However that may be, it is certain that the task which the British found awaiting them on the 18th proved to be far easier than they had dared to hope.
The honours of the day rested with Hildyard's English Brigade (East Surrey, West Surrey, West Yorkshires, and 2nd Devons).

In open order and with a rapid advance, taking every advantage of the cover--which was better than is usual in South African warfare--they gained the edge of the Monte Christo ridge, and then swiftly cleared the crest.

One at least of the regiments engaged, the Devons, was nerved by the thought that their own first battalion was waiting for them at Ladysmith.
The capture of the hill made the line of trenches which faced Buller untenable, and he was at once able to advance with Barton's Fusilier Brigade and to take possession of the whole Boer position of Hlangwane and Green Hill.

It was not a great tactical victory, for they had no trophies to show save the worthless debris of the Boer camps.

But it was a very great strategical victory, for it not only gave them the whole south side of the Tugela, but also the means of commanding with their guns a great deal of the north side, including those Colenso trenches which had blocked the way so long.