Already, However, It Was Too Late, And The
Besieged Force, Unable To Face A Second Day Without Water Under
That Burning Sun, Had Laid Down Their Arms.
No doubt the stress of
thirst was dreadful, and yet one cannot say that the defence rose
to the highest point of resolution.
Knowing that help could not be
far off, the garrison should have held on while they could lift a
rifle. If the ammunition was running low, it was bad management
which caused it to be shot away too fast. Captain McWhinnie, who
was in command, behaved with the utmost personal gallantry. Not
only the troops but General Gatacre also was involved in the
disaster. Blame may have attached to him for leaving a detachment
at Dewetsdorp, and not having a supporting body at Reddersberg upon
which it might fall back; but it must be remembered that his total
force was small and that he had to cover a long stretch of the
lines of communication. As to General Gatacre's energy and
gallantry it is a by-word in the army; but coming after the
Stormberg disaster this fresh mishap to his force made the
continuance of his command impossible. Much sympathy was felt with
him in the army, where he was universally liked and respected by
officers and men. He returned to England, and his division was
taken over by General Chermside.
In a single week, at a time when the back of the war had seemed to
be broken, we had lost nearly twelve hundred men with seven guns.
The men of the Free State - for the fighting was mainly done by
commandos from the Ladybrand, Winburg, Bethlehem, and Harrismith
districts - deserve great credit for this fine effort, and their
leader De Wet confirmed the reputation which he had already gained
as a dashing and indefatigable leader.
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