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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16463-8.txt b/16463-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6875bfe --- /dev/null +++ b/16463-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6988 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Shadow of Death +by P. H. Kritzinger and R. D. McDonald + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: In the Shadow of Death + +Author: P. H. Kritzinger and R. D. McDonald + +Release Date: August 7, 2005 [EBook #16463] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Taavi Kalju and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: GENERAL P.H. KRITZINGER. + +_Photo by Emberon, London._] + + + + +In the Shadow of Death + +BY + +GENERAL P.H. KRITZINGER + +AND + +MR. R.D. MCDONALD + + +ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS AND DIAGRAMS + + +PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 1904 + +LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, DUKE STREET, +STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W. + + + + +Preface. + + +Several excellent works have already been written about the Anglo-Boer +War of the beginning of the twentieth century; but the field of +operations was so extensive, the duration of the war so long, and the +leaders, on the Boer side, were necessarily so independent of one +another in the operations that were conducted with one common aim, that +something of interest may well remain to be said. We have not here +chronicled our experiences and adventures in the form of a diary, but +have rather grouped together events and observations. We write as Boers, +frankly regretting the loss of that independence for which we took the +field; but also as those who wish to give no offence to any honourable +opponent. Our aim has been to do equal justice to both sides in the war; +to unite and reconcile, not to separate and embitter, two Christian +peoples destined to live together in one land. + +"In the Shadow of Death" is a title the reader will hardly consider +inappropriate by the time he reaches the end of this little book. +Outnumbered on the battlefield, often exposed to the enemy's fire, and +one of us wounded and laid low on a bed of intense suffering, and then +charged before a Military Court with the greatest of crimes, we did not +dare to hope that we should live to write these pages. + +And here let our cordial thanks be given to Advocate F.G. Gardiner for +his inestimable services in the hour of need, and for kindly submitting +to us the "papers" bearing on the trial. + +P.H. KRITZINGER. + +R.D. MCDONALD. + + + + +Contents. + + +CHAP. PAGE + + PREFACE iii + + I. ANTECEDENTS 1 + + II. DARK DAYS 5 + + III. ENGAGEMENTS 21 + + IV. IN TIGHT CORNERS 43 + + V. TO THE CAPE COLONY 56 + + VI. WOUNDED 70 + + VII. COURT-MARTIALLED 81 + +VIII. WHY WE SURRENDERED 102 + + IX. THE BOER AS SEEN IN THE LIGHT OF THE WAR 118 + + X. THE RISING IN THE CAPE COLONY 149 + + XI. WAR INCIDENTS 170 + + + + +"In the Shadow of Death." + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +ANTECEDENTS. + + The child is father to the man; + And I could wish my days to be + Bound each to each by natural piety. + + _Wordsworth._ + + +A few preliminary pages of personal history I offer to those who +followed me either in thought or deed during the Anglo-Boer War. + +My ancestors were Germans; my grandfather was born in the South. About +the year 1820 he, along with two brothers, bade farewell to the land of +his nativity and emigrated to South Africa. They found a home for +themselves in the neighbourhood of Port Elizabeth, and there they +settled as farmers. Two of the brothers married women of Dutch +extraction; one died a bachelor. A small village, Humansdorp, situated +near to Port Elizabeth, was the birth-place of my father. There he spent +the greater part of his life. He, too, married a Dutch lady; and we +children adopted the language of our mother, and spoke Dutch rather than +German. + +My father took an active part in several of the early Kaffir Wars, and +rendered assistance to the Colonial forces in subjugating the native +tribes in the Eastern Province of the Cape Colony. With rapt attention +and enthusiasm we children would listen to him as he told the tale of +those early native wars. I then thought that there was nothing so +sublime and glorious as war. My imagination was inflamed, and I longed +intensely to participate in such exciting adventures. My experience of +recent years has corrected my views. I think differently now. Peace is +better than war. War is brutal and damnable. It is indeed "hell let +loose." + +On the 20th of April, 1870, the arrival of a little Kritzinger was +announced on the farm Wildeman's-Kraal, Port Elizabeth District. That +little fellow happened to be myself. I do not recollect much of the days +of my youth--save that I was of a very lively disposition, with a +fondness for all sorts of fun, and often of mischief, which landed me +occasionally in great trouble. My parents obeyed the injunctions of Holy +Writ in diligently applying the rod when they thought it necessary. As a +child, I could but dimly understand, and scarcely believe, that love was +at the root of every chastisement. + +At the age of five I met with a serious accident. While gathering shells +on the beach at Port Elizabeth, the receding waves drew me seaward with +irresistible power. But for the pluck and courage of my little +playfellow, a lassie of some twelve summers, I was lost. She came to the +rescue. I was saved at the last moment: a few seconds more and I must +have perished in the deep. + +In 1882 my parents, leaving Cape Colony in search of a new home in the +Orange Free State, settled down in the district of Ladybrand. It was, +however, decided that I should remain behind with an uncle. This uncle +was my godfather, and had promised to provide for my education. Having +no children, he made me his adopted son. However excellent these +arrangements might be, I resolved that I too should go to the Orange +Free State. I succeeded in persuading my brother, who had charge of the +waggons, to let me follow him on horseback under cover of darkness. I +left my uncle's home alone and at dusk on the third evening after my +brother's departure. How I felt, and in what condition I was, after +riding thirty-five miles on the bare back of a horse, I shall not +describe. My parents, who had gone ahead of the waggons, were not a +little astonished, and yet they were not angry, at the unexpected +appearance of the boy that was left behind. + +On my arrival in the Free State it so happened that there was then a +dispute as to headship between two Barolong chiefs. This quarrel called +forth the intervention of the Free State Government. The burghers were +commandoed in the event of resistance on the part of the native chiefs; +and I, though a mere boy, at once offered my services to the nearest +Field Cornet. He declined to accept them on the score that I was too +young. Like David, I was loth to go back home. I borrowed an old gun, +got a horse, and off I stole to the Boer commando. The dispute was +amicably settled. Some thirty Barolongs, however, offered resistance. +Most eagerly I thus fired my first shot upon a human being. I did not +know then that it would not be the last; that I should live to hear the +mountains and hills of South Africa reverberate with the sound of +exploding shells, that the whizz of bullets would assail my ears like +the humming of bees; that a bullet would penetrate my own lungs, leaving +me a mass of bleeding clay on the battle-field. I did not know that +South Africa's plains would yet be drenched with the blood of Boer and +Briton until the very rivers ran crimson. + +At the early age of seventeen I left the parental roof to earn for +myself an independent living. I went to the district of Rouxville, where +I occupied a farm situated on the Basutoland border. Several of the +Basuto chiefs I got to know well. They allowed me to purchase all I +desired from their subjects. Occupied thus with my private affairs while +years sped by, I unconsciously drifted on to the disastrous war. + +My mind was never absorbed nor disturbed by the many political +controversies and problems of South Africa, not that I was indifferent +to the welfare of my people and country, for, once war was declared by +the leaders, my services were ready. I attached myself to the Rouxville +Commando, under Commandant J. Olivier, as a private burgher. When +Prinsloo surrendered, late in 1900, I was appointed Assistant-Commandant +over that portion of the Rouxville Commando which had refused to lay +down arms on Prinsloo's authority. This was my first commission in the +Boer Army. On more than one occasion I had been requested to accept +appointments; but, realising the great responsibility involved in +leadership, I preferred to fight as a private. But events pushed onward; +and on the 26th of August, 1900, when Commandant Olivier made an +unsuccessful attack on Winburg, which resulted in his capture, I was +elected in his stead, and so became Commandant of the Rouxville +Commando. + +On December 16th, 1900, carrying out instructions of General De Wet, I +crossed the Orange River at a point near Odendaal's Stroom, with about +270 burghers. General De Wet was to follow me, but he was prevented. The +enemy, determined to drive me back or effect my capture, concentrated +numerous forces on my small commando. For months I was dreadfully +harassed, and had no rest day or night. But I was resolved neither to +retrace my steps nor to capitulate. How I escaped from time to time I +now tell. The Cape Colonist Boers began to come in, and my forces +increased rather than decreased. The burghers I had at my disposal I +subdivided into smaller commandos, to give employment to the enemy, so +that they could not concentrate all their forces on me. Thus, as the +Colonists rose in arms, the commandos began to multiply more and more, +until it was impossible for the British forces to expel the invaders +from the Cape Colony. + +At the beginning of August, 1901, General French once more fixed his +attention on me. I was hard pressed by large forces, and had to fall +back on the Orange Free State, where I then operated till the 15th of +December. Again, and now for the last time, I forded the Orange River at +midnight, and set foot on British territory. The following day I was +wounded while crossing the railway line near Hanover Road. For about a +month I was laid up in the British hospital at Naauwpoort, whence I was +removed to Graaf Reinet gaol, and there I was confined as a criminal +until the 10th of March, 1902, when after a five days' trial for murder +I was acquitted. After my acquittal I was advanced to the honour (?) of +P.O.W. (Prisoner of War), and so remained till the cessation of +hostilities. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +DARK DAYS. + + Oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +Up to the 27th February, 1900, the Republican arms were on the whole +successful. The Boers fought well and many a brilliant victory crowned +their efforts, and encouraged them to continue their struggle for +freedom. True, they had to sacrifice many noble lives, but that was a +sacrifice they were prepared to make for their country. Fortune smiled +on them; as yet they had met with no very serious reverses. +Magersfontein, Stormberg, Colenso, Spion Kop, were so many offerings of +scarce vanquished Boers to the veiled Goddess Liberty. But towards the +end of February, 1900, clouds gathered over the Republics. The tide of +fortune was turned; disaster after disaster courted the Boer forces; +blow after blow struck them with bewildering force. Then came the news +of Cronje's capture. No sooner had we crossed the Orange River during +the retreat from Stormberg than we learnt that stunning news of the +disaster at Paardeberg on the 27th of February--the anniversary of +Amajuba. Cronje captured--the General in whom we had placed such +implicit confidence and on whom we relied for the future! Cronje +captured--the man who had successfully checked the advance of the +English forces on Kimberley at Magersfontein; the hero of many a battle; +the man who knew no fear! His men captured--the flower and pick of the +Boer forces, with all their guns, and brave Major Albrecht as well! + +Many a burgher who up to that fatal day had fought hopefully and +courageously lost hope and courage then. Some, we regret to say, were +so disconsolate that they renounced their faith in that Supreme Being in +whose hands are the destinies of nations. Their reliance on their +country's God ended with Cronje's capture, as though their deliverance +depended solely upon him. This, however, does not appear so strange when +one recollects that the Boers could not afford to lose so many of their +best men at a time when all were precious for their country's safety. As +to the siege itself, we, not having been in it, cannot enter into its +details. One of the besieged, who, in spite of a terrific bombardment +and repeated attacks by the enemy, kept a diary of the events of each +day, gives this striking description on the 10th and last day: + + "Bombardment heavier than usual. The burghers are recalcitrant and + in consequence the General's authority wanes rapidly. There is + hardly any food, the remaining bags of biscuits are yellow from the + lyddite fumes, so is everything, damp and yellow. The stench of the + decomposed horses and oxen is awful. The water of the rivers is + putrid with carrion. A party of men caught three stray sheep early + on the morning of the 10th. In haste they killed them and started + to skin them desperately; but they had half done when a lyddite + shell bursting close to them turned the mutton yellow with its + fumes and it had to be abandoned reluctantly. The sufferings of the + wounded are heartrending. Little children huddled together in + bomb-proof excavations are restless, hungry and crying. The women + are adding their sobs to the plaintive exhortations of the wounded. + All the time the shelling never abates. The arena of the defenders + is veneered. Nearly every man, woman and child is lyddite-stained. + The muddy stream is yellow. The night was an awful one. For two + days the men are without food, but worse still are the pestiferous + air, the loathsome water, and the suffering of the wounded. It is + too much for flesh and blood. The morning of the 27th February saw + the first white flag hoisted by a Boer general. It was a woeful + sight when 3600 Boers, undisciplined peasants, reluctantly threw + down their rifles among the wreck of the shells and ambled past the + English lines. They had withstood the onslaught of 80,000 British + troops with modern death-dealing implements of war, and, towards + the end of the siege, about 1000 guns were brought to bear upon + them." + +How far this disaster can be attributed to General Cronje is difficult +to say. The following considerations may, however, throw some light on +its causes. + +During the early part of the war we hardly realised the great value and +necessity of good scouting. It was only after General Cronje and his men +had fallen into the hands of the enemy that a regular scouting corps was +organised and placed under the control of the brave Danie Therou. + +Lord Roberts's forces were almost on Cronje's laager before they were +perceived, and unfortunately they were even then entirely +under-estimated and consequently thought light of. Flushed by the +victory at Magersfontein, the General did not contemplate the +possibility of such a bitter reverse. He was going to strike another +hard blow at the enemy--he did strike it, but at too great a cost. Had +he realised his position the first or second day after the siege was +begun, he might still have escaped. The convoy would have been captured, +but the men would have been saved. The old gentleman was determined to +hold all, and consequently lost all. + +So far the General deserves censure and is accountable for the disaster +which had such a far-reaching and bad moral effect on the rest of the +burghers. The only sweet drop contained in the bitter cup extended to us +was the fact that Cronje and his burghers surrendered _as men_, and not +as _cowards_. Once surrounded and brought to bay they resisted every +attack with admirable fortitude and valour. Surrounded along the banks +of the Modder River, at a spot where they had no cover at all, exposed +to a terrific cannonade and charged by thousands of the enemy from time +to time, these farmers fearlessly repelled every onslaught. It was one +thing to surround them, another thing to capture them. They were not to +be taken with cold hands. The enemy, especially the Canadians, had to +pay a great price before the white flag announced Cronje's unconditional +surrender. + +During the siege attempts were made by General De Wet to relieve +Cronje, but none succeeded. Several of the relieving forces, including +the pick of the Winburg Commando with Commandant Theunissen, were +themselves surrounded and captured in trying to break through the lines +of the besiegers. + +To intensify the gloom, Ladysmith, which was daily expected to fall, was +relieved on the day of Cronje's surrender. For certain reasons the late +Commandant-General P. Joubert had evacuated the positions round +Ladysmith and retreated to the Biggar's Range. General Louis Botha, who +was engaging Buller's relieving forces at Colenso, was then also +compelled to retreat. + +After Cronje's capture the way to Bloemfontein and Pretoria lay open. +The Boers made one more stand at Abraham's Kraal, where the enemy +suffered heavily, but carried the day by their overwhelming numbers. +After the British occupied Bloemfontein the Transvaal burghers became +reluctant to offer battle in the Free State, on the ground that there +were no positions from which they could successfully check the +ever-advancing foe. Many of the Free Staters were discouraged and +hopeless; but rest renewed their strength and zeal, and they shortly +returned to the struggles. + +The second disaster which befell the two Republics was the ignominious +and cowardly surrender of Prinsloo, which took place on the 1st of +August, 1900. For various reasons this surrender was more keenly felt by +the Boers than that of Cronje. The one, though he might have blundered, +nevertheless acted the part of a brave, though obstinate, man; the other +that of a coward. + +Some six weeks after the occupation of Bloemfontein the British troops +resumed their northward march, and so quickly did they advance, almost +day and night, that Pretoria was soon occupied. What this rapid movement +meant, we could not quite understand. Did Lord Roberts think that the +occupation of Pretoria would terminate hostilities? The British forces +in their swift march to the Transvaal capital left Free State burghers +behind them as they advanced. These men rallied again under General De +Wet and seriously threatened the English line of communications, +capturing seven hundred of the British at Roode Wal. + +Large forces under Hector MacDonald and Bruce Hamilton recrossed the +Vaal in order to crush the Free Staters. Then Prinsloo surrendered. +Having accompanied the commandos that surrendered under him, we will +relate the story of that most sad incident of the War. + +On the occupation of Bethlehem by the British in the beginning of July, +1900, the Boer commandos, under General De Wet, retreated to the +Wittebergen, a mountain range to the south-east of Bethlehem, forming a +semi-circle round Fouriesburg, a small village on the Basutoland border. +This range, with its towering peaks and steep slopes, formed an +impregnable stronghold. The burghers thought that, once behind those +heaven-high mountains, with all the passes in their possession, with +abundant war supplies, and all the necessaries of life, they would +resist successfully every attack. The camps were pitched at the base of +the mountains. The burghers began at once to make turf-bulwarks for the +guns, and trenches for themselves, in the various passes. + +General De Wet, who did not seem quite at ease in this enclosure or +kraal, for such it was, organised the Bethlehem-Heilbron burghers into a +commando 2500 strong and left with these in the direction of Heilbron. +General Roux from Senekal was instructed to organise another commando, +1000 or 1200 strong, and advance with that in the direction of +Bloemfontein. For some reason or other, General Roux's departure was +delayed, and so he with all his men fell into Prinsloo's meshes. + +On Monday, 23rd July, the enemy made a general attack on all the Boer +positions, except Naauwpoort Pass. These attacks, though very +determined, were unsuccessful. From sunrise to sunset the firing never +ceased. The burghers in Slabberts Nek, where we happened to be, were +subjected to a dreadful cannon fire. This pass was guarded by Captain +Smith with two Krupp guns and Lieutenant Carlblom with a pom-pom. Upon +these guns the English directed two Howitzers and six Armstrongs. Here, +just before sunset, the gallant Captain Rautenbagh was blown to pieces +by a lyddite shell, which exploded in front of him. + +Thus repulsed by day, the enemy succeeded in scaling the heights to the +left of the Boers at Slabberts Nek by an unguarded footpath during the +night. As soon as the crimson light of a July dawn had exposed the +frost-covered ridges, the dark overcoats on the left of the Boer +positions revealed the unwelcome fact that the enemy had gained their +object of the day before, and had outflanked the Boers. + +Not only at Slabberts Nek, but also at Reliefs Nek the Boers were +outflanked the same night. At the latter pass a number of Highlanders +had occupied the rocky heights during the stillness of the night, so +that when the Boer pickets discovered them the next morning they found +the enemy commanding a position higher than their own, which they +forthwith abandoned. The enemy, now in possession of two mountain +passes, forced the Boers to evacuate all the other passes, by +threatening an attack on our rear and surrounding us. So on Tuesday +morning, at about 9 A.M., the commandos quitted the mountains and fell +back on Fouriesburg. + +Our situation was becoming hourly more and more embarrassing. There was +just one thing to be done, and that was to move as quickly as possible +all along the base of the mountain range, and to seize a pass called +Naauwpoort Nek farther northwards. That pass was not yet occupied by the +enemy, and there it was possible to secure a safe exit; and higher up +the mountain range, at the farm of Salmon Raads, was another pass which +could be reached in due time. + +If Prinsloo had, in his heart, desired to save his commandos, he could +have done so easily. But no sooner had we left the mountains than we +noticed that strange whispers were passed from man to man; we heard it +said that a further prolongation of the war was absolutely useless; +that many of the officers and burghers were tired of it, and would like +to go home. In short, we saw what was coming, and anticipated the +surrender. + +When the commandos arrived at Naauwpoort Pass they found their exit cut +off there by the enemy. Instead of hastening on to the next pass, the +officers held a council of war to discuss the situation, or, more +correctly, to deliberate on a surrender. The meeting lasted almost all +night. Some of the officers were deadly opposed to a surrender; +others--and they were the majority--were in favour of it. Nothing, +however, was decided at that meeting, for a Hoofd Commandant had first +to be elected before any steps could be taken. + +A second meeting of officers for the purpose of electing a Chief +Commandant was next held. In that meeting Prinsloo was elected Chief +Commandant, but, as not all the officers were present, some of them +being still in the positions, it was beforehand agreed that the man +elected by that meeting should have no authority before the votes of the +absent officers were taken, and when their votes came in it was found +that General Roux, and not Prinsloo, was elected. + +The latter, however, entered into negotiations with the enemy before +this question as to whom was to be Chief Commandant was settled. He +first asked for an armistice, which was refused. Then he asked for +terms, to which General Hunter replied: "Unconditional surrender is +demanded." Prinsloo, well aware that the burghers would not surrender +unconditionally, pleaded and insisted on terms. + +At this juncture Vilonel, the deserter, who had been sentenced for five +years' imprisonment for high treason, but who was, unfortunately, +released, appeared on the scene. He came from the British lines, met +Prinsloo, and officiated as intermediary between Generals Hunter and +Prinsloo. Something in the shape of terms was drawn up, but these terms, +if tested and analysed, amounted to unconditional surrender. As soon as +Prinsloo was in possession of these conditions, he forwarded a report to +the different commandants that he had been successful in obtaining good +terms from the English, and that they must evacuate their positions so +as to arrange for a surrender. This report was sent on to Commandant +Potgieter of Smithfield with instructions to forward it to the next +commandant. + +General Roux, on learning of Prinsloo's doings, at once dispatched a +report to the different commandos notifying to them that Prinsloo had no +right to negotiate with the enemy, to ask for or accept terms for a +surrender. Also, that the burghers must on no account abandon their +positions. He, so the report ran, would personally go to protest against +the illegal surrender. The General went, but did not return. Why he went +himself, and did not send one of his adjutants with a written protest, +seems still very strange to us. He was warned not to go. General +Fourie's last words to him were: "Good-bye, General; I greet you, never +to see you again in the Boer ranks." He did not heed the warning, and so +we lost one of our bravest and best leaders. + +Unfortunately, General Roux's report fell into the hands of Commandant +Potgieter, who, siding with Prinsloo on the question of a surrender, had +it destroyed whilst Prinsloo's was forwarded. This settled the whole +affair. The positions were evacuated, and in part occupied by the enemy. +Still, at the eleventh hour, there was a possibility of escape. The long +trail of waggons would have been captured, but most, if not all, the +burghers could have found their way out. But no, they were to be duped +by a set of unscrupulous officers. They were told they could get all +they desired, except their independence. All could go home, each would +get a horse-saddle and bridle, their private property would not be +confiscated, and they would be allowed to follow their agricultural and +pastoral pursuits undisturbed. And the poor officers--well for them that +there were no extenuating terms, no mercy. So, at least, said Commandant +Polly de Villiers, of the Ficksburg Commando. He, when posing as a +martyr, announced these conditions to the burghers, who, after such long +separation from their families, found it impossible to withstand such +charming terms. Sorrowfully were they disillusioned after they had laid +down their arms. + +To make the surrender a complete success, all sorts of rumours were +freely circulated. The burghers were told that all who did not surrender +would be shot as rebels when captured, that the pass, higher up the +mountains, was guarded by twenty-five lyddite guns, so that every exit +was cut off by the enemy. When these reports were brought to bear on men +already depressed and discouraged it did not require great pressure to +effect their surrender. Still, if these men had not been misled, if they +had known that Ceylon and India would be the final destination of many +of them, they never would have surrendered, and very few of them would +have been captured there and then. All this they found out when it was +too late. + +These unfortunate burghers we do not wish to criticise too severely. The +officers were to blame. Many of them certainly fell into the hands of +the enemy through no fault of their own. There were, however, some who +were only too ready to lay down their arms, and these were the majority. +They did not act the part of men; for they deserted shamefully those who +still struggled bravely for freedom. Nor am I willing to judge these. +Let conscience speak to such as these. + +Some officers, animated by a truer love of their country, protested +strongly against such an illegal and shameful surrender. One of these, +General Olivier of the Rouxville Commando, called his burghers together +and told them plainly what he thought. He warned them not to place too +much credence in British promises, and promised that those who would +follow him he would lead out safely. Of his whole commando--about four +hundred strong--scarcely seventy followed him. The others surrendered. + +Besides attending to his men, General Olivier also took charge of most +of the Boer guns, which were to have formed no mean part of the booty, +for Prinsloo had promised the British some thirteen guns, one pom-pom, +and a few maxims with all their ammunition. In the pass at Salmon Raads, +General Hector MacDonald met Olivier with the guns. He at once ordered +him to go no farther, as he was a surrendered man. Olivier tarried as +long as it pleased him, and then proceeded, taking the guns along with +him. + +Of all the Boer forces concentrated in the Wittebergen, only about six +hundred did not surrender. To secure these also every means were +resorted to. No fewer than three times were messengers sent to them with +reports from the enemy. At first we were courteously invited to return +and surrender. To prove to us the validity of the surrender, all the +papers bearing on the negotiation from first to last were forwarded to +us. The excellent conditions granted to the surrendered burghers were +also transmitted to us. In these conditions we observed that the +surrendered burghers would each be provided with a horse to ride to +their destination, which would be Winburg, till further orders. We saw +also that they would be kept as prisoners-of-war until the war was over, +which meant, though they did not suspect it then, two years longer. +Their private property was to be respected. How the last condition was +violated is well known. + +Olivier and his men were, however, not to be easily ensnared. He +politely rejected the proffered terms, stating at the same time that +Prinsloo's surrender was illegal. A few days later, and lo! in the +distance we beheld another flag-of-truce, a second report. The polite +request had failed, intimidation must now be tried--that might succeed +better. We were admonished urgently to come back at once, and surrender +without further delay. Failing that, we must not expect to receive such +generous and lenient treatment as would be extended to those surrendered +already. All our goods would be confiscated, etc. + +On receiving this report, Olivier sent back the somewhat curt and abrupt +reply: "That if the British wanted his rifle they would have to capture +him as a man, for he would not surrender like an old woman. And he would +receive no more white flags on this matter." Consequently the third +messenger was sent back without being interviewed. + +So much for the Prinsloo disaster. It was a sad one for those still +struggling against overwhelming odds. Many a heart beat low, and many a +sigh was heaved. That was an "unkind cut," which wounded the hearts of +thousands. Many a one, even of those who stood to the last day, never +recovered from the effects of that shock. They fought bravely, and did +their duty towards their country, but hope for an ultimate victory was +dead within them. + +And those who surrendered, what lessons they had to learn! Even to-day, +a year after the close of the war, some of them have not reached their +homes, but are on lonely islands, and in distant India, while many have +passed away to the unseen world on those foreign shores. Those that came +back, what did they find? A country strewn with ruins, their homes +destroyed and burnt, and their sheep and cattle stabbed and shot lying +in heaps upon the ground. What a sad sight did greet their eyes! How +many of their beloved families were missing, having died in the +Concentration Camps. But when they reflect on the past the saddest +thought should be their vanished freedom. + +The next ordeal through which the Republicans had to pass began with the +denudation of the two States. As arms alone could not subdue the Boers, +some other expedient had to be tried--the starvation process was +resorted to; all food-stuff had to be destroyed or removed, so that the +burghers should not obtain sustenance. The country had to be cleared of +cattle and sheep--in fact, of everything which could keep the Boers +alive. This was considered the most feasible way of defeating the +so-called _marauding_ bands of armed Boers. + +But what about the women-folk, if the country is to be cleared? Well, +these must go to Concentration Camps, from which so many never returned. +We do not wish to dwell on the sufferings of Boer women and children; +but what we are proud to note is that when military operations were +conducted against the weak and defenceless, the burgher was touched to +the centre of his heart. Call a Boer by what name you please, but of +this be assured--he is a man who, above all, loves his family, and has +pride and pleasure in his home, be it never so humble. When, therefore, +a destructive policy was adopted, who shall realise fully what passed +through the minds of these as they stood watching the lurid flames of +their burning homes, and heard how in the camps their families were +dying in scores? Cronje's capture, Prinsloo's surrender, and all the +hard fighting they had to do, seemed but trifles as compared to this, by +far the saddest, phase of the South African War. + +Another dark day, and the curtain drops. We refer to that day when the +documents were signed and peace was concluded. Then, indeed, the +darkness seemed tangible Who shall number the tears shed on that +day--tears of men, women, and even children? Tears of men who had fought +for almost three years, who had sacrificed their all, who had but one +object in view, one ideal to pursue; who loved liberty and independence, +with an amazing love. Tears of women, who had spent many months either +in camps, or in the open veldt; women whose husbands and sons had fallen +in the war, whose infants were laid low in many a graveyard. Tears of +children, who had lost their parents, children who never more would know +the love of a mother, the protection of a father. With one voice the +whole people lamented the loss of their beloved Fatherland. + +And how did the officers who had to subscribe to these terms of peace +feel? Let one[A] who was present speak: + + "Never shall I forget what I witnessed there. General De Wet showed + that there was no chance any longer of continuing the struggle ... + I see him yet, that unyielding man, with his piercing eyes, his + strong mouth and chin--I see him there still, like a lion fallen + into a snare. He will not, he cannot, but he must give up the + struggle! I still see the stern faces of the officers, who up to + that moment had been so unbending. I see them staring as if into + empty space. I see engraved upon their faces an indescribable + expression, an expression that seemed to ask: 'Is this the bitter + end of our sufferings and our sorrows, of our faith and our strong + crying to God?' How great was their emotion! I saw the lips of men + quiver who had never trembled before a foe. I saw tears brimming in + eyes that had been dry when they had seen their dearest laid in + the grave.... + + "Everything was as silent as death when acting President Burger + took the pen in his hand. I looked at my watch; it was five minutes + past eleven on the 31st day of May in the year 1902. + + "President Burger signed. President Steyn was not there. Our hearts + bled at the thought that he had been seized by a dangerous malady; + and yet it seemed to me that something was owed to that malady, + since it prevented the President of the Orange Free State from + doing what would have caused him the greatest pain in the world. He + had said once: 'To set my hand to a paper to sign away the + Independence of my people--that I shall never do.' Sad + circumstances, which he might then almost have called fortunate, + had brought it about that what he would not do, that he could not + do. The document was signed! All were silent in that room where so + much had been spoken." + +We quote the terms of peace in full:-- + + "His Excellency General Lord Kitchener, and His Excellency Lord + Milner, on behalf of the British Government, and Messrs. M.T. + Steyn, J. Brebner, General C.R. De Wet, General C. Olivier, and + Judge J.B.M. Hertzog, acting as the Government of the Orange Free + State, and Messrs. S.W. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Generals Louis Botha, + J.H. de la Rey, Lucas Meyer, and C. Krogh, acting as the Government + of the South African Republic, on behalf of their respective + burghers, desirous to terminate the present hostilities, agree on + the following articles:-- + + "I. The burgher forces in the field will forthwith lay down their + arms, handing over all guns, rifles, and munitions of war in their + possession or under their control, and desist from any further + resistance to the authority of His Majesty King Edward VII., whom + they recognise as their lawful Sovereign. The manner and details of + this surrender will be arranged between Lord Kitchener and + Commandant-General Botha, Assistant Commandant-General Delarey, and + Chief Commandant De Wet. + + "2. All burghers in the field outside the limits of the Transvaal + or Orange River Colony, and all prisoners of war at present outside + South Africa, who are burghers, will, on duly declaring their + acceptance of the position of subjects of His Majesty King Edward + VII., be gradually brought back to their homes as soon as + transport can be provided and their means of subsistence ensured. + + "3. The burghers so surrendering or so returning will not be + deprived of their personal liberty or their property. + + "4. No proceedings, civil or criminal, will be taken against any of + the burghers so surrendering or so returning for any acts in + connection with the prosecution of the war. The benefit of this + clause will not extend to certain acts contrary to the usage of war + which have been notified by the Commander-in-Chief to the Boer + Generals and which shall be tried by court-martial immediately + after the close of hostilities. + + "5. The Dutch language will be taught in public schools in the + Transvaal and Orange River Colony where the parents of the children + desire it, and will be allowed in courts of law when necessary for + the better and more effectual administration of justice. + + "6. The possession of rifles will be allowed in the Transvaal and + Orange River Colony to persons requiring them for their protection, + on taking out a licence according to law. + + "7. Military administration in the Transvaal and Orange River + Colony will at the earliest possible date be succeeded by Civil + Government, and, as soon as circumstances permit, representative + institutions, leading up to self-government, will be introduced. + + "8. The question of granting the franchise to natives will not be + decided until after the introduction of self-government. + + "9. No special tax will be imposed on landed property in the + Transvaal and Orange River Colony to defray the expenses of the + War. + + "10. As soon as conditions permit, a Commission, on which the local + inhabitants will be represented, will be appointed in each district + of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, under the presidency of a + Magistrate or other official, for the purpose of assisting the + restoration of the people to their homes, and supplying those who, + owing to war losses, are unable to provide for themselves, with + food, shelter, and the necessary amount of seed, stock, implements, + etc., indispensable to the resumption of their normal occupations. + His Majesty's Government will place at the disposal of these + Commissions a sum of three million pounds sterling for the above + purposes, and will allow all notes issued under Law No. I, of 1900, + of the South African Republic, and all receipts given by officers + in the field of the late Republics, or under their orders, to be + presented to a Judicial Commission, which will be appointed by the + Government; and if such notes and receipts are found by this + Commission to have been duly issued in return for valuable + considerations, they will be received by the first named + Commissions as evidence of war losses suffered by the persons to + whom they were originally given. In addition to the above named + free grant of three million pounds, His Majesty's Government will + be prepared to make advances on loan for the same purposes, free of + interest for two years, and afterwards repayable over a period of + three years with three per cent. interest. No foreigner or rebel + will be entitled to the benefit of this clause." + +Statement read by Lord Milner to the Boer delegates:-- + + "His Majesty's Government must place it on record that the + treatment of Cape and Natal Colonists who have been in rebellion, + and who now surrender, will, if they return to their Colonies, be + determined by the Colonial Governments, and in accordance with the + laws of the Colonies, and that any British subjects who have joined + the enemy will be liable to trial under the law of that part of the + British Empire to which they belong. + + "His Majesty's Government are informed by the Cape Government that + the following are their views as to the terms which should be + granted to British subjects of Cape Colony who are now in the + field, or who have surrendered, or have been captured since the + 12th of April, 1901: With regard to rank and file, that they should + all, upon surrender, after giving up their arms, sign a document + before the Resident Magistrate of the District in which the + surrender takes place, acknowledging themselves guilty of High + Treason, and that the punishment to be awarded to them, provided + they shall not have been guilty of murder, or other acts contrary + to the usages of civilised warfare, should be that they shall not + be entitled for life to be registered as voters, or to vote at any + Parliamentary Divisional Council, or Municipal election. + + "With reference to Justices of the Peace and Field Cornets of the + Cape Colony, and all other persons holding an official position + under the Government of the Cape Colony, or who may occupy the + position of Commandant of rebel or burgher forces, they should be + tried for High Treason before the ordinary court of the country, or + such special court as may be hereafter constituted by Law, the + punishment for their offence to be left to the discretion of the + Court, with this proviso, that in no case shall the penalty of + Death be inflicted. + + "The Natal Government are of opinion that rebels should be dealt + with according to the Law of the Colony." + +To the Boer, although he had been suffering the manifold miseries of the +battlefield for over two years, such terms made peace a tragedy. +Bitterness was mixed with his cup of happiness when he found himself +once more united to his family. + +[Footnote A: Rev. Kestell, 'Through Shot and Flames.'] + +[Illustration: MR. R. MCDONALD.] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +ENGAGEMENTS. + + And in the hope of freedom they possess + All that the contest calls for,--spirit, strength, + The scorn of danger, and united hearts. + + _Cowper._ + + +With the exception of the Stormberg engagement we do not intend to dwell +on the battles of the first part of the campaign. They have already been +described by able hands, by men who participated in them, or were in a +position to ascertain their true history. By this we do not infer that +all accounts are correct, for it requires many eyes to see one battle in +all its aspects. Besides, some writers are unconsciously influenced and +prejudiced by their national sentiments, and thus fail to do justice to +the parties concerned. We shall confine ourselves to the engagements in +which we personally took part, and shall record only the more remarkable +among them. + + +BATTLE OF STORMBERG. + +In the beginning of November, 1899, the commandoes of Rouxville, +Smithfield, and Bethulie entered the Cape Colony at different points. +Having occupied several villages in the Eastern Province, they +concentrated towards the end of the month in the Stormbergen. Our tents +were pitched on the northern slopes of this mountain range, which runs +from east to west, six miles to the north of Molteno. Here we were to +have our first lesson in actual fighting; for up to that time we had not +encountered any resistance on the part of the enemy. + +On the 9th of December, the night fixed on by General Gatacre to strike +a blow at the Boer forces at Stormberg, Assistant Chief Commandant +Grobler left that place with about nine hundred burghers, intending to +occupy Steynsburg. The enemy, having heard of their departure, and +knowing that our positions were in consequence so much weaker, left that +same evening, fully resolved to surprise us, and, if possible, reoccupy +the Stormbergen, which were abandoned at the first approach of our +commandoes. + +The object of the British was to attack us on our right flank before +dawn, seize our positions and force us to surrender or retreat. On paper +this plan presented no difficulties, but its accomplishment was not +quite so easy, and proved a dangerous operation. The English general, as +we afterwards learnt, had started for the Boer positions at too late an +hour to reach them in due time; and, moreover, had lost his way in the +darkness of the night, so that the first rays of the rising sun were +lighting the majestic mountain tops before he was in position. + +The "brandwachten"--night pickets--of the Rouxville Commando were +already on their way back to the camp, when one of them, who had by +chance returned to the top of the mountain, saw, in the shadow of the +valley, and on the slopes of the mountain, human forms moving silently +onward. One glance of his keen eye assured him that those forms were +enemies. Bang! went the first rifle report. The other pickets all rushed +back and opened fire as swiftly as they could handle their Mausers. This +brought the enemy to a standstill, for they, too, were surprised. + +In the Boer camp below some of us were still peacefully sleeping, while +others were enjoying their first cup of coffee. With the rifle reports +came wakefulness and bustle. It did not take us a moment to realise that +speed would be our only means of salvation. Should the enemy reach the +summit first, disaster and defeat would be our lot. For some minutes it +was a scene of confusion. The horses, saddles, bridles, rifles and +bandoliers, where were they? Some knew, and had their equipments ready +in a moment; others, less careful, did not know, and sought almost +frantically for theirs. We made for the mountain and scaled it as +swiftly as our feet could carry us. Exhausted and breathless we reached +the summit before the enemy. + +Gatacre's men were now exposed to a somewhat confused fire, which +greatly embarrassed them. Subjected to this fire from the summit, some +concealed themselves behind the rocks, while others retreated for +shelter to a donga not far off. + +The English battery was then brought into action, and opened a terrific +fire on our positions, commanded by only two Krupp guns. So unceasing +and accurate was the enemy's fire, that our guns were soon silenced. In +a short time some of our burghers fell wounded and a few killed. One of +the enemy's guns was taken by mistake too near to our positions, with +the result that, in a few minutes, all its horses and most of the +gunners were disabled, and the gun passed into our hands. + +Although exposed to a violent bombardment, we held our ground and +repelled the repeated attacks of Gatacre's men, who began to realise +that, should their guns not speedily dislodge us, the attack was bound +to collapse. + +After the engagement had lasted an hour and a half we noticed that the +enemy began to waver, and was planning a retreat. To their dismay +General Grobler now made his appearance with reinforcements. He had +encamped that night some nine miles from Stormberg, and on hearing the +report of the guns, returned with Commandant du Plooy of Bethulie to +assist the Stormberg defenders. + +On his arrival the enemy, exposed to a cross-fire, ran the risk of being +surrounded and captured. There was but one way out of a wretched +position--one loophole out of the net. Fortunately for them, Commandant +Zwanepoel of Smithfield, who had just given orders to guard this way of +escape, was badly wounded while rising to lead on his men. Owing to this +mishap his burghers failed to carry out his instructions, thus leaving +the way open. + +Gatacre, seeing that it was a hopeless struggle, abandoned the project +of reoccupying Stormberg and sounded the retreat. He was followed up for +some distance by Commandant du Plooy, who made a few prisoners and took +two ammunition waggons. Weary and thirsty, the English forces re-entered +Molteno that evening. They had been baffled in a determined attack. +Their losses amounted to about 700, captured, wounded and killed. Those +who had taken shelter behind the rocks and in the donga were all made +prisoners. They remained there till the rest had retreated, and then +hoisted the white flag. One English writer says that they were +shamefully forgotten by General Gatacre, who was thus responsible for +their loss. Indeed a questionable explanation! Among the wounded were a +few officers and some privates, who were seriously injured by their own +guns as they tried to seize the Boer positions. Colonel Eagar, one of +the wounded, was removed to our hospital, where he breathed his last. In +addition to the number of prisoners we also captured two big guns. Our +losses amounted to 6 killed and 27 wounded. + +The attack on the Stormberg positions, if it was boldly conceived, was +badly carried out. The English general should have postponed the attack +when it dawned upon him that he would not reach the enemy's positions +before daybreak; and he should have used the knowledge, common to most +soldiers, that it is best to attack a foe's weakest side. This was not +done at Stormberg. We, too, suffered from ill-advised action--or rather, +inaction. For we had had the opportunity of capturing, if not all, most +of Gatacre's men, with all their guns, and we neglected it! The victory +would have been complete if we had only followed up our advantage. In +those early days, however, some of our leaders regarded it as rather +sinful to harass a retreating enemy. + + +SANNA'S POST. + +On the occupation of Bloemfontein some of the burghers, discouraged and +despondent, left for their homes. Lord Roberts's proclamation, promising +protection to all who should lay down their arms and settle quietly on +their farms, enticed many to remain at home. Most, however, changed +their minds after a few weeks' rest and returned to their commandoes. + +It was then, after they had rallied again, that General De Wet, on the +eve of the 28th of March, left Brandfort with a commando 1500 strong and +moved in the direction of Winburg. De Wet had made up his mind to +surprise the English garrison which guarded the Bloemfontein Waterworks +at Sanna's Post, and so cut off the water supply of Bloemfontein. + +With that object in view he made his movements thither by night, so as +to keep the enemy in the dark as to his plans. Neither were these +disclosed to the burghers, who were naturally anxious to know where they +were going and what they were to do next. + +On his way De Wet learnt that General Broadwood, dreading an attack of +Commandant Olivier, had quitted Ladybrand and was marching on +Bloemfontein with a strong force. This information was rather +disconcerting, for now he had not only to reckon with the garrison, but +to be ready for an engagement with a column 2000 strong, which might +come to the relief of the garrison at any moment. In case of such an +emergency, De Wet divided his forces into two parts. He placed one +division--1050 strong with four guns--under the control of Generals +Cronje, Froneman, Wessels, and Piet De Wet, with instructions to occupy +the positions east of the Modder River and directly opposite the +Waterworks, so as to check Broadwood, should he come to the rescue of +the garrison. + +Taking the remaining 350 burghers he set out to Koorn Spruit, a brook +which flows into the Modder River. Arrived there, he carefully concealed +his horses and men at a point where the road from the Waterworks to +Bloemfontein passes through the brook. The other generals were to shell +the garrison at daybreak, while he would fall on the troops if they +tried to escape to Bloemfontein _viâ_ Koorn Spruit. + +As the Boer forces were getting into their different positions during +the night, Broadwood, who had left Thaba 'Nchu at nightfall, arrived +that very night at Sanna's Post. But we were each unconscious of the +other's presence. + +The next morning at daybreak we saw a waggon and a large number of +cattle and sheep not far off the brook. The Kaffir drivers informed us +that the British column had just arrived at Sanna's Post. As soon as we +could see some distance ahead, we observed the enemy now hardly 3000 +paces off. A few minutes later our guns began to play upon the +unsuspecting British forces. What a scene of confusion! Broadwood had +fallen into a trap and was between two fires. The whole column, with +guns, waggons and carts, made hurriedly for the drift where De Wet and +his men lay hidden. Nearer they came. At length a cart entered the +drift. The occupants, husband and wife, looked bewildered on seeing +armed Boers all around them in the bed of the brook. De Wet immediately +ordered two of his adjutants to mount the cart and drive on. Then in +quick succession followed a number of carts and vehicles, all driven by +Englishmen from Thaba 'Nchu. These were ordered to proceed ahead and +warned not to make any signals to the enemy. So well was everything +arranged, that the first batch of troops that entered the drift had not +the slightest suspicion that there was something wrong. Absolutely +abashed were they on finding themselves among us; the men raised their +hands in surrender at the cry of "Hands up!" + +In this way we disarmed 200 without wasting a bullet. But this was not +to go on for long; there came an officer from the rear who was +determined to upset our plans and disturb our peace seriously. He, at +least, was not going to surrender in this fashion. On being asked for +his rifle he said, with marked resoluteness, "Be d----d! I won't," and +called on his men to fire. He drew his sword, but before he could use it +he was no more among the living. + +The battle had begun. Scarcely 100 paces from the banks of the brook +stood five of the enemy's guns and more than 100 waggons. Some 400 paces +from these two more guns had stopped. The enemy had withdrawn for cover +about 1300 yards to the station on the Dewetsdorp-Bloemfontein railway. + +[Illustration: SANNA'S POST--Plan of Battle.] + +It was while they were retreating to this station that the greatest +havoc was wrought among them. Across the open plain, with no cover at +all, they had to retreat, and before they reached the place of shelter +the ground between the brook and the station was thickly strewn with +their dead and wounded. It was, indeed, a ghastly scene. The burghers +stood erect and fired on the retreating foe as though they were so much +game. So quickly did the waggons and guns wheel round that many were +overturned. To remove them was impossible. In vain did the English try +to save the guns. They succeeded, however, in getting two to the station +house, where they had rallied. With these they bombarded us for some +time; but owing to our sheltered positions only two men were wounded. + +The Boer forces on the east of the Modder River had in the meanwhile +been doing their best to come to the assistance of General De Wet. But +their progress was much retarded by the uneven veldt and dongas through +which they had to ride. After three hours, spent in fruitless attempts, +they forded the river, attacked the enemy with great energy, and +succeeded in putting them to flight, and this brought the battle to an +end. + +We made 480 captives. What their losses in wounded and killed were is +difficult to estimate. In the evening, when all was over, we went to the +house where the wounded were gathered, and there counted in one room +alone 96 cases. Their own report made their losses 350 dead and wounded. +Besides, 7 guns and 117 waggons fell into our hands. Our loss consisted +in 3 killed and 5 wounded. + +On looking at the bodies of the dead and listening to the groanings of +the wounded, one was forced to say what a pity that the trap was +discovered, that one brave man, through his very bravery, prevented the +bloodless capture of his column and his general. + + +MOSTERT'S HOEK. + +The victory at Sanna's Post was soon followed up by another success over +the British arms. On the evening of the eventful day at the Waterworks +De Wet handed the command over to Generals A. Cronje and Piet De Wet, +and, having taken three of his staff, he went in the direction of +Dewetsdorp on a reconnoitring expedition. + +The following day he learnt that a party of the enemy had occupied +Dewetsdorp. On receiving the report his mind was made up: these too must +be captured. He was then thirty miles away from the commandoes, but +instantly despatched a report to us to come post-haste so as to attack +the enemy at Dewetsdorp or intercept them, should they try to join the +main body, which was advancing under Gatacre on Reddersburg. + +In the meanwhile the burghers of that district, who had gone to their +farms on the fall of Bloemfontein, were commandeered. With these, some +120, who were almost all unarmed, De Wet started for Dewetsdorp to watch +the movements of the British. + +Early on the 2nd of April the enemy left Dewetsdorp, and resumed their +march to Reddersburg. While marching De Wet kept them all the while +under surveillance. He was moving on one of their flanks, parallel to +them with an intervening distance of six miles. They were evidently not +aware that he was so close to them. As soon as we received the report +concerning the British, we left Sanna's Post in haste. We required no +urging on. For were we not encouraged by our recent success, and was +there not every chance of achieving another? We left Sanna's Post a +little before sunset, and that whole night we rode on without +off-saddling once. We did not halt save for a few minutes to rest our +horses. + +Early the following morning a third report, pressing us to increase our +speed and leave behind those whose horses were too tired to proceed +rapidly, reached us. De Wet was most anxious to occupy a ridge in front +of the enemy, between the farms Mostert's Hoek and Sterkfontein. The +road leading to Reddersburg from Dewetsdorp traverses this ridge. Hence +it was absolutely necessary to seize it before the enemy if we were to +intercept them. + +So on we went, leaving the weary and exhausted behind to follow on as +soon as possible. About 9 A.M. Generals Froneman and De Villiers, with +350 men, met De Wet, who was still moving parallel to the British +column, obscured from their view by a rising of the ground. + +The ridge referred to already loomed now in the distance. We were all +fiercely anxious to seize it before the enemy. For it was a question of +life and death who was to be first there. But our horses were too tired, +and began to fall out rapidly. We were still four miles from the ridge +when the English began to occupy the eastern extremity of it. We moved +on to the western extremity, and reached it in time. + +The enemy, however, had the advantage of the best positions, but was +fortunately cut off from the water. We were resolved to hem them in +completely, for we knew that, if no relieving forces arrived, they would +be compelled by thirst alone, if nothing else, to surrender. + +Before commencing the fight, De Wet, anxious as usual to avoid +unnecessary bloodshed, sent the following note to the commanding +officer:-- + + "SIR,--I am here with 500 men, and am every moment expecting + reinforcements with three Krupps, against which you will not be + able to hold out. I therefore advise you, in order to prevent + bloodshed, to surrender." + +The messenger returned under a storm of bullets, for no sooner had he +left the English lines than they opened fire on him. How he was missed +seemed inexplicable. The answer he brought back was: "I am d----d if I +surrender." On receiving this reply firing at once commenced. Positions +nearer to the enemy were gradually occupied. + +Towards sunset our guns arrived, and were brought to bear upon the +enemy. But darkness soon set in, and firing ceased on both sides. To +make sure that the enemy would not escape during the night, we occupied +positions all round them, and in the darkness of the night silently +stole as near to their positions as was possible. + +The next morning, as soon as the glimmer of dawn revealed the Mauser +sights to our eyes, the firing started with renewed vigour. We had drawn +so close to the enemy that when our guns were brought in action we +could, under cover of these, storm their positions. The men boldly +rushed up to the enemy's skanzes, and some burghers even seized their +rifles by the barrels, as they presented these over the bulwarks, +calling out, "Hands up! hands up!" + +At 11 A.M. the white flag was hoisted. The commanding officer, who had +refused to surrender, was mortally wounded. Three hundred and seventy +were sent to the Transvaal as prisoners-of-war, while their wounded and +killed numbered 92. + +Among the English we found five Boer prisoners-of-war, who were likewise +exposed to our firing. Imagine their joy in being released! They greeted +us with the ejaculation: "Thank God we are free!" We mourned the death +of Veldt Cornet du Plessis of Kroonstad, who fell after the white flag +had been hoisted. That such mistakes should occur! Six or seven burghers +were wounded. + + +LADYBRAND VISITED. + +Towards the end of July, 1900, Prinsloo's surrender took place. Those of +us who escaped the trap laid left for Heilbron with the hope of meeting +De Wet's commando there. Near Heilbron we heard the dismal news that he +was forced over the Vaal and was being driven northward by some 40,000 +troops. This, led us to change our course and move in the direction of +Winburg. + +On the morning of the 27th of August we made an unsuccessful attack on +Winburg. Olivier, with 27 men, got captured. The burden and +responsibility of leading others was then first placed upon my +shoulders. I was elected commandant. + +Frustrated in our attempt to seize Winburg, we resolved to attack +Ladybrand, which was not strongly garrisoned. Having encamped at +Koeranerberg--a mountain 30 miles west of Ladybrand--we mustered our +forces, took three guns and about 800 burghers, and left for the +village. + +It was a bitterly cold night--one of those nights which one can hardly +forget. We rode till sunrise without off-saddling once. At 9 P.M. we +halted to prepare a hasty supper. How we enjoyed that! A few days +before, the enemy had unwillingly provided us with sugar, coffee, milk, +butter and cheese. Owing to the intense cold the men that had no +overcoats wrapped themselves up in their blankets, in which they +appeared before the village just as the sun was rising. + +Commandant Hertzog, on our arrival, despatched a messenger under a flag +of truce to demand the surrender of the garrison. In reply he received a +message to the effect that it would be much better if he would come in +himself and lay down arms; that would put an end to the business much +quicker. On receiving this answer we at once began to bombard the forts +of the enemy, with the result that almost all their horses took to +flight and fell into our hands, while some of them were wounded and +killed. + +General Fourie, Commandant Nieuwhoudt and myself, with a number of +daring volunteers, made for the village. We reached a few houses safely, +and under cover of these we succeeded in forcing the enemy to retreat to +their forts and skanzes at the foot of Platrand--a mountain to the +south-east of the village and very near to it. Gradually we occupied +more and more of the village, and before sunset we were in possession of +the whole of it. + +The enemy was, however, so strongly entrenched that, in spite of their +small numbers, it was impossible to compel them to capitulate without +incurring the risk of sustaining heavy losses. For at the base of the +mountain are natural forts and grottoes, against which lyddite shells +would spend their force in vain. All we could do was to keep the foe in +their haunts by directing such a fire against them that they could not +venture even to peep out. In doing this the commandoes could +requisition--loot, as some would say--what they required. + +During the night the enemy shifted and occupied other positions. At +daybreak they took vengeance on us from these positions. It did not take +a long time to silence them for the rest of the day. + +The following two days we remained in the village, keeping the enemy at +bay. We had hoped that eventually their rations would run short, and +thus bring about their surrender. Unfortunately our hopes were not to be +realised; they were only too well provided. Then, again, we thought that +thirst might prove an irresistible force in our favour; but in this, +too, we erred, for in their grottoes was abundant water. + +On the second day of the attack we placed one of our guns in the centre +of the village, whence we shelled the enemy's forts, but all to no +purpose. On the evening of the third day we heard that relieving forces +were at hand, and as we had received a message from De Wet to meet him +in Bothaville district, we left Ladybrand at dusk. + +During the three days' fighting only a few burghers were wounded. As the +enemy fired at random into the village, some of the inhabitants were +also injured. A young man was mortally wounded, while a bullet shattered +the arm of a woman. + +Our efforts were rewarded by the seizure of the enemy's horses, which we +valued even more than their persons. The horses we could keep and use, +the men we had to dismiss again. We returned to the laager well supplied +with clothes and foodstuffs. But for some traitors, who assisted the +enemy, the garrison would in all probability have fallen. These, +dreading the results of a capitulation, held out until relieved. + +As this was our first visit to Ladybrand since its occupation, the joy +of the Boer families in meeting relatives and burghers was indeed great. +They welcomed them with open arms, and during their short stay it was +their delight to minister unto them. We shall ever gratefully remember +the hearty reception which was extended to us by the Ladybrand +Africanders. Were they not prosecuted after our departure for welcoming +and receiving their kith and kin? + + +MURRAY'S COLUMN. + +Compelled to abandon the Cape Colony in August, we went to Gastron +District, a Free State village situated on the Basutoland border. There +we intended to rest our horses for a time; but no sooner had we entered +the district than the English column came pouring into it like so many +birds of prey. They had concentrated in that district and in the +adjoining ones to clear them, _i.e._, to remove or destroy whatever +could be removed or destroyed. + +During this time we often came in conflict with the enemy. It was +impossible to avoid that; they were on every side. For miles and miles +it was one column on the other. We could hardly engage any of these +columns successfully during the day, for no sooner had the fight begun +than reinforcements would come from all directions, making our position +quite untenable. + +It was in such circumstances that we planned a night attack on one of +the English camps nine miles east of Gastron. We had engaged the enemy +on several occasions without desirable results. Our limited supply of +ammunition was gradually exhausted. Come what would, we were bound to +strike a blow at the enemy, so as to fill our bandoliers once more. The +night was the only time we could hope to succeed. Reinforcements would +not then scatter us before we had achieved our object. + +At 11 P.M. on the 19th of September, 1901, after a day's hard fighting +from early morn till sunset, we started, 70 men in all, with the +intention of attacking a column encamped at the foot of a hill. It was a +very cold night, and the moon, casting her pale light across the frosty +plains, was sinking in the west. The column was about eight miles off. +As we approached it, deep silence reigned. Not a word, not a whisper was +heard. Ah! if we could but succeed in passing the enemy's pickets +unobserved, the victory would be ours, the battle half won. So we held +our breath and our tongues as well, and moved onward. Indeed, we have +succeeded! We are past the pickets, and that unnoticed! The hill, where +the slumbering foe is encamped, is in our possession. + +Having dismounted, the burghers were arranged in fighting order. +Commandant Louis Wessels was placed on one flank, Commandant De Bruijn +on the other. Before commencing the work of destruction, we briefly +admonished and encouraged the men to be true to each other and to fight +as befits men. We pointed out to them that our success would depend +entirely upon our united efforts. For a long address there was no time, +so we proceeded to the camp. + +The moon has set. Down below the enemy is fast asleep. Soon, too soon, +their midnight slumbers will be sadly disturbed. Many of them will not +see the dawn of another day. They are enjoying their last sleep. + +Silently we moved on to the British column, which gave no signs +whatever that our approach was suspected. As it was very dark, the men +were ordered not to advance ahead of one another, for fear of accidents, +and also, if possible, to march right through the camp, so as to make +sure of all. + +Commandant L. Wessels, famous for his dauntlessness, was the first to +open fire by lodging a shot in one of the enemy's tents. The rest +followed, and then a shower of bullets, thick and fast, poured in upon +the surprised and embarrassed foe. The men aimed low and fired with +deadly precision. The flashes of the rifles leapt forth like lightning +freaks in the darkness. Never before had I witnessed such a scene. + +In a quarter of an hour all was over and the whole camp taken. Two +Maxims were destroyed and an Armstrong was taken along with us. What +havoc was played in that brief quarter of an hour! The wounded mules, +horses and men lay groaning side by side. Colonel Murray, Captain +Murray, and almost all the other officers, fell in the action, and +several privates passed into the unseen world that fatal night. So +terrific was the firing that entire teams of mules were shot down where +they stood tied to the ropes. + +As the veldt was strewn with the many wounded and the dead, we could not +put the waggons on fire, lest the grass should catch fire and consume +the fallen in battle. We took what we could remove and left the +camp--not exactly as we found it, but a little poorer. + +The enemy, though attacked off their guard, defended themselves bravely. +We shall not forget the gallant conduct of the officer who had charge of +the Maxim. Distinctly we could hear him say, "Get the Maxim into action. +Don't be afraid, boys. Go for them! Go for them!" Brave man! He, too, +fell by the side of his Maxim, which was charged and seized by +Commandant Wessels. + +As to the conduct of the burghers, we need only remark that their good +behaviour pleased us exceedingly. There was no reason to urge them on; +not one retreated. Though only a handful as compared to the enemy, they +fought well till the foe was vanquished. One of them, young Liebenberg +(familiarly known by the name of Matie) from Murraysburg, was shot +through the head and succumbed at once. Another, young Hugo from +Smithfield, was wounded in the foot. We had no other casualties. + +The attack on Murray's column was to a great extent incidental. Near his +was another very much smaller camp. When I left that night it was with +the intention to attack this smaller camp, for I had only 65 men at my +disposal. In the darkness I lost my way, and so lighted on Murray's +column. It was unfortunate for them, but for ourselves we could have +wished for no better accident. + +In the Colonel's letter-bag we found a letter addressed to his wife, +dated 19th September, 1901, and written the very day before his death. +We purposed to forward that letter, but the following day the bag was +retaken. Not only was it taken, but also the gun, while 20 burghers were +captured and one--Myburgh--was killed. We were again surprised. +Inconstant are the fortunes of war. + + +JAMES TOWN. + +The villages in possession of the enemy were at length so thoroughly +fortified that it was well-nigh impossible to seize them without +sustaining great losses. Though they seemed impregnable, yet we were +sometimes compelled by sheer necessity to attack them. Beyond +expectation we now and again succeeded in inducing the garrison to +surrender. Such was the case at James Town, a village in the Eastern +Province of the Cape Colony. + +Late one afternoon in the month of July, 1901, I set out to this village +to reconnoitre it in person. Unobserved, I reached the summit of a small +hill, about a mile from it. Through my field-glasses I carefully noted +the various forts, and there and then planned an attack. The next +morning I knew exactly what to do. + +At 2 A.M. Commandant Myburgh, Commandant Lötter, and myself, with some +60 men, were in the saddle and on our way to James Town. What will be +the issue? Shall we succeed? Can we surprise the enemy? Such questions +we put to ourselves as we rode on in the darkness and silence of the +night to accomplish the work of destruction. + +The spot we had in view was a kopje, situated to the north of the +village. Here the enemy's camp was located. As this kopje was the key to +the village, it was necessarily very strongly fortified. We knew that if +we could only occupy that hill, the rest would be easy work. Before dawn +we were close to the camp. A few minutes more and we shall grimly salute +our sleeping brethren. Silently we approach them. We are keenly on the +alert for the pickets, whom, least of all, we wished to disturb. Behold! +something in the darkness--what may that be? To be sure, two human +forms! Hush! they are slumbering. Noiselessly we draw nearer, reach +them, seize their rifles, and then--wake them. They are our first +prisoners; our way to the camp is open, safe and sure. + +On we moved until stopped, not by a sentinel--it was much too cold that +night to expect an attack--but by a network of barbed wires, by which +the hill and camp were fenced in. Quickly the wires were cut. That done, +some of the burghers charged the tents, while the rest made for the +enemy's trenches on top of the hill. + +How awful a surprise! Taken unawares, the foe ran to their strongholds, +but only to meet death there, for these were already in possession of +our men. Myburgh, a Gastron burgher, so very brave, was the first and +only one to receive a mortal wound--other men were slightly wounded in +that hand-to-hand struggle. At dawn the hill and the camp were in our +possession, for the enemy, after a loss of 9 killed and wounded, thought +it best to resist no longer. + +With the occupation of the hill it was possible to reach the village. +The British allowed the burghers to pass their skanzes without shooting +at them. But no sooner had they entered the village than a heavy fire +from the forts was directed against them. They were not slow to respond +to this reception, and that so effectively that the commanding officer +was soon willing to entrust himself with his 130 men to our keeping. All +was over. + +At 3 P.M. we departed. The English commandant and his men accompanied +us for some distance, and then we dismissed them after their having +promised that they would remain strictly neutral. + + +CAPTAIN SPANDOW SURPRISED. + +While operating in the Cradock district I learnt that a certain Captain +Spandow, with about ninety men, was on the track of a small party of +Boers. Only _ninety_! The small number tempted us to try to effect their +capture, which, as a rule, was not a very difficult nor dangerous +operation. Taking forty burghers I started at midnight, and at dawn +found myself still six miles from the enemy. Lest they should escape I +took twelve men with the best animals, and with these proceeded ahead, +so as to engage the enemy until the rest, whose horses were very tired, +should come to our assistance. + +About half an hour after sunrise we unexpectedly lighted on the pickets +of the enemy, who camped for the night in the Waterkloof valley, twenty +miles from Cradock. The pickets were charged and captured, and we seized +a position hardly 200 yards from the English, who had off-saddled at a +wall. + +A brisk firing from both sides then ensued. The wall served the enemy in +good stead. From there they could fire volley after volley on us. But +gradually we crept nearer, until at last a few of the burghers had +passed the wall, and were now on the side of the enemy, so that the wall +could afford them no cover. While the men were trying to get on the +other side of the wall, one of my adjutants--Hugo, a lad of thirteen +summers--was killed, and two others wounded. But the British, now +exposed to a cross-fire, suffered heavily. Several of them dropped down, +either dead or wounded. + +When I saw how untenable their position was becoming I sent in a flag of +truce, asking them to surrender, so as to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. +One of the officers sent word that, seeing Captain Spandow had already +fallen, and their losses were so great, he considered further +resistance useless. + +We found that 15, including the captain, were killed, and 14 wounded. +Six of the wounded died soon after their surrender. One of their men was +at once sent to Cradock for an ambulance. Our losses were 1 killed and 2 +wounded. + +The men I had left behind had off-saddled, and so only arrived after the +enemy had surrendered. The officer, on inquiring where our men were, and +who had engaged them, only shook his head when I told him that we were +but 13, and that 3 of these had been put out of action almost at the +beginning of the engagement. The British numbered 84 in all. We were +again provided with a good supply of ammunition, and 105 horses in +excellent condition. + +Some months later Major Warn's column was attacked at the same place by +Commandant L. Wessels. Several of the enemy's horses were shot down, +while a number of men were wounded. So suddenly had they to turn back, +that many a helmet dropped down and the owner had no inclination to pick +it up. The English had fallen once more into an awkward trap from which +they had to extricate themselves with the utmost speed. + +On another occasion Commandant Fouché awaited the enemy at the same spot +and made about 150 prisoners. Long Kloof Valley has thus become a noted +place. The traveller passing through that valley will always be reminded +of the South African War on seeing the fourteen graves alongside the +road, and near to the stone wall. + + +SPRAGGE'S COLUMN CAPTURED. + +The following report, bearing on Colonel Spragge's surrender, has been +submitted to me by my military secretary, R.D. McDonald. + + "On the 27th of May, 1900, Spragge entered Lindley. Our commando + was then stationed at a farm eight miles to the north of the + village. General Colvile, whom Spragge was to have joined here, + left early on the morning of the 27th. What urged him on we could + not guess. Had he waited another day, Spragge would not have been + captured. We followed him up for some miles, and inflicted slight + losses on his rear. + + "At noon the burghers returned to the laager. About an hour before + sunset our scouts returned with the news that the English had + reoccupied Lindley, and that it was but a small column _without_ + guns. When the burghers heard that the column was only 500 strong, + and had no guns, they required no other inducements, but started + immediately for Lindley. Our men are, as a rule, more daring if + they discover that the enemy has no cannons at their disposal; the + big, monstrous guns they do not like. We had thus decided that this + detached column would receive every attention from us. + + "The British, being warned by the dust in the distance that our + commando was coming, considered it wiser to quit the village, fall + back on Valsch River and occupy positions on the right bank of it. + Darkness had now set in, and we could do no more than place our + pickets round the column. We had, however, not enough men that + night to make sure that should the enemy try to escape they would + not succeed. Forsooth, we were greatly surprised to find them still + there the following morning. It seemed to us a little over-bold on + their part to stay on with only two Maxims at their command. We did + not know then that it would take us three and a half days, and some + precious lives, before the white flag would be hoisted. The next + day we surrounded them completely and thus knew that unless + reinforced they would have to surrender. + + "Early in the morning firing commenced; but the enemy had occupied + during the night such strong positions--the hills and ridges on the + river banks--that they were quite secure. We had the bed of the + river, from whence we could not inflict such losses as would compel + the enemy to capitulate. They held the key of the positions, and + unless we could seize that stronghold, all our efforts would be + useless. The question was, how to take it. Without the assistance + of guns it was a dangerous and risky undertaking to charge that + particular position--a hill on the right bank of the river. Our + men, in charging it, would be exposed to a rifle and Maxim fire for + at least 800 yards. Under cover of guns, however, it was possible + to reach the hill. A gun was immediately sent for, and on the + evening of the third day of the siege it arrived at Lindley. + + "That night the gun was placed in position, and at dawn the hill + was shelled. I stood watching the shells, as one after the other + exploded on the hill. Not a living object was visible, none + stirred, and so still (I shall not say at ease) did the English lie + in the skanzes that I remarked to Prinsloo: 'General, it seems the + enemy has abandoned the hill during the night, else we must already + have seen some signs of them.' + + [Illustration: THE LINDLEY AFFAIR.] + + "After we had bombarded the hill for some time, a number of + burghers charged it. Breathlessly we stood watching these gallant + chargers. Arrived at the foot of the hill, they dismounted, and + began climbing it. For some time all went well, when lo! a fire was + directed against them from the summit. Being quite coverless on the + slopes of the hill, they were forced to retreat. As they retreated + the enemy rose to their feet and fired as briskly as they could at + them. When we saw the English on top of the hill we mistook them + for Boers, and began to clap hands and cheer, thinking that the + hill had been taken by our men. We were soon disillusioned. + + "As the burghers retreated, something strange and inexplicable + occurred, which really decided the fate of the enemy. It was this: + the burghers had hardly gone 300 yards, when the British abandoned + _en masse_ the hill, and retreated, almost as fast as the former, + in the opposite direction. Whether they feared another and more + determined onslaught, or whether there was the usual + misunderstanding, I wot not. Be it as it may, the position we so + coveted was abandoned; it was for us to seize it at once. With a + little encouragement the charge was repeated, the hill taken, and + in less than twenty minutes the white flag announced the surrender + of Spragge's column. + + "Between 60 and 70 of the enemy were wounded and killed, while the + rest were made prisoners. It was their first interview with the + Boers. After a four days' siege a bath and a good meal must have + been welcome. + + "From the veldt we took our surrendered friends to the village. The + wounded were placed in the local hospital, and the officers found + lodgings for the night in an hotel. + + "I escorted Spragge to the village. On the way he had a long talk + with me about the war, and wished to know why the Free State had + cast in her lot with the Transvaal. He failed to see, and had to be + reminded that Free Staters and Transvaalers were essentially one + people; that the Vaal River divides the two States, but not the + people, as far as blood was concerned. + + "On being asked why they had evacuated the hill, which was their + chief stronghold, he replied: 'That was a mistake.' We do not + object to such mistakes. If this had not been committed, Spragge + would in all probability have remained a free man, and his column + would not have fallen into our hands, for that was our last and + only chance. Early the next morning the reinforcements appeared on + the adjacent hills, but they were too late to rescue Spragge's + column. The prisoners were sent on to Reitz, and from there to the + Transvaal." + + +[Illustration: AN INTERESTING GROUP. + +The three seated in the centre are MR. MCDONALD, COMMANDANT LOUIS +WESSELS, and the late LIEUT. P. TROSKIE.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +IN TIGHT CORNERS. + + Daring the event to the teeth ... + And danger serves among them. + + _Shakespeare._ + + Come, let us make an honourable retreat, + Though not with bag and baggage. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +The above heading may seem strange, and yet we presume that most +officers, as well as many privates, who had taken a leading part in the +late South African War can record many instances where they escaped by +the skin of the teeth. + +How often a shell exploded like a thunder-clap in one's immediate +vicinity! How many a bullet just missed its mark as by a hair's breadth, +whizzing past the ear with lightning speed! Well I remember how, on one +occasion, a shell exploded right overhead with such tremendous force +that both rider and horse rolled in the dust by the violent concussion +produced by the explosion. The burghers, some distance away, watching +me, thought that would be the last of Kritzinger. To their surprise I +rose again, shook off the dust, mounted my steed, and rode on to the +position they were defending. + +At present I shall not dwell on deliverances from the fire-spouting +machines of modern warfare, but confine my remarks to such escapes as +were connected with attempts on the part of the enemy, either to secure +my person or capture my commando. Here again I shall only cite some +instances; to relate all will be tedious to reader and writer alike. + +In the beginning of July, 1901, just a few days after we had so +successfully attacked and taken James Town, we arrived at a farm +situated on the banks of the Kraai River, eighteen miles from Lady Grey. +Here was the enemy's opportunity. + +The owner of the farm--Van der Merwe, a most loyal colonist--was not at +home, but, as we learnt afterwards, had gone to Lady Grey, or to the +nearest English column, to announce the presence of my commando in his +neighbourhood. Of this unfriendly deed we were altogether unaware. + +As soon as we had off-saddled, our scouts were sent out in different +directions. In the evening they returned with the report that for miles +around us no traces of the enemy were to be seen. The pickets for the +night were then put out on the three main roads leading to the farm, +which was in a valley almost entirely encompassed by high and rugged +mountains. + +With my pickets out I felt at ease. I went to the farm-house, had +dinner, got a room, and laid myself down to enjoy the night's rest, on +which the enemy was soon to intrude so violently. + +About 2 A.M. one of the pickets came to the laager to report a noise, +which sounded like the tramp of horses, but he could not, on account of +the intense darkness, see any objects. Warned by this report, we began +to make preparations for an attack. Veldt Cornet Kruger was at once +ordered to ascertain the truth of the report. But before he had left the +camp one of the burghers came back and assured us that it was a herd of +cattle. + +Thus reassured, we betook ourselves to rest. Rest? No, certainly not. +The foe is at hand. No sooner had we wrapped ourselves up in the +blankets when, behold! rifle reports grated on our ears. The herd of +cattle was nothing else than Colonel Scobell's column. Alas! our pickets +had been cut off and hence could not report on the enemy. + +Imagine our position! I began dressing as fast as I could, faster than +ever before in my life. So near was the enemy, that when I reached the +back door of the house in which I slept they had already entered by the +front door. Had it not been for some plucky burghers the enemy would +have completely cut off my exit and I would have been captured. + +Fortunately the way was still open at the back door. What a scene I +witnessed outside! Friend and foe were so intermingled, and engaged in +hand-to-hand fight, that it was impossible to distinguish the one from +the other. Right in front of the door the gallant Commandant Calmon +Cächet was wrestling with an opponent that proved too strong for him. +Next to him a certain Grobler had floored his man, and was handling him +so roughly that the poor fellow called for help. The one who was too +strong for Cächet left him to render assistance to his brother in +adversity. Grobler then left his prey, and both he and Cächet seized +their rifles and made for better regions. + +Thinking that it might be only a patrol of the enemy that had come upon +us incidentally and not intentionally, I tried hard to get the rather +panic-stricken burghers into action. At a gate through which they had to +pass I stopped them, and ordered them back. We soon noticed, however, +how serious our position was; in fact, that we were surrounded on every +side, and would have to fight our way through and out. + +At about 3.30 A.M. the British brought their guns into action. The +mountains resounded with the explosion of the shells, and the night was +illuminated by the flashes of the guns. The fireworks were magnificent +beyond description, but ... we had no inclination to admire them under +such circumstances. + +The next morning we counted our losses: ten burghers were captured, two +wounded and one killed. One hundred and thirty horses were missing, most +of the men were without saddles, and only a few had blankets. + +This was indeed a surprise, and yet we were astonished that, after all, +any of us did escape. So eager was the enemy to secure my person, that +they did not attend to the burghers, whom they had disarmed, but simply +flung their rifles aside and left them to themselves. The men, thus +disarmed, instantly picked up their rifles and "trapt," _i.e._, ran off. +Thus very few of them were without rifles the following day. + +Our feelings cannot be easily described. There were forty-six men who +had to go on foot. A large number had no saddles. I lost all my horses. +The only hope we entertained was that the British Government would soon +restore our property. What we regretted most was the loss of our men. + +Two of our pickets were caught, the remaining six, when charged and cut +off, had taken refuge in a deep ditch, where they remained until the +enemy had left, and then found their way back to the commando. + +My next escape, though not exposed to the enemy's fire, and perhaps not +even known to them, was probably the narrowest I had during the whole +campaign. + +We were again hard pressed by two columns. Our horses being very tired, +we were obliged to rest them for a short while, even at the risk of +falling into the hands of the enemy. Our way led through a valley, +bordered on both sides by huge mountain ranges which for at least six +miles ran parallel. + +On the side of the road, half-way up the valley, was a farmstead where +we off-saddled and gave our horses some fodder. The two columns which +were on our track had been coming nearer. Fortunately darkness was +setting in. When the front column was a short distance from us, we +saddled and went to a dense bush close to the road. In that bush we +delayed, till the first column had passed us and advanced some distance. +As the second was only one or two miles behind the first, and as we were +not sure whether it would also pass, we fell in behind the first; there +was but one road. + +We were now between two columns. We rode on as quietly as we could, +hardly a whisper was heard. The slightest noise on our part could betray +our presence. We were so close to the front column that we could +distinctly hear the rumbling of wheels and the tramp of horses. Should +the progress of the column be in any way obstructed, hereby causing a +standstill, the one at our rear would inevitably press us upon the front +one. What cold drops of perspiration rolled over my forehead! How I held +my breath! Who shall describe the anxiety of such moments? There was but +one way open--the way to the stars and the Throne beyond the stars. +Before and behind us the foe, on both sides mountains, so steep and +rugged that it would be folly even to attempt to climb them. Wistfully +we looked up. + +After riding some distance we met a native that belonged to the front +column. He had tarried a little too long. We addressed him in English, +and thus put him off the scent altogether. Mistaking us for English, he +told us all he knew about the different columns. In this way we rode +along, gradually approaching the extremity of the two ranges. Out at +last! How relieved we felt can hardly be imagined. Once more we breathed +freely. The poor native! How startled he was when he discovered his +mistake, and learnt that he was then a prisoner, and had to accompany +us. + +On the 13th of October, 1901, the enemy had very ingeniously laid a trap +for me, and had almost drawn me into it. + +At that time we were in the district of Wepener, a village on the +Basutoland border. Several British columns were then operating in that +district. As so many were concentrated there, it was extremely hazardous +and difficult for small commandoes, such as ours, to move during the +daytime. The space between the Caledon River and Basutoland in which we +could move becoming daily more and more circumscribed and limited, we +determined to cross the Caledon River. Besides, we heard that the river +was rising, and so were anxious to ford it before it was in flood. + +On the evening of the 12th of October we set out in the direction of the +river. At 10 P.M. we arrived at a farm, where we halted till 1 A.M. It +was our intention to stop at this farm for the night, but owing to some +strange foreboding of imminent danger I resolved to leave; and at 1 +A.M. gave orders to saddle. As it was a very dark and cold night, some +of the burghers felt reluctant to leave, and I heard them saying, "What +is up again to-night with General Kritzinger? Surely we are perfectly +safe here! Why trek again in the bitter cold at midnight?" But my orders +had to be obeyed, and at 2 A.M. we were on the march. + +Five of the men, who could not find their horses in the dark, were left +behind to seek them when it was light. At daybreak that farm was +surrounded and shelled by the enemy. Had we remained there we would have +been in a sad plight; the five men were all captured. We escaped, but +there was another trap for the next day. We off-saddled at a farm three +miles from the river. Commandant Wessels, three burghers and myself rode +to the Drift--"Basters Drift"--to see whether the stream was still +fordable. + +Little dreaming that the enemy was concealed on the opposite bank of the +river, behind the ruins of an old homestead, and was watching us as we +gradually approached the river, we entered the stream and waded through +it. Arrived on the opposite side we sent one of the men back to call the +commando, for the river was rising rapidly. The other two burghers were +sent to reconnoitre ahead, while Wessels and myself remained on the bank +of the river. + +Scarcely had the two men left us, when we were startled by rifle reports +close by. We jumped up, ran to our horses, and saw that we were hardly +100 yards away from the enemy. All we could do was to recross the river, +and that had to take place in a shower of bullets. Let one imagine +himself in a swollen river, so deep that his horse has to swim now and +then, and the foe on the bank directing an incessant fire on him, and he +will realise to some extent our position. We reached the bank safely, +but had to do another 800 yards to get out of harm's way. + +The two men we had sent ahead--what became of them? Alas! they rode into +the jaws of death, for when they discovered the enemy they were hardly +15 yards from them. "Hands up!" resounded from behind the wall. The men, +rather than surrender and sacrifice their commando, made an ill-fated +attempt at escape. In the twinkling of an eye they were shot down. The +one--a young Trichard from Cradock--was dead on the spot; three bullets +penetrated his body. The other--young Wessels from Winburg--was wounded +in the leg and captured. + +These two brave young men were the means of saving Wessels and myself +either from being captured or shot. And not only that, but their gallant +action, in which the one forfeited his life, and the other a limb, +proved the salvation of the whole commando. If they had surrendered +Wessels and I would probably have gone in the same direction, and the +commando would have followed, and so all of us would have been in a +terrible predicament. But they had risked their lives to save us from +certain destruction. + +Failing to ford the river at that drift, we proceeded down-stream with +the hope of crossing it somewhere else. To our disappointment the river +had risen to such a degree that the only transit still left could be a +bridge. Now there was but one far down the stream, and it was very +doubtful whether that was not held by the enemy. Anyway, we were going +to try, and so marching almost all the whole night we arrived at the +bridge a little after sunrise. How glad we were to find the bridge still +unoccupied! We had just reached it in time, for half an hour after we +had gone over the British took possession of it. They had now completed +their cordon; but we--were out of the circle. + +On the 22nd of the same month we were once again in tight +corners--surrounded by three columns. + +As we found no rest either for ourselves or our animals in the +south-eastern districts of the Orange Free State, we resolved to go to +the Winburg and Ladybrand districts. + +The enemy had pitched their camps all along the main road from +Reddersburg to Dewetsdorp, and from there to Wepener. These stations +were from six to eight miles apart, and formed a kind of fence. Through +this line we had to pass, as well as the blockhouse line extending from +Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, _via_ Thaba 'Nchu. + +We left at dusk, got safely through the camp-line, and rode on till 2 +A.M., when we arrived at a certain farm. We went to the house to make +inquiries as to the enemy. A woman opened the door, and on learning who +we were, informed us that a quarter of an hour from her home an English +column was encamped. How disgusting! We had been in the saddle from +sunset to 2 A.M. and here we were, just a quarter of an hour from the +enemy. We thought and hoped that we were then at least twelve miles from +the nearest column. Why not engage them? the reader might ask. Well, we +did. But our horses, which had to live on the tender grass-shoots, +needed a rest very badly; we could hardly use them. Besides, there was a +blockhouse-line to pass the following night, and this one was still 24 +miles off. + +We proceeded another three miles, to be at least four miles from that +column. At about 2.30 we off-saddled. Being not quite at ease we rose +after a short rest and re-saddled. Two scouts were sent to a hill close +by. To their surprise they found the enemy's pickets stationed on the +same kopje, at the foot of which the British camp was pitched. Having +said "good-morning" to each other in military fashion the two returned +with the unwelcome news that the enemy was just next door. We had slept +side by side without knowing of each other. Ignorance was bliss that +night. + +This column--about 200 strong--on discerning us, at once prepared for +action. Though very tired, we took up positions and began to engage the +advancing foe. We succeeded in checking their progress, and certainly +had the best of the situation till noon, when the scene was changed. My +scouts returned with the alarming report that two other columns were +advancing on us from Thaba 'Nchu. + +I saw that we could not afford to lose a moment, for the two columns +were not far apart, nor at any great distance from us. If we should +continue the fight with the one the others would meet and we would be +surrounded. Hence I gave instructions to the men to fall back. The +report reached us unfortunately too late--our exit was already cut off. +The enemy had occupied positions all around us, and there we were, right +in the centre of a circle whose circumference consisted of an unbroken +line of enemies. My secretary, who had never before been in such a +circle, asked me: "Now, General, what now? What is our next move?" "We +must charge that column in front of us," I replied, and, suiting the +action to the word, we went off as fast as our tired horses could go, +making straight for the enemy. This was too much for them; they first +halted, and then--retreated to a ridge about 1700 yards to their left. +This retreat afforded us an exit. We were, however, exposed to a +cross-fire for fully three miles, but it proved ineffectual, for only +one burgher was slightly wounded. + +If the enemy had not retreated that day, or had only occupied a certain +brook, through which we had to pass, it would have been impossible for +us to escape. But if there were no _ifs_ there would not have been such +a lamentable war in South Africa. Neither would such unpardonable +blunders have been committed. + +We were glad that the enemy had allowed us to pass. That night we +crossed the fighting-line near to Sprinkhaan's Nek, where General De Wet +and his men had such a hot reception. + + +BETWEEN TWO RIVERS AND FIVE COLUMNS. + +On the evening of the 14th of March, 1901, my commando crossed the Tarka +River, after which Tarka Stad is named. As heavy rains were falling we +bivouacked not far from the river. There in the veldt, without any +shelter, we spent a miserable night, for we were exposed to incessant +showers, which drenched us to the very skin. But there was something +even worse in store for us the following day. + +Having crossed the Tarka River, we were between that river and another +called Vlekpoort River, which flows into the Tarka some six miles from +where we had forded the latter. + +The following morning we rode to a farm near by. There we off-saddled, +fed our horses, and began to prepare our breakfast. How stiff, cold and +hungry we were! We could hardly wait until the meat was thoroughly +broiled. Just as we began to satisfy the pangs of hunger the scouts +came back, and once more it was "opzaal! opzaal!" (saddle! saddle!). We +knew what it meant. The enemy was on our heels. + +Two columns were on our right flank, between the two rivers. One had +followed us up, and was then on the banks of the Tarka River; another +was encamped in front of us on the banks of the Vlekpoort River; whilst +a fifth was stationed near the confluence of the two streams. Thus five +columns all around us; and the problem to be solved was, how to get out +of the net. + +This problem we solved in a practical manner. We occupied at once the +strongest positions we could find, and, fortunately for us, between the +rivers were natural positions so strong, that, with a small number of +men, it was possible to hold one's own against great odds. These +positions we seized, and were determined to stand or fall thereby. We +would fight to the last cartridge, and then try and break through the +cordon during the night. + +In the meanwhile the enemy had drawn nearer. At about 8 A.M. the +fighting commenced. From different directions shell after shell was +hurled upon us. Again and again the enemy charged us, but was beaten +back with greater loss to themselves than to us. Retreat? We could not. +Surrender? That was out of the question; so from morn till sunset we +clung to our positions, as though we were tied to them, and defended our +persons as resolutely as possible. + +Just as the sun was setting we stormed one of the enemy's positions. And +although three of the burghers were wounded, the rest succeeded in +expelling the enemy. Our way was now open; when darkness set in we could +recross the Tarka. A pom-pom fire was opened upon us from the column on +our left flank as we crossed the stream, which was then so high that our +horses had to swim. Owing to the darkness none were injured. + +The following day we had the pleasure of capturing the Commandant of +Tarka Stad with his escort. The enemy was so sure of our surrender that +a report was sent to Tarka Stad to the effect that we were quite +surrounded, and that they hoped to deliver us the following morning at 8 +o'clock. And as they might require some more ammunition to force us to +surrender, the military must forward some. + +The commandant of the village was taking this ammunition out when we met +him. His men, riding in twos and threes at some distance apart, were +disarmed by us without wasting bullets on them. At last the commandant, +who happened to be some distance behind, came riding up to us. As he +came on I rode up to him and said in a friendly tone: "Old chap, you'd +better let me have your gun." Thinking that I was imposing upon him, he +said: "Come along; don't play the fool!" When I had assured him that I +was in earnest he remarked: "But surely you are not a Boer. Kritzinger's +commando is the only one in the district, and that is surrounded." Then +taking the report out of his pocket he said: "Just read +this--'Kritzinger surrounded, will be captured and brought in +to-morrow.'" Imagine his astonishment on learning that he was then +addressing the very man whom he had hoped to meet as a prisoner-of-war. + +He handed me his rifle. After that we had a long conversation, and +enjoyed a drink together, as though we had never been at war. + +The ammunition and horses were confiscated, and came in very useful +after the engagement of the previous day. The commandant and his party +were then dismissed. + + +AGAINST THE RAILWAY. + +Towards the end of July, 1901, large forces of the enemy had +concentrated upon my commando. Our only salvation then lay in crossing +the Port Elizabeth railway line, near which we then were. + +After a day's fighting we set out to the line, but to our great +disappointment and embarrassment we found the line securely guarded by +armoured trains, which made it impossible for us to cross during the +day. + +The enemy had followed us up, and there was no chance of retracing our +steps. All we could do was to resist the foe till it was dark, and then +try to escape. This we did, and succeeded in repelling the enemy. The +burghers fought bravely, but at sunset they were forced to evacuate +their positions and withdraw to a mountain next to the railway line. + +This was our last position. We could go no farther. In front of us was +the railway, behind and on our flanks the British columns. Indeed, an +uncomfortable situation! We fought until it was quite dark; then the +firing ceased, and we had time to plan an escape. And this is what we +did. At 11 o'clock that evening numerous fires were kindled on the top +of the mountain. We knew that these fires would be misleading; the +enemy, as long as they saw the lights, would think that we were still on +the mountain, and, being less watchful, we might slip through. + +At 12 o'clock we saddled. We were going to try to pass through the +enemy's line. On we rode, silently and guided by the sentinels' fires; +we knew exactly which spots to avoid. Every moment brought us nearer to +our doom or deliverance. Shall we succeed or not? we anxiously asked +ourselves. Unnoticed we passed the foe and were free once more. + +The next morning only the ashes of our fires were surrounded. As a +shower of rain had fallen the same night, wiping out the footprints of +our horses, the British certainly wondered what became of us. The Boers +had again disappeared so mysteriously. + +I shall conclude this chapter with two striking incidents. On the 13th +of August, 1901, we came in conflict with the British forces in the +district of Venterstad, Cape Colony. During the engagement I observed +that the enemy was bent on a certain position which, if seized, would +enable them to surround us. Now the Boer never likes to be surrounded. +There is nothing that he dreads so much as a siege. To keep my way open, +I took a number of burghers, and with these occupied the position +referred to. Having stationed them there I rode back to the hill where I +had been before. Unfortunately this hill had been deserted in the +meanwhile, and was then held by the enemy. + +Seeing a number of horses at the base of the hill I concluded that the +burghers were still there and thus rode on without the slightest +apprehension. Arrived at the foot of the hill, I looked up, and to my +astonishment saw a large greyhound with the men. This made me +suspicious. One of them at once called out: "Hands up! Come here, you +beggar!" I was with the wrong party. Surrender? Verily not. I turned my +horse, gave spurs, and off we went, horse and rider carried, as it were, +by bullets which whistled past my head with deafening noise. For a +considerable distance I was exposed to this shower of bullets. My horse +received two wounds, but brought me out unscathed. That night I was cut +off from the commando, and all the burghers thought that I was shot or +captured. To their delight and surprise I joined them the next day +again. That same day I was to have as marvellous an escape as the day +before. + +From early morn we were engaging the foe. While the fight was going on I +took nine men to occupy a certain hill. This hill was already in the +possession of the enemy, but we were not conscious of that, and thus +unwittingly rode on to our doom. + +The enemy had carefully hidden on the hill, and without challenging us +opened a terrible fire upon us just as we arrived at the foot of the +hill. Seeing that we were only a small party it certainly was not manly +on their part to fire before challenging us. All the men but one were +instantly wounded or killed, and their horses shot down. One of them +escaped on foot. Strange--perhaps incredible to some--I came out with my +horse and that uninjured. + +At the close of the war I met the officer who was in command on that +hill. He told me that as we came riding up to the hill he recognised me +and told his men: "There, Kritzinger is coming; let us make sure of +him." I happened to be riding a black horse, taken from one Captain +King. That horse was so well known to the enemy that at a great distance +they could recognise me. + +These are some of the narrow corners in which we found ourselves during +the war. I could multiply them, but 'tis needless. They will give the +reader some idea of what we often had to pass through. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +TO THE CAPE COLONY. + + +From March to December, 1901, the area of war operations was limited +exclusively to the two Republics. All the British forces were +concentrated there. Gradually the fact dawned upon us that, unless we +contrived to draw the British forces, in some way or other, off the +Republics, the latter would eventually be exhausted of all provisions, +which would necessitate their surrender. They could not for ever supply +Boer commandoes and British columns with provisions, especially when +farming pursuits were so disturbed and hampered by the enemy. It became +quite clear that, in the event of a long campaign, our whole salvation +would be in the Cape Colony. There we would be drawing on the enemy's +resources, and the British Government would indirectly be supporting us +in compensating colonists for losses sustained by Boer commandoes. An +additional advantage, should the scene of operations be transferred from +the Republics to the Cape Colony, would be that many colonists would +enlist in our ranks. There we should be constantly recruited, and our +commandoes would increase rather than decrease. That was an advantage +not to be despised, for our forces were getting daily weaker in the +states. + +[Illustration: GENERAL CHRISTIAN DE WET.] + +With such facts before him, General De Wet planned a second invasion of +the Cape Colony towards the close of the year 1901. By the end of +November we met him with his forces, about 1500 strong, in the district +of Bethulie. After a few days' fighting with the forces of General Knox +on the farms Goede Hoop and Willoughby, we left for the Orange River, +which we intended to ford at Odendaal's Stroom, a drift fifteen miles +below Aliwal North. + +As heavy rains began to fall, we were anxious to reach the river before +it was in flood. Day and night through rain and mud we ploughed on +towards the river. When we reached the Caledon River we saw that the +water was rising rapidly, and began to fear that the Orange River, which +was still thirty miles off, would be impassable. Well, we were going to +try. We increased our speed, and left behind scores of tired horses and +mules. + +The 1st of December, at sunset, we arrived on the banks of the river. +But what a disappointment! A rolling mass of water before us, so deep +and strong that there was no chance to pass through. And there we were +between two rivers in flood, with a narrow strip of country between +them, and thousands of the enemy on our track. We knew that the English +could seize the bridges, of which there are but a few, and could then be +reinforced from all parts of the country to hem us in so closely that +escape would be impossible. De Wet would at last be "cornered" and +forced to surrender--so, at least, the enemy thought. Our situation +seemed, nay was indeed, very critical. + +To delay and wait for the fall of the river was out of the question. For +not only would it take at least fifteen days before the river would have +subsided to such a degree that we could hope to ford it, but De Wet's +old friend, General Knox, was at his heels. All we could do was to march +up the Caledon. That river, being much smaller than the Orange River, +would sooner fall and afford us a way of escape. Our hopes were +realised. De Wet found a ford where he and his whole commando passed +through. Once more he was a free man. We accompanied him for some +distance up the river, until we came to the farm of one Smith. Here +Captain Scheepers, Captain Fouché and myself left the main body and went +with our commando, consisting of about 300 men in all, in the direction +of Rouxville, where, on the 13th of December, we captured 150 of the 2nd +Brabants, who were sent to and _for_ us. + +While in the Rouxville district we received a message from De Wet that +we should enter the Colony as soon as possible, and that he would try to +follow us up. He was, however, prevented from carrying out his +intentions. It seemed as if Providence had so ordained it that he should +not cross the Orange River, or, even crossing it, should not sojourn for +a long time in the land of the enemy. For no sooner had he passed the +Caledon, than the enemy concentrated on him and succeeded in driving him +back through Sprinkhaan Nek to the northern districts of the Orange Free +State. + +This, however, afforded us a chance of slipping through on to British +soil. In the night of the 15th of December, at 2 A.M., we forded the +Orange River at a point five miles below Odendaal's Stroom. It was a +dark night, and the water was still very high, but we all reached the +opposite bank in safety. There we came upon the guard of the drift, as +they were indulging in a game of cards. One was wounded, two ran away +and eight were captured. They did not expect us to cross the river at 2 +A.M., and were thus taken unawares. + +We were now once more in British territory. But what a contrast between +this and our first invasion in the beginning of the war! No large +commandoes, no waggons, and no guns. We were only 300 men--a raiding +band, as some contemptuously called us--with one Maxim, and even that +proved too cumbersome, for we soon cast it into a pool. Instead of +waggons and tents we had only our horses and mackintoshes, and some were +even without the latter. No large supplies of ammunition; our bandoliers +were almost all half empty. + +The morning of the 16th of December, then, found us in the Cape Colony. +We had made up our minds to spend at least some months in the enemy's +country. Come what may, we would not return to the Orange Free State. If +the British had the right to stay in the Republics, why should we not +tarry awhile in the Colony? From the river we made a forced march to +Venterstad, a small village lower down the stream. We needed an +outfitting, and thought that that would be the most likely place where +we would get it. We only had to surprise the garrison, about 50 strong, +and we would have all we wanted. In this we were quite successful. The +garrison, or town-guard, soon hoisted the white flag. + +We could now fill our bandoliers, and requisition the necessary articles +in clothing, boots, etc. But the enemy was not slow to follow us. We +were just allowed sufficient time to take all we required, and then the +columns came to remind us that we were strangers and intruders. + +As we have related our experiences in other chapters, we shall not here +enter into details. For at least seven months, after we had crossed the +river, the enemy continually harassed us. We hardly enjoyed a single +day's rest. During the day we had to fight, and during the night we had +to trek. One thing was plain: the enemy was determined to silence us +completely. That they did not succeed is almost passing strange. If 300 +Britishers were to have entered the two republics, would they have +proceeded very far? + +General Hertzog had, at the same time, invaded the western province of +the Cape Colony, but, being far away from the railway line, the British +did not worry him very much. They all seemed to conspire against my +small band, and had the additional advantage of railways on every side +of us. Deeper and deeper into the heart of the Colony we were driven. We +marched in a southern direction. Whither? We did not know, only forward. +And so far did we push on that at length the vast expanse of the Indian +Ocean loomed in the distance, and reminded us that it was time to +retrace our steps, for we could certainly go no farther on horseback. So +we slipped through the pursuing columns, and returned to the districts +of Jansenville, Graaff-Reinet and Cradock. + +In February we were not so hotly pursued. De Wet had entered the Cape +Colony from the north-west; and like a magnet he drew most of the +British forces irresistibly to him. This gave us a short rest, which +was, alas! only too short. For De Wet, as well as Hertzog, had to fall +back on the Orange Free State, and with redoubled energy the British +came upon us like a mighty avalanche. The reader can hardly realise +what we had to undergo these first eight months in the Cape Colony. + +It was a bitter disappointment to learn how De Wet had fared and that +both he and Hertzog had abandoned the Cape Colony. We knew it was not +their fault and so did not blame them. Still we were resolved to hold +out as long as possible. Gradually it went better; the colonists began +to enlist and our numbers swelled. We could now form other commandos, +and despatch these in various directions, and that prevented the enemy +from concentrating all their forces on us. At last we had gained such a +strong footing in the Colony that to expel us all was simply an +impossibility. + +And how did General De Wet fare when he crossed the Orange River on the +11th of February, 1901? The following account given by one who +accompanied him will give the reader some idea of the unsuccessful +attempt at invasion. + + "MY DEAR K.,--We are just back from the Cape Colony, and no doubt + you will be anxious to hear all about our recent experiences. I + daresay you have followed us all the while in thought, and have + carefully studied the papers to ascertain our movements and learn + what we were doing. As we have little faith in newspaper + war-reports, I shall take the trouble to give you a full account of + our short-lived colonial invasion. + + "You will be surprised, and perhaps sorely disappointed, to hear + that De Wet's and Hertzog's commandoes are all back in the Orange + Free State. This means that you are going to have now ever so much + harder times, for the enemy will certainly concentrate their forces + on your small commando, to clear you out of the Cape Colony as soon + as possible. The odds, of course, will be so great to contend + against, that, humanly speaking, you will be bound to retreat + across the Orange River. Still I trust that you will not follow our + example, but will find the Colony quite large enough to baffle the + enemy in their attempts to capture you. And as the British have + already exerted themselves in vain for over three months to oust + you, we entertain the hope that you will maintain your ground till + reinforced. + + "On the 11th of February we, _i.e._, General P. Fourie's division, + crossed the Orange River at Zanddrift, west of Philippolis. De Wet + had taken possession of the drift the previous day, so our way was + open, and as the river was low it was not difficult to ford it. + With the exception of a few mules we sustained no losses. It was + somewhat like a picnic, the burghers were as gay as could be. Being + a very hot day they spent most of the time in the water. The guns + and some other vehicles were dragged through the river by teams + composed of sprightly young men. It was a sight to see 70 or 80 men + before a gun or waggon in the stream. I could not help thinking in + what a plight these would be should the enemy suddenly appear on + the banks of the river. That, indeed, would be a surprise worth + beholding. At sunset we were all on British soil. + + "After the burghers had taken supper the whistle was blown and the + oft-repeated command, 'opzaal,' sounded in their ears. That night + we did not make a long trek, for both horses and men felt equally + tired after the day's exertions. Still we had to cover at least + eight miles, for it was not quite safe so near to the river. There + were columns behind and columns in front of us, and columns on + every side. After a wearisome march over a rugged and uneven road, + if road it could be called, with intense darkness enveloping us, we + finally reached the halting-place. + + "The following morning at sunrise we started for Bezuidenhoud's + farm, which was close by. There the burghers received their + instructions from De Wet. With regard to their conduct in the Cape + Colony it was pointed out to them that they should treat the + colonists in such a way as would ensure their friendship. On no + account were they to molest the peaceful neutral British subjects, + for they were not at war with the colonists. They were also + forbidden to take anything from British subjects without paying the + proper value for the thing required. There were some more + injunctions, which have escaped my memory. No wonder that one + should forget when chased as we were. I believe these orders were, + as a rule, obeyed. In fact I should say we erred in adhering so + strictly to them, for we met some ultra-loyalists who would not + give or sell us so much as a morsel of food. Now when any one is + hungry, and people will neither give nor sell, what else can he do + than help himself? If he does not, it is his own fault should he + starve. At a certain farm we offered a sovereign for one bucket of + meal, but all in vain; when we asked the woman for a glass of + water, she pointed us to a spring some distance off. Shameful, is + it not! Next time we shall, I am afraid, not be so over-polite. One + learns a lot every day. + + "At 11 A.M. our scouts reported that they had sighted two columns + about 7 miles from us. And now our troubles and hardships + commenced. What we anticipated and dreaded had actually taken + place. The enemy had occupied all the passes in front of us, + preventing us thereby from crossing the railway at the intended + point between Norval's Pont and Colesberg. We had now to go in that + barren and desolate part of the Colony where one is entirely + dependent upon forage, and where, unfortunately for us, none was to + be had. + + "I expected that the British would intercept us. They knew about De + Wet's intended invasion; and had every facility by rail for + mobilising and seizing all the points of consequence. Whilst we had + to ride all the way from Winburg district, they had the advantage + of being transported by rail--an advantage which can hardly be + over-estimated. + + "Encumbered with guns and waggons, we could not dodge the enemy. We + either had to seize the passes or proceed in a direction which + might lead to fatal results. To do the former appeared impossible + to De Wet, and so the latter course was reluctantly adopted. If it + were not for the convoy, we would have achieved our object and + would have entered those districts where commandoes could exist. + + "The enemy was engaged till dusk. We had no casualties; but + Commandant Ross and a number of his men were cut off. They managed + to reach the Orange Free State safely. How they found their way + through the various columns, I can't say--a Boer, if need be, can + retire wonderfully well! At sunset our convoy almost fell into the + hands of the enemy. What a pity it did not! It would have saved us + so much needless trouble, and we would have been far better off + without it. + + "Most of the night we remained in the saddle. The General was + anxious to get as far away as possible from the columns, to rest + his horses for a few hours. But the British, so it seemed, were + resolved that neither we nor our horses should have a rest, for + early the next morning they were on our heels. We could not offer + any resistance, because we had no positions, and could not + recklessly expose ourselves to the enemy's fire without any cover + at all. On the open plain our horses would have been swept away by + the enemy's guns, and in a short time we would have been all + infantry. Hence, on their approach we withdrew, hoping to find a + place where we could make a stand. Unfortunately we failed to find + the wished-for positions. For miles and miles the country is just + one vast plain; when you get to the end of that plain you may find + a ridge, a hill or slight elevation, which, however, did not + signify much. The enemy could easily outflank and surround us, if + we did not abandon it in time. With eyelids "heavy and dim," and + bodies "weary and worn," exposed to the dazzling rays of a burning + sun, we rode on, driven occasionally as a herd of cattle. At last + night fell and we could enjoy a short rest. + + "The next morning the same story was repeated: the English hot on + our track--no rest for body or soul. The country being as flat as + the part we had traversed the previous day, we had to march again + the whole day under a burning sun. Now and then we dismounted for a + few minutes, in order that our horses might snatch a few mouthfuls + of grass. + + "At the hour of sunset there was something to relieve the monotony + of fleeing all day. Two burghers--bread spies as we call them--had + gone ahead to buy some bread at a farm where a party of the enemy + was stationed. Not aware of that, they rode up to the house, with + the result that one got captured, while the other returned under a + hail of bullets at a breakneck pace to relate the fate of his + comrade. De Wet immediately sent in a note asking the enemy to + surrender, since they numbered only about twenty. They answered + shortly: 'We won't.' They were then charged, and up went the white + flag without their firing a single shot. + + "For the night we bivouacked at that farm. The British columns were + now scarcely four miles from us. We dreaded a night attack, but, + owing to incessant rain, both parties seemed only too glad to stay + where they were. Here we had the advantage of hills and ridges, + where we could stand and face the foe. + + "At sunrise the enemy's guns and Maxim-Nordenveldt began to play on + these ridges. Our guns had been placed in position, too, and + responded sharply. We succeeded in beating off the enemy's attacks + till 11 A.M., then we were outflanked and had to evacuate our + positions. Their losses must have been great. Two of our men fell + in the action. + + "From there we marched in the direction of the railway line, which + we intended to cross that night near Houtkraal station. We were + about seven miles from the line, and were very anxious to pass + over. We were afraid that the English would send on their forces by + rail to guard the line and march upon us from in front, which, if + done, could result in our complete annihilation. Besides, we + intended, as soon as we were on the other side of the line, to + divide our force into several commandoes and let these take + different courses so that the enemy would not be able to + concentrate any longer all their men on us. Thus wearily we dragged + on through mud and rain to the line. + + "To prevent armoured trains from cutting off our transit, men were + sent ahead to destroy the line at two points. Here again we + committed a few blunders for which we had to suffer. In the first + instance the line was blown up at too early an hour that night, + long before we were ready to pass over. The explosions reported our + presence, and the armoured trains were despatched to restore the + line. Then again, owing to the darkness the points where the line + was destroyed were not sufficiently far apart. This we discovered + when the enemy's guns began to roar and their shells exploded in + our midst. + + "Before reaching the line there was something to get through--a + swamp at least 1500 paces broad. One can hardly have an idea what + this swamp was like, and how much trouble it cost us and our poor + animals to get through it. This was a veritable 'Slough of + Despond.' It was covered with water from one side to the other, and + we had to wade through knee deep, and sometimes the water reached + to our loins. The water was no serious obstacle, but the ground was + of a morass-like nature that our animals sank in to their knees and + often to their girths. Most of the burghers had to dismount and + lead their horses. Every now and then a horse would stumble, and + down came the rider splashing in the mud and water. I led my + faithful 'Klein Booi' all the way, walking knee deep through mud + and water. Just think how we must have looked the following + morning, with clogs of mud attached to our clothes, hands and + faces, while our horses were baptised in mud! The waggons and guns + gave us most trouble. It was quite impossible to get these through + the swamp. They stuck in the mud, with draft animals and all. We + had as many as fifty oxen before one waggon, but they could not + move it an inch. Some mules sank in so deep that they could not + extricate themselves, and were left to die in the mud! + + "At daybreak the guns, De Wet's waggonette and a few carts were + through the swamp; the rest of the convoy was still in it. General + Fourie and a hundred burghers were left with the waggons while the + commando proceeded to the line. At sunrise we were safely on the + other side of the line, where we waited for Fourie. Suddenly, and + very unexpectedly, a shell exploded in our midst, like a + thunderbolt from a clear sky. I looked about to see whence it came; + but before my eyes detected the armoured trains, another and yet + another shell dropped in our midst. I say _in our midst_, for we + were riding in close formation when these horrible projectiles were + hurled upon us. As our horses were very tired and the veldt soaked + through and through by the heavy rains, we could not scatter, nor + ride fast, as we usually do when exposed to cannon fire in the open + veldt. Thus slowly we rode on under this cannonade. And how + wonderful none were injured! The hand of the invisible omnipresent + God must have shielded us. At last we were out of the cannon's + reach. Meanwhile the line had been repaired, the armoured trains + moved freely up and down. Fourie, five other officers, and about a + hundred burghers were now cut off from the commando. The burghers + found their way back to the Free State; the officers followed us + up, but, alas! met us only when we were on the point of recrossing + the Orange River. + + "In what a sorry plight we now were! Some of our ablest officers + severed from us at a time when they were most needed. Their absence + caused the greatest confusion, for now there were numbers of men + without any officers. Besides, it was then impossible to carry out + the idea of splitting up the commando without officers. Hence we + were to be driven along by the overwhelming numbers at our rear. + How many there were is hard to tell, but we caught up some of their + despatches, from which we learnt that there were no fewer than + fourteen columns in pursuit of us. + + "Gradually we drifted into the most deplorable and wretched + conditions. Our animals, owing to lack of fodder, began to give in. + Scores of these we had to leave behind, some of them in excellent + condition, but so starved that they could proceed no farther. The + result was that hundreds of burghers had to walk, and they suffered + most. How I felt for these unfortunates! They walked and walked + until, exhausted and footsore, many a one dropped down along the + road-side. There were those whose clothes were torn to fragments by + the brambles through which they forced their way. They presented an + appearance which evoked one's compassion. + + "These men had to confront another enemy--hunger. They scarcely + found time to prepare a meal, for when they arrived at the + halting-place the first word they heard was, as a rule, "opzaal!" + Thus footsore, battered, and with empty stomachs, these fellows had + to march for miles and miles to escape the enemy's grip. + + "I admired their power of endurance, patience, and determination. + But admiration was not enough. I parted with all my horses, giving + them to men who could walk no longer, and so walked on myself, + until, footsore and exhausted, I too could go no farther. It was a + pleasure to minister in this way to men who loved their country. + + "If it were not for this determination on the part of De Wet's + forces to keep out of the hands of the enemy, hundreds would have + been captured, yet I believe not more than 250 prisoners were + taken. As we went on our numbers gradually diminished. Those who + were unable to keep pace with the main body broke off in small + parties and found their way back to the Orange Free State. + + "By the 19th we had pushed on as far as Brak River, about twelve + miles from Prieska. Here we met with another disappointment, which + almost proved fatal to our whole commando. The river was in flood + and no transit possible. In what a dreadful plight we were! Hardly + eight miles behind us the British columns were stationed in + crescent shape; in front was the swollen Brak River, and nine miles + to our right was the Orange River, and that in flood. Here at least + it seemed as if De Wet would be caught, and though he escaped, this + certainly was one of the tightest corners in which he ever found + himself. + + "About two hours before sunset we heard that the enemy was rapidly + approaching us. Anxiously we asked ourselves, Whither now? We could + not return, we could not ford the river; to proceed up-stream would + expose us to the risk of being quartered against the river. There + was but one course to follow, and that an extremely hazardous one. + We could march down the Brak River as far as the Orange River, and + then proceed along the latter. Between us and the enemy there was + then a ridge, extending parallel with the Orange River. Behind this + ridge we would be out of the enemy's view. Should they reach this + elevation before it was dark, we would be pressed, with fatal + consequences to ourselves, against a swollen river. But here + darkness proved our salvation once more. We proceeded down the Brak + River and up the Orange River. When the enemy came to the ridge + mentioned it was so dark that they could see no traces of us. + + "De Wet had now decided to fall back on the Orange Free State. To + many of us this was a bitter disappointment; but we saw that + nothing else could be done under the circumstances. With tired + horses and many burghers on foot we could not hope to circumvent + the enemy. Others, especially those who had suffered most in + walking, were enraptured at the idea of going back to the Free + State. Their drooping spirits revived, and with renewed courage + they started on the homeward march. + + "The whole of that night we trekked along the banks of the Orange + River, parallel to the British columns. We tried one ford after the + other, but to our dismay the stream was impassable. The following + day we were not only behind the enemy, but had outstripped them by + nine miles. To gain more on them we kept up the march almost + unbroken the whole day. And what a day it was! We had to walk from + twelve to fifteen miles without a drop of water. Once we came to a + forsaken well. The water was of a greenish hue, bitter and + stagnant--a real Marah--but we drank to quench our thirst and + moisten our parched lips. + + "On the 22nd we had proceeded to a point six miles beyond the + confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. Here we found a small + boat, and began at once to transport the dismounts. We knew that + these, once across the river, would be in a safer position. Day and + night we were engaged in taking these over; but the work progressed + very slowly, for the boat could only take ten or twelve men at a + time, and, besides, was so leaky that two had constantly to throw + out the water. After 250 men had been ferried across the stream the + approach of the enemy was announced, and so near were they that + some of us had to depart in an almost half-naked state. About 80 + burghers had to hide in the river until the storm was over. Almost + all the vehicles were left behind while the main force retreated up + the river. + + "Fortune favoured me; I was among the lucky ones who found a seat + in the boat as she was returning for the last time. Willie Louw and + myself were appointed to supervise the boat, less the transport of + the men be retarded in some way or other. For some time we worked + together, and then Willie left me to manage alone. Though I was + anxious to cross myself, I could not then leave the boat. When the + report of the enemy reached us the burghers, eager to get through, + stormed the boat from all directions. They forgot that if all want + to get into the boat nobody will get across the river. What must be + done? As there was no time for much deliberation I jumped in and + expostulated with an excited crowd. None heeded, each pressed + forward to get a place in the boat. I was finally compelled to + threaten them with my revolver, but all in vain. No one was afraid. + I believe they knew too well that I would not pull the trigger. One + looked me straight in the face as I pointed the instrument to him + and said, 'My dear fellow, you may shoot if you wish--I am not + afraid; but I want to get through.' He completely disarmed me. I + had no more threats. + + "With an overcrowded boat we were at last on the stream, and + finally reached the opposite bank, just as the enemy was beginning + to shell De Wet's forces on the other side. It was indeed a relief + to me, but we had to march another fifteen miles without water, + exposed to scorching heat. At length we found some muddy water. + Lying next to our horses we sipped up water so thick and muddy that + we could hardly swallow it. + + "As to De Wet's further movements I can hardly give you full + particulars. He was followed up by the enemy, and had to abandon + his guns the following day. Trying one drift after the other he + succeeded at last in fording the river between Norval's Pont and + Zanddrift; and so after seventeen days he was back in the Free + State. + + "Here you have a sketch of our attempt to invade British dominions. + I have omitted many things of less interest. I wonder what you will + think of all this. Looking back upon our adventures, it is, of + course, easy to point out all the errors and blunders we have + committed. We should, for instance, never have encumbered ourselves + with a convoy and guns, which hampered our movements and were of + very little service to us. Then again, we should not have crossed + the river in one commando, but should have divided the force into + at least twelve or fifteen commandoes, and these should have + entered the Colony at different points, all moving in different + directions, then the enemy could not have concentrated their hosts + on us as they did. Besides, our discipline and organisation was + poor, and it is a well-known fact that a thousand in disorder can + accomplish less than two hundred well-organised men. But it is + useless to dwell on these points. 