ded. Captain Herbert, on his
return, after his interview with the General Commanding-in-Chief, had
again been despatched to the rear by Colonel Long to seek for
ammunition. At his request Major W. Apsley Smith, commanding No. 1
ammunition column, ordered forward nine wagons, and to cover their
advance Captain Jones, R.N., concentrated the fire of his Naval guns
on Fort Wylie, but the wagons were stopped on their way by General
Buller.

[Sidenote: Gallant attempts to rescue guns.]

Sir Redvers, by the time he arrived at the Naval donga, had decided
that it was impracticable to re-man the guns of the field batteries.
Since the batteries ceased fire, Fort Wylie had been re-occupied by
the enemy, and the fire therefrom, and from the neighbouring trenches,
was so heavy that he considered that it was impossible that troops
could live in the open by the guns. He sanctioned a series of gallant
attempts being made by volunteers to withdraw them. Limber teams were
collected for this purpose, in the rear donga. The first of these
attempts was made by Captains Schofield and Congreve, both serving on
Sir Redvers' staff, Lieut. the Hon. F. H. S. Roberts (who was acting
as an extra A.D.C. to General Clery, until he could join Sir George
White's staff), Corporal Nurse and others, gathered from the drivers
of the 66th battery. Two guns were limbered up and brought back to the
rear donga under a very severe fire, but Lieutenant Roberts fell
mortally wounded, and was carried into some shelter on the left flank
by Major Babtie, R.A.M.C., Major W. G. Forster, R.F.A., and Captain
Congreve. One of the limbers which had been brought for the guns had
been reduced to a standstill by the enemy's fire. Lieutenants C. B.
Schreiber and J. B. Grylls, both of the 66th battery, accompanied by
Bombardier Knight and two gunners, thereupon made a valiant endeavour
to assist the endangered drivers. Schreiber was shot dead, and Grylls
severely wounded, but the bombardier and gunners succeeded in bringing
back two wounded men.

[Sidenote: The last effort.]

Later in the morning a final effort was made by Captain H. L. Reed, of
the 7th Field battery, who, with three wagon-teams, came across from
the eastern flank, but before the teams could reach the guns, Captain
Reed was wounded and his horse killed. Of his thirteen men, one was
killed and five wounded, while twelve of their horses were shot. After
this failure Sir Redvers refused to allow any more vol