686 
LAING^S NEK AND INGOGO. 
at the bodies of poor Greer and Me Gregor, R.E., they asked if 
they were “ cannon officers/' and if there were any cannon officers 
alive on the field. We replied that one of the bodies was a cannon 
officer, and that there was one cannon officer wounded.* During 
this conversation some twenty or thirty more Boers arrived on 
the scene all fully armed, generally with Westley-Richards. In many 
cases they carried a bayonet strapped on to the waistbelt which was 
studded with small arm ammunition, as well as bandoliers full of 
ammunition. On arriving at the scene of so much bloodshed, 
the Boers silently dismounted, and, looking around, went to the 
dead horses, taking off the R.A. harness covers, wallets, straps, and 
buckles, and the nosebags which were full of corn. While picking 
tip stray rounds of ammunition that were scattered all over the field 
they occasionally conversed with our wounded, always inquiring as to 
the whereabouts of Col. Colley, and if Sir Evelyn Wood was coming 
up soon. They seemed particularly anxious about Sir Theophilus 
Shepstone, wanting to know where he was, and expressing great 
anxiety to catch him, as they believed he was the cause of all that 
had happened. 
About 8 a.m. we asked what was their intended action with reference 
to the killed and wounded, and they referred us to their General, who 
was reported to be about two miles off at a certain farm house. Upon 
this, the Rev. G. M. St. M. Ritchie, chaplain to the forces, (whose gallantry 
and distinguished conduct during this trying engagement, and through 
the night, was most marked) galloped away under a flag of truce to 
confer with the Dutch General, Smidt. Ritchie was met about a mile 
from camp by a party of Boers, who conducted him to their General, 
and in about half an hour the party arrived on the battle field. The 
Dutch General seemed much concerned at the scenes of terrible suffering 
around him, and asked if he could render any assistance; at the same 
time saying that we could do as we pleased with the dead, and that the 
wounded could, if necessary, go to Newcastle. Whereupon, all those 
not dangerously wounded were put into mule wagons that had been 
sent from camp by Sir G. Colley and taken in to Newcastle, conducted 
part of the way by Boer escorts. On arrival at Newcastle every 
possible medical assistance was offered them. Indeed, the medical 
organization at Newcastle was perfect. 
The Dutch General remarked that everything on the battle field 
belonged to the Boers, and that all ammunition, rifles, &c., must be left 
on the field. With personal property, he said, he would not interfere. 
The rifles that we had to give up were partially disabled by extracting 
breech pins from the locks, breaking up the butts, &c. 
Poor Wilkinson, Adjutant of the 3/60th Rifles, came with medical 
Comforts for the wounded at daylight on the 9th, and was unfortunately 
drowned in re-crossing the river. He had accompanied Sir G. Colley 
on his night march to camp, and immediately on arrival there returned 
bravely to the battle field with succour for the wounded, running every 
risk of capture. Dr. McGaun's conduct throughout the engagement 
[This “ cannon officer” was Lieut. Parsons himself;— H.W.L.H.'] 