'Tis easier to criticize the past + than to forecast the future. Experience costs a great deal. + + "Has our attempt been a complete failure? In many respects I should + say it has. We have succeeded, however, in drawing the enemy out of + the Free State, which was our chief object. And, though it did not + cost them many lives, yet their following us in such desolate + regions must have proved very expensive, and must have been a + source of great hardship to themselves. If that be a consolation to + know that we have not suffered alone, we have, then, at least one + comfort. + + "Brak River was the last nail in our coffin. If we only could have + forded that, we would not have been ousted. On the other side of + the river we would have found not only grass for our tired horses, + but would also have been able to find remounts. Hertzog's commando + was not far off, and they were strongly mounted, and could have + rendered us great assistance. + + "The president, who accompanied us, remained cheerful to the last, + and, just as a common burgher, partook in all our troubles. Such a + man we may well be proud of, and, I need hardly say, that we love + and honour him all the more. + + "As to the conduct of the burghers we need only remark that it was + beyond praise. One never heard them grumble or murmur either + against De Wet or any other officer. No rebellious complaints or + threats were flung at the heads of those in authority. This, + indeed, is typical of the Boer. He endures suffering and hardship + with a submissive spirit and with a dignity which is remarkable. We + do not marvel at this, for are they not formed of that stuff of + which martyrs have been made in bygone years? And does not the + blood of the French Huguenot course through the veins of many a + one, while others are animated by the dauntless spirit of that + little nation that combated the once mighty Spain for eighty years, + and so achieved that honour and distinction which has secured for + them an abiding place in the history of nations? Such men, who are + willing to suffer and sacrifice all for freedom's sake, surely + deserve to succeed at last.--Yours fondly, + + "R.D. MCDONALD." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +WOUNDED. + + +During the first days of August, 1901, the enemy seemed more determined +than ever to effect my capture, or sweep me out of the Cape Colony, Very +large forces concentrated on my commando, and pressed us so hard that +our only safety lay in retreating to the Orange Free State. So hot was +the pursuit that for forty-eight hours our horses were not once +off-saddled. + +On the 14th we arrived on the banks of the Orange River, near to +Venterstad. We found the drift guarded by a small garrison of Hottentots +that offered slight resistance. After a short skirmish they surrendered, +and we waded safely through the stream. We were again on Free State +soil, in our native land, where we knew almost every inch of the +country. + +Fording the river brought us no immediate relief; it rather increased +our dangers. For we were now between two railway lines, each strongly +guarded by blockhouses, while the space between the two lines was so +confined and limited, that (with columns at our rear) we could not +venture to delay there a day or two. So we had to cross one of these +lines the same night. We decided upon the Springfontein-Bethulie line +and thither directed our steps. + +At about 8 A.M. we came in sight of the line, at a point six miles from +Springfontein Junction. The sun had already risen. It was a bright +morning, but our prospects were dark and ominous. We were confronted by +a line studded with blockhouses and fenced in on both sides, while two +armoured trains were belching forth clouds of steam and smoke in the +distance. Behind us, and not far to our rear, the British columns were +drawing nearer. We could but choose between two alternatives--surrender, +or cut the wire at any cost. The former we could hardly give a thought; +the latter must be done, and was successfully executed. + +Our first attempt failed. The burghers, who had no cover, retreated when +fire was opened upon them from the blockhouses. We fell back to a small +hill not far from the line, and there we made up our minds that we +_shall_ cross. Commandant Louis Wessels--certainly one of the most +intrepid and fearless officers of the whole Boer Army--made direct for +the two railway gates, near which a blockhouse had been erected. These +gates he opened, so that the burghers could proceed without any +obstruction. Then in the face of blockhouses on every side, guards and +armoured trains, we passed over the line. We were exposed to a shower of +bullets, and to a terrific pom-pom fire, from the armoured train, but, +to our amazement, without any effect. But for a few horses shot down, we +would have achieved our object without any losses. The men marvelled and +said Providence had protected them; the enemy probably attributed it to +ill-luck and bad shooting. Both may be correct. + +While passing over the line one of the men, accidentally or out of +fright, had dropped and left his gun behind. He was ordered back, and +had to pick it up under a storm of bullets. We could not afford to leave +rifles behind. This was my first experience in crossing the British +lines in daytime. Some time later I was to have a similar experience, +which, as far as my person was concerned, proved less successful, +indeed, almost fatal. + +In regard to the blockhouse system, we need only make these general +remarks. The blockhouses along the railway and fighting lines of the +British, as well as in and round garrisoned places, played a most +prominent part in bringing the war to an end. It was at all times +difficult and dangerous to attack them; and to force their occupants to +surrender involved greater loss of life on our part than we could +prudently face. The only way we could destroy them was to approach them +as near as possible during the night, and locate a dynamite bomb on or +near them. In this way some of them have been blown up. It seems a +barbarous process, but is not war, at its very best, barbarous, brutal, +and unbefitting civilized nations? + +As a means of capturing the burghers, they were a failure. Our +commandoes, when driven against them, always had sufficient pluck and +courage to cut the wires between them, and so they crossed the lines at +almost any point they pleased. That we _have_ crossed and recrossed them +frequently is proof enough that they were, in this respect, not a +success. The barbed wire fences, however complicated, were easily cut. + +As a means of capturing the women and children, and especially the +cattle, sheep and horses, they served the purpose well. It was almost +impossible to drive a flock of sheep or a herd of cattle, not to mention +horses, over these lines during the day. The women with the old and aged +would retreat with the cattle and sheep until they came in touch with +the blockhouses, and were then often captured, one and all. + +If it had not been for these little shanties all over the two republics, +it would have taken the British forces double if not treble the time to +have so thoroughly exhausted the late republics of food supplies. When +the republics were cut up into so many small sections it became +impossible to protect our foodstuffs. + +From the railway line we went to Rouxville district, where we enjoyed a +rest of ten days. But on the 1st of September the enemy came in large +numbers and till the 22nd of October harassed us almost daily. + +As I was anxious to return to the commandoes I left behind in the Cape +Colony, I thought it feasible to cross the fighting line, and take my +commando to Ladybrand district, where the enemy would probably leave us +unmolested for a while, and where the veldt provided ample food for our +horses. Thither we directed our steps, and for a month we saw no signs +of the British. + +On the 23rd of November we were again south of the +Bloemfontein-Ladybrand fighting line, and on our way to the Cape +Colony. My first intention was to ford the Orange River near Aliwal +North, but I soon realised that we would be incurring too great a risk +in trying to cross the river there, for about twenty or twenty-five +columns were then sweeping the southern districts of the Orange Free +State. Now if the river was in flood these columns could press us +against it, and we would then be in an awful predicament. So I resolved +to cut the wire of the main line near Springfontein Junction, and from +there march in the direction of Zanddrift, west of Philippolis. + +Before that could be accomplished we had to beat our track through the +columns already mentioned. And what a hearty reception they gave us! In +one day we had to pass no fewer than eleven of these. And they _did_ +lift us up--so much so that we scarcely lighted on the ground. Even now +I wonder how we contrived to escape these columns. We were fortunately +provided with a number of picked horses, to which we must largely +ascribe our salvation. + +In what a dreadful state we found the country east of the lines! It +resembled more a howling wilderness, a haunt of wild beasts, than an +habitation of human beings. It was cleared of all stock; no living +thing, and not a single burgher of other commandoes came in view. So +thoroughly was the country cleared of all necessaries of life, that for +six days we had to subsist on corn, coffee, and honey found in the +mountains, for the bee-hives at the farms were all destroyed. On the 7th +day, having cut the wire near Springfontein, we found large numbers of +springbucks in Fauresmith district, and though our supply of ammunition +was very limited, we could still afford to spare as many cartridges as +would provide sufficient food for men reduced to starvation's point. + +On the 15th of December we arrived at the river, and were ready to +intrude once more upon British territory. During the day the river was +carefully reconnoitred, so as to ascertain the best place to ford it. At +nightfall we headed for it, and at 9 P.M. the commando was on its banks. +In deep silence lest the guards woke up on the other side, and shielded +by the wings of darkness, we began to ford the stream. Heavy rains had +fallen higher up the river, in consequence of which the stream was so +swollen that our horses had to swim about 150 yards. The men who could +not swim had to rely exclusively on their horses, and clung to these for +all life was worth. It was a very dark night, and as we only spoke in +whispers, we succeeded in crossing the river, unobserved by the +sentinels or guards, purposely stationed there to prevent our entering +the Cape Colony. We were wet to the skin, six of the men were without +clothes, some lost their horses, and others their rifles and bandoliers, +but none their lives. We were indeed glad that we had attained our +object. But we did not know what was in store for us. + +At dawn we left the river, and moving southwards we soon encountered the +enemy not far from the river. From early in the morning till late in the +afternoon we were engaged by the enemy. At sunset we could off-saddle +and rest our tired horses for a short while, and a hasty meal was +prepared. + +At dusk we mounted again, and rode till 11.30 that evening, to get some +fodder. We arrived at a farm at midnight, but unfortunately it was +already occupied by the enemy. We had no sooner fastened our horses and +were lying down to rest, when the enemy began firing at us. We resaddled +at once, and left the farm as quickly and quietly as possible. One of +the burghers was wounded in the arm, the rest came out unhurt. + +We now went in search of another farm, for it was a necessity that our +horses should get some fodder. The night was very dark, and, being +unacquainted with that part of the country, we began wandering, and we +_did_ wander until the guide and most of the men were asleep on their +horses--wandered till we had described a circle and found ourselves, +after a three hours' ride, almost at the very farm we had left that +night. If it had not been for the flickering lights of the enemy's +camp-fires, we should not have known where we were, and certainly would +have been quite close to them the next morning. When we saw these +lights, hardly three miles away, _then_ we woke up. + +I then took the lead, and brought the commando to the farm we were in +search of. + +At sunrise we arrived there, off-saddled, and gave our horses fodder. +The pickets were put out, and breakfast was prepared. But, alas! before +we could eat, the enemy was upon us, and our intended feast was +converted into a prolonged fast. So near was the foe, and so rapidly did +they advance, that we had scarcely time to saddle and seize the nearest +ridges. If it had not been for the marvellous celerity of the Boer, many +of the men would have been captured at that farm. + +This was the 16th of December, 1901. The day I never shall forget in my +life's history, and in the history of the Anglo-Boer War. The sun rose +in splendour that morning, casting his rays upon me--a man in the prime +of life, full of energy and martial ambition. At eventide the scene was +changed! Weary, wounded and bleeding on a lonely plain, shrouded in +darkness, I lay, no more the man of the day, or of bygone days, but weak +and helpless as a babe. + +Though I had taken part in many hot engagements, both as burgher and +commander, and had been in many tight corners, yet I do not recollect a +day in which we were so brought to bay, when we were so hard pressed as +that day. Early in the morning it was evident that the enemy had but one +design that day, and that was to force me to surrender. My commando was +about eighty strong. On my flanks were continually two British columns, +whilst a third one was following up at my rear. With such a small number +of men at my disposal, and three columns to oppose, it was next to +impossible to offer successful resistance. We had hardly taken up a +position when the flanking columns would come round, and we had either +to abandon the position or allow ourselves to be shut in. Thus we were +compelled to retreat from one to another position, under the rays of a +December sun, which seemed to set everything on fire, through a country +so parched and dry that one hardly found a drop of water to quench one's +thirst, and that from early morn till sunset without a morsel of food! +That was enough to break down the strongest man. + +A little before sunset the ominous Cape Railway line stared us in the +face. We were again precisely in the same plight as on the 15th of +August, when we had to cut the wire near Springfontein Junction, only +with this difference--that the danger was much more imminent, the enemy +forming a semi-circle at my back, and before me was a line more strongly +fenced and better guarded than the first. But happily the armoured train +was not on the scene. As we were so successful in our first undertaking, +we determined to pass the enemy's line again in daylight. In fine, we +had to cut the wire or surrender. The latter was more repulsive than the +former. + +As my commando was now very near the line, there was not a moment to +lose. The enemy was advancing swiftly, and the armoured train might +appear at any time. Commandant Louis Wessels, Veldt Cornet Fraser, +Landman and myself proceeded with the utmost speed ahead of the commando +to cut the wire, in order that the progress of the commando should not +be impeded in the least. + +As we approached the line a sharp cross-fire from the blockhouses was +directed against us; but we all reached the fence safely and began +cutting the wire as quickly as possible. + +The enemy, knowing only too well who were trying to cut the wire, poured +volley after volley upon us. The bullets seemed to strike everywhere and +everything but ourselves. Let the reader imagine himself exposed to such +a fire, between two forts about 800 yards apart on a level track of +ground, and forming there in the centre a target for rifles, and he will +realise, to some extent, our situation at that moment. But this was not +all. To intensify our peril we met with thick steel wire which the +scissors refused to cut. We were delayed; the whole commando arrived, +and was checked by this wire. + +What an embarrassment! I ordered the men to spread, dismount, and fire +at the blockhouses until we had done the cutting. This was promptly +done. Having, been exposed to the enemy's fire for some minutes, we +succeeded at last in cutting that wire also. I then signalled the men +to pass. And once more the incredible occurred. On a plain between +blockhouses 800 yards apart, exposed to an incessant cross-fire, all the +burghers passed the line, in broad daylight, without receiving so much +as a scratch. Some horses were shot down, others were wounded, but the +men crossed safely. Some distance from the line Lieutenant Bolding was +wounded mortally. + +I waited at the line till all, with the exception of eight or ten whose +horses had given in, were over and then followed the commando. But +looking back once more, I beheld one of my men trudging on foot across +the line. At once I decided to go back and lend him a helping hand. I +rode back, and was again exposed to the same fire from which we had just +escaped. This time there was to be no escape. While returning, one of my +officers--Fraser--who saw me going back, came to volunteer his services. +He would not have me exposed to the enemy's fire, and urged me to go +back immediately--he would see to the burgher. + +Accepting his generous offer, I rode back. But no sooner had I turned my +horse, than I felt a shock. In the twinkling of an eye a bullet had +passed through the muscles of my left arm and through my lungs, missing +the heart by a mere hair-breadth. It happened all so suddenly that for +the first few seconds I hardly knew that I was wounded. I remained in +the saddle for a time, until some of the men could attend to me. Gently +they took me from my horse, placed me in a blanket, and carried me along +to a safe spot. + +It was now eventide, the shadows were deepening, and darkness was hiding +us from the vision of the foe. At first I was determined to accompany +the commando some distance from the line to a place where I could safely +remain till recovered. I, however, soon realised the serious nature of +the wound, and that if it were not well attended to, mortification was +sure to set in, and that would cost me my life. The men too considered +it absolutely impossible for me to accompany them any longer, and deemed +it advisable that I should be sent into the British hospital for medical +treatment. + +And then came the _parting_ moment, the moment when I had to bid adieu +to the men whom I had led, and with whom I had fought against our common +foe for so long a time. In the life of every man there comes a day, an +hour, or even a moment, which he never can forget. That parting moment, +reader, was one in my life I never shall forget. My officers, adjutants, +secretary, and some other burghers gathered round me for the last time +as I sat on the ground supported by one of them. As they bade me +farewell--yea, perhaps for ever--the tear-drops sparkled in their eyes, +and gushed down their cheeks. Yes, we all did weep and shed tears of +deep sorrow--tears not such as "angels weep," but such as men can weep +who love one another, and had fought in one common cause. + +I could not speak to the men as I would, for I was too weak. Still I +wished them God-speed for the future, and exhorted them to be very +courageous and to do their duty faithfully, as befits men, to the last. +I told them my work was done. I had given my blood, and might be called +upon to give my life for my country. If so, I hope to be prepared to +bring that offering too. More I could not do. My secretary then knelt +and commended me in prayer to the care and protection of our gracious +God and Father.... Then we parted. + +My war career had ended. No more fighting, no more retreating, no more +roaming over the veldt, by day and night, exposed to blasting summer +winds or chilling winter frosts. For two years and two months I had seen +active service. During that time I had tried to acquit myself +conscientiously of my duties as a man. No sacrifice was too great, and +no obstacle appeared insuperable for the cause in which I was engaged. +Looking back upon the past I observe how often I have fallen short and +failed--failed as a burgher and as a leader. And though I do not wish +for another war, I believe I should try to do better were I to live +through it again. + +Two of my adjutants--Pieter Hugo and Landman--had remained with me. One +of them instantly went to the nearest railway station, about three miles +off, to call for an ambulance. Till 1 A.M. I lay bleeding in the veldt. +Then the British ambulance arrived. When the doctor saw me he had very +little hope that I would recover. As I was too weak to be removed by +waggon, I was put on a stretcher and carried to a small field hospital, +not far from the spot where I was wounded. + +How soon I knew that I was no more a free man! First of all I was +stripped of all my belongings, including watch, chain, and money, etc. +At my urgent request the watch and chain and also a certain amount of my +money were restored to me. + +The following morning an ambulance train took me to Naauwpoort Junction. +On the way I had to part with my blanket. And one of the nurses actually +wanted my ring, saying that I might as well give it to her, as it would +be taken from me. This I refused to part with, remarking that I didn't +believe any one would act so shamefully as to rob me of my ring. In this +I was correct. + +Arrived at Naauwpoort, I was carried to the hospital, where I was laid +up for three weeks. A screen was posted before my bed, and at my feet +stood a sentinel with fixed bayonet. I was to be completely isolated +from the rest of mankind. Imagine my feelings at having this functionary +at my feet, watching over me and staring in my face day and night. It +was enough to drive me mad. When I could endure it no longer I entreated +one of the sisters to offer my guard a seat, somewhere out of my view, +for his penetrating and unbroken gaze was putting too great a strain on +my already shattered nerves. Surely there was no chance whatsoever for +me to escape, for I could hardly move myself. Besides, the hospital was +so well fenced in and strongly guarded, that all escape was impossible. +My request was partly granted; but I was forbidden to speak to any one, +except to the nurses and the doctor. Neither was any one allowed to +address me. And so the time dragged on heavily and wearily. The first +few days I suffered intensely, gradually the pain decreased, and I +became stronger. + +After I had spent three weeks in the hospital I was ordered to Graaff +Reinet. I rose, and dressed with the assistance of the nurses. To my +astonishment six khakis entered my room. One of these had a pair of +handcuffs. To my query as to what his intentions were he replied: "You +must be handcuffed." "Well, and where do you want to put them on?" I +asked him, for my wounded arm was still supported by a sling. "I must +put them on somewhere," he replied bluntly. So I suggested that I would +lie down on the stretcher and have them fastened to my feet. I was +beginning to lose my temper, and expressed myself in somewhat forcible +language. Fortunately an officer then appeared on the scene with whom I +remonstrated about the treatment I was being subjected to. The officer, +shrugging his shoulders, said: "'Tis orders, and they must be executed." +It seemed such a disgraceful action that I could not help remarking: +"That is why the Boers will not surrender. If wounded officers, +entrusted to your care, are treated thus, what must the private expect?" +At last I was allowed to go--unhandcuffed. + +Placed in an armoured truck, I was taken to Graaff Reinet Gaol. My +experiences there shall be related in the next chapter. Had I suffered +much up to this time, greater suffering and more anxious moments were +awaiting me. + +Before leaving this subject I would sincerely thank the doctors and +sisters, who evinced such great interest and attended so well to my case +while laid up in the Naauwpoort Hospital. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +COURT-MARTIALLED. + + O, if to fight for ... commonweal + Were piety in thine, it is in these.... + Wilt thou draw near the nature of the Gods? + Draw near them then in being merciful. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +Arrived at Graaff Reinet, I was instantly removed to gaol, where I was +confined in a small room. Here, isolated from the rest of the world, I +was to spend many anxious days and sleepless nights. During the day I +was allowed to stay a few hours in an inner yard or enclosure of the +prison. The rest of the time I was locked up, and no bright sun-rays +could revive my drooping spirits. I begged permission to go as far as +the prisoner's yard, and promised not to speak to the other +prisoners--no, not even wink an eye, and should I transgress in any +respect the guard could shoot me down. I desired intensely to move and +breathe in the open and pure air--Nature's gift to all. But this favour +was too great. On the contrary, I was forbidden, on penalty of death, to +address any one. To add to my misery other forces seemed to co-operate. +For the very evening after my arrival an unknown gentleman entered my +room. He carried some documents, and politely informed me that I must +get ready for my trial. He hinted, moreover, that I should expect the +worst. If I had not a will, and wanted one, it should be drawn up +without further delay. If I had any documents to be disposed of, I +should arrange about these as well. In short, this kind (?) fellow gave +me to understand that my career was soon to terminate. How? That was the +question. + +The next morning the local magistrate came to pay me his respects. The +unpleasant remarks of the previous evening were cruelly reiterated, +enlarged upon, and emphasized. The magistrate volunteered very kindly to +submit, if necessary, all my papers to some one I may please to appoint. +He would also deliver messages to my sorrowing friends and relatives. As +my trial was pending, I asked him what he meant by talking such +nonsense. Surely the British were not going to shoot each and every Boer +officer whom they captured, and that without fair trial! + +Though no coward, I must admit that such conversations were not +calculated to produce a favourable impression on my mind. They might +have been well meant, but did more harm than good. It is one thing to +face the enemy on the battlefield, where one may defend himself; 'tis +something else to be dangerously, almost mortally, wounded, and then to +be at the mercy of the foe. For three consecutive nights Nature's +greatest gift--sleep--to suffering humanity had departed from me. Why +could I not sleep? Was it fear that kept me awake? No, not that. My +conscience was clear, my hands unstained. But locked up in that small +room, with no one to speak to, my thoughts began to multiply, and I lay +meditating night after night. That was enough to make a young man old +and grey. Yet there was one friend who helped me to beguile the dreary +hours of confinement. That friend was my beloved pipe. + +One evening, towards the end of February, I was told to appear before a +military court the following morning. This announcement seemed strange +to me, for I was not prepared for a trial. I was resolved what to do. + +At 8 o'clock the next morning I was taken by an escort of six soldiers +to the court-house. Having taken my place in the prisoner's box, I +listened to my charges, which were recited as follows: Fourteen cases of +murder; wreckage of trains; and ill-treatment of prisoners-of-war. To +the question, "Guilty or not?" I pleaded "Not guilty," whereupon I was +requested to make my defence, which I declined to do; for the public +prosecutor had promised me, and rightly so, that, if I could produce +any witnesses to disprove the [alleged] charges brought against me, I +could summon them. As none of my witnesses were present, nor an +opportunity of enlisting the services of an advocate and solicitor given +me, I refused to take upon me the burden of pleading in self-defence. I +knew that if I did acquiesce in such a trial, it might prove fatal to my +best interests. It would then be urged, too, that Kritzinger had a fair +trial, when condemned to death, something which would be altogether +untrue. + +After I had thrice declined to be tried without witnesses and legal +advice, I was sent to gaol, and told to be ready for trial on the 7th of +March. I now addressed a letter to General French, in which I brought to +his notice how I was being treated. French wrote back that he had +corresponded with Lord Kitchener concerning my case, and that Lord +Kitchener's orders were that I should have a fair trial, _i.e._, legal +defence and witnesses for my case. + +On the 1st of March, seven days before the appointed trial, I was again +summoned to appear in court. My charges were read out, and the same +questions were submitted to me. Again I declined to make a defence, and +remarked: "I am in your power, gentlemen--you may do as you please, +pronounce any sentence; but _I_ shall _not_ defend myself." I then +referred the court to French's letter, whereupon I was again removed to +my lodgings. + +Meanwhile, I succeeded in enlisting the services of Advocate Gardiner +and Attorney Auret, Graaff Reinet, and made such arrangements that my +witnesses could be present at the trial. + +Advocate Gardiner arrived on the evening of the 6th of March. The +following day the court-martial commenced. As my witnesses had not yet +arrived, it was decided that the evidence for the prosecution should +first be taken. + +The counsel for the defence took exception to the charges of +train-wreckage, ill-treatment of troops, and some instances of murder; +charges which, _prima facie_, would not stand the test of examination. +These were then withdrawn by the prosecution. After this subtraction +there still remained four charges of murder, which we shall enumerate +in succession. + +1st Charge:-- + +_Murder_. + +On or about the 15th of February, 1901, it was alleged that I had killed +and murdered Jafta and Solomon, natives, British subjects, at +Grootplaats, Murraysburg, Cape Colony. + +Mr. Boltman, the owner of the farm Grootplaats, was the principal +witness for the prosecution. He deposed that he saw one of my officers, +_i.e._, Antonie Wessels, riding up to me, and after Wessels had spoken +to me he rode back and shot the two natives. Hence I must have given him +orders to shoot them! Besides, Mr. Boltman also declared that he had +heard me say to two men, whom I had arrested along with the two natives +in question, "Do you see these natives? Well, I am going to have them +shot, and in future I shall treat all armed natives in the same way." +All these statements were refuted by one of the men to whom I was +supposed to have made the remark of having the natives shot. The man +denied that he ever heard such a statement from my lips. + +2nd Charge:-- + +_Murder_. + +In that I have killed and murdered John Vondeling, a native and British +subject, at Tweefontein, Graaff Reinet. + +In this case it was proved by the witnesses for the defence that the +native had been shot three days before my arrival at the farm where the +murder was committed. + +3rd Charge:-- + +_Murder_. + +About the 18th of March, 1901, I had killed and brutally murdered a +native at Prinsfontein, Tarkastad. + +Mr. Mantel, the farmer, deposed:-- + + One of Kritzinger's men was with me as his commando passed some + distance from my house. Van der Walt said to me, "Do you see that + man in front, riding on the large blue horse? That man is + Kritzinger." I then saw a few burghers riding up to Kritzinger, and + after they had halted for a short while they went back and shot the + natives. + +My witnesses proved that at that particular time I had no blue horse in +my possession. Neither was there such a man as Van der Walt in my +commando; and the natives in question had been shot by another +commandant without my instructions. + +4th Charge:-- + +_Murder_. + +At Biscuitfontein, Bethulie, I had killed and murdered two natives on +the 14th of August, 1901. + +This was the last and principal charge brought against me. Four blacks +were the chief witnesses in this case, by which, if possible, I was to +be convicted and silenced for ever. + +Let us see how they fared. The first one succeeded in identifying me. +The next one was less successful. He pointed to an English officer, +saying, "That is the man." He was to have another chance. I looked at +him and smiled; this puzzled him even more. Greatly perplexed, he +pressed his finger against a man with a long bushy beard, and said, "You +are Kritzinger." What a blunder! The prosecutor seemed slightly put out; +the court indulged in lusty laughter. + +The other witnesses were then brought forward. Surely these will not +make a mistake, they know the murderer only too well. Had the prosecutor +not sounded them beforehand by asking them to point out the prisoner's +photo among a number of other photos? Did they not hit upon the right +photo? Is this not conclusive evidence that they must have seen and +known the prisoner? In spite of all this precaution, the first witness +in this case declared, on being cross-questioned _re_ the photo in +question, that a certain officer had shown him the photo at Norval's +Pont, and asked him to note it carefully, so that, if called upon, he +would be able to identify the person concerned! + +I watched the prosecutor, who exhibited signs of uneasiness or disgust. +This stupid native was spoiling his good case; the other witness was +going to commit as great a blunder. He declared that on the 10th of +January he saw the corpses of two natives, and, on seeing them, +immediately recognized the one as being the body of his brother-in-law. +Questioned as to how he could still recognize his brother-in-law in a +decomposed body, he promptly replied, "Oh! my brother had still a smile +on his face!" Although the native in question was shot on the 14th of +August, 1901, on the 10th of January he still had a smile on his face! +Death must have conferred a great boon upon him. And if he could have +appeared in court, he certainly would have objected to my being tried. +Have not sentences of death, confiscation of property, and imprisonment +been passed on the evidences of such witnesses? + +When all the evidences had been taken the prosecutor delivered his +address. After him the counsel for the defence addressed the court. In a +very able speech Advocate Gardiner pointed out the shallowness of the +accusations against me. He urged that the court should not be long in +coming to a decision, as a prolonged trial meant increased expenses for +the accused. + +After his address I was removed for half an hour. Summoned back, a +verdict of "not guilty" was brought in. I was at last acquitted, and +could return to my lonely chamber not as a criminal, but as a +prisoner-of-war! + +Leaving the court-room I was called back to shake hands with the judges, +who congratulated me with the acquittal. Thus the trial, which lasted +five days, came to an end. The clouds cleared up. The sun rose. It was +all brightness. I had passed unscathed through the ordeal, to indulge +that night in slumbers calm and sweet. + +Just a few days before the trial commenced I was somewhat reassured and +encouraged to hope for the best. An unknown friend kindly dropped a +newspaper cutting, tied to a piece of stone, over the prison yard. This +press-cutting fell into my hands, and in it I saw that a large section +of the British public strongly disapproved of the action of the +Military Government _re_ late Commandant Scheepers, and that section and +people all over the continent and in the United States of America were +asking, "What about Kritzinger--will he too be shot?" I noticed also +that petitions on my behalf were being drawn up in England and +elsewhere, and signed extensively. + +All the men and women who so petitioned His Majesty the King to spare my +life I thank most sincerely, for the interest shown in my case, and for +the efforts put forth to save my life. How much I owe such I do not +fully know; but I do appreciate the deed of kindness shown to me in the +darkest moments of my life. Such deeds are never forgotten. They +illuminate life's way with such splendour as fills the soul with +inexpressible gratitude. + +I have related the story of my trial briefly and as accurately as I +could. I do not wish to comment on the justice or injustice of the +proceedings. It is for others to judge whether an officer, who was a +burgher of the Orange Free State, and _not_ a rebel, should have been +court-martialled, and while the war was still in progress, on such +unfounded charges. I shall not say whether I consider it just and fair +that, tried as a prisoner-of-war and acquitted as such, I should have +had to pay a bill of £226 for my defence. What if a prisoner does not +possess the means to secure legal defence? Must he then be condemned +without it? Has this not been done in certain cases? I shall ask no more +questions. I did not mind the money, but was only too glad to inhale +once more air not pregnant with death and destruction. + +Our object in mentioning these details is to illustrate the nature of +some of the charges brought against Boer officers and burghers when +court-martialled by the British. These charges of murder were, as a +rule, associated with Kaffirs who had been shot, either in fair fight or +as spies. Our officers were held responsible for the acts of their men. +Moreover, by proclamation, any officer or burgher convicted of shooting +a Kaffir or Hottentot, after having surrendered, could be charged with +murder and condemned to death. The principle laid down in this +proclamation, that the life of a surrendered foe should not be taken, +must be endorsed by every right-minded man. The burghers, however, +argued that, since the war had not been declared against the coloured +races, they had the right to deal with armed natives in the most +effectual manner possible, especially if these natives were not British +subjects, but belonged to the Republics. Besides, some of these natives +gave no quarter to our men. We could cite several instances where +burghers had been murdered and mutilated in a ghastly manner. To mention +one instance, while peace negotiations were going on, 56 men were +savagely cut up and mutilated by the Kaffirs in the district of Vryheid, +Transvaal. + +Eventually we were placed in such a position that we hardly knew what to +do with armed natives. What if they refuse to surrender? Shoot them ... +and then you are a murderer. Let them go ... and then you will pay the +penalty. It was perplexing to know how the British wished us to act. The +Boers, regardless of consequences, did what they thought right. + +For the sake of such as were interested in my trial, I submit in full +the charges, my evidence, and the addresses of the prosecutor and +counsel for the defence:-- + + _Charge Sheet_. + + The prisoner, Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger, a burgher of the late + Orange Free State, and ex-Assistant Chief Commandant of the + (so-called) Federal forces, is charged with:-- + + 1st Charge:-- + + _Murder_. + + In that he, at Grootplaats, Murraysburg, on or about the 15th of + February, 1901, killed and murdered Jafta and Solomon, natives, + British subjects. + + 2nd Charge:-- + + _Murder_. + + In that he, at Tweefontein, Graaff Reinet, on or about the 15th of + February, 1901, killed and murdered John Thomas, a native, a + British subject. + + 3rd Charge:-- + + _Murder_. + + In that he, at Prinsfontein, Tarkastad, on or about the 18th of + March, 1901, killed and murdered a native, a British subject. + + 4th Charge:-- + + _Murder_. + + In that he, at Biscuitfontein, Bethulie, Orange River Colony, on or + about the 15th of August, 1901, killed and murdered Koos and + Willem, natives, British subjects. + + 5th Charge:-- + + _Destroying Railways_. + + In that he, near Knutsford, Cradock, on or about the 27th of July, + 1901, cut the railway line, thereby causing a portion of a + passenger train to be derailed. + + To be tried by Military Court by order of General French. + + The prisoner takes his stand at the place from which other + witnesses give their evidence:-- + + The prisoner, Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger, being duly sworn, + states:-- + + "My name is Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger. In the commencement of + September, 1900, I became a commandant of the Free State Forces. I + became Chief Commandant of the forces in the Cape Colony on the + 11th of June, 1901. This would not give me a higher position in the + event of my returning to the Free State. Once over the border I + would hold the same position as any other commandant. I surrendered + on the 16th of December last. I attempted to cross the line at + Hanover Road and was wounded. + + I know absolutely nothing of the death of Jafta and Solomon, I gave + no orders that they should be shot, nor any other natives. I + arrived at Voetpad on a Thursday, the 14th of February, 1901. I + camped there until the following day. Shortly before I left Voetpad + Captain Smit with his men came there from a farm in the vicinity. + The name of the farm is unknown to me. Captain Smit was not under + my command. He was acting independently. An advance guard is + generally sent out. On this occasion I sent Wessels and some men. I + do not know when Wessels left, I cannot remember. I went from + Voetpad to Poortje, the farm of Van der Merwe. I arrived there + about sundown on Friday the 15th. On my way from Voetpad I passed + over Boltman's place. I did not hear of any natives being shot + there. While on Voetpad I had no message from Wessels. I cannot + remember having spoken to any one in that strain regarding + Boltman's statements _re_ shooting natives. There was one Mijnhardt + in my commando, there were others amongst Smit's men, but I can't + call to mind of a Corporal Mijnhardt in my commando. No report was + ever made to me of natives being shot at Grootplaats. + + 2nd Charge:-- + + On the 15th of February, 1901, I went to Poortje. I camped there + for the night. On the 16th I went to Driefontein, the farm of du + Toit. That was Saturday. From there I went on Sunday to the farm + Tweefontein, Minnaar's. I have not had a man named Van Aswegen with + me at Minnaar's. I know a Van Aswegen; he is a sergeant in Smit's + commando. He was not at Minnaar's when I got there. I do not know + where he was. On the 12th of February, 1901, I saw Van Aswegen on a + farm, the name of which is unknown to me. The owner's name is + Burger. There Smit and his men left me. I next saw Van Aswegen on a + farm in the Richmond district, the owner of which is Meiring. I + stopped at Minnaar's for the day, held service, and left there in + the afternoon. I know nothing of the shooting of a native there. No + shooting of a native was reported to me. Van Aswegen certainly had + no orders from me. He was not under my control, he was under the + control of Smit. Nobody belonging to my commando had any orders + from me with reference to shooting natives. + + 3rd Charge:-- + + The Court does not think it necessary to take the prisoner's + evidence on this charge. + + 4th Charge:-- + + I crossed the Orange River into the Orange River Colony on or about + the 15th of August last. It is brought back to my memory inasmuch + as Commandant Cachet was killed on the 15th of August in the + district of Venterstad in the Cape Colony. I did not take any + natives prisoner prior to crossing the river. Commandant Wessels + was with me before I got to the river, about five or six miles from + the river he left me and crossed. I crossed the Orange River on the + Bethulie side. Wessels crossed the river on the Norval's Pont side. + I did not see him cross the river. After crossing I went to the + first farm. No one was at home there, and I off-saddled. The name + of the farm is unknown to me. It was a farm that had been burnt. + When I arrived at that farm there was no other commando there. + Before I crossed the river I heard rifle-fire, but after I had + off-saddled for a little while I heard cannon-fire. The firing came + from the west, from the direction which Wessels had crossed the + river. The cannon-firing also came from the same direction. + + I mounted a horse and rode up a kopje to see if I could see + anything that might be taking place. The kopje was about 1,000 to + 1,200 yards from my laager. I was riding a chestnut horse. I went + to the kopje alone, but a man by the name of Michael Coetzee, whom + I intend to call as a witness, was on the kopje on duty as a + sentinel. I remained there a considerable time. I saw cannon-firing + on a little ridge on the Colony side of the river. I heard + rifle-fire while I was on the kopje. I returned to the laager. The + firing was in the direction of the laager. When I got back to the + laager Commandant Wessels was there, off-saddled. After I arrived + at the camp I spoke to him about the firing I had heard. I knew + that some of the farmer's cattle were being brought in for the + purpose of slaughtering, and I asked Wessels why they fired so many + shots at the animals, and he replied that a couple of Kaffirs had + been shot. I was chaffing Wessels when I asked him why they fired + so many shots at the animals. When I was on the kopje I certainly + did not know that Wessels had taken natives prisoner. I did not see + these natives after they had been shot. I do not know the boy Jan + Louw. I did not speak to him that day, nor to any other native. The + Wessels in question is the Commandant Louis Wessels, who passed + into the Colony from the Orange River Colony, and I met him three + or four days before I crossed. The day after our meeting we had a + skirmish with the British. Wessels and I got separated. The + following day we met again on the farm of Van der Keever. He was + not under my command in the Colony, nor in the Orange River Colony. + I had about between seventy and eighty men when I crossed the + river, and Wessels had between thirty and forty men. I had a few + natives shot in the Orange River Colony prior to my crossing into + the Colony in the first instance. These were tried by Captain + Scheepers, Captain Fouché, and Captain Smit and myself, also Judge + Hugo. The papers were sent to Assistant Chief Commandant Fourie, + and the sentences were approved of by him. That was the only case + of natives having been shot by me. + + _Prosecutor's Address._ + + (Captain L. Daine.) + + "As regards the first charge, the natives Jafta and Solomon and the + scouts McCabe and Maasdorp were captured by Wessels, who was in + charge of Kritzinger's scouts. He took them to Grootplaats. McCabe + proves that Wessels then went towards Voetpad, three miles off, and + returned some time afterwards, gave an order to his men, and the + two natives were led off to execution. Boltman's statements that + Kritzinger gave a message for British column commanders, informing + them that armed natives would be shot, are fully corroborated by + what McCabe was told by members of Kritzinger's commando, and + clearly shows Kritzinger's intentions and instructions. Kritzinger + states that he cannot remember whether he gave the message or not. + + "The witnesses for the defence all state that there were no + prisoners with the commando at Grootplaats, yet the accuracy with + which they describe different horses, and the date of seeing Van + Aswegen, _i.e._, 13th February, 1901, is little short of + marvellous. Kritzinger states that he mounted a horse and rode to + the kopje, which was about 1,000 to 1,200 yards from the laager, + and that he was riding a chestnut horse, while the witnesses for + the defence state that he was riding a dark bay horse with a star + when he rode to the kopje. + + "As regards the natives mentioned in the first charge, McCabe + states that he did not lose sight of them all the time they were + together, and as they were not searched in his presence the passes + could therefore not have been found. They were captured on a farm + in British territory. + + "As regards the second charge, Van Aswegen was evidently a member + of Kritzinger's commando, and the witness, Van der Merwe, remembers + seeing him with the commando for three weeks, during which time he + and his men were frequently away. Here again, as concerns spies, + Van Aswegen had the passes in his hand and knew what the boy really + was. + + "As regards the fourth charge, the natives were captured in the + Cape Colony, where Kritzinger was Chief Commandant. The statement + that his authority as such ceased the moment he crossed the Orange + River is hardly credible. The natives were shot at Biscuitfontein, + where Kritzinger was laagered at the time, and their dead bodies + were seen by de Klerk there. Jan Louw is very clear as to who the + commandant was. He recognized his photo on two occasions, and + identified him at once in court. The dark brown horse ridden by + Kritzinger to the kopje is probably the black referred to, and his + evidence is corroborated by Jan Jonkers, who, however, failed to + recognize Kritzinger in court, more through fright than anything + else, I think. Both these witnesses state that there was a body of + men at Biscuitfontein when they arrived. This is denied by + witnesses for the defence. The bodies found by Jan Hans must have + been those of Koos and Willem, as the spot is identified as that + described by de Klerk. + + "It must be remembered that the witnesses Hugo, Matthijsen, Van + Wijk and de Klerk are all accomplices, and therefore their evidence + must be received with caution, especially after the curiously + minute details they give on some points. It is also worthy of note + that Matthijsen was not examined on the fourth charge, though he + was present with Kritzinger at the time. + + "The shooting of these prisoners was absolutely unjustifiable and + illegal, and all concerned must be held equally responsible. + + "Wessels took over the command of Kritzinger's commando when the + latter was wounded. + + "As regards the proclamation, the only name mentioned in it is that + of Kritzinger, and the proclamation is signed by him. The names of + any of the other commandants are not mentioned in it at all. + + "As regards the witnesses for the prosecution, there are three who + have been deported, and therefore could not be obtained." + + _Address by the Counsel for the Defence._ + + (Advocate H.G. Gardiner.) + + "Mr. President and Members of the Military Court:-- + + "We are now reaching the end of a great trial, the great trial of a + great man. Of all the trials that have been held before Military + Courts in this country, this, I may fairly say, is most important. + + "No officer of higher or even equal rank to him, who was once Chief + Commandant in this Colony, has yet been tried, and on this trial + much will depend. It is a case the result of which may have great + and far-reaching influence. It may influence greatly the Boer + commandoes in the field. On the verdict now given in his case the + attitude of other leaders will greatly depend. I do not urge this + upon you that you should acquit the prisoner. I do not ask you to + consider the consequences of the verdict you may bring in. I know + that you will bring in whatever verdict you think right regardless + of all consequences, but I do bring these facts before you as a + reason why you should carefully consider the evidence. + + "The charge in this case is the charge of murder, the greatest + crime that can be brought against a man. It is a crime of which a + man cannot be technically guilty. You must have the most convincing + evidence before you, and the clearest proof. It is a crime where + intent must be clearly proved; where intent is essential. A + merchant whose agent enters into a contract may be held responsible + to carry out that contract, but a merchant whose clerk commits a + crime cannot be held responsible for that crime. It would, sir, be + intolerable if a leader of a column should be held responsible for + every act committed by the men under his command. We are glad to + know, sir, that in the history of this war British troops have + behaved in an exemplary manner, but there have been occasions when + they have done things not in accordance with the laws and usages of + war, and it would be unfair to hold a general responsible for such + acts of isolated individuals. On the question of intent and what + constitutes responsibility for a crime, I would refer to _Manual of + Military Law_, pages 112 and 113, paragraph 17:--'If the offence + charged involves some special intent, it must be shown that the + assistant was cognizant of the intention of the person whom he + assisted; thus, on a charge of wounding with intent to murder, it + must be shown that the assistant not only assisted the principal + offender in what he did, but also knew what his intention was, + before the former can be convicted on the full charge.' Then again, + paragraph 18. After referring to persons going out with common + intent it says that a person is not responsible for any offence + 'committed by any member of the party, which is unconnected with a + common purpose, unless he personally instigates or assists in its + commission.' And to give an example, sir, of common intent, the + purpose for which a commander and his men go on commando is to kill + and destroy the enemy, not that of killing prisoners and + non-combatants, or prisoners without a trial, and if a subordinate + without orders from his superior commits a crime, that superior + cannot be held responsible for it unless he has consented to it or + knew of it. I would also refer to paragraph 20:--'Mere knowledge + that a person is about to commit an offence, and even conduct + influenced by such knowledge, will not make a person responsible + for that offence, unless he does something actively to encourage + its commission.' And last of all I would refer to Army Act, section + 6, page 322:--'Every person subject to Military Law who commits any + of the following offences, that is to say (_f_):--Does violence to + any person bringing provisions or supplies to the forces, or + commits any offence against the property of persons or any + inhabitant or resident in the country in which he is serving,' but + says nothing about the responsibility of a superior officer. + + "We may take it therefore that Kritzinger can only be responsible + for a murder when he has given either general or special orders, or + when he knew of it beforehand, and consented to its being done. + Now, sir, what proof have we of that being so in this case? + + "Let us take the first charge--the charge of shooting two natives + at Grootplaats. There can be no doubt that these natives were + spies. They came into the Boer lines unarmed, ununiformed, and with + false passes. They carried two passes, one representing them as + belonging to the 7th Dragoon Guards, and the other to the effect + that they were looking for cattle. I think if such a case came + before you, you would have no doubts about treating them as spies. + Therefore Kritzinger would not have been guilty of murder had he + shot them. I have a far stronger defence, however. The natives were + captured by Wessels. Kritzinger knew nothing about them, and when + these boys were shot he was not present, as he was at another farm + at the time. Wessels left at 10 A.M., Kritzinger arrived there + after sunset. How can he then be responsible for the shooting of + these natives when he was not at the farm? There is not a bit of + proof to show that Kritzinger gave the order about the shooting of + these boys. One of the native witnesses says that one of Wessels' + men went in the direction of Voetpad; there is no evidence that he + ever reached there. More than that, witnesses belonging to + Kritzinger's commando state that they saw nothing of Wessels, and + that they knew nothing of the shooting of these boys. At the close + of the evidence in chief there was something which looked like + implicating Kritzinger, but of that by Van Aswegen there is very + little left to-day. At first the evidence _re_ Mijnhardt was taken, + but the Court has ruled that this evidence cannot be accepted. Now + there is the evidence of Boltman. I do not say that Boltman did not + give his evidence fairly, but he must have made a mistake as + regards Kritzinger making use of the words he referred to. McCabe + says while he was on the farm nothing of the kind occurred. If + anything had been said he would have heard it. When McCabe and + Maasdorp came back no report was made that Kritzinger had said + anything of the kind. But there was a report made, and McCabe bears + it out that something was said by another member of the commando. I + would submit that Boltman mistook the other member of the commando + for Kritzinger. There is no getting over the evidence of McCabe, + and he is the person who ought to remember it. As McCabe says, + Kritzinger did not arrive until some hours after the boys had been + shot. + + "I now come to the second charge--the charge of the shooting of the + boy John Thomas at Tweefontein. Now, sir, here again the boy was + clearly a spy. He carried two passes similar to those carried by + the boys mentioned in the first charge. He was unarmed. He was not + in uniform. He was there to spy the movements of the Boers. + Kritzinger would not have been responsible for the shooting of this + boy had he shot him. But here the evidence against him is even + weaker than in the first charge. Here there is no suggestion that + the boy was shot by any of Kritzinger's men. The evidence shows + that the boy was shot by a man serving under Smit. Smit was an + officer with an independent command, and, more than that, he had + been longer in service than Kritzinger himself, and was not under + Kritzinger. Here, too, there is no suggestion, as in the first + charge, that any message was taken to Kritzinger by the men who + shot this boy, John Thomas. None of Van Aswegen's men were sent to + Kritzinger. Van Aswegen himself did not go back. No one from + Kritzinger came to Van Aswegen. Van Aswegen was last seen by + Kritzinger on the 12th or 13th of February, 1901, and was not seen + again by him until a couple of days after the shooting. + + "That the boy was shot by Van Aswegen appears clear from the two + Minnaars' evidence, who say that the boy was taken out by Van + Aswegen, and that was the last they saw of him. Kritzinger did not + arrive until Sunday morning with his commando, and everyone says he + knows absolutely nothing about the shooting of the native. I would + submit that there is absolutely nothing to connect Kritzinger with + the shooting of this boy. + + "On the 3rd Charge there is no need to say anything. The Court has + already indicated that it is unnecessary to proceed further with + it. + + "I now come to the 4th Charge; the only charge in which Kritzinger + was said to have been present at the shooting. In the first two + charges, Kritzinger did not appear until hours after the natives + had been shot. The only witnesses who say that Kritzinger was + present at the shooting of the natives mentioned in this charge are + natives. There appear to have been no white men present. Some one + said that Schmidt was present, but it appears he did not cross the + river. We have only native evidence to this effect, and native + evidence is most unreliable, and only one of the witnesses could + identify Kritzinger. We are, therefore, driven back to the evidence + of Jan Louw. Even if Jan Louw had given his evidence in a way that + could not be shaken, it would be dangerous to convict on the + evidence of one witness alone. Natives have no idea of dates, time, + or distances. They find it difficult to identify prisoners. We have + seen that in the case of Jan Jonkers, and that shows how much + reliance can be placed on native evidence. Jan Jonkers identifies a + man in Court as being Kritzinger who was never near the place. Four + months after a man has been killed Jan Hans goes and sees his body. + He identifies him not by the clothes he wears but by his face. Is + it possible that after being for four months on the plains of the + Orange Free State, exposed to the air and the heat, a man could + identify the face of another? And the one native witness is the + witness Jan Louw. Even if Jan Louw were a strong witness, his + evidence would not have been sufficient to convict, but Jan Louw's + evidence falls to the ground under cross-examination. How did Jan + Louw identify Kritzinger? He was taken to the office at Norval's + Pont. Now, Jan Louw had only seen one commandant in his life. When + in that commandant's possession, his life was apparently not worth + very much. His companions were shot. When shown any commandant's + photo he would naturally identify it with the commandant he knew. + Now, Jan Jonkers explains to us why the photo was identified. He + was asked, 'Is that Kritzinger?' and he replied, 'That is + Kritzinger.' Now, a native is very likely, in a case like that, to + say, 'That is the man.' Then Jan Jonkers, in re-examination, tries + to get out of that. He says that he said, 'That is Kritzinger,' and + then the man in the office said, 'That is Kritzinger.' The + probability is that Jan Louw and Jan Jonkers were asked if it was + Kritzinger's photo, and they said, 'Yes.' If the Court saw the + photos they could see how much reliance could be placed on the + identification. The witnesses were taken into a room where there + were several groups of photos, but the biggest photo was that of + Kritzinger, and these natives had seen it before. Probably it is + the only photo they have seen in their lives. It was the same photo + they had seen at Norval's Pont. What would one expect? One would + naturally expect them to pick out that photo, and that is what + occurred. Well, after that, one can understand why Jan Louw + identifies Kritzinger in Court. He has had a photo shown to him in + town, and of course he naturally identifies Kritzinger at once. The + wonder is that Jan Jonkers did not identify Kritzinger. It only + shows what small reliance can be placed on the evidence of natives, + and that is the sole evidence on which the 4th Charge is based. + + "Now let us see what Kritzinger's story is. It is a consistent + story, and it seems what probably happened under the circumstances. + He crossed without prisoners, and everyone in his commando bears + him out. He crossed before Wessels, and laagered there, and + afterwards Wessels came up. Jan Louw says that no other commando + was there when he arrived, and no other came afterwards. Jan + Jonkers says there were about one hundred men when he arrived. The + Court will have no doubt that there were two commandoes there. + Kritzinger said that he had seventy or eighty men with him. And + then again we have Jan Jonkers. If Jan Jonkers found a commando + there, all the evidence goes to show that Jan Jonkers must have + been with Wessels, and not with Kritzinger. Wessels captured these + men, and therefore must have done the shooting. + + "Then there is the question of identifying a horse. Both natives + say it was a black horse, and the other evidence shows it was a + chestnut horse. It may appear strange that our men remember the + horses, but I would certainly trust any Boer, who has to deal with + horses all his life, rather than a native. Then Kritzinger says he + left the commando and went up to the kopje. Wessels had not arrived + yet, and that, sir, is borne out by every one of Kritzinger's + witnesses; and, as he says, and all the witnesses say, it was in + Kritzinger's absence that Wessels arrived and the shooting was + done. Kritzinger says he heard the shots and chaffed Wessels about + an ox he supposed they were shooting. But whatever was done in + Kritzinger's absence was done entirely without Kritzinger's + knowledge, and, sir, by men who belonged to Wessels, because + whoever did the shooting it was done by men belonging to the + commando who took these natives prisoners. Now, sir, it is + unfortunate that the witness who was with Kritzinger on the kopje, + and who could also have heard the shots, is not here. I know it is + not the fault of the Court that he is not here. It is unfortunate, + though, that this man is in St. Helena. But Kritzinger is already + corroborated by his other witnesses, and against them is only a + single native witness. There is, of course, this story of a + conversation between Kritzinger and the boy Jan Louw. Kritzinger is + supposed to have said to the boy: 'Did you see those boys? They are + to be shot. Put down your billies, and go and be shot also,' and + then at once to have changed his mind: 'Never mind, my boy, get the + water.' It is an improbable story. Jan Jonkers does not appear to + have heard the conversation at all. None of Kritzinger's men appear + to know of it, and I submit it was not said by Kritzinger, if said + at all. Then on the prosecution's side one native witness is + contradicted by all the other witnesses. + + "Before I close the case for the defence, I would like to refer to + the character of the prisoner. In this case I am well aware that + character is not a ground of acquittal. I know, sir, that good men + of excellent characters have committed crimes, and I would not for + one moment appeal for an acquittal because Kritzinger has behaved + so well in other instances, and has shown himself a humane man, and + a man of honour. I do not ask for mercy on the ground of + Kritzinger's character, we can only ask for a fair and just + verdict. But character is of importance when there is any doubt in + the case. I ask the Court to bear in mind the character of the + accused. Is a man who bears such a character likely to have + committed the crimes charged against him? The character of + Kritzinger, if we put aside the charges in his case, is an + excellent one. The prosecution has brought out in cross-examination + a certain proclamation. I am glad it has been brought out, for it + goes to show nothing against the character of the accused, but it + tells in his favour, for, what do we find? That a draft + proclamation was drawn up at a meeting of commandants, at which + Kritzinger was chairman. He opposed it by every means in his power, + but he was in the minority, and, as president of the gathering, he + had to sign it. He then asked for some postponement before that + proclamation was circulated, and that was agreed to. He still + fought against this proclamation, for he asked that before De Wet + approved of it nothing should be done in the way of circulation. He + never circulated it himself. If it was circulated, it was done by + the other commandants against the agreement. It was not approved of + by De Wet, and never became a proclamation. This shows that + Kritzinger disapproved of the harsh measures contained in it, that + he tried to get it done away with, and that at last he succeeded in + getting a refusal from the Chief Commandant of the Free State. It + was owing to his efforts that the proclamation did not become a + valid one in this Colony, and he cannot be responsible for anything + that may have been done against the agreement arrived at by those + at the meeting. + + "As regards his treatment of natives, he tells you himself that he + never had natives shot, except those boys who were duly tried, and + whose sentences were duly confirmed, and that will tell in his + favour. + + "As regards his attitude _re_ the destruction of property, we have + the letter to Scheepers, and the Court will bear that in mind in + deciding whether he has been guilty of these acts of inhumanity + charged against him or not. + + "His character has been excellent. Coming back into danger again in + order to secure a remount for one of his men whose horse had been + shot, he was himself wounded, and ultimately captured. His conduct + on that occasion was that of a brave man, as it has been all + through the war. If there is a question of doubt I ask the Court to + bear in mind the character of the prisoner. All the evidence is + riddled with doubt, and you have to weigh this, sir. On the one + hand the native was shot in Kritzinger's absence. There is no proof + that it was done by his order, or with his consent. The evidence of + the natives in the 4th Charge is of the weakest description. + Against that you have his excellent character, and the story + corroborated by his own witnesses and corroborated in some respects + by the witnesses for the prosecution. I ask you, sir, to weigh that + evidence in the balance, and see which side is found wanting. + + "Just a word more, and I have done. I know there are some people + who say it is unfair to try a man by a Court composed of men who + have been fighting against him. Sir, I have no such fear. I know, + sir, I feel sure that there is not an officer in South Africa who + would not gladly acquit the prisoner of the crimes laid to his + charge if he felt he could conscientiously do so. I therefore leave + in your hands the fate of a man whose bravery has been shown on + many occasions, in many a hard fight, whose honesty and humanity + have been, in many instances, conspicuous. More than that, sir, + should he be acquitted, when this war is over, he will, I feel + sure, be able and ready to do much to restore the good feeling + which we all hope will prevail between English and Dutch, I leave + his fate in your hands with the conviction that you will bring in + the only verdict warranted by the evidence, a verdict of 'Not + guilty.'" + +This address gives you, reader, the gist of my trial. If you have had +the patience to read through it you will be able to have a fair +conception of what we had to pass through in the early days of March, +1902. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +WHY WE SURRENDERED. + + Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, + Who never to himself hath said, + This is my own, my native land!... + If such there breathe, go, mark him well. + + _Walter Scott._ + + +We shall now direct our attention to some of the disadvantages and +difficulties which confronted us in our struggle for freedom. This we do +because many who were in sympathy with the Republics have been sorely +disappointed in their surrender, and some suppose that they should have +prolonged the struggle until victory ultimately crowned their efforts. +Those who reason in this way must be ignorant of the conditions of the +Republics at the time of their surrender, neither do they know the +disadvantages with which we had to grapple throughout the war. It is +therefore of importance that the South African War should be regarded in +the light and under the circumstances in which it was begun, conducted +and concluded. When the obstacles the Boer had to encounter are taken +into due consideration, then censure and disappointment vanish and make +room for praise and admiration. + +None know better than those who have been involved in war that its +current does not run evenly. Experience has taught them that war is much +more than a series of exciting adventures or some kind of sport. It +brings before the contending parties problems hard to solve, +difficulties and emergencies of a most perplexing and bewildering +nature. Boer and Briton alike had to face such difficulties and +disadvantages. The disadvantages, however, under which the English had +to labour in South Africa dwindle into insignificance when contrasted +and compared with those of the Boers, especially towards the latter part +of the war. The impartial critic must admit that eventually the vantage +ground was altogether on the side of the British. 'Tis only by sheer +determination and superhuman efforts and sacrifices on the part of the +late Republics that they defied the British Empire for two years and +eight months. None were perhaps more surprised and amazed at the +protracted war than the Imperial Government itself. Time and again an +early termination of hostilities was announced. Such was the case after +Cronje's capture, the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, and +Prinsloo's surrender. When Lord Roberts left South Africa, the war, it +was said, was practically over! + +The British were placed at a great disadvantage at the outbreak of +hostilities. The Boer ultimatum, issued on the 9th of October, 1899, +found the English Government only half prepared either to accept or +reject its demands. None thought that the Boer Republics would ever take +such a bold step, and would be so audacious as to despatch an ultimatum +to one of the mightiest Powers of the world. They should have waited and +waited until that strong Power was quite prepared to crush them at one +stroke. They should have waited, at least, till all the British forces +were massed on their borders, then to cross, and take by force what +peaceful negotiations failed to obtain. Thus reasoned some, the Boers +thought otherwise. To them war seemed inevitable, and they believe that +the man who strikes first strikes best. + +That the war presented many difficulties to our opponents cannot be +denied. They were unexpectedly brought to a crisis, and were but half +prepared to meet it. Their reinforcements were delayed in being +transported thousands of miles. Their own subjects rose in rebellion and +assisted the Boers. They were at first unacquainted with the country in +which they had to fight. + +How the enemy confronted and overcame these difficulties, and how their +disadvantages gradually vanished like smoke, is well known. Troops, +more troops, and still more were despatched to South Africa, until +finally the Republics were literally flooded by the gentlemen in khaki. +By the end of February, 1900, Lord Roberts had at his disposal tens of +thousands, by whom General Cronje was surrounded and captured, and who +paved the Field-Marshal's way for him to Bloemfontein and Pretoria. The +difficulty and disadvantage arising from their not knowing the +geographical features of the country in which they had to operate was +gradually solved and cleared. Cape colonials enlisted in the British +ranks, and these acted as guides and scouts. They knew the features of +the country as well as the Boers, and could thus render very efficient +service to the British. Still later, services of inestimable value were +rendered to the British forces by natives, and, alas! even republicans +themselves, who joined the enemy's ranks. When these enlisted, the +English were provided with the best of guides, scouts and spies. + +The disadvantages of the enemy were, to a large extent, the advantages +of the, Boers. They had a very accurate knowledge of the country where +they were fighting. The value of such a knowledge can hardly be +over-estimated. If they had not known the country as well as they did, +the English forces would certainly have been more successful in +effecting their capture; and they would have often been in a sad plight. +Our knowledge of the field of operations proved our salvation on more +than one occasion, and was at the bottom of some successes achieved over +the enemy. To know every mountain, hill, river, brooklet, valley, or +donga is to be forearmed. The general that knows the battlefield is +infinitely better off than the one that does not. He knows precisely how +and when to lead an attack, or what to do when unexpectedly attacked. +Now the Boer commanders had this intimate knowledge of the country, a +knowledge which served them in good stead, and accounts for the Boers' +marvellous mobility. They were not tied to roads, but could move in any +direction, by night as well as by day, without ever losing their track. +This the enemy could not do, not even with the aid of scientific +instruments. When the natives and some of the burghers attached +themselves to the British forces, then, and then only, were they able to +make forced marches by night, and surprise the Boers when least +expected. + +A second point in favour of us was the fact that we were all mounted, +whereas, at the commencement of the war, the British army consisted +largely of infantry. The Boers are splendid horsemen--none more at home +in the saddle than the farmer. The way he handled his steed, and the +posture he assumed on it, invariably distinguished him, even at great +distances, from the British soldier. The British infantry, however well +they might have fought--and they did often fight bravely--were yet +placed at a great disadvantage in engagements with the mounted Boers, +who could quickly, sometimes too quickly, abandon untenable positions +and occupy others which offered greater advantages. + +Last, but not least, the Boers had the moral advantage of fighting in +defence of their country. They did not fight for honour or glory, nor +because of lust or greed for gold or expansion of territory, but for +their beloved Fatherland, for that freedom which they had enjoyed so +long and loved so well. This was their stimulus, their very inspiration +to endure hardship and sacrifice all. What was the stimulus and +inspiration of the British forces? + +We shall now review some of the disadvantages under which we had to wage +war for almost three years. No sooner had the war been declared than the +Republics were almost completely isolated from the civilised world. The +English were in possession of all the harbours, and if it had not been +for Delagoa Bay, which is a neutral port, the communication of the +Republics with the outer world would instantly have been cut off +entirely. Through this port all contraband of war was strictly +prohibited; and such foreigners as came to our assistance had to +exercise great ingenuity to find their way _via_ Delagoa Bay to the Boer +lines. For several months in succession the Boers had to fight without +the slightest encouragement from abroad. How the nations were regarding +their struggle, whether any of them would dare to interfere on their +behalf, and so indicate the rights of the weak against the strong--such +and similar questions remained unanswered. Neither was the average Boer +much concerned as to what other nations thought about the war. He was +involved in the struggle, not because he courted it or loved to fight, +but because his country was invaded and his independence was at stake. +To secure his liberty he would resist any Power, regardless of all +adverse criticism on the part of other Powers. Yet it proved no less a +serious disadvantage to the Republics to have been so isolated, their +communication with the other Powers so restricted, and themselves +encompassed almost on every side by British dominions. + +Not only was our intercourse with the outer world sadly impeded, but our +internal communication was likewise seriously disturbed. The British, +having divided the two states into several small sections by their +blockhouse system, made it extremely difficult for the different +commandoes to come in touch with one another. Our despatch riders, who +had to beat their way through the various blockhouse lines, were +sometimes so hemmed in by these that escape was impossible, and thus +their despatches fell into the hands of the enemy. Towards the latter +part of the war we were entirely dependent upon despatch riders for the +transmission of our reports or messages. We had no more the inestimable +advantage of heliographic instruments or telegraph wires, which were at +the disposal of the British. Our reinforcements often arrived too late +at the scene of action because the reports were delayed on the way, and +so a battle was lost where a victory might have been secured. + +The number of able-bodied men that the Republics could put in the field +against the British forces was extremely limited. They had to contend +against great numbers, and these numbers were reinforced from time to +time. While the Boer numbers decreased, those of the enemy increased. It +was certainly an heroic action on the part of two small republics to +enter upon a contest with the British Empire, not to say with England, +but was it not more heroic for these untrained farmers to confront and +defy the overwhelming numbers brought against them? Surely this, if +nothing else, should entitle the Boer to a place in the history of +nations. Is this not proof sufficient that, when their Governments with +their consent despatched an ultimatum, it was not arrogance which +prompted them to take up arms against the British, but steadfast +determination to vindicate their sacred rights at any price? + +As to the numbers that were employed during the war, the official +statement of the War Department makes the number of officers and +soldiers that were engaged in active service in South Africa about +500,000. To this must be added the number of armed natives, which would +increase the sum total considerably. The Boer estimates vary, yet we do +not hesitate to state that not more, but rather less, than 50,000 Boers +were ever in the field. Of these a large proportion usually remained in +the laagers, and never fired a shot at the enemy. After Prinsloo's +surrender there were hardly 8,000 men still in the field. According to +these numbers, the odds were ten to one. According to other authorities, +the odds were even greater. One English writer says: "What glory shall a +mighty empire win from a victory over 15,000 farmers? We are forcing +upon our army the cruel humiliation of beating our enemy by sheer force +of fifteen against one; we who used to boast that one Briton was a match +for any three of his foes." The official returns at the close of the war +substantiates the above figures, and show that it has not by any means +been exaggerated. General De Wet, on being asked how long he thought the +war would last if the numbers could be inverted, remarked: "As long as +it would take to cable defeat to England." We do not wonder that some of +the burghers eventually became discouraged and surrendered to the foe, +especially when we think how great the odds were against which they had +to contend month after month. We are rather surprised that so many did +not become disheartened, but unflinchingly maintained the struggle until +their Governments and leaders advised a general surrender. + +Not only had we to confront such overpowering numbers, but these forces +were under the control of England's most distinguished generals, men +who combined practical experience with the advantage of a military +training. These generals for the most part had achieved glory and renown +in many a campaign--in Afghanistan, Egypt, and elsewhere--and thus came +to South Africa, not to get their first lessons in warfare, but as +experienced leaders of a great army. With such men to lead the British +forces on to battle, if not to victory, three months were considered all +too long by many to crush and wipe out of existence two small republics. + +Opposed to these (famous) British officers stood the inexperienced Boer +leaders. What a contrast! The Boer officers, with very few exceptions, +were men without a shadow of military training, some even poorly +developed mentally. They were, with few exceptions, peasants pure and +simple, who left their ploughfields and flocks to take upon themselves +the command over no less inexperienced burghers. These Boer leaders, +elected by the people in times of peace, went to the front without the +least practical knowledge of warfare. True, a few of them, such as +Cronje, De la Rey, and Prinsloo had been leaders in Kaffir wars, and in +such the burghers placed implicit confidence. Needless almost to state +that in most of these so-called Kaffir warriors the Boers were utterly +disappointed. It was one thing to attack natives badly armed, it was +another thing to face an organised army well equipped with death-dealing +instruments. We were thus at a great disadvantage at the commencement of +hostilities as far as leaders were concerned. Gradually our staff of +officers was improved, for the best men came to the front, and some of +the older officers, who were unfit, were replaced by younger and abler +ones. All these changes, however, took a long time, and were not +effected before we had been subjected to two great disasters: one that +of Cronje's capture on the 27th of February, 1900, the other, Prinsloo's +surrender on the 1st of August, 1900, disasters which proved decisive +epochs in the Anglo-Boer war. + +Some of the Boer leaders, though inexperienced and untrained, proved +themselves quite a match for their opponents. They have astonished +military circles by their valorous actions and daring enterprises, and +have merited imperishable honour and glory. Well may we be proud of +leaders such as Louis Botha, Christian De Wet, and Jacobus De la Rey, +men whose names deserve a place in the rolls of history. We were +fortunate in securing the services of such men at a time when they were +most needed. No doubt it was to the advantage and not, as some maintain, +to the disadvantage of the Free State burghers when C.R. De Wet was +elected Hoofd Commandant at Brandfort in March, 1900. He, too, was but a +farmer; culture he lacked, military training he had none, but the spark +of martial genius had fallen and kindled in his breast. In figure, +manner, and dress he was hardly distinguishable from hundreds of his +countrymen, who were not sharers of his military abilities. Does not his +broad forehead indicate thoughtfulness? While his keen and penetrating +eyes and firmly set lips are marks of determination and singleness of +purpose. And his broad chin, does it not reveal the man of tenacity and +endurance? As an individual he was sympathetic, generous, and +magnanimous; he was endowed with discretion and tact, simplicity and +honesty. As a soldier, vigilant, persevering, never indiscreet in anger +or disappointment, but always courageous and resourceful. Recognizing +the advantages of a surprise, he never lost an opportunity of harassing +the enemy. Through his rare topographical knowledge of his country he +baffled the foe by his movements time and again. Followed up by +overwhelming numbers, he was compelled more often to evade fighting than +offer battle. Never unduly elated, he was bravest and supreme when all +others lost heart. He had to contend against treachery, desertion and +want, but rose above all these obstacles, and proved himself the most +powerful obstructor that the British columns had to encounter in South +Africa. Such a man was a boon to his country, and to him the burghers +confidently entrusted themselves and their interests. He has proved +himself worthy of that trust. But all were not De Wets. There were, +alas! Prinsloos, Vilonels, etc., too. + +So much for the Boer officers. As regards our rank and file, they were +as inexperienced in military matters as most of their leaders. The Boer +is no soldier in the technical sense of the term. He was never subjected +to military discipline, and unaccustomed to any restrictions. It took +him months to realise the absolute necessity for and inestimable value +of good discipline. The burghers looked upon themselves as volunteers, +and such they really were. Now, when the enemy had to be attacked in +their forts or strongholds, the Boer officers had to call out +volunteers, as it was hazardous to lay too much pressure on the burghers +to charge any position without their consent. To exercise too great +power or authority over burghers was, at all times, especially at the +beginning of the war, a risky thing. The officers knew well that the +Boer is more easily led than driven. + +Corps such as the Johannesburg and Swaziland Police and the Staats +Artillery of the Transvaal and Orange Free State, which had the benefit +of military training and discipline, proved their superiority over the +rest of the burgher forces, and greatly distinguished themselves in the +South African campaign. If all the burghers had had the same training as +these corps, greater successes might have crowned their efforts during +the early part of the war. The soldier, on the contrary, is no +volunteer. His wishes are never consulted; when instructed to march on, +he has to obey, though it may mean certain death to him, as was so often +the case. + +Another point of great disadvantage to the Boers is the lamentable fact +that thousands of the surrendered and captured burghers enlisted in the +British ranks as "National Scouts." This, viewed from the Boer +standpoint, is the darkest spot in the South African campaign. Gladly +would we dismiss this matter without any further comment, for it merits +silent contempt, but we cannot help noting at what a terrible +disadvantage we were placed by the action of these "National Scouts." As +they made common cause with the enemy they furnished the latter from +time to time with full particulars of our tactics, and divulged all our +military secrets to the British. Moreover, they served the British +forces as guides and led them forth at dead of night to surprise their +countrymen in their secret, and otherwise unknown, retreats, where they +were often captured or shot down by the enemy. Before these enlisted, +night assaults by the English were out of the question. It was perfectly +safe to bivouac some six miles from the enemy. For when the British did +make a move during the night, they usually lost their way, as was the +case when Gatacre undertook a night march on the Stormberg positions. +With Boers as guides it was possible for the English forces to assume +tactics hitherto untried by them. + +Ah! brother, national scout, who may be reading this, do you not regret +and lament the unhappy part of traitor? Are your hands not stained with +the blood of your countrymen? And your conscience, is that not tarnished +with the blood of men, women and children, who fell in Freedom's holy +war? We do not despise but we pity you, and wish it were otherwise. + +Not only did these "National Scouts" lead the British to the Boers, but +they were the principal instruments in the hands of the enemy to clear +the Republics of all foodstuffs and ammunition. They knew precisely +where their fellow-burghers had stored away their meal, corn, fodder, +and ammunition, knew where the oxen and sheep were grazing, and +forthwith to these they conducted the enemy's forces, and thus was +brought to pass that state of affairs which necessitated the Boers to +lay down their arms. Without the assistance of the deserted burghers it +would have taken the enemy ever so much longer to have exhausted the +Republics entirely of all their resources. To a large extent these very +republicans who sided with their country's enemies became the despoilers +of the once so fair Republics. Ah me, that this should be recorded! + +Besides, by assisting the enemy they not only encouraged them, but +greatly discouraged their brethren in the field. The burgher who really +meant well naturally became disheartened that those who fought with him +for one and the same object could turn against him and play such a low +and treacherous part. How men, who have stooped to deeds so mean and +foul, shall defend their loathsome actions at the bar of Conscience and +Justice, I know not. + +In addition to the "National Scouts"--as though these were not more than +sufficient--we had to contend against thousands of blacks, aboriginal +natives armed by the British and taken up in their ranks. We naturally +felt indignant at the adoption of coloured races in the British army; +for we regarded it as an unwritten agreement between the respective +Governments that no blacks were to be involved in the war. It was to be +white _versus_ white, Boer _versus_ Briton. Hence, when the natives +became embroiled in the struggle we refused to acknowledge and treat +them as combatants. No quarter was given to armed natives that were not +British subjects, and even these forfeited their lives on more than one +occasion. This action, regarded superficially, may seem cruel and +unjust, but remembering that war had not been declared against the +natives, and also that, if we did treat them as English soldiers, we +would simply have courted the opposition of all the natives, it does not +seem quite so cruel and unjust. We had to resort to severe measures so +as to let the natives fully realise that they were not acknowledged +combatants, and thus could not claim the privileges of combatants. +Surely the odds were already great enough--why then adopt blacks? We +hold that the Military Government was not justified in the use of armed +natives, and surely their adoption did not tend to the glory and honour +of the British arms in South Africa. + +Again, one must remember that for fully eighteen months we were entirely +dependent upon the enemy for all military supplies. Our limited +resources were soon exhausted, and, as the English controlled all the +ports, the importation of arms, ammunition, horses, saddles, foodstuffs, +and other necessaries, was out of the question. + +The general opinion as to the duration of the war was that it would or +could only last till the limited supply of Boer ammunition was spent. +This limited supply, however, like the widow's oil, was not exhausted +even after two years and eight months, and certainly never would as long +as British factories provided rifles, ammunition, and other military +equipments. + +For eighteen months we were provided, directly or indirectly, by the +British Government with the necessaries of war. Britain was supporting +two armies in the field, armies which were not animated by a very +friendly spirit toward each other. Our support, however, demanded at +times the sacrifice of precious lives. When a commando ran short of +ammunition a determined onslaught to secure more was planned, and often +successfully carried out. The ammunition was obtained, but, alas! it +cost them the blood of some of their bravest men. Such dependence was a +great drawback to us. The Home Government also indirectly provided the +fighting Boers with clothes. At first the burgher had his own private +supply of clothing; but when the policy of destruction was resorted to +his clothes were consumed by the flames, and he had to apply to the +British Government for others. And this is how he did it. When he made a +prisoner he would exchange clothes with him, provided better ones were +thus secured, which was not always the case. With a certain amount of +etiquette and dignity, this bargain was closed. Tommy, without any +demonstration or remonstrance, would take off his jacket, pants and +boots, and hand these to his brother Boer, with some such remark: "I +don't grudge you it, sir--I know you fellows need them clothes badly; +we have burnt yours, we shall get others again." "Out boots, out +trousers, out jacket," were the abrupt commands of some of the Boers who +had but little English. + +To put an end to this process of exchanging outfits, Lord Kitchener +issued a proclamation which forbade, under penalty of death, any +fighting Boer to dress in khaki. This proclamation was not heeded, for +the simple reason that men who had the interests of their country at +heart were not likely to surrender because their clothes were wearing +out. This threat but added one more to the many risks of death they ran. +And so a few of these unfortunate burghers, captured in khaki dress +because they had no other, were shot in accordance with the +proclamation. This did not, however, intimidate the rest, for at the +close of the war several hundreds were dressed in the dirty khaki hue. + +In conclusion we note one point more, which counted seriously against +the late Republics. It was this: the field of operations became more and +more circumscribed and narrowed down by the extension of the +blockhouses. The two Republics were divided, so to speak, into a great +many little states by the blockhouse lines. The Free State alone was +divided into at least eight or nine sections. Now these divisions, +fenced round on every side, were cleared, one after the other, of all +cattle, sheep, and other foodstuff. The British concentrated their +forces in each section and operated there until it resembled a +wilderness. And so they went from one division to another, until finally +almost the whole country--both Transvaal and Free State--was denuded and +in a semi-famine state. Owing to this confined and limited area in which +we had to move, it was absolutely impossible for us to safeguard our war +supplies. + +Another result of this restricted area was the release of all +prisoners-of-war taken by us. Thousands were captured, disarmed, and +released to take up arms the next day. The same soldier has been +captured two, three, and four times over. In this way it was impossible +to reduce the forces of the enemy to any appreciable extent. The Boers +certainly would have taken greater pains and dared more to capture the +enemy's forces if they too had had a place of confinement; but no Ceylon +or Bermudas were at their disposal. If they had had any such place, the +Imperial Yeomanry and others would not have surrendered perhaps quite so +readily. It certainly was a great misfortune to the late Republics that +they could not retain their prisoners-of-war, while every Boer prisoner +was either deported or guarded so securely, that, when once captured, he +was entirely lost for the Boer cause. Under such unfavourable +circumstances we had to fight our battle. It was against the stream all +along. If ever there was an unequal contest, surely ours was one. + +To show that we have by no means exaggerated the conditions in which we +fought, we shall record here the resolution passed on the 31st of May, +1902, by the Volks Congress held at Vereeniging on the Vaal River, which +reads as follows:-- + + "This meeting of Representatives of the people of the South African + Republic and Orange Free State, held at Vereeniging, has learnt + with regret of the proposal made by his Majesty's Government in + regard to the cessation of existing hostilities, and of the + intimation that this proposal must be accepted or rejected in an + unaltered form. + + "The meeting regrets that his Majesty's Government has absolutely + refused to negotiate with the Governments of the Republics upon the + basis of our Independence, or to permit our Governments to enter + into communication with our Deputation. + + "Our Peoples have, indeed, always thought that not only on the + ground of Right, but also on the ground of the great material and + personal sacrifices that they have made for their Independence, + they have a just claim to such Independence. + + "This meeting has earnestly taken into consideration the condition + of land and people, and has more especially taken into account the + following facts:-- + + "(1.) That the military tactics pursued by the British military + authorities has led to the entire ruin of the territory of both + Republics, with burning of farms and towns, destruction of all + means of subsistence, and exhaustion of all sources necessary for + the support of our families, for the maintenance of our forces in + the field, and for the continuation of the war. + + "(2.) That the placing of our captured families in the + concentration camps has led to an unprecedented condition of + suffering and disease, so that within a comparatively short time + about 20,000 of those dear to us have perished there, and the + horrible prospect has arisen that by continuing the war our entire + race might be exterminated. + + "(3.) That the Kaffir tribes within and without the borders of the + territories of both Republics are almost all armed and take part in + the struggle against us, and by perpetrating murders and committing + all kinds of horrors, an impossible state of affairs has been + brought about in many districts of both Republics, an instance of + which took place lately in the district of Vryheid, where fifty-six + burghers were murdered and mutilated in a shocking manner at the + same time. + + "(4.) That by Proclamation of the enemy, which he has already + carried into effect, the burghers still in the field are threatened + with loss of all their movable and immovable property, and so with + total ruin. + + "(5.) That through the circumstances of the war it has already long + ago become impossible for us to retain the many thousands of + prisoners-of-war taken by our forces, and that we thus could do but + comparatively little damage to the British troops, whilst our + burghers captured by the British are sent abroad; and that after + the war has raged for nearly three years there remains only a small + portion of the forces with which we entered into the war. + + "(6.) That this remnant still in the field, which forms but a small + minority of our entire people, has to contend against overwhelming + odds, and, moreover, has reached a condition virtually amounting to + famine and want of the necessary means of subsistence, and that + notwithstanding our utmost endeavours and the sacrifice of all that + we value and hold dear, we cannot reasonably expect a successful + issue. + + "This meeting is therefore of opinion that there is no reasonable + ground for thinking that by continuance of the war our People will + retain the possession of their Independence, and considers that + under the circumstances the People are not justified in carrying on + the war any longer, as that must tend to bring about the social and + material destruction not only of ourselves, but also of our + descendants. + + "Urged by the above circumstances and motives, this meeting + authorises both Governments to accept the proposal of his Majesty's + Government, and on behalf of the People of both Republics to sign + the same." + +Such was the condition of the two Republics at the termination of the +war. Well may one pause and ask: Has ever small nation, in similar +circumstances, placed greater sacrifices, personal and material, on +Liberty's shrine than the Republics? Have they not a lawful claim to +that independence for which they fought so gallantly and so desperately, +and for which they offered, ah! so much--their homes, their beloved +families, their possessions and their lives? + +Shall any still that stood afar off and watched the struggle, maybe +sympathetically, or with cold indifference--shall they blame us for +having surrendered? Verily not; for it cannot rationally be expected +that a handful of farmers could offer resistance indefinitely, without +any assistance, to a rich and mighty empire. The leaking vessel may ride +to and fro for a while on the stormy billows, but eventually she is +bound to sink; the shipwrecked mariner may struggle and swim, but, +exhausted and powerless, he too goes down to find his last rest in the +bosom of the deep. This was the case of the Republics. On the stormy +billows of the ocean of war they were tossed hither and thither for +nearly three years. Time and again they cried and signalled for relief, +but no life-boats were sent to their rescue. None heeded their cry, or +had compassion on them. The nations stood and looked on, sympathised and +pitied, but did not help. And so, after all their strength was spent in +trying to save the vessel of their independence, the gallant crew, with +ship and all, sank beneath the waves of conquest. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE BOER AS SEEN IN THE LIGHT OF THE WAR. + + People tell + Of an old savage. + + _Omar Khayyam_. + + 'E 'asn't got no papers of his own, + 'E 'asn't got no medals nor rewards, + So we must certify the skill 'e's shown. + + _Rudyard Kipling._ + + +It is with reluctance we approach a subject on which in past years so +much has been written, often falsely. Besides, it is certainly a most +delicate matter to expatiate on the character of any individual or +nation. + +We are aware that some of our readers will read the remarks on this +subject--Boer character--with considerable suspicion and distrust. They +may argue that the writers, being of Dutch extraction themselves, are +not likely to give an accurate and dispassionate estimate of the +character of their own people. They may even fear that our national +sentiments might influence and predominate over our judgment, and switch +us off the track of strict impartiality. If there be such, we can only +assure them that we have no intention whatsoever of eulogising and +extolling the race with which we are connected by blood. + +[Illustration: EX-PRESIDENT STEYN. + +_Photo by Duffus Bros., Capetown._] + +In the past the Boers, _i.e._, the Dutch element in the late Republics, +have frequently been described, and as often maligned, by men who were +perfect strangers to them; men who had not taken the least trouble to +study their habits and character so as to arrive at a better +understanding of the people they were trying to describe. Hence the +various contradictory statements and representations of one and the +same people. Alas! that they should ever have been the victims of so +much cheap slander, that some men should have vied with one another in +heaping insult and infamy on their heads, while others conjured up for +themselves a fantastic and outrageous monster, and called that a Boer. +We cannot expect that minds so inflamed and exasperated would do justice +to the Boers. We feel convinced that their character can only be +portrayed correctly and justly by men not animated by hostile sentiments +towards them, but who, having been in touch with them have generously +entered into their feelings and aspirations, and have looked at things +from the Boer standpoint, as well as from their own; men who have had +patience to bear with their infirmities; in a word, by men from their +very midst--such and such only could do justice to their character. + +Born and bred among the Dutch, associated with them all our lives, Dutch +ourselves every inch--a fact in which we glory--our relations to the +Boers, specially during the war, have afforded us excellent +opportunities of making an ethnological study of them. During the war +the Dutch population, more especially that portion of it which was +directly connected with the struggle, passed through various phases and +changes of life. Subjected to the most harassing circumstances, one saw +them at their worst, but also at their best. Their virtues, as well as +their vices, were fanned by the breath of war. Many a hidden virtue +sparkled forth, as the dewdrop glistens in the beams of the rising sun. +Many a slumbering vice and latent evil inclination found the regions of +discord and strife a fruitful soil for development. + +Now that hostilities have ceased, and the liberties of speech and the +Press are extended once more, not only to such as were or are possessed +of the bitterest of feelings towards the Dutch, but to all British +subjects, we feel constrained to dissipate, if possible, some of the +clouds of slander which encompassed the Boers before and during the war. +Never in the history of nations has an honourable foe been more abused +than the Boers. They have been misrepresented altogether to the world at +large, and to the public in England in particular. + +The war-Press, the platform, and even the pulpit, were all arrayed in +martial order against them, and belched forth streams of abuse on two +small states. A warm glow comes over our faces, and the blood begins to +surge swiftly through our veins, as we recall some of the stinging +expressions by which the Boers were stigmatised, and through which the +mind of the English public was more and more inflamed, and all traces of +sympathy with the Boers removed. We do not wish to enumerate these +descriptive terms and phrases, for that would be raking up old scores. +We would rather forget than remember unpleasant words and deeds. + +We must, however, direct our attention briefly to the platform and +pulpit, not to mention the Press, which were so successful in exercising +an influence calculated to intensify race-hatred and obstruct the way to +any peaceful settlement of political disputes. + +When the Uitlanders in Johannesburg became dissatisfied with the +existing state of affairs, and began to ask for greater privileges, they +betook themselves to the platform. Now the Boers had no objection to +their forming political organizations, or holding public meetings in +which they could agitate for redress of grievances. But what they did +object to, and very strongly, was the blatant manner in which these +Uitlanders referred to their governments and themselves. Instead of +exercising the art of "gentle persuasion" by laying their grievances +before the Transvaal Government in the form of a polite request, and so +achieving their desired object, these Uitlanders resorted to the policy +of _fortiter in re_, the policy of intimidation, by threatening the +Boers with the right arm of the British Empire unless they granted their +requests instantly. When they adopted this method of procedure, they +naturally did not get what they wanted. So they agitated and cried for +redress of grievances until the unhappy war was brought about. Not only +in South Africa, but also in England thousands were misled by these +platform agitators, who were bent on placing the Dutch in a false light +before the civilized world. + +And the pulpit, as represented by some ministers not only of the Church +of England, but also of the Nonconformist Churches, ministers of the +gospel of peace on earth and good-will towards man--what an attitude did +it assume! Surely if these clergymen had been as eager to promote peace +as they were zealous to set in motion the waters of strife, they might, +have accomplished a work meriting eternal reward. Alas! that some who +are, or call themselves, followers of the Prince of Peace should have +favoured a war of destruction, and been led to say very hard things and +utter unfounded charges against the Dutch. + +To cite only one of many instances, the Rev. Dr. Hertz, writing from +Lourenço Marques, worded his letter thus:-- + + "We are safe, having left all we possess in the world behind us, + and in all probability shall never see a single thing of it again. + When I found the game the President and his crew were playing I + thought it best to clear out ... The Boers have threatened to kill, + burn, and destroy everything and everybody, _women_ and _children_, + and some of them at least are bad enough to do it. I had the verbal + assurance of the President that I could stay safe and undisturbed, + but he would not put anything in writing. Then they appointed a + committee to give permits, and they would not give me one. And so + it became more and more manifest that they meant to decoy me into + staying, and then hold me at mercy. And what this mercy is may be + seen from the last news from Johannesburg; any one without a + written permit has been condemned to 25 lashes and three months' + hard labour." + +Such statements flowing from the pen of a Reverend Doctor were believed +by thousands. Now what is the truth in regard to them? During the +Bishop's absence his residence was specially guarded by order of the +Government. The punishment meted out to some who remained in +Johannesburg without permits exceeded in no case a higher fine than £3 +_without_ lashes. As to the Boers' intention of decoying the Doctor to +stay, and then hold him at mercy, we need only remark that he must have +thought more about his own importance than the Boers ever did. His +assertion that the Boers threatened to kill everybody, including women +and children, and that some of them are bad enough to do it, needs no +refutation, for it merits silent contempt. + +A feeling of sadness, if not pity, lays hold of one to think that +ministers of the Gospel could actually draw up large petitions, urging +the British Government to prosecute the war vigorously until the +complete subjugation of the Boers was accomplished, which meant either +their entire extermination or the sacrifice of their sacred rights. + +There were, however, several notable exceptions, men who were not afraid +to speak the truth about their enemies or their country's enemies, +regardless of what others might think or say of themselves, regardless +whether they would be called Boer-sympathisers or pro-Boers. Such men we +shall ever revere and hold in estimation because they dared to speak the +truth, cost what it would. + +Thus far we have depicted the Boer character negatively in denying the +unjust and unfounded charges brought against them by callous and +misinformed minds. We do not hesitate to state that they are _not_ a +race of inferior beings, savage and uncivilized. They are not as good as +some have presented them, they are not as bad as others have pictured +them. Who, then, are these men and women who so stubbornly resisted +British power and supremacy for such a long period under such great +disadvantages? What are their main characteristics? + +The Boers are the descendants of those pioneers who, for various +reasons, left the Cape Colony between the years 1834-39. These emigrants +or pioneers inspanned their large ox-waggons, bade farewell to their +homes and farms in the Cape Colony and trekked across the Orange River. +They traversed the wide plains of the late Orange Free State and +proceeded to the Drakensberg Mountains. These mountains they crossed and +settled down in Natal. How they were attacked and massacred by the +Zulus, and how they, in their turn, defeated the Zulus and broke their +power, how Natal became a British colony, all this is ancient history. +The pioneers, objecting to English rule, quitted Natal. Some of them +forded the Vaal River and they founded the Transvaal or South African +Republic. Others settled west of the Drakensberg Range and founded the +Orange Free State Republic. + +These states were then infested by wild beasts and uncivilized native +tribes. Against these the sturdy pioneers had to contend, and only after +years of suffering, hardship, and bloodshed did they succeed, by their +indomitable spirit, in vanquishing all foes, and so made habitable and +opened up for commerce and civilization the Republics, which the late +war has laid in ruins and ashes, indeed, converted into a howling +wilderness, a land of desolation. + +And these pioneers, whence came they, and what is their origin? They are +descended from that race which so valiantly resisted and defied Spanish +tyranny and power for eighty years, and so achieved that freedom of +life, freedom of thought and freedom of belief, from which all Europe +and England herself has derived priceless blessings. They are sprung +from that stock whose courage was not shaken by the flames of funeral +pyres, nor by all the tortures the human mind could devise; men who at +the block betrayed no signs of fear, but faced death, as brave men +ofttimes do, with a beatific smile, to the utter amazement of such as +had to enact the cruel tragedy. These pioneers have in their veins the +best blood of European nations, and their traditions are such as any +nation might be proud of. + +With such a history behind them, and descended from such ancestors, it +is not strange that the most prominent feature in the Boer character is +an intense and unconquerable love of freedom. His isolation, his large +farm with outstretched plains or rugged mountains, and his manner of +living, all tend to nourish that love of freedom in his bosom. Above all +things he wants to be free and independent. His history is one long +record of trekking away from British domination, not because he wishes +to be exempted from all control and thus indulge in a lawless life, as +some writers have erroneously maintained, but because he desires a +government of his own. The chief desideratum with the Boer, in regard to +government, is that it shall be his own, and not that of some other +power, be it never so excellent a form of government. + +When the Republics were annexed the English thought and hoped that the +Boers would very soon take to the new Government, would be more than +satisfied with the new arrangements, and so forget the privileges which +they had enjoyed under the auspices of their own government. Those who +thought and hoped thus were sadly disappointed. That powerful sentiment +and that strong passion for freedom, seated deep down in the heart of +the Boer, sustained them in bidding defiance to fearful odds for almost +three years. That inborn passion enabled the Boer nation to sacrifice +their all, and to endure for freedom's sake indescribable hardships and +sufferings. + +A Boer may not exactly know all that independence includes; he may not +be able to enumerate the benefits accruing from it, but instinctively he +covets it as a jewel of great price. + +That this love of liberty and of country amounted to something more than +mere sentiment has been proved conclusively by the war, when the whole +male population rose in arms against the invading foe. Touching, indeed, +it was to behold boys of twelve and grey-headed men of seventy and +eighty years shouldering their rifles and all fighting for one great +ideal. When their homes were burned, families removed, and goods taken +or destroyed, they exclaimed: "Let the British do whatever they please, +let them strip us of everything we hold dear, so long as we are only a +_free_ people. We do not mind being poor; we are prepared, when the war +is over, to live in tents as our forefathers did; but we do not want to +swear allegiance to the despoilers of our country. British subjects! +_No, never_." + +And the Boer women, who are the very embodiment of liberty itself, were +they less enthusiastic and determined to be free than their husbands and +sons? Verily not. Words fail us when we want to express our admiration +for these heroines who played so prominent a part in the South African +Campaign, and upon whom the brunt of the war fell. Alas! that this +should have been the case. + +In years gone by the wives and daughters of the early pioneers stood by +the side of their husbands and fathers, casting bullets and loading +their flint-lock guns, as the latter bravely repelled the fierce +onslaught of Zulus, Matabeles, and other savage hordes. Many of them +were ruthlessly murdered by these savage tribes. No Africander will ever +forget names such as Weenen (Place of Weeping), Blood Rivier (Blood +River), Vechtkop and Blauwkrants--places where Boer women had +contributed their share of blood, that their children might be free. +Those days were sad and dark; but there were sadder and darker times in +store for the descendants of these pioneer women. + +During the war the Republican women proved themselves no less formidable +and brave than in those early days. When their husbands and sons were +called to the front they took upon themselves the entire management of +the farms. So well did they acquit themselves of such an onerous task +that, as long as they were left unmolested, there was no lack of +provisions for man or beast, always enough, and to spare. True, it cost +them much labour and fatigue, for some of them had to tend the flocks, +while others had to plough the fields and reap the crops in the +scorching rays of a December or January sun. They did it willingly and +gladly, so that the men might be free to engage in the struggle. + +The enemy, on observing the attitude of the women, determined to strike +a blow at them. They, so reasoned the enemy, had to be removed and +gathered into concentration camps, if there ever was to come an end to +the war. Not so much the men as the women were blamed for the +prolongation of the war. The women first had to be subdued; the flames +of freedom burning in their bosoms had to be extinguished. Hence the sad +story of a war in which the weak and defenceless were made to suffer and +endure so much. + +When they were roughly handled and transported in ox-waggons, exposed +for days to wind, sun, and rain, and were piled up in disease-stricken +camps, did they flinch? When they and their children were dying in +scores in these camps, did they beseech the burghers to relinquish the +struggle, or petition the Boer Governments to yield? Verily not. On the +contrary, in spite of their intense sufferings and of the appalling rate +of mortality among them, they continually encouraged the burghers by +sending out messages to them to this effect: "Fight on, don't yield; we +would rather all die in the camp than see you surrender" "Go and fight," +said one to her husband; "I would rather see you dead, and all my +children dead, than that you burghers should cease the struggle." +Another woman was so disappointed and disgusted at the surrender of her +husband, that when he arrived at the concentration camp where she was +confined she would have none of him, and quitted the camp the same +night, making her escape to the Boer lines. Such women are the mothers +of the next generation. Was it quite prudent on the part of the British +to tempt them to rear their children in bitter hatred of the English +race? + +This liberty-loving feature in the Boer character has been beautifully +described in the _Leek Times_:-- + + "The old man, the youth and the stripling, are offering their + hearts' blood as a sacrifice; nor do they think the sacrifice too + great, strengthened and urged on by all they believe to be the + highest and holiest in religion and principle. The Boer will fight + on, giving his last drop of blood and his last breath for his + freedom. And the women-folk of his land are bearing their share of + this task; they do not shrink; they are helping their fathers, + brothers, and sons in this fight. They think no distance too great + to travel, no burden too heavy to carry. The wife, with her little + children round her knees, bids her husband a tearful but brave + God-speed. The mother, as she gazes with a full heart on the boy + who is as the apple of her eye, bids him go forth and fight in + Freedom's Holy War. The lass bids her lover take his stand for all + that she thinks worth having, esteeming him something less than a + coward if he fails to the fight. Woe betide the oppressors when the + women of a nation take up the quarrel." + +Ah! thou mighty Christian England, who hast always prided thyself on +being the most liberty-loving of all the Powers that be, how couldst +thou have crushed the liberty of two small states? How couldst thou have +torn so mercilessly the noble passions and aspirations of being free and +independent from the Boer hearts? Hast thou verily extinguished by +force the highest and holiest ambitions of a free-born people? Can the +mountain torrent rushing down the valley be stemmed in its onward +course? If patriotism is the ideal of a race that nourishes the most +indestructible of all passions, then ye have indeed contended against an +indestructible element of the Boer nature. + +Next to and quite as prominent as this all-absorbing passion for freedom +is the _religious trait_ in the Boer character. As a people they are +distinguished from all other nations by their religiosity. Remembering +that they are the offshoot of men and women who perished in France, +Holland, England and elsewhere for their faith, one does not wonder that +they are religious. The religion of the Boer forms part and parcel of +his very existence. His mind is imbued with the words and thoughts of +Holy Writ. On a Sunday you will find him with his family, as a rule, +attending service in his little chapel. If he cannot go to church, he +will gather his family, increased sometimes by the presence of +neighbours, round the family altar, and there he will read his Bible, +sing his Psalms, bend his knees and lift up his heart in prayerful +adoration to the God of his fathers. + +Attachés, correspondents, and foreigners who fought on the side of the +Boers were struck much by the simple piety, the religious ideas and +sentiments of the Boers. Early in the morning and late at night their +camps would resound with hymns. In this enlightened twentieth century, +however, it has become the fashion to scoff and sneer at everything +which savours of religion, so much so that it seems incredible to most +that the Boers, as a people, can still be devout and God-fearing. +Civilization with its concomitant vices has assumed the garb of +Christianity, having its form and semblance, but missing its spirit and +power. Such as are animated by the spirit of Christian religion and are +endowed with its power are derisively called hypocrites. We shall +willingly admit that there are many hypocrites among the Boers. But are +they not found among all nations? To say that all religious Boers are +hypocrites is utterly false. + +When the English entered upon the contest with the Republics they +evidently did not reckon with this religious factor of the Boer +character. They did not know that the Boer would be supported as much by +his religious sentiments as by his love of freedom to fight to the +bitter end. Had they not been animated by such a fervent belief and +childlike trust in Providence, they would have abandoned ere long a +struggle which, regarded from a human standpoint, must have seemed +hopeless to them. But they believed that their cause was a holy and just +one, and that the God of Battles, the God of their forefathers, would +ultimately crown their efforts and sacrifices by sending them a glorious +deliverance. When the enemy desecrated their churches, ill-treated their +pastors, and stabbed their flocks, cattle and horses, they were not +disheartened, but said to themselves: "God in Heaven does behold, and He +shall vindicate the cause of the just as well as that of defenceless +creatures." Such deeds the religious Boer regarded with awe and +aversion, and made him more determined than aught else not to surrender +to those who perpetrated them. + +The national anthems of the late Republics admirably express these two +features of the Boer character. The following is a free translation of +the Transvaal Volkslied, which may serve to illustrate the sentiments +which have dominated the Boers ever since their national existence: + + +TRANSVAAL VOLKSLIED. + + Right nobly gave Voortrekkers brave their blood, their lives, their all; + For Freedom's right, in Death's despite, they fought at duty's call. + Ho! Burghers, high our banner waves, the standard of the free, + No foreign yoke our land enslaves, here reigneth liberty. + 'Tis heaven's command, here we should stand, + And aye defend the Volk and land. + + What realm so fair, so richly fraught with treasures ever new; + Where Nature hath her wonder wrought, and freely spread to view! + Ho! Burghers old, be up and sing, God save the Volk and land, + Then, Burghers young, your anthem ring, o'er veldt, o'er hill, o'er strand. + And, Burghers all, stand ye or fall + For hearths and homes at country's call. + + With wisdom, Lord, our rulers guide, and these Thy people bless, + May we with nations all abide in peace and righteousness. + To Thee, whose mighty arm did shield Thy Volk in bygone days-- + To Thee alone we humbly yield all glory, honour, praise. + God guard our land, our own dear land, + Our children's home, their Fatherland. + +A third distinctive mark in the Boer character, regarded from a military +point of view, is his fearlessness, so strikingly displayed in several +battles. That the Boers proved themselves brave during the war goes +without saying. + +Those who prophesied a speedy termination of the war in favour of the +British thought that lyddite-shells and dum-dum bullets, when applied to +the Boer, would at once scatter them far and wide, and so intimidate +them that they would kneel and sue for mercy and peace. To their great +disappointment they found the Boers stubbornly and gallantly resisting +the most determined onslaught of the British forces, repelling them as +often with disastrous results. + +We admired, in friend or foe, no other quality more than +bravery--bravery as distinguished from recklessness. We had respect for +brave foes, and when the fortunes of war entrusted such as +prisoners-of-war to our care, we always treated them with the courtesy +gallant men deserve. + +We often admired the valour displayed by our opponents. On certain +occasions the British forces performed the most daring and heroic feats +of which mortal men are capable. We saw officers and soldiers rushing +and marching, as it were, into the very jaws of death. Though exposed to +a storm of bullets, which consumed them like a withering fire, they +would press on, often dropping down as wheat before the scythe. Such +determination and bravery called forth the admiration of our men. There +is, however, a difference between valour as displayed by the British and +valour as displayed by the Boers. Without wishing to rob the British +officer and soldier of their martial honours, which they may well +deserve, having earned them at so great a cost, yet, in comparing Boer +and Briton, we must bear in mind that the Boer had had no military +training whatsoever, and was never subjected to military discipline. He +hardly knew the importance and necessity of obeying orders promptly and +implicitly. When he attacked or charged the enemy's stronghold or +positions he did so, as a rule, of his own accord, not under any +compulsion, but spontaneously and voluntarily. The British soldier, on +the other hand, had all the advantages and sometimes disadvantages of +military discipline. He had been taught to obey orders, whether it meant +death to him or not. Besides, the soldier was backed up by thousands and +tens of thousands of comrades on every side, while batteries of naval +guns and Armstrongs were at his rear, under cover of which he could +charge or retreat. No beating of drums, or symphonies of martial music, +or great numbers inspired and urged the Boer on to the performance of +heroic deeds. With rifle in hand and limited supply of cartridges he +often had to face overwhelming odds. And when these odds threatened to +outflank him, he was called by some a coward for retreating and not +allowing himself to be captured. Instinctively he knew it was better to +retreat-- + + "For he who fights and runs away + May live to fight another day." + + +Some maintain that the Boers are only brave when lying behind huge +boulders, or entrenched in strong fortifications, from whence, +concealed, they can pour a deadly fusillade on the approaching enemy. +There may be an element of truth in this charge, but as a generalization +it is utterly false. To stamp the Boers as cowards in general is to rob +the British Army of much of its honour and so discredit their work in +South Africa. The best answer to and the most persuasive argument +against this assertion is to be found in the construction of the +multitudinous forts, trenches, sangars, blockhouses, etc., by the +British in South Africa. What is their significance? The most +inobservant traveller in South Africa must be struck by the network of +fortifications erected almost throughout the length and breadth of the +country. Could the English have given the Boers a better testimonial of +gallant behaviour than these? Surely blockhouses and bulwarks are not +required for cowards, for they would never approach them. + +It is hardly necessary to say that all Boers were not brave; there were +many timorous ones among them. No army in the world is composed entirely +of brave and fearless characters. We often sustained losses and +sometimes disasters because the burghers retreated when they should have +stood or charged. The victory would have often been theirs had they +resisted a little longer. But apart from this, have they not proved to +the enemy in particular and to the world in general that they are the +children of chivalrous nations, of men who knew no fear? Have not the +British forces sustained some of their greatest losses when these +untrained peasants led the charge? We need only refer to a few of the +many battles fought during the war to show what these simple untrained +farmers did accomplish--battles which certainly merited for them the +attribute of being brave. + +(1) On the 30th of November, 1899, General De Wet, who was then only +Assistant Commandant, led 200 men up Nicholson's Nek, a hill which was +then in the possession of the enemy. After an engagement which lasted +five hours, the British hoisted the white flag. General De Wet +personally counted 817 prisoners-of-war, while 203 were lying on the +battlefield either dead or wounded. Here the English were in possession +of the hill, _i.e._, of the best positions, and vastly outnumbered the +Boers. + +(2) In the great battle of Spion Kop, which lasted eight days, the Boers +were placed under the most terrific bombardment, and were constantly +attacked by large numbers of the enemy--yet they warded off these +attacks gallantly. On the night of the 23rd of January the English under +cover of darkness scaled the mountain--Spion Kop--and were thus in +possession of the key to Ladysmith. It was evident to the Boer generals +that Ladysmith would be relieved if Spion Kop was not retaken. As soon +as it became light the mountain was stormed from different directions by +the Boers, who were determined, if possible, to wrench it from the grasp +of the British. Both parties displayed amazing bravery. Boer and Briton +fell side by side, staining the grass with their blood, and bespattering +the stones and rocks with their brains. At dusk more than half of the +mountain was in possession of the Boers. During the night the English +evacuated it, and once more the Boers commanded over the entire +mountain. It cost them 35 killed and 170 wounded, but their objective +was achieved. Again the _British_ were in command of the mountain, and +were continually reinforced. After Spion Kop was retaken, no more white +flags were hoisted by the Boers. On the contrary they lamented the loss +of so many precious, innocent lives. The Rev. R. Collins, a chaplain +with General Warren's Brigade, made the following statement _re_ the +attitude of the Boers after the battle:-- + + "I venture to think it a matter of considerable importance to draw + attention to the attitude of the Boers whom we met during the + carrying out of our duties on these three days. For my part I + confess that the deepest impression has been made on me by these + conversations, and by the manly bearing and straightforward + outspoken way in which we were met. + + "There were two things which I particularly noted. As there was no + effort made to impress us by what was said (they spoke with + transparent honesty and natural simplicity, and in nearly all cases + the conversations were begun by us), so there was a total absence + of anything like exultation over what they must consider a military + success. Not a word, not a look, not a gesture or sign, that could + by the most sensitive of persons be construed as a display of their + superiority. + + "Far from exultation there was a _sadness_, almost anguish, in the + way in which they referred to our fallen soldiers. I can best + convey the truth of this statement, and show that there is no + attempt at exaggeration in using the word anguish, by repeating + expressions used, not once, but again and again by great numbers as + they inspected the ghastly piles of our dead--'My God! what a + sight!' 'I wish politicians could see their handiwork,' 'What can + God in Heaven think of this sight?'" + +By such a spirit was the Boer animated when he achieved some of his most +brilliant successes. He did not fight for honour and glory. He fought +at duty's call as a patriot in a great cause. + +(3) A few weeks prior to the battle of Spion Kop the Boers made their +famous, though unsuccessful, attack on Platrand, known as Waggon Hill to +the English, a hill situated three miles south of Ladysmith. This hill +was occupied by the British, and formed as it were the key to Ladysmith. +For it was practically impossible to bring about the fall of Ladysmith +so long as the British were on Platrand. A council of war accordingly +decided to attack the enemy on the hill on the night of the 5th of +January, and, if possible, expel them from it. + +The Rev. J.D. Kestell, who accompanied the Boer forces, gives the +following striking description of the attack--a description which +conveys to the mind of the reader something of the awfulness of war, as +well as of the courage and heroism displayed by Boer and Briton alike:-- + + "On the summit the hill is level, and round about its crest runs a + cornice, to use an architectural term, of great rocks, which we + call a krantz in the Africander language. The British forts were + built immediately above this krantz. + + "At about 10 P.M. we left the laager in order to climb the hill at + half-past 2 A.M. Having reached Neutral Hill, we left our horses + there and proceeded on foot. It was very dark, and all was still as + death. We walked forward slowly and spoke only in whispers, and yet + our progress was not so silent but that we feared we should be + heard. In the silence of the night the slightest rustle of tree or + shrub sounded loud in our ears, and the thud of our feet on the + loose stones seemed to me like the tramp of a troop of horses. The + enemy, thought I, would certainly become aware of our approach long + before we could even begin to climb the hill. But it seems after + all that I was mistaken, and that the sentry did not discover us + until we had approached very close. At three o'clock we reached the + deep dongas at the foot of the hill, and the foremost men passed + through. In about twenty minutes we had climbed almost two-thirds + of the hill, when we heard a beautiful voice ringing out in the + morning air: 'Halt! Who goes there?' + + "No answer came from us. We continued climbing. A moment passed, + and then the silence was broken by a crash of a volley. Then + another and another. Everywhere, above and in front of us, the + flashes of the rifles leapt forth into the darkness, and the sharp + reports followed in such quick succession as to give the impression + of Maxims firing. All of a sudden I saw a great jet of flame, and + instantly the thunder of a cannon broke upon the startled air, and + presently behind us I could hear the shrapnel bullets falling on + the ground. + + "Then many of those who had not yet begun to climb the hill turned + and fled; but others rushed upwards, and rapidly approached the + cornice of rocks, whence the heavy firing issued. Silence was now + unnecessary, and everywhere voices were heard encouraging the men. + + "At half-past three we reached the reef of rocks and boulders, and + presently I heard that two burghers had already been wounded, while + another lay motionless, but it was as yet too dark to see who it + was. + + "Before long it became light, and some of the burghers charged the + forts that were just above the ledge of rocks. They overpowered the + soldiers there, and took them prisoners, but were forced to fall + back to the escarpment of rocks immediately, on account of the + heavy fire directed on them from the other forts. And now the roar + of the cannons and rifles became terrific. This was especially the + case with the ceaseless rattle of small-arms. One could with + difficulty distinguish separate reports. All sounded together like + one continuous roar, and awoke an echo from the Neutral Hill that + sounded like the surging of a mighty wind. + + "We found ourselves under a cross cannon-fire. The shells from one + of our guns flew over our heads, and exploded just in front of us + on the forts, so that we were often in danger of being struck by + our own shells; and the projectiles of the English were hurled in + an opposite direction on our cannon forts and on the burghers on + Neutral Hill. + + "Gradually we began to see in what a terrible position we were. How + terrible the firing was! It never ceased for a moment; for if the + burghers did not rush out from time to time, to assail the forts, + the English charged us. This alternate charging was taking place + every now and then, and it was during these attacks that the pick + of our men fell. Whenever a sangar was charged, a destructive fire + was directed on our men, and then some gallant fellows would always + remain behind struck down. + + "It was a fearful day--a day that no one who was there will ever + forget. The heat, too, was unbearable. The sun shot down his + piteous rays upon us, and the higher he rose the hotter it became. + It was terrible to see the dead lying uncovered in the scorching + rays; and our poor wounded suffered indescribable tortures from + thirst. And there was nothing to give them--only a little whisky + which I had got from an English officer, who had been taken + prisoner. I gave a little of that--only a few drops--to every + wounded man. Not only the wounded--all of us suffered from thirst. + Long before midday there was not a drop of water left in our + flasks. So intolerable was the thirst that there were burghers who + went down to the dongas below in search of water, where there was + none, and where they knew that almost certain death awaited them. + + "How slowly, too, the time dragged on! 