Charles Warren" Is Q, on Kop Uh

" CHA RL E S WA RREN

i’S Q ,

O N K O P u h,

A V I N D I C A T I O N

B Y

’ 4 ‘ DEFENDER 1

I A IO G RAP H IC AL S KET C H PO RT RAIT W T H B ,

AND M AP

L O N D O N

15 WATERLOO PLACE SM ITH , ELDER, CO 1 902

P R E FA CE

IT is now more th an two years since the opera

on t ook lace on the u ela ver in a al ti p T g Ri N t , that en de d in the c apture and the unwarrant able ab andonment the s ame d ay of the p osition of

n K Th e la se of me s nc e n Spio op . p ti i these eve t s o c curr ed n aturally c au sed a los s of int erest in thi s chapter of the hi story of the war in S outh Afri c a ; but the recent p ubli c ation of p ortions of

’ the es a c es om e in the a e e of 1900 d p t h itt d G z tt , and also of other do cument s rec eived at the time

the War f c e but not dis clo se h as a a n by O ﬁ d , g i

rou th e su ec n o rom nenc e r ev ve b ght bj t i t p i , i d

ublic n eres in and of ere an o or un p i t t it , f d pp t ity which we gla dly s eiz e t o vindic ate the c onduct of an ofﬁc er who has b een c ondemned without b eing

ear h d . Wh ether S ir Charles Warr en will be allowed any opp ortunity of defending hims elf against vi PREFACE the strictures p assed up on him by S ir Redvers

uller e er now or en th e war is over B , ith wh , is ou ul but a t len h av n e ore us d btf gt , h i g b f all the o cumen s rec e ve at th e War f c e d t i d O ﬁ , it is ro os e t o s o in th e ollo n a es a p p d h w f wi g p g th t , in spit e of the difﬁcult circ umst an c es in whi ch he oun msel S ir arles arren his f d hi f , Ch W did

u and a h ad on Ko not een rec l es sl d ty , th t , Spi p b k y a an one a su or na e ere is ever reason b d d by b di t , th y t o supp ose th at h e would h ave gained a great

suc cess .

Th e p ublic ati on of the despat ches on Spion Kop in th e p arliament ary E ast er rec es s of 1900

oo th e orl s ur r s e— s o muc so n ee t k w d by p i h , i d d , that a story was current that it was d ue to the

r n ot c om mi stake of a War Ofﬁce cle k . It did men d its elf a s either a useful o r a desirable pro c eeding to p ubli sh to th e whole world the stri ctures p assed by th e General in c ommand in

a al u on his sec on - in - c omman and ose of N t p d d , th the C omman der -in - Chief in S outh Afri c a upon

o es ec all as o se o cers ere s ll s erv n b th , p i y th fﬁ w ti i g

r un r thei c o t y in th e ﬁeld . The p olitical mi stake ma de by the Govern ment was speedily demonstrated by the deb ates PREFACE

that to ok place on the rea ssembling ofParli ament ; but it now appears that a greater want of j udg

men was s o n an wa s en su ose and t h w th th pp d ,

a av n ec e o ever ron l to u l s th t h i g d id d , h w w g y, p b i h the desp at ches the Government would have done hi b etter to have p ublished them in full . And t s — for several reasons it would h ave ma de little

dif erenc e to os e c ensure oul ave ena le f th d, w d h b d the p ublic t o underst and the Spion Kop op era

ons c c oul not be un ers oo rom the ti , whi h d d t d f

nc om le e ocumen s and oul ave re i p t d t , w d h p vented a distingui shed ofﬁc er lying for two years

n r the s a o of un us a u u de h d w j t c c sations . Much c apital wa s ma de by the Opp osition in Parliament out of the suggestion ofthe S ecret ary of St at e for War that S ir Redvers B uller should

re r e his es a c or ra er s oul r e a w it d p t h , th h d w it separate desp atch for public ation ; but any one who ha s tri e d to get t o the bottom of the busin ess from th e materi al available must have felt th at L ord L ans downe was perfectly right in suggesting th at what was wanted was a simple statement from S ir Redvers B uller of wh at he inten ded to

d n n r n o a d h ow wa s o e o ot one . ns ea , it d d I t d o f this there were despatc hes giving formal c over PREFACE

to o er es a c es rom S ir arles arren and th d p t h f Ch W ,

’ en cr c s n a o c er s ac ons un a ur l th iti i i g th t fﬁ ti f vo ab y . N o st at ement was to be found anywh ere in dicating wh at S ir Redvers B uller h ad int ended t o d o and a s the ns ruc ons he ssu e ere not , i t ti i d w

u l s e the o era on c S ir arl p b i h d , p ti whi h Ch es Warren wa s direct ed to execute c ould only be gathered from the referenc es h e ma de t o them in

e re r s ere his rep orts . Thes p o t w evidently written t o his chi ef in the b eli ef that th e General c ommanding woul d write a ful l acc ount of

a h e h ad ro ose to d o and h ow far his wh t p p d , or ers h a d een success ull c arr e o ut or d b f y i d ,

r othe wi se .

T o mos men c onsc en ousl com elle t t , i ti y p d o c ensure in an official despatch those employed un er em th e su es on rom th e War ffic e d th , gg ti f O that such c ensure sh ould be c onfined to a c on

ﬁ d ential c ommun c a on and a s ome a c c oun i ti , th t t of the op eration and th e c au se of failure should be r en for u l c a on oul ave come a s a w itt p b i ti , w d h welcome relief ; and h ad S ir Re dvers B uller seen his way t o c omply with it and at the same time to send c opi es to S ir Ch arl es Warren of the c on

ﬁ d ential es a c es he oul ave lac e msel d p t h , w d h p d hi f PREFACE ix

n nas a la le os on h e oul ave ven in a u s i b p iti , w d h gi S ir Ch arles Warren an opportunity of c onﬁ d en

tiall us in himsel h e c oul d o so t o the y j tify g f , if d , S ecret ary of St ate for War and the C omman der

in- e e o ul ave en a le his c oun r men Chi f, h w d h b d t y to know more ab out the op eration s th an was

o er se oss le and th e orl oul ave th wi p ib , w d w d h

n b een sp ared a very p ainful exhibiti o .

T o s c ourse o ever S ir e vers ul ler thi , h w , R d B

ul n n H e r e msel on his wo d ot co s ent . p id d hi f

n e r in res s n suc a ro o s al and h as i t g ity i ti g h p p , been much prai sed for refusing to write a despat ch

for u l c a on av n alr ea wr en one p b i ti , h i g dy itt , which wa s mainl y an indictment of his secon d

in -comman on om h e re the res ons l d , wh th w p ibi ity

for h a lur f r n t e f i e o the op e atio s . — It is th e custom of th e S ervic e and a very — fair and proper custom it is th at an unfavour able c onﬁ d ential report ma de up on a j uni or o ffic er by his sup erior shall be c omm uni c at ed to

him e ore is s en or ar s o a he ma b f it t f w d , th t y have an opp ortunity eith er of excusing himself

or of amendin his con uc and m a ave no g d t , y h reason t o c omplain th at advant age h as been t aken of a c onﬁdenti al c ommunic ation t o make un X PREFACE

avo ura le re or s e n his ac of c he f b p t b hi d b k , whi h

n r remains in ig o anc e . S ir R edver s B uller does not app ear t o ha ve

een m ndful of s c us om en ns ea of b i thi t , wh , i t d writing a simple ac c ount of wh at h e prop o se d t o

d o and h ow a le of a c c om l s men h e , it f i d p i h t , used th e O pp ortunity t o criti ci se m o st unfavour

a l th e c on uc of th e s n u s e ofﬁc er his b y d t di ti g i h d ,

sec on - in -c omman s ll serv n un er him in d d , ti i g d

ac e of th e nem nd l him in c om le e f e y , a eft p t

ignoranc e of the a c c us ations made a gainst him . This ignorance h e knew must last in any c a se

un l the es a c es ere u l s e and e ti d p t h w p b i h d , , if th y

ere not u l s e oul never be remove . w p b i h d , w d d

B ut S ir e vers uller en e on his for he R d B w t b y d t , attached to his desp at ch a s ep arat e memoran

’ d um not nec ess ar l for u l ca on in c , i y p b i ti , whi h h e reiterated his c omplaint s ofthe c on duc t of S ir Ch arles Warren and a ccused him ofsuch inc ap a

n c ity as unﬁ tted him for independent c omma d . B ut not a word o f thi s rea ch ed S ir Ch arles

arren o se e er ons in the el ur n the W , wh x ti ﬁ d d i g suc c eeding month under S ir Re dvers B uller c o ntributed s o greatly t o the victory o f Pi et ers and the relief of L a dysmith and it was not until PREFACE xi

h e s aw the es a c es in the ne s a ers lon d p t h w p p , g

er s c am a n was over a he ne of aft thi p ig , th t k w the secret stab his reputation h ad r eceived at the

T ar la r h h an d of his c ommander . wo ye s t e t e rec ently p ubli she d omi s sions h ave informed him how s eri ously the att ac k up on his reput ati on as

r n n a soldie was i te ded .

n n nr N A c orresponde c e betwee M r . He y or

M n h H n . P . a d t e o . . al ur man . o , , Right A J B f ,

rs or of the reasur u l s e on 21st Fi t L d T y , p b i h d

e ruar las c on a n s s ome o serva ons th e F b y t , t i b ti by l att er very much t o the p oint on the want of any narrative of th e Spi on Kop op erations in S ir

’ M r l r a . al ur Redvers B ul e s desp t ches . B fo point s

out a s was one two ears e ore in the arl a , d y b f p i

men ar e a es a the eneral in c omman t y d b t , th t G d ,

‘ ’ in ac cor anc e the ueen s e ula ons d with Q R g ti ,

th e es rec e en s and u l c n with b t p d t , with p b i c o

’ venienc e s oul ave urn s e a s m le n , h d h f i h d i p arra

ve unencum ere c on rovers of the ti , b d by t y , l T op eration s whic h t ook p ac e . o this S ir Red

vers uller o ec e in a le er u l s n B bj t d , tt p b i hed o the

26th ar c l as a he was not in c omman M h t , th t d ,

a h e was not resen and a er th t p t , th t th efore it

was not his u to r e suc a narra v T d ty w it h ti e . he PREFACE

l r re l of M r . a ou rom c an e ra c i p y B f , f whi h xt t s

a en e ll be oun to be ull rn pp d d , wi f d f y bo e out

in the p ages of thi s b ook .

m a l r r ra c ro e e om M r . A . Ext t f tt f J . B alfour

ir e vers uller a e 10th arc to S R d B d t d M h 1 902 .

Y o u s a a not e n in c e c omman y th t , b i g hi f d , you were not the prop er p erson to write an

n f a oo la B ac cou t o wh t t k p ce . ut c an this be sustained ! I ﬁ nd th at on 15th January you ordered S ir Charles Warren to cros s the Tugela to th e west of Spion Kop on the 21st an d 22nd you gave him personal instructi ons a s to the dis p osal of his artillery ; on the latter d ay you

a ree him a er s cus s on a on g d with , ft di i , th t Spi Kop would have to b e t aken ; on the 28rd you deﬁnitely decided upon the attack ; you s elect ed

the o f c er who was to lea e a l n one of ﬁ d it , d t i i g your Staff t o a c comp any him ; it was by your

4 - olonel orn orders that on th e 2 th Lieut . C Th ey croft a ssumed c ommand on the summit of Spion

K a er eneral o o a e was oun e and op ft G W dg t w d d , all heliographi c messages b etween the ofﬁ c ers in th e ﬁghting line and S ir Charles Warren pa ssed

r ur c am and ere seen ou e ore th ough yo p , w by y b f PREFACE xiii

n n As ou ere th ey reached their desti atio . y w thus in c onstant touch with the troops actually

n a e on the to of the hill so also ou e e g g d p , y k pt general c ontrol over the movement s of the

c - O era ve orces un er eneral t elton c p ti f d G Ly t , with whom you were in c ommunicati on during b oth

h e a rn o n fth 24th i the morn n and t e o o e . s i g ft It , of cour se rue a ou ere not resen at the , t th t y w p t

n B u actual Spion Kop e gagement . t if this was a reason for not r n an ac coun of was a w iti g t it , it reason e uall a l c a le to S ir arles arren q y pp i b Ch W ,

ose ea uar ers a s I am n orme ere ver wh h dq t , i f d , w y little nearer to the sc ene of action than were

r n wa s on ese roun s a you ow . It th g d th t I did not draw any distinction b etween your p osition during the days of Spion Kop and that of any other general c onducting operation s over an

e en e el at ever ar of c he coul xt d d ﬁ d , y p t whi h d

n t r m the na ur e of the c a be r n o o se ese . , f t , p t Y ou were resp onsible for the general plan of ac tion ; you intervened frequently in its execu tion ; you were not prevent ed either by distanc e or any oth er material ob stacle from intervening

more re uen l s ll h ad ou eeme x f q t y ti , y d d it e

edient to d o so . Was I ron en in oin n p w g , th , p ti g xiv PREFACE o ut that it would have b een in ac c ordance b oth

’ with prec edent and th e Q ueen s Regulation s for you to h ave supplied the C ommander -in-Chief with a narra tive of th es e imp ort ant military event s b ased on your o wn ob s ervations and on th e rep orts of tho se of your ofﬁc ers who were immedi at ely engaged with th e enemy

We h ave never b een abl e to underst and why the or ders given to S ir Charles Warren were not publi shed with th e desp atch es two years ago .

rue e ere c all e s ecre ns ruc on s but of T th y w d t i t ti , c urs e the s ecrec wa s a em orar ma er and o y t p y tt , they c eased to be s ecret when th e operati ons

r ou em ere was n a f r were ove . With t th th o w y o the u l c to learn oﬁ ciall e c e in th e mo s p b i y , x pt t

eneral wa a th e eneral in c omman in g y , wh t G d

a al es re to d o and ro a l o n to th e N t d i d , p b b y , wi g

’ or n of or Roberts s es a c a m s c on w di g L d d p t h , i c e tion aro se el en er a ne in the arm p , wid y t t i d y

r u c al ir arles arr and highly p ej di i to S Ch W en . Thi s misc onception wa s that S ir Redvers B uller instruct ed S ir Charles Warren to make his urn n movemen wa of c on omes t i g t by y A t H , instead ofwhi ch Warren ob stinat ely preferred the PREFACE X V

k wa s su os route by Groot e H oc . It pp ed that by the ﬁrst of these two routes the forc e might ha ve marc e a lon wa roun but oul ave ot h d g y d , w d h g

n o a sm l le fﬁcul ereas the i t L dy ith with itt di ty, wh (hypothetical) sub stitution by Warren of the Groote Hoek road h ad neces sit at ed the c apture of

The u l ca on of the ns ruc ons Spion Kop . p b i ti i t ti

r Th c n om s r a up sets thi s theo y . e A to H e o d

The onl re renc es to h is never mentioned . y fe t e direction of the turning movement are vague

‘ to the West of Spion Kop acting as circum

’ ‘ st ances require refusing your right and — throwing your left forward and it now app ears that S ir Redvers B uller int ended Warren to go

r r u by the G oot e Hoek o te . In vain has the Government endeavoured to shield the milit ary reput ation of S ir Redvers

ll r h n f r H e h Bu e at t e expe se o othe s . as been consistent in his effort s to get the despat ches

‘ u l s e in ull even to th e memoran um not p b i h d f , d — necessarily for publi cation a s evere cond em

’ na on of S ir arles arren s nc a ac but ti Ch W i p ity , — a more damning one of his own and by his attitude h as c ompelled the Government t o give l l way. H ow tru y app icable is an epigram of a xvi PREFACE

M r n u i . e r c o e S r enr H y Sidgwi k , q t d by H y

’ Ho warth in a recent l ett er to the Morning Po st Th e darkest sh adows in life are tho s e which a man makes when he stands in his own

’ light . In a ddition to th e ofﬁci al document s on the subj ect of Spion Kop much information of a very vari ed ch aract er has accumulated during the las two ear s and es es nvalua le ver al ob t y , b id i b b s ervations and descriptions gathered from con vers ati on with ofﬁc ers from the front who t ook

ar in the o era ons ere is a ole l rar of p t p ti , th wh ib y

oo s ne s a er c orres on en s o c er s and b k by w p p p d t , fﬁ , o ers c ear u on ese o era ons and th , whi h b p th p ti throw light upon much that is ob scure in the

Am n an r ofﬁci al p apers . o g m y othe s may be

‘ ’ men one oces e ur n the War ti d My Di d i g , by

‘ Bi shop B aynes of N at al ; Th e Reli ef of L a dy

’ ‘ n Th a al M r . . Cam sm . s e ith , by J B Atki ; N t

’ ‘ n M r nn l n n a . e e ur e o o to p ig , by B t B igh ; L d

m r r a s via e or a M . ns on L dy ith P t i , by Wi t

‘ ll M P Th r f h urc . . e s o o t e War in Ch hi , Hi t y

’ ‘ r l ou c a Dr . onan o e Th S th Af i , by C D y ; e

’ el e of a sm a a n olmes lson R i f L dy ith , by C pt i H Wi ;

‘ ’ Buller s C ampaign : With the N atal Fi eld PREFACE xvii

orce of eu enan . la e no F by Li t t E B k K x ,

l rm e c al or s Roya A y M di C p . Magazine articles h ave also appeared from

me t o me some c ommen n on the o era on ti ti , ti g p ti s

emselves o ers ﬁl l n u a s in the narra th , th i g p g p

ve and o ers a a n nc en all re err n to ti , th g i i id t y f i g

n on th r n fa ct s in c on ecti with e ope atio s . Among these last may be mentioned : (1) A s eries of arti cles c ontributed by S ir Charles Warren him

‘ ’ self to the N ational Revi ew entitled ‘ S ome

ss ns r om the ou r c an ar 2 M r L e o f S th Af i W ( ) .

’ - l Oppenh eim s defenc e of Lieut . C o onel Thorney

‘ ’ croft in the Nineteenth C entury ; (8) An in

f Dr ll s ruc ve diar o . a mon a e who t ti y R y d M xw ,

‘ was serv n the oers in the on em i g with B , C t

’ p orary Revi ew for D ecemb er 1901 ; and (4)

‘ ’ The ar of a oer Ofﬁ cer ano er of Di y B , by th ‘ ’ em in the Un e erv ce a a ne for th , it d S i M g zi

ru ar s ar me re eren e s oul Feb y thi ye . S o f c h d perhaps be made to one of a seri es of articles in

‘ ’ ‘ ’ lac oo s a a ne nesman c B kw d M g zi by Li , whi h

‘ ’ was ea e es rae and eal on h d d Di I , d t with Spi

KO ecause ese ar cles ave a ra c e a o o p , b th ti h tt t d g d

eal of a en on are cleverl r en and ave d tt ti , y w itt , h

s n n r e d o i ce bee epubli sh ed in b ook form . Th y xviii PREFACE

not o ever m ress the m l ar rea er as ver , h w , i p i it y d y

a cura e e cr ons but ra er as war c ures c t d s ipti , th pi t , in which the colour is laid on with no sp aring h and

to o a n the es ef ec the aim e n to bt i high t f t , b i g

n -l n r a r Th lu f please the sens ati o ovi g e de . e va e o th e ac c ount of Spion Kop given in Blackwoo d

‘ is disc oun e nesman msel who avin t d by Li hi f, , h g

‘ told us that wh at the writ er saw of the ﬁght on the summit of Spi on Kop was little enough

a he had learn to escr e—na el eve th t t d ib y , b i

’ nothing that one h as not seen with one s own

‘ e es and a the on ue is an unrul y th t , if t g y mem er muc more so is the ear never l s b , h th e e s pro c eed s t o describ e in blo od-curdl ing language

a he not see his own e es and wh t did with y ,

‘ ’ unr l must h ave h eard with u y ears . The general resul t of all the information is to make it clear that Spion Kop was the key of the os on om na n the c oun r and a the p iti d i ti g t y , th t holders of it opened the way t o L a dysmith ; that no one was more ast oni sh e d at its un auth ori sed a an onmen an S ir arles arren e ce b d t th Ch W , x pt the oers ems elves wh o re use to credi th B th , f d t e ev enc e of e r s enses an d at rs el eve its id th i , ﬁ t b i d

orsa en c on on to be a ra N o lon er f k diti t p g ,

CO N T E N T S

CH AP P A . G E P REFACE

BIO GRAP H ICAL S KE TCH

B NN N O F TH E WAR—WAR I . EGI I G REN CROS S E S TH E TUGELA

P O S T O N O F AFFAIRS II . I I

ADVANCE TO E NT R ’S LAAGER AND ATTACK III . V E O F TH E RAN GEWO RTH Y H I LLS

B OER D M O R S T O N—T CT C M P ORT NC IV. E ALI A I A I AL I A E O F S P IO N KOP

AP T RE F P N KOP AND ITS A ANDONM ENT 1 V. C U O S IO B 35

1 AF TER W THDR W —B O R COM M NTS VI . I A AL E E

S O M E CRITICIS M S

AP P E NDIX : EX TRACTS FROM DES P ATCH E S

S IR CH ARL E S WA RRE N

AND S P IO N KO P

BIOG RAP HICAL S KETCH

A S H ORT sket c h o f the c areer of S ir Ch arles

Warren is an appropri at e intro ducti on to his appear anc e in S outh Africa as the leader of th e 5th Divi si on of the army in the N atal c am

ai n and as the omman er of the el or p g , C d Fi d F c e in th e operations on the T ugela b etween 15th and 25th January 1900 .

PARENTAGE

u - eneral S ir arles arren Li e t . G Ch W ,

is the son of the l ate Maj or

r arles arren olonel General S i Ch W , C of the 9 6th oo his rs e ar nne F t , by ﬁ t wif , M y A , B 2 BIO GRAPHICAL . S KETCH

f u l n au r of ll am u es E s . o d ghte Wi i H gh , q , D b i

and arlo and ran son of the er Rev . C w , g d V y

o n arren ean of an or or ales . J h W , D B g , N th W H is father served under the Duke of Wel lington in th e march to P ari s after th e b attle of

a erlo o in n a a nd in ou r ca and W t , I di , S th Af i , the notes and sket ch es he there ma de upon exp e ditions int o the interi or were made use of by

his s on ears la er en re or n on the ﬁfty y t , wh p ti g

r n H e B echuana and Griqua t errit o i es i 18 76 .

aw ac ve serv ce ur n a secon our in ndia s ti i d i g d t I ,

in na and in th e r mean war and was Chi , C i ,

r m un H e re r a er ol n s eve al ti es wo de d . ti ed ft h di g th e c ommand of the Infantry B riga de at Malt a

for ﬁ ve ears and was crea e a n C om y , t d K ight

m n r f h H h n ur l rn f r a de o t e B ath . e ad a at a tu o

sc enc e ma ema c s and a ven ure c i , th ti , d t , whi h ,

o e er his love of sol er n was n er e t g th with di i g , i h it d

his n r by so Ch a les . — EARLY S ERVICE GIBRAL TAR AND CHATHAM

- n ral i Li eut . Ge e S r Ch arles Warren was b orn

at an or or al s on th ruar 1 e 7 e 840 . B g , N th W , F b y H is early education to ok place at the Grammar

c o ols of r nor and Wem a nd at S h B idg th , GIBRAL TAR 3

ll H en en ere h Cheltenham C o ege . e th t d t e

al l ar oll e e at an urs and rom Roy Mi it y C g S dh t , f that pas s ed through the Royal Military Ac ademy at Woolwich and rec eived a c ommi s sion as lieu ten ant in the Royal Engineers on 23rd D ec emb er

ft er the u sual c ourse of ro ess onal 185 7 . A p f i

ns ruc on at a am arren en t o i t ti Ch th , W w t Gib raltar ere h e s en seven ears and in , wh p t y , , a ddition to the ordinary duties of an Engineer — subalt ern looking after his men and c onstructing or improving fortiﬁc ations and b arr ack buildings he was employed on a trigonometric al survey of

th e oc c h e c om le e on a lar e al R k , whi h p t d g sc e . H e c onstruct ed two mo del s of the famous for

ress one of c is now at the o un a t , whi h R t d at

l a nd th r at ral r oo c e o e a . H W wi h , th Gib t e was also engaged for some months in rendering the eastern face o f the Ro ck inac c essible by sc arping or building up any plac es that might l en d a

n m H foothold to an e e y . e was s elect ed in 18 65 t o a s si st Profes sor Rams ay in a geologic al survey

l r u of ral ar but e l o . le at Gib t , it f th gh Whi thi s station he invented a ﬁtment to gun c arri ages to sup ersede the truck levers of the S ervice ; an

inventi on obj ected to at the time because it was

B 2 4 B IO GRAPHICAL S KETCH

f ron but su se uen l a o e n o the made o i , b q t y d pt d i t

S ervice .

4 u arren marr e n In 18 6 Li e t . W i d F a ny

re a a on a au er of the la e Marga tt H yd , d ght t

n E s . of u l r uel a o o . O n the S am H yd , q , G i df d

c ompleti on of his t erm of servic e at Gibralt ar

re urne to n lan in 1865 was a o n e he t d E g d , pp i t d

Assi st ant Instructor in S urveying at the S chool

l ar n neer n at a am and a ear of Mi it y E gi i g Ch th , y lat er his servic es were lent by the War Ofﬁce to

l ra n n the P alestine Exp o tio Fu d .

J ER S LEM 1867 T O 1870 U A ,

The obj ect of th e P alestine Exploration Fund

h llus ra on ofthe le and or na was t e i t ti Bib , it igi t ed mainly through the exerti ons of S ir George

rove wh o orme an n uen al c omm ee G , f d i ﬂ ti itt , of whi ch for a long time S ir Walter B esant was

a a n a r ar s ir secret ary . C pt i ( fte w d S ) Charles

u n r n R E . h a lson and e . e so . d alr Wi Li t A d , , eady

een at or on the surve of ales ne and in b w k y P ti , ,

18 67 was ec e to un er a e e c ava ons , it d id d d t k x ti at

erus alem to eluc a e oss le man J id t , if p ib , y doubt

ful ues ons of l c al arc aeolo suc a q ti Bib i h gy , h s the

s e of th e o l e ulc re th e rue r it H y S p h , t di ec tion o f

6 B IO GRAPHICAL S KETCH

of the un dertaking might almost es c ape n oti c e . Y et the p erils will app ear sufﬁci ently great t o

any one who draws out from the goo d -humoured s tory the fact th at th ese exc avati o n s were c arried on at the c onst ant ri sk of life and limb

to th e b old explorers . Th e whole series of th eir

! ! r r s wa s a su c e n p og es c ssio of lucky esc ap es .

u e s ones ere d a a er d a rea to all H g t w y ft y dy f , f and s ome mes did all on e r ea s . O ne o ti f , th i h d th e explorers was inj ured s o s everely th at he c ould b arely crawl o ut into th e op en air an

o er ex r c a e msel fﬁ c ul orn a n d th t i t d hi f with di ty , t

lee n hile ano er was a c uall ur e b di g , w th t y b i d m m under th e ruins . S o etimes they were al ost suffo c ated by the stiﬂing heat ; at oth er times they were plunged for hours up t o their necks in the freezing waters o f some subterranean tor rent ; sometimes blo cked up by a falling mass

’ r with out light o es c ape . The third difﬁ culty wa s want o f money ; for when Warren left L on don h e c arri ed o ff all the

l f r th n money of th e F und (800 . ) o e expe ses of

the ar th e omm ee o n a as the p ty , C itt h pi g th t ,

c ava ons rocee e u l c n ere s oul be ex ti p d d , p b i i t t w d

n T m shown by a flow of subs cripti o s . he Co J ERUSAL EM mittee said Give us result s and yo u c an h ave

’ ‘ ’ n . arr n r l : N m n n r ul mo e e e e o o e o es s . y W p i d y , t

In a c o ever he h ad at one me a vance f t , h w , ti d d

n no les s th a out of his own resources . The work went on for some three years with

as nal n rru n Warren re urne ome oc c io i t e ptio s . t d h

in 18 70 and s en th e ollo in ear in re ar , p t f w g y p p ing the results of his work for th e C ommittee of

n an f r the Fu d d o the Press .

’ S ir al er esan in his en -one ears W t B t , Tw ty Y

’ or in th e ol an wr es W k H y L d , it

‘ It is imp os sible here to d o more than to rec apitul at e th e prin cip al results of the exc ava

on s c are ou arallel for the difﬁ ti , whi h with t p culties presented and the c ourage di splayed in

is c er a n a overcoming them . It t i th t nothing will ever be done in the future to

rr n c ompare with what wa s done by Wa e . It was Warren who rest ored the ancient c ity t o the world ; he it was who stripp ed the rubbish from the ro cks and sh owed the glorious t emple

an n n its all s ee lon and st di g withi w f t g ,

200 ee of m masonr : he was f t high , ighty y it who l aid op en th e valleys n ow c overed up an d

hi en h h ne the secre ass a es th e dd ; e w o ope d t p g , 8 BIOGRAPHICAL S KETCH

anc en a ue uc s the r e c onnec n the i t q d t , b idg ti g

m l nd th n a ever else ma be te p e a e tow . Wh t y

one in the u ure his name ll al a s b e d f t , wi w y as soci ated with th e Holy City which he ﬁrst

’ r ecovered . S o much was thi s th e c ase th at for a long

‘ ’ n l m rr n time h e wa s k own as Jerusa e Wa e .

‘ ’ In a ddition to Underground Jerusalem he wrot e The T emple or the T omb . Wh at high value was pla c ed upon C apt ain

’ Warren s s ervi ces by the Administration of the Fund may b e gathered from th e following quot a

’ on from O ur or in ales ne u l s e ti W k P ti , p b i h d by

en le S on in 18 75 a oo c h a d en B t y , b k whi h th reached its eighth thous and

‘ L et us ﬁnally b ear witness to the untiring

erseverance c oura e and a l of a a n p , g , bi ity C pt i

n f h Warre . Th ose o us w o know b est under wh at d iﬁiculties h e h ad to work can t ell with wh at c ourage and p atienc e they were met and

c al uf r n nd l n n r overc ome . Physi s fe i g a o g e du

l nd n r r n n anc e of ea co a a e e e o . h t , d , d g w thi g There were b esides anxi eti es of digging in the

ar an e es as to local re u ic e an e es d k , xi ti p j d , xi ti — for the lives of brave men S ergeant Birtles and DOVER A ND S HOEB URY NES S 9 — the rest of his St aff anxi eti es whi ch we m ay

h as his re ar is rue . not s ea of ere . H e p k h w d , it t S o long as an interest in the mo dern hi st ory of erus alem rema n s so lon as eo le are J i , g p p c onc erned to know how s acred sites h ave b een

oun o ut so lon ll th e name of a a n f d , g wi C pt i

’ Warren survi ve .

DOVER S E O ERURY NE S S AND TH E ORDN NCE , , A

CTOR E S 187 1 TO 1876 FA I ,

In 18 7 1 arr en r e urne t o mil ar u W t d it y d ty , an d wa s p osted to D over in c ommand ofthe l 0th

om an of o al n neers and for the ne C p y R y E gi , xt year was employed on the fortiﬁc ati on s of th e

or res s r nc all at over as le and as le f t , p i ip y D C t C t

ll and or r ur n H e as en Hi F t (Fo t B goy e) . w th t ran s erre in 18 7 2 t o the c o ol of unner f d , , S h G y at oe ur nes s ere h e rema ne for ree Sh b y , wh i d th

ears and was ver suc cess ul in his a m n s ra y , y f d i i t tion of the E ngineer duties in regar d b oth to the b arra cks and the exp eriment s with big gun s and iron plat es c arried out by the Or dnance

omm H h d l n n f h C ittee . e a a so E gi eer charge o t e

un o er ma a n a P r g p wd g zi e t u ﬁ eet .

O n his e ar ure in 18 5 t o a e n neer d p t , 7 , t k E gi 10 B IO GRA PHICAL S KETCH ch arge of the Gunp owder and Small - arm Fa c

or es at al am e and Enﬁ eld h e rec e ve t i W th Abb y , i d the highest c ommendati on fr om the C ommandant

of th e c o ol of unner wh o ro e t o the War S h G y , w t

’ Ofﬁ c e that C apt ain Warren s profes si on al repu tation as a highly instruc te d and a c c ompli shed ofﬁc er was so well est ablished th at it was unne

c essar to re er to e on s a n a th e y f it , b y d t ti g th t stati on h a d b eneﬁted largely by his ad minis tration in c arrying o ut the imp ort ant duties en

rus e to him and a h e lac e on recor t t d , th t p d d not only the supp ort an d assi stanc e rec eive d

rom him in all ofﬁc al m a ers but a his f i tt , th t so ci al relations with th e C omman dant and all other ofﬁcers of the establi shment r endered his l departure a subj ec t of sinc ere regret to al . H e was a c andidat e in 18 7 6 for the secret ary

’ s of the o al n neers ns u e en hip R y E gi I tit t , wh C olonel (aft erwar ds S ir) Peter S cratchley ob served in his recomm endati on C apt ain Warren ha s b een under my c ommand for four and a h alf

ear s and is in m O n on a mo s a le c o n y , , y pi i , t b ,

s cientious n e a a le ofﬁ c er and one who , i d f tig b ,

would d o credit to the C orp s wherever employed .

H is l erar as es eneral e er enc e and ual it y t t , g xp i , q i S OUTH AFRICA 11

ﬁ c ations p articularly ﬁt him for the appoint f ’ ment h e is desirou s o obtaining . Although unsuc c es sful his s ervices were to

l in a i er s ere an his o n be uti i sed w d ph th w C orp s . In O ctob er 18 76 h e wa s a sked by the C olonial Ofﬁce to undert ake th e duty o f laying down th e b oundary line b etween Griqualand West and the ran e ree a e and his serv c es re at O g F St t , i we

r onc e lent by the Wa D ep art ment . O n leavi ng E ngland h e rec eived a lett er fr om L ord Garnar

’ von s p rivate s ecret ary s aying h ow much th e C olony was to be c ongrat ulate d o n h avi ng o a ned his s erv ces and ano er rom his l a e bt i i , th f t c e olonel S cratchle r e re n his e ar hi f , C y , g tti g d p

‘ ture and expres sing his belief that h e would

’ n v r mee a n a ler o ficer or a er ll e e t b f b ett fe ow .

scum FRIC 18 76 TO 18 79 A A,

G riqua land Wes t a nd the Ora nge F r ee S ta te B ound a ry

The n ece ssity for laying down a b oundary lin e b etween Griqualand West and th e O range Free St at e h ad ari sen from the rival claims of the Chief Waterboer of the G riquas and of 12 BIO GRAPHICAL S KETCH

President Brand of the Orange Free St ate to the amon l Th r s o rnmen Di d Fi e ds . e B iti h G ve t a c u re the r s of the Waterboer and a er q i d ight , , ft some ro rac ed ne o a ons was arran e p t t g ti ti , it g d th at the O range Fr ee St at e should ab andon its c laim on receiving from Griqualan d West th e sum of r h r M r . d ll e a s t e e 90 000l . e s w e , Vi i xp t nominat ed by th e Orange Free Sta t e to be a s so ciat ed with C apt ain Warren in l aying out the

un r b o da y .

arren two non - comm ss one ofﬁ cers W , with i i d of o al n neers arr ve at a e o n o ar s R y E gi , i d C p T w t w d the end of ovem er and a er an n erv e N b , , ft i t i w with the overnor S ir enr ar l rocee e t o G , H y B k y , p d d

ort l a e s eamer an d enc e c o ac P E iz b th by t , th by h ,

’ via ra am s o n and ra o c to m erle G h T w C d k , Ki b y ,

ere a or en an on the m l istrator wh M j Ow L y , Ad i ,

n ro uc hi hi l u M r h . e m to s c ol ea e . J rse i t d d g , p E d ll r m n r r an e e s overn e urve o . e Vi i , G t S y Aft intervi ew with President B rand at Bloemfontein he went into c amp o ut side Kimb erley t owar ds the end of ecem er me asure his ase oo D b , d b , t k o s erva ons and ela ora e his eneral s c eme b ti , b t d g h of o ra n pe tio s .

The ea was n ense the s a e em era ure h t i t , h d t p t

14 B I OGRAPHICAL S KETCH

G riqua la nd Wes t L a nd Cla ims

en n his ar ome arren en t o S di g p ty h , W w t

m erl e and enc e t o re or a an d the ol Ki b y , th P t i G d

el s and on to D el a o a B a n en n to o to Fi d g y , i t di g g

n l n Z n z r n n r n a c un E g a d by a ib a . A i t e esti g c o t of thi s j ourney app eared in Goo d Wo r ds two

r m D la a B a r h ea s a o . ro e o o eve e wa s y g F g y , h w , direc ted to return to C ap e T own to s ee S ir

ar le rere and on arr val ere was a o n e B t F , i th pp i t d Sp eci al Commi ssion er in Griqualan d West for six month s to investigate an d arrange the vari ous l and c a s es in appeal b efore the High C ourt of

l n e Griqua a d W st . Thi s deli c at e mi s si on h e a c c o m l s e rea a l ac and u p i h d with g t bi ity , t t , j dg men s e l n 220 out of 240 c a s es to eneral t , tt i g g s a s ac on e c e a ofth e la er s and avo ti f ti , x pt th t wy , id

n r n H as ma a i g a g eat amou t of litigati on . e w de

m n n f r l n . f r C o p a i o o St . Mi ch ae a d St Geo ge o his or on th e oun ar and rec e ve a le er w k b d y , i d tt H R . . th e u m r rom H . e of a e C om f D k C b idg , — man er - in e e res s n his rea s a s ac on d Chi f , xp i g g t ti f ti at the efﬁci ent manner in whi ch he h ad p erformed the duti es entrust ed to him o f marking off the b o undary b etween the Orange Free St ate and L R O MR . CECI H DES 15

r ualan es and also of the se l n G iq d W t , tt eme t of the lan cla ms in the la er r nc d i tt p ovi e .

ith r ecil Rh s M eeting w M . C od e

It was o n his way to Kimb erley from Cap e T own via Port Elizab eth on this l an d claim busines s in Griqualand th at h e h ad the lat e

M r . ec l o es as his r avell n com an n C i Rh d t i g p i o . As they were driving over the brown veldt from

or rec to ames o n arren no c D d ht J t w , W ti ed that

M r . o es who sat o o s e to him was Rh d , pp it , evidently engaged in learning something by

ear and f er t him o e o ear . urne h t , f d h It t d o ut to be the Thirty - nine Arti cles of th e Church of

n lan . In th e ar of s ourne also ub E g d di y thi j y , p

‘ lish ed in oo or s of19 00 arren rela s G d W d , W t e We got on very well until we arrived at th e ar cl o n r n n nd er e e e es a o a e w s uc . ti p d ti ti , th t k

H e h ad his v e s and ha d m ne and our i w I i , fellow-p assenger s were greatly amused at the — t opi c of o ur convers ation for several hours

in f r b eing on one subj ect . Rho des is going o his e ree at ome and or s out ere ur n d g h , w k h d i g h ’ t e vac ation . 16 BIO GRAPHICAL S KETCH

Th a ika Wa r 18 78 e G ,

In January 18 78 Warren pro ceeded to the Gaika war in c ommand of th e Di amond Fi elds

orse ra se at m erl e and was en a e for H , i d Ki b y , g g d

ffr r H e six month s in Ka a ia . b ought his mo unt s and r ll e his men on the wa and n us h d i d y , i f ed is own in domit able energy int o ev ery member of his

H e oo ar in numer command . t k p t ous engage men s amon c ma be men one the ac on t , g whi h y ti d ti

f er e us in arc en h e was n ure o P i B h M h , wh i j d by the all n of the ou of a ree and th e a c on f i g b gh t , ti

e e N ek on 5th A ril where seven -ﬁ at D b p , with ty ve o f th e Di amond Fi elds Horse h e met armed

’ Kaﬁ rs of S e olo s r e in the o en and a ne y t ib p , g i d a

' Th ov rn or - in - c omplete victory . e G e Chi ef t ele graphed his c ongratulations on thi s brilli ant

few ee s la er arren h a d ano r succ ess . A w k t W th e

s s ul at a b o a on 29th r l en suc ce f ﬁght T i Nd d Ap i , wh H he wa s slightly woun ded . e wa s frequently

in es a c es an d his c ons cu menti oned d p t h , pi ous

rsonal raver no les s an his s ll as a pe b y , th ki

man er wa s rou to the no c e of the c om d , b ght ti

f r ar Th S ecretary of St ate o W . e Governor in- Chief esp eci ally c ommended him in his BREVET FOR S ER VI CE IN TH E FIELD 17

es a c es for ener a l and res ourc e dis d p t h gy, bi ity ,

’ un r m r n r u n e H e played de ost t yi g ci c mst a c s . had b een promoted to be Maj or on l 0th April

18 78 and his s erv c es in the c am a n ere re , i p ig w c o n se a reve -l eu enan - colonelc a e g i d by b t i t t y , d t d

1l th ovem er 18 78 and the ou r ca n N b , S th Af i l meda .

N a tive Rebellion in Gr iqua la nd Wes t a nd h th B — Tr ou bles wit e echuana s , 18 78 9

E arly in M ay the whole native p opul ati on of

r ual an es es of th e aal r ver ro e G iq d W t , w t V i , b k out in re ell on and o n n e r orm er enem es b i , j i i g th i f i , the aal Kaﬁ rs re u ees rom a e olon K ( f g f C p C y) , c ommenced depredations to the west of Griqua

n In con se uence of s cr c al s tow . q thi iti tat e of affairs in Griqualand West the Executive Govern ment t elegraphed for the as si stance of Warr en and the Diamond Fields Horse from the C ap e

’ The re men : le n C olony . gi t ft Ki g William s T own on 14th M ay and arrived at Griquatown

on l 0th June .

While Colonels L anyon and Warr en were

ﬁghting the reb els in the far west the B echuanas

ma e ncurs ons over the nor ern or er d i i th b d , C 18 BIO GRAPHI CAL S KETCH

’ murdering th e white resident s at D aniel s Kuil

and orn or ll rec n the m ss on s a on C f th Hi , w ki g i i t ti

at M otet o in ec uanalan and rea en n B h d , th t i g the lives of the tra ders and missionaries in

an n an rr n u Kuruman it self . L yo d Wa e fo ght several suc c es sful a cti ons with the insurgent

G ri u as and a al Kaﬁ rs ar cularl a at q K , p ti y th t

n n n en P aard e Kl oof o 18th June . L a yo th

re urne t o m erle leav n arren in c om t d Ki b y , i g W man d of the Field Forc e with in structions to pro ceed t o the north ern b order in c ase assi st anc e

were required there . C ommandant Ford had b een sent to the northern border for the express

ur ose of sav n the ur uman m ss on s a on p p i g K i i t ti , and o n 2nd July met with a repulse at Koning

clo se to the or er of r ualan but e ea e ( b d G iq d) , d f t d

the enem at M an erin on 8th ul and the y y g J y ,

rr t ollo n d a a ve a uruman . H is orce f wi g y i d K f ,

o ever was t oo small to d o more an a ct on th e h w , th

and he a s e for a s s s tan r ns ve ce . a r n defe i , k d i W e arrived with th e Fi eld Forc e at Kuruman o n

14th ul and an on a e a m n f J y , L y with d t ch e t o

n h ’ troop s on the 16th . O t e 18th Warren s force

a ac e G oma erisucc ess ull and on 28rd ul tt k d p f y , J y c arri ed T akoon by assault ; and in August the N ATIVE RE B ELLION 19

orc e re urne to m erle leav n a arr son f t d Ki b y , i g g i

ro c urum to p te t K an . In c on sequenc e of the rebels j oining with the B echuanas it wa s found nec es sary to c on

nne the war for uruman and r ualan ti , K G iq d

ere o r n rr n n w b th th eat e ed . Wa e wa s again e trusted with the c omman d of the Fi eld Forc es on

21st e em er and s nall e ea e the c om S pt b , ig y d f t d bined orc es of the G ri uas ec uanas and Old f q , B h ,

olon Kaﬁ rs on 11th 12th and 14th c o er C y , , O t b

’ n H n at M okolokue s Mou t ain . e the i ssued a

roclama on c e e o rmnes s and p ti , whi h xhibit d b th ﬁ

ac and o fere an amnes to all but the r n t t , f d ty i g

h d a lea rs and mur rers . s a oo ef de de Thi g d fect . Hostilities recommenc ed on the n orthern

or er a e olon in anuar 18 79 and subse b d (C p C y) J y ,

uen l in ec uanalan and the ea e ar q t y B h d K t Aw d , and the Griqualand Wes t forc es were ordered to

- f c c operat e with those o the C ap e C olony . O n 1l th February Wa rren was app oint ed Ac ting Administrator of Griqualand West and di sarmed

ur n s an d th e follo n all the natives . D i g thi wi g month the whole c ountry wa s disturbed in con sequenc e o f the disaster at Isandhlwana and Warren offered to take 500 white troops to the

c 2 20 B IOGRAPHICAL S KETCH

s ance of or elms or but was not a ssi t L d Ch f d , it c onsidered desirable to t ake 500 white men away

rle at c r al m As c al from Kimb e y so iti c a ti e . Sp e i Commi ssioner Warren inquire d into the land

ues on of the loem o dis r c s and in r l q ti B h f t i t , Ap i c omman ded the Griqualand West Fi eld Forc es in

th nor ern or er of a e olon and ma e e th b d C p C y , d arrangements to prevent the reb els breaking

n n r u l through agai i to G iq a and West . They were

us orc e n o ec uanalan and in con unc th f d i t B h d , j ti on with the B echuanas again threat ened Kuru

The ec uana and r ua r n l r and man . B h G iq i g ea de s the Cap e C olony reb el s were defeated and c ap

tur ed the r ualan es orc es in u us by G iq d W t f A g t , and Warren was able to reduc e the strength ofhis l c olumns in the ﬁe d . H e was invalided home in th e autumn on a c c ount of the hurt he sust ained

ll n r from the fa i g t ee . H e left the C ap e much

t o the re re of the ou r c an eo le amon g t S th Af i p p , g

om his name had ecome a ouse ol or wh b h h d w d , and his dep arture wa s regarded by them in the

n l l F r h light of a p erso a oss . o is servi ces during the p ast year he received a clasp to his S outh

al and n n r Afri c an med othi g mo e . The C olonial Ofﬁc e made a strenuous but

22 B IO GRAPHICAL SKETCH

‘ In e em er 18 78 olonel an on e n S pt b C L y , b i g

ull o c cu e the c v l u es ofhis ofﬁ ce d e f y pi d with i i d ti ,

- l n l arr n in n e n en sp atch ed Li eut . C o o e W e i d pe d t c omman of a olon al orc e or an se him d C i f g i d by , to o er a e a a ns a c om n a on of G ri ua s p t g i t bi ti q ,

Korannas and ec uan as who ere a s sem le , B h w b d

’ at the M okoloku e s Mount ain on the c onﬁnes of the ala ar eser and ere rea en n K h i d t , w th t i g

n ll the province with i vasi on . It wi be seen

r r s u - olonel rr n f om the Repo t that Li e t . C Wa e ha d here again to deal with the problem of c a ur n a or e moun a n c ha d pt i g f tiﬁ d t i , whi h proved s o difﬁcult in r ecent S outh Afric an war fare ; and he effect ed his obj ec t by a brilli ant s ra e cal movemen ak n the enem in t t gi t , t i g y reverse and r v n em at onc e rom e r , d i i g th f th i mos orm a le l nes of e ence the or of t f id b i d f , w k clear n em rom ran es in c i g th f k tz , whi h they su se uen l oo u os on e n suc c ess ull b q t y t k p p iti , b i g f y

l n m a cc omp i shed o the s a e d ay .

‘ In January 18 79 Warren suc ceeded C olonel L anyon in the civil a dmini strati on of Griqua l an d West, but still retained the milit ary com man in the rov nc e and e er ers nall d p i , ith p o y c onducte d or directed further operations in the RE COMMENDED FOR REWARD 23

f th e rov nc e and to the nor and s outh o p i , th

- es e on the rov nc al or er . north w t , b y d p i i b d

’ ‘ - l n rr n N ot only were Lieut . C o o el Wa e s

r o era ons succes s ul rou ou but milit a y p ti f th gh t , they were acco mp anied by a large measure of

ol c al succes s his a c um an and mo era p iti t t , h ity , d tion in vi ct ory h aving don e much to convert our enem es n o fr en s and to romo e the er i i t i d , p t p manent p ac iﬁ c ation of th e di strict s t o the north of the ran e ver over c our n uenc e O g Ri , whi h i ﬂ extends .

- l nel arr n ha s alre n r Li eut . Co o W e a dy b ee e warded for his servi ces in the Gaika war by the

- l n l but his u s u n reve of l eu . c o o e s e e b t i t , b q t s ervic es in Griqualand West form a di stinct and very credit able epi so de in the hi story of the r n u r can ar are for c S ir ece t S o th Af i w f , whi h Michael Hi cks -B each hopes that h e may be con sid ered entitled t o fr esh rec ognition in the form

f the revet of c olonel or suc o er mar of o b , h th k

l n l nl R . H . th approb ation a s C o o e St a ey and H . e Fi eld -Marshal C ommanding - in - Chi ef may think

mm n prop er to reco e d . — Th e op erations of 18 78 9 thr oughout S outh

A r ca s oul be re ar e a s a ole and S ir f i h d g d d wh , 24 BIO GRAPHICAL S KETCH

Michael Hi cks -B each trusts th at officers of the Regular Army who have organis ed and led t o vict ory the C oloni al L evi es in s eparat e c ommands may b e thought not less des er ving of the usual military rewards th an ofﬁ c ers who h ave served under the immedi at e direction of th e General

’ C ommanding - in - Chief in lea ding h er Maj esty s

e ular ro o s n ee ose ofthe ormer class R g T p i d d , th f h ave s ome sp eci al claims t o c onsiderati on on a cc ount of the difﬁc ulti es whi ch they h ad to over c ome ; and in o rgani sing not onl y a c omb at ant

orc e but also the rans or omm ss ar a f , T p t , C i i t ,

P a and o s al e ar tmen s of a orc e y H pit D p t th t f ,

- lon l arren s la e a eneral no Lieut . C o e W di p y d g k w ledge of his professi on whic h marks him as an especi ally intelligent an d valuable ser vant of the

’ Q ueen .

CH M 1880 TO 1882 ATHA ,

The voyage home from S outh Afri ca was

’ al to arren s eal and earl in very b eneﬁ ci W h th , y 18 80 he was able to t ake up the duti es of the h p ost of Instructor of Surveying at t e S chool of

n n r n at a am to c he Military E gi ee i g Ch th , whi h

oul be too l le to h ad b een appoint ed . It w d itt IN S TRUCTOR IN S URVEY IN G 25 say he entered with his usual z est int o his new

u es ec ause he el e in surve n and d ti , b d ight d yi g , nothing pleased him b ett er than to h ave a number of young oﬂic ers to train in all its

ranc es and to ns ruc in rac cal as ronom b h , i t t p ti t y

a er ess in the R E . serva or to s a no ft M Ob t y, y thing of the l arge classes of ofﬁcers of the Line whi ch passed through his h ands and th e training

f h a r i r In 1 o t e S pp e s ofh s o wn C o p s . 88 1 Warren c ontribut ed to the Professional Pap ers of the Royal Engineers a p aper on the B oundary Line b etween the O range Free State and Griqu a l and West .

Y AND R BI RE 1882 T O 1883 EG PT A A A PET A ,

B ut the even t enor of his way was broken in u on su nl in the summer of 1 2 p dde y 88 . It ma er a s be remem ere a en even s y , p h p , b d th t wh t in Egypt in 1882 ma de it likely that we should h ave to undert ak e milit ary O perations in that c oun r ro es sor almer ro essor of r a c t y , P f P , P f A bi at am r e who wa s ell a c ua n e C b idg , w q i t d with

n ll i r E . a d s a an d r a a and a a R . Sy i A bi , C pt i Gi , , tin uished raveller ere sen in une to win g t , w t J over the chiefs of the B edouin tribes in the S outh 26 BIO GRAP HICAL S KE TCH

f r n n n o Sy i a a d o the bor ders of the S uez C a al . They suc c essfully ac compli shed their j ourney and arr ve at n ro ess or i d S uez o l st August . P f Palmer rep ort ed th at th e B e douin s were favour a l s o s e and a len of c amel s c oul b y di p d, th t p ty d be ro c ur f r n th u us h e p ed o the army . O 8 A g t le ue to o t o a l in the es er al wa ft S z g N kh d t , h f y

e een ue and a a to ro cure c amel s for b tw S z Ak b , p the n n n n H was acc m an e I di a conti ge t . e o p i d by

a a n ll wh o was a a c e to the Intelli C pt i Gi , tt h d

enc e e ar men an d ose m ss on was to g D p t t , wh i i c ut the ele ra l ne in the eser and t g ph i d t , by

- N . ﬂ a l eu n an eu . r R t a r n on . e o Li t Ch i gt , , g i t t

m r The ar arr Ad i al S ir Willi am Hewett . p ty c i ed

in l n l o u rov 3 o00l . o a d a e a , g d , , th gh p id d with

u e n o esc or wa s a en as no an er was g id , t t k , d g a r n o n a r the ar le pp ehe ded . S o ft e p ty ft Moses

ell s o os e ue rumours reac e ue a W pp it S z , h d S z th t

r n un r n u r thei b aggage h a d b ee pl de ed . I q i i es were set on foot in all d irecti ons with no deﬁnit e resul and th e c oun r and the overnm en ere t , t y G t w alarmed and feared that s ome di s ast er h a d occ urred .

- eu . olonel arles arren ose e Li t C Ch W , wh x perience and qualiﬁc ation for dealing with an PALME R S EA RCH EX PEDITION 27

n s ere i hl ou of inquiry amo g Ar ab w h g y th ght , wa s selected by the Government to go on sp eci al s ervi c e un der the Admiralty and t ake charge of a s earc e e on and s oul the r umour s of h xp diti , , h d the mur er of the ar rove rue to r n the d p ty p t , b i g mur r r u c The as was a iffic ul de e s to j sti e . t k d t — and an exc eptionally dangerous one to go into the desert and searc h among the wild B edouin

r es for th e ill - a e e e on no lo al t ib f t d xp diti , with y

Arab s who c ould be c alled upon to as si st .

’ Warren went oﬂ in August at twelve hours no tice to E t and after re ortin to the Admiral gyp , , p g ,

roc ee e to T or and at a la er a e t o a a p d d , t d t Ak b

s eam r H e oun h ra s at o lac es by t e . f d t e A b b th p singularly indi sposed to ent er into any c ommuni c a ons but u to the end of e em er an d ti ; p S pt b , even l a er he not es a r of the ravellers t , did d p i t

e n s ll al ve and was not un l 24th c o er b i g ti i , it ti O t b that he c oul d report with c ert ainty the story of

e r ra c ea s on the revious l 0th u us th i t gi d th p A g t , and a h h un r r n th t e ad fo d thei emai s .

av n no r endl ra s t o e en u on H i g f i y A b d p d p , Warren h ad to res ort to the expedient of suddenly swooping down on s ome B edouins ab out Z aga

who h ad een n a ns us a ee zig , b ﬁghti g gai t w k 28 BIO GRAPHICAL S KETCH

d c a ur n s everal un re s f m e ore an o e . b f , pt i g h d d th

ese h e sor e out m r son n some a s os Th t d , i p i i g h t

a es and a n 220 s elec e rom var ous r es g , t ki g , t d f i t ib ,

him a n n r with s a escort i t o th e dese t . H e wa s acc omp ani ed by Li eut enants B urt on and H aynes

and uar ermas er - er ean enne all of the Q t t S g t K dy ,

o l n n r er as c r a n n P R ya E gi ee s . Aft e t i i g that ro

fes sor almer h ad een mur ere the e edi on P b d d , xp ti ent ered the desert in s earch of the mur derers ;

arren ma e his arran emen s for e r c a ure W d g t th i pt ,

and suc ee e in a n u f c d d t ki g eight o t o ﬁfteen .

ese ere rou to r al conv c e and Th w b ght t i , i t d ,

h anged . D uring his h az ar dous op erations Warren

’ v s e a a ere r a s ﬂ a was n and i it d Ak b , wh A bi g ﬂyi g ,

u m n H e also c a ure reduced it t o s b i s si o . pt d

a l in the eser c he re uce sur N kh d t , whi h d d by rounding it and c utting offsupplies this c aused

h n n l a mutiny in t e garri so a d they c apitu ated . In the Hou se of C ommons on 16th N ovem

‘ r r la s one s a a olonel arren be M . G d t id th t C W h ad p erformed the t a sk of investigating the cir c umstanc es of the mur ders with great energy

’

and u men a s ell as no le e . j dg t , w k w dg O n 27th N ovember Admiral S ir B eauchamp

30 BIO GRAPHICAL S KETCH

and ersever n manner in c ou ave p i g , whi h y h

ra c e the sad a e of th e m s s n ar a a ns t d f t i i g p ty , g i t many adverse circumstanc es in a p art of the country s o des olate that a s si st anc e from me would have b een o f no avail had any untoward

’ urr r ar c ircumstanc es o cc ed to you p ty . O n 22nd Janu ary the Admiralty renewed th eir expressi on o f their very high appreci ati on

’ o f arren s serv c es and th e omman er-in W i , C d H h R . . t u f ie o f the arm H . e e o C am Ch f y , D k

r e nforme him of his sa s ac on at b idg , i d high ti f ti rec eiving a very favourable report from the Ad miralty on th e able manner in which he h ad

c arr e out the u en rus e to him an d his i d d ty t t d , o wn appreciati on of the h azardous servi c es he

h ad er orme . arren wh o was alrea a p f d W , dy 1 reve - c olonel was romo e to be a n b t , p t d K ight

mm an er f . l nd n C o d o St Mic hae a St . George o

’ th e ueen s r a 24th M a and the Ad Q bi thd y , y , miralty c ongratulate d him in a lett er of 25th

M a 188 8 e ress n the ra ca on el y , xp i g g tiﬁ ti f t by

’ th e B oar d at thi s mark of the Q ueen s approval of the most valuable s ervic es which h e h ad

’ rendered to her Maj esty s Government through

1 11th Novemb er 1882 . RETURN TO CHATHAM 3 1 out the whole time h e wa s engaged in investi g ating the circumstanc es o f the murder o f

ro essor almer and his ar and in P f P p ty , bringing

l r n t - the u e so s o us c e . eu g i ty p j ti Li t . General S ir

n re lar e ns ec or - eneral of F A d w C k , I p t G ortiﬁ c a

‘ ons wro e to him in anuar 18 : ti , t J y 8 3 Y ou are doing your mi ssion right well we are all proud of

ou . or or ro o ro e in the same sense y L d N thb k w t , a nd aft erwards told S ir Ch arles Warren that his exertions h ad s aved the c ountry an exp enditure of at least two milli ons on an expedition into the eser c mus ave een un d t , whi h t h b dert aken had he been unsuccessful . Warren received the

an me al and ron e s ar and w Egypti d b z t , as also decorated by the Khedive with the third class o f i the Order o f the M ejid e .

CH M 1883—4 ATHA ,

O n his return home h e resumed his duti es at

m a s th e ea of th e urve n c Chatha h d S yi g S hoo l .

In 1884 en eneral or on was s u u , wh G G d h t p in Kh artoum and c omplet ely out oﬂ by th e

di arren volun eere to o ro u Mah , W t d g th gh Abyssini a and open communicati on with his old 3 2 BIOGRAPHICAL S KETCH

n fri end . H e was for some time in c orrespo

h c n M r . r r n t su e e c e . . o s e o e d with W E F t bj t ,

nd - n r l ir r l r l a Li eut . Ge e a S And ew C a ke high y a rove of the ro o sal and ro e a m nu e in pp d p p , w t i t

I n s avo ur of . n the e d o ever the ea wa f it , h w , id ab an doned when it was decided to send a relief

r l arren oun exp edition under L o d Wolse ey . W f d time during 188 3 to write a p amphlet giving a con ci se a ccount of the milit ary oc cup ation of S outh

ec uanalan in 18 78—9 an d he also c on B h d , tributed to the Pro fes sional Papers of the C orp s

‘ of Royal Engineers N otes on Arabi a P etreea and the C ountry lying b etween Egypt and P ales

’ tine .

BECH N ND X D ON 1884—5 UA ALA E PE ITI ,

In that part of B echuanaland lying to the nor of r ualan es the e man had th G iq d W t , whit b een rapidly encro aching up on native t errit ory sinc e the days when Warren commanded the Field Forc e of Griqualand West and prevent ed

r n T the B echuanas inva ding the p ovi ce . wo republics had b een est abli shed in B echuanaland one c alle ellalan in c n l s and , d St d , whi h E g i h D utch a dventurers had already t aken possession DIS PUTE WITH TRAN S VA AL REPUBL IC 3 3

‘ ’ of the lan ea en u the na ve r es and d , t p ti t ib ,

ec ome to some e en a se le eo le the o er b xt t tt d p p ; th , name G oshenl and in hic ransvaal ﬁlibuster d , w h T ing B oers plundered and oppressed the native r l ace and rea e crue . ese ra din , t t d it with ty Th i g B oers were s upport ed by the Transvaal Govern men c s nc e the so -calle ma nan mous t , whi h , i d g i s e lemen a er the a u a e ea of the tt t , ft M j b d f t

r s and the e o sure of the ea and B iti h , xp w k vacill ating p olicy of the British Government in the ou Afr can olon es had s ea il set S th i C i , t d y b efore it the sub stitution of a D utch S outh Afric a for a r s and h ad e e a con em for B iti h , xhibit d t pt

’ the Q ueen s authority which was rapidl y deve loping .

All a m s to arran e M r . ru er tte pt g with K g ,

r es en of the ransvaal e u l c for an P id t T R p b i , equit able settlement of the B echuanaland ques

ons av n a le and ur er ne o a ons ti h i g f i d, f th g ti ti

e n useless the overnmen had no n le b i g , G t thi g ft

l r t o em but to em o orc e . was o eve th p y f It , h w ,

es ra le in sendin roo s n o the coun r to d i b , g t p i t t y

en orce th v e s of the overnmen a the f e i w G t , th t commander should be a man who had not only a th orough knowledge of the country and of the

1) 34 BIOGRAPHICAL S KETCH

ues ons in s u e but was also re ar e a s q ti di p t , g d d an authority in the s ettlement of land questions

h B ri s l n h r In by both t e ti h c o oni st s a d t e B oe s . this way it was hop ed th at p erh aps the moral s upport of an a dequate force might enable him to se le ma ers s a s ac or l ou av n tt tt ti f t i y , with t h i g recourse to ﬁghting . C olonel S ir Charles Warren was the man who es ul lle th e re uire c ondi ons and b t f ﬁ d q d ti , wa s selec e for the comman of the e e on t d d xp diti ,

ven the local ran of a or - eneral and a gi k M j G , p

al o s n r p oint ed Sp eci C mmi si o e .

orc e of men was ra se and e u e A f i d q ipp d, and supplemented by sp ecial troops and c orp s

’ r m ome one of c was e uen s or o s . f h , whi h M th H e

’ Warren s instructions were to remove the ﬁ li

us ers r om ec uanal an t o res ore or er in b t f B h d , t d the err or to re ns a e the na ves in e r t it y , i t t ti th i lan s to a e measures to reven ur er d e d , t k p t f th

rec a on and nall to ol the coun r un l p i ti , ﬁ y h d t y ti A its furth er destinati on was kn own . s Special C ommi ssioner he was to be under the directions of S ir ercules o ns on overnor of the a e H R bi , G C p

l n and omm ss oner in ou fr ca C o o y High C i i S th A i , but was to be left a large discretion as regards BECHUANALAND EX PEDITION 3 5

In r ar t o r n in local matters . eg d o pe ati o s the

l he was to b e res ons le to the ecre ar ﬁe d, p ib S t y of State for War and th e General C ommanding in ou fr c a nd was not to be a c coun a le S th A i , a t b to the C oloni al Government or the High Com missioner . S ir Charles Warren landed at C ape Town on

4th ecem er 1884 and soon us e his orce D b , p h d f

rr r The up country int o the disput ed t e ito y .

rom ness c he move and the p pt with whi h d, efﬁciency of his force gave him the moral sup p ort which h e required in c arrying on negotia

n M r u r and in ese l ma o s . r e o c ti with K g , th dip ti dealings he exh ibit ed the ability and tact whic h had distingui shed him on previ ous o cc asi ons when

u n l f a m l r c alled p o to s ett e di sput es o si i a kind . An ofﬁcer of the expedition wrot e home in August 1885

‘ mme a el a er es a c e m las I di t y ft I d p t h d y t, it became evident that thi s B echuanaland business was rac call la e o ut as a c am n p ti y p y d p aig . I shoul d think there never b efore was such a c ase of a brilliantly executed a dvanc e int o a distant c oun r oll o e suc c om le e nan on as t y , f w d by h p t i iti , has allen u on ever o e ce of c ourse th f p yb dy ( x pt , , e

D 2 3 6 BIOGRAPHICAL S KETCH

eneral Ofﬁcer omman n who has had len G C di g , p ty t d o ol call n r l o p iti y) as took place here . By 2 d Ap i the General and Headquarters St aff were ful ly es a l s e u at a e n oo ron t b i h d p M f ki g (R i G d) , with

ele ra c commun ca on—220 m les or n t g phi i ti i , w ki g

ou a c am la to s a — rom end to with t hit h , I g d y f end of the occu e c oun r and s ores enou pi d t y , t gh along the whole length of line to feed the entire

r all army for three months . It e y was a master s ro e c ons er n the slowness of rans or t k , id i g t p t , the san s a e of muc of the roa and the dy t t h d ,

B u n on h scarcity of wat er . t whe e as said th at one has s a ever t n — s nc e a me we a s id y hi g i th t ti ,

’ m l n n n an e edi on ave s ee s a s ll . xp ti , h i p y b t di g ti

‘ B ut they also serve wh o onl y stand and

’ and le the e e t on was c a n at wait , whi xp di i h ﬁ g

e n e le no n t o d o and the b i gk pt id , with ﬁghti g , prospect of rewards and distinctions for the

am a n a n a a the moral ef ec of its c p ig f di g w y , f t presenc e ma de it self felt Th e Transva al G o

rnment n n sel un re are to ve , ﬁ di g it f p p d ﬁght , changed its attitude and S ir Ch arles Warren

o ma e a eace ul se lemen was able t k p f tt t with M r .

r ou not ou man ﬁ cul u es . Kr ge , th gh with t y dif ti H e returned to E ngland after a bloodless cam

38 BIOG RAPHICAL S KE TCH

and o and in elemen ar sc ool s mus be b dy , t y h t ree and the rea es a en on a to s cal f , g t t tt ti p id phy i r n n t ai i g . (4) The c onnection between the Mother

oun r and the olon es mus be s ren ene C t y C i t t gth d , a ﬁxed c oloni al p oli cy should b e est abli shed clear of ar ol c s and a e eral arl amen p ty p iti , f d p i t f h m r s ul l o t e E pi e ho d be ooked forwar d to . (5) Irelan d must remain part of th e United

in om but the rea s am un f l K gd , g te t o t o s e f

ernmen rac ca l gov t p ti b e S houl d be ac corded to it .

oun un l (6) C ty C o ci s should be est abli shed . (7) Di sestablishm ent of Church with State

ra le an only desi b if w ted by b oth sides .

l n (8) L oc a opti o .

rm r r n l n n r (9) Refo s ega di g a d te u e .

r (10) Refo m of H ouse of L ords . (11) R eforms in Ho use of C ommons t o pre vent ob structi on .

ir arles was unsuc cess ul at the oll but S Ch f p , h e had so won the heart s of the Liberal c onstitu ents th at they p aid the wh ole of his electi on e enses and on his leav n the c ons uenc xp , , i g tit y, presented him with an a ddres s and a handsome

r c ase of S heﬂieldj plate and cutle y . THE RED S EA LITTORAL

U K N 188 6 S A I ,

In January 1886 S ir Charles Warr en was

a o n e to comman the roo s at ua n w pp i t d d t p S ki , ith the ran of a or - ener al on the af and t o be k M j G St f,

r r h R n Gove no of t e ed S ea Littoral . O arrival

at his ea uar ers ua n he was ree e h dq t , S ki , g t d by a telegram from Siml a c ont aining congratul a

ons on his a o n men rom or uffer n ti pp i t t f L d D i , under whom he had s erved diplomatically when

n in al r r n he was e gaged the P me S ea ch Exp editio . Warren found that the S uakin garrison was

m ose of ree na onal es— r s ndian co d th ti iti B iti h , I , p — and Egypti an all acting un der different regul a

ons and h e at onc e s et to or t o n ro uce ti , w k i t d

a e er or an sa on n o the arr son and to b tt g i ti i t g i , have a mobile force to dri ve inl and the Ha den

a ra s who ere in the a of r n n o dow A b , w h bit ﬁ i g i t

n H r n l S uakin every ight . e took the f i e d y natives into service and put them in the ﬁeld

a a ns the a en o as and in a few a s had g i t H d d w , d y

a clear z one of several miles round the town . H e also commenced arrangement s to open up the c ountry as far as B erber and to st art c om mercial op eration s at various p ort s on th e Red 38 B IOG RA P IIIOA S I PCP!

and o and in eleme ar ' " c hoo ls mus be b dy , t

ree and the rea es at nti i a to s cal f , g t t p id phy i training . (4) The c onnec tion nets en the Mothe

C ountry and the C olonie : nu be s trengthenf

‘ a ﬁxed coloni al poli c y ho 1 be establisl - c lear of ar ol c s 1 a u eral arliar p ty p iti , d d p of the Em re s oul be O kt f r pi h d orwa d to .

a (5) Ireland must rel . in rt of the

in om but the re J st m un K gd , g e a o t government prac ticable on] be accor (6) C ounty C ouncils 1 0 1] 1 be est! (7) Disestablishmenfof hurch

‘ onl y desirable if wanted y b . .h S id

l n (8) L oc a optio . (9) Reforms rdir land tr (10) Reform of u o (11) Re se vent ob

S ir

with an 886 sUAxm, WW In January 188 6 S ir Charles

Sal li! appointed to command th troops at the rank of M aj or -G enera on the

r Governor of the Red S e. at his ea uar ers 8 1 h dq t ,

e exc ellent r preserving Warren no ther from composed o the D uk e of and Egypti the admirable

ons and r e o ut c ti , i d , whi h

be es re a nd d i d , the M etropolit an

' r nce of Wales P i ,

u lee es val J bi F ti , feyed to him for the

nt on the occ asion ; informed him that edium of acquaint ad been pleased to J ecal recognition of his 40 BIOGRAPHICAL S KE TCH

h n S ea to O en u s al or s 850 . but e oun o , p p t w k , f d res onse rom the an au ori es at a ro p f Egypti th ti C i , and soon discovered th at they did not wi sh t o encour a e ra e ua n as oul re uce g t d by S ki , it w d d th at going through C a iro .

er hr ee mon s in is a o n men Aft t th th pp i t t , wh en h e was b eginning to ﬁn d that th ere was nothing to d o but to sit down and h old the

lace h e rec e ve a ele r am rom M r . il ers p , i d t g f Ch d , the ome ecre ar of er n him the ie H S t y , f i g Ch f

omm ss onershi of the e ro ol an ol ce at C i i p M t p it P i , a time wh en there h ad b een a c onsiderable

an c in on on and S ir mun en erson p i L d , Ed d H d

r n H h h a d es e the o c e. e acc e e t e o er ig d fﬁ pt d ff ,

n f ar and l eft S uakin at the e d o M ch . B efore leaving h e rec eived a very symp atheti c ad dress from the merc an s in ua n reco nis n th h t S ki , g i g e eﬂ ort h e h ad made on b eh alf of t rade with the

n r n n a i teri o a d alo g the c o st .

MMI NERS H P OF OL CE 1886 TO 1888 CHIEF CO S S IO I P I ,

In his new positi on Warr en had s everal

f c ul and c om l ca e ro lems to eal difi t p i t d p b d with . D urin g the very first year of offic e the T rafalgar CHIEF CO MMISSIONER OF POLICE 41

uare emons ra ons erm e a ea G o Sq d t ti , p itt d by w k vernment es e the o ers of the ol c e un er , t t d p w p i d

e r n c to reserve u l r r T th i ew hief p p b ic o de . he

eral ar a use e r own nom nee but h e Lib p ty b d th i i ,

r n ere er all h arr n was ﬁ m. The th w e t e a ge ments for the preservation of order at the

’ ueen s u lee in 188 7 c ere so a l Q J bi , whi h w b y

H r c e e man c om l men ar c arried out . e e iv d y p i t y letters one from the Home S ecret ary expressing

’ her Maj esty s entire approb ation of the exc ellent manner in whi ch the arrangement s for preserving good order were made by him ; another from

-in - E H h u n R . . t e e of the omma er e . C d Chi f , D k

am r e c on ra ula n him on the a m ra le C b idg , g t ti g d i b manner in c e ere c arr e out hic whi h th y w i d , w h in his O n on le no n to be es re and pi i ft thi g d i d, reﬂect ed th e greatest c redit on the Metrop olit an

ol ce orc e in a r the r nce of ales P i F ; thi d P i W ,

’ as a rman of the il r en s u lee es val Ch i Ch d J bi F ti , c aused his th anks to be c onveyed to him for the invaluable assi st ance he lent on the occ asion ; and ﬁnally L ord S ali sbury informed him that he was very glad t o be the medium of ac quaint ing him that the Q ueen had b een pleased t o c on er u on him in s ec al reco n on of his f p , p i g iti 40 BIOGRAPHICAL S KETCH

h un n S ea to O en u sal or s 850 . but e o o , p p t w k , f d res onse rom the an au or es at a ro p f Egypti th iti C i , and soon discovered that they did not wish t o encoura e ra e ua n as oul re uce g t d by S ki , it w d d

a n r u r th t goi g th o gh C ai o .

Af er ree mon s in s a o n men t th th thi pp i t t , when he was b eginning to ﬁ nd that there was nothing to d o but to sit down and h old the l lace he rece ve a ele ram rom M r . ers p , i d t g f Chi d , the ome ecre ar offer n him th e e H S t y , i g Chi f

omm ss oners of the e ro ol an ol ce at C i i hip M t p it P i ,

' a time when there h ad been a considerable

an c in on on and S ir mun en er son p i L d , Ed d H d

had res ne the of c e . H e acc e e the offer ig d ﬁ pt d ,

n f r and left S uakin at the e d o Ma ch . B efore leaving he rec eived a very sympathetic address

rom the merc an s in ua n reco n s n f h t S ki , g i i g the effort h e h ad made on b ehalf of tra de with the

r r inte io and along the c oast .

ONER H OF P OL CE 1886 TO 1888 CHIEF COMMIS SI S IP I ,

In his new position Warren had several

cul and com l ca e ro lems to eal diffi t p i t d p b d with . D uring the very first year of office the T rafalgar

42 BIOGRAPHICAL S KETCH

exertions in maintaining order in the metrop oli s

ur n the as di cul ear and of his services d i g p t fﬁ t y ,

at the u lee cele ra ons a n Comman J bi b ti , K ight

d er hi of h r r f h s p t e O de o t e B ath . In July appeare d a cartoon in Punch with the following legend

All n our to our m ana emen m arr n ho y g t, y W e , All honour to the force y ou featly led ! And t at onour un in s b h h , P ch op e , shoul d not e barren M h f h ( ay e h ear herea ter m ore up on t a t hea d) . ’ M i st the u ilee u a an r and t r d J b j oyo s p ge t y po h e , ’ (Thoug h tis common of our B obbies to mak e fun) ’ akin one consi eration t anot er T g d wih h , ’ Th licemen r x llen l e Po s wo k was e ce t y done.

Other difﬁculties he had to try him during

his erm of o c e ere an ou rea of ur lar es t fﬁ w tb k b g i ,

th e mu l n of o s and the ec a el zz i g d g , Whit h p

mur ers all of c rr a e the u l c and d , whi h i it t d p b i

H a n c aused the p olice to be abused . e w s ot the man to st an d by and hear his forc e unj ustly

cr c se ou e en n and he c on r iti i d with t d f di g it , t i

’ buted an article t o Murray s Magazine on the

subj ect . In the spring of 1888 he did not think the him f m ecre ar M r . a e s ave su Ho e S t y , M tth w , g f i

c en su or but ra er en eavoure to m n m se i t pp t , th d d i i i

r as ea ofthe orce and he en ere his autho ity h d f , t d d RESIGNATION 43

n hi s his res na o . s wa not ac c e e and h e ig ti T pt d ,

c on nue in his os un l the au umn en ti d p t ti t , wh he decided that he c oul d no longer hold the appointment with d ue regard to the goo d of the

force and his own credit . The resignation wa s fully deb ated in the

e of ommons on 14th ovem er 1888 Hous C N b , when the Home S ecretary said ‘ H e was glad to have the Opport unity fur

ell rom h n f nished by what f f t e H o . Memb er or

h ors am v s on to d o the ulle us e t e H h Di i i , f st j tic

rr n to S ir Charles Wa e . S ir Ch arles Warren

was a man not onl of the es c arac er y high t h t ,

ur n i but of great ability . D i g h s t enure of the ofﬁce h e h ad di splayed the mo st in defatigable activity in every det ail of the organi sation and

n r n f h r a dmi i st ati o o t e fo c e . By his vigour and ﬁrmness he had rest ored that c onﬁdenc e in the — poli ce which h ad been sh aken he b eli eved with h n n l m the r o . e e an un us l s a n ight g t , j t y h ke

a er the re re a le nc en f 1 r ft g tt b i id t o 8 86 . S i Charles Warren h ad S hown c onspi cuous skill and ﬁrmness in putting an end to di sorder in the metropolis and for that he deserved the

r highest p aise . 44 BIOGRAPHICAL S KETCH

‘ Again th ere app eared a c art oon in Punch

‘ ’ n le remes ee in c S ir arles e tit d Ext M t , whi h Ch Warren and his predec essor were depicted ex changing vi ews

DM U ND : M ear arr en ou did t m S IR E y d W , y oo uch .

IR HAR L E S An d ou m ear en er son did l S C y , y d H d , too ittle . ’ H H m ! orr f r h n ew man M R UNC S o t e . . P y

It was during his polic e work that he at t ended the meeting of the Briti sh Ass oci ati on at Manchest er in 188 7 as President of the G eo graphical S ection and gave a very practi c al and

u seful op ening a ddress .

S R S S M N S 1889 TO 1894 T AIT ETTLE E T ,

After some month s of lei sur e Warren was appointed t o c ommand the troop s in the Straits

l men s in r l 1889 as a lonel on the S ett e t Ap i , C o

r n f r- n r r St aff with th e a k o Maj o Ge e al . Hith e t o

thi s c ommand had b een one with that of Hong

on ere the ea uar ers ere but K g , wh H dq t w ; ,

owing to fri c tion ari sing in 18 88 between the

civil and milit ary authorities in the Straits

lemen s was ec e to sen out an S ett t , it d id d d ofﬁcer to Singapore in independent c ommand STRAITS S ETTLEMENTS COMMAND 45

to endeavour to make things work smoothly . The difﬁculties aro se from the p eculi ar nature of the agreement which h ad b een ma de with the Strait s S ettlement s when they were det ached frcm India and establi shed a s a C rown

C olony . S ir Charles Warren s o on found that the

e s n s s em was m ra c c a le for eﬂicienc xi ti g y t i p ti b y ,

and was al ere but in c arr n out the it t d , yi g alteration there arose a goo d deal of difference of

l n m l r u opinion between the civi a d i it a y a thorities .

oreover as a mem er of c ounc l S ir arles M , b i , Ch Warren c ame to the c onclusion th at the annual milit ary c ontribution should be a sum c al culated p ro r a ta t o the revenue up t o the

m un r a e a off n a o t equired . Thi s g v gre t e c e to

the c olon s s who s e for a e sum i t , wi h d ﬁx d ,

B ut in t r which was ﬁnally agreed to . wo yea s the revenue of the C olony rapidly diminished

in th o um rm n o n to c an es e a &c . wi g h g pi f i g , , and the p eople found themselves paying a muc h higher sum than they would have done ac cording

’ t o S ir Charles Warren s propo s al . Then they

reco n se his ores and o ular eel n g i d f ight , p p f i g

c an r h ged in his favou . 46 BIOGRA PHICAL S KETCH

D uring the ﬁ ve years S ir Charles was in the Straits S ettlements he did much travelling and o ccupied in the a ggregat e ten month s (his two

’ m n s leave er annum in s ee n n a e lon o th p ) i g I di , C y ,

urma am ava a an and s ome of the B , Si , J , J p , s eaports of China Th e S trait s S ettlements

n n his c omman he v s e the several bei g withi d, i it d

a es a s a u and r e ues ns ec e the St t d ty , , by q t , i p t d armed c onstab ulary (Sikh s) of Perak and S elan

r H gor and the troops of the S ult an of Joho e . e penetrat ed into the uncivili sed p arts of the Straits S ettlement s and traversed the p eninsula

r om eas to es over the moun a ns rom f t w t , t i f

l n r t a an r h a a n r e a o o o u t e c ou . S g P h g , th gh S k i t y At the time of th e Pahang outbrea k h e was rea his roo s for all emer enc es and dy with t p g i , prepared and printed a ﬁeld b ook for use in the

l ul r r un e s o c cums ances re u e . j g , h d i t q i it

H e encoura e s or s amon o cers and men g d p t g fﬁ , and did much to keep up a goo d feeling b etween the ro o s and the n a an s and es a l s e t p i h bit t , t b i h d (under the Garri son Sp ort s C ommi tt ee) four

earl even s for c he av u a le c allen e y y t , whi h g e s it b h g Th shields . e contest s for these prizes had a s mula n ef e ti ti g f ct o n sport in the Malay peninsula . MOBILISATION AT SINGAPORE 47

In a ddition to his milit ary duties he was for

several months c hairman of a committee to inspect and report on the p olice of the Straits

A s s r r S ettlements . Di t ic t G and Mast er of the

rn A r c ela o he v s e th E aste hip g , i it d e several

n c o es res e at var ous unc on Maso i L dg , p id d i f ti s , and on his leav n the e lemen s was resente , i g S tt t , p d by the fr aternity with a full -sized p ortrait of himself and a very h andsomely illuminated a ddress . The rea diness of the garri son of Singapore for defenc e was brought to a high pitch of

r c n ur n his enure of c omm n pe fe tio d i g t a d . When he ﬁrst arrived it took s everal weeks to mo l se and a er muc rac ce h r bi i , , ft h p ti , e educed the me to ree a s en h e arr ve at i ti th d y ; wh i d th s , he s aw it was not p erfec t unless it c ould be done in three hours and his was accom l s e , t p i h d eventu

r c al es of his was n ac ve . ally . A p ti t t t gi O ne

n n en he was n n at overn eve i g , wh di i g G ment House to meet the Admiral Commanding -in

hie the la er e an to c aff at the unrea C f, tt b g h di ness of the arm in com ar son the nav y p i with y, and asserted his Opini on that Singapore c ould not mobili se under three week s . S ir Charles 48 BIO GRAPHI CAL S KETCH

s aid that the Admiral would have to a dmit that

c oul be one in r ee ours and uaran ee it d d th h , g t d

a the m ral oul be out at 6 at th t , if Ad i w d

th e e he oul ﬁ nd all the roo s in e r j tty , w d t p th i

laces al ou s ome of em oul ave to p , th gh th w d h

marc six m les or more in the ar and cross h i d k ,

The onl n a th e water in l aunches . y poi t th t would not be the s ame as in time of war was the

e n the l aunc es n o e r laces as e g tti g h i t th i p , th y

n h m . were in p eac e po siti o s at t e ti e At 11 R M . S ir Ch arles Warren or dered the launches to

M . and be in position at 3 A . sent word to the

A . M m r troops to get ready at 1 . They a ched down from T anglin and F ort C anning B arracks

t the ar ere a en across in launches o wh f, w t k

and su mar ne m ners and ere all in r b i i , w thei

n the o ern r nd r l laces at 6 A . M . e v o a m a p , wh G Ad i vi sited them in c omp any with S ir Charles

Th m ral th Warren . e Ad i g ave e highest prai se — a sailor could give that it h ad b een done as

ll as h ad een one h n we if it b d by t e avy . H is servic es at Singapore are summed up in

’ an article in the Strait s Times of 2nd April

1 94 rom c the ollo n is an 8 , f whi h f wi g extract :

‘ It is no new thing to speak prai se of S ir

50 BIOGRAFE I CA L S KETCH

When the persons who had atta cked him repent ed

r me o s he nore a he h ad een of thei th d , ig d th t b

e and eal the a vances of his new att ack d, d t with d

frien ds as if h e h ad not known th at they h ad b een

T o ut r e h e rocee e on unfriendly . p it b i ﬂy , p d d

the p ath of duty regar dless either of prai se or

me un l e er n o le e ren ere im bla , ti b tt k w dg d d it

n to ers s in ra n p o ssible for any o e p i t det c ti o . S ir Ch arles leaves the C olony amidst a universal T c hor us of friendly greetings . o h ave achieve d

such a c onquest of public opini on amidst so

r l F r h small a community is a great esu t . o t e

c ommunity is so small th at no man c an live in

it for a numb er of years without giving ample opportunity t o see his charact er in all its moo ds

rom a scru n S ir arles and tenses . F th t ti y Ch T m Warren h as emerged with suc cess . he c o

munity of the Strait s feels tha t in losing him it

l a sol er and a sc olar but als o lo ses not on y di h ,

a mo st exc ellent example of a kindly and S imple

’ hearted gentleman . At one of the many farewell dinners in his

ir arles c ell the overnor s a honour S Ch Mit h , G , id

n in his urn la e man ar s but of E ac h ma t p y d y p t ,

all men he had known through his experience of COMMAND OF TH E THAME S DISTRICT 5 1

s some a diﬂicul t orl h e ne n n thi wh t w d, k w o e who in ese mes h ad la e so man ar s an th ti p y d y p t , d

la e all ose ar s s o ell as e r s n p y d th p t w , th i di ti

h u S ir rl rr n A uis ed es a es a e . S a man g g t , Ch W of le ers and a s a man of ac on S ir C arl s tt , ti , h e

’ rr n n u s him l Wa e had di sti g i hed s e f .

Al ou en S ir ec l m was overnor th gh , wh C i S ith G , o ffici al difficultie s o c curr ed between him and S ir Charles Warren on matt ers which c ould not rea il be se le et the difl erenc es ere s olel d y tt d , y w y o c al and S ir ec l m was one of the rs ffi i , C i S ith fi t to sen S ir arles arr en en he was leav n d Ch W , wh i g

n lan in ovem er 18 99 for a al ear E g d N b N t , h ty goo d wi shes for his suc c ess and s afe return with a dded glory t o the high reput ation he h ad

ir arles arren lef h already gained . S Ch W t t e Strait s S ettlements on his return to England in

r l 189 4and he ravelle wa of ancouver Ap i , t d by y V and the mer c an on nen s en in some A i C ti t , p d g weeks in exploring the West ern Stat es of the

n n U io .

H M S D S R C 1895 TO 189 8 T A E I T I T ,

In 1895 S ir Charles Warr en was app oint ed

M a or eneral comman n the ames s r c j G di g Th Di t i t , 52 BIOGRA PHICAL S KETCH

and was told th at h e was t o organi se the mobi lisation of the Th ames Di stric t for defence on the same mo del he had s o successfully esta i n H bl shed at a ore . e oo in an at once Si g p t k it h d , and in two years had so p erfected the system that all troops c oming int o the di stri ct were enabled on sudden mobili s ation t o ﬁ nd thei r

n r u plac es a d t ake up thei d ti es immediat ely .

H e was us l en a e ur n his erm o f b i y g g d , d i g t

c mman in the ro lem of e ence of the o d , p b d f

ames and e a in c a rea a vanc e Th M dw y , whi h g t d

as ma e and in e am n n n o the eﬂicienc of w d , x i i g i t y the Royal Engineers for active servi ce in all their

ranc es and re uen l ns ec e em b h , f q t y i p t d th with

thi s obj ect in vi ew . H e instituted ﬁeld days between the various garri sons ; marched all the infantry to Sheerness

ur n the s r n mon s and rac se e enc e d i g p i g th , p ti d d f

r of the c oast th e e . H e t ook great int erest in the vari ous new

r ula ons for the c an een s s em and o n e eg ti t y t , p i t d out the difﬁculty of having one contractor of

H e avoure the enan s s m f groceries . f d t t y te or

d r c an een le ee n the wet can een the y t , whi k pi g t

f h m l ar in the hands o t e i it y . DIV ISIONAL COMMAND AT MANOEUVRES 53

During the autumn of 18 96 he commanded a

v s on at the N ew ores au umn m n r di i i F t t a oeuv es . H e establi shed a Distri ct Riﬂe Associ ation at ravesen and msel ave two shiel s for G d, hi f g d annual c ompetition : one for rifle sho oting and

n f r n H e n a o e o c arbi e shooting . evi ced gre t

n eres in the o n of a am and or e in i t t t w Ch th w k d , c on unc on i the a or and or ora on to j ti w th M y C p ti , ameliorat e its c ondition for the beneﬁt b oth of

the s oldiers and of the inh abit ants . O n leaving the c ommand in 1898 he was ent ert ained at a public dinner given by the

a or and resen e w a s lver salver M y , p t d ith i

ear n an nscr on and wi an a ress rom b i g i ipti , th dd f which the following is an extract We sincerely thank you for the valuable services you have rendered to our town ; and whilst we much regret that we are lo sing from our midst the presence of one so distingui shed

as a sc olar sc en s and sol er we re o ce h , i ti t , di , j i that whilst here you greatly promot ed c ordi al relations between the military and civi c au

thorities and oo rea n eres in the moral , t k g t i t t and intellectual welfare of the inh abitants of

’ Ch atham . 5 4 BIO GRAPHICAL S KETCH

arren was now n the s el and oo a W o h f , t k

ouse at ams a e ere he res e un l his h R g t , wh id d ti serv c es ere a a n re u re his c oun r and i w g i q i d by t y , he was appointed t o the command of the 5th Divi sion and emb arked with it for S outh Afri ca on 25t h Novemb er 189 9 . CHAPTER I

TH E BEGINNING OF TH E WAR

T H E l ast year of the nineteenth century op ened at a p eri o d of int en s e gloom for the B riti sh

Th r in u h un us na on . e wa o fr c a ad o as ti S th A i f d , m ar u e un r r Th l l r os s d o e a e . e e o ce t w , q it p p d itt f in a al un er S ir eor e e had een N t , d G g Whit , b

s eedil surroun e the mo le oers it s l ne p y d d by bi B , i

of c ommun c a on h ad een c ut and wa s sel i ti b , it it f shut up in an unfavourable p ositi on for defenc e

m r at a s and loc a e a oe orce . L dy ith , b k d d by B f L arge reinforc ement s were p ouring into

o u r ca rom n lan and S ir e vers S th Af i f E g d , R d

uller who had arr ve at a e own on 3 1st B , i d C p T

c o er to a e su reme c omm an h ad one to O t b t k p d , g

l r he ma his rs s ra e al N at a . He e de ﬁ t t t gic mis

' a e and us as S ir eor e White ind uced t k ; j t G g ,

ol cal res sure o cc u e o s ons in the by p iti p , pi d p iti

e reme or of a al c h e wa s not s ron xt N th N t , whi h t g

enou t o ol and h ad the c onse uences of gh h d, q 5 6 S IR CHARLES WARREN A‘ ND SPIO N KOP

thi s dep arture from sound strategy burnt into him the s e e of a sm so S ir e vers by i g L dy ith , R d

B uller move clamours for the rel e of a , d by i f L dy

sm and m erle div e his orc e s en in ith Ki b y , id d f , d g

ar un er or e uen to rel eve m erle p t d L d M th i Ki b y , and himself t aking the remainder to relieve

m and l ar l r l a s e ne a s m a esson . L dy ith , d i i S uch inatt ention t o the very element s of strategy might have speedily led to overwhelming

s a s er and to the r um of the B oer a es di t t i ph St t ,

and oul un ou e l ave one s o h ad the w d d bt d y h d ,

oers ossesse a eneral or f h n m B p d g w thy o t e a e . With what surpri se and sati sfaction would such a commander have ob served the di sp osition of

the r s orc e in the or of a al B iti h f N th N t , with wh at r apidity would he h ave masked S ir

’ eor e e s v s on and c ross n the G g Whit di i i , , i g

u ela se e th e ra l a at its mou and T g , iz d i w y th , , by

the ca ure of ur an ave el a al in the pt D b , h h d N t

oll o of his an B ut al ou the n ral h w h d , th gh ge e

s of the oers was o elessl m and e hip B h p y ti id , th y lost the opportunity of c arrying all before them

at the ou se and r vin the r s n the t t , d i g B iti h i to

sea the ne lec of soun s ra e on ur s , g t d t t gy o ide

ma e sel ser ousl el and wa s not un l d it f i y f t , it ti

S IR CHARLES WARREN ' A ND SPIO N KOP

and s s ers o s and or ans lun e n o i t , wid w ph , p g d i t s a ddest mourning by the lo sses under L or d

e uen at elmon E slin the o er ver M th B t , , M dd Ri , an d M a esfontein un er a or - eneral a acre j , d M j G G t a t orm er an d un er S ir e vers uller St b g , d R d B at olen so m e a l e r love ones who C , ight b w i th i d h ad e for e r c oun r on th e a le el di d th i t y b tt ﬁ d ,

ere was a mo s n o a le a mos on er ul th t t b , t w d f , sel -c on r l m l S ub f t o a ong the p eople general y . dued by a distinc t sense of di sappointment and humiliation a s one dis ast er aft er another o c curr e ere was no es a on no a cce ance d , th h it ti , pt of e ea but a o e e erm na on a the d f t , d gg d d t i ti th t war e n a r eous war mus at an sa cr , b i g ight , t y i

ﬁ c e be c arr Th i e d to a vi ctori ou s c onclusion . e n ati onal honour h a d b een woun ded by the im p udent invasi on of B riti sh dominions b eyond th e s eas and a oun c oul o nl be eale , th t w d d y h d by the c om le su u f h n Th p te bj gation o t e i vader . e galling remembrance of the disasters of the — — previous B oer war never retri eved oithe over b earing insolenc e and ingratitude whi ch had rewar ded the pusill animous poli cy of so -c alled ma nan m h ad orme amon s all classes g i ity , f d g t a determination that there must be no more NATIONAL DETERMINATION 59

ever a a n mus a r s Maj ub a treaties . N g i t B iti h defeat by B oers be allowed to c onclude the

ma er t o rankl e and es er in a wa so t tt , f t y difﬁ

for a - s r e eo le to ear even en high pi it d p p b , wh n m disgui sed under the name of magna i ity . D efeat must only mean renewed effort and

e rmin n e re in the d t e ati o to succ eed . W we

an s of G od but so lon as we c oul sen out h d , , g d d

a man to we ere e ermine t o o on ﬁght , w d t d g ,

and G od llin at a ever c os t o end the , wi g , wh t t

ma er once for all in suc a wa a o ur tt , , h y th t

oun e onour s oul be eale the susce ti w d d h h d h d, p

bilities of our nva e olon es soo e and the i d d C i th d,

o er au to no his ro er la ce but as B t ght k w p p p , a memb er of a free and world -wide Empire and a

s u ec f h n bj t o t e Quee . S uch were th e feelings of disapp ointment and sorro and et of e erm na on hic the w , y d t i ti , by w h maj ority of people at home were animated when the last year of the ninet eenth c entury commenc e and the succes ses of a or - en r d , M j G e al

renc at oles er and of olonel lc er at F h C b g , C Pi h

’ ou las on N ew ear s D a c eere es on en D g Y y , h d d p d t

ear s and ns r a o a h lu h t , i pi ed h pe th t t e ck was a ou b t t o turn . 60 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

s me or o er s wh o a er the At thi ti L d R b t , , ft

sas ers of the rs al of ecem er 18 99 had di t ﬁ t h f D b ,

een s en out t o a e su reme c omman was b t t k p d , ,

or c ener s ll on the seas with L d Kit h , ti high ; L ord M ethuen wa s h olding a p osition at th e

o er ver a n for re n orcemen s e ore M dd Ri , w iti g i f t b f

a in ur er a c on S ir e vers uller a er t k g f th ti ; R d B , ft the failure of the attack on C olenso on 15th

ecem er 18 9 9 ha d ra n his ole orc e D b , withd w wh f

two v s ons to evele ere to ma ure his ( di i i ) Chi y , th t

lans for a econ an me s s n s a v c e . wa a s p d d Ti p i g , S ir George White was h ardly pressed in L ady

sm the nves n oers and the 5th ith by i ti g B ,

v s on c omman e S ir arles arren Di i i , d d by Ch W ,

n rr a r e a s had ot yet a ived at the C pe . Th e d y aft er the b attle of C olenso S ir Redvers B ul ler h ad s ent order s t o the C ape th at thi s division

was t o be sen on to him at onc e and he a a e t , w it d

rr l n i n its a iva b efore maki g h s ext move .

was no on er en a in th e s a e of It w d th th t , t t

u l c eel n at ome at s me the c e p b i f i g h thi ti , hi f

n eres cen re in the a al el orc e and i t t t d N t Fi d F , great expect ations were forme d of wh at S ir

e vers uller ose re u a on as a man of R d B , wh p t ti exc eptional power and ability stoo d high in the WARREN ARRIVE S IN NATAL 6 1

al orl oul d o en re n orc e the o fﬁci w d, w d wh i f d by 5th Divi sion under so c ap able a c ommander as

ir arles arren . s o c er a s we ave S Ch W Thi fﬁ , h

s een h ad recen l c omman e the ames Dis , t y d d Th tri ot and had gained much experi enc e in S outh

Afr c an ar are en ears rev ousl le i w f tw ty y p i y, whi s ome years later h e was entru sted with the

c omman of the ec uanalan edi on and d B h d Exp ti , c arri ed through the camp aign s o succes sful ly th at the B oers yi elded all the main i s sues without

n en h e was nomina ﬁghti g . Wh t ed to the c ommand of th e 5th Divi sion in N ovemb er

ever one re o c e on er n onl a he h a y j i d , w d i g y th t d

not een amon the rs enerals t o be s en u b g ﬁ t g t o t . Wh en he landed with his divi sion in Natal on

the rs d a ofthe N ew ear and his sen ﬁ t y Y , by i ority

became s econd in c omman d to S ir R edvers

ul ler rea o e wa s en er a ne a B , g t h p t t i d th t the c ombined wi sdom of these two distingui shed men woul d soon solve the diﬁﬁculty of the reli ef

of a sm and the o era ons mmedia l L dy ith , p ti i te y aft er his arr ival were wat ched at home with

h opeful if critic al eyes . S IR CHAR LES WARREN AN D SPION KOP

WARREN CRO S S ES THE TUG ELA

O n the di semb arkation of th e 5th Divi sion at D urb an at the b eginning of 1900 it at onc e

en ra ne for s cour ere arr ve n t i d E t t , wh it i d o

3 rd anuar a n to the s ren of h J y , ddi g t gth t e N at al

r u r n f Field Fo c e ab o t 50 p e c e t . o b oth ﬁeld

r n n n r ree a artill e y a d i fa t y . Th d ys lat er S ir

Ch arles Warren - went to Frere to rep ort t o S ir R edvers B uller that his division was mobili sed

and ready to march . S ir R edvers B uller h ad no w decided to make ano er a em to rel eve a sm and s th tt pt i L dy ith , thi time he prop o sed to cro ss the Tugela higher up

an olenso and orc e a wa rou the ll th C , f y th gh hi s

’ i ter r c cor n l n opp osite P otg e s D ift . A di g y a army or der wa s i ssued on 8th January directing the following moves to t ake pla c e under the

- l ir l r f eu . enera S . . er orde s o Li t G C F C y,

f the 9th to l 0th anuar o n the night o J y .

2ND DIVIS I O N AND AT TACH ED T R O O P S

’ (a ) M aj or -G ener a l H ild ya r d s Column

M ount ed B rigade 400 of all ranks (including u r one s qua dron 13th H s sa s) . r a e 2nd Infantry B ig d . M O VEM ENT OF TROOPS 63

Divisional Troops a b attery of Royal Field

r Artille y .

2 na al 1 - r s r uns . C o p T oops : v 2 pr . g

To move from Chieveley by the south of D oom Kop to th e c amp alrea dy selected in

h n f r r us rm t e vic i ity o P et o i Fa .

’ (6) M aj or -Gener a l H a r t s Column

un r 4 f ll ran s Mo ted B igade 00 o a k .

5th nf n r I a t y Brigade .

ll r 7 3rd B attery Royal Fi eld Ar ti e y . n n 17th Fiel d C omp any Royal E gi eers .

- r un . C orp s Troops 6 naval 12 p . g s

T o move from Frere by the Frere-S pringﬁ eld roa d to the camp selected south of Pretorius

Farm .

(6) H ea d qua r ter s a nd Divisiona l Tr oop s

2nd Division

Mounted B riga de : Hea dquart ers and main

o u l olumn rom rere e c al un . b dy S pp y C (f F ) , M di it Divi si onal Troop s a b attery of R oyal Field

r ller mmun on olumn u l olumn A ti y , A iti C , S pp y C

rom rere el o s al rom rere . (f F ) , Fi d H pit (f F )

or s roo s : 2 s ua rons 13th ussars C p T p q d H , 64 S IR CHARLES WAR REN A ND SPION KOP

2 uns 66th a er o al el r ller 2 g B tt y R y Fi d A ti y,

- l l mn r r r naval nc uns u o u om e e . i h g , S pp y C (f F ) T o move from Chieveley (except where other wise mentioned) by th e Frere -S pringﬁ eld roa d to

the cam s ou of re or us arm e ce a p th P t i F , x pt th t one s qua dron 1 3th Hus sars for the 5th Divi sion and 2 guns 66th B attery Royal Fi eld Artillery

r will be left at Fre e .

5 TH DIVIS IO N AN D AT TACH ED TR O O P S

The following t ro ops will move on the evening of 10th January from Frere to Spring

el un er the or ers of the eu enan - eneral ﬁ d , d d Li t t G

B . ir n K . C . S . arre C W ,

5 ih Division

4h n n r r t I fa t y B igade .

11th Infantry B rigade .

Division al Troop s .

Corp s Tr oop s

l 0th B rigade . Artillery 6l st B attery R oyal Fi eld Artillery

(Howitz er) .

7 8th B att ery Royal Fi eld Artillery .

u n olumn Amm nitio C .

66 S IR CHAR LES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

a ssist in every way the supply columns as they p ass his cam and h e ll also b e re are to su or p , wi p p d pp t

- M a or G eneral H ild ar d necessar . j y , if y O n th a t r n f th e l 0th ns an G eneral 6 . e f e no o o i t t Clery will send a s ufﬁcient force from the M ounte d r a e it Ar t ller to r econno tre and oss le B ig d , w h i y , i , , if p ib , r n l o ccupy Sp i gﬁe d . ’ Th e orce un r l n s c omman 7 . f de G enera Warre d

el r er ate 8 th nstant ara ra 3 ll (Fi d O d , d d i , p g ph ) wi

reac r n el on th e morn n of th e 1 l th in stant . h Sp i gﬁ d i g , in supp ort of th e mounted troop s referre d t o in p ara ra 6 of t s or g ph hi der . Th - - c e 8 . e G eneral Commanding in Chief will pro e d to r n el n h 1 Sp i gﬁ d o t e 1th instant .

B etween l 0th and 13 th January the whole

a al el orce e c e the 5th r a e N t Fi d F , x pt B ig d

c over n olenso was in mo on rom evele i g C , ti f Chi y ,

rere and s cour c oncen ra n on r n el F , E t t , t ti g Sp i gﬁ d

’ ’ within ﬁ ve mil es of P otgieter s Drift (Spearman s

or oun l n a s se e M t A i c e) . Thi s p ositio w iz d by

the c avalr on 1l th anuar on c d a y J y , whi h y General B uller telegraphed home that he had occupi ed the south b ank of the Tugela at

’ P ot ieter s r and se e the on a the g D ift , iz d p t , th t

r ver wa s in oo and the enem S ron l i ﬂ d , y t g y

n r i t enched four and a h alf miles to the north . The obj ective was the advance to Ladysmith PROPO SED TURNING M OVEMENT 67 by forcing the p assage of the Tugela at P ot

’ ieter s and his in v e ma s of the g , , with t i w, p coun r a ou th e r ere ssue an t y b t d ift w i d , with

’ account of the road from P otgieter s to L a dy

n rec nno r n th r smith . Upo o it i g e B oe p ositions

’ on the hills in front of P otgieter s S ir Redvers

uller o ever c ame to the conclus on a B , h w , i th t

e ere too s ron to be a en rec a ac th y w t g t k by di t tt k , and on 14th January he directed S ir Charles

’ arren to reconno re Trichard s r some W it D ift , six m les er u the r ver to the es ar i high p i w tw d, with a View to the p ossibility of crossing there and a dvancing to the west of Spion Kop and

n r n r a l getti g ound to the o th of th t hi l . O n 15th January the following secret orders

ir rr n . a e were issued by S ir R B uller to S C . W

’ ’ The enem s os t on in ront o f P ot ieter s 1 . y p i i f g Drift seems to me to b e too strong to be t aken by a a direct tt ck . 2 nten to tr and turn it sen n a or . I i d y by di g f ce ’ across th e u ela rom near T rich ard s r t and u T g f D if , p to the west of Spion Kop . Y u ill ave comm an of t at or e 3 . o c c w h d h f , whi h will c ons st of th e 11th r a e of our vis on our i B ig d y Di i , y ri a e iv s on Ro al el Art ller and G eneral B g d D i i , y Fi d i y, ’ Cler s v s on com let e and all th e moun e troo s y Di i i p , t d p

except 400 . 68 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

w ll f course act as c rcumst nces re r 4. Y ou o a u e i i q i , but m ea is t a ou s oul c ont nue rou out y id h t y h d i th gh , refusing your right and throwing your left forwar d l n h n la n e ti l you gai t e op e p in north of Spion Kop . O c there you will c ommand the rear o f th e p o sition facing ’ P t i ter s r t and t n ren er it un l o e tena e . g D if , I hi k d b ’ A P ot ieter s re ll h h r a e 5 . t e be t e 4t g th wi B ig d , art of the l 0th r a e one atter Ro al el p B ig d , b y y Fi d Art ller one o t er atter two 47 - nc naval i y, h wi z b y , i h n t t em s all t reaten ot th e o s ons gu s . Wi h h I h h b h p iti ’ in ront of us and also attem t a cross n at S kiet s f , p i g r t so a s to ol th e enem off ou as muc as os D if , h d y y h p

S ible . It is ver f cul t to ascerta n th e num ers of 6 . y di ﬁ i b an r f d o not n the enemy with y s o t o exactness . I thi k t ere c an be more t an 400 on our le t and est mate h h y f , I i th e total forc e that will b e o pp osed to us at ab out I think they have only one or at the most two big guns . ’ Y o ll t a e t o and a al a s su l in 7 . u wi k w h f d y pp y our re men al trans ort and a su l c olumn ol n y gi t p , pp y h di g ’ ll ve r u l one d a more . s ou ou a s s y Thi wi gi y f d y pp y , r e t a n i a which should b e enough . E ve y x ra w go s great imp e diment . at ere t at ou not ant an ammun on 8 . I g h d h y did w iti n m sel t at s oul b e n l t column . I thi k y f h I h d i c ined o a n l mn for the two r a e v s on Y o t ke o e co u B ig d Di i i s . u may ﬁ nd a p o sition on which it is exp edient to exp end a great d eal o f ammunitio n . u ll ssue suc or ers to the ontoon roo 9 . Y o wi i h d P T p

as ou t n e e ient . o ss le s oul l e it to y hi k xp d If p ib , I h d ik d n come here after you h ave crossed . I o ot think you NO TURNIN G BACK 69 will find it p ossible to let o xen draw th e wagons over n It ll be ett er to dr a em over the p ontoo s . wi b w th by orses or mules S mm n the o en th e r s o f h , wi i g x i k rea n the ontoons o en crosse t em is t oo b ki g p , if x d h , a gre t . 1 The man om am sen n ou as a u e i 0 . wh I di g y g id s a D evonshire man h e was employed as a b oy on one of m own arms h e is n l s to th e ac one and y f E g i h b kb , hl r H e t n s t at o r c an b e thor oug y t usted . hi k h if y u c o ss Springfield fl at at night h e c an take you the rest of the way to the Tugela by a r oa d that c annot be overlooked th e enem but ou ll ou tless ave the roa by y, y wi d b h d r rec o nnoit ed . 1 1 s all en eavour to ee u el o ra c c om . I h d k p p h i g phi munication with you from a post on the hill directly in a your r e r . 1 s ou to start as s on a an o s ou c . u 2 . I wi h y y S pply ’ is all in and G eneral Cler s v s on ll o e , y Di i i wi , I h p , n n ra e at r n el to -d a re l o c o ce t t Sp i gfi d y . Di ct y y u st art all omm nce to cro ss th e r ver I sh c e i . 1 lease sen me th e l oth r a e 3 . e ce t t a P d B ig d , x p h t portion which you detail for the garrison at Spring el a s soon as o ssi le also the e 12- r l . nava fi d, p b ; ight p uns and an eta ls suc as ammun t on olumn c &c . g , y d i , h i i , , d no s o that you o t wi h t t ake .

O n the s ame d ay S ir Redvers B uller issued a spirit ed appeal to th e troops in whi ch he s aid We are going t o the relief of o ur comrades in

’ a m re ll b no urn n a r L dys ith the wi e t i g b ck . G eat was the re o c n of the men a nd S ir Re r j i i g , dve s ’ 70 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP was greeted with cheers wherever h e S howed

‘ himself and shouts of No turning b ack thi s

’ time .

’ S ir Ch arles Warren s force was in fact a ﬂying c olumn consi sting of mounted

roo s n an r and 36 el uns c arr n t p , i f t y , ﬁ d g , yi g

’ r and a al a s rovis n The with it th ee h f d y p io s .

a ons uns and eele ve cles of s orce w g , g , wh d hi thi f

leav n all en s cam e u a e and s ores ( i g t t , p q ip g , t

e n orme a c olumn een m les in l n b hi d) f d ﬁft i e gth .

Th e ole of the lon -ran e uns the wh g g g ,

o er a ter the moun a n a er and h witz b t y , t i b tt y , two briga des of infantry men) remained

’ ir ver ull r at P i with S Red s B e otg eter s . The force thus plac ed under S ir Ch arles

’ arren s c omman wa s as l ut o e er W d h ti y p t g th , and h e c ould not even see them all before they

The h n r n l st art e d . 5t Divisio had but ece t y — arrived some of the b attalions having j ust — landed from a long sea voyage had b een

urr edl mo l se and was not accl ma se h i y bi i d , i ti d

f a al in m s mm r The 2nd t o the h eat o N t id u e . Divi sion had only j ust arr ived fr om Chi eveley and was unknown to General Warren until he

t n the l ne of marc on 16 anuar me it o i h th J y , WARREN ARRIVES AT TRICH A RD’S DRIFT 7 1

le the moun e roo s h e onl saw in e a l whi t d t p y d t i , as they did not j oin his c ommand until the 17th

’ N r aﬂ as all of the month . o ext a S t w otted to

he orce as a ole and u on the af of the t f wh , p St f 5th Division were thr own the additional st aff

u es of the n c olumn for no re men al d ti ﬂyi g , gi t

rs ere ava la le all e n re u re ofﬁ ce w i b , b i g q i d with

n their u its . S ir Charles Warr en was ordered to move as soon as suppli es were all in and the l 0th Brigade had removed from Springﬁeld B ridge t o Spear

’ H e ell s us in hi man s Hill . t s despatch that he made his arrangements for getting supplies on

15 anuar move the 10th r a e on the th J y , d B ig d

ollo n d a and on the even n of a d a f wi g y, i g th t y left Springﬁeld with a force under his c ommand which amount ed to an army corp s (less one

r a e and a n marc arr ve at b ig d ) , by ight h i d

’ Trichard s r and oo ossess on of the D ift , t k p i

hills on the south side of the Tugela river . The ofﬁcers detailed for intelligenc e were

as et all i S ir e vers uller and ere ore y w th R d B , th f

S ir arles arr en onc e he s ar e had t o Ch W , t t d , rely for loc al information entirely on the mounted

ro s n r e had t op ot yet unde his c ommand . Th y S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

h ad onl a s or marc le the n an r y h t h , whi i f t y marching from Springﬁeld h ad h ad a very long

’ Th alr ul r r day s march . e c av y sho d the efo e h ave

een a le to c arr o ut s ome rec onna ssances but b b y i , no information c ould be obt ained from them

ur n h n O n the 17th e c ame un er d i g t e ight . th y d

’ S ir arles arren s c omman and s oon a er Ch W d , ft

’ rep ort ed that Wright s farm was o ccupied by

a n n the 1 arr n c B oers . At d w o 7th W e om menced throwing his pont oons across the T ugela

’ at T rich ard s r but the n an r cross D ift ; i f t y ,

’ in un s rs a or - eneral Wood ate s g by p t , ﬁ t M j G g

’ r a e and en a or - eneral ar s ot b ig d th M j G H t , g

r r rs ull r m l r ac o ss . S i R edve B e was hi se f p esent in the middle of th e d ay and addressed Maj or

’ eneral Wood ate s r a e v n also direc G g b ig d , gi i g

n f r a s t o his a t ac Th tio s t o th at o ﬁce t k . e mounted troop s p a ssed over princip ally by the

r and en over the c oun r as far a s c n d ift , w t t y A to

m ven n a r - n r l Ho es . By e i g M j o Ge e a s Woodgate and H art h ad their briga des with a b att ery o f artillery lining th e crests of the foothills facing

Spion Kop . The crossing of the ﬁfteen miles of wagons coul not be carr e out un er r -six ours d i d d thi ty h ,

74 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

ir arl arr n n support was required . S Ch es W e se t on the wh ole of his remaining c avalry and

’ Maj or- General H ildyard s b riga de was ordered to

r rl h ll n m rn n Th n ma ch ea y t e fo owi g o i g . e e gagement resulted in the c apture of thirty -one

B oers .

S ir Redvers B ull er telegraphed to the S ecre

’ tary ofSt ate for War on the 18th from Sp earman s Hill

a er of el art ller o i er a er A b tt y ﬁ d i y , h w tz b tt y ,

’ and Lytt elton s briga de are across the Tugela

’ ’ i r Th en m s on River at P otg ete s D rift . e e y s po iti

r e m les er is b eing b omb a ded by us . Fiv i high

' up Warren has cros se d the river by a p ontoon

r e e -ﬁ ve ar s lon and o es a b idg , ighty y d g , h p th t

his orce ll s even n ave a vance f wi , by thi i g , h d d

ﬁ m l r m th r T hi r r n th ve i es f o e rive . o s ight f o t e

’ n enemy are busily intre ching . CHAPTER II

P O S ITION OF AFFAIRS

L EAVING S ir Charles Warren on the north side

’ of the Tugela in advanc e of Trichard s Drift

’ and S ir e vers uller at earman s ll R d B Sp Hi , with

’ a or- eneral L el on at P ot ieter s let us M j G ytt t g ,

ause to c ons er the eneral os on of aﬁ airs p id g p iti . In order to underst and it we must know the fea tures of the country b etween the T ugela and

a sm the rel e of c was the o ec of L dy ith , i f whi h bj t the operations ; the numb ers of the forces em ployed on each S ide the p ositions oc cupied by

th e enem and the a s in c e c oul es y , w y whi h th y d b t

be att acked .

We c anno d o e er in the rs ns anc e an t b tt , ﬁ t i t , th quot e from S ir Charles Warren hims elf as to the c ountry b etween the Tugela and L adysmith and

r Th ra i ﬁ the st ategy a dopted . e ext ct s om a

‘ c ontribution last autumn to the N ational Re

‘ vi ew entitled L essons from the S outh Afri c an

’

War . SIR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

1 If the C oloni al farm map is examined it will be seen th at immedi ately s outh ofL adysmith

is the ru e coun r of G robelaars l oo ex gg d t y K f ,

en n to the u ela and olens o some elve t di g T g C , tw

m les rom a smi and a the onl rao i f L dy th , th t y p tic able directi ons of a dvance within easy access

’i of the ra l - ea at Frere ere a to the r i h d w th t ight , following the line of railwa y to Pi et ers through

ver ru e moun a ns and a to the le y gg d t i , th t ft , by

’ ’ P ot ieter s and S kiet s r s rou com ara g D ift , th gh p

tivel o en c oun r a a rl oo a on y p t y , with f i y g d w g

’ ro a d of S ixteen miles from Frere to P otgieter s

r and a oo a on roa of our een m les D ift , g d w g d f t i

n o a sm over o en c oun r the onl lls i t L dy ith p t y , y hi to be met with b eing th ose commanding P otgie

’ er s r rom the sou and ancers ll el t D ift f th , L Hi , h d by the B oers investing L a dysmith and six miles

s n i o e r rom a c . o e c oun r s ve f th t ity Thi p t y , h w , c omman ded on th e s outh by the D oorn Kloof

range r esting on the Tugela .

was the left - an a vance a was c osen It h d d th t h , but ou the oer l nes on the nor s e of , th gh B i th id

’ the T ugela ab out P otgieter s Drift and V aalkrantz were c ommanded by the high ground of Mount

1 ee re r ucti n S p od o .

S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

oreover c on omes was on the l ne ofcom M , A t H i munication of the O range Free St ate B oers

s me of e r moun a n asses and e with o th i t i p , th y kept a large forc e in the hills ab ove t o secure

’ th eir retreat . As to th e strength of the B oer forc e opposed to the Briti sh on the Tugela there is the greatest

ir ll r h a ut d iﬂ erenc e ofopini on . S R edvers B u e s p

at some men a oer r er sa s was it , B w it y it l le over al a num er le S ir arles itt h f th t b , whi Ch Warren thinks it was much great er th an It is generally agreed that the B ritish Intelli gence Ofﬁce rightly estimated the c ombined forces of the enemy at ab out increased prob ably by foreigners and reb els to and l f that about h a f o that numb er were in N atal .

en a ver l eral allo ance be ma e for the If , th , y ib w d numb ers required to guar d the lines of c ommu nic ation to the Orange Free Stat e and the

ransvaal to c arr on the nves men of a T , y i t t L dy

smi to a rol and rec onno re the c oun r a th , p t it t y, very large forc e would still be available for watching the B riti sh B rigade at Chievele y and

’ opposing the B riti sh forc es at P otgieter s and

’ Trichard s Drifts and whatever the numb er may BOER PREPARATION S 7 9 h ave b een on the T ugela th e B oers were all

n and a c in on n er or l nes an d c oul mou t ed t g i t i i , d ea sily and rapidly concentrate a large forc e in any

u l r n directi on o n the T ge a f o t . It is not unreasonable t o supp ose th at during the month whi ch h ad elap sed S inc e the b attle of C olenso the B oers h ad l argely increased their

orces on th e u ela and we no a e h a d f T g , k w th t th y b een busy prep aring l ong lines of intrenchment in favourable p ositions right away b eyond Act on Homes t o th e positions defending the roa ds

l a in e d g t o the p asses to the Orange Free St ate . All round the Acton Homes b asin the hill s h ad

een or e om- oms and uns ere in os b f tiﬁ d , p p g w p i tion along the western l p es ofthe R angeworthy

hill s and uns and r n the ro a to th e , g iﬂes o d

arr smi Th r r u r H i th Pas s . e B oe s we e q it e p e

are all alon the line and al ou e ere p d g , , th gh th y w uncertain where the B riti sh were going t o cr oss

the r ver and s r e and ere so a l com i t ik , w b d y mand ed that they allowed the crossings t o be

ma e ou ser ous res s anc e e ere u e d with t i i t , th y w q it

rea c am s in s el ere os ons re dy with p h t d p iti , with

‘ ’ re sc an es on the ll s w ou os s on the ti d h z hi , ith tp t

slo es to the r ver to n n ra e a lar e ron p i , co ce t t g f t S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

in any direction from which they might be

ac att ked .

in M r . ns on encer urc ll his Wi t Sp Ch hi ,

‘ ’ on on t o a sm V ia re or a us d e L d L dy ith P t i , th s crib es the p ositi on in front ofS ir R edvers B uller and S ir Ch arles Warren

‘ ’ Wh en B uller h ad arrived at P otgieter s he found himself c onfront ed by a horsesho e p osition

of rea s ren enclos n and clos n the g t t gth , i g i g deb ouch es from th e for d wh ere h e ha d s ecured

a r H r r p acti c al b ridgehead . e the efo e ma sked

’ P otgieter s with seven b att alions and twenty-four

uns and sen arren elve a al n g , t W with tw b tt io s

and r -six uns to urn the r c thi ty g t ight , whi h — — rested on the lofty hill almost mount ain of

Th ers t me urn n on Ko . e o o e s Spi p B , t thi t i g movemen e en e e r l ne es ar s alon t , xt d d th i i w tw d g the height s of the T ugela valley almost as far as

r ole os on as re Acton Homes . Thei wh p iti w th e fore sh aped like a not e of interrogation laid on its s e A the c urve in ron o f eneral id , , f t G

el on the s ra t l ne e ore S ir arles Lytt t , t igh i b f Ch

h an le orme th e unc on Warren . At t e g f d by j ti of the c urve and the line st ands Spion Kop

- ll The s ra os on in ron L ook out Hi . t ight p iti f t

S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

v en l in some er le seems to n e id t y p p xity, thi k it meant the Ac ton Homes roa d . N ext S ir Charles Warren was instruct ed to act as c rcums ances re u re but he was to c on i t q i , tinue to refuse his right and throw his left forwar d till he gained the Op en plain north of

on Ko ere h e was ol he oul c omman Spi p , wh t d w d d

’ the rear of the os on a c n P ot ieter s r p iti f i g g D ift ,

he oul b e a le t o ren er un ena l whi ch w d b d t b e .

hile S ir arles arren was s o em lo e S ir W Ch W p y d , Redvers B uller undert ook to threat en b oth of the

’ positions in front of P otgieter s and also to

’ em a cross n at S kiet s ri so as to l att pt i g D ft , ho d th e enemy off S ir Charles Warren as much as po ssible . B ut the turning force of men had

en m les of a ons a c com an n and wa s ﬁfte i w g p yi g it ,

’ t a e onl our a s rov s ons c o t k with it y f d y p i i , whi h ,

f c ourse c oul be lle u S ir e vers o , d ﬁ d p by R d Bull er so long a s it was in ro a d communication

him but a s soon a s s was ro en ir with ; , thi b k , S

’ Charles Warren s operations were limited to wh at

And a ir he coul d d o in four days . th t S Redvers B ull er intended the roa d communicati on to be broken is shown by his request in the instructions BULLER’S GENERAL IDEA 83 th at as soon a s S ir Ch arles Warren had made

assa e ofthe r ver he s oul oss le sen the p g i h d , if p ib , d

h on oons to him. nall S ir arles t e p t Fi y, Ch Warr en was directed by these instructions to

- r un r r send the eight naval 12 p . g s to S i R edve s

Buller a s e hic had a ver m or an ear , t p w h y i p t t b

n h nal ssue of the un r n ing upo t e ﬁ i de taki g .

The success of S ir arles arren ere ore Ch W , th f , depended upon his b eing able to a ccompli sh his ﬂanking movement in four days from the time

f leav n his em orar ase u on his a n o i g t p y b , p h vi g no necess for lon -ran e uns and u on the ity g g g , p r an of the oers c he was to ur n ight ﬂ k B , whi h t ,

n a being withi easy re ch .

is o ever ell to rea the v e s of o It , h w , w d i w thers on the spot of the intentions of S ir Redvers

B uller .

us B s o B a nes of a al in Th i h p y N t , My Diocese

’ r n the War ves some n orma du i g , gi i f tion on the

su ec hic was o a ne at rs an fr bj t , w h bt i d ﬁ t h d om

- n r l l n n M aj or Ge e a Lytte to . O pages 180 and 18 1 he says — uesd a J an. 16th. I en u T y, w t p the hill aft er breakfast : when I came b ack to lunch I

am in a s r found the c p ti . At last the orders had

G 2 84 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

me to move and the lan of cam a n was c o , p p ig

lare and eneral el on e la ne to dec d , G Lytt t xp i d it

O ur r a e is to move off a ou to me . b ig d b t the r ver and two a al ons are to cross i , b tt i

’ r -n and the res to -morr P otgieter s D ift to ight t ow . To -morrow o ur big guns will op en on the B o ers

m n r n and we sh all make a big de o st ati o . Mean

le ir arles arren his o er r a whi S Ch W , with th b ig de

’ ’ eneral Wo od ate s and eneral Cler s (G g ) , with G y

’ Divi sion (consi sting of General H ildyard s an d

’ neral ar s r a es is to move a a to Ge H t b ig d ) , w y a o n ﬁ ve or six m les er u the r ver cro ss p i t i high p i ,

ere and a roac the an of the oer os on th , pp h ﬂ k B p iti f n K Th i up the slop es o Spi o op . e h ope s that the B oers will not b e able to spare men enough from here (b esides C olenso and L a dysmith) to of er ef ec ve o os on to S ir arles arren f f ti pp iti Ch W , or e d o en we ma et rou e r , if th y , th y g th gh th i

en r l l n defenc es h ere . G e a Lytte to c alled the c olonel s of his b att alions t ogeth er and explained m ’ the plan t o the . n in hi ‘ . s l f r . s e e o a M . J B Atki , R i f L dy

’ m r es s ith , w it

n r a anuar 19 c rosse a on O F id y , J y , I d W gg

Drift and ro de some ﬁ ve miles further to the

S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

It is now understood that S ir Redvers B uller intended S ir Ch arles Warren to advanc e by the

a r e and roo e o e or o sal e roa F i Vi w G t H k R i d ,

‘ b ecause he says in the memorandum not neces

’ ‘ s arll for u l c a on us u l s e : rom y p b i ti , j t p b i h d F the ﬁrst there c ould be no question but that the o nly practi c able road for his c olumn was the one a r Th r l m by F i Vi ew . e p ob e was to get rid

’ of the n m h l n An e e y w o were ho di g it . d it s eems more likely h e would c all the F air Vi ew ro a d th at from F air View to Groot e H oek

an a to c on omes c he oul th th t A t H , whi h w d

ro a l ll he n om s r a An c a t c o e o . d p b b y A t H d ,

n ee ere is his c orro ora on— a the i d d, th t b ti th t troop s were furni shed with a li st of the wells of

’ water on the ro ad from T richard s Drift to Groote

r r r Th o e o os al e a e a m . e H k , R i , by F i Vi w F length of th e roa d from F air View to a point near roo e o e is n ne m les and the len G t H k i i , gth of the roa d to the same p oint by way of Acton

omes is en m les more an ou le the H tw ty i , th d b

’ Y r r s had ull r length . et L o d Rob e t both B e s memorandum and also his secret instructi ons to Warren b efore him when he wrote in his c overing despat ch GROOTE HOEK VERSUS ACTON HOME S 8 7

‘ The plan of operations is not very clearly

escr e in the es a c es emselves but d ib d d p t h th , it may be gathered from them and the accompany ing document s that the original intention was

’ to cr s h u l t r n ar Trichard s r os t e T ge a a o e D ift , and ence ollo n the roa as a r th , by f wi g d p t F i

ew and c on omes to a n th e o en la n Vi A t H , g i p p i nor of on Ko the oer os on in ron th Spi p , B p iti f t

’ of P otgieter s Drift b eing t oo strong to be taken

’ rec a by di t tt ack . The truth is that the information possessed as t o h N o t e c ountry was extremely small .

en r l l ere g e a description of it was availab e . Th

ere noroa re or s no reconna ssanc es —in ac w d p t , i f t , it was to all intent s and purposes an unknown

’ c oun r r r un n the sou t y . F om the high g o d o th side of the Tugela the hills to the north c ould be s c anne and c oul b seen a to the es d, it d e th t w t of Spi on Kop the Rangeworthy hill s appeared to t erminate abruptly in the B astion or S ugar L oaf

r Hill . Here it was supp osed that the B oe trenches ended and were held by only a small

r fo ce . It was thi s range that S ir Charles

arren was rec e to a ac vo n the W di t d tt k , by pi ti g right of his line on Spion Kop and swinging 88 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP round his left until he gained the so -c alled open c ountry to the north of Spi on Kop .

e on o ar s c on omes o er hills B y d, t w d A t H , th c oul b e seen but no n was no n a ou d , thi g k w b t

a s n rall u a the them. It w ge e y s pposed th t ground was goo d for c avalry for a c ert ain dis t ance ; but the information given was th at the

c on omes ro a l eadin rou l es ale A t H d , g th gh C yd d , p assed through a c ountry full of dongas and

small o es and asse e or n ne m les k pj , p d ight i i

’ n r f P i r Th e o en c oun r mme o th o otg ete s . p t y i d iately north of Spion Kop c ould only b e reached by wagons by the roa d lea ding p ast F air View

r Th rm ma r cure from to oo e o e . e a o G t H k f p , p d the oﬂﬁce of the S urveyor - General of N atal and

ava la le for the roo s ave a a rl oo ea i b t p , g f i y g d id of the ground ab out Spion Kop but it was un

r a n h r n c e t i ow fa it c ould b e relied up o . It showed that mountain ranges b eyond Spion

Ko e en e to the es ran e a er ran e p xt d d w t , g ft g , with a large hill b oth to the north and north

eas of c on omes the roa rom c on t A t H , high d f A t H omes to L adysmith p assing up a valley be

l r m the een h lls . was a so ev en o tw high i It id t , f

l nes a en th e r vers and s reams a the i t k by i t , th t

S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

sinc e th e troops h ad march ed westwards to

’ P ot ieter s on l 0th anuar lar e o es of g J y , g b di B oers had b een movi ng up the river from th e

ne our oo of olenso and mass n e n ighb h d C , i g b hi d

on Ko and c on omes and a near the Spi p A t H , th t latt er place there was a large B oer c amp whi ch suppli ed the c amp b ehind Spi on Kop with pro

n visio s . It was also underst ood that the O range Free St ate B oers were p ost e d along the right of the l ne a s far as on Ko and a en ce the i Spi p , th t th Transvaal B oers were ext ended to the left or eas ar a in the v c n of on Ko tw d ; th t , i i ity Spi p and roo e o e ere ere ﬁ ve or S ix lar e G t H k , th w g c am s e r o s on e n ver c en ral as from p , th i p iti b i g y t , that p oint the B oers coul d ea sily go in an hour e er est t o c on omes on the one s e or ith w A t H id , eas t rn l n h r t o D oo K oof o t e oth e .

us in a ever rec on our roo s Th , wh t di ti t p marc e alon th e oer l nes e ere al a s h d g B i , th y w w y

n r n a lar f co f o t ed by ge b o dy o B o ers . A trench ha d b een out along the B oer lines

’ b ehind P otgieter s Drift as far west as Spion

Ko a num er of men al a s in so lon p , with b w y it g as the main b ody of the B riti sh force faced BOER COVER 9 1

m n n K sel on the ea e . O o o s S e th Spi p it f , t id ,

ere our uns c was sa oul ra e w f g , whi h , it id, w d k

’ Trichard s r at lon ran es le to the D ift g g , whi

es of on Ko on the an e or lls w t Spi p , R g w thy hi , an intrenchment had b een made and was held

the enem who coul be rea l re n orce by y , d di y i f d shoul d the British cros s the drift .

mus not o ever be su ose a B oers It t , h w , pp d th t

r r n can ﬁght only behind prep a ed t e ches . They

‘ ’ are e er s at u c l ra s n u S c an es xp t q i k y i i g p h z ,

hic e ma e in a few m nu es and e w h th y k i t , th y only c onstruct regular trenches when they have c ons era le me at e r s osal or en id b ti th i di p , wh there is no natural mat erial lying h andy on the

r n K n to th r ou . O n on o a d e es ove g d Spi p , w t the an e or h lls and e on the oers R g w thy i b y d , B did not require trenches to make an effectual r s s n re as len f ma er al to e i t a ce . The w p ty o t i enable them to hold the crest s of the hills against a far superior force ; but they preferred t o make their p osition almost impregnable by selec n c on nuous rass slo es over c ti g ti g y p , whi h an a van ul be m rac l in a l d ce wo d i p ticab e d y ight . From such p ositi ons nothing but artillery ﬁ re c oul r v m d d i e the out . 92 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

CHAPTER III

’ ADVANCE To VENTER S LAAG ER AND ATTACK OF TH E RANG EWO RTH Y H IL L S

AT the end of Ch apt er II we left S ir Ch arles

arren across th e u ela all his orc e in W T g with f ,

clu n his a on s on the n of 18th di g w g , ight

’ January and rea dy t o march t o Vent er s L aager

r n on the follo wing mo ni g . A s the wagons march ed on the morning of

th e 19th in our or ﬁ ve ar allel c olumn s in f p ,

len a ou ree m les or s o the r a es gth b t th i , b ig d c ommanded by M aj or - Generals H art and Wo o d gat e also kept p ace with th em until opp osit e

a r e ere th e r o f th e l ne was t o F i Vi w , wh ight i ll rest in th e a tt ac k of th e R angeworthy hi s . The two briga des th en occ upied th e slop es of the

n l s marc as a ver remar a dj oini g hil s . Thi h w y k

a le one and is to be ou e e er ere b , it d bt d wh th th

is ano r ns ance on rec or of suc a orc e the i t d h f ,

orm n a len of ree or our m les f i g gth th f i , with

S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

n din e ec . ere was onl o e roa lea to d f t Th y d g it ,

n n l nl n Th a d the wago s c ou d o y go si gly . e forc e could not possibly watch a front of ﬁfteen mil es

n Th r l occupied by the e emy . e esu t woul d be

’ th at each day s march must be limit ed by the

r ul length of o ad th at co d be wat ched . The

orce was to be rov s one for onl our a s f p i i d y f d y ,

and even ever n en suc ces s ull , if ythi g w t f y , it

’ would t ake three days t o get from Venter s Spruit by Ac t on Homes t o the point near Groote

was ere ore ev en a th r Hoek . It th f id t th t e oa d

c oul not be use even ere not so s ron l d d , if it w t g y m held by the ene y . In the evening S ir Ch arles Warren a ssembled his General and Staff Oflficers and the Oflicers C ommanding Royal Artillery and Royal En

ineers and o n e out to em a ere ere g , p i t d th th t th w only two ro ads by whi ch the wheeled transp ort

and uns coul roc ee : I c on omes and g d p d ( ) by A t H , (2) north of F air View by R osalie or Groot e

H e n orme em a he re ec e th Hoek . i f d th th t j t d e Acton Homes ro ad b ecause time would not allow

f and his su ordina e c omman ers c oncurre o it , b t d d

H e en o n e out a unanimously . th p i t d th t the only p os sible way of all getting through by the RESULT OF RECONNAISSANCE 9 5 road north of Fair View would be by t aking three

’ or four days food in th eir haversacks and sending all their wagons b ack acro ss the Tugela but before this c ould be done the p ositi on in front

mus b c a ur of them t e pt ed . Al though S ir Redvers B uller does not men ti on in his despat ches wh at informati on he p os sesse e er a s to the rou es to a sm or d , ith t L dy ith as t o the measures t aken by the B oers t o prevent

em to him he uo es nc en all and in th , q t i id t y ,

u e a dif eren c onnec on the ollo n q it f t ti , f wi g message whi ch S ir Ch arles Warren t elegraphed t o him the same evening

m r eceive R M . eft ﬂ ank 19th (S ent m, d ) L , January .

T o the Chief of the S ta]!

I ﬁ nd there are only two roads by which we

’ could possibly get fr om Trichard s Drift t o P ot

’ ieter s on th e nor of th e u ela—one g , th T g by

c on omes the o er a r e and A t H , th by F i Vi w

al e the rs re ec as t oo lon the secon Ros i ; ﬁ t I j t g , d is a very difﬁcult ro ad for a large number of

a ns unl ess the enem is orou l cleare w go , y th gh y d

am ere ore o n to a o some s ec al out . I th f g i g d pt p i

arrangements which will involve my stay at S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

’ n er s aa er f r r r Ve t L g o two o th ee days . I will

sen in for ur er su l es and re or ro r d f th pp i p t p g ess .

’

. W RREN C A .

Thi s is not the sort of message he would h ave sent if he h ad b een ordered to take the

c on omes— a sm roa and s A t H L dy ith d , it h ows

un ues ona l a a s t o the roa s and h q ti b y th t , d t e

l l n n c oun r ver e wa s o . t y , y itt k w The reply to the message was that three

’ n days supply was b ei g s ent . It h as b een supp osed by some writers o n the — subj ect and the p opul ar noti on at the time cert ainly wa s th at th e mount ainous c ountry suddenly ended at the west ern slop es of the R angeworthy hills t o the west of Spion Kop

a c on omes was s ua e on a level la n th t A t H it t d p i , an d th at S ir Charles Warren h ad only to march roun c on omes ee n the an e d by A t H , k pi g R g worthy hills and Spion Kop at a resp ec tful

dis ance and he oul be a le l le ela t , w d b with itt d y

’ to t ake the lines O pposing P otgiet er s Drift in

oes not a ear e er ir R d reverse . It d pp wh th S e vers uller en er a ne s ea he h e B t t i d thi id ; if did ,

av no e n e ns ruc ons a aren l in a g e d ﬁ it i t ti , pp t y , th t

S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

’ an one s ea ecause suc a rou e in the y h d , b h t m circumstanc es was impossible . It ight have b een the conc eption of a milit ary genius to have thought th at th e b est way of reli eving L ady smith wo uld be to strike at the c ommuni cati ons of the Orange Free St ate B oers on the Harri smith and o ther ro a ds ; but thi s we need not c ons er a s c er a nl not su es sel to id , it t i y did gg t it f

’ l H ad ir rl rr n S ir Redvers B ul er . S Ch a es Wa e s forc e b een c omp osed mainly of well -trained moun e roo s and h ad the c oun r een less t d t p , t y b

ll os s l the a s ec of affa rs oul ave hi y , p ib y p t i w d h

een c an e and he m ave ma e a real b h g d , ight h d wide turning movement but he h ad h ardly any m un ro s and the c oun r was r ll o e o ve . t d t p , t y y hi y

H e was in ac ol to d o an m oss le n , f t , t d i p ib thi g to turn a ﬂank at a p oint wh ere there was no

A M r . s . . n r ﬂank to turn . J B Atki s ob se ves in

‘ ’ his Relief of L a dysmith It h ad b een dis covered th at aft er all there was no way round

he ac of on Ko rou o en c un r t o t b k Spi p th gh p o t y .

The lls in c the oers ere are in ac a hi whi h B w , f t , spur of the D rakensb erg mount ains : wherever

ir arles arren m o he mus o r u S Ch W ight g , t g th o gh m ount ains . WARREN’S TAS K 99

S ir Charles Warren was not c onsult ed as to the lan of o era ons or as to the su l es or p p ti , pp i ,

m e men a to a cc om an him and was i p di t p y , it generally understoo d that on his arrival at Frere he had advoc ated the attac k of the B oers

n renc e on the s ou of the u ela at olenso i t h d th T g C , and proceeding on the lines which were eventually

B h u success ul . ut t e s es on wa s ma e f , if gg ti d , it

n ea ir as not a rove . s S e vers ul ler w pp d I t d , R d B proposed to break through the B oer line at P ot

’ h h ad r to d ieter s us as e e o at olenso . g , j t t i d C

n 11th anuar his orce assem le at P t O J y f , b d o

’ ieter s was s ron er two r a es of n an r g , t g by b ig d i f t y and a briga de divisi on of artill ery than it was at

lenso and et he es a e a er the ex Co , y h it t d , ft

f l nso to a ac th ri nc e o o e e oer s n . p e e C , tt k B p o itio s

ver eless h e seems t o ave e ec e to be N e th , h xp t d able to relieve L adysmith by sending S ir Charles Warren with men and thirty - six ﬁeld guns to att ack the B oer p o sition in the R ange

or hills es of on Ko le he el a w thy w t Spi p , whi h d cert ain numb er of B oers in front of him by

’ n d m nstratl on at P t i r maki g a e o o g ete s . With the map b efore us there is but one

’ lu n to S ir e vers uller s re n so tio R d B di ctio s . H e 100 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP assumed that the B o er right rested in the

c ni of a s on ll a s ur of the an e Vi i ty B ti Hi , p R g

or lls and h e s e S ir arles arren w thy hi , wi h d Ch W ,

vo n on on Ko to s ee roun his le pi ti g Spi p , w p d ft

rl a n to ove ap th t p ositio . S ir Charles was given no long -range guns

H e with whi ch to reply t o those o f the B oers . h a d to deal with an enemy already c onﬁ dent

the v c or a ne at olenso and he was with i t y g i d C , doomed t o failure if h e attempt ed to a dvance b efore he h a d demorali sed the enemy by a c on tinuous and effective artill ery ﬁr e . H a d S ir Ch arles Warren b een s o ill-a dvi sed as to try to a dvance by the Acton Homes roa d

a sm is not diﬂicult to ro es t o L dy ith , it p ph y

oul mos ro a l o rr Th what w d t p b b y have ccu ed . e B oers h ad strongly fortiﬁed the hill s all round th e c on omes as n om- oms and uns A t H b i , p p g were in po sition along the western S lopes of the

an e or lls and uns and r es on the R g w thy hi , g iﬂ

rr ro a d to th e Ha i smith pa ss . Any force attempt ing to proceed by that route would no doubt h ave b een allowed by th e B oers to enter the

as n and en oul ave een c ut off rom b i , th w d h b f

’ Trichard s Drift by the closing of the road below

102 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

sen the a ons ac and su l es for our d w g b k , , with p p i f

a s in the aversac s to marc ro un on d y h k , h d Spi

Ko h a o n e n p to t e pp i t d p ositio . Th ese were the

‘ S peci al arrangement s to whi ch he referred in his telegram to the Chief of the St aff on

n ar 19 th J a u y .

oo n at ma ers as we now no em L ki g tt k w th , it seems a foolhardy proc eedi ng to send a general with infantry and guns inferior in range to th ose of the enemy to att ack a large forc e s ron l n renc e on comman n os ons t g y i t h d di g p iti ,

an e n an r fi re and lon -ran e uns and fl k d by i f t y g g g , at the s ame time t o i ssue an order that th ere mus t be no t urning back . S ir Ch arles Warren b eli eved th at by a dopting a plan whi ch h e employed later suc c essfully at — Pi et ers a c ontinuous fi re of artillery for some

a s in or er to emoral se the enem and an d y d d i y ,

ac a lo n l ne ver ea su or s att k with g i , with y w k pp t ,

c aus e th e o ers ave none ever man e n b e B h , y b i g

n - ul in the ﬁghting li e he might be suc cessf . At Pi et ers the artillery ﬁ re on the B oer lines was — c o ntinuous from 22nd to 27th February that

is ﬁ ve or S ix a s— and a s lon a er o , d y with g p i d

o f ar ller ﬁ re on the Ran e or lls is ti y g w thy hi , it DISPOSITIONS FOR ATTACK 103

ro a le a the oers oul ave re re as p b b th t B w d h ti d , it is kn own they were getting demorali s ed on 23rd January and h ad b egun to move their wagons to the wes t . S ir Ch arles Warren lost no time after his reconnai ssanc es in making his di sp ositi ons for a ac and ssue the oll o n ns ruc ons tt k , i d f wi g i t ti

- ir u n ral . . l r to Lie t . Ge e S C F C e y dated 19 th January :

G ener a l O ﬁicer Comma nding 2nd Division

I sh all be glad if you will arr ange to clear the B oers out of th e ground ab ove that at present

occu e the 11th r a e a ser es of out pi d by B ig d , by i

In h r ﬂanking movement s . t e ea ly morning an a dvance S h ould be made as far as the Hussars

reconno re to -d a and a S el er renc ere it d y , h t t h th l f ll made across th e s ope o the hi . A p ortion of the S lopes of th e a dj oining hill to the west c an

en b e occu e the r ller as s s n th pi d , A ti y i ti g , if

necessar in clear n th e es ern S e and u er y , i g w t id pp

en s is one n a a a er slopes . Wh thi d I thi k th t b tt y c an be pl a ced on the S lopes of the western hill in such a p o sition th at it could shell the schanzes of the B oers on Spion Kop and the upper portion 104 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

ll en s is one a ur er of the ea stern hi . Wh thi d f th

a vanc c an be ma e on the eas ern ll and d e d t hi , artillery c an be brought to b ear up on the upper

a ars to me a S lop es of the west ern hill . It pp e th t

thi s might be done with c omp aratively little lo ss

of l e as the oers c an in ea c urn be out if , B h t

n The ollo n avalr are at our ﬂa ked . f wi g C y y di sposal two s qua drons Royal D ragoons and

’ n 5th Divi si onal Squa dro .

A M . o n General Clery ac cordingly move d at 3 . 20th January with a forc e of four b att eries Royal Fi eld Artillery an d the 5th and 1 1th B rigades of Infantry t o o c cupy the heights to the west and 1 nor - f n K Th as ern s ur th west o Spi o op . e e t p was o ccu e two a al ons ofthe 11th r a e pi d with b tt i B ig d , and th e spur immedi ately t o th e we st of the latt er with the two remaining b attalions of the 11 th r a . O n c cu n ese e B ig de o pyi g th h ights Lieut .

’ General Clery found himself in front of a semi c irc ular range oi height s c omplet ely overlooking th e e s he ha d rr n Th h ight a ived o . e left of this

r e almo s res e on on Ko le the high idg t t d Spi p , whi right extended to the sp ur overlooking Fair View

rm Th r a o ul Fa . e o d whic h w d h ave to be used

1 Calle r ee r ee ill d Th T H .

106 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

! l To s r l : u ncur desirab e . thi I ep ied I q it e co

a a ron al a ac is un es ira le and a a th t f t tt k d b , th t

n n t ﬂank att ack is more suit able . I i t e ded o c onvey that we sho uld h old what we get by means of n renc men s en necessar and i t h t wh y , not re re c on nu n the a vanc e to -morro ti , ti i g d w if

c anno be one to -n fron al a a c it t d ight t tt k , with

! l s ses is S m l la n h m eav o t e oer a e . h y , i p y p yi g B g O n the same d ay S ir R edvers B uller t elegraphed to the S e cret ary of St at e for War

’ General Clery with p art of Warren s forc e

n n r m l - d a n i a c o o A M . l t o ha s bee ti f 6 ti 7 R M . y By j udi ci ou s u s e of his artillery he h a s fought

his wa u c a ur n r e a er r e for a ou y p , pt i g idg ft idg , b t

r ar n u n n the three miles . T o op s e ow bivo ac ki g o

roun h e h as a n e but ma n os on is s ll g d g i d , i p iti ti

’ in front of them .

s o a nes Of a al in ocese Bi h p B y N t , My Di

’

ur n the War r es S a tur d a J a nua r 20th. d i g , w it y, y

—The n is c on nuou s but the real a le ﬁghti g ti , b tt

is on th e o er s e o f th e ll ere S ir arles th id hi , wh Ch

n H is r Warren is swinging his line rou d . ight

n c is onl some ﬁ ve m les rom us over wi g , whi h y i f

h r e of on Ko is th e vo and hile t e idg Spi p , pi t , w

r ma n more or less s a onar a lon l ne th at e i s t ti y , g i S UCCES S FUL ATTACK 107

is ra uall s n n roun to his le so r n g d y wi gi g d ft , b i g

’ h r n V ing t e B oe s i to a .

‘ On 20th January the c avalry on the e reme le un er or un on al emon xt ft , d L d D d d , d

’ d f l M n n strate e ec ve sa s r . s o . f ti y , y Wi t S

‘ urc ll and the ou r can orse Ch hi , S th Af i Light H , un er olonel n ac uall o o and el d C By g , t y t k h d ,

ou ar ller su or of an n a ll with t ti y pp t y ki d , high hi

u arlo a ll c alle ence or ar as on (S g f Hi ) , d h f w d B ti

’

ll e een the u c r and c en re . Hi , b tw D t h ight t

‘ nne urle arr n rose M r . B e t B igh says : W e p ou e his urn n movemen sendin his r t d t i g t , g ight and c en re ell in ls H ild ard on the le t w , whi t y ft

’ r r learl with Hart s B riga de moved fo wa d . C y the o ec in e was to se e as on ll a s bj t Vi w iz B ti Hi , we ave u e rom it s s a e and roll u h d bb d it f h p , p the B oer right towards Spion Kop over th e direct ’ ll a sm roa via P ot ieter s . was L dy ith d g Sti , it with his left that h e pushed hardest with ’ ’ — H ildyard s and Hart s Brigades the latter

’ ro n fur r o ar th w the f rw d . O n 2l st January it was found that the enemy h ad evacuat ed th e p osition during th e

n and as o c cu e a or - eneral ight , it w pi d by M j G

’ n T o a alions Hart s B riga de in the morni g . w b tt 1 8 IR RL ' RR A ND ON KOP 0 S CHA ES WA EN. SPI

h ad b een detach ed fr om the 2nd Briga de on the previ ous evening to a ssi st the troops on the

e s and ere rec e to c o - o era e h ight , w di t d p t with

’ Maj or- General H art by attacking the enemy s

’ r n n t n m s on f th ight ﬂa k . Whe he e e y s p o iti o e previous d ay had b een thus o ccupied it was dis c overed that the enemy h ad fallen back to a second

s ron os on in near the a vance to c was t g p iti , d whi h

r r n n ove o p en g o u d and ent ailed a fro t al attac k .

S ir e vers uller who en over to see R d B , w t

S ir arles arren on the 21st arne him Ch W , w d that the enemy h ad received large reinforce men s some men to s ren en e r t , , t gth th i r an and or ere two a er es to move ight ﬂ k , d d b tt i from the ll on th e r to roun on th e le t hi ight g d f ,

’ where they c ame into ac tion against the enemy s

n ﬁ r a s u ll d but r a . e w e a a ight ﬂ k A k pt p y , it was not considered a dvi sable t o make a frontal a a n his o s on tt c k o p iti . It is only reasonable to supp ose that S ir Charles Warren explained verb ally t o S ir

e vers uller on his rs o ccas on of mee n R d B , t ﬁ t i ti g him S nc e his reconna ssance a his lans i i , wh t p

’ r — th S ec al arran emen s h e ha d we e Le . e p i g t alluded to in his t elegram of 19 th Jannary

110 S IR CHA RLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP brought into action on the h eight clo se to the b att eri es already in a ction there ; the others c ame into action on the left t o keep down the

n r B oer ﬁ re from Act o Homes . They we e all

’ effec ve in reac n the enem s os on and ti hi g y p iti , ﬁ re was kept up by b oth S ides until near sun

es re a ne ener ll down . B oth sid t i d g a y the same

h l s f h d p ositions at t e c o e o t e ay . It was on the 22nd that S ir Redvers B uller h eld a c on sultation with S ir Charles Warren

l n the u and his enera s o S a on . S ir arles G it ti Ch ,

is un ers oo o n e out a oul it d t d , p i t d th t it w d be impossible t o get the wagons through by the roa lea din as a r e unles s on K d g p t F i Vi w , Spi op

ere ﬁr s a en and S ir e vers who is w t t k ; R d , , it

elieve S ron l o ec e to the a ons e n b d , t g y bj t d w g b i g s en ac a ree a on Ko oul ave to t b k , g d th t Spi p w d h be t aken ; but h e preferred to mak e an att ack

r m th e r s le an k r om as on ll and f o B iti h ft ﬂ f B ti Hi ,

a S oul be ma e a n prop os ed th t it h d d th t ight . B oth

arr n and - n r S ir Ch arles W e Lieut . Ge e al Clery

ere is a ere o ose to the ro osal as w , it g th d , pp d p p a a ar ous roc ee n ec ause s uc cess ul h z d p di g , b , if f , it

’ woul d mean t o t ake th e whole line of the enemy s

c e m n t b l os on o e a e to ol . p iti , whi h th y ight b h d WH Y SPION KOP WA S ATTACKED 111

’ We learn from S ir Redvers B ull er s own

a c a he was m a en of ela and desp t h th t i p ti t d y ,

n mme a e a ac e er to the r want ed a i di t tt k , ith ight

he le t re era l to th e le but an a ac or to t f , p f b y ft , tt k

oul seem a in e erence to the at once . It w d th t , d f

n ons e resse at the c on erence S ir e vers opi i xp d f , R d did not furth er pres s th e att ack fr om the left

n a d a and S ir arles arren ec e t o o th t y , Ch W d id d a ac ion Ko a ni ec ause the orce tt k Sp p th t ght , b , if f

us a e the a ons was onl oss le to d o m t t k w g , it y p ib so by making the road from Fair Vi ew to Groote

s a e for em an d the ro a c oul onl b Hoek f th , d d y e ma e s a e for em th e c a ure of on Ko d f th by pt Spi p ,

c as S ir e vers ull er h as o serve was whi h , R d B b d,

n l he ke f the os n evide t y t y o p itio .

We now s ee on Ko was a why Spi p tt acked .

The c on omes rou e wa s out of the ues on A t H t q ti , and there remained three c ourses or lines of a ction for consideration

1 The a ac rom the le on al en ( ) tt k f ft , S i t , from B astion Hill (favoured by S ir

e vers uller but eeme to b R d B , d d e very h az ardous by S ir Ch arles Warren and other generals)

2 The a ac rom the r on on Ko ( ) tt k f ight , Spi p , 112 S IR CHARLES WARREN AN D SPION KOP

c suc cess ul oul urn th e whi h , if f , w d t

’ enemy s p ositi on and the B oers would h ave to go

(3) C ontinuous long - range and high - angle artill ery ﬁ re on the B oer p o sitions and

renc es hic the ran e r t h , by w h O g F ee Stat ers would be worn o ut and demora

lised leav n onl the ransvaal oers , i g y T B

to be dealt with .

S ir e ver s uller c omman n in c e R d B , di g hi f,

h r i a voc a e t e s . S r arles arren sec on d t d fi t Ch W , d in mm n i r f h ir c o a was n avou o t e . B ut d , f th d as S ir R edvers B uller insi st ed on either the first or sec on and S ir arles arren o ec e to d, Ch W bj t d the rs the sec on — a is the a ac rom fi t , d th t , tt k f

— u n the right on Spion Kop was decided po . S ir Ch arles Warren h ad b een reinforced at noon of the 22n d by the 10th B rigade under

- The r a s f M aj or General T alb ot Coke . B ig de o b oth M aj or- Generals H ildyard and H art were on the lls as we ave seen in ouc the hi , h , t h with

The c o ce ere ore of a column for enemy . h i , th f , the a ssault of Spion Kop was limited to the 11th

r e orm n the r a ac or the l oth B iga d f i g ight tt k ,

Brigade j ust arrived . S ir Charles Warren

114 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

Finding th at his prop o sal to att ack from the

le was not c onc urre in his un ors S ir ft d by j i , R edvers B ull er woul d not take upon himself the

res on s l of or er n and ave no direc p ibi ity d i g it , g tion to S ir Charles Warren b eyond that whic h — he menti ons in his despat ch th at he must

e er a ac or his orc e oul be ra n ith tt k f w d withd w .

e remen was the l as n to be t ou of R ti t t thi g h ght , esp eci ally b earing in mind the general order to the troop s in whi ch S ir R edvers B uller told

m r oul be no urn n ac ir the th e e w d t i g b k . S

arles arren s a es in his es a c a Ch W t t d p t h th t ,

e n ven the al erna ve to a ac or re re b i g gi t ti tt k ti , he replied that h e shoul d prefer to att ack Spion

Ko to re r n S o e the omman er -in p ti i g , h w d C d

e the or ers of th e rev ous even n and Chi f d p i i g , explained the reas on of the p o stp onement of the

n - r r att ack for twe ty fou hou s . O n thi s s ame 23rd J anuary S ir Redvers B uller t elegraph ed to the S ecret ary of Stat e for

ar the ollo n es a c and is a ma er W f wi g d p t h , it tt t o not e a s we go along th at in no one of these t elegraphi c despatches is there th e slightest hin t o r expres sion th at would lea d the rea der to sup pose S ir Redvers B uller had any c ause of SPION KOP TO BE ASSAULTED 115

ssa s ac on or a S ir arles arr n di ti f ti , th t Ch W e was not c arrying out the operations in ac cordan ce with his wishes

‘ Warren holds the p osition h e gained two

" "

a s a o . In r on of m a a ou ar s d y g f t hi , t b t y d ,

’ is the enem s os on es of on K y p iti w t Spi op . It

’ is on hi er roun an ar ren s os on s o gh g d th W p iti ,

i m r rl it s i p ossible t o see into it p ope y . It c an

nl be a r r r en S l o oac e ove a e O o es . Th y pp h d b , p p e ridges h eld by Warren are s o S t eep that guns can o be lac e on em but we are s ell n n t p d th , h i g

’ the enemy s p ositi on with howitzers and ﬁeld ar ller lace on the lo wer roun e n the ti y , p d g d b hi d

nfan r ne r l reuso and o i t y . E my ep y with C t ther

r In h a van a e res s artille y . th e duel t e d t g t with us as we a ear to be searc n his renc es , pp hi g t h ,

hi r ll r r n aus n us muc l and s a ti e y ﬁ e is ot c i g h oss . An attempt will be made to -night to seize Spion

Ko the al en c orms the le of the p , S i t whi h f ft

’ ’ enem s os on ac n Trichar d s r and y p iti f i g D ift ,

’ a n P ot ie r divides it from the p osition f ci g g te s . It h as c onsiderable c ommand over all the

’ ’ nem n r n e y s i t e c hments . It was on 23rd January th at S ir R edvers

’ l r al re S r arl s arr en s s o s on B ul e te d i Ch e W di p iti ,

1 2 116 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP and direct ed him to hand over t o Maj or -General

o e the c omman of the 5th v s on re a n C k d Di i i , t i ing the c ommand of the whole force a cro ss the

u l u a n T ge a . Thi s S tep was no do bt t ke to rel eve S ir arles arren rom over - or and i Ch W f w k , to free his hands for the more imp ortant duties of the general c omman d ; but at such a time any c an e of the n was un or un a e and suc a h g ki d f t t , h ch ange naturally c aus ed an entire alt erati on of arran emen s ecause ere was no S taﬁ su l e g t , b th pp i d for th e c omm an er of the ole orc e and the d wh f , Staff of the 5th Divi si on h a d c arried on both the divi sional d uties and tho se for the whole forc e .

H e h ad now to m rov se a afffor msel i p i St hi f, and as h e c oul et no r e men al oﬂicers as all d g gi t , re men s ere s or he had to or a gi t w h t , w k with very attenuat ed St aff .

’ The omman er -in - e s a s S ir arles C d Chi f, y Ch

arren en es re a s oul ut eneral W , th d i d th t I h d p G Wo o dgat e in c ommand of the exp editi on to att a ck Spion Kop .

‘ S ir Redvers B uller says he Suggested that as Gener al C oke was S till lame from the effect s

f a la el ro en le eneral oo a e who o t y b k g, G W dg t ,

118 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

u ela was not his rov nce to lea a or on T g , it p i d p ti of it : that h e might have to give orders to his

le as ell as to his r t and for s reason he ft w igh , thi

S oul not o u on Ko but occu a h d g p Spi p , py

c en ral o s on enc e h e c oul s sue or ers t o t p iti , wh d i d r and le and be in c ommun ca on ight ft , i ti with

h - - t e C ommander in Chief . CHAPTER IV — B OER DEMORAL ISATION TACTICAL IMP ORTANCE OF S PION KOP

B EFORE rel ating the c apture of Spion Kop and

the even s of 24th anuar ll not be t J y , it wi ami ss to see h ow the other side r egar ded the

r s o era ons u to s me and a im B iti h p ti p thi ti , wh t p ortanc e they att ached to the positi on of Spion

Ko and ur er h ow far was ac c all soun p , f th , it t ti y d

h hill in to occupy t e the circumst anc es .

M m n a ell ub In the diar of r . a o w y R y d M x , p

‘ lished in the C ontempor ary Review of March

1901 we ave th e a l no es of a us oc or , h d i y t b y d t

in the oer am ul ance who o s o n s or l B b , j t d w h t y any scraps of information he hears ab out the

ra n Th c r a not a oer o e o s o n on . e o o w s p ti g i g d t B ,

nor even a na ur l ur er of the ransvaal t a i sed b gh T , but a British subj ect who for three years had 120 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

rac se as a me ical man in the ransvaal and p ti d d T ,

en war ecame mm nen wa s as e to a e wh b i i t , k d t k

the lac e of his c ollea ue D r r who r . ve a p g , E d ,

was own malar a in c ar of a oer d with i , h ge B

am ul n il Dr a ce un . verar S ul b ell b , t E d h o d e w

enou to rel e him r gh i ve . A S efusal meant ex

uls on and the los s of all his ro er he p i p p ty,

c onsen e to a ct c ons er n a an ra e t d , id i g th at t y t under the Red Cro ss ﬂ ag he wa s in a neutral

os on . H is ar c e en s from p iti di y , whi h xt d

28th e em er 189 9 to 20th e ruar 19 00 S pt b F b y , n wh e Dr . E verar d was well enough to reli eve him is ns ruc ve and llum na n and ro m , i t ti i i ti g , f

we uo e the ollo n e rac s ma e ur n it q t f wi g xt t , d d i g s ome of th e days we h ave b een c onsidering — J a nu a ry 20th The E nglish are now trek

n for c on omes and ave oc cu e oun ki g A t H , h pi d M t

l c e on hic e ave os e ar ller to A i , w h th y h p t d ti y

r h n rol rom the re or an cove t e a dva c e . A p at f P t i

— - c ommando wa s surpri sed and cut off forty eight

ille oun e and m ss n . k d , w d d, i i g

Th e two orces are now e n n o ouc f g tti g i t t h , and the E ngli sh are evidently going to try and obtain the Thab a M j ama (Black Mountain) r idge .

122 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

em to leave the renc es unless is ar . th t h , it d k

oreover e are e ec n a rus some M , th y xp ti g h

m rn n o earl or a n a ac . i g y , ight tt k — J a nu a ry 23 r d Excit ement everywhere is

n ense and n s c on nue l e s for i t , if thi g ti ik thi

a few a s lon er the oers ll rea and d y g , B wi b k r h lan un . n s are an n in t e a c e Thi g h gi g b , and the o fﬁcers and burghers are l ooking more anxious now th an wh en retreating through

n n Th n l a onl to win Wee e . e E g i sh h ve y — through our trenches t o the L a dysmith V an

eenen r a i u n m l f en roll n o . e . a o o e e o o R d , b t i p i g coun r and en a sm is r ac c all t y , th L dy ith p ti y rel i eved . Owing to the B oer trenches not being cast

ron o s ons and c e ecause e ave no i p iti , hi ﬂy b th y h

oo ac o or to em the oers d o not l e g d b k d th , B ik

em and ver l elieve the n l s are o n th , I i y b E g i h g i g t o rea r u l The ear and ear b k th o gh at a st . w t

’ and S train of the l a st two days ﬁghting is telling

er mu n h r r v y ch o t e b u ghe s . Here we have evidenc e that S ir Charles

’ Warren s plan of a dvancing st ep by st ep a fter p erio d s of c ontinuous b omb ardment was d e moral s n the oers an d a ano er d a or i i g B , th t th y BOER OPINION OF SPION KOP 123 two of such b omb ardm ent woul d have enabled the British to rush the B oer trenches with

succ es s .

‘ A writ er of a p aper entitled P ages fr om the

’ ar of a oer Oﬂﬁcer ano er of em Di y B , by th th

‘ c ontributed to the Unit ed S ervi ce M agazine of e ruar 1902 sa s in re erenc e t o the im F b y , y , f port ance of Spi on Kop

‘ The c entre and key of the line o f defence was on Ko a ﬂ at - o e bill c hr ou Spi p , t pp d , whi h t gh its m na all th ral n height do i ted e fede p ositi o s . B esides being the c entral p osition this bill was the key of the federal line of defenc e and — thus most import ant the t aking and the hold ing of Spion Kop by the E ngli sh meaning the

' defeat of the Republi c ans and th e reli ef o f

’ L adysmith . — With regard to the questi on Was it t acti cally — right to c apture this hill S aid by b oth sides t o be the ke of the os on seems an a sur y p iti , it b d question t o a sk ; for if the a dvance c ould h ave

een acc om l s e wi ou a n c oul not b p i h d th t t ki g it , it d r l e er ight y be c alled the key of the p o sition . N v theless some cr cs a e ma n a ne a it s , iti h v i t i d th t c a ure was a lun er and a had not een pt b d , th t , it b 122 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

em to leave the renc es unless is ar . th t h , it d k

oreover e are e ec n a rus some M , th y xp ti g h

morn n l r ear o a n a ac . i g y , ight tt k

‘ J a nu a r 2 r d — c em n ver ere is y 8 . Ex it e t e ywh

n ens e and n s c on nue l e s for i t , if thi g ti ik thi

a few a s lon er the oers ll rea and d y g , B wi b k

run . n s are an n in the alance Thi g h gi g b , and the o ffi cers and burgh ers are loo king more anxious now th an wh en retreating through

Th n l nl t in Weenen . e E g i sh have o y o w — through our trenches t o th e L adysmith V an

n f r ll n ee en r i. u n m l en o oa e . a o o e e o O R d, b t i p i g coun r and en a sm is r ac c all t y , th L dy ith p ti y r el i eved . Owing to the B oer tr enches not being c ast

ron o s ons and c e ec ause e ave no i p iti , hi ﬂy b th y h

oo ac oor to em the oers d o not l e g d b k d th , B ik

em and ver l el eve the n l s are o n th , I i y b i E g i h g i g t o rea r u l h ar and ear b k th o gh at ast . T e we t

’ and strain o f the last two days ﬁghting is telling

’ r m ve y uch on th e burghers . Here we have evidence that S ir Ch arles

’ Warren s plan of a dvancing st ep by st ep a ft er p erio d s of c ontinuous b omb ardment was d e moral s n the oers an d a ano er d a or i i g B , th t th y

124 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

a an one our c ances of suc cess oul a b d d , h w d h ve

een n r r b o g eate . S ir Ch arles Warren h as di scuss ed thi s ques ti on in one of his c ontrib uti ons to the N ational

’ ‘ Revi ew in 1901 on S ome L essons fr om the

’ ou r can War and ll not be u f S th Af i , it wi o t o place t o quot e his vi ews on the subj ect whi ch are given in the following extract — T he Cap tu r e of a H ill C ommanding S ites in th e Vi cinity of c ontending troop s must always a rac a en on ec aus e ere is a na ural tt t tt ti , b th t

m ulse in man r n i p to st ive for the higher grou d .

ecen cr c sms o ever ave ra er e re R t iti i , h w , h th d p c ated this longing an d have minimi sed the a dvant ages the higher groun d pres ent s from a failure to c omprehend the princ iples which

overn th e su c g bj e t . It is quit e true th at in the defence of ﬂ at

o e lls suc as are oun in ou r ca t pp d hi , h f d S th Af i , it is difﬁc ul t to obt ain a go o d ﬁ re down the steep S lop es from trenc hes running along the edge or ou er cres ou ar l e o s n the t t , with t p t y xp i g l defenders . It is a so a dmitt ed that strong p osi tions c an be t aken up in gently swelling low

roun oo lac s or ﬂ at sur aces for g d with g d g i , f , BOER TACTICS 125 frontal ﬁ re but the command of Vi ew from the

mm s of lls and the mmun rom e n su it hi , i ity f b i g

en mus for a lon me t o c ome be o er ul se , t g ti p w f

c of ns lin fac tors in the choi e defe ive es .

‘ The oers a s re ness and S ll B , with h wd ki which smacks somewhat of E uropean military aid ave in c ases ere rac c a le a en , h , wh p ti b , t k a van a e of o c ondi ons ol n th e d t g b th ti , by h di g ou er e es or cres s of ﬂ at ~ to ed hills li l t dg , t , pp ght y , and by placing their main trenches ab out a mile

’ e n on the ll s c om ara vel ﬂ at ur e b hi d hi p ti y s fac . They thu s derived all the a dvant age of the smoo lac s for ron al ﬁr e le e h ad th g i f t , whi th y comman of e ou e n seen n o coul d Vi w with t b i g i t , d not in many - inst anc es be touched by long -range

un s and in a rea measure e arre th g , g t d b d e att ack

rom us n el uns a a ns em ecau th f i g fi d g g i t th , b se e onl y p ositions th ey coul d be placed in were under rifle fir e.

F or e am le we ma re er to h x p , y f t e two B oer

’ ’ positions in front of P otgieter s and Venter s

ru Th rm r Sp it . e fo e was strongly S ituated in the low s ell n roun nor of th e u ela bu w i g g d th T g , t

it c ould be seen int o and b omb arded by long

ran e uns at ar s at a e f g g y d , h ight o s ome 126 SIR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

600 ee a ove and rom as man el un f t b it , f y ﬁ d g s as c ould be brought togeth er at yar ds in the

’ l lan n r fth e u l Th n ow d o th o T ge a . e Ve ter s Spruit

os on on the o er an e en n r p iti , th h d , xt di g f om the

an e or arm roun c on omes and R g w thy f d by A t H ,

enc e n o the Drakensb er wa s u e as r n th i t g , q it st o gly S ituated on th e swelling ground of the compara tively ﬂ at hill-top ; but it also pos sessed the enormous a dvantage that the hills on which it was S ituated were over feet ab ove the

u ela and us coul not be seen n o or T g , th it d i t

om na e o ur lon -ran e uns and d i t d by g g g , with difificulty c ould fi eld guns be brought against

: moreover rom c oul be seen th e mov it , f it d e

Th m n c m ment s of our troop s . e ai a p s of the enem ere ehin on Ko and c on omes y w b d Spi p A t H , and were thus nearer the west ern p ositi on th an

is n t t oo muc to sa a h eas ern . o t e t It h y th t , h a d there b een a high hill or a b alloon in the

’ vi cinity overlooking th e Venter s Spruit p osition

’ a Z ar Ko oes a of P ot ieter s the rea s w t p d th t g , g t strength of th at p ositi on would have b een more fully appreciated . ‘ L et us now c onsider the advant age of occupying hills in the line of the advance of

128 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

nor is it likely t o be in favour with b ook t aoti cian s for a long time to c ome ; it is of too — practic al a c h arac ter the nat ural out come of o ur troop s returning to primitive ways and instinctively securing a p osition th ey c ould

r r Th hold un der stres s of s eve e ﬁ e . e t actic s of th e future must eventually recogni se the

m or ance of the me o of oldin a ll for i p t th d h g hi , it wa s by c lingin g to the rever se S lop e of hills that we were enabled to relieve L a dysmith with s o c omp aratively small a loss when a dvancing

r r again st a superio fo ce . It was in thi s manner that we held our groun d against sup eri or numb ers on th e hills

’ above Venter s Spruit from 17th to 25th January

ll r r ir . u e esc es our r n 19 00 . S R B d ib t oop s o thi s o c ca sion a s perched on the edge ofan almost

rec ous h ll a m n of no sec on l ne p ipit i , d itti g d i , and in his ele ram of 27th anuar he s a s t g J y y ,

! The ac ual - os on el was er ec l en t p iti h d p f t y t able .

r n s on urc ll escr es th M . Wi t Ch hi d ib e p osition as

! follows The infantry had ma de themselves mas ers of all the e e of the la eau n t dg p t , a d the regiment s clustered in the steep re-entrants like

! of ll A ﬂies on the side a wa . ll through our SPION KOP A S A POSITION 129 a dvanc e on L adysmith the reverse S lopes of bills

r l r r r we c aptu ed she te ed ou fo ces .

L et us c onsider Spion Kop a s a hill on the — line of our a dvanc e was its c apture likely to be a dvant ageous or not The summit at its southern extremity (the highest point of all the range) outﬂ anked and c ould see down into our po sition at Thr ee

ree ll and ou us out of r e ran e s T Hi , th gh j t iﬂ g thi was an un u a van a e to the n do bt ed d t g e emy .

oreover wa s er a ou 150 ee an M , it high by b t f t th

’ an or on of the enem s lines and c oul y p ti y , d enﬁl ad e e r renc es at lon r e ran e and th i t h g iﬂ g , coul see n o e r or s and also m na d i t th i w k , do i te their c amp s to the north .

‘ Evidently it was a desirable position for either side to hold ; but while the enemy c ould not (acc ording to their mo de of ﬁghting) put

uns u on c oul in our o ssess on be S O g p it , it d , if p i ,

la on the lo er l u l se . O ur uns ce S o es ti i d g , p d w p ,

’ c ould search out some of the enemy s guns

e n the an e or lls and uns lac e b hi d R g w thy hi , g p d on the summit (as they might have been ul ti mately) would h ave forced the enemy to retire K 130 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

rom the R an e or os on not necessaril f g w thy p iti , y al o e er but to a e u a new os on e t g th , t k p p iti th y h ad prepared further to th e east . It was thus desirable as a possession if it were not an ab so

’ r lutely nec essary obj ective in ou a dvance .

‘ C apt ain H olmes Wilson in his R eli ef of

’ L adysmith st ates that onl y the p assive occu

ation of on Ko wa s c on em l a e a p Spi p t p t d, th t

‘ the p a ssive o ccupation of Spion Kop could

’ never ave led to an n a on Ko h ythi g , th t Spi p should not have b een oc cupied unless it was int ended to make at the s ame time a general

‘ a vance alon the ole l ne an d a the d g wh i , th t mere fact of going t o the top of a high hill c an not constitute a t actical suc c ess as long a s the

’ enem s moral c oura e las s en o ever y g t ; wh , h w , the movement dra ws the ﬁ re of the whole of the opp osing army it is more likely to end in a

’ n in a disaster th a defe t . These st atement s of C apt ain Wilson bri stle

m sa re ens ons and m sconce ons and with i pp h i i pti , may be resolved int o seven p oint s o n which

n r explanations are ecessa y . (1) As to the advantages or disa dvant ages ofholding a hill in the line of a dvance of an

a ac n orce the a van a es are a a tt ki g f , d t g ( ) th t

132 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

’ arc of the enemy s ﬁ re directed on Spion Kop

n t n r n did o exceed i. e . ot mo e tha on any

o er o n el in ur n Th th p sitio we h d o a dva ce . e st atement that it drew the fi re of the whole B oer l Th l army is ludi crous y impo ssible . e who e rifle fi re of the enemy at S hort range was confined to an arc of about and c ould not have been l from more th an ab out 500 B oers . At ong ranges it was c onfined to a hill in one direction

n Th uns a at yards di st a ce . e g th t c ould ﬁ re on to it were from (i) a p osition in fr ont of

r ree ll eas of on Ko ll Th ee T Hi , (ii) t Spi p , (iii) hi n K b ehind Spion Kop . Spio op was perfectly

na le u e as ena le as an of the lls t e b , q it t b y hi

The onl f r nc a already named . y dif e e e w s that in the c ase of Spion Kop the troops were all

in the o er c ases e had learn e r new, th th y t th i

is m oss le t c h severe lesson . It i p ib o ompare t e

action of the troop s on Spion Kop with their

action sub sequently .

n K is n t a normall is (4) Spio op o b y high . It

a ove the u ela le the eneral feet b T g , whi g

line of B oer trenches on the Rangeworthy hills

a o is about to feet b ve the Tugela .

n Ko en was occu e us was Spio p , wh it pi d by , SPION KOP A S A POSITION 13 3 — about 150 feet above the point 400 yards dis

an occu e the oers . The on Ko t t , pi d by B Spi p

n ra uall to the a is range shelves dow g d y e st . It

u 5 0 ee a ove ree ree ll and 500 abo t 0 f t b Th T Hi ,

6 e a ove the nec ere ecomes to 00 f et b k, wh it b

r rm a l i is not a ve o e ll . s steep . It y f id b hi It about the height above the Tugela th at the Rock gun at Gibralt ar is above the level of the sea ; but then the point where the asc ent was c om menced was 400 ee a ove the u ela and c ar s f t b T g , t coul o some 400 ee er so a the cl m d g f t high , th t i b at mos was onl 700 ee or al the e of t y f t , h f h ight

r man in oo on on c oul Gib altar . A g d c diti d walk up and down several times during the d ay with

u ere was n n orm l in o t fatigue. Th othi g f idab e the climb . (5) The stat ement that the passive occupation of Spion Kop c ould not lead to anything is not

rne ou h Th r s n n bo t by t e facts . e t oop o Spio

Ko had alrea outﬂ anked the oer os on p dy B p iti , and the B oer c amp at the front of the hill had to be moved .

6 oreover is ncorrec to sa a onl ( ) M , it i t y th t y a p assive occupation of Spion Kop was con templated . The occupation of Spion Kop was 134 S IR CH ARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

necessar e ore an a vanc e c oul a e lace y b f d d t k p , but when it was c aptured the advance coul d be

ma e and oul ave een ma e the ll had d , w d h b d if hi

n n not been ab a do ed . (7) The po sition occupied by the troops on the to of on Ko is escr e else ere and p Spi p d ib d wh ,

u r n Th nn r r ul was no o o . e e c es S o , d bt , w g i t h d

n c u n n h ave b ee o c pied i the ﬁrst insta c e . To sum up (1) There are decided a dvant ages in the oc cupation of a hill in line of the a dvance to

b n n a ac e ot a ormall . tt k , if it b y high (2) The a dvant age was practically shown by the o ccupation of hills in similar positions to

Spion Kop all through the war . (3) Spion Kop was advant ageously placed n for occup atio .

4 n rm ll ( ) It was ot abno a y high . (5) A passive occ upation of it was suﬁicient

at r s and in sel c au se the oers to S ﬁ t , it f d B hift

r n their c amp and turned thei positio s . (6) The p assive occupation would have given

lac e to an ac ve one on the ollo n d a en p ti f wi g y, wh

the B oers could not h ave held their trenches . (7) The position was one that S hould have

n b ee held .

136 S IR CHA RLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

orders that the c olumn S hould consist of two and

’ a h alf b att alions of Maj or-General Woodgate s

r a e the 2nd o al anc as er 2nd anca B ig d , R y L t , L

s re us l ers and two c om an es ou anca hi F i i , p i S th L

s re to c S ir arles arren a e 200 hi , whi h Ch W dd d

’ of Thorne croft s oun e n an r al the y M t d I f t y , h f

17 om an o al n neers and two c om th C p y R y E gi , p anies of th e C onnaught R angers to intrench — h alf way up in c ase of a check during the

aul ass t .

Al l the arran emen s for the a er su l g t w t pp y ,

’ oo ammun on r ller and n neers ser f d, iti , A ti y E gi vi ces and for the wounded were arranged b etween

S ir arles arren and a or - eneral o e Ch W M j G C k , with the aid of the oﬂic ers commanding the

Ar m erv c e or s and the o al r ll er y S i C p R y A ti y , the C omman ding Royal Engineer and the Prin ci al al r ir vers uller a p Medic Ofﬁc e . S R ed B w s asked by t elegram to send over the mount ain gun s and also the E ast Indi an wat er -c arri ers wh r n ir rl o we e said to be i his c amp . S Cha es Warren h ad a long intervi ew with M aj or - Generals

al o o e and oo a e in c is T b t C k W dg t , whi h , it un ers oo the su ec s o f the a ac and the d t d , bj t tt k

n renc men s ere scusse and the or ers i t h t w di d , d COLUMN STARTS FOR ATTACK OF SP ION KOP 137

to a or - eneral oo a e for the a ac M j G W dg t tt k ,

un e on ose of the rev ous d a ere fo d d th p i y , w

- issued by Maj orGeneral T albot Coke .

’ At seven o clock in the evening of 23rd January Maj or-General Woo dgat e started with

the c olumn for the a ac the roo s c arr in tt k , t p y g m rations for the follo wing d ay with the .

‘ r nn n The a al am a n M . B e et Burleigh i N t C p ig gives the following gr aphi c a cc ount ofthe march The force proceeded in the gloaming down

the S lo e mov n rear ar alon the ee on as p , i g w d g d p d g n t o get upon the S outh side of Th ab a Ema yama .

a n ull o n or ar scram lin over oul ers P i f y g i g f w d, b g b d

and roc s in the ar ness the c olumn in two k d k , ,

l n n l l n r h m n n es s le l s o ea e t e ou a n . thi i , i t y , w y d t i

N o smo n no al n —the or ers not to ﬁr e ki g , t ki g d — but to use the bayonet th e men held griml y

n r lm r man carr e o a . os eve a r e w d A t y i d iﬂ ,

nclu n r n r i di g Gene al Woodgat e . Wh e eve a difﬁcult part was reach ed Thorneycroft went ahead with two or three of his men t o di scover the es wa of surmoun n the o s acle or b t y ti g b t , as cert aining if B oers l ay b ehind interp osing

le es . eneral o o a e ou far rom dg G W dg t , th gh f

ell ers s in l n In e ea his men . s e w , p i t d di g te p 138 S IR CHARLES WARREN AN D SPION KOP places he had in several inst anc es to be pushed

’ and ull n r p ed to a ssist him o wa d . Th e c olumn arrived h alfway up at half-past

’ one o cloc in the morn n of the 24th and k i g , c arr e the summ at al - as ree som of i d it h f p t th , e

’ Thorneycroft s men and of the Royal Engineers and S outh L anc ashires rushing th e position with ﬁxed bayonets with a loss of only three men

un e Th e c eers ofthe s uccess ul assa lan wo d d . h f i ts

ere ear at the vouac at ree ree ill w h d bi Th T H , and when d ay broke the summit of Spion Kop was seen to be envelo e in c m s c p d thi k i t , whi h no doubt had assisted the assaulting c olumn to arrive at the top undiscovered . E arly in the morning the troop s intrenched

emselves as ell as the ar ness oul adm th w d k w d it , and from the b ottom of the hill the S appers c ommenc ed making a zigz ag p ath to the summit for the wat er mules and the mountain

a er to asc en and la er s ra sli es at b tt y d , t t ight d

n al 12 - r un the steep places for the av p . g s

s n r whi ch S ir Redvers B ull er was to e d ove .

’ Ab out half-p ast fi ve o clock in the morning the oers who h ad fl ed at the rs assaul B , fi t t , re urne s ron re n orc emen s and as t d with t g i f t , ,

140 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

un ere ere some few B oers who wo ded . Th w ,

seeme sur r se and ol e a er r n a roun d p i d , b t d ft ﬁ i g d

l ere or s o av n one man lle . e eve , h i g ki d I b i th is ano er s ome ere but ave not oun him th wh , h f d

Th la r us ell and in the m s . e e i t tt did w , I pushed on a bit qui cker than I perh aps should o er se ave one les S oul l e ore th wi h d , t it h d ift b f

e ot ere . We ave n renc e a os on w g h h i t h d p iti ,

and are o e S ecure but fo is too c to , I h p , g thi k

’ see so re a n Thorne croft s men and Ro al , I t i y y

’ n r r n r Thorne croft s men E ginee s fo a bit lo ge . y

n n l had a no ma la er attacked i ﬁ e sty e . I i se de t

n n to let you k ow th at we had got i .

ours &c . Y ,

‘ ’ E . D WO O GATE .

- l n Li eut . C o o el aCourt expressed himself as quite satisﬁed that the summit could be held

‘ ’ el ll ooms a a a ns all comers he sa h d ti d d y g i t , id

t M r . nn url o B e et B eigh . N ot long after General Woodgate had written his letter to S ir Charles Warren the B oer ﬁ re

re ver h t and h ll m r a l un o e e o l o e . g w y , f t y w d d C olonel B lomﬁ eld of the L anc ashire Fusiliers was also oun e soon a er and olonel ro on w d d ft , C C ft A LARMIN G M ESSAG E 141

of the o al ancas ers as sen or of cer n R y L t , i ﬁ , the

assume the c mm n d o a d .

A S the m s cleare ec ame ev en to i t d , it b id t those b elow and on Three Tree Hill that the s chanz es held by our men on the top were exposed to b oth fr ont al riﬂe ﬁ re and to shell

ﬁ re r om the le t fron and a a oo eal of f f t , th t g d d

n as n n ir arl arr n ﬁghti g w goi g o . S Ch es W e therefore directed M aj or -Gen eral C oke to send up

the m er al n an r who ere os e at I p i Light I f t y , w p t d

th e oo of the ll to re n orc e olonel ro on f t hi , i f C C ft ,

r m n th e D o set Regi e t t aking their place at the foot .

’ A little b efore ten o clock a message was

rece ve S ir arles arren rom olonel i d , by Ch W f C Croft on which ran as follows

’ t onc e r all l n orce a o os . n r Rei f t Ge e al dead . S ir Ch arles Warren repli ed

am s en n two a al ons and the I di g b tt i ,

m r l n an r are on e r a I pe ia Light I f t y th i w y up .

’

Y las . urr n r ou must h old on to the t No s e de . It is d ue to Colonel Croft on to state that the messa e h or ere to be sen was he s a s g e d d t , y General Woodgate dead ; reinforcements

’ urgently required .

The messa e was not r en o n him g w itt d w by , 142 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

or the s nall n ofﬁc er and is m oss le by ig i g , it i p ib

r h h al era n rr to t ace ow t e t ti o o ccu ed .

Th e orse e men was en sen u and D t R gi t th t p ,

h ir sub sequently t e Middlesex R egiment . S Charles Warren went over to s ee Maj or- General C oke and direct ed him to go up himself to Spion

Ko and as omman er of th e 5th v s on and p , C d Di i i

f th e r a ac a e comman of the roo s o ight tt k , t k d t p

— r- ral there some men . Maj o Gene C oke

K a u 11 . rr n l for on o o A M . and a ve o eft Spi p b t , i d

the S lo es some 600 ee elo the summ at p , f t b w it ,

noon .

At noon a message arrived from S ir Redvers Bull er ordering S ir Ch arles Warren to plac e

- l n r in mman on the Li eut . C olone Thor eyc oft co d

ir e vers uller sa s he ele summit . S R d B y t graphed to S ir Charles Warren : Unless you put some really good hard -ﬁ ghting man in c om

h l su es mand on the top you will lose t e hil . I gg t

’ ir rles arren ou so rn r . S a Tho eyc oft Ch W , th gh much nearer the sc ene of op erati ons than S ir

r uller was in a muc n er or os on R edve s B , h i f i p iti

for seeing what was going on at the top of Spion

Ko and as on s e ou he ma ave een p , , t i h d th gh y h b at the selection of this g allant young ofﬁcer to

144 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION K OP

ur n t -m rr ll n d i g o o ow . B a oo would be of incal

’ ul bl l c a e va ue .

In the meantime all available sandb ags and t ools for intrenching were sent by the hands of the roo s o n u eac man c arr n s me t p g i g p , h yi g o thing . Two hundred gallons of water were well on e r wa s ome S r n s near the to er th i y , p i g p w e

evelo e the n neers the a a a d p d by E gi , zigz g p thw y was c om le e and c o ls of 3 - nc c a le ot p t d , i i h b g r a f r aul n u the naval un e dy o h i g p g s . Then follo wed an anxious time for S ir Ch arles

The r e and s ell ﬁ re of th r Warren . iﬂ h e B oe s was e remel hot on the to the s nallers had een xt y p , ig b

and some of e r a ara us es ro e and for hit th i pp t d t y d, some two or three hours he was unable to get

r a n u r r n any replies to epe ted i q i ies . The e was o

r - news of the mount ain guns o the naval 12 pr .

uns c S ir e vers B uller was t o sen g , whi h R d d across th e r ver to him—in ac the ormer onl i f t , f y

’ r n el at eleven o cloc a r n left Sp i gﬁ d k th t mo ni g .

’ A little after two o clock in the afternoon news

f the S ua on was rece ve sen an our or s o it ti i d , t h o

arl er M a or - eneral o e who was n n e i by j G C k , the o

u f he lo s elo n T the plat ea o t S pe b w Spio Kop . he report was that the top of the hill was crowded MA J OR-GENERAL TALBO T COKE 145

w men e ose to s ell ﬁ re but ol n on ith xp d h , h di g

ell a eneral o e h ad s o e fur er w , th t G C k t pp d th

re nforc emen s e on the o n ere h e was i t b y d p i t wh , at the s ame time letting the troop s on the top

no a - el was close at an and am k w th t h p h d , mu

u r m nition b eing pushed p . F o the report

of a or - eneral o e recen l u l s e M j G C k , t y p b i h d , it appears that on his way up h e found the track

ver muc c on es e men and on ear n y h g t d with , , h i g

that the troop s were crowded together o n th e

to in a small s ace e o se to S ell ﬁ re r p p xp d h , ve y j udici ously stopped the r einforc ement s that had not p ass ed him ; unfortunately he rec eived urgent request s from the t op soon after for more

m n nd ll em t rocee e a a o e o . , w d th p d Maj or - General Coke seems to h ave started fr om the plat eau for the summit ab out three

’ o clo c and to ave reac e al an our la er k h h d it h f h t , and wa s then d e fa cto in c ommand there over

r n F or some me he wa s una le to ﬁ n eve y o e . ti b d

an one in c omman on the summ or in ouc y d it , t h with the signalling station at th e Ho spital

- l l H as una are a eu . o one S angar . e w w th t Li t C Thorneycroft h ad b een placed in c ommand on

h summ th e ran o f r a dier - eneral t e it with k B ig G , 146 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

although on his way up he had received a report from that oﬂicer which he forwarded with re mar s to S ir arles arren and c k Ch W , whi h will l be referred to later . F ai ing to ﬁ nd any one in command he p assed over to the right and met

olonel ll who the leadin c om an s f C Hi , with g p i e o the Middl esex Regiment got to the summit about noon and un ers andin a olonel ro n , , d t g th t C C ft o h ad een oun e ol olon el ll a th b w d d , t d C Hi th t e c ommand devolved up on him as th e next seni or o c er and ave him e a le ns ruc ons as to fﬁ , g d t i d i t ti

n n An ur l r l n r nc n at su o . o a e e i t e hi g d w h t , whi s ll on the t o but s e ara e rom olonel ll ti p , p t d f C Hi , h rec e ve the ollo n messa e rom him e i d f wi g g f , sent at P M

‘ We h ave now plenty of men for ﬁring l ne but th e ar ller ﬁ re rom our le es is i , ti y f ft (w t)

ro os l n very h arassing . I p p e h o di g out till dark

’ and then intrenching .

u ol ne r The selection of Lie t . C o l Th o neycroft to t ake c omman d over his seniors in th e heat of ac tion was a S ignal example of the danger of a

r us e ar ure rom rec e en at suc a m se io d p t f p d t h ti e . The difﬁ culty of making a selecti on known and un ers o all c oncerne was enormous and d to d by d ,

148 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP ment s for bringing up guns and intrenching at n he seems to ave ear no n a ou ight , h h d thi g b t it ,

and so als o a ou a er oo ammun on 850 . b t w t , f d , iti ,

’ After General C oke s arrival on the summit many of the troop s who h ad formed the st orming p arty were allowed to go down the hill to get

r n wate a d foo d .

’ Ab out h alf-past four o clock in the a fternoon

ir arl - olonel S Ch es Warren received Li eut . C

’ Thorne croft s messa e s en rom the t o y g , t f p two ours e ore in c the S ua on was h b f , whi h it ti described as follows

un on ll la r m h ld r H g ti st ext e ity with t e o fo ce .

ome of the dl ese ere now and ear S Mid x h , I h

orse s are com n u but orc e reall una le D t i g p , f y b

’ r n m quite to hold so large a p erimete . E e y s gun s on north -west sweep the whole of the top f h o t ll . un e hi Th ey als o h ave g s to east . C annot you bring artillery ﬁ re to bear on north west guns What reinforc ements c an you send t o hold the hill to -night ! We are b adl y in want f o a er . r r n n un w t The e a e ma y killed a d wo ded . If you wi sh to really make a c ertainty of th e

ll for the n ou mus sen more n an r hi ight , y t d i f t y

’ ’ and a c n tta k the enemy s gu s . OLON L LL C E A . W . HI 149

Maj or -General C o ke saw thi s message at his position at th e signal st ation ab out three

’ o cloc us e ore leavin for the summ and k , j t b f g it , a dded the following ob servation

‘ I have seen the ab ove and have ordered the

’ S cottish Riﬂes and the King s Royal Riﬂes to

m n Th r reinforce the Middl esex R egi e t . e D o set Regiment and the Imperial Light Infantry have

a r als o gone up . We ppea to be holding our own

’ at present .

’ S ix o cloc e ore ot ar a or At k , b f it g d k , M j General C oke on the summit wrote an account of th e S ituation (rec eived by S ir Charles Warren

at al - as seven and av n ersonall an e h f p t ) , h i g p y h d d

over c omman on the summ to olonel ll d it C Hi , and assured himself that he underst oo d his

u es and res ons l es en ac to the d ti p ibi iti , w t b k reserves half -way down the bill which he c hose

r r n un l for the c ommand p ost . Th e e h e emai ed ti

alf- as n ne in the even n en in o e ence h p t i i g , wh , b di

to an or er rom S ir arles arren he en d f Ch W , w t

o n to s ee him leav n his e u -ass s an d w , i g d p ty i t t adj ut ant -general at the p ost to c arry on the routine duties of the c ommand in his name

ur n hi n m ours e ore he d i g s ab se ce . S o e h b f 150 SIR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

s ar e o n the ll a er and rov s ons ere t t d d w hi , w t p i i w arrivin g regularly at the S ignal st ation and being h p assed t o t e t op . D own b elow S ir Charles Warren had b een busy with arrangement s for sending up at night all that was nec essary to enable the p osition to

n a The m un a n a er and be held ext d y . o t i b tt y

- naval 12 r . uns o ever onl arr ve at p g , h w , y i d

’ ’ Trich ard s Drift b etween ﬁ ve and S ix o clo ck in

n the aft ernoo .

E . h n h olonel oo R . w o was o t e to C W d , , p

ur n th e d a was ul l n orme of all a d i g y , f y i f d th t was to be one at sun o n al ou of c ourse d d w , th gh , , it was not p ossible to know precisely when the guns would reach the top until th ey actually c ame

’ in rom Trichard s r f D ift . The mount ain b attery arrived at the foot of

on Ko a ou al - as seven in the even n Spi p b t h f p t i g , com le el re out e r lon marc and p t y ti d with th i g h , it was arranged that they shoul d rest there un l m ni en the moon rose and ere ti id ght , wh , th woul d be plenty of time for them to a scend and get their guns into po siti on on the top b efore f a rea . o ce o s was sen to u d yb k N ti thi t Lie t .

rn r h n C olonel Tho eyc oft by t e ha d of a scout .

152 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

S oul be s en u and als o all th e r h d t p , wate Th ’ oss le . e s ua n i r p ib it tio s c itic al .

B ut h e not a f r a r l the did w it o ep y . At time h e desp atched thi s message th e int ention t o a an on the os on had alrea een a en b d p iti dy b t k ,

’ for at h alf -p ast S ix o clock the c ompanies of the R oyal L anc ast er Regiment were ordere d to form up near th e dressing st ation prep arat ory to retire

n - l n ment a d Lieut . C o o el Thorneycroft himself says in his rep ort When night b egan to clo se in I determined

to a e some s e s and a c onsul a on was el . t k t p , t ti h d Th e ofﬁc er c ommanding S c otti sh Riﬂes and C olonel Croft on were b oth of Opinion that the

ll wa s un na l n r l r r hi t e b e . I e ti e y ag eed with thei

e and s o ave the or er for the roo s to Vi w , I g d t p withdraw on to th e nec k and ridge where the

’ hospit al wa s .

’ By seven o clo ck or ders were i ssued for the

ro o s t o re re on the os al an ar and th e t p ti H pit S g , c ollecting of the men and bringing in of the

is sa a olonel wounded c ommenced . It id th t C

- lonel Hil l h ad a warm discussion with Li eut . C o

orne cro who o ever as ser e his r Th y ft , , h w , t d ight as brigadier -general c ommanding on the summit . E LL CAPTAI N H . PHI IPS 153

H e ne r to order a retirement . ithe sent word to

- n r ir r Maj or General Coke o to S Cha les Warren .

n ll - l nel Why C olonel Hill did ot t e Li eut . C o o Thorneycroft th at the former h ad only j ust left

r n un l n the hill emai s exp ai ed . At the time that Maj or - General C oke left his post in charge of his S taﬁ Ofﬁcer the prep ara ti ons for retirement h ad been in full swing for three hours .

The rs n ma on a a a n ll s ﬁ t i ti ti th t C pt i Phi ip ,

’ a or - eneral o e s af f cer h ad of the M j G C k St f O ﬁ , retirement wa s b eing awakened at the c ommand p ost by the sound of men movi ng at P M

H e then found a general retirement proc eeding . H e at once stopped the ﬂ ow of men down the — hill the S c ottish Riﬂes and a large number of

s ra lers of the orse l ese and m er al t gg D t , Midd x , I p i

n r l Th r an om he c o lec e . e e Light I f t y , wh t d — ’ s erves B ethune s Mount ed Infantry and the — bul k of the D orsets remained in p ositi on as

Th r posted in support of the front line . e oth e

r h - l n l c o s ad one o n the ll and eu . o o e p g d w hi , Li t C

orne r a a n ll s ro Th yc oft with them . C pt i Phi ip p mulgated the following memorandum to all

c omman ers but e did not act on ur n d , th y it , gi g 154 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

had n r u - lonel that they di sti ct orders f om Lie t . C o Thorneycroft

‘ Oﬁicer s Comma nding D or setshir e and M id d le

sea Re iments S cottish Riles Im eria l L i ht g , f , p g

H or se

‘ The withdrawal is ab solutely without the authority of either M aj or - General C oke or S ir

rr n Th e rm r a c alle a a Ch arles Wa e . fo e w s d w y

h l r l en r M . by t e atte a litt e b efo e 10 A . Wh

our General Co ke left th e front ab out 6 R M . men ere ol n e r own and he le th e w h di g th i , ft

S ua on as suc and re or e a he c oul it ti h , p t d th t d

l n m n r h o o . o e o e t ou au o as h d S , wi h t th ity ,

ven or ers to ra and h as ncurre a gi d withd w, i d

r n l r th e G eneral ere rave es o s . e e g p ibi ity W h , h e would order an inst ant reoc cup ation of the

height s . H L L P H . E . P I I S

’ - - D ep u ty A ssis ta nt A dj u ta nt Genera l .

a me P M th e s ur was S ll At th t ti , , p ti

el to WIthin a ou 3 ar s of the summ h d b t 00 y d it ,

nall n but the summit itself was eva cuated . Sig i g c ommunic ation c ould not be established b ecause th il h d run e o a o ut .

’ In the mean me at n ne o cloc olonel S im ti , i k , C ,

' 156 S IR CH ARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

Half -past two on the morning of 25th January was an hour t o be remembered by many of the ac ors in s a or ve en er r a a n t thi b ti t p i se . C pt i

’ Phillip s at the C ommandi ng General s p ost h ad managed to get the S ignals to work and sent the following message

i n K 2 1 A M . Sp o op 5th January 900 . .

G enera l Oﬁicer Comma nd ing Thr ee Tr ee H ill

‘ S ummit of Spion Kop evacuat ed by our

r An un oo s c s ll ol lo er S lo es . t p , whi h ti h d w p au r aval uns tho i sed retirement took plac e . N g c annot reach summit b efore daylight ; would be

’ exp osed to ﬁ re if attempted to d o so by d ay .

ll n messa e rom . the o o About A M . f wi g g f

- l n l rn cr r c e ir arles Lieut . Co o e Tho ey oft ea h d S Ch Warren

24th Januar y 19 01 (no hour ﬁ xed) .

‘ R egret to rep ort th at I h ave b een o bliged

to a an on on Ko as the os on ecame b d Spi p , p iti b

l ave ra n the roo s in unt enab e . I h withd w t p

r ular or er and ll come to re or as soon a s eg d , wi p t

possible . ‘ ALEC TH ORNE CROF Y T ,

’ - u lon l . L ie t . Co e RETIREMENT INEXCUSABLE 157

No messenger was sent down to acquaint S ir Charles Warren of the intention to retire

n ee was a to t aken as early as P M . o h d p id the Vigorous protests of eith er C olonel Hill or

‘ ’ a a n ill s and S ir arles arren s C pt i Ph ip , Ch W positive instr uctions received on the way down by the han d of C olonel S im were treat ed with

s can res ec —in ac ere nore and so t p t f t , w ig d ; it

c ame t o as s a M a or - eneral o e summone p th t j G C k , d

’ l n S ir arles arren at n ne o c oc a d eu . by Ch W i k , Li t

olonel orne cro un summone arr ve to C Th y ft , d, i d

’ gether at S ir Charles Warren s headquarters

h n f r u A M . h h r a o . on t e 25t a d o t e s b t , ﬁ t time he heard of the ab andonment of the bill

af er the re remen had een c om le e and t ti t b p t d,

un all his lan at n fo d p s o c e swept away .

M r nn l ‘ al . B e et B ur eigh says in The N at C amp aign

‘ H ad th e tro op s but waited throughout the

n un l the uns and n neers arr ve the ight ti g E gi i d , whole S itu ation of affairs would h ave b een c om

l l n ete c a e . met the moun a n a er p y h g d I t i b tt y ,

on the evenin of th e a le on its wa u . g b tt , y p

Th e n aval uns ere a l le ar er off an d the g w itt f th ,

n neers ere als n h m en and E gi w o o t e arch . Th I 158 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

everyb ody thought that the ﬁring had been

’ rac call n s e for the d a and a arren s p ti y ﬁ i h d y , th t W preparations for the ab solute holding of Spion

Ko oul be arr e r u r m rn n p w d c i d th o gh b efo e o i g .

a in a even the oers mus ea a Th t , th t t , B t b t

’ l n h n n retreat all a o g t e li e no e c ould doubt . After a c areful c onsideration of all the cir c umstanc es who c an wonder th at L ord Rob ert s st at ed in his despatch of 13th February 19 00 that h e was unable to c oncur with S ir R edvers

n n - l nel orne B ul ler in thi ki g th at Li eut . Co o Th y croft exercised a wi se di scretion in ordering the

roo s t o re re or c an a l t o a ree or t p ti , f i g with L d R ob ert s th at his a ssumption of responsibility and authority was wholly inexcusable !

160 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

coul d scarcely credit their senses that our

! ldier had le h ll - er r h so s ft t e hi top . Wh e a e t e

! soldiers ! the few B oer sc out s who ro de for ward under the white ﬂ ag asked our surgeons

! n n n and ambula c e me . Go e What for ! An d sub sequently it leake d out from several of them that they h a d thought th e p osition wa s

’ lost and they h ad b egun trekking . It is int eresting to not e the Views of those

F r n n i h on the o er s e . o s a ce n t e ar cle in B id i t , ti

‘ ’ he n e erv c e M a a n e v n the ar t U it d S i g zi , gi i g di y

alrea re erre to of a oer ofﬁc er we ﬁ nd the dy f d B , following ob s ervations The E nglish h ad employed the night (23rd t o 24th J anuary) in making s ome wide but low

all renc es c orres on n ara e s sh ow t h , with p di g p p t

l r f ones ear and so s t o S e e e n . o st , th , d h t b hi d Th ese trenches h ad b een est abli shed more or

h e c en re of the la eau c was a less in t t p t , whi h

al lun er his e n the ver s o ere in fat b d , t b i g y p t wh ,

r ums ances a c oncen ra e ar ll er ﬁ re the ci c t , t t d ti y

would tell with th e deadli est effect .

ra e on un l the even n and The ﬁght d gg d ti i g ,

r th e p osition was not rec aptu ed . Those Fede rals wh o left the hill at dark th ought th at the BO ER CO M MENTS 161 effort t o dislodge the English h ad been a failure

— seeme a l tha t the ﬁght was lost . It d P atran d

asc o over a a n no w s an n the ﬁ ne wor ﬁ g i , t ith t di g k

one the e eral ar ller and the ac a th d by F d ti y , f t th t e retaking ofa positi on like Spion Kop was an ea si er

as an the S orm n of a e enc e l e la ran t k th t i g d f ik P t d . The night of the 24th t o the 25th was one of c on use and c ao c an c c s ron l f d h ti p i , whi h t g y

f a r In s avo ured of the beginning o o ut . the estimation of many the hour o f h asty retreat

’ h a d no ou soun e and ors es ea s ere d bt d d , h h d w

urn L a mih rd s ou as e f m t ed dys t wa with t w t o ti e . It wa s exp ec ted that th e English would make an a ac in forc e ne morn n or er a s tt k xt i g , p h p in the n but th e em oral s a on was so ight , d i ti great th at no regul ar wat ches were kept all along the line o f defence in the proximity of

K r and r i ru m on o . e e e e s e so e Spi p H th , it t , determined fellows clubb ed t ogether with th e resolve to ave one more r al th e ne morn n h t i xt i g , but there is no doubt th at if the B riti sh had att acked that night th e Federals would have ma e but o or res s anc e at the u mo s and d p i t t t , that their rout would have b een a matter of

H ad the n l s onl el th e n c ourse . E g i h y h d Spio M 162 S IR CHARLES TV A RREN A ND SPION KOP

Ko in orce un l the morn n a secon s ru le p f ti i g , d t gg ,

ea ene as the erals ere oul av w k d Fed w , w d h e mean an ero c ef or a S or and the t h i f t , h t ﬁght ,

u ss of the n l s c c e E g ish .

‘ It wa s with feelings of blended wonder and th ankfulness th at s ome of the Pretori a men and some ree a ers un er omman an Cron e F St t d C d t j , on cl m n the Ko at a rea oun i bi g p d yb k , f d it

nan e onl cor s s and s m n t e t d y by p e o e wou ded . L o ! the E nglish had gone ! Was it possible !

m b e a ra I B ut no wa s the ru It ight t p , it t th no s oldiers th e e c e on of the arml s s , with x pti h e

ea an d cr le a s ere in s Th d d ipp d Kh ki , w ight . e

n re di l n s s r i c b e ew p ea d . The exultati on of th e foreigners at the new gift of vic tory ma de to the Federals by Engli sh

T r mar r in inc ompet ency was great . he e ks utte ed different languages may be condensed in th e words of a German o fﬁc er wh ose criti c al j udgment was S hort and to the point Wahrh aftig ! D umm

l u e e en n ssen e . ru s h it g g U wi h it T y , t pidity

! a a ns noran c e The oers ar l no g i t ig ) B , h d y k w

in a e ul a on means ere less l ou and g wh t x t ti , w d

les s ven to cr c se but the a s on s men e gi iti i , t i h t th y

ns a manifested was a c ensure not to be gai id .

164 S IR CHARL ES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

l m ur r n S on of the Ko . ru o s a e i a ou i p Wi d ﬂy g b t , and everything is b eginning t o p oint to a general

re remen on to a sm or o ss l t o the ti t L dy ith , p ib y

r is ven s a B iggarsbe g . It e id that the Upper Tugel a la agers h ave b egun to p ac k up and pre

rs ll p are t o trek . B oe ki ed s aid to numb er forty Owing to the confusi on it is impos sible to get

Two l c arr a e arr authenti c news . ight i g s ived to

d a to rans or m oun e but no mules ere y t p t y w d d , w

a m s ent to dr g the . — J a nu a ry 25 th Al l the morning the excite

l s e en n ment h as b een t errib e . Thi v i g news c ame th at for some in s crutable rea son th e E ngli sh retired from Spion Kop th e night of th e

n n Th r ﬁght or early thi s m or i g . e bu ghers are

l el and are now e nn n to wi d with d ight , b gi i g

r Th claim a great and glorious vi cto y . e Engli sh

a e suffere eav los ses and en o and h v d h y , th g — throw up a h ard -won p o sition a position whi ch

r l f a m practi cally meant the e i ef o L dys ith . From it th ey c ould h ave ﬂank ed all the L ower Tugela

th e ur ers ha d rema n e in os ons i. e . p iti , if b gh i d

e een on Ko th em t o be ﬂanked . B tw Spi p and

i c o un r eas to n e o a e L adysmith s t y y g ti t , with

enou a er good ro ads and good gh w t . With BO ER CO MME NTS 165

Spion Kop and the Acton Homes positions

e n el oul ave een os s le t o m a e b i g h d , it w d h b p ib k use of th e V an Reenen main ro ad to bring the

o nes s onl no s a ll c onvoys up . G o d y k w wh t wi

a en now ou e s ll ol the a a h pp , th gh th y ti h d Th b Nyama ridges and may be a ble to break through

r m r f o the e .

‘ r soners num er 250 mos l ancas re P i b , t y L hi

T r l r n n us l ers . he o e o ss is 200 c e a a d an F i i B t i ,

n n f r Th e n l s unc ertai umber una c c ounte d o . E g i h lo s s mus ave een ver eav a s our ar ller t h b y h y , ti y

m ll n r l wa s playing o n to the a the time . Ge e a

n ll Woodgate is said to have b ee ki ed .

’ The rumour of Kimb erley s surrender is now

n de i ed .

‘ —I ar s a th J a nu a ry 26th. t now app e th t e English ma de a great blunder in the manner in which they took up their positions on the top

f h ll sur r n ff th o t e hi . They p i s ed a d dr ove o e

oer c e and en s ar e to n ren c . B pi k t , th t t d i t h

ns ea of n ren chin alon the ron r e I t d i t g g f t idg , they threw up trenches in the middl e of the top ; an d varying from ﬁfty t o 150 yards rom the n f edge . The B oers were thus e abled to climb up their S ide of the hill without 166 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

e n re on and a s s oon a s e rea c e th b i g ﬁ d , th y h d e r e the os ons of the two orces ere e ual idg p iti f w q , or ra er the oers h ad the e er of as the , th , B b tt it ,

n l s ar ller c oul not et at m E g i h ti y d g the .

‘ the renc es h ad een at th e ron e e If t h b f t dg , not a oer c oul ave ot u a s the as cen is B d h g p , t

ver ver s ee . y , y t p

‘ J a nu a r 1 —I r ver and saw th y 3 s t. o de o e s n r f ur m n and the c a es enc es &c . o o e h z , t h , , ,

Th n E ngli sh at Th ab a Nyama . e two p o siti o s e en for a lon wa n earl arallel t o ea c xt d g y , y p h

r Th r n n f othe . e B o e p ositio s c o si sted o long

sola e renc es d u in the are vel and for i t d t h g b dt , B oer po sitions were undoubtedl y weak and un

a r The n l s h ad schanz ed the s ati sf ct o y . E g i h long ridge for a great dist anc e . The sch anzes

ere e au ull ma e and in man lac es ere w b tif y d , y p w

comp artment s l arge eno ugh to hold ' three men l n n The s anc e e een the os ons yi g dow . di t b tw p iti vari ed from yards in s om e plac es to

In r n f h n l l s a in oth ers . f o t o t e E g i sh eft wa

n n e of s and the sort of kloof . B etwee o e edg thi

schanz es was a ﬂ at of ab out eighty yards .

168 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KO P

‘ In some places the E nglish trenches were

us e n one ano er and u e arallel and j t b hi d th , q it p , in the ﬂurry and excit ement of the ﬁght it would be surpri sing if some of the men in th e front

rom the trench es were not S ho t from b ehind . F

Ko we c oul also see hievele and a sm p d C y L dy ith , and the p eople in the latter must have b een able

to s ee the and the oer re rea and a ﬁght B t t , wh t

e mus ave su ere the ne d a en th y t h ff d xt y, wh it dawned on them th at the E ngli sh were not

o n t o ol the o s on a er av n won g i g h d p iti ft h i g it ,

’ c an be a l e si y imagined . CHAPTER VII

S OM E CRITICIS MS

IF we inquire what was thought at home of the failure at Spion Kop aft er th e high hopes whi ch the a dvent of S ir Charles Warren in N atal h ad

ra se we mus loo a c for a momen to th e i d , t k b k t b eginning of the op erati ons and note the great interest with whi ch the news from N at al was

l r h l Th d ay by d ay eager y ead by t e pub ic . e excitement c aused by the second attempt of S ir Redvers B uller to relieve L a dysmith by a turn

’ ing movement to the left of P otgieter s D rift was

rea l ncrease en his ele ram a e 23rd g t y i d wh t g , d t d

anuar P M was rec e ve s a n a J y, , i d , t ti g th t General Warren held the positi on he had gained

‘ two a s e ore and a an a em ll be d y b f , th t tt pt wi ma e to -n to s e e on Ko the al en d ight iz Spi p , S i t

’ whi ch forms the left of th e enemy s p osition

’ facing Trichard s Drift and divides it fr om the

’ ’ os on a n P i r p iti f ci g otg ete s . 170 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KO P

The publi c remained in suspense until the announcement c ame th at Spion Kop had been l c aptured and th at Warren c onsidered it tenab e .

en ere ere lou re o c n s ever ere too Th th w d j i i g ywh , soon alas is ur e s n s er rumours of a lure , , d t b d by i i t f i , c oming in some mysterious way from the Con tinental ress and en the r e ele ram of P , th b i f t g

‘ ’ 25th anuar : arren s arr son am sorr J y W g i , I y to sa ﬁ nd s morn n h ad in the n y , I thi i g ight

’ ab andoned Spion Kop ; foll owed sub sequently by another exonerating C olonel Thorneycroft ll l from a b ame . The p ositi on in c onsequence thus presented it self to the p ublic : The att ack on Spi on Kop

h ad for s ome un no n reason rove a a lure k w p d f i , an d the relief of L a dysmith h a d b een thereby

n n l me a s t lame . i deﬁ it e y p ostponed . S o b o dy w o b

’ S ir Redvers B uller said Warren s garri son had

a an one on Ko but he e oner a e orne b d d Spi p , x t d Th y

Th n ur l r rr n croft . e at a infe enc e wa s that Wa e

a the man to b n n c am the re w s e h a ge d . The e

ac on a nd the c le u l c urne to ren th e ti , ﬁ k p b i t d d

ul en r l s a e of eel n was unsucc essf G e a s . Thi st t f i g

’ not m rove the u l c a on a er man ee s i p dby p b i ti , ft y w k

ela of the es a c es in c S ir Re vers d y , d p t h whi h d

172 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

the one who came off wors t wa s S ir Charles

r r ull r h ad ro n the Warren . S i Redve s B e th w

lame on S ir arles arr en but h a d su or e b Ch W , pp t d

- N n S e for l n l rn cr . o o e o Li eut . Co o e Tho ey oft p k

S ir arles arren wh o was not allo e to Ch W , w d

r onse uen l the cr c s o o sp eak fo hims elf . C q t y iti t k u the ara le and S ir arles arren was p p b , Ch W

lam f r r n a c urr b ed o eve ythi g th t o c ed .

We ou ver mu c e er on Ko d bt y h wh th , if Spi p h ad b een h eld and the reli ef of L a dysmith had

ollo e we s oul ave ear muc of th e f w d , h d h h d h criticism that h as b een freely u sed ; its s eizure would h ave b een regarded as a brilli ant t actic al succ ess a s n ee wa s re ar e at the me , i d d it g d d ti , and it is onl y nec es sary to p oint t o the E ngli sh newsp ap ers and the letters of the Pres s c orr e sp ond ents b efore the ab andonment was known t o

S h ow this . N ow a t ac tic al op eration c annot be right or wrong merely b ec ause some sub sequent action m h n f h akes it futile . We have t e evide c e o t e B oers that they c onsidered Spi on Kop the key of the o s on and a h ad een el a sm p iti th t , it b h d , L dy ith

l n th o ul ro a l ave een won . ure e e w d p b b y h b S y, th , blame of failure S hould not be thrown upon the SO ME CRITI CISMS 17 3

eneral who or ere to be a en but on G d d it t k , th e ofﬁc er who ab andoned it without sufﬁ ci ent

n rea son and without c o sulting him .

M r en e m h as r en a e enc e of s . Opp h i w itt d f thi

‘ ’ ofﬁcer in th e ne een en ur in hic he Ni t th C t y , w h

- l n l rn r h a s ays that Lieut . Co o e Tho eyc oft d to c ome to s om e ec s on and a h e h ad el on all d a d i i , th t h d y hoping for the presenc e or int ervention of a

- l n r B ut u . el rn superior o fﬁc e . Li e t C o o Tho ey croft was hims elf a brigadier -general c omman d in the c olonels in c omm an of two r a es g d b ig d , and the only u se he ma de of this p osition was to forc e them to withd raw while Maj or - General

o e his su er or of cer was on th e s umm r om C k , p i ﬁ , it f

- - - al as ree to al as six and eu . olonel h f p t th h f p t , Li t C Thorneycroft do es n ot appear t o have ma de any effort to get in stru cti ons fr om him or to refer to

r m n r him b efore ordering a reti e e t at da k .

- M r en e m s a es a eu . olonel . Opp h i t t th t Li t C Thorneycro ft did not know that S tores of ammu

r n e r wa u nition a er oo &c . e e o , w t , f d, , w th i y p ; bu s is no e cus e ec ause he h ad one to t thi x , b , if g his ro er os of c omman he oul ave p p p t d , w d h

n o n but he S uc t o his o wn c or s and k w it ; t k p , never really exerci sed the c omman d until h e 174 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

r r H e als o s a ll a r decided to eti e . t tes th at a g eed it

l h ll B u l n l ll was impo s sib e to h old t e hi . t C o o e Hi

r - eneral o e ev en l n a r and Maj o G C k id t y did ot g ee . C olonel Hill h ad ma de p rep arati on s for intrench in an d ne ere th e o ols and s an a s g , k w wh t db g

l ou olonel rn e r ere a o c o n ot . w , th gh C Th y ft did Two great faults were c ommitt ed on the

umm of on Ko for ne er of c c an s it Spi p , ith whi h

rl arren be el r s n l The S ir Ch a es W h d e p o sib e .

as th e o s on of the n renc men s one w p iti i t h t , with r egard to whi ch S ir Ch arles Warren h ad given

n r r speci al instructio s . The e a e two metho ds a dopted for intren ching a hill when att ac ked by

r Th u u l m an a dvancing fo c e . e s a ethod is to

n renc the cres neares to the enem but s i t h t t y , thi involves moving a cros s the t op of th e hill with out

r Th e o er me o is t o n renc the cres c ove . th th d i t h t

ar es a a rom the enem in the rs lace f th t w y f y ﬁ t p ,

s ves c om le e secur to the a ac as thi gi p t ity tt k ,

neither riﬂe nor S hell ﬁ re b eing able to touch

and en O or un o ffers a er ar ller it , wh pp t ity , ft ti y

n ona n or at n t o a va nc e t o th e o er c an di g , ight , d th

c rest nearest the enemy and intrench there but

t on Ko o n er a s to the fo ne er a Spi p , wi g p h p g , ith

ne nor the o er me o was a o e the o th th d d pt d ,

176 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

B oth thes e fault s were d ue to want of proper training of b oth o fﬁcers and men .

’ We shall n ow c onsid er S ir Redvers B uller s despatches and m emorandum of 3oth January

1 00 in s ome e a l an d ma e s ome ver a v r 9 d t i , k y d e s e

i r lu n cr c sms . s e c a c e a we d o s o iti i It with t th t , but it must b e rememb ered th at S ir R edvers h as no one but himself t o bl ame that th ese d e sp atch es are b efore th e publi c . It was his o wn d oing that th ey s aw the light in th e ﬁrst n s anc e an d is e u all his own o n a i t , it q y d i g th t th e p orti on s omitted in the ﬁrst in st anc e h ave

l el een u l s e too . is onl ere ore at y b p b i h d It y , th f , in us c e to S ir arles arren wh o ha s not j ti Ch W ,

en allo e t o re l a we e am ne es e b e w d p y , th t x i th

r l desp atches c iti c a ly . It will n ot b e forgo tten th at a desp atch writt en a month earli er on the Z outsp an Drift a ction wa s perus e d by c riti c s a t home with ama z ement a nd

Th e ea s n s ouc anc e p erplexity . y i i with which he la e u an - ener al of th e orc es who for t t Adj t t G F , s even years h a d b een primarily resp onsible for he ra n n of th e ofﬁ c ers and men of the arm t t i i g y , referred t o their want oftraining when tried in the

l ul n eas l be sur as s el wa s e c o ot e . ﬁ d , it f t , d i y p d SO ME CRITICISMS 177

’ su ose he ro e our of cers ll learn I pp , w t , ﬁ wi

e fscou n in me but in s e ofall one the valu o ti g ti , pit

c an sa u to his our men s eem t o lun er n o y , p t b d i t

’ h n m and uff r l le of t e e e s e ac c or n . the midd y , di g y B ut his desp at ches of 30th January thro w thi s one into the S ha de in their c omplete deta ch

men from all res ons l and rec all more an t p ibi ity , , th

n n else the re or s of an um re at eac e a ythi g , p t pi p

manoeuvres c ra se s s e and lame , whi h p i thi id b

a the com or a le a ssurance a the th t , with f t b th t

r er is an n e en en o server on om no w it i d p d t b , wh

one c an turn the tables . In the ﬁrst of the two despatches of 3oth

anu ar S ir e vers uller ves no n ca on J y R d B gi i di ti ,

as we ave alrea o n e out of a he h dy p i t d , wh t int ended S ir Ch arles Warren to d o when he s ent

him a cros s the Tugela . H e merely regrets that

an e e on c he n s s oul ave suc xp diti , whi h thi k h d h

’ c eed ed a le and re ers to S ir arles arren s , f i d , f Ch W T desp atch for p articulars . h e only comment on

’ S ir Ch arles Warren s disp ositi ons was tha t h e had

m e u all the r a es and the o s ns he ix d p b ig d , p itio

’ r n r u l n held we e da ge o s y i secure .

In the secon es a c l m n a n n d d p t h , whi e ai t i i g

th e same a u e of rres ons l he a o s ttit d i p ibi ity, d pt 178 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

the r le f th i s r H é o e c apt on c itic . e o bj ects to

’ S ir Ch arles Warren s st atement that three and

’ a - h alf days supplies were insufﬁcient to advance

th e le rou c on omes eca use he by ft th gh A t H , b ,

sa s h e h ad rom se to ee —and wa s ac uall y , p i d k p t y

— i rles ll keeping S r Cha ﬁ ed up . AS if thi s in any way a ffect ed th e amount of provi si ons he c ould c arry with him when o nc e h e h ad cleare d the p ositi on in front and moved forward and away

from the Tugela . From thi s trivial and futile c ritic i sm S ir

e vers um s su enl to 23rd anuar on R d j p dd y J y ,

c d a h e sa s h e en over to see S ir whi h y , y , w t Charles Warren and p oint ed out that h e had no

er re or an d no n ma on of the s ec al furth p t , i ti ti p i

' arrangement s foresh adowed in a telegram from

m rom him o n th e 19th . It ight f this be sup p osed that sinc e th e 19 th S ir Redvers h ad ha d

n commun ca on S ir arles arren was o i ti with Ch W ,

n ous and o u me a r getting a xi , th ght it ti fte four

’ days silence t o inquire what he was doing ; it

would h ardl y o c c ur to any one th at he was in c onst ant t elegraphic c ommunication with

arren and a he ha d een him o W , th t b with b th on

he 22nd of the mon the 2l st and t th .

180 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPIO N KOP

ull outﬂ ankin the enem on e er S e a s he g y , g y ith id advanc ed ; and ﬁnally (3) T o proceed without wagons wh en he had

r n h n m d ive t e e e y out .

e resul e a s we ave seen rom the Th y t d, h , f

reconna ssan c es of the 18 c m resse i th , whi h i p d S ir Charles Warren with the difﬁculties of any

H r a dvanc e with ﬁft een miles of wagon s . e th e e

’ fore propos ed to keep the wagons at Venter s

aa er un l he was a le to a vanc e and en L g ti b d , th

n cr r n s e d th em b ack a o ss the river . The e was o

u r h r great s ecret ab o t thes e p op o s als . With t e ﬁ st

and sec on S ir e vers a aren l c oncurre d R d pp t y d ,

n h r h n he ou a d with t e thi d e did ot . If th ght

S ir a rles h ad an n else in e Ch ythi g Vi w , why did h e not a sk him

S ir e vers uller in his es a c o f R d B , d p t h

3oth anuar en o es o n t o s a a he J y , th g y th t furth er point ed out t o S ir Ch arles Warren

‘ th at for four days he h ad kept his men c on tinuousl e ose to s ell and r e fi re erc e y xp d h ifl , p h d on the e e of an almos rec ous ll a dg t p ipit hi , th t the p ositi on a dmitted of no sec ond lin e and the supports were mas sed clo se behind the firing line in n e ens le orma ons and a a an c o r i d f ib f ti , th t p i SOME CRITICISMS 18 1

su dden ch arge might send th e whole lot in dis ll order down the bi at any moment . I said it

as too an erous a s ua on t o be rolon e w d g it ti p g d ,

and a he mus e er a ac or S oul th t t ith tt k , I h d with

dr a his forc e . a voc a e as had rev ousl w I d t d , I p i y m hi ’ one an a vanc e ro s le . d , d f ft O ne h as r eally to c all to min d that it is S ir

’ Ch arles Warr en s commanding ofﬁcer who gives u er anc e to ese o serva ons a he ers on tt th b ti , th t p ally saw the troop s under Warr en cross th e

‘ u ela a h e s sue to em the no urn n T g , th t i d th t i g

’ ac or er a he a res se eneral oo b k d , th t dd d G W d

’ ga t e s B rigade when it h ad cros s ed and gave

a eneral ns ruc ons as to his a ac a th t G i t ti tt k , th t from d ay t o d ay h e t elegraphe d home enc ourag ing a cc ounts of the operati on s b eing c arri e d

out a he m a e no S n o f sa roval a , th t d ig di pp , th t h e was in telegraphic c ommuni c ati on with S ir Charles Warren all the time and many mess ages

as s e t o and fro a on ree a s out of the p d , th t th d y

— he 2 1st 22nd and 2 r —h as our viz . on t 3 d e w f , , p ersonall y present with the force and the dis positi ons of the tro op s were made subj ec t to his

a roval a he h ad msel ven rec on s pp , th t hi f gi di ti

h ow the o ers ere to be dis o s e and a in h witz w p d, th t 182 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

his ele ra c es a c of 27th anuar en t g phi d p t h J y , wh

‘ all was over h e h ad s a e a the ac ual , t t d th t t p o siti on held was perfectly tenable but did not

’ n l a n wa s surel un a r to le d it se f t o dva c e . It y f i hims elf a s well a s to S ir Ch arles Warren to make out that for four days the troop s remained in

one o s on an d a a an erous one . p iti , th t d g B ut if the di sp o siti ons were those of S ir

arles arren and he alone was res ons le for Ch W , p i b

em e mer the disa roval hic th , did th y it pp with w h his c hief stigmati ses them ! I s not th e attack

’ of a ll ose to is e ose t o the enem s hi , wh p xp d y ar ller ﬁ re and af or s arel an c over es ti y f d b y y , b t un dert aken by s eizing and holding the near crest

’ l ne—in o er or s erc n on its e e i th w d , p hi g dg If th e a ac n ren c s n ear c res e r reserves tt k i t h thi t , th i c an remain lo wer down under c over ; any S hell ﬁ re which does not hit the trench p asses h arm l essl over rel e s also c an be s a el c arr y ; i f , , f y i ed out and su l es of ammun on a er and oo , pp i iti , w t , f d

ro u u t o the r n l n u ur b ght p ﬁ i g i e with o t expos e .

A S we ave alrea o serve and er a s h dy b d , p h p ma be erm e to re ea in s c onnec on y p itt d p t thi ti ,

’ h ad S ir Ch arles Warren s instructi ons been — c arri ed o ut at Spi on Kop and prob ably the fog

184 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

Redvers B uller in time t o be of use in opposing

h r t e B oe ﬁ re . In a previ ous ch apt er we noted that no sign

’ o f dis s atisfac tion with S ir Charles Warren s c on

’ duc t app eared in any of S ir Redvers B uller s

ele rams ur n the o era ons and es e t g d i g p ti , if th t elegrams are c omp ared with th e desp at ches

e ll b oun l r n th y wi e f d to be g a i gly inc onsi st ent .

We ﬁ nd ur er a le in lar e ma ers , f th , th t whi g tt , suc a s the a ac r om the le in c the h tt k f ft , whi h strategy of th e Commander - in - Chief might be

nvolve S ir e vers uller c on en e himsel i d , R d B t t d f

a voc a n th e c ourse he re err e and with d ti g p f d,

a s a ne rom v n an or er for its a o on b t i d f gi i g y d d pti , in c om ara vel small ma ers c oul p ti y tt , whi h w d more o bviously lie within the province of the

su or na e c omman er to e erm ne h e on b di t d d t i , ,

several o c c as ons c au se his own e s to be i , d Vi w

rr us h e su s u e a or- eneral c a i ed out . Th b tit t d M j G Woodgate for M aj or - General C oke in the c om man d o f the c olumn for the a ss aul t of Spion

Ko ec au se th e one wa s a le to cl m e er p , b b i b b tt than the other ; and he nominat ed over the

l u - olonel heads of experi enced c olone s Lie t . C

orn e cro a oun and ne er ence ma or Th y ft , y g i xp i d j S OM E CRITICISMS 185

’ of a ear s S andin ol n the loc al rank f y t g , h di g o l - l n l mman on n K eu . c o o e to c o o o i t , d Spi p a er a or - eneral o o a e was oun e ft M j G W dg t w d d ,

c ause h e s a oo ar -fi htin m n be wa g d h d g g a . Neither physical S trength and ability to climb nor the allan r of a n man are how g t y fighti g , ever the ma n ual c a ons of a c omman er , i q ifi ti d , and these effort s of the Commander-in - Chief to as ser msel in m nor ma ers h ad oul t hi f i tt , it w d seem some n t o s a t o the a lure of the , thi g y f i en er r s t p i e . Th at S ir Redvers B ull er should endeavour to us h r r m n f u - olonel j tify t e eti e e t o Lie t . C Thorneycroft is not difficult to underst an d th at he S houl d att empt t o d o s o at th e expense o f his secon -in - n i n l as nl d c omm a d s i exp ic able . It w o y human n ature that h e S hould wish to support th e a c on of the allan oun ofiic er s ec all ti g t y g , p i y selected by himself to c ommand over th e hea d of his sen ors wh o h ad ou l e a l on and i , f ght ik i had kept up th e S pirit o f his men in depressing

m n c ircu st a c es . B ut h ad th e s ame warm and generous senti ment animat ed him t owards his s econ d-in- c om mand he c ould not have supported the retirement 186 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

by di sparaging the work done by S ir Charles

arren and el l n or norin al o e er W , by b itt i g ig g t g th the efforts h e h ad ma de to enable the garri son

of on Ko t o ol on to th e os n Spi p h d p iti o .

ro a l th e un n es cut of all ou no P b b y ki d t , th gh

ou the resul of ou les snes s was S ir d bt t th ght ,

’ R edvers B uller s t elegram of 25th January °

‘ ’ arren s arr son am s orr t o s a ﬁ nd s W g i , I y y , I thi

’ morn n had in the n a an n n K i g ight b do ed Spi o op .

‘ ’ ’ H e m ave s a Thorne croft s arr son ight h id y g i ,

‘ and he c ould well h ave afforded to say my

’ arr son but s oul ave een to a an on g i , thi w d h b b d

h r cle of the rr s n s l r t e i e po ib e c iti c . S o also he declined t o hold any investigati on int o th e c ircumstan c es of th e withdrawal a s

r ir rl s rr n H p op o s ed by S Ch a e Wa e . e s ays in his despat ch

‘ I h ave not thought it nec es sary to order

at sun n h any investigati on . If dow t e defenc e of the summ h ad een a en re ularl in an it b t k g y h d ,

n renc men s l a out un em l a cemen s re i t h t id , g p t p

are the ea remove th e oun e c ollec e p d , d d d, w d d t d , and in ac the ole lac e rou un er , f t , wh p b ght d re ular m l a r c omman and c are ul arran e g i it y d, f g ment s made for the supply of water and foo d to

188 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KO P he c ould h ave known the preci se time when the re remen was arran ti t ged . After c ategoric ally enumerating th e vari ous arrangement s th at S houl d h ave b een made at nightfall in order to hold the po siti on on the

‘ ollo n d a S ir e vers uller r es : B ut f wi g y , R d B w it

’ no arran emen s ere ma H o s n t sa g t w de . e d e o y who S oul ave ma e em or who s oul h d h d th , h d

ave c arr e em out but the n erenc e rom h i d th , i f f

‘ what he s ays is that as General Coke appears to have b een ordered away j ust as h e would h ave

’ een us e ul he c ons ers a a or - eneral b f , id th t M j G

C oke S hould have ma de them . B ut M aj or - General C oke did not receive th e order to go and see S ir Ch arles Warren until

m r ur r n ll nd P . M . s o e ee o s a e a a , th h ft ightf ,

r n afte the order for withdrawal had b een give .

’ In refut ation of S ir Redver s B uller s asser

on a no arran emen s ere ma e in ac e of ti th t g t w d , f all the re or s he had e ore him s ome of c p t b f , whi h

ave een u l s e s o n a arran e h b p b i h d, h wi g wh t g men s ere ma e let us see c an be asoer t w d , if it

ll n tained what actua y was do e . S OME CRITICISMS

PRECAUTIONS TAKEN AND ARRANGEM ENTS MADE — H osp ita l a nd A mbula nce Wor k A ﬁeld

’ hospit al was est abli shed at Wright s farm an d all the available ambulanc e and stretcher bearers were a s sembled at th e fo ot of Spi on Kop ready

n M r . n s n encer urc ll for actio . Wi t o Sp Ch hi says that in a sc ending Spion Kop on th e after noon o f 24th January he p a ssed through the

r ambulance village . E ve y available stret cher b elonging to every briga de was in u se on Spion

Kop . It may be here o b served that th e c asualties o f Spion Kop it self were not s o great a s at

’ olenso al ou th e ole ee s n C , th gh , if wh w k ﬁghti g

ns ere e ere rea er . is c o id d , th y w g t — F ood The troop s went up Spion Kop with

’ one a s ra on s in an and ur n the d a d y ti h d , d i g y the re imen al a o ns ere c ollec e at the oo g t w g w t d f t ,

f th u within 600 feet o e s mmit . S o that the troop s on Spion Kop were quit e as near their oo as e h ad een at ree re e ll f d th y b Th T Hi . — M r . Ammunition Winston S . Churchill relates h ow he found a man dr agging down a

f mmun on all b him box o a iti y self . There was 190 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

len of ammun on on the summ at sunse p ty iti it t ,

and un r una - l n l it was fo t t e that Li eut . Co o e

orn cr n t a r a n Th ey oft did o sce t i thi s .

S ir arles arren in his es a c of 1 st Ch W , d p t h

e ru ar 19 00 lue oo . s a es a F b y (B B k , p t t th t the D ors et Regiment c arrie d down a large quan

of ammun on in th e ar c o er se tity iti d k , whi h th wi

ll n n th n wo uld h ave fa e i t o e h a ds of the enemy . — l a r . Wa ter S upp y M j o s H N . S argent and

ll ams ere in c ar e o f the a er E . J . Wi i w h g w t s u l and e r re or s of 28th anuar ave pp y , th i p t J y h

The ormer sa s b een publi shed . f y ‘ All the available pa ck mules whi ch c ould

25 er u l in arr n be rocure . e se c p d , Viz , w ti i d yi g

cu ns lle a er u the ll the bi s it ti ﬁ d with w t p hi , tins b eing reﬁlled from wat er c art s place d at the

ac tin c on a n fo ot of Spi on Kop . E h t i ed 85 to 9

An f r a l e in gallons of w ater . o ﬁce w s p ac d

f the a er c ar s and ha d a len ul ch arge o w t t , p tif

u l of s are ns in a on to ose carr e s pp y p ti , dditi th i d

Th e mules ere v e n o two by the mules . w di id d i t

ns eac un er an of cer . ese two sectio , h d ﬁ Th sections of mules c onveyed to the troops up the hill at each trip 425 gallons of water . ‘ The water supply was kept go ing con

19 2 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

n u ere r at ha me several ull getti g p , th we e t t ti f

f r r n s o s on th b oxes o wate at diffe e t p t e hill . H e also s ays th at supplies of all kinds were

plentiful at the foot of th e hill . l olone . . orr s s s s an u an C A W M i , A i t t Adj t t

neral who ac com an e a or - eneral o e Ge , p i d M j G C k

u on Ko s aw the a er e o su l p Spi p , w t d p t pp y by

— H a the trees some twenty tins of water . e s ys in his rep ort of 28th Jannary '

‘ ersonall d o not n the men ere P y , I thi k w

suffering very b adly from want of water . I c onsider th at under the c ircumstanc es nothing c ould h ave b een b etter than the very difﬁc ult arrangements ma de for wat er supply :it wa s not

’

len ul but suf c en for the ur ose re u re . p tif , ﬁ i t p p q i d It seems clear fr om the ab ove th at there wa s a l arger supply of wat er o n Spi on Kop than

there was at any o ther hill acti on in N at al .

— a o r - en r l m t G uns . M j G e a C oke atte pted o

a e u a mac ine un but un or una el t k p h g , f t t y it Th m n over urne . e ou a n uns the o nl uns t d t i g , y g th at S ir Redvers B uller c ould sp are for the

summ of on Ko ere is el eve at it Spi p , w , it b i d ,

rere at an ra e e ere not in an wa F ; y t , th y w y y

’ in S ir Charles Warren s command and did not SOME CRITICISMS 193

arr ve at the oo of on Ko un l R M i f t Spi p ti .

r and then the men requir ed rest . Sho tly before noon on the 24th S ir Redvers B uller offered to

’ sen over two naval uns r om P ot ieter s r d g f g D ift ,

n f r c S ir arles arren a o fe whi h Ch W ac cepted .

rr at on K lon a r r They a ived Spi op g fte da k .

4 M ir arles arr n n At R . S Ch W e se t C apt ain

. K o arr n a an ell R A . u on o t a e ou H w , , p Spi p g b t

n l un n h - l n l lac n ese ava s a d a d eu . o o e p i g th g , Li t C Thorneycro ft b een properly exercising c ommand he S hould h ave learnt all ab out th e guns from

l es ere ma e in the m rn n thi s oﬂﬁc er . S id w d o ing i

the lls e in c as e the naval uns S oul arr ve hi id g h d i , and 3 -inch c able was got ready for h auling l em u . ese uns c ou ave een ot u th p Th g d h b g p , but even if they h ad been placed on th e slopes

e oul ave noc e out th e om - m th y w d h k k d p po s .

An r ller oflicer eu enan ooner wa A ti y , Li t t D , s also on Spi on K op all d ay t elegraphing informa tion to the O flfic er C omman ding Royal Artillery

h f f hi ﬁ r a s t o t e e fec t o s e . Two gun s of the 19th B attery Royal Fi eld Artillery were ordered up the hill to the lower

S lo es and h ad us S ar e en e ere p , j t t t d wh th y w

the r r n orce and urn a met by eti i g f t ed b ck . L or d 0 194 S IR CHARLES WAR REN A ND SPION KOP

D undonald also had orders to t ake his machine

gun up . — E ngineer Op er a tions Th ese seem to have

l u - l n l and e . o o e oo b een very c omp et e . Li t C W d

- l n l im n his his af c er eu . o o e S a d St f Ofﬁ , Li t C

af Oﬂﬁcer and th e 1 7th om an of o al St f , C p y R y E ngineers were engaged ab out Spi on Kop all

the me and the 3 7th om an sen rom P ot ti , C p y , t f

’ i n 4 n r eter s arr ve at m of2 th a ua . g , i d id ight J y

ur n the 24th th e ole of the c s D i g wh pi k ,

S ovels an d san a s in o ss es s on of the orc e h , db g p i f

ere c arr e u t o the s umm of on Ko w i d p it Spi p , and were there ready t o be made us e of at

l n l n r r sundown . C o o el Hi l k ew whe e they we e

- ol onel horne cr a d ep osit ed ; Li eut . C T y oft pp a

r ently did not .

m n Th e 17th C o p a y R E . ma de th e mul e

a and th e un S l es c ere rea th p th g id , whi h w dy e

n t noon th e o ers in th e a rn o e a e oon . , th ft This c omp any an d o thers were employe d in developing

the S r n s on th e s es of on Ko and al o p i g id Spi p , s

In h r ma de a d am . t e afte noon a m es sage wa s

s en t o the al of th e 17th om an R E t h f C p y . on

th e top of Spi on Kop directing the ofﬁc er in

comm and to be ready to make entrenchment s

196 SIR CHARLES M ’ ARREN A ND SPION KOP

N ow no one ll h ol r om s of cer , wi with d f thi ﬁ the ra se d ue t o his allan r but his e er p i g t y , d t m na on to re re rom on Ko in s e f i ti ti f Spi p , pit o

‘ the N o surrender or der s ent t o C olonel

rof on in s e of th e ro es s of olonel ll C t , pit p t t C Hi ,

in s e of th e remons rances of o er oﬂicers an d pit t th , in S pite o fthe expli cit orders ofS ir Charles W arren c onveyed to him on the way down by C olonel

S im was not s o muc an error of u men a s , h j dg t

an a s sum on of res ons l c ha d pti p ibi ity whi h , it b een a determination t o a dvance in spit e of

r ers m er a s ave een us e o d , ight p h p h b j tiﬁ d by

succ ess but as a e erm na on to r e re was , d t i ti ti p erfectly u nj ustiﬁ abl e and led to the ab rupt ter mination of an ent erpri se which had b een b oldl y c ommenced by the s eizure of the key of the

os on and hic in the o n on of or p iti , w h , pi i L d

er s ou to ave succ ee e . Rob t , ght h d d

en th e c ie lame for his a lure mu If , th , h f b t f i st lie upon th e oﬁic er who ordered and c arried out

h e re remen rom on Ko the oﬂﬁc er in t ti t f Spi p ,

c omman who a s sume so e ac chief d , d d t hed a

os on in his or ers and es a c es and et so p iti d d p t h , y c onst antly interfered when he S hould h ave given

c on -in -comman a ree an seems to b his se d d f h d, e SOME CRITI CISMS 19 7 rightly dealt with in the ob servations of Lord

Robert s . H ad h e furnished S ir Charles Warren with naval uns moun a n uns and a g , with t i g , with

alloon in m e t o b e of use and not on ur en b ti , g t re quest at the last mom ent ; had h e allowed S ir Ch arles Warr en time t o continue his bom bardment and suppli ed him with longer-ranging

uns ns ea of ur n him t o a ac on the g , i t d gi g tt k

rea of ra n th e orc e h ad he even th t withd wi g f ; , a t er the ec s on to a a c on Ko at once f d i i tt k Spi p , s n - r and an r m an e t over the naval 12 p s . othe c o p y of Royal Engineers t o help t o get them up at s un

B u o n the S or m ave een fferen . t d w , t y ight h b di t

n H nl a n h e did none of th ese thi gs . e o y ppoi t ed an inexperi enced young oﬂicer t o t ake c ommand at the to of on Ko over all his sen ors p Spi p i , and thinks that ofﬁcer s aved the situati on by the wi se di scretion he exercis ed in ab andoning th e position he was chosen to defend .

‘ If the memorandum not necessarily for

’ u lic a on rec en l u l s e oes not to our p b ti t y p b i h d d , m n ad d muc to th l m ir vers uller i d , h e b a e S Red B h ad alrea ro n u on S ir arles arren dy th w p Ch W , it c ert ainl y puts more deﬁnitely the opinion the 198 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

sen or h ad orme of his un or and in i f d j i , , thi s l S oul not ave een c onceale rom th e ight , h d h b d f la er for two ears but o n the o er an tt y ; , th h d , th e memorandum t ends to lessen o ur already

n r ull r waning c onﬁdenc e i S ir Redve s B e . Th e s ame s ort of inconsi st encies run through

n it that we have noticed i the desp atches . Thus

‘ he says : O n the 19 th he (S ir Ch arles Warren)

and a ne a c ons era le a van att ac ked g i d id b d t age .

O n the 20th ns ea of ursu n he v e , i t d p i g it , di id d

’ l r n his force and gave C ery a sep a at e c omma d . B ut there is no sort of agreement between thi s

l r m h n n h a e s e at P . M st atement a d t e t e eg t . on the 20th ere n he rela es h ow ler , wh i t C y by

’ j ud c -i ous u se of his artillery h ad fought his way u c a ur n r e a er r e for a ou ree p , pt i g idg ft idg b t th m les and th e roo s ere vouac n on the i , t p w bi ki g

n ground he h ad gai ed . S o in the next sent ence of the memorandum

‘ ’ O n the 21st I ﬁ nd that his (Warren s) right was in a vanc e of his le and a the l f d ft , th t who e o his a er es S ix ere cro e on one small b tt i , , w wd d

os on on his r le his le wa s un p iti ight , whi ft

ro ec e ar ller and had c ome out to p t t d by ti y , I tell him that the enemy on that ﬂank had

198 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

sen or h ad orme of his un or and in s i f d j i , , thi l S oul not ave een c onceale rom the ight , h d h b d f la er for two ears but o n th e o er an tt y ; , th h d , the memorandum t ends to lessen our already

r r ull r waning c onﬁdenc e in S i R edve s B e . Th e s ame sort of inc onsistencies run through it that we h ave noti ced in the despatches . Thus

‘ he says : O n the 19th he (S ir Ch arles Warren)

and a ne a c ons era le a an att acked g i d id b dv t age .

O n the 20th ns ea of ursu n h e v e , i t d p i g it , di id d

’ l r his forc e and gave C ery a s ep a at e c ommand . B ut there is no sort of agreement b etween thi s

n the l ram h e sen at P M s t atement a d t e eg t . on th e 20th ere n he rela es how ler , wh i t C y by

’ j ud c ious u se of his artillery h a d fought his way u c a ur n r e a er r e for a ou ree p , pt i g idg ft idg b t th miles and th e roo s ere vouac n on the , t p w bi ki g gr ound h e h ad gained . S o in the next sent ence of the memorandum

‘ ’ O n the 21 st I ﬁ nd that his (Warren s) right was in a vanc e of his le and a th e l f d ft , th t who e o his a er es six ere cro e on one small b tt i , , w wd d

os on on his r le his le was un p iti ight , whi ft

ro ec e ar ller and h ad come out to p t t d by ti y , I t ell him that the enemy on that ﬂank had SOME CRITICISMS 19 9 rec eived a reinforc ement of at least I su es e a e er s r u on of his a er es gg t d b tt di t ib ti b tt i ,

hic he a ree to to some e en but he oul w h g d xt t , w d

’ not a van hi H i l d ce s left . ow s it p ossib e t o rec oncil e thi s statement with his t elegram o f

‘ 2l st anuar in c he s a Warren h a s J y , whi h id

een en a e all d a c ie on his le ic he b g g d y , h ﬂy ft , wh h

has un r The sw g ound ab out a c ouple of miles .

roun is ver di cul and a s the n is all g d y fﬁ t , , ﬁghti g

the me u - ll is f cul e a c l to s a how ti p hi , it di ﬁ t x t y y

muc we a n but n we are ma n h g i , I thi k ki g sub stanti al progress

‘ Finally his memorandum s ays : O n the 19th I o ught to have a ssumed c ommand my self ; I saw th at things were not going well

n r lam m sel n w ee eve one s aw a . e o i d d , y th t I b y f

’ r n n a n th 1 fo ot h avi g done so . It w s o e 9 th

’ that Warren ma de his ﬂ ank march to Vent er s

aa er a he oc c u e the lo er S lo es of the L g , th t pi d w p

an e or lls and a he re or e th e R g w thy Hi , th t p t d

re ul n a wa s not s t o f his rec o nai ssanc es . Wh t

o n ell H e h ad not een a ac e a l g i g w b tt k d , h ppi y ,

in his an marc h e had ec e a the roa ﬂ k h , d id d th t d by Fair View to Groot e Hoek must be the route

and a s we un ers an S ir e vers uller sa s , d t d , R d B y 200 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

there c an be no question th at was the only — route and he had c aptured p ositions on th e

lls nl a few ara ra s e re in s sam hi . O y p g ph b fo thi e memorandum S ir Redvers B uller s ays that on the 19th S ir Charles Warren att acked and

a n a c ons era le a van IS a c onsi g i ed id b d t age . d erable a dvant age indic ative of things not going well ! Inst ances ofthese apparent c ontra dicti ons

and ncons s enc es in the ac ons ele rams i i t i ti , t g , and desp at ches of S ir Redvers B uller c ould be mul l a oes all mean ! tip ied . Wh t d it Why this sudden c h ange of b earing t owards his princip al General ! We c anno t say ; but there is the p ainful fac t th at aft er the ab andonment of Spi on Kop by the c omman der nominated by S ir Redvers Buller thi s ch ange of attitude is evident on c omp aring the t elegrams with the

s a c de p t hes .

In conclus on a ever aul s S ir arles i , wh t f t Ch

arren ma ave e hi e we c an onl sa W y h x bit d , y y

a the a ccusa ons ma e a a ns him and of th t ti d g i t ,

hic for mon s he was e in norance w h th k pt ig , d o not stand the investigation we h ave given th em . It h as b een S t at ed in Parli ament that in

A P P E N D I X

E X TRA CTS FROM DE S P A TCH E’S I

F RO M FIE LD -M AR S H AL L O RD RO B E RT S T o TH E S E CRE TARY O F S TA TE F O R WAR

rm ead uart ers S outh fr ica C m A y H q , A , a p , Dekicl Drift Riet River :13th ebru r 1 , F a y, 900.

M or —I ave th e onour to su m t for our y L d , h h b i , y ’ or s s in o rm at on es atc es rom G eneral S ir L d hip f i , d p h f Re vers uller es cr in th e a vance acro ss th e d B , d ib g d u el a R ver on the 1 7 th and 1 8th anuar 19 00 and T g i J y , , th e c aptur e and evacu ation o f th e Spion Kop p o sition on the 28r d and 24th anu ar as ell as c ertain m nor J y, w i op erations between th e 19 th and 24th January on th e

right or eastern line o f a dvance . 2 T h e lan of o erat ons i n er learl d e . p p i s ot v y c y scr e ln the es atc es t emselves but it ma b e ib d d p h h , y gathered from them and the acc omp anying docum ent s themselves that th e original intention was to cro ss th e ’ u ela at or near T rich ard s r t and t ence T g D if , h by — N B . Blac mar l line in i r n m r e were . k gina d cates that p o tio s so a k d n u li he ith h h 1 ot b s w t e d e c . p d sp at es, 900 204 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

’ following th e roa d p ast F air View and ‘ Acton ’ omes to ain th e o en lain nor o f on Ko H , g p p th Spi p , ’ th e B o er p o sition in front of P otgieter s D rift b ein g t oo str n o e a en r Th e w ole o g t b t k by di ect attack . h or c e les s one ri a e wa s la ce un er th e o r er s o f f , b g d , p d d d S ir C arles arr en wh o th e d a a t er h e h ad cr o sse h W , , y f d th e u el a seem s t o ave c onsul t e his G eneral and T g , h d r nci al taff f c ers and to ave c ome t o th e p i p S O fi , h c onclu sion t hat th e fl anking m ovement which S ir Redver s Buller h ad mention ed in his secret instructions w as impractic able on ac coun t of th e insufficienc y of li H e a r in l t a n e th e supp es . cc o d g y decided o dva c by more rect roa lea n nort -ea st and ranc n off di d di g h , b hi g ’ r om a il Th e s elect on f p oint ea st o f Three Tree H l . i o f this ro a d nec essitated th e c ap tur e and r etention o f on Ko but et er it woul ave een e uall Spi p , wh h d h b q y necessar t o oc cu ion Ko h ad th e l n e of y py Sp p , i a vanc e n c ate S ir Re vers B ul —ler een ollo e d i di d by d b f w d , i n n n e A S S ir C arles s ot st ated in th e c orresp o de c . h Warren c onsidere d it imp o ssible t o m ak e th e wide fl ank in movement c was recommen e n o t a ctuall g whi h d d , if y rescr e in his s ecret nstruct ons h e s oul at onc e p ib d , i i , h d h ave acquainte d S ir Re dver s B ul ler with th e c our se o f er i n t in a ction which h e prop o sed to a dopt . Th e s o h g t o S ow h et er h e so or not but it seems onl h w h did , y fair to S ir Ch arles Warren to p oint out th at S ir Redvers B ul ler app ear s througho ut t o have been aware of what n O n several oc c as ons h e a s resen was h app e ing . i w p t n H e r e eate l ve a during th e o p eratio s . p d y ga dvice to his su or nat e comman er and on th e d a a ter the b di d , y f withdr awal fr om Spion Kop h e resumed th e chief comman d .

20 6 S IR CHA RLES WARREN A ND SPION KO P a dmitting that d ue pr ep arations may n ot h ave b een ma e for s tren t en n th e o sit o n urin the n t d g h i g p i d g igh , reor an sin th e e en c e a n d r n n u artiller —in g i g d f , b i gi g p y ’ regar d t o which S ir Charles Warren s rep ort do es not ’ alto gether b ear out S ir Re dvers B ul ler s c ontention a dmitting also th at th e senior o fﬁcers on th e summit o f th e hill might have been more promptly informe d of th e m easur es t aken by S ir Charles Warren to s u ort and r ein orce t em am o f o n on t a pp f h , I pi i h t ’ - Colonel Th o rne r i n n Lieu t . yc oft s a ssumpt o of resp o si ilit an d aut orit w a l n e l ur n b y h y s whol y i xcu sab e . D i g ’ th e n t th e enem s ﬁ r e it not cease alto et er igh y , if did g h , c oul not ave een orm a le and t ou lam d h b f id b , , h gh p si nall n wa s not o ssi le at th e time o in to th e g i g p b , w g su l o f oil avin aile it oul not ave ta en pp y h g f d , w d h k mo re t an two or t re rs m s f r u h h e hou at o t o Lie t . C olonel Thorneycro ft to c ommunicate by messenger t M a or -G eneral C o e or S ir C arles arren and wi h j k h W ,

r ive a r l a r - n al a ear s t to ece ep y . M j o G e er Co ke pp o

ave le t ion K at P for th e r ose o f h f Sp op M . p u p c on sultin it S ir C arles arren and u to t a g w h h W , p h t

r h e i e f a i r h n r in hou t d a o w thd awal a d not b een e te ta e d . ’ Y et a lm o st immediately after M aj or -G ener al C o ke s

e artur e ieu t - Col n l r t issu e an or er . o e o ne cro d p L Th y f d d ,

it out re erenc e t o su erior au t or t ic u s et w h f p h i y , wh h p th e w ole lan o f o er ations an d r en ere unava l n h p p , d d i i g th e s acriﬁc es which h a d already b een made to carry ff t it into e ec . O n th e ot er an it is onl r t t o state t at h h d , y igh h

-Colonel rn e ar e e Lieut . Th o y cro ft app e s to h ave b hav d

in a ver allant m ann er t ro u o ut the d a an d it y g h gh y, was d ou tles s d ue in a reat measure to his e ert ons b , g , x i EXTRACTS FRO M DESPATCHE S 207

and example that the troop s c ontinu ed to hold th e r summit of the hill until dir ected t o etire . T h e c on uct o f C a tain illi s r a e-M a or 5 . d p Ph p , B ig d j l oth ri a e o n th e o cc asion in uestion is o f the B g d , q , hi m n i n H e d id his est o deservin g o f gh c om e d at o . b t

i h e mista e w c was e n m a e but it was rect fy t k hi h b i g d , i nallin c ommun ic at on was no t re t oo l ate . S g g i il h 25th J anu r nd esta lis e unt A . M . on t e a a b h d y, by that time th e naval guns c oul d no t have r eached

f th e hill e re a r ea M a r th e summit o b fo d yb k . j o id n n n i - l n en er al Co e d ot retur a d eut . Co o el G k , L

h n M r er m orne cr o t a d o e aw a . o eov o st o f th e Th y f g y ,

o o s h ad e un t o leave the hill and th e orkin tr p b g , w g

arties wit th e al com an of R o al n neers h ad p , h h f p y y E gi , n also withdr aw . It is t o b e r e rette t at S ir C arl s 6 . g d h h e Warren d id n o t him self visit Spion Kop durin g th e aftern oon

or evenin no win a s h e did t at th e state o f affa g , k g h irs

t ere was ver c ritical and t at th e lo ss o f th e o s t n h y , h p i io l nvolve th e ailur e of th e o erat n H wou o s . e was d i f p i ,

c onse u entl o li e t o summ on M a or - G ener al q y , b g d j C o ke t o his hea dqu arter s in th e evening in or der that h e

mi t a sc er ta n h ow m atter s were oin on and th e gh i g g , c omm an on ion K o t u s evolve o n i d Sp p h d d L eut . C olonel Thorn eycro ft ; but M aj or - G en eral Coke was A mi n ot aware of t s . out a un er instr hi b dd y , d uctions r om S ir Re ver s uller S ir C arles f d B , h Warr en h ad

—C o lonel rn e directed Lieut . Tho ycro ft to assum e c om

m an on th e su mmit o f th e ll w t th e t em r d hi , i h p o ary r an o f ri a ier - G en eral but t is o r r k B g d , h de wa s no t c ommunic ate t o M a or -G ener al C o e wh o until d j k , , h e

le t th e o sit on at P . M . was un er th e im f p i , d pr es sion 208 S IR CHA RLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

t at the comman h a d evolve on Colonel ll as h d d d Hi , n r ofﬁ cer a ter C lonel Cr ton h ad een woun e se o o o . i , f f b d d Omissions or mist akes o f this n ature m ay be trivial in t em selves et ma e erc se an m ort ant n uence h , y y x i i p i ﬂ o n th e cour se of events and I think that S ir Redvers

‘ B uller is j u stiﬁed in r emarking that there was a want o f organisation and system which ac ted most un ’ l n th n f avour ab y o e defe ce .

Th att m t t o relieve a sm t es i 7 . e e cr e n p L dy i h , d ib d t e se es atc es was ell ev se and a ree w t h d p h , w d i d , I g i h S ir Redvers B uller in thinking that it ought t o have

t i a in s m r s uccee e . a t a le m o e measu e b e d d Th f i d y , , d ue t o th e difficulties o f th e gr oun d and th e com — m anding p o sition s held by th e enemy p r ob ably also t o errors o f j udgment and want of a dministrative h art f ir C arles rr B ut c ap acity on t e p o S h Wa en . whatever faul t s S ir Charles Warr en may have com mitted th e a lure must als o be ascr e to the , f i ib d disinclination o f th e officer in supreme c o mm and t o as sert his authority and see that wh at h e thought b est s one and also to the un arr ant a le and n ee l ess wa d , w b d n as sumption of resp onsibility by a sub ordi ate o ffi cer . Th e rat in eature in t ese es a tc es is 8 . g ify g f h d p h th e a dmirable beh aviour of th e troop s throughout th e

Op erations . th e onour to be M or I h ave h , y L d , ’ r r s s most o e ient ervant You L o d hip b d S , R E l -M r s h l O B R T S , Fie d a a ,

- - omma nd in in Chie S outh A rica . C g f, f

210 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

’ O n th e l 6th a reserve of 17 a s su l av n , d y pp y h i g ll te G eneral ir C arren in mman f een c o ec S . co o b d , W , d th e 2nd v s on the 1 1th r a e of the 5th v s on Di i i , B ig d Di i i , th e r a e v s on Ro al el Art ller 5th v B ig d Di i i y Fi d i y, Di i s on an d c erta n c or s troo s n c lu n the M oun te i , i p p , i di g d ’ r a e move rom r n el to Trich ard s r t B ig d , d f Sp i gﬁ d D if , ’ i out ix m l i s which s ab s i es west o f P otg eter . 1 I attac h a c op y o f the or ders under whic h S ir r n a te and l hi r r f his era C . ar e c enc o se s e o t o o W d , p p tions (C) . O n th e n t of th e 23rd G eneral arren attac e igh , W k d on Ko c O erat on h e h as m a e th e su ec t Spi p , whi h p i d bj al e r O n th e m rn n f h 25th ﬁ nd o f a s ec r o t . o o t e p i p i g , in t at on Ko had een a an one in th e n t g h Spi p b b d d igh , ’ I decided t o withdraw G eneral Warren s force ; the tro o s h ad een c ont nuo usl en a e for a ee in p b i y g g d w k , c r cumstances entail n cons era le ar s s t ere i i g id b h d hip , h h a n er eav l sses n n K G eneral d b ee v y h y o o Spio op . ’ arren s s o s t ons h ad m e u all th e r a es W di p i i ix d p b ig d , nd h s ns h e el er n l a t e p o itio h d w e da gerous y insecure . conse uentl a ssume the comman co mmence the I q y d d , d withdrawal of th e ox and heavy mul e transport on th e 25th ; this was completed by midd ay t h e 26th ; by double sp anning th e loade d o x wagons got o ver th e drift at th e r ate of about eight p er hour T he mule wa ons went o ver th e ontoon r e but all the g p b idg , mules h ad to be t aken o ut and th e vehic les p assed over F r a out se en r h by h and . o b v h ou s o f t e night the drift c oul not b e u se a s it was an erous in th e ar d d d g d k , t th e u se o f the ontoon ent on a d n bu p w d ay n ight . In a t on to m a c ne uns S ix atter es o f Ro al ddi i hi g , b i y el Art ller and our owit ers the ollow n Fi d i y , f h z , f i g

ee S pages 67 to 69 . EXTRACT FRO M DESPATCHES 211

ve cles were a sse : ox wa ons 23 2 10 - S an mule hi p d g , ; p wa ons 9 8 6 - s an 107 4- s an 52 t otal 489 g , ; p , ; p , ; , i l In dit on to t ese th e am ulan c es were ve c es . a h d i h , b workin g b ackwards and forwards evacuating th e sick

and wounded . the 26th all he ox a ons ere o ver 2 P M . t By . , , w g w , ll h ule tr ans ort s ere across a d P . M a t e m n by . p w

h 4A . M th 27th and t e ri e clear for th e troo s . . e b dg p By , , h M the ontoon all t e tro o s ere over and 8 A . . s p w , by p r n T h e troo s h ad all we e go e and all was clear . p T h e m a e r ac e 1 M . rc s e h d their new c amp s by 0 A . h avera e for the mounte tro o s a out 7 miles and g d d p b ,

h a f m for t e infantry an d artillery an aver ge o 5 iles .

ver t n or e w t out a tc an d th e E y hi g w k d i h hi h , arrangements reﬂect ed great credit on th e St aff o f all

e r ees but mu st es ec all mention M a or rwin d g ; I p i y j I ,

R E and his men o f th e ontoon ro o wh o were , P T p , th e c unt r n . en all m en ere over es ses o f th e i i g Wh w , h p ont o on bridge were s o worn by th e trafﬁc t hat I d o n ot t in t e woul ve la ste anot er al o h k h y d ha d h h f h ur . Thus en ded an exp e dition which I think o ught to

a e su fere eav l r have su cceede d . We h v f d h i y (fo c asu alt retur n see ver eav lo sses and lo st man y , K) , y h y , y w om we can ill s ar e but on th e ot er an we h p ; , h h d , h ave inﬂicted as great or greater lo s ses up on th e enemy t an t e ave u on u s and t e are all ac count s h h y h p , h y , by , t orou l s eart ene w le our tro o s are am h gh y di h d ; hi p , I

la and r ou t o sa in e c ellent ettle . g d p d y , x f ave th e onour to b e S ir I h h , , our o ed ent ervant Y b i S , RED VE R S L LE R BU , ‘ Genera l O icer Comma ndin ﬁ g . P 2 212 S IR CHARLES WARREN AND SPION KOP

L I -G ENER L IR CH RLE S RRE T o F RO M EUT . A S A WA N TH E CH IEF O F T H E S TAFF

’ attin s arm : 2 th Januar 1900 H g F 9 y, .

S ir —I ave th e onour t o ma e th e ollo n re , h h k f wi g ort on th e o erat ons on the nort s e of th e u ela p p i h id T g , west of on Ko rom th e 17th to the 27th of Spi p , f anuar 19 00 J y , n h th an 1 . O t e 8 J u ary ﬁ eld orders were published constituting th e l oth B rigade of th e 5th Division a Cor s r a e and la c n th e 4th r a e in th e 5th p B ig d , p i g B ig d Th e 5th v s n t u s n m ar Division . Di i io h c o stitute d ched rom rere on th e l 0th nstant arr v n at r n el f F i , i i g Sp i gﬁ d

on th e 12th in stant .

2 n th e 1 5th anuar r ret . O J y I eceive d your sec instructions to c ommand a forc e to proceed across th e ’ u ela near T rich ar d t s r t to th e est o f on T g , D if , w Spi Ko rec ommen in me to ro cee orwar re us n p , d g p d f d f i g m r h namel on Ko and r n n m le t y ig t ( y , Spi p) , b i gi g y f rwar t o a n th e e a n K fo d g i op n p l in nor th of Spio op . This move was t o commence a s soon as supplies were all in and th e l 0th r a e e e t t o c om an es , B ig d ( xc p w p i ) ’ remove ro m r n el r to arman ll d f Sp i gﬁ d B idge Sp e s H i . ’ was rov e t 3 . 4 a s rat ons w t c I p id d wi h d y i , i h whi h was t o cro ss th e u ela t m wa roun to I T g , ﬁgh y y d nort of on Ko and o n our c olumn o os e h Spi p , j i y pp it i ’ P o tg eter s . 4 On the 15th anuar m . J y I ade the arrangements for ett n su l es and move th e l 0th r a g i g pp i , d B ig de on the following d ay ; and on the evening of the 16th

214 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

p ointed out that th e o nly po ssible way o f all getting through by th e road north o f F air Vi ew would be by ’ t a n 3 or 4 a s o o in our avers ac s and sen n ki g d y f d h k , di g all our wagons b ack acro ss th e T ugela ; but b efore we c ould d o this we must capture th e p osition in front f o us .

O n h e ollo n d a 20th anuar la 7 . t ce f wi g y, J y , I p d two briga des and S ix b atteries o f artillery at th e dis Cler wit in tr o sal of G enera l S ir C . . s u ct on s t o p F y , h i attack th e B o er p osition s by a series o f outfl anking movements (c op y of instructions and by th e end of th e d a a ter t n for 12 our s we y, f figh i g h , ere in osses s on o f th e ole ar t o f ills but w p i wh p h , fo un d a stron gly entrenched line on th e c omp ar atively a fl t c ountry b eyond us . n h 2l h o er s is la e c ons r 8 . O t e st t e B d p y d ide able act v t on our le t and th e Comman er -in -C e i i y f , d hi f es re m to m ter s rom ri t o le d i d e ove two b at ie f ght ft . At a su s e uent at e ur n th e d a oun it im b q d , d i g y , I f d oss le to ro cee t out ow t ers and tele ra e p ib p d wi h h i z , g ph d ’ for our r m P o iet r s ese arr ve earl on the f f o tg e . Th i d y morn n o f th e 22n d and th e C omman er -in-C e i g , d hi f , arriv n a out th e s ame t me ir ecte m e to lac e i g b i , d d p two of t ese o it er s on th e le t two av n alr ea h h w z f , h i g dy h n e o h been plac e d on t e right fl ank . I p oi t d ut to t e C ommander-in - Chief that it would b e imp os sible to get wa gons through by th e ro ad leading p ast F air e unles s we rst too on Ko c l es Vi w fi k Spi p , whi h i ar f th a T he C m within ab out y ds o e ro d . o man der-in -Chief a greed that Spion Kop would have t e ta en Accor in l t at even n or er s ere o b k . d g y h i g d w

S ee p age 103 . EXTRACTS FROM DESPATCHES 215 drawn up giving th e necessary instructions t o G eneral al ot Co e to t a e ion Ko t at ni t but o in T b k k Sp p h gh , , w g to an a sence of suf c ent r ec onna s sance he re b ﬁ i i , d 1 queste d that th e attack might b e put off for a ay . n the 23rd anuar the Comman er -in-Chie 9 . O J y d f came nt o c am th e att ac on on Ko was i p , k Spi p - l l aCour t of th e ea ec e u on and eut . Co one d id d p , Li , H d uarters ta f was directe the Comman er -in - C e q S f , d by d hi f to a ccom an G eneral o o at e wh o was etail e to p y W dg , d d man h in l n The acc ount of th e c om d t e attac k g co um .

r c aptur e of Spion Kop is given in another ep ort . n th e m ornin of th e 25th anuar th e C om 10 . O g J y

’ H n arm 3oth Januar 1900. atti g S F y ,

The Chief of S taﬁ — ith r eference to m re ort on th e o erations , W y p p on th e Tu ela alrea forwar ed will ou lease attach th e ac com an in g , dy d , y p p y g ad dition

- C . ARRE N L ieut. G ener a l W , , D Comma nd ing 5 th ivisio n.

’ H attin s th J n r 1 0 arm : 3o a ua 90 . g F y,

I omitted to state th at during th e afternoon of th e 22nd th e C om ’ mand er-in-Chief p rop os ed an att ack up on th e enemy s p osition on our left ﬂ a n that ni h s ummoned at nce th e ener ffi ers avail abl k g t . I o G al O c e — m l n a e eneral s Cler T albot Co e and Hild ar d . eneral Cl er , y, G y , k , y G y wh o was in co mmand o f th e left attac did no con sid er it a d visabl e t k , t o ma e this a ttac b ecaus e if succes sful it would commit us to t a in k k , , , k g ’ th e whol e line of th e enem s osition which h e consid ered a h azardo u y p , s ro ceedin a s we mi h n be able h ld i In his nc t ot to o t . t co urred p g, g I , more p articularly as it wa s evid ently too late in th e day to carry th e o eration ou ff p t e ectively.

- Wm n . 0 . n, L ieut Gener a l,

Command ing 5th Division .

I continually proposed to General Warren that h e S houl d attack th e ’ ’ enem s ri ht which was en l a i/r and not stron and which it was art y g , g , p of th e ri in l ro ramme to tr d turn but never su e te d in o g a p g an , I gg s o y —d g t is edl r i R. B . h hurri y o with out ad equate forethought and preparat on. 216 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

man er -in-C e arr ve ec i e t o retire th e orce d hi f i d , d d d f , e ire t c omm Th e l and assum d d c and . who e o f th e wa gons of the 5th Division were got down to the drift urin the d a and were crosse over e ore 2 R M on d g y, d b f . h nu ar the 26t Ja y .

Th e arr an ements for th e re irem n 11 . g t e t o f the

5th v s on were e cee n l ell ot o ut and th e Di i i x di g y w g , retirement wa s m ade in go o d or der during th e night of th e 26th th e o le o f th e tro o s cro ss n to th e sout , wh p i g h s e of th e u ela e ore a li t and th e a ons id T g b f d y gh , w g ere ac e and th e troo s vouac e near the s ru t w p k d , p bi k d p i out 2 m les t o th e east of th e onto on r e ab i p b idg s . h A out 10 P . M . rev ou s to t e ret rement eav b , p i i , h y mus e r was ear to th e nort of our os t on k t y h d h p i i , h ch h as b een attr buted t o a B oer commando th nk w i i . i e n t o ma e a n t ta ing we wer goi g k igh at ck . 1 rts r m - t . n r 2 . a en re o o eu G e e al ir . 1 I pp d p f Li S C F . Cler on th e o erat ons con ucte him on th e y , p i d d by 20th 21 st and 22nd a lso rom M a or -G ener al H ild ard , , , f j y ,

i er ati ns n t o s e ates G B for h s o o o . , p h d r o o se t o or ar a s s o on as ossi le a more 13 . I p p f w d p b

et a le re ort o f th e movement s o f r a es and un ts d i d p b ig d i ,

and act s o f individuals . E L i u - n r l C R N e t . G e e a . W R A , ,

Comma nd ing 5 ih Division .

1 ’ Re or . i . Cler t S ee p ages 104and 105 for substance of S r C F . y s p

- rin Th e Report of M aj or General H ildyard is not rep ted .

218 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

istri ut on o f his a tter es w ic h e a ree to t o d b i b i , h h g d , some e tent b ut h e o ul not a vanc e his le t and x , w d d f , I foun d that h e h ad divid ed his ﬁghting line into three n e en ent comm an s in e en ent o f eac ot er and i d p d d , d p d h h a ar en tl n e en ent of h im as h e tol me h e c oul pp y i d p d , d d ’ not mo ve any b at teries without G eneral Clery s con

sent .

nt n s no attem t n h Th e days we o . I aw p o t e p art of G eneral Warren either t o grapple with th e S ituation h 2 or t o c omm and his forc e him s elf . By t e 3 rd I

c alc ul at e t at t h e enem wh o ere a out 600 s tr on d h y , w b g on th e 16th were no t les s t an and G eneral , h im h ad r ll l White c on ﬁrmed this est ate . We ea y ost ’

a e ir . arren s sl wnes s H s our c h nc by S C W o . e eems to m e a m an wh o c an d o well at h e c an d o msel wh hi f, but wh o c annot c o mm an as h e c an u se ne t er his d , i h n m l him n Staff nor sub ordinates . I c an ever e p oy agai n n mm o n an indep e de t c o and . O n th e 19 th I o ught t o h ave a s sumed c ommand my sel saw t at t n s were n ot o in well— n ee ever f I h hi g g gj i d d , y ‘ n l me m l n f r n ot avin o e saw that . I b a yse f ow o h g done

t au s e t a S s o . n o ec t ou t t oul I did , b I h gh h if I did I h d discredit G ener al Warr en in th e e stim ation ofth e troop s ; and t at if ere S ot and h e h ad t o t raw acro ss h I w h , wi hd th e u ela and t e h a d lost c on ence in him the T g , h y ﬁd , n m s i co sequences ight b e very er ous . I mu st leave it to higher authority whether this ar m n n An o e l c onv n u e t was a soun o e . e ce g d yh w, I f i d t at we h ad a o o c ance on th e 17th and t at we h g d h , h l i ost t .

REDVER S L L ER G enera l . BU , EXTRACTS FROM DESPATCHE S 219

F RO M TH E G E NER L O FF ICE R C O M M ANDIN G N ATAL A , , T O T H E S E CRE TARY O F S TA TE F O R WAR

B the Field -M a rsha l Commandin -in - Chie Ca e Town ( y g f, p )

’ rm n ill 3 th Januar 1900 . S p ea a s H : o y, — ’ - ir In orwar n n eral ir C . arren s S eut . G e S , f di g Li W re ort on the ca ture and eva cuat on o f on Ko p p i Spi p , I n have the hon our to O ffer th e followin g o bser vatio s . Th e ﬁgures in my rep ort r efer to tho se in margin

1 i r r in sa in t at r C . a r n is ar l or ec t . S W e h d y c y g h ’ h l n h ad t ol e was only al owed 35 days p rovisio s . I d him that transp ort for 3 5 d ays would b e sufﬁcient ur en to him but t at woul ee him lle u as b d , h I d k p ﬁ d p h at h e as a are o f t is is s o e want ed it . Th w w h h wn by th e followin g telegram which h e sent on th e d ay in

i nl h a m ir ues n I is th e re ort d ro S C . q t o . t o y p I f Warren M R ei ed A M en P . . ec v . (S t . ) eft lan 1 th Januar L F k 9 y .

T o C ie of the S taﬁ —I ﬁ nd t ere are o nl two h f , h y ’ r oads by which we c oul d p o ssibly get fr om T rich ard s ’ rit t o P ot iet er s o n th e nor t o f th e u ela— n D f g , h T g o e

A c to n omes th e o t er a r ew and Ro salie by H , h by F i Vi ; th e rst re ec t a s to o lon th e secon is a ver ﬁ I j g , d y

f cult r o a for a lar e num er of a on s unless th e di ﬁ d g b w g , en em is t orou l l r m re r c ea e out . a t e o e y h gh y d I , h f , going to a dopt s ome sp ecial arrangements whic h will ’ invo lve m st a at enter s aa er for 2 or 3 a y y V L g d ys . I w ll sen in for urt er su l es and re ort ro r ess i d f h pp i p p g . C ’ . W RRE A N . 220 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

’ T he reply to this was th at 3 days supply was e n sent b i g . 2 t er r rr n h . en o v to i C . a en o t e 2 rd I w S W 3 . I p ointed out to him th at I h ad no further report and no intimation o f th e sp ecial arrangement s fore shadowed by this t elegram o f the 19 th ; th at for four days h e h ad kept his men c ontinu ously exp o sed to s ell and ri e fi re erc e o n th e e e o f an almost h fl , p h d dg p recipit ous hill ; that th e p o sition admitte d o f no s ec on l ne and th e su ort s were mas se clo se d i , pp d e n th e rin line in n e ens le orm at ons and b hi d fi g i d f ib f i , that a p anic or a sudden char ge might s end th e whole in sor er n th e b ill at an moment s a lot di d dow y . I id it was to o an erous a s tuat on to b e rolon e and d g i i p g d , that h e mu st either attack or I should withdraw his t as h ad rev u sl ne orc e . a vo c a e o o an f I d d , I p i y d , e r m hi l H e s ai t at h e h ad h n advanc f o s eft . d h t e ight e or e or ere G eneral Co e to a ssaul t on Ko but b f d d k Spi p , th e latter h ad o bj ected t o undert aking a night attack on a p osition th e ro a d to which h e h ad n ot rec on noitred and a e t at h e nten e t o a ssault on , dd d h i d d Spi

Kop th at night . 3 su es te t at as G eneral C e a l m . I gg d h ok w s stil la e r m th e effect s o f a l atel ro en le G eneral o o f o y b k g , W d at e wh o h ad two soun le s was et ter a a t e for g , d g , b d p d

mount ain climbing . 4 As no el o ra coul on acc ount o f th e ﬁ re . h i g p h d , , e e t on th e east s e o f on Ko messa es for b k p id Spi p , g i C arren ere rece ve o ur s nallers at S r . W w i d by ig a i ar earman and tele r e t o S r C . ren t us Sp , g ph d W h I h a em e ore he d id as was at t e S nal stat on . s w th b f , I ig i le m i arr en uotes not ve me Th e te gra S r C . W q did gi

222 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

O ur losses re ret t o sa ere ver eav b ut the , I g y , w y h y , enemy admitted to our do ctors that their s were e qually s evere and t ou we were no t su c ces s ul in ret a n n , h gh f i i g th e o s t on th e losses n cte o n th e enem a nd th e p i i , i fli d y attack gener ally have h ad a m ark ed effect upon them . I c annot close thes e remarks without b earing t esti mony t o th e gall ant an d a dmir a ble b e haviour of th e tro op s th e endur ance S hown by th e L anca shire ’ u s l er s th e M lese Re ment and T horne croft s F i i , idd x gi , y M ounte n antr was a mira le le t he efforts o f d I f y d b , whi th e 2n d B attalion S c ottish Rifles and 3 r d B attalion ’ n s Ro al Ri es ere e u all oo and the Ro al Ki g y fl w q y g d , y

L an c aster s fought gallantly .

am wr t n to c atc th e m a l and ave not an I i i g h i , h y p articulars yet to enable m e to rep ort more fully o n l detai s . ave th e onour to be S ir I h h , , Your ob edient S ervant REDVE R S L L E BU R .

