With the Naval Brigade in Natal (1899-1900) Part 10

[_The Times_, Thursday, March 1st, 1900.]

The following despatch from General Buller has been received at the War Office:--

Headquarters, Hlangwane Plain, _February 28th_, 8.5 a.m.

Finding that the pa.s.sage of Langewachte Spruit was commanded by strong entrenchments, I reconnoitred for another pa.s.sage of the Tugela. One was found for me below the cataract by Colonel Sandbach, Royal Engineers.

On the 25th we commenced making an approach to it, and on the 26th, finding that I could make a practicable approach, I crossed guns and baggage back to the south side of the Tugela, took up the pontoon bridge on the night of the 26th, and relaid it at the new site, which is just below the point marked "cataract."

During all the time the troops had been scattered, crouching under hastily-constructed small stone shelters, and exposed to a galling sh.e.l.l and rifle fire, and throughout maintained the most excellent spirit.

On the 27th General Barton, with two Battalions 6th Brigade and the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, crept about one and a half miles down the banks of river, and, ascending an almost precipitous cliff of about 500 feet, a.s.saulted and carried the top of Pieters Hill.

This hill to a certain extent turned the enemy's left, and the 4th Brigade, under Colonel Norcott, and the 11th Brigade, under Colonel Kitchener, the whole under General Warren, a.s.sailed the enemy's main position, which was magnificently carried by the South Lancashire Regiment about sunset.

We took about sixty prisoners and scattered the enemy in all directions.

There seems to be still a considerable body of them left on and under Bulwana Mountain.

Our losses, I hope, are not large. They certainly are much less than they would have been were it not for the admirable manner in which the artillery was served, especially the guns manned by the Royal Navy and the Natal Naval Volunteers.

[_The Times_, Thursday, March 8th, 1900.]

_From our Special Correspondent._

Ladysmith, _March 5th._

The following special Army Order has been issued:--

"The relief of Ladysmith unites two forces which have striven with conspicuous gallantry and splendid determination to maintain the honour of their Queen and country. The garrison of Ladysmith for four months held the position against every attack with complete success and endured its privations with admirable fort.i.tude. The relieving force had to make its way through unknown country, across unfordable rivers, and over almost inaccessible heights in the face of a fully-prepared, well-armed tenacious enemy. By the exhibition of the truest courage, which burns steadily besides flashing brilliantly, it accomplished its object, and added a glorious page to our history.

Sailors, soldiers, Colonials, and the home-bred have done this, united by one desire, and inspired by one patriotism.

"The General Commanding congratulates both forces on their martial qualities, and thanks them for their determined efforts. He desires to offer his sincere sympathy to the relatives and friends of the good soldiers and gallant comrades who have fallen in the fight.

"BULLER."

_From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade._

Ladysmith, _March 10th, 1900._

[_Extract._]

I enclose reports sent in to me by Lieutenants Ogilvy and Burne, who were mostly detached from me.

_Enclosure from Lieutenant Burne, R.N._

Colenso, _March 7th, 1900._

Since my last letter dated from Springfield Bridge, I have the honour to report that I left Springfield on February 23rd, marching with the York and Lancaster Regiment to rejoin the main column. We reached Chieveley Camp on the 24th, and I pitched camp on Gun Hill, where I found Lieutenant Drummond and the 6" gun. We remained here till a telegram and written orders were handed me on the night of the 26th, from Lieutenant Drummond, to march at daybreak with the York and Lancaster Regiment to join the 10th Brigade. We marched at 6 a.m. on the 27th, with the Regiment, by Hussar Hill round Hlangwane. Here we found the Commander-in-Chief, who told me, on my reporting the guns, that the 10th Brigade were in Colenso; he added that it was no fault of mine that we had come out of the way, as the orders had not been clear, but told me to cross the Tugela by the Pont as quickly as possible, the pontoon bridge having been removed. At the Pont I had to off-load all my wagons, as the drift below was impa.s.sable; and after having got one gun and ox team safely across, the Pont was upset in the middle of the river, and all the work was jammed. During this time there was a heavy sh.e.l.l fire on Colenso Station from a Boer 3" gun, but we were not touched. I had the Pont righted, and my men baled it out before daylight on the 28th, and I took my other gun and two wagons and loads of ammunition across, and hurried on to join General c.o.ke. On the morning of March 1st a body of men rode in from Ladysmith. They proved to be Ladysmith scouts, and brought General c.o.ke his first intimation of the relief of Ladysmith on the previous evening. My guns were in position, and we bivouacked with the troops for some days, but I have now pitched camp and withdrawn the guns.

