n the kopje spent the
night on the captured position. Captain Venour, who was the senior
officer present, re-formed the men of the Irish and Dublin Fusiliers,
and constructed sangars, with a view of warding off a Boer
counter-attack. In the meantime 'A,' 'E,' 'F,' and 'G' companies--with
whom was Colonel Cooper--were directed to the right, in order to guard
the flank of the brigade against the Eagle's Nest position. These
companies gained about 2 p.m. a ridge opposite the Eagle's Nest, and
overlooking the extensive plain which stretches up to Bulwana
Mountain. The enemy opened a well-aimed fire on this ridge, and also
brought into action a gun which was placed on the shoulder to the
north of the Nest. As the right of the four companies was thrown back
towards the Tugela, this Boer gun could nearly enfilade part of the
line. Sangars were built, however, and there were not more than three
or four casualties in this part of the field. The firing ceased at
dusk, but otherwise the night was unpleasant, for it rained, and the
waggons could not get near the fighting line, so that the men had to
do without their great-coats.

Before daybreak on February 28th the battalion collected its scattered
companies and was ready for action. There was no reliable news of what
had happened on other parts of the field during the 27th, and the full
extent of the victory was still unknown. When daylight came it was
evident that the Boers had evacuated the Eagle's Nest, and small
parties of them could be seen retiring, while the tents of their
laager under Bulwana were gradually diminishing. But even then few
could believe that the relief of Ladysmith was practically
accomplished.

[Illustration: General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., entering Ladysmith.]

Before mid-day an order came, directing the Dublin Fusiliers to move
after dinner and join the 11th Brigade, the position of which was not
indicated. Major English rode on ahead in order to discover its
whereabouts, but by the time he found it, the battalion had gone two
miles out of its way. The 11th Brigade was joined about 4 p.m., and
the regiment bivouacked between Hart's and Railway Hills. A heavy
thunderstorm burst over the country soon after 8 p.m., and made
everybody somewhat miserable, although the officers had been cheered
by the arrival of the invaluable Corporal Tierney, who, as usual,
succeeded in giving them food.

The services of this N.C.O. (now Mess-Sergeant) will never be