'What o'clock is it?' + someone asked. It was then only ten o'clock, and it seemed as if we + had been fighting more than a day, for up to that moment the firing + had continued unabated. + + "Twelve o'clock passed, one o'clock, two o'clock--and still the + fire was kept up; and still the burning rays of the sun were + scorching us. Clouds! But they threw no shadow over us. Everywhere + small patches of shadow chequered the hills and valleys, but they + seemed to avoid us. But a black mass of cloud is rising in the + west, and we know that everything will soon be wrapped in shadow. + Nearer and nearer to the zenith the clouds are rising. What is that + deep rumbling in the distance? Thunder! Nearer and nearer it + sounds, and presently we hear it overhead above the din of the + musketry and the boom of the cannon. How insignificant the crash of + the cannons sounds now. It is as the crackle of fireworks when + compared with the mighty voice of God! + + "We got more than shadow from the clouds. At five o'clock great + drops splash on the rocks. Presently the rain fell in torrents, and + I could wash the blood of the wounded from my hands in it. + + "It was now just when the rain was descending in sheets of water, + and the thunder-claps were shaking the hills, that the enemy + redoubled their efforts to drive us off the ledge, and our men had + to do their utmost to repel the determined onslaught. Had they been + driven down the hill, every burgher fleeing for his life would have + formed a target for the enemy. The fight was now fiercer than at + any time during the day. It was fearful to hear the roar of the + thunder above and the crash of the rifles below. But the enemy did + not succeed in driving us off. We remained there two and a half + hours longer. Meanwhile we had been able to quench our thirst. + Streams of water dashed down through the rocks, and we drank our + fill. These streams of water came from the forts a few yards above + us, and were red in colour. Was it red earth, or was it the blood + of friend or foe that coloured the water? Whatever the cause, we + were so thirsty that nothing would have kept us from drinking. + After the English had done their utmost to drive us from the hill, + and been baffled in their attempts, they returned to their forts, + and the firing subsided for a short time. + + "At last the sun set, and at half-past seven we withdrew. We had + been on the hill for sixteen hours, under a most severe fire, and + now we retired; but we were not driven off by the Devons with + levelled bayonets, as I have read in an English book. We were not + driven off the hill. We held it as long as it was light, and when + twilight fell and no reinforcements came, we considered it useless + to remain there. Including the Transvaalers we had lost 68 killed + and 135 wounded." + +(4) One instance more to show that the Boers behaved gallantly not only +under cover or when scaling mountains or hills occupied by the enemy, +but also when they met the foe on the plain without any cover at all. + +Lord Methuen's column, 1,500 strong, was charged in broad daylight on +the open veldt by about 700 burghers. The whole convoy with four +Armstrong guns was captured. Besides this the enemy lost 400 in killed +and wounded, and 859 prisoners of war, including Lord Methuen himself, +who was wounded in the leg. The Boer casualties amounted to 9 killed and +25 wounded. Do not such engagements prove that the Boers could hold +their own not only behind stones and in trenches but also on the plain? + +Lord Methuen's column was not the only one which was attacked and taken +on the exposed veldt. Some of the most brilliant achievements of the +Boers were accomplished when they were altogether exposed to the enemy's +fire and had to take the offensive. Was it then arrogance and vainglory +which prompted them to offer battle to one of the great Powers of the +world? Arrogance and vainglory would not have stood the test, but would +soon have vanquished like morning clouds before the rising sun. There +must have been some other cause. What was it? + +Here, then, the reader has another reason why the Boers fought so long. +As a people they are brave, and thus scorn the very thought of +surrendering like cowards. They chose to die as _men_, and the memory of +those who fell as such shall ever be dear and sacred to us. + + "For how can man die better + Than facing fearful odds, + For the ashes of his fathers + And the temples of his gods?" + +Another trait in the Boer character is his wonderful resourcefulness and +his ability to cope with difficulties. It was as much this phase of his +character as his patriotism, religiosity and valour which enabled him to +continue the struggle so long. If the Boers had not been so wonderfully +resourceful, and understood so well how to lighten their burdens and +solve their problems, they never could have held out so long. + +Surrounded on almost every side by British dominions, with all imports +cut off, they were bound to fall back on their own limited resources. +When these were exhausted, they had to plan some way out of the +difficulty. And so ingeniously did they contrive to find the wherewithal +for the prosecution of the war, and the necessaries of life, that it +must have appeared hopeless to the enemy at times that the Republicans +should ever be reduced to such an extremity that they could help +themselves no longer. + +And this is the way they planned. When their boots wore out, men were +appointed to tan hides and make boots; even the women busied themselves +in this kind of work. When there was a great scarcity of soap,--an +article used also by Boers,--the women boiled a serviceable substance +with the help of the ashes of various weeds. When the British began +destroying the mills everywhere mills were mounted on waggons and +carried off on the approach of the enemy. When tobacco failed the +burghers, Nature made provision once more. Leaves of different kinds of +trees were taken, dried and soaked in a weak solution of tobacco +extract, and when dry these leaves answered the purpose of tobacco. The +fine handicraft of great-grandmothers in the spinning of wool was +revived. The women-folk, constructing spinning-wheels from old +sewing-machines, spun wool beautifully, and knitted socks and other +articles as fine and as strong as any that can be bought in shops. When +the English took or burnt all their vehicles they reconstructed others +from the remnants of the burnt ones. One woman was seen with a cart in +which two plough wheels were placed. It looked strange, but answered the +purpose well enough. When salt was not to be had for love or money, +wells were dug in the pans and salt water was found, from which, by a +process of evaporation, salt was obtained. In this manner one problem +after the other was solved. As to their clothes, overcoats were made of +sheep-skins, and some burghers wore complete suits made of leather. The +worn-out clothes were patched with soft leather and then they were said +to be "armoured." Besides this there was the "shaking out" process, as +it was called by the burghers. The Boers thought that they were quite +justified in exchanging clothes with Tommy Atkins whenever he was +captured; for the English had destroyed and burnt theirs as often as +they could. As we had no means of import, and as the enemy had burnt our +clothes, who shall condemn our action, however humiliating it might have +been to the soldier or costly to the British Government to provide +outfits for both parties? Necessity knows no laws. In the same way the +burghers were provided with rifles, ammunition, horses, saddles, bridles +and other necessaries by the British. When their ammunition first ran +short, many were not a little concerned about it, and thought that that +would ultimately compel them to surrender. But the English were kind +enough to supply them, so that after each fight, as a rule, they had +enough to commence another with. Towards the latter part of the war the +English were fought and often beaten with their own arms. So, as far as +that was concerned, the Republics could have prolonged the war +indefinitely, or at least as long as they were being supplied by the +British Government. Does this often happen in the history of wars--a foe +lashed by its own weapons? + +In his social intercourse the Boer is kind-hearted, tender and +hospitable. He loves to be kind--to be hard and cruel is contrary to his +nature. Owing to his soft and gentle disposition he sometimes brought +disaster and ruin upon himself during the war. Traitors and renegades +were mercifully spared, and these notorious beings were instrumental in +bringing about his defeat. In times of peace kind-heartedness no doubt +is a virtue of intrinsic worth; in times of war it cannot always be +exercised. + +In outward appearance the Boer may be, and sometimes is, somewhat stern +and uncompromising; but those who have gained his confidence and known +him best have invariably discovered behind and at the bottom of this +seemingly forbidding exterior a softness of disposition and a tenderness +of heart which brooks no rivalry. Men who have taken the Boer character +second-hand, or have not taken the trouble to enter into his feelings or +obtain his friendship, have often been misled by his quiet phlegmatic +demeanour, which at times verges on stolidity. They have described him +as being sour, morose and unkind. To such he appeared a sort of +obstreperous, cantankerous being, who simply delights to quarrel with +every man he meets--especially if an Englishman came in his way. +Needless to say he is nothing of the sort. + +During the war we were several times struck by the gentle nature of the +Boers. They are indeed not that blood-thirsty, war-loving race which +some have imagined them to be. We make bold to say that there is nothing +which they so much dislike and abhor as shedding blood and inflicting +torture and misery on humanity. They are essentially a peace-loving +race, and will never indulge in war unless compelled by circumstances +over which they have no control. + +The British officers and soldiers who fell into their hands during the +war can bear evidence from personal experience that the average Boer is +dominated by kind and gentle sentiments. He treated the wounded soldier +and the prisoner-of-war with kindness. He would share his last drop of +water with the wounded, bandage his wounds to the best of his ability, +and would extend to him all the medical attendance at his command. + +Major J.B. Seely, Conservative M.P. for the Isle of Wight, who served +with the Hampshire Yeomanry for many months in the Transvaal, confirmed +the above statements in a letter to the _Times_ in the following way:-- + + "During the seventeen months that I have served in South Africa I + had, perhaps, rather exceptional opportunities of learning how our + wounded were treated by the Boers. On two different occasions men + under my command who were dangerously wounded were attended with + the greatest kindness and care by the Boers; and the wounded men + themselves begged me to thank those who had been so good to them. + On both occasions the general in command of the column conveyed his + thanks either personally or by letter. I have spoken to many + officers and men who have been left sick or wounded in the hands of + the Boers, and in no single instance have I heard anything but + gratitude expressed for the treatment they had received. In the + intense excitement of hand-to-hand fighting it may be difficult to + differentiate between the wounded and unwounded, but the relatives + and friends of those now fighting may rest assured that English + left wounded on the field will receive from the Boers no less care + and kindness than wounded Boers have invariably received from the + English." + +Such is the testimony of men who came in contact with the Boers at a +time when one would expect that the demoralizing and hardening +influences of war had removed every vestige of gentleness. + +We never heard the Boers use strong and abusive language towards +prisoners-of-war. On the contrary they would converse with them in a +most genial and friendly spirit; so much so, that the onlooker could +scarcely distinguish between Boer and Briton, friend or foe. Now when +the Boers behaved thus towards their prisoners-of-war they only did +what they ought to have done. When a man is captured or wounded he is no +more an enemy in the literal sense of the word, and should not be +treated as such. Military precautions must necessarily be taken to +prevent the escape of prisoners, but, apart from that, men forced to +surrender should neither be regarded nor treated as criminals, but as an +honourable foe deserves. In making these remarks we do not infer that +our wounded were not well attended to by the enemy. In most cases we +believe they were. We shall not comment on the treatment extended to our +prisoners-of-war. In the latter stage of the war we believe there was +room for improvement, especially when natives were taken up in the +British ranks. These natives treated our men shamefully at times, and +went even so far as to commit the most brutal murders. + +Not only did the burghers treat their prisoners-of-war well, but the +Boer officers under whose immediate control they were placed dealt, as a +rule, very kindly and leniently with them. Some of the more prominent +Boer officers, such as General De Wet and others, have been accused +occasionally of having ill-treated prisoners-of-war. Most of these +charges on examination proved groundless. + +Mr. Erskine Childers, in a letter to the _Times_, expressed himself on +this matter as follows:-- + + "It is time that a word was spoken in opposition to the idea that + General C. De Wet is a man of brutal and dishonourable character. + Those who, like myself, have served in South Africa, fought against + him, and frequently met men who have been prisoners under him, + look, I believe, with shame and indignation on the attempts made to + advertise and magnify such incidents as the alleged flogging and + shooting of peace envoys, so as to blacken the character of a man + who, throughout the war, held a reputation with our troops in the + field of being not only a gallant soldier, but a humane and + honourable gentleman. We may deplore the desperate tenacity of his + resistance. Our duty is to overcome it by smashing him in the + field. We gain nothing but only lose our self-respect by slandering + him. + + "His whole career gives the lie to such aspersions. It was in May + of last year, ten months ago, that he first gained prominence. + Since then he has fought scores of engagements with us, some + successful, some unsuccessful, never with a suspicion of + dishonourable conduct. He has had at one time or another some + thousands of our men in his hands as prisoners-of-war. Many of them + I have myself met. At second or third hand I have heard of the + experiences of many others. I have never heard a word against him. + When men suffered hardships they always agreed that they could not + have been helped. But, on the other hand, I have heard many stories + showing exceptional personal kindness in him over and above the + reasonable degree of humanity which is expected in the treatment of + prisoners-of-war. + + "I believe this view of him is universal among our troops in South + Africa. It makes my blood boil to hear such a man called a brigand + and a brute by civilian writers at home, who take as a text the + reports of these solitary incidents, incomplete and one-sided as + they are, and ignore--if, indeed, they know of it--the mass of + testimony in his favour." + +This testimony about De Wet, as well as other Boer officers, has been +substantiated by scores of letters from other officers and privates. + +The relation of the Boers to the coloured races in South Africa, and the +treatment of the latter, have been a cause of much offence and +misunderstanding. It is generally, though mistakenly, held that the +Boers ill-treated the natives, and that in the most brutal and +tyrannical manner. Such unwarranted assertions had furnished one of the +various flimsy excuses for war in South Africa. The natives had to be +protected! They were slaves, and must be liberated. Therefore--war! That +natives have sometimes received bad treatment at the hands of their +masters we shall candidly admit. In such instances the law-courts of the +country stood open to them, where justice was at all times meted out to +the guilty party. + +On the whole, we maintain that the treatment of inferior races by the +Boers contrasts very favourably with that by the British. The Dutch have +always expressed themselves very strongly against the policy of placing +the natives on a footing of political equality with the whites, because +morally, intellectually, and industrially they are decidedly their +inferiors. + +Those who, like the American Bishop Hartzell, argued that the British +cause ought to win, since the Boers do not equal the English in just +treatment of inferior races, would do well to consider the following +facts:-- + +(1) In the strip of East African coast--a British Protectorate--which +faces Zanzibar _the full legal status of slavery_ is maintained, and +fugitive slaves have even been handed back to their owners by British +officials. + +(2) In Zanzibar and Pemba the manumission of slaves presided over by Sir +Arthur Hardinge is proceeding slowly, and many thousands are still in +bondage. + +(3) In Natal the _corvée_ system prevails, and all natives not employed +by whites may be impressed to labour for six months on the roads. + +(4) In Bechuanaland, after a rebellion some years ago, natives were +parcelled out among the Cape farmers and indentured to them as virtual +slaves for a term of five years. + +(5) Under the Chartered Company in Rhodesia the chiefs are required, +under compulsion, to furnish batches of young natives to work in the +mines; and the ingenious plan of taxing the Kaffir in money rather than +in kind has been adopted, so that he may be forced to earn the pittance +which the prospectors are willing to pay him. + +(6) In Kimberley what is known as the compound system prevails. All +natives who work in the diamond mines are required to "reside" under +lock and key, day and night, in certain compounds, which resemble +spacious prisons. So stringent is the system that even the sick are +treated within the prison yard. On no pretext whatever is a native +allowed to leave his compound. + +During these months of incarceration the natives are separated from +their women-folk and families. The consequence is one of the most +striking and shocking features of the compound system. A number of the +lowest, drink-besotted, coloured prostitutes, estimated at about 5,000, +have collected at Beaconsfield, where, so to speak, they constitute a +colony, occupying a revolting quarter of the township. When the natives +come out for a short spell these unhappy women receive them. It is, no +doubt, convenient from the standpoint of the company to have them there, +for it probably prevents the natives from going away. This moral cancer +is one of the direct and inevitable outcomes and concomitants of the +compound system. + +(7) The South African Dutch contribute more money annually to native +mission work than the South African English. The English missions in +South Africa are supported chiefly by funds from England. The largest +and most handsome churches for natives in South Africa are those built +by the Dutch. The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa has more +representatives in the foreign mission field than all the other English +denominations in South Africa together. + +If necessary, more facts bearing on this subject of native treatment +could be adduced. One could, for example, point out how the aboriginal +Tasmanians and Australians have been almost completely extirpated; how, +in the name of civilization, thousands of Dervishes have been mowed down +in Egypt, and how South African soil itself has been stained from time +to time by the blood of Zulus, Basutos, Matabeles and other coloured +races, who became the victims of British, and _not Boer_, arms. +Remembering all this and much more, we claim that England has no right +to cast the first stone at the Boer in regard to the treatment of +coloured races. + +The Boer's nature does not admit of such tyrannical actions of which he +has constantly been accused. His native servants are treated almost as +members of his own family, and often serve him voluntarily for several +years in succession. + +[Illustration: THE LATE COMMANDANT DANIE THERON. + +_Photo by Duffus Bros., Capetown._] + +Mr. Chamberlain in a Parliamentary Debate has expressed himself on this +matter as follows:-- + + "Members of Parliament appear to be under the impression that the + Boers in the Transvaal were fierce and unjust aggressors, and that + they dispossessed the natives of their territory and brutally + ill-treated them afterwards. I wish honourable members would + read the papers before they came to this rash and inconsiderate + conclusion. The absolute reverse of that was the fact." + +The Boers, as a people and as individuals, are thoroughly hospitable, +indeed we do not hesitate to affirm that no nation is more hospitable. +To meet them, dwell in their midst, associate with them and know them, +is to like, if not to love them. + +The respectable traveller that lights on a Boer farm will invariably +receive a cordial welcome. The farmer will politely invite him to his +house, and will try to make his guest feel quite at home. Should it be +late in the day, the guest will be expected to stay the night. A plain +but substantial supper will fall to his share. The best bedroom and most +comfortable bed will be at his disposal for the night, while his horses +will receive every attention. In the morning he will be invited to +breakfast before setting out on his day's journey. Should the traveller, +on leaving, offer to pay the farmer for the night's accommodation, the +latter will, as a rule, decline to accept any payment, nay, will regard +it rather as an insult to be offered payment for his hospitality. +Callous and unappreciative characters have abused such hospitality, and +construed it as a mark of ignorance on the part of the Boer. He is, so +they say, hospitable and ready to entertain _because_ he is so stupid +and ignorant. There may be a grain of truth in this assertion, but to +attribute Boer hospitality exclusively to this is as false as it is +mean. + + "... I never want to meet kinder, more hospitable, and more + comfortable people than the Boers. True, some of them are poor and + ignorant, but the general run of them live comfortably, rear their + families well and with fair education. They are the reverse of what + we have been taught to consider them. It will be a happy day for + Australia when our pastoral country is settled by as fine a class + of people." + +Thus wrote a Queensland officer, Major Spencer Browne, while Mr. R.H. +Davis, an Englishman who had resided for some time in Pretoria, offers +the following testimony:-- + + "I left Pretoria with every reason for regret. I had come to it a + stranger, and had found friends among men whom I had learned to + like for themselves and for their cause. I had come prejudiced + against them, believing them to be all the English Press and my + English friends had painted them--semi-barbarous, uncouth, + money-loving, and treacherous in warfare. I found them simple to + the limit of their own disadvantage, magnanimous to their enemies, + independent and kindly." + +The trait that we admire and cherish most in the Boer character is their +hospitality. We shall ever gratefully remember how kindly our burghers +were received by many a colonial farmer, such as the Van der Merwes of +Toutelboschkoek and Bamuur, Calvinia district, the Therons of Rietpoort, +Richmond, the two Miss Van der Merwes of Badsfontein, Murraysburg, and a +host of others whose names we cannot mention here, as well as +non-combatant farmers of the late Republics. Weary and worn out by the +fierce and unequal contest we were often refreshed at their tables, and +were so invigorated by their kindness and hospitality that, after a +brief respite, we could once more resume the struggle with fresh +determination and revived energies. + +Never shall we forget the kindness shown to us personally during the +years of strife. And here we would express our sincere thanks to all +such as alleviated so greatly the burdens war had imposed upon +us--alleviated these by friendly sympathies, which found expression in +deeds of kindness and love, and that at a time and in circumstances when +the sword of Damocles was suspended over their heads, for to give an +enemy a drop of cold water was then considered a great crime! + +The Boers are _passionately fond_ of their homes and families. The +little cottage, with the garden, the flocks and herds--in these they +take pleasure. To accumulate and hoard up wealth is not their sole +ambition or ideal of life. If they possess enough to live comfortably, +give their children a fair education and meet their bills, they are +content. + +Now this passionate devotion to their homes and families, however +commendable a virtue it may be, proved most detrimental to their best +interests when the waters of strife were set in commotion. Nothing was +so trying to the Boers than to be separated from their families for +months and months. Up to the commencement of the war the Boer farmer +hardly knew what it meant to be away from his family for a long time. +Owing to this strong attachment to, one might almost say weakness for, +their homes, the burghers often insisted on obtaining leave of absence +to visit their families, and that at times when their services were most +needed on the battlefield. + +This love of home and property must account for a great number of +voluntary surrenders to the British. When the enemy entered the +Republics the farmers had to choose between surrender or sacrificing +hearth and home, property and all they had--entrusting these to the +mercy of the foe. Many, be it said to their honour, deliberately chose +to sacrifice all rather than their independence. Others lay down arms, +to protect or save, as they thought, their families, homes and property. +Sadly and bitterly were they disappointed; for their homes were still +burned, and their families confined in the concentration camps. + +These, then, are some of the more striking features of the Boer +character. To summarize them in one sentence: the Boer loves his Country +and Freedom, his Bible and Rifle, his Neighbour and Family. + +Are these not qualities which recommend themselves as worthy of +admiration? Are they not indications of much that is noble and good, +even though the foe be vanquished? Do not the English pride themselves +in possessing these very qualities, qualities which, they say, have made +them a great and mighty nation? Be it so; let them gently deal with the +Boer, who is possessed of these noble attributes in common with +themselves. We hope that they will treat their new subjects with due +consideration. What a happy day will it be for South Africa when Boer +and Briton, through the length and breadth of that blood-stained land, +have learned the secret of living as friends and brothers, respecting +one another, as befits Christian people. Will that happy day ever dawn, +or is South Africa doomed to be a land of discord? Let us hope that the +unhappy past will gradually be effaced from the memory of both Dutch and +English. Let the English Government exercise discretion in introducing a +South African policy which shall tend to reconcile and unite, not +embitter and sever. + +What about the faults and defects of the Boer? some may be asking. While +commenting on the different phases of the Boer character, we have +alluded to and admitted many of these; for they are many. There is +indeed much which we lament in the character of our people, and which we +would, if it were possible, gladly alter or improve upon. Not all of +them are good patriots, saints and heroes. Neither are all resourceful, +kind-hearted, hospitable, and attached to their homes. There were +"National Scouts," traitors, renegades, among the burghers! Among the +women there were, alas! some, not many, who yielded to temptation. Such +characters are found among all nations. Among the Boers they formed a +small minority, and were the exceptions and not the general rule. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE RISING IN THE CAPE COLONY. + + +Having been in the full tide of the emotions of the Cape +Colony--emotions which led to the taking up of arms--we feel ourselves +justified in setting down those things which were to the Cape Colonist +the justification of a warlike and anti-British policy. + +It is strange, when one bears in mind that England admittedly extends +greater liberties to her colonies than most other Powers, that many of +her subjects are a continual source of trouble and fear to her. How has +this to be accounted for? Is it because the colonists enjoy such great +liberty (?) and share in so many privileges? Or is it because so many of +them became British subjects _only because_ they were compelled to take +an oath of allegiance (or sign a declaration) to a government they +neither loved nor respected but hated and despised? In the former case +it would be base ingratitude on their part to rise in rebellion, in the +latter it seems almost natural. However it be, the lustre and beauty of +English history is sadly marred by the fact that often British artillery +had to bear on British subjects, and British arms had to be employed to +subdue England's own children. + +Scotland, Ireland, Canada, the United States of America, India, +Afghanistan, Egypt, South Africa, and many besides of less importance, +have resisted British authority at different times. Some of these, like +the late Republics, were at one time or other laid in ruins and +devastated by British arms. For years and years their inhabitants were +subjected to awful persecutions. The blood of the best and bravest was +spilt like water, whilst millions were spent to conquer whole +populations--millions which might have been used for better and nobler +purposes. And to-day thousands of British subjects are ruled by the +point of the bayonet--by sheer force, not by common consent. + +Having spent the greater part of the Anglo-Boer war time in the Cape +Colony, we had the opportunity of ascertaining some, if not all, of the +reasons why so many Colonial British subjects took up arms against the +forces of their lawful king and sovereign. These causes we shall here +narrate. By doing this we do not justify the action of those whose +sympathies led them to cast in their lot with the two Republics. We do +not wish to inculcate or foster the spirit of rebellion in any man, nor +to fan it by words of approval. But we do wish to make known to the +British public in particular that those Dutch colonists who sided with +the late Republics during the lamentable war did not do so because they +hated British rule or government or longed to shed the blood of English +fellow-subjects. Neither did they enlist in our ranks because they +regarded war as an adventurous game and mere child's play. In most cases +the rebels were, prior to the war, as loyal to the British crown, and as +devoted to British rule, as their fellow-English colonists ever were or +could have been. For they had been born and brought up under the British +flag; they knew no other, desired no better, even gloried in the flag of +England. To it they looked for succour and protection in the hour of +danger. Before the war the very men who fought against the British would +have volunteered their services, at a moment's notice, to the Home +Government if England was threatened in any way. Most of them, we are +sure, would have willingly sacrificed their goods, and even lives, to +shield the interests of the British Empire. + +Now when these Dutch colonists took up arms they did not do so blindly, +but fully realised the grave responsibility involved in such a step. +They knew that the action was treasonable, and that, when captured, they +were liable to the utmost penalty of the law, such as confiscation of +goods, banishment, imprisonment for life, or death. Some of them, +before they enlisted, had been compelled by the military authorities to +be present at the execution of those who had unfortunately fallen into +the hands of the enemy. In spite of that most tangible warning, they +nevertheless joined the Boer ranks. What then were their reasons for +risking their very lives in a cause which might perhaps fail? Surely +such men as rose in rebellion had potent and valid reasons! To be +stigmatised for life by the title of rebel could not be deemed so great +an honour as to induce a man to face all the dangers and hardships of +war. Nor were these colonial rebels mercenaries; they were volunteers, +that came to the assistance of two small republics. + +Those who were acquainted with the situation and with the political +parties at the Cape prior to the war expected and dreaded, in the event +of war with the Republics, a general outbreak in the Cape Colony, and +were not surprised when their expectations proved true. + +The Cape Dutch, as well as their English neighbours, knew only too well +that, in the event of war, the whole of South Africa would suffer, that +the flames of it would spread far beyond the Republican borders, and +would be kindled in the adjoining British colonies. Thoroughly convinced +that that would be the result of a war on the two Republics they did all +in their power to prevent it. Had the English element in South Africa +been as eager as the Dutch to abide in peace and avoid bloodshed, there +certainly never would have been war. But, alas! one party had set its +heart upon it. + +To precipitate matters and bring them to a crisis, the public in England +was inflamed by rumours of the wildest nature, and was, unfortunately, +enticed to believe anything and everything which was reported. British +interests, British paramountcy, etc., were supposed to be seriously +threatened by a great Pan-Africander conspiracy, which had for its +objective the total elimination of the Imperial factor in South Africa. +The Dutch were plotting, so it was rumoured, to oust the British from +South Africa by driving them all into the sea on a certain day. What a +preposterous absurdity! And many were so innocent as to believe and +fear that a small nation of farmers would actually attempt to expel the +British from South Africa. The Boer may be ignorant, but he has more +common sense than to give such an idea even a thought. + +The Cape Dutch, we are glad to state, left no stone unturned in their +attempts to avert a war on a kindred race which was bound to prove +calamitous to, and inflict endless misery on, thousands. Whilst +diplomatic negotiations went on between the Transvaal and English +Governments, and it became evident that these negotiations would in all +probability result in failure, Mr. Jan Hofmeyer,--"onze Jan," that +far-seeing, famous Cape politician,--and Mr. Harold, M.P., left for +Pretoria, and by the co-operation of President Steyn prevailed on +President Kruger to submit those proposals to the British Government +which the Colonial Secretary frankly admitted might form the basis of a +peaceful settlement. "We have nine-tenths of what we wanted," the +Colonial Secretary is reported to have said, "and the other tenth is not +worth our going to war for." Sad that that one-tenth should have +demanded the lives of thousands of men, women and children, millions of +pounds, besides ruin and misery to so many! + +When war seemed inevitable and its declaration only a matter of time, +the Africander Party, which then constituted the majority in the Cape +Parliament, passed a resolution in Parliament, by which they solemnly +protested against any aggressive policy on the part of the Imperial +Government. They pointed out to the Home Government what endless woes a +war would entail, and how detrimental it would prove to Imperial +interests through the length and breadth of South Africa. At the same +time they stated, in the most unequivocal language, their strong +disapproval of extreme and coercive measures. This protest was slighted. +The members who subscribed their names to it, and who represented the +feeling of the Cape Dutch, were called disloyal. For to be loyal in +those days meant to side with the war party, and approve of all they +said and did. To think independently, and to express one's political +views frankly and fearlessly, was a sure sign of disloyalty, when one's +aims were for a peaceful solution of the difficulties of the moment. + +Besides this Parliamentary resolution, the Cape Dutch drew up a large +petition, addressed to Queen Victoria, whom they all loved as a mother +and revered as a Queen. This petition was signed by thousands of women, +who entreated their gracious and tender Mother-Queen to refrain from a +policy which would result in bloodshed. This plea for peace and justice +also failed to accomplish anything. The voice of the Dutch colonists was +not heeded. Their petitions and protests were ignored and rejected time +and again. The petition, however, of some 21,000 Uitlanders in +Johannesburg, who clamoured for redress of grievances, immediately +called forth armed intervention! + +This, then, was the attitude of the Cape Dutch before the declaration of +war: emphatic disapproval of any war policy. They disapproved of and +protested against war in South Africa, not because they were disloyal, +and had not the interests of the mother-country at heart, or because +they naturally sympathised with the Boers as being a kindred race. They +declared themselves against the Imperial war policy, because they knew +and were confident that it was by no means impossible to arrive at a +peaceful solution of all difficulties and disputes along friendly +diplomatic lines, by which the actual grievances of British subjects in +Johannesburg could be redressed, and political affairs so adjusted that +it would not be necessary to shed one drop of blood. So far from being +disloyal, they prided themselves in being British subjects, and, as +such, they claimed the rights and privileges to which all British +subjects are entitled. Their services in the interests of peace were, +however, not appreciated, but were construed into acts calculated to +encourage the enemy and to foster rebellion. + +The Press had declared war months before it was actually proclaimed. +Feeling ran so high that men would not listen to reason. "Fight it out," +was the frantic cry of many, who had not the remotest idea of what +"fighting it out" meant. + +Though frustrated in their endeavours to prevent the threatened war, the +Cape Dutch, after hostilities had once begun, tried very hard to bring +about a speedy termination of the struggle, and to effect a settlement +which would be honourable to English and Dutch alike, and which would +secure all, if not more than all, that the English had ever demanded. + +Let us note some of the steps they took. + +When the Imperial Government announced their policy of annexation of the +Republics after the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, the voice +of the Cape Dutch was raised once more. They knew that Lord Roberts had +greatly mistaken the character of the people he had come to conquer when +he thought that no sooner would their capitals be occupied by his forces +than all the Boers would surrender. They were conscious of the fact that +a war of annexation would lead to one of conquest, and that the Boers, +rather than sacrifice their independence, would choose to fight to the +finish. Hence the colonial Dutch again strongly urged the Home +Government to discard the policy of annexation, which would crush and +destroy the national life of two small states, which had bravely fought +and struggled for their independent existence. + +A conference, attended by thousands representing the whole Dutch +population of the Cape Colony, was held at Worcester on the 6th of +December, 1900. In that conference or congress of the people resolutions +were unanimously adopted discountenancing the policy which led to the +annexation of the two Republics. Six prominent men were chosen from the +Worcester delegates, and were deputed to go and appeal to the conscience +of the English people. It was hoped that, at least, in England--the home +of liberty--they would be allowed to plead their cause, and lay it bare +before the public. How enthusiastically (?) they were received in +England and Scotland is well known. _Warm_ receptions were extended to +them. "Away with them! Crucify them!" was the cry of the enraged war +party. Instead of their message being listened to, these men were +mobbed, hissed at and hooted; sometimes they had to flee so as not to +be the targets for the missiles of the mob. And the treatment of these +men, who represented at least 90,000 Dutch colonists, at the hands of +their fellow-British subjects, was that not an insult--a mockery of +liberty and equal rights? + +Besides this deputation of the people, two of the leading ministers of +the Cape Parliament--Messrs. Merriman and Sauer--went to England on a +similar errand, but fared no better. In vain did they offer their +services to the Imperial Parliament by way of suggesting a basis for a +settlement, which would terminate a war of devastation and ruination. +The war party would have none of them. Forsooth, they too were traitors, +working against British interests! + +The women-folk at the Cape were as anxious as the men, first to prevent, +and then to stop, the unfortunate war, the burdens of which they shared +with their husbands. Three times large numbers of them met in +conference, at Paarl, Worcester and Cape Town, and there they fearlessly +and strongly protested against the conduct of the war and the annexation +of the two Republics. Through the medium of these conferences they +expostulated and pleaded with the Home Government to abstain from what +they rightly regarded as a stupendous crime, the annihilation of two +small states by overwhelming forces. Their petitions, if they ever +reached the British Government, were treated with silent contempt. Did +they merit such treatment? + +All this and much more was done in the interests of peace by the Dutch +colonists. Both before and during the war they did all they possibly +could to rescue or redeem South Africa from the horrors and calamities +of a disastrous war. They failed. Was it their fault? Was it right to +brand as rebels and traitors every Cape Colonial that protested against +the war, and refused to assist the mighty British Empire against the +Republics? + +The Africander Bond--a political organization at the Cape--was the +scape-goat during the war. Those who were in search of a pretext for the +cause of the war and its continuation found it in this organization. +Everything that was low and mean was laid to the charge of the +Africander Bond. Its unwearied efforts to induce the English to +terminate a war, declared and carried on in direct opposition to the +wishes of tens of thousands of England's devoted subjects, were +construed into being so many encouragements for the Republicans to +continue the struggle. The Worcester conference was said to have +encouraged and invited General De Wet to invade the Colony--an invasion +which was planned long _before_ the conference was held, and which +failed in the first instance, and only succeeded three months after the +conference had met! + +When all the efforts of the Cape Dutch failed, and the voice of the +people was not regarded but systematically suppressed, it is not strange +that there were men who found it impossible to remain silent and +inactive in such circumstances. Gradually their loyalty was being +undermined. The strain placed upon it was too great; it was stretched to +the breaking point. They enlisted and took the field against the forces +of that Government which they once loved so well, and then--despised. + +This brings us to some of the more direct causes of the colonial +rebellion, which we shall enumerate in succession. The war with the +Republics was an aggression on a _kindred race_, and was declared and +conducted to the extreme displeasure, and in direct opposition to the +wishes, of the Dutch colonists, who spared themselves neither pain nor +trouble to ward off or terminate a war which was bound to inflict great +misery on themselves, and on thousands with whom they were intimately +connected by ties of blood and friendship. For are the Transvaal and +Free State Boers not the sons and daughters of those pioneers that +emigrated from the Cape Colony between the years 1834-40, in search of +an independent home beyond the Orange and Vaal rivers? Moreover, among +the burghers of the Republics there were several colonists who, prior to +the war, had settled in the Transvaal, chiefly in Johannesburg and +Pretoria, as well as in the Orange Free State. These colonial settlers +constituted another link in the chain which bound the Cape Dutch to the +Boers. They regarded the Republics as their native land, and +consequently came to their assistance in the hour of danger. There they +had found a home, acquired wealth in some instances, and thus would not +desert them when their services were most needed. Instead of abandoning +the two Republics to their sad fate, they were determined to support +them with all the energy and power at their command. On the battlefield +many of them distinguished themselves by their dauntless valour. They +willingly sacrificed their lives and property for their adopted +fatherland, which they loved even better than many a Boer. For when the +Boers became disheartened and surrendered ignominiously, the Colonials, +be it said to their everlasting honour, remained steadfast, thereby +putting to shame those burghers who were possessed of so little national +pride as to kneel at the invaders' feet and sue for mercy. + +These Transvaal and Free State Colonials had their relatives in the Cape +Colony, so that the Dutch of South Africa may almost be regarded as one +large family, linked together from Table Bay to the Zambezi by bonds of +blood, religion and marriage. Hence it was impossible to strike a blow +at the two states without touching the very heart of the Cape +Dutch--impossible to inflict losses and bring ruin upon some members of +the family without seriously disturbing and distressing the rest. The +physical boundaries separating the British colonies from the Republics +made no separation as far as the people were concerned. In speech, +religion, character, and blood, the Dutch are essentially one throughout +South Africa. And it was owing to this fact that the Cape Dutch felt for +the Republicans as none else could have felt. Their strong sympathies +took the form of practical assistance when they shouldered their rifles +and took the field against the enemies of the Republics. But this was +not done before their protests, petitions, and all other constitutional +measures had signally failed, and were utterly ignored by the British +Government. Then only did they resort to aggressive measures. + +However strongly some might condemn their action, still we believe that +any other people, even the English themselves, and they probably to a +far greater extent, would, in like circumstances, have acted similarly. +If England had been invaded by a foreign foe, and English homes +destroyed and burnt _en masse_, and English women and children removed +in thousands to disease-stricken camps, and English officers and +soldiers court-martialled or deported to distant islands and countries, +we ask, would Scotland, for instance, have looked on with stolid +indifference and cold apathy? Would she not, as well as all other true +Englishmen, wherever they were, have protested most emphatically against +such a war; and if their protests were slighted, would they not have +assisted their fellow-Englishmen? Verily they would, were they subjects +or not of the invaders. + +This is exactly what the Cape Dutch did when some of them rose in +rebellion. Their loyalty was gradually undermined as the war assumed the +character of conquest and extermination. It was too much for many a +Colonial to be a silent spectator when thousands of women and children +pined away in concentration camps; and the military authorities, +apparently wreaking vengeance on these because the burghers would not +surrender, positively refused to allow these Boer families to reside +with their relatives or friends in the Cape Colony, or live _at their +own cost_ in garrisoned towns, where they would have no intercourse with +the burghers. When the weak and defenceless became the victims of the +war, and received such treatment, the Cape Dutch were incited to violent +actions. They rose to protect the weak against the strong, the few +against the many. In so doing have they committed the unpardonable sin? +Or will there be mercy even for these? + +The Colonists were left unprotected at the tender mercy of the Boer +forces. When the Boers, on the declaration of war, crossed the colonial +borders and pushed ahead into British territory, they found the +districts and most of the villages in an entirely defenceless condition. +The garrison of Aliwal North consisted of three Cape policemen. +Colesberg, Venterstad, Burghersdorp, Lady Grey, James Town, Dordrecht, +Rhodes, and many other places were occupied one after the other, without +being in the least protected. In Natal, Griqualand West, and British +Bechuanaland it was not any better. + +The Colonists thought that they were subjects of a vast and mighty +empire, to which they could confidently look for protection against +invaders. If they had any fears, these were hushed, for surely the +mother-country was powerful enough to shelter them from the withering +blasts of war. To their astonishment the mother-country could protect +neither their persons nor their property, but entrusted all to the care +of the Boer commandoes. Had the Colonists no claim to protection? Was it +their fault that the British Government had accepted an ultimatum before +they were prepared to extend to their colonial subjects that protection +to which they certainly had a lawful claim? Such questions the Colonists +asked themselves and the Home Government. + +Left unprotected, and literally forsaken for months by their own +Government, they yielded to the temptation to make common cause with the +Boers, whom they met and saw daily. They enlisted in considerable +numbers, and so cast in their lot for better or for worse with the +Boers. Still the majority of the colonial farmers remained at home, and +those who joined the Boer ranks at the commencement of the war were, as +a rule, commandeered or called up. By proclamation all Colonists who +resided within the occupied territory received the option either of +leaving it within a certain time, or of staying, on condition of +submitting to the Martial Law regulations of the new Government. + +Under this strange thing, called Martial Law, these Colonists were +summoned to join the ranks of the Boers. In how far this action of +commandeering Colonists was commendable on the part of the Republics is +difficult to say for one not versed in all the technicalities of +International Law, or in the terms prescribed by the various +Conventions. It seemed, however, that as far as the Republics were +concerned, International Law and Convention obligations did not exist at +all. The policy of the Republics all through the war, as one might +expect, was to secure and maintain the friendship and sympathy of their +colonial brethren. The Colonist was treated as a friend, and not as an +enemy. His person and property were respected so long as he remained +neutral. Strict neutrality, and nothing more, the Boers enjoined, +especially towards the end of the war. + +To be fair towards the Republics, we have to note that when the +Colonists were commandeered at the commencement of the war--for it was +_only then_, and not later, that they were summoned to the front--the +object of the States was not to force them into their service. It was +more a precautionary measure to protect the Colonist should he fall into +the hands of the enemy. The fact that he had been commandeered, when +taken into account, might, and did, tend to mitigate his punishment. +This commandeering was never rigorously enforced. Occasionally officers +acting on their own responsibility, and without instructions from the +Boer governments, commandeered and pressed Colonists to take up arms +without their consent; but such cases were exceptional, and were +disapproved of. What the Boers wanted were men who volunteered their +services, and came to them, not because they were disloyal to their +Government, but because such a strain was laid upon them that they were +compelled to come. Upon such men they could rely, and they proved +themselves worthy of the confidence placed in them. + +The various war proclamations issued by the British from time to time +goaded the Colonists into rebellion. + +[Illustration: COMMANDANT W.D. FOUCHÉ.] + +If all the proclamations which were circulated in the Republics and +British colonies were published they would constitute a volume of no +mean dimensions, and might afford instructive reading "to principalities +and powers" planning to enlarge their dominions by the assistance, and +on the basis, of proclamations. In South Africa these "paper sheets" +were by far the most formidable allies of the British Empire. They +wrought greater havoc among the Boer forces than all the British +batteries ever did; for when they first began to explode in the midst of +the burghers the latter dropped down thick and fast. Thousands were +lured away from the posts of duty by the fascinating and seemingly +generous proposals contained in some proclamations. Had the +Field-Marshal only understood the Boer character better, and strictly +adhered to his first proclamation, and not violated its conditions, and +replaced it by others calculated to harass the surrendered Boer to such +an extent that war, with all its hardships and dangers, seemed +preferable to a life of continual dread and vexation, thousands of +surrendered burghers who enlisted would assuredly never have fired a +shot at the British troops. And it is just possible that that +proclamation would have secured victory for the British arms at a much +earlier date had it been abided by with more discretion. But then others +came in quick succession. And so it often happened that by proclamation +a burgher would be disarmed while another would compel ten others to +take the field. They were undoubtedly the best commandeering agents the +Boers ever had. Thousands of Boers and Colonists were from time to time +commandeered by the stringent and drastic obligations imposed upon them +by these proclamations. On the other hand they facilitated matters very +greatly for the enemy. Where the soldier could not go the proclamation +was sent; what the former could not do the latter often successfully +accomplished. Officers and burghers who had baffled the enemy by their +movements, and had routed them time and again, were captured +by--proclamations. + +Everything and anything the enemy required was secured by proclamation. +Horses, mules, donkeys, oxen, ammunition, rifles, barley, wheat, hay, +corn, maize, vehicles, and even luxuries, such as sugar, jams, etc., +were all gathered in by--proclamations. Besides, by proclamation the +non-combatant farmer, who was supposed to be neutral, was compelled to +report, at the nearest column or British post, the presence or +whereabouts of any armed Boer or Boers that he might happen to know +of--and that immediately, even at the risk of being shot should he fall +into the hands of the enemy he was reporting. Losing his life was, of +course, a matter of little consequence to the British. + +When the enemy adopted such tactics, the Boers had to counteract their +proclamations by circulating others. Now in doing that the +non-combatants were placed between two fires. They had to serve two +masters in carrying out the instructions of proclamations diametrically +opposed to each other. The man who was ingenious enough to act a double +part, who could steer clear of Charybdis and Scylla, alone evaded +trouble. There were, however, not many who succeeded in pleasing or +duping both parties for any length of time. + +The Boer proclamations levelled at those of the English made it +specially irksome to the Colonists, who were finally encompassed by a +host of proclamations. When they failed to obey the English +proclamations they were fined, cast into gaol, and treated as criminals. +When they obeyed the English, and consequently violated the Boer +proclamations, they had to undergo the penalty, fines, corporal +punishment, and even death, imposed by the Boers. The English said: +"This do, and thou shalt live"; the Boers: "This do not, and thou shalt +live." + +As far as possible the Colonists were left unmolested on their farms by +the Boers, who expected them, as non-combatants, to remain strictly +neutral. The English proclamations, on the other hand, converted these +non-combatant farmers into scouts, and often into spies. They had to +give the enemy every information concerning the Boer commandoes--as to +their strength, the condition of their horses, the number of unarmed +burghers, of servants, their movements and plans, as far as they could +discover these, etc., etc. In some instances they were commandeered to +take upon themselves the dangerous responsibility of acting as guides to +the British columns, and were then dismissed to return to their farms +and pose as non-combatants. This the Boers could not tolerate, and had +to prevent by forbidding it through counter-proclamations, which the +enemy laughed to scorn. The unfortunate farmer could not similarly +slight and ignore them. He _had_ to obey them, or abide the +consequences. + +When the Colonists were subjected to vexations of such a serious nature, +and when the British persisted in rigorously enforcing their +proclamations, the position of the Colonists became untenable and drove +them into rebellion. Had the military authorities exercised greater +wisdom and more common sense, so many British subjects would not have +fallen away. There were colonial rebels who never, never would have +lifted a rifle, whose loyalty was beyond all questioning, but the +pressure laid upon them by proclamations so numerous, onerous and odious +in character, forced them to fight for or against the Boers. To do the +former would be disloyal and treasonable, to acquiesce in the latter +would be violating the dictates of conscience. Was it the fault of the +Colonists that they were placed in such an awkward position? + +Martial Law and the way it was administered has been one of the leading +causes of the colonial rebellion. As long as the Colonists were +permitted to express their sentiments or political views through the +medium of congresses, conferences, public meetings, resolutions and +petitions, they cherished the hope that the Home Government would +eventually listen to their pleas. But when Martial Law was declared, the +constitution of the Cape Colony was virtually suspended, and the +Colonists were deprived of most, if not all, of their +liberties--liberties of speech, of the Press and of conscience. Under +Martial Law none, not even the most loyal, were allowed to write or say +anything which did not harmonize exactly with the views and actions of +the Imperial Government as represented in South Africa. Now, when men +may neither speak nor write, they are apt to act. The Colonists, being +compelled by this most wonderful of all laws--if law it be at +all--acted. For this law justified all things, as far as the war party +was concerned, while it condemned the rest indiscriminately. It gave +armed men unlimited power over the unarmed. It allowed the strong to +crush the weak, the rich to rob the poor, and the scoundrel to lodge in +gaol the man of honour and reputation. Nothing so exasperated the +Colonists as the odious manner in which the Martial Law regulations were +carried out, and nothing made greater rebels than the harshness of these +regulations. + +As the situation in the Cape Colony became more and more serious, the +most arbitrary and despotic methods were adopted to quell the rebellion +by trying to intimidate the Colonists. The policy of the gallows was +unscrupulously brought into practice, and the barbarous method of +compelling the Dutch residents to attend the execution of their +fellow-Dutch was enforced. At Burghersdorp, Cradock, Middelburg, and +various other places several rebels were executed. The chief Dutch +residents were compelled not only to listen to the public promulgation +of these death sentences, but had also to be present at the execution. +On July 10, 1901, the execution of one Marais took place at Middelburg. +At 9 A.M. he was executed in the presence of the leading residents. +Among these was Mr. De Waal, M.L.A., who entered the precincts of the +gaol attired in deep mourning. The scene proved too much for him; he +broke down completely before the executioner had drawn the bolt. + +Now these tragic enactments influenced the Colonists in one of two ways. +Some of them--the more timid--who were eye-witnesses of the executions +of their fellow-Dutch, became so intimidated that nothing could induce +them to take up arms against the British. Others--and these not a +few--instead of being over-awed and frightened, got infuriated. In the +awful presence of the gallows, on which their beloved countrymen ended +their earthly career, there and then, as they gazed on them in silent +sorrow, they took a solemn oath that, come what may, _avenge_ they would +the blood of their kindred. From the gallows they went to their +different homes with impressions and feelings so deep and bitter that +not even "Time's effacing finger" will be able to wipe them out for +centuries to come. From these heartrending scenes they turned their +faces, and anxiously awaited the first Boer commando. + +On one occasion no less than fifteen colonists, who were forced to +attend the execution of a fellow-colonist, came to my commando and +begged me to provide them with horses and rifles. Nothing could induce +them to return, for they had seen a comrade slain, and that was +sufficient. And so time and again colonists joined the Boer ranks +because they had to witness scenes calculated to stir up the most +callous and indifferent. If these were moved, how much more the hearts +and hands of those linked by ties of blood and love to the fallen! One +brother would enlist because the other was heavily fined or imprisoned +simply on suspicion. Two or more colonists would club together and join +the Boer ranks after a friend or relative of them had been executed. To +cite a few instances:-- + +In the Middelburg district a certain farmer, by name Van Heerden, was +commandeered by an English patrol to act as guide. Reluctantly he +obeyed, and led the patrol to the best of his ability. Not far from his +home the Boers opened fire on them. The British retreated, leaving their +wounded behind. Van Heerden himself was dangerously wounded. He was +carried off the field by his wife and servants and laid up in his house. +A few days after the column to which the patrol belonged arrived at Van +Heerden's farm. The officer in command entered the house of the wounded +man in a raging temper, and ordered him to be carried out and shot +immediately. In vain did the wife of Van Heerden expostulate and plead +with the unmerciful officer to spare the life of her wounded husband. +Van Heerden was carried out, tied to a chair placed beside a stone wall, +and seven Lee-Metford bullets penetrated the brain of the man who was +wounded, perhaps mortally, _in the service of the British army_! That +was his reward. Even that did not satisfy those who thirsted for blood, +for the house of the unfortunate man was forthwith looted, and his widow +and orphans robbed of everything. A few days after this sad event had +occurred our commando arrived at the same farm. The spot where the +victim sat was pointed out to me; the marks of the bullets, the blood +and the brain against the wall were still distinctly discernible, and +seemed to cry to heaven for revenge. And there was the family of the +departed--stripped of everything. The burghers contributed from their +scanty means what they could in support of the widow and orphans. + +No wonder that the brothers of this unfortunate man took up arms and +became the most pronounced, the most bitter enemies of those who +ruthlessly slew, if not murdered, their brother. One of them--Jacobus +van Heerden--whenever he spoke of his brother's death, would bite his +lips, his face would flush, and one could hear him mutter: "My brother's +blood shall be avenged." In the whole commando there was not a more +dauntless man than he. But, alas! he too passed away. A bullet was +destined to pierce his skull. At a farm, Leeuwfontein, in the district +of Murraysburg, he was shot by a Kaffir. + +On another occasion four Colonists were arrested; two of these were shot +in cold blood, while the other two were imprisoned, _because_ the +railway line was blown up and a train derailed by the Boers near their +home. They were accused of having known all about the Boers, who had +destroyed the railway line _during the night_--an accusation which, on +later investigation, proved false. + +When such crimes were perpetrated in the name of Martial Law, we are +rather surprised that all the Colonists did not rise to a man. What +would the English have done if subjected to such treatment? The Dutchman +is naturally slow to move, and very patient. He seems born to suffer and +endure. But Martial Law imposed such heavy burdens upon him that he +could not but resent them. Where the Boers were too lax in enforcing +their Martial Law regulations, the English went to the other extreme in +applying theirs too strenuously. + +Well may we ask whether it was a wise policy which converted so many +Colonists into bitter enemies, by subjecting them to such revolting +measures. + +The enlisting of blacks by the British induced many Colonists to cast in +their lot with the Boers. If natives were to be employed to crush a +kindred race, the Colonists thought that they were justified in +rendering assistance to their fellow-Dutch. + +Moreover, these armed natives, once promoted to the rank of soldiers, +tantalized the farmers, who were formerly their masters, to an +inconceivable degree. With rifle in hand they would go to these and +treat them in the most insulting manner. They would commandeer bread, +butter, milk, clothes, horses, and everything else they pleased, and woe +to the man or woman that did not promptly answer their demands. + +The farmers of the Western Province of the Cape Colony suffered perhaps +most in this respect. The natives had all congregated in the villages, +and there they were armed to assist in the work of destruction, while +the farmer, who required their services, had to tend his flocks and +plough his fields all alone. + +In Calvinia was an infamous Hottentot column, five hundred strong. These +Hottentots were the scare and plague of the whole district. By their +actions they goaded the Calvinia farmers into rebellion. + +Let us summarize these causes mentioned--causes which to some extent +account for the rising in the Cape Colony. They were:-- + +(_a_) War on a kindred race without consent of Colonists. + +(_b_) The Colonists left unprotected, and thus exposed to danger and +temptation. + +(_c_) The Colonists harassed by multitudinous proclamations and + +(_d_) Subjected to embarrassing Martial Law regulations. + +(_e_) The arming of natives against Colonists and Republicans. + +Other causes why so many once loyal and devoted British subjects took up +arms against the English may be cited, but the aforementioned are the +principal ones. By enumerating them we express neither approval nor +disapproval of the action of the Colonists; for we admire nothing more +in friend or foe than unfeigned devotion and loyalty to country and +people. The traitor and renegade are to be pitied, and their actions +despised. We could not but admire the loyalty of many a colonist under +such untoward circumstances; when that loyalty was stretched to the +breaking-point, when it became impossible for them to remain such any +longer, then and then only we gladly welcomed them and equipped them as +best we could. + +Those who stigmatize the Colonists as traitors, rebels, or renegades, +would do well to take into account the peculiar position in which they +were placed by the war, before passing a rash judgment on them. To be +fair towards the Colonists we must take into consideration the causes +which produced the effects. Only after a thorough investigation of the +causes could a just sentence be passed on the colonial rebel. If +governments have no responsibility whatever towards their subjects or +citizens, and no binding obligations to fulfil in respect to them, then +only may the investigation of causes be discarded. + +None lament more the sad results of the South African war than the +writers of these pages. Before the war Dutch and English lived and +worked side by side as friends and brothers. The two races, once +hostile, began to understand and respect one another more and more. In +the schools the Dutch and English languages had equal rights. In some +Dutch Reformed Churches English sermons were delivered by Dutch pastors +to Dutch and English congregations. The railways of the Free State were +almost exclusively controlled by English officials. In the Government +offices Dutch and English clerks worked together. The principal villages +of the Orange Free State were almost more English than Dutch. The +British subjects were perfectly content with the Free State Government +and desired no better. In the Transvaal the state of affairs was much +the same. Before the Jameson Raid there existed a kindly feeling between +Dutch and English. If time and patience had only been exercised, no +blood would have been shed, there never would have been war in South +Africa. But what time and patience would have wrought, the war party +undertook when they plunged the land into a war the effects of which +will be felt by more than one generation. + +Thousands of British subjects have been estranged from the +mother-country and turned into implacable enemies by the war. In many a +home there is a vacant chair, and round many a fireside one is missing +at eventide. Several families, once so happy and content, now mourn the +irreparable loss of a father or brother, a mother or sister. Thousands, +who were well-to-do before the war, are now poverty-stricken. Who then +shall adequately depict the misery and woe which has entered so many +homes since the first shot was fired in South Africa? And to-day, when +the roar of cannons, the din of rifles and the clatter of arms have been +hushed, there are men pining away in foreign countries because they may +not return to their native land. There are the unhappy exiles in +Belgium, Holland, France and America. Their families are left to the +mercy and care of friends and relatives in South Africa. How their +hearts are yearning to go to these, but...! Besides these exiles there +are those undergoing sentences of penal servitude either for life or for +long periods. There are the burghers in Bermuda and in India who, +because they cannot conscientiously take an oath of allegiance to the +British Government, are not allowed to return to their native land. As I +ponder over the condition of these unhappy cases my heart seems to +break, and a feeling of compassion mingled with sorrow inexpressible +rises in my bosom. + +While referring to these, I would dare to plead earnestly with the +Imperial Government to display mercy and generosity. Exercise these +towards the exiled, not only for their sake, but also for the sake of +their families and for the promotion of peace in South Africa. Is it too +much to plead for a general amnesty? Will that not lessen the intense +race-hatred between two peoples destined to live in the same land? + +True reconciliation is the foundation on which the structure of a united +South Africa shall be raised. Without reconciliation there can be no +co-operation, and South Africa will be in the future what it has been in +the past--a land of strife and discord. Adhere to a policy of severity +and the gulf between Dutch and English will grow deeper and deeper as +the years roll by. There will be another Ireland, instead of a land +where "peace and rest for ever dwell." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +WAR INCIDENTS. + + +Notwithstanding the horror and depression which must necessarily keep +step with the campaigner, death staring him in the face throughout the +campaign, yet the burgher endeavoured to show a cheerful countenance. In +this he succeeded to a surprising degree. It is a characteristic of the +Boer that he can meet frowning fortune with a smile or at least a shrug +of the shoulders. He found that his best policy was to forget the +reverse of yesterday. Flying to-day before the enemy, to-morrow he will +rally, and charge that same foe with almost irresistible determination. + +In this, the last chapter, we want to dwell not on the tragic aspects of +the war, but on its lighter side. Gradually we learnt to be more +conscious of the amusing than of the sad scenes of the battlefield. +Months of fighting, if they had hardened our natures, had yet left us +the power of laughter. + +The South African War was rich in incidents that tended to lighten our +burdens. Hardly a day passed by without something happening, either on +the battlefield or in the camp, which caused us amusement. The burghers, +in spite of looks and behaviour, had a keen sense of humour. Even when +we were so hotly pressed that there was often no pause made for a meal, +a joke in the saddle was relished in the place of food. In little +groups, too, round the camp fires we would beguile the long evenings of +winter nights by relating our personal adventures. We will record a few +of these, acquired from personal experience or overheard at such +gatherings. + +Moving in the Reddersburg district, we camped for a night at a dam which +contained a small quantity of water. The next morning the burghers, +discovering that there were fish in the pool, but having no +fishing-hooks, undressed and began to convert the water into a muddy +mass, thus compelling the fish to come to the surface for air. While +still engaged in this impromptu fishing, with bodies mud-covered from +top to toe, they heard the cry "Opzaal! opzaal! Khakis near by." So near +was the enemy that they could not afford to lose a minute. As there was +neither clean water nor time to wash off the mud, they were obliged to +jump into their clothes, besmeared as they were with mud. It was an +amusing sight to see them running to their clothes, black as negroes, +and, regardless of the mud, dressing as quickly as they could. Some of +them had a very narrow escape, and not before sunset could they take +another bath. + +The destruction of the railway-line afforded us much fun. There were +burghers who dreaded this kind of work much more than actual fighting. +They would rather get into the firing-line than go to the railway-line. +They feared nothing so much as to handle a charge of dynamite, by which +the destruction was usually accomplished. To prevent any accidents, a +whistle was blown as a signal to apply the lights to all the fuses at +once, so that the men could all withdraw to a safe distance before the +explosion took place. On one occasion a burgher, intentionally or out of +fright, lit his fuse while the others were still engaged depositing +their charges under the rails. The surprise of the rest on seeing the +fuse alight took the form of helter-skeltering away, some rushing +against the railway fence, others almost breaking their necks over +ant-heaps, while some only got away a few yards before the explosion +took place. Fortunately none were injured, and when all was over they +laughed heartily over their own disorderly retreat. + +After we had blown up the line we went to a farm about three miles away. +As we halted in front of the door, the farmer's wife--her husband had +been deported--came out. The old lady appeared very agitated; she begged +us kindly to leave as soon as possible. It seemed she was entertaining +three English soldiers as guests that night, and was anxious that we +should not disturb their slumbers, which action would get her into +trouble. "Oh, do go," she said, "for if you disturb these sleeping +guests, I also will be prosecuted and sent to India." Poor soul! She was +doing her best to protect her visitors, not because she cared so much +for them, but for fear of the consequences should we lay hands on them. +We could not, however, listen to her plea. We did not want Tommy +himself, but only his rifle and ammunition. Hence we went to their room +and found them sharing one bed. It was midnight and so they did not +expect us at all. Imagine their feelings on realizing that armed Boers +surrounded their bed! Their complete helplessness, as they lay undressed +and unarmed, caused the burghers to indulge in hearty laughter. To +silence their fears we assured them that they need not dread any evil, +we would soon dismiss them. + +Our military councils were frequently occasions of humour--a grim humour +which could only appeal to the Boer, made grim by the treachery of +fellow-Dutchmen. + +At the beginning of the war some, especially the uninitiated, dreaded +nothing more than a war council. To such it was a body of men invested +with unlimited power, a council that could pronounce sentence of death +on whomsoever they wished. To appear before this august assembly meant +almost certain death. Now sometimes it meant that, but more often not. +For one reason or another prisoners were for the time being brought in +under a wrong impression of the character of the assembly. Such was the +case with two farmers in the district of Trompsburg, Orange River +Colony. They had been arrested on a charge of sending reports to the +enemy. Terror-stricken, they appeared before the war council, there to +render an account of their deeds. Before their trial began, the +president of the council, in addressing the other officers, assured them +that whatever sentence they should consider just would be carried out by +him. If sentence of death should be passed, he would not hesitate to +take his rifle and put an end to the lives of the accused. "We must," he +said, "put a stop to these treasonable acts." The poor prisoners +trembled from head to foot. No mercy! On being examined, they +acknowledged that they had forwarded treasonable reports to the enemy, +and began to plead for mercy. One of them asked us to bear in mind that +he was a poor man, and had a wife and a large family that would be left +destitute. Pretending to be quite in earnest, we assured him that we +were decided to take nothing into consideration, and would mete out +strict justice. They were then removed so that the court could decide on +their punishment. After a few minutes' consultation they were called in, +and asked to subscribe their names to a statement which ran as +follows:-- + + We, the undersigned, do hereby declare, that, as burghers of the + Orange Free State, we had no right to send reports to the British, + and, in doing so, we have committed High Treason. + +When they had signed the paper one of the officers remarked that we must +have such a declaration signed by the accused to justify our actions +with regard to them before the Government. Another officer asked the +president whether the prisoners would be allowed to take leave of their +families. To which the president abruptly replied: "No; such characters +do not deserve any privileges." They were left under the awful +impression for two hours that both would be shot, and then released with +a warning to forward no reports to the enemy. Their anxiety must have +been intense; their joy on being acquitted no less. + +Non-combatants frequently found themselves in an uneasy and perplexing +position. It was sometimes most difficult to differentiate between Boer +and Briton, especially in the night. The poor farmer was often at his +wits' end to know whom he was addressing, the more so when the British +ranks were swelled by Dutch colonists and national scouts. The +non-combatant farmer found it extremely difficult to steer a course +inoffensive to either side. He was between two fires, for when suspected +of disloyalty, either a Dutch or English trap might be laid for him. Not +a few were caught in such snares. Others were more careful. If they did +not know you personally, it was of no avail to tell them that you +belonged to such and such a commando or column. They simply professed to +know nothing. "I don't know," was the answer to every question. They +were, of course, on the safe side. But many committed themselves, if not +in deeds, then in words. To cite a few cases:-- + +One of our officers, Captain Pretorius, dismounted one evening at the +farm of a Mr. B. in the district of Bethulie. The farmer, hearing a tap +at the door, went and opened it. Pretorius, who posed as an English +officer, asked Mr. B., "Where are the Boers?" The latter, pointing to +certain ridges in the distance, said in rather broken English, "Do you +see those kopjes yonder? They are full of Boers." But asked at the same +time, "Do tell me, are you really an Englishman? I must be clear on this +point before I can speak to you. There must be no mistake." On being +assured by Pretorius and his party that they were not Boers and did not +belong to the Boer forces, he told them very confidently all, and +perhaps more than they wanted to know, for he began to express himself +very strongly against the so-called marauding bands of Boers still +roaming at large. He promised the supposed English officer that, as soon +as possible, he would report the Boers; he would, he said, have done so +already had the opportunity come his way. Just think how confused and +embarrassed Mr. B. was when the English officer suddenly changed into a +Boer, lifted his gun and said in his most harsh tone, "I feel inclined +to send a bullet through your brains. Are you not ashamed to slander +your own people in this way? It is because we have such Africanders as +you in our midst that we suffer so much." This revelation proved almost +too much for the farmer, who was of a timid and nervous disposition. The +Boers left his farm the following day for regions so distant that it was +impossible to trap him again. Once was enough for him. + +The next victim resided in the same district. Commandant Joubert, having +crossed the Bethulie-Springfontein line, touched at the farm of a +certain Mr. X. Joubert, accompanied by a burgher, went to wake up Mr. X. +They knocked loudly at the door; knocks failing, they were followed by +a kick. But there was no response. Inside it was as still as the grave. +Thinking that Mr. X. was out, the Commandant went to his brother's room, +where he learnt that Mr. X. was in, sure enough. When Joubert heard this +he went back to his room, tapped loudly once more, and then said, "Bring +the dynamite, and let us blow up the show," while the other burgher +said, "Never mind the dynamite, let us fire through the door." On +hearing of dynamite and firing through the door, the occupant could +remain silent no longer. He jumped up and cried out, "Wait, wait--don't +fire! I am coming." Peeping out at the door, he asked with tremulous +voice, "What do you want?" "Come out," said the Commandant; "I want to +see you on important business." "The sooner you come the better for +you," added the burgher, who happened to be related to Mr. X. This +remark, however, spoiled the rest of the game, for Mr. X. recognised the +voice of his relative, and catching at the same time a glimpse of his +face in the bright moonlight, he rushed out and flung his arms around +one who had not killed his relative's affection by his joke. + +The following incident well illustrates the self-possession and presence +of mind sometimes displayed by our opponents. On a certain day two Boer +scouts were charged by two of their own men. The scouts, observing that +the two burghers mistook them for enemies, simply dismounted and waited +for them. While the two Boers came tearing up to their own scouts, two +of the enemy's scouts who were not far off, observing these two Boers, +took them in their turn for British, and thinking to render them some +assistance, likewise charged the Boer scouts. When they reached the Boer +scouts the two burghers had already captured (?) the latter, and had +dismounted. Our friends at once realized their awkward position. They +were in the presence of four Boers. Escape was out of the question, +unless they could get round these Boers in some way or other. As both of +them could talk Dutch, being Colonials, the happy idea struck them at +once to try to pose as burghers, for there were several commandoes in +that district, and it was just possible that these Boers, in whose hands +they now were, would take their word and let them off. One of them, +therefore, on reaching the burghers, very ingeniously remarked, "Well, +you know, we actually took you for _khakis_." The other one was not slow +to offer the burghers some fruit which he had in his pocket. And so they +began talking to one another in a most familiar way. One of the Boers, a +certain Mr. Bresler, suspected these two unknown friends, and while the +other three were conversing with them as they sat on their horses, he +(Bresler) kept his eyes on them, and watched their every movement. At +length Bresler said, "Well, you had better go to your commando, or +dismount your tired horses." Only too glad to get away they replied, "We +are going; good-bye," and off they rode. "Do you know these fellows?" +Bresler asked his comrades, as they were leaving them. "No," was the +reply. "Well," said Bresler, "to be sure, they are British scouts." He +called them back and asked them to which commando they belonged. +"Potgieter's" was the answer. As there was no such commandant, they were +immediately arrested. Had Bresler not been present the probability is +that they would have captured the three burghers, for, as they told him, +they simply waited for an opportunity to disarm them, but they saw that +Bresler was watching them all the time and so could not venture to lift +their rifles. + +Sport of the most dangerous nature was sometimes indulged in. Certain +Boer officers, and also privates, would risk their lives to have some +amusement. Commandant W. Fouché was one of those who ventured most. +Naturally brave and sometimes even reckless, he would step in almost +anywhere. In the district of Willowmore, Cape Colony, he one evening +entered a house where two of the enemy's scouts were comfortably seated +by the side of two young ladies. He stepped into the room, greeted all, +and took a seat next to one of the young ladies. To chafe and annoy the +scouts, he placed his hand on the shoulder of one of the young ladies +and pretended to kiss her. This act of his was enough to set one of the +Englishmen on fire. "I shall not allow you," he said, "to touch the +lady. You have no right to do it." Fouché then desisted; he withdrew +his arm, and asked the young lady for some food, as he was very hungry. +His friend calmed down, and they began to converse. By chance one of the +scouts touched his pocket and noticed that there was something strange +in it. "What is that hard thing in your pocket?" he queried. Fouché +replied, "Oh, it is my pipe." "Your pipe is very large indeed," rejoined +the scout. (This pipe was nothing else than a revolver.) + +To irritate his unknown friends, Fouché began again to trifle with one +of the ladies. This time the scout lost self-control; he rose, and +taking his chair with both hands, brought it down upon Fouché with all +his might, evidently with the intention of shattering the brains of the +latter. Fouché smartly parried the blow, and the next instant the +striker was a wounded man, and his comrade a prisoner. + +In the district of Rouxville the same officer had a similar experience. +There, one evening, he came across three of the enemy--one a Dutch +colonist, the other two Britons--off-saddled at a farm. As they did not +expect any Boers, their rifles were carelessly left outside the house. +Fouché was again the one to enter. Having disguised himself so as to +create no suspicion, he boldly walked in and shook hands with the party. +The Colonial, in a domineering tone, asked him the object of his visit. +"Come to see my young lady," was the reply. "Have you permission to +leave your farm?" "No," said Fouché. "We arrest you at once," said the +Colonial, "and will take you to Rouxville gaol. You shall have to walk +all the way [some 24 miles], and that will teach you not to go about +without a pass at this time of the night." "Well," said Fouché, "I +really did not know that I must have a pass to come and see my young +lady, and if you arrest me you must kindly allow me to get a horse at +home, for certainly I cannot walk all this distance." "Nonsense," +replied the Colonial; "there is no time to go home now." + +As Fouché was supplicating for grace the other two went to fetch their +horses. They were cordially received by the burghers outside. The +Colonial in the meantime questioned Fouché as to the whereabouts of the +Boers. The prisoner informed him that the notorious Commandant Fouché +was again in that district. "Why," asked Fouché, "don't you capture this +fellow with his raiding bands? They are the plague of the district. You +should protect us." The Colonial: "Just a few days longer and he will be +no more in the land of the living." At the same time he began to abuse +him, without being conscious in the least that he was at the very moment +speaking to that officer himself. + +After some more talk he took Fouché by the arm and said, "Come along, we +must be off; you are my prisoner." "What," rejoined the latter--"your +prisoner! Don't you believe it. You are mine." So saying he took a +revolver out of his pocket and pointed it at the over-confident +Colonial, who thereupon looked several inches smaller. + + * * * * * + +LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, DUKE STREET, +STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Shadow of Death +by P. H. Kritzinger and R. D. 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Kritzinger and Mr. R.D. McDonald. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 1%; font-size: smaller; text-align: left; color: gray;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + .poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 10em;} + .poem span.i14 {display: block; margin-left: 14em;} + .poem span.i22 {display: block; margin-left: 22em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Shadow of Death +by P. H. Kritzinger and R. D. McDonald + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: In the Shadow of Death + +Author: P. H. Kritzinger and R. D. McDonald + +Release Date: August 7, 2005 [EBook #16463] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Taavi Kalju and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"> + <a id="image01" name="image01"> + <img src="images/1.jpg" + alt="GENERAL P.H. KRITZINGER." + title="GENERAL P.H. KRITZINGER." /></a><br /> + <span class="caption">GENERAL P.H. KRITZINGER.<br /><i>Photo by Emberon, London.</i></span> +</div> + + +<h1><b>In the Shadow of Death</b></h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>GENERAL P.H. KRITZINGER</h2> + +<h4>AND</h4> + +<h2>MR. R.D. MCDONALD</h2> + + +<h4>ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS AND DIAGRAMS</h4> + + +<h5>PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 1904</h5> + +<h5>LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, DUKE STREET, +STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W.</h5> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Preface" id="Preface"></a>Preface.</h2> + + +<p>Several excellent works have already been written about the Anglo-Boer +War of the beginning of the twentieth century; but the field of +operations was so extensive, the duration of the war so long, and the +leaders, on the Boer side, were necessarily so independent of one +another in the operations that were conducted with one common aim, that +something of interest may well remain to be said. We have not here +chronicled our experiences and adventures in the form of a diary, but +have rather grouped together events and observations. We write as Boers, +frankly regretting the loss of that independence for which we took the +field; but also as those who wish to give no offence to any honourable +opponent. Our aim has been to do equal justice to both sides in the war; +to unite and reconcile, not to separate and embitter, two Christian +peoples destined to live together in one land.</p> + +<p>"In the Shadow of Death" is a title the reader will hardly consider +inappropriate by the time he reaches the end of this little book. +Outnumbered on the battlefield, often exposed to the enemy's fire, and +one of us wounded and laid low on a bed of intense suffering, and then +charged before a Military Court with the greatest of crimes, we did not +dare to hope that we should live to write these pages.</p> + +<p>And here let our cordial thanks be given to Advocate F.G. Gardiner for +his inestimable services in the hour of need, and for kindly submitting +to us the "papers" bearing on the trial.</p> + +<p>P.H. KRITZINGER.</p> + +<p>R.D. MCDONALD.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Contents" id="Contents"></a>Contents.</h2> + +<table summary="Contents"> + <tr> + <td><a href="#Preface"><b>Preface.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#Contents"><b>Contents.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#List_of_Illustrations"><b>List of Illustrations.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I. ANTECEDENTS</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II. DARK DAYS</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III. ENGAGEMENTS</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV. IN TIGHT CORNERS</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V. TO THE CAPE COLONY</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI. WOUNDED</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII. COURT-MARTIALLED</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII. WHY WE SURRENDERED</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX. THE BOER AS SEEN IN THE LIGHT OF THE WAR</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X. THE RISING IN THE CAPE COLONY</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI. WAR INCIDENTS</b></a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="List_of_Illustrations" id="List_of_Illustrations"></a>List of Illustrations.</h2> + +<table summary="List of Illustrations"> + <tr> + <td><a href="#image01"><b>GENERAL P.H. KRITZINGER.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#image02"><b>MR. R. MCDONALD.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#image03"><b>SANNA'S POST</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#image04"><b>THE LINDLEY AFFAIR.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#image05"><b>AN INTERESTING GROUP.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#image06"><b>GENERAL CHRISTIAN DE WET.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#image07"><b>EX-PRESIDENT STEYN.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#image08"><b>THE LATE COMMANDANT DANIE THERON.</b></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><a href="#image09"><b>COMMANDANT W.D. FOUCHÉ.</b></a></td> + </tr> +</table> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page1" name="page1"></a>Pg 1</span></p> +<h2>"In the Shadow of Death."</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>ANTECEDENTS.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The child is father to the man;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And I could wish my days to be<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bound each to each by natural piety.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10"><i>Wordsworth.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>A few preliminary pages of personal history I offer to those who +followed me either in thought or deed during the Anglo-Boer War.</p> + +<p>My ancestors were Germans; my grandfather was born in the South. About +the year 1820 he, along with two brothers, bade farewell to the land of +his nativity and emigrated to South Africa. They found a home for +themselves in the neighbourhood of Port Elizabeth, and there they +settled as farmers. Two of the brothers married women of Dutch +extraction; one died a bachelor. A small village, Humansdorp, situated +near to Port Elizabeth, was the birth-place of my father. There he spent +the greater part of his life. He, too, married a Dutch lady; and we +children adopted the language of our mother, and spoke Dutch rather than +German.</p> + +<p>My father took an active part in several of the early Kaffir Wars, and +rendered assistance to the Colonial forces in subjugating the native +tribes in the Eastern Province of the Cape Colony. With rapt attention +and enthusiasm we children would listen to him as he told the tale of +those early native wars. I then thought that there was nothing so +sublime and glorious as war. My imagination was inflamed, and I longed +intensely to participate in such<span class="pagenum"><a id="page2" name="page2"></a>Pg 2</span> exciting adventures. My experience of +recent years has corrected my views. I think differently now. Peace is +better than war. War is brutal and damnable. It is indeed "hell let +loose."</p> + +<p>On the 20th of April, 1870, the arrival of a little Kritzinger was +announced on the farm Wildeman's-Kraal, Port Elizabeth District. That +little fellow happened to be myself. I do not recollect much of the days +of my youth—save that I was of a very lively disposition, with a +fondness for all sorts of fun, and often of mischief, which landed me +occasionally in great trouble. My parents obeyed the injunctions of Holy +Writ in diligently applying the rod when they thought it necessary. As a +child, I could but dimly understand, and scarcely believe, that love was +at the root of every chastisement.</p> + +<p>At the age of five I met with a serious accident. While gathering shells +on the beach at Port Elizabeth, the receding waves drew me seaward with +irresistible power. But for the pluck and courage of my little +playfellow, a lassie of some twelve summers, I was lost. She came to the +rescue. I was saved at the last moment: a few seconds more and I must +have perished in the deep.</p> + +<p>In 1882 my parents, leaving Cape Colony in search of a new home in the +Orange Free State, settled down in the district of Ladybrand. It was, +however, decided that I should remain behind with an uncle. This uncle +was my godfather, and had promised to provide for my education. Having +no children, he made me his adopted son. However excellent these +arrangements might be, I resolved that I too should go to the Orange +Free State. I succeeded in persuading my brother, who had charge of the +waggons, to let me follow him on horseback under cover of darkness. I +left my uncle's home alone and at dusk on the third evening after my +brother's departure. How I felt, and in what condition I was, after +riding thirty-five miles on the bare back of a horse, I shall not +describe. My parents, who had gone ahead of the waggons, were not a +little astonished, and yet they were not angry, at the unexpected +appearance of the boy that was left behind.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page3" name="page3"></a>Pg 3</span>On my arrival in the Free State it so happened that there was then a +dispute as to headship between two Barolong chiefs. This quarrel called +forth the intervention of the Free State Government. The burghers were +commandoed in the event of resistance on the part of the native chiefs; +and I, though a mere boy, at once offered my services to the nearest +Field Cornet. He declined to accept them on the score that I was too +young. Like David, I was loth to go back home. I borrowed an old gun, +got a horse, and off I stole to the Boer commando. The dispute was +amicably settled. Some thirty Barolongs, however, offered resistance. +Most eagerly I thus fired my first shot upon a human being. I did not +know then that it would not be the last; that I should live to hear the +mountains and hills of South Africa reverberate with the sound of +exploding shells, that the whizz of bullets would assail my ears like +the humming of bees; that a bullet would penetrate my own lungs, leaving +me a mass of bleeding clay on the battle-field. I did not know that +South Africa's plains would yet be drenched with the blood of Boer and +Briton until the very rivers ran crimson.</p> + +<p>At the early age of seventeen I left the parental roof to earn for +myself an independent living. I went to the district of Rouxville, where +I occupied a farm situated on the Basutoland border. Several of the +Basuto chiefs I got to know well. They allowed me to purchase all I +desired from their subjects. Occupied thus with my private affairs while +years sped by, I unconsciously drifted on to the disastrous war.</p> + +<p>My mind was never absorbed nor disturbed by the many political +controversies and problems of South Africa, not that I was indifferent +to the welfare of my people and country, for, once war was declared by +the leaders, my services were ready. I attached myself to the Rouxville +Commando, under Commandant J. Olivier, as a private burgher. When +Prinsloo surrendered, late in 1900, I was appointed Assistant-Commandant +over that portion of the Rouxville Commando which had refused to lay +down arms on Prinsloo's authority. This was my first commission in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page4" name="page4"></a>Pg 4</span> the +Boer Army. On more than one occasion I had been requested to accept +appointments; but, realising the great responsibility involved in +leadership, I preferred to fight as a private. But events pushed onward; +and on the 26th of August, 1900, when Commandant Olivier made an +unsuccessful attack on Winburg, which resulted in his capture, I was +elected in his stead, and so became Commandant of the Rouxville +Commando.</p> + +<p>On December 16th, 1900, carrying out instructions of General De Wet, I +crossed the Orange River at a point near Odendaal's Stroom, with about +270 burghers. General De Wet was to follow me, but he was prevented. The +enemy, determined to drive me back or effect my capture, concentrated +numerous forces on my small commando. For months I was dreadfully +harassed, and had no rest day or night. But I was resolved neither to +retrace my steps nor to capitulate. How I escaped from time to time I +now tell. The Cape Colonist Boers began to come in, and my forces +increased rather than decreased. The burghers I had at my disposal I +subdivided into smaller commandos, to give employment to the enemy, so +that they could not concentrate all their forces on me. Thus, as the +Colonists rose in arms, the commandos began to multiply more and more, +until it was impossible for the British forces to expel the invaders +from the Cape Colony.</p> + +<p>At the beginning of August, 1901, General French once more fixed his +attention on me. I was hard pressed by large forces, and had to fall +back on the Orange Free State, where I then operated till the 15th of +December. Again, and now for the last time, I forded the Orange River at +midnight, and set foot on British territory. The following day I was +wounded while crossing the railway line near Hanover Road. For about a +month I was laid up in the British hospital at Naauwpoort, whence I was +removed to Graaf Reinet gaol, and there I was confined as a criminal +until the 10th of March, 1902, when after a five days' trial for murder +I was acquitted. After my acquittal I was advanced to the honour (?) of +P.O.W. (Prisoner of War), and so remained till the cessation of +hostilities.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page5" name="page5"></a>Pg 5</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>DARK DAYS.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i22"><i>Shakespeare.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Up to the 27th February, 1900, the Republican arms were on the whole +successful. The Boers fought well and many a brilliant victory crowned +their efforts, and encouraged them to continue their struggle for +freedom. True, they had to sacrifice many noble lives, but that was a +sacrifice they were prepared to make for their country. Fortune smiled +on them; as yet they had met with no very serious reverses. +Magersfontein, Stormberg, Colenso, Spion Kop, were so many offerings of +scarce vanquished Boers to the veiled Goddess Liberty. But towards the +end of February, 1900, clouds gathered over the Republics. The tide of +fortune was turned; disaster after disaster courted the Boer forces; +blow after blow struck them with bewildering force. Then came the news +of Cronje's capture. No sooner had we crossed the Orange River during +the retreat from Stormberg than we learnt that stunning news of the +disaster at Paardeberg on the 27th of February—the anniversary of +Amajuba. Cronje captured—the General in whom we had placed such +implicit confidence and on whom we relied for the future! Cronje +captured—the man who had successfully checked the advance of the +English forces on Kimberley at Magersfontein; the hero of many a battle; +the man who knew no fear! His men captured—the flower and pick of the +Boer forces, with all their guns, and brave Major Albrecht as well!</p> + +<p>Many a burgher who up to that fatal day had fought hopefully and +courageously lost hope and courage then.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page6" name="page6"></a>Pg 6</span> Some, we regret to say, were +so disconsolate that they renounced their faith in that Supreme Being in +whose hands are the destinies of nations. Their reliance on their +country's God ended with Cronje's capture, as though their deliverance +depended solely upon him. This, however, does not appear so strange when +one recollects that the Boers could not afford to lose so many of their +best men at a time when all were precious for their country's safety. As +to the siege itself, we, not having been in it, cannot enter into its +details. One of the besieged, who, in spite of a terrific bombardment +and repeated attacks by the enemy, kept a diary of the events of each +day, gives this striking description on the 10th and last day:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Bombardment heavier than usual. The burghers are recalcitrant and +in consequence the General's authority wanes rapidly. There is +hardly any food, the remaining bags of biscuits are yellow from the +lyddite fumes, so is everything, damp and yellow. The stench of the +decomposed horses and oxen is awful. The water of the rivers is +putrid with carrion. A party of men caught three stray sheep early +on the morning of the 10th. In haste they killed them and started +to skin them desperately; but they had half done when a lyddite +shell bursting close to them turned the mutton yellow with its +fumes and it had to be abandoned reluctantly. The sufferings of the +wounded are heartrending. Little children huddled together in +bomb-proof excavations are restless, hungry and crying. The women +are adding their sobs to the plaintive exhortations of the wounded. +All the time the shelling never abates. The arena of the defenders +is veneered. Nearly every man, woman and child is lyddite-stained. +The muddy stream is yellow. The night was an awful one. For two +days the men are without food, but worse still are the pestiferous +air, the loathsome water, and the suffering of the wounded. It is +too much for flesh and blood. The morning of the 27th February saw +the first white flag hoisted by a Boer general. It was a woeful +sight when 3600 Boers, undisciplined peasants, reluctantly threw +down their rifles among the wreck of the shells and ambled past the +English lines. They had withstood the onslaught of 80,000 British +troops with modern death-dealing implements of war, and, towards<span class="pagenum"><a id="page7" name="page7"></a>Pg 7</span> +the end of the siege, about 1000 guns were brought to bear upon +them."</p></div> + +<p>How far this disaster can be attributed to General Cronje is difficult +to say. The following considerations may, however, throw some light on +its causes.</p> + +<p>During the early part of the war we hardly realised the great value and +necessity of good scouting. It was only after General Cronje and his men +had fallen into the hands of the enemy that a regular scouting corps was +organised and placed under the control of the brave Danie Therou.</p> + +<p>Lord Roberts's forces were almost on Cronje's laager before they were +perceived, and unfortunately they were even then entirely +under-estimated and consequently thought light of. Flushed by the +victory at Magersfontein, the General did not contemplate the +possibility of such a bitter reverse. He was going to strike another +hard blow at the enemy—he did strike it, but at too great a cost. Had +he realised his position the first or second day after the siege was +begun, he might still have escaped. The convoy would have been captured, +but the men would have been saved. The old gentleman was determined to +hold all, and consequently lost all.</p> + +<p>So far the General deserves censure and is accountable for the disaster +which had such a far-reaching and bad moral effect on the rest of the +burghers. The only sweet drop contained in the bitter cup extended to us +was the fact that Cronje and his burghers surrendered <i>as men</i>, and not +as <i>cowards</i>. Once surrounded and brought to bay they resisted every +attack with admirable fortitude and valour. Surrounded along the banks +of the Modder River, at a spot where they had no cover at all, exposed +to a terrific cannonade and charged by thousands of the enemy from time +to time, these farmers fearlessly repelled every onslaught. It was one +thing to surround them, another thing to capture them. They were not to +be taken with cold hands. The enemy, especially the Canadians, had to +pay a great price before the white flag announced Cronje's unconditional +surrender.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page8" name="page8"></a>Pg 8</span>During the siege attempts were made by General De Wet to relieve +Cronje, but none succeeded. Several of the relieving forces, including +the pick of the Winburg Commando with Commandant Theunissen, were +themselves surrounded and captured in trying to break through the lines +of the besiegers.</p> + +<p>To intensify the gloom, Ladysmith, which was daily expected to fall, was +relieved on the day of Cronje's surrender. For certain reasons the late +Commandant-General P. Joubert had evacuated the positions round +Ladysmith and retreated to the Biggar's Range. General Louis Botha, who +was engaging Buller's relieving forces at Colenso, was then also +compelled to retreat.</p> + +<p>After Cronje's capture the way to Bloemfontein and Pretoria lay open. +The Boers made one more stand at Abraham's Kraal, where the enemy +suffered heavily, but carried the day by their overwhelming numbers. +After the British occupied Bloemfontein the Transvaal burghers became +reluctant to offer battle in the Free State, on the ground that there +were no positions from which they could successfully check the +ever-advancing foe. Many of the Free Staters were discouraged and +hopeless; but rest renewed their strength and zeal, and they shortly +returned to the struggles.</p> + +<p>The second disaster which befell the two Republics was the ignominious +and cowardly surrender of Prinsloo, which took place on the 1st of +August, 1900. For various reasons this surrender was more keenly felt by +the Boers than that of Cronje. The one, though he might have blundered, +nevertheless acted the part of a brave, though obstinate, man; the other +that of a coward.</p> + +<p>Some six weeks after the occupation of Bloemfontein the British troops +resumed their northward march, and so quickly did they advance, almost +day and night, that Pretoria was soon occupied. What this rapid movement +meant, we could not quite understand. Did Lord Roberts think that the +occupation of Pretoria would terminate hostilities? The British forces +in their swift march to the Transvaal capital left Free State burghers +behind them as<span class="pagenum"><a id="page9" name="page9"></a>Pg 9</span> they advanced. These men rallied again under General De +Wet and seriously threatened the English line of communications, +capturing seven hundred of the British at Roode Wal.</p> + +<p>Large forces under Hector MacDonald and Bruce Hamilton recrossed the +Vaal in order to crush the Free Staters. Then Prinsloo surrendered. +Having accompanied the commandos that surrendered under him, we will +relate the story of that most sad incident of the War.</p> + +<p>On the occupation of Bethlehem by the British in the beginning of July, +1900, the Boer commandos, under General De Wet, retreated to the +Wittebergen, a mountain range to the south-east of Bethlehem, forming a +semi-circle round Fouriesburg, a small village on the Basutoland border. +This range, with its towering peaks and steep slopes, formed an +impregnable stronghold. The burghers thought that, once behind those +heaven-high mountains, with all the passes in their possession, with +abundant war supplies, and all the necessaries of life, they would +resist successfully every attack. The camps were pitched at the base of +the mountains. The burghers began at once to make turf-bulwarks for the +guns, and trenches for themselves, in the various passes.</p> + +<p>General De Wet, who did not seem quite at ease in this enclosure or +kraal, for such it was, organised the Bethlehem-Heilbron burghers into a +commando 2500 strong and left with these in the direction of Heilbron. +General Roux from Senekal was instructed to organise another commando, +1000 or 1200 strong, and advance with that in the direction of +Bloemfontein. For some reason or other, General Roux's departure was +delayed, and so he with all his men fell into Prinsloo's meshes.</p> + +<p>On Monday, 23rd July, the enemy made a general attack on all the Boer +positions, except Naauwpoort Pass. These attacks, though very +determined, were unsuccessful. From sunrise to sunset the firing never +ceased. The burghers in Slabberts Nek, where we happened to be, were +subjected to a dreadful cannon fire. This pass was guarded by Captain +Smith with two Krupp guns and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page10" name="page10"></a>Pg 10</span> Lieutenant Carlblom with a pom-pom. Upon +these guns the English directed two Howitzers and six Armstrongs. Here, +just before sunset, the gallant Captain Rautenbagh was blown to pieces +by a lyddite shell, which exploded in front of him.</p> + +<p>Thus repulsed by day, the enemy succeeded in scaling the heights to the +left of the Boers at Slabberts Nek by an unguarded footpath during the +night. As soon as the crimson light of a July dawn had exposed the +frost-covered ridges, the dark overcoats on the left of the Boer +positions revealed the unwelcome fact that the enemy had gained their +object of the day before, and had outflanked the Boers.</p> + +<p>Not only at Slabberts Nek, but also at Reliefs Nek the Boers were +outflanked the same night. At the latter pass a number of Highlanders +had occupied the rocky heights during the stillness of the night, so +that when the Boer pickets discovered them the next morning they found +the enemy commanding a position higher than their own, which they +forthwith abandoned. The enemy, now in possession of two mountain +passes, forced the Boers to evacuate all the other passes, by +threatening an attack on our rear and surrounding us. So on Tuesday +morning, at about 9 A.M., the commandos quitted the mountains and fell +back on Fouriesburg.</p> + +<p>Our situation was becoming hourly more and more embarrassing. There was +just one thing to be done, and that was to move as quickly as possible +all along the base of the mountain range, and to seize a pass called +Naauwpoort Nek farther northwards. That pass was not yet occupied by the +enemy, and there it was possible to secure a safe exit; and higher up +the mountain range, at the farm of Salmon Raads, was another pass which +could be reached in due time.</p> + +<p>If Prinsloo had, in his heart, desired to save his commandos, he could +have done so easily. But no sooner had we left the mountains than we +noticed that strange whispers were passed from man to man; we heard it +said that a further prolongation of the war was absolutely use<span class="pagenum"><a id="page11" name="page11"></a>Pg 11</span>less; +that many of the officers and burghers were tired of it, and would like +to go home. In short, we saw what was coming, and anticipated the +surrender.</p> + +<p>When the commandos arrived at Naauwpoort Pass they found their exit cut +off there by the enemy. Instead of hastening on to the next pass, the +officers held a council of war to discuss the situation, or, more +correctly, to deliberate on a surrender. The meeting lasted almost all +night. Some of the officers were deadly opposed to a surrender; +others—and they were the majority—were in favour of it. Nothing, +however, was decided at that meeting, for a Hoofd Commandant had first +to be elected before any steps could be taken.</p> + +<p>A second meeting of officers for the purpose of electing a Chief +Commandant was next held. In that meeting Prinsloo was elected Chief +Commandant, but, as not all the officers were present, some of them +being still in the positions, it was beforehand agreed that the man +elected by that meeting should have no authority before the votes of the +absent officers were taken, and when their votes came in it was found +that General Roux, and not Prinsloo, was elected.</p> + +<p>The latter, however, entered into negotiations with the enemy before +this question as to whom was to be Chief Commandant was settled. He +first asked for an armistice, which was refused. Then he asked for +terms, to which General Hunter replied: "Unconditional surrender is +demanded." Prinsloo, well aware that the burghers would not surrender +unconditionally, pleaded and insisted on terms.</p> + +<p>At this juncture Vilonel, the deserter, who had been sentenced for five +years' imprisonment for high treason, but who was, unfortunately, +released, appeared on the scene. He came from the British lines, met +Prinsloo, and officiated as intermediary between Generals Hunter and +Prinsloo. Something in the shape of terms was drawn up, but these terms, +if tested and analysed, amounted to unconditional surrender. As soon as +Prinsloo was in possession of these conditions, he forwarded a report to +the different com<span class="pagenum"><a id="page12" name="page12"></a>Pg 12</span>mandants that he had been successful in obtaining good +terms from the English, and that they must evacuate their positions so +as to arrange for a surrender. This report was sent on to Commandant +Potgieter of Smithfield with instructions to forward it to the next +commandant.</p> + +<p>General Roux, on learning of Prinsloo's doings, at once dispatched a +report to the different commandos notifying to them that Prinsloo had no +right to negotiate with the enemy, to ask for or accept terms for a +surrender. Also, that the burghers must on no account abandon their +positions. He, so the report ran, would personally go to protest against +the illegal surrender. The General went, but did not return. Why he went +himself, and did not send one of his adjutants with a written protest, +seems still very strange to us. He was warned not to go. General +Fourie's last words to him were: "Good-bye, General; I greet you, never +to see you again in the Boer ranks." He did not heed the warning, and so +we lost one of our bravest and best leaders.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, General Roux's report fell into the hands of Commandant +Potgieter, who, siding with Prinsloo on the question of a surrender, had +it destroyed whilst Prinsloo's was forwarded. This settled the whole +affair. The positions were evacuated, and in part occupied by the enemy. +Still, at the eleventh hour, there was a possibility of escape. The long +trail of waggons would have been captured, but most, if not all, the +burghers could have found their way out. But no, they were to be duped +by a set of unscrupulous officers. They were told they could get all +they desired, except their independence. All could go home, each would +get a horse-saddle and bridle, their private property would not be +confiscated, and they would be allowed to follow their agricultural and +pastoral pursuits undisturbed. And the poor officers—well for them that +there were no extenuating terms, no mercy. So, at least, said Commandant +Polly de Villiers, of the Ficksburg Commando. He, when posing as a +martyr, announced these conditions to the burghers, who, after such long +separation from their families, found it impossible to withstand<span class="pagenum"><a id="page13" name="page13"></a>Pg 13</span> such +charming terms. Sorrowfully were they disillusioned after they had laid +down their arms.</p> + +<p>To make the surrender a complete success, all sorts of rumours were +freely circulated. The burghers were told that all who did not surrender +would be shot as rebels when captured, that the pass, higher up the +mountains, was guarded by twenty-five lyddite guns, so that every exit +was cut off by the enemy. When these reports were brought to bear on men +already depressed and discouraged it did not require great pressure to +effect their surrender. Still, if these men had not been misled, if they +had known that Ceylon and India would be the final destination of many +of them, they never would have surrendered, and very few of them would +have been captured there and then. All this they found out when it was +too late.</p> + +<p>These unfortunate burghers we do not wish to criticise too severely. The +officers were to blame. Many of them certainly fell into the hands of +the enemy through no fault of their own. There were, however, some who +were only too ready to lay down their arms, and these were the majority. +They did not act the part of men; for they deserted shamefully those who +still struggled bravely for freedom. Nor am I willing to judge these. +Let conscience speak to such as these.</p> + +<p>Some officers, animated by a truer love of their country, protested +strongly against such an illegal and shameful surrender. One of these, +General Olivier of the Rouxville Commando, called his burghers together +and told them plainly what he thought. He warned them not to place too +much credence in British promises, and promised that those who would +follow him he would lead out safely. Of his whole commando—about four +hundred strong—scarcely seventy followed him. The others surrendered.</p> + +<p>Besides attending to his men, General Olivier also took charge of most +of the Boer guns, which were to have formed no mean part of the booty, +for Prinsloo had promised the British some thirteen guns, one pom-pom, +and a few maxims with all their ammunition. In the pass at Salmon Raads, +General Hector MacDonald met Olivier with the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page14" name="page14"></a>Pg 14</span> guns. He at once ordered +him to go no farther, as he was a surrendered man. Olivier tarried as +long as it pleased him, and then proceeded, taking the guns along with +him.</p> + +<p>Of all the Boer forces concentrated in the Wittebergen, only about six +hundred did not surrender. To secure these also every means were +resorted to. No fewer than three times were messengers sent to them with +reports from the enemy. At first we were courteously invited to return +and surrender. To prove to us the validity of the surrender, all the +papers bearing on the negotiation from first to last were forwarded to +us. The excellent conditions granted to the surrendered burghers were +also transmitted to us. In these conditions we observed that the +surrendered burghers would each be provided with a horse to ride to +their destination, which would be Winburg, till further orders. We saw +also that they would be kept as prisoners-of-war until the war was over, +which meant, though they did not suspect it then, two years longer. +Their private property was to be respected. How the last condition was +violated is well known.</p> + +<p>Olivier and his men were, however, not to be easily ensnared. He +politely rejected the proffered terms, stating at the same time that +Prinsloo's surrender was illegal. A few days later, and lo! in the +distance we beheld another flag-of-truce, a second report. The polite +request had failed, intimidation must now be tried—that might succeed +better. We were admonished urgently to come back at once, and surrender +without further delay. Failing that, we must not expect to receive such +generous and lenient treatment as would be extended to those surrendered +already. All our goods would be confiscated, etc.</p> + +<p>On receiving this report, Olivier sent back the somewhat curt and abrupt +reply: "That if the British wanted his rifle they would have to capture +him as a man, for he would not surrender like an old woman. And he would +receive no more white flags on this matter." Consequently the third +messenger was sent back without being interviewed.</p> + +<p>So much for the Prinsloo disaster. It was a sad one for<span class="pagenum"><a id="page15" name="page15"></a>Pg 15</span> those still +struggling against overwhelming odds. Many a heart beat low, and many a +sigh was heaved. That was an "unkind cut," which wounded the hearts of +thousands. Many a one, even of those who stood to the last day, never +recovered from the effects of that shock. They fought bravely, and did +their duty towards their country, but hope for an ultimate victory was +dead within them.</p> + +<p>And those who surrendered, what lessons they had to learn! Even to-day, +a year after the close of the war, some of them have not reached their +homes, but are on lonely islands, and in distant India, while many have +passed away to the unseen world on those foreign shores. Those that came +back, what did they find? A country strewn with ruins, their homes +destroyed and burnt, and their sheep and cattle stabbed and shot lying +in heaps upon the ground. What a sad sight did greet their eyes! How +many of their beloved families were missing, having died in the +Concentration Camps. But when they reflect on the past the saddest +thought should be their vanished freedom.</p> + +<p>The next ordeal through which the Republicans had to pass began with the +denudation of the two States. As arms alone could not subdue the Boers, +some other expedient had to be tried—the starvation process was +resorted to; all food-stuff had to be destroyed or removed, so that the +burghers should not obtain sustenance. The country had to be cleared of +cattle and sheep—in fact, of everything which could keep the Boers +alive. This was considered the most feasible way of defeating the +so-called <i>marauding</i> bands of armed Boers.</p> + +<p>But what about the women-folk, if the country is to be cleared? Well, +these must go to Concentration Camps, from which so many never returned. +We do not wish to dwell on the sufferings of Boer women and children; +but what we are proud to note is that when military operations were +conducted against the weak and defenceless, the burgher was touched to +the centre of his heart. Call a Boer by what name you please, but of +this be assured—he is a man who, above all, loves his family, and has +pride and pleasure in his home, be it never so humble. When, there<span class="pagenum"><a id="page16" name="page16"></a>Pg 16</span>fore, +a destructive policy was adopted, who shall realise fully what passed +through the minds of these as they stood watching the lurid flames of +their burning homes, and heard how in the camps their families were +dying in scores? Cronje's capture, Prinsloo's surrender, and all the +hard fighting they had to do, seemed but trifles as compared to this, by +far the saddest, phase of the South African War.</p> + +<p>Another dark day, and the curtain drops. We refer to that day when the +documents were signed and peace was concluded. Then, indeed, the +darkness seemed tangible Who shall number the tears shed on that +day—tears of men, women, and even children? Tears of men who had fought +for almost three years, who had sacrificed their all, who had but one +object in view, one ideal to pursue; who loved liberty and independence, +with an amazing love. Tears of women, who had spent many months either +in camps, or in the open veldt; women whose husbands and sons had fallen +in the war, whose infants were laid low in many a graveyard. Tears of +children, who had lost their parents, children who never more would know +the love of a mother, the protection of a father. With one voice the +whole people lamented the loss of their beloved Fatherland.</p> + +<p>And how did the officers who had to subscribe to these terms of peace +feel? Let one<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> who was present speak:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Never shall I forget what I witnessed there. General De Wet showed +that there was no chance any longer of continuing the struggle ... +I see him yet, that unyielding man, with his piercing eyes, his +strong mouth and chin—I see him there still, like a lion fallen +into a snare. He will not, he cannot, but he must give up the +struggle! I still see the stern faces of the officers, who up to +that moment had been so unbending. I see them staring as if into +empty space. I see engraved upon their faces an indescribable +expression, an expression that seemed to ask: 'Is this the bitter +end of our sufferings and our sorrows, of our faith and our strong +crying to God?' How great was their emotion! I saw the lips of men +quiver who had never trembled before a foe. I saw tears brimming in +eyes that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page17" name="page17"></a>Pg 17</span> had been dry when they had seen their dearest laid in +the grave....</p> + +<p>"Everything was as silent as death when acting President Burger +took the pen in his hand. I looked at my watch; it was five minutes +past eleven on the 31st day of May in the year 1902.</p> + +<p>"President Burger signed. President Steyn was not there. Our hearts +bled at the thought that he had been seized by a dangerous malady; +and yet it seemed to me that something was owed to that malady, +since it prevented the President of the Orange Free State from +doing what would have caused him the greatest pain in the world. He +had said once: 'To set my hand to a paper to sign away the +Independence of my people—that I shall never do.' Sad +circumstances, which he might then almost have called fortunate, +had brought it about that what he would not do, that he could not +do. The document was signed! All were silent in that room where so +much had been spoken."</p></div> + +<p>We quote the terms of peace in full:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"His Excellency General Lord Kitchener, and His Excellency Lord +Milner, on behalf of the British Government, and Messrs. M.T. +Steyn, J. Brebner, General C.R. De Wet, General C. Olivier, and +Judge J.B.M. Hertzog, acting as the Government of the Orange Free +State, and Messrs. S.W. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Generals Louis Botha, +J.H. de la Rey, Lucas Meyer, and C. Krogh, acting as the Government +of the South African Republic, on behalf of their respective +burghers, desirous to terminate the present hostilities, agree on +the following articles:—</p> + +<p>"I. The burgher forces in the field will forthwith lay down their +arms, handing over all guns, rifles, and munitions of war in their +possession or under their control, and desist from any further +resistance to the authority of His Majesty King Edward VII., whom +they recognise as their lawful Sovereign. The manner and details of +this surrender will be arranged between Lord Kitchener and +Commandant-General Botha, Assistant Commandant-General Delarey, and +Chief Commandant De Wet.</p> + +<p>"2. All burghers in the field outside the limits of the Transvaal +or Orange River Colony, and all prisoners of war at present outside +South Africa, who are burghers, will, on duly declaring their +acceptance of the position of subjects of His Majesty King Edward +VII., be gradually brought back<span class="pagenum"><a id="page18" name="page18"></a>Pg 18</span> to their homes as soon as +transport can be provided and their means of subsistence ensured.</p> + +<p>"3. The burghers so surrendering or so returning will not be +deprived of their personal liberty or their property.</p> + +<p>"4. No proceedings, civil or criminal, will be taken against any of +the burghers so surrendering or so returning for any acts in +connection with the prosecution of the war. The benefit of this +clause will not extend to certain acts contrary to the usage of war +which have been notified by the Commander-in-Chief to the Boer +Generals and which shall be tried by court-martial immediately +after the close of hostilities.</p> + +<p>"5. The Dutch language will be taught in public schools in the +Transvaal and Orange River Colony where the parents of the children +desire it, and will be allowed in courts of law when necessary for +the better and more effectual administration of justice.</p> + +<p>"6. The possession of rifles will be allowed in the Transvaal and +Orange River Colony to persons requiring them for their protection, +on taking out a licence according to law.</p> + +<p>"7. Military administration in the Transvaal and Orange River +Colony will at the earliest possible date be succeeded by Civil +Government, and, as soon as circumstances permit, representative +institutions, leading up to self-government, will be introduced.</p> + +<p>"8. The question of granting the franchise to natives will not be +decided until after the introduction of self-government.</p> + +<p>"9. No special tax will be imposed on landed property in the +Transvaal and Orange River Colony to defray the expenses of the +War.</p> + +<p>"10. As soon as conditions permit, a Commission, on which the local +inhabitants will be represented, will be appointed in each district +of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, under the presidency of a +Magistrate or other official, for the purpose of assisting the +restoration of the people to their homes, and supplying those who, +owing to war losses, are unable to provide for themselves, with +food, shelter, and the necessary amount of seed, stock, implements, +etc., indispensable to the resumption of their normal occupations. +His Majesty's Government will place at the disposal of these +Commissions a sum of three million pounds sterling for the above +purposes, and will allow all notes issued under Law No. I, of 1900, +of the South African<span class="pagenum"><a id="page19" name="page19"></a>Pg 19</span> Republic, and all receipts given by officers +in the field of the late Republics, or under their orders, to be +presented to a Judicial Commission, which will be appointed by the +Government; and if such notes and receipts are found by this +Commission to have been duly issued in return for valuable +considerations, they will be received by the first named +Commissions as evidence of war losses suffered by the persons to +whom they were originally given. In addition to the above named +free grant of three million pounds, His Majesty's Government will +be prepared to make advances on loan for the same purposes, free of +interest for two years, and afterwards repayable over a period of +three years with three per cent. interest. No foreigner or rebel +will be entitled to the benefit of this clause."</p></div> + +<p>Statement read by Lord Milner to the Boer delegates:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"His Majesty's Government must place it on record that the +treatment of Cape and Natal Colonists who have been in rebellion, +and who now surrender, will, if they return to their Colonies, be +determined by the Colonial Governments, and in accordance with the +laws of the Colonies, and that any British subjects who have joined +the enemy will be liable to trial under the law of that part of the +British Empire to which they belong.</p> + +<p>"His Majesty's Government are informed by the Cape Government that +the following are their views as to the terms which should be +granted to British subjects of Cape Colony who are now in the +field, or who have surrendered, or have been captured since the +12th of April, 1901: With regard to rank and file, that they should +all, upon surrender, after giving up their arms, sign a document +before the Resident Magistrate of the District in which the +surrender takes place, acknowledging themselves guilty of High +Treason, and that the punishment to be awarded to them, provided +they shall not have been guilty of murder, or other acts contrary +to the usages of civilised warfare, should be that they shall not +be entitled for life to be registered as voters, or to vote at any +Parliamentary Divisional Council, or Municipal election.</p> + +<p>"With reference to Justices of the Peace and Field Cornets of the +Cape Colony, and all other persons holding an official position +under the Government of the Cape Colony, or who may occupy the +position of Commandant of rebel or burgher forces, they should be +tried for High Treason before the ordinary court of the country, or +such special court as may<span class="pagenum"><a id="page20" name="page20"></a>Pg 20</span> be hereafter constituted by Law, the +punishment for their offence to be left to the discretion of the +Court, with this proviso, that in no case shall the penalty of +Death be inflicted.</p> + +<p>"The Natal Government are of opinion that rebels should be dealt +with according to the Law of the Colony."</p></div> + +<p>To the Boer, although he had been suffering the manifold miseries of the +battlefield for over two years, such terms made peace a tragedy. +Bitterness was mixed with his cup of happiness when he found himself +once more united to his family.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <a id="image02" name="image02"> + <img src="images/2.jpg" + alt="MR. R. MCDONALD." + title="MR. R. MCDONALD." /></a><br /> + <span class="caption">MR. R. MCDONALD.</span> +</div> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page21" name="page21"></a>Pg 21</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>ENGAGEMENTS.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And in the hope of freedom they possess<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All that the contest calls for,—spirit, strength,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The scorn of danger, and united hearts.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><i>Cowper.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>With the exception of the Stormberg engagement we do not intend to dwell +on the battles of the first part of the campaign. They have already been +described by able hands, by men who participated in them, or were in a +position to ascertain their true history. By this we do not infer that +all accounts are correct, for it requires many eyes to see one battle in +all its aspects. Besides, some writers are unconsciously influenced and +prejudiced by their national sentiments, and thus fail to do justice to +the parties concerned. We shall confine ourselves to the engagements in +which we personally took part, and shall record only the more remarkable +among them.</p> + + +<h4>BATTLE OF STORMBERG.</h4> + +<p>In the beginning of November, 1899, the commandoes of Rouxville, +Smithfield, and Bethulie entered the Cape Colony at different points. +Having occupied several villages in the Eastern Province, they +concentrated towards the end of the month in the Stormbergen. Our tents +were pitched on the northern slopes of this mountain range, which runs +from east to west, six miles to the north of Molteno. Here we were to +have our first lesson in actual fighting; for up to that time we had not +encountered any resistance on the part of the enemy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page22" name="page22"></a>Pg 22</span>On the 9th of December, the night fixed on by General Gatacre to strike +a blow at the Boer forces at Stormberg, Assistant Chief Commandant +Grobler left that place with about nine hundred burghers, intending to +occupy Steynsburg. The enemy, having heard of their departure, and +knowing that our positions were in consequence so much weaker, left that +same evening, fully resolved to surprise us, and, if possible, reoccupy +the Stormbergen, which were abandoned at the first approach of our +commandoes.</p> + +<p>The object of the British was to attack us on our right flank before +dawn, seize our positions and force us to surrender or retreat. On paper +this plan presented no difficulties, but its accomplishment was not +quite so easy, and proved a dangerous operation. The English general, as +we afterwards learnt, had started for the Boer positions at too late an +hour to reach them in due time; and, moreover, had lost his way in the +darkness of the night, so that the first rays of the rising sun were +lighting the majestic mountain tops before he was in position.</p> + +<p>The "brandwachten"—night pickets—of the Rouxville Commando were +already on their way back to the camp, when one of them, who had by +chance returned to the top of the mountain, saw, in the shadow of the +valley, and on the slopes of the mountain, human forms moving silently +onward. One glance of his keen eye assured him that those forms were +enemies. Bang! went the first rifle report. The other pickets all rushed +back and opened fire as swiftly as they could handle their Mausers. This +brought the enemy to a standstill, for they, too, were surprised.</p> + +<p>In the Boer camp below some of us were still peacefully sleeping, while +others were enjoying their first cup of coffee. With the rifle reports +came wakefulness and bustle. It did not take us a moment to realise that +speed would be our only means of salvation. Should the enemy reach the +summit first, disaster and defeat would be our lot. For some minutes it +was a scene of confusion. The horses, saddles, bridles, rifles and +bandoliers, where were they? Some knew, and had their equipments ready +in a moment; others, less careful, did not know, and sought almost<span class="pagenum"><a id="page23" name="page23"></a>Pg 23</span> +frantically for theirs. We made for the mountain and scaled it as +swiftly as our feet could carry us. Exhausted and breathless we reached +the summit before the enemy.</p> + +<p>Gatacre's men were now exposed to a somewhat confused fire, which +greatly embarrassed them. Subjected to this fire from the summit, some +concealed themselves behind the rocks, while others retreated for +shelter to a donga not far off.</p> + +<p>The English battery was then brought into action, and opened a terrific +fire on our positions, commanded by only two Krupp guns. So unceasing +and accurate was the enemy's fire, that our guns were soon silenced. In +a short time some of our burghers fell wounded and a few killed. One of +the enemy's guns was taken by mistake too near to our positions, with +the result that, in a few minutes, all its horses and most of the +gunners were disabled, and the gun passed into our hands.</p> + +<p>Although exposed to a violent bombardment, we held our ground and +repelled the repeated attacks of Gatacre's men, who began to realise +that, should their guns not speedily dislodge us, the attack was bound +to collapse.</p> + +<p>After the engagement had lasted an hour and a half we noticed that the +enemy began to waver, and was planning a retreat. To their dismay +General Grobler now made his appearance with reinforcements. He had +encamped that night some nine miles from Stormberg, and on hearing the +report of the guns, returned with Commandant du Plooy of Bethulie to +assist the Stormberg defenders.</p> + +<p>On his arrival the enemy, exposed to a cross-fire, ran the risk of being +surrounded and captured. There was but one way out of a wretched +position—one loophole out of the net. Fortunately for them, Commandant +Zwanepoel of Smithfield, who had just given orders to guard this way of +escape, was badly wounded while rising to lead on his men. Owing to this +mishap his burghers failed to carry out his instructions, thus leaving +the way open.</p> + +<p>Gatacre, seeing that it was a hopeless struggle, abandoned the project +of reoccupying Stormberg and sounded the retreat. He was followed up for +some distance by<span class="pagenum"><a id="page24" name="page24"></a>Pg 24</span> Commandant du Plooy, who made a few prisoners and took +two ammunition waggons. Weary and thirsty, the English forces re-entered +Molteno that evening. They had been baffled in a determined attack. +Their losses amounted to about 700, captured, wounded and killed. Those +who had taken shelter behind the rocks and in the donga were all made +prisoners. They remained there till the rest had retreated, and then +hoisted the white flag. One English writer says that they were +shamefully forgotten by General Gatacre, who was thus responsible for +their loss. Indeed a questionable explanation! Among the wounded were a +few officers and some privates, who were seriously injured by their own +guns as they tried to seize the Boer positions. Colonel Eagar, one of +the wounded, was removed to our hospital, where he breathed his last. In +addition to the number of prisoners we also captured two big guns. Our +losses amounted to 6 killed and 27 wounded.</p> + +<p>The attack on the Stormberg positions, if it was boldly conceived, was +badly carried out. The English general should have postponed the attack +when it dawned upon him that he would not reach the enemy's positions +before daybreak; and he should have used the knowledge, common to most +soldiers, that it is best to attack a foe's weakest side. This was not +done at Stormberg. We, too, suffered from ill-advised action—or rather, +inaction. For we had had the opportunity of capturing, if not all, most +of Gatacre's men, with all their guns, and we neglected it! The victory +would have been complete if we had only followed up our advantage. In +those early days, however, some of our leaders regarded it as rather +sinful to harass a retreating enemy.