On The 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, And 24th The Cordon Of The
Attack Was Drawn Gradually Closer, The Boers Entirely Surrounding
The British Force, And It Was Evident That They Were Feeling Round
For A Point At Which An Assault Might Be Delivered.
The position of the defenders upon the morning of October 25th was
as follows.
The Scots Fusiliers were holding a ridge to the south.
General Barton with the rest of his forces occupied a hill some
distance off. Between the two was a valley down which ran the line,
and also the spruit upon which the British depended for their water
supply. On each side of the line were ditches, and at dawn on this
seventh day of the investment it was found that these had been
occupied by snipers during the night, and that it was impossible to
water the animals. One of two things must follow. Either the force
must shift its position or it must drive these men out of their
cover. No fire could do it, as they lay in perfect safety. They
must be turned out at the point of the bayonet.
About noon several companies of Scots and Welsh Fusiliers advanced
from different directions in very extended order upon the ditches.
Captain Baillie's company of the former regiment first attracted
the fire of the burghers. Wounded twice the brave officer staggered
on until a third bullet struck him dead. Six of his men were found
lying beside him. The other companies were exposed in their turn to
a severe fire, but rushing onwards they closed rapidly in upon the
ditches.
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