No. 1 FIELD HOSPITAL TRAIN AND STAFF.
THE DISPENSARY AND SURGERY OF THE HOSPITAL TRAIN.
Only two officers are known to have escaped unhurt from "the donga of death." These were Captains Herbert and Fitzpatrick. Before they made their desperate attempt they shook hands with each other and with those who were left unwounded. Then Captain Herbert dashed out and got away unwounded, but with his horse shot in the neck. Captain Fitzpatrick followed at full speed, and he too reached safety. A third officer had only covered a few yards when a shell burst under him and killed him and his horse instantly.
INTERIOR OF HOSPITAL TRAIN.
Retreat effected in good order.
Dec. 15, 1899.] The British Losses.
And now in all directions the British troops were falling back from the field of battle and disaster. It was a scene, says one who was present, "that can never be forgotten by those who were privileged to see it. Slowly, steadily, with correct intervals, as if on parade, only better, our magnificent infantry fell back; no doubling, no bunching together, they stood within 500 yards of the Boer position. Here was no romance of war, no charging of battalions amid a storm of cheers, nothing to brace up the spirits to one glorious effort in which danger is forgotten; nothing but the stream of bullets and shells. From our position I could plainly see the thin dust-coloured lines retiring. Presently, clank, clank from the Maxim-Nordenfelt and a group of men would fall; again an officer might be seen walking slowly in rear of his company; you looked again, and a speck of khaki was all that could be seen. The use of smokeless powder has added greatly to the horrors of war; this was the strange thing about the battle of Colenso, the utter absence of smoke, and the clearness with which each incident could be seen. At last, covered by the Cavalry Brigade and the 7th Battery, the wearied infantry returned. Twelve hours' fighting in the burning sun, losses over 1,200—not so bad for our boy soldiers. Absolutely undefeated, unshaken by what they had passed through, our magnificent infantry at last could rest."