A curious fact, which illustrates the difference between British and Colonial methods of fighting, was observed on this day. A squadron of South African Light Horse held a kopje all day under heavy fire, but, by carefully taking cover, without losing a man. Near at hand two companies of British regulars held a hill under much the same fire, and, untrained in the art of concealing themselves, lost no less than twenty men.
Frank Dadd, R.I., and S. T. Dadd.] [After a sketch made on the spot.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE FIELD OF BATTLE BEFORE SPION KOP.
[Jan. 21, 1900.
The fighting on the 21st precisely resembled that of the 20th. Ground was gained, but so slowly that it became evident the advance to Ladysmith at this rate would be the affair not of weeks but of months. Bastion Hill, captured on the previous day, had to be abandoned, as it was found shelterless and useless. Its loss was of no importance. And if the advanced Boer line of trenches was taken, with considerable loss, behind it showed a second line at a distance which varied from 400 to 1,000 yards, composed of earth redoubts, stone breastworks or schanzes, and deep trenches blasted or hewn with pickaxes and crowbars in the friable rocks. These defences gave ample cover; the artillery could not properly reach them; rifle fire made no impression upon them; and in front of them stretched a smooth, grassy slope forming a superb glacis. The text-books were useless; theory gave little help, for it had been anticipated that artillery would so shake the defenders' nerves as to destroy the accuracy of the enemy's fire and render assault possible. But whenever an attempt was made to rush the Boer positions, the enemy showed in the most unpleasant fashion that their nerves were not shaken and their fire was as well aimed as ever. Undoubtedly it would have been possible, with such superb troops as the seasoned veterans of Colenso, to storm the Boer line, but only with the heaviest losses. What prevented the attempt being made was the fear that behind this second system of defences might lie a third, and behind that again a fourth, so as to render the effort unavailing. Yet there were voices raised for this desperate and determined course, and a bold general might well have decided upon it, as likely to prove less bloody and less trying in the end than these days of protracted and ineffectual skirmishing.
ARRIVAL OF SUPPLIES FOR THE BOERS INVESTING LADYSMITH.
Another day of little progress.
The painful fact was that Sir Charles Warren's army was assaulting a fortress of immense strength held by splendid soldiers—assaulting, too, without the assistance of an overpowering artillery and long-range field guns. No effort was spared by the brigadiers and subordinate officers. General Hart, sword in hand, was in his usual place, the van; the bravest of men, he sent his staff to cover, that the risks he faced might not be theirs. But the hopelessness of the work was slowly dawning upon everyone. At the close of the day, when the firing ceased, the army had again to mourn grievous losses. Twenty-four were killed, 223 wounded, and four missing, yet practically nothing had been accomplished beyond a display of splendid courage and endurance. Once more the troops bivouacked amongst the rocks, but it was evident that their efforts could not be indefinitely repeated.
Pathetic humour.