
+Hill, waiting the oncoming of the huge wave of invasion which was so
+shortly to sweep over the borders, engulf Ladysmith, and threaten to
+reach Maritzburg itself. But that was not to be. Its force was spent
+long ere it reached the capital, and a few horsemen near the banks of
+the Mooi River marked the line of its utmost limit in this direction.
+
+The present work only claims to be a plain soldier's narrative of the
+part taken by the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in stemming
+this rush, and its subsequent efforts, its grim fights on the hills
+which fringe the borders of the River Tugela, its long and weary
+marches across the rolling uplands of the Transvaal, and its
+subsequent monotonous life of constant vigil in fort and blockhouse,
+and on escort duty.
+
+All five battalions took part in the war. The 1st sailed from Ireland
+on November 10th, 1899, and sent three companies under Major Hicks to
+strengthen the 2nd Battalion. They arrived in time to share in the
+action at Colenso on December 15th, and all the subsequent fighting
+which finally resulted in the relief of Ladysmith, after which they
+returned to the headquarters of the 1st Battalion, which formed part
+of the Natal army under General Sir Redvers Buller, and later on
+advanced through Laing's Nek and Alleman's Nek into the Transvaal. The
+3rd Battalion sent a very strong draft of its reserve, and the 4th and
+5th Battalions volunteered and came out to the front, where they
+rendered most excellent service. In addition to the battalions there
+were a good many officers of one or other battalion employed in
+various ways in the huge theatre of operations. Major Godley and Major
+Pilson had been selected for special service before the war, and the
+former served in Mafeking during the siege, while the latter served
+under General Plumer in his endeavours to raise it. Captain Kinsman
+also served with the latter force. Major Rutherford, Adjutant of the
+Ceylon Volunteers, arrived in command of the contingent from that
+corps. Lieutenants Cory and Taylor served with the Mounted Infantry
+most of the time, as did Lieutenants Garvice, Grimshaw, and Frankland,
+after the capture of Pretoria, while Captain Carington Smith's share
+in the war is briefly stated later on. Captain MacBean was on the
+staff until he was killed at Nooitgedacht. The M.I. of the regiment
+served with great distinction, and it is regretted that it is
+impossible to include an account of the many actions and marches in
+which they took part, but the present volume deals almost exclusively
+with the battalion as a battalion.
+
+The authors are desirous of expressing their most hearty and cordial
+thanks to all those who have assisted them in the preparation of this
+volume. They are especially indebted to Colonel H. Tempest Hicks,
+C.B., without whose co-operation the work could not have been carried
+out, for the loan of his diary, and for the sketches and many of the
+photographs. To Colonel F. P. English, D.S.O., for the extracts from
+his diary containing an account of the operations in the Aden
+Hinterland and photographs. To Captain L. F. Renny for his Ladysmith
+notes. Also to Sergeant-Major C. V. Brumby, Quartermaster-Sergeant
+Purcell, and Mr. French (late Quartermaster-Sergeant), for assistance
+in collecting data, compiling the appendix, and for photographs,
+respectively.
+
+                                        C. F. ROMER.
+
+                                        A. E. MAINWARING.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+PART I.--FIGHTING.
+
+  CHAP.                                                           Page
+
+     I. Talana                                                       3
+
+    II. The Retreat from Dundee                                     16
+
+   III. From Colenso to Estcourt                                    22
+
+    IV. Estcourt and Frere                                          28
+
+     V. The Battle of Colenso                                       34
+
+    VI. Venter's Spruit                                             42
+
+   VII. Vaal Krantz                                                 55
+
+  VIII. Hart's and Pieter's Hills--The Relief of Ladysmith          61
+
+    IX. The Siege of Ladysmith                                      76
+
+     X. Aliwal North and Fourteen Streams                           83
+
+
+PART II.--TREKKING.
+
+     I. From Vryburg to Heidelberg                                  97
+
+    II. Heidelberg                                                 111
+
+   III. After De Wet                                               121
+
+    IV. September in the Gatsrand                                  141
+
+     V. Frederickstadt--Klip River--The Losberg                    164
+
+    VI. Buried Treasure--The Eastern Transvaal--The
+          Krugersdorp Defences                                     182
+
+   VII. The Last Twelve Months                                     193
+
+
+PART III.
+
+     I. The Aden Hinterland                                        205
+
+    II. The Return Home and Reception                              217
+
+   III. The Memorial Arch                                          229
+
+
+APPENDIX                                                           239
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+FULL-PAGE PLATES.
+
+  H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn,
+    K.G., Commander-in-chief of the
+    Mediterranean Forces, and Colonel-in-chief
+    of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers                       _Frontispiece_
+
+  Regimental Book-Plate                                   _Title-page_
+
+  Casualties at Talana                                 _Facing page_ 8
+
+  Major-General C. D. Cooper, C.B., commanding
+    2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers in Natal                "     "      24
+
+  Captain C. F. Romer and Captain E. Fetherstonhaugh   "     "      32
+
+  General Hart's Flank Attack from the
+    Boers' Point of View (Plan)                        "     "      34
+
+  Casualties at Colenso                                "     "      36
+
+  Group of twenty Sergeants taken after the
+    Battle of Colenso, all that remained
+    of Forty-Eight who left Maritzburg                 "     "      40
+
+  Casualties at Tugela Heights                         "     "  56, 64
+
+  Taking Fourteen Streams (Plan)                       "     "      88
+
+  Miscellaneous Casualties                             "     "     104
+
+  Colonel H. Tempest Hicks, C.B., commanding
+    2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, March, 1900--March,
+    1904                                             _facing Page_ 112
+
+  Plan of Position at Zuikerbosch                     "     "      120
+
+  Plan of Battle of Frederickstadt                    "     "      168
+
+  Sketch Plan of Kilmarnock House and Fortifications  "     "      184
+
+  Krugersdorp from Kilmarnock House                   "     "      200
+
+  Officers of the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin
+    Fusiliers who embarked for Aden                   "     "      216
+
+  The Memorial Arch, Dublin                           "     "      232
+
+  The South African Memorial, Natal                   "     "      238
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT.
+
+  The Last Rites                                                    10
+
+  Armourer-Sergeant Waite--'Delenda Est Carthago'                   18
+
+  Railway Bridge at Colenso                                         23
+
+  Boer Trenches, Colenso                                            36
+
+  Bringing down the Wounded                                         41
+
+  After the Fight                                                   65
+
+  The Grave of Colonel Sitwell and Captain Maitland,
+    Gordon Highlanders (attached), near Railway
+    at Pieter's Hill                                                67
+
+  Pieter's Hill, Feb. 27th, 1900                                    69
+
+  Pontoon Bridge, River Tugela, Feb. 28th, 1900                     70
+
+  2nd Royal, Dublin Fusiliers, heading Relief Troops,
+    marching into Ladysmith, March, 1900,                           72
+
+  General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., entering Ladysmith              73
+
+  The Dublins are coming--Ladysmith                                 74
+
+  Sir George White watching Relief Force entering
+    Ladysmith                                                       75
+
+  Sergeant Davis in Meditation over 'Long Cecil' at
+    Kimberley. 'Shall I Take it for the Officers?'                  83
+
+  St. Patrick's Day in Camp. Private Monaghan, the
+    Regimental Butcher, in Foreground                               84
+
+  A Wash in hot Water--Aliwal North                                 87
+
+  The Regimental Maxim in Action at Fourteen
+    Streams                                                         89
+
+  Captain Jervis, General Fitzroy Hart, C.B., C.M.G.,
+    and Captain Arthur Hart                                         91
+
+  Issuing Queen Victoria's Chocolate. Colour-Sergeant
+    Connell, 'G' Company, on left                                   93
+
+  First Entry into Krugersdorp. Captain and Adjutant
+    Fetherstonhaugh in Foreground                                   99
+
+  'Speed, Dead Slow'                                               104
+
+  Hoisting the Union Jack at Krugersdorp                           106
+
+  Johan Meyer's House, five Miles outside Johannesburg             107
+
+  Sergeant Davis, evidently with all we wanted                     108
+
+  Paardekraal Monument, Krugersdorp                                110
+
+  The Officers' Mess                                               120
+
+  Corporal Tierney and Chef Burst                                  123
+
+  Fourth Class on the Z.a.s.m.                                     125
+
+  Fifth Class on the Z.a.s.m.                                      127
+
+  The Vaal River, Lindeque Drift                                   133
+
+  The R.D.F. Bathing in Mooi River, Potchefstroom                  136
+
+  Father Mathews                                                   142
+
+  Funeral of Commandant Theron and a British
+    Soldier, Sept. 6th, 1900                                       149
+
+  Buffelsdoorn Camp, Gatsrand Hills                                152
+
+  A Group of Boer Prisoners taken at the Surprise
+    of Pochefstroom                                                153
+
+  Colour-Sergeant Cossy issuing Beer                               154
+
+  'Come to the Cook-house Door, Boys!'                             163
+
+  Sergeant French and the Officers' Mess, Nachtmaal                170
+
+  4.7 crossing a Drift, assisted by the Dublin Fusiliers           172
+
+  Boy Fitzpatrick waiting at Lunch                                 178
+
+  'The Latest Shave.' Captain G. S. Higginson (mounted)
+    and Major Bird                                                 181
+
+  The Hairdresser's Shop                                           192
+
+  Kilmarnock, Krugersdorp                                          193
+
+  A Blockhouse                                                     196
+
+  The 'Blue Caps' relieving the 'Old Toughs'                       201
+
+  Dthala Camp                                                      210
+
+  Dthala Village, From Camp                                        211
+
+  A Frontier Tower--Abdali Country                                 213
+
+  Homeward bound at last, after twenty Years'
+    Foreign Service                                                219
+
+
+
+
+PART I.
+
+FIGHTING.
+
+
+
+
+THE 2ND BATTALION
+
+ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+TALANA.
+
+  'The midnight brought the signal sound of strife,
+  The morn the marshalling in arms, the day--
+  Battle's magnificently stern array.'
+
+                              _Byron._
+
+
+The 2nd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers left India for
+Maritzburg, Natal, in 1897, and therefore, on the outbreak of the war
+between Great Britain and the South African Republics, had the
+advantage of possessing some acquaintance with the topography of the
+colony, and of a two years' training and preparation for the long
+struggle which was to ensue.
+
+The political situation had become so threatening by July, 1899, that
+the military authorities began to take precautionary measures, and the
+battalion was ordered to effect a partial mobilisation and to collect
+its transport. On September 20th it moved by train to Ladysmith,[1]
+and four days later proceeded to Dundee. Here Major-General Sir W.
+Penn-Symons assumed the command of a small force, consisting of 18th
+Hussars, 13th, 67th, and 69th Batteries R.F.A., 1st Leicestershire
+Regiment, 1st King's Royal Rifles, and 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
+Each infantry battalion had a mounted infantry company. The brigade
+was reinforced on October 16th by the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers.
+
+         [Footnote 1: It was at Ladysmith that the battalion adopted
+         the green tops on the helmets, a distinguishing badge which
+         was worn throughout the war. The 1st Battalion painted theirs
+         blue on account of the historic nickname, 'Blue-caps,'
+         acquired by them at the time of the Mutiny.]
+
+The country was still nominally at peace, but the Dundee force held
+itself ready for emergencies, and sent out mounted patrols by day and
+infantry piquets by night, while the important railway junction at
+Glencoe was held by a company. The General utilised this period of
+waiting in carrying out field-firing and practising various forms of
+attack. As he was a practical and experienced soldier, he succeeded in
+bringing his command to a high state of efficiency, and the battalion
+owed much to his careful preparation. It was due largely to his
+teaching that the men knew how to advance from cover to cover and
+displayed such ready 'initiative' in the various battles of the Natal
+Campaign. The opportunity of putting into practice this teaching soon
+presented itself, for on October 12th news was received that the South
+African Republics had declared war on the previous day.
+
+Consideration of the advisability of pushing forward a small force to
+Dundee, and of the reasons for such a movement, does not fall within
+the scope of this work; but a glance at the map will show that Sir W.
+Penn-Symons had a wide front to watch, since he could be attacked from
+three sides. Although precise information regarding the Boer forces
+was lacking, it was known that commandoes were assembling at
+Volksrust, along the left bank of the Buffalo River, and on the far
+side of Van Reenan's Pass.
+
+Early in the morning of October 13th a telegram was received from Sir
+G. White, asking General Penn-Symons to send a battalion to Ladysmith
+at once, as the Boers were reported to be advancing on that town. The
+General paid the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers the compliment of
+selecting them for this duty, and they entrained accordingly, about
+4.30 a.m., reaching Ladysmith some four hours later. They detrained
+with the utmost haste and marched at once towards Dewdrop, whither the
+Ladysmith garrison had been sent; but the report of a Boer advance was
+discovered to be without foundation, and the battalion was halted five
+miles outside Ladysmith, and ordered to return. It did not reach the
+camp at Dundee until 11 p.m.
+
+On the following day Sir W. Penn-Symons moved his detachment closer to
+the town of Dundee, and placed his camp three or four hundred yards
+north of the road to Glencoe Junction. It soon became clear that the
+Boers meant to invade Natal, and Newcastle was occupied by them on the
+15th, while the mounted patrols of the Dundee force were already in
+touch with the commandoes on the left bank of the Buffalo. The
+detached company at Glencoe was withdrawn on the 18th, and on the 19th
+three companies of the regiment, under Major English, were sent to the
+Navigation Colliery in order to bring away large quantities of mealie
+bags stored there.
+
+Colonel Cooper, commanding the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers,
+had been given an extension of his command, and was hurrying back from
+a short period of leave in England, so the battalion was at this time
+under the command of Major S. G. Bird.
+
+It was now evident to every one that we were on the eve of
+hostilities, and a spirit of keen excitement and anticipation ran
+through all ranks. After a long tour of foreign service, during which
+the regiment had not had the good fortune to see active service,
+though on three occasions they had been within measurable distance of
+it, they were now to have the long-wished-for chance of showing that,
+in spite of altered denominations and other changes, they were
+prepared to keep their gallant and historical reputation untarnished.
+Our advanced patrols had already seen the first signs of the coming
+torrent of invasion, and one and all were seized with that feeling,
+common to all mankind, of longing to get the waiting and the
+preparation over, and to commence the real business for which they had
+been so carefully and so thoroughly prepared. Full of the most
+implicit confidence in their brave leader, the regiment knew to a man
+that they would soon be at hand-grips, and their two years' residence
+in the country and knowledge of the history of the last Boer War, and
+the stain to be rubbed out, made every pulse tingle with the desire to
+show that the past had been but an unfortunate blunder, and that the
+British soldier of the present day was no whit inferior to his
+predecessors of Indian, Peninsular, Waterloo, and Crimean fame.
+
+On the night of the 19-20th October, Lieutenant Grimshaw was sent with
+a patrol of the Mounted Infantry company of the battalion to watch the
+road to Vant's and Landsman's Drifts, ten miles east of Dundee. About
+2 a.m. on October 20th this officer reported that a Boer commando was
+advancing on the town. At a later hour he forwarded a second message
+to the effect that he was retiring before superior numbers, one man of
+his party having been wounded, and that the enemy were in occupation
+of the hills to the east of the town. On the receipt of this message
+General Penn-Symons ordered two companies of the Dublin Fusiliers to
+support Lieutenant Grimshaw. 'B' and 'E' companies, under Captains
+Dibley and Weldon, accordingly left camp at 4 a.m., and, moving
+through the town, took up a position in Sand Spruit, which runs along
+the eastern edge of Dundee. The whole brigade stood to arms, as usual,
+at 5 a.m., but was dismissed at 5.15 a.m. At about 5.30 a.m. the mist
+lifted, and everybody's gaze was directed on Talana Hill, where
+numbers of men in black mackintoshes could be seen. The general
+impression was that they were members of the town guard, but the
+arrival of the first shell soon dispelled this illusion.
+
+Soon after 5.30 a.m. the Boer artillery opened fire on the camp. Their
+fire was accurate enough, considering that the range was near 5400
+yards, but the damage done was practically nothing, as very few shells
+burst, and these only on impact. Our own artillery (13th and 69th
+Field Batteries, with 'D' company of the battalion as escort) did not
+immediately respond, as they were at the time engaged in watering
+their horses; but as soon as possible they were in position to the
+east of the camp, and began to shell the crest of Talana Hill. They
+obtained the range almost immediately, and in a short time overpowered
+the hostile guns, which were thus prevented from playing an important
+part in the day's battle.
+
+As soon as the Boers started shelling the camp, the battalion fell in
+on its parade-ground in quarter-column and waited for orders. But when
+a shell fell just behind the ranks, Major Bird moved it at the double
+through the camp to a donga which afforded good cover. The men then
+removed their great-coats, and stayed for some minutes watching the
+Boer shells passing over their heads. Eventually the King's Royal
+Rifles, Royal Irish Fusiliers, and the battalion were ordered by the
+General to move in extended order through the town, and to concentrate
+in the spruit already occupied by 'B' and 'E' companies. The
+Leicesters and 67th Battery were left near the camp to watch Impati
+Mountain, since it was probable that the Boer force which had occupied
+Newcastle would appear from that direction. The mounted troops (18th
+Hussars and the Mounted Infantry company of the Dublin Fusiliers,
+under Captain Lonsdale, less Lieutenant Cory's section, which,
+fortunately for it, was sent off in another direction), under the
+command of Colonel Moeller, were sent to turn the right flank of the
+Boers' position on Talana Hill and so threaten their rear.
+
+As the extended lines of the infantry moved through the town they were
+greeted by pompom fire, which, however, did no damage. It was their
+first introduction to this hated and under-rated weapon, whose moral
+effect is so great that, even if the casualties it inflicts are small
+in number, it is always likely to exercise a marked influence, more
+especially on young troops and at the commencement of a campaign. Men
+heard it in wonder, asking each other what it was, and why had we
+nothing like it, and similar questions. By 6.30 a.m. the three
+battalions were assembled in the bed of the spruit, and the General
+rode up with the Staff in order to give his orders for the attack. The
+2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers were to form the firing line, with the 60th
+Rifles in support and the Royal Irish Fusiliers in reserve. Under
+Talana Hill is a wood surrounding a small house known as Smith's Farm.
+Between this wood and Sand Spruit is a long stretch of veld, which on
+the day of the battle was intersected by several wire fences. The
+battalion received orders to cross this open ground by successive
+companies, 'H' company, under Lieutenant Shewan, formed the right of
+the line, and was the first company to leave the shelter of the
+spruit. It made for the south-east corner of the wood, where it was
+afterwards joined by the maxims, and at once opened fire on Talana and
+Dundee Hills. 'B' company under Captain Dibley, 'A' company under
+Major English, and 'E' company under Captain Weldon extended to ten
+paces, and followed in succession. The enemy had by this time
+developed a vigorous fire, but the range was long and the casualties
+small. The advancing companies moved on steadily, reached the edge of
+the wood, and entered it. They now became somewhat separated. 'A,' 'G'
+(Captain Perreau), and 'F' inclined to the left, 'C' and 'E' remained
+in the centre with 'B' on their right, while 'H' was held back at the
+corner of the wood. The latter was bounded on the far side by a stone
+wall, beyond which stretched an open piece of ground until, further up
+the hill, there was a second wall. At this point there was a sudden
+change in the slope of the ground, which rose almost precipitously to
+the crest. Immediately opposite the point where 'B' company issued
+from the wood a third wall ran up the hill, connecting the two already
+mentioned. When the attackers reached the far end of the wood, they
+came under such a well-directed and heavy fire that their progress was
+at first checked, in spite of the support afforded by our artillery,
+which rained shrapnel on the hostile position. The Boers, lying behind
+the boulders on the crest of Talana Hill, found excellent cover; while
+from Dundee Hill they could bring an effective enfilade fire on the
+open space between the two parallel walls. Opposite 'A' company a
+donga ran up the hill, and at first sight seemed to offer an excellent
+line of approach for an attacking force. Major English, in command of
+the company, rushed forward and, in spite of a heavy fire, succeeded
+in cutting a wire fence which closed the mouth of the donga. He then,
+at about 8 a.m., led his company into the latter, and was followed by
+'G' and 'F' (Captain Hensley) companies; but the donga proved almost a
+death-trap, since it was swept by the rifles of some picked marksmen
+on the right of the Boer position.
+
+[Illustration: Casualties at Talana.
+
+  Capt. G. A. WELDON. _Killed._
+  Second Lieut. GENGE. _Died of Wounds._
+  Capt. A. DIBLEY. _Wounded._
+  Major LOWNDES. _Wounded._
+  Lieut. C. N. PERREAU. _Wounded._
+  Ser.-Maj. (Now Qr.-Mr) BURKE. _Wounded._]
+
+It was impossible for these three companies to advance any further,
+and they were therefore forced to limit their efforts to an attempt to
+keep down the Boer fire. Meanwhile, General Penn-Symons had, about
+9.15 a.m., come up to the far edge of the wood, and crying, 'Dublin
+Fusiliers, we must take the hill!' crossed the wall. Shortly
+afterwards he received a mortal wound. Captain Weldon was also killed
+near the same spot in a gallant effort to help a wounded comrade, No.
+5078 Private Gorman. Captain Weldon, together with several men of his
+company, had surmounted the wall in face of a heavy fire, and had
+taken cover in a small depression on its further side. Private Gorman
+was hit in the very act of surmounting the obstacle, and was falling
+backwards, when Captain Weldon, rushing out from his cover, seized him
+by the arm, and was pulling him into safety when he himself was
+mortally wounded. Privates Brady and Smith dragged him in under cover,
+but he only lived a few minutes. His dog, a fox-terrier named Rose,
+had accompanied him through the fight, and when his body was later on
+recovered, the faithful little animal was found beside it, and was
+afterwards taken care of by the men of 'E' company. There was no more
+popular officer in the regiment than George Weldon, and his loss was
+deeply felt by all ranks. He was the first officer of the Dublin
+Fusiliers to fall in the war, which thus early asserted its claim to
+seize the best. He was buried that same afternoon in the small
+cemetery, facing the hill on which he had met his death.
+
+[Illustration: The Last Rites.]
+
+By this time, 9.30 a.m., the Rifles and Irish Fusiliers had closed up
+and become merged in the firing line. Slowly, and by the advances of
+small parties at a time, the attackers gained ground, principally by
+creeping along the transverse wall which afforded cover from the enemy
+on Dundee Hill, Helped by the incessant fire of the artillery, which
+at 11.30 a.m. moved up to the coalfields railway, the infantry
+gradually collected behind the second wall. They were now within 150
+yards of the crest, and the roar of battle grew in intensity. About
+11.30 a.m. Colonel Yule came up and ordered the hill to be assaulted,
+directing the battalion to charge the right flank of the hill, and the
+Rifles the centre. Captain Lowndes, who was with the companies on the
+right, led them across the wall and over an open piece of ground. He
+gave the command 'Right incline,' and so well were the men in hand
+that the order was promptly obeyed, shortly after which he was badly
+wounded. Meanwhile, in the centre, men of all three regiments, led by
+the Staff and regimental officers, dashed over the wall and began to
+clamber up the steep and rocky slope. The artillery quickened its fire
+and covered the crest with shrapnel. But the Boers still remained
+firm. Many of them stood up, their mackintoshes waving in the wind,
+and poured a deadly fire on the assaulting infantry. Though most of
+these brave burghers paid for their daring with their lives, they
+repulsed this first gallant charge. The Dublin Fusiliers suffered many
+casualties in this first assault. Captain Lowndes, the Adjutant, had
+his leg practically shattered, as he, with the other officers, ran
+ahead to lead the charge. Captain Perreau was shot through the chest;
+Captain Dibley was almost on the top of the hill when hit. He had a
+dim recollection of the gallant Adjutant of the Royal Irish Fusiliers
+racing up almost alongside him and within a few paces of the summit,
+when he suddenly saw an aged and grey-bearded burgher drawing a bead
+upon him at a distance of a few paces only. He snapped his revolver at
+him, but only to fall senseless next moment with a bullet through his
+head. Marvellous though it seems he made a comparatively speedy
+recovery, and was able to ride into Ladysmith, at the head of his
+company, in the following February, having been in the hospital in the
+besieged town in the interval. Evidence of the temporary nature of
+the discomfort caused by a bullet through the head is afforded by the
+fact that he is to-day one of the best bridge-players in the regiment.
+Poor young Genge, who had only recently joined, was mortally wounded,
+and died shortly after the battle, killed in his first fight and in
+the springtime of life.
+
+Sergeant-Major Burke's (now Quartermaster) experiences may be best
+told in his own words: 'It must have been shortly after poor Weldon
+was killed that I came across "E" company; finding no officer with
+them I assumed command, and on arrival at the donga handed them over
+to Major Bird, and accompanied Colonel Yule, who had just arrived, and
+was ascending the hill. We had only gone a few yards, and were about
+six paces from the top wall, when I was bowled over, hit in the leg.
+It was a hot place, for as I lay there another bullet hit me in the
+shoulder. I crawled as well as I could to a rock, and sitting up
+underneath it lit a pipe. Scarcely had I got it to draw when a bullet
+dashed it out of my hand, taking a small piece of the top of my thumb
+with it. Two men were shot dead so close that they fell across my
+legs, effectually pinning me to the ground, while two more were
+wounded and fell alongside of me. At this juncture Colour-Sergeants
+Guilfoyle (now Sergeant-Major) and James dashed out of cover, and,
+picking me up, carried me to a more sheltered position, whence I could
+see what was going on all round, without myself being seen.' He was
+left at Dundee with the wounded, and subsequently taken to Pretoria
+with other prisoners of war.
+
+Whilst the men and officers were thus recovering their breath for a
+renewed attack, a large number were undoubtedly hit by our own
+shrapnel, as they clung closely to the hillside to avoid coming under
+fire from the enemy, who still held the top. It was imperative to draw
+our gunners' attention to their situation, to effect which purpose, an
+intrepid signaller, Private Flynn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, jumped
+up, and at the imminent risk of his own life freely exposed himself in
+his endeavour to 'call up' the guns. Finding, after repeated attempts,
+that he could not attract their attention, he boldly walked back down
+the hillside, torn as it was by mauser fire, and personally delivered
+his message, a glorious and courageous example of that devotion to
+duty which proved so strongly marked a characteristic of our N.C.O.'s
+and privates throughout the war.
+
+Major English now extricated his company from the donga and managed to
+reach the second wall, where he collected all available men, including
+'F' and 'G' companies, and maintained an incessant fire on Dundee and
+Talana Hills. The artillery behind had never slackened in their
+efforts to support the infantry, and their shrapnel searched the whole
+length of the crest line. This combined fire began at last to tell.
+The rattle of the enemy's musketry, which had lasted since 6.30 a.m.,
+gradually grew feebler, until about 1 p.m. our infantry made a second
+dash across the wall and this time reached the top of the hill. Below
+them they saw the stream of flying Boers hurrying across the veld. It
+was the moment for a vigorous outburst of musketry, but 'some one
+blundered,' and the fleeting moment sped without being taken advantage
+of. It is true that those men who first arrived on the summit were
+firing away, and were joined in doing so by every other man who
+breathlessly arrived. The company officers had just got their men well
+in hand, and were directing the fire, when to every one's disgust, and
+sheer, blank amazement, the 'Cease fire' sounded clear above the din
+of the fight. There was nothing for it but to stop, but the sight of
+the enemy streaming away in dense masses just below them, that enemy
+who had up to now been pouring a relentless hail of bullets on them
+for hours, was too much. Captain Hensley rushed up to Major English,
+and after a brief conference, feeling certain the call must have been
+blown in error, the latter gave the command to re-open fire. Barely
+was it obeyed when the imperative bugle once more blared forth its
+interference, and the company officers, the commanders of the
+recognised battle-units, had nothing left them but compliance.
+
+The guns with 'D' company as escort had come to the neck between
+Talana and Dundee Hills, but did not fire. The fight was over and
+Major English formed up the battalion. It then marched back as a
+rearguard to the brigade, through Dundee to the camp, much as if after
+a field-day, halting half-way to receive an issue of rations sent out
+by the A.S.C. It had lost two officers and six men killed, and three
+officers and fifty-two men wounded. As the troops passed through the
+town they were warmly cheered by the inhabitants. Late in the
+afternoon news reached the camp that the Mounted Infantry company,
+together with a squadron of the 18th Hussars, had been captured, but
+this was kept from the rank and file of the battalion. As already
+stated above, Colonel Moeller had been sent with the mounted troops
+round the right flank of the Boers. He succeeded in his task, but
+proceeded too far, and when the enemy retreated from Talana Hill he
+found himself with some 200 rifles attempting to stop a force of 4000
+Boers. He was roughly handled, but managed to get clear. Then,
+unluckily misled by the mist, he lost his way, and, instead of
+returning to camp, moved towards Impati Mountain, where he stumbled
+into the Boer main commando advancing from Newcastle. He took up a
+defensive position, placing the cavalry in a kraal and the mounted
+infantry on some rising ground near. The enemy brought up artillery
+and soon surrounded him, finally forcing him to surrender.
+
+Talana Hill, in point of numbers, may not rank as a great battle, but
+its moral effect can scarcely be exaggerated. It was the first
+conflict of the war. It was Majuba reversed, and the issue had
+far-reaching consequences. The news of the victory spread quickly
+through South Africa, and had considerable influence on the Dutch
+Colonists, who were, to use an expressive colloquialism, 'sitting on
+the fence,' and kept them sitting there, at a time when had they
+descended on the wrong side their action could not have failed to be
+extremely prejudicial to the interests of the Empire; but over and
+above all else it showed to the world that the British infantry could
+still attack and carry a position in face of modern rifle-fire, a
+lesson which was never forgotten by Boer or Briton, in spite of after
+events. Moreover, Talana must ever be a memorable name in the annals
+of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, since it was the first battle in which
+they had fought under their new title, which was from that day on to
+become as well known as that of any regiment in the army.
+
+The other regiments engaged had also suffered very severely, the 60th
+Rifles losing, amongst other officers, their gallant chief, Colonel
+Gunning. It was curious that on the last occasion the 2nd Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers had seen active service--the siege and capture of
+Mooltan--they should then have fought alongside the 60th, as they did
+in the present instance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE RETREAT FROM DUNDEE.
+
+  'I am ready to halt.'--_Ps._ xxxviii. 17.
+
+
+On the morning of October 21st, Colonel Yule, who, as senior officer,
+had taken over command of the brigade, received the news that a Boer
+commando, under General Joubert, was advancing by the Newcastle road.
+As the camp was within long-range artillery fire from Impati Mountain,
+the brigade moved off at a moment's notice to the south and took up a
+defensive position. The tents were left standing, but each man carried
+a waterproof sheet, a blanket, and great-coat, while the waggons,
+massed in rear, had three to four days' supplies. Soon after 4:30 p.m.
+the enemy appeared on Impati, and at once opened fire with a big gun,
+probably a forty-pounder. The shells at first fell in the vacated
+camp, but the Boer artillerymen quickly discovered the brigade, and
+made good practice, although they caused but slight damage. Our
+batteries attempted to reply, but were outranged, their shells falling
+far short. Luckily for us a mist came on, and the Boer gun ceased
+firing.
+
+As soon as night fell the troops began to entrench themselves, for the
+situation of the brigade was sufficiently unpleasant. In front was an
+enemy with superior numbers and heavier artillery, and in rear,
+between Dundee and Ladysmith, another hostile force of unknown
+strength. To make matters worse, it rained persistently and the night
+was cold. About 3 a.m. the brigade retreated to Indumana Kopje, some
+one and a half miles to the south-east of the camp. Here a new
+position was taken up before dawn, the guns and transport being massed
+behind the hill in order to be out of sight from Impati.
+
+Early in the morning of the 22nd, the spirits of the small force were
+raised by the news of the victory at Elandslaagte. This caused great
+delight among the men: they were proud of their own victory at Talana,
+and this further success roused them to a still higher pitch of
+enthusiasm. The strategic side of the situation seldom appeals to the
+rank and file, and the consequence was that when the retreat was
+commenced they were under the impression that they were being led to
+yet another victory. When they were undeceived, they were undoubtedly
+very savage, especially so at, what seemed to them, the callous
+desertion of their wounded comrades in Dundee.
+
+Since it was possible that some of the defeated Boers might be
+retreating through the Biggarsberg, a demonstration towards Glencoe
+Junction was ordered, the troops detailed being the 2nd Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers, the 60th Rifles, one battery, and some cavalry. No time was
+given for breakfasts, but the detachment moved off at 8 a.m. with the
+battalion as advance guard. On arriving within 1500 yards of the
+Junction, the battery shelled a party of the enemy on a hill to the
+west of the railway, a proceeding which promptly provoked an answer
+from the Boer gun on Impati, but another timely mist and rain saved
+the detachment from this unwelcome attention. No Boers were seen in
+the pass, so the force, with the battalion as rearguard, returned to
+Indumana Kopje at 12.30 p.m., when they were able to obtain dinners,
+the majority of the men having been without food for twenty-four
+hours.
+
+At 9 p.m. that evening orders were issued for the reoccupation of
+Talana Hill by the whole force, but the various commanding officers
+were informed confidentially that Colonel Yule's real intention was a
+retreat to Ladysmith by the Helpmakaar road. It was an extremely dark
+night, and the battalion occupied nearly two hours in collecting the
+companies and reaching the place of assembly at the foot of the
+kopje. It was not until after 11 p.m. that the brigade actually
+started on the retreat in the following order: 1st 60th Rifles
+(advance-guard), 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, 13th Battery, Mounted
+Infantry, Transport, 67th and 69th Batteries, 2nd Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers, 18th Hussars, 1st Leicestershire Regiment (rearguard). The
+force occupied about four miles of road. The route was through Dundee,
+over Sand Spruit, and down the Helpmakaar road through the Coalfields
+village. It was impossible to find an opportunity for a return to the
+camp, which was left standing. All the tents, stores, and baggage,
+together with the wounded, were left to the enemy. The battalion thus
+lost its band instruments and camp equipment, while the officers had
+to sacrifice all their personal kit, and many articles belonging to
+the mess. The waggons carried nothing but supplies, and no one in the
+force was able to take away anything beyond what he carried on his
+person.
+
+[Illustration: Armourer-Sergeant Waite. 'Delenda Est Carthago.']
+
+The column marched throughout the night, and far into the morning of
+the 23rd, only halting at 10 a.m., when dinners were eaten on the
+high ground south of Blesbok Pass, about fifteen miles from Dundee.
+That the Boers were watching the retreat was proved by one of their
+heliographs trying to 'pick up' the column. The march was resumed
+after a two hours' rest, and continued to Beith (twenty-one miles from
+Dundee), where, at 3 p.m., another halt was made. The men cooked their
+teas, and had a chance of a brief sleep, but at 11 p.m. they had to
+start again. The road, a very bad one, lay through the pass leading to
+the Waschbank River. The battalion formed the advance-guard, with two
+Natal mounted policemen as guides. It was a weary tramp, for, owing to
+the wretched road, long halts were necessary in order to allow the
+waggons to close up. At dawn, the 18th Hussars took over the duties of
+advance-guard, and were supported by 'F' company, under Captain
+Hensley.
+
+During the night a mysterious heliograph was seen twinkling and
+blinking away on the left flank. After some difficulty it was
+ascertained that it was communicating with the farm of a man named
+Potgieter, professedly a British subject. He was, in fact, caught _in
+flagrante delicto_ in full communication with the unknown Boer
+signaller, and paid for his crime with his life.
+
+At 10 a.m. on the 24th, the head of the column reached the Waschbank
+(thirty-six miles), crossed, and halted on the south side of the
+river. The waggons were not over until 12.30 p.m. A welcome meal and a
+bathe in the stream refreshed the men, some of whom had had no proper
+sleep for three nights. Heavy firing was heard from the direction of
+Ladysmith, and the mounted troops, with the artillery, were sent off
+to reconnoitre and see if they could render any assistance to Sir
+George White. They met with nothing, however, and returned before 5
+p.m. Meanwhile the infantry had also been disturbed, for at 2 p.m.
+they recrossed the river in order to occupy a better position to
+oppose a rumoured pursuit of the Boers. As the latter did not appear,
+the river was again forded at 4 p.m., and only just in time. A violent
+thunderstorm burst, and the water rose ten feet in two hours. 'H'
+company, under Lieutenant Shewan, and a patrol of the 18th Hussars
+were left on the north bank, and were thus cut off from the main body
+for several hours.
+
+It rained in torrents until 11 p.m., and the battalion, formed in
+quarter-column, had to lie down in pools of water, and get what sleep
+it could. At 5 a.m. on the 25th, in bright sunshine, the retreat was
+resumed. 'H' company crossed to the south bank a few minutes before
+the column moved off, although the water was still up to the men's
+waists. The Dublin Fusiliers formed the rearguard, and marched till
+mid-day, when Sunday's River (forty-eight miles) was reached. 'A'
+company remained on the north bank to cover the crossing of the
+waggons, and at 2.30 p.m. the column went on, only halting at 4.30 for
+tea. Everybody hoped to have a long rest here, but at 6.30 p.m. Major
+Bird was sent for, and informed that, as the Boers were in close
+pursuit, a night march was necessary.
+
+The brigade accordingly started at 7 p.m., at the same moment that
+heavy rain began to fall. The road quickly became inches deep in mud,
+every one was soon wet to the skin, and the night was so dark that a
+man in each section of fours had to hold on to the canteen strap of
+the man in front in order to keep the proper direction. As an
+additional evil, the battalion was still rearguard, which is generally
+the most tiring position in a column. Halts were frequent, and the men
+were so exhausted that many of them, when they stopped for a moment,
+fell down in the mud and slept. Soon after midnight the 18th Hussars,
+who were keeping connection between the Irish Fusiliers and the
+rearguard, disappeared. It was so dark that the latter could have no
+certainty of being on the right road, but was obliged to struggle on
+blindly. Majors Bird and English established a code of signals by
+whistle, in order to keep the companies closed up. Dawn still found
+the battalion marching, dead tired, but luckily in its proper place
+behind the column, and without a man missing. It was not until 8 a.m.
+on the 26th that this wearisome march ended. Then Modderspruit, seven
+miles north of Ladysmith, and sixty-five from Dundee, was reached, and
+the men sank down, too weary to care about anything. After a brief
+interval, however, they recovered sufficiently to eat their bully beef
+and biscuits. It had been a trying march for all, although the column
+had accomplished only twelve miles in eleven hours. As an instance of
+the general weariness, it is recorded that a subaltern, during the
+meal, was asked to pass the mustard, and fell asleep with his arm
+outstretched and the mustard-pot in his hand.
+
+But the brigade was still not allowed to rest. At 11 a.m. it was on
+the 'trek' again, and marched till 2 p.m., when the long retreat came
+to an end, and Ladysmith was entered. Here the Devonshire and
+Gloucestershire Regiments earned the undying gratitude of the regiment
+by providing officers and men with a meal, as well as by pitching a
+camp for them.
+
+On arriving at Ladysmith, tents, equipment, mules, and, in fact, all
+that had been lost at Dundee, were issued, and the battalion went into
+camp near the cemetery.
+
+The column was fortunate in having Colonel (now General) Dartnell with
+it. This officer, after serving with distinction for many years in the
+regular army, had, on retirement, settled down in Natal, where he was,
+previous to the war, in command of the Natal Police. A great hunter
+and fisherman, he knew every inch of the country, knowledge which
+proved of invaluable assistance in the trying march.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+FROM COLENSO TO ESTCOURT.
+
+  'If thou hope to please all, thy hopes are vaine;
+  If thou feare to displease some, thy feares are idle.'
+
+                              _Francis Quarles._
+
+
+On October 28th Colonel Cooper arrived at Ladysmith from England and
+took over the command from Major Bird. The battalion was able to rest
+from the 27th to the 29th, and recover from the fatigue of the retreat
+to Ladysmith.
+
+The Headquarter Staff issued orders on the 29th for a general
+movement, to take place the next day, against the enemy, who were
+closing in on the town. The Dublin Fusiliers formed part of Colonel
+Grimwood's brigade, which also included the 1st and 2nd King's Royal
+Rifles, the Leicesters, and the Liverpools. The task assigned to
+Colonel Grimwood was the capture of Long Hill.
+
+In order to be in position for the assault by dawn, it was necessary
+for the brigade to make a night march, and the battalion paraded about
+9.30 p.m. on Sunday evening, the 29th October. It formed the rear of
+the brigade, to which was attached a brigade of artillery. 'F' and 'B'
+companies were left behind on piquet duty.
+
+Owing to the difficulties inherent in a night march, and, perhaps,
+also to faulty staff management, the artillery, the Dublin Fusiliers,
+and Liverpool Regiment diverged from the route followed by the rest of
+the brigade. As a result of this mistake the battalion took
+practically no part in the battle of the 30th, but, after a vain
+endeavour to find Colonel Grim wood's force, spent the morning lying
+on the crest of a small ridge near Lombard's Kop. It came under shell
+and long-range rifle fire, but lost no men. The attempt to drive back
+the Boers was a failure, and the army fell back on Ladysmith about
+mid-day. The battalion reached camp at 2 p.m. and was dismissed. All
+ranks were somewhat tired, for the sun had been hot, and after dinner
+sleep reigned supreme.
+
+[Illustration: Railway Bridge at Colenso.]
+
+But about 4 p.m. Colonel Cooper received from Headquarters an order to
+proceed by train to Colenso, with the object of protecting the
+important railway bridge which crosses the Tugela at that place. The
+Natal Field Artillery, in addition to his own unit, was placed under
+his command. On the receipt of this order, camp was struck, and the
+tents and baggage sent down to the station. The piquets found by the
+Dublin Fusiliers were ordered to be relieved by other corps, but
+although 'F' company, under Captain Hensley, came in, Lieutenant H. W.
+Higginson's piquet, on the ridge to the east of the cemetery, could
+not rejoin in time, principally owing to the fact that the greater
+part of the Gloucestershire Regiment, which had been detailed to find
+the relief, had been captured at Nicholson's Nek. Lieutenant Higginson
+and his men were thus left to share in the siege of Ladysmith. The
+battalion transport, under Lieutenant Renny, also had to remain
+behind. An account of their experiences during the siege is given by
+Lieutenant Renny in Chapter IX.
+
+With these exceptions the whole battalion marched down to the station
+soon after 11 p.m., and was dispatched in two trains. As Boers had
+been reported on Bulwana Hill during the afternoon, a certain amount
+of risk seemed to attend the journey. There was nothing to prevent the
+enemy from cutting the line at any point in the hilly country between
+Ladysmith and Pieter's Station, while even a small hostile force could
+have played havoc with the crowded trucks.
+
+However, the enemy had luckily not penetrated to the railway line, and
+after an uneventful, though unpleasant, journey, Colenso was reached
+at 4.30 a.m. on the 31st.
+
+The two railway bridges over the Tugela and Onderbrook Spruit were
+already protected by a small force, consisting of the Durban Light
+Infantry, a squadron of the Imperial Light Horse, and a detachment of
+the Natal Naval Volunteers, with a gun. These units had made good
+defensive works, notably Forts Wylie and Molyneux, guarding the
+railway bridges over the Tugela and Onderbrook Spruit respectively.
+
+We encamped some 300 yards south-west of Colenso, and the day (October
+31st) was spent in making further defences, and dividing the garrison
+into sections. Colenso was not, however, an easy place to defend. It
+was commanded by the lofty hills on the left bank of the Tugela, and
+by Hlangwane Hill on the right bank to the east of the village. The
+garrison, moreover, was lacking in artillery, having only some
+muzzle-loading guns with a very limited range. Colonel Cooper
+telegraphed to Maritzburg asking for a naval twelve-pounder, which,
+however, could not be obtained.
+
+[Illustration: Major-General C. D. Cooper, C.B. Commanding 2nd Royal
+Dublin Fusiliers in Natal.]
+
+The necessity for such an addition soon arose. At 8.15 a.m. on
+November 1st, the staff at Ladysmith sent a wire to say that a Boer
+force had moved at daybreak towards Colenso. On receipt of this news
+the garrison was warned to be ready, and patrols of the Imperial Light
+Horse and the Mounted Infantry section of the battalion were
+dispatched towards Ladysmith, Springfield, and the country beyond
+Hlangwane. These patrols returned soon after 1 p.m., and the party
+which had reconnoitred towards Ladysmith reported that it had come
+into touch and exchanged shots with the enemy. Later on in the
+afternoon, Lieutenant Cory, commanding the Mounted Infantry section,
+went out again and reported that he had seen a hostile force,
+estimated at 2000 men, which was off-saddled near the main Ladysmith
+road, some six miles out. He had skirmished with the scouts of this
+commando and had lost one man. Another wire came from Ladysmith at the
+same time announcing that the enemy had guns. Our piquets were, in
+consequence of these events, pushed forward to the horseshoe ridge on
+the left bank of the Tugela, while the parties guarding the two
+bridges (road and railway) over this river were reinforced. The night,
+however, passed quietly.
+
+Mounted patrols were sent out at dawn of the 2nd, and Lieutenant Cory
+was able to report, at 6.45 a.m., that the Boers were still in the
+same position. But two hours later he forwarded another message to the
+effect that the enemy was advancing on Grobelaar's Kloof. Soon
+afterwards distant rifle-shots were heard, and the Mounted Infantry
+retired into camp. About 10 a.m. parties of the enemy appeared on the
+top of Grobelaar's Mountain, and by the aid of a good telescope it
+could be seen that they were busily engaged in digging. Their
+intention was not long in doubt, for a thin cloud became visible on
+the sky-line, and the next moment a shell buried itself in the
+river-bank.
+
+Colonel Cooper at once ordered the tents to be lowered and the
+trenches to be manned. But the enemy made no signs of attacking
+Colenso, and contented themselves by occasionally firing shells which
+invariably fell short. The interruption of telegraphic communication
+with Ladysmith soon after 3 p.m. proved, however, that the enemy was
+not being idle. Groups of Boers could be seen on the hills overhanging
+the railway, and a train carrying General French was shelled after
+leaving Pieters. The activity of our foes assumed a more aggressive
+character when, about 5 p.m., they began to bombard Fort Molyneux.
+From Colenso the shrapnel could be plainly seen bursting over the
+work, and the piquets on the left bank of the Tugela reported that
+heavy rifle-fire was in progress. As the garrison of the fort
+consisted only of eighty men of the Durban Light Infantry, some
+anxiety was felt regarding their safety, and this uneasiness was
+intensified by the arrival of one of the defenders, who announced that
+the redoubt was hard pressed. Lieutenant Shewan, with one hundred men
+mostly from 'E' company, was promptly dispatched to reinforce them in
+the armoured train. He found that the fort had been evacuated, but
+managed to pick up several of the garrison in spite of the enemy's
+rifle and shrapnel fire. Captain Hensley, who was holding the
+horseshoe ridge, also advanced with 'F' company, and, by firing
+long-range volleys, helped to cover the retirement of the remainder of
+the garrison, the whole of which reached Colenso in the night. Colonel
+Cooper telegraphed an account of these events to Brigadier-General
+Wolfe-Murray at Maritzburg, who replied at nightfall that, since the
+safety of Colenso bridge was very important, he would send the Border
+Regiment next day to reinforce the garrison. But no mention was made
+of any artillery.
+
+Colonel Cooper had now a difficult decision to arrive at. In front of
+him lay a superior force of the enemy with guns far outranging his own
+obsolete muzzle-loaders, and during the afternoon disquieting rumours,
+which might be true, of another commando at Springfield had reached
+him. Ladysmith was invested, and the small garrisons of Colenso and
+Estcourt alone stood between the Boers and Maritzburg. Having
+consulted the senior officers of the garrison, Colonel Cooper sent
+another wire to General Wolfe-Murray explaining the situation, and in
+reply was authorised to fall back to Estcourt if he could not hold
+Colenso. About 10 p.m. he reluctantly determined to retire.
+
+The mounted troops and the Natal Field Artillery went by road,
+starting at midnight. It was decided to send the rest of the garrison
+by railway, and the stationmaster at Colenso, with great energy,
+succeeded in obtaining three trains which arrived in the early hours
+of November 3rd.
+
+The operation of entraining was at once commenced. The night was dark,
+and the packing of all the tents, supplies, and equipment in the
+trucks proceeded but slowly. The Natal Naval Volunteers had to bring
+their nine-pounder gun down the steep slope of Fort Wylie, a task
+requiring great care and time; the piquets on the left bank of the
+river had to be withdrawn, and the two bridges guarded up to the very
+last moment. Although everything was done in the utmost possible
+silence, it yet seemed that the necessary shunting of the trains must
+warn the Boers of the evacuation, and bring on an attack. But there
+was no interruption, and the last train steamed out of Colenso station
+half an hour before dawn.
+
+Estcourt was reached two hours later. The little town was already
+occupied by a detachment of the Imperial Light Horse and Natal Mounted
+Rifles. During the morning there also arrived from Maritzburg the 2nd
+Border Regiment,[2] afterwards to be the comrades of the battalion in
+the 5th Brigade.
+
+         [Footnote 2: A great friendship sprang up between this
+         celebrated regiment and ourselves.]
+
+Colonel Cooper took over the command of the garrison and immediately
+set to work on the arrangement of the defences. The next day, however,
+General Wolfe-Murray and his staff appeared on the scene. Estcourt had
+thus the honour of having three different commandants in two days.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+ESTCOURT AND FRERE.
+
+  'Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand
+  judgment.'--_Job_, xxxii. 9.
+
+
+The stay at Estcourt (November 3rd to 26th) was a period of great
+anxiety and hard work. That there was cause for anxiety may be easily
+understood when the state of affairs is remembered. The Army Corps had
+not yet arrived from England, nor could any fresh troops be expected
+before the 10th. The Boers had invaded Natal, had shut up in Ladysmith
+the only British army in the field, and could still afford to send
+five or six thousand men against Maritzburg. The Estcourt garrison
+alone stood in their way.
+
+There were necessarily many outposts, and tours were long and
+frequent. Thunderstorms, Natal thunderstorms, visited the town with
+painful regularity, and rendered piquet work even more uncomfortable
+than usual. It was a period of strained waiting, when every one
+wondered whether a Boer commando or a British brigade would be the
+first arrival. Reliable news was scarce, though rumours of every kind
+were rife.
+
+The battalion was encamped in the market square, while the officers
+inhabited a small room encumbered with planks. Trenches covered the
+town to the north and north-east, and were pushed forward some two
+miles on the Weenen road. The citadel, so to speak, was the sugar-loaf
+hill, on which Lieutenant James, R.N., constructed, towards the middle
+of the month, emplacements for his two naval twelve-pounders. These
+guns arrived on November 14th, a welcome addition to the garrison,
+which had been strengthened on the 13th by the West Yorkshire
+Regiment. These reinforcements came at an opportune moment, for the
+Boers had at last moved forward and on November 14th their patrols
+were close to Estcourt. Their approach caused a certain amount of
+alarm, and at first the evacuation of the town was proposed. The camp
+was even struck, and a great part of the baggage was put on to trains
+which were kept ready in the station. Later on other counsels
+prevailed, and tents were raised again. It had rained most of the day,
+and a general wetting was the chief result of this 'scare.' The Boers
+quickly made their presence felt, and the next day inflicted a severe
+blow on the garrison.
+
+Our mounted troops had been busily engaged in reconnaissance work, and
+in an evil hour it occurred to the authorities that the armoured train
+was also an excellent means of gaining news. Captain Hensley had taken
+it to Colenso on the 5th and 6th, and on the latter day surprised a
+party of Boers engaged in looting the village. The dispatch of the
+train, unsupported by any mounted troops, soon became almost a matter
+of daily routine. This defiance of common sense could have only one
+result. On November 15th, Captain Haldane,[3] of the Gordon
+Highlanders, went out in the train with 'A' company and some men of
+the Durban Light Infantry. He reached Frere and, learning from a Natal
+policeman that the front was clear, pushed on to Chieveley. Here he
+saw in the distance a small body of the enemy moving southwards, and,
+having telegraphed the information to Estcourt, turned back. But as
+the train was running down a steep gradient the Boers suddenly opened
+fire with two guns from a ridge to the west of the line. Almost
+immediately afterwards the train was derailed by stones placed on the
+line, and the leading truck upset, thus stopping the engine.
+
+         [Footnote 3: He had been wounded at Elandslaagte, and, being
+         unable to rejoin his corps in Ladysmith, was attached to the
+         battalion.]
+
+It was a predicament trying to the nerves of even the bravest. The
+Boer shells were well aimed, and came in quick succession. But Captain
+Haldane and his men did all that could be done. Lieutenant Frankland
+directed from the rear truck a vigorous fire, which kept the enemy at
+a respectful distance, and even made them shift their gun. Meanwhile
+Mr. Winston Churchill, who had accompanied the expedition as a Press
+correspondent, collected some men and set to work to push the derailed
+truck off the line. They were exposed to a heavy fire, but eventually
+succeeded in their task. The train began to move again; luck did not,
+however, favour them, for the coupling between the engine and rear
+truck was broken by a shell. Then Captain Haldane ordered the engine
+to return to Estcourt with as many wounded men as possible, while he
+attempted with the remainder of the force to reach Frere station. The
+engine reached Estcourt, but Captain Haldane was not so fortunate. The
+men left the trucks and started to run along the line. No sooner did
+our rifle-fire cease than the Boers galloped down the hill and, before
+Captain Haldane could realise the danger, they were among the men, and
+he had no course open but to surrender. The casualties of 'A' company
+were three men killed, four or five wounded, and forty-two prisoners.
