The Four Regiments Which Composed The Infantry Of The Force - The
Black Watch, The Argyll And Sutherlands, The Seaforths, And The
Highland Light Infantry - Left Lord Methuen's Camp On Saturday,
February 3rd, And Halted At Fraser's Drift, Passing On Next Day To
Koodoosberg.
The day was very hot, and the going very heavy, and
many men fell out, some never to return.
The drift (or ford) was
found, however, to be undefended, and was seized by Macdonald, who,
after pitching camp on the south side of the river, sent out strong
parties across the drift to seize and entrench the Koodoosberg and
some adjacent kopjes which, lying some three-quarters of a mile to
the north-west of the drift formed the key of the position. A few
Boer scouts were seen hurrying with the news of his coming to the
head laager.
The effect of these messages was evident by Tuesday (February 6th),
when the Boers were seen to be assembling upon the north bank. By
next morning they were there in considerable numbers, and began an
attack upon a crest held by the Seaforths. Macdonald threw two
companies of the Black Watch and two of the Highland Light Infantry
into the fight. The Boers made excellent practice with a 7-pounder
mountain gun, and their rifle fire, considering the good cover
which our men had, was very deadly. Poor Tait, of the Black Watch,
good sportsman and gallant soldier, with one wound hardly healed
upon his person, was hit again.
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