In The Meantime, Through A Contretemps Between Our Outposts And The
Boers, No Leave Had Been Given To Us To
Withdraw our wounded, and
the unfortunate fellows, some hundreds of them, had lain between
the lines in agonies of thirst
For thirty-six hours - one of the
most painful incidents of the campaign. Now, upon the 25th, an
armistice was proclaimed, and the crying needs of the survivors
were attended to. On the same day the hearts of our soldiers sank
within them as they saw the stream of our wagons and guns crossing
the river once more. What, were they foiled again? Was the blood of
these brave men to be shed in vain? They ground their teeth at the
thought. The higher strategy was not for them, but back was back
and forward was forward, and they knew which way their proud hearts
wished to go.
The 26th was occupied by the large movements of troops which so
complete a reversal of tactics necessitated. Under the screen of a
heavy artillery fire, the British right became the left and the
left the right. A second pontoon bridge was thrown across near the
old Boer bridge at Hlangwane, and over it was passed a large force
of infantry, Barton's Fusilier Brigade, Kitchener's (vice Wynne's,
vice Woodgate's) Lancashire Brigade, and two battalions of
Norcott's (formerly Lyttelton's) Brigade. Coke's Brigade was left
at Colenso to prevent a counter attack upon our left flank and
communications. In this way, while Hart with the Durhams and the
1st Rifle Brigade held the Boers in front, the main body of the
army was rapidly swung round on to their left flank.
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