The Boer position could only be taken by outflanking it, and we were not numerous enough nor mobile enough to outflank it.

There lay the whole secret of our troubles, and no conjectures as to what might under other circumstances have happened can alter it.
About half-past five the Boer guns, which had for some unexplained reason been silent all day, opened upon the cavalry.

Their appearance was a signal for the general falling back of the centre, and the last attempt to retrieve the day was abandoned.

The Highlanders were dead-beat; the Coldstreams had had enough; the mounted infantry was badly mauled.

There remained the Grenadiers, the Scots Guards, and two or three line regiments who were available for a new attack.