It was now a little after two o'clock, and while this attack upon the
left rear had been progressing, another strong body of the enemy had
succeeded in gaining an eminence from which, although at a long range,
they were enabled to keep up an effective fire and inflict considerable
loss upon the British troops. Captain Woodgate, of Ashanti fame, who had
been sent to support Major Hackett, together with his lieutenant
(Strong), here behaved with conspicuous coolness and valour. These three
officers advancing well in front of their men and waving their swords
above their heads, showed such an example to their men that the Zulus
were driven back on that side, the ground intervening being strewed with
bodies of Zulus. A difficult and brilliantly led flanking attack was now
effected by the Zulu general, who, having retired a body of his best
marksmen from his right along his rear, suddenly opened a galling fire
upon the left flank of the 90th companies, who, having accomplished
their task, were now ordered to retire. In executing this difficult
movement Major Hackett was badly hit, and had to be carried out of fire.
Lieutenant Bright, also of the 90th Light Infantry, was here mortally
wounded, and shortly afterwards died. Bright was a clever, cheery
fellow, a capital artist, a good musician, and a most accomplished
officer. It was in running forward to pick up Hackett that poor Bright
received his death-wound. Meanwhile, from the lunette on the height,
Nicholson's two 7-pounders did capital execution. The Zulu main body had
now come within range, and grape and canister were poured into their
masses until the slopes over which they were advancing became slippery
with blood. Standing on the parapet, Nicholson was, field-glass in hand,
directing the pointing of his guns, when a chance bullet struck him in
the temple, and he fell upon the weapon he was directing. The loss was
observed from the laager, and Major Vaughan was at once sent to replace
this gallant young fellow. Colonel Wood, not to expose unduly the horses
of the artillery, had retained under the shelter of the laager four guns
in reserve. These were under charge of Major Tremlett, R.A., who, with
his subalterns, Lieuts. Bigge and Hughes, waited until the Zulus were
within a thousand yards, and then making a dash to a small open space of
rising ground outside the laager, worked his battery with immense
effect. The guns did not return to the laager, but were shifted from
time to time as the movements of the enemy warranted, and to their
splendid service much of the victory was due. The enemy had now varied
his attack a second time, and nothing could exceed the bravery and
skilful man[oe]uvring of his regiments. While the 13th and 90th vied
with each other in noble rivalry, and beat back the hordes of the Zulus
upon the two most exposed flanks, the mounted men under Buller and
Russell were occasionally led forward at a gallop by Colonel Wood, who,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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