During the night Kitchener came up with a division of infantry which had made its journey in part by rail, and with which arrived also supply trains, whose slow movement would have delayed unduly the progress of the horse division.
Owing to delays in distributing provisions and fodder, French could not start again until 11.30 A.M.The loss of the five early hours, says an eye-witness, cost 100 horses, which died or failed in the march that day.

The goal now was Klip Drift, about twenty-five miles distant.

Passing well east of Jacobsdal, suffering intensely from heat and thirst, the division sighted the Modder when still eight miles away.

All were much spent, the artillery horses could scarcely drag their pieces, and there was a showing of opposition on the right front; but French, despite the general exhaustion, decided to drive on without halting, lest the enemy, recovering from their surprise, should concentrate to oppose his passage.

Thus hastening, the Boers, taken unready, were routed.