The Record of a Regiment of the Line by M. Jacson

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Lieutenant Walker was one of the last shot dead in the charge. He was
shot through the head (as were most of the killed) within fifteen yards
of the kopje held by the Boers.

Lieutenant Field rushed forward beyond this kopje and lay down in the
open and commenced firing at the Boers at the crest just in front. He
was very shortly afterwards shot through the head.

Captain Lafone was shot shortly before Lieutenant Field. He was in the
act of firing at the time, taking aim, and was shot by a Boer lying in
the grass some twenty-five yards away on his right rear. Before he was
killed he had suggested to Lieutenant Masterton that some one should go
back to the I.L.H. sangar to ask them to direct their fire on to some
Boers on the left front; these were firing into the dead and wounded who
had been hit during the charge and left out in the open.

Lieutenant Masterton at once volunteered, and started to run back over
the 130 yards. He got most of the way across when he was hit in the legs
by a bullet, but he continued his course, and being struck again fell,
and was dragged behind cover by the I.L.H. He delivered his message.

The position won was held until the Boers retired under cover of
darkness. The men were then placed in defensive positions, and picquets
told off.

The wounded were subsequently cared for, and the dead left where they
had fallen till daylight.

Colonel Park described the fire of the Boers as like the crackle of a
piece of gorse in a blazing fire. Colour-Sergeant Palmer, who so greatly
distinguished himself both during and after the charge, said the air was
hot with bullets. His rifle was shot in two at the lower band as he was
taking aim, splinters grazing his face and hands. Half the survivors had
their clothing shot through, and the majority of the killed were found
to have been hit two or three times.

The strength of the force was 5 officers and 184 non-commissioned
officers and men, of whom 3 officers and 14 men were killed and 1
officer and 34 men were wounded.

Although the loss was great, viz. nearly one-third of the total number,
it is a matter of surprise that more were not hit during the run of 130
yards, exposed as they were for about three minutes to magazine fire at
a point-blank range. It can be accounted for by the fact that the Boers
crouching behind the rocks were rather below than above the level of the
men, and their fire being consequently directed upwards, the bullets
passed high and over the heads of the charging companies. This would
explain why the majority of the killed were shot through the head.
Lieutenant Walker was hit in the chin, the bullet cutting his chin-strap
and passing out at the back and top of his head.

The following morning, as the men were collecting and parading
preparatory to marching back to the railway cutting, Sir George White
rode up and addressed them. Shaking Colonel Park by the hand he said: "I
congratulate and thank you for the splendid work you and your men did
yesterday. It was magnificently done. I am afraid you suffered very
heavily, but you must remember that such work as that cannot be done for
the Empire without loss."

Whilst the three companies were performing such gallant deeds on the
southern defences, the three companies under Major Curry were holding
their own on the north-west defences at Observation Hill.

The Boers attacked this post heavily in the morning, and were supported
by six field-guns, which were supposed to have been the Colenso guns of
General Buller's army, shrapnel being continually burst with excellent
precision over the defences.

[Illustration: Naval Battery Hill, Ladysmith]

[Illustration: Monument Erected to Devons on Wagon Hill, on Spot Where
the Charge Took Place, Ladysmith]

The account of the fighting which took place is told in Major Curry's
own words:--

"The battle of Ladysmith commenced between 2 and 3 a.m. on Caesar's Camp
and soon we were engaged all round. The three companies which had
proceeded to Observation Hill originally had just been relieved by three
fresh companies. At about 4 a.m. Lieutenant Emerson reported to me that
there was a party of Boers to his front, that he had fired on them, and
that they had retired. I thought it was the usual picquet and that they
had gone right back (it was too dark to see much); but such was not the
case, for they had concealed themselves in a fold in the ground about
300 yards to our front. Their strength must have been between seventy
and eighty.

"The enemy brought fire to bear on us from a 40-pounder howitzer, a
field-gun, and a hotchkiss on Surprise Hill, and from one or two
field-guns on the hill to our right over Hyde's Farm. They pounded away
all the morning, and brought a continuous rifle fire on our position as
well. At about 9.30 a.m. I heard a rattle of musketry from our centre
work, and when I went up there I found that the enemy, who had concealed
themselves in the fold in the ground in the early morning, had advanced
right up the hill and had got within a few yards of our sangars before
being seen. We killed nine and wounded twelve. They retired again to
their cover, where they remained for the greater part of the day,
slipping away by ones and twos back to their position. At about 4 p.m. a
tremendous thunder and hail storm came on, which blotted out everything.
The fire, which had ceased as the storm came on, was not renewed. Our
loss was two killed by rifle fire, when the Boers made their attack. Our
sangars were frequently breached by the 40-lb. shell during the day, but
there was no loss from shell fire."

