The Record of a Regiment of the Line - Being a Regimental History of the 1st Battalion Devonshire - Regiment during the Boer War 1899-1902 by M. Jacson
page 50 of 164 (30%)
page 50 of 164 (30%)
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will suffice here to give a rough outline of what took place on Cæsar's
Camp and Wagon Hill prior to the companies of the Regiment reaching the latter place. The Boers attacked Wagon Hill at about 2.45 a.m., and amidst a good deal of confusion on the top, where 4:7 gun was in the act of being mounted, gained possession of the front crest. Their attempt to take Wagon Hill itself failed. Reinforcements consisting of two companies Gordon Highlanders and three squadrons of I.L.H. were sent to assist the 60th Rifles, the men of the I.L.H., and the detachment of Sappers already engaged with the Boers. [Illustration: The Railway Bridge, with Cæsar's Camp in Distance, Ladysmith] An hour later the attack on Cæsar's Camp developed. The Manchesters were prepared for them, and one company Gordon Highlanders was sent to reinforce. The Boers, unable to advance against the front crest of Cæsar's Camp, attempted to turn the flank of the Manchesters along the northern slopes. This attempt was foiled by the advance of the one company Gordon Highlanders, assisted by the 53rd Battery which had come into action on the plain below. The Rifle Brigade reinforced Cæsar's Camp at about 7 a.m., and two more companies of the Gordons were sent there at about 2 p.m. By 10 a.m. the Boers had been pushed back off Cæsar's Camp, and Wagon Hill was reported nearly clear. Wagon Hill was further reinforced by the 18th Hussars at 10 a.m. At 1 p.m. the Boers, who had always hung on to their crest line, again attempted to rush Wagon Hill point, and though they gained a temporary |
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