+Private Kavanagh afterwards received the Distinguished Conduct Medal
+for his gallantry on this occasion. The sound of the Boer guns could
+be distinctly heard at Estcourt, and great anxiety was felt. A little
+group of officers assembled in the trenches to the west of the
+station, and eagerly scanned the country through their glasses.
+Nothing could be seen, and the firing had ceased. Suddenly through the
+air rang the shrill whistle of an engine, and at the sound every one
+gave a sigh of relief. It was the armoured train, and all was well.
+Another whistle, and round a sharp curve steamed the engine--but,
+alas! without the trucks. It was evident that a disaster had occurred,
+although particulars were not received until late in the afternoon;
+while it was weeks later before the list of casualties could be
+ascertained. Luckily this mishap occurred when the situation had in
+other respects improved. The Army Corps was landing, and troops were
+being pushed forward as quickly as possible. On the 16th, Estcourt was
+reinforced by the 2nd Queen's and 2nd East Surreys of General
+Hildyard's brigade, and General Barton's Fusilier brigade was
+assembling at Mooi River.
+
+The Boers were thus too late, and so lost the opportunity of capturing
+Maritzburg. Although they doubtless knew of the arrival of fresh
+troops, they still advanced, and, moving round Estcourt, appeared on
+the hills to the north-west of Mooi River station. A detachment
+reconnoitred Estcourt on the 18th, but a couple of shells from
+Lieutenant James's naval guns induced them to stay at a distance.
+
+The telegraph line south of the town was interrupted on the 22nd, and
+for a brief period the garrison was cut off from the rest of the
+world. But the action of Willow Grange, in which the battalion took no
+part, caused a retirement of the enemy, who retreated through Weenen
+on the 24th.
+
+Their retreat was in no degree molested by our troops; but on November
+26th the long-desired advance took place. It was an exhilarating
+feeling to leave Estcourt, and lose sight of those hills and trenches,
+the scene of so many weary vigils. The army did not, however, make a
+big stride forward. The advance was only to Frere, some ten miles
+nearer the Tugela.
+
+As the column started at 8 a.m. there seemed every prospect of an easy
+day. But on active service it is never safe to assume anything.
+Although no opposition was met with, and the mounted troops hardly saw
+a Boer, the progress was very slow, and sunset found the rear of the
+column still three miles distant from Frere. The battalion had the
+ill-luck to be in the rearguard, behind a seemingly interminable line
+of transport. Then the inevitable drift intervened, and waggon after
+waggon broke down. Finally, part of the transport decided to halt till
+the morning, and the unfortunate rearguard was obliged to form a line
+of outposts. As the battalion transport was some distance in front,
+this meant no blankets, no food, nothing save a limited amount of
+Natal water. The men were not allowed to consume the emergency
+rations, and therefore had to suffer from cold and hunger. The night
+passed somehow, however, and with the break of day we marched into
+Frere, to find our waggons and obtain food.
+
+Another monotonous fortnight was spent at Frere, the only excitement
+being the arrival of fresh troops and the building of a temporary
+railway bridge over the Blaukranz. The arrival of Sir Redvers Buller
+and his staff gave hopes of an early advance, and everybody discussed
+what our General ought to do, strategical plans becoming as numerous
+as sandstorms.
+
+Since leaving Ladysmith, the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers had not been
+attached to a brigade, and now that the Army Corps had come there were
+not wanting pessimists who foretold that as the battalion was nobody's
+child it would be sent to guard the lines of communication. Early in
+December, however, it was assigned to General Hart's 5th, or Irish,
+Brigade, in place of the 1st Battalion. The latter was ordered to send
+three companies, with a total strength of 287 men, to make up for the
+wastage of six weeks' operations. These companies, which were
+commanded by Major Tempest Hicks, arrived on December 7th, and were
+allowed at first to maintain a separate organization, so that the 2nd
+Battalion had eleven companies.
+
+[Illustration: Capt. C. F. ROMER (standing) and Capt. E.
+FETHERSTONHAUGH.]
+
+The 5th Brigade was encamped close behind the ridge which lies to the
+north-west of the railway station. General Hart utilised the fortnight
+at Frere in making his battalions accustomed to his methods. Every
+day the whole brigade stood to arms an hour before dawn, and advanced
+up the slope of the ridge, where it stayed until scouts had reported
+the front all clear. The General was also very particular about the
+cleanliness of the camp, and made it a rule to go through the lines
+every morning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE BATTLE OF COLENSO.
+
+  'Never shame to hear what you have nobly done.'--_Coriolanus._
+
+
+On December 12th, the 6th and Naval Brigades marched from Frere to
+Chieveley, and the rest of the army followed the next day. The
+battalion happened to be finding the outposts, and could not march
+with the 5th Brigade. Some delay in collecting the companies was
+experienced, so it was not until 1 p.m. that a start was made, and
+darkness came on before Chieveley was reached. It was, however, a
+glorious moonlight night, and marching across the veld had a charm
+which even the dust could not quite destroy. But romance soon gave way
+to more worldly feelings when, on arriving at Chieveley about 8 p.m.,
+it became necessary to find the brigade camp among the hundreds of
+tents already pitched.
+
+On the evening of the 14th, it was known that the army was to advance
+next day, and attempt the passage of the Tugela. Colonel Cooper
+assembled his officers in order to explain the Divisional and Brigade
+orders. He stated that the 5th Brigade would cross the river at a
+drift two miles west of Colenso, then move down the left bank so as to
+take in rear the Boers defending Colenso bridge, which would be
+attacked by the 2nd Brigade. The Brigade orders detailed the Dublin
+Fusiliers to lead the advance to the river, and afterwards to cover
+the rear of the brigade when it moved down the left bank. General Hart
+urged in addition the necessity of keeping the men well in hand. They
+were to cheer in the event of a charge, but were not to be allowed to
+make a wild rush.
+
+[Illustration: 2 miles West of Colenso. Genl. Hart's flank attack from
+the Boer Point of View. 15th Dec/99. From a sketch by Col. H. Tempest
+Hicks, C.B.]
+
+Every one was early astir on December 15th. Breakfasts were at 3 a.m.,
+but before that hour tents had been struck and packed in the
+waggons, on which great-coats, blankets, and mess-tins were also
+placed, so that the men only carried their haversacks, water-bottles,
+rifles, and 150 rounds. The brigade fell in at 3.30 a.m. It was still
+quite dark, and the Brigadier spent the ensuing half-hour in drilling
+his command. The advance was commenced just as the eastern horizon
+grew grey with the dawn.
+
+The battalion, which led the brigade, deployed into line to the right,
+and then advanced by fours from the right of companies. In front rode
+the General with his staff and a Kaffir guide; behind came the other
+three battalions of the brigade in mass. The deployment of the
+battalion had brought 'A' on the left, and 'H' and the three companies
+of the 1st Battalion on the right.
+
+In this order the brigade moved across the broad expanse of veld,
+leading to the banks of the Tugela. In front, beyond the river, rose
+tier on tier of ridges and kopjes, backed by the towering mass of
+Grobelaar's Kloof. In the morning light they looked strangely quiet
+and deserted. Only on a spur to the left front could be seen a few
+black specks, the figures of watching Boers.
+
+Soon the naval guns in front of Chieveley opened fire, dropping their
+shells on the horseshoe ridge to the north of Colenso, and into a
+kraal further to the west. But no answer came. The brigade moved on,
+tramping through the long grass, wet with the dew. There was a
+momentary halt in order to cross a spruit running diagonally across
+the line of march. The ridges in front grew nearer and plainer. They
+still seemed deserted, although the eyes of many foes might be
+watching the advancing khaki-clad troops. Behind came the thunder of
+the big guns, and the shells screamed in the air overhead. It was past
+6 a.m. Suddenly the hiss of a shell sounded marvellously close, there
+was a metallic clang, and a cloud of dust arose some hundred yards in
+front. It was a Boer shrapnel, and the battle had begun.
+
+Each company of the battalion, without waiting for orders,
+'front-formed,' and doubled forward. The mounted officers at once
+dismounted, Major Hicks' horse being shot under him as he was in the
+very act of getting off its back. Somehow it did not seem a bit
+strange to him at the time that his horse should be down, and it never
+occurred to him then that it had been shot. Another shrapnel burst
+over the line and then the enemy's musketry blazed forth, finding an
+excellent target in the massed brigade, which was deploying as best it
+could.
+
+[Illustration: Boer Trenches, Colenso.]
+
+The battalion was dangerously crowded together, for it had been
+advancing as if drilling on the barrack square, although Colonel
+Cooper had tried to open out to double company interval, a proceeding
+which the General had promptly counter-ordered. But all did their
+best. The men rushed forward after their officers, and at their signal
+lay down in the long grass, whence fire was opened at the invisible
+foe.
+
+It was very difficult to discover the Boer positions. There was one
+long trench near the kraal which the naval guns had been shelling,
+and further to the west could be seen another parapet from which came
+an occasional puff of smoke betraying a Martini rifle and black
+powder. But if the Boers could not be seen, they could be both heard
+and felt. There was one ceaseless rattle of mausers, and a constant
+hum of bullets only drowned by the scream of the shells.
+
+[Illustration: Casualties at Colenso.
+
+  Capt. BACON. _Killed._
+  Lieut. HENRY. _Killed._
+  Capt. H. M. SHEWAN. _Wounded._
+  Major GORDON (_1st Battalion, attached_). _Wounded._
+  Second Lieut. MACLEOD (_1st Battalion, attached_). _Wounded._]
+
+Short rushes were made as a rule, and the flank companies edged away
+in order to give room for a more reasonable extension. But no sooner
+had the battalion opened out than it was reinforced by companies of
+the Connaught Rangers, and, later, of the Inniskilling Fusiliers and
+the Border Regiment. In a comparatively short time, after the first
+Boer shell, the 5th Brigade had been practically crowded into one
+line. Officers led men of all the four regiments, and encouraged them
+with the cry, 'Come on, the Irish Brigade!'
+
+There was no control, no cohesion, no arrangement in the attack. No
+attempt was made to support, by the careful fire of one part of the
+line, the advance of the remainder; nor did any order from the higher
+ranks reach the firing line. Small groups of men, led by an officer,
+jumped up, dashed forward a few scores of yards, and then lay down.
+Nobody knew where the drift was, nobody had a clear idea of what was
+happening. All pushed forward blindly, animated by the sole idea of
+reaching the river-bank.
+
+On the left, part of the battalion was almost on the river when the
+Boers first opened fire, and quickly reached the bank. After a short
+halt they turned to their right and moved in single file along the
+river, being exposed all the time to a heavy fire. They passed through
+a kraal, and eventually, not being able to find the drift, assembled
+in a hollow, where they stayed until orders to retire reached them.
+The centre and right advanced through low scrub into a loop of the
+river. Some sections of the 1st Battalion, on the extreme right, came
+upon a spruit, and, under shelter of its banks, pushed ahead of the
+line.
+
+Thus, by short and constant rushes, the assailants worked their way
+forward. A brigade of field artillery was supporting the attack from
+behind, but they found it as difficult as the infantry did to locate
+the Boers, and most of their shells were quite harmless to the enemy,
+while a few dropped close to the attacking infantry. They aided the
+latter indirectly, however, since the Boer guns turned their attention
+to them.
+
+General Sir Redvers Buller had early recognised the difficulties of
+the 5th Brigade, and sent orders for it to retire. But it is easier to
+send a force into a battle than to draw it back. The great difficulty
+at Colenso was to communicate with the company officers, who had to be
+left entirely to their own 'initiative.' Finally an officer of the
+Connaught Rangers volunteered to take to the firing line General
+Hart's written order to retire. He succeeded in reaching the front,
+but then, thinking he had struck the right of the line, turned to his
+left. In reality he had gone to the centre of the attack, and,
+consequently, the retirement was carried out partially and by
+fractions. The left fell back about 10 a.m. in good order, though the
+Boers, as usual, redoubled their fire when they saw their foes begin
+to retreat. The centre and right, having received no order nor
+warning, clung to their ground, and in some cases even made a further
+advance. Section after section, however, gradually realised that their
+left flank was uncovered and a general retreat of the brigade in
+progress. A score of men, under the command of an officer, would rise
+up and double back, causing, as they did so, an instant quickening of
+the enemy's fire. All around the running figures the bullets splashed,
+raising little jets of dust. Occasionally a man would stumble forward,
+or sink down as if tired, but it seemed wonderful that the rain of
+bullets did not claim more victims. They claimed enough, however, of
+the unfortunate three companies of the 1st Battalion, whom the order
+to retire never reached. Till 1 p.m., and the arrival of the Boers,
+they lay where they were, suffering a loss of some 60 per cent. When
+at last Major Hicks realised the situation, he touched with his stick
+the man on his right, to tell him to pass the word to retire, but he
+touched a dead man; he turned to the left, only to touch another
+corpse. One company was brought out of action by a lance-corporal.
+Then the Boers arrived, and began making prisoners. One shouted to
+Major Hicks for his revolver; he replied that he had not got one--it
+was in his holsters on his dead horse--and stalked indignantly off the
+battlefield, without another question being put to him.
+
+Major Gordon, who was commanding one of the three companies of the 1st
+Battalion, had been shot through the knee early in the day by a rifle
+bullet. He lay for two hours or so momentarily expecting to be hit
+again. After a time he noticed that as long as he lay still no bullets
+came in his direction, but that the moment he attempted to move there
+would be a vicious hiss and spurt of sand and dust close beside him.
+In spite of this he managed to crawl through a pool of blood to a
+neighbouring ant-heap, which offered some sort of protection, and into
+which a bullet plunged just as he reached it. Here he remained till
+the retirement, when, assisted by two sergeants of the regiment,
+Keenan and Dillon, he managed to hobble away. Even then he noticed
+that as long as they kept away from the troops who were still actively
+engaged few bullets came their way, as though the Boers were purposely
+not firing at the wounded.
+
+The Boer heavy artillery pursued the retiring troops with shells,
+which made a prodigious noise, and raised clouds of dust, but seldom
+did any damage. Gradually a region of comparative peace was reached,
+where the ground was not being continually struck by bullets, and only
+an occasional shell fell. The extended lines of the 4th Brigade,
+ordered to cover the retirement, came into view, and behind them the
+men of the Irish Brigade collected again in companies and battalions.
+Then, although the artillery was still roaring fiercely, and the
+mausers rattled with tireless persistence, the brigade trudged back to
+its former camping-ground, pitched tents, and began to cook dinners. A
+prosaic but practical ending to an impossible attack.
+
+But there was still one task to accomplish--the preparation of the
+casualty list: The regiment had suffered heavily. Two officers,
+Captain Bacon (1st Battalion) and Lieutenant Henry, had been killed,
+and three, Major Gordon (1st Battalion), Captain Shewan, and
+Lieutenant Macleod (1st Battalion), wounded. The total casualties were
+219, of whom 52 were killed. Among the latter were Colour-Sergeant
+Gage (mortally wounded) and Sergeant Hayes.
+
+Captain Bacon (1st Battalion) was killed by a bullet, and must have
+died immediately. He had previously served for a short time with the
+2nd Battalion, in which he had many friends, and his loss was bitterly
+deplored by Officers, N.C.O.'s, and Privates alike.
+
+Lieutenant Henry had scarcely two years' service, but had in that
+short space of time endeared himself to every one in the regiment, and
+was as smart and efficient a young officer as ever joined it. His
+death must also have been mercifully instantaneous, as he was hit by a
+shell.
+
+Second Lieutenant Macleod had only joined the 1st Battalion a few days
+before it left the Curragh on November 10th. He was very severely
+wounded, his thigh being broken, and although his leg was saved, it
+was left two inches shorter than it had been, and in the end he had to
+leave the service on this account.
+
+Major Gordon (1st Battalion), who received a Brevet
+Lieutenant-Colonelcy for his services, was invalided home, but came
+out again later on; while Captain Shewan, who had been shot through
+the leg by a bullet, was back at work again in twelve days, a sterling
+proof of that devotion to duty which was later on rewarded by the
+well-merited distinction of the D.S.O.
+
+[Illustration: Group of Twenty Sergeants taken after the Battle of
+Colenso. All that remained of forty-eight who left Maritzburg.
+
+The names reading from left to right in rows are:--(back row) Sergt.
+Hanna; Band-Sergt. Cragg; Sergt. Davis; Lance-Sergt. Cullen; Sergt.
+Rooney; Arm.-Sergt. Waite; Col.-Sergt. Cossey; Sergt. Smith; Sergt.
+Sheridan. (2nd row) Sergt. Keenan; Sergt. French; Col.-Sergt. Ambrose;
+Capt. Fetherstonhaugh; Col. Cooper; Col.-Sergt. Guilfoyle: Sergt.
+McNay; Sergt. Hobson; Pioneer-Sergt. Duncan. (3rd row) Sergt.
+Moriarty; Sergt. Purcell; Col.-Sergt. Connell; Sergt. Beatty.]
+
+The three companies of the 1st Battalion had been the greatest
+sufferers. Being on the right, they were the last to retire; in fact,
+some of the men did not get in till 5 p.m., while a few were taken
+prisoners on the banks of the river.
+
+[Illustration: Bringing down the Wounded.]
+
+Amongst a host of others who showed their worth under the trying
+circumstances of this unfortunate day, was Bugler Dunne, a small boy
+who did his duty well, and had the good fortune to be received by Her
+Majesty the Queen on his return home. His father was also in South
+Africa, a Colour-Sergeant in the 5th Battalion. Isolated cases must
+always receive undue prominence--it is the way of the world--but the
+spirit of the men was quite remarkable throughout, and made officers
+and N.C.O.'s proud to command and lead them. Instead of depressing
+them, the reverse seemed to have a contrary effect, and merely
+hardened their determination to succeed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+VENTER'S SPRUIT.
+
+  'Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
+  grievous.'--_Heb._ xii. 11.
+
+
+The greater part of December 16th was spent in burying the dead. At
+nightfall orders were received to strike camp, and the brigade marched
+back to Frere, which was reached in the early morning of the 17th,
+when we occupied our former camping-ground.
+
+Another weary wait followed. Frere at the best of times is an
+uninteresting spot, but it became absolutely repulsive as the grass
+disappeared and mud and flies reigned supreme. Life in the camp was
+monotonous, only slightly preferable to the long tours of outpost
+duty, and a bathe in the river, varied by a walk round the lines,
+formed the only amusement.
+
+General Hart did not relax any of his precautions, and his command
+still stood to arms every morning. The rest of the army assembled at
+Frere seemed, so far as could be seen, to rely on the 5th Brigade, for
+no other unit followed the latter's example.
+
+Our listlessness was broken on January 6th, when the thunder of the
+guns around Ladysmith was so distinct that it seemed as if Chieveley
+must be attacked. Everybody soon learned that the Boers were making a
+desperate attempt to capture the town, and there was naturally some
+anxiety as to the result.
+
+A few days afterwards, signs of another forward movement became
+apparent. One cheerful omen was the arrival of the doctors, whose duty
+it was to convey the wounded back to the base, and of a large body of
+civilian stretcher-bearers. General Warren's Division, fresh from
+England, marched in, and the second effort to relieve Ladysmith was
+begun.
+
+The 5th Brigade left Frere at daybreak on January 11th, and, covered
+by the 'Royals,' took the Springfield road. It had been raining
+heavily, and the road, never good, soon became execrable. The column
+was followed by a long line of waggons carrying baggage, supplies,
+ammunition, pontoons, &c. On arriving at Pretorius' Farm, the brigade
+halted and pitched camp. The battalion found the outposts, which were
+especially ordered to protect themselves by building 'sangars' or
+digging trenches.
+
+Meanwhile the apparently endless line of waggons had been blocked by a
+bad drift below the camp, and the brigade was called upon to help. The
+road was somewhat improved by throwing into the soft mud stones
+obtained from a wall, and many waggons had to be hauled by ropes
+through the spruit. For over forty-eight hours did that collection of
+vehicles continue to cross and require help.
+
+On Thursday, January 12th, the 4th Brigade and General Warren's
+Division passed through the camp and went straight on to Springfield,
+since the cavalry had ascertained that there were no Boers south of
+the Tugela in that direction. The 5th Brigade followed on the
+afternoon of the 15th, crossing the Little Tugela by a foot
+trestle-bridge made of spars cut by the Engineers from trees on the
+bank. As the battalion approached Springfield, the sound of
+artillery-fire greeted it, and our shrapnel could be seen bursting
+against a hill which was evidently on the left bank of the Tugela. It
+was clear that the army was again in touch with the enemy, but nobody
+knew what Sir Redvers Buller had decided upon, although everybody, of
+course, dogmatised on what he ought to do.
+
+On the afternoon of the 16th, orders were issued for the brigade to
+march that night, although nothing was stated regarding its
+destination. Vigorous operations were plainly intended, since the
+force was to move as lightly as possible. No tents or blankets were
+allowed, and the great-coats were carried by the regimental transport,
+in which officers were permitted to pack twenty pounds of baggage. Six
+days' rations were also taken.
+
+The army moved from Springfield at dusk, leaving the camp standing in
+charge of a few details (cooks, &c.), who had strict orders to light
+fires and walk about, so that the vigilant burgher might not discover
+that the army had slipped away. The general direction of the march was
+north-west. It was a bright moonlight night, but the column moved
+slowly, for the numerous waggons took up the centre of the road, while
+the troops moved on the side. About midnight it began to rain, which
+made everybody cold and uncomfortable, especially as halts were long
+and frequent. It was not easy to see where the army was going,
+although the Tugela could not be far off. Nobody knew the plan of
+operations, which, however, evidently aimed at a surprise crossing of
+the river, and it seemed as if the enemy must hear the noise of the
+creaking transport and tramping men.
+
+About 2 a.m. there came a halt on the top of a ridge, where General
+Hart formed up his brigade. Each regiment deployed into line, and then
+lay down one behind the other in the following order: Royal
+Inniskilling Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and
+Border Regiment. Fatigued by a long night-march, every one soon fell
+asleep. Unfortunately, however, the slumbers of the brigade were
+disturbed by an incident which shows how easily confusion can arise in
+night operations. A horse from somewhere in front broke loose and
+galloped over the veld, straight into the ranks of the sleeping
+regiments. For a moment everything was in confusion, and a general
+panic nearly took place. Luckily the first glimmer of dawn had come,
+and the company officers soon regained control of their men, but it
+might have been a different tale had darkness still prevailed.
+
+When daylight came, it showed the army to be on the top of a hill
+overlooking Trichardt's Drift. On the other side of the river the
+ground rose to a long ridge flanked on the east by a steep mountain,
+and on the west by a bastion-like hill. Nobody then knew the country,
+but that mountain was Spion Kop, and the ridge lying so calmly in the
+morning light was to be the scene of six days' continuous fighting. At
+dawn of January 17th, however, the ridge, which the natives called
+Tabanyama, seemed deserted, and not a Boer was to be seen.
+
+It was now learnt that Sir Redvers Buller had divided his forces,
+sending two brigades, under General Lyttelton, to Potgieter's Drift,
+while the remainder of the army, under General Warren, was assembled
+ready to cross the river at Trichardt's Drift.
+
+The battalion breakfasted quietly, and then 'H' company was sent down
+to the drift in order to help in the construction of a bridge. As the
+company descended the steep slope, the artillery from the heights
+began to shell a farm on the far side of the river, whence a Boer
+patrol had been sniping. The Engineers had massed the pontoon waggons
+round a farm by the drift, and were looking for a suitable point for
+the bridge. The pontoons were launched, and by 11.30 a.m. the first
+bridge was ready. The infantry immediately began to cross, but the
+artillery and transport had to wait for a second bridge, which was not
+completed until after dark.
+
+The 5th Brigade marched down to the river at 2 p.m. and crossed. On
+reaching the left bank the battalion deployed into line, with four or
+five paces between the men, and slowly moved up the slope in support
+of the widely-extended lines of the Lancashire Brigade. Except for an
+occasional shot from the artillery at Potgieter's Drift, everything
+was still and peaceful; although, as the army moved away from the
+river, most of the officers expected to be greeted by the familiar
+'pick-pock' of the enemy's mausers.
+
+The brigade in front eventually halted on the top of a minor ridge,
+some three thousand yards or more from the crest-line of Tabanyama,
+and separated from it by open and gently-sloping ground. The Dublin
+Fusiliers formed quarter-column immediately behind the Lancashire
+Brigade, and prepared to bivouac. Many of the officers strolled higher
+up in order to look at the country through their glasses. The main
+crest-line was evidently occupied, for men could be seen busily
+digging. It was somewhat trying to think that precious time was being
+wasted, while the burghers were preparing a defensive position.
+
+Our transport was still on the other side of the Tugela, and
+consequently we had to do without blankets, great-coats, and kettles.
+The officers' mess was saved by a subaltern, who succeeded in
+procuring a Kaffir cooking-pot and some very tough fowls, which
+Captain Hensley boiled with great skill. The night was unpleasant, for
+khaki drill is but an inefficient protection against the cold and
+heavy dew. The experience proved too much for Major Butterworth,
+R.A.M.C., who had to go on the sick list soon afterwards. He had been
+with the battalion since Ladysmith, and his coolness and devotion at
+the battle of Colenso had made him popular with all ranks.
+
+The next day, January 18th, was spent in idleness, and the different
+corps remained in their bivouacs. There was nothing to do except watch
+the Boers still digging on the crest-line, and the shells fired by the
+guns of General Lyttelton, who was apparently making a reconnaissance.
+The greater part of General Warren's artillery crossed to the left
+bank and took up a position close to the battalion.
+
+On the 19th the regiment took part in the movement which was
+initiated with the evident purpose of turning the Boer right by the
+Acton Holmes road. Leaving the artillery and the Lancashire Brigade on
+the ridge, the remainder of the army descended into the plain, and
+moved up the left bank of the Tugela. The column marched along the
+base of the main ridge, and was carefully watched by the Boer patrols
+from Bastion Hill.
+
+After fording Venter's Spruit the battalion halted about 2 p.m. on
+some rising ground, whence a good view of the surrounding country was
+obtained. As there seemed every prospect of a long halt, the men began
+to take off their boots and putties, in order to dry them, but they
+had to put them on again hurriedly enough, since the guns suddenly
+opened fire. At first everybody imagined that the Boers were attacking
+the artillery and Lancashire Brigade. Soon, however, it was seen that
+the latter were making a reconnaissance. Not much opportunity for
+looking at the spectacle was afforded, since we received an order to
+recross Venter's Spruit and bivouac. The movement by Acton Holmes had
+been given up for some reason which was unknown, and it was not
+difficult to see that the alternative was a frontal attack on the
+position which everybody had watched being fortified.
+
+The battalion halted close to Venter's Spruit, and had a piquet ('H'
+company) on the Trichardt's Drift road. The transport succeeded in
+reaching the brigade that night, and the men were thus able to have
+their great-coats. Not much sleep was, however, allowed. At a very
+early hour, long before daylight, on the 20th, the brigade was
+aroused. Great-coats were again packed on the waggons, and then,
+without breakfast or any opportunity of issuing rations, the battalion
+fell in and marched off. Owing to darkness and the rough track by
+which the column marched, progress was at first very slow. When the
+feeble light of early dawn enabled the country to be seen, the
+regiment was crossing a spruit near Fairview Farm, lying at the foot
+of the ridge. It then ascended a small valley leading to Three Tree
+Hill, where the Field Artillery had concentrated.
+
+The latter soon afterwards opened the battle, and fired on the Boer
+trenches, which stood out more prominently than usual on the crest of
+the ridge. The enemy's artillery did not reply, although a vigorous
+rifle-fire was directed on the skirmishers of the Lancashire Brigade.
+
+The Connaught Rangers had been temporarily detached on escort duty,
+and General Hart now moved his three remaining battalions to the left
+in line of quarter-columns. It was a hot day, and the men, who had
+eaten nothing that morning, suffered some discomfort from such a close
+formation. The ground, too, was broken and covered with long grass and
+scrub, so that it was no easy matter to satisfy the General's
+injunctions in the matter of 'dressing.' The brigade moved in full
+view of the enemy, and so compact a body of men must have been a great
+temptation to the Boer gunners, who, however, were either not ready or
+exercised much self-restraint. After scrambling through a remarkably
+steep valley, the brigade halted in a gentle depression, where it was
+safe from the random bullets that were falling near. A long pause
+ensued, and the men were able to obtain some much-needed water.
+
+It was past noon before the infantry, in this part of the field,
+advanced in earnest. Then the York and Lancaster Regiment and
+Lancashire Fusiliers were sent forward as the firing-line against the
+centre of the Boer position, and were supported by the Borders and 2nd
+Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The formation adopted by General Hart for the
+support was two lines. The first line, which was two deep, consisted
+of the right half-battalions of the two regiments, the Borders being
+on the right, and was followed at a distance of about two hundred
+yards by a similar line, composed of the left half-battalions.
+
+On emerging from the depression where it had been resting, the support
+came under rifle-fire. The range must, however, have been a long one,
+and the casualties were few. The attack was moving astride of a spur
+which ran from the Boer position to the Tugela, a little distance to
+the west of Three Tree Hill. At first this spur was broad, forming
+almost a plateau, but further on it narrowed, and consequently the
+left of the two lines advanced up a narrow valley, which afforded
+excellent cover.
+
+Led by General Hart, the brigade advanced at a steady pace and, after
+a time, closed up on the firing-line. It then halted, and from a
+slight elevation opened fire in order to support the Lancashire
+Regiments, who, having taken the enemy's advanced position, found that
+some thousand yards of very open and almost-level ground lay between
+them and the Boer trenches, which lined the northern edge of the
+summit of the ridge. The attack could now only advance slowly, since
+it was exposed to a cross-fire from both flanks. Hitherto it had only
+faced rifle-fire, but about 1.45 p.m. the Boer guns, posted somewhere
+near Spion Kop, came into action. They were able to rake the whole
+assaulting line, and, in fact, many officers thought at first that the
+shells were 'short' ones from our own artillery. The Boers on this
+occasion managed to burst their shrapnel with some accuracy, and it
+was fortunate that the attack could find good cover.
+
+This artillery and the increased rifle-fire on the right flank caused
+the line to swing round in that direction, but any further advance was
+suspended by superior orders soon after 4.30 p.m. The Borders, who had
+pushed ahead, were ordered back, and the other regiments took cover
+among the rocks, and maintained a vigorous fire. The rattle of
+musketry gradually died away as the light failed, until after
+nightfall the battalion assembled behind a wall and bivouacked.
+
+By great efforts the regimental transport had succeeded in getting
+touch with the battalion, which was thus able to obtain rations. But
+it was not until 8 p.m. that the men could get anything to eat.
+
+Thus ended the fight of January 20th. It had cost the regiment one of
+its most efficient officers, Captain Hensley, who was mortally
+wounded.[4] Major English had been hit in the leg--he was back within
+a fortnight--and of the rank and file four were killed and twenty
+wounded--among the former being Lance-Sergeant Taylor, a most
+excellent N.C.O. Although the opposing forces were so close, the night
+passed quietly. With daylight (January 21st), however, the rifle-fire
+at once broke out. The battalion had just managed to have a scratch
+meal when orders were received to move to the support of the 2nd
+Brigade, which was away to the left. General Hart ordered Colonel
+Cooper to move by the straightest line, first down a ravine across a
+spruit, and then over a hill. While climbing the latter, the battalion
+was in full view of the enemy, who at once opened fire with guns and
+rifles. Each company extended in succession, and doubled, so far as
+possible, over the exposed ground. Once over the hill a region of
+comparative safety was reached, and General Hart finally formed up his
+command behind a rocky ridge overlooking the position held by the 2nd
+Brigade. The latter were having a rifle duel with the Boer trenches
+but did not advance. The 5th Brigade played a very passive part, and
+spent the day behind the rocks. Bullets continually whistled overhead,
+and the hostile artillery near Spion Kop burst an occasional shrapnel
+along the position. Otherwise there was no excitement.
+
+         [Footnote 4: Poor Hensley was not only one of the most
+         popular officers in the regiment, but also one of the best
+         and bravest. All his life he had been devoted to field
+         sports, and his fame as a plucky big-game hunter and skilful
+         shot was well known in many a Central Indian village and
+         Cashmere valley. Educated at the Canadian Military College,
+         he was a master of his profession, while the long months
+         spent in Indian jungles had turned him into a handy man
+         indeed. Wonderful and varied were the uses to which he could
+         put an empty paraffin-tin or biscuit-box, and excellent were
+         the stews he could produce out of a mess-tin. On one occasion
+         in India a wounded panther was mauling one of his beaters.
+         His rifle was empty, but without a moment's hesitation he
+         dashed in, and drove the animal away by beating it over the
+         head. Alas! poor Hensley, we could spare him ill, but, after
+         all, we know he died the death he would have chosen.]
+
+Towards evening, the regiment received orders to move some few hundred
+yards to the right, and bivouac. Colonel Cooper directed the companies
+to close in succession, and march from the rocks to the new position.
+This movement almost escaped the notice of the Boer artillery, and it
+was not until the last company ('H') moved that two shells were fired.
+They fell to the right and in front of the leading fours, and did no
+damage. The battalion assembled in a narrow amphitheatre just below
+the southern crest, and at the head of a valley leading to Fairview
+Farm. Although the bivouac could not be seen by the enemy, except from
+Spion Kop, it was not altogether sheltered from fire, for every now
+and then a bullet would clear the crest-line and strike the ground
+below.
+
+In this amphitheatre we perforce remained for three days, having a far
+from pleasant time. From sunrise to sunset the rattle of musketry
+practically never ceased, only at intervals the hum of the passing
+bullets was drowned by the clang of bursting shrapnel. The Boer guns,
+posted both directly in front and on the right flank, burst their
+shells just over the crest, and fired intermittently all day. There
+were four battalions crowded in the amphitheatre, and each one
+occupied in turn the crest, whence an uninterrupted fire was directed
+on the Boer trenches opposite. The enemy's marksmen had the range of
+this crest-line, and it was a dangerous matter to stand up even for a
+minute. Stone sangars were built and the companies relieved each other
+by the men crawling up the slope. The enemy's artillery near Spion Kop
+could rake the line of sangars, thus necessitating numerous
+traverses. When not in the firing line, we lay behind the slope in
+column, each company being protected by a parapet of earth or stone.
+Immediately below the amphitheatre the ground fell steeply, forming a
+ravine in which the cooks set up their field kitchens in comparative
+security. It was characteristic of the British soldier that whereas
+during the greater part of the day he crouched behind his cover, the
+sight of a fatigue party with the kettles made him forget the shells
+and bullets, and he dashed off for his food regardless of danger.
+
+On Tuesday night (January 22nd) the proposed assault on Spion Kop was
+announced, and every one hoped that a general advance would be the
+result.
+
+The morning of January 23rd dawned with a thick white mist, which hid
+everything from view. It was our turn to occupy the ridge, and the
+companies lay there for nearly an hour before the usual exchange of
+rifle-fire began. No news of the capture of Spion Kop had reached the
+amphitheatre, but the fact could be guessed from the absence of the
+Boer guns in that direction. Only the artillery in front of the
+battalion's position fired in the morning, and even that ceased during
+the afternoon. The enemy was evidently concentrating the greater part
+of his forces against Spion Kop, and parties of mounted burghers could
+be seen moving from their extreme right. On Spion Kop hung the white
+clouds of bursting shrapnel, and the stuttering sound of the pompom
+scarcely ceased for a moment, but the 5th Brigade made no advance. The
+companies behind the sangars fired hundreds of rounds at the Boer
+trenches, while their comrades below ate and slept.
+
+At dawn of the 25th, glasses and telescopes were turned on to the
+summit of the mountain, and it was a bitter blow when the moving
+figures there were seen to be Boers. It was not until late in the
+forenoon, however, that the evacuation of Spion Kop was officially
+communicated. But the renewal of the Boer artillery fire against the
+crest-line had been a sufficiently eloquent announcement of the fact.
+
+As there seemed no reason why the regiment should remain in the
+amphitheatre when it was not required to man the sangars, Colonel
+Cooper obtained permission that afternoon to move down the valley
+below Bastion Hill. The new bivouac was more sheltered, although an
+occasional Boer shell still fell near.
+
+It was now evident that the second attempt to relieve Ladysmith had
+failed, and that the army would have to recross the Tugela. On the
+afternoon of the 25th, fatigue parties were sent by the battalion to
+improve the track leading to Fairview Farm, and it was rumoured that
+the retreat would take place that night. At 10.30 p.m. 'H' company was
+sent to the farm, with orders to hold it during the retirement. But
+the army did not move until Friday night, January 26th. At 10 p.m. on
+that date, General Hart's command began to descend the valley in heavy
+rain, which rendered the track extremely greasy.
+
+Only a short distance had been covered when there was an outburst of
+rifle-fire from the rearguard, which was still holding the sangars.
+For a moment it seemed as if the Boers had anticipated the retreat and
+were attacking. The battalion halted, but the firing soon ceased, and
+the march was continued, the men stumbling down the track as quickly
+as the many boulders would permit. At Fairview Farm the column halted
+for a considerable period, in order to let the rearguard close up. By
+this time every one was wet to the skin, and the enforced rest was
+somewhat trying, owing to the cold.
+
+However, after a wait of about an hour, the retirement was resumed.
+The track was marked by orderlies and tins, but even with this help it
+was difficult to find the way in the utter darkness. The surface of
+the road, too, had become so slippery that falls were frequent.
+Altogether, progress was painfully slow and the march a very
+fatiguing one. It was past 4 a.m., January 27th, before the pontoon
+bridge at Trichardt's Drift was reached. The column had another
+prolonged wait here, and so tired were the men that many of them
+dropped to the ground and slept in the mud. Early dawn had come when
+the brigade recrossed the Tugela and toiled up the steep slope on the
+other side. A Boer gun sent a parting shell just as the column reached
+the summit.
+
+It was a great relief to look back towards Tabanyama, where the
+discarded biscuit tins were gleaming in the morning light, and say
+good-bye to that long line of sangars and trenches. The men's spirits
+were, moreover, cheered up by the sight of the 'Scotch' cart with the
+kettles and rations. Breakfasts were cooked, and after a short rest
+the brigade moved to the camping-ground selected for it. But it
+arrived only to find that the position was within view and artillery
+range of Spion Kop. So once more it had to trudge over the veld,
+General Hart moving it in line of quarter-columns, and being as
+particular about the 'dressing' as if he were on Laffan's Plain. His
+command hardly appreciated this smartness at the time. But all were
+finally rewarded by the arrival of the transport with tents and
+baggage, and every one spent the night in comparative luxury.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+VAAL KRANTZ.
+
+  'The best laid schemes o' mice and men
+           Gang aft agley.
+  And lea'e us naught but grief and pain
+           For promised joy.'
+
+                              _Burns._
+
+
+On January 30th we were reinforced by a draft of 400 men, principally
+militia reservists, who were brought up by Captain Venour. They were a
+welcome addition, being a physically fine body of men, and, although
+their training was naturally not so good as that of their 'regular'
+comrades, they proved equally brave and ready to follow their
+officers.
+
+The battalion shifted its camp on January 29th to Spearman's Hollow,
+where it stayed a week. It was here that Sir Redvers Buller visited
+every brigade in turn, and made his speech stating that the fighting
+around Spion Kop had enabled him to discover the key to Ladysmith. He
+had earned the gratitude of the men by putting them on extra rations,
+and was always a warm favourite with the rank and file, who love a
+brave man and instinctively know one.
+
+On February 2nd the regiment left Spearman's Hollow for Spearman's
+Hill, and, on the afternoon of Sunday, February 4th, marched with the
+rest of the brigade towards Potgieter's Drift. The trek was a short
+one, and at 6 p.m. we bivouacked behind Swaartz Kop. At nightfall the
+officers were assembled and informed of the proposed operations for
+the next day. The idea was to make a feint attack on Brakfontein and
+then assault Vaal Krantz, the capture of which, it was thought, would
+break the enemy's line.
+
+We rose at dawn on the 5th, had a comfortable breakfast, and only
+moved off about 7 a.m., just as the heavy artillery on Mount Alice and
+Swaartz Kop began the fight by shelling Brakfontein. The hills around
+rolled with the thunder of the guns, while the faint echoes of the
+lyddite explosions on the distant ridges formed a piano accompaniment.
+With this music in its ears, the battalion marched through the gap
+between Mount Alice and Swaartz Kop by the road leading to Potgieter's
+Drift. There was a short halt made at the gap, from which a splendid
+view of the battlefield was obtainable. Immediately below stretched
+the silver line of the Tugela, with all its many loops and twistings
+visible. Beyond came a small brown ridge, which had evidently been
+held by our troops, since a few biscuit-tins glistened on the near
+slope. Further away was the background formed by the Boer position,
+extending in a gigantic curve from Spion Kop on the spectator's left
+to the lofty mass of Doorn Kloof on his right, the centre being formed
+by Brakfontein and Vaal Krantz, over both of which heavy columns of
+smoke were hanging. The Lancashire Brigade had commenced the feint
+attack, and its extended lines could be plainly seen as they advanced
+slowly in succession, while behind them the batteries of field
+artillery had unlimbered on the plain, and were already shelling the
+Boer trenches.
+
+After a short pause the regiment began to descend the hill. The 5th
+Brigade was following the 4th, both of them marching in 'fours.'
+Before reaching the drift, the head of the column wheeled to the right
+and proceeded along the narrow plain between the Tugela and Swaartz
+Kop. The sight of that long winding line must have been a great
+temptation to the Boer gunners, but they remained silent. Not even a
+rifle had spoken. It was only when the Lancashire Brigade began to
+retire that the enemy disclosed himself. Then Brakfontein spluttered
+with musketry, and the Boer artillery vented its wrath on the
+batteries dotted over the plain. But both our infantry and gunners
+seemed to treat the fusillade with contempt. The former marched
+back without apparently quickening their pace, and the latter,
+limbering up, trotted off to support the attack on Vaal Krantz. This
+hill was being literally covered with shells, and soon had the
+appearance of a smoking volcano.
+
+[Illustration: Casualties at Tugela Heights.
+
+  Second Lieut. LANE. _Wounded at Hart's Hill._
+  Lieut. J. MCD. HASKARD. _Wounded at Pieter's Hill._
+  Second Lieut. BRADFORD. _Wounded at Pieter's Hill._
+  Capt. A. V. HILL (_1st Battalion, attached_). _Wounded at Pieter's
+    Hill._
+  Second Lieut. BRODHURST HILL (_1st Battalion, attached_). _Wounded
+    at Pieter's Hill._]
+
+About 1 p.m. the Durham Light Infantry filed over the pontoon under
+Swaartz Kop, and extended for the attack. At the same time we were
+moved to a position below the southern end of the Kop in order to
+cover by long-range rifle-fire the right of the 4th Brigade. 'B'
+company fired a few volleys at some invisible snipers on the slopes of
+Doorn Kloof, but with this exception we did not come into action.
+
+Watched by the whole army the Durhams advanced against Vaal Krantz,
+which they took about 4 p.m. amidst the cheers of the onlookers. But
+with this success the operations practically ended for the day.
+
+The battalion remained all the afternoon in the same position, and
+then finally bivouacked there, having luckily succeeded in
+communicating with the transport, so that the men had blankets. Its
+outposts were pushed well round the southern slopes of Swaartz Kop,
+thus overlooking the Tugela. A reconnoitring patrol was fired on from
+the left bank, but otherwise the night passed without incident.
+
+We did not move on the 6th, and had practically nothing to do. The
+artillery on both sides fired continually, although the damage done
+must have been very small in proportion to the noise and expenditure
+of ammunition.
+
+Every one watched with special interest a duel between our heavy
+artillery and a large Boer gun which had suddenly been unmasked on
+Doorn Kloof. This gun fired black powder, and its discharge could be
+plainly seen, but it was apparently run up for every round behind a
+parapet. It displayed absolute impartiality in its attentions. One
+round would be directed against the infantry on Vaal Krantz, another
+covered with dust a field battery on the plain, a third just missed
+the battalion, while a fourth shell would crash among the trees on
+Swaartz Kop. All our heavy guns had a try at silencing it, and their
+efforts sometimes met with partial success. The Boer gun would cease
+firing for a time, but it always re-appeared when least expected.
+Towards the evening it became quite lively and put a shell through the
+pontoon bridge.
+
+The night of February 6th-7th was spent in comparative peace, although
+the Boer artillery somewhat spoiled the first part of the night by
+shelling Vaal Krantz. February 7th was a repetition of the 6th, except
+that the gun on Doorn Kloof paid slightly more attention to our
+position. The Colonel found it necessary to post a man on the
+look-out, whose duty it was, on seeing the white puff of smoke, to
+blow a whistle, whereupon everybody sought the shelter of the nearest
+and largest boulder. But although, when the huge shell burst, the air
+seemed unpleasantly full of whizzing iron fragments, no damage was
+done, and the gun merely mitigated, to some extent, the monotony of
+idleness.
+
+By this time it was clear that Sir Redvers Buller did not intend to
+press the attack home, and no one was surprised to find the army in
+retreat on the morning of the 8th. The battalion acted as rearguard
+and marched back between the river and Swaartz Kop in widely extended
+lines. The Boer guns on Doorn Kloof, the shoulder of Spion Kop, and
+Brakfontein shelled us on our way, and one man of the rear company
+('H') was killed, this being our only casualty between February 5th
+and 8th. The heavy artillery on Mount Alice covered the retreat and
+prevented the enemy's guns from being too attentive.
+
+The 5th Brigade halted at Springfield, and two days later went on to
+Pretorius' Farm. On the 18th it made a march of fourteen miles to the
+Blaukranz River, starting about 3.30 a.m. The day was hot, and as
+there was no water on the route the newly-joined militia reservists
+suffered considerably. After a rest of two days the brigade moved to
+a camp near Gun Hill at Chieveley, where the naval six-inch gun was in
+position.
+
+The rest of the army was now engaged in the operations against Cingolo
+and Hlangwane, and the battalion occupied itself in guarding
+Chieveley, in beginning the construction of a railway to Hussar Hill,
+and in convoying ammunition to the latter place. This was a somewhat
+trying task, as during part of the way the convoy became the object of
+many a Boer shell. The operations against Cingolo and Hlangwane proved
+successful, and these positions were captured on the 19th. The next
+day General Hart took the regiment on a reconnaissance towards
+Colenso. It advanced cautiously on the west of the railway in column
+of extended companies. The village was found unoccupied, but a party
+of Boers, holding the horseshoe ridge on the left bank of the Tugela
+opened a vigorous fire. The leading companies at once doubled forward
+and lined the right bank, whence they answered the Boer marksmen. The
+left half-battalion remained in support behind the village. A
+detachment of Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry appeared on the scene,
+and having forded the Tugela above the road bridge, turned the Boers
+out of their position. Later on in the afternoon a train steamed into
+Colenso station from Chieveley, and took us back just before dusk.
+
+At 6 a.m. on February 21st, the Connaught Rangers and the Dublin
+Fusiliers went by train to Colenso, where they were joined by a
+battery. The horseshoe ridge on the left bank was being held by a
+detachment of Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, but General Hart was
+desirous of crossing the river with at least part of his force. For
+this purpose he had brought on the train a boat, which was promptly
+launched. As, however, the boat was small, and hardly capable of
+holding more than four men, the General gave orders for the
+construction of a raft. After some trouble this was ready by 4 p.m.,
+and some two hours later about seven companies of the Connaught
+Rangers had succeeded in reaching the left bank.
+
+General Hart now received an order to cross early next morning, with
+three battalions of his brigade, the pontoon bridge, which had been
+constructed under Hlangwane. The regiment bivouacked in Colenso, and
+at 5 a.m. on February 22nd marched down the right bank and crossed the
+bridge. One company had been sent back to Chieveley for the purpose of
+striking the camp, and with the transport rejoined the battalion about
+7 a.m., after the latter had crossed the bridge and taken up a
+position on the western side of the horseshoe ridge.
+
+Here it stayed the whole day, all ranks passing the time in examining
+the Boer trenches, and picking up more or less worthless loot. Heavy
+fighting was taking place in front, but only an occasional shell fell
+near the ridge.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+HART'S AND PIETER'S HILLS--THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.
+
+               'But since I knew
+  No rock so hard but that a little wave
+  May beat admission in a thousand years,
+  I re-commenced.'
+
+                              _Tennyson._
+
+
+Late on February 22nd, orders were issued for the brigade[5] to be
+ready to move at an early hour next morning. Breakfasts were eaten
+before 4 a.m., and the battalion fell in at about 4.15 on February
+23rd. The brigade was to move from the left to the right of the army,
+and it was probably the intention of the Headquarter Staff for the
+march to take place during darkness. But there was a hitch in the
+distribution of biscuits, and it was already broad daylight when we
+started.
+
+         [Footnote 5: The Borders had been left behind at Chieveley.
+         In their place General Hart received half a battalion of the
+         newly-raised Imperial Light Infantry.]
+
+General Hart moved his command in column of route, and the long line
+soon attracted the notice of the enemy's artillery. It was somewhat
+trying to the nerves to hear the whistle of a shell coming nearer and
+nearer, until finally it struck the ground within a few yards of the
+column. Luckily, the Boers were either using common shell or their
+shrapnel did not burst, and the battalion had no casualties. Finally
+the railway was reached, and the brigade turned to the left, each
+battalion forming column of companies in succession. A halt was made
+close to the railway line and a short distance to the south of the
+viaduct over the Onderbrook Spruit. But as a few shells fell
+dangerously near, and showed that the enemy could still see the
+brigade, it was moved to the left behind a rocky ridge. The battalion
+stayed here for the rest of the morning. The Boer gunners fired
+frequently at the ridge, but the slope of the ground saved us from any
+losses. Sir Redvers Buller and his staff rode up about mid-day in
+order to explain to General Hart what was required of him. This was
+the capture of the hill known as Inniskilling, or Hart's Hill. It
+could be plainly seen from the summit of the ridge behind which we
+lay, and all officers and section commanders were called up in order
+to have a look at it. They were told that it formed the extreme left
+of the Boer position, and that its capture meant the relief of
+Ladysmith. General Hart desired all officers to inform their men of
+the necessity for a resolute assault. Our heavy artillery on the right
+bank of the Tugela now began to shell the hill, which was quickly
+covered by the smoke and dust of the lyddite explosions.
+
+Meanwhile, the 2nd Brigade was preparing the way by an assault on a
+ridge some 1000 yards to the front. They had a tough fight, and their
+wounded were soon being brought down the railway in trucks and
+stretchers.
+
+The afternoon was well advanced when the 5th Brigade moved to the
+attack. The hill to be assaulted lay some 3000 yards to the north-east
+of the ridge which had been sheltering us, and the nature of the
+intervening ground forbade a direct advance, which would dangerously
+expose the left flank. It was necessary to hug the river-bank until a
+position from which a direct attack became possible was reached.
+
+The brigade at first moved along the railway line in file in the
+following order: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers,
+Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and Imperial Light Infantry. The battalion
+moved with the left in front. A brigade in file takes up a
+considerable space, and by the time the regiment could start, a heavy
+outburst of firing showed that the Inniskilling Fusiliers were already
+engaged.
+
+The advance along the railway line, through a cutting and over the
+Onderbrook Spruit, was very slow, since checks were frequent. The Boer
+artillery missed this favourable opportunity of shelling their foes,
+luckily for the latter. After crossing Onderbrook Spruit, the column
+turned to the right and crept along the river. The enemy were sweeping
+the bank with pompoms and a heavy rifle-fire, but by crouching under
+the bank the column obtained good cover for the greater part of the
+way. But every now and then there came an exposed bit of ground over
+which it was necessary to double, and so narrow was the track that men
+had often to jump over the wounded or killed.
+
+The Langverwacht Spruit had to be crossed by the railway bridge. As
+the latter was in full view of the enemy and was being raked by pompom
+shells and bullets, it proved a great delay to the progress of the
+column. It was only possible to cross at more or less long intervals.
+Each man was forced to run the gauntlet by himself, and had to double
+over as hard as he could. Beyond the bridge complete cover was
+obtained except for a small stretch of ground by the Boer bridge.
+Below the latter, the river ran between high hills, and the column was
+therefore screened from view.
+
+By the time that the leading company of the battalion had cleared
+'Pompom' bridge, the Inniskilling Fusiliers were advancing against the
+Boer position on Hart's Hill. It was about 5 p.m., and the General
+could not wait until his brigade had concentrated, but sent his troops
+forward as they arrived. The left half-battalion of the Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers formed up near a deserted Boer bivouac overlooking the
+river, and then, without stopping for the right half, advanced to
+where General Hart was standing.
+
+Lieutenant-Colonel Sitwell was in command of the left half-battalion,
+and in a short time he was sent for by the General, who told him to
+advance and help the Inniskilling Fusiliers to capture the hill.
+
+The leading company ('H') was directed to extend to six paces and move
+forward, the remaining companies ('G,' 'F,' and 'E') following at a
+distance of 100 yards. No sooner had 'H' company cleared the crest of
+the hill on which General Hart was standing, than it came under a
+heavy rifle-fire, principally from the direction of Railway Hill.
