out 5 p.m. the fire from the Boer 100-pounder was very heavy, and
came all round us, the Staff, and Infantry in reserve, and twice my
crews only escaped by lying down. Just at that moment I got the order
from Colonel Parsons, R.A., to withdraw my guns by moonlight, and
cover our retirement on Gun Plateau. This was done, but the steep hill
being jammed with traffic, I did not get up to my old position on Gun
Plateau till next morning, when I reported to General Warren.

Between February 8th and 9th, I assisted to cover the retirement of
our troops over the Tugela, and on the 9th was withdrawn at 11 a.m.,
and arrived at Springfield Bridge at 3 p.m.

On February 10th, by order of Colonel Burn-Murdoch (1st Dragoons) and
the Camp Commandant, I placed my guns in the entrenched camp half a
mile beyond the bridge, and up to 14th was employed in making gun
epaulements and pits, and finding the ranges.

On February 13th, the Boers appearing in force on the kopjes to our
left at 9,000 yards, I rode out with Colonel Burn-Murdoch and other
Commanding Officers, to reconnoitre, and find gun positions. They
sniped at us at 1,600 to 2,000 yards, and at the advanced Cavalry
pickets all night, but next morning, the 14th, after "A" Battery Royal
Horse Artillery and my guns had been pushed forward, they were found
to have retreated altogether, and we surmised them to be a commando of
Free State Boers returning to the Free State.

To-day, the 16th, we received news of General French's relief of
Kimberley. All quiet in this neighbourhood.

At present I have 500 rounds of ammunition with me, and 300, in
reserve, in charge of the officer of the ammunition column here.

I will conclude by saying that I have nothing but praise for the
conduct and hard work performed by my men during the last ten days,
especially when under fire; their spirit is now excellent. I should
specially mention my captains of guns, T. Mitchell, 1st class P.O.,
and J. Mullis, 1st class P.O., for their hard work, the latter the
best and quickest shot of the two. I must recommend E. A. Harvey,
P.O., 2nd class, and leading shipwright, as rendering me most useful
and clever work on the gun mountings, etc., and for further designs.
Of the rest P. Treherne, A.B.; D. Shepherd, A.B., S.G.T.; Henry House,
A.B.; W. Jones, A.B., S.G.T.; Fred Tuck, O.S.; C. Patton, signalman;
and W. Dunetal, stoker, deserve special mention. Mr. White,
midshipman, has rendered me useful assistanc