As regards the Officer and six men of H.M.S. _Philomel_ attached to my command, three of whom have since been invalided, I must strongly recommend Mr. W. R. Ledgard, midshipman, who since July 28th I have detached, as ordered by G.O.C. 5th Division, in independent command of one gun, first at Opperman's Kraal, and then at Paardekop; he has carried out this duty with ability and success, and for a young officer I know it has been a trying one. I also recommend T. Payne, A.B., S.G., H.M.S. _Philomel_, for good service with the guns. Expressing my gratification at having had the opportunity to command H.M.S. _Tartar's_ (now _Monarch's_) Detachment, I have, etc. APPENDIX III DIARY OF THE BOER WAR UP TO OCTOBER 25TH, 1900. 1899. Oct. 11.--Time fixed by the Boers for compliance with "ultimatum" expired at 5 p.m. Oct. 14.--Boers march on Kimberley and Mafeking. Oct. 15.--KIMBERLEY ISOLATED. Oct. 20.--Boer position on TALANA HILL captured by the British under Symons. Oct. 21.--White moves out force under French to eject Boers from ELANDSLAAGTE. Boers routed. Oct. 22.--Yule retires from Dundee on Ladysmith _via_ Beith. Oct. 23.--Death of General Symons at Dundee. Oct. 30.--General sortie from Ladysmith. Naval guns silence Boer siege artillery. Surrender of part of two battalions and a Mountain Battery at Nicholson's Nek. Oct. 31.--General Sir Redvers Buller lands at Capetown. Nov. 1.--Boers invade Cape Colony. Nov. 2.--LADYSMITH ISOLATED. Nov. 9.--General attack on Ladysmith repulsed with heavy loss to Boers. Nov. 15.--Armoured train wrecked by Boers near Chieveley. Over 100 British troops captured. Nov. 19.--Lord Methuen's column for the relief of Kimberley concentrated at Orange River. Nov. 23.--Methuen attacks Boers at BELMONT with Guards' Brigade and 9th Brigade. Boers driven from their position. Nov. 25.--Methuen attacks Boers in position at Enslin and dislodges them. General Sir Redvers Buller arrives in Natal. Nov. 28.--Methuen engages 11,000 Boers at MODDER RIVER. Battle lasting all day. Boers evacuate position. Nov. 30.--Sixth Division for South Africa notified. Dec. 1.--Australian and Canadian Contingents leave Capetown for the front. Dec. 10.--Gatacre attempts night attack on STORMBERG, but is surprised and driven back with heavy loss. Dec. 11.--Methuen attacks Boer position at MAGERSFONTEIN and is repulsed with heavy loss. General Wauchope killed. Dec. 15.--Buller advances from Chieveley against Boer positions near COLENSO. British Force repulsed on Tugela with 1,100 casualties and loss of 12 guns. Mobilization of 7th Division ordered. Dec. 18.--Lord Roberts appointed Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, with Lord Kitchener as Chief of Staff. Dec. 19.--Regulations issued for employment of Yeomanry and Volunteers in South Africa. Dec. 20.--Formation of City of London Volunteer Corps for South Africa announced. 1900 Jan. 6.--Suffolk Regiment loses heavily near Rensburg, over 100 prisoners taken.