Though the battle of the Modder River was not in any sense a great victory, it was a victory extremely creditable to the stubbornness and fighting qualities of the British soldier and to the resolute determination of the much decried British general. To dislodge from the strongest possible entrenchments a force which was at least equal, and perhaps superior in strength, to the British division, which was composed of brave, self-reliant marksmen, mounted, and so without fear for their line of retreat, and which was in artillery quite as strong as Lord Methuen, was a most brilliant feat of arms. [Illustration: [_Photo by H. C. Shelley._ BRITISH SOLDIERS PICKING UP WOUNDED BOERS AFTER THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER. The cart has been hacked to pieces with bayonets to make a flat surface to carry the wounded.] [Sidenote: British artillery fire.] The British artillery especially distinguished itself by the rapidity and accuracy of its fire. Yet there were times when a quicker-firing gun would have been invaluable, especially in preparing for the rushes across the river. As it was, the four naval guns fired 514 rounds; the 18th Battery no less than 1,100; the 75th 900; and the 62nd, which came late, 500. In all, 3,000 projectiles of twelve and fifteen pounds weight were poured upon the Boer trenches. Lord Methuen has been blamed for failing to attempt a flanking attack, when he did discover the real strength and position of the enemy. But, as we have seen, the discovery was made too late to permit of the withdrawal of any considerable force, and the confusion caused by such a movement might well have been seized by the enemy for a counter-attack. Three times during the battle the young bloods among the Transvaalers pressed Cronje to permit them to deliver such an attack, believing that our men were demoralised. Three times he refused. [Illustration: GATHERING THE ARMS AND ACCOUTREMENTS OF THE DEAD.] [Sidenote: Characteristics of the fighting.] [Sidenote: [NOV. 28, 1899.]