Lancashire.

[Sidenote: Metheun tries to intercept Boer retreat.]

[Sidenote: 6.15 a.m. 18th and 75th batteries open fire.]

In conformity with his plan of action Lord Methuen directed Colonel B.
Gough to pass beyond the enemy's position on the east with two
squadrons of the 9th Lancers, one company of mounted infantry, and
Rimington's Guides; to pass beyond it on the west he likewise sent Major
Milton with the third squadron of the 9th Lancers, the mounted company
of the Northumberland Fusiliers, the mounted half company of the
Yorkshire Light Infantry, and a detachment (thirty strong) of the New
South Wales Lancers. The batteries (18th and 75th) moved at first with
the main body of the 9th brigade, the Northumberland Fusiliers
furnishing the advance guard, but, when the sun rose at 5 a.m. and the
Boer position was approached, the guns were ordered forward and came
into action about 6.15 a.m. against the kopjes held by the enemy east of
the railway. The 75th on the left engaged in a duel with the Boer guns,
but owing to the careful concealment of the latter was unable to produce
much effect; the 18th on the right, at a range of 2,200 yards, searched
carefully with shrapnel the sangars on the kopjes. The four companies of
the Loyal North Lancashire were detailed as an escort to this battery,
two of them lying down close to the guns, the other two being in support
some distance in rear. The 75th battery at first lacked an escort, but
later on a half-battalion of the Northamptonshire was sent to it, and
remained near the railway until the end of the day.

[Sidenote: Naval guns and field batteries shell the hills to drive out
Boers.]

Meanwhile the remainder of the 9th brigade halted out of the enemy's
range midway between the two batteries, with a half-battalion of the
Northumberland Fusiliers extended in front. The armoured train and the
Naval guns, four 12-prs., commanded by Lieut. F. W. Dean, R.N.,
arrived in sight of the Boer position a little before 6 a.m.,
accompanied by the Royal engineer companies, who were in a repair
train in rear. The leading train halted at Graspan station, from
whence by means of field-glasses a large number of Boers could be seen
standing on the crests of the kopjes commanding the line. Almost
immediately a puff of smoke appeared on the ridge a little to the east
of the railway, and a shell whistled over the train, bursting some 200
yards beyond. Lieutenant Dean at once detrained two gu