142
Yule
decides
not
to
retreat, but shifts his ground.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE RETREAT FROM DUNDEE, AND THE ACTION OF RIETFONTEIN.*
At 5, on the morning of October 21st, the troops again stood to arms. There was no sign of life upon Talana ; the cavalry scouted out unmolested on that side. The mounted patrols, however, supported by “ F.” company of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, reconnoitring northward, discovered the enemy on the Dannhauser road, and the foremost scouts were driven in. At the same time information came of a hostile movement to the westward. Whatever illusions may have existed previously about the strategical situation, none now remained. General Yule himself had at no time shared them ; yet he was disinclined to retreat. He re-created a staff,f examined a fresh defensive position, and determined to stand his ground. Sending for his commanding officers shortly after midday, he pointed out the new site he had selected below the sloping shoulder of one of the foremost spurs of Indumeni, about a mile south of their present camp, and desired them to rendezvous upon it with their commands at 2.30 p.m., less, however, with any intention of occupying it definitely than of seeing how the troops “ fitted into the ground.” In view of the expected bombardment from Impati, the whole of the tents except those of the hospital had previously been lowered, and in them the men’s
* See maps Nos. 3, 5 and 7.
t Appointing Major A. J. Murray, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, (late D.A.A.G.I.) as A.A.G., Lieut. G. E. R. Kenrick, the Queen’s Regiment, as acting D.A.A.G., Captain C. K. Burnett, 18th Hussars, as Brigade Major to the 8th infantry brigade, and Lieut. F. D. Murray, the Black Watch, as A.D.C.