To the right of Carleton was Colonel Ian Hamilton with three battalions of infantry, the Imperial Light Horse, and three batteries. He took post facing Pepworth Hill during the night. On his right again was a brigade, five battalions strong, under Colonel Grimwood, with three batteries, facing the Boer position at Farquhar's Farm, to the north-east of Ladysmith.
[Photo by H. Nicholls, Johannesburg.
This photograph was taken on the battlefield, and represents the Devonshire regiment in a position facing Pepworth Hill, firing from behind boulders, which form an effective cover. One of the men, having just fired, has risen to watch the effect of his shot. The photograph demonstrates the absence of smoke from modern rifle-fire.
Last of all, on the extreme British right, was General French with the whole of the cavalry. Only a skeleton force was left behind to defend Ladysmith. The main attack was to be delivered by Hamilton's brigade upon Pepworth Hill.
PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF FARQUHAR'S FARM.
Oct. 30, 1899.] The Boers Reinforced.
Dawn came, and with it an unpleasant accompaniment in the shape of shells from the big Boer 40-pounders, which fell in the town. The battle opened when the British troops were noticed by the enemy to be drawn up in the appointed positions. In front of our men were green swelling hills or frowning ridges, the skylines broken only by the enemy's entrenchments and here and there by their field-guns. The whole country, indeed, seemed alive with their hosts, which held in ample force the horseshoe-shaped heights dominating Ladysmith from the east and north-east.
