isional troops, ammunition
column.

[Sidenote: Supply column.]

18. The Supply Column (with five days' rations), escorted by half
Gordon Highlanders, will assemble at the place of assembly of Nos. 1
and 3 Columns at 4 a.m. on the 11th December, and will follow the
route taken by No. 1 Column for two miles, and await orders.

[Sidenote: General.]

19. The Divisional Signalling Officer will arrange for signalling
communication being kept up between Nos. 1 and 2 Columns on the 10th
December.

20. Outposts protecting Modder River camp will be taken over by 9th
Brigade at 8 a.m. on 10th December.

21. No light is to be lit or smoking allowed from 7 p.m. on 10th to 4
a.m. on 11th.

22. During the absence of the Lieut.-General Commanding, the command
at Modder River will, after departure of No. 3 Column, devolve on
Major-General Pole-Carew, C.B., details of Nos. 1 and 3 Columns being
attached to 9th brigade.

23. Arrangements will be made by G.O.C. Cavalry brigade for the care
of all horses belonging to Nos. 1 and 3 Columns left at Modder River.
Horses and men of Divisional Headquarter Staff left behind will be
attached to 9th brigade.

24. If any of these orders are not understood, a Staff Officer should
attend at Divisional Headquarters.

By Order,
C. W. DOUGLAS, Col., C.S.O.

Modder River, 10th December, 1899.

CHAPTER XX.

THE BATTLE OF MAGERSFONSTEIN.[200]

[Footnote 200: See maps Nos. 13, 13(a), 13(b) and free hand
sketch.]

[Sidenote: The 1st Division takes up assigned places, Dec. 10th, for
night march.]

The preliminary movements for the attack on Magersfontein Hill, the
orders for which are given at the end of the last chapter, were duly
executed. Major-General Wauchope's brigade spent the first part of the
night of the 10th December bivouacked near the dam behind Headquarter
Hill. Close to the Highlanders lay the artillery, the 9th Lancers, the
detachment of New South Wales Lancers, the Balloon section, R.E., and
the mounted infantry. The covering outposts were furnished by the
mounted infantry and the Seaforth Highlanders. The brigade of Guards
in the evening crossed the Modder and halted on its northern bank,
while the 12th Lancers remained south of the river until midnight,
when, though originally directed to accompany the brigade of Guards,
they joined the 9th Lancers at their bivouac in accordance with a
later order.

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