+Lieutenant Lane fell badly wounded--shot clean through the head from
+one side to another, a wound from which he made a marvellous
+recovery--and three or four men were hit. The company received the
+order to double, no easy task down a steep slope strewn with rocks and
+boulders. The railway line at the bottom of the slope was crossed, and
+the opposite side of the valley, which was dotted with small trees,
+ascended. The company had now caught up the lines of the Connaught
+Rangers, and all climbed up the hill, the crest of which had been
+gained by the Inniskilling Fusiliers. Although the attacking infantry
+could not be seen from the Boers on Hart's or Railway Hill, they were
+still exposed to an enfilade fire from the left.
+
+On arriving with 'H' company at the top of the hill,
+Lieutenant-Colonel Sitwell found the Inniskilling Fusiliers lying
+along the crest-line and facing the Boer trenches, which ran at about
+three hundred yards distance on the far side of the flat plateau. The
+Inniskillings had already suffered serious casualties, but, on
+Lieutenant-Colonel Sitwell stating that he had been ordered to charge,
+claimed the right of leading the assault. To this Colonel Sitwell
+agreed, but it was decided to wait until the remaining companies of
+the left half-battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers were up.
+Meanwhile our guns and the cavalry maxims on the right bank of the
+Tugela were directing against the enemy's trenches a stream of bullets
+and shrapnel shells, the latter seeming to burst immediately over the
+infantry.
+
+[Illustration: Casualties at Tugela Heights (_continued_).
+
+  Capt. A. HENSLEY. _Killed at Venter's Spruit._
+  Lieut.-colonel SITWELL. _Killed at Hart's Hill._
+  Capt. MAITLAND. (_Gordon Highlanders, attached_) _Killed at
+    Hart's Hill._
+  Major F. P. ENGLISH. _Wounded at Venter's Spruit and Zuikerbosch._
+  Second Lieut. DENNIS. _Wounded at Hart's Hill. Died of Enteric at
+    Aliwal North._]
+
+The sun had set, and the light was already failing by the time that
+the four companies of the left half-battalion had come up, principally
+on the left of the Inniskilling Fusiliers. Then the signal to charge
+was given, and the whole line rose up, and with a yell dashed forward.
+But it was met by a murderous fire. In the gathering darkness the Boer
+trenches quivered with the rifle-flashes, and the bullets struck out
+sparks as they hit the rocks. At such a short range the enemy's
+marksmen could hardly miss, and the line of charging infantry was
+almost mowed down. The assault was checked, and the attackers flung
+themselves on the ground and sought what little cover there was.
+
+[Illustration: After the Fight.]
+
+Luckily night intervened, and, although the Boers never for a moment
+ceased their fire, the survivors of that charge managed to creep back
+to the crest. Here Colonel Brooke, of the Connaught Rangers, and
+Lieutenant-Colonel Sitwell collected them, and took steps to guard
+against a counter-attack. A low stone wall was built below the crest,
+and behind this the night was spent.
+
+It was very dark, and the ground, covered with boulders, most
+difficult to move over. Wounded men lay all over the hill, but there
+were no doctors, no stretcher-bearers, and no water. It was impossible
+to help or to move them. Their groans, combined with the intermittent
+rifle-fire, made sleep difficult.
+
+We had three officers wounded (Lieutenants Lane, Hill, and Dennis),
+and some twenty casualties. Lieutenant Hill was again hit as he lay,
+and subsequently lost his foot in consequence.
+
+The infantry crouching behind the stone wall were unable to
+communicate with the rest of the army. At dawn, however, Major
+McGrigor, the Brigade-Major, came up to the line and told Colonel
+Brooke that General Hart wished him to hold on to his position, to
+which reinforcements would be sent. Colonel Brooke explained that food
+and water would have to be sent also, and, above all, that his left
+must be protected. Having promised to do what he could, Major McGrigor
+returned to his General. With daylight the battle recommenced. The
+Boers, from their trenches on Hart's and Railway Hills, kept up a
+vigorous rifle-fire, and were answered as far as possible by the men
+of the 5th Brigade behind the wall. Our artillery shelled Hart's Hill,
+and many of their shrapnel which burst short hit the unlucky wounded
+who were still lying on the plateau.
+
+But the Boers were not content to remain on the defensive. Gradually
+their skirmishers worked round the left of the hill, moving by the
+dongas which ran down to the railway line, and were able to fire up
+into the rear of the defenders of the wall. Part of the latter were
+extended at right angles to the wall, and endeavoured to drive off the
+enemy. But the Boers had excellent cover, whereas the infantry crowded
+together on the hill presented an easy target. Casualties became
+numerous. The morning wore on, and there were no signs of the promised
+reinforcements or of the much-needed water and food. It seemed useless
+to stay on the hill, and about 8 a.m. Colonel Brooke gave the order
+to retire. As the men rose to their feet and ran down the hill, the
+rattle of the Boer musketry increased in volume, and the bullets
+whistled among the retreating soldiers. Lieut.-Colonel Sitwell was
+killed as he descended the slope, and Captain Maitland, of the Gordon
+Highlanders, who had been in command of 'G' company since November,
+was mortally wounded almost at the same time. Luckily, the distance
+was not very great, and once over the railway line the stream of
+bullets ceased.
+
+[Illustration: The Grave of Colonel Sitwell and Captain Maitland,
+Gordon Highlanders (attached), near Railway at Pieter's Hill.]
+
+Lieut.-Colonel Sitwell's loss was severely felt. Though he had only
+recently joined us, he had given numerous proofs of his soldierly
+ability. He had the benefit of considerable previous war service, and
+had he lived would doubtless have risen to high rank. Captain
+Maitland, Gordon Highlanders, had been unable to join his regiment in
+Ladysmith, and had been attached to the battalion since Estcourt. Over
+and over again he had proved himself to be a most gallant soldier, and
+had endeared himself to all his temporary comrades (see Appendix). He
+commanded 'G' company, which was most unfortunate in respect of its
+commanders, having no less than six during the war. Colour-Sergeant
+Connell, however, than whom no braver man lives, was with it
+throughout.
+
+As the retiring infantry climbed up the slope of Hart's Hollow they
+met the advancing lines of the 4th Brigade, who had been sent to
+reinforce the 5th. The latter quickly re-formed--there were not many
+of the Inniskilling Fusiliers left to re-form--and were able to obtain
+food after a fast of nearly twenty-four hours.
+
+The casualties of the left half-battalion amounted to two officers
+killed and three wounded, and eleven killed and fifty-six wounded of
+the rank and file.[6]
+
+         [Footnote 6: There were, of course, many narrow escapes, but
+         none narrower than that of Major Romer, whose modesty forbids
+         him to allude to it. His helmet was shot through by a bullet
+         which actually parted his hair in its passage, a feat never
+         before accomplished.--A. E. M.]
+
+The right half-battalion, under Major English, had, during the assault
+of Hart's Hill, watched the right flank towards Pieter's Hill. General
+Hart proposed that they should attack the Boers in that quarter, but
+Colonel Cooper, who was with the right half-battalion, pointed out
+that the day was too far advanced. The right half-battalion spent the
+night of the 23rd-24th February among the rocks on the hill whence
+General Hart had directed the attack. About 8 a.m. on February 24th,
+'B' company was sent to drive off small parties of the enemy who had
+crept down the dongas and reached the railway on the left. This
+company came under a severe fire, and Lieutenant Brodhurst Hill was
+wounded in the leg, but the Boers were driven back. The 24th was spent
+in a ceaseless rifle-duel with the enemy, who had brought a gun to
+bear on the hill. During the afternoon, preparations were made for a
+fresh attack on Hart's Hill, to be undertaken by Colonel Cooper with
+two battalions, while General Hart, with the remainder of the force
+at hand, assaulted Railway Hill. The attack was, however, postponed.
+
+The enemy evidently feared another assault, for in the course of the
+night of February 24th-25th, they opened a vigorous fire, which
+disturbed the slumbers of General Hart's force, and created some
+excitement.
+
+During all this time the unlucky wounded, who had been hit on the
+23rd, had been left lying in front of the Boer trenches. It was
+impossible to help them, since all attempts in that direction had been
+frustrated by the enemy. But on the morning of Sunday, February 25th,
+a partial armistice was agreed upon in order to bring in the wounded
+and to bury the dead. The armistice ended at 6 p.m., and both sides
+commenced firing immediately afterwards.
+
+[Illustration: Pieter's Hill. February 27th, 1900.]
+
+Meanwhile, Sir Redvers Buller had evolved a new plan of operations,
+and decided to attack with his combined force the three
+hills--Pieter's, Railway, and Hart's. For this purpose the greater
+part of the artillery was brought from the left bank and concentrated
+on the right bank, opposite the points to be assaulted. It was in
+position by the 26th, and began a slow bombardment of the Boer
+trenches. During the night, the pontoon bridge under Hlangwane was
+dismantled, and carried down to a point below the Boer bridge, where
+it was relaid, an operation which was not concluded until 10 a.m. on
+the 27th.
+
+On the day before, the Dublin Fusiliers had been ordered to join
+temporarily General Barton's Brigade. It left its position among the
+rocks of Hart's Hollow about 7 a.m. on February 27th, and, moving down
+the hill through the deserted Boer laager, halted by the pontoon
+bridge. Here it was joined soon after 9 a.m. by the Irish and Scots
+Fusiliers, and came under the command of General Barton.
+
+[Illustration: Pontoon Bridge, River Tugela. February 28th, 1900.]
+
+The battalion followed the Scots Fusiliers, and moved along the left
+bank of the Tugela at the foot of a steep ridge, being covered by
+infantry and maxim fire from the right bank.
+
+After a march of two miles, and at the point where the Klip River
+joins the Tugela, the 6th Brigade turned to its left and prepared to
+attack the Boer position, which, lying some two miles from the river,
+stretched from the ridges north of Eagle's Nest to the various kopjes
+constituting Pieter's Hill. General Barton directed the Royal Irish
+Fusiliers to assault the western end of Pieter's Hill and the Scots
+Fusiliers the eastern, while the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers formed the
+reserve.
+
+The assault was successful, and the greater part of Pieter's Hill fell
+into our hands, but the Boers still held a kopje to the north of the
+hill, and maintained a heavy fire. General Barton, anxious to complete
+his victory, directed three companies of the battalion and one company
+of the Scots Fusiliers to advance against the kopje. 'B,' 'C,' and 'H'
+were the three companies selected, the first named being on the right
+and the latter on the left, connecting with the Scots Fusiliers.
+Guided by Captain MacBean, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Brigade-Major 6th
+Brigade, the detachment advanced about 2.30 p.m., and came at once
+under a heavy rifle and pompom fire. The companies pushed forward,
+however, by successive rushes until they reached a donga some three
+hundred yards from the kopje. Here further progress was checked for a
+time, and General Barton ordered forward three companies of the Royal
+Irish Fusiliers. The latter came up about 5.30 p.m., and, supported by
+the covering fire of 'B,' 'C,' and 'H' companies, rushed the left of
+the hill, when the above-mentioned companies of the battalion, led by
+Captain Venour, assaulted the right. The attack was successful, and
+the kopje was captured.
+
+During the advance Lieutenants Haskard and Bradford, in command of 'C'
+and 'H' companies, were wounded, and the engagement cost the regiment
+nine killed and forty-three wounded. 'D' company, under Lieutenant
+Ely, towards the close of the afternoon came up on the left of 'H'
+company, in order to fill the gap between the latter and the Scots
+Fusiliers.
+
+[Illustration: 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, heading Relief Troops,
+marching into Ladysmith, March, 1900.]
+
+The three companies which had made their attack on the kopje spent the
+night on the captured position. Captain Venour, who was the senior
+officer present, re-formed the men of the Irish and Dublin Fusiliers,
+and constructed sangars, with a view of warding off a Boer
+counter-attack. In the meantime 'A,' 'E,' 'F,' and 'G' companies--with
+whom was Colonel Cooper--were directed to the right, in order to guard
+the flank of the brigade against the Eagle's Nest position. These
+companies gained about 2 p.m. a ridge opposite the Eagle's Nest, and
+overlooking the extensive plain which stretches up to Bulwana
+Mountain. The enemy opened a well-aimed fire on this ridge, and also
+brought into action a gun which was placed on the shoulder to the
+north of the Nest. As the right of the four companies was thrown back
+towards the Tugela, this Boer gun could nearly enfilade part of the
+line. Sangars were built, however, and there were not more than three
+or four casualties in this part of the field. The firing ceased at
+dusk, but otherwise the night was unpleasant, for it rained, and the
+waggons could not get near the fighting line, so that the men had to
+do without their great-coats.
+
+Before daybreak on February 28th the battalion collected its scattered
+companies and was ready for action. There was no reliable news of what
+had happened on other parts of the field during the 27th, and the full
+extent of the victory was still unknown. When daylight came it was
+evident that the Boers had evacuated the Eagle's Nest, and small
+parties of them could be seen retiring, while the tents of their
+laager under Bulwana were gradually diminishing. But even then few
+could believe that the relief of Ladysmith was practically
+accomplished.
+
+[Illustration: General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., entering Ladysmith.]
+
+Before mid-day an order came, directing the Dublin Fusiliers to move
+after dinner and join the 11th Brigade, the position of which was not
+indicated. Major English rode on ahead in order to discover its
+whereabouts, but by the time he found it, the battalion had gone two
+miles out of its way. The 11th Brigade was joined about 4 p.m., and
+the regiment bivouacked between Hart's and Railway Hills. A heavy
+thunderstorm burst over the country soon after 8 p.m., and made
+everybody somewhat miserable, although the officers had been cheered
+by the arrival of the invaluable Corporal Tierney, who, as usual,
+succeeded in giving them food.
+
+The services of this N.C.O. (now Mess-Sergeant) will never be
+forgotten by the regiment, as long as an officer who was present with
+it in South Africa remains in it. Over and over again he brought up
+food to the officers under heavy fire, and through those desperate
+thunderstorms. Always cheery, ever ready, there he was in his
+shirt-sleeves, with a drink and a snack, just as one had resigned
+oneself to going without anything. A word must also be said in praise
+of our French _chef_, M. Burst, who cooked for the officer's mess
+throughout, and proved himself on all occasions a brave man.
+
+[Illustration: The Dublins are coming--Ladysmith.]
+
+After breakfast on March 1st, the 11th Brigade advanced along the
+railway towards Ladysmith. It was thought that the Boers would be
+holding Bulwana, and the brigade had orders to attack the hill. But it
+was soon learnt that the enemy had retired, and we eventually reached
+Nelthorpe Station about mid-day and bivouacked. Major English and
+Captain Venour took the opportunity of riding into Ladysmith.
+
+March 2nd was spent at Nelthorpe. On the 3rd, Sir Redvers Buller's
+army entered Ladysmith, and the honour of leading the army fell to the
+2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers--an honour which nobody grudged
+them, on account of the constant fighting they had taken part in since
+the beginning of the war, and the heavy casualties they had suffered.
+The route was by the railway bridge, and the streets of the little
+town were lined by the garrison, who, emaciated but clean, presented a
+startling contrast to their war-stained relievers.
+
+[Illustration: Sir George White watching Relief Force entering
+Ladysmith.]
+
+The entry into Ladysmith, with its enthusiasm and meeting of old
+friends, formed a fitting ending to the battalion's Natal campaign.
+Hardly any other unit in the army had suffered such casualties. Only
+five company officers marched through Ladysmith with it. The others
+had been killed, wounded, or disabled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH.
+
+  'I am shut up.'--_Ps._ lxxxviii. 8 and _Jer._ xxxvi. 5.
+
+
+_Chronicle of the part taken by the detachment 2nd Battalion Royal
+Dublin Fusiliers in the Siege of Ladysmith from November 1st, 1899, to
+February 28th, 1900._ _By_ LIEUT. L. F. RENNY, _2nd Batt. Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers_.
+
+
+The detachment which was left behind in Ladysmith when the battalion
+was ordered to Colenso consisted of two officers, three
+non-commissioned officers and fifty-one men. The latter were made up
+by a section of 'G' company which was left on piquet because they
+could not be relieved in time, and the men of the regimental
+transport, which had been left behind owing to there being no facility
+for sending the waggons and animals by train with the battalion.
+
+The morning after the departure of the latter I was ordered by the
+D.A.A.G. of the divisional troops to proceed to the various camps in
+Section A, and find convenient space for the transport waggons. I
+found the necessary ground in rear of the camp of the 1st Battalion
+Gloucester Regiment, behind the railway cutting leading to the Orange
+Free State Junction. Here we were joined in the afternoon by
+Lieutenant H. W. Higginson, who took command, and the section of 'G'
+company, when the Gloucesters helped us in every way, and made us as
+comfortable as they possibly could. All that day we were left in
+comparative peace, there being no firing on either side; but the next
+morning about 5 a.m. the Boers opened with 'Long Tom' from Pepworth
+Hill, and commenced a duel of some hour's duration with our naval 4.7,
+which was placed on Junction Hill. They also kept up a continual
+cannonade with their long-range twelve-pounders, but did little or no
+damage, as they had not yet discovered the exact location of our
+camps.
+
+For the next three or four days we remained in the Gloucester's camp
+and aided in starting the trenches which eventually formed the fort
+known as 'Tunnel Hill.' This was by no means pleasant work, as it was
+carried out under fire, the enemy being very quick at spotting our
+working parties and remarkably so at obtaining our range. We used to
+watch with great interest the duel every morning between the two big
+guns. Once the Boers hoisted a large white flag over their epaulement
+and proceeded to repair some small damage to their gun--they have very
+weird ideas about the white flag.
+
+On November 7th our detachment was suddenly ordered to proceed to
+'Bell's Spruit,' and form the guard there. I was ordered to hand over
+our transport to the Army Service Corps, so we took away the majority
+of the men and brought the strength of our piquet up to thirty-one
+men; the transport was sent to the railway station yard for the use of
+the Army Service Corps, where it remained throughout the siege. We
+were stationed at the mouth of the spruit just where it runs through
+the ridge opposite the cemetery. Our fortifications consisted of a
+thick wall with sandbag loopholes running right across the spruit;
+about fifty yards in front were strips of high and low wire
+entanglement, making it practically impossible for the enemy to rush
+the post at night. By night we had to man two sangars placed on the
+hills on each side of the spruit. I know nothing more productive of
+bad language than visiting the sentries on those hills in the dark,
+scrambling over the hugest boulders up a hill like the side of a
+house. We were not very comfortable at first, there being absolutely
+no shelter from sun or rain, but after about a week we managed to
+obtain a couple of railway tarpaulins, and rigged up shelters on the
+sides of the spruit. We were all very lucky in not getting hit, as
+the enemy had a nasty habit of bursting shrapnel over the place and
+sending common shell on to the crests, which produced a shower of
+rocks, splinters and stones; but although we were in the spruit for
+seven weeks with absolutely no cover, not a man in the detachment was
+hit. During our stay in the spruit our rations were exceptionally
+good, as we got extras in the way of bacon, jam, chocolate, &c.
+
+The night-work at this time was very hard, as everybody not actually
+on outpost duty had to work at the trenches from 6.30 in the evening
+till 3 a.m. the next morning. Sleep being impossible in the day-time
+owing to the heat and a plague of flies, this continual night-work
+told on the men severely. On November 9th the enemy made a feeble
+attempt at capturing the place, and came on in considerable numbers
+against Observation Hill, but were easily repulsed. On the night of
+December 7th-8th an attack was made on Gun Hill, where the Boers had a
+'Long Tom' and a five-inch howitzer, besides one or two small guns.
+These guns had been annoying us very greatly for the past three weeks,
+and we were all delighted in the early morning when we heard the
+attack had been successful, and the guns blown up. We none of us knew
+anything about this affair till it was over. I was visiting our posts
+about 2.30 a.m. when I saw two large flashes on Gun Hill; on listening
+I could not hear any shells travelling or bursting, so concluded the
+enemy were amusing themselves by firing blank charges. It was not till
+we saw our column returning at dawn that we solved the problem. We
+found the spruit very unpleasant in wet weather, as the water used to
+come down like a mountain torrent and wash away bits of our wall and
+shelters; after wet nights we used to spend our time in digging our
+belongings out of the sand, having spent the night sitting on the
+rocks.
+
+About December 18th, after the failure of General Buller's first
+attempt to relieve us, there was a general interchange of posts
+amongst the troops of our section, and the detachment received orders
+to proceed to the Newcastle Road examining guard. We were all heartily
+sick of the spruit, and glad of the change. It was about this time
+that our rations began to be diminished, and we had completely run out
+of all extras. The post of the examining guard was on the road just
+inside the ridge which formed our general line of defence, but by
+night we moved out as a piquet about half a mile on to the veld into a
+spruit which ran under the Harrismith line, whence we patrolled out to
+Brooke's Farm, and the surrounding country. I think this was the worst
+post we had throughout the siege, as we came in for a long spell of
+wet weather, and night after night had to lie out on the open veld
+from 8 p.m. till 4 a.m., wet to the skin and miserably cold. The
+duties on this post came very hard on our men, as we had to find a
+double and single sentry by day, so that they never got a night in
+bed, and only about one day in three off duty.
+
+On Christmas Eve the men came into possession of a fine pig, so that
+we all had pork for our Christmas dinner, a great change from eternal
+'trek ox,' but unfortunately nothing stronger to drink than tea. I'm
+sure it was the first Christmas any of us had spent in such an
+uncongenial way.
+
+On January 6th the enemy made their desperate attack on Waggon Hill
+and Caesar's Camp. They seem to have completely surprised our
+outposts, as they succeeded in crawling up the hill in the dark, and
+the fighting commenced at 3 a.m. The cannonade all day was something
+tremendous, 'Long Tom' firing 125 rounds. They kept us pretty busy on
+our side of the defences as well, but never developed any serious
+attack. Whilst on this post we were subjected to a continuous and
+daily course of sniping, the enemy getting on the kopjes behind
+Brooke's Farm, and firing all day at a range of 2800 yards. At this
+range the bullets used to whiz over the hill and drop amongst us,
+although we were only a few yards behind the crest. Higginson and I
+used to spend hours lying on the crest with rifles and glasses trying
+to spot them, but never succeeded in doing so, as they used to take up
+their position before dawn and never move all day.
+
+It was about this time that our men began to show the effects of
+exposure and constant sentry-go, and several of them went down with
+fever and rheumatism; but we were extremely lucky throughout the
+siege, having only one casualty: Private Ward, 'G' company, a
+reservist, who died of enteric at Intombi Camp.
+
+I forgot to mention that on January 6th our section had to be entirely
+denuded of supports and reserves in order that they might be sent to
+Waggon Hill, so that if the enemy had attacked us seriously we should
+have had a hard job to keep them back.
+
+On January 25th the detachment was ordered to garrison Liverpool
+Castle, a fort overlooking the Newcastle Road, but we had not been
+there twelve hours before we were ordered to Tunnel Hill. This latter
+post consisted of a large main fort capable of holding two hundred
+men, and two small works about a quarter of a mile on each flank, in
+all of which we had to find a guard. Our fighting strength was at this
+time reduced to twenty-seven men, so that they did guard and patrol
+alternate nights. We had to send out five of the latter during the
+night about half a mile to the front and a mile laterally along the
+valley. The confinement in this fort was rather trying, and the
+eternal manning of the trenches at 4 a.m. very monotonous. After about
+three weeks on this post I was suddenly seized with a 'go' of fever,
+and was sent down to a room in one of the houses. When I rejoined the
+detachment, after a fortnight on the sick list, they had moved to the
+railway station as guard over the bridge across the Klip River. Here
+we had to endure rather a severe dose of 'Long Tom'--this gun never
+missed a day without dropping shells into and round the station, it
+was one of its favourite spots, and all the tin buildings about bore
+evidence of its attentions. One shell, pitching in the parcels office,
+blew the roof off and the floor in, having first penetrated
+half-a-dozen walls to get there. We had trenches on our side of the
+river, which we manned, as usual, at 4 a.m. We also had to man them in
+the afternoon about 5 o'clock, when the train from Intombi Camp was
+due. This used to be rather a comic proceeding: a 'key' was made in
+the line about half a mile outside the station, where the train was
+brought to a standstill, then either Higginson or myself had to walk
+out and inspect the train to see there were no Boers inside it. We
+often used to wonder what would have been our lot if the train had
+been full of them. On our reporting 'all correct' to the Railway Staff
+Officer (Captain Young, R.E.), the train was allowed to proceed into
+the station, and the little play was over till the next day. This was
+undoubtedly the most comfortable job we had, as the men lived in a
+shed, whilst Higginson and I had a railway carriage.
+
+On the afternoon of February 28th we heard the joyful tidings of
+General Buller's victory at Pieter's Hill, and in the evening descried
+Lord Dundonald and his men crossing the plain; our wild excitement may
+be left to the imagination. I'm sure we all put on about seven pounds
+of our lost weight at the mere thought of our being at last relieved.
+Our troubles were not over yet, however, as the next morning we were
+ordered back to Tunnel Hill, a spot we had learned to loathe with a
+truly deep loathing. This move was due to our flying column going out
+to hurry the enemy's retreat, most of the troops in our section taking
+part in it. For some unknown reason we were kept four or five days in
+that smelly fort, and it was not till March 7th that we received
+orders to rejoin the battalion, which was encamped about two miles out
+of Ladysmith. We all felt as though we had begun a new life; but it
+was heartbreaking to see the havoc in our regiment; one had to look
+about to find faces that one recognised.
+
+Our rations were pretty well reduced towards the end of the siege: one
+biscuit, one pound of horseflesh, two teaspoonfuls of sugar, and a
+pinch of tea is not much to keep body and soul together, and we were
+all pretty feeble and pulled down. I think we must have done the
+record piquet duty of any men in any service, as we were never
+relieved throughout the whole siege; I suppose this was on account of
+being left as a separate unit all through, but we certainly thought it
+rather hard work. It is a wonder that our little detachment stuck out
+four months' constant exposure with so little sickness, whilst our
+luck in sitting under that constant shelling without a man being hit
+was nothing short of providential.
+
+I have merely chronicled the chief moves and duties of the detachment
+throughout the siege: it would take a small book to set down all our
+little experiences, details, and troubles.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ALIWAL NORTH AND FOURTEEN STREAMS.
+
+  'But thus much is certain: that he that commands the
+    sea is at great liberty, and may take as much,
+      and as little of the war, as he wish.'
+
+                              _Bacon._
+
+
+After marching through Ladysmith, the battalion proceeded with the
+11th Brigade to a camp about three miles to the north of the town and
+on the left bank of the Klip River. It remained here until March 7th,
+when it rejoined the 5th Brigade, which was encamped on the south side
+of the Klip River, and about one mile nearer Ladysmith. On the same
+date, Colonel Cooper was given the command of the 4th Brigade, and
+accordingly handed over the battalion to Major Bird.
+
+[Illustration: Sergeant Davis in Meditation over 'Long Cecil' at
+Kimberley. 'Shall I take it for the Officers?']
+
+There was another change of camping-ground on March 12th, the brigade
+moving to the north-east of Ladysmith, under Surprise Hill. It was an
+uneventful time, although outpost duties were somewhat severe.
+
+In recognition of the gallantry displayed by the Irish regiments in
+the Natal campaign, the Queen had directed that the shamrock should be
+worn by all ranks on St. Patrick's Day. Accordingly, on March 17th,
+every man wore a piece of green, since shamrock was unobtainable, and
+the tents were decorated with boughs. A telegram was dispatched to the
+Queen, who sent the following message in reply:--
+
+'The Queen desires to thank her Dublin Fusiliers for their expression
+of loyalty.'
+
+[Illustration: St. Patrick's Day in Camp. Private Monaghan, the regimental
+Butcher, in foreground.]
+
+The battalion also received many congratulatory telegrams from Irish
+associations and individuals in various parts of the world.
+
+The detachment of the 1st Battalion was sent back to Colenso on March
+21st. It had been just over four months with the 2nd Battalion, and
+had borne its full share of the casualties. Originally numbering
+eight officers and 287 rank and file, it returned with only two
+officers and 92 rank and file.
+
+The 5th Brigade moved on the 23rd to Modderspruit, and thence on the
+next day to Elandslaagte, where it encamped a short distance to the
+west of the battlefield. Here it stayed for ten days, and, as there
+was little to do beyond outpost work, the battalion resumed ordinary
+parades and route marching.
+
+On April 4th, General Warren's Division relieved General Hunter's at
+Elandslaagte, and the brigade marched back to Modderspruit. The 10th
+Division (General Hunter), which consisted of the 5th and 6th
+Brigades, was to proceed to Cape Colony for the relief of Mafeking.
+
+On April 7th, Major Tempest Hicks, 1st Battalion Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers, arrived from Colenso, and assumed command of the battalion.
+The 5th Brigade began to move by train to Durban on the 9th, and we
+were ordered to entrain at 1.45 p.m. on the 10th. But during the
+morning, heavy firing broke out at Elandslaagte, and, as the enemy
+seemed aggressive, the troops at Modderspruit were directed to be
+ready to move to Elandslaagte.
+
+We had struck camp and packed all the baggage in the train, and had,
+therefore, to lie out in the hot sun for several hours, and await with
+patience the development of events. The Boers apparently contented
+themselves by a demonstration, and at 6 p.m. the battalion was allowed
+to depart. The train reached Colenso at 9 p.m., where the 1st
+Battalion was encamped, and Maritzburg about 4 a.m. Here, in spite of
+the early hour, a number of friends, together with a band, were on the
+platform, and the regiment received a warm greeting. The men were
+given cigarettes and tobacco.
+
+Durban was reached about 10 a.m. on April 11th, and the battalion at
+once commenced to embark. The headquarters and about six companies
+were carried by the _Cephalonia_, while the remaining two companies
+went in the _Jamaica_. They were both slow ships, but the absolute
+peace, the good food, the clean baths, and many other luxuries, made
+everybody regret that they were not even slower.
+
+East London was reached on the 12th, and the battalion was ordered to
+disembark, since the 5th Brigade was urgently required to relieve
+Wepener, which was surrounded by the enemy. General Hart, with the
+Border Regiment and Somersetshire Light Infantry[7] started for Aliwal
+North at once, but the battalion remained on board during the whole of
+the 13th, although 'H' company, under Captain Romer, disembarked in
+the afternoon, and was at once dispatched by train. The other
+companies landed on the 14th, and left East London in two trains,
+starting at 4 and 6 p.m.
+
+         [Footnote 7: This regiment had joined the 5th Brigade after
+         the relief of Ladysmith in place of the Inniskilling
+         Fusiliers.]
+
+Lieutenant Le Mesurier, who had been captured on October 20th, but
+had, with Captain Haldane (Gordon Highlanders), effected a plucky
+escape from Pretoria, rejoined us at East London. Unluckily he at once
+developed typhoid fever, and had to be left behind.
+
+Aliwal North was not reached until 10.30 a.m. on April 16th. 'H'
+company had arrived the previous afternoon, and was encamped near the
+station, but the remainder of the battalion crossed the Orange River,
+and pitched camp about 600 yards from the bridge, with its outpost
+line pushed forward on the high ground to the north.
+
+Major Hicks became commandant of Aliwal North, and had no easy task.
+The town was General Hart's base during the operations for the relief
+of Wepener, and there was consequently much to be done. Moreover, the
+surrounding country was disturbed, the Dutch population had to be
+watched, and there were constant rumours of the approach of
+commandoes. In the early hours of the 21st, a report reached the
+commandant that a large body of Boers was marching on the town. He
+therefore decided to bring the regiment back to the south side of the
+river, only leaving the piquets on the north bank. We therefore at
+once struck camp, and, crossing the river, bivouacked near the bridge.
+But as the report proved to be misleading, camp was re-pitched on a
+square in the middle of Aliwal North. The outskirts of the town were
+put into a state of defence, and a series of trenches covered the
+approaches to the bridge. Although this necessitated much labour,
+everybody enjoyed their stay at Aliwal. It was a pretty place, with
+trees and gardens full of roses, with plenty of water, including a hot
+stream running through the camp, with a well-stocked library, and
+lastly, but by no means leastly, with a hotel possessing excellent
+lager beer.
+
+[Illustration: A Wash in hot Water. Aliwal North.]
+
+The time passed, in fact, too quickly, for on the 26th news was
+received of the relief of Wepener, and orders were issued for our
+movement to Kimberley. We started at once in two trains, the first
+leaving at midnight the second at 1 a.m. on the 27th. It was a long
+and monotonous journey, the only breaks in which were stops for the
+purpose of cooking meals. Kimberley was reached at 10 p.m. on the
+28th, and the train stopped the night in the station, going on at 6
+a.m. on the 29th to Doornfield, about eight miles north of Kimberley,
+where the Connaught Rangers and the 6th Brigade were already encamped.
+Since General Hart, with the Borders and Somersetshire Light Infantry
+were still near Wepener, Colonel Brooke assumed the command of the
+brigade.
+
+General Hunter's division had been ordered to relieve Mafeking, and
+the General decided to cross the Vaal near Windsorton with the 6th
+Brigade, and to advance up the right bank; while General Paget with
+the Royal Munster Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers, and Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers, faced the Boer position at Fourteen Streams. Colonel
+Mahon's mounted column was to move by Barkley West, and reach Mafeking
+by sweeping round the Boer flank.
+
+The battalion accordingly left Doornfield by train at 9 a.m. on May
+2nd, and about mid-day reached Content, where it detrained and
+encamped. The next day it marched with the Connaught Rangers to a
+position about two miles south of Warrenton. The opposite bank of the
+Vaal was held by the Boers, who were strongly entrenched and had
+field-guns. On the south bank of the Vaal were the Munster Fusiliers,
+a battery of field artillery, a six-inch gun mounted on a railway
+truck, and a balloon, the whole detachment being under Major-General
+Paget.
+
+[Illustration: Taking XIV STREAMS on 7th May 1900 at 9.30 a.m. very
+bad ford. _From a sketch by Col. H. Tempest Hicks, C.B._]
+
+As all tents had been left at Content, the regiment bivouacked, and
+remained more or less idle. The Munsters were holding Warrenton, and
+there was constant sniping between their posts and the Boer trenches.
+The balloon ascended daily, and the six-inch gun fired an occasional
+shot, while the enemy's field-guns came into action at intervals. It
+was a monotonous and unpleasant time for the Connaught Rangers and
+ourselves, since there was nothing to do, while it was very hot by day
+and cold by night.
+
+[Illustration: The regimental Maxim in Action at Fourteen Streams.]
+
+A little excitement was afforded on May 6th, when the Connaught
+Rangers and half the battalion made a demonstration against a drift to
+the east of Fourteen Streams. The object apparently was to draw the
+Boers' attention from the 6th Brigade, who, after a victory at Rooi
+Dam, were moving up the right bank. The movement caused a slight
+amount of sniping, and the detachment returned to the bivouac soon
+after 2 p.m.
+
+The approach of the 6th Brigade, aided, perhaps, by this
+demonstration, caused the enemy to evacuate hurriedly their trenches
+during the afternoon of the 6th. Early on the morning of the 7th, the
+Connaught Rangers and the right half-battalion started to ford the
+Vaal at Warrenton.
+
+The river at this point was broad and swift. The ford was a difficult
+one, being beset by rocks and holes, and it took a considerable time
+for the column to cross, since the water was up to the men's waists.
+The left half-battalion under Major Bird moved one and a half miles up
+the river near Fourteen Streams, where there was a ferry-boat. The
+latter had been rendered useless by the Boers, but as they had left
+the wire hawser, it was easy for the Royal Engineers to construct a
+raft, on which the left half-battalion crossed comfortably and
+quickly.
+
+The right half-battalion joined the left half at the ferry, and
+breakfasts were cooked. Before leaving the river-bank everybody made
+an inspection of the Boer trenches, which formed an exceedingly strong
+position. They were very deep, and so well adapted to the ground, that
+it was no easy matter to discover them from the opposite bank.
+Evidences of the hurried Boer retreat were plentiful in the shape of
+full ammunition-boxes, half-cooked food, blankets, and kettles. One
+Boer, who was too ill to march, was captured in the trenches.
+
+After breakfasts, the battalion moved through a piece of ground
+thickly covered with bush, and eventually bivouacked about one mile
+from the Vaal, near the railway line. The 6th Brigade halted near the
+same place, and the whole force was occupied for the next fortnight in
+covering Fourteen Streams. The important railway bridge at this point
+had been destroyed by the Boers, and the Royal Engineers, aided by
+large working parties from the infantry, at once commenced to
+construct a deviation bridge. This necessitated a great amount of
+labour, and since, in addition, defensive works had to be made, we
+were all kept very busy.
+
+The stay at Fourteen Streams was interrupted on May 15th by a movement
+on Christiana, a town in the Transvaal, reported to be held by a
+strong party of Boers. The whole of the 10th Division took part in the
+operations, and were thus the first regular troops to enter the
+Transvaal. The frontier was crossed at 9 a.m. The advance was through
+an undulating country, at times thickly covered by bush. Towards the
+afternoon the brigade halted, as news was received that the mounted
+troops had entered Christiana. A bivouac was formed in a clearing
+among the bush, and dinners were cooked.
+
+The next day the brigade marched back to Fourteen Streams, and reached
+that place early on May 17th, having done some twenty-six miles in
+nineteen hours. Work on the railway bridge was resumed, and, as the
+6th Brigade had not returned, the battalion had to watch a more
+extensive area. Each company was given a section, and constructed a
+redoubt.
+
+[Illustration: Captain Jervis, General Fitzroy Hart, C.B., C.M.G., and
+Captain Arthur Hart.]
+
+About May 24th, Second Lieutenant Bradford, with twenty-nine men, was
+sent up the line to garrison Border Siding, where they were picked up
+three days later.
+
+The deviation bridge over the Vaal having been completed, the
+battalion was sent forward by train to Vryburg, travelling in two
+trains. Camp was pitched just outside the station, and for the next
+two days every one spent their time in buying _karosses_ and in
+shooting partridges.
+
+The 10th Division, when Mafeking had been relieved by Colonel Mahon,
+was ordered to march to Johannesburg via Lichtenburg. As the first
+part of the route lay through a country very deficient in water, the
+division marched in several columns, which followed each other at a
+day's interval. The battalion left Vryburg on May 30th at 7.30 a.m.,
+and proceeded to Devondale, and on the next day made a march of
+twenty-two miles to Dornbult, where Captain Mainwaring, with Second
+Lieutenants Newton and Smith, joined.
+
+Their wanderings before they succeeded in doing so are sufficient
+evidence how little was known, even to our own staff officers of the
+whereabouts of the several columns. On arrival at Cape Town in the
+s.s. _Oratava_, they were transhipped to the s.s. _Ranee_ and sent to
+Port Elizabeth. On reporting themselves there they were entrained and
+sent to Bloemfontein. No one there seemed to know where the regiment
+was, but at that very time the report arrived of the march on
+Christiana. Captain Mainwaring then met Captain Carington Smith of the
+regiment, who was at that time serving in Roberts' Horse (which he
+later on commanded), and as that officer was shortly going north with
+some men of his corps, it seemed to both that the speediest way to get
+to the Dublin Fusiliers was for Captain Mainwaring to be attached to
+Roberts' Horse. An application to that effect was made to the staff
+and granted, but shortly afterwards the news of the Christiana
+column's return to the railway came to hand, so the three officers
+once more entrained, and proceeded via De Aar to Kimberley.
+
+Although Captain Carington Smith did not serve with either battalion
+during the war, it would not be out of place here to mention the great
+part he took in it. He commenced by serving in Roberts' Horse, and was
+with them throughout Lord Roberts' advance to Bloemfontein. In the
+action at Sanna's Post he was shot through the knee, but resolutely
+refused to be invalided home. His recovery from this severe wound was
+little short of marvellous, and he actually managed to rejoin the
+headquarters of his corps in time to share in the entry into
+Pretoria. Shortly after this he was again shot at Heidelberg, this
+time through the other knee, and again made a second and equally
+marvellous recovery. Towards the end of the war he commanded Roberts'
+Horse, and later on the South African Light Horse, and his trekking
+during the campaign amounted to no less than 9000 miles.
+
+[Illustration: Issuing Queen Victoria's Chocolate. Colour-Sergeant
+Connel, 'G' Company, on left.]
+
+
+
+
+PART II.
+
+TREKKING.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+VRYBURG TO HEIDELBERG.
+
+  'None of us put off our clothes.'
+
+                              _Neh._ iv. 23.
+
+
+Now commenced a different phase of warfare. If, in the constant
+fighting of the Natal campaign, the regiment had been called upon to
+prove its fighting capabilities--a call to which their noble response
+earned them encomiums wherever they went--they were now to be called
+upon to prove another essential of the true soldier--their mobility.
+And well they proved it. Day after day, week after week, the tired,
+footsore, but stout-hearted column-of-route made its slow and
+wearisome way over the apparently limitless expanse of the swelling
+veld. And how monotonous that veld can be none can appreciate save
+those who have experienced its deadly sameness. Ahead, behind, all
+round, nothing but veld, veld, veld. No trees, no hills, no rivers, no
+lakes, no houses, no inhabitants! Here and there, perhaps, a miserable
+shanty of the sealed-pattern South African type: rough stone walls and
+corrugated-iron roof, a room on each side of the door, a narrow
+verandah--occasionally occupied by a quiet, peaceful-looking old
+patriarch, with a grey beard, and an air savouring rather of the
+pulpit than the sheltered side of a boulder--a scraggy tree or two,
+and a lick of water in a 'pan'--or pond as we should call it--hard by;
+a woman, some children, and a couple of goats; a few mealie cobs
+yellowing on the roof, and a scared, indignant, and attenuated fowl.
+
+Alas! how those quiet-looking, quiet-spoken old gentlemen, open Bible
+on knee, deceived us. Oh, no! they had never wished for war. Fight?
+yes; they had fought, and surrendered, and taken the oath, and hoped
+never to fight again. Peace? yes; they wanted peace, and urged us to
+hasten on and conclude it. The same story everywhere: in the villages
+as in the solitary hamlets. A vast, empty, forsaken wilderness, with
+nothing more bellicose than a lean and hungry boar-hound or two. And
+yet for two long years to come this very country, over which the
+battalion trekked so peacefully, fifes and drums playing, officers out
+on the flanks shooting, mess-president cantering miles away in quest
+of eggs and their producers, was to be the scene of many a hard-fought
+fight and many weary nights of outposts. Indeed, it never really
+succumbed to the very end; the happy hunting-ground of the gallant De
+la Rey, it was a thorn in the side of our leaders up to the day the
+Delegates came in.
+
+One day's march varied little from another. Up at dawn, and off after
+the scantiest of scrappy breakfasts. Good marching while the dew was
+on the grass, and the sun a welcome ally after the clear, crisp,
+frosty nights; soon, however, to get hot enough, until the welcome
+mid-day halt and meal, after which tighten up belts once more and on,
+and on, one horizon following another with wearisome regularity, and
+never a sign of the long-looked-for water, till at last, as the sun
+set behind our backs, its last rays would glint on the miserable 'pan'
+by whose side we were to halt for the night. And then what bitter
+feelings of depression and disgust when sometimes the fiat would go
+forth 'Water for cooking purposes only,' and one had to turn into
+one's blankets grimy, dusty, clammy, and miserable.
+
+On May 31st, the regiment, having arrived at the railway, was told
+they would halt there next day. But on the morning of June 1st, the
+order was given for the column[8] to march at 2 p.m. to Marigobo Pan,
+a distance of eight miles only, but quite ten by the route taken. The
+evenings soon close in at this time of year in South Africa, and it
+was almost dark when the column arrived. As it was a fine mild night,
+every one hoped to be allowed to bivouac, but tents were pitched after
+all, and naturally enough pitched anyhow.
+
+         [Footnote 8: Border Regiment, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Bearer
+         Company, and Supply Detachment.]
+
+In this matter of pitching tents, the battalion particularly prided
+itself. On arrival at the selected site of the camp the Sergeant-Major
+blew a whistle, when all those whose duty it was to assist ran towards
+him, the men to mark the tent-poles, bayonets in hand, and two others
+with the mekometer, to ensure a true right-angle. Every one knew his
+particular job, so no time was wasted, while the symmetrical lines
+obtained by the use of the instrument were a joy to the General's
+eye.[9]
+
+         [Footnote 9: _Vide_ General Hart's letter in Appendix.]
+
+[Illustration: First Entry into Krugersdorp. Captain and Adjutant
+Fetherstonhaugh in foreground.]
+
+In the same way, whenever a halt was ordered, it was the regiment's
+custom to lay out their kits, mess-tins, belts, &c., in lines outside
+their tents. Each Colour-Sergeant had a ball of string, which was
+stretched between a couple of pegs; the kits were laid along it, the
+string was rolled up and pitched into a tent, and neatness and
+regularity prevailed without any extra trouble to any one. This
+neatness in camp, in addition to its other soldierly qualities,
+endeared the battalion in the eyes of General Hart, a soldier of the
+old school, to whom order and regularity particularly appealed.
+
+On the 2nd the column made another short march to Greysdorp, where
+there were two or three good wells, but where the water in the pan was
+of a most peculiar green colour.
+
+The Mafeking relief column was met on the way, and very hard and
+serviceable they looked, while several officers met old friends,
+amongst others Prince Alexander of Teck, whom we had known at
+Maritzburg before the war.
+
+A longish march of nineteen or twenty miles on the 3rd, with a halt
+midway, brought us in the evening to a place called Barber's Pan,
+somewhat superior to the generality of these places. There was a
+certain amount of water in the pan, but brackish and unpleasant to
+drink. Round it were scattered some half-dozen houses, but the most
+remarkable thing in connection with it was the sunset. As the light
+faded, a mist rose from the veld, which after a few minutes began to
+change colour, until at last it settled down to a most beautiful shade
+of light green. None of us had seen anything similar before, nor did
+we ever see anything like it again.
+
+A march of about fourteen or fifteen miles on the 4th brought us to a
+most uncomfortable camp. On the way, Captain Fetherstonhaugh (acting
+Adjutant since Captain Lowndes was hit at Talana) rode off some
+distance to a flank to try and get some supplies. He returned with a
+great story of his reception by crowds of women and one or two men;
+the latter stated they had been reluctantly compelled to fight against
+us at Modder River, on pain of being shot, but that their sympathies
+were entirely with us, &c. They even gave him a pound of butter. And
+we believed this story at the time.
+
+But, for that matter, who would not have been taken in? Every one
+coming up the line brought better and better news. Lord Roberts was
+close to the capital, and, thought we in our simplicity, that of
+course must end the war. No one guessed there was extra time--two
+solid years extra time--to be played. So we enjoyed the butter, and
+said they were sensible people after all, and hoped we'd be in time
+for the siege of Pretoria.
+
+The next day's march was a pleasanter one than usual, the halts being
+better arranged, with the result that the troops and transport got
+into camp quite as early as they would have done under the ordinary
+circumstances, but very much fresher and fitter. The fact is, staff
+officers do not understand marching. They go tittuping gaily past long
+straggling columns, passing the time of day cheerily to friends, and
+momentarily halting to deliver some ironical knock to acquaintances on
+the subject of their transport, or their sections of fours, or
+something of the sort. But the regimental officer, who foots it
+alongside his company, he understands marching right enough. He will
+tell you when the going is good, and when it only looks good; he will
+tell you the effects of five-minute halts, and how much benefit the
+closing-up rear of the column derives from them; he will tell you when
+a steady, swinging pace is being set that the men could keep up for
+ever; and he will also tell you when some long-legged officer in front
+is going four miles an hour, till some one suggests it is too fast,
+and he sinks into a slow and tiring two and a half. Colonel Hicks
+commanded the column on the 5th, and let us march our own way, with
+the beneficial results already recorded.
+
+And that cheery rumour about Pretoria. French reported to be there,
+and Mr. Kruger gone off with a couple of millions. What did we care
+about the latter? We should not have got any of it.
+
+Another short march of a little over ten miles brought us to a camp
+where there was actually a stream. Here the men got the chance of a
+much-needed bathe, and how they enjoyed it! Every one, in fact, was in
+excellent spirits, for the news about Pretoria turned out to be true,
+and though some of us were disappointed at not being up in time to
+share in the triumphant entry into the capital, the majority were all
+for England, home, and beauty.
+
+On the 7th we arrived at Lichtenburg, a small town or village that was
+to see some heavy fighting later on in the war. On the present
+occasion all seemed most peaceful. The houses were of the stereotyped
+South African pattern, with the invariable half-stoep, half-verandah
+running half-way along their fronts. Clear streams of water ran coolly
+and pleasingly by the sides of the streets, shaded by the ubiquitous
+weeping-willow. There was nothing to be bought, and no one to be seen,
+however, and those of us who went into the town next morning were very
+soon satisfied, returning to camp minus the various articles we had
+set forth to buy. It was interesting, however, to see the Boers
+handing in their rifles and taking the oath of allegiance.
+
+Captain MacBean, who was now on General Hunter's staff, turned up
+here, and dined with the regiment, and very glad we were to see him.
+He gave us all sorts of news, too, which we were very deficient of, as
+the system of daily bulletins had not then started.
+
+After having halted for the 8th and 9th, we resumed our desert march
+on the 10th, but only made some ten miles. It was most bitterly cold
+all the way.
+
+The next day proved far pleasanter, and another short, easy march of
+about ten miles saw us in camp by 1.30 p.m.
+
+On the 12th we made a march of sixteen miles. We were then within
+about thirty-three miles of the railway from Johannesburg to
+Potchefstroom, and, when a wire came ordering us to do it in two days,
+we thought a lot of the task, whereas a few months later we were doing
+that distance in one day, and, curiously enough, almost in the same
+neighbourhood.
+
+In consequence of this we marched right through Ventersdorp, to our
+regret, as it looked quite a nice place, and there was a regular
+trout-stream flowing past it, in which a bathe would have been most
+welcome. We did eighteen miles before halting.
+
+As indicative of the curious state of the war even in these early
+days, General Hunter's experience at Vryburg was a good example. He
+had ridden on with only thirty cavalrymen to Ventersdorp, when
+suddenly some two hundred and fifty of the enemy appeared on the
+scene. Fortunately for the General, their only object was to give up
+their arms and take the oath.
+
+Starting at 7.30 a.m. next day, we made short work of the march to the
+railway, which we struck at Frederickstadt, a place that many of us
+were destined to become very well acquainted with before we had done.
+It is rather prettier than most Boer villages, being situated on the
+pleasant little Mooi River, whose clear, rapid current reminded us of
+our home streams. There are a few trees in the vicinity, whilst on the
+further bank and beyond the railway rise the serrated, well-wooded,
+and extremely picturesque Gatsrand Hills.
+
+There was only one man to be seen, peacefully hoeing his potato-patch.
+But if the men were scarce and polite, the same could not be said for
+the fair sex, who, despite the fact that their knowledge of English
+was only to be compared with our ignorance of Dutch, did not fail to
+let us know their opinions of things generally. Indeed, the
+mess-president, who had gone on ahead on a pony in search of
+farmyard products, had a battle-royal with an elderly Dutch lady who
+asked six shillings a dozen for her eggs.
+
+We heard more detailed accounts here of the relief of Mafeking, and of
+the gallant part Major Godley of ours had taken in its defence, while
+Major Pilson and Captain Kinsman (also Royal Dublin Fusiliers) had
+assisted in the relief. As Carington Smith had arrived in Kimberley
+with the cavalry, we were able to claim representation in all three of
+the great sieges and reliefs of the war.
+
+[Illustration: 'Speed Dead Slow.']
+
+But a disappointment was in store for us all the same. The column did
+not move next day (the 15th), but although engine after engine came
+puffing up from Potchefstroom they all failed to bring the carriages
+which our aching legs made us so anxiously look for. We heard of the
+strike of forty engine-drivers at Potchefstroom, but as they had all
+been cast into durance vile, and the engines still continued to
+arrive, that could not have been the reason. However, any doubts we
+entertained were soon set at rest by an order to continue our march to
+Johannesburg next day.
+
+[Illustration: Miscellaneous Casualties.
+
+  Lieut. ELY. _Died at sea of Enteric._
+  Capt. H. CARINGTON SMITH. _Wounded at Sanna's Post and Heidelberg._
+  Capt. WATSON. (_Attached to Scottish Horse_). _Killed at Moedwil._
+  Capt. H. J. KINSMAN. _Wounded in Transvaal._
+  Capt. J. A. MACBEAN. _Killed at Nooitgedacht._
+  Lieut. ADRIAN TAYLOR. _Severely wounded when serving with M.I. near
+    Parys._]
+
+Starting on the 16th, an uneventful march of twelve miles brought us
+to Wolverdiend, a place which had not then attained the importance it
+afterwards assumed.
+
+It was another fifteen on to Blauw Bank Station next day. This march
+was remarkable in that it was the first occasion since this trek
+started that the column moved with any military precautions worth
+mentioning.
+
+Leaving Bank, as it got to be called later on, we struck off from the
+railway, left shoulders up, in a bee-line for Johannesburg, the city
+of our dreams, which it was hard to believe was not paved with gold,
+if one listened to the reports of those who had been there before the
+war. After a short march of ten miles we halted at a farm called
+Gemsbokfontein, and looked with longing eyes at the distant ridge,
+peeping over which could plainly be seen the huge mine-chimneys, like
+sentinels along the hills, duly noting our arrival.
+
+A fierce grass-fire broke out here, which necessitated the active
+co-operation of all hands, and all blankets, to oppose it, one
+too-adventurous officer getting rather scorched for his pains.
+
+As we sat at lunch we could see General Mahon's mounted column
+ascending the long rise to Randfontein, on our left front, and heard
+they had gone to Krugersdorp.
