"In passing through the various mines and the village of Randfontein, we met with hearty expressions of goodwill from the mining population, who professed a desire to help if only they had arms.
"Ten miles from the start I received intelligence from Colonel Grey, at the head of the column, that Doornkop, a hill near the Speitfontein Mine, was held by 400 Boers, directly barring our line of advance.
"I repaired immediately to the front, Colonel White remaining with the rear-guard.
"On arriving at the head of the column, I found the guns shelling a ridge which our guide stated was Doornkop.
"The excellent dispositions for the attack made by Colonel Grey were then carried out.
"The B.B.P., under Major Coventry, who, I regret to say, was severely wounded and lost several of his men, attacked and cleared the ridge in most gallant style, and pushed on beyond it.
"About this time Inspector Barry received the wound which, we have learnt with grief, has subsequently proved fatal.
"Chief-Inspector Bodle at the same time, with two troops M.M.P., charged and drove off the field a large force of Boers threatening our left flank.
"The guide had informed us that the road to the right of the hill was impassable, and that there was open and easy country to the left.
"This information was misleading. I afterwards ascertained that without storming the Boer position there was no road open to Johannesburg, except by a wide detour of many miles to the right.