ten o'clock
I think they are building bridges . '' The naval guns dropped a few shells among the farm buildings and orchards facing the spot where the troops were gathered , as a hint to the Boers that it was well within their range , and that they had best abstain from interfering with what was going on . In an hour from the time the troops reached the bank two bridges had been thrown across the river , and the passage began . By ten o'clock the whole were across , the firing soon after ceased , and Warren 's troops bivouacked quietly . It was all over for the day , and the lads returned to their camp . The next day passed quietly , except that in the afternoon the Boer entrenchments near Spion Kop and Brakfontein , a hill facing the position occupied by Lyttleton 's brigade , were pounded by the naval guns and howitzers . A message was heliographed from Ladysmith that two thousand Boers were seen moving towards Acton Homes , and as the occupation of that village was of no value until the infantry arrived there , the cavalry were recalled to a position where they could protect Warren 's left flank from attack .