From a photograph taken at a drift on the road.
With daylight General French's force marched back to Ladysmith. Among the prizes of the battle were the train, officers and correspondents, captured by the Boers on the 19th.
[S. H. Vedder.
During the later stages of the action General White had been present. Yet with knight-like generosity he refused to take over the command or to assume for himself any credit. His despatch gave the glory to General French alone.
Action of Rietfontein.
[Oct. 24, 1899.
A day later, on October 23, the Boers were once more at Elandslaagte, this time in very great force. Fearing that they would work across the railway and cut off General Yule's retreat, General White determined to occupy their attention. Early on the 24th 3,000 infantry, four batteries of artillery, and 1,500 cavalry and mounted infantry moved out from Ladysmith. Ten miles had been covered, and the British force was still five miles from Elandslaagte, when the Boers were found several thousand strong in a formidable position along a ridge near Rietfontein, on the little stream known as Modder Spruit. On two lofty eminences, Matawana's Kop and Jonono's Kop, they had artillery. Their skirmishers were driven in, and our guns at once unlimbered and opened a hot fire, which was as warmly returned. Attempts were made by the British to work round the enemy's flank, but this, with the small number of men available, was quite impossible.
BRITISH WARSHIPS AT SIMONSTOWN THE DAY AFTER THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE.