"(c) Select and hold certain points (such as Vaal Kop), to retain the enemy and make him fear an offensive movement against his line of retreat; (which is viâ Colesberg wagon bridge)."
French, because of effect of "Black Week," takes command at Arundel and reorganises. Dec. 16th.
Dec. 17th.
On the 16th, however, notwithstanding these instructions, the officer commanding the detachment on Vaal Kop fell back from that post on its being threatened by distant artillery fire, and the whole of the troops at Arundel were turned out on a false alarm that the enemy was advancing. The defeats at Stormberg, Magersfontein, and Colenso, recorded in later chapters, had meantime darkened the prospect, so that manifestly the utmost care must be taken by all commanders to obviate mistakes which might lead to further misfortunes. General French, therefore, moved his Headquarters to the front, and assumed personal command of the troops at Arundel. He had telegraphed on the previous day offering to despatch all his cavalry to the Modder river, but this suggestion was negatived "on account of scarcity of water." He reorganised the Arundel command into a division as follows, appointing Major-General Brabazon second in command:—
1st Cavalry Brigade (under Colonel T. C. Porter).
- The Carabiniers.
- New South Wales Lancers (40 men),
- 1 company mounted infantry.
2nd Cavalry Brigade (under Lieut.-Colonel R. B. W. Fisher).
- The Inniskilling Dragoons (2 squadrons),
- 10th Hussars (2 squadrons),
- 1 company mounted infantry.
- Brigade division R.H.A. (under Colonel F. J. W. Eustace).
- New Zealand Mounted Rifles.
- R.E. company.
- Bearer company.
- Half-battalion Royal Berkshire regiment. under Major F. W. N.
- 2 guns R.G.A." "