+
+'Krugersdorp! Where's that?' 'Let's look at your map,' and so on.
+Well, we undoubtedly knew where it was a few weeks later. Moreover,
+there must be Boers there, for had not a party on an engine come out
+that very day, and after destroying a small bridge, and firing a
+couple of shots, snorted their way back to the Dorp.
+
+The Royal Dublin Fusiliers supplied the advanced guard on the 19th,
+and duly started for Johannesburg, but a message very shortly came
+ordering a left incline, and nominating Krugersdorp as our objective.
+It was disappointing, but General Mahon had reported the
+Krugersdorpers 'truculent,' and we had to make a demonstration. This
+we most certainly did, halting above the railway, just outside the
+town, and then--producing drums and fifes--forming up and marching
+through to 'St. Patrick's Day' and the 'British Grenadiers.' But,
+unlike the peaceful and amiable agriculturist, these townsfolk had no
+smiles of reciprocation to our advances, and we marched through long
+lines of scowling male faces, with here and there one or two of the
+fair sex, but also, alas! sombre to a degree.
+
+[Illustration: Hoisting The Union Jack at Krugersdorp.]
+
+After emerging on the far side of the town we passed the famous
+Paardekraal Monument on our right, and finally camped about half a
+mile further on. It appears it was a very close thing whether they
+opposed us or not, and the peaceful solution that eventually took
+place was largely due to the tactful intervention and determination of
+an Englishman, Mr. W. Bruce Honman, who had considerable influence
+amongst the Dutch.
+
+The troops halted at Krugersdorp next day, and the town was formally
+taken over in the Queen's name, an impressive parade for that purpose
+being held in the market square. Each regiment furnished a Guard of
+Honour of 100 men. The Royal Dublin Fusilier Guard was under the
+command of Major English, with Captain Higginson and Lieutenant
+Haskard. It was extremely interesting for those of us who were not on
+duty to watch the faces of the large numbers of Boers, male and
+female, who watched this ceremony and the hoisting of the Union Jack.
+On the whole they took it extremely well, and for the most part
+behaved like brave men, who, having fought and lost, were content to
+make the best of the situation.
+
+[Illustration: Johan Meyer's House, five Miles outside Johannesburg.]
+
+The trek commenced again on the 22nd, and this time we felt convinced
+our destination must be Johannesburg, as we were marching along the
+Witwaters Rand straight for it. A halt was made after some ten miles,
+at Florida, rather a pleasant sort of Saturday-to-Monday resort of
+Johannesburgers, with a nice lake and pleasant woods.
+
+At last we seemed about to receive our reward, only to have our hopes
+dashed rudely to the ground. True, we marched to Johannesburg, and
+even through it, but only through the most miserable of its slums,
+seeing nothing of its fine buildings, nothing of the wealth and
+magnificence we had confidently expected. But, indeed, even the
+finest part of it was only a sorry spectacle in those days, and for
+many a weary month afterwards. Skirting the racecourse, we marched on
+to a spot some six miles from the town, near the house of Johan Meyer,
+a brother of Lucas Meyer. Colonel Hicks and Captain Fetherstonhaugh
+called on this gentleman, and got a lot of interesting information
+from him. His house was one of the finest we saw in the whole
+Transvaal, and from its site--at the head of a fine valley--commanded
+a magnificent view of the country almost as far as Heidelberg.
+
+But, as some set-off to our disappointment and long, tiring march of
+fifteen miles, Captain Sir Frederick Frankland, who had gone on to
+Joh'burg, as it is universally called, to buy what stores he could,
+turned up just before dinner, not only with a large amount of
+provisions, but also with a case of excellent champagne, which he
+presented to the mess, God bless him! We were very proud of our noble
+Baronet that night, and he had to reply to the toast of his health
+over and over again.
+
+[Illustration: Sergeant Davis, evidently with All we wanted.]
+
+Sergeant Davis, champion forager of the Army, also put in an
+appearance here, having met with no end of adventures and
+misadventures since the Colonel had sent him back to the
+Kimberley-Mafeking Railway. As usual, he had a fine lot of stores,
+and, also as usual, just what we wanted: baccy, chocolate, biscuits,
+sjamboks, stamps, etc., etc.
+
+An uneventful march of fifteen miles, with a halt at Reitfontein, was
+only noticeable for a particularly cold night and the final splitting
+up of the Irish Brigade, the Connaughts and Borders being ordered to
+Pretoria.
+
+On the 25th our long march came to an end with a twelve-mile step into
+Heidelberg. The band of the Derbyshire Regiment played us in, while
+our old friend, General Bruce Hamilton, rode out to meet us. We halted
+on a slope about three-quarters of a mile outside the town, which in
+its essential features is remarkably like Krugersdorp, the streets
+being lined with tall blue-gum trees, and the plan of course
+rectangular, with the usual market square in the centre.
+
+There had been a fight here, and we found Captain Carington Smith
+again amongst the wounded; this time, as already mentioned, with a
+bullet through his other knee, but as cheery as ever, and smiling away
+at seeing us all again. Lieutenant Adrian Taylor, of the regiment, was
+also here, and very glad we were to see him once more. Like Captain
+Carington Smith he was detached from the regiment throughout the
+campaign, serving with the M.I., and was about a month later very
+severely wounded near Parys when De Wet crossed the Vaal with Lord
+Kitchener at his heels. Still another Dublin Fusilier met us at
+Heidelberg--Major Rutherford, Adjutant of the Ceylon Volunteers, who
+had come over in command of a detachment of that corps.
+
+In addition to all these, General Cooper (our late C.O.) and his
+A.D.C., Lieutenant Renny, R.D.F., were also coming up from the south,
+while the 1st Battalion, who had helped to win Alleman's Nek, were not
+far off.
+
+On arrival at Heidelberg we had marched just 300 miles in
+twenty-seven days, and although we had not pressed in any way, we had
+come along fairly well seeing that we were not bound on any specific
+object, such as the relief of a town, or the participation in a siege
+or battle. We averaged just over eleven miles a day, including halts
+at Lichtenburg (two days), Frederickstadt and Krugersdorp (two days),
+or just a shade under fourteen miles for each marching day.
+
+[Illustration: Paardekraal Monument, Krugersdorp.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+HEIDELBERG.
+
+  'Wherever a man's post is, whether he has chosen it of his own
+  will, or whether he has been placed at it by his commander, there
+  it is his duty to remain and face the danger, without thinking of
+  death, or of any other thing except dishonour.'--_Socrates._
+
+  'Such officers do the King best service in the end.'--_Hamlet._
+
+
+A considerable force had now assembled at Heidelberg, but it was not
+to remain there long. General Hunter took over command from General
+Ian Hamilton, who had had a bad fall from his horse, and shortly moved
+off to the Free State, where he and his men soon covered themselves
+with distinction by the rounding-up of Prinsloo's commandoes near
+Golden Gate, on the Basuto border.
+
+The 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, a half-battalion Somersetshire Light
+Infantry, and the 28th Field Battery Royal Artillery, with some
+details, were left to garrison Heidelberg.
+
+The battalion was soon split up into a number of small detachments,
+and posted at various places along the railway line, which had
+suffered considerably at the hands of the Boers. Scarcely a bridge
+remained intact, while the presence of wandering bodies of the enemy
+in the neighbourhood necessitated the utmost caution and continual
+vigilance on the part of the companies, half-companies, and even
+sections, into which some of the companies were at length subdivided.
+
+Headquarters and those companies not on detachment in the meantime had
+plenty of work cut out for them too. In order to defend the place two
+hills to the west of the town were occupied, one by the Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers, known as Dublin Hill, and the other by the Somersetshire
+Light Infantry. Our hill was put into a most thorough state of
+defence by many hours of hard labour and efficient work under the
+direction of Colonel Hicks. Sangars were built on every spur and knoll
+which afforded a good field of fire; traverses and shelters were
+numerous; in case of a night attack whitened stones along well-made
+tracks showed the nearest way to the various posts; while not only
+every company, but every section, had its well-defined trench or wall
+to rally on and hold.
+
+To some of us, indeed, all these precautions at the time seemed
+somewhat excessive, and it is true that no attack was ever made; but
+just as example is better than precept and practice better than
+theory, so prevention is better than cure, and there is little doubt
+that the fortification of that hill, in full view of many a Boer
+field-glass in the town, whence our movements were of course fully
+reported as frequently as possible to the enemy in the field, had a
+deterrent effect on any designs our very active foes might otherwise
+have contemplated.
+
+On the morning of the 26th the left half-battalion, under Major Bird,
+was suddenly ordered off to Nigel Road Station, about three miles out
+on the railway to Johannesburg. The Boers having blown up a bridge
+between this station and Heidelberg, all stores, &c., arriving from
+Johannesburg had to be dumped down on the veld here, and it was
+necessary to have a force on the spot to load them into waggons, as
+well as to guard them and the trains. These soon began to arrive in
+large numbers, and as each came up the sides of the railway waggons
+were opened, and their heterogeneous contents chucked out anyhow into
+a huge mass. In the mean time R.E. construction trains also arrived,
+and the quiet little siding was soon a scene of wild bustle and
+excitement. The R.E. went to work on the broken bridge, and made a
+most excellent job of it in a surprisingly short time, though a casual
+inspection of the temporary structure they built for trains to
+pass over gave the lay mind the impression that an extra strong puff
+of wind would blow the whole thing over. However, it answered its
+purpose very thoroughly, and reflected much credit on its
+constructors.
+
+[Illustration: Colonel H. Tempest Hicks, C.B. Commanding 2nd Royal
+Dublin Fusiliers March 1900 to March 1904.]
+
+In the meantime Major Bird soon produced law and order out of chaos.
+The coolies were made to put mealie-bags in one place and
+biscuit-boxes in another, while the soldiers built both up into a very
+serviceable sort of fort for the time being, an example of soldierly
+adaptability which was not lost on any one who saw it or took part in
+its erection.
+
+We spent two or three very cheery days at Nigel Siding, the
+stationmaster's house (two rooms) forming an ideal officers' mess, but
+on the 28th 'E' and 'F' companies, under Captains Shewan and G. S.
+Higginson, were recalled to headquarters, 'H' company, under Captain
+Romer, was sent nine miles nearer Johannesburg to guard Reit Vlei
+Bridge, while 'G' company remained at Nigel Road to watch over such
+stores as had not yet been removed. This company was shortly further
+subdivided by the left half-company, under Lieutenant E. St. G. Smith,
+being sent to guard a culvert half-way to Reit Vlei Bridge.
+
+In the meantime Colonel Hicks never for a moment relaxed the soldierly
+precautions which it was his custom to observe, whether the Boers were
+reported in the neighbourhood or not; and several times rumours of
+intended attacks did arrive, though they invariably proved false.
+
+The town of Heidelberg itself was very Dutch and seething with
+malcontents and treachery. One could easily forgive them for not being
+exactly content, but what one could not forgive was their slimness,
+their plausible exterior, and their inner mass of falsehood. No class
+were more bitter than the clergymen, and one of these gentry was
+strongly suspected of being in constant communication with the Boers
+in the field, though his oath of neutrality was taken and he was
+availing himself of our hospitality. On one occasion Captain G. S.
+Higginson spent the night in an empty house in the town in an attempt
+to mark this fox to ground, but unfortunately his vigil was
+unproductive of result.
+
+Lieutenant Haskard was now acting as Railway Staff Officer, and having
+a very busy time of it, as in addition to hundreds of other duties he
+had to send rations up and down the line to the various detachments.
+
+On the 9th, Sergeant-Major Burke rejoined the regiment, having been a
+prisoner since he was wounded at Talana, and left at Dundee. During
+this time his duties had been ably performed by Colour-Sergeant C.
+Guilfoyle, now Sergeant-Major, 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
+Lieutenants Marsh and Weldon also joined here, as Lieutenant Supple
+had done a few days before. The two former had followed the regiment
+up the line to Mafeking, and thence across the Western Transvaal in a
+cape-cart, following very nearly in our tracks. They had an
+adventuresome journey, and were delighted to reach us at last. Captain
+Clarke, R.M.L.I., who was attached to the regiment, escorted an
+important Boer commander, named Van Rensburg, to Johannesburg, on his
+way to St. Helena.
+
+It is necessary to explain briefly here the situation of the three
+companies, 'A,' 'E,' and 'F,' under Major English, Captain Shewan, and
+Captain G. S. Higginson, which had been sent out to guard various
+points on the line from Heidelberg to Standerton.
+
+'A' and 'E' companies had originally gone out, and were posted at
+Botha's Kraal. Later on it became necessary to hold Zuikerbosch as
+well. Major English, with Lieutenant Newton as his subaltern, was sent
+to garrison it. Taking 'E' company with him and leaving Captain
+Higginson at Botha's Kraal, Major English, with some 110 Royal
+Engineers, occupied the post, and at once set about to put it into a
+thorough state of defence. He fully recognised the inherent weaknesses
+of his situation, and saw that unless well entrenched he was
+practically at the mercy of an enemy armed with artillery, as he had
+none to reply with, while the nearest reinforcements were miles away,
+and liable themselves to be attacked in force at any moment. He
+therefore spared no ingenuity in strengthening the position. Having
+Royal Engineers and a considerable number of Kaffirs at his disposal,
+he very soon effected his purpose and dug himself comfortably in.
+
+In the meantime signs were not wanting of approaching Boer activity. A
+large commando, under Hans Botha, was known to be hovering about the
+neighbourhood, and as it was also known that Botha was occasionally in
+the habit of spending a night under his own roof--not three miles
+away--Captain G. S. Higginson made two efforts to catch him napping.
+But on neither occasion was the chieftain at home, and the unfortunate
+Higginson, who had selected the darkest and wildest nights as most
+suitable for his purpose, was foiled each time, and had to withdraw
+somewhat crestfallen, under a fire of raillery from the ladies of the
+establishment. He collected some valuable information, nevertheless,
+and sent in reports of Boers in the vicinity, which, however, were not
+sufficient to induce General Hart to take any extra precautions.
+
+Such was the situation of affairs when, on the misty morning of July
+21st, we at Heidelberg heard the hoarse barking of the accursed
+pompom, varied by the duller and more menacing note of heavier guns.
+Anxiously we asked each other what it could be, and reluctantly we
+came to the conclusion that our comrades were being submitted to
+shell-fire with no possible chance of reprisal. As the sun rose, the
+mist did the same, and very soon cheerful messages came twinkling over
+'the misty mountain-tops,' announcing that a considerable force of
+Boers were attacking them, but that they had little fear of not being
+able to keep them off.
+
+General Hart hastily assembled a small column[10] and marched to Major
+English's assistance, leaving Colonel Hicks in command of the camp,
+and as it was quite possible the main attack might be intended for
+Heidelberg, we took all necessary precautions for the safety of the
+town.
+
+         [Footnote 10: 130 Somersets, 2 guns, 1 pompom, 140 Marshall's
+         Horse.]
+
+Before General Hart's force arrived, the Boers had commenced to
+withdraw, having discovered that on this occasion they had attacked a
+veritable hornet's nest.
+
+The hill on which Major English had dug his entrenchments is situated
+in the angle made by the Zuikerbosch River where it turns sharply to
+the south, and was on the left bank of the stream. On the other side
+of the river was the hill occupied by the Royal Engineers. Between
+these two was the new deviation bridge then under construction. The
+Kaffirs lived in the hollow between the hills, as did also the
+Yeomanry, of whom there were about ten, under a very young officer.
+Major English had given this officer orders that, on any attack taking
+place, he should at once lead his horses down to the river, where
+there was a kind of hollow place which would have afforded them
+excellent cover. This order, however, probably from the suddenness of
+the attack, was not complied with in time, and the horses were in
+consequence stampeded almost immediately. The natives also were not
+long in effecting a rapid southerly movement, for which, of course,
+they cannot be blamed, and the Boers shelled them lustily as they
+streamed away.
+
+The Royal Dublin Fusiliers' camp was on the southern slope of the
+hill, the summit being occupied at night by alternate companies, who
+stood to arms shortly before dawn. Captain Shewan was on the hill, and
+on the point of letting the men fall out, when the attack commenced.
+The trenches were at once manned without the slightest noise or
+confusion, and the Boers' rifle-fire vigorously replied to.
+
+The two Boer guns were in position on the hills to the north, some
+3400 yards off, while the pompom came into action near the Fortuna
+coal-mine. Owing to the excellent disposition and construction of the
+defences, the enemy's fire made little or no impression, until after a
+time they began to move round to the flanks of the position. Their
+rifle-fire then began to have some effect, but at the same time the
+fire of the defence had a better target, and after a short time the
+burghers commenced to withdraw from the rear face of the work. In the
+meantime they had swung round to the west of the Engineers' hill, and
+under cover of a grass fire, which was lighted by them and spread
+right up to the trenches, endeavoured to attack this part of the
+position, in which, however, they also failed. The enemy continued his
+endeavours until mid-day, when he commenced to withdraw, his movement
+being somewhat expedited by the arrival of the reinforcements under
+the General.
+
+Considering the numbers of the attacking force, and the resolute
+manner in which they had persevered, the casualties were
+extraordinarily small, two officers and three men wounded, one of the
+former being Major English himself; he was struck by a shell splinter
+in the eye, but most fortunately did not lose the sight of it.
+
+This gallant defence called forth a most eulogistic order from the
+Commander-in-Chief. The success had come at a time when it was badly
+needed. The guarding of the railways necessitated the splitting-up of
+forces, and in more than one recent instance a commander of less
+foresight than Major English had failed to realise the responsibility
+of his position, with the result that more additions were made to the
+already-far-too-long list of 'regrettable incidents.'
+
+The following telegrams passed between General Hart and Major
+English:--
+
+Helio message received at Zuikerbosch Fort on July 22nd, 1900, from
+General Hart: 'Received following wire from Lord Roberts.
+Begins--"Please convey my congratulations to Major English, and all
+concerned on the gallant manner in which they defended their post on
+the Zuikerbosch."'
+
+Major English made the following reply:--'All in the Zuikerbosch
+command thank our General for forwarding Lord Roberts' telegram, which
+they consider a great honour.'
+
+The following is an extract from Army Orders in South Africa, dated
+Pretoria, July 26th, 1900:--
+
+'_Engagement._--The Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief desires that the
+following account from Major-General A. Fitzroy Hart, C.B., Commanding
+5th Brigade, of the successful defence of a post by a small force of
+infantry against a determined attack of the enemy with guns, be
+published as an example of what can be accomplished by a small body of
+resolute men, well commanded and skilfully and judiciously
+entrenched:--
+
+'From General Hart, Zuikerbosch, to Lord Roberts, Pretoria, July 21st:
+"Enemy made a determined attempt to destroy my advanced post at
+Railhead, Zuikerbosch, to-day. Major English, Royal Dublin Fusiliers,
+commands the post, with two companies of Dublins, ten Yeomanry, and
+110 Royal Engineer reparation party, defending the new railway bridge
+which replaces destroyed one. Boers began attack at daybreak with two
+or three guns and a pompom, shelling the position hard. They then
+advanced, and completely surrounded him with mauser fire, keeping it
+up from 6.20 a.m. to 11.45 a.m., and it was hotly returned. English
+signalled early to me at Heidelberg, thirteen miles off, that he was
+surrounded, and holding his own confidently. I started from Heidelberg
+with two guns, a pompom, 130 Somersets, and 140 Marshall's Horse and
+Yeomanry, and, on approaching English's position, found he had already
+beaten off the enemy, and saw them assembled on the heights N.E. of
+his position, and beginning to ride off N.E. My guns opened fire, and
+Boers broke into a gallop. The complete repulse of the Boer attack is
+entirely due to the skill with which Major English had fortified his
+position, his vigilant arrangements, and the good fighting of the
+garrison. Casualties: wounded--Lieutenant Greig, severely; Privates
+Mallon, Stanton, and O'Brien, slightly. The bridge and train not
+injured. Line only injured to the extent of three rails taken up.
+Numbers of enemy's casualties not known. Boers sent out an ambulance
+for wounded, and were seen burying dead."'
+
+The following extracts from a letter from Sapper F. Adcock, published
+in a home newspaper, are also of interest. After a brief description
+of the situation, he continues:--'It was at this time that the
+heliographers of the Dublin's showed their pluck, for, fixing up their
+stand amidst shot and shell, they got their message through to
+Heidelberg.... We could watch every move of the Dublins, as the ditch
+ran in the line of their kopje.... Another bit of pluck well worth
+seeing happened just as there was a lull in the firing. Two of the
+Dublins ran from their entrenchments to their tents, quite a quarter
+of a mile, and carried all their bread in a blanket between them to
+the entrenchments. The Boers fired three shells at them when they were
+going back, but two fell short, and the other was right between them.'
+
+The sapper was right, and it is pleasant to read letters like the
+above when emanating from an entirely independent source. Major
+English reported most favourably of the signalling, which was
+necessarily conducted practically in the open, the enemy's projectiles
+falling all round the operator and Major English, who stood close
+beside him. For this service Private Farrelly, who sent the message,
+was awarded the distinguished conduct medal. The two brave men who
+went out for the bread were Privates Hayes ('A' company) and Townsell
+('E' company).
+
+The remainder of our stay at Heidelberg was uneventful except for what
+might very easily have been a most unpleasant accident. We were all
+seated at lunch one day when there was a sudden and loud report close
+at hand. Investigation proved that it came from Captain Pomeroy's
+revolver (an officer belonging to a West Indian Regiment who was
+attached to us). He had carelessly left it in his tent loaded, while
+his servant had still more carelessly fired it off. The only sufferer
+was an unfortunate animal, Major Bird's charger, which was shot in the
+hoof.
+
+On our departure on the 27th, Major-General Cooper's Brigade took over
+the defence of the town.
+
+[Illustration: The Officers' Mess.]
+
+[Illustration: Position at Zuikerbosch. 12 m. below Heidleburg;
+attacked on 21st July by 1000 Boers with 4 guns. Defended by 180. 2
+R.D.F, 110 Engineers, 10 Yeomen, no guns.
+
+Under Major English 2 R.D.F.
+
+_From a sketch by Col. H. Tempest Hicks, C.B._]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+AFTER DE WET.
+
+  'It is vain for you to rise up early.'--_Ps._ cxxvii. 2.
+
+
+Having been for a month at Heidelberg, we had begun to quite make it
+our own, and felt as if we should finish the war where we were. And
+although there were still any amount of commandoes in the field, we
+could scarcely be blamed for thinking that the back of the business
+was broken, and that a few weeks, or at the outside months, must see
+us returning to England. Well, we reckoned without our host, or rather
+the hosts of Messrs. Botha, De Wet, De la Rey, & Co., and if we made a
+mistake we made it in good company.
+
+The Colonel had never ceased fortifying and improving Dublin Hill, and
+there is no doubt that at the end of July his efforts had resulted in
+a very sound and efficient post.
+
+Everything pointed to peace and quiet when, late on the afternoon of
+July 27th, the ominous 'order' call broke the stillness of the crisp
+wintry evening.
+
+'Come for orders! Come for orders! Hurry up, hurry up; come for
+orders!'
+
+Who, that soldiered through those long weary months, but must remember
+that infernal call? For it was characteristic of the war, and owing,
+doubtless, to the immense tract of country over which it was waged,
+that not only the rank and file, but even the officers, with one or
+two exceptions, knew little or nothing of what was going on.
+Consequently one never knew what the next minute would bring forth,
+and waited accordingly with ears at tension for the strains of the
+bugle, whose notes might portend nothing or everything.
+
+On this occasion they were the prelude to one of the most stirring
+periods in the history of the war--the first great De Wet hunt. It is
+beside the purport of this volume to discuss the advantages of British
+infantry pursuing mounted Boers. It has often been maintained that the
+result of such an apparently hopeless hare-and-tortoise sort of
+procedure would have been successful on this occasion but for the fact
+of the unblocking of Olifant's Nek. On the other hand, there are not
+wanting many who are equally prepared to argue that, although this
+bolt-hole being open may have facilitated the guerilla's escape, that
+astute leader would easily have found some other nook or cranny quite
+sufficient for his purpose had it been shut; while, if the worst had
+come to the worst, from his point of view, he could, at the sacrifice
+of his waggons and guns, have dissolved his commando in the night,
+only to unite again at some more suitable and less column-infected
+time and place.
+
+At the time we knew nothing of all this; all we knew was that some big
+move was in progress, for, as we neared the railway next day, train
+after train steamed through, reminiscent of the vicinity of Epsom on a
+Derby Day, but that was all. Where we were going, when we were going,
+why we were going, were all questions quite beyond our ken--not to be
+answered, indeed, until some days later, when an officer on General
+Hunter's Staff told us what it was all about.
+
+Our march to the railway on the 28th was a long and trying one,
+variously computed at from twenty-one to twenty-three miles. Whatever
+its exact length may have been is immaterial; it was the method in
+which it was conducted that was so desperately trying. After the usual
+sketchy apology for a breakfast, the column moved off with the
+Somersets as advance-guard, and 'F' and 'G' company of the Dublins as
+rearguard. From a variety of causes the progress was uncommonly slow,
+and, no halt being made of greater length than a few minutes, the men
+of the rearguard had a trying time, for any one who has marched
+behind a column of waggons, &c., miles in length, knows that one
+practically gets no halt at all from these five-minute snatches, owing
+to the necessity of continually closing up. It was quite dark when the
+rearguard hove in sight of the passing trains, and then, to make
+matters thoroughly uncomfortable, some half-dozen waggons stuck firmly
+in a snipe-bog, scarcely a mile from their destination.
+
+[Illustration: Corporal Tierney and Chef Burst.]
+
+It looked uncommonly as if the unfortunate rearguard would have to
+bivouac in that miserable marsh. As everybody was pouring with
+perspiration from their endeavours with the waggons, and as it was
+beginning to freeze, while there was no chance of getting at
+great-coats, blankets, or food unless the waggons came out, out they
+jolly well had to come--and came. It was ten o'clock before the men
+got anything to eat, and 11.30 p.m. before our arrangements for the
+night were completed. Our invaluable French 'chef' had kept some hot
+soup for the rearguard, and seldom was soup more appreciated than by
+those famished and frozen warriors.
+
+We now heard that we were going south, and going south by train, and
+that at all events was something to look forward to. At least it was a
+change--something to look forward to with anticipation; and certainly
+it is something to look back upon with a certain amount of amusement,
+but at the time that railway journey was certainly the reverse of
+comfortable.
+
+We could not get off as early as we expected to on the 29th. The first
+train started all right, but owing to the amount of work to be done in
+getting kit over a small drift that lay between our bivouac of the
+night before and the station, the second train did not follow it till
+3.30 p.m.
+
+After this the difficulty of dispatch increased with each succeeding
+train, until when it came to entraining reluctant horses and still
+more reluctant mules practically in the dark, for there was no other
+light but the dim glimmer of two candle-lamps, the task became
+herculean, and required an infinity of patience and tact. The General
+and his staff having gone by the first excursion, the task of bringing
+along the remainder of the column devolved on Colonel Hicks, with
+Captain Fetherstonhaugh as his staff officer. They did not complete
+the entraining until the early hours of the 30th, and then only to
+find the line blown up in front of them. The fact that no disaster
+occurred here was owing to Colonel Hicks' determination not to try to
+get through that night, as he clearly foresaw what actually took
+place, and that there was nothing to prevent the enemy blowing up the
+line.
+
+It is necessary now to turn our attention to the second train, which
+conveyed most of the regiment, under command of Major Bird. Some forty
+men with their arms and accoutrements were told off to each open
+truck, necessitating the tightest packing, which, however, had a
+beneficial effect in so far as it took off the worst part of the
+constant succession of jerks and jolts which the journey consisted of.
+But everybody was full of fun, and the men as merry as crickets at the
+change from the long days of uninteresting 'foot-slogging' and the
+prospect of a brush with the elusive De Wet.
+
+The officers--about twenty in number--travelled in the guard's van, on
+the floor of which they made themselves as comfortable as possible
+under the circumstances.
+
+[Illustration: Fourth Class on the Z.A.S.M.]
+
+After passing Vereeniging and duly admiring the excellent work of the
+sappers, the mess-president proposed that they should sample the
+hampers he had provided for them. This was carried unanimously, but at
+that moment the train began to slow up, and, anxious to see every new
+place, we determined to wait until the train started again, and then
+enjoy our dinner in peace and comfort.
+
+The sudden explosion of a shell from 'Long Tom' in our midst could not
+have had a more demoralising effect than the news which greeted us
+when we came to a standstill. It arrived in the shape of a telegram
+from the General, ordering the officers to ride in the trucks with the
+men, and to keep a sharp look-out for attacks from both sides. So
+there was no chance of any dinners after all, and all our visions of
+chicken and tongue, whisky and sparklets, and a hot cup of tea or
+chocolate resolved themselves into a lump of chocolate out of one's
+haversack and a pull at one's water-bottle. The mess-president proved
+himself a man of resource on this trying occasion. With hunger gnawing
+at his vitals he saw a beautiful dinner laid out in a waiting-room for
+some staff officers. Unable to satisfy his comrades he saw no reason
+why he himself should go unsatisfied, and in the three or four minutes
+occupied by the engine in watering he hastily bolted a fine plate of
+roast beef and potatoes, not omitting a bottle of beer standing hard
+by, and jumped into the train at the last moment, thanking his
+astonished host and friend, Major Hickie of the 7th Fusiliers, as the
+train moved off into the darkness.
+
+Anything more cheerless than the remainder of that night journey it
+would be hard to conceive. In the first place, when there are forty
+men in an open truck, it is very difficult to find room for two more.
+In the second place, it was bitterly cold, and a pitch-dark night. In
+the third place, the even-money chance of a slab or two of gun-cotton
+on the line ahead was not a pleasing one to contemplate. In the fourth
+place, the men were ordered to 'charge magazines,' and to spend
+several hours jolting along with the cold barrel of a loaded rifle
+poking one in the ribs, or insinuatingly tucking itself into the nape
+of one's neck, could by no stretch of imagination or fire-eating
+ambition be called comforting. However, there was one fine piece of
+news at any rate to act as a compensation, the surrender of Commandant
+Prinsloo and three or four thousand men to General Hunter.
+
+[Illustration: Fifth Class on the Z.A.S.M.]
+
+Once or twice ghostly forms on horseback loomed suddenly out of the
+blackness of the veld, momentarily lit up by the glare from the
+engine. On each occasion they shouted some warning, but what it was
+nobody could make out. Our engine-driver fully expected to be blown
+up, and had taken the bit between his teeth, cracking on at a pace
+that stirred up the living contents of the trucks behind him, until
+if any one of them had had a spare morsel of fat on him, he must
+inevitably have been churned into butter. Carrying on at this rate, we
+soon arrived at our destination, a small station called Kopjes. And
+when very shortly after our arrival two or three dull explosions in
+the direction whence we had come signified that the line had been
+blown up right enough, our gratitude to the engine-driver was
+considerably increased. Nor did his solicitude for our welfare end
+even then, for having effected his object, he said we could have as
+much boiling water out of the engine as we liked, and in less than
+sixty seconds we were drinking steaming hot chocolate, and returning
+grateful thanks to our host. If any one class more than another
+deserved special recognition during this war, it was the railway
+staff--the drivers, stokers, and guards. It is no exaggeration to say
+that during the whole war no train was ever run at night but that
+these men did not run the risk of being blown sky-high, in addition to
+all the other incidental dangers of their hazardous calling.
+
+The break in the line necessitated our waiting some two or three days
+at the station, until the remainder of the column got through. When it
+was at last assembled, we marched off due west, towards the sound of
+heavy firing in the distance. A march of fourteen miles brought us
+within sight and almost within range of a long, low line of kopjes,
+and here, we were informed on our arrival, was the famous guerilla
+chief, surrounded--so we were informed--at last, and only awaiting the
+arrival of our column to be finished off altogether. Without going so
+far as some of the subalterns, who on hearing he was surrounded seemed
+to anticipate the sight of De Wet in the middle of a sort of cock-pit,
+with the British forces sitting round, there still seemed a
+considerable number of sufficiently large gaps in the chain of columns
+and brigades slowly and ponderously extending round either flank of
+the Boer position. The firing we had heard had been from the Boer
+guns, they having shelled the Derbyshire Regiment out of their camp,
+which had been pitched imprudently close to the harmless-looking
+kopjes. Needless to say, there was not a move of any sort to be seen,
+and how on earth three or four thousand men managed to conceal
+themselves so absolutely must ever remain a marvel. True, their camp
+was beyond the crest-line, but it is certain they had outposts and
+sentries on the look-out, and these must of necessity have been posted
+where they could see us; but certain it was we could not see them,
+carefully as telescopes and Zeiss glasses swept every inch of the
+hills.
+
+Unfortunately we had to leave eighty-nine men behind at the railway,
+as they had no boots, a serious matter with every probability of a
+stiff fight on our hands: for General Hart's orders were to prevent De
+Wet going south; to attack, if necessary, to make him go north, but
+not to allow him to go in any other direction. This being so, our
+object was effected, as will appear later on.
+
+Another and equally sudden interruption to a meal took place on
+August 1st. Marshall's Horse, a Colonial corps of whom we saw a good
+deal, had gone out on a reconnaissance in the morning, and had some
+scrapping with the enemy's patrols, &c. But now word suddenly came
+that they were surrounded, and in a tight corner. Hastily dropping
+knives and forks, we fell in almost at the double, and, though
+somewhat struck by the incongruity and apparent anomaly in the fact of
+our cavalry being surrounded by the Boers when we had been distinctly
+informed that it was we who were surrounding them, set off as hard as
+we could lay legs to the ground. After marching between four and five
+miles, well within the hour, we met the doctor of our mounted corps,
+who said he had been taken prisoner and released, and that there was
+no necessity for going any further, as our friends had beaten off our
+enemies and were on their way back. So back we trudged too, meeting on
+the way what most of us thought was a squadron of cavalry, but which
+turned out to be Brigadier-General Little's cavalry brigade. The sight
+of the attenuation of this force afforded us food for reflection, and
+made some of us begin to understand a little how it was that, in spite
+of our magnificent paper forces, we still found such difficulty in
+rounding-up our foes.
+
+The next three or four days were uneventful. Lord Kitchener arrived
+and took over the chief command of all the forces, which now really
+seemed to be closing in on De Wet. The noose was being drawn tighter
+and tighter daily, and the Boers' position became more and more
+precarious. What would have happened but for Lord Kitchener's arrival
+it is hard to say, as General Hart, ever impatient of passivity, a
+very Ney for pertinacity of attack, personal bravery, and confidence
+in his troops, was undoubtedly on the eve of launching an attack. But
+in the light of the succeeding events, it is clear now that such an
+attack would have been premature and ill-timed. In the event of its
+non-success--and we had a very small force to carry it out with--the
+general operations would have been completely ruined, for we being
+the Southern force, there would have been nothing to prevent De Wet
+going south. In the event of success it would merely have meant that
+the Boers would have slipped away north two or three days sooner than
+they did, when, seeing that our arrangements to intercept them were
+not even then complete, an earlier start would have enabled them to
+carry out their retreat with even greater ease.
+
+Major King, of General Hunter's staff, now arrived in camp with a Boer
+prisoner, one of Prinsloo's staff. The latter was being sent through
+with a message to De Wet, informing him of the full magnitude of the
+Boer surrender at Golden Gate, and advocating his own relinquishment
+of further operations. They went through to the Boers' position, and
+were courteously received, but General De Wet declared it was
+impossible for him to think of giving up now, as he had President
+Steyn with him. Nobody believed in the excuse, and its purport is
+somewhat difficult to understand, but it ended the conference, and
+Major King and his prisoner returned to camp.
+
+Major English, whose eye had proved troublesome and kept him behind,
+now rejoined the battalion, to everybody's gratification, for the
+publication of Lord Roberts's army order, which took place at this
+time, had made us all very proud of him and his men.
+
+On the 5th an order was given to send out a small force, consisting of
+two companies of the regiment, a pompom, and a troop of Marshall's
+Horse, to a point five miles N.N.E. of the camp, in order to fill up a
+somewhat big gap between General Hart and the 3rd Cavalry Brigade. 'B'
+and 'G' companies, under an officer of the regiment, with Captain
+Nelson, R.M.L.I., and Lieutenants Smith and Molony as subalterns, and
+Lieutenant Nek of Marshall's Horse, were selected, and started as soon
+as the men's dinners were finished. General Hart rode out later on,
+and, catching this force up, selected a site, and gave orders to the
+officer commanding it to dig himself in, promising that the pompom,
+which had not turned up, should be sent on.
+
+In the meantime the remainder of General Hart's force also started
+digging, a very different state of affairs to his premeditated attack
+a couple of days earlier.
+
+The detachment sent out patrols on the morning of the 6th to see if
+they could draw the enemy's fire, with strict injunctions to content
+themselves with doing so and then withdraw. This they soon succeeded
+in doing. On their return they passed a farmhouse, and received
+information that an important Boer General was in the habit of
+sleeping there sometimes. Visions of a capture of De Wet inflamed the
+minds of some of the younger officers, and on the night of the 6th-7th
+Captain Nelson and Lieutenant Smith, with a few picked men, made a
+raid on the house. However, they found nobody but womenfolk, and
+returned empty-handed.
+
+Next day commenced our memorable pursuit. De Wet and his merry men had
+slipped away over the ford bearing his own name as neatly as a
+cherry-stone from between finger and thumb, and, with their heads
+turned north, were to give us, and many another converging column like
+us, the hunt of our lives. The regiment started at 11.30 and only
+halted at dusk, some three miles from a range of hills on which rumour
+said the Boers were going to stand and fight it out to the bitter end,
+even if the whole British Army came against them. 'B' and 'G'
+companies did not get in until 9 p.m., as, in addition to having an
+extra five miles to march, they had some trouble with their waggons.
+
+We marched all day on the 8th in an easterly direction along the left
+or southern bank of the Vaal River--a long, tiring, uneventful trek.
+Expecting momentarily to see our prey delivered over to us, our
+spirits sank lower and lower as the day dragged on with no sign of any
+Boers. There was the usual aggravating little drift to be negotiated
+at 6 p.m. only half a mile short of our camping-ground for the night,
+but eventually we got all the waggons over, and men and officers
+obtained something to eat. This proved one of the coldest nights of
+the winter, and there was ice instead of water in most of the
+water-bottles next morning when reveille went at 3.30 a.m.
+
+Starting at 5 a.m. we again went steadily on till 6 p.m., making well
+over thirteen hours without food. We skirted round the south of Parys,
+a name which appealed strongly to a good many of us, and suddenly
+heard the welcome sound of heavy firing not very far ahead. The column
+halted, and word soon came that this time our pains were really to be
+rewarded; the Boers were only six miles ahead, and Lord Methuen was
+engaged with their rearguard. All signs of hunger and fatigue at once
+disappeared, the regiment started trekking off once more,
+instinctively 'stepping out' as they went. The guns still thundered
+invitingly just ahead, and as we topped each fresh horizon or rounded
+the slope of the next kopje we all expected to see our prey close in
+front. But it was not to be. As the afternoon wore on the sound of the
+guns died away, until at last we came to a halt at dusk in a sort of
+amphitheatre among the low hills. Too tired to want much food, the men
+sank down with the delightful nightcap that reveille might again be
+expected at 3.30 a.m.
+
+The 10th proved more or less a repetition of the preceding days.
+Starting at 5 a.m., we did not halt till well after dark, the waggons,
+kits, food, &c., not getting up to us till 10 p.m. Seeing that there
+was no chance of any other food, some bullocks were commandeered, and
+the men cooked them in little chunks in their mess-tins over the grass
+fires. Tired out as they were it was too cold to get any sleep without
+blankets, and long lines of melancholy soldiers could be seen standing
+along the edges of the grass fires, against which their figures were
+outlined in bold silhouette, and from whose scanty flames they
+endeavoured to get what little warmth they could. Everybody was wet
+through to the knee, a good many to the waist, while some were soused
+all over, for in the course of our march we had turned due north, and
+crossed the Vaal at Lindeque Drift. The river is very broad here, and
+split up into numerous small streams, in the wading of which many
+humorous incidents took place, owing to the slippery nature of the
+rolling stones in the bottom of the river. A rolling stone may not
+gather much moss, but it is undoubtedly capable of gathering a
+considerable quantity of slimy weeds, and when concealed by two or
+three feet of running water it offers about as precarious a footing as
+it is possible to imagine.
+
+[Illustration: The Vaal River, Lindeque Drift.]
+
+Winding our way through the low hills on the Transvaal side of the
+river, we at length emerged on to an enormous plain. The far horizon
+was bounded by the Gatsrand hills, with which, as with another
+detached clump of rounded kopjes on our left, known as the Losberg, we
+were destined ere long to become closely acquainted. As we finally
+turned in about 11 p.m. we heard reveille was not to sound till 4.30
+a.m., but when some subaltern attempted a feeble joke about a 'Europe
+morning,' his effort met with nothing but silent contempt.
+
+There is little doubt that any one who shared in that next day's march
+will never forget it. As we proceeded across the illimitable plain a
+strong head-wind began to blow, increasing in strength as the day wore
+on. De Wet had fired all the grass ahead of us, with the result that
+the air was laden with millions and millions of particles of minute
+ashes and sharp cinders. These soon filled eyes, ears, nostrils,
+throats, and lungs, until breathing became well-nigh impossible, and
+the agony caused by their penetration into our eyes almost
+intolerable. But woe to him who endeavoured to alleviate his distress
+by wiping his eyes with grimy hands. Such action merely had the effect
+of 'rubbing it in,' and so accentuating the misery and discomfort. The
+men very soon began to fall out in ever-increasing numbers. On one
+occasion Captain Nelson, R.M.L.I., was seen straggling off right away
+from the column. Lieutenant Bradford went after him and found that he
+was temporarily quite blind. At last, after hours of torment, we
+reached a pass in the Gatsrand, on the far side of which we halted, as
+night fell. A big grass fire almost immediately broke out, and as the
+grass was long and thick, and a strong wind still blew to fan it,
+things looked very ugly. The flames swept right through the camp, but
+luckily the tents were not up. But what would happen when they reached
+the guns and ammunition? What, indeed, might have happened, but for
+the gallantry of the gunners and naval detachment, it is hard to say.
+As it was the ammunition-waggons caught fire and were sufficiently
+charred to demonstrate the closeness of the danger. But, as ever, 'the
+handy-man' was to the fore, and with promptitude and courage, that
+could not have been excelled, managed to extinguish the flames.
+
+And now for a wash--what, no water! No water, which, hungry and
+exhausted as they were, every one wanted even more than food. But,
+alas! it was too true, and after contenting ourselves with some liquid
+mud, flavoured with charcoal, called coffee, and some few mouthfuls
+of tough old trek-ox, liberally peppered with burnt grass, we only
+waited to hear that reveille was to be at 1.30 a.m. before sinking
+down to snatch what rest was possible. This delightful spot rejoiced
+in the refreshing name of Orange Grove.
+
+The 12th of August. Shade of St. Grouse! At 3 a.m. we were on the move
+in bright moonlight and sharp frost, with a wind blowing which cut
+like a knife. After doing some sixteen or seventeen miles we arrived
+about 10 a.m. at Wolverdiend station--a large force of cavalry and
+infantry assembled there, moving out as we moved in. Camp was pitched,
+and a good meal cooked--our first respectable one for three days--and
+then--then came the order to start off again in the afternoon. Wearily
+we resumed that march, but even as we started the prospect was
+brightened by the sound of heavy guns ahead, on our right front. We
+finally bivouacked for the night on the most stony kopje in all South
+Africa. It was impossible to find a spot anywhere that did not consist
+of sharp, jagged rocks, rendering sleep, to any troops less tired than
+we were, an utter impossibility. A rumour credited Lord Methuen with
+again having brought De Wet to bay, and we were almost positively
+assured that next day would end our laborious march.
+
+No less than ten mules were lost during the day, from utter
+exhaustion. Many a heart, weary in itself, ached yet more deeply for
+the sufferings entailed on the dumb animals.
+
+Reveille at 2, off at 3, was our time-table for the next day. After
+proceeding some five or six miles, the force came to the pretty little
+Mooi River. The Colonel found an excellent place for us to cross it,
+compared to the spot where the Somersets were obliged to plunge in. A
+halt was called on the far side, and a scratch meal taken. While thus
+employed, some of our troops who had been De Wet's prisoners, amongst
+them a couple of our own men, came in. They had been with De Wet's
+rearguard, and told us that when Lord Methuen had shelled it the day
+before, they had managed to escape; also that the fire of Lord
+Methuen's guns had knocked over a Boer gun and exploded one of their
+ammunition waggons. They added that De Wet was in command of a very
+considerable force, and some distance ahead.
+
+[Illustration: The R.D.F. bathing in Mooi River, Potchefstroom.]
+
+We presently resumed the pursuit, finally camping in some very
+desolate country, where the water was scarce and bad. Signs of
+over-fatigue and want of sleep were now becoming very apparent, a
+large number of men falling out and riding on the waggons. Poor
+fellows! they stuck it out as long as ever they could, but their socks
+gave out from the constant wettings, and they pitched them away,
+marching on in their boots until the pain of the raw chafes became too
+much to bear. There was never a grumble or complaint: a man simply
+asked to see his Captain, and respectfully said his feet had given
+way, and he must regretfully fall out. The officers knew it was true,
+and felt for their comrades whose emaciated kits precluded the
+possibility of a change. To such a state was the column now reduced
+that the General, who had ordered reveille for 2 a.m. the following
+morning, actually put it back till 6 o'clock.
+
+The regiment acted as rearguard on the 14th, and did not start till 9
+a.m., halting for a short time at mid-day near a blown-up Boer
+ammunition waggon. Every conceivable sort and kind of small-arm
+ammunition lay scattered around on the veld, and those who were keen
+on curios of this description made quite a collection of full and
+empty cases.
+
+The battalion lost eleven more mules, the poor brutes simply falling
+to the ground from utter exhaustion, being perforce left where they
+lay. We arrived in camp at 5.30 p.m., and then for the first time, in
+at all events some of our lives, heard two reveilles in one day, the
+hated call blaring in our ears at 10.30 p.m. Starting at 12, we pushed
+on, belts tightened, teeth clenched, and simply determined _not_ to
+give in. We were told that the cavalry brigades had De Wet at last at
+the foot of the Magaliesberg, only sixteen miles ahead. So on we went
+into the sheer and bitter night, more like ghostly shadows than
+anything else, as the spectral column wound its way through sleeping
+villages and over mile after mile of dark and silent veld. At last our
+eyes were gladdened by the sight of twinkling watch-fires on the
+slopes of some hills just ahead, and as the first signs of dawn began
+to become manifest, we sank wearily down to enjoy a few minutes'
+repose. But it was broad daylight when we woke, and alas! for all the
+hopes of the past eight days, the hills ahead were only occupied by
+our cavalry. Theirs had been the watch-fires of the dark hours of the
+night. The game was up, and we were told the first great De Wet hunt
+was over. Some one had failed to stop the earth; the fox had foiled
+his pursuers, and the various Generals reluctantly whipped off their
+hounds.
+
+It was a bitter disappointment. We had been so buoyed up by the
+promises held out to us. Every one had so thoroughly entered into the
+job, and plodded stolidly along; and all for nothing. Work which, if
+successful, would have lived in history, but which, being
+unsuccessful, was fated to be forgotten and ignored; and unsuccessful
+through no fault of any of the troops engaged in it. There was no
+General or Staff to blame: no regiment or department which could be
+hauled over the coals. No; some one had blundered, that was all. The
+point has never been exactly cleared up, and probably never will be,
+and there the matter ended.
+
+  'Lay not your blame on me: if you have lost him,
+  Why, I have lost him too.'--_Othello._
+
+So we turned over and fell asleep again, and woke up at 9 a.m. and had
+some breakfast, and were about to fall asleep again when the word came
+to fall in and march on to some other bivouac. The one we were in was
+good enough for us, but of course there was nothing for it but to
+obey, and we marched to a small village called Rietfontein. Here we
+heard that Colonel Hore's column was surrounded, and in a bad way,
+some eighty miles off, and that we were to form part of a small force,
+and make a forced march to his relief.
+
+Accordingly the column marched at 8 a.m. next morning. After going
+about two miles, an order arrived saying we were to go back; and back
+we went--a somewhat profitless proceeding, but doubtless unavoidable.
+The remainder of the day was spent resting, but it was known that
+reveille was to sound at midnight, and that we were to make a big
+effort next day.
+
+Starting at 1 a.m., and steadily tramping on till 9.30 a.m., we put
+twenty miles behind us. A halt was then made for a meal in rather a
+pretty spot, which actually boasted of some trees sufficiently large
+to afford shade, and under the foot of some well-wooded kloofs on our
+right. Resuming our march, we did some two or three miles more when
+word came that Colonel Hore was all right, having made a most gallant
+resistance and suffered many casualties, and that we were to go back
+the way we had come and march to Pretoria.
+
+By the time we got back to our bivouac it was still early in the day,
+and we had already marched twenty-five miles. Five more mules had
+fallen dead, making a total of thirty-eight since we started on the
+7th.
+
+On the 18th we resumed our return journey, if return journey it could
+be called, since wherever we were going it was a hundred to one
+against its being the place we had come from. After a short trek we
+out-spanned for breakfasts, and an order was then given that we were
+to stay where we were and bivouac there for the night.
+
+We moved to Vlakfontein next day, a distance of about sixteen miles,
+and the march quite uneventful. Rumour, however, pointed to
+Krugersdorp as our destination, and this must have been the exception
+that proves the rule, for on this occasion rumour proved right.
+
+Another long and equally uninteresting march of eighteen or nineteen
+miles, only relieved by the arrival in hot haste of an indignant
+Marquis. It appeared he had been at a farm some two miles off on our
+left front, and had been offered some tea, which he had refused, and
+on leaving the house had been shot at by about a dozen Boers. What it
+was all about, or what he had been doing alone at this farm, and why
+the Boers should not shoot at him when he withdrew, none of us could
+quite make out. However, there were some Boers there, so the Colonel
+fired a few long-range volleys in the direction indicated, but
+declined to make a deviation with a view to reprisals.
+
+Another eighteen miles on the 31st brought us to within about eight of
+Krugersdorp. About time too, for the men's boots were giving way
+badly, and scarcely one in ten had any socks.
+
+The eight miles proved to be very long ones, however--longer than even
+Irish miles--and although we had made an early start, it was noon
+before we at last reached Krugersdorp for the second time. On this
+occasion we halted on a hillside just outside the north of the town,
+and beside a sort of small suburb on the further side of the creek.
+
+Since leaving Heidelberg we had marched 289 miles. But of this
+distance 123 had been covered in the week during which we pursued De
+Wet, and 228 in the fortnight commencing August 7th. The longest
+distance covered in any one day had been the 25 miles on the day we
+turned. This marching was not done on roads it must be remembered, but
+across country, over hills, and through rivers, with frequent troubles
+with the unfortunate transport to overcome, and with very little food,
+and that of an inferior quality.
+
+So ended our attempt on foot to catch De Wet on a thoroughbred. It was
+hopeless from the first, and yet went within measurable distance of
+succeeding, though even if we had rounded up some of his force at
+Olifant's Nek, it is very doubtful if De Wet himself would have been
+caught.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+SEPTEMBER IN THE GATSRAND.
+
+  'Why gaddest thou about so much?'
+
+                              _Jer._ ii. 36.
+
+
+From August 23rd to 28th we obtained a very welcome week's rest, which
+would have been more enjoyable had the weather not broken badly,
+resulting in a succession of cold, high winds and heavy thunderstorms.
+These latter were of the most abominable description and a severe
+trial to those of us whose nervous systems were so constituted as to
+be affected by them. Some declared that they liked them; others
+frankly admitted that they detested them. They seemed to have a way of
+coming along about 4 p.m., and as soon as they got into position,
+immediately above our heads, opened fire. Needless to say, in the
+course of the long campaign there were a good many very narrow shaves,
+and one of our men was actually killed by lightning. The storms were
+almost invariably accompanied by torrential rain, which, though adding
+greatly to our discomfort, mitigated the danger, the local cognoscenti
+assuring us that even they looked upon a dry thunderstorm as no joke.
+
+The regiment was a good deal split up at this time owing to the men we
+had dropped behind us on our late trek; they had fallen out from a
+variety of causes, but ninety per cent. of them on account of sore
+feet or lack of boots. There were no less than 160 at Wolverdiend, 50
+at Rhenoster, 40 at Wolverhoek, and so on. The Colonel made many
+attempts to gather up his chickens once more, but when we started on
+our next trek we were still deficient of a good many. Major Bird left
+us at this time to go to Natal, where he was to arrange about our
+property, and organize orderly-room papers, etc. Major English was
+unfortunately down with a severe attack of dysentery, and had it not
+been for Major Rutherford's arrival on the morning of the 29th the
+battalion would have been Majorless. Our padre, Father Mathews,
+presented us with a very fine pair of koodoo horns which he picked up
+at a store while we were here. He had originally been attached to the
+Royal Irish Fusiliers, but had come to us after Nicholson's Nek. He
+remained with us till the end of the war, and proved himself a brave
+soldier and a welcome member of the mess.
+
+[Illustration: Father Mathews.]
