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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Three Years' War, by Christiaan Rudolf de Wet
+
+
+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: Three Years' War
+
+
+Author: Christiaan Rudolf de Wet
+
+
+
+Release Date: July 8, 2006  [eBook #18794]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS' WAR***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Taavi Kalju, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/)
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+
+
+
+
+
+THREE YEARS' WAR
+
+by
+
+CHRISTIAAN RUDOLF DE WET
+
+Frontispiece by John S. Sargent, R.A.
+
+Four Plans and a Map
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: (signature) C. R. de Wet
+
+
+
+
+New York
+Charles Scribner's Sons
+1902
+Copyright, 1902, by
+Charles Scribner's Sons
+All rights reserved
+Published, December, 1902
+Trow Directory
+Printing and Bookbinding Company
+New York
+
+
+
+
+      TO
+MY FELLOW SUBJECTS
+      OF
+THE BRITISH EMPIRE
+
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+
+By way of introduction to my work I wish, dear reader, to say only this
+short word: "I am no book-writer."--But I felt that the story of this
+struggle, in which a small people fought for liberty and right, is
+rightly said, throughout the civilized world, to be unknown, and that it
+was my duty to record my personal experiences in this war, for the
+present and for the future generations, not only for the Afrikander
+people, but for the whole world.
+
+Not only did I consider this my duty, but I was encouraged to write by
+the urgings of prominent men among my people, of men of various
+nationalities and even of several British officers.
+
+Well, dear reader, I hope that you will not feel disappointed in reading
+these experiences, as it is not in me, as is perhaps sometimes the case
+with historical authors, to conjure up thrilling pictures--imaginary
+things--and put them together merely to make up a book or to make a name
+for themselves. That be far from me! In publishing my book (although it
+is written in simple style) _I had one object only_, viz., to give to
+the world a story which, although it does not contain the whole of the
+truth, as regards this wondrous war, yet contains nothing but the
+truth.
+
+The original has been written by me in Dutch, and I can therefore not be
+answerable for its translation into other languages.
+
+C. R. DE WET.
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+CHAPTER                                                              PAGE
+
+     I. I GO ON COMMANDO AS A PRIVATE BURGHER                           3
+
+    II. NICHOLSON'S NEK                                                13
+
+   III. LADYSMITH BESIEGED                                             19
+
+    IV. I AM APPOINTED VECHTGENERAAL                                   22
+
+     V. THE OVERWHELMING FORCES OF LORD ROBERTS                        26
+
+    VI. PAARDEBERG                                                     39
+
+   VII. THE WILD FLIGHT FROM POPLAR GROVE                              49
+
+  VIII. THE BURGHERS RECEIVE PERMISSION TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES       56
+
+    IX. SANNA'S POST                                                   61
+
+     X. FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ENGLISH TAKEN PRISONER AT REDDERSBURG 71
+
+    XI. AN UNSUCCESSFUL SIEGE                                          77
+
+   XII. THE ENGLISH SWARM OVER OUR COUNTRY                             82
+
+  XIII. OUR POSITION AT THE END OF MAY, 1900                           92
+
+   XIV. ROODEWAL                                                       96
+
+    XV. I MAKE LORD KITCHENER'S ACQUAINTANCE                          108
+
+   XVI. BETHLEHEM IS CAPTURED BY THE ENGLISH                          117
+
+  XVII. THE SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO                                     123
+
+ XVIII. I AM DRIVEN INTO THE TRANSVAAL                                129
+
+   XIX. I RETURN TO THE FREE STATE                                    144
+
+    XX. THE OATH OF NEUTRALITY                                        156
+
+   XXI. FREDERIKSSTAD AND BOTHAVILLE                                  161
+
+  XXII. MY MARCH TO THE SOUTH                                         172
+
+ XXIII. I FAIL TO ENTER CAPE COLONY                                   180
+
+  XXIV. WHEREIN SOMETHING IS FOUND ABOUT WAR AGAINST WOMEN            191
+
+   XXV. I AGAIN ATTEMPT TO ENTER CAPE COLONY                          197
+
+  XXVI. DARKNESS PROVES MY SALVATION                                  215
+
+ XXVII. WAS OURS A GUERILLA WAR?                                      225
+
+XXVIII. NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ENEMY                                   230
+
+  XXIX. PRESIDENT STEYN'S NARROW ESCAPE                               242
+
+   XXX. THE LAST PROCLAMATION                                         246
+
+  XXXI. BLOCKHOUSES AND NIGHT ATTACKS                                 260
+
+ XXXII. MY COMMANDO OF SEVEN HUNDRED MEN                              267
+
+XXXIII. A SUCCESS AT TWEEFONTEIN                                      275
+
+ XXXIV. I CUT MY WAY THROUGH SIXTY THOUSAND TROOPS                    284
+
+  XXXV. I GO TO THE TRANSVAAL WITH PRESIDENT STEYN                    298
+
+ XXXVI. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS                                            305
+
+XXXVII. THE END OF THE WAR                                            319
+
+CORRESPONDENCE                                                        325
+
+
+APPENDICES
+
+A.--REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE GENERAL REPRESENTATIVES HELD AT
+      VEREENIGING IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC ON THE 15TH OF
+      MAY, 1902, AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS                              333
+
+B.--THE CONFERENCE AT PRETORIA BETWEEN THE COMMISSION OF THE
+      NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND LORDS KITCHENER AND MILNER
+      (MAY 19TH-MAY 28TH, 1902)                                      365
+
+C.--MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPECIAL NATIONAL
+      REPRESENTATIVES AT VEREENIGING, SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC,
+      THURSDAY, THE 29TH OF MAY, 1902, AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS        397
+
+INDEX                                                                429
+
+MAP                                                   _At end of volume_
+
+
+
+
+THREE YEARS WAR
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+I Go on Commando as a Private Burgher
+
+
+In the month of September, 1899, the burghers of the Orange Free State
+were notified, under the Commando Law, to hold themselves in readiness
+to go on active service at the shortest possible notice.
+
+Before proceeding any further I should like to explain that portion of
+the Commando Law which dealt with commandeering. It stipulated that
+every burgher between the ages of sixteen and sixty must be prepared to
+fight for his country at any moment; and that, if required for active
+service, he must provide himself with a riding-horse, saddle and bridle,
+with a rifle and thirty cartridges--or, if he were unable to obtain a
+rifle, he must bring with him thirty bullets, thirty caps, and half a
+pound of powder--in addition he must be provisioned for eight days. That
+there should have been an alternative to the rifle was due to the fact
+that the law was made at a time when only a few burghers possessed
+breech-loading rifles--_achterlaaiers_, as we call them.
+
+With reference to the provisions the law did not specify their quality
+or quantity, but there was an unwritten but strictly observed rule
+amongst the burghers that they should consist of meat cut in strips,
+salted, peppered, and dried, or else of sausages and "Boer biscuits."[1]
+With regard to quantity, each burgher had to make his own estimate of
+the amount he would require for eight days.
+
+It was not long after they were notified to hold themselves ready that
+the burghers were called up for active service. On the 2nd of October,
+1899, the order came. On that day the Veldtcornets, or their
+lieutenants, visited every farm and commandeered the men.
+
+Amongst the commandeered was I; and thus, as a private burgher, I
+entered on the campaign. With me were my three sons--Kootie, Isaac, and
+Christiaan.
+
+The following day the men of the sub-district of Krom Ellenborg, in the
+district of Heilbron--to which I belonged--mustered at Elandslaagte
+Farm. The Veldtcornet of this sub-district was Mr. Marthinus Els, and
+the Commandant of the whole contingent Mr. Lucas Steenekamp. It soon
+became known that the War Commission had decided that our commando was
+to proceed as rapidly as possible to the Natal frontier, and that with
+us were to go the troops from Vrede and Harrismith, as well as some from
+Bethlehem, Winburg, and Kroonstad. Carrying out these orders, we all
+arrived at Harrismith six days later.
+
+Commando life now began in real earnest.
+
+The eight days during which the burghers had to feed themselves were
+soon over, and now it was the duty of the Government to provide for
+them.
+
+It may be interesting to mention here that the British commissariat
+differed greatly from ours. Rations were served out daily to their
+troops. Each soldier received the same quantity and the same quality as
+his comrade. Our methods were very different, except as regards flour,
+coffee, sugar, and other articles of that nature. The British soldier,
+for instance, received his meat ready cooked in the form of bully-beef
+(_blikkiescost_ we called it), whilst the burgher received his meat raw,
+and had to cook it as best he could.
+
+Before I leave this subject I may be forgiven if I describe the method
+of distributing meat to the burghers. After it had been cut up, the
+Vleeschkorporaal[2] handed out the pieces--a sufficiently responsible
+task, as it proved, for, as the portions differed much in quality, it
+became of the first importance that the Vleeschkorporaal should be a man
+whose impartiality was above suspicion. To avoid any temptations to
+favouritism, this useful personage used to turn his back on the
+burghers, and as the men came up in turn he would pick up the piece of
+meat which lay nearest to hand and, without looking round, give it to
+the man who was waiting behind him to receive it.
+
+This arrangement should have been satisfactory to all, but it sometimes
+happened that some burgher, whom fortune had not favoured, made no
+effort to conceal his discontent, and thus squabbles frequently
+occurred. Then the Vleeschkorporaal, fully convinced of his own
+uprightness, would let his tongue go, and the burgher who had complained
+was a man to be pitied. But such quarrels only occurred early in the
+campaign. By the time that the Vleeschkorporaal had been a few weeks at
+his work he had gained a considerable knowledge of human nature, and the
+injustice of his fellows no longer troubled him. Accordingly he allowed
+the complaints of the men to go in at one ear and at once to come out at
+the other. The burghers, too, soon became convinced of the foolishness
+of their conduct, and learnt the lesson of content and forbearance.
+
+As I have already stated, the burgher had to boil or roast his own meat.
+The roasting was done on a spit cut in the shape of a fork, the wood
+being obtained from a branch of the nearest tree. A more ambitious fork
+was manufactured from fencing wire, and had sometimes even as many as
+four prongs. A skillful man would so arrange the meat on his spit as to
+have alternate pieces of fat and of lean, and thus get what we used to
+call a _bout span_.[3]
+
+The burghers utilized the flour supplied to them in making cakes; these
+they cooked in boiling fat, and called them _stormjagers_[4] or
+_maagbommen_.[5]
+
+Later on, the British, finding that by looting our cattle they could get
+fresh meat for nothing, were no longer forced to be content with
+bully-beef. They then, like ourselves, killed oxen and sheep; but,
+unlike us, were very wasteful with it. Often, in the camping places they
+had vacated, we found the remains of half-eaten oxen, sheep, pigs, and
+poultry.
+
+But I shall not go further into this matter. I leave it to other pens to
+describe how the British looted our property, wantonly killed our
+cattle, and devastated our farms. In the course of this narrative my
+intention is to mention only those cases which I saw with my own eyes.
+The reader, perusing them, may well pause in surprise and cry out, "Can
+such things be possible?" To such a question I have only one
+answer--"They actually occurred, and so my only course is to record
+them."
+
+But enough of these digressions. Let me return to my proper subject--the
+story of my own experiences and doings in the great struggle which took
+place between Boer and Briton.
+
+As I have already said, I had been commandeered, and, together with the
+other burghers of the Heilbron commando, had just reached Harrismith, on
+the road to the south-eastern frontier.
+
+During our stay there the other commandos, in obedience to Commando Law,
+joined us, and we proceeded to elect a Commander-in-Chief. The
+Commandants present were Steenekamp, of Heilbron; Anthonie Lombaard, of
+Vrede; C.J. De Villiers, of Harrismith; Hans Nandé, of Bethlehem;
+Marthinus Prinsloo, of Winburg; and C. Nel, of Kroonstad. The result of
+the voting was that Prinsloo was chosen for the supreme command.
+
+Then the burghers of Winburg selected Mr. Theunissen as their
+Commandant. He fulfilled his duties admirably, until he was made a
+prisoner of war. This happened when he was leading a courageous attack
+at Paardeberg in order to relieve General Piet Cronje.
+
+From Harrismith our commando advanced to within six miles of the
+Natal-Free State frontier, and camped not far from Bezuidenhoutspas, in
+the Drakensberg. This imposing range of mountains, which then formed the
+dividing line between Boer and British territory, slopes down gently
+into the Free State, but on the Natal side is very steep and
+precipitous.
+
+The day after we had elected our Commander-in-Chief I was sent by
+Commandant Steenekamp, with a small detachment of burghers, to the Natal
+frontier. I saw nothing of the English there, for they had abandoned all
+their positions on the frontier shortly before the beginning of the war.
+When I returned in the evening I found that the burghers had chosen me,
+in my absence, as Vice-Commandant[6] under Commandant Steenekamp.
+
+It was at five o'clock on the afternoon of that day--the 11th of
+October, 1899--that the time, which the ultimatum allowed to England,
+expired. The British had not complied with the terms which the South
+African Republic demanded--the time for negotiations had passed, and war
+had actually broken out.
+
+On this very day martial law was proclaimed by the Governments of the
+two Republics, and orders were given to occupy the passes on the
+Drakensberg. Commander-in-Chief Prinsloo despatched Steenekamp that
+night to Bezuidenhoutspas. Eastwards from there the following commandos
+were to hold the passes:--Bothaspas was to be occupied by the commando
+from Vrede; Van Reenen's Pass by the commandos from Harrismith and
+Winburg; and Tintwaspas by the commando from Kroonstad. Westwards, the
+burghers from Bethlehem were to guard Oliviershoekpas.
+
+Commandant Steenekamp was very ill that night, and was unable to set
+out; he accordingly ordered me to take his place and to proceed forward
+with six hundred burghers.
+
+Although I had only to cover six miles, it cost me considerable thought
+to arrange everything satisfactorily. This was due to the fact that real
+discipline did not exist among the burghers. As the war proceeded,
+however, a great improvement manifested itself in this matter, although
+as long as the struggle lasted our discipline was always far from
+perfect. I do not intend to imply that the burghers were unwilling or
+unruly; it was only that they were quite unaccustomed to being under
+orders. When I look back upon the campaign I realize how gigantic a task
+I performed in regulating everything in accordance with my wishes.
+
+It did not take me long to get everything arranged, and we made an early
+start.
+
+It was impossible to say what might lie before us. In spite of the fact
+that I had visited the spot the day before, I had not been able to cross
+the frontier. The English might have been on the precipitous side of the
+mountains under the ridge without my being any the wiser. Perhaps on our
+arrival we should find them in possession of the pass, occupying good
+positions and quite prepared for our coming.
+
+Everything went well with us, however, and no untoward incident
+occurred. When the sun rose the following morning the whole country, as
+far as the eye could reach, lay before us calm and peaceful.
+
+I sent a full report of my doings to Commandant Steenekamp, and that
+evening he himself, although still far from well, appeared with the
+remaining part of the commando. He brought the news that war had started
+in grim earnest. General De la Rey had attacked and captured an armoured
+train at Kraaipan.
+
+Some days after this a war council was held at Van Reenen's Pass under
+Commander-in-Chief Marthinus Prinsloo. As Commandant Steenekamp, owing
+to his illness, was unable to be present, I attended the council in his
+place. It was decided that a force of two thousand burghers, under
+Commandant C.J. De Villiers, of Harrismith, as Vice-Vechtgeneraal,[7]
+should go down into Natal, and that the remaining forces should guard
+the passes on the Drakensberg.
+
+Let me say, in parenthesis, that the laws of the Orange Free State make
+no allusion to the post of Vechtgeneraal. But shortly before the war
+began the Volksraad had given the President the power to appoint such an
+officer. At the same session the President was allowed the veto on all
+laws dealing with war.
+
+As Commandant Steenekamp was still prevented by his health from going to
+the front, I was ordered, as Vice-Commandant of the Heilbron commando,
+to proceed with five hundred men to Natal.
+
+It soon became apparent that we had been sent to Natal with the object
+of cutting off the English who were stationed at Dundee and
+Elandslaagte. We were to be aided in our task by the Transvaalers who
+were coming from Volksrust and by a party of burghers from Vrede, all
+under the command of General Roch.
+
+We did not arrive in time to be successful in this plan. That there had
+been some bungling was not open to question. Yet I am unable to assert
+to whom our failure was due--whether to the Commandants of the South
+African Republic, or to Commander-in-Chief Prinsloo, or to Vechtgeneraal
+De Villiers. For then I was merely a Vice-Commandant, who had not to
+_give_ orders, but to obey them. But whoever was to blame, it is
+certainly true that when, early in the morning of the 23rd of October, I
+cut the line near Dundee, I discovered that the English had retreated to
+Ladysmith. It was General Yule who had led them, and he gained great
+praise in British circles for the exploit.
+
+If we had only reached our destination a little sooner we should have
+cut off their retreating troops and given them a very warm time. But now
+that they had joined their comrades at Ladysmith, we had to be prepared
+for an attack from their combined forces, and that before the
+Transvaalers, who were still at Dundee, could reinforce us.
+
+The British did not keep us long in anxiety.
+
+At eight o'clock the following morning--the 24th of October--they came
+out of Ladysmith, and the battle of Modder Spruit[8] began. With the
+sole exception of the skirmish between the Harrismith burghers and the
+Carabineers at Bester Station on the 18th of October, when Jonson, a
+burgher of Harrismith, was killed--the earliest victim in our fight for
+freedom--this was the first fighting the Free-Staters had seen.
+
+We occupied kopjes which formed a large semicircle to the west of the
+railway between Ladysmith and Dundee. Our only gun was placed on the
+side of a high kop on our western wing. Our men did not number more than
+a thousand--the other burghers had remained behind as a rear-guard at
+Bester Station.
+
+With three batteries of guns the English marched to the attack, the
+troops leading the way, the guns some distance behind. A deafening
+cannonade was opened on us by the enemy's artillery, at a range of about
+4,500 yards. Our gun fired a few shots in return, but was soon silenced,
+and we had to remove it from its position. Small arms were our only
+weapons for the remainder of the contest.
+
+The English at once began as usual to attack our flanks, but they did
+not attempt to get round our wings. Their object appeared to be to keep
+us in small parties, so that we should be unable to concentrate a large
+force anywhere.
+
+Meanwhile the troops which were making the attack pushed on closer and
+closer to us. The country was of such a nature that they were able to
+get quite near to us without coming under our fire, for small kloofs[9]
+and other inequalities of the ground afforded them excellent cover. But
+when they did show themselves they were met by such a frightful and
+unceasing fire that they could not approach nearer than two hundred
+paces from our lines.
+
+The brunt of the attack was borne by the burghers from Kroonstad, who,
+under Commandant Nel, formed our western wing. More to the east, where I
+myself was, our men had less to endure. But every burgher, wherever he
+might be, fought with the greatest courage. Although there were some who
+fell killed or wounded, there was no sign of yielding throughout the
+whole battle, and every one of our positions we successfully held.
+
+Till three o'clock in the afternoon we kept up our rifle fire on the
+English, and then we ceased, for the enemy, realizing the impossibility
+of driving us out of our positions, withdrew to Ladysmith. Shortly
+afterwards we were able to go over the battlefield. There were not many
+dead or wounded to be seen; but burghers who had been stationed on the
+high kop previously mentioned had seen the English remove their wounded
+during the engagement.
+
+We ourselves had eleven men killed and twenty-one wounded, of whom two
+subsequently died. This loss touched us deeply, yet it was encouraging
+to notice that it had not the effect of disheartening a single officer
+or burgher.
+
+Just as the battle began Mr. A.P. Cronje arrived on the scene. He had
+been nominated by the President as Vechtgeneraal, and had taken over the
+command from Vice-General C.J. De Villiers. He was most useful in this
+engagement. When it was over I agreed with him in thinking that our
+forces were too weak to pursue the retreating English troops. As soon
+as I was able to leave my position it gave me great pleasure to shake
+hands with him, for he was an old friend and fellow-member of the
+Volksraad. It was pleasant to greet him as Vechtgeneraal--he was the son
+of a valiant officer who had fought in the Basuto war of 1865 and 1866.
+He had reached the age of sixty-six years, an age when it is very hard
+for a man to have to stand the strain which the duties of a
+Vechtgeneraal necessarily entail.
+
+[Footnote 1: Small loaves manufactured of flour, with fermented raisins
+instead of yeast, and twice baked.]
+
+[Footnote 2: Officer in charge of the meat--literally, Flesh-corporal.]
+
+[Footnote 3: Literally, a team of oxen which are not all of the same
+colour.]
+
+[Footnote 4: Storm-hunters; so-called from being rapidly cooked.]
+
+[Footnote 5: Stomach-bombs--a reflection on their wholesomeness.]
+
+[Footnote 6: A Vice-Commandant has no duties to fulfil so long as the
+Commandant is himself in camp and fit for work.]
+
+[Footnote 7: Fighting general.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Sometimes referred to as the battle of Rietfontein.]
+
+[Footnote 9: Water-courses.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Nicholson's Nek
+
+
+Until the 29th of October we retained our positions at Rietfontein. On
+that date General Joubert joined us with a portion of the Transvaal
+commandos. On his arrival it was settled that the Transvaalers should
+proceed to the north of Ladysmith and occupy positions on the east of
+Nicholson's Nek, whilst the Free-Staters were to go to the west and
+north-west of that town.
+
+A party of burghers, under Commandant Nel, of Kroonstad, were ordered to
+station themselves on a kop with a flat top, called Swartbooiskop,[10]
+an hour and a half to the south of Nicholson's Nek. After the battle
+which was fought on the 30th of November this kop was christened by us
+Little Majuba.
+
+Just after sunrise on the 30th of November the roaring of cannon came to
+our ears. The sound came from the extreme end of our position, where the
+Transvaalers were stationed. No sooner did we hear it than the order to
+off-saddle was given. I myself asked Commandant Steenekamp, who had
+arrived the previous day from Bezuidenhoutspas, to go to General Croup's
+laager, about two miles distant, and to request him to advance to where
+the firing was taking place. To this request General Croup acceded, and
+Commandant Steenekamp went there with three hundred men, of whom I was
+one. Our way led past the kop to the south of Nicholson's Nek. What a
+sight met our gaze on our arrival there!
+
+The kop was occupied by the English.
+
+This must be ascribed to the negligence of Commandant Nel, who had
+orders to guard the kop. He excused himself by assuring us that he had
+been under the impression that one of his Veldtcornets and a number of
+burghers were occupying the hill.
+
+What could we do now?
+
+Commandant Steenekamp and I decided that we must storm the hill with the
+three hundred men whom we had at our disposal. And this we did, and were
+sufficiently fortunate to capture the northern point of the kop.
+
+On reaching the summit we discovered that the British troops occupied
+positions extending from the southern point to the middle of the
+mountain.
+
+The enemy, the moment we appeared on the ridge, opened a heavy rifle
+fire upon us. We answered with as severe a fusillade as theirs. Whilst
+we were shooting, twenty of Commandant Nel's men joined us and helped us
+to hold our ground. When we had been engaged in this way for some time
+we saw that the only possible course was to fight our way from position
+to position towards the English lines.
+
+I now observed that the mountain top was of an oblong shape, extending
+from north to south for about a thousand paces. At the northern end,
+where we were, the surface was smooth, but somewhat further south it
+became rough and stony, affording very good cover. In our present
+situation we were thus almost completely exposed to the enemy's fire.
+The English, on the other hand, had excellent positions. There were a
+number of ruined Kaffir kraals scattered about from the middle of the
+mountain to its southern end, and these the enemy had occupied, thus
+securing a great advantage.
+
+Our bullets hailed on the English, and very shortly they retreated to
+the southernmost point of the mountain. This gave us the chance for
+which we had been waiting, for now we could take the splendid positions
+they had left.
+
+Whilst this was going on an amusing incident occurred. A Jew came up to
+a burgher who was lying behind a stone, on a piece of ground where
+boulders were scarce.
+
+"Sell me that stone for half-a-crown," whined the Jew.
+
+"Loop!"[11] the Boer cried; "I want it myself."
+
+"I will give you fifteen shillings," insisted the Jew.
+
+Although the Boer had never before possessed anything that had risen in
+value with such surprising rapidity, at that moment he was anything but
+ready to drive a bargain with the Jew, and without any hesitation he
+positively declined to do business.
+
+In the positions from which the English had retired we found several
+dead and wounded men, and succeeded in capturing some prisoners.
+
+The enemy were now very strongly posted at the south end of the
+mountain, for there were in their neighbourhood many Kaffir kraals and
+huge boulders to protect them from our marksmen. Their fire on us became
+still more severe and unceasing, and their bullets whistled and sang
+above our heads, or flattened themselves against the stones. We gave at
+least as good as we got, and this was so little to their liking that
+very soon a few white flags appeared in the kraals on their left wing,
+and from that quarter the firing stopped suddenly.
+
+I immediately gave the order to cease fire and to advance towards the
+enemy. All at once the English blazed away at us again. On our part, we
+replied with vigour. But that did not continue long. In a very short
+time white flags fluttered above every kraal--the victory was ours.
+
+I have no wish to say that a misuse of the white flag had taken place. I
+was told when the battle was over that the firing had continued, because
+the men on our eastern wing had not observed what their comrades on
+their left had done. And this explanation I willingly accept.
+
+Our force in this engagement consisted only of three hundred men from
+Heilbron, twenty from Kroonstad, and forty or fifty from the
+Johannesburg Police, these latter under Captain Van Dam. The Police had
+arrived on the battlefield during the fighting, and had behaved in a
+most praiseworthy manner.
+
+But I overestimate our numbers, for it was not the _whole_ of the
+Heilbron contingent that reached the firing line. We had to leave some
+of them behind with the horses at the foot of the kop, and there were
+others who remained at the first safe position they reached--a frequent
+occurrence at that period.
+
+I took careful note of our numbers when the battle was over, and I can
+state with certainty that there were not more than two hundred burghers
+actually engaged.
+
+Our losses amounted to four killed and five wounded. As to the losses of
+the English, I myself counted two hundred and three dead and wounded,
+and there may have been many whom I did not see. In regard to our
+prisoners, as they marched past me four deep I counted eight hundred and
+seventeen.
+
+In addition to the prisoners we also captured two Maxim and two mountain
+guns. They, however, were out of order, and had not been used by the
+English. The prisoners told us that parts of their big guns had been
+lost in the night, owing to a stampede of the mules which carried them,
+and consequently that the guns were incomplete when they reached the
+mountain. Shortly afterwards we found the mules with the missing parts
+of the guns.
+
+It was very lucky for us that the English were deprived of the use of
+their guns, for it placed them on the same footing as ourselves, as it
+compelled them to rely entirely on their rifles. Still they had the
+advantage of position, not to mention the fact that they out-numbered us
+by four to one.
+
+The guns did not comprise the whole of our capture: we also seized a
+thousand Lee-Metford rifles, twenty cases of cartridges, and some
+baggage mules and horses.
+
+The fighting had continued without intermission from nine o'clock in the
+morning until two in the afternoon. The day was exceedingly hot, and as
+there was no water to be obtained nearer than a mile from the berg,[12]
+we suffered greatly from thirst. The condition of the wounded touched my
+heart deeply. It was pitiable to hear them cry, "Water! water!"
+
+I ordered my burghers to carry these unfortunate creatures to some
+thorn-bushes, which afforded shelter from the scorching rays of the sun,
+and where their doctors could attend to them. Other burghers I told off
+to fetch water from our prisoners' canteens, to supply our own wounded.
+
+As soon as the wounded were safe under the shelter of the trees I
+despatched a message to Sir George White asking him to send his
+ambulance to fetch them, and also to make arrangements for the burial of
+his dead. For some unexplained reason, the English ambulance did not
+arrive till the following morning.
+
+We stayed on the mountain until sunset, and then went down to the
+laager. I ordered my brother, Piet de Wet, with fifty men of the
+Bethlehem commando, to remain behind and guard the kop.
+
+We reached camp at eight o'clock, and as the men had been without food
+during the whole day it can be imagined with what delight each watched
+his _bout span_ frizzling on the spit. This, with a couple of
+_stormjagers_ and a tin of coffee, made up the meal, and speedily
+restored them. They were exempted from sentry duty that night, and
+greatly enjoyed their well-earned rest.
+
+To complete my narrative of the day's work, I have only to add that the
+Transvaal burghers were engaged at various points some eight miles from
+Nicholson's Nek, and succeeded in taking four hundred prisoners.
+
+We placed our sentries that evening with the greatest care. They were
+stationed not only at a distance from the camp, as _Brandwachten_,[13]
+but also close round the laager itself. We were especially careful, as
+it was rumoured that the English had armed the Zulus of Natal. Had this
+been true, it would have been necessary to exercise the utmost vigilance
+to guard against these barbarians.
+
+Since the very beginning of our existence as a nation--in 1836--our
+people had been acquainted with black races, and bitter had been their
+experience. All that our _voortrekkers_[14] had suffered was indelibly
+stamped on our memory. We well knew what the Zulus could do under cover
+of darkness--their sanguinary night attacks were not easily forgotten.
+Their name of "night-wolves" had been well earned. Also we Free-Staters
+had endured much from the Basutos, in the wars of 1865 and 1867.
+
+History had thus taught us to place _Brandwachten_ round our laagers at
+night, and to reconnoitre during the hours of darkness as well as in the
+day-time.
+
+Perhaps I shall be able to give later on a fuller account in these
+pages--or, it may be, in another book--of the way we were accustomed to
+reconnoitre, and of the reasons why the scouting of the British so
+frequently ended in disaster. But I cannot resist saying here that the
+English only learnt the art of scouting during the latter part of the
+war, when they made use of the Boer deserters--the "Hands-uppers."
+
+These deserters were our undoing. I shall have a good deal more to say
+about them before I finally lay down my pen, and I shall not hesitate to
+call them by their true name--the name with which they will be for ever
+branded before all the nations of the world.
+
+[Footnote 10: About nine miles: distance reckoned by average pace of
+ridden horse--six miles an hour.]
+
+[Footnote 11: Clear off.]
+
+[Footnote 12: Hill.]
+
+[Footnote 13: Literally, watch-fire men. They were the furthest
+outposts, whose duty it was to signal by means of their fires.]
+
+[Footnote 14: Pioneers.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+Ladysmith Besieged
+
+
+The Orange Free State and the South African Republic held a joint
+council of war on the 1st of November, and it was then decided to lay
+siege to Ladysmith.
+
+We also agreed to send out a horse-commando in the direction of
+Estcourt. This commando, under Vice-General Louis Botha, had several
+skirmishes with the enemy. On the 15th of November he engaged an
+armoured train, capturing a hundred of the British troops. This was
+General Botha's chief exploit, and shortly afterwards he returned to
+camp. But I must not anticipate.
+
+On the night of the council of war, General Piet Cronje was sent to
+occupy positions to the south and south-west of Ladysmith. He had with
+him the Heilbron burghers, a part of the commandos from Winburg and
+Harrismith, and two Krupp guns. On the following day a brush took place
+with the enemy, who, however, speedily fell back on Ladysmith. On the
+3rd, a few of their infantry regiments, with a thousand or fifteen
+hundred mounted troops, and two batteries of 15 and 12-pound Armstrong
+guns, marched out of the town in a south-westerly direction.
+
+The English brought these two guns into position at such a distance from
+us that we could not reach them with the Mauser; nor would it have been
+safe for us to advance upon them, for between them and us lay an open
+plain, which would have afforded no cover. One of our guns, which was
+placed exactly in front of the enemy, did indeed begin to fire; but
+after a shot or two, it received so much attention from the English
+artillery that we were compelled--just as at Rietfontein--to desist.
+
+The British infantry and cavalry did not show any excessive eagerness to
+tackle us; and we, on our side, were as disinclined to come to close
+quarters with them. Nevertheless, the enemy's infantry, backed up by the
+thunder of twelve guns, did make an attempt to reach us; but though they
+advanced repeatedly, they were for the most part careful to keep out of
+range of our rifles. When they neglected this precaution, they soon
+found themselves compelled to retire with loss.
+
+Our second gun, which had been placed on a _tafel-kop_[15] to the east
+of the ground where the engagement was taking place, did excellent work.
+It effectually baulked the enemy's mounted troops in their repeated
+efforts to outflank us on that side, and also made it impossible for the
+English to bring their guns farther east, so as to command the
+_tafel-kop_. They did, indeed, make an attempt to place some guns
+between us and Platrand, which lay to the north of our eastern position,
+but it was unsuccessful, for our Krupp on the _tafel-kop_ brought such a
+heavy fire to bear on the troops and gunners, that they were forced to
+retire.
+
+We, on our part, as I have already said, found it equally impossible to
+storm the English positions. To advance would have been to expose
+ourselves to the fire of their heavy guns, whereas an attack to the
+south would have involved exposure to a cross-fire from the guns on
+Platrand.
+
+Altogether it was a most unsatisfactory engagement for us both. Nothing
+decisive was effected; and, as is always the case in such battles,
+little was done except by the big guns, which kept up a perpetual roar
+from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon. At that hour the
+British fell back on Ladysmith.
+
+Our loss was one killed and six wounded, among the latter being
+Veldtcornet Marthinus Els, of Heilbron.
+
+It was evident that the English did not escape without loss, but we were
+unable to ascertain its extent. My own opinion is that they did not lose
+very heavily.
+
+From that day nothing of importance happened until I left Natal; though
+both the Transvaalers and Free State burghers had a few slight brushes
+with the enemy.
+
+During the night of December the 7th, "Long Tom," the big Transvaal gun,
+which had been placed on Bulwana Hill, had been so seriously damaged by
+dynamite, that it had to remain out of action for some time. We all
+admitted that the English on that occasion acted with great skill and
+prudence, and that the courage of their leaders deserved every praise.
+Yet, if we had only been on our guard, we might have beaten off the
+storming party; but they had caught us unawares. Nevertheless, the
+mishap taught us a useful lesson: henceforth the Transvaal Commandants
+were more strict, and their increased severity had an excellent effect
+both on the burghers and gunners.
+
+General Sir Redvers Buller had landed at Cape Town early in November. We
+were now expecting every day to hear that he had assumed the chief
+command over the English army encamped between Estcourt and Colenso. The
+number of troops there was continually increasing owing to the
+reinforcements which kept pouring in from over the ocean.
+
+Great things were expected of Sir Redvers Buller, to whom the Boers, by
+a play of words, had given a somewhat disrespectful nick-name. He had
+not been long in Natal before his chance came. I must, however, be
+silent about his successes and his failures, for, as I left Natal on the
+9th of December, I had no personal experience of his methods. But this I
+will say, that whatever his own people have to say to his discredit, Sir
+Redvers Buller had to operate against stronger positions than any other
+English general in South Africa.
+
+[Footnote 15: A table-shaped mountain.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+I am Appointed Vechtgeneraal
+
+
+Up to the 9th of December I had only been a Vice-Commandant, but on the
+morning of that day I received a telegram from States-President Steyn,
+asking me to go to the Western frontier as Vechtgeneraal.
+
+This came as a great surprise to me, and I telegraphed back to the
+President asking for time to think the matter over. To tell the truth, I
+should have much preferred to go through the campaign as a private
+burgher.
+
+Almost immediately after this there came another telegram--this time
+from Mr. A. Fisscher, a member of the Executive Council, and a man whom
+I respected greatly on account of his official position. He urged me not
+to decline the appointment, but to proceed at once to the Western
+borders. I did not know what to do. However, after deliberating for a
+short time, and with great difficulty overcoming my disinclination to
+leave my present associates, I decided to accept the post offered to me.
+Commandant Steenekamp was kind enough to allow me to take with me
+fourteen men, with whom I had been on especially friendly terms; and,
+after a few parting words to the Heilbron burghers, in which I thanked
+them for all the pleasant times I had passed in their company, I left
+the laager.
+
+It was heart-breaking to tear myself away from my commando: that 9th of
+December was a day which I shall never forget.
+
+The following morning I arrived, with my staff, at Elandslaagte Station,
+on our way to Bloemfontein. A special train, provided by the Transvaal
+authorities, at the request of my Government, was waiting for us, and
+we started without a moment's delay. As we journeyed on, the conductor
+would sometimes ask me whether I should like to stop at such and such a
+station, but my answer was always:
+
+"No! no! hurry on!"
+
+But when we got as far as Viljoen's Drift, there was an end to my
+"special train!" In spite of the Government's orders that I was to be
+sent forward without delay, I had to wait six hours, and then be content
+to travel as an ordinary passenger.
+
+At Bloemfontein we found everything ready for us, and at once started on
+our journey of sixty or seventy miles to Magersfontein, where we arrived
+on December the 16th.
+
+During the time I had spent in travelling, three important engagements
+had taken place, namely those of Colenso, Magersfontein and Stormberg.
+At Colenso, the English had suffered heavy losses, and ten guns had
+fallen into our hands. Magersfontein also had cost them dear, and there
+General Wauchope had met his fate; while at Stormberg seven hundred of
+them had been taken prisoners, and three of their big guns had been
+captured by us.
+
+At Magersfontein were six or seven thousand Transvaal burghers under
+General Piet Cronje, with General De la Rey as second in command. Thus
+it fell to my lot to take over the command of the Free-Staters. The
+Commander-in-Chief of these Free State burghers, as well as of those who
+were camped round Kimberley, was Mr. C.J. Wessels; Mr. E.R. Grobler
+commanded at Colesberg, and Mr. J.H. Olivier at Stormberg.
+
+I spent my first few days at Magersfontein in organizing the Free State
+burghers. When this task had been accomplished, General De la Rey and I
+asked General Cronje's permission to take fifteen hundred men, and carry
+on operations in the direction of Hopetown and De Aar with the intention
+of breaking Lord Methuen's railway communications. But Cronje would
+hear nothing of the scheme. Say what we would, there was no moving him.
+He absolutely refused to allow fifteen hundred of his men to leave their
+positions at Magersfontein, unless the Government found it impossible to
+procure that number of burghers from elsewhere. Thus our plan came to
+nothing.
+
+Shortly afterwards De la Rey was sent to the commandos at Colesberg, and
+I succeeded him in the command of the Transvaalers at Magersfontein. The
+Government then put General Wessels in sole command at Kimberley, and
+gave General Cronje the chief command over the Free State burghers at
+Magersfontein. Thus it was that I, as Vechtgeneraal, had to receive my
+orders from Cronje. I had the following Commandants under me: Du Preez,
+of Hoopstad; Grobler, of Fauresmith; D. Lubbe, of Jacobsdal; Piet
+Fourie, of Bloemfontein; J. Kok and Jordaan, of Winburg; Ignatius
+Ferreira, of Ladybrand; Paul De Villiers, of Ficksburg; Du Plessis, and,
+subsequently, Commandant Diederiks, of Boshof.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The English had entrenched themselves at the Modder River, we at
+Magersfontein. There was little or nothing for us to do, and yet I never
+had a more troublesome time in my life. I had all the Transvaalers under
+my orders, in addition to the burghers of the Free State, and the
+positions which I had to inspect every day extended over a distance of
+fifteen miles from end to end. I had to listen to constant complaints;
+one of the officers would say that he could not hold out against an
+attack if it were delivered at such and such a point; another, that he
+had not sufficient troops with him, not to mention other remarks which
+were nonsensical in the extreme.
+
+In the meantime, the enemy was shelling our positions unceasingly. Not a
+day passed but two of their Lyddite guns dropped shells amongst us.
+Sometimes not more than four or five reached us in the twenty-four
+hours; at other times from fifty to two hundred, and once as many as
+four hundred and thirty-six.
+
+In spite of this, we had but few mishaps. Indeed, I can only remember
+three instances of any one being hurt by the shells. A young burgher,
+while riding behind a ridge and thus quite hidden from the enemy, was
+hit by a bomb, and both he and his horse were blown to atoms. This youth
+was a son of Mr. Gideon van Tonder, a member of the Executive Council.
+Another Lyddite shell so severely wounded two brothers, named Wolfaard,
+Potchefstroom burghers, that we almost despaired of their lives.
+Nevertheless, they recovered. I do not want to imply that the British
+Artillery were poor shots. Far from it. Their range was very good, and,
+as they had plenty of practice every day, shot after shot went home. I
+ascribe our comparative immunity to a Higher Power, which averted
+misfortune from us.
+
+I had not been long at Magersfontein before I became convinced that Lord
+Methuen was most unlikely to make another attack on our extensive
+positions. I said nothing of this to any of the burghers, but on more
+than one occasion, I told General Cronje what I thought about the
+matter.
+
+"The enemy," I repeated to him over and over again, "will not attack us
+here. He will flank us." But Cronje would not listen to me.
+
+The presence of women in our laager was a great hindrance to me in my
+work. Indeed, I opened a correspondence with the Government on the
+matter, and begged them to forbid it. But here again my efforts were
+unavailing. Later on, we shall see in what a predicament the Republican
+laagers were placed through the toleration of this irregularity.
+
+Meanwhile, the inevitable results of Cronje's policy became more and
+more apparent to me, and before long we had to suffer for his obstinacy
+in keeping us to our trenches and _schanzes_.[16]
+
+[Footnote 16: A shelter-mound of earth and boulders.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+The Overwhelming Forces of Lord Roberts
+
+
+I speedily discovered the object which the English had in view in taking
+such advanced positions and in bombarding Magersfontein. They wished to
+give us the impression that they were able to attack us at any moment
+and so to keep us tied to our positions. In the meantime they were
+making preparations in another direction, for the movement which was
+really intended--namely, the advance of Lord Roberts with his
+overwhelming force.
+
+The Commander-in-Chief, Piet de Wet (and before him Commandant H.
+Schorman), had plenty of work given them by the English. But General De
+la Rey had been so successful that he had prevented Lord Roberts,
+notwithstanding the enormous numbers he commanded, from crossing the
+Orange River at Norvalspont, and had thus forced him to take the Modder
+River route.
+
+Lord Roberts would have found it more convenient to have crossed the
+Orange River, for the railway runs through Norvalspont. Yet had he
+attempted it, he would have fared as badly as Sir Redvers Buller did in
+Natal. Our positions at Colesberg, and to the north of the river, were
+exceedingly strong. He was wise, therefore, in his decision to march
+over the unbroken plains.
+
+It was now, as I had foreseen, that the English renewed their flanking
+tactics.
+
+On the 11th of February, 1900, a strong contingent of mounted troops,
+under General French, issued from the camps at Modder River and
+Koedoesberg. This latter was a kop on the Riet River, about twelve
+miles to the east of their main camp.
+
+At ten o'clock in the morning, General French started. Immediately I
+received orders from General Cronje to proceed with three hundred and
+fifty men to check the advancing troops. As I stood on the ridges of
+Magersfontein, I was able to look down upon the English camps, and I saw
+that it would be sheer madness to pit three hundred and fifty men
+against General French's large force. Accordingly I asked that one
+hundred and fifty more burghers and two guns might be placed at my
+disposal. This request, however, was refused, and so I had to proceed
+without them.
+
+When we arrived at Koedoesberg that afternoon, we found that the English
+had already taken possession of the hill. They were stationed at its
+southern end, and had nearly completed a stone wall across the hill from
+east to west. Their camp was situated on the Riet River, which flows
+beside the southern slopes of the _berg_. The enemy also held strong
+positions on hillocks to the east of the mountain, whilst on the west
+they occupied a ravine, which descended from the mountain to the river.
+
+Commandant Froneman and I determined to storm the _berg_ without a
+moment's delay. We reached the foot of the mountain in safety, and here
+we were out of sight of the English. But it was impossible to remain in
+this situation, and I gave orders that my men should climb the mountain.
+We succeeded in reaching the summit, but were unable to get within seven
+hundred paces of the enemy, owing to the severity of their fire from
+behind the stone wall. And so we remained where we were until it became
+quite dark, and then very quietly went back to the spot where we had
+left our horses.
+
+As General French was in possession of the river, we had to ride about
+four miles before we could obtain any water.
+
+Early the following morning we again occupied the positions we had held
+on the previous evening. Although under a severe rifle fire, we then
+rushed from position to position, and at last were only three hundred
+paces from the enemy. And now I was forced to rest content with the
+ground we had gained, for with only three hundred and fifty men I dare
+not risk a further advance, owing to the strength of the enemy's
+position.
+
+The previous day I had asked General Cronje to send me reinforcements,
+and I had to delay the advance until their arrival. In a very short time
+a small party of burghers made their appearance. They had two
+field-pieces with them, and were under the command of Major Albrecht. We
+placed the guns in position and trained them on the English.
+
+With the second shot we had found our range, while the third found its
+mark in the wall, so that it was not long before the enemy had to
+abandon that shelter. To find safe cover they were forced to retreat
+some hundred paces. But we gained little by this, for the new positions
+of the English were quite as good as those from which we had driven
+them, and, moreover, were almost out of range of our guns. And we were
+unable to bring our field-pieces any nearer because our gunners would
+have been exposed to the enemy's rifle fire.
+
+Our Krupps made good practice on the four English guns which had been
+stationed on the river bank to the south. Up till now these had kept up
+a terrific fire on our guns, but we soon drove them across the river, to
+seek protection behind the mountain. I despatched General Froneman to
+hold the river bank, and the _sluit_[17] which descended to the river
+from the north. While carrying out this order he was exposed to a heavy
+fire from the enemy's western wing, which was located in the
+above-mentioned ravine, but he succeeded in reaching the river under
+cover of the guns. Once there, the enemy's artillery made it impossible
+for him to move.
+
+And now a curious incident occurred! A falcon, hovering over the heads
+of our burghers in the _sluit_, was hit by a bullet from one of the
+shrapnel shells and fell dead to the ground in the midst of the men. It
+was already half-past four, and we began to ask ourselves how the affair
+would end. At this juncture I received a report from a burgher, whom I
+had placed on the eastern side of the mountain to watch the movements of
+the English at the Modder River. He told me that a mountain corps, eight
+hundred to a thousand men strong, was approaching us with two guns, with
+the intention, as it appeared, of outflanking us. I also learnt that
+eighty of my men had retreated. I had stationed them that morning on a
+hillock three miles to the east of the mountain, my object being to
+prevent General French from surrounding us.
+
+It now became necessary to check the advance of this mountain corps. But
+how? There were only thirty-six men at my disposal. The other burghers
+were in positions closer to the enemy, and I could not withdraw them
+without exposing them too seriously to the bullets of the English. There
+was nothing for it, but that I with my thirty-six burghers should attack
+the force which threatened us.
+
+We rushed down the mountain and jumping on our horses, galloped against
+the enemy. When we arrived at the precipice which falls sheer from the
+mountain, the English were already so near that our only course was to
+charge them.
+
+In front of us there was a plain which extended for some twelve hundred
+paces to the foot of an abrupt rise in the ground. This we fortunately
+reached before the English, although we were exposed all the way to the
+fire of their guns. But even when we gained the rise we were little
+better off, as it was too low to give us cover. The English were
+scarcely more than four hundred paces from us. They dismounted and
+opened a heavy fire. For ten or fifteen minutes we successfully kept
+them back. Then the sun went down! and to my great relief the enemy
+moved away in the direction of their comrades on the mountain. I ordered
+all my men from their positions, and withdrew to the spot where we had
+encamped the previous night. The burghers were exhausted by hunger and
+thirst, for they had had nothing to eat except the provisions which they
+had brought in their saddle-bags from the laager.
+
+That evening Andreas Cronje--- the General's brother--joined us with two
+hundred and fifty men and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt.
+
+When the sun rose on the following day, the veldt was clear of the
+enemy. General French had during the night retreated to headquarters.
+What losses he had suffered I am unable to say; ours amounted to seven
+wounded and two killed.
+
+Our task here was now ended, and so we returned to Magersfontein.
+
+The following morning a large force again left the English camp and took
+the direction of the Koffiefontein diamond mine. General Cronje
+immediately ordered me to take a force of four hundred and fifty men
+with a Krupp and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, and to drive back the enemy. At my
+request, Commandants Andreas Cronje, Piet Fourie, Scholten and Lubbe
+joined me, and that evening we camped quite close to the spot where the
+English force was stationed!
+
+Early the next day, before the enemy had made any movement, we started
+for Blauwbank,[18] and, having arrived there, we took up our positions.
+Shortly afterwards the fight began; it was confined entirely to the
+artillery.
+
+We soon saw that we should have to deal with the whole of Lord Roberts'
+force, for there it was, advancing in the direction of Paardenberg's
+Drift. It was thus clear that Lord Roberts had not sent his troops to
+Koffiefontein with the intention of proceeding by that route to
+Bloemfontein, but that his object had been to divide our forces, so as
+to march via Paardenberg's Drift to the Capital.
+
+I accordingly withdrew with three hundred and fifty of the burghers in
+the direction of Koffiefontein, and then hid my commando as best I
+could. The remainder of the men--about a hundred in number--I placed
+under Commandant Lubbe, giving him orders to proceed in a direction
+parallel to the advance of the English, who now were nearing
+Paardenberg's Drift, and to keep a keen eye on their movements. It was a
+large force that Lubbe had to watch. It consisted chiefly of mounted
+troops; but there were also nine or ten batteries and a convoy of light
+mule waggons.
+
+I thought that as General Cronje was opposing them in front, my duty was
+to keep myself in hiding and to reconnoitre.
+
+I wished to communicate with General Cronje before the English troops
+came up to him, and with this object I sent out a despatch rider. The
+man I chose for the mission was Commandant G.J. Scheepers--whose name
+later in the war was on every man's lips for his exploits in Cape
+Colony, but who then was only the head of our heliograph corps. I
+informed General Cronje in my message that the English, who had been
+stationed at Blauwbank, had made a move in the direction of
+Paardenberg's Drift; and I advised him to get out of their road as
+quickly as he could, for they numbered, according to my computation,
+forty or fifty thousand men.
+
+I thought it wise to give Cronje this advice, on account of the women
+and children in our camps, who might easily prove the cause of disaster.
+When Scheepers returned he told me what reply General Cronje had made.
+It is from no lack of respect for the General, whom I hold in the
+highest honour as a hero incapable of fear, that I set down what he
+said. It is rather from a wish to give a proof of his undaunted courage
+that I quote his words.
+
+"Are you afraid of things like that?" he asked, when Scheepers had given
+my message. "Just you go and shoot them down, and catch them when they
+run."
+
+At Paardenberg's Drift there were some Free-Staters' camps that stood
+apart from the others. In these camps there were a class of burghers who
+were not much use in actual fighting. These men, called by us "water
+draggers," correspond to the English "non-combatants." I ordered these
+burghers to withdraw to a spot two hours' trek from there, where there
+was more grass. But before all had obeyed this order, a small camp,
+consisting of twenty or thirty waggons, was surprised and taken.
+
+In the meantime, keeping my little commando entirely concealed, I spied
+out the enemy's movements.
+
+On the 16th of February, I thought I saw a chance of dealing an
+effective blow at Lord Roberts. Some provision waggons, escorted by a
+large convoy, were passing by, following in the wake of the British
+troops. I asked myself whether it was possible for me to capture it then
+and there, and came to the conclusion that it was out of the question.
+With so many of the enemy's troops in the neighbourhood, the risk would
+have been too great. I, therefore, still kept in hiding with my three
+hundred and fifty burghers.
+
+I remained where I was throughout the next day; but in the evening I saw
+the convoy camping near Blauwbank, just to the west of the Riet River. I
+also observed that the greater part of the troops had gone forward with
+Lord Roberts.
+
+On the 18th I still kept hidden, for the English army had not yet moved
+out of camp. The troops, as I learnt afterwards, were awaiting the
+arrival of columns from Belmont Station.
+
+On the following day I attacked the convoy on the flank. The three or
+four hundred troops who were guarding it offered a stout resistance,
+although they were without any guns.
+
+After fighting for two hours the English received a reinforcement of
+cavalry, with four Armstrong guns, and redoubled their efforts to drive
+us from the positions we had taken up under cover of the mule waggons.
+As I knew that it would be a serious blow to Lord Roberts to lose the
+provisions he was expecting, I was firmly resolved to capture them,
+unless the force of numbers rendered the task quite impossible. I
+accordingly resisted the enemy's attack with all the power I could.
+
+The battle raged until it became dark; and I think we were justified in
+being satisfied with what we had achieved. We had captured sixteen
+hundred oxen and forty prisoners; whilst General Fourie, whom I had
+ordered to attack the camp on the south, had taken several prisoners and
+a few water-carts.
+
+We remained that night in our positions. The small number of burghers I
+had at my disposal made it impossible for me to surround the English
+camp.
+
+To our great surprise, the following morning, we saw that the English
+had gone. About twenty soldiers had, however, remained behind; we found
+them hidden along the banks of the Riet River at a short distance from
+the convoy. We also discovered thirty-six Kaffirs on a ridge about three
+miles away. As to the enemy's camp, it was entirely deserted. Our booty
+was enormous, and consisted of two hundred heavily-laden waggons, and
+eleven or twelve water-carts and trollies. On some of the waggons we
+found klinkers,[19] jam, milk, sardines, salmon, cases of corned beef,
+and other such provisions in great variety. Other waggons were loaded
+with rum; and still others contained oats and horse provender pressed
+into bales. In addition to these stores, we took one field-piece, which
+the English had left behind. It was, indeed, a gigantic capture; the
+only question was what to do with it.
+
+Our prisoners told us that columns from Belmont might be expected at
+any moment. Had these arrived we should have been unable to hold out
+against them.
+
+By some means or other it was necessary to get the provisions away, not
+that we were then in any great need of them ourselves, but because we
+knew that Lord Roberts would be put in a grave difficulty if he lost all
+this food. I did not lose a moment's time, but at once ordered the
+burghers to load up the waggons as speedily as possible, and to inspan.
+It was necessary to reload the waggons, for the English troops had made
+use of the contents to build _schanzes_; and excellent ones the
+provisions had made.
+
+The loading of the waggons was simple enough, but when it came to
+inspanning it was another matter. The Kaffir drivers alone knew where
+each span had to be placed, and there were only thirty-six Kaffirs left.
+But here the fact that every Boer is himself a handy conductor and
+driver of waggons told in our favour. Consequently we did not find it
+beyond our power to get the waggons on the move. It was, however, very
+tedious work, for how could any of us be sure that we were not placing
+the after-oxen in front and the fore-oxen behind? There was nothing left
+for it but to turn out the best spans of sixteen oxen that we could, and
+then to arrange them in the way that struck us as being most suitable.
+It was all done in the most hurried manner, for our one idea was to be
+off as quickly as possible.
+
+Even when we had started our troubles were not at an end. The waggons
+would have been a hard pull for sixteen oxen properly arranged; so that
+it is not surprising that our ill-sorted teams found the work almost
+beyond their strength. Thus it happened that we took a very long time to
+cover the first few miles, as we had constantly to be stopping to
+re-arrange the oxen. But under the supervision of Commandant Piet
+Fourie, whom I appointed Conductor-in-Chief, matters improved from hour
+to hour.
+
+After a short time I issued orders that the convoy should proceed over
+Koffiefontein to Edenberg. I then divided my burghers into two parties;
+the first, consisting of two hundred men with the Krupp gun, I ordered
+to proceed with the convoy; the second, consisting of a hundred and
+fifty men with the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, I took under my own command, and
+set out with them in the direction of Paardenberg's Drift.
+
+My spies had informed me that there were some fifty or sixty English
+troops posted about eight miles from the spot where we had captured the
+convoy. We made our way towards them, and when we were at a distance of
+about three thousand yards, I sent a little note to their officer,
+asking him to surrender. It was impossible for his troops to escape, for
+they found themselves threatened on three sides.
+
+The sun had just gone down when my despatch-rider reached the English
+camp; and the officer in command was not long in sending him his reply,
+accompanied by an orderly.
+
+"Are you General De Wet?" the orderly asked me.
+
+"I am," replied I.
+
+"My officer in command," he said in a polite but determined voice,
+"wishes me to tell you that we are a good hundred men strong, that we
+are well provided with food and ammunition, and that we hold a strong
+position in some houses and kraals. Every moment we are expecting ten
+thousand men from Belmont, and we are waiting here with the sole purpose
+of conducting them to Lord Roberts."
+
+I allowed him to speak without interrupting him; but when he had
+finished, I answered him in quite as determined a voice as he had used
+to me.
+
+"I will give you just enough time to get back and to tell your officer
+in command that, if he does not surrender at once, I shall shell him and
+storm his position. He will be allowed exactly ten minutes to make up
+his mind--then the white flag must appear."
+
+"But where is your gun?" the orderly asked. In reply I pointed to the
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which stood a few hundred paces behind us, surrounded
+by some burghers.
+
+"Will you give us your word of honour," he asked me when he caught sight
+of the gun, "not to stir from your position till we have got ten miles
+away? That is the only condition on which we will abandon our
+positions."
+
+I again allowed him to finish, although his demand filled me with the
+utmost astonishment. I asked myself what sort of men this English
+officer imagined the Boer Generals to be.
+
+"I demand unconditional surrender," I then said. "I give you ten minutes
+from the moment you dismount on arriving at your camp; when those ten
+minutes have passed I fire."
+
+He slung round, and galloped back to his camp, the stones flying from
+his horse's hoofs.
+
+He had hardly dismounted before the white flag appeared. It did not take
+us long to reach the camp, and there we found fifty-eight mounted men.
+These prisoners I despatched that evening to join the convoy.
+
+I then advanced with my commando another six miles, with the object of
+watching Lord Roberts' movements, in case he should send a force back to
+retake the convoy he could so ill spare. But the following day we saw
+nothing except a single scouting party coming from the direction of
+Paardenberg's Drift. This proved to consist of the hundred burghers whom
+I had sent with Commandant Lubbe to General Cronje's assistance. I heard
+from Lubbe that General French had broken through, and had in all
+probability relieved Kimberley; and that General Cronje was retreating
+before Lord Roberts towards Paardeberg. I may say here that I was not at
+all pleased that Commandant Lubbe should have returned.
+
+On account of Lubbe's information, I decided to advance at once in the
+direction of Paardenberg's Drift, and was on the point of doing so when
+I received a report from President Steyn. He informed me that I should
+find at a certain spot that evening, close to Koffiefontein, Mr. Philip
+Botha[20] with a reinforcement of one hundred and fifty men. This report
+convinced me that the convoy I had captured would reach Edenberg Station
+without mishap, and accordingly I went after it to fetch back the gun
+which would no longer be needed. I found the convoy encamped about six
+miles from Koffiefontein. Immediately after my arrival, General Jacobs,
+of Fauresmith, and Commandant Hertzog,[21] of Philippolis, brought the
+news to me that troops were marching on us from Belmont Station. I told
+Jacobs and Hertzog to return with their men, two or three hundred in
+number to meet the approaching English.
+
+We were so well supplied with forage that our horses got as much as they
+could eat. I had, therefore, no hesitation in ordering my men to
+up-saddle at midnight, and by half-past two we had joined
+Vice-Vechtgeneraal Philip Botha. I had sent him word to be ready to
+move, so that we were able to hasten at once to General Cronje's
+assistance. Our combined force amounted to three hundred men all told.
+
+[Footnote 17: A ravine or water-course.]
+
+[Footnote 18: In the district of Jacobsdal.]
+
+[Footnote 19: Biscuits.]
+
+[Footnote 20: Mr. Philip Botha had just been appointed
+Vice-Vechtgeneraal.]
+
+[Footnote 21: Brother to Judge Hertzog.]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: PAARDEBERG (CRONJE'S).
+
+FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+Paardeberg
+
+
+An hour after sunrise we off-saddled, and heard, from the direction of
+Paardeberg, the indescribable thunder of bombardment. That sound gave us
+all the more reason for haste. We allowed our horses the shortest
+possible time for rest, partook of the most hurried of breakfasts, and
+at once were again on the move, with the frightful roar of the guns
+always in our ears.
+
+About half-past four that afternoon, we reached a point some six miles
+to the east of Paardeberg, and saw, on the right bank of the Modder
+River, four miles to the north-east of the mountain, General Cronje's
+laager. It was surrounded completely by the enemy, as a careful
+inspection through our field-glasses showed.
+
+Immediately in front of us were the buildings and kraals of
+Stinkfontein, and there on the opposite bank of the river stood
+Paardeberg. To the left and to the right of it were khaki-coloured
+groups dotted everywhere about--General Cronje was hemmed in on all
+sides, he and his burghers--a mere handful compared with the encircling
+multitude.
+
+What a spectacle we saw! All round the laager were the guns of the
+English, belching forth death and destruction, while from within it at
+every moment, as each successive shell tore up the ground, there rose a
+cloud--a dark red cloud of dust.
+
+It was necessary to act--but how?
+
+We decided to make an immediate attack upon the nearest of Lord Roberts'
+troops, those which were stationed in the vicinity of Stinkfontein, and
+to seize some ridges which lay about two and a half miles south-east of
+the laager.
+
+Stinkfontein was about a thousand paces to the north of these ridges,
+and perhaps a few hundred paces farther from where Cronje was stationed.
+
+We rode towards the ridges, and when we were from twelve to fourteen
+hundred paces from Stinkfontein, we saw that the place was occupied by a
+strong force of British troops.
+
+General Botha and I then arranged that he should storm the houses,
+kraals and garden walls of Stinkfontein, whilst I charged the ridges.
+And this we did, nothing daunted by the tremendous rifle fire which
+burst upon us. Cronje's pitiable condition confronted us, and we had but
+one thought--could we relieve him?
+
+We succeeded in driving the English out of Stinkfontein, and took sixty
+of them prisoners.
+
+The enemy's fire played on us unceasingly, and notwithstanding the fact
+that we occupied good positions, we lost two men, and had several of our
+horses killed and wounded.
+
+We remained there for two and a half days--from the 22nd to the 25th of
+February--and then were forced to retire. While evacuating our
+positions, three of my burghers were killed, seven wounded, and fourteen
+taken prisoner.
+
+But the reader will justly demand more details as to the surrender of
+Cronje, an event which forms one of the most important chapters in the
+history of the two Republics. I am able to give the following
+particulars.
+
+After we had captured the positions referred to above, I gave orders
+that the Krupp and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt should be brought up. For with
+our hurried advance, the oxen attached to the big guns, as well as some
+of the burghers' horses, had become so fatigued, that the guns and a
+number of the burghers had been left behind. The ridges were so thickly
+strewn with boulders, that even on the arrival of the guns, it was
+impossible to place them in position until we had first cleared a path
+for them. I made up my mind to turn these boulders to account by using
+them to build _schanzes_, for I knew that a tremendous bombardment would
+be opened upon our poor Krupp and Maxim-Nordenfeldt as soon as they made
+themselves heard.
+
+During the night we built these _schanzes_, and before the sun rose the
+following morning, the guns were placed in position.
+
+By daybreak the English had crept up to within a short distance of our
+lines. It was the Krupp and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt that gave our answer.
+
+But we had to be very sparing of our ammunition, for it was almost
+exhausted, and it would take at least five days to get a fresh supply
+from Bloemfontein.
+
+Our arrival on the previous day had made a way of escape for General
+Cronje. It is true that he would have been obliged to leave everything
+behind him, but he and his burghers would have got away in safety. The
+British had retreated before our advance, thus opening a road between us
+and the laager. That road was made yet wider by the fire from our guns.
+
+But General Cronje would not move. Had he done so, his losses would not
+have been heavy. His determination to remain in that ill-fated laager
+cost him dearly.
+
+The world will honour that great general and his brave burghers; and if
+I presume to criticize his conduct on this occasion, it is only because
+I believe that he ought to have sacrificed his own ideas for the good of
+the nation, and that he should have not been courageous at the expense
+of his country's independence, to which he was as fiercely attached as
+I.
+
+Some of the burghers in the laager made their escape, for, on the second
+day, when our guns had cleared a wide path, Commandants Froneman and
+Potgieter (of Wolmaranstadt), with twenty men, came galloping out of
+the laager towards us.
+
+Although we were only a few in number, the British had their work cut
+out to dislodge us. First they tried their favourite strategy of a
+flanking movement, sending out strong columns of cavalry, with heavy
+guns to surround us. It was necessary to prevent the fulfilment of this
+project. I, therefore, removed the Krupp and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt from
+their positions, and divided our little force into three portions. I
+ordered the first to remain in their position, the second was to proceed
+with the Krupp round our left wing, while I despatched the third party
+to hold back the left wing of the British. I had no wish to share
+General Cronje's unenviable position.
+
+We succeeded in checking the advance of the enemy's wings; and when he
+saw that we were not to be outflanked he changed his tactics, and while
+still retaining his wings where they were, in order to keep our men
+occupied, he delivered at mid-day, on the 20th, an attack on our centre
+with a strong force of infantry.
+
+The result of this was that the British gained one of our positions,
+that, namely, which was held by Veldtcornet Meyer, an officer under
+Commandant Spruit. Meyer was entirely unable to beat off the attack,
+and, at nightfall, was compelled to retire about two or three hundred
+paces, to a little ridge, which he held effectively.
+
+As the English took up the abandoned position, they raised a cheer, and
+Commandant Spruit, who was ignorant of its meaning, and believed that
+his men were still in possession, went there alone.
+
+"_Hoe gaat het?_"[22] he called out.
+
+"Hands up!" was the reply he received.
+
+There was nothing left for the Commandant to do but to give himself up.
+The soldiers led him over a ridge, and struck a light to discover his
+identity. Finding papers in his pocket which showed that their prisoner
+was an important personage, they raised cheer upon cheer.[23]
+
+I heard them cheering, and thought that the enemy were about to attempt
+another attack, and so gave orders that whatever happened our positions
+must be held, for they were the key to General Cronje's escape. However,
+no attack was delivered.
+
+Nobody could have foreseen that two thousand infantry would give up the
+attack on positions which they had so nearly captured, and we all
+expected a sanguinary engagement on the following morning. We had made
+up our minds to stand firm, for we knew that if General Cronje failed to
+make his way out, it would be a real calamity to our great cause.
+
+Fully expecting an attack, we remained all that night at our posts. Not
+a man of us slept, but just before dawn we heard this order from the
+English lines:
+
+"Fall in."
+
+"What can be the meaning of this?" we ask one another.
+
+Lying, sitting or standing, each of us is now at his post, and staring
+out into the darkness, expecting an attack every moment. We hold our
+breath and listen. Is there no sound of approaching footsteps? And now
+the light increases. Is it possible? Yes, our eyes do not deceive us.
+The enemy is gone.
+
+Surprise and joy are on every face. One hears on all sides the
+exclamation, "If only Cronje would make the attempt now." It was the
+morning of the 25th of February.
+
+But the enemy were not to leave us alone for long. By nine o'clock they
+were advancing upon us again, with both right and left wing reinforced.
+I had only a few shots left for the Krupp, and thirty for the
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, and this last ammunition must now be expended on the
+wings. One gun I despatched to the right, the other to the left, and the
+English were checked in their advance. I had ordered the gunners, as
+soon as they had fired their last round to bring their guns into safe
+positions in the direction of Petrusberg. Very soon I observed that this
+order was being executed, and thus learnt that the ammunition had run
+out.
+
+The burghers who, with their rifles, had attempted to hold back the
+wings, now having no longer any support from the big guns, were unable
+to stand their ground against the overpowering forces of the enemy, and
+shortly after the guns were removed, I saw them retreat.
+
+What was I to do? I was being bombarded incessantly, and since the
+morning had been severely harassed by small-arm fire. All this, however,
+I could have borne, but now the enemy began to surround me. It was a
+hard thing to be thus forced to abandon the key to General Cronje's
+escape.
+
+In all haste I ordered my men to retire. They had seen throughout that
+this was unavoidable, and had even said to me:
+
+"If we remain here, General, we shall be surrounded with General
+Cronje."
+
+All made good their retreat, with the exception of Veldtcornet Speller,
+of Wepener, who, to my great regret, was taken prisoner there with
+fourteen men. That occurred owing to my adjutant forgetting, in the
+general confusion, to give them my orders to retreat. When Speller found
+that he, with his fourteen men, was left behind, he defended himself, as
+I heard later, with great valour, until at last he was captured by
+overpowering numbers. It cost the English a good many dead and wounded
+to get him out of his _schanzes_.
+
+Although I had foreseen that our escape would be a very difficult and
+lengthy business, I had not thought that we should have been in such
+danger of being made prisoners. But the English had very speedily taken
+up positions to the right and left, with guns and Maxims, and for a good
+nine miles of our retreat we were under their fire. Notwithstanding the
+fact that during the whole of this time we were also harassed by
+small-arm fire, we lost--incredible as it may appear--not more than one
+killed and one wounded, and a few horses besides. The positions which we
+had abandoned the British now occupied, hemming in General Cronje so
+closely that he had not the slightest chance of breaking through their
+lines.
+
+No sooner had we got out of range of the enemy's fire, than the first of
+the reinforcements, which we had expected from Bloemfontein, arrived,
+under the command of Vechtgeneraal Andreas Cronje. With him were
+Commandants Thewnissen, of Winburg, and Vilonel, of Senekal.
+
+A council was at once held as to the best method of effecting the
+release of General Cronje. It was decided to recapture the positions
+which I had abandoned. But now the situation was so changed that there
+were _three_ positions which it was necessary for us to take. We agreed
+that the attack should be made by three separate parties, that General
+Philip Botha, with Commandant Thewnissen, should retake the positions
+which we had abandoned at Stinkfontein, General Froneman the position
+immediately to the north of these, and I, with General Andreas Cronje,
+others still further north.
+
+The attack was made on the following morning. General Botha's attempt
+failed, chiefly owing to the fact that day dawned before he reached his
+position; a hot fight ensued, resulting in the capture of Commandant
+Thewnissen and about one hundred men. As I was so placed as to be unable
+to see how affairs were developing, it is difficult for me to hazard an
+opinion as to whether Commandant Thewnissen was lacking in caution, or
+whether he was insufficiently supported by General Botha. The burghers
+who were present at the engagement accused General Botha, while he
+declared that Thewnissen had been imprudent. However that may be, we had
+failed in our essay. The position had not been taken, and Commandant
+Thewnissen, with a hundred whom we could ill spare, were in the hands of
+the enemy, And to make matters still worse, our men were already seized
+with panic, arising from the now hopeless plight of General Cronje and
+his large force.
+
+I, however, was not prepared to abandon all hope as yet. Danie Theron,
+that famous captain of despatch-riders, had arrived on the previous day
+with reinforcements. I asked him if he would take a verbal message to
+General Cronje--I dare not send a written one, lest it should fall into
+the hands of the English. Proud and distinct the answer came at
+once--the only answer which such a hero as Danie Theron could have
+given:
+
+"Yes, General, I will go."
+
+The risk which I was asking him to run could not have been surpassed
+throughout the whole of our sanguinary struggle.
+
+I took him aside, and told him that he must go and tell General Cronje
+that our fate depended upon the escape of himself and of the thousands
+with him, and that, if he should fall into the enemy's hands, it would
+be the death-blow to all our hopes. Theron was to urge Cronje to
+abandon the laager, and everything contained in it, to fight his way out
+by night, and to meet me at two named places, where I would protect him
+from the pursuit of the English.
+
+Danie Theron undertook to pass the enemy's lines, and to deliver my
+message. He started on his errand on the night of the 25th of February.
+
+The following evening I went to the place of meeting, but to my great
+disappointment General Cronje did not appear.
+
+On the morning of the 27th of February Theron returned. He had performed
+an exploit unequalled in the war. Both in going and returning he had
+crawled past the British sentries, tearing his trousers to rags during
+the process. The blood was running from his knees, where the skin had
+been scraped off. He told me that he had seen the General, who had said
+that he did not think that the plan which I had proposed had any good
+chance of success.
+
+At ten o'clock that day, General Cronje surrendered. Bitter was my
+disappointment. Alas! my last attempt had been all in vain. The stubborn
+General would not listen to good advice.
+
+I must repeat here what I have said before, that as far as my personal
+knowledge of General Cronje goes, it is evident to me that his obstinacy
+in maintaining his position must be ascribed to the fact that it was too
+much to ask him--intrepid hero that he was--to abandon the laager. His
+view was that he must stand or fall with it, nor did he consider the
+certain consequences of his capture. He never realized that it would be
+the cause of the death of many burghers, and of indescribable panic
+throughout not only all the laagers on the veldt, but even those of
+Colesberg, Stormberg and Ladysmith. If the famous Cronje were captured,
+how could any ordinary burgher be expected to continue his resistance?
+
+It may be that it was the will of God, who rules the destinies of all
+nations, to fill thus to the brim the cup which we had to empty, but
+this consideration does not excuse General Cronje's conduct. Had he but
+taken my advice, and attempted a night attack, he might have avoided
+capture altogether.
+
+I have heard men say that as the General's horses had all been killed,
+the attempt which I urged him to make must have failed--that at all
+events he would have been pursued and overtaken by Lord Roberts' forces.
+The answer to this is not far to seek. The English at that time did not
+employ as scouts Kaffirs and Hottentots, who could lead them by night as
+well as by day. Moreover, with the reinforcements I had received, I had
+about sixteen hundred men under me, and they would have been very useful
+in holding back the enemy, until Cronje had made his escape.
+
+No words can describe my feelings when I saw that Cronje had
+surrendered, and noticed the result which this had on the burghers.
+Depression and discouragement were written on every face. The effects of
+this blow, it is not too much to say, made themselves apparent to the
+very end of the war.
+
+[Footnote 22: "How is it with you?"]
+
+[Footnote 23: Eleven or twelve days after, Commandant Spruit was again
+with us. When he appeared, he seemed to us like one risen from the dead.
+We all rejoiced, not only because he was a God-fearing man, but also
+because he was of a lovable disposition. I heard from his own mouth how
+he had escaped. He told me that the day after his capture, he was sent,
+under a strong escort, from Lord Roberts' Headquarters to the railway
+station at Modder River, and that he started from there, with a guard of
+six men on his road to Cape Town. During the night as they drew near De
+Aar, his guards fell asleep, and our brave Commandant prepared to leave
+the train. He seized a favourable opportunity when the engine was
+climbing a steep gradient and jumped off. But the pace was fast enough
+to throw him to the ground, though fortunately he only sustained slight
+injury. When daylight came he hid himself. Having made out his bearings
+he began to make his way back on the following night. He passed a house,
+but dared not seek admission, for he did not know who its occupants
+might be. As he had no food with him, his sufferings from hunger were
+great, but still he persevered, concealing himself during the day, and
+only walking during the hours of darkness. At last he reached the
+railway line to the north of Colesberg, and from there was carried to
+Bloemfontein, where he enjoyed a well-earned rest. In the second week of
+March he returned to his commando, to the great delight of everybody.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+The Wild Flight from Poplar Grove
+
+
+The surrender of General Cronje only made me all the more determined to
+continue the struggle, notwithstanding the fact that many of the
+burghers appeared to have quite lost heart. I had just been appointed
+Commander-in-Chief, and at once set my hand to the work before me.
+
+Let me explain how this came about.
+
+As I have already said, General C.J. Wessels had been appointed
+Commander-in-Chief at Kimberley. In the month of January he was
+succeeded by Mr. J.S. Ferreira, who at once proceeded to make Kimberley
+his headquarters. On the relief of that town, one part of the besieging
+force went to Viertienstroomen, another in the direction of Boshof,
+while a small party, in which was the Commander-in-Chief himself, set
+out towards Koedoesrand, above Paardeberg.
+
+It was while I was engaged in my efforts to relieve Cronje, that a gun
+accident occurred in which General Ferreira was fatally wounded. Not
+only his own family, but the whole nation, lost in him a man whom they
+can never forget. I received the sad news the day after his death, and,
+although the place of his burial was not more than two hours' ride from
+my camp, I was too much occupied with my own affairs to be able to
+attend his funeral.
+
+On the following day I received from President Steyn the appointment of
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief. I had no thought of declining it, but the work
+which it would involve seemed likely to prove anything but easy. To have
+the chief command, and at such a time as this! But I had to make the
+best of it.
+
+I began by concentrating my commandos, to the best of my ability, at
+Modderrivierpoort (Poplar Grove), ten miles east of the scene of
+Cronje's surrender. I had plenty of time to effect this, for Lord
+Roberts remained inactive from the 24th of February to the 7th of March,
+in order to rest a little after the gigantic task he had performed in
+capturing Cronje's laager. His thoughts must have been busy during that
+period with even more serious matters than the care of his weary troops;
+for, if we had had two hundred killed and wounded, he must have lost as
+many thousands.
+
+Those few days during which our enemy rested were also of advantage to
+me in enabling me to dispose of the reinforcements, which I was now
+receiving every day, and from almost every quarter.
+
+While I was thus engaged, I heard that General Buller had relieved
+Ladysmith on the 1st of March, that General Gatacre had taken Stormberg
+on the 5th, and that General Brabant was driving the Boers before him.
+
+These were the first results of General Cronje's surrender.
+
+But that fatal surrender was not only the undoing of our burghers; it
+also reinforced the enemy, and gave him new courage. This was evident
+from the reply which Lord Salisbury made to the peace proposals made by
+our two Presidents on March 5th. But more of this anon.
+
+Our last day at Poplar Grove was signalized by a visit paid to us by
+President Kruger, the venerable chief of the South African Republic. He
+had travelled by rail from Pretoria to Bloemfontein; the remaining
+ninety-six miles of the journey had been accomplished in a
+horse-waggon--he, whom we all honoured so greatly, had been ready to
+undergo even this hardship in order to visit us.
+
+The President's arrival was, however, at an unfortunate moment. It was
+March the 7th, and Lord Roberts was approaching. His force, extending
+over ten miles of ground, was now preparing to attack my burghers, whom
+I had posted at various points along some twelve miles of the bank of
+the Modder River. It did not seem possible for the old President even to
+outspan, for I had received information that the enemy's right wing was
+already threatening Petrusburg. But as the waggon had travelled that
+morning over twelve miles of a heavy rain-soaked road, it was absolutely
+necessary that the horses should be outspanned for rest. But hardly had
+the harness been taken off the tired animals when a telegram arrived,
+saying that Petrusburg was already in the hands of the English.
+President Kruger was thus compelled to return without a moment's delay.
+I saw him into his waggon, and then immediately mounted my horse, and
+rode to the positions where my burghers were stationed.
+
+Again I was confronted with the baleful influence of Cronje's surrender.
+A panic had seized my men. Before the English had even got near enough
+to shell our positions to any purpose, the wild flight began. Soon every
+position was evacuated. There was not even an attempt to hold them,
+though some of them would have been almost impregnable. It was a flight
+such as I had never seen before, and shall never see again.
+
+I did all that I could, but neither I nor my officers were able to
+prevent the burghers from following whither the waggons and guns had
+already preceded them. I tried every means. I had two of the best horses
+that a man could wish to possess, and I rode them till they dropped. All
+was in vain. It was fortunate for us that the advance of the English was
+not very rapid. Had it been so, everything must have fallen into their
+hands.
+
+In the evening we came to Abraham's Kraal, a farm belonging to Mr.
+Charles Ortel, some eighteen miles from Poplar Grove. The enemy were
+encamped about an hour and a half's ride from us.
+
+The next morning the burghers had but one desire, and that was to get
+away. It was only with the greatest difficulty that I succeeded in
+persuading them to go into position. I then hastened to Bloemfontein, in
+order to take counsel with the Government about our affairs generally,
+and especially to see what would be the most suitable positions to
+occupy for the defence of the capital. Judge Hertzog and I went out
+together to inspect the ground; we placed a hundred men in the forts,
+with Kaffirs to dig trenches and throw up earthworks.
+
+I was back at Abraham's Kraal by nine o'clock on the morning of March
+the 18th. I found that our forces had been placed in position by
+Generals De la Rey, Andreas Cronje, Philip Botha, Froneman and Piet de
+Wet, the last-named having arrived with his commandos from Colesberg a
+few days before the rout at Poplar Grove.
+
+We had not long to wait before fighting began, fighting confined for the
+most part to the artillery. The English shells were at first directed
+against Abraham's Kraal, which was subjected to a terrific bombardment;
+later on they turned their guns upon Rietfontein, where the Transvaalers
+and a part of the Free State commandos, under General De la Rey, were
+posted. The attack upon these positions was fierce and determined; but
+De la Rey's burghers, though they lost heavily, repulsed it with
+splendid courage. I will not say more of this. It is understood that
+General De la Rey will himself describe what he and his men succeeded in
+accomplishing on that occasion.
+
+From ten in the morning until sunset the fight continued, and still the
+burghers held their positions. They had offered a magnificent
+resistance. Their conduct had been beyond all praise, and it was hard to
+believe that these were the same men who had fled panic-stricken from
+Poplar Grove. But with the setting of the sun a change came over them.
+Once more panic seized them; leaving their positions, they retreated in
+all haste towards Bloemfontein. And now they were only a disorderly
+crowd of terrified men blindly flying before the enemy.
+
+But it was Bloemfontein that lay before them, and the thought that his
+capital was in peril might well restore courage in the most disheartened
+of our burghers. I felt that this would be the case, and a picture arose
+before me of our men holding out, as they had never done before.
+
+Before going further I must say a few words about the peace proposals
+which our Presidents made to the English Government on the 5th of March.
+They called God to witness that it was for the independence of the two
+Republics, and for that alone, that they fought, and suggested that
+negotiations might be opened with the recognition of that independence
+as their basis.
+
+Lord Salisbury replied that the only terms he would accept were
+unconditional surrender. He asserted, as he did also on many subsequent
+occasions, that it was our ultimatum that had caused the war. We have
+always maintained that in making this assertion he misrepresented the
+facts, to use no stronger term.[24]
+
+Naturally our Government would not consent to such terms, and so the war
+had to proceed.
+
+It was decided to send a deputation to Europe. This deputation,
+consisting of Abraham Fissher,[25] Cornelius H. Wessels,[26] and Daniel
+Wolmarans,[27] sailed from Delagoa Bay.[28]
+
+The reader may ask the object which this deputation had in view. Was it
+that our Governments relied on foreign intervention? Emphatically, no!
+They never thought of such a thing. Neither in his harangue to the
+burghers at Poplar Grove, nor in any of his subsequent speeches, did
+President Steyn give any hint of such an intention. The deputation was
+sent in order that the whole world might know the state of affairs in
+South Africa. It fulfilled its purpose, and was justified by its
+results. It helped us to win the sympathy of the nations.
+
+But I must return to my narrative.
+
+A few days before the flight from Poplar Grove, I had appointed Danie
+Theron captain of a scouting party. I now left him and his corps behind,
+with instructions to keep me informed of Lord Roberts' movements, and
+proceeded myself to Bloemfontein. There I disposed the available forces
+for defence, and kept them occupied in throwing up _schanzes_. These
+_schanzes_ were erected to the west and south of the town, and at
+distances of from four to six miles from it.
+
+On the evening of the 12th of March, Lord Roberts appeared, and a few
+skirmishes ensued south of the town, but no engagement of any importance
+took place. We awaited the morrow with various forebodings.
+
+For myself, I believed that that 13th of March should see a fight to the
+finish, cost what it might! for if Bloemfontein was to be taken, it
+would only be over our dead bodies.
+
+With this before my eyes, I made all necessary arrangements, riding at
+nightfall from position to position, and speaking both to the officers
+and to the private burghers. They must play the man, I told them, and
+save the capital at any cost. An excellent spirit prevailed amongst
+them; on every face one could read the determination to conquer or to
+die.
+
+But when, about an hour before midnight, I reached the southern
+positions, I heard a very different story. They told me there that
+Commandant Weilbach had deserted his post early in the evening. What was
+I to do? It was impossible to search for him during the night, and I was
+compelled to take burghers away from other commandos, and to place them
+in the abandoned positions. On their arrival there, they discovered that
+no sooner had Weilbach failed us than the enemy had seized his post--the
+key to Bloemfontein! We did all that we could, but our situation had
+been rendered hopeless by the action of a Commandant who ought to have
+been dismissed out of hand for his conduct at Poplar Grove.
+
+That night I did not close an eye.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The morning of the 13th of March dawned.
+
+Hardly had the sun risen, when the English in the entrenchments which
+Commandant Weilbach had deserted, opened a flank fire on our nearest
+positions.
+
+First one position and then another was abandoned by our burghers, who
+followed one another's example like sheep; few made any attempt to
+defend their posts, and in spite of my efforts and those of the officers
+under me, they retreated to the north.
+
+Thus, without a single shot being fired, Bloemfontein fell into the
+hands of the English.
+
+[Footnote 24: This correspondence will be found in Chapter XXX.]
+
+[Footnote 25: Member of the Free State Volksraad and Executive Council.]
+
+[Footnote 26: Member of the Free State Volksraad and Executive Council,
+and also President of the Volksraad.]
+
+[Footnote 27: Member of the first Volksraad of the South African
+Republic.]
+
+[Footnote 28: This harbour, then the only harbour in South Africa open
+to us, was subsequently forbidden us by the Portuguese Government, whose
+officials even went so far as to arrest eight hundred of our burghers
+(who, for want of horses, had taken refuge in Portuguese territory), and
+to send them to Portugal. The ports of German West Africa cannot be
+counted among those which were available for us. Not only were they too
+far from us to be of any service, but also, in order to reach them, it
+would have been necessary to go through English territory, for they were
+separated from us by Griqualand West, Bechuanaland, and isolated
+portions of Cape Colony. We had, therefore, during the latter portion of
+the war, to depend for supplies upon what little we were able to capture
+from the enemy.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+The Burghers Receive Permission to Return to their Homes
+
+
+Thus Bloemfontein had fallen into the hands of the English; but whatever
+valuables it contained were spared by the enemy. I did not myself
+consider the place much superior to any other town, and I would not have
+thought it a matter of any great importance if it had been destroyed.
+Still, I felt it to be very regrettable that the town should have been
+surrendered without a shot.
+
+How can I describe my feelings when I saw Bloemfontein in the hands of
+the English? It was enough to break the heart of the bravest man amongst
+us. Even worse than the fall of our capital was the fact that, as was
+only to be expected, the burghers had become entirely disheartened; and
+it seemed as if they were incapable now of offering any further
+resistance. The commandos were completely demoralized. Indeed! the
+burghers from Fauresmith and Jacobsdal had already returned home from
+Poplar Grove without asking for permission to do so; and now all the
+others were hurrying back in the greatest disorder to their own
+districts.
+
+I felt sure that Lord Roberts' troops would remain for some time in the
+capital, in order to obtain the rest they must have sorely needed. And I
+now asked myself what I could do whilst the English were remaining
+inactive. For notwithstanding all that had happened, I had not for a
+single moment the thought of surrender. It seemed to me that my best
+course was to allow the burghers, who had now been away from their
+families for six months, an opportunity to take breath![29]
+
+After everything had been arranged I went to Brandfort and thence to
+Kroonstad, at which place I was to meet President Steyn, who had left
+Bloemfontein the evening before it fell.
+
+On my road to Kroonstad I fell in with General P.J. Joubert, who had
+come to the Free State, hoping to be able to discover some method for
+checking the advance of Lord Roberts. He was anything but pleased to
+hear that I had given my men permission to remain at home till the 25th
+of March.
+
+"Do you mean to tell me," he asked, "that you are going to give the
+English a free hand, whilst your men take their holidays?"
+
+"I cannot catch a hare, General, with unwilling dogs," I made reply.
+
+But this did not satisfy the old warrior at all. At last I said:
+
+"You know the Afrikanders as well as I do, General. It is not our fault
+that they don't know what discipline means. Whatever I had said or done,
+the burghers would have gone home; but I'll give you my word that those
+who come back will fight with renewed courage."
+
+I knew very well that there were some who would not return, but I
+preferred to command ten men who were willing to fight, rather than a
+hundred who shirked their duties.
+
+Meanwhile President Steyn had proclaimed Kroonstad as the seat of the
+Government, so that in future all matters were to be settled there.
+
+On March 20th, 1900, a war council was held, which was attended by
+from fifty to sixty officers. President Steyn presided; and there
+sat beside him that simple statesman, grown grey in his country's
+service--President Kruger.
+
+The chief officers at this council were Commandant General Joubert,
+Generals De la Rey, Philip Botha, Froneman, C.P. Cronje, J.B. Wessels,
+and myself. A number of the members of both Governments also put in an
+appearance at this meeting.
+
+Do not let it be imagined that the object we had in view was to come to
+an agreement on any peace proposal made by the English. Nothing could
+have been further from our minds than this. Lord Salisbury's letter to
+our two Presidents, demanding unconditional surrender, had rendered any
+thought of peace impossible. On the contrary, we were concerned to
+discover the best method of continuing the war. We knew, I need scarcely
+say, that humanly speaking ultimate victory for us was out of the
+question--that had been clear from the very beginning. For how could our
+diminutive army hope to stand against the overwhelming numbers at the
+enemy's command? Yet we had always felt that no one is worthy of the
+name of man who is not ready to vindicate the right, be the odds what
+they may. We knew also, that the Afrikanders, although devoid of all
+military discipline, had the idea of independence deeply rooted in their
+hearts, and that they were worthy to exist as a Free Nation under a
+Republican form of Government.
+
+I shall not enter upon all that happened at that meeting. I shall merely
+note here that besides deciding to continue the war more energetically
+than ever, we agreed unanimously that the great waggon-camps should be
+done away with, and that henceforth only horse-commandos should be
+employed. The sad experience we had gained from six months' warfare,
+and more especially the great misfortune that had overtaken the big
+waggon-camp of General Cronje, were our reasons for this new
+regulation.[30]
+
+I left the meeting firmly determined that, come what might, I should
+never allow another waggon-camp. But, as the reader will see before he
+has concluded the perusal of these pages, it was not until many months
+had elapsed that the waggons were finally suppressed. All the mischief
+that they were destined to bring upon the African Nation was not yet
+completed.
+
+One of the effects of this council was to produce an unusually good
+spirit among the officers and burghers. There was only one thought in my
+mind, and only one word on every tongue: "FORWARD!"
+
+I proceeded from Kroonstad to the railway bridge at Zand River, and
+remained there until the 25th of March, when the commandos reassembled.
+What I had foreseen occurred. The burghers were different men
+altogether, and returned with renewed courage to the fight. They
+streamed in such large numbers on this and the following days, that my
+highest hopes were surpassed. It is true that certain burghers had
+remained behind. Such was the case with the men from Fauresmith and
+Jacobsdal, and with a large proportion of the commandos from
+Philippolis, Smithfield, Wepener, and Bloemfontein. But with these
+burghers I was unable to deal on account of Lord Roberts' Proclamations,
+which made it impossible for me to compel the burghers to join the
+commando; and I decided that I had better wait until I had done some
+good work with the men I had, before I made any attempt to bring the
+others back to the commando.
+
+On the 25th of March we went to Brandfort. The arrival of the burghers
+at the village doubled and even trebled its population. I was forced to
+close the hotels, as I discovered that my men were being supplied with
+drink. From this I do not wish the reader to infer that the Afrikanders
+are drunkards, for this is far from being the case. On the contrary,
+when compared with other nations, they are remarkable for their
+sobriety, and it is considered by them a disgrace for a man to be drunk.
+
+[Footnote 29: The men I still had with me belonged to commandos from
+Bloemfontein, Ladybrand, Wepener, Ficksburg, Bethlehem and Winburg. They
+were respectively under Commandants Piet Fourie, Crowther, Fouche, De
+Villiers, Michal Prinsloo and Vilonel; and these Commandants took orders
+from Vechtgeneraals J.B. Wessels, A.P. Cronje, C.C. Froneman, W. Kolbe
+and Philip Botha.
+
+The Colesberg and Stormberg commandos had received the order to go
+northwards in the direction of Thaba'Nchu and Ladybrand. These commandos
+also had been panic-stricken since General Cronje's surrender.
+
+The Kroonstad, Heilbron, Harrismith and Vrede burghers, under
+Commander-in-Chief Prinsloo, were directed to remain where they were,
+and guard the Drakensberg.
+
+General De la Rey followed my example, and gave his men permission to
+return home for some time.]
+
+[Footnote 30: This council also enacted that officers should be very
+chary in accepting doctors' certificates. The old law had laid it down
+that if a burgher produced a medical certificate, declaring him unfit
+for duty, he should be exempted from service. That there had been a
+grave abuse of this was the experience of almost every officer. There
+were several very dubious cases; and it was curious to note how many
+sudden attacks of heart disease occurred--if one were to credit the
+medical certificates. I remember myself that on the 7th of March, when
+the burghers fled from Poplar Grove, I had thrust upon me suddenly eight
+separate certificates, which had all been issued that morning, each
+declaring that some burgher or other was suffering from disease of the
+heart. When the eighth was presented to me, and I found that it also
+alleged the same complaint, I lost all patience, and let the doctor know
+that was quite enough for one day. When this question of certificates
+was discussed at the council, I suggested in joke that no certificate
+should be accepted unless it was signed by three old women, as a
+guarantee of good faith. The system had indeed been carried to such
+lengths, and certificates had been issued right and left in such a
+lavish manner, that one almost suspected that the English must have had
+a hand in it!]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+Sanna's Post
+
+
+On the 28th of March a council of war was held. The first business
+transacted referred to disciplinary matters; the council then proceeded
+to lay down the conditions under which the commandos were to operate. It
+was decided that General De la Rey with his Transvaalers should remain
+at Brandfort with certain Free State commandos under General Philip
+Botha, and that the remaining troops, under my command, should withdraw
+in the evening.
+
+Great was the curiosity of the officers and burghers concerning our
+movements, but no man learnt anything from me. I was determined that in
+future my plans should be kept entirely secret. Experience had taught me
+that whenever a commanding officer allows his intentions to become
+public something is sure to go wrong, and I made up my mind to hold the
+reins of discipline with a firmer hand.
+
+It is, of course, true that scarcely anything could be done without the
+free co-operation of the burghers. They joined the commando when they
+wished, or, if they preferred it, stayed away. But now I intended that
+the men who joined the commando should be under a far stricter
+discipline than formerly, and success rewarded my efforts.
+
+We left Brandfort on the same evening. My object was to surprise the
+little garrison at Sanna's Post, which guarded the Bloemfontein Water
+Works, and thus to cut off the supply of water from that town.
+
+I started in the direction of Winburg, so as to throw every one off the
+scent. On all sides one heard the question, "Where are we really going?
+What can we have to do at Winburg?"
+
+The following day I concealed my commando, and that evening some spies,
+on whom I could rely, and who were aware of my secret intentions,
+brought me all the information I required.
+
+At this point I had a great deal of trouble with Commandant Vilonel. It
+appeared that, notwithstanding the express interdiction of the council
+of war, there were some thirty waggons, belonging to burghers from
+Winburg who were under his orders. I reminded him of the decision to
+which the council had come; but he replied that he did not wish his
+burghers to have to undergo the hardship of travelling without waggons.
+We started that evening, and, sure enough, there he was with his lumber
+following behind us.
+
+I gave him notice in writing the next morning that he must send back the
+waggons that very night when we were on the march. This provoked from
+him a written request that a war council should be summoned to revise
+the decision come to at Kroonstad. I answered that I absolutely declined
+to do any such thing.
+
+In the course of that day I received a number of reports. I was informed
+that General Olivier was driving General Broadwood from Ladybrand
+towards Thaba'Nchu. A little later I heard from General Froneman and
+Commandant Fourie how matters stood at Sanna's Post. I had disclosed my
+plan to them, and sent them out to reconnoitre. There were--so they told
+me--according to their estimation, about two hundred English troops
+which were stationed in such and such positions.
+
+I at once summoned Generals A.P. Cronje, J.B. Wessels, C.C. Froneman,
+and Piet de Wet, and took council with them, telling them of my plans
+and enjoining strict secrecy. I then gave orders that Commandant P.
+Fourie and C. Nel, with their burghers, three hundred and fifty in
+number, should proceed under my command to Koorn Spruit, and be there
+before break of day.
+
+[Illustration: SANNA'S POST.
+
+FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.]
+
+We settled that Generals Cronje, Wessels, Froneman, and Piet De Wet
+should proceed with the remaining burghers, numbering eleven hundred and
+fifty, to the ridges east of the Modder River, right opposite Sanna's
+Post. They were to take with them the guns, of which we had four or
+five, and bombard Sanna's Post as soon as it was light.
+
+The English, I expected, would retreat to Bloemfontein, and then from my
+position in Koorn Spruit I should be able to decimate them as they
+passed that ravine. I had sent a large number of burghers with the four
+generals so that our force might be sufficiently strong to turn General
+Broadwood, in case he should hear that there was fighting at Sanna's
+Post and come up to reinforce the garrison.
+
+Here again I had trouble with Commandant Vilonel. I had little time to
+argue--the sun was already setting, and we had to be off at once. I had
+declined to allow a single waggon to go with me, but the Commandant
+declared that he would not abide by the decision of the council of war.
+He also refused to allow his burghers to go into positions which he
+himself had not reconnoitred. He asked that the attack should be
+postponed until he had examined Sanna's Post through his telescope.
+
+My patience was now at an end. I told Commandant Vilonel that he must
+obey my orders, and that if he did not do so I should dismiss him,
+unless he himself resigned. He preferred to resign. My secretary
+procured paper, and the Commandant wrote out his resignation. I at once
+gave him his dismissal, and felt that a weight had been taken off my
+shoulders now that I was free from so wrong-headed an officer.
+
+There was no time now for the burghers to elect a new Commandant in the
+usual way. I therefore assembled the Winburg commando, and told them
+that Vilonel had resigned, that an opportunity of choosing a substitute
+should be given to them later on, but that in the meanwhile I should
+appoint Veldtcornet Gert Van der Merve. Nobody had anything to say
+against "Gerie," who was a courageous and amiable man; and, after he had
+given orders that the waggons should be sent home, we continued our
+march.
+
+I met some of my spies at a _rendezvous_ which I had given them on the
+road to the Water Works, and learnt from them that the force under
+General Broadwood had come that evening from the direction of Ladybrand
+and now occupied Thaba'Nchu.
+
+I had ordered my generals to take up positions opposite Sanna's Post and
+east of the Modder River. I now left them and rode on to Koorn Spruit,
+not knowing that General Broadwood had left Thaba'Nchu after nightfall
+and had proceeded to the Water Works. My advance was made as quietly as
+possible, and as soon as we reached Koorn Spruit I hid my burghers in
+the ravine, placing some to the right and some to the left of the
+drift[31] on the road from Thaba'Nchu and Sanna's Post to Bloemfontein.
+
+As soon as it became light enough to see anything we discovered that
+just above the spruit[32] stood a waggon, with some Kaffirs and a number
+of sheep and cattle beside it. The Kaffirs told us that the waggon
+belonged to one of the "hands-uppers" from Thaba'Nchu, and that they had
+been ordered to get it down to Bloemfontein as quickly as possible and
+to sell it to the English. The owner of the sheep and of the cattle,
+they said, was with General Broadwood, whose troops had just arrived at
+Sanna's Post.
+
+The light grew brighter, and there, three thousand paces from us, was
+Broadwood's huge force.
+
+I had only three hundred and fifty men with me; the other generals, to
+the east of the Modder River, had not more than eleven hundred and fifty
+between them.
+
+The numbers against us were overwhelming, but I resolved to stand my
+ground; and, fortunately, the positions which I had chosen were much to
+our advantage--there would be no difficulty in concealing my burghers
+and their horses.
+
+I ordered that every one should still remain hidden, even when our party
+to the east of the Modder River began to shoot, and that not a round was
+to be fired until I gave the command.
+
+General Broadwood was preparing to strike camp. It was then that I told
+my men to allow the British troops to get to close quarters and
+"hands-up" them, without wasting a single bullet.
+
+Then our guns began to fire.
+
+The result was a scene of confusion. Towards us, over the brow of the
+hill, came the waggons pell-mell, with a few carts moving rapidly in
+front. When the first of these reached the spruit its occupants--a man
+with a woman beside him--became aware that something was wrong.
+
+I was standing at the top of the drift with Commandants Fourie and Nel.
+I immediately ordered two of my adjutants to mount the cart and to sit
+at the driver's side.
+
+The other carts came one after the other into the drift, and I ordered
+them to follow close behind the first cart, at the same time warning the
+occupants that if they gave any signal to the enemy, they would be shot.
+
+The carts were filled with English from Thaba'Nchu. I was very glad that
+the women and children should thus reach a place of safety, before the
+fighting began.
+
+So speedily did the carts follow each other that the English had no
+suspicion of what was occurring, and very shortly the soldiers began to
+pour into the drift in the greatest disorder. As soon as they reached
+the stream they were met by the cry of "Hands up!"
+
+Directly they heard the words, a forest of hands rose in the air.
+
+More troops quickly followed, and we had disarmed two hundred of them
+before they had time to know what was happening. The discipline among
+the burghers was fairly satisfactory until the disarming work began. If
+my men had only been able to think for themselves, they would have
+thrown the rifles on the bank as they came into their hands, and so
+would have disarmed far more of the English than they succeeded in
+doing. But, as it was, the burghers kept on asking:
+
+"Where shall I put this rifle, General? What have I to do with this
+horse?"
+
+That the work should be delayed by this sort of thing sorely tried my
+hasty temper.
+
+Very soon the enemy in the rear discovered that there was something
+wrong in the drift, for one of their officers suddenly gave orders that
+the troops should fall back. But in the meantime, as I have already
+stated, we had disarmed two hundred men; while, about a hundred paces
+from us on the banks of the spruit stood five of their guns, and more
+than a hundred of their waggons, in one confused mass. A little further
+off--two or three hundred paces, perhaps--two more of the enemy's guns
+had halted.
+
+The English fell back some thirteen hundred yards, to the station on the
+Dewetsdorp-Bloemfontein railway. I need scarcely say that we opened a
+terrific fire on them as they retreated. When they reached the station,
+however, the buildings there gave them considerable protection. I little
+knew when I voted in the Volksraad for the construction of this line,
+that I was voting for the building of a station which our enemies would
+one day use against us.
+
+An attempt was made by the English to save the five guns, but it was far
+beyond their powers to do so. They did succeed, however, in getting the
+other two guns away, and in placing them behind the station buildings.
+From there they severely bombarded us with shrapnel shell.
+
+While the English troops were running to find cover in the buildings,
+they suffered very heavily from our fire, and the ground between the
+station and the spruit was soon strewn with their dead and wounded,
+lying in heaps. But having arrived at the railway they rallied, and
+posting themselves to the right and left of the station, they fired
+sharply on us.
+
+The eleven hundred and fifty burghers who were to the east of the Modder
+River now hurried up to my assistance. But unfortunately, when they
+attempted to cross the river, they found that the Water-Works dam had
+made it too deep to ford. So they proceeded up stream over some very
+rough ground, being much inconvenienced by the dongas which they had to
+cross. When they had covered three miles of this they were again
+stopped, for an impassable donga blocked the way. They had therefore to
+retrace their steps to the place whence they had started. Ultimately
+they crossed the river below the dam, in the neighbourhood of the
+waggon-drift.
+
+This delay gave General Broadwood a good three hours in which to tackle
+us. And had it not been for the excellent positions we had taken on the
+banks of the spruit, we would have been in a very awkward predicament.
+But, as it was, only two of my men were hit during the whole of that
+time.
+
+As soon as our reinforcements had crossed the river, General Broadwood
+was forced to retire; and his troops came hurrying through Koorn Spruit
+both on the right and on the left of our position. We fired at them as
+they passed us, and took several more prisoners. Had I but commanded a
+larger force, I could have captured every man of them. But it was
+impossible, with my three hundred and fifty men, to surround two
+thousand.
+
+Our men on the Modder River now attacked the enemy with the greatest
+energy, and succeeded in putting them to flight, thus bringing the
+battle to an end.
+
+The conduct of my burghers had been beyond praise. I had never seen
+them more intrepid. Calm and determined, they stood their ground, when
+the enemy streamed down upon them like a mighty river. Calm and
+determined they awaited their arrival, and disarmed them as they came.
+It was a fresh proof to me of the courage of the Afrikander, who indeed,
+in my judgment, is in that quality surpassed by no one.
+
+Our loss was three killed and five wounded. Among the latter was
+Commandant General Van der Merve, who, although very seriously injured,
+fortunately recovered. I had no time myself to note the enemy's losses,
+but, from their own report, it amounted to three hundred and fifty dead
+and wounded. We captured four hundred and eighty prisoners, seven guns,
+and one hundred and seventeen waggons.
+
+Here again I had the greatest trouble in unravelling the medley. Many of
+the horses, mules and oxen had been killed, whilst some of the waggons
+were broken. Everything was in a state of indescribable confusion, and
+at any moment a force might arrive from Bloemfontein.
+
+But, fortunately, no reinforcement appeared. Our burghers who had
+pursued the retreating English, saw, at about twelve o'clock, a body of
+mounted troops approaching from Bloemfontein. But this force at once
+came to a halt, remaining at the spot where we had first seen it.[33]
+
+When everything was over a party of troops from General Olivier's
+commando arrived on the scene of the recent operations. They had been
+following General Broadwood, and on hearing the firing that morning, had
+hastened in our direction, maintaining on their arrival, that it was
+quite impossible for them to have come any sooner.
+
+[Footnote 31: Ford.]
+
+[Footnote 32: Water-course or ravine.]
+
+[Footnote 33: I may note here that it seemed very strange to me and to
+all whose opinion I asked, that Lord Roberts, with his sixty thousand
+men, sent no reinforcements from Bloemfontein. The battle had taken
+place not more than seventeen miles from the capital, and it had lasted
+for four hours; so that there had been ample time to send help. The
+English cannot urge in excuse that, owing to our having cut the
+telegraph wire, Lord Roberts could know nothing of General Broadwood's
+position. The booming of the guns must have been distinctly heard at
+Bloemfontein, as it was a still morning. In addition to this plain
+warning, the English had an outpost at Borsmanskop, between Koorn Spruit
+and Bloemfontein. I do not mention these things with the object of
+throwing an unfavourable light upon Lord Roberts' conduct, but merely to
+show that even in the great English Army, incomprehensible
+irregularities were not unknown, and irregularities of such a character
+as to quite put in the shade the bungles we were sometimes guilty of.
+But the Republics, young though they were, never thought of boasting
+about the order, organization, or discipline of their armies; on the
+contrary they were perhaps a little inclined to take too lenient a view
+when irregularities occurred.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+Four Hundred and Seventy English taken Prisoner at Reddersburg
+
+
+In the evening of the day on which the events described in the last
+chapter occurred, I handed over the command to Generals Piet de Wet and
+A.P. Cronje, and taking with me three of my staff, rode to Donkerpoort,
+in the direction of Dewetsdorp, on a reconnoitring expedition.
+
+Early the following morning I came to a farm called Sterkfontein, where,
+at noon, I received the news that a party of English, coming from
+Smithfield, had occupied Dewetsdorp.
+
+It was thirty miles from Sterkfontein to my commando, but,
+notwithstanding this, I sent an order that 1,500 men, under Generals
+J.B. Wessels, C.C. Froneman and De Villiers, should come up with all
+haste and bring three guns with them.
+
+During the time that must necessarily elapse before the arrival of this
+force, I sent men out to visit the farms of those burghers who had gone
+home after the fall of Bloemfontein, with orders to bring them back to
+the front.
+
+By the evening of the 1st of April I had all the men of the district
+together; but it was then too late to make a start.
+
+At ten o'clock the following morning the English left Dewetsdorp, and
+marched towards Reddersburg. Directly I received news of this, I sent
+word to the Generals, that they must hasten to Reddersburg; while I,
+with the men who had rejoined, made my way to the north, so as to take
+up a position on the enemy's flank. I had with me one hundred and ten
+men in all. Many of them were without rifles, having given up their arms
+at Bloemfontein. Others were provided with serviceable _achterlaaiers_,
+but had little or no ammunition, because they had already fired off
+their cartridges in mere wantonness in the belief that they might have
+to give up their rifles any day. My handful of burghers were thus as
+good as unarmed.
+
+During our march I kept the English continually under surveillance. They
+were unable to advance very rapidly, as the bulk of their force was made
+up of infantry. But they were too far ahead for the commandos whom I had
+sent in pursuit to be able to get at them; and for me, with the handful
+of almost unarmed burghers which I commanded, to have attempted an
+attack would have been worse than folly.
+
+On the evening of the 2nd of April, the English encamped on the hill to
+the west of a farm called Oollogspoort; whilst we off-saddled to the
+north of them, on Mr. Van der Walt's farm. The enemy, however, was not
+aware of the position of our laager.
+
+The following morning, at four o'clock, I sent a third report to the
+commandos. They had been some way on the road to Dewetsdorp, and thus,
+far out of the course to Reddersburg, when my second report reached
+them; and now my despatch rider met only Generals Froneman and De
+Villiers with seven hundred men and three guns, and was too late to
+prevent General Wessels from going on to Dewetsdorp.
+
+Shortly after sunrise General Froneman received my report. He had been
+riding all night through without stopping, and many of his horses were
+already tired out. But as my order was that the Generals were to leave
+behind those who were unable to proceed, and to hasten on at once
+without so much as off-saddling, he did not wait to be told twice, but
+pushing forward with all speed, arrived on the 3rd of April at
+Schwarskopjes on the Kaffir River. He had left Sanna's Post on the
+afternoon of the previous day.
+
+Those who consider that he was marching with seven hundred men and three
+Krupp guns, and that his horses were so exhausted that some of them had
+to be left behind, will agree with me that he did a good day's work in
+those twenty-four hours.
+
+Fortunately for us, it was not at that time the habit of the English to
+start on their march before the sun had risen. And, by another lucky
+chance, our opponents were off their guard, and quite unsuspicious of
+attack, although they must, undoubtedly, have heard something of what
+had happened at Sanna's Post.
+
+General Froneman gave me to understand that it was necessary to
+off-saddle the horses, and to give them a long rest, as he had been
+riding without any break since the previous evening.
+
+"However necessary it may be," I replied, "it is impossible;" and I
+pointed out to him that if we were to delay, the English would occupy
+the ridge between Muishondsfontein and Mostertshoek, and thus obtain the
+best position. I, therefore, ordered the men to proceed with all speed,
+and to leave behind those who could not go on. The General did not
+appear to be "links"[34] at this, but called out with his loud voice,
+"Come on, burghers!"
+
+We were fortunate in being able to keep up with the enemy by riding
+along a little plain, which was hidden from them by an intervening hill.
+Our course ran in a direction parallel to their line of march, and at a
+distance of about six miles from it. But unluckily, the English were the
+first to reach the ridge. When we appeared at the point where the hill
+which had concealed us from them came to an end, their vanguard had just
+passed the eastern end of the ridge at which we were both aiming; and we
+had still some four or five miles to go before we could reach it.
+
+I saw that the enemy was not strong enough to occupy the whole ridge, so
+I at once gave orders to General De Villiers to advance, and to seize
+the western end at a point just above the farmstead of Mostertshoek.
+The enemy, observing this manoeuvre, took up their position on the
+eastern extremity of the ridge. Whereupon I divided the remaining
+burghers into small companies, with orders to occupy kopjes from six to
+seven hundred paces still further to the east; leaving to myself and
+Commandant Nel the task of seizing a small ridge which lay south-east of
+the English lines.
+
+All these positions would have to be taken under fire, and before making
+the attempt I sent the following note to the British Commanding
+Officer:--
+
+     "SIR,--
+
+     "I am here with five hundred 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."
+
+I sent this note post haste, and then rested a little while awaiting the
+return of the despatch rider.
+
+And now a shameful incident occurred. The messenger had received the
+answer to my letter, and had covered about a hundred paces on his way
+back, when the enemy opened so heavy a fire upon him that it is
+inexplicable how he managed to come through unscathed.
+
+The answer which he brought from the officer was in the following
+terms:--
+
+"I'm d----d if I surrender!"
+
+I at once ordered my men to rush the positions which I had already
+pointed out to them; and notwithstanding the fierce opposition of the
+enemy, they succeeded in carrying out my orders.
+
+But although we had thus gained very good positions, those which the
+English held were quite as good, and perhaps even better, except for the
+fact that they were cut off from the water. However, when they had first
+become aware of our presence--that is, while they were at
+Muishondsfontein--they had taken the precaution of filling their
+water-bottles.
+
+Our guns did not arrive until so late in the afternoon that only a few
+shots could be fired before it became dark.
+
+Acting upon my orders, the burghers kept such good watch during the
+night that escape was impossible for the English. I also sent a strong
+guard to a point near Reddersburg, for I had heard that a reinforcement
+of from thirteen hundred to two thousand British troops had come from
+the direction of Bothathanie railway station, and were now encamped at
+Reddersburg.
+
+I had begun operations with only four hundred men under me, but before
+the sun rose on the following day my force had been doubled by the
+addition of those who had been compelled to remain behind and rest their
+tired horses.
+
+On the previous evening it had seemed to me highly improbable that we
+should be able to storm the ridge in the morning. I had expected that
+the force at Reddersburg--which lay only about four or five miles from
+Mostertshoek--would have seen the fight in progress, or heard the
+cannonading, and would have hastened to the assistance of their
+comrades.[35] Nevertheless, I had given orders that as soon as it was
+daylight, every one must do his utmost to force the English to
+surrender.
+
+It was now rapidly growing lighter, and I ordered the gunners to keep up
+a continuous fire with our three Krupps. This they did from half-past
+five until eleven o'clock, and then the enemy hoisted the white flag.
+
+My men and I galloped towards the English, and our other two parties did
+the same. But before we reached them, they again began to shoot, killing
+Veldtcornet Du Plessis, of Kroonstad. This treacherous act enraged our
+burghers, who at once commenced to fire with deadly effect.
+
+Soon the white flag appeared above almost every stone behind which an
+Englishman lay, but our men did not at once cease firing. Indeed! I had
+the greatest difficulty in calming them, and in inducing them to stop,
+for they were, as may well be imagined, furious at the misuse of the
+white flag.
+
+Strewn everywhere about on the ground lay the English killed and
+wounded. According to the official statement, they had a hundred
+casualties, the commanding officer himself being amongst the killed.
+
+We took four hundred and seventy prisoners of war, all of them belonging
+to the Royal Irish Rifles and the Mounted Infantry. But I cared nothing
+to what regiment they belonged or what was the rank of the officer in
+command. Throughout the whole war I never troubled myself about such
+matters.
+
+Our loss, in addition to Veldtcornet Du Plessis, whose death I have just
+described, was only six wounded.
+
+I had no longer any need to fear a reinforcement from Reddersburg, but
+nevertheless there was no time to be lost, for I had just heard from a
+prisoner of war that a telegram had been sent from Dewetsdorp to the
+garrison at Smithfield, bidding them consult their own safety by
+withdrawing to Aliwal North. I made up my mind to capture that garrison
+before it could decamp. I waited until I saw that the English ambulances
+were busy with their wounded, and then with all speed rode off.
+
+As the direct road might prove to be held by Lord Roberts, I caused the
+prisoners of war to be marched to Winburg viâ Thaba'Nchu. From thence
+they were to be sent forward by rail to Pretoria.
+
+[Footnote 34: Vexed.]
+
+[Footnote 35: I have never been able to understand why the great force,
+stationed at Reddersburg, made no attempt to come to the aid of the
+unfortunate victims at Mostertshoek. Their conduct seems to me to have
+been even more blameworthy than the similar negligence which occurred at
+Sanna's Post. They were not more than five miles off, and could watch
+the whole engagement--and yet they never stirred a foot to come and help
+their comrades. And it was fortunate for us that it was so, for we
+should have stood no chance at all against a large force.
+
+To oppose successfully such bodies of men as our burghers had to meet
+during this war demanded _rapidity of action_ more than anything else.
+We had to be quick at fighting, quick at reconnoitring, quick (if it
+became necessary) at flying! This was exactly what I myself aimed at,
+and had not so many of our burghers proved false to their own colours,
+England--as the great Bismarck foretold--would have found her grave in
+South Africa.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+An Unsuccessful Siege
+
+
+My object now was to reach Smithfield. We set out at once and late in
+the evening I divided my commandos into two parties. The first, some
+five hundred men in all, consisted chiefly of Smithfield burghers under
+Commandant Swanepoel, of Yzervarkfontein, but there were also some
+Wepener men amongst them. I gave General Froneman the command over this
+party, and ordered him to proceed without delay and attack the small
+English garrison at Smithfield. With the second party I rode off to join
+the burghers who were under General J.B. Wessels.
+
+I came up with Wessels' division on the 6th of April at Badenhorst, on
+the road from Dewetsdorp to Wepener. Badenhorst lies at a distance of
+some ten miles from a ford on the Caledon River, called
+Tammersbergsdrift, where Colonel Dalgety, with the highly renowned
+C.M.R.[36] and Brabant's Horse were at that time stationed. I call them
+"highly renowned" to be in the fashion, for I must honestly avow that I
+never could see for what they were renowned.
+
+During the fight at Mostertshoek on the previous day I had kept them
+under observation, with the result that I learnt that they had
+entrenched themselves strongly, and that they numbered about sixteen
+hundred men, though this latter fact was a matter of indifference to me.
+The history of Ladysmith, Mafeking, and Kimberley, however, served me as
+a warning, and I asked myself whether it would be better to besiege the
+wolf or to wait and see if he would not come out of his lair.
+
+But the wolf, on this occasion, was not to be enticed out on any
+pretext; and moreover it was probable that Lord Roberts would be able to
+send a relieving force from Bloemfontein; so I decided to attack at
+once. First, however, I despatched some of my best scouts in the
+direction of Bloemfontein and Reddersburg, while I ordered the commandos
+under Generals Piet de Wet and A.P. Cronje to take up positions to the
+east and south-east of the capital.
+
+Early in the morning of the 7th of April I made an attack on two points:
+one to the south-west, the other to the south-east of Dalgety's
+fortifications, opening fire on his troops at distances of from five to
+fifteen hundred paces. I dare not approach any nearer for lack of
+suitable cover. The place was so strongly fortified that many valuable
+lives must have been sacrificed, had I been less cautious than I was.
+
+After a few days I received reinforcements, and was thus enabled to
+surround the English completely. But their various positions were so
+placed that it was impossible for me to shell any of them from both
+sides, and thus to compel their occupants to surrender.
+
+Day succeeded to day, and still the siege continued.
+
+Before long we had captured some eight hundred of the trek-oxen, and
+many of the horses of the enemy. Things were not going so badly for us
+after all; and we plucked up our courage, and began to talk of the
+probability of a speedy surrender on the part of the English.
+
+To tell the truth, there was not a man amongst us who would have asked
+better than to make prisoners of the Cape Mounted Rifles and of
+Brabant's Horse. They were Afrikanders, and as Afrikanders, although
+neither Free-Staters nor Transvaalers, they ought, in our opinion, to
+have been ashamed to fight against us.
+
+The English, we admitted, had a perfect right to hire such sweepings,
+and to use them against us, but we utterly despised them for allowing
+themselves to be hired. We felt that their motive was not to obtain the
+franchise of the Uitlanders, but--five shillings a day! And if it should
+by any chance happen that any one of them should find his grave
+there--well, the generation to come would not be very proud of that
+grave. No! it would be regarded with horror as the grave of an
+Afrikander who had helped to bring his brother Afrikanders to their
+downfall.
+
+Although I never took it amiss if a colonist of Natal or of Cape Colony
+was unwilling to fight with us against England, yet I admit that it
+vexed me greatly to think that some of these colonists, for the sake of
+a paltry five shillings a day, should be ready to shoot down their
+fellow-countrymen. Such men, alas! there have always been, since, in the
+first days of the human race, Cain killed his brother Abel. But Cain had
+not long to wait for his reward!
+
+Whilst we were besieging these Afrikanders, news came that large columns
+from Reddersburg and Bloemfontein were drawing near. So overwhelming
+were their numbers that the commandos of Generals A.P. Cronje and Piet
+de Wet were far too weak to hold them in check, and I had to despatch
+two reinforcing parties, the first under Commandant Fourie, the second
+under General J.B. Wessels.
+
+General Froneman had now returned from Smithfield, whither I had sent
+him to attack the garrison. He told me that he had been unable to carry
+out my orders, for, on his arrival at Smithfield, he had discovered that
+the garrison--which had only consisted of some two or three hundred
+men--had just departed. He learnt, however, that it was still possible
+to overtake it before it reached Aliwal North. Unfortunately, he was
+unable to persuade Commandant Swanepoel, who was in command of the
+burghers, to pursue the retreating troops. He therefore had to content
+himself with the fifteen men he had with him. He came in sight of the
+enemy at Branziektekraal, two hours from Aliwal North; but with the
+mere handful of men, which was all that he had at his command, an attack
+upon them was not to be thought of, and he had to turn back.
+
+His expedition, however, had not been without good result, for he
+returned with about five hundred of those burghers who had gone home
+after our commandos had left Stormberg.
+
+We had to thank Lord Roberts for this welcome addition to our forces.
+The terms of the proclamation in which Lord Roberts had guaranteed the
+property and personal liberty of the non-combatant burghers had not been
+abided by. In the neighbourhood of Bloemfontein, Reddersburg, and
+Dewetsdorp, and at every other place where it was possible, his troops
+had made prisoners of burghers who had remained quietly on their farms.
+The same course of action had been pursued by the column which fell into
+our hands at Mostertshoek--I myself had liberated David Strauss and four
+other citizens whom I had found there. While peacefully occupied on
+their farms they had been taken prisoners by the English column, which
+was then on its way from Dewetsdorp to Reddersburg.
+
+This disregard of his proclamations did not increase the respect which
+the burghers felt for Lord Roberts. They felt that the word of the
+English was not to be trusted, and, fearing for their own safety, they
+returned to their commandos. I sent President Steyn a telegram,
+informing him that our burghers were rejoining, and adding that Lord
+Roberts was the best recruiting sergeant I had ever had!
+
+General Froneman and the men whom he had collected soon found work to
+do. The enemy was expecting a reinforcement from Aliwal North, and I
+sent the General, with six hundred troops, to oppose it. He came into
+touch with it at Boesmanskop, and a slight skirmish took place.
+
+In the meanwhile I received a report from General Piet de Wet, who was
+at Dewetsdorp, notifying me that the English forces outnumbered his own
+so enormously that he could not withstand their advance. He suggested
+that I ought at once to relinquish the siege and proceed in the
+direction of Thaba'Nchu.
+
+I also received discouraging news from General Piet Fourie, who had had
+a short but severe engagement with the troops that were coming from
+Bloemfontein, and had been compelled to give way before their superior
+forces.
+
+Piet de Wet's advice appealed to me all the more strongly since
+reinforcements were pouring in upon the enemy from all sides. But I was
+of opinion that I ought to go with a strong force after the enemy in the
+direction of Norvalspont, as I was convinced that it was no longer
+possible to check their advance. But General Piet de Wet differed from
+me on this point, and held that we ought to keep in front of the
+English, and I was at last compelled to give in to him.
+
+Accordingly I issued orders to General Froneman to desist from any
+further attack upon the reinforcement with which he had been engaged,
+and to join me. When he arrived I fell back on Thaba'Nchu.
+
+My siege of Colonel Dalgety, with his Brabant's Horse and Cape Mounted
+Rifles, had lasted for sixteen days. Our total loss was only five killed
+and thirteen wounded. The English, as I learnt from prisoners, had
+suffered rather severely.
+
+[Footnote 36: Cape Mounted Rifles.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+The English Swarm over our Country
+
+
+On April 25th we arrived at Alexandrië, six miles from Thaba'Nchu. The
+latter place was already occupied by English outposts. General Philip
+Botha now joined me; he had been engaging the enemy in the triangle
+formed by Brandfort, Bloemfontein and Thaba'Nchu. My commandos numbered
+some four thousand men, and I decided that it was time to concentrate my
+forces.
+
+Lord Roberts was about to carry out the plans which he had formed at
+Bloemfontein, namely, to outflank us with large bodies of mounted
+troops. He attempted to do this to the north-east of Thaba'Nchu, but at
+first was not successful. On a second attempt, however, he managed,
+after a fierce fight, to break through our lines. It was during this
+action that Commandant Lubbe was shot in the leg, and had the misfortune
+to be taken prisoner. At Frankfort also, Lord Roberts met with success,
+and General De la Rey was forced to retreat northwards.
+
+I was now firmly convinced, although I kept the belief to myself, that
+the English would march to Kroonstad; and I could see, more clearly than
+ever, the necessity of operating in their rear. I had suggested to
+President Steyn when he had visited us at Alexandrië, that I should
+proceed to Norvalspont, or even into Cape Colony, but he was against any
+such project. This, however, was not because he disapproved of my
+suggestion in itself, but because he feared that the Transvaalers might
+say that the Free-Staters, now that their own country was in the
+enemy's hands, were going to leave them in the lurch. Yet in spite of
+his opposition, I had ultimately to carry out my own ideas, for, even if
+I was misunderstood, I had to act as I thought best. I can only say that
+each man of us who remained true to our great cause acted up to the best
+of his convictions. If the results proved disastrous, one had best be
+silent about them. There is no use crying over spilt milk.
+
+We now pushed our commandos forward to Zand River. At Tabaksberg General
+Philip Botha had a short but severe engagement with Lord Roberts'
+advanced columns. I was the last of the Generals to leave Thaba'Nchu.
+
+I was very anxious to prevent the "granary"[37] of the Orange Free State
+from falling into the hands of the English; with this object in view, I
+left behind me at Korannaberg General De Villiers, with Commandants De
+Villiers, of Ficksburg, Crowther, of Ladybrand, Roux, of Wepener, and
+Potgieter, of Smithfield, and ordered the General to carry on operations
+in the south-eastern districts of the Free State.
+
+This valiant General did some fine work, and fought splendidly at
+Gouveneurskop and Wonderkop, inflicting very serious losses upon the
+English. But nevertheless he had to yield to the superior numbers of the
+enemy, who ultimately gained possession of the "granary" districts. But
+he made them pay for it dearly.
+
+General De Villiers followed the English to Senekal and Lindley, and at
+Biddulphsberg, near the first named village, he again engaged them
+successfully, killing and wounding many of them. But a grave misfortune
+overtook us here, for the General received a dangerous wound on the
+head.
+
+There was still another most deplorable occurrence. In some way or other
+the grass caught fire; and as it was very dry, and a high wind was
+blowing, the flames ran along the ground to where many of the English
+wounded were lying. There was no time to rescue them; and thus in this
+terrible manner many a poor fellow lost his life.
+
+General De Villiers' wound was so serious, that the only course open was
+to ask the commanding officer of the Senekal garrison to let him have
+the benefit of the English doctors' skill. This request was willingly
+granted, and De Villiers was placed under the care of the English
+ambulance. Sad to say, he died of his wound.
+
+Some time later I was informed that the man who had carried the request
+into Senekal was ex-Commandant Vilonel, who was then serving as a
+private burgher. A few days later he surrendered, so that one naturally
+inferred that he had arranged it all during his visit to Senekal.
+
+Shortly after he had given up his arms, he sent a letter to one of the
+Veldtcornets, asking him to come to such and such a spot on a certain
+evening, to meet an English officer and himself. The letter never
+reached the hands of the person to whom Vilonel had addressed it; and
+instead of the Veldtcornet, it was Captain Pretorius with a few
+burghers, who went to the appointed place. The night was so dark that it
+was impossible to recognize anybody.
+
+"Where is Veldtcornet--?" asked Mr. Vilonel.
+
+"You are my prisoner," was Captain Pretorius' reply, as he took
+Vilonel's horse by the bridle.
+
+"Treason! treason!" cried poor Vilonel.
+
+They brought him back to the camp, and sent him thence to Bethlehem. A
+court-martial[38] was shortly afterwards held at that town, and he was
+condemned to a long term of imprisonment.
+
+In the place of General De Villiers I appointed Deacon Paul Roux as
+Vechtgeneraal. He was a man in whom I placed absolute confidence. As a
+minister of religion he had done good service among the commandos, and
+in the fiercest battles he looked after the wounded with undaunted
+courage. His advice to the officers on matters of war had also been
+excellent, so that he was in every way a most admirable man. But his
+fighting career unfortunately soon came to an end, for he was taken
+prisoner in a most curious way near Naauwpoort, when Prinsloo
+surrendered.
+
+I must now retrace my steps, and give some account of what I myself had
+been doing during this time.
+
+I proceeded to the west of Doornberg, and only halted when I reached the
+Zand River. What memories does the name of that river bring back to me!
+It was on its banks that in 1852 the English Government concluded a
+Convention with the Transvaal--only to break it when Sir Theophilus
+Shepstone annexed that country on the 12th of April, 1877. But this
+Convention was re-established by Gladstone--greatest and noblest of
+English statesmen--when he acknowledged the independence of the South
+African Republic.
+
+Here on the banks of this river, which was so pregnant with meaning, we
+should stand, so I thought, and hold the English at bay. But alas! the
+name with all its memories did not check the enemy's advance.
+
+On the 10th of May Lord Roberts attacked us with his united forces; and
+although his losses were heavy, he succeeded in breaking through our
+lines near Ventersburg, at two points which were held by General
+Froneman. And thus the English were free to advance on Kroonstad.
+
+I gave orders to my commando to move on to Doornkop, which lies to the
+east of Kroonstad. I myself, with Commandant Nel and some of his
+adjutants, followed them when the sun had set. We rode the whole of that
+night, and reached the township on the following morning. We immediately
+arranged that the Government should withdraw from Kroonstad, and that
+very day it was removed to Heilbron. President Steyn, however, did not
+go to Heilbron, but paid a visit to General Philip Botha, whose commando
+had held back the English outposts some six miles from Kroonstad.
+
+The President, before leaving the town, had stationed police on the
+banks of the Valsch River with orders to prevent burghers from entering
+the dorp[39]; he had only just crossed the drift before my arrival. I
+came upon some burghers who, as they had been ordered, had off-saddled
+at the south side of the river, and I asked them if they had seen the
+President. As they were Transvaalers, they answered my question in the
+negative.
+
+"But has nobody on horseback crossed here?" I said.
+
+"Oh, yes! the Big Constable[40] crossed," one of them replied. "And he
+told us not to pass over the drift."
+
+"What was he like?" I inquired.
+
+"He was a man with a long red beard."
+
+I knew now who the "Big Constable" had been; and when I afterwards told
+the President for whom he had been taken, he was greatly amused.
+
+General Philip Botha discussed the state of affairs with me, and we both
+came to the conclusion that if Lord Roberts attacked us with his united
+forces, his superior numbers would render it impossible for us to hold
+our disadvantageous positions round Kroonstad. We had also to take into
+consideration the fact that my commando could not reach the town before
+the following day. Whilst we were still talking, news arrived that there
+was a strong force of cavalry on the banks of the Valsch River, six
+miles from Kroonstad, and that it was rapidly approaching the town.
+
+On hearing this, I hastened back to the south of the township, where a
+body of Kroonstad burghers had off-saddled, and I ordered them to get
+into their saddles immediately, and ride with me to meet the enemy. In
+less time than it takes to describe it, we were off. As we drew near to
+the English we saw they had taken up a very good position. The sun had
+already set, and nothing could be done save to exchange a few shots with
+the enemy. So, after I had ordered my men to post themselves on the
+enemy's front till the following morning, I rode back to Kroonstad.
+
+When I arrived there, I found that the last of the Transvaal commandos
+had already retreated through the town and made for the north. I at once
+sent orders to the burghers, whom I had just left, to abandon their
+positions, and to prepare themselves to depart by train to
+Rhenosterriviersbrug.
+
+At Kroonstad there was not a single burgher left. Only the inhabitants
+of the township remained, and they were but too ready to "hands-up."
+
+One of these, however, was of a different mould. I refer to Veldtcornet
+Thring, who had arrived with me at Kroonstad that morning, but who had
+suddenly fallen ill. On the day following he was a prisoner in the hands
+of the English.
+
+Thring was an honourable man in every way. Although an Englishman by
+birth, he was at heart an Afrikander, for he had accepted the Orange
+Free State as his second fatherland. Like many another Englishman, he
+had become a fellow-citizen of ours, and had enjoyed the fat of the
+land. But now, trusty burgher that he was, he had drawn his sword to
+defend the burghers' rights.
+
+His earliest experiences were with the Kroonstad burghers, who went down
+into Natal; later on he fought under me at Sanna's Post and
+Mostertshoek, and took part in the siege of Colonel Dalgety at
+Jammersbergsdrift. He had stood at my side at Thaba'Nchu and on the
+banks of the Zand River. I had always found him the most willing and
+reliable of officers, and he had won the respect and trust of every man
+who knew him.
+
+He was faithful to the end. Although he might well have joined our
+enemies, he preferred to set the seal of fidelity upon his life by his
+imprisonment. Long may he live to enjoy the trust of the Afrikander
+people!
+
+I remained late that evening in the town. It was somewhat risky to do
+so, as the place was full of English inhabitants, and of Afrikanders who
+did not favour our cause. In fact, I was surrounded by men who would
+have been only too pleased to do me an injury.
+
+I said farewell to Kroonstad at ten o'clock that night, and was carried
+to Rhenosterriviersbrug, thirty-four miles from Kroonstad, by the last
+train that left the town. But before I departed, I took care that the
+bridge over the Valsch River should be destroyed by dynamite.
+
+In the meantime, those portions of the Heilbron and Kroonstad commandos
+which had gone into Natal at the beginning of the war, received orders
+to leave the Drakensberg. Obeying these orders they joined me, and, with
+my other troops, had occupied splendid positions on either side of the
+railway line. Commandant General Louis Botha was also there with his
+Transvaal burghers, having arrived in the Free State a few days
+previously. Captain Danie Theron was still with me as my trustworthy
+scout, and he constantly kept me informed of Lord Roberts' movements.
+
+For a few days Lord Roberts remained at Kroonstad, but about the 18th
+of May he again began to move his enormous forces. He sent out four
+divisions. The first he despatched from Kroonstad to Heilbron; the
+second from Lindley to the same destination; the third from Kroonstad to
+Vredefort and Parijs, and the fourth from Kroonstad along the railway
+line.
+
+The two Governments had agreed that Commandant General Louis Botha
+should cross the Vaal River, and that we Free-Staters should remain
+behind in our own country. And this was carried out, with our full
+approval.
+
+The Governments had also decided that even if the English entered the
+Transvaal, the Free State commandos were not to follow them. I had long
+ago wished that something of this nature should be arranged, so that we
+might not only have forces in front of the enemy, but also in their
+rear. Thus the orders of the Governments exactly coincided with my
+desires.
+
+Lest any one should think that the Transvaalers and the Free-Staters
+separated here on account of a squabble, or because they found that they
+could not work harmoniously together, let me state that this decision
+was arrived at for purely strategic reasons. We had now been reduced to
+a third of the original number of forty-five thousand burghers with
+which we had started the campaign. This reduction was due partly to
+Cronje's surrender, and partly to the fact that many of our men had
+returned to their farms. How, then, could we think of making a stand,
+with our tiny forces, against two hundred and forty thousand men, with
+three or four hundred guns? All we could do was to make the best of
+every little chance we got of hampering the enemy. If fortune should
+desert us, it only remained to flee.
+
+To flee--what could be more bitter than that? Ah! many a time when I was
+forced to yield to the enemy, I felt so degraded that I could scarcely
+look a child in the face! Did I call myself a man? I asked myself, and
+if so, why did I run away? No one can guess the horror which overcame
+me when I had to retreat, or to order others to do so--there! I have
+poured out my whole soul. If I did fly, it was only because one man
+cannot stand against twelve.
+
+After the Transvaalers had crossed the Vaal River, I took twelve hundred
+men to Heilbron, where there was already a party of my burghers. General
+Roux with other Free-Staters was stationed east of Senekal, and the
+remainder of our forces lay near Lindley. But the commandos from Vrede
+and Harrismith, with part of the Bethlehem commando, still remained as
+watchers on the Drakensberg.
+
+When I arrived at Heilbron, late at night, I received a report that
+fighting was taking place on the Rhenoster River, between Heilbron and
+Lindley, and that General J.B. Wessels and Commandant Steenekamp had
+been driven back. But on the following morning, when the outposts came
+in, they stated that they had seen nothing of this engagement. I
+immediately sent out scouts, but hardly had they gone, before one of
+them came galloping back with the news that the enemy had approached
+quite close to the town. It was impossible for me to oppose a force of
+five or six thousand men on the open plain; and I could not move to
+suitable positions, for that would involve having the women and children
+behind me when the enemy were bombarding me. I had therefore to be off
+without a moment's delay. I had not even time to send my wife and my
+children into a place of safety.
+
+Our whole stock of ammunition was on the rail at Wolvehoek. I had given
+orders to Mr. Sarel Wessels, who had charge of the ammunition, to hold
+himself in readiness to proceed with it by rail, through the Transvaal,
+to Greylingstad as soon as he received orders to do so.
+
+But now the ammunition could not remain there, as Sir Redvers Buller was
+gaining ground day by day towards the veldt on the Natal frontier and
+the ammunition would thus be in danger of being taken. Therefore there
+was nothing left for me but to get it through by way of Greylingstad
+Station. It had to be done, and,--I had no carriages by which I could
+convey it, as I had not sufficient hands to take carriages from the
+trucks.[41] There was only one way (course) open; the commandos from
+Smithfield, Wepener and Bethulie still had, contrary to the Kroonstad
+resolution, carriages with them at Frankfort; I hastened to that village
+and sent the necessary number of these carriages under a strong escort,
+to fetch the ammunition from Greylingstad.
+
+In order to do this responsible work I required a man whom I could
+trust. Captain Danie Theron was no longer with me, because he, being a
+Transvaaler, had gone with General Louis Botha. But there was another:
+Gideon J. Scheepers.[42] To him I entrusted the task of reconnoitring
+the British, so that the carriages which were going to fetch the
+ammunition could do in safety what they were required to do, and I knew
+that he would do it.
+
+[Footnote 37: This "granary" lay in the Ladybrand, Ficksburg and
+Bethlehem districts, and not only supplied the Free State, but also the
+greater part of the Transvaal. If the districts of Wepener, Rouxville,
+Bloemfontein, and Thaba'Nchu be included, this "granary" was the source
+of a very large yield of corn, and there had been an especially rich
+harvest that year. As the men were away on commando, the Kaffirs reaped
+the corn under the supervision of the Boer women; and where Kaffirs were
+not obtainable the women did the work with their own hands, and were
+assisted by their little sons and daughters. The women had provided such
+a large supply, that had not the English burnt the corn by the thousand
+sacks, the war could have been continued. It was hard indeed for them to
+watch the soldiers flinging the corn on the ground before their horses'
+hoofs. Still harder was it to see that which had cost them so much
+labour thrown into the flames.
+
+In spite of the fact that the English, in order to destroy our crops,
+had let their horses and draught oxen loose upon the land, there was
+still an abundant harvest--perhaps the best that we had ever seen. And
+so it happened that whilst the men were at the front, the housewives
+could feed the horses in the stable. But Lord Roberts, acting on the
+advice of unfaithful burghers, laid his hand upon the housewives' work,
+and burnt the grain that they had stored.]
+
+[Footnote 38: This Court was not composed of officers, but consisted of
+three persons, one of whom was a lawyer.]
+
+[Footnote 39: Township.]
+
+[Footnote 40: Police Agent.]
+
+[Footnote 41: Railway trucks.]
+
+[Footnote 42: Everyone will know him, this brave man of pure Afrikander
+blood, subsequently a famous Commander, a martyr. I appointed him
+Captain of Scouts, and from the moment that he commenced his work I saw
+that a _man_ had come forward. It was sad to think in what manner such a
+man was deprived of his life. I shall speak more of him later on, for,
+as our proverb says, "I had eaten too much salt" to pass over his career
+unnoticed]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+Our Position at the End of May, 1900
+
+
+Once more it became necessary that the seat of Government should be
+changed, and towards the latter part of May our administrative
+headquarters were established at a place between Frankfort and Heilbron.
+The object of our Government in choosing this position was to be able to
+keep up telegraphic communication with the Transvaal. And their choice
+was soon to be justified, for after Johannesburg had been taken on May
+31st and Pretoria on July 5th, the only telegraphic connexion between
+the Free State and the South African Republic was viâ Frankfort,
+Greylingstad and Middlesburg. The terminus, at the Transvaal end, was
+situated not far from Pretoria.
+
+But, for the moment, it looked as if fortune were again going to smile
+on us, after our long spell of ill luck. On May the 31st Lindley and its
+garrison of Yeomanry fell into the hands of General Piet de Wet. The
+Yeomanry lost heavily, and five hundred of them, including, as I was
+told, several noblemen, were taken prisoner. These were the last
+prisoners of war that we were able to send into the South African
+Republic. Soon afterwards, when Pretoria was on the point of falling
+into the enemy's hands, the prisoners there had to be sent further east,
+but--owing either to the stupidity of the Transvaal Government, or to
+the treachery of the guards--a great many of them were left behind for
+Lord Roberts to release and re-arm against us. Our burghers grumbled
+much at this, and blamed the negligence of the Transvaalers.
+
+Before we had had time to get the captured Yeomanry through into the
+Transvaal, Sir Redvers Buller had forced his way over the Natal
+frontier, crossing the Drakensberg between Botha's Pass and Laing's Nek.
+This event, which happened on June the 17th, caused yet another panic
+among our commandos.
+
+"We are now," they said, "surrounded on all sides. Resistance and escape
+are equally impossible for us."
+
+Never during the whole course of the war were President Steyn and I so
+full of care and anxiety as at this time. With Buller across our
+frontier, and the enemy within the walls of Johannesburg and Pretoria,
+it was as much as we could do to continue the contest at all. However
+brave and determined many of our burghers and officers might be, and, in
+fact, were, our numerical weakness was a fact that was not to be got
+over, and might prove an insuperable obstacle to our success. Moreover,
+the same thing was now going on in the Transvaal after the capture of
+Pretoria, as we had witnessed in the Free State after the fall of
+Bloemfontein--nearly all the burghers were leaving their commandos and
+going back to their farms. Plenty of officers, but no troops! This was
+the pass to which we were come.
+
+It was only the remembrance of how the tide had turned in the Free State
+that gave us the strength to hold out any longer.
+
+President Steyn and I sent telegram after telegram to the Government and
+to the chief officers, encouraging them to stand fast. Meanwhile the two
+Generals, De la Rey and Louis Botha, were giving us all a splendid
+example of fortitude. Gazing into the future unmoved, and facing it as
+it were with clenched teeth, they prosecuted the war with invincible
+determination.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+That the reader may the better appreciate the actual condition of our
+affairs at this time, I think it well to make a short statement as to
+the various districts of the Orange Free State, and the number of men
+in each on whom we could still rely!
+
+The burghers of Philippolis and Kaapstad had surrendered _en masse_ to
+the English. In the first named of these districts, only Gordon Fraser
+and Norval, in the second only Cornelius du Preez and another, whose
+name has escaped my memory, remained loyal to our cause. I mention these
+men here, because their faithfulness redounds to their everlasting
+honour.
+
+In the district of Boshof, we could still reckon on Veldtcornet
+Badenhorst,[43] and twenty-seven men.
+
+Jacobsdal was represented by Commandant Pretorius (who had succeeded
+Commandant Lubbe, after the latter had been wounded and taken prisoner
+at Tabaksberg), and forty men.
+
+In the district of Fauresmith, Commandant Visser and some seventy men
+had remained faithful.
+
+In Bethulie, Commandant Du Plooij, with nearly a hundred men, were still
+in arms.
+
+Bloemfontein was represented by Commandant Piet Fourie and two hundred
+burghers.
+
+The commandos of Rouxville, Smithfield, Wepener and Ladybrand, fell far
+short of their full complement of men, as a great number had remained
+behind at home.
+
+Of the burghers from Winburg, Kroonstad and Heilbron, many had already
+laid down their arms, and the drain upon our troops in these districts
+was still continuing.
+
+None of the burghers belonging to the districts of Ficksburg,
+Bethlehem,[44] Harrismith and Vrede had yet surrendered--their turn was
+to come.
+
+All told, we were 8,000 burghers.
+
+After my men had gone northwards, those burghers of Hoopstad, Jacobsdal,
+Fauresmith, Philippolis, Bethulie, Smithfield, Rouxville, Wepener,
+Bloemfontein and the southern part of Ladybrand, who had laid down their
+arms and remained at home between the beginning of March and the end of
+May, were left undisturbed by Lord Roberts--so far as their private
+liberty was concerned.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was now camped at Frankfort, waiting for the ammunition, which ought
+to have already arrived from Greylingstad Station. It was about this
+time that the Government decided, on the recommendation of some of the
+officers, that the rank of Vechtgeneraal should be abolished. In
+consequence of this decision all the officers of that rank resigned. I
+did not approve of this course of action, and obtained from the
+Government the rank of Assistant Commander-in-Chief. I was thus able to
+re-appoint the old Vechtgeneraals, Piet de Wet, C.C. Froneman, Philip
+Botha and Paul Roux, and I at once proceeded to do so.
+
+[Footnote 43: Afterwards Commandant, and, still later, Assistant
+Commander-in-Chief.]
+
+[Footnote 44: At the conclusion of peace it was the Bethlehem commando
+which had the greatest number of burghers under arms.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+Roodewal
+
+
+The ammunition arrived safely, and towards the end of May I made my way
+to a certain hill, some twelve miles from Heilbron, to which we had
+given the name of Presidentskopje, and where Commandants Steenekamp and
+J.H. Olivier were posted.
+
+Here I left the greater part of my commandos. But I myself, on the 2nd
+of June, set out in the direction of Roodewal Station, taking with me
+six hundred burghers, mounted on the best horses that were to be
+obtained. I reached the farm of Leeuwfontein the same night, and found
+it an excellent place in which to hide my men out of sight of the
+Heilbron garrison. The farm stood about nine miles to the south of that
+town.
+
+The following evening we moved on as far as Smithsdrift, which is a
+drift on the road from Heilbron to Kroonstad. There again I concealed my
+men.
+
+On the afternoon of the next day, June the 4th, news was brought me that
+a convoy was on its way to Heilbron from Rhenoster River. This convoy
+encamped that evening at the distance of a mile from the farm of
+Zwavelkrans; the spot chosen was about five hundred paces from the
+Rhenoster River, and quite unprotected.
+
+Before sunrise I sent a party of burghers down to the river, some five
+hundred paces from where the convoy was encamped, and by daybreak we had
+entirely surrounded the enemy.
+
+No sooner had the sun appeared than I despatched a burgher with a white
+flag to the English officer in command. I ordered my messenger to
+inform the officer that he was surrounded, that escape was out of the
+question, and that if he wished to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, his only
+course was to surrender.
+
+[Illustration: ROODEWAL.
+
+FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.]
+
+On hearing this one of their men came to me with the object of demanding
+certain conditions. It goes without saying that my answer
+was--"Unconditional surrender!"
+
+He asked for time to communicate this to the officer in command. I
+granted this request, and he returned to the convoy.
+
+We were not left in suspense for long. The white flag was hoisted almost
+immediately, and two hundred _Bergschotten_,[45] with fifty-six heavily
+laden waggons, fell into our hands.
+
+Fortunately, all this occurred out of sight of Roodewal Station and
+Heilbron, and, as not a single shot had been fired, I had no reason so
+far to fear that there was any obstacle in the way of my main
+project--the capture of the valuable booty at Roodewal.
+
+I at once returned with my capture to the spot where we had been the
+previous night. General Philip Botha conducted the prisoners and the
+booty to the President's camp, returning to our laager on the following
+morning.
+
+On the evening of the 6th of June I started on my road to Roodewal. At
+Walfontein I divided my troops into three parties. The first party,
+consisting of three hundred men with one Krupp, I despatched under
+Commandant Steenekamp to Vredefort Road Station, with orders to attack
+it the following day at sunrise. General Froneman, with Commandants Nel
+and Du Plooij, were in command of the second party, which consisted of
+three hundred burghers, with two Krupps and one quick-firing gun. My
+orders were that, at daybreak, they were to attack an English camp which
+was lying a mile to the north of the railway station at Rhenoster River,
+and close to some brick-coloured ridges. The third party I commanded
+myself. It consisted of Commandant Fourie and eighty burghers, with one
+Krupp; and with this force I pushed on to Roodewal Station.
+
+At Doorndraai I left behind me a few waggons, with twenty men to guard
+them. I had previously stationed a hundred burghers there, with the
+object of keeping in touch with the enemy.
+
+The information which Captain Scheepers had gained while scouting was
+amply sufficient to show me how the land lay.
+
+Although I had heard that there were not more than fifty of the enemy at
+Vredefort Road Station, I had nevertheless sent three hundred burghers
+there. This was because I was aware that the main English force lay to
+the north of the station, so that these fifty men might be reinforced at
+the shortest possible notice. The numbers which General Froneman had to
+encounter were much greater, and the enemy held safe positions. But as
+General Froneman was himself able to take quite as good positions, I
+only gave him the same number of troops as I had assigned to Commandant
+Steenekamp. I also gave orders that two guns should proceed with him.
+
+I was informed that there were only one hundred of the English at
+Roodewal, but that these hundred were very securely entrenched. My
+information was, however, at fault, for I discovered later on that there
+were at least double that number.
+
+I arrived at Roodewal very early in the morning of the 7th of June. I
+brought my men up to within eight hundred paces of the station, and
+ordered them to unharness the horses which were attached to the Krupp,
+and to place it in position.
+
+But listen! There is the crack of rifles in the distance! That must be
+the sound of the enemy's fire on General Froneman. Again, and yet again,
+the sound meets my ears. Then all is quiet once more.
+
+It was still two hours before the sun would rise, and I took full
+advantage of the opportunities which the darkness gave me. I ordered
+four of my burghers to approach as close to the station as was possible,
+and to find out everything they could about the enemy's position.
+Following my directions, they crept with extreme caution towards the
+English lines, until only a hundred paces separated them from the
+station. They returned before it was light, and brought back word that
+unless the enemy had thrown up unusually high _schanzes_, there must be
+an untold quantity of provisions piled up there. Everything had been
+very quiet, and they had seen no one stirring.
+
+The day now began to dawn, and as soon as it was light I sent a message
+to the enemy demanding their surrender. The answer came back at once. On
+the back of my note these words had been written:
+
+"We refuse to surrender."
+
+I instantly opened a hot fire upon them, bringing the Krupp as well as
+the Mausers into action. But the reply of the enemy was no less severe.
+
+We had no cover. There was only a shallow _pan_[46]--so shallow that it
+scarcely afforded protection to the horses' hoofs! A thousand paces to
+the north-west of the railway I had observed a deep _pan_ where the
+horses would have had better cover, but even there our men would have
+been just as exposed as they now were. I had decided against taking up
+my position in this _pan_, because I should have been obliged to cross
+the line to reach it, and in doing so should have run the risk of being
+observed by the English.
+
+Thus it was that the burghers were compelled to lie flat down in order
+to afford as little mark as possible to the enemy. But the men who
+served the Krupp were naturally unable to do this; and, seeing that the
+gun must be moved, I gave this order: "Inspan the gun, gallop it three
+thousand paces back; then blaze away again as fiercely as you can!"
+
+Under a hail of bullets the horses were attached to the gun. Whilst
+this was being done, I ordered my men to fire upon the English
+entrenchments with redoubled energy, and thus, if possible, prevent the
+enemy from taking careful aim.
+
+Incredible though it may appear, Captain Muller got the gun away without
+a single man or horse being hit. When he had covered three thousand
+paces, he halted, and turning the Krupp on the enemy, he shelled them
+with good effect.
+
+At about ten o'clock, General Froneman succeeded in forcing the English
+troops which he had attacked to surrender. I therefore ordered the two
+Krupps which he had with him to be brought up with the utmost despatch.
+At half-past seven they arrived, and immediately opened fire on the
+English.
+
+When the enemy had been under the fire of three guns and eighty Mausers
+for an hour, they thought it best to hoist the white flag. We
+accordingly ceased firing, and I rode out towards the station. Before I
+had reached it, I was met by two of the officers. They told me that they
+were willing to surrender, on condition that they were allowed to retain
+their private property and the mail bags, for it appeared that there
+were two English mails under their charge.
+
+I replied that so far as their private belongings were concerned, they
+were welcome to keep them, as I never allowed the personal property of
+my prisoners to be tampered with in my presence.[47] But I told them
+that the letters were a different matter, and that I could not allow
+them to reach their destination--unless they were directed to a bonfire!
+
+There was nothing left for the officers to do, except to agree to my
+terms then and there; for had they hesitated even for a moment, I should
+certainly have stormed the station.
+
+But they wisely surrendered.
+
+On our arrival at the station, we were all filled with wonder at the
+splendid entrenchments the English had constructed from bales of cotton,
+blankets and post-bags. These entrenchments had been so effectual that
+the enemy's loss was only twenty-seven killed and wounded--a remarkably
+small number, when it is remembered that we took two hundred of them
+prisoners.
+
+I had expected that our booty would be large, and my expectations were
+more than realized. To begin with, there were the bales of clothing that
+the English had used as entrenchments. Then there were hundreds of cases
+of necessaries of every description. Of ammunition, also, there was no
+lack, and amongst it there were projectiles for the Naval guns, with
+which Lord Roberts had intended to bombard Pretoria.
+
+Some of the burghers attempted to lift these gigantic shells, but it
+took more than one man to move them.
+
+I read in the newspapers afterwards that I had inflicted a loss of three
+quarters of a million sterling on the English Government--let that give
+the extent of my capture.
+
+But at that moment we did not realize how much harm we had done to them.
+We had little time for anything which did not directly forward our
+cause. I was, however, very sorry that I could not carry away with me
+the blankets and boots which we found in large quantities, for they
+would have been most valuable for winter use. But there was no time for
+this, as the English held the railway and could at any moment bring up
+reinforcements from Bloemfontein, from Kroonstad, or from Pretoria. So,
+as I could not take the booty away with me, I was obliged to consign it
+to the flames.
+
+But before I did this I gave the burghers permission to open the
+post-bags, and to take what they liked out of them. For in these bags
+there were useful articles of every description, such as underclothing,
+stockings, cigars and cigarettes.
+
+Very soon every one was busy with the post-bags--as if each burgher had
+been suddenly transformed into a most zealous postmaster!
+
+Whilst my men were thus pleasantly occupied, two prisoners asked me if I
+would not allow them also to open the post-bags, and to investigate
+their contents. I told them to take just what they fancied, for
+everything that was left would be burnt.
+
+It was a very amusing sight to see the soldiers thus robbing their own
+mail! They had such a large choice that they soon became too dainty to
+consider even a plum-pudding worth looking at!
+
+Although I had ordered my men to wreck the bridges both to the north and
+to the south of us, I still did not feel secure--any delay on our part
+was fraught with danger, and the sooner we were off the better.
+
+But before we could start, I had to find some method of removing the
+ammunition which I wished to take with me. Since I possessed no waggons
+available for this purpose, my only course was to order my burghers to
+carry away the quantity required. But my burghers were busily engaged in
+looting.
+
+Those who have had any experience of our commandos will not need to be
+told that it was a difficult task to get any men to help me in the work.
+I did succeed, however, in dragging a few of the burghers away from the
+post-bags. But the spirit of loot was upon them, and I was almost
+powerless. Even when I had induced a burgher to work, he was off to the
+post-bags again the instant my back was turned, and I had to go and hunt
+him up, or else to find some other man to do the work. Yet, in spite of
+this, I succeeded in removing the gun and Lee-Metford ammunition. We
+carried away some six hundred cases of this ammunition,[48] and hid it
+at a spot about three hundred paces from the station.
+
+When the sun set, the burghers were again on the march. But what a
+curious spectacle they presented!
+
+Each man had loaded his horse so heavily with goods that there was no
+room for himself on the saddle; he had, therefore, to walk, and lead his
+horse by the bridle. And how could it be otherwise? For the burghers had
+come from a shop where no money was demanded, and none paid!
+
+But the most amusing thing of all was to watch the "Tommies" when I gave
+them the order to march. The poor Veldtcornet, who was entrusted with
+the task of conducting them to our camp, had his hands full when he
+tried to get them away from the booty; and when at last he succeeded,
+the soldiers carried such enormous loads, that one could almost fancy
+that every man of them was going to open a store. But they could not
+carry such burdens for long, and soon they were obliged to diminish
+their bulk, thus leaving a trail of parcels to mark the road they had
+taken!
+
+And now it was time for the fire to do its work, and I ordered fifteen
+men to set the great heap of booty alight. The flames burst out
+everywhere simultaneously--our task was completed.
+
+In an instant we had mounted our horses and were off.
+
+When we had covered fifteen hundred paces, we heard the explosion of the
+first shells, and wheeled round to view the conflagration. The night was
+very dark, and this rendered the sight that met our eyes still more
+imposing. It was the most beautiful display of fireworks that I have
+ever seen.
+
+One could hear, between the thunder of the big bombs, the dull report of
+exploding cordite. Meanwhile the dark sky was resplendent with the red
+glow of the flames.
+
+I must now give some description of General Froneman's engagement to the
+north of Rhenosterriviersbrug.[49]
+
+The firing we had heard before sunrise came from the English outposts,
+as they were retreating to their camp. The burghers and the English had
+both seized positions on small hills and in abandoned Kaffir kraals.[50]
+
+Although the English had very good positions, and out-numbered our men
+by two to one, they found it impossible to hold out against our fire.
+They had no guns, whilst we possessed, as the reader knows, two Krupps
+and a quick-firing gun, which latter had the same effect as a
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt. Thus the enemy was forced to surrender; and five
+hundred of them were taken prisoner, among whom were Captain Wyndham
+Knight and several other officers. Their casualties amounted to the
+large total of one hundred and seventy killed and wounded, Colonel
+Douglas being one of the killed.
+
+Commandant Steenekamp had also met with success, for he had captured the
+English camp at Vredefortweg Station, and taken thirty prisoners,
+without firing a shot.
+
+Thus we had made eight hundred of the enemy our prisoners, and destroyed
+an enormous amount of their ammunition, and this with scarcely any loss
+on our side. At Roodewal only two of my men had been wounded, whilst
+General Froneman had lost but one killed--a burgher named Myringen--and
+two slightly wounded.
+
+It had been a wonderful day for us--a day not easily forgotten.
+
+We were deeply thankful for our success. Our only regret was that it had
+been impossible for us to keep more of the clothing and ammunition. But
+although we had not been able to retain it, neither had the enemy. It
+was winter, and we had managed to burn their warm clothing. The English
+would certainly feel the want of it; and some time must elapse before
+they could receive a fresh supply from Europe.
+
+Undoubtedly Lord Roberts would be very angry with me; but I consoled
+myself with the thought that his anger would soon blow over. I felt sure
+that after calm consideration he would acknowledge that I had been
+altogether within my rights, and that he had been rather unwise in
+heaping together at one place so large a quantity of insufficiently
+protected stores. He should have kept his supplies at Kroonstad, or,
+better still, at Bloemfontein, until he had reconstructed all the
+railway bridges which we had blown up on the line to Pretoria. Lord
+Roberts had already begun to trust the Free-Staters too much; and he had
+forgotten that, whatever else we may have been thinking about, never for
+a single moment had we thought of surrendering our country.
+
+I received a report the following day that thirty English troops had
+been seen eight miles to the west of Roodewal, and moving in the
+direction of Kroonstad. I despatched General Froneman with thirty of the
+burghers to fetch them in.
+
+The next day, which was the 9th of June, I went with our prisoners to
+within three miles of the railway, and left them there under Veldtcornet
+De Vos,[51] ordering him to conduct them the rest of the way.
+
+It was now my duty to bring away the ammunition which I had left at
+Roodewal and to put it into some safe place. With this in view, I sent
+the Commandants, when night had fallen, to Roodewal, each with two
+waggons, and ordered them to bring it to my farm at Roodepoort, which
+was three miles away from the railway bridge over the Rhenoster River.
+
+There was a ford near my farm with sandy banks; and I told the
+Commandants to bury the ammunition in this sand, on the south side of
+the river, and to obliterate all traces of what they had done by
+crossing and re-crossing the spot with the waggons. I found out
+subsequently that the Commandants had left some of the ammunition behind
+at Roodewal.
+
+Before I conclude this chapter I have to record an event which filled me
+with disgust.
+
+Veldtcornet Hans Smith, of Rouxville, contrived to have a conversation
+with Captain Wyndham Knight, who, as I have already stated, was one of
+our prisoners. The Veldtcornet obtained from him a "free pass" to
+Kroonstad through the English lines, and also a written request to the
+British authorities there to allow him and twenty burghers to proceed
+without hindrance to Rouxville. Alas! that any Free State officer should
+be capable of such conduct!
+
+Captain Wyndham Knight will be held in high esteem by all who truly
+serve their country, for he was a man who never deserted the cause of
+his fatherland, no matter what dangers he encountered.
+
+Veldtcornet Hans Smith with his twenty burghers decamped on the night of
+the 10th of June, but some days had passed before I discovered the mean
+trick he had played.
+
+It was far easier to fight against the great English army than against
+this treachery among my own people, and an iron will was required to
+fight against both at once. But, even though one possessed an iron will,
+such events caused many bitter moments; they were trials which, as an
+African proverb[52] says, no single man's back was broad enough to
+carry.
+
+[Footnote 45: Highlanders.]
+
+[Footnote 46: A pond which only contains water during "the rains."]
+
+[Footnote 47: The _Uitschudden_ (stripping) of the enemy had not become
+necessary at that date. I can say for myself that when, at a later
+period, it came into practice, I never witnessed it with any
+satisfaction. Yet what could the burghers do but help themselves to the
+prisoners' clothing, when England had put a stop to our imports, and cut
+off all our supplies?]
+
+[Footnote 48: At this time the burghers were beginning to use the rifles
+which they had taken from the enemy.]
+
+[Footnote 49: Rhenoster River bridge.]
+
+[Footnote 50: These dated back to the time of Moselekatze (Umzilygazi).]
+
+[Footnote 51: He was afterwards appointed Commandant.]
+
+[Footnote 52: Literally the proverb runs as follows: "There are some
+trials which will not sit in one man's clothes."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+I Make Lord Kitchener's Acquaintance
+
+
+On the morning of June the 10th my anticipations were realized by the
+approach of a large English force from Vredefortweg and Heilbron.
+Commanded by Lord Kitchener, and numbering, as I estimated, from twelve
+to fifteen thousand men, this force was intended to drive us from the
+railway line.
+
+I gave orders that the few waggons which we had with us should proceed
+in the direction of Kroonstad, to the west of the line; once out of
+sight, they were to turn sharply to the west, and continue in that
+direction. This manoeuvre, I hoped, would serve to mislead the enemy,
+who was on the look-out for us.
+
+So much for the waggons. For the rest, I felt that it would never do for
+us to withdraw without having fired a shot, and I therefore got my men
+into position on some kopjes (where Captain Wyndham Knight had been four
+days previously, and which lay to the north of Rhenosterriviersbrug) on
+my farm Roodepoort, and on the Honingkopjes.
+
+The English, with their well known predilection for a flank attack on
+every possible opportunity, halted for an hour, and shelled our
+positions with Lyddite and other guns. This did _not_ have the desired
+effect of inspiring terror in the burghers who were under my command at
+Honingkopjes.
+
+Then the enemy began to move. I saw masses of their cavalry making for a
+piece of rising ground to the north of Roodepoort. As the burghers there
+were hidden from me, I was unable to observe from where I stood the
+effect of this flank movement. Knowing that if they were able to give
+way and to retreat along the river we should have no means of
+discovering the fact until it was too late and we were surrounded, I
+came to the conclusion that it was essential for me to go to Roodepoort
+to assure myself that the cavalry had not yet got round. But it was most
+important that no suspicion of the danger which threatened us should be
+aroused in the burghers--anything calculated to weaken their resistance
+was to be avoided on such an occasion. Accordingly I merely told them
+that I was going to see how affairs were progressing at Roodepoort, and
+that in the meantime they must hold their position.
+
+I rode off, and discovered that the English were already so close to our
+troops at Roodepoort that fighting with small arms had begun. I had just
+reached an eminence between Roodepoort and the Honingkopjes when I saw
+that the burghers in the position furthest towards the north-west were
+beginning to flee. This was exactly what I had feared would happen.
+Immediately afterwards the men in the centre position, and therefore the
+nearest to me, followed their comrades' example. I watched them
+loosening their horses, which had been tethered behind a little hill;
+they were wild to get away from the guns of the English and from the
+advance of this mighty force.
+
+It was impossible for me now to go and tell the burghers on the
+Honingkopjes that the time had come when they too must retreat. My only
+course was to order the men near me not to effect their escape along the
+well protected banks of the river, but to the south, right across the
+stream, by a route which would be visible to burghers on the
+Honingkopjes. They obeyed my orders, and rode out under a heavy gun and
+rifle fire, without, however, losing a single man. The men on the
+Honingkopjes saw them in flight, and were thus able to leave their
+position before the enemy had a chance of driving them into the river or
+of cutting them off from the drift.
+
+Unfortunately, seven burghers from Heilbron were at a short distance
+from the others, having taken up their position in a _kliphok_.[53]
+Fighting hard as they were, under a deafening gun-fire from the enemy,
+who had approached to within a few paces of them, they did not observe
+that their comrades had left their positions. Shortly afterwards,
+despairing of holding the _kliphok_ any longer, they ran down to the
+foot of the hill for their horses, and saw that the rest of the burghers
+were already fleeing some eight or nine hundred paces in front of them,
+and that their own horses had joined in the flight. There was now only
+one course open to them--to surrender to the English.[54]
+
+I ordered the burghers to retreat in the direction of Kroonstad, for by
+now they had all fled from Roodepoort and Honingkopjes--a name which,
+since that day, has never sounded very _sweet_ to me.[55]
+
+During the morning I received a report informing me that there were
+large stores at Kroonstad belonging to the English Commissariat, and
+that there was only a handful of troops to protect them. I had no
+thought, however, of attempting to destroy the provisions there, for I
+felt sure that the British troops, who had but just now put us to
+flight, would make for Kroonstad. They would know that the stores stood
+in need of a stronger guard, and moreover they would naturally think
+that we should be very likely to make an attack at a point where the
+defence was so weak.
+
+Obviously, under these circumstances, it would never do for us to go to
+Kroonstad.
+
+Accordingly, as soon as darkness came on, I turned suddenly to the west,
+and arrived at Wonderheuve late at night. I found there Veldtcornet De
+Vos with the prisoners of war.
+
+Meanwhile, as I had anticipated, the vast English army marched up along
+thirty-four miles of railway to Kroonstad. Lord Kitchener, as I heard
+later on, arrived there shortly after noon on the following day.
+
+We left Wonderheuve early in the morning, and advanced along Rietspruit
+until we reached the farm of Vaalbank, where we remained until the
+evening of the next day, June the 13th. That night I saw clearly that it
+was necessary for us to cross the line if we wanted to keep ourselves
+and our prisoners out of the clutches of Lord Kitchener; he had failed
+to find us at Kroonstad, and would be certain to look for us in the
+country to the west of the line.
+
+I also felt myself bound to wreck this line, for it was the only railway
+which Lord Roberts could now utilize for forwarding the enormous
+quantities of stores which his vast forces required.[56] I resolved
+therefore to cross it at Leeuwspruit, north of Rhenoster River bridge
+(which the English had recently repaired), and then, in the morning, to
+attack the English garrisons which had again occupied Roodewal and
+Rhenoster River bridge.
+
+I had given orders that all the cattle along the railway line should be
+removed; General Louis Botha had made the same regulation in regard to
+the country round Pretoria and Johannesburg. If only our orders had been
+carried out a little more strictly, and if only the most elementary
+rules of strategy had been observed in our efforts to break the English
+lines of communication, Lord Roberts and his thousands of troops in
+Pretoria would have found themselves in the same plight as the
+Samaritans in Samaria--they would have perished of hunger. It was not
+their Commander-in-Chief's skill that saved them, not his habit of
+taking into account all possible eventualities--no, they had to thank
+the disobedience of our burghers for the fact that they were not all
+starved to death in Pretoria.
+
+I arranged with General Froneman that he should cross the line at the
+point I had already selected, that is to say, north of Rhenoster River
+bridge, and that in the morning he should attack, from the eastern side,
+the English who were posted at Leeuwspruit Bridge. I, in the meanwhile,
+would make my way with a Krupp to the west side of the line, and having
+found a place of concealment near Roodepoort, would be ready to fall
+upon the English as soon as I heard that the other party had opened fire
+on them from the east.
+
+But my plan was to come to nothing. For when, during the night, Froneman
+reached the line, a skirmish took place then and there with the English
+outposts at Leeuwspruit railway bridge. At the same time a train arrived
+from the south, on which the burghers opened such a fierce fire that it
+was speedily brought to a standstill. General Froneman at once gave
+orders to storm the train, but his men did not carry out his orders.
+
+_Had they done so, Lord Kitchener would have fallen into our hands!_
+
+Nobody knew that he was in the train, and it was only later that we
+heard how, when the train stopped, he got a horse out of one of the
+waggons, mounted it, and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
+
+Shortly afterwards the train moved on again, and our great opportunity
+was gone!
+
+General Froneman succeeded in overpowering the garrison at the railway
+bridge, and took fifty-eight prisoners. He then set fire to the bridge,
+which was a temporary wooden structure, having been built to replace
+another similar one, which had been blown up with gunpowder.
+
+Three hundred Kaffirs were also made prisoners on this occasion. They
+protested that they had no arms, and had only been employed in work upon
+the railway line. This absence of rifles was their saving. Possibly they
+had really been in possession of arms, and had thrown them away under
+cover of the darkness; but the burghers could not know this, and
+therefore acted upon the principle that it is better to let ten culprits
+escape than to condemn an innocent man to death.
+
+General Froneman went on towards the east of Doorndraai. He was very
+well satisfied with his bridge-burning and his capture of prisoners, and
+in his satisfaction he never gave thought to me.
+
+I waited in my hiding-place, expecting that, as we had agreed, the
+firing would begin from the east, but nothing happened. I did not care
+to make an attack on my own account from the west, for my positions were
+not practicable for the purpose, and being short of men, I feared that
+such an attempt might end in disaster.
+
+It was now ten o'clock.
+
+A few English scouts appeared on the scene, and four of my men attacked
+them. One of the enemy was shot, and the rest taken prisoners. And still
+I did not hear anything from General Froneman.
+
+At last I came to the conclusion that he must have misunderstood my
+instructions. If that were the case, I must do the best I could myself.
+Accordingly I opened fire on the English with my Krupp.
+
+Still no news of General Froneman!
+
+Then I ordered my burghers to advance. Our first movement was over the
+nearest rise to the north-west; we halted for a moment, and then made a
+dash for Leeuwspruit Bridge--but we found nothing there.
+
+Late in the evening I met General Froneman, and heard from him the
+narrative which I have given above.
+
+The following day I sent well on to twelve hundred prisoners of
+war--including Kaffirs--to the President's camp, which lay east of
+Heilbron. We then advanced to a point on the Rhenoster River, near
+Slootkraal, remaining in concealment there until the night of the 16th
+of June. The following morning we occupied some ridges at Elandslaagte,
+on the look-out for a large English force which was marching from
+Vredefortweg to Heilbron.
+
+My intention was to give them battle at Elandslaagte, and to hold on to
+our positions there as long as possible; and then, if we could not beat
+them off, to retire. If only the burghers had carried out my orders
+strictly, we should certainly have inflicted heavy losses on the
+English, even if we had not won a complete victory.
+
+The English had not sent out their scouts sufficiently far in advance,
+and came riding on, suspecting nothing. We occupied positions on the
+right and left of the road along which they were advancing, and my
+orders were that the burghers should let the troops get right between
+our ridges, which were about three hundred paces from each other, and
+then fire on them from both sides at once.
+
+Instead of doing this, however, the burghers began to fire when the
+English were five hundred paces from them--before, that is to say, they
+had got anywhere near the door of the trap which I had set for them.
+
+The enemy wheeled round, and galloped back for about fifteen hundred
+paces. They then dismounted, and fired on us. But, having no sort of
+cover, they were soon compelled to mount their horses again and retire
+to their guns, which were about three thousand yards from us. These guns
+now opened a heavy fire upon our ridges; we replied with our three
+Krupps, with which we made such good practice that we might have been
+able to hold out there indefinitely, had not a Lyddite and an Armstrong
+gun happened just then to arrive from Heilbron, which lay about ten
+miles behind us. Thus attacked both in front and rear, there was nothing
+to do but retire. Fortunately, we had not lost a single man.
+
+First we rode in a southerly direction, but as soon as we got into cover
+we struck off to the east, setting our faces towards Heilbron.
+
+Then, to our immense relief, the sun went down. How often during our
+long struggle for independence had not the setting of the sun seemed to
+lift a leaden weight from my shoulders! If, on a few occasions, the
+approach of night has been to our disadvantage, yet over and over again
+it has been nothing less than our salvation.
+
+We got back safely, under cover of the darkness, to our little camp near
+Slootkraal, and there remained in hiding until the following day. It was
+there that Commandant Nel handed in his resignation. In his place the
+burghers of Kroonstad chose Mr. Frans Van Aard as their Commandant.
+
+That night we set out for Paardenkraal, twenty miles to the north-east
+of Kroonstad, staying there until the evening of the 19th.
+
+The time for my attack on the railway line having now come, I divided my
+men into three parties for that purpose. I sent on Commandant J.H.
+Olivier, who had joined me at Paardenkraal, to Honingspruit Station,
+General Froneman to America Siding, while I myself made my way to
+Serfontein Siding.
+
+At daybreak General Froneman wrecked the line near America Siding, and I
+did the same at other places, also destroying the telegraph poles. Each
+pole was first shot through with the Mauser, and then pulled until it
+snapped at the point where the bullet had pierced it.
+
+Things did not go so well with Commandant Olivier. He attacked the
+station, but, unfortunately, not so early as had been arranged.
+Consequently he was not able to bring his gun into action before the
+enemy had observed him. When I came up to him there was a strong English
+reinforcement from Kroonstad close at hand. We had too few men with us
+to be able to offer resistance, and had to retreat, returning to
+Paardenkraal at nightfall.
+
+[Footnote 53: I.e. the ruins of Kaffir stone huts, built in the time of
+Moselekatze.]
+
+[Footnote 54: Among these seven burghers were Willie Steyn, Attie Van
+Niekerk, and a certain young Botha. It was Steyn and Botha, with two men
+of the name of Steytler, and two other Free-Staters whose names I have
+forgotten, who managed to escape from the ship that lay anchored in the
+harbour of Ceylon. They swam a distance of several miles to a Russian
+ship, by which they were carried to one of the Russian ports, where they
+received every hospitality. I shall always be grateful to the Russians
+for this. They then travelled through Germany into Holland, being
+subsequently conveyed in a German ship to German West Africa. Thence
+they made their way through Boesmansland to Cape Colony, and, after many
+adventures, joined General Hermanus Maritz's commando. Botha,
+unfortunately, was killed in a skirmish some time later. What will the
+world say of these young burghers? Surely, that more valiant and
+faithful men than they have never lived. I regret that I do not remember
+the names of all Willie Steyn's comrades. I travelled with him by train
+from the Free State to Cape Town, where I had to join General Louis
+Botha and J.H. De la Rey, so as to accompany them to Europe on my
+nation's behalf. He promised then to give me all the particulars of his
+escape, but I suppose there has been some obstacle in the way.]
+
+[Footnote 55: The word _honing_ means honey.]
+
+[Footnote 56: At that time the Natal and Delagoa Bay railways were still
+in our possession.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+Bethlehem is Captured by the English
+
+
+It was at this time that I decided to make my way to Lindley, which had
+been retaken by the English a few days after General Piet de Wet had
+captured the Yeomanry in that town. The object of my journey was to
+discover if it were not possible to again seize the place. On the 21st
+of June I covered half the distance to Lindley, and the following day I
+arrived within ten miles of the town.
+
+I rode round the town with Piet de Wet the next day, in order to find
+out our best method of attacking it.
+
+Commandant Olivier had been sent by me that morning in the direction of
+Kroonstad to oppose a strong English column, which I had been informed
+was approaching. But my plan must have leaked out in some way or other,
+for the enemy carefully chose so well protected a route that they gave
+Commandant Olivier no chance of attacking them. Thus the following
+morning the English arrived safely at Lindley, and now there was no
+possibility of capturing the town.
+
+In the meantime President Steyn's laager had moved from the east of
+Heilbron and joined us. He himself, with the members of the Government,
+had gone to Bethlehem. General Marthinus Prinsloo was there too; he had
+resigned his post of Commander-in-Chief of the commandos which guarded
+the Drakensberg. Commandant Hattingh of Vrede had been chosen in his
+place, and he also was at Bethlehem.
+
+A difficulty now arose as to Prinsloo's position. The President
+declared that Prinsloo was nothing more than a private burgher; but
+Commandant Olivier was not satisfied with this, and asked that there
+might be an election of a Commander-in-Chief. This request, however, the
+President refused to grant.
+
+I did not wish the office of Commander-in-Chief to devolve upon myself,
+for I knew that I did not possess the confidence of the officers. And as
+some eight miles to the east of Lindley there was telegraphic
+communication with Bethlehem, I was able to hold a conversation with the
+President over the wires. I accordingly again asked him to permit an
+election. But it was all in vain; the President declined to allow an
+election to take place.
+
+I now took matters into my own hands. I collected the officers together
+with the object of holding a secret election. Thus I should discover
+what their opinion of me might be as chief of the Free State forces. I
+was firmly resolved that should the majority of the officers be against
+me, and the President should still refuse his consent to an election,
+that I would send in my resignation, and no longer continue to hold the
+post of Commander-in-Chief.
+
+Commander-in-Chief Hattingh, Vechtgeneraal Roux, and all the oldest
+commandants of the Free State, were present at this meeting. The voting
+was by ballot; and the result was that there were two votes for General
+Marthinus Prinsloo, one for General Piet de Wet, and twenty-seven for
+myself.
+
+I at once wired to the President, and told him what had occurred. He was
+ready to abide by the decision, and I was satisfied now that I knew
+exactly where I stood. Mr. Marthinus Prinsloo was also contented with
+the turn events had taken. And I must say this of him, that it was not
+he who had insisted on an election.
+
+It soon became apparent that the enemy's object was the capture of
+Bethlehem. The English forces round Senekal advanced towards Lindley,
+and having been joined by the troops stationed there, had proceeded in
+the direction of Bethlehem; consequently a very large British force was
+marching on that town.
+
+We on our part now numbered over five thousand men, for General Roux had
+joined us with some[57] of his burghers.
+
+The English were unopposed until they reached Elandsfontein, but there a
+battle took place in which big guns played the main rôle, although there
+was also some heavy fighting with small arms.
+
+In this engagement Commandant Michal Prinsloo did a brave deed. I
+arrived at his position just after the burghers had succeeded in
+shooting down the men who served three of the enemy's guns. With a
+hundred men he now stormed the guns, hoping to be able to bring them
+back with him to our lines. Whilst he charged, I cannonaded the enemy,
+with a Krupp and fifteen pound Armstrong, to such good effect that they
+were forced to retreat behind a ridge. In this way Commandant Prinsloo
+reached the guns safely, but he had no horses with him to drag them back
+to us. He could do nothing but make the attempt to get them away by the
+help of his burghers, and this he tried to accomplish under a fierce
+fire from the English. But he would still have succeeded in the
+endeavour, had not unfortunately a large force of the enemy appeared on
+the scene, and attacked him and his hundred burghers. I was unable to
+keep the English back, for both my guns had been disabled. The nipple of
+the Armstrong had been blown away, and--for the first time--the lock of
+the Krupp had become jammed. Had it not been for this mishap, Commandant
+Prinsloo would certainly have been able to remove the guns to the other
+side of a ridge, whither teams of our horses were already approaching.
+But, as it was, he had to hurry away as fast as possible, and leave the
+guns behind.
+
+When the enemy arrived they had outflanked us so far to the north, that
+we had nothing open to us but again to abandon our positions. We
+therefore retired to Blauwkop, and on the following day to Bethlehem.
+
+In the meantime I had once more become encumbered with a large waggon
+camp, which proved a source of great danger. During the last few weeks
+waggons had been accumulating round me without attracting my attention.
+The reason that the burghers were so anxious to bring their waggons with
+them, was to be found in the fact that the English, whenever they
+arrived at one of our farms, always took the waggons and oxen. The Boers
+felt it very hard to be robbed in this way of their property; and they
+hoped to be able to save their waggons and carts by taking them to the
+commando.
+
+It was natural for them to wish to save all they could; but I was
+convinced that the waggons could only be saved at the expense of our
+great cause. But nobody could see it in that light. And as I could only
+appeal to the free will of my burghers, I dare not attempt to get rid of
+the waggons by force. If I had made any such attempt, serious
+consequences would certainly have followed, even if a revolt had not
+ensued. The great fault of the burghers was disobedience, and this came
+especially to the fore when their possessions were in jeopardy.
+
+I now made up my mind to defend the town of Bethlehem. The following
+morning I went with the Generals and Commandants to reconnoitre the
+country, so that I might be able to point out to each of them the
+position that I wished him to occupy.
+
+Our line of defence began at the south of Wolhuterskop (a kop to the
+south-west of Bethlehem), and extended from there to the north-west of
+the town.
+
+When I had given my instructions to the officers, they returned to
+their commandos, which were stationed behind the first ridges to the
+south of Bethlehem, and brought them to the positions I had assigned to
+them.
+
+So many of the horses were exhausted, that a large number of the
+burghers had to go on foot. Such of these _Voetgangers_[58] as were not
+required to attend to the waggons, I placed at Wolhuterskop.
+
+When I had done this I gave notice to the inhabitants of Bethlehem, that
+as the dorp would be defended, I must insist on the women and children
+leaving it at once. It was not long before a number of women and
+children, and even a few men, started out on their way to Fouriesburg.
+The prisoner Vilonel, also, was conducted to this town.
+
+At four o'clock that afternoon the advance guards of the enemy
+approached; and fifteen of their scouts made their appearance on the
+ridge to the north of the town. The burghers reserved their fire until
+these men were almost upon them. Then they let their Mausers speak, and
+in a moment there were nine riderless horses. The other six English made
+their escape, although they must have had wounds to show for their
+rashness.[59]
+
+Only a few moments had passed before the roar of guns was mingled with
+the crack of rifles, and the whole air was filled with the thunder of
+battle.
+
+Everywhere the burghers fought with the utmost valour; the _Voetgangers_
+on Wolhuterskop were perhaps the bravest of them all. Whenever the enemy
+approached our positions, they were met by a torrent of bullets. And
+thus the day came to a close.
+
+But the next day a large force of English appeared from the direction of
+Reitz. This had come from the Transvaal, and, if I remember rightly, was
+commanded by General Sir Hector Macdonald. He had come up and joined
+Generals Clements, Hunter, Broadwood and Paget, with the object of once
+and for all making an end of the Free-Staters.
+
+Our positions were now exposed to a most terrific bombardment, but
+fortunately without any serious consequences. I must describe here the
+fearful havoc that one lyddite shell wrought. It fell into the position
+held by Commandant Steenekamp, to the north-west of Bethlehem, and
+struck a rock behind which twenty-five of our horses were standing.
+Without a single exception every horse was killed!
+
+The attack was pressed with the greatest vigour on the positions held by
+Commandants Van Aard and Piet Fourie. It became impossible for these
+officers to maintain their ground; and, at about twelve o'clock, before
+I was able to send them any reinforcements, they were compelled to give
+way.
+
+Thus retreat became inevitable, and the enemy entered Bethlehem.
+
+One of our guns we were unable to remove; but before we withdrew it was
+thrown down the _krans_[60] of the mountain, and broken to pieces.
+
+I knew at the time the number the English had lost, but now it had
+slipped my memory. I obtained the information from a man named Bland,
+who acted as our telegraphist. He had tapped the telegraph wire at
+Zwingkrans, and before General Clements had detected that he was not
+communicating with Senekal, he had received from that General a full
+list of the English killed and wounded.
+
+We withdrew our commandos in a southerly direction to Retiefsnek,
+whither President Steyn and the Government had already preceded us.
+
+[Footnote 57: He had left the remainder of his burghers at Witnek and at
+Houtnek, near Ficksburg.]
+
+[Footnote 58: Infantry.]
+
+[Footnote 59: As I have already stated, I intend to write on another
+occasion a book dealing with the art of scouting; and the above incident
+will there form a striking proof of how foolishly the English scouts did
+their work.]
+
+[Footnote 60: Precipice.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+The Surrender of Prinsloo
+
+
+The English, now that they had taken Bethlehem, were in need of rest;
+and this was especially the case with General Macdonald, who had come up
+by forced marches from the far-off Transvaal. A short breathing space
+was also a great benefit to us, for we had many preparations to make in
+view of probable events in the near future. I did not deceive myself as
+to the meaning of the present situation; now that all of us, except two
+small parties at Commandonek and Witnek, had retreated behind the lofty
+Roodebergen, I could see that, in all probability, we must before long
+be annihilated by the immense forces of the enemy.
+
+The Roodebergen, which now separated us from the English, is a vast
+chain of mountains, extending from the Caledon River on the Basuto
+frontier to Slabbertsnek, then stretching away to Witzeshoek, where it
+again touches Basutoland. The passes over this wild mountain range are
+Commandonek, Witnek, Slabbertsnek, Retiefsnek, Naauwpoort and
+Witzeshoek. These are almost the only places where the mountains can be
+crossed by vehicles or horses; and, moreover, there are long stretches
+where they are impassable even to pedestrians.
+
+It is plain enough, therefore, that nothing would have pleased the
+English more than for us to have remained behind the Roodebergen. If
+those Free-Staters--they must have been thinking--try to make a stand
+there, it will be the last stand they will ever make.
+
+And the English would have been quite right in their anticipations. To
+have stayed where we then were would, without doubt, have been the end
+of us. Therefore, when the proposal was made that we should take
+positions in the mountains, I opposed it as emphatically as I could,
+alleging incontrovertible arguments against it. It was then decided that
+all our forces, with the exception of a small watch, should issue forth
+from behind the mountains.
+
+We also arranged to divide the whole of the commandos[61] we had with us
+into three parts:--
+
+I was in supreme command of the first division, which was to march under
+the orders of General Botha. It consisted of burghers from Heilbron,
+under Commandant Steenekamp, and of Kroonstad men, under Commandant Van
+Aard. Besides these, there were also five hundred men from Bethlehem,
+under Commandant Michal Prinsloo; the burghers from Boshof, under
+Veldtcornet Badenhorst; a small number of Colonials from Griqualand,
+under Vice-Commandant Van Zyl; and some Potchefstroom burghers, who
+happened to be with us. Further, I took with me, for scouting purposes,
+Danie Theron and his corps of eighty men, recruited from almost every
+nation on the face of the earth; Captain Scheepers and his men also
+served me in the same capacity.
+
+The Government and its officials were placed under my protection;
+and I was to set out, on July the 15th, in the direction of
+Kroonstad-Heilbron.
+
+The second division was entrusted to Assistant Commander-in-Chief Paul
+Roux, with P.J. Fourie and C.C. Froneman as Vechtgeneraals. It was
+composed of burghers from Fauresmith, under Commandant Visser; from
+Bloemfontein, under Commandant Du Plooij; from Wepener, under Commandant
+Roux; from Smithfield, under Commandant Potgieter; from Thaba'Nchu,
+under Commandant J.H. Olivier; from Jacobsdal, under Commandant H.
+Pretorius; and of the Deetje Bloemfontein commando, under Commandant
+Kolbe.
+
+This force was to wait until the day after my departure, that is, until
+the 16th, and then proceed in the evening in the direction of
+Bloemfontein. From the capital it was to go south, and during its
+advance it was to bring back to the commandos all those burghers in the
+southern districts who had remained behind.
+
+General Crowther was given the command over the third division, which
+consisted of the burghers from Ficksburg, under Commandant P. De
+Villiers; from Ladybrand, under Commandant Ferreira; from Winburg, under
+Commandant Sarel Harebroek; and from Senekal, under Commandant Van der
+Merve.
+
+This division was to start on the 16th, and marching to the north of
+Bethlehem, was to continue advancing in that direction until it fell in
+with the commandos from Harrismith and Vrede under Commander-in-Chief
+Hattingh. It would then operate, under his directions, in the
+north-eastern districts.
+
+The remainder of Commandant Michal Prinsloo's Bethlehem men--that is to
+say, the burghers of Wittebergen--were to stay behind as a watch, and to
+take orders from Mr. Marthinus Prinsloo. This watch was divided into
+three sections: the first to occupy a position at Slabbertsnek, the
+second at Retiefsnek, and the third at Naauwpoort. They were forbidden
+to use waggons; thus if the enemy should appear in overwhelming numbers,
+it would always be possible for them to escape across the mountains.
+
+My reason for selecting these men in preference to others, was that they
+belonged to the district, and thus were well acquainted with every foot
+of this rough and difficult country. Their duties were simply to protect
+the large numbers of cattle which we had driven on to the mountains, and
+I anticipated that there would be no difficulty about this, for now that
+all our commandos had left those parts, the English would not think it
+worth while to send a large force against a mere handful of watchers.
+
+Thus everything was settled, and on the 15th of July I set out through
+Slabbertsnek, expecting that the other generals would follow me,
+conformably to my orders and the known wishes of the Government.
+
+But what really happened?
+
+Immediately after my departure, some of the officers, displeased that
+Assistant Commander-in-Chief Roux should have been entrusted with the
+command, expressed the wish that another meeting should be held and a
+new Assistant Commander-in-Chief elected. This would have been
+absolutely illegal, for the Volksraad had decreed that the President
+should be empowered to alter all the commando-laws. But even then, all
+would have gone well if Roux had only stood firm. Unfortunately,
+however, he yielded, and on July the 17th a meeting was called together
+at which Mr. Marthinus Prinsloo was chosen Assistant Commander-in-Chief.
+He had a bare majority even at the actual meeting, and several officers,
+who had been unable to be present, had still to record their votes.
+
+Not only, therefore, had Prinsloo been elected irregularly, but his
+election, such as it was, could only be considered as provisional.
+Nevertheless, for the moment, power was in his hands. How did he use it?
+
+He surrendered unconditionally to the English.
+
+On the 17th and 18th of July the enemy had broken through at
+Slabbertsnek and Retiefsnek, causing the greatest confusion among our
+forces.
+
+Many of the officers and burghers were for an immediate surrender, as
+appears from the fact that the same assembly which, in defiance of the
+law, elected Mr. Prinsloo as Commander-in-Chief, also decided, by
+seventeen votes to thirteen, to give up their forces to the enemy. But
+this decision was at once rescinded--an act of policy on the part of the
+officers--and it was agreed to ask for an armistice of six days, to
+enable them to take counsel with the Government.
+
+A more senseless course of action could hardly be imagined. The Boer
+Army, as anybody could see, was in a very tight place. Did its officers
+think that the English would be so foolish as to grant an armistice at
+such a time as this--when all that the burghers wanted was a few days in
+which to effect their escape? Either the officers were remarkably
+short-sighted, or ... something worse.
+
+It was still possible for the commandos to retire in the direction of
+Oldenburg or of Witzeshoek. But instead of getting this done with all
+speed, Mr. Prinsloo began a correspondence with General Hunter about
+this ridiculous armistice, which the English general of course refused
+to grant.
+
+It was on July the 29th, 1900, that Prinsloo, with all the burghers on
+the mountains, surrendered unconditionally to the enemy.
+
+The circumstances of this surrender were so suspicious, that it is hard
+to acquit the man who was responsible for it of a definite act of
+treachery; and the case against him is all the more grave from the fact
+that Vilonel, who was at that time serving a term of imprisonment for
+high treason, had a share in the transaction.
+
+Prinsloo's surrender included General Crowther, Commandants Paul De
+Villiers, Ferreira, Joubert, Du Plooij, Potgieter, Crowther, Van der
+Merve, and Roux; and about three thousand men.
+
+The most melancholy circumstance about the whole affair was that, when
+the surrender was made, some of the burghers had reached the farm of
+Salamon Raath, and were thus as good as free, and yet had to ride back,
+and to go with the others to lay down their arms.
+
+As to Roux, the deposed Commander-in-Chief, there is a word to be added.
+I had always heard that he was a very cautious man, and yet on this
+occasion he acted like a child, going _in person_ to General Hunter's
+camp to protest against the surrender, on the ground that it was he
+(Roux), and not Prinsloo, that was Commander-in-Chief. One can hardly
+believe that he really thought it possible thus to nullify Prinsloo's
+act. But he certainly behaved as if he did, and his ingenuous conduct
+must have afforded much amusement to the English general.
+
+If any one is in doubt as to what was the result of General Roux's
+absurd escapade, I have only to say that the English had one prisoner
+the more!
+
+Those who escaped were but few. Of all our large forces, there were only
+Generals Froneman, Fourie and De Villiers (of Harrismith); Commandants
+Hasebroek, Olivier, Visser, Kolbe, and a few others; a small number of
+burghers, and six or seven guns, that did not fall into the hands of the
+English.
+
+What, then, is to be our judgment on this act of Prinsloo and of the
+other chief officers in command of our forces behind the Roodebergen?
+
+That it was nothing short of an act of murder, committed on the
+Government, the country, and the nation, to surrender three thousand men
+in such a way. Even the burghers themselves cannot be held to have been
+altogether without guilt, though they can justly plead that they were
+only obeying orders.
+
+The sequel to Prinsloo's surrender was on a par with it. A large number
+of burghers from Harrismith and a small part of the Vrede commando,
+although they had already made good their escape, rode quietly from
+their farms into Harrismith, and there surrendered to General Sir Hector
+Macdonald.--One could gnash one's teeth to think that a nation should so
+readily rush to its own ruin!
+
+[Footnote 61: The Harrismith and Vrede commandos had also received
+orders to join us.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+I am Driven into the Transvaal
+
+
+As I have already stated, I led my commando, on the 15th of July,
+through Slabbertsnek, out of the mountain district. My force amounted to
+the total of two thousand six hundred burghers. The Government travelled
+with us, and also alas! four hundred waggons and carts. Whatever I did,
+it seemed as if I could not get rid of the waggons!
+
+That night we reached a farm six miles to the east of Kaffirs Kop;
+during our march we passed a column of the enemy that had left Bethlehem
+in the afternoon.
+
+On the following day I came into contact with some English troops, who
+were marching in the direction of Witnek. They sent out a body of
+cavalry to ascertain what our plans might be. It was very annoying to me
+that they should thus discover our whereabouts, because it made it
+impossible to carry out my intention of attacking one or other of the
+English forces.
+
+However, nothing was done that day, as neither we nor the enemy took up
+the offensive.
+
+In the evening we pushed on to the east of Lindley, and the following
+day remained at the spot we had reached. The next evening we marched to
+the farm of Riversdale; and the night of the 18th found us on the farm
+of Mr. Thomas Naudé, to the north-west of Lindley. We discovered that
+the English had all left this village and gone to Bethlehem. My scouts
+reported to me, the following day, that an English force, some four
+hundred men strong, was approaching Lindley. Need I say that these men
+had to be captured? With five hundred burghers and two guns I went out
+to do this. When I was only a short distance from my camp, I received a
+report that a large force of cavalry, numbering seven or eight thousand
+men, had arrived on the scene from Bethlehem. This compelled me to
+abandon the idea of capturing those four hundred men, and, instead, to
+try to escape in a westerly direction from this large body of mounted
+troops.
+
+That evening we reached the farm of Mr. C. Wessels, at Rivierplaats. The
+next day we were forced to move on, for the mounted troops were coming
+nearer to us. They marched, however, somewhat more to the right in the
+direction of Roodewal; whereas I went towards Honingspruit, and halted
+for the night at the farm of Paardenkraal.
+
+On the following morning, the 20th of July, I let the commando go on,
+whilst I stayed behind to reconnoitre from a neighbouring kop. The
+President, and also some members of the Government, remained with me. We
+had the opportunity of accepting the invitation of Mr. C. Wessels to
+take breakfast at his house. It was there that General Piet de Wet came
+to me and asked if I still saw any chance of being able to continue the
+struggle?
+
+The question made me very angry, and I did not try to hide the fact.
+
+"Are you mad?"[62] I shouted, and with that I turned on my heel and
+entered the house, quite unaware that Piet de Wet had that very moment
+mounted his horse, and ridden away to follow his own course.
+
+After breakfast we climbed the kop; and when we had made our observation
+we followed after the laager. On reaching the commando, I gave orders to
+outspan at twelve o'clock.
+
+While this was being done I heard from my sons that Piet de Wet had
+told them that we should all be captured that night near the railway
+line. He had not known that it was my intention to cross the railway
+that night, but he had guessed as much from the direction I let my
+commando take.
+
+At two o'clock I received a report that two divisions of English troops
+were drawing near. One division was six miles to the left, and the other
+eight miles to the right of the road along which we had come.
+
+I gave orders immediately that the laager should break up. What an
+indescribable burden this camp, with four hundred and sixty waggons and
+carts, was to me! What a demoralizing effect it had upon the burghers!
+My patience was sorely tried. Not only were we prevented from moving
+rapidly by these hampering waggons, but also, should we have to fight, a
+number of the burghers would be required to look after them, and so be
+unable to fire a shot.
+
+We marched to the farm of Mr. Hendrik Serfontein, on Doornspruit, and
+whilst I was there, waiting for darkness, some burghers, who were not my
+scouts, brought a report that there were English camps both at
+Honingspruit and at Kaallaagte.
+
+This alarmed the President and the members of the Government, because,
+should this report prove true, we should be unable to cross the railway
+line without hard fighting, and besides there would be a considerable
+risk of being taken prisoner.
+
+For myself, I did not pay any attention to these burghers. I relied on
+my own scouts, and I waited for their reports. I knew that if there had
+been any truth in what we had been told, that I should have heard the
+news already from the men whom I had sent out in the morning in that
+direction. At last some of Captain Scheepers' men appeared--he was
+scouting in front, and Captain Danie Theron in the rear--and reported
+that the railway line was clear, with the exception that at Honingspruit
+there were half a dozen tents, and four in the Kaallaagte[63] to the
+north of Serfontein, and a few small outposts. This information came as
+a great relief to the President and the members of the Government.
+
+If I was to escape from the large force which was dogging my footsteps,
+it was now necessary to cross the railway. I had made all preparation
+for this move. I had left behind me, that afternoon, on the banks of
+Doornspruit a commando of burghers, with orders to keep the enemy back
+until we should have crossed the line. And now I only waited until the
+darkness should come to my assistance.
+
+As soon as the night came I ordered the waggons to proceed in four rows,
+with a force on each side, and with a rearguard and vanguard.
+Immediately behind the vanguard followed the President and myself. When
+we were about twenty minutes' march from the railway line I ordered the
+two wings of my force, which were about three miles apart, to occupy the
+line to the right and left of Serfontein Siding.
+
+Before we had quite reached the railway I ordered the vanguard to remain
+with the President, whilst I myself, with fifteen men, rode on to cut
+the telegraph wire. Whilst we were engaged in this task a train
+approached at full speed from the south. I had no dynamite with me, and
+I could neither blow it up nor derail it. I could only place stones on
+the line, but these were swept away by the cowcatcher, and so the train
+passed in safety.
+
+I had forbidden any shooting, for an engagement would have only produced
+the greatest confusion in my big laager.
+
+Just as the last waggon was crossing the line, I received a report that
+Captain Theron had captured a train to the south of us. Having ordered
+the waggons to proceed, I rode over to see what had happened. When I
+arrived at the scene of action I found that the train had come to a
+standstill owing to the breaking down of the engine, and that on this
+the English troops had at once opened fire on my men, but that it had
+not been long before the enemy surrendered. Four of the English, but
+only one of our burghers, had been wounded.
+
+It was very annoying that the laager was so far off, but it was
+impossible to carry off the valuable ammunition which we found on the
+train.
+
+I gave orders that the four wounded soldiers, who were under the care of
+the conductor of the train, should be taken from the hut in which I had
+found them, and placed in a van where they would be safe when I set fire
+to the train. After the burghers had helped themselves to sugar, coffee,
+and such things, I burned everything that was left. My ninety-eight
+prisoners I took with me.
+
+We had not gone far when we heard the small arm ammunition explode; but
+I cannot say that the sound troubled me at all!
+
+Thus we crossed the line in safety, and Piet de Wet's prediction did not
+come true. He knew that we had a large force behind us, and believing
+that the railway line in front of us would be occupied by troops, he had
+said: "This evening you will all be captured on the railway line." Yet
+instead of finding ourselves captured, we had taken ninety-eight
+prisoners, and destroyed a heavily-laden train! How frequently a Higher
+Power over-rules the future in a way we least expect!
+
+That night we reached the farm of Mahemsspruit. From there we moved on
+to the Wonderheurel; and on the 22nd of July we arrived at the farm of
+Vlakkuil. I remained here for a day, for I wished to find out what the
+English troops (they had remained where we left them by the railway
+line) were intending to do.
+
+Whilst I was waiting I despatched some corn on a few of my waggons to
+Mr. Mackenzie's mills near Vredefort, giving orders that it should be
+ground.
+
+During the afternoon it was reported to me that a strong column of
+English were marching from Rhenosterriviersbrug to Vredefort, and that
+they had camped on the farm Klipstapel, some eight miles from my laager.
+
+Shortly after sunrise the following morning a second report was brought
+to me. It appeared that the enemy had sent out a force to capture our
+grain waggons, and had nearly overtaken them.
+
+In an instant we were in our saddles, but we were too late to save our
+corn.
+
+When the enemy saw us they halted at once; and meanwhile the waggons
+hurried on, at their utmost speed, to our camp.
+
+The English numbered between five and six hundred men, whilst we were
+only four hundred. But although we were the smaller force, I had no
+intention of allowing our waggons to be captured without a shot, and I
+ordered my burghers to charge.
+
+It was an open plain; there was no possible cover either for us or for
+the English. But we could not consider matters of that sort.
+
+The burghers charged magnificently, and some even got to within two
+hundred paces of the enemy. They then dismounted, and, lying flat upon
+the ground, opened a fierce fire. One of the hottest fights one can
+imagine followed.
+
+Fortunately a few paces behind the burghers there was a hollow, and here
+the horses were placed.
+
+After an hour's fighting, I began to think that any moment the enemy
+might be put to rout. But then something happened which had happened
+very often before--a reinforcement appeared.
+
+This reinforcement brought two guns with it; thus nothing was left to me
+but retreat. Our loss was five killed and twelve wounded. What the loss
+of the English was I do not know, but if the Kaffirs who lived near
+there are to be trusted, it must have been considerable.
+
+In the evening I moved my camp to Rhenosterpoort; whilst the English
+went back to Klipstapel.
+
+And now the English concentrated their forces. Great Army Corps gathered
+round. From Bethlehem and Kroonstad new columns were constantly
+arriving, until my force seemed nothing in comparison with them.
+
+I was stationed on the farm of Rhenosterpoort, which is situated on the
+Vaal River, twenty miles from Potchefstroom. At that town there was a
+strong force of the enemy, on which I had constantly to keep my eye.
+
+But, notwithstanding their overpowering numbers, it seemed as if the
+English had no desire to follow me into the mountains of Rhenosterpoort.
+They had a different plan. They began to march around me, sending troops
+from Vredefort over Wonderheurel to Rhenoster River, and placing camps
+all along the river as far as Baltespoort, and from there again
+extending their cordon until Scandinavierdrift was reached.
+
+We were forced now either to break through this cordon, or to cross the
+Vaal River into the South African Republic. The Free-Stater preferred to
+remain in his own country, and he would have been able to do so had we
+not been hampered by a big "waggon-camp" and a large number of oxen. As
+these were with us, the Boers found it hard to make up their minds to
+break through the English lines as a horse-commando, as it necessitated
+leaving all these waggons and oxen in the hands of the enemy. But there
+we were between the cordon and the Vaal River.
+
+Almost every day we came into contact with the enemy's outposts, and we
+had an engagement with them near Witkopjes Rheboksfontein. On another
+occasion we met them on different terms, in Mr. C.J. Bornman's house.
+Some of his "visitors" were, unfortunately for themselves, found to be
+English scouts--and became our prisoners.
+
+We remained where we were until the 2nd of August. On that day we had to
+drink a cup of bitterness. It was on the 2nd of August that I received
+the news that Prinsloo had surrendered near Naauwpoort.
+
+A letter arrived from General Broadwood in which he told me that a
+report from General Marthinus Prinsloo addressed to me had arrived
+through his lines. The bearer of it was General Prinsloo's secretary,
+Mr. Kotzé. And now the English General asked me if I would guarantee
+that the secretary should be allowed to return, after he had given me
+particulars of the report he had brought.
+
+Mr. Prinsloo's secretary must certainly have thought that he was the
+chosen man to help us poor lost sheep, and to lead us safely into the
+hands of the English! But I cannot help thinking that he was rather too
+young for the task.
+
+I had a strong suspicion that there must have been some very important
+screw loose in the forces which we had left stationed behind the
+Roodebergen, for on the previous day I had received a letter from
+General Knox, who was at Kroonstad, telling me that General Prinsloo and
+his commandos had surrendered.
+
+In order to gain more information I gave General Broadwood my assurance
+that I would allow Mr. Prinsloo's secretary to return unhurt.
+
+When I had done this the President and some members of the Government
+rode out with me to meet the bearer of this report. We did not wish to
+give him any opportunities to spy out our positions. Half way between
+the English lines and our own we met him. He presented us with this
+letter:--
+
+     HUNTER'S CAMP, _30th July, 1900_.
+
+     TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, C.R. DE WET.
+
+     SIR,--
+
+     I have been obliged, owing to the overwhelming forces of the enemy,
+     to surrender unconditionally with all the Orange Free State laagers
+     here.
+
+     I have the honour to be, Sir,
+       Your obedient servant,
+         M. PRINSLOO,
+           _Commander-in-Chief_.
+
+I sent my reply in an unclosed envelope. It ran as follows:--
+
+     IN THE VELDT, _3rd August, 1900_.
+
+     TO MR. M. PRINSLOO.
+
+     SIR,--
+
+     I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated
+     the 30th of last month. I am surprised to see that you call
+     yourself Commander-in-Chief. By what right do you usurp that title?
+     You have no right to act as Commander-in-Chief.
+
+     I have the honour to be,
+       C.R. DE WET,
+         _Commander-in-Chief_.
+
+Hardly had I written this letter before two men on horseback appeared.
+They proved to be burghers sent by General Piet Fourie, who was with
+Prinsloo at the time of his surrender. These burghers brought from
+Generals Fourie, Froneman, and from Commandant Hasebroek and others, a
+fuller report of the surrender of Prinsloo. We learnt from the report
+that not all of the burghers had surrendered, but that, on the contrary,
+some two thousand had escaped. This news relieved our minds.
+
+President Steyn and myself determined to despatch Judge Hertzog to the
+commandos which had escaped, giving him instructions to bring them back
+with him if possible. We had been told that these commandos were
+somewhere on the Wilgerivier, in the district of Harrismith.
+
+My position had now become very difficult. It seemed, as far as I could
+discover, that there were five or six English generals and forty
+thousand troops, of which the greater part were mounted, all of them
+trying their best to capture the Government and me.
+
+My force numbered two thousand five hundred men.
+
+On the afternoon when I received the above-mentioned letter, there was
+still a way of escape open to me, through Parijs[64] to Potchefstroom.
+This road crossed the Vaal River at Schoemansdrift, and then followed
+the course of the stream between Parijs and Vanvurenskloof. It was now,
+however, somewhat unsafe, for that same afternoon a large force of the
+enemy was marching along the Vaal River from Vredefort to Parijs. These
+troops would be able to reach Vanvurenskloof early the following
+morning; whilst the force at Potchefstroom, which I have already
+mentioned in this chapter, would also be able to arrive there at the
+same hour.
+
+I led my burghers that evening across the Vaal River to Venterskroon,
+which lies six miles from Schoemansdrift. The following morning my
+scouts reported that the English were rapidly approaching from
+Potchefstroom in two divisions; one was at Zandnek: the other had
+already reached Roodekraal on its way to Schoemansdrift. One of these
+divisions, my scouts told me, might be turning aside to Vanvurenskloof.
+
+Now the road from Venterskroon passed between two mountain chains to the
+north of Vanvurenskloof; and I feared that the English would block the
+way there. I had to avoid this at all costs, but I had hardly a man
+available for the purpose. The greater part of my burghers were still to
+the south-east and south-west of the Vaal River.
+
+There was nothing left for me to do except to take the burghers who
+remained with me, and, whilst the laager followed us as quickly as
+possible, to advance and prevent the enemy from occupying the kloof.
+This I did, and took a part of my men to Vanvurenskloof, whilst I sent
+another body of burghers to Zandnek.
+
+Everything went smoothly. The enemy did not appear and the laager
+escaped without let or hindrance--and so we camped at Vanvurenskloof.
+
+I must have misled the English, for they certainly would have thought
+that I would come out by the road near Roodekraal. But I cannot
+understand why the force in our rear, which had arrived at Parijs the
+previous evening, remained there overnight, nor why, when they did move
+on the following morning, they marched to Lindequesdrift, eight miles up
+the Vaal River, and not, as might well have been expected, to
+Vanvurenskloof.
+
+The burghers whom I sent in the direction of Roodekraal had a fight with
+the enemy at Tijgerfontein. A heavy bombardment took place; and my men
+told me afterwards that the baboons, of which there were a large number
+in these mountains, sprang from cliff to cliff screaming with
+fright--poor creatures--as the rocks were split on every side by the
+lyddite shells.
+
+The burghers came to close quarters with the enemy, and a fierce
+engagement with small arms took place.
+
+It appeared later that the enemy's casualties amounted to more than a
+hundred dead and wounded. Our loss was only two men.
+
+As I have already stated, we camped at Vanvurenskloof. The next morning,
+while we were still there, we were surprised by the enemy--an unpleasant
+thing for men with empty stomachs.
+
+I did not receive any report from my scouts[65] until the English were
+not more than three thousand paces from us, and had already opened fire
+on the laager, not only with their guns, but also with their rifles. We
+at once took the best positions we could find; and meanwhile the waggons
+got away as quickly as possible. They succeeded in getting over the
+first ridge, and thus gained a certain amount of shelter, whilst we kept
+the English busy.
+
+The enemy approached nearer and nearer to us with overpowering forces.
+Then they charged, and I saw man after man fall, struck down by our
+merciless fire. We were quite unable to hold the enemy back, and so we
+had to leave our positions, having lost one dead and one wounded.
+
+That night we marched ten miles to the east of Gatsrand, on the road to
+Frederiksstad Station, and the following morning we arrived at the foot
+of the mountain. Here we outspanned for a short time, but we could not
+wait long, for our pursuers were following us at a great pace. It was
+not only the force from the other side of Vanvurenskloof with which we
+had to deal. The united forces of the English had now concentrated from
+different points with the purpose of working our ruin.
+
+The English were exceedingly angry that we had escaped from them on the
+Vaal River, for they had thought that they had us safely in their hands.
+That we should have succeeded in eluding them was quite beyond their
+calculations; and in order to free themselves from any blame in the
+matter, they reported that we had crossed the river at a place where
+there was no ford, but this was not true; we had crossed by the waggon
+and post ford--the well-known Schoemansdrift.
+
+But whether the enemy were angry or not, there was no doubt that they
+were pursuing us in very large numbers, and that we had to escape from
+them. That evening, the 7th of August, we went to the north of
+Frederiksstad Station, and blew up a bridge with two spans and wrecked
+the line with dynamite.
+
+The following day we arrived at the Mooi River. This river is never dry
+winter or summer, but always flows with a stream as clear as crystal. It
+affords an inexhaustible supply of water to the rich land that lies
+along its bank. It is a fitting name for it--the name of Mooi.[66]
+
+At the other side of this river we found General Liebenberg's commando,
+which, like ourselves, was in the trap.
+
+The General joined us on our march, and the following day we were nine
+miles from Ventersdorp.
+
+Early that morning a report came that the English were approaching and
+were extended right across the country.
+
+"Inspan!"
+
+No man uttered a word of complaint; each man did his work so quickly
+that one could hardly believe that a laager could be put on the move in
+so short a time. And away the waggons and carts skurried, steering their
+course to Ventersdorp.
+
+It was impossible to think of fighting--the enemy's numbers were far too
+great. Our only safety lay in flight.
+
+We knew very well that an Englishman cannot keep up with a Boer on the
+march, and that if he tries to do so, he soon finds that his horses and
+oxen can go no further. Our intention was then to march at the very best
+pace we could, so that the enemy might be forced to stop from sheer
+exhaustion. And as the reader will soon see, our plan was successful.
+
+Nevertheless we had to do some fighting, to protect our laager from a
+force of cavalry that was rapidly coming up with us.
+
+They wanted to make an end of this small body of Boers, which was always
+retreating, but yet, now and again, offering some slight
+resistance--this tiny force that was always teaching them unpleasant
+lessons; first at Retiefsnek, then to the north of Lindley, then on the
+railway line, then near Vredefort, then at Rhenosterpoort, and then
+again at Tijgerfontein. Yes; this sort of thing must come to an end once
+for all!
+
+We attacked the approaching troops, and succeeded in checking their
+advance. But our resistance could not last long, and soon we had to
+retreat and leave one of our Krupps behind us.
+
+Had I not continued firing with my Krupp until it was impossible to save
+it, then, in all probability, the laager would have been taken. But
+with the loss of this Krupp we saved the laager.
+
+I withdrew my burghers; I released the prisoners whom I had with me.
+
+And now it was my task to make it as difficult as possible for my
+pursuers. The winter grass on the veldt was dry and very inflammable,
+and I decided to set fire to it, in order that the English might find it
+impossible to obtain pasture for their oxen and cattle. I accordingly
+set it alight, and very soon the country behind was black.
+
+We hurried on until we reached Mr. Smit's farm, which is one hour on
+horseback from the southern slopes of the Witwatersrand--the great
+dividing chain of mountains that runs in the direction of Marico.
+Crossing this range, we continued on the march the whole night until, on
+the morning of the 11th of August, we arrived at the southern side of
+the Magaliesberg.
+
+In the afternoon we went over the saddle of the mountain and across the
+Krokodil River.
+
+My idea was to remain here and give our horses and oxen a rest, for the
+veldt was in good condition, and we could, if it were necessary, occupy
+the shoulder of the mountain behind us.
+
+General Liebenberg took possession of the position to the west, near
+Rustenburg; but hardly had he done so, before the English made their
+appearance, coming over another part of the mountain. He sent me a
+report to this effect, adding that he was unable to remain where he was
+stationed.
+
+Thus again we had to retreat, and I was unable to give my animals the
+rest I had intended to give them.
+
+We now took the road from Rustenburg to Pretoria, and arrived the
+following evening close to Commandonek, which we soon found was held by
+an English force.
+
+I left the laager behind and rode on in advance with a horse-commando.
+When I was a short distance from the enemy, I sent a letter to the
+officer in command, telling him that, if he did not surrender, I would
+attack him. I did this in order to discover the strength of the English
+force, and to find out if it were possible to attack the enemy at once,
+and forcing our way through the Nek, get to the east of the forces that
+were pursuing me.
+
+My despatch rider succeeded in getting into the English camp before he
+could be blindfolded. He came back with the customary refusal, and
+reported that although the enemy's force was not very large, still the
+positions held were so strong that I could not hope to be able to
+capture them before the English behind me arrived.
+
+I had therefore to give up the thought of breaking through these and
+flanking the English. Thus, instead of attacking the enemy, we went in
+the direction of Zoutpan, and arrived a few hours later at the Krokodil
+River.
+
+I had now left the English a considerable distance behind me; and so at
+last--we were able to give ourselves a little rest.
+
+[Footnote 62: I put down here the very words I used, for any other
+course would not be honest.]
+
+[Footnote 63: Kaallaagte--a barren hollow.]
+
+[Footnote 64: Parijs is situated on the Vaal River.]
+
+[Footnote 65: The reason why Captain Scheepers was so late in sending
+his report was because he himself was engaging the enemy with six of his
+men near Zandnek. He had come across a convoy of fourteen waggons and
+thirty men, and had, after an hour's fight, nearly brought them to the
+point of surrendering, when reinforcements arrived. He was thus forced
+to retire, and then discovered that the enemy were approaching our
+laager; and he had a hair's breadth escape from capture in bringing me
+the report.]
+
+[Footnote 66: "Mooi" means beautiful in the Taal language.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+I Return to the Free State
+
+
+Whilst we were encamped on the Krokodil River, President Steyn expressed
+a wish to pay a visit, with the Members of his Government, to the
+Government of the South African Republic, which was then at Machadodorp.
+This was no easy task to accomplish, for one would have to pass through
+a part of the Transvaal where there was a great scarcity of water--it
+was little better than a desert--and where in some places the Kaffirs
+were unfriendly. In other words, one would have to go through the
+Boschveldt. There would also be some danger from the English, since the
+President would have to cross the Pietersburg Railway, which was in that
+direction.
+
+However, this plan was approved.
+
+I decided not to accompany the President, but to return at once with two
+hundred riders to the Orange Free State. I intended to make it known on
+the farms which I passed on the way that I was going back, hoping thus
+to draw the attention of the English from our laager.
+
+I called together the Commandants, and informed them of my intention.
+They agreed that the course I proposed was the right one. Commandant
+Steenekamp was then nominated to act as Assistant Commander-in-Chief,
+with the duty of conducting the laager through the Boschveldt.
+
+On August the 14th President Steyn left the laager on his way to
+Machadodorp; and I myself took my departure three days later. I took
+with me General Philip Botha and Commandant Prinsloo, and 200 men, and
+also Captain Scheepers with his corps, which consisted of thirty men.
+With the addition of my staff we numbered altogether 246 men.
+
+Thus our ways parted--the President going to the Government of the South
+African Republic, the laager to the north, and I back to the Free State.
+I had now to cross the Magalies Mountains. The nearest two passes were
+Olifantsnek and Commandonek. But the first named was too much to the
+west, and the second was probably occupied by the English. I therefore
+decided to take a footpath that crossed the mountains between the two
+saddles. I was forced to choose this middle road because I had no means
+of ascertaining whether Commandonek was, or was not, in the hands of the
+enemy.
+
+On August 18th we arrived at a house where some Germans were living--the
+parents and sisters of Mr. Penzhorn, Secretary to General Piet Cronje.
+They were exceedingly friendly to us, and did all in their power to make
+us comfortable.
+
+We did not stay here for long, but were on the march again the same day.
+Soon after we had mounted our horses we came in sight of a large English
+camp, which was stationed on the road from Rustenburg to Pretoria,
+between Commandonek and Krokodil River. This camp lay about six miles to
+the south-east of the point where we first saw it. Another great camp
+stood about seven miles to the north-west.
+
+The enemy could see us clearly, as it was open veldt, with only a few
+bushes cropping up here and there. We now rode on in the direction of
+Wolhuterskop, which is close to the Magalies Mountains. I thought I
+should thus be able to reach the great road from Rustenburg to Pretoria,
+which was eight or nine miles from the footpath across the Magaliesberg.
+When we were about two miles east of Wolhuterskop we suddenly came upon
+two English scouts. One of them we captured; and he told us that there
+was a great force of the enemy in front of us and marching in our
+direction. What could we do now? It was impossible to proceed along the
+footpath because that road was closed by the enemy. North and west of us
+there were other bodies of troops, as I have already said; and there,
+directly in front of us, were the chains of the Magaliesbergen. Thus we
+found ourselves between four fires.
+
+In addition to this, I was much troubled by the thought that our horses
+were now exhausted by all this endless marching. I knew this was also
+the case with the English horses, but for all I knew, they might have
+obtained fresh ones from Pretoria. They could at all events have picked
+the best horses from each camp, and thus send an overpowering force
+against me. This was one of those moments when a man has to keep his
+presence of mind, or else all is lost.
+
+Whilst I was still thinking the matter over, troops began to come out of
+the camps, about two miles to the west of us on the road between
+Wolhuterskop and Magaliesberg. The scout who had escaped might now be
+with that force. I had therefore to act at once.
+
+I decided on climbing the Magalies Mountains, without a path or road!
+
+Near by there was a Kaffir hut, and I rode up to it. When the Kaffir
+came out to me, I pointed to the Magalies Mountains, and asked:--
+
+"Right before us, can a man cross there?"
+
+"No, baas,[67] you cannot!" the Kaffir answered.
+
+"Has a man never ridden across here?"
+
+"Yes, baas," replied the Kaffir, "long ago."
+
+"Do baboons walk across?"
+
+"Yes! baboons do, but not a man."
+
+"Come on!" I said to my burghers. "This is our only way, and where a
+baboon can cross, we can cross."
+
+With us was one Adriaan Matthijsen, a corporal who came from the
+district of Bethlehem, and was a sort of jocular character. He looked up
+at the mountains, 2,000 feet above him, and sighed:--
+
+"O Red Sea!"
+
+I replied, "The children of Israel had faith and went through, and all
+you need is faith. This is not the first Red Sea we have met with and
+will not be the last!"
+
+What Corporal Matthijsen thought I do not know, for he kept silence. But
+he pulled a long face, as if saying to himself:--
+
+"Neither you, nor anybody else with us, is a Moses!"
+
+We climbed up unobserved to a bit of bush which, to continue the
+metaphor of the Red Sea, was a "Pillar of Cloud" to hide us from the
+English.
+
+We then reached a kloof[68] running in a south-westerly direction, and
+ascended by it, still out of sight of the English, till we reached a
+point nearly half-way up the mountain. There we had to leave the kloof,
+and, turning to the south, continue our ascent in full view of the
+enemy.
+
+It was now so precipitous that there was no possibility of proceeding
+any further on horseback. The burghers had therefore to lead their
+horses, and had great difficulty even in keeping their own footing. It
+frequently happened that a burgher fell and slipped backwards under his
+horse. The climb became now more and more difficult; and when we had
+nearly reached the top of the mountain, there was a huge slab of granite
+as slippery as ice, and here man and horse stumbled still more, and were
+continually falling.
+
+We were, as I have said, in view of the enemy, and although out of reach
+of the Lee-Metfords, were in range of their big guns!
+
+I heard burghers muttering:--
+
+"Suppose the enemy should aim those guns at us--what will become of us
+then? Nobody can get out of the road here!"
+
+I told them that this could only be done if the English had a Howitzer.
+But I did not add that this was a sort of gun which the columns now
+pursuing me were likely enough to possess.
+
+But nothing happened. The English neither shot at us, nor did they
+pursue us. Corporal Matthijsen would have said that they were more
+cautious than Pharaoh.
+
+We now reached the top of the mountain--entirely exhausted. I have
+ascended many a mountain--the rough cliffs of Majuba, the steep sides of
+Nicholson's Nek--but never before had I been so tired as I was now; yet
+in the depths of my heart I was satisfied. All our toil was repaid by
+the glorious panorama that now stretched out before us to the south. We
+saw the undulating veldt between the Magaliesbergen where we stood, and
+the Witwatersrand. Through a ravine we had a view extending for many
+miles, but wherever we cast our eyes there was no sign of anything that
+resembled the enemy.
+
+As it was now too late to off-saddle, we began, after having taken a
+little rest, to descend the mountain on the other side, my object being
+to reach a farm where I hoped to get some sheep or oxen for my men, who
+not only were tired out, but nearly famished.
+
+We went down the mountain--well, somewhat quicker than we had climbed
+it; however, we could not go very fast, as the incline was steep. In an
+hour and a half we reached a Boer farm.
+
+One can imagine how the burghers recovered their spirits as they ate
+their supper, and what it meant for them to give their tired limbs a
+rest.
+
+The following morning we found good horse-provender, and plenty of it.
+It was not as yet the habit of the English to burn everything they came
+across--they had not yet begun to carry out that policy of destruction.
+
+I now felt quite easy about the safety of our camp. The attention of
+the English would be turned in quite another direction.
+
+I was quite right in this view of the matter. For I heard a few days
+later that the enemy had not been able to pursue the laager as their
+draft-cattle and horses were so completely exhausted, that they had
+fallen down dead in heaps. I heard also that they had soon been made
+acquainted with the fact that I was on my way back to the Free State,
+where I would soon begin again to wreck railway lines and telegraph
+wires. They had also discovered that President Steyn had left the laager
+and was on the road to Machadodorp.
+
+It was on the 18th of August, 1900, that we were able to eat our crust
+of bread in safety on the farm just mentioned, and to let our horses
+have as much food as they wanted. It seemed that for the time being a
+heavy burden had fallen from our shoulders. That afternoon we crossed
+the Krokodil River, and stopped at a "winkel"[69] under the
+Witwatersrand, which had been spared as yet, although it was nearly
+empty of stores. Fodder, however, was plentiful, and thus, again, we
+could give our horses a good feed.
+
+I now received a report that a strong contingent of the enemy was on the
+march from Olifantsnek to Krugersdorp, and accordingly we rode off in
+the night. We found that this force was the very one that had flanked
+our laager the previous week, when we were passing Ventersdorp. The road
+which the enemy were taking was the same which Jameson had marched when
+he made his inroad into the South African Republic.
+
+My intention was to cross the enemy's path before daylight the following
+morning, which I succeeded in doing; and we heard no more of this force.
+I proceeded now in the direction of Gatsrand.
+
+From there I still went on, and crossed the Krugersdorp-Potchefstroom
+Railway, about eight or ten miles to the north of Bank Station.
+
+The line was then not guarded everywhere. There were small garrisons at
+the stations only, and so one could cross even in the day time. To my
+vexation, I had not a single cartridge of dynamite, or any implements at
+hand with which I could wreck the line. It was painful to see the
+railway line and not be able to do any damage to it! I had made it a
+rule never to be in the neighbourhood of a railway without interrupting
+the enemy's means of communication.
+
+We arrived now at the farm of Messrs. Wolfaard, who had been captured
+with General Cronje; and here I met Commandant Danie Theron, with his
+eighty men. He had come to this place to avoid the troops lying between
+Mooi River and Ventersdorp. His horses, although still weak, were yet
+somewhat rested, and I gave him orders to join me in a few days, in
+order to reinforce me until my commandos should come back. My intention
+was not to undertake any great operations, for my force was not strong
+enough for that. I intended my principal occupation to be to interrupt
+the communications of the enemy by wrecking the line and telegraph.
+
+With regard to the main line in the Free State I must remark here that
+things there were in a different condition from what they were on the
+Krugersdorp line, which we had crossed. The Free State railway was Lord
+Roberts' principal line of communication, and he had provided guards for
+it everywhere.
+
+During the night of August 21st, we arrived at Vanvurenskloof. How
+delightful it was when the sun rose to see once more the well-known
+mountains to the south of the Vaal River in our own Free State!
+
+"There is the Free State," we called out to each other when day broke.
+Every one was jubilant at seeing again that country which of all the
+countries on the earth is the best. From here I despatched General Botha
+with the purpose of collecting the burghers of Vrede and Harrismith who
+had remained at home, and of bringing them back to join me.
+
+We remained only as long as was necessary to rest the horses, and then
+at once went on. The same evening we arrived at the farm of
+Rhenosterpoort, where our laager had waited since we had crossed the
+Vaal River more than a week ago.
+
+The proprietor of the farm of Rhenosterpoort was old Mr. Jan Botha. It
+could not be that he belonged to the family of Paul Botha, of Kroonstad,
+for Jan Botha and his household (amongst whom was his son Jan, an
+excellent veldtcornet) were true Afrikanders. And even if he did belong
+to the family of Paul Botha, then the difference in his feelings and
+actions from those of other members of his family was no greater than
+that, alas! which frequently occurred in many families during this war.
+One member put everything at the disposal of his country, whereas
+another of the same name did everything possible against his country and
+his people. But there was no such discord here. The two old brothers of
+Mr. Botha, Philip and Hekky, were heart and soul with us.
+
+Potchefstroom was not at that time in the hands of the English. I rode
+over to the town, and then it was that the well-known photo was taken of
+me that has been spread about everywhere, in which I am represented with
+a Mauser in my hand. I only mention this so as to draw attention to the
+history of the weapon which I held in my hand. It is as follows:--
+
+When the enemy passed through Potchefstroom on their way to Pretoria,
+they left a garrison behind them, and many burghers went there to give
+up their arms, which forthwith were burnt in a heap. When the garrison
+left the dorp the burghers returned. Amongst them were some who set to
+work to make butts for the rifles that had been burnt.
+
+"This rifle," I was told by the man who showed it to me, "is the two
+hundredth that has been taken out of the burnt heap and repaired."
+
+This made such an impression on me that I took it in my hand, and had my
+photo taken with it. I am only sorry that I cannot mention the names of
+the burghers who did that work. Their names are worthy to be enrolled on
+the annals of our nation.
+
+After having provided myself with dynamite, I left Potchefstroom and
+returned to my commando, then quietly withdrew in the night to
+Rhenosterkop. From there I sent Veldtcornet Nicolaas Serfontein, of the
+Bethlehem commando, in the direction of Reitz and Lindley, to bring the
+Kaffirs there to a sense of their duty, for I had heard that they were
+behaving very brutally to our women. The remainder of the Bethlehem
+burghers under Commandant Prinsloo and Veldtcornet Du Preez, remained
+with me to assist me in getting under my supervision the commandos which
+had escaped from behind the Roodebergen. These were under the command of
+General Fourie, and some were in the south of the State. I left Captain
+Scheepers behind me with orders to wreck the line every night.
+
+That evening I went to Mr. Welman's farm, which was to the south-west of
+Kroonstad.
+
+There I received a report that the commandos under General Fourie were
+in the neighbourhood of Ladybrand. I sent a despatch to him and Judge
+Hertzog asking them to come and see me, with a view to bringing the
+burghers under arms again, in the southern and south-western districts
+of the State.
+
+This letter was taken by Commandant Michal Prinsloo and some despatch
+riders to General Fourie. The night that he crossed the line a train was
+passing, and he wrecked the railway both in front of it and behind it.
+The train could thus neither advance nor retreat, and it fell into the
+hands of Commandant Prinsloo, who, after having taken what he wanted,
+burnt it.
+
+With regard to myself, I remained in the neighbourhood of Commandant
+Nel's farm.
+
+Here I had the most wonderful of all the escapes that God allowed me in
+the whole course of the war.
+
+On the third evening at sunset, a Hottentot came to me. He said that his
+"baas," whose family lived about twelve miles from the farm of
+Commandant Nel, had laid down their arms, and that he could not remain
+in the service of the wife of such a bad "baas." He asked me if he could
+not become one of my "achterrijders."
+
+As he was still speaking to me, Landdrost Bosman from Bothaville, came
+to pay me a visit.
+
+"Good," I said to the Hottentot, "I shall see you about this again." For
+I wished to cross-question him. I then went into the house with the
+Landdrost, and spent a good deal of time in writing with him. Late in
+the evening he went back to Bothaville and I to bed exactly at eleven
+o'clock.
+
+I had scarcely laid down when the Hottentot came back to my thoughts,
+and I began to grow uneasy. I got up and went to the outhouse where my
+Kaffir slept. I woke him up and asked him where the Hottentot was. "Oh,
+he is gone," he replied, "to go and fetch his things to go with the
+baas."
+
+I at once felt that there was something wrong, and went and called my
+men. I told them to saddle-up, and went off with my staff to the farm of
+Mr. Schoeman on the Valsch River, to the east of Bothaville.
+
+On the following morning before daybreak, a force of two hundred English
+stormed the farm of Commandant Nel. They had come to take me prisoner.
+
+From Schoeman's farm I went to the Rhenoster River and found Captain
+Scheepers there. He reported that he had wrecked the line for four or
+five consecutive weeks, as I had told him.
+
+I also received there the sad news of the death of the
+never-to-be-forgotten Danie Theron, in a fight at Gatsrand. A more brave
+and faithful commander I have never seen.
+
+So Danie Theron was no more. His place would not be easily filled. Men
+as lovable or as valiant there might be, but where should I find a man
+who combined so many virtues and good qualities in one person? Not only
+had he the heart of a lion but he also possessed consummate tact and the
+greatest energy. When he received an order, or if he wished to do
+anything, then it was bend or break with him. Danie Theron answered the
+highest demands that could be made on a warrior.
+
+One of Commandant Theron's lieutenants, Jan Theron, was appointed in his
+place.
+
+From there I went with Captain Scheepers to the railway line, where I
+burnt a railway bridge temporarily constructed with sleepers, and
+wrecked a great part of the rails with dynamite. I then proceeded to
+various farms in the neighbourhood, and after a few days, with
+Commandant Michal Prinsloo, who had joined me, I returned to the same
+part of the railway in order to carry out its destruction on a larger
+scale.
+
+At twenty-five different places a charge of dynamite was placed with one
+man at the fuse, who had to set light to it as soon as he heard a
+whistle, that all charges could be ignited at the same time, and every
+one be out of the way when the pieces of iron were hurled in the air by
+the explosion.
+
+When the signal was heard the lucifers were struck everywhere, and the
+fuses ignited.
+
+The English, keeping watch on some other part of the line not far from
+us, on seeing the lights fired so fiercely on the burghers that they all
+took to their horses and galloped off.
+
+Only five charges exploded.
+
+I waited for a moment, but no sound broke the silence.
+
+"Come on!" I said, "we must fire all the charges."
+
+On reaching the line we had to search in the darkness for the spots
+where the dynamite had been placed. And now again the order was given
+that as soon as the whistle was blown every one had to ignite his fuse.
+
+Again there was a blunder!
+
+One of the burghers ignited his fuse before the signal had been given,
+and this caused such a panic that the others ran away. I and a few of my
+staff lay flat on the ground where we were until this charge had
+exploded, and then I went to fetch the burghers back.
+
+This time everything went off well, and all the charges exploded.
+
+The bridge I had destroyed had been rebuilt, and so I was forced to burn
+it again. When this was done we departed and rode on to Rietspruit,
+where we up-saddled, and then pushed on to Rhenosterpoort.
+
+[Footnote 67: Master.]
+
+[Footnote 68: Ravine.]
+
+[Footnote 69: General Store.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+The Oath of Neutrality
+
+
+Arriving at Rhenosterpoort, I found there Commandant F. Van Aard, with
+his commando. He told me that after I had left the laager, the burghers
+had not been troubled again by the English. He had gone on to Waterberg,
+and after having stayed there for a short time, he had returned to the
+laager. He still had some of his waggons with him, but in many cases the
+oxen had been so exhausted that the waggons had to be left behind, the
+burghers returning on horseback, or even on foot. He also told me that
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief Steenekamp had, just before my arrival, crossed
+the line in the direction of Heilbron, in which district there were then
+no English.
+
+Generals Fourie and Froneman, with Hertzog, were also at Rhenosterpoort,
+having left their commandos behind, in the district of Winburg.
+
+They had much to tell me which I had heard already, but which I now
+obtained at first hand. It appeared that the burghers who had been taken
+prisoner with General Prinsloo had been sent to Ceylon, notwithstanding
+the promise that had been given them that their property would be safe,
+and that they would be allowed to return to their farms.
+
+It was now that I conceived the great plan of bringing under arms all
+the burghers who had laid down their weapons, and taken the oath of
+neutrality, and of sending them to operate in every part of the State.
+To this end I went with these officers to the other side of the railway
+line, in order to meet General Philip Botha in the country to the
+south-east of Heilbron, and also, if possible, General Hattingh, who was
+in command of the Harrismith and Vrede burghers.
+
+We succeeded in crossing the railway between Roodewal and Serfontein
+siding, but not without fighting. Before we came to the railway line the
+English opened a cross fire on us from the north-east, from the
+direction of Roodewal; and almost directly afterwards another party
+fired on us from the south. We succeeded, however, in getting through
+with the waggons which Commandant Van Aard had with him, but we lost one
+man killed, and three wounded.
+
+On the following day I gave Commandant Van Aard the order to go to his
+district (Midden Valsch River) in order to give his burghers an
+opportunity of getting their clothes washed, and of obtaining fresh
+horses, if any were to be had. For although the enemy already had begun
+to burn down our houses, and to carry away our horses, things had not as
+yet reached such a pitch that the columns spared nothing that came in
+their way.
+
+Commandant Van Aard started off on his errand, but alas! a few days
+afterwards I heard that he--one of the most popular of all our
+officers--had been killed in a fight near his own farm between Kroonstad
+and Lindley. He was buried there, where he had fallen, on his own land.
+
+And now began the great work which I had proposed to accomplish.
+
+I gave instructions to Vice-Commander-in-Chief Piet Fourie to take under
+his charge the districts of Bloemfontein, Bethulie, Smithfield,
+Rouxville, and Wepener, and to permit the burghers there, who had
+remained behind, to join us again. He was not, however, to compel
+anybody to do so, because I was of opinion that a coerced burgher would
+be of no real value to us, and would besides be untrustworthy. The
+following officers were to serve under Fourie: Andrias, Van Tonder and
+Kritzinger. The last-named had been appointed in the place of
+Commandant Olivier, who had been taken prisoner at Winburg.[70]
+
+I had appointed Judge Hertzog as a second Vice-Commander-in-Chief, to
+carry out the same work in the districts of Fauresmith, Philippolis and
+Jacobsdal. He had under him Commandant Hendrik Pretorius (of Jacobsdal)
+and Commandant Visser. The latter was the man who, when the burghers
+from Fauresmith, even before the taking of Bloemfontein, had remained
+behind, broke through with seventy or eighty troops. He had always
+behaved faithfully and valiantly until, in an engagement at
+Jagersfontein, he gave up his life, a sacrifice for the rights of his
+nation. His name will ever be held in honour by his people.
+
+These two Vice-Commanders-in-Chief had no easy task to perform. In fact,
+as every one will admit, it was a giant's burden that I had laid upon
+their shoulders. To lighten it a little I made the following
+arrangement: I sent Captain Pretorius, with a small detachment, in
+advance of General Fourie, to prepare the road for him, and Captain
+Scheepers to do the same for Judge Hertzog. The first had to say: "Hold
+yourselves in readiness! Oom Pieter![71] is coming." The other had to
+say: "Be prepared! The Rechter[72] is at hand!"
+
+All went well. General Fourie set to his task at once and did excellent
+work. He had not been long in his division before he had collected seven
+hundred and fifty men, and had had several skirmishes with the enemy. It
+was on account of his acting so vigorously that the English again put
+garrisons into some of the south-eastern townships, such as Dewetsdorp,
+Wepener, and others.
+
+With General Hertzog things went even better. He had soon twelve hundred
+men under arms. General Fourie had not succeeded in getting together an
+equally large force in his division, because many burghers from these
+districts had been taken prisoner at the time of the surrender of
+Prinsloo. General Hertzog also fought more than one battle at
+Jagersfontein and Fauresmith.
+
+I ought to add that after I had crossed the Magaliesberg I had sent
+Veldtcornet C.C. Badenhorst, with twenty-seven men, on a similar errand
+to the districts of Boshof and Hoopstad. I promoted him to the rank of
+commandant, and he soon had a thousand troops under him, so that he was
+able to engage the enemy on several occasions. He had not been long
+occupied in this way, before I appointed him Vice-Commander-in-Chief.
+The reader who has followed me throughout this narrative, may very
+naturally ask here how it could be justifiable for nearly three thousand
+burghers thus to take up arms again, and break their oath of neutrality?
+I will answer this question by another--who first broke the terms of
+this oath?--the burghers or the English military authorities? The
+military authorities without any doubt; what other answer can one give?
+
+Lord Roberts had issued a proclamation saying that, if the burghers took
+an oath of neutrality, and remained quietly on their farms, he would
+give them protection for their persons and property. But what happened?
+He himself ordered them to report to the British military authorities,
+should any Boer scout or commandos come to their farms, and threatened
+them with punishment if they did not do so. Old people also who had
+never stirred one step from their farms were fined hundreds of pounds
+when the railway or telegraph lines in their neighbourhood were wrecked.
+Besides, instead of protection being given to the burghers, their cattle
+were taken from them by the military, at prices they would never have
+thought of accepting, and often by force. Yes; and from widows, who had
+not even sons on commando, everything was taken away. If then the
+English, on their part, had broken the contract, were not the burghers
+perfectly justified in considering themselves no longer bound by the
+conditions which the oath laid on them?
+
+And then if one goes further into the matter, and remembers that the
+English had been employing such people as the National Scouts, and had
+thus been arming men who had taken the oath of neutrality, how can one
+think that the Boer was still under the obligation of keeping his oath?
+
+There is also the obligation which every one is under to his own
+Government; for what Government could ever acknowledge an oath which
+their citizens had no right to take?
+
+No! taking everything into consideration, no right-minded burgher could
+have acted otherwise than to take his weapons up again, not only in
+order to be faithful to his duty as a citizen, but also in order not to
+be branded as a coward, as a man who in the future could never again
+look any one in the face.
+
+I arranged various matters at Doornspruit, in the district of Kroonstad,
+on the 23rd of September, 1900, and then went from there in the
+direction of Rietfontein, in order to meet the commando which I had
+ordered to be at Heilbron on the 25th.
+
+[Footnote 70: Commandant Van Tender had been made prisoner at the same
+time, but he eluded the vigilance of his captors, and running for his
+life under a shower of their bullets, got away in safety.]
+
+[Footnote 71: Uncle Peter.]
+
+[Footnote 72: Judge.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Frederiksstad and Bothaville
+
+
+When I was on the road to Heilbron, I heard that the commandos under
+General Hattingh (those, namely, of Harrismith and Vrede) were near the
+Spitskopje, seven miles to the south-east of Heilbron. I therefore went
+out of my course and proceeded in the direction of these commandos. They
+were among those who had stood the crucial test, and had not surrendered
+with Prinsloo.
+
+It was a real pleasure to me to meet the Harrismith burghers, and to
+talk with them over bygone days. This was our first meeting since
+December, 1899. The last time we had seen each other was when we were
+encamped round Ladysmith, where we were, so to speak, neighbours--our
+positions being contiguous.
+
+But what a shock went through my heart when I saw the cumbersome
+waggon-camps which had come both from Vrede and Harrismith! For I
+remembered what trouble and anxiety the waggons and carts had already
+caused me, and how my commandos, in order to save them, had been forced
+to fly 280 miles--from Slabbertsnek to Waterberg. As Commander-in-Chief,
+I was now determined to carry out most strictly the Kroonstad regulation
+and have nothing more to do with the waggons.
+
+I did not think that I should have any difficulty in convincing the
+commanders of Harrismith and Vrede that the best thing would be to do
+away with these unnecessary impediments, because, shortly before, the
+English themselves had given me a text to preach from, by taking away a
+great number of waggons from Commandant Hasebroek at Winburg and at Vet
+River. Nevertheless, my words fell on unwilling ears.
+
+It was not long after I had arrived in the camp when I got the burghers
+together and spoke to them. After thanking the officers and men for not
+having surrendered with Prinsloo at Naauwpoort, I congratulated them on
+their success at Ladybrand, where they had driven the English out of the
+town and forced them to take refuge in the caverns of Leliehoek. I then
+went on to tackle the tender subject--as a Boer regards it--of
+sacrificing the waggons. No! I did not say so much as that--I only
+insisted on the waggons being sent home. Now this was very much the same
+as saying: "Give up your waggons and carts to the enemy"--an order
+which, expressed in that bald manner, would have given offence.
+
+However, I was resolved to have my way, and at the end of my speech, I
+said, "I may not ask you, and I will not ask you what you will do with
+regard to the waggons. I only tell you that they must disappear."
+
+On the following day I called the officers together, and gave them
+direct orders to that effect. I was very polite, but also very
+determined that the waggons should be sent off without a moment's delay.
+I also gave orders that the Harrismith and Kroonstad burghers under
+General Philip Botha should occupy themselves in cutting the English
+lines of communication between Kroonstad and Zand River. The Bothaville
+burghers were to carry out similar operations in their own district.
+
+On that same afternoon I rode with my staff to the Heilbron burghers,
+who now had returned to their farms. (They had had permission to go home
+after they had got back from Waterberg.) They had assembled in very
+strong force.
+
+The enemy also had arrived in this part of the country, and we were
+therefore obliged at once to get ourselves ready to fight in case it
+should be necessary, or to retreat if the enemy should be too strong for
+us.
+
+With the Heilbron, Harrismith and Vrede commandos, I had now a very
+considerable force at my command.
+
+When I met the burghers on the 25th of September I found that I must
+send a force in the direction of Kroonstad, in order to oppose outposts
+which the enemy had stationed some six miles from that town.
+
+I at once sent orders to General Hattingh that he was to come over to me
+with his burghers. But what did I hear? The burghers had not been able
+to make up their minds to part with their waggons; most of the men from
+Vrede and Harrismith had gone home with these waggons, although there
+was a Kaffir driver and a leader for almost every one, and although I
+had given express orders that these Kaffirs were to be the ones to take
+back the waggons. How angry I was! At such moments as these one would be
+well nigh driven mad were there not a Higher Power to hold one back.
+
+And, to make the situation still more serious, the English now came on
+from all sides, and I had no troops! The Kroonstad burghers were in
+their own district. I allowed those from Bethlehem to leave me in order
+to carry on operations in their part of the country; the same likewise
+with the Winburgers and the valiant Commandant Hasebroek, while the
+burghers of Vrede and Harrismith had gone home.
+
+I had therefore with me only a small contingent from those districts, in
+addition to the burghers from Heilbron.
+
+The reader will understand that, under these circumstances, the forces
+which now began to concentrate on us were too great for us to withstand;
+and that no other course lay open to me than to go through
+Schoemansdrift; and, in case I should be pursued, to Bothaville, in
+order to enter the _zandveld_ (desert) through which it would be
+difficult for the enemy to advance.
+
+We continued in the direction of Wolvehoek Station, and on the
+following night crossed the line between Vredefortweg and Wolvehoek,
+where I wrecked the railway at various points, and also took prisoner a
+small force of thirteen who had been lying asleep in their tents. This
+last incident happened early in the morning of September 30th.
+
+We had crossed the line, and were about three miles on the further side
+of it, when a train came up and bombarded us with an Armstrong and a
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, without however doing any damage. Our guns were too
+far behind the vanguard, and the poor horses too tired to go back for
+them, or we should have answered their fire. However, we got an
+opportunity of using our big guns against 200 mounted men, who had
+pursued us, but who, when they saw we were ready to receive them, turned
+round and--took the shortest road to safety!
+
+That evening we marched to a place a little to the south of Parijs, and
+the following day to the kopjes west of Vredefort. There we stayed a few
+days until the enemy again began to concentrate at Heilbron.
+
+I then divided my commando into two parts. One part I took with me,
+while I sent the Harrismith burghers (those at least who had not gone
+home with the waggons) under General Philip Botha, in the direction of
+Kroonstad, where he would meet the commando of that district, which had
+received orders to operate to the west of the railway line. General
+Philip Botha nominated Veldtcornet P. De Vos as Commandant of the
+Kroonstad contingent instead of Commandant Frans Van Aard. He made a
+good choice, for Commandant De Vos was not only a valiant officer, but
+also a strictly honourable man.
+
+For some days the enemy remained encamped on the farm called Klipstapel,
+which lies to the south-east of Vredefort. Then they attacked us. We
+held our own for a day and a half, but at last had to retreat to the
+Vaal River, whither the English, doubtless thinking that we were again
+going to Waterberg, did not pursue us. This was on the 7th of October,
+1900.
+
+I now received a report from General Liebenberg that General Barton and
+his column were in the neighbourhood of Frederiksstad Station. He asked
+me (as he was too weak to venture anything alone) whether I would join
+him in an attack upon the English General. I decided to do so, and sent
+him a confidential letter saying that I would join him in a week's time.
+
+In order to mislead the English, I retreated ostentatiously through
+Schoemansdrift to the farm of Baltespoort, which stands on the banks of
+the Rhenoster River, fifteen miles from the drift. The following night I
+returned by the way I had come, and crossed the river a little to the
+west of Schoemansdrift.
+
+When on the following night we were again in the saddle I heard from
+many a mouth, "Whither now?"
+
+Our destination was Frederiksstad Station, where we were to engage
+General Barton. Previous to an attack, thorough scouting should always
+take place. Accordingly I sent out my scouts, and discovered that
+General Liebenberg had entirely cut off the English from their
+communications, so that, except for heliographic messages, they were
+entirely out of touch with the rest of their forces. Now I do not know
+if they had "smelt a rat," but they were certainly well entrenched near
+the station on ridges to the south-east and to the north.
+
+We had therefore to besiege General Barton in his entrenchments. For the
+first five days we held positions to the east, to the south, and to the
+north-west. On the fifth day I agreed with General Liebenberg that we
+should take up a new position on the embankment north-west of the
+strongest part of the English encampment. This position was to be held
+by two hundred men, of whom I gave eighty to General Froneman and one
+hundred and twenty to General Liebenberg. It was a position that we
+could not leave during the day without great danger, and it needed a
+large force to hold it, for its garrison had to be strong enough to
+defend itself if it should be attacked.
+
+If only my arrangements had been carried out all would have gone well.
+
+But what happened?
+
+I thought that two hundred men had gone in accordance with my orders to
+that position. Instead of this there were only eighty there when, on the
+following morning, a very strong reinforcement of English, ordered up by
+General Barton, appeared from the direction of Krugersdorp. I did not
+hear of this reinforcement till it was so close that there was no chance
+for me to keep it back. In fact, when I got the report the enemy were
+already storming the unfortunate handful of burghers and firing fiercely
+upon them. If these burghers had only had enough ammunition they would
+have been able to defend themselves, but as they were obliged to keep up
+a continuous fire on the storming party their cartridges were speedily
+exhausted. When this happened there was nothing for them to do but to
+fly. This they did under a fierce fire from three guns, which had been
+bombarding them continuously since the morning--doing but little damage
+however, as our burghers were behind the railway embankment. But now
+they had to fly over open ground, and on foot, as they had gone down
+without their horses because there was no safe place for the animals.
+
+If two hundred burghers--the number I had arranged for--had been in the
+position, there would have been no chance of the enemy's reinforcement
+being able to drive them out: and in all probability General Barton
+would have been obliged to surrender. Instead of this we had a loss of
+thirty killed and wounded, and about the same number were taken
+prisoners. Among the dead was the renowned Sarel Cilliers, grandson of
+the worthy "voortrekker"[73] of the same name. Veldtcornet Jurie
+Wessels was the most distinguished of the prisoners.
+
+It was a miserable affair altogether: General Froneman ought to have
+called his men back when he saw that General Liebenberg had not sent his
+contingent. I have heard however that Captain Cilliers refused to leave
+the position until it became no longer tenable. It was hard indeed for
+him to lose a battle thus, when it was nearly won, and to be compelled
+to retreat when victory was all but within his grasp.
+
+We retired towards Vanvurenskloof, and on arriving there the following
+evening heard that a great English force had come from Schoemansdrift
+and captured Potchefstroom, that another force was at Tijgerfontein, and
+a third at Schoemansdrift.
+
+Early next morning we crossed the Vaal River at Witbanksfontein. There
+we off-saddled.
+
+Now I had sent out scouts--not, however, Commandant Jan Theron's men,
+but ordinary burghers whom the Commandants had sent out--and just as we
+had partaken about noon of a late breakfast, these burghers came
+hurriedly into the camp, shouting: "The enemy is close at hand!"
+
+It was not long before every one had up-saddled, and we were off. The
+English had taken up positions on the kopjes due north of the Vaal
+River, whilst we had for our defence only kraals and boundary walls. As
+these offered no shelter for our horses, we were forced to retreat. And
+a most unpleasant time of it we had until we got out of range of their
+guns and small arms. During this retreat we lost one of our guns. This
+happened while I was with the left wing. One of the wheels of the
+carriage fell off, and the gun had to be left behind. Another incident
+of our flight was more remarkable. A shell from one of the enemy's guns
+hit an ox waggon on which there were four cases of dynamite, and
+everything was blown up.
+
+The oxen had just been unyoked and had left the waggon, or else a
+terrible catastrophe would have occurred.
+
+We lost also two burghers, who, thinking that it would be safe to go
+into a dwelling house, and hide themselves there, gave an opportunity to
+some English troops who were on the march from Schoemansdrift, to take
+them prisoner.
+
+We retired for some distance in an easterly direction, and when it
+became dark, swerved suddenly to the west, as if aiming for a point
+somewhat to the south-west of Bothaville. The following evening we
+stayed at Bronkhaistfontein, near the Witkopjes. From there we went on
+next morning to the west of Rheboksfontein, remaining that night at
+Winkeldrift, on the Rhenoster River.
+
+There I received a report that President Steyn with his staff was coming
+from Machadodorp, where he had met the Transvaal Government. The
+President requested me to come and see him, and also to meet General De
+la Rey, who would be there.
+
+I told the commandos to go on in the direction of Bothaville and went
+with my staff to the President. We met on the 31st of October near
+Ventersdorp. From him I heard that when he came to Machadodorp President
+Kruger was just ready to sail from Lourenço Marques, in the man-of-war
+_Gelderland_, which had been specially sent by Queen Wilhelmina to bring
+him over to the Netherlands. This was shortly before Portugal ceased to
+be neutral--the old President got away only just in time.
+
+General De la Rey had been prevented from coming: and on the 2nd of
+November I went with the President towards Bothaville.
+
+I had received reports from General Fourie, Judge Hertzog, and Captain
+Scheepers, that the burghers in their districts had rejoined; this made
+me think that the time had now come to make another dash into Cape
+Colony. President Steyn had expressed a wish to go with us.
+
+We marched on with the intention of crossing the railway line somewhere
+near Winburg. On the morning of the 5th we arrived at Bothaville, where
+we found General Froneman, who had been marching with the commandos from
+Rhenoster River. Little did we know that a terrible misfortune was
+awaiting us.
+
+That very afternoon a strong English force, which indeed had been in
+pursuit of us all the time, came up, and a skirmish took place, after
+which the English withdrew out of reach of our guns, while we took up a
+position under cover of the nearest hill. Without suspecting any harm we
+went into camp about seven miles from the English, keeping the Valsch
+River between us and them.
+
+I placed an outpost that night close to the river and told them to stay
+there till the following day. The burghers of this watch returned in the
+morning and reported that they had seen nothing but wreaths of smoke
+ascending from the north bank of the river. They believed that these
+came from the English camp.
+
+We were still safe then--so at least we all believed.
+
+But the corporal who had brought this report had but just left me, and
+was scarcely one hundred paces off when I heard the report of rifles. I
+thought at first that it was only some cattle being shot for food, but
+all at once there were more shots, and what did we see? The English were
+within three hundred paces of us, on a little hill near Bothaville, and
+close to the spot from whence my outpost had just returned.
+
+It was early morning. The sun had not risen more than twenty minutes and
+many of the burghers still lay asleep rolled up in their blankets.
+
+The scene which ensued was unlike anything I had ever witnessed before.
+I heard a good deal about panics--I was now to see one with my own eyes.
+Whilst I was looking for my horse to get him up-saddled a few of the
+burghers were making some sort of a stand against the enemy. But all
+those who had already up-saddled were riding away at break-neck speed.
+Many even were leaving their saddles behind and galloping off bare-back.
+As I up-saddled my horse I called out to them:--
+
+"Don't run away! Come back and storm the enemy's position!" But it was
+no use. A panic had seized them, and the victims of that panic were
+those brave men who had never thought of flight, but only of resisting
+the enemy!
+
+The only thing I could do was to leap into the saddle and try to
+persuade the fugitives to return. But I did not succeed, for as I
+stopped them at one point others galloped past me, and I was thus kept
+dodging from point to point, until the whole commando was out of range
+of the firing.
+
+The leader of the enemy's storming party was Colonel Le Gallais, without
+doubt one of the bravest English officers I have ever met. On this
+occasion he did not encounter much resistance, for only a very few of
+the burghers attacked him, and that only at one point of his position.
+Among these burghers were Staats-Procureur Jacob De Villiers, and
+Veldtcornet Jan Viljoen. As for the rest of our men, it was useless to
+try to get them to come back to the fight. The gunners however did
+everything they could to save their guns, but had not enough time to get
+the oxen inspanned.
+
+Our loss was, as far as I could make out, nine killed, between twenty
+and thirty wounded, and about one hundred prisoners. Among the dead were
+Veldtcornets Jan Viljoen, of Heilbron, and Van Zijl, of Cape Colony; and
+among the wounded, Staats-Procureur Jacob De Villiers and Jan Rechter,
+the latter of whom subsequently died. The wounded who managed to escape
+included General Froneman, who was slightly wounded in the chest; Mr.
+Thomas Brain, who had been hit in the thigh; and one of my staff who was
+severely wounded, his shoulder being pierced by a bullet.
+
+According to English reports, Dr. De Landsheer, a Belgian, was killed in
+this engagement. The English newspapers asserted that the doctor was
+found dead with a bandolier round his body. I can vouch for the fact
+that the doctor possessed neither rifle nor bandolier, and I am unable
+to believe that he armed himself on the battlefield.
+
+Six of our Krupp guns were captured in this battle, but as our
+ammunition for these pieces was nearly exhausted, the loss of them made
+little difference to us.
+
+I feel compelled to add that, if the burghers had stood shoulder to
+shoulder we should certainly have driven back the enemy, and the mishap
+would never have occurred. We were eight hundred men strong, and the
+enemy numbered not more than one thousand to one thousand two hundred.
+But a surprise attack such as theirs had been usually produces
+disastrous consequences.
+
+[Footnote 73: Pioneer.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+My March to the South
+
+
+The horses of the burghers were in a very weak condition; and as the
+Boer is only half a man without his horse--for he relies on it to get
+him out of any and every difficulty--I had now to advance, and see if I
+could not find some means of providing my men with horses and saddles. I
+went on this errand in the direction of Zandriviersbrug to the farm of
+Mr. Jacobus Bornman.
+
+Here, however, I divided the commandos. General Froneman, with the Vrede
+and Heilbron burghers, I sent back to cross the railway lines between
+the Doorn and Zand Rivers, with orders to operate in the northern
+districts of the State. I took with me Commandant Lategan of Colesberg,
+with about one hundred and twenty men, and Commandant Jan Theron, with
+eighty men, and proceeded on the 10th or 11th of November across the
+railway line between Doorn River and Theronskoppen, with the intention
+of executing my plan of making an inroad into the Cape Colony.
+
+We wrecked the railway line and blew up a few small bridges, and then
+proceeded in the direction of Doornberg, where I met Commandant
+Hasebroek and his burghers. I sent orders to General Philip Botha to
+come with the Harrismith and Kroonstad burghers, which he had with him.
+They arrived about the 13th of November.
+
+We then marched, with about fifteen hundred men, in the direction of
+Springhaansnek, to the east of Thaba'Nchu. At the northern point of
+Korannaberg, Commandant Hasebroek remained behind, waiting for some of
+his men to join him.
+
+We took with us one Krupp with sixteen rounds--that was our whole stock
+of gun ammunition!
+
+By the afternoon of the 16th we had advanced as far as Springhaansnek.
+The English had built a line of forts from Bloemfontein to Thaba'Nchu
+and Ladybrand. And just at the point where we wanted to pass them, there
+were two forts, one to the south and the other to the north, about 2,000
+paces from each other, on the shoulder of the mountain.
+
+My first step was to order the Krupp to fire six shots on one of these
+forts; and, very much to the credit of my gunners, almost everyone of
+these shots found its mark. Then I raced through.
+
+All went well. The only man hit was Vice-Assistant-Commandant Jan
+Meijer, of Harrismith, who received a wound in the side. He was shot
+while sitting in a cart, where he had been placed owing to a wound which
+he had received a few days before, in the course of a hot engagement,
+which General Philip Botha had had at Ventersburg Station.
+
+We now rode on through Rietpoort towards Dewetsdorp, staying, during the
+night of the 17th of November, at a place on the Modder River. The
+following day we only went a short distance, and halted at the farm of
+Erinspride.
+
+On the 19th I made a point of advancing during the _day_, so as to be
+observed by the garrison at Dewetsdorp.
+
+My object was to lead the garrison to think that we did not want to
+attack them, but wished first to reconnoitre the positions. This would
+have been quite an unnecessary proceeding, as the town was well known to
+me, and I had already received information as to where the enemy was
+posted.
+
+The garrison could only conclude that we were again flying, just as we
+were supposed to have done--by readers of English newspapers--at
+Springhaansnek. They would be sure to think that after reconnoitring
+their positions at Dewetsdorp we had gone on to Bloemfontein. Indeed, I
+heard afterwards that they had sent a patrol, to pursue us to the hills
+on the farm of Glengarry, and that this patrol had seen us march away in
+the direction of Bloemfontein. In fact the enemy seemed to have a fixed
+impression that I was going there. I was told that they had said: "De
+Wet was either too wise or too frightened to attack Dewetsdorp; and if
+he did, he would only be running his head against a wall." And again,
+when they had received the telegram which informed them that I had gone
+through Springhaansnek, they said: "If De Wet comes here to attack us,
+it will be the last attack he will ever make."
+
+We came to the farm of Roodewal, and remained there, well out of sight,
+the whole of the 20th of November. Meanwhile our friends (?) at
+Dewetsdorp were saying: "The Boers are ever so far away."
+
+But on the evening of the same day I marched, very quietly, back to
+Dewetsdorp, and crept up as close as I dared to the positions held by
+the enemy's garrison. My early days had been spent in the vicinity of
+this town, which had been named after my father by the Volksraad; and
+later on I had bought from him the farm[74] where I lived as a boy.
+
+By day or by night, I had been accustomed to ride freely in and out of
+the old town; never before had I been forced to approach it, as I was
+now, _like a thief_! Was nothing on this earth then solid or lasting? To
+think that I must not enter Dewetsdorp unless I were prepared to
+surrender to the English!
+
+I was _not_ prepared to surrender to the English. Sooner than do that I
+would break my way in by force of arms.
+
+At dawn, on the 21st of November, we took possession of three positions
+round the town.
+
+General Botha, who had with him Jan and Arnoldus Du Plessis as guides,
+went from Boesmansbank to a _tafelkop_,[75] to the south-east of the
+town. On this mountain the English had thrown up splendid _schanzes_,
+and had also built gun forts there, which would have been very
+advantageous to us, if we had only had more ammunition. The English had
+undoubtedly built these forts with the intention of placing guns there,
+and thus protecting the town on every side should danger threaten. But
+they did not know how to guard their own forts, for when General Botha
+arrived there he found only three sentries--and they were fast sleep!
+Two of them escaped, leaving their clothes behind, but the third was
+killed.
+
+Commandant De Vos and I occupied a position on the ridge which lies to
+the north of the town; from this point we could shoot into the town at a
+range of about 1,600 paces.
+
+Commandant Lategan was stationed on the hill to the west of the town,
+close to the farm of Glengarry, whose owner, Mr. B.W. Richter--father of
+my valiant Adjutants, B.W. and Jan Richter--must have been much
+surprised that morning when he discovered that something very like an
+attack was being made on Dewetsdorp.
+
+The enemy held strong positions on points of the ridge to the south-east
+(above the Kaffir location) to the south-west and to the north-west.
+Their _schanzes_ were built of stones, and provided with trenches. On
+the top of the _schanzes_ sandbags had been placed, with spaces left
+between them for the rifles.
+
+Of Major Massey, who was in command, and his force, consisting of parts
+of the Gloucestershire regiment, the Highland Light Infantry, and the
+Irish Rifles, five hundred all told, I have only to say that both
+commanding officer and men displayed the greatest valour.
+
+Although Commandants Hasebroek and Prinsloo had not arrived,
+nevertheless I had as many as nine hundred men. But I was obliged to
+send a strong patrol to Roodekop, eighteen miles from us in the
+direction of Bloemfontein, in order to receive reports in time, should
+reinforcements be coming up to the help of the English. I had also to
+send men to keep watch out towards Thaba'Nchu, Wepener and Reddersburg;
+nor could I leave the President's little camp (which I had allowed to
+proceed to the farm called "Prospect") without some protection. Thus it
+was that of my nine hundred men, only four hundred and fifty were
+available for the attack.
+
+It delighted me to see how courageous our burghers were at Dewetsdorp.
+As one watched them creeping from _schanze_ to _schanze_, often without
+any cover whatever, and in danger at every moment of falling under the
+enemy's fire, one felt that there was still hope.
+
+On the first day we advanced until we were close to the _schanzes_ on
+the south-east and on the north; we remained there during the night in
+our positions, our food being brought to us.
+
+The second day, November 22nd, firing began very early in the morning,
+and was kept up until the afternoon. Our most advanced burghers, those
+of Harrismith, had come to within about one hundred paces of the first
+_schanze_.
+
+I saw one of our men creeping on till he was close under the enemy's
+fort. Directly afterwards I observed that rifles were being handed over
+the _schanze_ to this man. Later on it appeared that the man who had
+done this valiant deed was none other than Veldtcornet Wessels, of
+Harrismith. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Commandant, to
+take the place of Commandant Truter; later on again, he became
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief.
+
+Our burghers could now enter this fort without incurring much danger.
+But they had hardly done so, when the two English guns, which had been
+placed to the west of the town, opened fire on them. When this
+happened, I gave orders to my men that a great _schanze_ of the English,
+about eighty paces from the one which we had just taken, should be
+stormed. This was successfully carried out by Veldtcornet Wessels, who
+had with him about twenty-five men. The enemy meanwhile kept up a heavy
+fire on our storming party, from some _schanzes_ which lay still further
+away; our men, therefore, had nothing left them but to take these also.
+Then while our men kept in cover behind the fort which they had just
+taken, the English left the _schanzes_ upon which the storming party had
+been firing so fiercely; this, however, Veldtcornet Wessels and his
+burghers did not know, because, after having rested a little, and
+desiring to renew the attack, they only saw that everything was quiet
+there, and that they were now only under the fire of guns from the
+western forts, which lay right above the town. I also had not observed
+that the forts had been abandoned.
+
+Just as the sun was setting, and when it was too late to do anything,
+General Philip Botha, with his two sons, Louis and Charlie, rushed up to
+Veldtcornet Wessels and told him what the real state of affairs was.
+
+I now saw columns of black smoke rising from the mill of Mr. Wessels
+Badenhorst, to the south of the town. Everybody was saying: "The English
+are burning their commissariat; they are going to surrender!"
+
+The English had a strong fort on the north, near the place where
+Commandant De Vos was stationed. In order to take this _schanze_ one
+would have been obliged to cross 200 metres of open ground. Moreover, it
+was so placed that it was the only part of the English possession which
+De Vos's guns commanded. Accordingly, when the sun had gone down, I sent
+orders to him that he was to storm this _schanze_ before daybreak on the
+following morning.
+
+My orders were duly carried out.
+
+Commandant De Vos crept stealthily up to the fort, and was not observed
+by the enemy until he was close to them. They then fired fiercely on
+him, killing two of his burghers, but our men would not be denied; they
+leapt over the _schanze_ and compelled the enemy to surrender. The
+English losses on this occasion were six killed, a few wounded, and
+about thirty taken prisoner.
+
+While this was going on, Veldtcornet Wessels, in accordance with orders
+which I had given him the previous evening, had taken possession of the
+river bank exactly opposite to the town, which he was now preparing to
+storm.
+
+The English had only a few _schanzes_ to the west of him, and these were
+not more than two hundred paces off.
+
+I had been to the laager at "Prospect" the night before, with the
+intention of returning so as to be in time for the storming of the town.
+I had arranged to go there very early in the morning, because my journey
+could be accomplished with much less risk if carried out in the dark.
+Unfortunately, however, daylight overtook me when I had got no further
+than the Kaffir location, and I had to race from there, over country
+where I had no sort of cover, to the ravine near the town. From this
+ravine to where Veldtcornet Wessels was waiting for me on the river
+bank, I rode in comparative safety.
+
+The reader can easily imagine how delighted I was to meet again the
+Dewetsdorp folk, to whom I was so well known. But I could not show
+myself too much. That would not have been safe. After I had visited
+three houses--those of the Schoolmaster, Mr. Otto, of Mr. Jacobus Roos,
+and of old Mr. H. Van der Schijf--and had partaken in each of a cup of
+coffee, I hurried off to my burghers.
+
+The remaining English _schanzes_ had been so well constructed that their
+occupants could still offer a very stubborn resistance, and they did so.
+It was not until about three o'clock on the afternoon of the 23rd of
+November that we saw the white flag go up, and knew that the victory was
+ours.
+
+We took four hundred and eight prisoners, amongst whom were Major Massey
+and seven other officers. We also took fifty Kaffirs. Two Armstrong guns
+with more than three hundred rounds of ammunition, some waggons, horses
+and mules, and a great quantity of Lee-Metford cartridges also fell into
+our hands.
+
+We never knew the exact numbers of the English dead and wounded, but
+they must have lost something between seventy and one hundred men.
+
+Our own loss was heavy. Seven of the burghers were killed and fourteen
+wounded; most of these, however, slightly.
+
+The sun had already set before we had put everything in order, and it
+was late in the evening when we returned to our laager at "Prospect."
+There I received a report that a great column was marching from the
+direction of Reddersburg, in order to relieve Major Massey--but they
+were too late!
+
+Very early the following morning we made preparations to intercept the
+advance of this column. We took up positions to the west of Dewetsdorp,
+and the day was spent in exchanging shots with the enemy's guns. During
+the night we remained in our positions, but when the sun rose I
+discovered that the column, which was already too strong for us, was
+expecting a reinforcement, and as no attack was attempted on their side,
+I decided to leave the position quietly, and to march on. My inroad into
+Cape Colony must no longer be delayed.
+
+Our positions at Dewetsdorp were so situated that I could leave them
+unnoticed. I thought it well, however, to leave behind a small number of
+burghers as a decoy, so that the English should not pursue us at once.
+
+[Footnote 74: Nieuwjaarsfontein.]
+
+[Footnote 75: A table-shaped hill.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+I Fail to Enter Cape Colony
+
+
+The enemy gave us plenty of time in which to effect our escape, and by
+nightfall we had abandoned our positions at Platkop. Taking with us the
+prisoners of war (whom I intended to set free on the far side of the
+Orange River), we marched towards Vaalbank, arriving there on the
+following morning. That day the English attacked us unawares. While I
+was at Dewetsdorp, Captain Pretorius had come up to give me a report of
+his recent doings. I had sent him, two months previously, from the
+district of Heilbron to Fauresmith and Philippolis, in order to fetch
+two or three hundred horses from those districts; he had told me that he
+had brought the horses, and that they were with his 200 men at
+Droogfontein.
+
+It was about eight o'clock in the morning after our night march that our
+outpost at Vaalbank saw a mounted commando riding from Beijersberg in
+the direction of Reddersburg. I was at once informed of this, but as I
+was expecting Pretorius from that direction, I merely said: "It is sure
+to be Captain Pretorius."
+
+"No; this is an _English_ commando."
+
+English or Australian--it made very little matter--they were enemies.
+
+I had no need to give the order to off-saddle, the burghers did it at
+once of their own accord. But before we were ready for him, the enemy
+opened fire on us from the very ridge on which our outpost had been
+stationed.
+
+Off went the burghers, and I made no effort to stop them, for the spot
+where we were did not command a good view of the surrounding country,
+and I already had my eye on some ridges, about half an hour's ride away.
+There we should be able to reconnoitre, especially towards Dewetsdorp,
+whence I expected the enemy at any moment. During the retreat
+Veldtcornet de Wet was severely wounded. Moreover, some of our horses
+had to be left behind, being too exhausted to go any further.
+
+We marched on towards Bethulie. When in the neighbourhood of this town,
+and of the farm of "Klein Bloemfontein," I fell in with General Piet
+Fourie and Captain Scheepers, and took them with me. While on this farm
+I set free the Kaffirs whom I had taken prisoner at Dewetsdorp; they
+pretended they had not been fighting, but were only waggon-drivers. I
+gave them a pass to go into Basutoland.
+
+We then proceeded towards Karmel, and just as we were approaching the
+farm of "Good Hope," we caught sight of an English column which had come
+from Bethulie, and was making for Smithfield. I at once opened fire upon
+them from two sides, but they were in such good positions that we failed
+that day to drive them out. On the morrow, early in the morning, the
+fight began afresh.
+
+About four o'clock in the afternoon General Charles Knox, with a large
+reinforcement, arrived from Smithfield, and we had once more to retire.
+It was here that I sustained a loss upon my staff--my nephew, Johannes
+Jacobus de Wet. It was sad to think that I should never again see
+Johannes--so brave and cheerful as he had always been. His death was a
+great shock to me.
+
+Our only other casualties were four burghers wounded, whereas the enemy,
+unless I am much mistaken, must have lost heavily.
+
+Whilst this fight was in progress General Hertzog joined me. We arranged
+that he should with all speed make an inroad into Cape Colony, between
+the Norvalspont and Hopetown railway bridges, and that I should do the
+same between the railway bridges at Bethulie and Aliwal North. He was to
+operate in the north-western part of the country, I in the eastern and
+midland parts.
+
+That night we continued our march towards Karmel, under a heavy downpour
+of rain. Next morning it was still raining when we started to continue
+our march; later on in the day we off-saddled for a short time and then
+went on again, so as to be able to cross the Caledon River before it
+became impossible to do so. I can assure you that it rained so hard
+while we were fording the Caledon, that, as the Boers say, "It was
+enough to kill the big devils and cut off the legs of the little ones."
+We then marched on--still through heavy rain.
+
+Commandant Truter, who was in command of the rear-guard, had left a
+Krupp and an ammunition waggon behind. I was not at all pleased about
+this, but, as we had not a single round of Krupp ammunition left, the
+gun would only have hampered us.
+
+That evening we reached the Orange River, at a point some three miles to
+the north of Odendaalsstroom, but, alas! what a sight met our eyes! The
+river was quite impassable owing to the floods, and, in addition, the
+ford was held by English troops stationed on the south bank.
+
+Our position was beginning to be critical, for there was an English
+garrison at Aliwal North, so that I could not cross the Orange River by
+the bridge there. It was also highly probable that the Caledon would be
+in flood, and I knew that General Charles Knox had left a division of
+his troops at Smithfield--they would be sure to be holding the bridge
+over the Caledon at Commissiedrift. Moreover, Jammerbergsdrift, near
+Wepener, was doubtless well guarded, so that there, too, I would have no
+chance of crossing the river. There was still Basutoland, but we did not
+wish to cross its borders--we were on good terms with the Basutos and
+we could not afford to make enemies of them. Surely we had enough
+enemies already!
+
+To make the best of a bad job I sent Commandant Kritzinger[76] and
+Captain Scheepers, with their three hundred men, to march in the
+direction of Rouxville with orders that as soon as the Orange River
+became fordable, they were to cross it into Cape Colony without delay. I
+entertained no doubt that they would succeed.
+
+Everything is as it must be, and unless one is a sluggard--who brings
+trouble upon himself by doing nothing to avoid it--one has no reason to
+complain.
+
+Such were my thoughts as I contemplated our situation.
+
+The Orange River was in flood--the Government and I, therefore, could
+not possibly remain where we were for long. The English were so fond of
+us that they would be sure to be paying us a visit! No, to wait there
+until the river was fordable was not to be thought of.
+
+The reader will now perceive how it was that my projected inroad into
+Cape Colony did not become a fact. My dear old friend, General Charles
+Knox, was against it, and he had the best of the argument, for the river
+was unfordable. What then was I to do? Retreat I could not, for the
+Caledon also was now full. Again, as I have already explained, it would
+not do for me to take refuge in Basutoland. But even that would be
+better than to attempt to hold out where I was--in a narrow belt of
+country between two rivers in flood--against the overpowering force
+which was at General Knox's disposal, and which in ten or twelve days
+would increase tenfold, by reinforcements from all parts of the country.
+
+I knew that the Orange and the Caledon Rivers sometimes remained
+unfordable for weeks together. How could I then escape?--Oh, the English
+had caught me at last! They hemmed me in on every side; I could not get
+away from them. In fact they had "cornered" me, to use one of their own
+favourite expressions. That they also thought so appears from what I
+read afterwards in the _South African News_, where I saw that Lord
+Kitchener had given orders to General Charles Knox "not to take any
+prisoners there!" For the truth of this I cannot positively vouch; but
+it was a very suspicious circumstance that Mr. Cartwright, the editor of
+the newspaper to which I have referred, was afterwards thrown into
+prison for having published this very anecdote about Lord Kitchener.
+
+Our prospects were then by no means bright; I knew very well that those
+trusty counsellors of the English--the National Scouts--would have
+advised their masters to seize the bridges and thus make escape
+impossible for Steyn and De Wet.
+
+Without delay I proceeded to the Commissiedrift bridge over the Caledon.
+As I feared, it was occupied by the enemy. Entrenchments had been dug,
+and _schanzes_ thrown up at both ends.
+
+Foiled here, I at once sent a man down to the river to see if it was
+still rising. It might be the case that there had not been so much rain
+higher up. The man whom I had sent soon returned, reporting that the
+river was falling, and would be fordable by the evening. This was good
+news indeed.
+
+On the other hand, our horses were exhausted. They had now for three
+days been obliged to plough their way through the wet, muddy paths. We
+had no forage to give them, and the grass was so young as yet that it
+did not seem to strengthen them at all.
+
+Nevertheless, we had to be off. And there was but one road open to
+us--we must somehow get across the Orange River and thus obtain
+elbow-room. Accordingly we returned to make for Zevenfontein, a ford ten
+or twelve miles further up the river. If it were not already in the
+enemy's hands, we would surely be able to get across there. Shortly
+before sunset, on the 8th of December, we arrived at Zevenfontein. To
+our immense joy, it was unoccupied and fordable.
+
+I at once marched towards Dewetsdorp, intending, if only General Knox
+and his huge force would give me the chance, to rest my horses, and then
+make another attempt to enter Cape Colony.
+
+But it was not to be.
+
+The English were afraid that if President Steyn and I were in Cape
+Colony their troubles would be doubled. General Knox therefore
+concentrated all his available forces in order to drive us northwards.
+It was disappointing, but there was a bright side to it. If the English
+were pursuing me, they would have to leave Commandant Kritzinger and
+Captain Scheepers, who would thus be able to cross the Orange River.
+
+These two officers, however, were not left entirely in peace. While they
+rested for a time near Zastron, in order to give their horses a chance
+of recovering their strength, there came a division of Brabant's Horse
+to pay them a visit. The result was that about sixty of the visitors
+were wounded or taken prisoner, while the rest found it as much as they
+could do to get back to Aliwal North, whence they had started.
+Commandant Kritzinger and Captain Scheepers had then another opportunity
+for rest until the day should come when they could make an inroad into
+Cape Colony according to my instructions.
+
+Although, as I have already said, the English were passionately devoted
+to President Steyn and myself, I was deprived of their endearments for
+the space of two whole days, during which I was at Wilgeboomspruit. Here
+I was joined by Commandant Hasebroek with his commando, and all of
+us--horses as well as men--enjoyed a little rest. But very soon General
+Knox was again at our heels, and, to escape him, I marched west in the
+direction of Edenburg, hoping at last to be able to get into Cape
+Colony. Not only were the forces of General Knox _behind_ us, but, when
+we arrived at the farm of "Hexrivier," and thus were within two hours'
+march of Edenburg, I heard from my scouts, whom I had sent on in
+advance, that there was a great English column in _front_ of us at that
+town.
+
+In the evening, therefore, I turned off towards the east, and marched in
+the direction of Wepener.
+
+The following morning the enemy was again on our track; but, as we had
+covered twenty miles during the night, we were so far ahead that it was
+unnecessary for us to move very fast during that and the following day.
+
+At mid-day, the 13th of December, we took up excellent positions--placed
+in a line of about eight miles from end to end--on the farm called
+"Rietfontein," which is in the district of Wepener, north-east of
+Daspoort. We were so strongly posted that the enemy had to halt and wait
+for the arrival of the rearguard. I had calculated on this, and knew
+that darkness would come to our aid before the English were ready to
+attack us. But in front of us there was a strong line of forts,
+extending from Bloemfontein through Thaba'Nchu and Springhaansnek, to
+Ladybrand. Through this line we should have to fight our way; this would
+be difficult enough, and it would never do to have General Knox at our
+heels, to increase the difficulty. Our only plan, then, was to make a
+long night march, and thus to get well out of the way.
+
+Accordingly, I gave orders to the men to hold their positions until
+dark, and to let the enemy see that they were doing so. I had even had
+_schanzes_ built, so as to impress them with the idea that I intended to
+attack them the following day if they advanced towards my positions. And
+just before the night came on, I ordered the burghers to show themselves
+from behind all our _schanzes_.
+
+Then night fell, and I at once gave orders to march off.
+
+The burghers could not understand this, and began to grumble about
+it--what could their General mean? Why this sudden change in his plans?
+I said nothing, but thought to myself, "You shall know why to-morrow."
+
+We marched directly towards Springhaansnek. It was very slow work, for
+many of the burghers' horses were so weak that their owners had to go on
+foot. General Philip Botha and I were with the rearguard, and did not
+expect to reach the line of forts until ten o'clock on the following
+morning.
+
+We had not advanced very far before we were joined by Commandant Michal
+Prinsloo, who had with him three hundred of the Bethlehem burghers. He
+had come down from Springhaansnek, and as his horses were in good
+condition I ordered him to go in advance of us, to pass through
+Springhaansnek, and then to occupy positions to the north of the lines
+of forts and east of Thaba'Nchu.
+
+My object in making this arrangement was that when on the following
+morning we were crossing the mountains, he might be able to hinder the
+enemy at Thaba'Nchu from either checking our advance, or sending
+reinforcements to the Springhaansnek forts.
+
+And in point of fact, Prinsloo's commando proved to be our salvation;
+for the English, from their high position at Thaba'Nchu, spied us as
+soon as day broke, and indeed sent troops to reinforce the point for
+which we were making. But Prinsloo succeeded in holding them in check,
+so that when we arrived at Springhaansnek we had to fight against strong
+positions, but against nothing else--but I must not anticipate.
+
+Before it began to be light on the morning of the 14th of December,
+Commandant Prinsloo passed through the enemy's lines between the forts.
+The English fired upon him, but he did not turn back. Then a small
+outpost of the enemy, which lay half-way between the forts, made an
+attempt to turn the oncoming burghers by shooting at them from the
+front. The Commandant only gave strict orders that the men must force
+their way through. The consequence was that two of the enemy, who did
+not get out of the way in time, were literally ridden over. The burghers
+thought that these two unfortunate men had been trodden to death by the
+horses, but it was not likely that any of them would dismount to see if
+this were actually the case.
+
+As I have already said, General Botha and I were in the rearguard. We
+knew, however, that Vice-Commandant-in-Chief Piet Fourie--a man whom
+nothing on earth would stop, if he had once made up his mind--was
+leading the van, and that he was supported by Veldtcornet Johannes
+Hattingh, who was as resolute and undaunted as his chief.
+
+Fourie did not wait for us to catch him up, but at once went down the
+mountain side. When we saw this, General Botha and I rode with all speed
+ahead, telling the burghers to come on more gently with their weary
+horses. I did not fear thus to leave them behind, because I knew that
+General Knox was still a long way in the rear.
+
+Just as General Fourie, leading the first storming-party, had passed
+between the forts, we came up with him, our burghers still straggling on
+behind us. As soon as we had crossed over the first piece of rising
+ground, I halted my men, and ordered them to leave their horses out of
+sight of the enemy, and to return to the brow of the hill, so as to be
+able to fire into the forts on the right and left hand, which were from
+eight hundred to nine hundred paces from us. From this hill we kept up
+as fierce a fire as we could, and this to a great extent prevented the
+enemy in those forts from firing on our burghers who were still coming
+on in a long train.
+
+It is necessary, in order that the reader may understand the task which
+we had set ourselves to accomplish, to say a few words about
+Springhaansnek. At either side of the way by which we must pass, there
+were two strong forts, at a distance of from a thousand to twelve
+hundred paces from each other. In the space between them there was
+absolutely no cover; and the distance from the point where the burghers
+were first visible to the men in these forts, to the point where they
+again disappeared from view, was at least three thousand paces.
+
+Over these terrible three thousand paces our burghers raced, while a
+storm of bullets was poured in upon them from both sides. And of all
+that force--eight thousand strong--no single man was killed, and only
+one was wounded!
+
+Our marvellous escape can only be described to the providence and
+irresistible protection of Almighty God, who kept His hand graciously
+over us.
+
+What the enemy's loss was I never heard.
+
+In addition to the burghers, a few carts and waggons, as well as one of
+the two guns which had been taken at Dewetsdorp, got safely through the
+English lines. The other gun was left behind by the sergeant of the
+artillery, before he reached the fighting line. He sent the horses of
+the gun-carriage with the gunners, back to Commandant Hasel, who
+subsequently followed us to Ijzernek, to the west of Thaba'Nchu.
+
+My ambulance with Dr. Fourie and Dr. Poutsma, were stopped by the
+English. Dr. Fourie had, as was quite proper, remained outside the
+fighting line, with the intention of coming through afterwards. This he
+was permitted to do on the following day. He brought me a message from
+General Knox to the effect that Commandant Hasebroek had lost heavily in
+an engagement with Colonel White, who had marched out from Thaba'Nchu.
+But I had already received information that the Commandant had got
+through the enemy's lines unhurt, and that on the contrary it was he who
+had killed some of Colonel White's men, while they were attacking him.
+
+We decided to retreat still further, in order to reach a place of safety
+where we might rest our horses, in preparation for that long dash into
+Cape Colony, which I still intended to carry out on the first
+opportunity. I felt sure, however, that my commandos would be allowed
+no rest by the enemy as long as the President and I were with them.
+Accordingly I planned that as soon as we got to the north of Winburg he
+and I should absent ourselves from the commandos for some time, while I
+proceeded to arrange certain matters (to be set down in a later chapter)
+by which I hoped to effectually "settle"[77] the English.
+
+On our arrival at a certain farm to the south of Senekal we discovered
+that General Knox was once more at our heels. We had several small
+engagements with him, in one of which a son of Commandant Truter, of
+Harrismith, was killed.
+
+On the afternoon of Christmas Day, 1900, we left the farm, and rode on
+to the Tafelkop, nine miles to the west of Senekal.
+
+[Footnote 76: He was subsequently appointed Vice-Commander-in-Chief in
+Cape Colony.]
+
+[Footnote 77: In the original a Kaffir word is used here. The literal
+meaning of the phrase is "to throw the knuckle bones"--the Kaffir
+equivalent for dice.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+Wherein Something is Found About War against Women
+
+
+It was decided here, on the 26th December, to divide the large
+commando into two. The one part was to be under the command
+of Assistant-Chief-Commander P.H. Botha, and the other
+Assistant-Chief-Commander Pete Fourie.
+
+I entrusted to President Steyn a bodyguard under Commander Davel, who
+went with the Government in the direction of Reitz.
+
+As regards myself, I went to Assistant-Chief-Commander C.C. Froneman,
+who was with the Heilbron Commander, L. Steenekamp, in the neighbourhood
+of Heilbron. It was my intention to take with me from there a strong
+escort, and to dig up the ammunition at Roodewal taken on the 7th of
+June, as both our Mauser and our Lee-Metford ammunition were nearly
+exhausted, although we still had a fairly large supply of Martini-Henry
+Giddy cartridges.
+
+I then started from Tafelkop, on the 27th of December, and arrived two
+days later at General Froneman's commando, close to Heilbron. I had to
+wait there till the evening of the 31st December, until the necessary
+carriages and oxen had been got together for carrying the ammunition
+with us. Carriages were now no longer to be got easily, because the
+British had not only taken them away from the farms, but had also burnt
+many of them. Where formerly in each farm there were at least one
+carriage and a team of oxen, and in some two, three or even more, there
+were now frequently not a single one. Even where there were carriages
+the women had always to keep them in readiness to fly on them before the
+columns of the enemy, who had now already commenced to carry the women
+away from their dwellings to the concentration camps within their own
+lines, in nearly all villages where the English had established strong
+garrisons. Proclamations had been issued by Lord Roberts, prescribing
+that any building within ten miles from the railway, where the Boers had
+blown up or broken up the railway line, should be burnt down. This was
+also carried out, but not only within the specified radius, but also
+everywhere throughout the State. Everywhere houses were burnt down or
+destroyed with dynamite. And, worse still, the furniture itself and the
+grain were burnt, and the sheep, cattle and horses were carried off. Nor
+was it long before horses were shot down in heaps, and the sheep killed
+by thousands by the Kaffirs and the National Scouts, or run through by
+the troops with their bayonets. The devastation became worse and worse
+from day to day. And the Boer women--did they lose courage with this
+before their eyes? By no means, as when the capturing of women, or
+rather the war against them and against the possessions of the Boer
+commenced, they took to bitter flight to remain at least out of the
+hands of the enemy. In order to keep something for themselves and their
+children, they loaded the carriages with grain and the most
+indispensable furniture. When then a column approached a farm, even at
+night, in all sorts of weather, many a young daughter had to take hold
+of the leading rope of the team of oxen, and the mother the whip, or
+vice versa. Many a smart, well-bred daughter rode on horseback and urged
+the cattle on, in order to keep out of the hands of the pursuers as long
+as at all possible, and not to be carried away to the concentration
+camps, which the British called Refugee Camps (Camps of Refuge). How
+incorrect, indeed! Could any one ever have thought before the war that
+the twentieth century could show such barbarities? No. Any one knows
+that in war, cruelties more horrible than murder can take place, but
+that such direct and indirect murder should have been committed against
+defenceless women and children is a thing which I should have staked my
+head could never have happened in a war waged by the civilized English
+nation. And yet it happened. Laagers containing no one but women and
+children and decrepit old men, were fired upon with cannon and rifles in
+order to compel them to stop. I could append here hundreds of
+declarations in proof of what I say. I do not do so, as my object is not
+to write on this matter. I only touch upon it in passing. There are
+sufficiently many righteous pens in South Africa and England to pillory
+these deeds and bring them to the knowledge of the world, to remain on
+record for the future. For what nation exists, or has existed, which has
+not a historical record whether to its advantage or to its disadvantage?
+I cannot do it here as it should be done. And too much cannot be said
+about this shameful history.
+
+I had to unburden my heart. Now let me proceed.
+
+On the evening of the 1st of January, 1901, I pushed on towards Roodewal
+Station, for I had obtained all the waggons I needed for my purpose.
+Perhaps that night the outposts were asleep; but however that may be, we
+reached the railway without the enemy being aware of our movements. The
+hour was growing late, and so we had no choice but to remain where we
+were, nine miles from the spot at which we aimed. But the following
+evening we were again on the march, and reached the place where the
+ammunition had been buried. We found it untouched, and just where we had
+left it, a few miles from the railway, and quite close to the English
+camp, at Rhenosterriviersbrug.
+
+We were very careful to recover every cartridge, since it was clear that
+the war must still continue for a long space of time. _We_ could have no
+thought of giving up the struggle, whilst the pride of England would not
+allow her to turn back.
+
+We loaded our waggons with the ammunition, and I gave to General
+Froneman the task of conducting it across the railway line. I myself
+proceeded to the Vredefort commandos, which were stationed some fifteen
+miles away, for the state of affairs amongst these commandos called for
+my presence. On the 4th of January, when night had fallen, I crossed the
+railway near Vredefortweg, unnoticed by the enemy.
+
+Two days later I was back again with General Froneman's commando, where
+I found that the ammunition had arrived in safety. I was informed that
+General Knox had divided his forces into three parts, one of which had
+engaged General Fourie and Commandant Prinsloo, near Bethlehem. We had
+given the enemy a good beating, but had lost two men in the affair. I
+regret to say that one of them was that clever officer, Vice-Commandant
+Ignatius du Preeij. He was a man whom every burgher loved, for he was
+goodness personified. The second of General Knox's division had set out
+in the direction of Heilbron, whilst the third had pursued General
+Philip Botha along the Liebenbergsvlei.[78]
+
+This division had attempted to mislead General Botha by all sorts of
+tricks, but on January the 3rd he had put up notices outside different
+farmhouses, stating that he did not like such familiarity.
+
+On one occasion the General, with only fifty burghers, had charged one
+hundred and fifty of the bodyguard, and had taken one hundred and
+seventeen prisoners, leaving the whole of the remainder either killed or
+wounded.
+
+A panic now occurred among General Knox's forces. The division that was
+marching to Heilbron suddenly turned aside towards Kroonstad, only to
+meet with General Botha, who left them in anything but an undamaged
+condition.
+
+The division which had been despatched to deal with General Fourie and
+Commandant Prinsloo entered Senekal.
+
+When I arrived at General Botha's camp, which was situated six miles to
+the east of Lindley, I found that General Knox had already taken
+Kroonstad.
+
+After this we allowed ourselves a rest.
+
+On the 8th of January I received reports from Commandant Kritzinger and
+Captain Scheepers dealing with the state of affairs in Cape Colony. They
+informed me that they had safely crossed the Orange River by a
+foot-path. There was another footpath, more to the south, which an
+English outpost of eight men was guarding. These soldiers occupied a
+house near by, and the first warning they had that we had crossed the
+river was when the door of their abode opened, and they heard the order
+to "hands up."
+
+Commandant Kritzinger and Captain Scheepers also assured me that the
+sympathies of the Colonial burghers were strongly with us. Like every
+other right-minded man, I had expected this to be the case, for "blood
+is thicker than water."[79]
+
+Although the Colonials were well aware what a dangerous course they
+would be pursuing if they joined us, and how, later, they would be sure
+to be treated as rebels, they nevertheless threw in their lot with ours.
+
+From Judge Hertzog I received a very encouraging report as to the
+burghers in the north-western parts of Cape Colony. This news decided me
+on leaving behind, in their own districts, parts of the commandos from
+all the various divisions, and on taking others to join with me in a
+second expedition into Cape Colony. The following were the officers I
+took with me, ordering them to assemble at Doornberg, in the district of
+Winburg, on the 25th of January, 1901: Generals Piet Fourie, Philip
+Botha and Froneman; Commandants Prinsloo (Bethlehem), Steyn (Ficksburg),
+Hasebroek (Winburg), De Vos (Kroonstad), Merve (Parijs), Ross
+(Frankfort), Wessel Wessels[80] (Harrismith), Kolbe (Bloemfontein), and
+Jan Theron, with the renowned Theron Scouts.
+
+From the 8th to the 25th of January we were in the north-western
+districts of the Free State. We were waiting for a suitable opportunity
+to make a dash into Cape Colony.
+
+[Footnote 78: _Vlei_--a valley with stagnant water in it.]
+
+[Footnote 79: The Boer proverb is:--"Blood creeps where it cannot
+walk."]
+
+[Footnote 80: I had appointed him in place of Commandant Truter, who had
+resigned.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+I Again Attempt to Enter Cape Colony
+
+
+I was now about to make a second attempt to march into Cape Colony. I
+had great fears that my plans would leak out, since I was obliged to
+mention them to the commandants. But I was not able to confine all
+knowledge of my future movements entirely to the commandants. For I had
+sent many a burgher home to fetch a second horse; and the burghers began
+to make all sorts of guesses as to why they had to fetch the horses; and
+one could hear them mutter: "We are going to the Colony."
+
+But nevertheless they were all in good spirits, with the exception of
+some, who had for commander a most contradictory and obstinate officer.
+
+By January the 25th nearly the whole of my commandos had assembled; only
+General Philip Botha, with the burghers from Vrede under Commandant
+Hermanus Botha, had yet to arrive in order to complete our numbers; and
+he had been prevented coming.
+
+President Steyn and the Government decided to go with me and my two
+thousand burghers.
+
+At Doornberg the council of war was called together by the Government.
+President Steyn then communicated to the meeting that his term of office
+would soon expire. He pointed out that the provisions of the law
+designed to meet this contingency could not be carried out, because a
+legally constituted Volksraad could not be summoned at the present
+moment.
+
+The council of war decided to propose a candidate to the burghers
+without any delay, at the same time giving them the option of
+nominating candidates of their own. Further, it was decided that the
+candidate who should be elected should be sworn in as Vice-States
+President, and retain that title until the time arrived when the
+condition of the country should make it possible to hold an election in
+conformity with the law.
+
+After the voting had taken place, it was found that the former
+President, Marthinus Theunis Steyn, had been unanimously re-elected.
+
+At the burghers' meeting the voting resulted in the same way, except at
+a meeting at which Mr. Cecil Rhodes was proposed as a candidate. This
+proposal was not seconded!
+
+President Steyn was declared elected. And he was then sworn in.
+
+The executive Raad now consisted of the President, as chairman, with T.
+Brain, Secretary of State, W.J.C. Brebner, Secretary of State, A.P.
+Cronje, Jan Meijer and myself as members. Mr. Rocco De Villiers was
+Secretary of the War Council, and Mr. Gordon Fraser, Private Secretary
+to the States President.
+
+No States-Procureur had been appointed since Mr. Jacob De Villiers had
+been taken prisoner at Bothaville; but the Council appointed Mr. Hendrik
+Potgieter, Landdrost of Kroonstad, as Public Prosecutor.
+
+Various causes had made it impossible for a legally constituted
+Volksraad to sit. Some members had, as we called it, "hands-upped";
+others had thought that they had done quite enough when they had voted
+for the war. I would be the last to assert that they had done wrong in
+voting thus. The whole world is convinced that, whatever the Boers might
+have done, England was determined to colour the map of South Africa red!
+And England succeeded beyond her expectations! For South Africa was
+stained with the blood of burghers and defenceless women and children,
+and with the blood of English soldiers who had died in a quarrel for
+which they were not responsible, and which could have been avoided!
+
+There were other members--and I had no patience with them--who had said:
+"We will give our last drop of blood for our country," and then had
+taken good care that no one should have a chance of getting even the
+first drop! They preferred to remain quietly at home, and wait for the
+English to come and make them prisoners of war!
+
+Only a minority of the members had remained faithful to our cause, and
+these did not constitute a quorum; and so no sitting could take place.
+This small party, as far as I can recollect, consisted of the following
+ten members: C.H. Wessels Bishop, Chairman; Wessel Wessels (Vrede); J.B.
+Wessels (Winburg); A.P. Cronje (Winburg); Jan Steijl (Bloemfontein); Jan
+Meijer (Harrismith); J.J. Van Niekerk (Fauresmith); Daniel Steyn
+(Heilbron); Hendrik Ecksteen (Vrede); and Hendrik Serfontein
+(Kroonstad).
+
+We marched from Doornberg on the 26th of January to Commandant Sarel
+Hasebroek's farm, which is eight miles to the north of Winburg.
+
+There was a strong English force seven or eight miles to the east of
+Winburg, and another body of the enemy eleven or twelve miles still
+further to the east. In addition, a column was marching northwards from
+Ventersburg, west of our position.
+
+It was perfectly plain that the enemy were aware of our intentions; but
+this, as I have already said, could not be helped. Our army was so
+constituted that no secret could be kept; and I decided for the future
+to tell no one of any further plans I might form.
+
+On the 27th of January I reconnoitred to the east of Winburg, and took
+care to let myself be seen, for I wished to make it appear that it was
+my intention to proceed in that direction in the evening. Meanwhile I
+secretly sent my scouts to the west.
+
+That night I marched to the west of Winburg, crossing the branch
+railway without meeting with any opposition, and arrived on the
+following morning at the Vet River--to the south of the town. We did not
+advance very fast,[81] as we expected that we should soon once more have
+to face the difficulty of marching with exhausted horses.
+
+In the afternoon we continued our way till we had passed Tabaksberg. The
+following morning, January 28th, I received a report that the English
+were advancing in two divisions. I ordered my burghers to up-saddle and
+to occupy positions to the east of Takasberg.
+
+The enemy's right wing was to the east, and we stationed ourselves on
+some ridges that lay in front of them, but were unable to deliver an
+attack. We charged their left wing, however, and captured a
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which was in perfect order, at the cost of one killed
+and three wounded. Our other losses amounted to a very small number.
+
+As to the enemy's losses, they took some of their dead and wounded away,
+but they left behind them several of their dead at the spot where we had
+captured the gun.
+
+To remain there and continue the fighting the next day could not even be
+thought of; for if we had waited the English would have had time to
+bring up reinforcements, and my plan of entering Cape Colony would have
+been rendered impossible.
+
+Our position was difficult enough. The enemy were at our heels, and we
+had to get away as best we could. In front of us there was the line of
+fortifications from Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, which had been greatly
+strengthened since we had forced our way through it at Springhaansnek.
+It was impossible to get through at Springhaansnek now.
+
+I decided to march towards Thaba'Nchu. But in order to deceive the
+English I sent a strong patrol on the following day in the direction of
+Springhaansnek, ordering them to make no attempt to conceal their
+movements.
+
+I could advance for eight miles without attracting the enemy's notice;
+but if I had gone further I should have been seen from the forts. I need
+scarcely say that it was greatly to my advantage not to give the English
+a chance of seeing me. And so when we had covered eight miles we
+off-saddled. If I had allowed the English to discover what I was doing
+they would have brought up troops from Thaba'Nchu, Sanna's Post and
+Bloemfontein; and these troops in combination with the force behind me
+might have put me into a very awkward position.
+
+My old friend, General Knox, whose duty it had been to prevent me
+entering Cape Colony on a previous occasion, was again entrusted with
+the same task. Any person who has had dealings with this General will
+acknowledge that he is apt to be rather a troublesome friend; for not
+only does he understand the art of marching by night, but he is also
+rather inclined to be overbearing when he measures his strength with
+that of his opponents.
+
+And now, as we were in camp, congratulating ourselves that we were safe
+for the time being, my scouts reported that this same General Knox was
+approaching. I at once ordered the burghers to up-saddle, and to inspan
+the ten waggons we had with us laden with ammunition and flour.
+
+I left behind me a portion of my commando under General Fourie, whose
+duty it was to check General Knox, whilst I myself was going forward to
+clear a road through the enemy's forts.
+
+It was lucky for us that General Knox had been deceived by the strong
+patrol I had sent in the direction of Springhaansnek, and that he had
+come to the conclusion that my commando was marching to the same place.
+He therefore started off in that direction and continued until he
+discovered his mistake. Then he turned aside and came in contact with
+General Fourie. Our men held him back for a few hours, and lost two men,
+very badly wounded in the engagement.
+
+Whilst this was occurring I had reached the forts between Thaba'Nchu and
+Sanna's Post. When I was there a reinforcement of cavalry approached
+from the direction of Bloemfontein.
+
+I immediately opened fire (with a gun and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt at a range
+of 4,000 paces) on the fort, which obstructed my road. After we had
+fired a few shots the English abandoned that fort and fled to the
+nearest fort to the east. Shortly afterwards this fort was also
+abandoned.
+
+The fort to the west was captured by Commandant Steenekamp and the
+Heilbron burghers. They succeeded in taking a few prisoners; but most of
+the enemy fled to Sanna's Post. Only one of the Heilbron burghers was
+wounded--Piet Steenekamp, the son of the Commandant.
+
+And now our road was clear; and we passed through! General Fourie joined
+us two hours after sunset. Then we marched on to Dewetsdorp[82] where we
+arrived on January 31st.
+
+General Knox, I heard, proceeded to Bloemfontein; thence he sent his
+troops to the railway bridge across the Orange River, near Bethulie. He
+was now aware that we were determined to enter the Colony at all costs,
+and so he stationed troops everywhere to turn us back. He placed forces
+not only at Bethulie railway bridge, but also at Springfontein, and
+Norvalspont. Thus he could easily prevent us crossing at the fords.
+
+I had now to find some trump card which would spoil the game he was
+playing!
+
+I ordered General Froneman to proceed from the source of the Kaffir
+River in the direction of Jagersfontein Road Station, to the west of
+Dewetsdorp: General Fourie I despatched in the direction of
+Odendaalsstroom, on the Orange River, to the farm of Klein
+Kinderfontein, to the west of Smithfield.
+
+I then sent scouts to the neighbourhood of Odendaalsdrift. They told me
+that there was an English patrol at the drift, and that they had heard
+that the enemy expected that we should try and cross into Cape Colony at
+that spot.
+
+The following day I ordered a patrol to ride up and down the river; and
+I caused a report to be spread to the effect that I considered it too
+dangerous to cross the Orange River below its junction with the Caledon,
+owing to the river being already very full and quite unfordable if there
+was any rain at all; and that I had for this reason decided to recall
+General Froneman, and to take Odendaalsstroom by force, or else to
+attack the enemy at the Aliwal-north Bridge.
+
+I felt quite sure that this rumour would reach General Knox that very
+day, for he had plenty of friends in the neighbourhood of the Caledon
+and the Orange River.
+
+General Froneman had orders to march in the direction of Zanddrift,
+which is about half-way between Norvals Pont railway bridge and that of
+Hopetown. He succeeded in capturing a train close to Jagersfontein Road
+Station, by the simple device of blowing up the line both in front of it
+and behind it. In this train the burghers found a great quantity of
+things they greatly needed.
+
+It should not be forgotten that there were scarcely any factories in
+South Africa, and this was more especially the case in the two
+Republics. And, as all imports had been stopped for some considerable
+time, it was natural that any booty which consisted of such things as
+saddles, blankets and ammunition was very acceptable.
+
+When the burghers had helped themselves to what they wanted, the train
+was burnt.
+
+For the space of a day I remained quiet, so that I might be quite sure
+that the English had received the report I had spread.
+
+I soon discovered that my plan had been quite successful. The English
+marched off in the direction I wished, believing, no doubt, that the
+rumours they had heard were true; whilst I, on the evening of the 5th of
+February, 1901, took some of the burghers, with the guns and waggons, to
+a spot between the stations of Springfontein and Jagersfontein, and the
+following day remained in hiding.
+
+I left General Fourie behind me with a horse-commando, with orders to
+remain there for two days, and to carry on manoeuvres in the direction
+of Odendaalsstroom.
+
+I crossed the railway line that evening without any mishap to my force,
+but to my great sorrow the valiant Lieutenant Banie[83] Enslin, one of
+the best of my scouts, was severely wounded the same night, and fell
+into the hands of the English. He had ridden in advance with one of
+Theron's Scouting Corps, with the object of finding a favourable spot
+where he could lead us across the railway. The night was very dark, and
+he had lost his way. We crossed, as I have already said, without
+hindrance; but he and his companions rode into an outpost of the enemy a
+few miles to the north. The English opened fire on them, with the
+unhappy result that the estimable Banie was so seriously wounded that he
+had to be left behind. His comrades joined us the following morning,
+bringing the sad news with them.
+
+We now continued our march at as rapid a pace as was possible; but the
+road was so soaked by rain that it was difficult for the oxen and the
+mules to draw the waggons and the guns.
+
+On the 8th of February we overtook General Froneman at Lubbesdrift, six
+miles to the north of Philippolis. We pushed on that evening towards
+Zanddrift, which we reached on the 10th of February. Then we crossed
+over into Cape Colony.
+
+When we had crossed the river, I received a report from my scouts that
+there were about twenty of the enemy in a strong _schanze_ on a kopje,
+which was about half an hour's march further up stream. I gave orders
+that a veldtcornet and twenty-five men, among whom was one of my staff,
+Willem Pretorius, should go and capture the _schanze_.
+
+The veldtcornet preferred not to approach beyond a certain distance, and
+consequently Willem Pretorius and four other men were left to do the
+work.
+
+Willem climbed the hill from one side, and the others, dividing into
+two, climbed it from the other side at two different points. They were
+met by a severe fire from the fort, but when they got to close quarters
+up went the white flag, and the English shouted "We surrender!"
+
+Thus Willem Pretorius and four burghers captured twenty prisoners and a
+like number of horses, saddles, bridles, rifles and bandoliers, not to
+mention some three thousand cartridges.
+
+When the veldtcornet at last arrived with his twenty men, he certainly
+proved himself very useful in carrying away the booty!
+
+This veldtcornet was shortly afterwards "Stellenbosched."[84] I then
+nominated in his place Willem Pretorius[85] as veldtcornet.
+
+We left the river that afternoon behind us, and marched south to Mr.
+Bezuidenhout's farm. The following day we waited there for General
+Fourie to join us. He arrived the next day--and now we were ready to
+begin the game once more!
+
+Our position was embarrassing, for not only was there a large English
+force at General Fourie's heels, but also there were two strong columns
+on the north from Colesberg, which were making for Hamelfontein. And
+these two columns were some twelve miles from us.
+
+I at once set out in the direction of Hamelfontein, and the following
+day I discovered that the enemy's columns had divided into two parties;
+one of them had gone in a westerly direction, whilst the other was
+marching straight towards us. Meanwhile the force which had pursued
+General Fourie had crossed the river at Zanddrift.
+
+My intention had been to divide my force into three divisions directly I
+arrived in the Colony. But I had been obliged to wait till General
+Fourie could join me; and when he had come, there was such large numbers
+of the enemy on every side that they gave me no opportunity of carrying
+out my original intention.
+
+I may mention here that Lieutenant Malan, who became afterwards
+Commandant, and ultimately Vechtgeneraal, had penetrated into the Colony
+with fifty or sixty men, and had advanced considerably farther than I
+had done.
+
+That afternoon I ordered the small waggon to proceed to a point between
+Philipstown and Petrusville.
+
+We had several slight skirmishes with the English; and at sunset we
+nearly fell into their hands, but fortunately we were successful in
+holding the enemy in check until our small laager had passed.
+
+During that night we marched to Hondeblaf River. The following morning
+we found that there was no grass for the horses, for the locusts had
+eaten it all. The horses, poor creatures, were very hungry, and also
+much exhausted by all those forced marches. When we had been at Winburg,
+the pasture had been very poor although it had rained every day. This,
+of course, was very good for the veldt; but unfortunately it did not
+rain grass--the veldt required time to produce it.
+
+All this was most unlucky. Already some of my men had to go on foot, and
+there were no horses to be obtained in that district.
+
+The number of my burghers had now been diminished by nearly six hundred
+men. Commandant Prinsloo had remained behind with three hundred men,
+Vice-Commandant Van Tonder with one hundred, and lastly, Commandant De
+Vos at the Orange River with two hundred.
+
+There was now only one course open to us--and that was to cross as
+quickly as possible the railway line near Hopetown, for if an English
+force was brought down by rail, it would mean our utter destruction.
+
+We accordingly moved away at once from Hondeblaf River. The following
+day the English were again hot on our track. I ordered General Fourie
+and General Froneman to oppose the enemy, for it was necessary that
+something should be done to save our rearguard from being cut off. These
+Generals had several sharp engagements with the English, resulting in
+the capture of a number of prisoners, and a considerable loss in dead
+and wounded to the English.
+
+After we had been on the march for a short time, a "Broodspioen"[86]
+came rushing up to me. (Had not my scouts been riding in a different
+direction they would have given me notice of his proximity.) He told me
+that he and a friend of his of the same calling had gone to a farm near
+by to buy bread, but when they had approached the house, a number of
+English soldiers appeared at the door and called out "hands up!" His
+friend had been captured, but he having been some fifteen paces from the
+house, had managed to escape under a hail of bullets. He had had to
+gallop one thousand paces before he could get out of range behind a
+ridge that stretched between us and the farm. I ordered the burghers to
+halt behind the ridge, and sent a small body of men ahead to determine
+the strength of the enemy. We could now see that the English had hidden
+their horses behind some fruit-trees. When they caught sight of our men
+on the top of the ridge, they took up positions behind kraals and a
+dam-wall not far from the house, knowing well that escape was
+impossible.
+
+I thought it best to send a note to this handful of men, advising them
+to surrender, for I did not wish that any of my burghers' lives should
+be sacrificed in an unnecessary attack. Whilst I was writing the letter
+they punctuated it by an incessant fire, to which the burghers replied
+by a few shots, although none of the enemy were visible. As soon,
+however, as my despatch rider appeared with a white flag, their firing
+ceased. The answer they returned left something to be desired--"We shall
+not surrender!"
+
+I immediately ordered fifty of my men to attack them. Hardly had I given
+the order, when a number of young burghers sprung on their horses and
+galloped at break-neck pace towards the kraals.
+
+And now there was an end to all boasting, for without firing a single
+shot the enemy surrendered.
+
+We took twenty prisoners there, and an equal number of rifles and
+bandoliers. The horses we captured--again twenty in number--were in
+excellent condition, and all up-saddled. We now had made ninety men our
+prisoners since we crossed the Orange River.
+
+The joy of the Broodspioen, who had been for fifty minutes in the hands
+of the English, was very great; and I believe he never returned again to
+his very doubtful profession.
+
+The following day we came to a farm about six miles to the east of
+Houtkraal Station, which we christened Moddervlei,[87] on account of the
+experience we had on the night following our arrival.
+
+The great English force was close behind us, and when night fell the
+enemy were not more than five miles from us.
+
+It was at the hour of sunset, shortly before we came to the swamp, which
+I shall presently describe, that my scouts came across fifteen of the
+enemy. When the English saw our men they turned round at once. But they
+did not get away before one was shot from his horse, and another
+seriously wounded, and several of them taken prisoner.
+
+I now sent two patrols to blow up the railway, seven miles at each side
+of the point where I intended to cross. I had no wish that an armoured
+train should appear and prevent my crossing.
+
+But, before we could reach the railway line a swamp lay in our way. This
+swamp was about one thousand paces broad, and was covered knee deep with
+water, and in some places even deeper; for heavy rain had fallen during
+the afternoon. The water, however, would have been a matter of very
+little consequence, had it not been that the bottom of the swamp was of
+such a nature that the horses sank in it up to their knees, and even
+sometimes up to their girths. But we fourteen hundred riders had to get
+over it somehow or other!
+
+Let the reader try to picture to himself the condition of the swamp when
+the last burgher had crossed!
+
+Many of the men lost their balance as their horses struggled in the mud,
+and several of the burghers had to dismount and lead their poor
+tired-out animals.
+
+The guns and the waggons caused us a great deal of trouble. We inspanned
+thirty oxen to each gun; but if it got stuck fast in the mud, fifty oxen
+were sometimes not sufficient to move it.
+
+At last we got the guns through, and succeeded in getting a trolley,
+and the little waggon which carried my documents and papers, safely to
+the other side. But the ammunition and flour-waggons were impossible to
+move when they had once entered the swamp.
+
+It was a night which I shall never forget!
+
+We had now to determine what we should do with the waggons. The day
+would soon break and we could only cross the railway line when darkness
+covered our movements. It would be disastrous to us if, while we were
+still between the swamp and the railway, troops should be brought up by
+rail from De Aar and Hopetown.
+
+It was perfectly clear that those who had crossed the swamp must go on.
+And so I advanced, at the same time giving General Fourie orders to
+remain behind with a hundred of the men whose horses were less exhausted
+than those of the other burghers, and to try to get the waggons through.
+In the event of the enemy arriving before his task was completed, I told
+him to leave the waggons and make his escape to the south.
+
+Having given these orders, I proceeded with my commando to the railway
+line. Only the weakest of the horses were with us, so that many of my
+burghers had to go on foot.
+
+The ninety prisoners we had taken were with me. I could not release
+them, because I did not want them to tell the enemy how exhausted our
+horses were. Should the English know this they would know exactly where
+our weak point lay.
+
+I pitied the poor "Tommies," but what else could I do but order them to
+march with me? I treated them as well as I could, and made no difference
+between them and the burghers. And after all, many of our own men had to
+go on foot.
+
+Any delay was dangerous, and so we hurried on as fast as possible. When
+we reached the railway line, day had already begun to break.
+Fortunately, we met with no opposition; the patrols had followed my
+orders and broken the line.
+
+When the sun rose one could see what a terrible condition the burghers
+were in. On every man's face utter exhaustion could be read. But how
+could it have been otherwise? The men had had fighting to do the
+previous day, and had only once been able to off-saddle, and that not
+long enough to cook a piece of meat. Rain had also been falling in
+torrents, and most of the men were wet to the skin, for very few of them
+had waterproofs. And to make matters still worse, the burghers were
+covered with the mud from the swamp that still clung to them.
+
+Twenty-four hours had passed without the men being able to lie down and
+rest; and sleep, of course, had been entirely impossible.
+
+Three miles beyond the railway line I gave orders to off-saddle,
+although there was no grass for the horses. Hardly had we dismounted
+when I was told that we should find grass about one hour's ride further
+on. And so we mounted again, fatigued though we were, and found pasture
+at last for the poor animals. I thought it better that the masters
+should endure more hardships than that the horses should go without
+grass. We were rewarded for our short ride by the knowledge that our
+horses had something to eat, and we could sleep in peace without having
+to think that our animals were starving.
+
+But before we could sleep hunger compelled us to kill a sheep which we
+had bought from a farmer living near. In that part of Cape Colony
+sheep-farming is almost the only occupation, and so well adapted is this
+district for rearing sheep that it is quite an exception to see a lean
+one. It may interest some of my readers to know that the African sheep
+has a very remarkable peculiarity; it possesses a huge tail, which
+sometimes weighs as much as ten pounds.
+
+We were unable to obtain bread, and our flour had remained behind in the
+waggons. The sound of an explosion had told us that General Fourie had
+not been able to save them, and that by now they must have been burnt.
+
+I heard later on that General Fourie had been attacked by the English
+and had not been able to set fire to the waggons himself. But the
+English, so my scouts informed me, had done the work for him, and so
+thoroughly that they had also burnt some of their own waggons which had
+got into the swamp.
+
+After we had helped ourselves to a good "African boutspan," and had
+slept with our saddles as pillows, we were all in good spirits again,
+although we could not forget our experiences in the swamp.
+
+The burghers whom I had with me were of the right stamp, and were
+prepared to sacrifice everything for the freedom of the people. If any
+one had asked them whether they were ready to undergo any further
+hardships, they would have replied that a hundred swamps would not
+discourage them. They knew that freedom was a pearl of such value that
+no man since the world began had been able to set a price upon it.
+
+When General Fourie had abandoned the waggons, he retreated to the
+south, crossing the railway at De Aar. He joined me again near
+Petrusville when I was returning to the Free State.
+
+As the English had to march round the swamp, leaving their waggons
+behind, we were not pressed for time, or obliged to march very far. We
+took advantage of this respite to give our horses a little rest.
+
+I now proceeded to the west of Hopetown, in the direction of
+Strijdenburg. The following day the English were again on our heels in
+greater numbers than ever, and advancing more speedily than before. I
+was obliged to engage their vanguard for nearly the whole of that day.
+
+That evening we arrived at a spot about ten or twelve miles to the
+north-west of Strijdenburg. Here I left Commandant Hasebroek behind
+with three hundred men, till the following morning, with orders to watch
+the enemy and hold them back if necessary. This would give my burghers
+who were on foot, or whose horses were exhausted, a chance of getting
+away.
+
+I might here explain to the uninitiated our methods of checking the
+advance of the enemy.
+
+The burghers who had the best horses would remain behind any rise or
+kopje they could find in the neighbourhood. When the enemy approached
+and saw ahead of them two or three hundred burghers they would halt and
+bring their guns (which were usually placed in the middle of the column)
+to the front. When they had got the guns in position, they would bombard
+the ridge behind which the burghers were stationed. But as our men had
+no wish to remain under fire, they would then quietly withdraw out of
+sight. But the English would continue bombarding the hill, and would
+send flanking parties to the right and left. Sometimes it would take the
+English several hours before they could make sure that there were no
+Boers behind the rise.
+
+It was tactics such as the above that gave my burghers who were
+handicapped by the condition of their horses, time to retreat.
+
+It sometimes happened, in these rearguard actions, when the position was
+favourable, that the enemy were led into an ambush, and then they were
+either captured or sent racing back under our fire to bring up their
+guns and main force. Had we not acted in some such way as this, all my
+men would have been taken prisoner in this and in many other marches.
+
+The large forces which the English on all occasions concentrated round
+me deprived me of any chance of fighting a great battle; and I could
+only act in the way I did.
+
+If the reader is eager to know how it was that I kept out of the enemy's
+hands until the end of the war, I can only answer, although I may not
+be understood, that I ascribed it to nothing else than this:--It was not
+God's will that I should fall into their hands.
+
+Let those who rejoice at my miraculous escapes give all the praise to
+God.
+
+[Footnote 81: Our forethought proved later on to have been of little
+avail. For notwithstanding the bountiful rains which had fallen at the
+end of November and the beginning of January in the southern and western
+parts of the State we found, when we arrived there, that the grass had
+been entirely destroyed by the locusts. Neither could we obtain any
+fodder; and so the difficulty of providing for our horses was as great
+as ever.]
+
+[Footnote 82: At this date the English had not re-garrisoned the town.]
+
+[Footnote 83: Barend.]
+
+[Footnote 84: Stellenbosched: this was the word the English applied to
+officers, who, on account of inefficiency, or for other reasons, had to
+be dismissed. Stellenbosch was a place where only very unimportant work
+was performed.]
+
+[Footnote 85: I must give a short account of Willem Pretorius, for he
+was a dear friend of mine. He had only reached the age of twenty when I
+made him a Veldtcornet. His courage certainly could not be surpassed,
+yet he never let it go beyond his reason. About twenty days before the
+conclusion of Peace, he was killed by a bullet at a range of 1,100
+paces. Throughout the whole previous course of the war fortune had
+favoured him almost miraculously: six horses had been killed and many
+more wounded under him; yet he had never received more than a scratch.
+But in the end he, like so many other brave men, was destined to die for
+the country that he loved so dearly. Poor Willem! You and the other
+heroes in our struggle will live for ever in our memories.]
+
+[Footnote 86: Broodspioen: _literally_ a bread spy. This was the name
+applied to a burgher, who, with or without an order from his officer,
+rode in advance of his commando to obtain bread for himself and his
+comrades. He was frequently a man who placed the interests of his
+stomach before the safety of his commando.]
+
+[Footnote 87: A swamp.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+Darkness Proves my Salvation
+
+
+Commandant Hasebroek held the enemy in check whilst we continued our
+march to a place called Vrouwpan. On the following day we struck the
+Brak River at a point ten miles south-east of its confluence with the
+Orange River, to the east of Prieska. It was not fordable, and we had to
+off-saddle.
+
+There was absolutely no chance of getting across--the best of swimmers
+would have been helpless in that swollen torrent, which rushed down to
+the Orange River, its great waves roaring like a tempestuous sea.
+
+About two hours before sunset Commandant Hasebroek reported that the
+English were rapidly approaching. The question was, "Which way shall we
+go?" It was impossible to escape either to the south of the river or in
+the direction of the enemy, for the veldt was too flat to afford us any
+cover. If we were not to be cornered against an impassable torrent, we
+must make our way down stream to the north-west; and even then we should
+be in danger of being driven on to the Orange River, which was only ten
+miles distant. By taking this road the English would not see us, on
+account of a ridge which lay between us and them.
+
+My plan was to get behind this ridge and to march under its shelter
+until darkness came on; then, proceeding up the Orange River, to attack
+the enemy in the rear. They were, however, only nine miles from us, and
+should their advance be rapid, they would reach the friendly ridge
+before night came on; and the danger would then be that before I had
+fulfilled my purpose, we should be hemmed in between two swollen rivers
+with the most fatal consequences. The risk was great, but no other
+course was open to us. There was no time to seek advice from any one; I
+had but a moment to spare in which to acquaint President Steyn with my
+scheme. He said at once: "General, do as you think best."
+
+My mind had been already made up; but my respect for the President was
+so great, and we had always worked in such harmony, that I did not like
+to do anything without his knowledge; besides which, his advice was
+often of great value. Joshua of old prayed that the day might be
+lengthened: but here the case was different; we had reason to be
+thankful that the day was passed and night had begun to fall before the
+vanguard of the enemy had reached the ridge, from the summit of which
+they might have observed us.
+
+That night was the darkest I had ever known. And this was in our favour.
+Very quietly we retreated in a line parallel with the English column
+until, on the following morning, we were not only out of sight but a
+good nine or ten miles behind the enemy, who were marching on, fully
+expecting to corner us between the two rivers.
+
+The English army had been enormously reinforced, and it was clear that
+now more than ever they were putting forth all their powers to silence
+President Steyn and myself effectually.
+
+From their point of view they were right; for had things turned out in
+such a way that we could have remained in Cape Colony, then I am
+convinced we should have made matters very awkward for them.
+
+But what were we to do now? With so many burghers on foot or provided
+only with worn-out horses, it was useless to think of circumventing the
+enemy, and thus getting once more to the south of them; whereas to go up
+stream along the banks of the Orange River until we could discover a
+ford, and then to return across it into the Free State, would mean the
+upsetting of my plan of campaign.
+
+I was obliged to make the best of a bad bargain; and I decided to find a
+way across the Orange River before the enemy had discovered my
+whereabouts.
+
+That day, the 20th of February, we set out along the river, looking for
+a ford. The river was falling, but as there was no feasible crossing we
+had no choice but to go on, trusting that we should find one near the
+confluence of the two rivers. Here again we were disappointed; the punts
+which should have been there had been destroyed some time before by the
+English, but we heard of a boat six miles higher up, so on we marched.
+When found, it was only a small boat, capable of holding, at most,
+twelve men, but we got to work at once, and by the evening of the 22nd
+there were two hundred dismounted burghers on the other bank of the
+river. Some crossed by swimming, in attempting which a man of the name
+of Van de Nerwe was drowned.
+
+A few of those who crossed in the boat succeeded in pulling their horses
+after them.
+
+On the morning of the 23rd I received a report that the English forces
+were close on our heels. We did not expect them so soon, but they had
+made a long night's march. Without delay we off-saddled, and proceeded
+along the river, while the rearguard covered our retreat. The force of
+the enemy was, however, too great, and the rearguard had, after a short
+engagement, to give way.
+
+Fortunately the veldt was broken, and we could (as we had done a few
+days previously) march ahead out of sight of the enemy. Towards two
+o'clock in the afternoon we were obliged to off-saddle, but could only
+do so for one hour, for the English were upon us again. Our gun and
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt we had to leave behind for the enemy; the draught
+cattle had become exhausted, and we had no dynamite with which to blow
+up the guns.
+
+But what did it matter? England had already so many big guns that two
+more could not make much difference, if added to the four hundred which
+that country--one of the oldest and strongest of Empires--had brought
+against a small nation, fighting only to defend its sacred rights.
+
+Nevertheless, it cut me to the heart to give up my guns[88] on that
+day--the 23rd of February--the commemoration day of the independence of
+the Orange Free State. In happier times we had celebrated this day
+amongst our friends, to the accompaniment of salvoes of rifles. Now we
+were obliged to celebrate it by giving up the only two guns with which
+we could still shoot, and which we were now to see turned upon
+ourselves.
+
+My feelings on that day I can never forget! Those Englishmen who go by
+the name of "Pro-Boers" are the best fitted to describe the anguish
+which then overpowered me, for they stood up for justice even against
+their own people. And this not because they were hostile to their
+Government, or to the greatness of England's power, but only because
+they were not without moral sense, because they could not stifle
+conscience at the expense of justice, nor identify themselves with
+iniquitous actions.
+
+But the day will come--of this I am convinced--when not Pro-Boers only,
+but all England will acknowledge our rights--the rights which we shall
+then have earned by our quiet faithfulness and obedience. I cannot
+believe that any father will look without pity on a child who comes to
+him as a child should--obedient and submissive.
+
+The 23rd of February, 1901, the forty-seventh anniversary of the Orange
+Free States, had been a disastrous day for us indeed, but it was to end
+in another miraculous escape, for in the darkness of that evening it
+again happened that we were delivered from an apparently unavoidable
+misfortune. As I have said already, the English were firing on my
+rear-guard; at the same time my scouts came in to tell me that, just in
+front of us, at a distance of not quite four miles, there was another
+great army of the enemy. I had intended to march that night to the west
+of Hopetown. But now if I went in that direction I should only run
+straight on to this army. If we went to the left we could only advance
+2,000 paces before being visible to the English on the kop close to
+Hopetown, from where they could make known our movements by heliograph.
+At our front, at our back, on our left, the outlook was hopeless; and to
+the right lay the cruel river. Stand still we could not--the enemy were
+upon us--it was impossible that anything could save us--no, not
+impossible--a rescue was at hand.
+
+The sun was just going down, and by the time we could be seen from
+Hopetown, night would have covered us with its sheltering wings.
+
+We should then be able to execute a flank movement, and make a detour
+round the enemy who were before us. But now I knew that we must be
+prepared to march nearly the whole night through, in order that we might
+be able, early on the following morning, to cross the railway lines. If
+we did not do this, then we should have the enemy close in our rear, and
+perhaps an armour train threatening us in front. But ... there were the
+burghers on foot and those who had weak horses; and I had not the heart
+to make them march on foot for so long a time, yet the thought of
+allowing such trustworthy patriotic burghers to fall into the hands of
+the enemy was unbearable. I therefore decided on letting them take a
+cross road to the north, to the banks of the Orange River about five
+miles from our position. There, on the banks of the river, were many
+bushes amongst which they could hide themselves until the enemy had
+passed by. They could then proceed along the banks of the river and
+cross it by means of the boat. I cautioned them not to march in one
+troop, or in one trail, but to spread out, so that the English could not
+easily follow their tracks. In this the poor burghers succeeded; they
+already, on that memorable and sad day, had marched eighteen miles; but
+they had yet to cover another five miles to the river before they could
+take their night's rest. They accomplished this feat (on the second day)
+under the valiant and true Commandant Hasebroek, whose horse, although
+tired, was still able to proceed. As for me, I marched away in the
+evening, and after we had rested that night for a few hours, we arrived
+at a place a short distance to the south of Hopetown. About eight
+o'clock we crossed the line, which was fortunately at that point not as
+yet guarded by forts, and off-saddled about six miles beyond. We had
+eaten nothing since the previous day, and it will easily be understood
+that we were so hungry that we, as the Boer proverb says,--"could have
+eaten off a nail's head." There we got some sheep, and it was not long
+before they were killed, broiled, and eaten; what a meal we made!
+
+Towards mid-day we headed once more for the Orange River. We thought
+that by the time we arrived it would be fordable, for we had seen on the
+previous morning that it was falling rapidly, but what was our
+disappointment! there must have been rain higher up the stream, as the
+river had become fuller, and there was still no chance of crossing.
+
+The English were approaching. We had, however, to use our field glasses
+to enable us to see them, as we were fifteen or sixteen miles in front
+of them. Once more there were burghers whose horses were tired and who
+had to march on foot. We thought now that there would be a better chance
+at Limoensdrift; and every one who knew this ford said that it was a
+shallow one. The following day saw us there, and--the river was quite
+full! We then tried higher up, still with the same result--every drift
+was unfordable.
+
+At last we reached the Zanddrift, where we had crossed seventeen days
+before. We knew that this was a shallow drift, and on arriving there I
+got two young burghers,--of whom the one, David Heenop, was an excellent
+swimmer,--to make a trial. The water had not appeared to be so deep as
+we found it to be, when the two burghers plunged into it. They could not
+remain on their horses' backs, but had to swim alongside of them to the
+other side of the river. All thought of their return was out of the
+question; they had risked their lives in crossing, and I gave them
+orders from my side of the river not to attempt the passage back. But
+they had not a stitch of clothing on them, for they had stripped
+themselves before entering the water! In this state, then, they were
+obliged to mount their horses and proceed, and this under a burning sun,
+which scorched them with its rays. About three-quarters of an hour's
+ride from there was a Boer farm; their only course, they thought, was to
+ask for gowns from the ladies there, in which to dress themselves. When
+they arrived at a short distance from the house (such was the account
+they gave on joining me later on) they halted and shouted to the house
+for clothing. A Boer vrouw[89] named Boshof, sent to each one through
+her son--not a gown, but a pair of trousers and a shirt of her
+husband's, which she had been able to hide from the English, who had
+passed there, and who generally took away, or burnt, all male attire.
+
+The enemy had, in the meantime, approached quite close to us, and we
+were again obliged to look for a drift up stream. We had hopes that if
+the river did not all of a sudden rise, we should find one. We came so
+close to the English that we had to open fire on their advance guard
+before we could proceed.
+
+Here General Judge Hartzog met us with his commandos from the
+south-west of Cape Colony, and with him, General Fourie.
+
+That night we marched about fourteen miles.
+
+In the night, after crossing the Zeekoe River, we arrived at a Boer
+farm, to which (we are told) twenty English scouts had paid a visit
+shortly after sunset, and, having asked for information concerning us,
+had gone away by the same road we were following. About four or five
+miles from there we had to cross a ridge. It was dark, and I had
+forgotten those twenty English. I had sent out no scouts before me, but
+rode, as was my habit, with my staff, in front of the commandos. As we
+approached the summit of the mountain I saw a group of horses fastened
+together, and some men lying in front of them. The horses and men were
+not twenty paces to the left of the path, among the bushes. I thought at
+first that they were some of my burghers who had ridden on in advance,
+and were now lying there asleep; I myself had rested for a while at the
+foot of the mountains, to give the burghers, who were on foot, a chance
+of coming up with me. The thought angered me, for it would have been
+against all orders that any burghers, without special permission, should
+go in advance. I proceeded to wake them up.
+
+"What do you mean by riding ahead like this?" I called out to them.
+Nearly all with one accord sprang up and asked, "Who are you?" "Hands
+up!" I called out; as one man their hands went up. They explained that
+they were seven of the twenty scouts before mentioned,--but here the
+remainder opened fire upon us from about two hundred paces to the front.
+I called out to the burghers, "Charge!"
+
+The burghers did so, but as they came to the little hill where we had
+seen the sparks from the guns they found nobody. The English had fled,
+and, as the moon had just gone down, it was too dark to pursue them.
+Taking with us the seven prisoners, we continued on our way until the
+following morning. We allowed them to retain their clothes. It was
+still before the "uitschuddings"[90] period.
+
+The day broke, and after having been turned back on the banks of the
+Brak River, we marched to the fifteenth ford. "If we could only get
+across here," we said. We knew that once across we should have a respite
+from the enemy, and could with thankful hearts take breath even if it
+were only for three or four days.
+
+When we came to the river I at once ordered a few burghers to undress
+and go in. Alas! when the horses entered the ford, the water came over
+their backs, and they had almost to swim. "Now they will have to swim!"
+we cried, but presently we saw that the farther they went the shallower
+it became, and that they walked where we expected them to swim, until at
+last the water reached only to the horses' knees.
+
+What a scramble there was now among the burghers in order to cross! Soon
+the river was one mass of men from bank to bank.
+
+I can hardly describe the different exclamations of joy, the Psalms and
+the songs that now rose up from the burghers splashing through the
+water. "Never will we return," "No more of the Colony for me," "The Free
+State," "On to the Free State!" "The Free State for ever!" Then again,
+"Praise the Lord with cheerful song," "Hurrah!" These were among the
+expressions which met my ears.
+
+Although this was only an old waggon-ford, which had not been used for
+the last few years, my little waggon and a few carts got across. One of
+the carts was drawn by two small donkeys. Somebody told me that the
+little donkeys had to swim a short distance where it was deep, and at
+one time disappeared beneath the water; but that the driver was so full
+of joy--or of fear--that he went on whipping the water!
+
+A fearful experience we had had! We asked each other in wonder, "Is it
+possible? How could we have endured it?" But as I have only been
+hinting at things, the reader will perhaps say, "O come! it hasn't been
+as bad as all that!"
+
+Give me leave then, dear reader, to place before you the whole of the
+circumstances. England's great power pitted against two Republics,
+which, in comparison with European countries, were nearly uninhabited!
+This mighty Empire employed against us, besides their own English,
+Scotch and Irish soldiers, volunteers from the Australian, New Zealand,
+Canadian and South African Colonies; hired against us both black and
+white nations, and, what is the worst of all, the national scouts from
+our own nation sent out against us. Think, further, that all harbours
+were closed to us, and that there were therefore no imports. Can you not
+see that the whole course of events was a miracle from beginning to end?
+A miracle of God in the eyes of every one who looks at it with an
+unbiassed mind, but even more apparent to those who had personal
+experience of it. Yet, however that may be, I had to declare again that
+if there had been no national scouts and no Kaffirs, in all human
+probability matters would have taken another turn. But as things have
+turned out, all that can now be said is, that we have done our best, and
+that to ask any one to do more is unreasonable. May it be the cry of
+every one, "God willed it so--His name be praised!"
+
+[Footnote 88: There were still two Krupps left, but we had no ammunition
+for them.]
+
+[Footnote 89: Farmer's wife.]
+
+[Footnote 90: Stripping.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+Was Ours a Guerilla War?
+
+
+Something almost miraculous now happened! Hardly had we been three hours
+across the river when it became completely unfordable!
+
+We knew that we should have now a few days at least in which to rest
+ourselves, and we marched slowly to the farm of Lubbeshoop. From there I
+sent General Fourie to operate in the south-eastern districts, where he
+had been before, and despatched Judge Hertzog to the south-western
+districts.
+
+We were of the opinion that we should be able to do better work if we
+divided the commandos up into small parties. We could not risk any great
+battles, and, if we divided our forces, the English would have to divide
+their forces too.
+
+The commandos were now divided as follows:
+
+1. The district of Kroonstad: the men under Commandants Philip De Vos,
+Jan Cilliers and Maree.
+
+Sub-district of Heilbron: the men under Commandants F.E. Mentz, Lucas
+Steenekamp and J. Van de Merwe.
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Johannes Hattingh.
+
+2. The district of Vrede: the men under Commandants Ross and Manie
+Botha.
+
+Sub-district of Harrismith: the men under Commandants Jan Meijer, Jan
+Jacobsz,[91] and (at a later period) Brukes.
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Wessel Wessels.
+
+3. The district of Winburg: the men under Commandant Hasebroek.
+
+The sub-district of Ladybrand: the men under Commandant Koen.
+
+The sub-district of Ficksburg: the men under Commandant Steyn.[92]
+
+The sub-district of Bethlehem: the men under Commandant Michal Prinsloo.
+
+All of these men were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief C.C. Froneman.
+
+4. The district of Boshof: the men under Commandant J.N. Jacobsz, P.
+Erasmus and H. Theunissen.[93]
+
+Sub-district of Hoopstad: the men under Commandants Jacobus Theron (of
+Winburg) and A.J. Bester (of Brandfort).
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief C.C.J. Badenhorst.
+
+5. The district of Philippolis: the men under Commandants Munnik and
+Hertzog.
+
+Sub-district of Fauresmith: the men under Commandant Charles Nieuwouwdt.
+
+Sub-district of Jacobsdal: the men under Commandant Hendrik Pretorius.
+
+Sub-district of Petrusburg: the men under Commandant Van du Berg.
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge J.B.M. Hertzog,
+who also was in command of the western part of Bloemfontein.
+
+6. The district of the southern part of Bloemfontein: the men under
+Commandants Ackerman and Willem Kolbe.
+
+Sub-district of Thaba'Nchu: the men under Commandant J.P. Strijl (a
+member of the Volksraad).
+
+Sub-districts of Bethulie and Smithfield: the men under Commandant
+Gideon Joubert.
+
+Sub-district of Rouxville: the men under Commandant Frederik Rheeders.
+
+Sub-district of Wepener: the men under Commandant R. Coetzee.
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Piet Fourie, and later
+on under George Brand.
+
+Not long after this arrangement had been made the district under General
+Froneman was divided into two divisions, and Commandant Michal Prinsloo
+was promoted to be Vice-Commander-in-Chief of Bethlehem and Ficksburg as
+separate sub-districts. Bethlehem was then given three Commandants,
+namely, Commandants Olivier, Rautenbach and Bruwer.
+
+All this new arrangement of our forces made it impossible for great
+battles to be fought; it offered us the opportunity of frequently
+engaging the enemy in skirmishes, and inflicting heavier losses upon
+them than would otherwise have been the case. For the same reason our
+losses grew larger from month to month, but they did not increase in the
+same proportion as those of the enemy. Again, we captured more prisoners
+than formerly. It is much to be regretted that we were unable to keep
+them, for had we been in a position to do so, the world would have been
+astonished at their number. But unfortunately we were now unable to
+retain any of our prisoners. We had no St. Helena, Ceylon or Bermuda,
+whither we could send them. Thus, whilst every prisoner which the
+English captured meant one less man for us, the thousands of prisoners
+we took from the English were no loss to them at all, for in most cases
+it was only a few hours before they could fight again. All that was
+required was that a rifle should be ready in the camp on a prisoner's
+return, and he was prepared for service once more.
+
+The fact that we fought throughout the Free State in small detachments,
+put the English to some trouble, for they felt themselves obliged to
+discover a vocabulary of names to apply to us!
+
+Thus when Lord Roberts on the 24th of May, 1900, proclaimed the Orange
+Free State (and afterwards the Transvaal) as annexed by the British
+Crown, he described those who continued to fight as rebels. Then again
+we were called "Sniping Bands" and "Brigands." But the list of epithets
+was not exhausted yet, for it appeared that we were "Guerillas," and our
+leaders "Guerilla Chiefs!"
+
+I was always at a loss to understand by what right the English
+designated us "Guerillas." They had, however, to withdraw the
+_soubriquet_ at the Peace Negotiations, when they acknowledged that our
+leaders formed a legal government.
+
+Let me say a few words more about this term "Guerillas." We will suppose
+that England has captured New York, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Paris,
+Amsterdam, or any other capital of a free and independent State, Kingdom
+or Empire, and that the Government of such State, Kingdom or Empire
+still continues to defend itself. Would England then be entitled to call
+their antagonists "Guerillas"? Or, we will suppose that England's
+capital has been taken by another nation, but the English Government
+still remains in existence. Could England then be considered to be
+annexed by the other nation, and could the enemy term the English
+"Guerillas"? Surely it would be impossible!
+
+The only case in which one can use this word, is when one civilized
+nation has so completely vanquished another, that not only is the
+capital taken, but also the country from border to border is so
+completely conquered that any resistance is out of the question.
+
+But that nothing like this had happened in South Africa is clear to
+every one who recalls the names of Lindley,[94] Roodewal, Dewetsdorp,
+Vlakfontein, Tafelkop[95] and Tweefontein, not to speak of many other
+glorious battle-fields on which we fought _after_ the so-called
+annexation.
+
+Nor must we forget to mention the defeat that Lord Methuen received at
+the hands of General De la Rey immediately before the conclusion of
+peace; a defeat which put the crown on all our victories.
+
+But, as I have already said, it very soon appeared that when England
+stamped us as "Guerillas," they really did not mean to use the word at
+all.
+
+[Footnote 91: Veldtcornet Franz Jacobsz was afterwards appointed in the
+place of this Commandant, who resigned.]
+
+[Footnote 92: When this Commandant resigned, Veldtcornet J.J. Van
+Niekerk was appointed in his place.]
+
+[Footnote 93: When, at a later period, Commandant Theunissen was put in
+command of the burghers of Fauresmith, Commandant Mijburg was appointed
+in his place. This latter Commandant was afterwards killed.]
+
+[Footnote 94: Where the yeomanry were captured.]
+
+[Footnote 95: (District Vrede)--encounter with Brabant's Horse.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+Negotiations with the Enemy
+
+
+It was the intention of President Steyn to remain for some time in the
+division of Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge Hertzog. Meanwhile, I went to
+the northern commandos, in order to keep in touch with Generals Louis
+Botha and De la Rey and our Government. When I was about twelve miles to
+the south of Petrusburg, I received a letter from General Botha,
+informing me that Lord Kitchener desired to have a conference held, at
+Middelburg, in the middle of February, as the English Government wanted
+to make a Peace Proposal. General Botha asked the President and myself
+to come yet nearer, so that, in case we might be wanted, we should be
+within reach.
+
+I sent on his letter to President Steyn, giving him my opinion of it,
+and asking if he would come. The President, who was always ready to do
+anything for his country or people, did not lose one moment, but came at
+once. Meanwhile, I went on ahead with my staff, taking with me also
+Captain Louis Wessels, and five of his men.
+
+About the 15th of March I crossed the railway line, ten miles to the
+north of Brandfort, during the night. There we placed some charges of
+dynamite under the rails, but before we had completed our work, a train
+came up so quietly that one might call it a "scouting train." It was a
+dark night, and there was no lantern at the head of the engine, so that
+we did not see it until it was close upon us. We had, therefore, no
+chance to ignite the fuse. We retired to a distance of about one hundred
+paces from the line, when a fierce fire was opened upon us from the
+train. We replied to this as the train went past, to be succeeded
+immediately afterwards by a second one. As soon as this also had passed
+us, we fired the fuses and blew up the railway line at different places
+close to each other.
+
+Immediately after this two trains came up, stopping close to the place
+where the explosions had occurred, and fired on us for about ten minutes
+without intermission. We paid them back in their own coin, and then each
+train went its way, leaving the repairing of the line to the following
+day.
+
+From there we marched on, without accident, except that a German
+received a slight wound, and one horse was killed. We soon reached
+Senekal (which had been abandoned by the English), where for the first
+time I met Dr. Reich and his wife. The doctor received us very heartily;
+although he did not belong to our Field Ambulance, he did everything
+that he could for our wounded, as he had done for those of the enemy.
+
+From Senekal I went on to pay a visit to the Heilbron commando, after
+which I proceeded to Vrede, arriving there on the 24th of February.
+
+It was at Vrede that I had asked Louis Botha to meet me, if he could
+manage it, and the day after my arrival this meeting took place. The
+General told me that the negotiations between him and Lord Kitchener had
+resulted in nothing.
+
+Although this was not very satisfactory, still it was just as well that
+I should meet the Commandant-General of the Transvaal. We had much to
+discuss and, after a long talk, we parted with the firm determination
+that, whatever happened, we would continue the war.
+
+On the 27th General Botha returned to the Transvaal, and I to the
+Heilbron commando. After a few days President Steyn came from the south
+of the Free State, in order to meet the Transvaal Government at Vrede.
+After this meeting had taken place he went off to a camp of his own,
+for it was thought better that he should not remain with the commandos
+any longer. I gave him fifty burghers, under the command of Commandant
+Davel, to serve as a bodyguard.
+
+I had but just returned from my meeting with General Botha when a
+serious matter arose at Petrusburg, demanding my immediate presence
+there. It was three hundred and sixty miles there and back, and the
+journey promised to be anything but a pleasure trip--far less a safe
+excursion--for me; but the country's interest requiring it, I started on
+the 8th of April, although much fatigued by my inroad into Cape Colony.
+
+My staff succeeded in capturing an outpost of sixteen men on the railway
+line near Vredefort, the English losing one killed and two wounded.
+
+I visited the commando at Vredefort, arranged everything at Petrusburg,
+and started on my return journey on the 17th. I crossed the railway line
+between Smaldeel and Ventersburg Road Station, and after paying
+Commandant Hasebroek a short visit, I came back to the Heilbron
+commando.
+
+Our tactics of dividing our commandos, and thus keeping the English busy
+in every part of the Free State, or, where they were too numerous for
+us, of refusing to allow them to give us battle, so enraged them that
+they no longer spared the farmhouses in the north and north-western
+districts. Even in the south and south-west many of the houses were
+wrecked, but the work of destruction was not carried out with the same
+completeness as in the afore-mentioned districts. The enemy, moreover,
+did not spare our cattle, but either drove them off or killed them for
+food. As for our women-folk--any of them who fell into the hands of the
+enemy were sent off to the concentration camps.
+
+I have no space here, however, to write about the treatment of the
+women; it is such a serious matter that it would require whole chapters
+to deal with it adequately. Abler pens than mine will deal with it in
+full detail. I will only remark here that the Boer women were shamefully
+treated, and that if England wishes to efface the impression which these
+cruelties have left upon the hearts of our people, she will have to act
+as every great conquering race must act, if it is ever to be reconciled
+with the nations it has vanquished.
+
+Our winter season had now begun. We had no provisions except meat, bread
+and maize. Even these were rather scarce, but we could not yet say that
+we were altogether destitute. Coffee and sugar--except when we had an
+opportunity of helping ourselves from the enemy's stores--were unknown
+to us. With regard to the first-named commodity, however, the reader
+must know that in the district of Boshof there grows a wild tree, whose
+roots make an excellent substitute for coffee. Broken up into small
+pieces and roasted, they supplied us with a delicious beverage. The only
+pity was that the tree was so scarce that the demand for this concoction
+very greatly exceeded the supply. We therefore invented another
+drink--which we also called coffee--and which was composed of corn,
+barley, maize, dried peaches, sweet potatoes, and miscellaneous
+ingredients. My own favourite beverage was abundant--especially after
+heavy rain!
+
+The question of clothing was now beginning to be a very serious one. We
+were reduced to mending our trousers, and even our jackets with leather.
+For the tanning of this leather the old and feeble were employed, who,
+as soon as the enemy approached, fled, and as soon as they had passed,
+returned to their tanning. At a later period the English had a trick of
+taking the hides out of the tanning tubs and cutting them to pieces, in
+the hope, I suppose, that we should then be compelled to go barefoot and
+unclothed.
+
+It was to obviate such a catastrophe as this that the custom of
+_Uitschudden_[96] now came into force. The burghers, although against
+orders, stripped every prisoner. The English had begun by taking away,
+or burning, the clothes which the burghers had left in their
+houses--that was bad enough. But that they should cut up the hides,
+which they found in the tanning tubs, was still worse; and--the burghers
+paid them back in the same coin by stripping the troops.
+
+Towards the end of May I crossed the railway line to Parijs and
+Vredefort, intending to go on from there to see General De la Rey, and
+discuss our affairs with him. I had come to the conclusion that it would
+be good policy to send small commandos into Cape Colony; for small
+bodies of men can move rapidly, and are thus able to get out of the way
+if they are threatened by overpowering numbers. Moreover, such small
+detachments would compel the English to divide their forces.
+
+When I reached Vredefort I received a despatch from President Steyn,
+summoning me to him. I had thus to abandon my idea of visiting General
+De la Rey; instead of this, I wrote him a letter requesting him to come
+to the President. I also sent for Judge Hertzog.
+
+De la Rey was the first to arrive, and, without waiting for Judge
+Hertzog, we at once proceeded to take into consideration the following
+letter from the Government of the South African Republic.
+
+     GOVERNMENT OFFICES,
+       IN THE FIELD,
+         District Ermelo,
+     South African Republic,
+       _May 10th, 1901_.
+
+     TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARY, O.F.S.
+
+     SIR,--
+
+     I have the honour to report to you that to-day the following
+     officers met the Government, namely, the Commandant-General,
+     General B. Viljoen, General J.C. Smuts (Staats-Procureur), the
+     last-named representing the western districts. Our situation was
+     seriously discussed, and, among others, the following facts were
+     pointed out:--
+
+     1. That small parties of burghers are still continually laying down
+     their arms, and that the danger arising from this is becoming every
+     day more threatening, namely, that we are exposed to the risk of
+     our campaign ending in disgrace, as the consequence of these
+     surrenders may be that the Government and the officers will be left
+     in the field without any burghers, and that, therefore, heavy
+     responsibility rests upon the Government and War Officers, as they
+     represent the nation and not themselves only.
+
+     2. That our ammunition is so exhausted that no battle of any
+     importance can be fought, and that this lack of ammunition will
+     soon bring us to the necessity of flying helplessly before the
+     enemy. And that through this same lack it has become impossible for
+     us to afford adequate protection to our people and their cattle,
+     with the result that the general population is being reduced to
+     poverty and despair, and that even the troops will soon be unable
+     to be supplied with provisions.
+
+     3. That through the above-mentioned conditions the authority of the
+     Government is becoming more and more weakened, and that thus the
+     danger arises of the people losing all respect and reverence for
+     lawful authority, and falling into a condition of lawlessness. And
+     that to prolong the war can only lead to hastening the ruin of the
+     people, and making it clear to them that the only authority in the
+     country is that of the enemy.
+
+     4. That not only is our nation becoming disorganized in the manner
+     above referred to, but that it will also most certainly happen that
+     the leaders of the nation, whose personal influence has hitherto
+     kept it together, will fall into utter contempt, and lose that
+     influence which is our only hope for reviving the national spirit
+     in the future.
+
+     5. That the people are constantly demanding to be told what hope
+     still exists of successfully prosecuting the war, and that they
+     have the right to expect to be informed in an honest and
+     straightforward manner that their cause is hopeless, whenever this
+     has become evident to the Government and the Leaders.
+
+     Up to the present time the Government and the nation have been
+     expecting that, with the co-operation of their Deputation and by
+     the aid of European complications, there would be some hope for the
+     success of their cause, and the Government feels strongly that
+     before taking any decisive step, an attempt should again be made to
+     arrive with certainty at the results of the Deputation and the
+     political situation in Europe.
+
+     Having taken all the facts into consideration, the Government,
+     acting in conjunction with the above-mentioned officers, have
+     arrived at the following decision:
+
+     Firstly, that a request should be addressed this very day to Lord
+     Kitchener, asking that through the intervention of ambassadors sent
+     by us to Europe, the condition of our country may be allowed to be
+     placed before President Kruger, which ambassadors are to return
+     with all possible speed.
+
+     Secondly, that should this request be refused, or lead to no
+     results, an armistice should be asked for, by which the opportunity
+     should be given us of finally deciding in consultation with your
+     Government, and the people of the two States, what we must do.
+
+     This second proposal is, however, subject to any solution which
+     your Government, taking into consideration the above-mentioned
+     grievances, may be able to suggest.
+
+     The Government feels very keenly that it would no longer be right
+     to allow things to go on as they have been going on, and that the
+     time has arrived for taking some definite steps; it will,
+     therefore, be glad to receive an answer from your Government as
+     soon as possible.
+
+     I have the honour to be,
+       Yours, etc.,
+         F.W. REITZ,
+           _Secretary of State._
+
+The answer which the President sent to this letter was formerly in my
+possession, but has been lost with many of my documents. I am able,
+however, to give an extract, which I received from the Rev. J.D.
+Kestell. It was to the following effect:--
+
+The President was much disappointed with the letter of the Transvaal
+Government; he said that although there had been in the past some
+surrenders in the Free State, this difficulty had now been overcome.
+Moreover, although the ammunition had for a long time been scarce,
+nevertheless, after every fight, there had been enough to begin the next
+with. To the question, What probability was there of their being able to
+continue the struggle? he would reply by asking another question--What
+hope had the two little Republics, at the beginning of the war, of
+winning the fight against the might of England? If they had trusted in
+God at the beginning, why did they not continue to trust in Him?
+
+He also pointed out that if the Boer cause was really quite hopeless,
+the Deputation would have been sure to send word to that effect.
+Further, he assured the Transvaal Government that if an armistice were
+to be obtained, and if during it the people of the Free State were to be
+asked for their opinion, the decision of the burghers who were still in
+the field would be to continue the war.
+
+He could not approve of the decision of the Transvaal Government to ask
+Lord Kitchener to allow ambassadors to be sent to Europe, for, by so
+doing, the Government would be showing its hand to the enemy; he added
+that he was very sorry that such a decision had been taken without first
+consulting the Free State.
+
+As to the fear expressed by the Transvaal Government, that the
+Authorities and the Officers in the field would be left without
+burghers, the President said, that even if the Government and the
+Officers of the Free State were to surrender, the nation would not do
+so. It would be a great misfortune, he added, if the Orange Free State,
+which had not only lost its property and the lives of many of its
+burghers but also even its very independence, in the defence of the
+sister Republic, should now be abandoned by that Republic; that then all
+confidence in one another and all co-operation between Afrikanders would
+come to an end for ever: and that, under such circumstances, it would be
+too much to expect that the African nation should ever be able to rise
+again. If then the Boers wished to remain a nation, it was absolutely
+necessary to continue the war.
+
+After having quoted various appropriate passages from the newspapers,
+the President went on as follows:--
+
+"All these considerations combine to make me believe that we should be
+committing a National murder if we were to give in now. Brethren! Hold
+out a little longer. Let not our sufferings and our struggles be in
+vain; let not our faith in the God of our fathers become a byword. Do
+all that you can to encourage one another."
+
+The President concluded this very remarkable and powerful letter with
+the question:--
+
+"Are we again to leave the Colonial burghers in the lurch? God forbid."
+
+We decided to set out for the Transvaal in order to discuss the matter
+with the Government; and on the evening of the 5th of June we marched
+four or five miles from Liebenbergsvlei, to a place opposite
+Verkijkersdorp. We were, all told, between sixty and seventy men,
+including the staff and part of the bodyguard of President Steyn, the
+staff of General De la Rey, and eight of my staff officers.
+
+The following morning, an hour and a half after sunrise, a burgher came
+galloping up to tell us that the enemy had just captured a laager of
+women.[97]
+
+It seemed impossible to ride over to the rescue of these women, for our
+horses had still to make the long journey into the Transvaal. I asked
+our guest, General De la Rey, what he thought about the matter. He at
+once replied that we must go and liberate the women. As we were already
+up-saddled in readiness for our march, I had nothing to do but to give
+the order to start. The President, with his staff and some of the
+bodyguard, remained behind; while General De la Rey, Commandant Davel
+and I, with fifty-five men, hurried off. The retired General, Piet
+Fourie, was also with us.
+
+The enemy had marched with the laager on to a hill near the Kaffir
+kraal, consisting of four or five huts and a building made of sods.
+
+We first caught sight of the English when we were at a distance of four
+miles from them; they were then busy drawing up the waggons of the women
+in rows of ten or twelve. The oxen belonging to the first row stood
+close against the kraal, as we saw later on; those of the second row
+being behind them, and so on.
+
+The women told us afterwards that they had asked to be allowed to retire
+to a place where they would not run the risk of being shot by us (for
+the English had taken cover barely one hundred paces behind the waggons
+and were preparing to fight us from there), but that they were ordered
+to remain behind the soldiers. They were thus exposed to the danger of
+being hit by us, if we shot a little too high. It was, they said, the
+most terrible day they had ever spent.
+
+When we came within range of the English, they opened a hot fire upon
+us. We had to gallop over ground as smooth as a table with no cover
+until we were close up to them, and protected by a small hill. We left
+our horses here, and ran as fast as we could up the incline. At the top
+we were within forty paces of the place where the English were lying in
+wait for us. As soon as our heads appeared over the brow of the hill
+they fired on us; but there was only one round fired, for our reply was
+so sharp and severe that many of them were at once mowed down. The rest
+jumped up and retreated behind the last row of waggons, several of them,
+however, being killed during their flight.
+
+Our men dashed through between the waggons, but the English were the
+first to reach the kraal. They had made loopholes in its walls, through
+which they now fired on us. The only shelter we had was a Kaffir hut,
+which as is well known, always has a round wall. There was no chance for
+us to make loopholes--the wall was too solid--so that if a burgher
+wanted to shoot he had to expose his whole body, while the English lay
+ready behind their loopholes to fire on us. So it happened that eleven
+burghers were killed and seven wounded. Among the dead was Captain
+Thijnsma, and among the wounded, Lieutenant H. Howell.
+
+In the meantime we had got the waggons away, except the row which was
+nearest to the kraal, and which were too close to the enemy for us to be
+able to approach them safely.
+
+No sooner had the English taken refuge in the kraal than the women fled
+with the waggons; and it is astonishing to relate that only one little
+boy of thirteen years was killed, and a woman and a girl slightly
+wounded. One of the burghers whom the English had taken prisoner was
+also killed.
+
+I have no exact figure as to the losses of the English, but judging from
+the number of dead and wounded lying on the battlefield, I should say
+that their casualties must have been about eighty.
+
+The fight lasted from eleven till three o'clock, and then a
+reinforcement of cavalry, from eight hundred to one thousand men strong,
+appeared with some guns. The force with which we had been engaged,
+numbering about two hundred men, belonged to the column which was now
+coming up. As we could not drive the English from the kraal before the
+arrival of the reinforcements, we had to give way.
+
+Although I had given orders that all the waggons which had managed to
+escape should be sent on to Reitz, in the actual event only a few carts
+went there. The women had left the waggons behind, close to the hill at
+the foot of the English position, where I could not see them, in order
+to await the result. They had forgotten what I had told them, namely,
+that they were to get away as quickly as possible. This order I had
+given in the expectation that a reinforcement might arrive at any
+moment.
+
+After I had ordered a few men to bring the wounded into a safe place, I
+retired with the remainder, some forty-five in number. Among these was
+Veldtcornet Serfontein and his burghers.
+
+The English now directed their fire upon the women's laager, to compel
+it to come to a standstill. Whether any of the women and children were
+killed or wounded I was unable to ascertain, but it was horrible to see
+the bombs bursting over their heads. Thus the women again fell into the
+hands of the enemy.
+
+With four of my adjutants and Piet Fourie, I succeeded in driving away
+quite one thousand five hundred head of cattle. The bombs fell heavily
+on them also, but I got them safely away. Late that evening we arrived
+at the spot where we had left President Steyn, only to find that he had
+gone away. He had been obliged to retreat before the force which the
+previous evening had been at Duminy Drift, and which had passed near him
+during the day. The President had accordingly gone some twelve miles in
+the direction of Lindley.
+
+It was one of the coldest nights we had that winter, and our pack-horses
+which were carrying the blankets were with the President. It was
+impossible for us to sleep without any covering on such a night as that,
+and so we were obliged to march on. We had moreover to look for
+something to eat, for we had had nothing since breakfast. Our horses had
+never had their saddles off from the time we went out to fight until we
+arrived about midnight at the President's camp.
+
+[Footnote 96: Stripping.]
+
+[Footnote 97: The previous evening we had received a report of two
+English camps on the Wilge River: One at Duminy Drift, the other at
+Steildrift--under General Elliott. They were led by Piet de Wet and
+other National Scouts.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+President Steyn's Narrow Escape
+
+
+The following morning we had to continue our journey to the Transvaal.
+It being necessary to keep out of sight of the enemy, we marched first a
+short distance to the south, and then went south-east. After a few days
+we reached Vrede. There Commandant Manie Botha spared us a few burghers
+who knew this part of the country well to serve as guides across the
+railway line. We headed to the north of Volksrust, and on the second
+evening after we had left Vrede, we struck the railway line at a spot
+which was guarded by an outpost. They opened fire on us at once. General
+De la Rey and I then came to the decision that after the burghers had
+exchanged a few shots, we would quietly retreat a short distance, and
+then, with a sweep, try and cross the line at another spot. This ruse
+was successful and we crossed unobserved. But the first of our men had
+hardly got seventy paces from the railway line, when a fearful explosion
+of dynamite took place, not thirty paces from the spot where we had
+crossed. Whether this was managed by electricity or whether the hindmost
+horses had struck on the connecting wire of some trap set by the enemy,
+I cannot say; at all events, we escaped with only a fright.
+
+On the fourth day after this we met the Transvaal Government and held a
+conference at once, in accordance with the letter mentioned in my last
+chapter. It grieved us much that things should have taken this turn, for
+it nearly always happened that somehow matters of this sort came to the
+ears of the English.
+
+But the Transvaal Government had again taken courage, as they had
+received an answer to the cable which they had sent to the Deputation,
+which answer instructed them to hold out; and also because two
+successful battles had taken place shortly before--one fought by General
+Kemp, and the other by Commandant Muller. We remained there for two
+days, and after it had been settled by the two Governments that the war
+should be continued with all our might, and also that days of
+thanksgiving and humiliation should be appointed, we went away
+accompanied by the genial and friendly Commandant Alberts, of
+Standerton, who brought us across the Natal-Transvaal railway. Captain
+Alberts was renowned as a valiant soldier; we now also found him to be a
+most sociable man. He beguiled the time with agreeable narratives of
+events in which he had taken part, and almost before we realized it we
+had reached the railway line. We crossed in safety and took a hearty
+farewell of our friendly Commandant and his burghers.
+
+On our march to Zilverbank--a farm on the Waterval River--I did not
+require any guide, for I knew the surroundings, having lived there for
+two years. After breakfast on the following morning we went on to within
+four or five miles south of Hexrivier farm, about three miles to the
+north of the Vaal River. There we off-saddled; and shortly after General
+De la Rey took leave of us. He wanted to cross the railway at a place
+between Vereeniging and Meyerton Station. This would lead him by a
+shorter road to his commandos than if he went through the Free State.
+Our farewell was affectionate--all the more so because we did not know
+whether we should see each other again on this earth. Then we continued
+on our way with light hearts; having been inspirited, not only by the
+pleasant company of the last few days, but also by the decision taken by
+the two Governments, that, come what might, our independence should not
+be sacrificed by us.
+
+I crossed the Vaal River at Villiersdorp and remained there that evening
+and through the following day. Then President Steyn and I parted. He
+went to Bezuidenhoutsdrift, and I, by way of Frankfort, to the Heilbron
+commando. I remained at Frankfort for one night, with Commandant Ross
+and his men, and had a very enjoyable time.
+
+With the Heilbron people I stayed a few days only, because I had
+important work to accomplish in the Winburg district; to this district
+therefore I went.
+
+As the commandos were now so scattered there was enough work for each of
+us in his own district, and I had much more riding to do than formerly.
+I found Commandant Hasebroek and his men at Doornberg a few days later.
+Whilst there I received from President Steyn a report of his narrow
+escape at Reitz, on the 11th of July, 1901, when he and some of his
+bodyguard escaped, whilst, unfortunately, Commandant Davel and all the
+members of the Government, except Mr. W.C.J. Brebner, who was absent,
+were taken prisoners.
+
+From Winburg I paid a visit to Vice-Commandant-in-Chief J. Hattingh, of
+the Kroonstad commando, and then went to President Steyn. My joy in
+finding that the President was safe, was only equalled by my grief at
+the loss of such old friends as General Cronje, Member of the Executive
+Council; General J.B. Wessels; T. Brain, Secretary to the Government;
+Commandant Davel; Rocco De Villiers, Secretary to the Executive Council;
+Gordon Fraser, Private Secretary to the President; MacHardy, Assistant
+Secretary; Pieter Steyn, brother of the President and Veldtcornet of the
+staff; and my other friends in the bodyguard. It was sad to think that
+such men were prisoners, and were lost to us so long as the war
+continued. We had become rather accustomed to such experiences, but what
+made this so hard to bear was that treachery had a hand in it--when the
+English took the Government and President Steyn's bodyguard prisoners,
+they had had a Free State burgher as their guide.
+
+The vacant posts in the Government had now to be filled up, and the
+President appointed the following persons:--In the place of A.P. Cronje,
+General C.H. Olivier, as Member of the Executive Council; and in place
+of Mr. T. Brain, Mr. W.C.J. Brebner, as Government Secretary. Mr.
+Johannes Theron he appointed Secretary to the Executive Council, instead
+of Mr. Rocco De Villiers; and Mr. B.J. Du Plessis Private Secretary to
+himself in place of Mr. Gordon Fraser.
+
+The President also decided to have, in future, only thirty burghers as
+his bodyguard, and appointed Captain Niekerk as their Commandant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+The Last Proclamation
+
+
+I now impressed upon my officers as forcibly as I could the importance
+of intercepting the communications of the enemy by blowing up their
+trains. A mechanical device had been thought of, by which this could be
+done. The barrel and lock of a gun, in connexion with a dynamite
+cartridge, were placed under a sleeper, so that when a passing engine
+pressed the rail on to this machine, it exploded, and the train was
+blown up. It was terrible to take human lives in such a manner; still,
+however fearful, it was not contrary to the rules of civilized warfare,
+and we were entirely within our rights in obstructing the enemy's lines
+of communication in this manner.
+
+Owing to this, the English were obliged to place many more thousands of
+soldiers along the railway line, in order to keep the track clear. Even
+then, the trains, for a considerable time, could not run by night. The
+English soon discovered how we arranged these explosions, and the guards
+carefully inspected the lines each day to find out if one of these
+machines had been placed beneath the rails. We knew that one had been
+found and removed, whenever we saw a train pass over the spot without
+being blown up. This, however, only made us more careful. We went to the
+spot which we had fixed upon for the explosion, hollowed out the gravel,
+placed the machine under the sleeper, and covered it up again, throwing
+the gravel that was left to a good distance from the line. After this,
+the guards could not discover where the machine was placed. They trebled
+the troops on the line in consequence.
+
+The month of July had passed, and we wondered what August held in store
+for us. The customary fights of the different commandos still went on;
+here five, here ten, here thirty of the English were killed, wounded or
+made prisoners. If these numbers had been put down they would have
+mounted up to a considerable total; but the war was not of such a nature
+that an office could be opened to record them. Reports of battles were
+sent to me, and after I had allowed them to accumulate for three or four
+weeks, they were sent to the different Vice-Commandants-in-Chief for
+their general information, and then torn up.
+
+Many reports and much correspondence concerning the beginning of the war
+have been preserved. I gave them to a trustworthy friend with
+instructions to bury them, but do not know where he placed them, as he
+was taken prisoner later on, and I have never been able to find out
+where he was sent to. These documents are of great value, and ought to
+be published.
+
+I was on the farm of Blijdschap, between Harrismith and Bethlehem--my
+English friends, Generals Knox, Elliott and Paget, with their Colonels
+Rimington, Byng, Baker, etc., etc., will not have forgotten where
+Blijdschap is--when I received a letter from Lord Kitchener, enclosing
+his Proclamation of the 7th of August, 1901.
+
+This proclamation was as follows:
+
+     "By his Excellency Baron Kitchener of Khartoum, G.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
+     General Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's forces in South Africa;
+     High Commissioner of South Africa, and Administrator of the
+     Transvaal, etc.
+
+     "Whereas the former Orange Free State and South African Republic
+     are annexed to His Majesty's possessions;
+
+     "And whereas His Majesty's forces have now been for some
+     considerable time in full possession of the Government seats of
+     both the above-mentioned territories, with all their public
+     offices and means of administration, as well as of the principal
+     towns and the whole railway;
+
+     "And whereas the great majority of burghers of the two late
+     Republics (which number thirty-five thousand over and above those
+     who have been killed in the war) are now prisoners of war, or have
+     subjected themselves to His Majesty's Government, and are now
+     living in safety, in villages or camps under the protection of His
+     Majesty's forces;
+
+     "And whereas the burghers of the late Republics, now under arms
+     against His Majesty's forces, are not only few in number, but have
+     also lost nearly all their guns, and war requisites, and are
+     without proper military organization, and are therefore not in a
+     position to carry on a regular war, or to make any organized
+     resistance against His Majesty's forces in any part of the country;
+
+     "And whereas the burghers who are now still under arms, although
+     not in a position to carry on a regular war, continue to make
+     attacks on small posts and divisions of His Majesty's forces, to
+     plunder and to destroy farms, and to cut the railway and telegraph
+     lines, both in the Orange River Colony and in the Transvaal and
+     other parts of His Majesty's South African possessions;
+
+     "And whereas the country is thus kept in a state of unrest, and the
+     carrying on of agriculture and industries is hindered;
+
+     "And whereas His Majesty's Government has decided to make an end of
+     a situation which involves unnecessary bloodshed and devastation,
+     and which is ruining the great majority of the inhabitants, who are
+     willing to live in peace, and are desirous of earning a livelihood
+     for themselves and their families;
+
+     "And whereas it is only just that steps should be taken against
+     those who still resist, and principally against those persons who
+     are in authority, and who are responsible for the continuance of
+     the present state of disorganization in the country, and who
+     instigate their fellow citizens to persist in their hopeless
+     resistance against His Majesty's Government;
+
+     "I, Horatio Herbert Baron Kitchener, of Khartoum, G.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
+     General Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's forces in South Africa;
+     High Commissioner in South Africa, on behalf of His Majesty's
+     Government, proclaim and make known as follows:
+
+     "All Commandants, Veldtcornets and leaders of armed bands--being
+     burghers of the late Republics--still resisting His Majesty's
+     forces in the Orange River Colony and the Transvaal, or in any part
+     of His Majesty's South African possessions, and all members of the
+     Government of the late Orange Free State and of the late South
+     African Republic, shall, unless they surrender before the 15th
+     September of this year, be banished for ever from South Africa; and
+     the cost of maintaining the families of such burghers shall be
+     recoverable from, and become a charge on, their properties, whether
+     landed or movable, in both Colonies.
+
+     "GOD SAVE THE KING.
+
+     "Given under my hand at Pretoria, the seventh day of August, 1901.
+
+     "KITCHENER, GENERAL,
+       _High Commissioner of South Africa._"
+
+I answered Lord Kitchener very carefully in the following words:--
+
+     "EXCELLENCY,--
+
+     "I acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's missive in which
+     was enclosed your Proclamation, dated the 7th August, 1901. I and
+     my officers assure your Excellency that we fight with one aim
+     only--our independence, which we never can or will sacrifice!"
+
+It would have been childish to fear that letter and that Proclamation.
+From the short answer which I sent to Lord Kitchener, the reader will
+clearly see the opinion that I and my officers held concerning it:
+"Bangmaak is nog niet doodmaak,"[98] as our proverb says.
+
+It was curious to see how this Proclamation was taken by the burghers.
+It had no effect whatsoever. I heard many burghers say that it would now
+be seen whether the officers had the cause of their country really at
+heart or not, and whether they were themselves to surrender and lay down
+their arms before the 15th of September. I must here declare that I know
+of no single case where an officer in consequence of this proclamation
+surrendered; on the contrary, when the day fixed by Lord Kitchener for
+the surrender had passed, the burghers had more reason to trust in their
+officers than before; and I can assure my readers that if at the
+beginning of the war we had had officers of the same kind as we had
+towards the end of the strife, it would have been easier to have
+maintained discipline.
+
+September the 15th was thus fixed upon by Lord Kitchener as the last day
+on which we should have an opportunity of surrendering. The President
+and Commander-in-Chief of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State
+returned answer that they would still continue the war, and subsequent
+events put a seal to their answer.
+
+Three battles were fought--one by General Brand at Blakfontein, another
+by General De la Rey in the west of the Transvaal, and yet another by
+General Botha at Itala, all in the month of September.
+
+President Steyn sent Lord Kitchener a long letter, in which he showed
+most clearly what the causes of the war had been, and what was the
+condition of matters at that time. The letter was as follows:--
+
+     IN THE VELDT, _August 15th_, 1901.
+
+     TO HIS EXCELLENCY, LORD KITCHENER, ETC.
+
+     EXCELLENCY,--
+
+     I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's
+     letter, dated Aug. 7th, 1901, enclosing your Excellency's
+     Proclamation of the same date.
+
+     The conciliatory tone of your Excellency's letter encourages me to
+     speak freely, and to answer it at some length. I have noticed that
+     not only your Excellency in your letter asserts, but that also
+     responsible statesmen in your country assert, that the declaration
+     of war from the South African Republic, and the inroad on the
+     British territory, had been the cause of the war. I hardly believe
+     it necessary to remind your Excellency that, in 1895, when the
+     South African Republic was unarmed and peaceful, and had no thought
+     but that their neighbours were civilized nations, an unexpected
+     attack was made on them from the British territory. I do not
+     consider it necessary to point out to your Excellency that the mad
+     enterprise--for surely the instigators of it could not have been
+     sane--miscarried, and the whole body of invaders fell into the
+     hands of the South African Republic. The South African Government,
+     trusting in the integrity of the English nation, handed over to His
+     Majesty's Government all the persons whom they had taken prisoner,
+     notwithstanding that, in conformity with international law, these
+     persons had merited death.
+
+     I also do not consider it necessary to remind your Excellency that
+     after an honest judge had condemned the leaders of this expedition
+     to imprisonment, the most prominent of them were not compelled to
+     serve the whole of their time, but, previous to its termination,
+     were liberated for various most insufficient reasons. Neither need
+     I remind your Excellency that when a Parliamentary Commission was
+     nominated, to investigate the causes and reasons of the said
+     expedition, this Commission, instead of investigating the matter,
+     would not allow the proofs to come to light, and that, when the
+     Commission, notwithstanding the high influence at work during its
+     sitting, had found the chief conspirator, Mr. Rhodes, guilty, and
+     had reported him as such to Parliament, Mr. Chamberlain, who was
+     one of the members of the Commission, contradicted his own
+     report[99] by defending Mr. Rhodes.
+
+     Your Excellency will have to acknowledge that the South African
+     Republic as well as the civilized world was perfectly justified in
+     coming to the conclusion that the Jameson expedition, which we
+     first believed to have been undertaken by irresponsible persons,
+     and without the cognizance of His Majesty's Government, was well
+     known, if not to all, yet still to some members of His Majesty's
+     Government. I need not remind your Excellency that since that time,
+     not only has no reasonable indemnity been paid to the South African
+     Republic, as was at that time promised, but also that the Republic
+     has been harassed with despatches and threats concerning its
+     internal Government. I also need not tell your Excellency that
+     outside influence was used in order that memorials to His Majesty's
+     Government might be drawn up concerning alleged grievances, so that
+     His Majesty's Government might have the desired opportunity of
+     interfering with the inner policy of the South African Republic.
+
+     As I have said, I do not think it necessary to remind your
+     Excellency of the above-mentioned facts, because I am of opinion
+     that they are well known to you. I, however, should like your
+     Excellency to be good enough to pay attention to the following
+     facts:--
+
+     When, at the time of the circulation of the last-mentioned
+     Memorial, I could see that a certain party was working hard to
+     involve the British Government in a war with the South African
+     Republic, I stepped into the breach, and endeavoured, by bringing
+     the parties together, and by using my influence with the South
+     African Republic, to induce the latter to give in to the demands of
+     His Majesty's Government in order to maintain the peace.
+
+     I succeeded in getting the Transvaal to yield, not because I was of
+     the opinion that the English Government had any right to make such
+     demands, but only in order to prevent bloodshed. When the British
+     Government was still not satisfied, then the South African
+     Government made concession after concession to the ever-increasing
+     demands made upon them, until at last there came a request that the
+     law on franchise should be laid before a Commission. On the behest
+     of the British Agent in Pretoria, the South African Republic made a
+     proposal granting far more than was demanded by the High
+     Commissioner. As this proposal was not accepted by His Majesty's
+     Government, who made yet further demands, the South African
+     Republic withdrew their proposal, and declared themselves willing
+     to accept England's proposal to lay the law before the Commission.
+     The British Government then closed all correspondence, and wrote to
+     the South African Republic saying that they would make their
+     demands later on. In other words, the British Government then gave
+     to the South African Republic an ultimatum, and it was clear that
+     they were only prevented from commencing the war at once by the
+     fact that they had not then landed sufficient troops in the
+     country.
+
+     The Orange Free State Government then again came to the rescue, in
+     order to attempt at the last moment to avoid the war, and cabled
+     through the High Commissioner direct to the British Government,
+     asking for information as to the nature of the demands which were
+     to be made upon the South African Republic; which cable, to my
+     sorrow, was never sent in its entirety. The only answer to my cable
+     was the continual arrival of transports of troops from all quarters
+     of the globe, which were massed, not only on the frontier of the
+     South African Republic, but also on the frontiers of the still
+     friendly Orange Free State. Then, when the South African Republic
+     saw that England had no intention of repairing the alleged
+     grievances, but had only brought them up as an excuse for depriving
+     the Republic of its independence, they requested that the troops
+     might be taken from their frontiers, and that all disputes might be
+     settled by arbitration. This happened about three weeks after the
+     British Government had issued their ultimatum, and about one month
+     after the Orange Free State Government had received a wire asking
+     them to remain neutral, thus clearly giving them to understand that
+     the British Government intended to make war on the South African
+     Government. This telegram was sent to the Orange Free State because
+     they knew that the latter had made a defensive alliance with the
+     South African Republic since the year 1899.
+
+     Then the South African Republic decided that they must defend their
+     frontiers against the enemy who threatened their borders, and I was
+     obliged to take a most painful step, namely, that of severing the
+     bonds of friendship that existed between us and the British
+     Government, and, true to our alliance with the Transvaal, to help
+     the sister Republic. That we were perfectly correct in our surmise
+     that the British Government had firmly decided to wipe out the two
+     Republics has been clearly proved since the breaking out of the
+     war. It was not only made evident from the documents that fell into
+     our hands, although there it was easy to gather that since 1896,
+     that is from Jameson's raid, the British Government was firmly
+     determined to make an inroad into the two Republics: only lately it
+     has been acknowledged by Lord Lansdowne that he in June, 1899, had
+     already discussed with Lord Wolseley (then Commander-in-Chief of
+     His Majesty's troops), the best time at which to make an attack on
+     the two Republics. Your Excellency will thus see that it was not we
+     who drew the sword, but that we only put it away from our throats.
+     We have only acted in self-defence--one of the holiest rights of
+     man--in order to assert our right to exist. And therefore I think,
+     with all respect, that we have a right to trust in a just God.
+
+     I again observe that your Excellency reverts to the impossibility
+     of intervention by any foreign power, and that your Excellency
+     interprets our resistance as only based on the hope of such
+     intervention.
+
+     With your Excellency's permission, I should like to clear up our
+     position with regard to intervention. It is this: We hope, and
+     still are hoping, that the moral feeling of the civilized world
+     would protest against the crime which England is now permitting in
+     South Africa, namely, that of endeavouring to exterminate a young
+     nation, but we were still firmly determined that, should our hopes
+     not be realized, we would exert our utmost strength to defend
+     ourselves, and this decision, based on a firm trust in a merciful
+     God, is still unshaken in us.
+
+     I further notice that your Excellency thinks that our fight is
+     hopeless. I do not know on what grounds this assumption is based.
+     Let us for a moment compare our mutual situations of to-day with
+     those of a year ago, after the surrender of General Prinsloo. Then,
+     the Cape Colony was altogether quiet, and free from our commandos.
+     The Orange Free State was almost entirely in your hands, not only
+     as regards the principal townships, railway lines and villages, but
+     also the whole country, except where Commandant Hasebroek was, with
+     his commando. And in the South African Republic the situation was
+     very similar. That country was also mainly held by you, except in
+     the parts which General De la Rey and General Botha occupied with
+     their commandos, far up in the Boschveldt.
+
+     How do matters stand now?
+
+     The Cape Colony is, so to speak, overrun by our commandos, and they
+     are really in temporary possession of the greater part of Cape
+     Colony. They go about there as they choose, and many of our
+     nationality and others also are continuing to join us there, and
+     uniting forces with us against the cruel injustice that is being
+     done to the Republics.
+
+     In the Orange Free State I willingly acknowledge that your
+     Excellency is in possession of the Capital, the railways, and some
+     other towns not on the railways, but that is all that your
+     Excellency has got. The whole of the Orange Free State, except the
+     parts which I have just mentioned, is in our possession. In most of
+     the principal towns there are landdrosts[100] appointed by us; thus
+     in this State the keeping of order and the administration of
+     justice are managed by us, and not by your Excellency. In the
+     Transvaal it is just the same. There also justice and order are
+     managed by magistrates appointed by our Government.
+
+     May I be permitted to say that your Excellency's jurisdiction is
+     limited by the range of your Excellency's guns. If your Excellency
+     will look on the matter from a military point of view then it must
+     be acknowledged that notwithstanding the enormous forces that are
+     brought against us in the field, our cause, in the past year, has
+     made wonderful progress. Therefore we need be in no way
+     discouraged, and, if your Proclamation is based on the assumption
+     that we are so, then it has now even less justification than it had
+     a year ago. I am sorry that anything I say should appear boastful,
+     but the assertions in your Excellency's Proclamation compel me to
+     speak in this manner.
+
+     With regard to the 35,000 men which your Excellency says are in
+     your hands, I cannot speak as to the numbers, but this much I will
+     say, I am not referring to those men who were led astray by the
+     Proclamation of your Excellency's predecessor, and so failed in
+     their duty to their Government; nor to those--thank God they are
+     but few--who from treachery or other cause have gone over to the
+     enemy; but of the remainder who have been taken, not too honestly,
+     as prisoners of war, and are still kept as such. Of these I will
+     say that they are either old men and feeble, or young boys not yet
+     of age, who were carried off by force from their farms by your
+     Excellency's troops, and shut up against their will in your
+     Excellency's camps. To say of these therefore, that they are
+     "dwelling peacefully with you," is an assertion which can hardly be
+     taken seriously. I am able to say with perfect truth, that except
+     the prisoners, and the few who have gone over to the enemy, the
+     overpowering majority of the fighting burghers are still under
+     arms. As regards those who have gone over from us to the enemy--a
+     rare occurrence now--I can only say that our experience is not
+     unique, for history shows that in all wars for freedom, as in
+     America and elsewhere, there were such: and we shall try to get on
+     without them.
+
+     As regards the 74,000 women and children who, as your Excellency
+     alleges, are maintained in the camps, it appears to me that your
+     Excellency must be unaware of the cruel manner in which these
+     defenceless ones were dragged away from their dwellings by your
+     Excellency's troops, who first destroyed all the goods and property
+     of their wretched captives. Yes, to such a pass had it come, that
+     whenever your men were seen approaching, the poor sacrifices of the
+     war, in all weathers, by day and by night, would flee from their
+     dwellings in order that they might not be taken.
+
+     Does your Excellency realize that your troops have not been ashamed
+     to fire (in the full knowledge of what they were doing) with guns
+     and small arms on our helpless ones when they, to avoid capture,
+     had taken flight, either alone or with their waggons, and thus many
+     women and children have been killed and wounded. I will give you an
+     instance. Not long ago, on the 6th of June, at Graspan, near Reitz,
+     a camp of women, falsely reported as a convoy to your Excellency,
+     was taken by your troops. This was rescued again by us, whilst
+     your troops took shelter behind our women, and when your
+     reinforcement came up, they opened fire with guns and small arms on
+     that camp, notwithstanding the fact that they knew it contained
+     women only.
+
+     I can quote hundreds of cases of this kind, but I do not think it
+     necessary, because if your Excellency will take the trouble to ask
+     any soldier who respects the truth, he will be compelled to confirm
+     my assertion. To say that the women are in your camps of their own
+     free will is not in accordance with the facts, and for any one to
+     assert that they are brought to the camps because the Boers are
+     unwilling to provide for the maintenance of their families as it is
+     said that His Excellency the Minister for War has asserted in
+     Parliament, is to make himself guilty of calumny, that will do more
+     harm to the calumniator than to us, and is a statement which I am
+     sure can never meet with your Excellency's approval.
+
+     Now, as regards the Proclamation itself, I can give your Excellency
+     the assurance as far as I am myself concerned, that it will make no
+     difference to my fulfilling my duty faithfully to the end, for I
+     shall be guided by my conscience and not by the enemy. Our country
+     is ruined; our hearths and homes are wrecked; our cattle are
+     looted, or killed by the thousand; our women and children are made
+     prisoners, insulted, and carried away by the troops and armed
+     Kaffirs; and many hundreds have already given their lives for the
+     freedom of their fatherland. Can we now--when it is merely a
+     question of banishment--shrink from our duty? Can we become
+     faithless to the hundreds of killed and prisoners, who, trusting in
+     our firmness, offered their lives and freedom for the fatherland?
+     Or can we lose faith in a just God, who has so wonderfully upheld
+     us till now? I am convinced that should we do so, we should be
+     despised not only by your Excellency and all honest men, but also
+     by ourselves.
+
+     I will close by giving your Excellency the assurance that no one is
+     more anxious than I to see peace restored, and I am therefore ready
+     to meet your Excellency at any time in order to discuss the terms
+     on which this peace can be arranged; but in order that I may not
+     mislead your Excellency, I have to say that no peace will be
+     accepted by us which imperils the independence of the two
+     Republics, or which does not take into consideration the interests
+     of our Colonial brethren who have joined us. If it is a crime to
+     fight in one's self-defence, and if such a crime is to be punished,
+     then I am of opinion that His Majesty's Government should be
+     satisfied with the annihilation of the country, the misery of women
+     and children and the general desolation which this war has already
+     caused. It is in your Excellency's power more than in that of any
+     one else, to put a stop to this, and by doing so, to restore this
+     unfortunate part of the world to its former happiness. We ask no
+     magnanimity, we only demand justice. I enclose a translation of my
+     letter in order to avoid any misinterpretation of it by your
+     Excellency, as this happened not long ago when a letter which I had
+     written to the Government of the South African Republic, and which
+     at Reitz fell into your hands, was published in such a way that it
+     was nearly unrecognizable, as not only was it wrongly interpreted
+     in some places, but sentences were inserted which had never been
+     written, and other parts were left out altogether, so that an
+     entirely wrong meaning was given to the letter.
+
+     I have the honour, etc.,
+
+     M.T. STEYN,
+       _State-President of the Orange Free State._
+
+[Footnote 98: Nobody dies of fright.]
+
+[Footnote 99: The report of the Commission of which he was a member.]
+
+[Footnote 100: Resident Magistrates.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+Blockhouses and Night Attacks
+
+
+While the great events recorded at the end of my last chapter were in
+progress, I paid a visit to the Harrismith burghers, who were under the
+command of Commandant Jan Jacobsz, and also to some of the Bethlehem
+men. On my return I learnt that the enemy were occupied in building a
+line of blockhouses from Heilbron to Frankfort.
+
+It has always seemed to me a most unaccountable circumstance that
+England--the all-powerful--could not catch the Boers without the aid of
+these blockhouses. There were so many other ways in which the thing
+might have been done, and better done; and the following incident, which
+occurred during the war, serves to show that this policy of the
+_blockhouse_ might equally well have been called the policy of the
+_blockhead_.
+
+On the 27th of February, 1902, the English made one of their biggest
+"catches" in the Free State. They had made a great "kraal"--what they
+themselves call a "drive"--and stood, "hand in hand," one might almost
+say, in a ring around us, coming from Heilbron, Frankfort, Bethlehem,
+and Harrismith, and stretching, on the Transvaal side, from Vrede to the
+Drakensberg.
+
+Narrower and narrower did the circle become, hemming us in more closely
+at every moment. The result was that they "bagged" an enormous number of
+men and cattle, without a solitary burgher (or, for the matter of that,
+a solitary ox) having been captured by means of their famous blockhouse
+system.
+
+The English have been constantly boasting in the newspapers about the
+advantages of their blockhouses, but they have never been able to give
+an instance of a capture effected by them. On the contrary, when during
+the last stages of the war it happened, as it often did, that they drove
+some of our men against one or other of the great blockhouse lines which
+then intersected the country, and it became necessary for us to fight
+our way through, we generally succeeded in doing so. And that, with
+fewer casualties than when, as in the instance I have just given, they
+concentrated their forces, and formed a circle around us.
+
+The English then were busy when I returned from the south in building a
+blockhouse line from Heilbron to Frankfort. They accomplished this
+speedily, and then proceeded to the construction of other similar lines,
+not being contented until they had "pegged out" the country as
+follows:--
+
+On the Natal frontier there was a line from Vrede to Bothaspas,
+continued westward by a series of forts to Harrismith, whence the line
+went on, still westward, to Bethlehem, and thence down to the Basutoland
+border at Fouriesburg.
+
+Kroonstad was made, so to speak, the "axle," whence a series of "spokes"
+proceeded; one to the north-east, to Vrede; a second to the north-west,
+through Driekopjes Diamond Mine, to Winkledrift, and thence down the
+Rhenoster River to its confluence with the Vaal; a third, to the
+south-east, to Lindley; and a fourth, to the south-west, along the
+railway line, to the frontier of Cape Colony.
+
+In the western districts there was a line along the left bank of the
+Valsch River to the point where it joins the Vaal, and another (also
+terminating at the Vaal River) starting from Zand River railway bridge,
+and running parallel to the Zand River. There was also a line from
+Boshof, across the Cape Colony frontier, to Kimberley.
+
+Last, but not least, came the "White Elephant" with which the reader is
+already acquainted--the line from Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, through
+Thaba'Nchu.
+
+All these lines were in the Free State. I make no mention here of the
+thousands of miles of similar blockhouse lines, which made a sort of
+spider's web of the South African Republic.
+
+The blockhouses themselves were sometimes round, sometimes angular,
+erections. The roofs were always of iron. The walls were pierced with
+loop-holes four feet from the ground, and from four to six feet from one
+another. Sometimes stone was used in the construction of these walls, at
+other times iron. In the latter case the wall is double, the space of
+from six to nine inches between the inner and the outer wall being
+filled with earth.
+
+These buildings stood at a distance of from a hundred to a thousand
+paces from one another; everything depended upon the lie of the ground,
+and the means at the enemy's disposal; a greater distance than a
+thousand paces was exceptional. They were always so placed that each of
+them could be seen by its neighbours on both sides, the line which they
+followed being a zigzag.
+
+Between the blockhouses were fences, made with five strands of barbed
+wire. Parallel with these was a trench, three feet deep and four to five
+feet across at the top, but narrower at the bottom. Where the material
+could be procured, there was also a stone wall, to serve as an
+additional obstacle. Sometimes there were two lines of fences, the upper
+one--erected on the top of the earth thrown up from the
+trench--consisting of three or four strands only.
+
+There was thus a regular network of wires in the vicinity of the
+blockhouses--the English seemed to think that a Boer might be netted
+like a fish. If a wild horse had been trapped there, I should like to
+have been there to see, but I should not have liked to have been the
+wild horse.
+
+The building of these blockhouses cost many thousands of pounds, and
+still greater were the expenses incurred in providing the soldiers in
+them with food, which had to be fetched up by special convoys. And it
+was all money thrown away! and worse than thrown away! for when I come
+to describe how I broke through these blockhouse lines (see next page),
+the reader will see that this wonderful scheme of the English prolonged
+the war for at least three months.
+
+Let us turn now to another, and a more successful device of the enemy.
+
+From the first weeks of the winter, 1901--the reader must remember that
+our winter commences in _May_--the English began to make night attacks
+upon us; at last they had found out a way of inflicting severe losses
+upon us, and these night attacks grew more and more frequent during the
+last period of the war. But they would never have thought of them at
+all, if they had not been instructed in them by the National Scouts--our
+own flesh and blood!
+
+These tactics were not always successful. It sometimes happened that the
+English got "cornered"; sometimes they had to "right about turn" and run
+for their lives. The latter was the case at Witkopjes, five miles to the
+south of Heilbron, and again, near Makenwaansstad. But on only too many
+occasions they managed to surprise troops of burghers on their camping
+places, and, having captured those who could not run away, they left the
+dead and wounded on the ground.
+
+We soon discovered that these night attacks were the most difficult of
+the enemy's tactics with which we had to deal.
+
+Sometimes the burghers, surprised by a sudden visit from the English at
+such an unconventional hour, found it necessary to run away at once as
+fast as their legs would carry them, so that they often arrived at the
+nearest camp without their hats. Indeed a series of these attacks
+produced such a panic among our men that I have known a Boer lose not
+only his hat, but also his head.
+
+I come now, in the regular course of my narrative, to an engagement
+between my burghers and an English force which had marched from
+Bethlehem to Reitz, a distance of thirty miles. This force was guided by
+a son of one of the Free State Members of Parliament, and, marching all
+night, reached Reitz just as the day began to dawn. This was a smart
+piece of business; and though the guide to whom its success was due was
+my enemy, I fully appreciated the skill which he then displayed.
+
+The English captured ten or twelve burghers at Reitz, whither they had
+perhaps gone in search of the President.
+
+I was ten miles to the west, on the farm of Blijdschap, and did not
+receive reports of what had happened until towards noon.
+
+What was I to do? I could not call up men from Heilbron, Bethlehem,
+Vrede, or Harrismith: it would have been at least twenty-four hours
+before they could have arrived. All I could do was to summon Veldtcornet
+Vlok with some of the Parijs commandos and Veldtcornet Louwrens, and
+Matthijs De Beer, and the men. With these and my staff we would not
+number more than sixty or seventy all told.
+
+I at once gave orders to these veldtcornets to meet me at a certain
+place, and they were there by the appointed hour.
+
+My intention was to deliver a flank attack upon the English while they
+retreated during the night; for, as they only numbered five hundred men,
+I felt sure that they would not care to remain thirty miles away from
+their column, but would fall back upon Bethlehem.
+
+In the afternoon I marched to within a short distance of Reitz, in order
+to discover the enemy's plans; then, immediately after sunset, I sent a
+few burghers quite close to the town, with orders to meet me again at a
+certain point about two thousand paces to the south, and to inform me
+whither the enemy were going to march. The scouts returned at ten
+o'clock that night, and reported that the enemy was on the march towards
+Harrismith. In order to reach this town they would have to start by the
+Bethlehem road, from which the Harrismith road forks, at about eight
+thousand paces from the town.
+
+Our horses stood ready up-saddled; I had only to give the order to
+mount.
+
+I meant to cross the Bethlehem road and go to a deep hollow which I knew
+of near the Harrismith road; then, when the English appeared against the
+horizon, we would fire at them.
+
+But my scouts had blundered. The English were not going to Harrismith
+after all. For as we came to the Bethlehem road, we nearly stumbled over
+them. They were riding quietly along only a short distance from us. As
+we were galloping they knew of our proximity before we were aware of
+theirs, and when we were less than two hundred paces from them they
+opened fire.
+
+"Charge, burghers!"
+
+They all heard me, but they did not all obey. About fifty of the most
+valiant of them galloped straight at the enemy. The rest fled.
+
+After a short but fierce engagement we were forced to retire, as six of
+our men had been hit. Fortunately, their wounds were but slight, the
+most severe being that of my son Isaac, who had been shot through the
+leg below the knee.
+
+We rode away a short distance, and saw looming through the darkness a
+company of horsemen approaching us from Reitz. I thought at first that
+they were some of my own burghers--the ones who had taken to their
+heels--but it turned out to be General Wessel Wessels, who was nearer
+than I knew with his staff, in all some twenty men. I, however, could
+muster seventy, and we decided to cut off the retreat of the enemy. But
+they had, in the meantime, been riding on so fast that we did not reach
+them until it had grown quite light. An engagement, short and fierce as
+the last, ensued, but as the enemy was from six to seven times as strong
+as we were, and had a gun and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt with them, we could
+not stand against them, and had to let them go on their road.
+
+We were fortunate in suffering no loss there, and while the English
+marched on to Bethlehem we rode off in the opposite direction.
+
+We had now a short period of repose. The English were so busy building
+blockhouses that they had no time to fight us. Our poor horses were in a
+miserable condition, for so little rain had fallen that the grass was
+very dry and sapless. But at least we could now give them the rest which
+they sorely needed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+My Commando of Seven Hundred Men
+
+
+Towards the end of September Commandant F.E. Mentz had an engagement
+with Colonel Byng's column near Heilbron. A portion of this officer's
+force had held a ridge where there were some Kaffir kraals for cover;
+and Commandant Mentz had with fifty burghers stormed this ridge,
+shooting down from thirty to forty of the enemy, and taking twenty-five
+prisoners. We lost two killed and three wounded. The Frankfort burghers
+under Commandant Ross had also not been idle, for they had attacked a
+division of Colonel Rimington's troops with the result that sixteen
+killed and wounded fell into their hands--among these were seven of the
+National Scouts.
+
+Thus fighting was taking place all over the country. I do not give any
+report of the various engagements, as I was not present at them, and, as
+I have already said, I only wish to record my own experiences. But it
+will be easily seen, even from the scanty information I can give of
+these skirmishes, that our small commandos had a splendid record of
+success.
+
+It is my intention to ask all my Vice-Commanders-in-Chief to narrate
+their experiences. And when the whole story is told I am convinced that
+the world will be astonished at what we were able to accomplish.
+
+But however well these small commandos had fought, I myself believed
+that the time had now come to make a great stroke. With this object in
+view I gave orders that a number of the burghers should come to
+Blijdschap, in the district of Bethlehem, under the command of the
+following officers:--General Michal Prinsloo with Commandants Olivier,
+and Rautenbach of the Bethlehem Commando; Commandant David Van Coller,
+who was in command of the Heilbron burghers in the place of Commandant
+Steenekamp, who had resigned; Commandant Hermanus Botha of Vrede;
+Commandant Roen of Ladybrand; and Commandant Jan Cilliers of Kroonstad.
+
+By the beginning of November I had a force of seven hundred burghers
+under me at Blijdschap.[101]
+
+Although the spring was now far advanced, the veldt was in a very
+backward condition. I therefore ordered the various subdivisions of my
+commando to go and camp on the different farms in the neighbourhood. I
+spread the horses over a large area, as they would thus find better
+pasture and so the sooner recover their strength.
+
+When November was drawing to a close I had an engagement with the
+English to the south of Lindley. I had with me at that time General
+Hattingh, General Wessel Wessels, and General Michal Prinsloo.
+
+An English force had encamped two days previously on the farm of
+Jagersrust, which lies some ten miles to the south-east of Heilbron, and
+about the same distance from Blijdschap. I had wished to make an attack
+on them the night they arrived, but they were too near to Heilbron for
+me to venture on it.
+
+The previous week three columns which came from Winburg and Kroonstad
+had been operating near the Liebenbergsvlei, and driving a large laager
+of women before them towards the north-east of the Liebenbergsvlei. But
+they had now left the laager alone and returned to Kroonstad. The women
+had arrived at Blijdschap at noon on November 28th on their way back to
+Lindley.
+
+The morning following, two hours after sunrise, I received a report from
+General Hattingh, who with Commandant Cilliers and a hundred men was
+stationed close to Blijdschap. The General reported that the English
+from Jagersrust were hotly pursuing the women's laager. And it soon
+appeared that the women were being driven to the west of Blijdschap.
+
+When General Hattingh heard that the English were hard by, he was some
+twenty minutes' ride from Blijdschap, but he mounted his horse at once
+and rode there as quickly as he could. On his arrival he immediately
+gave orders to up-saddle, and, having sent me a second report, he
+started in pursuit of the enemy.
+
+As soon as I had received General Hattingh's reports, I followed him
+with General Wessels and a force of only a hundred men. I was at least
+five miles from General Hattingh, and the English were twelve miles
+ahead. General Michal Prinsloo was unfortunately a considerable distance
+away; and thus it was that I could not at once get together my whole
+force of six hundred burghers.
+
+But General Michal Prinsloo had spent the time in attacking the English
+force on their left front. Shortly after he had engaged the enemy I came
+up behind them and delivered an attack on their right. But the veldt was
+very uneven and high hills and intervening hollows made any co-operation
+between us impossible, for one force could not tell where the other
+force was.
+
+Meanwhile General Hattingh had attacked the enemy in the rear and thus
+compelled them to withdraw their vanguard, which was then not far from
+the women's laager and had nearly succeeded in capturing it. But now
+that the whole force of the enemy was opposed to General Hattingh, he
+was forced to give way and leave his positions. We lost two killed and
+three wounded. Among the dead was the valiant F.C. Klopper of Kroonstad.
+
+When I, with General Wessels and Commandant Hermanus Botha hurried up,
+Commandant Hattingh was just on the point of retreating.
+
+The English I saw numbered about a thousand mounted men and they had
+three guns with them. I determined to make a flank attack, and
+accordingly marched round to their right, at the same time sending
+orders to General Prinsloo to get in the rear, or if he preferred in
+front of the enemy, so that we might make a united attack upon them as
+they marched in the direction of Lindley.
+
+It now began to rain and a little later a very heavy thunderstorm burst
+on our heads. This forced the English to halt on the farm of
+Victoriespruit.
+
+The rain continued to fall in torrents and hindered General Prinsloo
+carrying out my orders.
+
+And now the sun went down.
+
+As our horses were quite exhausted by the hot pursuit after the English,
+and the burghers wet through to the skin, I decided to postpone the
+attack to the following day. I was also influenced in my decision by the
+consideration that as the English were so far from any point from which
+reinforcements could come, it was quite safe to let them alone until the
+morning. Nobody could have foreseen that they would escape that night.
+
+We slept about five miles from them to the north-east, whilst General
+Prinsloo and his men were not very far away to the south-east.
+
+That night we placed the ordinary outposts, but no "brandwachten."
+
+When on the next morning I sent my scouts out to discover the movements
+of the enemy, what was my surprise when they reported that they had
+fled. They had gone, my scouts informed me, towards Heilbron, which was
+about eighteen miles off, and they had left behind them five laden
+waggons and one cart; and where they had crossed Karoospruit they had,
+very naturally, lightened their waggons, and flour, seed, oats,
+tarpaulins, and tents marked the point where they had crossed the
+spruit. The enemy were already so far ahead when I received this report
+that it was quite out of the question to catch them before they reached
+Heilbron; so all idea of pursuing them had to be abandoned.
+
+So far as I was able to find out, this column was under the command of
+Colonel Rimington.
+
+As I was unable now to get in touch with the enemy, I set off with my
+commando to what was once the town of Lindley. Alas! it could not any
+more be called a town. Every house was burnt down; not even the church
+and parsonage were spared.
+
+We found the veldt in very good condition; the early spring rains and
+the downpours of the previous day had quite revived the grass. And so I
+decided to remain at Lindley as long as possible, to give our horses a
+chance of recovering their condition. It was impossible to provide them
+with forage, for the amount the English had left behind was entirely
+insufficient as a supply for the large number of horses we had with us.
+
+For ten or twelve days we remained at Lindley, and so the horses had a
+short breathing time, but not long enough to give the poor animals time
+fully to regain their strength. In addition to being overworked, some of
+our horses were suffering from a skin disease which we were quite unable
+to cure. This disease had never before been known in the Republics.
+
+When I was at Lindley I sent Commandant Johannes Meijer, one of my
+staff, with forty men, to Cape Colony. With him went that brave soldier,
+Captain Willem Pretorius, of whom I have made mention previously. If
+Commandant Meijer had had sufficient time to collect a commando in the
+Colony, I am sure that he would have proved that the younger generation
+of Free-Staters, to whom he and Willem Pretorius belonged, possess
+qualities which were entirely unsuspected before the war began.
+
+On the 8th of December three columns of the enemy appeared from
+Kroonstad.
+
+It had been my plan to remain at Lindley and wait my chance of dealing
+with Colonel Baker, for he had under him a certain National Scout, who
+constantly made raids from Winburg with a band of four or five hundred
+Kaffirs. A few months previously a division of Commandant Hasebroek's
+commando had been attacked at Doornberg by this man's Kaffirs, and four
+burghers had been murdered in a horrible manner. More cases of this
+nature had taken place, and I only mention this one in passing. I am not
+in a position to give all the instances, but many of them were sworn to
+in affidavits, of which copies were sent to Lord Kitchener. The original
+affidavits fell into the hands of the English; but fresh ones shall be
+drawn up on my return to South Africa, so that I may be able to prove
+the statements I have made. The narration of these brutalities I prefer
+to leave to persons more conversant With the facts than myself. I have
+only alluded to the subject so as to make it clear why I like to keep my
+eye on Colonel Baker's column.
+
+I must now continue my story where I left it.
+
+I took up my position to the north-west of Lindley, in front of the
+columns which approached from Kroonstad. But after a few skirmishes with
+them, I returned to the east till darkness came on. When night had
+fallen I went round to the south, behind Kaffirskop, expecting to
+receive the news that Colonel Baker was coming up from Winburg, for he
+generally carried on his operations in conjunction with the forces at
+Kroonstad.
+
+On the following day the enemy marched to Liebenbergsvlei, between
+Bethlehem and Reitz. Thence they took the road between Lindley and Reitz
+to Kroonstad.
+
+Piet de Wet, of the National Scouts, was with these columns.
+
+After we had remained two days at Kaffirskop, we crossed the Valsch
+River. The news then came that a column with a convoy was on the march
+from Harrismith to Bethlehem.
+
+I felt that it was my duty to attack this column, but, although I
+advanced with all haste, I was not in time to catch the enemy before
+they reached Bethlehem. When I saw this, I decided to wait, at a
+distance of some fifteen miles to the north-east of Bethlehem, for I
+expected that the column would return to Harrismith.
+
+The troops remained in Bethlehem till the morning of the 18th of
+December; they then marched out towards Harrismith.
+
+I at once divided my commando into two parts, each consisting of two
+hundred and fifty men. One of these divisions I posted behind the
+eastern end of the Langberg, about forty miles from Bethlehem; the other
+on the banks of the Tijgerkloofspruit, at the point where the road to
+Harrismith crosses the stream.
+
+I gave strict orders to both divisions that as soon as I opened fire on
+the English with the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, they were to charge down on them
+from both sides at the same time.
+
+The enemy, I may mention, were about six or seven hundred men strong,
+and had two guns.
+
+I myself, with the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, was now on a high round hill, on
+the eastern side of Tijgerkloof. I was very careful to be out of sight
+of the English, so that they might get quite close to the burghers
+before the gun disclosed my presence.
+
+I succeeded in hiding my burghers so successfully that the English did
+not observe them until they were within about twelve hundred paces of my
+men in Tijgerkloof.
+
+Some of the enemy's scouts rode on ahead, and when I judged that they
+must almost immediately see the burghers, I ordered Captain Muller, who
+was standing behind a rise, to come out of cover and open fire; then I
+jumped on my horse, and down the hill I went, at full gallop, to my
+burghers.
+
+I had scarcely covered half the distance, when Captain Muller opened
+fire on the enemy.
+
+As the sound fell on my ears, it seemed to me that nothing now could
+save them!
+
+What was now my bitter disappointment when I saw that only one-third of
+my burghers were charging. The others were keeping under cover, and do
+what I would I could not drive them out.
+
+Everything went wrong.
+
+When the burghers who were charging the English discovered that the
+greater part of their comrades had remained, they turned round and
+retreated. But before this had happened they had attacked the English at
+four different points.
+
+It had been a short but a very hot engagement.
+
+There was no possibility of inducing my men to charge, and so I thought
+it wisest to retreat, swallowing my disappointment as best I could.
+
+The burghers re-assembled to the south of the Langberg; and we found
+that our loss was two killed and nine wounded, of whom two subsequently
+died.
+
+We could not ascertain the English losses, but we saw their ambulances
+very busy. We heard afterwards that they had suffered much more severely
+than we had done.
+
+[Footnote 101: A court-martial was held at this place, and several
+persons appeared before it. A certain De Lange was condemned to death
+for high treason.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+A Success at Tweefontein
+
+
+The column had marched to Harrismith.
+
+It was time that I accomplished something further, and I determined that
+the next blow I struck should be a heavy one. I therefore retired to the
+north-east of Bethlehem, and concealed my men in the veldt round
+Tijgerkloof (which was suited to the purpose) whilst I made my plans.
+
+Colonel Firman's brigade was camped between Bethlehem and Harrismith, at
+Elands River bridge, where he was building the line of blockhouses
+between the two towns. This camp was so well entrenched that there was
+no possibility of storming it, and I knew that so long as Colonel Firman
+thought I was still in the neighbourhood he would not dare to come out
+and give me an opportunity of attacking him.
+
+I saw that a ruse was necessary to entice him out of his fortress. With
+this object in view I sent for Commandant Jan Jacobsz, with his fifty
+men from Witzeshoek. When he joined me I confided my secret to him, and
+ordered him to go back with his fifty men, and to let Colonel Firman see
+him doing so. He also had instructions to let some of his veldtcornets
+ride to the Kaffir kraals, which were close to the English camp, in
+order to tell these Kaffirs that he had had orders to come to me with
+fifty men, but that when he arrived I had commanded him to return to his
+district, because I was going to march with my commando to Winburg.
+
+The following day Colonel Firman's scouts were, as might have been
+expected, informed by the Kaffirs of what they had heard from the
+burghers under Commandant Jacobsz; and the day after--that is, the 22nd
+of December--Colonel Firman's column, about six to seven hundred men
+strong, marched from Elands River to Tweefontein, half-way between
+Elands River and Tijgerkloof. On the farm of Tweefontein there was a
+mountain called Groenkop--which has since, for a reason which will soon
+be apparent to the reader, received the name of "Christmas Kop."
+
+[Illustration: TWEEFONTEIN.
+
+FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.]
+
+I gave Commandant Jacobsz orders to come to me with his fifty men on
+Christmas Eve, but this time with the strict injunction that he must
+conceal his march from the enemy. I also called up Veldtcornet Beukes,
+with his fifty men, from Wilge River, in the district of Harrismith.
+Veldtcornet Beukes was a brave man and trustworthy; he was shortly
+afterwards promoted to the command of a division of the Harrismith
+burghers.
+
+My intention was to attack Colonel Firman early on Christmas morning.
+
+Two days previously I had, with General Prinsloo and the Commandant,
+reconnoitred the neighbourhood of Groenkop, on which Colonel Firman was
+encamped. I approached as near as possible to the mountain, but could
+only inspect it from the west, north, and east, but on the following day
+I reconnoitred it also from the south.
+
+My plan of making the attack early the next morning was somewhat spoilt
+by the fact that the English had already, on the 21st of December,
+quitted their camp on the mountain. Thus they had had four days in which
+to entrench themselves.
+
+Whilst we were reconnoitring the mountain from the south, we saw three
+horsemen coming cautiously out of the camp, riding in a north-easterly
+direction, and thus giving us no chance to intercept them. Commandant
+Olivier and Captain Potgieter now made a détour, so that they could cut
+off the unsuspecting scouts from their camp, and could also get nearer
+to the mountain themselves. I knew that by doing so they would draw the
+fire of the two guns, which would tell me precisely where Colonel
+Firman's battery stood.
+
+Before these officers could accomplish their purpose they were observed,
+and seeing that they could not cut off the three men, they turned their
+horses and galloped back. But when they saw that the three scouts had
+the temerity to pursue them, they faced round at the first rise and
+suddenly confronted them. The three (who were Kaffirs), seeing that the
+tables were turned, hastily wheeled round towards their own camp, but
+before they could reach it one of their number was caught and shot down.
+One gun and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt now fired upon our two officers as
+long as they were in sight, and thus we learnt that the guns were placed
+on the high western point of the mountain, from which they could shoot
+in all directions.
+
+Let me describe Groenkop. On its western side was a precipice, on the
+north and south a steep descent, and on the east a gentle slope which
+ran down to the plain.
+
+From which side should the attack take place?
+
+Some of the officers were of the opinion that this should take place on
+the east, where it was the least steep, but I differed from them, for
+through our field-glasses we could see that the walls of the fort were
+so built that it was quite clear the enemy had thought that, should they
+be attacked, it would be from the east. The forts were built in a
+semicircle towards that side, and although this would be of little
+importance once the fight had begun (because the defenders had only to
+jump over the wall to find themselves still entrenched), still it was to
+the advantage of the attacking party to come from a side where they
+would not be expected.
+
+These reasons brought me to the conclusion that the English would not
+be on the look-out for us from the west, and I therefore decided to make
+the attack from this side, the steep side of the mountain. But I did not
+then know how steep it really was.
+
+On the western point there were four forts close to each other. Each was
+sufficient to give shelter to about twenty five men. To the south there
+were four forts, and to the east three.
+
+The top of the mountain was not more than three to four hundred paces in
+diameter. To the east in a hollow the convoy was placed, and from every
+_schanze_ we could rake it with our fire.
+
+I remained on the spot from which I was reconnoitring, and sent word to
+the commando, in the afternoon of the 24th of December, to come to a
+certain place at Tijgerkloof, which they could do without being
+observed. I ordered them to remain there until nightfall, and then to
+advance within four miles of Groenkop, to the north, where I would meet
+them.
+
+This was done. I found the commando at the appointed place, and also
+General Brand and Commandant Karel Coetzee, who had come on a visit that
+day to my commando. They also took part in the attack. My men consisted
+of burghers from General Michal Prinsloo, Commandants Hermanus Botha,
+Van Coller, Olivier, Rautenbach, Koen, Jan Jacobsz and Mears, in all six
+hundred men. Of these I left one hundred in charge of the
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt and the pack-horses.
+
+We had not a single waggon with us; every man put what he had with him
+on his pack-horse, for long we had made it a rule not to be hampered
+with waggons. Yet whenever we picked up reports of engagements in the
+camping places of the English we repeatedly saw that they had taken a
+Boer camp--and their greatest delight was to say that it was one of De
+Wet's convoys.
+
+They could not have been convoys of mine, because for the last fifteen
+months I had had no waggon-camp with me. If a waggon-camp was taken, it
+could only have been one consisting of women, who were flying in order
+to escape capture by the English, and to avoid being sent to the
+concentration camps. Everywhere in the State the women were taking to
+flight, and their terror was increased tenfold when the news came that
+many a woman and child had found an untimely grave in these camps.
+
+The troops which had not remained with the pack-horses now advanced
+towards the mountain. Each commando was ordered to ride by itself, and
+to leave in single file. My orders were that they were to march quietly
+to the western foot of the mountain; here the horses were to be left
+behind, and the climb made on foot, the burghers keeping the same order
+as that in which they had been riding. Should the English, however,
+discover us before we reached the mountain, we must then storm it
+altogether, and leave the horses wherever we had dismounted.
+
+We succeeded in coming to the mountain unobserved, and at once began the
+climb. It was exactly two o'clock in the morning of December 25th, 1901.
+
+When we had gone up about half-way we heard the challenge of a sentry:--
+
+"Halt; who goes there?"
+
+Then followed a few shots.
+
+My command rang out through the night--
+
+"Burghers, Storm!"
+
+The word was taken up by the burghers themselves, and on all sides one
+heard "Storm! Storm!"
+
+It was a never-to-be-forgotten moment. Amidst the bullets, which we
+could hear whistling above and around us, the burghers advanced to the
+top, calling out, "Storm! Storm!"
+
+The mountain, however, was so steep that it can scarcely be said that we
+stormed it; it was much more of a climb. Often our feet slipped from
+under us, and we fell to the ground; but in an instant we were up again
+and climbed on, and on, to gain the summit.
+
+I think that after the sentry heard us, three or four minutes must have
+elapsed before the troops, who were lying asleep in their tents or on
+the veldt, were awakened and could come out, because their camp was
+about a hundred paces distant from our point of attack.
+
+Directly we reached the top the deafening roar of a heavy fight began,
+and lasted from fifteen to twenty minutes. Shortly before this the
+Armstrong gun and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt had each fired two shots, but
+they fired no more; as we reached the top the gunners were shot down at
+their guns.
+
+After a short but desperate struggle the English gave way, or
+surrendered, and we took possession of the Armstrong and
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt.
+
+We continued to fire on the troops, who had retreated to a short
+distance. Again they gave way, and took up another position a little
+further on, and so it went on for about two thousand paces, and then the
+English took to flight.
+
+As we had no horses with us and it was dark, we did not pursue the
+fleeing enemy, but returned to the camp. The whole engagement lasted, so
+far as I could judge, for about an hour. I cannot say for certain,
+because I made no note of the time.
+
+It was a party of Yeomanry with whom we had been dealing, and I must say
+they behaved very gallantly under exceptionally trying circumstances;
+for it is always to be expected that when men are attacked during the
+night a certain amount of confusion must ensue.
+
+It was heartrending to hear the moaning of the wounded in the dark. The
+burghers helped the doctors to bring the wounded into the tents, where
+they could be attended to; I gave the doctors as much water as they
+liked to take for the wounded.
+
+It was greatly to be deplored that the ambulance had been placed in the
+centre of the camp, for this was the cause of Dr. Reid being fatally
+wounded.
+
+When the day began to dawn we brought the waggons and guns down the
+mountain. I sent them in the direction of Langberg, to the west of
+Groenkop.
+
+The enemy lost about one hundred and sixteen dead and wounded, and two
+hundred and forty prisoners of war.
+
+Our loss was also heavy--fourteen dead and thirty wounded; among the
+dead were Commandant Olivier from Bethlehem and Vice-Veldtcornet Jan
+Dalebout from Harrismith; among the wounded was one of my own staff,
+Gert de Wet. Later on two more died, one of them being Veldtcornet
+Louwrens. I appointed Mr. A.J. Bester as Commandant in the place of
+Commandant Olivier.
+
+Besides one Armstrong and one Maxim-Nordenfeldt, our booty consisted of
+twenty waggons, mostly ox-waggons, a great quantity of rifle and gun
+ammunition, guns, tents, five hundred horses and mules, and one waggon
+laden with spirits, so that the burghers, who were not averse to this,
+could now satisfy their thirst.
+
+The sun had hardly risen when the enemy opened fire from a mountain two
+miles to the north-east of Groenkop, where there was a little camp with
+one gun. If I still had had the same numbers as were with me at the
+storming of Groenkop, then I could also have taken this little camp. But
+it was not to be thought of, for some of my men had been sent away with
+the waggons, and the others--well, every one had a horse that he had
+taken from the English, and as these horses were in the pink of
+condition for rapid retreat, I thought it wiser not to call upon the
+burghers to attack. I ordered them, therefore, to go back after the
+waggons, and in the evening we camped to the north of Bethlehem. From
+here, on the following day, I sent the prisoners of war through
+Naauwpoort into Basutoland.
+
+On the same day I gave orders to General Michal Prinsloo to take the
+commando and to strike a course between Reitz and Heilbron. I myself
+paid a visit to President Steyn and General Wessel Wessels, after which
+I put matters straight in our hospital at Bezuidenhoutsdrift, which was
+under the charge of Dr. H.J. Poutsma.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+I Cut my Way Through Sixty Thousand Troops
+
+
+The English could not endure the thought that we had their guns in our
+possession. And, accordingly, when General Michal Prinsloo came near the
+Liebenbergsvlei, on the road between Reitz and Heilbron, he met a strong
+force of the enemy which had come from Kroonstad. The English then had a
+taste of what it was like to be under the fire of our artillery; and so
+well did the gunners do their work that the enemy were forced to
+retreat. This occurred shortly before sunset on the afternoon of the
+28th of December.
+
+But the forces in front of General Prinsloo were too strong for him, and
+so when night came he marched past, and the following morning was twelve
+miles to the south-west of them.
+
+The enemy advanced against the position which General Prinsloo had
+occupied the previous day, quite unaware that he was now in their rear.
+In the meantime the General was watching their movements from behind,
+and quietly enjoying their mistake.
+
+I left the hospital that afternoon, and crossing the Liebenbergsvlei to
+the rear of the English, I joined the Heilbron commando.
+
+The following day the enemy retreated to the farm of Groenvlei, which
+lies just to the north of Lindley. They remained there for a few days
+awaiting large reinforcements.
+
+"I quite understand your plan," I said to myself, as I set to work to
+split up the great force which the enemy were concentrating. And with
+this object in view I sent each Commandant to his own district,
+believing that by dispersing my own men I should again induce the
+English to divide their troops into smaller parties. Commandant Mears,
+with his fifty men, I ordered to remain with the guns and the artillery,
+and to guard them by very careful scouting.
+
+In less than a fortnight seven large columns of the enemy were operating
+in the district between Heilbron and Bethlehem and Harrismith. These
+columns burnt all the houses within their reach, and those which had
+been spared before were now given over to the flames. And not only were
+the houses destroyed, but every head of cattle was taken.
+
+Towards the end of January, 1902, still more columns arrived and a
+"drive" began.
+
+I remained in the neighbourhood until the 2nd of February and stationed
+Commandant Mears with the guns to the east of the Wilge River. The
+English formed a circle round him, but he succeeded in getting the guns
+away in safety. When he was out of their clutches, I sent him orders to
+bring the guns through the blockhouse line between Lindley and
+Bethlehem, and then to push on towards Winburg.
+
+It was my intention, on arriving there, to collect as rapidly as
+possible a commando from the men of Bethlehem, Kroonstad, and Winburg,
+and to attack the first column that gave me a chance of doing so.
+
+Commandant Mears carried out my orders at once. A force of the enemy had
+been waiting for him for three or four days at the farm of Fanny's Home,
+on the Liebenbergsvlei. But before the sun had risen, a strong force
+under Colonel Byng had surrounded him and forced him to abandon the
+guns. And not only were the guns lost, but Captain Muller and thirteen
+gunners were taken prisoner.
+
+Thus the guns had not been of much benefit to us, for the English had
+kept us so constantly on the move that it had been impossible to use
+them.
+
+The forces of the enemy between Harrismith and Vrede had formed a line
+extending from the Harrismith-Bethlehem blockhouses to the blockhouses
+between Vrede, Frankfort and Heilbron. And now the troops were advancing
+in close contact with each other, hoping thus to force us against one or
+other line of blockhouses.
+
+Nearer and nearer they came, until at noon on February the 5th we saw
+them to the east of Liebenbergsvlei. As I was watching their movements
+from the top of Elandskop, I was informed by heliogram[102] from
+Blaauwkop and Verkijkerskop that there was a cordon of the English from
+Frankfort to a spot between Bethlehem and Lindley.
+
+The intention of the enemy appeared to be to drive us against the
+Heilbron-Kroonstad blockhouses and the railway line. We had therefore to
+be prepared to fight our way through the blockhouses. And these, as I
+found out lately, had been greatly strengthened.
+
+On the 6th of February I was on the march, intending to advance to
+Slangfontein, to the west of Heilbron. I sent orders to Commandants
+Mentz, Van der Merwe, and Van Coller, to take a portion of Commandant
+Bester's burghers, telling them to go to Slangfontein. For I hoped to
+break through at some point or other that night.
+
+Still nearer the enemy came, marching almost shoulder to shoulder.
+
+The Commandants Van Coller and Van der Merwe did not go to Slangfontein.
+They broke through the English columns near Jagersrust, and crossed the
+Heilbron-Frankfort blockhouse line, where they put a few soldiers to
+flight, not, however, without a loss of two burghers, who were killed.
+
+Neither did the burghers under Veldtcornets Taljaart and Prinsloo
+arrive. They preferred to go their own way--and all were captured with
+the exception of twenty-eight men. But this misfortune was not due to
+the blockhouses. On the contrary, they were taken prisoners when they
+were attempting to hide themselves in small bodies. In this way more
+than a hundred burghers fell into the hands of the English.
+
+There were now with me Commandant Mentz, and portions of the commandos
+of Commandants Bester, Cilliers, and Mears.
+
+That afternoon we marched to a farm which was twelve miles from the
+Lindley-Kroonstad line of blockhouses. When it was quite dark, we left
+the farm with the intention of breaking through this line before
+daybreak. There had been five or six hundred head of cattle with us,
+but, without my being aware of it, they had gone astray in the darkness.
+
+We intentionally left the path, because we thought that the English
+would be most vigilant at points where paths crossed the line.
+
+Suddenly we found ourselves at a wire fence. The darkness was so thick,
+that it was only after we had cut the wire that we discovered that we
+were close to a blockhouse. Although the house was not more than a
+hundred paces from us, we could hear and see nothing. When we were some
+four hundred paces on the other side of the line of the blockhouses, I
+sent a burgher back to see if all the men and cattle had crossed
+safely--for we were riding in a long trail, and amongst us were old men
+and youngsters of only ten years, or even less. These boys would have
+been taken away from their mothers had they stayed at home; and thus the
+only way to keep them from captivity was to let them join the commandos.
+
+The burgher soon returned, and told me that the whole commando and all
+the cattle had crossed the line. Then I marched forward again.
+
+At break of day we were close to the Valsch River. Here I made a short
+halt, in order to allow the stragglers to come up. It was then that a
+man came to me who had been riding far behind, and had thus not seen
+that we had cut the wire. He was probably one of those who quite
+needlessly feared a blockhouse line.
+
+"General, when shall we come to the blockhouses?" he asked me.
+
+"Oh! we are through long ago!" I answered.
+
+It did not require any deep insight, I can assure you, to see how
+delighted this burgher was that we were safely out of it!
+
+We discovered now that the cattle had not crossed the line. When I
+investigated the matter more closely, I found that they had gone astray
+before we reached the blockhouses. But it was impossible to wait for
+them, and there was nothing left but to proceed without them.
+
+When we arrived at the Valsch River, there was a sound of shouting
+behind us, and presently the cattle appeared coming over a rise. I heard
+from the drivers that they had lost their way, and had only reached the
+blockhouses at daylight. But they had succeeded in breaking through
+under a fierce rifle fire. Twenty head of cattle had been killed or
+wounded, and one of the men's horses had been shot under him.
+
+The burghers who had accomplished this valiant deed were: Jan Potgieter,
+Gert Potgieter, Jzoon, and Wessel Potgieter--all from the district of
+Heilbron.
+
+I have, myself, seen a report in an English paper of my breaking through
+the blockhouse line. This paper declared that I had driven a great herd
+of cattle in front of me to break down the fencing!... This is the way
+the English write the reports.
+
+This breaking through of my cattle inspired the English, at least so I
+thought, to dig trenches everywhere. But they were again wrong; for
+although a vehicle might have some difficulty before the trench was
+filled in, no riders, pedestrians, or cattle would have been stopped for
+a moment.
+
+And now we marched on, till we reached a spot about fourteen miles to
+the south of the blockhouse line; and there we remained for three days.
+
+Whilst we were waiting here, I sent two burghers back to the blockhouse
+line, to discover in what direction the English columns had marched, so
+that I might know where I should go myself. Now, less than ever, was it
+advisable to make night marches, for our horses were in a very poor
+condition.
+
+The day following I received a heliographic message from these burghers,
+who were now on the other side of the line. They signalled that I could
+come on with my commando, since the English columns had returned to
+Kroonstad and Heilbron.
+
+When night came I started on my way back. I did not go (as before) to
+the east of Lindley, but to the farm of Palmietfontein, which lies to
+the west. When we were close to the line, I sent some burghers in
+advance to cut the wire. But this time there was a reception ready for
+us, which we certainly would rather have been without! This was to be
+ascribed to the fact that instead of only two scouts, as I had ordered,
+about ten had gone to reconnoitre. So large a number had attracted the
+attention of the enemy, and the guards had concentrated at the spot
+where we wished to break through.
+
+Thus before my commando reached the line a fierce fire was opened on it
+from two sides. Yet notwithstanding this the wires were cut and we
+reached the other side, but not without loss. One of my burghers was
+killed, and one wounded. A boy of ten was also killed, and another of
+seven severely wounded. We could not ascertain the losses of the enemy.
+
+It was terrible that children should be exposed to such dangers; but, as
+I have already said, if we had not taken them with us they would have
+been captured. During the very "drive" I have just described, two
+children who had remained at home with their mothers were taken
+prisoner by the English. One of these was a boy of nine, the little son
+of Jacobus Theron. Notwithstanding the prayers and entreaties of the
+poor mother, he was torn from her and carried away. In the same way
+another boy, twelve years old, whose name I do not know, was dragged
+from his mother's arms.
+
+The chronicling of such inexplicable cruelties I leave to other pens. I
+have drawn attention to them to make it clear that it was not without
+good cause that children joined the commandos. Some of these little ones
+became a prey to the bullets of the enemy, and the South African soil is
+stained by the blood of children slain by England.
+
+With the exception of the sad incidents I have described, we came
+through in safety.
+
+I afterwards heard that Lord Kitchener had on this occasion gone to
+Wolvehoek Station in order to see President Steyn and myself carried
+away in the train to banishment! But his calculations were not
+altogether correct.
+
+A Higher Power had willed it otherwise.
+
+The burghers had now returned to their own districts. I myself went to a
+farm in the neighbourhood of Elandskop belonging to Mr. Hendrick
+Prinsloo--the _rooije_.[103] After I had been there a few days I heard
+that a strong column was approaching Lindley from Kroonstad. During the
+night of the 17th of February this column attacked some burghers who
+were posted less than four miles from Elandskop, with the object--as I
+heard later--of catching me. And they would have been quite successful
+in their attempt had I been sleeping in the house where their
+information led them to believe they would find me. But as a matter of
+fact, I seldom, if ever, slept in a house, for to tell the truth, there
+were scarcely any houses left to sleep in! The women who had escaped
+capture lived in narrow shelters, which had been made by placing
+corrugated iron sheets on what was left standing of the walls that
+remained.
+
+I crossed the Liebenbergsvlei on the 18th of February, and proceeded to
+the farm of Rondebosch, which stands to the north-east of Reitz. There I
+met the Government.
+
+And now another big "drive" took place. The English columns marched to
+the south of the Kroonstad-Lindley blockhouse line in the direction of
+Bethlehem. Other troops came from Heilbron, and advanced to the north of
+the Heilbron-Frankfort line, driving Commandant Ross across this line to
+the south.
+
+Nearer and nearer these two great divisions approached each other, until
+at last they stretched without any break from the Bethlehem-Lindley to
+the Frankfort-Vrede line of blockhouses. On the 21st of February the
+whole column moved towards Vrede and Harrismith.
+
+It seemed to me that my best plan would be to go with President Steyn
+and the Government to the Witkopjes, which lay between Harrismith and
+Vrede, and then to break through the English columns near Vrede or
+Harrismith, or, if it proved impossible to do so at these points, at
+least to force a way through somewhere.
+
+On this occasion we had a great deal more difficulty in escaping from
+the English than we had had during the previous "drive." Not only had we
+to deal with these large forces behind, but also with thousands of
+troops which were now approaching from Villiersdorp, Standerton,
+Volksrust, and Laingsnek, and which were extended across the country in
+one continuous line. The whole cordon thus formed consisted, as the
+English themselves acknowledge, of sixty thousand men.
+
+And again on this occasion they did not attempt to drive us against one
+or other of the blockhouse lines, but they came, column on column, from
+all sides, and formed a big circle round us. They thus made it quite
+apparent that they had lost all faith in their blockhouses.
+
+I only received news of the approach of these reinforcements on the
+evening of the 22nd of February, after they had passed the blockhouses.
+The report was brought to me by Commandant Hermanus Botha, a party of
+whose burghers had been driven across the Vrede-Frankfort line during
+the previous night. I have already stated that some of the burghers
+under Commandant Ross had shared the same experience, and now they were
+retreating before the English. I also heard that Commandant Mentz had
+gone eastwards, in the belief that the forces behind him would move to
+the west, but that unfortunately the columns also moved to the east, so
+that he jumped into the lion's mouth, which was only too ready to close!
+
+We marched that night to Cornelius River, and the day following to Mr.
+James Howell's farm at Brakfontein. It was my intention to break through
+somewhere between Vrede and Bothaspas.
+
+But my scouts brought me word in the evening that there was a very poor
+chance of success in that neighbourhood, for the columns had
+concentrated there. Other scouts, however, reported that there was a
+small opening at Kalkkrans, on the Holspruit; and so I decided to march
+to Kalkkrans.
+
+When the sun had set I left Brakfontein and started on my road to
+Kalkkrans, with the firm determination to force my way through there,
+cost what it might. If I failed in the attempt I knew that it would mean
+an irretrievable loss, for not only should I myself be captured, but
+also President Steyn and the whole Government.
+
+I had with me a portion of the Harrismith burghers, the commandos from
+Vrede and Frankfort, and sections of the commandos from Standerton and
+Wakkerstroom, these latter under Commandant Alberts. This Commandant had
+come to these districts to obtain horses for his burghers; he was
+obliged to be content with the wild horses of the veldt, for there were
+no others to be had.
+
+Beside the above burghers, I had with me old men and children, and
+others who were non-combatants. These had joined the commando to escape
+falling into the enemy's hands.
+
+Altogether I had well-nigh two thousand persons with me. Commandant
+Mentz was, like myself, enclosed in the "drive," but some distance away.
+General Wessels, Commandant Beukes, and some of the Bethlehem burghers
+were in the same predicament to the west of us. I did not know for
+certain where these officers were placed, and therefore I could not
+inform them of my plan to break through that night, for I had only come
+to this determination after the sun had set. But I felt sure that they
+would at all costs make their way through the cordon.[104]
+
+Commandant Jan Meijer had met me at Brakfontein, but one party of his
+burghers was still six miles to the south. When I decided to break
+through, I sent him orders to follow me; and this he was quite capable
+of doing, as he was well acquainted with this part of the country. My
+orders were that the mounted men were to proceed in advance, taking with
+them my little waggon drawn by eight mules.
+
+This waggon had accompanied me into Cape Colony, and since that
+time--for fourteen weary months--had never left me. I had even taken it
+with me when, a fortnight previously, I had broken through the
+blockhouse lines.
+
+Behind the horsemen came the aged and the sick, who occupied the
+remaining vehicles, and lastly the cattle, divided into several herds.
+
+In this order we rode on.
+
+When we were approaching the spot at which I expected to find the enemy,
+I ordered Commandant Ross and one hundred men, with Hermanus Botha and
+Alberts, and portions of their commandos, to go on ahead of us.
+
+After passing through Holspruit we inclined to the west, as the road to
+the east would, according to my scouts, have led us right into the
+English camp. But it was not with one camp only that we had to deal: the
+English were everywhere: a whole army lay before us--an army so immense
+that many Englishmen thought that it would be a task beyond the stupid
+and illiterate Boer to count it, much less to understand its
+significance. I will pander to the English conception of us and say, "We
+have seen them: they are a great big lot!"
+
+We had hardly moved three hundred paces from where we had crossed
+Holspruit, when the English, lined up about three hundred yards in front
+of us, and opened fire. We saw that they did not intend our flight to be
+an easy one.
+
+Before we had reached the "spruit,"[105] and while crossing it, the
+burghers had kept pushing ahead and crowds had even passed us, but the
+enemy's fire checked them and they wheeled round.
+
+Only the men under Commandants Ross, Botha, and Alberts did not waver.
+These officers and their veldtcornets with less than one hundred men
+stormed the nearest position of the enemy, who were occupying a fort on
+the brow of a steep bank.
+
+I shouted to my command: "Charge."
+
+I exerted all my powers of persuasion to arrest the flight of my
+burghers; even bringing the sjambok into the argument.
+
+Two hundred and fifty were all that I could bring back to the fight,
+whilst, as I have said, the Commandants had a hundred with them when
+they charged; the rest, regardless of my attempts to stop them, fled.
+
+I was also without my staff, some of whom had remained under the fire of
+the enemy awaiting my orders as to what was to be done with my little
+waggon. Others, amongst whom was my son Kootie, who was then acting as
+my secretary, had followed me, but had got lost in the confusion of the
+moment.
+
+This confusion arose from the fact that the burghers imagined that they
+had got through at the first attempt, but had found themselves again
+fired at from the front. Meanwhile, I hurried to and fro, encouraging
+the burghers in their attempts to break through. When thus engaged I
+came across two of my staff, Albertus Theunissen and Burt Nissey. To
+them I gave the order: "Get the waggon through at all costs." I also
+found my son, Isaac, and kept him with me. The English now were firing
+not only from in front but also on our right, and there was nothing for
+it but to clear a road for ourselves, and this we eventually succeeded
+in doing, and in about forty minutes had at last broken through.
+
+The enemy had dug trenches, thirty to forty paces from each other, which
+served as _schanzes_. In each of these trenches were placed ten to
+thirty men. They had also a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which, at first, kept up
+a hot fire; but soon was silenced as the gunners were shot down. The
+rest of the troops retired with the gun, but had to leave the caisson
+behind them. It was evident to me from the way in which they fired that
+the English were retreating, and so I dispatched two men to tell the
+burghers, who had gone back, to come on; but this they did not do,
+thinking perhaps that they could discover a safer route on the following
+evening. This was short-sighted policy on their part, for the circle
+within which they were caught was daily becoming narrower, and it was
+plain that on the third day the enemy would be so close that all hope of
+escape would be gone.
+
+The two burghers did not return, and we went on without them, taking
+with us our wounded--twelve in number. Two of these, whose injuries were
+serious, had been placed by some of my staff on my waggon; one was Van
+der Merwe, a member of President Steyn's bodyguard; the other was a boy
+of thirteen years old, named Olivier.
+
+We hurried on, and came, shortly after sundown, to the farm called
+"Bavaria," on the Bothasberg. There Van der Merwe died.
+
+The boy had already been relieved from his sufferings. Thus, once again,
+the soil drank the blood of a child.
+
+Eleven of my men were left dead on the battlefield. We had to leave them
+there, for to recover their bodies might have meant the sacrifice of
+more lives.
+
+When the burghers and I forced our way through the storm of bullets, we
+had with us President Steyn, the Members of the Government, and the Rev.
+D. Kestell, minister of the Dutch Reformed Church at Harrismith.
+
+The greater part of the English, indeed all of them, so far as we could
+observe, remained, during the 24th, on the spot where we had left them.
+We found out, later on, that we had broken through their lines at the
+point where Colonel Rimington's force was stationed.
+
+The following day the columns departed. We then went to bury our dead,
+but found that the enemy had already done so. But as the graves which
+they had made were very shallow, we dug them deeper.
+
+During that night (the 25th) another force of burghers, to the number of
+about three hundred and fifty, broke through the English cordon. Our men
+only lost two killed, and eleven wounded.
+
+Besides those already mentioned, the burghers under General Wessel
+Wessels and Commandant Mentz were also among those who escaped of the
+two thousand troops surrounded by the enemy.
+
+With the others it fared but ill.
+
+The English closed in, and the circle became narrower and narrower.
+
+On the 27th of February, 1902--"Majuba Day"--Commandant Van Merwe and
+four hundred men fell into the hands of the enemy.[106]
+
+On that very day, in the year 1881, the famous battle of Majuba had been
+fought. Nineteen years afterwards, on the same day of the same month, we
+suffered a terrible defeat at Paardeberg, where we lost General Piet
+Cronje and a great force of burghers.
+
+And now the 27th of February had come round again, and this time it was
+the twenty-first anniversary of Majuba that we were celebrating. The day
+of our coming of age had thus arrived, if I may be allowed to say so.
+But instead of the Republics now attaining their majority--as they
+should have done, according to all precedent--_minority_ would have been
+a more fitting word to describe the condition in which we now found
+ourselves--for, through the losses which we had just sustained, we were
+_minus_ not only a large number of burghers, but also an enormous
+quantity of cattle, which ought to have served as food to our commandos
+and families, but which the enemy had captured.
+
+The cattle which had just been taken from us had formed the greater part
+of our cattle in this district. We had always been able, until now, to
+get them safely away; the unevenness of the veldt here was greatly in
+our favour. This time we could not. How am I to explain the
+inexplicable? _We had sinned--but not against England!_
+
+[Footnote 102: We had heliographic communication between Elandskop and
+Blaauwkop, which formed a connecting link between Bethlehem and Lindley;
+and from Blaauwkop we had communication with Verkijkerskop. There was
+also heliographic communication between Bethlehem and Lindley, and
+Biddulphsberg, across the line of blockhouses.]
+
+[Footnote 103: "Rooije" is the Taal for "red."]
+
+[Footnote 104: In this I was correct. They contrived to break through
+where the enemy were more scattered.]
+
+[Footnote 105: Spruit--rivulet.]
+
+[Footnote 106: Also my son, Jacobus (Kootie). He has now returned from
+St. Helena, whither he had been sent as a prisoner, and we have met. He
+tells me that on the night when I broke through, he wanted to come with
+me, but was unable to do so, because his horse had been shot under
+him.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+I go to the Transvaal with President Steyn
+
+
+On the 26th of February I went with the Government to Duminys Drift, on
+the Wilge River, and we thus found ourselves again at the farm of
+Rondebosch.
+
+The Government remained there for a few days, and then President Steyn
+decided to go into the western parts of the State, where Generals
+Badenhorst and Nieuwouwdt were then operating. He thought that if he
+absented himself from the north-eastern districts the English would
+cease their devastations in that part of the country, for it was well
+known that the enemy's concentration of forces was principally aimed at
+the President and myself.
+
+I, however, did not intend to follow his example, but, on the contrary,
+got myself ready to join the Heilbron commando. By March 22nd all my
+preparations were made, and I had, alas! to say farewell to my trusty
+friend--my little waggon! I saw that it must be relinquished--that I
+could not carry it about with me any longer. I left it at a farm, first
+taking out my documents and papers; I ordered these to be concealed for
+greater safety, in a cave on the farm of General Wessels.
+
+The clothes and ammunition of myself and staff had been hidden in this
+cave for some time.
+
+The following day I joined President Steyn, who told me that he wished
+me to accompany him in his march to the west. And although it did not
+agree with my own ideas--principally, because I did not want the enemy
+to think that I was running away from them--I consented to this plan,
+and the more willingly because it was some time since I had visited the
+western commandos.
+
+It was a long journey that lay before us, and I had only the clothes
+that I was then wearing. I would have sent for another suit had I not
+heard that the enemy were encamped close to the cave where our treasures
+lay hidden.[107]
+
+I had therefore to do the best I could with what I had. There was no
+clothing to be got in the western districts, so that when my present
+outfit was worn out, I should be compelled to put on "khaki"--although
+there was nothing I relished less than to rob a prisoner of war.
+
+We started out that same evening in the direction of the railway line.
+Our party consisted of about two hundred men, composed as follows: the
+President, with his bodyguard of thirty men, under Commandant H. Van
+Niekerk, the Government, Commandant Van de Merwe, of Vredefort, my staff
+and myself.
+
+Before daybreak we got through the Heilbron-Frankfort line of
+blockhouses without accident; and on the following night (March 5th) we
+crossed the railway line, between Wolvehoek and Viljoensdrift. Whilst we
+were occupied there in cutting the telegraph wires, the enemy fired a
+few rounds on us, at a distance of five hundred or six hundred paces. We
+approached nearer, and they then opened fire with a Maxim--but without
+doing any damage.
+
+We continued on our road, past Parijs and Vredefort, towards Bothaville,
+and we came upon a blockhouse line which extended from Kroonstad to the
+Vaal River. We rested for two days, to the north of Bothaville; during
+this time my scouts captured from the enemy eighteen horses, most of
+which were in good condition.
+
+On the night of March 12th we broke through the blockhouse line, some
+five miles to the west of Bothaville. When we were about fifty paces
+from the line, somebody to our left challenged us:
+
+"Halt! Who goes there?"
+
+He challenged us a second time, and then fired.
+
+At once seven or eight sentries fired upon us. Shots also were directed
+at us from the right. Nevertheless we cut through the barbed wire and
+crossed in safety, the firing still continuing, until we were about
+fifteen hundred paces on the far side of the line. Fortunately no one
+was hit.
+
+Having thus escaped from the last "White Elephant" that we should have
+to reckon with, the next obstacle to be encountered was the Vaal River.
+For the President, since we had crossed the Valsch River, had decided to
+visit De la Rey, in order to place himself under medical advice. His
+eyes had become very weak during the last fortnight or so, and he
+thought that Dr. Van Rennenkampf might be able to do something for them.
+
+Thus we had to cross the Vaal River.
+
+But we heard that there was a military post at Commandodrift, where we
+wanted to cross, and further, that all the other fords were occupied by
+the English. We should have been in a great difficulty had not one of
+our burghers, Pietersen, who knew this district thoroughly, brought us
+across the river by a footpath ford.
+
+We crossed on March 15th. The current was so strong that in places the
+horses were almost swimming; in other places the river-bed was strewn
+with huge boulders, over which our steeds had to climb. However, we all
+managed to get safely over, and arrived at Witpoort on the evening of
+the 16th. On the following day we joined General De la Rey.
+
+It was a most interesting occasion. We had a hearty reception, several
+impromptu "addresses" being presented to the President, who in turn
+spoke to the burghers with much fire and enthusiasm. They were already
+in the best of spirits, as they might well be, for their General had but
+recently won victories over Von Donop and Lord Methuen.
+
+Dr. Van Rennenkampf, having examined the President's eyes, said that he
+must remain for some time under his care. Accordingly I left President
+Steyn with De la Rey, and, on the third day after our arrival, set out
+with my staff to join General Badenhorst, who was then in the
+neighbourhood of Boshof. It was becoming more and more important that I
+should see Badenhorst and Nieuwouwdt, and discuss with them how best
+they might collect their forces, for I wished to be able to attack the
+first English column that should enter the western district of the
+State.
+
+I had received reports that, with the exception of the garrison at
+Boshof, the west, for the moment, was free from the enemy; and this
+information caused me no surprise, for I could well believe that they
+had just "packed up their trunks" in the north.
+
+On the 25th of March I joined General Badenhorst on the Gannapan,[108]
+thirty miles to the north-east of Boshof. I at once sent an express to
+General Nieuwouwdt, ordering him to come to me with all speed, and to
+bring about four hundred and fifty of his men with him. Meanwhile,
+General Badenhorst received instructions from me to get all his
+scattered commandos together.[109]
+
+Before there had been time for these orders to be carried out I
+received, on March 28th, a letter from President Steyn, giving me the
+following information:
+
+Mr. S.W. Burger, Vice-States President of the South African Republic,
+had written to President Steyn, saying that he was at Kroonstad, and
+that he wished to meet the Government of the Orange Free State. He also
+said that a copy of the correspondence between the Governments of the
+Queen of the Netherlands and of the King of England had been sent to him
+by Lord Kitchener.
+
+From this correspondence it appeared that the Netherlands Government
+(considering the condition of affairs to be exceptional, in that the
+Boers who were still fighting were unable to negotiate either with the
+British Government or with the Deputation in Europe) felt justified in
+offering to act as an intermediary. In this capacity they were prepared
+to ask the Deputation if they were willing--supposing that a safe
+conduct could be obtained from England--to go to South Africa, and
+discuss matters with the Boers, in order to be able subsequently to
+return to Europe, empowered to conclude a Treaty of Peace, which would
+be binding both in South Africa and in Europe.
+
+Lord Lansdowne, in the name of the British Government, replied that his
+Government highly appreciated the humane intentions of the Government of
+the Netherlands, but that they had made up their minds to abide by their
+former decision, and not to accept any foreign intervention. Further,
+that the Deputation could, if they wished, address a request for a safe
+conduct to the British Government, but that the matter could not be
+decided in England, until the precise nature of the request, and the
+grounds on which it was preferred, were fully understood.
+
+Lord Lansdowne also said that the British Government was not quite clear
+as to whether the Deputation still retained any influence over the Boer
+leaders in South Africa; that they thought that the power to negotiate
+for the Orange Free State lay with President Steyn, and, for the
+Transvaal, with President Burger; and that they considered that the most
+satisfactory arrangement would be for the leaders of the Boers to
+negotiate directly with the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in
+South Africa, who had been ordered to transmit at once to the British
+Government any offers or proposals which might be made to him.
+
+Lord Lansdowne concluded by saying that, if the Boers wished to
+negotiate, it must be in South Africa, and not in Europe. For, if the
+Deputation were to go to South Africa, at least three months must elapse
+before anything could be effected, and, as hostilities must continue
+during this delay, much suffering would be caused.
+
+Vice-President Burger went on to say that when he received a copy of
+this correspondence he could only conclude that Lord Kitchener,
+indirectly at least, if not directly, was asking the Boer leaders to
+negotiate with him. Accordingly, he wrote to Lord Kitchener for a free
+pass, and, having obtained it, came with his Government by rail to
+Kroonstad. He now, accordingly, requested President Steyn to let him
+know when and where the two Governments could meet. He also intimated
+that he had written to Lord Kitchener, informing him that he
+wished--after consulting the Government of the Orange Free State--to
+make a Peace Proposal.
+
+President Steyn told me that when the Free State Government received
+this letter from President Burger, they had not been able to see their
+way to refuse what the latter asked, as the promise of a Peace Proposal
+had already been sent. They had regretted, however, that the Transvaal
+Government had made use of a safe conduct, and gone through the English
+lines--not that they had for one moment distrusted the Government--but
+simply because the proceeding had seemed to have been ill-advised.
+Nevertheless the Free State, finding itself not only obliged to discuss
+the matters in question with the Transvaal, but also, conjointly with
+the Transvaal, to make a Proposal to Lord Kitchener, had appointed a
+place of meeting in accordance with the request which had been addressed
+to it.
+
+This was what I learnt from President Steyn's letter.
+
+On the 5th of April the President received another letter from President
+Burger, arranging that the meeting should take place at Klerksdorp. A
+safe conduct for the President and Government of the Orange Free State
+was sent at the same time.
+
+[Footnote 107: Shortly afterwards I heard that it was Colonel
+Rimington's column who were encamped there. They discovered the cave,
+and removed the documents and wearing apparel, leaving me with only a
+suit of clothes--which I should have liked to preserve as a curiosity!]
+
+[Footnote 108: A salt lake.]
+
+[Footnote 109: Commandant Jacobsz was somewhere not very far from
+Kimberley; Commandant Bester, close to Brandfort; Commandant Jacobus
+Theron, near Smaldeel; Commandant Flemming, near Hoopstad; and
+Commandant Pieter Erasmus, near the Gannapan.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+Peace Negotiations
+
+
+General De la Rey, who, as a Member of the Transvaal Government, had to
+be present at the coming deliberations, accompanied the President to
+Klerksdorp, where they arrived on the 9th of April, and found the
+Transvaal Government already there awaiting them.
+
+The two Governments held their first meeting in the afternoon
+of the same day. The South African Republic was represented
+by:--Vice-States-President S.W. Burger; Commandant-General Louis Botha;
+Secretary of State F.W. Reitz; General De la Rey; Ex-General L.J.
+Meijer; and Mr. J.B. Krogh. Although not a member of the Government, the
+States-Procureur, L. Jacobsz, was also present.
+
+On behalf of the Orange Free State appeared:--States-President M.T.
+Steyn; Commander-in-Chief C.R. de Wet; Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge
+J.B.M. Hertzog; States-Secretary W.J.C. Brebner; and General C.H.
+Olivier.
+
+It was decided that no minutes should be taken. Accordingly, I am only
+able to give a summary of the proceedings.
+
+The meeting having been opened with prayer, the Vice-President of the
+South African Republic said that the fact that Lord Kitchener had sent
+in a copy of the correspondence between the Governments of the
+Netherlands and England, was looked upon by himself and his Government
+as an invitation on the part of England to the two States to discuss the
+matter dealt with in that correspondence, and to see if peace could not
+be concluded. Before, however, the meeting could make a proposal, it
+would be necessary to hear what the state of affairs really was.
+
+Thereupon, firstly, Commandant-General Louis Botha, then I, and lastly,
+General De la Rey, gave a report of how matters stood.
+
+President Burger now asked whether an interview with Lord Kitchener
+should be asked for, and (in case Lord Kitchener acceded to this) what
+we were to demand, and what we should be prepared to sacrifice. He went
+on to ask President Steyn what he thought of the proposal which the
+Transvaal had made to the Free State Government in the October of the
+previous year.
+
+President Steyn answered that he was still of the same opinion as in
+June, 1901, when the two Governments had agreed to stand by
+Independence. If the English now refused to grant Independence, then the
+war must continue. He said that he would rather surrender to the English
+unconditionally than make terms with them.
+
+The remainder of the day was occupied in listening to speeches from
+State-Secretary Reitz and President Burger.
+
+On the following day the speakers were:--L.J. Meijer, J.B. Krogh,
+myself, State-Secretary Reitz, and Judge Hertzog. The last-named made a
+proposal, which was seconded by General C.H. Olivier. This proposal,
+after it had been subjected for revision to a Commission, consisting of
+the two Presidents, Mr. Reitz, and Judge Hertzog, was accepted on the
+following day. It ran as follows:--
+
+     "The Governments of the South African Republic and of the Orange
+     Free State, having met, induced thereto by the receipt, from His
+     Excellency Lord Kitchener, of the correspondence exchanged in
+     Europe between the Government of His Majesty the King of England,
+     and that of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, referring to
+     the desirability of giving to the Governments of these Republics an
+     opportunity to come into communication with their plenipotentiaries
+     in Europe, who still enjoy the trust of both Governments:
+
+     "And taking into consideration the conciliatory spirit which, as it
+     appears from this correspondence, inspires the Government of His
+     Britannic Majesty, and also of the desire therein uttered by Lord
+     Lansdowne, in the name of his Government, to make an end to this
+     strife:
+
+     "Are of opinion that it is now a favourable moment to again shew
+     their readiness to do everything possible to bring this war to an
+     end:
+
+     "And decide, therefore to make certain proposals to His Excellency
+     Lord Kitchener, as representative of the Government of His
+     Britannic Majesty, which may serve as a basis for further
+     negotiations, having in view the achievement of the desired peace.
+
+     "Further, it is the opinion of these two Governments that, in order
+     to expedite the achievement of the desired aim, and to prevent, as
+     far as possible, any misunderstanding, His Excellency Lord
+     Kitchener should be asked to meet personally these Governments at a
+     time and place by him appointed, so that the said Governments may
+     lay before him Peace Proposals (as they will be prepared to do), in
+     order that, by direct conversation and discussion with him, all
+     such questions as shall arise may be solved at once, and also that
+     this meeting may further and bring about the desired result."
+
+A letter was now written to Lord Kitchener (who was at Pretoria)
+enclosing the above Proposal, and signed by the two Presidents.
+
+In the afternoon the two Governments met again, to consider what
+proposals they should make to the British Government. After a lengthy
+discussion, it was decided, on the proposal of General De la Rey,
+seconded by States-Procureur L. Jacobsz, that the matter in hand should
+be entrusted to the Commission, which consisted, as I have already said,
+of the two Presidents, States-Secretary Reitz, and Judge Hertzog: and
+the next morning this Commission handed in the following report, which
+was accepted by the meeting:--
+
+     "The Commission, after having taken into consideration the wish of
+     the meeting, namely, that proposals should be drafted (in connexion
+     with the letter of yesterday, signed by the two Presidents, to His
+     Excellency Lord Kitchener) for eventual consideration by His
+     Excellency Lord Kitchener, proposes the following points:--
+
+     "1. The concluding of a Treaty of Friendship and Peace, including:
+
+       "(_a_) Arrangements _re_ a Customs Union.
+
+       "(_b_)      "       _re_ Post, Telegraph and Railway Union.
+
+       "(_c_) Granting of the Franchise.
+
+     "2. Demolition of all States Forts.
+
+     "3. Arbitration in any future differences which may arise between
+     the contracting parties; the arbitrators to be nominated in equal
+     numbers from each party from among their own subjects; the said
+     arbitrators to add one to their number, who is to have the casting
+     vote.
+
+     "4. Equal rights for the English and Dutch languages in the schools.
+
+     "5. Reciprocal amnesty."
+
+The same morning a letter enclosing this proposal was sent to Lord
+Kitchener, after which Judge Hertzog and Commander Louis Botha addressed
+the meeting.
+
+After the latter had finished an address of great importance, General
+Wilson, who had the command at Klerksdorp, entered the room where the
+meeting was being held and stated that Lord Kitchener was prepared to
+grant us an interview, and that we could travel to Pretoria that very
+evening.
+
+Accordingly, on the evening of the 11th of April, we went to Pretoria,
+where, on the following morning, we met Lord Kitchener and handed in our
+proposal.
+
+Lord Kitchener wished for a proposal of a very different character from
+that of the two Governments; but as it would not have been proper for
+them to make any proposal injurious to Independence, the Presidents
+declared that they could not do so, and asked him to send to the English
+Government the proposal which they had already laid before him. Lord
+Kitchener at last acceded to this request, and the following telegram
+was accordingly sent to England:
+
+     FROM LORD KITCHENER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
+
+     "PRETORIA, _April 12th, 1902_.
+
+     "The Boer Representatives desire to acquaint His Majesty's
+     Government with the fact that they entertain an earnest wish for
+     peace, and that they, therefore, have decided to ask the British
+     Government to bring hostilities to an end, and to proceed to
+     formulate a Treaty of Peace. They are ready to accept an Agreement,
+     by which, in their opinion, all future wars between them and the
+     British Government in South Africa may be avoided. They think that
+     this aim can be attained if provisions are made in relation to the
+     following points:--
+
+     "1. Franchise.
+
+     "2. Equal rights for the Dutch and English languages in Educational
+     matters.
+
+     "3. Customs Union.
+
+     "4. Demolition of all the forts in the Transvaal and Free State.
+
+     "5. Arbitration in case of future disagreements, and only subjects
+     of the parties to be arbitrators.
+
+     "6. Mutual amnesty.
+
+     "But in case these terms should not be satisfactory, then they wish
+     to know what terms the British Government will give them, so that
+     the result which they all desire may be attained."
+
+On Monday, April 15th, Lord Kitchener sent to the two Governments a copy
+of the following telegram, which he had received from the Secretary of
+State:--
+
+     FROM SECRETARY OF STATE TO LORD KITCHENER.
+
+     "LONDON, _April 13th, 1902_.
+
+     "His Majesty's Government shares with all its heart in the earnest
+     wish of the Boer Representatives, and trusts that the present
+     negotiations will lead thereto. But they have already declared in
+     the clearest manner and have to repeat that they cannot take into
+     consideration any proposals which have as basis the sanction of the
+     Independence of the former Republics, which are now formally
+     annexed to the British Crown. And it would be well if you and
+     Milner were to meet the Boer Representatives, and make this plain
+     to them. You must encourage them to make fresh proposals which we
+     will willingly receive."
+
+In this telegram, as the reader will have observed, the name of Lord
+Milner is mentioned. Up till now we were dealing with Lord Kitchener
+alone, but at our next conversation the first-named was also present.
+
+Both Representatives of the British Government insisted that we should
+negotiate with them, taking the surrender of our Independence for
+granted. We could not do so. We had repeatedly told Lord Kitchener that,
+constitutionally, it was beyond the power of our Governments to discuss
+terms based on the giving up of Independence. Only the nation could do
+that. Should however, the British Government make a proposal which had,
+as a basis, the temporary withdrawal only of the Independence, then we
+would lay this proposal before the nation.
+
+Thereupon the following telegram was drawn up and dispatched:--
+
+     FROM LORD KITCHENER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
+
+     "PRETORIA, _April 14th, 1902_.
+
+     "A difficulty has arisen in connexion with the negotiations. The
+     representatives declare that, constitutionally, they are not
+     entitled to discuss terms which are based on the surrender of their
+     independence, as the burghers alone can agree to such a basis. If,
+     however, His Majesty's Government can propose terms by which their
+     independence shall be subsequently given back to them, the
+     representatives, on the matter being fully explained to them, will
+     lay such conditions before the people, without giving expression to
+     their own opinions."
+
+The reply to this was as follows:--
+
+     FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO LORD KITCHENER.
+
+     "LONDON, _April 16th_.
+
+     "With great astonishment we have received the message from the Boer
+     leaders, as contained in your cable. The meeting was arranged in
+     accordance with their desires, and they must have been aware, from
+     our repeated declarations, that we should not be prepared to
+     consider any proposal based on the revival of the independence of
+     the two South African States. We, therefore, were justified in
+     believing that the Boer representatives had abandoned all idea of
+     Independence, and that they would make terms for the surrender of
+     the forces still in the Veldt. They now declare that they are not
+     constitutionally in a position to discuss any terms which do not
+     include the restoration of their Independence, but they ask what
+     conditions would be made if, after consulting their followers, they
+     should abandon the claim for Independence. This does not seem to us
+     a satisfactory way of expediting the end of the hostilities which
+     have caused the loss of so many lives and so much money. We are,
+     however, as we said before, desirous of preventing any further
+     bloodshed and of accelerating the restoration of peace and
+     prosperity in the countries harassed by the war, and we empower you
+     and Lord Milner to refer the Boer leaders to the offer made by you
+     to General Botha more than twelve months ago, and to inform them
+     that--although the great decrease which has lately taken place in
+     the forces opposed to us, and also the further sacrifices involved
+     by the refusal of that offer, would justify us in dictating harder
+     terms--we are still prepared, in the hope of a lasting peace and
+     reconciliation, to accept a general surrender in the spirit of that
+     offer, with such amendments with regard to details as might be
+     agreed upon mutually."
+
+It was quite self-evident that the Governments could not accept this
+proposal of the British Government, because by it the independence of
+the Republics would be sacrificed.
+
+President Steyn pointed out emphatically that it lay beyond our right to
+decide and conclude anything that would endanger the independence of the
+two Republics. The nation alone could decide on the question of
+independence. For this reason, therefore, we asked if we might consult
+the people, and it was agreed by Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner that we
+should go back to our commandos and hold meetings in every district, in
+order to learn thus the will of the nation. It was further agreed that
+at the meetings of the nation representatives should be chosen who, on
+the 15th of May, 1902, at Vereeniging, should inform the Governments
+what course the nation desired them to take.
+
+On the 18th of April Commandant-General Louis Botha, General De la Rey,
+and I left Pretoria, provided with a safe conduct for ourselves and for
+anyone whom we should appoint, and proceeded to our different commandos.
+
+I went first to the burghers of Vrede at Prankop, where I met General
+Wessel Wessels with his commandos on the 22nd of April. The nation was
+in a very miserable condition, suffering from the want of all
+necessaries, and living only on meat and maize, which food was also
+exceedingly scarce, and would only last for a few months more.
+Notwithstanding this, the burghers decided, to a man, that they would
+not be satisfied with anything less than independence, and that if the
+English would not accede to this they would continue to fight.
+
+Mr. Wessel Wessels, Member of the Volksraad, was elected as chairman,
+and Mr. Pieter Schravezander as secretary. The representatives chosen
+were Commandants A. Ross, Hermanus Botha, and Louis Botha (son of Philip
+Botha).
+
+My second meeting I held at Drupfontein, in the district of Bethlehem,
+on the 24th of April, with the burghers under the command of Commandants
+Frans Jacobsz, Mears, and Bruwer. Mr. J.H. Naude was made chairman, and
+Landdrost J.H.B. Wessels secretary. It was unanimously decided that
+independence had to be maintained, and Commandants Frans Jacobsz and
+Bruwer were chosen as representatives.
+
+The next meeting I held on the 26th of April, at Tweepoort Farm, with
+the commandos under General Michal Prinsloo. Mr. Jan Van Schalkwijk was
+chosen as chairman, and Mr. B.J. Malan as secretary. Here also the votes
+were unanimous, and General Michal Prinsloo, Commandant Rautenbach, and
+Commandant J.J. Van Niekerk were elected as representatives.
+
+After that on Roodekraal Farm. I met the burghers under Commandants
+Cilliers, Bester, Mentz, and Van Coller. The chairman was B.W. Steyn
+(Member of the Volksraad), and the secretary Mr. S.J.M. Wessels. Here
+again it was unanimously decided not to surrender the independence, and
+Commandants Mentz, Van Coller and Bester were the representatives
+chosen.
+
+The fifth meeting I held with the commandos under General Johannes
+Hattingh, on the 1st of May, on the Weltevrede Farm, under the
+chairmanship of Mr. Jan Lategan, Johannes C. Pietersen being secretary.
+As representatives we chose General Hattingh and Commandant Philip De
+Vos. The voting was unanimous that the independence should be
+maintained.
+
+On the 3rd of May I held my sixth meeting, with the commandos under
+General C.C. Froneman, at Schaapplaats. Mr. Jan Maree was chairman, and
+Mr. David Ross secretary.
+
+The result was the same as at the other meetings, and General Froneman,
+Commandants F. Cronje and J.J. Koen were chosen to represent the
+commandos.
+
+From there I went to Dewetsdorp, where I met, on the 5th of May, General
+George Brand's commandos. Mr. C. Smith acted as chairman, and Mr. W.J.
+Selm as secretary; the representatives chosen were General Brand and
+Commander J. Rheeder; and the burghers were equally determined to keep
+their independence.
+
+I went on to Bloemfontein, and thence by rail to Brandfort, and
+afterwards to the Quaggashoek Farm, where, on the 11th, I held my eighth
+meeting, with the commandos of C.C.J. Badenhorst. The chairman was Mr.
+N.B. Gildenhuis, and the secretary Mr. H.M.G. Davis. The elected
+representatives were General Badenhorst and Commandants A.J. Bester and
+Jacobsz. This was my last meeting, and it also decided on maintaining
+the independence.
+
+The commandos under the Commandants Van der Merwe and Van Niekerk
+(Vredefort and Parijs), Flemming (Hoopstad), Nagel (part of Kroonstad),
+and General Nieuwouwdt (Fauresmith, Philippolis, and Jacobsdal), were
+visited by Commander-in-Chief Judge Hertzog, Member of the Executive
+Council. At meetings held with these commandos the following
+representatives were chosen:--General Nieuwouwdt, and the Commandants
+Munnik Hertzog, J. Van der Merwe, C. Van Niekerk, Flemming, A.J. Bester,
+F. Jacobsz, H. Pretorius, and Veldtcornet Kritzinger.
+
+At these meetings also the burghers were unanimous in their decision not
+to give up their independence. I must add that Commandant H. Van Niekerk
+was chosen as representative of the bodyguard of President Steyn. It had
+been agreed with Lord Kitchener at Pretoria that if the chief officers
+of a commando were chosen as representatives, then there would be an
+armistice between this commando and the English during the time the
+officers were absent at the meeting at Vereeniging. It was also decided
+that Lord Kitchener should be informed of the date of the departure of
+such officers.
+
+This was done. I sent the following telegram on the 25th of April to
+Pretoria:--
+
+     "TO HIS EXCELLENCY, HEADQUARTERS, PRETORIA:
+
+     "At meetings held in the districts of Vrede and Harrismith and in
+     that part of Bethlehem east and north-east of the blockhouse lines
+     of Fouriesburg, Bethlehem, and Harrismith, General Wessels and the
+     Commandants were duly chosen as representatives.
+
+     "I have decided that all the representatives shall leave their
+     different commandos on the 11th of May, and therefore, in
+     accordance with our mutual agreement, I shall expect an armistice
+     to be granted to the different commandos from that date until the
+     return of their commandants from the meeting at Vereeniging, on or
+     about the 15th of May.
+
+     "I should be glad to receive Your Excellency's sanction to my
+     request that each Representative should have the right to take one
+     man with him.
+
+     "Your Excellency will greatly oblige by sending a reply to
+     Kaffirsdorp in the district of Bethlehem, where I am awaiting an
+     answer.
+
+     "C.R. DE WET,
+        General Commander-in-Chief, Orange Free State.
+          BETHLEHEM, _April 25th, 1902_."
+
+To this I received the following answer from Lord Kitchener:--
+
+     "IMPERIAL RESIDENCY, PRETORIA,
+         _April 25th, 1902_.
+
+     "TO GENERAL DE WET, KAFFIRSDORP.
+
+     "In answer to your message, I agree altogether with your demands
+     that during the absence of the chosen Representatives from their
+     commandos, from the 11th of May until their return, such commandos
+     shall not be troubled by us. I also agree that every
+     Representative, as you propose, shall be accompanied by one man.
+
+     "I shall also be glad if you would send an officer, at least two
+     days before the Meeting, in order to let me know about the number,
+     and the necessary arrangements for the treatment of the
+     Representatives at this Meeting.
+
+     (Signed) "KITCHENER."
+
+On the 11th of May I sent a telegram to Lord Kitchener, in which I said
+that, as all my generals and chief officers had been chosen as
+Representatives, the armistice must begin on the 11th of May. The
+telegram was as follows:--
+
+     FROM GENERAL DE WET TO HIS EXCELLENCY LORD KITCHENER.
+
+     "PRETORIA, _May 11th, 1902_.
+
+     "The following chief officers have been chosen as Representatives
+     for the commandos of the districts: Hoopstad, Boshof, and parts of
+     Winburg and Bloemfontein,--districts to the west of the railway
+     line.
+
+     "1. General C. Badenhorst.
+
+     "2. Commandant J. Jacobsz.
+
+     "3. Commandant A. Bester.
+
+     "It thus appears that all my generals and chief commanding officers
+     are chosen as Representatives to attend at the Meeting of
+     Vereeniging, on the 15th inst., and according to our mutual
+     agreement at Pretoria, an armistice will be given from to-day (11th
+     May, 1902) in all districts of the Orange Free State up to a date
+     which shall be agreed upon after the close of the Meeting at
+     Vereeniging. Any answer, previous to noon of the 11th inst., will
+     reach me at Brandfort.
+
+     "Commander-in-Chief,
+        Orange Free State Armies."
+
+In answer to this I received the following telegram:--
+
+     "IMPERIAL RESIDENCY, PRETORIA,
+         _May 12th_.
+
+     "TO GENERAL DE WET, BRANDFORT.
+
+     "I have given orders, according to our Agreement, that from
+     to-morrow, the 13th inst., all commandos, whose leaders or chief
+     officers have been chosen to attend the Meeting at Vereeniging,
+     shall be exempted from being attacked by my columns during the
+     absence of their leaders, in so far as such commandos withhold from
+     offensive operations. But that does not imply that outposts cannot
+     be taken prisoner in case they should approach our lines.
+
+     "KITCHENER."
+
+It was rather surprising to me that Lord Kitchener, in this telegram,
+spoke only of an armistice beginning on the 13th of May, because in his
+telegram of the 25th he had agreed that there should be an armistice
+from the 11th of May. I heard also from officers of Heilbron, Vrede,
+and Bethlehem, whom I met, on the evening of the 14th of May, at
+Wolvehoek Station, that the English columns had operated in their
+districts on the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th. My order was that my
+officers should not operate, but should retreat, if the enemy should
+unexpectedly operate on the 11th. On the above-mentioned dates houses
+were burnt down, cattle carried away, maize and other grain destroyed,
+burghers taken prisoner, and (in one instance) shot.
+
+Such a misunderstanding was very regrettable, and all the more so
+because we were never indemnified for the damage thus done.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+The End of the War
+
+
+On the morning of the 15th of May, I arrived at Vereeniging with some of
+the Free State delegates. The others were already there, together with
+the thirty Transvaal delegates, Commandant-General Louis Botha and
+General De la Rey. In addition to the above, the following had also
+arrived: Vice-State President Burger, States-President Steyn, the
+members of the two Governments, and General J.C. Smuts (from Cape
+Colony).
+
+I was exceedingly sorry to find that President Steyn was seriously ill.
+For the last six weeks he had been in the doctor's hands; and, since his
+arrival at Pretoria, had been under the care of Dr. Van der Merwe, of
+Krugersdorp. This physician said that serious consequences might ensue
+if his patient were to attend our meetings, and advised him to go to his
+home at Krugersdorp, where he could be properly nursed. It was sad for
+us to receive this news immediately we arrived. We asked ourselves what
+we should do without the President at our meetings? At this moment he
+seemed more indispensable to us than ever before.
+
+President Steyn was a statesman in the best sense of the word. He had
+gained the respect and even the affection of us all. Of him, if of any
+man, it may be said that he never swerved from his duty to his country.
+No task was too great for him, no burden too heavy, if thereby he could
+serve his people. Whatever hardships he had endured, he had never been
+known to complain--he would endure anything for us. He had fought in our
+cause until he could fight no longer, until sickness laid him low; and
+he was worn out, and weak as a child. _Weak_, did I say? Yes! but only
+in the body--his mind was still as strong, as brave, as clear as ever.
+
+And thus it was that President Steyn was only able to be present on two
+occasions at our meetings; for, on the 29th of May--before the National
+Representatives had come to any decision--he went with Dr. Van der Merwe
+to Krugersdorp.
+
+As I write these lines--six months after the meetings at
+Vereeniging--and think that during all the intervening time he has been
+lying on a bed of sickness--I am cheered by the news which I received in
+Holland that hopes are now entertained of his ultimate recovery.
+
+The National Representatives began their important deliberations on the
+morning of the 13th of May, 1902.
+
+For three days we discussed the condition of our country, and then
+proceeded with Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner to Pretoria. This
+Commission was composed of Commandant-General L. Botha,
+Commander-in-Chief C.R. de Wet, Vice-Commandant-General J.H. De la Rey,
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge J.B.M. Hertzog, and States-Procureur J.C.
+Smuts.
+
+The negotiations with the representatives of the British Government
+continued from the 18th to the 29th of May; and upon their conclusion
+the Commission communicated to the National Representatives the terms on
+which England was prepared to conclude peace.
+
+On May the 31st we decided to accept the proposals of the English
+Government.[110] The Independence of the two Republics was at an end!
+
+I will not attempt to describe the struggle it cost us to accept these
+proposals. Suffice it to say that when it was over, it had left its mark
+on every face.
+
+There were sixty of us there, and each in turn must answer Yes or No. It
+was an ultimatum--this proposal of England's.
+
+What were we to do? To continue the struggle meant extermination.
+Already our women and children were dying by the thousand, and
+starvation was knocking at the door--and knocking loudly!
+
+In certain districts, such as Boshof and Hoopstad, it was still possible
+to prolong the war, as was also the case in the districts of Generals
+Brand and Nieuwouwdt, where the sheep and oxen, which had been captured
+from the enemy, provided an ample supply of food. But from the
+last-named districts all the women and children had departed, leaving
+the burghers free to wander at will in search of food--to Boshof, to
+Hoopstad, and even into the Colony.
+
+In other parts of the Free State things were very different. In the
+north-eastern and northern districts--for instance, in Ladybrand,
+Winburg, Kroonstad, Heilbron, Bethlehem, Harrismith and Vrede--there
+were still many families, and these could not be sent to Boshof or to
+Hoopstad or to the Colony. And when, reduced to dire want, the commandos
+should be obliged to abandon these districts, their wives and families
+would have to be left behind--to starve!
+
+The condition of affairs in the Transvaal was no better. We
+Free-Staters had thought--and I, for one, had supported the view at
+Vereeniging--that, before sacrificing our independence, we ought to tell
+the owners of these farms, where there were still women and children, to
+go and surrender with their families, and thus save them from
+starvation. But we soon realized that such a course was not
+practicable--it would involve the loss of too many burghers.
+
+Moreover, even if, by some such scheme as this, we had succeeded in
+saving the women, we, who remained in the field, would still have been
+exposed to the dangers of starvation, for many of us, having no horses,
+could not have left want behind us, by removing to Cape Colony or some
+other equally prosperous region.
+
+In the large eastern divisions of the Transvaal also, there were many
+burghers without horses, while the poor jaded creatures that remained
+were far too feeble and exhausted to carry their masters into Cape
+Colony, without the certainty of being captured by the enemy.
+
+Our forces were now only twenty thousand in all, of which the Transvaal
+supplied ten thousand, the Free State six thousand, while the remainder
+came from Cape Colony. But our numerical weakness would not in itself
+have caused us to abandon the struggle had we but received encouraging
+news from the Colony. But alas! reports which we received from there
+left us no room for hope.
+
+No room for hope! that was the message of Vereeniging--a message which
+struck a chill in every heart. One after another we painted the
+destitution, the misery of our districts, and each picture was more
+gloomy than the last. At length the moment of decision came, and what
+course remained open to us? This only--to resign ourselves to our fate,
+intolerable though it appeared, to accept the British proposal, and to
+lay down our arms.
+
+Most bitter of all was the thought that we must abandon our brethren in
+Cape Colony and in Natal, who had thrown in their lot with ours. And
+many a sleepless night has this caused me. But we could not help
+ourselves. There was nothing else to do.
+
+And as things have turned out, may we not hope that the Cape and Natal
+Governments, following in the wake of the British Nation, will soon
+understand that the wiser course is to forgive and forget, and to grant
+as comprehensive an amnesty as possible? It is surely not unjust to
+expect this of these Governments, when one remembers that whatever the
+Colonists may have done, must be ascribed to the tie that binds them to
+us--the closest of all ties--that of blood.
+
+It is now for the two Governments to strive to realize the situation,
+and then, by granting a general amnesty, to promote, as far as in them
+lies, the true progress of South Africa.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On the evening of the 31st of May, 1902, the members of the Government
+of both Republics met Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, in the former's
+house, at Pretoria.
+
+It was there that the Treaty of Peace--the British Proposal which the
+National Representatives had accepted--was now to be signed.
+
+It was a never-to-be-forgotten evening. In the space of a few short
+minutes that was done which could never be undone. A decision arrived at
+in a meeting could always be taken into reconsideration, but a document
+solemnly signed, as on that night, by two parties, bound them both for
+ever.
+
+Every one of us who put his name to that document knew that he was in
+honour bound to act in accordance with it. It was a bitter moment, but
+not so bitter as when, earlier on the same day, the National
+Representatives had come to the decision that the fatal step must be
+taken.
+
+On the 2nd June, 1902, the Representatives left Vereeniging, and
+returned every man to his own commando. It was now their sad duty to
+tell their brave and patient burghers that the independence which they
+cherished so dearly was gone, and to prepare them to surrender their
+arms at the appointed places.
+
+I left Pretoria on the 3rd of June with General Elliott, who had to
+accompany me to the various centres to receive the burghers' arms.
+
+On the 5th of June the first commando laid down their weapons near
+Vredefort. To every man there, as to myself, this surrender was no more
+and no less than the sacrifice of our independence. I have often been
+present at the death-bed and at the burial of those who have been
+nearest to my heart--father, mother, brother and friend--but the grief
+which I felt on those occasions was not to be compared with what I now
+underwent at the burial of my Nation!
+
+It was at Reitz that the commandos of Vrede, Harrismith, Heilbron and
+Bethlehem laid down their arms. Accordingly I went there on the 7th of
+June, and again had to be a spectator of what I fain would never have
+witnessed. Had I then to go on from commando to commando, to undergo
+everywhere the martyrdom of beholding ceaseless surrenders? No! I had
+had enough, and could bear no more. I decided, therefore, to visit all
+the other commandos, in order to acquaint the burghers with what had
+taken place, and to explain to them why we, however unsatisfactory the
+Peace Proposal was, had felt bound to accept it, and then to leave each
+commando before the men handed over their arms to General Elliott.
+Everywhere I found the men utterly despondent and dissatisfied.
+
+The whole miserable business came to an end on the 16th of June, when
+the burghers who had fought under Generals Nieuwouwdt and Brand, laid
+down their arms--the Nation had submitted to its fate!
+
+There was nothing left for us now but to hope that the Power which had
+conquered us, the Power to which we were compelled to submit, though it
+cut us to the heart to do so, and which, by the surrender of our arms,
+we had accepted as our Ruler, would draw us nearer and ever nearer by
+the strong cords of love.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+To my Nation I address one last word.
+
+Be loyal to the new Government! Loyalty pays best in the end. Loyalty
+alone is worthy of a Nation which has shed its blood for Freedom!
+
+[Footnote 110: A complete report of the various proceedings in connexion
+with the conclusion of peace will be found in the Appendix of this
+book.]
+
+
+
+
+CORRESPONDENCE
+
+
+A LETTER FROM THE STATES-SECRETARY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC TO THE
+BRITISH AGENT AT PRETORIA
+
+     MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
+       PRETORIA, _9th October, 1899_.
+
+     SIR,--
+
+     The Government of the South African Republic feel themselves
+     compelled to again refer the Government of Her Majesty, the Queen
+     of Great Britain, to the London Convention of 1884, concluded
+     between this Republic and the United Kingdom, which in Article XIV.
+     guarantees certain specified rights to the white inhabitants of
+     this Republic, to wit:--
+
+     "All those who, although not born in this Country, yet abide by the
+     laws of the South African Republic, (_a_) shall have full freedom
+     to come with their families into, to travel in, or to reside in any
+     part of the South African Republic; (_b_) shall be entitled to hold
+     in possession their houses, factories or warehouses, shops, and
+     allotments, either on hire or as their own property; (_c_) may
+     transact their business, either in person or through agents, to
+     their own satisfaction; (_d_) shall not be subjected to any other
+     general or local taxation--with regard to their families or
+     properties, or their commerce or trade--than those which shall be
+     laid on the burghers of the said Republics."
+
+     Our Government wishes also to draw attention to the fact that the
+     above-mentioned rights are the only ones which Her Majesty's
+     Government, in the above-mentioned Convention, has stipulated for
+     the foreign inhabitants in this Republic, and that only
+     contravention of these rights can give the British Government the
+     right of diplomatic intervention; whereas, further, the adjustment
+     of all other questions concerning the position, or the rights, of
+     the foreign inhabitants under the said Convention is vested in the
+     Government and National Representatives of the South African
+     Republic; among the questions the adjustment of which comes
+     exclusively under the authority of the Government and the
+     Volksraad, are those of the Franchise and representation in this
+     Republic.
+
+     Although, therefore, the exclusive right of this Franchise and
+     representation is indisputable, our Government has approved of
+     discussing in a friendly way the Franchise and the representation
+     with Her Majesty's Government; without, however, acknowledging by
+     so doing any right thereto on the side of Her Majesty's Government.
+     Our Government has also, by the wording of the already existing
+     Voting Law, and the decision concerning the representation, always
+     kept this friendly consultation in view.
+
+     On the side of Her Majesty's Government, however, the friendly
+     manner of these consultations has made way for a more threatening
+     tone; and the minds of the people of this Republic, and of the
+     whole population of South Africa, have been brought into a state of
+     apprehension; and a state of unusual tension has been created by
+     the action of Her Majesty's Government, in no longer abiding by the
+     laws concerning the voting right, and the decision concerning the
+     representation of this Republic; and lastly, as is expressed in
+     your letter of the 25th of September, 1899, in breaking off all
+     friendly communication, giving us to understand that Her Majesty's
+     Government were about to formulate their own proposals for final
+     arrangement. Our Government can see in the before-mentioned
+     notification nothing less than a new violation of the Convention of
+     1884, which does not reserve to Her Majesty's Government the right
+     of a one-sided adjustment of a question which belongs exclusively
+     to the inner policy of our Government, and has been already settled
+     by them.
+
+     On the grounds of the tension, the considerable loss arising
+     therefrom, and the interruption of business in general, which is
+     caused by the correspondence on the Franchise and the
+     representation of this Republic, Her Majesty's Government has not
+     long ago insisted on a speedy adjustment, and finally, through your
+     intervention, insisted on an answer--within forty-eight
+     hours--(later on somewhat amended)--to your Memorandum of the 12th
+     of September, which was answered by the Memorandum of our
+     Government of the 15th of September, and by the Memorandum of the
+     25th of September, 1899; on which other friendly negotiations were
+     interrupted, and our Government received notice that the proposal
+     for final arrangement would be made within a short time; but
+     although these promises were repeated, no such proposal has as yet
+     reached our Government. When the friendly correspondence was still
+     going on, a great increase of troops was made by Her Majesty's
+     Government, which troops were drawn up in the neighbourhood of the
+     frontiers of our Republic. Taking into consideration certain events
+     in the history of our Republic, which events need not here be
+     recited, our Government found themselves compelled to look upon the
+     Army in the neighbourhood of the frontier as a threat to the
+     independence of the South African Republic, because they were not
+     aware of any circumstances which could justify the presence of such
+     a force in South Africa and in the neighbourhood of their frontier.
+
+     In answer to a question concerning this, addressed to His
+     Excellency the High Commissioner, our Government received, to their
+     great astonishment, the covert accusation that from the State of
+     the Republic an attack on Her Majesty's Colonies was being
+     arranged, and also a mysterious hint of coming possibilities, by
+     which our Government were strengthened in their suspicion, that the
+     independence of the Republic was threatened.
+
+     As a measure of defence, they were, therefore, compelled to send a
+     body of burghers to the frontiers in order, if required, to be able
+     to resist such an eventuality. The unlawful interference of Her
+     Majesty's Government in the inner policy of our Republic, in
+     defiance of the London Convention of 1884, which interference
+     consisted in the exceptional strengthening of troops in the
+     neighbourhood of the Republic's borders, has thus created an
+     unbearable state of affairs, of which our Government--not only in
+     the interests of our Republic, but also in the interests of the
+     whole of South Africa,--feel it their duty to bring to an end as
+     speedily as possible, and consider themselves called upon to insist
+     emphatically and energetically on an immediate conclusion of this
+     condition of things, and to ask Her Majesty's Government to give
+     them the assurance (_a_) that all points of mutual difference shall
+     be adjusted by friendly arbitration, or by any other amicable way
+     that may be agreed upon between our Government and that of Her
+     Majesty; (_b_) that the troops on the frontiers of the Republic
+     shall be recalled at once, and that all reinforcements which, after
+     the 1st of June, 1899, have arrived in South Africa, shall be
+     removed within a time agreed upon with our Government,--with the
+     counter assurance and guarantee from our Government that no attack
+     on, or hostilities against, any part of the possessions of the
+     British Government shall be undertaken by the Republic during the
+     further negotiations within the time which shall be agreed upon by
+     the Government--our Government shall, in accordance with this, be
+     ready to call back the armed burghers of the Republic from the
+     frontiers; (_c_) that Her Majesty's troops, which are now on the
+     high sea, shall not be landed in any of the harbours of South
+     Africa.
+
+     Our Government has to insist on an immediate and favourable answer
+     on the above four points, and urgently requests Her Majesty's
+     Government to give an answer in this spirit before, or on,
+     Wednesday, October 11th, 1889, before 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
+     They wish to add further, that in case, against their expectations,
+     no satisfactory answer within this time should be received by them,
+     that they, to their great sorrow, would be obliged to look upon the
+     actions of Her Majesty's Government as a formal declaration of war,
+     for the consequences of which they do not consider themselves
+     responsible; and, in case further movements of troops should take
+     place within the above-mentioned time in the direction of our
+     borders, that our Government will be compelled to look upon this
+     also as a formal declaration of war.
+
+     I have the honour to be, etc.,
+       F.W. REITZ,
+         _State-Secretary._
+
+
+MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S TELEGRAMS:--
+
+
+FROM MR. CHAMBERLAIN TO THE HIGH COMMISSIONER, SIR ALFRED
+MILNER.
+
+(Sent 7.30 p.m. _10th October, 1899_)
+
+     "10th _October_, No. 7. The British Agent has, in answering the
+     demands of the Government of the South African Republic, to say
+     that, as the Government of the South African Republic have declared
+     in their dispatch, that they will look upon a refusal to consent to
+     their demands as a formal declaration of war, he has received
+     orders to demand his passport."
+
+
+FROM MR. CHAMBERLAIN TO THE HIGH COMMISSIONER, SIR ALFRED
+MILNER.
+
+(Sent 10.45 p.m. _10th October, 1899_)
+
+     "10th _October_, No. 8. The Government of Her Majesty has received
+     with great sorrow the determined demands of the Government of the
+     South African Republic contained in your telegram of the 9th of
+     October, No. 3. You will, as an answer to the Government of the
+     South African Republic, communicate to them that the conditions put
+     forward by the Government of the South African Republic are of such
+     a nature that the Government of Her Majesty cannot possibly think
+     of taking them into consideration."
+
+
+CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS AND LORD SALISBURY
+
+
+FROM THE STATES-PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND THE
+ORANGE FREE STATE TO HIS EXCELLENCY LORD SALISBURY, LONDON.
+
+     "BLOEMFONTEIN, _5th March, 1900_.
+
+     "The blood and tears of the thousands who have suffered through
+     this war, and the prospect of all the moral and material ruin which
+     now threatens South Africa, render it necessary for both parties
+     carrying on the war to ask themselves calmly, and in the faith of
+     the Trinity, for what they are fighting and if the aims of both
+     justify all this horrible misery and devastation. On this account,
+     and with an eye to the assertion of several English Statesmen that
+     the war was begun and carried on with the determined end to
+     undermine Her Majesty's authority in South Africa, and to establish
+     in the whole of South Africa a Government independent of Her
+     Majesty's Government, we consider it our duty to declare that this
+     War was only commenced as a measure of defence and for the purpose
+     of obtaining a guarantee for the threatened independence of the
+     South African Republic, and was only continued in order to ensure
+     the indisputable independence of both Republics as Sovereign
+     International States, and to obtain the assurance that the subjects
+     of Her Majesty who have taken part with us in the war will not
+     suffer the least hurt either in their lives or their possessions.
+     On these conditions alone we demand, as in the past, to see peace
+     restored in South Africa, and an end made to the wrong that now
+     exists there. But if Her Majesty's Government has decided upon
+     destroying the independence of the Republic, nothing remains to us
+     and our people but to persist to the bitter end on the road now
+     taken, notwithstanding the overpowering might of the British
+     Empire, trusting that God, who has lit the inextinguishable fire of
+     the love of liberty in our hearts, and in the hearts of our
+     fathers, will not abandon us, but will fulfil His work in us, and
+     in our descendants.
+
+     "We hesitated to lay this declaration earlier before Your
+     Excellency, because we were afraid that as long as the advantage
+     was on our side, and our Army had in their occupation positions of
+     defence far into the British Colonies, such a declaration would
+     have hurt the feelings of the English nation; but now that the
+     prestige of the British Empire may be considered to be restored,
+     through the capture of one of our armies, and we are compelled by
+     this to sacrifice other positions which our armies occupied, this
+     difficulty is removed, and we can no longer hesitate to tell you,
+     in the face of the whole civilized world, why we are fighting, and
+     on what conditions we are prepared to make peace."
+
+
+FROM LORD SALISBURY TO THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE STATES-PRESIDENTS OF
+THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND ORANGE FREE STATE.
+
+     "LONDON, _11th March, 1900_.
+
+     "I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Honour's
+     cable, dated 5th March, from Bloemfontein, of which the purport is
+     principally whether Her Majesty's Government will acknowledge the
+     indisputable independence of the South African Republic and Orange
+     Free State and treat them as Sovereign International States, and
+     will offer to conclude the war on these conditions.
+
+     "In the beginning of October of this year, there was peace between
+     the Queen and the two Republics, under the Convention which then
+     held good. There was a discussion carried on during a few months
+     between Her Majesty's Government and the South African Republic, of
+     which the purport was the amendment of very serious grievances
+     under which English inhabitants suffered in the South African
+     Republic. In the course of these negotiations, the South African
+     Republic obtained the knowledge that Her Majesty's Government had
+     made considerable preparations for war, and had taken steps to
+     provide the necessary reinforcements for the English garrisons at
+     Cape Colony and Natal. No inroad on the rights guaranteed by the
+     Conventions had, until then, taken place on the English side.
+     Suddenly the South African Republic, after having two days
+     previously issued an insulting ultimatum, declared War on Her
+     Majesty; and the Orange Free State, with which there had been no
+     disagreement, took a similar step. Thereupon an inroad was made
+     into Her Majesty's territory by the two Republics; three towns
+     within the British frontier were besieged, a great part of the two
+     Colonies was over-run, with great destruction of property and life,
+     and the Republics claimed the right to treat the inhabitants of Her
+     Majesty's territory as if this territory had been annexed by one of
+     these States. The Transvaal having these actions in view, had for
+     years stored up, on an enormous scale, military provisions, which
+     could only have been destined for use against England.
+
+     "Your Excellencies made some remarks of a negative nature
+     concerning the aim for which these preparations were made. I do not
+     consider it necessary to discuss the question which you have thus
+     raised, but the consequences of the preparations, made in great
+     secrecy, have been that the British Empire has found itself forced
+     to repel an inroad which has brought on a costly war, and caused
+     the loss of thousands of valuable lives. This great misfortune has
+     been the punishment that Great Britain has had to undergo during
+     the last few years for having suffered the two Republics to exist.
+     Keeping in sight the use which the two Republics have made of the
+     position presented to them, and the misfortunes which their
+     unprovoked attacks on Her Majesty's territory have brought, Her
+     Majesty's Government can only reply to Your Honour's telegram by
+     saying that they are not prepared to acknowledge the independence
+     either of the South African Republic, or of the Orange Free State."
+
+
+
+
+Appendix A
+
+REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE GENERAL REPRESENTATIVES HELD AT
+VEREENIGING, IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, ON THE 15TH OF MAY, 1902,
+AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS
+
+
+The first meeting of the representatives of the two Governments took
+place at 11.30 a.m. on May 15th.
+
+There were present:--
+
+_For the South African Republic_--His Honour the President, S.W. Burger,
+F.W. Reitz, Commandant-General L. Botha, Messrs. J.B. Krogh, L.J.
+Meijer, L.J. Jacobs, and His Honour the Staats-Procureur.
+
+_For the Orange Free State_--States-President, M.J. Steyn; Judge, J.B.M.
+Hertzog; Secretary of State, W.J.C. Brebner; Commander-in-Chief, C.R. de
+Wet; and Mr. C.H. Olivier.
+
+The first matter discussed was the formula for the oath which the
+delegates were to take, and it was decided that it should run as
+follows:--
+
+     "We, the undersigned, duly swear that we, as special national
+     representatives, will remain true to our people, country, and
+     Government, and that we will serve them to the best of our ability,
+     and fulfil our duties faithfully and with all necessary secrecy, as
+     is the duty of all faithful burghers and representatives of the
+     nation. So help us God."
+
+The question now arose as to whether the representatives had the right
+to decide, if circumstances rendered it necessary, upon any matter
+touching the independence of the country, irrespective of the powers
+given to the various delegates, for at some of the meetings the
+delegates had only received limited powers, whilst at others full
+authority had been given them to act according to their own judgment.
+
+After considerable discussion it was decided to lay the matter before
+the delegates themselves.
+
+The following representatives were called into the tent, and took the
+oath:--
+
+_For the South African Republic._
+
+1. H.A. Alberts, Vechtgeneraal; for Heidelberg.
+
+2. J.J. Alberts, Commandant; for Standerton and Wakkerstroom.
+
+3. J.F. De Beer, Commandant; for Bloemhof.
+
+4. C.F. Beijers, Assistant-Commandant-General; for Waterberg.
+
+5. C. Birkenstock, burgher; for Vrijheid.
+
+6. H.J. Bosman, magistrate; for Wakkerstroom.
+
+7. Christiaan Botha, Assistant-Commandant-General; for Swaziland and the
+States Artillery.
+
+8. B.H. Breijtenbach, Veldtcornet; for Utrecht.
+
+9. C.J. Brits, Vechtgeneraal; for Standerton.
+
+10. J.B. Cilluos, Vechtgeneraal; for Lichtenburg.
+
+11. J. De Clercq, burgher; for Middelburg.
+
+12. T.A. Dönges, Veldtcornet; for Dorp Middelburg in Regeeringswacht.
+
+13. H.S. Grobler, Commandant; for Bethal.
+
+14. J.L. Grobler, burgher; for Carolina.
+
+15. J.N.H. Grobler, Vechtgeneraal; for Ermelo.
+
+16. B.J. Van Heerden, Veldtcornet; for Rustenburg.
+
+17. J.F. Jordaan, Commandant; for Vrijheid.
+
+18. J. Kemp, Vechtgeneraal; for Krugersdorp.
+
+19. P.J. Liebenberg, Vechtgeneraal; for Potchefstroom.
+
+20. C.H. Muller, Vechtgeneraal; for Boksburg.
+
+21. J.F. Naude, burgher; for Pretoria, late Commandant with General
+Kemp.
+
+22. D.J.E. Opperman, Veldtcornet; for Pretoria.
+
+23. B.J. Roos, Veldtcornet; for Piet Retief.
+
+24. P.D. Roux, Veldtcornet; for Marico.
+
+25. D.J. Schoeman, Commandant; for Lijdenburg.
+
+26. T.C. Stoffberg, Landdrost; for Zoutpansberg.
+
+27. S.P. Du Toit, Vechtgeneraal; for Wolmaransstad.
+
+28. P.L. Uijs, Commandant; for Pretoria.
+
+29. P.R. Viljoen, burgher; for Heidelberg.
+
+30. W.J. Viljoen, Commandant; for Witwatersrand.
+
+_For the Orange Free State._
+
+1. C.C.F. Badenhorst, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Boshof, Hoopstad,
+West Bloemfontein, Winburg, and Kroonstad.
+
+2. A.J. Bester, Commandant; for Bethlehem.
+
+3. A.J. Bester, Commandant; for Bloemfontein.
+
+4. L.P.H. Botha, Commandant; for Harrismith.
+
+5. G.A. Brand, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Bethulie, Rouxville,
+Caledon River, and Wepener in the eastern part of Bloemfontein.
+
+6. H.J. Brouwer, Commandant; for Bethlehem.
+
+7. D.H. Van Coller, Commandant; for Heilbron.
+
+8. F.R. Cronje, Commandant; for Winburg.
+
+9. D.F.H. Flemming, Commandant; for Hoopstad.
+
+10. C.C. Froneman, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Winburg and Ladybrand.
+
+11. F.J.W.J. Hattingh, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for the eastern part of
+Kroonstad, in the district of Heilbron.
+
+12. J.B.M. Hertzog, Commandant; for Philippolis.
+
+13. J.N. Jacobs, Commandant; for Boshof.
+
+14. F.P. Jacobsz, Commandant; for Harrismith.
+
+15. A.J. De Kock, Commandant; for Vrede.
+
+16. J.J. Koen, Commandant; for Ladybrand.
+
+17. H.J. Kritzinger, Veldtcornet; for Kroonstad.
+
+18. F.E. Mentz, Commandant; for Heilbron.
+
+19. J.A.P. Van der Merwe, Commandant; for Heilbron.
+
+20. C.A. Van Niekerk, Commandant; for Kroonstad.
+
+21. H. Van Niekerk, Commandant.
+
+22. J.J. Van Niekerk, Commandant; for Ficksburg.
+
+23. I.K. Nieuwouwdt, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Fauresmith,
+Philippolis, and Jacobsdal.
+
+24. H.P.J. Pretorius, Commandant; for Jacobsdal.
+
+25. A.M. Prinsloo, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Bethlehem in Ficksburg.
+
+26. L.J. Rautenbach, Commandant; for Bethlehem.
+
+27. F.J. Rheeder, Commandant; for Rouxville.
+
+28. A. Ross, Commandant; for Vrede.
+
+29. P.W. De Vos, Commandant; for Kroonstad.
+
+30. W.J. Wessels, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Harrismith and Vrede.
+
+The meeting now proceeded to choose a chairman, and the following were
+proposed:--J. De Clercq, C.F. Beijers, C.C. Froneman, W.J. Wessels, and
+G.A. Brand.
+
+The choice of the meeting fell on General C.F. Beijers, who called upon
+the Rev. Mr. Kestell to offer prayer.
+
+His Honour, S.W. Burger, now declared that the meeting was formally
+opened, and after the Chairman had spoken a few words, the
+representatives adjourned until three o'clock.
+
+When they reassembled, the Chairman requested President Burger to
+explain the objects for which the meeting had been called.
+
+Then the President spoke a few words of welcome to all; he expressed his
+sorrow for the absence of some who would certainly have been present had
+they not given their lives for their country. But still there were many
+left to represent the two Republics.
+
+"The difficulties which confront us," continued the President, "are like
+a great mountain, at the foot of which we have just arrived. Everything
+now depends on us who are assembled together here. It is impossible to
+deny that the state of affairs is very serious, and that the future
+looms dark before us. Our position requires the most careful
+consideration, and as there are sure to be differences of opinion, it
+will be necessary for us to bear with one another, and yet, at the same
+time, to speak our minds freely."
+
+The President proceeded to refer to the correspondence which had taken
+place between Holland and England. A copy of this correspondence had
+been sent, through Lord Kitchener, to the Governments of the two
+Republics. The opinion of the Transvaal Government (which was the first
+to receive the correspondence) was that advantage should be taken of
+this opportunity. It was proposed to ask Lord Kitchener to allow the
+Transvaal Government to meet that of the Orange Free State, so that they
+might discuss the desirability of making a peace proposal to England.
+The two Governments had accordingly met, and had corresponded with Lord
+Kitchener and Lord Milner. As a result of this, a letter, with the above
+correspondence annexed, had been sent to the various commandos.
+
+"We felt," continued President Burger, "that we had no power to
+surrender our independence, and that we were only justified in making
+such terms of peace as would not endanger our national existence.
+Whether it is or is not our duty to surrender our independence is a
+question that must be left to the decision of our people. And it is to
+represent the people that you are here. It is from your lips, then, that
+our Governments must learn the opinions of the two nations. It is clear
+enough that the English Government has no idea of allowing us to remain
+independent--it expresses surprise that we even dare to speak of such a
+thing.
+
+"You have now to report upon the condition of the country, and upon the
+circumstances in which your wives and children are placed. You have also
+to decide whether you are willing to make any further sacrifices. We
+have lost so much already that it would be hard, indeed, to lose our
+independence as well. But, although this matter is so near to our
+hearts, we must still listen to the voice of reason. The practical
+question, then, which we have to ask ourselves is, whether we are
+prepared to watch our people being gradually exterminated before our
+eyes, or whether we should not rather seek a remedy.
+
+"The Government can do nothing without the support of the nation. You,
+therefore, must determine our best course. For instance, if you come to
+the conclusion that we have exhausted every expedient, will you still
+continue the struggle? Are we not to desist until every man of us is in
+captivity, in exile, or in his grave? Again let me urge you to speak
+freely, and yet with consideration for the feelings of others. For
+myself, I can truly say that my spirit is not yet broken; but I would
+hear from you what the feeling of the people is."
+
+"At this point, however, a difficulty arises. Some of you, having only
+received limited powers from your constituencies, appear to think that
+you would not be justified in exceeding your mandates, while others have
+been authorized to act as circumstances may seem to require. But I do
+not think that this difficulty should be insurmountable. At least I beg
+of you not to allow it to cause any dissension among you. Let us all be
+of one mind. If _we_ are united, then will the nation be united also;
+but if we are divided, in what a plight will the nation find itself?"
+
+A letter was then read from the deputation in Europe, which had been
+written five months previously, and which had been brought through the
+English lines in safety. It contained little more than an assurance that
+our cause occupied a better position in Europe than it had ever done
+before.
+
+The Chairman then asked Commandant L. Botha to address the meeting.
+
+Complying with this request, the Commandant said that he wished to be
+assured, before anything further was done, that the fact that some of
+the representatives had been entrusted with limited powers, whereas
+others had been given a free hand, was not going to prove to be an
+insurmountable obstacle to united action on their part.
+
+To this Judge Hertzog replied that it was a principle in law that a
+delegate is not to be regarded as a mere agent or mouthpiece of his
+constituents, but, on the contrary (when dealing with public affairs),
+as a plenipotentiary--with the right, whatever his brief might be, of
+acting to the best of his judgment.
+
+States-Procureur Smuts concurred in this opinion, which appeared to
+satisfy both the Commandant-General and also all the other
+representatives, for no further allusion was made to the subject by
+anybody.
+
+Commandant-General Botha now made his report.
+
+In the districts of Vrijheid and Utrecht, he stated, the store of maize
+was so small that it could not last for more than a short time; but
+there was still a great number of slaughter-cattle. In the districts of
+Wakkerstroom there was hardly sufficient grain for one month's
+consumption. Two other districts had still a large enough number of
+slaughter-cattle--enough, in fact, to last for two or three months. In
+Ermelo, to the west and north-west of the blockhouses, and in Bethal,
+Standerton, and Middelburg, there was grain for one month. But the
+Heidelberg and Pretoria commandos had now, for the first time, no corn
+remaining for food. In the neighbourhood of Boksburg the only grain left
+was the old maize of the previous year, whilst there were no cattle at
+all in the district. When he had visited Boksburg he had found that the
+commandos had had no meat for three days. In the country between
+Vereeniging and Ermelo there were only thirty-six goats, and no cattle
+whatsoever. In the Wakkerstroom district, however, there were still a
+few slaughter-cattle. The horses were everywhere worn out and exhausted.
+They had been so constantly kept on the move, owing to the enemy's
+increasing attacks, they could now only cover the shortest distances.
+
+The Kaffir question was becoming from day to day more serious. At
+Vrijheid, for instance, there was a Kaffir commando which had already
+made several attacks upon the burghers. This attitude of the Kaffir
+population was producing a very dispiriting effect upon the burghers.
+
+The women were in a most pitiable state, now that the lines of
+blockhouses had been extended in all directions over the country.
+Sometimes the commandos had to break through the lines and leave the
+women behind alone; and when the burghers later on returned they would
+perhaps find that the women had been driven from their houses, and, in
+some instances, treated with atrocious cruelty.
+
+Referring to the numbers in the field, he said that there were, in the
+whole of the Transvaal, ten thousand eight hundred and sixteen men, and
+that three thousand two hundred and ninety-six of them had no horses.
+The enemy during the summer had taken many of the burghers prisoner; and
+since June, 1901, the commandos had diminished to the extent of six
+thousand and eighty-four men. The burghers thus lost to them had either
+been killed, or taken prisoner, or had surrendered their arms.
+
+The number of households was two thousand six hundred and forty.
+
+The Commandant-General concluded by saying that the three greatest
+difficulties with which they were confronted were their horses, their
+food supply, and the miserable condition of their women and children.
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet then spoke. He said he would leave it to the
+delegates who were officers to make reports. They had come from far and
+near, and knew exactly what the condition of things was. He, however,
+could state that the number of burghers in the Orange Free State was six
+thousand one hundred and twenty, of whom about four hundred were not
+available for service. The Basutos, he found, were more favourably
+inclined to the Boer cause than ever before.
+
+"General De la Rey," continued General de Wet, "like myself, does not
+quite know what task he has to perform here, but he thinks with me that
+the duty of making reports belongs to the delegates. However, he feels
+bound to state that in his divisions there is a great scarcity of
+everything. But precisely the same state of affairs existed there a year
+ago. And when his burghers were at that time without food--well, he went
+and got it for them." (Cheers.)
+
+General Beijers (Waterberg) then addressed the delegates, telling them
+that he would not detain them long. In Zoutpansberg, he stated, they had
+still a plentiful supply of food, for they were able to buy from the
+Kaffirs. At Waterberg the Kaffirs were neutral, but at Zoutpansberg they
+were getting out of hand. Yet, since no co-operation existed amongst
+them, they were not to be feared, and any uprising could easily be
+quelled.
+
+Besides this trouble, they had many difficulties to face, which were
+produced by horse-sickness and fever.
+
+As to the question of grain, there was food enough for the whole of the
+Transvaal and the Orange Free State. But now the English were beginning
+to buy up the maize at Ł1 a sack.
+
+General Muller (Boksburg) reported that in his division the burghers had
+never suffered from hunger. He could still hold out for a few months
+more, as food could be obtained from the Kaffirs. There was, it could
+not be denied, a tendency to mutiny amongst the Kaffirs, but he did not
+think that this need cause any anxiety. He believed that he would be
+able to carry on operations until the end of the winter.
+
+General Froneman (Ladybrand) said that the condition of his divisions,
+namely Winburg and Ladybrand, gave no cause for uneasiness. There were
+still eighty families in the districts, but they were able to provide
+for all their necessities. The Kaffirs were peaceable and well disposed,
+and were of great service to the burghers, for whom they bought clothing
+in Basutoland. It was possible for the burghers, he considered, to hold
+out for more than a year.
+
+General Hattingh (Kroonstad) declared that in one part of the Kroonstad
+district there were still plenty of sheep and cattle, and that seed had
+been sown for next year's harvest. But another part of the district was
+entirely exhausted, and had to obtain its supplies from Bethlehem.
+
+General Badenhorst (Boshof) stated that he could report on the Boshof
+district and the parts of the Winburg and Bloemfontein districts to the
+west of the railway. There were enough cattle to last his commandos for
+years, even if they had no other food at all. Recently he had captured
+fifteen hundred head of cattle, and he was in a position to give
+assistance to other districts. Grain, however, was not so plentiful as
+it had been the previous year, but nevertheless there was still a large
+enough supply to permit him to send help to others.
+
+General Nieuwouwdt (Fauresmith) reported that his district was entirely
+devastated, and that for the last seven months there had been a dearth
+of all provisions; nevertheless, his burghers had contrived to live.
+There was, moreover, enough corn left to last them for another year.
+There were now only three women in the whole of his district.
+
+General Prinsloo (Bethlehem) declared that he would be telling a
+falsehood if he were to say that there was no food in his district. He
+possessed slaughter-cattle and corn, and could help other districts. One
+of his commandants had recently found a store of maize (consisting of
+one hundred and thirty sacks) buried in the ground. The enemy had made
+many inroads into his district, and especially during the last few
+months. The blockhouses were a source of constant annoyance to him.
+
+General Brand (Bethulie) reported upon the south-western part of the
+Orange Free State, where he commanded. There were some parts of his
+division, he said, which had been entirely laid waste. Everything had
+been carried off; there was not a sheep left; and the burghers had been
+without meat for days. But he was able to capture booty, and could still
+hold out for a year.
+
+General Wessels (Harrismith) drew attention to the constant passage of
+large Kaffir families through the districts of Harrismith and Vrede. He
+could tell the delegates that the Kaffirs had been quite astonished that
+there were still cattle and sheep and supplies of grain in the
+districts. He had not yet come to the end of his provisions; but, even
+if everything were taken, he saw a chance of obtaining food from
+elsewhere.
+
+Commandant C.A. Van Niekerk (Kroonstad) declared that if there was one
+part of the country which was entirely exhausted it was the part where
+he was in command, namely Hoopstad and a portion of Kroonstad. But yet,
+during the last twelve months, they had been able to obtain food, and
+even to sow for the ensuing year. There were no cattle in his district;
+but he had taken a thousand sheep and fifty-two cattle from the English.
+
+Commandant Van der Merwe (Heilbron) spoke to the same effect.
+
+General Smuts was the next to address the meeting. He began by saying
+that his expedition into Cape Colony had been the outcome of the advice
+which the deputation had given in July, 1901, namely to continue the
+war. That _he_ had been in command of it had come about in the following
+way. News had been received in the Transvaal that affairs in Cape Colony
+were taking a favourable turn, and accordingly General De la Rey had
+received orders to go thither, and to take over the command there. But
+afterwards it was thought wiser to annul these orders, because De la Rey
+could not well be spared from the western parts of the Transvaal. Owing
+to this, he (General Smuts) took the task upon his own shoulders, and
+crossed the Orange River with two hundred men. He had had a difficult
+task to accomplish. He had marched through Cape Colony to Grahamstad,
+and from thence he had pushed on towards the coast, through Graaff
+Reinet. Thence he had proceeded to the neighbourhood where he was now
+carrying on operations.
+
+He had visited every commando, and as he had seen that there were signs
+of disorder amongst them he had taken them all under his own command. In
+this way he had found himself at the head of some fifteen hundred men.
+During his expeditions Commandant Lotter had been captured with a
+hundred men; this had reduced his force to only fourteen hundred. But
+since then the number had nearly doubled, so that they now had two
+thousand six hundred men (divided into twenty commandos) under arms in
+Cape Colony. In addition to these men there was a division under General
+De Villiers operating in Griqualand West, and another under Commandant
+Van der Merwe in Bechuanaland. The total numbers of these two divisions
+amounted to about seven hundred men.
+
+Passing on to the question whether help was to be expected from Cape
+Colony, General Smuts declared that there would be no general rising.
+The reports which represented such a rising as possible had exaggerated
+matters. There were great difficulties in the way of a general rising.
+First, there was the question of horses--and in Cape Colony the want of
+horses was as great, if not greater, than in the Republics. Secondly, it
+was exceedingly difficult for Colonials to rise, for they knew that not
+only would they have to be _voetgangers_,[111] but also that if they
+were captured they would be very severely punished by the English. The
+scarcity of grass was also greatly against any such attempt. The horses
+had to be fed, and, as the enemy had forbidden any sowing, it was almost
+impossible to find food for them. A counter proclamation had indeed been
+issued by the Republics, but it had been of no avail.
+
+He was of opinion that the small commandos which had already been in
+Cape Colony had done the best they could. The question that now arose
+was whether the whole of their forces ought to be sent from the
+Republics into Cape Colony. He himself thought that there was an opening
+for them, but the difficulty was to find a method of getting them there.
+The existence of this difficulty, and the facts which he had brought
+before the delegates, had forced him to the conclusion that a general
+rising in Cape Colony was an impossibility.
+
+As to the continuation of the war and matters of that nature, they must
+naturally be settled by the Republics, and not by Cape Colony.
+
+The meeting was then adjourned until eight o'clock in the evening.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Upon its reassembling, Commandant Nijs (Pretoria, North) said that in
+that part of the district of Pretoria which lay to the north of the
+Delagoa Bay Railway there were still cattle enough to last for a
+considerable time, but that the store of grain would be exhausted within
+a fortnight. The number of horses also was insufficient. The district
+could muster one hundred and fifty-three mounted men and one hundred and
+twenty-eight _voetgangers_. In the division of Onderwijk, Middelburg,
+there were twenty-six mounted men and thirty-eight _voetgangers_.
+
+Commandant Grobler (Bethal) stated that in his district they had not
+been left undisturbed during the summer. Only a short time previously he
+had lost sixty-three men in an engagement, where he had been besieged in
+a kraal, out of which he, with one hundred and fifty-three burghers, had
+managed to escape. Bethal had been laid waste from one end to the other,
+and he had no provisions for his commandos. He had on his hands three
+hundred women and children; these were in a serious position, owing to
+the lack of food; some of the women had also been assaulted by Kaffirs.
+
+General Christiaan Botha (Swaziland) then reported on the condition of
+the Swaziland commando. They had no provisions in hand, and were simply
+living by favour of the Kaffirs. They had no women there. His commando
+of one hundred and thirteen men was still at Piet Retief. As there was
+no grain to be had, they were compelled to go from kraal to kraal and
+buy food from the Kaffirs, and this required money. Yet somehow or other
+they had managed to keep soul and body together. "I have fought for the
+Transvaal," he concluded, "for two and a half years, and now, since I
+hear that there is food in the Free State, I shall fight for the Free
+State for two and a half years more."
+
+General Brits (Standerton) said that he had still provisions for two
+months, but no cattle. He had sixty-five families with him, and found it
+very difficult to provide them with the necessaries of life. Altogether,
+things were in a most critical state.
+
+Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) spoke as follows:
+
+"I shall go deeper into some of the points which the Commandant-General
+has brought forward in his general report of the matter. At Vrijheid we
+have been harassed by large forces of the enemy for six or eight months,
+and the district is now completely devastated. The presence of women and
+children causes great difficulty, for of late the English have refused
+to receive the families which, compelled by absolute famine, wished to
+take refuge with them. There is also continual danger from the Kaffirs,
+whose attitude towards us is becoming positively hostile. Both horses
+and grain are scarce; but as far as the latter is concerned there will
+be sufficient, provided that the enemy does not return. One morning
+recently a Kaffir commando, shortly before daybreak, attacked a party of
+our men, who lost fifty-six killed out of a total of seventy. That peace
+must be made at all costs is the opinion of all the families in my
+district, and I feel it my duty to bring this opinion before you."
+
+Commandant Alberts (Pretoria and Middelburg) said that his burghers had
+had no rest for a year, and that during that period no ploughing or
+sowing had been done in the district. Consequently a commando would not
+be able to find the means of subsistence there. On three occasions he
+had been forced to take refuge in a kraal, but fortunately had always
+been able to make his escape. They had no cattle which they could use
+for food, although he had received some, through Commandant Roos, from
+the Free State. Their horses were in the worst possible condition.
+
+Landdrost Bosman (Wakkerstroom) then gave an account of the condition of
+affairs in his district. They were dependent for everything, except
+meat, upon the Kaffirs, giving them meat in exchange. This year there
+had been a very poor crop of mealies, and, such as it was, it had been
+much damaged by the enemy. Still the burghers might manage, with what
+mealies they had, to last out for another two months; but the women and
+children also needed to be provided for. The cattle were beginning to
+run short, and the few horses that they had were so weak that they would
+require a fortnight's rest before they could be used. It might become
+necessary for the commandos to leave the district, and if so, what was
+to become of the families?
+
+Mr. De Clercq (Middelburg) regretted that he was unable to give as
+cheery a report as some of the gentlemen present had done. The part of
+Middelburg which he represented was in an almost hopeless condition.
+There were no slaughter-cattle, and only enough grain to last for a very
+short time. Out of five hundred horses only one hundred now remained,
+and these could do no work, being too weak even to get away when it
+became necessary to retreat from the enemy. The state of the burghers
+was very discouraging; if they should be compelled to leave the district
+the question would arise whether, considering the condition of their
+horses, it would be possible for them to reach their new destination.
+There were fifty families in Middelburg, and things were going very
+badly with them. The district would have to be abandoned, and what would
+then be the fate of the families, which even now could only be scantily
+provided for? The women had wished to go on foot to the English, but he
+had advised them to wait until the results of the present negotiations
+should become known.
+
+Commandant David Schoeman (Lijdenburg) said that although but a short
+time ago there had been eight hundred head of cattle in his district,
+they had now all been carried off. Grain there was none. Should fighting
+be continued, he was at a loss to know how he could provide for the
+women.
+
+Commandant Opperman (Pretoria, South) reported on that part of the
+Pretoria district which lies south of the line. What he said agreed
+substantially with the report of Commandant Alberts. (See page 343.)
+
+Commandant Liebenberg (Potchefstroom) stated that during the last eight
+or nine months blockhouses had been erected in his district. All that
+was now left to him was a strip of country about twelve miles long; here
+he could still exist. A good deal of seed had been sown, but the crops
+had of late fallen into the hands of the English. The grain was
+altogether spoilt; some of it had been burnt, the rest trodden down by
+the horses. There were ninety-three households in his district. Between
+Lichtenburg and Potchefstroom there were some women from the Orange Free
+State who were reduced to the most dire straits. They had told him that
+if things did not improve they intended to go on foot to Klerksdorp,
+and he had replied that they must wait for the result of the
+negotiations. He had still four hundred mounted men, in addition to one
+hundred _voetgangers_. He could hold out for a short time longer, and
+then would have to look for some way out of his difficulties.
+
+General Du Toit (Wolmaransstad) said that there were five hundred
+families in his district, but little enough for them to live on. Though
+his horses were weak, he would be able to save himself by strategy if he
+should get into a tight corner. His commandos were small--only four
+hundred and fifty mounted men. The cattle were in good condition, but
+grain was scarce.
+
+Commandant De Beer (Bloemhof) had still under his command as many as
+four hundred and forty-four mounted men and one hundred and sixty-five
+_voetgangers_. Both grain and cattle were scarce, but then Bloemhof had
+never possessed many head of cattle. So far the families had not
+suffered from want. He would be able to hold out for another year.
+
+General Kemp reported that he had under him Krugersdorp, Rustenburg, and
+parts of Pretoria and Johannesburg. In the district of Krugersdorp no
+more sowing was possible, and the majority of cattle had been carried
+away. Yet there was no want. Why should he lack for anything when he was
+in possession of a great "commissariat" extending as far as the
+Zoutpansberg, where General Beijers was in command? He took what he
+wanted from the Kaffirs--it was not their property; he was only taking
+back what really belonged to the burghers.
+
+Commandant-in-Chief de Wet here asked why the eastern divisions of the
+Transvaal could not do like General Kemp, and take what they required
+from the Kaffirs?
+
+General Kemp replied that the fact that in the eastern parts the Kaffirs
+were united with the English made the difference. The Kaffirs there, he
+said, gave all they looted to the English, who then sold them the cattle
+back again. If then cattle were taken in those parts, it would be cattle
+which was really the property of the Kaffirs. Moreover, the Zulus were
+Kaffirs of a different sort to those with which he (the General) had to
+deal. General Botha also had said that among the Kaffirs in the Eastern
+Transvaal there were not to be found any cattle belonging to the
+burghers.
+
+Mr. J.L. Grobler (Carolina) had not as yet had to complain of any lack
+of cattle or grain in his district. The English, however, by their
+system of blockhouses, had cut the burghers off from the greater part of
+the crop. If nothing happened, the newly-sown crops ought to produce a
+good harvest; but he did not like the temper of the Kaffirs. His men
+could still hold out for another six or seven months. The three hundred
+horses still remaining to them were in a weak condition; such as they
+were, there was not one apiece for the burghers.
+
+Mr. J. Naude (Pretoria) said that he represented a part of Pretoria and
+General Kemp's flying column. In his district sowing and harvesting went
+on as usual. There were fortunately no women and children. Although the
+commandos had not a superabundance of cattle, yet no one lacked for any
+of the necessaries of life.
+
+The meeting was then closed with prayer, and adjourned until the
+following morning.
+
+[Footnote 111: Infantry.]
+
+
+FRIDAY, MAY 16TH, 1902.
+
+The meeting opened with prayer a little after nine a.m. The
+correspondence which the two Governments had addressed to the burghers,
+in order that it might be communicated to their representatives at one
+of these meetings, was first read. It was then debated whether the
+meeting should request Lord Kitchener to put it into communication with
+the deputation in Europe. After speeches _pro_ and _con_, it was decided
+not to do so.
+
+Thereupon General Froneman proposed the following resolution:
+
+"This meeting is of opinion that the Governments should be asked in the
+first place to thank His Majesty the King of England and Her Majesty the
+Queen of the Netherlands, through Lord Kitchener, for the efforts which
+(as appears from the correspondence between the said Governments) they
+have made to set on foot negotiations for peace; and, in the second
+place, to express to them the regret of this meeting that His Majesty's
+Government has not accepted the proposal of Her Majesty's Government
+that the representatives of the two Republics now in Europe (who still
+enjoy the full confidence of their fellow-countrymen) should be allowed
+to return home, and also that Lord Kitchener has declined a similar
+request addressed to him by the Governments of the two Republics."
+
+This proposal was seconded by Commandant Flemming, and carried.
+
+After another proposal, made by H.J. Bosman, and seconded by J.L.
+Grobler, had been rejected, the correspondence referred to above came
+under discussion.
+
+The first speaker was Mr. P.R. Viljoen, who spoke as follows:
+
+"We can apply to our own country those words of Scripture, 'The place
+whereon thou standest is holy ground.' The soil on which we are now
+standing, wet as it is with the blood and tears of our forefathers and
+also of the many who have fallen in this present struggle, may well be
+regarded as 'holy ground.'
+
+"That we should ever have to surrender this country is a horrible
+thought. Yet it must be faced. It is certain at least that many
+districts must be abandoned, for the enemy is doing his utmost to
+collect us together at a few isolated places, where he will be able to
+concentrate his forces upon us.
+
+"From the reports which we have received it appears that the state of
+affairs in the Orange Free State is still hopeful. Not so in the
+Transvaal. There our prospects are of the gloomiest.
+
+"My opinion is that we must endeavour to bring this war to an end. If
+there was the least chance of our being able to maintain our
+independence, we would still fight on, and not even the bitterest
+sufferings would appear unendurable. But have we any such chance?--that
+is the question which we have got to answer.
+
+"We know nothing, it will be said, of the present state of affairs in
+Europe, for the report from our deputation, which has just been read in
+your presence, is six months old. Nevertheless, if anything favourable
+to us had occurred since then, we must have heard of it by now.
+
+"It is evident that we must endeavour to obtain peace on terms
+honourable to ourselves. But how are we to do so? By keeping our
+independence in view when making terms with the enemy, you will answer.
+Nevertheless, I think it would be advisable for us to commission our
+Governments to ask the English Government once more what concessions it
+is prepared to make to us on condition of our surrendering our
+independence. Until we know this we can come to no final decision.
+
+"Though it is a bitter thing to have to say, yet I feel it my duty to
+tell you that I honestly believe it to be impossible for us to carry on
+the war any longer."
+
+Mr. De Clercq then addressed the meeting in the following words:
+
+"The question before us is, whether or not the war can be continued? To
+answer it, we must look forward into the future. We must ask ourselves
+what consequences will ensue from a continuance of hostilities, and what
+will be the result of their cessation.
+
+"We have only fifteen thousand men against the enemy's quarter of a
+million. Our food and horses are scarce, and we have other difficulties
+besides these. It is impossible to go on with the struggle.
+
+"Nevertheless, if I believed that to do so would give us a chance of
+retaining our independence, I also would be ready for further
+sacrifices. But as it is impossible to retain our independence, surely
+we shall only be storing up misery for the future if we continue
+fighting until every man of us is a prisoner or in his grave. I am of
+opinion that our most reasonable course is to save what is still left to
+us--our existence as a nation. It is not too late to save it now, but
+who can tell what the future holds in store for us? If we are to be
+still further reduced in number, we shall soon cease to exist as a
+nation. Can it be right to sacrifice a nation which has fought as the
+African nation has done?"
+
+Commandant Rheeder (Rouxville) then spoke as follows:
+
+"I know that the times are very dark, but still there are some rays of
+light. You have been asked whether you will continue fighting until you
+are exterminated. But there is another alternative. Will you not
+continue fighting until you are relieved? I maintain that our
+independence must be a _sine quâ non_ of any negotiations that we
+make--we cannot give it up. So long as we have life we must continue to
+fight, and we must only lay down our arms when relief arrives."
+
+General Kemp now rose to his feet. "I am fully aware," he said, "of the
+very serious position in which we are placed. Yet, when the war began,
+the position was no less grave. We must continue our resistance. When we
+recall to our minds how much this war has cost us, and what rivers of
+blood have flowed, we feel that it is impossible to surrender. As far as
+I am concerned, unless relief comes, I will fight on till I die.
+
+"But one should not look only at the dark side of the picture. It is
+true enough that in some districts food is scarce, but there are none in
+which it is absolutely unobtainable. The districts threatened by famine
+must be abandoned--that is the way to deal with the difficulty.
+
+"It has been pointed out that a large number of our men have been killed
+or taken prisoners. This fact, however, only fills me with courage. A
+cause that has cost us so dearly must never be forsaken. To own
+ourselves beaten would be to dig a grave for the African nation, out of
+which it would never rise. Why should we lose our trust in God? Up to
+this moment He has aided us, and He will always be our Helper."
+
+Vice-Commandant Breijtenbach (Utrecht) then spoke as follows:
+
+"The burghers whom I represent have told me to inform them, when these
+deliberations have come to an end, whether a continuation of the war is
+possible, and if it be possible, how it is to be accomplished. If I
+cannot assure them that we are able to continue the struggle, the men of
+Utrecht will not fight any more. As you know, I can give them no such
+assurance.
+
+"There are ten districts in the Transvaal which are unable to fight any
+longer. It surely is not proposed to leave these districts in the lurch!
+We must not only consult our sentiments, but also our reason. And what
+does the voice of reason say? This--that the continuation of the war is
+an impossibility. Should you decide now to continue the war, you would
+have to start a fresh campaign; and you know that that is beyond our
+powers.
+
+"A previous speaker has referred to the help of the Lord, but who is
+able to fathom His counsels? Yet we can understand the answer God has
+given to our prayer--that prayer which we offered with the Mausers in
+our hands when the war began. And what was the answer we received ... I
+leave it to you to reply.
+
+"Yes, we must use our reason. If we continue the struggle we give the
+death-blow to our existence as a nation. We have been told that there
+are ten districts that cannot go on fighting. Are we going to say, 'We
+will continue the struggle and leave these districts to their fate'? No!
+We must save what we can."
+
+General Liebenberg then spoke. "I am able to give my support," he said,
+"to all that has fallen from the lips of Messrs. Viljoen and De Clercq.
+It cannot be doubted that the future is very dark. Yes, we can only
+trust in God, and use our reason to the best of our ability. I have been
+commissioned by those whom I represent to retain our independence if
+possible, and if it be not possible to make peace on the best terms that
+we can get."
+
+Commandant Uijs was the next speaker. He explained that if the war were
+to be continued he would have to leave his district and abandon the
+women and children to the mercy of the Kaffirs. He could see a chance of
+saving the mounted men if only he could feel certain that they would all
+follow him, but the case of the women and children would be hopeless. A
+serious difficulty confronted the delegates, and it was with them, and
+no longer with the Government, that its solution rested. Never before
+had he been called upon to face so gigantic a task. It was not the time
+now to criticize one another, but to practise mutual forbearance. The
+Bible had been quoted by one of the speakers, but let them not forget
+the text in which the king is spoken of who calculated whether he was
+strong enough with ten thousand to encounter him who marched against
+him with twenty thousand. Then there was the question as to the disposal
+of the widows and orphans. What was to become of them if the burghers,
+by refusing to come to terms with the enemy, should no longer be able to
+act as their mutual protectors? Let them make no more widows and
+orphans, but let them open their eyes and recognize that the hand of God
+was against them.
+
+The next business was the reading of two letters--one from General Malan
+and the other from General Kritzinger. Malan reported on his doings in
+the Cape Colony, while Kritzinger advised that the war should be
+discontinued.
+
+General Du Toit then spoke, emphasizing the responsibility of the
+delegates and the importance of the occasion. He went on to say that he
+represented a part of the nation which had suffered very severely, but
+which nevertheless had commissioned him to stand up for independence, if
+by any means it could be retained; if he failed in this, he was to take
+whatever course seemed best to him. In his district the burghers were
+not reduced to such a pass as to oblige them to surrender, but the
+condition of other districts must also be taken into consideration, and
+if it appeared that the war could not be continued, the delegates must
+get the best terms they could. In their demands they must be
+united--this was the principal reason why dissension was so much to be
+avoided. For himself, he could only say that whether the meeting voted
+to continue the war or to bring it to a conclusion, he would fall in
+with the wishes of the majority. Any decision would be better than the
+failure of this conference, as that would leave everything undecided.
+
+He was followed by Secretary of State Reitz, who said:
+
+"You all know what the Governments have done. The question now is, Is
+there anything further that we can do? For my part, I think that there
+is. We might offer to surrender Witwatersrand and Swaziland; we might
+also relinquish our rights to a foreign policy; we might even accede to
+an English Protectorate. If France has been able to do without Alsace
+and Lorraine, surely we can do without the goldfields. What benefit have
+they ever done us? Did the money they brought ever do us any good? No!
+rather it did us harm. It was the gold which caused the war. It is then
+actually to our advantage to cede the goldfields, and moreover by so
+doing we shall be rid of a very troublesome part of our population."
+
+Mr. Reitz then went on to discuss in detail the position in regard to
+Swaziland, the question of a British Protectorate, and the surrender of
+our right to treat with foreign powers.
+
+General Muller (Boksburg) expressed sympathy with the views of the
+Secretary of State, while Vice-Commandant Roux (Marico) said that he was
+prepared to sacrifice many things, but that he intended to hold out for
+independence.
+
+The next speech was made by Landdrost Stoffberg (Zoutpansberg), who
+said:
+
+"I agree with General Du Toit in what he said about the necessity for
+unity amongst us. Disunion must not be so much as mentioned. I have a
+mandate from the burghers of Zoutpansberg not to sacrifice our
+independence. But if anything short of this will satisfy the English, I
+am quite prepared to make concessions. Some of the burghers think that
+it might be well to surrender the goldfields for a certain sum of money,
+while others point out that the gold was the cause of the war. I also
+think that we have suffered through the gold, and that we might give up
+the goldfields without doing ourselves any harm. For what has the gold
+done for us? It has enriched us, many will say. Yes! but it has also
+been a stumbling-block to many a man. And is it not better to be a poor
+but independent nation than to be rich and at the same time subject to
+another Power. Let the goldfields go. We shall still, with our markets,
+be rich enough."
+
+Commandant Mentz (Heilbron) then rose.
+
+"I appeal to the forbearance of the delegates," he said, "for making any
+speech at this meeting. I fear I am unable to give as rose-coloured a
+report as my brother Free-Staters have done: My district has been
+continually harassed by the enemy's troops, and great devastation has
+been wrought. But the greatest trouble I have is the presence of so many
+families, for there are still two hundred in the district. I have only
+eighty burghers under my command, and it is clear to me that I shall
+soon be obliged to leave the district. What will then become of these
+families? I received a commission not to sacrifice our independence. But
+since my burghers met more than half of them have been made prisoners.
+The remainder have instructed me to do my best to preserve our
+independence, but if I find that it cannot be maintained to act
+according to my own judgment. It appears to me that it may be possible
+to retain our independence by ceding some part of the country; if this
+be the case it ought most certainly to be done. I can remember the late
+President Brand saying in connexion with the diamond fields, 'Give them
+up; you will gain more by giving them up than by keeping them.' This
+remark may well apply to the present situation."
+
+Commandant Flemming (Cape Town) reported that his district was well-nigh
+devastated. But they still possessed a fair number of cattle, which they
+had carried away with them. But even if they had no cattle, that would
+be no excuse for surrender, for in his district it was possible to live
+on the game. The view which he and his burghers had taken was that since
+they had already sacrificed nearly everything they possessed, they would
+not now sacrifice their independence. For should this also be lost, then
+there would be nothing left to them. That had been their opinion, but
+they had not then known how matters stood in the Transvaal. Now that he
+was aware of the state of affairs, he agreed with State Secretary Reitz
+that their best course was to cede a part of their territory.
+
+Vice-President Burger now rose from his seat, and said:
+
+"This meeting has to formulate a fresh proposal to the English
+Government, and to await its answer. If this proposal be rejected, well,
+you will be no worse off than you are at present. If there be a man who
+has earnestly considered what the sacrifice of everything means to us,
+then I am that man. It has been said, we must retain our independence,
+or else continue to fight; and we are still able to hold out for another
+six months, or even a year. Now, supposing that we can hold out another
+year, what should we gain by doing so? Why, we should only grow weaker,
+whilst the enemy grew stronger! I emphatically state that the war cannot
+be carried on any longer; and I ask if there is any man here who can
+maintain with a clear conscience that the struggle can be successfully
+continued.
+
+"Some of you may tell me that complications may arise in Europe. But
+that is a groundless hope. Others may say that it is astonishing enough
+that we have been able to hold out till now, and that we still have the
+power of making our voices heard. Yes! that is very surprising; but
+shall we retain this power long? I heard some delegates say, 'We shall
+fight till we die!' That is a manly sentiment. But was it not, perhaps,
+prompted by a desire to make a fine speech, which would go down to
+posterity? Was not the aim in some cases that future generations might
+recall these speeches when they were told of the brave fight our men had
+made?
+
+"Let every one consider this well: Is he prepared to sacrifice the
+nation on the shrine of his own ambition? Ambition, although it may cost
+us our lives, can never lead to martyrdom. A martyr is made of finer
+stuff!
+
+"Have we not arrived at the stage of our history when we must pray, 'Thy
+will be done'? That prayer, considered rightly, is a prayer of faith. Do
+not let us imagine that we can compel God to do _our_ will--that is not
+faith.
+
+"I beg of you to consider what will become of the women and the
+children and the banished burghers if you still persist until your last
+shot has been fired. What right shall we have to intercede for these
+unfortunate ones when we have rejected the proposals of the English
+Government? We shall have no right whatsoever.
+
+"Perhaps it is God's will that the English nation should oppress us, in
+order that our pride may be subdued, and that we may come through the
+fire of our troubles purified.
+
+"My opinion is that we should make a peace proposal to England, yielding
+as much as we rightly can; and if England rejects our proposal, it will
+be time enough then to see what other course is open to us.
+
+"There is one fact which we cannot allow ourselves to forget. There are
+ten districts in the Transvaal which must be abandoned. In the Free
+State, too, there are districts in a similar plight. It is the opinion
+of lawyers that so long as the inhabitants remain in a district their
+property cannot lawfully be confiscated; but if the district be
+abandoned, then confiscations can take place.
+
+"It is criminal to say, 'Come what may, we will fight till everything is
+lost and all of us are dead!'"
+
+The following resolution was then proposed by General Kemp, and seconded
+by Mr. J. Nand:
+
+"_This meeting decides, in order to expedite the work in hand, to depart
+from the original programme; and to constitute a Commission, to be
+composed of the Hon. Jacob Smits and the Hon. Judge Hertzog, and to give
+this Commission authority to draw up, conjointly with the two State
+Presidents, a draft proposal, to be laid before the delegates to-morrow
+morning._"
+
+This resolution was put to the meeting, and accepted by the delegates.
+The meeting then adjourned.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+At half-past seven in the evening the delegates reassembled.
+
+General Cilliers (Lichtenburg and Marico) was the first to make a
+report. "In my division," he said, "things are in a very favourable
+condition. Yet we are bound to take the other divisions into
+consideration. My burghers said to me, 'Stand firm for independence!'
+But when they gave me the order they did not know about the condition of
+the other districts. Will those other districts--such of them, I mean,
+as are in a worse predicament than ourselves--be able to co-operate with
+us in continuing the war? Some of them have already answered my question
+in the negative. Must we then not ask ourselves, What will be the best
+for the nation as a whole? Shall we say continue the war, or shall we
+approach the enemy and make a proposal?
+
+"But are we really justified in prolonging the struggle, and making
+still further sacrifices? Some will answer, 'Yes, for we have a God in
+whom we have trusted from the beginning; shall we not continue to trust
+in Him who has worked such wonders for us already?' But I have heard a
+brother say, 'God's hand is against us.' It was bitter to hear these
+words from him, and for myself I will have none of them. My vote is
+given here and now for a continuance of the war.
+
+"But we must hear what the rest of the delegates have to say, and if
+they can point out some other way by which we can retain even a portion
+of our national independence, we must be ready to follow it."
+
+General Froneman next addressed the meeting.
+
+"I fear," he began, "that too much is being made of the condition of my
+division: things are not so prosperous with us as some here appear to
+imagine. But for all that, my burghers are for nothing short of absolute
+independence. They cannot forget the blood which has already been spilt
+in our cause. They mean to hold out until they are relieved.
+
+"I sympathize deeply with those districts that are less happily
+circumstanced than my own, but it pains me to discover that there are
+some here who doubt that God is for us. For what has supported us up
+till now save faith in God?--the faith of those who first prayed God to
+prevent the war, and then, when they saw that this was not His will,
+fought like men, putting all their trust in Him.
+
+"Up till now the Lord hath been my helper; the enemy has cut us off from
+everything, and yet we see our two little Republics still full of hope,
+still holding out."
+
+He concluded his speech by saying that he would like to hear the
+opinions of Generals Botha, De Wet, and De la Rey. They ought to be able
+to throw much light upon the matter.
+
+Commandant General Botha then rose, and said:
+
+"I am glad to have an opportunity of giving my views upon the present
+state of affairs. We know that differences of opinion are to be found
+everywhere and on every question; when, therefore, a man differs from
+those who think that this war can and ought to be continued, we must
+ascribe his opinion to discouragement, weakness, or cowardice. We must
+acknowledge the truth of the facts from which he draws his conclusions,
+and which have compelled him to utter it. His object is to make known
+the true state of the country--which indeed is his plain duty. Were he
+not to do so on the present occasion he would be accused, later on, of
+having kept secret what he ought to have revealed. Differences of
+opinion then need not, and must not, cause a disunion and discord.
+Whatever our private opinions may be, yet, as delegates of the burghers,
+we must speak and act as one man.
+
+"The war has now lasted two years. But the question for us to answer is
+this: Are we going forwards or backwards? My own conviction--a
+conviction founded upon the views expressed by my commandos and the
+speeches which I have listened to at this meeting--is that we are not
+gaining, but losing ground. There is nothing, in my opinion, more
+evident than that, during the last six months, the tide has been setting
+steadily against us, and in favour of the enemy.
+
+"A year ago there were no blockhouses. We could cross and recross the
+country as we wished, and harass the enemy at every turn. But now things
+wear a very different aspect. We can pass the blockhouses by night
+indeed, but never by day. They are likely to prove the ruin of our
+commandos.
+
+"Then, as regards food. We are told that there is food here, and food
+there; but how are we to get at it? How are we to transport it from one
+district to another? Outside the frontiers of our Republics there are
+plenty of provisions, but it becomes daily more difficult to get them
+into our hands. The cattle, for instance, that used to be at Ladysmith
+have now been removed to Estcourt. Even the friendly Kaffirs, from whom
+we are now able to obtain provisions, may quite possibly soon turn
+against us. The time is coming when we shall be compelled to say,
+'Hunger drives us to surrender.'
+
+"The horses have been chased about so incessantly, and have suffered so
+much from want of forage, that their strength is almost exhausted. They
+are so weak that it is almost impossible to accomplish any long distance
+with them.
+
+"As to the Cape Colony, I had always understood that the Colonists were
+going to rise _en bloc_, but General Smuts has just told us that there
+is no chance of such a thing happening. And he speaks from personal
+knowledge, having just returned from paying them a visit. Moreover, he
+has seen our horses, and says that it is impossible for them to go into
+the Colony, so it appears that our successes there are over. This is a
+severe check indeed; but it could not have been otherwise. We have not
+enough horses to enable us to give the Colonists effectual help, and
+they themselves have been cowed by the heavy penalties imposed upon all
+those who did rise. Many of those who are well disposed towards us dare
+not join us now.
+
+"Again, there is no chance of European intervention: not one of the
+Powers will do anything for us. To see this it is only necessary to
+peruse that correspondence between the Netherlands and England, which
+was the cause of these negotiations. There we shall find that the Dutch
+Minister says that our deputation is only accredited to Holland, whereas
+it had been accredited by the two Republics to all the Governments in
+Europe. Moreover, the correspondence makes it very plain that England
+will not tolerate the intervention of any foreign Power whatsoever. But
+the truth is, that no foreign Power wants to help us. When the women
+were first made prisoners I thought that European intervention might
+perhaps be attempted, because to make prisoners of women is a thing
+quite outside the usual methods of warfare. But nothing was done even
+then. We were told that we had the sympathy of the nations of
+Europe--their sympathy, and nothing more!
+
+"I have come to a subject that is very near our hearts--our women-folk.
+If this meeting decides upon war, it will have to make provision for our
+wives and children, who will then be exposed to every kind of danger.
+Throughout this war the presence of the women has caused me anxiety and
+much distress. At first I managed to get them into the townships, but
+later on this became impossible, because the English refused to receive
+them. I then conceived the idea of getting a few of our burghers to
+surrender, and sending the women in with them. But this plan was not
+practical, because most of the families were those of prisoners of war,
+and the men still on commando were not so closely related to these
+families as to be willing to sacrifice their freedom for them.
+
+"We have heard much talk about fighting 'to the bitter end.' But what is
+'the bitter end'? Is it to come when all of us are either banished or in
+our graves? Or does it mean the time when the nation has fought until it
+never can fight again? As to myself, personally, I can still continue
+the struggle. I have horses, my household is well provided for, and as
+far as my own inclination goes I am all for going on. But am I only to
+consider myself? Is it not my first duty to look at the interests of my
+nation? I have always been, and still am, of the opinion that, before
+letting the nation go to rack and ruin, it is our duty to parley. We
+must not let the chance for negotiations slip out of our hands. When our
+numbers have fallen to only four or five thousand men under arms we
+shall no longer have that chance, and this will undoubtedly happen if we
+hold out for another year, or even six months.
+
+"There are some who say, 'We must trust in God and keep on fighting,'
+and I grant them that miracles are possible at all times. But it is
+beyond our power to say whether God will work a miracle for us. We do
+not know what His will may be. If we continue the war, and if it should
+afterwards appear that everything has been in vain, our responsibility
+will be only the heavier, the blinder our confidence now is. And over
+and over again we shall hear, 'He is dead,' 'and he, and he.' Will not
+this make our remorse all the more bitter? Our commandos are so weak,
+our country so exhausted, that the loss of one great battle, the
+surrender of a single strong force, would spell ruin for us.
+
+"'But we have managed to hold out for so long.' Yes, but there is a
+natural reason, a military reason, why this has been the case. The fact
+that our commandos have been spread over so large a tract of country has
+compelled the British, up to the present time, to divide their forces.
+But things have changed now; we have had to abandon district after
+district, and must now operate on a far more limited territory. In other
+words, the British army can at last concentrate its forces upon us.
+
+"I firmly believe that, under like circumstances, no other nation in the
+world would have fought as our nation has done. Shall such a nation
+perish? No! we must save it. If we delegates are convinced that we can
+no longer offer resistance to the enemy, it is our plain duty to tell
+the people so. We must not let them be exterminated for want of timely
+advice. More than twenty thousand women and children have died in the
+camps during this one year.
+
+"There are men of our own kith and kin who are helping to bring us to
+ruin. If we continue the war, it may be that the Afrikanders against us
+will outnumber our own men.
+
+"What is there left to hope for? Are we to retain our independence by
+ceding a part of our territories? Most assuredly yes, if such a
+compromise is feasible. As regards Swaziland, it is of so little
+importance to us that we can give it up without a thought. Then there
+are the goldfields--let them go. They are but a cancerous growth,
+sapping the very life of our country.
+
+"We must face the fact that things are not at a standstill: we are
+slipping back every moment. We must all pull together, or everything is
+lost. If our sacrifices will buy our independence, well and good. But
+suppose that we are compelled to give it up--well, if it even comes to
+this, we must never do so unconditionally. An unconditional surrender
+would be well enough if the leaders only had to be considered. But we
+must think of the interests of the nation. We must say to our people,
+'We have no thought of ourselves: our only desire is to place ourselves
+in the breach, if so we may save you.'"
+
+General Botha then proceeded to discuss eventualities in the event of
+independence being lost. Representative government, he said, might
+perhaps still be retained, and the national language need not
+necessarily be supplanted. Thus the nation would still retain its old
+ideals and its old customs. General Roux had been pertinently asked
+whether it were better to strive for the recuperation of the people now
+or to wait until they were altogether overpowered and reduced to such
+straits that it would require some thirty years before they could once
+more call themselves a nation. He then went into the terms of the
+proposal by the British Government, and repeated that there must be no
+idea of unconditional surrender.
+
+The General concluded in the following words:
+
+"Although we do not _wish_ to accept terms, we have no right to refuse
+them altogether. On the other hand we must not say to the English, 'Do
+with us as you like.' For then our descendants would eternally reproach
+us. We should have lost the privilege of looking after our own wives and
+children. They would be handed over to strangers. No! we must secure by
+some means or other that we ourselves shall be able to provide for them.
+The fate of our country is in the hands of the men in this tent. It has
+been bitter, indeed, for me to have to speak as I have done. But if I
+have not spoken the truth, convince me of my error, and I will be the
+first to own it. But do not condemn me, for I have had no other object
+than to tell you what I believe to be the truth."
+
+General De la Rey spoke.
+
+"I will not detain you long," he began, "but there are a few points to
+which I wish to draw attention. In regard to the districts under my
+command, every one will understand that my burghers, after their recent
+brilliant successes, are firmly resolved not to sacrifice their
+independence. If I allude to the battles which I have just fought it is
+with no thought of boasting, but only that you may picture to yourselves
+the effect which they must have had upon the enemy; and that no one may
+be angry with myself and my burghers for standing firm when our feet are
+on such solid ground.
+
+"But since my arrival at Vereeniging I have heard about our districts
+where matters are in a far less favourable condition than in my own. So
+far as I myself am concerned, I cannot think of laying down my arms. Yet
+it appears to me that some parts of the country will be compelled by
+starvation to give up the struggle. It is well that those who represent
+these parts have spoken openly, and not left this meeting in ignorance
+of the state of affairs only to go and lay down their arms.
+
+"I myself have never thought intervention possible. Even before the war
+broke out I said that nothing would come of it. I saw that South Africa
+was divided between Germany and England. And that if only the Republics
+could be extinguished, then England and Germany would be the only Powers
+left, and Germany would be safe. But if the Republics were victorious,
+then Germany would be in danger. Why then should Germany interfere in
+favour of the Republics, when she has everything to lose by such a
+course of action? No! intervention was entirely out of the question.
+
+"There has been talk about fighting to the bitter end; but has not the
+bitter end already come? Each man must answer that question for himself.
+
+"You must remember that everything has been sacrificed--cattle, goods,
+money, wife, and child. Our men are going about naked, and some of our
+women have nothing but clothes made of skins to wear. Is not this the
+bitter end?
+
+"I believe that the time has now come to negotiate. England will never
+again give us the chance of doing so, should we allow this opportunity
+to slip by. But how shall we negotiate? I must leave it to this meeting
+to answer that question. If we do not obtain what we ask for, we shall
+at least stand or fall together. Yet let us act with reason.
+
+"I cannot agree with one of the opinions expressed by Commandant-General
+Botha and States-Secretary Reitz. They have stated that they are against
+surrendering the goldfields to England; firstly, because England would
+never accept such a proposal, for by doing so she would declare to the
+whole world that she had only been fighting for the goldfields; and,
+secondly, because if we gave up the goldfields we should lose a source
+of revenue, without the aid of which we could not repair the damages
+which the war has wrought."
+
+Commandant-in-Chief de Wet spoke as follows:
+
+"I am of opinion that the circumstances in the Orange Free State are no
+less critical than those in the Transvaal. Nine districts were entirely
+ruined; but these, though at one time abandoned by the burghers, have
+now been reoccupied.
+
+"If I now differ from those who are of opinion that it is useless to
+prolong the war, it must not be thought that I am lacking in respect for
+their judgment. By no means. I know that what has been said about the
+wretched plight of the people is only too true; but they must not take
+it amiss if I point out that the same condition of affairs was described
+in the correspondence from the Transvaal which fell into the hands of
+the English at Reitz. But, granting that the facts have been correctly
+stated, even then the Orange Free State will refuse to give in. Let me
+be candid with you, and say frankly that, in my opinion, this is
+virtually the Transvaal's war. This, however, makes no difference to me.
+For me the barrier of the Vaal River has never existed. I have always
+endeavoured to maintain the Nauwere-Vereeniging,[112] and I feel
+strongly the obligation which the union of the two States casts on each
+one of us. They are two nations, but their cause is one.
+
+"What, then, is the prevailing feeling in the Orange Free State? Of the
+six thousand burghers who have been attending meetings, I myself have
+been in command of five thousand, and I can confidently say that never
+were five thousand men more unanimous in their opinion than were those I
+led when they cried, as with one voice, 'Persevere; we have everything
+to lose, but we have not yet lost it.' What, then, is the answer to be?
+I am firmly persuaded that we have only one course before us. If we are
+unable to obtain what we are asking for, then it only remains for us to
+alleviate as best we may the lot of those who cannot help themselves. I
+do not as yet clearly see how this is going to be done, but, at all
+costs, let us continue fighting. What was our total strength when we
+began this war? Sixty thousand men all told. Against this the English
+had a standing army of seven hundred and fifty thousand troops. Of these
+two hundred and fifty thousand, or one-third, are now in South Africa.
+We know from experience that they are unable to send more than
+one-third. And we? Have we not also one-third of our army left?
+
+"I do not wish to imply that I am not prepared to concede something, but
+nothing will induce me to consent to any part of the country in _our_
+territory being given up. It will never do to have an English colony
+planted in our midst, for England then would have far too firm a hold
+upon our country.
+
+"It is said, and with some truth, that the goldfields have been a curse
+to us, but surely there is no reason why they should continue to be so.
+I fail to see how, without retaining possession of these goldfields, the
+Republics are to be saved. Swaziland perhaps could be ceded, but never
+the goldfields. I feel that any intervention is out of the question; but
+is not the very fact that it has not taken place a sure proof that it
+was not the will of God? Does it not show that He is minded to form us,
+by this war, into a nation worthy of the name? Let us then bow to the
+will of the Almighty.
+
+"My people will perhaps say, 'Our Generals see only the religious side
+of the question.' They will be right. Without faith we should have been
+foolish indeed to have embarked on this war and to continue it for so
+many months. Indeed, it _must_ be a matter of faith, for the future is
+hidden from us. What _has been_ is within our ken, but what is before is
+beyond the knowledge of the wisest man.
+
+"Cape Colony is a great disappointment to me. I do not refer so much to
+what we have learnt about it from the reports as to the fact that no
+general uprising can be expected in that quarter. So much we have heard
+from General Smuts. But though there is to be no uprising, we have no
+reason to think that there has been any falling off in the number of our
+adherents in the Colony. The little contingent there has been of great
+help to us: they have kept fifty thousand troops occupied, with which
+otherwise we should have had to reckon.
+
+"I feel deeply for our women and children; I am giving earnest
+consideration to their miserable plight. But their sufferings are among
+what we may call the necessary circumstances of the war. I have nothing
+to do with the circumstances. For me, this is a war of religion, and
+thus I can only consider the great principles involved. Circumstances
+are to me but as obstacles to be cleared out of the road.
+
+"If we own ourselves defeated--if we surrender to the foe--we can expect
+little mercy from him. We shall at all events have dug the grave of our
+national independence, and, as things are, what difference is there
+between this and digging our own graves?"
+
+Mr. Birkenstock said that the question about the goldfields must be
+carefully considered. This source of income must not be given up.
+
+The meeting was then closed with prayer.
+
+[Footnote 112: Closer Union.]
+
+
+SATURDAY, MAY 17TH, 1902.
+
+The Chairman first called upon Chief Commandant de Wet to offer up
+prayer.
+
+A private report from Mr. J. Schmorderer, who had brought the missive
+from the deputation in Europe, was then read.
+
+The first delegate to speak was Landdrost Bosman (Wakkerstroom), who
+said:
+
+"My opinion is that the best way of ascertaining the probable future
+course of events is to see what has already happened in the past. A year
+ago there were six hundred burghers in my district, and each man had a
+horse; now there are not more than half that number, and many of them
+have to go on foot. Last year we had from three to four thousand bags of
+maize ready to hand; this year there are not more than as many hundred,
+and how to get at them is more than I can tell. If such has been the
+history of the past year, in what sort of condition shall we be at the
+end of the present one?
+
+"The great difficulty with regard to our families is not how to clothe
+them, but how to feed them. I know of a woman who has lived for weeks on
+nothing but fruit. I myself have had to satisfy my hunger with mealies
+for days together, although I have no wish to complain about it. Even
+the scanty food we can get has to be obtained from the Kaffirs by
+persuasion. Moreover, the Kaffirs side with the English, who in their
+counter-marches are clearing all the food out of the country.
+
+"The men in my district told me that if I came back and reported that
+the war was to be continued, they would be obliged--for the sake of
+their wives and children--to go straight to the nearest English camp and
+lay down their arms. As to the women it is true that they are at present
+full of hope and courage, but if they knew how matters stood in the
+veldt, they would think very differently. Even now there are many of
+them who say that the war ought to be put a stop to, if only for their
+sakes.
+
+"The Kaffirs are another great source of trouble; in this problem they
+are a factor which cannot be neglected.
+
+"There is no hope of intervention, nor can we expect anything from the
+English nation. Facts that have come to my knowledge prove to me that
+England has become more and more determined to fight to the bitter end.
+
+"I do not see what we can possibly gain by continuing the war. Our own
+people are helping the English, and every day the enemy are improving
+their position. What advantage can there then be in persisting in the
+struggle? We have now a chance of negotiating, and we should seize that
+chance. For we have the opportunity given us of obtaining some help for
+our ruined compatriots, who would be entirely unable to make a fresh
+start without assistance.
+
+"As to the religious side of this matter, I am not ashamed to say that I
+believe I am serving God in the course which I am taking. We must not
+attempt to obtain the impossible against all reason. If we make any such
+attempt, the results will probably be exactly opposite to what we wish.
+I have the greatest doubt whether it really is in order to give glory to
+God that the nation wishes to retain its independence. On the contrary I
+believe that the motive is obstinacy, a vice to which human nature is
+always prone.
+
+"It has been said that it would be shameful to disregard the blood
+already spilt; but surely one ought also to consider the blood that
+might yet be shed in a useless struggle."
+
+The proposal of the Commission was now read, and after some discussion
+accepted. It ran as follows:
+
+The meeting of national representatives from both Republics--after
+having considered the correspondence exchanged, and the negotiations
+conducted, between the Governments of the two Republics and His
+Excellency Lord Kitchener, on behalf of the British Government; and
+after having heard the reports of the deputies from the different parts
+of both Republics; and after having received the latest reports from the
+representatives of the two Republics in Europe; and having taken into
+consideration the fact that the British Government has refused to accept
+the proposal of our Governments made on the same basis; and
+notwithstanding the above-mentioned refusal of the British
+Government--still wishes to give expression to the ardent desire of the
+two Republics to retain their independence, for which already so much
+material and personal sacrifice has been made, and decides in the name
+of the people of both Republics to empower both Governments as
+follows:--To conclude a peace on the following basis, to wit: the
+retention of a limited independence offering an addition to what has
+already been offered by the two Governments in their negotiations, dated
+the 15th of April, 1902.
+
+(_a_) To give up all foreign relations and embassies.
+
+(_b_) To accept the Protectorate of Great Britain.
+
+(_c_) To surrender parts of the territory of the South African Republic.
+
+(_d_) To conclude a defensive alliance with Great Britain in regard to
+South Africa.
+
+During the discussion it was clearly explained that the territory which
+it was suggested should be ceded was the already mentioned goldfields
+and Swaziland. The question was put whether the South African Republics
+would have to pay for the damage done during the war. "By all means let
+us pay," said Mr. De Clercq. "If I could only buy back the independence
+of the Orange Free State, I would gladly give all I possess."
+
+Several other Transvaal delegates expressed themselves in the same
+sense, and said that they fully appreciated the sacrifices which the
+Orange Free State had made. General Froneman thanked them in the name of
+the Free State.
+
+He felt that the two Republics no longer thought of themselves as having
+conflicting interests. In the fire of this war they had been firmly
+welded together.
+
+Commandant Ross (Vrede) thought it wrong even to discuss the possibility
+of giving up independence. The delegates had received a definite
+mandate. They had been commissioned to see that the national
+independence had remained untouched, whatever else might have to be
+given up. This being the case, they might come to decisions on all other
+points, so long as they remembered that independence was not an open
+question.
+
+Commandant J. Van Niekerk (Ficksburg) spoke to the same purpose. He
+could not even think of sacrificing independence.
+
+After some other delegates had made a few short remarks, General Brand,
+seconded by Commandant A.J. De Kock, proposed the following resolution,
+which was accepted by the meeting:
+
+     "This meeting of the national representatives of the two Republics
+     hereby charge the Governments to nominate a Commission for the
+     purpose of entering upon negotiations with His Excellency Lord
+     Kitchener, acting on behalf of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
+     The Commission is to endeavour to make peace on satisfactory terms,
+     and is then to lay the result of its negotiations before this
+     meeting, for the sanction of the two Governments."
+
+The meeting was then closed with prayer.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix B
+
+THE CONFERENCE AT PRETORIA BETWEEN THE COMMISSION OF THE NATIONAL
+REPRESENTATIVES AND LORDS KITCHENER AND MILNER (MAY 19TH-MAY 28TH,
+1902)
+
+
+Minutes of the Conference held at Pretoria on May 19th, 1902, between
+Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, representatives of the British
+Government, and Commandant-General L. Botha, Commander-in-Chief C.R. de
+Wet, General J.H. De la Rey, Judge J.B.M. Hertzog, and General J.C.
+Smuts, delegates of the national representatives, who had met at
+Vereeniging on May 15th, 1902.
+
+Mr. N.J. de Wet acted as interpreter; Mr. O. Walrond was secretary for
+the English Government; and the Rev. J.D. Kestell and D. Van Velden
+acted in a similar capacity for the Commission.
+
+The Conference met at ten o'clock in the morning at the house of Lord
+Kitchener. After having greeted each other, the members took their seats
+at the table in the centre of the room.
+
+Commandant-General L. Botha opened the proceedings in the following
+words:
+
+"Allow me to state that, although the negotiations have taken a longer
+time than we expected, I am able to assure your Excellencies that we are
+acting in good faith, and that everything has been done with the sole
+aim of concluding the peace which we all desire.
+
+"I must also draw attention to the fact that everything we transact here
+must be submitted to our national representatives, in order to obtain
+their sanction."
+
+The suggestion was then made that the proposals which the Commission was
+prepared to make should be laid before the Conference, whereupon the
+following letter was read to the meeting:
+
+     PRETORIA, _19th May, 1902_.
+
+     _To their Excellencies, Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, Pretoria._
+
+     YOUR EXCELLENCIES,--
+
+     With a view to finally concluding the existing hostilities, and
+     being fully empowered by the Government of the two Republics, we
+     have the honour to propose the following points--in addition to the
+     conditions already offered in the negotiations of April last--as a
+     basis for negotiations:
+
+     (_a_) We are prepared to cede our independence as regards our
+     foreign relations.
+
+     (_b_) We wish to retain self-government in our country, under
+     British supervision.
+
+     (_c_) We are prepared to cede a part of our territory.
+
+     Should your Excellencies be prepared to negotiate on this basis,
+     then the above-mentioned points can be elaborated.
+
+     We have the honour to be,
+     Your Excellencies' most obedient servants,
+     LOUIS BOTHA.
+     C.R. DE WET.
+     J.H. DE LA REY.
+     J.B.M. HERTZOG.
+     J.C. SMUTS.
+
+When this letter had been read, a discussion followed.
+
+Lord Milner: "Considering the wide difference between this proposal and
+that made by His Majesty's Government, when we last met, I fear that I
+can hold out very little hope of any good results following negotiations
+on the basis you have suggested."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "We can take those proposals into consideration, but I
+cannot see how it is possible to bring them into harmony with those of
+His Majesty's Government."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "If this is the position you take, we should
+like to receive from you a final answer to our proposals."
+
+Lord Milner: "Do you wish us to refer your proposals to His Majesty's
+Government?"
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Yes, unless you have full powers to give us a
+final reply."
+
+Lord Milner: "I am quite convinced that your proposal will be rejected;
+and I feel bound to say that to refer it, as it stands, to His Majesty's
+Government will only do you harm."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "If you have no power to decide upon this
+proposal here, we should like you to refer it to His Majesty's
+Government."
+
+Lord Milner: "I have no objection to taking the responsibility of
+refusing your proposal on myself. The instructions received by myself
+and Lord Kitchener are quite clear on this point."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I must then understand that when Lord
+Salisbury said that this war was not carried on with a view to annex
+territory, he did not mean it."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "It is no longer a question of territory, for annexation
+is an accomplished fact."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I am unable to see how our proposal is
+inconsistent with annexation."
+
+Lord Milner: "I cannot now recall the exact words used by Lord
+Salisbury, but it is true that Lord Salisbury declared that his
+Government did not begin the war with the intention of obtaining
+territory. But in the course of the war circumstances developed in such
+a way that the decision to annex the Republics became a necessity, and
+the British Government have pronounced their firm intention not to
+withdraw from this decision."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I should like to be informed as to what the great
+difference is between the basis now proposed by us and that laid down by
+His Majesty's Government during the negotiations of last year--I do not
+mean the difference in details, but in principle."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Do you mean by your proposal that the Boers will become
+British citizens?"
+
+General Smuts: "I cannot see that our proposal is necessarily in
+contradiction to that of last year. Our proposal only makes provision
+concerning the administration."
+
+Lord Milner then quoted from the terms offered at Middelburg by the
+British Government the previous year:--
+
+"At the earliest possible date military administration shall cease, and
+be replaced by civil administration in the form of a Crown Colony
+Government. At first there will be in each of the new Colonies a
+Governor, an Executive Council consisting of the highest officials, and
+a Legislative Council, which latter shall consist of a certain number of
+official members and also of a nominated non-official element. But it is
+the wish of His Majesty's Government to introduce a representative
+element as soon as circumstances permit, and, in course of time, to
+grant to the new colonies the right of self-government.
+
+"It may be that I do not properly understand your proposal, but it seems
+to me to differ not only in detail, but also in spirit from the scheme I
+have just read to you."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I entirely agree with you that there is a difference in
+idea between the two proposals; but only such a difference in idea as
+might well be found between Colonies of the same State. In other words,
+one constitution is adapted for one colony, whilst another constitution
+is found fitting for another colony, but yet they all belong to the same
+Empire."
+
+Lord Milner: "Exactly. There are different constitutions in different
+Colonies; but it seems to me that the _policy_ laid down in your
+proposal differs from that laid down by His Majesty's Government."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I think that I am expressing the opinion of the whole
+Commission when I say that we wish for peace. I draw attention to this
+to show the way in which, according to my opinion, we should consider
+the matter. For if we on both sides are really desirous of coming to a
+settlement, we should not make too much of theoretical difficulties, so
+long as the practical aim has been obtained. For instance, the different
+Colonies which now are joined to form the United States once possessed
+constitutions differing much from one another. Now the constitution laid
+down in our proposal does not differ so much from that laid down in
+yours that a practical difference should arise therefrom; and such a
+practical difference would arise if you insisted upon carrying on
+negotiations on your own basis. I imagine that England has a certain
+object before her in South Africa, and I believe that that object can be
+as well obtained by our proposal as by that of Middelburg. I therefore
+ask, Is the difference so great that, in order for England to obtain her
+object, an entirely new status must be called into existence?"
+
+Lord Milner: "We are comparing two different things. Here in the
+Middelburg scheme there are a number of definite proposals, which enter
+upon a great mass of particulars. I do not mean to imply that _we_ have
+not the power to go into particulars. I perfectly understand that it
+lies within the power of Lord Kitchener and myself to carry on further
+deliberations with you about details, so as to throw light on any
+doubtful points, and, perhaps, to make such changes as would not
+fundamentally affect the scheme. As you say that your proposals are not
+in contradiction with those formulated at Middelburg, then there is no
+reason why you should not lay aside your proposals and discuss the
+Middelburg proposals, which are definite."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I quite admit that you, Lord Milner, are entitled to say
+that there is a fundamental difference between our proposals. But it is
+another question whether the difficulty that thus arises is of such a
+nature that we--those of us who on both sides are anxious to conclude
+peace--should not be able to find a solution to it satisfactory to both
+parties. I cannot answer that question; nor can I see why the same
+result would not be reached by negotiating on the basis proposed by us
+as by carrying on negotiations on the Middelburg proposal."
+
+Lord Milner: "I understand, then, that you acknowledge that there is a
+fundamental difference between the two bases. Well, I do not think that
+we are empowered to negotiate on a basis differing from that laid down
+in the last report of His Majesty's Government, and also differing from
+the tenor of the Middelburg proposal. I may say that I believe that His
+Majesty's Government in their latest message went as far as it was
+possible for them to go with the object of meeting you. The whole spirit
+of the telegram was to that effect."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I hope you will understand that I do not
+speak as a lawyer. (Lord Kitchener, laughing: "That's the case with me
+too!") I fully concur with what General Botha and Judge Hertzog have
+said in regard to our eagerness to establish peace. In order to be
+brief, I will only remark that I did not understand His Excellency, Lord
+Milner, to mean--any more than I myself meant--that we should go to the
+nation with the Middelburg proposal, with the idea of coming back with
+it unaltered."
+
+Lord Milner: "No; if I gave that impression, I did not intend to do so.
+But I believe that when you went to your people with the last message
+from His Majesty's Government it was with the knowledge--which the
+message itself made clear--that His Majesty's Government was not
+prepared to take into consideration any terms which differed widely from
+the policy laid down in the Middelburg proposal."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "That was indeed what I understood; and
+accordingly we have now come with a proposal which does not differ very
+much from the Middelburg proposal."
+
+General Smuts: "I thought that the vital principle your Government had
+in view was the destruction of our independence, and in our proposal the
+independence of the two Republics with regard to foreign relations is
+given up. I was therefore of opinion that the two parties might come to
+an arrangement on this basis. I did not think that for the restoration
+of peace the Middelburg terms were essential."
+
+Lord Milner: "Not in the details, but in the general ideas. As the
+British Government has laid down a basis, and you have had weeks in
+which to consider the matter, it would never do for you now to put it on
+one side. Lord Kitchener has given your nation considerable time in
+which to take counsel; and now you come back, and, ignoring the
+Middelburg terms, you propose entirely different ones of your own, and
+say, let us negotiate on these. I do not believe that I and Lord
+Kitchener would be justified in doing this. But in case he is of another
+opinion, the British Government can be asked if they are prepared to set
+on one side all the former deliberations and begin again on a new
+basis."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "We cannot, of course, prevent Lord Kitchener
+from asking his Government any questions he pleases, but, at the same
+time, we request that you will cable our behests to the English
+Government."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I cannot see that we are beginning again on a
+new basis, for, in consequence of the negotiations in April last, you
+were ordered by the British Government to encourage us to make fresh
+proposals. Our present proposal is the direct result of that order."
+
+Lord Milner: "I did my best to get fresh proposals from you, but you
+would not make any. You forced the British Government into making
+proposals."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I am of opinion that we must both work
+together in this matter of formulating proposals."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "You were asked to make proposals, but you did not do
+so; and now, after the British Government has made a proposal, you
+yourselves come forward with one of your own."
+
+General De la Rey: "I think that it was the encouragement given us by
+correspondence between the Netherlands and the British Government that
+caused us to make our proposals."
+
+Lord Milner: "That correspondence was at the beginning of the
+negotiations."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "If we had been obliged to make a new
+proposal in April, we would not have been able to make one so fair, and
+so much to the advantage of the British Government, as our present one,
+for, not having consulted the nation, we would have been compelled to
+insist on entire independence."
+
+Lord Milner: "I must remind you of what has taken place; not with the
+object of putting you in the wrong, but in order to make the position
+clear, for there are some points about it which are not very clear. You
+came and made a proposal. The British Government gave you a distinct
+answer--they refused to accept it. Their answer was perfectly outspoken,
+and perfectly intelligible. At the same time they said, 'We are anxious
+for peace; will you make other proposals?' You then said, 'No! we have
+no power to do so; we must first consult the nation.' We admitted that
+argument. Then you said, 'Let the British Government make proposals.'
+The British Government did so, and they are fully entitled to an answer.
+In what position do you think you are placing Lord Kitchener and myself?
+You come back with a totally fresh proposal, and do not say anything
+about ours. This is not fair treatment to the British Government, and we
+are not bound to take your proposal into consideration."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I have endeavoured to show that our reply really cannot
+be taken as ignoring the proposal of the British Government. The great
+question in the correspondence in April between us and the British
+Government was the question of independence; and now, after having
+consulted the nation, we come here and say that we are prepared to
+sacrifice in some degree our independence, and we indicate how far we
+will give it up. And, as General Smuts has said, that is the basis which
+we have laid down in our present proposal."
+
+Lord Milner: "You say that you give up your independence as regards
+foreign relations."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "Yes. But then you must understand that this is only a
+general principle, which we treat in detail later on."
+
+General Smuts: "The independence is given up both in regard to our
+foreign relations and in regard to interior administration, which will
+be placed under the supervision of the British Government. So that the
+effect of these two articles is, that the independence is sacrificed,
+and that the two Republics will not in the future be able to be regarded
+as Sovereign States."
+
+Lord Milner: "I understand perfectly well that they would not be
+Sovereign States any longer, but my intellect is not bright enough for
+me to be able to say what they really would be."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "They would be a new kind of 'international animal.'"
+
+General Smuts: "It has more than once happened in the course of history
+that difficulties have been solved by compromise. And this draft
+proposal goes as near as seems possible towards making us a Colony."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Do you accept the annexation?"
+
+General Smuts: "Not formally; but I do not see in what way this proposal
+is in opposition to the annexation proclamation."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I am afraid I am not clever enough to comprehend this.
+There would be two Governments in one State. And how do you imagine that
+this arrangement could be carried on?"
+
+General Smuts: "A more ample explanation will have to be given of the
+word 'supervision'; and I thought that this was just one of the points
+on which we could carry on further discussions and negotiations."
+
+Lord Milner: "I am certainly not going to give up an explicit basis for
+a vague proposal."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I feel convinced that your proposal would never be able
+to be carried out in the practical governing of a country."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I agree that our proposal has not been fully
+worked out, but neither have the Middelburg proposals. This was clearly
+indicated by Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner when these proposals were
+made, and they were only looked upon as a basis on which we could
+negotiate, so that the business might be begun. We naturally cannot
+compel the British Government to accept our proposal; but, at all
+events, it is a basis."
+
+Lord Milner: "I am very anxious that these discussions should not end in
+smoke, and I shall not allow any formalities to stand in the way, but to
+abandon the definite proposals of Middelburg (March 7th) for a thing
+like this, and to begin a fresh discussion on the basis of something
+which is so very vague will surely land us in trouble. I believe we are
+quite entitled to keep you to the Middelburg proposal, which we might
+modify in regard to details."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Perhaps it would be well if you would first
+give an answer to our proposals."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I think that (unless your Excellencies have
+power to give a final answer to our terms) it would not be unfair if we
+were to ask you to lay our proposal before your Government."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "We are come here with the earnest intention
+of concluding peace; and I think that if our proposal is carried out
+Boer and Briton will be able to live side by side in this country. I
+presume that it is the wish of both parties to be fair and just, and to
+make a peace by which both can abide, and which will be permanent in
+South Africa."
+
+Lord Milner: "That is certainly our aim."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Your proposal would involve important changes in our
+own--changes which, so far as I understand them, we should be unable to
+permit."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I am of opinion that before a proposal is
+made from your side you should give a definite answer to ours."
+
+Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner: "Well, then, change your proposal into
+ours."
+
+Lord Milner: "I do not believe that the British Government is prepared
+to go any further to meet you than they have done in their last
+proposal. They think that they have already gone far in their efforts
+for peace--further, indeed, than the general opinion of the British
+public would warrant."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "The difference between our proposals seems to be too
+great."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "We shall always remain under the supervision
+of the British Government."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Will you then consider yourselves British subjects?
+'Supervision' is a new word, and 'suzerainty' has already caused us too
+much trouble."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "The idea is not so very new. There are several kinds of
+different States, all belonging to the British Empire. For instance,
+there is Basutoland."
+
+Lord Milner: "There are many different kinds, but this one is a new
+variety."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "If your Excellencies could only understand us! We have
+no wish to lose a single minute. We have been to the nation, and we know
+what the nation wants and what their temper is. If, then, we are to make
+a proposal here, it must be:--Firstly, a proposal which shall meet the
+English Government in a fair way; and, secondly, a proposal which we are
+honestly convinced will be acceptable to our nation. And such a proposal
+we have laid before you. And now we are placed in a disadvantageous
+position, for we are here before your Excellencies, who have not full
+power finally to decide the matter."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "We are in the same position as yourselves."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "We offer you here what we know is in accordance with the
+mind of the nation; we cannot possibly do anything that is against it."
+
+Lord Milner: "Are we to understand that the Middelburg proposals are not
+according to the mind of your people?"
+
+General Smuts: "As yet no answer has been given to them. The only
+decision come to by the national meeting is that which we are now laying
+before you."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Are you prepared to set aside your present proposal and
+to hand in another one bearing a closer resemblance to that of
+Middelburg? We must try and find some middle course; and as we are here
+to endeavour to arrive at something definite, let us try to obtain a
+basis for discussion. Shall we make a new proposal?"
+
+General Smuts: "As soon as there is a final answer to our proposal we
+shall be able to take a fresh one into consideration."
+
+Lord Milner: "I believe that the fact that you have refused to enter
+upon the proposal made by the British Government justifies us in not
+considering your proposal. Let us rather say that your very refusal
+implies your answer to what we have proposed."
+
+General Smuts: "I understand the position to be as follows--The British
+Government has declined our proposals, and at the same time holds fast
+to the old basis, but without prejudice to its power of making a new
+proposal."
+
+Lord Milner: "The whole difference between you and myself is that I take
+the letter of 7th March to be the utmost concession that the British
+Government is able to grant; not that that letter binds us down to every
+clause of the proposal, but that it is an indication of how far our
+Government is prepared to go on the general question. Your answer,
+however, is no answer at all."
+
+Lord Kitchener then read his telegram, dated 14th April. ["A difficulty
+has arisen in getting on with the proceedings; the representatives state
+that constitutionally they have no power to discuss terms based on the
+surrender of independence, inasmuch as only the burghers can agree to
+such a basis. Therefore, if they were to propose terms, it would put
+them in a false position with regard to the people. If, however, His
+Majesty's Government could state the terms which, subsequently to a
+relinquishment of independence, they would be prepared to grant, the
+representatives, after asking for the necessary explanations, and
+without any expression of approval or disapproval, would submit such
+conditions to their people."] "Clearly you have not kept to what you
+undertook in this telegram."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "If it had only been a question of our
+feelings being hurt by having to give an answer on the basis proposed to
+us by the British then it would not have been necessary for the people
+to come together at Vereeniging. But in matter of fact we have come here
+with a proposal, which, rightly understood, is nearly equivocal to the
+Middelburg proposal, and which meets the wishes of the English
+Government as far as possible."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I do not see why we should insist so much on
+our proposal. If it is not to the mind of your Excellencies, if it is an
+unacceptable proposal, then let us have a definite answer to it."
+
+Lord Milner: "We wish to have an answer to the proposal made by us."
+
+General Smuts: "I do not see that any proposal has been made by the
+British Government. A certain basis only has been laid down, and
+therefore no formal answer is required."
+
+Lord Milner: "Our proposal is six times as definite as yours, and I
+believe that the British Government is justified in wanting to know if
+your people are inclined to come to terms on the general lines which
+have been placed before them."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Here is quite an original suggestion: How would it be
+if you were to go back to your people and ask them if they would not
+make a proposal?"
+
+General Smuts: "You must understand that the Middelburg proposal, with
+all that took place in April, has been read to the people. Their answer
+was neither 'Yes' nor 'No.' They simply elected the delegates. The
+delegates as yet have not given any answer. They are still considering
+the matter, and, in order to gain time, they have commissioned us to see
+whether we could not come to some arrangement."
+
+Lord Milner: "We are getting away from the subject. Tell us what
+alterations you want, and then place our proposal before your people."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Should you agree that your proposal is not in
+opposition to the annexation, we shall have accomplished something."
+
+General Smuts: "Is it your opinion that our proposal must be set aside?"
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Yes, surely. It is impossible for us to act on it."
+
+Lord Milner: "It is impossible for us to take your proposal into
+consideration. We can send it to England, but this would certainly tend
+to hinder the negotiations. This is my personal opinion, which naturally
+you are not bound to accept. All that we can say is, that this is the
+only answer that we can give you."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "It would be better to draw up a new document, in which
+everything of importance would be noted down, and all unimportant
+matters left out."
+
+General Smuts: "But paragraph 3 of our proposal has not even been
+mentioned. We are prepared to cede a part of our territory."
+
+Lord Milner: "This would be in contradiction to the annexation of the
+whole. If the _whole_ becomes annexed by us, how then can a _part_ be
+ceded by you?"
+
+General Smuts: "The ceded part would then become a Crown Colony, the
+remaining part being governed as is here proposed."
+
+Lord Milner: "You mean that one part would become a British Colony of
+the ordinary type, and another part a protected Republic?"
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Two forms of government in the same country would lead
+to great friction. Our proposals are too divergent. From a military
+point of view, the two forms of government could not co-exist. Before a
+year was over we should be at war again."
+
+The meeting was then adjourned till the afternoon.
+
+During the interval the Commission discussed the situation, and sent
+General J.C. Smuts to deliberate on several points with Lord Kitchener
+and Lord Milner.
+
+The meeting opened again at four o'clock.
+
+Lord Milner: "In consequence of an informal conversation with General
+Smuts, Lord Kitchener and I have drawn up a document, which will show
+the form in which, as we think, the only agreement that can be arrived
+at must be worded. It is a draft document, and we believe the
+Governments will be able to sign it. Our idea is that after it has been
+taken into consideration here it might be laid before the burghers, and
+you could ask them, 'Are you willing that we should put our signatures
+to it?'"
+
+This document ran as follows:--"The undersigned, leaders of the Boer
+forces in the Veldt, accepting, in their own name, and in that of the
+said burghers, the annexations as mentioned in the proclamations of Lord
+Roberts, dated respectively the 24th May, in the year of our Lord
+nineteen hundred, and number 15, dated 1st day of September, in the year
+of our Lord nineteen hundred, and accepting as a consequence thereof
+their status of British citizens, agree herewith immediately to lay down
+their weapons, and to hand over all guns, small arms, ammunition, and
+stores in their possession, or under their hold, and to cease all
+further resistance against the Government of His Majesty King Edward
+Seventh, or his successors. They do this trusting in the assurance of
+His Majesty's Government that neither their personal freedom nor their
+property shall be taken away from them, or from the burghers who
+surrender with them; and that the future action of His Majesty's
+Government in relation to the consequences of the war shall be in
+harmony with the declaration mentioned below. It is clearly understood
+that all burghers who at present are prisoners of war, in order to be
+able to enjoy the above-mentioned assurance, will have to notify their
+acceptance of the status of British citizens."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Are we to understand that our proposal is now
+altogether rejected?"
+
+Lord Milner and Lord Kitchener: "Yes."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Then I understand that you are going to be
+guided only by the Middelburg proposals?"
+
+Lord Kitchener: "No; we can alter them."
+
+Lord Milner: "This draft document was originally written out in order to
+be annexed to the Middelburg proposals. But instead of the Middelburg
+proposals, this document is now drawn up, in order to place us in the
+position to formulate the proposals differently."
+
+General Smuts: "If the idea is then that the Middelburg proposals should
+be amended, would it not be best to do so now, and then to annex them to
+this document?"
+
+Lord Milner: "That which will take the place of the Middelburg proposals
+has to be added as a schedule to this document, and we have to work out
+this schedule together."
+
+General Smuts: "I think it would be far better if you were to alter the
+proposal yourselves, and then lay it before us for consideration; we
+could then see what we could do to meet you."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I think that a sub-committee should be formed by you in
+order to draw up the schedule."
+
+Lord Milner: "My idea is that the schedule should be drawn up, so that
+it and the document could be taken into consideration together."
+
+General Smuts: "We should like to consider first whether we will help in
+drawing it up."
+
+Lord Milner: "I am willing to draw it up in conjunction with you, or to
+let it be drawn up by you alone, but, from past experience, I must
+decline to draw it up by myself."
+
+General Smuts: "If we were to sign this document, would not the outcome
+be that we leaders made ourselves responsible for the laying down of
+arms by our burghers."
+
+Lord Milner: "Yes. And should your men not lay down their arms it would
+be a great misfortune."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I do not think so, for if some of the burghers refused
+to lay down their arms, the signatories could not help it. There are
+sure to be some who are dissatisfied."
+
+General Smuts: "The document does not mention this."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "It can be amended."
+
+General De la Rey: "Well, then, there can be no peace, for one part of
+the burghers will hold back and continue the war."
+
+Lord Milner: "If the national meeting agrees to give you power to sign
+this document, it will certainly mean that the burghers as a whole are
+agreeable; and those who after this do not submit will be--well, I do
+not know what I can call them--outlaws. But we will not consider such
+an eventuality possible."
+
+General Botha: "We desire a peace that will be honourable to both
+parties. And, as I understand this document, we are leaving honour
+behind us, for we are now not only surrendering our independence, but we
+are allowing every burgher to be fettered hand and foot. Where is the
+'honourable peace' for us? If we conclude peace, we have to do it as men
+who have to live and die here. We must not agree to a peace which leaves
+behind in the hearts of one party a wound that will never heal. I will
+do everything in my power to obtain peace. But it seems to me that this
+document asks too much of us, because, if I interpret it aright, it
+means that we must surrender our independence, that every one must give
+up his weapons, and that the leaders, in addition, must sign an
+undertaking to this effect."
+
+Lord Milner: "All that we wish is that the people should live peacefully
+together as British citizens. If we do not obtain this, then I do not
+know what we do obtain."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I do not think that the Commandant-General realizes
+what the schedule contains. In it we state what we are ready to grant.
+Perhaps it would be best that the schedule should be arranged now, and
+then you will see that an honourable peace is proposed."
+
+General Botha: "Well, then, explain the document."
+
+Lords Kitchener and Milner: "You are to help us: we do not know what the
+burghers demand."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "By signing this document we shall place
+ourselves in the position which the Commandant-General has so clearly
+described."
+
+General De la Rey: "We cannot form a judgment on anything that is not
+properly elaborated. I have no objection to the constitution of a
+sub-committee with the duty of helping in the work."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I also have no objection, since I understand
+that it binds nobody to anything."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "No, nobody will be bound."
+
+General De la Rey: "We wish to have the matter concluded, so that we may
+know what is before us."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I should like to have it clearly understood
+that I do not think there is the least chance of a Government of which
+Lords Kitchener and Milner are the heads being accepted. An arrangement
+of this nature would, it seems to me, be an insurmountable difficulty.
+When I feel so strongly in this matter, it would not be fair to their
+Excellencies for me to remain silent."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I think it would be better if General de Wet were to
+wait until he has seen the whole document before he gives his opinion."
+
+It was then agreed that Judge Hertzog and General Smuts should act as a
+sub-committee, in order to draw up a complete draft with Lord Kitchener,
+who was to be assisted by Sir Richard Solomon.
+
+The meeting then adjourned.
+
+On Wednesday, 21st May, 1902, the Conference reassembled.
+
+Lord Milner laid before the meeting the documents which he had drawn up
+with the help of the sub-committee. It was in the form of a contract,
+and the names of the members of both Governments were now filled in. The
+document was the same as that telegraphed, with the exception of Article
+11, dealing with the notes and receipts and the sum of three million
+pounds.
+
+It was read in Dutch and English, and ran as follows:--
+
+"General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Commander-in-Chief, and His
+Excellency Lord Milner, High Commissioner, on behalf of the British
+Government;
+
+"Messrs. S.D. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Louis Botha, J.H. De la Rey, L.J.
+Meijer, and J.C. Krogh, on behalf of the Government of the South African
+Republic and its burghers;
+
+"Messrs. M.T. Steyn, W.J.C. Brebner, C.R. de Wet, J.B.M. Hertzog, and
+C.H. Olivier, on behalf of the Government of the Orange Free State and
+its burghers, being anxious to put an end to the existing hostilities,
+agree on the following points:--
+
+"Firstly, the burgher forces now in the Veldt shall at once lay down
+their arms, and surrender all the guns, small arms and war stores in
+their actual possession, or of which they have cognizance; and shall
+refrain from any further opposition to the authority of His Majesty King
+Edward VII., whom they acknowledge as their lawful sovereign.
+
+"The manner and details of this surrender shall be arranged by Lord
+Kitchener, Commandant-General Botha, Assistant-Commandant-General J.H.
+De la Rey, and Commander-in-Chief de Wet.
+
+"Secondly, burghers in the Veldt beyond the frontiers of the Transvaal
+and of the Orange River Colony shall, on their surrender, be brought
+back to their homes.
+
+"Thirdly, all prisoners of war, being at the time burghers out of South
+Africa, shall, on their declaring that they accept this status of
+subjects of His Majesty King Edward VII., be brought back to the farms
+on which they were living before the war.
+
+"Fourthly, the burghers who thus surrender, or who thus return, shall
+lose neither their personal freedom nor their property.
+
+"Fifthly, no judicial proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be taken
+against any of the burghers who thus return for any action of theirs in
+connexion with the carrying on of the war.
+
+"Sixthly, the Dutch language shall be taught in the public schools of
+the Transvaal and of the Orange River Colony, where the parents of the
+children demand it; and shall be admitted in the courts of justice,
+wherever this is required for the better and more effective
+administration of justice.
+
+"Seventhly, the possession of rifles shall, on taking out a license in
+accordance with the law, be permitted in the Transvaal and in the Orange
+River Colony, to persons who require them for their protection.
+
+"Eighthly, military administration in the Transvaal and in the Orange
+River Colony shall, as soon as possible, be followed by civil
+government; and, as soon as circumstances permit it, a representative
+system tending towards autonomy shall be introduced.
+
+"Ninthly, the question of granting the franchise to the natives shall
+not be decided until a representative constitution has been granted.
+
+"Tenthly, no special tax shall be laid on landed property in the
+Transvaal and Orange River Colony to meet the expenses of the war.
+
+"Eleventhly, a judicial Commission shall be appointed, to which the
+government bank notes, issued under Law No. 1 of the South African
+Republic, may be presented within six months. All such notes, if found
+to have been duly issued in conformity with the terms of the law, and if
+the presenting party shall have given consideration in value, shall be
+honoured, but without interest.
+
+"All receipts issued in the Veldt by the officers of the late Republics,
+or by their orders, may also be presented to the said Commission within
+six months; and if they have been given _bona fide_ in exchange for
+goods used by the burghers in the Veldt, they shall be paid in full to
+the persons to whom they were originally issued.
+
+"The amount payable on account of the said Government's notes and
+receipts shall not exceed Ł3,000,000; and in case the whole amount of
+such notes and receipts accepted by the Commission should exceed that
+amount, a _pro rata_ reduction shall be made.
+
+"The prisoners of war shall be given facilities to present their notes
+and receipts within the above-mentioned six months.
+
+"Twelfthly, as soon as circumstances shall permit, there shall be
+appointed in each district of the Transvaal and of the Orange River
+Colony a Commission, in which the inhabitants of that district shall be
+represented, under the chairmanship of a magistrate or other official,
+with a view to assist in the bringing back of the people to their farms,
+and in procuring for those who, on account of losses through the war,
+are unable to provide for themselves, food, shelter, and such quantities
+of seed, cattle, implements, etc., as are necessary for the resuming of
+their previous callings. Funds for this purpose, repayable by
+instalments extending over a number of years, shall be advanced--free of
+interest--by the Government."
+
+Lord Milner: "If we come to an agreement, it will be the _English_
+document which will be wired to England, on which His Majesty's
+Government will decide, and which will be signed."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Will not a Dutch translation be annexed?"
+
+Lord Milner: "I have no objection to the addition of a Dutch
+translation. This, then, is the document which we are prepared to lay
+before the English Government."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "There are a few points on which I wish to
+speak. The first is in reference to the receipts given by our officers.
+It seems to me quite right that they should be mentioned in the
+paragraph about government notes. These receipts were issued, in
+accordance with instructions given by our Government, for the purchase
+of cattle, grain, and other necessaries for the support of our
+commandos; and the chief officers now present, as well as all other
+officers, have acted according to these instructions and issued
+receipts. Therefore I make this request. Some of these receipts were
+afterwards paid in part, and others in full, in government notes. But
+many were not paid at all. I do not believe that the amount is great,
+but it will strengthen our hands to be able to take up this affair
+honourably, for our honour is concerned in so far as we have signed the
+receipts. It will be a great point in our favour to be able to go before
+our delegates and tell them that they are guaranteed on this point, for
+most of them are officers."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I understand that General Botha refers not to
+commandeer or requisition notes, but only to actual receipts issued on
+the Treasury."
+
+Lord Milner: "I do not see any difference between these receipts and
+commandeer notes. The willingness of persons to sell goods makes no
+difference in a legal document."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I mean that it makes a difference whether it is an
+order on the Treasury or a requisition note. I should limit this
+(guarantee) to receipts on the Treasury, issued in consequence of a law
+that permitted a certain sum to be issued."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "No decision was come to in the Free State as
+to how much was to be issued."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Am I to understand by this that it is an unlimited
+amount, or does it come within the amount decided on by the Volksraad?"
+
+General Smuts: "While the Government existed the Volksraad empowered it
+to issue notes up to a certain amount. And this was done. Moreover the
+officers in the Veldt had the right to make purchases for the commandos
+and to give receipts for them."
+
+Lord Milner: "I can see no difference between receipts and requisition
+notes, and they have been issued for an unlimited amount."
+
+General Smuts: "These receipts were issued under a totally different
+law. They were not paid out of the credit voted by the Volksraad."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I would have it clearly understood that I
+quite agree with what has been said by the Commandant-General, namely
+that the honour of every officer is engaged for these documents, and if
+your Excellencies agree it will give us a strong weapon with which to
+return to the delegates."
+
+Lord Milner: "The proposal is _de facto_ that the British Government
+shall repay all the monies which the Republics borrowed with the object
+of fighting against England."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "Yet we have fought honourably, and if we
+give up our independence it is no more than fair that you should meet us
+in this matter."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Am I to understand your position to be that
+we must surrender everything, and that whilst you take away the freedom
+of our country (which amounts to many millions) you at the same time
+refuse all responsibility for our debts. We had been recognized by you
+as belligerent, and so are entirely in our rights in asking that when
+you seize the riches of the country you shall also take its debts upon
+your shoulders. So long as the British Government reaches the great goal
+at which it is aiming, a matter so easily arranged as this should not
+cause any difficulty: we are not bickering about trifles, but are
+bringing forward what to us is a real hardship, and you must take it for
+granted that when we say something here we really mean it. And now we
+tell you that this matter is an obstacle in our way. Personally, we
+have not signed many receipts: it was the officers of lower rank who
+signed the greater number, and it is these very officers who form the
+majority of the national meeting at Vereeniging. In some instances, I
+may add, special persons were appointed for the purpose of carrying out
+this work."
+
+Lord Milner: "We do not take over the assets without taking also the
+liabilities. We take over all the debts owed by the country before the
+war, and we have even agreed to take over a debt--a legal debt--in the
+shape of notes, which notes we are fully aware it only became necessary
+to issue on account of the war, and thus we are already paying a part of
+the cost incurred in fighting us. I think this is a very great
+concession; and when I agreed that it should be put down I said that I
+believed (and I still am of the same opinion) that the English
+Government would take exception to it, although I hope that this will
+not be the case. But to go further than this, and to ask us to pay not
+only a debt contracted under a law for the furtherance of the war, but
+also every debt contracted by every officer in the armies of both
+Republics, for the purpose of fighting us, is to my mind a most
+extravagant proposal. In answer to what General Botha has said, I may
+observe that the Commission appears to think that we have no persons
+behind us whose feelings and prejudices (if you use that word) we are
+bound to take into consideration. If this matter causes a difficulty
+among your burghers, I can only say that I am sure that your proposal
+will cause the British Government the greatest trouble when dealing with
+the nation, with whose feelings they have to reckon."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I should like to explain the position of the
+Orange Free State. In the Transvaal a law was passed empowering the
+Government to issue Ł1,000,000; but in the Orange Free State nothing was
+done, as the Government possessed the right to pay with receipts, and we
+thought that a receipt was as good and as legal as a note; and
+therefore, from my point of view, the two are of equal importance."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I might point out that we should not insist
+so much on the technical meaning of words--and this is especially true
+for your side, because we have assembled here with the aim of stopping
+the hostilities which cause you such great expenses every month; and our
+meeting may be able to bring these expenses to an end. Therefore, if you
+accept our proposal and pay these receipts, you might save almost enough
+to cover the cost you incur. It would be much cheaper to make an end of
+the war by co-operation than to let matters drift on. Therefore I
+believe that it is the duty of both parties to be willing to make
+concessions when obstacles appear."
+
+General de Wet: "I can assure His Excellency, Lord Milner, that the
+people always believed that should everything be lost they still would
+be able to obtain this money due on receipts. If this is not granted, I
+cannot imagine what the results will be. I am afraid of the
+consequences; and I trust that you will do your best to meet our
+wishes."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "It will not be a very large sum, but we
+cannot give you the exact amount."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "You can well understand that our expenses
+are only a drop in the ocean compared with yours. If I am right, the
+Orange Free State had three quarters of a million when the war began,
+and the issue of receipts only started when that sum was exhausted. Your
+Excellencies must acknowledge that we have the same obligation of
+creditor through these receipts as we should have in any other case."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "You have already many of our notes in your
+possession. In one case alone there were fifty thousand hidden away, and
+found by you. I have stated privately to Lord Milner that what we are
+now striving to obtain has already been granted to us _de facto_ by Lord
+Kitchener. In Lord Kitchener's Middelburg proposal the paying of the
+Government notes was refused, but there was a proviso that the receipts
+should be paid to the amount of one million. Should this now be
+withdrawn, surely such a withdrawal would form a deviation from the
+Middelburg proposal. The paying of notes is legal, and is on quite
+another footing, and I cannot understand how it could have been refused
+in the Middelburg proposal. That it should be granted now is only
+reasonable. But as regards the payment of receipts, although it was
+allowed then up to a certain amount, it is now withdrawn. At this
+present stage of the proceedings I think that a point which had already
+been practically conceded in the previous negotiations should not be
+allowed to form a stumbling-block to a final agreement. I believe that
+the amount is only small; I was for one year in conjunction with De la
+Rey in command of the forces of the South African Republic. During that
+period of time an account was kept of all the receipts, and only a short
+time back the books were still in our possession. These receipts were
+issued in an orderly manner, and each of them was duly entered in a
+book, as far as I was able to judge. These receipts amounted to quite a
+small sum; and although Lord Milner would draw back if the sum was very
+big, the question how far he will go can be settled when the proposal is
+accepted. Yet I personally think that there are no grounds for fear, and
+the amount is really far smaller than you imagine."
+
+Lord Milner: "I do not think it is so much a question of amount. This
+paying of notes and requisition notes appears to me very unreasonable. I
+believe that in this matter I am only voicing the opinion of the great
+majority of the British nation when I say that my countrymen would much
+prefer to pay a large sum at the conclusion of hostilities with the
+object of bettering the condition of the people who have been fighting
+against them than to pay a much smaller sum to meet the costs incurred
+by the Republics during the war. Whether such a view is right or wrong,
+it is a view you have to reckon with. We do not wish to pay the accounts
+of both parties; and my opinion of the clause quoted from the Middelburg
+proposal is that that clause was one of its faults. But should anything
+of the kind become necessary, then I think that the paying of the notes
+is less objectionable than the paying of the requisition notes. I placed
+this point about the payment of notes in the draft because I thought
+that if it came to a choice between paying one or the other you would
+prefer that the notes should be paid. However, if it should be thought
+better to return on this point to the Middelburg proposal, although I am
+greatly against the clause, I will waive my objection to it if Lord
+Kitchener is agreeable."
+
+General Smuts: "I am afraid that we cannot agree to this, for we thought
+that the notes would be beyond all dispute."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I do not think that your Excellency is representing the
+matter fairly when you say that you will not pay the bills of both
+parties. There is one thing to be taken into consideration as regards
+the Orange Free State, and which must be considered before everything
+else, and that is, that we have made no loans nor have we given any
+government notes. The notes we used were notes of the South African
+Republic, which had been sent to the Orange Free State. Our law was
+formed on the idea that in case of war all the costs should be paid by
+commission notes. The Orange Free State acted on this principle, and
+receipts were issued. If we take into consideration at the same time
+that we have been and still are recognized by you as belligerent, then
+we can only say: On our side we surrender everything that we possess,
+and we only ask the other party to acknowledge the fact that if we had
+contracted a loan it would have been to the charge of the British
+Government, who, in taking everything from us, renders itself
+responsible for our public loans. Lord Milner should understand that it
+is of just as much importance to us for the receipts to be paid as it is
+to the South African Republic for the loan, which it contracted before
+the war, to be taken over by the British Government. But I can even go
+further and give Lord Milner the assurance that we have acted more
+economically when issuing these receipts than we should have done had we
+contracted the loan previous to the war. Now we have only what is
+absolutely necessary to meet our present needs. So that Lord Milner must
+own that we find ourselves in the same position towards those who are in
+possession of receipts, as we should have occupied towards any other
+creditor we might have had before the war began. I must give my support
+to what the Commandant-General has said; and I can only repeat what I
+have already informally told Lord Milner, namely, that this difficulty
+is almost insurmountable."
+
+Lord Milner: "We can refer this to our Government. But your proposal is
+altogether antagonistic to the Middelburg proposal, which absolutely
+rejected the idea of taking over all the debts of the two States."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I should like to know the amount."
+
+General De la Rey: "My issue of notes amounts to between twenty and
+fifty thousand pounds; but I cannot say what the issue in receipt has
+been."
+
+Lord Milner: "There really is a feasible compromise, namely, to allow
+the notes and receipts to come in and to establish the suggested limit
+of Ł1,000,000."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Would that meet your difficulty?"
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "No."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Well, would two or three million be sufficient? We must
+have a limit before we can do anything."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "It is impossible to stipulate the amount."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "If you were in a position to give a limit, it would
+simplify matters."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I agree with that entirely, and I can quite
+understand the position in which you are placed. Yet it is absolutely
+impossible to assign an amount. Will you give us your permission to
+adjourn for a moment in order to discuss the matter?"
+
+The meeting was then adjourned. It reassembled at 2.30 p.m.
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "We have agreed to fix on a sum of Ł3,000,000
+for the government notes and receipts; their amount paid _pro rata_ can
+be lowered should this sum prove insufficient. We have drawn up an
+article to lay before the meeting."
+
+General Smuts then read a draft which was inserted at the end of Article
+11 in the draft agreement.
+
+In answer to a question by Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+said: "The prisoners of war on the different islands who are in
+possession of such notes should be given an opportunity of sending them
+in for payment."
+
+Lord Milner: "What is the next point you wish to raise? We now
+understand what your position is."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Am I to understand that you mean that we are
+getting away from the point in discussion?"
+
+Lord Milner: "This document contains your view of the matter, so we are
+now aware of your idea."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "We must know what to say to the delegates."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Is this the only point you wish to bring forward, or
+are there others in addition?"
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "There is another concerning the protection of
+debtors, which is a vital question for us."
+
+Lord Milner: "We must not have any beating about the bush. Everything
+must appear in the document."
+
+General Smuts: "Most of the debts contracted before the war will have to
+be paid after the war; and if the debtors cannot pay we are afraid that
+it will result in the ruin of a great part of the inhabitants. We should
+like to see steps taken to prevent this. If Lord Milner intends to take
+such steps, we should like to be informed what they are."
+
+Lord Milner: "I think it would be best if you were to make a proposal on
+this point."
+
+General Smuts: "Our proposal is roughly that all interest which became
+payable during the war should be joined to the principal, and that this
+should be payable six months after the war."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Is it necessary to make a proposal about this?"
+
+General Smuts: "If the Government is prepared to meet us in this
+difficulty it will be unnecessary to place a formal clause in the draft
+agreement."
+
+Lord Milner: "As I look at the matter, the Government is making certain
+promises in this document, and I consider that all promises to which a
+reference may be made later should appear in it. Everything to which the
+Government is asked to bind itself should appear in this document, and
+nothing else. I do not object to clauses being added, but I wish to
+prevent any possible misunderstanding."
+
+General Smuts: "Well, in that case we are quite willing to propose such
+a paragraph."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "We waive this question, so that early
+measures may be taken to arrive at an understanding. In case a great
+number of the inhabitants become subjects of His Majesty, it is to every
+one's interest, and principally to that of the Government, that these
+people should not be ruined. They will be thrown upon the mercy of a
+Government, whose duty it is to study their interests. If steps are not
+taken to prevent it, speculators who have been buying up the liabilities
+will, as soon as peace is concluded, enforce them, and directly the
+Courts of Justice are opened they will issue summonses. Against this we
+have to be on our guard."
+
+Lord Milner: "I agree with the Commandant-General. I think that as these
+people become subjects of His Majesty, then some provision will have to
+be made for them. But I believe it to be neither necessary nor advisable
+to point out in every particular case the way in which His Majesty's
+Government has to provide for these people. I think that an idea
+exists--perhaps it is a very natural idea--because we have been fighting
+against the burghers that, therefore, after peace has been concluded we
+shall still retain a feeling of enmity against them. Just the opposite,
+however, is the truth. Our endeavour will naturally be, from the moment
+hostilities cease, to gain the confidence of the people and to do our
+best to promote their welfare. But if we have to bind ourselves
+beforehand in regard to the manner in which we shall deal with all sorts
+of involved legal questions, further misunderstandings are certain to
+occur. If you have not confidence in us--that we shall try to be a
+righteous Government, and to maintain the balance between the different
+classes of His Majesty's subjects--then you must put in writing every
+point that strikes you, and let them be laid before His Majesty's
+Government, to see what they think about them."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I trust that you will not think that we are
+trying to tie the hands of His Majesty's Government. There are many
+other points which will give the Government opportunity to win the
+confidence of the people. But about things which concern the financial
+position of burghers who are entirely ruined we feel it our duty to
+obtain definite promises. They will be a weapon in our hands when we
+return to the delegates."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I do not quite understand, Lord Milner. I did
+not interpret Mr. Chamberlain's telegram in the sense that we had to
+present new proposals in order to bind our hands further. I thought that
+proposals were to be made with a view to establishing peace."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I do not think that it is altogether necessary to
+include this proposal in the document. It concerns the very involved
+legal questions as to what the rights of creditor and debtor shall be,
+and as to what the law in the Transvaal may be on the matter. I think
+that every one can rest assured that the interests of the Boers will be
+protected by the Government in every way; and this, whether the point is
+put down now or left in the hands of the Government with the
+recommendation from this Commission to take the matter into serious
+consideration.
+
+"I think that I know of a better way to deal with this involved
+question. Let this matter be brought under the consideration of the
+Government. I may be mistaken, but, as far as I can see, it will prove a
+very thorny question for the lawyers, and will take a long time before
+it can be clearly stated. It is, however, the wish of us all that you
+should return to the delegates equipped in such a way that you will be
+able to arrive at a decision. You may rest assured that the matter which
+you have brought before us has been included in the minutes of this
+meeting. I do not think that it is necessary for you to go further than
+this. The matter can now be carefully considered, not only here, but
+also in England; and you may be quite sure that your interests will
+receive, in every way, full consideration."
+
+General De la Rey: "I think that the matter has been sufficiently
+discussed in the presence of your Excellencies, and that it need not be
+placed in the draft contract, for by so doing one might stumble on legal
+questions."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "This is my point of view: There are two
+parties, and one of them is about to cease to exist. It is, therefore,
+natural that this party cannot allow a vital question to pass unnoticed.
+It is for this reason that I cannot agree that this matter should be
+omitted from the draft contract. It will not be necessary that the
+military Government which now exists should continue after the war."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "But the question will have to be settled by the Civil
+Government. It is a matter for lawyers, and must be laid before them,
+and will require much consideration."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "When hostilities are concluded it will be
+possible to summon a burgher for a debt contracted before the war. I put
+this request because our law states that no burgher can be summoned till
+sixty days have elapsed since the conclusion of peace."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "You may entirely rely upon this, that whenever the war
+is over each burgher will have the absolute right to obtain
+consideration for his position in every way, and that his interests will
+be protected under the new as under the old régime."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I understand that perfectly. But the
+possibility exists that syndicates may be formed to buy up all the
+debts, and the people may be ruined before a single burgher is in the
+position to earn anything or to have his position restored."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I quite agree with what the Commandant-General has
+said, and he is quite right to bring the question up. Yet I do not think
+that the draft contract is the best place in which to bring it forward.
+Once peace is a fact, then it will be the duty of every one to draw the
+attention of the Government to what is required to aid the nation; but
+to bring up difficulties at the present moment, and to attempt to right
+them, seems to be an endless task, and one for which this document was
+not destined."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I am of opinion that this is a matter which
+should be settled by a proclamation; but I want to have as many weapons
+as possible in my hands when I return to the national delegates, and one
+of the first questions that will be asked me is this, 'What guarantee do
+we possess that we shall not be ruined by our creditors?' It would not
+be much trouble to you to give us now a draft of the proclamation which
+would be issued as soon as peace is concluded."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "But this would be something quite apart from the matter
+under discussion."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "Yes."
+
+Lord Milner: "What is the good then?"
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "It is such a vital question for us that you
+cannot take it amiss if we insist upon it, for we have to give up
+everything."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Of course, no one is blaming you."
+
+Lord Milner: "But without any thought of blame, I must point out that
+the effect of their proposal would be that another clause would have to
+be inserted in the draft contract, undertaking that such a proclamation
+would be issued."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I think that as long as the delegates receive an
+assurance that the Government will take this matter into consideration,
+in the interests of their subjects, whom they are bound to protect, that
+such an assurance ought to suffice. There should be no written
+undertaking, but only a promise that the matter shall receive attention.
+It is not advisable after the subject has been brought before the
+Government to press the matter further. The feelings of the burghers,
+moreover, in other ways than this, will be brought before Lord Milner."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "If we wished to do so, we could insist upon
+many other little points, but we only bring up vital questions."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "This is one of the questions which, when once brought
+under the consideration of the Government cannot be put aside; and you
+may tell the burghers that their interests will be protected as fully as
+is possible. I think that, in so complicated a matter, this ought to be
+sufficient for them. All that is debated here is recorded in the
+minutes, and these minutes will be considered not only here, but also in
+England. Are you satisfied with this?"
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Yes, so far as I am concerned."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I also am satisfied."
+
+Lord Milner: "I hope it is quite understood that if the matter is
+allowed to remain where it is, my Government will be under no obligation
+to treat the matter in any particular way."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "But there is a pledge that the matter will be properly
+considered."
+
+Lord Milner: "Yes, naturally; if we put anything down in writing. I am
+convinced that it is necessary to make it quite clear that this document
+must contain everything about which there is anything in the form of a
+pledge."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "There is, then, a pledge that the point upon which you
+have touched will be considered in your interests."
+
+General Smuts: "There still remains the question of the payment of
+receipts."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "That will be placed before the Government. The sum is
+an essential point; I believe the amount to be considerable. I should
+now like to know that it is understood that we are agreed about all
+these draft proposals, including your amendments, and that there are no
+further questions to be brought forward--it is necessary to know this,
+as they would have to be telegraphed to England."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "We have no further points to raise."
+
+Lord Milner: "The telegram that I shall despatch is as follows:
+
+     'The Commission is prepared to lay before their burgher meeting the
+     following document (in the event of it being sanctioned by His
+     Majesty's Government), and to ask of the meeting a "Yes" or "No."'
+
+"Is that satisfactory?"
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "Yes, naturally. Only I cannot say that this
+document has my approval. Yet I shall be content to abide by the
+decision of the delegates."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I should not like to think that we are bound to use our
+influence with the delegates."
+
+Lord Milner: "I think that is understood. I understand that the members
+of the Commission are not bound in respect of the opinions they may
+express before the burghers. They are only bound, if the British
+Government approves of the document, to lay it before the people. I
+propose to send the following telegram:
+
+     'The Commission is prepared to lay the following document before
+     the burgher meeting at Vereeniging, for a "Yes" or "No" vote, in
+     the event of His Majesty's Government approving of it.'
+
+"I want also to state that we have completely deviated from the
+Middelburg proposal. I believe everyone is fully aware that the
+Middelburg proposal has been annulled altogether. Should an agreement be
+arranged in conformity with this document, and signed, then no attempt
+must be made to explain the document, or its terms, by anything in the
+Middelburg proposal."
+
+The meeting was now adjourned.
+
+
+WEDNESDAY, MAY 28TH, 1902.
+
+The Commission met Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner at eleven o'clock with
+the purpose of hearing the British Government's answer to the draft
+proposal sent by their Lordships.
+
+Lord Milner read the following memorandum:
+
+"In answer to the telegram composed at our last meeting with the consent
+of the Commission and of which the members have received a copy, the
+following message has been received from His Majesty's Government:--
+
+'His Majesty's Government sanctions the laying before the meeting for a
+"Yes" or "No" vote the document drawn up by the Commission and sent by
+Lord Kitchener on the 21st May to the Secretary of War, with the
+following amendments:
+
+'The final proposal made by the British Government, on which the
+national representatives at Vereeniging have to answer "Yes" or "No."
+
+'General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Commander-in-Chief, and His
+Excellency Lord Milner, High Commissioner, on behalf of the British
+Government;
+
+'Messrs. S.W. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Louis Botha, J.H. De la Rey, L.J.
+Meijer, and J.C. Krogh on behalf of the Government of the South African
+Republic and its burghers;
+
+'Messrs. M.T. Steyn, W.J.C. Brebner, C.R. de Wet, J.B.M. Hertzog, and
+C.H. Olivier on behalf of the Government of the Orange Free State and
+its burghers, being anxious to put an end to the existing hostilities,
+agree on the following points:
+
+'Firstly, the burgher forces now in the Veldt shall at once lay down
+their arms, and surrender all the guns, small arms, and war stores in
+their actual possession, or of which they have cognizance, and shall
+abstain from any further opposition to the authority of His Majesty King
+Edward VII., whom they acknowledge as their lawful sovereign.
+
+'The manner and details of this surrender shall be arranged by Lord
+Kitchener, Commandant-General Botha, Assistant-Commandant-General J.H.
+De la Rey, and Commander-in-Chief de Wet.
+
+'Secondly, burghers in the Veldt beyond the frontiers of the Transvaal
+and of the Orange River Colony, and all prisoners of war who are out of
+South Africa, who are burghers, shall, on their declaration that they
+accept the status of subjects of His Majesty King Edward VII., be
+brought back to their homes, as soon as transport and means of
+subsistence can be assured.
+
+'Thirdly, the burghers who thus surrender, or who thus return, shall
+lose neither their personal freedom nor their property.
+
+'Fourthly, no judicial proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be taken
+against any of the burghers who thus return for any action in connexion
+with the carrying on of the war. The benefit of this clause shall,
+however, not extend to certain deeds antagonistic to the usages of
+warfare, which have been communicated by the Commander-in-Chief to the
+Boer Generals, and which shall be heard before a court martial
+immediately after the cessation of hostilities.
+
+'Fifthly, the Dutch language shall be taught in the public schools of
+the Transvaal and of the Orange River Colony when the parents of
+children demand it; and shall be admitted in the Courts of Justice,
+whenever this is required for the better and more effective
+administration of justice.
+
+'Sixthly, the possession of rifles shall, on taking out a licence in
+accordance with the law, be permitted in the Transvaal and the Orange
+River Colony to persons who require them for their protection.
+
+'Seventhly, military administration in the Transvaal and in the Orange
+River Colony shall, as soon as it is possible, be followed by civil
+government; and, as soon as circumstances permit it, a representative
+system tending towards autonomy shall be introduced.
+
+'Eighthly, the question of granting a franchise to the native shall not
+be decided until a representative constitution has been granted.
+
+'Ninthly, no special tax shall be laid on landed property in the
+Transvaal and Orange River Colony, to meet the expenses of the war.
+
+'Tenthly, as soon as circumstances permit there shall be appointed in
+each district in the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony a Commission,
+in which the inhabitants of that district shall be represented, under
+the chairmanship of a magistrate or other official, with the view to
+assist in the bringing back of the people to their farms, and in
+procuring for those who, on account of losses in the war are unable to
+provide for themselves, food, shelter, and such quantities of seed,
+cattle, implements, etc., as are necessary for the resuming of their
+previous callings.
+
+'His Majesty's Government shall place at the disposal of these
+Commissions the sum of Ł3,000,000 for the above-mentioned purposes, and
+shall allow that all notes issued in conformity with Law No. 1, 1900, of
+the Government of the South African Republic, and all receipts given by
+the officers in the Veldt of the late Republics, or by their order, may
+be presented to a judicial Commission by the Government, and in case
+such notes and receipts are found by this Commission to have been duly
+issued for consideration in value, then they shall be accepted by the
+said Commission as proof of war losses, suffered by the persons to whom
+they had originally been given. In addition to the above-named free gift
+of Ł3,000,000, His Majesty's Government will be prepared to grant
+advances, in the shape of loans, for the same ends, free of interest for
+two years, and afterwards repayable over a period of years with three
+per cent. interest. No foreigner or rebel shall be entitled to benefit
+by this clause.'
+
+Lord Milner: "In making this communication to the Commission we are
+instructed to add that if this opportunity of concluding an honourable
+peace is not taken advantage of within a time to be fixed by us, then
+this conference shall be regarded as closed, and His Majesty's
+Government shall not be bound in any way by the present terms. I have,
+in order that there may be no mistake about these terms, made a copy of
+the documents and of Lord Kitchener's telegram, also of the amendments
+and additions determined on by His Majesty's Government, and of the
+memorandum to which I have just drawn your attention."
+
+A debate now followed on the time that should be allowed for the
+discussion of the proposals at Vereeniging, and it was agreed that
+Commandant-General Botha should propose a term that very day before the
+Commission left Pretoria.
+
+It was subsequently settled that the delegates must arrive at a decision
+before Saturday evening, May 31st.
+
+General Botha asked if there were any objection to the delegates erasing
+any paragraph of the proposal sent by the British Government.
+
+Lord Milner: "There must be no alteration. Only 'Yes' or 'No' is to be
+answered."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I think that the burghers have the right to
+erase any article they may wish, for they have the right to surrender
+unconditionally."
+
+Lord Milner replied that the burghers certainly had the power to do so,
+but the document of the British Government could not be changed.
+
+There now followed an informal discussion about the colonists who had
+been fighting on the side of the Republics.
+
+Lord Milner communicated what the British Government's intentions were
+with regard to these colonists; and read the following document:--
+
+"His Majesty's Government has to formally place on record that the
+colonists of Natal and the Cape Colony who have been engaged in fighting
+and who now surrender shall, on their return, be dealt with by the
+Colonial Governments in accordance with the laws of the Colonies, and
+that all British subjects who have joined the enemy shall be liable to
+be tried under the law of that part of the British Empire to which they
+belong.
+
+"His Majesty's Government has received from the Government of Cape
+Colony a statement of their opinion as regards the terms to be offered
+to British subjects of the Cape Colony who are still in the Veldt or who
+have surrendered since April 12th, 1901. The terms are as follows:--In
+regard to the burghers, they all, on their surrender, after having laid
+down their arms, shall sign a document before a resident magistrate of
+the district in which their surrender has taken place, in which document
+they shall declare themselves guilty of high treason; and their
+punishment, in the event of their not having been guilty of murder, or
+of other deeds in contradiction to the customs of civilized warfare,
+shall be that for the rest of their lives they shall not be registered
+as voters, nor shall they be able to vote in Parliamentary, district, or
+municipal elections. As regards justices and veldtcornets of the Cape
+Colony, and all other persons who had occupied official positions under
+the Government of Cape Colony, and all who held the rank of commandant
+in the rebel or burgher forces, they shall be brought on the charge of
+high treason before the ordinary Courts of the country, or before such
+special Courts as later on may legally be constituted. The punishment
+for their misdeeds shall be left to the discretion of the Court, with
+this reservation, that in no case shall capital punishment be inflicted.
+
+"The Government of Natal is of opinion that the rebels should be judged
+by the laws of the Colony."
+
+The meeting now adjourned.
+
+The secretaries and Messrs. de Wet and J. Ferreira, with the help of
+lawyers, set themselves the task of making copies of the proposal of the
+British Government for the use of the national representatives at
+Vereeniging. This work kept them engaged until the evening.
+
+At seven o'clock the Commission left Pretoria and returned to
+Vereeniging.
+
+
+THE MIDDELBURG PROPOSAL.
+
+     LORD KITCHENER TO COMMANDANT-GENERAL BOTHA.
+
+     PRETORIA, _March 7, 1901_.
+
+     YOUR HONOUR,--
+
+     With reference to our conversation at Middelburg on the 28th
+     February, I have the honour to inform you that, in the event of a
+     general and complete cessation of hostilities, and the surrender of
+     all rifles, ammunition, cannon and other munitions of war in the
+     hands of the burghers, or in Government depots, or elsewhere, His
+     Majesty's Government is prepared to adopt the following measures.
+
+     His Majesty's Government will at once grant an amnesty in the
+     Transvaal and Orange River Colony for all _bonâ fide_ acts of war
+     committed during the recent hostilities. British subjects belonging
+     to Natal and Cape Colony, while they will not be compelled to
+     return to those Colonies, will, if they do so, be liable to be
+     dealt with by the laws of those Colonies specially passed to meet
+     the circumstances arising out of the present war. As you are
+     doubtless aware, the special law in the Cape Colony has greatly
+     mitigated the ordinary penalties for high treason in the present
+     case.
+
+     All prisoners of war, now in St. Helena, Ceylon, or elsewhere,
+     being burghers or colonists, will, on the completion of the
+     surrender, be brought back to their country as quickly as
+     arrangements can be made for their transport.
+
+     At the earliest practicable date military administration will
+     cease, and will be replaced by civil administration in the form of
+     Crown Colony Government. There will, therefore, be, in the first
+     instance, in each of the new Colonies, a Governor and an Executive
+     Council, composed of the principal officials, with a Legislative
+     Council consisting of a certain number of official members to whom
+     a nominated unofficial element will be added. But it is the desire
+     of His Majesty's Government, as soon as circumstances permit, to
+     introduce a representative element, and ultimately to concede to
+     the new Colonies the privilege of self-government. Moreover, on the
+     cessation of hostilities, a High Court will be established in each
+     of the new Colonies to administer the laws of the land, and this
+     Court will be independent of the Executive.
+
+     Church property, public trusts, and orphan funds will be
+     respected.
+
+     Both the English and Dutch languages will be used and taught in
+     public schools when the parents of the children desire it, and
+     allowed in Courts of Law.
+
+     As regards the debts of the late Republican Governments, His
+     Majesty's Government cannot undertake any liability. It is,
+     however, prepared, as an act of grace, to set aside a sum not
+     exceeding one million pounds sterling to repay inhabitants of the
+     Transvaal and Orange River Colony for goods requisitioned from them
+     by the late Republican Governments, or subsequent to annexation, by
+     Commandants in the field being in a position to enforce such
+     requisitions. But such claims will have to be established to the
+     satisfaction of a Judge or Judicial Commission, appointed by the
+     Government, to investigate and assess them, and, if exceeding in
+     the aggregate one million pounds, they will be liable to reduction
+     _pro rata_.
+
+     I also beg to inform Your Honour that the new Government will take
+     into immediate consideration the possibility of assisting by loan
+     the occupants of farms, who will take the oath of allegiance, to
+     repair any injuries sustained by destruction of buildings or loss
+     of stock during the war, and that no special war tax will be
+     imposed upon farms to defray the expense of the war.
+
+     When burghers require the protection of firearms, such will be
+     allowed to them by licence, and on due registration, provided they
+     take the oath of allegiance. Licences will also be issued for
+     sporting rifles, guns, etc., but military firearms will only be
+     allowed for purposes of protection.
+
+     As regards the extension of the franchise to Kaffirs in the
+     Transvaal and Orange River Colony, it is not the intention of His
+     Majesty's Government to give such franchise before representative
+     Government is granted to those Colonies, and if then given it will
+     be so limited as to secure the just predominance of the white race.
+     The legal position of coloured persons will, however, be similar to
+     that which they hold in the Cape Colony.
+
+     In conclusion I must inform Your Honour that, if the terms now
+     offered are not accepted after a reasonable delay for consideration
+     they must be regarded as cancelled.
+
+     I have, etc.,
+       KITCHENER, GENERAL,
+     Commander-in-Chief British Forces, South Africa.
+       To His Honour, Commandant-General Louis Botha.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix C
+
+MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPECIAL NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AT
+VEREENIGING, SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, THURSDAY, THE 29TH OF MAY, 1902,
+AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS
+
+
+MAY 29TH, 1902.
+
+The Rev. J.D. Kestell having offered prayer, the Chairman requested
+Vice-President Burger to address the meeting.
+
+Vice-President Burger said that the documents laid before the
+Governments by the Commission would now be read to the meeting.
+Thereupon Mr. D. Van Velden read the following letter:
+
+     REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
+
+     PRETORIA, _28th May_, 1902.
+
+     _To the Governments of the Orange Free State and the South African
+     Republic:_
+
+     HONBLE. GENTLEMEN,--
+
+     In accordance with instructions received from you, we went to
+     Pretoria in order to negotiate with the British authorities on the
+     question of peace. We have the honour to make the following report:
+
+     The meetings lasted from Monday, May 19th, to Wednesday, May 28th,
+     its prolongation having been principally caused by the length of
+     time taken up by the cable correspondence with the British
+     Government.
+
+     We first handed in a proposal (annexed under A)[113] in which we
+     attempted to negotiate on the basis of a limited independence with
+     surrender of part of our territory. Lords Kitchener and Milner
+     refused emphatically to negotiate on this basis, and expressed the
+     opinion that to cable this proposal to the British Government would
+     be detrimental to the objects of these negotiations. They told us
+     they had already informed the two Governments that the British
+     Government would only negotiate on the basis of an amended form of
+     the Middelburg proposal. In order finally to formulate this
+     proposal, Lord Milner asked the assistance of some members of the
+     Commission; and this was granted, on the understanding that the
+     assistance of these members of the Commission should be given
+     without prejudice to themselves.
+
+     As the result of the deliberations of this sub-committee, Lord
+     Milner produced a draft proposal, in which we insisted that a fresh
+     clause (No. 11) should be inserted; and this was done. This draft
+     proposal (annexed under B)[114] was then cabled to the British
+     Government, revised by them, and then communicated to us in its
+     final shape (annexed under B).[115] We were informed by the British
+     Government that no further revision of this proposal would be
+     allowed, but that it must now be either accepted or rejected in its
+     entirety by the delegates of the two Republics; and that this
+     acceptance or rejection must take place within a stipulated time.
+     We then told Lord Kitchener that he should know our final decision
+     by the evening of the next Saturday at latest.
+
+     During our formal negotiations certain informal conversations took
+     place in reference to the British subjects (in Cape Colony and
+     Natal) who have been fighting on our side. As a result of these
+     informal conversations a communication from the British Government
+     was imparted to us (annexed under B).[116]
+
+     We have the honour to remain, etc.,
+
+     LOUIS BOTHA.
+     J.H. DE LA REY.
+     C.R. DE WET.
+     J.B.M. HERTZOG.
+     J.D. SMUTS.
+
+Vice-President Burger said that the delegates must proceed to discuss
+this document, and that they would then be asked to decide--firstly,
+whether the struggle should be continued; secondly, whether the proposal
+of the British Government should be accepted; and, thirdly, whether they
+were prepared to surrender unconditionally.
+
+It was decided that minutes of the meeting should be kept, and the
+delegates then proceeded to discuss the different articles of the
+British Government's proposal. The whole of the morning and a part of
+the afternoon sitting were devoted to questions dealing with the meaning
+of the several clauses, the members of the Commission answering to the
+best of their ability.
+
+After these questions had been disposed of, Mr. De Clercq rose to speak.
+He said that he had already given his own opinion, but that now it was
+for the whole meeting to decide whether they would give up the war, and,
+if they resolved to do so, whether they would accept the proposal
+unconditionally. As to the proposal, it could not be denied that it did
+not give all that they themselves desired, but _that_ could not have
+been expected. Should they now return to their commandos and be asked by
+their burghers what they had effected, they would have to reply,
+"Nothing." How would they be able to meet their burghers with such an
+answer as that? It would therefore be better to get terms from the
+British Government; and by doing so they would also gratify the British
+nation. As for himself, he was for accepting the proposal, unless it
+could be proved to him that unconditional surrender would be a still
+better course to take.
+
+General Nieuwouwdt then proposed that the meeting should, without
+further delay, proceed to vote whether the war should be terminated, and
+whether the terms offered to them should be accepted.
+
+General Froneman seconded this proposal.
+
+Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) felt that this was too important a matter to
+be treated with such haste. A decision about such a document as the one
+now lying before the meeting could not be come to in a moment. The
+delegates would hardly agree with the last speaker in his opinion that
+they should at once proceed to vote whether the war should or should not
+be continued. Time was required before coming to such a decision.
+Moreover it had to be proved whether it were possible to continue the
+war. There were some districts where it certainly could no longer be
+carried on. Was it possible for one part of the nation to continue
+fighting without the other? Then there was the question whether their
+resources and the troops which they still had were sufficient to justify
+them in prolonging the struggle. If they were insufficient the war must
+be discontinued and terms must be accepted. It would not be an easy
+thing to do; one could not, with a light heart, give up the independence
+of their country; but half a loaf was better than no bread,[117] and
+even such a sacrifice as this might be necessary if the nation was to be
+saved.
+
+Commandant Jacobsz (Harrismith) was at one with the last speaker in
+holding that they must not be in too great a hurry to vote on the
+proposal.
+
+Mr. P.R. Viljoen (Heidelberg) felt that the proposal of the British
+Government would so tightly bind them that they would never again be
+free. They were _knee-haltered_[118] now, but under certain
+circumstances they might even be _hobbled_.[119]
+
+He considered that the meeting should ask the Governments to stop the
+war.
+
+General Du Toit (Wolmaransstad) said that the times through which they
+were passing were very critical; every one ought to say exactly what he
+thought, and no one ought to be condemned for doing so. A delegate who
+should say that the war could not be continued must not be considered
+disloyal to his country because he did so. As regarded the three
+questions before the meeting, according to the opinion of his burghers
+the war ought to be continued. The views of his burghers when he left
+the commandos had been clearly expressed. "Let us retain our
+independence, or go on fighting," they had said. But why were they of
+this mind? Because they were unaware how matters stood in other
+districts. The eyes of the delegates, however, while directed towards
+God, were also able to observe the condition of the eastern parts of
+their country. If the burghers in those parts could not hold out, it
+would be impossible for the other commandos to do so. It could not be
+denied that some of the commandos were no longer able to continue
+fighting. That being the case, even if there were a majority in favour
+of prolonging the struggle, that majority would have to yield to the
+wishes of the minority, and for this reason: if the war were to be
+continued in conformity with the wishes of the majority, and if the
+minority were to be compelled to surrender (and nobody would be
+surprised at this), then the majority would find themselves too weak to
+go on fighting. Thus there were clear reasons why the war must be ended.
+Moreover, its continuation would involve not only the _national_ but
+also the _moral_ death of the Republics. But it was still to be proved
+that a continuation of the war was even possible; for himself he feared
+that it was not so, and if fight he must he could only fight without
+hope and without heart. If he were now to go back to his burghers, and
+they were to ask him why he persisted in the war, and he was compelled
+to reply that he was doing so on the strength of opinions expressed in
+newspapers, and on the encouragement given to the cause of the Republics
+in their pages, he would be told that he was building on sand. Again, he
+feared that if the war were to be continued, detached parties would be
+formed which would try to obtain terms from the English for themselves.
+And should the commandos in time become so weak as to be forced to
+surrender unconditionally, what then would be the fate of the officers?
+Would they not lose everything, and be banished into the bargain? Let no
+one think, however, that he was trying merely to do what was best for
+himself. No. There was now a chance for negotiating; should the meeting
+let slip that chance, unconditional surrender would most certainly
+result, and that would be disastrous to all. He hoped that he would not
+be misunderstood; if the meeting decided to go on with the war, he, for
+one, would not lay down his arms. No, he would actively prosecute the
+war, and operate in conjunction with the other generals. But what would
+be the use of it: he sided with those who held that the struggle could
+no longer be carried on.
+
+Commandant Rheeder (Rouxville) wished to reply to those who demanded
+reasons for the continuation of the war. One reason, he said, was to be
+found in the fact that England would not allow them to have any
+communication with the deputation in Europe; that meant that something
+advantageous to us was being held back. Another was the consideration of
+what their descendants in time to come would say. "How is it," they
+would ask, "that we are not now free men? There were a large number of
+burghers in the veldt to continue the war--what has become of our
+independence?" And what answer shall we be able to make?--we whose
+courage failed us before such tremendous odds, and who laid down our
+arms when victory was still possible? The speaker would only be
+satisfied if the meeting were unanimous for stopping the war, not
+otherwise. He thought of the families. How would the delegates face
+their families on their return, after the sacrifice of independence? He
+considered that the commandos should leave those districts where
+resistance was no longer possible and go to others. If to discontinue
+the war meant to surrender independence, then the war must not be
+discontinued.
+
+Vice-President Burger said that he had not heard from the last speaker
+any reasons whatsoever for continuing the war.
+
+Commandant Rheeder then remarked that if they wanted to surrender their
+country they should have done so earlier, when the burghers were not
+entirely destitute. But now nothing was left to them. As to the
+narrowness of the field of operations, there was still room enough to
+fight.
+
+Commandant P.L. Uijs (Pretoria) referred to the frequent allusion which
+had been made to their European deputation. That deputation was now in
+Holland, and must know if anything was going on there to the advantage
+of the Republics. If there were any hopeful signs there, their comrades
+would certainly have informed them. They had not done so, and therefore
+the meeting should dismiss this subject from its thoughts.
+
+The meeting then adjourned until 7.15 p.m.
+
+Upon reassembling, Commandant Cronje (Winburg) said that he would not
+detain the meeting for long; he only wished to say a very few words. It
+had been rightly said that they were passing through a momentous period
+of their history. To his mind the present was _the_ critical epoch in
+the existence of the African nation, whose destinies they had now to
+decide. Delegates were asking what hopes they could now entertain. But
+what grounds for hope were there when the war began? In his opinion
+there were none. It was only that men believed then that Right was
+Might, and put their trust in God. And God had helped them. When the
+enemy had entered their country everything was dark. There had been a
+day on which more than four thousand men had surrendered. Then, even as
+now, they had been without hope. Then, even as now, those who wanted to
+continue the war had been told that they were mad. That had been some
+two years ago, and yet the war was still going on. Then, even as now,
+there had been no food, and yet they had managed to live. The delegates
+represented a free people; let them not take a step of which they would
+afterwards repent. As regarded intervention, he had often said that one
+could not rely on it. But they _could_ rely on God. When he returned to
+his burghers, and was questioned as to his reason for the course of
+action which he had advocated, he hoped to be able to answer, "Belief in
+God." There had always been times when there was no food, and yet they
+had always managed to live. A deputation had been officially sent to
+Europe, and was now there to represent their interests. Had the meeting
+lost its confidence in that deputation? Did it not realize that if the
+case of the Republic was hopeless in Europe the deputation would send
+word to that effect? It had been said that by continuing the war they
+would be exterminating the nation. He did not believe this. The way to
+exterminate the nation was to accept the British proposal. To go on with
+the war was their only policy, and it was a very good policy. The
+deputation had claimed that their advice should be taken before any
+negotiations were attempted. What right, then, had the delegates to give
+up the war on the basis of the proposal now before them? To do so was to
+give the death blow to their national existence; later on they would
+have cause to rue it. Moreover, the proposal did not safeguard the
+interests of their brethren in Cape Colony. Again, landed property
+belonging to burghers had already been sold, and in all probability
+these burghers would never see any of the proceeds. The sum (Ł3,000,000)
+which the proposal offered to compensate for all damages, was not
+sufficient to cover damage already done. For these and other reasons the
+proposal could not be accepted. No other course was open to them except
+to reject the proposal and to continue hostilities.
+
+General Froneman (Ladybrand) agreed with the last speaker. He loved his
+country, and could not think of surrendering it. The reasons which had
+induced them to begin the war were still in force. He had been through
+the whole campaign, and saw stronger reasons now than ever before for
+the continuing of the war. His districts, like those of others, were
+exhausted, and yet his burghers remained in the veldt. He had been
+present at the surrender of the four thousand; he had seen General
+Cronje give up his sword. Those had been dark days, but the struggle
+still went on; they could still keep on their legs. It had been God's
+will that this war should take place. Prayers had been offered that it
+might be averted, but God had ruled it otherwise. Therefore they must
+carry the war through, and never think of surrender. They were
+Republicans. What would it be to have to give up that name for ever? He
+had consulted his burghers and their women-folk; he had asked them,
+"What conditions of peace will you accept?" They had answered, "No peace
+at all, if it means any loss of independence." And so, before he could
+vote for peace, he would have again to take the opinion of his burghers.
+
+Veldtcornet B.H. Breijtenbach (Utrecht) urged that a definite yes or no
+must be given to the question, Is the war to continue? The general
+condition of the country had been laid before the meeting, and it had
+been clearly shown that its condition made the carrying on of the war
+impossible. One could not escape from that fact. Why then should they
+argue any longer? What reason had they for wishing to prolong this
+struggle? They surely would not do so blindfold. Unless good reasons
+could be alleged for continuing it, the war would have to be stopped. As
+those good reasons were not forthcoming, he would vote with those who
+were for peace. To continue the war would be a crime. Some of the last
+few speakers had stated that there had been no sufficient reasons for
+commencing the war. That might be true. They might have been
+over-confident then. Be that as it might, they certainly had lost so
+much ground since then that they must now give up the struggle. This was
+his irrevocable opinion. It had been clearly shown that fourteen
+commandos were unable to continue in the veldt. This made peace a
+necessity, for what was to be gained by continuing a struggle without a
+proper army. The war might last a few months longer, but it must end
+then--and end in disaster.
+
+Commandant W.J. Viljoen (Witwatersrand) said that some speakers were for
+and others against the continuation of hostilities. The first were
+guided by faith alone; the second had brought forward definite grounds
+for their opinion. A year ago both parties had been inspired by faith,
+but what had been the result? He would be glad enough to be convinced,
+but those who wished to continue the war must show grounds for such a
+line of action.
+
+General De la Rey would only say a few words. He had received definite
+instructions before he went to his burghers neither to encourage nor
+discourage them, whatever they might say at their meetings. He had
+strictly observed these instructions, and had never attempted to
+influence them. There were present among the delegates nine men (one
+being from Cape Colony) who represented his burghers, and who would
+testify as to their state of mind and temper; he need not therefore say
+anything. The delegates could bear witness how full of courage the men
+were. Nevertheless, the war could not be continued. Say or do what they
+would at that meeting, the war must cease. Some had talked about faith.
+But what was faith? True faith consisted in saying, "Lord, Thy will, not
+mine, be done." They must bow before the will of God. The delegates, he
+continued, must choose one of the three courses which were open to them.
+It would be a great calamity if they were to decide to surrender
+unconditionally. Had it been necessary to do so it should have been done
+while they still possessed something. Should they then continue the war?
+But the question as to what would become of the people under those
+circumstances must be faced--to continue fighting would be the ruin of
+the nation. The delegates might go away determined to fight, but the
+burghers would lay down their arms, and the state of affairs which would
+thus ensue would not redound to their honour. But the British Government
+offered guarantees; it would help the nation so that the nation might
+help itself. If any one were to say now, "Continue fighting," he and his
+generals might have the heart to do so if they kept their minds fixed on
+their recent exploits. For himself, however, he would refuse absolutely
+to accede to that request. And what real advantage had accrued from his
+successes in the veldt? What had followed on them? All his cattle had
+been taken away, some three hundred of his men had been killed, wounded,
+or taken prisoner. Some of the delegates set their hopes on the
+European deputation, but what did that deputation say a year ago? It
+said that all depended on their continuing to fight. They _had_
+continued to fight. What more, then, was there left for them to do? Some
+gentlemen present had definite mandates from their burghers, who very
+likely had no knowledge of the actual state of affairs when they gave
+those mandates. He himself had not known at that time in what a plight
+the country was. He challenged each and all of the delegates to show
+their burghers the proposal of the British Government, and then to see
+if those burghers were not in favour of unconditional surrender. But if
+the meeting insisted on the continuation of hostilities, the nation
+would be driven into _hands-upping_; thus the war would end in dishonour
+and disgrace.
+
+Landdrost Bosman (Wakkerstroom) was glad that General De la Rey had
+spoken out so boldly; it was every one's duty to do so. He himself also
+was against the continuance of the war.
+
+Although it had been said that the war had been begun in faith, it ought
+not to be forgotten that it had also been begun with hope of
+intervention, as was shown by the sending of the deputation to
+Europe--that deputation which, as they had often heard, had done so much
+good work. Another proof that there had then been hope of intervention
+was that the burghers had ordered the delegates to keep them in
+communication with the deputation. And that they had not relied
+exclusively on faith at the beginning of the war was shown by the fact
+that they had founded great hopes on what their brethren in Cape Colony
+might accomplish. These hopes had now been dissipated by General Smuts,
+who had just said that there was no chance of a general insurrection.
+
+Again, could the war be continued when their commandos were so much
+weakened, and when food was so scarce? It was nonsense to say that food
+had been scarce a year ago; there had been a sufficiency then, and at
+the present time there was not. One could ride from Vereeniging to Piet
+Retief without seeing more than two or three herds of cattle. Moreover,
+the women and children were in a most pitiable condition. One delegate
+had spoken against any scheme which would be as it were a trampling on
+the blood which had already been spilt--he shared that delegate's
+sentiments; but he considered that to shed yet more blood in a cause
+which was to all appearance hopeless would be still more reprehensible.
+He should prefer not to enter into the religious aspect of the question.
+It was difficult to fathom the purposes of God; perhaps it might be the
+Divine will that they should lose their independence. All that they
+could do was to follow the course which seemed to be good and right.
+Were they, then, to surrender unconditionally? He would say no. It would
+be giving the enemy opportunities for doing things from which they might
+otherwise desist. Moreover, by voting for such a policy the leaders
+would incur the displeasure of the nation. In choosing what course they
+would pursue the delegates should let nothing else sway them save the
+good of the nation. They must not be carried away by their feelings;
+they must listen only to the voice of reason.
+
+Commandant H.S. Grobler (Bethal) felt that, under the circumstances, the
+war could not be continued. It had already reduced them to such straits
+that they would soon have to fly to the utmost borders of their
+territories, leaving the enemy unopposed in the very heart of the
+country. At the beginning of the war they had not relied on faith alone;
+there had also been guns, war material and provisions. But now none of
+these things were left to them. It was terrible to him to think that
+they must sacrifice the independence of their country. He was a true son
+of his country, and could not consent to the surrender of her
+independence unless that were the only way of saving the women and
+children from starvation. But it was not only the women and children who
+were on the verge of starvation; the burghers still left in the laagers
+were in the same predicament. What, moreover, was to happen to the
+prisoners of war, if the struggle were to be continued? And to the
+families in the camps? The delegates must not forget those families. If
+the people generally were dying a _national_, the families were dying a
+_moral_, death. It was a sad thought that there were among their women
+in the camps, many who were thus losing their moral vitality. It was a
+thought which should make them determined to conclude the war.
+
+Commandant Van Niekerk (Ficksburg) said that his commandos had
+commissioned him to hold out for independence. The proposal of the
+British Government could not be accepted. They must take no hasty step.
+If they persevered in the war, the enemy would grant them better terms.
+All they had to do was to act like brave men.
+
+General J.G. Celliers (Lichtenburg) had already told the meeting what
+mandate he had received from his burghers. But he was there to do the
+best he could for the nation as a whole. The condition of the country
+was very critical. The fact that his own commandos were faring well was
+not a sufficient reason for continuing the war. He must take all
+circumstances into consideration. He had said that he was in favour of
+an arrangement by which peace should be made without the sacrifice of
+independence. Such an arrangement they had attempted to bring about.
+They had elected a Commission, which had done all in its power to give
+effect to their wishes in this matter. And the result was the proposal
+of the British Government now lying before them. That was what the
+Commission had obtained for them. Which of them could say that he could
+have obtained better terms for the people than those contained in that
+proposal? Or that, if the war were to be continued, the people would
+gain any advantage which that proposal did not give them? It had been
+said that the deputation in Europe had encouraged the burghers in their
+prolonged struggle. The last message they had received from the
+deputation had been: "Go on till every remedy has been tried." Could
+that be called encouragement? It had also been said that the nation must
+have faith. He admitted the necessity--but it must not be the sort of
+faith which chose what it would believe, and what it would disbelieve.
+They must be prepared to believe that it might be the will of God that
+they should yield to the enemy. As he had more insight into the state of
+affairs than his burghers, and therefore was better qualified to form a
+judgment, he did not feel himself bound by their mandate. Had the
+burghers known what he now knew, they would have given him a very
+different commission. He felt that it was a serious thing to continue
+sacrificing the lives of his fellow-countrymen. Moreover, however dear
+independence might be, it was useless to attempt impossibilities. Their
+one aim should be to safeguard the interests of the nation. His vote
+would be with those who were for accepting the proposal of the British
+Government.
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet was the next to address the meeting. His
+speech was as follows:--
+
+"As I feel it to be my duty to speak out all my mind before this
+meeting, I shall go back to the very beginning of the war. And recalling
+my feelings at that period, I can say that I had less hope then for
+intervention than I have now. I do not mean to say that I am sanguine
+about it even now; but I know to-day, what I did not know then, that
+great sympathy is felt for us by other nations. Even in England this
+sympathy is to be found, as is shown by the largely-attended 'Pro-Boer'
+meetings which have been held in that country. And that the feeling in
+our favour is widespread is evident from the reports which we received
+by word of mouth from the messenger to whom the deputation entrusted its
+recent letter, for we cannot believe that the deputation would have
+employed an unreliable person. And what did that messenger say? Among
+other things, he said that our cause was winning new adherents every
+day. It may be asked, however, why the deputation did not send a report
+of its own? I reply that it had its hand upon the pulse of the
+Governments, and that the information it was thus gaining was of such a
+character that it could not be entrusted to any messenger whatsoever.
+Perhaps the deputation was unable _in any way_ to communicate what it
+knew to us--it would never do to noise abroad the secrets of European
+policy. The silence of the delegates ought not, then, to discourage us;
+on the contrary, we should regard it as a hopeful sign.
+
+"If there is any one man who feels deeply for the critical condition of
+our country, I am that man. And critical our condition certainly is; so
+that I am not surprised that some of us are asking, 'What hope have we
+now in continuing the struggle?' But I would ask another question: 'What
+hope had we at the beginning of the war?' Our faith in God--we had
+nothing else to rely on! At the very outset of the war I knew that we,
+with our forty-five thousand troops, were engaged in a contest against a
+nation that had no less than seven hundred and fifty thousand men under
+arms, and who could easily send against us a third of that number. And
+to counterbalance the terrible odds against us, we had nothing, as I
+knew, but our faith. At that time there were some who expected that
+effectual help would come from Cape Colony. I was never deluded by this
+hope. I knew of course that there were men there who would fight with us
+against England; I knew how much those men sympathized with our cause;
+but I also knew that the circumstances of that country would make it
+impossible for the colonists to help us more than they have, as a matter
+of fact, done. No! God was our one Hope when the war began. And if, when
+the war is over, victory lies with us, it will not be the first time
+that faith in God has enabled the weaker nation to overthrow the
+stronger.
+
+"Those of you who urge that the war should be discontinued, ask us, who
+are for carrying it on, what tangible reason we have for our hope. But
+what tangible reason for hope was there at the beginning of the war? Are
+our affairs darker now? Quite the contrary--miracles have been worked in
+our favour during the last twenty-two months. General Botha wrote to me
+some time ago, saying that the scarcity of ammunition was causing him
+much anxiety. And he had good cause for that anxiety--ammunition was
+exhausted. When a burgher came to me at that time with an empty
+bandolier, it absolutely terrified me. But now, to use an expression of
+General Joubert's, my pleasure is tempered with shame when I think of
+the plentiful store of ammunition which we possess. I am not angry with
+those of my compatriots who ask for reasons--I give my reasons--nor have
+I given a thousandth part of them.
+
+"The enemy has already made us some concessions. There was a time when
+Lord Salisbury said that the English Government would be satisfied with
+nothing short of unconditional surrender. He does not say so to-day.
+England is negotiating with us--that is to say, she shows signs of
+yielding to our demands. If we continue the war, England will negotiate
+again; she will offer still more favourable terms; she will not even
+stick at independence.
+
+"Do you want more of my reasons? Look back once more upon our past
+history, and you shall find them. Recall the time when the Transvaal was
+at war with England. At that time we did not know the English so well as
+we now know them; we had only thirteen cartridges for each man; and
+there were the so-called 'Loyalists'--a chicken-hearted crew--to hamper
+us. Faith was our only support then--and you all know how that war
+resulted.
+
+"I am asked what I mean to do with the women and children. That is a
+very difficult question to answer. We must have faith. I think also that
+we might meet the emergency in this way--a part of the men should be
+told off to lay down their arms for the sake of the women, and then they
+could take the women with them to the English in the towns. This would
+be a hard expedient, but it may be the only one possible.
+
+"America has been referred to by some of the speakers, who have compared
+our circumstances with those of the United States, when they made war
+upon England. The comparison is, in one respect at least, an apt one,
+for we also have large territories to which we can always retreat.
+
+"As to Europe--we know little of the condition of things there. Our
+information about Europe comes only from newspapers, and 'Jingo'
+newspapers at that. If there is not a great deal going on in Europe
+which England wants to hide from us, why is she so careful not to let us
+see European journals? If there were anything in them _unfavourable_ to
+our cause, England would flood our country with them in her own
+interests. We must also note that England will not permit our deputation
+to return to us.
+
+"Taking all these facts into consideration, and remembering that the
+sympathy for us, which is to be found in England itself, may be regarded
+as being, for all practical purposes, a sort of indirect intervention, I
+maintain that this terrible struggle must be continued. We must fight
+on, no matter how long, until our independence is absolutely secure."
+
+General Beijers (Waterberg) said that he had to give an answer to the
+question whether he ought to follow his reason or his conscience; he
+could only reply that conscience had the first claim upon him. If he
+were to perish whilst following the guidance of reason, he would feel
+that he had been unfaithful; whereas, were he to die whilst obeying the
+dictates of conscience, he would not fear death. Martyrs of old had died
+for their faith; but he feared that the martyr spirit was now only to be
+met with in books! Those martyrs had died, and with their death it had
+seemed that all was lost; but the truth, for which they had given up
+their lives, had lived!
+
+But how is it now with us? We think our cause a righteous one, but are
+we willing to die for it? Some spoke of our existence as a nation--but
+whether that were to be preserved or lost, did not lie with us--it was
+in the hands of God--He would take care of it. Right must conquer in the
+end. They must take care to be on the side of right, should it even cost
+them their lives. He agreed with those who said that, even if the
+present deliberations were to come to nothing, they would have another
+chance, later on, of negotiating. This had been proved by what had
+already happened. General de Wet had shown them how Lord Salisbury had
+gone back upon his first demands; he (General Beijers) could tell them
+that on one occasion Lord Roberts had declined even to speak to General
+Botha--and yet the English were negotiating with them now. He was quite
+open to conviction, but at present he could not see that the war ought
+to be stopped. Nevertheless he was not blind to the critical state of
+their affairs. But their case was not yet hopeless; their anxiety about
+food, their lack of horses--these were not insurmountable difficulties.
+They might even find some means by which to save their womenfolk.
+
+No. These difficulties were not insuperable; but there was one
+difficulty which _was_ insuperable--the present spirit of the nation.
+When a spirit, be it what it might, inspired or ruled a man, then that
+man would submit to no other sway. The spirit that now ruled the
+burghers was a spirit that was driving them over to the enemy. Against
+that spirit it was impossible to contend. General De la Rey had said
+that, if the proposal now before the meeting were to be shown to the
+burghers, they would at once accept it--that was the sort of spirit that
+was in them, and one must take it into consideration, for he was
+convinced that it presented an insurmountable obstacle to the
+continuation of the war.
+
+The meeting was then closed with prayer.
+
+[Footnote 113: See page 363 _et seq._]
+
+[Footnote 114: See page 379 _et seq._]
+
+[Footnote 115: See page 391 _et seq._]
+
+[Footnote 116: See page 395 _et seq._]
+
+[Footnote 117: The Boer form of this proverb is: Half an egg is better
+than an empty shell.]
+
+[Footnote 118: The head fastened to the knee.]
+
+[Footnote 119: Having two legs fastened together.]
+
+
+FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, 1902.
+
+After the preliminary prayer had been offered, Vice-President Burger
+said that before beginning the business of the day, it was his sad duty
+to inform the meeting that the President of the Orange Free State had
+been obliged to resign, on account of serious illness. President Steyn
+had been compelled, in order to obtain medical assistance, to put
+himself in the hands of the enemy. He had further to communicate that
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet had been appointed Vice-President of the
+Orange Free State. He wished to express his deep sympathy with the
+representatives in the severe loss which they had sustained. President
+Steyn, he said, had been a rock and pillar to their great cause.
+
+Vice-President de Wet having thanked the Vice-President of the South
+African Republic for his kind and sympathetic words, Mr. J. Naude (the
+representative of Pretoria, and of General Kemp's flying columns) put
+some questions with regard to the colonists who had been fighting on the
+Boer side. These questions were answered by General Smuts. Mr. Naude
+then asked if the delegates were expected to come to any decision about
+independence.
+
+General Botha replied that the Governments had informed Lords Kitchener
+and Milner that they were not in a condition to decide that
+question--that it was a matter for the nation to settle. The delegates
+had then gone to their burghers, and now had returned, and were present.
+
+Mr. Naude said that it must therefore have been known at Klerksdorp that
+the delegates had to decide upon the question of independence. If that
+were so, he found himself in a difficulty. Either the delegates had been
+misled, or they were the victims of a mistake, for they had never been
+told that they had been elected as plenipotentiaries. Notwithstanding
+all that the lawyers might say, he considered himself as having a
+certain definite mission. He had obtained the votes of his burghers on
+the understanding that he would take up a certain position. He had asked
+them whether independence was to be given up, and they had answered in
+the negative. He could not therefore vote for the acceptance of the
+proposal now before the meeting, for that proposal demanded the
+surrender of independence. His burghers had also insisted on being
+allowed to keep their arms, and on the use of their language in schools
+and Courts of Justice, both of which conditions were refused by the
+British proposal. Since, therefore, he could not agree to the proposal,
+he was for continuing the war. Some asked what were the chances of
+success? He remembered the state of feeling among the burghers at
+Warmebad--that was a dark time indeed. The Commandant-General had paid
+those burghers a visit, and had told them that they had nothing to lose,
+but everything to win, by continuing the struggle. That had been enough
+for them. They had not had much prospect then; they could not see
+whither their road was leading. But they had found out afterwards. It
+had been a dark time too when Pretoria was taken, but most of the
+burghers had remained steadfast. And after the darkness the light had
+come back. Again a dark cloud was over them--it would pass away, and the
+light would reappear.
+
+General De la Rey explained that he had not intended to mislead anybody
+at the gatherings of the burghers. Every document which the Government
+had handed over to him had been laid before those gatherings. Mr. Naude
+had asked whether the delegates at that meeting had to decide about
+independence. Most certainly they had. And to do so was a duty devolving
+upon Mr. Naude as much as on any other delegate present. They would have
+to decide, not for their own districts alone, but for the whole country.
+
+Mr. Naude said that he had no wish to free himself from his
+responsibility, but he could not forget that he had come there with a
+definite mission.
+
+Judge Hertzog wished again to explain the rights of the question from a
+legal point of view. One must ask: If the nation were here, what would
+it wish to be done? And one must act in conformity with what one thinks
+its answer would be. The Judge then proceeded to speak on the matter in
+general. What, he asked, were the arguments in favour of continuing the
+war? In the first place, England was growing weaker just as their own
+nation was. Any one could see that with their own eyes. It was true as
+regarded the financial side of the question. No doubt England could
+still collect millions of pounds, if she wished, but the time would come
+when she would have trouble with her tax-payers. Already the British
+Government found it difficult to pay the interest on the sum borrowed
+for war expenses, as was proved by the fact that a corn tax had been
+levied in England. That tax would not have been levied unless things had
+been in a serious condition. In the second place, he would ask how it
+was they had not been allowed to meet their deputation? It would only
+have taken the deputation fourteen days to perform the journey; by now
+it would have been among them. But permission had been refused them. And
+why? It was said that to grant a permission would have been a military
+irregularity. But the present meeting was also a military irregularity.
+There must be something more behind that refusal. But what were the
+arguments against going on with the war? He would enumerate them--the
+situation in which they found themselves was critical; the country as a
+whole was exhausted. Nearly all the horses had died or had been
+captured. The strongest argument of all, however, was that some of their
+own people had turned against them, and were fighting in the ranks of
+the enemy. Then the condition of the women caused great anxiety; a fear
+had been expressed that a moral decay might set in among the families in
+the camps. That consideration had great weight with him. No one with any
+heart could remain indifferent to it. If there was one thing which more
+than anything else made him respect Commandant-General Botha, it was
+that the Commandant-General had the heart to feel, and the courage to
+express, the importance of that consideration. The present war was one
+of the saddest that had ever been waged. He doubted if there had ever
+been a war in which a nation had suffered as they had. But all those
+sufferings, horrible though they were, did not influence his decision.
+Did he but see the chance of finally securing freedom for the nation, he
+would put all such considerations on one side, and go on fighting till
+death. No; it was not the horror of the situation which influenced him;
+there was something that weighed upon his heart yet more heavily--it was
+_the holding of that meeting at Vereeniging_. He reproached no one.
+Every one had acted with the best intentions. Nevertheless that meeting
+was a fatal error; it would give them their death blow. For what had it
+produced--a statement from the lips of the Commandant-General himself
+that the condition of the country was hopeless. If there were yet any
+burghers whose courage was not gone, would they not be utterly
+disheartened when they heard what their leaders had said at that
+meeting? That was the saddest thought of all. He could understand that
+those burghers who had already lost heart should be leaving the
+commandos, but now those who had never yet been disheartened would
+become so. But notwithstanding all this, it was difficult to feel
+certain which was the right course to pursue--to give up the war or to
+continue it. He could only suggest that those who were now in doubt on
+the matter should support the line of action which, before their doubt
+began, had appeared to them to be best.
+
+Mr. L.J. Meijer (a member of the Government of the South African
+Republic) then gave some account of the devastation of that part of the
+country which lay to the north of the Eastern Railway, and on the
+further side of the Sabi River. (This report coincided with those
+already given by the delegates.) He went on to say that as they were all
+in the dark, and could not see the road they were travelling along, they
+must take reason and conscience for their guide. They had already lost
+much: let them not lose everything. And what could they hope to gain by
+continuing the struggle? To do so might be to throw away their last
+chance of peace. What would their progeny say of them if they were to
+persist in the struggle and thus lose everything they had possessed?
+They would say, "Our forefathers were brave, but they had no brains."
+Whereas, if they were to stop the war, their progeny would say, "Our
+forefathers did not fight for their own glory." He pointed out that
+however little the British proposal contained of what they desired, it
+nevertheless promised them representative government. In the past he had
+been against the war; he had wished that the five years' franchise
+should be granted. Although the people had opposed this measure he had
+always supported it. And why? Because he had feared that were that
+measure not conceded African blood would stain the ground. Must they
+still continue to shed blood? After the capture of Bloemfontein there
+had been a secret meeting of the council of war at Pretoria. His
+Government had then been willing to surrender, but the Free State had
+refused. The two Governments had therefore decided to go on with the
+war. A year later, in the month of June, there had been another meeting.
+A letter had been sent to the Free State. The two Governments had met at
+Waterval, and had once more decided to continue the struggle. Later on,
+again, the Government of the South African Republic wrote another letter
+to the Free State; but there had been no opportunity of meeting until
+the present occasion, which saw them assembled together at Vereeniging.
+Were they again going to decide to continue their resistance? It was a
+matter for serious consideration. There was but little seed-corn left.
+This must, if they had to go on fighting, be preserved from the enemy at
+all costs; were it to be destroyed, the African nation must cease to
+exist. But they could not continue the war. It was the Boers now who
+were teaching the English how to fight against us; Boers now were with
+the enemy's forces, showing them how to march by night, and pointing out
+to them all the foot passes.
+
+Commandant Van Niekerk (Kroonstad) pointed out that the Colonists had
+already rendered them valuable aid, and could still do so. Were they now
+to abandon these Colonists, and--thinking only about saving
+themselves--leave them to fight on alone? It would be sad indeed if the
+burghers were compelled to lay down their arms.
+
+Commandant-General L. Botha said that in regard to the holding of a
+national meeting, he had already chosen delegates with power to act. He
+spoke of the state of affairs at the beginning of the war--the two
+Republics had then at least sixty thousand men under arms. In reference
+to the Cape Colony, he said that it had never been expected that that
+country would allow its railways to be used for the transport of troops.
+The Commandant-General then proceeded as follows:--
+
+"I used to entertain hopes that the European Powers would interfere on
+our behalf. All that they have done, however, has been to look on while
+England was introducing all sorts of new methods of warfare, methods,
+too, which are contrary to all international law.
+
+"When the war began we had plenty of provisions, and a commando could
+remain for weeks in one spot without the local food supply running out.
+Our families, too, were then well provided for. But all this is now
+changed. One is only too thankful nowadays to know that our wives are
+under English protection. This question of our womenfolk is one of our
+greatest difficulties. What are we to do with them? One man answers that
+some of the burghers should surrender themselves to the English, and
+take the women with them. But most of the women now amongst us are the
+wives of men already prisoners. And how can we expect those not their
+own kith and kin to be willing to give up liberty for their sakes?
+
+"As to the deputation, we must remember that it was accredited to all
+the Powers of Europe. And yet it has only been able to hand in its
+credentials to the Netherlands Government. Does not this prove that no
+other Government is willing to receive it? If you need further proof, I
+refer you to the letter in which the deputation--they were still allowed
+to write to us then--said: 'There is no chance for us in Europe.' The
+deputation wanted to be allowed to return home, but our Government
+advised them to remain in Europe, because their arrival in South Africa
+would be a death blow to the hopes of many. That is why the deputation
+is still in Europe. Later on they said that, although they knew that
+there was no chance of intervention, yet they felt that they ought to
+persist in their efforts, because of the sacrifices which we had already
+made. It is possible that a war may arise in Europe from which we shall
+gain something, but what right have we to expect such a contingency?
+Moreover, great nations take but little interest in the fate of small
+ones--indeed, it is to the advantage of the former that the small
+nations should be wiped out of existence.
+
+"I cannot refrain from alluding to the faithlessness of some of our
+burghers, who are to be found in the ranks of the enemy. But this is not
+the only sign of the way in which affairs are trending--I look back on
+the past. I remember that we have been fighting a full year since we
+last heard of our deputation. What have we gained since June, 1901?
+Nothing. On the contrary, we have been going backwards so fast that, if
+this weakening process goes on much longer, we shall soon find ourselves
+unable any more to call ourselves a fighting nation. What have we not
+undergone in the course of this year which is just over! In the
+concentration camps alone, twenty thousand women and children have died.
+When I was in Pretoria I received reports from our information office,
+and otherwise, of our losses. I found that there were thirty-one
+thousand six hundred prisoners of war, of whom six hundred had died, and
+that three thousand eight hundred of our burghers had been killed in the
+war. Is not a loss such as this, in so short a time as two and a half
+years, a serious matter? Think, too, of the sufferings which those
+twenty thousand women who died in the camps must have endured!
+
+"I am not deaf to the claims of the colonists who have been fighting for
+us. I have said that if we surrender our independence, we must provide
+for them. Should we serve their interests by continuing the war? No,
+indeed! The best thing for them would be that we should bring it to a
+close. But if we are absolutely determined to go on fighting, let us at
+least say to them, 'We advise _you_ to desist.'
+
+"What I am saying now is in substance what I said at Warmbad at a time
+when there were two thousand men of that district in the Veldt. How many
+are there now? Four hundred and eighty! On that occasion I also said
+that we must continue the war until we were driven by sheer starvation
+to make peace. Well, in some divisions starvation has already come. The
+delegates themselves have had to confess that our strength up till now
+has lain in the fact that we have been able to continue the struggle in
+every district. In this way we have divided the enemy's forces. But if
+we are compelled to abandon some of our districts, and to concentrate on
+certain points, then the English also will concentrate, and attack us
+with an irresistible force.
+
+"It has been suggested that we ought to march into Cape Colony. I know,
+however, what that would mean--Commander-in-Chief de Wet marched into
+the colonies. He had a large force, and the season of the year was
+auspicious for his attempt, and yet he failed. How, then, shall we
+succeed in winter, and with horses so weak that they can only go
+_op-een-stap_.[120]
+
+"What, then, are we to do? Some will reply, 'Go on with the war,' Yes,
+but for how long? For ten or twelve years? But would that be possible?
+If in two years we have been reduced from sixty thousand fighting men to
+half that number, where will our army be after another ten years of war?
+It is clear enough to me that if we go on any longer, we shall be
+compelled to surrender. Would it not be better to come to some agreement
+with the enemy, while we have the opportunity? We have all received the
+gift of reason; let us use it on the present occasion.
+
+"As far as I and my own burghers are concerned, to continue the struggle
+is still possible. But we must not only think of ourselves. We must
+almost think of others. There are, for instance, the widows and orphans.
+If we accept the terms now offered to us, they will remain under our
+care. But if we go on with the war until we are forced to surrender, who
+will then take care of them? Or if we were all killed, what could we do
+for them? We should not even be able to send a deputation to Europe, to
+ask for money to help us to rebuild our farms, and to feed our burghers.
+
+"There are three questions now before us--three alternatives between
+which we have to choose--the continuing of the war, unconditional
+surrender, and the acceptance of the British proposal. With regard to
+the first, I fail to see what satisfactory result can come to us from
+persisting in this unequal contest, which must result in the end in our
+extermination. As to the choice between the other two, in many ways
+unconditional surrender would be the better. But, for the sake of the
+nation, we may not choose it. Although to reject it may involve us in
+many hardships, yet we must think of nothing else but the interests of
+the nation. Our only course, then, is to accept the proposal of the
+English Government. Its terms may not be very advantageous to us, but
+nevertheless they rescue us from an almost impossible position."
+
+After a short adjournment the delegates again assembled at about 2 p.m.
+
+General C.H. Muller (Boksburg) said that his burghers had sent him to
+defend their menaced independence. One part of them had authorized him
+to act as his judgment should dictate; another part had ordered him to
+hold out for independence and to try to get into communication with the
+European deputation. He had long ago told his burghers that they must
+trust in God if they wished to continue the war, for they could not do
+so by relying only on their guns and rifles. He did not like to think of
+what they would say if he were to go back to them and tell them that he
+had not been in communication with the deputation, and that the
+proposal of the English Government had been accepted. He could not bring
+himself to surrender. Nevertheless, having in view what the
+Commandant-General and others had said, he felt that he must do so, for
+it was impossible for him to prosecute the war single-handed. But could
+not the delegates continue to stand by one another, and make a covenant
+with the Lord? The district which he represented was one of the poorest
+in the whole country, and the Ł3,000,000 offered by the enemy did not
+include any provision for those who, like his burghers, could do nothing
+to help themselves. He would again suggest that the delegates should
+make a vow unto the Lord. For himself, he could not vote for the
+acceptance of the British proposal.
+
+General J.H. Smuts then spoke as follows:--
+
+"Up till now I have taken no part in this discussion, but my opinions
+are not unknown to my Government; we have arrived at a dark period both
+in the history of our war, and in the course of our national
+development. To me it is all the darker because I am one of those who,
+as members of the Government of the South African Republic, provoked the
+war with England. A man, however, may not draw back from the
+consequences of his deeds. We must therefore keep back all private
+feeling, and decide solely with a view to the lasting interests of our
+nation. This is an important occasion for us--it is perhaps the last
+time that we shall meet as a free people with a free government. Let us
+then rise to the height of this occasion; let us arrive at a decision
+for which our posterity shall bless, and not curse us.
+
+"The great danger for this meeting is that of deciding the questions
+before it on purely military grounds. Nearly all the delegates here are
+officers who in the past have never quailed before the overwhelming
+forces of the enemy, and who therefore are never likely to do so in the
+future. They do not know what fear is, and they are ready to shed the
+last drop of their blood in the defence of their country.
+
+"Now if we look at the matter from _their_ point of view, that is to
+say, if we look at it merely as a military question, I am bound to admit
+that we shall come to the conclusion that the war _can_ be continued. We
+are still an unconquered power; we have still about eighteen thousand
+men in the field--veterans, with whom one can accomplish almost
+anything. From a purely military standpoint, our cause is not yet lost.
+But it is as a _nation_, and not as an _army_, that we are met here, and
+it is therefore for the nation principally that we must consult. No one
+sits here to represent this or that commando. One and all, we represent
+the African nation, and not only those members of it which are now in
+the field, but also those who rest beneath the soil, and those yet
+unborn, who shall succeed us.
+
+"No! We do not only represent our burghers on commando, the troops over
+which we are placed in command; we represent also the thousands who have
+passed away, after making the last sacrifice for their country; the
+prisoners scattered all the world over; the women and children dying by
+the thousand in the prison camps of the enemy; we represent the blood
+and the tears of the whole African nation. From the prisons, the camps,
+the graves, the veldt, and from the womb of the future, that nation
+cries out to us to make a wise decision now, to take no step which might
+lead to the downfall or even to the extermination of their race, and
+thus make all their sacrifices of no avail. Our struggle, up to the
+present, has not been an aimless one. We have not been fighting in mere
+desperation. We began this strife, and we have continued it, because we
+wanted to maintain our independence and were prepared to sacrifice
+everything for it. But we must not sacrifice the African nation itself
+upon the altar of independence. So soon as we are convinced that our
+chance of maintaining our autonomous position as Republics is, humanly
+speaking, at an end, it becomes our clear duty to desist from our
+efforts. We must not run the risk of sacrificing our nation and its
+future to a mere idea which can no longer be realized.
+
+"And ought we not to be convinced that independence is now irretrievably
+lost? We have been fighting without cessation for nearly three years. It
+is no exaggeration to say that during that period we have been employing
+all the strength and all the means which we possess, in the furtherance
+of our cause. We have sacrificed thousands of lives; we have lost all
+our earthly goods; our dear country is become one continuous desert;
+more than twenty thousand of our women and children have perished in the
+camps of the enemy. And has this brought us independence? Just the
+reverse; it is receding further and further from us every day. The
+longer we fight, the greater will be the distance between us and the aim
+for which we are fighting.
+
+"The manner in which the enemy has been conducting, and still continues
+to conduct, this war, has reduced our country to such a state of
+exhaustion, that it will soon be a physical impossibility for us to
+fight any longer. Our only hope lies in the chance of help from outside.
+A year ago I, in the name of my Government, communicated the condition
+of our nation to His Honour States-President Kruger, in Europe. He
+wrote in reply that we must rely on the state of affairs in Cape
+Colony--and the sympathy of European nations--and that we must continue
+the war until all other means were exhausted."
+
+The speaker here enlarged upon the political developments which had
+taken place in the United States and in the principal European countries
+during the preceding two years, and then continued:--
+
+"So far as we are concerned, the sum total of the foreign situation is
+that we obtain a great deal of sympathy, for which we are naturally most
+grateful. More than this we do not obtain, nor shall obtain for many a
+long year. Europe will go on expressing sympathy with us until the last
+Boer hero has died on the field and the last Boer woman has gone down to
+her grave--until, in fact, the whole Boer nation has been sacrificed on
+the altar of history and of humanity.
+
+"I have already, on a former occasion, told you what I think about the
+situation in Cape Colony. We have made great mistakes there; perhaps
+even now Cape Colony is not ripe for the sort of policy which we have
+been pursuing with regard to it. At all events, we cannot entertain any
+hopes of a general rising of the Colonists. We cannot, however, give too
+much honour to those three thousand heroes in the Colony who have
+sacrificed all in our behalf, even though they have not succeeded in
+securing our independence for us.
+
+"Thus we have given President Kruger's advice a fair trial. For twelve
+months we have been testing the value of the methods which he urged upon
+us. And, as a result of it all, we have become convinced that those
+methods are of no avail--that if we wish to remain independent we must
+depend upon ourselves alone. But the facts which the various delegates
+have brought before our notice show that we _cannot_ thus depend upon
+ourselves; that, unless we obtain outside help, the struggle must come
+to an end. We have, then, no hope of success. Our country is already
+devastated and in ruins; let us stop before our people are ruined also.
+
+"And now the enemy approaches with a proposal, which, however
+unacceptable it may be to us in other respects, includes the promise of
+amnesty for our Colonial brethren who have been fighting side by side
+with us. I fear that the day will come when we shall no longer be able
+to save these so-called rebels, and then it will be a just ground for
+reproach that we sacrificed their interests in a cause that was already
+hopeless. Moreover, if we refused the proposal which the British
+Government now makes to us, I am afraid that we shall considerably
+weaken our position in the eyes of the world, and thus lose much of the
+sympathy which to-day it evinces in our favour.
+
+"Brethren, we have vowed to stand fast to the bitter end; but let us be
+men, and acknowledge that that end has now come, and that it is more
+bitter than ever we thought it could be. For death itself would be sweet
+compared with the step which we must now take. But let us bow before the
+will of God.
+
+"The future is dark indeed, but we will not give up courage, and hope,
+and trust in God. No one shall ever convince me that this unparalleled
+sacrifice which the African nation has laid upon the altar of freedom
+will be in vain. It has been a war for freedom--not only for the freedom
+of the Boers, but for the freedom of all the nations of South Africa.
+Its results we leave in God's hands. Perhaps it is His will to lead our
+nation through defeat, through abasement, yes, and even through the
+valley of the shadow of death, to the glory of a nobler future, to the
+light of a brighter day."
+
+Commandant A.J. Bester (Bloemfontein) said that at the meeting at which
+he had been elected his burghers had told him that they were resolved
+not to become the subjects of England. The arguments now urged against
+the continuation of the war were not new--they had been used in former
+times of depression. History gave many instances in which their nation
+had been delivered out of the most critical positions. One could not
+help believing that Right would conquer. How was it to be explained that
+two hundred and forty thousand troops had failed to exterminate two
+small Republics? Then there had been miraculous escapes; surely the
+thoughts of these ought to encourage them. They must all be of one mind.
+His own decision was to stand or to fall for his freedom.
+
+Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) asked whether the proposal could not be
+accepted under protest.
+
+General J.C. Smuts answered that the meeting could empower the
+Governments to accept the proposal, and to add that they did so with
+such and such provisos.
+
+Commandant A.J. Bester (Bloemfontein) thought that there had been enough
+said, and recommended that the discussion be closed.
+
+Commandant F.E. Mentz (Heilbron) also thought that it was not necessary
+to argue any more. He believed that the war could not be continued. In
+Heilbron, Bloemfontein, and part of Bethlehem there were not five head
+of cattle left. The helpless condition of the women and children also
+demanded consideration. The state of the country was becoming so
+desperate that they were now obliged to break away from the kraals. He
+himself had been compelled to this not long ago, and had lost forty men
+in one day. He would have to leave his district, but could not bring it
+to his heart to leave the women behind. It was quite clear to him that
+the war must be stopped, for some parts of the Transvaal were absolutely
+unable to go on fighting. Moreover, were the war to continue, commando
+after commando would go over to the enemy.
+
+General Kemp (Krugersdorp) took a more encouraging view of affairs. He
+would stand or fall with the independence. His mandate was to that
+effect. His conscience also would not justify him in taking any other
+course. He thought that the proposal of the English Government was
+vague, that there was not sufficient provision for the Boer losses in
+it, and that it treated the Dutch language as a foreign tongue.
+Circumstances had often been dark, and the darkness would pass away this
+time as it had done before. Remembering the commission which had been
+given to him by the burghers, he could not do otherwise than vote for a
+continuation of the war.
+
+Vice-President Burger: "I have already given my opinion. I am sorry that
+the meeting seems to be divided. It is necessary for the welfare of our
+nation that we should be of one mind. Are we to continue the war? From
+what I have seen and heard, it is clear to me that we cannot do so. I
+repeat that there is no possibility of it, neither does any real hope
+exist that by doing so we should benefit the nation. It is idle to
+compare our condition in the struggle in 1877-1881 with that in which we
+now find ourselves; I speak from experience.
+
+"It is true that the victory was then ours; that it was so is due to the
+help which we received from outside. The Orange Free State remained
+neutral, but assistance came from President Brand in South Africa and
+from Gladstone in England: thus it was not by our own sword that we were
+enabled to win.
+
+"It will be asked why, if we have kept up the struggle for two years and
+a half, can we not still continue to do so?
+
+"Because, in the meantime, we have become weaker and weaker, and if we
+persist the end must be fatal. What grounds have we for expecting that
+we may yet be victorious? Each man we lose renders us weaker; every
+hundred men we lose means a similar gain to the enemy. England's
+numerical strength does not diminish; on the contrary, there are even
+more troops in the country at this moment than when Lord Roberts had the
+command. England also has used our own men against us, and has not been
+ashamed of arming the Kaffirs; the enemy are learning from our own men
+in what way they should fight--he must be blind indeed who cannot see
+these facts.
+
+"I do not think we can appropriately call this altogether a 'war of
+faith.' Undoubtedly we began this war strong in the faith of God, but
+there were also two or three other things to rely upon. We had
+considerable confidence in our own weapons; we under-estimated the
+enemy; the fighting spirit had seized upon our people; and the thought
+of victory had banished that of the possibility of defeat.
+
+"The question still remains, What are we to do? I have no great opinion
+of the document which lies before us: to me it holds out no inducement
+to stop the war. If I feel compelled to treat for peace it is not on
+account of any advantages that this proposal offers me: it is the weight
+of my own responsibility which drives me to it.
+
+"If I think that by holding out I should dig the nation's grave, nothing
+must induce me to continue the struggle.
+
+"Therefore I consider it my duty, as leader of our nation, to do my
+utmost that not one man more shall be killed, that not one woman more
+shall die.
+
+"The sacrifice must be made; is not this also a trial of our faith? What
+shall we gain by going on? Nothing! It is obvious that further
+surrenders will take place--here of a few, there of many--and our
+weakness will increase.
+
+"We shall also be obliged to abandon large areas of the country. Will
+this make us stronger? Rather, will it not enable the enemy to
+concentrate still more? And the abandoned tracts--to whom will they
+belong? To the enemy!
+
+"In all probability this is our last meeting. I do not believe that we
+shall be given another chance to negotiate: we shall be deemed too
+insignificant. If we reject this proposal, what prospects have we in the
+future? If we accept it, we can, like a child, increase in size and
+strength, but with its rejection goes our last opportunity.
+
+"Fell a tree and it will sprout again; uproot it and there is an end of
+it. What has the nation done to deserve extinction?
+
+"Those who wish to continue the war are influenced chiefly by hope; but
+on what is this hope founded? On our arms? No. On intervention? By no
+means. On what then? No one can say.
+
+"I am sorry that the Transvaal and the Orange Free State are at variance
+on this point, and I regret that it is the Transvaal which has to
+declare itself unable to proceed further; but the enemy have
+concentrated all their forces in this State, and we can hold out no
+longer."
+
+Mr. L. Jacobsz: "I have hitherto not spoken, because I am a
+non-combatant. I have also suffered much, although less than others. I
+have listened to what has been said, but my opinion is not changed by
+the views I have heard expressed.
+
+"I repeat now what I said at Klerksdorp, namely that the struggle cannot
+continue. I have noted the condition of the country, which is such that
+the commandos can no longer be supported. I would point out the
+condition of the women and children, of whom many are dying, and all are
+exposed to great dangers. If there was a chance of succeeding in the
+end, then we might hold out, but there is no such chance; there is no
+possibility of intervention, and the silence of the deputation is
+ominous.
+
+"I sympathize with the heroes present at this meeting; we must have a
+foundation for our faith, and we cannot altogether compare our people
+with the people of Israel. Israel had promises made to them; we have
+none. I would further point out that, in the interests of the nation, it
+will not do to surrender unconditionally: the terms before us may be
+deceptive, but they are the best obtainable.
+
+"With regard to the difficulty of those delegates who consider that they
+are bound to act as they have been commissioned, I am of the same
+opinion as Judge Hertzog and General Smuts."
+
+Commandant J.J. Alberts (Standerton) spoke more or less in the same
+strain. He was of opinion that the war should be finished by ceding
+territory, but, failing this, that it should be ended on any terms
+obtainable.
+
+Vice-President de Wet expressed his opinion that, considering the short
+time at their disposal, they should proceed, if possible, to make some
+proposal.
+
+General D.A. Brand said that he would have spoken if he had not thought
+that enough had been said; he considered it desirable to close the
+discussion, and was willing to make a proposal.
+
+Veldtcornet D.J.E. Opperman (Pretoria South) considered that the
+difficulties of continuing the war, and of accepting the proposal, were
+equal. Some of his burghers would fight no longer. What troubled him
+most was the condition of the women; it went to his heart to see these
+families perish. He was of opinion that, for the sake of the women and
+children who were suffering so intensely, the proposal should be
+accepted under protest.
+
+Veldtcornet J. Van Steedden, seconded by Veldtcornet B.J. Roos, moved
+that the discussion be now closed.
+
+The meeting was adjourned after prayer.
+
+[Footnote 120: The step of a tired horse.]
+
+
+SATURDAY, MAY 31ST, 1902.
+
+The meeting was opened with prayer.
+
+General Nieuwouwdt, seconded by General Brand, made the following
+proposal:--
+
+"This meeting of special deputies from the two Republics, after
+considering the proposal of His Majesty's Government for the
+re-establishment of peace, and taking into consideration (_a_) the
+demands of the burghers in the veldt and the commissions which they had
+given to their representatives; (_b_) that they do not consider
+themselves justified in concluding peace on the basis laid down by His
+Majesty's Government before having been placed in communication with the
+delegates of the Republic now in Europe, decides that it cannot accept
+the proposal of His Majesty's Government, and orders the Governments of
+the two Republics to communicate this decision to His Majesty's
+Government through its representatives."
+
+Mr. P.R. Viljoen, seconded by General H.A. Alberts, made a proposal,
+amended afterwards by General Smuts and Judge Hertzog, which appears
+later on under the proposal of H.P.J. Pretorius and C. Botha.
+
+A third proposal by General E. Botha and General J.G. Celliers was laid
+upon the table, but subsequently withdrawn.
+
+Mr. F.W. Reitz considered it to be his duty not only to the nation but
+also to himself as a citizen, to say that, in case the proposal of the
+British Government should be accepted, it would be necessary for the
+meeting to make provisions as to whose signatures should be attached to
+the necessary documents. He himself would not sign any document by which
+the independence would be given up.
+
+Remarks were made by several members on the first proposal, and Mr. P.R.
+Viljoen asked that no division should arise.
+
+Vice-President de Wet then said that, as the time was limited, and all
+could not speak, he would propose that a Commission should be nominated
+in order to draw up a third proposal in which various opinions of the
+members should be set down; and that, whilst the Commission was occupied
+in this way, the Orange Free State delegates on their part and those of
+the South African Republic on their part, should meet in order that an
+understanding might be come to between them. They must endeavour to come
+to a decision, for it would be of the greatest possible advantage to
+them.
+
+Commandant-General Botha thought that this hint should be taken. They
+had suffered and fought together: let them not part in anger.
+
+The above-mentioned Commission was then decided upon, and Judge Hertzog
+and General Smuts were elected.
+
+Then the Orange Free State delegates went to the tent of Vice-President
+de Wet, whilst those of the South African Republic remained in the tent
+in which the meeting was held.
+
+After a time of heated dispute--for every man was preparing himself for
+the bitter end--they came to an agreement, and Judge Hertzog read the
+following proposal:--
+
+"We, the national representatives of both the South African Republic and
+the Orange Free State, at the meeting held at Vereeniging, from the 15th
+of May till the 31st of May, 1902, have with grief considered the
+proposal made by His Majesty's Government in connexion with the
+conclusion of the existing hostilities, and their communication that
+this proposal had to be accepted, or rejected, unaltered. We are sorry
+that His Majesty's Government has absolutely declined to negotiate with
+the Governments of the Republics on the basis of their independence, or
+to allow our Governments to enter into communication with our
+deputations. Our people, however, have always been under the impression
+that not only on the grounds of justice, but also taking into
+consideration the great material and personal sacrifices made for their
+independence, that it had a well-founded claim for that independence.
+
+"We have seriously considered the future of our country, and have
+specially observed the following facts:--
+
+"Firstly, that the military policy pursued by the British military
+authorities has led to the general devastation of the territory of both
+Republics by the burning down of farms and towns, by the destruction of
+all means of subsistence, and by the exhausting of all resources
+required for the maintenance of our families, the subsistence of our
+armies, and the continuation of the war.
+
+"Secondly, that the placing of our families in the concentration camps
+has brought on an unheard-of condition of suffering and sickness, so
+that in a comparatively short time about twenty thousand of our beloved
+ones have died there, and that the horrid probability has arisen that,
+by continuing the war, our whole nation may die out in this way.
+
+"Thirdly, that the Kaffir tribe, within and without the frontiers of the
+territory of the two Republics, are mostly armed and are taking part in
+the war against us, and through the committing of murders and all sorts
+of cruelties have caused an unbearable condition of affairs in many
+districts of both Republics. An instance of this happened not long ago
+in the district of Vrijheid, where fifty-six burghers on one occasion
+were murdered and mutilated in a fearful manner.
+
+"Fourthly, that by the proclamations of the enemy the burghers still
+fighting are threatened with the loss of all their movable and landed
+property--and thus with utter ruin--which proclamations have already
+been enforced.
+
+"Fifthly, that it has already, through the circumstances of the war,
+become quite impossible for us to keep the many thousand prisoners of
+war taken by our forces, and that we have thus been unable to inflict
+much damage on the British forces (whereas the burghers who are taken
+prisoners by the British armies are sent out of the country), and that,
+after war has raged for nearly three years, there only remains an
+insignificant part of the fighting forces with which we began.
+
+"Sixthly, that this fighting remainder, which is only a small minority
+of our whole nation, has to fight against an overpowering force of the
+enemy, and besides is reduced to a condition of starvation, and is
+destitute of all necessaries, and that notwithstanding our utmost
+efforts, and the sacrifice of everything that is dear and precious to
+us, we cannot foresee an eventual victory.
+
+"We are therefore of opinion that there is no justifiable ground for
+expecting that by continuing the war the nation will retain its
+independence, and that, under these circumstances, the nation is not
+justified in continuing the war, because this can only lead to social
+and material ruin, not for us alone, but also for our posterity.
+Compelled by the above-named circumstances and motives, we commission
+both Governments to accept the proposal of His Majesty's Government, and
+to sign it in the name of the people of both Republics.
+
+"We, the representative delegates, express our confidence that the
+present circumstances will, by accepting the proposal of His Majesty's
+Government, be speedily ameliorated in such a way that our nation will
+be placed in a position to enjoy the privileges to which they think they
+have a just claim, on the ground not only of their past sacrifices, but
+also of those made in this war.
+
+"We have with great satisfaction taken note of the decision of His
+Majesty's Government to grant a large measure of amnesty to the British
+subjects who have taken up arms on our behalf, and to whom we are united
+by bonds of love and honour; and express our wish that it may please His
+Majesty to still further extend this amnesty."
+
+Mr. P.R. Viljoen then withdrew his proposal.
+
+Commandant H.P.J. Pretorius, seconded by General C. Botha, presented the
+proposal, as read by the Commission.
+
+General Nieuwouwdt also withdrew his proposal, but it was at once taken
+over by General C.C.J. Badenhorst, seconded by Commandant A.J. Bester,
+of Bloemfontein.
+
+The meeting then adjourned till the afternoon.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In the afternoon at 2.05 it again met.
+
+Proceeding to the voting, the proposal of H.P.J. Pretorius, seconded by
+General C. Botha, was accepted, by fifty-four votes against six. Then
+Vice-President Burger spoke a few words suitable to the occasion as
+follows:--"We are standing here at the grave of the two Republics. Much
+yet remains to be done, although we shall not be able to do it in the
+official capacities which we have formerly occupied. Let us not draw our
+hands back from the work which it is our duty to accomplish. Let us ask
+God to guide us, and to show us how we shall be enabled to keep our
+nation together. We must be ready to forgive and forget, whenever we
+meet our brethren. That part of our nation which has proved unfaithful
+we must not reject."
+
+Later, Vice-President Burger spoke a few words of farewell to the
+Commandant-General, to the Members of the Executive Councils, and to the
+delegates.
+
+In the afternoon, as it turned out for the last time, Commandant
+Jacobsz, seconded by General Muller, made the following proposal, which
+was unanimously accepted by the meeting:--
+
+"This meeting of Delegates, having in view the necessity of collecting
+means to provide for the wants of the suffering women and children,
+widows and orphans, and other destitute persons, who have through this
+war come to a condition of want, and also having in view the
+desirability of nominating a Committee, whose duty it shall be to
+arrange the necessary steps in this matter, and to finally decide on the
+management and distribution of the donations received, decides:--
+
+"To nominate the Hon. Messrs. M.J. Steyn, S.W. Burger, L. Botha, C.R. de
+Wet, J.H. De la Rey, A.P. Kriel, and J.D. Kestell, as the Committee, to
+carry out all arrangements for the above-mentioned purposes, that may
+seem desirable and expedient to them, and also to appoint new Members,
+Sub-Committees and working Committees; and the said Committee is
+empowered to draw up regulations, and to amend them from time to time as
+shall seem to them expedient.
+
+"This meeting further decides to send abroad from the above-mentioned
+Committee, Messrs. C.R. de Wet, L. Botha, and J.H. De la Rey, in order
+that they may help in collecting the above-mentioned donations."
+
+Then this--the last meeting of the two Republics--was closed with
+prayer.
+
+
+
+
+Index
+
+
+Aard, Commandant Frans van--
+  Election as Commandant of Kroonstad, 115
+  Killed in engagement between Kroonstad and Lindley, 157
+
+Abraham's Kraal--Bombardment by British, Boer Flight, 52
+
+_Achterlaaiers_, 3
+
+Active Service--Calling up of Orange Free State Burghers, 4
+  Commando Law as to Equipment, Provisions, etc., 3
+  Notification to Orange Free State Burghers to hold themselves in
+      readiness, 3
+
+Alberts, Capt.--Tribute to, 243
+
+Albrecht, Major--Command of Boer Reinforcements at Koedoesberg, 28
+
+Ammunition--Amount possessed by Boers in 1902, 408
+  Capture of Ammunition by the Boers, 173
+    Dewetsdorp, 178
+    Doornspruit, Capture of Train near, 132
+    Roodewal--Amount captured, 103
+      Digging up, 191, 193
+      Disposal of, 104, 106
+    Tweefontein, 282
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Ammunition hidden in Cave, 298
+
+Amnesty--General Amnesty for Boer Sympathisers in Cape Colony and Natal,
+  proposed, 322
+
+Annexation of the South African Republic--Battles fought after the
+    alleged Annexation, 229
+  Peace Negotiations at Pretoria, References to the Annexation, 367
+
+Armistice to admit of attendance of Officers at the Vereeniging Meeting
+    (May, 1902), 315
+  Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, 317
+
+Arms, Surrender of, _see_ titles Banishment and Surrender
+
+Assistant-Commander-in-Chief Gen. de Wet obtaining Post from
+    Government, 95
+
+Assistant-Commander-in-Chief of the Orange Free State--
+  Prinsloo, Mr. Marthinus, Illegal Election of, 126
+  Steenekamp, Commandant, Nomination of, 144
+
+
+Badenhorst, Siege of, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 77, 78
+  Abandonment of Siege, 79
+
+Badenhorst, Veldtcornet, 94
+  Vice-Commander-in-Chief in Districts of Boshof, etc., Appointment, 159
+
+Baggage Animals of British Troops--Exhaustion of, 148
+  Use of, 279
+
+Baker's, Col., Column--Commander-in-Chief de Wet lying in wait with a
+    view to Reprisals, 271
+
+Banishment Proclamation of Aug. 7, 1901 (Lord Kitchener's
+    Proclamation), 247-250
+  Battles fought subsequent to, 252
+  Burghers, Effect on, 252
+  Kitchener's, Lord, Letter to Commander-in-Chief de Wet enclosing copy
+      of Proclamation, 247
+    De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Reply, 248
+  Officers, Effect on, 250
+  President and Commander-in-Chief of Transvaal and Orange Free
+      State--Replies, 250, 251, 257, 258
+  Steyn's, President, Letter to Lord Kitchener, 251-259
+  Terms of, 247-251
+
+Bank Notes of the South African Republic--Peace Terms, Arrangements for
+    honouring Notes, 380
+  Prisoners of War, Opportunity of sending in Notes for Payment, 386
+
+Barbed Wire Fences, _see_ Wire Fences
+
+Barton, Gen., Attack on at Frederiksstad by Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+    and Gen. Liebenberg, 164-167
+
+Beijers, Gen.--Continuance of the War, Spirit of the Nation an
+    obstacle--Speech at Vereeniging Conference, 410
+  Waterberg District, Situation in--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 339
+
+Bergh, Capt.--Attacks on Boer Forces with bands of Kaffirs, 271
+
+Bester, Commandant A.J.--Continuance of the War, Argument in favour of
+    at the Vereeniging Conference, 421
+
+Bester Station, Skirmish at, 10
+
+Bethlehem--Commandants of Boer Forces, Appointments, 227, 228
+  Defence of--British Reinforcements, Arrival of, 121, 122
+    Dispositions of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 120, 121
+    _Voetgangers_ on Wolhuterskop, Bravery of, 121, 122
+  Engagement near, 194, 195
+  Fall of, 122
+
+Bethlehem Commando--Fidelity of Burghers, 94, _note_
+
+Bezuidenhoutspas--Occupation by Vrede Commando, 7, 8
+
+Biddulphsberg Engagement--English wounded burnt by veldt fire, 84
+
+"Big Constable"--Transvaalers mistaking President Steyn for Police
+    Agent, 86, 87
+
+Birkenstock, Mr.--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., 399
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 343
+
+Blauwbank, Fight at, 30
+  British Camp abandoned--Booty taken by Boers, 33, 34
+  British Convoy, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Attack on, 32, 33
+
+Blijdschap--Arrival of Laager of Women, 268
+  De Lange sentenced to death for High Treason at, 268, _note_
+  Massing of Commandos at, 268
+
+_Blikkiescost_, 4
+
+Blockhouse System--"Blockhead" System, alleged, 260
+  Boer Success in breaking through Blockhouses, 260, 261
+  Bothaville, Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, 299
+  British loss of faith in Blockhouses, 291, 292
+  Cost of erection and maintenance, 262
+  Description of, 262
+  Districts surrounded by the British, 261
+  Failure of, alleged, 261
+  Lindley-Kroonstad Line, Boers breaking through, 287
+  Palmietfontein, Boers breaking through Line near, 289, 290
+  Prolongation of the War by, alleged, 263, 264
+  Small number of Captures effected, 260, 261
+  Springhaansnek--Commander-in-Chief de Wet breaking through the Line of
+      Blockhouses on the march to the South, 173
+  Thaba'Nchu and Sanna's Post, Forts between--Capture by
+      Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 201, 202
+  Trenches dug by British near Blockhouse Lines, etc., 288, 294, 295
+
+Bloemfontein--Capture by British, 55
+  Defence of--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Arrangements, 54
+  Water Works--Occupation by General Broadwood, 61
+
+"Boer Biscuits," 3
+
+Boer Forces--
+  Burghers who had returned home after fall of Bloemfontein, Re-call to
+      the front, 71
+  Commandos left with Commander-in-Chief de Wet after fall of
+      Bloemfontein, _note_ 57
+  Confusion among Burghers at Holspruits, 294, 295
+  Discipline, _see_ that title
+  Disposition of Forces after fall of Bethlehem, 124
+  Harrismith Commando, Refusal to part with Waggons--Return
+      home, 161, 163
+  Medical Certificates, Abuse of, _note_ 59
+  Mobility, _see_ that title
+  Numbers at Outset of War, 408, 414, 415, 491
+  Numbers at the Termination of the War, 322, 338, 339, 347, 348, 359,
+      360, 361, 362
+  Orange Free State Commandos--
+    Commander-in-Chief, Election of, 6, 7
+    Harrismith, Concentration at, 4, 6-7
+    Heilbron Commando, _see_ that title
+    Number of Burghers ready to fight after fall of Pretoria, 94
+  Panic after Paardeberg, 48, 49, 51, 52, _note_ 57
+    Permission given to Burghers by Commander-in-Chief de Wet to return
+        home, 56, _note_ 57--Gen. Joubert's Protest, 57
+  Reduction in numbers due to Paardeberg Surrender, etc., 89, 90
+  Roberts', Lord, Surrender Proclamation--Effect on Numbers rejoining
+      Commandos, 60
+    Non-observance of Terms, Burghers returning to Commandos, 80
+  Separation of Free Staters and Transvaalers after fall of Kroonstad,
+      Reasons for, 89, 90
+
+Boesmanskop Skirmish, 80
+
+Boshof, Vrow--Gift of Clothes to Burghers who had swum the Orange
+    River, 221, 222
+
+Bosman, Landdrost--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 404, 405, 406
+  Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Report to the
+      Vereeniging Conference, 361, 362
+
+Botha--Capture at Honingkopjes, Subsequent Escape and Death, 110
+
+Botha, Commandant-General--
+  Continuance of the War, Arguments against--Terms of Surrender,
+      etc., 414, 415
+  Estcourt Skirmishes--Capture of Armoured Train, etc., 19
+  Fortitude after Fall of Pretoria, 93
+  Independence of the South African Republic and Orange Free
+      State--Vereeniging Conference Delegates' power to decide as to
+      Independence, 411
+  Junction with Commander-in-Chief de Wet at
+      Rhenosterriviersbrug, 88, 89
+  Middelburg Peace Proposals, _see_ that title
+  Mission to Europe on behalf of Relief Fund Committee, 428
+  Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives
+      at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396
+  Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 337, 338, 354-358
+
+Botha, General Philip--
+  Dewetsdorp Defences, Occupation of, 175, 176
+  Engagement with General Knox's Forces, 194, 195
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+  Reinforcements sent to Commander-in-Chief de Wet before Paardeberg,
+      Command of, 36, 37
+  Stinkfontein--Failure to recapture Position, 45
+  Storming of, 40
+  Tabaksberg, Engagement at, 83
+
+Botha, Mr. Jan--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute to, 150, 151
+
+Bothaville--Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, 299
+  Surprise Attack by the British on Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+      Forces--Boer Panic, 168-170
+    Losses of the Boers, 170-171
+
+_Bout Span_, 5
+
+Boys--Presence with Commandos, 287, 289, 290
+  Children killed and wounded, 289, 290, 295, 296
+
+Brabant's, General, Successes, 50
+
+Brabant's Horse--Attack on Commandant Kritzinger and Captain
+    Scheepers, 185, 186
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Opinion of, 75, 76
+
+Brand, President--Assistance rendered to South African Republic in War
+    of 1877-1881, 422, 423
+
+Brandfort, Boer Forces at--Hotels closed by Commander-in-Chief, 60
+
+_Brandwachten_, 22
+
+Breijtenbach, Veldtcornet B.H.--Continuance of the War, Impossibility of
+    Carrying on the Struggle, 403, 404
+
+British Forces--Artillery, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute to, 25
+  March from Bethlehem to Reitz, under guidance of Free
+      Staater, 263, 264
+  Sixty Thousand Men, Cordon of, 291, 292, 293, 294
+
+Broadwood, General--Occupation of Thaba'Nchu, 65, 66
+  Retreat towards Thaba'Nchu before General Olivier, 62
+
+Broodspioen, 207, 208
+
+Bruwer, Commandant--Appointment to Command of Bethlehem
+    District, 227, 228
+
+Buller, Sir Redvers--Drakensberg Frontier, Crossing of, 93
+  Landing at Cape Town, 21
+  Relief of Ladysmith, 50
+  Strength of Positions operated against by Sir Redvers Buller, 21
+
+Bulwana Hill--Boers surprised by British, 21
+
+Burger, Vice-President--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 398, 421, 422, 424, 425
+  Meeting with Orange Free State Government, Letter to President
+      Steyn, 301, 302
+  Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Address at the
+      Vereeniging Conference, 336, 337, 351-354
+  Steyn, President, Resignation of--Announcement at Vereeniging
+      Conference, 411
+
+
+Cape Colony--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Attempted Inroad--March towards Cape
+      Colony--
+    Blockhouses--Commander-in-Chief de Wet breaking through the Line at
+        Springhaansnek, 173, 187, 188, 189
+    Dewetsdorp--
+      Defences, British neglecting to hold, 175, 176
+      Storming of, 175-179
+    Forces under Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 172
+    "Good Hope" Farm, Engagement near, 181
+      Knox's, Gen., Arrival with British Reinforcements, 181
+    Gun and Amount of Ammunition taken, 173
+    Karmel, March towards, 181, 182
+    Knox's, Gen., Pursuit of Commander-in-Chief de
+        Wet, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190
+    Orange and Caledon Rivers in flood--Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+        "cornered," 182, 183
+    Prinsloo's, Commandant Michal, Commando--Appearance in the nick of
+        time, 187, 188
+    Retreat across Orange River, 184, 185
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Expedition into--
+    Capture of Farm held by British Troops, 207, 208
+    Courage and Endurance of Burghers, 212
+    Diminution in number of Boer Forces, 206, 207
+    Engagements with British Troops, 206, 207, 212
+    Escape of Boer Forces in the darkness, 216, 219, 220
+    Fodder, Lack of, 206, 207
+    Knox's, Gen., Movements, 201, 202, 203
+    Miraculous Nature of Boer Achievements, 223, 224
+    Moddervlei, Passage of--Boer Loss of Ammunition and Flour
+        Waggons, 208, 209, 210, 212
+    Officers serving with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 195, 196
+    Position of Boer Forces after crossing Orange River, 205, 206
+    Retreat across Orange River, Difficulties of, etc., 217-224
+    Strategy employed to mislead Gen. Knox, 202, 203, 204
+  General Rising of Burghers, Impossibility of--Reports of Delegates at
+      the Vereeniging Conference, 340, 341, 342, 355, 360, 361, 405, 406
+  Position of affairs at the beginning of 1901--Colonial Burghers'
+      Sympathy with Boer Cause, 195, 196
+  Sheep-farming, success of in North-Western Districts, 211
+  Small Commandos sent to Cape Colony, Policy of, 234
+
+Cape Mounted Rifles, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's opinion of, 77, 78
+
+Cartwright, Mr., Editor of _South African News_--Punishment for
+    publication of "not to take prisoners" Anecdote concerning Lord
+    Kitchener, 184, 185
+
+Casualties, _see_ Losses in Killed and Wounded, etc., on either side
+
+Cattle--Blockhouse Line between Lindley and Kroonstad, Boer Cattle
+    breaking through, 288
+  Capture of Boer Cattle on "Majuba Day," 296, 297
+  Destruction by the British, 192, 232
+  Supply available on May 15, 1902--Report of Vereeniging
+      Delegates, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 343, 344, 345, 346, 351, 352
+
+Causes of the War--British Government Interference with the inner policy
+    of the South African Republic, 252, 253
+  Declaration of War by the South African Republics as the
+      Cause--President Steyn's Contradiction, 251, 252
+  Extermination of the Republics already determined on by England,
+      alleged, 254, 255
+  Franchise Law--British Government Demands, 252, 253, 254
+  Goldfields the main object, alleged, 350, 351
+  Jameson Raid as a Cause, alleged, 251, 252, 253
+  Memorials to H.M. Government concerning alleged Grievances--President
+      Steyn's efforts to keep the Peace, 252, 253, 254
+  Orange Free State joining issues with the Transvaal, 254, 255
+  Steyn's, President, Letter to Lord Kitchener, 250-259
+  Troops landed by the British Government prior to outbreak of
+      War, 253, 254
+  Ultimatum of Boers, Lord Salisbury's Assertion, 53, 54
+
+Ceylon--Boer Prisoners taken with Gen. Prinsloo sent to Ceylon, 156
+
+Chamberlain, Mr. J.--Boer Ultimatum--Telegrams to Sir A. Milner, 329
+  Jameson Raid--Defence of Mr. Rhodes, President Steyn on, 251, 252
+
+Cilliers, Gen. J.G.--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 404, 405
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Address at the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 353, 354
+
+Cilliers, Sarah--Death at Frederiksstad Engagement, 166, 167
+
+Clothing--De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Clothes hidden in Cave, 298
+  Difficulty of obtaining, 233
+  Hides for tanning, Destruction by the British, 233
+  Stripping British Prisoners to obtain, 233
+
+Colenso--British losses at, 23
+
+Colesberg--Strength of Boer Positions, 26
+
+Colonial Burghers--British subjects fighting on Boer Side, Boer Hopes of
+    Assistance unfulfilled, 405, 406, 408, 420
+  British Government Intentions with regard to Rebels, 394, 395
+  Proposal for General Amnesty, 413, 414
+  Safeguarding in Peace Negotiations, 398, 402, 403, 411, 414, 415, 416,
+      421, 427
+
+Commandeering--Provisions of Commando Law, 3
+
+Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State--
+  De Wet, Gen.--Appointment of, 49
+    Secret Election of, 118
+  Prinsloo, Election of, 6, 7
+
+Commando Law--Provisions as to Commandeering, 3
+
+Commandos--Division of into small parties, 225
+    Advantages of, 227
+    List of Districts and Commandants, 225-227
+  Skirmishes, Splendid Record, 267
+  Small Commandos sent into Cape Colony--De Wet's Policy, 234
+  (For particular Commandos _see_ their names)
+
+Commissariat--Comparison of Boer and British Commissariat
+    Arrangements, 4, 5, 6, 7
+
+Compensation for Boer Losses, _see_ Repatriation
+
+Concentration Camps--Number of Deaths in, etc., 416, 419, 426
+  Women--Flight of to avoid being sent to Camps, 193, 279
+    Maintenance of Boer Women and Children by the British
+        Government--President Steyn on, 257, 258
+    Treatment of, 232, 257, 258
+
+Conduct of the War by British--Exhaustion of the Republics, 419
+
+Continuance of the War in 1902, Vereeniging Conference--
+  Burghers, Attitude of, 404, 405, 410, 411
+    Effect on Vereeniging Meeting, 413, 414
+  Comparison of Situation with that of 1877-1881, Futility of, 421, 422
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Speech, 407
+  Kruger's, President, Advice, 420
+  Possibility, Question of--Situation in South African Republic,
+      Reliance on Government, etc., 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353,
+      354-358, 359, 360-362, 363, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405,
+      407, 408, 410, 412, 413, 414, 415, 417, 418, 420, 421, 422, 423,
+      424, 426
+  Reasons for, 400, 401
+
+Correspondence relating to the War, Preservation of, 247
+
+Court Martial on Commandant Vilonel, Composition of, _note_ 85
+
+Cowboys, Capture by Boers--Blauwbank Capture, 33, 34
+
+Cronje, Commandant--Continuance of the War, Reliance on God, etc., 402
+  European Intervention, Boer Deputation to Foreign Courts, 402, 403
+
+Cronje, Gen. A.P.--Modder Spruit, Command at, 11
+  Sanna's Post, Share in Engagement, 64
+  Vechtgeneraal of Orange Free State, Nomination as, 11
+
+Cronje, Gen. Piet--De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Scheme for breaking
+    Lord Methuen's Railway Communications--Refusal to permit Execution
+    of, 23
+  Ladysmith, Occupation of Positions South and Southwest of, 19
+  Magersfontein--Command at, 23, 24
+    Refusal to profit by Commander-in-Chief De Wet's Advice, 25
+    Message in reply to Commander-in-Chief De Wet's warning before
+        Paardeberg, 31
+  Retreat towards Paardeberg, 36, 37
+  Surrender at Paardeberg (_see_ Paardeberg)
+
+Cronje, Vechtgeneraal Andreas--Command of Boers' Reinforcements from
+    Bloemfontein, 45
+
+Cropper, F.C., Death of, near Lindley, 269
+
+
+Dakasburg Engagement, 200
+
+Dalgety, Colonel--Command at Badenhorst, 77
+
+Davel, Commandant--Command of President Steyn's Bodyguard, 191
+
+Days of Thanksgiving and Humiliation, Appointment of, 243
+
+De Clercq, Mr.--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, 399
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 344, 348
+
+De la Rey, General--Colesberg Command, 24
+  Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., 403, 404
+  Fortitude after Fall of Pretoria, 93
+  Independence of the South African Republic--Powers of Vereeniging
+      Delegates to decide on Question, 411, 412
+  Kraaipan, Capture of Armoured Train, 8
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+  Magersfontein Laager, Command at, 23
+  Mission to Europe on behalf of Relief Fund Committee, 428
+  Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives
+      at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396
+  Permission given to Burghers to return home, 56
+  Reitfontein, Work at, 52
+  Roberts', Lord, Attempt to cross the Orange River--Success in
+      preventing, 26
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 358
+  Steyn's, President, and General de Wet's visit to, 300
+
+De Lange--Sentence of Death for High Treason at Blijdschap, 268 _note_
+
+De Wet, General Piet--Advice to Commander-in-Chief De Wet after Siege of
+    Badenhorst, 81
+  Discontinuance of Struggle proposed--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+      Reception of Proposal, 130
+  Lindley Garrison, Capture of, 92
+  Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, 64
+  Swartbooiskop, Guarding after Fight at Nicholson's Nek, 17
+
+De Wet, Jacobus, Capture of, 296, 297
+
+De Wet, Johannes--Death near Smithfield, 181
+
+De Wet, Veldtcornet--Wounded during Retreat from Dewetsdorp, 181
+
+Debtors, Protection of, against Creditors for Six Months after the
+    War--Peace Negotiations at Pretoria (May, 1902), 387
+
+Declaration of War by South African Republic (_see_ Ultimatum)
+
+Deputation to European Powers to ask for Intervention (1900)--Departure
+    from Delagoa Bay, 53, 54
+  Encouragement to continue Struggle, 407
+  England's Refusal to permit Return of Deputation, 409, 412, 413
+  European Governments unwilling to receive, 415, 416
+  Failure of, 355, 356
+  Object of, 54
+  Silence of, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407
+
+Delagoa Bay Harbour, Forbidden to Boers by Portuguese Government, 53,
+    _note_ 54
+
+Destitution caused by the War, 321, 322
+  Appointment of Committee to Collect and Administer Relief Funds, 428
+
+Devastation by the British--War against Boer Property, 192
+  Crops destroyed, Corn burnt, etc., _note_ 83
+  Farm-burning and Waggons (_see_ those titles)
+  Male Attire, Burning of, 221, 222
+
+Dewetsdorp, Occupation by British, 71
+  Storming by Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Forces, 174-179
+
+Diederiks of Boshof, Commandant, 24
+
+Discipline of Boer Forces--Imperfect Discipline, 7, 8, 9, 57
+  Failure to remove Cattle along Railway Line, 111
+  Roodewal, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Difficulties in carrying away
+      Booty, 103, 104
+  Sanna's Post, irritating Results at, 67
+  Stricter Discipline, Results of, 61
+  Taljaart's and Prinsloo's, Veldtcornets, Burghers "preferred to go
+      their own way," 286
+  Waggon Difficulty, 120, 121
+    Harrismith Burghers' Refusal to part with their Waggons at
+        Spitskopje, 161-163
+
+Doornberg, War Council at--Decision as to Presidential Election, 197
+
+Doornspruit--Line near crossed by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, Capture of
+    Train, Ammunition, etc., 132
+
+Drakensberg Range--
+  Boundary between Boer and British Territory in 1899, 7, 8
+  Passes, Occupation by Orange Free State Commandos, 7, 8
+
+Drive Tactics of British--
+  Bethlehem-Lindley to Frankfort-Vrede Line--Cordon of Sixty Thousand
+      Men, 290-296
+  Boer Forces caught between Cordon of Troops and Vaal River, 135, 136
+  Harrismith, Heilbron and Bethlehem District, 285, 286
+
+Du Toit, General--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 400, 401
+
+Dundee, Line near, cut by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 9, 10
+
+
+Elandsfontein Engagement--Commandant Michal Prinsloo's Exploit, 119, 120
+
+Elandskop--British Attack in Hope of Capturing Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 290, 291
+
+Elandslaagte Engagement, 114
+
+Els, Veldtcornet Marthinus, wounded outside Ladysmith, 20
+
+Epithets applied by the British to the Boer Forces, 227, 228
+
+European Journals kept from Republics by England, 409
+
+Eustin, Lieut. Banie, wounded and captured by British, 204, 205
+
+Extermination of the South African Republics--British Determination to
+    exterminate the Republics prior to the Outbreak of War,
+    alleged, 254, 255
+
+
+Fanny's Home Farm--Recapture of Guns by British, 285
+
+Farm-burning, etc., by the British--Heilbron, Bethlehem and Harrismith
+    District, 285
+  Roberts', Lord, Proclamations, ordering, 192
+  Shelter, Lack of--Women living in Narrow Sheds, 290, 291
+  Wholesale Destruction of Farms by the British, 232
+
+Fauresmith and Jacobsdal Burghers--Failure to rejoin Commandos, 60
+  Return Home without Permission after Poplar Grove, 56
+
+Ferreira, Mr. T.S., Commander-in-Chief, at Kimberley--Death due to Gun
+    Accident, 49
+
+Firing of the Veldt by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 141, 142
+
+Fissher, Abraham--Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), 53, 54
+
+Food Supply--Failure of Food Supply, Reason for Acceptance of British
+    Peace Terms, 233, 321, 401, 402, 405, 406, 410, 416, 417, 421, 422,
+    427, 428
+  Kemp's, Gen., Plan of Commandeering Food Supplies from the
+      Kaffirs, 345
+  Situation in the various Districts on May 15, 1902--Reports of the
+      Delegates to the Vereeniging Conference, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341,
+      342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 355, 361, 362
+
+Forces--Comparison between numbers, etc., engaged on either Side in
+    the War, 339
+  (_See_ also titles Boer and British Forces)
+
+Fourie, General Piet--Bethlehem Engagement, 281
+  Blauwbank, Exploits at, 33, 34, 35
+  Cape Colony Expedition, Part in, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207,
+      210, 212, 213, 221, 222
+  Commandos escaped from behind the Roodebergen, Command of, 238, 239
+  Despatch of, to the South-Eastern Districts, 225
+  Engagement with British Troops from Bloemfontein (1900), 80
+  Prinsloo's Surrender, Escape from, 128
+  Springhaansnek, Leader in Attack on Blockhouse Line, 187, 188, 189
+  Vice-Commander-in-Chief in Bloemfontein District, Appointment, 157
+
+Franchise--British Government Demands on the South African Republic
+    prior to Outbreak of War, 252, 253, 254
+
+Frankfort, British Success at (1900), 82
+  Ross', Commandant, Engagement with Colonel Rimington's Troops, 267
+
+Fraser, Gordon--One of two faithful Burghers of Philippolis District, 94
+
+Frederiksstad Station--Attack by Commander-in-Chief de Wet and General
+    Liebenberg on General Barton, Causes of Failure, etc., 165-168
+
+French, General--
+  Koedoesberg, Fight for, 27
+  Magersfontein--Boer Lines broken through, 36, 37
+
+Froneman, General--
+  Continuance of the War at all Costs advocated, 402, 403
+  Escape from Paardeberg, 41
+  Frederiksstad, Attack on General Barton--Failure to hold advanced
+      Position, 165, 166, 167
+  Koedoesberg, Share in Fighting at, 27, 28
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+  Prinsloo's Surrender--Escape from, 128
+  Railway Line wrecked near America Siding, 115, 116
+  Reddersburg, March on, 72, 73
+  Rhenosterriviersbrug Engagement, 99, 101, 104, 105
+  Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, 62
+  Smithfield Expedition, Results of, 79
+  Train captured by, near Jagersfontein Road Station, 203, 204
+  Ventersburg, Failure to hold Position, 85
+
+
+Gatacre, General--Capture of Stormberg, 50
+
+Gatsrand--Death of Danie Theron, 153, 154
+
+Germany--Attitude towards the War, Reasons for
+    Non-intervention, 358, 359
+
+Gladstone--
+  Assistance rendered to South African Republic in War of
+      1877-1881, 422, 423
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, tribute to, 85
+
+Goldfields--Surrender of, to the British proposed, 350, 351, 352, 357,
+    358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364
+
+Gouveneurskop--General de Villiers' Exploits at, 83
+
+Government of Orange Free State--
+  Accompanying Commander-in-Chief de Wet in Departure from
+      Roodebergen, 124, 129
+  Bethlehem, Transference to, 117
+  Cape Colony, Expedition into, Decision to accompany, 197
+  Capture of Members of the Government by the British at Reitz--Escape
+      of President Steyn, 244
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Operations after Prinsloo's
+      Surrender--Government accompanying Commander-in-Chief de
+      Wet, 124, 129
+  Executive Raad, Constitution of, 198
+  Heilbron, Transference to, 86
+  Kroonstad, Transference to, 58
+  Third Transference, Reasons for, 92
+  Volksraad--Impossibility of assembling a legally constituted
+      Volksraad, 198, 199
+
+Government of South African Republic--
+  Capture of Members by the British at Reitz, 244
+    Appointments to Vacancies, 244
+    Treachery on the part of Burgher Steenekamp, 244
+  Steyn's, President, Visit to Machadodorp, 144
+  Termination of the War (_see_ that title)
+
+Governments of the Orange Free State and South African Republic--
+  Peace Deliberations, Meeting at Klerksdorp, 303, 305
+  Peace Negotiations at Pretoria, Boer Proposals for Retention of
+      Self-Government under British supervision, 366, 371, 372
+
+Grain Waggons, captured by British near Vredefort, 133
+
+"Granary" of Orange Free State lost to Boers, 84
+
+Grant by the British Government for Repatriation Purposes, Re-stocking
+    Farms, etc., 394
+
+Great Britain, King of--Thanks of Boer Generals for Efforts to promote
+    Peace--Resolution at the Vereeniging Conference, 346
+
+Grobler, Commandant H.S.--Continuance of the War, Impossibility of
+    carrying on the Struggle, 406
+
+Grobler, Mr. E.R.--Colesberg Command, 22
+
+Groenkop, Description of, 278
+
+"Guerillas"--
+  Designation of Boer Forces by the British as "Guerillas," Objections
+      to the term, 228, 229
+  Meaning of the term, 229
+
+Guns--
+  Boer Captures--
+    Blauwbank, 33
+    Colenso and Stormberg, 22
+    Dakasburg Engagement--
+      Capture of a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, 200
+    Dewetsdorp, 178
+    Nicholson's Nek, 16
+    Sanna's Post, 67, 69
+    Tweefontein, 282
+  Boer Losses, 208, 209
+    Bothaville, Number lost at, 170, 171
+    Fanny's Home Farm, Recapture of Guns by the British, 285
+    Frederiksstad, Retreat after--Loss of one gun, 167
+    Springhaansnek, Gun Abandoned, 189, 190
+    Ventersdorp, Loss of Krupp Gun near, 141
+
+
+"Hands-uppers," British use of, 18
+
+Harbour, Boer Lack of, _note_ 53
+
+Harrismith--
+  Engagement with British Troops near, 272-274
+    Boer Casualties, 274
+    Failure of Boer Charge, 273
+  Orange Free State Troops, Concentration at, 4, 6
+
+Harrismith Burghers--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Visit to, 260
+  Surrender following Prinsloo's Surrender, 128
+  Waggon, Refusal to part with--Return home, 161-163
+
+Hasebroek, Commandant--Cape Colony Expedition--Holding the Enemy in
+    Check, 212, 215, 219, 220
+  Engagement with Colonel White near Thaba'Nchu, 189, 190
+
+Hattingh, General--Command at Harrismith and Vrede Commandos, 161
+  Commander-in-Chief in the Drakensberg Appointment, 117
+
+Hattingh, Veldtcornet Johannes--Leader in Springhaansnek Attack on
+    Blockhouse Lines, 187
+
+Heenop, David--Swimming the Orange River, 220
+
+Heilbron--District to which Commander-in-Chief de Wet belonged, 4
+  Government of Orange Free State transferred to, 86
+  Mentz, Commandant F.E., Engagement with Colonel Byng's Column, 267
+
+Heilbron Commando--Commandant Mr. L. Steenekamp, 4
+  Vice-Commandant, Election of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 7
+  Visits to, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 230, 243
+
+Heliographic Communication, Use by Boers, 286 _note_, 289
+
+Hertzog, Judge--Continuance of the War, Arguments for and
+    against--Vereeniging Conference, 412
+  Despatch of, to the South-Western Districts, 225
+  Mission to bring back Commandos which had escaped from Prinsloo's
+      Surrender, 137
+  Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives
+      at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396
+  Rejection of British Terms--Proposal, 425, 426
+  Report on Attitude of Burghers in North-Western Parts of Cape
+      Colony, 195
+  Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Appointment in Districts of Fauresmith,
+      etc., 158
+
+Hides for Tanning--Destruction by the British, 233
+
+Hijs, Commandant, P.L.--Impossibility of European Intervention, 401, 402
+
+Holspruits--Boers breaking through British Lines, 293, 294
+
+Honing Kopjes--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's first Engagement with Lord
+    Kitchener, 108-110
+
+Honingspruit Station, Failure of Commandant Olivier's Attack, 115, 116
+
+Horses--Bothaville, Capture of Horses by Boers, 299
+  Condition of Boer Horses, 338, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 355
+  Dependence of the Boers on their Horses, 172
+  Fodder, Scarcity of, 341, 355
+  Skin Disease among, 271, 272
+  Wild Horses of the Veldt, Use of, by the Boers, 292, 293
+
+Humiliation Days, Appointment of, 243
+
+
+Independence of the Republics--
+  Afrikander Feeling as to, 58
+  British Government Attitude towards, 337
+  Correspondence between Presidents Kruger and Steyn and Lord
+      Salisbury, 330-332
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Meetings to ascertain the feeling of the
+      Burghers as to Surrender of Independence, 313
+  "Irretrievably Lost," 419
+  Maintenance of--Burghers' Mandate to Vereeniging Delegates, 333, 337,
+      338, 347, 348, 362, 363, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407, 411,
+      412, 417, 421, 422, 423, 424
+  Peace Negotiations--Conference at Pretoria between Commission of the
+      National Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner
+      (May 19-28, 1902), 366, 370, 371
+  Refusal of the British Government to consider Terms based on Retention
+      of Independence, 53, 54, 309, 310, 397
+  Steyn, President, Views of, 306
+  Surrender of--Conditions offered by the British in
+      exchange, 346, 347, 358
+  Vereeniging Conference, opinions of Burghers' Delegates, 333, 336,
+      346, 347, 348, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 362, 363, 364
+
+Intervention of Foreign Powers on behalf of the Republics--
+  Attitude of England towards, 356, 362, 363
+  Boer Deputation to European Powers (_see_ Deputation)
+  Boer Hopes unfulfilled, 405, 406, 412, 414, 415, 416, 423, 424
+  Germany, Reasons for Non-intervention, 358, 359
+  Improbability of Intervention, 355, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 433
+  Intervention not desired by Boers, 54
+  Steyn, President, on, 354, 355
+
+
+Jameson Raid, President Steyn on, 251, 252
+
+Jew at Nicholson's Nek--Burgher declining to do Business, 15
+
+Johannesburg Police, Behaviour at Nicholson's Nek, 15, 16
+
+Jonson, Burgher, Death at Bester Station--First Victim in the Fight for
+    Freedom, 10, 11
+
+Joubert, General--
+  Junction with Orange Free State Forces at Rietfontein, 13
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+
+
+Kaffirs--Arming by England, 422, 423
+  Attitude towards the Boers--Reports of Vereeniging Delegates, 337,
+      338, 339, 340, 343, 345, 346, 355, 361, 362, 363
+  Boer Women, Treatment of, 151, 152, 153
+  Capture of Kaffirs by Boers at Dewetsdorp, 178, 179
+  Release of Prisoners, 181
+  Treatment of Kaffirs by Boers--Kaffirs captured at Leeuwspruit
+      Bridge, 113
+  Warfare, Native Methods--Boer Sufferings at the Hands of Zulus and
+      Basutos, 10
+
+Kemp, General--Continuance of the War, Independence of the Republics,
+    etc., 421, 422
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 345, 347, 348
+
+Kitchener, Lord--Armistice agreed on, to admit of Attendance of Boer
+    Officers at the Vereeniging Meeting, 316
+  Misunderstanding on the Part of the British Columns, 317, 318
+  Capture of President Steyn and Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+      anticipated--Visit to Wolvehock Station, 290, 291
+  Escape from Armoured Train, near Leeuwspruit Bridge, 112
+  Honingkopjes and Roodepoort--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's first
+      Engagement with Lord Kitchener, 108, 109
+  Independence of Republics as basis for Peace Negotiations, Refusal to
+      consider--Pretoria Conference, 309, 310, 397
+  Kroonstad, Arrival at, 111
+  Middelburg Peace Proposals (_see_ that title)
+  Peace Negotiations--Conference at Pretoria with Commission of National
+      Representatives (May 19-28, 1902), 320, 365, 395, 396
+  Proposals by the Boer Representatives in April, 1902, 305-313
+  Prisoners, Order given to Gen. Knox "not to take prisoners"--_South
+      African News_ Statement, 184, 185
+
+Klerksdorp--Peace Deliberations, Meeting of Governments of the
+    Republics, 303, 304, 305
+
+Knight, Captain Wyndham--
+  Surrender at Rhenosterriviersbrug, 105, 106
+  Tribute to, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 107
+
+Knox, General--Bethlehem, Engagement near, with Generals Botha and
+    Fourie, and Commandant Prinsloo, 194, 195
+  Cape Colony--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Operations--Attempted
+      Inroad--Fighting near Smithfield, 181
+  Expedition into Cape Colony, Dispositions to prevent, 201, 202, 203
+  Kroonstad taken by, 194, 195
+  Pursuit of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190
+  Thaba'Nchu, Engagement near, with Gen. Fourie, 201, 202
+
+Koedoesberg--Struggle between General French and Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 27, 28, 29
+
+Kotzé, Mr. (General Prinsloo's Secretary)--Bearer to Commander-in-Chief
+    de Wet of News of General Prinsloo's Surrender, 135, 136, 137
+
+Kraaipan--Armoured Train captured by Boers, 8, 9
+
+Kritzinger, Commandant--Crossing of Orange River, Seizure of British
+    Outpost, 195, 196
+
+Kritzinger, Commandant, and Captain Scheepers--Engagement with Brabant's
+    Horse, 185, 186
+
+Krom Ellenborg, Sub-district to which Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+    belonged, 4
+
+Kroonstad--British Advance, 86, 87
+    Abandonment by Boers, 87, 88
+  Capture by General Knox, 194, 195
+  Government of Orange Free State transferred to, 58
+  Government of Orange Free State transferred to Heilbron, 86, 87
+  Kitchener's Lord, Arrival--Strength of British Forces, etc., 111
+
+Kroonstad Commando, Share in Battle of Modderspruit, 10, 11
+
+Kruger, President--Despatch of Mission to Europe to represent Condition
+    of the Country to President Kruger, proposed, 236, 237, 238
+  Peace, Joint Letter to Lord Salisbury stating Conditions on which the
+      Republics were willing to make Peace, 330, 331, 332
+  Poplar Grove, Visit to Boer Troops at, 50
+  War Council at Kroonstad, Presence, at, 58
+
+Krugersdorp-Potchefstroom Railway--Crossed by Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 149
+
+
+Ladysmith--
+  British Retreat on Ladysmith, 9, 10
+  Bulwana Hill--Boers surprised by British, 21
+  Engagement of 3rd Nov., 1899, 29, 30
+  Relief, 50
+
+Landsheer, Doctor de--Death at Bothaville, English Newspaper
+    Report, 170, 171
+
+Language Question--
+  Equal Rights for English and Dutch Languages in Schools--Boer Peace
+      Proposals to Lord Kitchener (April, 1902), 308, 309
+  Terms of the Peace Protocol, 380, 393, 394
+    Objections to, 412, 421, 422
+
+Leeuwspruit Railway Bridge--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme for
+    breaking British Lines of Communication, 112
+  Froneman's, General, Failure to carry out Instructions, 113
+  Kitchener's Lord, Escape, 112
+
+Leeuwspruit Scheme, Failure of, 112
+  Methuen's, Lord, Railway Communications--General Cronje's Refusal to
+      permit Execution of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme for
+      Cutting, 23
+  Orange Free State Railway--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Work
+      on, 153, 154
+  Scheepers, Captain, Work of, 154
+  Wolvehoek, Wrecking the Railway, 163
+
+Liebenberg, General--
+  Frederiksstad--Failure of Attack on General Barton, 164, 165, 166, 167
+  Mooi River, Junction with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 140, 141
+  Retreat from Rustenburg, 142, 143
+
+Liebenbergsvlei--
+  British Retreat, 284
+  Guns, Recapture by British at Fanny's Home Farm, 285
+
+Lindley--
+  British Garrison Captured by General Piet de Wet, 92
+  Destruction by the British, Alleged, 271, 272
+  Engagement near, 268
+  Postponement of Second Boer Attack--Escape of the British during the
+      Night, 270
+  Halt of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Forces, 271, 272
+
+Lindley-Kroonstad Line of Blockhouses--Boers breaking through the
+    Line, 287
+
+Lines of Communication--Boer Attempts to cut British Lines, 172, 246
+  America Siding Railway Line Wrecked by General Froneman, 115, 116
+  De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Schemes of, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153
+  Frederiksstad Station--Wrecking of Railway Bridge and Line, 140, 141
+  "Little Majuba"--Name given to Swartbooiskop after Nicholson's Nek, 13
+
+Loans by the British Government for restocking Farms, etc., 394
+
+Long Tom damaged by Dynamite, 21
+
+Looting by British, 6, 7
+
+Losses in Killed, Wounded, etc., on either side during the War, 201,
+    202, 247, 265, 266, 415, 416, 417, 422, 423
+  Blijdschap, 269
+  Bothaville, 170, 171
+  Cape Colony Expedition, 206, 207, 208, 209
+  Colenso, 22
+  Dakasburg Engagement, 200
+  Dewetsdorp, 177, 178
+  Engagement between Commandant Hasebroek and Colonel White, 189
+  Frederiksstad Engagement, 166, 167
+  Heilbron, 26
+  Koffiefontein, 35, 36
+  Ladysmith, Engagement of 3rd Nov., 1899, 20
+  Leeuwspruit Bridge, 112, 113
+  Lindley, 267, 269
+  Magersfontein, 23
+  Modder Spruit, 11
+  Nicholson's Nek, 16
+  Paardeberg, 50
+  Prinsloo's Surrender, 127
+  Reitz, 265
+  Rhenosterriviersbrug, 105
+  Roodewal, Extent of British Losses, 102
+  Sanna's Post, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70
+  Stinkfontein, 40, 46
+  Stormberg, 23
+  Tijgerfontein, 138, 139
+  Tweefontein, 181
+  Vanvurenskloof, 139, 140
+  Verkijkersdorp, 239, 240
+  Vredefort Engagement, 134, 135
+
+Loyalty to British Government--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Final Advice
+    to the Boers, 324
+
+Lubbe, Commandant--Return from Paardenberg's Drift, 36, 37
+  Wounded and Captured near Thaba'Nchu, 82
+
+Lyddite Shells, Effect of--
+  Bethlehem Incident, 121, 122
+  Magersfontein Laager, 24
+
+
+Maagbommen, 5
+
+Macdonald, General Sir Hector--
+  Command of Reinforcements against Bethlehem, 121, 122
+
+Machadodorp--President Steyn's Visit to the Government of the South
+    African Republic, 144
+
+Magalies Mountains, Passage of, by Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 145, 146, 147
+
+Magersfontein Engagement--
+  British Losses, 23
+
+Magersfontein Laager--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Command, 23, 24
+  Duties and Annoyances of Command, 64
+  Shelling by British, 24
+  Women, Presence of--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Failure to induce
+      Government to Prohibit, 25
+
+Mailbags captured at Roodewal, Contents used by Boers, 102
+
+"Majuba Day"--Capture of Commandant van Merwe and men, 296, 297
+
+Malan, Lieut.--Expedition into Cape Colony, 206, 207
+
+Martial Law--Proclamation by Governments of the Republics, 7, 8
+
+Massey, Major--Command at Dewetsdorp, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+    Tribute, 175, 176
+
+Matthijsen, Corporal Adriaan and the crossing of the Magalies
+    Mountains, 146, 147
+
+Mauser Rifle in Portrait of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, History
+    of, 151, 152
+
+Mears, Commandant--Loss of Guns at Fanny's Home Farm, 285
+
+Medical Certificates, Abuse of by Burghers, _note_ 59
+
+Meijer, Commandant J.--Tribute to, 271, 272
+
+Mentz, Commandant J.E.--
+  Continuance of the War, Impossibility of, 421, 422
+  Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 351, 352
+
+Merve, Commandant-General van, wounded at Sanna's Post, 68, 69
+
+Merve, Commandant van der--
+  Appointment to Command of Winburg Burghers, 64
+  Capture of, on "Majuba Day," 296, 297
+
+Meyer, Mr. J.L.--Continuance of the War, Arguments against, Vereeniging
+    Conference, 413, 414
+
+Meyer, Veldtcornet--Loss of Position at Stinkfontein, 42
+
+Middelburg Peace Proposals--
+  Annulled by the Terms of Peace arranged at the Pretoria Conference
+      (May, 1902), 392
+  Communications between the Boer Leaders with reference to the proposed
+      Conference, 230
+  Difference between the Basis of Negotiations proposed by the Boer
+      Representatives in May, 1902, and the Middelburg
+      Proposals, 367, 372, 373
+  Receipts issued by Boer Officers, Proviso as to Payment, 384, 385
+
+Milner, Lord--
+  Boer Ultimatum--Mr. Chamberlain's Telegrams, 329
+  Independence of Republics as Basis for Peace Negotiations, Refusal to
+      consider--Pretoria Conference, 365-396, 397
+  Peace Negotiations--Conference at Pretoria with Commission of National
+      Representatives (May 18-29, 1902), 320, 365-396
+
+Mobility--British Incapacity to keep pace with Boers, 140, 141 (_see_
+    also Waggons)
+
+Modder River--British entrenched at, 24
+
+Modder Spruit, Battle of, 9, 10, 11
+  Boer and British Losses, 11, 12
+
+Modderrivierpoort (_see_ Poplar Grove)
+
+Muller, Capt.--Exploit at Roodewal, 101
+
+Muller, General C.H.--Continuance of the War--Vereeniging Delegates'
+    Refusal to accept British Surrender Proposal, 417
+
+Myringen, Burgher, killed at Rhenosterriviersbrug, 105, 106
+
+
+Naauwpoort--Prinsloo's Surrender, 85
+
+Natal--British Subjects fighting for the Boers (_see_ Colonial Burghers)
+
+Natal Operations--
+  Absence of Commander-in-Chief de Wet after 9th Dec., 1899, 21
+  Bester Station Skirmish, 10, 11
+  Colenso, Magersfontein, and Stormberg Engagements--British Losses, 23
+  Drakensberg Passes, Occupation by Orange Free State Commandos, 7, 8
+  Estcourt Skirmishes--General Louis Botha's Exploits, 19
+  Failure of Boers to cut off English at Dundee and Elandslaagte, 9, 10
+  Kraaipan, Capture of Armoured Train by General De la Rey, 8, 9
+  Ladysmith (_see_ that title)
+  Modder Spruit, Battle of, 9, 10, 11
+  Natal Frontier, Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet's Reconnaissance, 7, 8
+  Nicholson's Neck (_see_ that title)
+
+National Representatives (_see_ Peace Negotiations)
+
+National Scouts--Arming men who had taken the Oath of Neutrality, 159
+  Bergh's, Captain, Attacks on Boers with bands of Kaffirs, 271, 272
+  Night Attacks by the British instigated by, 263, 264
+  Services to the British, 184, 185, 223, 224
+
+Naude, Mr. J.--Independence of the South African Republic and Orange
+    Free State, Vereeniging Delegates' power to decide as to Position of
+    British Subjects fighting on Boer side, etc., 411
+
+Neikerk, Altie van--Capture at Honingkopjes, 186
+
+Neikerk, Captain--Appointment as Commandant of President Steyn's
+    Bodyguard, 245
+
+Nel, Commandant--
+  Farm stormed by English--Escape of Commander-in-Chief C. de
+      Wet, 152, 153, 154
+  Modder Spruit--West Wing of Boer Forces commanded by Nel, 10, 11
+  Nicholson's Nek--Failure to hold Swartbooiskop, 13, 14
+  Resignation, 115, 116
+
+Nerwe, Van de--Drowned in crossing Orange River, 217
+
+Netherlands--
+  Peace--Correspondence with the British Government, 301, 302
+  Boer Response to the Invitation implied in the forwarding of the
+      Correspondence, etc., 305, 306, 370, 371
+  Queen of--Thanks of Boer Generals for efforts to promote
+      Peace--Resolution at the Vereeniging Conference, 345, 346
+
+Newspapers--Circulation of European Papers prohibited in Republics by
+    England, 409
+
+Nicholson's Nek--
+  Ambulance for British wounded--Sir G. White's Delay in sending, 17
+  Booty taken by Boers, 16
+  Swartbooiskop--
+    Nel's, Commandant, Failure to hold, 13, 14
+    Storming by Steenekamp and Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet, 14, 15
+    White Flag Incident, 15
+  Transvaal Burghers, Work of, 17
+
+Nieuwouwdt, General--Peace, Rejection of British Terms,
+    Proposal, 424, 425
+
+Night Attacks by the British--Success of, Losses caused to the
+    Boers, 263, 264
+
+Norvalspont--Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet's Schemes for Operations in
+    rear of British, 81, 82
+
+
+Oath of Neutrality, Breaking--Re-arming of Burghers who had taken the
+    Oath, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme, 156-160
+  British Military Authorities' Breach of Terms of Lord Roberts'
+      Proclamation justifying Scheme, 159, 160
+
+Olivier, Commandant--
+  Bethlehem District, Appointment to Command, 227, 228
+  Honingspruit Station, Failure of Attack on, 115, 116
+  Prinsloo's, General, Position as Private Burgher, Dissatisfaction
+      with, 118
+
+Oliviershoekpas--Occupation by Bethlehem Commando, 7, 8
+
+Orange Free State--
+  Annexation of--Battles fought after the alleged Annexation, 228, 229
+  De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Return of, 144, 150, 151
+  Government (_see_ Government of Orange Free State)
+  Number of Burghers in Arms after Fall of Pretoria, 94
+  Outbreak of War--Orange Free State joining issues with the South
+      African Republic, 254, 255
+  President--Powers granted to President in Matters Concerning
+      War, 9, 10
+  Situation of Boer and British Forces in 1901, President Steyn
+      on, 255, 256
+
+Ortel, Mr. Charles--Owner of Abraham's Kraal, 51
+
+Outbreak of the War, 7, 8
+
+
+Paardeberg--General Cronje's Forces surrounded by the British,
+    Bombardment of Laager, etc., 39
+  Boer Reinforcements, Arrival of, 45
+  Cronje's, Gen., Determination not to abandon Laager, 41
+  Efforts to release General Cronje--Storming of Stinkfontein,
+      etc., 40-46
+    Abandonment of Position by Boers, 44
+    Botha's, General, Attempt to recapture Position abandoned on 25th
+        February, 45
+    British Efforts to recapture Position, 42, 43, 44
+    Way of Escape opened to General Cronje, 41, 43
+  Sketch of Boer and British Positions, 38
+  Surrender of General Cronje, 47
+    Effect on Boer Forces, 48, 49, 51
+  Theunisson, Mr., Capture by British, 6, 7
+
+Paardenberg's Drift, British Advance on, 30
+  Camp of "Water-draggers" surprised by British, 32, 33
+
+Palmietfontein--Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, 289, 290
+
+Panic among Boer Forces--
+  Burghers returning to Farms after Fall of Pretoria, 93
+  Holspruits, 294, 295
+
+Peace Negotiations--Boer Overtures, etc.--
+  Armistice agreed on, to admit of attendance of Officers at the
+      Vereeniging Meeting, 315
+    Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, 317, 318
+  Concessions in addition to the Terms already offered in the
+      Negotiations of April, 1902, 366
+  Conference at Pretoria between the Commission of National
+      Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (19-28 May,
+      1902), 320, 365
+    Draft Document drawn up to place Negotiations in position to amend
+        the Middelburg Proposals, 376, 377
+    Prolongation of Meetings due to Cable Correspondence with Great
+        Britain, 397
+    Report of Commission discussed at Vereeniging Meeting, 397
+  Governments of the Republics, Meeting at Klerksdorp, 303, 304, 305
+    Burger's, Vice-President, Letter to President Steyn, 301, 302
+  Independence (_see_ that subheading)
+  Middelburg Peace Proposals (_see_ that title)
+  National Representatives--
+    Commission sent to the Pretoria Conference (May, 1902)--
+      Decision to appoint Commission, 364
+      Names of Members, 412
+    Election of Representatives for the Commandos, 313, 314
+    Meeting at Vereeniging (15th May) to consider the
+        Situation, 352, 353, 358, 359, 362, 363
+    Peace Terms Proposed, 362, 363, 364
+  Netherlands' Communication with the British Government, 301, 302
+    Boer Response to the Invitation implied in the forwarding of the
+        Correspondence, etc., 305, 306, 370, 371
+    Letter sent to Commandos, 336, 345, 346, 347
+  Presidents of the Republics--Correspondence with Lord Salisbury, and
+      Lord Salisbury's Reply (5th March, 1900), 50, 53, 54, 330-332, 409
+  Proposals to Lord Kitchener (April, 1902), 299
+    Correspondence between Lord Kitchener and the Secretary of
+        State--Independence Difficulty, 401, 402
+  Signing of Peace at Pretoria, 323, 324
+  Steyn's, President, Views, 258, 259
+  Terms of Peace sanctioned by the British Government and accepted by
+      the Boers (May, 1902)--
+    Acceptance of British Terms, 320, 427, 428
+    Acceptance under Protest proposed, 421
+    Dissatisfaction among men of the Commandos, 324
+    Failure of Food Supply as reason for acceptance, 321
+    Unconditional Surrender v. Acceptance, 399, 401, 404, 405, 417,
+        423, 424
+  Better Terms, Possibility of obtaining, 406, 409, 410, 423, 424
+  Decision as to Acceptance or Rejection essential, 425, 426
+  Middelburg Proposal Annulled by the Terms of the Peace Protocol of
+      May, 1902, 392
+  Milner's, Lord, Telegrams, 392
+  Rejection of Terms proposed, 424, 425
+  Signatures to Acceptance, Question of, 425, 426
+  Sub-committee appointed to aid in formulating Peace
+      Proposals, 378, 398
+  Text of Draft Proposal and of Draft Proposal with Amendments
+      sanctioned by the British Government, 379, 393
+  Time allowed for discussion of Terms, 394, 395
+  "Ultimatum," Description of British Terms, 321
+
+Penzhorn, Mr., Relatives of--Kindness to Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 145
+
+Petrusberg--Capture of by British, 51
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Visit, 232
+
+Plans, Sketch Plans of Engagements, 97, 276
+
+Plessis, Veldtcornet du--Death due to White Flag Treachery at
+    Reddersburg, 76
+
+Poplar Grove--
+  Concentration of Boer Troops at, 50
+  Kruger's, President, Visit to Boer Troops, 50
+  Panic among Boers--Commander-in-Chief de Wet unable to prevent
+      flight, 51
+
+Potchefstroom, Portrait of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, History of Mauser
+    Rifle, which appears in the photograph, 151, 152
+
+Potgieter, Commandant (of Wolmaranstadt)--Escape from Paardeberg, 41
+
+Potgieter, Mr. Hendrik--Appointment as Public Prosecutor of Orange Free
+    State, 198
+
+Preeij, Vice-Commandant Ignatius du, killed near Bethlehem, 194, 195
+
+Presidency of Orange Free State--
+  Expiration of President Steyn's term of office--Difficulties in the
+      way of an Election, Action of the Doornberg War Council, 197, 198
+  Resignation of President Steyn, 411
+  Rhodes, Mr., proposed as Candidate, 198
+
+Pretoria--
+  Capture by British, 92
+  Panic ensuing among Transvaalers, 93
+  Peace Negotiations--Conference between Commission of National
+      Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (May 19-28,
+      1902), 320, 365
+
+Pretorius, Willem--
+  Storming of British Schanze on Orange River, 204, 205
+  Tribute to, 271, 272
+  Veldtcornet, Nomination as, 205, 206
+
+Prinsloo, Commandant Michal--
+  Bethlehem Engagement, 194, 195
+  Elandsfontein Exploit, 119, 120
+  Liebenbergsvlei Engagement, 284
+  Springhaansnek, Covering Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Passage of
+      Blockhouse Lines at, 187, 188
+  Train captured and burned by, 152, 153
+  Vice-Commander-in-Chief of Bethlehem and Ficksburg Sub-districts,
+      Appointment, 227, 228
+
+Prinsloo, Mr. Marthinus--
+  Assistant Commander-in-Chief, Irregular Election as, 126
+  Commandant of Winburg District, 6, 7
+  Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State, Election, 6, 7
+  Natal Campaign, Preliminary Arrangements, 7, 8
+  Resignation of Post as Commander-in-Chief in the Drakensberg, 117
+  Surrender at Naauwpoort, 85
+    Letter to Commander-in-Chief de Wet announcing Surrender and
+        Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Reply, 136, 137
+    News brought to Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 135, 136, 137, 138
+    Suspicious Circumstances of Surrender, 127
+
+Prinsloo's, Veldtcornet, Burghers, Capture of, 286
+
+Prisoners--Boer Prisoners--
+  Bank Notes of the South African Republic, Opportunity of sending in
+      for Payment, 386, 387
+  Ceylon--Prisoners taken with General Prinsloo sent to Ceylon, 156
+  Merwe, Commandant, and men--Capture on "Majuba Day," 296, 297
+  Number taken by the British, Frederiksstad, 40, 46, 170, 171, 264, 265
+  Total Number (35,000) in the Hands of the British in 1901, 256, 257
+  Taljaart's and Prinsloo's Veldtcornets, Burghers, Capture of, 286
+  British Prisoners--
+  Boer Inability to keep their Prisoners, 227, 228, 426, 427
+  Clothing taken by the Boers, 233
+  Numbers taken, 16, 23, 66, 67, 69, 70, 76, 102, 105, 106, 112, 113,
+      163, 178, 179, 185, 186, 194, 195, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 222,
+      223, 267, 281
+  Release on Fall of Pretoria due to Transvaalers' negligence, 92
+  Treatment by Boers--
+    Personal Property of Prisoners, etc., Disposition of, 101, _note_
+    Prisoners taken in Cape Colony Expedition, Treatment of, 210
+  Kaffir Prisoners taken by Boers--
+    Dewetsdorp, 178, 179
+    Release of Prisoners, 181
+    Leeuwspruit Bridge, 113
+
+"Pro-Boers"--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Tribute to, 218
+  Meetings in England, 407
+
+Public Prosecutor of Orange Free State--Appointment of Mr. Hendrick
+    Potgieter, 198
+
+
+Railways--Wrecking the Lines, Cutting British Lines of
+    Communication, 172, 242
+  America Siding, Line near, wrecked by General Froneman, 115, 116
+  De Aar and Hopetown, Line blown up, 208, 209, 211
+  Frederiksstad Station, Bridge and Line wrecked, 115, 116
+  Leeuwspruit, Failure of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Attempt, 112, 113
+  Orange Free State Line, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Work
+      on, 153, 154, 155
+  Scheepers, Captain, Work of, 153, 154
+  Schemes of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153
+  Wolvehock, 163
+
+Rebels--Colonial Burghers Fighting on Boer Side (_see_ Colonial
+    Burghers)
+  Roberts', Lord, Description of Burghers continuing to fight after
+      annexation of the Republics as "Rebels," 227, 228
+
+Receipts issued by Boer Officers for the Purchase of Cattle, Grain,
+    etc.--Peace Negotiations, Boer Representatives' Request for a
+    Guarantee of Payment, 382
+  Amount likely to be required, 386, 387
+  Middelburg Proposal, 384, 385
+  Orange Free State, Position with reference to
+      Receipts, 383, 384, 385, 386
+  Terms of Peace Agreement, 380
+
+Reddersburg--Boer Messenger fired on by British, 74
+  British Commanding Officer's Reply to Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+      Advice to Surrender, 74
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Dispositions, 71-74
+  Mostertshoek, British Failure to reinforce Detachment at, 75
+  White Flag Treachery, 75, 76
+
+Reich, Dr.--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Meeting with at Senekal, 231
+
+Reitz--Engagement near, 263-266
+  Surrender of Arms by Commandos after Declaration of Peace, 323, 324
+
+Reitz, Secretary of State--Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902,
+    Report to the Vereeniging Conference, 350, 351
+
+Relief Funds for Destitution caused by the War--Appointment of Committee
+    to Collect and Administer, 428
+
+Repatriation of Boers--Compensation for Losses sustained during the
+    War--District Commissions, Institution of, 393, 394
+  Grant of Ł3,000,000 by the British Government, 393, 394
+  Inadequacy of Proposals, 402, 403, 421
+  Loans by the British Government, 394, 395
+
+Rheeder, Commandant--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 401
+
+Rhenoster River, Fighting on, 89, 90
+  Hurried Retreat of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 90
+
+Rhenosterriviersbrug--General Froneman's Success, 104, 105, 106
+
+Rhodes, Mr. C.--
+  Jameson Raid--Mr. Chamberlain's Defence of Mr. Rhodes, 251, 252
+  Presidency of Orange Free State--Mr. Rhodes proposed as a
+      Candidate, 198
+
+Rietfontein, Battle of (_see_ Modder Spruit)
+
+Roberts, Lord--
+  Advance of, into the Orange Free State, 26
+  Bloemfontein, Appearance before, 54
+  Dispositions after Capture of Kroonstad (May 18, 1900), 88, 89
+  Inaction after Paardeberg, 50
+  Thaba'Nchu, Operations near (1900), 82
+  Proclamations--
+    Burning of Buildings within radius of Ten Miles from Railway wrecked
+        by Boers, 192
+    Oath of Neutrality, Proclamation as to Charge against Lord Roberts
+        of violating Terms of Proclamation, 80, 159
+      Effect in preventing Burghers from rejoining Commandos, 60
+  Roodewal Disaster due to negligence of Lord Roberts, 105, 106
+  Sanna's Post, Failure to reinforce Troops at, 70 _note_
+  Ventersburg, Attack on, 85
+
+Roch, General--Natal Campaign, General Roch's Command in Opening
+    Movement of Boer Forces, 9, 10
+
+Roodebergen--De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Departure from, 124, 129
+  Occupation by Boer Forces--Commander-in-Chief De Wet's Opposition to
+      Scheme, 124
+  Passes of, 123
+
+Roodepoort--Commander-in-Chief De Wet's first Engagement with Lord
+    Kitchener, 108, 109
+
+Roodewal Station, Action at, 98-101
+  Booty burnt by Boers, 104, 105
+  Sketch Plan, 97
+
+Roux, Assistant Commander-in-Chief--Prinsloo's Surrender, weak and
+    childish Conduct of General Roux, 126, 127
+
+Roux, Deacon Paul, Appointment as Vechtgeneraal, 85
+
+Russian Reception of Escaped Burghers, 110 _note_
+
+Rustenburg--General Liebenberg's Retreat, 142, 143
+
+
+Salisbury, Marquess of--Peace Negotiations, Boer Proposals of March 5,
+    1900--Reply to, 50, 53, 54, 409
+  Peace--Correspondence with Presidents Kruger and Steyn, 330-332
+
+Sanna's Post, Action at--
+  Broadwood's, General, Troops, Arrival of, 65, 66
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Preparations, 62, 64
+  Koornspruit, Position occupied by Commander-in-Chief de
+      Wet, 64, 65, 66
+  Women and Children from Thaba'Nchu, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Care
+      for, 66, 67
+
+Scheepers, Captain, and Commandant Kritzinger--
+  Brabant's Horse, Engagement with, 185, 186
+  Despatch Rider chosen by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, to carry Message
+      to General Cronje before Paardeberg, 31, 32
+  Orange River, Crossing of--Seizure of British Outpost, 195, 196
+  Railway Lines, Wrecking of, 152, 153, 154
+  Scouting Services, 124, 131
+  Zandnek Engagement, 139, 140
+
+Scouting--
+  Boer and British Methods--Services rendered to the British by Boer
+      Deserters, etc., 18, 121, 122
+  Importance of, 165, 166
+  National Scouts, Services of (_see_ National Scouts)
+
+Secrecy as to Future Movements--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+    Determination to keep his Plans secret, 61, 199
+
+Self-Government, Retention of under British Supervision--Peace
+    Negotiations, Boer Representatives' Proposals at the Pretoria
+    Conference (May 19, 1902), 366, 371, 372
+
+Sheep--Huge Tail of African Sheep, 211
+
+Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--De Wet's Commander-in-Chief,
+    Address at the Vereeniging Conference, 358-362
+
+Situation of the Boer and British Forces in 1901, President Steyn
+    on, 255, 256
+
+Sketch Plans of Engagements, 38, 97, 276
+
+Smith, Veldtcornet Hans, of Rouxville, Desertion after
+    Roodewal, 106, 107
+
+Smuts, General--
+  Continuance of the War, Arguments for and against--Vereeniging
+      Conference, 418
+  Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives
+      at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 340-342
+
+Sobriety of Boers, 60
+
+_South African News_--Publication of, Order not to take Prisoners,
+    Anecdote of Lord Kitchener, 184, 185
+
+South African Republic--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Journey with General De la Rey,
+      Incidents during, 238, 239, 242
+  Extermination of, by the British determined on prior to the Outbreak
+      of War, alleged, 254, 255
+  Government of (_see_ Government of South African Republic)
+  Situation of, in 1902--Impossibility of continuing the War, 421, 422
+  Situation of Boer and British Forces in 1901--President Steyn
+      on, 255, 256
+
+Speller, Veldtcornet, of Wepener--Capture by British at Stinkfontein, 44
+
+Springhaansnek--Blockhouse Line broken through by the
+    Boers, 173, 187, 188
+
+Spruit, Commandant--Capture by British at Stinkfontein, 42, 43;
+    Subsequent Escape, 43
+
+States-Procureur of Orange Free State--Capture of Mr. Jacob de Villiers
+    at Bothaville, 170, 171, 198
+
+Steenekamp, Burgher--Betrayal of Members of the South African Government
+    to the British, 244
+
+Steenekamp, Commandant--
+  Assistant-Commander-in-Chief, Nomination as, 144
+  Heilbron District, Commandant of, 4, 6, 7
+  Illness of, 7, 8, 9, 10
+  Vredefort Road Station, Attack on, 98, 105, 106
+
+Steyn, President--
+  Accompanying Commander-in-Chief de Wet in his departure from
+      Roodebergen, 129
+  Bethlehem Engagement, Presence at, 117
+  Bloemfontein, Departure from, 57
+  Bodyguard--
+    Davel, Commandant, Command of, 191
+    Niekerk, Captain--Appointment as Commandant, 245
+  Botha, General Philip, Visit to, 86, 87
+  Burgher's Vice-President, Request for Meeting with Orange Free State
+      Government, 301, 302
+  Cape Colony Expedition, Decision to accompany, 197
+  Capture of Members of Governments of the South African Republics by
+      the British at Reitz--President Steyn's Escape, 244
+  Causes of the War--Letter to Lord Kitchener, 250-259
+  Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State, Refusal to allow
+      Election--Consent to Election of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 118
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Schemes for operating in the Rear of the
+      British, Opposition to, 82
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Tribute to, 212
+  Eyes, Weakness of--Visit to Dr. van Rennenkamp, 300
+  Government of the South African Republic, Meetings with--
+    Machadodorp Visit, 144
+    Vrede Meeting, 231
+  Illness of, 319
+  Independence of the Republic, Refusal to surrender, 306
+  Intervention of Foreign Powers, Attitude as to, 54
+  Kroonstad War Council presided over by President Steyn, 58
+  Peace--Correspondence between Presidents Kruger and Steyn and Lord
+      Salisbury, 330-332
+  Resignation owing to Illness, 411
+  Ventersdorp--Meeting with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 168, 169
+  Western Parts of the State, Visit to, 298-302
+
+Steyn, Willie, Capture at Honing Kopjes--Subsequent Escape, 110 _note_
+
+Stinkfontein, Stormed and Abandoned by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 40
+
+Stormberg--
+  British Losses at, 22, 23
+  Capture by General Gatacre, 50
+
+_Stormjagers_, 5
+
+Strauss, David--Prisoner taken by the British in contravention of Lord
+    Roberts' Proclamation, 80
+
+Stripping British Prisoners in order to obtain Clothing, 233
+
+Supervision of the British Government--Peace Negotiations, Boer
+    Representatives' offer to accept Supervision as a Compromise on the
+    Independence Question, 366, 371, 372, 373
+
+Surrender--
+  Banishment Proclamation (_see_ that title)
+  Oath of Neutrality, Lord Roberts' Proclamation (_see_ Oath of
+      Neutrality)
+  Peace Negotiations at Pretoria in May, 1902--Draft Agreement, 376
+
+Surrender of Arms after Declaration of Peace, 323, 324
+
+Swartbooiskop--
+  Nel's Commandant, Failure to hold, 13, 14
+  Storming by Commandant Steenekamp and Commander-in-Chief de
+      Wet, 14, 15
+
+Swaziland--Cession to the British, Proposals of the Vereeniging
+    Conference, 350, 351, 360, 361, 363, 364
+
+Sympathy felt for Boer Cause in England--Indirect Intervention,
+    etc., 407, 410, 420
+
+
+Tabaksberg Engagement, 83
+
+Taljaart's, Veltcornet, Burghers, Capture of, 286
+
+Telegraph Wires--cutting wires between Wolvehock and Viljoensdrift, 299
+
+Telegraphic Communication between Orange Free State and Transvaal, 92
+
+Termination of the War--
+  Attitude of the Burghers, 237, 238
+  Boer Women, Opinion of, 361, 362
+  Conference between Transvaal and Orange Free State Governments--
+    Decision to continue Fighting, 242, 243
+    Klerksdorp Meeting, 303, 304, 305
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Forebodings, 58
+  Letter from Commandants in the Field to Secretary of the Orange Free
+      State--
+    Conference with Transvaal Government, 242
+    Discussion of, by President Steyn and Generals De la Rey and De
+        Wet, 234
+    Steyn's President, Answer, Extracts from, 236-239
+    Terms of, 234-237
+  Mission to President Kruger on behalf of South African Republic
+      proposed, 236, 237, 238
+  Vereeniging Conference--Views of the Representatives, 346, 347, 348,
+      349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 354-358, 359, 360-362, 363
+
+Territory, Session of--Peace Negotiations--
+  Pretoria Conference, Boer Representatives' Offer, 366, 375
+  Vereeniging Conference Proposals (15th May, 1902), 350, 351, 352, 357,
+      358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364
+
+Thaba'Nchu--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Retreat on after Badenhorst, 81
+  Occupation by General Broadwood, 65, 66
+
+Thanksgiving Days, Appointment of, 243
+
+Theron, Danie--
+  Death at Gatsrand, 153, 154
+  Paardeberg--Passing Enemy's Lines to carry Message from
+      Commander-in-Chief de Wet to General Cronje, 46
+  Scouting Party, Appointment as Chief by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 54
+  Scouting Services, 88, 89, 124, 131
+  Train Captured by, 132
+
+Theron, Jan--Appointment to succeed Commandant Danie Theron, 153, 154
+
+Theunissen, Commandant of Winburg, 45
+  Capture by British at Stinkfontein, 46
+  Election as Commandant of Winburg, 6, 7
+
+Thring, Veldtcornet--War Experiences, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+    Tribute, etc., 87, 88, 89
+
+Tijgerfontein Engagement, 138, 139
+
+Tintwaspas--Occupation by Kroonstad Commando, 7, 8
+
+Tonder, Mr. Gideon van--Killed by Lyddite Shell at Magersfontein, 25
+
+Trains--
+  Blowing up with Dynamite, 230, 246
+    Devices to throw the British off the Scent, 246
+    Mechanical Devices, 246
+  Boer Captures of, 132, 152, 153, 203, 204
+
+Transvaalers--
+  Negligence in leaving Prisoners at Pretoria, 92
+  Nicholson's Nek, Work at, 17
+
+Truter, Commandant--Abandonment of Krupp gun and Ammunition, 182
+
+Tweefontein--Attack on British Position, 275-283
+  Sketch Plan, 276
+
+
+Uijs, Commandant--Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902, Report to
+    the Vereeniging Conference, 349, 350
+
+"Uitschudden"--Institution of, in order to obtain Clothing, 233
+
+Ultimatum by the South African Republic--
+  Cause of the War alleged--
+    Salisbury's, Lord, Assertion, 53, 54, 409
+    Salisbury's, Lord, Demand, 53, 54, 409
+    Steyn's, President, Contradiction, 251, 252
+  Chamberlain's, Mr. J., Telegrams to Sir A. Milner, 329
+  Text of the "Ultimatum," 325-328
+
+Unconditional Surrender--Discussion at Vereeniging Meeting of May 29,
+    1902, 398, 399, 401, 405, 406, 423, 424
+
+
+Vaal River--Crossing of President Steyn's Party, 300
+
+Valsch River Bridge, Destruction by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 88, 89
+
+Van Dam, Under Captain--Command of Johannesburg Police at Nicholson's
+    Nek, 16
+
+Van Niekerk, Commandant--Continuance of the War, Argument in favour
+    of, 414, 415
+
+Van Reenen's Pass--
+  Occupation by Harrismith and Winburg Commandos, 7, 8
+  War Council at--Commander-in-Chief de Wet attending in place of
+      Commandant Steenekamp, 8, 9
+
+Vanvurenskloof, Boer Retreat from, 139, 140
+
+Vechtgeneraal of the Orange Free State--
+  Abolition of Post, 95
+  Creation of Post, 9, 10
+  De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Appointment of, 22
+  Roux, General Paul, appointed by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 85
+  Ventersburg--Boer Lines broken through, 85
+
+Ventersdorp--
+  Fighting near, 140, 141, 142
+  Meeting between President Steyn and Commander-in-Chief de
+      Wet, 168, 169
+
+Vereeniging--
+  Meeting of General Representatives to discuss the Situation (May 15,
+      1902), 333-364
+    Authority given to Delegates to voice the wishes of their
+        Constituencies, 333, 337, 338, 400, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407,
+        411, 412, 417, 421, 422, 423, 424
+    Thanks of the meeting to the King of England and Queen of the
+        Netherlands for efforts to promote Peace, 345, 346
+    Unity among Delegates essential, 337, 338, 349, 350, 351, 357
+  Meeting of Special National Representatives to discuss British Peace
+      Terms (May 29, 1902), 397
+    Armistice agreed on to admit of Attendance of Officers, 315
+    Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, 317, 318
+  Divisions among Delegates, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426
+  Meeting a Fatal Error, 413, 414
+  Questions to be decided, 398, 411, 417
+  (For details of subjects discussed _see_ Independence, Peace
+      Negotiations, etc.)
+
+Verkijkersdorp--Capture of Women's Laager near, by the British, and
+    Rescue by Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, 238-241
+  British Casualties, 239, 240
+
+Vice-Commanders-in-Chief, Orange Free State--
+  Badenhorst, Veldtcornet, C.C., Appointment for Districts of Boshof,
+      etc., 159
+  De Wet, Gen., Appointment of, 49
+  Fourie, Gen., Appointment for Districts of Bloemfontein, etc., 157
+  Hertzog, Gen., Appointment for Districts of Fauresmith, etc., 158
+
+Vice-President of Orange Free State--
+  Appointment of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 411
+  Creation of Temporary Post, 198
+
+Viljoen, Mr. P.R.--Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902, Report of
+    the Vereeniging Conference, 346, 347
+
+Villiers, General de--Death due to Wound received at Biddulphsberg, 84
+  Natal Expedition, Commanding as Vechtgeneraal, 8, 9
+  Prinsloo's Surrender, Escape from, 128
+  Work in South-Eastern Districts of the Orange Free State, 83
+
+Villiers, Mr. Jacob de, States-Procureur of Orange Free State, Capture
+    of at Bothaville, 170, 171, 198
+
+Vilonel, Commandant--
+  Resignation--Enforced Resignation due to Insubordination, 64
+  Surrender to British--Recapture by Captain Pretorius and Trial for
+      Desertion, 84
+    Removal from Bethlehem to Fouriesburg, 121, 122
+  Waggons, Persistence in use of, 62
+
+Visser, Commandant--Death of at Jagersfontein Engagement, Faithfulness
+    and Valour of Commandant Visser, 158
+
+Vleeschkorporaal, Duties of, 4, 5
+
+Vrede--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Meeting with Louis Botha, 231
+  Meeting between President Steyn and the Transvaal Government, 231
+
+Vrede Commando, Surrender following Prinsloo's Surrender, 128
+
+Vredefort--
+  Capture of British Outpost, 232
+  Engagements near, 133, 134, 135
+    Retreat of the Boers to the Vaal River, 164, 165
+  Surrender of Arms by Commando after Declaration of Peace, 323, 324
+
+Vredefort-weg Station--Commandant Steenekamp's Success at, 98, 105, 106
+
+Vrijheid--Kaffir Atrocities, Murder and Mutilation of Burghers, 426, 427
+
+
+Waggons--
+  Boer Reluctance to abandon use of, 62, 120, 121, 129, 131, 135, 136
+    Harrismith Burghers' Refusal to part with their Waggons at
+        Spitskopje, 161-163
+  De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Use of Little Waggon, 293, 294, 398
+  Destruction by British, 120, 121, 191
+  No Waggons with Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, 279
+  Vilonel's, Commandant, Persistence in using Waggons, 62
+  Waggon Camps, Regulation prohibiting, 58
+
+War Commission--Orders to commence Natal Campaign, 4
+
+War Councils, 19
+  Decisions of Council of March 28, 1900, 61
+  Doornberg, Council at--Decision as to Presidential Election, 197
+  Kroonstad Council--Officers present, Decisions, etc., 58 _note_, 59
+
+War of 1877-1881--Futility of Comparison with War of 1899-1902, 421, 422
+
+Warfare, Boer Methods of--
+  Checking an Enemy's Advance--Boer Tactics, 213
+  Rapidity of Action, Importance of, 75
+
+Wauchope, General--Death at Magersfontein, 23
+
+Weilbach, Commandant--Desertion of Post at Bloemfontein, 54
+
+Wessels, General J.B.--
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+  Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, 64
+
+Wessels, Mr. C.J.--
+  Commander-in-Chief of Free Staters at Magersfontein and Kimberley, 23
+  Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), 53, 54
+
+Wessels, Veldtcornet--
+  Capture of, at Frederiksstad, 166, 167
+  Dewetsdorp Exploits, 176, 177, 178
+
+White, Colonel--Engagement with Commandant Hasebroek near
+    Thaba'Nchu, 189, 190
+
+White Flag Treachery at Reddersburg, 75, 76
+
+Wire Fencing--
+  Bothaville Boers cutting the Wire, 299
+  Erection of, by the British, 262
+  Lindley-Kroonstad Line of Blockhouses--Escape of Boers, 287
+  Palmietfontein, Boers breaking through Line, 289, 290
+
+Witkopjes Rheboksfontein Engagement, 135, 136
+
+Witwatersrand, Cession to the British--Proposals of the Vereeniging
+    Conference, 350, 351, 360, 361, 363, 364
+
+Wolfaard Brothers--Wounded by Lyddite Shell at Magersfontein, 25
+
+Wolmarans, Daniel--Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), 53, 54
+
+Wolvehock--Railway blown up by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 163
+
+Women and Children--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Care for, after Sanna's Post, 66, 67
+  Difficulties of providing for--Deliberations of the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 333, 339, 342, 343, 344, 345, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353,
+      356, 405, 406, 410, 412, 413, 415, 416, 417, 423, 424, 425, 426,
+      427
+  Flight of Boer Women to escape Capture by the British, 279
+  Kaffir Treatment of Boer Women, 151, 152, 153
+  Magersfontein Laager, Presence in, 25
+  Sufferings in Concentration Camps, etc., 198, 290, 291, 421, 422
+  Treatment by the British, 232, 239, 240, 241, 257, 258
+  Verkijkersdorp Laager, Capture of by British, and rescue by
+      Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, 238-241
+
+Wonderkop--General de Villiers' Exploits, 83
+
+Wounded, Boer Treatment of--
+  Doornspruit, Care of Wounded after, 133, 134
+  Nicholson's Nek--Care for Wounded by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 17
+
+
+Yeomanry, Imperial--Gallantry at Tweefontein, 281
+
+Yule, General--Ladysmith Retreat conducted by, 9, 10
+
+
+Zandnek--Captain Scheepers' Engagement near, 139, 140
+
+Zwavelkrans Farm--British Convoy Captured by Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 96, 98
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS' WAR***
+
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+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Three Years' War, by Christiaan Rudolf de Wet</h1>
+<pre>
+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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Three Years' War</p>
+<p>Author: Christiaan Rudolf de Wet</p>
+<p>Release Date: July 8, 2006  [eBook #18794]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS' WAR***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Taavi Kalju,<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net/)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+   <a id="image01" name="image01">
+   <img src="images/01.jpg"
+      alt="C. R. de Wet"
+      title="C. R. de Wet" /></a><br />
+   <span class="caption">C. R. de Wet<br /><i>Copyright 1902 by Charles Scribner's Sons. N.Y.</i></span>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h1>THREE YEARS' WAR</h1>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>CHRISTIAAN RUDOLF DE WET</h2>
+
+
+<h4>FRONTISPIECE BY</h4>
+
+<h3>JOHN S. SARGENT, R.A.</h3>
+
+
+<h4><i>FOUR PLANS AND A MAP</i></h4>
+
+
+<h5>
+NEW YORK<br />
+CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS<br />
+1902<br />
+</h5>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h5>
+Copyright, 1902, BY<br />
+CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS<br />
+<br />
+<i>All rights reserved</i><br />
+<br />
+Published, December, 1902<br />
+<br />
+<b>TROW DIRECTORY</b><br />
+<br />
+PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY<br />
+NEW YORK<br />
+</h5>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<h3>
+TO<br />
+MY FELLOW SUBJECTS<br />
+OF<br />
+THE BRITISH EMPIRE<br />
+</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Preface</h2>
+
+
+<p>By way of introduction to my work I wish, dear reader, to say only this
+short word: "I am no book-writer."&mdash;But I felt that the story of this
+struggle, in which a small people fought for liberty and right, is
+rightly said, throughout the civilized world, to be unknown, and that it
+was my duty to record my personal experiences in this war, for the
+present and for the future generations, not only for the Afrikander
+people, but for the whole world.</p>
+
+<p>Not only did I consider this my duty, but I was encouraged to write by
+the urgings of prominent men among my people, of men of various
+nationalities and even of several British officers.</p>
+
+<p>Well, dear reader, I hope that you will not feel disappointed in reading
+these experiences, as it is not in me, as is perhaps sometimes the case
+with historical authors, to conjure up thrilling pictures&mdash;imaginary
+things&mdash;and put them together merely to make up a book or to make a name
+for themselves. That be far from me! In publishing my book (although it
+is written in simple style) <i>I had one object only</i>, viz., to give to
+the world a story which, although it does not contain the whole of the
+truth, as regards this wondrous war, yet contains nothing but the
+truth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The original has been written by me in Dutch, and I can therefore not be
+answerable for its translation into other languages.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">C. R. de WET.</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Contents</h2>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>CHAPTER</td>
+  <td align='left'></td>
+  <td align='right'>PAGE</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>I.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Go on Commando as a Private Burgher</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_3'>3</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>II.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Nicholson's Nek</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_13'>13</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>III.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ladysmith Besieged</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_19'>19</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>IV.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">I am Appointed Vechtgeneraal</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_22'>22</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>V.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Overwhelming Forces of Lord Roberts</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_26'>26</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>VI.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Paardeberg</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_39'>39</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>VII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Wild Flight from Poplar Grove</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_49'>49</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>VIII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Burghers Receive Permission to Return to their Homes</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_56'>56</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>IX.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sanna's Post</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_61'>61</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>X.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Four Hundred and Seventy English taken Prisoner at Reddersburg</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_71'>71</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XI.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">An Unsuccessful Siege</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_77'>77</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The English Swarm over our Country</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_82'>82</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XIII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Our Position at the End of May, 1900</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_92'>92</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XIV.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Roodewal</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_96'>96</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XV.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Make Lord Kitchener's Acquaintance</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_108'>108</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XVI.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Bethlehem is Captured by the English</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_117'>117</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XVII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Surrender of Prinsloo</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_123'>123</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XVIII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">I am Driven into the Transvaal</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_129'>129</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XIX.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Return to the Free State</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_144'>144</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XX.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Oath of Neutrality</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_156'>156</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXI.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Frederiksstad and Bothaville</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_161'>161</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">My March to the South</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_172'>172</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXIII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Fail to Enter Cape Colony</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_180'>180</a></td></tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span>XXIV.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Wherein Something is Found About War against Women</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_191'>191</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXV.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Again Attempt To Enter Cape Colony</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_197'>197</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXVI.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Darkness Proves my Salvation</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_215'>215</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXVII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Was Ours a Guerilla War?</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_225'>225</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXVIII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Negotiations with the Enemy</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_230'>230</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXIX.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">President Steyn's Narrow Escape</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_242'>242</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXX.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Last Proclamation</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_246'>246</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXXI.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Blockhouses and Night Attacks</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_260'>260</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXXII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">My Commando of Seven Hundred Men</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_267'>267</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXXIII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Success at Tweefontein</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_275'>275</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXXIV.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Cut my Way Through Sixty Thousand Troops</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_284'>284</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXXV.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">I go to the Transvaal with President Steyn</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_298'>298</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXXVI.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Peace Negotiations</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_305'>305</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'>XXXVII.</td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The End of the War</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_319'>319</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right'></td>
+  <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Correspondence</span></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_325'>325</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='left'></td>
+  <td align='center'><b>APPENDICES</b></td>
+  <td align='left'></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='left' colspan="2"><div class="hangindent">A.&mdash;Report of the Meeting of the General Representatives held at Vereeniging in the South African Republic on the 15th of May, 1902, and the Following Days</div></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_333'>333</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='left' colspan="2"><div class="hangindent">B.&mdash;The Conference at Pretoria between the Commission of the National Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (May 19th-May 28th, 1902)</div></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_365'>365</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='left' colspan="2"><div class="hangindent">C.&mdash;Minutes of the Meeting of the Special National Representatives at Vereeniging, South African Republic, Thursday, the 29th of May, 1902, And the Following Days</div></td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_397'>397</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='left'></td>
+  <td align='left'>INDEX</td>
+  <td align='right'><a href='#Page_429'>429</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align='left'></td>
+  <td align='left'>MAP</td>
+  <td align='right'><i>At end of volume</i></td>
+</tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THREE YEARS WAR</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>I Go on Commando as a Private Burgher</h3>
+
+
+<p>In the month of September, 1899, the burghers of the Orange Free State
+were notified, under the Commando Law, to hold themselves in readiness
+to go on active service at the shortest possible notice.</p>
+
+<p>Before proceeding any further I should like to explain that portion of
+the Commando Law which dealt with commandeering. It stipulated that
+every burgher between the ages of sixteen and sixty must be prepared to
+fight for his country at any moment; and that, if required for active
+service, he must provide himself with a riding-horse, saddle and bridle,
+with a rifle and thirty cartridges&mdash;or, if he were unable to obtain a
+rifle, he must bring with him thirty bullets, thirty caps, and half a
+pound of powder&mdash;in addition he must be provisioned for eight days. That
+there should have been an alternative to the rifle was due to the fact
+that the law was made at a time when only a few burghers possessed
+breech-loading rifles&mdash;<i>achterlaaiers</i>, as we call them.</p>
+
+<p>With reference to the provisions the law did not specify their quality
+or quantity, but there was an unwritten but strictly observed rule
+amongst the burghers that they should consist of meat cut in strips,
+salted, peppered, and dried, or else of sausages and "Boer biscuits."<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>
+With regard to quantity, each burgher had to make his own estimate of
+the amount he would require for eight days.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long after they were notified to hold themselves ready that
+the burghers were called up for active service. On the 2nd of October,
+1899, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> order came. On that day the Veldtcornets, or their
+lieutenants, visited every farm and commandeered the men.</p>
+
+<p>Amongst the commandeered was I; and thus, as a private burgher, I
+entered on the campaign. With me were my three sons&mdash;Kootie, Isaac, and
+Christiaan.</p>
+
+<p>The following day the men of the sub-district of Krom Ellenborg, in the
+district of Heilbron&mdash;to which I belonged&mdash;mustered at Elandslaagte
+Farm. The Veldtcornet of this sub-district was Mr. Marthinus Els, and
+the Commandant of the whole contingent Mr. Lucas Steenekamp. It soon
+became known that the War Commission had decided that our commando was
+to proceed as rapidly as possible to the Natal frontier, and that with
+us were to go the troops from Vrede and Harrismith, as well as some from
+Bethlehem, Winburg, and Kroonstad. Carrying out these orders, we all
+arrived at Harrismith six days later.</p>
+
+<p>Commando life now began in real earnest.</p>
+
+<p>The eight days during which the burghers had to feed themselves were
+soon over, and now it was the duty of the Government to provide for
+them.</p>
+
+<p>It may be interesting to mention here that the British commissariat
+differed greatly from ours. Rations were served out daily to their
+troops. Each soldier received the same quantity and the same quality as
+his comrade. Our methods were very different, except as regards flour,
+coffee, sugar, and other articles of that nature. The British soldier,
+for instance, received his meat ready cooked in the form of bully-beef
+(<i>blikkiescost</i> we called it), whilst the burgher received his meat raw,
+and had to cook it as best he could.</p>
+
+<p>Before I leave this subject I may be forgiven if I describe the method
+of distributing meat to the burghers. After it had been cut up, the
+Vleeschkorporaal<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> handed out the pieces&mdash;a sufficiently respon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>sible
+task, as it proved, for, as the portions differed much in quality, it
+became of the first importance that the Vleeschkorporaal should be a man
+whose impartiality was above suspicion. To avoid any temptations to
+favouritism, this useful personage used to turn his back on the
+burghers, and as the men came up in turn he would pick up the piece of
+meat which lay nearest to hand and, without looking round, give it to
+the man who was waiting behind him to receive it.</p>
+
+<p>This arrangement should have been satisfactory to all, but it sometimes
+happened that some burgher, whom fortune had not favoured, made no
+effort to conceal his discontent, and thus squabbles frequently
+occurred. Then the Vleeschkorporaal, fully convinced of his own
+uprightness, would let his tongue go, and the burgher who had complained
+was a man to be pitied. But such quarrels only occurred early in the
+campaign. By the time that the Vleeschkorporaal had been a few weeks at
+his work he had gained a considerable knowledge of human nature, and the
+injustice of his fellows no longer troubled him. Accordingly he allowed
+the complaints of the men to go in at one ear and at once to come out at
+the other. The burghers, too, soon became convinced of the foolishness
+of their conduct, and learnt the lesson of content and forbearance.</p>
+
+<p>As I have already stated, the burgher had to boil or roast his own meat.
+The roasting was done on a spit cut in the shape of a fork, the wood
+being obtained from a branch of the nearest tree. A more ambitious fork
+was manufactured from fencing wire, and had sometimes even as many as
+four prongs. A skillful man would so arrange the meat on his spit as to
+have alternate pieces of fat and of lean, and thus get what we used to
+call a <i>bout span</i>.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p>
+
+<p>The burghers utilized the flour supplied to them in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> making cakes; these
+they cooked in boiling fat, and called them <i>stormjagers</i><a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> or
+<i>maagbommen</i>.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p>
+
+<p>Later on, the British, finding that by looting our cattle they could get
+fresh meat for nothing, were no longer forced to be content with
+bully-beef. They then, like ourselves, killed oxen and sheep; but,
+unlike us, were very wasteful with it. Often, in the camping places they
+had vacated, we found the remains of half-eaten oxen, sheep, pigs, and
+poultry.</p>
+
+<p>But I shall not go further into this matter. I leave it to other pens to
+describe how the British looted our property, wantonly killed our
+cattle, and devastated our farms. In the course of this narrative my
+intention is to mention only those cases which I saw with my own eyes.
+The reader, perusing them, may well pause in surprise and cry out, "Can
+such things be possible?" To such a question I have only one
+answer&mdash;"They actually occurred, and so my only course is to record
+them."</p>
+
+<p>But enough of these digressions. Let me return to my proper subject&mdash;the
+story of my own experiences and doings in the great struggle which took
+place between Boer and Briton.</p>
+
+<p>As I have already said, I had been commandeered, and, together with the
+other burghers of the Heilbron commando, had just reached Harrismith, on
+the road to the south-eastern frontier.</p>
+
+<p>During our stay there the other commandos, in obedience to Commando Law,
+joined us, and we proceeded to elect a Commander-in-Chief. The
+Commandants present were Steenekamp, of Heilbron; Anthonie Lombaard, of
+Vrede; C.J. De Villiers, of Harrismith; Hans Nand&eacute;, of Bethlehem;
+Marthinus Prinsloo, of Winburg; and C. Nel, of Kroonstad. The result of
+the voting was that Prinsloo was chosen for the supreme command.</p>
+
+<p>Then the burghers of Winburg selected Mr. Theu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>nissen as their
+Commandant. He fulfilled his duties admirably, until he was made a
+prisoner of war. This happened when he was leading a courageous attack
+at Paardeberg in order to relieve General Piet Cronje.</p>
+
+<p>From Harrismith our commando advanced to within six miles of the
+Natal-Free State frontier, and camped not far from Bezuidenhoutspas, in
+the Drakensberg. This imposing range of mountains, which then formed the
+dividing line between Boer and British territory, slopes down gently
+into the Free State, but on the Natal side is very steep and
+precipitous.</p>
+
+<p>The day after we had elected our Commander-in-Chief I was sent by
+Commandant Steenekamp, with a small detachment of burghers, to the Natal
+frontier. I saw nothing of the English there, for they had abandoned all
+their positions on the frontier shortly before the beginning of the war.
+When I returned in the evening I found that the burghers had chosen me,
+in my absence, as Vice-Commandant<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> under Commandant Steenekamp.</p>
+
+<p>It was at five o'clock on the afternoon of that day&mdash;the 11th of
+October, 1899&mdash;that the time, which the ultimatum allowed to England,
+expired. The British had not complied with the terms which the South
+African Republic demanded&mdash;the time for negotiations had passed, and war
+had actually broken out.</p>
+
+<p>On this very day martial law was proclaimed by the Governments of the
+two Republics, and orders were given to occupy the passes on the
+Drakensberg. Commander-in-Chief Prinsloo despatched Steenekamp that
+night to Bezuidenhoutspas. Eastwards from there the following commandos
+were to hold the passes:&mdash;Bothaspas was to be occupied by the commando
+from Vrede; Van Reenen's Pass by the commandos from Harrismith and
+Winburg; and Tintwaspas by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> commando from Kroonstad. Westwards, the
+burghers from Bethlehem were to guard Oliviershoekpas.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Steenekamp was very ill that night, and was unable to set
+out; he accordingly ordered me to take his place and to proceed forward
+with six hundred burghers.</p>
+
+<p>Although I had only to cover six miles, it cost me considerable thought
+to arrange everything satisfactorily. This was due to the fact that real
+discipline did not exist among the burghers. As the war proceeded,
+however, a great improvement manifested itself in this matter, although
+as long as the struggle lasted our discipline was always far from
+perfect. I do not intend to imply that the burghers were unwilling or
+unruly; it was only that they were quite unaccustomed to being under
+orders. When I look back upon the campaign I realize how gigantic a task
+I performed in regulating everything in accordance with my wishes.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take me long to get everything arranged, and we made an early
+start.</p>
+
+<p>It was impossible to say what might lie before us. In spite of the fact
+that I had visited the spot the day before, I had not been able to cross
+the frontier. The English might have been on the precipitous side of the
+mountains under the ridge without my being any the wiser. Perhaps on our
+arrival we should find them in possession of the pass, occupying good
+positions and quite prepared for our coming.</p>
+
+<p>Everything went well with us, however, and no untoward incident
+occurred. When the sun rose the following morning the whole country, as
+far as the eye could reach, lay before us calm and peaceful.</p>
+
+<p>I sent a full report of my doings to Commandant Steenekamp, and that
+evening he himself, although still far from well, appeared with the
+remaining part of the commando. He brought the news that war had started
+in grim earnest. General De la Rey had attacked and captured an armoured
+train at Kraaipan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Some days after this a war council was held at Van Reenen's Pass under
+Commander-in-Chief Marthinus Prinsloo. As Commandant Steenekamp, owing
+to his illness, was unable to be present, I attended the council in his
+place. It was decided that a force of two thousand burghers, under
+Commandant C.J. De Villiers, of Harrismith, as Vice-Vechtgeneraal,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>
+should go down into Natal, and that the remaining forces should guard
+the passes on the Drakensberg.</p>
+
+<p>Let me say, in parenthesis, that the laws of the Orange Free State make
+no allusion to the post of Vechtgeneraal. But shortly before the war
+began the Volksraad had given the President the power to appoint such an
+officer. At the same session the President was allowed the veto on all
+laws dealing with war.</p>
+
+<p>As Commandant Steenekamp was still prevented by his health from going to
+the front, I was ordered, as Vice-Commandant of the Heilbron commando,
+to proceed with five hundred men to Natal.</p>
+
+<p>It soon became apparent that we had been sent to Natal with the object
+of cutting off the English who were stationed at Dundee and
+Elandslaagte. We were to be aided in our task by the Transvaalers who
+were coming from Volksrust and by a party of burghers from Vrede, all
+under the command of General Roch.</p>
+
+<p>We did not arrive in time to be successful in this plan. That there had
+been some bungling was not open to question. Yet I am unable to assert
+to whom our failure was due&mdash;whether to the Commandants of the South
+African Republic, or to Commander-in-Chief Prinsloo, or to Vechtgeneraal
+De Villiers. For then I was merely a Vice-Commandant, who had not to
+<i>give</i> orders, but to obey them. But whoever was to blame, it is
+certainly true that when, early in the morning of the 23rd of October, I
+cut the line near Dundee, I discovered that the English had retreated to
+Ladysmith. It was General Yule who had led<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> them, and he gained great
+praise in British circles for the exploit.</p>
+
+<p>If we had only reached our destination a little sooner we should have
+cut off their retreating troops and given them a very warm time. But now
+that they had joined their comrades at Ladysmith, we had to be prepared
+for an attack from their combined forces, and that before the
+Transvaalers, who were still at Dundee, could reinforce us.</p>
+
+<p>The British did not keep us long in anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>At eight o'clock the following morning&mdash;the 24th of October&mdash;they came
+out of Ladysmith, and the battle of Modder Spruit<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> began. With the
+sole exception of the skirmish between the Harrismith burghers and the
+Carabineers at Bester Station on the 18th of October, when Jonson, a
+burgher of Harrismith, was killed&mdash;the earliest victim in our fight for
+freedom&mdash;this was the first fighting the Free-Staters had seen.</p>
+
+<p>We occupied kopjes which formed a large semicircle to the west of the
+railway between Ladysmith and Dundee. Our only gun was placed on the
+side of a high kop on our western wing. Our men did not number more than
+a thousand&mdash;the other burghers had remained behind as a rear-guard at
+Bester Station.</p>
+
+<p>With three batteries of guns the English marched to the attack, the
+troops leading the way, the guns some distance behind. A deafening
+cannonade was opened on us by the enemy's artillery, at a range of about
+4,500 yards. Our gun fired a few shots in return, but was soon silenced,
+and we had to remove it from its position. Small arms were our only
+weapons for the remainder of the contest.</p>
+
+<p>The English at once began as usual to attack our flanks, but they did
+not attempt to get round our wings. Their object appeared to be to keep
+us in small parties, so that we should be unable to concentrate a large
+force anywhere.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the troops which were making the attack pushed on closer and
+closer to us. The country was of such a nature that they were able to
+get quite near to us without coming under our fire, for small kloofs<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>
+and other inequalities of the ground afforded them excellent cover. But
+when they did show themselves they were met by such a frightful and
+unceasing fire that they could not approach nearer than two hundred
+paces from our lines.</p>
+
+<p>The brunt of the attack was borne by the burghers from Kroonstad, who,
+under Commandant Nel, formed our western wing. More to the east, where I
+myself was, our men had less to endure. But every burgher, wherever he
+might be, fought with the greatest courage. Although there were some who
+fell killed or wounded, there was no sign of yielding throughout the
+whole battle, and every one of our positions we successfully held.</p>
+
+<p>Till three o'clock in the afternoon we kept up our rifle fire on the
+English, and then we ceased, for the enemy, realizing the impossibility
+of driving us out of our positions, withdrew to Ladysmith. Shortly
+afterwards we were able to go over the battlefield. There were not many
+dead or wounded to be seen; but burghers who had been stationed on the
+high kop previously mentioned had seen the English remove their wounded
+during the engagement.</p>
+
+<p>We ourselves had eleven men killed and twenty-one wounded, of whom two
+subsequently died. This loss touched us deeply, yet it was encouraging
+to notice that it had not the effect of disheartening a single officer
+or burgher.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the battle began Mr. A.P. Cronje arrived on the scene. He had
+been nominated by the President as Vechtgeneraal, and had taken over the
+command from Vice-General C.J. De Villiers. He was most useful in this
+engagement. When it was over I agreed with him in thinking that our
+forces were too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> weak to pursue the retreating English troops. As soon
+as I was able to leave my position it gave me great pleasure to shake
+hands with him, for he was an old friend and fellow-member of the
+Volksraad. It was pleasant to greet him as Vechtgeneraal&mdash;he was the son
+of a valiant officer who had fought in the Basuto war of 1865 and 1866.
+He had reached the age of sixty-six years, an age when it is very hard
+for a man to have to stand the strain which the duties of a
+Vechtgeneraal necessarily entail.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>Nicholson's Nek</h3>
+
+
+<p>Until the 29th of October we retained our positions at Rietfontein. On
+that date General Joubert joined us with a portion of the Transvaal
+commandos. On his arrival it was settled that the Transvaalers should
+proceed to the north of Ladysmith and occupy positions on the east of
+Nicholson's Nek, whilst the Free-Staters were to go to the west and
+north-west of that town.</p>
+
+<p>A party of burghers, under Commandant Nel, of Kroonstad, were ordered to
+station themselves on a kop with a flat top, called Swartbooiskop,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>
+an hour and a half to the south of Nicholson's Nek. After the battle
+which was fought on the 30th of November this kop was christened by us
+Little Majuba.</p>
+
+<p>Just after sunrise on the 30th of November the roaring of cannon came to
+our ears. The sound came from the extreme end of our position, where the
+Transvaalers were stationed. No sooner did we hear it than the order to
+off-saddle was given. I myself asked Commandant Steenekamp, who had
+arrived the previous day from Bezuidenhoutspas, to go to General Croup's
+laager, about two miles distant, and to request him to advance to where
+the firing was taking place. To this request General Croup acceded, and
+Commandant Steenekamp went there with three hundred men, of whom I was
+one. Our way led past the kop to the south of Nicholson's Nek. What a
+sight met our gaze on our arrival there!</p>
+
+<p>The kop was occupied by the English.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This must be ascribed to the negligence of Commandant Nel, who had
+orders to guard the kop. He excused himself by assuring us that he had
+been under the impression that one of his Veldtcornets and a number of
+burghers were occupying the hill.</p>
+
+<p>What could we do now?</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Steenekamp and I decided that we must storm the hill with the
+three hundred men whom we had at our disposal. And this we did, and were
+sufficiently fortunate to capture the northern point of the kop.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the summit we discovered that the British troops occupied
+positions extending from the southern point to the middle of the
+mountain.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy, the moment we appeared on the ridge, opened a heavy rifle
+fire upon us. We answered with as severe a fusillade as theirs. Whilst
+we were shooting, twenty of Commandant Nel's men joined us and helped us
+to hold our ground. When we had been engaged in this way for some time
+we saw that the only possible course was to fight our way from position
+to position towards the English lines.</p>
+
+<p>I now observed that the mountain top was of an oblong shape, extending
+from north to south for about a thousand paces. At the northern end,
+where we were, the surface was smooth, but somewhat further south it
+became rough and stony, affording very good cover. In our present
+situation we were thus almost completely exposed to the enemy's fire.
+The English, on the other hand, had excellent positions. There were a
+number of ruined Kaffir kraals scattered about from the middle of the
+mountain to its southern end, and these the enemy had occupied, thus
+securing a great advantage.</p>
+
+<p>Our bullets hailed on the English, and very shortly they retreated to
+the southernmost point of the mountain. This gave us the chance for
+which we had been waiting, for now we could take the splendid positions
+they had left.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Whilst this was going on an amusing incident occurred. A Jew came up to
+a burgher who was lying behind a stone, on a piece of ground where
+boulders were scarce.</p>
+
+<p>"Sell me that stone for half-a-crown," whined the Jew.</p>
+
+<p>"Loop!"<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> the Boer cried; "I want it myself."</p>
+
+<p>"I will give you fifteen shillings," insisted the Jew.</p>
+
+<p>Although the Boer had never before possessed anything that had risen in
+value with such surprising rapidity, at that moment he was anything but
+ready to drive a bargain with the Jew, and without any hesitation he
+positively declined to do business.</p>
+
+<p>In the positions from which the English had retired we found several
+dead and wounded men, and succeeded in capturing some prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy were now very strongly posted at the south end of the
+mountain, for there were in their neighbourhood many Kaffir kraals and
+huge boulders to protect them from our marksmen. Their fire on us became
+still more severe and unceasing, and their bullets whistled and sang
+above our heads, or flattened themselves against the stones. We gave at
+least as good as we got, and this was so little to their liking that
+very soon a few white flags appeared in the kraals on their left wing,
+and from that quarter the firing stopped suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>I immediately gave the order to cease fire and to advance towards the
+enemy. All at once the English blazed away at us again. On our part, we
+replied with vigour. But that did not continue long. In a very short
+time white flags fluttered above every kraal&mdash;the victory was ours.</p>
+
+<p>I have no wish to say that a misuse of the white flag had taken place. I
+was told when the battle was over that the firing had continued, because
+the men on our eastern wing had not observed what their comrades on
+their left had done. And this explanation I willingly accept.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Our force in this engagement consisted only of three hundred men from
+Heilbron, twenty from Kroonstad, and forty or fifty from the
+Johannesburg Police, these latter under Captain Van Dam. The Police had
+arrived on the battlefield during the fighting, and had behaved in a
+most praiseworthy manner.</p>
+
+<p>But I overestimate our numbers, for it was not the <i>whole</i> of the
+Heilbron contingent that reached the firing line. We had to leave some
+of them behind with the horses at the foot of the kop, and there were
+others who remained at the first safe position they reached&mdash;a frequent
+occurrence at that period.</p>
+
+<p>I took careful note of our numbers when the battle was over, and I can
+state with certainty that there were not more than two hundred burghers
+actually engaged.</p>
+
+<p>Our losses amounted to four killed and five wounded. As to the losses of
+the English, I myself counted two hundred and three dead and wounded,
+and there may have been many whom I did not see. In regard to our
+prisoners, as they marched past me four deep I counted eight hundred and
+seventeen.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to the prisoners we also captured two Maxim and two mountain
+guns. They, however, were out of order, and had not been used by the
+English. The prisoners told us that parts of their big guns had been
+lost in the night, owing to a stampede of the mules which carried them,
+and consequently that the guns were incomplete when they reached the
+mountain. Shortly afterwards we found the mules with the missing parts
+of the guns.</p>
+
+<p>It was very lucky for us that the English were deprived of the use of
+their guns, for it placed them on the same footing as ourselves, as it
+compelled them to rely entirely on their rifles. Still they had the
+advantage of position, not to mention the fact that they out-numbered us
+by four to one.</p>
+
+<p>The guns did not comprise the whole of our capture: we also seized a
+thousand Lee-Metford rifles,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> twenty cases of cartridges, and some
+baggage mules and horses.</p>
+
+<p>The fighting had continued without intermission from nine o'clock in the
+morning until two in the afternoon. The day was exceedingly hot, and as
+there was no water to be obtained nearer than a mile from the berg,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>
+we suffered greatly from thirst. The condition of the wounded touched my
+heart deeply. It was pitiable to hear them cry, "Water! water!"</p>
+
+<p>I ordered my burghers to carry these unfortunate creatures to some
+thorn-bushes, which afforded shelter from the scorching rays of the sun,
+and where their doctors could attend to them. Other burghers I told off
+to fetch water from our prisoners' canteens, to supply our own wounded.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the wounded were safe under the shelter of the trees I
+despatched a message to Sir George White asking him to send his
+ambulance to fetch them, and also to make arrangements for the burial of
+his dead. For some unexplained reason, the English ambulance did not
+arrive till the following morning.</p>
+
+<p>We stayed on the mountain until sunset, and then went down to the
+laager. I ordered my brother, Piet de Wet, with fifty men of the
+Bethlehem commando, to remain behind and guard the kop.</p>
+
+<p>We reached camp at eight o'clock, and as the men had been without food
+during the whole day it can be imagined with what delight each watched
+his <i>bout span</i> frizzling on the spit. This, with a couple of
+<i>stormjagers</i> and a tin of coffee, made up the meal, and speedily
+restored them. They were exempted from sentry duty that night, and
+greatly enjoyed their well-earned rest.</p>
+
+<p>To complete my narrative of the day's work, I have only to add that the
+Transvaal burghers were engaged at various points some eight miles from
+Nicholson's Nek, and succeeded in taking four hundred prisoners.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>We placed our sentries that evening with the greatest care. They were
+stationed not only at a distance from the camp, as <i>Brandwachten</i>,<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>
+but also close round the laager itself. We were especially careful, as
+it was rumoured that the English had armed the Zulus of Natal. Had this
+been true, it would have been necessary to exercise the utmost vigilance
+to guard against these barbarians.</p>
+
+<p>Since the very beginning of our existence as a nation&mdash;in 1836&mdash;our
+people had been acquainted with black races, and bitter had been their
+experience. All that our <i>voortrekkers</i><a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> had suffered was indelibly
+stamped on our memory. We well knew what the Zulus could do under cover
+of darkness&mdash;their sanguinary night attacks were not easily forgotten.
+Their name of "night-wolves" had been well earned. Also we Free-Staters
+had endured much from the Basutos, in the wars of 1865 and 1867.</p>
+
+<p>History had thus taught us to place <i>Brandwachten</i> round our laagers at
+night, and to reconnoitre during the hours of darkness as well as in the
+day-time.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps I shall be able to give later on a fuller account in these
+pages&mdash;or, it may be, in another book&mdash;of the way we were accustomed to
+reconnoitre, and of the reasons why the scouting of the British so
+frequently ended in disaster. But I cannot resist saying here that the
+English only learnt the art of scouting during the latter part of the
+war, when they made use of the Boer deserters&mdash;the "Hands-uppers."</p>
+
+<p>These deserters were our undoing. I shall have a good deal more to say
+about them before I finally lay down my pen, and I shall not hesitate to
+call them by their true name&mdash;the name with which they will be for ever
+branded before all the nations of the world.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>Ladysmith Besieged</h3>
+
+
+<p>The Orange Free State and the South African Republic held a joint
+council of war on the 1st of November, and it was then decided to lay
+siege to Ladysmith.</p>
+
+<p>We also agreed to send out a horse-commando in the direction of
+Estcourt. This commando, under Vice-General Louis Botha, had several
+skirmishes with the enemy. On the 15th of November he engaged an
+armoured train, capturing a hundred of the British troops. This was
+General Botha's chief exploit, and shortly afterwards he returned to
+camp. But I must not anticipate.</p>
+
+<p>On the night of the council of war, General Piet Cronje was sent to
+occupy positions to the south and south-west of Ladysmith. He had with
+him the Heilbron burghers, a part of the commandos from Winburg and
+Harrismith, and two Krupp guns. On the following day a brush took place
+with the enemy, who, however, speedily fell back on Ladysmith. On the
+3rd, a few of their infantry regiments, with a thousand or fifteen
+hundred mounted troops, and two batteries of 15 and 12-pound Armstrong
+guns, marched out of the town in a south-westerly direction.</p>
+
+<p>The English brought these two guns into position at such a distance from
+us that we could not reach them with the Mauser; nor would it have been
+safe for us to advance upon them, for between them and us lay an open
+plain, which would have afforded no cover. One of our guns, which was
+placed exactly in front of the enemy, did indeed begin to fire; but
+after a shot or two, it received so much attention from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> English
+artillery that we were compelled&mdash;just as at Rietfontein&mdash;to desist.</p>
+
+<p>The British infantry and cavalry did not show any excessive eagerness to
+tackle us; and we, on our side, were as disinclined to come to close
+quarters with them. Nevertheless, the enemy's infantry, backed up by the
+thunder of twelve guns, did make an attempt to reach us; but though they
+advanced repeatedly, they were for the most part careful to keep out of
+range of our rifles. When they neglected this precaution, they soon
+found themselves compelled to retire with loss.</p>
+
+<p>Our second gun, which had been placed on a <i>tafel-kop</i><a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> to the east
+of the ground where the engagement was taking place, did excellent work.
+It effectually baulked the enemy's mounted troops in their repeated
+efforts to outflank us on that side, and also made it impossible for the
+English to bring their guns farther east, so as to command the
+<i>tafel-kop</i>. They did, indeed, make an attempt to place some guns
+between us and Platrand, which lay to the north of our eastern position,
+but it was unsuccessful, for our Krupp on the <i>tafel-kop</i> brought such a
+heavy fire to bear on the troops and gunners, that they were forced to
+retire.</p>
+
+<p>We, on our part, as I have already said, found it equally impossible to
+storm the English positions. To advance would have been to expose
+ourselves to the fire of their heavy guns, whereas an attack to the
+south would have involved exposure to a cross-fire from the guns on
+Platrand.</p>
+
+<p>Altogether it was a most unsatisfactory engagement for us both. Nothing
+decisive was effected; and, as is always the case in such battles,
+little was done except by the big guns, which kept up a perpetual roar
+from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon. At that hour the
+British fell back on Ladysmith.</p>
+
+<p>Our loss was one killed and six wounded, among the latter being
+Veldtcornet Marthinus Els, of Heilbron.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was evident that the English did not escape without loss, but we were
+unable to ascertain its extent. My own opinion is that they did not lose
+very heavily.</p>
+
+<p>From that day nothing of importance happened until I left Natal; though
+both the Transvaalers and Free State burghers had a few slight brushes
+with the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>During the night of December the 7th, "Long Tom," the big Transvaal gun,
+which had been placed on Bulwana Hill, had been so seriously damaged by
+dynamite, that it had to remain out of action for some time. We all
+admitted that the English on that occasion acted with great skill and
+prudence, and that the courage of their leaders deserved every praise.
+Yet, if we had only been on our guard, we might have beaten off the
+storming party; but they had caught us unawares. Nevertheless, the
+mishap taught us a useful lesson: henceforth the Transvaal Commandants
+were more strict, and their increased severity had an excellent effect
+both on the burghers and gunners.</p>
+
+<p>General Sir Redvers Buller had landed at Cape Town early in November. We
+were now expecting every day to hear that he had assumed the chief
+command over the English army encamped between Estcourt and Colenso. The
+number of troops there was continually increasing owing to the
+reinforcements which kept pouring in from over the ocean.</p>
+
+<p>Great things were expected of Sir Redvers Buller, to whom the Boers, by
+a play of words, had given a somewhat disrespectful nick-name. He had
+not been long in Natal before his chance came. I must, however, be
+silent about his successes and his failures, for, as I left Natal on the
+9th of December, I had no personal experience of his methods. But this I
+will say, that whatever his own people have to say to his discredit, Sir
+Redvers Buller had to operate against stronger positions than any other
+English general in South Africa.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>I am Appointed Vechtgeneraal</h3>
+
+
+<p>Up to the 9th of December I had only been a Vice-Commandant, but on the
+morning of that day I received a telegram from States-President Steyn,
+asking me to go to the Western frontier as Vechtgeneraal.</p>
+
+<p>This came as a great surprise to me, and I telegraphed back to the
+President asking for time to think the matter over. To tell the truth, I
+should have much preferred to go through the campaign as a private
+burgher.</p>
+
+<p>Almost immediately after this there came another telegram&mdash;this time
+from Mr. A. Fisscher, a member of the Executive Council, and a man whom
+I respected greatly on account of his official position. He urged me not
+to decline the appointment, but to proceed at once to the Western
+borders. I did not know what to do. However, after deliberating for a
+short time, and with great difficulty overcoming my disinclination to
+leave my present associates, I decided to accept the post offered to me.
+Commandant Steenekamp was kind enough to allow me to take with me
+fourteen men, with whom I had been on especially friendly terms; and,
+after a few parting words to the Heilbron burghers, in which I thanked
+them for all the pleasant times I had passed in their company, I left
+the laager.</p>
+
+<p>It was heart-breaking to tear myself away from my commando: that 9th of
+December was a day which I shall never forget.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning I arrived, with my staff, at Elandslaagte Station,
+on our way to Bloemfontein. A special train, provided by the Transvaal
+authorities,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> at the request of my Government, was waiting for us, and
+we started without a moment's delay. As we journeyed on, the conductor
+would sometimes ask me whether I should like to stop at such and such a
+station, but my answer was always:</p>
+
+<p>"No! no! hurry on!"</p>
+
+<p>But when we got as far as Viljoen's Drift, there was an end to my
+"special train!" In spite of the Government's orders that I was to be
+sent forward without delay, I had to wait six hours, and then be content
+to travel as an ordinary passenger.</p>
+
+<p>At Bloemfontein we found everything ready for us, and at once started on
+our journey of sixty or seventy miles to Magersfontein, where we arrived
+on December the 16th.</p>
+
+<p>During the time I had spent in travelling, three important engagements
+had taken place, namely those of Colenso, Magersfontein and Stormberg.
+At Colenso, the English had suffered heavy losses, and ten guns had
+fallen into our hands. Magersfontein also had cost them dear, and there
+General Wauchope had met his fate; while at Stormberg seven hundred of
+them had been taken prisoners, and three of their big guns had been
+captured by us.</p>
+
+<p>At Magersfontein were six or seven thousand Transvaal burghers under
+General Piet Cronje, with General De la Rey as second in command. Thus
+it fell to my lot to take over the command of the Free-Staters. The
+Commander-in-Chief of these Free State burghers, as well as of those who
+were camped round Kimberley, was Mr. C.J. Wessels; Mr. E.R. Grobler
+commanded at Colesberg, and Mr. J.H. Olivier at Stormberg.</p>
+
+<p>I spent my first few days at Magersfontein in organizing the Free State
+burghers. When this task had been accomplished, General De la Rey and I
+asked General Cronje's permission to take fifteen hundred men, and carry
+on operations in the direction of Hopetown and De Aar with the intention
+of break<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>ing Lord Methuen's railway communications. But Cronje would
+hear nothing of the scheme. Say what we would, there was no moving him.
+He absolutely refused to allow fifteen hundred of his men to leave their
+positions at Magersfontein, unless the Government found it impossible to
+procure that number of burghers from elsewhere. Thus our plan came to
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly afterwards De la Rey was sent to the commandos at Colesberg, and
+I succeeded him in the command of the Transvaalers at Magersfontein. The
+Government then put General Wessels in sole command at Kimberley, and
+gave General Cronje the chief command over the Free State burghers at
+Magersfontein. Thus it was that I, as Vechtgeneraal, had to receive my
+orders from Cronje. I had the following Commandants under me: Du Preez,
+of Hoopstad; Grobler, of Fauresmith; D. Lubbe, of Jacobsdal; Piet
+Fourie, of Bloemfontein; J. Kok and Jordaan, of Winburg; Ignatius
+Ferreira, of Ladybrand; Paul De Villiers, of Ficksburg; Du Plessis, and,
+subsequently, Commandant Diederiks, of Boshof.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>The English had entrenched themselves at the Modder River, we at
+Magersfontein. There was little or nothing for us to do, and yet I never
+had a more troublesome time in my life. I had all the Transvaalers under
+my orders, in addition to the burghers of the Free State, and the
+positions which I had to inspect every day extended over a distance of
+fifteen miles from end to end. I had to listen to constant complaints;
+one of the officers would say that he could not hold out against an
+attack if it were delivered at such and such a point; another, that he
+had not sufficient troops with him, not to mention other remarks which
+were nonsensical in the extreme.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, the enemy was shelling our positions unceasingly. Not a
+day passed but two of their Lyddite guns dropped shells amongst us.
+Sometimes not more than four or five reached us in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> twenty-four
+hours; at other times from fifty to two hundred, and once as many as
+four hundred and thirty-six.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of this, we had but few mishaps. Indeed, I can only remember
+three instances of any one being hurt by the shells. A young burgher,
+while riding behind a ridge and thus quite hidden from the enemy, was
+hit by a bomb, and both he and his horse were blown to atoms. This youth
+was a son of Mr. Gideon van Tonder, a member of the Executive Council.
+Another Lyddite shell so severely wounded two brothers, named Wolfaard,
+Potchefstroom burghers, that we almost despaired of their lives.
