The third defeat of 'Black Week', General Buller attempted to cross the Tugela river at Colenso in Natal in the face of entrenched Boer positions in the Kopjes to the north. The Irish Brigade under Gen. Hart was to cross the river to the left of the line but blundered into a loop in the river where they were fired on from 3 sides and decimated. Two batteries of 15-pounder artillery on the right under Col. Long rode far too far ahead of their infantry support into intense rifle fire and had to be abandoned and Dundonald failed to out flank the Boers wide to the right and had to withdraw. Buller, sensibly, called off the major assault and withdrew. It cost him his career.

British Colonial forces

Number engaged :

n/a

Casualties :

1,125

Boer (Transvaal) forces

Number engaged :

n/a

Casualties :

n/a