Magersfontein
a farm in the Cape Colony (Kimberley district; Northern Cape), 25 km south of Kimberley. Following the withdrawal from the Modder River, Asst Cmdt-Gen P.A. Cronjé‚ entrenched his forces along a line of koppies trending south-east-north-west across the farm. Whilst the British under Lt-Gen Lord Methuen halted at their encampment at Modder River*, the Boers constructed trenches along the base of the koppies and prepared sangars and gun emplacements. With a force of some 12,000 troops, Methuen decided to undertake a night march and attack the centre of the Boer positions on Magersfontein Kop. On the afternoon of 10 December 1889, the British shelled the Boer positions without a reply. The main column commanded by Maj-Gen A.G. Wauchope, comprising primarily the 3rd (Highland) infantry brigade, started to deploy early on the following morning, but intensive fire from the Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Kroonstad and Hoopstad commandos, directly under Cronjé‚'s command, pinned the attackers to the ground largely without cover. A force, comprising primarily the 1st (Guards) infantry brigade and the 12th (Prince of Wales's Royal) Lancers, under Maj-Gen Sir H.E. Colvile attacked the Boer left flank comprising primarily commandos from the Orange Free State, but also failed to make headway. 'G' battery, Royal Horse Artillery, however, provided some support to the trapped highlanders as it shelled Magersfontein Kop during the day. A truce suggested by Cronjé‚ on 12 December to allow the dead and wounded to be removed was accepted and from midday the British began to withdraw those troops who had remained in position. British losses amounted 205 killed, including Wauchope, and 690 wounded whilst the Boers lost 87 dead and 168 wounded. For providing support for the wounded under heavy fire, Victoria Crosses were awarded to Lt H.E.M. Douglas, RAMC and Cpl J. Shaul, Highland Light Infantry. The gallantry of Capt E.B.B. Towse, Gordon Highlanders, on this occasion was included in the citation of his award of the Victoria Cross for the action on Toba Mountain* on 30 April 1900. Outflanked by the breakthrough of Maj-Gen J.D.P. French's cavalry division, thus securing the relief of Kimberley*, Cronjé‚ abandoned his laagers at Magersfontein on 15 February 1900 to move eastwards along the Modder River.