+
+Orders were eventually issued for a start at 6 a.m. on the morning of
+the 29th, but a night of heavy rain and succession of thunderstorms
+put an early start out of the question, and we did not get off till 3
+p.m. The force was known as the Pochefstroom Column,[11] and our
+mission, as far as we knew, was to lay waste the country between
+Krugersdorp and that place, to fight the enemy whenever we met him,
+to bring in women and children, to destroy anything in the way of
+forage, &c., which might be useful to our enemies, if we could not
+bring it along for our own use; to collect waggons, cape-carts,
+animals, harness, &c.; and generally to carry fire and sword
+throughout the land.
+
+         [Footnote 11: South Wales Borderers, Royal Dublin Fusiliers,
+         half-battalion Somersetshire Light Infantry, 4.7 Naval Gun,
+         28th Battery Royal Field Artillery, Marshall's Horse, and
+         Yeomanry.]
+
+Moving off in a southerly direction through the town, we came to what
+should have been a harmless little drift, about two or three miles
+out. The recent rains had, however, transformed it into a formidable
+obstacle, and waggon after waggon stuck hopelessly in its miry
+embrace. The General, therefore, determined to halt on a rising slope
+on the far side, and as many waggons as possible were man-handled over
+the bog. Tents were pitched, but scarcely were they up when a furious
+storm burst overhead. In a minute everything and everybody was soused
+through and through, the scene being vividly lit up by the almost
+continuous flashes of vivid lightning, while the crashing, bellowing
+boom of the thunder in our ears made voices inaudible and orders
+perfectly useless. What sort of teas the regimental cooks prepared we
+did not know, but the invaluable and ubiquitous Corporal Tierney
+managed to bring each of us a cup of hot tea and a rasher or a steak
+in our tents. The storm lasted till dawn, when the heavy clouds, as if
+despoiled of their victims by the rising sun, reluctantly drew off
+northwards. A glorious morning was the consequence, but, of course,
+there was no chance of trekking for some hours to come.
+
+At 2 p.m. a start was again made, but as the tents and everything else
+were soaked through, and weighed fifty per cent. more than they would
+under ordinary circumstances, there was little hope that our transport
+animals would be able to drag them through any bad drifts. We only
+managed to do some seven miles before darkness came on, when we camped
+for the night at the Madeline Gold-mine. It was jumpy work here, as
+the whole place was honeycombed with prospecting-holes and ditches,
+varying in depth from three feet to about three hundred. How on earth
+no one fell in must ever remain a mystery, as, to add to the
+delightful freshness of the situation, a large herd of bullocks took
+command, and meandered through the camp, one of which moved the mess
+president on some considerable distance, fortunately for him with a
+horn on each side of him, instead of one through him, as was doubtless
+intended.
+
+We marched from the Madeline at 7 a.m. on August 31st, and after
+trekking some miles arrived at a large coal-mine, which seemed to be
+in very good order. This country had been the scene of a goodish bit
+of fighting. Not far off the ill-fated Jameson raid had come to its
+inglorious conclusion; a little further on the Gordons had suffered
+severely during the advance on Johannesburg; and here the Pochefstroom
+column was to be 'blooded.'
+
+We did not know that anything interesting was on the tapis until we
+saw the white cotton-wool puffs of our shrapnel bursting against a
+range of kopjes in our front. Then the Colonel told us that there were
+supposed to be a good many Boers on ahead, and that the General had
+gone off with a portion of the column to attack them, while we were to
+advance and seize and hold a nek, with a view to cutting off the
+retreating Boers, or threatening their left flank, or reinforcing our
+right, or some obscure purpose. It was the same in so many of our days
+of scrapping and trekking. Talk about the fog of war: we who were
+actually in the battle knew nothing about it. Doubtless the Commanding
+Officer was in the know, but the Company Officer, the commander of
+what is now recognised as the real fighting unit, he knew nothing. It
+was a funny fight. We trekked along, unconcernedly watching the pretty
+effect of our friends the gunners' practice; able with glasses to see
+the stones and dust driven ahead when the shells burst low; but unable
+to see any Boers. On reaching our destined spot we lay down and had
+a smoke, and thought of all sorts of things other than fighting, until
+at last news came from the General, and we heard we had fifteen
+casualties. So it had been quite a battle after all, as fights were
+going in those days, when any scrap that resulted in a casualty was
+known as a hardly-contested engagement.
+
+On the 1st we moved to a rather pretty camp, close under the far side
+of the hills, called Jakfontein. The General and the troops he had
+with him on the 31st arrived at about 5.15 p.m., and camped alongside.
+The General told the Colonel they had had quite a victory yesterday,
+driving the Boers from their position, and occupying it at nightfall.
+They also thought they had done a good deal of damage to them with our
+guns, as they withdrew.
+
+The column did not march on the 2nd, but two companies ('E' and 'F')
+under Captain Shewan proceeded to Bank Station as escort to the
+wounded, while two more ('A' and 'B'), under Major Rutherford, were
+sent off to commence the burning and looting, which, as far as we
+could understand, was the _raison d'etre_ of the column. However that
+might be, there was a tremendous fuss on their return, and all sorts
+of accusations made _re_ looting. There is no disguising the fact that
+we were altogether too squeamish, and that the orders on these and
+subsequent occasions were capable of more than one interpretation.
+Here were we in an enemy's country, badly off for a cart, let us say,
+for the officers' mess; the very thing is found in an unoccupied farm;
+to bring it along and use it was to loot: to burn it was to obey
+orders. At this length of time it is easy to write dispassionately,
+and there can be no harm in saying that it was vexing to be found
+fault with when under the impression that one was doing one's best for
+the general good, and not in any way profiting oneself. A few days
+later an officer searching a farm for concealed weapons, &c., came
+across a heavy ebony stick--just the thing he wanted. The old Boer
+lady made a great fuss about his taking it, saying it was all she had
+to beat the Kaffirs with. That finally determined him, more especially
+as he was not exactly standing on ceremony at the time, seeing the
+next company was being sniped at, and his turn liable to come at any
+moment.
+
+Captain G. S. Higginson was appointed Remount officer, and from this
+moment we began to lose sight of him, to everybody's great regret.
+
+After spending another day in bringing in forage and supplies, the
+column started at 9 p.m. on the 3rd on a night march. For the first
+four or five miles all went well, and the advance-guard, under the
+careful leading of Captain Romer, maintained the right direction.
+Then, however, the road made a sharp turn, and although Captain
+Romer's party followed the turn right enough, part of his
+advance-guard, under a subaltern, went wandering off into the black
+night. It took some time to retrieve them, and as the column
+immediately afterwards came to a deep drift, it was considerably
+delayed. 'G' company was sent up a high hill on the left to guard that
+flank until the whole of the transport and rearguard was past, and the
+cold on the top was a thing to remember. The main column got into
+bivouac shortly after 1 a.m., but this unfortunate company was out
+till 5, which, seeing the march was resumed at 6, was rather hard
+luck. However, there was plenty of that going for everybody in those
+days, and after the usual short 'grouse,' the sleepless night was
+forgotten.
+
+After moving into the hills about eight miles further, and passing
+through some beautiful farms, with every peachtree a mass of glorious
+bloom, the column halted. The Imperial Yeomanry, who had been scouting
+far ahead, now found themselves perilously involved with a small body
+of the enemy. General Hart, with a portion of the column, including
+the artillery and naval gun, moved out to extricate them, and very
+soon we heard heavy fighting going on. He succeeded in his object,
+however, at the expense of four of the Yeomanry wounded and one man
+killed. In the meantime, Colonel Hicks had thrown out outposts on the
+hills, 'G' company coming in for another sleepless night, probably
+through some mistake in the roster. Captain Nelson, R.M.L.I.
+(attached), had a somewhat peculiar experience. Having been detained
+for some purpose when his company was going out, he gave Lieutenant
+Marsh, his subaltern, orders where to go, and later on followed
+himself. But then he couldn't find them. Nor could the other companies
+on other hills see anything of them, though signals were flashed in
+the direction they had taken. It was not until next morning that they
+were discovered, quite close to the place they had been ordered to go
+to. It was characteristic of the nature of the country in which we
+were operating, and the excellent manner in which they hid themselves,
+that Captain Nelson should have missed them, for at one time he must
+have passed quite close to the piquet.
+
+Next morning Boers were reported in the vicinity. It is impossible to
+say they were in our front, as our front coincided with the report of
+the first visible Boer, and we simply went for anything we saw. Rumour
+put this force at 700 strong, but most people considered that an
+exaggerated estimate. We moved off in three columns: the South Wales
+Borderers took the right, moving along the difficult, serrated tops of
+the hills; the cavalry and yeomanry took the lower, more undulating,
+easier hills to the left, while the rest of us with the guns moved
+along in the centre; the General, conspicuous by a large red flag
+which a trooper carried behind him, moving wherever any opposition
+presented itself. It must be the unanimous opinion of all troops who
+knew our General, that a braver man never fought in action, but at the
+same time the man who carried that red flag deserved some honourable
+distinction. Perhaps he got it; probably he did not.
+
+After moving some two or three miles, our further way was blocked by
+mauser-fire from a very ominous, black-looking kopje which stretched
+down into the valley from the high ground on our left. The guns came
+into action against this hill at a range of about two thousand yards,
+and it seemed as if a golden-crested wren could not have escaped if it
+had been unlucky enough to be there. The shrapnel kept up an almost
+incessant hail, covering the wooded sides of the kopje with jets of
+round white balls of smoke, while every now and then the deeper note
+of the 4.7 was followed by a huge cloud of dust and yellowish vapour
+thrown up, and off, by the explosion of the lyddite in the huge
+projectile. How many Boers held that hill will probably never be
+known; only four were found. But a strange spectacle ensued. Emerging
+from the cover on the far side, rode, _ventre-a-terre_, a solitary
+horseman. Immediately two companies extended in our front opened fire
+on him. How he escaped was a marvel, for in front, behind, on every
+side of him could be seen 'the bullets kicking dust-spots on the
+green.' But escape he did, and many a 'Good luck to you' went after
+him, for he was a bold man to have stayed as long as he had, and fully
+deserved to escape. Our bombardment had effected one useful purpose.
+Amongst the killed was a Commandant called Theron, a brave,
+enterprising young fellow of about twenty-five years of age, whose
+exploits had already stamped him as a born leader of men. Our own
+casualties amounted to four yeomen wounded.
+
+We camped a little further on, and buried our enemy, and one of our
+own men who had died from his wounds, side by side, with all due
+honour, ceremony, and respect.
+
+[Illustration: Funeral of Commandant Theron and a British Soldier.
+September 6th, 1900.]
+
+September 6th was an unpleasant day. In the first place we made a very
+early start, which, after the two previous nights' work, was rather
+hard on the troops. Several had been without sleep for two nights, and
+engaged with the enemy all day. As far as fighting went this
+long-range scrapping was not of course worthy of the name, but as far
+as discomfort and fatigue were concerned, the operations were entitled
+to the most dignified and resonant title in the vocabulary. The 6th
+was an example. In the first place there was no fighting; in the
+second place, there was very little marching; in the third place,
+there was no rest; in the fourth place, there was no food. In the
+absence of definite orders the commanding officers delayed for a long
+time ere venturing to outspan and cook: when they did do so orders
+immediately arrived, scattering companies right, left, and centre, on
+the burning and capturing expeditions. Finally, when orders were
+published, they were for another night march, the object and
+destination of which were concealed even from officers commanding
+regiments. However, there was nothing for it but to make the best of
+an unpleasant state of affairs, to snatch a few mouthfuls of food
+whenever possible and a few minutes' sleep at any opportunity and once
+more the long column wound its way through the night. It arrived on
+the morning of the 7th at Wolverdiend station, where there was now a
+considerable garrison, among them 140 of our own men, who had been
+there since the De Wet trek. The day was passed in shifting camp and
+fatigue work in the station, where there was much to do in the way of
+loading and unloading trains.
+
+Captain Romer got three days' leave here to meet his father, the
+famous judge, who had come out as President of the Royal Commission.
+
+At 9 p.m. the column started on another night march, the battalion
+supplying the rearguard. It was weary work waiting on those occasions.
+Tents were struck, and coats, blankets, &c., packed on the waggons an
+hour before the advance-guard was due to march off, after which there
+was nothing to do but lie down on the ground in the bitter cold, and
+wait till all the transport had got away. Nor did the advance-guard
+have very much the best of it, as they of course arrived hours before
+the waggons, and had their shivering turn in the early morning, at the
+other end of the march.
+
+By 10 a.m. the column arrived at Klerkskraal, a small and very widely
+scattered village on the banks of the beautiful Mooi River, a stream
+of the clearest and most delicious water. Companies were sent to clear
+out the neighbouring farms as usual, and a good deal of information
+was gathered about a considerable quantity of the enemy, who had been
+trekking through for some time past in small groups.
+
+A dozen fine Indian tents, the gift of Rai Bahadur Boota Singh, of
+Rawal Pindi, were handed over to us here for the use of the officers.
+Very welcome they proved, as our old ones were nearly worn out.
+
+Sunday, September 9th, 1900, was a day that will live long in the
+annals of the battalion. It was given out that in view of the hard
+work done by the troops, the day would be treated as a day of rest,
+almost immediately following which order came another, detailing two
+companies of each corps to go out on the unpleasant foraging duties.
+The roster declared that 'G' and 'H' companies were next in
+succession, and these two companies started immediately, officers and
+men snatching a hasty and very scratch breakfast before starting. They
+were out all day, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., during which time they were
+gathering in supplies of straw, fodder, &c., together with all carts,
+waggons, and harness in a serviceable condition, burning such as they
+could not carry away with them. At about 5 p.m. a heliograph message
+recalled them to camp, in reaching which they had to cross a small
+stream with a snipe-marsh on either side: the waggons of course stuck,
+but the men set to with a will, impelled doubtless by a keen desire to
+get back to their dinners in camp, and dragged them out one by one
+with ropes. A dismal surprise was in store for them. For even as they
+came in sight of the camp, it was struck, and in place of the dinners
+they had so fondly anticipated, some tea alone awaited them. The
+officers were even worse off, for as the mess president had been
+employed with the two companies out foraging, no one else had thought
+of keeping even a cup of tea for them, and, exhausted as they were by
+ten hours' work without food, under a burning sun, they received the
+pleasing intelligence that the column was starting at once to march to
+Pochefstroom, a distance variously estimated at from thirty-five to
+thirty-eight miles.
+
+[Illustration: Buffelsdoorn Camp, Gatsrand Hills.]
+
+The force marched in three parts. First, mounted men, guns, and 'A'
+and 'E' companies Royal Dublin Fusiliers in waggons. Then the main
+body of infantry, and lastly the transport with 'G' and 'H' companies
+Royal Dublin Fusiliers as rearguard. There was a moon for most of the
+way, but it only served to make the surroundings more weird. Parallel
+to our right ran a low range of hills, whilst on the left was the Mooi
+River, with a farm looming up out of the night every mile or so along
+the way. There was one halt of half an hour towards midnight, but the
+remainder of the halts were merely of the usual five minutes'
+duration. And hard it was to resume the weary way at the end of even
+those brief spells of rest. Every one was so fit that the actual
+marching was nothing like so trying as the difficulty of keeping awake
+through the long, dreary hours, and one would time after time drop
+asleep as one walked mechanically along, only to wake in the very act
+of falling. Frederickstadt was reached in the small hours of the
+morning, and the stream crossed to its left bank. There was then a
+halt of about an hour to close up the transport, and very welcome it
+was, for we were still an ordinary day's march from our destination.
+Turning to our right, we brought the Gatsrands on our left, and the
+word went forth that the Boers were in them, a report which seemed to
+be confirmed a moment later as a blaze of light suddenly appeared
+above their summits. 'There they are!' 'That's their signal lamp!'
+were the comments that greeted the glory of the morning star, whether
+Jupiter or Venus, on that as on many a previous and subsequent
+occasion. On straggled the column, many of the men completely worn
+out, having been reluctantly compelled to avail themselves of the
+permission to ride on the waggons; the remainder, with grim
+determination to march till they dropped, trudging patiently and
+silently on. At last came the welcome flush of dawn; no 'envious
+streaks' these, but the first message from the longed-for day which
+ended that abominable night. When Pochefstroom finally came in sight
+it was still a good five miles off, and those last five miles were as
+bad as any part of the march. For though in some mysterious way the
+coming of day had dispelled to a great extent the deadly sleepiness
+from which most of us suffered, our aching limbs now began to make
+themselves manifest, and those far-off trees never seemed to get any
+nearer. However, by ten o'clock the last man was in, but very nearly
+done. It had been a remarkable march--very remarkable seeing the
+conditions under which some of the troops performed it.[12] For to do
+from thirty-five to thirty-eight miles, most of it by night, on an
+empty stomach, after a hard ten hours' work under a hot sun, in
+sixteen hours, is a performance of which any troops may be justly
+proud.
+
+         [Footnote 12: That minor operations such as these should
+         receive but scant recognition at the hands of historians is
+         not to be wondered at, but neither the official nor the
+         _Times_ histories in their accounts of this surprise of
+         Pochefstroom found space to mention the length of this march,
+         an omission which is very greatly to be wondered at.]
+
+Nor was it altogether without result, for our mounted and
+waggon-carried troops had arrived much earlier, and, fairly taking the
+place by surprise, had surrounded it, killed seven, and captured some
+seventy or eighty prisoners, and put a good many more to ignominious
+and hasty flight.
+
+We also obtained some draught beer. Beer! None of us had tasted it for
+months. How it went down! Yet our memory of it is sad, for the
+unfortunate manager of the brewery was afterwards shot by the Boers
+for selling it to us. The column remained at Pochefstroom till the
+12th, our stay being darkened by the melancholy death of the
+signalling officer, Lieutenant Maddox, of the Somersetshire Light
+Infantry, who was shot through the heart while going round his
+stations.
+
+[Illustration: A Group of Boer Prisoners taken at the Surprise of
+Pochefstroom.]
+
+On the 12th Colonel Hicks took command of a small force[13] which
+moved out to occupy some kopjes overlooking two drifts over the Mooi
+River. Starting at about 3 p.m., we did not reach our destination
+(some five miles south of Frederickstadt) till dark. Somewhat to our
+surprise, the hills were unoccupied, as Boers were known to be in the
+vicinity, while there had been a certain amount of distant sniping
+throughout the march. Putting piquets at the drifts, the infantry and
+guns occupied one hill, and the mounted troops another hard by. We had
+just turned in for the night when a sharp rifle-fire broke out all
+along the front, to which our sentries were not slow to respond. We
+immediately occupied the posts to which we had been assigned, but the
+firing soon died away. No one was hit by the enemy, but an unfortunate
+trooper in Marshall's Horse was shot by a comrade, and later on
+succumbed to the wound.
+
+         [Footnote 13: Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 100 cavalry, two
+         guns.]
+
+[Illustration: Colour-Sergeant Cossy issuing Beer.]
+
+At daybreak on the 13th, we located a Boer laager some five miles out
+on the plain. One of our officers had a deer-stalking telescope, with
+which it was possible to follow the movements of the Boers as they
+woke up, a most interesting spectacle. They were of course far out of
+range of our fifteen-pounders, but just as we were regretting our
+inability to get at them, General Hart's force from Pochefstroom could
+be seen trekking slowly in their direction from our left front. We,
+from our elevated position, could see what the Boers could not, and to
+watch our comrades creeping slowly nearer, while the Boers were
+loitering about and stretching themselves, was a sight the opportunity
+to view which was seldom afforded in the course of the war. But long
+before the General got close enough to do any harm, the alarm went.
+Any one who has ever seen a pebble cast into an ants' nest can realise
+the proceedings of the next two minutes. Darting about in every
+direction, the Boers caught their horses and inspanned their transport
+with a celerity which fairly took our breath away, and in what seemed
+an incredibly short space of time they were trekking away across our
+right front, their movements still more hastened by a few rounds from
+the naval guns. Moreover, they came within very long range of our
+fifteen-pounders, so we were enabled to return them a 'quid' for their
+'quo' of the previous night, with probably about the same result to
+their skins, though one riderless horse could be seen careering about.
+
+A helio message from the General instructed us to march off and join
+him at Frederickstadt, where we arrived that afternoon, spending the
+morning in the usual domiciliary visits, getting a really handsome
+waggon for the mess, and carefully searching a farmhouse belonging to
+the Bezuidenhouts.
+
+On the 14th there was a considerable amount of firing in the
+neighbourhood, but nobody seemed to take much interest in it. As,
+however, it resulted in the loss of twelve mules and some waggons, and
+one gunner wounded, it is hoped that we did some damage in return.
+
+On the 15th Colonel Hicks again took out a small force of all
+arms,[14] for the purpose of getting in more stores, of burning
+Bezuidenhout's farm (it being now clear he had murdered two
+telegraphists), and to hold the kopjes we were on the 13th, while the
+Somersetshire Light Infantry marched to join us from Pochefstroom. The
+country was now thoroughly infested with Boers, who made some slight
+effort to oppose Colonel Hicks. He very soon brushed them aside,
+however, and, marching his force along two parallel ranges of low
+hills, arrived at the place where we had bivouacked on the night of
+the 12th-13th. Dinners were cooked on arrival before the companies
+went out marauding. Whilst they were being prepared a cartridge went
+off in one of the fires, and severely wounded one of the cooks, the
+bullet penetrating his chest. This poor fellow was later on sent into
+hospital at Krugersdorp, and, as the wound never improved, was
+eventually invalided home. But the line was blown up just in front of
+his train, and he was brought back to hospital. He soon began to
+recover, and one day went wandering about without his hat, got
+sunstroke, and died, one piece of bad luck on the top of another, and
+a melancholy example of how 'when sorrows come, they come not single
+spies, but in battalions.'
+
+         [Footnote 14: Royal Dublin Fusiliers, two guns, twenty-five
+         Yeomanry.]
+
+A convoy under Captain H. W. Higginson, arrived at Frederickstadt at
+this time, after having been considerably pestered by some Boers who
+had shelled him with a nine-pounder Krupp, and severely wounded one of
+our men. Luckily, the General had sent out a small force with two guns
+to meet this convoy, or it might have had a very much worse time.
+
+Next day Bezuidenhout's farm was duly burnt, and at 3 p.m. the force
+started to march back to Frederickstadt, the Somersetshire Light
+Infantry (wing) under Major Williams, with eighty prisoners, a large
+number of refugees and waggons, starting an hour earlier, having of
+course further to go. The march was not interfered with, and the force
+reached its old quarters once more before dark.
+
+The dreary monotony of these days and nights of trekking and foraging
+suffered a variation on the 17th. In the morning 'A' company, under
+Major Rutherford, took over the eighty odd prisoners from
+Pochefstroom, and marched off with them to Wolverdiend. In the
+afternoon a shell suddenly burst in the middle of the camp. The cheek
+of these foes of ours. The first arrival was shortly followed by
+several more in quick succession, some of which landed in camp, and
+some of which went over our heads. We turned out, lowered the tents,
+and then lay down in extended order, trying to locate the position of
+the hostile gun. At last some one saw the flash, after which our naval
+gun and fifteen-pounders picked up the range with admirable celerity,
+immediately silencing the opposition. At a range of 3600 yards, the
+second shot from the naval gun had burst within four feet of the
+marks of the Krupp nine-pounder which had been shelling us.
+
+At the time the enemy opened fire a regimental court-martial for the
+trial of twenty-one prisoners had just assembled, under the presidency
+of Captain Shewan. On the arrival of the shells, the court, escort,
+witnesses and prisoners dissolved themselves with one accord, and were
+not afterwards reassembled.
+
+  'In such a time as this it is not meet
+  That every nice offence should bear his comment.'
+
+                              _Julius Caesar._
+
+The sun was in the enemy's eyes, and the village of Frederickstadt
+almost immediately behind our camp, which may account in some measure
+for the indifference of their fire, as we must have offered a
+magnificent target to them. As it was, our only losses were four
+horses, not a man being hit. But we were fairly caught napping.
+
+The General ordered the regiment to take possession of the hill, which
+was done without any further fighting, two companies being left on
+outpost duty on its summit.
+
+On the 18th some of the usual desultory sniping commenced on the other
+side of the camp, but a demonstration by the inlying piquet ('G'
+company, 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers) was sufficient to put a stop to
+it.
+
+Major Bird arrived back from Maritzburg. Next day the trek commenced
+once more. A small force[15] was left behind under command of Major
+Bird to hold the hills from which we had been shelled, and to take
+care of most of the transport. The remainder of the column marched at
+11 p.m. on Ventersdorp, where some Boers were reported. After marching
+all night and covering some twelve miles, the enemy opened fire in
+front and on both flanks. Our guns came into action, and a sort of
+running fight was maintained. Eventually the enemy took up a more
+definite position, when General Hart ordered Colonel Hicks, with two
+companies of the regiment, two guns and a pompom, to advance to a
+small ridge on one flank, while he with the remainder of the force
+marched round the enemy's rear. This resulted in the evacuation of
+their position, when Colonel Hicks's small party got an opportunity to
+deliver an effective fire on them.
+
+         [Footnote 15: Half-battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, one
+         company Somerset Light Infantry, two guns 28th Battery Royal
+         Field Artillery, and twenty Marshall's Horse.]
+
+Next day sniping at the bivouac began at dawn, but the troops were
+allowed a meal before resuming their march. Colonel Hicks was again
+detailed to take a kopje from which a considerable but ineffectual
+fire was coming. Moving steadily on, with his 200 men in
+widely-extended order, he brought a maxim into action, which had the
+effect of clearing the hill, but the long-range fighting went on
+without a break till the evening.
+
+Having more or less broken up the Boers in this direction, orders were
+issued for the return march to Frederickstadt. An early start was
+made, and at 10 a.m. a halt and outspan ordered. At mid-day the
+officers commanding units were sent for, when the General informed
+them that a large force of Boers, under Steyn and De Wet, with women
+and children, 3000 strong, was reported in the neighbourhood of
+Klerksdorp. Rumour further said that they were so bewildered by our
+apparently aimless midnight movements that they neither knew where to
+go nor what to do. The General added that it was his intention to
+march again in the afternoon in their direction, to have another
+outspan at dusk, and then to march all night and surprise them next
+morning. The commanding officers looked at one another in blank
+amazement, for they knew better than the General could the effect
+these constant nights without sleep and days of fighting without food
+were having on their men, but there was nothing for it, and the
+General called upon his troops for one more supreme effort. At the
+same time he heliographed to Major Bird to march from Frederickstadt
+and join him _en route_, which was done.
+
+Major Bird's force had not been left altogether unmolested during this
+time. The company of Somersetshire Light Infantry were holding a small
+knoll in prolongation of his left, and some 2000 yards off. Against
+them the Boers brought up their Krupp gun which they had used against
+us two or three days before. The range was considerable, but they
+managed to reach their target; yet, though they fired twenty-three
+shells into the camp of this company, the only damage they did was to
+knock the top off a box of eggs _without breaking a single egg_. They
+also managed to pitch a shell or two amongst the transport. Our
+fifteen-pounders endeavoured to reply, but, in spite of digging deep
+holes for the trails, were unable to reach the ridge from which the
+Boers were firing.
+
+Major Bird's force having joined hands with the main column shortly
+after dark, the long march was resumed at 10 p.m. It was a pitch-dark
+night, and the difficulty of keeping in touch, and the still greater
+difficulty of keeping the transport in touch, wore out tempers as well
+as sinews. On one occasion the regiment as nearly as possible got
+left. We were following the first-line transport of the corps
+immediately in front of us, and keeping close up to it, but the
+Colonel got anxious, and, after several times asking the adjutant if
+he was certain we were in touch, told him to ride on and see. He came
+back in a few minutes to say that there was nothing to be seen ahead.
+The carts in front had lost touch, and they were all we had to guide
+us. The adjutant at once cantered on, and had the good fortune to
+shortly pick up the tail of the column, when everything was soon all
+right again. The march continued the whole night, dawn being heralded
+by the corncrake-like note of the pompom, which led us to hope we had
+effected our object. But once again it was not to be, for the Boer
+laager had moved off, and from the top of a small hill could be seen
+trekking away about 7000 yards distant. Men and horses had been at it
+since 6 a.m. the day before, and any further pursuit was out of the
+question. Indeed, an extra two or three miles that had to be done to
+reach a better camping-ground almost proved the last straw. The right
+half-battalion had marched thirty-three miles in the twenty-four
+hours, and only slept on one night out of the last three, while the
+left half-battalion had done twenty-six miles in eighteen hours.
+
+Our enemy had slipped away once more at the critical moment, but our
+spirits were raised all the same by the arrival of a dispatch, which
+we understood called us back to Krugersdorp and hinted that the war
+was over.
+
+After a day's rest at this rather pleasant camp, the force moved into
+Pochefstroom (eighteen miles), and marched past the General in the
+Market Square on the 25th, remaining there until the 27th. It had been
+on the move for nearly a month with very little rest, during which
+time men and horses had undoubtedly got very wiry and fit. But beyond
+collecting a certain amount of stores, cattle, and forage, it is
+doubtful whether all the forced marches and strenuous exertions had
+been of much benefit, or whether they served to bring hostilities much
+nearer to a conclusion. Although the enemy, in more or less force, had
+been viewed practically every day, it had always been impossible to
+bring him to close quarters, and the policy of wearing out
+infantrymen's hearts, tempers, constitutions, and boots in abortive
+pursuits of mounted enemies was, and in the light of all that we now
+know still is, open to question, for a reference to the _Times_
+history of the war shows that all our wanderings and meanderings are
+summed up in very few sentences, the most pregnant of which is to the
+effect that word had gone out to the Boer Commandoes not to interfere
+with us.
+
+On the 27th the column started on its march back to Krugersdorp, and
+did the distance (sixty-two miles) in four easy stages. It marched by
+the road south of the Gatsrand Hills, with the Losberg on its right,
+and with the exception of one day (29th) without molestation from the
+enemy. On that occasion they made a somewhat determined attack on the
+rearguard, attempting to cut off some waggons, and the last few miles
+of the march took the shape of a running fight. The General had ridden
+on ahead with the cavalry to our next camp, so Colonel Hicks sent back
+a couple of guns to the rearguard, who shook off the terrier-like
+attentions of the enemy without very much trouble; but they had
+delayed the march a good deal, and it was not till late in the evening
+that every one got in, and heard that the war really was over at last.
+An officer in the regiment who was considerably exhausted sank on to
+his valise, too tired to care for anything. His servant said to him,
+'We'll be in Krugersdorp to-morrow, sorr, and I'll be able to get yiz
+some claning matherials,' to which his weary master replied, 'I don't
+care a damn whether I'm clean or whether I'm dirty.' In answer his man
+made the following cryptic remark: ''Tis no use talking like that,
+sorr. Lord Roberts says the war is over, and we'll begin soldiering
+now.'
+
+The following summary of the work done was published for
+information:--
+
+
+'SUMMARY OF WORK OF POCHEFSTROOM COLUMN.
+
+'The Pochefstroom column started from Krugersdorp on the 29th August,
+and returned on 30th September. The task of the column is to assist in
+stamping out the resistance of the remaining scattered forces of the
+enemy by hunting them, and depriving them of their supplies of food
+and transport, with a view to bringing the war to an end. In the first
+cruise of 33 days the column has marched 310 miles--the length of
+England from Portsmouth to Scotland--and was in action with the enemy
+on 29 days, putting them to flight on each occasion. The column's
+casualties were only 3 killed, 24 wounded, and 3 missing. The Boers
+lost considerably according to accounts of Kaffirs present; we found
+some of their dead, including General Theron. In prisoners of war
+and important arrests, the column took 96 of the enemy. Loyal
+inhabitants, numbering 316 men, women, and children, were rescued from
+Pochefstroom, and safely conveyed to Wolverdiend. General Liebenburg
+ordered General Douthwaite to attack this convoy, but Douthwaite
+thought it dangerous, and was arrested by Liebenburg for suggesting
+that he, Liebenburg, "had better do it himself." The convoy was not
+attacked. The column took from the enemy the following cattle: 2720
+sheep and 3281 goats; 1066 sacks of mealies, 104 sacks of meal, 2
+waggon-loads of mealie cobs, 12 sacks of wheat, 847 loaves of bread,
+162 sacks of potatoes, 68 sacks of oats, 33 sacks of bran, 36,000
+bundles of oat-hay, 299 bales of chaff, 400 bundles of manna-hay, 90
+horses, 28 ponies, 11 mules, 36 waggons, 31 carts, and destroyed 45
+waggons and carts that could not be taken away.
+
+               '(Signed)               A. HART (Captain),
+                                  '_C.S.O. Pochefstroom Column._
+
+  '_Krugersdorp, 2nd October, 1900._'
+
+[Illustration: 'Come to the Cook-House Door, Boys!']
+
+  'We looked for peace, but no good came.'--_Jer._ viii. 15.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+FREDERICKSTADT--KLIP RIVER--THE LOSBERG.
+
+  'Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,
+  And Heaven's artillery thunder in the skies?'
+
+                              _Taming of the Shrew._
+
+
+Our camp, on this our third visit to Krugersdorp, was on the
+south-west side of the town. The 6th Brigade (General Barton's) was
+also in Krugersdorp, and had been for some time, so it was with
+somewhat mixed feelings that we heard we were to set out on the trek
+once more almost immediately. However, in the end the other brigade
+went out, with what result will presently appear. Krugersdorp was now
+surrounded by a large circle of forts and fortified houses. The
+perimeter of these defences was very large, not far short of twelve
+miles, but the positions themselves were well selected from a tactical
+point of view. As they were continually being strengthened, improved,
+and added to, in a few months' time it would have been very difficult
+for the Boers to have taken the place, provided a sufficient garrison
+remained in it. But this strength, or sometimes weakness, was a
+constantly varying one--about the middle of December sinking as low as
+300--which of course was risking a good deal. Moreover, it was not
+until some time later, when the Officer Commanding Town Guards devised
+an inner series of defences, that the town could be said to be in any
+way safe from a midnight raid; and it was this, more than even the
+capture of the place, which seemed so likely to occur, when the banks
+and stores could have been cleared out in a few minutes, and the
+raiding party gone before any force could have been assembled to
+interfere with it. The town was, of course, full of spies and
+friendly enemies, ever on the look-out for any chance of getting a bit
+of their own back--and who could blame them?--but on the whole
+remained very quiet and well-behaved throughout the occupation.
+
+The regiment's headquarters were destined to remain here for the rest
+of the campaign, with the exception of the three treks which form the
+subject of this chapter, and Krugersdorp will ever be identified with
+our name in South Africa in consequence. As we got to know its
+inhabitants better, and as they got to appreciate our men better, a
+kindlier feeling was generated on both sides, with which improved
+state of affairs the cricket and football we played with them had not
+a little to do.
+
+General Barton moved off on October 5th, with much the same commission
+that General Hart had carried, and immediately came into contact with
+the enemy, the noise of the fight sounding loud in our ears, while
+from Captain Nelson's piquet the bursting shells and even some of the
+Boers could be plainly seen. The day before a flag of truce had come
+in with a letter, saying that one of our men was lying wounded in a
+farmhouse a little way outside the outposts; a waggon was sent out and
+brought him in, when he proved to be one of our mounted infantry, who
+had been wounded in Colonel Rochfort's dashing attack on a Boer laager
+near Pretoria.[16] The Boers had looked after him as well as they
+could, and dressed his wounds according to their homely lights, and
+altogether played the game so far as he was concerned.
+
+         [Footnote 16: The writer was recently dining with
+         Colonel--now Major-General--Rochfort, when that officer
+         particularly asked him to mention how splendidly the party of
+         Dublin Fusiliers under his command had behaved on this
+         occasion, and his admiration of their soldierly conduct at
+         all times while serving under him.]
+
+Next day still brought the sound of General Barton's artillery, and
+the right half-battalion under Major Bird went out as escort to two
+waggon-loads of ammunition for him. The General sent half-way to meet
+him, and our men got back all right about 6 p.m.
+
+With the advent of summer the thunderstorms increased in frequency and
+severity, and it was no joke to have to suddenly jump up and hang on
+to the pole of one's tent to prevent it being blown away, with the
+uncomfortable knowledge that lightning has a partiality for running
+down tent-poles. We had one really bad experience in this way, to be
+narrated later, but nothing to touch the blizzard that struck the camp
+of the 5th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers near Mafeking, when sheets
+of corrugated iron flew about like packs of gigantic cards, and
+Colonel Gernon and Captain Baker, the Quartermaster, together with
+many others, sustained very serious injuries. Still, our share was bad
+enough, and quite spoiled the summer for a good many of us. The
+mornings would break clear, cloudless, and invigorating; but about 3
+p.m. on about three days of the week, a bunch of cotton-wool clouds
+would appear from the south. As these rose higher and higher, they
+swelled into enormous piles of grand, rolling cloud-masses, like
+stupendous snow-clad mountains, whose bases grew black and ever
+blacker, until they would suddenly be riven by blinding flashes of
+flickering ribbons of lightning, and the air torn and rent by
+reverberating booms of awe-inspiring thunder.
+
+Second Lieutenant Tredennick joined at this time. Second Lieutenant R.
+F. B. Knox should have arrived with him, but had to remain behind in
+Johannesburg, as he was seedy. The train they were in had been
+attacked by Boers near Heidelberg.
+
+Rumour now began to be busy with General Barton's force, and on the
+22nd an order came for General Hart to join him. We had just packed
+up, when an order came countermanding the move.
+
+Next day, however, another order came to the same effect, but
+detailing Colonel Hicks to command the column. Though small in point
+of numbers,[17] it would have been hard to have picked a better one in
+point of quality. A finer body of horsemen, or one more adapted to the
+work in hand, than Strathcona's Horse it would be impossible to
+conceive. Without making any invidious comparisons, it is only just to
+say that these Canadian troops appeared to us to have no superiors,
+while the truly magnificent way in which they literally brushed away
+the opposition, on the morning we joined hands with General Barton,
+was a sight to be remembered.
+
+         [Footnote 17: 600 Strathcona's Horse, 160 Brabant's Horse, 2
+         Elswick guns, 1 pompom, Essex Regiment, 1/2-battalion Royal
+         Dublin Fusiliers.]
+
+The regiment was entrained, but did not get off till about 5 p.m., our
+departure being marked by a peal of thunder which made even those who
+declared themselves fond of such phenomena nearly jump through the
+roof of the guard's van. We only got as far as Bank Station, as the
+line was reported infested with the enemy, and it was important that
+we should not be blown up. Indeed, we had scarcely arrived there, when
+a loud explosion--fortunately behind us--proved the activity of our
+watchful foes. After making teas we bivouacked in the train.
+
+The regiment reached Wolverdiend next day, in the course of which the
+remainder of the force assembled, preparations being made for an early
+start next morning.
+
+Fearing that information would get through, the Colonel gave orders
+that the column would start at 6 a.m., but at the same time issued
+confidential orders to officers commanding units that he really
+intended to start at 3.30 a.m. Unfortunately, however, it rained so
+hard all night that it was impossible to start until 5 a.m. Colonel
+Hicks sent Strathcona's Horse out to the front and left flank, while
+Brabant's Horse took the right flank and front. The Essex Regiment
+supplied the advance-guard, while one company of the Dublin Fusiliers
+acted as rearguard and escort to the waggons. In this order the force
+approached a low line of bush-covered hills, which separated them from
+General Barton. These hills were occupied by two or three hundred
+Boers, who had been detailed to check our advance. On arrival within
+rifle-range of the hills, Strathcona's Horse made a dash right at
+them, the effect of which was so imposing that the enemy immediately
+resigned all idea of resistance, and bolted as hard as they could go.
+With this range of kopjes in our possession, the rest was plain
+sailing, and we marched on to the hill on which the larger part of
+General Barton's force was posted. The column had barely arrived when
+a fierce rifle-fire broke out in front. It was impossible to see what
+was going on, as the hillside was covered with thick mimosa bush, but
+that a fierce fight was raging in our close proximity was very evident
+from the prolonged and heavy fire, in which the pompoms soon began to
+take part, while the naval gun and smaller field-pieces joined in.
+Colonel Hicks, accompanied by an officer of the Dublin Fusiliers, then
+climbed some little way up the hill in the direction of the 4.7, and
+there a sight met their eyes which was seldom seen in this war. The
+plain at their feet, stretching from the railway west to the village
+of Frederickstadt, was covered with flying Boers--Boers flying on
+their feet, a most unusual occurrence with them. As they fled across
+the open veld in full view, they were pursued by every variety of
+missile. In one spot, seven Boers were running side by side. The
+officer with Colonel Hicks had just drawn his attention to them, when
+a shell from the naval gun burst in the air behind them, and a second
+later tore up the ground all round. Five fell at once; the other two
+staggered on a few paces and then fell also, all seven being
+afterwards found stone-dead. It was all over in a very short time, and
+then the stretcher-bearers began to come in with their patient,
+gruesome burdens, and the prisoners arrived under escort, to be
+handed over to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers for safe custody.
+
+[Illustration: Plan of Battle of Frederickstadt.]
+
+Then we heard the story of the fight. General Barton's position, which
+he had occupied for some days, extended along a line of low hills, the
+two main features of which were divided by a valley running back at
+right angles to the railway into the Gatsrand, the general line of the
+position being parallel with the railway. The station was held and
+used as a hospital, while the hill on which General Barton's camp was
+situated extended down to the railway, and was the nearest point to
+the river. For some days the Boers, under De Wet, had been gathering
+round this position, and the force had been subjected to a constant
+shell-fire and the intermittent attentions of a particularly
+aggressive and unlocatable pompom. Under the railway, about midway
+between General Barton's two main positions, ran a small, dry donga.
+Into this underfeature De Wet had ordered about 200 men on the night
+of the 24th-25th. The first indication of their presence was a
+somewhat foolish attempt made by them to capture some mules. Unaware
+of their numbers--and truly the situation was such that any one could
+be pardoned for not grasping it at once--a company or part of a
+company was sent forward to dislodge them and clear up matters. The
+Boers allowed them to approach quite close, and then annihilated them.
+It was now very evident that the donga was held in force, and, as the
+General was aware by this time of the arrival of Colonel Hicks'
+column, he launched a vigorous attack. This was the heavy firing we
+heard on our arrival. After offering a slight resistance, some of the
+enemy surrendered, the remainder flying on foot as already stated to
+their horses, which they had left amongst the trees near the river. It
+is not often the Boer leaves his horse thus, and it offered strong
+presumptive evidence of their confidence in their ability to rush the
+position, in accordance with De Wet's intention.
+
+The battalion bivouacked on the hill, and threw out outposts. To them
+was also assigned next morning the intensely unpleasant duty of
+shooting three prisoners who had been tried and found guilty of
+showing the white flag and afterwards resuming their fire. 'G'
+company, being the nearest piquet to the place selected for the
+execution, was detailed to carry it out. The casualties on our side
+had been about forty-one killed and wounded, while twenty-four Boers
+were killed, sixteen wounded, and twenty-six taken prisoner.
+
+[Illustration: Sergeant French and the Officers' Mess, Nachtmaal.]
+
+After remaining at Frederickstadt on the 26th, orders came for our
+return to Krugersdorp on the 27th. We had an uneventful march to
+Wolverdiend, and there entrained, reaching our destination late in the
+evening. The officers, as usual, rode in the guard's van, and, as
+these trains used to bump and jolt in the most unpleasant manner, we
+made ourselves as comfortable as we could in a sort of 'zariba'
+composed of our valises and a number of large packages sewn up in
+sackcloth. Our feelings when we later on discovered that these
+packages were corpses may be left to the imagination.
+
+We returned to our last camp, and set to work to make it more
+comfortable, running up wood and corrugated-iron shelters for stores,
+officers' mess, &c. We were also kept perpetually busy in building
+more forts and improving those already in existence. Captain Romer
+gave his name to a work which he erected and on which he expended much
+time, pains, and ingenuity. Posts and piquets also had to be held on
+all the principal roads into the town. Captain Nelson, R.M.L.I., in
+command of one of these, one afternoon shouted to two men who were
+driving through his posts to stop. Unfortunately for them, they paid
+no attention and drove on, so he seized a rifle and fired, killing one
+of the occupants stone-dead, an exemplary lesson to the inhabitants to
+make them understand that outposts were not posted for amusement.
+
+General Clements' column was now stationed at Krugersdorp, and we saw
+something of Captain MacBean, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, his
+Brigade-Major. Alas! poor MacBean; he was killed a few days later,
+standing close beside his General, at the battle of Nooitgedacht. A
+universal favourite, and one of the most popular officers in the
+regiment, he was also probably the ablest. Passing brilliantly into
+and through the Staff College, he went on to the Egyptian Army, taking
+part in all the principal actions up to and including the battle of
+Omdurman, receiving a D.S.O. in recognition of his services. In the
+present campaign he had commenced the war as a Brigade-Major, later on
+serving on General Hunter's staff, and now transferred to General
+Clements', who had the highest opinion of his capabilities. Amongst
+many other accomplishments he was one of the best bridge-players in
+the service. There is little doubt that if he had been spared he would
+have risen to the highest rank. He was gazetted to a Brevet-Majority
+after his death.
+
+On November 15th Lord Roberts inspected the regiment, and
+congratulated them on the work they had done, afterwards speaking to
+Major English and telling him how highly he had thought of the
+Zuikerbosch affair. It is these little acts of kindness and
+remembrance that make all the difference, and their effect is much
+more far-reaching than those who confer them often imagine. One only
+does one's duty, of course, but yet one is only human, and it is very
+pleasant to feel that that duty has been appreciated.
+
+Captain Lowndes, the adjutant, who had been home after his severe
+wound at Talana, now rejoined the regiment, and took over the
+adjutancy from Captain Fetherstonhaugh. That officer had filled the
+post with marked zeal and ability for over twelve months, and was the
+only officer who was present with the Headquarters of the battalion
+from the start of the war without being wounded.
+
+On November 16th the regiment formed part of a column,[18] ordered to
+march off and scour the veld, though our destination was, as usual,
+shrouded in mystery. The night of the 15th-16th however, precluded any
+possibility of carrying out the intended early start, as the rain
+descended in torrents, deluging kits and country. At about 2 p.m.,
+however, a start was effected, and all went well till a small drift
+was reached, when the 'cow-gun,' which had taken the place of our old
+and tried friend, the Naval gun, stuck hopelessly. Colonel Hicks fell
+out 120 men and put them on to the drag-ropes. Their first pull was
+too much for the rope, which broke, with the inevitable result that
+the whole 120 were deposited on the veld, on the broad of their backs.
+Another and a stouter rope was produced, which proved itself equal to
+the strain, and with a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all
+together, the heavy weapon was dragged on to _terra firma_, and the
+march resumed, a halt being made for the night about eight or nine
+miles out, and almost on the historic site of Doornkop.
+
+         [Footnote 18: South Wales Borderers, Royal Dublin Fusiliers,
+         28th Battery, R.F.A., 4.7 inch gun, mounted details.]
+
+The trek was resumed next morning under more favourable auspices, but
+these soon proved a delusion and a snare. The column was making for a
+pass in the Gatsrand, not far from the waterworks, known to be in the
+enemy's occupation, when at about 11 o'clock a violent thunderstorm
+broke directly overhead. Marching along, soaked to the skin, with a
+lightning-conductor in the shape of a rifle over one's shoulder, was
+not conducive to steady nerves, but so dense was the rain that it had,
+at all events, one beneficial effect, for the Boers holding the pass
+left their positions and took shelter in some farmhouses, with the
+result that they were very nearly captured by our cavalry, who,
+indeed, succeeded in taking possession of the pass without opposition,
+the enemy, taken completely by surprise, having only just time to jump
+on their horses and gallop off. Getting the 'cow-gun' over the pass,
+however, was no easy matter, but it was eventually accomplished, and
+after a march of about sixteen miles, the force halted for the night
+in rather a pretty camp, on a farm known as Hartebeestfontein.
+
+[Illustration: 4.7 Crossing a Drift, assisted by the Dublin
+Fusiliers.]
+
+The column marched to Klip River, about seventeen miles, next day,
+arriving there about 5 p.m. The rearguard was sniped at the whole way
+by our friends of the day before, but without effecting much damage.
+A cavalry brigade under Brigadier-General Gordon was here on our
+arrival, and an exchange of troops took place, we receiving some Greys
+and Carabineers in exchange for half a battalion of South Wales
+Borderers.
+
+A halt was now made for a day, most of us taking the opportunity to
+get a bathe in the river.
+
+Leaving Klip River on the morning of the 20th, we marched back in the
+direction whence we had come two days before, and were soon engaged
+with the enemy's snipers, of whom we captured one; but they had the
+best of the argument, as they killed two of our column. One of these
+poor fellows had very bad luck: he had received a letter at Klip River
+only the day before, telling him he had come into a sum of money,
+sufficient to enable him to retire and spend the remainder of his days
+in peace and quiet.
+
+Nor was the day to prove uneventful for the rest of us. About 1 p.m.
+it began to cloud over, and presently to rain; this soon turned into
+hail, of the variety which one is accustomed to at home. This was at
+first refreshing, and one would pick up the cool hailstones--they were
+about as big as peas--and eat them, and the rattle they made on the
+helmets was quite musical. When they grew to the size of gooseberries,
+and began to sting, they provided less amusement, shoulders being
+shrugged up and necks arched to obtain as much protection as possible.
+The unfortunate dogs, of which a variety invariably turned up with
+every column, howled with pain, and the cattle and horses grew very
+restive. But soon the stones, driven by a gale of wind, increased to
+the size of cherries and strawberries, with occasional jagged lumps of
+ice an inch in diameter. As there seemed no particular reason why they
+should not run through the whole gamut of the orchard, and rival
+plums, peaches, and melons, and as there was no earthly chance of
+obtaining a vestige of shelter of any kind, men began to wonder what
+was going to happen next, with an occasional sharper-than-usual belt
+between the shoulders or on the boot to quicken their fancy. It was
+only with the greatest difficulty that the horses were controlled, but
+the stones providentially grew no larger, though the storm continued.
+The entire country-side was a rolling mass of ice nearly over the tops
+of boots. Runnels and rivulets became roaring torrents, roads became
+rivers. When the storm eventually subsided the transport of course
+could not go another yard, and camp was pitched where we were. The
+carpet of hailstones in the tents slowly melted into mud, and we made
+ourselves as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. Several
+kids and lambs we had with us were killed by the stones. Not one of us
+had ever been out in such a storm before, but, as those who had not
+been on 'the Natal side' confidently predicted, those who had been
+declared that this was mere child's play to the hailstones they had
+seen there.
+
+What became of the Boers we never knew: up to the commencement of the
+storm we had been merrily sniping away at each other at extreme
+ranges, but during and after it they entirely disappeared, so entirely
+that even next day we never got a sign of them, and concluded they had
+all been drowned.
+
+There was, however, nothing to complain of on this score the day
+after, as sniping was carried on all the time. Though this form of
+fighting resulted in few casualties, it was destructive to peace and
+comfort and enjoyment of the scenery. It was interesting to notice
+what officers recognised when we arrived at places we had visited on
+previous treks, and instructive to note that it was almost always
+those who were addicted to sport and field-pursuits who were the first
+to pick up their bearings and the lie of the land. The force
+eventually encamped at the foot of the hill on which 'G' company had
+spent such a cold and miserable night when waiting for the transport
+to pass, two months before.
+
+On the 23rd, the march took us up again through Orange Grove and on
+past Leeuwport Nek, moving along the south side of the main ridge of
+the Gatsrand, with three companies making the best of their way along
+their jagged peaks. Two of Roberts' Horse were hit on this march, one
+being killed.
+
+The column reached Buffelsdoorn Pass on the 24th, after a spirited
+rearguard action, the brunt of which fell on the South Wales
+Borderers, who had several men and one officer hit. We remained in
+this pass for some days, sending out small expeditions among the
+adjacent hills, and erecting fortifications to cover the defile. It
+was in its way an important place, being within a few miles of
+Wolverdiend Station, and providing an excellent door through the
+rocky, serrated peaks of the Gatsrand into the broad plain which lay
+between them and the Vaal. Our camp was situated just on the north
+side of the pass, in a picturesque place, with easy access to the
+railway, and from a tactical point of view an excellent position.
+
+Next day a convoy with nearly ten thousand cattle, sheep, &c., was
+dispatched to Wolverdiend, without seeing any signs of the enemy.
+
+The night of the 25th-26th could scarcely have been worse; heavy rain,
+howling wind, and vivid and frequent lightning with its sonorous
+accompaniment, put sleep out of the question; indeed, at one period it
+became necessary to get up and hold on to the tents to prevent them
+being blown away. With the advent of dawn the forces of nature gave us
+a rest, our friends the enemy immediately filling their place. They
+opened fire from some kopjes to the east of the camp, and endeavoured
+to round up some of our cattle. The South Wales Borderers undertook to
+dislodge them, and speedily did so, the 'Cow-gun' joining in at long
+range as soon as the Boers evacuated their positions. Having disposed
+of man for the time being, Nature again rolled up in dense masses of
+magnificent clouds to the attack. The storm which followed was also
+one to be remembered; the lightning could be seen striking the ground
+in the close vicinity of the camp, and though no one was hit, we heard
+that two men of the regiment at Kaalfontein were not so fortunate, one
+poor fellow being killed and the other severely wounded. 'C' company,
+2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was on piquet through both these night and
+day storms, and had, as may be imagined, an unenviable experience.
