Flags were run up to the mastheads in honour of the British victory.
PLAN OF THE ACTION AT RIETFONTEIN.
MAP OF GENERAL YULE'S MARCH FROM DUNDEE TO LADYSMITH.
The enemy in turn endeavoured to achieve the same manœuvre against our forces, and the attempt was not repulsed without difficulty or loss. The firing was very heavy, yet the British troops, it was noticed, shot as steadily and as accurately as the Boers, showing how vast an improvement had been effected in the training of our army since the dark days of 1881. As for the Boer artillery, its aim was magnificent, but its projectiles were bad. The British infantry, covering the British gunners, suffered heavily. The Gloucesters, in the forefront of the battle, lost their colonel and 63 men killed, wounded, or missing. As the morning wore on there was difficulty in preventing what had been intended only for a skirmish growing into a furious pitched battle. At last, about 1 p.m., the welcome news arrived that General Yule's column was near enough to be safe. It had heard the roar of the firing, and was hurrying towards the field to co-operate. Keeping in touch with Yule, General White withdrew his men and marched back to Ladysmith. The British loss was heavy, considering that this was little more than a skirmish, and that no assault on the enemy's position was delivered: 12 were killed, 104 wounded, and 2 missing. The Boers, probably, suffered to about the same extent.
Oct. 27, 1899.] Exposed Situation of Ladysmith.
Three days passed before further operations were undertaken. General Yule's men were wearied with hard marching: General White's with continuous marching, counter-marching, and fighting, and rest had to be given to the infantry. The enemy used the time to bring down troops from the north; Joubert's thousands and his powerful artillery took post round the north and east of Ladysmith; other thousands from the Free State continued the line of investment to the west and south. On the 27th they showed with men and guns near Pieter's, on the railway between Ladysmith and Colenso, with the obvious intention of cutting General White's communications with the rear. Only the efforts of General French with the British cavalry kept them back.