These three companies were relieved by the Leicesters the next evening.

Lieutenant Masterson was rewarded with the Victoria Cross, and the
following is the official account of his gallant deed:--

"During the action at Wagon Hill, on the 6th January, 1900, Lieutenant
Masterson commanded with the greatest gallantry and dash one of the
three companies of his regiment, which charged a ridge held by the
enemy, and captured the position.

"The companies were then exposed to a most heavy and galling fire from
the right and left front. Lieutenant Masterson undertook to give a
message to the Imperial Light Horse, who were holding a ridge some
hundred yards behind, to fire to the left front and endeavour to check
the enemy's fire.

"In taking this message he crossed an open space of a hundred yards,
which was swept by a most heavy cross fire, and although badly wounded
in both thighs managed to crawl in and deliver his message before
falling exhausted into the Imperial Light Horse trench. His unselfish
heroism was undoubtedly the means of saving several lives."

The gallant conduct of Colour-Sergeant Palmer was brought to notice
under the following circumstances: When three companies of the Regiment
were ordered to charge the ridge held by the enemy on Wagon Hill on
January 6th, 1900, Colour-Sergeant Gilbert Palmer was with the leading
company, and he at once dashed out to the front with most conspicuous
bravery, and went straight for the point from which the heaviest fire
was coming. The enemy ran before they were reached, but the three
companies were exposed to a galling fire from the right, left, and
front. Colour-Sergeant Palmer got behind a rock and shot several of the
enemy, at the same time keeping a constant eye upon his own men, telling
them when and where to fire, and when to take cover. When all the
company officers were either killed or wounded, he at once recognized
his position as senior non-commissioned officer, and was invaluable in
getting orders passed to the other companies, and in superintending the
men till dark, when the enemy retired. He then, acting under orders,
personally placed the outpost line, saw to the collection of the dead
and wounded, and, in fact, rendered invaluable assistance in every way.

His dash and pluck during the bayonet charge, his coolness and steady
courage under a heavy cross fire, and the power of command and of quick
and correct judgment displayed by him were most brilliant.
Colour-Sergeant Palmer's name was previously brought to notice for
gallant conduct at the battle of Elandslaagte on October 21st, 1899, so
that this made the second occasion on which he conspicuously
distinguished himself.

The names of the following non-commissioned officers and men were also
brought to notice for gallantry on the occasion:--

Lance-Corporal Gilbert Young.
" " Frank John Rowe.
Private Henry Brimmicombe.
" R.G. Hansford.
" E. Norman.
" H. Cox.

The following message from Her Majesty the Queen was received by Sir
George White for promulgation:--

"To Sir George White,

"Ladysmith.

"Warmly congratulate you and all under your command on your brilliant
success. Greatly admire conduct of Devonshire Regiment.

V.R.I."

The following telegram was also received:--

"O/C Devon Regiment,

"Railway Cutting.

"G.O.C. directs me to convey direct to you the following message from
Sir R. Buller:--

"'Congratulate all troops on gallant defence, especially Devon
Regiment.'"

The losses sustained by the garrison of Ladysmith on the 6th January
were:--

Killed. Wounded.
Officers 18 25

Men 150 224

Total killed and wounded, 417.

By the death of Captain Lafone the Regiment lost one of the
kindest-hearted and best officers that ever led a company.

The Boers' losses are estimated at 64 killed and 119 wounded. This
estimate may be considered low, for the _Standard and Diggers' News_,
copies of which were found later on in the war, gave six full-length
columns of killed and wounded amongst the various commandos.

A large donga was utilized by the Boers as a dressing station. The
violent storm on the afternoon of the 6th filled all the dry dongas and
turned them at once into mountain torrents. It is said that all the
wounded Boers in this donga were swept out into the Klip River and
drowned. The dead of the Regiment were buried with those of other
regiments, in a grave under Wagon Hill. Captain Lafone and Lieutenant
Field were buried in the cemetery in Ladysmith.

On the morning of January 8th all the wounded were sent by train to
Intombi Camp, including Lieutenant Masterson, who was doing well.