</p> + + +<h4>SANNA'S POST.</h4> + +<p>On the occupation of Bloemfontein some of the burghers, discouraged and +despondent, left for their homes. Lord Roberts's proclamation, promising +protection to all who should lay down their arms and settle quietly on +their farms, enticed many to remain at home. Most, however,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page25" name="page25"></a>Pg 25</span> changed +their minds after a few weeks' rest and returned to their commandoes.</p> + +<p>It was then, after they had rallied again, that General De Wet, on the +eve of the 28th of March, left Brandfort with a commando 1500 strong and +moved in the direction of Winburg. De Wet had made up his mind to +surprise the English garrison which guarded the Bloemfontein Waterworks +at Sanna's Post, and so cut off the water supply of Bloemfontein.</p> + +<p>With that object in view he made his movements thither by night, so as +to keep the enemy in the dark as to his plans. Neither were these +disclosed to the burghers, who were naturally anxious to know where they +were going and what they were to do next.</p> + +<p>On his way De Wet learnt that General Broadwood, dreading an attack of +Commandant Olivier, had quitted Ladybrand and was marching on +Bloemfontein with a strong force. This information was rather +disconcerting, for now he had not only to reckon with the garrison, but +to be ready for an engagement with a column 2000 strong, which might +come to the relief of the garrison at any moment. In case of such an +emergency, De Wet divided his forces into two parts. He placed one +division—1050 strong with four guns—under the control of Generals +Cronje, Froneman, Wessels, and Piet De Wet, with instructions to occupy +the positions east of the Modder River and directly opposite the +Waterworks, so as to check Broadwood, should he come to the rescue of +the garrison.</p> + +<p>Taking the remaining 350 burghers he set out to Koorn Spruit, a brook +which flows into the Modder River. Arrived there, he carefully concealed +his horses and men at a point where the road from the Waterworks to +Bloemfontein passes through the brook. The other generals were to shell +the garrison at daybreak, while he would fall on the troops if they +tried to escape to Bloemfontein <i>viâ</i> Koorn Spruit.</p> + +<p>As the Boer forces were getting into their different positions during +the night, Broadwood, who had left Thaba 'Nchu at nightfall, arrived +that very night at Sanna's Post. But we were each unconscious of the +other's presence.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page26" name="page26"></a>Pg 26</span></p> + +<p>The next morning at daybreak we saw a waggon and a large number of +cattle and sheep not far off the brook. The Kaffir drivers informed us +that the British column had just arrived at Sanna's Post. As soon as we +could see some distance ahead, we observed the enemy now hardly 3000 +paces off. A few minutes later our guns began to play upon the +unsuspecting British forces. What a scene of confusion! Broadwood had +fallen into a trap and was between two fires. The whole column, with +guns, waggons and carts, made hurriedly for the drift where De Wet and +his men lay hidden. Nearer they came. At length a cart entered the +drift. The occupants, husband and wife, looked bewildered on seeing +armed Boers all around them in the bed of the brook. De Wet immediately +ordered two of his adjutants to mount the cart and drive on. Then in +quick succession followed a number of carts and vehicles, all driven by +Englishmen from Thaba 'Nchu. These were ordered to proceed ahead and +warned not to make any signals to the enemy. So well was everything +arranged, that the first batch of troops that entered the drift had not +the slightest suspicion that there was something wrong. Absolutely +abashed were they on finding themselves among us; the men raised their +hands in surrender at the cry of "Hands up!"</p> + +<p>In this way we disarmed 200 without wasting a bullet. But this was not +to go on for long; there came an officer from the rear who was +determined to upset our plans and disturb our peace seriously. He, at +least, was not going to surrender in this fashion. On being asked for +his rifle he said, with marked resoluteness, "Be d——d! I won't," and +called on his men to fire. He drew his sword, but before he could use it +he was no more among the living.</p> + +<p>The battle had begun. Scarcely 100 paces from the banks of the brook +stood five of the enemy's guns and more than 100 waggons. Some 400 paces +from these two more guns had stopped. The enemy had withdrawn for cover +about 1300 yards to the station on the Dewetsdorp-Bloemfontein railway.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <a id="image03" name="image03"> + <img src="images/3.jpg" + alt="SANNA'S POST" + title="SANNA'S POST" /></a> +</div> + +<p>It was while they were retreating to this station that the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page27" name="page27"></a>Pg 27</span> greatest +havoc was wrought among them. Across the open plain, with no cover at +all, they had to retreat, and before they reached the place of shelter +the ground between the brook and the station was thickly strewn with +their dead and wounded. It was, indeed, a ghastly scene. The burghers +stood erect and fired on the retreating foe as though they were so much +game. So quickly did the waggons and guns wheel round that many were +overturned. To remove them was impossible. In vain did the English try +to save the guns. They succeeded, however, in getting two to the station +house, where they had rallied. With these they bombarded us for some +time; but owing to our sheltered positions only two men were wounded.</p> + +<p>The Boer forces on the east of the Modder River had in the meanwhile +been doing their best to come to the assistance of General De Wet. But +their progress was much retarded by the uneven veldt and dongas through +which they had to ride. After three hours, spent in fruitless<span class="pagenum"><a id="page28" name="page28"></a>Pg 28</span> attempts, +they forded the river, attacked the enemy with great energy, and +succeeded in putting them to flight, and this brought the battle to an +end.</p> + +<p>We made 480 captives. What their losses in wounded and killed were is +difficult to estimate. In the evening, when all was over, we went to the +house where the wounded were gathered, and there counted in one room +alone 96 cases. Their own report made their losses 350 dead and wounded. +Besides, 7 guns and 117 waggons fell into our hands. Our loss consisted +in 3 killed and 5 wounded.</p> + +<p>On looking at the bodies of the dead and listening to the groanings of +the wounded, one was forced to say what a pity that the trap was +discovered, that one brave man, through his very bravery, prevented the +bloodless capture of his column and his general.</p> + + +<h4>MOSTERT'S HOEK.</h4> + +<p>The victory at Sanna's Post was soon followed up by another success over +the British arms. On the evening of the eventful day at the Waterworks +De Wet handed the command over to Generals A. Cronje and Piet De Wet, +and, having taken three of his staff, he went in the direction of +Dewetsdorp on a reconnoitring expedition.</p> + +<p>The following day he learnt that a party of the enemy had occupied +Dewetsdorp. On receiving the report his mind was made up: these too must +be captured. He was then thirty miles away from the commandoes, but +instantly despatched a report to us to come post-haste so as to attack +the enemy at Dewetsdorp or intercept them, should they try to join the +main body, which was advancing under Gatacre on Reddersburg.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the burghers of that district, who had gone to their +farms on the fall of Bloemfontein, were commandeered. With these, some +120, who were almost all unarmed, De Wet started for Dewetsdorp to watch +the movements of the British.</p> + +<p>Early on the 2nd of April the enemy left Dewetsdorp,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page29" name="page29"></a>Pg 29</span> and resumed their +march to Reddersburg. While marching De Wet kept them all the while +under surveillance. He was moving on one of their flanks, parallel to +them with an intervening distance of six miles. They were evidently not +aware that he was so close to them. As soon as we received the report +concerning the British, we left Sanna's Post in haste. We required no +urging on. For were we not encouraged by our recent success, and was +there not every chance of achieving another? We left Sanna's Post a +little before sunset, and that whole night we rode on without +off-saddling once. We did not halt save for a few minutes to rest our +horses.</p> + +<p>Early the following morning a third report, pressing us to increase our +speed and leave behind those whose horses were too tired to proceed +rapidly, reached us. De Wet was most anxious to occupy a ridge in front +of the enemy, between the farms Mostert's Hoek and Sterkfontein. The +road leading to Reddersburg from Dewetsdorp traverses this ridge. Hence +it was absolutely necessary to seize it before the enemy if we were to +intercept them.</p> + +<p>So on we went, leaving the weary and exhausted behind to follow on as +soon as possible. About 9 A.M. Generals Froneman and De Villiers, with +350 men, met De Wet, who was still moving parallel to the British +column, obscured from their view by a rising of the ground.</p> + +<p>The ridge referred to already loomed now in the distance. We were all +fiercely anxious to seize it before the enemy. For it was a question of +life and death who was to be first there. But our horses were too tired, +and began to fall out rapidly. We were still four miles from the ridge +when the English began to occupy the eastern extremity of it. We moved +on to the western extremity, and reached it in time.</p> + +<p>The enemy, however, had the advantage of the best positions, but was +fortunately cut off from the water. We were resolved to hem them in +completely, for we knew that, if no relieving forces arrived, they would +be compelled by thirst alone, if nothing else, to surrender.</p> + +<p>Before commencing the fight, De Wet, anxious as usual<span class="pagenum"><a id="page30" name="page30"></a>Pg 30</span> to avoid +unnecessary bloodshed, sent the following note to the commanding +officer:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"SIR,—I am here with 500 men, and am every moment expecting +reinforcements with three Krupps, against which you will not be +able to hold out. I therefore advise you, in order to prevent +bloodshed, to surrender."</p></div> + +<p>The messenger returned under a storm of bullets, for no sooner had he +left the English lines than they opened fire on him. How he was missed +seemed inexplicable. The answer he brought back was: "I am d——d if I +surrender." On receiving this reply firing at once commenced. Positions +nearer to the enemy were gradually occupied.</p> + +<p>Towards sunset our guns arrived, and were brought to bear upon the +enemy. But darkness soon set in, and firing ceased on both sides. To +make sure that the enemy would not escape during the night, we occupied +positions all round them, and in the darkness of the night silently +stole as near to their positions as was possible.</p> + +<p>The next morning, as soon as the glimmer of dawn revealed the Mauser +sights to our eyes, the firing started with renewed vigour. We had drawn +so close to the enemy that when our guns were brought in action we +could, under cover of these, storm their positions. The men boldly +rushed up to the enemy's skanzes, and some burghers even seized their +rifles by the barrels, as they presented these over the bulwarks, +calling out, "Hands up! hands up!"</p> + +<p>At 11 A.M. the white flag was hoisted. The commanding officer, who had +refused to surrender, was mortally wounded. Three hundred and seventy +were sent to the Transvaal as prisoners-of-war, while their wounded and +killed numbered 92.</p> + +<p>Among the English we found five Boer prisoners-of-war, who were likewise +exposed to our firing. Imagine their joy in being released! They greeted +us with the ejaculation: "Thank God we are free!" We mourned the death +of Veldt Cornet du Plessis of Kroonstad, who fell after the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page31" name="page31"></a>Pg 31</span> white flag +had been hoisted. That such mistakes should occur! Six or seven burghers +were wounded.</p> + + +<h4>LADYBRAND VISITED.</h4> + +<p>Towards the end of July, 1900, Prinsloo's surrender took place. Those of +us who escaped the trap laid left for Heilbron with the hope of meeting +De Wet's commando there. Near Heilbron we heard the dismal news that he +was forced over the Vaal and was being driven northward by some 40,000 +troops. This, led us to change our course and move in the direction of +Winburg.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 27th of August we made an unsuccessful attack on +Winburg. Olivier, with 27 men, got captured. The burden and +responsibility of leading others was then first placed upon my +shoulders. I was elected commandant.</p> + +<p>Frustrated in our attempt to seize Winburg, we resolved to attack +Ladybrand, which was not strongly garrisoned. Having encamped at +Koeranerberg—a mountain 30 miles west of Ladybrand—we mustered our +forces, took three guns and about 800 burghers, and left for the +village.</p> + +<p>It was a bitterly cold night—one of those nights which one can hardly +forget. We rode till sunrise without off-saddling once. At 9 P.M. we +halted to prepare a hasty supper. How we enjoyed that! A few days +before, the enemy had unwillingly provided us with sugar, coffee, milk, +butter and cheese. Owing to the intense cold the men that had no +overcoats wrapped themselves up in their blankets, in which they +appeared before the village just as the sun was rising.</p> + +<p>Commandant Hertzog, on our arrival, despatched a messenger under a flag +of truce to demand the surrender of the garrison. In reply he received a +message to the effect that it would be much better if he would come in +himself and lay down arms; that would put an end to the business much +quicker. On receiving this answer we at once began to bombard the forts +of the enemy, with the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page32" name="page32"></a>Pg 32</span> result that almost all their horses took to +flight and fell into our hands, while some of them were wounded and +killed.</p> + +<p>General Fourie, Commandant Nieuwhoudt and myself, with a number of +daring volunteers, made for the village. We reached a few houses safely, +and under cover of these we succeeded in forcing the enemy to retreat to +their forts and skanzes at the foot of Platrand—a mountain to the +south-east of the village and very near to it. Gradually we occupied +more and more of the village, and before sunset we were in possession of +the whole of it.</p> + +<p>The enemy was, however, so strongly entrenched that, in spite of their +small numbers, it was impossible to compel them to capitulate without +incurring the risk of sustaining heavy losses. For at the base of the +mountain are natural forts and grottoes, against which lyddite shells +would spend their force in vain. All we could do was to keep the foe in +their haunts by directing such a fire against them that they could not +venture even to peep out. In doing this the commandoes could +requisition—loot, as some would say—what they required.</p> + +<p>During the night the enemy shifted and occupied other positions. At +daybreak they took vengeance on us from these positions. It did not take +a long time to silence them for the rest of the day.</p> + +<p>The following two days we remained in the village, keeping the enemy at +bay. We had hoped that eventually their rations would run short, and +thus bring about their surrender. Unfortunately our hopes were not to be +realised; they were only too well provided. Then, again, we thought that +thirst might prove an irresistible force in our favour; but in this, +too, we erred, for in their grottoes was abundant water.</p> + +<p>On the second day of the attack we placed one of our guns in the centre +of the village, whence we shelled the enemy's forts, but all to no +purpose. On the evening of the third day we heard that relieving forces +were at hand, and as we had received a message from De Wet to meet him +in Bothaville district, we left Ladybrand at dusk.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page33" name="page33"></a>Pg 33</span></p> + +<p>During the three days' fighting only a few burghers were wounded. As the +enemy fired at random into the village, some of the inhabitants were +also injured. A young man was mortally wounded, while a bullet shattered +the arm of a woman.</p> + +<p>Our efforts were rewarded by the seizure of the enemy's horses, which we +valued even more than their persons. The horses we could keep and use, +the men we had to dismiss again. We returned to the laager well supplied +with clothes and foodstuffs. But for some traitors, who assisted the +enemy, the garrison would in all probability have fallen. These, +dreading the results of a capitulation, held out until relieved.</p> + +<p>As this was our first visit to Ladybrand since its occupation, the joy +of the Boer families in meeting relatives and burghers was indeed great. +They welcomed them with open arms, and during their short stay it was +their delight to minister unto them. We shall ever gratefully remember +the hearty reception which was extended to us by the Ladybrand +Africanders. Were they not prosecuted after our departure for welcoming +and receiving their kith and kin?</p> + + +<h4>MURRAY'S COLUMN.</h4> + +<p>Compelled to abandon the Cape Colony in August, we went to Gastron +District, a Free State village situated on the Basutoland border. There +we intended to rest our horses for a time; but no sooner had we entered +the district than the English column came pouring into it like so many +birds of prey. They had concentrated in that district and in the +adjoining ones to clear them, <i>i.e.</i>, to remove or destroy whatever +could be removed or destroyed.</p> + +<p>During this time we often came in conflict with the enemy. It was +impossible to avoid that; they were on every side. For miles and miles +it was one column on the other. We could hardly engage any of these +columns successfully during the day, for no sooner had the fight<span class="pagenum"><a id="page34" name="page34"></a>Pg 34</span> begun +than reinforcements would come from all directions, making our position +quite untenable.</p> + +<p>It was in such circumstances that we planned a night attack on one of +the English camps nine miles east of Gastron. We had engaged the enemy +on several occasions without desirable results. Our limited supply of +ammunition was gradually exhausted. Come what would, we were bound to +strike a blow at the enemy, so as to fill our bandoliers once more. The +night was the only time we could hope to succeed. Reinforcements would +not then scatter us before we had achieved our object.</p> + +<p>At 11 P.M. on the 19th of September, 1901, after a day's hard fighting +from early morn till sunset, we started, 70 men in all, with the +intention of attacking a column encamped at the foot of a hill. It was a +very cold night, and the moon, casting her pale light across the frosty +plains, was sinking in the west. The column was about eight miles off. +As we approached it, deep silence reigned. Not a word, not a whisper was +heard. Ah! if we could but succeed in passing the enemy's pickets +unobserved, the victory would be ours, the battle half won. So we held +our breath and our tongues as well, and moved onward. Indeed, we have +succeeded! We are past the pickets, and that unnoticed! The hill, where +the slumbering foe is encamped, is in our possession.</p> + +<p>Having dismounted, the burghers were arranged in fighting order. +Commandant Louis Wessels was placed on one flank, Commandant De Bruijn +on the other. Before commencing the work of destruction, we briefly +admonished and encouraged the men to be true to each other and to fight +as befits men. We pointed out to them that our success would depend +entirely upon our united efforts. For a long address there was no time, +so we proceeded to the camp.</p> + +<p>The moon has set. Down below the enemy is fast asleep. Soon, too soon, +their midnight slumbers will be sadly disturbed. Many of them will not +see the dawn of another day. They are enjoying their last sleep.</p> + +<p>Silently we moved on to the British column, which gave<span class="pagenum"><a id="page35" name="page35"></a>Pg 35</span> no signs +whatever that our approach was suspected. As it was very dark, the men +were ordered not to advance ahead of one another, for fear of accidents, +and also, if possible, to march right through the camp, so as to make +sure of all.</p> + +<p>Commandant L. Wessels, famous for his dauntlessness, was the first to +open fire by lodging a shot in one of the enemy's tents. The rest +followed, and then a shower of bullets, thick and fast, poured in upon +the surprised and embarrassed foe. The men aimed low and fired with +deadly precision. The flashes of the rifles leapt forth like lightning +freaks in the darkness. Never before had I witnessed such a scene.</p> + +<p>In a quarter of an hour all was over and the whole camp taken. Two +Maxims were destroyed and an Armstrong was taken along with us. What +havoc was played in that brief quarter of an hour! The wounded mules, +horses and men lay groaning side by side. Colonel Murray, Captain +Murray, and almost all the other officers, fell in the action, and +several privates passed into the unseen world that fatal night. So +terrific was the firing that entire teams of mules were shot down where +they stood tied to the ropes.</p> + +<p>As the veldt was strewn with the many wounded and the dead, we could not +put the waggons on fire, lest the grass should catch fire and consume +the fallen in battle. We took what we could remove and left the +camp—not exactly as we found it, but a little poorer.</p> + +<p>The enemy, though attacked off their guard, defended themselves bravely. +We shall not forget the gallant conduct of the officer who had charge of +the Maxim. Distinctly we could hear him say, "Get the Maxim into action. +Don't be afraid, boys. Go for them! Go for them!" Brave man! He, too, +fell by the side of his Maxim, which was charged and seized by +Commandant Wessels.</p> + +<p>As to the conduct of the burghers, we need only remark that their good +behaviour pleased us exceedingly. There was no reason to urge them on; +not one retreated. Though only a handful as compared to the enemy, they +fought well till the foe was vanquished. One of them, young Liebenberg +(familiarly known by the name of Matie) from<span class="pagenum"><a id="page36" name="page36"></a>Pg 36</span> Murraysburg, was shot +through the head and succumbed at once. Another, young Hugo from +Smithfield, was wounded in the foot. We had no other casualties.</p> + +<p>The attack on Murray's column was to a great extent incidental. Near his +was another very much smaller camp. When I left that night it was with +the intention to attack this smaller camp, for I had only 65 men at my +disposal. In the darkness I lost my way, and so lighted on Murray's +column. It was unfortunate for them, but for ourselves we could have +wished for no better accident.</p> + +<p>In the Colonel's letter-bag we found a letter addressed to his wife, +dated 19th September, 1901, and written the very day before his death. +We purposed to forward that letter, but the following day the bag was +retaken. Not only was it taken, but also the gun, while 20 burghers were +captured and one—Myburgh—was killed. We were again surprised. +Inconstant are the fortunes of war.</p> + + +<h4>JAMES TOWN.</h4> + +<p>The villages in possession of the enemy were at length so thoroughly +fortified that it was well-nigh impossible to seize them without +sustaining great losses. Though they seemed impregnable, yet we were +sometimes compelled by sheer necessity to attack them. Beyond +expectation we now and again succeeded in inducing the garrison to +surrender. Such was the case at James Town, a village in the Eastern +Province of the Cape Colony.</p> + +<p>Late one afternoon in the month of July, 1901, I set out to this village +to reconnoitre it in person. Unobserved, I reached the summit of a small +hill, about a mile from it. Through my field-glasses I carefully noted +the various forts, and there and then planned an attack. The next +morning I knew exactly what to do.</p> + +<p>At 2 A.M. Commandant Myburgh, Commandant Lötter, and myself, with some +60 men, were in the saddle and on our way to James Town. What will be +the issue? Shall we succeed? Can we surprise the enemy? Such questions<span class="pagenum"><a id="page37" name="page37"></a>Pg 37</span> +we put to ourselves as we rode on in the darkness and silence of the +night to accomplish the work of destruction.</p> + +<p>The spot we had in view was a kopje, situated to the north of the +village. Here the enemy's camp was located. As this kopje was the key to +the village, it was necessarily very strongly fortified. We knew that if +we could only occupy that hill, the rest would be easy work. Before dawn +we were close to the camp. A few minutes more and we shall grimly salute +our sleeping brethren. Silently we approach them. We are keenly on the +alert for the pickets, whom, least of all, we wished to disturb. Behold! +something in the darkness—what may that be? To be sure, two human +forms! Hush! they are slumbering. Noiselessly we draw nearer, reach +them, seize their rifles, and then—wake them. They are our first +prisoners; our way to the camp is open, safe and sure.</p> + +<p>On we moved until stopped, not by a sentinel—it was much too cold that +night to expect an attack—but by a network of barbed wires, by which +the hill and camp were fenced in. Quickly the wires were cut. That done, +some of the burghers charged the tents, while the rest made for the +enemy's trenches on top of the hill.</p> + +<p>How awful a surprise! Taken unawares, the foe ran to their strongholds, +but only to meet death there, for these were already in possession of +our men. Myburgh, a Gastron burgher, so very brave, was the first and +only one to receive a mortal wound—other men were slightly wounded in +that hand-to-hand struggle. At dawn the hill and the camp were in our +possession, for the enemy, after a loss of 9 killed and wounded, thought +it best to resist no longer.</p> + +<p>With the occupation of the hill it was possible to reach the village. +The British allowed the burghers to pass their skanzes without shooting +at them. But no sooner had they entered the village than a heavy fire +from the forts was directed against them. They were not slow to respond +to this reception, and that so effectively that the commanding officer +was soon willing to entrust himself with his 130 men to our keeping. All +was over.</p> + +<p>At 3 P.M. we departed. The English commandant and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page38" name="page38"></a>Pg 38</span> his men accompanied +us for some distance, and then we dismissed them after their having +promised that they would remain strictly neutral.</p> + + +<h4>CAPTAIN SPANDOW SURPRISED.</h4> + +<p>While operating in the Cradock district I learnt that a certain Captain +Spandow, with about ninety men, was on the track of a small party of +Boers. Only <i>ninety</i>! The small number tempted us to try to effect their +capture, which, as a rule, was not a very difficult nor dangerous +operation. Taking forty burghers I started at midnight, and at dawn +found myself still six miles from the enemy. Lest they should escape I +took twelve men with the best animals, and with these proceeded ahead, +so as to engage the enemy until the rest, whose horses were very tired, +should come to our assistance.</p> + +<p>About half an hour after sunrise we unexpectedly lighted on the pickets +of the enemy, who camped for the night in the Waterkloof valley, twenty +miles from Cradock. The pickets were charged and captured, and we seized +a position hardly 200 yards from the English, who had off-saddled at a +wall.</p> + +<p>A brisk firing from both sides then ensued. The wall served the enemy in +good stead. From there they could fire volley after volley on us. But +gradually we crept nearer, until at last a few of the burghers had +passed the wall, and were now on the side of the enemy, so that the wall +could afford them no cover. While the men were trying to get on the +other side of the wall, one of my adjutants—Hugo, a lad of thirteen +summers—was killed, and two others wounded. But the British, now +exposed to a cross-fire, suffered heavily. Several of them dropped down, +either dead or wounded.</p> + +<p>When I saw how untenable their position was becoming I sent in a flag of +truce, asking them to surrender, so as to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. +One of the officers sent word that, seeing Captain Spandow had already +fallen, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page39" name="page39"></a>Pg 39</span> their losses were so great, he considered further +resistance useless.</p> + +<p>We found that 15, including the captain, were killed, and 14 wounded. +Six of the wounded died soon after their surrender. One of their men was +at once sent to Cradock for an ambulance. Our losses were 1 killed and 2 +wounded.</p> + +<p>The men I had left behind had off-saddled, and so only arrived after the +enemy had surrendered. The officer, on inquiring where our men were, and +who had engaged them, only shook his head when I told him that we were +but 13, and that 3 of these had been put out of action almost at the +beginning of the engagement. The British numbered 84 in all. We were +again provided with a good supply of ammunition, and 105 horses in +excellent condition.</p> + +<p>Some months later Major Warn's column was attacked at the same place by +Commandant L. Wessels. Several of the enemy's horses were shot down, +while a number of men were wounded. So suddenly had they to turn back, +that many a helmet dropped down and the owner had no inclination to pick +it up. The English had fallen once more into an awkward trap from which +they had to extricate themselves with the utmost speed.</p> + +<p>On another occasion Commandant Fouché awaited the enemy at the same spot +and made about 150 prisoners. Long Kloof Valley has thus become a noted +place. The traveller passing through that valley will always be reminded +of the South African War on seeing the fourteen graves alongside the +road, and near to the stone wall.</p> + + +<h4>SPRAGGE'S COLUMN CAPTURED.</h4> + +<p>The following report, bearing on Colonel Spragge's surrender, has been +submitted to me by my military secretary, R.D. McDonald.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On the 27th of May, 1900, Spragge entered Lindley. Our commando +was then stationed at a farm eight miles to the north of the +village. General Colvile, whom Spragge was to have joined here, +left early on the morning of the 27th. What urged him on we could +not guess. Had he<span class="pagenum"><a id="page40" name="page40"></a>Pg 40</span> waited another day, Spragge would not have been +captured. We followed him up for some miles, and inflicted slight +losses on his rear.</p> + +<p>"At noon the burghers returned to the laager. About an hour before +sunset our scouts returned with the news that the English had +reoccupied Lindley, and that it was but a small column <i>without</i> +guns. When the burghers heard that the column was only 500 strong, +and had no guns, they required no other inducements, but started +immediately for Lindley. Our men are, as a rule, more daring if +they discover that the enemy has no cannons at their disposal; the +big, monstrous guns they do not like. We had thus decided that this +detached column would receive every attention from us.</p> + +<p>"The British, being warned by the dust in the distance that our +commando was coming, considered it wiser to quit the village, fall +back on Valsch River and occupy positions on the right bank of it. +Darkness had now set in, and we could do no more than place our +pickets round the column. We had, however, not enough men that +night to make sure that should the enemy try to escape they would +not succeed. Forsooth, we were greatly surprised to find them still +there the following morning. It seemed to us a little over-bold on +their part to stay on with only two Maxims at their command. We did +not know then that it would take us three and a half days, and some +precious lives, before the white flag would be hoisted. The next +day we surrounded them completely and thus knew that unless +reinforced they would have to surrender.</p> + +<p>"Early in the morning firing commenced; but the enemy had occupied +during the night such strong positions—the hills and ridges on the +river banks—that they were quite secure. We had the bed of the +river, from whence we could not inflict such losses as would compel +the enemy to capitulate. They held the key of the positions, and +unless we could seize that stronghold, all our efforts would be +useless. The question was, how to take it. Without the assistance +of guns it was a dangerous and risky undertaking to charge that +particular position—a hill on the right bank of the river. Our +men, in charging it, would be exposed to a rifle and Maxim fire for +at least 800 yards. Under cover of guns, however, it was possible +to reach the hill. A gun was immediately sent for, and on the +evening of the third day of the siege it arrived at Lindley.</p> + +<p>"That night the gun was placed in position, and at dawn<span class="pagenum"><a id="page41" name="page41"></a>Pg 41</span> the hill +was shelled. I stood watching the shells, as one after the other +exploded on the hill. Not a living object was visible, none +stirred, and so still (I shall not say at ease) did the English lie +in the skanzes that I remarked to Prinsloo: 'General, it seems the +enemy has abandoned the hill during the night, else we must already +have seen some signs of them.'</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <a id="image04" name="image04"> + <img src="images/4.jpg" + alt="THE LINDLEY AFFAIR." + title="THE LINDLEY AFFAIR." /></a> +</div> + +<p>"After we had bombarded the hill for some time, a number of +burghers charged it. Breathlessly we stood watching these gallant +chargers. Arrived at the foot of the hill, they dismounted, and +began climbing it. For some time all went well, when lo! a fire was +directed against them from the summit. Being quite coverless on the +slopes of the hill, they were forced to retreat. As they retreated +the enemy rose to their feet and fired as briskly as they could at +them. When we saw the English on top of the hill we mistook them +for Boers, and began to clap hands and cheer, thinking that the +hill had been taken by our men. We were soon disillusioned.</p> + +<p>"As the burghers retreated, something strange and inexplicable +occurred, which really decided the fate of the enemy. It was this: +the burghers had hardly gone 300<span class="pagenum"><a id="page42" name="page42"></a>Pg 42</span> yards, when the British abandoned +<i>en masse</i> the hill, and retreated, almost as fast as the former, +in the opposite direction. Whether they feared another and more +determined onslaught, or whether there was the usual +misunderstanding, I wot not. Be it as it may, the position we so +coveted was abandoned; it was for us to seize it at once. With a +little encouragement the charge was repeated, the hill taken, and +in less than twenty minutes the white flag announced the surrender +of Spragge's column.</p> + +<p>"Between 60 and 70 of the enemy were wounded and killed, while the +rest were made prisoners. It was their first interview with the +Boers. After a four days' siege a bath and a good meal must have +been welcome.</p> + +<p>"From the veldt we took our surrendered friends to the village. The +wounded were placed in the local hospital, and the officers found +lodgings for the night in an hotel.</p> + +<p>"I escorted Spragge to the village. On the way he had a long talk +with me about the war, and wished to know why the Free State had +cast in her lot with the Transvaal. He failed to see, and had to be +reminded that Free Staters and Transvaalers were essentially one +people; that the Vaal River divides the two States, but not the +people, as far as blood was concerned.</p> + +<p>"On being asked why they had evacuated the hill, which was their +chief stronghold, he replied: 'That was a mistake.' We do not +object to such mistakes. If this had not been committed, Spragge +would in all probability have remained a free man, and his column +would not have fallen into our hands, for that was our last and +only chance. Early the next morning the reinforcements appeared on +the adjacent hills, but they were too late to rescue Spragge's +column. The prisoners were sent on to Reitz, and from there to the +Transvaal."</p></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <a id="image05" name="image05"> + <img src="images/5.jpg" + alt="AN INTERESTING GROUP." + title="AN INTERESTING GROUP." /><br /></a> + <span class="caption">AN INTERESTING GROUP.<br />The three seated in the centre are MR. MCDONALD, COMMANDANT LOUIS +WESSELS, and the late LIEUT. P. TROSKIE.</span> +</div> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page43" name="page43"></a>Pg 43</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>IN TIGHT CORNERS.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Daring the event to the teeth ...<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And danger serves among them.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10"><i>Shakespeare.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Come, let us make an honourable retreat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Though not with bag and baggage.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10"><i>Shakespeare.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>The above heading may seem strange, and yet we presume that most +officers, as well as many privates, who had taken a leading part in the +late South African War can record many instances where they escaped by +the skin of the teeth.</p> + +<p>How often a shell exploded like a thunder-clap in one's immediate +vicinity! How many a bullet just missed its mark as by a hair's breadth, +whizzing past the ear with lightning speed! Well I remember how, on one +occasion, a shell exploded right overhead with such tremendous force +that both rider and horse rolled in the dust by the violent concussion +produced by the explosion. The burghers, some distance away, watching +me, thought that would be the last of Kritzinger. To their surprise I +rose again, shook off the dust, mounted my steed, and rode on to the +position they were defending.</p> + +<p>At present I shall not dwell on deliverances from the fire-spouting +machines of modern warfare, but confine my remarks to such escapes as +were connected with attempts on the part of the enemy, either to secure +my person or capture my commando. Here again I shall only cite some +instances; to relate all will be tedious to reader and writer alike.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page44" name="page44"></a>Pg 44</span>In the beginning of July, 1901, just a few days after we had so +successfully attacked and taken James Town, we arrived at a farm +situated on the banks of the Kraai River, eighteen miles from Lady Grey. +Here was the enemy's opportunity.</p> + +<p>The owner of the farm—Van der Merwe, a most loyal colonist—was not at +home, but, as we learnt afterwards, had gone to Lady Grey, or to the +nearest English column, to announce the presence of my commando in his +neighbourhood. Of this unfriendly deed we were altogether unaware.</p> + +<p>As soon as we had off-saddled, our scouts were sent out in different +directions. In the evening they returned with the report that for miles +around us no traces of the enemy were to be seen. The pickets for the +night were then put out on the three main roads leading to the farm, +which was in a valley almost entirely encompassed by high and rugged +mountains.</p> + +<p>With my pickets out I felt at ease. I went to the farm-house, had +dinner, got a room, and laid myself down to enjoy the night's rest, on +which the enemy was soon to intrude so violently.</p> + +<p>About 2 A.M. one of the pickets came to the laager to report a noise, +which sounded like the tramp of horses, but he could not, on account of +the intense darkness, see any objects. Warned by this report, we began +to make preparations for an attack. Veldt Cornet Kruger was at once +ordered to ascertain the truth of the report. But before he had left the +camp one of the burghers came back and assured us that it was a herd of +cattle.</p> + +<p>Thus reassured, we betook ourselves to rest. Rest? No, certainly not. +The foe is at hand. No sooner had we wrapped ourselves up in the +blankets when, behold! rifle reports grated on our ears. The herd of +cattle was nothing else than Colonel Scobell's column. Alas! our pickets +had been cut off and hence could not report on the enemy.</p> + +<p>Imagine our position! I began dressing as fast as I could, faster than +ever before in my life. So near was the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page45" name="page45"></a>Pg 45</span> enemy, that when I reached the +back door of the house in which I slept they had already entered by the +front door. Had it not been for some plucky burghers the enemy would +have completely cut off my exit and I would have been captured.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the way was still open at the back door. What a scene I +witnessed outside! Friend and foe were so intermingled, and engaged in +hand-to-hand fight, that it was impossible to distinguish the one from +the other. Right in front of the door the gallant Commandant Calmon +Cächet was wrestling with an opponent that proved too strong for him. +Next to him a certain Grobler had floored his man, and was handling him +so roughly that the poor fellow called for help. The one who was too +strong for Cächet left him to render assistance to his brother in +adversity. Grobler then left his prey, and both he and Cächet seized +their rifles and made for better regions.</p> + +<p>Thinking that it might be only a patrol of the enemy that had come upon +us incidentally and not intentionally, I tried hard to get the rather +panic-stricken burghers into action. At a gate through which they had to +pass I stopped them, and ordered them back. We soon noticed, however, +how serious our position was; in fact, that we were surrounded on every +side, and would have to fight our way through and out.</p> + +<p>At about 3.30 A.M. the British brought their guns into action. The +mountains resounded with the explosion of the shells, and the night was +illuminated by the flashes of the guns. The fireworks were magnificent +beyond description, but ... we had no inclination to admire them under +such circumstances.</p> + +<p>The next morning we counted our losses: ten burghers were captured, two +wounded and one killed. One hundred and thirty horses were missing, most +of the men were without saddles, and only a few had blankets.</p> + +<p>This was indeed a surprise, and yet we were astonished that, after all, +any of us did escape. So eager was the enemy to secure my person, that +they did not attend to the burghers, whom they had disarmed, but simply +flung<span class="pagenum"><a id="page46" name="page46"></a>Pg 46</span> their rifles aside and left them to themselves. The men, thus +disarmed, instantly picked up their rifles and "trapt," <i>i.e.</i>, ran off. +Thus very few of them were without rifles the following day.</p> + +<p>Our feelings cannot be easily described. There were forty-six men who +had to go on foot. A large number had no saddles. I lost all my horses. +The only hope we entertained was that the British Government would soon +restore our property. What we regretted most was the loss of our men.</p> + +<p>Two of our pickets were caught, the remaining six, when charged and cut +off, had taken refuge in a deep ditch, where they remained until the +enemy had left, and then found their way back to the commando.</p> + +<p>My next escape, though not exposed to the enemy's fire, and perhaps not +even known to them, was probably the narrowest I had during the whole +campaign.</p> + +<p>We were again hard pressed by two columns. Our horses being very tired, +we were obliged to rest them for a short while, even at the risk of +falling into the hands of the enemy. Our way led through a valley, +bordered on both sides by huge mountain ranges which for at least six +miles ran parallel.</p> + +<p>On the side of the road, half-way up the valley, was a farmstead where +we off-saddled and gave our horses some fodder. The two columns which +were on our track had been coming nearer. Fortunately darkness was +setting in. When the front column was a short distance from us, we +saddled and went to a dense bush close to the road. In that bush we +delayed, till the first column had passed us and advanced some distance. +As the second was only one or two miles behind the first, and as we were +not sure whether it would also pass, we fell in behind the first; there +was but one road.</p> + +<p>We were now between two columns. We rode on as quietly as we could, +hardly a whisper was heard. The slightest noise on our part could betray +our presence. We were so close to the front column that we could +distinctly hear the rumbling of wheels and the tramp of horses.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page47" name="page47"></a>Pg 47</span> Should +the progress of the column be in any way obstructed, hereby causing a +standstill, the one at our rear would inevitably press us upon the front +one. What cold drops of perspiration rolled over my forehead! How I held +my breath! Who shall describe the anxiety of such moments? There was but +one way open—the way to the stars and the Throne beyond the stars. +Before and behind us the foe, on both sides mountains, so steep and +rugged that it would be folly even to attempt to climb them. Wistfully +we looked up.</p> + +<p>After riding some distance we met a native that belonged to the front +column. He had tarried a little too long. We addressed him in English, +and thus put him off the scent altogether. Mistaking us for English, he +told us all he knew about the different columns. In this way we rode +along, gradually approaching the extremity of the two ranges. Out at +last! How relieved we felt can hardly be imagined. Once more we breathed +freely. The poor native! How startled he was when he discovered his +mistake, and learnt that he was then a prisoner, and had to accompany +us.</p> + +<p>On the 13th of October, 1901, the enemy had very ingeniously laid a trap +for me, and had almost drawn me into it.</p> + +<p>At that time we were in the district of Wepener, a village on the +Basutoland border. Several British columns were then operating in that +district. As so many were concentrated there, it was extremely hazardous +and difficult for small commandoes, such as ours, to move during the +daytime. The space between the Caledon River and Basutoland in which we +could move becoming daily more and more circumscribed and limited, we +determined to cross the Caledon River. Besides, we heard that the river +was rising, and so were anxious to ford it before it was in flood.</p> + +<p>On the evening of the 12th of October we set out in the direction of the +river. At 10 P.M. we arrived at a farm, where we halted till 1 A.M. It +was our intention to stop at this farm for the night, but owing to some +strange foreboding of imminent danger I resolved to leave; and at 1 +A.M.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page48" name="page48"></a>Pg 48</span> gave orders to saddle. As it was a very dark and cold night, some +of the burghers felt reluctant to leave, and I heard them saying, "What +is up again to-night with General Kritzinger? Surely we are perfectly +safe here! Why trek again in the bitter cold at midnight?" But my orders +had to be obeyed, and at 2 A.M. we were on the march.</p> + +<p>Five of the men, who could not find their horses in the dark, were left +behind to seek them when it was light. At daybreak that farm was +surrounded and shelled by the enemy. Had we remained there we would have +been in a sad plight; the five men were all captured. We escaped, but +there was another trap for the next day. We off-saddled at a farm three +miles from the river. Commandant Wessels, three burghers and myself rode +to the Drift—"Basters Drift"—to see whether the stream was still +fordable.</p> + +<p>Little dreaming that the enemy was concealed on the opposite bank of the +river, behind the ruins of an old homestead, and was watching us as we +gradually approached the river, we entered the stream and waded through +it. Arrived on the opposite side we sent one of the men back to call the +commando, for the river was rising rapidly. The other two burghers were +sent to reconnoitre ahead, while Wessels and myself remained on the bank +of the river.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had the two men left us, when we were startled by rifle reports +close by. We jumped up, ran to our horses, and saw that we were hardly +100 yards away from the enemy. All we could do was to recross the river, +and that had to take place in a shower of bullets. Let one imagine +himself in a swollen river, so deep that his horse has to swim now and +then, and the foe on the bank directing an incessant fire on him, and he +will realise to some extent our position. We reached the bank safely, +but had to do another 800 yards to get out of harm's way.</p> + +<p>The two men we had sent ahead—what became of them? Alas! they rode into +the jaws of death, for when they discovered the enemy they were hardly +15 yards from them. "Hands up!" resounded from behind the wall. The men, +rather than surrender and sacrifice their commando,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page49" name="page49"></a>Pg 49</span> made an ill-fated +attempt at escape. In the twinkling of an eye they were shot down. The +one—a young Trichard from Cradock—was dead on the spot; three bullets +penetrated his body. The other—young Wessels from Winburg—was wounded +in the leg and captured.</p> + +<p>These two brave young men were the means of saving Wessels and myself +either from being captured or shot. And not only that, but their gallant +action, in which the one forfeited his life, and the other a limb, +proved the salvation of the whole commando. If they had surrendered +Wessels and I would probably have gone in the same direction, and the +commando would have followed, and so all of us would have been in a +terrible predicament. But they had risked their lives to save us from +certain destruction.</p> + +<p>Failing to ford the river at that drift, we proceeded down-stream with +the hope of crossing it somewhere else. To our disappointment the river +had risen to such a degree that the only transit still left could be a +bridge. Now there was but one far down the stream, and it was very +doubtful whether that was not held by the enemy. Anyway, we were going +to try, and so marching almost all the whole night we arrived at the +bridge a little after sunrise. How glad we were to find the bridge still +unoccupied! We had just reached it in time, for half an hour after we +had gone over the British took possession of it. They had now completed +their cordon; but we—were out of the circle.</p> + +<p>On the 22nd of the same month we were once again in tight +corners—surrounded by three columns.</p> + +<p>As we found no rest either for ourselves or our animals in the +south-eastern districts of the Orange Free State, we resolved to go to +the Winburg and Ladybrand districts.</p> + +<p>The enemy had pitched their camps all along the main road from +Reddersburg to Dewetsdorp, and from there to Wepener. These stations +were from six to eight miles apart, and formed a kind of fence. Through +this line we had to pass, as well as the blockhouse line extending from +Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, <i>via</i> Thaba 'Nchu.</p> + +<p>We left at dusk, got safely through the camp-line, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page50" name="page50"></a>Pg 50</span> rode on till 2 +A.M., when we arrived at a certain farm. We went to the house to make +inquiries as to the enemy. A woman opened the door, and on learning who +we were, informed us that a quarter of an hour from her home an English +column was encamped. How disgusting! We had been in the saddle from +sunset to 2 A.M. and here we were, just a quarter of an hour from the +enemy. We thought and hoped that we were then at least twelve miles from +the nearest column. Why not engage them? the reader might ask. Well, we +did. But our horses, which had to live on the tender grass-shoots, +needed a rest very badly; we could hardly use them. Besides, there was a +blockhouse-line to pass the following night, and this one was still 24 +miles off.</p> + +<p>We proceeded another three miles, to be at least four miles from that +column. At about 2.30 we off-saddled. Being not quite at ease we rose +after a short rest and re-saddled. Two scouts were sent to a hill close +by. To their surprise they found the enemy's pickets stationed on the +same kopje, at the foot of which the British camp was pitched. Having +said "good-morning" to each other in military fashion the two returned +with the unwelcome news that the enemy was just next door. We had slept +side by side without knowing of each other. Ignorance was bliss that +night.</p> + +<p>This column—about 200 strong—on discerning us, at once prepared for +action. Though very tired, we took up positions and began to engage the +advancing foe. We succeeded in checking their progress, and certainly +had the best of the situation till noon, when the scene was changed. My +scouts returned with the alarming report that two other columns were +advancing on us from Thaba 'Nchu.</p> + +<p>I saw that we could not afford to lose a moment, for the two columns +were not far apart, nor at any great distance from us. If we should +continue the fight with the one the others would meet and we would be +surrounded. Hence I gave instructions to the men to fall back. The +report reached us unfortunately too late—our exit was already cut off. +The enemy had occupied positions all around us, and there we were, right +in the centre of a circle whose circumference consisted of an unbroken +line of enemies.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page51" name="page51"></a>Pg 51</span> My secretary, who had never before been in such a +circle, asked me: "Now, General, what now? What is our next move?" "We +must charge that column in front of us," I replied, and, suiting the +action to the word, we went off as fast as our tired horses could go, +making straight for the enemy. This was too much for them; they first +halted, and then—retreated to a ridge about 1700 yards to their left. +This retreat afforded us an exit. We were, however, exposed to a +cross-fire for fully three miles, but it proved ineffectual, for only +one burgher was slightly wounded.</p> + +<p>If the enemy had not retreated that day, or had only occupied a certain +brook, through which we had to pass, it would have been impossible for +us to escape. But if there were no <i>ifs</i> there would not have been such +a lamentable war in South Africa. Neither would such unpardonable +blunders have been committed.</p> + +<p>We were glad that the enemy had allowed us to pass. That night we +crossed the fighting-line near to Sprinkhaan's Nek, where General De Wet +and his men had such a hot reception.</p> + + +<h4>BETWEEN TWO RIVERS AND FIVE COLUMNS.</h4> + +<p>On the evening of the 14th of March, 1901, my commando crossed the Tarka +River, after which Tarka Stad is named. As heavy rains were falling we +bivouacked not far from the river. There in the veldt, without any +shelter, we spent a miserable night, for we were exposed to incessant +showers, which drenched us to the very skin. But there was something +even worse in store for us the following day.</p> + +<p>Having crossed the Tarka River, we were between that river and another +called Vlekpoort River, which flows into the Tarka some six miles from +where we had forded the latter.</p> + +<p>The following morning we rode to a farm near by. There we off-saddled, +fed our horses, and began to prepare our breakfast. How stiff, cold and +hungry we were! We could hardly wait until the meat was thoroughly +broiled.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page52" name="page52"></a>Pg 52</span> Just as we began to satisfy the pangs of hunger the scouts +came back, and once more it was "opzaal! opzaal!" (saddle! saddle!). We +knew what it meant. The enemy was on our heels.</p> + +<p>Two columns were on our right flank, between the two rivers. One had +followed us up, and was then on the banks of the Tarka River; another +was encamped in front of us on the banks of the Vlekpoort River; whilst +a fifth was stationed near the confluence of the two streams. Thus five +columns all around us; and the problem to be solved was, how to get out +of the net.</p> + +<p>This problem we solved in a practical manner. We occupied at once the +strongest positions we could find, and, fortunately for us, between the +rivers were natural positions so strong, that, with a small number of +men, it was possible to hold one's own against great odds. These +positions we seized, and were determined to stand or fall thereby. We +would fight to the last cartridge, and then try and break through the +cordon during the night.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the enemy had drawn nearer. At about 8 A.M. the +fighting commenced. From different directions shell after shell was +hurled upon us. Again and again the enemy charged us, but was beaten +back with greater loss to themselves than to us. Retreat? We could not. +Surrender? That was out of the question; so from morn till sunset we +clung to our positions, as though we were tied to them, and defended our +persons as resolutely as possible.</p> + +<p>Just as the sun was setting we stormed one of the enemy's positions. And +although three of the burghers were wounded, the rest succeeded in +expelling the enemy. Our way was now open; when darkness set in we could +recross the Tarka. A pom-pom fire was opened upon us from the column on +our left flank as we crossed the stream, which was then so high that our +horses had to swim. Owing to the darkness none were injured.</p> + +<p>The following day we had the pleasure of capturing the Commandant of +Tarka Stad with his escort. The enemy was so sure of our surrender that +a report was sent to Tarka<span class="pagenum"><a id="page53" name="page53"></a>Pg 53</span> Stad to the effect that we were quite +surrounded, and that they hoped to deliver us the following morning at 8 +o'clock. And as they might require some more ammunition to force us to +surrender, the military must forward some.</p> + +<p>The commandant of the village was taking this ammunition out when we met +him. His men, riding in twos and threes at some distance apart, were +disarmed by us without wasting bullets on them. At last the commandant, +who happened to be some distance behind, came riding up to us. As he +came on I rode up to him and said in a friendly tone: "Old chap, you'd +better let me have your gun." Thinking that I was imposing upon him, he +said: "Come along; don't play the fool!" When I had assured him that I +was in earnest he remarked: "But surely you are not a Boer. Kritzinger's +commando is the only one in the district, and that is surrounded." Then +taking the report out of his pocket he said: "Just read +this—'Kritzinger surrounded, will be captured and brought in +to-morrow.'" Imagine his astonishment on learning that he was then +addressing the very man whom he had hoped to meet as a prisoner-of-war.</p> + +<p>He handed me his rifle. After that we had a long conversation, and +enjoyed a drink together, as though we had never been at war.</p> + +<p>The ammunition and horses were confiscated, and came in very useful +after the engagement of the previous day. The commandant and his party +were then dismissed.</p> + + +<h4>AGAINST THE RAILWAY.</h4> + +<p>Towards the end of July, 1901, large forces of the enemy had +concentrated upon my commando. Our only salvation then lay in crossing +the Port Elizabeth railway line, near which we then were.</p> + +<p>After a day's fighting we set out to the line, but to our great +disappointment and embarrassment we found the line securely guarded by +armoured trains, which made it impossible for us to cross during the +day.</p> + +<p>The enemy had followed us up, and there was no chance of retracing our +steps. All we could do was to resist the foe<span class="pagenum"><a id="page54" name="page54"></a>Pg 54</span> till it was dark, and then +try to escape. This we did, and succeeded in repelling the enemy. The +burghers fought bravely, but at sunset they were forced to evacuate +their positions and withdraw to a mountain next to the railway line.</p> + +<p>This was our last position. We could go no farther. In front of us was +the railway, behind and on our flanks the British columns. Indeed, an +uncomfortable situation! We fought until it was quite dark; then the +firing ceased, and we had time to plan an escape. And this is what we +did. At 11 o'clock that evening numerous fires were kindled on the top +of the mountain. We knew that these fires would be misleading; the +enemy, as long as they saw the lights, would think that we were still on +the mountain, and, being less watchful, we might slip through.</p> + +<p>At 12 o'clock we saddled. We were going to try to pass through the +enemy's line. On we rode, silently and guided by the sentinels' fires; +we knew exactly which spots to avoid. Every moment brought us nearer to +our doom or deliverance. Shall we succeed or not? we anxiously asked +ourselves. Unnoticed we passed the foe and were free once more.</p> + +<p>The next morning only the ashes of our fires were surrounded. As a +shower of rain had fallen the same night, wiping out the footprints of +our horses, the British certainly wondered what became of us. The Boers +had again disappeared so mysteriously.</p> + +<p>I shall conclude this chapter with two striking incidents. On the 13th +of August, 1901, we came in conflict with the British forces in the +district of Venterstad, Cape Colony. During the engagement I observed +that the enemy was bent on a certain position which, if seized, would +enable them to surround us. Now the Boer never likes to be surrounded. +There is nothing that he dreads so much as a siege. To keep my way open, +I took a number of burghers, and with these occupied the position +referred to. Having stationed them there I rode back to the hill where I +had been before. Unfortunately this hill had been deserted in the +meanwhile, and was then held by the enemy.</p> + +<p>Seeing a number of horses at the base of the hill I con<span class="pagenum"><a id="page55" name="page55"></a>Pg 55</span>cluded that the +burghers were still there and thus rode on without the slightest +apprehension. Arrived at the foot of the hill, I looked up, and to my +astonishment saw a large greyhound with the men. This made me +suspicious. One of them at once called out: "Hands up! Come here, you +beggar!" I was with the wrong party. Surrender? Verily not. I turned my +horse, gave spurs, and off we went, horse and rider carried, as it were, +by bullets which whistled past my head with deafening noise. For a +considerable distance I was exposed to this shower of bullets. My horse +received two wounds, but brought me out unscathed. That night I was cut +off from the commando, and all the burghers thought that I was shot or +captured. To their delight and surprise I joined them the next day +again. That same day I was to have as marvellous an escape as the day +before.</p> + +<p>From early morn we were engaging the foe. While the fight was going on I +took nine men to occupy a certain hill. This hill was already in the +possession of the enemy, but we were not conscious of that, and thus +unwittingly rode on to our doom.</p> + +<p>The enemy had carefully hidden on the hill, and without challenging us +opened a terrible fire upon us just as we arrived at the foot of the +hill. Seeing that we were only a small party it certainly was not manly +on their part to fire before challenging us. All the men but one were +instantly wounded or killed, and their horses shot down. One of them +escaped on foot. Strange—perhaps incredible to some—I came out with my +horse and that uninjured.</p> + +<p>At the close of the war I met the officer who was in command on that +hill. He told me that as we came riding up to the hill he recognised me +and told his men: "There, Kritzinger is coming; let us make sure of +him." I happened to be riding a black horse, taken from one Captain +King. That horse was so well known to the enemy that at a great distance +they could recognise me.</p> + +<p>These are some of the narrow corners in which we found ourselves during +the war. I could multiply them, but 'tis needless. They will give the +reader some idea of what we often had to pass through.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page56" name="page56"></a>Pg 56</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>TO THE CAPE COLONY.</h3> + + +<p>From March to December, 1901, the area of war operations was limited +exclusively to the two Republics. All the British forces were +concentrated there. Gradually the fact dawned upon us that, unless we +contrived to draw the British forces, in some way or other, off the +Republics, the latter would eventually be exhausted of all provisions, +which would necessitate their surrender. They could not for ever supply +Boer commandoes and British columns with provisions, especially when +farming pursuits were so disturbed and hampered by the enemy. It became +quite clear that, in the event of a long campaign, our whole salvation +would be in the Cape Colony. There we would be drawing on the enemy's +resources, and the British Government would indirectly be supporting us +in compensating colonists for losses sustained by Boer commandoes. An +additional advantage, should the scene of operations be transferred from +the Republics to the Cape Colony, would be that many colonists would +enlist in our ranks. There we should be constantly recruited, and our +commandoes would increase rather than decrease. That was an advantage +not to be despised, for our forces were getting daily weaker in the +states.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <a id="image06" name="image06"> + <img src="images/6.jpg" + alt="GENERAL CHRISTIAN DE WET." + title="GENERAL CHRISTIAN DE WET." /><br /></a> + <span class="caption">GENERAL CHRISTIAN DE WET.</span> +</div> + +<p>With such facts before him, General De Wet planned a second invasion of +the Cape Colony towards the close of the year 1901. By the end of +November we met him with his forces, about 1500 strong, in the district +of Bethulie. After a few days' fighting with the forces of General Knox +on the farms Goede Hoop and Willoughby, we left for the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page57" name="page57"></a>Pg 57</span> Orange River, +which we intended to ford at Odendaal's Stroom, a drift fifteen miles +below Aliwal North.</p> + +<p>As heavy rains began to fall, we were anxious to reach the river before +it was in flood. Day and night through rain and mud we ploughed on +towards the river. When we reached the Caledon River we saw that the +water was rising rapidly, and began to fear that the Orange River, which +was still thirty miles off, would be impassable. Well, we were going to +try. We increased our speed, and left behind scores of tired horses and +mules.</p> + +<p>The 1st of December, at sunset, we arrived on the banks of the river. +But what a disappointment! A rolling mass of water before us, so deep +and strong that there was no chance to pass through. And there we were +between two rivers in flood, with a narrow strip of country between +them, and thousands of the enemy on our track. We knew that the English +could seize the bridges, of which there are but a few, and could then be +reinforced from all parts of the country to hem us in so closely that +escape would be impossible. De Wet would at last be "cornered" and +forced to surrender—so, at least, the enemy thought. Our situation +seemed, nay was indeed, very critical.</p> + +<p>To delay and wait for the fall of the river was out of the question. For +not only would it take at least fifteen days before the river would have +subsided to such a degree that we could hope to ford it, but De Wet's +old friend, General Knox, was at his heels. All we could do was to march +up the Caledon. That river, being much smaller than the Orange River, +would sooner fall and afford us a way of escape. Our hopes were +realised. De Wet found a ford where he and his whole commando passed +through. Once more he was a free man. We accompanied him for some +distance up the river, until we came to the farm of one Smith. Here +Captain Scheepers, Captain Fouché and myself left the main body and went +with our commando, consisting of about 300 men in all, in the direction +of Rouxville, where, on the 13th of December, we captured 150 of the 2nd +Brabants, who were sent to and <i>for</i> us.</p> + +<p>While in the Rouxville district we received a message<span class="pagenum"><a id="page58" name="page58"></a>Pg 58</span> from De Wet that +we should enter the Colony as soon as possible, and that he would try to +follow us up. He was, however, prevented from carrying out his +intentions. It seemed as if Providence had so ordained it that he should +not cross the Orange River, or, even crossing it, should not sojourn for +a long time in the land of the enemy. For no sooner had he passed the +Caledon, than the enemy concentrated on him and succeeded in driving him +back through Sprinkhaan Nek to the northern districts of the Orange Free +State.</p> + +<p>This, however, afforded us a chance of slipping through on to British +soil. In the night of the 15th of December, at 2 A.M., we forded the +Orange River at a point five miles below Odendaal's Stroom. It was a +dark night, and the water was still very high, but we all reached the +opposite bank in safety. There we came upon the guard of the drift, as +they were indulging in a game of cards. One was wounded, two ran away +and eight were captured. They did not expect us to cross the river at 2 +A.M., and were thus taken unawares.</p> + +<p>We were now once more in British territory. But what a contrast between +this and our first invasion in the beginning of the war! No large +commandoes, no waggons, and no guns. We were only 300 men—a raiding +band, as some contemptuously called us—with one Maxim, and even that +proved too cumbersome, for we soon cast it into a pool. Instead of +waggons and tents we had only our horses and mackintoshes, and some were +even without the latter. No large supplies of ammunition; our bandoliers +were almost all half empty.</p> + +<p>The morning of the 16th of December, then, found us in the Cape Colony. +We had made up our minds to spend at least some months in the enemy's +country. Come what may, we would not return to the Orange Free State. If +the British had the right to stay in the Republics, why should we not +tarry awhile in the Colony? From the river we made a forced march to +Venterstad, a small village lower down the stream. We needed an +outfitting, and thought that that would be the most likely place where +we<span class="pagenum"><a id="page59" name="page59"></a>Pg 59</span> would get it. We only had to surprise the garrison, about 50 strong, +and we would have all we wanted. In this we were quite successful. The +garrison, or town-guard, soon hoisted the white flag.</p> + +<p>We could now fill our bandoliers, and requisition the necessary articles +in clothing, boots, etc. But the enemy was not slow to follow us. We +were just allowed sufficient time to take all we required, and then the +columns came to remind us that we were strangers and intruders.</p> + +<p>As we have related our experiences in other chapters, we shall not here +enter into details. For at least seven months, after we had crossed the +river, the enemy continually harassed us. We hardly enjoyed a single +day's rest. During the day we had to fight, and during the night we had +to trek. One thing was plain: the enemy was determined to silence us +completely. That they did not succeed is almost passing strange. If 300 +Britishers were to have entered the two republics, would they have +proceeded very far?</p> + +<p>General Hertzog had, at the same time, invaded the western province of +the Cape Colony, but, being far away from the railway line, the British +did not worry him very much. They all seemed to conspire against my +small band, and had the additional advantage of railways on every side +of us. Deeper and deeper into the heart of the Colony we were driven. We +marched in a southern direction. Whither? We did not know, only forward. +And so far did we push on that at length the vast expanse of the Indian +Ocean loomed in the distance, and reminded us that it was time to +retrace our steps, for we could certainly go no farther on horseback. So +we slipped through the pursuing columns, and returned to the districts +of Jansenville, Graaff-Reinet and Cradock.</p> + +<p>In February we were not so hotly pursued. De Wet had entered the Cape +Colony from the north-west; and like a magnet he drew most of the +British forces irresistibly to him. This gave us a short rest, which +was, alas! only too short. For De Wet, as well as Hertzog, had to fall +back on the Orange Free State, and with redoubled energy the British +came upon us like a mighty avalanche. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="page60" name="page60"></a>Pg 60</span> reader can hardly realise +what we had to undergo these first eight months in the Cape Colony.</p> + +<p>It was a bitter disappointment to learn how De Wet had fared and that +both he and Hertzog had abandoned the Cape Colony. We knew it was not +their fault and so did not blame them. Still we were resolved to hold +out as long as possible. Gradually it went better; the colonists began +to enlist and our numbers swelled. We could now form other commandos, +and despatch these in various directions, and that prevented the enemy +from concentrating all their forces on us. At last we had gained such a +strong footing in the Colony that to expel us all was simply an +impossibility.</p> + +<p>And how did General De Wet fare when he crossed the Orange River on the +11th of February, 1901? The following account given by one who +accompanied him will give the reader some idea of the unsuccessful +attempt at invasion.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"MY DEAR K.,—We are just back from the Cape Colony, and no doubt +you will be anxious to hear all about our recent experiences. I +daresay you have followed us all the while in thought, and have +carefully studied the papers to ascertain our movements and learn +what we were doing. As we have little faith in newspaper +war-reports, I shall take the trouble to give you a full account of +our short-lived colonial invasion.</p> + +<p>"You will be surprised, and perhaps sorely disappointed, to hear +that De Wet's and Hertzog's commandoes are all back in the Orange +Free State. This means that you are going to have now ever so much +harder times, for the enemy will certainly concentrate their forces +on your small commando, to clear you out of the Cape Colony as soon +as possible. The odds, of course, will be so great to contend +against, that, humanly speaking, you will be bound to retreat +across the Orange River. Still I trust that you will not follow our +example, but will find the Colony quite large enough to baffle the +enemy in their attempts to capture you. And as the British have +already exerted themselves in vain for over three months to oust +you, we entertain the hope that you will maintain your ground till +reinforced.</p> + +<p>"On the 11th of February we, <i>i.e.</i>, General P. Fourie's<span class="pagenum"><a id="page61" name="page61"></a>Pg 61</span> division, +crossed the Orange River at Zanddrift, west of Philippolis. De Wet +had taken possession of the drift the previous day, so our way was +open, and as the river was low it was not difficult to ford it. +With the exception of a few mules we sustained no losses. It was +somewhat like a picnic, the burghers were as gay as could be. Being +a very hot day they spent most of the time in the water. The guns +and some other vehicles were dragged through the river by teams +composed of sprightly young men. It was a sight to see 70 or 80 men +before a gun or waggon in the stream. I could not help thinking in +what a plight these would be should the enemy suddenly appear on +the banks of the river. That, indeed, would be a surprise worth +beholding. At sunset we were all on British soil.</p> + +<p>"After the burghers had taken supper the whistle was blown and the +oft-repeated command, 'opzaal,' sounded in their ears. That night +we did not make a long trek, for both horses and men felt equally +tired after the day's exertions. Still we had to cover at least +eight miles, for it was not quite safe so near to the river. There +were columns behind and columns in front of us, and columns on +every side. After a wearisome march over a rugged and uneven road, +if road it could be called, with intense darkness enveloping us, we +finally reached the halting-place.</p> + +<p>"The following morning at sunrise we started for Bezuidenhoud's +farm, which was close by. There the burghers received their +instructions from De Wet. With regard to their conduct in the Cape +Colony it was pointed out to them that they should treat the +colonists in such a way as would ensure their friendship. On no +account were they to molest the peaceful neutral British subjects, +for they were not at war with the colonists. They were also +forbidden to take anything from British subjects without paying the +proper value for the thing required. There were some more +injunctions, which have escaped my memory. No wonder that one +should forget when chased as we were. I believe these orders were, +as a rule, obeyed. In fact I should say we erred in adhering so +strictly to them, for we met some ultra-loyalists who would not +give or sell us so much as a morsel of food. Now when any one is +hungry, and people will neither give nor sell, what else can he do +than help himself? If he does not, it is his own fault should he +starve. At a certain farm we offered a sovereign for one bucket of +meal, but all in vain; when we asked the woman for a glass of +water, she pointed us to a spring some<span class="pagenum"><a id="page62" name="page62"></a>Pg 62</span> distance off. Shameful, is +it not! Next time we shall, I am afraid, not be so over-polite. One +learns a lot every day.</p> + +<p>"At 11 A.M. our scouts reported that they had sighted two columns +about 7 miles from us. And now our troubles and hardships +commenced. What we anticipated and dreaded had actually taken +place. The enemy had occupied all the passes in front of us, +preventing us thereby from crossing the railway at the intended +point between Norval's Pont and Colesberg. We had now to go in that +barren and desolate part of the Colony where one is entirely +dependent upon forage, and where, unfortunately for us, none was to +be had.</p> + +<p>"I expected that the British would intercept us. They knew about De +Wet's intended invasion; and had every facility by rail for +mobilising and seizing all the points of consequence. Whilst we had +to ride all the way from Winburg district, they had the advantage +of being transported by rail—an advantage which can hardly be +over-estimated.</p> + +<p>"Encumbered with guns and waggons, we could not dodge the enemy. We +either had to seize the passes or proceed in a direction which +might lead to fatal results. To do the former appeared impossible +to De Wet, and so the latter course was reluctantly adopted. If it +were not for the convoy, we would have achieved our object and +would have entered those districts where commandoes could exist.</p> + +<p>"The enemy was engaged till dusk. We had no casualties; but +Commandant Ross and a number of his men were cut off. They managed +to reach the Orange Free State safely. How they found their way +through the various columns, I can't say—a Boer, if need be, can +retire wonderfully well! At sunset our convoy almost fell into the +hands of the enemy. What a pity it did not! It would have saved us +so much needless trouble, and we would have been far better off +without it.</p> + +<p>"Most of the night we remained in the saddle. The General was +anxious to get as far away as possible from the columns, to rest +his horses for a few hours. But the British, so it seemed, were +resolved that neither we nor our horses should have a rest, for +early the next morning they were on our heels. We could not offer +any resistance, because we had no positions, and could not +recklessly expose ourselves to the enemy's fire without any cover +at all. On the open plain our horses would have been swept away by +the enemy's guns, and in a short time we would have been all +infantry. Hence, on their approach we withdrew,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page63" name="page63"></a>Pg 63</span> hoping to find a +place where we could make a stand. Unfortunately we failed to find +the wished-for positions. For miles and miles the country is just +one vast plain; when you get to the end of that plain you may find +a ridge, a hill or slight elevation, which, however, did not +signify much. The enemy could easily outflank and surround us, if +we did not abandon it in time. With eyelids "heavy and dim," and +bodies "weary and worn," exposed to the dazzling rays of a burning +sun, we rode on, driven occasionally as a herd of cattle. At last +night fell and we could enjoy a short rest.</p> + +<p>"The next morning the same story was repeated: the English hot on +our track—no rest for body or soul. The country being as flat as +the part we had traversed the previous day, we had to march again +the whole day under a burning sun. Now and then we dismounted for a +few minutes, in order that our horses might snatch a few mouthfuls +of grass.</p> + +<p>"At the hour of sunset there was something to relieve the monotony +of fleeing all day. Two burghers—bread spies as we call them—had +gone ahead to buy some bread at a farm where a party of the enemy +was stationed. Not aware of that, they rode up to the house, with +the result that one got captured, while the other returned under a +hail of bullets at a breakneck pace to relate the fate of his +comrade. De Wet immediately sent in a note asking the enemy to +surrender, since they numbered only about twenty. They answered +shortly: 'We won't.' They were then charged, and up went the white +flag without their firing a single shot.</p> + +<p>"For the night we bivouacked at that farm. The British columns were +now scarcely four miles from us. We dreaded a night attack, but, +owing to incessant rain, both parties seemed only too glad to stay +where they were. Here we had the advantage of hills and ridges, +where we could stand and face the foe.</p> + +<p>"At sunrise the enemy's guns and Maxim-Nordenveldt began to play on +these ridges. Our guns had been placed in position, too, and +responded sharply. We succeeded in beating off the enemy's attacks +till 11 A.M., then we were outflanked and had to evacuate our +positions. Their losses must have been great. Two of our men fell +in the action.</p> + +<p>"From there we marched in the direction of the railway line, which +we intended to cross that night near Houtkraal station. We were +about seven miles from the line, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page64" name="page64"></a>Pg 64</span> were very anxious to pass +over. We were afraid that the English would send on their forces by +rail to guard the line and march upon us from in front, which, if +done, could result in our complete annihilation. Besides, we +intended, as soon as we were on the other side of the line, to +divide our force into several commandoes and let these take +different courses so that the enemy would not be able to +concentrate any longer all their men on us. Thus wearily we dragged +on through mud and rain to the line.</p> + +<p>"To prevent armoured trains from cutting off our transit, men were +sent ahead to destroy the line at two points. Here again we +committed a few blunders for which we had to suffer. In the first +instance the line was blown up at too early an hour that night, +long before we were ready to pass over. The explosions reported our +presence, and the armoured trains were despatched to restore the +line. Then again, owing to the darkness the points where the line +was destroyed were not sufficiently far apart. This we discovered +when the enemy's guns began to roar and their shells exploded in +our midst.</p> + +<p>"Before reaching the line there was something to get through—a +swamp at least 1500 paces broad. One can hardly have an idea what +this swamp was like, and how much trouble it cost us and our poor +animals to get through it. This was a veritable 'Slough of +Despond.' It was covered with water from one side to the other, and +we had to wade through knee deep, and sometimes the water reached +to our loins. The water was no serious obstacle, but the ground was +of a morass-like nature that our animals sank in to their knees and +often to their girths. Most of the burghers had to dismount and +lead their horses. Every now and then a horse would stumble, and +down came the rider splashing in the mud and water. I led my +faithful 'Klein Booi' all the way, walking knee deep through mud +and water. Just think how we must have looked the following +morning, with clogs of mud attached to our clothes, hands and +faces, while our horses were baptised in mud! The waggons and guns +gave us most trouble. It was quite impossible to get these through +the swamp. They stuck in the mud, with draft animals and all. We +had as many as fifty oxen before one waggon, but they could not +move it an inch. Some mules sank in so deep that they could not +extricate themselves, and were left to die in the mud!</p> + +<p>"At daybreak the guns, De Wet's waggonette and a few carts were +through the swamp; the rest of the convoy was<span class="pagenum"><a id="page65" name="page65"></a>Pg 65</span> still in it. General +Fourie and a hundred burghers were left with the waggons while the +commando proceeded to the line. At sunrise we were safely on the +other side of the line, where we waited for Fourie. Suddenly, and +very unexpectedly, a shell exploded in our midst, like a +thunderbolt from a clear sky. I looked about to see whence it came; +but before my eyes detected the armoured trains, another and yet +another shell dropped in our midst. I say <i>in our midst</i>, for we +were riding in close formation when these horrible projectiles were +hurled upon us. As our horses were very tired and the veldt soaked +through and through by the heavy rains, we could not scatter, nor +ride fast, as we usually do when exposed to cannon fire in the open +veldt. Thus slowly we rode on under this cannonade. And how +wonderful none were injured! The hand of the invisible omnipresent +God must have shielded us. At last we were out of the cannon's +reach. Meanwhile the line had been repaired, the armoured trains +moved freely up and down. Fourie, five other officers, and about a +hundred burghers were now cut off from the commando. The burghers +found their way back to the Free State; the officers followed us +up, but, alas! met us only when we were on the point of recrossing +the Orange River.</p> + +<p>"In what a sorry plight we now were! Some of our ablest officers +severed from us at a time when they were most needed. Their absence +caused the greatest confusion, for now there were numbers of men +without any officers. Besides, it was then impossible to carry out +the idea of splitting up the commando without officers. Hence we +were to be driven along by the overwhelming numbers at our rear. +How many there were is hard to tell, but we caught up some of their +despatches, from which we learnt that there were no fewer than +fourteen columns in pursuit of us.</p> + +<p>"Gradually we drifted into the most deplorable and wretched +conditions. Our animals, owing to lack of fodder, began to give in. +Scores of these we had to leave behind, some of them in excellent +condition, but so starved that they could proceed no farther. The +result was that hundreds of burghers had to walk, and they suffered +most. How I felt for these unfortunates! They walked and walked +until, exhausted and footsore, many a one dropped down along the +road-side. There were those whose clothes were torn to fragments by +the brambles through which they forced their way. They presented an +appearance which evoked one's compassion.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page66" name="page66"></a>Pg 66</span></p> + +<p>"These men had to confront another enemy—hunger. They scarcely +found time to prepare a meal, for when they arrived at the +halting-place the first word they heard was, as a rule, "opzaal!" +Thus footsore, battered, and with empty stomachs, these fellows had +to march for miles and miles to escape the enemy's grip.</p> + +<p>"I admired their power of endurance, patience, and determination. +But admiration was not enough. I parted with all my horses, giving +them to men who could walk no longer, and so walked on myself, +until, footsore and exhausted, I too could go no farther. It was a +pleasure to minister in this way to men who loved their country.</p> + +<p>"If it were not for this determination on the part of De Wet's +forces to keep out of the hands of the enemy, hundreds would have +been captured, yet I believe not more than 250 prisoners were +taken. As we went on our numbers gradually diminished. Those who +were unable to keep pace with the main body broke off in small +parties and found their way back to the Orange Free State.</p> + +<p>"By the 19th we had pushed on as far as Brak River, about twelve +miles from Prieska. Here we met with another disappointment, which +almost proved fatal to our whole commando. The river was in flood +and no transit possible. In what a dreadful plight we were! Hardly +eight miles behind us the British columns were stationed in +crescent shape; in front was the swollen Brak River, and nine miles +to our right was the Orange River, and that in flood. Here at least +it seemed as if De Wet would be caught, and though he escaped, this +certainly was one of the tightest corners in which he ever found +himself.</p> + +<p>"About two hours before sunset we heard that the enemy was rapidly +approaching us. Anxiously we asked ourselves, Whither now? We could +not return, we could not ford the river; to proceed up-stream would +expose us to the risk of being quartered against the river. There +was but one course to follow, and that an extremely hazardous one. +We could march down the Brak River as far as the Orange River, and +then proceed along the latter. Between us and the enemy there was +then a ridge, extending parallel with the Orange River. Behind this +ridge we would be out of the enemy's view. Should they reach this +elevation before it was dark, we would be pressed, with fatal +consequences to ourselves, against a swollen river. But here +darkness proved our salvation once more. We proceeded down the Brak +River and up the Orange River. When the enemy<span class="pagenum"><a id="page67" name="page67"></a>Pg 67</span> came to the ridge +mentioned it was so dark that they could see no traces of us.</p> + +<p>"De Wet had now decided to fall back on the Orange Free State. To +many of us this was a bitter disappointment; but we saw that +nothing else could be done under the circumstances. With tired +horses and many burghers on foot we could not hope to circumvent +the enemy. Others, especially those who had suffered most in +walking, were enraptured at the idea of going back to the Free +State. Their drooping spirits revived, and with renewed courage +they started on the homeward march.</p> + +<p>"The whole of that night we trekked along the banks of the Orange +River, parallel to the British columns. We tried one ford after the +other, but to our dismay the stream was impassable. The following +day we were not only behind the enemy, but had outstripped them by +nine miles. To gain more on them we kept up the march almost +unbroken the whole day. And what a day it was! We had to walk from +twelve to fifteen miles without a drop of water. Once we came to a +forsaken well. The water was of a greenish hue, bitter and +stagnant—a real Marah—but we drank to quench our thirst and +moisten our parched lips.</p> + +<p>"On the 22nd we had proceeded to a point six miles beyond the +confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. Here we found a small +boat, and began at once to transport the dismounts. We knew that +these, once across the river, would be in a safer position. Day and +night we were engaged in taking these over; but the work progressed +very slowly, for the boat could only take ten or twelve men at a +time, and, besides, was so leaky that two had constantly to throw +out the water. After 250 men had been ferried across the stream the +approach of the enemy was announced, and so near were they that +some of us had to depart in an almost half-naked state. About 80 +burghers had to hide in the river until the storm was over. Almost +all the vehicles were left behind while the main force retreated up +the river.</p> + +<p>"Fortune favoured me; I was among the lucky ones who found a seat +in the boat as she was returning for the last time. Willie Louw and +myself were appointed to supervise the boat, less the transport of +the men be retarded in some way or other. For some time we worked +together, and then Willie left me to manage alone. Though I was +anxious to cross myself, I could not then leave the boat. When the +report of the enemy reached us the burghers, eager to get through, +stormed the boat from all directions.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page68" name="page68"></a>Pg 68</span> They forgot that if all want +to get into the boat nobody will get across the river. What must be +done? As there was no time for much deliberation I jumped in and +expostulated with an excited crowd. None heeded, each pressed +forward to get a place in the boat. I was finally compelled to +threaten them with my revolver, but all in vain. No one was afraid. +I believe they knew too well that I would not pull the trigger. One +looked me straight in the face as I pointed the instrument to him +and said, 'My dear fellow, you may shoot if you wish—I am not +afraid; but I want to get through.' He completely disarmed me. I +had no more threats.</p> + +<p>"With an overcrowded boat we were at last on the stream, and +finally reached the opposite bank, just as the enemy was beginning +to shell De Wet's forces on the other side. It was indeed a relief +to me, but we had to march another fifteen miles without water, +exposed to scorching heat. At length we found some muddy water. +Lying next to our horses we sipped up water so thick and muddy that +we could hardly swallow it.</p> + +<p>"As to De Wet's further movements I can hardly give you full +particulars. He was followed up by the enemy, and had to abandon +his guns the following day. Trying one drift after the other he +succeeded at last in fording the river between Norval's Pont and +Zanddrift; and so after seventeen days he was back in the Free +State.</p> + +<p>"Here you have a sketch of our attempt to invade British dominions. +I have omitted many things of less interest. I wonder what you will +think of all this. Looking back upon our adventures, it is, of +course, easy to point out all the errors and blunders we have +committed. We should, for instance, never have encumbered ourselves +with a convoy and guns, which hampered our movements and were of +very little service to us. Then again, we should not have crossed +the river in one commando, but should have divided the force into +at least twelve or fifteen commandoes, and these should have +entered the Colony at different points, all moving in different +directions, then the enemy could not have concentrated their hosts +on us as they did. Besides, our discipline and organisation was +poor, and it is a well-known fact that a thousand in disorder can +accomplish less than two hundred well-organised men. But it is +useless to dwell on these points. 'Tis easier to criticize the past +than to forecast the future. Experience costs a great deal.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page69" name="page69"></a>Pg 69</span></p> + +<p>"Has our attempt been a complete failure? In many respects I should +say it has. We have succeeded, however, in drawing the enemy out of +the Free State, which was our chief object. And, though it did not +cost them many lives, yet their following us in such desolate +regions must have proved very expensive, and must have been a +source of great hardship to themselves. If that be a consolation to +know that we have not suffered alone, we have, then, at least one +comfort.</p> + +<p>"Brak River was the last nail in our coffin. If we only could have +forded that, we would not have been ousted. On the other side of +the river we would have found not only grass for our tired horses, +but would also have been able to find remounts. Hertzog's commando +was not far off, and they were strongly mounted, and could have +rendered us great assistance.</p> + +<p>"The president, who accompanied us, remained cheerful to the last, +and, just as a common burgher, partook in all our troubles. Such a +man we may well be proud of, and, I need hardly say, that we love +and honour him all the more.</p> + +<p>"As to the conduct of the burghers we need only remark that it was +beyond praise. One never heard them grumble or murmur either +against De Wet or any other officer. No rebellious complaints or +threats were flung at the heads of those in authority. This, +indeed, is typical of the Boer. He endures suffering and hardship +with a submissive spirit and with a dignity which is remarkable. We +do not marvel at this, for are they not formed of that stuff of +which martyrs have been made in bygone years? And does not the +blood of the French Huguenot course through the veins of many a +one, while others are animated by the dauntless spirit of that +little nation that combated the once mighty Spain for eighty years, +and so achieved that honour and distinction which has secured for +them an abiding place in the history of nations? Such men, who are +willing to suffer and sacrifice all for freedom's sake, surely +deserve to succeed at last.—Yours fondly,</p> + +<p>"R.D. MCDONALD."</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page70" name="page70"></a>Pg 70</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>WOUNDED.</h3> + + +<p>During the first days of August, 1901, the enemy seemed more determined +than ever to effect my capture, or sweep me out of the Cape Colony, Very +large forces concentrated on my commando, and pressed us so hard that +our only safety lay in retreating to the Orange Free State. So hot was +the pursuit that for forty-eight hours our horses were not once +off-saddled.</p> + +<p>On the 14th we arrived on the banks of the Orange River, near to +Venterstad. We found the drift guarded by a small garrison of Hottentots +that offered slight resistance. After a short skirmish they surrendered, +and we waded safely through the stream. We were again on Free State +soil, in our native land, where we knew almost every inch of the +country.</p> + +<p>Fording the river brought us no immediate relief; it rather increased +our dangers. For we were now between two railway lines, each strongly +guarded by blockhouses, while the space between the two lines was so +confined and limited, that (with columns at our rear) we could not +venture to delay there a day or two. So we had to cross one of these +lines the same night. We decided upon the Springfontein-Bethulie line +and thither directed our steps.</p> + +<p>At about 8 A.M. we came in sight of the line, at a point six miles from +Springfontein Junction. The sun had already risen. It was a bright +morning, but our prospects were dark and ominous. We were confronted by +a line studded with blockhouses and fenced in on both sides, while two +armoured trains were belching forth clouds of steam and smoke in the +distance. Behind us, and not far to our rear,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page71" name="page71"></a>Pg 71</span> the British columns were +drawing nearer. We could but choose between two alternatives—surrender, +or cut the wire at any cost. The former we could hardly give a thought; +the latter must be done, and was successfully executed.</p> + +<p>Our first attempt failed. The burghers, who had no cover, retreated when +fire was opened upon them from the blockhouses. We fell back to a small +hill not far from the line, and there we made up our minds that we +<i>shall</i> cross. Commandant Louis Wessels—certainly one of the most +intrepid and fearless officers of the whole Boer Army—made direct for +the two railway gates, near which a blockhouse had been erected. These +gates he opened, so that the burghers could proceed without any +obstruction. Then in the face of blockhouses on every side, guards and +armoured trains, we passed over the line. We were exposed to a shower of +bullets, and to a terrific pom-pom fire, from the armoured train, but, +to our amazement, without any effect. But for a few horses shot down, we +would have achieved our object without any losses. The men marvelled and +said Providence had protected them; the enemy probably attributed it to +ill-luck and bad shooting. Both may be correct.</p> + +<p>While passing over the line one of the men, accidentally or out of +fright, had dropped and left his gun behind. He was ordered back, and +had to pick it up under a storm of bullets. We could not afford to leave +rifles behind. This was my first experience in crossing the British +lines in daytime. Some time later I was to have a similar experience, +which, as far as my person was concerned, proved less successful, +indeed, almost fatal.</p> + +<p>In regard to the blockhouse system, we need only make these general +remarks. The blockhouses along the railway and fighting lines of the +British, as well as in and round garrisoned places, played a most +prominent part in bringing the war to an end. It was at all times +difficult and dangerous to attack them; and to force their occupants to +surrender involved greater loss of life on our part than we could +prudently face. The only way we could destroy them was to approach them +as near as possible<span class="pagenum"><a id="page72" name="page72"></a>Pg 72</span> during the night, and locate a dynamite bomb on or +near them. In this way some of them have been blown up. It seems a +barbarous process, but is not war, at its very best, barbarous, brutal, +and unbefitting civilized nations?</p> + +<p>As a means of capturing the burghers, they were a failure. Our +commandoes, when driven against them, always had sufficient pluck and +courage to cut the wires between them, and so they crossed the lines at +almost any point they pleased. That we <i>have</i> crossed and recrossed them +frequently is proof enough that they were, in this respect, not a +success. The barbed wire fences, however complicated, were easily cut.</p> + +<p>As a means of capturing the women and children, and especially the +cattle, sheep and horses, they served the purpose well. It was almost +impossible to drive a flock of sheep or a herd of cattle, not to mention +horses, over these lines during the day. The women with the old and aged +would retreat with the cattle and sheep until they came in touch with +the blockhouses, and were then often captured, one and all.</p> + +<p>If it had not been for these little shanties all over the two republics, +it would have taken the British forces double if not treble the time to +have so thoroughly exhausted the late republics of food supplies. When +the republics were cut up into so many small sections it became +impossible to protect our foodstuffs.</p> + +<p>From the railway line we went to Rouxville district, where we enjoyed a +rest of ten days. But on the 1st of September the enemy came in large +numbers and till the 22nd of October harassed us almost daily.</p> + +<p>As I was anxious to return to the commandoes I left behind in the Cape +Colony, I thought it feasible to cross the fighting line, and take my +commando to Ladybrand district, where the enemy would probably leave us +unmolested for a while, and where the veldt provided ample food for our +horses. Thither we directed our steps, and for a month we saw no signs +of the British.</p> + +<p>On the 23rd of November we were again south of the +Bloemfontein-Ladybrand fighting line, and on our way<span class="pagenum"><a id="page73" name="page73"></a>Pg 73</span> to the Cape +Colony. My first intention was to ford the Orange River near Aliwal +North, but I soon realised that we would be incurring too great a risk +in trying to cross the river there, for about twenty or twenty-five +columns were then sweeping the southern districts of the Orange Free +State. Now if the river was in flood these columns could press us +against it, and we would then be in an awful predicament. So I resolved +to cut the wire of the main line near Springfontein Junction, and from +there march in the direction of Zanddrift, west of Philippolis.</p> + +<p>Before that could be accomplished we had to beat our track through the +columns already mentioned. And what a hearty reception they gave us! In +one day we had to pass no fewer than eleven of these. And they <i>did</i> +lift us up—so much so that we scarcely lighted on the ground. Even now +I wonder how we contrived to escape these columns. We were fortunately +provided with a number of picked horses, to which we must largely +ascribe our salvation.</p> + +<p>In what a dreadful state we found the country east of the lines! It +resembled more a howling wilderness, a haunt of wild beasts, than an +habitation of human beings. It was cleared of all stock; no living +thing, and not a single burgher of other commandoes came in view. So +thoroughly was the country cleared of all necessaries of life, that for +six days we had to subsist on corn, coffee, and honey found in the +mountains, for the bee-hives at the farms were all destroyed. On the 7th +day, having cut the wire near Springfontein, we found large numbers of +springbucks in Fauresmith district, and though our supply of ammunition +was very limited, we could still afford to spare as many cartridges as +would provide sufficient food for men reduced to starvation's point.</p> + +<p>On the 15th of December we arrived at the river, and were ready to +intrude once more upon British territory. During the day the river was +carefully reconnoitred, so as to ascertain the best place to ford it. At +nightfall we headed for it, and at 9 P.M. the commando was on its banks. +In deep silence lest the guards woke up on the other side, and shielded +by the wings of darkness, we began to ford the stream.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page74" name="page74"></a>Pg 74</span> Heavy rains had +fallen higher up the river, in consequence of which the stream was so +swollen that our horses had to swim about 150 yards. The men who could +not swim had to rely exclusively on their horses, and clung to these for +all life was worth. It was a very dark night, and as we only spoke in +whispers, we succeeded in crossing the river, unobserved by the +sentinels or guards, purposely stationed there to prevent our entering +the Cape Colony. We were wet to the skin, six of the men were without +clothes, some lost their horses, and others their rifles and bandoliers, +but none their lives. We were indeed glad that we had attained our +object. But we did not know what was in store for us.</p> + +<p>At dawn we left the river, and moving southwards we soon encountered the +enemy not far from the river. From early in the morning till late in the +afternoon we were engaged by the enemy. At sunset we could off-saddle +and rest our tired horses for a short while, and a hasty meal was +prepared.</p> + +<p>At dusk we mounted again, and rode till 11.30 that evening, to get some +fodder. We arrived at a farm at midnight, but unfortunately it was +already occupied by the enemy. We had no sooner fastened our horses and +were lying down to rest, when the enemy began firing at us. We resaddled +at once, and left the farm as quickly and quietly as possible. One of +the burghers was wounded in the arm, the rest came out unhurt.</p> + +<p>We now went in search of another farm, for it was a necessity that our +horses should get some fodder. The night was very dark, and, being +unacquainted with that part of the country, we began wandering, and we +<i>did</i> wander until the guide and most of the men were asleep on their +horses—wandered till we had described a circle and found ourselves, +after a three hours' ride, almost at the very farm we had left that +night. If it had not been for the flickering lights of the enemy's +camp-fires, we should not have known where we were, and certainly would +have been quite close to them the next morning. When we saw these +lights, hardly three miles away, <i>then</i> we woke up.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page75" name="page75"></a>Pg 75</span></p> + +<p>I then took the lead, and brought the commando to the farm we were in +search of.</p> + +<p>At sunrise we arrived there, off-saddled, and gave our horses fodder. +The pickets were put out, and breakfast was prepared. But, alas! before +we could eat, the enemy was upon us, and our intended feast was +converted into a prolonged fast. So near was the foe, and so rapidly did +they advance, that we had scarcely time to saddle and seize the nearest +ridges. If it had not been for the marvellous celerity of the Boer, many +of the men would have been captured at that farm.</p> + +<p>This was the 16th of December, 1901. The day I never shall forget in my +life's history, and in the history of the Anglo-Boer War. The sun rose +in splendour that morning, casting his rays upon me—a man in the prime +of life, full of energy and martial ambition. At eventide the scene was +changed! Weary, wounded and bleeding on a lonely plain, shrouded in +darkness, I lay, no more the man of the day, or of bygone days, but weak +and helpless as a babe.</p> + +<p>Though I had taken part in many hot engagements, both as burgher and +commander, and had been in many tight corners, yet I do not recollect a +day in which we were so brought to bay, when we were so hard pressed as +that day. Early in the morning it was evident that the enemy had but one +design that day, and that was to force me to surrender. My commando was +about eighty strong. On my flanks were continually two British columns, +whilst a third one was following up at my rear. With such a small number +of men at my disposal, and three columns to oppose, it was next to +impossible to offer successful resistance. We had hardly taken up a +position when the flanking columns would come round, and we had either +to abandon the position or allow ourselves to be shut in. Thus we were +compelled to retreat from one to another position, under the rays of a +December sun, which seemed to set everything on fire, through a country +so parched and dry that one hardly found a drop of water to quench one's +thirst, and that from early morn till sunset without a morsel of food! +That was enough to break down the strongest man.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page76" name="page76"></a>Pg 76</span></p> + +<p>A little before sunset the ominous Cape Railway line stared us in the +face. We were again precisely in the same plight as on the 15th of +August, when we had to cut the wire near Springfontein Junction, only +with this difference—that the danger was much more imminent, the enemy +forming a semi-circle at my back, and before me was a line more strongly +fenced and better guarded than the first. But happily the armoured train +was not on the scene. As we were so successful in our first undertaking, +we determined to pass the enemy's line again in daylight. In fine, we +had to cut the wire or surrender. The latter was more repulsive than the +former.</p> + +<p>As my commando was now very near the line, there was not a moment to +lose. The enemy was advancing swiftly, and the armoured train might +appear at any time. Commandant Louis Wessels, Veldt Cornet Fraser, +Landman and myself proceeded with the utmost speed ahead of the commando +to cut the wire, in order that the progress of the commando should not +be impeded in the least.</p> + +<p>As we approached the line a sharp cross-fire from the blockhouses was +directed against us; but we all reached the fence safely and began +cutting the wire as quickly as possible.</p> + +<p>The enemy, knowing only too well who were trying to cut the wire, poured +volley after volley upon us. The bullets seemed to strike everywhere and +everything but ourselves. Let the reader imagine himself exposed to such +a fire, between two forts about 800 yards apart on a level track of +ground, and forming there in the centre a target for rifles, and he will +realise, to some extent, our situation at that moment. But this was not +all. To intensify our peril we met with thick steel wire which the +scissors refused to cut. We were delayed; the whole commando arrived, +and was checked by this wire.</p> + +<p>What an embarrassment! I ordered the men to spread, dismount, and fire +at the blockhouses until we had done the cutting. This was promptly +done. Having, been exposed to the enemy's fire for some minutes, we +succeeded at last in cutting that wire also. I then signalled the men<span class="pagenum"><a id="page77" name="page77"></a>Pg 77</span> +to pass. And once more the incredible occurred. On a plain between +blockhouses 800 yards apart, exposed to an incessant cross-fire, all the +burghers passed the line, in broad daylight, without receiving so much +as a scratch. Some horses were shot down, others were wounded, but the +men crossed safely. Some distance from the line Lieutenant Bolding was +wounded mortally.</p> + +<p>I waited at the line till all, with the exception of eight or ten whose +horses had given in, were over and then followed the commando. But +looking back once more, I beheld one of my men trudging on foot across +the line. At once I decided to go back and lend him a helping hand. I +rode back, and was again exposed to the same fire from which we had just +escaped. This time there was to be no escape. While returning, one of my +officers—Fraser—who saw me going back, came to volunteer his services. +He would not have me exposed to the enemy's fire, and urged me to go +back immediately—he would see to the burgher.</p> + +<p>Accepting his generous offer, I rode back. But no sooner had I turned my +horse, than I felt a shock. In the twinkling of an eye a bullet had +passed through the muscles of my left arm and through my lungs, missing +the heart by a mere hair-breadth. It happened all so suddenly that for +the first few seconds I hardly knew that I was wounded. I remained in +the saddle for a time, until some of the men could attend to me. Gently +they took me from my horse, placed me in a blanket, and carried me along +to a safe spot.</p> + +<p>It was now eventide, the shadows were deepening, and darkness was hiding +us from the vision of the foe. At first I was determined to accompany +the commando some distance from the line to a place where I could safely +remain till recovered. I, however, soon realised the serious nature of +the wound, and that if it were not well attended to, mortification was +sure to set in, and that would cost me my life. The men too considered +it absolutely impossible for me to accompany them any longer, and deemed +it advisable that I should be sent into the British hospital for medical +treatment.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page78" name="page78"></a>Pg 78</span>And then came the <i>parting</i> moment, the moment when I had to bid adieu +to the men whom I had led, and with whom I had fought against our common +foe for so long a time. In the life of every man there comes a day, an +hour, or even a moment, which he never can forget. That parting moment, +reader, was one in my life I never shall forget. My officers, adjutants, +secretary, and some other burghers gathered round me for the last time +as I sat on the ground supported by one of them. As they bade me +farewell—yea, perhaps for ever—the tear-drops sparkled in their eyes, +and gushed down their cheeks. Yes, we all did weep and shed tears of +deep sorrow—tears not such as "angels weep," but such as men can weep +who love one another, and had fought in one common cause.</p> + +<p>I could not speak to the men as I would, for I was too weak. Still I +wished them God-speed for the future, and exhorted them to be very +courageous and to do their duty faithfully, as befits men, to the last. +I told them my work was done. I had given my blood, and might be called +upon to give my life for my country. If so, I hope to be prepared to +bring that offering too. More I could not do. My secretary then knelt +and commended me in prayer to the care and protection of our gracious +God and Father.... Then we parted.</p> + +<p>My war career had ended. No more fighting, no more retreating, no more +roaming over the veldt, by day and night, exposed to blasting summer +winds or chilling winter frosts. For two years and two months I had seen +active service. During that time I had tried to acquit myself +conscientiously of my duties as a man. No sacrifice was too great, and +no obstacle appeared insuperable for the cause in which I was engaged. +Looking back upon the past I observe how often I have fallen short and +failed—failed as a burgher and as a leader. And though I do not wish +for another war, I believe I should try to do better were I to live +through it again.</p> + +<p>Two of my adjutants—Pieter Hugo and Landman—had remained with me. One +of them instantly went to the nearest railway station, about three miles +off, to call for an<span class="pagenum"><a id="page79" name="page79"></a>Pg 79</span> ambulance. Till 1 A.M. I lay bleeding in the veldt. +Then the British ambulance arrived. When the doctor saw me he had very +little hope that I would recover. As I was too weak to be removed by +waggon, I was put on a stretcher and carried to a small field hospital, +not far from the spot where I was wounded.</p> + +<p>How soon I knew that I was no more a free man! First of all I was +stripped of all my belongings, including watch, chain, and money, etc. +At my urgent request the watch and chain and also a certain amount of my +money were restored to me.</p> + +<p>The following morning an ambulance train took me to Naauwpoort Junction. +On the way I had to part with my blanket. And one of the nurses actually +wanted my ring, saying that I might as well give it to her, as it would +be taken from me. This I refused to part with, remarking that I didn't +believe any one would act so shamefully as to rob me of my ring. In this +I was correct.</p> + +<p>Arrived at Naauwpoort, I was carried to the hospital, where I was laid +up for three weeks. A screen was posted before my bed, and at my feet +stood a sentinel with fixed bayonet. I was to be completely isolated +from the rest of mankind. Imagine my feelings at having this functionary +at my feet, watching over me and staring in my face day and night. It +was enough to drive me mad. When I could endure it no longer I entreated +one of the sisters to offer my guard a seat, somewhere out of my view, +for his penetrating and unbroken gaze was putting too great a strain on +my already shattered nerves. Surely there was no chance whatsoever for +me to escape, for I could hardly move myself. Besides, the hospital was +so well fenced in and strongly guarded, that all escape was impossible. +My request was partly granted; but I was forbidden to speak to any one, +except to the nurses and the doctor. Neither was any one allowed to +address me. And so the time dragged on heavily and wearily. The first +few days I suffered intensely, gradually the pain decreased, and I +became stronger.</p> + +<p>After I had spent three weeks in the hospital I was<span class="pagenum"><a id="page80" name="page80"></a>Pg 80</span> ordered to Graaff +Reinet. I rose, and dressed with the assistance of the nurses. To my +astonishment six khakis entered my room. One of these had a pair of +handcuffs. To my query as to what his intentions were he replied: "You +must be handcuffed." "Well, and where do you want to put them on?" I +asked him, for my wounded arm was still supported by a sling. "I must +put them on somewhere," he replied bluntly. So I suggested that I would +lie down on the stretcher and have them fastened to my feet. I was +beginning to lose my temper, and expressed myself in somewhat forcible +language. Fortunately an officer then appeared on the scene with whom I +remonstrated about the treatment I was being subjected to. The officer, +shrugging his shoulders, said: "'Tis orders, and they must be executed." +It seemed such a disgraceful action that I could not help remarking: +"That is why the Boers will not surrender. If wounded officers, +entrusted to your care, are treated thus, what must the private expect?" +At last I was allowed to go—unhandcuffed.</p> + +<p>Placed in an armoured truck, I was taken to Graaff Reinet Gaol. My +experiences there shall be related in the next chapter. Had I suffered +much up to this time, greater suffering and more anxious moments were +awaiting me.</p> + +<p>Before leaving this subject I would sincerely thank the doctors and +sisters, who evinced such great interest and attended so well to my case +while laid up in the Naauwpoort Hospital.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page81" name="page81"></a>Pg 81</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>COURT-MARTIALLED.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O, if to fight for ... commonweal<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were piety in thine, it is in these....<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wilt thou draw near the nature of the Gods?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Draw near them then in being merciful.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><i>Shakespeare.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Arrived at Graaff Reinet, I was instantly removed to gaol, where I was +confined in a small room. Here, isolated from the rest of the world, I +was to spend many anxious days and sleepless nights. During the day I +was allowed to stay a few hours in an inner yard or enclosure of the +prison. The rest of the time I was locked up, and no bright sun-rays +could revive my drooping spirits. I begged permission to go as far as +the prisoner's yard, and promised not to speak to the other +prisoners—no, not even wink an eye, and should I transgress in any +respect the guard could shoot me down. I desired intensely to move and +breathe in the open and pure air—Nature's gift to all. But this favour +was too great. On the contrary, I was forbidden, on penalty of death, to +address any one. To add to my misery other forces seemed to co-operate. +For the very evening after my arrival an unknown gentleman entered my +room. He carried some documents, and politely informed me that I must +get ready for my trial. He hinted, moreover, that I should expect the +worst. If I had not a will, and wanted one, it should be drawn up +without further delay. If I had any documents to be disposed of, I +should arrange about these as well. In short, this kind (?) fellow gave +me to understand that my career was soon to terminate. How? That was the +question.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page82" name="page82"></a>Pg 82</span></p> + +<p>The next morning the local magistrate came to pay me his respects. The +unpleasant remarks of the previous evening were cruelly reiterated, +enlarged upon, and emphasized. The magistrate volunteered very kindly to +submit, if necessary, all my papers to some one I may please to appoint. +He would also deliver messages to my sorrowing friends and relatives. As +my trial was pending, I asked him what he meant by talking such +nonsense. Surely the British were not going to shoot each and every Boer +officer whom they captured, and that without fair trial!</p> + +<p>Though no coward, I must admit that such conversations were not +calculated to produce a favourable impression on my mind. They might +have been well meant, but did more harm than good. It is one thing to +face the enemy on the battlefield, where one may defend himself; 'tis +something else to be dangerously, almost mortally, wounded, and then to +be at the mercy of the foe. For three consecutive nights Nature's +greatest gift—sleep—to suffering humanity had departed from me. Why +could I not sleep? Was it fear that kept me awake? No, not that. My +conscience was clear, my hands unstained. But locked up in that small +room, with no one to speak to, my thoughts began to multiply, and I lay +meditating night after night. That was enough to make a young man old +and grey. Yet there was one friend who helped me to beguile the dreary +hours of confinement. That friend was my beloved pipe.</p> + +<p>One evening, towards the end of February, I was told to appear before a +military court the following morning. This announcement seemed strange +to me, for I was not prepared for a trial. I was resolved what to do.</p> + +<p>At 8 o'clock the next morning I was taken by an escort of six soldiers +to the court-house. Having taken my place in the prisoner's box, I +listened to my charges, which were recited as follows: Fourteen cases of +murder; wreckage of trains; and ill-treatment of prisoners-of-war. To +the question, "Guilty or not?" I pleaded "Not guilty," whereupon I was +requested to make my defence, which I declined to do; for the public +prosecutor had promised me, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page83" name="page83"></a>Pg 83</span> rightly so, that, if I could produce +any witnesses to disprove the [alleged] charges brought against me, I +could summon them. As none of my witnesses were present, nor an +opportunity of enlisting the services of an advocate and solicitor given +me, I refused to take upon me the burden of pleading in self-defence. I +knew that if I did acquiesce in such a trial, it might prove fatal to my +best interests. It would then be urged, too, that Kritzinger had a fair +trial, when condemned to death, something which would be altogether +untrue.</p> + +<p>After I had thrice declined to be tried without witnesses and legal +advice, I was sent to gaol, and told to be ready for trial on the 7th of +March. I now addressed a letter to General French, in which I brought to +his notice how I was being treated. French wrote back that he had +corresponded with Lord Kitchener concerning my case, and that Lord +Kitchener's orders were that I should have a fair trial, <i>i.e.</i>, legal +defence and witnesses for my case.</p> + +<p>On the 1st of March, seven days before the appointed trial, I was again +summoned to appear in court. My charges were read out, and the same +questions were submitted to me. Again I declined to make a defence, and +remarked: "I am in your power, gentlemen—you may do as you please, +pronounce any sentence; but <i>I</i> shall <i>not</i> defend myself." I then +referred the court to French's letter, whereupon I was again removed to +my lodgings.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, I succeeded in enlisting the services of Advocate Gardiner +and Attorney Auret, Graaff Reinet, and made such arrangements that my +witnesses could be present at the trial.</p> + +<p>Advocate Gardiner arrived on the evening of the 6th of March. The +following day the court-martial commenced. As my witnesses had not yet +arrived, it was decided that the evidence for the prosecution should +first be taken.</p> + +<p>The counsel for the defence took exception to the charges of +train-wreckage, ill-treatment of troops, and some instances of murder; +charges which, <i>prima facie</i>, would not stand the test of examination. +These were then withdrawn by the prosecution. After this subtraction +there still re<span class="pagenum"><a id="page84" name="page84"></a>Pg 84</span>mained four charges of murder, which we shall enumerate +in succession.</p> + +<p>1st Charge:—</p> + +<p><i>Murder</i>.</p> + +<p>On or about the 15th of February, 1901, it was alleged that I had killed +and murdered Jafta and Solomon, natives, British subjects, at +Grootplaats, Murraysburg, Cape Colony.</p> + +<p>Mr. Boltman, the owner of the farm Grootplaats, was the principal +witness for the prosecution. He deposed that he saw one of my officers, +<i>i.e.</i>, Antonie Wessels, riding up to me, and after Wessels had spoken +to me he rode back and shot the two natives. Hence I must have given him +orders to shoot them! Besides, Mr. Boltman also declared that he had +heard me say to two men, whom I had arrested along with the two natives +in question, "Do you see these natives? Well, I am going to have them +shot, and in future I shall treat all armed natives in the same way." +All these statements were refuted by one of the men to whom I was +supposed to have made the remark of having the natives shot. The man +denied that he ever heard such a statement from my lips.</p> + +<p>2nd Charge:—</p> + +<p><i>Murder</i>.</p> + +<p>In that I have killed and murdered John Vondeling, a native and British +subject, at Tweefontein, Graaff Reinet.</p> + +<p>In this case it was proved by the witnesses for the defence that the +native had been shot three days before my arrival at the farm where the +murder was committed.</p> + +<p>3rd Charge:—</p> + +<p><i>Murder</i>.</p> + +<p>About the 18th of March, 1901, I had killed and brutally murdered a +native at Prinsfontein, Tarkastad.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mantel, the farmer, deposed:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>One of Kritzinger's men was with me as his commando passed some +distance from my house. Van der Walt said to me, "Do you see that +man in front, riding on the large<span class="pagenum"><a id="page85" name="page85"></a>Pg 85</span> blue horse? That man is +Kritzinger." I then saw a few burghers riding up to Kritzinger, and +after they had halted for a short while they went back and shot the +natives.</p></div> + +<p>My witnesses proved that at that particular time I had no blue horse in +my possession. Neither was there such a man as Van der Walt in my +commando; and the natives in question had been shot by another +commandant without my instructions.</p> + +<p>4th Charge:—</p> + +<p><i>Murder</i>.</p> + +<p>At Biscuitfontein, Bethulie, I had killed and murdered two natives on +the 14th of August, 1901.</p> + +<p>This was the last and principal charge brought against me. Four blacks +were the chief witnesses in this case, by which, if possible, I was to +be convicted and silenced for ever.</p> + +<p>Let us see how they fared. The first one succeeded in identifying me. +The next one was less successful. He pointed to an English officer, +saying, "That is the man." He was to have another chance. I looked at +him and smiled; this puzzled him even more. Greatly perplexed, he +pressed his finger against a man with a long bushy beard, and said, "You +are Kritzinger." What a blunder! The prosecutor seemed slightly put out; +the court indulged in lusty laughter.</p> + +<p>The other witnesses were then brought forward. Surely these will not +make a mistake, they know the murderer only too well. Had the prosecutor +not sounded them beforehand by asking them to point out the prisoner's +photo among a number of other photos? Did they not hit upon the right +photo? Is this not conclusive evidence that they must have seen and +known the prisoner? In spite of all this precaution, the first witness +in this case declared, on being cross-questioned <i>re</i> the photo in +question, that a certain officer had shown him the photo at Norval's +Pont, and asked him to note it carefully, so that, if called upon, he +would be able to identify the person concerned!</p> + +<p>I watched the prosecutor, who exhibited signs of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page86" name="page86"></a>Pg 86</span> uneasiness or disgust. +This stupid native was spoiling his good case; the other witness was +going to commit as great a blunder. He declared that on the 10th of +January he saw the corpses of two natives, and, on seeing them, +immediately recognized the one as being the body of his brother-in-law. +Questioned as to how he could still recognize his brother-in-law in a +decomposed body, he promptly replied, "Oh! my brother had still a smile +on his face!" Although the native in question was shot on the 14th of +August, 1901, on the 10th of January he still had a smile on his face! +Death must have conferred a great boon upon him. And if he could have +appeared in court, he certainly would have objected to my being tried. +Have not sentences of death, confiscation of property, and imprisonment +been passed on the evidences of such witnesses?</p> + +<p>When all the evidences had been taken the prosecutor delivered his +address. After him the counsel for the defence addressed the court. In a +very able speech Advocate Gardiner pointed out the shallowness of the +accusations against me. He urged that the court should not be long in +coming to a decision, as a prolonged trial meant increased expenses for +the accused.</p> + +<p>After his address I was removed for half an hour. Summoned back, a +verdict of "not guilty" was brought in. I was at last acquitted, and +could return to my lonely chamber not as a criminal, but as a +prisoner-of-war!</p> + +<p>Leaving the court-room I was called back to shake hands with the judges, +who congratulated me with the acquittal. Thus the trial, which lasted +five days, came to an end. The clouds cleared up. The sun rose. It was +all brightness. I had passed unscathed through the ordeal, to indulge +that night in slumbers calm and sweet.</p> + +<p>Just a few days before the trial commenced I was somewhat reassured and +encouraged to hope for the best. An unknown friend kindly dropped a +newspaper cutting, tied to a piece of stone, over the prison yard. This +press-cutting fell into my hands, and in it I saw that a large section +of the British public strongly disapproved of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page87" name="page87"></a>Pg 87</span> action of the +Military Government <i>re</i> late Commandant Scheepers, and that section and +people all over the continent and in the United States of America were +asking, "What about Kritzinger—will he too be shot?" I noticed also +that petitions on my behalf were being drawn up in England and +elsewhere, and signed extensively.</p> + +<p>All the men and women who so petitioned His Majesty the King to spare my +life I thank most sincerely, for the interest shown in my case, and for +the efforts put forth to save my life. How much I owe such I do not +fully know; but I do appreciate the deed of kindness shown to me in the +darkest moments of my life. Such deeds are never forgotten. They +illuminate life's way with such splendour as fills the soul with +inexpressible gratitude.</p> + +<p>I have related the story of my trial briefly and as accurately as I +could. I do not wish to comment on the justice or injustice of the +proceedings. It is for others to judge whether an officer, who was a +burgher of the Orange Free State, and <i>not</i> a rebel, should have been +court-martialled, and while the war was still in progress, on such +unfounded charges. I shall not say whether I consider it just and fair +that, tried as a prisoner-of-war and acquitted as such, I should have +had to pay a bill of £226 for my defence. What if a prisoner does not +possess the means to secure legal defence? Must he then be condemned +without it? Has this not been done in certain cases? I shall ask no more +questions. I did not mind the money, but was only too glad to inhale +once more air not pregnant with death and destruction.</p> + +<p>Our object in mentioning these details is to illustrate the nature of +some of the charges brought against Boer officers and burghers when +court-martialled by the British. These charges of murder were, as a +rule, associated with Kaffirs who had been shot, either in fair fight or +as spies. Our officers were held responsible for the acts of their men. +Moreover, by proclamation, any officer or burgher convicted of shooting +a Kaffir or Hottentot, after having surrendered, could be charged with +murder and condemned to death. The principle laid down in this +proclamation, that the life<span class="pagenum"><a id="page88" name="page88"></a>Pg 88</span> of a surrendered foe should not be taken, +must be endorsed by every right-minded man. The burghers, however, +argued that, since the war had not been declared against the coloured +races, they had the right to deal with armed natives in the most +effectual manner possible, especially if these natives were not British +subjects, but belonged to the Republics. Besides, some of these natives +gave no quarter to our men. We could cite several instances where +burghers had been murdered and mutilated in a ghastly manner. To mention +one instance, while peace negotiations were going on, 56 men were +savagely cut up and mutilated by the Kaffirs in the district of Vryheid, +Transvaal.</p> + +<p>Eventually we were placed in such a position that we hardly knew what to +do with armed natives. What if they refuse to surrender? Shoot them ... +and then you are a murderer. Let them go ... and then you will pay the +penalty. It was perplexing to know how the British wished us to act. The +Boers, regardless of consequences, did what they thought right.</p> + +<p>For the sake of such as were interested in my trial, I submit in full +the charges, my evidence, and the addresses of the prosecutor and +counsel for the defence:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Charge Sheet</i>.</p> + +<p>The prisoner, Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger, a burgher of the late +Orange Free State, and ex-Assistant Chief Commandant of the +(so-called) Federal forces, is charged with:—</p> + +<p>1st Charge:—</p> + +<p><i>Murder</i>.</p> + +<p>In that he, at Grootplaats, Murraysburg, on or about the 15th of +February, 1901, killed and murdered Jafta and Solomon, natives, +British subjects.</p> + +<p>2nd Charge:—</p> + +<p><i>Murder</i>.</p> + +<p>In that he, at Tweefontein, Graaff Reinet, on or about the 15th of +February, 1901, killed and murdered John Thomas, a native, a +British subject.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page89" name="page89"></a>Pg 89</span></p> + +<p>3rd Charge:—</p> + +<p><i>Murder</i>.</p> + +<p>In that he, at Prinsfontein, Tarkastad, on or about the 18th of +March, 1901, killed and murdered a native, a British subject.</p> + +<p>4th Charge:—</p> + +<p><i>Murder</i>.</p> + +<p>In that he, at Biscuitfontein, Bethulie, Orange River Colony, on or +about the 15th of August, 1901, killed and murdered Koos and +Willem, natives, British subjects.</p> + +<p>5th Charge:—</p> + +<p><i>Destroying Railways</i>.</p> + +<p>In that he, near Knutsford, Cradock, on or about the 27th of July, +1901, cut the railway line, thereby causing a portion of a +passenger train to be derailed.</p> + +<p>To be tried by Military Court by order of General French.</p> + +<p>The prisoner takes his stand at the place from which other +witnesses give their evidence:—</p> + +<p>The prisoner, Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger, being duly sworn, +states:—</p> + +<p>"My name is Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger. In the commencement of +September, 1900, I became a commandant of the Free State Forces. I +became Chief Commandant of the forces in the Cape Colony on the +11th of June, 1901. This would not give me a higher position in the +event of my returning to the Free State. Once over the border I +would hold the same position as any other commandant. I surrendered +on the 16th of December last. I attempted to cross the line at +Hanover Road and was wounded.</p> + +<p>I know absolutely nothing of the death of Jafta and Solomon, I gave +no orders that they should be shot, nor any other natives. I +arrived at Voetpad on a Thursday, the 14th of February, 1901. I +camped there until the following day. Shortly before I left Voetpad +Captain Smit with his men came there from a farm in the vicinity. +The name of the farm is unknown to me. Captain Smit was not under +my command. He was acting independently. An advance guard is +generally sent out. On this occasion I sent Wessels and some men. I +do not know when Wessels left, I cannot<span class="pagenum"><a id="page90" name="page90"></a>Pg 90</span> remember. I went from +Voetpad to Poortje, the farm of Van der Merwe. I arrived there +about sundown on Friday the 15th. On my way from Voetpad I passed +over Boltman's place. I did not hear of any natives being shot +there. While on Voetpad I had no message from Wessels. I cannot +remember having spoken to any one in that strain regarding +Boltman's statements <i>re</i> shooting natives. There was one Mijnhardt +in my commando, there were others amongst Smit's men, but I can't +call to mind of a Corporal Mijnhardt in my commando. No report was +ever made to me of natives being shot at Grootplaats.</p> + +<p>2nd Charge:—</p> + +<p>On the 15th of February, 1901, I went to Poortje. I camped there +for the night. On the 16th I went to Driefontein, the farm of du +Toit. That was Saturday. From there I went on Sunday to the farm +Tweefontein, Minnaar's. I have not had a man named Van Aswegen with +me at Minnaar's. I know a Van Aswegen; he is a sergeant in Smit's +commando. He was not at Minnaar's when I got there. I do not know +where he was. On the 12th of February, 1901, I saw Van Aswegen on a +farm, the name of which is unknown to me. The owner's name is +Burger. There Smit and his men left me. I next saw Van Aswegen on a +farm in the Richmond district, the owner of which is Meiring. I +stopped at Minnaar's for the day, held service, and left there in +the afternoon. I know nothing of the shooting of a native there. No +shooting of a native was reported to me. Van Aswegen certainly had +no orders from me. He was not under my control, he was under the +control of Smit. Nobody belonging to my commando had any orders +from me with reference to shooting natives.