mounted troops and from the
want of horse artillery, Lord Methuen was unable to convert his
successful engagement into a decisive victory, the action was
satisfactory in many ways. The first advance was made in darkness, in
a formation more extended than any practised at the same period in
broad daylight by continental nations. Such men as became detached
from their battalions promptly rallied upon the nearest officer of
another corps. The leading of company officers when, in the stress of
battle, they became separated from their battalions, and had thus to
act entirely on their own initiative, was most satisfactory. As an
instance of the manner in which troops become dispersed in modern
engagements, it is well to record the movements of the companies of
the 2nd battalion of the Coldstream Guards. One company joined or
closely followed the Grenadiers in their attack on Gun Hill. Two
companies worked with the Grenadiers in their attack on Mont Blanc.
Three companies fought on Table Mountain. One company kept touch with
the 1st battalion; another acted independently in clearing the eastern
side of Gun Hill, and then fought on Table Mountain. The fire
discipline proved distinctly good. Long range supporting fire, when
the light permitted it, was freely employed. The arrangements by the
R.A.M.C. for the removal of the wounded from the field of battle to
the base hospitals were admirable.

CHAPTER XIV.

GRASPAN.[159]

[Footnote 159: See maps Nos. 9 and 11.]

[Sidenote: Boers gather at Graspan. Nov. 23rd/99.]

Eleven miles north of Belmont station the road and railway leading to
Kimberley enter a network of kopjes, which dominate the line until the
plain through which the Modder river flows is reached. These rough
outcrops of rock and boulders from the plains of the open veld have
been arranged by nature in clusters of small hills, the most southern
group being so shaped as to form a natural redoubt astride of the
railway, midway between Graspan and Enslin, thus barring any advance
from the south along the line. The larger portion of the Boer force,
defeated at Belmont, had fallen back under Prinsloo, on the 23rd of
November, across the Free State border to Ramdam, about 13 miles east
of Enslin station. De la Rey, however, whose commando had taken but
little part in that action, halted his men at Graspan, and occupied
the excellent position which this redoubt offered for a further stand.
That same eve