[Story of the War in South Africa by Alfred T. Mahan]@TWC D-Link book
Story of the War in South Africa

CHAPTER II {p
16/36

The former were about 2,000; the latter were by General Yule thought to be about 4,000, many of whom, doubtless, were not on the hill itself.

The satisfaction of the victors, in what was certainly a splendid feat of arms, was somewhat marred by the disappearance of a body of cavalry, which at the opening of the day had been sent to work round the enemy's right--northern--flank.

They had been taken prisoners, apparently by the co-operating Boer {p.047} force which had failed to come up in time for the fighting.
The following afternoon--Saturday, the 21st--a demonstration was made by this force; but it was not pushed home, being confined to a bombardment by two heavy guns--40-pounders--at a range of 6,000 yards.
In prevision of such an attempt, Yule had already shifted some of his equipage, and now, finding that the hostile guns outranged his own, he removed the camp two miles to the southward, on high ground.

On the 22nd, news being received of the enemy's defeat at Elandslaagte the day before, he endeavoured to cut off the fugitives at Glencoe, but the nearness of the northern Boers compelled him to desist, and finally to resume his last position.

Realising from all the conditions that Dundee could not be held, unless reinforced, and that reinforcement was improbable, he decided now to retreat upon Ladysmith.
At 9 P.M.that night the British marched out, taking their transport trains, but necessarily leaving the wounded behind them.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books