This had come from the Transvaal, and, if I remember rightly, was commanded by General Sir Hector Macdonald.

He had come up and joined Generals Clements, Hunter, Broadwood and Paget, with the object of once and for all making an end of the Free-Staters.
Our positions were now exposed to a most terrific bombardment, but fortunately without any serious consequences.

I must describe here the fearful havoc that one lyddite shell wrought.

It fell into the position held by Commandant Steenekamp, to the north-west of Bethlehem, and struck a rock behind which twenty-five of our horses were standing.
Without a single exception every horse was killed! The attack was pressed with the greatest vigour on the positions held by Commandants Van Aard and Piet Fourie.

It became impossible for these officers to maintain their ground; and, at about twelve o'clock, before I was able to send them any reinforcements, they were compelled to give way.
Thus retreat became inevitable, and the enemy entered Bethlehem.
One of our guns we were unable to remove; but before we withdrew it was thrown down the _krans_[60] of the mountain, and broken to pieces.
I knew at the time the number the English had lost, but now it had slipped my memory.