CHAPTER VI

.--THE FIRST BATTLE OF COLENSO. Dec. 15, 1899.

The battle begins--Bombardment of Fort Wylie--Artillery pushed forward--The Boers open fire--The guns abandoned--General Hart's position--The Dublin Fusiliers attempt to ford the Tugela--Their retirement ordered--Failure to carry Hlangwane--Advance of Hildyard's Brigade--General withdrawal ordered--Death of Lieutenant Roberts--Guns and men captured by the Boers--Retirement effected in good order--Our losses--Scarcity of water--Bravery of the Army Medical Corps--Impressions of an eye-witness--Armistice--A day of blunders 90-109

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