a development
of four miles, was shortened in to two, the British holding the river
{p.285} banks above and below that stretch, with considerable part of
their force placed perpendicularly to the river across both the Boer
flanks, yet bound together in mutual support by the main body,
extended along the southern slope, ready to reinforce in either
direction. The flanking parties began immediately to entrench, their
lines running, as already intimated, perpendicular to the Boer front,
and facing the transverse works which the latter had erected as a
protection against enfilading.

The British loss this day is variously estimated from 1,100 to 1,250.
The official accounts do not particularise, but give as the total
casualties, February 16-27, killed 255, wounded 1,209, missing 70. The
propriety of the frontal attack has been much doubted. The question is
one of expediency, upon which the author does not presume to give a
certain opinion. It may be remembered that the Boer position had been
hastily assumed, under conditions not long foreseen, and therefore
quite possibly not very solid. The fact could be tested only by trial.
So severe an assault unquestionably tends to benumb {p.286} the
victim, and to make less probable his escape, quite independent of his
actual loss. Moreover, the flanking gains, which ultimately hastened
and determined the inevitable surrender, could scarcely have been
secured except under the stress of the frontal attack.

The next day, February 19, Lord Roberts arrived at Paardeberg, and
with him the 7th Infantry Division. A reconnaissance, the following
afternoon, satisfied him that assault would be attended by very heavy
loss. He, therefore, ordered a bombardment, at a range of about 2,000
yards, by between forty-five and fifty guns. Of these, rather more
than half were on the northern bank and in enfilading positions. The
ground upon which this tremendous fire played was some two miles long
by a half-mile wide. The character of the injury is best told by the
report of an eye-witness of the conditions. "Nothing could be done but
crouch in the trenches and wait till dusk prevented a further attack,
while wagon after wagon in the laager caught fire and burned away into
a heap of scrap iron surrounded by wood ashes. The desolation
produced {p.287} was fearful, and it soon became impossible to make
any reply. The losses inflicted upon the horses were the turning point
of the siege. So enormous a pro