0 yards was now made,
and, after a short pause to allow the men to get breath, bayonets were
fixed and the position charged, four companies assaulting the detached
hill on the left, the remaining three companies assaulting the hill on
which the enemy's guns were. F and G Companies were the first to reach
and take possession of the guns, the Gordon Highlanders coming up on the
right shortly afterwards. The companies then moved on down the reverse
slope and opened fire on the retiring enemy. On the detached hill only
five of the enemy were found alive, and they showed a white flag as the
hill was charged.

The Regiment was then re-formed, and held the detached hill during the
night.

During the three hours it was under fire, the battalion kept line and
intervals carefully throughout, and adjusted sights and fired as
steadily as if on parade. It is to the perfect steadiness of the men and
the absence of all crowding that the very small losses from the enemy's
fire, which at all times was heavy, can be attributed.

The battalion's losses were:--

Captain W.B. Lafone, slightly wounded.
2nd Lieutenants Gunning, Hailey, and Green, severely wounded.
Twenty-nine non-commissioned officers and men wounded.

Parties of men were busy during the night collecting the Boer wounded
and taking them down to the laager. Among them was General Koch, who was
badly hit in several places. He died of his wounds a few days afterwards
in Ladysmith.

The losses of the Boers were estimated at 62 killed, 150 wounded, and
184 prisoners.

The force was moved back into Ladysmith early on the 22nd morning, the
infantry by rail, and cavalry by road. The company of the Regiment and
Maxim gun, which had been on Pepworth Hill during the day and the
following night, got back to camp the same afternoon.

The 23rd was given up to rejoicings and congratulations over the
victory, and the two Boer flags which were captured were displayed
outside the officers' mess tent.

The Free State Army had by now come across to the east, and were in the
neighbourhood of Modder Station, and on October 24th a column was again
ordered out with the object of assisting General Yule's force in from
Dundee.

This column consisted of the 5th Lancers, 19th Hussars, Natal
Carbineers, Border Mounted Rifles, Imperial Light Horse, Devons,
Liverpools, Gloucesters, 60th Rifles, and twenty guns, in all about 5500
men.

The enemy was found posted on Tinta Inyoni Mountain, on