The Times History of the War in South Africa, 1899-1902 (Volume 3)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1905. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI VAAL KRANTZ Wiien, on the morning of January 25, Buller resumed direct Buller's DEGREES command over the troops on the left bank of the Tugela, withdrawal there was no overmastering reason why he should not have continued Warren's operations from the point which they had reached. He might have ordered the reoccupation of Spion Kop; he might have carried out his own plan for working round the Boer right beyond Bastion Hill, which he had vainly urged upon Warren on the 22nd; he might even have adopted Warren's plan, and made a direct assault on the Tabanyama trenches, reckoning on the exhaustion and demoralization of the Boers at the end of so many days' fighting. But Buller had become thoroughly weary of the operations on that flank. To withdraw and make a fresh start seemed so much easier and more satisfactory, and would give time to rest and reorganize the troops without fear of molestation. The plan for this fresh start he had already been carrying about in his head for some days. The extreme left, as far as he could make out, of the The Vaal Boer position rested on the little flat-topped hill called Vaal '* plan Krantz, thrown forward in front of Brakfontein to within 3,500 yards of Swaartz Kop, which completely dominated it from the right bank of the Tugela. East of Vaal Krantz, between it and the underfeatures of Door n Kop, was a narrow strip of almost level ground, through which the road from Schiet Drift led straight on to the Ladysmith plain. To seize Vaal Krantz under cover of artillery on Swartz Kop, to push through the open defile, sending cavalry round to harry the rear of Brakfontein and mounting guns on Vaal Krantz to enfilade the Boer trenches, and thus to roll up the whole position--such was the plan that now commended itself to