Of these, rather more than half were on the northern bank and in enfilading positions.

The ground upon which this tremendous fire played was some two miles long by a half-mile wide.

The character of the injury is best told by the report of an eye-witness of the conditions.

"Nothing could be done but crouch in the trenches and wait till dusk prevented a further attack, while wagon after wagon in the laager caught fire and burned away into a heap of scrap iron surrounded by wood ashes.

The desolation produced {p.287} was fearful, and it soon became impossible to make any reply.