and Natal mounted troops covering their march from the direction of
Vanreenen's Pass. Refugees continually coming through into Ladysmith
from Acton Holmes during the day, reported fighting going on between
Boers and Natal Carbineers.

On its return to Ladysmith the same day, the Regiment moved from the Tin
Town Camp and encamped on the football ground under the convent hill,
and towards sunset the whole army marched out of Ladysmith into
strategical positions outside the town. The Regiment at this time was
reserve battalion.

On October 19th the Boers cut the telegraph wire between Dundee and
Ladysmith, and captured near Elandslaagte Station a train containing
forty tons of flour consigned to the force at Dundee, and the following
morning the Devons, Gordons, one battery, 5th Lancers, and some Colonial
mounted infantry, moved out towards Modder Station on the
Ladysmith-Newcastle road.

At about 11 a.m. news was received that a fierce battle was being fought
at Dundee, and that a large force of Free State Boers was advancing
towards Ladysmith from Bester's Station, having crossed the Vanreenen's
Pass. The column was halted about four miles out of Ladysmith, and three
companies of the Devons under Captain Travers were sent to hold Pepworth
Hill on the flank threatened by the Free State Boers. But at 4 p.m. Sir
George White came out and joined the force, and he ordered the column
back into Ladysmith.

He gave an account of the fighting at Dundee, which he had just
received. Dundee Camp was aroused in the morning by shells being pitched
into its midst. The artillery came into action, and the 60th Rifles and