Resuming their advance about eleven o’clock they arrived at the foot of the hills between one and two P.M. Colonel Buller then ordered the Cape Corps to advance and to endeavour to turn the position in front and by both its flanks. But the Boers receiving them with a heavy fire, and some mistake having occurred in executing the order, they retired, and cleared the front for the Riflemen, who in extended order advanced and drove the enemy at the point of the sword from the first, and through the second range of heights; and kept up a galling fire on them, as they retreated to the third and highest crest. Here they rallied their whole force, and delivered a telling fire, under which men and officers fell fast. But nothing could stand the dash of the Riflemen; this last position was carried; and at the end of two hours’ hard fighting, the Boers fled after a short attempt at resistance behind the walls of a kraal.[201] Then the troops were formed at quarter distance behind the guns, which opened with grape and shrapnel, on the flying enemy; delivering their fire; limbering up and advancing to the front; then firing again. Thus the pursuit was continued for about eleven miles; until from sheer inability to proceed further the troops halted at Culverfontein for the night. The loss of the Riflemen in this action was severe. Colonel Buller was severely wounded, and his horse was killed under him; Captain Murray and 6 rank and file were killed or died of their wounds; Captain Hardinge and 8 rank and file were wounded, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Julius Glyn[202] had his horse killed under him. Murray was leading his company when he was hit in the shoulder and his arm was shattered. Glyn, who was near him, ordered some men to take him to the rear; but before he could dismount, another shot struck him, which passed through the body and injured the spine. He lived till about midnight; and was buried under a peach-tree at Boemplaats. Sir Harry Smith in communicating his death to his father, Major-General the Honourable Sir Henry Murray, says that ‘he proved himself a most gallant officer; his loss deeply regretted by the men of his company.’ In this letter Sir Harry Smith observes that ‘this outburst of rebels has cost as smart an affair as I ever witnessed.’ Yet he had witnessed many; and some of them very smart affairs. ‘Your son,’ he continues, ‘led an attack as bold as it was successful, under a storm of fire, in a difficult position, but fell an honour to his father and to his country.’[203] The wounded were left at Boemplaats, except Colonel Buller, who was conveyed with the troops. About ten o’clock at night the tents arrived and the Battalion encamped. It had marched more than twenty-six miles; had fought a sharp action; and followed the enemy with a most active pursuit.