Reports on military operations in South Africa and China . of a fire-swept plain which afforded no cover whatsoever had to becrossed by the attacking force. The entire British advanceup to the river was commanded by a series of ridges or kopjeson the northern bank, having the form of a semicircle, witha radius of about 8 miles, Colenso village being in the these ridges and kopjes were intrenched, and upon manyof them the Boers had planted guns. Although the principalBoer position was on the northern bank of the river, they alsooccupied the southern bank east of the railroad, resting
Reports on military operations in South Africa and China . of a fire-swept plain which afforded no cover whatsoever had to becrossed by the attacking force. The entire British advanceup to the river was commanded by a series of ridges or kopjeson the northern bank, having the form of a semicircle, witha radius of about 8 miles, Colenso village being in the these ridges and kopjes were intrenched, and upon manyof them the Boers had planted guns. Although the principalBoer position was on the northern bank of the river, they alsooccupied the southern bank east of the railroad, resting theirleft flank upon Hlangwane Hill, an isolated hill, which tookin flank any movement upon Colenso. The British force advanced from Chieveley Ridge in twomain columns, one of which was to attempt to cross the fordon the British left, the other to move in the direction of andacross the wagon-road bridge and gain possession of the hillson the northern bank of the river. A third body, consistingchiefly of cavalry, advanced on the right to menace Hlangwane. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA. 287 Hill. The left column reached the river, but where theyexpected to find the ford there were 7 feet of water, and thefew who tried to cross the stream, weighted by their arms andammunition, were drowned. When well involved this col-umn was suddenly assailed by a terrific rifle fire at shortrange, and General Buller at once recalled it. The attackupon the bridge was likewise unsuccessful, and after eighthours of fighting the British were compelled to retreat, aban-doning to the Boers prisoners and ten of their guns which ithad been impossible to withdraw on account of the cross firefrom the front and Hlangwane Hill. The whole British armyfell back from the line of Boer intrenchments. This is knownas the battle of Colenso. The total British forces engaged numbered some 18,000 men,36 field artillery guns, and 6 naval guns. The Boers partici-pating in this engagement were commanded by Both
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