Barton's brigade was the first to move out from Frere Camp. At dawn on December 12 it advanced to a kopje three miles south of Colenso. From this kopje the ground sloped smoothly and gently down to the River Tugela, hidden in its deep bed by scrub and brushwood.
Boer position at Colenso.
To the north in a hollow lay the tin roofs of the little village of Colenso and the road bridge, which the Boers had left intact. Across the river the outline of the enemy's works could be vaguely made out by powerful glasses along the slopes of two strongly fortified kopjes and beyond these on the high hills which rise to the north-west and which are known as Red Hill and Grobler's Kloof. At Fort Wylie, on a low hill just across the river, was another strong Boer position close to the railway and commanding the two bridges. Away on the extreme British right rose the steep purple slopes of Mount Inhlawe on the southern bank of the river. This mountain towered to a height of over 4,000 feet, dominating the whole neighbourhood. From its slopes and summit an enfilading fire could be directed upon any force attempting to cross the river near Colenso. It was held in strength by the Boers, who had built a military bridge over the Tugela to the north of it, though the fact was as yet unknown to the British. Nearer Colenso were the heights of Monte Cristo and Hlangwane, both, like Inhlawe, held by the Boers.
MAP SHOWING BULLER'S THREE UNSUCCESSFUL AND FINAL SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE BOERS FROM THEIR POSITION ON THE TUGELA.
The naval guns followed close on the heels of Barton, and took up a position facing Colenso on the evening of the 12th. On December 13 they opened fire on the Boer entrenchments at 7,200 yards, giving particular attention to the two kopjes. No reply could be drawn from the enemy. From time to time small groups of Boers were seen scattering as shells fell, but except for this there was silence in their positions.
On the 14th Hildyard's, Lyttelton's, Hart's, and Dundonald's brigades followed in the steps of Barton's, and encamped to the north of Chieveley, in sight of Colenso. The naval guns advanced somewhat and again bombarded the kopjes and Fort Wylie, at times also shelling a laager which could be seen 10,000 yards away, on a ridge beyond the river. Once more the Boers maintained absolute silence, and very few of them were seen. The general impression was that they were falling back, and that they did not intend to hold the line of the Tugela.
Dec. 14, 1899.] Preparations for the Great Battle.
Buller determines to attack.