On the 5th, the Boer lines were shelled and a careful examination was made of the grassy kopje at the north-western extremity, known as Grassy or Suffolk Hill. It was this kopje which the cavalry had failed to seize on January 1. Colonel Watson, of the Suffolks, was anxious to make a night attack upon this eminence, and on the evening of the 5th was informed by General French that he might attempt it, only he was to give the General notice, so that the artillery and cavalry could co-operate. Orders were issued to the gunners to be ready to fire upon Grassy Hill. Nothing more was received from Colonel Watson at the British headquarters, but about 2 a.m. of the 6th, heavy firing was heard in the direction of the kopje, and presently the news arrived that the attack, delivered by four companies of Suffolks, had been ignominiously repulsed. [Illustration: TIRED OF THE WAR. A group of Boer prisoners taken near Naauwpoort who seemed glad to be captured.] [Sidenote: JAN. 5-6, 1900.] _Attack on Grassy Hill._] What actually happened was thus portrayed by survivors. "We were awakened about midnight and ordered to prepare to march," was the story of Private Alexander, one of the wounded prisoners. "Instead of boots we were to wear our slippers, so as to make as little noise as possible. There were eight companies of us, commanded by Colonel Watson. Well, we marched for five miles over broken country, stumbling most of the way, and stopped when we reached the foot of a certain kopje. It was then about two in the morning; there was no moon, and consequently it was quite dark. We advanced a little way up the kopje, when the Boers opened a deadly fire. They could not have seen us, but it was quite evident that they had heard us. It was too warm for anyone to live long, and we heard Colonel Watson call for a trumpeter, who was to be asked, we thought, to sound the order to retire. At that time our men were scattered around the kopje in extended order, and the sound of a man's voice would not have reached them all. There was no bugler to be found. 'A' and 'H' Company were then ordered to advance, and when near the firing line we were told to fix bayonets and prepare to charge. But the charge was interrupted by a deep ditch between us and the Boer position, and we were obliged to fling ourselves to the ground. Both companies returned the Boers' fire, but it was impossible to stand against the shower of bullets which assailed us. 'A' and 'H' mustered about 200 men, and everyone was either killed or wounded or was compelled to surrender. The other companies managed to retire. Captain Brett, of 'A' Company, was wounded in the left shoulder, and he is now a prisoner at Pretoria. Captain Brown, of 'H,' was struck in the chest, and I hear has since died. Lieutenant Carey, of 'A,' was shot, and never moved afterwards." [Illustration: SIGNALLING ON THE TOP OF COLES KOP.] [Sidenote: [JAN. 6-7, 1900.]