1920-22 Draft of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – Page 300

The leading small assault force, from 8 to about 15 men strong, went in and occupied the last line of woods, some 200 yards from the line of the work commenced. The remainder, keeping up the home fire with shells, to draw his small force of artillery, and most of all his musketry, so that his little reserve in close should not reinforce his advanced line until too late. The assault following quickly, and under cover of the bombardment, broke the line, made a lodgment, and sent the heads of it to their proper front and rear. From this time it was in good hands. Within 3 hours from the cross shots the defence would die away, then little by little our poor fellows would be withdrawn & none too soon, for they were much cut up. Yards from the ditch of the fort, from his lodgment,--well, 200 yards, say,--our sharpdshooters would pick off any head that showed itself above that blazing parapet, which line they enveloped on three sides, their front being on the woods, where the enemy's small force made their main stand, 75 yards, or thereabouts. The rest of the affair consisted in crowding them, out from one minor position to another, using shells and hand grenades all the time. Within 35 hours from our opening the attack we had bottled them up so tight that they could move only at night and then only by trickery, single files, &c. I thought they would have surrendered sooner than they did. One half of our work (one side) was cut off from the other by an impassable swamp and morass or ditch, so that Before we can get access & burn or blow up their main defences we have to cut this impassable barrier, dig away the obstruction, &c. But men are already at work this evening on it. Will some one please transcribe the balance of the letter next? Not feeling quite up to that exertion myself. Thanks.