THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
401 
the plains of Blueberg, formed in two lines, having, “ sixteen 8-prs. in 
the first line, and .seven in reserve. We had two 5\-inch howitzers, and four 
6-prs.” 
“The left brigade, Highland, under General Eurgusson, advanced rapidly 
under a heavy fire of cannon and infantry from their lines of infantry, which 
broke at the moment the British were preparing to charge.”— Official 
Report. 
One hundred and ninety were killed and wounded on our side, the enemy 
lost upwards of 700. Artillery details are given here, in a letter from 
Major Spicer, himself,— 
Castle, Cape op Good Hope, 
18th August, 1806. 
“ The excellent effects of the spherical case shot drove the enemy from their 
guns, and the left of General Janssens’ line, opposed to our right, which fired 
spherical case shot only, was the first to give way. General Janssens expressed his 
astonishment to Sir David Baird that his Waldeckers, whom he thought he could 
depend upon, should so soon break; but it originated in consequence of so many 
of his men being wounded by musket balls, when no infantry were within range of 
them.” 
Even Waldeckers are not to be depended on. High time to give up the 
Cape! “ Spherical case shot only.” 
General Eurgusson, some years afterwards, stated with reference to this 
affair,— 
Raith, Eipeshibe, New Brunswick, 
19th August, 1816, 
“ * * * But, from the reports of the enemy the spherical balls did 
great execution, several of the enemy’s guns opened a fire of grape and canister at 
a distance where it could have no effect. They saw their mistake, and again fired 
round shot until we advanced nearer to them. From this it is obvious, the spherical 
shells had reached the enemy, who mistook it for grape, and endeavoured to return 
it without effect,” &c. 
Young soldiers are generally inclined to magnify the dangers of their first 
engagement. Hot so Lieutenant E. Graham, B.A. who writes to his 
father,— 
Table Bat, Cape op Good Hope, 
14th October, 1806, 
“ This place was taken with very little difficulty; the battle lasted only half an hour. 
As soon as the English began to exercise the new invented shells, the enemy fled 
into the mountains, and left the English army to take possession of the town.” 
How for the Dutch commander’s account of the transaction—very curious, 
interesting, and instructive. 
After describing the disposition of his forces, cavalry, infantry, artillery, 
and marine brigade of French sailors, he says, “At five o'clock the enemy 
attacked the left wing * * * They brought six field pieces against 
us, and at first their howitzers were directed principally to our centre, where 
the General stood, a few paces before the line with his staff * * * 
One of the first howitzers struck the right of Waldeck, which created more 
confusion than the General could have supposed, More howitzers fell into 
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