The Boer
Commandos, Having Been Driven Into The Mountains By French And
Clements In The Latter Part Of December, Were
Still on the look-out
to strike a blow at any British force which might expose itself.
Several mounted columns
Had been formed to scour the country, one
under Kekewich, one under Gordon, and one under Babington. The two
latter, meeting in a mist upon the morning of January 5th, actually
turned their rifles upon each other, but fortunately without any
casualties resulting. A more deadly rencontre was, however,
awaiting them.
A force of Boers were observed, as the mist cleared, making for a
ridge which would command the road along which the convoy and guns
were moving. Two squadrons (B and C) of the Light Horse were
instantly detached to seize the point. They do not appear to have
realised that they were in the immediate presence of the enemy, and
they imagined that the ground over which they were passing had been
already reconnoitred by a troop of the 14th Hussars. It is true
that four scouts were thrown forward, but as both squadrons were
cantering there was no time for these to get ahead. Presently C
squadron, which was behind, was ordered to close up upon the left
of B squadron, and the 150 horsemen in one long line swept over a
low grassy ridge. Some hundreds of De la Rey's men were lying in
the long grass upon the further side, and their first volley, fired
at a fifty-yard range, emptied a score of saddles.
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