:--

"The brigade was moving in mass of quarter-column, with a few
mounted scouts in front and our battalion leading the Brigade.
We had to file through a narrow part and form up as we got
through, and when my company got to its place I could see the
dim outline of the hill in front, and thought we were in a very
dangerous place if the enemy, as I thought, occupied it, for it
was the extreme left of their position, and therefore they were
bound to strongly hold the flank. However, the brigade formed
up nicely on the open ground, and a lamp that was shining on
the left on a prominent spur was put out. Simultaneously the
whole of the hillside was lit up with the most damnable
discharge of rifles, &c., that any one can possibly imagine.
They seemed to be formed up in tiers all up the hillside, and
were pouring magazine fire into us at a terrific rate. Then
came all sorts of shouts--'Lie down,' 'Charge,' 'Extend,' &c.,
and of the whole brigade there was only the front rank of A
Company of ours that could have used their rifles, as everybody
else was straight in rear of them. Well, two companies in front
did charge, but were stopped by barbed wire fences and
entanglements fifteen yards from the trenches and mostly shot
down. Others broke to right and left or retired, and after
waiting about a minute for a bullet to hit me, as it appeared
impossible to escape one, and as it did not arrive, I thought
perhaps it was advisable to go with the remainder. I walked
away to the right, still expecting one, but they were all going
too high, and it was not yet light. I got clear away and
discovered a mob of excited soldiers of all regiments, and with
Captain Cameron we tried to get them together, but they had
lost their head, and several Boers who had moved out of the
trenches to get round our flank happening to fire in this
direction, they became disorganised. It was then daylight
before sunrise. The Boers, moving smartly, then showered us
with bullets, and many were bowled over. I walked along quite
casually, shouting to one and another to take cover and keep
cool, and I was once followed about 200 yards by quite an
accompaniment of bullets, I should say about twelve keeping it
up; but as they were evidently aiming at me, none hit me.
Slowly gett