a flat kopje commanded on the south by
a self-contained ridge. To the east was another kopje, which
commanded the top of the position at about 500 yards. On the
west were two similar spurs, also commanding the position at
short ranges. The summit of the kopje was a plateau, all the
sides being gradual slopes except the eastern, which was
almost sheer, this latter being the side from which access had
been gained. From below it appeared a defensible position, but
when once the top was reached it was evident that it was
commanded from all sides. The men busied themselves attempting
to build breastworks. The Gloucestershire companies, with their
Maxim gun, were given the northern face to hold, two companies
being detached on to a self-contained ridge of the position
which lay on the south side. The Irish Fusiliers had the
precipitous flank to defend.

"From earliest daybreak Boer scouts were reconnoitring, and
about eight o'clock mounted Boers could be seen galloping in
small groups to the cover at the reverse of the hill on the
west. Later two strong parties of mounted men took position on
the far side of the two hills commanding the kopje from the
west. About nine o'clock these two parties had crowned the
hills and opened a heavy fire at short ranges right down upon
the plateau. Our men made a plucky attempt to return this fire,
but it was impossible; they were under a cross-fire from two
directions, flank and rear. The two companies of Gloucesters
holding the self-contained ridge were driven from their
shelter, and as they crossed the open on the lower plateau were
terribly mauled, the men falling in groups. The Boers on the
west had not yet declared themselves, but about 200 marksmen
climbed to the position which the two companies of the
Gloucesters had just vacated. These men absolutely raked the
plateau, and it was then that the men were ordered to take
cover on the steep reverse of the kopje. As soon as the enemy
realised this move, the men on the western hill teemed on to
the summit and opened upon our men as they lay on the slope.
They were absolutely hemmed in, and what had commenced as a
skirmish seemed about to become a butchery. The grim order was
passed round--'Faugh-a-Ballaghs, fix your bayonets and die like
men!' There