In the camp the battle gave rise to much indignant comment upon the manner and disposition of the night attack. It was pointed out that such attacks are exceptionally perilous when made upon a vigilant, well-armed enemy, behind trenches and entanglements. It was asserted that every precaution required by the rules of military science had been disregarded; the ground had not been accurately and carefully reconnoitred; the exact location of the Boer trenches had not been ascertained. The march in close order up to the enemy's position was, indeed, defended by some as being both the natural formation for such a movement by night and the formation sanctioned by the drill book. But the experience of Lord Methuen's brief campaign had at least shown that open order could be used on a fairly fine night, and if the terrible weather of the night of December 10-11 rendered a night march impracticable, it was said that the attempt ought to have been postponed to some more favourable opportunity. The strongly-held opinion was that General Wauchope, an officer famous for his carefulness and attention to detail, had religiously carried out his instructions. But the official despatch clearly proves him to have deployed long after the hour which had been fixed in conversation with Lord Methuen. [Illustration: PRESIDENT KRUGER AND SOME OF HIS SUPPORTERS. This photograph, although not of recent date, is interesting because it includes, besides the President, several men whose names have become familiar during the war.] Shortly after the battle Lord Methuen made a somewhat infelicitous speech. Addressing the men of the Highland Brigade, he sympathised with them over the heavy losses they had sustained. "The advance," he said, "was executed exactly to the time and place that I had given orders for, and we were within an ace of carrying the position in a short and decisive engagement. Everything depended upon one word; that word was 'Forward!'" No doubt there was this much in what he said, that had the Highlanders dashed at the trenches when they received the first fatal volley, they would have captured the position. But the General must be a judge of human nature and must know exactly what he can expect of his troops. The Highland Brigade was not composed of automata, and a strain had been imposed upon the nerves of the men which it was quite beyond their power to resist. [Illustration: [_Photo by Staff-Sergt. Ryan._ MATCHES AT A PREMIUM. An orderly of the R.A.M.C. using a burning-glass to light his pipe.] [Sidenote: [DEC. 12, 1899]