There were no casualties.] Before
morning they were reinforced by Smith-Dorrien's brigade (Gordons,
Canadians, and Shropshires--the Cornwalls had been left behind) and
some more mounted Infantry. With daylight a fine advance was begun,
the brigade moving up in very extended order and the mounted men
turning the right flank of the defence. By evening we had regained
the waterworks, a most important point for Bloemfontein, and we
held all the line of hills which command it. This strong position
would not have been gained so easily if it had not been for
Pole-Carew's and French's actions two days before, on their way to
join Rundle, which enabled them to turn it from the south.
Ian Hamilton, who had already done good service in the war, having
commanded the infantry at Elandslaagte, and been one of the most
prominent leaders in the defence of Ladysmith, takes from this time
onwards a more important and a more independent position. A thin,
aquiline man, of soft voice and gentle manners, he had already
proved more than once during his adventurous career that he not
only possessed in a high degree the courage of the soldier, but
also the equanimity and decision of the born leader.
Pages:
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643