ion;
secondly, to gain and hold such a position towards Nicholson's Nek (if
possible, the Nek itself) as would enable the cavalry to debouch
safely upon the open ground beyond, should opportunity arise for a
pursuit, or, better still, an interception of the Transvaalers as they
fell back on the Drakensberg passes. The left flank thus provided for,
a cavalry brigade, consisting of the 5th Lancers, 19th Hussars, and
Colonel Royston's regiment of Colonials, under Major-General French,
were to reach the ridges north-east of Gun Hill before dawn, from
which, by demonstrating against the enemy's left, they would cover the
British right. Between these wings, the main infantry attack was to be
carried out by the 8th brigade, which, in the absence of its proper
commander, Colonel F. Howard, was under Colonel G. G. Grimwood, 2nd
King's Royal Rifles, whose five battalions would include the 1st and
2nd King's Royal Rifles, the 1st Leicestershire, and 1st King's
(Liverpool) regiments and the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The 1st
brigade division Royal Field artillery and the Natal Field battery
were to be attached to Grimwood's command. A general reserve of the
7th brigade, consisting of the 2nd Gordon Highlanders, 1st Manchester
and 1st Devonshire regiments, and, should it arrive from Maritzburg in
time, the 2nd Rifle Brigade, were to be under the command of Colonel
Ian Hamilton, who, besides his infantry, would have with him the 5th
Dragoon Guards, the 18th Hussars, the Imperial Light Horse, two
companies mounted infantry, and the 2nd brigade division of artillery.
Grimwood was to take Long Hill, and his path thereto was to be cleared
by the shrapnel of both brigade divisions. That position carried, he
was to hold it, whilst Colonel Hamilton, supported in turn by the fire
of the united artillery, was to throw his fresh infantry against
Pepworth Hill, and complete the victory.

[Sidenote: Carleton's column parades 11 p.m. Oct. 29th.]

At 10 p.m. Carleton left his parade ground with six companies (16
officers, 518 other ranks) and 46 mules, and at 11 p.m. arrived at the
rendezvous, the level crossing of the Newcastle road close to the
Orange Free State railway junction, where the rest of his command had
been awaiting him for an hour. It consisted of five and a half
companies (some 450 men) of the Gloucester regiment, with 57 mules and
a Maxim gun; the 10th Mountain battery, comprising 137 N.C.O.s and
men, 6 guns, with 100 rounds for