South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 2 (of 8): From the Commencement of the War to the Battle of Colenso, 15th Dec. 1899Creswicke, Louis
History
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 2 (of 8): From the Commencement of the War to the Battle of Colenso, 15th Dec. 1899
Creswicke, Louis
South African War, 1899-1902; Transvaal (South Africa) -- History
On the 9th November, the King's Royal Rifles and the Rifle Brigade in
the north, and the Manchester Regiment in the south, succeeded in
repelling two simultaneous attacks, inflicting on the Boers a loss
roughly estimated at about 700 to 1000. A deep trench which had been
made by the enemy on their temporary retirement, to bring forward
horses, was promptly captured by the Rifle Brigade. From thence, when
the Boers returned, they were briskly fired on, with the result that
they retreated in hot haste across open ground. Taking advantage of this
opportunity, the artillery commenced an effective fire, inflicting on
the Dutch considerable loss. The Manchester Regiment, which occupied a
position at Caesar's Camp, for the purpose of protecting the
south-western side of the town, caught several hundred Boers hiding from
shells in a ditch. They poured on them several volleys, and the enemy
suffered severely. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Lethbridge (Rifle Brigade)
was mortally wounded, and Lieutenant Fisher, of the Manchesters,
received a slight wound in the shoulder. About noon, after seven hours'
continuous fighting, the combined attack upon the town failed and the
Boers retired. Then, in honour of the Prince of Wales's birthday, the
big guns in the Naval redoubts commenced a salute of twenty-one guns,
each shot in stately procession following the other and bursting over
the Boer positions. Outside the battery, on King Kop, stood Sir George
White surrounded by his Staff. The General led the way by raising three
cheers for the Prince, and then Captain Lambton and the gunners on the
top of the breastwork took up the roar and passed it on to the Rifle
Brigade, lying in their sangars along the top of the ridge, till the
whole atmosphere was vibrant with loud and prolonged cheering. In the
evening the troops drank to the health of his Royal Highness, and
succeeded in sending home telegraphic congratulations. On that day the
townspeople, for greater safety, went into laager on the racecourse, and
the military lines were removed some three miles out, so as to avoid the
persistent shelling of the enemy. Major Gale, R.E., was wounded while
sending a message.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account