General Joubert, With The Chivalry Which Had
Always Distinguished Him, Had Permitted The Garrison To Send Out
The Non-Combatants
To a place called Intombi Camp (promptly named
Funkersdorp by the facetious) where they were safe from the shells,
though
The burden of their support still fell of course upon the
much-tried commissariat. The hale and male of the townsfolk refused
for the most part to avoid the common danger, and clung tenaciously
to their shot-torn village. Fortunately the river has worn down its
banks until it runs through a deep channel, in the sides of which
it was found to be possible to hollow out caves which were
practically bomb-proof. Here for some months the townsfolk led a
troglodytic existence, returning to their homes upon that much
appreciated seventh day of rest which was granted to them by their
Sabbatarian besiegers.
The perimeter of the defence had been divided off so that each
corps might be responsible for its own section. To the south was
the Manchester Regiment upon the hill called Caesar's Camp. Between
Lombard's Kop and the town, on the north-east, were the Devons. To
the north, at what seemed the vulnerable point, were the Rifle
Brigade, the Rifles, and the remains of the 18th Hussars. To the
west were the 5th Lancers, 19th Hussars, and 5th Dragoon Guards.
The rest of the force was encamped round the outskirts of the town.
There appears to have been some idea in the Boer mind that the mere
fact that they held a dominant position over the town would soon
necessitate the surrender of the army. At the end of a week they
had realised, however, just as the British had, that a siege lay
before both. Their fire upon the town was heavy but not deadly,
though it became more effective as the weeks went on. Their
practice at a range of five miles was exceedingly accurate. At the
same time their riflemen became more venturesome, and on Tuesday,
November 7th, they made a half-hearted attack upon the Manchesters'
position on the south, which was driven back without difficulty. On
the 9th, however, their attempt was of a more serious and sustained
character. It began with a heavy shell-fire and with a
demonstration of rifle-fire from every side, which had for its
object the prevention of reinforcements for the true point of
danger, which again was Caesar's Camp at the south. It is evident
that the Boers had from the beginning made up their minds that here
lay the key of the position, as the two serious attacks - that of
November 9th and that of January 6th - were directed upon this
point.
The Manchesters at Caesar's Camp had been reinforced by the 1st
battalion 60th Rifles, who held the prolongation of the same ridge,
which is called Waggon Hill. With the dawn it was found that the
Boer riflemen were within eight hundred yards, and from then till
evening a constant fire was maintained upon the hill.
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