mont Station, also two companies
Munster Fusiliers, because there were 500 Boers and a gun, so it was
said, threatening Belmont. I made this my divisional battle, marching
straight from Belmont to Enslin. The armoured train with infantry was to
give me a help from the line." Thus the General briefly described his
programme.

On the day following the battle of Belmont, a hot, blistering day, with
the sun glaring pitilessly till the heavens looked like a sheet of
burnished brass, the Division, with the Yorkshire Light Infantry as
advance guard, moved on towards Graspan. This place is probably called
Graspan because it is the centre of a circular phalanx of huge kopjes,
which, rising out of the smooth white sand, have an air of quaint
picturesqueness resembling that of some ancient ruined arena. There the
troops encamped. Here, in the light of the stars and rolled in their
blankets, they laid them down to their hard-earned rest.

Before cock-crow, however, the men were up and doing, and as the
lavender hues of dawn began to lighten the horizon, the gallant warriors
were on the move. It was known that the enemy was near at hand, sneaking
on the surrounding heights, therefore the last two miles were covered in
fighting formation, the Naval detachment and the 5th Fusiliers being
supported by the Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Northampton Regiment.

The enemy, not 400 strong as was supposed, but 2500, with six guns, one
Hotchkiss, and one Maxim, was posted on a series of five kopjes over 200
feet in height, joined by neks, all of which save one were strongly
occupied. In a laager in the remote distance 500 more Boers were
reported to be hidden in reserve. The ground on all sides had been
previously measured to find the ranges, the Boers having evidently been
quite well informed regarding the British plan of action.

In advance of the troops came the armoured train, a pachydermatous
monster which moved cumbrously in front of the column, and was saluted
by the smoking wrath of big guns as soon as it appeared. It retired
cautiously, and disgorged its gallant crew of marines to help in
handling the naval guns. Lord Methuen deployed the cavalry on the
flanks, while the artillery took up positions in front of the Boer
trenches. Meanwhile the 9th Brigade went forward in skirmishing order.
This consisted of the Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion
Northamptons, half-Battalion Loyal North Lancashires, 2nd Battalion
King's Own