16.--General Lyttleton and Mounted Brigade crossed the Tugela at Potgieter's Drift. 17.--Sir Charles Warren crossed, with his Division, at Trichardt's Drift. Lord Dundonald had an action with the Boers near Acton Homes. 18.--Tugela bridged and crossed by a Brigade and battery. 20.--Sir Charles Warren moved towards Spion Kop. Reconnaissance by Lord Dundonald. 21.--Heavy fighting by Clery's force; they attacked the Boers and captured ridge after ridge for three miles. 22--Sir Charles Warren's entire army engaged. 23.--Spion Kop captured by Sir Charles Warren; General Woodgate wounded. 25-27.--Abandonment of Spion Kop. Sir Charles Warren's force withdrew to south of Tugela. 27.--Brigadier-General Brabant, commanding a Brigade of Colonial forces, joined General Gatacre. 28.--General Kelly-Kenny occupied Thebus. 30.--British force reoccupied Prieska. FEBRUARY 1900. 3.--Telegraphic communication restored between Mafeking and Gaberones. 4.--General Macdonald occupied Koodoe's Drift. 5.--General Buller crossed the Tugela at Manger's Drift. 6.--General Buller captured Vaal Krantz Hill. 7.--Vaal Krantz Hill abandoned, and British force withdrew south of the Tugela. 9.--General Macdonald retired to Modder River. Lord Roberts arrived at Modder River. 10.--Colonel Hannay's force moved to Ramdam. 12.--General French with Cavalry Division, proceeding to the Relief of Kimberley, seized Dekiel's Drift. [Illustration: BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE COUNTRY COVERED BY GENERAL BULLER'S OPERATIONS FOR THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH. EDINBURGH AND LONDON: T. C. & E. C. JACK] SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAAL WAR CHAPTER I THE SITUATION "The wave that breaks against a forward stroke Beats not the swimmer back, but thrills him through With joyous trust to win his way anew Through stronger seas than first upon him broke And triumphed. England's iron-tempered oak Shrank not when Europe's might against her grew Full, and her sun drunk up her foes like dew, And lion-like from sleep her strength awoke. As bold in fight as bold in breach of trust We find our foes and wonder not to find, Nor grudge them praise whom honour may not bind: But loathing more intense than speaks disgust Heaves England's heart, when scorn is bound to greet Hunters and hounds whose tongues would lick their feet." --ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE.