CHAPTER XIII

.--SPION KOP. Jan. 16-27, 1900.

Warren's Divisions cross the Tugela--The enemy entrenching--The artillery and transport cross--A long delay--Spion Kop bombarded--Lyttelton's feigned attack--The cavalry seize Acton Homes--Desultory movements before Spion Kop--Change of plan--Advance on the left ordered--Capture of Three-tree Hill and Bastion Hill--Death of Major Childe--Assault ordered and countermanded--Lyttelton's advance--Warren telegraphs for howitzers--Rumoured relief of Ladysmith--Another day of little progress--Pathetic humour--Assault ordered and postponed--Another council of war--Warren reinforced--The storming force--Ascent of Spion Kop--A Boer picket surprised--The storming force halts too soon--Tardy reinforcements--Botha determines to recapture the hill--Positions of the opposing forces--The Boers bombard the British position--Woodgate wounded--Thorneycroft put in command--A frightful struggle--Lack of artillery support--Boer attempts to rush the position--The King's Royal Rifles storm a ridge--Desperate straits--Confusion of commands--Thorneycroft determines to withdraw--Scene on the hill after the battle--Losses in the action--The retreat--Causes of the defeat 263-307

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