Had they
done so at once, many eye-witnesses agree that not a fugitive
should have escaped. On the other hand, the officer in command may
have feared that in doing so he might mask the fire of the British
guns.
One incident in the action caused some comment at the time. A small
party of Imperial Light Horse, gallantly led by Captain Yockney of
B Squadron, came to close quarters with a group of Boers. Five of
the enemy having held up their hands Yockney passed them and pushed
on against their comrades. On this the prisoners seized their
rifles once more and fired upon their captors. A fierce fight
ensued with only a few feet between the muzzles of the rifles.
Three Boers were shot dead, five wounded, and eight taken. Of these
eight three were shot next day by order of court-martial for having
resumed their weapons after surrender, while two others were
acquitted. The death of these men in cold blood is to be deplored,
but it is difficult to see how any rules of civilised warfare can
be maintained if a flagrant breach of them is not promptly and
sternly punished.
On receiving this severe blow De Wet promptly raised the investment
and hastened to regain his favourite haunts. Considerable
reinforcements had reached Barton upon the same day, including the
Dublins, the Essex, Strathcona's Horse, and the Elswick Battery,
with some very welcome supplies of ammunition.
