On October 29 a war balloon which had just arrived from England was sent up, and the Boer positions were reconnoitred. Late in the evening the greater part of two battalions of infantry--the Gloucesters and Dublin Fusiliers--under Colonel Carleton, with a mountain battery, a total of about 1,200 men, were detailed to move out, under cover of night, to seize two hills close to the Klip River and six miles to the north of Ladysmith, thus securing the British left for next day's work. The only enemies expected to be encountered in this direction were the Free Staters, who were reported to be in no great force. [Illustration: LADYSMITH CAMP IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE WAR.] To the right of Carleton was Colonel Ian Hamilton with three battalions of infantry, the Imperial Light Horse, and three batteries. He took post facing Pepworth Hill during the night. On his right again was a brigade, five battalions strong, under Colonel Grimwood, with three batteries, facing the Boer position at Farquhar's Farm, to the north-east of Ladysmith. [Illustration: [_Photo by H. Nicholls, Johannesburg._ THE DEVONS IN ACTION. This photograph was taken on the battlefield, and represents the Devonshire regiment in a position facing Pepworth Hill, firing from behind boulders, which form an effective cover. One of the men, having just fired, has risen to watch the effect of his shot. The photograph demonstrates the absence of smoke from modern rifle-fire.] Last of all, on the extreme British right, was General French with the whole of the cavalry. Only a skeleton force was left behind to defend Ladysmith. The main attack was to be delivered by Hamilton's brigade upon Pepworth Hill. [Illustration: PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF FARQUHAR'S FARM.] [Sidenote: OCT. 30, 1899.] _The Boers Reinforced._] Dawn came, and with it an unpleasant accompaniment in the shape of shells from the big Boer 40-pounders, which fell in the town. The battle opened when the British troops were noticed by the enemy to be drawn up in the appointed positions. In front of our men were green swelling hills or frowning ridges, the skylines broken only by the enemy's entrenchments and here and there by their field-guns. The whole country, indeed, seemed alive with their hosts, which held in ample force the horseshoe-shaped heights dominating Ladysmith from the east and north-east. [Illustration: WAR BALLOON IN USE AT LADYSMITH.] [Sidenote: The Battle of Farquhar's Farm.]