laing’s nek and ingogo. 
681 
the range at 1200 yds., loading both guns of N/5, R.A., with shrapnel 
and directing them on this Tcoppee. Both shells burst oyer the hill, 
dispersing the Boers and silencing the fire that we afterwards learnt 
had had a telling effect on the sailors.* 
While Brownlow's attack was going on at C, the 58th Regiment, 
accompanied by Ool. Deane, (late of the 19th Regiment, and for¬ 
merly a cadet at the R. M. Academy), and several staff officers, among 
whom were Elwes of the Grenadier Guards, A.-D.-C. to Sir G. Colley; 
Poole, R.A., acting in the capacity of Assist.-Quarter-Master-General; 
Inman, 60th Rifles, Col. Deane^s orderly officer; and Essex, the sole 
survivor of the staff officers, advanced to storm the hill, B, only to 
be met by a murderous frontal and enfilade fire. The enfilade fire 
was kept up by the Boers, who, having beaten Brownlow back at C } 
had gone along the spur and descended into the valley marked B, out 
of fire of artillery. This enfilade fire was most effectual, and the 
noble regiment was at length compelled to retire, their retreat being 
conspicuous for good order and regularity. Only after having lost 
half their officers and men, was the retreat commenced. A company 
of the 60th was sent out to cover their retreat, the remaining portion 
of the regiment unfortunately being able to render little actual 
assistance, as they were obliged to remain as an escort to the guns. 
Sir G. Colley throughout this action remained with the guns, often 
personally directing their fire. 
The Naval Brigade were employed in firing rockets over the Nek, 
which they did with precision. The gatlings had been left in camp, 
together with other details, with the view of protecting the camp in 
our absence. Soon after the retreat of the 58th, about 2 p.m., Sir G. 
Colley sent his Military Secretary, Captain McGregor, R.E., under a 
flag of truce, up the road leading to the Nek, with an application for 
a cessation of hostilities, to enable him to recover his wounded and 
dead. Joubert, the Boer General, responded, saying everything on the 
slope up which the 58th had advanced belonged to him, but he would 
allow burying parties to come up, provided they left their rifles behind 
them. On this Sir G. Colley sent up burying parties, accompanied 
by Drs. Babington, Ring and Landon, and the Rev. St.-G. Ritchie, 
Chaplain to the Forces, whose gallant bearing throughout this action 
was most conspicuous. 
About 3 p.m., Sir G. Colley commenced his retreat to Mount Prospect 
Camp, which was reached about 5 p.m.; and soon after our arrival 
Sir G. Colley paraded the force, telling us in a most generous and 
noble manner that all the onus of the failure was on his own shoulders, 
at the same time praising the gallant conduct of Major Brownlow, 
K. D. Guards, and his Sergeant-Major. 
Throughout the night of the 27th the camp was kept awake by the 
rumbling of the heavy ambulance wagons coming in from the Nek with 
their loads of killed and wounded. This continued all night, and on the 
* [At Mars-la-Tour —“ it was observed that three (common) shell striking consecutively generally 
caused the enemy’s column to retire.” Hoffbauer, “ Die Deutsche Artillerie &c,” II. 45,— 
H.W.L.R .] 
