It was found, however, that the Boers had taken up a strong
defensive position, and the British were not numerous enough to
push the attack. On February 3rd Cunninghame endeavoured to
outflank the enemy with his small cavalry force while pushing his
infantry up in front, but in neither attempt did he succeed, the
cavalry failing to find the flank, while the infantry were met with
a fire which made further advance impossible. One company of the
Border Regiment found itself in such a position that the greater
part of it was killed, wounded, or taken. This check constituted
the action of Modderfontein. On the 4th, however, Cunningham,
assisted by some of the South African Constabulary, made his way
round the flank, and dislodged the enemy, who retreated to the
south. A few days later some of Smuts's men made an attempt upon
the railway near Bank, but were driven off with twenty-six
casualties. It was after this that Smuts moved west and joined De
la Rey's commando to make the attack already described upon
Lichtenburg.
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