+
+On the 27th, General Hart rode down to Wolverdiend to see Sir John
+French. While he was away, word arrived that a party of Roberts' Horse
+who were out scouting had been held up. Colonel Wilson--the senior
+officer in camp--detailed 100 Carabineers to go to their assistance,
+but they found the opposition still too great, so two companies of the
+regiment were sent out to reinforce them, while the guns opened fire
+from the summits of the hills. In the middle of the operations a
+thunderstorm joined in to swell the general din, under cover of which
+the Boers crept in round three sides of the force. There was never any
+question of their succeeding in cutting it off, but the boldness of
+their tactics was characteristic of the phase the war had now begun to
+assume. There was a good deal of rifle-fire on both sides, and the
+28th Battery R.F.A., under its new commander, who had replaced our
+esteemed friend, Major Stokes, D.S.O., promoted to R.H.A., fired
+nearly one hundred rounds. What casualties the enemy suffered was not
+ascertained, but on our side there was only one, a man in Roberts'
+Horse being badly hit. Those of us who were not engaged sat among the
+rocks on the tops of the hills, whence a fine panoramic view of the
+skirmish was obtainable by the aid of telescopes and binoculars.
+
+The 28th and 29th passed uneventfully, Captain Romer occupying the
+time in again demonstrating his architectural capabilities in the
+erection of a fort near the pass.
+
+[Illustration: Boy Fitzpatrick waiting at Lunch.]
+
+On the 30th a reconnaissance in force was made along the Gatsrand in a
+westerly direction, the left half-battalion of the Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers acting as the infantry of the force. Moving along the
+summits of the hills in four lines of widely extended companies, they
+marched to within sight of Frederickstadt before they returned.
+Imagine exaggerated Pyramids of Cheops; imagine each block of stone
+carved by stress of weather into a thousand needle-points and
+ankle-twisting crevices; plant a dense growth of mimosa and other
+thorny scrub in every cranny and interstice. Take a dozen such
+pyramids, and do your morning constitutional over them, after the
+scrappiest of breakfasts at 5 a.m., and you will find twelve or
+fourteen miles quite as much as you care about. But the march was not
+devoid of interest, though we met with no Boers. Small buck, hares,
+and partridges were there in sufficient number to afford a good day's
+sport under other circumstances, while a profusion of various kinds of
+flowers afforded satisfaction to the eye, in strong contrast to the
+bare and barkless trunks of trees riven by the frequent storms that
+devastate these hills. In one place a most gruesome sight was met
+with. Under a small tree beside a tiny stream stood a three-legged
+cooking-pot, and round it lay three skeletons, with a scattering of
+shrapnel bullets to silently tell the story of the tragedy. Beside one
+body lay a Rifleman's haversack, an eloquent if speechless travesty on
+the fortunes of war, for undoubtedly they were the remains of Boers,
+over whose head a chance shrapnel must have burst months before.
+
+A similar reconnaissance, but in the opposite direction, was made next
+day, resulting in one man being wounded. Convoys were also passing to
+and fro, and on the 2nd, Captain Fetherstonhaugh took over the duties
+of provost-marshal, temporarily, from Captain Thompson, of the
+Somersetshire Light Infantry, who had hurt his knee. Rumours of an
+early move also began to circulate, with the Losberg, the grim and
+solitary hill rising out of the plain to the south of the Gatsrand, as
+our probable destination. For some time past the Boers had used it as
+a sort of headquarters and rallying-place for their frequent raiding
+parties. Columns were now converging on it from all points of the
+compass, but as they could be plainly seen from its summit, the high
+hopes entertained in some quarters of rounding up a large number of
+the enemy were not shared by everybody.
+
+Yet the start at 9 p.m. on the 3rd was sufficiently impressive. The
+officers were assembled, and had their several duties clearly pointed
+out to them, one peak of the hill being assigned to the South Wales
+Borderers and the other to the Dublin Fusiliers. To 'A' company of the
+latter regiment, under Major English, was given the honour of leading
+the attack, which was to be made at dawn next morning. Silently and
+with all due precautions the column slowly wound its way down the
+pass, like some gigantic boa-constrictor, and out on to the plain
+below. Whenever a farm was reached it was entered, and steps taken to
+prevent lights being shown or signals flashed: three Boers, booted and
+spurred, being taken in one. It was a perfect night for marching, all
+Nature hushed in deep repose save the loud-mouthed bull-frog; the moon
+set an hour before dawn, reminding one of Whyte-Melville's line:
+
+  'The darkest hour of all the night is that which brings the day.'
+
+But dark as it was our objective could be seen ominously looming up--a
+lamp-black mass against the velvet softness of starlit sky. The
+movement had been admirably timed, and as day broke the two regiments
+advanced to the attack, the South Wales Borderers on the right, the
+Dublins on the left, while the artillery opened fire against the
+hillside between the two summits. But that was all. Not a shot was
+fired in return. Not a Boer was even seen. Nothing. Except, indeed,
+large quantities of most delicious and most acceptable oranges, after
+eating which the tired troops lay in the rain, which commenced to pour
+down, and slept peacefully till the transport came up.
+
+Before we started next morning, a huge herd of blesbok suddenly
+appeared on the scene, wildly galloping about in every direction,
+being continually brought up by the barbed wire fences of the farms. A
+good many were shot, but it was cruel to kill them, or try to, with
+hard bullets, and many and many a beast must have got away badly
+wounded, whilst the indiscriminate manner in which the sportsmen fired
+in all directions was a source of danger, not only to themselves and
+the buck, but to the camp as well. One fine old fellow, with a good
+head, charged right through the camp, altogether eluding one regiment,
+in spite of every variety of missile, from cooking-pots to helmets, to
+finally fall a victim in another regiment's lines to a tent-pole.
+After which interlude the force marched to Modderfontein.
+
+Next day a helio from Bank directed the column to make its way to that
+station, a party of the South Wales Borderers being left behind to
+watch the pass at Modderfontein, where they were to have a rough
+experience later on. The remainder of the force moved to Bank on the
+7th, and marched again the same night for Krugersdorp, making a total
+distance of thirty-three miles in the twenty-four hours, a good
+wind-up to the three weeks' trek. An enormous number of cattle and
+sheep were brought in, but it was the end of the Pochefstroom column,
+which was now finally broken up into a number of small posts.
+
+[Illustration: 'The Latest Shave.' Captain G. S. Higginson (mounted)
+and Major Bird.]
+
+The regiment camped once more on the same site it had last occupied.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+BURIED TREASURE--THE EASTERN TRANSVAAL--THE KRUGERSDORP DEFENCES.
+
+  'They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the
+  rock for want of a shelter.'--_Job_, xxiv. 8.
+
+
+By this time we had begun to regard Krugersdorp as our base, and to
+look upon our returns to it as more or less getting home. But on this
+occasion there was to be no rest of any length. From the plum-bloom
+blue of the far Magaliesberg, General Clements' heliograph was
+twinkling and blinking for the remainder of his force and more mounted
+men. In addition to this Colonel Hicks took out a column. These and
+other deductions left Krugersdorp with a garrison of 300 men to man a
+perimeter of some ten or twelve miles, or, roughly speaking, just over
+fifty yards for each rifle. 'C' company, under Captain Pomeroy, W.I.R.
+(attached), and Lieutenant Molony, occupied Fort Craig; 'D' company,
+under Captain Clarke, R.M.L.I. (attached), and Lieutenant Marsh, held
+Fort Kilmarnock; and 'G' company, under its Captain and Lieutenant
+Smith, took over Fort Harlech. Major Rutherford took over this fort
+next day, as the captain of 'G' company had been appointed commander
+of the town guards and piquets and interior defences. Colonel Hicks
+had been ordered to Johannesburg to see General French, who informed
+him that he was to take command of a mixed force[19] and march to the
+Losberg, there to dig up a large sum of gold, reputed to amount to
+nearly 100,000_l._; after which he was to proceed south to the Vaal,
+and hold the drifts between Vereeniging and Rensburg.
+
+         [Footnote 19: 400 Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 200 cavalry, two
+         guns.]
+
+Starting at midnight on the 10th-11th, the column marched till 6 a.m.,
+covering fifteen or sixteen miles. The men then had breakfasts; and,
+after resting till mid-day, when they had dinners, started again for
+Orange Grove, the pass in the Gatsrand with which we were by this time
+so familiar. It was occupied by Boers, estimated at about one hundred
+in number, who offered considerable resistance, but who were finally
+shelled out of it, without loss on our side, though charged by a
+squadron of Carabineers with great dash. Having done about twenty-six
+miles, the camp was pitched at 6 p.m., outposts being, of course,
+thrown out on the adjacent hills.
+
+Reveille sounded at 4.30 a.m., and by 5.30 the small column was on the
+way again. Their destination was plain enough this time, and very grim
+and formidable it looked in the broad light of day, considering the
+very small force which was about to attack it. Moreover, on this
+occasion it held something besides oranges. Advancing from the north
+in the direction of the spot from which we had advanced to the attack
+a few days before, Colonel Hicks made a demonstration as though about
+to attack the eastern peak, then, suddenly opening a heavy shell fire
+on the nek between the two, he launched his real attack against the
+other summit. Although the hill was held by a considerable number of
+the enemy, estimated at 500, these tactics proved eminently
+successful, for when they discovered the direction of the main attack
+shrapnel was bursting all over the nek along which they would have had
+to gallop to meet it, and they gave up the idea and evacuated the
+position, which fell into Colonel Hicks' hand with a loss of one man,
+who had the misfortune to be hit in no less than five places. A guide
+had been sent with the column who knew where the gold was, and a party
+was told off to dig it up and bring it in. The guide may or may not
+have known where the gold _was_, but he certainly did not know where
+it was _then_, and the search proved entirely abortive. He was a
+murderer under sentence of death, and was to save his life by showing
+the gold and ten buried guns.
+
+The force started at 5 a.m. next morning for Lindeque Drift. There was
+a certain amount of sniping all the way, principally at the cavalry,
+who were riding wide on either flank, collecting cattle and burning
+straw and hay, in addition to guarding the flanks. Lindeque was
+reached at 5.30 p.m., a camp of our people being in view on the far
+bank of the river, with whom communication was opened by signal. The
+drift was very deep, but an orderly managed to get across with a
+letter. Orders also arrived from General French giving Colonel Hicks
+thirty miles of river to watch, which seemed a good deal, considering
+the paucity of the numbers at his disposal.
+
+At 6.30 a.m. a helio message was received calling the column at once
+back to Krugersdorp, and a start was made for the return journey at 8
+a.m. The Boers endeavoured all day to cut off the rearguard, but met
+with no success, the gunners shelling them whenever they got close
+enough to be unpleasant.
+
+[Illustration: KILMARNOCK. From a sketch by Col. H. Tempest Hicks, C.B.]
+
+The 15th proved to be almost a repetition of the day before, the enemy
+hanging persistently on the flanks and rear of the little column, but
+showing no signs of any desire to make their closer acquaintance.
+Indeed, that morning Colonel Hicks had prepared a small surprise for
+them which fully realised his anticipations. Whenever columns were
+moving about it was the invariable custom of the enemy to at once
+occupy the vacated camping-ground in search of any odds-and-ends that
+might have been left about, but more especially ammunition, which used
+to drop out of our men's pouches in surprising quantities, in spite of
+the most stringent orders on the subject. On this occasion the Colonel
+left a small party in ambush when he moved off, with the result that
+when half-a-dozen Boers began rummaging about in the camp they were
+suddenly invited to hold their hands up, a request which they had
+of necessity to comply with, one of them being a Field-Cornet and a
+man of some local importance. A halt was made in sight of Randfontein,
+on the slopes of which a column, under Colonel the Hon. Ulick Roche,
+could be seen proceeding in the direction of Krugersdorp. Next day was
+Dingaan's Day, and rumour stated that the Boers under De la Rey,
+flushed with their victory over Clements, were going to attack
+Krugersdorp.
+
+The column marched the remaining fifteen miles by 2.30 p.m. next day
+without seeing any sign of the enemy. During the six days they had
+been away they had marched 102 miles, skirmished with the enemy nearly
+every day, taken a strong position by a fine example of tactics,
+captured a good many prisoners, and brought in a large quantity of
+cattle, sheep, &c.: a very fine six days' work.
+
+Since May 30th the headquarters of the battalion had marched well over
+1200 miles. On three occasions it had exceeded thirty miles in
+twenty-four hours--the record, of course, being the thirty-eight miles
+in sixteen hours from Klerkskraal to Pochefstroom in September. But
+the most wonderful part of its work was the strange immunity it
+experienced from any of the determined attacks which were so
+constantly being made on other columns. Whether it was good or bad
+luck, good or bad scouting, whatever it was, the fact remained that
+with the exception of the almost daily scrapping and sniping, which
+constant use had made to appear as part of the day's work, no action
+of any importance came our way in spite of the countless marches and
+counter-marches we made to bring one on. With the solitary exception
+of the afternoon at Frederickstadt, when the Boers dropped a few
+shells into our camp, and the two following days, when General
+Liebenburg paid a similar attention to the detachment left behind on
+the hill, we had not been under shell-fire.
+
+In the meantime, the disaster to General Clements at Nooitgedacht had
+drawn all eyes to the state of Krugersdorp, which with its small
+garrison seemed to offer a tempting bait to De la Rey, and column
+after column arrived to assist in repelling the assault which was
+threatened for Dingaan's Day. Before the reinforcements arrived the
+General had taken every sort of precaution; amongst others, arresting
+most of the principal inhabitants of the town, and holding them as
+hostages. The festival, however, passed without incident, and the tide
+of men and horses, guns and waggons, which had reached a record height
+in the history of the town, soon began to ebb once more, and then
+everything settled down to the quiet, peaceful state of affairs which
+almost always characterised Krugersdorp. The band played in the market
+square, and concerts were arranged in the town hall, while the General
+set a fine example to his troops for their guidance in his treatment
+of those of our late enemies who had observed their oaths of
+neutrality, as a large number of them most religiously did. Ever
+foremost in aggressive tactics in the field until the enemy was
+overcome, the General adopted a policy of conciliation at other times
+which undoubtedly had far-reaching effects as regarded the conduct of
+the inhabitants of Krugersdorp.
+
+On December 19th, 400 men of the regiment, under Major Bird, started
+off to join the force under General French which was going to sweep
+the Eastern Transvaal, very much on the same lines that the various
+columns had been sweeping the Western Transvaal. Their special duty
+was to act as a baggage-guard to the various mounted corps, a duty
+which they shared with a battalion of Guards. Their lives for the next
+two or three months were very much the same as they had been for the
+previous two or three months, though they covered an even greater
+number of miles, and, owing to the rains and thunderstorms of the
+South African summer, experienced an even harder time. It is the
+custom to speak in terms of high praise of the climate of South
+Africa, but if the British Army had been consulted on the subject
+after some of these treks, it is doubtful if their vocabulary would
+have been large enough to enable them to thoroughly ventilate their
+opinions. The fact is that the spring, summer, and autumn are ruined
+by the desperate storms which are of such common occurrence at those
+times of year. There are, it is true, four winter months of glorious
+weather: fine, frosty, starlit nights, and clear days of brilliant
+sunshine when the heat is never unpleasant. But of these four months,
+two are completely ruined by the high winds which sweep the broad
+veld, and which, in the vicinity of the mines, fill the air with
+minute particles of gritty dust from the waste-heaps, penetrating eyes
+and nostrils, throats and lungs.
+
+The first portion of the trek was, however, spent in the country that
+General Hart had been operating in. The following account of some of
+their hardships and privations is given by Lieutenant and
+Quartermaster Burke:--
+
+_With General Knox's Brigade in the sweeping movement by General
+French on the eastern side of the Transvaal. Detail of a few orders as
+showing the hardships the troops suffered through bad weather and
+scarcity of food._
+
+Brigade Orders. 'Witcomb, 8.2.01. Owing to the late arrival of the
+convoy, the force will go on 2/3 biscuits.'
+
+This all the time we were marching daily and fighting.
+
+16.2.01. Our force reached Piet Retief.
+
+Brigade Orders. '20.2.01. The following will be the scale of rations
+until further orders:--2 ozs. rice, 4 ozs. jam, 1/2 lb. mealie meal,
+1-1/2 lb. meat. No coffee, tea, biscuits, vegetables, or salt.'
+
+Orders received from General French:--'Convoy under General
+Burn-Murdoch is terribly delayed by swollen rivers and bad roads. The
+Pongola is fifty yards and the Intombi 300 yards wide. You must use
+your utmost resources to economise food, and so meet this unfortunate
+state of affairs, which will assuredly last till the weather
+improves. No forage for horses and mules. Send parties for food to
+search out as far as ten miles. Kaffirs to receive 1_l._ in gold for a
+bag of mealies, or a heifer for five bags.'
+
+21, 22, 23.2.01. 1 oz. jam, 1/2 lb. mealie meal, 1-1/2 lb. meat,
+nothing else.
+
+24, 25. Same.
+
+26. No jam, 1/2 lb. mealie meal, 1-1/2 lb. meat, nothing else. I paid
+a shopkeeper at Piet Retief 2_s._ 6_d._ for a quarter-handful of salt.
+
+Brigade Orders. 27.2.01. By General French: 'O.C. units will take
+steps to let the troops know how highly their spirits and bearing
+under the privations they are suffering from bad weather and short
+rations are appreciated by the Lieutenant-General Commanding.'
+
+27.2.01. Burnt mealie cobs issued for coffee.
+
+Telegram from Lord Kitchener to General French, Piet Retief,
+28.2.01:--'Explain to the troops under your command my admiration of
+the excellent work they have performed, and the difficulties they have
+overcome.'
+
+8.3.01. Full rations, first issue since 14.2.01.
+
+To show that the troops, besides suffering from frightful bad weather
+(constant rain for a month), had to work hard, the following results
+are shown.
+
+General Orders. The following results of our operations since 27.1.01,
+is published for officers and men:--
+
+_Boers_, killed, wounded, and captured, 393; surrendered, 353. Total
+accounted for, 746.
+
+_Cannon_ taken, excluding a maxim, 4.
+
+_Rifles_, 606. _Ammunition_, 161,630.
+
+_Horses and mules_, 6504. _Trek oxen_, 362.
+
+_Other cattle_, 20,986. _Sheep_, 158,130.
+
+_Waggons and carts_, 1604.
+
+_Mealies and oat hay_, over 4,000,000 lbs.
+
+                                   H. BURKE, LT.
+
+Colonel Hicks now set every one to work improving the various posts
+round Krugersdorp, setting a fine example to all by the interest he
+took in the work, and showing his thoroughness by the attention he
+devoted to even the most trivial details. He also took infinite pains
+to make Christmas as pleasant as he could for every one. The regiment
+was, of course, very much split up in the various forts and fortified
+houses, but headquarters still remained till the end of the year in
+our old camping-ground.
+
+On the very last day of the year an escort of forty men returning to
+Krugersdorp had a near shave of being cut off; they lost four men
+captured, and would assuredly have lost more but for the prompt action
+of Major English, who went out from Kilmarnock with twenty men to help
+them in.
+
+So ended 1900. It had been a hard year for every one, but one and all
+had done their best, and no sign of failing spirits was visible
+anywhere. It was difficult to see anything like an end to the
+campaign, however, for the process of attrition, which now seemed the
+sole solution, was necessarily a slow one, and considerably interfered
+with by the various 'regrettable incidents' that occurred from time to
+time in the huge theatre of the war. These not only assisted our
+indomitable foes with extra supplies of clothing, arms, ammunition,
+&c., but also had the effect of keeping up their _morale_.
+
+On January 4th, 1901, the 400 men under Major Bird passed through on
+their way to Elandsfontein, but nobody knew about the move in time to
+go up to the station and see them.
+
+Large bodies of the enemy were now known to be in the neighbourhood,
+and a spy came in saying that it was an open secret among the Boers
+that Krugersdorp was De la Rey's objective as soon as a favourable
+opportunity should present itself. In spite of this it was difficult
+to make the danger of going beyond the outposts appreciated, and this
+resulted in the death of one of our men, Private Hyland, servant to
+one of the clergymen. It was supposed that the poor fellow had gone
+out in a cape-cart with the object of getting some flowers for the
+church; his body was found on the 8th simply riddled with bullets, as
+was also that of the Cape-boy who had driven him.
+
+On the 10th, Major Pilson, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, one of the first
+officers selected to proceed to South Africa on special service before
+the war, arrived--not, unfortunately, to join the regiment, but the
+South African Constabulary.
+
+On the 11th the enemy blew up the railway just beyond Roodeport, the
+first station out of Krugersdorp on the way to Pochefstroom.
+Lieutenant Marsh and twenty men of the regiment were sent out as
+escort to guard the Engineers who repaired it.
+
+The storms continued to be very severe. Kilmarnock House was struck by
+lightning, and the sentry on guard at the Court House in the town sent
+spinning, fortunately only receiving a severe shaking.
+
+On the 23rd the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Victoria
+was made known to the troops, by whom it was received in deep and
+impressive silence.
+
+A salute was fired by the Artillery on the 24th with plugged shell, to
+celebrate the Accession of King Edward VII.
+
+At the end of the month General Hart left us. The regiment had been
+continuously under his command since the formation of the Irish
+Brigade; officers and men alike had learned to entertain a deep
+respect and admiration for their General, than whom no braver man ever
+went into action. He on his part loved the regiment, and fully
+appreciated the _esprit de corps_ which permeated it, from the Colonel
+to the last-joined recruit. His farewell letter to Colonel Hicks,
+another on the subject of our camping arrangements, and his farewell
+order to his brigade, may all be found in the Appendix, and afford
+proof of his regard for his troops and the spirit which he breathed
+into them.
+
+Colonel Groves took over command of Krugersdorp and its defences, and
+gave Colonel Hicks a free hand: he also rode round the inner defences
+with the commander of the town-guards and piquets, and arranged for
+their being made stronger also.
+
+In spite of the presence of a good many of our columns, the enemy was
+very active all over the Magaliesberg and the Gatsrand at this time.
+It will be remembered that on the return from the Klip River trek, a
+party of the South Wales Borderers had been left to watch the
+Modderfontein Pass.
+
+This small force was now surrounded and being fiercely attacked, and
+offering as determined a resistance. A force was hastily organized to
+proceed to their relief, under command of Colonel the Hon. U. Roche,
+of the South Wales Borderers. With half or more of the battalion away
+under Major Bird, we could only supply 180 men, under command of
+Captain Shewan, for this column.
+
+They marched that night, and the following morning found all the hills
+for ten miles held by the enemy, Colonel Roche wiring in that the
+Boers were in too great force for his column to proceed. Indeed, the
+column had to fight hard enough to maintain its position and to save
+itself from being surrounded. General Conyngham, hastily gathering
+together another 500 men and a battery, marched off to reinforce
+Colonel Roche, but before they could get to the unfortunate post at
+Modderfontein, it had fallen to superior numbers. The Boers, who were
+under the command of General Smuts, sent in a flag of truce, giving
+notice of the capture of the post, stating that there were many
+British wounded, and suggesting that an ambulance and doctors should
+be sent out to them. This incident was very hard lines on a most
+gallant regiment, and in no way reflects adversely on them for one
+instant. They defended their position splendidly as long as defence
+was possible, and suffered greatly from want of water as well as from
+the enemy's fire. Colonel Roche reported that Captain Shewan and his
+men had done very well, and had held a hill on the left of his
+position, until he recalled them.
+
+Colonel Hicks never for a moment remitted his exertions in the
+fortifying of the various posts and houses in the section of the
+command for which he was responsible, with the result that he very
+soon had them in a most efficient state. Ammunition, food, and water,
+in sufficient quantities to withstand a regular siege, were stored in
+each post, while the wire entanglements would have effectually
+precluded any attempt on the part of the enemy to rush them. Indeed,
+no precautions were omitted, and one began to enjoy one's sleep
+considerably more than had been the case for some months past.
+
+On the 7th, the headquarters of the regiment at last moved into
+Kilmarnock, a house which had belonged to a Mr. Burger, a brother of
+Mr. Schalk Burger, the acting President. Here they remained until the
+regiment left for Aden in January 1902.
+
+[Illustration: The Hairdresser's Shop.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS.
+
+  'In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at
+  even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning!'--_Deut._ xxviii.
+  67.
+
+
+[Illustration: Kilmarnock, Krugersdorp.]
+
+With the occupation of Kilmarnock by the headquarters of the regiment
+arrived the third and last phase of the war. It had begun with four
+months' hard fighting, continued with twelve months' hard marching,
+and was to end with twelve months of weary escorts to convoys,
+occupation of blockhouses, and garrison work generally. It was,
+perhaps, in its way, the most trying period of the three, for in
+addition to unceasing vigilance there was added the dead monotony of
+week after week in the same place, surrounded by the same faces, and
+feeding on the same indifferent food. One was buoyed up by the reports
+published from time to time of the hauls of prisoners made by the
+various columns, but there was always some pessimist handy to discount
+one's hopes, and even though the result proved their dismal croakings
+more or less correct, they might have had the grace, even if they had
+not the common sense, to keep their miserable opinions to themselves.
+Thank goodness there were not many of these gentlemen in the regiment.
+Throughout the war I only heard one man grumble sulkily, and only
+heard of one man who paid too great a regard to the use of cover. The
+high tone with which the war had been entered upon was maintained to
+the very end, and if the regimental officer came out of it with
+credit, the N.C.O. and private soldier did every bit as well.
+Hardship, fatigue, stress of weather--everything was accepted as part
+of the general day's work, and as such cheerfully met and thoroughly
+done.
+
+Lieutenants B. Maclear and J. P. B. Robinson joined about this time,
+the former a brother of Percy Maclear, Adjutant of the 1st Battalion.
+
+In spite of all the work, however, time was yet found for a certain
+amount of play, the exercise of which was very beneficial. Cricket
+matches were played against the town, the S.A.C., and amongst ourselves,
+and later on football matches against the town and other regiments. We
+proved more successful at the latter game than the former: not to be
+wondered at, seeing that two of our officers--Lieutenants Maclear and
+Newton--were later on to become International three-quarter backs, the
+former playing for Ireland and the latter for England.
+
+Lieutenant Knox joined on March 23rd, having been detained nine months
+through illness on the way up.
+
+In March, Major-General Mildmay Willson, a Guardsman, took over from
+Colonel Groves the command, which now became 'the District West of
+Johannesburg.'
+
+On April 17th, Major English proceeded to Bank in command of a small
+mixed force (one hundred Royal Dublin Fusiliers) to try and catch a
+Boer force who had been for some time hovering round that station. He
+returned on the 19th, having seen no Boers.
+
+On the 21st, Captain Watson, formerly in the regiment, came to see us.
+He was then Adjutant of the Scottish Horse, and was shortly afterwards
+killed at Moedwil. He had distinguished himself on many occasions, and
+had received special promotion into the Lancashire Fusiliers.
+
+On the 30th, Major Bird and his half-battalion at last got back. They
+had done a lot of marching and good work in the Eastern Transvaal with
+General French's columns, but had not had much fighting. They all
+seemed glad to be back; it is always satisfactory to have the regiment
+together, as we have a feeling of dependence on one another that one
+cannot have when working with other troops, however good they may be.
+
+On May 3rd Captain Kinsman, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, came to see the
+battalion. He was then in the S.A.C. He had been badly wounded some
+time ago, having been with the force under General Plumer since the
+beginning of the war, and present at the relief of Mafeking, and had
+seen a deal of fighting.
+
+On May 7th Lieutenant Seymour joined the regiment, in which his father
+had also served.
+
+On May 25th a force[20] went out to escort the S.A.C. to a fort they
+were to build. The column was under command of Colonel Hicks, and
+almost immediately met with opposition, the Scottish Horse, on the
+left, coming in for a good deal of sniping. Sending out his mounted
+men well ahead, and occupying a ridge in front with the Worcesters,
+the Colonel then rode on with Colonel Edwardes, S.A.C., to select a
+spot for the erection of the work. The only casualties were two men
+wounded and five horses killed, and the force then bivouacked on the
+positions they held. Next day building was commenced on a small fort
+and three blockhouses, the building parties being sniped for some time
+until a detachment of the regiment under Captain Fetherstonhaugh and
+Lieutenant Maclear went out and drove the Boers away. By the 27th the
+fort and posts were nearly completed, the enemy still hovering round
+the neighbourhood, and next day the column returned to Krugersdorp,
+meeting and dispersing a few Boers on the way back.
+
+         [Footnote 20: 400 Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 100 Worcestershire
+         Regiment, 200 S.A.C., 220 Scottish Horse, two guns.]
+
+[Illustration: A Blockhouse.]
+
+On June 3rd Colonel Hicks took over command of the Krugersdorp
+sub-district, as Colonel Groves was down with measles, as was also
+Lieutenant Bradford--an extraordinary disease for a man of the
+Colonel's time of life.
+
+On the 15th of June Colonel Groves handed over the Krugersdorp
+sub-district to Brigadier-General Barker, R.E. Before leaving he said
+some very nice things about the regiment, and we on our part were
+sorry to lose him, as he had always had a good opinion of the
+battalion, and had assisted the Colonel in his endeavours to put
+Krugersdorp in a thorough state of defence.
+
+On the 27th Lieutenant Frankland, 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, came to
+see us. It will be remembered that he was taken prisoner at the very
+beginning of the war in the armoured-train disaster. Since the capture
+of Pretoria he had been occupied on the line of communications. He
+told us that Lieutenant Le Mesurier had probably never got over the
+exposure to which he was subjected during his escape from Pretoria and
+on his long march to Delagoa Bay, as he no sooner got over one attack
+of fever than he was down with another. He also gave us an account of
+the escape, which was a most gallant affair, and in the light of what
+has since happened to the only other officers who escaped--Captain
+Haldane and Mr. Winston Churchill--it seems hard luck that Le Mesurier
+should have received nothing. He added that Lieutenant Grimshaw had
+been attached to the Mounted Infantry since the relief, and that
+Captain Lonsdale had got into the Staff College.
+
+On July 1st two convoys went out, one under Major English and the
+other under Captain Fetherstonhaugh, not returning until the 6th. The
+remainder of the month brought forth nothing novel, however, and was
+spent in strengthening posts and escorting convoys.
+
+August also passed uneventfully, but on September 16th Colonel Hicks
+was given command of a mixed force some 1000 strong, 170 of whom
+belonged to the regiment, with orders to move along through the same
+old Gatsrand country, visit posts, burn farms, collect cattle, &c.,
+&c. He marched accordingly, but met with little opposition until well
+inside the hilly country, where some sniping took place. After a
+fortnight's trek he arrived in Pochefstroom, where he found General
+Willson, who informed him that he was to succeed General Barker in
+command of the Krugersdorp sub-district. He returned to that place on
+the 30th, only to find a wire ordering him to go back for the present
+to his column and to move to a place on the Vaal south of Pochefstroom
+and turn out a Boer force which was occasioning considerable trouble.
+Colonel Hicks by a rapid march anticipated the Boers at a pass leading
+into this valley, their commander, George Hall, afterwards declaring
+that this step saved us a hundred men, as he had determined to hold
+the pass till the last.
+
+On October 5th he encountered a force of Boers who were prepared to
+dispute the ownership of some cattle with him, but he had little
+difficulty in convincing them that under the circumstances might was
+undoubtedly right. On the 6th the seven-pounder gun lost by the S.A.C.
+was recovered, and George Hall, a prominent Boer leader, captured. The
+Colonel induced him to send a letter out to his commando advising them
+to give in, which resulted in twenty-two of them surrendering at
+Pochefstroom a few days later. In addition to this the column captured
+about fifteen prisoners and brought or sent in very large quantities
+of stock, mealies, cattle, &c. The Colonel got back to Krugersdorp on
+the 12th, having returned by train to take over his command.
+
+Lieutenants Frankland and Weldon of ours were present at the fight at
+Bakenlaagte, when Colonel Benson was killed, and had a hot time of it.
+Our mounted infantry lost two killed and six wounded. The following
+description is supplied by Lieutenant Weldon:--
+
+
+THE ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS MOUNTED INFANTRY AT BAKENLAAGTE.
+
+On the afternoon preceding the move from Zwakfontein, where Colonel
+Benson's column was camped, I was ordered to escort Lieutenant Biggs,
+R.E., to a drift some miles away on the road to Bakenlaagte: this we
+accomplished, bringing back one prisoner, whom we took near the drift.
+At daybreak on the following morning our outposts were attacked before
+the column had moved out of camp, and the rearguard action commenced.
+Our mounted infantry formed the right and left flank guards to the
+light transport, the right under Lieutenant Grimshaw, and the left
+under Lieutenants Frankland and Weldon. The enemy did not pay much
+attention to us at first, but after going a little way I galloped with
+my section to take possession of a small kopje which commanded the
+route. The Boers made a simultaneous dash for it, resulting in a
+spirited race, in which we proved victors, having been expedited on
+the way by two 'belts' from our own pompom. On gaining the hill we at
+once poured a heavy fire into our opponents, who withdrew. In the
+meantime considerable difficulty was experienced in getting the
+transport over the drift, which gave the Boers time to get round us.
+Eventually, however, most of it was got across and the march resumed.
+On nearing camp our mounted infantry closed in a bit, when we were
+suddenly fired on from a farmhouse flying the Red Cross flag, and
+sustained five or six casualties. We were detailed to a section of the
+defence of Bakenlaagte, which was practically surrounded. We lay down
+on the slopes with our heads downhill, and kept the enemy well away,
+taking the opportunity to improvise some sort of head-cover whenever
+their fire slackened. Although we fully expected an attack in the
+night, or at dawn, none was made, there being no sign of the enemy
+next day.
+
+                                   KENNETH WELDON.
+
+On December 6th Captain Romer took over the appointment of C.S.O.,
+Krugersdorp Sub-District, from our old friend, Captain Hart, who was
+appointed to General Knox's staff. We were very sorry to lose him, as
+from first to last he had done his best to oblige all, and during his
+term of office made friends with everybody.
+
+On the 9th Lieutenant Britton and fifty men of the regiment proceeded
+to Middelvlei to relieve a party of the Border regiment.
+
+On the 17th Lieutenant Robinson had to perform the
+unpleasant duty of carrying out the sentence of death on a Boer
+prisoner, who had been tried and condemned for shooting three of our
+men after having surrendered.
+
+General Cooper arrived on the 19th, to say good-bye to the regiment,
+as he was on his way home. He brought the very welcome intelligence
+that we were shortly to be relieved, but of course this was only made
+known to the Colonel at the time.
+
+Lieutenant Renny, who had been A.D.C. to General Cooper, rejoined on
+the 27th, and brought further rumours to the effect that the regiment
+was shortly to leave the country, and as orders had come to get in all
+our employed men, and men from forts, blockhouses, and stations all
+over the country, it began to look as if there was some truth in the
+rumours.
+
+On the very last day of 1901 a severe thunderstorm passed right over
+headquarters, two of our men being struck by lightning.
+
+
+1902.
+
+On the first day of the New Year the order for the battalion to leave
+South Africa arrived at the brigade office, its destination being
+Gibraltar, the best of the Mediterranean stations; but next day a wire
+arrived cancelling the move.
+
+On the 5th, however, Lord Kitchener passed through Krugersdorp, when
+the Colonel saw him and ascertained that the regiment was to go to
+Aden.
+
+At 8.30 p.m. on the 11th, part of the 1st Battalion Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers, under Majors Shadforth and Gordon, Captains Swift and
+Maclear, and Lieutenant Le Mesurier, with some other officers, arrived
+to take over the defences from the 2nd Battalion.
+
+On the 14th, 300 of the 1st Battalion, under Major Gordon, proceeded
+down the Pochefstroom line to take over the posts at present held by
+us.
+
+[Illustration: KRUGERSDORP from Kilmarnock House. Shewing the Gold
+mines Monument, Camps &c. From a sketch by Col. H. Tempest Hicks,
+C.B.]
+
+On the 20th, Captains Kinsman and Rowlands (now serving in the S.A.C.)
+arrived to say good-bye, and on the 23rd, Colonel Mills and Major
+Bromilow, 1st Battalion, arrived.
+
+[Illustration: The 'Blue Caps' relieving the 'Old Toughs.']
+
+On January 26th the regiment fell in for the last time at Kilmarnock,
+and marched through Krugersdorp to the station. They had made many
+friends during their stay, and the entire town, Boers as well as
+Britons, turned out and enthusiastically cheered the corps as it
+marched out of the town it had first marched into on June 19th, 1900.
+The night was spent at the railway station, and a start made at 4 a.m.
+on the 27th. A good view of Talana, from a distance of about five
+miles, was obtained on the morning of the 28th, and it may easily be
+imagined with what mixed feelings our thoughts flew back to that grey
+morning of October 20th, 1899, and our well-loved comrades who had
+given their lives to gain that gallant victory. Ladysmith was reached
+about 1 p.m., and Maritzburg in the small hours of the 29th, which was
+unfortunate, as the regiment had so many friends there. In spite of
+the hour, however, a large number of the inhabitants were on the
+platform with various small presents of cigarettes, &c., for the men.
+Durban was reached a few hours later, when an illuminated address was
+presented to the regiment, as well as refreshments to officers and
+men, after which the battalion embarked on board the S.S. _Sicilian_
+for conveyance to Aden.
+
+
+
+
+PART III.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE ADEN HINTERLAND
+
+  'For this relief much thanks.'
+
+                              _Hamlet._
+
+
+The voyage from Durban to Aden was a welcome change, but quite
+uneventful, with the exception of one sad event, the death of Sergeant
+Pearson, who had embarked in a state of collapse, with little or no
+prospect of recovery. He was a most promising N.C.O., and his father
+had served in the regiment before him. Aden was reached on February
+11th, 1902, and the battalion disembarked that afternoon.
+
+The year passed without any incident calling for remark, and on
+October 1st the following notice appeared in battalion orders:--'It is
+notified for general information that the battalion will leave Aden
+for home in H.M.T. _Syria_, on or about the 11th of February, arriving
+home on 24th February, 1903.' 'There is many a slip 'twixt the cup and
+the lip,' however, and the old adage was once more to be exemplified.
+
+For some time past rumours of approaching trouble with regard to the
+delimitation of the Turkish frontier in the Hinterland had been rife.
+A force of Turkish troops was encamped near Dthala, about one hundred
+and ten miles from Aden, and the Sultan of Dthala finally appealed to
+the British for support. The result was that instead of going home, a
+column was organized under the command of Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel F.
+P. English, 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, to watch the frontier.
+
+The following is an extract from the Aden District Orders:--
+
+
+DISTRICT ORDERS BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL H. T. HICKS, C.B., 2ND ROYAL
+DUBLIN FUSILIERS, COMMANDING ADEN DISTRICT.
+
+  No. 450.      _Aden, Friday, December 12th, 1902._
+
+In supersession of previous instructions, a column composed as under
+will be held in readiness to proceed, on field-service scale, from
+Aden into the interior of Arabia:--
+
+In Command: Lieutenant-Colonel F. P. English, 2nd Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers.
+
+  Staff Officer: Major S. M. Edwards, D.S.O., 2nd Bombay Grenadiers.
+
+  Supply and Transport Officer: Captain W. C. W. Harrison, Supply and
+  Transport Corps.
+
+  Staff Medical Officer: Captain I. A. O. MacCarthy, Royal Army Medical
+  Corps.
+
+  2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers (including section of maxim gun and twelve
+  signallers)                                   225 N.C.O.'s and men.
+
+  No. 45 company, Royal Garrison Artillery
+  (with two seven-pounder
+  mountain guns and four nine-pounders)          80    "
+
+                                                {25 horsemen.
+  Aden Troop                                    {12 camelmen.
+
+  2nd Bombay Grenadiers                         A double company.
+
+  Section A. No. 16 British Field Hospital.
+       "      "  68 Native    "     "
+
+If the column is required to move out, they will be joined _en route_
+(if necessary) by a detachment of No. 3 company Bombay Sappers and
+Miners.
+
+          (By Order)               C. H. U. PRICE, _Major_,
+                                  _D.A.A.G. Aden District_.
+
+The following officers of the regiment accompanied the
+column:--Lieutenant Haskard, Lieutenant Wheeler, Lieutenant Smith,
+Second Lieutenant Tredennick, Second Lieutenant W. F. Higginson.
+
+The following standing orders are quoted in full, as they give a good
+idea of the scope of the operations, the difficulties likely to be met
+with, and the precautions taken to overcome those difficulties:--
+
+
+COLUMN STANDING ORDERS BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL F. P. ENGLISH, COMMANDING
+ADEN COLUMN.
+
+                                        _December 24th, 1902._
+
+1. _Water._--It is anticipated that in all probability it will be
+difficult to obtain good drinking water in sufficient quantities on
+some of the marches into the interior. All ranks are therefore
+cautioned to husband their drinking water as much as possible. Troops
+and followers should be forbidden to draw water from the camel tanks
+without permission from the officer in charge, and be cautioned
+against drinking water from any but authorised sources, as some of the
+water on the route is brackish and liable to bring on diarrhoea.
+
+Each unit will detail an officer or selected N.C. officer to be in
+charge of the water camels, who will see that their supply is only
+drawn on by order of the officer commanding, and that great care is
+taken to prevent wastage. Whenever possible, water tanks and bottles
+should be replenished; halts will be made for this purpose.
+Water-bottles will be filled overnight. On arrival in camp, the
+sources of water supply will be pointed out by the staff officer, and
+sentries posted to see that the right people draw from the right
+source.
+
+2. _Country and Inhabitants._--It should be remembered that the
+country through which the column will march to Dthala is in the
+British Protectorate, and that the inhabitants and their property must
+not be interfered with. All supplies must be paid for, and foraging is
+strictly forbidden.
+
+3. _Camps._--On arrival at the camping-places, the staff officer will
+point out the sites for the camps of the different units to N.C.O.'s
+detailed for that purpose. Officers commanding units will see that
+their respective camping-grounds are cleared up before departure.
+
+4. _Transport._--On arrival in camp the transport in charge of each
+unit will be picketed near its camp.
+
+5. _Order of March and Baggage._--Each unit will be complete in
+itself, being followed by first line transport, viz:--
+
+1. Signalling equipment. 2. First reserve ammunition. 3. Entrenching
+tools. 4. Water camels. 5. Stretchers. 6. Great-coat camels.
+
+All followers not required with the above are to accompany the baggage
+of their corps. The transport officer will act as baggage-master, and
+all baggage-followers and baggage-guards will be under his orders. He
+will see that the baggage moves off the ground in the following order,
+viz:--Field hospital with its baggage in rear of fighting portion of
+column; ammunition second reserve and ordnance park; staff baggage,
+including supplies; regimental baggage with supplies in regimental
+charge in order of march of unit; supply go-down; spare animals in
+transport charge; rearguard.
+
+          (By order)               S. M. EDWARDS, _Major_,
+                                  _S.O. Aden Column_.
+
+_January 2nd, 1903, Sheikh Othman._--On January 2nd, 1903, the column
+assembled at its rendezvous, Sheikh Othman, some ten miles from Aden.
+
+_January 3rd, Bir Sayed Ali Wells_ (2-1/2 _miles north of
+Firush_.)--An early start was made, though as it was the first day's
+march as a column it was not intended to go very far. The going,
+moreover, was bad. It takes time to accustom oneself to marching
+through deep sand, just as it takes time to acquire the 'heather-step'
+in August. However, every one did well, the water was good and fairly
+plentiful, though somewhat scattered, and the spirits of the little
+force rose high at the possibilities of the prospect before them.
+
+_January 4th, Bir Salim._--The water at this camp was good, but
+insufficient in quantity, necessitating the watering of the animals
+some mile away.
+
+_January 5th, Shaika._--Another good march, the only incident of which
+was the breaking down of the treasure-camel, an important item of the
+force.
+
+_January 6th._--Owing to the necessity of making very early starts,
+long before daybreak, Lieut.-Colonel English gave orders for bonfires
+to be built overnight. These proved a great success, and enabled the
+packing-up in the morning to be accomplished with facility and
+dispatch.
+
+_January 7th, Alhaja._--This place was reached after a long and trying
+march, but the water proved bad in quality and small in quantity.
+Captain Harrison, however, luckily joined the force here with a good
+supply from Aden, so all was well.
+
+_January 8th, Hadaba._--Another tiring march, but a spring in the
+river-bed provided a plentiful supply of good water. As there were
+1300 human beings and animals to provide for, it can easily be
+understood that the problem of the water-supply was a never-ceasing
+care to the staff. Its solution would have been still more difficult
+had not the O.C. column arranged that the Bombay Grenadiers and native
+hospital should march a day behind the rest of the force.
+
+_January 9th, Arrado._--A short march, and more water than was
+expected.
+
+_January 10th, Dthala._--There was a difficult pass to ascend before
+the column reached its objective; three camels were in consequence
+lost _en route_, one falling over a precipice and two dying from
+exhaustion. By 1 p.m., however, all difficulties had been overcome,
+and the camping-ground was reached without opposition.
+
+_January 11th._--The remainder of the column arrived safely.
+
+[Illustration: Dthala Camp.]
+
+The rest of the month was occupied in putting the camp in a state of
+defence, and the usual camp life. A force of 400 Turkish troops, with
+four guns and twenty-five mounted men, was encamped only two miles off
+at Jelala, and, as the condition of affairs, according to the
+political officer, Colonel Wahab, was very acute, it was necessary to
+observe the strictest precautions at all times. On January 30th the
+detachment of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers was relieved by one from the
+Hampshire Regiment, and marched off on their way back to Aden, under
+command of Lieutenant Haskard. Colonel English did not return, having
+received orders from Lord Kitchener to remain in command of the field
+force, whose total strength now consisted of 818 officers and men, and
+735 animals.
+
+[Illustration: Dthala Village from Camp.]
+
+_February 1st._--The situation now, however, became more serious.
+Colonel English received a wire at 2.30 p.m. directing him to stop
+Haskard's return march at Nobat-Dakim, and another at 6 p.m. informing
+him that the whole of the Dublin Fusiliers were coming up, and also
+half the 23rd Bombay Rifles. On February 10th instructions were
+received to recall Haskard, who marched on the 12th, arriving at
+Dthala on the 14th. On the 18th, headquarters and the remainder of the
+Dublin Fusiliers left Aden, reaching Dthala on the 26th, when Colonel
+Hicks took over command of the column, Lieut.-Colonel English assuming
+command of the battalion.
+
+On March 22nd the Turks, however, evacuated Jelala, retiring behind
+Kataba. Jelala was at once occupied by two companies of the Bombay
+Rifles. Captain Rooth, Brevet-Major Carington Smith, Captains
+Garvice, Grimshaw, and Taylor arrived on the same day.
+
+On April 27th a detachment, consisting of 100 Royal Dublin Fusiliers,
+two guns 6th Mountain Battery, and 100 Bombay Rifles, with supply and
+transport, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel English,
+occupied Sanah, where they remained until July 11th, when they
+returned to Dthala.
+
+On May 18th a detachment of 100 men of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers,
+under Brevet-Major Smith, joined a column under command of Colonel
+Scallon, C.I.E., D.S.O., 23rd Bombay Rifles, which proceeded on a
+punitive expedition to Hardaba. They met with some slight opposition,
+in which No. 7274 Private Martin, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was slightly
+wounded. The column returned to Dthala on May 25th, after suffering
+considerably from heat.
+
+On August 31st a small flying column, under Major Delamain, left for
+the Bunna River. Lieutenant Wheeler, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, acted as
+Staff Officer to this force. On September 4th, Lieutenant Haskard,
+Royal Dublin Fusiliers, with thirty-five men, went out to Delamain
+with a convoy, returning on September 6th.
+
+Considerable trouble had for some time been caused by the depredations
+of the Arab tribes, who had been killing camelmen, and generally
+making themselves obnoxious on the line of communications. Information
+was now received that these Arabs were beginning to get very excited,
+and that they contemplated an attack on a post under Captain Shewell,
+at Awabil. A force was immediately got together, and placed under the
+command of Colonel English. He marched on September 13th, only to
+find, however, on arrival that Shewell had beaten off the attack by
+himself, with a loss of one man killed and five wounded. Colonel
+English then returned to Dthala, which place he reached on September
+19th.
+
+On October 5th the same officer took command of another column, to
+punish the Dthanbari tribe and destroy their chief town, Naklain. The
+column consisted of Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 4 companies; 6th Mountain
+Battery, Royal Artillery, 1 section; Camel Battery, 2 guns; Aden
+Troop, 17 sowars; Bombay Grenadiers, 1 double company; 23rd Bombay
+Rifles, 23 men.
+
+[Illustration: A Frontier Tower. Abdali Country.]
+
+Colonel English arrived before Naklain at 8.25 a.m. on October 7th,
+after pushing back the enemy, who disputed the passage of a difficult
+gorge for some time. He then proceeded to destroy the place, and at
+11.15 a.m. started on his return march. The enemy clung to his flanks,
+and kept up a long-range fire until 2.30 p.m., when he repassed the
+gorge mentioned above. His casualties consisted of one killed (No.
+5710 Private Andrew Keegan), and six wounded, while there were in
+addition six cases of sunstroke. The column did not return to Dthala,
+but marched straight to Aden, where it arrived on October 14th.
+
+The remainder of the battalion left Dthala on October 10th, reaching
+Aden on the 16th, where, on October 24th, it embarked on the transport
+_Soudan_ for home.
+
+For his services in the Aden Hinterland, Lieutenant-Colonel English
+was awarded the D.S.O. It was never better earned. But no medal was
+issued to the regiment, in spite of the fact that for ten months they
+had been living under active service conditions, which necessitated
+unceasing vigilance by day and night. It is true they had not suffered
+many casualties, or seen much fighting, but as this was undoubtedly
+due to the excellent manner in which the operations were conducted,
+and to the precautions taken, it seemed a little hard that the coveted
+distinction of a medal should be withheld, although the little
+campaign is ranked in war services as active service.
+
+However, the experience and the knowledge of the country gained will
+doubtless prove beneficial to all concerned, who still look back upon
+Dthala with affection, and speak of it with regret. On the night after
+Colonel English had dealt with the Dthanbari tribe, Major Carington
+Smith, who was in command of a small detachment, after posting his
+outposts was just thinking of retiring when he heard the sentries
+challenge; this was immediately followed by a rush of horsemen, headed
+by a most gorgeously dressed officer. Reining up almost at Smith's
+feet he informed him that his master, a neighbouring potentate,
+friendly to the English, had sent him and his men to assist in the
+repulse of the bloodthirsty Dthanbari tribe, who might be expected to
+attempt to rush the camp that night. Although not anticipating
+anything of the kind, Major Smith was far too polite to say so, and
+after thanking his allies, suggested that they should take up a line
+of cossack posts in front of his outpost line. To this they
+consented, but before leaving declared their earnest conviction that
+an assault would be delivered. Shortly after midnight Smith was
+awakened by a fiendish din. Grasping his sword with one hand and his
+pistol with the other, he rushed out to meet the crisis. From every
+direction his allies came galloping in as fast as their horses could
+lay legs to the ground, while the detachment sprang to arms in a
+second, fully expecting to be attacked by every Arab in the
+Hinterland. Reining up his horse as before, the leader of the cavalry
+once more saluted Smith, and made the following report: 'Sah, I have
+honour to salute you, and inform your Honour that Dthanbari tribe have
+not yet arrived.'
+
+The following description of the action at Naklain appeared in the
+home press:--
+
+
+'AN ARAB DRIVE.'
+
+'HOT FIGHTING IN THE ADEN HINTERLAND.
+
+'The expedition, under Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel English, was sent out
+to destroy the chief village and crops of the tribe Naklain, as
+punishment for the shooting of Government camels and the looting of
+his Majesty's mails. The tribe is very warlike, and their country had
+never hitherto been penetrated.
+
+'After leaving As Suk camp, the British column began to wind among the
+mountains, which rise very abruptly from the plain, and, as they met
+with no opposition for a considerable time, they began to think there
+would be no resistance. Suddenly, without warning of any sort, a
+ragged volley was opened on the advance-guard, apparently from some
+very broken ground, fifty to a hundred yards in front.
+
+'This seemed to be a prearranged signal, for from the hills on both
+flanks the firing was taken up, the enemy constantly changing their
+positions after firing. The guns were brought into action almost at
+once, and the infantry, extending at the double, soon covered a wide
+front and swept along the hills parallel to the advance.
+
+
+'MOVING FORWARD.
+
+'After the surrounding hills had been shelled, the whole column moved
+forward, the infantry pushing the enemy back step by step until the
+village of Naklain was reached. While parties of men were told off to
+keep down the enemy's fire from points of vantage, others proceeded to
+blow up the houses with gun-cotton, and the more inaccessible houses
+were shelled.
+
+'The crops were then destroyed by the men with their bayonets and
+swords. There was a fierce fire while this was proceeding, the enemy
+evidently not having expected such a reprisal. The work having been
+completed, the arduous retirement commenced, the enemy following the
+force up step by step the whole way back, at one time coming to
+comparatively close quarters and necessitating a most careful
+management of the rearguard.
+
+'As Suk was reached after a trying march of twenty miles, the troops
+being under fire most of the time, with scarcely any water and exposed
+to a burning sun. The British casualties were seven men of the Dublin
+Fusiliers wounded (one since dead) and one native and one gunner
+slightly wounded.'
+
+[Illustration: 2nd Lieut. H. St. G. S. Scott; 2nd Lieut. B. Maclear;
+2nd Lieut. E. St. G. Smith; 2nd Lieut. J. P. Tredennick.
