the rainstorm, allowing the British column to escape, probably represents their only major error during the war. Aftermath It has been speculated had Colley received his reinforcements before the onslaught of the rain, he would probably have been able to defeat the Boers for the first time and give the British better bargaining power during the peace negotiations. When the British returned with a burial party the next day, they found the Boers had returned to take care of their own dead and wounded. No engagement occurred. The eight Boer dead were buried on the farm "Geelhoutboom" some 5 km west of the battle site. The British lost seven officers and 69 men killed and 68 wounded. The men were buried on the battlefield while the officers' bodies were exhumed four days later and taken to Fort Amiel for reburial. Colley was plagued by defeat throughout the war, and although he would receive his reinforcements, his men were seriously demoralized by the string of defeats. Eventually he would be killed in action at the Battle of Majuba Hill. References Further reading Laband, John. The Transvaal Rebellion. Routledge: London, United Kingdom, 2005. External links The South African Military History Society: The Battle of Schuinshoogte Schuinshoogte Schuinshoogte 1881 in the Colony of Natal February 1881 events