A generation or two ago they would have persisted, many more would have been killed, and while the position might at last have been carried in front, more than likely it would at the last have been turned, as it was at the Modder.

The British loss, 70 killed, 413 wounded, was but 7 per cent.

of the troops engaged--about 7,000--far below that of many of Wellington's battles.
In point of tactics, the battle may be summarized by saying that the British line held the enemy in front until a couple of detachments, by daring rushes, had established themselves in positions of command on the western flank, whence they worked themselves round, crossed the river, and fairly turned the hostile flank.

And that, so stated, is a very old story.

On the other hand, at Belmont and Graspan, at Talana Hill and Elandslaagte, it was shown that the same arms of rapid fire {p.161} do not necessarily control where precision and skill, not mere torrential volume, are needed.