+Nevertheless, they recovered. I do not want to imply that the British
+Artillery were poor shots. Far from it. Their range was very good, and,
+as they had plenty of practice every day, shot after shot went home. I
+ascribe our comparative immunity to a Higher Power, which averted
+misfortune from us.</p>
+
+<p>I had not been long at Magersfontein before I became convinced that Lord
+Methuen was most unlikely to make another attack on our extensive
+positions. I said nothing of this to any of the burghers, but on more
+than one occasion, I told General Cronje what I thought about the
+matter.</p>
+
+<p>"The enemy," I repeated to him over and over again, "will not attack us
+here. He will flank us." But Cronje would not listen to me.</p>
+
+<p>The presence of women in our laager was a great hindrance to me in my
+work. Indeed, I opened a correspondence with the Government on the
+matter, and begged them to forbid it. But here again my efforts were
+unavailing. Later on, we shall see in what a predicament the Republican
+laagers were placed through the toleration of this irregularity.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, the inevitable results of Cronje's policy became more and
+more apparent to me, and before long we had to suffer for his obstinacy
+in keeping us to our trenches and <i>schanzes</i>.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>The Overwhelming Forces of Lord Roberts</h3>
+
+
+<p>I speedily discovered the object which the English had in view in taking
+such advanced positions and in bombarding Magersfontein. They wished to
+give us the impression that they were able to attack us at any moment
+and so to keep us tied to our positions. In the meantime they were
+making preparations in another direction, for the movement which was
+really intended&mdash;namely, the advance of Lord Roberts with his
+overwhelming force.</p>
+
+<p>The Commander-in-Chief, Piet de Wet (and before him Commandant H.
+Schorman), had plenty of work given them by the English. But General De
+la Rey had been so successful that he had prevented Lord Roberts,
+notwithstanding the enormous numbers he commanded, from crossing the
+Orange River at Norvalspont, and had thus forced him to take the Modder
+River route.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Roberts would have found it more convenient to have crossed the
+Orange River, for the railway runs through Norvalspont. Yet had he
+attempted it, he would have fared as badly as Sir Redvers Buller did in
+Natal. Our positions at Colesberg, and to the north of the river, were
+exceedingly strong. He was wise, therefore, in his decision to march
+over the unbroken plains.</p>
+
+<p>It was now, as I had foreseen, that the English renewed their flanking
+tactics.</p>
+
+<p>On the 11th of February, 1900, a strong contingent of mounted troops,
+under General French, issued from the camps at Modder River and
+Koedoesberg.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> This latter was a kop on the Riet River, about twelve
+miles to the east of their main camp.</p>
+
+<p>At ten o'clock in the morning, General French started. Immediately I
+received orders from General Cronje to proceed with three hundred and
+fifty men to check the advancing troops. As I stood on the ridges of
+Magersfontein, I was able to look down upon the English camps, and I saw
+that it would be sheer madness to pit three hundred and fifty men
+against General French's large force. Accordingly I asked that one
+hundred and fifty more burghers and two guns might be placed at my
+disposal. This request, however, was refused, and so I had to proceed
+without them.</p>
+
+<p>When we arrived at Koedoesberg that afternoon, we found that the English
+had already taken possession of the hill. They were stationed at its
+southern end, and had nearly completed a stone wall across the hill from
+east to west. Their camp was situated on the Riet River, which flows
+beside the southern slopes of the <i>berg</i>. The enemy also held strong
+positions on hillocks to the east of the mountain, whilst on the west
+they occupied a ravine, which descended from the mountain to the river.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Froneman and I determined to storm the <i>berg</i> without a
+moment's delay. We reached the foot of the mountain in safety, and here
+we were out of sight of the English. But it was impossible to remain in
+this situation, and I gave orders that my men should climb the mountain.
+We succeeded in reaching the summit, but were unable to get within seven
+hundred paces of the enemy, owing to the severity of their fire from
+behind the stone wall. And so we remained where we were until it became
+quite dark, and then very quietly went back to the spot where we had
+left our horses.</p>
+
+<p>As General French was in possession of the river, we had to ride about
+four miles before we could obtain any water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Early the following morning we again occupied the positions we had held
+on the previous evening. Although under a severe rifle fire, we then
+rushed from position to position, and at last were only three hundred
+paces from the enemy. And now I was forced to rest content with the
+ground we had gained, for with only three hundred and fifty men I dare
+not risk a further advance, owing to the strength of the enemy's
+position.</p>
+
+<p>The previous day I had asked General Cronje to send me reinforcements,
+and I had to delay the advance until their arrival. In a very short time
+a small party of burghers made their appearance. They had two
+field-pieces with them, and were under the command of Major Albrecht. We
+placed the guns in position and trained them on the English.</p>
+
+<p>With the second shot we had found our range, while the third found its
+mark in the wall, so that it was not long before the enemy had to
+abandon that shelter. To find safe cover they were forced to retreat
+some hundred paces. But we gained little by this, for the new positions
+of the English were quite as good as those from which we had driven
+them, and, moreover, were almost out of range of our guns. And we were
+unable to bring our field-pieces any nearer because our gunners would
+have been exposed to the enemy's rifle fire.</p>
+
+<p>Our Krupps made good practice on the four English guns which had been
+stationed on the river bank to the south. Up till now these had kept up
+a terrific fire on our guns, but we soon drove them across the river, to
+seek protection behind the mountain. I despatched General Froneman to
+hold the river bank, and the <i>sluit</i><a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> which descended to the river
+from the north. While carrying out this order he was exposed to a heavy
+fire from the enemy's western wing, which was located in the
+above-mentioned ravine, but he succeeded in reaching the river under
+cover of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> guns. Once there, the enemy's artillery made it impossible
+for him to move.</p>
+
+<p>And now a curious incident occurred! A falcon, hovering over the heads
+of our burghers in the <i>sluit</i>, was hit by a bullet from one of the
+shrapnel shells and fell dead to the ground in the midst of the men. It
+was already half-past four, and we began to ask ourselves how the affair
+would end. At this juncture I received a report from a burgher, whom I
+had placed on the eastern side of the mountain to watch the movements of
+the English at the Modder River. He told me that a mountain corps, eight
+hundred to a thousand men strong, was approaching us with two guns, with
+the intention, as it appeared, of outflanking us. I also learnt that
+eighty of my men had retreated. I had stationed them that morning on a
+hillock three miles to the east of the mountain, my object being to
+prevent General French from surrounding us.</p>
+
+<p>It now became necessary to check the advance of this mountain corps. But
+how? There were only thirty-six men at my disposal. The other burghers
+were in positions closer to the enemy, and I could not withdraw them
+without exposing them too seriously to the bullets of the English. There
+was nothing for it, but that I with my thirty-six burghers should attack
+the force which threatened us.</p>
+
+<p>We rushed down the mountain and jumping on our horses, galloped against
+the enemy. When we arrived at the precipice which falls sheer from the
+mountain, the English were already so near that our only course was to
+charge them.</p>
+
+<p>In front of us there was a plain which extended for some twelve hundred
+paces to the foot of an abrupt rise in the ground. This we fortunately
+reached before the English, although we were exposed all the way to the
+fire of their guns. But even when we gained the rise we were little
+better off, as it was too low to give us cover. The English were
+scarcely more than four hundred paces from us. They dismounted and
+opened<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> a heavy fire. For ten or fifteen minutes we successfully kept
+them back. Then the sun went down! and to my great relief the enemy
+moved away in the direction of their comrades on the mountain. I ordered
+all my men from their positions, and withdrew to the spot where we had
+encamped the previous night. The burghers were exhausted by hunger and
+thirst, for they had had nothing to eat except the provisions which they
+had brought in their saddle-bags from the laager.</p>
+
+<p>That evening Andreas Cronje&mdash;- the General's brother&mdash;joined us with two
+hundred and fifty men and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt.</p>
+
+<p>When the sun rose on the following day, the veldt was clear of the
+enemy. General French had during the night retreated to headquarters.
+What losses he had suffered I am unable to say; ours amounted to seven
+wounded and two killed.</p>
+
+<p>Our task here was now ended, and so we returned to Magersfontein.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning a large force again left the English camp and took
+the direction of the Koffiefontein diamond mine. General Cronje
+immediately ordered me to take a force of four hundred and fifty men
+with a Krupp and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, and to drive back the enemy. At my
+request, Commandants Andreas Cronje, Piet Fourie, Scholten and Lubbe
+joined me, and that evening we camped quite close to the spot where the
+English force was stationed!</p>
+
+<p>Early the next day, before the enemy had made any movement, we started
+for Blauwbank,<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> and, having arrived there, we took up our positions.
+Shortly afterwards the fight began; it was confined entirely to the
+artillery.</p>
+
+<p>We soon saw that we should have to deal with the whole of Lord Roberts'
+force, for there it was, advancing in the direction of Paardenberg's
+Drift. It was thus clear that Lord Roberts had not sent his troops to
+Koffiefontein with the intention of proceeding by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> that route to
+Bloemfontein, but that his object had been to divide our forces, so as
+to march via Paardenberg's Drift to the Capital.</p>
+
+<p>I accordingly withdrew with three hundred and fifty of the burghers in
+the direction of Koffiefontein, and then hid my commando as best I
+could. The remainder of the men&mdash;about a hundred in number&mdash;I placed
+under Commandant Lubbe, giving him orders to proceed in a direction
+parallel to the advance of the English, who now were nearing
+Paardenberg's Drift, and to keep a keen eye on their movements. It was a
+large force that Lubbe had to watch. It consisted chiefly of mounted
+troops; but there were also nine or ten batteries and a convoy of light
+mule waggons.</p>
+
+<p>I thought that as General Cronje was opposing them in front, my duty was
+to keep myself in hiding and to reconnoitre.</p>
+
+<p>I wished to communicate with General Cronje before the English troops
+came up to him, and with this object I sent out a despatch rider. The
+man I chose for the mission was Commandant G.J. Scheepers&mdash;whose name
+later in the war was on every man's lips for his exploits in Cape
+Colony, but who then was only the head of our heliograph corps. I
+informed General Cronje in my message that the English, who had been
+stationed at Blauwbank, had made a move in the direction of
+Paardenberg's Drift; and I advised him to get out of their road as
+quickly as he could, for they numbered, according to my computation,
+forty or fifty thousand men.</p>
+
+<p>I thought it wise to give Cronje this advice, on account of the women
+and children in our camps, who might easily prove the cause of disaster.
+When Scheepers returned he told me what reply General Cronje had made.
+It is from no lack of respect for the General, whom I hold in the
+highest honour as a hero incapable of fear, that I set down what he
+said. It is rather from a wish to give a proof of his undaunted courage
+that I quote his words.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Are you afraid of things like that?" he asked, when Scheepers had given
+my message. "Just you go and shoot them down, and catch them when they
+run."</p>
+
+<p>At Paardenberg's Drift there were some Free-Staters' camps that stood
+apart from the others. In these camps there were a class of burghers who
+were not much use in actual fighting. These men, called by us "water
+draggers," correspond to the English "non-combatants." I ordered these
+burghers to withdraw to a spot two hours' trek from there, where there
+was more grass. But before all had obeyed this order, a small camp,
+consisting of twenty or thirty waggons, was surprised and taken.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, keeping my little commando entirely concealed, I spied
+out the enemy's movements.</p>
+
+<p>On the 16th of February, I thought I saw a chance of dealing an
+effective blow at Lord Roberts. Some provision waggons, escorted by a
+large convoy, were passing by, following in the wake of the British
+troops. I asked myself whether it was possible for me to capture it then
+and there, and came to the conclusion that it was out of the question.
+With so many of the enemy's troops in the neighbourhood, the risk would
+have been too great. I, therefore, still kept in hiding with my three
+hundred and fifty burghers.</p>
+
+<p>I remained where I was throughout the next day; but in the evening I saw
+the convoy camping near Blauwbank, just to the west of the Riet River. I
+also observed that the greater part of the troops had gone forward with
+Lord Roberts.</p>
+
+<p>On the 18th I still kept hidden, for the English army had not yet moved
+out of camp. The troops, as I learnt afterwards, were awaiting the
+arrival of columns from Belmont Station.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day I attacked the convoy on the flank. The three or
+four hundred troops who were guarding it offered a stout resistance,
+although they were without any guns.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After fighting for two hours the English received a reinforcement of
+cavalry, with four Armstrong guns, and redoubled their efforts to drive
+us from the positions we had taken up under cover of the mule waggons.
+As I knew that it would be a serious blow to Lord Roberts to lose the
+provisions he was expecting, I was firmly resolved to capture them,
+unless the force of numbers rendered the task quite impossible. I
+accordingly resisted the enemy's attack with all the power I could.</p>
+
+<p>The battle raged until it became dark; and I think we were justified in
+being satisfied with what we had achieved. We had captured sixteen
+hundred oxen and forty prisoners; whilst General Fourie, whom I had
+ordered to attack the camp on the south, had taken several prisoners and
+a few water-carts.</p>
+
+<p>We remained that night in our positions. The small number of burghers I
+had at my disposal made it impossible for me to surround the English
+camp.</p>
+
+<p>To our great surprise, the following morning, we saw that the English
+had gone. About twenty soldiers had, however, remained behind; we found
+them hidden along the banks of the Riet River at a short distance from
+the convoy. We also discovered thirty-six Kaffirs on a ridge about three
+miles away. As to the enemy's camp, it was entirely deserted. Our booty
+was enormous, and consisted of two hundred heavily-laden waggons, and
+eleven or twelve water-carts and trollies. On some of the waggons we
+found klinkers,<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> jam, milk, sardines, salmon, cases of corned beef,
+and other such provisions in great variety. Other waggons were loaded
+with rum; and still others contained oats and horse provender pressed
+into bales. In addition to these stores, we took one field-piece, which
+the English had left behind. It was, indeed, a gigantic capture; the
+only question was what to do with it.</p>
+
+<p>Our prisoners told us that columns from Belmont<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> might be expected at
+any moment. Had these arrived we should have been unable to hold out
+against them.</p>
+
+<p>By some means or other it was necessary to get the provisions away, not
+that we were then in any great need of them ourselves, but because we
+knew that Lord Roberts would be put in a grave difficulty if he lost all
+this food. I did not lose a moment's time, but at once ordered the
+burghers to load up the waggons as speedily as possible, and to inspan.
+It was necessary to reload the waggons, for the English troops had made
+use of the contents to build <i>schanzes</i>; and excellent ones the
+provisions had made.</p>
+
+<p>The loading of the waggons was simple enough, but when it came to
+inspanning it was another matter. The Kaffir drivers alone knew where
+each span had to be placed, and there were only thirty-six Kaffirs left.
+But here the fact that every Boer is himself a handy conductor and
+driver of waggons told in our favour. Consequently we did not find it
+beyond our power to get the waggons on the move. It was, however, very
+tedious work, for how could any of us be sure that we were not placing
+the after-oxen in front and the fore-oxen behind? There was nothing left
+for it but to turn out the best spans of sixteen oxen that we could, and
+then to arrange them in the way that struck us as being most suitable.
+It was all done in the most hurried manner, for our one idea was to be
+off as quickly as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Even when we had started our troubles were not at an end. The waggons
+would have been a hard pull for sixteen oxen properly arranged; so that
+it is not surprising that our ill-sorted teams found the work almost
+beyond their strength. Thus it happened that we took a very long time to
+cover the first few miles, as we had constantly to be stopping to
+re-arrange the oxen. But under the supervision of Commandant Piet
+Fourie, whom I appointed Conductor-in-Chief, matters improved from hour
+to hour.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After a short time I issued orders that the convoy should proceed over
+Koffiefontein to Edenberg. I then divided my burghers into two parties;
+the first, consisting of two hundred men with the Krupp gun, I ordered
+to proceed with the convoy; the second, consisting of a hundred and
+fifty men with the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, I took under my own command, and
+set out with them in the direction of Paardenberg's Drift.</p>
+
+<p>My spies had informed me that there were some fifty or sixty English
+troops posted about eight miles from the spot where we had captured the
+convoy. We made our way towards them, and when we were at a distance of
+about three thousand yards, I sent a little note to their officer,
+asking him to surrender. It was impossible for his troops to escape, for
+they found themselves threatened on three sides.</p>
+
+<p>The sun had just gone down when my despatch-rider reached the English
+camp; and the officer in command was not long in sending him his reply,
+accompanied by an orderly.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you General De Wet?" the orderly asked me.</p>
+
+<p>"I am," replied I.</p>
+
+<p>"My officer in command," he said in a polite but determined voice,
+"wishes me to tell you that we are a good hundred men strong, that we
+are well provided with food and ammunition, and that we hold a strong
+position in some houses and kraals. Every moment we are expecting ten
+thousand men from Belmont, and we are waiting here with the sole purpose
+of conducting them to Lord Roberts."</p>
+
+<p>I allowed him to speak without interrupting him; but when he had
+finished, I answered him in quite as determined a voice as he had used
+to me.</p>
+
+<p>"I will give you just enough time to get back and to tell your officer
+in command that, if he does not surrender at once, I shall shell him and
+storm his position. He will be allowed exactly ten minutes to make up
+his mind&mdash;then the white flag must appear."</p>
+
+<p>"But where is your gun?" the orderly asked. In<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> reply I pointed to the
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which stood a few hundred paces behind us, surrounded
+by some burghers.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you give us your word of honour," he asked me when he caught sight
+of the gun, "not to stir from your position till we have got ten miles
+away? That is the only condition on which we will abandon our
+positions."</p>
+
+<p>I again allowed him to finish, although his demand filled me with the
+utmost astonishment. I asked myself what sort of men this English
+officer imagined the Boer Generals to be.</p>
+
+<p>"I demand unconditional surrender," I then said. "I give you ten minutes
+from the moment you dismount on arriving at your camp; when those ten
+minutes have passed I fire."</p>
+
+<p>He slung round, and galloped back to his camp, the stones flying from
+his horse's hoofs.</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly dismounted before the white flag appeared. It did not take
+us long to reach the camp, and there we found fifty-eight mounted men.
+These prisoners I despatched that evening to join the convoy.</p>
+
+<p>I then advanced with my commando another six miles, with the object of
+watching Lord Roberts' movements, in case he should send a force back to
+retake the convoy he could so ill spare. But the following day we saw
+nothing except a single scouting party coming from the direction of
+Paardenberg's Drift. This proved to consist of the hundred burghers whom
+I had sent with Commandant Lubbe to General Cronje's assistance. I heard
+from Lubbe that General French had broken through, and had in all
+probability relieved Kimberley; and that General Cronje was retreating
+before Lord Roberts towards Paardeberg. I may say here that I was not at
+all pleased that Commandant Lubbe should have returned.</p>
+
+<p>On account of Lubbe's information, I decided to advance at once in the
+direction of Paardenberg's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> Drift, and was on the point of doing so when
+I received a report from President Steyn. He informed me that I should
+find at a certain spot that evening, close to Koffiefontein, Mr. Philip
+Botha<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> with a reinforcement of one hundred and fifty men. This report
+convinced me that the convoy I had captured would reach Edenberg Station
+without mishap, and accordingly I went after it to fetch back the gun
+which would no longer be needed. I found the convoy encamped about six
+miles from Koffiefontein. Immediately after my arrival, General Jacobs,
+of Fauresmith, and Commandant Hertzog,<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> of Philippolis, brought the
+news to me that troops were marching on us from Belmont Station. I told
+Jacobs and Hertzog to return with their men, two or three hundred in
+number to meet the approaching English.</p>
+
+<p>We were so well supplied with forage that our horses got as much as they
+could eat. I had, therefore, no hesitation in ordering my men to
+up-saddle at midnight, and by half-past two we had joined
+Vice-Vechtgeneraal Philip Botha. I had sent him word to be ready to
+move, so that we were able to hasten at once to General Cronje's
+assistance. Our combined force amounted to three hundred men all told.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+   <a id="image02" name="image02">
+   <img src="images/02.jpg"
+      alt="PAARDEBERG (CRONJE'S)."
+      title="PAARDEBERG (CRONJE'S)." /></a><br />
+   <span class="caption">PAARDEBERG (CRONJE'S).<br />FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.</span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>Paardeberg</h3>
+
+
+<p>An hour after sunrise we off-saddled, and heard, from the direction of
+Paardeberg, the indescribable thunder of bombardment. That sound gave us
+all the more reason for haste. We allowed our horses the shortest
+possible time for rest, partook of the most hurried of breakfasts, and
+at once were again on the move, with the frightful roar of the guns
+always in our ears.</p>
+
+<p>About half-past four that afternoon, we reached a point some six miles
+to the east of Paardeberg, and saw, on the right bank of the Modder
+River, four miles to the north-east of the mountain, General Cronje's
+laager. It was surrounded completely by the enemy, as a careful
+inspection through our field-glasses showed.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately in front of us were the buildings and kraals of
+Stinkfontein, and there on the opposite bank of the river stood
+Paardeberg. To the left and to the right of it were khaki-coloured
+groups dotted everywhere about&mdash;General Cronje was hemmed in on all
+sides, he and his burghers&mdash;a mere handful compared with the encircling
+multitude.</p>
+
+<p>What a spectacle we saw! All round the laager were the guns of the
+English, belching forth death and destruction, while from within it at
+every moment, as each successive shell tore up the ground, there rose a
+cloud&mdash;a dark red cloud of dust.</p>
+
+<p>It was necessary to act&mdash;but how?</p>
+
+<p>We decided to make an immediate attack upon the nearest of Lord Roberts'
+troops, those which were sta<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>tioned in the vicinity of Stinkfontein, and
+to seize some ridges which lay about two and a half miles south-east of
+the laager.</p>
+
+<p>Stinkfontein was about a thousand paces to the north of these ridges,
+and perhaps a few hundred paces farther from where Cronje was stationed.</p>
+
+<p>We rode towards the ridges, and when we were from twelve to fourteen
+hundred paces from Stinkfontein, we saw that the place was occupied by a
+strong force of British troops.</p>
+
+<p>General Botha and I then arranged that he should storm the houses,
+kraals and garden walls of Stinkfontein, whilst I charged the ridges.
+And this we did, nothing daunted by the tremendous rifle fire which
+burst upon us. Cronje's pitiable condition confronted us, and we had but
+one thought&mdash;could we relieve him?</p>
+
+<p>We succeeded in driving the English out of Stinkfontein, and took sixty
+of them prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy's fire played on us unceasingly, and notwithstanding the fact
+that we occupied good positions, we lost two men, and had several of our
+horses killed and wounded.</p>
+
+<p>We remained there for two and a half days&mdash;from the 22nd to the 25th of
+February&mdash;and then were forced to retire. While evacuating our
+positions, three of my burghers were killed, seven wounded, and fourteen
+taken prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>But the reader will justly demand more details as to the surrender of
+Cronje, an event which forms one of the most important chapters in the
+history of the two Republics. I am able to give the following
+particulars.</p>
+
+<p>After we had captured the positions referred to above, I gave orders
+that the Krupp and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt should be brought up. For with
+our hurried advance, the oxen attached to the big guns, as well as some
+of the burghers' horses, had become so fatigued, that the guns and a
+number of the burghers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> had been left behind. The ridges were so thickly
+strewn with boulders, that even on the arrival of the guns, it was
+impossible to place them in position until we had first cleared a path
+for them. I made up my mind to turn these boulders to account by using
+them to build <i>schanzes</i>, for I knew that a tremendous bombardment would
+be opened upon our poor Krupp and Maxim-Nordenfeldt as soon as they made
+themselves heard.</p>
+
+<p>During the night we built these <i>schanzes</i>, and before the sun rose the
+following morning, the guns were placed in position.</p>
+
+<p>By daybreak the English had crept up to within a short distance of our
+lines. It was the Krupp and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt that gave our answer.</p>
+
+<p>But we had to be very sparing of our ammunition, for it was almost
+exhausted, and it would take at least five days to get a fresh supply
+from Bloemfontein.</p>
+
+<p>Our arrival on the previous day had made a way of escape for General
+Cronje. It is true that he would have been obliged to leave everything
+behind him, but he and his burghers would have got away in safety. The
+British had retreated before our advance, thus opening a road between us
+and the laager. That road was made yet wider by the fire from our guns.</p>
+
+<p>But General Cronje would not move. Had he done so, his losses would not
+have been heavy. His determination to remain in that ill-fated laager
+cost him dearly.</p>
+
+<p>The world will honour that great general and his brave burghers; and if
+I presume to criticize his conduct on this occasion, it is only because
+I believe that he ought to have sacrificed his own ideas for the good of
+the nation, and that he should have not been courageous at the expense
+of his country's independence, to which he was as fiercely attached as
+I.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the burghers in the laager made their escape, for, on the second
+day, when our guns had cleared a wide path, Commandants Froneman and
+Pot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>gieter (of Wolmaranstadt), with twenty men, came galloping out of
+the laager towards us.</p>
+
+<p>Although we were only a few in number, the British had their work cut
+out to dislodge us. First they tried their favourite strategy of a
+flanking movement, sending out strong columns of cavalry, with heavy
+guns to surround us. It was necessary to prevent the fulfilment of this
+project. I, therefore, removed the Krupp and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt from
+their positions, and divided our little force into three portions. I
+ordered the first to remain in their position, the second was to proceed
+with the Krupp round our left wing, while I despatched the third party
+to hold back the left wing of the British. I had no wish to share
+General Cronje's unenviable position.</p>
+
+<p>We succeeded in checking the advance of the enemy's wings; and when he
+saw that we were not to be outflanked he changed his tactics, and while
+still retaining his wings where they were, in order to keep our men
+occupied, he delivered at mid-day, on the 20th, an attack on our centre
+with a strong force of infantry.</p>
+
+<p>The result of this was that the British gained one of our positions,
+that, namely, which was held by Veldtcornet Meyer, an officer under
+Commandant Spruit. Meyer was entirely unable to beat off the attack,
+and, at nightfall, was compelled to retire about two or three hundred
+paces, to a little ridge, which he held effectively.</p>
+
+<p>As the English took up the abandoned position, they raised a cheer, and
+Commandant Spruit, who was ignorant of its meaning, and believed that
+his men were still in possession, went there alone.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Hoe gaat het?</i>"<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> he called out.</p>
+
+<p>"Hands up!" was the reply he received.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing left for the Commandant to do but to give himself up.
+The soldiers led him over a ridge, and struck a light to discover his
+identity.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> Finding papers in his pocket which showed that their prisoner
+was an important personage, they raised cheer upon cheer.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p>
+
+<p>I heard them cheering, and thought that the enemy were about to attempt
+another attack, and so gave orders that whatever happened our positions
+must be held, for they were the key to General Cronje's escape. However,
+no attack was delivered.</p>
+
+<p>Nobody could have foreseen that two thousand infantry would give up the
+attack on positions which they had so nearly captured, and we all
+expected a sanguinary engagement on the following morning. We had made
+up our minds to stand firm, for we knew that if General Cronje failed to
+make his way out, it would be a real calamity to our great cause.</p>
+
+<p>Fully expecting an attack, we remained all that night at our posts. Not
+a man of us slept, but just before dawn we heard this order from the
+English lines:</p>
+
+<p>"Fall in."</p>
+
+<p>"What can be the meaning of this?" we ask one another.</p>
+
+<p>Lying, sitting or standing, each of us is now at his post, and staring
+out into the darkness, expecting an attack every moment. We hold our
+breath and listen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> Is there no sound of approaching footsteps? And now
+the light increases. Is it possible? Yes, our eyes do not deceive us.
+The enemy is gone.</p>
+
+<p>Surprise and joy are on every face. One hears on all sides the
+exclamation, "If only Cronje would make the attempt now." It was the
+morning of the 25th of February.</p>
+
+<p>But the enemy were not to leave us alone for long. By nine o'clock they
+were advancing upon us again, with both right and left wing reinforced.
+I had only a few shots left for the Krupp, and thirty for the
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, and this last ammunition must now be expended on the
+wings. One gun I despatched to the right, the other to the left, and the
+English were checked in their advance. I had ordered the gunners, as
+soon as they had fired their last round to bring their guns into safe
+positions in the direction of Petrusberg. Very soon I observed that this
+order was being executed, and thus learnt that the ammunition had run
+out.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers who, with their rifles, had attempted to hold back the
+wings, now having no longer any support from the big guns, were unable
+to stand their ground against the overpowering forces of the enemy, and
+shortly after the guns were removed, I saw them retreat.</p>
+
+<p>What was I to do? I was being bombarded incessantly, and since the
+morning had been severely harassed by small-arm fire. All this, however,
+I could have borne, but now the enemy began to surround me. It was a
+hard thing to be thus forced to abandon the key to General Cronje's
+escape.</p>
+
+<p>In all haste I ordered my men to retire. They had seen throughout that
+this was unavoidable, and had even said to me:</p>
+
+<p>"If we remain here, General, we shall be surrounded with General
+Cronje."</p>
+
+<p>All made good their retreat, with the exception of Veldtcornet Speller,
+of Wepener, who, to my great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> regret, was taken prisoner there with
+fourteen men. That occurred owing to my adjutant forgetting, in the
+general confusion, to give them my orders to retreat. When Speller found
+that he, with his fourteen men, was left behind, he defended himself, as
+I heard later, with great valour, until at last he was captured by
+overpowering numbers. It cost the English a good many dead and wounded
+to get him out of his <i>schanzes</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Although I had foreseen that our escape would be a very difficult and
+lengthy business, I had not thought that we should have been in such
+danger of being made prisoners. But the English had very speedily taken
+up positions to the right and left, with guns and Maxims, and for a good
+nine miles of our retreat we were under their fire. Notwithstanding the
+fact that during the whole of this time we were also harassed by
+small-arm fire, we lost&mdash;incredible as it may appear&mdash;not more than one
+killed and one wounded, and a few horses besides. The positions which we
+had abandoned the British now occupied, hemming in General Cronje so
+closely that he had not the slightest chance of breaking through their
+lines.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had we got out of range of the enemy's fire, than the first of
+the reinforcements, which we had expected from Bloemfontein, arrived,
+under the command of Vechtgeneraal Andreas Cronje. With him were
+Commandants Thewnissen, of Winburg, and Vilonel, of Senekal.</p>
+
+<p>A council was at once held as to the best method of effecting the
+release of General Cronje. It was decided to recapture the positions
+which I had abandoned. But now the situation was so changed that there
+were <i>three</i> positions which it was necessary for us to take. We agreed
+that the attack should be made by three separate parties, that General
+Philip Botha, with Commandant Thewnissen, should retake the positions
+which we had abandoned at Stinkfontein, General Froneman the position
+immediately to the north<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> of these, and I, with General Andreas Cronje,
+others still further north.</p>
+
+<p>The attack was made on the following morning. General Botha's attempt
+failed, chiefly owing to the fact that day dawned before he reached his
+position; a hot fight ensued, resulting in the capture of Commandant
+Thewnissen and about one hundred men. As I was so placed as to be unable
+to see how affairs were developing, it is difficult for me to hazard an
+opinion as to whether Commandant Thewnissen was lacking in caution, or
+whether he was insufficiently supported by General Botha. The burghers
+who were present at the engagement accused General Botha, while he
+declared that Thewnissen had been imprudent. However that may be, we had
+failed in our essay. The position had not been taken, and Commandant
+Thewnissen, with a hundred whom we could ill spare, were in the hands of
+the enemy, And to make matters still worse, our men were already seized
+with panic, arising from the now hopeless plight of General Cronje and
+his large force.</p>
+
+<p>I, however, was not prepared to abandon all hope as yet. Danie Theron,
+that famous captain of despatch-riders, had arrived on the previous day
+with reinforcements. I asked him if he would take a verbal message to
+General Cronje&mdash;I dare not send a written one, lest it should fall into
+the hands of the English. Proud and distinct the answer came at
+once&mdash;the only answer which such a hero as Danie Theron could have
+given:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, General, I will go."</p>
+
+<p>The risk which I was asking him to run could not have been surpassed
+throughout the whole of our sanguinary struggle.</p>
+
+<p>I took him aside, and told him that he must go and tell General Cronje
+that our fate depended upon the escape of himself and of the thousands
+with him, and that, if he should fall into the enemy's hands, it would
+be the death-blow to all our hopes. Theron was to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> urge Cronje to
+abandon the laager, and everything contained in it, to fight his way out
+by night, and to meet me at two named places, where I would protect him
+from the pursuit of the English.</p>
+
+<p>Danie Theron undertook to pass the enemy's lines, and to deliver my
+message. He started on his errand on the night of the 25th of February.</p>
+
+<p>The following evening I went to the place of meeting, but to my great
+disappointment General Cronje did not appear.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning of the 27th of February Theron returned. He had performed
+an exploit unequalled in the war. Both in going and returning he had
+crawled past the British sentries, tearing his trousers to rags during
+the process. The blood was running from his knees, where the skin had
+been scraped off. He told me that he had seen the General, who had said
+that he did not think that the plan which I had proposed had any good
+chance of success.</p>
+
+<p>At ten o'clock that day, General Cronje surrendered. Bitter was my
+disappointment. Alas! my last attempt had been all in vain. The stubborn
+General would not listen to good advice.</p>
+
+<p>I must repeat here what I have said before, that as far as my personal
+knowledge of General Cronje goes, it is evident to me that his obstinacy
+in maintaining his position must be ascribed to the fact that it was too
+much to ask him&mdash;intrepid hero that he was&mdash;to abandon the laager. His
+view was that he must stand or fall with it, nor did he consider the
+certain consequences of his capture. He never realized that it would be
+the cause of the death of many burghers, and of indescribable panic
+throughout not only all the laagers on the veldt, but even those of
+Colesberg, Stormberg and Ladysmith. If the famous Cronje were captured,
+how could any ordinary burgher be expected to continue his resistance?</p>
+
+<p>It may be that it was the will of God, who rules the destinies of all
+nations, to fill thus to the brim the cup<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> which we had to empty, but
+this consideration does not excuse General Cronje's conduct. Had he but
+taken my advice, and attempted a night attack, he might have avoided
+capture altogether.</p>
+
+<p>I have heard men say that as the General's horses had all been killed,
+the attempt which I urged him to make must have failed&mdash;that at all
+events he would have been pursued and overtaken by Lord Roberts' forces.
+The answer to this is not far to seek. The English at that time did not
+employ as scouts Kaffirs and Hottentots, who could lead them by night as
+well as by day. Moreover, with the reinforcements I had received, I had
+about sixteen hundred men under me, and they would have been very useful
+in holding back the enemy, until Cronje had made his escape.</p>
+
+<p>No words can describe my feelings when I saw that Cronje had
+surrendered, and noticed the result which this had on the burghers.
+Depression and discouragement were written on every face. The effects of
+this blow, it is not too much to say, made themselves apparent to the
+very end of the war.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>The Wild Flight from Poplar Grove</h3>
+
+
+<p>The surrender of General Cronje only made me all the more determined to
+continue the struggle, notwithstanding the fact that many of the
+burghers appeared to have quite lost heart. I had just been appointed
+Commander-in-Chief, and at once set my hand to the work before me.</p>
+
+<p>Let me explain how this came about.</p>
+
+<p>As I have already said, General C.J. Wessels had been appointed
+Commander-in-Chief at Kimberley. In the month of January he was
+succeeded by Mr. J.S. Ferreira, who at once proceeded to make Kimberley
+his headquarters. On the relief of that town, one part of the besieging
+force went to Viertienstroomen, another in the direction of Boshof,
+while a small party, in which was the Commander-in-Chief himself, set
+out towards Koedoesrand, above Paardeberg.</p>
+
+<p>It was while I was engaged in my efforts to relieve Cronje, that a gun
+accident occurred in which General Ferreira was fatally wounded. Not
+only his own family, but the whole nation, lost in him a man whom they
+can never forget. I received the sad news the day after his death, and,
+although the place of his burial was not more than two hours' ride from
+my camp, I was too much occupied with my own affairs to be able to
+attend his funeral.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day I received from President Steyn the appointment of
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief. I had no thought of declining it, but the work
+which it would involve seemed likely to prove anything but easy. To have
+the chief command, and at such a time as this! But I had to make the
+best of it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I began by concentrating my commandos, to the best of my ability, at
+Modderrivierpoort (Poplar Grove), ten miles east of the scene of
+Cronje's surrender. I had plenty of time to effect this, for Lord
+Roberts remained inactive from the 24th of February to the 7th of March,
+in order to rest a little after the gigantic task he had performed in
+capturing Cronje's laager. His thoughts must have been busy during that
+period with even more serious matters than the care of his weary troops;
+for, if we had had two hundred killed and wounded, he must have lost as
+many thousands.</p>
+
+<p>Those few days during which our enemy rested were also of advantage to
+me in enabling me to dispose of the reinforcements, which I was now
+receiving every day, and from almost every quarter.</p>
+
+<p>While I was thus engaged, I heard that General Buller had relieved
+Ladysmith on the 1st of March, that General Gatacre had taken Stormberg
+on the 5th, and that General Brabant was driving the Boers before him.</p>
+
+<p>These were the first results of General Cronje's surrender.</p>
+
+<p>But that fatal surrender was not only the undoing of our burghers; it
+also reinforced the enemy, and gave him new courage. This was evident
+from the reply which Lord Salisbury made to the peace proposals made by
+our two Presidents on March 5th. But more of this anon.</p>
+
+<p>Our last day at Poplar Grove was signalized by a visit paid to us by
+President Kruger, the venerable chief of the South African Republic. He
+had travelled by rail from Pretoria to Bloemfontein; the remaining
+ninety-six miles of the journey had been accomplished in a
+horse-waggon&mdash;he, whom we all honoured so greatly, had been ready to
+undergo even this hardship in order to visit us.</p>
+
+<p>The President's arrival was, however, at an unfortunate moment. It was
+March the 7th, and Lord Rob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>erts was approaching. His force, extending
+over ten miles of ground, was now preparing to attack my burghers, whom
+I had posted at various points along some twelve miles of the bank of
+the Modder River. It did not seem possible for the old President even to
+outspan, for I had received information that the enemy's right wing was
+already threatening Petrusburg. But as the waggon had travelled that
+morning over twelve miles of a heavy rain-soaked road, it was absolutely
+necessary that the horses should be outspanned for rest. But hardly had
+the harness been taken off the tired animals when a telegram arrived,
+saying that Petrusburg was already in the hands of the English.
+President Kruger was thus compelled to return without a moment's delay.
+I saw him into his waggon, and then immediately mounted my horse, and
+rode to the positions where my burghers were stationed.</p>
+
+<p>Again I was confronted with the baleful influence of Cronje's surrender.
+A panic had seized my men. Before the English had even got near enough
+to shell our positions to any purpose, the wild flight began. Soon every
+position was evacuated. There was not even an attempt to hold them,
+though some of them would have been almost impregnable. It was a flight
+such as I had never seen before, and shall never see again.</p>
+
+<p>I did all that I could, but neither I nor my officers were able to
+prevent the burghers from following whither the waggons and guns had
+already preceded them. I tried every means. I had two of the best horses
+that a man could wish to possess, and I rode them till they dropped. All
+was in vain. It was fortunate for us that the advance of the English was
+not very rapid. Had it been so, everything must have fallen into their
+hands.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening we came to Abraham's Kraal, a farm belonging to Mr.
+Charles Ortel, some eighteen miles from Poplar Grove. The enemy were
+encamped about an hour and a half's ride from us.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The next morning the burghers had but one desire, and that was to get
+away. It was only with the greatest difficulty that I succeeded in
+persuading them to go into position. I then hastened to Bloemfontein, in
+order to take counsel with the Government about our affairs generally,
+and especially to see what would be the most suitable positions to
+occupy for the defence of the capital. Judge Hertzog and I went out
+together to inspect the ground; we placed a hundred men in the forts,
+with Kaffirs to dig trenches and throw up earthworks.</p>
+
+<p>I was back at Abraham's Kraal by nine o'clock on the morning of March
+the 18th. I found that our forces had been placed in position by
+Generals De la Rey, Andreas Cronje, Philip Botha, Froneman and Piet de
+Wet, the last-named having arrived with his commandos from Colesberg a
+few days before the rout at Poplar Grove.</p>
+
+<p>We had not long to wait before fighting began, fighting confined for the
+most part to the artillery. The English shells were at first directed
+against Abraham's Kraal, which was subjected to a terrific bombardment;
+later on they turned their guns upon Rietfontein, where the Transvaalers
+and a part of the Free State commandos, under General De la Rey, were
+posted. The attack upon these positions was fierce and determined; but
+De la Rey's burghers, though they lost heavily, repulsed it with
+splendid courage. I will not say more of this. It is understood that
+General De la Rey will himself describe what he and his men succeeded in
+accomplishing on that occasion.</p>
+
+<p>From ten in the morning until sunset the fight continued, and still the
+burghers held their positions. They had offered a magnificent
+resistance. Their conduct had been beyond all praise, and it was hard to
+believe that these were the same men who had fled panic-stricken from
+Poplar Grove. But with the setting of the sun a change came over them.
+Once more panic seized them; leaving their positions, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> retreated in
+all haste towards Bloemfontein. And now they were only a disorderly
+crowd of terrified men blindly flying before the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>But it was Bloemfontein that lay before them, and the thought that his
+capital was in peril might well restore courage in the most disheartened
+of our burghers. I felt that this would be the case, and a picture arose
+before me of our men holding out, as they had never done before.</p>
+
+<p>Before going further I must say a few words about the peace proposals
+which our Presidents made to the English Government on the 5th of March.
+They called God to witness that it was for the independence of the two
+Republics, and for that alone, that they fought, and suggested that
+negotiations might be opened with the recognition of that independence
+as their basis.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Salisbury replied that the only terms he would accept were
+unconditional surrender. He asserted, as he did also on many subsequent
+occasions, that it was our ultimatum that had caused the war. We have
+always maintained that in making this assertion he misrepresented the
+facts, to use no stronger term.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p>
+
+<p>Naturally our Government would not consent to such terms, and so the war
+had to proceed.</p>
+
+<p>It was decided to send a deputation to Europe. This deputation,
+consisting of Abraham Fissher,<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> Cornelius H. Wessels,<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> and Daniel
+Wolmarans,<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> sailed from Delagoa Bay.<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The reader may ask the object which this deputation had in view. Was it
+that our Governments relied on foreign intervention? Emphatically, no!
+They never thought of such a thing. Neither in his harangue to the
+burghers at Poplar Grove, nor in any of his subsequent speeches, did
+President Steyn give any hint of such an intention. The deputation was
+sent in order that the whole world might know the state of affairs in
+South Africa. It fulfilled its purpose, and was justified by its
+results. It helped us to win the sympathy of the nations.</p>
+
+<p>But I must return to my narrative.</p>
+
+<p>A few days before the flight from Poplar Grove, I had appointed Danie
+Theron captain of a scouting party. I now left him and his corps behind,
+with instructions to keep me informed of Lord Roberts' movements, and
+proceeded myself to Bloemfontein. There I disposed the available forces
+for defence, and kept them occupied in throwing up <i>schanzes</i>. These
+<i>schanzes</i> were erected to the west and south of the town, and at
+distances of from four to six miles from it.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the 12th of March, Lord Roberts appeared, and a few
+skirmishes ensued south of the town, but no engagement of any importance
+took place. We awaited the morrow with various forebodings.</p>
+
+<p>For myself, I believed that that 13th of March should see a fight to the
+finish, cost what it might! for if Bloemfontein was to be taken, it
+would only be over our dead bodies.</p>
+
+<p>With this before my eyes, I made all necessary arrangements, riding at
+nightfall from position to position, and speaking both to the officers
+and to the private burghers. They must play the man, I told them, and
+save the capital at any cost. An excellent spirit prevailed amongst
+them; on every face one could read the determination to conquer or to
+die.</p>
+
+<p>But when, about an hour before midnight, I reached the southern
+positions, I heard a very different story.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> They told me there that
+Commandant Weilbach had deserted his post early in the evening. What was
+I to do? It was impossible to search for him during the night, and I was
+compelled to take burghers away from other commandos, and to place them
+in the abandoned positions. On their arrival there, they discovered that
+no sooner had Weilbach failed us than the enemy had seized his post&mdash;the
+key to Bloemfontein! We did all that we could, but our situation had
+been rendered hopeless by the action of a Commandant who ought to have
+been dismissed out of hand for his conduct at Poplar Grove.</p>
+
+<p>That night I did not close an eye.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>The morning of the 13th of March dawned.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had the sun risen, when the English in the entrenchments which
+Commandant Weilbach had deserted, opened a flank fire on our nearest
+positions.</p>
+
+<p>First one position and then another was abandoned by our burghers, who
+followed one another's example like sheep; few made any attempt to
+defend their posts, and in spite of my efforts and those of the officers
+under me, they retreated to the north.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, without a single shot being fired, Bloemfontein fell into the
+hands of the English.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>The Burghers Receive Permission to Return to their Homes</h3>
+
+
+<p>Thus Bloemfontein had fallen into the hands of the English; but whatever
+valuables it contained were spared by the enemy. I did not myself
+consider the place much superior to any other town, and I would not have
+thought it a matter of any great importance if it had been destroyed.
+Still, I felt it to be very regrettable that the town should have been
+surrendered without a shot.</p>
+
+<p>How can I describe my feelings when I saw Bloemfontein in the hands of
+the English? It was enough to break the heart of the bravest man amongst
+us. Even worse than the fall of our capital was the fact that, as was
+only to be expected, the burghers had become entirely disheartened; and
+it seemed as if they were incapable now of offering any further
+resistance. The commandos were completely demoralized. Indeed! the
+burghers from Fauresmith and Jacobsdal had already returned home from
+Poplar Grove without asking for permission to do so; and now all the
+others were hurrying back in the greatest disorder to their own
+districts.</p>
+
+<p>I felt sure that Lord Roberts' troops would remain for some time in the
+capital, in order to obtain the rest they must have sorely needed. And I
+now asked myself what I could do whilst the English were remaining
+inactive. For notwithstanding all that had happened, I had not for a
+single moment the thought of surrender. It seemed to me that my best
+course was to allow the burghers, who had now been away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> from their
+families for six months, an opportunity to take breath!<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p>
+
+<p>After everything had been arranged I went to Brandfort and thence to
+Kroonstad, at which place I was to meet President Steyn, who had left
+Bloemfontein the evening before it fell.</p>
+
+<p>On my road to Kroonstad I fell in with General P.J. Joubert, who had
+come to the Free State, hoping to be able to discover some method for
+checking the advance of Lord Roberts. He was anything but pleased to
+hear that I had given my men permission to remain at home till the 25th
+of March.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to tell me," he asked, "that you are going to give the
+English a free hand, whilst your men take their holidays?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot catch a hare, General, with unwilling dogs," I made reply.</p>
+
+<p>But this did not satisfy the old warrior at all. At last I said:</p>
+
+<p>"You know the Afrikanders as well as I do, General. It is not our fault
+that they don't know what discipline means. Whatever I had said or done,
+the burghers would have gone home; but I'll give you my word that those
+who come back will fight with renewed courage."</p>
+
+<p>I knew very well that there were some who would not return, but I
+preferred to command ten men who were willing to fight, rather than a
+hundred who shirked their duties.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile President Steyn had proclaimed Kroon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>stad as the seat of the
+Government, so that in future all matters were to be settled there.</p>
+
+<p>On March 20th, 1900, a war council was held, which was attended by from
+fifty to sixty officers. President Steyn presided; and there sat beside
+him that simple statesman, grown grey in his country's
+service&mdash;President Kruger.</p>
+
+<p>The chief officers at this council were Commandant General Joubert,
+Generals De la Rey, Philip Botha, Froneman, C.P. Cronje, J.B. Wessels,
+and myself. A number of the members of both Governments also put in an
+appearance at this meeting.</p>
+
+<p>Do not let it be imagined that the object we had in view was to come to
+an agreement on any peace proposal made by the English. Nothing could
+have been further from our minds than this. Lord Salisbury's letter to
+our two Presidents, demanding unconditional surrender, had rendered any
+thought of peace impossible. On the contrary, we were concerned to
+discover the best method of continuing the war. We knew, I need scarcely
+say, that humanly speaking ultimate victory for us was out of the
+question&mdash;that had been clear from the very beginning. For how could our
+diminutive army hope to stand against the overwhelming numbers at the
+enemy's command? Yet we had always felt that no one is worthy of the
+name of man who is not ready to vindicate the right, be the odds what
+they may. We knew also, that the Afrikanders, although devoid of all
+military discipline, had the idea of independence deeply rooted in their
+hearts, and that they were worthy to exist as a Free Nation under a
+Republican form of Government.</p>
+
+<p>I shall not enter upon all that happened at that meeting. I shall merely
+note here that besides deciding to continue the war more energetically
+than ever, we agreed unanimously that the great waggon-camps should be
+done away with, and that henceforth only horse-commandos should be
+employed. The sad experience we had gained from six months' warfare,
+and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> more especially the great misfortune that had overtaken the big
+waggon-camp of General Cronje, were our reasons for this new
+regulation.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p>
+
+<p>I left the meeting firmly determined that, come what might, I should
+never allow another waggon-camp. But, as the reader will see before he
+has concluded the perusal of these pages, it was not until many months
+had elapsed that the waggons were finally suppressed. All the mischief
+that they were destined to bring upon the African Nation was not yet
+completed.</p>
+
+<p>One of the effects of this council was to produce an unusually good
+spirit among the officers and burghers. There was only one thought in my
+mind, and only one word on every tongue: "FORWARD!"</p>
+
+<p>I proceeded from Kroonstad to the railway bridge at Zand River, and
+remained there until the 25th of March, when the commandos reassembled.
+What I had foreseen occurred. The burghers were different men
+altogether, and returned with renewed courage to the fight. They
+streamed in such large numbers on this and the following days, that my
+highest hopes were surpassed. It is true that certain burghers had
+remained behind. Such was the case with the men from Fauresmith and
+Jacobsdal, and with a large proportion of the commandos from
+Philippolis, Smith<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>field, Wepener, and Bloemfontein. But with these
+burghers I was unable to deal on account of Lord Roberts' Proclamations,
+which made it impossible for me to compel the burghers to join the
+commando; and I decided that I had better wait until I had done some
+good work with the men I had, before I made any attempt to bring the
+others back to the commando.</p>
+
+<p>On the 25th of March we went to Brandfort. The arrival of the burghers
+at the village doubled and even trebled its population. I was forced to
+close the hotels, as I discovered that my men were being supplied with
+drink. From this I do not wish the reader to infer that the Afrikanders
+are drunkards, for this is far from being the case. On the contrary,
+when compared with other nations, they are remarkable for their
+sobriety, and it is considered by them a disgrace for a man to be drunk.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>Sanna's Post</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the 28th of March a council of war was held. The first business
+transacted referred to disciplinary matters; the council then proceeded
+to lay down the conditions under which the commandos were to operate. It
+was decided that General De la Rey with his Transvaalers should remain
+at Brandfort with certain Free State commandos under General Philip
+Botha, and that the remaining troops, under my command, should withdraw
+in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>Great was the curiosity of the officers and burghers concerning our
+movements, but no man learnt anything from me. I was determined that in
+future my plans should be kept entirely secret. Experience had taught me
+that whenever a commanding officer allows his intentions to become
+public something is sure to go wrong, and I made up my mind to hold the
+reins of discipline with a firmer hand.</p>
+
+<p>It is, of course, true that scarcely anything could be done without the
+free co-operation of the burghers. They joined the commando when they
+wished, or, if they preferred it, stayed away. But now I intended that
+the men who joined the commando should be under a far stricter
+discipline than formerly, and success rewarded my efforts.</p>
+
+<p>We left Brandfort on the same evening. My object was to surprise the
+little garrison at Sanna's Post, which guarded the Bloemfontein Water
+Works, and thus to cut off the supply of water from that town.</p>
+
+<p>I started in the direction of Winburg, so as to throw every one off the
+scent. On all sides one heard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> the question, "Where are we really going?
+What can we have to do at Winburg?"</p>
+
+<p>The following day I concealed my commando, and that evening some spies,
+on whom I could rely, and who were aware of my secret intentions,
+brought me all the information I required.</p>
+
+<p>At this point I had a great deal of trouble with Commandant Vilonel. It
+appeared that, notwithstanding the express interdiction of the council
+of war, there were some thirty waggons, belonging to burghers from
+Winburg who were under his orders. I reminded him of the decision to
+which the council had come; but he replied that he did not wish his
+burghers to have to undergo the hardship of travelling without waggons.
+We started that evening, and, sure enough, there he was with his lumber
+following behind us.</p>
+
+<p>I gave him notice in writing the next morning that he must send back the
+waggons that very night when we were on the march. This provoked from
+him a written request that a war council should be summoned to revise
+the decision come to at Kroonstad. I answered that I absolutely declined
+to do any such thing.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of that day I received a number of reports. I was informed
+that General Olivier was driving General Broadwood from Ladybrand
+towards Thaba'Nchu. A little later I heard from General Froneman and
+Commandant Fourie how matters stood at Sanna's Post. I had disclosed my
+plan to them, and sent them out to reconnoitre. There were&mdash;so they told
+me&mdash;according to their estimation, about two hundred English troops
+which were stationed in such and such positions.</p>
+
+<p>I at once summoned Generals A.P. Cronje, J.B. Wessels, C.C. Froneman,
+and Piet de Wet, and took council with them, telling them of my plans
+and enjoining strict secrecy. I then gave orders that Commandant P.
+Fourie and C. Nel, with their burghers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> three hundred and fifty in
+number, should proceed under my command to Koorn Spruit, and be there
+before break of day.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+   <a id="image03" name="image03">
+   <img src="images/03.jpg"
+      alt="SANNA'S POST."
+      title="SANNA'S POST." /></a><br />
+   <span class="caption">SANNA'S POST.<br />FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>We settled that Generals Cronje, Wessels, Froneman, and Piet De Wet
+should proceed with the remaining burghers, numbering eleven hundred and
+fifty, to the ridges east of the Modder River, right opposite Sanna's
+Post. They were to take with them the guns, of which we had four or
+five, and bombard Sanna's Post as soon as it was light.</p>
+
+<p>The English, I expected, would retreat to Bloemfontein, and then from my
+position in Koorn Spruit I should be able to decimate them as they
+passed that ravine. I had sent a large number of burghers with the four
+generals so that our force might be sufficiently strong to turn General
+Broadwood, in case he should hear that there was fighting at Sanna's
+Post and come up to reinforce the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>Here again I had trouble with Commandant Vilonel. I had little time to
+argue&mdash;the sun was already setting, and we had to be off at once. I had
+declined to allow a single waggon to go with me, but the Commandant
+declared that he would not abide by the decision of the council of war.
+He also refused to allow his burghers to go into positions which he
+himself had not reconnoitred. He asked that the attack should be
+postponed until he had examined Sanna's Post through his telescope.</p>
+
+<p>My patience was now at an end. I told Commandant Vilonel that he must
+obey my orders, and that if he did not do so I should dismiss him,
+unless he himself resigned. He preferred to resign. My secretary
+procured paper, and the Commandant wrote out his resignation. I at once
+gave him his dismissal, and felt that a weight had been taken off my
+shoulders now that I was free from so wrong-headed an officer.</p>
+
+<p>There was no time now for the burghers to elect a new Commandant in the
+usual way. I therefore assembled the Winburg commando, and told them
+that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> Vilonel had resigned, that an opportunity of choosing a substitute
+should be given to them later on, but that in the meanwhile I should
+appoint Veldtcornet Gert Van der Merve. Nobody had anything to say
+against "Gerie," who was a courageous and amiable man; and, after he had
+given orders that the waggons should be sent home, we continued our
+march.</p>
+
+<p>I met some of my spies at a <i>rendezvous</i> which I had given them on the
+road to the Water Works, and learnt from them that the force under
+General Broadwood had come that evening from the direction of Ladybrand
+and now occupied Thaba'Nchu.</p>
+
+<p>I had ordered my generals to take up positions opposite Sanna's Post and
+east of the Modder River. I now left them and rode on to Koorn Spruit,
+not knowing that General Broadwood had left Thaba'Nchu after nightfall
+and had proceeded to the Water Works. My advance was made as quietly as
+possible, and as soon as we reached Koorn Spruit I hid my burghers in
+the ravine, placing some to the right and some to the left of the
+drift<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> on the road from Thaba'Nchu and Sanna's Post to Bloemfontein.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as it became light enough to see anything we discovered that
+just above the spruit<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> stood a waggon, with some Kaffirs and a number
+of sheep and cattle beside it. The Kaffirs told us that the waggon
+belonged to one of the "hands-uppers" from Thaba'Nchu, and that they had
+been ordered to get it down to Bloemfontein as quickly as possible and
+to sell it to the English. The owner of the sheep and of the cattle,
+they said, was with General Broadwood, whose troops had just arrived at
+Sanna's Post.</p>
+
+<p>The light grew brighter, and there, three thousand paces from us, was
+Broadwood's huge force.</p>
+
+<p>I had only three hundred and fifty men with me; the other generals, to
+the east of the Modder River, had not more than eleven hundred and fifty
+between them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The numbers against us were overwhelming, but I resolved to stand my
+ground; and, fortunately, the positions which I had chosen were much to
+our advantage&mdash;there would be no difficulty in concealing my burghers
+and their horses.</p>
+
+<p>I ordered that every one should still remain hidden, even when our party
+to the east of the Modder River began to shoot, and that not a round was
+to be fired until I gave the command.</p>
+
+<p>General Broadwood was preparing to strike camp. It was then that I told
+my men to allow the British troops to get to close quarters and
+"hands-up" them, without wasting a single bullet.</p>
+
+<p>Then our guns began to fire.</p>
+
+<p>The result was a scene of confusion. Towards us, over the brow of the
+hill, came the waggons pell-mell, with a few carts moving rapidly in
+front. When the first of these reached the spruit its occupants&mdash;a man
+with a woman beside him&mdash;became aware that something was wrong.</p>
+
+<p>I was standing at the top of the drift with Commandants Fourie and Nel.
+I immediately ordered two of my adjutants to mount the cart and to sit
+at the driver's side.</p>
+
+<p>The other carts came one after the other into the drift, and I ordered
+them to follow close behind the first cart, at the same time warning the
+occupants that if they gave any signal to the enemy, they would be shot.</p>
+
+<p>The carts were filled with English from Thaba'Nchu. I was very glad that
+the women and children should thus reach a place of safety, before the
+fighting began.</p>
+
+<p>So speedily did the carts follow each other that the English had no
+suspicion of what was occurring, and very shortly the soldiers began to
+pour into the drift in the greatest disorder. As soon as they reached
+the stream they were met by the cry of "Hands up!"</p>
+
+<p>Directly they heard the words, a forest of hands rose in the air.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>More troops quickly followed, and we had disarmed two hundred of them
+before they had time to know what was happening. The discipline among
+the burghers was fairly satisfactory until the disarming work began. If
+my men had only been able to think for themselves, they would have
+thrown the rifles on the bank as they came into their hands, and so
+would have disarmed far more of the English than they succeeded in
+doing. But, as it was, the burghers kept on asking:</p>
+
+<p>"Where shall I put this rifle, General? What have I to do with this
+horse?"</p>
+
+<p>That the work should be delayed by this sort of thing sorely tried my
+hasty temper.</p>
+
+<p>Very soon the enemy in the rear discovered that there was something
+wrong in the drift, for one of their officers suddenly gave orders that
+the troops should fall back. But in the meantime, as I have already
+stated, we had disarmed two hundred men; while, about a hundred paces
+from us on the banks of the spruit stood five of their guns, and more
+than a hundred of their waggons, in one confused mass. A little further
+off&mdash;two or three hundred paces, perhaps&mdash;two more of the enemy's guns
+had halted.</p>
+
+<p>The English fell back some thirteen hundred yards, to the station on the
+Dewetsdorp-Bloemfontein railway. I need scarcely say that we opened a
+terrific fire on them as they retreated. When they reached the station,
+however, the buildings there gave them considerable protection. I little
+knew when I voted in the Volksraad for the construction of this line,
+that I was voting for the building of a station which our enemies would
+one day use against us.</p>
+
+<p>An attempt was made by the English to save the five guns, but it was far
+beyond their powers to do so. They did succeed, however, in getting the
+other two guns away, and in placing them behind the station buildings.
+From there they severely bombarded us with shrapnel shell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>While the English troops were running to find cover in the buildings,
+they suffered very heavily from our fire, and the ground between the
+station and the spruit was soon strewn with their dead and wounded,
+lying in heaps. But having arrived at the railway they rallied, and
+posting themselves to the right and left of the station, they fired
+sharply on us.</p>
+
+<p>The eleven hundred and fifty burghers who were to the east of the Modder
+River now hurried up to my assistance. But unfortunately, when they
+attempted to cross the river, they found that the Water-Works dam had
+made it too deep to ford. So they proceeded up stream over some very
+rough ground, being much inconvenienced by the dongas which they had to
+cross. When they had covered three miles of this they were again
+stopped, for an impassable donga blocked the way. They had therefore to
+retrace their steps to the place whence they had started. Ultimately
+they crossed the river below the dam, in the neighbourhood of the
+waggon-drift.</p>
+
+<p>This delay gave General Broadwood a good three hours in which to tackle
+us. And had it not been for the excellent positions we had taken on the
+banks of the spruit, we would have been in a very awkward predicament.
+But, as it was, only two of my men were hit during the whole of that
+time.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as our reinforcements had crossed the river, General Broadwood
+was forced to retire; and his troops came hurrying through Koorn Spruit
+both on the right and on the left of our position. We fired at them as
+they passed us, and took several more prisoners. Had I but commanded a
+larger force, I could have captured every man of them. But it was
+impossible, with my three hundred and fifty men, to surround two
+thousand.</p>
+
+<p>Our men on the Modder River now attacked the enemy with the greatest
+energy, and succeeded in putting them to flight, thus bringing the
+battle to an end.</p>
+
+<p>The conduct of my burghers had been beyond<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> praise. I had never seen
+them more intrepid. Calm and determined, they stood their ground, when
+the enemy streamed down upon them like a mighty river. Calm and
+determined they awaited their arrival, and disarmed them as they came.
+It was a fresh proof to me of the courage of the Afrikander, who indeed,
+in my judgment, is in that quality surpassed by no one.</p>
+
+<p>Our loss was three killed and five wounded. Among the latter was
+Commandant General Van der Merve, who, although very seriously injured,
+fortunately recovered. I had no time myself to note the enemy's losses,
+but, from their own report, it amounted to three hundred and fifty dead
+and wounded. We captured four hundred and eighty prisoners, seven guns,
+and one hundred and seventeen waggons.</p>
+
+<p>Here again I had the greatest trouble in unravelling the medley. Many of
+the horses, mules and oxen had been killed, whilst some of the waggons
+were broken. Everything was in a state of indescribable confusion, and
+at any moment a force might arrive from Bloemfontein.</p>
+
+<p>But, fortunately, no reinforcement appeared. Our burghers who had
+pursued the retreating English, saw, at about twelve o'clock, a body of
+mounted troops approaching from Bloemfontein. But this force at once
+came to a halt, remaining at the spot where we had first seen it.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When everything was over a party of troops from General Olivier's
+commando arrived on the scene of the recent operations. They had been
+following General Broadwood, and on hearing the firing that morning, had
+hastened in our direction, maintaining on their arrival, that it was
+quite impossible for them to have come any sooner.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>Four Hundred and Seventy English taken Prisoner at Reddersburg</h3>
+
+
+<p>In the evening of the day on which the events described in the last
+chapter occurred, I handed over the command to Generals Piet de Wet and
+A.P. Cronje, and taking with me three of my staff, rode to Donkerpoort,
+in the direction of Dewetsdorp, on a reconnoitring expedition.</p>
+
+<p>Early the following morning I came to a farm called Sterkfontein, where,
+at noon, I received the news that a party of English, coming from
+Smithfield, had occupied Dewetsdorp.</p>
+
+<p>It was thirty miles from Sterkfontein to my commando, but,
+notwithstanding this, I sent an order that 1,500 men, under Generals
+J.B. Wessels, C.C. Froneman and De Villiers, should come up with all
+haste and bring three guns with them.</p>
+
+<p>During the time that must necessarily elapse before the arrival of this
+force, I sent men out to visit the farms of those burghers who had gone
+home after the fall of Bloemfontein, with orders to bring them back to
+the front.</p>
+
+<p>By the evening of the 1st of April I had all the men of the district
+together; but it was then too late to make a start.</p>
+
+<p>At ten o'clock the following morning the English left Dewetsdorp, and
+marched towards Reddersburg. Directly I received news of this, I sent
+word to the Generals, that they must hasten to Reddersburg; while I,
+with the men who had rejoined, made my way to the north, so as to take
+up a position on the enemy's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> flank. I had with me one hundred and ten
+men in all. Many of them were without rifles, having given up their arms
+at Bloemfontein. Others were provided with serviceable <i>achterlaaiers</i>,
+but had little or no ammunition, because they had already fired off
+their cartridges in mere wantonness in the belief that they might have
+to give up their rifles any day. My handful of burghers were thus as
+good as unarmed.</p>
+
+<p>During our march I kept the English continually under surveillance. They
+were unable to advance very rapidly, as the bulk of their force was made
+up of infantry. But they were too far ahead for the commandos whom I had
+sent in pursuit to be able to get at them; and for me, with the handful
+of almost unarmed burghers which I commanded, to have attempted an
+attack would have been worse than folly.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the 2nd of April, the English encamped on the hill to
+the west of a farm called Oollogspoort; whilst we off-saddled to the
+north of them, on Mr. Van der Walt's farm. The enemy, however, was not
+aware of the position of our laager.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning, at four o'clock, I sent a third report to the
+commandos. They had been some way on the road to Dewetsdorp, and thus,
+far out of the course to Reddersburg, when my second report reached
+them; and now my despatch rider met only Generals Froneman and De
+Villiers with seven hundred men and three guns, and was too late to
+prevent General Wessels from going on to Dewetsdorp.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after sunrise General Froneman received my report. He had been
+riding all night through without stopping, and many of his horses were
+already tired out. But as my order was that the Generals were to leave
+behind those who were unable to proceed, and to hasten on at once
+without so much as off-saddling, he did not wait to be told twice, but
+pushing forward with all speed, arrived on the 3rd of April at
+Schwarskopjes on the Kaffir River. He had left Sanna's Post on the
+afternoon of the previous day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Those who consider that he was marching with seven hundred men and three
+Krupp guns, and that his horses were so exhausted that some of them had
+to be left behind, will agree with me that he did a good day's work in
+those twenty-four hours.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately for us, it was not at that time the habit of the English to
+start on their march before the sun had risen. And, by another lucky
+chance, our opponents were off their guard, and quite unsuspicious of
+attack, although they must, undoubtedly, have heard something of what
+had happened at Sanna's Post.</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman gave me to understand that it was necessary to
+off-saddle the horses, and to give them a long rest, as he had been
+riding without any break since the previous evening.</p>
+
+<p>"However necessary it may be," I replied, "it is impossible;" and I
+pointed out to him that if we were to delay, the English would occupy
+the ridge between Muishondsfontein and Mostertshoek, and thus obtain the
+best position. I, therefore, ordered the men to proceed with all speed,
+and to leave behind those who could not go on. The General did not
+appear to be "links"<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> at this, but called out with his loud voice,
+"Come on, burghers!"</p>
+
+<p>We were fortunate in being able to keep up with the enemy by riding
+along a little plain, which was hidden from them by an intervening hill.
+Our course ran in a direction parallel to their line of march, and at a
+distance of about six miles from it. But unluckily, the English were the
+first to reach the ridge. When we appeared at the point where the hill
+which had concealed us from them came to an end, their vanguard had just
+passed the eastern end of the ridge at which we were both aiming; and we
+had still some four or five miles to go before we could reach it.</p>
+
+<p>I saw that the enemy was not strong enough to occupy the whole ridge, so
+I at once gave orders to General De Villiers to advance, and to seize
+the western end<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> at a point just above the farmstead of Mostertshoek.
+The enemy, observing this man&#339;uvre, took up their position on the
+eastern extremity of the ridge. Whereupon I divided the remaining
+burghers into small companies, with orders to occupy kopjes from six to
+seven hundred paces still further to the east; leaving to myself and
+Commandant Nel the task of seizing a small ridge which lay south-east of
+the English lines.</p>
+
+<p>All these positions would have to be taken under fire, and before making
+the attempt I sent the following note to the British Commanding
+Officer:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I am here with five hundred 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>I sent this note post haste, and then rested a little while awaiting the
+return of the despatch rider.</p>
+
+<p>And now a shameful incident occurred. The messenger had received the
+answer to my letter, and had covered about a hundred paces on his way
+back, when the enemy opened so heavy a fire upon him that it is
+inexplicable how he managed to come through unscathed.</p>
+
+<p>The answer which he brought from the officer was in the following
+terms:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I'm d&mdash;&mdash;d if I surrender!"</p>
+
+<p>I at once ordered my men to rush the positions which I had already
+pointed out to them; and notwithstanding the fierce opposition of the
+enemy, they succeeded in carrying out my orders.</p>
+
+<p>But although we had thus gained very good positions, those which the
+English held were quite as good, and perhaps even better, except for the
+fact that they were cut off from the water. However, when they had first
+become aware of our presence&mdash;that is, while they were at
+Muishondsfontein&mdash;they had taken the precaution of filling their
+water-bottles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Our guns did not arrive until so late in the afternoon that only a few
+shots could be fired before it became dark.</p>
+
+<p>Acting upon my orders, the burghers kept such good watch during the
+night that escape was impossible for the English. I also sent a strong
+guard to a point near Reddersburg, for I had heard that a reinforcement
+of from thirteen hundred to two thousand British troops had come from
+the direction of Bothathanie railway station, and were now encamped at
+Reddersburg.</p>
+
+<p>I had begun operations with only four hundred men under me, but before
+the sun rose on the following day my force had been doubled by the
+addition of those who had been compelled to remain behind and rest their
+tired horses.</p>
+
+<p>On the previous evening it had seemed to me highly improbable that we
+should be able to storm the ridge in the morning. I had expected that
+the force at Reddersburg&mdash;which lay only about four or five miles from
+Mostertshoek&mdash;would have seen the fight in progress, or heard the
+cannonading, and would have hastened to the assistance of their
+comrades.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> Nevertheless, I had given orders that as soon as it was
+daylight, every one must do his utmost to force the English to
+surrender.</p>
+
+<p>It was now rapidly growing lighter, and I ordered the gunners to keep up
+a continuous fire with our three Krupps. This they did from half-past
+five until eleven o'clock, and then the enemy hoisted the white flag.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>My men and I galloped towards the English, and our other two parties did
+the same. But before we reached them, they again began to shoot, killing
+Veldtcornet Du Plessis, of Kroonstad. This treacherous act enraged our
+burghers, who at once commenced to fire with deadly effect.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the white flag appeared above almost every stone behind which an
+Englishman lay, but our men did not at once cease firing. Indeed! I had
+the greatest difficulty in calming them, and in inducing them to stop,
+for they were, as may well be imagined, furious at the misuse of the
+white flag.</p>
+
+<p>Strewn everywhere about on the ground lay the English killed and
+wounded. According to the official statement, they had a hundred
+casualties, the commanding officer himself being amongst the killed.</p>
+
+<p>We took four hundred and seventy prisoners of war, all of them belonging
+to the Royal Irish Rifles and the Mounted Infantry. But I cared nothing
+to what regiment they belonged or what was the rank of the officer in
+command. Throughout the whole war I never troubled myself about such
+matters.</p>
+
+<p>Our loss, in addition to Veldtcornet Du Plessis, whose death I have just
+described, was only six wounded.</p>
+
+<p>I had no longer any need to fear a reinforcement from Reddersburg, but
+nevertheless there was no time to be lost, for I had just heard from a
+prisoner of war that a telegram had been sent from Dewetsdorp to the
+garrison at Smithfield, bidding them consult their own safety by
+withdrawing to Aliwal North. I made up my mind to capture that garrison
+before it could decamp. I waited until I saw that the English ambulances
+were busy with their wounded, and then with all speed rode off.</p>
+
+<p>As the direct road might prove to be held by Lord Roberts, I caused the
+prisoners of war to be marched to Winburg vi&acirc; Thaba'Nchu. From thence
+they were to be sent forward by rail to Pretoria.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>An Unsuccessful Siege</h3>
+
+
+<p>My object now was to reach Smithfield. We set out at once and late in
+the evening I divided my commandos into two parties. The first, some
+five hundred men in all, consisted chiefly of Smithfield burghers under
+Commandant Swanepoel, of Yzervarkfontein, but there were also some
+Wepener men amongst them. I gave General Froneman the command over this
+party, and ordered him to proceed without delay and attack the small
+English garrison at Smithfield. With the second party I rode off to join
+the burghers who were under General J.B. Wessels.</p>
+
+<p>I came up with Wessels' division on the 6th of April at Badenhorst, on
+the road from Dewetsdorp to Wepener. Badenhorst lies at a distance of
+some ten miles from a ford on the Caledon River, called
+Tammersbergsdrift, where Colonel Dalgety, with the highly renowned
+C.M.R.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> and Brabant's Horse were at that time stationed. I call them
+"highly renowned" to be in the fashion, for I must honestly avow that I
+never could see for what they were renowned.</p>
+
+<p>During the fight at Mostertshoek on the previous day I had kept them
+under observation, with the result that I learnt that they had
+entrenched themselves strongly, and that they numbered about sixteen
+hundred men, though this latter fact was a matter of indifference to me.
+The history of Ladysmith, Mafeking, and Kimberley, however, served me as
+a warning, and I asked myself whether it would be better to besiege<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> the
+wolf or to wait and see if he would not come out of his lair.</p>
+
+<p>But the wolf, on this occasion, was not to be enticed out on any
+pretext; and moreover it was probable that Lord Roberts would be able to
+send a relieving force from Bloemfontein; so I decided to attack at
+once. First, however, I despatched some of my best scouts in the
+direction of Bloemfontein and Reddersburg, while I ordered the commandos
+under Generals Piet de Wet and A.P. Cronje to take up positions to the
+east and south-east of the capital.</p>
+
+<p>Early in the morning of the 7th of April I made an attack on two points:
+one to the south-west, the other to the south-east of Dalgety's
+fortifications, opening fire on his troops at distances of from five to
+fifteen hundred paces. I dare not approach any nearer for lack of
+suitable cover. The place was so strongly fortified that many valuable
+lives must have been sacrificed, had I been less cautious than I was.</p>
+
+<p>After a few days I received reinforcements, and was thus enabled to
+surround the English completely. But their various positions were so
+placed that it was impossible for me to shell any of them from both
+sides, and thus to compel their occupants to surrender.</p>
+
+<p>Day succeeded to day, and still the siege continued.</p>
+
+<p>Before long we had captured some eight hundred of the trek-oxen, and
+many of the horses of the enemy. Things were not going so badly for us
+after all; and we plucked up our courage, and began to talk of the
+probability of a speedy surrender on the part of the English.</p>
+
+<p>To tell the truth, there was not a man amongst us who would have asked
+better than to make prisoners of the Cape Mounted Rifles and of
+Brabant's Horse. They were Afrikanders, and as Afrikanders, although
+neither Free-Staters nor Transvaalers, they ought, in our opinion, to
+have been ashamed to fight against us.</p>
+
+<p>The English, we admitted, had a perfect right to hire such sweepings,
+and to use them against us, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> we utterly despised them for allowing
+themselves to be hired. We felt that their motive was not to obtain the
+franchise of the Uitlanders, but&mdash;five shillings a day! And if it should
+by any chance happen that any one of them should find his grave
+there&mdash;well, the generation to come would not be very proud of that
+grave. No! it would be regarded with horror as the grave of an
+Afrikander who had helped to bring his brother Afrikanders to their
+downfall.</p>
+
+<p>Although I never took it amiss if a colonist of Natal or of Cape Colony
+was unwilling to fight with us against England, yet I admit that it
+vexed me greatly to think that some of these colonists, for the sake of
+a paltry five shillings a day, should be ready to shoot down their
+fellow-countrymen. Such men, alas! there have always been, since, in the
+first days of the human race, Cain killed his brother Abel. But Cain had
+not long to wait for his reward!</p>
+
+<p>Whilst we were besieging these Afrikanders, news came that large columns
+from Reddersburg and Bloemfontein were drawing near. So overwhelming
+were their numbers that the commandos of Generals A.P. Cronje and Piet
+de Wet were far too weak to hold them in check, and I had to despatch
+two reinforcing parties, the first under Commandant Fourie, the second
+under General J.B. Wessels.</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman had now returned from Smithfield, whither I had sent
+him to attack the garrison. He told me that he had been unable to carry
+out my orders, for, on his arrival at Smithfield, he had discovered that
+the garrison&mdash;which had only consisted of some two or three hundred
+men&mdash;had just departed. He learnt, however, that it was still possible
+to overtake it before it reached Aliwal North. Unfortunately, he was
+unable to persuade Commandant Swanepoel, who was in command of the
+burghers, to pursue the retreating troops. He therefore had to content
+himself with the fifteen men he had with him. He came in sight of the
+enemy at Branziektekraal,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> two hours from Aliwal North; but with the
+mere handful of men, which was all that he had at his command, an attack
+upon them was not to be thought of, and he had to turn back.</p>
+
+<p>His expedition, however, had not been without good result, for he
+returned with about five hundred of those burghers who had gone home
+after our commandos had left Stormberg.</p>
+
+<p>We had to thank Lord Roberts for this welcome addition to our forces.
+The terms of the proclamation in which Lord Roberts had guaranteed the
+property and personal liberty of the non-combatant burghers had not been
+abided by. In the neighbourhood of Bloemfontein, Reddersburg, and
+Dewetsdorp, and at every other place where it was possible, his troops
+had made prisoners of burghers who had remained quietly on their farms.
+The same course of action had been pursued by the column which fell into
+our hands at Mostertshoek&mdash;I myself had liberated David Strauss and four
+other citizens whom I had found there. While peacefully occupied on
+their farms they had been taken prisoners by the English column, which
+was then on its way from Dewetsdorp to Reddersburg.</p>
+
+<p>This disregard of his proclamations did not increase the respect which
+the burghers felt for Lord Roberts. They felt that the word of the
+English was not to be trusted, and, fearing for their own safety, they
+returned to their commandos. I sent President Steyn a telegram,
+informing him that our burghers were rejoining, and adding that Lord
+Roberts was the best recruiting sergeant I had ever had!</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman and the men whom he had collected soon found work to
+do. The enemy was expecting a reinforcement from Aliwal North, and I
+sent the General, with six hundred troops, to oppose it. He came into
+touch with it at Boesmanskop, and a slight skirmish took place.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile I received a report from General<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> Piet de Wet, who was
+at Dewetsdorp, notifying me that the English forces outnumbered his own
+so enormously that he could not withstand their advance. He suggested
+that I ought at once to relinquish the siege and proceed in the
+direction of Thaba'Nchu.</p>
+
+<p>I also received discouraging news from General Piet Fourie, who had had
+a short but severe engagement with the troops that were coming from
+Bloemfontein, and had been compelled to give way before their superior
+forces.</p>
+
+<p>Piet de Wet's advice appealed to me all the more strongly since
+reinforcements were pouring in upon the enemy from all sides. But I was
+of opinion that I ought to go with a strong force after the enemy in the
+direction of Norvalspont, as I was convinced that it was no longer
+possible to check their advance. But General Piet de Wet differed from
+me on this point, and held that we ought to keep in front of the
+English, and I was at last compelled to give in to him.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly I issued orders to General Froneman to desist from any
+further attack upon the reinforcement with which he had been engaged,
+and to join me. When he arrived I fell back on Thaba'Nchu.</p>
+
+<p>My siege of Colonel Dalgety, with his Brabant's Horse and Cape Mounted
+Rifles, had lasted for sixteen days. Our total loss was only five killed
+and thirteen wounded. The English, as I learnt from prisoners, had
+suffered rather severely.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3>The English Swarm over our Country</h3>
+
+
+<p>On April 25th we arrived at Alexandri&euml;, six miles from Thaba'Nchu. The
+latter place was already occupied by English outposts. General Philip
+Botha now joined me; he had been engaging the enemy in the triangle
+formed by Brandfort, Bloemfontein and Thaba'Nchu. My commandos numbered
+some four thousand men, and I decided that it was time to concentrate my
+forces.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Roberts was about to carry out the plans which he had formed at
+Bloemfontein, namely, to outflank us with large bodies of mounted
+troops. He attempted to do this to the north-east of Thaba'Nchu, but at
+first was not successful. On a second attempt, however, he managed,
+after a fierce fight, to break through our lines. It was during this
+action that Commandant Lubbe was shot in the leg, and had the misfortune
+to be taken prisoner. At Frankfort also, Lord Roberts met with success,
+and General De la Rey was forced to retreat northwards.</p>
+
+<p>I was now firmly convinced, although I kept the belief to myself, that
+the English would march to Kroonstad; and I could see, more clearly than
+ever, the necessity of operating in their rear. I had suggested to
+President Steyn when he had visited us at Alexandri&euml;, that I should
+proceed to Norvalspont, or even into Cape Colony, but he was against any
+such project. This, however, was not because he disapproved of my
+suggestion in itself, but because he feared that the Transvaalers might
+say that the Free-Staters, now that their own country was in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>
+enemy's hands, were going to leave them in the lurch. Yet in spite of
+his opposition, I had ultimately to carry out my own ideas, for, even if
+I was misunderstood, I had to act as I thought best. I can only say that
+each man of us who remained true to our great cause acted up to the best
+of his convictions. If the results proved disastrous, one had best be
+silent about them. There is no use crying over spilt milk.</p>
+
+<p>We now pushed our commandos forward to Zand River. At Tabaksberg General
+Philip Botha had a short but severe engagement with Lord Roberts'
+advanced columns. I was the last of the Generals to leave Thaba'Nchu.</p>
+
+<p>I was very anxious to prevent the "granary"<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> of the Orange Free State
+from falling into the hands of the English; with this object in view, I
+left behind me at Korannaberg General De Villiers, with Commandants De
+Villiers, of Ficksburg, Crowther, of Ladybrand, Roux, of Wepener, and
+Potgieter, of Smithfield, and ordered the General to carry on operations
+in the south-eastern districts of the Free State.</p>
+
+<p>This valiant General did some fine work, and fought splendidly at
+Gouveneurskop and Wonderkop, inflicting very serious losses upon the
+English. But nevertheless he had to yield to the superior numbers of the
+enemy, who ultimately gained possession<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> of the "granary" districts. But
+he made them pay for it dearly.</p>
+
+<p>General De Villiers followed the English to Senekal and Lindley, and at
+Biddulphsberg, near the first named village, he again engaged them
+successfully, killing and wounding many of them. But a grave misfortune
+overtook us here, for the General received a dangerous wound on the
+head.</p>
+
+<p>There was still another most deplorable occurrence. In some way or other
+the grass caught fire; and as it was very dry, and a high wind was
+blowing, the flames ran along the ground to where many of the English
+wounded were lying. There was no time to rescue them; and thus in this
+terrible manner many a poor fellow lost his life.</p>
+
+<p>General De Villiers' wound was so serious, that the only course open was
+to ask the commanding officer of the Senekal garrison to let him have
+the benefit of the English doctors' skill. This request was willingly
+granted, and De Villiers was placed under the care of the English
+ambulance. Sad to say, he died of his wound.</p>
+
+<p>Some time later I was informed that the man who had carried the request
+into Senekal was ex-Commandant Vilonel, who was then serving as a
+private burgher. A few days later he surrendered, so that one naturally
+inferred that he had arranged it all during his visit to Senekal.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after he had given up his arms, he sent a letter to one of the
+Veldtcornets, asking him to come to such and such a spot on a certain
+evening, to meet an English officer and himself. The letter never
+reached the hands of the person to whom Vilonel had addressed it; and
+instead of the Veldtcornet, it was Captain Pretorius with a few
+burghers, who went to the appointed place. The night was so dark that it
+was impossible to recognize anybody.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Veldtcornet&mdash;?" asked Mr. Vilonel.</p>
+
+<p>"You are my prisoner," was Captain Pretorius' reply, as he took
+Vilonel's horse by the bridle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Treason! treason!" cried poor Vilonel.</p>
+
+<p>They brought him back to the camp, and sent him thence to Bethlehem. A
+court-martial<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> was shortly afterwards held at that town, and he was
+condemned to a long term of imprisonment.</p>
+
+<p>In the place of General De Villiers I appointed Deacon Paul Roux as
+Vechtgeneraal. He was a man in whom I placed absolute confidence. As a
+minister of religion he had done good service among the commandos, and
+in the fiercest battles he looked after the wounded with undaunted
+courage. His advice to the officers on matters of war had also been
+excellent, so that he was in every way a most admirable man. But his
+fighting career unfortunately soon came to an end, for he was taken
+prisoner in a most curious way near Naauwpoort, when Prinsloo
+surrendered.</p>
+
+<p>I must now retrace my steps, and give some account of what I myself had
+been doing during this time.</p>
+
+<p>I proceeded to the west of Doornberg, and only halted when I reached the
+Zand River. What memories does the name of that river bring back to me!
+It was on its banks that in 1852 the English Government concluded a
+Convention with the Transvaal&mdash;only to break it when Sir Theophilus
+Shepstone annexed that country on the 12th of April, 1877. But this
+Convention was re-established by Gladstone&mdash;greatest and noblest of
+English statesmen&mdash;when he acknowledged the independence of the South
+African Republic.</p>
+
+<p>Here on the banks of this river, which was so pregnant with meaning, we
+should stand, so I thought, and hold the English at bay. But alas! the
+name with all its memories did not check the enemy's advance.</p>
+
+<p>On the 10th of May Lord Roberts attacked us with his united forces; and
+although his losses were heavy, he succeeded in breaking through our
+lines near Ven<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>tersburg, at two points which were held by General
+Froneman. And thus the English were free to advance on Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>I gave orders to my commando to move on to Doornkop, which lies to the
+east of Kroonstad. I myself, with Commandant Nel and some of his
+adjutants, followed them when the sun had set. We rode the whole of that
+night, and reached the township on the following morning. We immediately
+arranged that the Government should withdraw from Kroonstad, and that
+very day it was removed to Heilbron. President Steyn, however, did not
+go to Heilbron, but paid a visit to General Philip Botha, whose commando
+had held back the English outposts some six miles from Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>The President, before leaving the town, had stationed police on the
+banks of the Valsch River with orders to prevent burghers from entering
+the dorp<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a>; he had only just crossed the drift before my arrival. I
+came upon some burghers who, as they had been ordered, had off-saddled
+at the south side of the river, and I asked them if they had seen the
+President. As they were Transvaalers, they answered my question in the
+negative.</p>
+
+<p>"But has nobody on horseback crossed here?" I said.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! the Big Constable<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> crossed," one of them replied. "And he
+told us not to pass over the drift."</p>
+
+<p>"What was he like?" I inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"He was a man with a long red beard."</p>
+
+<p>I knew now who the "Big Constable" had been; and when I afterwards told
+the President for whom he had been taken, he was greatly amused.</p>
+
+<p>General Philip Botha discussed the state of affairs with me, and we both
+came to the conclusion that if Lord Roberts attacked us with his united
+forces, his superior numbers would render it impossible for us to hold
+our disadvantageous positions round Kroonstad. We had also to take into
+consideration the fact that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> my commando could not reach the town before
+the following day. Whilst we were still talking, news arrived that there
+was a strong force of cavalry on the banks of the Valsch River, six
+miles from Kroonstad, and that it was rapidly approaching the town.</p>
+
+<p>On hearing this, I hastened back to the south of the township, where a
+body of Kroonstad burghers had off-saddled, and I ordered them to get
+into their saddles immediately, and ride with me to meet the enemy. In
+less time than it takes to describe it, we were off. As we drew near to
+the English we saw they had taken up a very good position. The sun had
+already set, and nothing could be done save to exchange a few shots with
+the enemy. So, after I had ordered my men to post themselves on the
+enemy's front till the following morning, I rode back to Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>When I arrived there, I found that the last of the Transvaal commandos
+had already retreated through the town and made for the north. I at once
+sent orders to the burghers, whom I had just left, to abandon their
+positions, and to prepare themselves to depart by train to
+Rhenosterriviersbrug.</p>
+
+<p>At Kroonstad there was not a single burgher left. Only the inhabitants
+of the township remained, and they were but too ready to "hands-up."</p>
+
+<p>One of these, however, was of a different mould. I refer to Veldtcornet
+Thring, who had arrived with me at Kroonstad that morning, but who had
+suddenly fallen ill. On the day following he was a prisoner in the hands
+of the English.</p>
+
+<p>Thring was an honourable man in every way. Although an Englishman by
+birth, he was at heart an Afrikander, for he had accepted the Orange
+Free State as his second fatherland. Like many another Englishman, he
+had become a fellow-citizen of ours, and had enjoyed the fat of the
+land. But now, trusty burgher that he was, he had drawn his sword to
+defend the burghers' rights.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>His earliest experiences were with the Kroonstad burghers, who went down
+into Natal; later on he fought under me at Sanna's Post and
+Mostertshoek, and took part in the siege of Colonel Dalgety at
+Jammersbergsdrift. He had stood at my side at Thaba'Nchu and on the
+banks of the Zand River. I had always found him the most willing and
+reliable of officers, and he had won the respect and trust of every man
+who knew him.</p>
+
+<p>He was faithful to the end. Although he might well have joined our
+enemies, he preferred to set the seal of fidelity upon his life by his
+imprisonment. Long may he live to enjoy the trust of the Afrikander
+people!</p>
+
+<p>I remained late that evening in the town. It was somewhat risky to do
+so, as the place was full of English inhabitants, and of Afrikanders who
+did not favour our cause. In fact, I was surrounded by men who would
+have been only too pleased to do me an injury.</p>
+
+<p>I said farewell to Kroonstad at ten o'clock that night, and was carried
+to Rhenosterriviersbrug, thirty-four miles from Kroonstad, by the last
+train that left the town. But before I departed, I took care that the
+bridge over the Valsch River should be destroyed by dynamite.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, those portions of the Heilbron and Kroonstad commandos
+which had gone into Natal at the beginning of the war, received orders
+to leave the Drakensberg. Obeying these orders they joined me, and, with
+my other troops, had occupied splendid positions on either side of the
+railway line. Commandant General Louis Botha was also there with his
+Transvaal burghers, having arrived in the Free State a few days
+previously. Captain Danie Theron was still with me as my trustworthy
+scout, and he constantly kept me informed of Lord Roberts' movements.</p>
+
+<p>For a few days Lord Roberts remained at Kroon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>stad, but about the 18th
+of May he again began to move his enormous forces. He sent out four
+divisions. The first he despatched from Kroonstad to Heilbron; the
+second from Lindley to the same destination; the third from Kroonstad to
+Vredefort and Parijs, and the fourth from Kroonstad along the railway
+line.</p>
+
+<p>The two Governments had agreed that Commandant General Louis Botha
+should cross the Vaal River, and that we Free-Staters should remain
+behind in our own country. And this was carried out, with our full
+approval.</p>
+
+<p>The Governments had also decided that even if the English entered the
+Transvaal, the Free State commandos were not to follow them. I had long
+ago wished that something of this nature should be arranged, so that we
+might not only have forces in front of the enemy, but also in their
+rear. Thus the orders of the Governments exactly coincided with my
+desires.</p>
+
+<p>Lest any one should think that the Transvaalers and the Free-Staters
+separated here on account of a squabble, or because they found that they
+could not work harmoniously together, let me state that this decision
+was arrived at for purely strategic reasons. We had now been reduced to
+a third of the original number of forty-five thousand burghers with
+which we had started the campaign. This reduction was due partly to
+Cronje's surrender, and partly to the fact that many of our men had
+returned to their farms. How, then, could we think of making a stand,
+with our tiny forces, against two hundred and forty thousand men, with
+three or four hundred guns? All we could do was to make the best of
+every little chance we got of hampering the enemy. If fortune should
+desert us, it only remained to flee.</p>
+
+<p>To flee&mdash;what could be more bitter than that? Ah! many a time when I was
+forced to yield to the enemy, I felt so degraded that I could scarcely
+look a child in the face! Did I call myself a man? I asked myself, and
+if so, why did I run away? No one can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> guess the horror which overcame
+me when I had to retreat, or to order others to do so&mdash;there! I have
+poured out my whole soul. If I did fly, it was only because one man
+cannot stand against twelve.</p>
+
+<p>After the Transvaalers had crossed the Vaal River, I took twelve hundred
+men to Heilbron, where there was already a party of my burghers. General
+Roux with other Free-Staters was stationed east of Senekal, and the
+remainder of our forces lay near Lindley. But the commandos from Vrede
+and Harrismith, with part of the Bethlehem commando, still remained as
+watchers on the Drakensberg.</p>
+
+<p>When I arrived at Heilbron, late at night, I received a report that
+fighting was taking place on the Rhenoster River, between Heilbron and
+Lindley, and that General J.B. Wessels and Commandant Steenekamp had
+been driven back. But on the following morning, when the outposts came
+in, they stated that they had seen nothing of this engagement. I
+immediately sent out scouts, but hardly had they gone, before one of
+them came galloping back with the news that the enemy had approached
+quite close to the town. It was impossible for me to oppose a force of
+five or six thousand men on the open plain; and I could not move to
+suitable positions, for that would involve having the women and children
+behind me when the enemy were bombarding me. I had therefore to be off
+without a moment's delay. I had not even time to send my wife and my
+children into a place of safety.</p>
+
+<p>Our whole stock of ammunition was on the rail at Wolvehoek. I had given
+orders to Mr. Sarel Wessels, who had charge of the ammunition, to hold
+himself in readiness to proceed with it by rail, through the Transvaal,
+to Greylingstad as soon as he received orders to do so.</p>
+
+<p>But now the ammunition could not remain there, as Sir Redvers Buller was
+gaining ground day by day towards the veldt on the Natal frontier and
+the am<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>munition would thus be in danger of being taken. Therefore there
+was nothing left for me but to get it through by way of Greylingstad
+Station. It had to be done, and,&mdash;I had no carriages by which I could
+convey it, as I had not sufficient hands to take carriages from the
+trucks.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> There was only one way (course) open; the commandos from
+Smithfield, Wepener and Bethulie still had, contrary to the Kroonstad
+resolution, carriages with them at Frankfort; I hastened to that village
+and sent the necessary number of these carriages under a strong escort,
+to fetch the ammunition from Greylingstad.</p>
+
+<p>In order to do this responsible work I required a man whom I could
+trust. Captain Danie Theron was no longer with me, because he, being a
+Transvaaler, had gone with General Louis Botha. But there was another:
+Gideon J. Scheepers.<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> To him I entrusted the task of reconnoitring
+the British, so that the carriages which were going to fetch the
+ammunition could do in safety what they were required to do, and I knew
+that he would do it.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>Our Position at the End of May, 1900</h3>
+
+
+<p>Once more it became necessary that the seat of Government should be
+changed, and towards the latter part of May our administrative
+headquarters were established at a place between Frankfort and Heilbron.
+The object of our Government in choosing this position was to be able to
+keep up telegraphic communication with the Transvaal. And their choice
+was soon to be justified, for after Johannesburg had been taken on May
+31st and Pretoria on July 5th, the only telegraphic connexion between
+the Free State and the South African Republic was vi&acirc; Frankfort,
+Greylingstad and Middlesburg. The terminus, at the Transvaal end, was
+situated not far from Pretoria.</p>
+
+<p>But, for the moment, it looked as if fortune were again going to smile
+on us, after our long spell of ill luck. On May the 31st Lindley and its
+garrison of Yeomanry fell into the hands of General Piet de Wet. The
+Yeomanry lost heavily, and five hundred of them, including, as I was
+told, several noblemen, were taken prisoner. These were the last
+prisoners of war that we were able to send into the South African
+Republic. Soon afterwards, when Pretoria was on the point of falling
+into the enemy's hands, the prisoners there had to be sent further east,
+but&mdash;owing either to the stupidity of the Transvaal Government, or to
+the treachery of the guards&mdash;a great many of them were left behind for
+Lord Roberts to release and re-arm against us. Our burghers grumbled
+much at this, and blamed the negligence of the Transvaalers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Before we had had time to get the captured Yeomanry through into the
+Transvaal, Sir Redvers Buller had forced his way over the Natal
+frontier, crossing the Drakensberg between Botha's Pass and Laing's Nek.
+This event, which happened on June the 17th, caused yet another panic
+among our commandos.</p>
+
+<p>"We are now," they said, "surrounded on all sides. Resistance and escape
+are equally impossible for us."</p>
+
+<p>Never during the whole course of the war were President Steyn and I so
+full of care and anxiety as at this time. With Buller across our
+frontier, and the enemy within the walls of Johannesburg and Pretoria,
+it was as much as we could do to continue the contest at all. However
+brave and determined many of our burghers and officers might be, and, in
+fact, were, our numerical weakness was a fact that was not to be got
+over, and might prove an insuperable obstacle to our success. Moreover,
+the same thing was now going on in the Transvaal after the capture of
+Pretoria, as we had witnessed in the Free State after the fall of
+Bloemfontein&mdash;nearly all the burghers were leaving their commandos and
+going back to their farms. Plenty of officers, but no troops! This was
+the pass to which we were come.</p>
+
+<p>It was only the remembrance of how the tide had turned in the Free State
+that gave us the strength to hold out any longer.</p>
+
+<p>President Steyn and I sent telegram after telegram to the Government and
+to the chief officers, encouraging them to stand fast. Meanwhile the two
+Generals, De la Rey and Louis Botha, were giving us all a splendid
+example of fortitude. Gazing into the future unmoved, and facing it as
+it were with clenched teeth, they prosecuted the war with invincible
+determination.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>That the reader may the better appreciate the actual condition of our
+affairs at this time, I think it well to make a short statement as to
+the various districts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> of the Orange Free State, and the number of men
+in each on whom we could still rely!</p>
+
+<p>The burghers of Philippolis and Kaapstad had surrendered <i>en masse</i> to
+the English. In the first named of these districts, only Gordon Fraser
+and Norval, in the second only Cornelius du Preez and another, whose
+name has escaped my memory, remained loyal to our cause. I mention these
+men here, because their faithfulness redounds to their everlasting
+honour.</p>
+
+<p>In the district of Boshof, we could still reckon on Veldtcornet
+Badenhorst,<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> and twenty-seven men.</p>
+
+<p>Jacobsdal was represented by Commandant Pretorius (who had succeeded
+Commandant Lubbe, after the latter had been wounded and taken prisoner
+at Tabaksberg), and forty men.</p>
+
+<p>In the district of Fauresmith, Commandant Visser and some seventy men
+had remained faithful.</p>
+
+<p>In Bethulie, Commandant Du Plooij, with nearly a hundred men, were still
+in arms.</p>
+
+<p>Bloemfontein was represented by Commandant Piet Fourie and two hundred
+burghers.</p>
+
+<p>The commandos of Rouxville, Smithfield, Wepener and Ladybrand, fell far
+short of their full complement of men, as a great number had remained
+behind at home.</p>
+
+<p>Of the burghers from Winburg, Kroonstad and Heilbron, many had already
+laid down their arms, and the drain upon our troops in these districts
+was still continuing.</p>
+
+<p>None of the burghers belonging to the districts of Ficksburg,
+Bethlehem,<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> Harrismith and Vrede had yet surrendered&mdash;their turn was
+to come.</p>
+
+<p>All told, we were 8,000 burghers.</p>
+
+<p>After my men had gone northwards, those burghers of Hoopstad, Jacobsdal,
+Fauresmith, Philippolis, Be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>thulie, Smithfield, Rouxville, Wepener,
+Bloemfontein and the southern part of Ladybrand, who had laid down their
+arms and remained at home between the beginning of March and the end of
+May, were left undisturbed by Lord Roberts&mdash;so far as their private
+liberty was concerned.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>I was now camped at Frankfort, waiting for the ammunition, which ought
+to have already arrived from Greylingstad Station. It was about this
+time that the Government decided, on the recommendation of some of the
+officers, that the rank of Vechtgeneraal should be abolished. In
+consequence of this decision all the officers of that rank resigned. I
+did not approve of this course of action, and obtained from the
+Government the rank of Assistant Commander-in-Chief. I was thus able to
+re-appoint the old Vechtgeneraals, Piet de Wet, C.C. Froneman, Philip
+Botha and Paul Roux, and I at once proceeded to do so.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>Roodewal</h3>
+
+
+<p>The ammunition arrived safely, and towards the end of May I made my way
+to a certain hill, some twelve miles from Heilbron, to which we had
+given the name of Presidentskopje, and where Commandants Steenekamp and
+J.H. Olivier were posted.</p>
+
+<p>Here I left the greater part of my commandos. But I myself, on the 2nd
+of June, set out in the direction of Roodewal Station, taking with me
+six hundred burghers, mounted on the best horses that were to be
+obtained. I reached the farm of Leeuwfontein the same night, and found
+it an excellent place in which to hide my men out of sight of the
+Heilbron garrison. The farm stood about nine miles to the south of that
+town.</p>
+
+<p>The following evening we moved on as far as Smithsdrift, which is a
+drift on the road from Heilbron to Kroonstad. There again I concealed my
+men.</p>
+
+<p>On the afternoon of the next day, June the 4th, news was brought me that
+a convoy was on its way to Heilbron from Rhenoster River. This convoy
+encamped that evening at the distance of a mile from the farm of
+Zwavelkrans; the spot chosen was about five hundred paces from the
+Rhenoster River, and quite unprotected.</p>
+
+<p>Before sunrise I sent a party of burghers down to the river, some five
+hundred paces from where the convoy was encamped, and by daybreak we had
+entirely surrounded the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had the sun appeared than I despatched a burgher with a white
+flag to the English officer in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> command. I ordered my messenger to
+inform the officer that he was surrounded, that escape was out of the
+question, and that if he wished to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, his only
+course was to surrender.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+   <a id="image04" name="image04">
+   <img src="images/04.jpg"
+      alt="ROODEWAL."
+      title="ROODEWAL." /></a><br />
+   <span class="caption">ROODEWAL.<br />FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>On hearing this one of their men came to me with the object of demanding
+certain conditions. It goes without saying that my answer
+was&mdash;"Unconditional surrender!"</p>
+
+<p>He asked for time to communicate this to the officer in command. I
+granted this request, and he returned to the convoy.</p>
+
+<p>We were not left in suspense for long. The white flag was hoisted almost
+immediately, and two hundred <i>Bergschotten</i>,<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> with fifty-six heavily
+laden waggons, fell into our hands.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, all this occurred out of sight of Roodewal Station and
+Heilbron, and, as not a single shot had been fired, I had no reason so
+far to fear that there was any obstacle in the way of my main
+project&mdash;the capture of the valuable booty at Roodewal.</p>
+
+<p>I at once returned with my capture to the spot where we had been the
+previous night. General Philip Botha conducted the prisoners and the
+booty to the President's camp, returning to our laager on the following
+morning.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the 6th of June I started on my road to Roodewal. At
+Walfontein I divided my troops into three parties. The first party,
+consisting of three hundred men with one Krupp, I despatched under
+Commandant Steenekamp to Vredefort Road Station, with orders to attack
+it the following day at sunrise. General Froneman, with Commandants Nel
+and Du Plooij, were in command of the second party, which consisted of
+three hundred burghers, with two Krupps and one quick-firing gun. My
+orders were that, at daybreak, they were to attack an English camp which
+was lying a mile to the north of the railway station at Rhenoster River,
+and close to some brick-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>coloured ridges. The third party I commanded
+myself. It consisted of Commandant Fourie and eighty burghers, with one
+Krupp; and with this force I pushed on to Roodewal Station.</p>
+
+<p>At Doorndraai I left behind me a few waggons, with twenty men to guard
+them. I had previously stationed a hundred burghers there, with the
+object of keeping in touch with the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>The information which Captain Scheepers had gained while scouting was
+amply sufficient to show me how the land lay.</p>
+
+<p>Although I had heard that there were not more than fifty of the enemy at
+Vredefort Road Station, I had nevertheless sent three hundred burghers
+there. This was because I was aware that the main English force lay to
+the north of the station, so that these fifty men might be reinforced at
+the shortest possible notice. The numbers which General Froneman had to
+encounter were much greater, and the enemy held safe positions. But as
+General Froneman was himself able to take quite as good positions, I
+only gave him the same number of troops as I had assigned to Commandant
+Steenekamp. I also gave orders that two guns should proceed with him.</p>
+
+<p>I was informed that there were only one hundred of the English at
+Roodewal, but that these hundred were very securely entrenched. My
+information was, however, at fault, for I discovered later on that there
+were at least double that number.</p>
+
+<p>I arrived at Roodewal very early in the morning of the 7th of June. I
+brought my men up to within eight hundred paces of the station, and
+ordered them to unharness the horses which were attached to the Krupp,
+and to place it in position.</p>
+
+<p>But listen! There is the crack of rifles in the distance! That must be
+the sound of the enemy's fire on General Froneman. Again, and yet again,
+the sound meets my ears. Then all is quiet once more.</p>
+
+<p>It was still two hours before the sun would rise, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> I took full
+advantage of the opportunities which the darkness gave me. I ordered
+four of my burghers to approach as close to the station as was possible,
+and to find out everything they could about the enemy's position.
+Following my directions, they crept with extreme caution towards the
+English lines, until only a hundred paces separated them from the
+station. They returned before it was light, and brought back word that
+unless the enemy had thrown up unusually high <i>schanzes</i>, there must be
+an untold quantity of provisions piled up there. Everything had been
+very quiet, and they had seen no one stirring.</p>
+
+<p>The day now began to dawn, and as soon as it was light I sent a message
+to the enemy demanding their surrender. The answer came back at once. On
+the back of my note these words had been written:</p>
+
+<p>"We refuse to surrender."</p>
+
+<p>I instantly opened a hot fire upon them, bringing the Krupp as well as
+the Mausers into action. But the reply of the enemy was no less severe.</p>
+
+<p>We had no cover. There was only a shallow <i>pan</i><a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a>&mdash;so shallow that it
+scarcely afforded protection to the horses' hoofs! A thousand paces to
+the north-west of the railway I had observed a deep <i>pan</i> where the
+horses would have had better cover, but even there our men would have
+been just as exposed as they now were. I had decided against taking up
+my position in this <i>pan</i>, because I should have been obliged to cross
+the line to reach it, and in doing so should have run the risk of being
+observed by the English.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was that the burghers were compelled to lie flat down in order
+to afford as little mark as possible to the enemy. But the men who
+served the Krupp were naturally unable to do this; and, seeing that the
+gun must be moved, I gave this order: "Inspan the gun, gallop it three
+thousand paces back; then blaze away again as fiercely as you can!"</p>
+
+<p>Under a hail of bullets the horses were attached to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> the gun. Whilst
+this was being done, I ordered my men to fire upon the English
+entrenchments with redoubled energy, and thus, if possible, prevent the
+enemy from taking careful aim.</p>
+
+<p>Incredible though it may appear, Captain Muller got the gun away without
+a single man or horse being hit. When he had covered three thousand
+paces, he halted, and turning the Krupp on the enemy, he shelled them
+with good effect.</p>
+
+<p>At about ten o'clock, General Froneman succeeded in forcing the English
+troops which he had attacked to surrender. I therefore ordered the two
+Krupps which he had with him to be brought up with the utmost despatch.
+At half-past seven they arrived, and immediately opened fire on the
+English.</p>
+
+<p>When the enemy had been under the fire of three guns and eighty Mausers
+for an hour, they thought it best to hoist the white flag. We
+accordingly ceased firing, and I rode out towards the station. Before I
+had reached it, I was met by two of the officers. They told me that they
+were willing to surrender, on condition that they were allowed to retain
+their private property and the mail bags, for it appeared that there
+were two English mails under their charge.</p>
+
+<p>I replied that so far as their private belongings were concerned, they
+were welcome to keep them, as I never allowed the personal property of
+my prisoners to be tampered with in my presence.<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> But I told them
+that the letters were a different matter, and that I could not allow
+them to reach their destination&mdash;unless they were directed to a bonfire!</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing left for the officers to do, except to agree to my
+terms then and there; for had they hesitated even for a moment, I should
+certainly have stormed the station.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But they wisely surrendered.</p>
+
+<p>On our arrival at the station, we were all filled with wonder at the
+splendid entrenchments the English had constructed from bales of cotton,
+blankets and post-bags. These entrenchments had been so effectual that
+the enemy's loss was only twenty-seven killed and wounded&mdash;a remarkably
+small number, when it is remembered that we took two hundred of them
+prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>I had expected that our booty would be large, and my expectations were
+more than realized. To begin with, there were the bales of clothing that
+the English had used as entrenchments. Then there were hundreds of cases
+of necessaries of every description. Of ammunition, also, there was no
+lack, and amongst it there were projectiles for the Naval guns, with
+which Lord Roberts had intended to bombard Pretoria.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the burghers attempted to lift these gigantic shells, but it
+took more than one man to move them.</p>
+
+<p>I read in the newspapers afterwards that I had inflicted a loss of three
+quarters of a million sterling on the English Government&mdash;let that give
+the extent of my capture.</p>
+
+<p>But at that moment we did not realize how much harm we had done to them.
+We had little time for anything which did not directly forward our
+cause. I was, however, very sorry that I could not carry away with me
+the blankets and boots which we found in large quantities, for they
+would have been most valuable for winter use. But there was no time for
+this, as the English held the railway and could at any moment bring up
+reinforcements from Bloemfontein, from Kroonstad, or from Pretoria. So,
+as I could not take the booty away with me, I was obliged to consign it
+to the flames.</p>
+
+<p>But before I did this I gave the burghers permission to open the
+post-bags, and to take what they liked out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> of them. For in these bags
+there were useful articles of every description, such as underclothing,
+stockings, cigars and cigarettes.</p>
+
+<p>Very soon every one was busy with the post-bags&mdash;as if each burgher had
+been suddenly transformed into a most zealous postmaster!</p>
+
+<p>Whilst my men were thus pleasantly occupied, two prisoners asked me if I
+would not allow them also to open the post-bags, and to investigate
+their contents. I told them to take just what they fancied, for
+everything that was left would be burnt.</p>
+
+<p>It was a very amusing sight to see the soldiers thus robbing their own
+mail! They had such a large choice that they soon became too dainty to
+consider even a plum-pudding worth looking at!</p>
+
+<p>Although I had ordered my men to wreck the bridges both to the north and
+to the south of us, I still did not feel secure&mdash;any delay on our part
+was fraught with danger, and the sooner we were off the better.</p>
+
+<p>But before we could start, I had to find some method of removing the
+ammunition which I wished to take with me. Since I possessed no waggons
+available for this purpose, my only course was to order my burghers to
+carry away the quantity required. But my burghers were busily engaged in
+looting.</p>
+
+<p>Those who have had any experience of our commandos will not need to be
+told that it was a difficult task to get any men to help me in the work.
+I did succeed, however, in dragging a few of the burghers away from the
+post-bags. But the spirit of loot was upon them, and I was almost
+powerless. Even when I had induced a burgher to work, he was off to the
+post-bags again the instant my back was turned, and I had to go and hunt
+him up, or else to find some other man to do the work. Yet, in spite of
+this, I succeeded in removing the gun and Lee-Metford ammunition. We
+carried away some six hundred cases of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> this ammunition,<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> and hid it
+at a spot about three hundred paces from the station.</p>
+
+<p>When the sun set, the burghers were again on the march. But what a
+curious spectacle they presented!</p>
+
+<p>Each man had loaded his horse so heavily with goods that there was no
+room for himself on the saddle; he had, therefore, to walk, and lead his
+horse by the bridle. And how could it be otherwise? For the burghers had
+come from a shop where no money was demanded, and none paid!</p>
+
+<p>But the most amusing thing of all was to watch the "Tommies" when I gave
+them the order to march. The poor Veldtcornet, who was entrusted with
+the task of conducting them to our camp, had his hands full when he
+tried to get them away from the booty; and when at last he succeeded,
+the soldiers carried such enormous loads, that one could almost fancy
+that every man of them was going to open a store. But they could not
+carry such burdens for long, and soon they were obliged to diminish
+their bulk, thus leaving a trail of parcels to mark the road they had
+taken!</p>
+
+<p>And now it was time for the fire to do its work, and I ordered fifteen
+men to set the great heap of booty alight. The flames burst out
+everywhere simultaneously&mdash;our task was completed.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant we had mounted our horses and were off.</p>
+
+<p>When we had covered fifteen hundred paces, we heard the explosion of the
+first shells, and wheeled round to view the conflagration. The night was
+very dark, and this rendered the sight that met our eyes still more
+imposing. It was the most beautiful display of fireworks that I have
+ever seen.</p>
+
+<p>One could hear, between the thunder of the big bombs, the dull report of
+exploding cordite. Meanwhile the dark sky was resplendent with the red
+glow of the flames.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I must now give some description of General Froneman's engagement to the
+north of Rhenosterriviersbrug.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a></p>
+
+<p>The firing we had heard before sunrise came from the English outposts,
+as they were retreating to their camp. The burghers and the English had
+both seized positions on small hills and in abandoned Kaffir kraals.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a></p>
+
+<p>Although the English had very good positions, and out-numbered our men
+by two to one, they found it impossible to hold out against our fire.
+They had no guns, whilst we possessed, as the reader knows, two Krupps
+and a quick-firing gun, which latter had the same effect as a
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt. Thus the enemy was forced to surrender; and five
+hundred of them were taken prisoner, among whom were Captain Wyndham
+Knight and several other officers. Their casualties amounted to the
+large total of one hundred and seventy killed and wounded, Colonel
+Douglas being one of the killed.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Steenekamp had also met with success, for he had captured the
+English camp at Vredefortweg Station, and taken thirty prisoners,
+without firing a shot.</p>
+
+<p>Thus we had made eight hundred of the enemy our prisoners, and destroyed
+an enormous amount of their ammunition, and this with scarcely any loss
+on our side. At Roodewal only two of my men had been wounded, whilst
+General Froneman had lost but one killed&mdash;a burgher named Myringen&mdash;and
+two slightly wounded.</p>
+
+<p>It had been a wonderful day for us&mdash;a day not easily forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>We were deeply thankful for our success. Our only regret was that it had
+been impossible for us to keep more of the clothing and ammunition. But
+although we had not been able to retain it, neither had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> the enemy. It
+was winter, and we had managed to burn their warm clothing. The English
+would certainly feel the want of it; and some time must elapse before
+they could receive a fresh supply from Europe.</p>
+
+<p>Undoubtedly Lord Roberts would be very angry with me; but I consoled
+myself with the thought that his anger would soon blow over. I felt sure
+that after calm consideration he would acknowledge that I had been
+altogether within my rights, and that he had been rather unwise in
+heaping together at one place so large a quantity of insufficiently
+protected stores. He should have kept his supplies at Kroonstad, or,
+better still, at Bloemfontein, until he had reconstructed all the
+railway bridges which we had blown up on the line to Pretoria. Lord
+Roberts had already begun to trust the Free-Staters too much; and he had
+forgotten that, whatever else we may have been thinking about, never for
+a single moment had we thought of surrendering our country.</p>
+
+<p>I received a report the following day that thirty English troops had
+been seen eight miles to the west of Roodewal, and moving in the
+direction of Kroonstad. I despatched General Froneman with thirty of the
+burghers to fetch them in.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, which was the 9th of June, I went with our prisoners to
+within three miles of the railway, and left them there under Veldtcornet
+De Vos,<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> ordering him to conduct them the rest of the way.</p>
+
+<p>It was now my duty to bring away the ammunition which I had left at
+Roodewal and to put it into some safe place. With this in view, I sent
+the Commandants, when night had fallen, to Roodewal, each with two
+waggons, and ordered them to bring it to my farm at Roodepoort, which
+was three miles away from the railway bridge over the Rhenoster River.</p>
+
+<p>There was a ford near my farm with sandy banks; and I told the
+Commandants to bury the ammunition in this sand, on the south side of
+the river, and to ob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>literate all traces of what they had done by
+crossing and re-crossing the spot with the waggons. I found out
+subsequently that the Commandants had left some of the ammunition behind
+at Roodewal.</p>
+
+<p>Before I conclude this chapter I have to record an event which filled me
+with disgust.</p>
+
+<p>Veldtcornet Hans Smith, of Rouxville, contrived to have a conversation
+with Captain Wyndham Knight, who, as I have already stated, was one of
+our prisoners. The Veldtcornet obtained from him a "free pass" to
+Kroonstad through the English lines, and also a written request to the
+British authorities there to allow him and twenty burghers to proceed
+without hindrance to Rouxville. Alas! that any Free State officer should
+be capable of such conduct!</p>
+
+<p>Captain Wyndham Knight will be held in high esteem by all who truly
+serve their country, for he was a man who never deserted the cause of
+his fatherland, no matter what dangers he encountered.</p>
+
+<p>Veldtcornet Hans Smith with his twenty burghers decamped on the night of
+the 10th of June, but some days had passed before I discovered the mean
+trick he had played.</p>
+
+<p>It was far easier to fight against the great English army than against
+this treachery among my own people, and an iron will was required to
+fight against both at once. But, even though one possessed an iron will,
+such events caused many bitter moments; they were trials which, as an
+African proverb<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> says, no single man's back was broad enough to
+carry.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3>I Make Lord Kitchener's Acquaintance</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the morning of June the 10th my anticipations were realized by the
+approach of a large English force from Vredefortweg and Heilbron.
+Commanded by Lord Kitchener, and numbering, as I estimated, from twelve
+to fifteen thousand men, this force was intended to drive us from the
+railway line.</p>
+
+<p>I gave orders that the few waggons which we had with us should proceed
+in the direction of Kroonstad, to the west of the line; once out of
+sight, they were to turn sharply to the west, and continue in that
+direction. This man&#339;uvre, I hoped, would serve to mislead the enemy,
+who was on the look-out for us.</p>
+
+<p>So much for the waggons. For the rest, I felt that it would never do for
+us to withdraw without having fired a shot, and I therefore got my men
+into position on some kopjes (where Captain Wyndham Knight had been four
+days previously, and which lay to the north of Rhenosterriviersbrug) on
+my farm Roodepoort, and on the Honingkopjes.</p>
+
+<p>The English, with their well known predilection for a flank attack on
+every possible opportunity, halted for an hour, and shelled our
+positions with Lyddite and other guns. This did <i>not</i> have the desired
+effect of inspiring terror in the burghers who were under my command at
+Honingkopjes.</p>
+
+<p>Then the enemy began to move. I saw masses of their cavalry making for a
+piece of rising ground to the north of Roodepoort. As the burghers there
+were hidden from me, I was unable to observe from where I stood the
+effect of this flank movement. Knowing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> that if they were able to give
+way and to retreat along the river we should have no means of
+discovering the fact until it was too late and we were surrounded, I
+came to the conclusion that it was essential for me to go to Roodepoort
+to assure myself that the cavalry had not yet got round. But it was most
+important that no suspicion of the danger which threatened us should be
+aroused in the burghers&mdash;anything calculated to weaken their resistance
+was to be avoided on such an occasion. Accordingly I merely told them
+that I was going to see how affairs were progressing at Roodepoort, and
+that in the meantime they must hold their position.</p>
+
+<p>I rode off, and discovered that the English were already so close to our
+troops at Roodepoort that fighting with small arms had begun. I had just
+reached an eminence between Roodepoort and the Honingkopjes when I saw
+that the burghers in the position furthest towards the north-west were
+beginning to flee. This was exactly what I had feared would happen.
+Immediately afterwards the men in the centre position, and therefore the
+nearest to me, followed their comrades' example. I watched them
+loosening their horses, which had been tethered behind a little hill;
+they were wild to get away from the guns of the English and from the
+advance of this mighty force.</p>
+
+<p>It was impossible for me now to go and tell the burghers on the
+Honingkopjes that the time had come when they too must retreat. My only
+course was to order the men near me not to effect their escape along the
+well protected banks of the river, but to the south, right across the
+stream, by a route which would be visible to burghers on the
+Honingkopjes. They obeyed my orders, and rode out under a heavy gun and
+rifle fire, without, however, losing a single man. The men on the
+Honingkopjes saw them in flight, and were thus able to leave their
+position before the enemy had a chance of driving them into the river or
+of cutting them off from the drift.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Unfortunately, seven burghers from Heilbron were at a short distance
+from the others, having taken up their position in a <i>kliphok</i>.<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a>
+Fighting hard as they were, under a deafening gun-fire from the enemy,
+who had approached to within a few paces of them, they did not observe
+that their comrades had left their positions. Shortly afterwards,
+despairing of holding the <i>kliphok</i> any longer, they ran down to the
+foot of the hill for their horses, and saw that the rest of the burghers
+were already fleeing some eight or nine hundred paces in front of them,
+and that their own horses had joined in the flight. There was now only
+one course open to them&mdash;to surrender to the English.<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p>
+
+<p>I ordered the burghers to retreat in the direction of Kroonstad, for by
+now they had all fled from Roodepoort and Honingkopjes&mdash;a name which,
+since that day, has never sounded very <i>sweet</i> to me.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a></p>
+
+<p>During the morning I received a report informing me that there were
+large stores at Kroonstad belonging to the English Commissariat, and
+that there was only a handful of troops to protect them. I had no
+thought, however, of attempting to destroy the provisions there, for I
+felt sure that the British troops, who had but just now put us to
+flight, would make for Kroonstad. They would know that the stores stood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>
+in need of a stronger guard, and moreover they would naturally think
+that we should be very likely to make an attack at a point where the
+defence was so weak.</p>
+
+<p>Obviously, under these circumstances, it would never do for us to go to
+Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, as soon as darkness came on, I turned suddenly to the west,
+and arrived at Wonderheuve late at night. I found there Veldtcornet De
+Vos with the prisoners of war.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, as I had anticipated, the vast English army marched up along
+thirty-four miles of railway to Kroonstad. Lord Kitchener, as I heard
+later on, arrived there shortly after noon on the following day.</p>
+
+<p>We left Wonderheuve early in the morning, and advanced along Rietspruit
+until we reached the farm of Vaalbank, where we remained until the
+evening of the next day, June the 13th. That night I saw clearly that it
+was necessary for us to cross the line if we wanted to keep ourselves
+and our prisoners out of the clutches of Lord Kitchener; he had failed
+to find us at Kroonstad, and would be certain to look for us in the
+country to the west of the line.</p>
+
+<p>I also felt myself bound to wreck this line, for it was the only railway
+which Lord Roberts could now utilize for forwarding the enormous
+quantities of stores which his vast forces required.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> I resolved
+therefore to cross it at Leeuwspruit, north of Rhenoster River bridge
+(which the English had recently repaired), and then, in the morning, to
+attack the English garrisons which had again occupied Roodewal and
+Rhenoster River bridge.</p>
+
+<p>I had given orders that all the cattle along the railway line should be
+removed; General Louis Botha had made the same regulation in regard to
+the country round Pretoria and Johannesburg. If only our orders had been
+carried out a little more strictly, and if only the most elementary
+rules of strategy had been observed in our efforts to break the English
+lines of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> communication, Lord Roberts and his thousands of troops in
+Pretoria would have found themselves in the same plight as the
+Samaritans in Samaria&mdash;they would have perished of hunger. It was not
+their Commander-in-Chief's skill that saved them, not his habit of
+taking into account all possible eventualities&mdash;no, they had to thank
+the disobedience of our burghers for the fact that they were not all
+starved to death in Pretoria.</p>
+
+<p>I arranged with General Froneman that he should cross the line at the
+point I had already selected, that is to say, north of Rhenoster River
+bridge, and that in the morning he should attack, from the eastern side,
+the English who were posted at Leeuwspruit Bridge. I, in the meanwhile,
+would make my way with a Krupp to the west side of the line, and having
+found a place of concealment near Roodepoort, would be ready to fall
+upon the English as soon as I heard that the other party had opened fire
+on them from the east.</p>
+
+<p>But my plan was to come to nothing. For when, during the night, Froneman
+reached the line, a skirmish took place then and there with the English
+outposts at Leeuwspruit railway bridge. At the same time a train arrived
+from the south, on which the burghers opened such a fierce fire that it
+was speedily brought to a standstill. General Froneman at once gave
+orders to storm the train, but his men did not carry out his orders.</p>
+
+<p><i>Had they done so, Lord Kitchener would have fallen into our hands!</i></p>
+
+<p>Nobody knew that he was in the train, and it was only later that we
+heard how, when the train stopped, he got a horse out of one of the
+waggons, mounted it, and disappeared into the darkness of the night.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly afterwards the train moved on again, and our great opportunity
+was gone!</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman succeeded in overpowering the garrison at the railway
+bridge, and took fifty-eight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> prisoners. He then set fire to the bridge,
+which was a temporary wooden structure, having been built to replace
+another similar one, which had been blown up with gunpowder.</p>
+
+<p>Three hundred Kaffirs were also made prisoners on this occasion. They
+protested that they had no arms, and had only been employed in work upon
+the railway line. This absence of rifles was their saving. Possibly they
+had really been in possession of arms, and had thrown them away under
+cover of the darkness; but the burghers could not know this, and
+therefore acted upon the principle that it is better to let ten culprits
+escape than to condemn an innocent man to death.</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman went on towards the east of Doorndraai. He was very
+well satisfied with his bridge-burning and his capture of prisoners, and
+in his satisfaction he never gave thought to me.</p>
+
+<p>I waited in my hiding-place, expecting that, as we had agreed, the
+firing would begin from the east, but nothing happened. I did not care
+to make an attack on my own account from the west, for my positions were
+not practicable for the purpose, and being short of men, I feared that
+such an attempt might end in disaster.</p>
+
+<p>It was now ten o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>A few English scouts appeared on the scene, and four of my men attacked
+them. One of the enemy was shot, and the rest taken prisoners. And still
+I did not hear anything from General Froneman.</p>
+
+<p>At last I came to the conclusion that he must have misunderstood my
+instructions. If that were the case, I must do the best I could myself.
+Accordingly I opened fire on the English with my Krupp.</p>
+
+<p>Still no news of General Froneman!</p>
+
+<p>Then I ordered my burghers to advance. Our first movement was over the
+nearest rise to the north-west; we halted for a moment, and then made a
+dash for Leeuwspruit Bridge&mdash;but we found nothing there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Late in the evening I met General Froneman, and heard from him the
+narrative which I have given above.</p>
+
+<p>The following day I sent well on to twelve hundred prisoners of
+war&mdash;including Kaffirs&mdash;to the President's camp, which lay east of
+Heilbron. We then advanced to a point on the Rhenoster River, near
+Slootkraal, remaining in concealment there until the night of the 16th
+of June. The following morning we occupied some ridges at Elandslaagte,
+on the look-out for a large English force which was marching from
+Vredefortweg to Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>My intention was to give them battle at Elandslaagte, and to hold on to
+our positions there as long as possible; and then, if we could not beat
+them off, to retire. If only the burghers had carried out my orders
+strictly, we should certainly have inflicted heavy losses on the
+English, even if we had not won a complete victory.</p>
+
+<p>The English had not sent out their scouts sufficiently far in advance,
+and came riding on, suspecting nothing. We occupied positions on the
+right and left of the road along which they were advancing, and my
+orders were that the burghers should let the troops get right between
+our ridges, which were about three hundred paces from each other, and
+then fire on them from both sides at once.</p>
+
+<p>Instead of doing this, however, the burghers began to fire when the
+English were five hundred paces from them&mdash;before, that is to say, they
+had got anywhere near the door of the trap which I had set for them.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy wheeled round, and galloped back for about fifteen hundred
+paces. They then dismounted, and fired on us. But, having no sort of
+cover, they were soon compelled to mount their horses again and retire
+to their guns, which were about three thousand yards from us. These guns
+now opened a heavy fire upon our ridges; we replied with our three
+Krupps, with which we made such good practice that we might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> have been
+able to hold out there indefinitely, had not a Lyddite and an Armstrong
+gun happened just then to arrive from Heilbron, which lay about ten
+miles behind us. Thus attacked both in front and rear, there was nothing
+to do but retire. Fortunately, we had not lost a single man.</p>
+
+<p>First we rode in a southerly direction, but as soon as we got into cover
+we struck off to the east, setting our faces towards Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>Then, to our immense relief, the sun went down. How often during our
+long struggle for independence had not the setting of the sun seemed to
+lift a leaden weight from my shoulders! If, on a few occasions, the
+approach of night has been to our disadvantage, yet over and over again
+it has been nothing less than our salvation.</p>
+
+<p>We got back safely, under cover of the darkness, to our little camp near
+Slootkraal, and there remained in hiding until the following day. It was
+there that Commandant Nel handed in his resignation. In his place the
+burghers of Kroonstad chose Mr. Frans Van Aard as their Commandant.</p>
+
+<p>That night we set out for Paardenkraal, twenty miles to the north-east
+of Kroonstad, staying there until the evening of the 19th.</p>
+
+<p>The time for my attack on the railway line having now come, I divided my
+men into three parties for that purpose. I sent on Commandant J.H.
+Olivier, who had joined me at Paardenkraal, to Honingspruit Station,
+General Froneman to America Siding, while I myself made my way to
+Serfontein Siding.</p>
+
+<p>At daybreak General Froneman wrecked the line near America Siding, and I
+did the same at other places, also destroying the telegraph poles. Each
+pole was first shot through with the Mauser, and then pulled until it
+snapped at the point where the bullet had pierced it.</p>
+
+<p>Things did not go so well with Commandant Olivier. He attacked the
+station, but, unfortunately, not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> so early as had been arranged.
+Consequently he was not able to bring his gun into action before the
+enemy had observed him. When I came up to him there was a strong English
+reinforcement from Kroonstad close at hand. We had too few men with us
+to be able to offer resistance, and had to retreat, returning to
+Paardenkraal at nightfall.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>Bethlehem is Captured by the English</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was at this time that I decided to make my way to Lindley, which had
+been retaken by the English a few days after General Piet de Wet had
+captured the Yeomanry in that town. The object of my journey was to
+discover if it were not possible to again seize the place. On the 21st
+of June I covered half the distance to Lindley, and the following day I
+arrived within ten miles of the town.</p>
+
+<p>I rode round the town with Piet de Wet the next day, in order to find
+out our best method of attacking it.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Olivier had been sent by me that morning in the direction of
+Kroonstad to oppose a strong English column, which I had been informed
+was approaching. But my plan must have leaked out in some way or other,
+for the enemy carefully chose so well protected a route that they gave
+Commandant Olivier no chance of attacking them. Thus the following
+morning the English arrived safely at Lindley, and now there was no
+possibility of capturing the town.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime President Steyn's laager had moved from the east of
+Heilbron and joined us. He himself, with the members of the Government,
+had gone to Bethlehem. General Marthinus Prinsloo was there too; he had
+resigned his post of Commander-in-Chief of the commandos which guarded
+the Drakensberg. Commandant Hattingh of Vrede had been chosen in his
+place, and he also was at Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>A difficulty now arose as to Prinsloo's position.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> The President
+declared that Prinsloo was nothing more than a private burgher; but
+Commandant Olivier was not satisfied with this, and asked that there
+might be an election of a Commander-in-Chief. This request, however, the
+President refused to grant.</p>
+
+<p>I did not wish the office of Commander-in-Chief to devolve upon myself,
+for I knew that I did not possess the confidence of the officers. And as
+some eight miles to the east of Lindley there was telegraphic
+communication with Bethlehem, I was able to hold a conversation with the
+President over the wires. I accordingly again asked him to permit an
+election. But it was all in vain; the President declined to allow an
+election to take place.</p>
+
+<p>I now took matters into my own hands. I collected the officers together
+with the object of holding a secret election. Thus I should discover
+what their opinion of me might be as chief of the Free State forces. I
+was firmly resolved that should the majority of the officers be against
+me, and the President should still refuse his consent to an election,
+that I would send in my resignation, and no longer continue to hold the
+post of Commander-in-Chief.</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief Hattingh, Vechtgeneraal Roux, and all the oldest
+commandants of the Free State, were present at this meeting. The voting
+was by ballot; and the result was that there were two votes for General
+Marthinus Prinsloo, one for General Piet de Wet, and twenty-seven for
+myself.</p>
+
+<p>I at once wired to the President, and told him what had occurred. He was
+ready to abide by the decision, and I was satisfied now that I knew
+exactly where I stood. Mr. Marthinus Prinsloo was also contented with
+the turn events had taken. And I must say this of him, that it was not
+he who had insisted on an election.</p>
+
+<p>It soon became apparent that the enemy's object was the capture of
+Bethlehem. The English forces round Senekal advanced towards Lindley,
+and having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> been joined by the troops stationed there, had proceeded in
+the direction of Bethlehem; consequently a very large British force was
+marching on that town.</p>
+
+<p>We on our part now numbered over five thousand men, for General Roux had
+joined us with some<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> of his burghers.</p>
+
+<p>The English were unopposed until they reached Elandsfontein, but there a
+battle took place in which big guns played the main r&ocirc;le, although there
+was also some heavy fighting with small arms.</p>
+
+<p>In this engagement Commandant Michal Prinsloo did a brave deed. I
+arrived at his position just after the burghers had succeeded in
+shooting down the men who served three of the enemy's guns. With a
+hundred men he now stormed the guns, hoping to be able to bring them
+back with him to our lines. Whilst he charged, I cannonaded the enemy,
+with a Krupp and fifteen pound Armstrong, to such good effect that they
+were forced to retreat behind a ridge. In this way Commandant Prinsloo
+reached the guns safely, but he had no horses with him to drag them back
+to us. He could do nothing but make the attempt to get them away by the
+help of his burghers, and this he tried to accomplish under a fierce
+fire from the English. But he would still have succeeded in the
+endeavour, had not unfortunately a large force of the enemy appeared on
+the scene, and attacked him and his hundred burghers. I was unable to
+keep the English back, for both my guns had been disabled. The nipple of
+the Armstrong had been blown away, and&mdash;for the first time&mdash;the lock of
+the Krupp had become jammed. Had it not been for this mishap, Commandant
+Prinsloo would certainly have been able to remove the guns to the other
+side of a ridge, whither teams of our horses were already approaching.
+But, as it was, he had to hurry away as fast as possible, and leave the
+guns behind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When the enemy arrived they had outflanked us so far to the north, that
+we had nothing open to us but again to abandon our positions. We
+therefore retired to Blauwkop, and on the following day to Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime I had once more become encumbered with a large waggon
+camp, which proved a source of great danger. During the last few weeks
+waggons had been accumulating round me without attracting my attention.
+The reason that the burghers were so anxious to bring their waggons with
+them, was to be found in the fact that the English, whenever they
+arrived at one of our farms, always took the waggons and oxen. The Boers
+felt it very hard to be robbed in this way of their property; and they
+hoped to be able to save their waggons and carts by taking them to the
+commando.</p>
+
+<p>It was natural for them to wish to save all they could; but I was
+convinced that the waggons could only be saved at the expense of our
+great cause. But nobody could see it in that light. And as I could only
+appeal to the free will of my burghers, I dare not attempt to get rid of
+the waggons by force. If I had made any such attempt, serious
+consequences would certainly have followed, even if a revolt had not
+ensued. The great fault of the burghers was disobedience, and this came
+especially to the fore when their possessions were in jeopardy.</p>
+
+<p>I now made up my mind to defend the town of Bethlehem. The following
+morning I went with the Generals and Commandants to reconnoitre the
+country, so that I might be able to point out to each of them the
+position that I wished him to occupy.</p>
+
+<p>Our line of defence began at the south of Wolhuterskop (a kop to the
+south-west of Bethlehem), and extended from there to the north-west of
+the town.</p>
+
+<p>When I had given my instructions to the officers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> they returned to
+their commandos, which were stationed behind the first ridges to the
+south of Bethlehem, and brought them to the positions I had assigned to
+them.</p>
+
+<p>So many of the horses were exhausted, that a large number of the
+burghers had to go on foot. Such of these <i>Voetgangers</i><a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> as were not
+required to attend to the waggons, I placed at Wolhuterskop.</p>
+
+<p>When I had done this I gave notice to the inhabitants of Bethlehem, that
+as the dorp would be defended, I must insist on the women and children
+leaving it at once. It was not long before a number of women and
+children, and even a few men, started out on their way to Fouriesburg.
+The prisoner Vilonel, also, was conducted to this town.</p>
+
+<p>At four o'clock that afternoon the advance guards of the enemy
+approached; and fifteen of their scouts made their appearance on the
+ridge to the north of the town. The burghers reserved their fire until
+these men were almost upon them. Then they let their Mausers speak, and
+in a moment there were nine riderless horses. The other six English made
+their escape, although they must have had wounds to show for their
+rashness.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p>
+
+<p>Only a few moments had passed before the roar of guns was mingled with
+the crack of rifles, and the whole air was filled with the thunder of
+battle.</p>
+
+<p>Everywhere the burghers fought with the utmost valour; the <i>Voetgangers</i>
+on Wolhuterskop were perhaps the bravest of them all. Whenever the enemy
+approached our positions, they were met by a torrent of bullets. And
+thus the day came to a close.</p>
+
+<p>But the next day a large force of English appeared from the direction of
+Reitz. This had come from the Transvaal, and, if I remember rightly, was
+commanded by General Sir Hector Macdonald. He had come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> up and joined
+Generals Clements, Hunter, Broadwood and Paget, with the object of once
+and for all making an end of the Free-Staters.</p>
+
+<p>Our positions were now exposed to a most terrific bombardment, but
+fortunately without any serious consequences. I must describe here the
+fearful havoc that one lyddite shell wrought. It fell into the position
+held by Commandant Steenekamp, to the north-west of Bethlehem, and
+struck a rock behind which twenty-five of our horses were standing.
+Without a single exception every horse was killed!</p>
+
+<p>The attack was pressed with the greatest vigour on the positions held by
+Commandants Van Aard and Piet Fourie. It became impossible for these
+officers to maintain their ground; and, at about twelve o'clock, before
+I was able to send them any reinforcements, they were compelled to give
+way.</p>
+
+<p>Thus retreat became inevitable, and the enemy entered Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>One of our guns we were unable to remove; but before we withdrew it was
+thrown down the <i>krans</i><a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> of the mountain, and broken to pieces.</p>
+
+<p>I knew at the time the number the English had lost, but now it had
+slipped my memory. I obtained the information from a man named Bland,
+who acted as our telegraphist. He had tapped the telegraph wire at
+Zwingkrans, and before General Clements had detected that he was not
+communicating with Senekal, he had received from that General a full
+list of the English killed and wounded.</p>
+
+<p>We withdrew our commandos in a southerly direction to Retiefsnek,
+whither President Steyn and the Government had already preceded us.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h3>The Surrender of Prinsloo</h3>
+
+
+<p>The English, now that they had taken Bethlehem, were in need of rest;
+and this was especially the case with General Macdonald, who had come up
+by forced marches from the far-off Transvaal. A short breathing space
+was also a great benefit to us, for we had many preparations to make in
+view of probable events in the near future. I did not deceive myself as
+to the meaning of the present situation; now that all of us, except two
+small parties at Commandonek and Witnek, had retreated behind the lofty
+Roodebergen, I could see that, in all probability, we must before long
+be annihilated by the immense forces of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>The Roodebergen, which now separated us from the English, is a vast
+chain of mountains, extending from the Caledon River on the Basuto
+frontier to Slabbertsnek, then stretching away to Witzeshoek, where it
+again touches Basutoland. The passes over this wild mountain range are
+Commandonek, Witnek, Slabbertsnek, Retiefsnek, Naauwpoort and
+Witzeshoek. These are almost the only places where the mountains can be
+crossed by vehicles or horses; and, moreover, there are long stretches
+where they are impassable even to pedestrians.</p>
+
+<p>It is plain enough, therefore, that nothing would have pleased the
+English more than for us to have remained behind the Roodebergen. If
+those Free-Staters&mdash;they must have been thinking&mdash;try to make a stand
+there, it will be the last stand they will ever make.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And the English would have been quite right in their anticipations. To
+have stayed where we then were would, without doubt, have been the end
+of us. Therefore, when the proposal was made that we should take
+positions in the mountains, I opposed it as emphatically as I could,
+alleging incontrovertible arguments against it. It was then decided that
+all our forces, with the exception of a small watch, should issue forth
+from behind the mountains.</p>
+
+<p>We also arranged to divide the whole of the commandos<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> we had with us
+into three parts:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>I was in supreme command of the first division, which was to march under
+the orders of General Botha. It consisted of burghers from Heilbron,
+under Commandant Steenekamp, and of Kroonstad men, under Commandant Van
+Aard. Besides these, there were also five hundred men from Bethlehem,
+under Commandant Michal Prinsloo; the burghers from Boshof, under
+Veldtcornet Badenhorst; a small number of Colonials from Griqualand,
+under Vice-Commandant Van Zyl; and some Potchefstroom burghers, who
+happened to be with us. Further, I took with me, for scouting purposes,
+Danie Theron and his corps of eighty men, recruited from almost every
+nation on the face of the earth; Captain Scheepers and his men also
+served me in the same capacity.</p>
+
+<p>The Government and its officials were placed under my protection; and I
+was to set out, on July the 15th, in the direction of
+Kroonstad-Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>The second division was entrusted to Assistant Commander-in-Chief Paul
+Roux, with P.J. Fourie and C.C. Froneman as Vechtgeneraals. It was
+composed of burghers from Fauresmith, under Commandant Visser; from
+Bloemfontein, under Commandant Du Plooij; from Wepener, under Commandant
+Roux; from Smithfield, under Commandant Potgieter; from Thaba'Nchu,
+under Commandant J.H. Olivier; from Jacobsdal, under Commandant H.
+Pretorius; and of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> the Deetje Bloemfontein commando, under Commandant
+Kolbe.</p>
+
+<p>This force was to wait until the day after my departure, that is, until
+the 16th, and then proceed in the evening in the direction of
+Bloemfontein. From the capital it was to go south, and during its
+advance it was to bring back to the commandos all those burghers in the
+southern districts who had remained behind.</p>
+
+<p>General Crowther was given the command over the third division, which
+consisted of the burghers from Ficksburg, under Commandant P. De
+Villiers; from Ladybrand, under Commandant Ferreira; from Winburg, under
+Commandant Sarel Harebroek; and from Senekal, under Commandant Van der
+Merve.</p>
+
+<p>This division was to start on the 16th, and marching to the north of
+Bethlehem, was to continue advancing in that direction until it fell in
+with the commandos from Harrismith and Vrede under Commander-in-Chief
+Hattingh. It would then operate, under his directions, in the
+north-eastern districts.</p>
+
+<p>The remainder of Commandant Michal Prinsloo's Bethlehem men&mdash;that is to
+say, the burghers of Wittebergen&mdash;were to stay behind as a watch, and to
+take orders from Mr. Marthinus Prinsloo. This watch was divided into
+three sections: the first to occupy a position at Slabbertsnek, the
+second at Retiefsnek, and the third at Naauwpoort. They were forbidden
+to use waggons; thus if the enemy should appear in overwhelming numbers,
+it would always be possible for them to escape across the mountains.</p>
+
+<p>My reason for selecting these men in preference to others, was that they
+belonged to the district, and thus were well acquainted with every foot
+of this rough and difficult country. Their duties were simply to protect
+the large numbers of cattle which we had driven on to the mountains, and
+I anticipated that there would be no difficulty about this, for now that
+all our commandos had left those parts, the English would not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> think it
+worth while to send a large force against a mere handful of watchers.</p>
+
+<p>Thus everything was settled, and on the 15th of July I set out through
+Slabbertsnek, expecting that the other generals would follow me,
+conformably to my orders and the known wishes of the Government.</p>
+
+<p>But what really happened?</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after my departure, some of the officers, displeased that
+Assistant Commander-in-Chief Roux should have been entrusted with the
+command, expressed the wish that another meeting should be held and a
+new Assistant Commander-in-Chief elected. This would have been
+absolutely illegal, for the Volksraad had decreed that the President
+should be empowered to alter all the commando-laws. But even then, all
+would have gone well if Roux had only stood firm. Unfortunately,
+however, he yielded, and on July the 17th a meeting was called together
+at which Mr. Marthinus Prinsloo was chosen Assistant Commander-in-Chief.
+He had a bare majority even at the actual meeting, and several officers,
+who had been unable to be present, had still to record their votes.</p>
+
+<p>Not only, therefore, had Prinsloo been elected irregularly, but his
+election, such as it was, could only be considered as provisional.
+Nevertheless, for the moment, power was in his hands. How did he use it?</p>
+
+<p>He surrendered unconditionally to the English.</p>
+
+<p>On the 17th and 18th of July the enemy had broken through at
+Slabbertsnek and Retiefsnek, causing the greatest confusion among our
+forces.</p>
+
+<p>Many of the officers and burghers were for an immediate surrender, as
+appears from the fact that the same assembly which, in defiance of the
+law, elected Mr. Prinsloo as Commander-in-Chief, also decided, by
+seventeen votes to thirteen, to give up their forces to the enemy. But
+this decision was at once rescinded&mdash;an act of policy on the part of the
+officers&mdash;and it was agreed to ask for an armistice of six days, to
+enable them to take counsel with the Government.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A more senseless course of action could hardly be imagined. The Boer
+Army, as anybody could see, was in a very tight place. Did its officers
+think that the English would be so foolish as to grant an armistice at
+such a time as this&mdash;when all that the burghers wanted was a few days in
+which to effect their escape? Either the officers were remarkably
+short-sighted, or ... something worse.</p>
+
+<p>It was still possible for the commandos to retire in the direction of
+Oldenburg or of Witzeshoek. But instead of getting this done with all
+speed, Mr. Prinsloo began a correspondence with General Hunter about
+this ridiculous armistice, which the English general of course refused
+to grant.</p>
+
+<p>It was on July the 29th, 1900, that Prinsloo, with all the burghers on
+the mountains, surrendered unconditionally to the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>The circumstances of this surrender were so suspicious, that it is hard
+to acquit the man who was responsible for it of a definite act of
+treachery; and the case against him is all the more grave from the fact
+that Vilonel, who was at that time serving a term of imprisonment for
+high treason, had a share in the transaction.</p>
+
+<p>Prinsloo's surrender included General Crowther, Commandants Paul De
+Villiers, Ferreira, Joubert, Du Plooij, Potgieter, Crowther, Van der
+Merve, and Roux; and about three thousand men.</p>
+
+<p>The most melancholy circumstance about the whole affair was that, when
+the surrender was made, some of the burghers had reached the farm of
+Salamon Raath, and were thus as good as free, and yet had to ride back,
+and to go with the others to lay down their arms.</p>
+
+<p>As to Roux, the deposed Commander-in-Chief, there is a word to be added.
+I had always heard that he was a very cautious man, and yet on this
+occasion he acted like a child, going <i>in person</i> to General Hunter's
+camp to protest against the surrender, on the ground that it was he
+(Roux), and not Prinsloo, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> was Commander-in-Chief. One can hardly
+believe that he really thought it possible thus to nullify Prinsloo's
+act. But he certainly behaved as if he did, and his ingenuous conduct
+must have afforded much amusement to the English general.</p>
+
+<p>If any one is in doubt as to what was the result of General Roux's
+absurd escapade, I have only to say that the English had one prisoner
+the more!</p>
+
+<p>Those who escaped were but few. Of all our large forces, there were only
+Generals Froneman, Fourie and De Villiers (of Harrismith); Commandants
+Hasebroek, Olivier, Visser, Kolbe, and a few others; a small number of
+burghers, and six or seven guns, that did not fall into the hands of the
+English.</p>
+
+<p>What, then, is to be our judgment on this act of Prinsloo and of the
+other chief officers in command of our forces behind the Roodebergen?</p>
+
+<p>That it was nothing short of an act of murder, committed on the
+Government, the country, and the nation, to surrender three thousand men
+in such a way. Even the burghers themselves cannot be held to have been
+altogether without guilt, though they can justly plead that they were
+only obeying orders.</p>
+
+<p>The sequel to Prinsloo's surrender was on a par with it. A large number
+of burghers from Harrismith and a small part of the Vrede commando,
+although they had already made good their escape, rode quietly from
+their farms into Harrismith, and there surrendered to General Sir Hector
+Macdonald.&mdash;One could gnash one's teeth to think that a nation should so
+readily rush to its own ruin!</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>I am Driven into the Transvaal</h3>
+
+
+<p>As I have already stated, I led my commando, on the 15th of July,
+through Slabbertsnek, out of the mountain district. My force amounted to
+the total of two thousand six hundred burghers. The Government travelled
+with us, and also alas! four hundred waggons and carts. Whatever I did,
+it seemed as if I could not get rid of the waggons!</p>
+
+<p>That night we reached a farm six miles to the east of Kaffirs Kop;
+during our march we passed a column of the enemy that had left Bethlehem
+in the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day I came into contact with some English troops, who
+were marching in the direction of Witnek. They sent out a body of
+cavalry to ascertain what our plans might be. It was very annoying to me
+that they should thus discover our whereabouts, because it made it
+impossible to carry out my intention of attacking one or other of the
+English forces.</p>
+
+<p>However, nothing was done that day, as neither we nor the enemy took up
+the offensive.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening we pushed on to the east of Lindley, and the following
+day remained at the spot we had reached. The next evening we marched to
+the farm of Riversdale; and the night of the 18th found us on the farm
+of Mr. Thomas Naud&eacute;, to the north-west of Lindley. We discovered that
+the English had all left this village and gone to Bethlehem. My scouts
+reported to me, the following day, that an English force, some four
+hundred men strong, was approach<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>ing Lindley. Need I say that these men
+had to be captured? With five hundred burghers and two guns I went out
+to do this. When I was only a short distance from my camp, I received a
+report that a large force of cavalry, numbering seven or eight thousand
+men, had arrived on the scene from Bethlehem. This compelled me to
+abandon the idea of capturing those four hundred men, and, instead, to
+try to escape in a westerly direction from this large body of mounted
+troops.</p>
+
+<p>That evening we reached the farm of Mr. C. Wessels, at Rivierplaats. The
+next day we were forced to move on, for the mounted troops were coming
+nearer to us. They marched, however, somewhat more to the right in the
+direction of Roodewal; whereas I went towards Honingspruit, and halted
+for the night at the farm of Paardenkraal.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning, the 20th of July, I let the commando go on,
+whilst I stayed behind to reconnoitre from a neighbouring kop. The
+President, and also some members of the Government, remained with me. We
+had the opportunity of accepting the invitation of Mr. C. Wessels to
+take breakfast at his house. It was there that General Piet de Wet came
+to me and asked if I still saw any chance of being able to continue the
+struggle?</p>
+
+<p>The question made me very angry, and I did not try to hide the fact.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you mad?"<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> I shouted, and with that I turned on my heel and
+entered the house, quite unaware that Piet de Wet had that very moment
+mounted his horse, and ridden away to follow his own course.</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast we climbed the kop; and when we had made our observation
+we followed after the laager. On reaching the commando, I gave orders to
+outspan at twelve o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>While this was being done I heard from my sons<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> that Piet de Wet had
+told them that we should all be captured that night near the railway
+line. He had not known that it was my intention to cross the railway
+that night, but he had guessed as much from the direction I let my
+commando take.</p>
+
+<p>At two o'clock I received a report that two divisions of English troops
+were drawing near. One division was six miles to the left, and the other
+eight miles to the right of the road along which we had come.</p>
+
+<p>I gave orders immediately that the laager should break up. What an
+indescribable burden this camp, with four hundred and sixty waggons and
+carts, was to me! What a demoralizing effect it had upon the burghers!
+My patience was sorely tried. Not only were we prevented from moving
+rapidly by these hampering waggons, but also, should we have to fight, a
+number of the burghers would be required to look after them, and so be
+unable to fire a shot.</p>
+
+<p>We marched to the farm of Mr. Hendrik Serfontein, on Doornspruit, and
+whilst I was there, waiting for darkness, some burghers, who were not my
+scouts, brought a report that there were English camps both at
+Honingspruit and at Kaallaagte.</p>
+
+<p>This alarmed the President and the members of the Government, because,
+should this report prove true, we should be unable to cross the railway
+line without hard fighting, and besides there would be a considerable
+risk of being taken prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>For myself, I did not pay any attention to these burghers. I relied on
+my own scouts, and I waited for their reports. I knew that if there had
+been any truth in what we had been told, that I should have heard the
+news already from the men whom I had sent out in the morning in that
+direction. At last some of Captain Scheepers' men appeared&mdash;he was
+scouting in front, and Captain Danie Theron in the rear&mdash;and reported
+that the railway line was clear, with the exception that at Honingspruit
+there were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> half a dozen tents, and four in the Kaallaagte<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> to the
+north of Serfontein, and a few small outposts. This information came as
+a great relief to the President and the members of the Government.</p>
+
+<p>If I was to escape from the large force which was dogging my footsteps,
+it was now necessary to cross the railway. I had made all preparation
+for this move. I had left behind me, that afternoon, on the banks of
+Doornspruit a commando of burghers, with orders to keep the enemy back
+until we should have crossed the line. And now I only waited until the
+darkness should come to my assistance.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the night came I ordered the waggons to proceed in four rows,
+with a force on each side, and with a rearguard and vanguard.
+Immediately behind the vanguard followed the President and myself. When
+we were about twenty minutes' march from the railway line I ordered the
+two wings of my force, which were about three miles apart, to occupy the
+line to the right and left of Serfontein Siding.</p>
+
+<p>Before we had quite reached the railway I ordered the vanguard to remain
+with the President, whilst I myself, with fifteen men, rode on to cut
+the telegraph wire. Whilst we were engaged in this task a train
+approached at full speed from the south. I had no dynamite with me, and
+I could neither blow it up nor derail it. I could only place stones on
+the line, but these were swept away by the cowcatcher, and so the train
+passed in safety.</p>
+
+<p>I had forbidden any shooting, for an engagement would have only produced
+the greatest confusion in my big laager.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the last waggon was crossing the line, I received a report that
+Captain Theron had captured a train to the south of us. Having ordered
+the waggons to proceed, I rode over to see what had happened. When I
+arrived at the scene of action I found that the train had come to a
+standstill owing to the break<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>ing down of the engine, and that on this
+the English troops had at once opened fire on my men, but that it had
+not been long before the enemy surrendered. Four of the English, but
+only one of our burghers, had been wounded.</p>
+
+<p>It was very annoying that the laager was so far off, but it was
+impossible to carry off the valuable ammunition which we found on the
+train.</p>
+
+<p>I gave orders that the four wounded soldiers, who were under the care of
+the conductor of the train, should be taken from the hut in which I had
+found them, and placed in a van where they would be safe when I set fire
+to the train. After the burghers had helped themselves to sugar, coffee,
+and such things, I burned everything that was left. My ninety-eight
+prisoners I took with me.</p>
+
+<p>We had not gone far when we heard the small arm ammunition explode; but
+I cannot say that the sound troubled me at all!</p>
+
+<p>Thus we crossed the line in safety, and Piet de Wet's prediction did not
+come true. He knew that we had a large force behind us, and believing
+that the railway line in front of us would be occupied by troops, he had
+said: "This evening you will all be captured on the railway line." Yet
+instead of finding ourselves captured, we had taken ninety-eight
+prisoners, and destroyed a heavily-laden train! How frequently a Higher
+Power over-rules the future in a way we least expect!</p>
+
+<p>That night we reached the farm of Mahemsspruit. From there we moved on
+to the Wonderheurel; and on the 22nd of July we arrived at the farm of
+Vlakkuil. I remained here for a day, for I wished to find out what the
+English troops (they had remained where we left them by the railway
+line) were intending to do.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst I was waiting I despatched some corn on a few of my waggons to
+Mr. Mackenzie's mills near Vredefort, giving orders that it should be
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>During the afternoon it was reported to me that a strong column of
+English were marching from Rhe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>nosterriviersbrug to Vredefort, and that
+they had camped on the farm Klipstapel, some eight miles from my laager.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after sunrise the following morning a second report was brought
+to me. It appeared that the enemy had sent out a force to capture our
+grain waggons, and had nearly overtaken them.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant we were in our saddles, but we were too late to save our
+corn.</p>
+
+<p>When the enemy saw us they halted at once; and meanwhile the waggons
+hurried on, at their utmost speed, to our camp.</p>
+
+<p>The English numbered between five and six hundred men, whilst we were
+only four hundred. But although we were the smaller force, I had no
+intention of allowing our waggons to be captured without a shot, and I
+ordered my burghers to charge.</p>
+
+<p>It was an open plain; there was no possible cover either for us or for
+the English. But we could not consider matters of that sort.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers charged magnificently, and some even got to within two
+hundred paces of the enemy. They then dismounted, and, lying flat upon
+the ground, opened a fierce fire. One of the hottest fights one can
+imagine followed.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately a few paces behind the burghers there was a hollow, and here
+the horses were placed.</p>
+
+<p>After an hour's fighting, I began to think that any moment the enemy
+might be put to rout. But then something happened which had happened
+very often before&mdash;a reinforcement appeared.</p>
+
+<p>This reinforcement brought two guns with it; thus nothing was left to me
+but retreat. Our loss was five killed and twelve wounded. What the loss
+of the English was I do not know, but if the Kaffirs who lived near
+there are to be trusted, it must have been considerable.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening I moved my camp to Rhenosterpoort; whilst the English
+went back to Klipstapel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And now the English concentrated their forces. Great Army Corps gathered
+round. From Bethlehem and Kroonstad new columns were constantly
+arriving, until my force seemed nothing in comparison with them.</p>
+
+<p>I was stationed on the farm of Rhenosterpoort, which is situated on the
+Vaal River, twenty miles from Potchefstroom. At that town there was a
+strong force of the enemy, on which I had constantly to keep my eye.</p>
+
+<p>But, notwithstanding their overpowering numbers, it seemed as if the
+English had no desire to follow me into the mountains of Rhenosterpoort.
+They had a different plan. They began to march around me, sending troops
+from Vredefort over Wonderheurel to Rhenoster River, and placing camps
+all along the river as far as Baltespoort, and from there again
+extending their cordon until Scandinavierdrift was reached.</p>
+
+<p>We were forced now either to break through this cordon, or to cross the
+Vaal River into the South African Republic. The Free-Stater preferred to
+remain in his own country, and he would have been able to do so had we
+not been hampered by a big "waggon-camp" and a large number of oxen. As
+these were with us, the Boers found it hard to make up their minds to
+break through the English lines as a horse-commando, as it necessitated
+leaving all these waggons and oxen in the hands of the enemy. But there
+we were between the cordon and the Vaal River.</p>
+
+<p>Almost every day we came into contact with the enemy's outposts, and we
+had an engagement with them near Witkopjes Rheboksfontein. On another
+occasion we met them on different terms, in Mr. C.J. Bornman's house.
+Some of his "visitors" were, unfortunately for themselves, found to be
+English scouts&mdash;and became our prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>We remained where we were until the 2nd of August. On that day we had to
+drink a cup of bitterness. It was on the 2nd of August that I received
+the news that Prinsloo had surrendered near Naauwpoort.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A letter arrived from General Broadwood in which he told me that a
+report from General Marthinus Prinsloo addressed to me had arrived
+through his lines. The bearer of it was General Prinsloo's secretary,
+Mr. Kotz&eacute;. And now the English General asked me if I would guarantee
+that the secretary should be allowed to return, after he had given me
+particulars of the report he had brought.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Prinsloo's secretary must certainly have thought that he was the
+chosen man to help us poor lost sheep, and to lead us safely into the
+hands of the English! But I cannot help thinking that he was rather too
+young for the task.</p>
+
+<p>I had a strong suspicion that there must have been some very important
+screw loose in the forces which we had left stationed behind the
+Roodebergen, for on the previous day I had received a letter from
+General Knox, who was at Kroonstad, telling me that General Prinsloo and
+his commandos had surrendered.</p>
+
+<p>In order to gain more information I gave General Broadwood my assurance
+that I would allow Mr. Prinsloo's secretary to return unhurt.</p>
+
+<p>When I had done this the President and some members of the Government
+rode out with me to meet the bearer of this report. We did not wish to
+give him any opportunities to spy out our positions. Half way between
+the English lines and our own we met him. He presented us with this
+letter:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right"><span class="smcap">Hunter's Camp</span>, <i>30th July, 1900</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">To the Commander-in-Chief, C.R. de Wet.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>I have been obliged, owing to the overwhelming forces of the enemy,
+to surrender unconditionally with all the Orange Free State laagers
+here.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I have the honour to be, Sir,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Your obedient servant,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><span class="smcap">M. Prinsloo</span>,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 8em;"><i>Commander-in-Chief</i>.</span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I sent my reply in an unclosed envelope. It ran as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right"><span class="smcap">In the Veldt</span>, <i>3rd August, 1900</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">To Mr. M. Prinsloo.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Sir,&mdash;</span></p>
+
+<p>I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated
+the 30th of last month. I am surprised to see that you call
+yourself Commander-in-Chief. By what right do you usurp that title?
+You have no right to act as Commander-in-Chief.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I have the honour to be,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><span class="smcap">C.R. de Wet</span>,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><i>Commander-in-Chief</i>.</span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p>Hardly had I written this letter before two men on horseback appeared.
+They proved to be burghers sent by General Piet Fourie, who was with
+Prinsloo at the time of his surrender. These burghers brought from
+Generals Fourie, Froneman, and from Commandant Hasebroek and others, a
+fuller report of the surrender of Prinsloo. We learnt from the report
+that not all of the burghers had surrendered, but that, on the contrary,
+some two thousand had escaped. This news relieved our minds.</p>
+
+<p>President Steyn and myself determined to despatch Judge Hertzog to the
+commandos which had escaped, giving him instructions to bring them back
+with him if possible. We had been told that these commandos were
+somewhere on the Wilgerivier, in the district of Harrismith.</p>
+
+<p>My position had now become very difficult. It seemed, as far as I could
+discover, that there were five or six English generals and forty
+thousand troops, of which the greater part were mounted, all of them
+trying their best to capture the Government and me.</p>
+
+<p>My force numbered two thousand five hundred men.</p>
+
+<p>On the afternoon when I received the above-mentioned letter, there was
+still a way of escape open to me, through Parijs<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> to Potchefstroom.
