374] FOEEIGN HISTOEY. [1899.
Brigade (Dec. 10) was successful in destroying a Krupp 4*7 howitzer on Surprise Hill. The Boers suffered here severely in a bayonet charge by the British, losing 28 killed, as they admitted. The British loss was 9 killed, 30 wounded and 6 missing.
On the 15th Sir Eedvers Buller advanced from Chieveley toward Colenso, with the idea of crossing the Tugela, first at Bridle Drift, and then if the troops got over they were to move down the river and help the crossing at the main drift. General Hart was not able to cross by the Bridle Drift, as a dam had been put up to hinder crossing, and he was ordered back, but meantime he had become heavily engaged, and re- inforcements were sent to extricate him. General Hildyard was ordered to occupy Colenso Station, which he did gallantly, but two batteries of artillery were advanced too fast without their infantry escort, and were overwhelmed by the Boer rifles under Fort-Wylie — a commanding, trebly-entrenched hill, at a range of 1,200 yards. In attempting to save the guns Lieutenant Eoberts, son of Lord Eoberts, fell mortally wounded. Many of the gunners were wounded, and 13 out of 21 horses were killed. Eleven guns were lost, and 1,097 officers and men were among the killed, wounded and missing in this engagement.
This reverse was followed by inaction for the rest of the year.
Orange Free State. — Proposals for federation with the Trans- vaal were debated in the Free State Volksraad in April. Presi- dent Steyn said it was impossible to have federal union while article 4 of the Convention of 1884 stood. On April 17 the Eaad voted in favour of a reciprocal franchise agreement with the Transvaal.
The Eaad voted 22,500Z. for ammunition in June, and in addition 40,000Z. for war material, and about 14,000J. for artillery.
Sir A. Milner sent President Steyn (Sept. 19) a telegram, informing him that it was deemed advisable by the impe- rial military authorities to send a detachment of troops to secure the line of communication between Cape Colony and British territories north. As the force might be stationed near the Free State, it was desirable to inform the President of the movement, and that it was in no way directed against the Free State. Sir A. Milner said that he rested satisfied with the President's declaration of August 16, and that the Imperial Government still hoped for a friendly settlement of their differences with the Transvaal. He hoped for strict neutrality from the Orange Free State, and said that there was no desire to impair the independence of that republic.
President Steyn replied that he hoped for a friencUy settle- ment, while he regretted the despatch of troops ; that his Government would do all it could to allay excitement, but if
