the way was now clear for the british detachment at dundee to fall back on the main british force, but sir george white feared that 10,000 boers from the orange free state were about to attack ladysmith, and ordered the force at elandslaagte to fall back there. the british were tired and many officers had been killed, and the retreat became a disorderly scramble. the detachment at dundee was once again isolated, and was forced to make an exhausting detour before they could reach safety. the boer forces re-occupied elandslaagte two days later.