+
+Bt.-Major E. Fetherstonhaugh; Lieut. A. H. D. Britton; Lieut. and
+Qr.-mr. Burke; Major S. G. Bird, D.S.O.; Lieut. Haskard; Lieut.
+Wheeler; 2nd Lieut. R. F. B. Knox; 2nd Lieut. J. P. B. Robinson; 2nd
+Lieut. A. W. Newton.
+
+Lieut. C. Garvice, D.S.O.; Capt. G. N. Cory, D.S.O.; Capt. M. Lowndes;
+Lieut.-Col. H. T. Hicks, C.B.; Lieut. L. F. Renny; Capt. H. W.
+Higginson; 2nd Lieut. E. F. E. Seymour; Lieut. A. de B. W. W. Bradford
+(absent).
+
+Officers of the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers who embarked for
+Aden.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE RETURN HOME AND RECEPTION.
+
+  'I must to England.
+  I pray you give me leave.'
+
+                                           _Hamlet._
+
+
+Early in October, 1903, the 2nd Battalion at length heard the good
+news that the date of their departure from Aden had been definitely
+fixed, and on the 23rd of the month it sailed in the s.s. _Soudan_,
+arriving at Queenstown late in the evening of November 9th. The tour
+of foreign service had lasted for twenty years all but two months, and
+only one man in the whole battalion had seen it through from start to
+finish without coming home, the present quartermaster, Lieutenant J.
+Burke.
+
+The 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers left England for Gibraltar on
+January 9th, 1884, and in February, 1885, proceeded to Egypt, where it
+was quartered first at Ramleh, and later on at Cairo. Early in 1886
+the battalion went to India, headquarters being stationed successively
+at Poona, Nasirabad, Karachi, Quetta, and Bombay.
+
+In May, 1897, it was suddenly ordered to South Africa, and quartered
+at Maritzburg, as already stated in the opening chapter.
+
+The details were at Buttevant, County Cork, and thither the battalion
+proceeded on their arrival in Ireland.
+
+Just two days prior to the arrival home of the 2nd Battalion the
+regiment had been honoured by having appointed as its Colonel-in-Chief
+Field-Marshal H.R.H. A. W. S. A. Duke of Connaught and Strathearn,
+K.G., K.P., K.T., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O.
+
+On November 13th, 1903, the battalion proceeded to Dublin to attend a
+public reception and also to receive their medals at the hands of
+H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught. The following is the account of the
+proceedings as published in the _Irish Times_ of November 14th, 1903,
+to whom the thanks of the regiment are due for their kindness in
+permitting its reproduction:--
+
+
+(_Extract from 'Irish Times,' Saturday, November 14th, 1903._)
+
+HOME-COMING OF THE ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS.
+
+The officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 2nd Battalion
+of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers may well feel proud of the reception
+accorded them on their return to their native land and city after a
+long and arduous service under the British flag in foreign lands.
+There was quite a contest for places on the gallery in the great
+Central Hall of the Royal Dublin Society's buildings at Ballsbridge to
+see the heroes of a regiment which had gained undying laurels in
+Burmah, India, and South Africa. Exceptional arrangements had been
+made for the entertainment of the battalion at Ballsbridge, and the
+reception committee, which had for its chairman the Earl of Meath,
+must be congratulated on the manner in which they carried out the
+entertainment and provided for the enjoyment of such a large number of
+guests. The arrangement of the hall was admirable in every respect. At
+the further end a slightly-raised dais was placed and profusely
+decorated with palms and evergreens, and immediately behind the chair
+subsequently occupied by H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught was the
+regimental emblem introducing the figures of an elephant and a tiger;
+the former bringing to mind the doughty deeds of the Dublin Fusiliers
+in Burmah and the latter their equally splendid record on the historic
+field of Plassey. At the back was the regimental motto, _Spectamur
+Agendo_, and the roof and gallery railings were handsomely draped with
+red, green, and blue muslin, while the names of the various
+engagements in which the men took part were prominently displayed. On
+the right-hand side of the hall four long rows of tables were placed,
+handsomely prepared for the dinner, while the centre of the building
+facing the dais was kept clear for the men to be drawn up in proper
+formation to receive H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught. The spacious
+galleries reserved for ticket-holders were crowded long before the
+hour fixed for the ceremony, 12.30 o'clock. Shortly before 10 o'clock
+a large number of reservists of the battalion, about 250, and some
+reservists from other battalions of the regiment assembled at the
+Marshalsea Barracks, and under the command of Captain Perreau, Royal
+Dublin Fusiliers, Adjutant 5th Battalion, and Major Baker, D.S.O.,
+marched via Thomas Street, Cork Hill, Dame Street, Nassau Street,
+Merrion Square North, Lower Mount Street, and Northumberland Road to
+Ballsbridge. The men were dressed in civilian clothes, but wore their
+medals and other decorations, and many showed by their appearance that
+they, too, had played no insignificant part in the recent campaign.
+They were accompanied by the massed bands of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th
+Battalions Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The 2nd Battalion of the regiment
+arrived from Buttevant by train at the Ballsbridge siding at 11.30
+a.m., and marched across the roadway into the Royal Dublin Society's
+premises. A great crowd of people watched the men detraining, and
+several hearty rounds of cheering greeted their appearance. The men
+looked in splendid form as they defiled into the main hall and took up
+the positions allotted to them. It was at first stated that the
+strength comprised 25 officers, 2 warrant officers, 8 staff sergeants,
+54 sergeants, and 528 rank and file; but the figures given yesterday
+were 18 officers and 523 rank and file. Be the numbers as they may,
+the appearance of the men thoroughly maintained the regimental
+nickname of 'The Old Toughs.' Hardy, wiry warriors they
+looked--thoroughly capable of accomplishing the daring and courageous
+deeds which have covered the Dublin Fusiliers with special glory. It
+is worthy of note that the majority of the non-commissioned officers
+served through the South African campaign from the Battle of Dundee,
+and that Lieutenant and Quartermaster Burke is the only remaining one
+who left England with the battalion nineteen years ago. The officers
+and men of the battalion were dressed in general service (khaki)
+uniform, and carried their rifles and bayonets. They also wore Indian
+helmets with puggarees, while the mounted company were attired in the
+clothing suited to this, particular branch of the Service. They were
+under the command of Colonel Tempest Hicks, C.B., Colonel English, and
+Major Fetherstonhaugh, and when they marched into the hall and took up
+position on either side, in line of half-battalions, they were greeted
+with loud cheering, and when the order 'stand at ease' was made a
+number of reservists and other friends rushed forward to exchange
+greetings with former acquaintances. There was nearly a half-hour's
+wait for the arrival of the Duke of Connaught, and in the interval the
+bands of the Fusiliers and Warwickshire Regiment played some
+selections. At a quarter-past twelve precisely, H.R.H. the Commander
+of the Forces in Ireland arrived in an open carriage, accompanied by
+H.R.H. the Duchess of Connaught and Princesses Margaret and Patricia
+of Connaught, and attended by the following staff: Major-General Sir
+William Knox, Major-General Sir John Maxwell, Colonel Hammersley,
+Colonel Davidson, Colonel Dickinson, Colonel Congreve, V.C., and Major
+Murray, A.D.C.
+
+[Illustration: Homeward bound at last after twenty Years' Foreign
+Service.]
+
+The Duke, who wore the uniform of a Field-Marshal, was received by the
+following members of the reception committee: Major Domville, D.L.
+(vice-chairman), Mr. Justice Ross, Sir Wm. Thompson, Sir Charles
+Cameron, C.B., Major Davidson Houston, Colonel Finlay, Colonel
+Davidson, Major-General Sir Gerald Morton, K.C.B., Colonel Paterson,
+Colonel G. T. Plunkett, C.B., Captain Lewis Riall, D.L., Colonel
+Vernon, D.L., and Alderman Harris.
+
+Major-General Vetch, commanding the Dublin District, was accompanied
+by Major Lowndes, A.D.C., Major Gilles (Brigade-Major), and Captain
+Fox Strangways (Garrison Adjutant). A guard of honour of the Royal
+Irish Rifles was drawn up outside the Show Buildings, and the band of
+the regiment played the National Anthem when the Duke and Duchess of
+Connaught drove up.
+
+Their Royal Highnesses having taken seats on the dais, the Duke of
+Connaught, who spoke in a tone which was easily heard in all parts of
+the building, said, 'Colonel Hicks, officers and non-commissioned
+officers, and men of the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, allow me
+to welcome you most warmly home again to old Ireland after your very
+arduous four years' service. I am sure I am only the mouthpiece, not
+only of the General Officer Commanding this Army Corps, but also of
+every loyal Irishman, when I assure you how warm and how hearty is the
+greeting that is given you on your return to your native country, and
+especially in this capital of Ireland. You are an old and distinguished
+regiment; raised originally for service in India as the Royal Madras and
+Royal Bombay Fusiliers. During the time that you bore this name and the
+numbers 102 and 103, you took a very honourable part in all those great
+battles that assured us the conquest of India. Now, since the year 1881,
+you have become closely associated not only with Ireland, but with its
+capital. Your first service since you became the Royal Dublin Fusiliers
+was in South Africa, and through the arduous services in that country
+you, men, whom I have now the honour of addressing, nobly maintained the
+traditions of those fine soldiers who went before you. When you were
+sent from India amongst the first reinforcements of the troops in South
+Africa in 1897--soon afterwards the war broke out--you took a leading
+part in the Battle of Talana. You then went back to Ladysmith, and after
+falling back across the Tugela, you were attached to the army of Sir
+Redvers Buller, in the Irish Brigade under General Hart. During all
+those weary months on the Tugela, you took a leading part in every
+action that took place, and you distinguished yourselves so much at
+Pieter's Hill that when the relief force of Ladysmith marched in, the
+general officer commanding gave you the post of honour, and you led the
+troops that marched into Ladysmith. (Cheers.) Men of the Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers, this occasion is one of especial pleasure and satisfaction to
+myself, as His Majesty has done me the great honour of appointing me
+your Colonel-in-Chief--(cheers)--and I hope that in this you will
+recognise not only His Majesty's high appreciation of the distinguished
+services you have rendered to his throne and his empire, but also that
+you will see in it his wish that you will have some special mark of
+distinction when he has made me, his only brother, Colonel-in-Chief of
+the regiment. I hope I shall long have the honour to be your
+Colonel-in-Chief, and to have a connection with a regiment of which
+every Irishman feels so proud.' (Cheers.)
+
+Colonel G. T. Plunkett, C.B., read the following letter, received from
+the Earl of Meath, H.M.L. for the County and City of Dublin:--
+
+
+                                   '_Ottershaw, Chertsey._
+
+'MY DEAR PLUNKETT,--Owing to absence from Ireland, I shall be unable
+to be present in person with you on the 13th, when you and the
+Reception Committee entertain the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers
+on their return home from foreign service, but I shall be with you in
+spirit, and I hope you will let the officers and men know how sorry I
+am that I cannot personally welcome them on their return to Ireland,
+and to Dublin, after so many years spent abroad in the service of
+their Sovereign.
+
+'The fame which the regiment has acquired by daring deeds of valour
+performed during the late war has travelled far beyond the shores of
+Ireland. Military men the world over, and all who have studied the
+South African War, have heard of the famous deeds of the Dublin
+Fusiliers. The citizens of the Metropolitan county and City are proud
+of the men who, mindful of their origin, have known how to make the
+name of Dublin to be honoured in all lands. Both officers and men have
+done their duty to King and country, and we, their Irish brothers,
+accord them a hearty welcome on their return to the dear land of their
+birth.
+
+'Believe me, yours sincerely,
+
+                                        'MEATH,
+
+               '_H.M.L. for County and City of Dublin_.'
+
+The Duke of Connaught then said: 'I have been particularly requested
+by His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to assure you of his
+warm welcome. He is away in England at present, but he has sent his
+military secretary and senior A.D.C. to represent him, and to give you
+his warmest wishes.' (Applause.)
+
+His Royal Highness then distributed the medals and other distinctions
+to the officers and rank-and-file of the battalion who were entitled
+to them. The following officers were decorated, the Duke cordially
+shaking hands with each recipient:--Colonel Hicks, C.B., Colonel
+English, Major Fetherstonhaugh, Major Carington Smith, Captain H. W.
+Higginson, Captain Cory, D.S.O., Captain Garvice, D.S.O., Lieutenants
+Grimshaw, D.S.O., Haskard, Britton, Wheeler, St. George Smith, Knox,
+Tredennick, Seymour, Robinson, and Maclear, and Lieutenant and
+Quartermaster J. Burke and Sergeant-Major Sheridan. His Royal Highness
+pinned distinguished-conduct medals on the breasts of Lieutenant and
+Quartermaster J. Burke, Corporal Connell, and Privates C. N. Wallace,
+M. Farrelly, and M. Kavanagh, each recipient being loudly cheered.
+
+The following officers who had served with the battalion during the
+war, but who had previously come home through wounds or sickness,
+availed themselves of the opportunity to have their medals presented
+to them by the Duke:--Captain Downing, Captain Dibley, Lieutenants
+Renny, Supple, Newton, Weldon, Molony, Armstrong, and Cooper. The
+distribution of the medals occupied over half an hour.
+
+When this important portion of the programme had been completed, the
+order to 'stack arms' was given, and the men filed into their seats at
+the four long rows of tables which had been admirably prepared for the
+dinner by the caterers, Messrs. Mills & Co., of Merrion Row. Messrs.
+Mills & Co. had a picked staff of forty-two persons to carve the
+various dishes and wait at table. Dinner consisted of several courses,
+with selected fruit; while in addition to liberal supplies of ale,
+stout, and mineral waters, 300 bottles of champagne were placed
+before the honoured guests. This last-mentioned luxury was the
+generous gift of Messrs. Perrier-Jouet & Co., of Epernay, the famous
+wine shippers, who kindly and thoughtfully presented this supply of
+their extra-quality wine through their Irish representatives, Messrs.
+James McCullagh, Son & Co., 34 Lower Abbey Street. When the guests
+were seated, H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, the Duchess of Connaught,
+and the Princesses Margaret and Patricia of Connaught, with the
+Reception Committee, a number of ladies, and a resplendent military
+_entourage_, walked slowly down between the rows of tables, stopping
+to speak a few gracious words to the non-commissioned officers and men
+who had made themselves conspicuous even amongst their comrades for
+valorous deeds and unflinching devotion to duty. Many of the
+reservists who sat beside former 'chums' at table, and on whose less
+warlike garb, the ordinary civilian clothes, medals and clasps shone
+out in high relief, also received kindly congratulations from the
+Commander-in-Chief in Ireland. Meanwhile the string band of the 21st
+Lancers, who occupied a good position on the gallery, played a
+beautiful selection of airs, principally Irish, not the least being
+'The Wearin' of the Green.' The Royal party on walking down the centre
+of the hall was enthusiastically cheered, and the Duchess and her
+daughters left the building at about half-past one.
+
+The Duke remained for lunch with his staff and the officers of the
+battalion. The health of His Majesty the King was drunk amidst much
+enthusiasm. After dinner, cigars and cigarettes and tobacco were
+liberally distributed, officers of the regiment performing most of
+this agreeable duty, and each man was presented with a nice briar pipe
+before leaving, the gift of Messrs. Lalor & Co., of Nassau Street.
+
+In the interval between dinner and leaving the premises at
+Ballsbridge, many friends and relatives of the members of the
+battalion were afforded an opportunity for a pleasant chat, and most
+of these accompanied the men in their subsequent march through the
+city. One figure attracted much attention during the afternoon--a
+sturdy soldier who formerly belonged to the Royal Dublins, and who
+appeared in the quaint, and, in this country, unusual uniform of a
+West African regiment. It would be certainly less than unwarranted to
+refer to the general appearance and behaviour of the men. Clean,
+smart, soldierly fellows, they all appeared to be impressed with the
+one idea--that they belonged to a crack corps with unrivalled
+traditions to maintain.
+
+The departure from Ballsbridge occasioned unbounded enthusiasm on the
+part of thousands of eager spectators, who, unaware of the exact time
+at which the entertainment would finish, had patiently waited for a
+couple of hours to catch a glimpse of the 'Old Toughs.' The main
+thoroughfare from the Show-grounds to Pembroke Road was lined by
+detachments of the Warwickshire, East Lancashire (with band), and
+Middlesex Regiments, while a guard of honour of the Royal Irish Rifles
+(with their band) was stationed opposite the main entrance. About 3.15
+o'clock H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, preceded by two mounted
+policemen and an escort of the 21st Lancers, drove out, and passed
+over the route to be traversed immediately afterwards by the
+Fusiliers. The Field-Marshal was loudly cheered as he proceeded to the
+Royal Hospital, and repeatedly returned the cordial salutations of the
+large crowds who were assembled at different points. The appearance of
+the feted warriors was the signal for an astonishing ovation at
+Ballsbridge.
+
+The scene was a striking one. A splendid body of the 21st Lancers,
+numbering fifty, occupied first place in the procession, and these
+were followed by four or five bands and the heroes of the day.
+Another detachment of fifty Lancers brought up the rear, and a number
+of men of the same dashing cavalry regiment marched on either side of
+the advancing column. Many relatives and friends of the Fusiliers had
+now an opportunity to exchange greetings, and strict army discipline
+was at an end. There was nothing reprehensible, however, and the
+progress to Kingsbridge was of the most orderly and praiseworthy
+description.
+
+The route followed was the main road from Ballsbridge--Pembroke Road,
+Upper Baggot Street, Lower Baggot Street, Merrion Row, Stephen's
+Green, North Grafton Street, College Green, Dame Street, Parliament
+Street, and the south lines of quays to Kingsbridge. At different
+points, like Baggot Street Bridge, Stephen's Green, and Grafton
+Street, the reception was of a most cordial nature, while an immense
+crowd in College Green raised deafening cheers as the sturdy warriors
+marched past. Enthusiasm reached its height when the tattered colours
+of the battalion, borne by two stalwart young ensigns, came into view.
+The officers and men appeared delighted with the cordial reception
+extended to them on all sides. At Grattan Bridge the band of the
+Seaforth Highlanders, which had already delighted a large concourse of
+people with some choice selections, struck up a lively air as Dublin's
+guests moved past, while a splendid send-off characterised the
+entrainment of the battalion at Kingsbridge for Buttevant, co. Cork.
+
+The Railway Company made excellent arrangements for the men, who,
+considering their long day and its happy experiences, went through the
+ordeal in first-class style. After all, one could scarcely expect less
+from soldiers who carry six or seven, or even nine clasps, on their
+medal ribbons.
+
+It is right to mention that a number of members of the Army Veterans
+Association, decorated with their medals and other distinctions,
+visited Ballsbridge, and cordially congratulated the Fusiliers on
+their return from foreign service.
+
+On reaching Buttevant, the men will be supplied with new clothing and
+granted a general furlough.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Shortly after the reception the battalion was once again supplied with
+their home service full-dress head-gear--the busby, and it was with
+much gratification that the men wore their new busby hackle for the
+first time. This distinction was granted in 1902, when by Army Order
+57 it was directed that the Royal Dublin Fusiliers should wear a blue
+and green hackle in their busbies: that for the officers to be blue
+and green, eight inches long, and that for the non-commissioned
+officers and men a similar but shorter one, in recognition of their
+services during the war in South Africa. In explanation of the colours
+of the hackle it may be stated that blue is the distinguishing colour
+of the 1st Battalion ('Blue Caps'), and green that of the 2nd
+Battalion ('Old Toughs').
+
+On November 27th, 1903, the regiment was honoured by having appointed
+as its Colonel Major-General W. F. Vetch, C.V.O., commanding Dublin
+Garrison, _vice_ Lieut.-General Sir John Blick Spurgin, K.C.B.,
+G.C.S.I., deceased.
+
+General Vetch joined the 102nd Foot on March 8th, 1864, was promoted
+Lieutenant, July 1st, 1869; Captain, May 22nd, 1875; Major, June 18th,
+1881; Lieut.-Colonel, June 7th, 1884; Colonel, June 7th, 1888; and
+Major-General, April 1st, 1900.
+
+After a quiet and uneventful stay at Buttevant for nearly three years
+the battalion proceeded to Fermoy on September 14th, 1906, and took up
+quarters in the New Barracks at that station.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE MEMORIAL ARCH.
+
+  'Even so great men great losses should endure.'
+
+                              _Julius Caesar._
+
+
+On August 19th, 1907, the memorial arch to the officers and men who
+fell in South Africa was opened by H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught,
+Colonel-in-Chief the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The 2nd Battalion was
+marching from Kilworth Camp to Ballyvonaire Camp on that day, but the
+authorities very kindly did everything in their power to make the
+ceremony a success, and Colonel English, Major Bromilow, and every one
+of any importance who had taken part in the war proceeded to Dublin by
+special train on the morning of the 19th, while the Depot and Militia
+officers also assembled in good force.
+
+The officers and men of the regiment were very sensible of the honour
+shown to them by H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught in personally opening
+the arch, and so identifying himself with it and them, while every
+Dublin Fusilier present felt an added pride in himself and his uniform
+as he saw it worn by His Royal Highness the brother of His Majesty the
+King.
+
+The following account of the ceremony is taken from the Dublin _Daily
+Express_, to whose proprietors our thanks are due for permission to
+reproduce it:--
+
+
+  'ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS' MEMORIAL IN STEPHEN'S GREEN
+          INAUGURATED BY THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.
+             LUNCHEON AT SHELBOURNE HOTEL.
+
+'To-day the Royal Dublin Fusiliers' Memorial to the officers and men
+of the regiment who fell in South Africa was formally inaugurated by
+the Duke of Connaught, Inspector-General of the British Army. His
+Royal Highness arrived at Amiens Street terminus by the early morning
+train from Belfast, and was received by the Viceroy's Military
+Secretary. The Duke of Connaught at once drove to the Shelbourne
+Hotel, where he was received by the following members of the Memorial
+Committee:--The Earl of Meath, President; the Earl of Drogheda, Mr.
+Justice Ross, Colonel Vernon, Sir Frederick Shaw, Bart., D.S.O., Sir
+Maurice Dockrell, Mr. Richard Dowse, Colonel Gore-Lindsay, Colonel
+Finlay, Sir Thomas Drew, R.H.A., Sir Charles Cameron, C.B., &c.
+
+'Lunch was served immediately afterwards, and was presided over by the
+Earl of Meath, K.P., who was supported on his right by H.R.H. the Duke
+of Connaught, K.P., the Earl of Drogheda, Major-General Vetch, C.V.O.,
+and Mr. Justice Ross, P.C.; and on his left by Lord Grenfell, G.C.B.,
+Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Ireland; Viscount Iveagh, K.P.;
+Major-General Sir Herbert Plumer, K.C.B.; Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. Shaw,
+D.S.O., 5th Royal Dublin Fusiliers. There were also present:--
+
+'Sir G. Holmes, K.C.V.O.; Col. Vernon, D.L.; Brig.-Gen. Hammersley,
+Col. Lindsay, D.L.; Brig.-Gen. Monro, C.B.; Col. R. St. L. Moore,
+C.B.; Lieut.-Col. Hackett, 4th R.D.F.; Sir Daniel Hegarty, Captain
+Seymour, A.D.C.; Sir T. Myles, Major D. C. Courtney, Alderman Cotton,
+D.L.; Mr. Gerald M'Guinness, Col. Doyly Battley, Capt. Cameron, Dr.
+Wheeler, Mr. G. S. Dockrell, Capt. Halahan, Col. Chapman, 1st R.D.F.;
+Sir Horace Plunkett, P.C.; Col. Finlay, Sir John Arnott, Brig.-Gen.
+Cooper, C.B.; Mr. G. A. Stevenson, M.O.; Col. Hutcheson Poe, D.L.; Mr.
+P. Hanson, Sir John Moore, Major Carington Smith, Major Domville,
+D.L.; Col. Lyster Smythe, D.L., A.D.C.; Major Skeet, Capt. Garvice,
+Capt. Thompson, Mr. H. M. Dockrell, Mr. Wm. Graham, Mr. John Laverty,
+Col. F. P. English, D.S.O., 2nd R.D.F.; Mr. R. Dowse, B.L.; Major-Gen.
+Sir John Maxwell, K.C.B.; T. A. O'Farrell, J.P.; Surg.-Gen. Edge,
+C.B.; Col. the Hon. E. Lawless, Col. O'Neill, 3rd R.D.F.; Sir W.
+Watson, D.L.; Col. Colville Frankland, Major Lowndes, Mr. James F.
+Darcy, D.L.; Mr. J. H. Pentland, R.H.A.; Mr. Key, A.D.C.; Mr. J. A.
+Pigott, Mr. Robert Mitchell, Mr. R. H. A. M'Comas, Mr. Major Gorman,
+Mr. George Healy, Mr. R. Tyson, Mr. R. A. Falconer, Major-Gen.
+Bunbury, C.B.; Sir Maurice Dockrell, Brig.-Gen. Mills, C.B.; Sir John
+Ross of Bladensburg, K.C.B.; Sir T. Drew, R.H.A.; Sir G. Moyers, D.L.;
+the Hon. M. Ponsonby, A.D.C.; Sir William Thomson, Sir C. Cameron,
+C.B.; Sir L. Ormsby, Col. D. Browne, Mr. R. H. Jephson, Major Knight,
+Mr. A. E. Kennedy, Mr. W. A. Shea, Mr. Milward Jones, Mr. F. J. Usher,
+Mr. J. H. Reid, Mr. Henry L. Barnardo, Mr. R. P. Jephson.
+
+'After lunch, which was admirably served,
+
+'The Earl of Meath arose, amidst applause, and said:--"The toast list
+to-day is short, and contains but one toast, that of The King
+(applause). His Majesty King Edward occupies a position amongst rulers
+which is absolutely unique. He not only rules over twelve million
+square miles, one-sixth of the earth's surface, and governs four
+hundred millions of subjects of all races, colours, creeds, and
+conditions of civilisation, from the most advanced to the most
+backward, but he is a Monarch whose personal qualities are of so
+distinguished an order that he has come to be regarded as a statesman
+of the first rank (applause). The world watches His Majesty's
+movements with breathless interest. Under his masterful touch
+international difficulties which seem insuperable are solved,
+political sores are healed. His presence seems to breathe the spirit
+of peace and of goodwill, so that when he undertakes a journey it
+needs no strong imagination to picture to oneself the Angel of Peace
+hovering over his footsteps with healing in her wings (applause). King
+Edward is no stranger to Ireland; certainly not to Dublin (renewed
+applause). We knew him and loved him as Prince of Wales, and our
+affection for him has only increased since he became King, and since
+we recognised that Ireland and the Irish are as dear to him as he is
+to us (applause). We are an open-hearted race, and on each occasion
+that he has visited these shores, his kindly, sympathetic, and genial
+nature has captivated our hearts. He is just such a monarch as we love
+(applause). May he be long spared to reign over us and may he often
+grace this island with his genial and captivating presence." (Loud
+applause.)
+
+'The toast was duly honoured, and the festive proceedings terminated.
+
+
+  'INAUGURATION CEREMONY BY THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.
+               BRILLIANT FUNCTION.
+
+'Brilliant and strikingly picturesque was the ceremony of unveiling
+the Royal Dublin Fusiliers' war memorial in St. Stephen's Green, which
+took place at four o'clock this afternoon. The weather was,
+fortunately, bright, although inclined to be showery, and no heavy
+rain fell at any stage to mar the success of the interesting
+proceedings, which were attended by a very large and distinguished
+gathering. Long before the ceremony commenced, a great crowd had
+assembled in the Green and its vicinity.
+
+[Illustration: The Memorial Arch, Dublin.
+
+Erected to the Memory of the Officers, N.C.O.'s. and Men of The Royal
+Dublin Fusiliers.
+
+Opened by H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught, K.G., etc., Colonel-in-Chief
+
+The Royal Dublin Fusiliers, August 19th, 1907.]
+
+'The military arrangements were of a most elaborate nature, and
+thoroughly in keeping with the occasion. The troops of the Dublin
+Garrison and representative detachments of the Line and Militia
+battalions of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers were drawn up in the vicinity
+of the Memorial Arch, and presented a very imposing appearance. There
+was also a representative gathering of ex-soldiers who had served in
+the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during the South African war and of members
+of the Veterans' Club, who were accommodated in special places
+reserved for them on the outside of the arch. After the troops had
+been drawn up, the massed bands of the 13th Infantry Brigade played
+a number of pleasing selections whilst awaiting the arrival of H.R.H.
+the Duke of Connaught.
+
+'The magnificent monument, which takes the form of a triumphal arch
+spanning the north-west corner of St. Stephen's Green, was greatly
+admired by the crowd. The noble archway is undoubtedly a most
+beautiful and artistic ornament to the city. Twelve feet in width, it
+springs from rusticated piers, each intersected by a pedestal and a
+pair of pilasters supporting a Doric entablature. The frieze bears on
+its four elevations the names in gold of the principal actions in the
+South African War in which the regiment took part. The entablature is
+surmounted by an Attic storey broken over the pilasters, and bearing
+two inscription panels. The front keystone supports a bronze
+cartouche, flanked by branches of bay bearing the arms of the
+regiment. Within the arch appear the names of the gallant 212 who
+perished in the war.
+
+'Loud cheers were raised when, at a quarter to four o'clock,
+Field-Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught arrived on the scene and
+was received with a Royal salute. He was accompanied by the Right Hon.
+the Earl of Meath, President of the Memorial Committee; General the
+Lord Grenfell, K.C.B.; Sir George Holmes, K.C.V.O.; the members of the
+committee, and others who had attended the luncheon at the Shelbourne
+Hotel. More cheers rose from the expectant gathering when, a few
+minutes later, their Excellencies the Lord Lieutenant and the Countess
+of Aberdeen arrived, and were received with a Royal salute. The flag
+on the Memorial Arch was then half-masted, and the order was given for
+the troops to "reverse arms" and "rest on their arms reversed." The
+massed bands of the 13th Infantry Brigade played the "Dead March in
+Saul," after which "Oft in the Stilly Night" was played by the band of
+the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The massed bugles of the
+13th Infantry Brigade then sounded "The Last Post," and the flag on
+the Memorial Arch was mast-headed.
+
+'His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant extended a hearty welcome to the
+Duke of Connaught, and congratulated the Memorial Committee, and every
+one connected with the undertaking, upon the successful manner in
+which it had been carried out.
+
+'The Earl of Meath, in requesting his Royal Highness the Duke of
+Connaught to open the gates of the archway, said:--"Your Royal
+Highness, we meet to-day for the purpose of honouring the memory of
+the gallant men belonging to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who sacrificed
+their lives for King and country in the late South African war. By the
+aid of subscriptions raised throughout the city and county of Dublin
+and its neighbourhood, a large sum of money has been collected, and I
+trust that your Royal Highness will agree with the general opinion
+that a very handsome and satisfactory memorial has been raised, worthy
+of the heroes whose fame it is destined to perpetuate. As the only
+surviving brother of the gracious and mighty Sovereign whose uniform
+these heroes wore when they died in the defence of their country's
+interests, and as Colonel of the regiment in which they so faithfully
+served, it is fit and proper that you, Sir, should have been invited
+to perform the ceremony of opening the gates of the arch erected to
+their memory. We who have been actively concerned with the erection of
+the memorial most sincerely and gratefully thank your Royal Highness
+for the honour you have done the regiment by thus personally
+identifying yourself with the effort to keep fresh in the minds of
+their fellow-countrymen the gallant deeds performed by those heroes
+whom to-day we delight to honour. Irish gallantry and Irish fidelity
+to King and country are well known. Wherever British arms have
+penetrated, there the record of Irish valour need not be sought in
+brass or stone, but in the soil itself, which has been made
+sacred to Erin's sons by the knowledge that it holds the mortal
+remains of hearts which have been faithful to duty and to high ideals
+of Irish valour even to the gates of death. But, sir, it may safely be
+said that not in the Peninsula, nor in India--where this regiment
+under its old title, in a hundred fights never knew the meaning of the
+word defeat--did Irish soldiers ever cover themselves with greater
+glory than did the Dublin Fusiliers in the battles of South
+Africa--Talana, Colenso, Tugela Heights, Hart's Hill, Ladysmith, and
+Laing's Nek. These glorious contests are commemorated on the memorial
+arch which your Royal Highness will shortly declare open. Situated in
+the centre of the Irish capital this memorial, recording the gallant
+deeds of brave men, will be an ever-present reminder to coming
+generations of the citizens of Dublin of the obligations of loyalty,
+of faithfulness to duty and to honour which Ireland demands of all her
+sons. I have the honour, sir, on behalf of the Dublin Fusilier
+Memorial Committee, to ask your Royal Highness to declare the gates of
+the archway to be open."
+
+'As his Royal Highness formally opened the gate, the massed bands
+played the National Anthem.
+
+'Headed by H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, the troops then marched
+through the arch with bayonets fixed, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers
+leading, and the other battalions following in regimental seniority,
+headed by their bands. Loud cheers were raised as the soldiers passed
+out into Grafton Street, and proceeded down that thoroughfare, which
+was thickly lined on either side with spectators. At College Green the
+troops separated, and marched off to their respective quarters.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+'The memorial which was inaugurated to-day forms a handsome addition
+to the ornamental architecture of the city. It stands in one of the
+most prominent and most beautiful parts of the city, and is a striking
+adornment to the main entrance to Stephen's Green Park. The luxuriant
+trees and foliage of the park form a capital background to the fine
+imposing arch, the design for which was suggested by Sir Thomas Drew,
+composed entirely of Irish granite; the height of the memorial is
+thirty-two feet six inches, and the breadth twenty-seven feet three
+inches. The ornamental iron gates leading into the principal
+carriage-drive of the park are cast out of metal taken from guns
+captured by the British Army from enemies in the past, and suspended
+over the keystone there will be an interesting trophy consisting of
+the Crest and Arms of the regiment. In front a large millstone will
+bear the inscription:--
+
+  FORTISSIMIS SUIS MILITIBUS
+      HOC MONUMENTUM
+  EBLANA DEDICAVIT. MCMVI.[21]
+
+         [Footnote 21: 'To her brave soldiers Dublin has dedicated
+         this Monument. 1906.']
+
+'In big letters in the frieze appear the names of the important
+battles in which the battalions of the regiment took part, and on the
+back of the arch the inscription:--"In memory of the officers,
+non-commissioned officers, and men of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who
+died in the service of the country during the South African War,
+1899-1902."
+
+'The Earl of Meath, H.M.L., President of the Memorial Committee, and
+his colleagues, including the Earl of Drogheda, Sir Maurice Dockrell,
+Sir Thomas Drew, Colonel Gore Lindsay, and Colonel Vernon, are to be
+congratulated upon the successful result of their indefatigable
+efforts. When the project was first mooted, it met with enthusiastic
+support, and the necessary sum of 1800_l._ was quickly raised to cover
+the cost of erection.
+
+'The plans were designed by Mr. Howard Pentland, of the Board of
+Works, in consultation with Sir Thomas Drew, and Messrs. Laverty &
+Son, Belfast, carried out the contract.
+
+'The losses of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of this famous regiment in
+the Boer war totalled 31 officers and 655 non-commissioned officers
+and men. The glorious and inspiring deeds performed by these two
+battalions during the terrible engagements which led to the relief of
+Ladysmith are still fresh in the memory of their proud countrymen.
+Throughout the whole of the arduous campaign, indeed, the regiment
+nobly upheld the finest tradition of the Irish soldier, and gained the
+admiration and respect of friend and foe alike. The 5th Battalion
+lost, in several minor engagements, two officers and ten men killed,
+and eight wounded.'
+
+
+
+
+EPILOGUE.
+
+
+With the opening of the Memorial the curtain drops on the last scene
+of the drama of the South African war, and the regiment's share in it.
+To the large majority of those present the ceremony was probably
+merely a spectacular entertainment, but its real significance was
+borne fully home to us, even without the sight of more than one poor
+woman, silently weeping from the re-opening of the never-healed wound
+in her heart. For there is nothing truer than that a victory is only
+less terrible than a defeat, and as the sad strains of the wailing
+music fell on our ears, our thoughts flew back through the many happy
+years of good-comradeship we had spent with the gallant friends whom
+we have never ceased to mourn, and whose names will be treasured
+memories as long as the regiment endures.
+
+But with the opening of the gates by our Colonel-in-Chief a fresh
+chapter in the history of the regiment commenced, and all that remains
+for us who share in the triumph of the present is to emulate in the
+future the noble deeds of those who gave their lives in willing,
+cheerful sacrifice for their sovereign, their country, and their
+regiment.
+
+
+
+
+THE END.
+
+[Illustration: The South African Memorial, Natal.]
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX
+
+
+I.
+
+ROLL OF DEATH CASUALTIES.
+
+KILLED IN ACTION.
+
+   No. Rank and Name.    Place of        Cause.       Date.    Remarks.
+                         Death.
+  ----+-----------------+---------------+------------+--------+--------
+       Capt. Weldon      Talana Hill     Killed in
+                                         action       20/10/99
+  5103 Pte. Cahill         "                "            "
+  5794  " Merrill          "                "            "
+  5933  " Crotty           "                "            "
+  5918  " Callaghan        "                "            "
+  5795  " Balfe          Chieveley          "         15/11/99 Armoured
+                                                                 Train
+  5031  " Birney           "                "            "        "
+  5546  " O'Shea         Colenso            "          1/11/99 While on
+                                                                 patrol, M.I.
+       Lieut. Henry        "                "         15/12/99
+  3441 Sgt. Hayes          "                "            "
+  4488 Pte. Smith          "                "            "
+  5930  " Sinnott          "                "            "
+  5123  " Broderick        "                "            "
+  5319 L.-Cpl. Coyne       "                "            "
+  5833 Pte. Dillon         "                "            "
+  4795  "   Murphy         "                "            "
+  4380  "   Doolan         "                "            "
+  4299  "   McAlpine       "                "            "
+  5044  "   Moore          "                "            "
+  4560  "   Clifford       "                "            "
+  4838  "   Flood          "                "            "
+  6287 L.-Cpl. Gibson      "                "            "
+  6134 Pte. Pearse         "                "            "
+  6044 L.-Cpl. Cathcart    "                "            "
+  4462 Pte. Murphy         "                "            "
+  6165  "   Bennett        "                "            "
+  6297  "   Campion        "                "            "
+  4679  "   Bowen        Potgieter's Drift  "           8/2/00
+       Capt. Hensley     Venter's Spruit    "          20/1/00
+  5668 L.-Sgt. Taylor      "                "            "
+       Lt.-Col. Sitwell  Hart's Hill        "          24/2/00
+       Capt. Maitland      "                "            "
+  4261 Cpl. Seymour        "                "            "
+  4871 Pte. White          "                "            "
+  5359  "   Galbraith      "                "            "
+  6296  "   Allen        Pieter's Hill      "          27/2/00
+  3303  "   Timmins      Hart's Hill        "          24/2/00 Militia
+                                                                4th R.D.F.
+  4012  "   Armstrong      "                "            "     Militia
+                                                                5th R.D.F.
+  2037  "   Whelan         "                "            "       "
+  2872  "   Wade           "                "            "       "
+  5073  "   Kinsella     Pieter's Hill      "          27/2/00
+  5618  "   Purcell        "                "            "
+  1769 Sgt. Brennan        "                "            "     Section 'D'
+  1717 Pte. Shirwin        "                "            "     Militia
+                                                                5th R.D.F.
+  2327  "   Grimes         "                "            "      "
+  5573  "   Tyrrell      Near Talana        "         20/10/99
+  5987  Pte. Mahoney     Near Talana        "         20/10/99
+  4864  " Byrne            "                "            "
+  5861  " McGuire       Chieveley           "         15/11/99 Armoured train
+  2112  " Kelly         Hart's Hill         "          23/2/00 Section 'D'
+  6171  " Kavanagh      Colenso             "         15/12/99
+  6011  Cpl. Sinnot    Steelkoolspruit      "         25/10/01
+  4621  Pte. Hyland    Nr. Krugersdorp   Murdered by
+                                         Boers          6/1/01 Found riddled
+                                                               with bullets
+
+
+II.
+
+DIED OF WOUNDS.
+
+   No. Rank and Name.    Place of        Cause.       Date.    Remarks.
+                         Death.
+  ----+-----------------+--------------+---------+--------+--------
+       2nd-Lt. Genge     Talana Hill    Of wounds 21/10/99
+  1166 C.-Sgt. Anderson    "               "         "
+  5263 Pte. Johnston     Maritzburg        "      27/11/99 Arm. train
+                                                             disaster
+  3467 Clr.-Sgt. Gage      "               "      20/12/99 Battle of Colenso
+  6293 Pte. Crosbie      Spearman's Cmp    "       26/1/00   " Venter's Spruit
+  1823  " Finnegan       Hart's Hill       "       25/2/00 Section 'D'
+   219  " Oldham         Chieveley         "        3/3/00 Battle of Hart's
+                                                             Hill
+  3648  " Norton         Maritzburg        "        2/3/00 Battle of Hart's
+                                                             Hill
+  5745  " Brady          Colenso           "          "    Battle of Pieter's
+                                                             Hill
+  6299  " Kelly          Maritzburg        "        8/3/00 Battle of Pieter's
+                                                             Hill
+  5349  " Bracken          "               "       16/3/00 Battle of Hart's
+                                                             Hill
+  3094 Sgt. Broughton    Dundee            "      22/10/99 Battle of Talana
+  2753 Pte. Frahill        "               "      28/11/99   "           "
+  4029  " Quirke         Colenso           "        1/3/00   "       Colenso
+  5706  " McEvoy         Johannesburg      "      11/11/01
+  6347  " Nugent         Bakenlaagte       "      31/10/01
+  5710  " Keegan         Dthala            "       8/10/03
+
+
+III.
+
+DEATHS BY DISEASE.
+
+   No. Rank and Name.    Place of        Cause.       Date.    Remarks.
+                         Death.
+  ----+-----------------+---------------+------------+--------+--------
+
+  5102 Pte. Phelan       Frere           Enteric      24/12/99
+   642 Q.M.S. Hynes      Maritzburg      Pneumonia      7/1/00
+  2865 Sgt. Linehan      Pretoria        Dysentery    16/12/99
+  5519 Pte. Brennan      Maritzburg      Abscess liver  7/1/00
+  3498  " Dunphy           "             Dysentery     19/1/00
+  6129  " Homan          Mooi River      Enteric       22/2/00
+  4593  " Keating          "               "           15/2/00
+  5368  " Walsh          Cape Town       Tumour brain 26/11/99
+  2775  " Ward           Ladysmith       Enteric        7/2/00
+  5317  " Maher          Estcourt          "            8/3/00
+  6510  " Tobin          Ladysmith       Dysentery     22/3/00
+  5909  " Dixon            "               "           25/3/00
+  5801  " Martin         Chieveley         "           24/4/00
+  5790 Pte. Greene       Mooi River      Enteric       15/4/00
+       2nd Lt. Dennis    Aliwal North      "            2/5/00
+  1600 Pte. O'Brien        "               "              "    3rd R.D. Fus.
+  4791  "   O'Connor     Mooi River        "            3/5/00
+  5200  "   Hart           "             Fractured thigh
+                                                        1/5/00
+  3380  "   Cummings     Aliwal North    Enteric pneumonia
+                                                        5/5/00 3rd R.D. Fus.
+  3760  "   Keogh        Chieveley       Enteric          "
+  4012  "   Mack         Aliwal North      "           12/5/00
+  5847  "   O'Carroll      "             Enteric phthisis
+                                                       15/5/00
+  4566  "   Gray         Kimberley       Enteric       17/5/00
+  5622  "   Corr         Maritzburg      Ague          28/2/00
+  4131 Cpl. Looney       Woolwich        Dysentery     24/3/00
+       Lieut. Ely        At sea          Enteric       15/4/00
+  6049 Pte. Neill        Kimberley         "           23/5/00
+  6309 L.-Cpl. McGinley    "               "            8/6/00
+  6608 Pte. Behan          "               "           19/6/00
+  4686  "   Ears         Wynberg           "           25/6/00
+  7049  "   Roach        Heidelberg      Pneumonia     14/7/00
+  5881  "   Pooley         "             Enteric       18/7/00
+  4499 O.R.S. Hanrahan   Maritzburg      g.s. skull     2/7/00 Suicide
+  5873 Pte. Hunt         At sea          Enteric       26/4/00
+  3998  "   Kenny        Krugersdorp     Pneumonia     12/9/00
+  1741  "   Burke        Johannesburg      "           11/9/00 Section 'D'
+  4737 Cpl. Wilson       Maritzburg        "          27/10/00
+  5741 Pte. Dwyer        Germiston       Enteric      31/10/00
+  5697  "   Davis        Pretoria                     29/11/00 Died in
+                                                                 hospital,
+                                                                 prisoner
+                                                                 of war
+  5181  "   Clark        Kaalfontein     Lightning    24/11/00
+  6800  "   Connor       Johannesburg    Enteric      25/11/00
+  5967  "   Sutton       Krugersdorp     Jaundice      18/1/00
+  2961  "   Ambrose      Johannesburg    Enteric        3/2/01
+  6770  "   Cassidy      Bloemfontein      "           22/3/01
+  1346  "   Hanlon       Maritzburg        "            5/4/00
+  6109  "   Buckley      Cork            Insane
+  3910 L.-Cpl. Stewart   Gaskraal          "           28/8/01
+  6491 Pte. O'Connor       "               "              "
+  5532  "   Peel         Krugersdorp     Enteric       14/8/01
+  4657  "   Mooney         "               "          22/12/01
+  5397  "   Melia        Kroonstad         "          27/12/01
+  5540  "   Quinn        Krugersdorp     Drowned       14/1/02
+  6028 Sgt. Pearson      At sea          Enteric        7/2/02
+  5303 Pte. Furlong      Aden            Heat apoplexy 29/5/02
+  4938  "   Moore          "             Heart disease  9/8/02
+  4921 Sgt. Smith          "             Syncope       13/9/02
+  4565 Pte. Dunne          "             Multiple  neuritis
+                                                      10/10/02
+  5686  "   Gray                         Diseased liver
+                                                      11/10/02
+  3661  "   Mooney       Krugersdorp     Enteric        6/7/01 4th R.D. Fus.
+  6332  "   Merrigan     Aden              "           8/11/02
+  7547 Boy Roberts       Dthala          Pneumonia      8/3/03
+  7182 Pte. Dempsey        "             Enteric      13/10/03
+  5944  "   Wynne        Aden            Consumption    2/3/04
+
+
+IV.
+
+LIST OF WOUNDED.
+
+   Reg.
+   No. Rank and Name.    Date.      Place.      Nature of Wound. Remarks.
+  ----+-----------------+---------+------------+----------------+---------
+       Capt. M. Lowndes  20/10/99  Talana       g.s. leg
+         "   Dibley          "        "         g.s. head
+       Lieut. Perreau        "        "         g.s. shoulder
+  5686 Pte. Gray             "        "
+  2753  "   Frahill          "        "
+  5310  "   Black            "        "
+  4815  "   Doyle            "        "
+  4700  "   Leonard          "        "
+  4894 Sgt. Grace            "        "
+  5430 Pte. Babester         "        "
+  5317  "    Maher           "        "
+  4790  "    O'Brien         "        "
+  5047  "    Greer           "        "
+  4359  "    Smith           "        "
+  4699  "    Callaghan       "        "
+  4931  "    Righton         "        "
+  5947  "    Dwyer           "        "
+    43 Sgt.-Maj. Burke       "        "
+  3770 Col.-Sgt McNeice      "        "
+  5426 Sgt. Walton           "        "
+  3139  "    McKenna         "        "
+  6264 Pte. Carroll          "        "
+  6125  "    Dempsey         "        "
+  5038  "    Richardson      "        "
+  5523  "    Ryan            "        "
+  4620  "    Summerville     "        "
+  5635  "    Tracey          "        "
+  6084  "    Brady           "        "
+  4910 Dmr. Brudnell         "        "
+  5078 Pte. Gorman           "        "
+  5643  "    Cullen          "        "
+  5011  "    Brennan         "        "
+  4382  "    Jordan          "        "
+  4766  "    Murphy          "        "
+  4592  "    Cullen          "        "
+  6096  "    Gilhooley       "        "
+  3704  "    Kearns          "        "
+  4857  "    Butler          "        "
+  4767  "    Byrne           "        "
+  6022  "    Cassin          "        "
+  5156  "    Fitzpatrick     "        "
+  5118  "    Magee           "        "
+  5142  "    Murray          "        "
+  5063  "    Kelly           "        "
+  5595  "    Reynolds        "        "
+  4948  "    Wilby           "        "
+  2156 Cpl. Hogan            "        "
+  5634 L.-Cpl. Keenan        "        "
+  4593 Pte. Flood            "        "
+  5137  "    McGrath         "        "
+  4785  "    Hopkins         "        "
+  5531  "    Hatt            "        "
+  4444  "    Creegan         "        "
+  4347  "    Lahey           "        "
+  5914  "    Coyle       15/11/99  Armr. Train  shell, arm
+       Capt. Shewan      15/12/99  Colenso      g.s. thigh
+  4341 Sgt. Doherty          "        "         g.s. shoulders
+  4986 L.-Sgt. Gibbons       "        "         g.s. arm
+  5668  "       Taylor       "        "         g.s. shoulder
+  3150 Sgt. Towey            "        "         g.s. hand and foot
+   501  "    Hamilton        "        "         g.s. foot
+  5108  "    Bodkin          "        "         g.s. leg
+  5628 L.-Sgt. Church        "        "         g.s. leg
+  5374 Cpl. Loughran         "        "         g.s. thigh
+  6684 Pte. O'Brien          "        "         g.s. hand
+  5117  "    Lillis          "        "         g.s. foot
+  4589  "    Whelan          "        "         g.s. hand
+  5637  "    Taylor          "        "         g.s. thigh
+  4898  "    Walker          "        "         g.s. head
+  5687  "    Enright         "        "         g.s. hand
+  5869  "    Mackey          "        "         g.s. knee
+  5584  "    Carr            "        "         g.s. hip
+  6145  "    Byrne           "        "         g.s. elbow
+  6103  "    Cooney          "        "         g.s. foot
+  4997  "    Ludlow          "        "         g.s. arm
+  4201 Dmr. Webb             "        "         g.s. thigh
+  5970 L.-Cpl. Cooper        "        "         g.s. leg
+  6094  "    Hanley          "        "         g.s. leg
+  5760 Pte. Brown            "        "         g.s. leg
+  5765  "    Welsh           "        "         g.s. foot
+  4545  "    Flood           "        "         g.s. thigh
+  4959  "    Smith           "        "         g.s. hand
+  5672  "    Sanders         "        "         g.s. leg
+  5661  "    Murphy          "        "         g.s. foot
+  4582  "    McCarthy        "        "         g.s. head
+  4395  "    Ellis           "        "         g.s. arm
+  4290 Sgt. Hunt             "        "         g.s. wrist and thigh
+  4987 Pte. Reilly           "        "
+  4552  "    Kelly           "        "         g.s. thigh
+  3362 Dmr. Murphy           "        "
+  4411 Pte. Murray           "        "
+  5716  "    Lahey           "        "
+  6038  "    Kelly           "        "
+  3013 Sgt. Healey           "        "
+  4726 Pte. O'Brien          "        "
+  5848  "    Townsend        "        "
+  5834 Pte. McBride          "        "         g.s. hip
+  5520  " Hackett            "        "
+  4441 L.-Sgt. Merry         "        "         g.s. thigh
+  5023 L.-Cpl. Hayes         "        "         g.s. feet
+  4543 Pte. Keating          "        "         g.s. foot
+  6123  " Kelly              "        "
+  4800  " Walsh              "        "
+  4226  " Reilly             "        "         g.s. hand
+  6137  " O'Brien            "        "         g.s. thigh
+  2442  " Leary              "        "
+  5151  " Clark              "        "
+       Maj. English       20/1/00  Vent. Spruit g.s. leg
+  6105 L.-Cpl. Kidd          "        "         g.s. neck
+  6796 Pte. Burke            "        "         g.s. foot
+  6285  " Healey             "        "         g.s. back
+  3141  " Rooney             "        "         g.s. arm
+  4644  " Burke              "        "         g.s. hip, thigh
+  5997  " Davis              "        "         g.s. thigh, leg
+  5458  " Burke              "        "         g.s. neck
+  5873  " Hunt               "        "         g.s. head
+  5659  " Walsh              "        "         g.s. leg
+  5069  " Lee                "        "         g.s. hand
+  6121  " Brien              "        "         g.s. thigh
+  2892 L.-Sgt. Ryan       21/1/00     "         g.s. foot
+  3548 Sgt. Cragg            "        "         g.s. hand
+  6047 Pte. Cole             "        "         g.s. arm
+  6391  " Richardson         "        "         g.s. foot
+  4898 L.-Cpl. Walker        "        "
+  6366 Pte. Molloy           "        "         g.s. right leg
+  6310  " Gibney             "        "         g.s. leg
+  5883  " Marshall           "        "         g.s. hand
+  5283  " Shaughnessey       "        "         g.s. left leg
+  5904  " Edwards            "        "         g.s. right hand
+  4636 Cpl. Reynolds         "        "         g.s. chin
+  4368 Pte. Githens          "        "         g.s. arm
+  5056  " Lordan          22/1/00     "         g.s. thigh
+  4794  " Murray          23/1/00     "         g.s. right forearm
+  4689 L.-Sgt. O'Higgins     "        "         g.s. chest
+  4384 Pte. Ring             "        "         g.s. head, shoulder
+  5888  " Kenny              "        "         g.s. head, shoulder
+  6484  " Duffy              "        "         g.s. hip
+  5882 Sgt.-Dmr. Smith    25/1/00     "
+  5900 Pte. Mason            "        "         g.s. hand
+  6569  " Conroy             "        "         g.s. foot
+       2nd Lieut. Lane    23/2/00  Hart's Hill  g.s. head
+        " Dennis             "        "         g.s. left leg
+  2872 Pte. Wade             "        "                          5th R.D. Fus.
