Battle of Graspan

The Battle of Graspan, also known as the Battle of Enslin, was an engagement in the Second Boer War near the Enslin railway station at Graspan kopje. The battle took place on November 25, 1899, between British forces led by Lord Methuen and Boers led by Koos de la Rey.

Battle of Graspan
Part of the Second Boer War
The Battle of Graspan as seen from the railway station
Date 25 November 1899 Location Near Ensiln, Orange Free State Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	South African Republic Orange Free State
Commanders and leaders
Lord Methuen	Koos de la Rey
Strength
8,000 16 field guns	2,000 5 field guns
Casualties and losses
20 killed 165 wounded	~200 killed

After the Battle of Belmont, Lord Methuen's force advanced up the railway in armored trains. On November 24, the train was shelled by Boer artillery in the nearby hills, deraling it. Methuen then decided to engage the Boers to continue his advance, with a subsequent assault on the next day.

Battle

In the morning of November 25, the 9th Brigade headed north towards Graspan kopje. A Boer pom-pom fired on the British advances, along with four 75mm Krupp guns. The artillery fire killed 5 British regulars and two horses, in response the British fired their 12-inch naval guns, quickly silencing the Boers. After the artillery engagement, Methuen heliographed the Coldstreams, Scots, and Grenadiers to advance from Belmont to Graspan.

Map of the battle

At around 7 am, the Guards Brigade, along with the Northamptonshires and Northumberland Fusiliers, advanced up the railway towards the kopje. A Naval brigade consisting of sailors from the HMS Doris, HMS Terrible, HMS Powerful, as well as a battalion of Royal Marines, was present.

As the battle began, the Guards Brigade was held in reserve towards the rear, as they were heavily engaged at the Battle of Belmont just two days earlier. The fusiliers and light infantry regiments were brought up and sent to attack the Boer Positions.

The Naval brigade advanced towards the Boer positions, exposed. Unlike their army counterparts, these troops were not accustomed to the method of fighting that the regular infantry had faced. As such, the Naval brigade suffered many casualties due to their inexperience.

As they advanced towards the Boer positions, the British opened fire on the Boer positions under the cover of the grass and rocks. Dashing advances were made by the British until they reached the hill. Boer rifle fire managed to pick off some of the British, but were unable to halt the advance. The Guards eventually reached the base of the hill, and charged the Boer positions. Some Boers, upon seeing the British charges, retreated from the hill. Others stayed behind, holding off the British as long as possible. Eventually the British had encircled the position and had successfully infiltrated into the trenches, causing them to retreat to Modder River.

Order of battle

British Forces

1st Division	Lieutenant-General Lord Paul Sanford Methuen GCB, GCMG, GCVO
Division Troops
9th Lancers	Naval brigade:
18th Field Battery, Royal Artillery	Sailors brigade from HMS Doris
7th Field Company, Royal Engineers	Sailors brigade from HMS Terrible
Ammunition Column	Sailors brigade from HMS Powerful
75th Field Battery, Royal Artillery	Royal Marines
Army Service Corps
Infantry Brigades
1st (Guards) Brigade: Major-General Henry Edward Coleville	9th Brigade: Major-General Charles Whittingham Douglas
3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards	1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards	1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards	2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment
1st Battalion, Scots Guards	2nd Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
No 18 Bearer Company	2nd Manchester Regiment
No 19 Company Army Service Corps	1st Royal Munster Fusiliers
	New South Wales Lancers

Boer Forces

Commandos under command of General Koos de la Rey

Jacobsdal Commando (1500)

Transvaal State Artillery section. (4x 7.5 cm Krupp Gun and 2x QF 1 pounder pom-pom guns)

Aftermath

After the battle, Lord Methuen's force continued advancing up the railway towards Kimberley. Eventually on November 28, his forces would engage with a much larger Boer army at the Battle of Modder River. Methuen would win, but take many casualties. Metheun's advance would be halted, however, after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Magersfontein. A memorial would be constructed in 1903, and dedicated to the Royal Marines, named after this battle.