So now the Irishmen fell back no further than the nearest cover, and there held grimly on to the ground which they had won.

If you would know the advantage which the defence has over the attack, then do you come and assault this line of tenacious men, now in your hour of victory and exultation, friend Boer! Friend Boer did attempt it, and skilfully too, moving a flanking party to sweep the position with their fire.

But the brigade, though sorely hurt, held them off without difficulty, and was found on the morning of the 24th to be still lying upon the ground which they had won.
Our losses had been very heavy, Colonel Thackeray of the Inniskillings, Colonel Sitwell of the Dublins, three majors, twenty officers, and a total of about six hundred out of 1200 actually engaged.

To take such punishment and to remain undemoralised is the supreme test to which troops can be put.

Could the loss have been avoided?
By following the original line of advance from Monte Christo, perhaps, when we should have turned the enemy's left.