Gatacre’s men were now exposed to a somewhat confused fire, which greatly embarrassed them.  Subjected to this fire from the summit, some concealed themselves behind the rocks, while others retreated for shelter to a donga not far off.

The English battery was then brought into action, and opened a terrific fire on our positions, commanded by only two Krupp guns.  So unceasing and accurate was the enemy’s fire, that our guns were soon silenced.  In a short time some of our burghers fell wounded and a few killed.  One of the enemy’s guns was taken by mistake too near to our positions, with the result that, in a few minutes, all its horses and most of the gunners were disabled, and the gun passed into our hands.

Although exposed to a violent bombardment, we held our ground and repelled the repeated attacks of Gatacre’s men, who began to realise that, should their guns not speedily dislodge us, the attack was bound to collapse.

After the engagement had lasted an hour and a half we noticed that the enemy began to waver, and was planning a retreat.  To their dismay General Grobler now made his appearance with reinforcements.  He had encamped that night some nine miles from Stormberg, and on hearing the report of the guns, returned with Commandant du Plooy of Bethulie to assist the Stormberg defenders.

On his arrival the enemy, exposed to a cross-fire, ran the risk of being surrounded and captured.  There was but one way out of a wretched position—­one loophole out of the net.  Fortunately for them, Commandant Zwanepoel of Smithfield, who had just given orders to guard this way of escape, was badly wounded while rising to lead on his men.  Owing to this mishap his burghers failed to carry out his instructions, thus leaving the way open.

Gatacre, seeing that it was a hopeless struggle, abandoned the project of reoccupying Stormberg and sounded the retreat.  He was followed up for some distance by Commandant du Plooy, who made a few prisoners and took two ammunition waggons.  Weary and thirsty, the English forces re-entered Molteno that evening.  They had been baffled in a determined attack.  Their losses amounted to about 700, captured, wounded and killed.  Those who had taken shelter behind the rocks and in the donga were all made prisoners.  They remained there till the rest had retreated, and then hoisted the white flag.  One English writer says that they were shamefully forgotten by General Gatacre, who was thus responsible for their loss.  Indeed a questionable explanation!  Among the wounded were a few officers and some privates, who were seriously injured by their own guns as they tried to seize the Boer positions.  Colonel Eagar, one of the wounded, was removed to our hospital, where he breathed his last.  In addition to the number of prisoners we also captured two big guns.  Our losses amounted to 6 killed and 27 wounded.