is said that Roberts was urged to
effect the consummation on that day, in grateful expiation of the
disaster that had ever since rankled in British remembrance. One of
his brigadiers, Hector MacDonald, now lying wounded, had been present
at the earlier humiliation, and recalled the date to the
Commander-in-Chief. However it be, a plan was adopted which brought
about the desired coincidence. Ever since the 18th, the detachment of
which the Canadian Regiment formed part had held the position then
gained on the north bank, on the enemy's west flank. There it occupied
a trench, running 700 yards north from the river. In the early hours
of February 27, long before daybreak, three companies of the
Canadians, {p.290} acting under specific orders, quitted the trench
and moved towards the enemy, followed close at heel by fifty engineer
troops. In their silent advance they approached to eighty yards of the
Boer traverse trench before discovered. Then a heavy and continuous
fire burst forth, lasting for fifteen minutes without intermission.
The Canadians lying down replied, while the engineers close behind
them dug, till a trench 100 yards long, and giving good cover, ran
from the bank to the north. Into it, when finished, the Canadians
retired.

The game was won. To quote Roberts' telegram, "At 3 A.M. to-day a most
dashing advance made by the Canadian Regiment and some engineers,
supported by the 1st Gordon Highlanders and 2nd Shropshires, resulted
in our gaining a point some 600 yards nearer the enemy, and within
eighty yards of his trenches. This apparently clinched matters." The
new position, which passed the power of the Boers to force, enfiladed
securely their rifle-trenches along the river, and took in rear the
advanced works to the north. At daylight of Majuba Day, {p.291}
Cronje sent Roberts a letter saying that he surrendered
unconditionally.

Briefly summarized, this achievement of the British Army was the
dislodgment of an inferior force from an extremely formidable
position--at Magersfontein--at the least loss to the victors, by a
secret and rapid flank march, followed by a swift pursuit, ending in
the enforced surrender of a portion that sought escape in flight.
Incidentally, Kimberley was relieved. Such effects, by such use of
superior numbers, without which they cannot be accomplished, are
always the object of war, which aims not at fighting, but at results.
To estimate duly the operation, regard must be had to