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Page 7
The firing-line advanced keeping intervals and covering a front of about
600 yards, the centre being directed on to a conical hill at the back of
the enemy's camp. The reserve followed in column of companies, in single
rank, at fifty paces distance between companies. The enemy's guns opened
on the Regiment at once with shrapnel, but most of the shells went high,
only one striking the reserve companies.
A steady advance to about 1200 to 1300 yards from the position was made,
when, the rifle fire becoming rather heavy, fire was opened by section
volleys. The light was bad, and it was very difficult to see the enemy
or estimate the distances. In a few minutes the supports reinforced, and
the firing-line then pushed on to the foot of the slope, and established
itself in a shallow ditch 800 to 900 yards from the position. Here it
held on, firing sectional volleys, till the flank attack appeared on the
hill, apparently about 500 yards from the position.
An advance by companies from the right was then ordered, and, the
reserve reinforcing, a further 200 yards was gained. Some bugling and
shouting was then heard on the hill. A rush to 350 yards was now made,
and, after a short pause to allow the men to get breath, bayonets were
fixed and the position charged, four companies assaulting the detached
hill on the left, the remaining three companies assaulting the hill on
which the enemy's guns were. F and G Companies were the first to reach
and take possession of the guns, the Gordon Highlanders coming up on the
right shortly afterwards. The companies then moved on down the reverse
slope and opened fire on the retiring enemy. On the detached hill only
five of the enemy were found alive, and they showed a white flag as the
hill was charged.
The Regiment was then re-formed, and held the detached hill during the
night.
During the three hours it was under fire, the battalion kept line and
intervals carefully throughout, and adjusted sights and fired as
steadily as if on parade. It is to the perfect steadiness of the men and
the absence of all crowding that the very small losses from the enemy's
fire, which at all times was heavy, can be attributed.
The battalion's losses were:--
Captain W.B. Lafone, slightly wounded.
2nd Lieutenants Gunning, Hailey, and Green, severely wounded.
Twenty-nine non-commissioned officers and men wounded.
Parties of men were busy during the night collecting the Boer wounded
and taking them down to the laager. Among them was General Koch, who was
badly hit in several places. He died of his wounds a few days afterwards
in Ladysmith.
The losses of the Boers were estimated at 62 killed, 150 wounded, and
184 prisoners.
The force was moved back into Ladysmith early on the 22nd morning, the
infantry by rail, and cavalry by road. The company of the Regiment and
Maxim gun, which had been on Pepworth Hill during the day and the
following night, got back to camp the same afternoon.
The 23rd was given up to rejoicings and congratulations over the
victory, and the two Boer flags which were captured were displayed
outside the officers' mess tent.
The Free State Army had by now come across to the east, and were in the
neighbourhood of Modder Station, and on October 24th a column was again
ordered out with the object of assisting General Yule's force in from
Dundee.
This column consisted of the 5th Lancers, 19th Hussars, Natal
Carbineers, Border Mounted Rifles, Imperial Light Horse, Devons,
Liverpools, Gloucesters, 60th Rifles, and twenty guns, in all about 5500
men.
The enemy was found posted on Tinta Inyoni Mountain, on the summit of
which they brought a gun into action and fired on to the head of Sir G.
White's force, which was in column of route on the road, but without
doing any damage. The action began at 8.30 a.m.
At the commencement of the action the battalion was in reserve, and was
ordered to extend and lie down at the foot of the first slope facing the
enemy's position, and some 300 yards north-west of the railway line,
sending scouts to the crest of the ridge to watch the front. Four
companies were shortly afterwards ordered to advance in attack
formation, forming their own supports, and to place themselves on the
left of the Gloucester Regiment, which was in front of the Regiment at
the time. The Regiment was then on the extreme left of the firing-line.
The four companies of the reserve worked round under cover to a small
nullah about 300 yards on the left and then advanced up it. The
firing-line advanced, under slight rifle fire, across a rocky plateau
till they gained a small ridge overlooking the front, and opened fire by
section volleys on to a ridge about 800 yards in front, from which a
rather heavy fire was coming.
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