IV. The enemy's strength. CHAP. was about 800 men, increased by the 1st January to about 1400; but reduced afterwards, when reinforcements left for Laing's Nek, though never falling below 400-all well armed, generally with WestleyRichards rifles, though some carried double express rifles. The fort improved. In the early part of the siege, while the parapet of the fort was still low, inconvenience was caused by the enemy firing from the trees and house-tops, and the guns were employed in clearing them with shrapnel. The fort soon, from having been little more than a shelter-trench, became a really strong earthwork, with parapet eight to ten feet high, and the ditch outside proportionately deep. Only so could the scorching fire it had to contend against for so long a period-ninety-five days-have been withstood. A party was told off nightly for work, some repairs being always necessary, through damage caused by the enemy's fire-an old ship-gun having been brought to bear-sand-bags becoming rotten, and heavy rains. Many thousands of sand-bags were made, chiefly by the wounded and convalescents, from tents or any convertible material at hand. Rifle-pits for dark nights were constructed outside, with zigzag communication from the fort. The natives were utilised for baling the stagnant water out of the ditch, the stench from which became very foul, drainage from two sides having been found impracticable. The burial of the dead had to be conducted outside the fort at night, the parties employed being often fired at. Sanitary parties employed outside were CHAP. similarly endangered. IV. Day attack. The morning of the new year was ushered in by New-Year's a general attack on the fort. A 3-pounder smoothbore ship-gun, firing a leaden projectile weighing about 5 lb., was brought into action on the enemy's left, supported by rifle-fire from the whole line, the cemetery being also occupied. The fire-from loopholed walls, house-tops, and trees-was very severe, and could only be checked in detail by the guns, the rest of the troops for an hour and a half remaining under cover, rifle in hand, in readiness to repel any attempted assault. The enemy's gun fired twenty rounds, several penetrating the parapet; but it was eventually silenced by artillery-fire from the fort. About eight o'clock the fire slackened, and again resumed its normal desultory character. The anticipated assault was not attempted; and yet it was considered that a determined rush on the fort, with such numbers as were then available, would not have been a very difficult task, especially as the long grass around would have enabled men to creep up very close unseen. Repeated efforts were made to burn the grass, but it was always found too green. magazine On the afternoon of the 3d January, the enemy's Town gun having been traversed behind a house, close to occupied. the jail, opened fire at a distance of 500 yards, on a small building of strong stone walls with an iron door, two hundred yards north-west of the fort, used as the town magazine, and holding some powder and ammu R IV. CHAP. nition. Twenty-one rounds were fired, directed solely against the magazine, which was hit and penetrated four times. The guns from the fort succeeded in dismounting the gun, and destroying the house and parapet behind which it was placed. The powder and ammunition not required were removed and destroyed; and, in order to counteract the occupation of the cemetery by the enemy, the magazine was held as an outpost from this date. Night sortie. The enemy now began to approach by sap in steady earnest, and notwithstanding being harassed by artillery and rifle fire, made continued progress. The near wall of the cemetery-an enclosure of about 300 yards square-had been held at night, with a covering party as well lying beyond. It having been noticed that the enemy had been busy at work in this direction for several nights, it was determined to send a party to find out what was going on. One very dark night, the 7th January, an officer, Lieutenant Lindsell, and six men, taken from many who volunteered for the hazardous duty, went out for the purpose by a circuitous route, all in the fort remaining in readiness to cover their retirement. Proceeding slowly and stealthily along, they managed to creep up unseen to within five yards, and fire three volleys into the enemy working at a trench, before the latter recovered from the confusion into which they were thrown, or were able to find their rifles in the darkness. Then a hot fire ensued, but the brave little band regained the fort unhurt. As a safeguard, IV. after this experience, the Boers advanced by double CHAP. sap, the inner trench, unseen from the fort, thus serving to protect the outer, in case of another similar sortie. By the 21st January the enemy had sapped to Day sortie. within 300 yards of the right and left faces of the fort. The attack was now further developed by the construction of detached trenches to the right and left rear. These works obliged further traversing. On the 22d, a third detached sap opened by the enemy, about 220 yards from and commanding the rear of the fort, threatening to become very inconvenient, Lieut.-Colonel Winsloe determined to send a party to storm it. Volunteers being called for, Lieutenant Dalrymple-Hay, one sergeant, and ten men were selected. The attack was carried out in broad daylight on the 22d, and the trench taken in two rushes. Covered by artillery and rifle fire, the party advanced across the open veld in the most spirited manner, lying down midway to recover their breath. Then rising and charging forward, the trench was taken, with four prisoners, two of whom were wounded. The rest of its occupants, fourteen, ran; but eleven are said to have been seen to fall when making their way through the long grass to the south end of the town. Three of Lieutenant Dalrymple - Hay's gallant fellows fell immediately on quitting the fort, one of whom died the following day.1 1 Drivers Gibson and Paed, and Trumpeter Martin, seeing two of the party fall before reaching the sap, ran out from the fort and brought CHAP. News of reinforce A truce followed, to allow of the removal of the Boer wounded, and the exchange of the four prisoners taken for four of the Fusiliers captured at the Courthouse on the 18th December. Stretchers were lent, which were returned the next morning, with fruit for our wounded, and some carbolic acid asked for by the surgeon. Lieut. - Colonel Winsloe well remarks with respect to this latter pleasing episode: "We thanked the Boer commander for his thought of our wounded, and so this affair ended. Civilities like these take the sting off warfare, and I must say for the Boers that they were never behind in such things. They are a fine, manly, sturdy race, such as I should like to live among. Who can blame them for fighting for their independence? We, at least, did not do so." Through the exchanged prisoners, the garrison ments from learnt that reinforcements were on their way from England. England and India, and the spirits of all were cheered by the prospect of relief soon coming to their assistance. Union-jack made. No British flag had been seen at Potchefstroom since the surrender of the Court-house. The artillery now set to work to manufacture a substitute for the one lost. With the aid of a blue serge coat, contributed by an infantry officer, and the red and white linings from the cloaks of a subaltern and sergeant of artillery, a Union-jack was completed, and on the them in. All three were rewarded with the medal for gallant conduct in the field. |