s intersected by several wire fences. The
battalion received orders to cross this open ground by successive
companies, 'H' company, under Lieutenant Shewan, formed the right of
the line, and was the first company to leave the shelter of the
spruit. It made for the south-east corner of the wood, where it was
afterwards joined by the maxims, and at once opened fire on Talana and
Dundee Hills. 'B' company under Captain Dibley, 'A' company under
Major English, and 'E' company under Captain Weldon extended to ten
paces, and followed in succession. The enemy had by this time
developed a vigorous fire, but the range was long and the casualties
small. The advancing companies moved on steadily, reached the edge of
the wood, and entered it. They now became somewhat separated. 'A,' 'G'
(Captain Perreau), and 'F' inclined to the left, 'C' and 'E' remained
in the centre with 'B' on their right, while 'H' was held back at the
corner of the wood. The latter was bounded on the far side by a stone
wall, beyond which stretched an open piece of ground until, further up
the hill, there was a second wall. At this point there was a sudden
change in the slope of the ground, which rose almost precipitously to
the crest. Immediately opposite the point where 'B' company issued
from the wood a third wall ran up the hill, connecting the two already
mentioned. When the attackers reached the far end of the wood, they
came under such a well-directed and heavy fire that their progress was
at first checked, in spite of the support afforded by our artillery,
which rained shrapnel on the hostile position. The Boers, lying behind
the boulders on the crest of Talana Hill, found excellent cover; while
from Dundee Hill they could bring an effective enfilade fire on the
open space between the two parallel walls. Opposite 'A' company a
donga ran up the hill, and at first sight seemed to offer an excellent
line of approach for an attacking force. Major English, in command of
the company, rushed forward and, in spite of a heavy fire, succeeded
in cutting a wire fence which closed the mouth of the donga. He then,
at about 8 a.m., led his company into the latter, and was followed by
'G' and 'F' (Captain Hensley) companies; but the donga proved almost a
death-trap, since it was swept by the rifles of some picked marksmen
on the right of the Boer position.

[Illustration: Casualties at Talana.

Capt. G. A. WELDON. _Killed._
Second Lieut. GENGE. _Died of Wounds