This was unanimously agreed to, and General Warren then saw
the commander-in-chief, and obtained his consent to the change of plans.
It was not, however, considered necessary to take Spion Kop until the
troops had farther advanced. All Sunday, fighting was continued as
before, but the progress made was slower, as the Boers were largely
reinforced and fresh guns brought up.
The 22nd was comparatively quiet. The situation was not improving. Five
miles of rough ground had been won in as many days' fighting, but the
force was becoming lengthened out and the line weaker. Lyttleton's force
had to guard the line from Potgieter's Drift to Warren's right against
any attempt of the Boers to cut the lines of communication. Woodgate was
similarly employed in keeping the line from Trichardt's Drift to
Warren's left, and it became increasingly evident that not much further
progress could be made until the left of the advance was protected by
the establishment of guns on the great hill. It was then, on the 23rd,
decided that Woodgate's brigade should assault Spion Hop that night. It
was known that it was not strongly held.
Starting at six o'clock, the column made its way slowly and with vast
difficulty up the ascent. This was everywhere rugged and rocky, and in
many places so precipitous that men had to be pushed or pulled up by
their comrades.
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