six o'clock
Woodgate was similarly employed in keeping the line from Trichardt 's Drift to Warren 's left , and it became increasingly evident that not much further progress could be made until the left of the advance was protected by the establishment of guns on the great hill . It was then , on the 23rd , decided that Woodgate 's brigade should assault Spion Hop that night . It was known that it was not strongly held . Starting at six o'clock , the column made its way slowly and with vast difficulty up the ascent . This was everywhere rugged and rocky , and in many places so precipitous that men had to be pushed or pulled up by their comrades . Colonel Thorneycroft led the way with a few men , finding out the spots at which an ascent was practicable , and scouting on either side to discover if Boers were hidden ; behind him followed Woodgate leading his men . He was in bad health and quite unfit for such a climb , but in spite of remonstrances he had insisted upon going , although he was obliged to be assisted at the more difficult places .