+  4012  " Armstrong          "        "
+  3303  " Timmins            "        "
+  5167 Pte. McDonnell        "        "
+  5928  "   Pender           "        "         g.s. right hand
+  4791  "   Connor           "        "         g.s. chest
+  4817  "   Iliffe           "        "
+  4559  "   McCabe           "        "
+  2426  "   O'Beirne         "        "
+  6522  "   Ryan             "        "         g.s. right hip   1st Battalion
+  5461 L.-Cpl. Dennehy       "        "
+  5387 Pte. Brannagan        "        "         g.s. chest
+  4771  "   Johnston         "        "         g.s. left thigh
+  5765  "   Ward             "        "         g.s. arm and knee
+  4557  "   McCarthy         "        "         g.s. back
+  5811  "   Ryan             "        "         g.s. arm
+  2921  "   Thompson         "        "
+  6355  "   Fagan            "        "
+   148  "   Metcalf          "        "         g.s. right arm   5th R.D. Fus.
+  2096  "   Farrell          "        "
+  1557  "   Kinsella         "        "
+  4530  "   Brown            "        "         g.s. groin
+  5684  "   Hetherston       "        "         g.s. chest
+  6333  "   Newsome          "        "         g.s. left arm
+  3631  "   McDonald         "        "         g.s. left shoulder
+  1997  "   Brady            "        "                          5th R.D. Fus.
+  6110  "   Kelly            "        "
+  2387  "   Strain           "        "         g.s. buttock
+  3068  "   Adams            "        "
+  5069  "   Lee              "        "
+  4424  "   Mulvaney         "        "
+  4621  "   Hyland           "        "         g.s. left thigh
+  5836  "   Cullen           "        "         g.s. right wrist
+  3313  "   Concannon        "        "         g.s. right shoulder
+  6498  "   Flannagan        "        "         g.s. chest
+  1741  "   Burke            "        "         g.s. left arm
+  2422  "   Morgan           "        "
+  2787  "   Brien            "        "         g.s. left knee
+  4325  "   Curran           "        "         g.s. left leg
+  6108  "   Bernes           "        "
+  5908  "   McDonald         "        "
+  1881  "   Reynolds         "        "                          4th R.D. Fus.
+  4015  "   Lynch            "        "
+  2348  "   Maddox           "        "         g.s. left shoulder
+  4029  "   Quirk            "        "
+  6217  "   Valentine        "        "
+  3881  "   Talbot           "        "
+  6314  "   Early            "        "
+  5224  "   McNeill          "        "
+  4277  "   Mack             "        "
+  4994  "   Knoctor          "        "         g.s. right leg
+  3441  "   O'Grady          "        "         g.s. left hand   4th R.D. Fus.
+  5982  "   Tighe            "        "         g.s. head
+  347   "   Doyle            "        "         g.s. left hand
+  6130  "   Mason            "        "                          3rd R.D. Fus.
+  5141  "   Kirwan           "        "         g.s. right foot
+  4569  "   Gorman        27/2/00  Pieter's Hill
+                                                g.s. shoulder
+  5399  "   Connor           "        "
+  5828  "   Kegney           "        "
+   847  "   Mangan           "        "                          3rd R.D. Fus.
+  1716  "   Quinn            "        "                                "
+  5716  "   Leahy            "        "
+  5981  "   Broad            "        "
+  5698  "   Toomey           "        "
+   350  "   Murphy           "        "                          3rd R.D. Fus.
+  1846  "   Kealey           "        "                                "
+  4741  "   Moore            "        "
+  4903 Cpl. Marshall         "        "
+  5379 Pte. Pryor            "        "
+  2368  "   Byrne            "        "
+  4878  "   Clark            "        "
+  6524  "   Quaid            "        "
+  1554  "   Brennan          "        "                          5th R.D. Fus.
+  5757  "   Kelly            "        "
+  5284  "   Farrell          "        "                          5th R.D. Fus.
+  3361  "   Brady            "        "                                "
+  1765  "   Fagan            "        "
+  6429  "   Fox              "        "
+  4777  "   Mullane          "        "
+  3253  "   Mellington       "        "                          5th R.D. Fus.
+  5280  "   Daly             "        "
+   639  "   Whelan           "        "                          5th R.D. Fus.
+  6139  "   Dignam           "        "
+  2917  "   Ferris           "        "                          5th R.D. Fus.
+  3242  "   McHale           "        "                                "
+  3266  "   Evans            "        "
+  1377  "   Farrell          "        "
+  4474  "   McLoughlin       "        "
+  6113  "   McCormack        "        "
+  1651  "   Kinsella         "        "                          5th R.D. Fus.
+  3639  "   Brien            "        "                                "
+  3282  "   O'Brien          "        "         g.s. hand
+  1846  "   Gradwell         "        "                          5th R.D. Fus.
+   174  "   Lawless          "        "         g.s. foot, right hand  "
+  1284  "   Molloy           "        "                                "
+  1508  "   Donnelly         "        "
+  5704  "   Kennedy          "        "
+  2236  "   Tuite            "        "         g.s. right heel  5th R.D. Fus.
+  4317  "   Carpenter        "        "
+  3231  "   Mallon        21/7/00  Zuikerbosch  g.s. right thigh 4th R.D. Fus.
+  2853  "   O'Brien          "        "         g.s. left thigh        "
+  1143 Pte. Stanton          "        "                          4th R.D. Fus.
+  2961 Col.-Sgt. Cossey      "        "
+       Maj. English          "        "         slight shell splinter, eye
+  6786 Pte. Reilly        15/9/00  Nr. Frdkstdt.                 On convoy duty
+  2392 Sgt. James         21/9/00     "         very slight g.s. leg
+  6070 Pte. Angleton      2/10/00  Near Irene   g.s. foot        With M.I.
+       Lieut. Haskard     27/2/00  Pieter's Hill
+                                                right elbow
+       2nd Lieut. Bradford   "        "         shoulder
+  2692 Pte. Doyle        31/12/00  Nr. Krugersdorp
+                                                g.s. buttock
+  5767  "   Lang             "     Nooitgedacht
+  2052  "   Armstrong      2/2/01  Gatsrand     g.s. left arm, very slight
+  6265  "   Roach            "        "         g.s. right leg, slight
+  4981  "   Sheehan          "     Nr. Carolina g.s. neck
+  5718  "   Kavanagh         "        "         g.s. left knee
+  4365  "   Moran            "        "         g.s. left shoulder
+  4680  "   Fitzgerald       "        "         g.s. left arm
+  6057  "   Goff             "        "         g.s. chest
+  5433  "   Holmes        28/8/01  Gaskraal
+  4840  "   Nolan            "        "
+  4858  "   Butler        27/7/01  Nr. Wonderfontein
+  4680  "   Fitzgerald   25/10/01  Swartzfontein
+                                                g.s. hand, severe
+  5706  "   McEvoy           "        "         g.s. buttock, groin
+  3761 Sgt. Carroll      30/10/01  Bakenlaagte  g.s. leg, very slight
+  4473 Pte. Hand             "        "         g.s. knee, severe
+  4448  "   Murphy           "        "         g.s. foot, slight
+  4513  "   Connor           "        "         g.s. hip, severe
+  5706  "   Moran            "        "         g.s. hand, severe
+  6347  "   Nugent           "        "         g.s. abdomen
+  4686 Cpl. Curtis       15/12/99  Colenso      g.s. hand
+  5548 Pte. Metcalf          "        "         g.s. left leg
+  4453  "   White            "        "         g.s. both legs
+  6330 L.-Cpl. Matthews   21/1/00  Vent. Spruit g.s. leg
+  5330 Pte. Holohan       27/2/00  Pieter's Hill
+  5973 Cpl. Gaffney       7/10/03  Aden Hntlnd. g.s. severe, foot
+  6367 Pte. Daly             "        "         g.s. very slight
+  5584  "   Carr             "        "         g.s. severe, chest
+
+
+V.
+
+BATTLE OF TALANA.
+
+REPORTED MISSING SINCE OCTOBER 21ST, 1899.
+
+  Reg. No.   Rank and Name.
+  ---------+-----------------
+    2615     Clr.-Sgt. Gage
+    2078     Sgt. Martin
+    4388      "   Guilfoyle
+    3761      "   Carroll
+    5328     L.-Sgt. Payne
+    5178      "      Crean
+    5094     Cpl. Corrigan
+    5544      "   Richards
+    6028      "   Pearson
+    5004      "   Kiernan
+    5601     L.-Cpl. Lee
+    5143      "   Flynn
+    5304      "   Whelan
+    4812      "   Lyons
+    4868      "   Green
+    5033      "   Byrne
+    4947      "   Harper
+    4638     Pte. Mahon
+    4966      "   Murphy
+    4359      "   Hall
+    4655      "   Cullen
+    5175      "   Reddy
+    5143      "   Flynn
+    5759      "   Dowling
+    5070      "   Angleton
+    5402      "   Rourke
+    5209      "   Dunne
+    5793      "   Murphy
+    4513      "   Connor
+    5055      "   Reidy
+    5609      "   Connor
+    5162      "   Macken
+    5929      "   Carroll
+    5956      "   Rourke
+    4498      "   Watts
+    4884      "   Kenny
+    5876      "   Molloy
+    5647      "   Harrison
+    6087      "   Tyrrell
+    4788      "   Toomey
+    4366      "   Doyle
+    5931      "   Bracken
+    3752      "   Travers
+    5733      "   Kavanagh
+    6055      "   Gough
+    5266      "   Bigley
+    5479      "   Brien
+    5489      "   Geoghegan
+    6019      "   Curran
+    5918      "   Callaghan
+    4411      "   Cooney
+    5706      "   McEvoy
+    5600      "   Gleeson
+    5000      "   Nulty
+    4974      "   Costello
+    5889      "   Keogh
+    5501      "   Mannix
+    5127      "   Battersby
+    5352      "   White
+    4864      "   Byrne
+    5390      "   Doyle
+    5126      "   Farrell
+    5714      "   Finnigan
+    5055      "   Reidy
+    5345      "   Dunne
+    5789      "   Flood
+    4964      "   Gibney
+    5987      "   Mahoney
+    5030      "   Callaghan
+    5126      "   Delaney
+    4692      "   McGuinness
+    6018      "   McDonagh
+    5693      "   Keating
+    4532      "   Kirwan
+    6866      "   Molloy
+    5427      "   Carr
+    4142      "   Lyons
+    6120      "   Cullen
+    4927      "   Kane
+    5545      "   Reilly
+    5702      "   Byrne
+    5724      "   Dempsey
+    5218      "   Reilly
+    5880      "   Carroll
+    5144      "   Williams
+    5027      "   Doody
+    4473      "   Hand
+    4566      "   Glynn
+    5184      "   Dowler
+    5551      "   Finn
+    5912      "   Kavanagh
+    5182      "   Cavanagh
+    5350      "   Farrell
+    4692      "   McGann
+
+
+VI.
+
+REPORTED MISSING SINCE OCTOBER 22ND, 1899.
+
+  Reg. No.   Rank and Name.
+  --------+-----------------
+    5022    Pte. Rourke
+    4998     "   Hawthorn
+    5246     "   McGuinness
+    4327     "   Neill
+    5321     "   Moran
+
+
+VII.
+
+REPORTED MISSING SINCE OCTOBER 30TH, 1899.
+
+  Reg. No.   Rank and Name.
+  --------+----------------
+    5524    Pte. Wall
+    5503    Pte. Hennessey
+
+
+VIII.
+
+REPORTED MISSING SINCE NOVEMBER 15TH, 1899
+
+(ARMOURED TRAIN DISASTER).
+
+  Reg. No.   Rank and Name.
+  --------+------------------
+    3672    Sgt. Hassett
+    5114    Cpl. Hallahan
+    5800    Pte. Buckley
+    6293     "   Kempster
+    5499     "   Byrne
+    4497     "   Barry
+    5755     "   Collins
+    6140     "   Dunphy
+    5741     "   Dwyer
+    5256     "   Kavanagh
+    5691     "   O'Rourke
+    5626     "   Buckley
+    5968     "   Glynn
+    5057     "   Kirwan
+    5017     "   Pakenham
+    5239     "   Herbert
+    6283     "   Cragg
+    5790     "   Murray
+    5210     "   Rice
+    5329     "   Stanton
+    4680     "   Fitzgerald
+    5548     "   Metcalf
+    3715   Sgt.  Osborne
+    5795   Pte.  Balfe
+    5316     "   Daly
+    5516     "   Scully
+    4443     "   Hoey
+    5031     "   Bierney
+    5697     "   Davis
+    5297     "   Drew
+    5841     "   Hoy
+    5287     "   Lynch
+    5908     "   Murphy
+    6308     "   Connell
+    6116     "   Harty
+    6228     "   Meehan
+    5297     "   Doogan
+    6319     "   Burke
+    4676     "   Driscoll
+    4865     "   Reynolds
+    6354     "   Sheridan
+    5861     "   McGuire
+    4542     "   Flannagan
+
+
+IX.
+
+LIST OF OFFICERS IN NATAL CAMPAIGN.
+
+  Rank and Name.                  Remarks.
+  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+  Col.   Cooper                   Commanding 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
+  Maj.   Bird                     2nd in command.
+   "     English, A Company       Wounded at Venter's Spruit and Zuikerbosch.
+  Capt.  Hensley, G Company       Killed at Venter's Spruit.
+   "     Weldon, E Company        Killed at Talana.
+   "     Fetherstonhaugh, D Coy.  Acted as Adjutant after Capt. Lowndes
+                                    was wounded.
+   "     Dibley, B Company        Wounded at Talana, and sent into Intombi
+                                    Hospital.
+   "     Lonsdale, M.I. Company   Captured at Talana.
+  Lieut. Shewan, H Company        Wounded at Colenso.
+   "     Perreau                  Wounded at Talana, and sent into Intombi
+                                     Hospital.
+   "     Le Mesurier              Captured at Talana. Escaped from Pretoria.
+   "     Grimshaw                 Captured at Talana.
+   "     Cory                     Was sent with M.I. Section to Dundonald's
+                                     Brigade.
+   "     Renny                    Transport Officer. Left in Ladysmith.
+  2nd Lieut. Haskard              Wounded at Pieter's Hill.
+   "         Henry                Killed at Colenso.
+   "         Frankland            Captured in Armoured Train.
+   "         Genge                Killed at Talana.
+  Capt. Lowndes (Adjutant)        Wounded at Talana, and sent into Intombi
+                                     Hospital.
+  Lieut. and Qtmr. Rowland        Went to S. A. C.
+  Lieut. Garvice                  Joined battalion at Dundee; captured
+                                    at Talana.
+  2nd Lieut. Ely                  Joined battalion at Dundee, and died
+                                    of enteric, 1900.
+  Lieut. H. W. Higginson          Joined on posting, and shared in siege
+                                    of Ladysmith.
+  Capt. Romer                     Joined from Staff College on Oct. 30th.
+  Capt. Haldane and Lieut.        The former was captured in the Armoured
+    Maitland (of Gordon             Train, and escaped from
+    Highlanders)                    Pretoria with Lieut. Le Mesurier;
+                                    the latter killed at Hart's Hill.
+  2nd Lieut. Britton              Joined on November 5th. After Colenso
+                                    he acted as Transport Officer.
+  Brevet-Lieut.-Col. Sitwell      Joined on November 8th, and commanded
+                                    C Company. He was killed
+                                    at Hart's Hill.
+  2nd Lieut. Lane                 Joined on December 6th. He was
+                                    wounded at Hart's Hill.
+
+
+X.
+
+_The following Officers of the 1st Battalion and other corps joined on
+December 7th and subsequent dates:--_
+
+  Rank and Name.                 Remarks.
+  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+  Maj. Hicks                     Returned to 1st Battalion after Colenso.
+                                   Succeeded Col. Cooper in command
+                                   of 2nd Battalion, March 1900.
+   "    Gordon                   Wounded at Colenso.
+  Capt. Bacon                    Killed at Colenso.
+  2nd Lieut. De Salis            Promoted into another regiment.
+   "         Brodhurst Hill      Wounded at Hart's Hill.
+   "         Halahan
+   "         Macleod             Wounded at Colenso.
+   "         Winnington          (Worcestershire Regiment). Attached.
+   "         Wheeler             Joined December 23rd.
+   "         Dennis              Joined December 27th, and died of enteric
+                                   at Aliwal North.
+  Capt. Venour                   Joined on January 30th.
+  Lieut. Hill                    Joined on January 30th. Wounded at
+                                   Hart's Hill.
+  2nd Lieut. Bradford            Joined on January 30th. Wounded at
+                                   Pieter's Hill.
+  Capt. Sir Frederick Frankland, (3rd Bedford Regiment). Joined on
+    Bart.                          March 2nd.
+  Lieut. G. S. Higginson         Joined on March 11th.
+  Lieut. Nelson, R.M.L.I.        Joined on March 29th.
+  Capt. Clark,      "            Joined on April 1st.
+
+Col. C. D. Cooper took over a brigade, with Lieut. Renny as his
+A.D.C., early in 1900. It will thus be seen that Capt. Fetherstonhaugh
+was the only officer who was with the regiment from start to finish
+who was not hit.
+
+
+XI.
+
+TOTAL CASUALTIES OF OFFICERS OF THE 1st AND 2nd BATTALION ROYAL
+DUBLIN FUSILIERS.
+
+              Name.                Nature of            Place.
+                                   Casualty.
+  ----------------------------+-----------------+--------------------
+  Capt. Weldon                  Killed            Talana.
+  Lieut. Genge                    "                  "
+  Capt. Bacon                     "               Colenso.
+  Lieut. Henry                    "                  "
+  Capt. Hensley                   "               Venter's Spruit.
+  Lt.-Col. Sitwell                "               Hart's Hill.
+  Capt. Maitland (Gordon          "                    "
+    Highlanders, attached)
+  Capt. Macbean                   "               Nooitgedacht.
+    "   Watson                    "               Western Transvaal.
+  Lieut. Ely                    Died of disease
+    "    Dennis                   "        "
+  Capt. Dibley                  Wounded           Talana.
+    "   Lowndes                   "                  "
+  Lieut. Perreau                  "                  "
+  Maj. Gordon                     "               Colenso.
+  Capt. Shewan                    "                  "
+  Lieut. Macleod                  "                  "
+  Maj. English                    "               Venter's Spruit
+                                                    and Zuikerbosch.
+  Capt. Hill                      "               Pieter's Hill.
+  Lieut. Brodhurst Hill           "                    "
+    "    Lane                     "               Hart's Hill.
+    "    Dennis                   "                    "
+    "    Bradford.                "               Pieter's Hill.
+    "    Haskard                  "                    "
+  Capt. Carington Smith           "               Sanna's Post and
+                                                    Heidelberg.
+  Lt.-Col. Mills                  "               Alleman's Nek.
+  Lieut. Seppings                 "                    "
+    "    Taylor                   "               Parys.
+  Capt. Kinsman                   "               Near Mafeking.
+    "   Chapman                   "               Itala.
+  Lieut. Lefroy                   "                 "
+
+
+XII.
+
+HONOURS AND REWARDS OF OFFICERS OF THE 2ND ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS.
+
+  C.B.
+
+  Colonel C. D. Cooper.
+     "    G. A. Mills.
+     "    H. T. Hicks.
+
+
+  D.S.O.
+
+  Major S. G. Bird.
+    "   W. H. O. Neill.
+  Brevet-Major A. F. Pilson.
+        "      W. J. Venour.
+  Captain H. M. Shewan.
+     "    G. N. Cory.
+  Lieutenant E. A. A. De Salis.
+       "     C. Garvice.
+       "     Lefroy.
+       "     W. F. Stirling.
+       "     C. T. W. Grimshaw.
+       "     A. Moore.
+  Captain-Quartermaster R. Baker.
+
+
+  BREVETS.
+
+  Major F. P. English.
+  Brevet-Major Godley.
+  Captain McBean.
+  Major A. W. Gordon.
+  Captain E. Fetherstonhaugh.
+     "    C. F. Romer.
+     "    P. Maclear.
+     "    H. Carington Smith.
+  Major A. J. Chapman.
+  Captain M. Lowndes.
+
+
+  SPECIAL PROMOTIONS.
+
+  Lieutenant Watson.
+       "     E. A. A. De Salis.
+       "     Lefroy.
+
+
+XIII.
+
+N.C.O.'S AND MEN OF 2ND ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS AWARDED DISTINGUISHED
+CONDUCT MEDAL.
+
+   Reg.           Rank and Name.
+   No.
+  ------+--------------------------------
+   3423   Sgt. M. Connor        }
+   4290    "   Hunt             }
+   1664    "   Sheridan         }  A.O.
+          L.-Cpl. J. Kelly      } 163 of
+          Pte. W. Holmes        }  1901
+           "   P. Kelly         }
+           "   E. Reid          }
+
+          Sgt.-Mj. F. A. Whalen }
+            5th R.D. Fus.       }
+          Qmr.-Sgt. B. T. Bruen }
+            5th R.D. Fus.       }
+          Col.-Sgt. F. Gage     }
+          Arm.-Sgt. T. H. Ford, }
+            attached R.D. Fus.  }
+          Sgt. W. Brown         }
+   2892    "   J. Ryan          } A.O.
+          Cpl. G. F. Frost, 1st } 15 of
+             Batt. R.D. Fus.    } 1902
+          L.-Cpl. Melia         }
+          Pte. W. Connell       }
+           "   W. Cullen        }
+           "   A. Dowling       }
+           "   M. Farrelly      }
+           "   M. Kavanagh      }
+           "   J. McCormack     }
+   6642    "   C. N. Wallace    }
+
+     43   Sgt.-Maj. J. Burke    }
+   4637   Col.-Sgt. J. Ambrose  } A.O.
+   5178       "     T. Crean    } 10 of
+              "     M. Dunne    } 1903
+          Cpl. P. Flannery      }
+          Pte. P. Furlong       }
+
+          Col.-Sgt. J. H.       }  A.O.
+            Robinson, 1st Batt. } 172 of
+            R.D. Fus.           }  1903
+
+
+XIV.
+
+AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE NATAL UNITED IRISH ASSOCIATION.
+
+_The Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men of the 2nd Battalion
+Royal Dublin Fusiliers._
+
+The recent war, from which we welcome you back, marks another epoch of
+glory in the annals of your distinguished battalion. It was our
+privilege on several occasions to be favoured at social functions with
+the presence of officers and men of the DUBLIN FUSILIERS, and we felt
+assured that the goodness of character and disposition which shed
+their radiance at those gatherings, would shine with added lustre when
+in the face of danger and death. The popularity of your regiment in
+Natal has only been exceeded by your distinguished gallantry in the
+field, and as we followed your fortunes with feelings of deepest
+interest throughout the campaign, our hearts thrilled with pride as we
+read of your gallant and heroic deeds. As you held the position of
+honour at the march to Lucknow, so were you by the unanimous consent
+of the army awarded a similar position in the entry to Ladysmith. The
+marvellous bravery displayed by your regiment in the terrible fighting
+between Talana Hill and Tugela, forms a fitting sequel to your
+magnificent record in the Indian Peninsula; and we as Irishmen can
+take a legitimate pride in the fact that your muster-roll of glory is
+replete with familiar names which abound throughout the hills and
+valleys of our far-off motherland. The name and fame of your regiment
+are world-wide; and whether on frozen shores or in tropical climes, a
+light-heartedness, an uncomplaining endurance of hardship and fatigue,
+and a ready adaptability to circumstances, afford abundant proof that
+the best traditions of our race have been maintained by the DUBLIN
+FUSILIERS. In the vast territories of Hindustan as in South Africa,
+you have shown the world the material of which an Irish soldier is
+made. In the many engagements in which you have taken part, you have
+seen your enemies fall thick around you, and seen, too, the crimson
+tide ebb from the heart of many a brave comrade, whose last good-bye
+will remain for ever hallowed in your memory. You have returned
+triumphant from this WAR, and though, alas! your numbers are fewer,
+your hearts are as stout and your spirits as intrepid as ever. The
+land which claims you as her sons has in proportion to her
+capabilities given more hostages to glory than any land beneath the
+sun, and well and nobly have you upheld that national renown. You have
+won a name and _eclat_ that will go down through the ages, and with
+the hope that countless honours are yet in store to further illumine
+the aureole of your prestige,
+
+We are yours faithfully,
+
+          CHAS. DONNELLY, _President_.
+          JAMES P. DONNELLY, _Hon. Treasurer_.
+          E. G. O'FLAHERTY, _Hon. Secretary_.
+
+               _Vice-Presidents_:
+
+          CRAWFORD LINDSAY.          THOS. KELLY.
+          A. TRIMBLE.                J. F. E. BARNES.
+
+               _Committee_:
+
+          W. P. BOWEN.            C. W. KAY EVANS.
+          W. J. LYONS.            R. S. W. BARNES.
+          P. O'NEILL.             J. J. O'NEILL.
+          E. BUTLER.              D. LANE.
+                      N. F. BLACK.
+
+
+XV.
+
+ADDRESS FROM THE EUROPEAN INHABITANTS OF ADEN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
+SERGEANTS' MESS, 2ND ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS.
+
+_To the Members of the Sergeants' Mess, 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers._
+
+We, the undersigned, take advantage of this occasion, the eve of your
+departure from among us, to place on record our very high esteem of
+the many sociable qualities displayed by you since your battalion
+arrived in this station from South Africa in February, 1902.
+
+Coming to Aden at a time when, after the brilliant services you had
+rendered to your Sovereign and country in that uncertain field of the
+reputation of battalions as well as individuals--South Africa, you
+had every reason to expect a far better station, a union with those
+near and dear to you, and therefore every reason to be despondent.
+Instead, you threw yourselves into the social life of this place in
+such a way that, before you were here many weeks, it was felt that
+you, who had displayed the brilliant qualities so characteristic of
+your race on many a hard-fought field in South Africa, were not
+lacking in those social qualities which tend to enhance the popularity
+of His Majesty's forces, and make life a little less irksome in what
+all must admit is not a pleasant spot.
+
+Words fail to express what we all feel at being compelled to say
+good-bye to you, who have been more than friends to so many of us, and
+in leaving Aden for return to your homeland, we assure you that you
+carry with you the sincerest good wishes of all.
+
+We shall always have a kindly feeling for you, and watch your future
+with great interest, and, above all, we trust that you will find those
+from whom you have so long been separated in the best of health, and
+that a long life and prosperity is before you.
+
+          W. SMITH.            F. WISEMAN.
+          C. ELLIOTT.          G. C. KENNEDY.
+          W. WILLOWS.          R. THORLIN.
+          E. B. BATCHELOR.     H. M. HANLEY.
+          T. GRAVES.           E. B. OWEN.
+          R. GRIFFITHS.        J. A. RUPERT JONES.
+          A. HANDY.            J. R. DEANE.
+          C. A. HOLLAND.       T. W. TWADDLE.
+          C. J. HOCKING.       C. O. CRAVEN.
+          J. M. GILTINAN.      J. MALLIA.
+          F. C. BREWIN.        J. INGLOTT.
+          F. WELLS.            G. NOEL.
+          E. HALL.             J. F. FIELD.
+          F. J. CLAY.          E. HESSLETON.
+          G. R. CHAMARETT.     F. PENHA.
+          P. C. KELLY.
+
+
+XVI.
+
+EXTRACT FROM BATTALION ORDERS ISSUED AT LADYSMITH, 27/10/99.
+
+Para. 2. Strength.--The following officers and men, killed in action
+on the 20th inst. at the Battle of Talana, are struck off the
+strength:--
+
+  Capt. G. A. Weldon.
+
+  No. 5103 Pte. P. Cahill, A Coy.
+  "   5794  "   A. Merrill, E Coy.
+  No. 5931 Pte. P. Crotty, E Coy.
+  "   5918  "   P. Callaghan, H Coy.
+
+Died of wounds received in action on 21st:--
+
+  2nd Lieut. C. J. Genge.
+  No. 1166 Col.-Sgt. F. Anderson, F Coy.
+
+The Commanding Officer, while expressing his deep regret at these
+casualties, can fully testify to the gallant manner in which each and
+all met their death, fighting for their Queen and upholding the
+regimental honour.
+
+
+XVII.
+
+EXTRACT FROM BATTALION ORDERS, DATED FRERE, 18/12/99.
+
+Para. 3. Strength.--The following officers, N.C.O.'s, and men, having
+been killed in action at Colenso on the 15th inst., are struck off the
+strength of the battalion from that date:--
+
+2ND BATTALION.
+
+  Lieut. Robert Clive Bolton Henry.
+
+  Reg. No.  Rank and Name.
+  3441      Sgt. Hayes.
+  6287      L.-Cpl. Gibson.
+  6044       "   Cathcart.
+  5123      Pte. Broderick.
+  4488       "   Smith.
+  5930       "   Sinnott.
+  5833      Pte. Dillon.
+  4795       "   Murphy.
+  4380       "   Doolan.
+  4299       "   McAlpine.
+  5044       "   Moore.
+  4462       "   Murphy.
+  6134      Pte. Pearse.
+  4560       "   Clifford.
+  4838       "   Flood.
+  5319      L.-Cpl. Coyne.
+  6165      Pte. Bennett.
+
+1ST BATTALION.
+
+  Capt. Arthur Henry Bacon.
+
+  Reg. No.  Rank and Name.
+  3993      Col.-Sgt. Magee.
+  3514      Sgt. Flynn.
+  4869       "   Callan.
+  5505      Pte. Cole.
+  4301       "   Carroway.
+  2943       "   O'Keefe.
+  ?          "   O'Keefe.
+  6472      Pte. Hayes.
+  4192       "   Neill.
+  3906       "   Walsh.
+  4273       "   Nolan.
+  3273       "   Costello.
+  2504       "   Bissett.
+  4193       "   Deevey.
+  4095      Pte. Usher.
+  3108       "   Connell.
+  6002       "   Wisdom.
+  4387       "   Toole.
+  4242       "   Joyce.
+  4672       "   Maddox.
+
+The Commanding Officer, whilst deeply regretting, in common with all
+ranks, the severe loss the regiment has sustained in the deaths of
+Captain Bacon and Lieutenant Henry and the N.C.O.'s and men killed in
+action at Colenso on Friday last, desires to place on record his high
+appreciation of the admirable spirit displayed by all ranks in
+unflinching pressing forward under a very heavy fire to the attack of
+a practically impregnable position.
+
+The names of the officers, N.C.O.'s, and men who fell will, he feels
+sure, be honoured in the annals of the regiment, as having set a noble
+example of fearless courage and devotion to duty.
+
+
+XVIII.
+
+                              _Colenso, 18/12/99_ (5).
+
+TELEGRAM RE DECEASE SERGEANT LINEHAN.
+
+  '_From Censor to G.O.C. L. of Comn._
+
+'No. 5514 Cable from Lorenzo Marquez says that Sergeant Linehan,
+Fusiliers, died Racecourse, Pretoria, of Dysentery, Friday last.
+Buried Catholic Cemetery.'
+
+
+XIX.
+
+                              _Frere, 25/12/99_ (3).
+
+THE QUEEN'S MESSAGE, CHRISTMAS, 1899.
+
+'I wish you and all my brave soldiers a happy Christmas. God protect
+and bless you all.--V.R.I.'
+
+
+XX.
+
+                              _Spearman's Camp, 29/1/00_ (6).
+
+CAPTAIN C. A. HENSLEY DIED OF WOUNDS 21/1/00; STRUCK OFF STRENGTH;
+ORDER REGRETTING HIS LOSS.
+
+The following Officer and N.C.O. having been killed in action and died
+of wounds on the dates opposite their names, are struck off the
+strength of battalion accordingly:--
+
+  Captain C. A. Hensley, died of wounds 21/1/00.
+  No. 5668 Lance-Sergeant Taylor, D company, killed in action 20/1/00.
+
+Whilst in common with all ranks deeply deploring the severe loss the
+battalion has sustained by the death of Captain Hensley, the
+Commanding Officer desires to place on record his great appreciation
+of the services rendered on all occasions by the late Captain Hensley,
+whose zeal, devotion to duty, and gallantry in action was ever
+conspicuous since the present war began. He feels sure he is but
+expressing the sentiments of all ranks in saying that his name will
+always be handed down in honour to future generations of the regiment
+as one of those who have nobly striven to shed additional lustre on
+the regiment's reputation.
+
+
+XXI.
+
+                              _Spearman's Camp, 31/1/00_ (3)
+
+PRESENT OF TOBACCO FROM PAST OFFICERS, AND LETTER, &C.
+
+The following letter, accompanying a present of 400 pounds of tobacco
+sent to the N.C.O.'s and men of the battalion by some former officers
+of the battalion, has been received to-day:--
+
+'From the old Officers of the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers to
+the N.C.O.'s, rank and file of the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, in
+token of their high appreciation of the conspicuous gallantry
+displayed by the battalion during the campaign, now in progress in
+South Africa, in which they have so brilliantly maintained the ancient
+traditions of the "Old Toughs."'
+
+The following names are appended to the above:--Colonel R. Taylor,
+Colonel Colville Frankland, Colonel C. E. Glasse, Colonel W. Holmes,
+Colonel F. Taylor, Colonel W. C. Riddell, Lieut.-Colonel Reeves,
+Lieut.-Colonel F. W. Graham, Lieut.-Colonel A. A. Godwin,
+Lieut.-Colonel R. H. Mansel, Lieut.-Colonel M. J. Hickley,
+Lieut.-Colonel J. R. Povah, Major the Hon. H. M. Hobart Hampden, Major
+R. L. Shaw, Major S. J. Wynne, Major E. Pearse, Captain A. M.
+Horrocks, Captain R. D. Vincent, Captain H. J. Guyon, Lieutenant W. S.
+Burmester.
+
+REPLY.
+
+'Colonel Cooper, the Officers, N.C.O.'s and men of the 2nd Battalion
+the Royal Dublin Fusiliers desire to return their very heartfelt
+thanks to Colonel Frankland and the old Officers of the battalion for
+their kind thoughtfulness in providing the men with tobacco.
+
+'They beg to assure the old Officers that their gift is most
+thoroughly appreciated, as also the expression of goodwill and
+admiration of the battalion's services in the present campaign which
+accompanies it.
+
+'To know that the old Officers still continue to follow with interest
+and admiration the fortunes and doings of the "Old Toughs" will ever
+be an incentive to all ranks to do all that lies in their power to
+maintain the reputation which the old Officers helped to win for the
+corps in days gone by.'
+
+
+XXII.
+
+                              _Spearman's Camp, 1/2/00_ (5).
+
+LANCE-SERGEANT MERRY PROMOTED FOR GALLANTRY.
+
+The Commanding Officer has been pleased to specially promote the
+undermentioned N.C.O. to the rank of Sergeant from January 12th for
+meritorious service in the field:--
+
+  No. 4441 Lance-Sergeant J. Merry, H company.
+
+
+XXIII.
+
+                              _Ladysmith, 5/3/00_ (2).
+
+LOSSES IN ACTION, INCLUDING COLONEL SITWELL AND CAPTAIN MAITLAND,
+NOTED AND DEPLORED.
+
+The following Officers, N.C.O.'s and men having been killed in action
+on the dates opposite their names, are struck off the strength of the
+battalion, or cease to be attached to it as the case may be, from
+those dates accordingly:--
+
+  Major and Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel C. H. G. Sitwell, D.S.O., 24/2/00.
+  Captain S. C. Maitland, 2nd Gordon Highlanders (attached), 24/2/00.
+
+  No. 4871  Pte. J. White.
+   "  4262  Cpl. J. Seymour.
+   "  5359  Pte. Galbraith.
+   "  2872   "   Wade.
+   "  4012   "   J. Armstrong.
+   "  2037   "   Whelan.
+   "  3303   "   Timmins.
+  No. 4743  Pte. T. Reid (attached). 24.2.00
+   "  5073   "   Kinsella.
+   "  6296   "   Allen.
+   "  5618   "   T. Purcell.
+   "  1717   "   Sherwin.
+   "  2327   "   Grimes.
+   "  1749  Sgt. T. Brennan.
+
+Died of wounds 2/3/00:--
+
+  No. 5745 Pte. Brady.
+
+Whilst in common with the rest of the battalion deeply deploring the
+loss of so many brave Officers, N.C.O.'s and men, and sympathising
+with those who have been wounded, the Commanding Officer wishes to
+place on record his high appreciation of the services rendered to the
+battalion on all occasions by the late Major and Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel
+Sitwell, whose distinguished career hitherto tended to the honour and
+reputation of the regiment. All ranks of the battalion join with him,
+he is sure, in lamenting the loss of such a distinguished soldier and
+comrade, and a brilliant career thus suddenly though gloriously cut
+short.
+
+To the late Captain Maitland's sterling qualities as an officer and
+comrade he would also wish to bear testimony. His services to the
+battalion during a very trying and critical time were most valuable.
+On behalf of the battalion he offers the late Captain Maitland's
+relatives and brother-officers his deepest sympathy.
+
+
+XXIV.
+
+                              5/3/00 (4).
+
+THE QUEEN'S MESSAGE RE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.
+
+The following telegram, received by the Commander-in-Chief on the
+relief of Ladysmith from Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, is
+published for information of all ranks:--
+
+'Thank God for news you have telegraphed to me. Congratulate you with
+all my heart.--V.R.I.'
+
+
+XXV.
+
+                              _Ladysmith, 5/3/00_ (3).
+
+THE QUEEN'S MESSAGE--'MY BRAVE IRISH.'
+
+The Commanding Officer has much pleasure in publishing for the
+information of all ranks, the following message from Her Majesty the
+Queen, to the 5th Brigade, which was recently received by the G.O.C.
+in Chief in Natal.
+
+_'To General Buller, Natal._
+
+'I have heard with the deepest concern of the heavy losses sustained
+by my brave Irish soldiers. I desire to express my admiration of the
+splendid fighting qualities which they have exhibited throughout these
+trying operations.--V.R.I.'
+
+THE FOLLOWING REPLY WAS SENT BY SIR REDVERS BULLER:--
+
+'Sir Redvers Buller has, on the part of the Irish Brigade, to thank
+the Queen for her gracious telegram of sympathy and encouragement.'
+
+
+XXVI.
+
+                              5/3/00 (5).
+
+LETTER TO GORDON HIGHLANDERS, RE CAPTAIN MAITLAND.
+
+The Commanding Officer has, on behalf of the battalion, forwarded the
+following letter to the Officer Commanding the 2nd Gordon Highlanders.
+
+                              '_Ladysmith, 5/3/00._
+
+'DEAR MAJOR SCOTT,--
+
+'On behalf of myself and the officers of the battalion, I write to
+offer you all our very deepest sympathy in the severe loss your
+battalion has sustained by the death of Captain Maitland.
+
+'I find it hard to adequately express to you how very deeply the whole
+of my battalion laments his loss, and I know I am only expressing the
+sentiments of all ranks when I assure you that his memory will ever be
+cherished in the battalion.
+
+'A better or more conscientious officer I have never had under my
+command. We would all esteem it a very great favour if you could send
+us a photograph of our late dear comrade, and might I also so far
+trespass on your kindness, as to ask for one for his company (G) as
+well, which I need hardly say will be highly prized by them.
+
+  'Yours, &c.
+                                   (Signed) C. D. COOPER.'
+
+
+XXVII.
+
+                                   _Ladysmith, 14/3/00_ (3).
+
+NATAL ARMY ORDERS. THE WEARING OF SHAMROCK ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY.
+
+The following extracts from Natal Army Orders are published for
+information:--
+
+'(1) The General Commanding has to communicate to the troops the
+following telegram he has received from the C. in C. viz.
+
+'Her Majesty the Queen is pleased to order that in future on St.
+Patrick's Day all ranks in Her Majesty's Irish regiments shall wear as
+a distinction a sprig of shamrock in their head-dress to commemorate
+the gallantry of Her Irish soldiers during the recent battles in South
+Africa.
+
+                                   'WOLSELEY.'
+
+
+XXVIII.
+
+                              _Ladysmith, 18/3/00._
+
+WINSTON CHURCHILL'S TELEGRAM TO REGIMENT.
+
+The following telegrams received yesterday, and replies thereto, are
+published for information:--
+
+  '_To Colonel, Dublin Fusiliers, Ladysmith._
+
+'My earnest congratulations on the honour the Dublin Fusiliers more
+than any other regiment have won for the land of their birth. We are
+all wearing the shamrock here.
+
+  '(Signed)
+                                   WINSTON CHURCHILL.'
+
+REPLY.
+
+'_To Winston Churchill, Lord Dundonald's Brigade._
+
+'Many thanks for your kind message received yesterday, all ranks
+appreciate your kind expressions.
+
+  '(Signed)
+                                   COLONEL, DUBLIN FUSILIERS.'
+
+
+XXIX.
+
+                              18/3/00 (1).
+
+COLENSO RAILWAYMEN'S TELEGRAM TO REGIMENT.
+
+'_To Brigadier-General Cooper, Commanding Irish Brigade, Ladysmith._
+
+'On St. Patrick's Day the railway men of Colenso respectfully wish to
+convey to the officers and men of Her Majesty's Dublin Fusiliers their
+best wishes for a speedy termination of the present war, in which the
+Dublins have borne so glorious a part. The whole of South Africa rings
+with praise of the gallant Irish Brigade. We mourn with you the loss
+of so many gallant men of your command. They have fallen in their
+defence of a united South Africa, over which, please God, Her Most
+Gracious Majesty's flag will fly from Cape Town to the Zambesi.
+
+  '(Signed)
+                                   INSPECTOR CAMPBELL.'
+
+REPLY.
+
+                              18/3/00 (1).
+
+_'To Inspector Campbell, Colenso._
+
+'On behalf of the officers and men under my command, please accept our
+heartfelt thanks for your kind message and expressions of sympathy.
+
+  (Signed)
+                                   COLONEL COOPER.'
+
+
+XXX.
+
+                              _5th Brigade Orders, 18/3/00_ (1).
+
+CAPE TOWN IRISHMEN SEND TELEGRAM.
+
+The following telegram has been received by General Sir Redvers
+Buller:--
+
+'Cape Town Irishmen wish the gallant Irish officers and men under your
+command many returns of St. Patrick's Day, and would express their
+heartfelt admiration for the way in which they have maintained
+unsullied the splendid military traditions of Ireland and the Empire
+under your gallant leadership.'
+
+
+XXXI.
+
+                              _Ladysmith, 20/3/00_ (2).
+
+THE QUEEN SENDS TELEGRAM OF THANKS.
+
+The following reply to telegram sent by Colonel Cooper on behalf of
+the battalion to Her Majesty the Queen on Shamrock Day was received
+yesterday:--
+
+'The Queen thanks her Dublin Fusiliers for loyal message. Windsor
+Castle, 18th.'
+
+
+XXXII.
+
+                              _Elandslaagte, 3/4/00_ (7).
+
+COLONEL SAUNDERSON'S LETTER.
+
+The following letter was received to-day by the Commanding Officer
+from Colonel Saunderson, M.P.:--
+
+                           _'Castle Saunderson, Belturbet, 1/3/00._
+
+'DEAR SIR,
+
+'I cannot help writing to you to express on my part, and on the part
+of every loyal Irishman, the pride and sympathy we take in the heroic
+deeds of the Dublin Fusiliers in South Africa. Your gallant regiment
+has shed a lustre on the army to which they belong and on the country
+from which they come.
+
+'No words of mine can express the admiration we feel for their
+loyalty, their courage, and their indomitable determination. I hope
+they realise how our hearts are with them.'
+
+A reply thanking Colonel Saunderson has been sent by the Commanding
+Officer.
+
+
+XXXIII.
+
+                              _Fourteen Streams, 12/5_ (3).
+
+DEATH OF SECOND LIEUTENANT J. T. DENNIS AT ALIWAL NORTH, MAY 2ND.
+ENTERIC.
+
+The Commanding Officer deeply regrets to announce the death of Second
+Lieutenant J. T. Dennis, which occurred at Aliwal North on May 2nd of
+enteric.
+
+
+XXXIV.
+
+                              17/5/00 (4).
+
+GENERAL HART CONGRATULATES 1ST BORDERS AND 2ND ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS
+ON THEIR MARCHING.
+
+Major-General Hart congratulates the 1st Border Regiment and 2nd Royal
+Dublin Fusiliers upon the recent instance of their marching powers.
+For military reasons it was needful after the march forward yesterday
+to march back at once to Fourteen Streams. As far as he can arrive at
+a tolerably accurate estimate of the ground gone over, these two
+battalions in the course of yesterday and last night marched
+twenty-six miles in the space of nineteen hours. And the strong point
+is that they arrived at the end of it in compact formation, still
+going a good pace, and without any straggling or falling out. The
+Major-General accordingly puts this event on record.
+
+
+XXXV.
+
+                              _Heidelberg, 2/7/00_ (5).
+
+COLONEL COOPER'S FAREWELL ORDER.
+
+The following farewell order by Major-General C. D. Cooper is
+published for information. The Commanding Officer regrets that its
+publication has been unavoidably postponed till now:--
+
+'In bidding farewell to the battalion in which I have served for so
+many years, I wish to thank all ranks from the bottom of my heart for
+the kind and efficient support accorded to me during the period of my
+command--close on five years. It was always my ambition to command the
+battalion, and on active service, and I feel very thankful that my
+wish was granted. We have fought together and worked hard for our
+noble Queen and country, and all ranks have shown that good spirit and
+bravery that has made the battalion what it is. You may rest assured
+that I will always take the greatest interest in the doings of the
+battalion, and I shall never forget the happy days spent amongst you.
+I much regret that I was unable to wish you Godspeed in person, but I
+sincerely hope I shall soon see you all again. My very sincere
+sympathy and regret at our very heavy losses. May God bless you all.
+
+  '(Signed)
+                                     C. D. COOPER, _Major-General
+  Commanding 4th Brigade_.'
+
+
+XXXVI.
+
+                              _Heidelberg, 24/7/00_ (6).
+
+GENERAL BULLER'S TELEGRAM RE ZUIKERBOSCH.
+
+The following telegram received by the G.O.C. is published for
+information:--
+
+'_from Sir Redvers Buller._
+
+'So glad to hear of your fight. Good old Dublins, and tell them so
+from me, and well done you.'
+
+
+XXXVII.
+
+                              _Krugersdorp, 4/10/00_ (8).
+
+A PATROL UNDER LIEUTENANT GARVICE, &c.
+
+A patrol under Lieutenant Garvice, Commanding Virginia Railway
+Station, came in contact with some Boers on the 1st. We had one man
+wounded, Boers three, whom they had to leave on the ground. The
+casualties in the 2nd Coldstream Guards near Pan were caused by the
+enemy's fire, the majority of the wounds were caused by explosive
+bullets: the men behaved very well, and everybody kept their heads,
+otherwise the loss would have been greater, as the Boers opened fire
+at sixty yards range.
+
+
+XXXVIII.
+
+                              _Krugersdorp, 4/10/00_ (8).
+
+COLONEL ROCHFORD'S ATTACK.
+
+Colonel Rochford attacked a small Boer laager between Pretoria and
+Johannesburg before dawn yesterday, with Royal Dublin Fusiliers and
+M.I. Fusiliers. He rushed the position with the bayonet. Nine
+prisoners were captured, most of them men of importance, who have been
+troubling the district for some time. A small party of Boers made
+their way to Dewetsdorp and Wepener. General Kelly Kenny has sent
+troops to occupy both these places.
+
+
+XXXIX.
+
+                              _Krugersdorp, 16/12/00_ (8).
+
+COMMANDING OFFICER'S REMARKS ON TREK.
+
+The Commanding Officer is very well pleased with the way the men
+marched in this trip, doing 102 miles in six days, an average of
+seventeen miles a day; also with their excellent conduct and the
+cheerful way in which all difficulties were met. The results of the
+trip were over 1000 head of sheep and cattle and seven waggons
+captured, thirty barns of forage burnt, and innumerable stocks of oat
+hay, some of which concealed ammunition.
+
+
+XL.
+
+LETTER FROM GENERAL HART.
+
+_Lieut.-Colonel Hicks, Commanding 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin
+Fusiliers._
+
+The manner in which the encampment of your battalion is arranged
+deserves my special commendation. On very bad camping-ground, beset
+with rocks and bush, and afflicted with dust between, I find your
+companies excellently established by ingenious and industrious
+adaptation to circumstances. The regularity and tidiness are
+conspicuous, and have been noted by me with great satisfaction. I need
+not say how much neatness of arrangements must conduce to quickness
+and good quality of soldier work.
+
+  (Signed)
+                                   A. FITZROY HART,
+                         _Major-General Commanding Irish Brigade_.
+
+_Fourteen Streams, May 20th 1900._
+
+
+XLI.
+
+                              _Krugersdorp, 25/1/01_ (4).
+
+GENERAL HART'S FAREWELL.
+
+The following Farewell Order by Major-General A. Fitzroy Hart, C.B.,
+is published for information:--
+
+'In leaving to take another command, I wish you, my brother soldiers
+of my force, farewell.
+
+'It is an article of my faith, that you would go anywhere and do
+anything required in battle.
+
+'I leave you with deep regret, and of course I must feel this
+particularly for the last of my old Irish brigade with which I began
+the war.
+
+'In departing, I give you this scrap of advice: Be individually,
+whenever opportunity offers personally, not only kind but generous to
+the inhabitants of this country which we have taken from them, and
+among whom so many of our countrymen and countrywomen will have to
+dwell. It will not diminish your soldierly strength, and it will
+hasten a welcome for the pleasant government of peace.'
+
+
+XLII.
+
+                              _Fort Kilmarnock, 25/9/01_ (6).
+
+LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ANLEY.
+
+The following extracts from a letter received from Brevet-Major Anley,
+Commanding 3rd M.I., are published for information:--
+
+'The behaviour of your M.I. company continues to be very good.
+Lieutenant Garvice and thirty men of the company did excellent service
+the other day, when acting as rearguard to a convoy which was leaving
+Carolina. It was reported that it was due to the steadiness of the men
+of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and the able manner they were handled
+by Lieutenant Garvice, that the convoy got in without loss.
+
+'The Inspector-General M.I. wrote and asked me to congratulate
+Lieutenant Garvice on the behaviour of his men. No. 4701, Private
+Kelly, R.D.F., was recommended for gallantry on this occasion.
+
+  '(Signed)
+                                   F. GORE ANLEY,
+
+_Brevet-Major Commanding 3rd Battalion M.I._'
+
+
+XLIII.
+
+CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AT GASKRAAL ON AUGUST 28TH, &C.
+
+The following extract from Army Order No. 418, dated Pretoria,
+September 28th, 1901, is published for information:--
+
+'No. 1. The following have been brought to notice of the General
+Officer Commanding-in-Chief, for gallantry and good service:
+
+     2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers: No. 6491, Lce.-Cpl. T. O'Connor
+     (killed).
+
+For great and conspicuous gallantry when very closely engaged with
+enemy at Gaskraal on 28th Aug. 1901.'
+
+
+XLIV.
+
+LORD KITCHENER'S WIRE.
+
+'I know I am speaking for the whole army in South Africa, when I wish
+the Dublin Fusiliers Godspeed, and congratulate them on the fine
+record they have established during their services in the country.'
+
+ANSWER.
+
+'I beg to thank your Lordship in the name of the regiment for your
+very kind and congratulatory telegram, which is much appreciated by
+all ranks.'
+
+
+XLV.
+
+ROLL OF OFFICERS, 2ND ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS, WHO EMBARKED AT DURBAN
+ON S.S. 'SICILIA,' ON THE 29/1/02, EN ROUTE FOR ADEN.
+
+  Rank and Name.
+
+  Col. H. T. Hicks, C.B.
+  Maj. S. G. Bird, D.S.O.
+  Capt. and Bt.-Maj. E. Fetherstonhaugh.
+  Capt. and Bt.-Maj. M. Lowndes.
+  Capt. H. W. Higginson.
+   "    G. N. Cory, D.S.O.
+  Lieut. C. Garvice, D.S.O.
+   "     L. F. Renny.
+   "     J. McD. Haskard.
+   "     A. H. D. Britton.
+  Lieut. A. de B. W. W. Bradford.
+   "     S. G. De C. Wheeler.
+  2nd Lieut. A. W. Newton.
+   "         E. St. G. Smith
+   "         R. F. B. Knox.
+   "         J. P. Tredennick.
+   "         B. Maclear.
+   "         J. P. B. Robinson.
+   "         E. F. E. Seymour.
+   "         H. St. G. M. S. Scott.
+  Lieut. J. Burke (Quartermaster).
+
+
+_Printed by Strangeways & Sons, Tower Street,
+
+Cambridge Circus, London, W.C._
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECOND BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN
+FUSILIERS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR***
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