During the South African or Boer War (1899–1902), 'Black Week' took place in December 1899, when the British Force suffered serious defeats at Stormberg (10th December), Magersfontein (11th December) and Colenso (15th December). Magersfontein came after several engagements in which the mobility of the Boers enabled them to disengage quickly before their positions were assaulted. Without any proper reconnaissance, the Highland Brigade was ordered to mount a dawn attack. The Black Watch were in the front during this disastrous operation. The Brigade was fired on at close range from a concealed Boer trench, protected by barbed wire. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties, with 93 men killed and 209 wounded. The commander of the Highland Brigade, General Andrew Wauchope, himself a former Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, was one of the first to be killed.