+This road<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> crossed the Vaal River at Schoemansdrift, and then followed
+the course of the stream between Parijs and Vanvurenskloof. It was now,
+however, somewhat unsafe, for that same afternoon a large force of the
+enemy was marching along the Vaal River from Vredefort to Parijs. These
+troops would be able to reach Vanvurenskloof early the following
+morning; whilst the force at Potchefstroom, which I have already
+mentioned in this chapter, would also be able to arrive there at the
+same hour.</p>
+
+<p>I led my burghers that evening across the Vaal River to Venterskroon,
+which lies six miles from Schoemansdrift. The following morning my
+scouts reported that the English were rapidly approaching from
+Potchefstroom in two divisions; one was at Zandnek: the other had
+already reached Roodekraal on its way to Schoemansdrift. One of these
+divisions, my scouts told me, might be turning aside to Vanvurenskloof.</p>
+
+<p>Now the road from Venterskroon passed between two mountain chains to the
+north of Vanvurenskloof; and I feared that the English would block the
+way there. I had to avoid this at all costs, but I had hardly a man
+available for the purpose. The greater part of my burghers were still to
+the south-east and south-west of the Vaal River.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing left for me to do except to take the burghers who
+remained with me, and, whilst the laager followed us as quickly as
+possible, to advance and prevent the enemy from occupying the kloof.
+This I did, and took a part of my men to Vanvurenskloof, whilst I sent
+another body of burghers to Zandnek.</p>
+
+<p>Everything went smoothly. The enemy did not appear and the laager
+escaped without let or hindrance&mdash;and so we camped at Vanvurenskloof.</p>
+
+<p>I must have misled the English, for they certainly would have thought
+that I would come out by the road near Roodekraal. But I cannot
+understand why<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> the force in our rear, which had arrived at Parijs the
+previous evening, remained there overnight, nor why, when they did move
+on the following morning, they marched to Lindequesdrift, eight miles up
+the Vaal River, and not, as might well have been expected, to
+Vanvurenskloof.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers whom I sent in the direction of Roodekraal had a fight with
+the enemy at Tijgerfontein. A heavy bombardment took place; and my men
+told me afterwards that the baboons, of which there were a large number
+in these mountains, sprang from cliff to cliff screaming with
+fright&mdash;poor creatures&mdash;as the rocks were split on every side by the
+lyddite shells.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers came to close quarters with the enemy, and a fierce
+engagement with small arms took place.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared later that the enemy's casualties amounted to more than a
+hundred dead and wounded. Our loss was only two men.</p>
+
+<p>As I have already stated, we camped at Vanvurenskloof. The next morning,
+while we were still there, we were surprised by the enemy&mdash;an unpleasant
+thing for men with empty stomachs.</p>
+
+<p>I did not receive any report from my scouts<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> until the English were
+not more than three thousand paces from us, and had already opened fire
+on the laager, not only with their guns, but also with their rifles. We
+at once took the best positions we could find; and meanwhile the waggons
+got away as quickly as possible. They succeeded in getting over the
+first ridge, and thus gained a certain amount of shelter, whilst we kept
+the English busy.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy approached nearer and nearer to us with overpowering forces.
+Then they charged, and I saw man after man fall, struck down by our
+merciless fire.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> We were quite unable to hold the enemy back, and so we
+had to leave our positions, having lost one dead and one wounded.</p>
+
+<p>That night we marched ten miles to the east of Gatsrand, on the road to
+Frederiksstad Station, and the following morning we arrived at the foot
+of the mountain. Here we outspanned for a short time, but we could not
+wait long, for our pursuers were following us at a great pace. It was
+not only the force from the other side of Vanvurenskloof with which we
+had to deal. The united forces of the English had now concentrated from
+different points with the purpose of working our ruin.</p>
+
+<p>The English were exceedingly angry that we had escaped from them on the
+Vaal River, for they had thought that they had us safely in their hands.
+That we should have succeeded in eluding them was quite beyond their
+calculations; and in order to free themselves from any blame in the
+matter, they reported that we had crossed the river at a place where
+there was no ford, but this was not true; we had crossed by the waggon
+and post ford&mdash;the well-known Schoemansdrift.</p>
+
+<p>But whether the enemy were angry or not, there was no doubt that they
+were pursuing us in very large numbers, and that we had to escape from
+them. That evening, the 7th of August, we went to the north of
+Frederiksstad Station, and blew up a bridge with two spans and wrecked
+the line with dynamite.</p>
+
+<p>The following day we arrived at the Mooi River. This river is never dry
+winter or summer, but always flows with a stream as clear as crystal. It
+affords an inexhaustible supply of water to the rich land that lies
+along its bank. It is a fitting name for it&mdash;the name of Mooi.<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p>
+
+<p>At the other side of this river we found General Liebenberg's commando,
+which, like ourselves, was in the trap.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The General joined us on our march, and the following day we were nine
+miles from Ventersdorp.</p>
+
+<p>Early that morning a report came that the English were approaching and
+were extended right across the country.</p>
+
+<p>"Inspan!"</p>
+
+<p>No man uttered a word of complaint; each man did his work so quickly
+that one could hardly believe that a laager could be put on the move in
+so short a time. And away the waggons and carts skurried, steering their
+course to Ventersdorp.</p>
+
+<p>It was impossible to think of fighting&mdash;the enemy's numbers were far too
+great. Our only safety lay in flight.</p>
+
+<p>We knew very well that an Englishman cannot keep up with a Boer on the
+march, and that if he tries to do so, he soon finds that his horses and
+oxen can go no further. Our intention was then to march at the very best
+pace we could, so that the enemy might be forced to stop from sheer
+exhaustion. And as the reader will soon see, our plan was successful.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless we had to do some fighting, to protect our laager from a
+force of cavalry that was rapidly coming up with us.</p>
+
+<p>They wanted to make an end of this small body of Boers, which was always
+retreating, but yet, now and again, offering some slight
+resistance&mdash;this tiny force that was always teaching them unpleasant
+lessons; first at Retiefsnek, then to the north of Lindley, then on the
+railway line, then near Vredefort, then at Rhenosterpoort, and then
+again at Tijgerfontein. Yes; this sort of thing must come to an end once
+for all!</p>
+
+<p>We attacked the approaching troops, and succeeded in checking their
+advance. But our resistance could not last long, and soon we had to
+retreat and leave one of our Krupps behind us.</p>
+
+<p>Had I not continued firing with my Krupp until it was impossible to save
+it, then, in all probability, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> laager would have been taken. But
+with the loss of this Krupp we saved the laager.</p>
+
+<p>I withdrew my burghers; I released the prisoners whom I had with me.</p>
+
+<p>And now it was my task to make it as difficult as possible for my
+pursuers. The winter grass on the veldt was dry and very inflammable,
+and I decided to set fire to it, in order that the English might find it
+impossible to obtain pasture for their oxen and cattle. I accordingly
+set it alight, and very soon the country behind was black.</p>
+
+<p>We hurried on until we reached Mr. Smit's farm, which is one hour on
+horseback from the southern slopes of the Witwatersrand&mdash;the great
+dividing chain of mountains that runs in the direction of Marico.
+Crossing this range, we continued on the march the whole night until, on
+the morning of the 11th of August, we arrived at the southern side of
+the Magaliesberg.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon we went over the saddle of the mountain and across the
+Krokodil River.</p>
+
+<p>My idea was to remain here and give our horses and oxen a rest, for the
+veldt was in good condition, and we could, if it were necessary, occupy
+the shoulder of the mountain behind us.</p>
+
+<p>General Liebenberg took possession of the position to the west, near
+Rustenburg; but hardly had he done so, before the English made their
+appearance, coming over another part of the mountain. He sent me a
+report to this effect, adding that he was unable to remain where he was
+stationed.</p>
+
+<p>Thus again we had to retreat, and I was unable to give my animals the
+rest I had intended to give them.</p>
+
+<p>We now took the road from Rustenburg to Pretoria, and arrived the
+following evening close to Commandonek, which we soon found was held by
+an English force.</p>
+
+<p>I left the laager behind and rode on in advance with a horse-commando.
+When I was a short distance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> from the enemy, I sent a letter to the
+officer in command, telling him that, if he did not surrender, I would
+attack him. I did this in order to discover the strength of the English
+force, and to find out if it were possible to attack the enemy at once,
+and forcing our way through the Nek, get to the east of the forces that
+were pursuing me.</p>
+
+<p>My despatch rider succeeded in getting into the English camp before he
+could be blindfolded. He came back with the customary refusal, and
+reported that although the enemy's force was not very large, still the
+positions held were so strong that I could not hope to be able to
+capture them before the English behind me arrived.</p>
+
+<p>I had therefore to give up the thought of breaking through these and
+flanking the English. Thus, instead of attacking the enemy, we went in
+the direction of Zoutpan, and arrived a few hours later at the Krokodil
+River.</p>
+
+<p>I had now left the English a considerable distance behind me; and so at
+last&mdash;we were able to give ourselves a little rest.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<h3>I Return to the Free State</h3>
+
+
+<p>Whilst we were encamped on the Krokodil River, President Steyn expressed
+a wish to pay a visit, with the Members of his Government, to the
+Government of the South African Republic, which was then at Machadodorp.
+This was no easy task to accomplish, for one would have to pass through
+a part of the Transvaal where there was a great scarcity of water&mdash;it
+was little better than a desert&mdash;and where in some places the Kaffirs
+were unfriendly. In other words, one would have to go through the
+Boschveldt. There would also be some danger from the English, since the
+President would have to cross the Pietersburg Railway, which was in that
+direction.</p>
+
+<p>However, this plan was approved.</p>
+
+<p>I decided not to accompany the President, but to return at once with two
+hundred riders to the Orange Free State. I intended to make it known on
+the farms which I passed on the way that I was going back, hoping thus
+to draw the attention of the English from our laager.</p>
+
+<p>I called together the Commandants, and informed them of my intention.
+They agreed that the course I proposed was the right one. Commandant
+Steenekamp was then nominated to act as Assistant Commander-in-Chief,
+with the duty of conducting the laager through the Boschveldt.</p>
+
+<p>On August the 14th President Steyn left the laager on his way to
+Machadodorp; and I myself took my departure three days later. I took
+with me General Philip Botha and Commandant Prinsloo, and 200 men,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> and
+also Captain Scheepers with his corps, which consisted of thirty men.
+With the addition of my staff we numbered altogether 246 men.</p>
+
+<p>Thus our ways parted&mdash;the President going to the Government of the South
+African Republic, the laager to the north, and I back to the Free State.
+I had now to cross the Magalies Mountains. The nearest two passes were
+Olifantsnek and Commandonek. But the first named was too much to the
+west, and the second was probably occupied by the English. I therefore
+decided to take a footpath that crossed the mountains between the two
+saddles. I was forced to choose this middle road because I had no means
+of ascertaining whether Commandonek was, or was not, in the hands of the
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>On August 18th we arrived at a house where some Germans were living&mdash;the
+parents and sisters of Mr. Penzhorn, Secretary to General Piet Cronje.
+They were exceedingly friendly to us, and did all in their power to make
+us comfortable.</p>
+
+<p>We did not stay here for long, but were on the march again the same day.
+Soon after we had mounted our horses we came in sight of a large English
+camp, which was stationed on the road from Rustenburg to Pretoria,
+between Commandonek and Krokodil River. This camp lay about six miles to
+the south-east of the point where we first saw it. Another great camp
+stood about seven miles to the north-west.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy could see us clearly, as it was open veldt, with only a few
+bushes cropping up here and there. We now rode on in the direction of
+Wolhuterskop, which is close to the Magalies Mountains. I thought I
+should thus be able to reach the great road from Rustenburg to Pretoria,
+which was eight or nine miles from the footpath across the Magaliesberg.
+When we were about two miles east of Wolhuterskop we suddenly came upon
+two English scouts. One of them we captured; and he told us that there
+was a great force of the enemy in front of us and marching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> in our
+direction. What could we do now? It was impossible to proceed along the
+footpath because that road was closed by the enemy. North and west of us
+there were other bodies of troops, as I have already said; and there,
+directly in front of us, were the chains of the Magaliesbergen. Thus we
+found ourselves between four fires.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to this, I was much troubled by the thought that our horses
+were now exhausted by all this endless marching. I knew this was also
+the case with the English horses, but for all I knew, they might have
+obtained fresh ones from Pretoria. They could at all events have picked
+the best horses from each camp, and thus send an overpowering force
+against me. This was one of those moments when a man has to keep his
+presence of mind, or else all is lost.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst I was still thinking the matter over, troops began to come out of
+the camps, about two miles to the west of us on the road between
+Wolhuterskop and Magaliesberg. The scout who had escaped might now be
+with that force. I had therefore to act at once.</p>
+
+<p>I decided on climbing the Magalies Mountains, without a path or road!</p>
+
+<p>Near by there was a Kaffir hut, and I rode up to it. When the Kaffir
+came out to me, I pointed to the Magalies Mountains, and asked:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Right before us, can a man cross there?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, baas,<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> you cannot!" the Kaffir answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Has a man never ridden across here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, baas," replied the Kaffir, "long ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Do baboons walk across?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes! baboons do, but not a man."</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" I said to my burghers. "This is our only way, and where a
+baboon can cross, we can cross."</p>
+
+<p>With us was one Adriaan Matthijsen, a corporal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> who came from the
+district of Bethlehem, and was a sort of jocular character. He looked up
+at the mountains, 2,000 feet above him, and sighed:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"O Red Sea!"</p>
+
+<p>I replied, "The children of Israel had faith and went through, and all
+you need is faith. This is not the first Red Sea we have met with and
+will not be the last!"</p>
+
+<p>What Corporal Matthijsen thought I do not know, for he kept silence. But
+he pulled a long face, as if saying to himself:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Neither you, nor anybody else with us, is a Moses!"</p>
+
+<p>We climbed up unobserved to a bit of bush which, to continue the
+metaphor of the Red Sea, was a "Pillar of Cloud" to hide us from the
+English.</p>
+
+<p>We then reached a kloof<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> running in a south-westerly direction, and
+ascended by it, still out of sight of the English, till we reached a
+point nearly half-way up the mountain. There we had to leave the kloof,
+and, turning to the south, continue our ascent in full view of the
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>It was now so precipitous that there was no possibility of proceeding
+any further on horseback. The burghers had therefore to lead their
+horses, and had great difficulty even in keeping their own footing. It
+frequently happened that a burgher fell and slipped backwards under his
+horse. The climb became now more and more difficult; and when we had
+nearly reached the top of the mountain, there was a huge slab of granite
+as slippery as ice, and here man and horse stumbled still more, and were
+continually falling.</p>
+
+<p>We were, as I have said, in view of the enemy, and although out of reach
+of the Lee-Metfords, were in range of their big guns!</p>
+
+<p>I heard burghers muttering:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose the enemy should aim those guns at us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>&mdash;what will become of us
+then? Nobody can get out of the road here!"</p>
+
+<p>I told them that this could only be done if the English had a Howitzer.
+But I did not add that this was a sort of gun which the columns now
+pursuing me were likely enough to possess.</p>
+
+<p>But nothing happened. The English neither shot at us, nor did they
+pursue us. Corporal Matthijsen would have said that they were more
+cautious than Pharaoh.</p>
+
+<p>We now reached the top of the mountain&mdash;entirely exhausted. I have
+ascended many a mountain&mdash;the rough cliffs of Majuba, the steep sides of
+Nicholson's Nek&mdash;but never before had I been so tired as I was now; yet
+in the depths of my heart I was satisfied. All our toil was repaid by
+the glorious panorama that now stretched out before us to the south. We
+saw the undulating veldt between the Magaliesbergen where we stood, and
+the Witwatersrand. Through a ravine we had a view extending for many
+miles, but wherever we cast our eyes there was no sign of anything that
+resembled the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>As it was now too late to off-saddle, we began, after having taken a
+little rest, to descend the mountain on the other side, my object being
+to reach a farm where I hoped to get some sheep or oxen for my men, who
+not only were tired out, but nearly famished.</p>
+
+<p>We went down the mountain&mdash;well, somewhat quicker than we had climbed
+it; however, we could not go very fast, as the incline was steep. In an
+hour and a half we reached a Boer farm.</p>
+
+<p>One can imagine how the burghers recovered their spirits as they ate
+their supper, and what it meant for them to give their tired limbs a
+rest.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning we found good horse-provender, and plenty of it.
+It was not as yet the habit of the English to burn everything they came
+across&mdash;they had not yet begun to carry out that policy of destruction.</p>
+
+<p>I now felt quite easy about the safety of our camp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> The attention of
+the English would be turned in quite another direction.</p>
+
+<p>I was quite right in this view of the matter. For I heard a few days
+later that the enemy had not been able to pursue the laager as their
+draft-cattle and horses were so completely exhausted, that they had
+fallen down dead in heaps. I heard also that they had soon been made
+acquainted with the fact that I was on my way back to the Free State,
+where I would soon begin again to wreck railway lines and telegraph
+wires. They had also discovered that President Steyn had left the laager
+and was on the road to Machadodorp.</p>
+
+<p>It was on the 18th of August, 1900, that we were able to eat our crust
+of bread in safety on the farm just mentioned, and to let our horses
+have as much food as they wanted. It seemed that for the time being a
+heavy burden had fallen from our shoulders. That afternoon we crossed
+the Krokodil River, and stopped at a "winkel"<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> under the
+Witwatersrand, which had been spared as yet, although it was nearly
+empty of stores. Fodder, however, was plentiful, and thus, again, we
+could give our horses a good feed.</p>
+
+<p>I now received a report that a strong contingent of the enemy was on the
+march from Olifantsnek to Krugersdorp, and accordingly we rode off in
+the night. We found that this force was the very one that had flanked
+our laager the previous week, when we were passing Ventersdorp. The road
+which the enemy were taking was the same which Jameson had marched when
+he made his inroad into the South African Republic.</p>
+
+<p>My intention was to cross the enemy's path before daylight the following
+morning, which I succeeded in doing; and we heard no more of this force.
+I proceeded now in the direction of Gatsrand.</p>
+
+<p>From there I still went on, and crossed the Krugersdorp-Potchefstroom
+Railway, about eight or ten miles to the north of Bank Station.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The line was then not guarded everywhere. There were small garrisons at
+the stations only, and so one could cross even in the day time. To my
+vexation, I had not a single cartridge of dynamite, or any implements at
+hand with which I could wreck the line. It was painful to see the
+railway line and not be able to do any damage to it! I had made it a
+rule never to be in the neighbourhood of a railway without interrupting
+the enemy's means of communication.</p>
+
+<p>We arrived now at the farm of Messrs. Wolfaard, who had been captured
+with General Cronje; and here I met Commandant Danie Theron, with his
+eighty men. He had come to this place to avoid the troops lying between
+Mooi River and Ventersdorp. His horses, although still weak, were yet
+somewhat rested, and I gave him orders to join me in a few days, in
+order to reinforce me until my commandos should come back. My intention
+was not to undertake any great operations, for my force was not strong
+enough for that. I intended my principal occupation to be to interrupt
+the communications of the enemy by wrecking the line and telegraph.</p>
+
+<p>With regard to the main line in the Free State I must remark here that
+things there were in a different condition from what they were on the
+Krugersdorp line, which we had crossed. The Free State railway was Lord
+Roberts' principal line of communication, and he had provided guards for
+it everywhere.</p>
+
+<p>During the night of August 21st, we arrived at Vanvurenskloof. How
+delightful it was when the sun rose to see once more the well-known
+mountains to the south of the Vaal River in our own Free State!</p>
+
+<p>"There is the Free State," we called out to each other when day broke.
+Every one was jubilant at seeing again that country which of all the
+countries on the earth is the best. From here I despatched General Botha
+with the purpose of collecting the burghers of Vrede and Harrismith who
+had remained at home, and of bringing them back to join me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>We remained only as long as was necessary to rest the horses, and then
+at once went on. The same evening we arrived at the farm of
+Rhenosterpoort, where our laager had waited since we had crossed the
+Vaal River more than a week ago.</p>
+
+<p>The proprietor of the farm of Rhenosterpoort was old Mr. Jan Botha. It
+could not be that he belonged to the family of Paul Botha, of Kroonstad,
+for Jan Botha and his household (amongst whom was his son Jan, an
+excellent veldtcornet) were true Afrikanders. And even if he did belong
+to the family of Paul Botha, then the difference in his feelings and
+actions from those of other members of his family was no greater than
+that, alas! which frequently occurred in many families during this war.
+One member put everything at the disposal of his country, whereas
+another of the same name did everything possible against his country and
+his people. But there was no such discord here. The two old brothers of
+Mr. Botha, Philip and Hekky, were heart and soul with us.</p>
+
+<p>Potchefstroom was not at that time in the hands of the English. I rode
+over to the town, and then it was that the well-known photo was taken of
+me that has been spread about everywhere, in which I am represented with
+a Mauser in my hand. I only mention this so as to draw attention to the
+history of the weapon which I held in my hand. It is as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>When the enemy passed through Potchefstroom on their way to Pretoria,
+they left a garrison behind them, and many burghers went there to give
+up their arms, which forthwith were burnt in a heap. When the garrison
+left the dorp the burghers returned. Amongst them were some who set to
+work to make butts for the rifles that had been burnt.</p>
+
+<p>"This rifle," I was told by the man who showed it to me, "is the two
+hundredth that has been taken out of the burnt heap and repaired."</p>
+
+<p>This made such an impression on me that I took it in my hand, and had my
+photo taken with it. I am<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> only sorry that I cannot mention the names of
+the burghers who did that work. Their names are worthy to be enrolled on
+the annals of our nation.</p>
+
+<p>After having provided myself with dynamite, I left Potchefstroom and
+returned to my commando, then quietly withdrew in the night to
+Rhenosterkop. From there I sent Veldtcornet Nicolaas Serfontein, of the
+Bethlehem commando, in the direction of Reitz and Lindley, to bring the
+Kaffirs there to a sense of their duty, for I had heard that they were
+behaving very brutally to our women. The remainder of the Bethlehem
+burghers under Commandant Prinsloo and Veldtcornet Du Preez, remained
+with me to assist me in getting under my supervision the commandos which
+had escaped from behind the Roodebergen. These were under the command of
+General Fourie, and some were in the south of the State. I left Captain
+Scheepers behind me with orders to wreck the line every night.</p>
+
+<p>That evening I went to Mr. Welman's farm, which was to the south-west of
+Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>There I received a report that the commandos under General Fourie were
+in the neighbourhood of Ladybrand. I sent a despatch to him and Judge
+Hertzog asking them to come and see me, with a view to bringing the
+burghers under arms again, in the southern and south-western districts
+of the State.</p>
+
+<p>This letter was taken by Commandant Michal Prinsloo and some despatch
+riders to General Fourie. The night that he crossed the line a train was
+passing, and he wrecked the railway both in front of it and behind it.
+The train could thus neither advance nor retreat, and it fell into the
+hands of Commandant Prinsloo, who, after having taken what he wanted,
+burnt it.</p>
+
+<p>With regard to myself, I remained in the neighbourhood of Commandant
+Nel's farm.</p>
+
+<p>Here I had the most wonderful of all the escapes that God allowed me in
+the whole course of the war.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On the third evening at sunset, a Hottentot came to me. He said that his
+"baas," whose family lived about twelve miles from the farm of
+Commandant Nel, had laid down their arms, and that he could not remain
+in the service of the wife of such a bad "baas." He asked me if he could
+not become one of my "achterrijders."</p>
+
+<p>As he was still speaking to me, Landdrost Bosman from Bothaville, came
+to pay me a visit.</p>
+
+<p>"Good," I said to the Hottentot, "I shall see you about this again." For
+I wished to cross-question him. I then went into the house with the
+Landdrost, and spent a good deal of time in writing with him. Late in
+the evening he went back to Bothaville and I to bed exactly at eleven
+o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>I had scarcely laid down when the Hottentot came back to my thoughts,
+and I began to grow uneasy. I got up and went to the outhouse where my
+Kaffir slept. I woke him up and asked him where the Hottentot was. "Oh,
+he is gone," he replied, "to go and fetch his things to go with the
+baas."</p>
+
+<p>I at once felt that there was something wrong, and went and called my
+men. I told them to saddle-up, and went off with my staff to the farm of
+Mr. Schoeman on the Valsch River, to the east of Bothaville.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning before daybreak, a force of two hundred English
+stormed the farm of Commandant Nel. They had come to take me prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>From Schoeman's farm I went to the Rhenoster River and found Captain
+Scheepers there. He reported that he had wrecked the line for four or
+five consecutive weeks, as I had told him.</p>
+
+<p>I also received there the sad news of the death of the
+never-to-be-forgotten Danie Theron, in a fight at Gatsrand. A more brave
+and faithful commander I have never seen.</p>
+
+<p>So Danie Theron was no more. His place would not be easily filled. Men
+as lovable or as valiant there might be, but where should I find a man
+who com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>bined so many virtues and good qualities in one person? Not only
+had he the heart of a lion but he also possessed consummate tact and the
+greatest energy. When he received an order, or if he wished to do
+anything, then it was bend or break with him. Danie Theron answered the
+highest demands that could be made on a warrior.</p>
+
+<p>One of Commandant Theron's lieutenants, Jan Theron, was appointed in his
+place.</p>
+
+<p>From there I went with Captain Scheepers to the railway line, where I
+burnt a railway bridge temporarily constructed with sleepers, and
+wrecked a great part of the rails with dynamite. I then proceeded to
+various farms in the neighbourhood, and after a few days, with
+Commandant Michal Prinsloo, who had joined me, I returned to the same
+part of the railway in order to carry out its destruction on a larger
+scale.</p>
+
+<p>At twenty-five different places a charge of dynamite was placed with one
+man at the fuse, who had to set light to it as soon as he heard a
+whistle, that all charges could be ignited at the same time, and every
+one be out of the way when the pieces of iron were hurled in the air by
+the explosion.</p>
+
+<p>When the signal was heard the lucifers were struck everywhere, and the
+fuses ignited.</p>
+
+<p>The English, keeping watch on some other part of the line not far from
+us, on seeing the lights fired so fiercely on the burghers that they all
+took to their horses and galloped off.</p>
+
+<p>Only five charges exploded.</p>
+
+<p>I waited for a moment, but no sound broke the silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" I said, "we must fire all the charges."</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the line we had to search in the darkness for the spots
+where the dynamite had been placed. And now again the order was given
+that as soon as the whistle was blown every one had to ignite his fuse.</p>
+
+<p>Again there was a blunder!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>One of the burghers ignited his fuse before the signal had been given,
+and this caused such a panic that the others ran away. I and a few of my
+staff lay flat on the ground where we were until this charge had
+exploded, and then I went to fetch the burghers back.</p>
+
+<p>This time everything went off well, and all the charges exploded.</p>
+
+<p>The bridge I had destroyed had been rebuilt, and so I was forced to burn
+it again. When this was done we departed and rode on to Rietspruit,
+where we up-saddled, and then pushed on to Rhenosterpoort.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<h3>The Oath of Neutrality</h3>
+
+
+<p>Arriving at Rhenosterpoort, I found there Commandant F. Van Aard, with
+his commando. He told me that after I had left the laager, the burghers
+had not been troubled again by the English. He had gone on to Waterberg,
+and after having stayed there for a short time, he had returned to the
+laager. He still had some of his waggons with him, but in many cases the
+oxen had been so exhausted that the waggons had to be left behind, the
+burghers returning on horseback, or even on foot. He also told me that
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief Steenekamp had, just before my arrival, crossed
+the line in the direction of Heilbron, in which district there were then
+no English.</p>
+
+<p>Generals Fourie and Froneman, with Hertzog, were also at Rhenosterpoort,
+having left their commandos behind, in the district of Winburg.</p>
+
+<p>They had much to tell me which I had heard already, but which I now
+obtained at first hand. It appeared that the burghers who had been taken
+prisoner with General Prinsloo had been sent to Ceylon, notwithstanding
+the promise that had been given them that their property would be safe,
+and that they would be allowed to return to their farms.</p>
+
+<p>It was now that I conceived the great plan of bringing under arms all
+the burghers who had laid down their weapons, and taken the oath of
+neutrality, and of sending them to operate in every part of the State.
+To this end I went with these officers to the other side of the railway
+line, in order to meet General<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> Philip Botha in the country to the
+south-east of Heilbron, and also, if possible, General Hattingh, who was
+in command of the Harrismith and Vrede burghers.</p>
+
+<p>We succeeded in crossing the railway between Roodewal and Serfontein
+siding, but not without fighting. Before we came to the railway line the
+English opened a cross fire on us from the north-east, from the
+direction of Roodewal; and almost directly afterwards another party
+fired on us from the south. We succeeded, however, in getting through
+with the waggons which Commandant Van Aard had with him, but we lost one
+man killed, and three wounded.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day I gave Commandant Van Aard the order to go to his
+district (Midden Valsch River) in order to give his burghers an
+opportunity of getting their clothes washed, and of obtaining fresh
+horses, if any were to be had. For although the enemy already had begun
+to burn down our houses, and to carry away our horses, things had not as
+yet reached such a pitch that the columns spared nothing that came in
+their way.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Van Aard started off on his errand, but alas! a few days
+afterwards I heard that he&mdash;one of the most popular of all our
+officers&mdash;had been killed in a fight near his own farm between Kroonstad
+and Lindley. He was buried there, where he had fallen, on his own land.</p>
+
+<p>And now began the great work which I had proposed to accomplish.</p>
+
+<p>I gave instructions to Vice-Commander-in-Chief Piet Fourie to take under
+his charge the districts of Bloemfontein, Bethulie, Smithfield,
+Rouxville, and Wepener, and to permit the burghers there, who had
+remained behind, to join us again. He was not, however, to compel
+anybody to do so, because I was of opinion that a coerced burgher would
+be of no real value to us, and would besides be untrustworthy. The
+following officers were to serve under Fourie: Andrias, Van Tonder and
+Kritzinger. The last-named had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> been appointed in the place of
+Commandant Olivier, who had been taken prisoner at Winburg.<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p>
+
+<p>I had appointed Judge Hertzog as a second Vice-Commander-in-Chief, to
+carry out the same work in the districts of Fauresmith, Philippolis and
+Jacobsdal. He had under him Commandant Hendrik Pretorius (of Jacobsdal)
+and Commandant Visser. The latter was the man who, when the burghers
+from Fauresmith, even before the taking of Bloemfontein, had remained
+behind, broke through with seventy or eighty troops. He had always
+behaved faithfully and valiantly until, in an engagement at
+Jagersfontein, he gave up his life, a sacrifice for the rights of his
+nation. His name will ever be held in honour by his people.</p>
+
+<p>These two Vice-Commanders-in-Chief had no easy task to perform. In fact,
+as every one will admit, it was a giant's burden that I had laid upon
+their shoulders. To lighten it a little I made the following
+arrangement: I sent Captain Pretorius, with a small detachment, in
+advance of General Fourie, to prepare the road for him, and Captain
+Scheepers to do the same for Judge Hertzog. The first had to say: "Hold
+yourselves in readiness! Oom Pieter!<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> is coming." The other had to
+say: "Be prepared! The Rechter<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> is at hand!"</p>
+
+<p>All went well. General Fourie set to his task at once and did excellent
+work. He had not been long in his division before he had collected seven
+hundred and fifty men, and had had several skirmishes with the enemy. It
+was on account of his acting so vigorously that the English again put
+garrisons into some of the south-eastern townships, such as Dewetsdorp,
+Wepener, and others.</p>
+
+<p>With General Hertzog things went even better. He had soon twelve hundred
+men under arms. General Fourie had not succeeded in getting together an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>
+equally large force in his division, because many burghers from these
+districts had been taken prisoner at the time of the surrender of
+Prinsloo. General Hertzog also fought more than one battle at
+Jagersfontein and Fauresmith.</p>
+
+<p>I ought to add that after I had crossed the Magaliesberg I had sent
+Veldtcornet C.C. Badenhorst, with twenty-seven men, on a similar errand
+to the districts of Boshof and Hoopstad. I promoted him to the rank of
+commandant, and he soon had a thousand troops under him, so that he was
+able to engage the enemy on several occasions. He had not been long
+occupied in this way, before I appointed him Vice-Commander-in-Chief.
+The reader who has followed me throughout this narrative, may very
+naturally ask here how it could be justifiable for nearly three thousand
+burghers thus to take up arms again, and break their oath of neutrality?
+I will answer this question by another&mdash;who first broke the terms of
+this oath?&mdash;the burghers or the English military authorities? The
+military authorities without any doubt; what other answer can one give?</p>
+
+<p>Lord Roberts had issued a proclamation saying that, if the burghers took
+an oath of neutrality, and remained quietly on their farms, he would
+give them protection for their persons and property. But what happened?
+He himself ordered them to report to the British military authorities,
+should any Boer scout or commandos come to their farms, and threatened
+them with punishment if they did not do so. Old people also who had
+never stirred one step from their farms were fined hundreds of pounds
+when the railway or telegraph lines in their neighbourhood were wrecked.
+Besides, instead of protection being given to the burghers, their cattle
+were taken from them by the military, at prices they would never have
+thought of accepting, and often by force. Yes; and from widows, who had
+not even sons on commando, everything was taken away. If then the
+English, on their part, had broken the contract,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> were not the burghers
+perfectly justified in considering themselves no longer bound by the
+conditions which the oath laid on them?</p>
+
+<p>And then if one goes further into the matter, and remembers that the
+English had been employing such people as the National Scouts, and had
+thus been arming men who had taken the oath of neutrality, how can one
+think that the Boer was still under the obligation of keeping his oath?</p>
+
+<p>There is also the obligation which every one is under to his own
+Government; for what Government could ever acknowledge an oath which
+their citizens had no right to take?</p>
+
+<p>No! taking everything into consideration, no right-minded burgher could
+have acted otherwise than to take his weapons up again, not only in
+order to be faithful to his duty as a citizen, but also in order not to
+be branded as a coward, as a man who in the future could never again
+look any one in the face.</p>
+
+<p>I arranged various matters at Doornspruit, in the district of Kroonstad,
+on the 23rd of September, 1900, and then went from there in the
+direction of Rietfontein, in order to meet the commando which I had
+ordered to be at Heilbron on the 25th.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<h3>Frederiksstad and Bothaville</h3>
+
+
+<p>When I was on the road to Heilbron, I heard that the commandos under
+General Hattingh (those, namely, of Harrismith and Vrede) were near the
+Spitskopje, seven miles to the south-east of Heilbron. I therefore went
+out of my course and proceeded in the direction of these commandos. They
+were among those who had stood the crucial test, and had not surrendered
+with Prinsloo.</p>
+
+<p>It was a real pleasure to me to meet the Harrismith burghers, and to
+talk with them over bygone days. This was our first meeting since
+December, 1899. The last time we had seen each other was when we were
+encamped round Ladysmith, where we were, so to speak, neighbours&mdash;our
+positions being contiguous.</p>
+
+<p>But what a shock went through my heart when I saw the cumbersome
+waggon-camps which had come both from Vrede and Harrismith! For I
+remembered what trouble and anxiety the waggons and carts had already
+caused me, and how my commandos, in order to save them, had been forced
+to fly 280 miles&mdash;from Slabbertsnek to Waterberg. As Commander-in-Chief,
+I was now determined to carry out most strictly the Kroonstad regulation
+and have nothing more to do with the waggons.</p>
+
+<p>I did not think that I should have any difficulty in convincing the
+commanders of Harrismith and Vrede that the best thing would be to do
+away with these unnecessary impediments, because, shortly before, the
+English themselves had given me a text to preach from, by taking away a
+great number of waggons from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> Commandant Hasebroek at Winburg and at Vet
+River. Nevertheless, my words fell on unwilling ears.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long after I had arrived in the camp when I got the burghers
+together and spoke to them. After thanking the officers and men for not
+having surrendered with Prinsloo at Naauwpoort, I congratulated them on
+their success at Ladybrand, where they had driven the English out of the
+town and forced them to take refuge in the caverns of Leliehoek. I then
+went on to tackle the tender subject&mdash;as a Boer regards it&mdash;of
+sacrificing the waggons. No! I did not say so much as that&mdash;I only
+insisted on the waggons being sent home. Now this was very much the same
+as saying: "Give up your waggons and carts to the enemy"&mdash;an order
+which, expressed in that bald manner, would have given offence.</p>
+
+<p>However, I was resolved to have my way, and at the end of my speech, I
+said, "I may not ask you, and I will not ask you what you will do with
+regard to the waggons. I only tell you that they must disappear."</p>
+
+<p>On the following day I called the officers together, and gave them
+direct orders to that effect. I was very polite, but also very
+determined that the waggons should be sent off without a moment's delay.
+I also gave orders that the Harrismith and Kroonstad burghers under
+General Philip Botha should occupy themselves in cutting the English
+lines of communication between Kroonstad and Zand River. The Bothaville
+burghers were to carry out similar operations in their own district.</p>
+
+<p>On that same afternoon I rode with my staff to the Heilbron burghers,
+who now had returned to their farms. (They had had permission to go home
+after they had got back from Waterberg.) They had assembled in very
+strong force.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy also had arrived in this part of the country, and we were
+therefore obliged at once to get ourselves ready to fight in case it
+should be necessary, or to retreat if the enemy should be too strong for
+us.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>With the Heilbron, Harrismith and Vrede commandos, I had now a very
+considerable force at my command.</p>
+
+<p>When I met the burghers on the 25th of September I found that I must
+send a force in the direction of Kroonstad, in order to oppose outposts
+which the enemy had stationed some six miles from that town.</p>
+
+<p>I at once sent orders to General Hattingh that he was to come over to me
+with his burghers. But what did I hear? The burghers had not been able
+to make up their minds to part with their waggons; most of the men from
+Vrede and Harrismith had gone home with these waggons, although there
+was a Kaffir driver and a leader for almost every one, and although I
+had given express orders that these Kaffirs were to be the ones to take
+back the waggons. How angry I was! At such moments as these one would be
+well nigh driven mad were there not a Higher Power to hold one back.</p>
+
+<p>And, to make the situation still more serious, the English now came on
+from all sides, and I had no troops! The Kroonstad burghers were in
+their own district. I allowed those from Bethlehem to leave me in order
+to carry on operations in their part of the country; the same likewise
+with the Winburgers and the valiant Commandant Hasebroek, while the
+burghers of Vrede and Harrismith had gone home.</p>
+
+<p>I had therefore with me only a small contingent from those districts, in
+addition to the burghers from Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>The reader will understand that, under these circumstances, the forces
+which now began to concentrate on us were too great for us to withstand;
+and that no other course lay open to me than to go through
+Schoemansdrift; and, in case I should be pursued, to Bothaville, in
+order to enter the <i>zandveld</i> (desert) through which it would be
+difficult for the enemy to advance.</p>
+
+<p>We continued in the direction of Wolvehoek Sta<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>tion, and on the
+following night crossed the line between Vredefortweg and Wolvehoek,
+where I wrecked the railway at various points, and also took prisoner a
+small force of thirteen who had been lying asleep in their tents. This
+last incident happened early in the morning of September 30th.</p>
+
+<p>We had crossed the line, and were about three miles on the further side
+of it, when a train came up and bombarded us with an Armstrong and a
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, without however doing any damage. Our guns were too
+far behind the vanguard, and the poor horses too tired to go back for
+them, or we should have answered their fire. However, we got an
+opportunity of using our big guns against 200 mounted men, who had
+pursued us, but who, when they saw we were ready to receive them, turned
+round and&mdash;took the shortest road to safety!</p>
+
+<p>That evening we marched to a place a little to the south of Parijs, and
+the following day to the kopjes west of Vredefort. There we stayed a few
+days until the enemy again began to concentrate at Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>I then divided my commando into two parts. One part I took with me,
+while I sent the Harrismith burghers (those at least who had not gone
+home with the waggons) under General Philip Botha, in the direction of
+Kroonstad, where he would meet the commando of that district, which had
+received orders to operate to the west of the railway line. General
+Philip Botha nominated Veldtcornet P. De Vos as Commandant of the
+Kroonstad contingent instead of Commandant Frans Van Aard. He made a
+good choice, for Commandant De Vos was not only a valiant officer, but
+also a strictly honourable man.</p>
+
+<p>For some days the enemy remained encamped on the farm called Klipstapel,
+which lies to the south-east of Vredefort. Then they attacked us. We
+held our own for a day and a half, but at last had to retreat to the
+Vaal River, whither the English, doubtless thinking that we were again
+going to Waterberg,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> did not pursue us. This was on the 7th of October,
+1900.</p>
+
+<p>I now received a report from General Liebenberg that General Barton and
+his column were in the neighbourhood of Frederiksstad Station. He asked
+me (as he was too weak to venture anything alone) whether I would join
+him in an attack upon the English General. I decided to do so, and sent
+him a confidential letter saying that I would join him in a week's time.</p>
+
+<p>In order to mislead the English, I retreated ostentatiously through
+Schoemansdrift to the farm of Baltespoort, which stands on the banks of
+the Rhenoster River, fifteen miles from the drift. The following night I
+returned by the way I had come, and crossed the river a little to the
+west of Schoemansdrift.</p>
+
+<p>When on the following night we were again in the saddle I heard from
+many a mouth, "Whither now?"</p>
+
+<p>Our destination was Frederiksstad Station, where we were to engage
+General Barton. Previous to an attack, thorough scouting should always
+take place. Accordingly I sent out my scouts, and discovered that
+General Liebenberg had entirely cut off the English from their
+communications, so that, except for heliographic messages, they were
+entirely out of touch with the rest of their forces. Now I do not know
+if they had "smelt a rat," but they were certainly well entrenched near
+the station on ridges to the south-east and to the north.</p>
+
+<p>We had therefore to besiege General Barton in his entrenchments. For the
+first five days we held positions to the east, to the south, and to the
+north-west. On the fifth day I agreed with General Liebenberg that we
+should take up a new position on the embankment north-west of the
+strongest part of the English encampment. This position was to be held
+by two hundred men, of whom I gave eighty to General Froneman and one
+hundred and twenty to General Liebenberg. It was a position that we
+could not leave during the day without great danger, and it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> needed a
+large force to hold it, for its garrison had to be strong enough to
+defend itself if it should be attacked.</p>
+
+<p>If only my arrangements had been carried out all would have gone well.</p>
+
+<p>But what happened?</p>
+
+<p>I thought that two hundred men had gone in accordance with my orders to
+that position. Instead of this there were only eighty there when, on the
+following morning, a very strong reinforcement of English, ordered up by
+General Barton, appeared from the direction of Krugersdorp. I did not
+hear of this reinforcement till it was so close that there was no chance
+for me to keep it back. In fact, when I got the report the enemy were
+already storming the unfortunate handful of burghers and firing fiercely
+upon them. If these burghers had only had enough ammunition they would
+have been able to defend themselves, but as they were obliged to keep up
+a continuous fire on the storming party their cartridges were speedily
+exhausted. When this happened there was nothing for them to do but to
+fly. This they did under a fierce fire from three guns, which had been
+bombarding them continuously since the morning&mdash;doing but little damage
+however, as our burghers were behind the railway embankment. But now
+they had to fly over open ground, and on foot, as they had gone down
+without their horses because there was no safe place for the animals.</p>
+
+<p>If two hundred burghers&mdash;the number I had arranged for&mdash;had been in the
+position, there would have been no chance of the enemy's reinforcement
+being able to drive them out: and in all probability General Barton
+would have been obliged to surrender. Instead of this we had a loss of
+thirty killed and wounded, and about the same number were taken
+prisoners. Among the dead was the renowned Sarel Cilliers, grandson of
+the worthy "voortrekker"<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> the same name. Veldtcornet Jurie
+Wessels was the most distinguished of the prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>It was a miserable affair altogether: General Froneman ought to have
+called his men back when he saw that General Liebenberg had not sent his
+contingent. I have heard however that Captain Cilliers refused to leave
+the position until it became no longer tenable. It was hard indeed for
+him to lose a battle thus, when it was nearly won, and to be compelled
+to retreat when victory was all but within his grasp.</p>
+
+<p>We retired towards Vanvurenskloof, and on arriving there the following
+evening heard that a great English force had come from Schoemansdrift
+and captured Potchefstroom, that another force was at Tijgerfontein, and
+a third at Schoemansdrift.</p>
+
+<p>Early next morning we crossed the Vaal River at Witbanksfontein. There
+we off-saddled.</p>
+
+<p>Now I had sent out scouts&mdash;not, however, Commandant Jan Theron's men,
+but ordinary burghers whom the Commandants had sent out&mdash;and just as we
+had partaken about noon of a late breakfast, these burghers came
+hurriedly into the camp, shouting: "The enemy is close at hand!"</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before every one had up-saddled, and we were off. The
+English had taken up positions on the kopjes due north of the Vaal
+River, whilst we had for our defence only kraals and boundary walls. As
+these offered no shelter for our horses, we were forced to retreat. And
+a most unpleasant time of it we had until we got out of range of their
+guns and small arms. During this retreat we lost one of our guns. This
+happened while I was with the left wing. One of the wheels of the
+carriage fell off, and the gun had to be left behind. Another incident
+of our flight was more remarkable. A shell from one of the enemy's guns
+hit an ox waggon on which there were four cases of dynamite, and
+everything was blown up.</p>
+
+<p>The oxen had just been unyoked and had left the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> waggon, or else a
+terrible catastrophe would have occurred.</p>
+
+<p>We lost also two burghers, who, thinking that it would be safe to go
+into a dwelling house, and hide themselves there, gave an opportunity to
+some English troops who were on the march from Schoemansdrift, to take
+them prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>We retired for some distance in an easterly direction, and when it
+became dark, swerved suddenly to the west, as if aiming for a point
+somewhat to the south-west of Bothaville. The following evening we
+stayed at Bronkhaistfontein, near the Witkopjes. From there we went on
+next morning to the west of Rheboksfontein, remaining that night at
+Winkeldrift, on the Rhenoster River.</p>
+
+<p>There I received a report that President Steyn with his staff was coming
+from Machadodorp, where he had met the Transvaal Government. The
+President requested me to come and see him, and also to meet General De
+la Rey, who would be there.</p>
+
+<p>I told the commandos to go on in the direction of Bothaville and went
+with my staff to the President. We met on the 31st of October near
+Ventersdorp. From him I heard that when he came to Machadodorp President
+Kruger was just ready to sail from Louren&ccedil;o Marques, in the man-of-war
+<i>Gelderland</i>, which had been specially sent by Queen Wilhelmina to bring
+him over to the Netherlands. This was shortly before Portugal ceased to
+be neutral&mdash;the old President got away only just in time.</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey had been prevented from coming: and on the 2nd of
+November I went with the President towards Bothaville.</p>
+
+<p>I had received reports from General Fourie, Judge Hertzog, and Captain
+Scheepers, that the burghers in their districts had rejoined; this made
+me think that the time had now come to make another dash into Cape
+Colony. President Steyn had expressed a wish to go with us.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>We marched on with the intention of crossing the railway line somewhere
+near Winburg. On the morning of the 5th we arrived at Bothaville, where
+we found General Froneman, who had been marching with the commandos from
+Rhenoster River. Little did we know that a terrible misfortune was
+awaiting us.</p>
+
+<p>That very afternoon a strong English force, which indeed had been in
+pursuit of us all the time, came up, and a skirmish took place, after
+which the English withdrew out of reach of our guns, while we took up a
+position under cover of the nearest hill. Without suspecting any harm we
+went into camp about seven miles from the English, keeping the Valsch
+River between us and them.</p>
+
+<p>I placed an outpost that night close to the river and told them to stay
+there till the following day. The burghers of this watch returned in the
+morning and reported that they had seen nothing but wreaths of smoke
+ascending from the north bank of the river. They believed that these
+came from the English camp.</p>
+
+<p>We were still safe then&mdash;so at least we all believed.</p>
+
+<p>But the corporal who had brought this report had but just left me, and
+was scarcely one hundred paces off when I heard the report of rifles. I
+thought at first that it was only some cattle being shot for food, but
+all at once there were more shots, and what did we see? The English were
+within three hundred paces of us, on a little hill near Bothaville, and
+close to the spot from whence my outpost had just returned.</p>
+
+<p>It was early morning. The sun had not risen more than twenty minutes and
+many of the burghers still lay asleep rolled up in their blankets.</p>
+
+<p>The scene which ensued was unlike anything I had ever witnessed before.
+I heard a good deal about panics&mdash;I was now to see one with my own eyes.
+Whilst I was looking for my horse to get him up-saddled a few of the
+burghers were making some sort of a stand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> against the enemy. But all
+those who had already up-saddled were riding away at break-neck speed.
+Many even were leaving their saddles behind and galloping off bare-back.
+As I up-saddled my horse I called out to them:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Don't run away! Come back and storm the enemy's position!" But it was
+no use. A panic had seized them, and the victims of that panic were
+those brave men who had never thought of flight, but only of resisting
+the enemy!</p>
+
+<p>The only thing I could do was to leap into the saddle and try to
+persuade the fugitives to return. But I did not succeed, for as I
+stopped them at one point others galloped past me, and I was thus kept
+dodging from point to point, until the whole commando was out of range
+of the firing.</p>
+
+<p>The leader of the enemy's storming party was Colonel Le Gallais, without
+doubt one of the bravest English officers I have ever met. On this
+occasion he did not encounter much resistance, for only a very few of
+the burghers attacked him, and that only at one point of his position.
+Among these burghers were Staats-Procureur Jacob De Villiers, and
+Veldtcornet Jan Viljoen. As for the rest of our men, it was useless to
+try to get them to come back to the fight. The gunners however did
+everything they could to save their guns, but had not enough time to get
+the oxen inspanned.</p>
+
+<p>Our loss was, as far as I could make out, nine killed, between twenty
+and thirty wounded, and about one hundred prisoners. Among the dead were
+Veldtcornets Jan Viljoen, of Heilbron, and Van Zijl, of Cape Colony; and
+among the wounded, Staats-Procureur Jacob De Villiers and Jan Rechter,
+the latter of whom subsequently died. The wounded who managed to escape
+included General Froneman, who was slightly wounded in the chest; Mr.
+Thomas Brain, who had been hit in the thigh; and one of my staff who was
+severely wounded, his shoulder being pierced by a bullet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>According to English reports, Dr. De Landsheer, a Belgian, was killed in
+this engagement. The English newspapers asserted that the doctor was
+found dead with a bandolier round his body. I can vouch for the fact
+that the doctor possessed neither rifle nor bandolier, and I am unable
+to believe that he armed himself on the battlefield.</p>
+
+<p>Six of our Krupp guns were captured in this battle, but as our
+ammunition for these pieces was nearly exhausted, the loss of them made
+little difference to us.</p>
+
+<p>I feel compelled to add that, if the burghers had stood shoulder to
+shoulder we should certainly have driven back the enemy, and the mishap
+would never have occurred. We were eight hundred men strong, and the
+enemy numbered not more than one thousand to one thousand two hundred.
+But a surprise attack such as theirs had been usually produces
+disastrous consequences.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<h3>My March to the South</h3>
+
+
+<p>The horses of the burghers were in a very weak condition; and as the
+Boer is only half a man without his horse&mdash;for he relies on it to get
+him out of any and every difficulty&mdash;I had now to advance, and see if I
+could not find some means of providing my men with horses and saddles. I
+went on this errand in the direction of Zandriviersbrug to the farm of
+Mr. Jacobus Bornman.</p>
+
+<p>Here, however, I divided the commandos. General Froneman, with the Vrede
+and Heilbron burghers, I sent back to cross the railway lines between
+the Doorn and Zand Rivers, with orders to operate in the northern
+districts of the State. I took with me Commandant Lategan of Colesberg,
+with about one hundred and twenty men, and Commandant Jan Theron, with
+eighty men, and proceeded on the 10th or 11th of November across the
+railway line between Doorn River and Theronskoppen, with the intention
+of executing my plan of making an inroad into the Cape Colony.</p>
+
+<p>We wrecked the railway line and blew up a few small bridges, and then
+proceeded in the direction of Doornberg, where I met Commandant
+Hasebroek and his burghers. I sent orders to General Philip Botha to
+come with the Harrismith and Kroonstad burghers, which he had with him.
+They arrived about the 13th of November.</p>
+
+<p>We then marched, with about fifteen hundred men, in the direction of
+Springhaansnek, to the east of Thaba'Nchu. At the northern point of
+Korannaberg,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> Commandant Hasebroek remained behind, waiting for some of
+his men to join him.</p>
+
+<p>We took with us one Krupp with sixteen rounds&mdash;that was our whole stock
+of gun ammunition!</p>
+
+<p>By the afternoon of the 16th we had advanced as far as Springhaansnek.
+The English had built a line of forts from Bloemfontein to Thaba'Nchu
+and Ladybrand. And just at the point where we wanted to pass them, there
+were two forts, one to the south and the other to the north, about 2,000
+paces from each other, on the shoulder of the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>My first step was to order the Krupp to fire six shots on one of these
+forts; and, very much to the credit of my gunners, almost everyone of
+these shots found its mark. Then I raced through.</p>
+
+<p>All went well. The only man hit was Vice-Assistant-Commandant Jan
+Meijer, of Harrismith, who received a wound in the side. He was shot
+while sitting in a cart, where he had been placed owing to a wound which
+he had received a few days before, in the course of a hot engagement,
+which General Philip Botha had had at Ventersburg Station.</p>
+
+<p>We now rode on through Rietpoort towards Dewetsdorp, staying, during the
+night of the 17th of November, at a place on the Modder River. The
+following day we only went a short distance, and halted at the farm of
+Erinspride.</p>
+
+<p>On the 19th I made a point of advancing during the <i>day</i>, so as to be
+observed by the garrison at Dewetsdorp.</p>
+
+<p>My object was to lead the garrison to think that we did not want to
+attack them, but wished first to reconnoitre the positions. This would
+have been quite an unnecessary proceeding, as the town was well known to
+me, and I had already received information as to where the enemy was
+posted.</p>
+
+<p>The garrison could only conclude that we were again flying, just as we
+were supposed to have done&mdash;by readers of English newspapers&mdash;at
+Springhaansnek.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> They would be sure to think that after reconnoitring
+their positions at Dewetsdorp we had gone on to Bloemfontein. Indeed, I
+heard afterwards that they had sent a patrol, to pursue us to the hills
+on the farm of Glengarry, and that this patrol had seen us march away in
+the direction of Bloemfontein. In fact the enemy seemed to have a fixed
+impression that I was going there. I was told that they had said: "De
+Wet was either too wise or too frightened to attack Dewetsdorp; and if
+he did, he would only be running his head against a wall." And again,
+when they had received the telegram which informed them that I had gone
+through Springhaansnek, they said: "If De Wet comes here to attack us,
+it will be the last attack he will ever make."</p>
+
+<p>We came to the farm of Roodewal, and remained there, well out of sight,
+the whole of the 20th of November. Meanwhile our friends (?) at
+Dewetsdorp were saying: "The Boers are ever so far away."</p>
+
+<p>But on the evening of the same day I marched, very quietly, back to
+Dewetsdorp, and crept up as close as I dared to the positions held by
+the enemy's garrison. My early days had been spent in the vicinity of
+this town, which had been named after my father by the Volksraad; and
+later on I had bought from him the farm<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> where I lived as a boy.</p>
+
+<p>By day or by night, I had been accustomed to ride freely in and out of
+the old town; never before had I been forced to approach it, as I was
+now, <i>like a thief</i>! Was nothing on this earth then solid or lasting? To
+think that I must not enter Dewetsdorp unless I were prepared to
+surrender to the English!</p>
+
+<p>I was <i>not</i> prepared to surrender to the English. Sooner than do that I
+would break my way in by force of arms.</p>
+
+<p>At dawn, on the 21st of November, we took possession of three positions
+round the town.</p>
+
+<p>General Botha, who had with him Jan and Arnoldus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> Du Plessis as guides,
+went from Boesmansbank to a <i>tafelkop</i>,<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> to the south-east of the
+town. On this mountain the English had thrown up splendid <i>schanzes</i>,
+and had also built gun forts there, which would have been very
+advantageous to us, if we had only had more ammunition. The English had
+undoubtedly built these forts with the intention of placing guns there,
+and thus protecting the town on every side should danger threaten. But
+they did not know how to guard their own forts, for when General Botha
+arrived there he found only three sentries&mdash;and they were fast sleep!
+Two of them escaped, leaving their clothes behind, but the third was
+killed.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant De Vos and I occupied a position on the ridge which lies to
+the north of the town; from this point we could shoot into the town at a
+range of about 1,600 paces.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Lategan was stationed on the hill to the west of the town,
+close to the farm of Glengarry, whose owner, Mr. B.W. Richter&mdash;father of
+my valiant Adjutants, B.W. and Jan Richter&mdash;must have been much
+surprised that morning when he discovered that something very like an
+attack was being made on Dewetsdorp.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy held strong positions on points of the ridge to the south-east
+(above the Kaffir location) to the south-west and to the north-west.
+Their <i>schanzes</i> were built of stones, and provided with trenches. On
+the top of the <i>schanzes</i> sandbags had been placed, with spaces left
+between them for the rifles.</p>
+
+<p>Of Major Massey, who was in command, and his force, consisting of parts
+of the Gloucestershire regiment, the Highland Light Infantry, and the
+Irish Rifles, five hundred all told, I have only to say that both
+commanding officer and men displayed the greatest valour.</p>
+
+<p>Although Commandants Hasebroek and Prinsloo had not arrived,
+nevertheless I had as many as nine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> hundred men. But I was obliged to
+send a strong patrol to Roodekop, eighteen miles from us in the
+direction of Bloemfontein, in order to receive reports in time, should
+reinforcements be coming up to the help of the English. I had also to
+send men to keep watch out towards Thaba'Nchu, Wepener and Reddersburg;
+nor could I leave the President's little camp (which I had allowed to
+proceed to the farm called "Prospect") without some protection. Thus it
+was that of my nine hundred men, only four hundred and fifty were
+available for the attack.</p>
+
+<p>It delighted me to see how courageous our burghers were at Dewetsdorp.
+As one watched them creeping from <i>schanze</i> to <i>schanze</i>, often without
+any cover whatever, and in danger at every moment of falling under the
+enemy's fire, one felt that there was still hope.</p>
+
+<p>On the first day we advanced until we were close to the <i>schanzes</i> on
+the south-east and on the north; we remained there during the night in
+our positions, our food being brought to us.</p>
+
+<p>The second day, November 22nd, firing began very early in the morning,
+and was kept up until the afternoon. Our most advanced burghers, those
+of Harrismith, had come to within about one hundred paces of the first
+<i>schanze</i>.</p>
+
+<p>I saw one of our men creeping on till he was close under the enemy's
+fort. Directly afterwards I observed that rifles were being handed over
+the <i>schanze</i> to this man. Later on it appeared that the man who had
+done this valiant deed was none other than Veldtcornet Wessels, of
+Harrismith. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Commandant, to
+take the place of Commandant Truter; later on again, he became
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief.</p>
+
+<p>Our burghers could now enter this fort without incurring much danger.
+But they had hardly done so, when the two English guns, which had been
+placed to the west of the town, opened fire on them. When<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> this
+happened, I gave orders to my men that a great <i>schanze</i> of the English,
+about eighty paces from the one which we had just taken, should be
+stormed. This was successfully carried out by Veldtcornet Wessels, who
+had with him about twenty-five men. The enemy meanwhile kept up a heavy
+fire on our storming party, from some <i>schanzes</i> which lay still further
+away; our men, therefore, had nothing left them but to take these also.
+Then while our men kept in cover behind the fort which they had just
+taken, the English left the <i>schanzes</i> upon which the storming party had
+been firing so fiercely; this, however, Veldtcornet Wessels and his
+burghers did not know, because, after having rested a little, and
+desiring to renew the attack, they only saw that everything was quiet
+there, and that they were now only under the fire of guns from the
+western forts, which lay right above the town. I also had not observed
+that the forts had been abandoned.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the sun was setting, and when it was too late to do anything,
+General Philip Botha, with his two sons, Louis and Charlie, rushed up to
+Veldtcornet Wessels and told him what the real state of affairs was.</p>
+
+<p>I now saw columns of black smoke rising from the mill of Mr. Wessels
+Badenhorst, to the south of the town. Everybody was saying: "The English
+are burning their commissariat; they are going to surrender!"</p>
+
+<p>The English had a strong fort on the north, near the place where
+Commandant De Vos was stationed. In order to take this <i>schanze</i> one
+would have been obliged to cross 200 metres of open ground. Moreover, it
+was so placed that it was the only part of the English possession which
+De Vos's guns commanded. Accordingly, when the sun had gone down, I sent
+orders to him that he was to storm this <i>schanze</i> before daybreak on the
+following morning.</p>
+
+<p>My orders were duly carried out.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant De Vos crept stealthily up to the fort,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> and was not observed
+by the enemy until he was close to them. They then fired fiercely on
+him, killing two of his burghers, but our men would not be denied; they
+leapt over the <i>schanze</i> and compelled the enemy to surrender. The
+English losses on this occasion were six killed, a few wounded, and
+about thirty taken prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>While this was going on, Veldtcornet Wessels, in accordance with orders
+which I had given him the previous evening, had taken possession of the
+river bank exactly opposite to the town, which he was now preparing to
+storm.</p>
+
+<p>The English had only a few <i>schanzes</i> to the west of him, and these were
+not more than two hundred paces off.</p>
+
+<p>I had been to the laager at "Prospect" the night before, with the
+intention of returning so as to be in time for the storming of the town.
+I had arranged to go there very early in the morning, because my journey
+could be accomplished with much less risk if carried out in the dark.
+Unfortunately, however, daylight overtook me when I had got no further
+than the Kaffir location, and I had to race from there, over country
+where I had no sort of cover, to the ravine near the town. From this
+ravine to where Veldtcornet Wessels was waiting for me on the river
+bank, I rode in comparative safety.</p>
+
+<p>The reader can easily imagine how delighted I was to meet again the
+Dewetsdorp folk, to whom I was so well known. But I could not show
+myself too much. That would not have been safe. After I had visited
+three houses&mdash;those of the Schoolmaster, Mr. Otto, of Mr. Jacobus Roos,
+and of old Mr. H. Van der Schijf&mdash;and had partaken in each of a cup of
+coffee, I hurried off to my burghers.</p>
+
+<p>The remaining English <i>schanzes</i> had been so well constructed that their
+occupants could still offer a very stubborn resistance, and they did so.
+It was not until about three o'clock on the afternoon of the 23rd of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>
+November that we saw the white flag go up, and knew that the victory was
+ours.</p>
+
+<p>We took four hundred and eight prisoners, amongst whom were Major Massey
+and seven other officers. We also took fifty Kaffirs. Two Armstrong guns
+with more than three hundred rounds of ammunition, some waggons, horses
+and mules, and a great quantity of Lee-Metford cartridges also fell into
+our hands.</p>
+
+<p>We never knew the exact numbers of the English dead and wounded, but
+they must have lost something between seventy and one hundred men.</p>
+
+<p>Our own loss was heavy. Seven of the burghers were killed and fourteen
+wounded; most of these, however, slightly.</p>
+
+<p>The sun had already set before we had put everything in order, and it
+was late in the evening when we returned to our laager at "Prospect."
+There I received a report that a great column was marching from the
+direction of Reddersburg, in order to relieve Major Massey&mdash;but they
+were too late!</p>
+
+<p>Very early the following morning we made preparations to intercept the
+advance of this column. We took up positions to the west of Dewetsdorp,
+and the day was spent in exchanging shots with the enemy's guns. During
+the night we remained in our positions, but when the sun rose I
+discovered that the column, which was already too strong for us, was
+expecting a reinforcement, and as no attack was attempted on their side,
+I decided to leave the position quietly, and to march on. My inroad into
+Cape Colony must no longer be delayed.</p>
+
+<p>Our positions at Dewetsdorp were so situated that I could leave them
+unnoticed. I thought it well, however, to leave behind a small number of
+burghers as a decoy, so that the English should not pursue us at once.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>I Fail to Enter Cape Colony</h3>
+
+
+<p>The enemy gave us plenty of time in which to effect our escape, and by
+nightfall we had abandoned our positions at Platkop. Taking with us the
+prisoners of war (whom I intended to set free on the far side of the
+Orange River), we marched towards Vaalbank, arriving there on the
+following morning. That day the English attacked us unawares. While I
+was at Dewetsdorp, Captain Pretorius had come up to give me a report of
+his recent doings. I had sent him, two months previously, from the
+district of Heilbron to Fauresmith and Philippolis, in order to fetch
+two or three hundred horses from those districts; he had told me that he
+had brought the horses, and that they were with his 200 men at
+Droogfontein.</p>
+
+<p>It was about eight o'clock in the morning after our night march that our
+outpost at Vaalbank saw a mounted commando riding from Beijersberg in
+the direction of Reddersburg. I was at once informed of this, but as I
+was expecting Pretorius from that direction, I merely said: "It is sure
+to be Captain Pretorius."</p>
+
+<p>"No; this is an <i>English</i> commando."</p>
+
+<p>English or Australian&mdash;it made very little matter&mdash;they were enemies.</p>
+
+<p>I had no need to give the order to off-saddle, the burghers did it at
+once of their own accord. But before we were ready for him, the enemy
+opened fire on us from the very ridge on which our outpost had been
+stationed.</p>
+
+<p>Off went the burghers, and I made no effort to stop<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> them, for the spot
+where we were did not command a good view of the surrounding country,
+and I already had my eye on some ridges, about half an hour's ride away.
+There we should be able to reconnoitre, especially towards Dewetsdorp,
+whence I expected the enemy at any moment. During the retreat
+Veldtcornet de Wet was severely wounded. Moreover, some of our horses
+had to be left behind, being too exhausted to go any further.</p>
+
+<p>We marched on towards Bethulie. When in the neighbourhood of this town,
+and of the farm of "Klein Bloemfontein," I fell in with General Piet
+Fourie and Captain Scheepers, and took them with me. While on this farm
+I set free the Kaffirs whom I had taken prisoner at Dewetsdorp; they
+pretended they had not been fighting, but were only waggon-drivers. I
+gave them a pass to go into Basutoland.</p>
+
+<p>We then proceeded towards Karmel, and just as we were approaching the
+farm of "Good Hope," we caught sight of an English column which had come
+from Bethulie, and was making for Smithfield. I at once opened fire upon
+them from two sides, but they were in such good positions that we failed
+that day to drive them out. On the morrow, early in the morning, the
+fight began afresh.</p>
+
+<p>About four o'clock in the afternoon General Charles Knox, with a large
+reinforcement, arrived from Smithfield, and we had once more to retire.
+It was here that I sustained a loss upon my staff&mdash;my nephew, Johannes
+Jacobus de Wet. It was sad to think that I should never again see
+Johannes&mdash;so brave and cheerful as he had always been. His death was a
+great shock to me.</p>
+
+<p>Our only other casualties were four burghers wounded, whereas the enemy,
+unless I am much mistaken, must have lost heavily.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst this fight was in progress General Hertzog joined me. We arranged
+that he should with all speed make an inroad into Cape Colony, between
+the Nor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>valspont and Hopetown railway bridges, and that I should do the
+same between the railway bridges at Bethulie and Aliwal North. He was to
+operate in the north-western part of the country, I in the eastern and
+midland parts.</p>
+
+<p>That night we continued our march towards Karmel, under a heavy downpour
+of rain. Next morning it was still raining when we started to continue
+our march; later on in the day we off-saddled for a short time and then
+went on again, so as to be able to cross the Caledon River before it
+became impossible to do so. I can assure you that it rained so hard
+while we were fording the Caledon, that, as the Boers say, "It was
+enough to kill the big devils and cut off the legs of the little ones."
+We then marched on&mdash;still through heavy rain.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Truter, who was in command of the rear-guard, had left a
+Krupp and an ammunition waggon behind. I was not at all pleased about
+this, but, as we had not a single round of Krupp ammunition left, the
+gun would only have hampered us.</p>
+
+<p>That evening we reached the Orange River, at a point some three miles to
+the north of Odendaalsstroom, but, alas! what a sight met our eyes! The
+river was quite impassable owing to the floods, and, in addition, the
+ford was held by English troops stationed on the south bank.</p>
+
+<p>Our position was beginning to be critical, for there was an English
+garrison at Aliwal North, so that I could not cross the Orange River by
+the bridge there. It was also highly probable that the Caledon would be
+in flood, and I knew that General Charles Knox had left a division of
+his troops at Smithfield&mdash;they would be sure to be holding the bridge
+over the Caledon at Commissiedrift. Moreover, Jammerbergsdrift, near
+Wepener, was doubtless well guarded, so that there, too, I would have no
+chance of crossing the river. There was still Basutoland, but we did not
+wish to cross its borders&mdash;we were on good terms with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> Basutos and
+we could not afford to make enemies of them. Surely we had enough
+enemies already!</p>
+
+<p>To make the best of a bad job I sent Commandant Kritzinger<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> and
+Captain Scheepers, with their three hundred men, to march in the
+direction of Rouxville with orders that as soon as the Orange River
+became fordable, they were to cross it into Cape Colony without delay. I
+entertained no doubt that they would succeed.</p>
+
+<p>Everything is as it must be, and unless one is a sluggard&mdash;who brings
+trouble upon himself by doing nothing to avoid it&mdash;one has no reason to
+complain.</p>
+
+<p>Such were my thoughts as I contemplated our situation.</p>
+
+<p>The Orange River was in flood&mdash;the Government and I, therefore, could
+not possibly remain where we were for long. The English were so fond of
+us that they would be sure to be paying us a visit! No, to wait there
+until the river was fordable was not to be thought of.</p>
+
+<p>The reader will now perceive how it was that my projected inroad into
+Cape Colony did not become a fact. My dear old friend, General Charles
+Knox, was against it, and he had the best of the argument, for the river
+was unfordable. What then was I to do? Retreat I could not, for the
+Caledon also was now full. Again, as I have already explained, it would
+not do for me to take refuge in Basutoland. But even that would be
+better than to attempt to hold out where I was&mdash;in a narrow belt of
+country between two rivers in flood&mdash;against the overpowering force
+which was at General Knox's disposal, and which in ten or twelve days
+would increase tenfold, by reinforcements from all parts of the country.</p>
+
+<p>I knew that the Orange and the Caledon Rivers sometimes remained
+unfordable for weeks together. How could I then escape?&mdash;Oh, the English
+had caught me at last! They hemmed me in on every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> side; I could not get
+away from them. In fact they had "cornered" me, to use one of their own
+favourite expressions. That they also thought so appears from what I
+read afterwards in the <i>South African News</i>, where I saw that Lord
+Kitchener had given orders to General Charles Knox "not to take any
+prisoners there!" For the truth of this I cannot positively vouch; but
+it was a very suspicious circumstance that Mr. Cartwright, the editor of
+the newspaper to which I have referred, was afterwards thrown into
+prison for having published this very anecdote about Lord Kitchener.</p>
+
+<p>Our prospects were then by no means bright; I knew very well that those
+trusty counsellors of the English&mdash;the National Scouts&mdash;would have
+advised their masters to seize the bridges and thus make escape
+impossible for Steyn and De Wet.</p>
+
+<p>Without delay I proceeded to the Commissiedrift bridge over the Caledon.
+As I feared, it was occupied by the enemy. Entrenchments had been dug,
+and <i>schanzes</i> thrown up at both ends.</p>
+
+<p>Foiled here, I at once sent a man down to the river to see if it was
+still rising. It might be the case that there had not been so much rain
+higher up. The man whom I had sent soon returned, reporting that the
+river was falling, and would be fordable by the evening. This was good
+news indeed.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, our horses were exhausted. They had now for three
+days been obliged to plough their way through the wet, muddy paths. We
+had no forage to give them, and the grass was so young as yet that it
+did not seem to strengthen them at all.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, we had to be off. And there was but one road open to
+us&mdash;we must somehow get across the Orange River and thus obtain
+elbow-room. Accordingly we returned to make for Zevenfontein, a ford ten
+or twelve miles further up the river. If it were not already in the
+enemy's hands, we would surely be able to get across there. Shortly
+before sunset, on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> 8th of December, we arrived at Zevenfontein. To
+our immense joy, it was unoccupied and fordable.</p>
+
+<p>I at once marched towards Dewetsdorp, intending, if only General Knox
+and his huge force would give me the chance, to rest my horses, and then
+make another attempt to enter Cape Colony.</p>
+
+<p>But it was not to be.</p>
+
+<p>The English were afraid that if President Steyn and I were in Cape
+Colony their troubles would be doubled. General Knox therefore
+concentrated all his available forces in order to drive us northwards.
+It was disappointing, but there was a bright side to it. If the English
+were pursuing me, they would have to leave Commandant Kritzinger and
+Captain Scheepers, who would thus be able to cross the Orange River.</p>
+
+<p>These two officers, however, were not left entirely in peace. While they
+rested for a time near Zastron, in order to give their horses a chance
+of recovering their strength, there came a division of Brabant's Horse
+to pay them a visit. The result was that about sixty of the visitors
+were wounded or taken prisoner, while the rest found it as much as they
+could do to get back to Aliwal North, whence they had started.
+Commandant Kritzinger and Captain Scheepers had then another opportunity
+for rest until the day should come when they could make an inroad into
+Cape Colony according to my instructions.</p>
+
+<p>Although, as I have already said, the English were passionately devoted
+to President Steyn and myself, I was deprived of their endearments for
+the space of two whole days, during which I was at Wilgeboomspruit. Here
+I was joined by Commandant Hasebroek with his commando, and all of
+us&mdash;horses as well as men&mdash;enjoyed a little rest. But very soon General
+Knox was again at our heels, and, to escape him, I marched west in the
+direction of Edenburg, hoping at last to be able to get into Cape
+Colony. Not only were the forces of General Knox <i>behind</i> us, but, when
+we arrived at the farm of "Hexrivier,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> and thus were within two hours'
+march of Edenburg, I heard from my scouts, whom I had sent on in
+advance, that there was a great English column in <i>front</i> of us at that
+town.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, therefore, I turned off towards the east, and marched in
+the direction of Wepener.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning the enemy was again on our track; but, as we had
+covered twenty miles during the night, we were so far ahead that it was
+unnecessary for us to move very fast during that and the following day.</p>
+
+<p>At mid-day, the 13th of December, we took up excellent positions&mdash;placed
+in a line of about eight miles from end to end&mdash;on the farm called
+"Rietfontein," which is in the district of Wepener, north-east of
+Daspoort. We were so strongly posted that the enemy had to halt and wait
+for the arrival of the rearguard. I had calculated on this, and knew
+that darkness would come to our aid before the English were ready to
+attack us. But in front of us there was a strong line of forts,
+extending from Bloemfontein through Thaba'Nchu and Springhaansnek, to
+Ladybrand. Through this line we should have to fight our way; this would
+be difficult enough, and it would never do to have General Knox at our
+heels, to increase the difficulty. Our only plan, then, was to make a
+long night march, and thus to get well out of the way.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, I gave orders to the men to hold their positions until
+dark, and to let the enemy see that they were doing so. I had even had
+<i>schanzes</i> built, so as to impress them with the idea that I intended to
+attack them the following day if they advanced towards my positions. And
+just before the night came on, I ordered the burghers to show themselves
+from behind all our <i>schanzes</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Then night fell, and I at once gave orders to march off.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers could not understand this, and began to grumble about
+it&mdash;what could their General mean?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> Why this sudden change in his plans?
+I said nothing, but thought to myself, "You shall know why to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>We marched directly towards Springhaansnek. It was very slow work, for
+many of the burghers' horses were so weak that their owners had to go on
+foot. General Philip Botha and I were with the rearguard, and did not
+expect to reach the line of forts until ten o'clock on the following
+morning.</p>
+
+<p>We had not advanced very far before we were joined by Commandant Michal
+Prinsloo, who had with him three hundred of the Bethlehem burghers. He
+had come down from Springhaansnek, and as his horses were in good
+condition I ordered him to go in advance of us, to pass through
+Springhaansnek, and then to occupy positions to the north of the lines
+of forts and east of Thaba'Nchu.</p>
+
+<p>My object in making this arrangement was that when on the following
+morning we were crossing the mountains, he might be able to hinder the
+enemy at Thaba'Nchu from either checking our advance, or sending
+reinforcements to the Springhaansnek forts.</p>
+
+<p>And in point of fact, Prinsloo's commando proved to be our salvation;
+for the English, from their high position at Thaba'Nchu, spied us as
+soon as day broke, and indeed sent troops to reinforce the point for
+which we were making. But Prinsloo succeeded in holding them in check,
+so that when we arrived at Springhaansnek we had to fight against strong
+positions, but against nothing else&mdash;but I must not anticipate.</p>
+
+<p>Before it began to be light on the morning of the 14th of December,
+Commandant Prinsloo passed through the enemy's lines between the forts.
+The English fired upon him, but he did not turn back. Then a small
+outpost of the enemy, which lay half-way between the forts, made an
+attempt to turn the oncoming burghers by shooting at them from the
+front. The Commandant only gave strict orders that the men must force
+their way through. The conse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>quence was that two of the enemy, who did
+not get out of the way in time, were literally ridden over. The burghers
+thought that these two unfortunate men had been trodden to death by the
+horses, but it was not likely that any of them would dismount to see if
+this were actually the case.</p>
+
+<p>As I have already said, General Botha and I were in the rearguard. We
+knew, however, that Vice-Commandant-in-Chief Piet Fourie&mdash;a man whom
+nothing on earth would stop, if he had once made up his mind&mdash;was
+leading the van, and that he was supported by Veldtcornet Johannes
+Hattingh, who was as resolute and undaunted as his chief.</p>
+
+<p>Fourie did not wait for us to catch him up, but at once went down the
+mountain side. When we saw this, General Botha and I rode with all speed
+ahead, telling the burghers to come on more gently with their weary
+horses. I did not fear thus to leave them behind, because I knew that
+General Knox was still a long way in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>Just as General Fourie, leading the first storming-party, had passed
+between the forts, we came up with him, our burghers still straggling on
+behind us. As soon as we had crossed over the first piece of rising
+ground, I halted my men, and ordered them to leave their horses out of
+sight of the enemy, and to return to the brow of the hill, so as to be
+able to fire into the forts on the right and left hand, which were from
+eight hundred to nine hundred paces from us. From this hill we kept up
+as fierce a fire as we could, and this to a great extent prevented the
+enemy in those forts from firing on our burghers who were still coming
+on in a long train.</p>
+
+<p>It is necessary, in order that the reader may understand the task which
+we had set ourselves to accomplish, to say a few words about
+Springhaansnek. At either side of the way by which we must pass, there
+were two strong forts, at a distance of from a thousand to twelve
+hundred paces from each other. In<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> the space between them there was
+absolutely no cover; and the distance from the point where the burghers
+were first visible to the men in these forts, to the point where they
+again disappeared from view, was at least three thousand paces.</p>
+
+<p>Over these terrible three thousand paces our burghers raced, while a
+storm of bullets was poured in upon them from both sides. And of all
+that force&mdash;eight thousand strong&mdash;no single man was killed, and only
+one was wounded!</p>
+
+<p>Our marvellous escape can only be described to the providence and
+irresistible protection of Almighty God, who kept His hand graciously
+over us.</p>
+
+<p>What the enemy's loss was I never heard.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to the burghers, a few carts and waggons, as well as one of
+the two guns which had been taken at Dewetsdorp, got safely through the
+English lines. The other gun was left behind by the sergeant of the
+artillery, before he reached the fighting line. He sent the horses of
+the gun-carriage with the gunners, back to Commandant Hasel, who
+subsequently followed us to Ijzernek, to the west of Thaba'Nchu.</p>
+
+<p>My ambulance with Dr. Fourie and Dr. Poutsma, were stopped by the
+English. Dr. Fourie had, as was quite proper, remained outside the
+fighting line, with the intention of coming through afterwards. This he
+was permitted to do on the following day. He brought me a message from
+General Knox to the effect that Commandant Hasebroek had lost heavily in
+an engagement with Colonel White, who had marched out from Thaba'Nchu.
+But I had already received information that the Commandant had got
+through the enemy's lines unhurt, and that on the contrary it was he who
+had killed some of Colonel White's men, while they were attacking him.</p>
+
+<p>We decided to retreat still further, in order to reach a place of safety
+where we might rest our horses, in preparation for that long dash into
+Cape Colony, which I still intended to carry out on the first
+opportu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>nity. I felt sure, however, that my commandos would be allowed
+no rest by the enemy as long as the President and I were with them.
+Accordingly I planned that as soon as we got to the north of Winburg he
+and I should absent ourselves from the commandos for some time, while I
+proceeded to arrange certain matters (to be set down in a later chapter)
+by which I hoped to effectually "settle"<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> the English.</p>
+
+<p>On our arrival at a certain farm to the south of Senekal we discovered
+that General Knox was once more at our heels. We had several small
+engagements with him, in one of which a son of Commandant Truter, of
+Harrismith, was killed.</p>
+
+<p>On the afternoon of Christmas Day, 1900, we left the farm, and rode on
+to the Tafelkop, nine miles to the west of Senekal.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>Wherein Something is Found About War against Women</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was decided here, on the 26th December, to divide the large commando
+into two. The one part was to be under the command of
+Assistant-Chief-Commander P.H. Botha, and the other
+Assistant-Chief-Commander Pete Fourie.</p>
+
+<p>I entrusted to President Steyn a bodyguard under Commander Davel, who
+went with the Government in the direction of Reitz.</p>
+
+<p>As regards myself, I went to Assistant-Chief-Commander C.C. Froneman,
+who was with the Heilbron Commander, L. Steenekamp, in the neighbourhood
+of Heilbron. It was my intention to take with me from there a strong
+escort, and to dig up the ammunition at Roodewal taken on the 7th of
+June, as both our Mauser and our Lee-Metford ammunition were nearly
+exhausted, although we still had a fairly large supply of Martini-Henry
+Giddy cartridges.</p>
+
+<p>I then started from Tafelkop, on the 27th of December, and arrived two
+days later at General Froneman's commando, close to Heilbron. I had to
+wait there till the evening of the 31st December, until the necessary
+carriages and oxen had been got together for carrying the ammunition
+with us. Carriages were now no longer to be got easily, because the
+British had not only taken them away from the farms, but had also burnt
+many of them. Where formerly in each farm there were at least one
+carriage and a team of oxen, and in some two, three or even more, there
+were now frequently not a single one. Even where there were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> carriages
+the women had always to keep them in readiness to fly on them before the
+columns of the enemy, who had now already commenced to carry the women
+away from their dwellings to the concentration camps within their own
+lines, in nearly all villages where the English had established strong
+garrisons. Proclamations had been issued by Lord Roberts, prescribing
+that any building within ten miles from the railway, where the Boers had
+blown up or broken up the railway line, should be burnt down. This was
+also carried out, but not only within the specified radius, but also
+everywhere throughout the State. Everywhere houses were burnt down or
+destroyed with dynamite. And, worse still, the furniture itself and the
+grain were burnt, and the sheep, cattle and horses were carried off. Nor
+was it long before horses were shot down in heaps, and the sheep killed
+by thousands by the Kaffirs and the National Scouts, or run through by
+the troops with their bayonets. The devastation became worse and worse
+from day to day. And the Boer women&mdash;did they lose courage with this
+before their eyes? By no means, as when the capturing of women, or
+rather the war against them and against the possessions of the Boer
+commenced, they took to bitter flight to remain at least out of the
+hands of the enemy. In order to keep something for themselves and their
+children, they loaded the carriages with grain and the most
+indispensable furniture. When then a column approached a farm, even at
+night, in all sorts of weather, many a young daughter had to take hold
+of the leading rope of the team of oxen, and the mother the whip, or
+vice versa. Many a smart, well-bred daughter rode on horseback and urged
+the cattle on, in order to keep out of the hands of the pursuers as long
+as at all possible, and not to be carried away to the concentration
+camps, which the British called Refugee Camps (Camps of Refuge). How
+incorrect, indeed! Could any one ever have thought before the war that
+the twentieth century could show such bar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>barities? No. Any one knows
+that in war, cruelties more horrible than murder can take place, but
+that such direct and indirect murder should have been committed against
+defenceless women and children is a thing which I should have staked my
+head could never have happened in a war waged by the civilized English
+nation. And yet it happened. Laagers containing no one but women and
+children and decrepit old men, were fired upon with cannon and rifles in
+order to compel them to stop. I could append here hundreds of
+declarations in proof of what I say. I do not do so, as my object is not
+to write on this matter. I only touch upon it in passing. There are
+sufficiently many righteous pens in South Africa and England to pillory
+these deeds and bring them to the knowledge of the world, to remain on
+record for the future. For what nation exists, or has existed, which has
+not a historical record whether to its advantage or to its disadvantage?
+I cannot do it here as it should be done. And too much cannot be said
+about this shameful history.</p>
+
+<p>I had to unburden my heart. Now let me proceed.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the 1st of January, 1901, I pushed on towards Roodewal
+Station, for I had obtained all the waggons I needed for my purpose.
+Perhaps that night the outposts were asleep; but however that may be, we
+reached the railway without the enemy being aware of our movements. The
+hour was growing late, and so we had no choice but to remain where we
+were, nine miles from the spot at which we aimed. But the following
+evening we were again on the march, and reached the place where the
+ammunition had been buried. We found it untouched, and just where we had
+left it, a few miles from the railway, and quite close to the English
+camp, at Rhenosterriviersbrug.</p>
+
+<p>We were very careful to recover every cartridge, since it was clear that
+the war must still continue for a long space of time. <i>We</i> could have no
+thought of giving up the struggle, whilst the pride of England would not
+allow her to turn back.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>We loaded our waggons with the ammunition, and I gave to General
+Froneman the task of conducting it across the railway line. I myself
+proceeded to the Vredefort commandos, which were stationed some fifteen
+miles away, for the state of affairs amongst these commandos called for
+my presence. On the 4th of January, when night had fallen, I crossed the
+railway near Vredefortweg, unnoticed by the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Two days later I was back again with General Froneman's commando, where
+I found that the ammunition had arrived in safety. I was informed that
+General Knox had divided his forces into three parts, one of which had
+engaged General Fourie and Commandant Prinsloo, near Bethlehem. We had
+given the enemy a good beating, but had lost two men in the affair. I
+regret to say that one of them was that clever officer, Vice-Commandant
+Ignatius du Preeij. He was a man whom every burgher loved, for he was
+goodness personified. The second of General Knox's division had set out
+in the direction of Heilbron, whilst the third had pursued General
+Philip Botha along the Liebenbergsvlei.<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a></p>
+
+<p>This division had attempted to mislead General Botha by all sorts of
+tricks, but on January the 3rd he had put up notices outside different
+farmhouses, stating that he did not like such familiarity.</p>
+
+<p>On one occasion the General, with only fifty burghers, had charged one
+hundred and fifty of the bodyguard, and had taken one hundred and
+seventeen prisoners, leaving the whole of the remainder either killed or
+wounded.</p>
+
+<p>A panic now occurred among General Knox's forces. The division that was
+marching to Heilbron suddenly turned aside towards Kroonstad, only to
+meet with General Botha, who left them in anything but an undamaged
+condition.</p>
+
+<p>The division which had been despatched to deal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> with General Fourie and
+Commandant Prinsloo entered Senekal.</p>
+
+<p>When I arrived at General Botha's camp, which was situated six miles to
+the east of Lindley, I found that General Knox had already taken
+Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>After this we allowed ourselves a rest.</p>
+
+<p>On the 8th of January I received reports from Commandant Kritzinger and
+Captain Scheepers dealing with the state of affairs in Cape Colony. They
+informed me that they had safely crossed the Orange River by a
+foot-path. There was another footpath, more to the south, which an
+English outpost of eight men was guarding. These soldiers occupied a
+house near by, and the first warning they had that we had crossed the
+river was when the door of their abode opened, and they heard the order
+to "hands up."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Kritzinger and Captain Scheepers also assured me that the
+sympathies of the Colonial burghers were strongly with us. Like every
+other right-minded man, I had expected this to be the case, for "blood
+is thicker than water."<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></p>
+
+<p>Although the Colonials were well aware what a dangerous course they
+would be pursuing if they joined us, and how, later, they would be sure
+to be treated as rebels, they nevertheless threw in their lot with ours.</p>
+
+<p>From Judge Hertzog I received a very encouraging report as to the
+burghers in the north-western parts of Cape Colony. This news decided me
+on leaving behind, in their own districts, parts of the commandos from
+all the various divisions, and on taking others to join with me in a
+second expedition into Cape Colony. The following were the officers I
+took with me, ordering them to assemble at Doornberg, in the district of
+Winburg, on the 25th of January, 1901: Generals Piet Fourie, Philip
+Botha and Froneman; Commandants Prinsloo (Bethlehem), Steyn (Ficksburg),
+Hasebroek (Winburg), De Vos (Kroonstad), Merve<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> (Parijs), Ross
+(Frankfort), Wessel Wessels<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> (Harrismith), Kolbe (Bloemfontein), and
+Jan Theron, with the renowned Theron Scouts.</p>
+
+<p>From the 8th to the 25th of January we were in the north-western
+districts of the Free State. We were waiting for a suitable opportunity
+to make a dash into Cape Colony.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+
+<h3>I Again Attempt to Enter Cape Colony</h3>
+
+
+<p>I was now about to make a second attempt to march into Cape Colony. I
+had great fears that my plans would leak out, since I was obliged to
+mention them to the commandants. But I was not able to confine all
+knowledge of my future movements entirely to the commandants. For I had
+sent many a burgher home to fetch a second horse; and the burghers began
+to make all sorts of guesses as to why they had to fetch the horses; and
+one could hear them mutter: "We are going to the Colony."</p>
+
+<p>But nevertheless they were all in good spirits, with the exception of
+some, who had for commander a most contradictory and obstinate officer.</p>
+
+<p>By January the 25th nearly the whole of my commandos had assembled; only
+General Philip Botha, with the burghers from Vrede under Commandant
+Hermanus Botha, had yet to arrive in order to complete our numbers; and
+he had been prevented coming.</p>
+
+<p>President Steyn and the Government decided to go with me and my two
+thousand burghers.</p>
+
+<p>At Doornberg the council of war was called together by the Government.
+President Steyn then communicated to the meeting that his term of office
+would soon expire. He pointed out that the provisions of the law
+designed to meet this contingency could not be carried out, because a
+legally constituted Volksraad could not be summoned at the present
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>The council of war decided to propose a candidate to the burghers
+without any delay, at the same time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> giving them the option of
+nominating candidates of their own. Further, it was decided that the
+candidate who should be elected should be sworn in as Vice-States
+President, and retain that title until the time arrived when the
+condition of the country should make it possible to hold an election in
+conformity with the law.</p>
+
+<p>After the voting had taken place, it was found that the former
+President, Marthinus Theunis Steyn, had been unanimously re-elected.</p>
+
+<p>At the burghers' meeting the voting resulted in the same way, except at
+a meeting at which Mr. Cecil Rhodes was proposed as a candidate. This
+proposal was not seconded!</p>
+
+<p>President Steyn was declared elected. And he was then sworn in.</p>
+
+<p>The executive Raad now consisted of the President, as chairman, with T.
+Brain, Secretary of State, W.J.C. Brebner, Secretary of State, A.P.
+Cronje, Jan Meijer and myself as members. Mr. Rocco De Villiers was
+Secretary of the War Council, and Mr. Gordon Fraser, Private Secretary
+to the States President.</p>
+
+<p>No States-Procureur had been appointed since Mr. Jacob De Villiers had
+been taken prisoner at Bothaville; but the Council appointed Mr. Hendrik
+Potgieter, Landdrost of Kroonstad, as Public Prosecutor.</p>
+
+<p>Various causes had made it impossible for a legally constituted
+Volksraad to sit. Some members had, as we called it, "hands-upped";
+others had thought that they had done quite enough when they had voted
+for the war. I would be the last to assert that they had done wrong in
+voting thus. The whole world is convinced that, whatever the Boers might
+have done, England was determined to colour the map of South Africa red!
+And England succeeded beyond her expectations! For South Africa was
+stained with the blood of burghers and defenceless women and children,
+and with the blood of English soldiers who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> died in a quarrel for
+which they were not responsible, and which could have been avoided!</p>
+
+<p>There were other members&mdash;and I had no patience with them&mdash;who had said:
+"We will give our last drop of blood for our country," and then had
+taken good care that no one should have a chance of getting even the
+first drop! They preferred to remain quietly at home, and wait for the
+English to come and make them prisoners of war!</p>
+
+<p>Only a minority of the members had remained faithful to our cause, and
+these did not constitute a quorum; and so no sitting could take place.
+This small party, as far as I can recollect, consisted of the following
+ten members: C.H. Wessels Bishop, Chairman; Wessel Wessels (Vrede); J.B.
+Wessels (Winburg); A.P. Cronje (Winburg); Jan Steijl (Bloemfontein); Jan
+Meijer (Harrismith); J.J. Van Niekerk (Fauresmith); Daniel Steyn
+(Heilbron); Hendrik Ecksteen (Vrede); and Hendrik Serfontein
+(Kroonstad).</p>
+
+<p>We marched from Doornberg on the 26th of January to Commandant Sarel
+Hasebroek's farm, which is eight miles to the north of Winburg.</p>
+
+<p>There was a strong English force seven or eight miles to the east of
+Winburg, and another body of the enemy eleven or twelve miles still
+further to the east. In addition, a column was marching northwards from
+Ventersburg, west of our position.</p>
+
+<p>It was perfectly plain that the enemy were aware of our intentions; but
+this, as I have already said, could not be helped. Our army was so
+constituted that no secret could be kept; and I decided for the future
+to tell no one of any further plans I might form.</p>
+
+<p>On the 27th of January I reconnoitred to the east of Winburg, and took
+care to let myself be seen, for I wished to make it appear that it was
+my intention to proceed in that direction in the evening. Meanwhile I
+secretly sent my scouts to the west.</p>
+
+<p>That night I marched to the west of Winburg,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> crossing the branch
+railway without meeting with any opposition, and arrived on the
+following morning at the Vet River&mdash;to the south of the town. We did not
+advance very fast,<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> as we expected that we should soon once more have
+to face the difficulty of marching with exhausted horses.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon we continued our way till we had passed Tabaksberg. The
+following morning, January 28th, I received a report that the English
+were advancing in two divisions. I ordered my burghers to up-saddle and
+to occupy positions to the east of Takasberg.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy's right wing was to the east, and we stationed ourselves on
+some ridges that lay in front of them, but were unable to deliver an
+attack. We charged their left wing, however, and captured a
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which was in perfect order, at the cost of one killed
+and three wounded. Our other losses amounted to a very small number.</p>
+
+<p>As to the enemy's losses, they took some of their dead and wounded away,
+but they left behind them several of their dead at the spot where we had
+captured the gun.</p>
+
+<p>To remain there and continue the fighting the next day could not even be
+thought of; for if we had waited the English would have had time to
+bring up reinforcements, and my plan of entering Cape Colony would have
+been rendered impossible.</p>
+
+<p>Our position was difficult enough. The enemy were at our heels, and we
+had to get away as best we could. In front of us there was the line of
+fortifications from Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, which had been greatly
+strengthened since we had forced our way through it at Springhaansnek.
+It was impossible to get through at Springhaansnek now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I decided to march towards Thaba'Nchu. But in order to deceive the
+English I sent a strong patrol on the following day in the direction of
+Springhaansnek, ordering them to make no attempt to conceal their
+movements.</p>
+
+<p>I could advance for eight miles without attracting the enemy's notice;
+but if I had gone further I should have been seen from the forts. I need
+scarcely say that it was greatly to my advantage not to give the English
+a chance of seeing me. And so when we had covered eight miles we
+off-saddled. If I had allowed the English to discover what I was doing
+they would have brought up troops from Thaba'Nchu, Sanna's Post and
+Bloemfontein; and these troops in combination with the force behind me
+might have put me into a very awkward position.</p>
+
+<p>My old friend, General Knox, whose duty it had been to prevent me
+entering Cape Colony on a previous occasion, was again entrusted with
+the same task. Any person who has had dealings with this General will
+acknowledge that he is apt to be rather a troublesome friend; for not
+only does he understand the art of marching by night, but he is also
+rather inclined to be overbearing when he measures his strength with
+that of his opponents.</p>
+
+<p>And now, as we were in camp, congratulating ourselves that we were safe
+for the time being, my scouts reported that this same General Knox was
+approaching. I at once ordered the burghers to up-saddle, and to inspan
+the ten waggons we had with us laden with ammunition and flour.</p>
+
+<p>I left behind me a portion of my commando under General Fourie, whose
+duty it was to check General Knox, whilst I myself was going forward to
+clear a road through the enemy's forts.</p>
+
+<p>It was lucky for us that General Knox had been deceived by the strong
+patrol I had sent in the direction of Springhaansnek, and that he had
+come to the conclusion that my commando was marching to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> same place.
+He therefore started off in that direction and continued until he
+discovered his mistake. Then he turned aside and came in contact with
+General Fourie. Our men held him back for a few hours, and lost two men,
+very badly wounded in the engagement.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst this was occurring I had reached the forts between Thaba'Nchu and
+Sanna's Post. When I was there a reinforcement of cavalry approached
+from the direction of Bloemfontein.</p>
+
+<p>I immediately opened fire (with a gun and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt at a range
+of 4,000 paces) on the fort, which obstructed my road. After we had
+fired a few shots the English abandoned that fort and fled to the
+nearest fort to the east. Shortly afterwards this fort was also
+abandoned.</p>
+
+<p>The fort to the west was captured by Commandant Steenekamp and the
+Heilbron burghers. They succeeded in taking a few prisoners; but most of
+the enemy fled to Sanna's Post. Only one of the Heilbron burghers was
+wounded&mdash;Piet Steenekamp, the son of the Commandant.</p>
+
+<p>And now our road was clear; and we passed through! General Fourie joined
+us two hours after sunset. Then we marched on to Dewetsdorp<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> where we
+arrived on January 31st.</p>
+
+<p>General Knox, I heard, proceeded to Bloemfontein; thence he sent his
+troops to the railway bridge across the Orange River, near Bethulie. He
+was now aware that we were determined to enter the Colony at all costs,
+and so he stationed troops everywhere to turn us back. He placed forces
+not only at Bethulie railway bridge, but also at Springfontein, and
+Norvalspont. Thus he could easily prevent us crossing at the fords.</p>
+
+<p>I had now to find some trump card which would spoil the game he was
+playing!</p>
+
+<p>I ordered General Froneman to proceed from the source of the Kaffir
+River in the direction of Jagers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>fontein Road Station, to the west of
+Dewetsdorp: General Fourie I despatched in the direction of
+Odendaalsstroom, on the Orange River, to the farm of Klein
+Kinderfontein, to the west of Smithfield.</p>
+
+<p>I then sent scouts to the neighbourhood of Odendaalsdrift. They told me
+that there was an English patrol at the drift, and that they had heard
+that the enemy expected that we should try and cross into Cape Colony at
+that spot.</p>
+
+<p>The following day I ordered a patrol to ride up and down the river; and
+I caused a report to be spread to the effect that I considered it too
+dangerous to cross the Orange River below its junction with the Caledon,
+owing to the river being already very full and quite unfordable if there
+was any rain at all; and that I had for this reason decided to recall
+General Froneman, and to take Odendaalsstroom by force, or else to
+attack the enemy at the Aliwal-north Bridge.</p>
+
+<p>I felt quite sure that this rumour would reach General Knox that very
+day, for he had plenty of friends in the neighbourhood of the Caledon
+and the Orange River.</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman had orders to march in the direction of Zanddrift,
+which is about half-way between Norvals Pont railway bridge and that of
+Hopetown. He succeeded in capturing a train close to Jagersfontein Road
+Station, by the simple device of blowing up the line both in front of it
+and behind it. In this train the burghers found a great quantity of
+things they greatly needed.</p>
+
+<p>It should not be forgotten that there were scarcely any factories in
+South Africa, and this was more especially the case in the two
+Republics. And, as all imports had been stopped for some considerable
+time, it was natural that any booty which consisted of such things as
+saddles, blankets and ammunition was very acceptable.</p>
+
+<p>When the burghers had helped themselves to what they wanted, the train
+was burnt.</p>
+
+<p>For the space of a day I remained quiet, so that I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> might be quite sure
+that the English had received the report I had spread.</p>
+
+<p>I soon discovered that my plan had been quite successful. The English
+marched off in the direction I wished, believing, no doubt, that the
+rumours they had heard were true; whilst I, on the evening of the 5th of
+February, 1901, took some of the burghers, with the guns and waggons, to
+a spot between the stations of Springfontein and Jagersfontein, and the
+following day remained in hiding.</p>
+
+<p>I left General Fourie behind me with a horse-commando, with orders to
+remain there for two days, and to carry on man&#339;uvres in the direction
+of Odendaalsstroom.</p>
+
+<p>I crossed the railway line that evening without any mishap to my force,
+but to my great sorrow the valiant Lieutenant Banie<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> Enslin, one of
+the best of my scouts, was severely wounded the same night, and fell
+into the hands of the English. He had ridden in advance with one of
+Theron's Scouting Corps, with the object of finding a favourable spot
+where he could lead us across the railway. The night was very dark, and
+he had lost his way. We crossed, as I have already said, without
+hindrance; but he and his companions rode into an outpost of the enemy a
+few miles to the north. The English opened fire on them, with the
+unhappy result that the estimable Banie was so seriously wounded that he
+had to be left behind. His comrades joined us the following morning,
+bringing the sad news with them.</p>
+
+<p>We now continued our march at as rapid a pace as was possible; but the
+road was so soaked by rain that it was difficult for the oxen and the
+mules to draw the waggons and the guns.</p>
+
+<p>On the 8th of February we overtook General Froneman at Lubbesdrift, six
+miles to the north of Philippolis. We pushed on that evening towards
+Zanddrift, which we reached on the 10th of February.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> Then we crossed
+over into Cape Colony.</p>
+
+<p>When we had crossed the river, I received a report from my scouts that
+there were about twenty of the enemy in a strong <i>schanze</i> on a kopje,
+which was about half an hour's march further up stream. I gave orders
+that a veldtcornet and twenty-five men, among whom was one of my staff,
+Willem Pretorius, should go and capture the <i>schanze</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The veldtcornet preferred not to approach beyond a certain distance, and
+consequently Willem Pretorius and four other men were left to do the
+work.</p>
+
+<p>Willem climbed the hill from one side, and the others, dividing into
+two, climbed it from the other side at two different points. They were
+met by a severe fire from the fort, but when they got to close quarters
+up went the white flag, and the English shouted "We surrender!"</p>
+
+<p>Thus Willem Pretorius and four burghers captured twenty prisoners and a
+like number of horses, saddles, bridles, rifles and bandoliers, not to
+mention some three thousand cartridges.</p>
+
+<p>When the veldtcornet at last arrived with his twenty men, he certainly
+proved himself very useful in carrying away the booty!</p>
+
+<p>This veldtcornet was shortly afterwards "Stellenbosched."<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> I then
+nominated in his place Willem Pretorius<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> as veldtcornet.</p>
+
+<p>We left the river that afternoon behind us, and marched south to Mr.
+Bezuidenhout's farm. The following day we waited there for General
+Fourie to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> join us. He arrived the next day&mdash;and now we were ready to
+begin the game once more!</p>
+
+<p>Our position was embarrassing, for not only was there a large English
+force at General Fourie's heels, but also there were two strong columns
+on the north from Colesberg, which were making for Hamelfontein. And
+these two columns were some twelve miles from us.</p>
+
+<p>I at once set out in the direction of Hamelfontein, and the following
+day I discovered that the enemy's columns had divided into two parties;
+one of them had gone in a westerly direction, whilst the other was
+marching straight towards us. Meanwhile the force which had pursued
+General Fourie had crossed the river at Zanddrift.</p>
+
+<p>My intention had been to divide my force into three divisions directly I
+arrived in the Colony. But I had been obliged to wait till General
+Fourie could join me; and when he had come, there was such large numbers
+of the enemy on every side that they gave me no opportunity of carrying
+out my original intention.</p>
+
+<p>I may mention here that Lieutenant Malan, who became afterwards
+Commandant, and ultimately Vechtgeneraal, had penetrated into the Colony
+with fifty or sixty men, and had advanced considerably farther than I
+had done.</p>
+
+<p>That afternoon I ordered the small waggon to proceed to a point between
+Philipstown and Petrusville.</p>
+
+<p>We had several slight skirmishes with the English; and at sunset we
+nearly fell into their hands, but fortunately we were successful in
+holding the enemy in check until our small laager had passed.</p>
+
+<p>During that night we marched to Hondeblaf River. The following morning
+we found that there was no grass for the horses, for the locusts had
+eaten it all. The horses, poor creatures, were very hungry, and also
+much exhausted by all those forced marches. When we had been at Winburg,
+the pasture had been very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> poor although it had rained every day. This,
+of course, was very good for the veldt; but unfortunately it did not
+rain grass&mdash;the veldt required time to produce it.</p>
+
+<p>All this was most unlucky. Already some of my men had to go on foot, and
+there were no horses to be obtained in that district.</p>
+
+<p>The number of my burghers had now been diminished by nearly six hundred
+men. Commandant Prinsloo had remained behind with three hundred men,
+Vice-Commandant Van Tonder with one hundred, and lastly, Commandant De
+Vos at the Orange River with two hundred.</p>
+
+<p>There was now only one course open to us&mdash;and that was to cross as
+quickly as possible the railway line near Hopetown, for if an English
+force was brought down by rail, it would mean our utter destruction.</p>
+
+<p>We accordingly moved away at once from Hondeblaf River. The following
+day the English were again hot on our track. I ordered General Fourie
+and General Froneman to oppose the enemy, for it was necessary that
+something should be done to save our rearguard from being cut off. These
+Generals had several sharp engagements with the English, resulting in
+the capture of a number of prisoners, and a considerable loss in dead
+and wounded to the English.</p>
+
+<p>After we had been on the march for a short time, a "Broodspioen"<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a>
+came rushing up to me. (Had not my scouts been riding in a different
+direction they would have given me notice of his proximity.) He told me
+that he and a friend of his of the same calling had gone to a farm near
+by to buy bread, but when they had approached the house, a number of
+English soldiers appeared at the door and called out "hands<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> up!" His
+friend had been captured, but he having been some fifteen paces from the
+house, had managed to escape under a hail of bullets. He had had to
+gallop one thousand paces before he could get out of range behind a
+ridge that stretched between us and the farm. I ordered the burghers to
+halt behind the ridge, and sent a small body of men ahead to determine
+the strength of the enemy. We could now see that the English had hidden
+their horses behind some fruit-trees. When they caught sight of our men
+on the top of the ridge, they took up positions behind kraals and a
+dam-wall not far from the house, knowing well that escape was
+impossible.</p>
+
+<p>I thought it best to send a note to this handful of men, advising them
+to surrender, for I did not wish that any of my burghers' lives should
+be sacrificed in an unnecessary attack. Whilst I was writing the letter
+they punctuated it by an incessant fire, to which the burghers replied
+by a few shots, although none of the enemy were visible. As soon,
+however, as my despatch rider appeared with a white flag, their firing
+ceased. The answer they returned left something to be desired&mdash;"We shall
+not surrender!"</p>
+
+<p>I immediately ordered fifty of my men to attack them. Hardly had I given
+the order, when a number of young burghers sprung on their horses and
+galloped at break-neck pace towards the kraals.</p>
+
+<p>And now there was an end to all boasting, for without firing a single
+shot the enemy surrendered.</p>
+
+<p>We took twenty prisoners there, and an equal number of rifles and
+bandoliers. The horses we captured&mdash;again twenty in number&mdash;were in
+excellent condition, and all up-saddled. We now had made ninety men our
+prisoners since we crossed the Orange River.</p>
+
+<p>The joy of the Broodspioen, who had been for fifty minutes in the hands
+of the English, was very great; and I believe he never returned again to
+his very doubtful profession.</p>
+
+<p>The following day we came to a farm about six<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> miles to the east of
+Houtkraal Station, which we christened Moddervlei,<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> on account of the
+experience we had on the night following our arrival.</p>
+
+<p>The great English force was close behind us, and when night fell the
+enemy were not more than five miles from us.</p>
+
+<p>It was at the hour of sunset, shortly before we came to the swamp, which
+I shall presently describe, that my scouts came across fifteen of the
+enemy. When the English saw our men they turned round at once. But they
+did not get away before one was shot from his horse, and another
+seriously wounded, and several of them taken prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>I now sent two patrols to blow up the railway, seven miles at each side
+of the point where I intended to cross. I had no wish that an armoured
+train should appear and prevent my crossing.</p>
+
+<p>But, before we could reach the railway line a swamp lay in our way. This
+swamp was about one thousand paces broad, and was covered knee deep with
+water, and in some places even deeper; for heavy rain had fallen during
+the afternoon. The water, however, would have been a matter of very
+little consequence, had it not been that the bottom of the swamp was of
+such a nature that the horses sank in it up to their knees, and even
+sometimes up to their girths. But we fourteen hundred riders had to get
+over it somehow or other!</p>
+
+<p>Let the reader try to picture to himself the condition of the swamp when
+the last burgher had crossed!</p>
+
+<p>Many of the men lost their balance as their horses struggled in the mud,
+and several of the burghers had to dismount and lead their poor
+tired-out animals.</p>
+
+<p>The guns and the waggons caused us a great deal of trouble. We inspanned
+thirty oxen to each gun; but if it got stuck fast in the mud, fifty oxen
+were sometimes not sufficient to move it.</p>
+
+<p>At last we got the guns through, and succeeded in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> getting a trolley,
+and the little waggon which carried my documents and papers, safely to
+the other side. But the ammunition and flour-waggons were impossible to
+move when they had once entered the swamp.</p>
+
+<p>It was a night which I shall never forget!</p>
+
+<p>We had now to determine what we should do with the waggons. The day
+would soon break and we could only cross the railway line when darkness
+covered our movements. It would be disastrous to us if, while we were
+still between the swamp and the railway, troops should be brought up by
+rail from De Aar and Hopetown.</p>
+
+<p>It was perfectly clear that those who had crossed the swamp must go on.
+And so I advanced, at the same time giving General Fourie orders to
+remain behind with a hundred of the men whose horses were less exhausted
+than those of the other burghers, and to try to get the waggons through.
+In the event of the enemy arriving before his task was completed, I told
+him to leave the waggons and make his escape to the south.</p>
+
+<p>Having given these orders, I proceeded with my commando to the railway
+line. Only the weakest of the horses were with us, so that many of my
+burghers had to go on foot.</p>
+
+<p>The ninety prisoners we had taken were with me. I could not release
+them, because I did not want them to tell the enemy how exhausted our
+horses were. Should the English know this they would know exactly where
+our weak point lay.</p>
+
+<p>I pitied the poor "Tommies," but what else could I do but order them to
+march with me? I treated them as well as I could, and made no difference
+between them and the burghers. And after all, many of our own men had to
+go on foot.</p>
+
+<p>Any delay was dangerous, and so we hurried on as fast as possible. When
+we reached the railway line, day had already begun to break.
+Fortunately, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> met with no opposition; the patrols had followed my
+orders and broken the line.</p>
+
+<p>When the sun rose one could see what a terrible condition the burghers
+were in. On every man's face utter exhaustion could be read. But how
+could it have been otherwise? The men had had fighting to do the
+previous day, and had only once been able to off-saddle, and that not
+long enough to cook a piece of meat. Rain had also been falling in
+torrents, and most of the men were wet to the skin, for very few of them
+had waterproofs. And to make matters still worse, the burghers were
+covered with the mud from the swamp that still clung to them.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty-four hours had passed without the men being able to lie down and
+rest; and sleep, of course, had been entirely impossible.</p>
+
+<p>Three miles beyond the railway line I gave orders to off-saddle,
+although there was no grass for the horses. Hardly had we dismounted
+when I was told that we should find grass about one hour's ride further
+on. And so we mounted again, fatigued though we were, and found pasture
+at last for the poor animals. I thought it better that the masters
+should endure more hardships than that the horses should go without
+grass. We were rewarded for our short ride by the knowledge that our
+horses had something to eat, and we could sleep in peace without having
+to think that our animals were starving.</p>
+
+<p>But before we could sleep hunger compelled us to kill a sheep which we
+had bought from a farmer living near. In that part of Cape Colony
+sheep-farming is almost the only occupation, and so well adapted is this
+district for rearing sheep that it is quite an exception to see a lean
+one. It may interest some of my readers to know that the African sheep
+has a very remarkable peculiarity; it possesses a huge tail, which
+sometimes weighs as much as ten pounds.</p>
+
+<p>We were unable to obtain bread, and our flour had remained behind in the
+waggons. The sound of an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> explosion had told us that General Fourie had
+not been able to save them, and that by now they must have been burnt.</p>
+
+<p>I heard later on that General Fourie had been attacked by the English
+and had not been able to set fire to the waggons himself. But the
+English, so my scouts informed me, had done the work for him, and so
+thoroughly that they had also burnt some of their own waggons which had
+got into the swamp.</p>
+
+<p>After we had helped ourselves to a good "African boutspan," and had
+slept with our saddles as pillows, we were all in good spirits again,
+although we could not forget our experiences in the swamp.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers whom I had with me were of the right stamp, and were
+prepared to sacrifice everything for the freedom of the people. If any
+one had asked them whether they were ready to undergo any further
+hardships, they would have replied that a hundred swamps would not
+discourage them. They knew that freedom was a pearl of such value that
+no man since the world began had been able to set a price upon it.</p>
+
+<p>When General Fourie had abandoned the waggons, he retreated to the
+south, crossing the railway at De Aar. He joined me again near
+Petrusville when I was returning to the Free State.</p>
+
+<p>As the English had to march round the swamp, leaving their waggons
+behind, we were not pressed for time, or obliged to march very far. We
+took advantage of this respite to give our horses a little rest.</p>
+
+<p>I now proceeded to the west of Hopetown, in the direction of
+Strijdenburg. The following day the English were again on our heels in
+greater numbers than ever, and advancing more speedily than before. I
+was obliged to engage their vanguard for nearly the whole of that day.</p>
+
+<p>That evening we arrived at a spot about ten or twelve miles to the
+north-west of Strijdenburg. Here I left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> Commandant Hasebroek behind
+with three hundred men, till the following morning, with orders to watch
+the enemy and hold them back if necessary. This would give my burghers
+who were on foot, or whose horses were exhausted, a chance of getting
+away.</p>
+
+<p>I might here explain to the uninitiated our methods of checking the
+advance of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers who had the best horses would remain behind any rise or
+kopje they could find in the neighbourhood. When the enemy approached
+and saw ahead of them two or three hundred burghers they would halt and
+bring their guns (which were usually placed in the middle of the column)
+to the front. When they had got the guns in position, they would bombard
+the ridge behind which the burghers were stationed. But as our men had
+no wish to remain under fire, they would then quietly withdraw out of
+sight. But the English would continue bombarding the hill, and would
+send flanking parties to the right and left. Sometimes it would take the
+English several hours before they could make sure that there were no
+Boers behind the rise.</p>
+
+<p>It was tactics such as the above that gave my burghers who were
+handicapped by the condition of their horses, time to retreat.</p>
+
+<p>It sometimes happened, in these rearguard actions, when the position was
+favourable, that the enemy were led into an ambush, and then they were
+either captured or sent racing back under our fire to bring up their
+guns and main force. Had we not acted in some such way as this, all my
+men would have been taken prisoner in this and in many other marches.</p>
+
+<p>The large forces which the English on all occasions concentrated round
+me deprived me of any chance of fighting a great battle; and I could
+only act in the way I did.</p>
+
+<p>If the reader is eager to know how it was that I kept out of the enemy's
+hands until the end of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> war, I can only answer, although I may not
+be understood, that I ascribed it to nothing else than this:&mdash;It was not
+God's will that I should fall into their hands.</p>
+
+<p>Let those who rejoice at my miraculous escapes give all the praise to
+God.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+
+<h3>Darkness Proves my Salvation</h3>
+
+
+<p>Commandant Hasebroek held the enemy in check whilst we continued our
+march to a place called Vrouwpan. On the following day we struck the
+Brak River at a point ten miles south-east of its confluence with the
+Orange River, to the east of Prieska. It was not fordable, and we had to
+off-saddle.</p>
+
+<p>There was absolutely no chance of getting across&mdash;the best of swimmers
+would have been helpless in that swollen torrent, which rushed down to
+the Orange River, its great waves roaring like a tempestuous sea.</p>
+
+<p>About two hours before sunset Commandant Hasebroek reported that the
+English were rapidly approaching. The question was, "Which way shall we
+go?" It was impossible to escape either to the south of the river or in
+the direction of the enemy, for the veldt was too flat to afford us any
+cover. If we were not to be cornered against an impassable torrent, we
+must make our way down stream to the north-west; and even then we should
+be in danger of being driven on to the Orange River, which was only ten
+miles distant. By taking this road the English would not see us, on
+account of a ridge which lay between us and them.</p>
+
+<p>My plan was to get behind this ridge and to march under its shelter
+until darkness came on; then, proceeding up the Orange River, to attack
+the enemy in the rear. They were, however, only nine miles from us, and
+should their advance be rapid, they would reach the friendly ridge
+before night came on; and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> danger would then be that before I had
+fulfilled my purpose, we should be hemmed in between two swollen rivers
+with the most fatal consequences. The risk was great, but no other
+course was open to us. There was no time to seek advice from any one; I
+had but a moment to spare in which to acquaint President Steyn with my
+scheme. He said at once: "General, do as you think best."</p>
+
+<p>My mind had been already made up; but my respect for the President was
+so great, and we had always worked in such harmony, that I did not like
+to do anything without his knowledge; besides which, his advice was
+often of great value. Joshua of old prayed that the day might be
+lengthened: but here the case was different; we had reason to be
+thankful that the day was passed and night had begun to fall before the
+vanguard of the enemy had reached the ridge, from the summit of which
+they might have observed us.</p>
+
+<p>That night was the darkest I had ever known. And this was in our favour.
+Very quietly we retreated in a line parallel with the English column
+until, on the following morning, we were not only out of sight but a
+good nine or ten miles behind the enemy, who were marching on, fully
+expecting to corner us between the two rivers.</p>
+
+<p>The English army had been enormously reinforced, and it was clear that
+now more than ever they were putting forth all their powers to silence
+President Steyn and myself effectually.</p>
+
+<p>From their point of view they were right; for had things turned out in
+such a way that we could have remained in Cape Colony, then I am
+convinced we should have made matters very awkward for them.</p>
+
+<p>But what were we to do now? With so many burghers on foot or provided
+only with worn-out horses, it was useless to think of circumventing the
+enemy, and thus getting once more to the south of them; whereas to go up
+stream along the banks of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> Orange River until we could discover a
+ford, and then to return across it into the Free State, would mean the
+upsetting of my plan of campaign.</p>
+
+<p>I was obliged to make the best of a bad bargain; and I decided to find a
+way across the Orange River before the enemy had discovered my
+whereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>That day, the 20th of February, we set out along the river, looking for
+a ford. The river was falling, but as there was no feasible crossing we
+had no choice but to go on, trusting that we should find one near the
+confluence of the two rivers. Here again we were disappointed; the punts
+which should have been there had been destroyed some time before by the
+English, but we heard of a boat six miles higher up, so on we marched.
+When found, it was only a small boat, capable of holding, at most,
+twelve men, but we got to work at once, and by the evening of the 22nd
+there were two hundred dismounted burghers on the other bank of the
+river. Some crossed by swimming, in attempting which a man of the name
+of Van de Nerwe was drowned.</p>
+
+<p>A few of those who crossed in the boat succeeded in pulling their horses
+after them.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning of the 23rd I received a report that the English forces
+were close on our heels. We did not expect them so soon, but they had
+made a long night's march. Without delay we off-saddled, and proceeded
+along the river, while the rearguard covered our retreat. The force of
+the enemy was, however, too great, and the rearguard had, after a short
+engagement, to give way.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately the veldt was broken, and we could (as we had done a few
+days previously) march ahead out of sight of the enemy. Towards two
+o'clock in the afternoon we were obliged to off-saddle, but could only
+do so for one hour, for the English were upon us again. Our gun and
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt we had to leave behind for the enemy; the draught
+cattle had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> become exhausted, and we had no dynamite with which to blow
+up the guns.</p>
+
+<p>But what did it matter? England had already so many big guns that two
+more could not make much difference, if added to the four hundred which
+that country&mdash;one of the oldest and strongest of Empires&mdash;had brought
+against a small nation, fighting only to defend its sacred rights.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, it cut me to the heart to give up my guns<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> on that
+day&mdash;the 23rd of February&mdash;the commemoration day of the independence of
+the Orange Free State. In happier times we had celebrated this day
+amongst our friends, to the accompaniment of salvoes of rifles. Now we
+were obliged to celebrate it by giving up the only two guns with which
+we could still shoot, and which we were now to see turned upon
+ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>My feelings on that day I can never forget! Those Englishmen who go by
+the name of "Pro-Boers" are the best fitted to describe the anguish
+which then overpowered me, for they stood up for justice even against
+their own people. And this not because they were hostile to their
+Government, or to the greatness of England's power, but only because
+they were not without moral sense, because they could not stifle
+conscience at the expense of justice, nor identify themselves with
+iniquitous actions.</p>
+
+<p>But the day will come&mdash;of this I am convinced&mdash;when not Pro-Boers only,
+but all England will acknowledge our rights&mdash;the rights which we shall
+then have earned by our quiet faithfulness and obedience. I cannot
+believe that any father will look without pity on a child who comes to
+him as a child should&mdash;obedient and submissive.</p>
+
+<p>The 23rd of February, 1901, the forty-seventh anniversary of the Orange
+Free States, had been a disastrous day for us indeed, but it was to end
+in another miraculous escape, for in the darkness of that evening<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> it
+again happened that we were delivered from an apparently unavoidable
+misfortune. As I have said already, the English were firing on my
+rear-guard; at the same time my scouts came in to tell me that, just in
+front of us, at a distance of not quite four miles, there was another
+great army of the enemy. I had intended to march that night to the west
+of Hopetown. But now if I went in that direction I should only run
+straight on to this army. If we went to the left we could only advance
+2,000 paces before being visible to the English on the kop close to
+Hopetown, from where they could make known our movements by heliograph.
+At our front, at our back, on our left, the outlook was hopeless; and to
+the right lay the cruel river. Stand still we could not&mdash;the enemy were
+upon us&mdash;it was impossible that anything could save us&mdash;no, not
+impossible&mdash;a rescue was at hand.</p>
+
+<p>The sun was just going down, and by the time we could be seen from
+Hopetown, night would have covered us with its sheltering wings.</p>
+
+<p>We should then be able to execute a flank movement, and make a detour
+round the enemy who were before us. But now I knew that we must be
+prepared to march nearly the whole night through, in order that we might
+be able, early on the following morning, to cross the railway lines. If
+we did not do this, then we should have the enemy close in our rear, and
+perhaps an armour train threatening us in front. But ... there were the
+burghers on foot and those who had weak horses; and I had not the heart
+to make them march on foot for so long a time, yet the thought of
+allowing such trustworthy patriotic burghers to fall into the hands of
+the enemy was unbearable. I therefore decided on letting them take a
+cross road to the north, to the banks of the Orange River about five
+miles from our position. There, on the banks of the river, were many
+bushes amongst which they could hide themselves until the enemy had
+passed by. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> could then proceed along the banks of the river and
+cross it by means of the boat. I cautioned them not to march in one
+troop, or in one trail, but to spread out, so that the English could not
+easily follow their tracks. In this the poor burghers succeeded; they
+already, on that memorable and sad day, had marched eighteen miles; but
+they had yet to cover another five miles to the river before they could
+take their night's rest. They accomplished this feat (on the second day)
+under the valiant and true Commandant Hasebroek, whose horse, although
+tired, was still able to proceed. As for me, I marched away in the
+evening, and after we had rested that night for a few hours, we arrived
+at a place a short distance to the south of Hopetown. About eight
+o'clock we crossed the line, which was fortunately at that point not as
+yet guarded by forts, and off-saddled about six miles beyond. We had
+eaten nothing since the previous day, and it will easily be understood
+that we were so hungry that we, as the Boer proverb says,&mdash;"could have
+eaten off a nail's head." There we got some sheep, and it was not long
+before they were killed, broiled, and eaten; what a meal we made!</p>
+
+<p>Towards mid-day we headed once more for the Orange River. We thought
+that by the time we arrived it would be fordable, for we had seen on the
+previous morning that it was falling rapidly, but what was our
+disappointment! there must have been rain higher up the stream, as the
+river had become fuller, and there was still no chance of crossing.</p>
+
+<p>The English were approaching. We had, however, to use our field glasses
+to enable us to see them, as we were fifteen or sixteen miles in front
+of them. Once more there were burghers whose horses were tired and who
+had to march on foot. We thought now that there would be a better chance
+at Limoensdrift; and every one who knew this ford said that it was a
+shallow one. The following day saw us there, and&mdash;the river was quite
+full! We then tried higher<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> up, still with the same result&mdash;every drift
+was unfordable.</p>
+
+<p>At last we reached the Zanddrift, where we had crossed seventeen days
+before. We knew that this was a shallow drift, and on arriving there I
+got two young burghers,&mdash;of whom the one, David Heenop, was an excellent
+swimmer,&mdash;to make a trial. The water had not appeared to be so deep as
+we found it to be, when the two burghers plunged into it. They could not
+remain on their horses' backs, but had to swim alongside of them to the
+other side of the river. All thought of their return was out of the
+question; they had risked their lives in crossing, and I gave them
+orders from my side of the river not to attempt the passage back. But
+they had not a stitch of clothing on them, for they had stripped
+themselves before entering the water! In this state, then, they were
+obliged to mount their horses and proceed, and this under a burning sun,
+which scorched them with its rays. About three-quarters of an hour's
+ride from there was a Boer farm; their only course, they thought, was to
+ask for gowns from the ladies there, in which to dress themselves. When
+they arrived at a short distance from the house (such was the account
+they gave on joining me later on) they halted and shouted to the house
+for clothing. A Boer vrouw<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> named Boshof, sent to each one through
+her son&mdash;not a gown, but a pair of trousers and a shirt of her
+husband's, which she had been able to hide from the English, who had
+passed there, and who generally took away, or burnt, all male attire.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy had, in the meantime, approached quite close to us, and we
+were again obliged to look for a drift up stream. We had hopes that if
+the river did not all of a sudden rise, we should find one. We came so
+close to the English that we had to open fire on their advance guard
+before we could proceed.</p>
+
+<p>Here General Judge Hartzog met us with his com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>mandos from the
+south-west of Cape Colony, and with him, General Fourie.</p>
+
+<p>That night we marched about fourteen miles.</p>
+
+<p>In the night, after crossing the Zeekoe River, we arrived at a Boer
+farm, to which (we are told) twenty English scouts had paid a visit
+shortly after sunset, and, having asked for information concerning us,
+had gone away by the same road we were following. About four or five
+miles from there we had to cross a ridge. It was dark, and I had
+forgotten those twenty English. I had sent out no scouts before me, but
+rode, as was my habit, with my staff, in front of the commandos. As we
+approached the summit of the mountain I saw a group of horses fastened
+together, and some men lying in front of them. The horses and men were
+not twenty paces to the left of the path, among the bushes. I thought at
+first that they were some of my burghers who had ridden on in advance,
+and were now lying there asleep; I myself had rested for a while at the
+foot of the mountains, to give the burghers, who were on foot, a chance
+of coming up with me. The thought angered me, for it would have been
+against all orders that any burghers, without special permission, should
+go in advance. I proceeded to wake them up.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by riding ahead like this?" I called out to them.
+Nearly all with one accord sprang up and asked, "Who are you?" "Hands
+up!" I called out; as one man their hands went up. They explained that
+they were seven of the twenty scouts before mentioned,&mdash;but here the
+remainder opened fire upon us from about two hundred paces to the front.
+I called out to the burghers, "Charge!"</p>
+
+<p>The burghers did so, but as they came to the little hill where we had
+seen the sparks from the guns they found nobody. The English had fled,
+and, as the moon had just gone down, it was too dark to pursue them.
+Taking with us the seven prisoners, we continued on our way until the
+following morning. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> allowed them to retain their clothes. It was
+still before the "uitschuddings"<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> period.</p>
+
+<p>The day broke, and after having been turned back on the banks of the
+Brak River, we marched to the fifteenth ford. "If we could only get
+across here," we said. We knew that once across we should have a respite
+from the enemy, and could with thankful hearts take breath even if it
+were only for three or four days.</p>
+
+<p>When we came to the river I at once ordered a few burghers to undress
+and go in. Alas! when the horses entered the ford, the water came over
+their backs, and they had almost to swim. "Now they will have to swim!"
+we cried, but presently we saw that the farther they went the shallower
+it became, and that they walked where we expected them to swim, until at
+last the water reached only to the horses' knees.</p>
+
+<p>What a scramble there was now among the burghers in order to cross! Soon
+the river was one mass of men from bank to bank.</p>
+
+<p>I can hardly describe the different exclamations of joy, the Psalms and
+the songs that now rose up from the burghers splashing through the
+water. "Never will we return," "No more of the Colony for me," "The Free
+State," "On to the Free State!" "The Free State for ever!" Then again,
+"Praise the Lord with cheerful song," "Hurrah!" These were among the
+expressions which met my ears.</p>
+
+<p>Although this was only an old waggon-ford, which had not been used for
+the last few years, my little waggon and a few carts got across. One of
+the carts was drawn by two small donkeys. Somebody told me that the
+little donkeys had to swim a short distance where it was deep, and at
+one time disappeared beneath the water; but that the driver was so full
+of joy&mdash;or of fear&mdash;that he went on whipping the water!</p>
+
+<p>A fearful experience we had had! We asked each other in wonder, "Is it
+possible? How could we have endured it?" But as I have only been
+hinting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> at things, the reader will perhaps say, "O come! it hasn't been
+as bad as all that!"</p>
+
+<p>Give me leave then, dear reader, to place before you the whole of the
+circumstances. England's great power pitted against two Republics,
+which, in comparison with European countries, were nearly uninhabited!
+This mighty Empire employed against us, besides their own English,
+Scotch and Irish soldiers, volunteers from the Australian, New Zealand,
+Canadian and South African Colonies; hired against us both black and
+white nations, and, what is the worst of all, the national scouts from
+our own nation sent out against us. Think, further, that all harbours
+were closed to us, and that there were therefore no imports. Can you not
+see that the whole course of events was a miracle from beginning to end?
+A miracle of God in the eyes of every one who looks at it with an
+unbiassed mind, but even more apparent to those who had personal
+experience of it. Yet, however that may be, I had to declare again that
+if there had been no national scouts and no Kaffirs, in all human
+probability matters would have taken another turn. But as things have
+turned out, all that can now be said is, that we have done our best, and
+that to ask any one to do more is unreasonable. May it be the cry of
+every one, "God willed it so&mdash;His name be praised!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2>
+
+<h3>Was Ours a Guerilla War?</h3>
+
+
+<p>Something almost miraculous now happened! Hardly had we been three hours
+across the river when it became completely unfordable!</p>
+
+<p>We knew that we should have now a few days at least in which to rest
+ourselves, and we marched slowly to the farm of Lubbeshoop. From there I
+sent General Fourie to operate in the south-eastern districts, where he
+had been before, and despatched Judge Hertzog to the south-western
+districts.</p>
+
+<p>We were of the opinion that we should be able to do better work if we
+divided the commandos up into small parties. We could not risk any great
+battles, and, if we divided our forces, the English would have to divide
+their forces too.</p>
+
+<p>The commandos were now divided as follows:</p>
+
+<p>1. The district of Kroonstad: the men under Commandants Philip De Vos,
+Jan Cilliers and Maree.</p>
+
+<p>Sub-district of Heilbron: the men under Commandants F.E. Mentz, Lucas
+Steenekamp and J. Van de Merwe.</p>
+
+<p>All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Johannes Hattingh.</p>
+
+<p>2. The district of Vrede: the men under Commandants Ross and Manie
+Botha.</p>
+
+<p>Sub-district of Harrismith: the men under Commandants Jan Meijer, Jan
+Jacobsz,<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> and (at a later period) Brukes.</p>
+
+<p>All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Wessel Wessels.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>3. The district of Winburg: the men under Commandant Hasebroek.</p>
+
+<p>The sub-district of Ladybrand: the men under Commandant Koen.</p>
+
+<p>The sub-district of Ficksburg: the men under Commandant Steyn.<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a></p>
+
+<p>The sub-district of Bethlehem: the men under Commandant Michal Prinsloo.</p>
+
+<p>All of these men were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief C.C. Froneman.</p>
+
+<p>4. The district of Boshof: the men under Commandant J.N. Jacobsz, P.
+Erasmus and H. Theunissen.<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a></p>
+
+<p>Sub-district of Hoopstad: the men under Commandants Jacobus Theron (of
+Winburg) and A.J. Bester (of Brandfort).</p>
+
+<p>All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief C.C.J. Badenhorst.</p>
+
+<p>5. The district of Philippolis: the men under Commandants Munnik and
+Hertzog.</p>
+
+<p>Sub-district of Fauresmith: the men under Commandant Charles Nieuwouwdt.</p>
+
+<p>Sub-district of Jacobsdal: the men under Commandant Hendrik Pretorius.</p>
+
+<p>Sub-district of Petrusburg: the men under Commandant Van du Berg.</p>
+
+<p>All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge J.B.M. Hertzog,
+who also was in command of the western part of Bloemfontein.</p>
+
+<p>6. The district of the southern part of Bloemfontein: the men under
+Commandants Ackerman and Willem Kolbe.</p>
+
+<p>Sub-district of Thaba'Nchu: the men under Commandant J.P. Strijl (a
+member of the Volksraad).<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Sub-districts of Bethulie and Smithfield: the men under Commandant
+Gideon Joubert.</p>
+
+<p>Sub-district of Rouxville: the men under Commandant Frederik Rheeders.</p>
+
+<p>Sub-district of Wepener: the men under Commandant R. Coetzee.</p>
+
+<p>All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Piet Fourie, and later
+on under George Brand.</p>
+
+<p>Not long after this arrangement had been made the district under General
+Froneman was divided into two divisions, and Commandant Michal Prinsloo
+was promoted to be Vice-Commander-in-Chief of Bethlehem and Ficksburg as
+separate sub-districts. Bethlehem was then given three Commandants,
+namely, Commandants Olivier, Rautenbach and Bruwer.</p>
+
+<p>All this new arrangement of our forces made it impossible for great
+battles to be fought; it offered us the opportunity of frequently
+engaging the enemy in skirmishes, and inflicting heavier losses upon
+them than would otherwise have been the case. For the same reason our
+losses grew larger from month to month, but they did not increase in the
+same proportion as those of the enemy. Again, we captured more prisoners
+than formerly. It is much to be regretted that we were unable to keep
+them, for had we been in a position to do so, the world would have been
+astonished at their number. But unfortunately we were now unable to
+retain any of our prisoners. We had no St. Helena, Ceylon or Bermuda,
+whither we could send them. Thus, whilst every prisoner which the
+English captured meant one less man for us, the thousands of prisoners
+we took from the English were no loss to them at all, for in most cases
+it was only a few hours before they could fight again. All that was
+required was that a rifle should be ready in the camp on a prisoner's
+return, and he was prepared for service once more.</p>
+
+<p>The fact that we fought throughout the Free State in small detachments,
+put the English to some trouble,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> for they felt themselves obliged to
+discover a vocabulary of names to apply to us!</p>
+
+<p>Thus when Lord Roberts on the 24th of May, 1900, proclaimed the Orange
+Free State (and afterwards the Transvaal) as annexed by the British
+Crown, he described those who continued to fight as rebels. Then again
+we were called "Sniping Bands" and "Brigands." But the list of epithets
+was not exhausted yet, for it appeared that we were "Guerillas," and our
+leaders "Guerilla Chiefs!"</p>
+
+<p>I was always at a loss to understand by what right the English
+designated us "Guerillas." They had, however, to withdraw the
+<i>soubriquet</i> at the Peace Negotiations, when they acknowledged that our
+leaders formed a legal government.</p>
+
+<p>Let me say a few words more about this term "Guerillas." We will suppose
+that England has captured New York, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Paris,
+Amsterdam, or any other capital of a free and independent State, Kingdom
+or Empire, and that the Government of such State, Kingdom or Empire
+still continues to defend itself. Would England then be entitled to call
+their antagonists "Guerillas"? Or, we will suppose that England's
+capital has been taken by another nation, but the English Government
+still remains in existence. Could England then be considered to be
+annexed by the other nation, and could the enemy term the English
+"Guerillas"? Surely it would be impossible!</p>
+
+<p>The only case in which one can use this word, is when one civilized
+nation has so completely vanquished another, that not only is the
+capital taken, but also the country from border to border is so
+completely conquered that any resistance is out of the question.</p>
+
+<p>But that nothing like this had happened in South Africa is clear to
+every one who recalls the names of Lindley,<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a> Roodewal, Dewetsdorp,
+Vlakfontein, Tafel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>kop<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> and Tweefontein, not to speak of many other
+glorious battle-fields on which we fought <i>after</i> the so-called
+annexation.</p>
+
+<p>Nor must we forget to mention the defeat that Lord Methuen received at
+the hands of General De la Rey immediately before the conclusion of
+peace; a defeat which put the crown on all our victories.</p>
+
+<p>But, as I have already said, it very soon appeared that when England
+stamped us as "Guerillas," they really did not mean to use the word at
+all.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>Negotiations with the Enemy</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was the intention of President Steyn to remain for some time in the
+division of Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge Hertzog. Meanwhile, I went to
+the northern commandos, in order to keep in touch with Generals Louis
+Botha and De la Rey and our Government. When I was about twelve miles to
+the south of Petrusburg, I received a letter from General Botha,
+informing me that Lord Kitchener desired to have a conference held, at
+Middelburg, in the middle of February, as the English Government wanted
+to make a Peace Proposal. General Botha asked the President and myself
+to come yet nearer, so that, in case we might be wanted, we should be
+within reach.</p>
+
+<p>I sent on his letter to President Steyn, giving him my opinion of it,
+and asking if he would come. The President, who was always ready to do
+anything for his country or people, did not lose one moment, but came at
+once. Meanwhile, I went on ahead with my staff, taking with me also
+Captain Louis Wessels, and five of his men.</p>
+
+<p>About the 15th of March I crossed the railway line, ten miles to the
+north of Brandfort, during the night. There we placed some charges of
+dynamite under the rails, but before we had completed our work, a train
+came up so quietly that one might call it a "scouting train." It was a
+dark night, and there was no lantern at the head of the engine, so that
+we did not see it until it was close upon us. We had, therefore, no
+chance to ignite the fuse. We retired to a distance of about one hundred
+paces from the line, when a fierce<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> fire was opened upon us from the
+train. We replied to this as the train went past, to be succeeded
+immediately afterwards by a second one. As soon as this also had passed
+us, we fired the fuses and blew up the railway line at different places
+close to each other.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after this two trains came up, stopping close to the place
+where the explosions had occurred, and fired on us for about ten minutes
+without intermission. We paid them back in their own coin, and then each
+train went its way, leaving the repairing of the line to the following
+day.</p>
+
+<p>From there we marched on, without accident, except that a German
+received a slight wound, and one horse was killed. We soon reached
+Senekal (which had been abandoned by the English), where for the first
+time I met Dr. Reich and his wife. The doctor received us very heartily;
+although he did not belong to our Field Ambulance, he did everything
+that he could for our wounded, as he had done for those of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>From Senekal I went on to pay a visit to the Heilbron commando, after
+which I proceeded to Vrede, arriving there on the 24th of February.</p>
+
+<p>It was at Vrede that I had asked Louis Botha to meet me, if he could
+manage it, and the day after my arrival this meeting took place. The
+General told me that the negotiations between him and Lord Kitchener had
+resulted in nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Although this was not very satisfactory, still it was just as well that
+I should meet the Commandant-General of the Transvaal. We had much to
+discuss and, after a long talk, we parted with the firm determination
+that, whatever happened, we would continue the war.</p>
+
+<p>On the 27th General Botha returned to the Transvaal, and I to the
+Heilbron commando. After a few days President Steyn came from the south
+of the Free State, in order to meet the Transvaal Government at Vrede.
+After this meeting had taken place<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> he went off to a camp of his own,
+for it was thought better that he should not remain with the commandos
+any longer. I gave him fifty burghers, under the command of Commandant
+Davel, to serve as a bodyguard.</p>
+
+<p>I had but just returned from my meeting with General Botha when a
+serious matter arose at Petrusburg, demanding my immediate presence
+there. It was three hundred and sixty miles there and back, and the
+journey promised to be anything but a pleasure trip&mdash;far less a safe
+excursion&mdash;for me; but the country's interest requiring it, I started on
+the 8th of April, although much fatigued by my inroad into Cape Colony.</p>
+
+<p>My staff succeeded in capturing an outpost of sixteen men on the railway
+line near Vredefort, the English losing one killed and two wounded.</p>
+
+<p>I visited the commando at Vredefort, arranged everything at Petrusburg,
+and started on my return journey on the 17th. I crossed the railway line
+between Smaldeel and Ventersburg Road Station, and after paying
+Commandant Hasebroek a short visit, I came back to the Heilbron
+commando.</p>
+
+<p>Our tactics of dividing our commandos, and thus keeping the English busy
+in every part of the Free State, or, where they were too numerous for
+us, of refusing to allow them to give us battle, so enraged them that
+they no longer spared the farmhouses in the north and north-western
+districts. Even in the south and south-west many of the houses were
+wrecked, but the work of destruction was not carried out with the same
+completeness as in the afore-mentioned districts. The enemy, moreover,
+did not spare our cattle, but either drove them off or killed them for
+food. As for our women-folk&mdash;any of them who fell into the hands of the
+enemy were sent off to the concentration camps.</p>
+
+<p>I have no space here, however, to write about the treatment of the
+women; it is such a serious matter that it would require whole chapters
+to deal with it adequately. Abler pens than mine will deal with it in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>
+full detail. I will only remark here that the Boer women were shamefully
+treated, and that if England wishes to efface the impression which these
+cruelties have left upon the hearts of our people, she will have to act
+as every great conquering race must act, if it is ever to be reconciled
+with the nations it has vanquished.</p>
+
+<p>Our winter season had now begun. We had no provisions except meat, bread
+and maize. Even these were rather scarce, but we could not yet say that
+we were altogether destitute. Coffee and sugar&mdash;except when we had an
+opportunity of helping ourselves from the enemy's stores&mdash;were unknown
+to us. With regard to the first-named commodity, however, the reader
+must know that in the district of Boshof there grows a wild tree, whose
+roots make an excellent substitute for coffee. Broken up into small
+pieces and roasted, they supplied us with a delicious beverage. The only
+pity was that the tree was so scarce that the demand for this concoction
+very greatly exceeded the supply. We therefore invented another
+drink&mdash;which we also called coffee&mdash;and which was composed of corn,
+barley, maize, dried peaches, sweet potatoes, and miscellaneous
+ingredients. My own favourite beverage was abundant&mdash;especially after
+heavy rain!</p>
+
+<p>The question of clothing was now beginning to be a very serious one. We
+were reduced to mending our trousers, and even our jackets with leather.
+For the tanning of this leather the old and feeble were employed, who,
+as soon as the enemy approached, fled, and as soon as they had passed,
+returned to their tanning. At a later period the English had a trick of
+taking the hides out of the tanning tubs and cutting them to pieces, in
+the hope, I suppose, that we should then be compelled to go barefoot and
+unclothed.</p>
+
+<p>It was to obviate such a catastrophe as this that the custom of
+<i>Uitschudden</i><a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> now came into force. The burghers, although against
+orders, stripped every prisoner. The English had begun by taking away,
+or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> burning, the clothes which the burghers had left in their
+houses&mdash;that was bad enough. But that they should cut up the hides,
+which they found in the tanning tubs, was still worse; and&mdash;the burghers
+paid them back in the same coin by stripping the troops.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the end of May I crossed the railway line to Parijs and
+Vredefort, intending to go on from there to see General De la Rey, and
+discuss our affairs with him. I had come to the conclusion that it would
+be good policy to send small commandos into Cape Colony; for small
+bodies of men can move rapidly, and are thus able to get out of the way
+if they are threatened by overpowering numbers. Moreover, such small
+detachments would compel the English to divide their forces.</p>
+
+<p>When I reached Vredefort I received a despatch from President Steyn,
+summoning me to him. I had thus to abandon my idea of visiting General
+De la Rey; instead of this, I wrote him a letter requesting him to come
+to the President. I also sent for Judge Hertzog.</p>
+
+<p>De la Rey was the first to arrive, and, without waiting for Judge
+Hertzog, we at once proceeded to take into consideration the following
+letter from the Government of the South African Republic.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 8em;"><span class="smcap">Government Offices</span>,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-right: 6em;"><span class="smcap">In the Field</span>,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-right: 4em;">District Ermelo,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-right: 2em;">South African Republic,</span><br />
+<i>May 10th, 1901</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">To the Government Secretary, O.F.S.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>I have the honour to report to you that to-day the following
+officers met the Government, namely, the Commandant-General,
+General B. Viljoen, General J.C. Smuts (Staats-Procureur), the
+last-named representing the western districts. Our situation was
+seriously discussed, and, among others, the following facts were
+pointed out:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>1. That small parties of burghers are still continually laying down
+their arms, and that the danger arising from this is becoming every
+day more threatening, namely, that we are exposed to the risk of
+our campaign ending in disgrace, as the consequence of these
+surrenders may be that the Government and the officers will be left
+in the field without any burghers, and that, therefore, heavy
+responsibility rests upon the Government and War Officers, as they
+represent the nation and not themselves only.</p>
+
+<p>2. That our ammunition is so exhausted that no battle of any
+importance can be fought, and that this lack of ammunition will
+soon bring us to the necessity of flying helplessly before the
+enemy. And that through this same lack it has become impossible for
+us to afford adequate protection to our people and their cattle,
+with the result that the general population is being reduced to
+poverty and despair, and that even the troops will soon be unable
+to be supplied with provisions.</p>
+
+<p>3. That through the above-mentioned conditions the authority of the
+Government is becoming more and more weakened, and that thus the
+danger arises of the people losing all respect and reverence for
+lawful authority, and falling into a condition of lawlessness. And
+that to prolong the war can only lead to hastening the ruin of the
+people, and making it clear to them that the only authority in the
+country is that of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>4. That not only is our nation becoming disorganized in the manner
+above referred to, but that it will also most certainly happen that
+the leaders of the nation, whose personal influence has hitherto
+kept it together, will fall into utter contempt, and lose that
+influence which is our only hope for reviving the national spirit
+in the future.</p>
+
+<p>5. That the people are constantly demanding to be told what hope
+still exists of successfully prosecuting the war, and that they
+have the right to expect to be informed in an honest and
+straightforward manner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> that their cause is hopeless, whenever this
+has become evident to the Government and the Leaders.</p>
+
+<p>Up to the present time the Government and the nation have been
+expecting that, with the co-operation of their Deputation and by
+the aid of European complications, there would be some hope for the
+success of their cause, and the Government feels strongly that
+before taking any decisive step, an attempt should again be made to
+arrive with certainty at the results of the Deputation and the
+political situation in Europe.</p>
+
+<p>Having taken all the facts into consideration, the Government,
+acting in conjunction with the above-mentioned officers, have
+arrived at the following decision:</p>
+
+<p>Firstly, that a request should be addressed this very day to Lord
+Kitchener, asking that through the intervention of ambassadors sent
+by us to Europe, the condition of our country may be allowed to be
+placed before President Kruger, which ambassadors are to return
+with all possible speed.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly, that should this request be refused, or lead to no
+results, an armistice should be asked for, by which the opportunity
+should be given us of finally deciding in consultation with your
+Government, and the people of the two States, what we must do.</p>
+
+<p>This second proposal is, however, subject to any solution which
+your Government, taking into consideration the above-mentioned
+grievances, may be able to suggest.</p>
+
+<p>The Government feels very keenly that it would no longer be right
+to allow things to go on as they have been going on, and that the
+time has arrived for taking some definite steps; it will,
+therefore, be glad to receive an answer from your Government as
+soon as possible.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I have the honour to be,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Yours, etc.,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><span class="smcap">F.W. Reitz</span>,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 8em;"><i>Secretary of State.</i></span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The answer which the President sent to this letter was formerly in my
+possession, but has been lost with many of my documents. I am able,
+however, to give an extract, which I received from the Rev. J.D.
+Kestell. It was to the following effect:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>The President was much disappointed with the letter of the Transvaal
+Government; he said that although there had been in the past some
+surrenders in the Free State, this difficulty had now been overcome.
+Moreover, although the ammunition had for a long time been scarce,
+nevertheless, after every fight, there had been enough to begin the next
+with. To the question, What probability was there of their being able to
+continue the struggle? he would reply by asking another question&mdash;What
+hope had the two little Republics, at the beginning of the war, of
+winning the fight against the might of England? If they had trusted in
+God at the beginning, why did they not continue to trust in Him?</p>
+
+<p>He also pointed out that if the Boer cause was really quite hopeless,
+the Deputation would have been sure to send word to that effect.
+Further, he assured the Transvaal Government that if an armistice were
+to be obtained, and if during it the people of the Free State were to be
+asked for their opinion, the decision of the burghers who were still in
+the field would be to continue the war.</p>
+
+<p>He could not approve of the decision of the Transvaal Government to ask
+Lord Kitchener to allow ambassadors to be sent to Europe, for, by so
+doing, the Government would be showing its hand to the enemy; he added
+that he was very sorry that such a decision had been taken without first
+consulting the Free State.</p>
+
+<p>As to the fear expressed by the Transvaal Government, that the
+Authorities and the Officers in the field would be left without
+burghers, the President said, that even if the Government and the
+Officers of the Free State were to surrender, the nation would not do
+so. It would be a great misfortune, he added,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> if the Orange Free State,
+which had not only lost its property and the lives of many of its
+burghers but also even its very independence, in the defence of the
+sister Republic, should now be abandoned by that Republic; that then all
+confidence in one another and all co-operation between Afrikanders would
+come to an end for ever: and that, under such circumstances, it would be
+too much to expect that the African nation should ever be able to rise
+again. If then the Boers wished to remain a nation, it was absolutely
+necessary to continue the war.</p>
+
+<p>After having quoted various appropriate passages from the newspapers,
+the President went on as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"All these considerations combine to make me believe that we should be
+committing a National murder if we were to give in now. Brethren! Hold
+out a little longer. Let not our sufferings and our struggles be in
+vain; let not our faith in the God of our fathers become a byword. Do
+all that you can to encourage one another."</p>
+
+<p>The President concluded this very remarkable and powerful letter with
+the question:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Are we again to leave the Colonial burghers in the lurch? God forbid."</p>
+
+<p>We decided to set out for the Transvaal in order to discuss the matter
+with the Government; and on the evening of the 5th of June we marched
+four or five miles from Liebenbergsvlei, to a place opposite
+Verkijkersdorp. We were, all told, between sixty and seventy men,
+including the staff and part of the bodyguard of President Steyn, the
+staff of General De la Rey, and eight of my staff officers.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning, an hour and a half after sunrise, a burgher came
+galloping up to tell us that the enemy had just captured a laager of
+women.<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It seemed impossible to ride over to the rescue of these women, for our
+horses had still to make the long journey into the Transvaal. I asked
+our guest, General De la Rey, what he thought about the matter. He at
+once replied that we must go and liberate the women. As we were already
+up-saddled in readiness for our march, I had nothing to do but to give
+the order to start. The President, with his staff and some of the
+bodyguard, remained behind; while General De la Rey, Commandant Davel
+and I, with fifty-five men, hurried off. The retired General, Piet
+Fourie, was also with us.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy had marched with the laager on to a hill near the Kaffir
+kraal, consisting of four or five huts and a building made of sods.</p>
+
+<p>We first caught sight of the English when we were at a distance of four
+miles from them; they were then busy drawing up the waggons of the women
+in rows of ten or twelve. The oxen belonging to the first row stood
+close against the kraal, as we saw later on; those of the second row
+being behind them, and so on.</p>
+
+<p>The women told us afterwards that they had asked to be allowed to retire
+to a place where they would not run the risk of being shot by us (for
+the English had taken cover barely one hundred paces behind the waggons
+and were preparing to fight us from there), but that they were ordered
+to remain behind the soldiers. They were thus exposed to the danger of
+being hit by us, if we shot a little too high. It was, they said, the
+most terrible day they had ever spent.</p>
+
+<p>When we came within range of the English, they opened a hot fire upon
+us. We had to gallop over ground as smooth as a table with no cover
+until we were close up to them, and protected by a small hill. We left
+our horses here, and ran as fast as we could up the incline. At the top
+we were within forty paces of the place where the English were lying in
+wait for us. As soon as our heads appeared over the brow of the hill
+they fired on us; but there was only one round<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> fired, for our reply was
+so sharp and severe that many of them were at once mowed down. The rest
+jumped up and retreated behind the last row of waggons, several of them,
+however, being killed during their flight.</p>
+
+<p>Our men dashed through between the waggons, but the English were the
+first to reach the kraal. They had made loopholes in its walls, through
+which they now fired on us. The only shelter we had was a Kaffir hut,
+which as is well known, always has a round wall. There was no chance for
+us to make loopholes&mdash;the wall was too solid&mdash;so that if a burgher
+wanted to shoot he had to expose his whole body, while the English lay
+ready behind their loopholes to fire on us. So it happened that eleven
+burghers were killed and seven wounded. Among the dead was Captain
+Thijnsma, and among the wounded, Lieutenant H. Howell.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime we had got the waggons away, except the row which was
+nearest to the kraal, and which were too close to the enemy for us to be
+able to approach them safely.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had the English taken refuge in the kraal than the women fled
+with the waggons; and it is astonishing to relate that only one little
+boy of thirteen years was killed, and a woman and a girl slightly
+wounded. One of the burghers whom the English had taken prisoner was
+also killed.</p>
+
+<p>I have no exact figure as to the losses of the English, but judging from
+the number of dead and wounded lying on the battlefield, I should say
+that their casualties must have been about eighty.</p>
+
+<p>The fight lasted from eleven till three o'clock, and then a
+reinforcement of cavalry, from eight hundred to one thousand men strong,
+appeared with some guns. The force with which we had been engaged,
+numbering about two hundred men, belonged to the column which was now
+coming up. As we could not drive the English from the kraal before the
+arrival of the reinforcements, we had to give way.</p>
+
+<p>Although I had given orders that all the waggons<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> which had managed to
+escape should be sent on to Reitz, in the actual event only a few carts
+went there. The women had left the waggons behind, close to the hill at
+the foot of the English position, where I could not see them, in order
+to await the result. They had forgotten what I had told them, namely,
+that they were to get away as quickly as possible. This order I had
+given in the expectation that a reinforcement might arrive at any
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>After I had ordered a few men to bring the wounded into a safe place, I
+retired with the remainder, some forty-five in number. Among these was
+Veldtcornet Serfontein and his burghers.</p>
+
+<p>The English now directed their fire upon the women's laager, to compel
+it to come to a standstill. Whether any of the women and children were
+killed or wounded I was unable to ascertain, but it was horrible to see
+the bombs bursting over their heads. Thus the women again fell into the
+hands of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>With four of my adjutants and Piet Fourie, I succeeded in driving away
+quite one thousand five hundred head of cattle. The bombs fell heavily
+on them also, but I got them safely away. Late that evening we arrived
+at the spot where we had left President Steyn, only to find that he had
+gone away. He had been obliged to retreat before the force which the
+previous evening had been at Duminy Drift, and which had passed near him
+during the day. The President had accordingly gone some twelve miles in
+the direction of Lindley.</p>
+
+<p>It was one of the coldest nights we had that winter, and our pack-horses
+which were carrying the blankets were with the President. It was
+impossible for us to sleep without any covering on such a night as that,
+and so we were obliged to march on. We had moreover to look for
+something to eat, for we had had nothing since breakfast. Our horses had
+never had their saddles off from the time we went out to fight until we
+arrived about midnight at the President's camp.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2>
+
+<h3>President Steyn's Narrow Escape</h3>
+
+
+<p>The following morning we had to continue our journey to the Transvaal.
+It being necessary to keep out of sight of the enemy, we marched first a
+short distance to the south, and then went south-east. After a few days
+we reached Vrede. There Commandant Manie Botha spared us a few burghers
+who knew this part of the country well to serve as guides across the
+railway line. We headed to the north of Volksrust, and on the second
+evening after we had left Vrede, we struck the railway line at a spot
+which was guarded by an outpost. They opened fire on us at once. General
+De la Rey and I then came to the decision that after the burghers had
+exchanged a few shots, we would quietly retreat a short distance, and
+then, with a sweep, try and cross the line at another spot. This ruse
+was successful and we crossed unobserved. But the first of our men had
+hardly got seventy paces from the railway line, when a fearful explosion
+of dynamite took place, not thirty paces from the spot where we had
+crossed. Whether this was managed by electricity or whether the hindmost
+horses had struck on the connecting wire of some trap set by the enemy,
+I cannot say; at all events, we escaped with only a fright.</p>
+
+<p>On the fourth day after this we met the Transvaal Government and held a
+conference at once, in accordance with the letter mentioned in my last
+chapter. It grieved us much that things should have taken this turn, for
+it nearly always happened that somehow matters of this sort came to the
+ears of the English.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But the Transvaal Government had again taken courage, as they had
+received an answer to the cable which they had sent to the Deputation,
+which answer instructed them to hold out; and also because two
+successful battles had taken place shortly before&mdash;one fought by General
+Kemp, and the other by Commandant Muller. We remained there for two
+days, and after it had been settled by the two Governments that the war
+should be continued with all our might, and also that days of
+thanksgiving and humiliation should be appointed, we went away
+accompanied by the genial and friendly Commandant Alberts, of
+Standerton, who brought us across the Natal-Transvaal railway. Captain
+Alberts was renowned as a valiant soldier; we now also found him to be a
+most sociable man. He beguiled the time with agreeable narratives of
+events in which he had taken part, and almost before we realized it we
+had reached the railway line. We crossed in safety and took a hearty
+farewell of our friendly Commandant and his burghers.</p>
+
+<p>On our march to Zilverbank&mdash;a farm on the Waterval River&mdash;I did not
+require any guide, for I knew the surroundings, having lived there for
+two years. After breakfast on the following morning we went on to within
+four or five miles south of Hexrivier farm, about three miles to the
+north of the Vaal River. There we off-saddled; and shortly after General
+De la Rey took leave of us. He wanted to cross the railway at a place
+between Vereeniging and Meyerton Station. This would lead him by a
+shorter road to his commandos than if he went through the Free State.
+Our farewell was affectionate&mdash;all the more so because we did not know
+whether we should see each other again on this earth. Then we continued
+on our way with light hearts; having been inspirited, not only by the
+pleasant company of the last few days, but also by the decision taken by
+the two Governments, that, come what might, our independence should not
+be sacrificed by us.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I crossed the Vaal River at Villiersdorp and remained there that evening
+and through the following day. Then President Steyn and I parted. He
+went to Bezuidenhoutsdrift, and I, by way of Frankfort, to the Heilbron
+commando. I remained at Frankfort for one night, with Commandant Ross
+and his men, and had a very enjoyable time.</p>
+
+<p>With the Heilbron people I stayed a few days only, because I had
+important work to accomplish in the Winburg district; to this district
+therefore I went.</p>
+
+<p>As the commandos were now so scattered there was enough work for each of
+us in his own district, and I had much more riding to do than formerly.
+I found Commandant Hasebroek and his men at Doornberg a few days later.
+Whilst there I received from President Steyn a report of his narrow
+escape at Reitz, on the 11th of July, 1901, when he and some of his
+bodyguard escaped, whilst, unfortunately, Commandant Davel and all the
+members of the Government, except Mr. W.C.J. Brebner, who was absent,
+were taken prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>From Winburg I paid a visit to Vice-Commandant-in-Chief J. Hattingh, of
+the Kroonstad commando, and then went to President Steyn. My joy in
+finding that the President was safe, was only equalled by my grief at
+the loss of such old friends as General Cronje, Member of the Executive
+Council; General J.B. Wessels; T. Brain, Secretary to the Government;
+Commandant Davel; Rocco De Villiers, Secretary to the Executive Council;
+Gordon Fraser, Private Secretary to the President; MacHardy, Assistant
+Secretary; Pieter Steyn, brother of the President and Veldtcornet of the
+staff; and my other friends in the bodyguard. It was sad to think that
+such men were prisoners, and were lost to us so long as the war
+continued. We had become rather accustomed to such experiences, but what
+made this so hard to bear was that treachery had a hand in it&mdash;when the
+English took the Government and President Steyn's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> bodyguard prisoners,
+they had had a Free State burgher as their guide.</p>
+
+<p>The vacant posts in the Government had now to be filled up, and the
+President appointed the following persons:&mdash;In the place of A.P. Cronje,
+General C.H. Olivier, as Member of the Executive Council; and in place
+of Mr. T. Brain, Mr. W.C.J. Brebner, as Government Secretary. Mr.