- RE P O RT B L IE T . G E NE R L S IR CH RL E S WAR RE N Y U A A , UP O N T H E CAP T URE AN D S UB S E QUEN T E VACUAT IO N O F S P IO N KO P

Cap tur e a nd E vacua tion of Sp ion Kop

C e o f th e taff -I ma e th e o erat ons a n hi f S , k p i gai st on Ko in a se arate re ort ecause t e d id n t Spi p p p , b h y o n nal lan enter i to my origi p s . Under the original instructions o f the G eneral EXTRACTS FROM DESPATCHES 223

f cer Comman n -in -C e o f 15th anuar 1900 O fi di g hi f , J y , , was t o act as cir cumst anc es re u r e but ac c or in I q i d , , d g o nstructions was enerall t o c o ntinue thr ou out t i , g y gh re us n m ri t and t r o in m le t or war until f i g y gh , h w g y f f d h n la n n f n K I gained t e Op e p i orth o Spio op . ’ U on the 19 th o f anuar on arr val a t enter s p J y, i V aa er a ssem le all the G eneral f cer s f cer s L g , I b d O fi , O fi C ommandin g R oyal Artillery and Royal E ngineers o f n r in v sions a d t aff cer s t o et e . o t e o ut Di i , S Offi g h I p d ’ to t em t at t th e t ree an d a - al 3 a s 1 h h , wi h h h f ( 5) d y rov s ons allowe it was m o ssi le to a van ce th e p i i d , i p b d by le t r a t rou A t n m In this t e unan f o d h gh c o Ho es . h y i n em t at th e onl m ously c o curr ed . I S howe d th h y p o ssible roa d was that going o ver F air View through Ro sal e but e resse m c onviction t at t s coul 1 i , I xp d y h hi d not b e done unless we sent th e whole of o ur transp ort ac a cros s th e u ela and attem te to mar c b k T g , p d h — through with o ur rations in our h aversacks without imp ediment a . T h e lls were cleare on th e ollow n d a hi d f i g y, and ver stron entrenc ments oun e n t m y g h f d b hi d he . Th e Comm ander -in -Chief was present on th e 21 st and 22nd anuar an d o nte out th e cult es of J y , I p i d diffi i r n n h a ma c alo t e r o a , ccom anie wa ons hi g g d p d by g , r n without fi st t aki g Spion Kop . A ccor in l on th e n t of th e 22nd o r ere d g y, igh , I d d r l n H e G ene a Co e t o oc cu io Ko . owever k py Sp p , h , desired that th e oc cup ation might b e deferred for a d ay in or der that h e might m ake a re connaiss anc e with th e f c ers Comman in att alions t o be sent th re O fi d g b e . O n th e 23rd Janu ary th e C o mmander -in -Chief 2 came nto c am and t ol me t at t ere ere two i p , d h h w 224 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND S PION KOP

cour ses o en to atta c or 2 to ret re . re l e p k , ( ) i I p i d t at S oul re er to attac on Ko t o ret r n h I h d p f k Spi p i i g , and S howed th e Commander -in-Chief my or ders of th e d p revio us ay . 3 Th e Commander -in-Chief then desire d that I should p ut G ener al Woodgate in c ommand of the n a i -C lonel aCour t e e tion a d d et le eu . o t o xp di , i d L t n him a taff er a ccomp a y s S Ofﬁc . Th e s ame evening G eneral Wo o dgate p roceeded w th e ancas re usilier s th e Ro al ancaster ith L hi F , y L ’ Re iment a ort on o f Thorne croft s orse and al g , p i y H , h f c om an Ro al n neers su orte two c om p y y E gi , pp d by p anies of th e C onn aught Ranger s and by the Imp erial t n antr th e latt er av n ust arr ve Ligh I f y , h i g j i d by d ’ T rich ar t s Drift . T h e attack and c apture of Spion Kop was entirely e l G ener al oo ate av n secure th e succ ss u . f W dg , h i g d summ t o n the 24th re orte t at he had entrenc e i , p d h h d a os t on and o e h e was secure but t at th e fo p i i h p d , h g t rm i h n a was too thick o p e it h m to see . T e p ositio w s rus e t out c asualt es ot er t an ree men h d wi h i , h h th

woun ded . -C lonel aCourt c ame n in th morn n A Lieut . o dow e i g and state t at ever t n wa s sat s actor and secure d h y hi g i f y , and telegraphe d t o th e Commander-in - Chief to that effe carcel h ad h e starte on his return to ea ct . S y d h d quarters when a heliogram arrived from Colonel R l an a r T h me a as : Crofton ( o ya L c ste ) . e ss ge w ’

t n r ll l . Re n orce a o ce o a o st G eneral ea . i f , d d

H e also sent a S imilar message to headquarters . I immediately ord ered G eneral Coke to proceed to his H e ass s ance and to take comman of the roo s . i t , d t p

226 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

S hell s also whether two b attalions would sufﬁ ce to l h m r nce t a ho d t e su mit . This was in acco da wi h telegram on the subj ect sent me by the Commander in-C ie er in h n arran emen s h f . L at t e eveni g I ma de g t to sen two naval 12 - rs and th e M ount a n at er d ( ) p . i B t y Ro al Art ller to th e summ t o et er t al y i y i , t g h wi h h f com an Ro al n neers and or n art es two p y y E gi ( w ki g p i , rel e s of 600 men eac to stren t en th e entrenc i f h) , g h h a r n ma ments nd p ovide S hell c overs for th e me . I y here mention that th e 17th Comp any Royal Engineers ’ p ro ceeded at the s ame time as G eneral Wo o dgate s orce a nd ere em lo e until a l t u on th e en f , w p y d d y igh p

trenchments en u on ro a ma n and a er su l . , th p d ki g w t pp y t ant S andb ags were sent up early on th e 24th ins . le C olonel S im was t t s art ascen n Whi , wi h hi p y , di g th e hill h e met Colonel orne cro t escen in , Th y f d d g,

av n evacua e th e s n F or th e remain er of h i g t d p o itio . d the account of th e proceedings I attac h th e reports 1 made t o me by Colonel Thorneycroft and by G eneral 2 Co e o et er t re orts on the su l of oo and k , t g h wi h p pp y f d r r n r The su l wate e de ed by o fficers thus eng aged . pp y of ammun t on was am le i i p . I wi sh to brin g to notice that I hear d from all but one exp ression of th e a dmirable conduct and bravery S hown by Officers and men suffering under a withering ar ller fi re on th e m t of the S lo es and also of ti y su mi p , t ose wh o t so muc en ur ance ers s e in h , wi h h d , p i t d c arryin g up water and foo d and ammunition t o the troo s ur n p d i g this d ay . 5 D uring the d ay a S taff Officer of the H eadquarters

1 2 e . S ee G . S e H EX TRACTS FRO M DESPATCHES 227

S taﬁ was resen on th e summit and re ort e irec p t , p d d t -in - to the Comman der Chief . At sun set I c onsidered that the p osition c oul d be el ne t d a rov e t at uns c oul b e mounte h d x y, p id d h g d d ot of t ese on and effective s helter provided . B h h c

ditions were a ou t o be ul l le as alrea ment one . b t f ﬁ d, dy i d In th e a sence of G eneral Co e om o r ere to b k , wh I d d come t o re ort in erso n as t o the s tuat on the p p i i , evacuat on too lace un er or ers ven u on his i k p d d , gi p n l - l n l rne r r i t eut . o o wn es o s C o e o c o t . p ib i y, by Li Th y f This occurre d in th e fac e o f th e vigorous protests of ’ G ener al Co e s r a e-M a or th e f cer C om k B ig d j , O ﬁ l n a man n th e M ese Re me t nd ot ers . di g idd x gi , h It is a matter for the Commander-in-Chief to decide 6 whether there S hould be an investigation into th e uest on of the unaut orise evacuat on of ion Ko q i h d i Sp p . CH ARL E S ARRE N L ieu - n W t. e er l , G a .

- F O M L IE T . CO L O NEL A R . . T H O RN E CR FT U W Y O , ’ T H ORN EY CR O F T S M O N TED IN F NTR CO M M ND U A Y, A IN G O N S P ION KO P T o T H E CH IEF T FF , S A O F F ICE R

T o G ENE RAL S IR C . WARREN .

’ Cam Trich ard s Drift : 26th Januar 1 p , y , 900. — S IR On th e n t of the 23rd anuar 19 00 , igh J y , , I ren ezvouse w t 18 fﬁ cers and 180 men rne d d i h O , Tho y ’ cro s M t ounte n an r 2nd B at . ancas re usil ers f d I f t y , L hi F i ,

2nd B at . Ro al ancaster Re ment and al c m an y L gi , h f o p y Ro al n neers the ole un r th y E gi , wh de e command of l G enera o o ate . At 9 P W dg M . we started to march to 228 S IR CHAR LES WARREN AND SPION KOP

the to of n K led the a sm p Spio op . I w y with a all a vance art cro sse th e on as and a vance u d d p y , d d g d d p the hill ; on reaching the first plateau the force closed u in ormat n nd n n As th r o a we t on a a . e on p f i , g i f t ’ broadene d I got the Th orneycroft s M ounted Infantry nto l ne r t acro s s the ill and the rema n er i i , igh h , i d ollowe in suc c ess ve l nes u th e las S lo e en we f d i i p t p , wh ere u n h d w s dde ly challenged . I a or dere d th e men to lie own e ll n e t e h e d wh n ch a e g d ; h y did so . T B oers en fi n Op ed re from maga zines . Whe I thought that they h ad emptied their magazines I g ave th e order to c harge ; an o fficer on my left gave the or der t o charge also and the w ole l ne a vance at th e ou le and , h i d d d b c arr h r l n 4 M n lte and r e t e c est e at A . . e a e i d i , wh I h d formed th e line There were ab out ten men wounded alt et r er re mme at l v n o g her . O d s we i di e y gi e by G eneral ffi c er C omman n to orm a trenc and rea ork O di g f h b stw . ere was a m s on the hill and in th e ar ness and Th i t , d k mist it was diffi cul t to get th e exact crest line for a oo el o f fi re and th e oul ers ma e it ffi cult to g d fi d , b d d di bu e m e a r u trenc and reas or At t w a o . dig , d gh h b tw k nd e h a few B oers c ame U p a b gan firing . T e men line the trenc but th e c uets in ron re l e to d h , pi q f t p i d m Th th e fi re and r n c ease for a t e . e oers t en , fi i g d i B h retur ne t s ron re n orcements rom e r cam d wi h t g i f f th i p , which lay concealed in a hollow on the side of th e ill and c was o scure in th e m s we sen h , whi h b d i t ; t out men in front t o enable them to get a better field of fi re with two lullS in th e firing the mist ro se about h fi r t S es e ame ea 8 A . M . en t e r e e on o c v , wh ifl b h id b h y and the B o ers Opened fi re from three guns and - n Th e S ra nel fi re wa s ver a M axim N orde felt . h p y

230 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KO P

AS th e c omp anies of the M iddlesex arrived I pushed t em on t o re n orce and was a le to ol the ole h i f , b h d wh l ne a n Th men n th e le t f ur e e a . e o o o nce wh o i g i f d f , were etac e at some stance rom the trenc h ad d h d di f h , el ei r T h m erial i t n an n h d th r g ound . e I p L gh I f try rei orc e r Th e oer s n ma e e a e f d this p a t . B the d a d sp er t en eavour to S ell us out of the os t on and th e fi re d h p i i , n i T h e c tt R ame c au se m a casualt es . o s e s c u d y S i h ifl p , and I p ushed them up to th e right and left fl anks a s rr ere as some scussion at t s me they a ived . Th w di hi ti as to wh o was in c omman and th e Oflic er Comman d , d ing S co ttish Rifl es s aid h e would go and see G eneral al ot Co e wh o was re orte to be at th e o o t of the T b k , p d f ll t r to s h ad ssue th e or ers o et or e s . U t hi , g d p hi I i d d , but as I o nly got a verb al message I did not under st an d that I h ad th e temp orary rank of B riga dier

‘ n nu r a i ns le the G eneral . I c o ti e d to di ect op er t o whi Offic er C omman din g S c ottis h Rifles went to see l e ener l s a t at Colonel G eneral T a bo t Cok . G a Co ke id h n m an Th e ll was i c om bu t coul not fi nd him . Hi d , I d eav fi re c on t nue and th e oers rou t a un and h y i d , B b gh g M a im-N or en elt t o ear on us r om the east t us x d f b f , h swee in the lat eau rom th e e ast nort and nort p g p f , h , h e and enfi ladin ur r n Th e men el on w st o t e c es . , g h h d all alon the l ne not t stan n th e t err c fi re g i , wi h di g ifi ’ c was rou t to ear on t em as th e enem s whi h b gh b h , y guns (whic h now numbered fi ve and two N or d enfelts)

re s olut l unm les en n t e an to we ab e y o ted . Wh igh b g clo se in etermine to t a e some ste s and a c on I d d k p , sultati n a s l Th e fﬁc er C mman n cottis o w he d . O o di g S h Riﬂes and Colonel Cro fton were b oth o f opinion that th e bill n n l entir l a r e t e r wa s u t e ab e . I e y g e d with h i ew and so ave the o r er for the troo s to t Vi , I g d p wi h EXTRA CTS FRO M DESPATCHES 231

raw on to th e nec and r d e ere th e os tal w s d k i g wh h pi a . It was now uite ar and We went out to arn all t q d k, w o The enem still u come in . e t a r o in ﬁ r y k p p d pp g e . Th e re ments orme u near th e nec and marc e gi f d p k , h d

O H in ormation th e c ott s Ri es orm n th e rear f , S i h fl f i g wa s o l e ow n t o ant of e r rs uar . a e to g d I b ig d , i g w b , lea e a lar e num er of oun e on th e el v g b w d d fi d . In forming my decision as to retirement I was influen ced by th e following 1 Th u ri r t o f th e oer art ller nasmu . e s e o c p i y B i y, i h a s their guns were plac ed in suc h p o sitions a s t o prevent our ar tillery fi re b ein g brou ght t o b ear on t em rom th e lo er slo es near c am or n ee rom h f w p p , i d d f n er lace a y oth p . 2 m not nowin at ste s ere e n ta en . By y k g wh p w b i g k t o su l me in th e m ornin w t uns ot er t an th e pp y g i h g , h h mounta n atter ic in m o inion c oul not ave i b y wh h , y p , d h l ve un er th e lon -r an e fi re o f th e oer artiller i d d g g B y , - r and their close range rifle fi e .

h al a sen of ater and r s ns t e t ot ce ov . 3 . By b w p i io th e if cult o f entr enc in on th e t o of 4. By d ﬁ y h g p ill t o ma e trenc in an wa cover rom art ller h , k h y y f i y ﬁ re t th e few s a es at m is osal th e roun wi h p d y d p , g d b eing so full of r ocks . l d id n h w th e ll coul b e el 5 . nal ot see o Fi y, I hi d h d unless th e oer art ller was S lence and t s was B i y i d , hi m l i p o ssib e . Lieutenant Winston Chur chill arrived wh en th e r e ff troop s h ad been ma ch d o . ave th e onour t o be S ir I h h , , our o e ien ervant Y b d t S , L ieu t - olon l E T H O RN E CR O FT . C e AL C . Y , ,

’ Comma nding Thorneycr oft s M ounted Infantr y . 232 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

REP O RT O F M J OR-G E NER L T L B O T C O KE O FFICER A A A , C O M MANDIN G 10TH BRIGADE

Attack on S ion Ko 23rd 24th 25ih J anua r 1900 p p , , , y,

ontoon B ri e : 25th Januar 1 P dg y, 900 .

In accor ance t our or er s G eneral oo at d wi h y d , W dg e assume c omman o f th e c olumn for th e ni t attac d d gh k , and settled his rendezvous near the Roy al E n gineer rd n vou ac for 7 R M 23 st an . voua c e on h bi , , i t I bi k d t e ’ hill upon which th e C onnaught Rangers picquets are f re r ll south o Th e T ee Hi . h r a T e rs S ot s ere e t A . M fi t h w fi d . T he valle e ween m os t on and on Ko y b t y p i i Spi p , and also th e to of t at eatur e tsel was envelo e in p h f i f , p d l b m st unt l a out 8 A . M . en c ou e seen t at our i i b , wh it d h n h umm r l force held th e schanz es o t e s it . Sho t y a fter it was seen t o b e e o se to a rontal fi re rom r es xp d f f ifl , and to shell fi re from its left front . In a c cor d anc e with or der s communic ated to me by ou t o sen a attal on to r e n or ce a S nal messa e y , d b i i f , ig g was sent t o th e m er al t n antr c I p i Ligh I f y , whi h ’ o ccu ie a cover n os t on t o war s r t s arm p d i g p i i d W igh F , to rocee at onc e to su ort mov n th e ri t ank p d pp , i g by gh fl o h T he 2nd at al on orsets re Re en f t e kop . B t i D hi gim t was or dere d t o th e place vacated by the Imperial

r Light H o se . The p osition of Spion Kop was now seen to be e ose to a cro ss ﬁ re o f artiller and our ns ruo xp d y , by y i t n lese Re men in su or tio s I sent th e M idd x gi t pp t . in n e uen o f h M . t e re et l out A . co s ce r ta Ab , q g b e

234 S IR CHARLES WARREN A ND SPION KOP

Th e s ell fi re was mos all n and was a me n h t g i g, i d ot onl at th e summ t but at th e crest o f th e s ur lea n y i , p di g u alon c rein orcements and art es r n in p , g whi h f p i b i g g h Th fi r b ac k woun de d ad t o p ass . e e came 1 rom el uns r n s ra nel and common . F fi d g fi i g h p s ell S tuate as en eavo ure to o nt out in a h , i d , I d d p i i nal m essa e t o ou nor t -west f our s n S o o t o . g g y , h p i i r m a er -M a m in a h m 2 . o c s out t e sa e F Vi k xi , b n directio . r m a s m lar un t th e nort - ast 3 . o e F i i g o h . All t ese were e on th e e ect ve r e fi re and h b y d ff i ifl , our supp orting artillery on and abo ut Three Tr ee Hill ’ and on the D rago on s M axim p osition app ar ently c ould n ot see t em c on se uentl t e our e unc ec e an h ; q y h y p d , h k d , uninterrupt ed cro s s fi re on to our p osition from ab out ll ar — t en urs M . t o . 8 A . i d k h o sses ere ver eav o n to th e num ers L w y h y, wi g b nec essarily assemble d t o hold b ack th e B oer frontal

attac esta l s e un er c over and in c t e k , b i h d d , whi h h y l n r in u s i ar r l ne S howe d gal a t y p h ng forw d to ou i s . l n l Cr o ton was now re ort e woun e and th e Co o e f p d d d , command o f th e tro op s in front d evolve d on Colonel

ll C omman n l 0th r a e . Hi , di g B ig d S o th e S tuat on c ont nue unt l 6 R M en i i i d i , wh I wr ot e a r ep ort and desp atche d it to you by Colonel A re uest t at t s ocument o save G . t M orr s . A i , (I q h hi d , ﬁ r S t o l a our ma b e att ac e . st o e t s b , y h d) I h w d hi Colonel ll an d h e c oncur re even ta n e ce t on Hi , d , ki g x p i a ir had no ou t t t o my referenc e t o ret ement . I d b hat th e n antr ic h ad S O allantl el its own all i f y, wh h g y h d

d a oul b e a le t o c ont nue to d o so en the s ell y , w d b i wh h n all ﬁ re ab ated at ightf . accor n l ent ac to m reserves av n I di g y w b k y , h i g EXTRACTS FROM DESPATCHES 235 p ersonally hande d o ver command at th e summit to Colonel ll Hi .

A ut . in o P . M c onse uenc e o f our or er s b , q y d , I le t for our c am leav n a taff f cer C a ta n f y p , i g S O fi ( p i illi e in T h e narr ati e m s . v u st n e hi Ph p ) b h d o w b s . A out t f er h l in P M . s o c w o was s ee b hi fi , p g , was a a ene th e soun o f m en movin and oun w k d by d g, f d a eneral r t rem n r n g e i e t p oceedi g . H e allo we no one to ass a ter t s sto e th e d p f hi , pp d cottis Ri es and collecte a lar e num er o f S h fl , d g b stra ler s of th e orset M i lese and m erial t gg D , dd x , I p Ligh ’ n n r B eth un s M n n n h I fa t y . e ou ted I fa try and t e bulk o f th e D or sets rem ained in p o sition a s p osted in supp or t t o h e r ont line Th t r h d n h e o er c s a one o w t e ill . t f . h o p g d h 1 H e t en u lis e memor an um a tt ac e t o h p b h d d h d , all mman r i - l l rn e cro c o e s e ce t eut . C o one o t d , x p L Th y f , wh o h ad one o n but t e n ot a ct u on it ur n g ; h y did p , gi g t at t e h ad h ad ist n r er rom ieu - Colonel h h y d i ct o d s f L t . orne cro t wh o as far as new wa s onl as sistin Th y f , , I k , y g

l nel r n in n f th e r nt lin ir e Co o C o to a ort o o o e t o ret . f p i f , We now held th e sp ur t o within about 300 yar ds o f h i u h mmi t s l as e t e summ t b t t e su t e w vacu ate . , i f d Signal c ommunication c ould not b e established at th e moment a s th e lam w ic th e S i nallin of cer , p h h g g fi c ounte u on ran out of oil and s ome t me was lo st in d p , i i in n O bt a n g a other . t his s ee n A out A . M . a erson n o c a b p , by p h lis m in on su s icion a c uet n an wa s rou t . E g h , b gh p by pi q H e m a de a statement t o th e effect that a n aval gun oul s ortl b e rou t u and re u este t at it w d h y b gh p , q d h h is was th e rst nt m at on mig t not be fire d o n . Th fi i i i o f any naval gun c oming to Spion Kop . 1 4 S ee page 1 5 . 236 S IR CHAR LES WARREN AND SPION KOP

l f r re orte . M a nava o ce About A . fi p d that he - l on Ko near th had one 12 r . un e ow e on p g b Spi p , d ga n h est H e sa h e h ad or ers to ta e this u o t e w . id d k p to i en as e et er h e c oul d the summ t . Wh k d wh h d o so A i e ore a li t h e s ai he c oul not . S t oul b e b f d y gh , d d w d m o ssi le to move th e un in an l ne a ter a rea i p b g y i f d yb k , on acc ount o f ost le fi r e h e was tol to stan in a h i , d d by l i n allin c ommun c a on s n p ac e o f safety . S g g i ti wa ow m 1 o ene and th e attac e es sa e sent . p d , h d g A S C a t a n lli s ot n o nstruct ons a out p i Phi p g i i , b A h e r e les a to a lace of s a t . M or e e v c c e . All . d d hi b k p f y re gimental wagons h ad b een sent acro ss by th e D eputy A — r l 5 h n ss stan A utant G ene a t v s o . i t dj (B) , Di i i A t ere st ll e n no or ers an ortl a ter 4 . M . d Sh y f , h i b i g d , a m tr n rt mall-arm ammun t on carts ass o f a s o s &c . p , i i , , at th e on a ste s ere ta en t o c over t s assa e and d g , p w k hi p g , , with the c oncurr ence ofth e Officer Comman ding D orset s re Re ment and f cer Comman n cott s hi gi , O fi di g S i h Ri es c erta n s os t on s ere ma e w t th e latter fl , i di p i i w d i h at al h rm Th e ot er al b t ion and ab out half t e fo er . h h f of th e D orsetshire Regiment were employed in carrying away a large numb er o f boxes (ab out 80) of sm all - arm ammun t n r m th e ront and ls o rou t ack o e e ere . i i , b gh b f f wh Th e m er al t n antr M lese and I p i Ligh I f y , idd x , ’ ’ Th orne croft s h ad a arentl one ome B ethune s y pp y g h . ere ism se w d is d . ’ was no l t and er sn n c ommence w o . It igh , B ipi g d Ca ta n ll s r e or te to m e at th e on a a out p i Phi ip p d d g , b f A . M n in o ssess on o ur r er as to . e wa s o o , wh I p i y d the n i p o to on cr os s ng . T AL B O T C O KE M a or - G ener a l , j , omma nd in Ri ht k C g g A tta c .

1 e 15 6 S ee pag .

I N DE X

B Y S S INIA 3 1 loemfontein 12 A , B , - l n l 117 139 Blo em of 20 i ut . o o e aCourt , L e C , , , h , 40 1 5 215 221 224 B lomﬁ eld Colonel 140 229 1 , 7 , , , , , , mes 2 3 7 7—8 1 85 B ot a General ouis 167 Acton Ho , 7 , 7 , , h , L , —9 7 100 110 1 11 120 B ran resi ent 12 13 90 , 9 3 , , , , , d , P d , , 8 1 9 204213 B ri nort Grammar S c ool 2 126, 165 , 17 , 7 , , , dg h h , B ritis ssocia tion 44 223 h A , l 2 29 30 ull er S ir Re ver s 55 56 60 Admir a ty, 7 , , B , d , , , — k a a 26—28 62 66 7 2 74 7 5 78 80—8 3 A b , , , , , , , — l est or 29 85 86 9 5 9 9 106 108—117 A c er , L d , , , , , , 4 128 13 13 142 1441 n n ieut . 6 8 4 A der so , L , , , , , , 7 , r a i 28 158 159 169 - 1 2 1 5—180 A b , , , 7 , 7 , ra ia P etr se a 25 32 183—188 192 19 3 1 9 A b , , , , , 9 5 , 1 7 49 — tkin M r . . B . 8 8 2 A s, J , , 00, 203 209 , 211, 215 , 218 , 222

B ur lei M r enn t 10 gh , . B e , 85 , 7 , al es 2 1 40 1 1 AN OR N . 37 1 57 59 B G , W , , , , B arkl ir enr 12 B ur m a 4 y , S H y, , 6 - ar t n M a or Gener al 23 7 B n ieut . 28 B o , j , urto , L , B astion ill 8 9 9 100 10 B n l nel 10 H , 7 , , , 7 , y g, Co o , 7

110 , 111

l M or 233 B ay y, aj , a n es is o 83 106 AI RO 40 B y , B h p , , C , ec uan al an 2 18—20 32—3 5 Cam ri e Duk e of 142 B h d, , , b dg , , , 3 , 3 0, 61 41

B elmont 58 n 12 14 , C ap e Tow , , , 60 B er er 39 2 b , Carlow, l 4 esant S ir a ter 7 ar rin t n ieut . B , W , , Ch g o , L , 26, 27 i arsber 164 2 424 B gg g, Chatham, , , , 53 240 INDEX

r or 20 Dooner ieut . 19 3 Chelmsfo d , L d , , L , 3 Do orn l oof 7 6 7 7 90 Cheltenh am Coll ege, K , , , i n r of olice K 63 Chief Commiss o e P op , 4 41 Dor r ec t 15 0, d h , l 60 63—66 70 78 Dou la s 59 Chieve ey, , , , , g ,

168 Dover, 9 4 l rs i t H on . . C . E . 0 n s 9 8 Chi de , R gh H , Drake s b erg M ountain , 89 , , 1 1 r . . . 80 0 Chur chill , M W S , , , 126 107 128 155 189 23 1 2 , , , , Dublin, Clarke S ir n rew 3 2 Dufferin r 3 , A d , , L o d , 9 — 4 Cler S ir C . F . 62 65 68 8 Dun onal or 1 y , , , , , d d, L d, 07 8 5 103—106 110 13 5 19 8 Dur an 56 62 , , , , , b , , 215 - 218

ale 8 8 Clydesd ,

k M a or -G eneral al ot 112 E G Y P T 25 2 32 Co e, j T b , , , , 7 , 116 117 135—13 7 141 Election ress 3 7 3 8 1 13 , , , , Add , , 145 148—15 1 153 154 157 E nﬁ eld 10 , , , , , ,

- 1 4 187 188 192 17 3 17 5 , 8 , , , , E rmel o , 121 2 215 220—227 230 l 206 , 07 , , , , E s in , 58 2 6 2 232 , 3 E stcour t, 6 , 66

5 7 60 62 66 7 6 9 E rar Dr . 120 Col enso, , , , , , 7 , ve d , 49 0 99 100 13 1 189 8 , , , , ,

r 9 Colesb e g , 5 fﬁ 20 FAI R i w 1 2—9 Colonial O ce, V e , 7 7 , 8 , 8 6, 8 8 , 9 5 , ’ ntem or ar Review 119 9 7 101 104 110 111 19 9 Co p y , , , , , , , rt ill 18 C ornfo h H , r a ock 12 or Comman ant 18 C d , F d , d , Ri o ar 2 orster t H n . E . 3 2 C rim ean W , F , gh W . , ft n Col on el 140 141 143 ort Cannin 48 Cro o , , , , , F g, 146 152 19 6 208 224 225 r enc M a or -Gen eral , , , , , , F h , j , 59 230 233—235 rere 62—6 6 6 2 12 , F , , 7 , 09 , 2 r n e 162 r re ir artl e 141 2 C o j , F e , S B , , 9

A IE L S uil 17 AIKA War 16 23 D N K , G , , De e N ek 16 G atacre M a or -General b , , j , 57 l rift 203 Gi ral ar 2 4 Dekie D , b t , , , 133

l a o a B a 14 Gill C a tain 25—2 De g y , , p , 7

i n iel s 12 la stone . D am o d F d , G d , Rt H on. W. E 28 n iel s orse 16 17 G oma eri 1 Diamo d F d H , , p , 8

242 INDEX

i er 5 60 ort Eliza et 12 M odder R v , 7 , P b h , ’ ’ ain 19 22 P o t iet er s Drift 62 65—8 M ok o lokue s M oun t , , g , , 6 , 70 , 7 3—78 80—8 2 4 5 — M ot eto 18 , , 8 , 8 , 8 7 9 0 , , — i o 13 1 9 5 9 9 107 1 15 125 126 143 M onte Chr st , , , , , , , ’ n ain 21 169 19 3 19 4 204 209 21 M or osis M ou t , , , , , , 0, 4 l onel . W. 19 2 23 M orris , Co A , , ll s 26 r etoria 14 M o ses We , P ,

ce 66 7 7 8 5 120 131 r etorius arm 63—65 M ount Ali , , , , , P F , ’ ’ M azine 42 rince o f ales 41 M ur ray s ag , P W , ’ unc 2— P h , 4 44

2 28 NAKH L , 6 , RAM S AY r ofessor 3 1 5 5 56 61 62 7 0 7 8 , P , N at al , , , , , , , , Rams ate 54 101 169 19 2 g , 8 5 , 88 , , , ’ Ran ewor t ill s 73 7 9 8 124 g hy H , , , 7 , N at ional Review, 7 5 , 9 1 9 2 9 6—102 126 129 —13 2 uvr es 53 , , , , , N ew For est M anoe , 19 9

Red S e i a L ttoral , 39 R o R . H n es t o . il 1 h d , Cec , 5 ’ O L IV ER S oek 8 9 H , Rie Ri t ver , 203

O en eim M r . 17 3 pp h , , Ro er ts iel -M ar s al r b , F d h Lo d, Or an e r ee S tate 11—14 25 g F , , , 5 7 60 8 1 8 6 9 7 117 1 8 , , , , , , 5 , 57 7 8 88—9 0 9 7 9 8 112 , , , , , 1 1 19 6 2 7 , , 03 , 208 , 209 O ran e River 13 23 g , , Ro in son S ir ercul es b , H , 34 RooiGr on 3 6 d, R s alie 8 1 4 o , , 86, 9 , 101 , 2 P AARDE Kl oof, 18 , 21 219 , 23

an 46 Pah g, in 432 Pal est e , ,

almer r ofessor 25 26 ALIS B U RY o r 41 P , P , , , S , L d, 1 39 3 S ar ent M a or . N . 1 , j , j H , 9 0 er ak 46 S cr at chl e S ir eter 1 P , y , P , 0, 11 ’ erie B u s 16 S ekukuni n 2 P h , s T o w , 1 — illi s C a tain 153 157 207 elan r 4 Ph p , p , , , S go , 6 e m 2 6 S o ur S ir B . 29 23 5 , 3 y , ,

er s 7 6 102 13 1 S e olo 16 Piet , , , y ,

r Colonel 59 S eern es s 52 Pil che , , h , ran 160 S h efﬁ el 3 7 Pl at d , d , lice S o e ur n ess 9 10 Po , h b y , , ’ i P orrit s Dr ft , 65 S iam, 46 INDEX 243

— — — - olonel 155 157 19 3 19 5 205 207 221 229 S im, Lieut . C , , , , , , 231 23 5 23 6 194, 19 6, 226 , , 4 r ee r ee ill 104 129 132 S ingap ore, 44, 9 Th T H , , , , 8 2 133 138 —141 156 18 9 204 S kiets Drift , 68 , 7 6, , , , , , il 1 232 234 S mith , S ir C ec , 5 , ’ ill 66 69 7 1 4 T or 27 S p earm an s H , , , , 7 , , 0 2 2 2 219 220 rafal ar S uare 40 41 7 5 , 2 9 , 1 , 17 , , T g q , , i n K 2 7 80 r an svaal 32 33 36 8 9 0 S p o op , 7 , 7 , T , , , , 7 , , 2 4 8 8 9 0 9 1 9 3 1 12 1 19 8 , 8 , 8 5 , 7 , 8 , , , , ,

’ 9 —1 1 103 104106 10 Trich ar d s Drift 6 9 1 2 6, 9 8 0 , , , , 7 , , 7 , 6 , 7 , 7 , —1 1 1 9 — 1 6 9 110 19 , 23 , 126 , 2 135 , 7 5, 7 8 , 8 , 8 5 , 8 , 9 0 , 5 , 100 , — 1 1 138 , 139 , 142 144, 147 , 150, 15 , 50, 203 , 210, 212, 213 , — — 4 2 21 21 22422 156, 158 164, 167 17 , 18 7 , 9 , , 7 184 18 6 189 19 0 19 2—19 u ela 1 6 62 6 —6 , , , , 7 T g , , 5 , , 5 7 , 69 , 7 1 , — 21 — 200 , 203 207 , 0, 212, 214 7 2 748 1 9 2 9 5 9 9 — — , , , , , 2 15, 219 227 , 232 237 116 1 1 1 2 1 , 1 8 , 2 , 1 5 , 26 , 132 , S rin ﬁ el 63—66 69 — 2 14 p g d, , 7 , 4, 133 159 163 164 17 7 178 — , , , , , , 209 213 18 1 203 204 — , , , 212 216 , 218 , tanl e l n l 2 S y, Co o e , 3 219 223 ,

D ean, 5

tell alan 3 2 S d , t n n in 2 S ephe so , Capta , 9 NDER RO U ND erusalem 5 8 U G J , , S torm er 5 ‘ ’ b g, 7 nite S ervice M a azine 123 — U d g , S traits S ettlements, 4447 , 50

S uakin, 39 , 40

S uez , 26, 29 AAL V Krantz , 7 6 u l S gar oaf Hil l, 87 , 107 River 13 17 , , ’ S ria , 25 , 26 V an R nen s ass 89 113 122 y e P , , , , 165

’ enter s aa er 73 9 2 93 9 6 V L g , , , , , AB I N o a 16 1 T d d , 180, 19 9 , 2 9 T ak o on 18 21 S ruit 9 3 94125 126 1 , , p , , , , , 28 , an lin 48 T g , 213 ’ em le or the om 8 illiers M r . . E . d e 12 T p T b , V , J , a a N ama 120 1 1 Th b j , , 37 , 65 166

am es District 51 52 A ON Drift 84 Th , , W GG , orn e cr oft i - l m b e 10 eut . ol . a t a Th y , L C A . W. , W h A b y , 136—1 14 142 — - l i 38 0 14 n i u . enera r C , , , 5 148 , Warr e , L e t G S 150—158 170 -1 5 1 —1 i ra i al ke c 1- 54 , 7 , 84 89 , B og ph c S t h, 244 INDEX

arren M a or -Gener al ir 1 oo ate M a or -General 2 W , j S C W dg , j , 7 , —41 er Rev . ohn 2 9 2 116 1 V y J , , , , Waterb o er 1 1 12 165 181 184 18 5 2 13 215 , , , , , , , , n en 122 220 226 227 229 Wee , , , , ,

m r amm a l 2 We G r S choo , ’ hite ir G r e 5 56 60 r i t s arm 213 232 W , S eo g , 5 , , , W gh F , , 218 1 19 1 illiam M a r E . J . 9 0 W s , j o , , il son Ca t ain lm es 130 ZA AZI 27 W , p Ho , G G , h rl es 4 Zanz i ar 14 S ir C a , b , l l r 32 Z outs an Drift 176 Wo se ey , L o d , p ,

- i t . olon l G . 150 Zwart s Ko 7 126 Woo d , L eu C e K p , 7 ,

P RIN TED B Y

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DARD The ook is un ues iona l the es com le e narra ive for o ular S TAN . b q t b y b t p t t p p ’ ea re use which has yet app d .

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r o wa r a r e which ex ir ed on October 1 1 th a nd ives the rst y ea s f f p , g ﬁ c ct d ccount lar el der ived rom r ivate sour ces o th o r ations on ne e a , g y f p , f e p e of the last y ea r in S outh Africa .

REP RES ENTATIVE P RES S O PINIO NS . ! It is if cul t o rea s ra i o n r ou T he rea B o er War P UNCH . d ﬁ t d t ght th gh G t by C onan reaso n o f the tea rs th a t d im t he eyes as the sorrowful s tory is to ld . Doyle ma de his repu tation as a nov elis t : s tra nger far tha n ﬁc tio n is t he tal e he has t o tell o f t he ca mpaign In S ou th H e has thor oughy mas ter ed th e plan and the de tails o f th e ca m ai n and re sen s hein In a s a e a ca n be un ers an e o f th e eo le H is p g , p t t h p th t d t d d p p . io ns o f the vario us en a emen s ar e mas e iec e s o f ra ic wr iin d escript g g t t rp g ph t g . —‘ W a e ver is ries t he w i u A ri are wr i UEENc o of ar n S o ca en Dr . C o nan Q h t h t th f tt , ’ ! ea Bo er War mus r emain the is or T he o o 15 marve D oyle s Gr t t h t y. . b k llously

e ciin a mira l luci and s cru ulousl us . x t g , d b y d , p y j t —‘ T R GAZETTE M r . C ona n D o le ma b e co n ra ula e ve WES TMINS E . y y g t t d ry ! ! ear il o n a vin wr i en 111 T he rea B oer War a o o w ic will eli a nd h t y h g tt , G t , y b k h h d ght r e N o w ere will the r ea er o a in a rue r e interes t a wide c icle o f rea d rs . h d bt t o r mo r r ic ic ur e of the war ar e o f t he o e a nd the vel no r o f t he d ifiiculties w ic g a ph p t f k pj dt , h h ’ marvel f n e ra ls had t o o ver co me . T he o o 15 al so a o c o c isenes s o ur gen b k . ‘ ’ T T he c on iions un er w ic Dr . Co nan D o le s a nima e a nd S P ECTA OR. d t d h h y t d va lua le reco r was wri en r elieve it ro m the a n ers o f re d ho t im ressionim b d tt f d g p s . Wh en t o thes e o ppo rt unities a re add ed th a t manly t e mper a nd c o mma nd o f fo rc ible:ahd ic ures ue la n ua e w ic ave won him is inc io n In t he el o f c io n it is no t to p t q g g h h h d t t fi d fi t , ’ w n ere a t a th e resul s oul rov e as e n r oss in as an o fhis novels be o d d th t t h d p g g y . ‘ G —T is v olume is almos cer a in t o ecome the s a n ar DAILY TELE RAP H . h t t b t d d o ula r his tory o f t he grea d ra ma which Is n ow dra wing t o it s c lo se in S ou h rica p p t t . Af D o le reviews the w ol e co urs e o f the war a nd h e ells his s o v D r . r in ivi . y h , t t y d e ea a e e ch appt ers whic h ma ke t he pulse o f the r a d er b t f st r as h rea ds . T o t he s tric t im ’ a rtialit o f the is oria n he a s t he war m o f a no velis s ima ina io n a nd th e resul p y h t dd th t g t , t ’ w ic will be re a wi the eenes leas ure for lo n a s t o co me is a. boo k h h d th k t p g d y i e c f the war is a mas erl er o rma n I IL T s s o ce. is a r l DA Y NEWS . h k t h t y p f t h d y

oss i le t o o ver raise it . . T he e erience the ar is ic s ense and the c rea ve p b p xp , t t , ti e v e p owers o f a grea t writer are seen in th achie em nt . G le m be ive n the cre i o f a vin T o D r . C onan Do us ro uce RA PHIC. y g d t h g d d by t W p far the bes t a nd mo st c o mp rehens ive b o o k o n the S o uth Afric a n a r which has y et ’ ea r e It IS unnec essar t o sa a th e o o 15 vi oro usl wri en. a pp d ! . y y th t b k g y tt ’ G N o one who a es u D r . C o na n Do le s s or o f the rea M ORNIN P OS T. t k p y t y G t B er Wa r wil la t w wi u r eluc ance un il the end is re a c e I is a rillian o l y i do n tho t t t h d . t b t iece o f wo r a rue s o r o l wi ma s erl e fec a nd c o nscien ious mas er o f e a il p k , t t y t d th t y f t t t y d t D n le h as r u t t he o f T he r ea B o er S TANDARD r . C o na D o o o s or . y b ght t y G t ! War tho se gifts o f vivid des cription a nd tha t glo wing s tyle whic h ha ve pla c e d him In

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