ich lies to the
north-west of the railway station. General Hart utilised the fortnight
at Frere in making his battalions accustomed to his methods. Every
day the whole brigade stood to arms an hour before dawn, and advanced
up the slope of the ridge, where it stayed until scouts had reported
the front all clear. The General was also very particular about the
cleanliness of the camp, and made it a rule to go through the lines
every morning.

CHAPTER V.

THE BATTLE OF COLENSO.

'Never shame to hear what you have nobly done.'--_Coriolanus._

On December 12th, the 6th and Naval Brigades marched from Frere to
Chieveley, and the rest of the army followed the next day. The
battalion happened to be finding the outposts, and could not march
with the 5th Brigade. Some delay in collecting the companies was
experienced, so it was not until 1 p.m. that a start was made, and
darkness came on before Chieveley was reached. It was, however, a
glorious moonlight night, and marching across the veld had a charm
which even the dust could not quite destroy. But romance soon gave way
to more worldly feelings when, on arriving at Chieveley about 8 p.m.,
it became necessary to find the brigade camp among the hundreds of
tents already pitched.

On the evening of the 14th, it was known that the army was to advance
next day, and attempt the passage of the Tugela. Colonel Cooper
assembled his officers in order to explain the Divisional and Brigade
orders. He stated that the 5th Brigade would cross the river at a
drift two miles west of Colenso, then move down the left bank so as to
take in rear the Boers defending Colenso bridge, which would be
attacked by the 2nd Brigade. The Brigade orders detailed the Dublin
Fusiliers to lead the advance to the river, and afterwards to cover
the rear of the brigade when it moved down the left bank. General Hart
urged in addition the necessity of keeping the men well in hand. They
were to cheer in the event of a charge, but were not to be allowed to
make a wild rush.

[Illustration: 2 miles West of Colenso. Genl. Hart's flank attack from
the Boer Point of View. 15th Dec/99. From a sketch by Col. H. Tempest
Hicks, C.B.]

Every one was early astir on December 15th. Breakfasts were at 3 a.m.,
but before that hour tents had been struck and packed in the
waggons, on which great-coats, blankets, and mess-tins were also
placed, so that the men only carried their haversacks, water-bottles,
rifles, an