Sorties

A sortie can be described as something between a skirmish and a battle, carried out by a relatively small group of men. Its purpose was to seek out information regarding the enemy’s military strength or to harass and frustrate them. In addition to the memorable sorties such as Gun Hill and Surprise Hill there were other minor ones such as Long Valley, Caesars Camp, Riflemans Ridge, Thornhill, Wagon Hill. Up to the relief of Ladysmith their casualties were listed as 10 killed, 72 wounded, 3 died of wounds and 1 missing.