The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-22


stacles. never counting the odds. At Bel
mont at Modder River, and last Monday
at MagerSfontein, it charged through the
open to where there seemed no trace OF
a living being. but always an unseen foe
answered and claimed some more lives
for courage matching itself against it
knew not what. On Monday it was the
Highland Brigade that rolled again and
again up 10 a stronghold like the rock of
Gibraltar only to recoil and surge up
again, but in smaller numbers as the day
wore on.
II was known in camp Saturday night
that there were orders for the men to be
ready at 1 O'Clock Sunday afternoon 20
move on two hours notice. That afternoon
the infantry movement was carried through
quietly. and the secret Of its objective
well kept. so far as the men themselves
were concerned. It was probably not a
secret from the Beers. The Highland
Brigade comprising the Second Battalion
ROYAL Highand.rs tthe Black Watch, the
Seaforth Highlanders, the Argyll and Suth-
eriand Highlanders. and the Highland
side OF the British camp here preparatory
to the actual advance at midnight The
Guards Brigade, the Scots Guards, two bat
talions Of the Coldstreams, and the Gren-
adler Guards. left camp at 80 in the even
ing and spent the night along the near side
of the ridge fronting the range of kop3es
that formed the west flank Of the Boer po-
sltion. 1t was the Guards duty to stay in
reserve behind the guns as they shelled the
kopjes. The cavalry-the Ninth and
Twelfth Lancers-lay On the English right
wing with the Horse Artillery.
NaneuNring nt Night.
No sound was heard from any of these
arms on Sunday. But on the British left,
running out from the railway line TO
within mile and a half of the kopies.
the long range a. navy gun and full
battery of six 5-inrh howitzers poured
Iyddite on the kopje from in the after
noon till $50 O'Clock.
Not a sound came back from the hill
side but the boom OF British ammunition
bursting. If Beers we're there they lay
hidden in silence At dark the firing
ceased and the Bocrs passed on. with no
sound on either side. The night became
overcast and brought thunderstorm,
with the rain drifting cold wind.
The Highland Brigade advanced half an
hour after midnight to make flank move
ment from our right on the left OF the
supposed Boer position. 1t was SLOW
marching through the rsin-sodden sand
and tangiing underground. The storm
spent itself the night wore on, but
overhead it kept very black. The march
ing lines could locate those In front only
by feeling with their hands. The brigade I
wa, IN close quarter column, the Black |
Watch at the head
: Sudden storm OF Lead.
JUS after ( O'Clock in the morning a /
single Maussr shot came out on the left. /
The men were stin some distance from the .
base Of the kopies. Scarcely second after I
the Msuser shot and there flashed like /
lightning a storm Of lead from right in
in its sudden shock The Highlanders
were literally crushed back by lead For
200 wards it was an irresistible torrent
The men had not breath or thought or eyes
for where to turn next Iut in less than
that space General Waucnope, the COM
Insnder OF the brigade, had rallied two
co mpanies OF the BLACK Watch" his old
regiment. and charged them. The leaders
heroism was crowned by his death close
up to the hidden Boer trenches and there
many Of his gallant two companies were
found that day and the next strewn beside
him.
The Highland Light Infantry, who had
been in reserve, were the first TO recover
and turn to the attack. In less than half
minute the Seaforths and the Argylls
formed again, and all four faced the Boer
firing line. The rattle and spit Of the
Mausers increased and our loss seemed ap-
palling The men yolleyed back. but at
no visible enemy. They charged, bu; on
a burning. piercing rain Of lead.
Most welcome came the big sound of our
field artillery on the right dropping shells
along the Boer line. Beyond all doubt,
our artillery, especially the field and horse
batteries did fearful execution. Shells fell
where a little mass could be seen on the
hillside. and as the smoke lifted the artil-
lerymen could see with their glasses only
twos and threes bounding away alive to
other cover.
Dawn. mud sdII Fighting
As the morning grew into hot. sunny
African day. the Highlanders again and
again charged up to the Boer firing line.
Each time they staggered back after paying
a sickening blood toll. There was not even
the streak Of blue smoke to place the en-
emy by Il was like struggling blindfulded
against rnan who had every advantage Of
position aud shelter.
At $50 O'Clock in The morning the First
Battalion Of the Gordons got the order 10
as<ance Every fifty yards or so down
they went fat on the veldt Tor cover and
70 regain wind At first surprisingly few
we're struck down. but when they got to
within 500 yards OF the trenches the Bocrs
poured rife fire on them. All the way
across there was a duuble-strand harbed-
wire fence. Again a dozen yards from
the Poor trenches was another fence with
one lire of bsrbed wire. chin high, maxi
ing a bayouet charge desperate. hopeless
feat
From the ridge facing the Boer ,nas, !
the line OF Gordons seemed to have az
contortiona, dance 10 90
through in the midst of their advance. II
WAS In passing the barbed fence. Then
Colonel Downman called:
Come on, Gordons."