684 
LAING 5 S NEK AND INGfOGO. 
Chief of the Intelligence Department was killed just in rear of the 
guns about the same time. Eventually the guns commenced firing 
case upon the enemy who were almost on the very crest of the 
plateau, about 300 yds. from us. All the case were soon expended, 
and we then used shrapnel shell inverted, with an indifferent 
result. However it sufficed to prevent the enemy charging the guns, 
as we feared they would do. The Rifles held their ground most 
gallantly, suffering terribly all the time. The enemy's fire throughout 
seemed to be concentrated on the guns, and the casualties among the 
gunners, drivers, and horses were very heavy, some of them being 
caused by buck-shot. However the fire of the artillery never slackened, 
thanks to the noble assistance rendered us by the Rifles who when 
our gunners were nearly all down, rendered us every possible assistance. 
The order to retire the guns came about 4 p.m. Not having sufficient 
gunners to limber up, the drivers dragged their dead horses out of 
harness, and, assisted by the Rifles, manned the wheels first of the 
limbers and then of the guns.* Two Drivers, Rowlands and Woods, 
N/5, R.A., and two of the 60th whose names I regret to say I have 
forgotten, were wounded when manning the wheels to get the guns 
out of action. The intrepidity of Bombr. Hyde, R.A., was so marked 
that he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and recommended for 
a Distinguished Conduct Medal. Great, too, was the gallantry of 
Driver Cording, and of Gunner J. Page (now of G/B., R.H.A.), who 
was also recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal; and the cool 
and cheerful way in which Sergt.-Major Wilkins, 60th Rifles, went about 
encouraging the men was the theme of universal praise. Young 
Maurice O'Connell, of the 60th, as brave a young officer as ever took 
the field, having been told off in command of the few men forming the 
General's personal escort, and finding little to do, applied to rejoin his 
company in the fighting line on the crest of the hill. His application 
was granted, and immediately on joining his company the poor fellow 
was mortally wounded, and died after an hour's intense suffering. 
The guns being thus withdrawn to a somewhat less exposed position, 
opportunity soon offered for continuing the firing in another direction, 
as strong reinforcements of the enemy were seen coming down from 
Laing's Nek and forming up in the Ingogo Yalley beneath us. From 
our experience with our first two shots in the action we fairly guessed 
the range, and landed two shrapnel in the midst of the enemy, dispersing 
them in every direction. 
The fight went on with continued vigour until darkness fairly put an 
end to the hostilities. Sir G. Colley now determined to take the guns 
and the remnants of his force back to camp, leaving the killed and 
wounded, and the ammunition wagon on the battle field. By taking 
all the riding horses for draught purposes and by leaving the wagon 
behind, just 12 horses were found fit to hook into the two guns, and 
about 8 p.m. Sir G. Colley moved off the field. As much as possible 
of the ammunition contained in the abandoned wagon was carried off, 
* [At Mars-la-Tour—“at an early hour the losses among the gunners were so great that 
drivers, and frequently officers also, were obliged to assist in working the guns.” Hoffbauer, 
“ Die Deutsche Artillerie &c./’ II, 75.— H. W.L.H.'] 
