Transvaal Boers crossed the frontier of Natal 18,000 strong with
fourteen guns.

On October 12th, at 2 p.m., orders were received for the Regiment to
prepare at once to go out as part of a flying column towards Acton
Holmes to check the advance of the Free State Boers, who were reported
to be crossing the Biggarsberg by Vanreenen's Pass; and at 2 a.m. a
force consisting of four regiments of cavalry, four batteries R.A., and
three regiments of infantry (Liverpools, Gordons, and Devons) left
Ladysmith, and after great delay reached Dewdrop at 9 a.m.

The cavalry having been sent on to gain touch, failed however to do so,
and the column returned at once to Ladysmith. The information turned out
to be incorrect.

On the return march the Regiment was joined by Captain W.B. Lafone and
Lieutenants Field and Green, who had arrived from England.

On Sunday, October 15th, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, who had arrived
about two days previously, marched out of the Tin Camp Ladysmith to
entrain for Dundee, which place it was reported the Transvaal Boers were
threatening; and on the same day the news was confirmed that the
armoured train at Mafeking had been twice attacked.

It was said that our khaki uniform had completely nonplussed the Boers,
and that they had expected to meet us coming on in red, as in the days
gone by, and that they were consequently rather surprised and annoyed.

The Liverpool Regiment, 18th Hussars, and one battery left Ladysmith by
road for Colenso on October 18th, the Manchester Regiment, the Devons,