</p> + +<p>3rd Charge:—</p> + +<p>The Court does not think it necessary to take the prisoner's +evidence on this charge.</p> + +<p>4th Charge:—</p> + +<p>I crossed the Orange River into the Orange River Colony on or about +the 15th of August last. It is brought back to my memory inasmuch +as Commandant Cachet was killed on the 15th of August in the +district of Venterstad in the Cape<span class="pagenum"><a id="page91" name="page91"></a>Pg 91</span> Colony. I did not take any +natives prisoner prior to crossing the river. Commandant Wessels +was with me before I got to the river, about five or six miles from +the river he left me and crossed. I crossed the Orange River on the +Bethulie side. Wessels crossed the river on the Norval's Pont side. +I did not see him cross the river. After crossing I went to the +first farm. No one was at home there, and I off-saddled. The name +of the farm is unknown to me. It was a farm that had been burnt. +When I arrived at that farm there was no other commando there. +Before I crossed the river I heard rifle-fire, but after I had +off-saddled for a little while I heard cannon-fire. The firing came +from the west, from the direction which Wessels had crossed the +river. The cannon-firing also came from the same direction.</p> + +<p>I mounted a horse and rode up a kopje to see if I could see +anything that might be taking place. The kopje was about 1,000 to +1,200 yards from my laager. I was riding a chestnut horse. I went +to the kopje alone, but a man by the name of Michael Coetzee, whom +I intend to call as a witness, was on the kopje on duty as a +sentinel. I remained there a considerable time. I saw cannon-firing +on a little ridge on the Colony side of the river. I heard +rifle-fire while I was on the kopje. I returned to the laager. The +firing was in the direction of the laager. When I got back to the +laager Commandant Wessels was there, off-saddled. After I arrived +at the camp I spoke to him about the firing I had heard. I knew +that some of the farmer's cattle were being brought in for the +purpose of slaughtering, and I asked Wessels why they fired so many +shots at the animals, and he replied that a couple of Kaffirs had +been shot. I was chaffing Wessels when I asked him why they fired +so many shots at the animals. When I was on the kopje I certainly +did not know that Wessels had taken natives prisoner. I did not see +these natives after they had been shot. I do not know the boy Jan +Louw. I did not speak to him that day, nor to any other native. The +Wessels in question is the Commandant Louis Wessels, who passed +into the Colony from the Orange River Colony, and I met him three +or four days before I crossed. The day after our meeting we had a +skirmish with the British. Wessels and I got separated. The +following day we met again on the farm of Van der Keever. He was +not under my command in the Colony, nor in the Orange River Colony. +I had about between seventy and eighty men when I crossed the +river, and Wessels had<span class="pagenum"><a id="page92" name="page92"></a>Pg 92</span> between thirty and forty men. I had a few +natives shot in the Orange River Colony prior to my crossing into +the Colony in the first instance. These were tried by Captain +Scheepers, Captain Fouché, and Captain Smit and myself, also Judge +Hugo. The papers were sent to Assistant Chief Commandant Fourie, +and the sentences were approved of by him. That was the only case +of natives having been shot by me.</p></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Prosecutor's Address.</i></p> + +<p>(Captain L. Daine.)</p> + +<p>"As regards the first charge, the natives Jafta and Solomon and the +scouts McCabe and Maasdorp were captured by Wessels, who was in +charge of Kritzinger's scouts. He took them to Grootplaats. McCabe +proves that Wessels then went towards Voetpad, three miles off, and +returned some time afterwards, gave an order to his men, and the +two natives were led off to execution. Boltman's statements that +Kritzinger gave a message for British column commanders, informing +them that armed natives would be shot, are fully corroborated by +what McCabe was told by members of Kritzinger's commando, and +clearly shows Kritzinger's intentions and instructions. Kritzinger +states that he cannot remember whether he gave the message or not.</p> + +<p>"The witnesses for the defence all state that there were no +prisoners with the commando at Grootplaats, yet the accuracy with +which they describe different horses, and the date of seeing Van +Aswegen, <i>i.e.</i>, 13th February, 1901, is little short of +marvellous. Kritzinger states that he mounted a horse and rode to +the kopje, which was about 1,000 to 1,200 yards from the laager, +and that he was riding a chestnut horse, while the witnesses for +the defence state that he was riding a dark bay horse with a star +when he rode to the kopje.</p> + +<p>"As regards the natives mentioned in the first charge, McCabe +states that he did not lose sight of them all the time they were +together, and as they were not searched in his presence the passes +could therefore not have been found. They were captured on a farm +in British territory.</p> + +<p>"As regards the second charge, Van Aswegen was evidently a member +of Kritzinger's commando, and the witness, Van der Merwe, remembers +seeing him with the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page93" name="page93"></a>Pg 93</span> commando for three weeks, during which time he +and his men were frequently away. Here again, as concerns spies, +Van Aswegen had the passes in his hand and knew what the boy really +was.</p> + +<p>"As regards the fourth charge, the natives were captured in the +Cape Colony, where Kritzinger was Chief Commandant. The statement +that his authority as such ceased the moment he crossed the Orange +River is hardly credible. The natives were shot at Biscuitfontein, +where Kritzinger was laagered at the time, and their dead bodies +were seen by de Klerk there. Jan Louw is very clear as to who the +commandant was. He recognized his photo on two occasions, and +identified him at once in court. The dark brown horse ridden by +Kritzinger to the kopje is probably the black referred to, and his +evidence is corroborated by Jan Jonkers, who, however, failed to +recognize Kritzinger in court, more through fright than anything +else, I think. Both these witnesses state that there was a body of +men at Biscuitfontein when they arrived. This is denied by +witnesses for the defence. The bodies found by Jan Hans must have +been those of Koos and Willem, as the spot is identified as that +described by de Klerk.</p> + +<p>"It must be remembered that the witnesses Hugo, Matthijsen, Van +Wijk and de Klerk are all accomplices, and therefore their evidence +must be received with caution, especially after the curiously +minute details they give on some points. It is also worthy of note +that Matthijsen was not examined on the fourth charge, though he +was present with Kritzinger at the time.</p> + +<p>"The shooting of these prisoners was absolutely unjustifiable and +illegal, and all concerned must be held equally responsible.</p> + +<p>"Wessels took over the command of Kritzinger's commando when the +latter was wounded.</p> + +<p>"As regards the proclamation, the only name mentioned in it is that +of Kritzinger, and the proclamation is signed by him. The names of +any of the other commandants are not mentioned in it at all.</p> + +<p>"As regards the witnesses for the prosecution, there are three who +have been deported, and therefore could not be obtained."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page94" name="page94"></a>Pg 94</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Address by the Counsel for the Defence.</i></p> + +<p>(Advocate H.G. Gardiner.)</p> + +<p>"Mr. President and Members of the Military Court:—</p> + +<p>"We are now reaching the end of a great trial, the great trial of a +great man. Of all the trials that have been held before Military +Courts in this country, this, I may fairly say, is most important.</p> + +<p>"No officer of higher or even equal rank to him, who was once Chief +Commandant in this Colony, has yet been tried, and on this trial +much will depend. It is a case the result of which may have great +and far-reaching influence. It may influence greatly the Boer +commandoes in the field. On the verdict now given in his case the +attitude of other leaders will greatly depend. I do not urge this +upon you that you should acquit the prisoner. I do not ask you to +consider the consequences of the verdict you may bring in. I know +that you will bring in whatever verdict you think right regardless +of all consequences, but I do bring these facts before you as a +reason why you should carefully consider the evidence.</p> + +<p>"The charge in this case is the charge of murder, the greatest +crime that can be brought against a man. It is a crime of which a +man cannot be technically guilty. You must have the most convincing +evidence before you, and the clearest proof. It is a crime where +intent must be clearly proved; where intent is essential. A +merchant whose agent enters into a contract may be held responsible +to carry out that contract, but a merchant whose clerk commits a +crime cannot be held responsible for that crime. It would, sir, be +intolerable if a leader of a column should be held responsible for +every act committed by the men under his command. We are glad to +know, sir, that in the history of this war British troops have +behaved in an exemplary manner, but there have been occasions when +they have done things not in accordance with the laws and usages of +war, and it would be unfair to hold a general responsible for such +acts of isolated individuals. On the question of intent and what +constitutes responsibility for a crime, I would refer to <i>Manual of +Military Law</i>, pages 112 and 113, paragraph 17:—'If the offence +charged involves some special intent, it must be shown that the +assistant was cognizant of the intention of the person whom he +assisted;<span class="pagenum"><a id="page95" name="page95"></a>Pg 95</span> thus, on a charge of wounding with intent to murder, it +must be shown that the assistant not only assisted the principal +offender in what he did, but also knew what his intention was, +before the former can be convicted on the full charge.' Then again, +paragraph 18. After referring to persons going out with common +intent it says that a person is not responsible for any offence +'committed by any member of the party, which is unconnected with a +common purpose, unless he personally instigates or assists in its +commission.' And to give an example, sir, of common intent, the +purpose for which a commander and his men go on commando is to kill +and destroy the enemy, not that of killing prisoners and +non-combatants, or prisoners without a trial, and if a subordinate +without orders from his superior commits a crime, that superior +cannot be held responsible for it unless he has consented to it or +knew of it. I would also refer to paragraph 20:—'Mere knowledge +that a person is about to commit an offence, and even conduct +influenced by such knowledge, will not make a person responsible +for that offence, unless he does something actively to encourage +its commission.' And last of all I would refer to Army Act, section +6, page 322:—'Every person subject to Military Law who commits any +of the following offences, that is to say (<i>f</i>):—Does violence to +any person bringing provisions or supplies to the forces, or +commits any offence against the property of persons or any +inhabitant or resident in the country in which he is serving,' but +says nothing about the responsibility of a superior officer.</p> + +<p>"We may take it therefore that Kritzinger can only be responsible +for a murder when he has given either general or special orders, or +when he knew of it beforehand, and consented to its being done. +Now, sir, what proof have we of that being so in this case?</p> + +<p>"Let us take the first charge—the charge of shooting two natives +at Grootplaats. There can be no doubt that these natives were +spies. They came into the Boer lines unarmed, ununiformed, and with +false passes. They carried two passes, one representing them as +belonging to the 7th Dragoon Guards, and the other to the effect +that they were looking for cattle. I think if such a case came +before you, you would have no doubts about treating them as spies. +Therefore Kritzinger would not have been guilty of murder had he +shot them. I have a far stronger defence, however. The natives were +captured by Wessels. Kritzinger knew<span class="pagenum"><a id="page96" name="page96"></a>Pg 96</span> nothing about them, and when +these boys were shot he was not present, as he was at another farm +at the time. Wessels left at 10 A.M., Kritzinger arrived there +after sunset. How can he then be responsible for the shooting of +these natives when he was not at the farm? There is not a bit of +proof to show that Kritzinger gave the order about the shooting of +these boys. One of the native witnesses says that one of Wessels' +men went in the direction of Voetpad; there is no evidence that he +ever reached there. More than that, witnesses belonging to +Kritzinger's commando state that they saw nothing of Wessels, and +that they knew nothing of the shooting of these boys. At the close +of the evidence in chief there was something which looked like +implicating Kritzinger, but of that by Van Aswegen there is very +little left to-day. At first the evidence <i>re</i> Mijnhardt was taken, +but the Court has ruled that this evidence cannot be accepted. Now +there is the evidence of Boltman. I do not say that Boltman did not +give his evidence fairly, but he must have made a mistake as +regards Kritzinger making use of the words he referred to. McCabe +says while he was on the farm nothing of the kind occurred. If +anything had been said he would have heard it. When McCabe and +Maasdorp came back no report was made that Kritzinger had said +anything of the kind. But there was a report made, and McCabe bears +it out that something was said by another member of the commando. I +would submit that Boltman mistook the other member of the commando +for Kritzinger. There is no getting over the evidence of McCabe, +and he is the person who ought to remember it. As McCabe says, +Kritzinger did not arrive until some hours after the boys had been +shot.</p> + +<p>"I now come to the second charge—the charge of the shooting of the +boy John Thomas at Tweefontein. Now, sir, here again the boy was +clearly a spy. He carried two passes similar to those carried by +the boys mentioned in the first charge. He was unarmed. He was not +in uniform. He was there to spy the movements of the Boers. +Kritzinger would not have been responsible for the shooting of this +boy had he shot him. But here the evidence against him is even +weaker than in the first charge. Here there is no suggestion that +the boy was shot by any of Kritzinger's men. The evidence shows +that the boy was shot by a man serving under Smit. Smit was an +officer with an independent command, and, more than that, he had +been longer in service than Kritzinger himself, and was not<span class="pagenum"><a id="page97" name="page97"></a>Pg 97</span> under +Kritzinger. Here, too, there is no suggestion, as in the first +charge, that any message was taken to Kritzinger by the men who +shot this boy, John Thomas. None of Van Aswegen's men were sent to +Kritzinger. Van Aswegen himself did not go back. No one from +Kritzinger came to Van Aswegen. Van Aswegen was last seen by +Kritzinger on the 12th or 13th of February, 1901, and was not seen +again by him until a couple of days after the shooting.</p> + +<p>"That the boy was shot by Van Aswegen appears clear from the two +Minnaars' evidence, who say that the boy was taken out by Van +Aswegen, and that was the last they saw of him. Kritzinger did not +arrive until Sunday morning with his commando, and everyone says he +knows absolutely nothing about the shooting of the native. I would +submit that there is absolutely nothing to connect Kritzinger with +the shooting of this boy.</p> + +<p>"On the 3rd Charge there is no need to say anything. The Court has +already indicated that it is unnecessary to proceed further with +it.</p> + +<p>"I now come to the 4th Charge; the only charge in which Kritzinger +was said to have been present at the shooting. In the first two +charges, Kritzinger did not appear until hours after the natives +had been shot. The only witnesses who say that Kritzinger was +present at the shooting of the natives mentioned in this charge are +natives. There appear to have been no white men present. Some one +said that Schmidt was present, but it appears he did not cross the +river. We have only native evidence to this effect, and native +evidence is most unreliable, and only one of the witnesses could +identify Kritzinger. We are, therefore, driven back to the evidence +of Jan Louw. Even if Jan Louw had given his evidence in a way that +could not be shaken, it would be dangerous to convict on the +evidence of one witness alone. Natives have no idea of dates, time, +or distances. They find it difficult to identify prisoners. We have +seen that in the case of Jan Jonkers, and that shows how much +reliance can be placed on native evidence. Jan Jonkers identifies a +man in Court as being Kritzinger who was never near the place. Four +months after a man has been killed Jan Hans goes and sees his body. +He identifies him not by the clothes he wears but by his face. Is +it possible that after being for four months on the plains of the +Orange Free State, exposed to the air and the heat, a man could +identify the face of another? And the one native witness is the +witness Jan Louw. Even if Jan Louw<span class="pagenum"><a id="page98" name="page98"></a>Pg 98</span> were a strong witness, his +evidence would not have been sufficient to convict, but Jan Louw's +evidence falls to the ground under cross-examination. How did Jan +Louw identify Kritzinger? He was taken to the office at Norval's +Pont. Now, Jan Louw had only seen one commandant in his life. When +in that commandant's possession, his life was apparently not worth +very much. His companions were shot. When shown any commandant's +photo he would naturally identify it with the commandant he knew. +Now, Jan Jonkers explains to us why the photo was identified. He +was asked, 'Is that Kritzinger?' and he replied, 'That is +Kritzinger.' Now, a native is very likely, in a case like that, to +say, 'That is the man.' Then Jan Jonkers, in re-examination, tries +to get out of that. He says that he said, 'That is Kritzinger,' and +then the man in the office said, 'That is Kritzinger.' The +probability is that Jan Louw and Jan Jonkers were asked if it was +Kritzinger's photo, and they said, 'Yes.' If the Court saw the +photos they could see how much reliance could be placed on the +identification. The witnesses were taken into a room where there +were several groups of photos, but the biggest photo was that of +Kritzinger, and these natives had seen it before. Probably it is +the only photo they have seen in their lives. It was the same photo +they had seen at Norval's Pont. What would one expect? One would +naturally expect them to pick out that photo, and that is what +occurred. Well, after that, one can understand why Jan Louw +identifies Kritzinger in Court. He has had a photo shown to him in +town, and of course he naturally identifies Kritzinger at once. The +wonder is that Jan Jonkers did not identify Kritzinger. It only +shows what small reliance can be placed on the evidence of natives, +and that is the sole evidence on which the 4th Charge is based.</p> + +<p>"Now let us see what Kritzinger's story is. It is a consistent +story, and it seems what probably happened under the circumstances. +He crossed without prisoners, and everyone in his commando bears +him out. He crossed before Wessels, and laagered there, and +afterwards Wessels came up. Jan Louw says that no other commando +was there when he arrived, and no other came afterwards. Jan +Jonkers says there were about one hundred men when he arrived. The +Court will have no doubt that there were two commandoes there. +Kritzinger said that he had seventy or eighty men with him. And +then again we have Jan Jonkers. If Jan Jonkers found a commando +there, all the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page99" name="page99"></a>Pg 99</span> evidence goes to show that Jan Jonkers must have +been with Wessels, and not with Kritzinger. Wessels captured these +men, and therefore must have done the shooting.</p> + +<p>"Then there is the question of identifying a horse. Both natives +say it was a black horse, and the other evidence shows it was a +chestnut horse. It may appear strange that our men remember the +horses, but I would certainly trust any Boer, who has to deal with +horses all his life, rather than a native. Then Kritzinger says he +left the commando and went up to the kopje. Wessels had not arrived +yet, and that, sir, is borne out by every one of Kritzinger's +witnesses; and, as he says, and all the witnesses say, it was in +Kritzinger's absence that Wessels arrived and the shooting was +done. Kritzinger says he heard the shots and chaffed Wessels about +an ox he supposed they were shooting. But whatever was done in +Kritzinger's absence was done entirely without Kritzinger's +knowledge, and, sir, by men who belonged to Wessels, because +whoever did the shooting it was done by men belonging to the +commando who took these natives prisoners. Now, sir, it is +unfortunate that the witness who was with Kritzinger on the kopje, +and who could also have heard the shots, is not here. I know it is +not the fault of the Court that he is not here. It is unfortunate, +though, that this man is in St. Helena. But Kritzinger is already +corroborated by his other witnesses, and against them is only a +single native witness. There is, of course, this story of a +conversation between Kritzinger and the boy Jan Louw. Kritzinger is +supposed to have said to the boy: 'Did you see those boys? They are +to be shot. Put down your billies, and go and be shot also,' and +then at once to have changed his mind: 'Never mind, my boy, get the +water.' It is an improbable story. Jan Jonkers does not appear to +have heard the conversation at all. None of Kritzinger's men appear +to know of it, and I submit it was not said by Kritzinger, if said +at all. Then on the prosecution's side one native witness is +contradicted by all the other witnesses.</p> + +<p>"Before I close the case for the defence, I would like to refer to +the character of the prisoner. In this case I am well aware that +character is not a ground of acquittal. I know, sir, that good men +of excellent characters have committed crimes, and I would not for +one moment appeal for an acquittal because Kritzinger has behaved +so well in other instances, and has shown himself a humane man, and +a man<span class="pagenum"><a id="page100" name="page100"></a>Pg 100</span> of honour. I do not ask for mercy on the ground of +Kritzinger's character, we can only ask for a fair and just +verdict. But character is of importance when there is any doubt in +the case. I ask the Court to bear in mind the character of the +accused. Is a man who bears such a character likely to have +committed the crimes charged against him? The character of +Kritzinger, if we put aside the charges in his case, is an +excellent one. The prosecution has brought out in cross-examination +a certain proclamation. I am glad it has been brought out, for it +goes to show nothing against the character of the accused, but it +tells in his favour, for, what do we find? That a draft +proclamation was drawn up at a meeting of commandants, at which +Kritzinger was chairman. He opposed it by every means in his power, +but he was in the minority, and, as president of the gathering, he +had to sign it. He then asked for some postponement before that +proclamation was circulated, and that was agreed to. He still +fought against this proclamation, for he asked that before De Wet +approved of it nothing should be done in the way of circulation. He +never circulated it himself. If it was circulated, it was done by +the other commandants against the agreement. It was not approved of +by De Wet, and never became a proclamation. This shows that +Kritzinger disapproved of the harsh measures contained in it, that +he tried to get it done away with, and that at last he succeeded in +getting a refusal from the Chief Commandant of the Free State. It +was owing to his efforts that the proclamation did not become a +valid one in this Colony, and he cannot be responsible for anything +that may have been done against the agreement arrived at by those +at the meeting.</p> + +<p>"As regards his treatment of natives, he tells you himself that he +never had natives shot, except those boys who were duly tried, and +whose sentences were duly confirmed, and that will tell in his +favour.</p> + +<p>"As regards his attitude <i>re</i> the destruction of property, we have +the letter to Scheepers, and the Court will bear that in mind in +deciding whether he has been guilty of these acts of inhumanity +charged against him or not.</p> + +<p>"His character has been excellent. Coming back into danger again in +order to secure a remount for one of his men whose horse had been +shot, he was himself wounded, and ultimately captured. His conduct +on that occasion was that of a brave man, as it has been all +through the war. If there is a question of doubt I ask the Court to +bear in mind<span class="pagenum"><a id="page101" name="page101"></a>Pg 101</span> the character of the prisoner. All the evidence is +riddled with doubt, and you have to weigh this, sir. On the one +hand the native was shot in Kritzinger's absence. There is no proof +that it was done by his order, or with his consent. The evidence of +the natives in the 4th Charge is of the weakest description. +Against that you have his excellent character, and the story +corroborated by his own witnesses and corroborated in some respects +by the witnesses for the prosecution. I ask you, sir, to weigh that +evidence in the balance, and see which side is found wanting.</p> + +<p>"Just a word more, and I have done. I know there are some people +who say it is unfair to try a man by a Court composed of men who +have been fighting against him. Sir, I have no such fear. I know, +sir, I feel sure that there is not an officer in South Africa who +would not gladly acquit the prisoner of the crimes laid to his +charge if he felt he could conscientiously do so. I therefore leave +in your hands the fate of a man whose bravery has been shown on +many occasions, in many a hard fight, whose honesty and humanity +have been, in many instances, conspicuous. More than that, sir, +should he be acquitted, when this war is over, he will, I feel +sure, be able and ready to do much to restore the good feeling +which we all hope will prevail between English and Dutch, I leave +his fate in your hands with the conviction that you will bring in +the only verdict warranted by the evidence, a verdict of 'Not +guilty.'"</p></div> + +<p>This address gives you, reader, the gist of my trial. If you have had +the patience to read through it you will be able to have a fair +conception of what we had to pass through in the early days of March, +1902.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page102" name="page102"></a>Pg 102</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>WHY WE SURRENDERED.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who never to himself hath said,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">This is my own, my native land!...<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If such there breathe, go, mark him well.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><i>Walter Scott.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>We shall now direct our attention to some of the disadvantages and +difficulties which confronted us in our struggle for freedom. This we do +because many who were in sympathy with the Republics have been sorely +disappointed in their surrender, and some suppose that they should have +prolonged the struggle until victory ultimately crowned their efforts. +Those who reason in this way must be ignorant of the conditions of the +Republics at the time of their surrender, neither do they know the +disadvantages with which we had to grapple throughout the war. It is +therefore of importance that the South African War should be regarded in +the light and under the circumstances in which it was begun, conducted +and concluded. When the obstacles the Boer had to encounter are taken +into due consideration, then censure and disappointment vanish and make +room for praise and admiration.</p> + +<p>None know better than those who have been involved in war that its +current does not run evenly. Experience has taught them that war is much +more than a series of exciting adventures or some kind of sport. It +brings before the contending parties problems hard to solve, +difficulties and emergencies of a most perplexing and bewildering +nature. Boer and Briton alike had to face such difficulties and +disadvantages. The disadvantages, however, under which<span class="pagenum"><a id="page103" name="page103"></a>Pg 103</span> the English had +to labour in South Africa dwindle into insignificance when contrasted +and compared with those of the Boers, especially towards the latter part +of the war. The impartial critic must admit that eventually the vantage +ground was altogether on the side of the British. 'Tis only by sheer +determination and superhuman efforts and sacrifices on the part of the +late Republics that they defied the British Empire for two years and +eight months. None were perhaps more surprised and amazed at the +protracted war than the Imperial Government itself. Time and again an +early termination of hostilities was announced. Such was the case after +Cronje's capture, the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, and +Prinsloo's surrender. When Lord Roberts left South Africa, the war, it +was said, was practically over!</p> + +<p>The British were placed at a great disadvantage at the outbreak of +hostilities. The Boer ultimatum, issued on the 9th of October, 1899, +found the English Government only half prepared either to accept or +reject its demands. None thought that the Boer Republics would ever take +such a bold step, and would be so audacious as to despatch an ultimatum +to one of the mightiest Powers of the world. They should have waited and +waited until that strong Power was quite prepared to crush them at one +stroke. They should have waited, at least, till all the British forces +were massed on their borders, then to cross, and take by force what +peaceful negotiations failed to obtain. Thus reasoned some, the Boers +thought otherwise. To them war seemed inevitable, and they believe that +the man who strikes first strikes best.</p> + +<p>That the war presented many difficulties to our opponents cannot be +denied. They were unexpectedly brought to a crisis, and were but half +prepared to meet it. Their reinforcements were delayed in being +transported thousands of miles. Their own subjects rose in rebellion and +assisted the Boers. They were at first unacquainted with the country in +which they had to fight.</p> + +<p>How the enemy confronted and overcame these difficulties, and how their +disadvantages gradually vanished like<span class="pagenum"><a id="page104" name="page104"></a>Pg 104</span> smoke, is well known. Troops, +more troops, and still more were despatched to South Africa, until +finally the Republics were literally flooded by the gentlemen in khaki. +By the end of February, 1900, Lord Roberts had at his disposal tens of +thousands, by whom General Cronje was surrounded and captured, and who +paved the Field-Marshal's way for him to Bloemfontein and Pretoria. The +difficulty and disadvantage arising from their not knowing the +geographical features of the country in which they had to operate was +gradually solved and cleared. Cape colonials enlisted in the British +ranks, and these acted as guides and scouts. They knew the features of +the country as well as the Boers, and could thus render very efficient +service to the British. Still later, services of inestimable value were +rendered to the British forces by natives, and, alas! even republicans +themselves, who joined the enemy's ranks. When these enlisted, the +English were provided with the best of guides, scouts and spies.</p> + +<p>The disadvantages of the enemy were, to a large extent, the advantages +of the, Boers. They had a very accurate knowledge of the country where +they were fighting. The value of such a knowledge can hardly be +over-estimated. If they had not known the country as well as they did, +the English forces would certainly have been more successful in +effecting their capture; and they would have often been in a sad plight. +Our knowledge of the field of operations proved our salvation on more +than one occasion, and was at the bottom of some successes achieved over +the enemy. To know every mountain, hill, river, brooklet, valley, or +donga is to be forearmed. The general that knows the battlefield is +infinitely better off than the one that does not. He knows precisely how +and when to lead an attack, or what to do when unexpectedly attacked. +Now the Boer commanders had this intimate knowledge of the country, a +knowledge which served them in good stead, and accounts for the Boers' +marvellous mobility. They were not tied to roads, but could move in any +direction, by night as well as by day, without ever losing their track. +This the enemy could not do, not even with the aid of scientific<span class="pagenum"><a id="page105" name="page105"></a>Pg 105</span> +instruments. When the natives and some of the burghers attached +themselves to the British forces, then, and then only, were they able to +make forced marches by night, and surprise the Boers when least +expected.</p> + +<p>A second point in favour of us was the fact that we were all mounted, +whereas, at the commencement of the war, the British army consisted +largely of infantry. The Boers are splendid horsemen—none more at home +in the saddle than the farmer. The way he handled his steed, and the +posture he assumed on it, invariably distinguished him, even at great +distances, from the British soldier. The British infantry, however well +they might have fought—and they did often fight bravely—were yet +placed at a great disadvantage in engagements with the mounted Boers, +who could quickly, sometimes too quickly, abandon untenable positions +and occupy others which offered greater advantages.</p> + +<p>Last, but not least, the Boers had the moral advantage of fighting in +defence of their country. They did not fight for honour or glory, nor +because of lust or greed for gold or expansion of territory, but for +their beloved Fatherland, for that freedom which they had enjoyed so +long and loved so well. This was their stimulus, their very inspiration +to endure hardship and sacrifice all. What was the stimulus and +inspiration of the British forces?</p> + +<p>We shall now review some of the disadvantages under which we had to wage +war for almost three years. No sooner had the war been declared than the +Republics were almost completely isolated from the civilised world. The +English were in possession of all the harbours, and if it had not been +for Delagoa Bay, which is a neutral port, the communication of the +Republics with the outer world would instantly have been cut off +entirely. Through this port all contraband of war was strictly +prohibited; and such foreigners as came to our assistance had to +exercise great ingenuity to find their way <i>via</i> Delagoa Bay to the Boer +lines. For several months in succession the Boers had to fight without +the slightest encouragement from abroad. How the nations were regarding +their struggle, whether<span class="pagenum"><a id="page106" name="page106"></a>Pg 106</span> any of them would dare to interfere on their +behalf, and so indicate the rights of the weak against the strong—such +and similar questions remained unanswered. Neither was the average Boer +much concerned as to what other nations thought about the war. He was +involved in the struggle, not because he courted it or loved to fight, +but because his country was invaded and his independence was at stake. +To secure his liberty he would resist any Power, regardless of all +adverse criticism on the part of other Powers. Yet it proved no less a +serious disadvantage to the Republics to have been so isolated, their +communication with the other Powers so restricted, and themselves +encompassed almost on every side by British dominions.</p> + +<p>Not only was our intercourse with the outer world sadly impeded, but our +internal communication was likewise seriously disturbed. The British, +having divided the two states into several small sections by their +blockhouse system, made it extremely difficult for the different +commandoes to come in touch with one another. Our despatch riders, who +had to beat their way through the various blockhouse lines, were +sometimes so hemmed in by these that escape was impossible, and thus +their despatches fell into the hands of the enemy. Towards the latter +part of the war we were entirely dependent upon despatch riders for the +transmission of our reports or messages. We had no more the inestimable +advantage of heliographic instruments or telegraph wires, which were at +the disposal of the British. Our reinforcements often arrived too late +at the scene of action because the reports were delayed on the way, and +so a battle was lost where a victory might have been secured.</p> + +<p>The number of able-bodied men that the Republics could put in the field +against the British forces was extremely limited. They had to contend +against great numbers, and these numbers were reinforced from time to +time. While the Boer numbers decreased, those of the enemy increased. It +was certainly an heroic action on the part of two small republics to +enter upon a contest with the British Empire, not to say with England, +but was it not more heroic for these untrained farmers to confront and +defy the over<span class="pagenum"><a id="page107" name="page107"></a>Pg 107</span>whelming numbers brought against them? Surely this, if +nothing else, should entitle the Boer to a place in the history of +nations. Is this not proof sufficient that, when their Governments with +their consent despatched an ultimatum, it was not arrogance which +prompted them to take up arms against the British, but steadfast +determination to vindicate their sacred rights at any price?</p> + +<p>As to the numbers that were employed during the war, the official +statement of the War Department makes the number of officers and +soldiers that were engaged in active service in South Africa about +500,000. To this must be added the number of armed natives, which would +increase the sum total considerably. The Boer estimates vary, yet we do +not hesitate to state that not more, but rather less, than 50,000 Boers +were ever in the field. Of these a large proportion usually remained in +the laagers, and never fired a shot at the enemy. After Prinsloo's +surrender there were hardly 8,000 men still in the field. According to +these numbers, the odds were ten to one. According to other authorities, +the odds were even greater. One English writer says: "What glory shall a +mighty empire win from a victory over 15,000 farmers? We are forcing +upon our army the cruel humiliation of beating our enemy by sheer force +of fifteen against one; we who used to boast that one Briton was a match +for any three of his foes." The official returns at the close of the war +substantiates the above figures, and show that it has not by any means +been exaggerated. General De Wet, on being asked how long he thought the +war would last if the numbers could be inverted, remarked: "As long as +it would take to cable defeat to England." We do not wonder that some of +the burghers eventually became discouraged and surrendered to the foe, +especially when we think how great the odds were against which they had +to contend month after month. We are rather surprised that so many did +not become disheartened, but unflinchingly maintained the struggle until +their Governments and leaders advised a general surrender.</p> + +<p>Not only had we to confront such overpowering numbers, but these forces +were under the control of England's most<span class="pagenum"><a id="page108" name="page108"></a>Pg 108</span> distinguished generals, men +who combined practical experience with the advantage of a military +training. These generals for the most part had achieved glory and renown +in many a campaign—in Afghanistan, Egypt, and elsewhere—and thus came +to South Africa, not to get their first lessons in warfare, but as +experienced leaders of a great army. With such men to lead the British +forces on to battle, if not to victory, three months were considered all +too long by many to crush and wipe out of existence two small republics.</p> + +<p>Opposed to these (famous) British officers stood the inexperienced Boer +leaders. What a contrast! The Boer officers, with very few exceptions, +were men without a shadow of military training, some even poorly +developed mentally. They were, with few exceptions, peasants pure and +simple, who left their ploughfields and flocks to take upon themselves +the command over no less inexperienced burghers. These Boer leaders, +elected by the people in times of peace, went to the front without the +least practical knowledge of warfare. True, a few of them, such as +Cronje, De la Rey, and Prinsloo had been leaders in Kaffir wars, and in +such the burghers placed implicit confidence. Needless almost to state +that in most of these so-called Kaffir warriors the Boers were utterly +disappointed. It was one thing to attack natives badly armed, it was +another thing to face an organised army well equipped with death-dealing +instruments. We were thus at a great disadvantage at the commencement of +hostilities as far as leaders were concerned. Gradually our staff of +officers was improved, for the best men came to the front, and some of +the older officers, who were unfit, were replaced by younger and abler +ones. All these changes, however, took a long time, and were not +effected before we had been subjected to two great disasters: one that +of Cronje's capture on the 27th of February, 1900, the other, Prinsloo's +surrender on the 1st of August, 1900, disasters which proved decisive +epochs in the Anglo-Boer war.</p> + +<p>Some of the Boer leaders, though inexperienced and untrained, proved +themselves quite a match for their oppo<span class="pagenum"><a id="page109" name="page109"></a>Pg 109</span>nents. They have astonished +military circles by their valorous actions and daring enterprises, and +have merited imperishable honour and glory. Well may we be proud of +leaders such as Louis Botha, Christian De Wet, and Jacobus De la Rey, +men whose names deserve a place in the rolls of history. We were +fortunate in securing the services of such men at a time when they were +most needed. No doubt it was to the advantage and not, as some maintain, +to the disadvantage of the Free State burghers when C.R. De Wet was +elected Hoofd Commandant at Brandfort in March, 1900. He, too, was but a +farmer; culture he lacked, military training he had none, but the spark +of martial genius had fallen and kindled in his breast. In figure, +manner, and dress he was hardly distinguishable from hundreds of his +countrymen, who were not sharers of his military abilities. Does not his +broad forehead indicate thoughtfulness? While his keen and penetrating +eyes and firmly set lips are marks of determination and singleness of +purpose. And his broad chin, does it not reveal the man of tenacity and +endurance? As an individual he was sympathetic, generous, and +magnanimous; he was endowed with discretion and tact, simplicity and +honesty. As a soldier, vigilant, persevering, never indiscreet in anger +or disappointment, but always courageous and resourceful. Recognizing +the advantages of a surprise, he never lost an opportunity of harassing +the enemy. Through his rare topographical knowledge of his country he +baffled the foe by his movements time and again. Followed up by +overwhelming numbers, he was compelled more often to evade fighting than +offer battle. Never unduly elated, he was bravest and supreme when all +others lost heart. He had to contend against treachery, desertion and +want, but rose above all these obstacles, and proved himself the most +powerful obstructor that the British columns had to encounter in South +Africa. Such a man was a boon to his country, and to him the burghers +confidently entrusted themselves and their interests. He has proved +himself worthy of that trust. But all were not De Wets. There were, +alas! Prinsloos, Vilonels, etc., too.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page110" name="page110"></a>Pg 110</span></p> + +<p>So much for the Boer officers. As regards our rank and file, they were +as inexperienced in military matters as most of their leaders. The Boer +is no soldier in the technical sense of the term. He was never subjected +to military discipline, and unaccustomed to any restrictions. It took +him months to realise the absolute necessity for and inestimable value +of good discipline. The burghers looked upon themselves as volunteers, +and such they really were. Now, when the enemy had to be attacked in +their forts or strongholds, the Boer officers had to call out +volunteers, as it was hazardous to lay too much pressure on the burghers +to charge any position without their consent. To exercise too great +power or authority over burghers was, at all times, especially at the +beginning of the war, a risky thing. The officers knew well that the +Boer is more easily led than driven.</p> + +<p>Corps such as the Johannesburg and Swaziland Police and the Staats +Artillery of the Transvaal and Orange Free State, which had the benefit +of military training and discipline, proved their superiority over the +rest of the burgher forces, and greatly distinguished themselves in the +South African campaign. If all the burghers had had the same training as +these corps, greater successes might have crowned their efforts during +the early part of the war. The soldier, on the contrary, is no +volunteer. His wishes are never consulted; when instructed to march on, +he has to obey, though it may mean certain death to him, as was so often +the case.</p> + +<p>Another point of great disadvantage to the Boers is the lamentable fact +that thousands of the surrendered and captured burghers enlisted in the +British ranks as "National Scouts." This, viewed from the Boer +standpoint, is the darkest spot in the South African campaign. Gladly +would we dismiss this matter without any further comment, for it merits +silent contempt, but we cannot help noting at what a terrible +disadvantage we were placed by the action of these "National Scouts." As +they made common cause with the enemy they furnished the latter from +time to time with full particulars of our tactics, and divulged all our<span class="pagenum"><a id="page111" name="page111"></a>Pg 111</span> +military secrets to the British. Moreover, they served the British +forces as guides and led them forth at dead of night to surprise their +countrymen in their secret, and otherwise unknown, retreats, where they +were often captured or shot down by the enemy. Before these enlisted, +night assaults by the English were out of the question. It was perfectly +safe to bivouac some six miles from the enemy. For when the British did +make a move during the night, they usually lost their way, as was the +case when Gatacre undertook a night march on the Stormberg positions. +With Boers as guides it was possible for the English forces to assume +tactics hitherto untried by them.</p> + +<p>Ah! brother, national scout, who may be reading this, do you not regret +and lament the unhappy part of traitor? Are your hands not stained with +the blood of your countrymen? And your conscience, is that not tarnished +with the blood of men, women and children, who fell in Freedom's holy +war? We do not despise but we pity you, and wish it were otherwise.</p> + +<p>Not only did these "National Scouts" lead the British to the Boers, but +they were the principal instruments in the hands of the enemy to clear +the Republics of all foodstuffs and ammunition. They knew precisely +where their fellow-burghers had stored away their meal, corn, fodder, +and ammunition, knew where the oxen and sheep were grazing, and +forthwith to these they conducted the enemy's forces, and thus was +brought to pass that state of affairs which necessitated the Boers to +lay down their arms. Without the assistance of the deserted burghers it +would have taken the enemy ever so much longer to have exhausted the +Republics entirely of all their resources. To a large extent these very +republicans who sided with their country's enemies became the despoilers +of the once so fair Republics. Ah me, that this should be recorded!</p> + +<p>Besides, by assisting the enemy they not only encouraged them, but +greatly discouraged their brethren in the field. The burgher who really +meant well naturally became disheartened that those who fought with him +for one and the same object could turn against him and play such a low<span class="pagenum"><a id="page112" name="page112"></a>Pg 112</span> +and treacherous part. How men, who have stooped to deeds so mean and +foul, shall defend their loathsome actions at the bar of Conscience and +Justice, I know not.</p> + +<p>In addition to the "National Scouts"—as though these were not more than +sufficient—we had to contend against thousands of blacks, aboriginal +natives armed by the British and taken up in their ranks. We naturally +felt indignant at the adoption of coloured races in the British army; +for we regarded it as an unwritten agreement between the respective +Governments that no blacks were to be involved in the war. It was to be +white <i>versus</i> white, Boer <i>versus</i> Briton. Hence, when the natives +became embroiled in the struggle we refused to acknowledge and treat +them as combatants. No quarter was given to armed natives that were not +British subjects, and even these forfeited their lives on more than one +occasion. This action, regarded superficially, may seem cruel and +unjust, but remembering that war had not been declared against the +natives, and also that, if we did treat them as English soldiers, we +would simply have courted the opposition of all the natives, it does not +seem quite so cruel and unjust. We had to resort to severe measures so +as to let the natives fully realise that they were not acknowledged +combatants, and thus could not claim the privileges of combatants. +Surely the odds were already great enough—why then adopt blacks? We +hold that the Military Government was not justified in the use of armed +natives, and surely their adoption did not tend to the glory and honour +of the British arms in South Africa.</p> + +<p>Again, one must remember that for fully eighteen months we were entirely +dependent upon the enemy for all military supplies. Our limited +resources were soon exhausted, and, as the English controlled all the +ports, the importation of arms, ammunition, horses, saddles, foodstuffs, +and other necessaries, was out of the question.</p> + +<p>The general opinion as to the duration of the war was that it would or +could only last till the limited supply of Boer ammunition was spent. +This limited supply, however, like the widow's oil, was not exhausted +even after two years and eight months, and certainly never would as long +as<span class="pagenum"><a id="page113" name="page113"></a>Pg 113</span> British factories provided rifles, ammunition, and other military +equipments.</p> + +<p>For eighteen months we were provided, directly or indirectly, by the +British Government with the necessaries of war. Britain was supporting +two armies in the field, armies which were not animated by a very +friendly spirit toward each other. Our support, however, demanded at +times the sacrifice of precious lives. When a commando ran short of +ammunition a determined onslaught to secure more was planned, and often +successfully carried out. The ammunition was obtained, but, alas! it +cost them the blood of some of their bravest men. Such dependence was a +great drawback to us. The Home Government also indirectly provided the +fighting Boers with clothes. At first the burgher had his own private +supply of clothing; but when the policy of destruction was resorted to +his clothes were consumed by the flames, and he had to apply to the +British Government for others. And this is how he did it. When he made a +prisoner he would exchange clothes with him, provided better ones were +thus secured, which was not always the case. With a certain amount of +etiquette and dignity, this bargain was closed. Tommy, without any +demonstration or remonstrance, would take off his jacket, pants and +boots, and hand these to his brother Boer, with some such remark: "I +don't grudge you it, sir—I know you fellows need them clothes badly; +we have burnt yours, we shall get others again." "Out boots, out +trousers, out jacket," were the abrupt commands of some of the Boers who +had but little English.</p> + +<p>To put an end to this process of exchanging outfits, Lord Kitchener +issued a proclamation which forbade, under penalty of death, any +fighting Boer to dress in khaki. This proclamation was not heeded, for +the simple reason that men who had the interests of their country at +heart were not likely to surrender because their clothes were wearing +out. This threat but added one more to the many risks of death they ran. +And so a few of these unfortunate burghers, captured in khaki dress +because they had no other, were shot in accordance with the +proclamation. This<span class="pagenum"><a id="page114" name="page114"></a>Pg 114</span> did not, however, intimidate the rest, for at the +close of the war several hundreds were dressed in the dirty khaki hue.</p> + +<p>In conclusion we note one point more, which counted seriously against +the late Republics. It was this: the field of operations became more and +more circumscribed and narrowed down by the extension of the +blockhouses. The two Republics were divided, so to speak, into a great +many little states by the blockhouse lines. The Free State alone was +divided into at least eight or nine sections. Now these divisions, +fenced round on every side, were cleared, one after the other, of all +cattle, sheep, and other foodstuff. The British concentrated their +forces in each section and operated there until it resembled a +wilderness. And so they went from one division to another, until finally +almost the whole country—both Transvaal and Free State—was denuded and +in a semi-famine state. Owing to this confined and limited area in which +we had to move, it was absolutely impossible for us to safeguard our war +supplies.</p> + +<p>Another result of this restricted area was the release of all +prisoners-of-war taken by us. Thousands were captured, disarmed, and +released to take up arms the next day. The same soldier has been +captured two, three, and four times over. In this way it was impossible +to reduce the forces of the enemy to any appreciable extent. The Boers +certainly would have taken greater pains and dared more to capture the +enemy's forces if they too had had a place of confinement; but no Ceylon +or Bermudas were at their disposal. If they had had any such place, the +Imperial Yeomanry and others would not have surrendered perhaps quite so +readily. It certainly was a great misfortune to the late Republics that +they could not retain their prisoners-of-war, while every Boer prisoner +was either deported or guarded so securely, that, when once captured, he +was entirely lost for the Boer cause. Under such unfavourable +circumstances we had to fight our battle. It was against the stream all +along. If ever there was an unequal contest, surely ours was one.</p> + +<p>To show that we have by no means exaggerated the conditions in which we +fought, we shall record here the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page115" name="page115"></a>Pg 115</span> resolution passed on the 31st of May, +1902, by the Volks Congress held at Vereeniging on the Vaal River, which +reads as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This meeting of Representatives of the people of the South African +Republic and Orange Free State, held at Vereeniging, has learnt +with regret of the proposal made by his Majesty's Government in +regard to the cessation of existing hostilities, and of the +intimation that this proposal must be accepted or rejected in an +unaltered form.</p> + +<p>"The meeting regrets that his Majesty's Government has absolutely +refused to negotiate with the Governments of the Republics upon the +basis of our Independence, or to permit our Governments to enter +into communication with our Deputation.</p> + +<p>"Our Peoples have, indeed, always thought that not only on the +ground of Right, but also on the ground of the great material and +personal sacrifices that they have made for their Independence, +they have a just claim to such Independence.</p> + +<p>"This meeting has earnestly taken into consideration the condition +of land and people, and has more especially taken into account the +following facts:—</p> + +<p>"(1.) That the military tactics pursued by the British military +authorities has led to the entire ruin of the territory of both +Republics, with burning of farms and towns, destruction of all +means of subsistence, and exhaustion of all sources necessary for +the support of our families, for the maintenance of our forces in +the field, and for the continuation of the war.</p> + +<p>"(2.) That the placing of our captured families in the +concentration camps has led to an unprecedented condition of +suffering and disease, so that within a comparatively short time +about 20,000 of those dear to us have perished there, and the +horrible prospect has arisen that by continuing the war our entire +race might be exterminated.</p> + +<p>"(3.) That the Kaffir tribes within and without the borders of the +territories of both Republics are almost all armed and take part in +the struggle against us, and by perpetrating murders and committing +all kinds of horrors, an impossible state of affairs has been +brought about in many districts of both Republics, an instance of +which took place lately in the district of Vryheid, where fifty-six +burghers were murdered and mutilated in a shocking manner at the +same time.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page116" name="page116"></a>Pg 116</span>"(4.) That by Proclamation of the enemy, which he has already +carried into effect, the burghers still in the field are threatened +with loss of all their movable and immovable property, and so with +total ruin.</p> + +<p>"(5.) That through the circumstances of the war it has already long +ago become impossible for us to retain the many thousands of +prisoners-of-war taken by our forces, and that we thus could do but +comparatively little damage to the British troops, whilst our +burghers captured by the British are sent abroad; and that after +the war has raged for nearly three years there remains only a small +portion of the forces with which we entered into the war.</p> + +<p>"(6.) That this remnant still in the field, which forms but a small +minority of our entire people, has to contend against overwhelming +odds, and, moreover, has reached a condition virtually amounting to +famine and want of the necessary means of subsistence, and that +notwithstanding our utmost endeavours and the sacrifice of all that +we value and hold dear, we cannot reasonably expect a successful +issue.</p> + +<p>"This meeting is therefore of opinion that there is no reasonable +ground for thinking that by continuance of the war our People will +retain the possession of their Independence, and considers that +under the circumstances the People are not justified in carrying on +the war any longer, as that must tend to bring about the social and +material destruction not only of ourselves, but also of our +descendants.</p> + +<p>"Urged by the above circumstances and motives, this meeting +authorises both Governments to accept the proposal of his Majesty's +Government, and on behalf of the People of both Republics to sign +the same."</p></div> + +<p>Such was the condition of the two Republics at the termination of the +war. Well may one pause and ask: Has ever small nation, in similar +circumstances, placed greater sacrifices, personal and material, on +Liberty's shrine than the Republics? Have they not a lawful claim to +that independence for which they fought so gallantly and so desperately, +and for which they offered, ah! so much—their homes, their beloved +families, their possessions and their lives?</p> + +<p>Shall any still that stood afar off and watched the struggle, maybe +sympathetically, or with cold indifference—<span class="pagenum"><a id="page117" name="page117"></a>Pg 117</span>shall they blame us for +having surrendered? Verily not; for it cannot rationally be expected +that a handful of farmers could offer resistance indefinitely, without +any assistance, to a rich and mighty empire. The leaking vessel may ride +to and fro for a while on the stormy billows, but eventually she is +bound to sink; the shipwrecked mariner may struggle and swim, but, +exhausted and powerless, he too goes down to find his last rest in the +bosom of the deep. This was the case of the Republics. On the stormy +billows of the ocean of war they were tossed hither and thither for +nearly three years. Time and again they cried and signalled for relief, +but no life-boats were sent to their rescue. None heeded their cry, or +had compassion on them. The nations stood and looked on, sympathised and +pitied, but did not help. And so, after all their strength was spent in +trying to save the vessel of their independence, the gallant crew, with +ship and all, sank beneath the waves of conquest.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page118" name="page118"></a>Pg 118</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>THE BOER AS SEEN IN THE LIGHT OF THE WAR.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">People tell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of an old savage.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><i>Omar Khayyam</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'E 'asn't got no papers of his own,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'E 'asn't got no medals nor rewards,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So we must certify the skill 'e's shown.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10"><i>Rudyard Kipling.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>It is with reluctance we approach a subject on which in past years so +much has been written, often falsely. Besides, it is certainly a most +delicate matter to expatiate on the character of any individual or +nation.</p> + +<p>We are aware that some of our readers will read the remarks on this +subject—Boer character—with considerable suspicion and distrust. They +may argue that the writers, being of Dutch extraction themselves, are +not likely to give an accurate and dispassionate estimate of the +character of their own people. They may even fear that our national +sentiments might influence and predominate over our judgment, and switch +us off the track of strict impartiality. If there be such, we can only +assure them that we have no intention whatsoever of eulogising and +extolling the race with which we are connected by blood.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <a id="image07" name="image07"> + <img src="images/7.jpg" + alt="EX-PRESIDENT STEYN." + title="EX-PRESIDENT STEYN." /><br /></a> + <span class="caption">EX-PRESIDENT STEYN.<br /><i>Photo by Duffus Bros., Capetown.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>In the past the Boers, <i>i.e.</i>, the Dutch element in the late Republics, +have frequently been described, and as often maligned, by men who were +perfect strangers to them; men who had not taken the least trouble to +study their habits and character so as to arrive at a better +understanding of the people they were trying to describe. Hence the +various contradictory statements and representations of one<span class="pagenum"><a id="page119" name="page119"></a>Pg 119</span> and the +same people. Alas! that they should ever have been the victims of so +much cheap slander, that some men should have vied with one another in +heaping insult and infamy on their heads, while others conjured up for +themselves a fantastic and outrageous monster, and called that a Boer. +We cannot expect that minds so inflamed and exasperated would do justice +to the Boers. We feel convinced that their character can only be +portrayed correctly and justly by men not animated by hostile sentiments +towards them, but who, having been in touch with them have generously +entered into their feelings and aspirations, and have looked at things +from the Boer standpoint, as well as from their own; men who have had +patience to bear with their infirmities; in a word, by men from their +very midst—such and such only could do justice to their character.</p> + +<p>Born and bred among the Dutch, associated with them all our lives, Dutch +ourselves every inch—a fact in which we glory—our relations to the +Boers, specially during the war, have afforded us excellent +opportunities of making an ethnological study of them. During the war +the Dutch population, more especially that portion of it which was +directly connected with the struggle, passed through various phases and +changes of life. Subjected to the most harassing circumstances, one saw +them at their worst, but also at their best. Their virtues, as well as +their vices, were fanned by the breath of war. Many a hidden virtue +sparkled forth, as the dewdrop glistens in the beams of the rising sun. +Many a slumbering vice and latent evil inclination found the regions of +discord and strife a fruitful soil for development.</p> + +<p>Now that hostilities have ceased, and the liberties of speech and the +Press are extended once more, not only to such as were or are possessed +of the bitterest of feelings towards the Dutch, but to all British +subjects, we feel constrained to dissipate, if possible, some of the +clouds of slander which encompassed the Boers before and during the war. +Never in the history of nations has an honourable foe been more abused +than the Boers. They have been misrepresented altogether to the world at +large, and to the public in England in particular.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page120" name="page120"></a>Pg 120</span>The war-Press, the platform, and even the pulpit, were all arrayed in +martial order against them, and belched forth streams of abuse on two +small states. A warm glow comes over our faces, and the blood begins to +surge swiftly through our veins, as we recall some of the stinging +expressions by which the Boers were stigmatised, and through which the +mind of the English public was more and more inflamed, and all traces of +sympathy with the Boers removed. We do not wish to enumerate these +descriptive terms and phrases, for that would be raking up old scores. +We would rather forget than remember unpleasant words and deeds.</p> + +<p>We must, however, direct our attention briefly to the platform and +pulpit, not to mention the Press, which were so successful in exercising +an influence calculated to intensify race-hatred and obstruct the way to +any peaceful settlement of political disputes.</p> + +<p>When the Uitlanders in Johannesburg became dissatisfied with the +existing state of affairs, and began to ask for greater privileges, they +betook themselves to the platform. Now the Boers had no objection to +their forming political organizations, or holding public meetings in +which they could agitate for redress of grievances. But what they did +object to, and very strongly, was the blatant manner in which these +Uitlanders referred to their governments and themselves. Instead of +exercising the art of "gentle persuasion" by laying their grievances +before the Transvaal Government in the form of a polite request, and so +achieving their desired object, these Uitlanders resorted to the policy +of <i>fortiter in re</i>, the policy of intimidation, by threatening the +Boers with the right arm of the British Empire unless they granted their +requests instantly. When they adopted this method of procedure, they +naturally did not get what they wanted. So they agitated and cried for +redress of grievances until the unhappy war was brought about. Not only +in South Africa, but also in England thousands were misled by these +platform agitators, who were bent on placing the Dutch in a false light +before the civilized world.</p> + +<p>And the pulpit, as represented by some ministers not only of the Church +of England, but also of the Nonconformist<span class="pagenum"><a id="page121" name="page121"></a>Pg 121</span> Churches, ministers of the +gospel of peace on earth and good-will towards man—what an attitude did +it assume! Surely if these clergymen had been as eager to promote peace +as they were zealous to set in motion the waters of strife, they might, +have accomplished a work meriting eternal reward. Alas! that some who +are, or call themselves, followers of the Prince of Peace should have +favoured a war of destruction, and been led to say very hard things and +utter unfounded charges against the Dutch.</p> + +<p>To cite only one of many instances, the Rev. Dr. Hertz, writing from +Lourenço Marques, worded his letter thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We are safe, having left all we possess in the world behind us, +and in all probability shall never see a single thing of it again. +When I found the game the President and his crew were playing I +thought it best to clear out ... The Boers have threatened to kill, +burn, and destroy everything and everybody, <i>women</i> and <i>children</i>, +and some of them at least are bad enough to do it. I had the verbal +assurance of the President that I could stay safe and undisturbed, +but he would not put anything in writing. Then they appointed a +committee to give permits, and they would not give me one. And so +it became more and more manifest that they meant to decoy me into +staying, and then hold me at mercy. And what this mercy is may be +seen from the last news from Johannesburg; any one without a +written permit has been condemned to 25 lashes and three months' +hard labour."</p></div> + +<p>Such statements flowing from the pen of a Reverend Doctor were believed +by thousands. Now what is the truth in regard to them? During the +Bishop's absence his residence was specially guarded by order of the +Government. The punishment meted out to some who remained in +Johannesburg without permits exceeded in no case a higher fine than £3 +<i>without</i> lashes. As to the Boers' intention of decoying the Doctor to +stay, and then hold him at mercy, we need only remark that he must have +thought more about his own importance than the Boers ever did. His +assertion that the Boers threatened to kill everybody, including women +and children, and that some of them are bad enough to do it, needs no +refutation, for it merits silent contempt.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page122" name="page122"></a>Pg 122</span>A feeling of sadness, if not pity, lays hold of one to think that +ministers of the Gospel could actually draw up large petitions, urging +the British Government to prosecute the war vigorously until the +complete subjugation of the Boers was accomplished, which meant either +their entire extermination or the sacrifice of their sacred rights.</p> + +<p>There were, however, several notable exceptions, men who were not afraid +to speak the truth about their enemies or their country's enemies, +regardless of what others might think or say of themselves, regardless +whether they would be called Boer-sympathisers or pro-Boers. Such men we +shall ever revere and hold in estimation because they dared to speak the +truth, cost what it would.</p> + +<p>Thus far we have depicted the Boer character negatively in denying the +unjust and unfounded charges brought against them by callous and +misinformed minds. We do not hesitate to state that they are <i>not</i> a +race of inferior beings, savage and uncivilized. They are not as good as +some have presented them, they are not as bad as others have pictured +them. Who, then, are these men and women who so stubbornly resisted +British power and supremacy for such a long period under such great +disadvantages? What are their main characteristics?</p> + +<p>The Boers are the descendants of those pioneers who, for various +reasons, left the Cape Colony between the years 1834-39. These emigrants +or pioneers inspanned their large ox-waggons, bade farewell to their +homes and farms in the Cape Colony and trekked across the Orange River. +They traversed the wide plains of the late Orange Free State and +proceeded to the Drakensberg Mountains. These mountains they crossed and +settled down in Natal. How they were attacked and massacred by the +Zulus, and how they, in their turn, defeated the Zulus and broke their +power, how Natal became a British colony, all this is ancient history. +The pioneers, objecting to English rule, quitted Natal. Some of them +forded the Vaal River and they founded the Transvaal or South African +Republic. Others settled west of the Drakensberg Range and founded the +Orange Free State Republic.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page123" name="page123"></a>Pg 123</span>These states were then infested by wild beasts and uncivilized native +tribes. Against these the sturdy pioneers had to contend, and only after +years of suffering, hardship, and bloodshed did they succeed, by their +indomitable spirit, in vanquishing all foes, and so made habitable and +opened up for commerce and civilization the Republics, which the late +war has laid in ruins and ashes, indeed, converted into a howling +wilderness, a land of desolation.</p> + +<p>And these pioneers, whence came they, and what is their origin? They are +descended from that race which so valiantly resisted and defied Spanish +tyranny and power for eighty years, and so achieved that freedom of +life, freedom of thought and freedom of belief, from which all Europe +and England herself has derived priceless blessings. They are sprung +from that stock whose courage was not shaken by the flames of funeral +pyres, nor by all the tortures the human mind could devise; men who at +the block betrayed no signs of fear, but faced death, as brave men +ofttimes do, with a beatific smile, to the utter amazement of such as +had to enact the cruel tragedy. These pioneers have in their veins the +best blood of European nations, and their traditions are such as any +nation might be proud of.</p> + +<p>With such a history behind them, and descended from such ancestors, it +is not strange that the most prominent feature in the Boer character is +an intense and unconquerable love of freedom. His isolation, his large +farm with outstretched plains or rugged mountains, and his manner of +living, all tend to nourish that love of freedom in his bosom. Above all +things he wants to be free and independent. His history is one long +record of trekking away from British domination, not because he wishes +to be exempted from all control and thus indulge in a lawless life, as +some writers have erroneously maintained, but because he desires a +government of his own. The chief desideratum with the Boer, in regard to +government, is that it shall be his own, and not that of some other +power, be it never so excellent a form of government.</p> + +<p>When the Republics were annexed the English thought and hoped that the +Boers would very soon take to the new<span class="pagenum"><a id="page124" name="page124"></a>Pg 124</span> Government, would be more than +satisfied with the new arrangements, and so forget the privileges which +they had enjoyed under the auspices of their own government. Those who +thought and hoped thus were sadly disappointed. That powerful sentiment +and that strong passion for freedom, seated deep down in the heart of +the Boer, sustained them in bidding defiance to fearful odds for almost +three years. That inborn passion enabled the Boer nation to sacrifice +their all, and to endure for freedom's sake indescribable hardships and +sufferings.</p> + +<p>A Boer may not exactly know all that independence includes; he may not +be able to enumerate the benefits accruing from it, but instinctively he +covets it as a jewel of great price.</p> + +<p>That this love of liberty and of country amounted to something more than +mere sentiment has been proved conclusively by the war, when the whole +male population rose in arms against the invading foe. Touching, indeed, +it was to behold boys of twelve and grey-headed men of seventy and +eighty years shouldering their rifles and all fighting for one great +ideal. When their homes were burned, families removed, and goods taken +or destroyed, they exclaimed: "Let the British do whatever they please, +let them strip us of everything we hold dear, so long as we are only a +<i>free</i> people. We do not mind being poor; we are prepared, when the war +is over, to live in tents as our forefathers did; but we do not want to +swear allegiance to the despoilers of our country. British subjects! +<i>No, never</i>."</p> + +<p>And the Boer women, who are the very embodiment of liberty itself, were +they less enthusiastic and determined to be free than their husbands and +sons? Verily not. Words fail us when we want to express our admiration +for these heroines who played so prominent a part in the South African +Campaign, and upon whom the brunt of the war fell. Alas! that this +should have been the case.</p> + +<p>In years gone by the wives and daughters of the early pioneers stood by +the side of their husbands and fathers, casting bullets and loading +their flint-lock guns, as the latter bravely repelled the fierce +onslaught of Zulus,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page125" name="page125"></a>Pg 125</span> Matabeles, and other savage hordes. Many of them +were ruthlessly murdered by these savage tribes. No Africander will ever +forget names such as Weenen (Place of Weeping), Blood Rivier (Blood +River), Vechtkop and Blauwkrants—places where Boer women had +contributed their share of blood, that their children might be free. +Those days were sad and dark; but there were sadder and darker times in +store for the descendants of these pioneer women.</p> + +<p>During the war the Republican women proved themselves no less formidable +and brave than in those early days. When their husbands and sons were +called to the front they took upon themselves the entire management of +the farms. So well did they acquit themselves of such an onerous task +that, as long as they were left unmolested, there was no lack of +provisions for man or beast, always enough, and to spare. True, it cost +them much labour and fatigue, for some of them had to tend the flocks, +while others had to plough the fields and reap the crops in the +scorching rays of a December or January sun. They did it willingly and +gladly, so that the men might be free to engage in the struggle.</p> + +<p>The enemy, on observing the attitude of the women, determined to strike +a blow at them. They, so reasoned the enemy, had to be removed and +gathered into concentration camps, if there ever was to come an end to +the war. Not so much the men as the women were blamed for the +prolongation of the war. The women first had to be subdued; the flames +of freedom burning in their bosoms had to be extinguished. Hence the sad +story of a war in which the weak and defenceless were made to suffer and +endure so much.</p> + +<p>When they were roughly handled and transported in ox-waggons, exposed +for days to wind, sun, and rain, and were piled up in disease-stricken +camps, did they flinch? When they and their children were dying in +scores in these camps, did they beseech the burghers to relinquish the +struggle, or petition the Boer Governments to yield? Verily not. On the +contrary, in spite of their intense sufferings and of the appalling rate +of mortality among<span class="pagenum"><a id="page126" name="page126"></a>Pg 126</span> them, they continually encouraged the burghers by +sending out messages to them to this effect: "Fight on, don't yield; we +would rather all die in the camp than see you surrender" "Go and fight," +said one to her husband; "I would rather see you dead, and all my +children dead, than that you burghers should cease the struggle." +Another woman was so disappointed and disgusted at the surrender of her +husband, that when he arrived at the concentration camp where she was +confined she would have none of him, and quitted the camp the same +night, making her escape to the Boer lines. Such women are the mothers +of the next generation. Was it quite prudent on the part of the British +to tempt them to rear their children in bitter hatred of the English +race?</p> + +<p>This liberty-loving feature in the Boer character has been beautifully +described in the <i>Leek Times</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The old man, the youth and the stripling, are offering their +hearts' blood as a sacrifice; nor do they think the sacrifice too +great, strengthened and urged on by all they believe to be the +highest and holiest in religion and principle. The Boer will fight +on, giving his last drop of blood and his last breath for his +freedom. And the women-folk of his land are bearing their share of +this task; they do not shrink; they are helping their fathers, +brothers, and sons in this fight. They think no distance too great +to travel, no burden too heavy to carry. The wife, with her little +children round her knees, bids her husband a tearful but brave +God-speed. The mother, as she gazes with a full heart on the boy +who is as the apple of her eye, bids him go forth and fight in +Freedom's Holy War. The lass bids her lover take his stand for all +that she thinks worth having, esteeming him something less than a +coward if he fails to the fight. Woe betide the oppressors when the +women of a nation take up the quarrel."</p></div> + +<p>Ah! thou mighty Christian England, who hast always prided thyself on +being the most liberty-loving of all the Powers that be, how couldst +thou have crushed the liberty of two small states? How couldst thou have +torn so mercilessly the noble passions and aspirations of being free and +independent from the Boer hearts? Hast thou<span class="pagenum"><a id="page127" name="page127"></a>Pg 127</span> verily extinguished by +force the highest and holiest ambitions of a free-born people? Can the +mountain torrent rushing down the valley be stemmed in its onward +course? If patriotism is the ideal of a race that nourishes the most +indestructible of all passions, then ye have indeed contended against an +indestructible element of the Boer nature.</p> + +<p>Next to and quite as prominent as this all-absorbing passion for freedom +is the <i>religious trait</i> in the Boer character. As a people they are +distinguished from all other nations by their religiosity. Remembering +that they are the offshoot of men and women who perished in France, +Holland, England and elsewhere for their faith, one does not wonder that +they are religious. The religion of the Boer forms part and parcel of +his very existence. His mind is imbued with the words and thoughts of +Holy Writ. On a Sunday you will find him with his family, as a rule, +attending service in his little chapel. If he cannot go to church, he +will gather his family, increased sometimes by the presence of +neighbours, round the family altar, and there he will read his Bible, +sing his Psalms, bend his knees and lift up his heart in prayerful +adoration to the God of his fathers.</p> + +<p>Attachés, correspondents, and foreigners who fought on the side of the +Boers were struck much by the simple piety, the religious ideas and +sentiments of the Boers. Early in the morning and late at night their +camps would resound with hymns. In this enlightened twentieth century, +however, it has become the fashion to scoff and sneer at everything +which savours of religion, so much so that it seems incredible to most +that the Boers, as a people, can still be devout and God-fearing. +Civilization with its concomitant vices has assumed the garb of +Christianity, having its form and semblance, but missing its spirit and +power. Such as are animated by the spirit of Christian religion and are +endowed with its power are derisively called hypocrites. We shall +willingly admit that there are many hypocrites among the Boers. But are +they not found among all nations? To say that all religious Boers are +hypocrites is utterly false.</p> + +<p>When the English entered upon the contest with the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page128" name="page128"></a>Pg 128</span> Republics they +evidently did not reckon with this religious factor of the Boer +character. They did not know that the Boer would be supported as much by +his religious sentiments as by his love of freedom to fight to the +bitter end. Had they not been animated by such a fervent belief and +childlike trust in Providence, they would have abandoned ere long a +struggle which, regarded from a human standpoint, must have seemed +hopeless to them. But they believed that their cause was a holy and just +one, and that the God of Battles, the God of their forefathers, would +ultimately crown their efforts and sacrifices by sending them a glorious +deliverance. When the enemy desecrated their churches, ill-treated their +pastors, and stabbed their flocks, cattle and horses, they were not +disheartened, but said to themselves: "God in Heaven does behold, and He +shall vindicate the cause of the just as well as that of defenceless +creatures." Such deeds the religious Boer regarded with awe and +aversion, and made him more determined than aught else not to surrender +to those who perpetrated them.</p> + +<p>The national anthems of the late Republics admirably express these two +features of the Boer character. The following is a free translation of +the Transvaal Volkslied, which may serve to illustrate the sentiments +which have dominated the Boers ever since their national existence:</p> + + +<h4>TRANSVAAL VOLKSLIED.</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Right nobly gave Voortrekkers brave their blood, their lives, their all;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For Freedom's right, in Death's despite, they fought at duty's call.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ho! Burghers, high our banner waves, the standard of the free,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No foreign yoke our land enslaves, here reigneth liberty.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tis heaven's command, here we should stand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And aye defend the Volk and land.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">What realm so fair, so richly fraught with treasures ever new;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where Nature hath her wonder wrought, and freely spread to view!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ho! Burghers old, be up and sing, God save the Volk and land,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then, Burghers young, your anthem ring, o'er veldt, o'er hill, o'er strand.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, Burghers all, stand ye or fall<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For hearths and homes at country's call.<br /></span><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page129" name="page129"></a>Pg 129</span></p> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">With wisdom, Lord, our rulers guide, and these Thy people bless,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May we with nations all abide in peace and righteousness.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To Thee, whose mighty arm did shield Thy Volk in bygone days—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To Thee alone we humbly yield all glory, honour, praise.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">God guard our land, our own dear land,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our children's home, their Fatherland.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>A third distinctive mark in the Boer character, regarded from a military +point of view, is his fearlessness, so strikingly displayed in several +battles. That the Boers proved themselves brave during the war goes +without saying.</p> + +<p>Those who prophesied a speedy termination of the war in favour of the +British thought that lyddite-shells and dum-dum bullets, when applied to +the Boer, would at once scatter them far and wide, and so intimidate +them that they would kneel and sue for mercy and peace. To their great +disappointment they found the Boers stubbornly and gallantly resisting +the most determined onslaught of the British forces, repelling them as +often with disastrous results.</p> + +<p>We admired, in friend or foe, no other quality more than +bravery—bravery as distinguished from recklessness. We had respect for +brave foes, and when the fortunes of war entrusted such as +prisoners-of-war to our care, we always treated them with the courtesy +gallant men deserve.</p> + +<p>We often admired the valour displayed by our opponents. On certain +occasions the British forces performed the most daring and heroic feats +of which mortal men are capable. We saw officers and soldiers rushing +and marching, as it were, into the very jaws of death. Though exposed to +a storm of bullets, which consumed them like a withering fire, they +would press on, often dropping down as wheat before the scythe. Such +determination and bravery called forth the admiration of our men. There +is, however, a difference between valour as displayed by the British and +valour as displayed by the Boers. Without wishing to rob the British +officer and soldier of their martial honours, which they may well +deserve, having earned them at so great a cost, yet, in comparing Boer +and Briton, we must bear in mind that the Boer had had<span class="pagenum"><a id="page130" name="page130"></a>Pg 130</span> no military +training whatsoever, and was never subjected to military discipline. He +hardly knew the importance and necessity of obeying orders promptly and +implicitly. When he attacked or charged the enemy's stronghold or +positions he did so, as a rule, of his own accord, not under any +compulsion, but spontaneously and voluntarily. The British soldier, on +the other hand, had all the advantages and sometimes disadvantages of +military discipline. He had been taught to obey orders, whether it meant +death to him or not. Besides, the soldier was backed up by thousands and +tens of thousands of comrades on every side, while batteries of naval +guns and Armstrongs were at his rear, under cover of which he could +charge or retreat. No beating of drums, or symphonies of martial music, +or great numbers inspired and urged the Boer on to the performance of +heroic deeds. With rifle in hand and limited supply of cartridges he +often had to face overwhelming odds. And when these odds threatened to +outflank him, he was called by some a coward for retreating and not +allowing himself to be captured. Instinctively he knew it was better to +retreat—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"For he who fights and runs away<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May live to fight another day."<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Some maintain that the Boers are only brave when lying behind huge +boulders, or entrenched in strong fortifications, from whence, +concealed, they can pour a deadly fusillade on the approaching enemy. +There may be an element of truth in this charge, but as a generalization +it is utterly false. To stamp the Boers as cowards in general is to rob +the British Army of much of its honour and so discredit their work in +South Africa. The best answer to and the most persuasive argument +against this assertion is to be found in the construction of the +multitudinous forts, trenches, sangars, blockhouses, etc., by the +British in South Africa. What is their significance? The most +inobservant traveller in South Africa must be struck by the network of +fortifications erected almost throughout the length and breadth of the +country. Could the English have given the Boers a better<span class="pagenum"><a id="page131" name="page131"></a>Pg 131</span> testimonial of +gallant behaviour than these? Surely blockhouses and bulwarks are not +required for cowards, for they would never approach them.</p> + +<p>It is hardly necessary to say that all Boers were not brave; there were +many timorous ones among them. No army in the world is composed entirely +of brave and fearless characters. We often sustained losses and +sometimes disasters because the burghers retreated when they should have +stood or charged. The victory would have often been theirs had they +resisted a little longer. But apart from this, have they not proved to +the enemy in particular and to the world in general that they are the +children of chivalrous nations, of men who knew no fear? Have not the +British forces sustained some of their greatest losses when these +untrained peasants led the charge? We need only refer to a few of the +many battles fought during the war to show what these simple untrained +farmers did accomplish—battles which certainly merited for them the +attribute of being brave.</p> + +<p>(1) On the 30th of November, 1899, General De Wet, who was then only +Assistant Commandant, led 200 men up Nicholson's Nek, a hill which was +then in the possession of the enemy. After an engagement which lasted +five hours, the British hoisted the white flag. General De Wet +personally counted 817 prisoners-of-war, while 203 were lying on the +battlefield either dead or wounded. Here the English were in possession +of the hill, <i>i.e.</i>, of the best positions, and vastly outnumbered the +Boers.</p> + +<p>(2) In the great battle of Spion Kop, which lasted eight days, the Boers +were placed under the most terrific bombardment, and were constantly +attacked by large numbers of the enemy—yet they warded off these +attacks gallantly. On the night of the 23rd of January the English under +cover of darkness scaled the mountain—Spion Kop—and were thus in +possession of the key to Ladysmith. It was evident to the Boer generals +that Ladysmith would be relieved if Spion Kop was not retaken. As soon +as it became light the mountain was stormed from different directions by +the Boers, who were determined, if possible, to wrench it from the grasp +of the British. Both parties<span class="pagenum"><a id="page132" name="page132"></a>Pg 132</span> displayed amazing bravery. Boer and Briton +fell side by side, staining the grass with their blood, and bespattering +the stones and rocks with their brains. At dusk more than half of the +mountain was in possession of the Boers. During the night the English +evacuated it, and once more the Boers commanded over the entire +mountain. It cost them 35 killed and 170 wounded, but their objective +was achieved. Again the <i>British</i> were in command of the mountain, and +were continually reinforced. After Spion Kop was retaken, no more white +flags were hoisted by the Boers. On the contrary they lamented the loss +of so many precious, innocent lives. The Rev. R. Collins, a chaplain +with General Warren's Brigade, made the following statement <i>re</i> the +attitude of the Boers after the battle:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I venture to think it a matter of considerable importance to draw +attention to the attitude of the Boers whom we met during the +carrying out of our duties on these three days. For my part I +confess that the deepest impression has been made on me by these +conversations, and by the manly bearing and straightforward +outspoken way in which we were met.</p> + +<p>"There were two things which I particularly noted. As there was no +effort made to impress us by what was said (they spoke with +transparent honesty and natural simplicity, and in nearly all cases +the conversations were begun by us), so there was a total absence +of anything like exultation over what they must consider a military +success. Not a word, not a look, not a gesture or sign, that could +by the most sensitive of persons be construed as a display of their +superiority.</p> + +<p>"Far from exultation there was a <i>sadness</i>, almost anguish, in the +way in which they referred to our fallen soldiers. I can best +convey the truth of this statement, and show that there is no +attempt at exaggeration in using the word anguish, by repeating +expressions used, not once, but again and again by great numbers as +they inspected the ghastly piles of our dead—'My God! what a +sight!' 'I wish politicians could see their handiwork,' 'What can +God in Heaven think of this sight?'"</p></div> + +<p>By such a spirit was the Boer animated when he achieved some of his most +brilliant successes. He did not fight for<span class="pagenum"><a id="page133" name="page133"></a>Pg 133</span> honour and glory. He fought +at duty's call as a patriot in a great cause.</p> + +<p>(3) A few weeks prior to the battle of Spion Kop the Boers made their +famous, though unsuccessful, attack on Platrand, known as Waggon Hill to +the English, a hill situated three miles south of Ladysmith. This hill +was occupied by the British, and formed as it were the key to Ladysmith. +For it was practically impossible to bring about the fall of Ladysmith +so long as the British were on Platrand. A council of war accordingly +decided to attack the enemy on the hill on the night of the 5th of +January, and, if possible, expel them from it.</p> + +<p>The Rev. J.D. Kestell, who accompanied the Boer forces, gives the +following striking description of the attack—a description which +conveys to the mind of the reader something of the awfulness of war, as +well as of the courage and heroism displayed by Boer and Briton alike:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On the summit the hill is level, and round about its crest runs a +cornice, to use an architectural term, of great rocks, which we +call a krantz in the Africander language. The British forts were +built immediately above this krantz.</p> + +<p>"At about 10 P.M. we left the laager in order to climb the hill at +half-past 2 A.M. Having reached Neutral Hill, we left our horses +there and proceeded on foot. It was very dark, and all was still as +death. We walked forward slowly and spoke only in whispers, and yet +our progress was not so silent but that we feared we should be +heard. In the silence of the night the slightest rustle of tree or +shrub sounded loud in our ears, and the thud of our feet on the +loose stones seemed to me like the tramp of a troop of horses. The +enemy, thought I, would certainly become aware of our approach long +before we could even begin to climb the hill. But it seems after +all that I was mistaken, and that the sentry did not discover us +until we had approached very close. At three o'clock we reached the +deep dongas at the foot of the hill, and the foremost men passed +through. In about twenty minutes we had climbed almost two-thirds +of the hill, when we heard a beautiful voice ringing out in the +morning air: 'Halt! Who goes there?'</p> + +<p>"No answer came from us. We continued climbing. A moment passed, +and then the silence was broken by a<span class="pagenum"><a id="page134" name="page134"></a>Pg 134</span> crash of a volley. Then +another and another. Everywhere, above and in front of us, the +flashes of the rifles leapt forth into the darkness, and the sharp +reports followed in such quick succession as to give the impression +of Maxims firing. All of a sudden I saw a great jet of flame, and +instantly the thunder of a cannon broke upon the startled air, and +presently behind us I could hear the shrapnel bullets falling on +the ground.</p> + +<p>"Then many of those who had not yet begun to climb the hill turned +and fled; but others rushed upwards, and rapidly approached the +cornice of rocks, whence the heavy firing issued. Silence was now +unnecessary, and everywhere voices were heard encouraging the men.</p> + +<p>"At half-past three we reached the reef of rocks and boulders, and +presently I heard that two burghers had already been wounded, while +another lay motionless, but it was as yet too dark to see who it +was.</p> + +<p>"Before long it became light, and some of the burghers charged the +forts that were just above the ledge of rocks. They overpowered the +soldiers there, and took them prisoners, but were forced to fall +back to the escarpment of rocks immediately, on account of the +heavy fire directed on them from the other forts. And now the roar +of the cannons and rifles became terrific. This was especially the +case with the ceaseless rattle of small-arms. One could with +difficulty distinguish separate reports. All sounded together like +one continuous roar, and awoke an echo from the Neutral Hill that +sounded like the surging of a mighty wind.</p> + +<p>"We found ourselves under a cross cannon-fire. The shells from one +of our guns flew over our heads, and exploded just in front of us +on the forts, so that we were often in danger of being struck by +our own shells; and the projectiles of the English were hurled in +an opposite direction on our cannon forts and on the burghers on +Neutral Hill.</p> + +<p>"Gradually we began to see in what a terrible position we were. How +terrible the firing was! It never ceased for a moment; for if the +burghers did not rush out from time to time, to assail the forts, +the English charged us. This alternate charging was taking place +every now and then, and it was during these attacks that the pick +of our men fell. Whenever a sangar was charged, a destructive fire +was directed on our men, and then some gallant fellows would always +remain behind struck down.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page135" name="page135"></a>Pg 135</span></p> + +<p>"It was a fearful day—a day that no one who was there will ever +forget. The heat, too, was unbearable. The sun shot down his +piteous rays upon us, and the higher he rose the hotter it became. +It was terrible to see the dead lying uncovered in the scorching +rays; and our poor wounded suffered indescribable tortures from +thirst. And there was nothing to give them—only a little whisky +which I had got from an English officer, who had been taken +prisoner. I gave a little of that—only a few drops—to every +wounded man. Not only the wounded—all of us suffered from thirst. +Long before midday there was not a drop of water left in our +flasks. So intolerable was the thirst that there were burghers who +went down to the dongas below in search of water, where there was +none, and where they knew that almost certain death awaited them.</p> + +<p>"How slowly, too, the time dragged on! 'What o'clock is it?' +someone asked. It was then only ten o'clock, and it seemed as if we +had been fighting more than a day, for up to that moment the firing +had continued unabated.</p> + +<p>"Twelve o'clock passed, one o'clock, two o'clock—and still the +fire was kept up; and still the burning rays of the sun were +scorching us. Clouds! But they threw no shadow over us. Everywhere +small patches of shadow chequered the hills and valleys, but they +seemed to avoid us. But a black mass of cloud is rising in the +west, and we know that everything will soon be wrapped in shadow. +Nearer and nearer to the zenith the clouds are rising. What is that +deep rumbling in the distance? Thunder! Nearer and nearer it +sounds, and presently we hear it overhead above the din of the +musketry and the boom of the cannon. How insignificant the crash of +the cannons sounds now. It is as the crackle of fireworks when +compared with the mighty voice of God!</p> + +<p>"We got more than shadow from the clouds. At five o'clock great +drops splash on the rocks. Presently the rain fell in torrents, and +I could wash the blood of the wounded from my hands in it.</p> + +<p>"It was now just when the rain was descending in sheets of water, +and the thunder-claps were shaking the hills, that the enemy +redoubled their efforts to drive us off the ledge, and our men had +to do their utmost to repel the determined onslaught. Had they been +driven down the hill, every burgher fleeing for his life would have +formed a target for the enemy. The fight was now fiercer than at<span class="pagenum"><a id="page136" name="page136"></a>Pg 136</span> +any time during the day. It was fearful to hear the roar of the +thunder above and the crash of the rifles below. But the enemy did +not succeed in driving us off. We remained there two and a half +hours longer. Meanwhile we had been able to quench our thirst. +Streams of water dashed down through the rocks, and we drank our +fill. These streams of water came from the forts a few yards above +us, and were red in colour. Was it red earth, or was it the blood +of friend or foe that coloured the water? Whatever the cause, we +were so thirsty that nothing would have kept us from drinking. +After the English had done their utmost to drive us from the hill, +and been baffled in their attempts, they returned to their forts, +and the firing subsided for a short time.</p> + +<p>"At last the sun set, and at half-past seven we withdrew. We had +been on the hill for sixteen hours, under a most severe fire, and +now we retired; but we were not driven off by the Devons with +levelled bayonets, as I have read in an English book. We were not +driven off the hill. We held it as long as it was light, and when +twilight fell and no reinforcements came, we considered it useless +to remain there. Including the Transvaalers we had lost 68 killed +and 135 wounded."</p></div> + +<p>(4) One instance more to show that the Boers behaved gallantly not only +under cover or when scaling mountains or hills occupied by the enemy, +but also when they met the foe on the plain without any cover at all.</p> + +<p>Lord Methuen's column, 1,500 strong, was charged in broad daylight on +the open veldt by about 700 burghers. The whole convoy with four +Armstrong guns was captured. Besides this the enemy lost 400 in killed +and wounded, and 859 prisoners of war, including Lord Methuen himself, +who was wounded in the leg. The Boer casualties amounted to 9 killed and +25 wounded. Do not such engagements prove that the Boers could hold +their own not only behind stones and in trenches but also on the plain?</p> + +<p>Lord Methuen's column was not the only one which was attacked and taken +on the exposed veldt. Some of the most brilliant achievements of the +Boers were accomplished when they were altogether exposed to the enemy's +fire and had to take the offensive. Was it then arrogance and vain<span class="pagenum"><a id="page137" name="page137"></a>Pg 137</span>glory +which prompted them to offer battle to one of the great Powers of the +world? Arrogance and vainglory would not have stood the test, but would +soon have vanquished like morning clouds before the rising sun. There +must have been some other cause. What was it?</p> + +<p>Here, then, the reader has another reason why the Boers fought so long. +As a people they are brave, and thus scorn the very thought of +surrendering like cowards. They chose to die as <i>men</i>, and the memory of +those who fell as such shall ever be dear and sacred to us.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"For how can man die better<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Than facing fearful odds,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For the ashes of his fathers<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And the temples of his gods?"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Another trait in the Boer character is his wonderful resourcefulness and +his ability to cope with difficulties. It was as much this phase of his +character as his patriotism, religiosity and valour which enabled him to +continue the struggle so long. If the Boers had not been so wonderfully +resourceful, and understood so well how to lighten their burdens and +solve their problems, they never could have held out so long.</p> + +<p>Surrounded on almost every side by British dominions, with all imports +cut off, they were bound to fall back on their own limited resources. +When these were exhausted, they had to plan some way out of the +difficulty. And so ingeniously did they contrive to find the wherewithal +for the prosecution of the war, and the necessaries of life, that it +must have appeared hopeless to the enemy at times that the Republicans +should ever be reduced to such an extremity that they could help +themselves no longer.</p> + +<p>And this is the way they planned. When their boots wore out, men were +appointed to tan hides and make boots; even the women busied themselves +in this kind of work. When there was a great scarcity of soap,—an +article used also by Boers,—the women boiled a serviceable substance +with the help of the ashes of various weeds. When the British began +destroying the mills everywhere<span class="pagenum"><a id="page138" name="page138"></a>Pg 138</span> mills were mounted on waggons and +carried off on the approach of the enemy. When tobacco failed the +burghers, Nature made provision once more. Leaves of different kinds of +trees were taken, dried and soaked in a weak solution of tobacco +extract, and when dry these leaves answered the purpose of tobacco. The +fine handicraft of great-grandmothers in the spinning of wool was +revived. The women-folk, constructing spinning-wheels from old +sewing-machines, spun wool beautifully, and knitted socks and other +articles as fine and as strong as any that can be bought in shops. When +the English took or burnt all their vehicles they reconstructed others +from the remnants of the burnt ones. One woman was seen with a cart in +which two plough wheels were placed. It looked strange, but answered the +purpose well enough. When salt was not to be had for love or money, +wells were dug in the pans and salt water was found, from which, by a +process of evaporation, salt was obtained. In this manner one problem +after the other was solved. As to their clothes, overcoats were made of +sheep-skins, and some burghers wore complete suits made of leather. The +worn-out clothes were patched with soft leather and then they were said +to be "armoured." Besides this there was the "shaking out" process, as +it was called by the burghers. The Boers thought that they were quite +justified in exchanging clothes with Tommy Atkins whenever he was +captured; for the English had destroyed and burnt theirs as often as +they could. As we had no means of import, and as the enemy had burnt our +clothes, who shall condemn our action, however humiliating it might have +been to the soldier or costly to the British Government to provide +outfits for both parties? Necessity knows no laws. In the same way the +burghers were provided with rifles, ammunition, horses, saddles, bridles +and other necessaries by the British. When their ammunition first ran +short, many were not a little concerned about it, and thought that that +would ultimately compel them to surrender. But the English were kind +enough to supply them, so that after each fight, as a rule, they had +enough to commence another with. Towards the latter part of the war the +English were<span class="pagenum"><a id="page139" name="page139"></a>Pg 139</span> fought and often beaten with their own arms. So, as far as +that was concerned, the Republics could have prolonged the war +indefinitely, or at least as long as they were being supplied by the +British Government. Does this often happen in the history of wars—a foe +lashed by its own weapons?</p> + +<p>In his social intercourse the Boer is kind-hearted, tender and +hospitable. He loves to be kind—to be hard and cruel is contrary to his +nature. Owing to his soft and gentle disposition he sometimes brought +disaster and ruin upon himself during the war. Traitors and renegades +were mercifully spared, and these notorious beings were instrumental in +bringing about his defeat. In times of peace kind-heartedness no doubt +is a virtue of intrinsic worth; in times of war it cannot always be +exercised.</p> + +<p>In outward appearance the Boer may be, and sometimes is, somewhat stern +and uncompromising; but those who have gained his confidence and known +him best have invariably discovered behind and at the bottom of this +seemingly forbidding exterior a softness of disposition and a tenderness +of heart which brooks no rivalry. Men who have taken the Boer character +second-hand, or have not taken the trouble to enter into his feelings or +obtain his friendship, have often been misled by his quiet phlegmatic +demeanour, which at times verges on stolidity. They have described him +as being sour, morose and unkind. To such he appeared a sort of +obstreperous, cantankerous being, who simply delights to quarrel with +every man he meets—especially if an Englishman came in his way. +Needless to say he is nothing of the sort.</p> + +<p>During the war we were several times struck by the gentle nature of the +Boers. They are indeed not that blood-thirsty, war-loving race which +some have imagined them to be. We make bold to say that there is nothing +which they so much dislike and abhor as shedding blood and inflicting +torture and misery on humanity. They are essentially a peace-loving +race, and will never indulge in war unless compelled by circumstances +over which they have no control.</p> + +<p>The British officers and soldiers who fell into their hands<span class="pagenum"><a id="page140" name="page140"></a>Pg 140</span> during the +war can bear evidence from personal experience that the average Boer is +dominated by kind and gentle sentiments. He treated the wounded soldier +and the prisoner-of-war with kindness. He would share his last drop of +water with the wounded, bandage his wounds to the best of his ability, +and would extend to him all the medical attendance at his command.</p> + +<p>Major J.B. Seely, Conservative M.P. for the Isle of Wight, who served +with the Hampshire Yeomanry for many months in the Transvaal, confirmed +the above statements in a letter to the <i>Times</i> in the following way:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"During the seventeen months that I have served in South Africa I +had, perhaps, rather exceptional opportunities of learning how our +wounded were treated by the Boers. On two different occasions men +under my command who were dangerously wounded were attended with +the greatest kindness and care by the Boers; and the wounded men +themselves begged me to thank those who had been so good to them. +On both occasions the general in command of the column conveyed his +thanks either personally or by letter. I have spoken to many +officers and men who have been left sick or wounded in the hands of +the Boers, and in no single instance have I heard anything but +gratitude expressed for the treatment they had received. In the +intense excitement of hand-to-hand fighting it may be difficult to +differentiate between the wounded and unwounded, but the relatives +and friends of those now fighting may rest assured that English +left wounded on the field will receive from the Boers no less care +and kindness than wounded Boers have invariably received from the +English."</p></div> + +<p>Such is the testimony of men who came in contact with the Boers at a +time when one would expect that the demoralizing and hardening +influences of war had removed every vestige of gentleness.</p> + +<p>We never heard the Boers use strong and abusive language towards +prisoners-of-war. On the contrary they would converse with them in a +most genial and friendly spirit; so much so, that the onlooker could +scarcely distinguish between Boer and Briton, friend or foe. Now when +the Boers behaved thus towards their prisoners-of-war they only<span class="pagenum"><a id="page141" name="page141"></a>Pg 141</span> did +what they ought to have done. When a man is captured or wounded he is no +more an enemy in the literal sense of the word, and should not be +treated as such. Military precautions must necessarily be taken to +prevent the escape of prisoners, but, apart from that, men forced to +surrender should neither be regarded nor treated as criminals, but as an +honourable foe deserves. In making these remarks we do not infer that +our wounded were not well attended to by the enemy. In most cases we +believe they were. We shall not comment on the treatment extended to our +prisoners-of-war. In the latter stage of the war we believe there was +room for improvement, especially when natives were taken up in the +British ranks. These natives treated our men shamefully at times, and +went even so far as to commit the most brutal murders.</p> + +<p>Not only did the burghers treat their prisoners-of-war well, but the +Boer officers under whose immediate control they were placed dealt, as a +rule, very kindly and leniently with them. Some of the more prominent +Boer officers, such as General De Wet and others, have been accused +occasionally of having ill-treated prisoners-of-war. Most of these +charges on examination proved groundless.</p> + +<p>Mr. Erskine Childers, in a letter to the <i>Times</i>, expressed himself on +this matter as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is time that a word was spoken in opposition to the idea that +General C. De Wet is a man of brutal and dishonourable character. +Those who, like myself, have served in South Africa, fought against +him, and frequently met men who have been prisoners under him, +look, I believe, with shame and indignation on the attempts made to +advertise and magnify such incidents as the alleged flogging and +shooting of peace envoys, so as to blacken the character of a man +who, throughout the war, held a reputation with our troops in the +field of being not only a gallant soldier, but a humane and +honourable gentleman. We may deplore the desperate tenacity of his +resistance. Our duty is to overcome it by smashing him in the +field. We gain nothing but only lose our self-respect by slandering +him.</p> + +<p>"His whole career gives the lie to such aspersions. It was in May +of last year, ten months ago, that he first<span class="pagenum"><a id="page142" name="page142"></a>Pg 142</span> gained prominence. +Since then he has fought scores of engagements with us, some +successful, some unsuccessful, never with a suspicion of +dishonourable conduct. He has had at one time or another some +thousands of our men in his hands as prisoners-of-war. Many of them +I have myself met. At second or third hand I have heard of the +experiences of many others. I have never heard a word against him. +When men suffered hardships they always agreed that they could not +have been helped. But, on the other hand, I have heard many stories +showing exceptional personal kindness in him over and above the +reasonable degree of humanity which is expected in the treatment of +prisoners-of-war.</p> + +<p>"I believe this view of him is universal among our troops in South +Africa. It makes my blood boil to hear such a man called a brigand +and a brute by civilian writers at home, who take as a text the +reports of these solitary incidents, incomplete and one-sided as +they are, and ignore—if, indeed, they know of it—the mass of +testimony in his favour."</p></div> + +<p>This testimony about De Wet, as well as other Boer officers, has been +substantiated by scores of letters from other officers and privates.</p> + +<p>The relation of the Boers to the coloured races in South Africa, and the +treatment of the latter, have been a cause of much offence and +misunderstanding. It is generally, though mistakenly, held that the +Boers ill-treated the natives, and that in the most brutal and +tyrannical manner. Such unwarranted assertions had furnished one of the +various flimsy excuses for war in South Africa. The natives had to be +protected! They were slaves, and must be liberated. Therefore—war! That +natives have sometimes received bad treatment at the hands of their +masters we shall candidly admit. In such instances the law-courts of the +country stood open to them, where justice was at all times meted out to +the guilty party.</p> + +<p>On the whole, we maintain that the treatment of inferior races by the +Boers contrasts very favourably with that by the British. The Dutch have +always expressed themselves very strongly against the policy of placing +the natives on a footing of political equality with the whites, because +morally,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page143" name="page143"></a>Pg 143</span> intellectually, and industrially they are decidedly their +inferiors.</p> + +<p>Those who, like the American Bishop Hartzell, argued that the British +cause ought to win, since the Boers do not equal the English in just +treatment of inferior races, would do well to consider the following +facts:—</p> + +<p>(1) In the strip of East African coast—a British Protectorate—which +faces Zanzibar <i>the full legal status of slavery</i> is maintained, and +fugitive slaves have even been handed back to their owners by British +officials.</p> + +<p>(2) In Zanzibar and Pemba the manumission of slaves presided over by Sir +Arthur Hardinge is proceeding slowly, and many thousands are still in +bondage.</p> + +<p>(3) In Natal the <i>corvée</i> system prevails, and all natives not employed +by whites may be impressed to labour for six months on the roads.</p> + +<p>(4) In Bechuanaland, after a rebellion some years ago, natives were +parcelled out among the Cape farmers and indentured to them as virtual +slaves for a term of five years.</p> + +<p>(5) Under the Chartered Company in Rhodesia the chiefs are required, +under compulsion, to furnish batches of young natives to work in the +mines; and the ingenious plan of taxing the Kaffir in money rather than +in kind has been adopted, so that he may be forced to earn the pittance +which the prospectors are willing to pay him.</p> + +<p>(6) In Kimberley what is known as the compound system prevails. All +natives who work in the diamond mines are required to "reside" under +lock and key, day and night, in certain compounds, which resemble +spacious prisons. So stringent is the system that even the sick are +treated within the prison yard. On no pretext whatever is a native +allowed to leave his compound.</p> + +<p>During these months of incarceration the natives are separated from +their women-folk and families. The consequence is one of the most +striking and shocking features of the compound system. A number of the +lowest, drink-besotted, coloured prostitutes, estimated at about 5,000, +have collected at Beaconsfield, where, so to speak, they con<span class="pagenum"><a id="page144" name="page144"></a>Pg 144</span>stitute a +colony, occupying a revolting quarter of the township. When the natives +come out for a short spell these unhappy women receive them. It is, no +doubt, convenient from the standpoint of the company to have them there, +for it probably prevents the natives from going away. This moral cancer +is one of the direct and inevitable outcomes and concomitants of the +compound system.</p> + +<p>(7) The South African Dutch contribute more money annually to native +mission work than the South African English. The English missions in +South Africa are supported chiefly by funds from England. The largest +and most handsome churches for natives in South Africa are those built +by the Dutch. The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa has more +representatives in the foreign mission field than all the other English +denominations in South Africa together.</p> + +<p>If necessary, more facts bearing on this subject of native treatment +could be adduced. One could, for example, point out how the aboriginal +Tasmanians and Australians have been almost completely extirpated; how, +in the name of civilization, thousands of Dervishes have been mowed down +in Egypt, and how South African soil itself has been stained from time +to time by the blood of Zulus, Basutos, Matabeles and other coloured +races, who became the victims of British, and <i>not Boer</i>, arms. +Remembering all this and much more, we claim that England has no right +to cast the first stone at the Boer in regard to the treatment of +coloured races.</p> + +<p>The Boer's nature does not admit of such tyrannical actions of which he +has constantly been accused. His native servants are treated almost as +members of his own family, and often serve him voluntarily for several +years in succession.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <a id="image08" name="image08"> + <img src="images/8.jpg" + alt="THE LATE COMMANDANT DANIE THERON." + title="THE LATE COMMANDANT DANIE THERON." /><br /></a> + <span class="caption">THE LATE COMMANDANT DANIE THERON.<br /><i>Photo by Duffus Bros., Capetown.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Mr. Chamberlain in a Parliamentary Debate has expressed himself on this +matter as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Members of Parliament appear to be under the impression that the +Boers in the Transvaal were fierce and unjust aggressors, and that +they dispossessed the natives of their territory and brutally +ill-treated them afterwards. I<span class="pagenum"><a id="page145" name="page145"></a>Pg 145</span> wish honourable members would +read the papers before they came to this rash and inconsiderate +conclusion. The absolute reverse of that was the fact."</p></div> + +<p>The Boers, as a people and as individuals, are thoroughly hospitable, +indeed we do not hesitate to affirm that no nation is more hospitable. +To meet them, dwell in their midst, associate with them and know them, +is to like, if not to love them.</p> + +<p>The respectable traveller that lights on a Boer farm will invariably +receive a cordial welcome. The farmer will politely invite him to his +house, and will try to make his guest feel quite at home. Should it be +late in the day, the guest will be expected to stay the night. A plain +but substantial supper will fall to his share. The best bedroom and most +comfortable bed will be at his disposal for the night, while his horses +will receive every attention. In the morning he will be invited to +breakfast before setting out on his day's journey. Should the traveller, +on leaving, offer to pay the farmer for the night's accommodation, the +latter will, as a rule, decline to accept any payment, nay, will regard +it rather as an insult to be offered payment for his hospitality. +Callous and unappreciative characters have abused such hospitality, and +construed it as a mark of ignorance on the part of the Boer. He is, so +they say, hospitable and ready to entertain <i>because</i> he is so stupid +and ignorant. There may be a grain of truth in this assertion, but to +attribute Boer hospitality exclusively to this is as false as it is +mean.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"... I never want to meet kinder, more hospitable, and more +comfortable people than the Boers. True, some of them are poor and +ignorant, but the general run of them live comfortably, rear their +families well and with fair education. They are the reverse of what +we have been taught to consider them. It will be a happy day for +Australia when our pastoral country is settled by as fine a class +of people."</p></div> + +<p>Thus wrote a Queensland officer, Major Spencer Browne,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page146" name="page146"></a>Pg 146</span> while Mr. R.H. +Davis, an Englishman who had resided for some time in Pretoria, offers +the following testimony:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I left Pretoria with every reason for regret. I had come to it a +stranger, and had found friends among men whom I had learned to +like for themselves and for their cause. I had come prejudiced +against them, believing them to be all the English Press and my +English friends had painted them—semi-barbarous, uncouth, +money-loving, and treacherous in warfare. I found them simple to +the limit of their own disadvantage, magnanimous to their enemies, +independent and kindly."</p></div> + +<p>The trait that we admire and cherish most in the Boer character is their +hospitality. We shall ever gratefully remember how kindly our burghers +were received by many a colonial farmer, such as the Van der Merwes of +Toutelboschkoek and Bamuur, Calvinia district, the Therons of Rietpoort, +Richmond, the two Miss Van der Merwes of Badsfontein, Murraysburg, and a +host of others whose names we cannot mention here, as well as +non-combatant farmers of the late Republics. Weary and worn out by the +fierce and unequal contest we were often refreshed at their tables, and +were so invigorated by their kindness and hospitality that, after a +brief respite, we could once more resume the struggle with fresh +determination and revived energies.</p> + +<p>Never shall we forget the kindness shown to us personally during the +years of strife. And here we would express our sincere thanks to all +such as alleviated so greatly the burdens war had imposed upon +us—alleviated these by friendly sympathies, which found expression in +deeds of kindness and love, and that at a time and in circumstances when +the sword of Damocles was suspended over their heads, for to give an +enemy a drop of cold water was then considered a great crime!</p> + +<p>The Boers are <i>passionately fond</i> of their homes and families. The +little cottage, with the garden, the flocks and herds—in these they +take pleasure. To accumulate and hoard up wealth is not their sole +ambition or ideal of life. If they possess enough to live comfortably, +give their<span class="pagenum"><a id="page147" name="page147"></a>Pg 147</span> children a fair education and meet their bills, they are +content.</p> + +<p>Now this passionate devotion to their homes and families, however +commendable a virtue it may be, proved most detrimental to their best +interests when the waters of strife were set in commotion. Nothing was +so trying to the Boers than to be separated from their families for +months and months. Up to the commencement of the war the Boer farmer +hardly knew what it meant to be away from his family for a long time. +Owing to this strong attachment to, one might almost say weakness for, +their homes, the burghers often insisted on obtaining leave of absence +to visit their families, and that at times when their services were most +needed on the battlefield.</p> + +<p>This love of home and property must account for a great number of +voluntary surrenders to the British. When the enemy entered the +Republics the farmers had to choose between surrender or sacrificing +hearth and home, property and all they had—entrusting these to the +mercy of the foe. Many, be it said to their honour, deliberately chose +to sacrifice all rather than their independence. Others lay down arms, +to protect or save, as they thought, their families, homes and property. +Sadly and bitterly were they disappointed; for their homes were still +burned, and their families confined in the concentration camps.</p> + +<p>These, then, are some of the more striking features of the Boer +character. To summarize them in one sentence: the Boer loves his Country +and Freedom, his Bible and Rifle, his Neighbour and Family.</p> + +<p>Are these not qualities which recommend themselves as worthy of +admiration? Are they not indications of much that is noble and good, +even though the foe be vanquished? Do not the English pride themselves +in possessing these very qualities, qualities which, they say, have made +them a great and mighty nation? Be it so; let them gently deal with the +Boer, who is possessed of these noble attributes in common with +themselves. We hope that they will treat their new subjects with due +consideration. What a happy day will it be for South Africa when Boer +and Briton,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page148" name="page148"></a>Pg 148</span> through the length and breadth of that blood-stained land, +have learned the secret of living as friends and brothers, respecting +one another, as befits Christian people. Will that happy day ever dawn, +or is South Africa doomed to be a land of discord? Let us hope that the +unhappy past will gradually be effaced from the memory of both Dutch and +English. Let the English Government exercise discretion in introducing a +South African policy which shall tend to reconcile and unite, not +embitter and sever.</p> + +<p>What about the faults and defects of the Boer? some may be asking. While +commenting on the different phases of the Boer character, we have +alluded to and admitted many of these; for they are many. There is +indeed much which we lament in the character of our people, and which we +would, if it were possible, gladly alter or improve upon. Not all of +them are good patriots, saints and heroes. Neither are all resourceful, +kind-hearted, hospitable, and attached to their homes. There were +"National Scouts," traitors, renegades, among the burghers! Among the +women there were, alas! some, not many, who yielded to temptation. Such +characters are found among all nations. Among the Boers they formed a +small minority, and were the exceptions and not the general rule.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page149" name="page149"></a>Pg 149</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>THE RISING IN THE CAPE COLONY.</h3> + + +<p>Having been in the full tide of the emotions of the Cape +Colony—emotions which led to the taking up of arms—we feel ourselves +justified in setting down those things which were to the Cape Colonist +the justification of a warlike and anti-British policy.</p> + +<p>It is strange, when one bears in mind that England admittedly extends +greater liberties to her colonies than most other Powers, that many of +her subjects are a continual source of trouble and fear to her. How has +this to be accounted for? Is it because the colonists enjoy such great +liberty (?) and share in so many privileges? Or is it because so many of +them became British subjects <i>only because</i> they were compelled to take +an oath of allegiance (or sign a declaration) to a government they +neither loved nor respected but hated and despised? In the former case +it would be base ingratitude on their part to rise in rebellion, in the +latter it seems almost natural. However it be, the lustre and beauty of +English history is sadly marred by the fact that often British artillery +had to bear on British subjects, and British arms had to be employed to +subdue England's own children.</p> + +<p>Scotland, Ireland, Canada, the United States of America, India, +Afghanistan, Egypt, South Africa, and many besides of less importance, +have resisted British authority at different times. Some of these, like +the late Republics, were at one time or other laid in ruins and +devastated by British arms. For years and years their inhabitants were +subjected to awful persecutions. The blood of the best and bravest<span class="pagenum"><a id="page150" name="page150"></a>Pg 150</span> was +spilt like water, whilst millions were spent to conquer whole +populations—millions which might have been used for better and nobler +purposes. And to-day thousands of British subjects are ruled by the +point of the bayonet—by sheer force, not by common consent.</p> + +<p>Having spent the greater part of the Anglo-Boer war time in the Cape +Colony, we had the opportunity of ascertaining some, if not all, of the +reasons why so many Colonial British subjects took up arms against the +forces of their lawful king and sovereign. These causes we shall here +narrate. By doing this we do not justify the action of those whose +sympathies led them to cast in their lot with the two Republics. We do +not wish to inculcate or foster the spirit of rebellion in any man, nor +to fan it by words of approval. But we do wish to make known to the +British public in particular that those Dutch colonists who sided with +the late Republics during the lamentable war did not do so because they +hated British rule or government or longed to shed the blood of English +fellow-subjects. Neither did they enlist in our ranks because they +regarded war as an adventurous game and mere child's play. In most cases +the rebels were, prior to the war, as loyal to the British crown, and as +devoted to British rule, as their fellow-English colonists ever were or +could have been. For they had been born and brought up under the British +flag; they knew no other, desired no better, even gloried in the flag of +England. To it they looked for succour and protection in the hour of +danger. Before the war the very men who fought against the British would +have volunteered their services, at a moment's notice, to the Home +Government if England was threatened in any way. Most of them, we are +sure, would have willingly sacrificed their goods, and even lives, to +shield the interests of the British Empire.</p> + +<p>Now when these Dutch colonists took up arms they did not do so blindly, +but fully realised the grave responsibility involved in such a step. +They knew that the action was treasonable, and that, when captured, they +were liable to the utmost penalty of the law, such as confiscation of +goods, banishment, imprisonment for life, or death. Some of them,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page151" name="page151"></a>Pg 151</span> +before they enlisted, had been compelled by the military authorities to +be present at the execution of those who had unfortunately fallen into +the hands of the enemy. In spite of that most tangible warning, they +nevertheless joined the Boer ranks. What then were their reasons for +risking their very lives in a cause which might perhaps fail? Surely +such men as rose in rebellion had potent and valid reasons! To be +stigmatised for life by the title of rebel could not be deemed so great +an honour as to induce a man to face all the dangers and hardships of +war. Nor were these colonial rebels mercenaries; they were volunteers, +that came to the assistance of two small republics.</p> + +<p>Those who were acquainted with the situation and with the political +parties at the Cape prior to the war expected and dreaded, in the event +of war with the Republics, a general outbreak in the Cape Colony, and +were not surprised when their expectations proved true.</p> + +<p>The Cape Dutch, as well as their English neighbours, knew only too well +that, in the event of war, the whole of South Africa would suffer, that +the flames of it would spread far beyond the Republican borders, and +would be kindled in the adjoining British colonies. Thoroughly convinced +that that would be the result of a war on the two Republics they did all +in their power to prevent it. Had the English element in South Africa +been as eager as the Dutch to abide in peace and avoid bloodshed, there +certainly never would have been war. But, alas! one party had set its +heart upon it.</p> + +<p>To precipitate matters and bring them to a crisis, the public in England +was inflamed by rumours of the wildest nature, and was, unfortunately, +enticed to believe anything and everything which was reported. British +interests, British paramountcy, etc., were supposed to be seriously +threatened by a great Pan-Africander conspiracy, which had for its +objective the total elimination of the Imperial factor in South Africa. +The Dutch were plotting, so it was rumoured, to oust the British from +South Africa by driving them all into the sea on a certain day. What a +preposterous absurdity! And many were so innocent as to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page152" name="page152"></a>Pg 152</span> believe and +fear that a small nation of farmers would actually attempt to expel the +British from South Africa. The Boer may be ignorant, but he has more +common sense than to give such an idea even a thought.</p> + +<p>The Cape Dutch, we are glad to state, left no stone unturned in their +attempts to avert a war on a kindred race which was bound to prove +calamitous to, and inflict endless misery on, thousands. Whilst +diplomatic negotiations went on between the Transvaal and English +Governments, and it became evident that these negotiations would in all +probability result in failure, Mr. Jan Hofmeyer,—"onze Jan," that +far-seeing, famous Cape politician,—and Mr. Harold, M.P., left for +Pretoria, and by the co-operation of President Steyn prevailed on +President Kruger to submit those proposals to the British Government +which the Colonial Secretary frankly admitted might form the basis of a +peaceful settlement. "We have nine-tenths of what we wanted," the +Colonial Secretary is reported to have said, "and the other tenth is not +worth our going to war for." Sad that that one-tenth should have +demanded the lives of thousands of men, women and children, millions of +pounds, besides ruin and misery to so many!</p> + +<p>When war seemed inevitable and its declaration only a matter of time, +the Africander Party, which then constituted the majority in the Cape +Parliament, passed a resolution in Parliament, by which they solemnly +protested against any aggressive policy on the part of the Imperial +Government. They pointed out to the Home Government what endless woes a +war would entail, and how detrimental it would prove to Imperial +interests through the length and breadth of South Africa. At the same +time they stated, in the most unequivocal language, their strong +disapproval of extreme and coercive measures. This protest was slighted. +The members who subscribed their names to it, and who represented the +feeling of the Cape Dutch, were called disloyal. For to be loyal in +those days meant to side with the war party, and approve of all they +said and did. To think independently, and to express one's political +views frankly and fearlessly, was a sure sign of disloyalty, when<span class="pagenum"><a id="page153" name="page153"></a>Pg 153</span> one's +aims were for a peaceful solution of the difficulties of the moment.</p> + +<p>Besides this Parliamentary resolution, the Cape Dutch drew up a large +petition, addressed to Queen Victoria, whom they all loved as a mother +and revered as a Queen. This petition was signed by thousands of women, +who entreated their gracious and tender Mother-Queen to refrain from a +policy which would result in bloodshed. This plea for peace and justice +also failed to accomplish anything. The voice of the Dutch colonists was +not heeded. Their petitions and protests were ignored and rejected time +and again. The petition, however, of some 21,000 Uitlanders in +Johannesburg, who clamoured for redress of grievances, immediately +called forth armed intervention!