[Sidenote: Both sides reinforced.] [Sidenote: JAN. 4, 1900.] _Boer Attempt to Outflank._] Three days were spent in securing the ground which had been won. Opposite the kopje that the cavalry had failed to seize, at the northern extremity of the Boer position, 400 of the Suffolks were forthwith entrenched. An unfortunate accident, however, marred our success. A commissariat train standing in the station at Rensburg broke loose, ran down the incline towards Colesberg Junction, and when half way to that point, left the rails. 22,000 rations thus fell into the enemy's hands. An attempt was made by a company of Suffolks to recover the supplies, but the Boers opened so hot an artillery fire that the British had to withdraw. As General French reported that with slight reinforcements he could drive the enemy from Colesberg, yet more troops were sent him--the Household Cavalry Regiment, the other half of the 1st Suffolks, the 1st Essex, and the 20th Field Battery. But, as the Boers were simultaneously reinforced, these troops could not turn the scale. [Illustration: _Photo by R. C. E. Nisson._] COLESBERG FROM COLES KOP.] [Illustration: _Walker & Cockerell sc._ MAP OF THE COUNTRY BETWEEN ARUNDEL AND NORVALS PONT. The district in which General French kept the Boers occupied whilst Lord Roberts developed his plans for the relief of Kimberley and the capture of Cronje.] [Sidenote: General Schœman repulsed.] [Sidenote: [JAN. 4-5, 1900.] [Sidenote: Death of Major Harvey.] [Sidenote: Boers driven back.]