Hearing many rumours here that the Naval men are to return to their ships, I should like to bring to your notice the very excellent service which has been rendered me by my captains of guns, R.

Mitch.e.l.l, P.O., 1st cla.s.s, and especially G. Mullis, P.O., 1st cla.s.s, and the clever and hard work of F. Harvey, P.O., 2nd cla.s.s (leading shipwright), and to mention the following names not before mentioned:--H. House, A.B., F. Long, O.S. (bugler), S. Ratcliffe, O.S., and to state my appreciation of the work done by all.

[_The Times_ of April 16th, 1900.]

_Extract from "Times" Natal Military Correspondent, dated March 22nd, 1900._

The Naval contingent of the _Powerful_ left Ladysmith for England on the 7th, and that of the _Terrible_ left to rejoin their ship on the 11th. The 4.7 guns remain in the hands of the Naval gunners of the _Forte_, _Philomel_, and _Tartar_, under Captain Jones of the _Forte_, but most of the 12-pounders have now been handed over to the 4th Mountain Battery. It seems a great pity that the Naval gunners of the _Terrible_ could not have been spared to finish the campaign. Three months' practice ash.o.r.e has made them nearly perfect in the management of their guns, and they themselves would be the first to admit that, at any rate in that part of the gunnery that was not learnt on board ship, such as rapidity of fire under their present altered conditions and mobility, they have improved twofold since they first landed.

Their rapidity of fire was wonderful when it is remembered that their carriages are fitted with none of the automatic appliances for returning the gun to the firing position, but have to be dragged back every time by hand, and then carefully adjusted with the wheels at exactly the same level. As regards mobility, they have on at least one occasion--namely Zwartz Kop--taken their guns up a place condemned by the Royal Artillery as impossible. All this experience is now to be made no further use of, and the guns pa.s.s into the hands of men who will have to learn it afresh. A great advantage the Naval gunners had over the Royal Artillery was their use of the gla.s.s. Besides the telescopic sights used with the big guns, they were provided with a large telescope on a tripod, at which an officer was always seated watching the effect of the sh.e.l.ls, and, in the case of an advance the movements of our Infantry as well, and they were never guilty, as the Royal Artillery have been more than once, of firing on our own men. On January 24th, whilst the fighting on the top of Spion Kop was taking place, the Naval guns on Mount Alice were able at a distance of rather over four miles clearly to distinguish our men from the Boers, and sh.e.l.l the latter. Compare this with one instance that came under my personal observation on February 27th. An officer in command of a battery was totally unable to distinguish, with a pair of the field-gla.s.ses supplied by Government, at a distance of a little over one mile, between our Infantry charging and the Boers running away. I see that your Cape correspondent has already said that in this campaign, where we are perpetually fighting against an invisible foe, good gla.s.ses are of paramount importance to the rifle. They are even more essential to the gunners than to the other branches of the service, and they are in this respect most inadequately supplied.

_Speech of the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Goschen) at Royal Academy Banquet, May 5th, 1900._

"I do not propose to dilate on the courage or resourcefulness, or other great qualities of the Naval Brigades. The nation has acclaimed them. The Sovereign with her own lips has testified to their deeds....

"The ships' companies of the _Powerful_ and _Terrible_ would be sorry if they were to monopolise the public eye, clouding the performances of men from other ships. Many other ships have sent contingents to the front--the _Monarch_, the _Doris_, the _Philomel_, the _Tartar_, the _Forte_--all these ships have sent men who have taken their part in those gallant combats of which we read."

_Again at Reception of Naval Brigade (H.M.S. "Powerful") in London, May 7th, 1900._

"With your comrades in other forces of the Queen, by the defence and the relief of Ladysmith you have saved the country from such a disaster as has never fallen the British arms. The defence and relief of Ladysmith will never be forgotten in British history."

[_London Gazette_, March 12th, 1901.]

_From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade._

De Wet's Farm, _June 5th, 1900._

[_Extract._]

"On May 14th, two more 12-pounders under Lieutenant Steele (Lieutenant Burne having had a severe fall from his horse, and being incapacitated) occupied another hill across the river....

"Lieutenant Burne has quite recovered from his injuries and has returned to duty at Glencoe."