On January 9th the Regiment was concentrated at the railway cutting, the
company at the railway station having been permanently relieved from the
post by a company of the Liverpool Regiment. The battalion was thus
ready to be moved to any portion of the defences requiring assistance,
in case of attack.

The estimation in which the battalion was held at this time by the
Ladysmith garrison was well borne out by a remark made by Sir George
White. "The Devons," he said, "have never failed me yet. On the 6th they
held one place and took another."

A scare in the evening that the Boers were to attack again in the
morning caused various preparations to be made for their advent. The
garrison stood to arms at 3.15 a.m. awaiting the attack.

It is a curious fact that the Regiment was never ordered to stand to
arms in the morning before three o'clock at any time previous to or
after the 6th January, and the only time the Boers made a night attack
they did so at 2.15 a.m. This was on January 6th, on which day the
Regiment was ordered to stand to arms at 4.15 a.m.

During the night of January 9th-10th the naval guns fired in the
direction of Surprise Hill, and whilst this was proceeding the mountain
battery's two remaining guns also threw some star shell in the same
direction. The Boers were hugely elated at the sight of the star shell.
This was probably the first time they had seen them. They turned their
searchlight on to the stars when they fell on the ground, and cheered
lustily. They evidently considered that it was a performance got up for
their special entertainment by Messrs. Brock and Co., direct from the
Crystal Palace.

The cause of all this shell fire was not known, but it would appear as
if information had been received that the Boers had been collecting at
the back of Surprise Hill the evening before, with a view to a renewed
attack. Nothing, however, in the shape of an attack occurred, and at 3
a.m. firing ceased, and the sun rose in the morning in tranquillity.

On the 11th three messages were received by the garrison congratulating
them on their good work of January 6th: one from the Governor of Natal,
one from Valparaiso, and one from General Buller. The last named stated
in his telegram that he would relieve Ladysmith as soon as possible.

It was stated that Sir George White had heliographed to Sir Redvers
Buller informing him that there were over 2000 sick and wounded in
Intombi Hospital Camp, that he could not hold out for much longer, and
that he must not expect any assistance from him when he made his effort.
Sir Redvers Buller had replied that he was sparing no effort to push
forward, and that he hoped to be ready soon.

The number of patients in the Intombi Hospital Camp had increased by
January 10th to--

Over 400 cases of dysentery;
" 600 cases of enteric fever;
" 200 cases not yet diagnosed, but probably enteric fever;
" 800 cases wounded and various.

The daily rations of the garrison now consisted of 1/2 lb. of tinned
meat and 1 lb. of bread per man.

Had it not been for the Indian Contingent there would have been no flour
at all in Ladysmith. All the flour, all the rum, in fact almost
everything that the garrison lived upon with the exception of meat, was
brought from India with the Indian Contingent, which carried with it six
months' supply of every description.

From January 12th, another duty assigned to the Regiment was the sending
of two companies every morning at two o'clock to the examining guard on
the Newcastle road, which was situated just under the 4.7 naval gun
"Lady Anne." They had orders to stop there till 4.30 a.m. to check any
rush of Boers into Ladysmith down the Newcastle road. Later on, the
ground in front of this post was covered with barbed wire entanglement,
but up to this time there was nothing at this point to prevent the Boers
galloping right into the town.

[Illustration: A Peaceful Sunday]

[Illustration: Klip River and Camp of the Imperial Light Horse,
Ladysmith]

As these two companies went to their places on the 12th, the Boer
searchlight on Bulwana was flashing everywhere, and the mountain guns
throwing star shell. It looked as if both sides expected an attack. The
officer commanding the two companies had orders to operate on the flank
of any attack made on the northern defences.

On the following morning the garrison was told that General Buller was
moving round by Springfield; in the evening it was given out that he was
moving west of Chieveley and Colenso, and was twelve miles from
Ladysmith; and on the 14th the news came in that he was at Potgieter's
Drift, and that General Warren was across the Tugela River; and in
confirmation of this last information heavy gun fire was heard on the
17th in the direction of Potgieters, and the relieving army's balloon
was seen on the following day in the same direction.

As an attack was expected on the night of the 19th on Observation Hill,
three companies of the Regiment under Major Curry proceeded there in the
evening and bivouacked, the remainder of the Regiment being under orders
to hold themselves in readiness to proceed there at a moment's notice.
The night, however, passed quietly, and the companies returned to their
camp before dawn.

