t the enemy round Colesberg.[309] To General
French, therefore, the Field-Marshal addressed the following
instructions on the 12th January:--

[Footnote 309: Lt.-General Kelly-Kenny was very much senior
in the army to Lt.-General French, but the latter's local
commission as Lt.-General was of older date.]

"As I see no chance of being able to leave Cape Town just at
present, and cannot therefore offer you my congratulations in
person, I write to let you know the satisfaction it has given me
to hear of the good work you have been doing in the neighbourhood
of Colesberg.

"You will have learnt by telegram that we have sent you three
battalions of the 12th brigade under Clements. Kelly-Kenny, who
commands the 6th division, sails to-morrow for Port Elizabeth,
and the whole of his eight battalions will, I hope, be collected
shortly at Naauwpoort junction, I gather that the Boers are
increasing in strength between Colesberg and the river. It seems
almost certain that their numbers will be still further augmented
if Buller succeeds in relieving Ladysmith, for Joubert's force
will then be free, and he is almost certain to hurry his men to
the south-west in order to try and block our way into the Orange
Free State.

"This may make the seizure of the Norval's Pont bridge out of the
question; as it would, however, be of such supreme importance to
get possession of this crossing of the Orange river, I shall be
greatly obliged if you will inform me whether you think the
operation in any way feasible. We could increase your force still
more, or what would probably be of even greater assistance to
you, we could threaten the enemy from the Orange River station
direction. The greatest secrecy and caution would be required,
and the seizure of the bridge could only be effected by a very
carefully-thought-out and well-planned _coup de main_, for, if
the Boers had the slightest inkling of our intention, they would
assuredly blow it up. There would, moreover, be no object in our
getting possession of the bridge, and thus risking a number of
valuable lives, unless it could be made perfectly secure on its
immediate northern bank, and this, from the nature of the ground,
might be impossible.

"I hope that your men and horses are keeping thoroughly