were
wonderfully worked, and wrought considerable havoc among the Boers in
the over-hanging kopjes. Though their loss could not be accurately
estimated, it was declared to be about 2000. The trenches were said to
be choked with dead Dutchmen.

On the 16th of December an armistice was agreed upon, to last from noon
till midnight, to enable both sides to collect and bury their dead.

The following "recommendations to notice" illuminated the somewhat sad
nature of the General's despatch:--

"From the General Commanding-in-Chief the Forces in South Africa
to the Secretary of State for War.

"CHIEVELEY CAMP, _Dec. 16, 1899_.

"SIR,--I have the honour to bring the following cases of
Distinguished Service in the Field to your notice.

"At Colenso, on December 15, the detachments serving the guns
of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, had all
been either killed, wounded, or driven from their guns by
infantry fire at close range, and the guns were deserted.

"About 500 yards behind the guns was a donga, in which some of
the few horses and drivers left alive were sheltered. The
intervening space was swept with shell and rifle fire.

"Captain Congreve, Rifle Brigade, who was in the donga,
assisted to hook a team into a limber, went out and assisted to
limber up a gun; being wounded, he took shelter, but seeing
Lieutenant Roberts fall badly wounded, he went out again and
brought him in. Some idea of the nature of the fire may be
gathered from the fact that Captain Congreve was shot through
the leg, through the toe of his boot, grazed on the elbow and
the shoulder, and his horse shot in three places.

"Lieutenant the Honourable F. Roberts, King's Royal Rifles,
assisted Captain Congreve. He was wounded in three places.

"Corporal Nurse, Royal Field Artillery, 66th Battery, also
assisted. I recommend the above three for the Victoria Cross.

"Drivers H. Taylor, Young, Petts, Rockall, Lucas, and Williams,
all of the 66th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, rode the teams,
each team brought in a gun. I recommend all six for the Medal
for Distinguished Conduct in the Field.

"Shortly afterwards Captain H. L. Reed, 7th Battery, Royal
Field Artillery, who had heard of the difficulty, brought down
three teams from his battery to