dered the occupation
of it too hazardous in the view of a General already impressed by the
dangers of detachments. Throughout the day, indeed, the Free Staters
themselves had been reminding him of these dangers. As early as 11
a.m. the piquets to the west of Ladysmith had reported significant
developments about Van Reenen's Pass, and these, as the day wore on,
became so threatening that at 5.30 p.m. General Hunter despatched a
message to Sir G. White, who was at that time still at Elandslaagte,
informing him that there was a hostile advance upon Ladysmith from
Bester's station. It was necessary, therefore, to recall French at
once, and at 9 p.m. he was so instructed by telephone.

[Sidenote: Bivouacs on ground night 21st-22nd.]

At 11 p.m. General French issued orders for the return to Ladysmith on
the morrow, and the troops bivouacked on the field, the infantry upon
the kopjes, the cavalry about the station. The day's losses amounted
to 263 officers and men killed and wounded.[121]

[Footnote 121: For detailed casualties, etc., see Appendix
6.]

[Sidenote: All back in Ladysmith, Oct. 22/99.]

At 3 a.m. on the 22nd the three batteries, the 5th Lancers and the
Natal Mounted Rifles[122] left by road for Ladysmith, the loaded
ambulance train quitting the station at the same time. From that hour
onwards the trains, bearing the soldiers, steamed away from the
battlefield, the last to leave by rail being a portion of the
Manchester escorting forty prisoners. They were detained until 3.20
p.m. The 5th Dragoon Guards, who had reconnoitred northward, followed
last of all by road, and by evening the position was empty.

[Footnote 122: This corps had remained as escort to the Natal
Field artillery, and as support to Gore's cavalry, throughout
the action.]

CHAPTER X.

LOMBARDS KOP.[123]

[Footnote 123: See maps Nos. 3, 8 and 8 (_a_).]

[Sidenote: Boer forces unite Oct. 26th. French reconnoitres, Oct.
27th.]

On the very day of Yule's junction with Coxhead[124], Erasmus was in
touch with A. P. Cronje, next day with Lukas Meyer, who, still feeling
the blow of Talana, had moved timidly, wide on the left. At 4 a.m. on
the morning of the 27th a brigade of cavalry left Ladysmith under
Major-General French, and, proceeding to scout along the Newcastle and
Helpmakaar roads, was sighted at dawn by Meyer, who was then in laager
about seven miles south of Elandslaag