ight flank of two
separate attacks in force on Comersfoort, the first under General
Hildyard on July 30th, and the second under Sir Redvers Buller on
August 7th, when the town was taken. We have also covered many
reconnaissances, and have come into action at long ranges several
times against marauding Boers on the plain at the foot of this hill,
but hitherto they have not attacked us, as the hill is magnificently
entrenched and has been held in turn by the Dorsets, the South
Lancashires, and now the Queen's Regiment. The whole of the
intelligence from Grass Kop as to movements of the enemy since July
24th up to this date, has been furnished by my look-outs with our long
telescope; and this I need scarcely say has been a considerable and
arduous duty for the men under the conditions of violent winds, rain,
mist, and storms which prevailed up here (a height of 6,500 feet),
since we occupied the hill. These wind-storms have destroyed our tents
once, sometimes continuing for days, and have caused much discomfort
both to ourselves and the troops, and I have lost a good many oxen by
exposure and lung sickness. Orders having come for the withdrawal of
the Naval Brigade, I can only say I have been well and faithfully
served by the Officers and men of the detachment under my command; and
during these months have formed a high opinion of their excellence as
a battery, under the varying conditions of climate, heights, and
positions, they have gone through in Natal, the Orange Colony, and
the Transvaal. All these men, in spite of much sickness at times, have
stuck to their work with the Natal Army for a year now, and
consequently I think, fully deserve any advancement or reward it is
possible to give them, and I am sure H.M.S. _Tartar_ may be proud of
the men representing her during the war. I wish to bring this general
opinion of the men of the detachment, which I hold, to the favourable
notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and to specially recommend the
following for good service rendered with the guns:

A. L. Munro, C.P.O. and torpedo instructor (late of H.M.S.
_Tartar_).

G. H. Epsley, P.O., 2nd class and captain 1st gun (late of H.M.S.
_Tartar_).

E. Cheeseman, A.B., S.G., and acting captain 2nd gun (late of
H.M.S. _Tartar_).

D. Smith, A.B., S.G.T., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).

J. Macdonald, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).

G. Baldwin, A.B., S.G., gun c