The work depicts Lieutenant Robert Elwes of the Grenadier Guards, who was killed at the Battle of Laing's Nek on 28 January 1881.

The British Army was attempting to force its way through a pass in the Drakensberg Mountains, when Elwes joined a hopeless frontal assault into the teeth of a formidable Boer defence, charging up a hill on horseback.

He reportedly encouraged another Eton old boy, adjutant of the 58th Regiment of Foot, with a shout of "Come along Monck!

The painting shows two mounted British officers in blue patrol jackets, with swords drawn, leading red-coated infantry in a charge towards the viewer.

Unusually for Lady Butler, the painting was not a critical success, perhaps because it commemorates a minor and unsuccessful incident in an unregarded war.