The 19th Hussars had been out all night burning a kraal and distracting attention from Gun Hill.

Just as the stars vanished, the 18th, followed by the others, galloped forward towards the Boer lines in the general direction of Pepworth Hill, though our main force was on the left of the direct line.

General Brocklehurst was in command.

It is described at Headquarters as a reconnaissance or demonstration.

But there are rumours that more was originally intended--perhaps an attack on the Boer rail head, with its three heavy trains this side of Modder Spruit; perhaps the destruction of the Modder Spruit Bridge.