[Photo by Cribb.
This photograph gives some idea of the great length of the weapon, which accounts in no small measure for the accuracy of its fire.
Dec. 20-27, 1899.] Arrival of the Fifth Division.
Fifth Division reaches Natal.
[Dec. 1899.
Want of howitzers.
In the week which followed the battle reinforcements began to arrive. Sir Charles Warren with the Fifth Division, 9,000 combatants strong, had left England in November, and a part of his command had reached South Africa even before the week of defeats. At first it had been intended to use his division in the central field of war, for the operations around Colesberg, and two battalions, the 2nd Royal Warwick and 1st Yorkshires, with his cavalry regiment, the 14th Hussars, were sent to that point. But when General Buller urgently needed more men, he had to call for the rest of the division, which sailed round to Durban and concentrated at Estcourt, six battalions and three batteries strong. It was thus composed:—
| Tenth Brigade. | Eleventh Brigade. |
|---|---|
| Major-General J. T. Coke. | Major-General E. R. P. Woodgate. |
| 2nd Dorsetshire. | 2nd Royal Lancaster. |
| 2nd Middlesex. | 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers. |
| 1st South Lancashire. | |
| 1st York and Lancaster. | |
| 19th, 28th, and 78th Field Batteries. | |