He stated that unless the
artillery could silence the enemy's guns the troops could not support
another day's shelling. In the evening two naval twelve-pounders, the R.
A. mountain battery, and one thousand two hundred men as reliefs,
started to ascend the hill and to strengthen the entrenchments. On the
way up they met Colonel Thorneycroft and the rest of the force coming
down, that officer, who had displayed splendid gallantry throughout the
day, having decided on his own responsibility that the position could
not be longer held. Strangely enough, the news of the retirement was not
communicated to General Buller, who, after reporting in his despatches
written next morning that Spion Kop was firmly held, was riding to the
front when he for the first time learned the news. Altogether it was a
day of strange blunders, redeemed only by the splendid bravery of the
troops engaged. The news came as a heavy blow to the army, but it was
supposed that a fresh attempt would be made to capture the position by
ascending the northern spurs that had been carried and held for a time
by the two rifle battalions. But while soldiers think only of the
chances of battle, and burn to engage the enemy, a feeling only
accentuated by previous failures, generals in command have to take other
matters into consideration.
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