Thus—stoutly fought out on both sides by mounted troops of this especial type—ended a fight which has been described as unique in the annals of war.[83] The spirit of the Riflemen will best be understood from the lips of one of the wounded in this gallant fight, who remarked that “they were content if they had done their duty, and felt rewarded if their Regiment thought well of them.” The Mounted Infantry Battalion of the Regiment ended its short but brilliant career by taking part in all the great “drives” in the E. Transvaal and N.E. of the Orange Free State, and was finally at Greylingstad when peace was declared on the 1st June, 1902. RIFLE DEPOT. [Sidenote: RIFLE DEPOT.] The Depot, under the command of Colonel Horatio Mends, was at Gosport throughout the war. A narrative of the work of the Regiment at this strenuous period would not be complete without grateful reference to the splendid service of administration, training, and equipment, so devotedly performed by the Colonel Commandant, his Staff, and the Company officers generally of the Rifle Depot. The Adjutant was five times changed, but the Quarter-Master, Major Riley,[84] remained constant to his difficult duties throughout the whole of this trying ordeal. It is stated that 4470 recruits joined the Depot, were trained, and passed to the various Battalions, while many thousands of Reservists were mobilized, equipped, clothed, and drafted for duty. The work of discharge at the end of the war was not less severe, but there is no record of failure or of breakdown, and the success of the admirable system of administration was universally acknowledged.[85] The Rifle Depot was moved back to Winchester on the 29th of March, 1903, after nine years of exile at Gosport caused by the re-building of the Barracks which had been destroyed by fire. ----- Footnote 78: _Vide_ note p. 52. Footnote 79: For a more complete account, _vide Regimental Chronicle_, 1902, p. 94. Footnote 80: Afterwards D.S.O. This promising officer died suddenly at Cairo, October 4th, 1908. Footnote 81: Now Colonel. Footnote 82: Colonel G. E. Benson, R.A., a leader of much distinction and initiative. Footnote 83: _Vide_ “_Times_” _History of the War_, Vol. V. Footnote 84: Major T. M. Riley. Died 28th February, 1908. _Vide Regimental Chronicle_, 1907, p. 115. Footnote 85: _Vide Regimental Chronicle_, 1903, pp. 202–207. PART IV. A RETROSPECT. The preceding pages will have shown that the Regiment from its inception has possessed certain distinctive characteristics which are pre-eminently those required for making Light Infantry and Riflemen of the best type.