This latter pass was fortified most elaborately. It was attacked
upon the 23rd by Brabant's Horse and the Royal Irish without
success. Later in the day two companies of the Wiltshire Regiment
were also brought to a standstill, but retained a position until
nightfall within stone-throw of the Boer lines, though a single
company had lost 17 killed and wounded. Part of the Royal Irish
remained also close to the enemy's trenches. Under cover of
darkness, Clements sent four companies of the Royal Irish and two
of the Wiltshires under Colonel Guinness to make a flanking
movement along the crest of the heights. These six companies
completely surprised the enemy, and caused them to hurriedly
evacuate the position. Their night march was performed under great
difficulties, the men crawling on hands and knees along a rocky
path with a drop of 400 feet upon one side. But their exertions
were greatly rewarded. Upon the success of their turning movement
depended the fall of Slabbert's Nek. Retief's Nek was untenable if
we held Slabbert's Nek, and if both were in our hands the retreat
of Prinsloo was cut off.
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