tempted with the remainder of the force to reach Frere station. The
engine reached Estcourt, but Captain Haldane was not so fortunate. The
men left the trucks and started to run along the line. No sooner did
our rifle-fire cease than the Boers galloped down the hill and, before
Captain Haldane could realise the danger, they were among the men, and
he had no course open but to surrender. The casualties of 'A' company
were three men killed, four or five wounded, and forty-two prisoners.
Private Kavanagh afterwards received the Distinguished Conduct Medal
for his gallantry on this occasion. The sound of the Boer guns could
be distinctly heard at Estcourt, and great anxiety was felt. A little
group of officers assembled in the trenches to the west of the
station, and eagerly scanned the country through their glasses.
Nothing could be seen, and the firing had ceased. Suddenly through the
air rang the shrill whistle of an engine, and at the sound every one
gave a sigh of relief. It was the armoured train, and all was well.
Another whistle, and round a sharp curve steamed the engine--but,
alas! without the trucks. It was evident that a disaster had occurred,
although particulars were not received until late in the afternoon;
while it was weeks later before the list of casualties could be
ascertained. Luckily this mishap occurred when the situation had in
other respects improved. The Army Corps was landing, and troops were
being pushed forward as quickly as possible. On the 16th, Estcourt was
reinforced by the 2nd Queen's and 2nd East Surreys of General
Hildyard's brigade, and General Barton's Fusilier brigade was
assembling at Mooi River.

The Boers were thus too late, and so lost the opportunity of capturing
Maritzburg. Although they doubtless knew of the arrival of fresh
troops, they still advanced, and, moving round Estcourt, appeared on
the hills to the north-west of Mooi River station. A detachment
reconnoitred Estcourt on the 18th, but a couple of shells from
Lieutenant James's naval guns induced them to stay at a distance.

The telegraph line south of the town was interrupted on the 22nd, and
for a brief period the garrison was cut off from the rest of the
world. But the action of Willow Grange, in which the battalion took no
part, caused a retirement of the enemy, who retreated through Weenen
on the 24th.

Their retreat was in no degree molested by our troops; but on November
26th the long-desired advance took place