On January 20th better news was received from Sir Redvers Buller; his
advance had been very satisfactory. Reports stated that he had reached
Acton Holmes, and that four brigades had crossed the Tugela. His shells
were seen falling thickly on Thabba Nyama mountain.

The tea and sugar rations were, however, cut down to half. The health of
the men began now to generally improve, probably owing to better
drinking water which was obtainable from the condenser, recently
arranged for, at the railway station.

Very heavy gun fire, night and day, was continually heard from the
direction of Spion Kop and Acton Holmes, and on the 23rd a demonstration
was made from Ladysmith, the mounted troops going out under cover of the
fire of all the guns. The Ladysmith guns on all the fronts opened, but
were answered only by the Boer guns on Gun Hill and Bulwana. There was
but little musketry fire from Pepworth direction, and Surprise Hill
seemed deserted.

Still no relief appeared, and the rations were:--

12 oz. of beef,
1 lb. of bread.
Half ration of sugar.
Half ration of tea.

An order published on the 23rd gave hope:--

"Sir George White has received further satisfactory news as to Sir R.
Buller's advance. The relief of Ladysmith may be said to be within
measurable distance."

Very heavy gun fire was heard from 3 a.m. on the 24th till 2 p.m., and
in the evening further encouragement was circulated:--

"Reassuring news has been received from Sir R. Buller."

No news from the relieving army was received on the 25th. Heavy firing
continued, and in the evening the Boers were seen trekking from the
direction of Spion Kop, all the laagers on the rear slopes of the
mountain clearing off and making for Vanreenen's Pass and Newcastle. In
fact, the whole country round Spion Kop seemed about to be hurriedly
abandoned by the Boers. Great excitement prevailed in Ladysmith.

An investigation of the slopes of Spion Kop through the glasses at
daybreak on the following morning proved, however, disappointing, for
the laagers which had cleared off the night before were back again in
their places. Moreover, the Boers round Ladysmith were very truculent on
the morning of the 26th, which necessitated the garrison standing to
arms till 6 a.m.

Prices at the weekly auction had gone up considerably.

Two vegetable marrows were sold for 5s. 6d.

Pumpkins fetched 2s. 6d. each.

A small plate of potatoes reached 11s.

Whilst four sticks (4 oz.) of black tobacco, "Fair-maid" brand, changed
hands at L5 10s.

From now till the end of the siege two companies of the Regiment were
moved to a healthier spot, known as the "Convalescent Camp." It was
situated at the eastern end of Convent Hill. This post was relieved
weekly, and as the men were concealed and in a healthier position the
change was much appreciated.

On the morning of January 27th a native runner brought in news. His
account was:--

"Boers lost heavily from artillery fire on Wednesday, and say that the
British artillery is too much for them. I saw six field cornets dead on
one wagon. Some English were taken prisoners, and they were from the
left flank attack. The English attacked Spion Kop and surrounded the
base of the hill, and the Boers lost heavily from the English shrapnel
fire. When the English got to the top of the hill the Boers ran down the
other side. The Boers are much disheartened by their losses."

Judging from the above, the native must have then run away and not have
waited to see the finish, for in the evening the following news came
in:--

"Buller attacked Spion Kop, seized and occupied it, but was driven off
again the next night. Our loss is estimated at 200 killed and 300
wounded."

With the knowledge that history has given the world about the battle of
Spion Kop, further comment is needless. The news above is given as it
was received by the garrison of Ladysmith, who of course knew nothing
but what was sent in in scraps by Sir Redvers Buller, and what came in
to the Intelligence Department by native runners.

On the 30th the daily ration was further cut down to 1/2 lb. of meat, 2
biscuits, 1/6 oz. of tea, and 1/2 oz. of sugar per man. Horses, except
those belonging to the artillery, went rationless.

On January 31st horse-flesh was issued for the first time as a ration.

One dozen whisky was raffled in the town, and fetched L144--L1 10s. per
wineglass!

The only news received from the outside world on February 2nd was that--

"Sir R. Buller has retired behind the Tugela to rearrange, and Sir John
Lubbock has been made a peer."

The question asked is, Who is Lubbock, and is he connected in any way
with the evacuation of Spion Kop?

Some say that the news is the wrong way about, and that Lubbock has
retired and Sir R. Buller been made a peer. Confirmation of the news was
anxiously awaited.

