 After the arrival of the Naval Brigade with its 4.7-inch guns, it began on 21 November.Due to a shortage of cavalry, the British force was unable to conduct effective reconnaissance and thus were unaware of the Boer strength and composition, while the latter were appraised of the exact strength and composition of Methuen's force.As prior reconnaissance had located a Boer position slightly north of the Belmont station, from the march's starting point at the Orange River station, Methuen anticipated that the first fighting would occur there.