In an hour from the
time the troops reached the bank two bridges had been thrown across the
river, and the passage began. By ten o'clock the whole were across, the
firing soon after ceased, and Warren's troops bivouacked quietly. It was
all over for the day, and the lads returned to their camp. The next day
passed quietly, except that in the afternoon the Boer entrenchments near
Spion Kop and Brakfontein, a hill facing the position occupied by
Lyttleton's brigade, were pounded by the naval guns and howitzers. A
message was heliographed from Ladysmith that two thousand Boers were
seen moving towards Acton Homes, and as the occupation of that village
was of no value until the infantry arrived there, the cavalry were
recalled to a position where they could protect Warren's left flank from
attack.
On the 19th, Warren pushed forward a portion of his force with a view to
driving back the Boers' right and gaining the main road leading through
Dewdrop to Ladysmith, while Woodgate's brigade watched Spion Kop.
Fighting went on all day, the British forcing the enemy back step by
step. On the 20th it began early and continued the whole day. Every inch
of the ground was contested stubbornly by the Boers, but the Irish
Brigade, who were in the hottest position, pressed them back fiercely
with sudden rushes, and, had the rest of the division kept up with their
advance, might have cleared the way through the enemy's centre.
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