</p> + +<p>This, then, was the attitude of the Cape Dutch before the declaration of +war: emphatic disapproval of any war policy. They disapproved of and +protested against war in South Africa, not because they were disloyal, +and had not the interests of the mother-country at heart, or because +they naturally sympathised with the Boers as being a kindred race. They +declared themselves against the Imperial war policy, because they knew +and were confident that it was by no means impossible to arrive at a +peaceful solution of all difficulties and disputes along friendly +diplomatic lines, by which the actual grievances of British subjects in +Johannesburg could be redressed, and political affairs so adjusted that +it would not be necessary to shed one drop of blood. So far from being +disloyal, they prided themselves in being British subjects, and, as +such, they claimed the rights and privileges to which all British +subjects are entitled. Their services in the interests of peace were, +however, not appreciated, but were construed into acts calculated to +encourage the enemy and to foster rebellion.</p> + +<p>The Press had declared war months before it was actually proclaimed. +Feeling ran so high that men would not listen to reason. "Fight it out," +was the frantic cry of many, who had not the remotest idea of what +"fighting it out" meant.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page154" name="page154"></a>Pg 154</span></p> + +<p>Though frustrated in their endeavours to prevent the threatened war, the +Cape Dutch, after hostilities had once begun, tried very hard to bring +about a speedy termination of the struggle, and to effect a settlement +which would be honourable to English and Dutch alike, and which would +secure all, if not more than all, that the English had ever demanded.</p> + +<p>Let us note some of the steps they took.</p> + +<p>When the Imperial Government announced their policy of annexation of the +Republics after the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, the voice +of the Cape Dutch was raised once more. They knew that Lord Roberts had +greatly mistaken the character of the people he had come to conquer when +he thought that no sooner would their capitals be occupied by his forces +than all the Boers would surrender. They were conscious of the fact that +a war of annexation would lead to one of conquest, and that the Boers, +rather than sacrifice their independence, would choose to fight to the +finish. Hence the colonial Dutch again strongly urged the Home +Government to discard the policy of annexation, which would crush and +destroy the national life of two small states, which had bravely fought +and struggled for their independent existence.</p> + +<p>A conference, attended by thousands representing the whole Dutch +population of the Cape Colony, was held at Worcester on the 6th of +December, 1900. In that conference or congress of the people resolutions +were unanimously adopted discountenancing the policy which led to the +annexation of the two Republics. Six prominent men were chosen from the +Worcester delegates, and were deputed to go and appeal to the conscience +of the English people. It was hoped that, at least, in England—the home +of liberty—they would be allowed to plead their cause, and lay it bare +before the public. How enthusiastically (?) they were received in +England and Scotland is well known. <i>Warm</i> receptions were extended to +them. "Away with them! Crucify them!" was the cry of the enraged war +party. Instead of their message being listened to, these men were +mobbed, hissed at and hooted; sometimes they had to flee<span class="pagenum"><a id="page155" name="page155"></a>Pg 155</span> so as not to +be the targets for the missiles of the mob. And the treatment of these +men, who represented at least 90,000 Dutch colonists, at the hands of +their fellow-British subjects, was that not an insult—a mockery of +liberty and equal rights?</p> + +<p>Besides this deputation of the people, two of the leading ministers of +the Cape Parliament—Messrs. Merriman and Sauer—went to England on a +similar errand, but fared no better. In vain did they offer their +services to the Imperial Parliament by way of suggesting a basis for a +settlement, which would terminate a war of devastation and ruination. +The war party would have none of them. Forsooth, they too were traitors, +working against British interests!</p> + +<p>The women-folk at the Cape were as anxious as the men, first to prevent, +and then to stop, the unfortunate war, the burdens of which they shared +with their husbands. Three times large numbers of them met in +conference, at Paarl, Worcester and Cape Town, and there they fearlessly +and strongly protested against the conduct of the war and the annexation +of the two Republics. Through the medium of these conferences they +expostulated and pleaded with the Home Government to abstain from what +they rightly regarded as a stupendous crime, the annihilation of two +small states by overwhelming forces. Their petitions, if they ever +reached the British Government, were treated with silent contempt. Did +they merit such treatment?</p> + +<p>All this and much more was done in the interests of peace by the Dutch +colonists. Both before and during the war they did all they possibly +could to rescue or redeem South Africa from the horrors and calamities +of a disastrous war. They failed. Was it their fault? Was it right to +brand as rebels and traitors every Cape Colonial that protested against +the war, and refused to assist the mighty British Empire against the +Republics?</p> + +<p>The Africander Bond—a political organization at the Cape—was the +scape-goat during the war. Those who were in search of a pretext for the +cause of the war and its continuation found it in this organization. +Everything that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page156" name="page156"></a>Pg 156</span> was low and mean was laid to the charge of the +Africander Bond. Its unwearied efforts to induce the English to +terminate a war, declared and carried on in direct opposition to the +wishes of tens of thousands of England's devoted subjects, were +construed into being so many encouragements for the Republicans to +continue the struggle. The Worcester conference was said to have +encouraged and invited General De Wet to invade the Colony—an invasion +which was planned long <i>before</i> the conference was held, and which +failed in the first instance, and only succeeded three months after the +conference had met!</p> + +<p>When all the efforts of the Cape Dutch failed, and the voice of the +people was not regarded but systematically suppressed, it is not strange +that there were men who found it impossible to remain silent and +inactive in such circumstances. Gradually their loyalty was being +undermined. The strain placed upon it was too great; it was stretched to +the breaking point. They enlisted and took the field against the forces +of that Government which they once loved so well, and then—despised.</p> + +<p>This brings us to some of the more direct causes of the colonial +rebellion, which we shall enumerate in succession. The war with the +Republics was an aggression on a <i>kindred race</i>, and was declared and +conducted to the extreme displeasure, and in direct opposition to the +wishes, of the Dutch colonists, who spared themselves neither pain nor +trouble to ward off or terminate a war which was bound to inflict great +misery on themselves, and on thousands with whom they were intimately +connected by ties of blood and friendship. For are the Transvaal and +Free State Boers not the sons and daughters of those pioneers that +emigrated from the Cape Colony between the years 1834-40, in search of +an independent home beyond the Orange and Vaal rivers? Moreover, among +the burghers of the Republics there were several colonists who, prior to +the war, had settled in the Transvaal, chiefly in Johannesburg and +Pretoria, as well as in the Orange Free State. These colonial settlers +constituted another link in the chain which bound the Cape Dutch to the +Boers. They regarded the Republics<span class="pagenum"><a id="page157" name="page157"></a>Pg 157</span> as their native land, and +consequently came to their assistance in the hour of danger. There they +had found a home, acquired wealth in some instances, and thus would not +desert them when their services were most needed. Instead of abandoning +the two Republics to their sad fate, they were determined to support +them with all the energy and power at their command. On the battlefield +many of them distinguished themselves by their dauntless valour. They +willingly sacrificed their lives and property for their adopted +fatherland, which they loved even better than many a Boer. For when the +Boers became disheartened and surrendered ignominiously, the Colonials, +be it said to their everlasting honour, remained steadfast, thereby +putting to shame those burghers who were possessed of so little national +pride as to kneel at the invaders' feet and sue for mercy.</p> + +<p>These Transvaal and Free State Colonials had their relatives in the Cape +Colony, so that the Dutch of South Africa may almost be regarded as one +large family, linked together from Table Bay to the Zambezi by bonds of +blood, religion and marriage. Hence it was impossible to strike a blow +at the two states without touching the very heart of the Cape +Dutch—impossible to inflict losses and bring ruin upon some members of +the family without seriously disturbing and distressing the rest. The +physical boundaries separating the British colonies from the Republics +made no separation as far as the people were concerned. In speech, +religion, character, and blood, the Dutch are essentially one throughout +South Africa. And it was owing to this fact that the Cape Dutch felt for +the Republicans as none else could have felt. Their strong sympathies +took the form of practical assistance when they shouldered their rifles +and took the field against the enemies of the Republics. But this was +not done before their protests, petitions, and all other constitutional +measures had signally failed, and were utterly ignored by the British +Government. Then only did they resort to aggressive measures.</p> + +<p>However strongly some might condemn their action, still we believe that +any other people, even the English them<span class="pagenum"><a id="page158" name="page158"></a>Pg 158</span>selves, and they probably to a +far greater extent, would, in like circumstances, have acted similarly. +If England had been invaded by a foreign foe, and English homes +destroyed and burnt <i>en masse</i>, and English women and children removed +in thousands to disease-stricken camps, and English officers and +soldiers court-martialled or deported to distant islands and countries, +we ask, would Scotland, for instance, have looked on with stolid +indifference and cold apathy? Would she not, as well as all other true +Englishmen, wherever they were, have protested most emphatically against +such a war; and if their protests were slighted, would they not have +assisted their fellow-Englishmen? Verily they would, were they subjects +or not of the invaders.</p> + +<p>This is exactly what the Cape Dutch did when some of them rose in +rebellion. Their loyalty was gradually undermined as the war assumed the +character of conquest and extermination. It was too much for many a +Colonial to be a silent spectator when thousands of women and children +pined away in concentration camps; and the military authorities, +apparently wreaking vengeance on these because the burghers would not +surrender, positively refused to allow these Boer families to reside +with their relatives or friends in the Cape Colony, or live <i>at their +own cost</i> in garrisoned towns, where they would have no intercourse with +the burghers. When the weak and defenceless became the victims of the +war, and received such treatment, the Cape Dutch were incited to violent +actions. They rose to protect the weak against the strong, the few +against the many. In so doing have they committed the unpardonable sin? +Or will there be mercy even for these?</p> + +<p>The Colonists were left unprotected at the tender mercy of the Boer +forces. When the Boers, on the declaration of war, crossed the colonial +borders and pushed ahead into British territory, they found the +districts and most of the villages in an entirely defenceless condition. +The garrison of Aliwal North consisted of three Cape policemen. +Colesberg, Venterstad, Burghersdorp, Lady Grey, James Town, Dordrecht, +Rhodes, and many other places were occupied one after the other, without +being in the least protected.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page159" name="page159"></a>Pg 159</span> In Natal, Griqualand West, and British +Bechuanaland it was not any better.</p> + +<p>The Colonists thought that they were subjects of a vast and mighty +empire, to which they could confidently look for protection against +invaders. If they had any fears, these were hushed, for surely the +mother-country was powerful enough to shelter them from the withering +blasts of war. To their astonishment the mother-country could protect +neither their persons nor their property, but entrusted all to the care +of the Boer commandoes. Had the Colonists no claim to protection? Was it +their fault that the British Government had accepted an ultimatum before +they were prepared to extend to their colonial subjects that protection +to which they certainly had a lawful claim? Such questions the Colonists +asked themselves and the Home Government.</p> + +<p>Left unprotected, and literally forsaken for months by their own +Government, they yielded to the temptation to make common cause with the +Boers, whom they met and saw daily. They enlisted in considerable +numbers, and so cast in their lot for better or for worse with the +Boers. Still the majority of the colonial farmers remained at home, and +those who joined the Boer ranks at the commencement of the war were, as +a rule, commandeered or called up. By proclamation all Colonists who +resided within the occupied territory received the option either of +leaving it within a certain time, or of staying, on condition of +submitting to the Martial Law regulations of the new Government.</p> + +<p>Under this strange thing, called Martial Law, these Colonists were +summoned to join the ranks of the Boers. In how far this action of +commandeering Colonists was commendable on the part of the Republics is +difficult to say for one not versed in all the technicalities of +International Law, or in the terms prescribed by the various +Conventions. It seemed, however, that as far as the Republics were +concerned, International Law and Convention obligations did not exist at +all. The policy of the Republics all through the war, as one might +expect, was to secure and maintain the friendship and sympathy of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page160" name="page160"></a>Pg 160</span> their +colonial brethren. The Colonist was treated as a friend, and not as an +enemy. His person and property were respected so long as he remained +neutral. Strict neutrality, and nothing more, the Boers enjoined, +especially towards the end of the war.</p> + +<p>To be fair towards the Republics, we have to note that when the +Colonists were commandeered at the commencement of the war—for it was +<i>only then</i>, and not later, that they were summoned to the front—the +object of the States was not to force them into their service. It was +more a precautionary measure to protect the Colonist should he fall into +the hands of the enemy. The fact that he had been commandeered, when +taken into account, might, and did, tend to mitigate his punishment. +This commandeering was never rigorously enforced. Occasionally officers +acting on their own responsibility, and without instructions from the +Boer governments, commandeered and pressed Colonists to take up arms +without their consent; but such cases were exceptional, and were +disapproved of. What the Boers wanted were men who volunteered their +services, and came to them, not because they were disloyal to their +Government, but because such a strain was laid upon them that they were +compelled to come. Upon such men they could rely, and they proved +themselves worthy of the confidence placed in them.</p> + +<p>The various war proclamations issued by the British from time to time +goaded the Colonists into rebellion.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <a id="image09" name="image09"> + <img src="images/9.jpg" + alt="COMMANDANT W.D. FOUCHÉ." + title="COMMANDANT W.D. FOUCHÉ." /><br /></a> + <span class="caption">COMMANDANT W.D. FOUCHÉ.</span> +</div> + +<p>If all the proclamations which were circulated in the Republics and +British colonies were published they would constitute a volume of no +mean dimensions, and might afford instructive reading "to principalities +and powers" planning to enlarge their dominions by the assistance, and +on the basis, of proclamations. In South Africa these "paper sheets" +were by far the most formidable allies of the British Empire. They +wrought greater havoc among the Boer forces than all the British +batteries ever did; for when they first began to explode in the midst of +the burghers the latter dropped down thick and fast. Thousands were +lured away from the posts of duty by the fascinating<span class="pagenum"><a id="page161" name="page161"></a>Pg 161</span> and seemingly +generous proposals contained in some proclamations. Had the +Field-Marshal only understood the Boer character better, and strictly +adhered to his first proclamation, and not violated its conditions, and +replaced it by others calculated to harass the surrendered Boer to such +an extent that war, with all its hardships and dangers, seemed +preferable to a life of continual dread and vexation, thousands of +surrendered burghers who enlisted would assuredly never have fired a +shot at the British troops. And it is just possible that that +proclamation would have secured victory for the British arms at a much +earlier date had it been abided by with more discretion. But then others +came in quick succession. And so it often happened that by proclamation +a burgher would be disarmed while another would compel ten others to +take the field. They were undoubtedly the best commandeering agents the +Boers ever had. Thousands of Boers and Colonists were from time to time +commandeered by the stringent and drastic obligations imposed upon them +by these proclamations. On the other hand they facilitated matters very +greatly for the enemy. Where the soldier could not go the proclamation +was sent; what the former could not do the latter often successfully +accomplished. Officers and burghers who had baffled the enemy by their +movements, and had routed them time and again, were captured +by—proclamations.</p> + +<p>Everything and anything the enemy required was secured by proclamation. +Horses, mules, donkeys, oxen, ammunition, rifles, barley, wheat, hay, +corn, maize, vehicles, and even luxuries, such as sugar, jams, etc., +were all gathered in by—proclamations. Besides, by proclamation the +non-combatant farmer, who was supposed to be neutral, was compelled to +report, at the nearest column or British post, the presence or +whereabouts of any armed Boer or Boers that he might happen to know +of—and that immediately, even at the risk of being shot should he fall +into the hands of the enemy he was reporting. Losing his life was, of +course, a matter of little consequence to the British.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page162" name="page162"></a>Pg 162</span></p> + +<p>When the enemy adopted such tactics, the Boers had to counteract their +proclamations by circulating others. Now in doing that the +non-combatants were placed between two fires. They had to serve two +masters in carrying out the instructions of proclamations diametrically +opposed to each other. The man who was ingenious enough to act a double +part, who could steer clear of Charybdis and Scylla, alone evaded +trouble. There were, however, not many who succeeded in pleasing or +duping both parties for any length of time.</p> + +<p>The Boer proclamations levelled at those of the English made it +specially irksome to the Colonists, who were finally encompassed by a +host of proclamations. When they failed to obey the English +proclamations they were fined, cast into gaol, and treated as criminals. +When they obeyed the English, and consequently violated the Boer +proclamations, they had to undergo the penalty, fines, corporal +punishment, and even death, imposed by the Boers. The English said: +"This do, and thou shalt live"; the Boers: "This do not, and thou shalt +live."</p> + +<p>As far as possible the Colonists were left unmolested on their farms by +the Boers, who expected them, as non-combatants, to remain strictly +neutral. The English proclamations, on the other hand, converted these +non-combatant farmers into scouts, and often into spies. They had to +give the enemy every information concerning the Boer commandoes—as to +their strength, the condition of their horses, the number of unarmed +burghers, of servants, their movements and plans, as far as they could +discover these, etc., etc. In some instances they were commandeered to +take upon themselves the dangerous responsibility of acting as guides to +the British columns, and were then dismissed to return to their farms +and pose as non-combatants. This the Boers could not tolerate, and had +to prevent by forbidding it through counter-proclamations, which the +enemy laughed to scorn. The unfortunate farmer could not similarly +slight and ignore them. He <i>had</i> to obey them, or abide the +consequences.</p> + +<p>When the Colonists were subjected to vexations of such a serious nature, +and when the British persisted in rigorously<span class="pagenum"><a id="page163" name="page163"></a>Pg 163</span> enforcing their +proclamations, the position of the Colonists became untenable and drove +them into rebellion. Had the military authorities exercised greater +wisdom and more common sense, so many British subjects would not have +fallen away. There were colonial rebels who never, never would have +lifted a rifle, whose loyalty was beyond all questioning, but the +pressure laid upon them by proclamations so numerous, onerous and odious +in character, forced them to fight for or against the Boers. To do the +former would be disloyal and treasonable, to acquiesce in the latter +would be violating the dictates of conscience. Was it the fault of the +Colonists that they were placed in such an awkward position?</p> + +<p>Martial Law and the way it was administered has been one of the leading +causes of the colonial rebellion. As long as the Colonists were +permitted to express their sentiments or political views through the +medium of congresses, conferences, public meetings, resolutions and +petitions, they cherished the hope that the Home Government would +eventually listen to their pleas. But when Martial Law was declared, the +constitution of the Cape Colony was virtually suspended, and the +Colonists were deprived of most, if not all, of their +liberties—liberties of speech, of the Press and of conscience. Under +Martial Law none, not even the most loyal, were allowed to write or say +anything which did not harmonize exactly with the views and actions of +the Imperial Government as represented in South Africa. Now, when men +may neither speak nor write, they are apt to act. The Colonists, being +compelled by this most wonderful of all laws—if law it be at +all—acted. For this law justified all things, as far as the war party +was concerned, while it condemned the rest indiscriminately. It gave +armed men unlimited power over the unarmed. It allowed the strong to +crush the weak, the rich to rob the poor, and the scoundrel to lodge in +gaol the man of honour and reputation. Nothing so exasperated the +Colonists as the odious manner in which the Martial Law regulations were +carried out, and nothing made greater rebels than the harshness of these +regulations.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page164" name="page164"></a>Pg 164</span></p> + +<p>As the situation in the Cape Colony became more and more serious, the +most arbitrary and despotic methods were adopted to quell the rebellion +by trying to intimidate the Colonists. The policy of the gallows was +unscrupulously brought into practice, and the barbarous method of +compelling the Dutch residents to attend the execution of their +fellow-Dutch was enforced. At Burghersdorp, Cradock, Middelburg, and +various other places several rebels were executed. The chief Dutch +residents were compelled not only to listen to the public promulgation +of these death sentences, but had also to be present at the execution. +On July 10, 1901, the execution of one Marais took place at Middelburg. +At 9 A.M. he was executed in the presence of the leading residents. +Among these was Mr. De Waal, M.L.A., who entered the precincts of the +gaol attired in deep mourning. The scene proved too much for him; he +broke down completely before the executioner had drawn the bolt.</p> + +<p>Now these tragic enactments influenced the Colonists in one of two ways. +Some of them—the more timid—who were eye-witnesses of the executions +of their fellow-Dutch, became so intimidated that nothing could induce +them to take up arms against the British. Others—and these not a +few—instead of being over-awed and frightened, got infuriated. In the +awful presence of the gallows, on which their beloved countrymen ended +their earthly career, there and then, as they gazed on them in silent +sorrow, they took a solemn oath that, come what may, <i>avenge</i> they would +the blood of their kindred. From the gallows they went to their +different homes with impressions and feelings so deep and bitter that +not even "Time's effacing finger" will be able to wipe them out for +centuries to come. From these heartrending scenes they turned their +faces, and anxiously awaited the first Boer commando.</p> + +<p>On one occasion no less than fifteen colonists, who were forced to +attend the execution of a fellow-colonist, came to my commando and +begged me to provide them with horses and rifles. Nothing could induce +them to return, for they had seen a comrade slain, and that was +sufficient. And so<span class="pagenum"><a id="page165" name="page165"></a>Pg 165</span> time and again colonists joined the Boer ranks +because they had to witness scenes calculated to stir up the most +callous and indifferent. If these were moved, how much more the hearts +and hands of those linked by ties of blood and love to the fallen! One +brother would enlist because the other was heavily fined or imprisoned +simply on suspicion. Two or more colonists would club together and join +the Boer ranks after a friend or relative of them had been executed. To +cite a few instances:—</p> + +<p>In the Middelburg district a certain farmer, by name Van Heerden, was +commandeered by an English patrol to act as guide. Reluctantly he +obeyed, and led the patrol to the best of his ability. Not far from his +home the Boers opened fire on them. The British retreated, leaving their +wounded behind. Van Heerden himself was dangerously wounded. He was +carried off the field by his wife and servants and laid up in his house. +A few days after the column to which the patrol belonged arrived at Van +Heerden's farm. The officer in command entered the house of the wounded +man in a raging temper, and ordered him to be carried out and shot +immediately. In vain did the wife of Van Heerden expostulate and plead +with the unmerciful officer to spare the life of her wounded husband. +Van Heerden was carried out, tied to a chair placed beside a stone wall, +and seven Lee-Metford bullets penetrated the brain of the man who was +wounded, perhaps mortally, <i>in the service of the British army</i>! That +was his reward. Even that did not satisfy those who thirsted for blood, +for the house of the unfortunate man was forthwith looted, and his widow +and orphans robbed of everything. A few days after this sad event had +occurred our commando arrived at the same farm. The spot where the +victim sat was pointed out to me; the marks of the bullets, the blood +and the brain against the wall were still distinctly discernible, and +seemed to cry to heaven for revenge. And there was the family of the +departed—stripped of everything. The burghers contributed from their +scanty means what they could in support of the widow and orphans.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page166" name="page166"></a>Pg 166</span></p> + +<p>No wonder that the brothers of this unfortunate man took up arms and +became the most pronounced, the most bitter enemies of those who +ruthlessly slew, if not murdered, their brother. One of them—Jacobus +van Heerden—whenever he spoke of his brother's death, would bite his +lips, his face would flush, and one could hear him mutter: "My brother's +blood shall be avenged." In the whole commando there was not a more +dauntless man than he. But, alas! he too passed away. A bullet was +destined to pierce his skull. At a farm, Leeuwfontein, in the district +of Murraysburg, he was shot by a Kaffir.</p> + +<p>On another occasion four Colonists were arrested; two of these were shot +in cold blood, while the other two were imprisoned, <i>because</i> the +railway line was blown up and a train derailed by the Boers near their +home. They were accused of having known all about the Boers, who had +destroyed the railway line <i>during the night</i>—an accusation which, on +later investigation, proved false.</p> + +<p>When such crimes were perpetrated in the name of Martial Law, we are +rather surprised that all the Colonists did not rise to a man. What +would the English have done if subjected to such treatment? The Dutchman +is naturally slow to move, and very patient. He seems born to suffer and +endure. But Martial Law imposed such heavy burdens upon him that he +could not but resent them. Where the Boers were too lax in enforcing +their Martial Law regulations, the English went to the other extreme in +applying theirs too strenuously.</p> + +<p>Well may we ask whether it was a wise policy which converted so many +Colonists into bitter enemies, by subjecting them to such revolting +measures.</p> + +<p>The enlisting of blacks by the British induced many Colonists to cast in +their lot with the Boers. If natives were to be employed to crush a +kindred race, the Colonists thought that they were justified in +rendering assistance to their fellow-Dutch.</p> + +<p>Moreover, these armed natives, once promoted to the rank of soldiers, +tantalized the farmers, who were formerly their masters, to an +inconceivable degree. With rifle in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page167" name="page167"></a>Pg 167</span> hand they would go to these and +treat them in the most insulting manner. They would commandeer bread, +butter, milk, clothes, horses, and everything else they pleased, and woe +to the man or woman that did not promptly answer their demands.</p> + +<p>The farmers of the Western Province of the Cape Colony suffered perhaps +most in this respect. The natives had all congregated in the villages, +and there they were armed to assist in the work of destruction, while +the farmer, who required their services, had to tend his flocks and +plough his fields all alone.</p> + +<p>In Calvinia was an infamous Hottentot column, five hundred strong. These +Hottentots were the scare and plague of the whole district. By their +actions they goaded the Calvinia farmers into rebellion.</p> + +<p>Let us summarize these causes mentioned—causes which to some extent +account for the rising in the Cape Colony. They were:—</p> + +<p>(<i>a</i>) War on a kindred race without consent of Colonists.</p> + +<p>(<i>b</i>) The Colonists left unprotected, and thus exposed to danger and +temptation.</p> + +<p>(<i>c</i>) The Colonists harassed by multitudinous proclamations and</p> + +<p>(<i>d</i>) Subjected to embarrassing Martial Law regulations.</p> + +<p>(<i>e</i>) The arming of natives against Colonists and Republicans.</p> + +<p>Other causes why so many once loyal and devoted British subjects took up +arms against the English may be cited, but the aforementioned are the +principal ones. By enumerating them we express neither approval nor +disapproval of the action of the Colonists; for we admire nothing more +in friend or foe than unfeigned devotion and loyalty to country and +people. The traitor and renegade are to be pitied, and their actions +despised. We could not but admire the loyalty of many a colonist under +such untoward circumstances; when that loyalty was stretched to the +breaking-point, when it became impossible for them to remain such any +longer, then and then only we gladly welcomed them and equipped them as +best we could.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page168" name="page168"></a>Pg 168</span></p> + +<p>Those who stigmatize the Colonists as traitors, rebels, or renegades, +would do well to take into account the peculiar position in which they +were placed by the war, before passing a rash judgment on them. To be +fair towards the Colonists we must take into consideration the causes +which produced the effects. Only after a thorough investigation of the +causes could a just sentence be passed on the colonial rebel. If +governments have no responsibility whatever towards their subjects or +citizens, and no binding obligations to fulfil in respect to them, then +only may the investigation of causes be discarded.</p> + +<p>None lament more the sad results of the South African war than the +writers of these pages. Before the war Dutch and English lived and +worked side by side as friends and brothers. The two races, once +hostile, began to understand and respect one another more and more. In +the schools the Dutch and English languages had equal rights. In some +Dutch Reformed Churches English sermons were delivered by Dutch pastors +to Dutch and English congregations. The railways of the Free State were +almost exclusively controlled by English officials. In the Government +offices Dutch and English clerks worked together. The principal villages +of the Orange Free State were almost more English than Dutch. The +British subjects were perfectly content with the Free State Government +and desired no better. In the Transvaal the state of affairs was much +the same. Before the Jameson Raid there existed a kindly feeling between +Dutch and English. If time and patience had only been exercised, no +blood would have been shed, there never would have been war in South +Africa. But what time and patience would have wrought, the war party +undertook when they plunged the land into a war the effects of which +will be felt by more than one generation.</p> + +<p>Thousands of British subjects have been estranged from the +mother-country and turned into implacable enemies by the war. In many a +home there is a vacant chair, and round many a fireside one is missing +at eventide. Several families, once so happy and content, now mourn<span class="pagenum"><a id="page169" name="page169"></a>Pg 169</span> the +irreparable loss of a father or brother, a mother or sister. Thousands, +who were well-to-do before the war, are now poverty-stricken. Who then +shall adequately depict the misery and woe which has entered so many +homes since the first shot was fired in South Africa? And to-day, when +the roar of cannons, the din of rifles and the clatter of arms have been +hushed, there are men pining away in foreign countries because they may +not return to their native land. There are the unhappy exiles in +Belgium, Holland, France and America. Their families are left to the +mercy and care of friends and relatives in South Africa. How their +hearts are yearning to go to these, but...! Besides these exiles there +are those undergoing sentences of penal servitude either for life or for +long periods. There are the burghers in Bermuda and in India who, +because they cannot conscientiously take an oath of allegiance to the +British Government, are not allowed to return to their native land. As I +ponder over the condition of these unhappy cases my heart seems to +break, and a feeling of compassion mingled with sorrow inexpressible +rises in my bosom.</p> + +<p>While referring to these, I would dare to plead earnestly with the +Imperial Government to display mercy and generosity. Exercise these +towards the exiled, not only for their sake, but also for the sake of +their families and for the promotion of peace in South Africa. Is it too +much to plead for a general amnesty? Will that not lessen the intense +race-hatred between two peoples destined to live in the same land?</p> + +<p>True reconciliation is the foundation on which the structure of a united +South Africa shall be raised. Without reconciliation there can be no +co-operation, and South Africa will be in the future what it has been in +the past—a land of strife and discord. Adhere to a policy of severity +and the gulf between Dutch and English will grow deeper and deeper as +the years roll by. There will be another Ireland, instead of a land +where "peace and rest for ever dwell."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page170" name="page170"></a>Pg 170</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>WAR INCIDENTS.</h3> + + +<p>Notwithstanding the horror and depression which must necessarily keep +step with the campaigner, death staring him in the face throughout the +campaign, yet the burgher endeavoured to show a cheerful countenance. In +this he succeeded to a surprising degree. It is a characteristic of the +Boer that he can meet frowning fortune with a smile or at least a shrug +of the shoulders. He found that his best policy was to forget the +reverse of yesterday. Flying to-day before the enemy, to-morrow he will +rally, and charge that same foe with almost irresistible determination.</p> + +<p>In this, the last chapter, we want to dwell not on the tragic aspects of +the war, but on its lighter side. Gradually we learnt to be more +conscious of the amusing than of the sad scenes of the battlefield. +Months of fighting, if they had hardened our natures, had yet left us +the power of laughter.</p> + +<p>The South African War was rich in incidents that tended to lighten our +burdens. Hardly a day passed by without something happening, either on +the battlefield or in the camp, which caused us amusement. The burghers, +in spite of looks and behaviour, had a keen sense of humour. Even when +we were so hotly pressed that there was often no pause made for a meal, +a joke in the saddle was relished in the place of food. In little +groups, too, round the camp fires we would beguile the long evenings of +winter nights by relating our personal adventures. We will record a few +of these, acquired from personal experience or overheard at such +gatherings.</p> + +<p>Moving in the Reddersburg district, we camped for a night at a dam which +contained a small quantity of water.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page171" name="page171"></a>Pg 171</span> The next morning the burghers, +discovering that there were fish in the pool, but having no +fishing-hooks, undressed and began to convert the water into a muddy +mass, thus compelling the fish to come to the surface for air. While +still engaged in this impromptu fishing, with bodies mud-covered from +top to toe, they heard the cry "Opzaal! opzaal! Khakis near by." So near +was the enemy that they could not afford to lose a minute. As there was +neither clean water nor time to wash off the mud, they were obliged to +jump into their clothes, besmeared as they were with mud. It was an +amusing sight to see them running to their clothes, black as negroes, +and, regardless of the mud, dressing as quickly as they could. Some of +them had a very narrow escape, and not before sunset could they take +another bath.</p> + +<p>The destruction of the railway-line afforded us much fun. There were +burghers who dreaded this kind of work much more than actual fighting. +They would rather get into the firing-line than go to the railway-line. +They feared nothing so much as to handle a charge of dynamite, by which +the destruction was usually accomplished. To prevent any accidents, a +whistle was blown as a signal to apply the lights to all the fuses at +once, so that the men could all withdraw to a safe distance before the +explosion took place. On one occasion a burgher, intentionally or out of +fright, lit his fuse while the others were still engaged depositing +their charges under the rails. The surprise of the rest on seeing the +fuse alight took the form of helter-skeltering away, some rushing +against the railway fence, others almost breaking their necks over +ant-heaps, while some only got away a few yards before the explosion +took place. Fortunately none were injured, and when all was over they +laughed heartily over their own disorderly retreat.</p> + +<p>After we had blown up the line we went to a farm about three miles away. +As we halted in front of the door, the farmer's wife—her husband had +been deported—came out. The old lady appeared very agitated; she begged +us kindly to leave as soon as possible. It seemed she was entertaining +three English soldiers as guests that night,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page172" name="page172"></a>Pg 172</span> and was anxious that we +should not disturb their slumbers, which action would get her into +trouble. "Oh, do go," she said, "for if you disturb these sleeping +guests, I also will be prosecuted and sent to India." Poor soul! She was +doing her best to protect her visitors, not because she cared so much +for them, but for fear of the consequences should we lay hands on them. +We could not, however, listen to her plea. We did not want Tommy +himself, but only his rifle and ammunition. Hence we went to their room +and found them sharing one bed. It was midnight and so they did not +expect us at all. Imagine their feelings on realizing that armed Boers +surrounded their bed! Their complete helplessness, as they lay undressed +and unarmed, caused the burghers to indulge in hearty laughter. To +silence their fears we assured them that they need not dread any evil, +we would soon dismiss them.</p> + +<p>Our military councils were frequently occasions of humour—a grim humour +which could only appeal to the Boer, made grim by the treachery of +fellow-Dutchmen.</p> + +<p>At the beginning of the war some, especially the uninitiated, dreaded +nothing more than a war council. To such it was a body of men invested +with unlimited power, a council that could pronounce sentence of death +on whomsoever they wished. To appear before this august assembly meant +almost certain death. Now sometimes it meant that, but more often not. +For one reason or another prisoners were for the time being brought in +under a wrong impression of the character of the assembly. Such was the +case with two farmers in the district of Trompsburg, Orange River +Colony. They had been arrested on a charge of sending reports to the +enemy. Terror-stricken, they appeared before the war council, there to +render an account of their deeds. Before their trial began, the +president of the council, in addressing the other officers, assured them +that whatever sentence they should consider just would be carried out by +him. If sentence of death should be passed, he would not hesitate to +take his rifle and put an end to the lives of the accused. "We must," he +said, "put a stop to these treasonable acts." The poor<span class="pagenum"><a id="page173" name="page173"></a>Pg 173</span> prisoners +trembled from head to foot. No mercy! On being examined, they +acknowledged that they had forwarded treasonable reports to the enemy, +and began to plead for mercy. One of them asked us to bear in mind that +he was a poor man, and had a wife and a large family that would be left +destitute. Pretending to be quite in earnest, we assured him that we +were decided to take nothing into consideration, and would mete out +strict justice. They were then removed so that the court could decide on +their punishment. After a few minutes' consultation they were called in, +and asked to subscribe their names to a statement which ran as +follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>We, the undersigned, do hereby declare, that, as burghers of the +Orange Free State, we had no right to send reports to the British, +and, in doing so, we have committed High Treason.</p></div> + +<p>When they had signed the paper one of the officers remarked that we must +have such a declaration signed by the accused to justify our actions +with regard to them before the Government. Another officer asked the +president whether the prisoners would be allowed to take leave of their +families. To which the president abruptly replied: "No; such characters +do not deserve any privileges." They were left under the awful +impression for two hours that both would be shot, and then released with +a warning to forward no reports to the enemy. Their anxiety must have +been intense; their joy on being acquitted no less.</p> + +<p>Non-combatants frequently found themselves in an uneasy and perplexing +position. It was sometimes most difficult to differentiate between Boer +and Briton, especially in the night. The poor farmer was often at his +wits' end to know whom he was addressing, the more so when the British +ranks were swelled by Dutch colonists and national scouts. The +non-combatant farmer found it extremely difficult to steer a course +inoffensive to either side. He was between two fires, for when suspected +of disloyalty, either a Dutch or English trap might be laid for him. Not +a few were caught in such snares. Others were more careful. If they did +not<span class="pagenum"><a id="page174" name="page174"></a>Pg 174</span> know you personally, it was of no avail to tell them that you +belonged to such and such a commando or column. They simply professed to +know nothing. "I don't know," was the answer to every question. They +were, of course, on the safe side. But many committed themselves, if not +in deeds, then in words. To cite a few cases:—</p> + +<p>One of our officers, Captain Pretorius, dismounted one evening at the +farm of a Mr. B. in the district of Bethulie. The farmer, hearing a tap +at the door, went and opened it. Pretorius, who posed as an English +officer, asked Mr. B., "Where are the Boers?" The latter, pointing to +certain ridges in the distance, said in rather broken English, "Do you +see those kopjes yonder? They are full of Boers." But asked at the same +time, "Do tell me, are you really an Englishman? I must be clear on this +point before I can speak to you. There must be no mistake." On being +assured by Pretorius and his party that they were not Boers and did not +belong to the Boer forces, he told them very confidently all, and +perhaps more than they wanted to know, for he began to express himself +very strongly against the so-called marauding bands of Boers still +roaming at large. He promised the supposed English officer that, as soon +as possible, he would report the Boers; he would, he said, have done so +already had the opportunity come his way. Just think how confused and +embarrassed Mr. B. was when the English officer suddenly changed into a +Boer, lifted his gun and said in his most harsh tone, "I feel inclined +to send a bullet through your brains. Are you not ashamed to slander +your own people in this way? It is because we have such Africanders as +you in our midst that we suffer so much." This revelation proved almost +too much for the farmer, who was of a timid and nervous disposition. The +Boers left his farm the following day for regions so distant that it was +impossible to trap him again. Once was enough for him.</p> + +<p>The next victim resided in the same district. Commandant Joubert, having +crossed the Bethulie-Springfontein line, touched at the farm of a +certain Mr. X. Joubert, accompanied by a burgher, went to wake up Mr. X. +They knocked loudly at the door; knocks failing, they were<span class="pagenum"><a id="page175" name="page175"></a>Pg 175</span> followed by +a kick. But there was no response. Inside it was as still as the grave. +Thinking that Mr. X. was out, the Commandant went to his brother's room, +where he learnt that Mr. X. was in, sure enough. When Joubert heard this +he went back to his room, tapped loudly once more, and then said, "Bring +the dynamite, and let us blow up the show," while the other burgher +said, "Never mind the dynamite, let us fire through the door." On +hearing of dynamite and firing through the door, the occupant could +remain silent no longer. He jumped up and cried out, "Wait, wait—don't +fire! I am coming." Peeping out at the door, he asked with tremulous +voice, "What do you want?" "Come out," said the Commandant; "I want to +see you on important business." "The sooner you come the better for +you," added the burgher, who happened to be related to Mr. X. This +remark, however, spoiled the rest of the game, for Mr. X. recognised the +voice of his relative, and catching at the same time a glimpse of his +face in the bright moonlight, he rushed out and flung his arms around +one who had not killed his relative's affection by his joke.</p> + +<p>The following incident well illustrates the self-possession and presence +of mind sometimes displayed by our opponents. On a certain day two Boer +scouts were charged by two of their own men. The scouts, observing that +the two burghers mistook them for enemies, simply dismounted and waited +for them. While the two Boers came tearing up to their own scouts, two +of the enemy's scouts who were not far off, observing these two Boers, +took them in their turn for British, and thinking to render them some +assistance, likewise charged the Boer scouts. When they reached the Boer +scouts the two burghers had already captured (?) the latter, and had +dismounted. Our friends at once realized their awkward position. They +were in the presence of four Boers. Escape was out of the question, +unless they could get round these Boers in some way or other. As both of +them could talk Dutch, being Colonials, the happy idea struck them at +once to try to pose as burghers, for there were several commandoes in +that district, and it was just possible that these Boers, in whose hands +they now<span class="pagenum"><a id="page176" name="page176"></a>Pg 176</span> were, would take their word and let them off. One of them, +therefore, on reaching the burghers, very ingeniously remarked, "Well, +you know, we actually took you for <i>khakis</i>." The other one was not slow +to offer the burghers some fruit which he had in his pocket. And so they +began talking to one another in a most familiar way. One of the Boers, a +certain Mr. Bresler, suspected these two unknown friends, and while the +other three were conversing with them as they sat on their horses, he +(Bresler) kept his eyes on them, and watched their every movement. At +length Bresler said, "Well, you had better go to your commando, or +dismount your tired horses." Only too glad to get away they replied, "We +are going; good-bye," and off they rode. "Do you know these fellows?" +Bresler asked his comrades, as they were leaving them. "No," was the +reply. "Well," said Bresler, "to be sure, they are British scouts." He +called them back and asked them to which commando they belonged. +"Potgieter's" was the answer. As there was no such commandant, they were +immediately arrested. Had Bresler not been present the probability is +that they would have captured the three burghers, for, as they told him, +they simply waited for an opportunity to disarm them, but they saw that +Bresler was watching them all the time and so could not venture to lift +their rifles.</p> + +<p>Sport of the most dangerous nature was sometimes indulged in. Certain +Boer officers, and also privates, would risk their lives to have some +amusement. Commandant W. Fouché was one of those who ventured most. +Naturally brave and sometimes even reckless, he would step in almost +anywhere. In the district of Willowmore, Cape Colony, he one evening +entered a house where two of the enemy's scouts were comfortably seated +by the side of two young ladies. He stepped into the room, greeted all, +and took a seat next to one of the young ladies. To chafe and annoy the +scouts, he placed his hand on the shoulder of one of the young ladies +and pretended to kiss her. This act of his was enough to set one of the +Englishmen on fire. "I shall not allow you," he said, "to touch the +lady. You have no right to do it." Fouché then desisted; he withdrew<span class="pagenum"><a id="page177" name="page177"></a>Pg 177</span> +his arm, and asked the young lady for some food, as he was very hungry. +His friend calmed down, and they began to converse. By chance one of the +scouts touched his pocket and noticed that there was something strange +in it. "What is that hard thing in your pocket?" he queried. Fouché +replied, "Oh, it is my pipe." "Your pipe is very large indeed," rejoined +the scout. (This pipe was nothing else than a revolver.)</p> + +<p>To irritate his unknown friends, Fouché began again to trifle with one +of the ladies. This time the scout lost self-control; he rose, and +taking his chair with both hands, brought it down upon Fouché with all +his might, evidently with the intention of shattering the brains of the +latter. Fouché smartly parried the blow, and the next instant the +striker was a wounded man, and his comrade a prisoner.</p> + +<p>In the district of Rouxville the same officer had a similar experience. +There, one evening, he came across three of the enemy—one a Dutch +colonist, the other two Britons—off-saddled at a farm. As they did not +expect any Boers, their rifles were carelessly left outside the house. +Fouché was again the one to enter. Having disguised himself so as to +create no suspicion, he boldly walked in and shook hands with the party. +The Colonial, in a domineering tone, asked him the object of his visit. +"Come to see my young lady," was the reply. "Have you permission to +leave your farm?" "No," said Fouché. "We arrest you at once," said the +Colonial, "and will take you to Rouxville gaol. You shall have to walk +all the way [some 24 miles], and that will teach you not to go about +without a pass at this time of the night." "Well," said Fouché, "I +really did not know that I must have a pass to come and see my young +lady, and if you arrest me you must kindly allow me to get a horse at +home, for certainly I cannot walk all this distance." "Nonsense," +replied the Colonial; "there is no time to go home now."</p> + +<p>As Fouché was supplicating for grace the other two went to fetch their +horses. They were cordially received by the burghers outside. The +Colonial in the meantime questioned Fouché as to the whereabouts of the +Boers.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page178" name="page178"></a>Pg 178</span> The prisoner informed him that the notorious Commandant Fouché +was again in that district. "Why," asked Fouché, "don't you capture this +fellow with his raiding bands? They are the plague of the district. You +should protect us." The Colonial: "Just a few days longer and he will be +no more in the land of the living." At the same time he began to abuse +him, without being conscious in the least that he was at the very moment +speaking to that officer himself.</p> + +<p>After some more talk he took Fouché by the arm and said, "Come along, we +must be off; you are my prisoner." "What," rejoined the latter—"your +prisoner! Don't you believe it. You are mine." So saying he took a +revolver out of his pocket and pointed it at the over-confident +Colonial, who thereupon looked several inches smaller.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h5>LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, DUKE STREET, +STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W.</h5> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Rev. Kestell, 'Through Shot and Flames.'</p></div> + +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Shadow of Death +by P. H. Kritzinger and R. D. 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H. Kritzinger and R. D. McDonald + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: In the Shadow of Death + +Author: P. H. Kritzinger and R. D. McDonald + +Release Date: August 7, 2005 [EBook #16463] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Taavi Kalju and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: GENERAL P.H. KRITZINGER. + +_Photo by Emberon, London._] + + + + +In the Shadow of Death + +BY + +GENERAL P.H. KRITZINGER + +AND + +MR. R.D. MCDONALD + + +ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS AND DIAGRAMS + + +PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 1904 + +LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, DUKE STREET, +STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W. + + + + +Preface. + + +Several excellent works have already been written about the Anglo-Boer +War of the beginning of the twentieth century; but the field of +operations was so extensive, the duration of the war so long, and the +leaders, on the Boer side, were necessarily so independent of one +another in the operations that were conducted with one common aim, that +something of interest may well remain to be said. We have not here +chronicled our experiences and adventures in the form of a diary, but +have rather grouped together events and observations. We write as Boers, +frankly regretting the loss of that independence for which we took the +field; but also as those who wish to give no offence to any honourable +opponent. Our aim has been to do equal justice to both sides in the war; +to unite and reconcile, not to separate and embitter, two Christian +peoples destined to live together in one land. + +"In the Shadow of Death" is a title the reader will hardly consider +inappropriate by the time he reaches the end of this little book. +Outnumbered on the battlefield, often exposed to the enemy's fire, and +one of us wounded and laid low on a bed of intense suffering, and then +charged before a Military Court with the greatest of crimes, we did not +dare to hope that we should live to write these pages. + +And here let our cordial thanks be given to Advocate F.G. Gardiner for +his inestimable services in the hour of need, and for kindly submitting +to us the "papers" bearing on the trial. + +P.H. KRITZINGER. + +R.D. MCDONALD. + + + + +Contents. + + +CHAP. PAGE + + PREFACE iii + + I. ANTECEDENTS 1 + + II. DARK DAYS 5 + + III. ENGAGEMENTS 21 + + IV. IN TIGHT CORNERS 43 + + V. TO THE CAPE COLONY 56 + + VI. WOUNDED 70 + + VII. COURT-MARTIALLED 81 + +VIII. WHY WE SURRENDERED 102 + + IX. THE BOER AS SEEN IN THE LIGHT OF THE WAR 118 + + X. THE RISING IN THE CAPE COLONY 149 + + XI. WAR INCIDENTS 170 + + + + +"In the Shadow of Death." + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +ANTECEDENTS. + + The child is father to the man; + And I could wish my days to be + Bound each to each by natural piety. + + _Wordsworth._ + + +A few preliminary pages of personal history I offer to those who +followed me either in thought or deed during the Anglo-Boer War. + +My ancestors were Germans; my grandfather was born in the South. About +the year 1820 he, along with two brothers, bade farewell to the land of +his nativity and emigrated to South Africa. They found a home for +themselves in the neighbourhood of Port Elizabeth, and there they +settled as farmers. Two of the brothers married women of Dutch +extraction; one died a bachelor. A small village, Humansdorp, situated +near to Port Elizabeth, was the birth-place of my father. There he spent +the greater part of his life. He, too, married a Dutch lady; and we +children adopted the language of our mother, and spoke Dutch rather than +German. + +My father took an active part in several of the early Kaffir Wars, and +rendered assistance to the Colonial forces in subjugating the native +tribes in the Eastern Province of the Cape Colony. With rapt attention +and enthusiasm we children would listen to him as he told the tale of +those early native wars. I then thought that there was nothing so +sublime and glorious as war. My imagination was inflamed, and I longed +intensely to participate in such exciting adventures. My experience of +recent years has corrected my views. I think differently now. Peace is +better than war. War is brutal and damnable. It is indeed "hell let +loose." + +On the 20th of April, 1870, the arrival of a little Kritzinger was +announced on the farm Wildeman's-Kraal, Port Elizabeth District. That +little fellow happened to be myself. I do not recollect much of the days +of my youth--save that I was of a very lively disposition, with a +fondness for all sorts of fun, and often of mischief, which landed me +occasionally in great trouble. My parents obeyed the injunctions of Holy +Writ in diligently applying the rod when they thought it necessary. As a +child, I could but dimly understand, and scarcely believe, that love was +at the root of every chastisement. + +At the age of five I met with a serious accident. While gathering shells +on the beach at Port Elizabeth, the receding waves drew me seaward with +irresistible power. But for the pluck and courage of my little +playfellow, a lassie of some twelve summers, I was lost. She came to the +rescue. I was saved at the last moment: a few seconds more and I must +have perished in the deep. + +In 1882 my parents, leaving Cape Colony in search of a new home in the +Orange Free State, settled down in the district of Ladybrand. It was, +however, decided that I should remain behind with an uncle. This uncle +was my godfather, and had promised to provide for my education. Having +no children, he made me his adopted son. However excellent these +arrangements might be, I resolved that I too should go to the Orange +Free State. I succeeded in persuading my brother, who had charge of the +waggons, to let me follow him on horseback under cover of darkness. I +left my uncle's home alone and at dusk on the third evening after my +brother's departure. How I felt, and in what condition I was, after +riding thirty-five miles on the bare back of a horse, I shall not +describe. My parents, who had gone ahead of the waggons, were not a +little astonished, and yet they were not angry, at the unexpected +appearance of the boy that was left behind. + +On my arrival in the Free State it so happened that there was then a +dispute as to headship between two Barolong chiefs. This quarrel called +forth the intervention of the Free State Government. The burghers were +commandoed in the event of resistance on the part of the native chiefs; +and I, though a mere boy, at once offered my services to the nearest +Field Cornet. He declined to accept them on the score that I was too +young. Like David, I was loth to go back home. I borrowed an old gun, +got a horse, and off I stole to the Boer commando. The dispute was +amicably settled. Some thirty Barolongs, however, offered resistance. +Most eagerly I thus fired my first shot upon a human being. I did not +know then that it would not be the last; that I should live to hear the +mountains and hills of South Africa reverberate with the sound of +exploding shells, that the whizz of bullets would assail my ears like +the humming of bees; that a bullet would penetrate my own lungs, leaving +me a mass of bleeding clay on the battle-field. I did not know that +South Africa's plains would yet be drenched with the blood of Boer and +Briton until the very rivers ran crimson. + +At the early age of seventeen I left the parental roof to earn for +myself an independent living. I went to the district of Rouxville, where +I occupied a farm situated on the Basutoland border. Several of the +Basuto chiefs I got to know well. They allowed me to purchase all I +desired from their subjects. Occupied thus with my private affairs while +years sped by, I unconsciously drifted on to the disastrous war. + +My mind was never absorbed nor disturbed by the many political +controversies and problems of South Africa, not that I was indifferent +to the welfare of my people and country, for, once war was declared by +the leaders, my services were ready. I attached myself to the Rouxville +Commando, under Commandant J. Olivier, as a private burgher. When +Prinsloo surrendered, late in 1900, I was appointed Assistant-Commandant +over that portion of the Rouxville Commando which had refused to lay +down arms on Prinsloo's authority. This was my first commission in the +Boer Army. On more than one occasion I had been requested to accept +appointments; but, realising the great responsibility involved in +leadership, I preferred to fight as a private. But events pushed onward; +and on the 26th of August, 1900, when Commandant Olivier made an +unsuccessful attack on Winburg, which resulted in his capture, I was +elected in his stead, and so became Commandant of the Rouxville +Commando. + +On December 16th, 1900, carrying out instructions of General De Wet, I +crossed the Orange River at a point near Odendaal's Stroom, with about +270 burghers. General De Wet was to follow me, but he was prevented. The +enemy, determined to drive me back or effect my capture, concentrated +numerous forces on my small commando. For months I was dreadfully +harassed, and had no rest day or night. But I was resolved neither to +retrace my steps nor to capitulate. How I escaped from time to time I +now tell. The Cape Colonist Boers began to come in, and my forces +increased rather than decreased. The burghers I had at my disposal I +subdivided into smaller commandos, to give employment to the enemy, so +that they could not concentrate all their forces on me. Thus, as the +Colonists rose in arms, the commandos began to multiply more and more, +until it was impossible for the British forces to expel the invaders +from the Cape Colony. + +At the beginning of August, 1901, General French once more fixed his +attention on me. I was hard pressed by large forces, and had to fall +back on the Orange Free State, where I then operated till the 15th of +December. Again, and now for the last time, I forded the Orange River at +midnight, and set foot on British territory. The following day I was +wounded while crossing the railway line near Hanover Road. For about a +month I was laid up in the British hospital at Naauwpoort, whence I was +removed to Graaf Reinet gaol, and there I was confined as a criminal +until the 10th of March, 1902, when after a five days' trial for murder +I was acquitted. After my acquittal I was advanced to the honour (?) of +P.O.W. (Prisoner of War), and so remained till the cessation of +hostilities. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +DARK DAYS. + + Oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +Up to the 27th February, 1900, the Republican arms were on the whole +successful. The Boers fought well and many a brilliant victory crowned +their efforts, and encouraged them to continue their struggle for +freedom. True, they had to sacrifice many noble lives, but that was a +sacrifice they were prepared to make for their country. Fortune smiled +on them; as yet they had met with no very serious reverses. +Magersfontein, Stormberg, Colenso, Spion Kop, were so many offerings of +scarce vanquished Boers to the veiled Goddess Liberty. But towards the +end of February, 1900, clouds gathered over the Republics. The tide of +fortune was turned; disaster after disaster courted the Boer forces; +blow after blow struck them with bewildering force. Then came the news +of Cronje's capture. No sooner had we crossed the Orange River during +the retreat from Stormberg than we learnt that stunning news of the +disaster at Paardeberg on the 27th of February--the anniversary of +Amajuba. Cronje captured--the General in whom we had placed such +implicit confidence and on whom we relied for the future! Cronje +captured--the man who had successfully checked the advance of the +English forces on Kimberley at Magersfontein; the hero of many a battle; +the man who knew no fear! His men captured--the flower and pick of the +Boer forces, with all their guns, and brave Major Albrecht as well! + +Many a burgher who up to that fatal day had fought hopefully and +courageously lost hope and courage then. Some, we regret to say, were +so disconsolate that they renounced their faith in that Supreme Being in +whose hands are the destinies of nations. Their reliance on their +country's God ended with Cronje's capture, as though their deliverance +depended solely upon him. This, however, does not appear so strange when +one recollects that the Boers could not afford to lose so many of their +best men at a time when all were precious for their country's safety. As +to the siege itself, we, not having been in it, cannot enter into its +details. One of the besieged, who, in spite of a terrific bombardment +and repeated attacks by the enemy, kept a diary of the events of each +day, gives this striking description on the 10th and last day: + + "Bombardment heavier than usual. The burghers are recalcitrant and + in consequence the General's authority wanes rapidly. There is + hardly any food, the remaining bags of biscuits are yellow from the + lyddite fumes, so is everything, damp and yellow. The stench of the + decomposed horses and oxen is awful. The water of the rivers is + putrid with carrion. A party of men caught three stray sheep early + on the morning of the 10th. In haste they killed them and started + to skin them desperately; but they had half done when a lyddite + shell bursting close to them turned the mutton yellow with its + fumes and it had to be abandoned reluctantly. The sufferings of the + wounded are heartrending. Little children huddled together in + bomb-proof excavations are restless, hungry and crying. The women + are adding their sobs to the plaintive exhortations of the wounded. + All the time the shelling never abates. The arena of the defenders + is veneered. Nearly every man, woman and child is lyddite-stained. + The muddy stream is yellow. The night was an awful one. For two + days the men are without food, but worse still are the pestiferous + air, the loathsome water, and the suffering of the wounded. It is + too much for flesh and blood. The morning of the 27th February saw + the first white flag hoisted by a Boer general. It was a woeful + sight when 3600 Boers, undisciplined peasants, reluctantly threw + down their rifles among the wreck of the shells and ambled past the + English lines. They had withstood the onslaught of 80,000 British + troops with modern death-dealing implements of war, and, towards + the end of the siege, about 1000 guns were brought to bear upon + them." + +How far this disaster can be attributed to General Cronje is difficult +to say. The following considerations may, however, throw some light on +its causes. + +During the early part of the war we hardly realised the great value and +necessity of good scouting. It was only after General Cronje and his men +had fallen into the hands of the enemy that a regular scouting corps was +organised and placed under the control of the brave Danie Therou. + +Lord Roberts's forces were almost on Cronje's laager before they were +perceived, and unfortunately they were even then entirely +under-estimated and consequently thought light of. Flushed by the +victory at Magersfontein, the General did not contemplate the +possibility of such a bitter reverse. He was going to strike another +hard blow at the enemy--he did strike it, but at too great a cost. Had +he realised his position the first or second day after the siege was +begun, he might still have escaped. The convoy would have been captured, +but the men would have been saved. The old gentleman was determined to +hold all, and consequently lost all. + +So far the General deserves censure and is accountable for the disaster +which had such a far-reaching and bad moral effect on the rest of the +burghers. The only sweet drop contained in the bitter cup extended to us +was the fact that Cronje and his burghers surrendered _as men_, and not +as _cowards_. Once surrounded and brought to bay they resisted every +attack with admirable fortitude and valour. Surrounded along the banks +of the Modder River, at a spot where they had no cover at all, exposed +to a terrific cannonade and charged by thousands of the enemy from time +to time, these farmers fearlessly repelled every onslaught. It was one +thing to surround them, another thing to capture them. They were not to +be taken with cold hands. The enemy, especially the Canadians, had to +pay a great price before the white flag announced Cronje's unconditional +surrender. + +During the siege attempts were made by General De Wet to relieve +Cronje, but none succeeded. Several of the relieving forces, including +the pick of the Winburg Commando with Commandant Theunissen, were +themselves surrounded and captured in trying to break through the lines +of the besiegers. + +To intensify the gloom, Ladysmith, which was daily expected to fall, was +relieved on the day of Cronje's surrender. For certain reasons the late +Commandant-General P. Joubert had evacuated the positions round +Ladysmith and retreated to the Biggar's Range. General Louis Botha, who +was engaging Buller's relieving forces at Colenso, was then also +compelled to retreat. + +After Cronje's capture the way to Bloemfontein and Pretoria lay open. +The Boers made one more stand at Abraham's Kraal, where the enemy +suffered heavily, but carried the day by their overwhelming numbers. +After the British occupied Bloemfontein the Transvaal burghers became +reluctant to offer battle in the Free State, on the ground that there +were no positions from which they could successfully check the +ever-advancing foe. Many of the Free Staters were discouraged and +hopeless; but rest renewed their strength and zeal, and they shortly +returned to the struggles. + +The second disaster which befell the two Republics was the ignominious +and cowardly surrender of Prinsloo, which took place on the 1st of +August, 1900. For various reasons this surrender was more keenly felt by +the Boers than that of Cronje. The one, though he might have blundered, +nevertheless acted the part of a brave, though obstinate, man; the other +that of a coward. + +Some six weeks after the occupation of Bloemfontein the British troops +resumed their northward march, and so quickly did they advance, almost +day and night, that Pretoria was soon occupied. What this rapid movement +meant, we could not quite understand. Did Lord Roberts think that the +occupation of Pretoria would terminate hostilities? The British forces +in their swift march to the Transvaal capital left Free State burghers +behind them as they advanced. These men rallied again under General De +Wet and seriously threatened the English line of communications, +capturing seven hundred of the British at Roode Wal. + +Large forces under Hector MacDonald and Bruce Hamilton recrossed the +Vaal in order to crush the Free Staters. Then Prinsloo surrendered. +Having accompanied the commandos that surrendered under him, we will +relate the story of that most sad incident of the War. + +On the occupation of Bethlehem by the British in the beginning of July, +1900, the Boer commandos, under General De Wet, retreated to the +Wittebergen, a mountain range to the south-east of Bethlehem, forming a +semi-circle round Fouriesburg, a small village on the Basutoland border. +This range, with its towering peaks and steep slopes, formed an +impregnable stronghold. The burghers thought that, once behind those +heaven-high mountains, with all the passes in their possession, with +abundant war supplies, and all the necessaries of life, they would +resist successfully every attack. The camps were pitched at the base of +the mountains. The burghers began at once to make turf-bulwarks for the +guns, and trenches for themselves, in the various passes. + +General De Wet, who did not seem quite at ease in this enclosure or +kraal, for such it was, organised the Bethlehem-Heilbron burghers into a +commando 2500 strong and left with these in the direction of Heilbron. +General Roux from Senekal was instructed to organise another commando, +1000 or 1200 strong, and advance with that in the direction of +Bloemfontein. For some reason or other, General Roux's departure was +delayed, and so he with all his men fell into Prinsloo's meshes. + +On Monday, 23rd July, the enemy made a general attack on all the Boer +positions, except Naauwpoort Pass. These attacks, though very +determined, were unsuccessful. From sunrise to sunset the firing never +ceased. The burghers in Slabberts Nek, where we happened to be, were +subjected to a dreadful cannon fire. This pass was guarded by Captain +Smith with two Krupp guns and Lieutenant Carlblom with a pom-pom. Upon +these guns the English directed two Howitzers and six Armstrongs. Here, +just before sunset, the gallant Captain Rautenbagh was blown to pieces +by a lyddite shell, which exploded in front of him. + +Thus repulsed by day, the enemy succeeded in scaling the heights to the +left of the Boers at Slabberts Nek by an unguarded footpath during the +night. As soon as the crimson light of a July dawn had exposed the +frost-covered ridges, the dark overcoats on the left of the Boer +positions revealed the unwelcome fact that the enemy had gained their +object of the day before, and had outflanked the Boers. + +Not only at Slabberts Nek, but also at Reliefs Nek the Boers were +outflanked the same night. At the latter pass a number of Highlanders +had occupied the rocky heights during the stillness of the night, so +that when the Boer pickets discovered them the next morning they found +the enemy commanding a position higher than their own, which they +forthwith abandoned. The enemy, now in possession of two mountain +passes, forced the Boers to evacuate all the other passes, by +threatening an attack on our rear and surrounding us. So on Tuesday +morning, at about 9 A.M., the commandos quitted the mountains and fell +back on Fouriesburg. + +Our situation was becoming hourly more and more embarrassing. There was +just one thing to be done, and that was to move as quickly as possible +all along the base of the mountain range, and to seize a pass called +Naauwpoort Nek farther northwards. That pass was not yet occupied by the +enemy, and there it was possible to secure a safe exit; and higher up +the mountain range, at the farm of Salmon Raads, was another pass which +could be reached in due time. + +If Prinsloo had, in his heart, desired to save his commandos, he could +have done so easily. But no sooner had we left the mountains than we +noticed that strange whispers were passed from man to man; we heard it +said that a further prolongation of the war was absolutely useless; +that many of the officers and burghers were tired of it, and would like +to go home. In short, we saw what was coming, and anticipated the +surrender. + +When the commandos arrived at Naauwpoort Pass they found their exit cut +off there by the enemy. Instead of hastening on to the next pass, the +officers held a council of war to discuss the situation, or, more +correctly, to deliberate on a surrender. The meeting lasted almost all +night. Some of the officers were deadly opposed to a surrender; +others--and they were the majority--were in favour of it. Nothing, +however, was decided at that meeting, for a Hoofd Commandant had first +to be elected before any steps could be taken. + +A second meeting of officers for the purpose of electing a Chief +Commandant was next held. In that meeting Prinsloo was elected Chief +Commandant, but, as not all the officers were present, some of them +being still in the positions, it was beforehand agreed that the man +elected by that meeting should have no authority before the votes of the +absent officers were taken, and when their votes came in it was found +that General Roux, and not Prinsloo, was elected. + +The latter, however, entered into negotiations with the enemy before +this question as to whom was to be Chief Commandant was settled. He +first asked for an armistice, which was refused. Then he asked for +terms, to which General Hunter replied: "Unconditional surrender is +demanded." Prinsloo, well aware that the burghers would not surrender +unconditionally, pleaded and insisted on terms. + +At this juncture Vilonel, the deserter, who had been sentenced for five +years' imprisonment for high treason, but who was, unfortunately, +released, appeared on the scene. He came from the British lines, met +Prinsloo, and officiated as intermediary between Generals Hunter and +Prinsloo. Something in the shape of terms was drawn up, but these terms, +if tested and analysed, amounted to unconditional surrender. As soon as +Prinsloo was in possession of these conditions, he forwarded a report to +the different commandants that he had been successful in obtaining good +terms from the English, and that they must evacuate their positions so +as to arrange for a surrender. This report was sent on to Commandant +Potgieter of Smithfield with instructions to forward it to the next +commandant. + +General Roux, on learning of Prinsloo's doings, at once dispatched a +report to the different commandos notifying to them that Prinsloo had no +right to negotiate with the enemy, to ask for or accept terms for a +surrender. Also, that the burghers must on no account abandon their +positions. He, so the report ran, would personally go to protest against +the illegal surrender. The General went, but did not return. Why he went +himself, and did not send one of his adjutants with a written protest, +seems still very strange to us. He was warned not to go. General +Fourie's last words to him were: "Good-bye, General; I greet you, never +to see you again in the Boer ranks." He did not heed the warning, and so +we lost one of our bravest and best leaders. + +Unfortunately, General Roux's report fell into the hands of Commandant +Potgieter, who, siding with Prinsloo on the question of a surrender, had +it destroyed whilst Prinsloo's was forwarded. This settled the whole +affair. The positions were evacuated, and in part occupied by the enemy. +Still, at the eleventh hour, there was a possibility of escape. The long +trail of waggons would have been captured, but most, if not all, the +burghers could have found their way out. But no, they were to be duped +by a set of unscrupulous officers. They were told they could get all +they desired, except their independence. All could go home, each would +get a horse-saddle and bridle, their private property would not be +confiscated, and they would be allowed to follow their agricultural and +pastoral pursuits undisturbed. And the poor officers--well for them that +there were no extenuating terms, no mercy. So, at least, said Commandant +Polly de Villiers, of the Ficksburg Commando. He, when posing as a +martyr, announced these conditions to the burghers, who, after such long +separation from their families, found it impossible to withstand such +charming terms. Sorrowfully were they disillusioned after they had laid +down their arms. + +To make the surrender a complete success, all sorts of rumours were +freely circulated. The burghers were told that all who did not surrender +would be shot as rebels when captured, that the pass, higher up the +mountains, was guarded by twenty-five lyddite guns, so that every exit +was cut off by the enemy. When these reports were brought to bear on men +already depressed and discouraged it did not require great pressure to +effect their surrender. Still, if these men had not been misled, if they +had known that Ceylon and India would be the final destination of many +of them, they never would have surrendered, and very few of them would +have been captured there and then. All this they found out when it was +too late. + +These unfortunate burghers we do not wish to criticise too severely. The +officers were to blame. Many of them certainly fell into the hands of +the enemy through no fault of their own. There were, however, some who +were only too ready to lay down their arms, and these were the majority. +They did not act the part of men; for they deserted shamefully those who +still struggled bravely for freedom. Nor am I willing to judge these. +Let conscience speak to such as these. + +Some officers, animated by a truer love of their country, protested +strongly against such an illegal and shameful surrender. One of these, +General Olivier of the Rouxville Commando, called his burghers together +and told them plainly what he thought. He warned them not to place too +much credence in British promises, and promised that those who would +follow him he would lead out safely. Of his whole commando--about four +hundred strong--scarcely seventy followed him. The others surrendered. + +Besides attending to his men, General Olivier also took charge of most +of the Boer guns, which were to have formed no mean part of the booty, +for Prinsloo had promised the British some thirteen guns, one pom-pom, +and a few maxims with all their ammunition. In the pass at Salmon Raads, +General Hector MacDonald met Olivier with the guns. He at once ordered +him to go no farther, as he was a surrendered man. Olivier tarried as +long as it pleased him, and then proceeded, taking the guns along with +him. + +Of all the Boer forces concentrated in the Wittebergen, only about six +hundred did not surrender. To secure these also every means were +resorted to. No fewer than three times were messengers sent to them with +reports from the enemy. At first we were courteously invited to return +and surrender. To prove to us the validity of the surrender, all the +papers bearing on the negotiation from first to last were forwarded to +us. The excellent conditions granted to the surrendered burghers were +also transmitted to us. In these conditions we observed that the +surrendered burghers would each be provided with a horse to ride to +their destination, which would be Winburg, till further orders. We saw +also that they would be kept as prisoners-of-war until the war was over, +which meant, though they did not suspect it then, two years longer. +Their private property was to be respected. How the last condition was +violated is well known. + +Olivier and his men were, however, not to be easily ensnared. He +politely rejected the proffered terms, stating at the same time that +Prinsloo's surrender was illegal. A few days later, and lo! in the +distance we beheld another flag-of-truce, a second report. The polite +request had failed, intimidation must now be tried--that might succeed +better. We were admonished urgently to come back at once, and surrender +without further delay. Failing that, we must not expect to receive such +generous and lenient treatment as would be extended to those surrendered +already. All our goods would be confiscated, etc. + +On receiving this report, Olivier sent back the somewhat curt and abrupt +reply: "That if the British wanted his rifle they would have to capture +him as a man, for he would not surrender like an old woman. And he would +receive no more white flags on this matter." Consequently the third +messenger was sent back without being interviewed. + +So much for the Prinsloo disaster. It was a sad one for those still +struggling against overwhelming odds. Many a heart beat low, and many a +sigh was heaved. That was an "unkind cut," which wounded the hearts of +thousands. Many a one, even of those who stood to the last day, never +recovered from the effects of that shock. They fought bravely, and did +their duty towards their country, but hope for an ultimate victory was +dead within them. + +And those who surrendered, what lessons they had to learn! Even to-day, +a year after the close of the war, some of them have not reached their +homes, but are on lonely islands, and in distant India, while many have +passed away to the unseen world on those foreign shores. Those that came +back, what did they find? A country strewn with ruins, their homes +destroyed and burnt, and their sheep and cattle stabbed and shot lying +in heaps upon the ground. What a sad sight did greet their eyes! How +many of their beloved families were missing, having died in the +Concentration Camps. But when they reflect on the past the saddest +thought should be their vanished freedom. + +The next ordeal through which the Republicans had to pass began with the +denudation of the two States. As arms alone could not subdue the Boers, +some other expedient had to be tried--the starvation process was +resorted to; all food-stuff had to be destroyed or removed, so that the +burghers should not obtain sustenance. The country had to be cleared of +cattle and sheep--in fact, of everything which could keep the Boers +alive. This was considered the most feasible way of defeating the +so-called _marauding_ bands of armed Boers. + +But what about the women-folk, if the country is to be cleared? Well, +these must go to Concentration Camps, from which so many never returned. +We do not wish to dwell on the sufferings of Boer women and children; +but what we are proud to note is that when military operations were +conducted against the weak and defenceless, the burgher was touched to +the centre of his heart. Call a Boer by what name you please, but of +this be assured--he is a man who, above all, loves his family, and has +pride and pleasure in his home, be it never so humble. When, therefore, +a destructive policy was adopted, who shall realise fully what passed +through the minds of these as they stood watching the lurid flames of +their burning homes, and heard how in the camps their families were +dying in scores? Cronje's capture, Prinsloo's surrender, and all the +hard fighting they had to do, seemed but trifles as compared to this, by +far the saddest, phase of the South African War. + +Another dark day, and the curtain drops. We refer to that day when the +documents were signed and peace was concluded. Then, indeed, the +darkness seemed tangible Who shall number the tears shed on that +day--tears of men, women, and even children? Tears of men who had fought +for almost three years, who had sacrificed their all, who had but one +object in view, one ideal to pursue; who loved liberty and independence, +with an amazing love. Tears of women, who had spent many months either +in camps, or in the open veldt; women whose husbands and sons had fallen +in the war, whose infants were laid low in many a graveyard. Tears of +children, who had lost their parents, children who never more would know +the love of a mother, the protection of a father. With one voice the +whole people lamented the loss of their beloved Fatherland. + +And how did the officers who had to subscribe to these terms of peace +feel? Let one[A] who was present speak: + + "Never shall I forget what I witnessed there. General De Wet showed + that there was no chance any longer of continuing the struggle ... + I see him yet, that unyielding man, with his piercing eyes, his + strong mouth and chin--I see him there still, like a lion fallen + into a snare. He will not, he cannot, but he must give up the + struggle! I still see the stern faces of the officers, who up to + that moment had been so unbending. I see them staring as if into + empty space. I see engraved upon their faces an indescribable + expression, an expression that seemed to ask: 'Is this the bitter + end of our sufferings and our sorrows, of our faith and our strong + crying to God?' How great was their emotion! I saw the lips of men + quiver who had never trembled before a foe. I saw tears brimming in + eyes that had been dry when they had seen their dearest laid in + the grave.... + + "Everything was as silent as death when acting President Burger + took the pen in his hand. I looked at my watch; it was five minutes + past eleven on the 31st day of May in the year 1902. + + "President Burger signed. President Steyn was not there. Our hearts + bled at the thought that he had been seized by a dangerous malady; + and yet it seemed to me that something was owed to that malady, + since it prevented the President of the Orange Free State from + doing what would have caused him the greatest pain in the world. He + had said once: 'To set my hand to a paper to sign away the + Independence of my people--that I shall never do.' Sad + circumstances, which he might then almost have called fortunate, + had brought it about that what he would not do, that he could not + do. The document was signed! All were silent in that room where so + much had been spoken." + +We quote the terms of peace in full:-- + + "His Excellency General Lord Kitchener, and His Excellency Lord + Milner, on behalf of the British Government, and Messrs. M.T. + Steyn, J. Brebner, General C.R. De Wet, General C. Olivier, and + Judge J.B.M. Hertzog, acting as the Government of the Orange Free + State, and Messrs. S.W. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Generals Louis Botha, + J.H. de la Rey, Lucas Meyer, and C. Krogh, acting as the Government + of the South African Republic, on behalf of their respective + burghers, desirous to terminate the present hostilities, agree on + the following articles:-- + + "I. The burgher forces in the field will forthwith lay down their + arms, handing over all guns, rifles, and munitions of war in their + possession or under their control, and desist from any further + resistance to the authority of His Majesty King Edward VII., whom + they recognise as their lawful Sovereign. The manner and details of + this surrender will be arranged between Lord Kitchener and + Commandant-General Botha, Assistant Commandant-General Delarey, and + Chief Commandant De Wet. + + "2. All burghers in the field outside the limits of the Transvaal + or Orange River Colony, and all prisoners of war at present outside + South Africa, who are burghers, will, on duly declaring their + acceptance of the position of subjects of His Majesty King Edward + VII., be gradually brought back to their homes as soon as + transport can be provided and their means of subsistence ensured. + + "3. The burghers so surrendering or so returning will not be + deprived of their personal liberty or their property. + + "4. No proceedings, civil or criminal, will be taken against any of + the burghers so surrendering or so returning for any acts in + connection with the prosecution of the war. The benefit of this + clause will not extend to certain acts contrary to the usage of war + which have been notified by the Commander-in-Chief to the Boer + Generals and which shall be tried by court-martial immediately + after the close of hostilities. + + "5. The Dutch language will be taught in public schools in the + Transvaal and Orange River Colony where the parents of the children + desire it, and will be allowed in courts of law when necessary for + the better and more effectual administration of justice. + + "6. The possession of rifles will be allowed in the Transvaal and + Orange River Colony to persons requiring them for their protection, + on taking out a licence according to law. + + "7. Military administration in the Transvaal and Orange River + Colony will at the earliest possible date be succeeded by Civil + Government, and, as soon as circumstances permit, representative + institutions, leading up to self-government, will be introduced. + + "8. The question of granting the franchise to natives will not be + decided until after the introduction of self-government. + + "9. No special tax will be imposed on landed property in the + Transvaal and Orange River Colony to defray the expenses of the + War. + + "10. As soon as conditions permit, a Commission, on which the local + inhabitants will be represented, will be appointed in each district + of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, under the presidency of a + Magistrate or other official, for the purpose of assisting the + restoration of the people to their homes, and supplying those who, + owing to war losses, are unable to provide for themselves, with + food, shelter, and the necessary amount of seed, stock, implements, + etc., indispensable to the resumption of their normal occupations. + His Majesty's Government will place at the disposal of these + Commissions a sum of three million pounds sterling for the above + purposes, and will allow all notes issued under Law No. I, of 1900, + of the South African Republic, and all receipts given by officers + in the field of the late Republics, or under their orders, to be + presented to a Judicial Commission, which will be appointed by the + Government; and if such notes and receipts are found by this + Commission to have been duly issued in return for valuable + considerations, they will be received by the first named + Commissions as evidence of war losses suffered by the persons to + whom they were originally given. In addition to the above named + free grant of three million pounds, His Majesty's Government will + be prepared to make advances on loan for the same purposes, free of + interest for two years, and afterwards repayable over a period of + three years with three per cent. interest. No foreigner or rebel + will be entitled to the benefit of this clause." + +Statement read by Lord Milner to the Boer delegates:-- + + "His Majesty's Government must place it on record that the + treatment of Cape and Natal Colonists who have been in rebellion, + and who now surrender, will, if they return to their Colonies, be + determined by the Colonial Governments, and in accordance with the + laws of the Colonies, and that any British subjects who have joined + the enemy will be liable to trial under the law of that part of the + British Empire to which they belong. + + "His Majesty's Government are informed by the Cape Government that + the following are their views as to the terms which should be + granted to British subjects of Cape Colony who are now in the + field, or who have surrendered, or have been captured since the + 12th of April, 1901: With regard to rank and file, that they should + all, upon surrender, after giving up their arms, sign a document + before the Resident Magistrate of the District in which the + surrender takes place, acknowledging themselves guilty of High + Treason, and that the punishment to be awarded to them, provided + they shall not have been guilty of murder, or other acts contrary + to the usages of civilised warfare, should be that they shall not + be entitled for life to be registered as voters, or to vote at any + Parliamentary Divisional Council, or Municipal election. + + "With reference to Justices of the Peace and Field Cornets of the + Cape Colony, and all other persons holding an official position + under the Government of the Cape Colony, or who may occupy the + position of Commandant of rebel or burgher forces, they should be + tried for High Treason before the ordinary court of the country, or + such special court as may be hereafter constituted by Law, the + punishment for their offence to be left to the discretion of the + Court, with this proviso, that in no case shall the penalty of + Death be inflicted. + + "The Natal Government are of opinion that rebels should be dealt + with according to the Law of the Colony." + +To the Boer, although he had been suffering the manifold miseries of the +battlefield for over two years, such terms made peace a tragedy. +Bitterness was mixed with his cup of happiness when he found himself +once more united to his family. + +[Footnote A: Rev. Kestell, 'Through Shot and Flames.'] + +[Illustration: MR. R. MCDONALD.] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +ENGAGEMENTS. + + And in the hope of freedom they possess + All that the contest calls for,--spirit, strength, + The scorn of danger, and united hearts. + + _Cowper._ + + +With the exception of the Stormberg engagement we do not intend to dwell +on the battles of the first part of the campaign. They have already been +described by able hands, by men who participated in them, or were in a +position to ascertain their true history. By this we do not infer that +all accounts are correct, for it requires many eyes to see one battle in +all its aspects. Besides, some writers are unconsciously influenced and +prejudiced by their national sentiments, and thus fail to do justice to +the parties concerned. We shall confine ourselves to the engagements in +which we personally took part, and shall record only the more remarkable +among them. + + +BATTLE OF STORMBERG. + +In the beginning of November, 1899, the commandoes of Rouxville, +Smithfield, and Bethulie entered the Cape Colony at different points. +Having occupied several villages in the Eastern Province, they +concentrated towards the end of the month in the Stormbergen. Our tents +were pitched on the northern slopes of this mountain range, which runs +from east to west, six miles to the north of Molteno. Here we were to +have our first lesson in actual fighting; for up to that time we had not +encountered any resistance on the part of the enemy. + +On the 9th of December, the night fixed on by General Gatacre to strike +a blow at the Boer forces at Stormberg, Assistant Chief Commandant +Grobler left that place with about nine hundred burghers, intending to +occupy Steynsburg. The enemy, having heard of their departure, and +knowing that our positions were in consequence so much weaker, left that +same evening, fully resolved to surprise us, and, if possible, reoccupy +the Stormbergen, which were abandoned at the first approach of our +commandoes. + +The object of the British was to attack us on our right flank before +dawn, seize our positions and force us to surrender or retreat. On paper +this plan presented no difficulties, but its accomplishment was not +quite so easy, and proved a dangerous operation. The English general, as +we afterwards learnt, had started for the Boer positions at too late an +hour to reach them in due time; and, moreover, had lost his way in the +darkness of the night, so that the first rays of the rising sun were +lighting the majestic mountain tops before he was in position. + +The "brandwachten"--night pickets--of the Rouxville Commando were +already on their way back to the camp, when one of them, who had by +chance returned to the top of the mountain, saw, in the shadow of the +valley, and on the slopes of the mountain, human forms moving silently +onward. One glance of his keen eye assured him that those forms were +enemies. Bang! went the first rifle report. The other pickets all rushed +back and opened fire as swiftly as they could handle their Mausers. This +brought the enemy to a standstill, for they, too, were surprised. + +In the Boer camp below some of us were still peacefully sleeping, while +others were enjoying their first cup of coffee. With the rifle reports +came wakefulness and bustle. It did not take us a moment to realise that +speed would be our only means of salvation. Should the enemy reach the +summit first, disaster and defeat would be our lot. For some minutes it +was a scene of confusion. The horses, saddles, bridles, rifles and +bandoliers, where were they? Some knew, and had their equipments ready +in a moment; others, less careful, did not know, and sought almost +frantically for theirs. We made for the mountain and scaled it as +swiftly as our feet could carry us. Exhausted and breathless we reached +the summit before the enemy. + +Gatacre's men were now exposed to a somewhat confused fire, which +greatly embarrassed them. Subjected to this fire from the summit, some +concealed themselves behind the rocks, while others retreated for +shelter to a donga not far off. + +The English battery was then brought into action, and opened a terrific +fire on our positions, commanded by only two Krupp guns. So unceasing +and accurate was the enemy's fire, that our guns were soon silenced. In +a short time some of our burghers fell wounded and a few killed. One of +the enemy's guns was taken by mistake too near to our positions, with +the result that, in a few minutes, all its horses and most of the +gunners were disabled, and the gun passed into our hands. + +Although exposed to a violent bombardment, we held our ground and +repelled the repeated attacks of Gatacre's men, who began to realise +that, should their guns not speedily dislodge us, the attack was bound +to collapse. + +After the engagement had lasted an hour and a half we noticed that the +enemy began to waver, and was planning a retreat. To their dismay +General Grobler now made his appearance with reinforcements. He had +encamped that night some nine miles from Stormberg, and on hearing the +report of the guns, returned with Commandant du Plooy of Bethulie to +assist the Stormberg defenders. + +On his arrival the enemy, exposed to a cross-fire, ran the risk of being +surrounded and captured. There was but one way out of a wretched +position--one loophole out of the net. Fortunately for them, Commandant +Zwanepoel of Smithfield, who had just given orders to guard this way of +escape, was badly wounded while rising to lead on his men. Owing to this +mishap his burghers failed to carry out his instructions, thus leaving +the way open. + +Gatacre, seeing that it was a hopeless struggle, abandoned the project +of reoccupying Stormberg and sounded the retreat. He was followed up for +some distance by Commandant du Plooy, who made a few prisoners and took +two ammunition waggons. Weary and thirsty, the English forces re-entered +Molteno that evening. They had been baffled in a determined attack. +Their losses amounted to about 700, captured, wounded and killed. Those +who had taken shelter behind the rocks and in the donga were all made +prisoners. They remained there till the rest had retreated, and then +hoisted the white flag. One English writer says that they were +shamefully forgotten by General Gatacre, who was thus responsible for +their loss. Indeed a questionable explanation! Among the wounded were a +few officers and some privates, who were seriously injured by their own +guns as they tried to seize the Boer positions. Colonel Eagar, one of +the wounded, was removed to our hospital, where he breathed his last. In +addition to the number of prisoners we also captured two big guns. Our +losses amounted to 6 killed and 27 wounded. + +The attack on the Stormberg positions, if it was boldly conceived, was +badly carried out. The English general should have postponed the attack +when it dawned upon him that he would not reach the enemy's positions +before daybreak; and he should have used the knowledge, common to most +soldiers, that it is best to attack a foe's weakest side. This was not +done at Stormberg. We, too, suffered from ill-advised action--or rather, +inaction. For we had had the opportunity of capturing, if not all, most +of Gatacre's men, with all their guns, and we neglected it! The victory +would have been complete if we had only followed up our advantage. In +those early days, however, some of our leaders regarded it as rather +sinful to harass a retreating enemy. + + +SANNA'S POST. + +On the occupation of Bloemfontein some of the burghers, discouraged and +despondent, left for their homes. Lord Roberts's proclamation, promising +protection to all who should lay down their arms and settle quietly on +their farms, enticed many to remain at home. Most, however, changed +their minds after a few weeks' rest and returned to their commandoes. + +It was then, after they had rallied again, that General De Wet, on the +eve of the 28th of March, left Brandfort with a commando 1500 strong and +moved in the direction of Winburg. De Wet had made up his mind to +surprise the English garrison which guarded the Bloemfontein Waterworks +at Sanna's Post, and so cut off the water supply of Bloemfontein. + +With that object in view he made his movements thither by night, so as +to keep the enemy in the dark as to his plans. Neither were these +disclosed to the burghers, who were naturally anxious to know where they +were going and what they were to do next. + +On his way De Wet learnt that General Broadwood, dreading an attack of +Commandant Olivier, had quitted Ladybrand and was marching on +Bloemfontein with a strong force. This information was rather +disconcerting, for now he had not only to reckon with the garrison, but +to be ready for an engagement with a column 2000 strong, which might +come to the relief of the garrison at any moment. In case of such an +emergency, De Wet divided his forces into two parts. He placed one +division--1050 strong with four guns--under the control of Generals +Cronje, Froneman, Wessels, and Piet De Wet, with instructions to occupy +the positions east of the Modder River and directly opposite the +Waterworks, so as to check Broadwood, should he come to the rescue of +the garrison. + +Taking the remaining 350 burghers he set out to Koorn Spruit, a brook +which flows into the Modder River. Arrived there, he carefully concealed +his horses and men at a point where the road from the Waterworks to +Bloemfontein passes through the brook. The other generals were to shell +the garrison at daybreak, while he would fall on the troops if they +tried to escape to Bloemfontein _via_ Koorn Spruit. + +As the Boer forces were getting into their different positions during +the night, Broadwood, who had left Thaba 'Nchu at nightfall, arrived +that very night at Sanna's Post. But we were each unconscious of the +other's presence. + +The next morning at daybreak we saw a waggon and a large number of +cattle and sheep not far off the brook. The Kaffir drivers informed us +that the British column had just arrived at Sanna's Post. As soon as we +could see some distance ahead, we observed the enemy now hardly 3000 +paces off. A few minutes later our guns began to play upon the +unsuspecting British forces. What a scene of confusion! Broadwood had +fallen into a trap and was between two fires. The whole column, with +guns, waggons and carts, made hurriedly for the drift where De Wet and +his men lay hidden. Nearer they came. At length a cart entered the +drift. The occupants, husband and wife, looked bewildered on seeing +armed Boers all around them in the bed of the brook. De Wet immediately +ordered two of his adjutants to mount the cart and drive on. Then in +quick succession followed a number of carts and vehicles, all driven by +Englishmen from Thaba 'Nchu. These were ordered to proceed ahead and +warned not to make any signals to the enemy. So well was everything +arranged, that the first batch of troops that entered the drift had not +the slightest suspicion that there was something wrong. Absolutely +abashed were they on finding themselves among us; the men raised their +hands in surrender at the cry of "Hands up!" + +In this way we disarmed 200 without wasting a bullet. But this was not +to go on for long; there came an officer from the rear who was +determined to upset our plans and disturb our peace seriously. He, at +least, was not going to surrender in this fashion. On being asked for +his rifle he said, with marked resoluteness, "Be d----d! I won't," and +called on his men to fire. He drew his sword, but before he could use it +he was no more among the living. + +The battle had begun. Scarcely 100 paces from the banks of the brook +stood five of the enemy's guns and more than 100 waggons. Some 400 paces +from these two more guns had stopped. The enemy had withdrawn for cover +about 1300 yards to the station on the Dewetsdorp-Bloemfontein railway. + +[Illustration: SANNA'S POST--Plan of Battle.] + +It was while they were retreating to this station that the greatest +havoc was wrought among them. Across the open plain, with no cover at +all, they had to retreat, and before they reached the place of shelter +the ground between the brook and the station was thickly strewn with +their dead and wounded. It was, indeed, a ghastly scene. The burghers +stood erect and fired on the retreating foe as though they were so much +game. So quickly did the waggons and guns wheel round that many were +overturned. To remove them was impossible. In vain did the English try +to save the guns. They succeeded, however, in getting two to the station +house, where they had rallied. With these they bombarded us for some +time; but owing to our sheltered positions only two men were wounded. + +The Boer forces on the east of the Modder River had in the meanwhile +been doing their best to come to the assistance of General De Wet. But +their progress was much retarded by the uneven veldt and dongas through +which they had to ride. After three hours, spent in fruitless attempts, +they forded the river, attacked the enemy with great energy, and +succeeded in putting them to flight, and this brought the battle to an +end. + +We made 480 captives. What their losses in wounded and killed were is +difficult to estimate. In the evening, when all was over, we went to the +house where the wounded were gathered, and there counted in one room +alone 96 cases. Their own report made their losses 350 dead and wounded. +Besides, 7 guns and 117 waggons fell into our hands. Our loss consisted +in 3 killed and 5 wounded. + +On looking at the bodies of the dead and listening to the groanings of +the wounded, one was forced to say what a pity that the trap was +discovered, that one brave man, through his very bravery, prevented the +bloodless capture of his column and his general. + + +MOSTERT'S HOEK. + +The victory at Sanna's Post was soon followed up by another success over +the British arms. On the evening of the eventful day at the Waterworks +De Wet handed the command over to Generals A. Cronje and Piet De Wet, +and, having taken three of his staff, he went in the direction of +Dewetsdorp on a reconnoitring expedition. + +The following day he learnt that a party of the enemy had occupied +Dewetsdorp. On receiving the report his mind was made up: these too must +be captured. He was then thirty miles away from the commandoes, but +instantly despatched a report to us to come post-haste so as to attack +the enemy at Dewetsdorp or intercept them, should they try to join the +main body, which was advancing under Gatacre on Reddersburg. + +In the meanwhile the burghers of that district, who had gone to their +farms on the fall of Bloemfontein, were commandeered. With these, some +120, who were almost all unarmed, De Wet started for Dewetsdorp to watch +the movements of the British. + +Early on the 2nd of April the enemy left Dewetsdorp, and resumed their +march to Reddersburg. While marching De Wet kept them all the while +under surveillance. He was moving on one of their flanks, parallel to +them with an intervening distance of six miles. They were evidently not +aware that he was so close to them. As soon as we received the report +concerning the British, we left Sanna's Post in haste. We required no +urging on. For were we not encouraged by our recent success, and was +there not every chance of achieving another? We left Sanna's Post a +little before sunset, and that whole night we rode on without +off-saddling once. We did not halt save for a few minutes to rest our +horses. + +Early the following morning a third report, pressing us to increase our +speed and leave behind those whose horses were too tired to proceed +rapidly, reached us. De Wet was most anxious to occupy a ridge in front +of the enemy, between the farms Mostert's Hoek and Sterkfontein. The +road leading to Reddersburg from Dewetsdorp traverses this ridge. Hence +it was absolutely necessary to seize it before the enemy if we were to +intercept them. + +So on we went, leaving the weary and exhausted behind to follow on as +soon as possible. About 9 A.M. Generals Froneman and De Villiers, with +350 men, met De Wet, who was still moving parallel to the British +column, obscured from their view by a rising of the ground. + +The ridge referred to already loomed now in the distance. We were all +fiercely anxious to seize it before the enemy. For it was a question of +life and death who was to be first there. But our horses were too tired, +and began to fall out rapidly. We were still four miles from the ridge +when the English began to occupy the eastern extremity of it. We moved +on to the western extremity, and reached it in time. + +The enemy, however, had the advantage of the best positions, but was +fortunately cut off from the water. We were resolved to hem them in +completely, for we knew that, if no relieving forces arrived, they would +be compelled by thirst alone, if nothing else, to surrender. + +Before commencing the fight, De Wet, anxious as usual to avoid +unnecessary bloodshed, sent the following note to the commanding +officer:-- + + "SIR,--I am here with 500 men, and am every moment expecting + reinforcements with three Krupps, against which you will not be + able to hold out. I therefore advise you, in order to prevent + bloodshed, to surrender." + +The messenger returned under a storm of bullets, for no sooner had he +left the English lines than they opened fire on him. How he was missed +seemed inexplicable. The answer he brought back was: "I am d----d if I +surrender." On receiving this reply firing at once commenced. Positions +nearer to the enemy were gradually occupied. + +Towards sunset our guns arrived, and were brought to bear upon the +enemy. But darkness soon set in, and firing ceased on both sides. To +make sure that the enemy would not escape during the night, we occupied +positions all round them, and in the darkness of the night silently +stole as near to their positions as was possible. + +The next morning, as soon as the glimmer of dawn revealed the Mauser +sights to our eyes, the firing started with renewed vigour. We had drawn +so close to the enemy that when our guns were brought in action we +could, under cover of these, storm their positions. The men boldly +rushed up to the enemy's skanzes, and some burghers even seized their +rifles by the barrels, as they presented these over the bulwarks, +calling out, "Hands up! hands up!" + +At 11 A.M. the white flag was hoisted. The commanding officer, who had +refused to surrender, was mortally wounded. Three hundred and seventy +were sent to the Transvaal as prisoners-of-war, while their wounded and +killed numbered 92. + +Among the English we found five Boer prisoners-of-war, who were likewise +exposed to our firing. Imagine their joy in being released! They greeted +us with the ejaculation: "Thank God we are free!" We mourned the death +of Veldt Cornet du Plessis of Kroonstad, who fell after the white flag +had been hoisted. That such mistakes should occur! Six or seven burghers +were wounded. + + +LADYBRAND VISITED. + +Towards the end of July, 1900, Prinsloo's surrender took place. Those of +us who escaped the trap laid left for Heilbron with the hope of meeting +De Wet's commando there. Near Heilbron we heard the dismal news that he +was forced over the Vaal and was being driven northward by some 40,000 +troops. This, led us to change our course and move in the direction of +Winburg. + +On the morning of the 27th of August we made an unsuccessful attack on +Winburg. Olivier, with 27 men, got captured. The burden and +responsibility of leading others was then first placed upon my +shoulders. I was elected commandant. + +Frustrated in our attempt to seize Winburg, we resolved to attack +Ladybrand, which was not strongly garrisoned. Having encamped at +Koeranerberg--a mountain 30 miles west of Ladybrand--we mustered our +forces, took three guns and about 800 burghers, and left for the +village. + +It was a bitterly cold night--one of those nights which one can hardly +forget. We rode till sunrise without off-saddling once. At 9 P.M. we +halted to prepare a hasty supper. How we enjoyed that! A few days +before, the enemy had unwillingly provided us with sugar, coffee, milk, +butter and cheese. Owing to the intense cold the men that had no +overcoats wrapped themselves up in their blankets, in which they +appeared before the village just as the sun was rising. + +Commandant Hertzog, on our arrival, despatched a messenger under a flag +of truce to demand the surrender of the garrison. In reply he received a +message to the effect that it would be much better if he would come in +himself and lay down arms; that would put an end to the business much +quicker. On receiving this answer we at once began to bombard the forts +of the enemy, with the result that almost all their horses took to +flight and fell into our hands, while some of them were wounded and +killed. + +General Fourie, Commandant Nieuwhoudt and myself, with a number of +daring volunteers, made for the village. We reached a few houses safely, +and under cover of these we succeeded in forcing the enemy to retreat to +their forts and skanzes at the foot of Platrand--a mountain to the +south-east of the village and very near to it. Gradually we occupied +more and more of the village, and before sunset we were in possession of +the whole of it. + +The enemy was, however, so strongly entrenched that, in spite of their +small numbers, it was impossible to compel them to capitulate without +incurring the risk of sustaining heavy losses. For at the base of the +mountain are natural forts and grottoes, against which lyddite shells +would spend their force in vain. All we could do was to keep the foe in +their haunts by directing such a fire against them that they could not +venture even to peep out. In doing this the commandoes could +requisition--loot, as some would say--what they required. + +During the night the enemy shifted and occupied other positions. At +daybreak they took vengeance on us from these positions. It did not take +a long time to silence them for the rest of the day. + +The following two days we remained in the village, keeping the enemy at +bay. We had hoped that eventually their rations would run short, and +thus bring about their surrender. Unfortunately our hopes were not to be +realised; they were only too well provided. Then, again, we thought that +thirst might prove an irresistible force in our favour; but in this, +too, we erred, for in their grottoes was abundant water. + +On the second day of the attack we placed one of our guns in the centre +of the village, whence we shelled the enemy's forts, but all to no +purpose. On the evening of the third day we heard that relieving forces +were at hand, and as we had received a message from De Wet to meet him +in Bothaville district, we left Ladybrand at dusk. + +During the three days' fighting only a few burghers were wounded. As the +enemy fired at random into the village, some of the inhabitants were +also injured. A young man was mortally wounded, while a bullet shattered +the arm of a woman. + +Our efforts were rewarded by the seizure of the enemy's horses, which we +valued even more than their persons. The horses we could keep and use, +the men we had to dismiss again. We returned to the laager well supplied +with clothes and foodstuffs. But for some traitors, who assisted the +enemy, the garrison would in all probability have fallen. These, +dreading the results of a capitulation, held out until relieved. + +As this was our first visit to Ladybrand since its occupation, the joy +of the Boer families in meeting relatives and burghers was indeed great. +They welcomed them with open arms, and during their short stay it was +their delight to minister unto them. We shall ever gratefully remember +the hearty reception which was extended to us by the Ladybrand +Africanders. Were they not prosecuted after our departure for welcoming +and receiving their kith and kin? + + +MURRAY'S COLUMN. + +Compelled to abandon the Cape Colony in August, we went to Gastron +District, a Free State village situated on the Basutoland border. There +we intended to rest our horses for a time; but no sooner had we entered +the district than the English column came pouring into it like so many +birds of prey. They had concentrated in that district and in the +adjoining ones to clear them, _i.e._, to remove or destroy whatever +could be removed or destroyed. + +During this time we often came in conflict with the enemy. It was +impossible to avoid that; they were on every side. For miles and miles +it was one column on the other. We could hardly engage any of these +columns successfully during the day, for no sooner had the fight begun +than reinforcements would come from all directions, making our position +quite untenable. + +It was in such circumstances that we planned a night attack on one of +the English camps nine miles east of Gastron. We had engaged the enemy +on several occasions without desirable results. Our limited supply of +ammunition was gradually exhausted. Come what would, we were bound to +strike a blow at the enemy, so as to fill our bandoliers once more. The +night was the only time we could hope to succeed. Reinforcements would +not then scatter us before we had achieved our object. + +At 11 P.M. on the 19th of September, 1901, after a day's hard fighting +from early morn till sunset, we started, 70 men in all, with the +intention of attacking a column encamped at the foot of a hill. It was a +very cold night, and the moon, casting her pale light across the frosty +plains, was sinking in the west. The column was about eight miles off. +As we approached it, deep silence reigned. Not a word, not a whisper was +heard. Ah! if we could but succeed in passing the enemy's pickets +unobserved, the victory would be ours, the battle half won. So we held +our breath and our tongues as well, and moved onward. Indeed, we have +succeeded! We are past the pickets, and that unnoticed! The hill, where +the slumbering foe is encamped, is in our possession. + +Having dismounted, the burghers were arranged in fighting order. +Commandant Louis Wessels was placed on one flank, Commandant De Bruijn +on the other. Before commencing the work of destruction, we briefly +admonished and encouraged the men to be true to each other and to fight +as befits men. We pointed out to them that our success would depend +entirely upon our united efforts. For a long address there was no time, +so we proceeded to the camp. + +The moon has set. Down below the enemy is fast asleep. Soon, too soon, +their midnight slumbers will be sadly disturbed. Many of them will not +see the dawn of another day. They are enjoying their last sleep. + +Silently we moved on to the British column, which gave no signs +whatever that our approach was suspected. As it was very dark, the men +were ordered not to advance ahead of one another, for fear of accidents, +and also, if possible, to march right through the camp, so as to make +sure of all. + +Commandant L. Wessels, famous for his dauntlessness, was the first to +open fire by lodging a shot in one of the enemy's tents. The rest +followed, and then a shower of bullets, thick and fast, poured in upon +the surprised and embarrassed foe. The men aimed low and fired with +deadly precision. The flashes of the rifles leapt forth like lightning +freaks in the darkness. Never before had I witnessed such a scene. + +In a quarter of an hour all was over and the whole camp taken. Two +Maxims were destroyed and an Armstrong was taken along with us. What +havoc was played in that brief quarter of an hour! The wounded mules, +horses and men lay groaning side by side. Colonel Murray, Captain +Murray, and almost all the other officers, fell in the action, and +several privates passed into the unseen world that fatal night. So +terrific was the firing that entire teams of mules were shot down where +they stood tied to the ropes. + +As the veldt was strewn with the many wounded and the dead, we could not +put the waggons on fire, lest the grass should catch fire and consume +the fallen in battle. We took what we could remove and left the +camp--not exactly as we found it, but a little poorer. + +The enemy, though attacked off their guard, defended themselves bravely. +We shall not forget the gallant conduct of the officer who had charge of +the Maxim. Distinctly we could hear him say, "Get the Maxim into action. +Don't be afraid, boys. Go for them! Go for them!" Brave man! He, too, +fell by the side of his Maxim, which was charged and seized by +Commandant Wessels. + +As to the conduct of the burghers, we need only remark that their good +behaviour pleased us exceedingly. There was no reason to urge them on; +not one retreated. Though only a handful as compared to the enemy, they +fought well till the foe was vanquished. One of them, young Liebenberg +(familiarly known by the name of Matie) from Murraysburg, was shot +through the head and succumbed at once. Another, young Hugo from +Smithfield, was wounded in the foot. We had no other casualties. + +The attack on Murray's column was to a great extent incidental. Near his +was another very much smaller camp. When I left that night it was with +the intention to attack this smaller camp, for I had only 65 men at my +disposal. In the darkness I lost my way, and so lighted on Murray's +column. It was unfortunate for them, but for ourselves we could have +wished for no better accident. + +In the Colonel's letter-bag we found a letter addressed to his wife, +dated 19th September, 1901, and written the very day before his death. +We purposed to forward that letter, but the following day the bag was +retaken. Not only was it taken, but also the gun, while 20 burghers were +captured and one--Myburgh--was killed. We were again surprised. +Inconstant are the fortunes of war. + + +JAMES TOWN. + +The villages in possession of the enemy were at length so thoroughly +fortified that it was well-nigh impossible to seize them without +sustaining great losses. Though they seemed impregnable, yet we were +sometimes compelled by sheer necessity to attack them. Beyond +expectation we now and again succeeded in inducing the garrison to +surrender. Such was the case at James Town, a village in the Eastern +Province of the Cape Colony. + +Late one afternoon in the month of July, 1901, I set out to this village +to reconnoitre it in person. Unobserved, I reached the summit of a small +hill, about a mile from it. Through my field-glasses I carefully noted +the various forts, and there and then planned an attack. The next +morning I knew exactly what to do. + +At 2 A.M. Commandant Myburgh, Commandant Loetter, and myself, with some +60 men, were in the saddle and on our way to James Town. What will be +the issue? Shall we succeed? Can we surprise the enemy? Such questions +we put to ourselves as we rode on in the darkness and silence of the +night to accomplish the work of destruction. + +The spot we had in view was a kopje, situated to the north of the +village. Here the enemy's camp was located. As this kopje was the key to +the village, it was necessarily very strongly fortified. We knew that if +we could only occupy that hill, the rest would be easy work. Before dawn +we were close to the camp. A few minutes more and we shall grimly salute +our sleeping brethren. Silently we approach them. We are keenly on the +alert for the pickets, whom, least of all, we wished to disturb. Behold! +something in the darkness--what may that be? To be sure, two human +forms! Hush! they are slumbering. Noiselessly we draw nearer, reach +them, seize their rifles, and then--wake them. They are our first +prisoners; our way to the camp is open, safe and sure. + +On we moved until stopped, not by a sentinel--it was much too cold that +night to expect an attack--but by a network of barbed wires, by which +the hill and camp were fenced in. Quickly the wires were cut. That done, +some of the burghers charged the tents, while the rest made for the +enemy's trenches on top of the hill. + +How awful a surprise! Taken unawares, the foe ran to their strongholds, +but only to meet death there, for these were already in possession of +our men. Myburgh, a Gastron burgher, so very brave, was the first and +only one to receive a mortal wound--other men were slightly wounded in +that hand-to-hand struggle. At dawn the hill and the camp were in our +possession, for the enemy, after a loss of 9 killed and wounded, thought +it best to resist no longer. + +With the occupation of the hill it was possible to reach the village. +The British allowed the burghers to pass their skanzes without shooting +at them. But no sooner had they entered the village than a heavy fire +from the forts was directed against them. They were not slow to respond +to this reception, and that so effectively that the commanding officer +was soon willing to entrust himself with his 130 men to our keeping. All +was over. + +At 3 P.M. we departed. The English commandant and his men accompanied +us for some distance, and then we dismissed them after their having +promised that they would remain strictly neutral. + + +CAPTAIN SPANDOW SURPRISED. + +While operating in the Cradock district I learnt that a certain Captain +Spandow, with about ninety men, was on the track of a small party of +Boers. Only _ninety_! The small number tempted us to try to effect their +capture, which, as a rule, was not a very difficult nor dangerous +operation. Taking forty burghers I started at midnight, and at dawn +found myself still six miles from the enemy. Lest they should escape I +took twelve men with the best animals, and with these proceeded ahead, +so as to engage the enemy until the rest, whose horses were very tired, +should come to our assistance. + +About half an hour after sunrise we unexpectedly lighted on the pickets +of the enemy, who camped for the night in the Waterkloof valley, twenty +miles from Cradock. The pickets were charged and captured, and we seized +a position hardly 200 yards from the English, who had off-saddled at a +wall. + +A brisk firing from both sides then ensued. The wall served the enemy in +good stead. From there they could fire volley after volley on us. But +gradually we crept nearer, until at last a few of the burghers had +passed the wall, and were now on the side of the enemy, so that the wall +could afford them no cover. While the men were trying to get on the +other side of the wall, one of my adjutants--Hugo, a lad of thirteen +summers--was killed, and two others wounded. But the British, now +exposed to a cross-fire, suffered heavily. Several of them dropped down, +either dead or wounded. + +When I saw how untenable their position was becoming I sent in a flag of +truce, asking them to surrender, so as to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. +One of the officers sent word that, seeing Captain Spandow had already +fallen, and their losses were so great, he considered further +resistance useless. + +We found that 15, including the captain, were killed, and 14 wounded. +Six of the wounded died soon after their surrender. One of their men was +at once sent to Cradock for an ambulance. Our losses were 1 killed and 2 +wounded. + +The men I had left behind had off-saddled, and so only arrived after the +enemy had surrendered. The officer, on inquiring where our men were, and +who had engaged them, only shook his head when I told him that we were +but 13, and that 3 of these had been put out of action almost at the +beginning of the engagement. The British numbered 84 in all. We were +again provided with a good supply of ammunition, and 105 horses in +excellent condition. + +Some months later Major Warn's column was attacked at the same place by +Commandant L. Wessels. Several of the enemy's horses were shot down, +while a number of men were wounded. So suddenly had they to turn back, +that many a helmet dropped down and the owner had no inclination to pick +it up. The English had fallen once more into an awkward trap from which +they had to extricate themselves with the utmost speed. + +On another occasion Commandant Fouche awaited the enemy at the same spot +and made about 150 prisoners. Long Kloof Valley has thus become a noted +place. The traveller passing through that valley will always be reminded +of the South African War on seeing the fourteen graves alongside the +road, and near to the stone wall. + + +SPRAGGE'S COLUMN CAPTURED. + +The following report, bearing on Colonel Spragge's surrender, has been +submitted to me by my military secretary, R.D. McDonald. + + "On the 27th of May, 1900, Spragge entered Lindley. Our commando + was then stationed at a farm eight miles to the north of the + village. General Colvile, whom Spragge was to have joined here, + left early on the morning of the 27th. What urged him on we could + not guess. Had he waited another day, Spragge would not have been + captured. We followed him up for some miles, and inflicted slight + losses on his rear. + + "At noon the burghers returned to the laager. About an hour before + sunset our scouts returned with the news that the English had + reoccupied Lindley, and that it was but a small column _without_ + guns. When the burghers heard that the column was only 500 strong, + and had no guns, they required no other inducements, but started + immediately for Lindley. Our men are, as a rule, more daring if + they discover that the enemy has no cannons at their disposal; the + big, monstrous guns they do not like. We had thus decided that this + detached column would receive every attention from us. + + "The British, being warned by the dust in the distance that our + commando was coming, considered it wiser to quit the village, fall + back on Valsch River and occupy positions on the right bank of it. + Darkness had now set in, and we could do no more than place our + pickets round the column. We had, however, not enough men that + night to make sure that should the enemy try to escape they would + not succeed. Forsooth, we were greatly surprised to find them still + there the following morning. It seemed to us a little over-bold on + their part to stay on with only two Maxims at their command. We did + not know then that it would take us three and a half days, and some + precious lives, before the white flag would be hoisted. The next + day we surrounded them completely and thus knew that unless + reinforced they would have to surrender. + + "Early in the morning firing commenced; but the enemy had occupied + during the night such strong positions--the hills and ridges on the + river banks--that they were quite secure. We had the bed of the + river, from whence we could not inflict such losses as would compel + the enemy to capitulate. They held the key of the positions, and + unless we could seize that stronghold, all our efforts would be + useless. The question was, how to take it. Without the assistance + of guns it was a dangerous and risky undertaking to charge that + particular position--a hill on the right bank of the river. Our + men, in charging it, would be exposed to a rifle and Maxim fire for + at least 800 yards. Under cover of guns, however, it was possible + to reach the hill. A gun was immediately sent for, and on the + evening of the third day of the siege it arrived at Lindley. + + "That night the gun was placed in position, and at dawn the hill + was shelled. I stood watching the shells, as one after the other + exploded on the hill. Not a living object was visible, none + stirred, and so still (I shall not say at ease) did the English lie + in the skanzes that I remarked to Prinsloo: 'General, it seems the + enemy has abandoned the hill during the night, else we must already + have seen some signs of them.' + + [Illustration: THE LINDLEY AFFAIR.] + + "After we had bombarded the hill for some time, a number of + burghers charged it. Breathlessly we stood watching these gallant + chargers. Arrived at the foot of the hill, they dismounted, and + began climbing it. For some time all went well, when lo! a fire was + directed against them from the summit. Being quite coverless on the + slopes of the hill, they were forced to retreat. As they retreated + the enemy rose to their feet and fired as briskly as they could at + them. When we saw the English on top of the hill we mistook them + for Boers, and began to clap hands and cheer, thinking that the + hill had been taken by our men. We were soon disillusioned. + + "As the burghers retreated, something strange and inexplicable + occurred, which really decided the fate of the enemy. It was this: + the burghers had hardly gone 300 yards, when the British abandoned + _en masse_ the hill, and retreated, almost as fast as the former, + in the opposite direction. Whether they feared another and more + determined onslaught, or whether there was the usual + misunderstanding, I wot not. Be it as it may, the position we so + coveted was abandoned; it was for us to seize it at once. With a + little encouragement the charge was repeated, the hill taken, and + in less than twenty minutes the white flag announced the surrender + of Spragge's column. + + "Between 60 and 70 of the enemy were wounded and killed, while the + rest were made prisoners. It was their first interview with the + Boers. After a four days' siege a bath and a good meal must have + been welcome. + + "From the veldt we took our surrendered friends to the village. The + wounded were placed in the local hospital, and the officers found + lodgings for the night in an hotel. + + "I escorted Spragge to the village. On the way he had a long talk + with me about the war, and wished to know why the Free State had + cast in her lot with the Transvaal. He failed to see, and had to be + reminded that Free Staters and Transvaalers were essentially one + people; that the Vaal River divides the two States, but not the + people, as far as blood was concerned. + + "On being asked why they had evacuated the hill, which was their + chief stronghold, he replied: 'That was a mistake.' We do not + object to such mistakes. If this had not been committed, Spragge + would in all probability have remained a free man, and his column + would not have fallen into our hands, for that was our last and + only chance. Early the next morning the reinforcements appeared on + the adjacent hills, but they were too late to rescue Spragge's + column. The prisoners were sent on to Reitz, and from there to the + Transvaal." + + +[Illustration: AN INTERESTING GROUP. + +The three seated in the centre are MR. MCDONALD, COMMANDANT LOUIS +WESSELS, and the late LIEUT. P. TROSKIE.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +IN TIGHT CORNERS. + + Daring the event to the teeth ... + And danger serves among them. + + _Shakespeare._ + + Come, let us make an honourable retreat, + Though not with bag and baggage. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +The above heading may seem strange, and yet we presume that most +officers, as well as many privates, who had taken a leading part in the +late South African War can record many instances where they escaped by +the skin of the teeth. + +How often a shell exploded like a thunder-clap in one's immediate +vicinity! How many a bullet just missed its mark as by a hair's breadth, +whizzing past the ear with lightning speed! Well I remember how, on one +occasion, a shell exploded right overhead with such tremendous force +that both rider and horse rolled in the dust by the violent concussion +produced by the explosion. The burghers, some distance away, watching +me, thought that would be the last of Kritzinger. To their surprise I +rose again, shook off the dust, mounted my steed, and rode on to the +position they were defending. + +At present I shall not dwell on deliverances from the fire-spouting +machines of modern warfare, but confine my remarks to such escapes as +were connected with attempts on the part of the enemy, either to secure +my person or capture my commando. Here again I shall only cite some +instances; to relate all will be tedious to reader and writer alike. + +In the beginning of July, 1901, just a few days after we had so +successfully attacked and taken James Town, we arrived at a farm +situated on the banks of the Kraai River, eighteen miles from Lady Grey. +Here was the enemy's opportunity. + +The owner of the farm--Van der Merwe, a most loyal colonist--was not at +home, but, as we learnt afterwards, had gone to Lady Grey, or to the +nearest English column, to announce the presence of my commando in his +neighbourhood. Of this unfriendly deed we were altogether unaware. + +As soon as we had off-saddled, our scouts were sent out in different +directions. In the evening they returned with the report that for miles +around us no traces of the enemy were to be seen. The pickets for the +night were then put out on the three main roads leading to the farm, +which was in a valley almost entirely encompassed by high and rugged +mountains. + +With my pickets out I felt at ease. I went to the farm-house, had +dinner, got a room, and laid myself down to enjoy the night's rest, on +which the enemy was soon to intrude so violently. + +About 2 A.M. one of the pickets came to the laager to report a noise, +which sounded like the tramp of horses, but he could not, on account of +the intense darkness, see any objects. Warned by this report, we began +to make preparations for an attack. Veldt Cornet Kruger was at once +ordered to ascertain the truth of the report. But before he had left the +camp one of the burghers came back and assured us that it was a herd of +cattle. + +Thus reassured, we betook ourselves to rest. Rest? No, certainly not. +The foe is at hand. No sooner had we wrapped ourselves up in the +blankets when, behold! rifle reports grated on our ears. The herd of +cattle was nothing else than Colonel Scobell's column. Alas! our pickets +had been cut off and hence could not report on the enemy. + +Imagine our position! I began dressing as fast as I could, faster than +ever before in my life. So near was the enemy, that when I reached the +back door of the house in which I slept they had already entered by the +front door. Had it not been for some plucky burghers the enemy would +have completely cut off my exit and I would have been captured. + +Fortunately the way was still open at the back door. What a scene I +witnessed outside! Friend and foe were so intermingled, and engaged in +hand-to-hand fight, that it was impossible to distinguish the one from +the other. Right in front of the door the gallant Commandant Calmon +Caechet was wrestling with an opponent that proved too strong for him. +Next to him a certain Grobler had floored his man, and was handling him +so roughly that the poor fellow called for help. The one who was too +strong for Caechet left him to render assistance to his brother in +adversity. Grobler then left his prey, and both he and Caechet seized +their rifles and made for better regions. + +Thinking that it might be only a patrol of the enemy that had come upon +us incidentally and not intentionally, I tried hard to get the rather +panic-stricken burghers into action. At a gate through which they had to +pass I stopped them, and ordered them back. We soon noticed, however, +how serious our position was; in fact, that we were surrounded on every +side, and would have to fight our way through and out. + +At about 3.30 A.M. the British brought their guns into action. The +mountains resounded with the explosion of the shells, and the night was +illuminated by the flashes of the guns. The fireworks were magnificent +beyond description, but ... we had no inclination to admire them under +such circumstances. + +The next morning we counted our losses: ten burghers were captured, two +wounded and one killed. One hundred and thirty horses were missing, most +of the men were without saddles, and only a few had blankets. + +This was indeed a surprise, and yet we were astonished that, after all, +any of us did escape. So eager was the enemy to secure my person, that +they did not attend to the burghers, whom they had disarmed, but simply +flung their rifles aside and left them to themselves. The men, thus +disarmed, instantly picked up their rifles and "trapt," _i.e._, ran off. +Thus very few of them were without rifles the following day. + +Our feelings cannot be easily described. There were forty-six men who +had to go on foot. A large number had no saddles. I lost all my horses. +The only hope we entertained was that the British Government would soon +restore our property. What we regretted most was the loss of our men. + +Two of our pickets were caught, the remaining six, when charged and cut +off, had taken refuge in a deep ditch, where they remained until the +enemy had left, and then found their way back to the commando. + +My next escape, though not exposed to the enemy's fire, and perhaps not +even known to them, was probably the narrowest I had during the whole +campaign. + +We were again hard pressed by two columns. Our horses being very tired, +we were obliged to rest them for a short while, even at the risk of +falling into the hands of the enemy. Our way led through a valley, +bordered on both sides by huge mountain ranges which for at least six +miles ran parallel. + +On the side of the road, half-way up the valley, was a farmstead where +we off-saddled and gave our horses some fodder. The two columns which +were on our track had been coming nearer. Fortunately darkness was +setting in. When the front column was a short distance from us, we +saddled and went to a dense bush close to the road. In that bush we +delayed, till the first column had passed us and advanced some distance. +As the second was only one or two miles behind the first, and as we were +not sure whether it would also pass, we fell in behind the first; there +was but one road. + +We were now between two columns. We rode on as quietly as we could, +hardly a whisper was heard. The slightest noise on our part could betray +our presence. We were so close to the front column that we could +distinctly hear the rumbling of wheels and the tramp of horses. Should +the progress of the column be in any way obstructed, hereby causing a +standstill, the one at our rear would inevitably press us upon the front +one. What cold drops of perspiration rolled over my forehead! How I held +my breath! Who shall describe the anxiety of such moments? There was but +one way open--the way to the stars and the Throne beyond the stars. +Before and behind us the foe, on both sides mountains, so steep and +rugged that it would be folly even to attempt to climb them. Wistfully +we looked up. + +After riding some distance we met a native that belonged to the front +column. He had tarried a little too long. We addressed him in English, +and thus put him off the scent altogether. Mistaking us for English, he +told us all he knew about the different columns. In this way we rode +along, gradually approaching the extremity of the two ranges. Out at +last! How relieved we felt can hardly be imagined. Once more we breathed +freely. The poor native! How startled he was when he discovered his +mistake, and learnt that he was then a prisoner, and had to accompany +us. + +On the 13th of October, 1901, the enemy had very ingeniously laid a trap +for me, and had almost drawn me into it. + +At that time we were in the district of Wepener, a village on the +Basutoland border. Several British columns were then operating in that +district. As so many were concentrated there, it was extremely hazardous +and difficult for small commandoes, such as ours, to move during the +daytime. The space between the Caledon River and Basutoland in which we +could move becoming daily more and more circumscribed and limited, we +determined to cross the Caledon River. Besides, we heard that the river +was rising, and so were anxious to ford it before it was in flood. + +On the evening of the 12th of October we set out in the direction of the +river. At 10 P.M. we arrived at a farm, where we halted till 1 A.M. It +was our intention to stop at this farm for the night, but owing to some +strange foreboding of imminent danger I resolved to leave; and at 1 +A.M. gave orders to saddle. As it was a very dark and cold night, some +of the burghers felt reluctant to leave, and I heard them saying, "What +is up again to-night with General Kritzinger? Surely we are perfectly +safe here! Why trek again in the bitter cold at midnight?" But my orders +had to be obeyed, and at 2 A.M. we were on the march. + +Five of the men, who could not find their horses in the dark, were left +behind to seek them when it was light. At daybreak that farm was +surrounded and shelled by the enemy. Had we remained there we would have +been in a sad plight; the five men were all captured. We escaped, but +there was another trap for the next day. We off-saddled at a farm three +miles from the river. Commandant Wessels, three burghers and myself rode +to the Drift--"Basters Drift"--to see whether the stream was still +fordable. + +Little dreaming that the enemy was concealed on the opposite bank of the +river, behind the ruins of an old homestead, and was watching us as we +gradually approached the river, we entered the stream and waded through +it. Arrived on the opposite side we sent one of the men back to call the +commando, for the river was rising rapidly. The other two burghers were +sent to reconnoitre ahead, while Wessels and myself remained on the bank +of the river. + +Scarcely had the two men left us, when we were startled by rifle reports +close by. We jumped up, ran to our horses, and saw that we were hardly +100 yards away from the enemy. All we could do was to recross the river, +and that had to take place in a shower of bullets. Let one imagine +himself in a swollen river, so deep that his horse has to swim now and +then, and the foe on the bank directing an incessant fire on him, and he +will realise to some extent our position. We reached the bank safely, +but had to do another 800 yards to get out of harm's way. + +The two men we had sent ahead--what became of them? Alas! they rode into +the jaws of death, for when they discovered the enemy they were hardly +15 yards from them. "Hands up!" resounded from behind the wall. The men, +rather than surrender and sacrifice their commando, made an ill-fated +attempt at escape. In the twinkling of an eye they were shot down. The +one--a young Trichard from Cradock--was dead on the spot; three bullets +penetrated his body. The other--young Wessels from Winburg--was wounded +in the leg and captured. + +These two brave young men were the means of saving Wessels and myself +either from being captured or shot. And not only that, but their gallant +action, in which the one forfeited his life, and the other a limb, +proved the salvation of the whole commando. If they had surrendered +Wessels and I would probably have gone in the same direction, and the +commando would have followed, and so all of us would have been in a +terrible predicament. But they had risked their lives to save us from +certain destruction. + +Failing to ford the river at that drift, we proceeded down-stream with +the hope of crossing it somewhere else. To our disappointment the river +had risen to such a degree that the only transit still left could be a +bridge. Now there was but one far down the stream, and it was very +doubtful whether that was not held by the enemy. Anyway, we were going +to try, and so marching almost all the whole night we arrived at the +bridge a little after sunrise. How glad we were to find the bridge still +unoccupied! We had just reached it in time, for half an hour after we +had gone over the British took possession of it. They had now completed +their cordon; but we--were out of the circle. + +On the 22nd of the same month we were once again in tight +corners--surrounded by three columns. + +As we found no rest either for ourselves or our animals in the +south-eastern districts of the Orange Free State, we resolved to go to +the Winburg and Ladybrand districts. + +The enemy had pitched their camps all along the main road from +Reddersburg to Dewetsdorp, and from there to Wepener. These stations +were from six to eight miles apart, and formed a kind of fence. Through +this line we had to pass, as well as the blockhouse line extending from +Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, _via_ Thaba 'Nchu. + +We left at dusk, got safely through the camp-line, and rode on till 2 +A.M., when we arrived at a certain farm. We went to the house to make +inquiries as to the enemy. A woman opened the door, and on learning who +we were, informed us that a quarter of an hour from her home an English +column was encamped. How disgusting! We had been in the saddle from +sunset to 2 A.M. and here we were, just a quarter of an hour from the +enemy. We thought and hoped that we were then at least twelve miles from +the nearest column. Why not engage them? the reader might ask. Well, we +did. But our horses, which had to live on the tender grass-shoots, +needed a rest very badly; we could hardly use them. Besides, there was a +blockhouse-line to pass the following night, and this one was still 24 +miles off. + +We proceeded another three miles, to be at least four miles from that +column. At about 2.30 we off-saddled. Being not quite at ease we rose +after a short rest and re-saddled. Two scouts were sent to a hill close +by. To their surprise they found the enemy's pickets stationed on the +same kopje, at the foot of which the British camp was pitched. Having +said "good-morning" to each other in military fashion the two returned +with the unwelcome news that the enemy was just next door. We had slept +side by side without knowing of each other. Ignorance was bliss that +night. + +This column--about 200 strong--on discerning us, at once prepared for +action. Though very tired, we took up positions and began to engage the +advancing foe. We succeeded in checking their progress, and certainly +had the best of the situation till noon, when the scene was changed. My +scouts returned with the alarming report that two other columns were +advancing on us from Thaba 'Nchu. + +I saw that we could not afford to lose a moment, for the two columns +were not far apart, nor at any great distance from us. If we should +continue the fight with the one the others would meet and we would be +surrounded. Hence I gave instructions to the men to fall back. The +report reached us unfortunately too late--our exit was already cut off. +The enemy had occupied positions all around us, and there we were, right +in the centre of a circle whose circumference consisted of an unbroken +line of enemies. My secretary, who had never before been in such a +circle, asked me: "Now, General, what now? What is our next move?" "We +must charge that column in front of us," I replied, and, suiting the +action to the word, we went off as fast as our tired horses could go, +making straight for the enemy. This was too much for them; they first +halted, and then--retreated to a ridge about 1700 yards to their left. +This retreat afforded us an exit. We were, however, exposed to a +cross-fire for fully three miles, but it proved ineffectual, for only +one burgher was slightly wounded. + +If the enemy had not retreated that day, or had only occupied a certain +brook, through which we had to pass, it would have been impossible for +us to escape. But if there were no _ifs_ there would not have been such +a lamentable war in South Africa. Neither would such unpardonable +blunders have been committed. + +We were glad that the enemy had allowed us to pass. That night we +crossed the fighting-line near to Sprinkhaan's Nek, where General De Wet +and his men had such a hot reception. + + +BETWEEN TWO RIVERS AND FIVE COLUMNS. + +On the evening of the 14th of March, 1901, my commando crossed the Tarka +River, after which Tarka Stad is named. As heavy rains were falling we +bivouacked not far from the river. There in the veldt, without any +shelter, we spent a miserable night, for we were exposed to incessant +showers, which drenched us to the very skin. But there was something +even worse in store for us the following day. + +Having crossed the Tarka River, we were between that river and another +called Vlekpoort River, which flows into the Tarka some six miles from +where we had forded the latter. + +The following morning we rode to a farm near by. There we off-saddled, +fed our horses, and began to prepare our breakfast. How stiff, cold and +hungry we were! We could hardly wait until the meat was thoroughly +broiled. Just as we began to satisfy the pangs of hunger the scouts +came back, and once more it was "opzaal! opzaal!" (saddle! saddle!). We +knew what it meant. The enemy was on our heels. + +Two columns were on our right flank, between the two rivers. One had +followed us up, and was then on the banks of the Tarka River; another +was encamped in front of us on the banks of the Vlekpoort River; whilst +a fifth was stationed near the confluence of the two streams. Thus five +columns all around us; and the problem to be solved was, how to get out +of the net. + +This problem we solved in a practical manner. We occupied at once the +strongest positions we could find, and, fortunately for us, between the +rivers were natural positions so strong, that, with a small number of +men, it was possible to hold one's own against great odds. These +positions we seized, and were determined to stand or fall thereby. We +would fight to the last cartridge, and then try and break through the +cordon during the night. + +In the meanwhile the enemy had drawn nearer. At about 8 A.M. the +fighting commenced. From different directions shell after shell was +hurled upon us. Again and again the enemy charged us, but was beaten +back with greater loss to themselves than to us. Retreat? We could not. +Surrender? That was out of the question; so from morn till sunset we +clung to our positions, as though we were tied to them, and defended our +persons as resolutely as possible. + +Just as the sun was setting we stormed one of the enemy's positions. And +although three of the burghers were wounded, the rest succeeded in +expelling the enemy. Our way was now open; when darkness set in we could +recross the Tarka. A pom-pom fire was opened upon us from the column on +our left flank as we crossed the stream, which was then so high that our +horses had to swim. Owing to the darkness none were injured. + +The following day we had the pleasure of capturing the Commandant of +Tarka Stad with his escort. The enemy was so sure of our surrender that +a report was sent to Tarka Stad to the effect that we were quite +surrounded, and that they hoped to deliver us the following morning at 8 +o'clock. And as they might require some more ammunition to force us to +surrender, the military must forward some. + +The commandant of the village was taking this ammunition out when we met +him. His men, riding in twos and threes at some distance apart, were +disarmed by us without wasting bullets on them. At last the commandant, +who happened to be some distance behind, came riding up to us. As he +came on I rode up to him and said in a friendly tone: "Old chap, you'd +better let me have your gun." Thinking that I was imposing upon him, he +said: "Come along; don't play the fool!" When I had assured him that I +was in earnest he remarked: "But surely you are not a Boer. Kritzinger's +commando is the only one in the district, and that is surrounded." Then +taking the report out of his pocket he said: "Just read +this--'Kritzinger surrounded, will be captured and brought in +to-morrow.'" Imagine his astonishment on learning that he was then +addressing the very man whom he had hoped to meet as a prisoner-of-war. + +He handed me his rifle. After that we had a long conversation, and +enjoyed a drink together, as though we had never been at war. + +The ammunition and horses were confiscated, and came in very useful +after the engagement of the previous day. The commandant and his party +were then dismissed. + + +AGAINST THE RAILWAY. + +Towards the end of July, 1901, large forces of the enemy had +concentrated upon my commando. Our only salvation then lay in crossing +the Port Elizabeth railway line, near which we then were. + +After a day's fighting we set out to the line, but to our great +disappointment and embarrassment we found the line securely guarded by +armoured trains, which made it impossible for us to cross during the +day. + +The enemy had followed us up, and there was no chance of retracing our +steps. All we could do was to resist the foe till it was dark, and then +try to escape. This we did, and succeeded in repelling the enemy. The +burghers fought bravely, but at sunset they were forced to evacuate +their positions and withdraw to a mountain next to the railway line. + +This was our last position. We could go no farther. In front of us was +the railway, behind and on our flanks the British columns. Indeed, an +uncomfortable situation! We fought until it was quite dark; then the +firing ceased, and we had time to plan an escape. And this is what we +did. At 11 o'clock that evening numerous fires were kindled on the top +of the mountain. We knew that these fires would be misleading; the +enemy, as long as they saw the lights, would think that we were still on +the mountain, and, being less watchful, we might slip through. + +At 12 o'clock we saddled. We were going to try to pass through the +enemy's line. On we rode, silently and guided by the sentinels' fires; +we knew exactly which spots to avoid. Every moment brought us nearer to +our doom or deliverance. Shall we succeed or not? we anxiously asked +ourselves. Unnoticed we passed the foe and were free once more. + +The next morning only the ashes of our fires were surrounded. As a +shower of rain had fallen the same night, wiping out the footprints of +our horses, the British certainly wondered what became of us. The Boers +had again disappeared so mysteriously. + +I shall conclude this chapter with two striking incidents. On the 13th +of August, 1901, we came in conflict with the British forces in the +district of Venterstad, Cape Colony. During the engagement I observed +that the enemy was bent on a certain position which, if seized, would +enable them to surround us. Now the Boer never likes to be surrounded. +There is nothing that he dreads so much as a siege. To keep my way open, +I took a number of burghers, and with these occupied the position +referred to. Having stationed them there I rode back to the hill where I +had been before. Unfortunately this hill had been deserted in the +meanwhile, and was then held by the enemy. + +Seeing a number of horses at the base of the hill I concluded that the +burghers were still there and thus rode on without the slightest +apprehension. Arrived at the foot of the hill, I looked up, and to my +astonishment saw a large greyhound with the men. This made me +suspicious. One of them at once called out: "Hands up! Come here, you +beggar!" I was with the wrong party. Surrender? Verily not. I turned my +horse, gave spurs, and off we went, horse and rider carried, as it were, +by bullets which whistled past my head with deafening noise. For a +considerable distance I was exposed to this shower of bullets. My horse +received two wounds, but brought me out unscathed. That night I was cut +off from the commando, and all the burghers thought that I was shot or +captured. To their delight and surprise I joined them the next day +again. That same day I was to have as marvellous an escape as the day +before. + +From early morn we were engaging the foe. While the fight was going on I +took nine men to occupy a certain hill. This hill was already in the +possession of the enemy, but we were not conscious of that, and thus +unwittingly rode on to our doom. + +The enemy had carefully hidden on the hill, and without challenging us +opened a terrible fire upon us just as we arrived at the foot of the +hill. Seeing that we were only a small party it certainly was not manly +on their part to fire before challenging us. All the men but one were +instantly wounded or killed, and their horses shot down. One of them +escaped on foot. Strange--perhaps incredible to some--I came out with my +horse and that uninjured. + +At the close of the war I met the officer who was in command on that +hill. He told me that as we came riding up to the hill he recognised me +and told his men: "There, Kritzinger is coming; let us make sure of +him." I happened to be riding a black horse, taken from one Captain +King. That horse was so well known to the enemy that at a great distance +they could recognise me. + +These are some of the narrow corners in which we found ourselves during +the war. I could multiply them, but 'tis needless. They will give the +reader some idea of what we often had to pass through. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +TO THE CAPE COLONY. + + +From March to December, 1901, the area of war operations was limited +exclusively to the two Republics. All the British forces were +concentrated there. Gradually the fact dawned upon us that, unless we +contrived to draw the British forces, in some way or other, off the +Republics, the latter would eventually be exhausted of all provisions, +which would necessitate their surrender. They could not for ever supply +Boer commandoes and British columns with provisions, especially when +farming pursuits were so disturbed and hampered by the enemy. It became +quite clear that, in the event of a long campaign, our whole salvation +would be in the Cape Colony. There we would be drawing on the enemy's +resources, and the British Government would indirectly be supporting us +in compensating colonists for losses sustained by Boer commandoes. An +additional advantage, should the scene of operations be transferred from +the Republics to the Cape Colony, would be that many colonists would +enlist in our ranks. There we should be constantly recruited, and our +commandoes would increase rather than decrease. That was an advantage +not to be despised, for our forces were getting daily weaker in the +states. + +[Illustration: GENERAL CHRISTIAN DE WET.] + +With such facts before him, General De Wet planned a second invasion of +the Cape Colony towards the close of the year 1901. By the end of +November we met him with his forces, about 1500 strong, in the district +of Bethulie. After a few days' fighting with the forces of General Knox +on the farms Goede Hoop and Willoughby, we left for the Orange River, +which we intended to ford at Odendaal's Stroom, a drift fifteen miles +below Aliwal North. + +As heavy rains began to fall, we were anxious to reach the river before +it was in flood. Day and night through rain and mud we ploughed on +towards the river. When we reached the Caledon River we saw that the +water was rising rapidly, and began to fear that the Orange River, which +was still thirty miles off, would be impassable. Well, we were going to +try. We increased our speed, and left behind scores of tired horses and +mules. + +The 1st of December, at sunset, we arrived on the banks of the river. +But what a disappointment! A rolling mass of water before us, so deep +and strong that there was no chance to pass through. And there we were +between two rivers in flood, with a narrow strip of country between +them, and thousands of the enemy on our track. We knew that the English +could seize the bridges, of which there are but a few, and could then be +reinforced from all parts of the country to hem us in so closely that +escape would be impossible. De Wet would at last be "cornered" and +forced to surrender--so, at least, the enemy thought. Our situation +seemed, nay was indeed, very critical. + +To delay and wait for the fall of the river was out of the question. For +not only would it take at least fifteen days before the river would have +subsided to such a degree that we could hope to ford it, but De Wet's +old friend, General Knox, was at his heels. All we could do was to march +up the Caledon. That river, being much smaller than the Orange River, +would sooner fall and afford us a way of escape. Our hopes were +realised. De Wet found a ford where he and his whole commando passed +through. Once more he was a free man. We accompanied him for some +distance up the river, until we came to the farm of one Smith. Here +Captain Scheepers, Captain Fouche and myself left the main body and went +with our commando, consisting of about 300 men in all, in the direction +of Rouxville, where, on the 13th of December, we captured 150 of the 2nd +Brabants, who were sent to and _for_ us. + +While in the Rouxville district we received a message from De Wet that +we should enter the Colony as soon as possible, and that he would try to +follow us up. He was, however, prevented from carrying out his +intentions. It seemed as if Providence had so ordained it that he should +not cross the Orange River, or, even crossing it, should not sojourn for +a long time in the land of the enemy. For no sooner had he passed the +Caledon, than the enemy concentrated on him and succeeded in driving him +back through Sprinkhaan Nek to the northern districts of the Orange Free +State. + +This, however, afforded us a chance of slipping through on to British +soil. In the night of the 15th of December, at 2 A.M., we forded the +Orange River at a point five miles below Odendaal's Stroom. It was a +dark night, and the water was still very high, but we all reached the +opposite bank in safety. There we came upon the guard of the drift, as +they were indulging in a game of cards. One was wounded, two ran away +and eight were captured. They did not expect us to cross the river at 2 +A.M., and were thus taken unawares. + +We were now once more in British territory. But what a contrast between +this and our first invasion in the beginning of the war! No large +commandoes, no waggons, and no guns. We were only 300 men--a raiding +band, as some contemptuously called us--with one Maxim, and even that +proved too cumbersome, for we soon cast it into a pool. Instead of +waggons and tents we had only our horses and mackintoshes, and some were +even without the latter. No large supplies of ammunition; our bandoliers +were almost all half empty. + +The morning of the 16th of December, then, found us in the Cape Colony. +We had made up our minds to spend at least some months in the enemy's +country. Come what may, we would not return to the Orange Free State. If +the British had the right to stay in the Republics, why should we not +tarry awhile in the Colony? From the river we made a forced march to +Venterstad, a small village lower down the stream. We needed an +outfitting, and thought that that would be the most likely place where +we would get it. We only had to surprise the garrison, about 50 strong, +and we would have all we wanted. In this we were quite successful. The +garrison, or town-guard, soon hoisted the white flag. + +We could now fill our bandoliers, and requisition the necessary articles +in clothing, boots, etc. But the enemy was not slow to follow us. We +were just allowed sufficient time to take all we required, and then the +columns came to remind us that we were strangers and intruders. + +As we have related our experiences in other chapters, we shall not here +enter into details. For at least seven months, after we had crossed the +river, the enemy continually harassed us. We hardly enjoyed a single +day's rest. During the day we had to fight, and during the night we had +to trek. One thing was plain: the enemy was determined to silence us +completely. That they did not succeed is almost passing strange. If 300 +Britishers were to have entered the two republics, would they have +proceeded very far? + +General Hertzog had, at the same time, invaded the western province of +the Cape Colony, but, being far away from the railway line, the British +did not worry him very much. They all seemed to conspire against my +small band, and had the additional advantage of railways on every side +of us. Deeper and deeper into the heart of the Colony we were driven. We +marched in a southern direction. Whither? We did not know, only forward. +And so far did we push on that at length the vast expanse of the Indian +Ocean loomed in the distance, and reminded us that it was time to +retrace our steps, for we could certainly go no farther on horseback. So +we slipped through the pursuing columns, and returned to the districts +of Jansenville, Graaff-Reinet and Cradock. + +In February we were not so hotly pursued. De Wet had entered the Cape +Colony from the north-west; and like a magnet he drew most of the +British forces irresistibly to him. This gave us a short rest, which +was, alas! only too short. For De Wet, as well as Hertzog, had to fall +back on the Orange Free State, and with redoubled energy the British +came upon us like a mighty avalanche. The reader can hardly realise +what we had to undergo these first eight months in the Cape Colony. + +It was a bitter disappointment to learn how De Wet had fared and that +both he and Hertzog had abandoned the Cape Colony. We knew it was not +their fault and so did not blame them. Still we were resolved to hold +out as long as possible. Gradually it went better; the colonists began +to enlist and our numbers swelled. We could now form other commandos, +and despatch these in various directions, and that prevented the enemy +from concentrating all their forces on us. At last we had gained such a +strong footing in the Colony that to expel us all was simply an +impossibility. + +And how did General De Wet fare when he crossed the Orange River on the +11th of February, 1901? The following account given by one who +accompanied him will give the reader some idea of the unsuccessful +attempt at invasion. + + "MY DEAR K.,--We are just back from the Cape Colony, and no doubt + you will be anxious to hear all about our recent experiences. I + daresay you have followed us all the while in thought, and have + carefully studied the papers to ascertain our movements and learn + what we were doing. As we have little faith in newspaper + war-reports, I shall take the trouble to give you a full account of + our short-lived colonial invasion. + + "You will be surprised, and perhaps sorely disappointed, to hear + that De Wet's and Hertzog's commandoes are all back in the Orange + Free State. This means that you are going to have now ever so much + harder times, for the enemy will certainly concentrate their forces + on your small commando, to clear you out of the Cape Colony as soon + as possible. The odds, of course, will be so great to contend + against, that, humanly speaking, you will be bound to retreat + across the Orange River. Still I trust that you will not follow our + example, but will find the Colony quite large enough to baffle the + enemy in their attempts to capture you. And as the British have + already exerted themselves in vain for over three months to oust + you, we entertain the hope that you will maintain your ground till + reinforced. + + "On the 11th of February we, _i.e._, General P. Fourie's division, + crossed the Orange River at Zanddrift, west of Philippolis. De Wet + had taken possession of the drift the previous day, so our way was + open, and as the river was low it was not difficult to ford it. + With the exception of a few mules we sustained no losses. It was + somewhat like a picnic, the burghers were as gay as could be. Being + a very hot day they spent most of the time in the water. The guns + and some other vehicles were dragged through the river by teams + composed of sprightly young men. It was a sight to see 70 or 80 men + before a gun or waggon in the stream. I could not help thinking in + what a plight these would be should the enemy suddenly appear on + the banks of the river. That, indeed, would be a surprise worth + beholding. At sunset we were all on British soil. + + "After the burghers had taken supper the whistle was blown and the + oft-repeated command, 'opzaal,' sounded in their ears. That night + we did not make a long trek, for both horses and men felt equally + tired after the day's exertions. Still we had to cover at least + eight miles, for it was not quite safe so near to the river. There + were columns behind and columns in front of us, and columns on + every side. After a wearisome march over a rugged and uneven road, + if road it could be called, with intense darkness enveloping us, we + finally reached the halting-place. + + "The following morning at sunrise we started for Bezuidenhoud's + farm, which was close by. There the burghers received their + instructions from De Wet. With regard to their conduct in the Cape + Colony it was pointed out to them that they should treat the + colonists in such a way as would ensure their friendship. On no + account were they to molest the peaceful neutral British subjects, + for they were not at war with the colonists. They were also + forbidden to take anything from British subjects without paying the + proper value for the thing required. There were some more + injunctions, which have escaped my memory. No wonder that one + should forget when chased as we were. I believe these orders were, + as a rule, obeyed. In fact I should say we erred in adhering so + strictly to them, for we met some ultra-loyalists who would not + give or sell us so much as a morsel of food. Now when any one is + hungry, and people will neither give nor sell, what else can he do + than help himself? If he does not, it is his own fault should he + starve. At a certain farm we offered a sovereign for one bucket of + meal, but all in vain; when we asked the woman for a glass of + water, she pointed us to a spring some distance off. Shameful, is + it not! Next time we shall, I am afraid, not be so over-polite. One + learns a lot every day. + + "At 11 A.M. our scouts reported that they had sighted two columns + about 7 miles from us. And now our troubles and hardships + commenced. What we anticipated and dreaded had actually taken + place. The enemy had occupied all the passes in front of us, + preventing us thereby from crossing the railway at the intended + point between Norval's Pont and Colesberg. We had now to go in that + barren and desolate part of the Colony where one is entirely + dependent upon forage, and where, unfortunately for us, none was to + be had. + + "I expected that the British would intercept us. They knew about De + Wet's intended invasion; and had every facility by rail for + mobilising and seizing all the points of consequence. Whilst we had + to ride all the way from Winburg district, they had the advantage + of being transported by rail--an advantage which can hardly be + over-estimated. + + "Encumbered with guns and waggons, we could not dodge the enemy. We + either had to seize the passes or proceed in a direction which + might lead to fatal results. To do the former appeared impossible + to De Wet, and so the latter course was reluctantly adopted. If it + were not for the convoy, we would have achieved our object and + would have entered those districts where commandoes could exist. + + "The enemy was engaged till dusk. We had no casualties; but + Commandant Ross and a number of his men were cut off. They managed + to reach the Orange Free State safely. How they found their way + through the various columns, I can't say--a Boer, if need be, can + retire wonderfully well! At sunset our convoy almost fell into the + hands of the enemy. What a pity it did not! It would have saved us + so much needless trouble, and we would have been far better off + without it. + + "Most of the night we remained in the saddle. The General was + anxious to get as far away as possible from the columns, to rest + his horses for a few hours. But the British, so it seemed, were + resolved that neither we nor our horses should have a rest, for + early the next morning they were on our heels. We could not offer + any resistance, because we had no positions, and could not + recklessly expose ourselves to the enemy's fire without any cover + at all. On the open plain our horses would have been swept away by + the enemy's guns, and in a short time we would have been all + infantry. Hence, on their approach we withdrew, hoping to find a + place where we could make a stand. Unfortunately we failed to find + the wished-for positions. For miles and miles the country is just + one vast plain; when you get to the end of that plain you may find + a ridge, a hill or slight elevation, which, however, did not + signify much. The enemy could easily outflank and surround us, if + we did not abandon it in time. With eyelids "heavy and dim," and + bodies "weary and worn," exposed to the dazzling rays of a burning + sun, we rode on, driven occasionally as a herd of cattle. At last + night fell and we could enjoy a short rest. + + "The next morning the same story was repeated: the English hot on + our track--no rest for body or soul. The country being as flat as + the part we had traversed the previous day, we had to march again + the whole day under a burning sun. Now and then we dismounted for a + few minutes, in order that our horses might snatch a few mouthfuls + of grass. + + "At the hour of sunset there was something to relieve the monotony + of fleeing all day. Two burghers--bread spies as we call them--had + gone ahead to buy some bread at a farm where a party of the enemy + was stationed. Not aware of that, they rode up to the house, with + the result that one got captured, while the other returned under a + hail of bullets at a breakneck pace to relate the fate of his + comrade. De Wet immediately sent in a note asking the enemy to + surrender, since they numbered only about twenty. They answered + shortly: 'We won't.' They were then charged, and up went the white + flag without their firing a single shot. + + "For the night we bivouacked at that farm. The British columns were + now scarcely four miles from us. We dreaded a night attack, but, + owing to incessant rain, both parties seemed only too glad to stay + where they were. Here we had the advantage of hills and ridges, + where we could stand and face the foe. + + "At sunrise the enemy's guns and Maxim-Nordenveldt began to play on + these ridges. Our guns had been placed in position, too, and + responded sharply. We succeeded in beating off the enemy's attacks + till 11 A.M., then we were outflanked and had to evacuate our + positions. Their losses must have been great. Two of our men fell + in the action. + + "From there we marched in the direction of the railway line, which + we intended to cross that night near Houtkraal station. We were + about seven miles from the line, and were very anxious to pass + over. We were afraid that the English would send on their forces by + rail to guard the line and march upon us from in front, which, if + done, could result in our complete annihilation. Besides, we + intended, as soon as we were on the other side of the line, to + divide our force into several commandoes and let these take + different courses so that the enemy would not be able to + concentrate any longer all their men on us. Thus wearily we dragged + on through mud and rain to the line. + + "To prevent armoured trains from cutting off our transit, men were + sent ahead to destroy the line at two points. Here again we + committed a few blunders for which we had to suffer. In the first + instance the line was blown up at too early an hour that night, + long before we were ready to pass over. The explosions reported our + presence, and the armoured trains were despatched to restore the + line. Then again, owing to the darkness the points where the line + was destroyed were not sufficiently far apart. This we discovered + when the enemy's guns began to roar and their shells exploded in + our midst. + + "Before reaching the line there was something to get through--a + swamp at least 1500 paces broad. One can hardly have an idea what + this swamp was like, and how much trouble it cost us and our poor + animals to get through it. This was a veritable 'Slough of + Despond.' It was covered with water from one side to the other, and + we had to wade through knee deep, and sometimes the water reached + to our loins. The water was no serious obstacle, but the ground was + of a morass-like nature that our animals sank in to their knees and + often to their girths. Most of the burghers had to dismount and + lead their horses. Every now and then a horse would stumble, and + down came the rider splashing in the mud and water. I led my + faithful 'Klein Booi' all the way, walking knee deep through mud + and water. Just think how we must have looked the following + morning, with clogs of mud attached to our clothes, hands and + faces, while our horses were baptised in mud! The waggons and guns + gave us most trouble. It was quite impossible to get these through + the swamp. They stuck in the mud, with draft animals and all. We + had as many as fifty oxen before one waggon, but they could not + move it an inch. Some mules sank in so deep that they could not + extricate themselves, and were left to die in the mud! + + "At daybreak the guns, De Wet's waggonette and a few carts were + through the swamp; the rest of the convoy was still in it. General + Fourie and a hundred burghers were left with the waggons while the + commando proceeded to the line. At sunrise we were safely on the + other side of the line, where we waited for Fourie. Suddenly, and + very unexpectedly, a shell exploded in our midst, like a + thunderbolt from a clear sky. I looked about to see whence it came; + but before my eyes detected the armoured trains, another and yet + another shell dropped in our midst. I say _in our midst_, for we + were riding in close formation when these horrible projectiles were + hurled upon us. As our horses were very tired and the veldt soaked + through and through by the heavy rains, we could not scatter, nor + ride fast, as we usually do when exposed to cannon fire in the open + veldt. Thus slowly we rode on under this cannonade. And how + wonderful none were injured! The hand of the invisible omnipresent + God must have shielded us. At last we were out of the cannon's + reach. Meanwhile the line had been repaired, the armoured trains + moved freely up and down. Fourie, five other officers, and about a + hundred burghers were now cut off from the commando. The burghers + found their way back to the Free State; the officers followed us + up, but, alas! met us only when we were on the point of recrossing + the Orange River. + + "In what a sorry plight we now were! Some of our ablest officers + severed from us at a time when they were most needed. Their absence + caused the greatest confusion, for now there were numbers of men + without any officers. Besides, it was then impossible to carry out + the idea of splitting up the commando without officers. Hence we + were to be driven along by the overwhelming numbers at our rear. + How many there were is hard to tell, but we caught up some of their + despatches, from which we learnt that there were no fewer than + fourteen columns in pursuit of us. + + "Gradually we drifted into the most deplorable and wretched + conditions. Our animals, owing to lack of fodder, began to give in. + Scores of these we had to leave behind, some of them in excellent + condition, but so starved that they could proceed no farther. The + result was that hundreds of burghers had to walk, and they suffered + most. How I felt for these unfortunates! They walked and walked + until, exhausted and footsore, many a one dropped down along the + road-side. There were those whose clothes were torn to fragments by + the brambles through which they forced their way. They presented an + appearance which evoked one's compassion. + + "These men had to confront another enemy--hunger. They scarcely + found time to prepare a meal, for when they arrived at the + halting-place the first word they heard was, as a rule, "opzaal!" + Thus footsore, battered, and with empty stomachs, these fellows had + to march for miles and miles to escape the enemy's grip. + + "I admired their power of endurance, patience, and determination. + But admiration was not enough. I parted with all my horses, giving + them to men who could walk no longer, and so walked on myself, + until, footsore and exhausted, I too could go no farther. It was a + pleasure to minister in this way to men who loved their country. + + "If it were not for this determination on the part of De Wet's + forces to keep out of the hands of the enemy, hundreds would have + been captured, yet I believe not more than 250 prisoners were + taken. As we went on our numbers gradually diminished. Those who + were unable to keep pace with the main body broke off in small + parties and found their way back to the Orange Free State. + + "By the 19th we had pushed on as far as Brak River, about twelve + miles from Prieska. Here we met with another disappointment, which + almost proved fatal to our whole commando. The river was in flood + and no transit possible. In what a dreadful plight we were! Hardly + eight miles behind us the British columns were stationed in + crescent shape; in front was the swollen Brak River, and nine miles + to our right was the Orange River, and that in flood. Here at least + it seemed as if De Wet would be caught, and though he escaped, this + certainly was one of the tightest corners in which he ever found + himself. + + "About two hours before sunset we heard that the enemy was rapidly + approaching us. Anxiously we asked ourselves, Whither now? We could + not return, we could not ford the river; to proceed up-stream would + expose us to the risk of being quartered against the river. There + was but one course to follow, and that an extremely hazardous one. + We could march down the Brak River as far as the Orange River, and + then proceed along the latter. Between us and the enemy there was + then a ridge, extending parallel with the Orange River. Behind this + ridge we would be out of the enemy's view. Should they reach this + elevation before it was dark, we would be pressed, with fatal + consequences to ourselves, against a swollen river. But here + darkness proved our salvation once more. We proceeded down the Brak + River and up the Orange River. When the enemy came to the ridge + mentioned it was so dark that they could see no traces of us. + + "De Wet had now decided to fall back on the Orange Free State. To + many of us this was a bitter disappointment; but we saw that + nothing else could be done under the circumstances. With tired + horses and many burghers on foot we could not hope to circumvent + the enemy. Others, especially those who had suffered most in + walking, were enraptured at the idea of going back to the Free + State. Their drooping spirits revived, and with renewed courage + they started on the homeward march. + + "The whole of that night we trekked along the banks of the Orange + River, parallel to the British columns. We tried one ford after the + other, but to our dismay the stream was impassable. The following + day we were not only behind the enemy, but had outstripped them by + nine miles. To gain more on them we kept up the march almost + unbroken the whole day. And what a day it was! We had to walk from + twelve to fifteen miles without a drop of water. Once we came to a + forsaken well. The water was of a greenish hue, bitter and + stagnant--a real Marah--but we drank to quench our thirst and + moisten our parched lips. + + "On the 22nd we had proceeded to a point six miles beyond the + confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. Here we found a small + boat, and began at once to transport the dismounts. We knew that + these, once across the river, would be in a safer position. Day and + night we were engaged in taking these over; but the work progressed + very slowly, for the boat could only take ten or twelve men at a + time, and, besides, was so leaky that two had constantly to throw + out the water. After 250 men had been ferried across the stream the + approach of the enemy was announced, and so near were they that + some of us had to depart in an almost half-naked state. About 80 + burghers had to hide in the river until the storm was over. Almost + all the vehicles were left behind while the main force retreated up + the river. + + "Fortune favoured me; I was among the lucky ones who found a seat + in the boat as she was returning for the last time. Willie Louw and + myself were appointed to supervise the boat, less the transport of + the men be retarded in some way or other. For some time we worked + together, and then Willie left me to manage alone. Though I was + anxious to cross myself, I could not then leave the boat. When the + report of the enemy reached us the burghers, eager to get through, + stormed the boat from all directions. They forgot that if all want + to get into the boat nobody will get across the river. What must be + done? As there was no time for much deliberation I jumped in and + expostulated with an excited crowd. None heeded, each pressed + forward to get a place in the boat. I was finally compelled to + threaten them with my revolver, but all in vain. No one was afraid. + I believe they knew too well that I would not pull the trigger. One + looked me straight in the face as I pointed the instrument to him + and said, 'My dear fellow, you may shoot if you wish--I am not + afraid; but I want to get through.' He completely disarmed me. I + had no more threats. + + "With an overcrowded boat we were at last on the stream, and + finally reached the opposite bank, just as the enemy was beginning + to shell De Wet's forces on the other side. It was indeed a relief + to me, but we had to march another fifteen miles without water, + exposed to scorching heat. At length we found some muddy water. + Lying next to our horses we sipped up water so thick and muddy that + we could hardly swallow it. + + "As to De Wet's further movements I can hardly give you full + particulars. He was followed up by the enemy, and had to abandon + his guns the following day. Trying one drift after the other he + succeeded at last in fording the river between Norval's Pont and + Zanddrift; and so after seventeen days he was back in the Free + State. + + "Here you have a sketch of our attempt to invade British dominions. + I have omitted many things of less interest. I wonder what you will + think of all this. Looking back upon our adventures, it is, of + course, easy to point out all the errors and blunders we have + committed. We should, for instance, never have encumbered ourselves + with a convoy and guns, which hampered our movements and were of + very little service to us. Then again, we should not have crossed + the river in one commando, but should have divided the force into + at least twelve or fifteen commandoes, and these should have + entered the Colony at different points, all moving in different + directions, then the enemy could not have concentrated their hosts + on us as they did. Besides, our discipline and organisation was + poor, and it is a well-known fact that a thousand in disorder can + accomplish less than two hundred well-organised men. But it is + useless to dwell on these points. 'Tis easier to criticize the past + than to forecast the future. Experience costs a great deal. + + "Has our attempt been a complete failure? In many respects I should + say it has. We have succeeded, however, in drawing the enemy out of + the Free State, which was our chief object. And, though it did not + cost them many lives, yet their following us in such desolate + regions must have proved very expensive, and must have been a + source of great hardship to themselves. If that be a consolation to + know that we have not suffered alone, we have, then, at least one + comfort. + + "Brak River was the last nail in our coffin. If we only could have + forded that, we would not have been ousted. On the other side of + the river we would have found not only grass for our tired horses, + but would also have been able to find remounts. Hertzog's commando + was not far off, and they were strongly mounted, and could have + rendered us great assistance. + + "The president, who accompanied us, remained cheerful to the last, + and, just as a common burgher, partook in all our troubles. Such a + man we may well be proud of, and, I need hardly say, that we love + and honour him all the more. + + "As to the conduct of the burghers we need only remark that it was + beyond praise. One never heard them grumble or murmur either + against De Wet or any other officer. No rebellious complaints or + threats were flung at the heads of those in authority. This, + indeed, is typical of the Boer. He endures suffering and hardship + with a submissive spirit and with a dignity which is remarkable. We + do not marvel at this, for are they not formed of that stuff of + which martyrs have been made in bygone years? And does not the + blood of the French Huguenot course through the veins of many a + one, while others are animated by the dauntless spirit of that + little nation that combated the once mighty Spain for eighty years, + and so achieved that honour and distinction which has secured for + them an abiding place in the history of nations? Such men, who are + willing to suffer and sacrifice all for freedom's sake, surely + deserve to succeed at last.--Yours fondly, + + "R.D. MCDONALD." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +WOUNDED. + + +During the first days of August, 1901, the enemy seemed more determined +than ever to effect my capture, or sweep me out of the Cape Colony, Very +large forces concentrated on my commando, and pressed us so hard that +our only safety lay in retreating to the Orange Free State. So hot was +the pursuit that for forty-eight hours our horses were not once +off-saddled. + +On the 14th we arrived on the banks of the Orange River, near to +Venterstad. We found the drift guarded by a small garrison of Hottentots +that offered slight resistance. After a short skirmish they surrendered, +and we waded safely through the stream. We were again on Free State +soil, in our native land, where we knew almost every inch of the +country. + +Fording the river brought us no immediate relief; it rather increased +our dangers. For we were now between two railway lines, each strongly +guarded by blockhouses, while the space between the two lines was so +confined and limited, that (with columns at our rear) we could not +venture to delay there a day or two. So we had to cross one of these +lines the same night. We decided upon the Springfontein-Bethulie line +and thither directed our steps. + +At about 8 A.M. we came in sight of the line, at a point six miles from +Springfontein Junction. The sun had already risen. It was a bright +morning, but our prospects were dark and ominous. We were confronted by +a line studded with blockhouses and fenced in on both sides, while two +armoured trains were belching forth clouds of steam and smoke in the +distance. Behind us, and not far to our rear, the British columns were +drawing nearer. We could but choose between two alternatives--surrender, +or cut the wire at any cost. The former we could hardly give a thought; +the latter must be done, and was successfully executed. + +Our first attempt failed. The burghers, who had no cover, retreated when +fire was opened upon them from the blockhouses. We fell back to a small +hill not far from the line, and there we made up our minds that we +_shall_ cross. Commandant Louis Wessels--certainly one of the most +intrepid and fearless officers of the whole Boer Army--made direct for +the two railway gates, near which a blockhouse had been erected. These +gates he opened, so that the burghers could proceed without any +obstruction. Then in the face of blockhouses on every side, guards and +armoured trains, we passed over the line. We were exposed to a shower of +bullets, and to a terrific pom-pom fire, from the armoured train, but, +to our amazement, without any effect. But for a few horses shot down, we +would have achieved our object without any losses. The men marvelled and +said Providence had protected them; the enemy probably attributed it to +ill-luck and bad shooting. Both may be correct. + +While passing over the line one of the men, accidentally or out of +fright, had dropped and left his gun behind. He was ordered back, and +had to pick it up under a storm of bullets. We could not afford to leave +rifles behind. This was my first experience in crossing the British +lines in daytime. Some time later I was to have a similar experience, +which, as far as my person was concerned, proved less successful, +indeed, almost fatal. + +In regard to the blockhouse system, we need only make these general +remarks. The blockhouses along the railway and fighting lines of the +British, as well as in and round garrisoned places, played a most +prominent part in bringing the war to an end. It was at all times +difficult and dangerous to attack them; and to force their occupants to +surrender involved greater loss of life on our part than we could +prudently face. The only way we could destroy them was to approach them +as near as possible during the night, and locate a dynamite bomb on or +near them. In this way some of them have been blown up. It seems a +barbarous process, but is not war, at its very best, barbarous, brutal, +and unbefitting civilized nations? + +As a means of capturing the burghers, they were a failure. Our +commandoes, when driven against them, always had sufficient pluck and +courage to cut the wires between them, and so they crossed the lines at +almost any point they pleased. That we _have_ crossed and recrossed them +frequently is proof enough that they were, in this respect, not a +success. The barbed wire fences, however complicated, were easily cut. + +As a means of capturing the women and children, and especially the +cattle, sheep and horses, they served the purpose well. It was almost +impossible to drive a flock of sheep or a herd of cattle, not to mention +horses, over these lines during the day. The women with the old and aged +would retreat with the cattle and sheep until they came in touch with +the blockhouses, and were then often captured, one and all. + +If it had not been for these little shanties all over the two republics, +it would have taken the British forces double if not treble the time to +have so thoroughly exhausted the late republics of food supplies. When +the republics were cut up into so many small sections it became +impossible to protect our foodstuffs. + +From the railway line we went to Rouxville district, where we enjoyed a +rest of ten days. But on the 1st of September the enemy came in large +numbers and till the 22nd of October harassed us almost daily. + +As I was anxious to return to the commandoes I left behind in the Cape +Colony, I thought it feasible to cross the fighting line, and take my +commando to Ladybrand district, where the enemy would probably leave us +unmolested for a while, and where the veldt provided ample food for our +horses. Thither we directed our steps, and for a month we saw no signs +of the British. + +On the 23rd of November we were again south of the +Bloemfontein-Ladybrand fighting line, and on our way to the Cape +Colony. My first intention was to ford the Orange River near Aliwal +North, but I soon realised that we would be incurring too great a risk +in trying to cross the river there, for about twenty or twenty-five +columns were then sweeping the southern districts of the Orange Free +State. Now if the river was in flood these columns could press us +against it, and we would then be in an awful predicament. So I resolved +to cut the wire of the main line near Springfontein Junction, and from +there march in the direction of Zanddrift, west of Philippolis. + +Before that could be accomplished we had to beat our track through the +columns already mentioned. And what a hearty reception they gave us! In +one day we had to pass no fewer than eleven of these. And they _did_ +lift us up--so much so that we scarcely lighted on the ground. Even now +I wonder how we contrived to escape these columns. We were fortunately +provided with a number of picked horses, to which we must largely +ascribe our salvation. + +In what a dreadful state we found the country east of the lines! It +resembled more a howling wilderness, a haunt of wild beasts, than an +habitation of human beings. It was cleared of all stock; no living +thing, and not a single burgher of other commandoes came in view. So +thoroughly was the country cleared of all necessaries of life, that for +six days we had to subsist on corn, coffee, and honey found in the +mountains, for the bee-hives at the farms were all destroyed. On the 7th +day, having cut the wire near Springfontein, we found large numbers of +springbucks in Fauresmith district, and though our supply of ammunition +was very limited, we could still afford to spare as many cartridges as +would provide sufficient food for men reduced to starvation's point. + +On the 15th of December we arrived at the river, and were ready to +intrude once more upon British territory. During the day the river was +carefully reconnoitred, so as to ascertain the best place to ford it. At +nightfall we headed for it, and at 9 P.M. the commando was on its banks. +In deep silence lest the guards woke up on the other side, and shielded +by the wings of darkness, we began to ford the stream. Heavy rains had +fallen higher up the river, in consequence of which the stream was so +swollen that our horses had to swim about 150 yards. The men who could +not swim had to rely exclusively on their horses, and clung to these for +all life was worth. It was a very dark night, and as we only spoke in +whispers, we succeeded in crossing the river, unobserved by the +sentinels or guards, purposely stationed there to prevent our entering +the Cape Colony. We were wet to the skin, six of the men were without +clothes, some lost their horses, and others their rifles and bandoliers, +but none their lives. We were indeed glad that we had attained our +object. But we did not know what was in store for us. + +At dawn we left the river, and moving southwards we soon encountered the +enemy not far from the river. From early in the morning till late in the +afternoon we were engaged by the enemy. At sunset we could off-saddle +and rest our tired horses for a short while, and a hasty meal was +prepared. + +At dusk we mounted again, and rode till 11.30 that evening, to get some +fodder. We arrived at a farm at midnight, but unfortunately it was +already occupied by the enemy. We had no sooner fastened our horses and +were lying down to rest, when the enemy began firing at us. We resaddled +at once, and left the farm as quickly and quietly as possible. One of +the burghers was wounded in the arm, the rest came out unhurt. + +We now went in search of another farm, for it was a necessity that our +horses should get some fodder. The night was very dark, and, being +unacquainted with that part of the country, we began wandering, and we +_did_ wander until the guide and most of the men were asleep on their +horses--wandered till we had described a circle and found ourselves, +after a three hours' ride, almost at the very farm we had left that +night. If it had not been for the flickering lights of the enemy's +camp-fires, we should not have known where we were, and certainly would +have been quite close to them the next morning. When we saw these +lights, hardly three miles away, _then_ we woke up. + +I then took the lead, and brought the commando to the farm we were in +search of. + +At sunrise we arrived there, off-saddled, and gave our horses fodder. +The pickets were put out, and breakfast was prepared. But, alas! before +we could eat, the enemy was upon us, and our intended feast was +converted into a prolonged fast. So near was the foe, and so rapidly did +they advance, that we had scarcely time to saddle and seize the nearest +ridges. If it had not been for the marvellous celerity of the Boer, many +of the men would have been captured at that farm. + +This was the 16th of December, 1901. The day I never shall forget in my +life's history, and in the history of the Anglo-Boer War. The sun rose +in splendour that morning, casting his rays upon me--a man in the prime +of life, full of energy and martial ambition. At eventide the scene was +changed! Weary, wounded and bleeding on a lonely plain, shrouded in +darkness, I lay, no more the man of the day, or of bygone days, but weak +and helpless as a babe. + +Though I had taken part in many hot engagements, both as burgher and +commander, and had been in many tight corners, yet I do not recollect a +day in which we were so brought to bay, when we were so hard pressed as +that day. Early in the morning it was evident that the enemy had but one +design that day, and that was to force me to surrender. My commando was +about eighty strong. On my flanks were continually two British columns, +whilst a third one was following up at my rear. With such a small number +of men at my disposal, and three columns to oppose, it was next to +impossible to offer successful resistance. We had hardly taken up a +position when the flanking columns would come round, and we had either +to abandon the position or allow ourselves to be shut in. Thus we were +compelled to retreat from one to another position, under the rays of a +December sun, which seemed to set everything on fire, through a country +so parched and dry that one hardly found a drop of water to quench one's +thirst, and that from early morn till sunset without a morsel of food! +That was enough to break down the strongest man. + +A little before sunset the ominous Cape Railway line stared us in the +face. We were again precisely in the same plight as on the 15th of +August, when we had to cut the wire near Springfontein Junction, only +with this difference--that the danger was much more imminent, the enemy +forming a semi-circle at my back, and before me was a line more strongly +fenced and better guarded than the first. But happily the armoured train +was not on the scene. As we were so successful in our first undertaking, +we determined to pass the enemy's line again in daylight. In fine, we +had to cut the wire or surrender. The latter was more repulsive than the +former. + +As my commando was now very near the line, there was not a moment to +lose. The enemy was advancing swiftly, and the armoured train might +appear at any time. Commandant Louis Wessels, Veldt Cornet Fraser, +Landman and myself proceeded with the utmost speed ahead of the commando +to cut the wire, in order that the progress of the commando should not +be impeded in the least. + +As we approached the line a sharp cross-fire from the blockhouses was +directed against us; but we all reached the fence safely and began +cutting the wire as quickly as possible. + +The enemy, knowing only too well who were trying to cut the wire, poured +volley after volley upon us. The bullets seemed to strike everywhere and +everything but ourselves. Let the reader imagine himself exposed to such +a fire, between two forts about 800 yards apart on a level track of +ground, and forming there in the centre a target for rifles, and he will +realise, to some extent, our situation at that moment. But this was not +all. To intensify our peril we met with thick steel wire which the +scissors refused to cut. We were delayed; the whole commando arrived, +and was checked by this wire. + +What an embarrassment! I ordered the men to spread, dismount, and fire +at the blockhouses until we had done the cutting. This was promptly +done. Having, been exposed to the enemy's fire for some minutes, we +succeeded at last in cutting that wire also. I then signalled the men +to pass. And once more the incredible occurred. On a plain between +blockhouses 800 yards apart, exposed to an incessant cross-fire, all the +burghers passed the line, in broad daylight, without receiving so much +as a scratch. Some horses were shot down, others were wounded, but the +men crossed safely. Some distance from the line Lieutenant Bolding was +wounded mortally. + +I waited at the line till all, with the exception of eight or ten whose +horses had given in, were over and then followed the commando. But +looking back once more, I beheld one of my men trudging on foot across +the line. At once I decided to go back and lend him a helping hand. I +rode back, and was again exposed to the same fire from which we had just +escaped. This time there was to be no escape. While returning, one of my +officers--Fraser--who saw me going back, came to volunteer his services. +He would not have me exposed to the enemy's fire, and urged me to go +back immediately--he would see to the burgher. + +Accepting his generous offer, I rode back. But no sooner had I turned my +horse, than I felt a shock. In the twinkling of an eye a bullet had +passed through the muscles of my left arm and through my lungs, missing +the heart by a mere hair-breadth. It happened all so suddenly that for +the first few seconds I hardly knew that I was wounded. I remained in +the saddle for a time, until some of the men could attend to me. Gently +they took me from my horse, placed me in a blanket, and carried me along +to a safe spot. + +It was now eventide, the shadows were deepening, and darkness was hiding +us from the vision of the foe. At first I was determined to accompany +the commando some distance from the line to a place where I could safely +remain till recovered. I, however, soon realised the serious nature of +the wound, and that if it were not well attended to, mortification was +sure to set in, and that would cost me my life. The men too considered +it absolutely impossible for me to accompany them any longer, and deemed +it advisable that I should be sent into the British hospital for medical +treatment. + +And then came the _parting_ moment, the moment when I had to bid adieu +to the men whom I had led, and with whom I had fought against our common +foe for so long a time. In the life of every man there comes a day, an +hour, or even a moment, which he never can forget. That parting moment, +reader, was one in my life I never shall forget. My officers, adjutants, +secretary, and some other burghers gathered round me for the last time +as I sat on the ground supported by one of them. As they bade me +farewell--yea, perhaps for ever--the tear-drops sparkled in their eyes, +and gushed down their cheeks. Yes, we all did weep and shed tears of +deep sorrow--tears not such as "angels weep," but such as men can weep +who love one another, and had fought in one common cause. + +I could not speak to the men as I would, for I was too weak. Still I +wished them God-speed for the future, and exhorted them to be very +courageous and to do their duty faithfully, as befits men, to the last. +I told them my work was done. I had given my blood, and might be called +upon to give my life for my country. If so, I hope to be prepared to +bring that offering too. More I could not do. My secretary then knelt +and commended me in prayer to the care and protection of our gracious +God and Father.... Then we parted. + +My war career had ended. No more fighting, no more retreating, no more +roaming over the veldt, by day and night, exposed to blasting summer +winds or chilling winter frosts. For two years and two months I had seen +active service. During that time I had tried to acquit myself +conscientiously of my duties as a man. No sacrifice was too great, and +no obstacle appeared insuperable for the cause in which I was engaged. +Looking back upon the past I observe how often I have fallen short and +failed--failed as a burgher and as a leader. And though I do not wish +for another war, I believe I should try to do better were I to live +through it again. + +Two of my adjutants--Pieter Hugo and Landman--had remained with me. One +of them instantly went to the nearest railway station, about three miles +off, to call for an ambulance. Till 1 A.M. I lay bleeding in the veldt. +Then the British ambulance arrived. When the doctor saw me he had very +little hope that I would recover. As I was too weak to be removed by +waggon, I was put on a stretcher and carried to a small field hospital, +not far from the spot where I was wounded. + +How soon I knew that I was no more a free man! First of all I was +stripped of all my belongings, including watch, chain, and money, etc. +At my urgent request the watch and chain and also a certain amount of my +money were restored to me. + +The following morning an ambulance train took me to Naauwpoort Junction. +On the way I had to part with my blanket. And one of the nurses actually +wanted my ring, saying that I might as well give it to her, as it would +be taken from me. This I refused to part with, remarking that I didn't +believe any one would act so shamefully as to rob me of my ring. In this +I was correct. + +Arrived at Naauwpoort, I was carried to the hospital, where I was laid +up for three weeks. A screen was posted before my bed, and at my feet +stood a sentinel with fixed bayonet. I was to be completely isolated +from the rest of mankind. Imagine my feelings at having this functionary +at my feet, watching over me and staring in my face day and night. It +was enough to drive me mad. When I could endure it no longer I entreated +one of the sisters to offer my guard a seat, somewhere out of my view, +for his penetrating and unbroken gaze was putting too great a strain on +my already shattered nerves. Surely there was no chance whatsoever for +me to escape, for I could hardly move myself. Besides, the hospital was +so well fenced in and strongly guarded, that all escape was impossible. +My request was partly granted; but I was forbidden to speak to any one, +except to the nurses and the doctor. Neither was any one allowed to +address me. And so the time dragged on heavily and wearily. The first +few days I suffered intensely, gradually the pain decreased, and I +became stronger. + +After I had spent three weeks in the hospital I was ordered to Graaff +Reinet. I rose, and dressed with the assistance of the nurses. To my +astonishment six khakis entered my room. One of these had a pair of +handcuffs. To my query as to what his intentions were he replied: "You +must be handcuffed." "Well, and where do you want to put them on?" I +asked him, for my wounded arm was still supported by a sling. "I must +put them on somewhere," he replied bluntly. So I suggested that I would +lie down on the stretcher and have them fastened to my feet. I was +beginning to lose my temper, and expressed myself in somewhat forcible +language. Fortunately an officer then appeared on the scene with whom I +remonstrated about the treatment I was being subjected to. The officer, +shrugging his shoulders, said: "'Tis orders, and they must be executed." +It seemed such a disgraceful action that I could not help remarking: +"That is why the Boers will not surrender. If wounded officers, +entrusted to your care, are treated thus, what must the private expect?" +At last I was allowed to go--unhandcuffed. + +Placed in an armoured truck, I was taken to Graaff Reinet Gaol. My +experiences there shall be related in the next chapter. Had I suffered +much up to this time, greater suffering and more anxious moments were +awaiting me. + +Before leaving this subject I would sincerely thank the doctors and +sisters, who evinced such great interest and attended so well to my case +while laid up in the Naauwpoort Hospital. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +COURT-MARTIALLED. + + O, if to fight for ... commonweal + Were piety in thine, it is in these.... + Wilt thou draw near the nature of the Gods? + Draw near them then in being merciful. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +Arrived at Graaff Reinet, I was instantly removed to gaol, where I was +confined in a small room. Here, isolated from the rest of the world, I +was to spend many anxious days and sleepless nights. During the day I +was allowed to stay a few hours in an inner yard or enclosure of the +prison. The rest of the time I was locked up, and no bright sun-rays +could revive my drooping spirits. I begged permission to go as far as +the prisoner's yard, and promised not to speak to the other +prisoners--no, not even wink an eye, and should I transgress in any +respect the guard could shoot me down. I desired intensely to move and +breathe in the open and pure air--Nature's gift to all. But this favour +was too great. On the contrary, I was forbidden, on penalty of death, to +address any one. To add to my misery other forces seemed to co-operate. +For the very evening after my arrival an unknown gentleman entered my +room. He carried some documents, and politely informed me that I must +get ready for my trial. He hinted, moreover, that I should expect the +worst. If I had not a will, and wanted one, it should be drawn up +without further delay. If I had any documents to be disposed of, I +should arrange about these as well. In short, this kind (?) fellow gave +me to understand that my career was soon to terminate. How? That was the +question. + +The next morning the local magistrate came to pay me his respects. The +unpleasant remarks of the previous evening were cruelly reiterated, +enlarged upon, and emphasized. The magistrate volunteered very kindly to +submit, if necessary, all my papers to some one I may please to appoint. +He would also deliver messages to my sorrowing friends and relatives. As +my trial was pending, I asked him what he meant by talking such +nonsense. Surely the British were not going to shoot each and every Boer +officer whom they captured, and that without fair trial! + +Though no coward, I must admit that such conversations were not +calculated to produce a favourable impression on my mind. They might +have been well meant, but did more harm than good. It is one thing to +face the enemy on the battlefield, where one may defend himself; 'tis +something else to be dangerously, almost mortally, wounded, and then to +be at the mercy of the foe. For three consecutive nights Nature's +greatest gift--sleep--to suffering humanity had departed from me. Why +could I not sleep? Was it fear that kept me awake? No, not that. My +conscience was clear, my hands unstained. But locked up in that small +room, with no one to speak to, my thoughts began to multiply, and I lay +meditating night after night. That was enough to make a young man old +and grey. Yet there was one friend who helped me to beguile the dreary +hours of confinement. That friend was my beloved pipe. + +One evening, towards the end of February, I was told to appear before a +military court the following morning. This announcement seemed strange +to me, for I was not prepared for a trial. I was resolved what to do. + +At 8 o'clock the next morning I was taken by an escort of six soldiers +to the court-house. Having taken my place in the prisoner's box, I +listened to my charges, which were recited as follows: Fourteen cases of +murder; wreckage of trains; and ill-treatment of prisoners-of-war. To +the question, "Guilty or not?" I pleaded "Not guilty," whereupon I was +requested to make my defence, which I declined to do; for the public +prosecutor had promised me, and rightly so, that, if I could produce +any witnesses to disprove the [alleged] charges brought against me, I +could summon them. As none of my witnesses were present, nor an +opportunity of enlisting the services of an advocate and solicitor given +me, I refused to take upon me the burden of pleading in self-defence. I +knew that if I did acquiesce in such a trial, it might prove fatal to my +best interests. It would then be urged, too, that Kritzinger had a fair +trial, when condemned to death, something which would be altogether +untrue. + +After I had thrice declined to be tried without witnesses and legal +advice, I was sent to gaol, and told to be ready for trial on the 7th of +March. I now addressed a letter to General French, in which I brought to +his notice how I was being treated. French wrote back that he had +corresponded with Lord Kitchener concerning my case, and that Lord +Kitchener's orders were that I should have a fair trial, _i.e._, legal +defence and witnesses for my case. + +On the 1st of March, seven days before the appointed trial, I was again +summoned to appear in court. My charges were read out, and the same +questions were submitted to me. Again I declined to make a defence, and +remarked: "I am in your power, gentlemen--you may do as you please, +pronounce any sentence; but _I_ shall _not_ defend myself." I then +referred the court to French's letter, whereupon I was again removed to +my lodgings. + +Meanwhile, I succeeded in enlisting the services of Advocate Gardiner +and Attorney Auret, Graaff Reinet, and made such arrangements that my +witnesses could be present at the trial. + +Advocate Gardiner arrived on the evening of the 6th of March. The +following day the court-martial commenced. As my witnesses had not yet +arrived, it was decided that the evidence for the prosecution should +first be taken. + +The counsel for the defence took exception to the charges of +train-wreckage, ill-treatment of troops, and some instances of murder; +charges which, _prima facie_, would not stand the test of examination. +These were then withdrawn by the prosecution. After this subtraction +there still remained four charges of murder, which we shall enumerate +in succession. + +1st Charge:-- + +_Murder_. + +On or about the 15th of February, 1901, it was alleged that I had killed +and murdered Jafta and Solomon, natives, British subjects, at +Grootplaats, Murraysburg, Cape Colony. + +Mr. Boltman, the owner of the farm Grootplaats, was the principal +witness for the prosecution. He deposed that he saw one of my officers, +_i.e._, Antonie Wessels, riding up to me, and after Wessels had spoken +to me he rode back and shot the two natives. Hence I must have given him +orders to shoot them! Besides, Mr. Boltman also declared that he had +heard me say to two men, whom I had arrested along with the two natives +in question, "Do you see these natives? Well, I am going to have them +shot, and in future I shall treat all armed natives in the same way." +All these statements were refuted by one of the men to whom I was +supposed to have made the remark of having the natives shot. The man +denied that he ever heard such a statement from my lips. + +2nd Charge:-- + +_Murder_. + +In that I have killed and murdered John Vondeling, a native and British +subject, at Tweefontein, Graaff Reinet. + +In this case it was proved by the witnesses for the defence that the +native had been shot three days before my arrival at the farm where the +murder was committed. + +3rd Charge:-- + +_Murder_. + +About the 18th of March, 1901, I had killed and brutally murdered a +native at Prinsfontein, Tarkastad. + +Mr. Mantel, the farmer, deposed:-- + + One of Kritzinger's men was with me as his commando passed some + distance from my house. Van der Walt said to me, "Do you see that + man in front, riding on the large blue horse? That man is + Kritzinger." I then saw a few burghers riding up to Kritzinger, and + after they had halted for a short while they went back and shot the + natives. + +My witnesses proved that at that particular time I had no blue horse in +my possession. Neither was there such a man as Van der Walt in my +commando; and the natives in question had been shot by another +commandant without my instructions. + +4th Charge:-- + +_Murder_. + +At Biscuitfontein, Bethulie, I had killed and murdered two natives on +the 14th of August, 1901. + +This was the last and principal charge brought against me. Four blacks +were the chief witnesses in this case, by which, if possible, I was to +be convicted and silenced for ever. + +Let us see how they fared. The first one succeeded in identifying me. +The next one was less successful. He pointed to an English officer, +saying, "That is the man." He was to have another chance. I looked at +him and smiled; this puzzled him even more. Greatly perplexed, he +pressed his finger against a man with a long bushy beard, and said, "You +are Kritzinger." What a blunder! The prosecutor seemed slightly put out; +the court indulged in lusty laughter. + +The other witnesses were then brought forward. Surely these will not +make a mistake, they know the murderer only too well. Had the prosecutor +not sounded them beforehand by asking them to point out the prisoner's +photo among a number of other photos? Did they not hit upon the right +photo? Is this not conclusive evidence that they must have seen and +known the prisoner? In spite of all this precaution, the first witness +in this case declared, on being cross-questioned _re_ the photo in +question, that a certain officer had shown him the photo at Norval's +Pont, and asked him to note it carefully, so that, if called upon, he +would be able to identify the person concerned! + +I watched the prosecutor, who exhibited signs of uneasiness or disgust. +This stupid native was spoiling his good case; the other witness was +going to commit as great a blunder. He declared that on the 10th of +January he saw the corpses of two natives, and, on seeing them, +immediately recognized the one as being the body of his brother-in-law. +Questioned as to how he could still recognize his brother-in-law in a +decomposed body, he promptly replied, "Oh! my brother had still a smile +on his face!" Although the native in question was shot on the 14th of +August, 1901, on the 10th of January he still had a smile on his face! +Death must have conferred a great boon upon him. And if he could have +appeared in court, he certainly would have objected to my being tried. +Have not sentences of death, confiscation of property, and imprisonment +been passed on the evidences of such witnesses? + +When all the evidences had been taken the prosecutor delivered his +address. After him the counsel for the defence addressed the court. In a +very able speech Advocate Gardiner pointed out the shallowness of the +accusations against me. He urged that the court should not be long in +coming to a decision, as a prolonged trial meant increased expenses for +the accused. + +After his address I was removed for half an hour. Summoned back, a +verdict of "not guilty" was brought in. I was at last acquitted, and +could return to my lonely chamber not as a criminal, but as a +prisoner-of-war! + +Leaving the court-room I was called back to shake hands with the judges, +who congratulated me with the acquittal. Thus the trial, which lasted +five days, came to an end. The clouds cleared up. The sun rose. It was +all brightness. I had passed unscathed through the ordeal, to indulge +that night in slumbers calm and sweet. + +Just a few days before the trial commenced I was somewhat reassured and +encouraged to hope for the best. An unknown friend kindly dropped a +newspaper cutting, tied to a piece of stone, over the prison yard. This +press-cutting fell into my hands, and in it I saw that a large section +of the British public strongly disapproved of the action of the +Military Government _re_ late Commandant Scheepers, and that section and +people all over the continent and in the United States of America were +asking, "What about Kritzinger--will he too be shot?" I noticed also +that petitions on my behalf were being drawn up in England and +elsewhere, and signed extensively. + +All the men and women who so petitioned His Majesty the King to spare my +life I thank most sincerely, for the interest shown in my case, and for +the efforts put forth to save my life. How much I owe such I do not +fully know; but I do appreciate the deed of kindness shown to me in the +darkest moments of my life. Such deeds are never forgotten. They +illuminate life's way with such splendour as fills the soul with +inexpressible gratitude. + +I have related the story of my trial briefly and as accurately as I +could. I do not wish to comment on the justice or injustice of the +proceedings. It is for others to judge whether an officer, who was a +burgher of the Orange Free State, and _not_ a rebel, should have been +court-martialled, and while the war was still in progress, on such +unfounded charges. I shall not say whether I consider it just and fair +that, tried as a prisoner-of-war and acquitted as such, I should have +had to pay a bill of L226 for my defence. What if a prisoner does not +possess the means to secure legal defence? Must he then be condemned +without it? Has this not been done in certain cases? I shall ask no more +questions. I did not mind the money, but was only too glad to inhale +once more air not pregnant with death and destruction. + +Our object in mentioning these details is to illustrate the nature of +some of the charges brought against Boer officers and burghers when +court-martialled by the British. These charges of murder were, as a +rule, associated with Kaffirs who had been shot, either in fair fight or +as spies. Our officers were held responsible for the acts of their men. +Moreover, by proclamation, any officer or burgher convicted of shooting +a Kaffir or Hottentot, after having surrendered, could be charged with +murder and condemned to death. The principle laid down in this +proclamation, that the life of a surrendered foe should not be taken, +must be endorsed by every right-minded man. The burghers, however, +argued that, since the war had not been declared against the coloured +races, they had the right to deal with armed natives in the most +effectual manner possible, especially if these natives were not British +subjects, but belonged to the Republics. Besides, some of these natives +gave no quarter to our men. We could cite several instances where +burghers had been murdered and mutilated in a ghastly manner. To mention +one instance, while peace negotiations were going on, 56 men were +savagely cut up and mutilated by the Kaffirs in the district of Vryheid, +Transvaal. + +Eventually we were placed in such a position that we hardly knew what to +do with armed natives. What if they refuse to surrender? Shoot them ... +and then you are a murderer. Let them go ... and then you will pay the +penalty. It was perplexing to know how the British wished us to act. The +Boers, regardless of consequences, did what they thought right. + +For the sake of such as were interested in my trial, I submit in full +the charges, my evidence, and the addresses of the prosecutor and +counsel for the defence:-- + + _Charge Sheet_. + + The prisoner, Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger, a burgher of the late + Orange Free State, and ex-Assistant Chief Commandant of the + (so-called) Federal forces, is charged with:-- + + 1st Charge:-- + + _Murder_. + + In that he, at Grootplaats, Murraysburg, on or about the 15th of + February, 1901, killed and murdered Jafta and Solomon, natives, + British subjects. + + 2nd Charge:-- + + _Murder_. + + In that he, at Tweefontein, Graaff Reinet, on or about the 15th of + February, 1901, killed and murdered John Thomas, a native, a + British subject. + + 3rd Charge:-- + + _Murder_. + + In that he, at Prinsfontein, Tarkastad, on or about the 18th of + March, 1901, killed and murdered a native, a British subject. + + 4th Charge:-- + + _Murder_. + + In that he, at Biscuitfontein, Bethulie, Orange River Colony, on or + about the 15th of August, 1901, killed and murdered Koos and + Willem, natives, British subjects. + + 5th Charge:-- + + _Destroying Railways_. + + In that he, near Knutsford, Cradock, on or about the 27th of July, + 1901, cut the railway line, thereby causing a portion of a + passenger train to be derailed. + + To be tried by Military Court by order of General French. + + The prisoner takes his stand at the place from which other + witnesses give their evidence:-- + + The prisoner, Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger, being duly sworn, + states:-- + + "My name is Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger. In the commencement of + September, 1900, I became a commandant of the Free State Forces. I + became Chief Commandant of the forces in the Cape Colony on the + 11th of June, 1901. This would not give me a higher position in the + event of my returning to the Free State. Once over the border I + would hold the same position as any other commandant. I surrendered + on the 16th of December last. I attempted to cross the line at + Hanover Road and was wounded. + + I know absolutely nothing of the death of Jafta and Solomon, I gave + no orders that they should be shot, nor any other natives. I + arrived at Voetpad on a Thursday, the 14th of February, 1901. I + camped there until the following day. Shortly before I left Voetpad + Captain Smit with his men came there from a farm in the vicinity. + The name of the farm is unknown to me. Captain Smit was not under + my command. He was acting independently. An advance guard is + generally sent out. On this occasion I sent Wessels and some men. I + do not know when Wessels left, I cannot remember. I went from + Voetpad to Poortje, the farm of Van der Merwe. I arrived there + about sundown on Friday the 15th. On my way from Voetpad I passed + over Boltman's place. I did not hear of any natives being shot + there. While on Voetpad I had no message from Wessels. I cannot + remember having spoken to any one in that strain regarding + Boltman's statements _re_ shooting natives. There was one Mijnhardt + in my commando, there were others amongst Smit's men, but I can't + call to mind of a Corporal Mijnhardt in my commando. No report was + ever made to me of natives being shot at Grootplaats. + + 2nd Charge:-- + + On the 15th of February, 1901, I went to Poortje. I camped there + for the night. On the 16th I went to Driefontein, the farm of du + Toit. That was Saturday. From there I went on Sunday to the farm + Tweefontein, Minnaar's. I have not had a man named Van Aswegen with + me at Minnaar's. I know a Van Aswegen; he is a sergeant in Smit's + commando. He was not at Minnaar's when I got there. I do not know + where he was. On the 12th of February, 1901, I saw Van Aswegen on a + farm, the name of which is unknown to me. The owner's name is + Burger. There Smit and his men left me. I next saw Van Aswegen on a + farm in the Richmond district, the owner of which is Meiring. I + stopped at Minnaar's for the day, held service, and left there in + the afternoon. I know nothing of the shooting of a native there. No + shooting of a native was reported to me. Van Aswegen certainly had + no orders from me. He was not under my control, he was under the + control of Smit. Nobody belonging to my commando had any orders + from me with reference to shooting natives. + + 3rd Charge:-- + + The Court does not think it necessary to take the prisoner's + evidence on this charge. + + 4th Charge:-- + + I crossed the Orange River into the Orange River Colony on or about + the 15th of August last. It is brought back to my memory inasmuch + as Commandant Cachet was killed on the 15th of August in the + district of Venterstad in the Cape Colony. I did not take any + natives prisoner prior to crossing the river. Commandant Wessels + was with me before I got to the river, about five or six miles from + the river he left me and crossed. I crossed the Orange River on the + Bethulie side. Wessels crossed the river on the Norval's Pont side. + I did not see him cross the river. After crossing I went to the + first farm. No one was at home there, and I off-saddled. The name + of the farm is unknown to me. It was a farm that had been burnt. + When I arrived at that farm there was no other commando there. + Before I crossed the river I heard rifle-fire, but after I had + off-saddled for a little while I heard cannon-fire. The firing came + from the west, from the direction which Wessels had crossed the + river. The cannon-firing also came from the same direction. + + I mounted a horse and rode up a kopje to see if I could see + anything that might be taking place. The kopje was about 1,000 to + 1,200 yards from my laager. I was riding a chestnut horse. I went + to the kopje alone, but a man by the name of Michael Coetzee, whom + I intend to call as a witness, was on the kopje on duty as a + sentinel. I remained there a considerable time. I saw cannon-firing + on a little ridge on the Colony side of the river. I heard + rifle-fire while I was on the kopje. I returned to the laager. The + firing was in the direction of the laager. When I got back to the + laager Commandant Wessels was there, off-saddled. After I arrived + at the camp I spoke to him about the firing I had heard. I knew + that some of the farmer's cattle were being brought in for the + purpose of slaughtering, and I asked Wessels why they fired so many + shots at the animals, and he replied that a couple of Kaffirs had + been shot. I was chaffing Wessels when I asked him why they fired + so many shots at the animals. When I was on the kopje I certainly + did not know that Wessels had taken natives prisoner. I did not see + these natives after they had been shot. I do not know the boy Jan + Louw. I did not speak to him that day, nor to any other native. The + Wessels in question is the Commandant Louis Wessels, who passed + into the Colony from the Orange River Colony, and I met him three + or four days before I crossed. The day after our meeting we had a + skirmish with the British. Wessels and I got separated. The + following day we met again on the farm of Van der Keever. He was + not under my command in the Colony, nor in the Orange River Colony. + I had about between seventy and eighty men when I crossed the + river, and Wessels had between thirty and forty men. I had a few + natives shot in the Orange River Colony prior to my crossing into + the Colony in the first instance. These were tried by Captain + Scheepers, Captain Fouche, and Captain Smit and myself, also Judge + Hugo. The papers were sent to Assistant Chief Commandant Fourie, + and the sentences were approved of by him. That was the only case + of natives having been shot by me. + + _Prosecutor's Address._ + + (Captain L. Daine.) + + "As regards the first charge, the natives Jafta and Solomon and the + scouts McCabe and Maasdorp were captured by Wessels, who was in + charge of Kritzinger's scouts. He took them to Grootplaats. McCabe + proves that Wessels then went towards Voetpad, three miles off, and + returned some time afterwards, gave an order to his men, and the + two natives were led off to execution. Boltman's statements that + Kritzinger gave a message for British column commanders, informing + them that armed natives would be shot, are fully corroborated by + what McCabe was told by members of Kritzinger's commando, and + clearly shows Kritzinger's intentions and instructions. Kritzinger + states that he cannot remember whether he gave the message or not. + + "The witnesses for the defence all state that there were no + prisoners with the commando at Grootplaats, yet the accuracy with + which they describe different horses, and the date of seeing Van + Aswegen, _i.e._, 13th February, 1901, is little short of + marvellous. Kritzinger states that he mounted a horse and rode to + the kopje, which was about 1,000 to 1,200 yards from the laager, + and that he was riding a chestnut horse, while the witnesses for + the defence state that he was riding a dark bay horse with a star + when he rode to the kopje. + + "As regards the natives mentioned in the first charge, McCabe + states that he did not lose sight of them all the time they were + together, and as they were not searched in his presence the passes + could therefore not have been found. They were captured on a farm + in British territory. + + "As regards the second charge, Van Aswegen was evidently a member + of Kritzinger's commando, and the witness, Van der Merwe, remembers + seeing him with the commando for three weeks, during which time he + and his men were frequently away. Here again, as concerns spies, + Van Aswegen had the passes in his hand and knew what the boy really + was. + + "As regards the fourth charge, the natives were captured in the + Cape Colony, where Kritzinger was Chief Commandant. The statement + that his authority as such ceased the moment he crossed the Orange + River is hardly credible. The natives were shot at Biscuitfontein, + where Kritzinger was laagered at the time, and their dead bodies + were seen by de Klerk there. Jan Louw is very clear as to who the + commandant was. He recognized his photo on two occasions, and + identified him at once in court. The dark brown horse ridden by + Kritzinger to the kopje is probably the black referred to, and his + evidence is corroborated by Jan Jonkers, who, however, failed to + recognize Kritzinger in court, more through fright than anything + else, I think. Both these witnesses state that there was a body of + men at Biscuitfontein when they arrived. This is denied by + witnesses for the defence. The bodies found by Jan Hans must have + been those of Koos and Willem, as the spot is identified as that + described by de Klerk. + + "It must be remembered that the witnesses Hugo, Matthijsen, Van + Wijk and de Klerk are all accomplices, and therefore their evidence + must be received with caution, especially after the curiously + minute details they give on some points. It is also worthy of note + that Matthijsen was not examined on the fourth charge, though he + was present with Kritzinger at the time. + + "The shooting of these prisoners was absolutely unjustifiable and + illegal, and all concerned must be held equally responsible. + + "Wessels took over the command of Kritzinger's commando when the + latter was wounded. + + "As regards the proclamation, the only name mentioned in it is that + of Kritzinger, and the proclamation is signed by him. The names of + any of the other commandants are not mentioned in it at all. + + "As regards the witnesses for the prosecution, there are three who + have been deported, and therefore could not be obtained." + + _Address by the Counsel for the Defence._ + + (Advocate H.G. Gardiner.) + + "Mr. President and Members of the Military Court:-- + + "We are now reaching the end of a great trial, the great trial of a + great man. Of all the trials that have been held before Military + Courts in this country, this, I may fairly say, is most important. + + "No officer of higher or even equal rank to him, who was once Chief + Commandant in this Colony, has yet been tried, and on this trial + much will depend. It is a case the result of which may have great + and far-reaching influence. It may influence greatly the Boer + commandoes in the field. On the verdict now given in his case the + attitude of other leaders will greatly depend. I do not urge this + upon you that you should acquit the prisoner. I do not ask you to + consider the consequences of the verdict you may bring in. I know + that you will bring in whatever verdict you think right regardless + of all consequences, but I do bring these facts before you as a + reason why you should carefully consider the evidence. + + "The charge in this case is the charge of murder, the greatest + crime that can be brought against a man. It is a crime of which a + man cannot be technically guilty. You must have the most convincing + evidence before you, and the clearest proof. It is a crime where + intent must be clearly proved; where intent is essential. A + merchant whose agent enters into a contract may be held responsible + to carry out that contract, but a merchant whose clerk commits a + crime cannot be held responsible for that crime. It would, sir, be + intolerable if a leader of a column should be held responsible for + every act committed by the men under his command. We are glad to + know, sir, that in the history of this war British troops have + behaved in an exemplary manner, but there have been occasions when + they have done things not in accordance with the laws and usages of + war, and it would be unfair to hold a general responsible for such + acts of isolated individuals. On the question of intent and what + constitutes responsibility for a crime, I would refer to _Manual of + Military Law_, pages 112 and 113, paragraph 17:--'If the offence + charged involves some special intent, it must be shown that the + assistant was cognizant of the intention of the person whom he + assisted; thus, on a charge of wounding with intent to murder, it + must be shown that the assistant not only assisted the principal + offender in what he did, but also knew what his intention was, + before the former can be convicted on the full charge.' Then again, + paragraph 18. After referring to persons going out with common + intent it says that a person is not responsible for any offence + 'committed by any member of the party, which is unconnected with a + common purpose, unless he personally instigates or assists in its + commission.' And to give an example, sir, of common intent, the + purpose for which a commander and his men go on commando is to kill + and destroy the enemy, not that of killing prisoners and + non-combatants, or prisoners without a trial, and if a subordinate + without orders from his superior commits a crime, that superior + cannot be held responsible for it unless he has consented to it or + knew of it. I would also refer to paragraph 20:--'Mere knowledge + that a person is about to commit an offence, and even conduct + influenced by such knowledge, will not make a person responsible + for that offence, unless he does something actively to encourage + its commission.' And last of all I would refer to Army Act, section + 6, page 322:--'Every person subject to Military Law who commits any + of the following offences, that is to say (_f_):--Does violence to + any person bringing provisions or supplies to the forces, or + commits any offence against the property of persons or any + inhabitant or resident in the country in which he is serving,' but + says nothing about the responsibility of a superior officer. + + "We may take it therefore that Kritzinger can only be responsible + for a murder when he has given either general or special orders, or + when he knew of it beforehand, and consented to its being done. + Now, sir, what proof have we of that being so in this case? + + "Let us take the first charge--the charge of shooting two natives + at Grootplaats. There can be no doubt that these natives were + spies. They came into the Boer lines unarmed, ununiformed, and with + false passes. They carried two passes, one representing them as + belonging to the 7th Dragoon Guards, and the other to the effect + that they were looking for cattle. I think if such a case came + before you, you would have no doubts about treating them as spies. + Therefore Kritzinger would not have been guilty of murder had he + shot them. I have a far stronger defence, however. The natives were + captured by Wessels. Kritzinger knew nothing about them, and when + these boys were shot he was not present, as he was at another farm + at the time. Wessels left at 10 A.M., Kritzinger arrived there + after sunset. How can he then be responsible for the shooting of + these natives when he was not at the farm? There is not a bit of + proof to show that Kritzinger gave the order about the shooting of + these boys. One of the native witnesses says that one of Wessels' + men went in the direction of Voetpad; there is no evidence that he + ever reached there. More than that, witnesses belonging to + Kritzinger's commando state that they saw nothing of Wessels, and + that they knew nothing of the shooting of these boys. At the close + of the evidence in chief there was something which looked like + implicating Kritzinger, but of that by Van Aswegen there is very + little left to-day. At first the evidence _re_ Mijnhardt was taken, + but the Court has ruled that this evidence cannot be accepted. Now + there is the evidence of Boltman. I do not say that Boltman did not + give his evidence fairly, but he must have made a mistake as + regards Kritzinger making use of the words he referred to. McCabe + says while he was on the farm nothing of the kind occurred. If + anything had been said he would have heard it. When McCabe and + Maasdorp came back no report was made that Kritzinger had said + anything of the kind. But there was a report made, and McCabe bears + it out that something was said by another member of the commando. I + would submit that Boltman mistook the other member of the commando + for Kritzinger. There is no getting over the evidence of McCabe, + and he is the person who ought to remember it. As McCabe says, + Kritzinger did not arrive until some hours after the boys had been + shot. + + "I now come to the second charge--the charge of the shooting of the + boy John Thomas at Tweefontein. Now, sir, here again the boy was + clearly a spy. He carried two passes similar to those carried by + the boys mentioned in the first charge. He was unarmed. He was not + in uniform. He was there to spy the movements of the Boers. + Kritzinger would not have been responsible for the shooting of this + boy had he shot him. But here the evidence against him is even + weaker than in the first charge. Here there is no suggestion that + the boy was shot by any of Kritzinger's men. The evidence shows + that the boy was shot by a man serving under Smit. Smit was an + officer with an independent command, and, more than that, he had + been longer in service than Kritzinger himself, and was not under + Kritzinger. Here, too, there is no suggestion, as in the first + charge, that any message was taken to Kritzinger by the men who + shot this boy, John Thomas. None of Van Aswegen's men were sent to + Kritzinger. Van Aswegen himself did not go back. No one from + Kritzinger came to Van Aswegen. Van Aswegen was last seen by + Kritzinger on the 12th or 13th of February, 1901, and was not seen + again by him until a couple of days after the shooting. + + "That the boy was shot by Van Aswegen appears clear from the two + Minnaars' evidence, who say that the boy was taken out by Van + Aswegen, and that was the last they saw of him. Kritzinger did not + arrive until Sunday morning with his commando, and everyone says he + knows absolutely nothing about the shooting of the native. I would + submit that there is absolutely nothing to connect Kritzinger with + the shooting of this boy. + + "On the 3rd Charge there is no need to say anything. The Court has + already indicated that it is unnecessary to proceed further with + it. + + "I now come to the 4th Charge; the only charge in which Kritzinger + was said to have been present at the shooting. In the first two + charges, Kritzinger did not appear until hours after the natives + had been shot. The only witnesses who say that Kritzinger was + present at the shooting of the natives mentioned in this charge are + natives. There appear to have been no white men present. Some one + said that Schmidt was present, but it appears he did not cross the + river. We have only native evidence to this effect, and native + evidence is most unreliable, and only one of the witnesses could + identify Kritzinger. We are, therefore, driven back to the evidence + of Jan Louw. Even if Jan Louw had given his evidence in a way that + could not be shaken, it would be dangerous to convict on the + evidence of one witness alone. Natives have no idea of dates, time, + or distances. They find it difficult to identify prisoners. We have + seen that in the case of Jan Jonkers, and that shows how much + reliance can be placed on native evidence. Jan Jonkers identifies a + man in Court as being Kritzinger who was never near the place. Four + months after a man has been killed Jan Hans goes and sees his body. + He identifies him not by the clothes he wears but by his face. Is + it possible that after being for four months on the plains of the + Orange Free State, exposed to the air and the heat, a man could + identify the face of another? And the one native witness is the + witness Jan Louw. Even if Jan Louw were a strong witness, his + evidence would not have been sufficient to convict, but Jan Louw's + evidence falls to the ground under cross-examination. How did Jan + Louw identify Kritzinger? He was taken to the office at Norval's + Pont. Now, Jan Louw had only seen one commandant in his life. When + in that commandant's possession, his life was apparently not worth + very much. His companions were shot. When shown any commandant's + photo he would naturally identify it with the commandant he knew. + Now, Jan Jonkers explains to us why the photo was identified. He + was asked, 'Is that Kritzinger?' and he replied, 'That is + Kritzinger.' Now, a native is very likely, in a case like that, to + say, 'That is the man.' Then Jan Jonkers, in re-examination, tries + to get out of that. He says that he said, 'That is Kritzinger,' and + then the man in the office said, 'That is Kritzinger.' The + probability is that Jan Louw and Jan Jonkers were asked if it was + Kritzinger's photo, and they said, 'Yes.' If the Court saw the + photos they could see how much reliance could be placed on the + identification. The witnesses were taken into a room where there + were several groups of photos, but the biggest photo was that of + Kritzinger, and these natives had seen it before. Probably it is + the only photo they have seen in their lives. It was the same photo + they had seen at Norval's Pont. What would one expect? One would + naturally expect them to pick out that photo, and that is what + occurred. Well, after that, one can understand why Jan Louw + identifies Kritzinger in Court. He has had a photo shown to him in + town, and of course he naturally identifies Kritzinger at once. The + wonder is that Jan Jonkers did not identify Kritzinger. It only + shows what small reliance can be placed on the evidence of natives, + and that is the sole evidence on which the 4th Charge is based. + + "Now let us see what Kritzinger's story is. It is a consistent + story, and it seems what probably happened under the circumstances. + He crossed without prisoners, and everyone in his commando bears + him out. He crossed before Wessels, and laagered there, and + afterwards Wessels came up. Jan Louw says that no other commando + was there when he arrived, and no other came afterwards. Jan + Jonkers says there were about one hundred men when he arrived. The + Court will have no doubt that there were two commandoes there. + Kritzinger said that he had seventy or eighty men with him. And + then again we have Jan Jonkers. If Jan Jonkers found a commando + there, all the evidence goes to show that Jan Jonkers must have + been with Wessels, and not with Kritzinger. Wessels captured these + men, and therefore must have done the shooting. + + "Then there is the question of identifying a horse. Both natives + say it was a black horse, and the other evidence shows it was a + chestnut horse. It may appear strange that our men remember the + horses, but I would certainly trust any Boer, who has to deal with + horses all his life, rather than a native. Then Kritzinger says he + left the commando and went up to the kopje. Wessels had not arrived + yet, and that, sir, is borne out by every one of Kritzinger's + witnesses; and, as he says, and all the witnesses say, it was in + Kritzinger's absence that Wessels arrived and the shooting was + done. Kritzinger says he heard the shots and chaffed Wessels about + an ox he supposed they were shooting. But whatever was done in + Kritzinger's absence was done entirely without Kritzinger's + knowledge, and, sir, by men who belonged to Wessels, because + whoever did the shooting it was done by men belonging to the + commando who took these natives prisoners. Now, sir, it is + unfortunate that the witness who was with Kritzinger on the kopje, + and who could also have heard the shots, is not here. I know it is + not the fault of the Court that he is not here. It is unfortunate, + though, that this man is in St. Helena. But Kritzinger is already + corroborated by his other witnesses, and against them is only a + single native witness. There is, of course, this story of a + conversation between Kritzinger and the boy Jan Louw. Kritzinger is + supposed to have said to the boy: 'Did you see those boys? They are + to be shot. Put down your billies, and go and be shot also,' and + then at once to have changed his mind: 'Never mind, my boy, get the + water.' It is an improbable story. Jan Jonkers does not appear to + have heard the conversation at all. None of Kritzinger's men appear + to know of it, and I submit it was not said by Kritzinger, if said + at all. Then on the prosecution's side one native witness is + contradicted by all the other witnesses. + + "Before I close the case for the defence, I would like to refer to + the character of the prisoner. In this case I am well aware that + character is not a ground of acquittal. I know, sir, that good men + of excellent characters have committed crimes, and I would not for + one moment appeal for an acquittal because Kritzinger has behaved + so well in other instances, and has shown himself a humane man, and + a man of honour. I do not ask for mercy on the ground of + Kritzinger's character, we can only ask for a fair and just + verdict. But character is of importance when there is any doubt in + the case. I ask the Court to bear in mind the character of the + accused. Is a man who bears such a character likely to have + committed the crimes charged against him? The character of + Kritzinger, if we put aside the charges in his case, is an + excellent one. The prosecution has brought out in cross-examination + a certain proclamation. I am glad it has been brought out, for it + goes to show nothing against the character of the accused, but it + tells in his favour, for, what do we find? That a draft + proclamation was drawn up at a meeting of commandants, at which + Kritzinger was chairman. He opposed it by every means in his power, + but he was in the minority, and, as president of the gathering, he + had to sign it. He then asked for some postponement before that + proclamation was circulated, and that was agreed to. He still + fought against this proclamation, for he asked that before De Wet + approved of it nothing should be done in the way of circulation. He + never circulated it himself. If it was circulated, it was done by + the other commandants against the agreement. It was not approved of + by De Wet, and never became a proclamation. This shows that + Kritzinger disapproved of the harsh measures contained in it, that + he tried to get it done away with, and that at last he succeeded in + getting a refusal from the Chief Commandant of the Free State. It + was owing to his efforts that the proclamation did not become a + valid one in this Colony, and he cannot be responsible for anything + that may have been done against the agreement arrived at by those + at the meeting. + + "As regards his treatment of natives, he tells you himself that he + never had natives shot, except those boys who were duly tried, and + whose sentences were duly confirmed, and that will tell in his + favour. + + "As regards his attitude _re_ the destruction of property, we have + the letter to Scheepers, and the Court will bear that in mind in + deciding whether he has been guilty of these acts of inhumanity + charged against him or not. + + "His character has been excellent. Coming back into danger again in + order to secure a remount for one of his men whose horse had been + shot, he was himself wounded, and ultimately captured. His conduct + on that occasion was that of a brave man, as it has been all + through the war. If there is a question of doubt I ask the Court to + bear in mind the character of the prisoner. All the evidence is + riddled with doubt, and you have to weigh this, sir. On the one + hand the native was shot in Kritzinger's absence. There is no proof + that it was done by his order, or with his consent. The evidence of + the natives in the 4th Charge is of the weakest description. + Against that you have his excellent character, and the story + corroborated by his own witnesses and corroborated in some respects + by the witnesses for the prosecution. I ask you, sir, to weigh that + evidence in the balance, and see which side is found wanting. + + "Just a word more, and I have done. I know there are some people + who say it is unfair to try a man by a Court composed of men who + have been fighting against him. Sir, I have no such fear. I know, + sir, I feel sure that there is not an officer in South Africa who + would not gladly acquit the prisoner of the crimes laid to his + charge if he felt he could conscientiously do so. I therefore leave + in your hands the fate of a man whose bravery has been shown on + many occasions, in many a hard fight, whose honesty and humanity + have been, in many instances, conspicuous. More than that, sir, + should he be acquitted, when this war is over, he will, I feel + sure, be able and ready to do much to restore the good feeling + which we all hope will prevail between English and Dutch, I leave + his fate in your hands with the conviction that you will bring in + the only verdict warranted by the evidence, a verdict of 'Not + guilty.'" + +This address gives you, reader, the gist of my trial. If you have had +the patience to read through it you will be able to have a fair +conception of what we had to pass through in the early days of March, +1902. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +WHY WE SURRENDERED. + + Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, + Who never to himself hath said, + This is my own, my native land!... + If such there breathe, go, mark him well. + + _Walter Scott._ + + +We shall now direct our attention to some of the disadvantages and +difficulties which confronted us in our struggle for freedom. This we do +because many who were in sympathy with the Republics have been sorely +disappointed in their surrender, and some suppose that they should have +prolonged the struggle until victory ultimately crowned their efforts. +Those who reason in this way must be ignorant of the conditions of the +Republics at the time of their surrender, neither do they know the +disadvantages with which we had to grapple throughout the war. It is +therefore of importance that the South African War should be regarded in +the light and under the circumstances in which it was begun, conducted +and concluded. When the obstacles the Boer had to encounter are taken +into due consideration, then censure and disappointment vanish and make +room for praise and admiration. + +None know better than those who have been involved in war that its +current does not run evenly. Experience has taught them that war is much +more than a series of exciting adventures or some kind of sport. It +brings before the contending parties problems hard to solve, +difficulties and emergencies of a most perplexing and bewildering +nature. Boer and Briton alike had to face such difficulties and +disadvantages. The disadvantages, however, under which the English had +to labour in South Africa dwindle into insignificance when contrasted +and compared with those of the Boers, especially towards the latter part +of the war. The impartial critic must admit that eventually the vantage +ground was altogether on the side of the British. 'Tis only by sheer +determination and superhuman efforts and sacrifices on the part of the +late Republics that they defied the British Empire for two years and +eight months. None were perhaps more surprised and amazed at the +protracted war than the Imperial Government itself. Time and again an +early termination of hostilities was announced. Such was the case after +Cronje's capture, the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, and +Prinsloo's surrender. When Lord Roberts left South Africa, the war, it +was said, was practically over! + +The British were placed at a great disadvantage at the outbreak of +hostilities. The Boer ultimatum, issued on the 9th of October, 1899, +found the English Government only half prepared either to accept or +reject its demands. None thought that the Boer Republics would ever take +such a bold step, and would be so audacious as to despatch an ultimatum +to one of the mightiest Powers of the world. They should have waited and +waited until that strong Power was quite prepared to crush them at one +stroke. They should have waited, at least, till all the British forces +were massed on their borders, then to cross, and take by force what +peaceful negotiations failed to obtain. Thus reasoned some, the Boers +thought otherwise. To them war seemed inevitable, and they believe that +the man who strikes first strikes best. + +That the war presented many difficulties to our opponents cannot be +denied. They were unexpectedly brought to a crisis, and were but half +prepared to meet it. Their reinforcements were delayed in being +transported thousands of miles. Their own subjects rose in rebellion and +assisted the Boers. They were at first unacquainted with the country in +which they had to fight. + +How the enemy confronted and overcame these difficulties, and how their +disadvantages gradually vanished like smoke, is well known. Troops, +more troops, and still more were despatched to South Africa, until +finally the Republics were literally flooded by the gentlemen in khaki. +By the end of February, 1900, Lord Roberts had at his disposal tens of +thousands, by whom General Cronje was surrounded and captured, and who +paved the Field-Marshal's way for him to Bloemfontein and Pretoria. The +difficulty and disadvantage arising from their not knowing the +geographical features of the country in which they had to operate was +gradually solved and cleared. Cape colonials enlisted in the British +ranks, and these acted as guides and scouts. They knew the features of +the country as well as the Boers, and could thus render very efficient +service to the British. Still later, services of inestimable value were +rendered to the British forces by natives, and, alas! even republicans +themselves, who joined the enemy's ranks. When these enlisted, the +English were provided with the best of guides, scouts and spies. + +The disadvantages of the enemy were, to a large extent, the advantages +of the, Boers. They had a very accurate knowledge of the country where +they were fighting. The value of such a knowledge can hardly be +over-estimated. If they had not known the country as well as they did, +the English forces would certainly have been more successful in +effecting their capture; and they would have often been in a sad plight. +Our knowledge of the field of operations proved our salvation on more +than one occasion, and was at the bottom of some successes achieved over +the enemy. To know every mountain, hill, river, brooklet, valley, or +donga is to be forearmed. The general that knows the battlefield is +infinitely better off than the one that does not. He knows precisely how +and when to lead an attack, or what to do when unexpectedly attacked. +Now the Boer commanders had this intimate knowledge of the country, a +knowledge which served them in good stead, and accounts for the Boers' +marvellous mobility. They were not tied to roads, but could move in any +direction, by night as well as by day, without ever losing their track. +This the enemy could not do, not even with the aid of scientific +instruments. When the natives and some of the burghers attached +themselves to the British forces, then, and then only, were they able to +make forced marches by night, and surprise the Boers when least +expected. + +A second point in favour of us was the fact that we were all mounted, +whereas, at the commencement of the war, the British army consisted +largely of infantry. The Boers are splendid horsemen--none more at home +in the saddle than the farmer. The way he handled his steed, and the +posture he assumed on it, invariably distinguished him, even at great +distances, from the British soldier. The British infantry, however well +they might have fought--and they did often fight bravely--were yet +placed at a great disadvantage in engagements with the mounted Boers, +who could quickly, sometimes too quickly, abandon untenable positions +and occupy others which offered greater advantages. + +Last, but not least, the Boers had the moral advantage of fighting in +defence of their country. They did not fight for honour or glory, nor +because of lust or greed for gold or expansion of territory, but for +their beloved Fatherland, for that freedom which they had enjoyed so +long and loved so well. This was their stimulus, their very inspiration +to endure hardship and sacrifice all. What was the stimulus and +inspiration of the British forces? + +We shall now review some of the disadvantages under which we had to wage +war for almost three years. No sooner had the war been declared than the +Republics were almost completely isolated from the civilised world. The +English were in possession of all the harbours, and if it had not been +for Delagoa Bay, which is a neutral port, the communication of the +Republics with the outer world would instantly have been cut off +entirely. Through this port all contraband of war was strictly +prohibited; and such foreigners as came to our assistance had to +exercise great ingenuity to find their way _via_ Delagoa Bay to the Boer +lines. For several months in succession the Boers had to fight without +the slightest encouragement from abroad. How the nations were regarding +their struggle, whether any of them would dare to interfere on their +behalf, and so indicate the rights of the weak against the strong--such +and similar questions remained unanswered. Neither was the average Boer +much concerned as to what other nations thought about the war. He was +involved in the struggle, not because he courted it or loved to fight, +but because his country was invaded and his independence was at stake. +To secure his liberty he would resist any Power, regardless of all +adverse criticism on the part of other Powers. Yet it proved no less a +serious disadvantage to the Republics to have been so isolated, their +communication with the other Powers so restricted, and themselves +encompassed almost on every side by British dominions. + +Not only was our intercourse with the outer world sadly impeded, but our +internal communication was likewise seriously disturbed. The British, +having divided the two states into several small sections by their +blockhouse system, made it extremely difficult for the different +commandoes to come in touch with one another. Our despatch riders, who +had to beat their way through the various blockhouse lines, were +sometimes so hemmed in by these that escape was impossible, and thus +their despatches fell into the hands of the enemy. Towards the latter +part of the war we were entirely dependent upon despatch riders for the +transmission of our reports or messages. We had no more the inestimable +advantage of heliographic instruments or telegraph wires, which were at +the disposal of the British. Our reinforcements often arrived too late +at the scene of action because the reports were delayed on the way, and +so a battle was lost where a victory might have been secured. + +The number of able-bodied men that the Republics could put in the field +against the British forces was extremely limited. They had to contend +against great numbers, and these numbers were reinforced from time to +time. While the Boer numbers decreased, those of the enemy increased. It +was certainly an heroic action on the part of two small republics to +enter upon a contest with the British Empire, not to say with England, +but was it not more heroic for these untrained farmers to confront and +defy the overwhelming numbers brought against them? Surely this, if +nothing else, should entitle the Boer to a place in the history of +nations. Is this not proof sufficient that, when their Governments with +their consent despatched an ultimatum, it was not arrogance which +prompted them to take up arms against the British, but steadfast +determination to vindicate their sacred rights at any price? + +As to the numbers that were employed during the war, the official +statement of the War Department makes the number of officers and +soldiers that were engaged in active service in South Africa about +500,000. To this must be added the number of armed natives, which would +increase the sum total considerably. The Boer estimates vary, yet we do +not hesitate to state that not more, but rather less, than 50,000 Boers +were ever in the field. Of these a large proportion usually remained in +the laagers, and never fired a shot at the enemy. After Prinsloo's +surrender there were hardly 8,000 men still in the field. According to +these numbers, the odds were ten to one. According to other authorities, +the odds were even greater. One English writer says: "What glory shall a +mighty empire win from a victory over 15,000 farmers? We are forcing +upon our army the cruel humiliation of beating our enemy by sheer force +of fifteen against one; we who used to boast that one Briton was a match +for any three of his foes." The official returns at the close of the war +substantiates the above figures, and show that it has not by any means +been exaggerated. General De Wet, on being asked how long he thought the +war would last if the numbers could be inverted, remarked: "As long as +it would take to cable defeat to England." We do not wonder that some of +the burghers eventually became discouraged and surrendered to the foe, +especially when we think how great the odds were against which they had +to contend month after month. We are rather surprised that so many did +not become disheartened, but unflinchingly maintained the struggle until +their Governments and leaders advised a general surrender. + +Not only had we to confront such overpowering numbers, but these forces +were under the control of England's most distinguished generals, men +who combined practical experience with the advantage of a military +training. These generals for the most part had achieved glory and renown +in many a campaign--in Afghanistan, Egypt, and elsewhere--and thus came +to South Africa, not to get their first lessons in warfare, but as +experienced leaders of a great army. With such men to lead the British +forces on to battle, if not to victory, three months were considered all +too long by many to crush and wipe out of existence two small republics. + +Opposed to these (famous) British officers stood the inexperienced Boer +leaders. What a contrast! The Boer officers, with very few exceptions, +were men without a shadow of military training, some even poorly +developed mentally. They were, with few exceptions, peasants pure and +simple, who left their ploughfields and flocks to take upon themselves +the command over no less inexperienced burghers. These Boer leaders, +elected by the people in times of peace, went to the front without the +least practical knowledge of warfare. True, a few of them, such as +Cronje, De la Rey, and Prinsloo had been leaders in Kaffir wars, and in +such the burghers placed implicit confidence. Needless almost to state +that in most of these so-called Kaffir warriors the Boers were utterly +disappointed. It was one thing to attack natives badly armed, it was +another thing to face an organised army well equipped with death-dealing +instruments. We were thus at a great disadvantage at the commencement of +hostilities as far as leaders were concerned. Gradually our staff of +officers was improved, for the best men came to the front, and some of +the older officers, who were unfit, were replaced by younger and abler +ones. All these changes, however, took a long time, and were not +effected before we had been subjected to two great disasters: one that +of Cronje's capture on the 27th of February, 1900, the other, Prinsloo's +surrender on the 1st of August, 1900, disasters which proved decisive +epochs in the Anglo-Boer war. + +Some of the Boer leaders, though inexperienced and untrained, proved +themselves quite a match for their opponents. They have astonished +military circles by their valorous actions and daring enterprises, and +have merited imperishable honour and glory. Well may we be proud of +leaders such as Louis Botha, Christian De Wet, and Jacobus De la Rey, +men whose names deserve a place in the rolls of history. We were +fortunate in securing the services of such men at a time when they were +most needed. No doubt it was to the advantage and not, as some maintain, +to the disadvantage of the Free State burghers when C.R. De Wet was +elected Hoofd Commandant at Brandfort in March, 1900. He, too, was but a +farmer; culture he lacked, military training he had none, but the spark +of martial genius had fallen and kindled in his breast. In figure, +manner, and dress he was hardly distinguishable from hundreds of his +countrymen, who were not sharers of his military abilities. Does not his +broad forehead indicate thoughtfulness? While his keen and penetrating +eyes and firmly set lips are marks of determination and singleness of +purpose. And his broad chin, does it not reveal the man of tenacity and +endurance? As an individual he was sympathetic, generous, and +magnanimous; he was endowed with discretion and tact, simplicity and +honesty. As a soldier, vigilant, persevering, never indiscreet in anger +or disappointment, but always courageous and resourceful. Recognizing +the advantages of a surprise, he never lost an opportunity of harassing +the enemy. Through his rare topographical knowledge of his country he +baffled the foe by his movements time and again. Followed up by +overwhelming numbers, he was compelled more often to evade fighting than +offer battle. Never unduly elated, he was bravest and supreme when all +others lost heart. He had to contend against treachery, desertion and +want, but rose above all these obstacles, and proved himself the most +powerful obstructor that the British columns had to encounter in South +Africa. Such a man was a boon to his country, and to him the burghers +confidently entrusted themselves and their interests. He has proved +himself worthy of that trust. But all were not De Wets. There were, +alas! Prinsloos, Vilonels, etc., too. + +So much for the Boer officers. As regards our rank and file, they were +as inexperienced in military matters as most of their leaders. The Boer +is no soldier in the technical sense of the term. He was never subjected +to military discipline, and unaccustomed to any restrictions. It took +him months to realise the absolute necessity for and inestimable value +of good discipline. The burghers looked upon themselves as volunteers, +and such they really were. Now, when the enemy had to be attacked in +their forts or strongholds, the Boer officers had to call out +volunteers, as it was hazardous to lay too much pressure on the burghers +to charge any position without their consent. To exercise too great +power or authority over burghers was, at all times, especially at the +beginning of the war, a risky thing. The officers knew well that the +Boer is more easily led than driven. + +Corps such as the Johannesburg and Swaziland Police and the Staats +Artillery of the Transvaal and Orange Free State, which had the benefit +of military training and discipline, proved their superiority over the +rest of the burgher forces, and greatly distinguished themselves in the +South African campaign. If all the burghers had had the same training as +these corps, greater successes might have crowned their efforts during +the early part of the war. The soldier, on the contrary, is no +volunteer. His wishes are never consulted; when instructed to march on, +he has to obey, though it may mean certain death to him, as was so often +the case. + +Another point of great disadvantage to the Boers is the lamentable fact +that thousands of the surrendered and captured burghers enlisted in the +British ranks as "National Scouts." This, viewed from the Boer +standpoint, is the darkest spot in the South African campaign. Gladly +would we dismiss this matter without any further comment, for it merits +silent contempt, but we cannot help noting at what a terrible +disadvantage we were placed by the action of these "National Scouts." As +they made common cause with the enemy they furnished the latter from +time to time with full particulars of our tactics, and divulged all our +military secrets to the British. Moreover, they served the British +forces as guides and led them forth at dead of night to surprise their +countrymen in their secret, and otherwise unknown, retreats, where they +were often captured or shot down by the enemy. Before these enlisted, +night assaults by the English were out of the question. It was perfectly +safe to bivouac some six miles from the enemy. For when the British did +make a move during the night, they usually lost their way, as was the +case when Gatacre undertook a night march on the Stormberg positions. +With Boers as guides it was possible for the English forces to assume +tactics hitherto untried by them. + +Ah! brother, national scout, who may be reading this, do you not regret +and lament the unhappy part of traitor? Are your hands not stained with +the blood of your countrymen? And your conscience, is that not tarnished +with the blood of men, women and children, who fell in Freedom's holy +war? We do not despise but we pity you, and wish it were otherwise. + +Not only did these "National Scouts" lead the British to the Boers, but +they were the principal instruments in the hands of the enemy to clear +the Republics of all foodstuffs and ammunition. They knew precisely +where their fellow-burghers had stored away their meal, corn, fodder, +and ammunition, knew where the oxen and sheep were grazing, and +forthwith to these they conducted the enemy's forces, and thus was +brought to pass that state of affairs which necessitated the Boers to +lay down their arms. Without the assistance of the deserted burghers it +would have taken the enemy ever so much longer to have exhausted the +Republics entirely of all their resources. To a large extent these very +republicans who sided with their country's enemies became the despoilers +of the once so fair Republics. Ah me, that this should be recorded! + +Besides, by assisting the enemy they not only encouraged them, but +greatly discouraged their brethren in the field. The burgher who really +meant well naturally became disheartened that those who fought with him +for one and the same object could turn against him and play such a low +and treacherous part. How men, who have stooped to deeds so mean and +foul, shall defend their loathsome actions at the bar of Conscience and +Justice, I know not. + +In addition to the "National Scouts"--as though these were not more than +sufficient--we had to contend against thousands of blacks, aboriginal +natives armed by the British and taken up in their ranks. We naturally +felt indignant at the adoption of coloured races in the British army; +for we regarded it as an unwritten agreement between the respective +Governments that no blacks were to be involved in the war. It was to be +white _versus_ white, Boer _versus_ Briton. Hence, when the natives +became embroiled in the struggle we refused to acknowledge and treat +them as combatants. No quarter was given to armed natives that were not +British subjects, and even these forfeited their lives on more than one +occasion. This action, regarded superficially, may seem cruel and +unjust, but remembering that war had not been declared against the +natives, and also that, if we did treat them as English soldiers, we +would simply have courted the opposition of all the natives, it does not +seem quite so cruel and unjust. We had to resort to severe measures so +as to let the natives fully realise that they were not acknowledged +combatants, and thus could not claim the privileges of combatants. +Surely the odds were already great enough--why then adopt blacks? We +hold that the Military Government was not justified in the use of armed +natives, and surely their adoption did not tend to the glory and honour +of the British arms in South Africa. + +Again, one must remember that for fully eighteen months we were entirely +dependent upon the enemy for all military supplies. Our limited +resources were soon exhausted, and, as the English controlled all the +ports, the importation of arms, ammunition, horses, saddles, foodstuffs, +and other necessaries, was out of the question. + +The general opinion as to the duration of the war was that it would or +could only last till the limited supply of Boer ammunition was spent. +This limited supply, however, like the widow's oil, was not exhausted +even after two years and eight months, and certainly never would as long +as British factories provided rifles, ammunition, and other military +equipments. + +For eighteen months we were provided, directly or indirectly, by the +British Government with the necessaries of war. Britain was supporting +two armies in the field, armies which were not animated by a very +friendly spirit toward each other. Our support, however, demanded at +times the sacrifice of precious lives. When a commando ran short of +ammunition a determined onslaught to secure more was planned, and often +successfully carried out. The ammunition was obtained, but, alas! it +cost them the blood of some of their bravest men. Such dependence was a +great drawback to us. The Home Government also indirectly provided the +fighting Boers with clothes. At first the burgher had his own private +supply of clothing; but when the policy of destruction was resorted to +his clothes were consumed by the flames, and he had to apply to the +British Government for others. And this is how he did it. When he made a +prisoner he would exchange clothes with him, provided better ones were +thus secured, which was not always the case. With a certain amount of +etiquette and dignity, this bargain was closed. Tommy, without any +demonstration or remonstrance, would take off his jacket, pants and +boots, and hand these to his brother Boer, with some such remark: "I +don't grudge you it, sir--I know you fellows need them clothes badly; +we have burnt yours, we shall get others again." "Out boots, out +trousers, out jacket," were the abrupt commands of some of the Boers who +had but little English. + +To put an end to this process of exchanging outfits, Lord Kitchener +issued a proclamation which forbade, under penalty of death, any +fighting Boer to dress in khaki. This proclamation was not heeded, for +the simple reason that men who had the interests of their country at +heart were not likely to surrender because their clothes were wearing +out. This threat but added one more to the many risks of death they ran. +And so a few of these unfortunate burghers, captured in khaki dress +because they had no other, were shot in accordance with the +proclamation. This did not, however, intimidate the rest, for at the +close of the war several hundreds were dressed in the dirty khaki hue. + +In conclusion we note one point more, which counted seriously against +the late Republics. It was this: the field of operations became more and +more circumscribed and narrowed down by the extension of the +blockhouses. The two Republics were divided, so to speak, into a great +many little states by the blockhouse lines. The Free State alone was +divided into at least eight or nine sections. Now these divisions, +fenced round on every side, were cleared, one after the other, of all +cattle, sheep, and other foodstuff. The British concentrated their +forces in each section and operated there until it resembled a +wilderness. And so they went from one division to another, until finally +almost the whole country--both Transvaal and Free State--was denuded and +in a semi-famine state. Owing to this confined and limited area in which +we had to move, it was absolutely impossible for us to safeguard our war +supplies. + +Another result of this restricted area was the release of all +prisoners-of-war taken by us. Thousands were captured, disarmed, and +released to take up arms the next day. The same soldier has been +captured two, three, and four times over. In this way it was impossible +to reduce the forces of the enemy to any appreciable extent. The Boers +certainly would have taken greater pains and dared more to capture the +enemy's forces if they too had had a place of confinement; but no Ceylon +or Bermudas were at their disposal. If they had had any such place, the +Imperial Yeomanry and others would not have surrendered perhaps quite so +readily. It certainly was a great misfortune to the late Republics that +they could not retain their prisoners-of-war, while every Boer prisoner +was either deported or guarded so securely, that, when once captured, he +was entirely lost for the Boer cause. Under such unfavourable +circumstances we had to fight our battle. It was against the stream all +along. If ever there was an unequal contest, surely ours was one. + +To show that we have by no means exaggerated the conditions in which we +fought, we shall record here the resolution passed on the 31st of May, +1902, by the Volks Congress held at Vereeniging on the Vaal River, which +reads as follows:-- + + "This meeting of Representatives of the people of the South African + Republic and Orange Free State, held at Vereeniging, has learnt + with regret of the proposal made by his Majesty's Government in + regard to the cessation of existing hostilities, and of the + intimation that this proposal must be accepted or rejected in an + unaltered form. + + "The meeting regrets that his Majesty's Government has absolutely + refused to negotiate with the Governments of the Republics upon the + basis of our Independence, or to permit our Governments to enter + into communication with our Deputation. + + "Our Peoples have, indeed, always thought that not only on the + ground of Right, but also on the ground of the great material and + personal sacrifices that they have made for their Independence, + they have a just claim to such Independence. + + "This meeting has earnestly taken into consideration the condition + of land and people, and has more especially taken into account the + following facts:-- + + "(1.) That the military tactics pursued by the British military + authorities has led to the entire ruin of the territory of both + Republics, with burning of farms and towns, destruction of all + means of subsistence, and exhaustion of all sources necessary for + the support of our families, for the maintenance of our forces in + the field, and for the continuation of the war. + + "(2.) That the placing of our captured families in the + concentration camps has led to an unprecedented condition of + suffering and disease, so that within a comparatively short time + about 20,000 of those dear to us have perished there, and the + horrible prospect has arisen that by continuing the war our entire + race might be exterminated. + + "(3.) That the Kaffir tribes within and without the borders of the + territories of both Republics are almost all armed and take part in + the struggle against us, and by perpetrating murders and committing + all kinds of horrors, an impossible state of affairs has been + brought about in many districts of both Republics, an instance of + which took place lately in the district of Vryheid, where fifty-six + burghers were murdered and mutilated in a shocking manner at the + same time. + + "(4.) That by Proclamation of the enemy, which he has already + carried into effect, the burghers still in the field are threatened + with loss of all their movable and immovable property, and so with + total ruin. + + "(5.) That through the circumstances of the war it has already long + ago become impossible for us to retain the many thousands of + prisoners-of-war taken by our forces, and that we thus could do but + comparatively little damage to the British troops, whilst our + burghers captured by the British are sent abroad; and that after + the war has raged for nearly three years there remains only a small + portion of the forces with which we entered into the war. + + "(6.) That this remnant still in the field, which forms but a small + minority of our entire people, has to contend against overwhelming + odds, and, moreover, has reached a condition virtually amounting to + famine and want of the necessary means of subsistence, and that + notwithstanding our utmost endeavours and the sacrifice of all that + we value and hold dear, we cannot reasonably expect a successful + issue. + + "This meeting is therefore of opinion that there is no reasonable + ground for thinking that by continuance of the war our People will + retain the possession of their Independence, and considers that + under the circumstances the People are not justified in carrying on + the war any longer, as that must tend to bring about the social and + material destruction not only of ourselves, but also of our + descendants. + + "Urged by the above circumstances and motives, this meeting + authorises both Governments to accept the proposal of his Majesty's + Government, and on behalf of the People of both Republics to sign + the same." + +Such was the condition of the two Republics at the termination of the +war. Well may one pause and ask: Has ever small nation, in similar +circumstances, placed greater sacrifices, personal and material, on +Liberty's shrine than the Republics? Have they not a lawful claim to +that independence for which they fought so gallantly and so desperately, +and for which they offered, ah! so much--their homes, their beloved +families, their possessions and their lives? + +Shall any still that stood afar off and watched the struggle, maybe +sympathetically, or with cold indifference--shall they blame us for +having surrendered? Verily not; for it cannot rationally be expected +that a handful of farmers could offer resistance indefinitely, without +any assistance, to a rich and mighty empire. The leaking vessel may ride +to and fro for a while on the stormy billows, but eventually she is +bound to sink; the shipwrecked mariner may struggle and swim, but, +exhausted and powerless, he too goes down to find his last rest in the +bosom of the deep. This was the case of the Republics. On the stormy +billows of the ocean of war they were tossed hither and thither for +nearly three years. Time and again they cried and signalled for relief, +but no life-boats were sent to their rescue. None heeded their cry, or +had compassion on them. The nations stood and looked on, sympathised and +pitied, but did not help. And so, after all their strength was spent in +trying to save the vessel of their independence, the gallant crew, with +ship and all, sank beneath the waves of conquest. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE BOER AS SEEN IN THE LIGHT OF THE WAR. + + People tell + Of an old savage. + + _Omar Khayyam_. + + 'E 'asn't got no papers of his own, + 'E 'asn't got no medals nor rewards, + So we must certify the skill 'e's shown. + + _Rudyard Kipling._ + + +It is with reluctance we approach a subject on which in past years so +much has been written, often falsely. Besides, it is certainly a most +delicate matter to expatiate on the character of any individual or +nation. + +We are aware that some of our readers will read the remarks on this +subject--Boer character--with considerable suspicion and distrust. They +may argue that the writers, being of Dutch extraction themselves, are +not likely to give an accurate and dispassionate estimate of the +character of their own people. They may even fear that our national +sentiments might influence and predominate over our judgment, and switch +us off the track of strict impartiality. If there be such, we can only +assure them that we have no intention whatsoever of eulogising and +extolling the race with which we are connected by blood. + +[Illustration: EX-PRESIDENT STEYN. + +_Photo by Duffus Bros., Capetown._] + +In the past the Boers, _i.e._, the Dutch element in the late Republics, +have frequently been described, and as often maligned, by men who were +perfect strangers to them; men who had not taken the least trouble to +study their habits and character so as to arrive at a better +understanding of the people they were trying to describe. Hence the +various contradictory statements and representations of one and the +same people. Alas! that they should ever have been the victims of so +much cheap slander, that some men should have vied with one another in +heaping insult and infamy on their heads, while others conjured up for +themselves a fantastic and outrageous monster, and called that a Boer. +We cannot expect that minds so inflamed and exasperated would do justice +to the Boers. We feel convinced that their character can only be +portrayed correctly and justly by men not animated by hostile sentiments +towards them, but who, having been in touch with them have generously +entered into their feelings and aspirations, and have looked at things +from the Boer standpoint, as well as from their own; men who have had +patience to bear with their infirmities; in a word, by men from their +very midst--such and such only could do justice to their character. + +Born and bred among the Dutch, associated with them all our lives, Dutch +ourselves every inch--a fact in which we glory--our relations to the +Boers, specially during the war, have afforded us excellent +opportunities of making an ethnological study of them. During the war +the Dutch population, more especially that portion of it which was +directly connected with the struggle, passed through various phases and +changes of life. Subjected to the most harassing circumstances, one saw +them at their worst, but also at their best. Their virtues, as well as +their vices, were fanned by the breath of war. Many a hidden virtue +sparkled forth, as the dewdrop glistens in the beams of the rising sun. +Many a slumbering vice and latent evil inclination found the regions of +discord and strife a fruitful soil for development. + +Now that hostilities have ceased, and the liberties of speech and the +Press are extended once more, not only to such as were or are possessed +of the bitterest of feelings towards the Dutch, but to all British +subjects, we feel constrained to dissipate, if possible, some of the +clouds of slander which encompassed the Boers before and during the war. +Never in the history of nations has an honourable foe been more abused +than the Boers. They have been misrepresented altogether to the world at +large, and to the public in England in particular. + +The war-Press, the platform, and even the pulpit, were all arrayed in +martial order against them, and belched forth streams of abuse on two +small states. A warm glow comes over our faces, and the blood begins to +surge swiftly through our veins, as we recall some of the stinging +expressions by which the Boers were stigmatised, and through which the +mind of the English public was more and more inflamed, and all traces of +sympathy with the Boers removed. We do not wish to enumerate these +descriptive terms and phrases, for that would be raking up old scores. +We would rather forget than remember unpleasant words and deeds. + +We must, however, direct our attention briefly to the platform and +pulpit, not to mention the Press, which were so successful in exercising +an influence calculated to intensify race-hatred and obstruct the way to +any peaceful settlement of political disputes. + +When the Uitlanders in Johannesburg became dissatisfied with the +existing state of affairs, and began to ask for greater privileges, they +betook themselves to the platform. Now the Boers had no objection to +their forming political organizations, or holding public meetings in +which they could agitate for redress of grievances. But what they did +object to, and very strongly, was the blatant manner in which these +Uitlanders referred to their governments and themselves. Instead of +exercising the art of "gentle persuasion" by laying their grievances +before the Transvaal Government in the form of a polite request, and so +achieving their desired object, these Uitlanders resorted to the policy +of _fortiter in re_, the policy of intimidation, by threatening the +Boers with the right arm of the British Empire unless they granted their +requests instantly. When they adopted this method of procedure, they +naturally did not get what they wanted. So they agitated and cried for +redress of grievances until the unhappy war was brought about. Not only +in South Africa, but also in England thousands were misled by these +platform agitators, who were bent on placing the Dutch in a false light +before the civilized world. + +And the pulpit, as represented by some ministers not only of the Church +of England, but also of the Nonconformist Churches, ministers of the +gospel of peace on earth and good-will towards man--what an attitude did +it assume! Surely if these clergymen had been as eager to promote peace +as they were zealous to set in motion the waters of strife, they might, +have accomplished a work meriting eternal reward. Alas! that some who +are, or call themselves, followers of the Prince of Peace should have +favoured a war of destruction, and been led to say very hard things and +utter unfounded charges against the Dutch. + +To cite only one of many instances, the Rev. Dr. Hertz, writing from +Lourenco Marques, worded his letter thus:-- + + "We are safe, having left all we possess in the world behind us, + and in all probability shall never see a single thing of it again. + When I found the game the President and his crew were playing I + thought it best to clear out ... The Boers have threatened to kill, + burn, and destroy everything and everybody, _women_ and _children_, + and some of them at least are bad enough to do it. I had the verbal + assurance of the President that I could stay safe and undisturbed, + but he would not put anything in writing. Then they appointed a + committee to give permits, and they would not give me one. And so + it became more and more manifest that they meant to decoy me into + staying, and then hold me at mercy. And what this mercy is may be + seen from the last news from Johannesburg; any one without a + written permit has been condemned to 25 lashes and three months' + hard labour." + +Such statements flowing from the pen of a Reverend Doctor were believed +by thousands. Now what is the truth in regard to them? During the +Bishop's absence his residence was specially guarded by order of the +Government. The punishment meted out to some who remained in +Johannesburg without permits exceeded in no case a higher fine than L3 +_without_ lashes. As to the Boers' intention of decoying the Doctor to +stay, and then hold him at mercy, we need only remark that he must have +thought more about his own importance than the Boers ever did. His +assertion that the Boers threatened to kill everybody, including women +and children, and that some of them are bad enough to do it, needs no +refutation, for it merits silent contempt. + +A feeling of sadness, if not pity, lays hold of one to think that +ministers of the Gospel could actually draw up large petitions, urging +the British Government to prosecute the war vigorously until the +complete subjugation of the Boers was accomplished, which meant either +their entire extermination or the sacrifice of their sacred rights. + +There were, however, several notable exceptions, men who were not afraid +to speak the truth about their enemies or their country's enemies, +regardless of what others might think or say of themselves, regardless +whether they would be called Boer-sympathisers or pro-Boers. Such men we +shall ever revere and hold in estimation because they dared to speak the +truth, cost what it would. + +Thus far we have depicted the Boer character negatively in denying the +unjust and unfounded charges brought against them by callous and +misinformed minds. We do not hesitate to state that they are _not_ a +race of inferior beings, savage and uncivilized. They are not as good as +some have presented them, they are not as bad as others have pictured +them. Who, then, are these men and women who so stubbornly resisted +British power and supremacy for such a long period under such great +disadvantages? What are their main characteristics? + +The Boers are the descendants of those pioneers who, for various +reasons, left the Cape Colony between the years 1834-39. These emigrants +or pioneers inspanned their large ox-waggons, bade farewell to their +homes and farms in the Cape Colony and trekked across the Orange River. +They traversed the wide plains of the late Orange Free State and +proceeded to the Drakensberg Mountains. These mountains they crossed and +settled down in Natal. How they were attacked and massacred by the +Zulus, and how they, in their turn, defeated the Zulus and broke their +power, how Natal became a British colony, all this is ancient history. +The pioneers, objecting to English rule, quitted Natal. Some of them +forded the Vaal River and they founded the Transvaal or South African +Republic. Others settled west of the Drakensberg Range and founded the +Orange Free State Republic. + +These states were then infested by wild beasts and uncivilized native +tribes. Against these the sturdy pioneers had to contend, and only after +years of suffering, hardship, and bloodshed did they succeed, by their +indomitable spirit, in vanquishing all foes, and so made habitable and +opened up for commerce and civilization the Republics, which the late +war has laid in ruins and ashes, indeed, converted into a howling +wilderness, a land of desolation. + +And these pioneers, whence came they, and what is their origin? They are +descended from that race which so valiantly resisted and defied Spanish +tyranny and power for eighty years, and so achieved that freedom of +life, freedom of thought and freedom of belief, from which all Europe +and England herself has derived priceless blessings. They are sprung +from that stock whose courage was not shaken by the flames of funeral +pyres, nor by all the tortures the human mind could devise; men who at +the block betrayed no signs of fear, but faced death, as brave men +ofttimes do, with a beatific smile, to the utter amazement of such as +had to enact the cruel tragedy. These pioneers have in their veins the +best blood of European nations, and their traditions are such as any +nation might be proud of. + +With such a history behind them, and descended from such ancestors, it +is not strange that the most prominent feature in the Boer character is +an intense and unconquerable love of freedom. His isolation, his large +farm with outstretched plains or rugged mountains, and his manner of +living, all tend to nourish that love of freedom in his bosom. Above all +things he wants to be free and independent. His history is one long +record of trekking away from British domination, not because he wishes +to be exempted from all control and thus indulge in a lawless life, as +some writers have erroneously maintained, but because he desires a +government of his own. The chief desideratum with the Boer, in regard to +government, is that it shall be his own, and not that of some other +power, be it never so excellent a form of government. + +When the Republics were annexed the English thought and hoped that the +Boers would very soon take to the new Government, would be more than +satisfied with the new arrangements, and so forget the privileges which +they had enjoyed under the auspices of their own government. Those who +thought and hoped thus were sadly disappointed. That powerful sentiment +and that strong passion for freedom, seated deep down in the heart of +the Boer, sustained them in bidding defiance to fearful odds for almost +three years. That inborn passion enabled the Boer nation to sacrifice +their all, and to endure for freedom's sake indescribable hardships and +sufferings. + +A Boer may not exactly know all that independence includes; he may not +be able to enumerate the benefits accruing from it, but instinctively he +covets it as a jewel of great price. + +That this love of liberty and of country amounted to something more than +mere sentiment has been proved conclusively by the war, when the whole +male population rose in arms against the invading foe. Touching, indeed, +it was to behold boys of twelve and grey-headed men of seventy and +eighty years shouldering their rifles and all fighting for one great +ideal. When their homes were burned, families removed, and goods taken +or destroyed, they exclaimed: "Let the British do whatever they please, +let them strip us of everything we hold dear, so long as we are only a +_free_ people. We do not mind being poor; we are prepared, when the war +is over, to live in tents as our forefathers did; but we do not want to +swear allegiance to the despoilers of our country. British subjects! +_No, never_." + +And the Boer women, who are the very embodiment of liberty itself, were +they less enthusiastic and determined to be free than their husbands and +sons? Verily not. Words fail us when we want to express our admiration +for these heroines who played so prominent a part in the South African +Campaign, and upon whom the brunt of the war fell. Alas! that this +should have been the case. + +In years gone by the wives and daughters of the early pioneers stood by +the side of their husbands and fathers, casting bullets and loading +their flint-lock guns, as the latter bravely repelled the fierce +onslaught of Zulus, Matabeles, and other savage hordes. Many of them +were ruthlessly murdered by these savage tribes. No Africander will ever +forget names such as Weenen (Place of Weeping), Blood Rivier (Blood +River), Vechtkop and Blauwkrants--places where Boer women had +contributed their share of blood, that their children might be free. +Those days were sad and dark; but there were sadder and darker times in +store for the descendants of these pioneer women. + +During the war the Republican women proved themselves no less formidable +and brave than in those early days. When their husbands and sons were +called to the front they took upon themselves the entire management of +the farms. So well did they acquit themselves of such an onerous task +that, as long as they were left unmolested, there was no lack of +provisions for man or beast, always enough, and to spare. True, it cost +them much labour and fatigue, for some of them had to tend the flocks, +while others had to plough the fields and reap the crops in the +scorching rays of a December or January sun. They did it willingly and +gladly, so that the men might be free to engage in the struggle. + +The enemy, on observing the attitude of the women, determined to strike +a blow at them. They, so reasoned the enemy, had to be removed and +gathered into concentration camps, if there ever was to come an end to +the war. Not so much the men as the women were blamed for the +prolongation of the war. The women first had to be subdued; the flames +of freedom burning in their bosoms had to be extinguished. Hence the sad +story of a war in which the weak and defenceless were made to suffer and +endure so much. + +When they were roughly handled and transported in ox-waggons, exposed +for days to wind, sun, and rain, and were piled up in disease-stricken +camps, did they flinch? When they and their children were dying in +scores in these camps, did they beseech the burghers to relinquish the +struggle, or petition the Boer Governments to yield? Verily not. On the +contrary, in spite of their intense sufferings and of the appalling rate +of mortality among them, they continually encouraged the burghers by +sending out messages to them to this effect: "Fight on, don't yield; we +would rather all die in the camp than see you surrender" "Go and fight," +said one to her husband; "I would rather see you dead, and all my +children dead, than that you burghers should cease the struggle." +Another woman was so disappointed and disgusted at the surrender of her +husband, that when he arrived at the concentration camp where she was +confined she would have none of him, and quitted the camp the same +night, making her escape to the Boer lines. Such women are the mothers +of the next generation. Was it quite prudent on the part of the British +to tempt them to rear their children in bitter hatred of the English +race? + +This liberty-loving feature in the Boer character has been beautifully +described in the _Leek Times_:-- + + "The old man, the youth and the stripling, are offering their + hearts' blood as a sacrifice; nor do they think the sacrifice too + great, strengthened and urged on by all they believe to be the + highest and holiest in religion and principle. The Boer will fight + on, giving his last drop of blood and his last breath for his + freedom. And the women-folk of his land are bearing their share of + this task; they do not shrink; they are helping their fathers, + brothers, and sons in this fight. They think no distance too great + to travel, no burden too heavy to carry. The wife, with her little + children round her knees, bids her husband a tearful but brave + God-speed. The mother, as she gazes with a full heart on the boy + who is as the apple of her eye, bids him go forth and fight in + Freedom's Holy War. The lass bids her lover take his stand for all + that she thinks worth having, esteeming him something less than a + coward if he fails to the fight. Woe betide the oppressors when the + women of a nation take up the quarrel." + +Ah! thou mighty Christian England, who hast always prided thyself on +being the most liberty-loving of all the Powers that be, how couldst +thou have crushed the liberty of two small states? How couldst thou have +torn so mercilessly the noble passions and aspirations of being free and +independent from the Boer hearts? Hast thou verily extinguished by +force the highest and holiest ambitions of a free-born people? Can the +mountain torrent rushing down the valley be stemmed in its onward +course? If patriotism is the ideal of a race that nourishes the most +indestructible of all passions, then ye have indeed contended against an +indestructible element of the Boer nature. + +Next to and quite as prominent as this all-absorbing passion for freedom +is the _religious trait_ in the Boer character. As a people they are +distinguished from all other nations by their religiosity. Remembering +that they are the offshoot of men and women who perished in France, +Holland, England and elsewhere for their faith, one does not wonder that +they are religious. The religion of the Boer forms part and parcel of +his very existence. His mind is imbued with the words and thoughts of +Holy Writ. On a Sunday you will find him with his family, as a rule, +attending service in his little chapel. If he cannot go to church, he +will gather his family, increased sometimes by the presence of +neighbours, round the family altar, and there he will read his Bible, +sing his Psalms, bend his knees and lift up his heart in prayerful +adoration to the God of his fathers. + +Attaches, correspondents, and foreigners who fought on the side of the +Boers were struck much by the simple piety, the religious ideas and +sentiments of the Boers. Early in the morning and late at night their +camps would resound with hymns. In this enlightened twentieth century, +however, it has become the fashion to scoff and sneer at everything +which savours of religion, so much so that it seems incredible to most +that the Boers, as a people, can still be devout and God-fearing. +Civilization with its concomitant vices has assumed the garb of +Christianity, having its form and semblance, but missing its spirit and +power. Such as are animated by the spirit of Christian religion and are +endowed with its power are derisively called hypocrites. We shall +willingly admit that there are many hypocrites among the Boers. But are +they not found among all nations? To say that all religious Boers are +hypocrites is utterly false. + +When the English entered upon the contest with the Republics they +evidently did not reckon with this religious factor of the Boer +character. They did not know that the Boer would be supported as much by +his religious sentiments as by his love of freedom to fight to the +bitter end. Had they not been animated by such a fervent belief and +childlike trust in Providence, they would have abandoned ere long a +struggle which, regarded from a human standpoint, must have seemed +hopeless to them. But they believed that their cause was a holy and just +one, and that the God of Battles, the God of their forefathers, would +ultimately crown their efforts and sacrifices by sending them a glorious +deliverance. When the enemy desecrated their churches, ill-treated their +pastors, and stabbed their flocks, cattle and horses, they were not +disheartened, but said to themselves: "God in Heaven does behold, and He +shall vindicate the cause of the just as well as that of defenceless +creatures." Such deeds the religious Boer regarded with awe and +aversion, and made him more determined than aught else not to surrender +to those who perpetrated them. + +The national anthems of the late Republics admirably express these two +features of the Boer character. The following is a free translation of +the Transvaal Volkslied, which may serve to illustrate the sentiments +which have dominated the Boers ever since their national existence: + + +TRANSVAAL VOLKSLIED. + + Right nobly gave Voortrekkers brave their blood, their lives, their all; + For Freedom's right, in Death's despite, they fought at duty's call. + Ho! Burghers, high our banner waves, the standard of the free, + No foreign yoke our land enslaves, here reigneth liberty. + 'Tis heaven's command, here we should stand, + And aye defend the Volk and land. + + What realm so fair, so richly fraught with treasures ever new; + Where Nature hath her wonder wrought, and freely spread to view! + Ho! Burghers old, be up and sing, God save the Volk and land, + Then, Burghers young, your anthem ring, o'er veldt, o'er hill, o'er strand. + And, Burghers all, stand ye or fall + For hearths and homes at country's call. + + With wisdom, Lord, our rulers guide, and these Thy people bless, + May we with nations all abide in peace and righteousness. + To Thee, whose mighty arm did shield Thy Volk in bygone days-- + To Thee alone we humbly yield all glory, honour, praise. + God guard our land, our own dear land, + Our children's home, their Fatherland. + +A third distinctive mark in the Boer character, regarded from a military +point of view, is his fearlessness, so strikingly displayed in several +battles. That the Boers proved themselves brave during the war goes +without saying. + +Those who prophesied a speedy termination of the war in favour of the +British thought that lyddite-shells and dum-dum bullets, when applied to +the Boer, would at once scatter them far and wide, and so intimidate +them that they would kneel and sue for mercy and peace. To their great +disappointment they found the Boers stubbornly and gallantly resisting +the most determined onslaught of the British forces, repelling them as +often with disastrous results. + +We admired, in friend or foe, no other quality more than +bravery--bravery as distinguished from recklessness. We had respect for +brave foes, and when the fortunes of war entrusted such as +prisoners-of-war to our care, we always treated them with the courtesy +gallant men deserve. + +We often admired the valour displayed by our opponents. On certain +occasions the British forces performed the most daring and heroic feats +of which mortal men are capable. We saw officers and soldiers rushing +and marching, as it were, into the very jaws of death. Though exposed to +a storm of bullets, which consumed them like a withering fire, they +would press on, often dropping down as wheat before the scythe. Such +determination and bravery called forth the admiration of our men. There +is, however, a difference between valour as displayed by the British and +valour as displayed by the Boers. Without wishing to rob the British +officer and soldier of their martial honours, which they may well +deserve, having earned them at so great a cost, yet, in comparing Boer +and Briton, we must bear in mind that the Boer had had no military +training whatsoever, and was never subjected to military discipline. He +hardly knew the importance and necessity of obeying orders promptly and +implicitly. When he attacked or charged the enemy's stronghold or +positions he did so, as a rule, of his own accord, not under any +compulsion, but spontaneously and voluntarily. The British soldier, on +the other hand, had all the advantages and sometimes disadvantages of +military discipline. He had been taught to obey orders, whether it meant +death to him or not. Besides, the soldier was backed up by thousands and +tens of thousands of comrades on every side, while batteries of naval +guns and Armstrongs were at his rear, under cover of which he could +charge or retreat. No beating of drums, or symphonies of martial music, +or great numbers inspired and urged the Boer on to the performance of +heroic deeds. With rifle in hand and limited supply of cartridges he +often had to face overwhelming odds. And when these odds threatened to +outflank him, he was called by some a coward for retreating and not +allowing himself to be captured. Instinctively he knew it was better to +retreat-- + + "For he who fights and runs away + May live to fight another day." + + +Some maintain that the Boers are only brave when lying behind huge +boulders, or entrenched in strong fortifications, from whence, +concealed, they can pour a deadly fusillade on the approaching enemy. +There may be an element of truth in this charge, but as a generalization +it is utterly false. To stamp the Boers as cowards in general is to rob +the British Army of much of its honour and so discredit their work in +South Africa. The best answer to and the most persuasive argument +against this assertion is to be found in the construction of the +multitudinous forts, trenches, sangars, blockhouses, etc., by the +British in South Africa. What is their significance? The most +inobservant traveller in South Africa must be struck by the network of +fortifications erected almost throughout the length and breadth of the +country. Could the English have given the Boers a better testimonial of +gallant behaviour than these? Surely blockhouses and bulwarks are not +required for cowards, for they would never approach them. + +It is hardly necessary to say that all Boers were not brave; there were +many timorous ones among them. No army in the world is composed entirely +of brave and fearless characters. We often sustained losses and +sometimes disasters because the burghers retreated when they should have +stood or charged. The victory would have often been theirs had they +resisted a little longer. But apart from this, have they not proved to +the enemy in particular and to the world in general that they are the +children of chivalrous nations, of men who knew no fear? Have not the +British forces sustained some of their greatest losses when these +untrained peasants led the charge? We need only refer to a few of the +many battles fought during the war to show what these simple untrained +farmers did accomplish--battles which certainly merited for them the +attribute of being brave. + +(1) On the 30th of November, 1899, General De Wet, who was then only +Assistant Commandant, led 200 men up Nicholson's Nek, a hill which was +then in the possession of the enemy. After an engagement which lasted +five hours, the British hoisted the white flag. General De Wet +personally counted 817 prisoners-of-war, while 203 were lying on the +battlefield either dead or wounded. Here the English were in possession +of the hill, _i.e._, of the best positions, and vastly outnumbered the +Boers. + +(2) In the great battle of Spion Kop, which lasted eight days, the Boers +were placed under the most terrific bombardment, and were constantly +attacked by large numbers of the enemy--yet they warded off these +attacks gallantly. On the night of the 23rd of January the English under +cover of darkness scaled the mountain--Spion Kop--and were thus in +possession of the key to Ladysmith. It was evident to the Boer generals +that Ladysmith would be relieved if Spion Kop was not retaken. As soon +as it became light the mountain was stormed from different directions by +the Boers, who were determined, if possible, to wrench it from the grasp +of the British. Both parties displayed amazing bravery. Boer and Briton +fell side by side, staining the grass with their blood, and bespattering +the stones and rocks with their brains. At dusk more than half of the +mountain was in possession of the Boers. During the night the English +evacuated it, and once more the Boers commanded over the entire +mountain. It cost them 35 killed and 170 wounded, but their objective +was achieved. Again the _British_ were in command of the mountain, and +were continually reinforced. After Spion Kop was retaken, no more white +flags were hoisted by the Boers. On the contrary they lamented the loss +of so many precious, innocent lives. The Rev. R. Collins, a chaplain +with General Warren's Brigade, made the following statement _re_ the +attitude of the Boers after the battle:-- + + "I venture to think it a matter of considerable importance to draw + attention to the attitude of the Boers whom we met during the + carrying out of our duties on these three days. For my part I + confess that the deepest impression has been made on me by these + conversations, and by the manly bearing and straightforward + outspoken way in which we were met. + + "There were two things which I particularly noted. As there was no + effort made to impress us by what was said (they spoke with + transparent honesty and natural simplicity, and in nearly all cases + the conversations were begun by us), so there was a total absence + of anything like exultation over what they must consider a military + success. Not a word, not a look, not a gesture or sign, that could + by the most sensitive of persons be construed as a display of their + superiority. + + "Far from exultation there was a _sadness_, almost anguish, in the + way in which they referred to our fallen soldiers. I can best + convey the truth of this statement, and show that there is no + attempt at exaggeration in using the word anguish, by repeating + expressions used, not once, but again and again by great numbers as + they inspected the ghastly piles of our dead--'My God! what a + sight!' 'I wish politicians could see their handiwork,' 'What can + God in Heaven think of this sight?'" + +By such a spirit was the Boer animated when he achieved some of his most +brilliant successes. He did not fight for honour and glory. He fought +at duty's call as a patriot in a great cause. + +(3) A few weeks prior to the battle of Spion Kop the Boers made their +famous, though unsuccessful, attack on Platrand, known as Waggon Hill to +the English, a hill situated three miles south of Ladysmith. This hill +was occupied by the British, and formed as it were the key to Ladysmith. +For it was practically impossible to bring about the fall of Ladysmith +so long as the British were on Platrand. A council of war accordingly +decided to attack the enemy on the hill on the night of the 5th of +January, and, if possible, expel them from it. + +The Rev. J.D. Kestell, who accompanied the Boer forces, gives the +following striking description of the attack--a description which +conveys to the mind of the reader something of the awfulness of war, as +well as of the courage and heroism displayed by Boer and Briton alike:-- + + "On the summit the hill is level, and round about its crest runs a + cornice, to use an architectural term, of great rocks, which we + call a krantz in the Africander language. The British forts were + built immediately above this krantz. + + "At about 10 P.M. we left the laager in order to climb the hill at + half-past 2 A.M. Having reached Neutral Hill, we left our horses + there and proceeded on foot. It was very dark, and all was still as + death. We walked forward slowly and spoke only in whispers, and yet + our progress was not so silent but that we feared we should be + heard. In the silence of the night the slightest rustle of tree or + shrub sounded loud in our ears, and the thud of our feet on the + loose stones seemed to me like the tramp of a troop of horses. The + enemy, thought I, would certainly become aware of our approach long + before we could even begin to climb the hill. But it seems after + all that I was mistaken, and that the sentry did not discover us + until we had approached very close. At three o'clock we reached the + deep dongas at the foot of the hill, and the foremost men passed + through. In about twenty minutes we had climbed almost two-thirds + of the hill, when we heard a beautiful voice ringing out in the + morning air: 'Halt! Who goes there?' + + "No answer came from us. We continued climbing. A moment passed, + and then the silence was broken by a crash of a volley. Then + another and another. Everywhere, above and in front of us, the + flashes of the rifles leapt forth into the darkness, and the sharp + reports followed in such quick succession as to give the impression + of Maxims firing. All of a sudden I saw a great jet of flame, and + instantly the thunder of a cannon broke upon the startled air, and + presently behind us I could hear the shrapnel bullets falling on + the ground. + + "Then many of those who had not yet begun to climb the hill turned + and fled; but others rushed upwards, and rapidly approached the + cornice of rocks, whence the heavy firing issued. Silence was now + unnecessary, and everywhere voices were heard encouraging the men. + + "At half-past three we reached the reef of rocks and boulders, and + presently I heard that two burghers had already been wounded, while + another lay motionless, but it was as yet too dark to see who it + was. + + "Before long it became light, and some of the burghers charged the + forts that were just above the ledge of rocks. They overpowered the + soldiers there, and took them prisoners, but were forced to fall + back to the escarpment of rocks immediately, on account of the + heavy fire directed on them from the other forts. And now the roar + of the cannons and rifles became terrific. This was especially the + case with the ceaseless rattle of small-arms. One could with + difficulty distinguish separate reports. All sounded together like + one continuous roar, and awoke an echo from the Neutral Hill that + sounded like the surging of a mighty wind. + + "We found ourselves under a cross cannon-fire. The shells from one + of our guns flew over our heads, and exploded just in front of us + on the forts, so that we were often in danger of being struck by + our own shells; and the projectiles of the English were hurled in + an opposite direction on our cannon forts and on the burghers on + Neutral Hill. + + "Gradually we began to see in what a terrible position we were. How + terrible the firing was! It never ceased for a moment; for if the + burghers did not rush out from time to time, to assail the forts, + the English charged us. This alternate charging was taking place + every now and then, and it was during these attacks that the pick + of our men fell. Whenever a sangar was charged, a destructive fire + was directed on our men, and then some gallant fellows would always + remain behind struck down. + + "It was a fearful day--a day that no one who was there will ever + forget. The heat, too, was unbearable. The sun shot down his + piteous rays upon us, and the higher he rose the hotter it became. + It was terrible to see the dead lying uncovered in the scorching + rays; and our poor wounded suffered indescribable tortures from + thirst. And there was nothing to give them--only a little whisky + which I had got from an English officer, who had been taken + prisoner. I gave a little of that--only a few drops--to every + wounded man. Not only the wounded--all of us suffered from thirst. + Long before midday there was not a drop of water left in our + flasks. So intolerable was the thirst that there were burghers who + went down to the dongas below in search of water, where there was + none, and where they knew that almost certain death awaited them. + + "How slowly, too, the time dragged on! 'What o'clock is it?' + someone asked. It was then only ten o'clock, and it seemed as if we + had been fighting more than a day, for up to that moment the firing + had continued unabated. + + "Twelve o'clock passed, one o'clock, two o'clock--and still the + fire was kept up; and still the burning rays of the sun were + scorching us. Clouds! But they threw no shadow over us. Everywhere + small patches of shadow chequered the hills and valleys, but they + seemed to avoid us. But a black mass of cloud is rising in the + west, and we know that everything will soon be wrapped in shadow. + Nearer and nearer to the zenith the clouds are rising. What is that + deep rumbling in the distance? Thunder! Nearer and nearer it + sounds, and presently we hear it overhead above the din of the + musketry and the boom of the cannon. How insignificant the crash of + the cannons sounds now. It is as the crackle of fireworks when + compared with the mighty voice of God! + + "We got more than shadow from the clouds. At five o'clock great + drops splash on the rocks. Presently the rain fell in torrents, and + I could wash the blood of the wounded from my hands in it. + + "It was now just when the rain was descending in sheets of water, + and the thunder-claps were shaking the hills, that the enemy + redoubled their efforts to drive us off the ledge, and our men had + to do their utmost to repel the determined onslaught. Had they been + driven down the hill, every burgher fleeing for his life would have + formed a target for the enemy. The fight was now fiercer than at + any time during the day. It was fearful to hear the roar of the + thunder above and the crash of the rifles below. But the enemy did + not succeed in driving us off. We remained there two and a half + hours longer. Meanwhile we had been able to quench our thirst. + Streams of water dashed down through the rocks, and we drank our + fill. These streams of water came from the forts a few yards above + us, and were red in colour. Was it red earth, or was it the blood + of friend or foe that coloured the water? Whatever the cause, we + were so thirsty that nothing would have kept us from drinking. + After the English had done their utmost to drive us from the hill, + and been baffled in their attempts, they returned to their forts, + and the firing subsided for a short time. + + "At last the sun set, and at half-past seven we withdrew. We had + been on the hill for sixteen hours, under a most severe fire, and + now we retired; but we were not driven off by the Devons with + levelled bayonets, as I have read in an English book. We were not + driven off the hill. We held it as long as it was light, and when + twilight fell and no reinforcements came, we considered it useless + to remain there. Including the Transvaalers we had lost 68 killed + and 135 wounded." + +(4) One instance more to show that the Boers behaved gallantly not only +under cover or when scaling mountains or hills occupied by the enemy, +but also when they met the foe on the plain without any cover at all. + +Lord Methuen's column, 1,500 strong, was charged in broad daylight on +the open veldt by about 700 burghers. The whole convoy with four +Armstrong guns was captured. Besides this the enemy lost 400 in killed +and wounded, and 859 prisoners of war, including Lord Methuen himself, +who was wounded in the leg. The Boer casualties amounted to 9 killed and +25 wounded. Do not such engagements prove that the Boers could hold +their own not only behind stones and in trenches but also on the plain? + +Lord Methuen's column was not the only one which was attacked and taken +on the exposed veldt. Some of the most brilliant achievements of the +Boers were accomplished when they were altogether exposed to the enemy's +fire and had to take the offensive. Was it then arrogance and vainglory +which prompted them to offer battle to one of the great Powers of the +world? Arrogance and vainglory would not have stood the test, but would +soon have vanquished like morning clouds before the rising sun. There +must have been some other cause. What was it? + +Here, then, the reader has another reason why the Boers fought so long. +As a people they are brave, and thus scorn the very thought of +surrendering like cowards. They chose to die as _men_, and the memory of +those who fell as such shall ever be dear and sacred to us. + + "For how can man die better + Than facing fearful odds, + For the ashes of his fathers + And the temples of his gods?" + +Another trait in the Boer character is his wonderful resourcefulness and +his ability to cope with difficulties. It was as much this phase of his +character as his patriotism, religiosity and valour which enabled him to +continue the struggle so long. If the Boers had not been so wonderfully +resourceful, and understood so well how to lighten their burdens and +solve their problems, they never could have held out so long. + +Surrounded on almost every side by British dominions, with all imports +cut off, they were bound to fall back on their own limited resources. +When these were exhausted, they had to plan some way out of the +difficulty. And so ingeniously did they contrive to find the wherewithal +for the prosecution of the war, and the necessaries of life, that it +must have appeared hopeless to the enemy at times that the Republicans +should ever be reduced to such an extremity that they could help +themselves no longer. + +And this is the way they planned. When their boots wore out, men were +appointed to tan hides and make boots; even the women busied themselves +in this kind of work. When there was a great scarcity of soap,--an +article used also by Boers,--the women boiled a serviceable substance +with the help of the ashes of various weeds. When the British began +destroying the mills everywhere mills were mounted on waggons and +carried off on the approach of the enemy. When tobacco failed the +burghers, Nature made provision once more. Leaves of different kinds of +trees were taken, dried and soaked in a weak solution of tobacco +extract, and when dry these leaves answered the purpose of tobacco. The +fine handicraft of great-grandmothers in the spinning of wool was +revived. The women-folk, constructing spinning-wheels from old +sewing-machines, spun wool beautifully, and knitted socks and other +articles as fine and as strong as any that can be bought in shops. When +the English took or burnt all their vehicles they reconstructed others +from the remnants of the burnt ones. One woman was seen with a cart in +which two plough wheels were placed. It looked strange, but answered the +purpose well enough. When salt was not to be had for love or money, +wells were dug in the pans and salt water was found, from which, by a +process of evaporation, salt was obtained. In this manner one problem +after the other was solved. As to their clothes, overcoats were made of +sheep-skins, and some burghers wore complete suits made of leather. The +worn-out clothes were patched with soft leather and then they were said +to be "armoured." Besides this there was the "shaking out" process, as +it was called by the burghers. The Boers thought that they were quite +justified in exchanging clothes with Tommy Atkins whenever he was +captured; for the English had destroyed and burnt theirs as often as +they could. As we had no means of import, and as the enemy had burnt our +clothes, who shall condemn our action, however humiliating it might have +been to the soldier or costly to the British Government to provide +outfits for both parties? Necessity knows no laws. In the same way the +burghers were provided with rifles, ammunition, horses, saddles, bridles +and other necessaries by the British. When their ammunition first ran +short, many were not a little concerned about it, and thought that that +would ultimately compel them to surrender. But the English were kind +enough to supply them, so that after each fight, as a rule, they had +enough to commence another with. Towards the latter part of the war the +English were fought and often beaten with their own arms. So, as far as +that was concerned, the Republics could have prolonged the war +indefinitely, or at least as long as they were being supplied by the +British Government. Does this often happen in the history of wars--a foe +lashed by its own weapons? + +In his social intercourse the Boer is kind-hearted, tender and +hospitable. He loves to be kind--to be hard and cruel is contrary to his +nature. Owing to his soft and gentle disposition he sometimes brought +disaster and ruin upon himself during the war. Traitors and renegades +were mercifully spared, and these notorious beings were instrumental in +bringing about his defeat. In times of peace kind-heartedness no doubt +is a virtue of intrinsic worth; in times of war it cannot always be +exercised. + +In outward appearance the Boer may be, and sometimes is, somewhat stern +and uncompromising; but those who have gained his confidence and known +him best have invariably discovered behind and at the bottom of this +seemingly forbidding exterior a softness of disposition and a tenderness +of heart which brooks no rivalry. Men who have taken the Boer character +second-hand, or have not taken the trouble to enter into his feelings or +obtain his friendship, have often been misled by his quiet phlegmatic +demeanour, which at times verges on stolidity. They have described him +as being sour, morose and unkind. To such he appeared a sort of +obstreperous, cantankerous being, who simply delights to quarrel with +every man he meets--especially if an Englishman came in his way. +Needless to say he is nothing of the sort. + +During the war we were several times struck by the gentle nature of the +Boers. They are indeed not that blood-thirsty, war-loving race which +some have imagined them to be. We make bold to say that there is nothing +which they so much dislike and abhor as shedding blood and inflicting +torture and misery on humanity. They are essentially a peace-loving +race, and will never indulge in war unless compelled by circumstances +over which they have no control. + +The British officers and soldiers who fell into their hands during the +war can bear evidence from personal experience that the average Boer is +dominated by kind and gentle sentiments. He treated the wounded soldier +and the prisoner-of-war with kindness. He would share his last drop of +water with the wounded, bandage his wounds to the best of his ability, +and would extend to him all the medical attendance at his command. + +Major J.B. Seely, Conservative M.P. for the Isle of Wight, who served +with the Hampshire Yeomanry for many months in the Transvaal, confirmed +the above statements in a letter to the _Times_ in the following way:-- + + "During the seventeen months that I have served in South Africa I + had, perhaps, rather exceptional opportunities of learning how our + wounded were treated by the Boers. On two different occasions men + under my command who were dangerously wounded were attended with + the greatest kindness and care by the Boers; and the wounded men + themselves begged me to thank those who had been so good to them. + On both occasions the general in command of the column conveyed his + thanks either personally or by letter. I have spoken to many + officers and men who have been left sick or wounded in the hands of + the Boers, and in no single instance have I heard anything but + gratitude expressed for the treatment they had received. In the + intense excitement of hand-to-hand fighting it may be difficult to + differentiate between the wounded and unwounded, but the relatives + and friends of those now fighting may rest assured that English + left wounded on the field will receive from the Boers no less care + and kindness than wounded Boers have invariably received from the + English." + +Such is the testimony of men who came in contact with the Boers at a +time when one would expect that the demoralizing and hardening +influences of war had removed every vestige of gentleness. + +We never heard the Boers use strong and abusive language towards +prisoners-of-war. On the contrary they would converse with them in a +most genial and friendly spirit; so much so, that the onlooker could +scarcely distinguish between Boer and Briton, friend or foe. Now when +the Boers behaved thus towards their prisoners-of-war they only did +what they ought to have done. When a man is captured or wounded he is no +more an enemy in the literal sense of the word, and should not be +treated as such. Military precautions must necessarily be taken to +prevent the escape of prisoners, but, apart from that, men forced to +surrender should neither be regarded nor treated as criminals, but as an +honourable foe deserves. In making these remarks we do not infer that +our wounded were not well attended to by the enemy. In most cases we +believe they were. We shall not comment on the treatment extended to our +prisoners-of-war. In the latter stage of the war we believe there was +room for improvement, especially when natives were taken up in the +British ranks. These natives treated our men shamefully at times, and +went even so far as to commit the most brutal murders. + +Not only did the burghers treat their prisoners-of-war well, but the +Boer officers under whose immediate control they were placed dealt, as a +rule, very kindly and leniently with them. Some of the more prominent +Boer officers, such as General De Wet and others, have been accused +occasionally of having ill-treated prisoners-of-war. Most of these +charges on examination proved groundless. + +Mr. Erskine Childers, in a letter to the _Times_, expressed himself on +this matter as follows:-- + + "It is time that a word was spoken in opposition to the idea that + General C. De Wet is a man of brutal and dishonourable character. + Those who, like myself, have served in South Africa, fought against + him, and frequently met men who have been prisoners under him, + look, I believe, with shame and indignation on the attempts made to + advertise and magnify such incidents as the alleged flogging and + shooting of peace envoys, so as to blacken the character of a man + who, throughout the war, held a reputation with our troops in the + field of being not only a gallant soldier, but a humane and + honourable gentleman. We may deplore the desperate tenacity of his + resistance. Our duty is to overcome it by smashing him in the + field. We gain nothing but only lose our self-respect by slandering + him. + + "His whole career gives the lie to such aspersions. It was in May + of last year, ten months ago, that he first gained prominence. + Since then he has fought scores of engagements with us, some + successful, some unsuccessful, never with a suspicion of + dishonourable conduct. He has had at one time or another some + thousands of our men in his hands as prisoners-of-war. Many of them + I have myself met. At second or third hand I have heard of the + experiences of many others. I have never heard a word against him. + When men suffered hardships they always agreed that they could not + have been helped. But, on the other hand, I have heard many stories + showing exceptional personal kindness in him over and above the + reasonable degree of humanity which is expected in the treatment of + prisoners-of-war. + + "I believe this view of him is universal among our troops in South + Africa. It makes my blood boil to hear such a man called a brigand + and a brute by civilian writers at home, who take as a text the + reports of these solitary incidents, incomplete and one-sided as + they are, and ignore--if, indeed, they know of it--the mass of + testimony in his favour." + +This testimony about De Wet, as well as other Boer officers, has been +substantiated by scores of letters from other officers and privates. + +The relation of the Boers to the coloured races in South Africa, and the +treatment of the latter, have been a cause of much offence and +misunderstanding. It is generally, though mistakenly, held that the +Boers ill-treated the natives, and that in the most brutal and +tyrannical manner. Such unwarranted assertions had furnished one of the +various flimsy excuses for war in South Africa. The natives had to be +protected! They were slaves, and must be liberated. Therefore--war! That +natives have sometimes received bad treatment at the hands of their +masters we shall candidly admit. In such instances the law-courts of the +country stood open to them, where justice was at all times meted out to +the guilty party. + +On the whole, we maintain that the treatment of inferior races by the +Boers contrasts very favourably with that by the British. The Dutch have +always expressed themselves very strongly against the policy of placing +the natives on a footing of political equality with the whites, because +morally, intellectually, and industrially they are decidedly their +inferiors. + +Those who, like the American Bishop Hartzell, argued that the British +cause ought to win, since the Boers do not equal the English in just +treatment of inferior races, would do well to consider the following +facts:-- + +(1) In the strip of East African coast--a British Protectorate--which +faces Zanzibar _the full legal status of slavery_ is maintained, and +fugitive slaves have even been handed back to their owners by British +officials. + +(2) In Zanzibar and Pemba the manumission of slaves presided over by Sir +Arthur Hardinge is proceeding slowly, and many thousands are still in +bondage. + +(3) In Natal the _corvee_ system prevails, and all natives not employed +by whites may be impressed to labour for six months on the roads. + +(4) In Bechuanaland, after a rebellion some years ago, natives were +parcelled out among the Cape farmers and indentured to them as virtual +slaves for a term of five years. + +(5) Under the Chartered Company in Rhodesia the chiefs are required, +under compulsion, to furnish batches of young natives to work in the +mines; and the ingenious plan of taxing the Kaffir in money rather than +in kind has been adopted, so that he may be forced to earn the pittance +which the prospectors are willing to pay him. + +(6) In Kimberley what is known as the compound system prevails. All +natives who work in the diamond mines are required to "reside" under +lock and key, day and night, in certain compounds, which resemble +spacious prisons. So stringent is the system that even the sick are +treated within the prison yard. On no pretext whatever is a native +allowed to leave his compound. + +During these months of incarceration the natives are separated from +their women-folk and families. The consequence is one of the most +striking and shocking features of the compound system. A number of the +lowest, drink-besotted, coloured prostitutes, estimated at about 5,000, +have collected at Beaconsfield, where, so to speak, they constitute a +colony, occupying a revolting quarter of the township. When the natives +come out for a short spell these unhappy women receive them. It is, no +doubt, convenient from the standpoint of the company to have them there, +for it probably prevents the natives from going away. This moral cancer +is one of the direct and inevitable outcomes and concomitants of the +compound system. + +(7) The South African Dutch contribute more money annually to native +mission work than the South African English. The English missions in +South Africa are supported chiefly by funds from England. The largest +and most handsome churches for natives in South Africa are those built +by the Dutch. The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa has more +representatives in the foreign mission field than all the other English +denominations in South Africa together. + +If necessary, more facts bearing on this subject of native treatment +could be adduced. One could, for example, point out how the aboriginal +Tasmanians and Australians have been almost completely extirpated; how, +in the name of civilization, thousands of Dervishes have been mowed down +in Egypt, and how South African soil itself has been stained from time +to time by the blood of Zulus, Basutos, Matabeles and other coloured +races, who became the victims of British, and _not Boer_, arms. +Remembering all this and much more, we claim that England has no right +to cast the first stone at the Boer in regard to the treatment of +coloured races. + +The Boer's nature does not admit of such tyrannical actions of which he +has constantly been accused. His native servants are treated almost as +members of his own family, and often serve him voluntarily for several +years in succession. + +[Illustration: THE LATE COMMANDANT DANIE THERON. + +_Photo by Duffus Bros., Capetown._] + +Mr. Chamberlain in a Parliamentary Debate has expressed himself on this +matter as follows:-- + + "Members of Parliament appear to be under the impression that the + Boers in the Transvaal were fierce and unjust aggressors, and that + they dispossessed the natives of their territory and brutally + ill-treated them afterwards. I wish honourable members would + read the papers before they came to this rash and inconsiderate + conclusion. The absolute reverse of that was the fact." + +The Boers, as a people and as individuals, are thoroughly hospitable, +indeed we do not hesitate to affirm that no nation is more hospitable. +To meet them, dwell in their midst, associate with them and know them, +is to like, if not to love them. + +The respectable traveller that lights on a Boer farm will invariably +receive a cordial welcome. The farmer will politely invite him to his +house, and will try to make his guest feel quite at home. Should it be +late in the day, the guest will be expected to stay the night. A plain +but substantial supper will fall to his share. The best bedroom and most +comfortable bed will be at his disposal for the night, while his horses +will receive every attention. In the morning he will be invited to +breakfast before setting out on his day's journey. Should the traveller, +on leaving, offer to pay the farmer for the night's accommodation, the +latter will, as a rule, decline to accept any payment, nay, will regard +it rather as an insult to be offered payment for his hospitality. +Callous and unappreciative characters have abused such hospitality, and +construed it as a mark of ignorance on the part of the Boer. He is, so +they say, hospitable and ready to entertain _because_ he is so stupid +and ignorant. There may be a grain of truth in this assertion, but to +attribute Boer hospitality exclusively to this is as false as it is +mean. + + "... I never want to meet kinder, more hospitable, and more + comfortable people than the Boers. True, some of them are poor and + ignorant, but the general run of them live comfortably, rear their + families well and with fair education. They are the reverse of what + we have been taught to consider them. It will be a happy day for + Australia when our pastoral country is settled by as fine a class + of people." + +Thus wrote a Queensland officer, Major Spencer Browne, while Mr. R.H. +Davis, an Englishman who had resided for some time in Pretoria, offers +the following testimony:-- + + "I left Pretoria with every reason for regret. I had come to it a + stranger, and had found friends among men whom I had learned to + like for themselves and for their cause. I had come prejudiced + against them, believing them to be all the English Press and my + English friends had painted them--semi-barbarous, uncouth, + money-loving, and treacherous in warfare. I found them simple to + the limit of their own disadvantage, magnanimous to their enemies, + independent and kindly." + +The trait that we admire and cherish most in the Boer character is their +hospitality. We shall ever gratefully remember how kindly our burghers +were received by many a colonial farmer, such as the Van der Merwes of +Toutelboschkoek and Bamuur, Calvinia district, the Therons of Rietpoort, +Richmond, the two Miss Van der Merwes of Badsfontein, Murraysburg, and a +host of others whose names we cannot mention here, as well as +non-combatant farmers of the late Republics. Weary and worn out by the +fierce and unequal contest we were often refreshed at their tables, and +were so invigorated by their kindness and hospitality that, after a +brief respite, we could once more resume the struggle with fresh +determination and revived energies. + +Never shall we forget the kindness shown to us personally during the +years of strife. And here we would express our sincere thanks to all +such as alleviated so greatly the burdens war had imposed upon +us--alleviated these by friendly sympathies, which found expression in +deeds of kindness and love, and that at a time and in circumstances when +the sword of Damocles was suspended over their heads, for to give an +enemy a drop of cold water was then considered a great crime! + +The Boers are _passionately fond_ of their homes and families. The +little cottage, with the garden, the flocks and herds--in these they +take pleasure. To accumulate and hoard up wealth is not their sole +ambition or ideal of life. If they possess enough to live comfortably, +give their children a fair education and meet their bills, they are +content. + +Now this passionate devotion to their homes and families, however +commendable a virtue it may be, proved most detrimental to their best +interests when the waters of strife were set in commotion. Nothing was +so trying to the Boers than to be separated from their families for +months and months. Up to the commencement of the war the Boer farmer +hardly knew what it meant to be away from his family for a long time. +Owing to this strong attachment to, one might almost say weakness for, +their homes, the burghers often insisted on obtaining leave of absence +to visit their families, and that at times when their services were most +needed on the battlefield. + +This love of home and property must account for a great number of +voluntary surrenders to the British. When the enemy entered the +Republics the farmers had to choose between surrender or sacrificing +hearth and home, property and all they had--entrusting these to the +mercy of the foe. Many, be it said to their honour, deliberately chose +to sacrifice all rather than their independence. Others lay down arms, +to protect or save, as they thought, their families, homes and property. +Sadly and bitterly were they disappointed; for their homes were still +burned, and their families confined in the concentration camps. + +These, then, are some of the more striking features of the Boer +character. To summarize them in one sentence: the Boer loves his Country +and Freedom, his Bible and Rifle, his Neighbour and Family. + +Are these not qualities which recommend themselves as worthy of +admiration? Are they not indications of much that is noble and good, +even though the foe be vanquished? Do not the English pride themselves +in possessing these very qualities, qualities which, they say, have made +them a great and mighty nation? Be it so; let them gently deal with the +Boer, who is possessed of these noble attributes in common with +themselves. We hope that they will treat their new subjects with due +consideration. What a happy day will it be for South Africa when Boer +and Briton, through the length and breadth of that blood-stained land, +have learned the secret of living as friends and brothers, respecting +one another, as befits Christian people. Will that happy day ever dawn, +or is South Africa doomed to be a land of discord? Let us hope that the +unhappy past will gradually be effaced from the memory of both Dutch and +English. Let the English Government exercise discretion in introducing a +South African policy which shall tend to reconcile and unite, not +embitter and sever. + +What about the faults and defects of the Boer? some may be asking. While +commenting on the different phases of the Boer character, we have +alluded to and admitted many of these; for they are many. There is +indeed much which we lament in the character of our people, and which we +would, if it were possible, gladly alter or improve upon. Not all of +them are good patriots, saints and heroes. Neither are all resourceful, +kind-hearted, hospitable, and attached to their homes. There were +"National Scouts," traitors, renegades, among the burghers! Among the +women there were, alas! some, not many, who yielded to temptation. Such +characters are found among all nations. Among the Boers they formed a +small minority, and were the exceptions and not the general rule. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE RISING IN THE CAPE COLONY. + + +Having been in the full tide of the emotions of the Cape +Colony--emotions which led to the taking up of arms--we feel ourselves +justified in setting down those things which were to the Cape Colonist +the justification of a warlike and anti-British policy. + +It is strange, when one bears in mind that England admittedly extends +greater liberties to her colonies than most other Powers, that many of +her subjects are a continual source of trouble and fear to her. How has +this to be accounted for? Is it because the colonists enjoy such great +liberty (?) and share in so many privileges? Or is it because so many of +them became British subjects _only because_ they were compelled to take +an oath of allegiance (or sign a declaration) to a government they +neither loved nor respected but hated and despised? In the former case +it would be base ingratitude on their part to rise in rebellion, in the +latter it seems almost natural. However it be, the lustre and beauty of +English history is sadly marred by the fact that often British artillery +had to bear on British subjects, and British arms had to be employed to +subdue England's own children. + +Scotland, Ireland, Canada, the United States of America, India, +Afghanistan, Egypt, South Africa, and many besides of less importance, +have resisted British authority at different times. Some of these, like +the late Republics, were at one time or other laid in ruins and +devastated by British arms. For years and years their inhabitants were +subjected to awful persecutions. The blood of the best and bravest was +spilt like water, whilst millions were spent to conquer whole +populations--millions which might have been used for better and nobler +purposes. And to-day thousands of British subjects are ruled by the +point of the bayonet--by sheer force, not by common consent. + +Having spent the greater part of the Anglo-Boer war time in the Cape +Colony, we had the opportunity of ascertaining some, if not all, of the +reasons why so many Colonial British subjects took up arms against the +forces of their lawful king and sovereign. These causes we shall here +narrate. By doing this we do not justify the action of those whose +sympathies led them to cast in their lot with the two Republics. We do +not wish to inculcate or foster the spirit of rebellion in any man, nor +to fan it by words of approval. But we do wish to make known to the +British public in particular that those Dutch colonists who sided with +the late Republics during the lamentable war did not do so because they +hated British rule or government or longed to shed the blood of English +fellow-subjects. Neither did they enlist in our ranks because they +regarded war as an adventurous game and mere child's play. In most cases +the rebels were, prior to the war, as loyal to the British crown, and as +devoted to British rule, as their fellow-English colonists ever were or +could have been. For they had been born and brought up under the British +flag; they knew no other, desired no better, even gloried in the flag of +England. To it they looked for succour and protection in the hour of +danger. Before the war the very men who fought against the British would +have volunteered their services, at a moment's notice, to the Home +Government if England was threatened in any way. Most of them, we are +sure, would have willingly sacrificed their goods, and even lives, to +shield the interests of the British Empire. + +Now when these Dutch colonists took up arms they did not do so blindly, +but fully realised the grave responsibility involved in such a step. +They knew that the action was treasonable, and that, when captured, they +were liable to the utmost penalty of the law, such as confiscation of +goods, banishment, imprisonment for life, or death. Some of them, +before they enlisted, had been compelled by the military authorities to +be present at the execution of those who had unfortunately fallen into +the hands of the enemy. In spite of that most tangible warning, they +nevertheless joined the Boer ranks. What then were their reasons for +risking their very lives in a cause which might perhaps fail? Surely +such men as rose in rebellion had potent and valid reasons! To be +stigmatised for life by the title of rebel could not be deemed so great +an honour as to induce a man to face all the dangers and hardships of +war. Nor were these colonial rebels mercenaries; they were volunteers, +that came to the assistance of two small republics. + +Those who were acquainted with the situation and with the political +parties at the Cape prior to the war expected and dreaded, in the event +of war with the Republics, a general outbreak in the Cape Colony, and +were not surprised when their expectations proved true. + +The Cape Dutch, as well as their English neighbours, knew only too well +that, in the event of war, the whole of South Africa would suffer, that +the flames of it would spread far beyond the Republican borders, and +would be kindled in the adjoining British colonies. Thoroughly convinced +that that would be the result of a war on the two Republics they did all +in their power to prevent it. Had the English element in South Africa +been as eager as the Dutch to abide in peace and avoid bloodshed, there +certainly never would have been war. But, alas! one party had set its +heart upon it. + +To precipitate matters and bring them to a crisis, the public in England +was inflamed by rumours of the wildest nature, and was, unfortunately, +enticed to believe anything and everything which was reported. British +interests, British paramountcy, etc., were supposed to be seriously +threatened by a great Pan-Africander conspiracy, which had for its +objective the total elimination of the Imperial factor in South Africa. +The Dutch were plotting, so it was rumoured, to oust the British from +South Africa by driving them all into the sea on a certain day. What a +preposterous absurdity! And many were so innocent as to believe and +fear that a small nation of farmers would actually attempt to expel the +British from South Africa. The Boer may be ignorant, but he has more +common sense than to give such an idea even a thought. + +The Cape Dutch, we are glad to state, left no stone unturned in their +attempts to avert a war on a kindred race which was bound to prove +calamitous to, and inflict endless misery on, thousands. Whilst +diplomatic negotiations went on between the Transvaal and English +Governments, and it became evident that these negotiations would in all +probability result in failure, Mr. Jan Hofmeyer,--"onze Jan," that +far-seeing, famous Cape politician,--and Mr. Harold, M.P., left for +Pretoria, and by the co-operation of President Steyn prevailed on +President Kruger to submit those proposals to the British Government +which the Colonial Secretary frankly admitted might form the basis of a +peaceful settlement. "We have nine-tenths of what we wanted," the +Colonial Secretary is reported to have said, "and the other tenth is not +worth our going to war for." Sad that that one-tenth should have +demanded the lives of thousands of men, women and children, millions of +pounds, besides ruin and misery to so many! + +When war seemed inevitable and its declaration only a matter of time, +the Africander Party, which then constituted the majority in the Cape +Parliament, passed a resolution in Parliament, by which they solemnly +protested against any aggressive policy on the part of the Imperial +Government. They pointed out to the Home Government what endless woes a +war would entail, and how detrimental it would prove to Imperial +interests through the length and breadth of South Africa. At the same +time they stated, in the most unequivocal language, their strong +disapproval of extreme and coercive measures. This protest was slighted. +The members who subscribed their names to it, and who represented the +feeling of the Cape Dutch, were called disloyal. For to be loyal in +those days meant to side with the war party, and approve of all they +said and did. To think independently, and to express one's political +views frankly and fearlessly, was a sure sign of disloyalty, when one's +aims were for a peaceful solution of the difficulties of the moment. + +Besides this Parliamentary resolution, the Cape Dutch drew up a large +petition, addressed to Queen Victoria, whom they all loved as a mother +and revered as a Queen. This petition was signed by thousands of women, +who entreated their gracious and tender Mother-Queen to refrain from a +policy which would result in bloodshed. This plea for peace and justice +also failed to accomplish anything. The voice of the Dutch colonists was +not heeded. Their petitions and protests were ignored and rejected time +and again. The petition, however, of some 21,000 Uitlanders in +Johannesburg, who clamoured for redress of grievances, immediately +called forth armed intervention! + +This, then, was the attitude of the Cape Dutch before the declaration of +war: emphatic disapproval of any war policy. They disapproved of and +protested against war in South Africa, not because they were disloyal, +and had not the interests of the mother-country at heart, or because +they naturally sympathised with the Boers as being a kindred race. They +declared themselves against the Imperial war policy, because they knew +and were confident that it was by no means impossible to arrive at a +peaceful solution of all difficulties and disputes along friendly +diplomatic lines, by which the actual grievances of British subjects in +Johannesburg could be redressed, and political affairs so adjusted that +it would not be necessary to shed one drop of blood. So far from being +disloyal, they prided themselves in being British subjects, and, as +such, they claimed the rights and privileges to which all British +subjects are entitled. Their services in the interests of peace were, +however, not appreciated, but were construed into acts calculated to +encourage the enemy and to foster rebellion. + +The Press had declared war months before it was actually proclaimed. +Feeling ran so high that men would not listen to reason. "Fight it out," +was the frantic cry of many, who had not the remotest idea of what +"fighting it out" meant. + +Though frustrated in their endeavours to prevent the threatened war, the +Cape Dutch, after hostilities had once begun, tried very hard to bring +about a speedy termination of the struggle, and to effect a settlement +which would be honourable to English and Dutch alike, and which would +secure all, if not more than all, that the English had ever demanded. + +Let us note some of the steps they took. + +When the Imperial Government announced their policy of annexation of the +Republics after the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, the voice +of the Cape Dutch was raised once more. They knew that Lord Roberts had +greatly mistaken the character of the people he had come to conquer when +he thought that no sooner would their capitals be occupied by his forces +than all the Boers would surrender. They were conscious of the fact that +a war of annexation would lead to one of conquest, and that the Boers, +rather than sacrifice their independence, would choose to fight to the +finish. Hence the colonial Dutch again strongly urged the Home +Government to discard the policy of annexation, which would crush and +destroy the national life of two small states, which had bravely fought +and struggled for their independent existence. + +A conference, attended by thousands representing the whole Dutch +population of the Cape Colony, was held at Worcester on the 6th of +December, 1900. In that conference or congress of the people resolutions +were unanimously adopted discountenancing the policy which led to the +annexation of the two Republics. Six prominent men were chosen from the +Worcester delegates, and were deputed to go and appeal to the conscience +of the English people. It was hoped that, at least, in England--the home +of liberty--they would be allowed to plead their cause, and lay it bare +before the public. How enthusiastically (?) they were received in +England and Scotland is well known. _Warm_ receptions were extended to +them. "Away with them! Crucify them!" was the cry of the enraged war +party. Instead of their message being listened to, these men were +mobbed, hissed at and hooted; sometimes they had to flee so as not to +be the targets for the missiles of the mob. And the treatment of these +men, who represented at least 90,000 Dutch colonists, at the hands of +their fellow-British subjects, was that not an insult--a mockery of +liberty and equal rights? + +Besides this deputation of the people, two of the leading ministers of +the Cape Parliament--Messrs. Merriman and Sauer--went to England on a +similar errand, but fared no better. In vain did they offer their +services to the Imperial Parliament by way of suggesting a basis for a +settlement, which would terminate a war of devastation and ruination. +The war party would have none of them. Forsooth, they too were traitors, +working against British interests! + +The women-folk at the Cape were as anxious as the men, first to prevent, +and then to stop, the unfortunate war, the burdens of which they shared +with their husbands. Three times large numbers of them met in +conference, at Paarl, Worcester and Cape Town, and there they fearlessly +and strongly protested against the conduct of the war and the annexation +of the two Republics. Through the medium of these conferences they +expostulated and pleaded with the Home Government to abstain from what +they rightly regarded as a stupendous crime, the annihilation of two +small states by overwhelming forces. Their petitions, if they ever +reached the British Government, were treated with silent contempt. Did +they merit such treatment? + +All this and much more was done in the interests of peace by the Dutch +colonists. Both before and during the war they did all they possibly +could to rescue or redeem South Africa from the horrors and calamities +of a disastrous war. They failed. Was it their fault? Was it right to +brand as rebels and traitors every Cape Colonial that protested against +the war, and refused to assist the mighty British Empire against the +Republics? + +The Africander Bond--a political organization at the Cape--was the +scape-goat during the war. Those who were in search of a pretext for the +cause of the war and its continuation found it in this organization. +Everything that was low and mean was laid to the charge of the +Africander Bond. Its unwearied efforts to induce the English to +terminate a war, declared and carried on in direct opposition to the +wishes of tens of thousands of England's devoted subjects, were +construed into being so many encouragements for the Republicans to +continue the struggle. The Worcester conference was said to have +encouraged and invited General De Wet to invade the Colony--an invasion +which was planned long _before_ the conference was held, and which +failed in the first instance, and only succeeded three months after the +conference had met! + +When all the efforts of the Cape Dutch failed, and the voice of the +people was not regarded but systematically suppressed, it is not strange +that there were men who found it impossible to remain silent and +inactive in such circumstances. Gradually their loyalty was being +undermined. The strain placed upon it was too great; it was stretched to +the breaking point. They enlisted and took the field against the forces +of that Government which they once loved so well, and then--despised. + +This brings us to some of the more direct causes of the colonial +rebellion, which we shall enumerate in succession. The war with the +Republics was an aggression on a _kindred race_, and was declared and +conducted to the extreme displeasure, and in direct opposition to the +wishes, of the Dutch colonists, who spared themselves neither pain nor +trouble to ward off or terminate a war which was bound to inflict great +misery on themselves, and on thousands with whom they were intimately +connected by ties of blood and friendship. For are the Transvaal and +Free State Boers not the sons and daughters of those pioneers that +emigrated from the Cape Colony between the years 1834-40, in search of +an independent home beyond the Orange and Vaal rivers? Moreover, among +the burghers of the Republics there were several colonists who, prior to +the war, had settled in the Transvaal, chiefly in Johannesburg and +Pretoria, as well as in the Orange Free State. These colonial settlers +constituted another link in the chain which bound the Cape Dutch to the +Boers. They regarded the Republics as their native land, and +consequently came to their assistance in the hour of danger. There they +had found a home, acquired wealth in some instances, and thus would not +desert them when their services were most needed. Instead of abandoning +the two Republics to their sad fate, they were determined to support +them with all the energy and power at their command. On the battlefield +many of them distinguished themselves by their dauntless valour. They +willingly sacrificed their lives and property for their adopted +fatherland, which they loved even better than many a Boer. For when the +Boers became disheartened and surrendered ignominiously, the Colonials, +be it said to their everlasting honour, remained steadfast, thereby +putting to shame those burghers who were possessed of so little national +pride as to kneel at the invaders' feet and sue for mercy. + +These Transvaal and Free State Colonials had their relatives in the Cape +Colony, so that the Dutch of South Africa may almost be regarded as one +large family, linked together from Table Bay to the Zambezi by bonds of +blood, religion and marriage. Hence it was impossible to strike a blow +at the two states without touching the very heart of the Cape +Dutch--impossible to inflict losses and bring ruin upon some members of +the family without seriously disturbing and distressing the rest. The +physical boundaries separating the British colonies from the Republics +made no separation as far as the people were concerned. In speech, +religion, character, and blood, the Dutch are essentially one throughout +South Africa. And it was owing to this fact that the Cape Dutch felt for +the Republicans as none else could have felt. Their strong sympathies +took the form of practical assistance when they shouldered their rifles +and took the field against the enemies of the Republics. But this was +not done before their protests, petitions, and all other constitutional +measures had signally failed, and were utterly ignored by the British +Government. Then only did they resort to aggressive measures. + +However strongly some might condemn their action, still we believe that +any other people, even the English themselves, and they probably to a +far greater extent, would, in like circumstances, have acted similarly. +If England had been invaded by a foreign foe, and English homes +destroyed and burnt _en masse_, and English women and children removed +in thousands to disease-stricken camps, and English officers and +soldiers court-martialled or deported to distant islands and countries, +we ask, would Scotland, for instance, have looked on with stolid +indifference and cold apathy? Would she not, as well as all other true +Englishmen, wherever they were, have protested most emphatically against +such a war; and if their protests were slighted, would they not have +assisted their fellow-Englishmen? Verily they would, were they subjects +or not of the invaders. + +This is exactly what the Cape Dutch did when some of them rose in +rebellion. Their loyalty was gradually undermined as the war assumed the +character of conquest and extermination. It was too much for many a +Colonial to be a silent spectator when thousands of women and children +pined away in concentration camps; and the military authorities, +apparently wreaking vengeance on these because the burghers would not +surrender, positively refused to allow these Boer families to reside +with their relatives or friends in the Cape Colony, or live _at their +own cost_ in garrisoned towns, where they would have no intercourse with +the burghers. When the weak and defenceless became the victims of the +war, and received such treatment, the Cape Dutch were incited to violent +actions. They rose to protect the weak against the strong, the few +against the many. In so doing have they committed the unpardonable sin? +Or will there be mercy even for these? + +The Colonists were left unprotected at the tender mercy of the Boer +forces. When the Boers, on the declaration of war, crossed the colonial +borders and pushed ahead into British territory, they found the +districts and most of the villages in an entirely defenceless condition. +The garrison of Aliwal North consisted of three Cape policemen. +Colesberg, Venterstad, Burghersdorp, Lady Grey, James Town, Dordrecht, +Rhodes, and many other places were occupied one after the other, without +being in the least protected. In Natal, Griqualand West, and British +Bechuanaland it was not any better. + +The Colonists thought that they were subjects of a vast and mighty +empire, to which they could confidently look for protection against +invaders. If they had any fears, these were hushed, for surely the +mother-country was powerful enough to shelter them from the withering +blasts of war. To their astonishment the mother-country could protect +neither their persons nor their property, but entrusted all to the care +of the Boer commandoes. Had the Colonists no claim to protection? Was it +their fault that the British Government had accepted an ultimatum before +they were prepared to extend to their colonial subjects that protection +to which they certainly had a lawful claim? Such questions the Colonists +asked themselves and the Home Government. + +Left unprotected, and literally forsaken for months by their own +Government, they yielded to the temptation to make common cause with the +Boers, whom they met and saw daily. They enlisted in considerable +numbers, and so cast in their lot for better or for worse with the +Boers. Still the majority of the colonial farmers remained at home, and +those who joined the Boer ranks at the commencement of the war were, as +a rule, commandeered or called up. By proclamation all Colonists who +resided within the occupied territory received the option either of +leaving it within a certain time, or of staying, on condition of +submitting to the Martial Law regulations of the new Government. + +Under this strange thing, called Martial Law, these Colonists were +summoned to join the ranks of the Boers. In how far this action of +commandeering Colonists was commendable on the part of the Republics is +difficult to say for one not versed in all the technicalities of +International Law, or in the terms prescribed by the various +Conventions. It seemed, however, that as far as the Republics were +concerned, International Law and Convention obligations did not exist at +all. The policy of the Republics all through the war, as one might +expect, was to secure and maintain the friendship and sympathy of their +colonial brethren. The Colonist was treated as a friend, and not as an +enemy. His person and property were respected so long as he remained +neutral. Strict neutrality, and nothing more, the Boers enjoined, +especially towards the end of the war. + +To be fair towards the Republics, we have to note that when the +Colonists were commandeered at the commencement of the war--for it was +_only then_, and not later, that they were summoned to the front--the +object of the States was not to force them into their service. It was +more a precautionary measure to protect the Colonist should he fall into +the hands of the enemy. The fact that he had been commandeered, when +taken into account, might, and did, tend to mitigate his punishment. +This commandeering was never rigorously enforced. Occasionally officers +acting on their own responsibility, and without instructions from the +Boer governments, commandeered and pressed Colonists to take up arms +without their consent; but such cases were exceptional, and were +disapproved of. What the Boers wanted were men who volunteered their +services, and came to them, not because they were disloyal to their +Government, but because such a strain was laid upon them that they were +compelled to come. Upon such men they could rely, and they proved +themselves worthy of the confidence placed in them. + +The various war proclamations issued by the British from time to time +goaded the Colonists into rebellion. + +[Illustration: COMMANDANT W.D. FOUCHE.] + +If all the proclamations which were circulated in the Republics and +British colonies were published they would constitute a volume of no +mean dimensions, and might afford instructive reading "to principalities +and powers" planning to enlarge their dominions by the assistance, and +on the basis, of proclamations. In South Africa these "paper sheets" +were by far the most formidable allies of the British Empire. They +wrought greater havoc among the Boer forces than all the British +batteries ever did; for when they first began to explode in the midst of +the burghers the latter dropped down thick and fast. Thousands were +lured away from the posts of duty by the fascinating and seemingly +generous proposals contained in some proclamations. Had the +Field-Marshal only understood the Boer character better, and strictly +adhered to his first proclamation, and not violated its conditions, and +replaced it by others calculated to harass the surrendered Boer to such +an extent that war, with all its hardships and dangers, seemed +preferable to a life of continual dread and vexation, thousands of +surrendered burghers who enlisted would assuredly never have fired a +shot at the British troops. And it is just possible that that +proclamation would have secured victory for the British arms at a much +earlier date had it been abided by with more discretion. But then others +came in quick succession. And so it often happened that by proclamation +a burgher would be disarmed while another would compel ten others to +take the field. They were undoubtedly the best commandeering agents the +Boers ever had. Thousands of Boers and Colonists were from time to time +commandeered by the stringent and drastic obligations imposed upon them +by these proclamations. On the other hand they facilitated matters very +greatly for the enemy. Where the soldier could not go the proclamation +was sent; what the former could not do the latter often successfully +accomplished. Officers and burghers who had baffled the enemy by their +movements, and had routed them time and again, were captured +by--proclamations. + +Everything and anything the enemy required was secured by proclamation. +Horses, mules, donkeys, oxen, ammunition, rifles, barley, wheat, hay, +corn, maize, vehicles, and even luxuries, such as sugar, jams, etc., +were all gathered in by--proclamations. Besides, by proclamation the +non-combatant farmer, who was supposed to be neutral, was compelled to +report, at the nearest column or British post, the presence or +whereabouts of any armed Boer or Boers that he might happen to know +of--and that immediately, even at the risk of being shot should he fall +into the hands of the enemy he was reporting. Losing his life was, of +course, a matter of little consequence to the British. + +When the enemy adopted such tactics, the Boers had to counteract their +proclamations by circulating others. Now in doing that the +non-combatants were placed between two fires. They had to serve two +masters in carrying out the instructions of proclamations diametrically +opposed to each other. The man who was ingenious enough to act a double +part, who could steer clear of Charybdis and Scylla, alone evaded +trouble. There were, however, not many who succeeded in pleasing or +duping both parties for any length of time. + +The Boer proclamations levelled at those of the English made it +specially irksome to the Colonists, who were finally encompassed by a +host of proclamations. When they failed to obey the English +proclamations they were fined, cast into gaol, and treated as criminals. +When they obeyed the English, and consequently violated the Boer +proclamations, they had to undergo the penalty, fines, corporal +punishment, and even death, imposed by the Boers. The English said: +"This do, and thou shalt live"; the Boers: "This do not, and thou shalt +live." + +As far as possible the Colonists were left unmolested on their farms by +the Boers, who expected them, as non-combatants, to remain strictly +neutral. The English proclamations, on the other hand, converted these +non-combatant farmers into scouts, and often into spies. They had to +give the enemy every information concerning the Boer commandoes--as to +their strength, the condition of their horses, the number of unarmed +burghers, of servants, their movements and plans, as far as they could +discover these, etc., etc. In some instances they were commandeered to +take upon themselves the dangerous responsibility of acting as guides to +the British columns, and were then dismissed to return to their farms +and pose as non-combatants. This the Boers could not tolerate, and had +to prevent by forbidding it through counter-proclamations, which the +enemy laughed to scorn. The unfortunate farmer could not similarly +slight and ignore them. He _had_ to obey them, or abide the +consequences. + +When the Colonists were subjected to vexations of such a serious nature, +and when the British persisted in rigorously enforcing their +proclamations, the position of the Colonists became untenable and drove +them into rebellion. Had the military authorities exercised greater +wisdom and more common sense, so many British subjects would not have +fallen away. There were colonial rebels who never, never would have +lifted a rifle, whose loyalty was beyond all questioning, but the +pressure laid upon them by proclamations so numerous, onerous and odious +in character, forced them to fight for or against the Boers. To do the +former would be disloyal and treasonable, to acquiesce in the latter +would be violating the dictates of conscience. Was it the fault of the +Colonists that they were placed in such an awkward position? + +Martial Law and the way it was administered has been one of the leading +causes of the colonial rebellion. As long as the Colonists were +permitted to express their sentiments or political views through the +medium of congresses, conferences, public meetings, resolutions and +petitions, they cherished the hope that the Home Government would +eventually listen to their pleas. But when Martial Law was declared, the +constitution of the Cape Colony was virtually suspended, and the +Colonists were deprived of most, if not all, of their +liberties--liberties of speech, of the Press and of conscience. Under +Martial Law none, not even the most loyal, were allowed to write or say +anything which did not harmonize exactly with the views and actions of +the Imperial Government as represented in South Africa. Now, when men +may neither speak nor write, they are apt to act. The Colonists, being +compelled by this most wonderful of all laws--if law it be at +all--acted. For this law justified all things, as far as the war party +was concerned, while it condemned the rest indiscriminately. It gave +armed men unlimited power over the unarmed. It allowed the strong to +crush the weak, the rich to rob the poor, and the scoundrel to lodge in +gaol the man of honour and reputation. Nothing so exasperated the +Colonists as the odious manner in which the Martial Law regulations were +carried out, and nothing made greater rebels than the harshness of these +regulations. + +As the situation in the Cape Colony became more and more serious, the +most arbitrary and despotic methods were adopted to quell the rebellion +by trying to intimidate the Colonists. The policy of the gallows was +unscrupulously brought into practice, and the barbarous method of +compelling the Dutch residents to attend the execution of their +fellow-Dutch was enforced. At Burghersdorp, Cradock, Middelburg, and +various other places several rebels were executed. The chief Dutch +residents were compelled not only to listen to the public promulgation +of these death sentences, but had also to be present at the execution. +On July 10, 1901, the execution of one Marais took place at Middelburg. +At 9 A.M. he was executed in the presence of the leading residents. +Among these was Mr. De Waal, M.L.A., who entered the precincts of the +gaol attired in deep mourning. The scene proved too much for him; he +broke down completely before the executioner had drawn the bolt. + +Now these tragic enactments influenced the Colonists in one of two ways. +Some of them--the more timid--who were eye-witnesses of the executions +of their fellow-Dutch, became so intimidated that nothing could induce +them to take up arms against the British. Others--and these not a +few--instead of being over-awed and frightened, got infuriated. In the +awful presence of the gallows, on which their beloved countrymen ended +their earthly career, there and then, as they gazed on them in silent +sorrow, they took a solemn oath that, come what may, _avenge_ they would +the blood of their kindred. From the gallows they went to their +different homes with impressions and feelings so deep and bitter that +not even "Time's effacing finger" will be able to wipe them out for +centuries to come. From these heartrending scenes they turned their +faces, and anxiously awaited the first Boer commando. + +On one occasion no less than fifteen colonists, who were forced to +attend the execution of a fellow-colonist, came to my commando and +begged me to provide them with horses and rifles. Nothing could induce +them to return, for they had seen a comrade slain, and that was +sufficient. And so time and again colonists joined the Boer ranks +because they had to witness scenes calculated to stir up the most +callous and indifferent. If these were moved, how much more the hearts +and hands of those linked by ties of blood and love to the fallen! One +brother would enlist because the other was heavily fined or imprisoned +simply on suspicion. Two or more colonists would club together and join +the Boer ranks after a friend or relative of them had been executed. To +cite a few instances:-- + +In the Middelburg district a certain farmer, by name Van Heerden, was +commandeered by an English patrol to act as guide. Reluctantly he +obeyed, and led the patrol to the best of his ability. Not far from his +home the Boers opened fire on them. The British retreated, leaving their +wounded behind. Van Heerden himself was dangerously wounded. He was +carried off the field by his wife and servants and laid up in his house. +A few days after the column to which the patrol belonged arrived at Van +Heerden's farm. The officer in command entered the house of the wounded +man in a raging temper, and ordered him to be carried out and shot +immediately. In vain did the wife of Van Heerden expostulate and plead +with the unmerciful officer to spare the life of her wounded husband. +Van Heerden was carried out, tied to a chair placed beside a stone wall, +and seven Lee-Metford bullets penetrated the brain of the man who was +wounded, perhaps mortally, _in the service of the British army_! That +was his reward. Even that did not satisfy those who thirsted for blood, +for the house of the unfortunate man was forthwith looted, and his widow +and orphans robbed of everything. A few days after this sad event had +occurred our commando arrived at the same farm. The spot where the +victim sat was pointed out to me; the marks of the bullets, the blood +and the brain against the wall were still distinctly discernible, and +seemed to cry to heaven for revenge. And there was the family of the +departed--stripped of everything. The burghers contributed from their +scanty means what they could in support of the widow and orphans. + +No wonder that the brothers of this unfortunate man took up arms and +became the most pronounced, the most bitter enemies of those who +ruthlessly slew, if not murdered, their brother. One of them--Jacobus +van Heerden--whenever he spoke of his brother's death, would bite his +lips, his face would flush, and one could hear him mutter: "My brother's +blood shall be avenged." In the whole commando there was not a more +dauntless man than he. But, alas! he too passed away. A bullet was +destined to pierce his skull. At a farm, Leeuwfontein, in the district +of Murraysburg, he was shot by a Kaffir. + +On another occasion four Colonists were arrested; two of these were shot +in cold blood, while the other two were imprisoned, _because_ the +railway line was blown up and a train derailed by the Boers near their +home. They were accused of having known all about the Boers, who had +destroyed the railway line _during the night_--an accusation which, on +later investigation, proved false. + +When such crimes were perpetrated in the name of Martial Law, we are +rather surprised that all the Colonists did not rise to a man. What +would the English have done if subjected to such treatment? The Dutchman +is naturally slow to move, and very patient. He seems born to suffer and +endure. But Martial Law imposed such heavy burdens upon him that he +could not but resent them. Where the Boers were too lax in enforcing +their Martial Law regulations, the English went to the other extreme in +applying theirs too strenuously. + +Well may we ask whether it was a wise policy which converted so many +Colonists into bitter enemies, by subjecting them to such revolting +measures. + +The enlisting of blacks by the British induced many Colonists to cast in +their lot with the Boers. If natives were to be employed to crush a +kindred race, the Colonists thought that they were justified in +rendering assistance to their fellow-Dutch. + +Moreover, these armed natives, once promoted to the rank of soldiers, +tantalized the farmers, who were formerly their masters, to an +inconceivable degree. With rifle in hand they would go to these and +treat them in the most insulting manner. They would commandeer bread, +butter, milk, clothes, horses, and everything else they pleased, and woe +to the man or woman that did not promptly answer their demands. + +The farmers of the Western Province of the Cape Colony suffered perhaps +most in this respect. The natives had all congregated in the villages, +and there they were armed to assist in the work of destruction, while +the farmer, who required their services, had to tend his flocks and +plough his fields all alone. + +In Calvinia was an infamous Hottentot column, five hundred strong. These +Hottentots were the scare and plague of the whole district. By their +actions they goaded the Calvinia farmers into rebellion. + +Let us summarize these causes mentioned--causes which to some extent +account for the rising in the Cape Colony. They were:-- + +(_a_) War on a kindred race without consent of Colonists. + +(_b_) The Colonists left unprotected, and thus exposed to danger and +temptation. + +(_c_) The Colonists harassed by multitudinous proclamations and + +(_d_) Subjected to embarrassing Martial Law regulations. + +(_e_) The arming of natives against Colonists and Republicans. + +Other causes why so many once loyal and devoted British subjects took up +arms against the English may be cited, but the aforementioned are the +principal ones. By enumerating them we express neither approval nor +disapproval of the action of the Colonists; for we admire nothing more +in friend or foe than unfeigned devotion and loyalty to country and +people. The traitor and renegade are to be pitied, and their actions +despised. We could not but admire the loyalty of many a colonist under +such untoward circumstances; when that loyalty was stretched to the +breaking-point, when it became impossible for them to remain such any +longer, then and then only we gladly welcomed them and equipped them as +best we could. + +Those who stigmatize the Colonists as traitors, rebels, or renegades, +would do well to take into account the peculiar position in which they +were placed by the war, before passing a rash judgment on them. To be +fair towards the Colonists we must take into consideration the causes +which produced the effects. Only after a thorough investigation of the +causes could a just sentence be passed on the colonial rebel. If +governments have no responsibility whatever towards their subjects or +citizens, and no binding obligations to fulfil in respect to them, then +only may the investigation of causes be discarded. + +None lament more the sad results of the South African war than the +writers of these pages. Before the war Dutch and English lived and +worked side by side as friends and brothers. The two races, once +hostile, began to understand and respect one another more and more. In +the schools the Dutch and English languages had equal rights. In some +Dutch Reformed Churches English sermons were delivered by Dutch pastors +to Dutch and English congregations. The railways of the Free State were +almost exclusively controlled by English officials. In the Government +offices Dutch and English clerks worked together. The principal villages +of the Orange Free State were almost more English than Dutch. The +British subjects were perfectly content with the Free State Government +and desired no better. In the Transvaal the state of affairs was much +the same. Before the Jameson Raid there existed a kindly feeling between +Dutch and English. If time and patience had only been exercised, no +blood would have been shed, there never would have been war in South +Africa. But what time and patience would have wrought, the war party +undertook when they plunged the land into a war the effects of which +will be felt by more than one generation. + +Thousands of British subjects have been estranged from the +mother-country and turned into implacable enemies by the war. In many a +home there is a vacant chair, and round many a fireside one is missing +at eventide. Several families, once so happy and content, now mourn the +irreparable loss of a father or brother, a mother or sister. Thousands, +who were well-to-do before the war, are now poverty-stricken. Who then +shall adequately depict the misery and woe which has entered so many +homes since the first shot was fired in South Africa? And to-day, when +the roar of cannons, the din of rifles and the clatter of arms have been +hushed, there are men pining away in foreign countries because they may +not return to their native land. There are the unhappy exiles in +Belgium, Holland, France and America. Their families are left to the +mercy and care of friends and relatives in South Africa. How their +hearts are yearning to go to these, but...! Besides these exiles there +are those undergoing sentences of penal servitude either for life or for +long periods. There are the burghers in Bermuda and in India who, +because they cannot conscientiously take an oath of allegiance to the +British Government, are not allowed to return to their native land. As I +ponder over the condition of these unhappy cases my heart seems to +break, and a feeling of compassion mingled with sorrow inexpressible +rises in my bosom. + +While referring to these, I would dare to plead earnestly with the +Imperial Government to display mercy and generosity. Exercise these +towards the exiled, not only for their sake, but also for the sake of +their families and for the promotion of peace in South Africa. Is it too +much to plead for a general amnesty? Will that not lessen the intense +race-hatred between two peoples destined to live in the same land? + +True reconciliation is the foundation on which the structure of a united +South Africa shall be raised. Without reconciliation there can be no +co-operation, and South Africa will be in the future what it has been in +the past--a land of strife and discord. Adhere to a policy of severity +and the gulf between Dutch and English will grow deeper and deeper as +the years roll by. There will be another Ireland, instead of a land +where "peace and rest for ever dwell." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +WAR INCIDENTS. + + +Notwithstanding the horror and depression which must necessarily keep +step with the campaigner, death staring him in the face throughout the +campaign, yet the burgher endeavoured to show a cheerful countenance. In +this he succeeded to a surprising degree. It is a characteristic of the +Boer that he can meet frowning fortune with a smile or at least a shrug +of the shoulders. He found that his best policy was to forget the +reverse of yesterday. Flying to-day before the enemy, to-morrow he will +rally, and charge that same foe with almost irresistible determination. + +In this, the last chapter, we want to dwell not on the tragic aspects of +the war, but on its lighter side. Gradually we learnt to be more +conscious of the amusing than of the sad scenes of the battlefield. +Months of fighting, if they had hardened our natures, had yet left us +the power of laughter. + +The South African War was rich in incidents that tended to lighten our +burdens. Hardly a day passed by without something happening, either on +the battlefield or in the camp, which caused us amusement. The burghers, +in spite of looks and behaviour, had a keen sense of humour. Even when +we were so hotly pressed that there was often no pause made for a meal, +a joke in the saddle was relished in the place of food. In little +groups, too, round the camp fires we would beguile the long evenings of +winter nights by relating our personal adventures. We will record a few +of these, acquired from personal experience or overheard at such +gatherings. + +Moving in the Reddersburg district, we camped for a night at a dam which +contained a small quantity of water. The next morning the burghers, +discovering that there were fish in the pool, but having no +fishing-hooks, undressed and began to convert the water into a muddy +mass, thus compelling the fish to come to the surface for air. While +still engaged in this impromptu fishing, with bodies mud-covered from +top to toe, they heard the cry "Opzaal! opzaal! Khakis near by." So near +was the enemy that they could not afford to lose a minute. As there was +neither clean water nor time to wash off the mud, they were obliged to +jump into their clothes, besmeared as they were with mud. It was an +amusing sight to see them running to their clothes, black as negroes, +and, regardless of the mud, dressing as quickly as they could. Some of +them had a very narrow escape, and not before sunset could they take +another bath. + +The destruction of the railway-line afforded us much fun. There were +burghers who dreaded this kind of work much more than actual fighting. +They would rather get into the firing-line than go to the railway-line. +They feared nothing so much as to handle a charge of dynamite, by which +the destruction was usually accomplished. To prevent any accidents, a +whistle was blown as a signal to apply the lights to all the fuses at +once, so that the men could all withdraw to a safe distance before the +explosion took place. On one occasion a burgher, intentionally or out of +fright, lit his fuse while the others were still engaged depositing +their charges under the rails. The surprise of the rest on seeing the +fuse alight took the form of helter-skeltering away, some rushing +against the railway fence, others almost breaking their necks over +ant-heaps, while some only got away a few yards before the explosion +took place. Fortunately none were injured, and when all was over they +laughed heartily over their own disorderly retreat. + +After we had blown up the line we went to a farm about three miles away. +As we halted in front of the door, the farmer's wife--her husband had +been deported--came out. The old lady appeared very agitated; she begged +us kindly to leave as soon as possible. It seemed she was entertaining +three English soldiers as guests that night, and was anxious that we +should not disturb their slumbers, which action would get her into +trouble. "Oh, do go," she said, "for if you disturb these sleeping +guests, I also will be prosecuted and sent to India." Poor soul! She was +doing her best to protect her visitors, not because she cared so much +for them, but for fear of the consequences should we lay hands on them. +We could not, however, listen to her plea. We did not want Tommy +himself, but only his rifle and ammunition. Hence we went to their room +and found them sharing one bed. It was midnight and so they did not +expect us at all. Imagine their feelings on realizing that armed Boers +surrounded their bed! Their complete helplessness, as they lay undressed +and unarmed, caused the burghers to indulge in hearty laughter. To +silence their fears we assured them that they need not dread any evil, +we would soon dismiss them. + +Our military councils were frequently occasions of humour--a grim humour +which could only appeal to the Boer, made grim by the treachery of +fellow-Dutchmen. + +At the beginning of the war some, especially the uninitiated, dreaded +nothing more than a war council. To such it was a body of men invested +with unlimited power, a council that could pronounce sentence of death +on whomsoever they wished. To appear before this august assembly meant +almost certain death. Now sometimes it meant that, but more often not. +For one reason or another prisoners were for the time being brought in +under a wrong impression of the character of the assembly. Such was the +case with two farmers in the district of Trompsburg, Orange River +Colony. They had been arrested on a charge of sending reports to the +enemy. Terror-stricken, they appeared before the war council, there to +render an account of their deeds. Before their trial began, the +president of the council, in addressing the other officers, assured them +that whatever sentence they should consider just would be carried out by +him. If sentence of death should be passed, he would not hesitate to +take his rifle and put an end to the lives of the accused. "We must," he +said, "put a stop to these treasonable acts." The poor prisoners +trembled from head to foot. No mercy! On being examined, they +acknowledged that they had forwarded treasonable reports to the enemy, +and began to plead for mercy. One of them asked us to bear in mind that +he was a poor man, and had a wife and a large family that would be left +destitute. Pretending to be quite in earnest, we assured him that we +were decided to take nothing into consideration, and would mete out +strict justice. They were then removed so that the court could decide on +their punishment. After a few minutes' consultation they were called in, +and asked to subscribe their names to a statement which ran as +follows:-- + + We, the undersigned, do hereby declare, that, as burghers of the + Orange Free State, we had no right to send reports to the British, + and, in doing so, we have committed High Treason. + +When they had signed the paper one of the officers remarked that we must +have such a declaration signed by the accused to justify our actions +with regard to them before the Government. Another officer asked the +president whether the prisoners would be allowed to take leave of their +families. To which the president abruptly replied: "No; such characters +do not deserve any privileges." They were left under the awful +impression for two hours that both would be shot, and then released with +a warning to forward no reports to the enemy. Their anxiety must have +been intense; their joy on being acquitted no less. + +Non-combatants frequently found themselves in an uneasy and perplexing +position. It was sometimes most difficult to differentiate between Boer +and Briton, especially in the night. The poor farmer was often at his +wits' end to know whom he was addressing, the more so when the British +ranks were swelled by Dutch colonists and national scouts. The +non-combatant farmer found it extremely difficult to steer a course +inoffensive to either side. He was between two fires, for when suspected +of disloyalty, either a Dutch or English trap might be laid for him. Not +a few were caught in such snares. Others were more careful. If they did +not know you personally, it was of no avail to tell them that you +belonged to such and such a commando or column. They simply professed to +know nothing. "I don't know," was the answer to every question. They +were, of course, on the safe side. But many committed themselves, if not +in deeds, then in words. To cite a few cases:-- + +One of our officers, Captain Pretorius, dismounted one evening at the +farm of a Mr. B. in the district of Bethulie. The farmer, hearing a tap +at the door, went and opened it. Pretorius, who posed as an English +officer, asked Mr. B., "Where are the Boers?" The latter, pointing to +certain ridges in the distance, said in rather broken English, "Do you +see those kopjes yonder? They are full of Boers." But asked at the same +time, "Do tell me, are you really an Englishman? I must be clear on this +point before I can speak to you. There must be no mistake." On being +assured by Pretorius and his party that they were not Boers and did not +belong to the Boer forces, he told them very confidently all, and +perhaps more than they wanted to know, for he began to express himself +very strongly against the so-called marauding bands of Boers still +roaming at large. He promised the supposed English officer that, as soon +as possible, he would report the Boers; he would, he said, have done so +already had the opportunity come his way. Just think how confused and +embarrassed Mr. B. was when the English officer suddenly changed into a +Boer, lifted his gun and said in his most harsh tone, "I feel inclined +to send a bullet through your brains. Are you not ashamed to slander +your own people in this way? It is because we have such Africanders as +you in our midst that we suffer so much." This revelation proved almost +too much for the farmer, who was of a timid and nervous disposition. The +Boers left his farm the following day for regions so distant that it was +impossible to trap him again. Once was enough for him. + +The next victim resided in the same district. Commandant Joubert, having +crossed the Bethulie-Springfontein line, touched at the farm of a +certain Mr. X. Joubert, accompanied by a burgher, went to wake up Mr. X. +They knocked loudly at the door; knocks failing, they were followed by +a kick. But there was no response. Inside it was as still as the grave. +Thinking that Mr. X. was out, the Commandant went to his brother's room, +where he learnt that Mr. X. was in, sure enough. When Joubert heard this +he went back to his room, tapped loudly once more, and then said, "Bring +the dynamite, and let us blow up the show," while the other burgher +said, "Never mind the dynamite, let us fire through the door." On +hearing of dynamite and firing through the door, the occupant could +remain silent no longer. He jumped up and cried out, "Wait, wait--don't +fire! I am coming." Peeping out at the door, he asked with tremulous +voice, "What do you want?" "Come out," said the Commandant; "I want to +see you on important business." "The sooner you come the better for +you," added the burgher, who happened to be related to Mr. X. This +remark, however, spoiled the rest of the game, for Mr. X. recognised the +voice of his relative, and catching at the same time a glimpse of his +face in the bright moonlight, he rushed out and flung his arms around +one who had not killed his relative's affection by his joke. + +The following incident well illustrates the self-possession and presence +of mind sometimes displayed by our opponents. On a certain day two Boer +scouts were charged by two of their own men. The scouts, observing that +the two burghers mistook them for enemies, simply dismounted and waited +for them. While the two Boers came tearing up to their own scouts, two +of the enemy's scouts who were not far off, observing these two Boers, +took them in their turn for British, and thinking to render them some +assistance, likewise charged the Boer scouts. When they reached the Boer +scouts the two burghers had already captured (?) the latter, and had +dismounted. Our friends at once realized their awkward position. They +were in the presence of four Boers. Escape was out of the question, +unless they could get round these Boers in some way or other. As both of +them could talk Dutch, being Colonials, the happy idea struck them at +once to try to pose as burghers, for there were several commandoes in +that district, and it was just possible that these Boers, in whose hands +they now were, would take their word and let them off. One of them, +therefore, on reaching the burghers, very ingeniously remarked, "Well, +you know, we actually took you for _khakis_." The other one was not slow +to offer the burghers some fruit which he had in his pocket. And so they +began talking to one another in a most familiar way. One of the Boers, a +certain Mr. Bresler, suspected these two unknown friends, and while the +other three were conversing with them as they sat on their horses, he +(Bresler) kept his eyes on them, and watched their every movement. At +length Bresler said, "Well, you had better go to your commando, or +dismount your tired horses." Only too glad to get away they replied, "We +are going; good-bye," and off they rode. "Do you know these fellows?" +Bresler asked his comrades, as they were leaving them. "No," was the +reply. "Well," said Bresler, "to be sure, they are British scouts." He +called them back and asked them to which commando they belonged. +"Potgieter's" was the answer. As there was no such commandant, they were +immediately arrested. Had Bresler not been present the probability is +that they would have captured the three burghers, for, as they told him, +they simply waited for an opportunity to disarm them, but they saw that +Bresler was watching them all the time and so could not venture to lift +their rifles. + +Sport of the most dangerous nature was sometimes indulged in. Certain +Boer officers, and also privates, would risk their lives to have some +amusement. Commandant W. Fouche was one of those who ventured most. +Naturally brave and sometimes even reckless, he would step in almost +anywhere. In the district of Willowmore, Cape Colony, he one evening +entered a house where two of the enemy's scouts were comfortably seated +by the side of two young ladies. He stepped into the room, greeted all, +and took a seat next to one of the young ladies. To chafe and annoy the +scouts, he placed his hand on the shoulder of one of the young ladies +and pretended to kiss her. This act of his was enough to set one of the +Englishmen on fire. "I shall not allow you," he said, "to touch the +lady. You have no right to do it." Fouche then desisted; he withdrew +his arm, and asked the young lady for some food, as he was very hungry. +His friend calmed down, and they began to converse. By chance one of the +scouts touched his pocket and noticed that there was something strange +in it. "What is that hard thing in your pocket?" he queried. Fouche +replied, "Oh, it is my pipe." "Your pipe is very large indeed," rejoined +the scout. (This pipe was nothing else than a revolver.) + +To irritate his unknown friends, Fouche began again to trifle with one +of the ladies. This time the scout lost self-control; he rose, and +taking his chair with both hands, brought it down upon Fouche with all +his might, evidently with the intention of shattering the brains of the +latter. Fouche smartly parried the blow, and the next instant the +striker was a wounded man, and his comrade a prisoner. + +In the district of Rouxville the same officer had a similar experience. +There, one evening, he came across three of the enemy--one a Dutch +colonist, the other two Britons--off-saddled at a farm. As they did not +expect any Boers, their rifles were carelessly left outside the house. +Fouche was again the one to enter. Having disguised himself so as to +create no suspicion, he boldly walked in and shook hands with the party. +The Colonial, in a domineering tone, asked him the object of his visit. +"Come to see my young lady," was the reply. "Have you permission to +leave your farm?" "No," said Fouche. "We arrest you at once," said the +Colonial, "and will take you to Rouxville gaol. You shall have to walk +all the way [some 24 miles], and that will teach you not to go about +without a pass at this time of the night." "Well," said Fouche, "I +really did not know that I must have a pass to come and see my young +lady, and if you arrest me you must kindly allow me to get a horse at +home, for certainly I cannot walk all this distance." "Nonsense," +replied the Colonial; "there is no time to go home now." + +As Fouche was supplicating for grace the other two went to fetch their +horses. They were cordially received by the burghers outside. The +Colonial in the meantime questioned Fouche as to the whereabouts of the +Boers. The prisoner informed him that the notorious Commandant Fouche +was again in that district. "Why," asked Fouche, "don't you capture this +fellow with his raiding bands? They are the plague of the district. You +should protect us." The Colonial: "Just a few days longer and he will be +no more in the land of the living." At the same time he began to abuse +him, without being conscious in the least that he was at the very moment +speaking to that officer himself. + +After some more talk he took Fouche by the arm and said, "Come along, we +must be off; you are my prisoner." "What," rejoined the latter--"your +prisoner! Don't you believe it. You are mine." So saying he took a +revolver out of his pocket and pointed it at the over-confident +Colonial, who thereupon looked several inches smaller. + + * * * * * + +LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, DUKE STREET, +STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Shadow of Death +by P. H. Kritzinger and R. D. 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