three o'clock
But they pressed on unfalteringly , and the batteries with them as steadily maintained their fire , though shells fell continually round and among them . The batteries that had gone out with the Lancashire Brigade now directed their fire against Vaal Krantz , having moved across from Brakfontein under a tremendous fire . One of the waggons lost all its horses ; but the five artillerymen with it manned the wheels and brought it safely out of fire . At three o'clock Lyttleton 's brigade advanced in earnest , and dashed forward at the double against Vaal Krantz , heedless of the rifle fire from the hills on both flanks and from the front . The defenders soon lost courage , as they saw the Durhams and 3rd King 's Royal Rifles dashing up the hill with bayonets fixed , and scarce two hundred of them remained till the British gained the crest . These were speedily scattered or bayoneted . The position when won was found to be unsatisfactory , for it was dominated by a hill beyond , which could not be seen from the British look-out stations , and the cannon of Spion Kop were able to sweep the plateau .