ult
evacuation of the ground hitherto held, right back to Porter's Hill.
The tables were quickly turned. General French, who was riding up from
Rensburg, at this moment reached Porter's Hill, and immediately
telegraphed to Maeder's farm for all the troops to turn out and move
on Coles Kop. He also ordered two companies of the Royal Berkshire
regiment from McCracken's Hill to reinforce the threatened point, and
the 10th Hussars, a squadron 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, and two guns
R.H.A. to advance upon the right of the Boer attack. Four guns had
already opened against their centre from in front of Coles Kop. These
movements chilled the Boers, who, especially alarmed at the approach
of the cavalry from the direction of Windmill camp, abandoned the most
advanced points they had reached, hotly pursued by the 10th Hussars on
one flank and "B." squadron Inniskillings on the other. Yet some of
them soon turned, and, standing on rocky hills, attempted to cover the
flight of the rest, by checking the 10th Hussars. Colonel Fisher
thereupon dismounted his men, and leading a charge on foot,
brilliantly drove off the Boer rearguard and sent them after their
comrades, whilst the Inniskillings continued the pursuit, getting
amongst the fugitives with the lance. Still a part of the enemy, about
200 in number, clung stoutly to the broken hills in spite of the
severe cross fire of the artillery. About 1 p.m., therefore, the
General ordered Capt. H. de B. de Lisle to dislodge this remnant with
200 mounted infantry. De Lisle, using all the advantages of the
ground, skilfully manoeuvred his men, mounted, till he was within a
distance convenient for attack. His dismounting was the signal for
another break away of at least half of those fronting him, and the
mounted infantry, in open order, scaled the hill with fixed bayonets
against the remainder. There was a short encounter, but De Lisle's men
were not to be denied, twenty-one prisoners falling into their hands
as they cleared the summit. The rest of the Boers scattered in flight,
and by 2 p.m. Schoeman's attempt was over. His failure had cost him
ninety killed and wounded, and the loss of some forty prisoners.[266]

[Footnote 266: Casualties, January 4th:--Killed, one officer,
six N.C.O.s and men; wounded, two officers and thirteen
N.C.O.s and men.]

[Sidenote: French, Jan. 5th, issues orders for attack on Grassy Hill
next day.]

During this (January 4th) an