d over 500 rounds, and the 18th Battery more than 1100.
The 75th fired 900 rounds, the 62nd (who came to the rescue from the
Orange River late in the day), 500 rounds. The glorious gunners vied
with one another in the display of gallantry and proficiency.

A vivid story of the energetic march of the 62nd Battery was told by an
officer, who must have had an even more trying time than most.

"We had orders to reinforce the main body at once; marched twenty miles
the first day, had a few hours' rest, and started at the first streak of
dawn again. We did about twenty-five miles, and were just going to have
a well-earned rest when an orderly came galloping up with the order to
go at once (I am talking of the 62nd now), as the battle was going
against our troops. We started off again at a trot, and kept it up for
about five miles, when our horses were just done up. We had to take four
out of our gun-teams, as they dropped dead of exhaustion. The sergeants
hooked their own horses in, and off we went again. We lost more horses,
and had to walk after we had done about eight miles. We were only able
to just make the horses drag the guns into action. I shall never forget
it. I was feeling very queer. I don't think any of us were afraid, but
we were all of us expecting to be shot every minute, as the bullets came
in showers.... We were in action in this place about two hours. Our
troops were being shot down in heaps, and things were looking very
black, when Lord Methuen came up to our Colonel and asked him to send
his batteries up closer (we were then 1500 yards from the Boer trenches,
and you must understand that a rifle carries 2500 yards). Our Colonel
did. We then advanced up past our own infantry and came into action
about 900 yards closer than artillery had ever taken up position before.
After severe loss on our side we managed to silence the Boer guns. The
order was then given to retire. We got out of range, and were on the
point of congratulating ourselves on being so lucky, when up rode an
orderly giving us instructions to go and relieve the Guards. Our Major
advanced.... We took up our position 800 yards from the Boer trenches,
and, by Jove! the Boers let us have a fearful reception. Before I got my
horses out they shot one of my drivers and two horses ... and brought
down my own horse. We then got my gun round on the enemy, when one of my
gunners was shot through the brain and fell at my feet. Another of my
gunners was sh