Whichever way it was, in the face of the evacuation of Spion Kop it was
poor news to feed a half-starved and anxious garrison on. However, in
the meantime the big gun on Bulwana had fired his great shells into the
Railway Cutting Camp and killed the doctor's horse.

About this time a decoction called "chevril" was issued to the men. It
was supplied by the 18th Hussars' horses, whose bodies were boiled down
for the purpose. It was nourishing and the men liked it, which was a
good thing. There was nothing else by which to recommend it. The men
were also allowed to go down to the chevril factory, which was close to
the station, and buy the flesh of the horse after it had passed through
the boiling process. This did not appear appetizing, but again the men
liked it, and when cooked up with wild spinach which grew about the
lines it was considered very tasty.

Two items of news were received on February 4th, one being that General
Buller had again crossed the Tugela in three places and was to be
expected shortly, and the other that the garrison of Ladysmith was to be
attacked again next morning by 10,000 Boers. Arrangements were made to
meet the latter, the arrival of the former being considered
hypothetical. The garrison stood to arms at three o'clock the following
morning and anxiously awaited the dawn, but everything went off quietly,
and at 5.30 a.m. General Buller's guns commenced in three different
directions. The sound of the heavy gun fire increased in intensity, till
at 2.30 p.m. the noise could be compared to a heavy storm with incessant
thunder.

The Regiment was now told off as part of a flying column. This was
hopeful, as it was supposed that arrangements were being made to
co-operate with the relieving army.

At 5.15 a.m. on the 5th Buller's guns began firing again and continued
the whole day.

For the next few days there was no news from the outside world. Buller's
guns were heard incessantly, and one Boer big gun was seen firing on
Dornkloof, south of Manger's Hill. A few of Buller's lyddite shells were
bursting near him, and one shell was seen to strike his magazine and
explode it.

On the seventh night 100 men of the Regiment were again engaged in
shifting the 4.7 gun "Lady Anne."

On the 9th nothing was heard of Buller's guns--perfect silence!

This gave rise to all sorts of reports, one actually given out being
that Buller had taken his position and could come in at any time he
liked, but he had been stopped by a telegram from the Cape in order to
allow of Lord Roberts pushing up through the Free State; and then both
Buller and Roberts would relieve Ladysmith and take Bloemfontein
respectively on the same day. And this on the very day on which Buller
was retiring south of Tugela again from Vaal Krantz.

It was now considered advisable to strengthen the defences held by the
Regiment by an additional work, and the men were kept hard at it from
7.15 p.m. till 10 p.m. A dish of chevril was served out to each man of
the working party before turning in.

On February 13th information was received that Buller had taken two
positions on the north side of the Tugela with small loss--one Krantz
Kloof, and the other Vaal Krantz Spruit. This information seemed
somewhat belated. A message was also received from Lord Roberts in which
he stated that he had entered the Free State with a very large force,
chiefly of artillery and cavalry, and hoped that the pressure on
Ladysmith would shortly be reduced. Heavy gun fire commenced in the
Colenso direction on the night of February 14th, and continued with
slight interruption till the 18th; and on the 15th the Boer pompom was
heard in action, which went to show that the opposing forces were not
very far from each other.

At the last public auction ever held in the town, i.e. on the 14th
evening, the prices were:--

Eggs, 48s. per dozen.
Vegetable marrows, 28s. each.
Mealies, 3s. 8d. each.
Pot of jam, 32s. 6d.
Crosse & Blackwell's piccalilli, 19s. 6d.
Tin of ox tongue, 20s. 6d.
2 oz. stick of cake tobacco, 22s.
Fifty cigars, 10 guineas.

As much as 25s. per stick was paid about this time for two ounces of
cake tobacco. No Kaffir leaf tobacco was to be bought in the town,
although as much as L5 per leaf was offered.

On the 15th the Railway Cutting Camp again received the attention of the
Long Tom gunners on Bulwana, who pitched some shells into the lines, but
without doing damage.

The news of the relief of Kimberley was received by the garrison on
February 17th, and it was reported that General French had captured five
laagers.

On Sunday, the 18th, the battalion and 13th Battery, the remains of the
Gloucester Regiment, and the Mountain Battery assembled as usual under
"Liverpool Castle" for Divine service. The Reverend J. Tuckey
officiated. The usual "extermination" service and prayers for the
"Right" were said, the hymns chosen being--

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