+Johannes Theron he appointed Secretary to the Executive Council, instead
+of Mr. Rocco De Villiers; and Mr. B.J. Du Plessis Private Secretary to
+himself in place of Mr. Gordon Fraser.</p>
+
+<p>The President also decided to have, in future, only thirty burghers as
+his bodyguard, and appointed Captain Niekerk as their Commandant.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2>
+
+<h3>The Last Proclamation</h3>
+
+
+<p>I now impressed upon my officers as forcibly as I could the importance
+of intercepting the communications of the enemy by blowing up their
+trains. A mechanical device had been thought of, by which this could be
+done. The barrel and lock of a gun, in connexion with a dynamite
+cartridge, were placed under a sleeper, so that when a passing engine
+pressed the rail on to this machine, it exploded, and the train was
+blown up. It was terrible to take human lives in such a manner; still,
+however fearful, it was not contrary to the rules of civilized warfare,
+and we were entirely within our rights in obstructing the enemy's lines
+of communication in this manner.</p>
+
+<p>Owing to this, the English were obliged to place many more thousands of
+soldiers along the railway line, in order to keep the track clear. Even
+then, the trains, for a considerable time, could not run by night. The
+English soon discovered how we arranged these explosions, and the guards
+carefully inspected the lines each day to find out if one of these
+machines had been placed beneath the rails. We knew that one had been
+found and removed, whenever we saw a train pass over the spot without
+being blown up. This, however, only made us more careful. We went to the
+spot which we had fixed upon for the explosion, hollowed out the gravel,
+placed the machine under the sleeper, and covered it up again, throwing
+the gravel that was left to a good distance from the line. After this,
+the guards could not discover where the machine was placed. They trebled
+the troops on the line in consequence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The month of July had passed, and we wondered what August held in store
+for us. The customary fights of the different commandos still went on;
+here five, here ten, here thirty of the English were killed, wounded or
+made prisoners. If these numbers had been put down they would have
+mounted up to a considerable total; but the war was not of such a nature
+that an office could be opened to record them. Reports of battles were
+sent to me, and after I had allowed them to accumulate for three or four
+weeks, they were sent to the different Vice-Commandants-in-Chief for
+their general information, and then torn up.</p>
+
+<p>Many reports and much correspondence concerning the beginning of the war
+have been preserved. I gave them to a trustworthy friend with
+instructions to bury them, but do not know where he placed them, as he
+was taken prisoner later on, and I have never been able to find out
+where he was sent to. These documents are of great value, and ought to
+be published.</p>
+
+<p>I was on the farm of Blijdschap, between Harrismith and Bethlehem&mdash;my
+English friends, Generals Knox, Elliott and Paget, with their Colonels
+Rimington, Byng, Baker, etc., etc., will not have forgotten where
+Blijdschap is&mdash;when I received a letter from Lord Kitchener, enclosing
+his Proclamation of the 7th of August, 1901.</p>
+
+<p>This proclamation was as follows:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"By his Excellency Baron Kitchener of Khartoum, G.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
+General Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's forces in South Africa;
+High Commissioner of South Africa, and Administrator of the
+Transvaal, etc.</p>
+
+<p>"Whereas the former Orange Free State and South African Republic
+are annexed to His Majesty's possessions;</p>
+
+<p>"And whereas His Majesty's forces have now been for some
+considerable time in full possession of the Government seats of
+both the above-mentioned terri<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>tories, with all their public
+offices and means of administration, as well as of the principal
+towns and the whole railway;</p>
+
+<p>"And whereas the great majority of burghers of the two late
+Republics (which number thirty-five thousand over and above those
+who have been killed in the war) are now prisoners of war, or have
+subjected themselves to His Majesty's Government, and are now
+living in safety, in villages or camps under the protection of His
+Majesty's forces;</p>
+
+<p>"And whereas the burghers of the late Republics, now under arms
+against His Majesty's forces, are not only few in number, but have
+also lost nearly all their guns, and war requisites, and are
+without proper military organization, and are therefore not in a
+position to carry on a regular war, or to make any organized
+resistance against His Majesty's forces in any part of the country;</p>
+
+<p>"And whereas the burghers who are now still under arms, although
+not in a position to carry on a regular war, continue to make
+attacks on small posts and divisions of His Majesty's forces, to
+plunder and to destroy farms, and to cut the railway and telegraph
+lines, both in the Orange River Colony and in the Transvaal and
+other parts of His Majesty's South African possessions;</p>
+
+<p>"And whereas the country is thus kept in a state of unrest, and the
+carrying on of agriculture and industries is hindered;</p>
+
+<p>"And whereas His Majesty's Government has decided to make an end of
+a situation which involves unnecessary bloodshed and devastation,
+and which is ruining the great majority of the inhabitants, who are
+willing to live in peace, and are desirous of earning a livelihood
+for themselves and their families;</p>
+
+<p>"And whereas it is only just that steps should be taken against
+those who still resist, and principally against those persons who
+are in authority, and who are responsible for the continuance of
+the present state of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> disorganization in the country, and who
+instigate their fellow citizens to persist in their hopeless
+resistance against His Majesty's Government;</p>
+
+<p>"I, Horatio Herbert Baron Kitchener, of Khartoum, G.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
+General Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's forces in South Africa;
+High Commissioner in South Africa, on behalf of His Majesty's
+Government, proclaim and make known as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"All Commandants, Veldtcornets and leaders of armed bands&mdash;being
+burghers of the late Republics&mdash;still resisting His Majesty's
+forces in the Orange River Colony and the Transvaal, or in any part
+of His Majesty's South African possessions, and all members of the
+Government of the late Orange Free State and of the late South
+African Republic, shall, unless they surrender before the 15th
+September of this year, be banished for ever from South Africa; and
+the cost of maintaining the families of such burghers shall be
+recoverable from, and become a charge on, their properties, whether
+landed or movable, in both Colonies.</p>
+
+<p class="center">"GOD SAVE THE KING.</p>
+
+<p>"Given under my hand at Pretoria, the seventh day of August, 1901.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><span class="smcap">"Kitchener</span>, <span class="smcap">General</span>,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>High Commissioner of South Africa."</i></span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p>I answered Lord Kitchener very carefully in the following words:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Excellency</span>,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's missive in which
+was enclosed your Proclamation, dated the 7th August, 1901. I and
+my officers assure your Excellency that we fight with one aim
+only&mdash;our independence, which we never can or will sacrifice!"</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It would have been childish to fear that letter and that Proclamation.
+From the short answer which I sent to Lord Kitchener, the reader will
+clearly see the opinion that I and my officers held concerning it:
+"Bangmaak is nog niet doodmaak,"<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> as our proverb says.</p>
+
+<p>It was curious to see how this Proclamation was taken by the burghers.
+It had no effect whatsoever. I heard many burghers say that it would now
+be seen whether the officers had the cause of their country really at
+heart or not, and whether they were themselves to surrender and lay down
+their arms before the 15th of September. I must here declare that I know
+of no single case where an officer in consequence of this proclamation
+surrendered; on the contrary, when the day fixed by Lord Kitchener for
+the surrender had passed, the burghers had more reason to trust in their
+officers than before; and I can assure my readers that if at the
+beginning of the war we had had officers of the same kind as we had
+towards the end of the strife, it would have been easier to have
+maintained discipline.</p>
+
+<p>September the 15th was thus fixed upon by Lord Kitchener as the last day
+on which we should have an opportunity of surrendering. The President
+and Commander-in-Chief of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State
+returned answer that they would still continue the war, and subsequent
+events put a seal to their answer.</p>
+
+<p>Three battles were fought&mdash;one by General Brand at Blakfontein, another
+by General De la Rey in the west of the Transvaal, and yet another by
+General Botha at Itala, all in the month of September.</p>
+
+<p>President Steyn sent Lord Kitchener a long letter, in which he showed
+most clearly what the causes of the war had been, and what was the
+condition of matters at that time. The letter was as follows:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right"><span class="smcap">In the Veldt,</span> <i>August 15th</i>, 1901.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">To His Excellency, Lord Kitchener, etc.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Excellency</span>,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's
+letter, dated Aug. 7th, 1901, enclosing your Excellency's
+Proclamation of the same date.</p>
+
+<p>The conciliatory tone of your Excellency's letter encourages me to
+speak freely, and to answer it at some length. I have noticed that
+not only your Excellency in your letter asserts, but that also
+responsible statesmen in your country assert, that the declaration
+of war from the South African Republic, and the inroad on the
+British territory, had been the cause of the war. I hardly believe
+it necessary to remind your Excellency that, in 1895, when the
+South African Republic was unarmed and peaceful, and had no thought
+but that their neighbours were civilized nations, an unexpected
+attack was made on them from the British territory. I do not
+consider it necessary to point out to your Excellency that the mad
+enterprise&mdash;for surely the instigators of it could not have been
+sane&mdash;miscarried, and the whole body of invaders fell into the
+hands of the South African Republic. The South African Government,
+trusting in the integrity of the English nation, handed over to His
+Majesty's Government all the persons whom they had taken prisoner,
+notwithstanding that, in conformity with international law, these
+persons had merited death.</p>
+
+<p>I also do not consider it necessary to remind your Excellency that
+after an honest judge had condemned the leaders of this expedition
+to imprisonment, the most prominent of them were not compelled to
+serve the whole of their time, but, previous to its termination,
+were liberated for various most insufficient reasons. Neither need
+I remind your Excellency that when a Parliamentary Commission was
+nominated, to investigate the causes and reasons of the said
+expedi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>tion, this Commission, instead of investigating the matter,
+would not allow the proofs to come to light, and that, when the
+Commission, notwithstanding the high influence at work during its
+sitting, had found the chief conspirator, Mr. Rhodes, guilty, and
+had reported him as such to Parliament, Mr. Chamberlain, who was
+one of the members of the Commission, contradicted his own
+report<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> by defending Mr. Rhodes.</p>
+
+<p>Your Excellency will have to acknowledge that the South African
+Republic as well as the civilized world was perfectly justified in
+coming to the conclusion that the Jameson expedition, which we
+first believed to have been undertaken by irresponsible persons,
+and without the cognizance of His Majesty's Government, was well
+known, if not to all, yet still to some members of His Majesty's
+Government. I need not remind your Excellency that since that time,
+not only has no reasonable indemnity been paid to the South African
+Republic, as was at that time promised, but also that the Republic
+has been harassed with despatches and threats concerning its
+internal Government. I also need not tell your Excellency that
+outside influence was used in order that memorials to His Majesty's
+Government might be drawn up concerning alleged grievances, so that
+His Majesty's Government might have the desired opportunity of
+interfering with the inner policy of the South African Republic.</p>
+
+<p>As I have said, I do not think it necessary to remind your
+Excellency of the above-mentioned facts, because I am of opinion
+that they are well known to you. I, however, should like your
+Excellency to be good enough to pay attention to the following
+facts:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>When, at the time of the circulation of the last-mentioned
+Memorial, I could see that a certain party was working hard to
+involve the British Government in a war with the South African
+Republic, I stepped into the breach, and endeavoured, by bringing
+the par<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>ties together, and by using my influence with the South
+African Republic, to induce the latter to give in to the demands of
+His Majesty's Government in order to maintain the peace.</p>
+
+<p>I succeeded in getting the Transvaal to yield, not because I was of
+the opinion that the English Government had any right to make such
+demands, but only in order to prevent bloodshed. When the British
+Government was still not satisfied, then the South African
+Government made concession after concession to the ever-increasing
+demands made upon them, until at last there came a request that the
+law on franchise should be laid before a Commission. On the behest
+of the British Agent in Pretoria, the South African Republic made a
+proposal granting far more than was demanded by the High
+Commissioner. As this proposal was not accepted by His Majesty's
+Government, who made yet further demands, the South African
+Republic withdrew their proposal, and declared themselves willing
+to accept England's proposal to lay the law before the Commission.
+The British Government then closed all correspondence, and wrote to
+the South African Republic saying that they would make their
+demands later on. In other words, the British Government then gave
+to the South African Republic an ultimatum, and it was clear that
+they were only prevented from commencing the war at once by the
+fact that they had not then landed sufficient troops in the
+country.</p>
+
+<p>The Orange Free State Government then again came to the rescue, in
+order to attempt at the last moment to avoid the war, and cabled
+through the High Commissioner direct to the British Government,
+asking for information as to the nature of the demands which were
+to be made upon the South African Republic; which cable, to my
+sorrow, was never sent in its entirety. The only answer to my cable
+was the continual arrival of transports of troops from all quarters
+of the globe, which were massed, not only on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> frontier of the
+South African Republic, but also on the frontiers of the still
+friendly Orange Free State. Then, when the South African Republic
+saw that England had no intention of repairing the alleged
+grievances, but had only brought them up as an excuse for depriving
+the Republic of its independence, they requested that the troops
+might be taken from their frontiers, and that all disputes might be
+settled by arbitration. This happened about three weeks after the
+British Government had issued their ultimatum, and about one month
+after the Orange Free State Government had received a wire asking
+them to remain neutral, thus clearly giving them to understand that
+the British Government intended to make war on the South African
+Government. This telegram was sent to the Orange Free State because
+they knew that the latter had made a defensive alliance with the
+South African Republic since the year 1899.</p>
+
+<p>Then the South African Republic decided that they must defend their
+frontiers against the enemy who threatened their borders, and I was
+obliged to take a most painful step, namely, that of severing the
+bonds of friendship that existed between us and the British
+Government, and, true to our alliance with the Transvaal, to help
+the sister Republic. That we were perfectly correct in our surmise
+that the British Government had firmly decided to wipe out the two
+Republics has been clearly proved since the breaking out of the
+war. It was not only made evident from the documents that fell into
+our hands, although there it was easy to gather that since 1896,
+that is from Jameson's raid, the British Government was firmly
+determined to make an inroad into the two Republics: only lately it
+has been acknowledged by Lord Lansdowne that he in June, 1899, had
+already discussed with Lord Wolseley (then Commander-in-Chief of
+His Majesty's troops), the best time at which to make an attack on
+the two Republics. Your Excellency will thus see that it was not we
+who drew the sword,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> but that we only put it away from our throats.
+We have only acted in self-defence&mdash;one of the holiest rights of
+man&mdash;in order to assert our right to exist. And therefore I think,
+with all respect, that we have a right to trust in a just God.</p>
+
+<p>I again observe that your Excellency reverts to the impossibility
+of intervention by any foreign power, and that your Excellency
+interprets our resistance as only based on the hope of such
+intervention.</p>
+
+<p>With your Excellency's permission, I should like to clear up our
+position with regard to intervention. It is this: We hope, and
+still are hoping, that the moral feeling of the civilized world
+would protest against the crime which England is now permitting in
+South Africa, namely, that of endeavouring to exterminate a young
+nation, but we were still firmly determined that, should our hopes
+not be realized, we would exert our utmost strength to defend
+ourselves, and this decision, based on a firm trust in a merciful
+God, is still unshaken in us.</p>
+
+<p>I further notice that your Excellency thinks that our fight is
+hopeless. I do not know on what grounds this assumption is based.
+Let us for a moment compare our mutual situations of to-day with
+those of a year ago, after the surrender of General Prinsloo. Then,
+the Cape Colony was altogether quiet, and free from our commandos.
+The Orange Free State was almost entirely in your hands, not only
+as regards the principal townships, railway lines and villages, but
+also the whole country, except where Commandant Hasebroek was, with
+his commando. And in the South African Republic the situation was
+very similar. That country was also mainly held by you, except in
+the parts which General De la Rey and General Botha occupied with
+their commandos, far up in the Boschveldt.</p>
+
+<p>How do matters stand now?</p>
+
+<p>The Cape Colony is, so to speak, overrun by our commandos, and they
+are really in temporary posses<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>sion of the greater part of Cape
+Colony. They go about there as they choose, and many of our
+nationality and others also are continuing to join us there, and
+uniting forces with us against the cruel injustice that is being
+done to the Republics.</p>
+
+<p>In the Orange Free State I willingly acknowledge that your
+Excellency is in possession of the Capital, the railways, and some
+other towns not on the railways, but that is all that your
+Excellency has got. The whole of the Orange Free State, except the
+parts which I have just mentioned, is in our possession. In most of
+the principal towns there are landdrosts<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> appointed by us; thus
+in this State the keeping of order and the administration of
+justice are managed by us, and not by your Excellency. In the
+Transvaal it is just the same. There also justice and order are
+managed by magistrates appointed by our Government.</p>
+
+<p>May I be permitted to say that your Excellency's jurisdiction is
+limited by the range of your Excellency's guns. If your Excellency
+will look on the matter from a military point of view then it must
+be acknowledged that notwithstanding the enormous forces that are
+brought against us in the field, our cause, in the past year, has
+made wonderful progress. Therefore we need be in no way
+discouraged, and, if your Proclamation is based on the assumption
+that we are so, then it has now even less justification than it had
+a year ago. I am sorry that anything I say should appear boastful,
+but the assertions in your Excellency's Proclamation compel me to
+speak in this manner.</p>
+
+<p>With regard to the 35,000 men which your Excellency says are in
+your hands, I cannot speak as to the numbers, but this much I will
+say, I am not referring to those men who were led astray by the
+Proclamation of your Excellency's predecessor, and so failed in
+their duty to their Government; nor to those&mdash;thank God they are
+but few&mdash;who from treachery<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> or other cause have gone over to the
+enemy; but of the remainder who have been taken, not too honestly,
+as prisoners of war, and are still kept as such. Of these I will
+say that they are either old men and feeble, or young boys not yet
+of age, who were carried off by force from their farms by your
+Excellency's troops, and shut up against their will in your
+Excellency's camps. To say of these therefore, that they are
+"dwelling peacefully with you," is an assertion which can hardly be
+taken seriously. I am able to say with perfect truth, that except
+the prisoners, and the few who have gone over to the enemy, the
+overpowering majority of the fighting burghers are still under
+arms. As regards those who have gone over from us to the enemy&mdash;a
+rare occurrence now&mdash;I can only say that our experience is not
+unique, for history shows that in all wars for freedom, as in
+America and elsewhere, there were such: and we shall try to get on
+without them.</p>
+
+<p>As regards the 74,000 women and children who, as your Excellency
+alleges, are maintained in the camps, it appears to me that your
+Excellency must be unaware of the cruel manner in which these
+defenceless ones were dragged away from their dwellings by your
+Excellency's troops, who first destroyed all the goods and property
+of their wretched captives. Yes, to such a pass had it come, that
+whenever your men were seen approaching, the poor sacrifices of the
+war, in all weathers, by day and by night, would flee from their
+dwellings in order that they might not be taken.</p>
+
+<p>Does your Excellency realize that your troops have not been ashamed
+to fire (in the full knowledge of what they were doing) with guns
+and small arms on our helpless ones when they, to avoid capture,
+had taken flight, either alone or with their waggons, and thus many
+women and children have been killed and wounded. I will give you an
+instance. Not long ago, on the 6th of June, at Graspan, near Reitz,
+a camp of women, falsely reported as a convoy to your Excellency,
+was taken by your troops. This was res<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>cued again by us, whilst
+your troops took shelter behind our women, and when your
+reinforcement came up, they opened fire with guns and small arms on
+that camp, notwithstanding the fact that they knew it contained
+women only.</p>
+
+<p>I can quote hundreds of cases of this kind, but I do not think it
+necessary, because if your Excellency will take the trouble to ask
+any soldier who respects the truth, he will be compelled to confirm
+my assertion. To say that the women are in your camps of their own
+free will is not in accordance with the facts, and for any one to
+assert that they are brought to the camps because the Boers are
+unwilling to provide for the maintenance of their families as it is
+said that His Excellency the Minister for War has asserted in
+Parliament, is to make himself guilty of calumny, that will do more
+harm to the calumniator than to us, and is a statement which I am
+sure can never meet with your Excellency's approval.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as regards the Proclamation itself, I can give your Excellency
+the assurance as far as I am myself concerned, that it will make no
+difference to my fulfilling my duty faithfully to the end, for I
+shall be guided by my conscience and not by the enemy. Our country
+is ruined; our hearths and homes are wrecked; our cattle are
+looted, or killed by the thousand; our women and children are made
+prisoners, insulted, and carried away by the troops and armed
+Kaffirs; and many hundreds have already given their lives for the
+freedom of their fatherland. Can we now&mdash;when it is merely a
+question of banishment&mdash;shrink from our duty? Can we become
+faithless to the hundreds of killed and prisoners, who, trusting in
+our firmness, offered their lives and freedom for the fatherland?
+Or can we lose faith in a just God, who has so wonderfully upheld
+us till now? I am convinced that should we do so, we should be
+despised not only by your Excellency and all honest men, but also
+by ourselves.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I will close by giving your Excellency the assurance that no one is
+more anxious than I to see peace restored, and I am therefore ready
+to meet your Excellency at any time in order to discuss the terms
+on which this peace can be arranged; but in order that I may not
+mislead your Excellency, I have to say that no peace will be
+accepted by us which imperils the independence of the two
+Republics, or which does not take into consideration the interests
+of our Colonial brethren who have joined us. If it is a crime to
+fight in one's self-defence, and if such a crime is to be punished,
+then I am of opinion that His Majesty's Government should be
+satisfied with the annihilation of the country, the misery of women
+and children and the general desolation which this war has already
+caused. It is in your Excellency's power more than in that of any
+one else, to put a stop to this, and by doing so, to restore this
+unfortunate part of the world to its former happiness. We ask no
+magnanimity, we only demand justice. I enclose a translation of my
+letter in order to avoid any misinterpretation of it by your
+Excellency, as this happened not long ago when a letter which I had
+written to the Government of the South African Republic, and which
+at Reitz fell into your hands, was published in such a way that it
+was nearly unrecognizable, as not only was it wrongly interpreted
+in some places, but sentences were inserted which had never been
+written, and other parts were left out altogether, so that an
+entirely wrong meaning was given to the letter.</p>
+
+<p>I have the honour, etc.,</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">M.T. Steyn</span>,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>State-President of the Orange Free State.</i></span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2>
+
+<h3>Blockhouses and Night Attacks</h3>
+
+
+<p>While the great events recorded at the end of my last chapter were in
+progress, I paid a visit to the Harrismith burghers, who were under the
+command of Commandant Jan Jacobsz, and also to some of the Bethlehem
+men. On my return I learnt that the enemy were occupied in building a
+line of blockhouses from Heilbron to Frankfort.</p>
+
+<p>It has always seemed to me a most unaccountable circumstance that
+England&mdash;the all-powerful&mdash;could not catch the Boers without the aid of
+these blockhouses. There were so many other ways in which the thing
+might have been done, and better done; and the following incident, which
+occurred during the war, serves to show that this policy of the
+<i>blockhouse</i> might equally well have been called the policy of the
+<i>blockhead</i>.</p>
+
+<p>On the 27th of February, 1902, the English made one of their biggest
+"catches" in the Free State. They had made a great "kraal"&mdash;what they
+themselves call a "drive"&mdash;and stood, "hand in hand," one might almost
+say, in a ring around us, coming from Heilbron, Frankfort, Bethlehem,
+and Harrismith, and stretching, on the Transvaal side, from Vrede to the
+Drakensberg.</p>
+
+<p>Narrower and narrower did the circle become, hemming us in more closely
+at every moment. The result was that they "bagged" an enormous number of
+men and cattle, without a solitary burgher (or, for the matter of that,
+a solitary ox) having been captured by means of their famous blockhouse
+system.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The English have been constantly boasting in the newspapers about the
+advantages of their blockhouses, but they have never been able to give
+an instance of a capture effected by them. On the contrary, when during
+the last stages of the war it happened, as it often did, that they drove
+some of our men against one or other of the great blockhouse lines which
+then intersected the country, and it became necessary for us to fight
+our way through, we generally succeeded in doing so. And that, with
+fewer casualties than when, as in the instance I have just given, they
+concentrated their forces, and formed a circle around us.</p>
+
+<p>The English then were busy when I returned from the south in building a
+blockhouse line from Heilbron to Frankfort. They accomplished this
+speedily, and then proceeded to the construction of other similar lines,
+not being contented until they had "pegged out" the country as
+follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>On the Natal frontier there was a line from Vrede to Bothaspas,
+continued westward by a series of forts to Harrismith, whence the line
+went on, still westward, to Bethlehem, and thence down to the Basutoland
+border at Fouriesburg.</p>
+
+<p>Kroonstad was made, so to speak, the "axle," whence a series of "spokes"
+proceeded; one to the north-east, to Vrede; a second to the north-west,
+through Driekopjes Diamond Mine, to Winkledrift, and thence down the
+Rhenoster River to its confluence with the Vaal; a third, to the
+south-east, to Lindley; and a fourth, to the south-west, along the
+railway line, to the frontier of Cape Colony.</p>
+
+<p>In the western districts there was a line along the left bank of the
+Valsch River to the point where it joins the Vaal, and another (also
+terminating at the Vaal River) starting from Zand River railway bridge,
+and running parallel to the Zand River. There was also a line from
+Boshof, across the Cape Colony frontier, to Kimberley.</p>
+
+<p>Last, but not least, came the "White Elephant"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> with which the reader is
+already acquainted&mdash;the line from Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, through
+Thaba'Nchu.</p>
+
+<p>All these lines were in the Free State. I make no mention here of the
+thousands of miles of similar blockhouse lines, which made a sort of
+spider's web of the South African Republic.</p>
+
+<p>The blockhouses themselves were sometimes round, sometimes angular,
+erections. The roofs were always of iron. The walls were pierced with
+loop-holes four feet from the ground, and from four to six feet from one
+another. Sometimes stone was used in the construction of these walls, at
+other times iron. In the latter case the wall is double, the space of
+from six to nine inches between the inner and the outer wall being
+filled with earth.</p>
+
+<p>These buildings stood at a distance of from a hundred to a thousand
+paces from one another; everything depended upon the lie of the ground,
+and the means at the enemy's disposal; a greater distance than a
+thousand paces was exceptional. They were always so placed that each of
+them could be seen by its neighbours on both sides, the line which they
+followed being a zigzag.</p>
+
+<p>Between the blockhouses were fences, made with five strands of barbed
+wire. Parallel with these was a trench, three feet deep and four to five
+feet across at the top, but narrower at the bottom. Where the material
+could be procured, there was also a stone wall, to serve as an
+additional obstacle. Sometimes there were two lines of fences, the upper
+one&mdash;erected on the top of the earth thrown up from the
+trench&mdash;consisting of three or four strands only.</p>
+
+<p>There was thus a regular network of wires in the vicinity of the
+blockhouses&mdash;the English seemed to think that a Boer might be netted
+like a fish. If a wild horse had been trapped there, I should like to
+have been there to see, but I should not have liked to have been the
+wild horse.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The building of these blockhouses cost many thousands of pounds, and
+still greater were the expenses incurred in providing the soldiers in
+them with food, which had to be fetched up by special convoys. And it
+was all money thrown away! and worse than thrown away! for when I come
+to describe how I broke through these blockhouse lines (see next page),
+the reader will see that this wonderful scheme of the English prolonged
+the war for at least three months.</p>
+
+<p>Let us turn now to another, and a more successful device of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>From the first weeks of the winter, 1901&mdash;the reader must remember that
+our winter commences in <i>May</i>&mdash;the English began to make night attacks
+upon us; at last they had found out a way of inflicting severe losses
+upon us, and these night attacks grew more and more frequent during the
+last period of the war. But they would never have thought of them at
+all, if they had not been instructed in them by the National Scouts&mdash;our
+own flesh and blood!</p>
+
+<p>These tactics were not always successful. It sometimes happened that the
+English got "cornered"; sometimes they had to "right about turn" and run
+for their lives. The latter was the case at Witkopjes, five miles to the
+south of Heilbron, and again, near Makenwaansstad. But on only too many
+occasions they managed to surprise troops of burghers on their camping
+places, and, having captured those who could not run away, they left the
+dead and wounded on the ground.</p>
+
+<p>We soon discovered that these night attacks were the most difficult of
+the enemy's tactics with which we had to deal.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes the burghers, surprised by a sudden visit from the English at
+such an unconventional hour, found it necessary to run away at once as
+fast as their legs would carry them, so that they often arrived at the
+nearest camp without their hats. Indeed a series of these attacks
+produced such a panic among our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> men that I have known a Boer lose not
+only his hat, but also his head.</p>
+
+<p>I come now, in the regular course of my narrative, to an engagement
+between my burghers and an English force which had marched from
+Bethlehem to Reitz, a distance of thirty miles. This force was guided by
+a son of one of the Free State Members of Parliament, and, marching all
+night, reached Reitz just as the day began to dawn. This was a smart
+piece of business; and though the guide to whom its success was due was
+my enemy, I fully appreciated the skill which he then displayed.</p>
+
+<p>The English captured ten or twelve burghers at Reitz, whither they had
+perhaps gone in search of the President.</p>
+
+<p>I was ten miles to the west, on the farm of Blijdschap, and did not
+receive reports of what had happened until towards noon.</p>
+
+<p>What was I to do? I could not call up men from Heilbron, Bethlehem,
+Vrede, or Harrismith: it would have been at least twenty-four hours
+before they could have arrived. All I could do was to summon Veldtcornet
+Vlok with some of the Parijs commandos and Veldtcornet Louwrens, and
+Matthijs De Beer, and the men. With these and my staff we would not
+number more than sixty or seventy all told.</p>
+
+<p>I at once gave orders to these veldtcornets to meet me at a certain
+place, and they were there by the appointed hour.</p>
+
+<p>My intention was to deliver a flank attack upon the English while they
+retreated during the night; for, as they only numbered five hundred men,
+I felt sure that they would not care to remain thirty miles away from
+their column, but would fall back upon Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon I marched to within a short distance of Reitz, in order
+to discover the enemy's plans; then, immediately after sunset, I sent a
+few burghers quite close to the town, with orders to meet me again at a
+certain point about two thousand paces to the south,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> and to inform me
+whither the enemy were going to march. The scouts returned at ten
+o'clock that night, and reported that the enemy was on the march towards
+Harrismith. In order to reach this town they would have to start by the
+Bethlehem road, from which the Harrismith road forks, at about eight
+thousand paces from the town.</p>
+
+<p>Our horses stood ready up-saddled; I had only to give the order to
+mount.</p>
+
+<p>I meant to cross the Bethlehem road and go to a deep hollow which I knew
+of near the Harrismith road; then, when the English appeared against the
+horizon, we would fire at them.</p>
+
+<p>But my scouts had blundered. The English were not going to Harrismith
+after all. For as we came to the Bethlehem road, we nearly stumbled over
+them. They were riding quietly along only a short distance from us. As
+we were galloping they knew of our proximity before we were aware of
+theirs, and when we were less than two hundred paces from them they
+opened fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Charge, burghers!"</p>
+
+<p>They all heard me, but they did not all obey. About fifty of the most
+valiant of them galloped straight at the enemy. The rest fled.</p>
+
+<p>After a short but fierce engagement we were forced to retire, as six of
+our men had been hit. Fortunately, their wounds were but slight, the
+most severe being that of my son Isaac, who had been shot through the
+leg below the knee.</p>
+
+<p>We rode away a short distance, and saw looming through the darkness a
+company of horsemen approaching us from Reitz. I thought at first that
+they were some of my own burghers&mdash;the ones who had taken to their
+heels&mdash;but it turned out to be General Wessel Wessels, who was nearer
+than I knew with his staff, in all some twenty men. I, however, could
+muster seventy, and we decided to cut off the retreat of the enemy. But
+they had, in the meantime, been riding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> on so fast that we did not reach
+them until it had grown quite light. An engagement, short and fierce as
+the last, ensued, but as the enemy was from six to seven times as strong
+as we were, and had a gun and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt with them, we could
+not stand against them, and had to let them go on their road.</p>
+
+<p>We were fortunate in suffering no loss there, and while the English
+marched on to Bethlehem we rode off in the opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>We had now a short period of repose. The English were so busy building
+blockhouses that they had no time to fight us. Our poor horses were in a
+miserable condition, for so little rain had fallen that the grass was
+very dry and sapless. But at least we could now give them the rest which
+they sorely needed.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXII</h2>
+
+<h3>My Commando of Seven Hundred Men</h3>
+
+
+<p>Towards the end of September Commandant F.E. Mentz had an engagement
+with Colonel Byng's column near Heilbron. A portion of this officer's
+force had held a ridge where there were some Kaffir kraals for cover;
+and Commandant Mentz had with fifty burghers stormed this ridge,
+shooting down from thirty to forty of the enemy, and taking twenty-five
+prisoners. We lost two killed and three wounded. The Frankfort burghers
+under Commandant Ross had also not been idle, for they had attacked a
+division of Colonel Rimington's troops with the result that sixteen
+killed and wounded fell into their hands&mdash;among these were seven of the
+National Scouts.</p>
+
+<p>Thus fighting was taking place all over the country. I do not give any
+report of the various engagements, as I was not present at them, and, as
+I have already said, I only wish to record my own experiences. But it
+will be easily seen, even from the scanty information I can give of
+these skirmishes, that our small commandos had a splendid record of
+success.</p>
+
+<p>It is my intention to ask all my Vice-Commanders-in-Chief to narrate
+their experiences. And when the whole story is told I am convinced that
+the world will be astonished at what we were able to accomplish.</p>
+
+<p>But however well these small commandos had fought, I myself believed
+that the time had now come to make a great stroke. With this object in
+view I gave orders that a number of the burghers should come to
+Blijdschap, in the district of Bethlehem, under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> the command of the
+following officers:&mdash;General Michal Prinsloo with Commandants Olivier,
+and Rautenbach of the Bethlehem Commando; Commandant David Van Coller,
+who was in command of the Heilbron burghers in the place of Commandant
+Steenekamp, who had resigned; Commandant Hermanus Botha of Vrede;
+Commandant Roen of Ladybrand; and Commandant Jan Cilliers of Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>By the beginning of November I had a force of seven hundred burghers
+under me at Blijdschap.<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a></p>
+
+<p>Although the spring was now far advanced, the veldt was in a very
+backward condition. I therefore ordered the various subdivisions of my
+commando to go and camp on the different farms in the neighbourhood. I
+spread the horses over a large area, as they would thus find better
+pasture and so the sooner recover their strength.</p>
+
+<p>When November was drawing to a close I had an engagement with the
+English to the south of Lindley. I had with me at that time General
+Hattingh, General Wessel Wessels, and General Michal Prinsloo.</p>
+
+<p>An English force had encamped two days previously on the farm of
+Jagersrust, which lies some ten miles to the south-east of Heilbron, and
+about the same distance from Blijdschap. I had wished to make an attack
+on them the night they arrived, but they were too near to Heilbron for
+me to venture on it.</p>
+
+<p>The previous week three columns which came from Winburg and Kroonstad
+had been operating near the Liebenbergsvlei, and driving a large laager
+of women before them towards the north-east of the Liebenbergsvlei. But
+they had now left the laager alone and returned to Kroonstad. The women
+had arrived at Blijdschap at noon on November 28th on their way back to
+Lindley.</p>
+
+<p>The morning following, two hours after sunrise, I received a report from
+General Hattingh, who with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> Commandant Cilliers and a hundred men was
+stationed close to Blijdschap. The General reported that the English
+from Jagersrust were hotly pursuing the women's laager. And it soon
+appeared that the women were being driven to the west of Blijdschap.</p>
+
+<p>When General Hattingh heard that the English were hard by, he was some
+twenty minutes' ride from Blijdschap, but he mounted his horse at once
+and rode there as quickly as he could. On his arrival he immediately
+gave orders to up-saddle, and, having sent me a second report, he
+started in pursuit of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as I had received General Hattingh's reports, I followed him
+with General Wessels and a force of only a hundred men. I was at least
+five miles from General Hattingh, and the English were twelve miles
+ahead. General Michal Prinsloo was unfortunately a considerable distance
+away; and thus it was that I could not at once get together my whole
+force of six hundred burghers.</p>
+
+<p>But General Michal Prinsloo had spent the time in attacking the English
+force on their left front. Shortly after he had engaged the enemy I came
+up behind them and delivered an attack on their right. But the veldt was
+very uneven and high hills and intervening hollows made any co-operation
+between us impossible, for one force could not tell where the other
+force was.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile General Hattingh had attacked the enemy in the rear and thus
+compelled them to withdraw their vanguard, which was then not far from
+the women's laager and had nearly succeeded in capturing it. But now
+that the whole force of the enemy was opposed to General Hattingh, he
+was forced to give way and leave his positions. We lost two killed and
+three wounded. Among the dead was the valiant F.C. Klopper of Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>When I, with General Wessels and Commandant Hermanus Botha hurried up,
+Commandant Hattingh was just on the point of retreating.</p>
+
+<p>The English I saw numbered about a thousand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> mounted men and they had
+three guns with them. I determined to make a flank attack, and
+accordingly marched round to their right, at the same time sending
+orders to General Prinsloo to get in the rear, or if he preferred in
+front of the enemy, so that we might make a united attack upon them as
+they marched in the direction of Lindley.</p>
+
+<p>It now began to rain and a little later a very heavy thunderstorm burst
+on our heads. This forced the English to halt on the farm of
+Victoriespruit.</p>
+
+<p>The rain continued to fall in torrents and hindered General Prinsloo
+carrying out my orders.</p>
+
+<p>And now the sun went down.</p>
+
+<p>As our horses were quite exhausted by the hot pursuit after the English,
+and the burghers wet through to the skin, I decided to postpone the
+attack to the following day. I was also influenced in my decision by the
+consideration that as the English were so far from any point from which
+reinforcements could come, it was quite safe to let them alone until the
+morning. Nobody could have foreseen that they would escape that night.</p>
+
+<p>We slept about five miles from them to the north-east, whilst General
+Prinsloo and his men were not very far away to the south-east.</p>
+
+<p>That night we placed the ordinary outposts, but no "brandwachten."</p>
+
+<p>When on the next morning I sent my scouts out to discover the movements
+of the enemy, what was my surprise when they reported that they had
+fled. They had gone, my scouts informed me, towards Heilbron, which was
+about eighteen miles off, and they had left behind them five laden
+waggons and one cart; and where they had crossed Karoospruit they had,
+very naturally, lightened their waggons, and flour, seed, oats,
+tarpaulins, and tents marked the point where they had crossed the
+spruit. The enemy were already so far ahead when I received this report
+that it was quite out of the question to catch them before they reached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>
+Heilbron; so all idea of pursuing them had to be abandoned.</p>
+
+<p>So far as I was able to find out, this column was under the command of
+Colonel Rimington.</p>
+
+<p>As I was unable now to get in touch with the enemy, I set off with my
+commando to what was once the town of Lindley. Alas! it could not any
+more be called a town. Every house was burnt down; not even the church
+and parsonage were spared.</p>
+
+<p>We found the veldt in very good condition; the early spring rains and
+the downpours of the previous day had quite revived the grass. And so I
+decided to remain at Lindley as long as possible, to give our horses a
+chance of recovering their condition. It was impossible to provide them
+with forage, for the amount the English had left behind was entirely
+insufficient as a supply for the large number of horses we had with us.</p>
+
+<p>For ten or twelve days we remained at Lindley, and so the horses had a
+short breathing time, but not long enough to give the poor animals time
+fully to regain their strength. In addition to being overworked, some of
+our horses were suffering from a skin disease which we were quite unable
+to cure. This disease had never before been known in the Republics.</p>
+
+<p>When I was at Lindley I sent Commandant Johannes Meijer, one of my
+staff, with forty men, to Cape Colony. With him went that brave soldier,
+Captain Willem Pretorius, of whom I have made mention previously. If
+Commandant Meijer had had sufficient time to collect a commando in the
+Colony, I am sure that he would have proved that the younger generation
+of Free-Staters, to whom he and Willem Pretorius belonged, possess
+qualities which were entirely unsuspected before the war began.</p>
+
+<p>On the 8th of December three columns of the enemy appeared from
+Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>It had been my plan to remain at Lindley and wait my chance of dealing
+with Colonel Baker, for he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> under him a certain National Scout, who
+constantly made raids from Winburg with a band of four or five hundred
+Kaffirs. A few months previously a division of Commandant Hasebroek's
+commando had been attacked at Doornberg by this man's Kaffirs, and four
+burghers had been murdered in a horrible manner. More cases of this
+nature had taken place, and I only mention this one in passing. I am not
+in a position to give all the instances, but many of them were sworn to
+in affidavits, of which copies were sent to Lord Kitchener. The original
+affidavits fell into the hands of the English; but fresh ones shall be
+drawn up on my return to South Africa, so that I may be able to prove
+the statements I have made. The narration of these brutalities I prefer
+to leave to persons more conversant With the facts than myself. I have
+only alluded to the subject so as to make it clear why I like to keep my
+eye on Colonel Baker's column.</p>
+
+<p>I must now continue my story where I left it.</p>
+
+<p>I took up my position to the north-west of Lindley, in front of the
+columns which approached from Kroonstad. But after a few skirmishes with
+them, I returned to the east till darkness came on. When night had
+fallen I went round to the south, behind Kaffirskop, expecting to
+receive the news that Colonel Baker was coming up from Winburg, for he
+generally carried on his operations in conjunction with the forces at
+Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day the enemy marched to Liebenbergsvlei, between
+Bethlehem and Reitz. Thence they took the road between Lindley and Reitz
+to Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>Piet de Wet, of the National Scouts, was with these columns.</p>
+
+<p>After we had remained two days at Kaffirskop, we crossed the Valsch
+River. The news then came that a column with a convoy was on the march
+from Harrismith to Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>I felt that it was my duty to attack this column,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> but, although I
+advanced with all haste, I was not in time to catch the enemy before
+they reached Bethlehem. When I saw this, I decided to wait, at a
+distance of some fifteen miles to the north-east of Bethlehem, for I
+expected that the column would return to Harrismith.</p>
+
+<p>The troops remained in Bethlehem till the morning of the 18th of
+December; they then marched out towards Harrismith.</p>
+
+<p>I at once divided my commando into two parts, each consisting of two
+hundred and fifty men. One of these divisions I posted behind the
+eastern end of the Langberg, about forty miles from Bethlehem; the other
+on the banks of the Tijgerkloofspruit, at the point where the road to
+Harrismith crosses the stream.</p>
+
+<p>I gave strict orders to both divisions that as soon as I opened fire on
+the English with the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, they were to charge down on them
+from both sides at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy, I may mention, were about six or seven hundred men strong,
+and had two guns.</p>
+
+<p>I myself, with the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, was now on a high round hill, on
+the eastern side of Tijgerkloof. I was very careful to be out of sight
+of the English, so that they might get quite close to the burghers
+before the gun disclosed my presence.</p>
+
+<p>I succeeded in hiding my burghers so successfully that the English did
+not observe them until they were within about twelve hundred paces of my
+men in Tijgerkloof.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the enemy's scouts rode on ahead, and when I judged that they
+must almost immediately see the burghers, I ordered Captain Muller, who
+was standing behind a rise, to come out of cover and open fire; then I
+jumped on my horse, and down the hill I went, at full gallop, to my
+burghers.</p>
+
+<p>I had scarcely covered half the distance, when Captain Muller opened
+fire on the enemy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As the sound fell on my ears, it seemed to me that nothing now could
+save them!</p>
+
+<p>What was now my bitter disappointment when I saw that only one-third of
+my burghers were charging. The others were keeping under cover, and do
+what I would I could not drive them out.</p>
+
+<p>Everything went wrong.</p>
+
+<p>When the burghers who were charging the English discovered that the
+greater part of their comrades had remained, they turned round and
+retreated. But before this had happened they had attacked the English at
+four different points.</p>
+
+<p>It had been a short but a very hot engagement.</p>
+
+<p>There was no possibility of inducing my men to charge, and so I thought
+it wisest to retreat, swallowing my disappointment as best I could.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers re-assembled to the south of the Langberg; and we found
+that our loss was two killed and nine wounded, of whom two subsequently
+died.</p>
+
+<p>We could not ascertain the English losses, but we saw their ambulances
+very busy. We heard afterwards that they had suffered much more severely
+than we had done.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>A Success at Tweefontein</h3>
+
+
+<p>The column had marched to Harrismith.</p>
+
+<p>It was time that I accomplished something further, and I determined that
+the next blow I struck should be a heavy one. I therefore retired to the
+north-east of Bethlehem, and concealed my men in the veldt round
+Tijgerkloof (which was suited to the purpose) whilst I made my plans.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Firman's brigade was camped between Bethlehem and Harrismith, at
+Elands River bridge, where he was building the line of blockhouses
+between the two towns. This camp was so well entrenched that there was
+no possibility of storming it, and I knew that so long as Colonel Firman
+thought I was still in the neighbourhood he would not dare to come out
+and give me an opportunity of attacking him.</p>
+
+<p>I saw that a ruse was necessary to entice him out of his fortress. With
+this object in view I sent for Commandant Jan Jacobsz, with his fifty
+men from Witzeshoek. When he joined me I confided my secret to him, and
+ordered him to go back with his fifty men, and to let Colonel Firman see
+him doing so. He also had instructions to let some of his veldtcornets
+ride to the Kaffir kraals, which were close to the English camp, in
+order to tell these Kaffirs that he had had orders to come to me with
+fifty men, but that when he arrived I had commanded him to return to his
+district, because I was going to march with my commando to Winburg.</p>
+
+<p>The following day Colonel Firman's scouts were, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> might have been
+expected, informed by the Kaffirs of what they had heard from the
+burghers under Commandant Jacobsz; and the day after&mdash;that is, the 22nd
+of December&mdash;Colonel Firman's column, about six to seven hundred men
+strong, marched from Elands River to Tweefontein, half-way between
+Elands River and Tijgerkloof. On the farm of Tweefontein there was a
+mountain called Groenkop&mdash;which has since, for a reason which will soon
+be apparent to the reader, received the name of "Christmas Kop."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+   <a id="image05" name="image05">
+   <img src="images/05.jpg"
+      alt="TWEEFONTEIN."
+      title="TWEEFONTEIN." /></a><br />
+   <span class="caption">TWEEFONTEIN.<br />FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>I gave Commandant Jacobsz orders to come to me with his fifty men on
+Christmas Eve, but this time with the strict injunction that he must
+conceal his march from the enemy. I also called up Veldtcornet Beukes,
+with his fifty men, from Wilge River, in the district of Harrismith.
+Veldtcornet Beukes was a brave man and trustworthy; he was shortly
+afterwards promoted to the command of a division of the Harrismith
+burghers.</p>
+
+<p>My intention was to attack Colonel Firman early on Christmas morning.</p>
+
+<p>Two days previously I had, with General Prinsloo and the Commandant,
+reconnoitred the neighbourhood of Groenkop, on which Colonel Firman was
+encamped. I approached as near as possible to the mountain, but could
+only inspect it from the west, north, and east, but on the following day
+I reconnoitred it also from the south.</p>
+
+<p>My plan of making the attack early the next morning was somewhat spoilt
+by the fact that the English had already, on the 21st of December,
+quitted their camp on the mountain. Thus they had had four days in which
+to entrench themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst we were reconnoitring the mountain from the south, we saw three
+horsemen coming cautiously out of the camp, riding in a north-easterly
+direction, and thus giving us no chance to intercept them. Commandant
+Olivier and Captain Potgieter now made a d&eacute;tour, so that they could cut
+off the unsuspecting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> scouts from their camp, and could also get nearer
+to the mountain themselves. I knew that by doing so they would draw the
+fire of the two guns, which would tell me precisely where Colonel
+Firman's battery stood.</p>
+
+<p>Before these officers could accomplish their purpose they were observed,
+and seeing that they could not cut off the three men, they turned their
+horses and galloped back. But when they saw that the three scouts had
+the temerity to pursue them, they faced round at the first rise and
+suddenly confronted them. The three (who were Kaffirs), seeing that the
+tables were turned, hastily wheeled round towards their own camp, but
+before they could reach it one of their number was caught and shot down.
+One gun and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt now fired upon our two officers as
+long as they were in sight, and thus we learnt that the guns were placed
+on the high western point of the mountain, from which they could shoot
+in all directions.</p>
+
+<p>Let me describe Groenkop. On its western side was a precipice, on the
+north and south a steep descent, and on the east a gentle slope which
+ran down to the plain.</p>
+
+<p>From which side should the attack take place?</p>
+
+<p>Some of the officers were of the opinion that this should take place on
+the east, where it was the least steep, but I differed from them, for
+through our field-glasses we could see that the walls of the fort were
+so built that it was quite clear the enemy had thought that, should they
+be attacked, it would be from the east. The forts were built in a
+semicircle towards that side, and although this would be of little
+importance once the fight had begun (because the defenders had only to
+jump over the wall to find themselves still entrenched), still it was to
+the advantage of the attacking party to come from a side where they
+would not be expected.</p>
+
+<p>These reasons brought me to the conclusion that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> the English would not
+be on the look-out for us from the west, and I therefore decided to make
+the attack from this side, the steep side of the mountain. But I did not
+then know how steep it really was.</p>
+
+<p>On the western point there were four forts close to each other. Each was
+sufficient to give shelter to about twenty five men. To the south there
+were four forts, and to the east three.</p>
+
+<p>The top of the mountain was not more than three to four hundred paces in
+diameter. To the east in a hollow the convoy was placed, and from every
+<i>schanze</i> we could rake it with our fire.</p>
+
+<p>I remained on the spot from which I was reconnoitring, and sent word to
+the commando, in the afternoon of the 24th of December, to come to a
+certain place at Tijgerkloof, which they could do without being
+observed. I ordered them to remain there until nightfall, and then to
+advance within four miles of Groenkop, to the north, where I would meet
+them.</p>
+
+<p>This was done. I found the commando at the appointed place, and also
+General Brand and Commandant Karel Coetzee, who had come on a visit that
+day to my commando. They also took part in the attack. My men consisted
+of burghers from General Michal Prinsloo, Commandants Hermanus Botha,
+Van Coller, Olivier, Rautenbach, Koen, Jan Jacobsz and Mears, in all six
+hundred men. Of these I left one hundred in charge of the
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt and the pack-horses.</p>
+
+<p>We had not a single waggon with us; every man put what he had with him
+on his pack-horse, for long we had made it a rule not to be hampered
+with waggons. Yet whenever we picked up reports of engagements in the
+camping places of the English we repeatedly saw that they had taken a
+Boer camp&mdash;and their greatest delight was to say that it was one of De
+Wet's convoys.</p>
+
+<p>They could not have been convoys of mine, because for the last fifteen
+months I had had no waggon-camp<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> with me. If a waggon-camp was taken, it
+could only have been one consisting of women, who were flying in order
+to escape capture by the English, and to avoid being sent to the
+concentration camps. Everywhere in the State the women were taking to
+flight, and their terror was increased tenfold when the news came that
+many a woman and child had found an untimely grave in these camps.</p>
+
+<p>The troops which had not remained with the pack-horses now advanced
+towards the mountain. Each commando was ordered to ride by itself, and
+to leave in single file. My orders were that they were to march quietly
+to the western foot of the mountain; here the horses were to be left
+behind, and the climb made on foot, the burghers keeping the same order
+as that in which they had been riding. Should the English, however,
+discover us before we reached the mountain, we must then storm it
+altogether, and leave the horses wherever we had dismounted.</p>
+
+<p>We succeeded in coming to the mountain unobserved, and at once began the
+climb. It was exactly two o'clock in the morning of December 25th, 1901.</p>
+
+<p>When we had gone up about half-way we heard the challenge of a sentry:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Halt; who goes there?"</p>
+
+<p>Then followed a few shots.</p>
+
+<p>My command rang out through the night&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Burghers, Storm!"</p>
+
+<p>The word was taken up by the burghers themselves, and on all sides one
+heard "Storm! Storm!"</p>
+
+<p>It was a never-to-be-forgotten moment. Amidst the bullets, which we
+could hear whistling above and around us, the burghers advanced to the
+top, calling out, "Storm! Storm!"</p>
+
+<p>The mountain, however, was so steep that it can scarcely be said that we
+stormed it; it was much more of a climb. Often our feet slipped from
+under us, and we fell to the ground; but in an instant we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> were up again
+and climbed on, and on, to gain the summit.</p>
+
+<p>I think that after the sentry heard us, three or four minutes must have
+elapsed before the troops, who were lying asleep in their tents or on
+the veldt, were awakened and could come out, because their camp was
+about a hundred paces distant from our point of attack.</p>
+
+<p>Directly we reached the top the deafening roar of a heavy fight began,
+and lasted from fifteen to twenty minutes. Shortly before this the
+Armstrong gun and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt had each fired two shots, but
+they fired no more; as we reached the top the gunners were shot down at
+their guns.</p>
+
+<p>After a short but desperate struggle the English gave way, or
+surrendered, and we took possession of the Armstrong and
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt.</p>
+
+<p>We continued to fire on the troops, who had retreated to a short
+distance. Again they gave way, and took up another position a little
+further on, and so it went on for about two thousand paces, and then the
+English took to flight.</p>
+
+<p>As we had no horses with us and it was dark, we did not pursue the
+fleeing enemy, but returned to the camp. The whole engagement lasted, so
+far as I could judge, for about an hour. I cannot say for certain,
+because I made no note of the time.</p>
+
+<p>It was a party of Yeomanry with whom we had been dealing, and I must say
+they behaved very gallantly under exceptionally trying circumstances;
+for it is always to be expected that when men are attacked during the
+night a certain amount of confusion must ensue.</p>
+
+<p>It was heartrending to hear the moaning of the wounded in the dark. The
+burghers helped the doctors to bring the wounded into the tents, where
+they could be attended to; I gave the doctors as much water as they
+liked to take for the wounded.</p>
+
+<p>It was greatly to be deplored that the ambulance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> had been placed in the
+centre of the camp, for this was the cause of Dr. Reid being fatally
+wounded.</p>
+
+<p>When the day began to dawn we brought the waggons and guns down the
+mountain. I sent them in the direction of Langberg, to the west of
+Groenkop.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy lost about one hundred and sixteen dead and wounded, and two
+hundred and forty prisoners of war.</p>
+
+<p>Our loss was also heavy&mdash;fourteen dead and thirty wounded; among the
+dead were Commandant Olivier from Bethlehem and Vice-Veldtcornet Jan
+Dalebout from Harrismith; among the wounded was one of my own staff,
+Gert de Wet. Later on two more died, one of them being Veldtcornet
+Louwrens. I appointed Mr. A.J. Bester as Commandant in the place of
+Commandant Olivier.</p>
+
+<p>Besides one Armstrong and one Maxim-Nordenfeldt, our booty consisted of
+twenty waggons, mostly ox-waggons, a great quantity of rifle and gun
+ammunition, guns, tents, five hundred horses and mules, and one waggon
+laden with spirits, so that the burghers, who were not averse to this,
+could now satisfy their thirst.</p>
+
+<p>The sun had hardly risen when the enemy opened fire from a mountain two
+miles to the north-east of Groenkop, where there was a little camp with
+one gun. If I still had had the same numbers as were with me at the
+storming of Groenkop, then I could also have taken this little camp. But
+it was not to be thought of, for some of my men had been sent away with
+the waggons, and the others&mdash;well, every one had a horse that he had
+taken from the English, and as these horses were in the pink of
+condition for rapid retreat, I thought it wiser not to call upon the
+burghers to attack. I ordered them, therefore, to go back after the
+waggons, and in the evening we camped to the north of Bethlehem. From
+here, on the following day, I sent the prisoners of war through
+Naauwpoort into Basutoland.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On the same day I gave orders to General Michal Prinsloo to take the
+commando and to strike a course between Reitz and Heilbron. I myself
+paid a visit to President Steyn and General Wessel Wessels, after which
+I put matters straight in our hospital at Bezuidenhoutsdrift, which was
+under the charge of Dr. H.J. Poutsma.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>I Cut my Way Through Sixty Thousand Troops</h3>
+
+
+<p>The English could not endure the thought that we had their guns in our
+possession. And, accordingly, when General Michal Prinsloo came near the
+Liebenbergsvlei, on the road between Reitz and Heilbron, he met a strong
+force of the enemy which had come from Kroonstad. The English then had a
+taste of what it was like to be under the fire of our artillery; and so
+well did the gunners do their work that the enemy were forced to
+retreat. This occurred shortly before sunset on the afternoon of the
+28th of December.</p>
+
+<p>But the forces in front of General Prinsloo were too strong for him, and
+so when night came he marched past, and the following morning was twelve
+miles to the south-west of them.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy advanced against the position which General Prinsloo had
+occupied the previous day, quite unaware that he was now in their rear.
+In the meantime the General was watching their movements from behind,
+and quietly enjoying their mistake.</p>
+
+<p>I left the hospital that afternoon, and crossing the Liebenbergsvlei to
+the rear of the English, I joined the Heilbron commando.</p>
+
+<p>The following day the enemy retreated to the farm of Groenvlei, which
+lies just to the north of Lindley. They remained there for a few days
+awaiting large reinforcements.</p>
+
+<p>"I quite understand your plan," I said to myself, as I set to work to
+split up the great force which the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> enemy were concentrating. And with
+this object in view I sent each Commandant to his own district,
+believing that by dispersing my own men I should again induce the
+English to divide their troops into smaller parties. Commandant Mears,
+with his fifty men, I ordered to remain with the guns and the artillery,
+and to guard them by very careful scouting.</p>
+
+<p>In less than a fortnight seven large columns of the enemy were operating
+in the district between Heilbron and Bethlehem and Harrismith. These
+columns burnt all the houses within their reach, and those which had
+been spared before were now given over to the flames. And not only were
+the houses destroyed, but every head of cattle was taken.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the end of January, 1902, still more columns arrived and a
+"drive" began.</p>
+
+<p>I remained in the neighbourhood until the 2nd of February and stationed
+Commandant Mears with the guns to the east of the Wilge River. The
+English formed a circle round him, but he succeeded in getting the guns
+away in safety. When he was out of their clutches, I sent him orders to
+bring the guns through the blockhouse line between Lindley and
+Bethlehem, and then to push on towards Winburg.</p>
+
+<p>It was my intention, on arriving there, to collect as rapidly as
+possible a commando from the men of Bethlehem, Kroonstad, and Winburg,
+and to attack the first column that gave me a chance of doing so.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Mears carried out my orders at once. A force of the enemy had
+been waiting for him for three or four days at the farm of Fanny's Home,
+on the Liebenbergsvlei. But before the sun had risen, a strong force
+under Colonel Byng had surrounded him and forced him to abandon the
+guns. And not only were the guns lost, but Captain Muller and thirteen
+gunners were taken prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>Thus the guns had not been of much benefit to us, for the English had
+kept us so constantly on the move that it had been impossible to use
+them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The forces of the enemy between Harrismith and Vrede had formed a line
+extending from the Harrismith-Bethlehem blockhouses to the blockhouses
+between Vrede, Frankfort and Heilbron. And now the troops were advancing
+in close contact with each other, hoping thus to force us against one or
+other line of blockhouses.</p>
+
+<p>Nearer and nearer they came, until at noon on February the 5th we saw
+them to the east of Liebenbergsvlei. As I was watching their movements
+from the top of Elandskop, I was informed by heliogram<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> from
+Blaauwkop and Verkijkerskop that there was a cordon of the English from
+Frankfort to a spot between Bethlehem and Lindley.</p>
+
+<p>The intention of the enemy appeared to be to drive us against the
+Heilbron-Kroonstad blockhouses and the railway line. We had therefore to
+be prepared to fight our way through the blockhouses. And these, as I
+found out lately, had been greatly strengthened.</p>
+
+<p>On the 6th of February I was on the march, intending to advance to
+Slangfontein, to the west of Heilbron. I sent orders to Commandants
+Mentz, Van der Merwe, and Van Coller, to take a portion of Commandant
+Bester's burghers, telling them to go to Slangfontein. For I hoped to
+break through at some point or other that night.</p>
+
+<p>Still nearer the enemy came, marching almost shoulder to shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>The Commandants Van Coller and Van der Merwe did not go to Slangfontein.
+They broke through the English columns near Jagersrust, and crossed the
+Heilbron-Frankfort blockhouse line, where they put a few soldiers to
+flight, not, however, without a loss of two burghers, who were killed.</p>
+
+<p>Neither did the burghers under Veldtcornets Tal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>jaart and Prinsloo
+arrive. They preferred to go their own way&mdash;and all were captured with
+the exception of twenty-eight men. But this misfortune was not due to
+the blockhouses. On the contrary, they were taken prisoners when they
+were attempting to hide themselves in small bodies. In this way more
+than a hundred burghers fell into the hands of the English.</p>
+
+<p>There were now with me Commandant Mentz, and portions of the commandos
+of Commandants Bester, Cilliers, and Mears.</p>
+
+<p>That afternoon we marched to a farm which was twelve miles from the
+Lindley-Kroonstad line of blockhouses. When it was quite dark, we left
+the farm with the intention of breaking through this line before
+daybreak. There had been five or six hundred head of cattle with us,
+but, without my being aware of it, they had gone astray in the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>We intentionally left the path, because we thought that the English
+would be most vigilant at points where paths crossed the line.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly we found ourselves at a wire fence. The darkness was so thick,
+that it was only after we had cut the wire that we discovered that we
+were close to a blockhouse. Although the house was not more than a
+hundred paces from us, we could hear and see nothing. When we were some
+four hundred paces on the other side of the line of the blockhouses, I
+sent a burgher back to see if all the men and cattle had crossed
+safely&mdash;for we were riding in a long trail, and amongst us were old men
+and youngsters of only ten years, or even less. These boys would have
+been taken away from their mothers had they stayed at home; and thus the
+only way to keep them from captivity was to let them join the commandos.</p>
+
+<p>The burgher soon returned, and told me that the whole commando and all
+the cattle had crossed the line. Then I marched forward again.</p>
+
+<p>At break of day we were close to the Valsch River. Here I made a short
+halt, in order to allow the strag<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>glers to come up. It was then that a
+man came to me who had been riding far behind, and had thus not seen
+that we had cut the wire. He was probably one of those who quite
+needlessly feared a blockhouse line.</p>
+
+<p>"General, when shall we come to the blockhouses?" he asked me.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! we are through long ago!" I answered.</p>
+
+<p>It did not require any deep insight, I can assure you, to see how
+delighted this burgher was that we were safely out of it!</p>
+
+<p>We discovered now that the cattle had not crossed the line. When I
+investigated the matter more closely, I found that they had gone astray
+before we reached the blockhouses. But it was impossible to wait for
+them, and there was nothing left but to proceed without them.</p>
+
+<p>When we arrived at the Valsch River, there was a sound of shouting
+behind us, and presently the cattle appeared coming over a rise. I heard
+from the drivers that they had lost their way, and had only reached the
+blockhouses at daylight. But they had succeeded in breaking through
+under a fierce rifle fire. Twenty head of cattle had been killed or
+wounded, and one of the men's horses had been shot under him.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers who had accomplished this valiant deed were: Jan Potgieter,
+Gert Potgieter, Jzoon, and Wessel Potgieter&mdash;all from the district of
+Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>I have, myself, seen a report in an English paper of my breaking through
+the blockhouse line. This paper declared that I had driven a great herd
+of cattle in front of me to break down the fencing!... This is the way
+the English write the reports.</p>
+
+<p>This breaking through of my cattle inspired the English, at least so I
+thought, to dig trenches everywhere. But they were again wrong; for
+although a vehicle might have some difficulty before the trench was
+filled in, no riders, pedestrians, or cattle would have been stopped for
+a moment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And now we marched on, till we reached a spot about fourteen miles to
+the south of the blockhouse line; and there we remained for three days.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst we were waiting here, I sent two burghers back to the blockhouse
+line, to discover in what direction the English columns had marched, so
+that I might know where I should go myself. Now, less than ever, was it
+advisable to make night marches, for our horses were in a very poor
+condition.</p>
+
+<p>The day following I received a heliographic message from these burghers,
+who were now on the other side of the line. They signalled that I could
+come on with my commando, since the English columns had returned to
+Kroonstad and Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>When night came I started on my way back. I did not go (as before) to
+the east of Lindley, but to the farm of Palmietfontein, which lies to
+the west. When we were close to the line, I sent some burghers in
+advance to cut the wire. But this time there was a reception ready for
+us, which we certainly would rather have been without! This was to be
+ascribed to the fact that instead of only two scouts, as I had ordered,
+about ten had gone to reconnoitre. So large a number had attracted the
+attention of the enemy, and the guards had concentrated at the spot
+where we wished to break through.</p>
+
+<p>Thus before my commando reached the line a fierce fire was opened on it
+from two sides. Yet notwithstanding this the wires were cut and we
+reached the other side, but not without loss. One of my burghers was
+killed, and one wounded. A boy of ten was also killed, and another of
+seven severely wounded. We could not ascertain the losses of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>It was terrible that children should be exposed to such dangers; but, as
+I have already said, if we had not taken them with us they would have
+been captured. During the very "drive" I have just described, two
+children who had remained at home with their mothers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> were taken
+prisoner by the English. One of these was a boy of nine, the little son
+of Jacobus Theron. Notwithstanding the prayers and entreaties of the
+poor mother, he was torn from her and carried away. In the same way
+another boy, twelve years old, whose name I do not know, was dragged
+from his mother's arms.</p>
+
+<p>The chronicling of such inexplicable cruelties I leave to other pens. I
+have drawn attention to them to make it clear that it was not without
+good cause that children joined the commandos. Some of these little ones
+became a prey to the bullets of the enemy, and the South African soil is
+stained by the blood of children slain by England.</p>
+
+<p>With the exception of the sad incidents I have described, we came
+through in safety.</p>
+
+<p>I afterwards heard that Lord Kitchener had on this occasion gone to
+Wolvehoek Station in order to see President Steyn and myself carried
+away in the train to banishment! But his calculations were not
+altogether correct.</p>
+
+<p>A Higher Power had willed it otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>The burghers had now returned to their own districts. I myself went to a
+farm in the neighbourhood of Elandskop belonging to Mr. Hendrick
+Prinsloo&mdash;the <i>rooije</i>.<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> After I had been there a few days I heard
+that a strong column was approaching Lindley from Kroonstad. During the
+night of the 17th of February this column attacked some burghers who
+were posted less than four miles from Elandskop, with the object&mdash;as I
+heard later&mdash;of catching me. And they would have been quite successful
+in their attempt had I been sleeping in the house where their
+information led them to believe they would find me. But as a matter of
+fact, I seldom, if ever, slept in a house, for to tell the truth, there
+were scarcely any houses left to sleep in! The women who had escaped
+capture lived in narrow shelters, which had been made by placing
+corrugated iron<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> sheets on what was left standing of the walls that
+remained.</p>
+
+<p>I crossed the Liebenbergsvlei on the 18th of February, and proceeded to
+the farm of Rondebosch, which stands to the north-east of Reitz. There I
+met the Government.</p>
+
+<p>And now another big "drive" took place. The English columns marched to
+the south of the Kroonstad-Lindley blockhouse line in the direction of
+Bethlehem. Other troops came from Heilbron, and advanced to the north of
+the Heilbron-Frankfort line, driving Commandant Ross across this line to
+the south.</p>
+
+<p>Nearer and nearer these two great divisions approached each other, until
+at last they stretched without any break from the Bethlehem-Lindley to
+the Frankfort-Vrede line of blockhouses. On the 21st of February the
+whole column moved towards Vrede and Harrismith.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me that my best plan would be to go with President Steyn
+and the Government to the Witkopjes, which lay between Harrismith and
+Vrede, and then to break through the English columns near Vrede or
+Harrismith, or, if it proved impossible to do so at these points, at
+least to force a way through somewhere.</p>
+
+<p>On this occasion we had a great deal more difficulty in escaping from
+the English than we had had during the previous "drive." Not only had we
+to deal with these large forces behind, but also with thousands of
+troops which were now approaching from Villiersdorp, Standerton,
+Volksrust, and Laingsnek, and which were extended across the country in
+one continuous line. The whole cordon thus formed consisted, as the
+English themselves acknowledge, of sixty thousand men.</p>
+
+<p>And again on this occasion they did not attempt to drive us against one
+or other of the blockhouse lines, but they came, column on column, from
+all sides, and formed a big circle round us. They thus made it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> quite
+apparent that they had lost all faith in their blockhouses.</p>
+
+<p>I only received news of the approach of these reinforcements on the
+evening of the 22nd of February, after they had passed the blockhouses.
+The report was brought to me by Commandant Hermanus Botha, a party of
+whose burghers had been driven across the Vrede-Frankfort line during
+the previous night. I have already stated that some of the burghers
+under Commandant Ross had shared the same experience, and now they were
+retreating before the English. I also heard that Commandant Mentz had
+gone eastwards, in the belief that the forces behind him would move to
+the west, but that unfortunately the columns also moved to the east, so
+that he jumped into the lion's mouth, which was only too ready to close!</p>
+
+<p>We marched that night to Cornelius River, and the day following to Mr.
+James Howell's farm at Brakfontein. It was my intention to break through
+somewhere between Vrede and Bothaspas.</p>
+
+<p>But my scouts brought me word in the evening that there was a very poor
+chance of success in that neighbourhood, for the columns had
+concentrated there. Other scouts, however, reported that there was a
+small opening at Kalkkrans, on the Holspruit; and so I decided to march
+to Kalkkrans.</p>
+
+<p>When the sun had set I left Brakfontein and started on my road to
+Kalkkrans, with the firm determination to force my way through there,
+cost what it might. If I failed in the attempt I knew that it would mean
+an irretrievable loss, for not only should I myself be captured, but
+also President Steyn and the whole Government.</p>
+
+<p>I had with me a portion of the Harrismith burghers, the commandos from
+Vrede and Frankfort, and sections of the commandos from Standerton and
+Wakkerstroom, these latter under Commandant Alberts. This Commandant had
+come to these districts to obtain horses for his burghers; he was
+obliged to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> content with the wild horses of the veldt, for there were
+no others to be had.</p>
+
+<p>Beside the above burghers, I had with me old men and children, and
+others who were non-combatants. These had joined the commando to escape
+falling into the enemy's hands.</p>
+
+<p>Altogether I had well-nigh two thousand persons with me. Commandant
+Mentz was, like myself, enclosed in the "drive," but some distance away.
+General Wessels, Commandant Beukes, and some of the Bethlehem burghers
+were in the same predicament to the west of us. I did not know for
+certain where these officers were placed, and therefore I could not
+inform them of my plan to break through that night, for I had only come
+to this determination after the sun had set. But I felt sure that they
+would at all costs make their way through the cordon.<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a></p>
+
+<p>Commandant Jan Meijer had met me at Brakfontein, but one party of his
+burghers was still six miles to the south. When I decided to break
+through, I sent him orders to follow me; and this he was quite capable
+of doing, as he was well acquainted with this part of the country. My
+orders were that the mounted men were to proceed in advance, taking with
+them my little waggon drawn by eight mules.</p>
+
+<p>This waggon had accompanied me into Cape Colony, and since that
+time&mdash;for fourteen weary months&mdash;had never left me. I had even taken it
+with me when, a fortnight previously, I had broken through the
+blockhouse lines.</p>
+
+<p>Behind the horsemen came the aged and the sick, who occupied the
+remaining vehicles, and lastly the cattle, divided into several herds.</p>
+
+<p>In this order we rode on.</p>
+
+<p>When we were approaching the spot at which I expected to find the enemy,
+I ordered Commandant Ross and one hundred men, with Hermanus Botha<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> and
+Alberts, and portions of their commandos, to go on ahead of us.</p>
+
+<p>After passing through Holspruit we inclined to the west, as the road to
+the east would, according to my scouts, have led us right into the
+English camp. But it was not with one camp only that we had to deal: the
+English were everywhere: a whole army lay before us&mdash;an army so immense
+that many Englishmen thought that it would be a task beyond the stupid
+and illiterate Boer to count it, much less to understand its
+significance. I will pander to the English conception of us and say, "We
+have seen them: they are a great big lot!"</p>
+
+<p>We had hardly moved three hundred paces from where we had crossed
+Holspruit, when the English, lined up about three hundred yards in front
+of us, and opened fire. We saw that they did not intend our flight to be
+an easy one.</p>
+
+<p>Before we had reached the "spruit,"<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a> and while crossing it, the
+burghers had kept pushing ahead and crowds had even passed us, but the
+enemy's fire checked them and they wheeled round.</p>
+
+<p>Only the men under Commandants Ross, Botha, and Alberts did not waver.
+These officers and their veldtcornets with less than one hundred men
+stormed the nearest position of the enemy, who were occupying a fort on
+the brow of a steep bank.</p>
+
+<p>I shouted to my command: "Charge."</p>
+
+<p>I exerted all my powers of persuasion to arrest the flight of my
+burghers; even bringing the sjambok into the argument.</p>
+
+<p>Two hundred and fifty were all that I could bring back to the fight,
+whilst, as I have said, the Commandants had a hundred with them when
+they charged; the rest, regardless of my attempts to stop them, fled.</p>
+
+<p>I was also without my staff, some of whom had remained under the fire of
+the enemy awaiting my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> orders as to what was to be done with my little
+waggon. Others, amongst whom was my son Kootie, who was then acting as
+my secretary, had followed me, but had got lost in the confusion of the
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>This confusion arose from the fact that the burghers imagined that they
+had got through at the first attempt, but had found themselves again
+fired at from the front. Meanwhile, I hurried to and fro, encouraging
+the burghers in their attempts to break through. When thus engaged I
+came across two of my staff, Albertus Theunissen and Burt Nissey. To
+them I gave the order: "Get the waggon through at all costs." I also
+found my son, Isaac, and kept him with me. The English now were firing
+not only from in front but also on our right, and there was nothing for
+it but to clear a road for ourselves, and this we eventually succeeded
+in doing, and in about forty minutes had at last broken through.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy had dug trenches, thirty to forty paces from each other, which
+served as <i>schanzes</i>. In each of these trenches were placed ten to
+thirty men. They had also a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which, at first, kept up
+a hot fire; but soon was silenced as the gunners were shot down. The
+rest of the troops retired with the gun, but had to leave the caisson
+behind them. It was evident to me from the way in which they fired that
+the English were retreating, and so I dispatched two men to tell the
+burghers, who had gone back, to come on; but this they did not do,
+thinking perhaps that they could discover a safer route on the following
+evening. This was short-sighted policy on their part, for the circle
+within which they were caught was daily becoming narrower, and it was
+plain that on the third day the enemy would be so close that all hope of
+escape would be gone.</p>
+
+<p>The two burghers did not return, and we went on without them, taking
+with us our wounded&mdash;twelve in number. Two of these, whose injuries were
+seri<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>ous, had been placed by some of my staff on my waggon; one was Van
+der Merwe, a member of President Steyn's bodyguard; the other was a boy
+of thirteen years old, named Olivier.</p>
+
+<p>We hurried on, and came, shortly after sundown, to the farm called
+"Bavaria," on the Bothasberg. There Van der Merwe died.</p>
+
+<p>The boy had already been relieved from his sufferings. Thus, once again,
+the soil drank the blood of a child.</p>
+
+<p>Eleven of my men were left dead on the battlefield. We had to leave them
+there, for to recover their bodies might have meant the sacrifice of
+more lives.</p>
+
+<p>When the burghers and I forced our way through the storm of bullets, we
+had with us President Steyn, the Members of the Government, and the Rev.
+D. Kestell, minister of the Dutch Reformed Church at Harrismith.</p>
+
+<p>The greater part of the English, indeed all of them, so far as we could
+observe, remained, during the 24th, on the spot where we had left them.
+We found out, later on, that we had broken through their lines at the
+point where Colonel Rimington's force was stationed.</p>
+
+<p>The following day the columns departed. We then went to bury our dead,
+but found that the enemy had already done so. But as the graves which
+they had made were very shallow, we dug them deeper.</p>
+
+<p>During that night (the 25th) another force of burghers, to the number of
+about three hundred and fifty, broke through the English cordon. Our men
+only lost two killed, and eleven wounded.</p>
+
+<p>Besides those already mentioned, the burghers under General Wessel
+Wessels and Commandant Mentz were also among those who escaped of the
+two thousand troops surrounded by the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>With the others it fared but ill.</p>
+
+<p>The English closed in, and the circle became narrower and narrower.</p>
+
+<p>On the 27th of February, 1902&mdash;"Majuba Day"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>&mdash;Commandant Van Merwe and
+four hundred men fell into the hands of the enemy.<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a></p>
+
+<p>On that very day, in the year 1881, the famous battle of Majuba had been
+fought. Nineteen years afterwards, on the same day of the same month, we
+suffered a terrible defeat at Paardeberg, where we lost General Piet
+Cronje and a great force of burghers.</p>
+
+<p>And now the 27th of February had come round again, and this time it was
+the twenty-first anniversary of Majuba that we were celebrating. The day
+of our coming of age had thus arrived, if I may be allowed to say so.
+But instead of the Republics now attaining their majority&mdash;as they
+should have done, according to all precedent&mdash;<i>minority</i> would have been
+a more fitting word to describe the condition in which we now found
+ourselves&mdash;for, through the losses which we had just sustained, we were
+<i>minus</i> not only a large number of burghers, but also an enormous
+quantity of cattle, which ought to have served as food to our commandos
+and families, but which the enemy had captured.</p>
+
+<p>The cattle which had just been taken from us had formed the greater part
+of our cattle in this district. We had always been able, until now, to
+get them safely away; the unevenness of the veldt here was greatly in
+our favour. This time we could not. How am I to explain the
+inexplicable? <i>We had sinned&mdash;but not against England!</i></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXV</h2>
+
+<h3>I go to the Transvaal with President Steyn</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the 26th of February I went with the Government to Duminys Drift, on
+the Wilge River, and we thus found ourselves again at the farm of
+Rondebosch.</p>
+
+<p>The Government remained there for a few days, and then President Steyn
+decided to go into the western parts of the State, where Generals
+Badenhorst and Nieuwouwdt were then operating. He thought that if he
+absented himself from the north-eastern districts the English would
+cease their devastations in that part of the country, for it was well
+known that the enemy's concentration of forces was principally aimed at
+the President and myself.</p>
+
+<p>I, however, did not intend to follow his example, but, on the contrary,
+got myself ready to join the Heilbron commando. By March 22nd all my
+preparations were made, and I had, alas! to say farewell to my trusty
+friend&mdash;my little waggon! I saw that it must be relinquished&mdash;that I
+could not carry it about with me any longer. I left it at a farm, first
+taking out my documents and papers; I ordered these to be concealed for
+greater safety, in a cave on the farm of General Wessels.</p>
+
+<p>The clothes and ammunition of myself and staff had been hidden in this
+cave for some time.</p>
+
+<p>The following day I joined President Steyn, who told me that he wished
+me to accompany him in his march to the west. And although it did not
+agree with my own ideas&mdash;principally, because I did not want the enemy
+to think that I was running away from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> them&mdash;I consented to this plan,
+and the more willingly because it was some time since I had visited the
+western commandos.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long journey that lay before us, and I had only the clothes
+that I was then wearing. I would have sent for another suit had I not
+heard that the enemy were encamped close to the cave where our treasures
+lay hidden.<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a></p>
+
+<p>I had therefore to do the best I could with what I had. There was no
+clothing to be got in the western districts, so that when my present
+outfit was worn out, I should be compelled to put on "khaki"&mdash;although
+there was nothing I relished less than to rob a prisoner of war.</p>
+
+<p>We started out that same evening in the direction of the railway line.
+Our party consisted of about two hundred men, composed as follows: the
+President, with his bodyguard of thirty men, under Commandant H. Van
+Niekerk, the Government, Commandant Van de Merwe, of Vredefort, my staff
+and myself.</p>
+
+<p>Before daybreak we got through the Heilbron-Frankfort line of
+blockhouses without accident; and on the following night (March 5th) we
+crossed the railway line, between Wolvehoek and Viljoensdrift. Whilst we
+were occupied there in cutting the telegraph wires, the enemy fired a
+few rounds on us, at a distance of five hundred or six hundred paces. We
+approached nearer, and they then opened fire with a Maxim&mdash;but without
+doing any damage.</p>
+
+<p>We continued on our road, past Parijs and Vredefort, towards Bothaville,
+and we came upon a blockhouse line which extended from Kroonstad to the
+Vaal River. We rested for two days, to the north of Bothaville; during
+this time my scouts captured from the enemy eighteen horses, most of
+which were in good condition.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On the night of March 12th we broke through the blockhouse line, some
+five miles to the west of Bothaville. When we were about fifty paces
+from the line, somebody to our left challenged us:</p>
+
+<p>"Halt! Who goes there?"</p>
+
+<p>He challenged us a second time, and then fired.</p>
+
+<p>At once seven or eight sentries fired upon us. Shots also were directed
+at us from the right. Nevertheless we cut through the barbed wire and
+crossed in safety, the firing still continuing, until we were about
+fifteen hundred paces on the far side of the line. Fortunately no one
+was hit.</p>
+
+<p>Having thus escaped from the last "White Elephant" that we should have
+to reckon with, the next obstacle to be encountered was the Vaal River.
+For the President, since we had crossed the Valsch River, had decided to
+visit De la Rey, in order to place himself under medical advice. His
+eyes had become very weak during the last fortnight or so, and he
+thought that Dr. Van Rennenkampf might be able to do something for them.</p>
+
+<p>Thus we had to cross the Vaal River.</p>
+
+<p>But we heard that there was a military post at Commandodrift, where we
+wanted to cross, and further, that all the other fords were occupied by
+the English. We should have been in a great difficulty had not one of
+our burghers, Pietersen, who knew this district thoroughly, brought us
+across the river by a footpath ford.</p>
+
+<p>We crossed on March 15th. The current was so strong that in places the
+horses were almost swimming; in other places the river-bed was strewn
+with huge boulders, over which our steeds had to climb. However, we all
+managed to get safely over, and arrived at Witpoort on the evening of
+the 16th. On the following day we joined General De la Rey.</p>
+
+<p>It was a most interesting occasion. We had a hearty reception, several
+impromptu "addresses" being presented to the President, who in turn
+spoke to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> the burghers with much fire and enthusiasm. They were already
+in the best of spirits, as they might well be, for their General had but
+recently won victories over Von Donop and Lord Methuen.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Van Rennenkampf, having examined the President's eyes, said that he
+must remain for some time under his care. Accordingly I left President
+Steyn with De la Rey, and, on the third day after our arrival, set out
+with my staff to join General Badenhorst, who was then in the
+neighbourhood of Boshof. It was becoming more and more important that I
+should see Badenhorst and Nieuwouwdt, and discuss with them how best
+they might collect their forces, for I wished to be able to attack the
+first English column that should enter the western district of the
+State.</p>
+
+<p>I had received reports that, with the exception of the garrison at
+Boshof, the west, for the moment, was free from the enemy; and this
+information caused me no surprise, for I could well believe that they
+had just "packed up their trunks" in the north.</p>
+
+<p>On the 25th of March I joined General Badenhorst on the Gannapan,<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a>
+thirty miles to the north-east of Boshof. I at once sent an express to
+General Nieuwouwdt, ordering him to come to me with all speed, and to
+bring about four hundred and fifty of his men with him. Meanwhile,
+General Badenhorst received instructions from me to get all his
+scattered commandos together.<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a></p>
+
+<p>Before there had been time for these orders to be carried out I
+received, on March 28th, a letter from President Steyn, giving me the
+following information:</p>
+
+<p>Mr. S.W. Burger, Vice-States President of the South African Republic,
+had written to President Steyn, saying that he was at Kroonstad, and
+that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> wished to meet the Government of the Orange Free State. He also
+said that a copy of the correspondence between the Governments of the
+Queen of the Netherlands and of the King of England had been sent to him
+by Lord Kitchener.</p>
+
+<p>From this correspondence it appeared that the Netherlands Government
+(considering the condition of affairs to be exceptional, in that the
+Boers who were still fighting were unable to negotiate either with the
+British Government or with the Deputation in Europe) felt justified in
+offering to act as an intermediary. In this capacity they were prepared
+to ask the Deputation if they were willing&mdash;supposing that a safe
+conduct could be obtained from England&mdash;to go to South Africa, and
+discuss matters with the Boers, in order to be able subsequently to
+return to Europe, empowered to conclude a Treaty of Peace, which would
+be binding both in South Africa and in Europe.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Lansdowne, in the name of the British Government, replied that his
+Government highly appreciated the humane intentions of the Government of
+the Netherlands, but that they had made up their minds to abide by their
+former decision, and not to accept any foreign intervention. Further,
+that the Deputation could, if they wished, address a request for a safe
+conduct to the British Government, but that the matter could not be
+decided in England, until the precise nature of the request, and the
+grounds on which it was preferred, were fully understood.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Lansdowne also said that the British Government was not quite clear
+as to whether the Deputation still retained any influence over the Boer
+leaders in South Africa; that they thought that the power to negotiate
+for the Orange Free State lay with President Steyn, and, for the
+Transvaal, with President Burger; and that they considered that the most
+satisfactory arrangement would be for the leaders of the Boers to
+negotiate directly with the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in
+South Africa, who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> been ordered to transmit at once to the British
+Government any offers or proposals which might be made to him.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Lansdowne concluded by saying that, if the Boers wished to
+negotiate, it must be in South Africa, and not in Europe. For, if the
+Deputation were to go to South Africa, at least three months must elapse
+before anything could be effected, and, as hostilities must continue
+during this delay, much suffering would be caused.</p>
+
+<p>Vice-President Burger went on to say that when he received a copy of
+this correspondence he could only conclude that Lord Kitchener,
+indirectly at least, if not directly, was asking the Boer leaders to
+negotiate with him. Accordingly, he wrote to Lord Kitchener for a free
+pass, and, having obtained it, came with his Government by rail to
+Kroonstad. He now, accordingly, requested President Steyn to let him
+know when and where the two Governments could meet. He also intimated
+that he had written to Lord Kitchener, informing him that he
+wished&mdash;after consulting the Government of the Orange Free State&mdash;to
+make a Peace Proposal.</p>
+
+<p>President Steyn told me that when the Free State Government received
+this letter from President Burger, they had not been able to see their
+way to refuse what the latter asked, as the promise of a Peace Proposal
+had already been sent. They had regretted, however, that the Transvaal
+Government had made use of a safe conduct, and gone through the English
+lines&mdash;not that they had for one moment distrusted the Government&mdash;but
+simply because the proceeding had seemed to have been ill-advised.
+Nevertheless the Free State, finding itself not only obliged to discuss
+the matters in question with the Transvaal, but also, conjointly with
+the Transvaal, to make a Proposal to Lord Kitchener, had appointed a
+place of meeting in accordance with the request which had been addressed
+to it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This was what I learnt from President Steyn's letter.</p>
+
+<p>On the 5th of April the President received another letter from President
+Burger, arranging that the meeting should take place at Klerksdorp. A
+safe conduct for the President and Government of the Orange Free State
+was sent at the same time.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI</h2>
+
+<h3>Peace Negotiations</h3>
+
+
+<p>General De la Rey, who, as a Member of the Transvaal Government, had to
+be present at the coming deliberations, accompanied the President to
+Klerksdorp, where they arrived on the 9th of April, and found the
+Transvaal Government already there awaiting them.</p>
+
+<p>The two Governments held their first meeting in the afternoon of the
+same day. The South African Republic was represented
+by:&mdash;Vice-States-President S.W. Burger; Commandant-General Louis Botha;
+Secretary of State F.W. Reitz; General De la Rey; Ex-General L.J.
+Meijer; and Mr. J.B. Krogh. Although not a member of the Government, the
+States-Procureur, L. Jacobsz, was also present.</p>
+
+<p>On behalf of the Orange Free State appeared:&mdash;States-President M.T.
+Steyn; Commander-in-Chief C.R. de Wet; Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge
+J.B.M. Hertzog; States-Secretary W.J.C. Brebner; and General C.H.
+Olivier.</p>
+
+<p>It was decided that no minutes should be taken. Accordingly, I am only
+able to give a summary of the proceedings.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting having been opened with prayer, the Vice-President of the
+South African Republic said that the fact that Lord Kitchener had sent
+in a copy of the correspondence between the Governments of the
+Netherlands and England, was looked upon by himself and his Government
+as an invitation on the part of England to the two States to discuss the
+matter dealt with in that correspondence, and to see if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> peace could not
+be concluded. Before, however, the meeting could make a proposal, it
+would be necessary to hear what the state of affairs really was.</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon, firstly, Commandant-General Louis Botha, then I, and lastly,
+General De la Rey, gave a report of how matters stood.</p>
+
+<p>President Burger now asked whether an interview with Lord Kitchener
+should be asked for, and (in case Lord Kitchener acceded to this) what
+we were to demand, and what we should be prepared to sacrifice. He went
+on to ask President Steyn what he thought of the proposal which the
+Transvaal had made to the Free State Government in the October of the
+previous year.</p>
+
+<p>President Steyn answered that he was still of the same opinion as in
+June, 1901, when the two Governments had agreed to stand by
+Independence. If the English now refused to grant Independence, then the
+war must continue. He said that he would rather surrender to the English
+unconditionally than make terms with them.</p>
+
+<p>The remainder of the day was occupied in listening to speeches from
+State-Secretary Reitz and President Burger.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day the speakers were:&mdash;L.J. Meijer, J.B. Krogh,
+myself, State-Secretary Reitz, and Judge Hertzog. The last-named made a
+proposal, which was seconded by General C.H. Olivier. This proposal,
+after it had been subjected for revision to a Commission, consisting of
+the two Presidents, Mr. Reitz, and Judge Hertzog, was accepted on the
+following day. It ran as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Governments of the South African Republic and of the Orange
+Free State, having met, induced thereto by the receipt, from His
+Excellency Lord Kitchener, of the correspondence exchanged in
+Europe between the Government of His Majesty the King of England,
+and that of Her Majesty the Queen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> of the Netherlands, referring to
+the desirability of giving to the Governments of these Republics an
+opportunity to come into communication with their plenipotentiaries
+in Europe, who still enjoy the trust of both Governments:</p>
+
+<p>"And taking into consideration the conciliatory spirit which, as it
+appears from this correspondence, inspires the Government of His
+Britannic Majesty, and also of the desire therein uttered by Lord
+Lansdowne, in the name of his Government, to make an end to this
+strife:</p>
+
+<p>"Are of opinion that it is now a favourable moment to again shew
+their readiness to do everything possible to bring this war to an
+end:</p>
+
+<p>"And decide, therefore to make certain proposals to His Excellency
+Lord Kitchener, as representative of the Government of His
+Britannic Majesty, which may serve as a basis for further
+negotiations, having in view the achievement of the desired peace.</p>
+
+<p>"Further, it is the opinion of these two Governments that, in order
+to expedite the achievement of the desired aim, and to prevent, as
+far as possible, any misunderstanding, His Excellency Lord
+Kitchener should be asked to meet personally these Governments at a
+time and place by him appointed, so that the said Governments may
+lay before him Peace Proposals (as they will be prepared to do), in
+order that, by direct conversation and discussion with him, all
+such questions as shall arise may be solved at once, and also that
+this meeting may further and bring about the desired result."</p></div>
+
+<p>A letter was now written to Lord Kitchener (who was at Pretoria)
+enclosing the above Proposal, and signed by the two Presidents.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon the two Governments met again, to consider what
+proposals they should make to the British Government. After a lengthy
+discussion, it was decided, on the proposal of General De la Rey,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span>
+seconded by States-Procureur L. Jacobsz, that the matter in hand should
+be entrusted to the Commission, which consisted, as I have already said,
+of the two Presidents, States-Secretary Reitz, and Judge Hertzog: and
+the next morning this Commission handed in the following report, which
+was accepted by the meeting:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Commission, after having taken into consideration the wish of
+the meeting, namely, that proposals should be drafted (in connexion
+with the letter of yesterday, signed by the two Presidents, to His
+Excellency Lord Kitchener) for eventual consideration by His
+Excellency Lord Kitchener, proposes the following points:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+"1. The concluding of a Treaty of Friendship and Peace, including:<br />
+<br />
+"(<i>a</i>) Arrangements <i>re</i> a Customs Union.<br />
+<br />
+"(<i>b</i>) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <i>re</i> Post, Telegraph and Railway Union.<br />
+<br />
+"(<i>c</i>) Granting of the Franchise.<br />
+<br />
+"2. Demolition of all States Forts.<br />
+<br />
+"3. Arbitration in any future differences which may arise between<br />
+the contracting parties; the arbitrators to be nominated in equal<br />
+numbers from each party from among their own subjects; the said<br />
+arbitrators to add one to their number, who is to have the casting<br />
+vote.<br />
+<br />
+"4. Equal rights for the English and Dutch languages in the schools.<br />
+<br />
+"5. Reciprocal amnesty."<br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p>The same morning a letter enclosing this proposal was sent to Lord
+Kitchener, after which Judge Hertzog and Commander Louis Botha addressed
+the meeting.</p>
+
+<p>After the latter had finished an address of great importance, General
+Wilson, who had the command at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> Klerksdorp, entered the room where the
+meeting was being held and stated that Lord Kitchener was prepared to
+grant us an interview, and that we could travel to Pretoria that very
+evening.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, on the evening of the 11th of April, we went to Pretoria,
+where, on the following morning, we met Lord Kitchener and handed in our
+proposal.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener wished for a proposal of a very different character from
+that of the two Governments; but as it would not have been proper for
+them to make any proposal injurious to Independence, the Presidents
+declared that they could not do so, and asked him to send to the English
+Government the proposal which they had already laid before him. Lord
+Kitchener at last acceded to this request, and the following telegram
+was accordingly sent to England:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="center"><span class="smcap">From Lord Kitchener to the Secretary of State.</span></p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Pretoria</span>, <i>April 12th, 1902</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"The Boer Representatives desire to acquaint His Majesty's
+Government with the fact that they entertain an earnest wish for
+peace, and that they, therefore, have decided to ask the British
+Government to bring hostilities to an end, and to proceed to
+formulate a Treaty of Peace. They are ready to accept an Agreement,
+by which, in their opinion, all future wars between them and the
+British Government in South Africa may be avoided. They think that
+this aim can be attained if provisions are made in relation to the
+following points:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"1. Franchise.</p>
+
+<p>"2. Equal rights for the Dutch and English languages in Educational
+matters.</p>
+
+<p>"3. Customs Union.</p>
+
+<p>"4. Demolition of all the forts in the Transvaal and Free State.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"5. Arbitration in case of future disagreements, and only subjects
+of the parties to be arbitrators.</p>
+
+<p>"6. Mutual amnesty.</p>
+
+<p>"But in case these terms should not be satisfactory, then they wish
+to know what terms the British Government will give them, so that
+the result which they all desire may be attained."</p></div>
+
+<p>On Monday, April 15th, Lord Kitchener sent to the two Governments a copy
+of the following telegram, which he had received from the Secretary of
+State:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="center"><span class="smcap">From Secretary of State to Lord Kitchener.</span></p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">London</span>, <i>April 13th, 1902</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"His Majesty's Government shares with all its heart in the earnest
+wish of the Boer Representatives, and trusts that the present
+negotiations will lead thereto. But they have already declared in
+the clearest manner and have to repeat that they cannot take into
+consideration any proposals which have as basis the sanction of the
+Independence of the former Republics, which are now formally
+annexed to the British Crown. And it would be well if you and
+Milner were to meet the Boer Representatives, and make this plain
+to them. You must encourage them to make fresh proposals which we
+will willingly receive."</p></div>
+
+<p>In this telegram, as the reader will have observed, the name of Lord
+Milner is mentioned. Up till now we were dealing with Lord Kitchener
+alone, but at our next conversation the first-named was also present.</p>
+
+<p>Both Representatives of the British Government insisted that we should
+negotiate with them, taking the surrender of our Independence for
+granted. We could not do so. We had repeatedly told Lord Kitchener that,
+constitutionally, it was beyond the power of our Governments to discuss
+terms based on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> the giving up of Independence. Only the nation could do
+that. Should however, the British Government make a proposal which had,
+as a basis, the temporary withdrawal only of the Independence, then we
+would lay this proposal before the nation.</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon the following telegram was drawn up and dispatched:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="center"><span class="smcap">From Lord Kitchener to the Secretary of State.</span></p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Pretoria</span>, <i>April 14th, 1902</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"A difficulty has arisen in connexion with the negotiations. The
+representatives declare that, constitutionally, they are not
+entitled to discuss terms which are based on the surrender of their
+independence, as the burghers alone can agree to such a basis. If,
+however, His Majesty's Government can propose terms by which their
+independence shall be subsequently given back to them, the
+representatives, on the matter being fully explained to them, will
+lay such conditions before the people, without giving expression to
+their own opinions."</p></div>
+
+<p>The reply to this was as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="center"><span class="smcap">From the Secretary of State to Lord Kitchener.</span></p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">London,</span> <i>April 16th</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"With great astonishment we have received the message from the Boer
+leaders, as contained in your cable. The meeting was arranged in
+accordance with their desires, and they must have been aware, from
+our repeated declarations, that we should not be prepared to
+consider any proposal based on the revival of the independence of
+the two South African States. We, therefore, were justified in
+believing that the Boer representatives had abandoned all idea of
+Independence, and that they would make terms for the surrender of
+the forces still in the Veldt. They now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> declare that they are not
+constitutionally in a position to discuss any terms which do not
+include the restoration of their Independence, but they ask what
+conditions would be made if, after consulting their followers, they
+should abandon the claim for Independence. This does not seem to us
+a satisfactory way of expediting the end of the hostilities which
+have caused the loss of so many lives and so much money. We are,
+however, as we said before, desirous of preventing any further
+bloodshed and of accelerating the restoration of peace and
+prosperity in the countries harassed by the war, and we empower you
+and Lord Milner to refer the Boer leaders to the offer made by you
+to General Botha more than twelve months ago, and to inform them
+that&mdash;although the great decrease which has lately taken place in
+the forces opposed to us, and also the further sacrifices involved
+by the refusal of that offer, would justify us in dictating harder
+terms&mdash;we are still prepared, in the hope of a lasting peace and
+reconciliation, to accept a general surrender in the spirit of that
+offer, with such amendments with regard to details as might be
+agreed upon mutually."</p></div>
+
+<p>It was quite self-evident that the Governments could not accept this
+proposal of the British Government, because by it the independence of
+the Republics would be sacrificed.</p>
+
+<p>President Steyn pointed out emphatically that it lay beyond our right to
+decide and conclude anything that would endanger the independence of the
+two Republics. The nation alone could decide on the question of
+independence. For this reason, therefore, we asked if we might consult
+the people, and it was agreed by Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner that we
+should go back to our commandos and hold meetings in every district, in
+order to learn thus the will of the nation. It was further agreed that
+at the meetings of the nation representatives should be chosen who, on
+the 15th of May, 1902, at Vereeniging, should inform the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> Governments
+what course the nation desired them to take.</p>
+
+<p>On the 18th of April Commandant-General Louis Botha, General De la Rey,
+and I left Pretoria, provided with a safe conduct for ourselves and for
+anyone whom we should appoint, and proceeded to our different commandos.</p>
+
+<p>I went first to the burghers of Vrede at Prankop, where I met General
+Wessel Wessels with his commandos on the 22nd of April. The nation was
+in a very miserable condition, suffering from the want of all
+necessaries, and living only on meat and maize, which food was also
+exceedingly scarce, and would only last for a few months more.
+Notwithstanding this, the burghers decided, to a man, that they would
+not be satisfied with anything less than independence, and that if the
+English would not accede to this they would continue to fight.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wessel Wessels, Member of the Volksraad, was elected as chairman,
+and Mr. Pieter Schravezander as secretary. The representatives chosen
+were Commandants A. Ross, Hermanus Botha, and Louis Botha (son of Philip
+Botha).</p>
+
+<p>My second meeting I held at Drupfontein, in the district of Bethlehem,
+on the 24th of April, with the burghers under the command of Commandants
+Frans Jacobsz, Mears, and Bruwer. Mr. J.H. Naude was made chairman, and
+Landdrost J.H.B. Wessels secretary. It was unanimously decided that
+independence had to be maintained, and Commandants Frans Jacobsz and
+Bruwer were chosen as representatives.</p>
+
+<p>The next meeting I held on the 26th of April, at Tweepoort Farm, with
+the commandos under General Michal Prinsloo. Mr. Jan Van Schalkwijk was
+chosen as chairman, and Mr. B.J. Malan as secretary. Here also the votes
+were unanimous, and General Michal Prinsloo, Commandant Rautenbach, and
+Commandant J.J. Van Niekerk were elected as representatives.</p>
+
+<p>After that on Roodekraal Farm. I met the burghers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> under Commandants
+Cilliers, Bester, Mentz, and Van Coller. The chairman was B.W. Steyn
+(Member of the Volksraad), and the secretary Mr. S.J.M. Wessels. Here
+again it was unanimously decided not to surrender the independence, and
+Commandants Mentz, Van Coller and Bester were the representatives
+chosen.</p>
+
+<p>The fifth meeting I held with the commandos under General Johannes
+Hattingh, on the 1st of May, on the Weltevrede Farm, under the
+chairmanship of Mr. Jan Lategan, Johannes C. Pietersen being secretary.
+As representatives we chose General Hattingh and Commandant Philip De
+Vos. The voting was unanimous that the independence should be
+maintained.</p>
+
+<p>On the 3rd of May I held my sixth meeting, with the commandos under
+General C.C. Froneman, at Schaapplaats. Mr. Jan Maree was chairman, and
+Mr. David Ross secretary.</p>
+
+<p>The result was the same as at the other meetings, and General Froneman,
+Commandants F. Cronje and J.J. Koen were chosen to represent the
+commandos.</p>
+
+<p>From there I went to Dewetsdorp, where I met, on the 5th of May, General
+George Brand's commandos. Mr. C. Smith acted as chairman, and Mr. W.J.
+Selm as secretary; the representatives chosen were General Brand and
+Commander J. Rheeder; and the burghers were equally determined to keep
+their independence.</p>
+
+<p>I went on to Bloemfontein, and thence by rail to Brandfort, and
+afterwards to the Quaggashoek Farm, where, on the 11th, I held my eighth
+meeting, with the commandos of C.C.J. Badenhorst. The chairman was Mr.
+N.B. Gildenhuis, and the secretary Mr. H.M.G. Davis. The elected
+representatives were General Badenhorst and Commandants A.J. Bester and
+Jacobsz. This was my last meeting, and it also decided on maintaining
+the independence.</p>
+
+<p>The commandos under the Commandants Van der Merwe and Van Niekerk
+(Vredefort and Parijs), Flemming (Hoopstad), Nagel (part of Kroonstad),<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>
+and General Nieuwouwdt (Fauresmith, Philippolis, and Jacobsdal), were
+visited by Commander-in-Chief Judge Hertzog, Member of the Executive
+Council. At meetings held with these commandos the following
+representatives were chosen:&mdash;General Nieuwouwdt, and the Commandants
+Munnik Hertzog, J. Van der Merwe, C. Van Niekerk, Flemming, A.J. Bester,
+F. Jacobsz, H. Pretorius, and Veldtcornet Kritzinger.</p>
+
+<p>At these meetings also the burghers were unanimous in their decision not
+to give up their independence. I must add that Commandant H. Van Niekerk
+was chosen as representative of the bodyguard of President Steyn. It had
+been agreed with Lord Kitchener at Pretoria that if the chief officers
+of a commando were chosen as representatives, then there would be an
+armistice between this commando and the English during the time the
+officers were absent at the meeting at Vereeniging. It was also decided
+that Lord Kitchener should be informed of the date of the departure of
+such officers.</p>
+
+<p>This was done. I sent the following telegram on the 25th of April to
+Pretoria:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">To His Excellency, Headquarters, Pretoria:</span></p>
+
+<p>"At meetings held in the districts of Vrede and Harrismith and in
+that part of Bethlehem east and north-east of the blockhouse lines
+of Fouriesburg, Bethlehem, and Harrismith, General Wessels and the
+Commandants were duly chosen as representatives.</p>
+
+<p>"I have decided that all the representatives shall leave their
+different commandos on the 11th of May, and therefore, in
+accordance with our mutual agreement, I shall expect an armistice
+to be granted to the different commandos from that date until the
+return of their commandants from the meeting at Vereeniging, on or
+about the 15th of May.</p>
+
+<p>"I should be glad to receive Your Excellency's sanction to my
+request that each Representative should have the right to take one
+man with him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Your Excellency will greatly oblige by sending a reply to
+Kaffirsdorp in the district of Bethlehem, where I am awaiting an
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">"C.R. DE WET,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">General Commander-in-Chief, Orange Free State.</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">Bethlehem</span>, <i>April 25th, 1902</i>."<br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p>To this I received the following answer from Lord Kitchener:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Imperial Residency, Pretoria</span>,<br />
+<i>April 25th, 1902</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">To General de Wet, Kaffirsdorp.</span></p>
+
+<p>"In answer to your message, I agree altogether with your demands
+that during the absence of the chosen Representatives from their
+commandos, from the 11th of May until their return, such commandos
+shall not be troubled by us. I also agree that every
+Representative, as you propose, shall be accompanied by one man.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall also be glad if you would send an officer, at least two
+days before the Meeting, in order to let me know about the number,
+and the necessary arrangements for the treatment of the
+Representatives at this Meeting.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 4em;">(Signed) "KITCHENER."</span></p></div>
+
+<p>On the 11th of May I sent a telegram to Lord Kitchener, in which I said
+that, as all my generals and chief officers had been chosen as
+Representatives, the armistice must begin on the 11th of May. The
+telegram was as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="center"><span class="smcap">From General de Wet to His Excellency Lord Kitchener.</span></p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Pretoria</span>, <i>May 11th, 1902</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"The following chief officers have been chosen as Representatives
+for the commandos of the districts:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> Hoopstad, Boshof, and parts of
+Winburg and Bloemfontein,&mdash;districts to the west of the railway
+line.</p>
+
+<p>"1. General C. Badenhorst.</p>
+
+<p>"2. Commandant J. Jacobsz.</p>
+
+<p>"3. Commandant A. Bester.</p>
+
+<p>"It thus appears that all my generals and chief commanding officers
+are chosen as Representatives to attend at the Meeting of
+Vereeniging, on the 15th inst., and according to our mutual
+agreement at Pretoria, an armistice will be given from to-day (11th
+May, 1902) in all districts of the Orange Free State up to a date
+which shall be agreed upon after the close of the Meeting at
+Vereeniging. Any answer, previous to noon of the 11th inst., will
+reach me at Brandfort.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Commander-in-Chief,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Orange Free State Armies."</span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p>In answer to this I received the following telegram:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Imperial Residency, Pretoria,</span><br />
+<i>May 12th</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">To General de Wet, Brandfort.</span></p>
+
+<p>"I have given orders, according to our Agreement, that from
+to-morrow, the 13th inst., all commandos, whose leaders or chief
+officers have been chosen to attend the Meeting at Vereeniging,
+shall be exempted from being attacked by my columns during the
+absence of their leaders, in so far as such commandos withhold from
+offensive operations. But that does not imply that outposts cannot
+be taken prisoner in case they should approach our lines.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 4em;">"KITCHENER."</span></p></div>
+
+<p>It was rather surprising to me that Lord Kitchener, in this telegram,
+spoke only of an armistice beginning on the 13th of May, because in his
+telegram of the 25th he had agreed that there should be an armistice
+from the 11th of May. I heard also from officers of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> Heilbron, Vrede,
+and Bethlehem, whom I met, on the evening of the 14th of May, at
+Wolvehoek Station, that the English columns had operated in their
+districts on the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th. My order was that my
+officers should not operate, but should retreat, if the enemy should
+unexpectedly operate on the 11th. On the above-mentioned dates houses
+were burnt down, cattle carried away, maize and other grain destroyed,
+burghers taken prisoner, and (in one instance) shot.</p>
+
+<p>Such a misunderstanding was very regrettable, and all the more so
+because we were never indemnified for the damage thus done.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII</h2>
+
+<h3>The End of the War</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the morning of the 15th of May, I arrived at Vereeniging with some of
+the Free State delegates. The others were already there, together with
+the thirty Transvaal delegates, Commandant-General Louis Botha and
+General De la Rey. In addition to the above, the following had also
+arrived: Vice-State President Burger, States-President Steyn, the
+members of the two Governments, and General J.C. Smuts (from Cape
+Colony).</p>
+
+<p>I was exceedingly sorry to find that President Steyn was seriously ill.
+For the last six weeks he had been in the doctor's hands; and, since his
+arrival at Pretoria, had been under the care of Dr. Van der Merwe, of
+Krugersdorp. This physician said that serious consequences might ensue
+if his patient were to attend our meetings, and advised him to go to his
+home at Krugersdorp, where he could be properly nursed. It was sad for
+us to receive this news immediately we arrived. We asked ourselves what
+we should do without the President at our meetings? At this moment he
+seemed more indispensable to us than ever before.</p>
+
+<p>President Steyn was a statesman in the best sense of the word. He had
+gained the respect and even the affection of us all. Of him, if of any
+man, it may be said that he never swerved from his duty to his country.
+No task was too great for him, no burden too heavy, if thereby he could
+serve his people. Whatever hardships he had endured, he had never been
+known to complain&mdash;he would endure anything for us. He had fought in our
+cause until he could fight no longer, until sickness laid him low; and
+he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> worn out, and weak as a child. <i>Weak</i>, did I say? Yes! but only
+in the body&mdash;his mind was still as strong, as brave, as clear as ever.</p>
+
+<p>And thus it was that President Steyn was only able to be present on two
+occasions at our meetings; for, on the 29th of May&mdash;before the National
+Representatives had come to any decision&mdash;he went with Dr. Van der Merwe
+to Krugersdorp.</p>
+
+<p>As I write these lines&mdash;six months after the meetings at
+Vereeniging&mdash;and think that during all the intervening time he has been
+lying on a bed of sickness&mdash;I am cheered by the news which I received in
+Holland that hopes are now entertained of his ultimate recovery.</p>
+
+<p>The National Representatives began their important deliberations on the
+morning of the 13th of May, 1902.</p>
+
+<p>For three days we discussed the condition of our country, and then
+proceeded with Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner to Pretoria. This
+Commission was composed of Commandant-General L. Botha,
+Commander-in-Chief C.R. de Wet, Vice-Commandant-General J.H. De la Rey,
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge J.B.M. Hertzog, and States-Procureur J.C.
+Smuts.</p>
+
+<p>The negotiations with the representatives of the British Government
+continued from the 18th to the 29th of May; and upon their conclusion
+the Commission communicated to the National Representatives the terms on
+which England was prepared to conclude peace.</p>
+
+<p>On May the 31st we decided to accept the proposals of the English
+Government.<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a> The Independence of the two Republics was at an end!</p>
+
+<p>I will not attempt to describe the struggle it cost us to accept these
+proposals. Suffice it to say that when it was over, it had left its mark
+on every face.</p>
+
+<p>There were sixty of us there, and each in turn must answer Yes or No. It
+was an ultimatum&mdash;this proposal of England's.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>What were we to do? To continue the struggle meant extermination.
+Already our women and children were dying by the thousand, and
+starvation was knocking at the door&mdash;and knocking loudly!</p>
+
+<p>In certain districts, such as Boshof and Hoopstad, it was still possible
+to prolong the war, as was also the case in the districts of Generals
+Brand and Nieuwouwdt, where the sheep and oxen, which had been captured
+from the enemy, provided an ample supply of food. But from the
+last-named districts all the women and children had departed, leaving
+the burghers free to wander at will in search of food&mdash;to Boshof, to
+Hoopstad, and even into the Colony.</p>
+
+<p>In other parts of the Free State things were very different. In the
+north-eastern and northern districts&mdash;for instance, in Ladybrand,
+Winburg, Kroonstad, Heilbron, Bethlehem, Harrismith and Vrede&mdash;there
+were still many families, and these could not be sent to Boshof or to
+Hoopstad or to the Colony. And when, reduced to dire want, the commandos
+should be obliged to abandon these districts, their wives and families
+would have to be left behind&mdash;to starve!</p>
+
+<p>The condition of affairs in the Transvaal was no better. We Free-Staters
+had thought&mdash;and I, for one, had supported the view at
+Vereeniging&mdash;that, before sacrificing our independence, we ought to tell
+the owners of these farms, where there were still women and children, to
+go and surrender with their families, and thus save them from
+starvation. But we soon realized that such a course was not
+practicable&mdash;it would involve the loss of too many burghers.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, even if, by some such scheme as this, we had succeeded in
+saving the women, we, who remained in the field, would still have been
+exposed to the dangers of starvation, for many of us, having no horses,
+could not have left want behind us, by removing to Cape Colony or some
+other equally prosperous region.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In the large eastern divisions of the Transvaal also, there were many
+burghers without horses, while the poor jaded creatures that remained
+were far too feeble and exhausted to carry their masters into Cape
+Colony, without the certainty of being captured by the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Our forces were now only twenty thousand in all, of which the Transvaal
+supplied ten thousand, the Free State six thousand, while the remainder
+came from Cape Colony. But our numerical weakness would not in itself
+have caused us to abandon the struggle had we but received encouraging
+news from the Colony. But alas! reports which we received from there
+left us no room for hope.</p>
+
+<p>No room for hope! that was the message of Vereeniging&mdash;a message which
+struck a chill in every heart. One after another we painted the
+destitution, the misery of our districts, and each picture was more
+gloomy than the last. At length the moment of decision came, and what
+course remained open to us? This only&mdash;to resign ourselves to our fate,
+intolerable though it appeared, to accept the British proposal, and to
+lay down our arms.</p>
+
+<p>Most bitter of all was the thought that we must abandon our brethren in
+Cape Colony and in Natal, who had thrown in their lot with ours. And
+many a sleepless night has this caused me. But we could not help
+ourselves. There was nothing else to do.</p>
+
+<p>And as things have turned out, may we not hope that the Cape and Natal
+Governments, following in the wake of the British Nation, will soon
+understand that the wiser course is to forgive and forget, and to grant
+as comprehensive an amnesty as possible? It is surely not unjust to
+expect this of these Governments, when one remembers that whatever the
+Colonists may have done, must be ascribed to the tie that binds them to
+us&mdash;the closest of all ties&mdash;that of blood.</p>
+
+<p>It is now for the two Governments to strive to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> realize the situation,
+and then, by granting a general amnesty, to promote, as far as in them
+lies, the true progress of South Africa.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>On the evening of the 31st of May, 1902, the members of the Government
+of both Republics met Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, in the former's
+house, at Pretoria.</p>
+
+<p>It was there that the Treaty of Peace&mdash;the British Proposal which the
+National Representatives had accepted&mdash;was now to be signed.</p>
+
+<p>It was a never-to-be-forgotten evening. In the space of a few short
+minutes that was done which could never be undone. A decision arrived at
+in a meeting could always be taken into reconsideration, but a document
+solemnly signed, as on that night, by two parties, bound them both for
+ever.</p>
+
+<p>Every one of us who put his name to that document knew that he was in
+honour bound to act in accordance with it. It was a bitter moment, but
+not so bitter as when, earlier on the same day, the National
+Representatives had come to the decision that the fatal step must be
+taken.</p>
+
+<p>On the 2nd June, 1902, the Representatives left Vereeniging, and
+returned every man to his own commando. It was now their sad duty to
+tell their brave and patient burghers that the independence which they
+cherished so dearly was gone, and to prepare them to surrender their
+arms at the appointed places.</p>
+
+<p>I left Pretoria on the 3rd of June with General Elliott, who had to
+accompany me to the various centres to receive the burghers' arms.</p>
+
+<p>On the 5th of June the first commando laid down their weapons near
+Vredefort. To every man there, as to myself, this surrender was no more
+and no less than the sacrifice of our independence. I have often been
+present at the death-bed and at the burial of those who have been
+nearest to my heart&mdash;father, mother, brother<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> and friend&mdash;but the grief
+which I felt on those occasions was not to be compared with what I now
+underwent at the burial of my Nation!</p>
+
+<p>It was at Reitz that the commandos of Vrede, Harrismith, Heilbron and
+Bethlehem laid down their arms. Accordingly I went there on the 7th of
+June, and again had to be a spectator of what I fain would never have
+witnessed. Had I then to go on from commando to commando, to undergo
+everywhere the martyrdom of beholding ceaseless surrenders? No! I had
+had enough, and could bear no more. I decided, therefore, to visit all
+the other commandos, in order to acquaint the burghers with what had
+taken place, and to explain to them why we, however unsatisfactory the
+Peace Proposal was, had felt bound to accept it, and then to leave each
+commando before the men handed over their arms to General Elliott.
+Everywhere I found the men utterly despondent and dissatisfied.</p>
+
+<p>The whole miserable business came to an end on the 16th of June, when
+the burghers who had fought under Generals Nieuwouwdt and Brand, laid
+down their arms&mdash;the Nation had submitted to its fate!</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing left for us now but to hope that the Power which had
+conquered us, the Power to which we were compelled to submit, though it
+cut us to the heart to do so, and which, by the surrender of our arms,
+we had accepted as our Ruler, would draw us nearer and ever nearer by
+the strong cords of love.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>To my Nation I address one last word.</p>
+
+<p>Be loyal to the new Government! Loyalty pays best in the end. Loyalty
+alone is worthy of a Nation which has shed its blood for Freedom!</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CORRESPONDENCE</h2>
+
+
+<h4>A LETTER FROM THE STATES-SECRETARY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC TO THE
+BRITISH AGENT AT PRETORIA</h4>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Ministry of Foreign Affairs,</span></span><br />
+<span class="smcap">Pretoria</span>, <i>9th October, 1899</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>The Government of the South African Republic feel themselves
+compelled to again refer the Government of Her Majesty, the Queen
+of Great Britain, to the London Convention of 1884, concluded
+between this Republic and the United Kingdom, which in Article XIV.
+guarantees certain specified rights to the white inhabitants of
+this Republic, to wit:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"All those who, although not born in this Country, yet abide by the
+laws of the South African Republic, (<i>a</i>) shall have full freedom
+to come with their families into, to travel in, or to reside in any
+part of the South African Republic; (<i>b</i>) shall be entitled to hold
+in possession their houses, factories or warehouses, shops, and
+allotments, either on hire or as their own property; (<i>c</i>) may
+transact their business, either in person or through agents, to
+their own satisfaction; (<i>d</i>) shall not be subjected to any other
+general or local taxation&mdash;with regard to their families or
+properties, or their commerce or trade&mdash;than those which shall be
+laid on the burghers of the said Republics."</p>
+
+<p>Our Government wishes also to draw attention to the fact that the
+above-mentioned rights are the only ones which Her Majesty's
+Government, in the above-mentioned Convention, has stipulated for
+the foreign inhabitants in this Republic, and that only
+contravention of these rights can give the British Government the
+right of diplomatic intervention; whereas, further, the adjustment
+of all other questions concerning the position, or the rights, of
+the foreign inhabitants under the said Convention is vested in the
+Government and National Representatives of the South African
+Republic; among the questions the adjustment of which comes
+exclusively under the authority of the Government and the
+Volksraad, are those of the Franchise and representation in this
+Republic.</p>
+
+<p>Although, therefore, the exclusive right of this Franchise and
+representation is indisputable, our Government has approved of
+discussing in a friendly way the Franchise and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> representation
+with Her Majesty's Government; without, however, acknowledging by
+so doing any right thereto on the side of Her Majesty's Government.
+Our Government has also, by the wording of the already existing
+Voting Law, and the decision concerning the representation, always
+kept this friendly consultation in view.</p>
+
+<p>On the side of Her Majesty's Government, however, the friendly
+manner of these consultations has made way for a more threatening
+tone; and the minds of the people of this Republic, and of the
+whole population of South Africa, have been brought into a state of
+apprehension; and a state of unusual tension has been created by
+the action of Her Majesty's Government, in no longer abiding by the
+laws concerning the voting right, and the decision concerning the
+representation of this Republic; and lastly, as is expressed in
+your letter of the 25th of September, 1899, in breaking off all
+friendly communication, giving us to understand that Her Majesty's
+Government were about to formulate their own proposals for final
+arrangement. Our Government can see in the before-mentioned
+notification nothing less than a new violation of the Convention of
+1884, which does not reserve to Her Majesty's Government the right
+of a one-sided adjustment of a question which belongs exclusively
+to the inner policy of our Government, and has been already settled
+by them.</p>
+
+<p>On the grounds of the tension, the considerable loss arising
+therefrom, and the interruption of business in general, which is
+caused by the correspondence on the Franchise and the
+representation of this Republic, Her Majesty's Government has not
+long ago insisted on a speedy adjustment, and finally, through your
+intervention, insisted on an answer&mdash;within forty-eight
+hours&mdash;(later on somewhat amended)&mdash;to your Memorandum of the 12th
+of September, which was answered by the Memorandum of our
+Government of the 15th of September, and by the Memorandum of the
+25th of September, 1899; on which other friendly negotiations were
+interrupted, and our Government received notice that the proposal
+for final arrangement would be made within a short time; but
+although these promises were repeated, no such proposal has as yet
+reached our Government. When the friendly correspondence was still
+going on, a great increase of troops was made by Her Majesty's
+Government, which troops were drawn up in the neighbourhood of the
+frontiers of our Republic. Taking into consideration certain events
+in the history of our Republic, which events need not here be
+recited, our Government found themselves compelled to look upon the
+Army in the neighbourhood of the frontier as a threat to the
+independence of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> the South African Republic, because they were not
+aware of any circumstances which could justify the presence of such
+a force in South Africa and in the neighbourhood of their frontier.</p>
+
+<p>In answer to a question concerning this, addressed to His
+Excellency the High Commissioner, our Government received, to their
+great astonishment, the covert accusation that from the State of
+the Republic an attack on Her Majesty's Colonies was being
+arranged, and also a mysterious hint of coming possibilities, by
+which our Government were strengthened in their suspicion, that the
+independence of the Republic was threatened.</p>
+
+<p>As a measure of defence, they were, therefore, compelled to send a
+body of burghers to the frontiers in order, if required, to be able
+to resist such an eventuality. The unlawful interference of Her
+Majesty's Government in the inner policy of our Republic, in
+defiance of the London Convention of 1884, which interference
+consisted in the exceptional strengthening of troops in the
+neighbourhood of the Republic's borders, has thus created an
+unbearable state of affairs, of which our Government&mdash;not only in
+the interests of our Republic, but also in the interests of the
+whole of South Africa,&mdash;feel it their duty to bring to an end as
+speedily as possible, and consider themselves called upon to insist
+emphatically and energetically on an immediate conclusion of this
+condition of things, and to ask Her Majesty's Government to give
+them the assurance (<i>a</i>) that all points of mutual difference shall
+be adjusted by friendly arbitration, or by any other amicable way
+that may be agreed upon between our Government and that of Her
+Majesty; (<i>b</i>) that the troops on the frontiers of the Republic
+shall be recalled at once, and that all reinforcements which, after
+the 1st of June, 1899, have arrived in South Africa, shall be
+removed within a time agreed upon with our Government,&mdash;with the
+counter assurance and guarantee from our Government that no attack
+on, or hostilities against, any part of the possessions of the
+British Government shall be undertaken by the Republic during the
+further negotiations within the time which shall be agreed upon by
+the Government&mdash;our Government shall, in accordance with this, be
+ready to call back the armed burghers of the Republic from the
+frontiers; (<i>c</i>) that Her Majesty's troops, which are now on the
+high sea, shall not be landed in any of the harbours of South
+Africa.</p>
+
+<p>Our Government has to insist on an immediate and favourable answer
+on the above four points, and urgently requests Her Majesty's
+Government to give an answer in this spirit before, or on,
+Wednesday, October 11th, 1889, before 5 o'clock<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> in the afternoon.
+They wish to add further, that in case, against their expectations,
+no satisfactory answer within this time should be received by them,
+that they, to their great sorrow, would be obliged to look upon the
+actions of Her Majesty's Government as a formal declaration of war,
+for the consequences of which they do not consider themselves
+responsible; and, in case further movements of troops should take
+place within the above-mentioned time in the direction of our
+borders, that our Government will be compelled to look upon this
+also as a formal declaration of war.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I have the honour to be, etc.,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><span class="smcap">F.W. Reitz</span>,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><i>State-Secretary.</i></span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h4>MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S TELEGRAMS:&mdash;</h4>
+
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">From Mr. Chamberlain to the High Commissioner, Sir Alfred
+Milner.</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">(Sent 7.30 p.m. <i>10th October, 1899</i>)</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"10th <i>October</i>, No. 7. The British Agent has, in answering the
+demands of the Government of the South African Republic, to say
+that, as the Government of the South African Republic have declared
+in their dispatch, that they will look upon a refusal to consent to
+their demands as a formal declaration of war, he has received
+orders to demand his passport."</p></div>
+
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">From Mr. Chamberlain to the High Commissioner, Sir Alfred
+Milner.</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">(Sent 10.45 p.m. <i>10th October, 1899</i>)</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"10th <i>October</i>, No. 8. The Government of Her Majesty has received
+with great sorrow the determined demands of the Government of the
+South African Republic contained in your telegram of the 9th of
+October, No. 3. You will, as an answer to the Government of the
+South African Republic, communicate to them that the conditions put
+forward by the Government of the South African Republic are of such
+a nature that the Government of Her Majesty cannot possibly think
+of taking them into consideration."</p></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h4>CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS AND LORD SALISBURY</h4>
+
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">From the States-President of the South African Republic and the
+Orange Free State to His Excellency Lord Salisbury, London.</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Bloemfontein</span>, <i>5th March, 1900</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"The blood and tears of the thousands who have suffered through
+this war, and the prospect of all the moral and material ruin which
+now threatens South Africa, render it necessary for both parties
+carrying on the war to ask themselves calmly, and in the faith of
+the Trinity, for what they are fighting and if the aims of both
+justify all this horrible misery and devastation. On this account,
+and with an eye to the assertion of several English Statesmen that
+the war was begun and carried on with the determined end to
+undermine Her Majesty's authority in South Africa, and to establish
+in the whole of South Africa a Government independent of Her
+Majesty's Government, we consider it our duty to declare that this
+War was only commenced as a measure of defence and for the purpose
+of obtaining a guarantee for the threatened independence of the
+South African Republic, and was only continued in order to ensure
+the indisputable independence of both Republics as Sovereign
+International States, and to obtain the assurance that the subjects
+of Her Majesty who have taken part with us in the war will not
+suffer the least hurt either in their lives or their possessions.
+On these conditions alone we demand, as in the past, to see peace
+restored in South Africa, and an end made to the wrong that now
+exists there. But if Her Majesty's Government has decided upon
+destroying the independence of the Republic, nothing remains to us
+and our people but to persist to the bitter end on the road now
+taken, notwithstanding the overpowering might of the British
+Empire, trusting that God, who has lit the inextinguishable fire of
+the love of liberty in our hearts, and in the hearts of our
+fathers, will not abandon us, but will fulfil His work in us, and
+in our descendants.</p>
+
+<p>"We hesitated to lay this declaration earlier before Your
+Excellency, because we were afraid that as long as the advan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>tage
+was on our side, and our Army had in their occupation positions of
+defence far into the British Colonies, such a declaration would
+have hurt the feelings of the English nation; but now that the
+prestige of the British Empire may be considered to be restored,
+through the capture of one of our armies, and we are compelled by
+this to sacrifice other positions which our armies occupied, this
+difficulty is removed, and we can no longer hesitate to tell you,
+in the face of the whole civilized world, why we are fighting, and
+on what conditions we are prepared to make peace."</p></div>
+
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">From Lord Salisbury to their Excellencies the States-Presidents of
+the South African Republic and Orange Free State.</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right">"<span class="smcap">London</span>, <i>11th March, 1900</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Honour's
+cable, dated 5th March, from Bloemfontein, of which the purport is
+principally whether Her Majesty's Government will acknowledge the
+indisputable independence of the South African Republic and Orange
+Free State and treat them as Sovereign International States, and
+will offer to conclude the war on these conditions.</p>
+
+<p>"In the beginning of October of this year, there was peace between
+the Queen and the two Republics, under the Convention which then
+held good. There was a discussion carried on during a few months
+between Her Majesty's Government and the South African Republic, of
+which the purport was the amendment of very serious grievances
+under which English inhabitants suffered in the South African
+Republic. In the course of these negotiations, the South African
+Republic obtained the knowledge that Her Majesty's Government had
+made considerable preparations for war, and had taken steps to
+provide the necessary reinforcements for the English garrisons at
+Cape Colony and Natal. No inroad on the rights guaranteed by the
+Conventions had, until then, taken place on the English side.
+Suddenly the South African Republic, after having two days
+previously issued an insulting ultimatum, declared War on Her
+Majesty; and the Orange Free State, with which there had been no
+disagreement, took a similar step. Thereupon an inroad was made
+into Her Majesty's territory by the two Republics; three towns
+within the British frontier were besieged, a great part of the two
+Colonies was over-run, with great destruction of property and life,
+and the Republics claimed the right to treat the inhabitants of Her
+Majesty's territory as if this territory had been annexed by one of
+these States. The Transvaal having these actions in view, had for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>
+years stored up, on an enormous scale, military provisions, which
+could only have been destined for use against England.</p>
+
+<p>"Your Excellencies made some remarks of a negative nature
+concerning the aim for which these preparations were made. I do not
+consider it necessary to discuss the question which you have thus
+raised, but the consequences of the preparations, made in great
+secrecy, have been that the British Empire has found itself forced
+to repel an inroad which has brought on a costly war, and caused
+the loss of thousands of valuable lives. This great misfortune has
+been the punishment that Great Britain has had to undergo during
+the last few years for having suffered the two Republics to exist.
+Keeping in sight the use which the two Republics have made of the
+position presented to them, and the misfortunes which their
+unprovoked attacks on Her Majesty's territory have brought, Her
+Majesty's Government can only reply to Your Honour's telegram by
+saying that they are not prepared to acknowledge the independence
+either of the South African Republic, or of the Orange Free State."</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Appendix A</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE GENERAL REPRESENTATIVES HELD AT
+VEREENIGING, IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, ON THE 15th OF MAY, 1902,
+AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS</span></h3>
+
+
+<p>The first meeting of the representatives of the two Governments took
+place at 11.30 a.m. on May 15th.</p>
+
+<p>There were present:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><i>For the South African Republic</i>&mdash;His Honour the President, S.W. Burger,
+F.W. Reitz, Commandant-General L. Botha, Messrs. J.B. Krogh, L.J.
+Meijer, L.J. Jacobs, and His Honour the Staats-Procureur.</p>
+
+<p><i>For the Orange Free State</i>&mdash;States-President, M.J. Steyn; Judge, J.B.M.
+Hertzog; Secretary of State, W.J.C. Brebner; Commander-in-Chief, C.R. de
+Wet; and Mr. C.H. Olivier.</p>
+
+<p>The first matter discussed was the formula for the oath which the
+delegates were to take, and it was decided that it should run as
+follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"We, the undersigned, duly swear that we, as special national
+representatives, will remain true to our people, country, and
+Government, and that we will serve them to the best of our ability,
+and fulfil our duties faithfully and with all necessary secrecy, as
+is the duty of all faithful burghers and representatives of the
+nation. So help us God."</p></div>
+
+<p>The question now arose as to whether the representatives had the right
+to decide, if circumstances rendered it necessary, upon any matter
+touching the independence of the country, irrespective of the powers
+given to the various delegates, for at some of the meetings the
+delegates had only received limited powers, whilst at others full
+authority had been given them to act according to their own judgment.</p>
+
+<p>After considerable discussion it was decided to lay the matter before
+the delegates themselves.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The following representatives were called into the tent, and took the
+oath:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><i>For the South African Republic.</i></p>
+
+<p>1. H.A. Alberts, Vechtgeneraal; for Heidelberg.</p>
+
+<p>2. J.J. Alberts, Commandant; for Standerton and Wakkerstroom.</p>
+
+<p>3. J.F. De Beer, Commandant; for Bloemhof.</p>
+
+<p>4. C.F. Beijers, Assistant-Commandant-General; for Waterberg.</p>
+
+<p>5. C. Birkenstock, burgher; for Vrijheid.</p>
+
+<p>6. H.J. Bosman, magistrate; for Wakkerstroom.</p>
+
+<p>7. Christiaan Botha, Assistant-Commandant-General; for Swaziland and the
+States Artillery.</p>
+
+<p>8. B.H. Breijtenbach, Veldtcornet; for Utrecht.</p>
+
+<p>9. C.J. Brits, Vechtgeneraal; for Standerton.</p>
+
+<p>10. J.B. Cilluos, Vechtgeneraal; for Lichtenburg.</p>
+
+<p>11. J. De Clercq, burgher; for Middelburg.</p>
+
+<p>12. T.A. D&ouml;nges, Veldtcornet; for Dorp Middelburg in Regeeringswacht.</p>
+
+<p>13. H.S. Grobler, Commandant; for Bethal.</p>
+
+<p>14. J.L. Grobler, burgher; for Carolina.</p>
+
+<p>15. J.N.H. Grobler, Vechtgeneraal; for Ermelo.</p>
+
+<p>16. B.J. Van Heerden, Veldtcornet; for Rustenburg.</p>
+
+<p>17. J.F. Jordaan, Commandant; for Vrijheid.</p>
+
+<p>18. J. Kemp, Vechtgeneraal; for Krugersdorp.</p>
+
+<p>19. P.J. Liebenberg, Vechtgeneraal; for Potchefstroom.</p>
+
+<p>20. C.H. Muller, Vechtgeneraal; for Boksburg.</p>
+
+<p>21. J.F. Naude, burgher; for Pretoria, late Commandant with General
+Kemp.</p>
+
+<p>22. D.J.E. Opperman, Veldtcornet; for Pretoria.</p>
+
+<p>23. B.J. Roos, Veldtcornet; for Piet Retief.</p>
+
+<p>24. P.D. Roux, Veldtcornet; for Marico.</p>
+
+<p>25. D.J. Schoeman, Commandant; for Lijdenburg.</p>
+
+<p>26. T.C. Stoffberg, Landdrost; for Zoutpansberg.</p>
+
+<p>27. S.P. Du Toit, Vechtgeneraal; for Wolmaransstad.</p>
+
+<p>28. P.L. Uijs, Commandant; for Pretoria.</p>
+
+<p>29. P.R. Viljoen, burgher; for Heidelberg.</p>
+
+<p>30. W.J. Viljoen, Commandant; for Witwatersrand.</p>
+
+<p><i>For the Orange Free State.</i></p>
+
+<p>1. C.C.F. Badenhorst, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Boshof, Hoopstad,
+West Bloemfontein, Winburg, and Kroonstad.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>2. A.J. Bester, Commandant; for Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>3. A.J. Bester, Commandant; for Bloemfontein.</p>
+
+<p>4. L.P.H. Botha, Commandant; for Harrismith.</p>
+
+<p>5. G.A. Brand, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Bethulie, Rouxville,
+Caledon River, and Wepener in the eastern part of Bloemfontein.</p>
+
+<p>6. H.J. Brouwer, Commandant; for Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>7. D.H. Van Coller, Commandant; for Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>8. F.R. Cronje, Commandant; for Winburg.</p>
+
+<p>9. D.F.H. Flemming, Commandant; for Hoopstad.</p>
+
+<p>10. C.C. Froneman, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Winburg and Ladybrand.</p>
+
+<p>11. F.J.W.J. Hattingh, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for the eastern part of
+Kroonstad, in the district of Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>12. J.B.M. Hertzog, Commandant; for Philippolis.</p>
+
+<p>13. J.N. Jacobs, Commandant; for Boshof.</p>
+
+<p>14. F.P. Jacobsz, Commandant; for Harrismith.</p>
+
+<p>15. A.J. De Kock, Commandant; for Vrede.</p>
+
+<p>16. J.J. Koen, Commandant; for Ladybrand.</p>
+
+<p>17. H.J. Kritzinger, Veldtcornet; for Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>18. F.E. Mentz, Commandant; for Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>19. J.A.P. Van der Merwe, Commandant; for Heilbron.</p>
+
+<p>20. C.A. Van Niekerk, Commandant; for Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>21. H. Van Niekerk, Commandant.</p>
+
+<p>22. J.J. Van Niekerk, Commandant; for Ficksburg.</p>
+
+<p>23. I.K. Nieuwouwdt, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Fauresmith,
+Philippolis, and Jacobsdal.</p>
+
+<p>24. H.P.J. Pretorius, Commandant; for Jacobsdal.</p>
+
+<p>25. A.M. Prinsloo, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Bethlehem in Ficksburg.</p>
+
+<p>26. L.J. Rautenbach, Commandant; for Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>27. F.J. Rheeder, Commandant; for Rouxville.</p>
+
+<p>28. A. Ross, Commandant; for Vrede.</p>
+
+<p>29. P.W. De Vos, Commandant; for Kroonstad.</p>
+
+<p>30. W.J. Wessels, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Harrismith and Vrede.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting now proceeded to choose a chairman, and the following were
+proposed:&mdash;J. De Clercq, C.F. Beijers, C.C. Froneman, W.J. Wessels, and
+G.A. Brand.</p>
+
+<p>The choice of the meeting fell on General C.F. Beijers, who called upon
+the Rev. Mr. Kestell to offer prayer.</p>
+
+<p>His Honour, S.W. Burger, now declared that the meeting was formally
+opened, and after the Chairman had spoken a few words, the
+representatives adjourned until three o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>When they reassembled, the Chairman requested President<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> Burger to
+explain the objects for which the meeting had been called.</p>
+
+<p>Then the President spoke a few words of welcome to all; he expressed his
+sorrow for the absence of some who would certainly have been present had
+they not given their lives for their country. But still there were many
+left to represent the two Republics.</p>
+
+<p>"The difficulties which confront us," continued the President, "are like
+a great mountain, at the foot of which we have just arrived. Everything
+now depends on us who are assembled together here. It is impossible to
+deny that the state of affairs is very serious, and that the future
+looms dark before us. Our position requires the most careful
+consideration, and as there are sure to be differences of opinion, it
+will be necessary for us to bear with one another, and yet, at the same
+time, to speak our minds freely."</p>
+
+<p>The President proceeded to refer to the correspondence which had taken
+place between Holland and England. A copy of this correspondence had
+been sent, through Lord Kitchener, to the Governments of the two
+Republics. The opinion of the Transvaal Government (which was the first
+to receive the correspondence) was that advantage should be taken of
+this opportunity. It was proposed to ask Lord Kitchener to allow the
+Transvaal Government to meet that of the Orange Free State, so that they
+might discuss the desirability of making a peace proposal to England.
+The two Governments had accordingly met, and had corresponded with Lord
+Kitchener and Lord Milner. As a result of this, a letter, with the above
+correspondence annexed, had been sent to the various commandos.</p>
+
+<p>"We felt," continued President Burger, "that we had no power to
+surrender our independence, and that we were only justified in making
+such terms of peace as would not endanger our national existence.
+Whether it is or is not our duty to surrender our independence is a
+question that must be left to the decision of our people. And it is to
+represent the people that you are here. It is from your lips, then, that
+our Governments must learn the opinions of the two nations. It is clear
+enough that the English Government has no idea of allowing us to remain
+independent&mdash;it expresses surprise that we even dare to speak of such a
+thing.</p>
+
+<p>"You have now to report upon the condition of the country, and upon the
+circumstances in which your wives and children are placed. You have also
+to decide whether you are willing to make any further sacrifices. We
+have lost so much already that it would be hard, indeed, to lose our
+independence as well. But, although this matter is so near to our
+hearts, we must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> still listen to the voice of reason. The practical
+question, then, which we have to ask ourselves is, whether we are
+prepared to watch our people being gradually exterminated before our
+eyes, or whether we should not rather seek a remedy.</p>
+
+<p>"The Government can do nothing without the support of the nation. You,
+therefore, must determine our best course. For instance, if you come to
+the conclusion that we have exhausted every expedient, will you still
+continue the struggle? Are we not to desist until every man of us is in
+captivity, in exile, or in his grave? Again let me urge you to speak
+freely, and yet with consideration for the feelings of others. For
+myself, I can truly say that my spirit is not yet broken; but I would
+hear from you what the feeling of the people is."</p>
+
+<p>"At this point, however, a difficulty arises. Some of you, having only
+received limited powers from your constituencies, appear to think that
+you would not be justified in exceeding your mandates, while others have
+been authorized to act as circumstances may seem to require. But I do
+not think that this difficulty should be insurmountable. At least I beg
+of you not to allow it to cause any dissension among you. Let us all be
+of one mind. If <i>we</i> are united, then will the nation be united also;
+but if we are divided, in what a plight will the nation find itself?"</p>
+
+<p>A letter was then read from the deputation in Europe, which had been
+written five months previously, and which had been brought through the
+English lines in safety. It contained little more than an assurance that
+our cause occupied a better position in Europe than it had ever done
+before.</p>
+
+<p>The Chairman then asked Commandant L. Botha to address the meeting.</p>
+
+<p>Complying with this request, the Commandant said that he wished to be
+assured, before anything further was done, that the fact that some of
+the representatives had been entrusted with limited powers, whereas
+others had been given a free hand, was not going to prove to be an
+insurmountable obstacle to united action on their part.</p>
+
+<p>To this Judge Hertzog replied that it was a principle in law that a
+delegate is not to be regarded as a mere agent or mouthpiece of his
+constituents, but, on the contrary (when dealing with public affairs),
+as a plenipotentiary&mdash;with the right, whatever his brief might be, of
+acting to the best of his judgment.</p>
+
+<p>States-Procureur Smuts concurred in this opinion, which appeared to
+satisfy both the Commandant-General and also all the other
+representatives, for no further allusion was made to the subject by
+anybody.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha now made his report.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In the districts of Vrijheid and Utrecht, he stated, the store of maize
+was so small that it could not last for more than a short time; but
+there was still a great number of slaughter-cattle. In the districts of
+Wakkerstroom there was hardly sufficient grain for one month's
+consumption. Two other districts had still a large enough number of
+slaughter-cattle&mdash;enough, in fact, to last for two or three months. In
+Ermelo, to the west and north-west of the blockhouses, and in Bethal,
+Standerton, and Middelburg, there was grain for one month. But the
+Heidelberg and Pretoria commandos had now, for the first time, no corn
+remaining for food. In the neighbourhood of Boksburg the only grain left
+was the old maize of the previous year, whilst there were no cattle at
+all in the district. When he had visited Boksburg he had found that the
+commandos had had no meat for three days. In the country between
+Vereeniging and Ermelo there were only thirty-six goats, and no cattle
+whatsoever. In the Wakkerstroom district, however, there were still a
+few slaughter-cattle. The horses were everywhere worn out and exhausted.
+They had been so constantly kept on the move, owing to the enemy's
+increasing attacks, they could now only cover the shortest distances.</p>
+
+<p>The Kaffir question was becoming from day to day more serious. At
+Vrijheid, for instance, there was a Kaffir commando which had already
+made several attacks upon the burghers. This attitude of the Kaffir
+population was producing a very dispiriting effect upon the burghers.</p>
+
+<p>The women were in a most pitiable state, now that the lines of
+blockhouses had been extended in all directions over the country.
+Sometimes the commandos had to break through the lines and leave the
+women behind alone; and when the burghers later on returned they would
+perhaps find that the women had been driven from their houses, and, in
+some instances, treated with atrocious cruelty.</p>
+
+<p>Referring to the numbers in the field, he said that there were, in the
+whole of the Transvaal, ten thousand eight hundred and sixteen men, and
+that three thousand two hundred and ninety-six of them had no horses.
+The enemy during the summer had taken many of the burghers prisoner; and
+since June, 1901, the commandos had diminished to the extent of six
+thousand and eighty-four men. The burghers thus lost to them had either
+been killed, or taken prisoner, or had surrendered their arms.</p>
+
+<p>The number of households was two thousand six hundred and forty.</p>
+
+<p>The Commandant-General concluded by saying that the three greatest
+difficulties with which they were confronted were their horses, their
+food supply, and the miserable condition of their women and children.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet then spoke. He said he would leave it to the
+delegates who were officers to make reports. They had come from far and
+near, and knew exactly what the condition of things was. He, however,
+could state that the number of burghers in the Orange Free State was six
+thousand one hundred and twenty, of whom about four hundred were not
+available for service. The Basutos, he found, were more favourably
+inclined to the Boer cause than ever before.</p>
+
+<p>"General De la Rey," continued General de Wet, "like myself, does not
+quite know what task he has to perform here, but he thinks with me that
+the duty of making reports belongs to the delegates. However, he feels
+bound to state that in his divisions there is a great scarcity of
+everything. But precisely the same state of affairs existed there a year
+ago. And when his burghers were at that time without food&mdash;well, he went
+and got it for them." (Cheers.)</p>
+
+<p>General Beijers (Waterberg) then addressed the delegates, telling them
+that he would not detain them long. In Zoutpansberg, he stated, they had
+still a plentiful supply of food, for they were able to buy from the
+Kaffirs. At Waterberg the Kaffirs were neutral, but at Zoutpansberg they
+were getting out of hand. Yet, since no co-operation existed amongst
+them, they were not to be feared, and any uprising could easily be
+quelled.</p>
+
+<p>Besides this trouble, they had many difficulties to face, which were
+produced by horse-sickness and fever.</p>
+
+<p>As to the question of grain, there was food enough for the whole of the
+Transvaal and the Orange Free State. But now the English were beginning
+to buy up the maize at &pound;1 a sack.</p>
+
+<p>General Muller (Boksburg) reported that in his division the burghers had
+never suffered from hunger. He could still hold out for a few months
+more, as food could be obtained from the Kaffirs. There was, it could
+not be denied, a tendency to mutiny amongst the Kaffirs, but he did not
+think that this need cause any anxiety. He believed that he would be
+able to carry on operations until the end of the winter.</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman (Ladybrand) said that the condition of his divisions,
+namely Winburg and Ladybrand, gave no cause for uneasiness. There were
+still eighty families in the districts, but they were able to provide
+for all their necessities. The Kaffirs were peaceable and well disposed,
+and were of great service to the burghers, for whom they bought clothing
+in Basutoland. It was possible for the burghers, he considered, to hold
+out for more than a year.</p>
+
+<p>General Hattingh (Kroonstad) declared that in one part of the Kroonstad
+district there were still plenty of sheep and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> cattle, and that seed had
+been sown for next year's harvest. But another part of the district was
+entirely exhausted, and had to obtain its supplies from Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>General Badenhorst (Boshof) stated that he could report on the Boshof
+district and the parts of the Winburg and Bloemfontein districts to the
+west of the railway. There were enough cattle to last his commandos for
+years, even if they had no other food at all. Recently he had captured
+fifteen hundred head of cattle, and he was in a position to give
+assistance to other districts. Grain, however, was not so plentiful as
+it had been the previous year, but nevertheless there was still a large
+enough supply to permit him to send help to others.</p>
+
+<p>General Nieuwouwdt (Fauresmith) reported that his district was entirely
+devastated, and that for the last seven months there had been a dearth
+of all provisions; nevertheless, his burghers had contrived to live.
+There was, moreover, enough corn left to last them for another year.
+There were now only three women in the whole of his district.</p>
+
+<p>General Prinsloo (Bethlehem) declared that he would be telling a
+falsehood if he were to say that there was no food in his district. He
+possessed slaughter-cattle and corn, and could help other districts. One
+of his commandants had recently found a store of maize (consisting of
+one hundred and thirty sacks) buried in the ground. The enemy had made
+many inroads into his district, and especially during the last few
+months. The blockhouses were a source of constant annoyance to him.</p>
+
+<p>General Brand (Bethulie) reported upon the south-western part of the
+Orange Free State, where he commanded. There were some parts of his
+division, he said, which had been entirely laid waste. Everything had
+been carried off; there was not a sheep left; and the burghers had been
+without meat for days. But he was able to capture booty, and could still
+hold out for a year.</p>
+
+<p>General Wessels (Harrismith) drew attention to the constant passage of
+large Kaffir families through the districts of Harrismith and Vrede. He
+could tell the delegates that the Kaffirs had been quite astonished that
+there were still cattle and sheep and supplies of grain in the
+districts. He had not yet come to the end of his provisions; but, even
+if everything were taken, he saw a chance of obtaining food from
+elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant C.A. Van Niekerk (Kroonstad) declared that if there was one
+part of the country which was entirely exhausted it was the part where
+he was in command, namely Hoopstad and a portion of Kroonstad. But yet,
+during the last twelve months, they had been able to obtain food, and
+even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> to sow for the ensuing year. There were no cattle in his district;
+but he had taken a thousand sheep and fifty-two cattle from the English.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Van der Merwe (Heilbron) spoke to the same effect.</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts was the next to address the meeting. He began by saying
+that his expedition into Cape Colony had been the outcome of the advice
+which the deputation had given in July, 1901, namely to continue the
+war. That <i>he</i> had been in command of it had come about in the following
+way. News had been received in the Transvaal that affairs in Cape Colony
+were taking a favourable turn, and accordingly General De la Rey had
+received orders to go thither, and to take over the command there. But
+afterwards it was thought wiser to annul these orders, because De la Rey
+could not well be spared from the western parts of the Transvaal. Owing
+to this, he (General Smuts) took the task upon his own shoulders, and
+crossed the Orange River with two hundred men. He had had a difficult
+task to accomplish. He had marched through Cape Colony to Grahamstad,
+and from thence he had pushed on towards the coast, through Graaff
+Reinet. Thence he had proceeded to the neighbourhood where he was now
+carrying on operations.</p>
+
+<p>He had visited every commando, and as he had seen that there were signs
+of disorder amongst them he had taken them all under his own command. In
+this way he had found himself at the head of some fifteen hundred men.
+During his expeditions Commandant Lotter had been captured with a
+hundred men; this had reduced his force to only fourteen hundred. But
+since then the number had nearly doubled, so that they now had two
+thousand six hundred men (divided into twenty commandos) under arms in
+Cape Colony. In addition to these men there was a division under General
+De Villiers operating in Griqualand West, and another under Commandant
+Van der Merwe in Bechuanaland. The total numbers of these two divisions
+amounted to about seven hundred men.</p>
+
+<p>Passing on to the question whether help was to be expected from Cape
+Colony, General Smuts declared that there would be no general rising.
+The reports which represented such a rising as possible had exaggerated
+matters. There were great difficulties in the way of a general rising.
+First, there was the question of horses&mdash;and in Cape Colony the want of
+horses was as great, if not greater, than in the Republics. Secondly, it
+was exceedingly difficult for Colonials to rise, for they knew that not
+only would they have to be <i>voetgangers</i>,<a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> but also that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> if they
+were captured they would be very severely punished by the English. The
+scarcity of grass was also greatly against any such attempt. The horses
+had to be fed, and, as the enemy had forbidden any sowing, it was almost
+impossible to find food for them. A counter proclamation had indeed been
+issued by the Republics, but it had been of no avail.</p>
+
+<p>He was of opinion that the small commandos which had already been in
+Cape Colony had done the best they could. The question that now arose
+was whether the whole of their forces ought to be sent from the
+Republics into Cape Colony. He himself thought that there was an opening
+for them, but the difficulty was to find a method of getting them there.
+The existence of this difficulty, and the facts which he had brought
+before the delegates, had forced him to the conclusion that a general
+rising in Cape Colony was an impossibility.</p>
+
+<p>As to the continuation of the war and matters of that nature, they must
+naturally be settled by the Republics, and not by Cape Colony.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was then adjourned until eight o'clock in the evening.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>Upon its reassembling, Commandant Nijs (Pretoria, North) said that in
+that part of the district of Pretoria which lay to the north of the
+Delagoa Bay Railway there were still cattle enough to last for a
+considerable time, but that the store of grain would be exhausted within
+a fortnight. The number of horses also was insufficient. The district
+could muster one hundred and fifty-three mounted men and one hundred and
+twenty-eight <i>voetgangers</i>. In the division of Onderwijk, Middelburg,
+there were twenty-six mounted men and thirty-eight <i>voetgangers</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Grobler (Bethal) stated that in his district they had not
+been left undisturbed during the summer. Only a short time previously he
+had lost sixty-three men in an engagement, where he had been besieged in
+a kraal, out of which he, with one hundred and fifty-three burghers, had
+managed to escape. Bethal had been laid waste from one end to the other,
+and he had no provisions for his commandos. He had on his hands three
+hundred women and children; these were in a serious position, owing to
+the lack of food; some of the women had also been assaulted by Kaffirs.</p>
+
+<p>General Christiaan Botha (Swaziland) then reported on the condition of
+the Swaziland commando. They had no provisions in hand, and were simply
+living by favour of the Kaffirs. They had no women there. His commando
+of one hundred and thirteen men was still at Piet Retief. As there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> was
+no grain to be had, they were compelled to go from kraal to kraal and
+buy food from the Kaffirs, and this required money. Yet somehow or other
+they had managed to keep soul and body together. "I have fought for the
+Transvaal," he concluded, "for two and a half years, and now, since I
+hear that there is food in the Free State, I shall fight for the Free
+State for two and a half years more."</p>
+
+<p>General Brits (Standerton) said that he had still provisions for two
+months, but no cattle. He had sixty-five families with him, and found it
+very difficult to provide them with the necessaries of life. Altogether,
+things were in a most critical state.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) spoke as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"I shall go deeper into some of the points which the Commandant-General
+has brought forward in his general report of the matter. At Vrijheid we
+have been harassed by large forces of the enemy for six or eight months,
+and the district is now completely devastated. The presence of women and
+children causes great difficulty, for of late the English have refused
+to receive the families which, compelled by absolute famine, wished to
+take refuge with them. There is also continual danger from the Kaffirs,
+whose attitude towards us is becoming positively hostile. Both horses
+and grain are scarce; but as far as the latter is concerned there will
+be sufficient, provided that the enemy does not return. One morning
+recently a Kaffir commando, shortly before daybreak, attacked a party of
+our men, who lost fifty-six killed out of a total of seventy. That peace
+must be made at all costs is the opinion of all the families in my
+district, and I feel it my duty to bring this opinion before you."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Alberts (Pretoria and Middelburg) said that his burghers had
+had no rest for a year, and that during that period no ploughing or
+sowing had been done in the district. Consequently a commando would not
+be able to find the means of subsistence there. On three occasions he
+had been forced to take refuge in a kraal, but fortunately had always
+been able to make his escape. They had no cattle which they could use
+for food, although he had received some, through Commandant Roos, from
+the Free State. Their horses were in the worst possible condition.</p>
+
+<p>Landdrost Bosman (Wakkerstroom) then gave an account of the condition of
+affairs in his district. They were dependent for everything, except
+meat, upon the Kaffirs, giving them meat in exchange. This year there
+had been a very poor crop of mealies, and, such as it was, it had been
+much damaged by the enemy. Still the burghers might manage, with what
+mealies they had, to last out for another two months;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> but the women and
+children also needed to be provided for. The cattle were beginning to
+run short, and the few horses that they had were so weak that they would
+require a fortnight's rest before they could be used. It might become
+necessary for the commandos to leave the district, and if so, what was
+to become of the families?</p>
+
+<p>Mr. De Clercq (Middelburg) regretted that he was unable to give as
+cheery a report as some of the gentlemen present had done. The part of
+Middelburg which he represented was in an almost hopeless condition.
+There were no slaughter-cattle, and only enough grain to last for a very
+short time. Out of five hundred horses only one hundred now remained,
+and these could do no work, being too weak even to get away when it
+became necessary to retreat from the enemy. The state of the burghers
+was very discouraging; if they should be compelled to leave the district
+the question would arise whether, considering the condition of their
+horses, it would be possible for them to reach their new destination.
+There were fifty families in Middelburg, and things were going very
+badly with them. The district would have to be abandoned, and what would
+then be the fate of the families, which even now could only be scantily
+provided for? The women had wished to go on foot to the English, but he
+had advised them to wait until the results of the present negotiations
+should become known.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant David Schoeman (Lijdenburg) said that although but a short
+time ago there had been eight hundred head of cattle in his district,
+they had now all been carried off. Grain there was none. Should fighting
+be continued, he was at a loss to know how he could provide for the
+women.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Opperman (Pretoria, South) reported on that part of the
+Pretoria district which lies south of the line. What he said agreed
+substantially with the report of Commandant Alberts. (See page 343.)</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Liebenberg (Potchefstroom) stated that during the last eight
+or nine months blockhouses had been erected in his district. All that
+was now left to him was a strip of country about twelve miles long; here
+he could still exist. A good deal of seed had been sown, but the crops
+had of late fallen into the hands of the English. The grain was
+altogether spoilt; some of it had been burnt, the rest trodden down by
+the horses. There were ninety-three households in his district. Between
+Lichtenburg and Potchefstroom there were some women from the Orange Free
+State who were reduced to the most dire straits. They had told him that
+if things did not improve they intended to go on foot to Klerksdorp,
+and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> he had replied that they must wait for the result of the
+negotiations. He had still four hundred mounted men, in addition to one
+hundred <i>voetgangers</i>. He could hold out for a short time longer, and
+then would have to look for some way out of his difficulties.</p>
+
+<p>General Du Toit (Wolmaransstad) said that there were five hundred
+families in his district, but little enough for them to live on. Though
+his horses were weak, he would be able to save himself by strategy if he
+should get into a tight corner. His commandos were small&mdash;only four
+hundred and fifty mounted men. The cattle were in good condition, but
+grain was scarce.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant De Beer (Bloemhof) had still under his command as many as
+four hundred and forty-four mounted men and one hundred and sixty-five
+<i>voetgangers</i>. Both grain and cattle were scarce, but then Bloemhof had
+never possessed many head of cattle. So far the families had not
+suffered from want. He would be able to hold out for another year.</p>
+
+<p>General Kemp reported that he had under him Krugersdorp, Rustenburg, and
+parts of Pretoria and Johannesburg. In the district of Krugersdorp no
+more sowing was possible, and the majority of cattle had been carried
+away. Yet there was no want. Why should he lack for anything when he was
+in possession of a great "commissariat" extending as far as the
+Zoutpansberg, where General Beijers was in command? He took what he
+wanted from the Kaffirs&mdash;it was not their property; he was only taking
+back what really belonged to the burghers.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-in-Chief de Wet here asked why the eastern divisions of the
+Transvaal could not do like General Kemp, and take what they required
+from the Kaffirs?</p>
+
+<p>General Kemp replied that the fact that in the eastern parts the Kaffirs
+were united with the English made the difference. The Kaffirs there, he
+said, gave all they looted to the English, who then sold them the cattle
+back again. If then cattle were taken in those parts, it would be cattle
+which was really the property of the Kaffirs. Moreover, the Zulus were
+Kaffirs of a different sort to those with which he (the General) had to
+deal. General Botha also had said that among the Kaffirs in the Eastern
+Transvaal there were not to be found any cattle belonging to the
+burghers.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. J.L. Grobler (Carolina) had not as yet had to complain of any lack
+of cattle or grain in his district. The English, however, by their
+system of blockhouses, had cut the burghers off from the greater part of
+the crop. If nothing happened, the newly-sown crops ought to produce a
+good harvest; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> he did not like the temper of the Kaffirs. His men
+could still hold out for another six or seven months. The three hundred
+horses still remaining to them were in a weak condition; such as they
+were, there was not one apiece for the burghers.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. J. Naude (Pretoria) said that he represented a part of Pretoria and
+General Kemp's flying column. In his district sowing and harvesting went
+on as usual. There were fortunately no women and children. Although the
+commandos had not a superabundance of cattle, yet no one lacked for any
+of the necessaries of life.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was then closed with prayer, and adjourned until the
+following morning.</p>
+
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Friday, May 16th, 1902.</span></h4>
+
+<p>The meeting opened with prayer a little after nine a.m. The
+correspondence which the two Governments had addressed to the burghers,
+in order that it might be communicated to their representatives at one
+of these meetings, was first read. It was then debated whether the
+meeting should request Lord Kitchener to put it into communication with
+the deputation in Europe. After speeches <i>pro</i> and <i>con</i>, it was decided
+not to do so.</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon General Froneman proposed the following resolution:</p>
+
+<p>"This meeting is of opinion that the Governments should be asked in the
+first place to thank His Majesty the King of England and Her Majesty the
+Queen of the Netherlands, through Lord Kitchener, for the efforts which
+(as appears from the correspondence between the said Governments) they
+have made to set on foot negotiations for peace; and, in the second
+place, to express to them the regret of this meeting that His Majesty's
+Government has not accepted the proposal of Her Majesty's Government
+that the representatives of the two Republics now in Europe (who still
+enjoy the full confidence of their fellow-countrymen) should be allowed
+to return home, and also that Lord Kitchener has declined a similar
+request addressed to him by the Governments of the two Republics."</p>
+
+<p>This proposal was seconded by Commandant Flemming, and carried.</p>
+
+<p>After another proposal, made by H.J. Bosman, and seconded by J.L.
+Grobler, had been rejected, the correspondence referred to above came
+under discussion.</p>
+
+<p>The first speaker was Mr. P.R. Viljoen, who spoke as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"We can apply to our own country those words of Scrip<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>ture, 'The place
+whereon thou standest is holy ground.' The soil on which we are now
+standing, wet as it is with the blood and tears of our forefathers and
+also of the many who have fallen in this present struggle, may well be
+regarded as 'holy ground.'</p>
+
+<p>"That we should ever have to surrender this country is a horrible
+thought. Yet it must be faced. It is certain at least that many
+districts must be abandoned, for the enemy is doing his utmost to
+collect us together at a few isolated places, where he will be able to
+concentrate his forces upon us.</p>
+
+<p>"From the reports which we have received it appears that the state of
+affairs in the Orange Free State is still hopeful. Not so in the
+Transvaal. There our prospects are of the gloomiest.</p>
+
+<p>"My opinion is that we must endeavour to bring this war to an end. If
+there was the least chance of our being able to maintain our
+independence, we would still fight on, and not even the bitterest
+sufferings would appear unendurable. But have we any such chance?&mdash;that
+is the question which we have got to answer.</p>
+
+<p>"We know nothing, it will be said, of the present state of affairs in
+Europe, for the report from our deputation, which has just been read in
+your presence, is six months old. Nevertheless, if anything favourable
+to us had occurred since then, we must have heard of it by now.</p>
+
+<p>"It is evident that we must endeavour to obtain peace on terms
+honourable to ourselves. But how are we to do so? By keeping our
+independence in view when making terms with the enemy, you will answer.
+Nevertheless, I think it would be advisable for us to commission our
+Governments to ask the English Government once more what concessions it
+is prepared to make to us on condition of our surrendering our
+independence. Until we know this we can come to no final decision.</p>
+
+<p>"Though it is a bitter thing to have to say, yet I feel it my duty to
+tell you that I honestly believe it to be impossible for us to carry on
+the war any longer."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. De Clercq then addressed the meeting in the following words:</p>
+
+<p>"The question before us is, whether or not the war can be continued? To
+answer it, we must look forward into the future. We must ask ourselves
+what consequences will ensue from a continuance of hostilities, and what
+will be the result of their cessation.</p>
+
+<p>"We have only fifteen thousand men against the enemy's quarter of a
+million. Our food and horses are scarce, and we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> have other difficulties
+besides these. It is impossible to go on with the struggle.</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless, if I believed that to do so would give us a chance of
+retaining our independence, I also would be ready for further
+sacrifices. But as it is impossible to retain our independence, surely
+we shall only be storing up misery for the future if we continue
+fighting until every man of us is a prisoner or in his grave. I am of
+opinion that our most reasonable course is to save what is still left to
+us&mdash;our existence as a nation. It is not too late to save it now, but
+who can tell what the future holds in store for us? If we are to be
+still further reduced in number, we shall soon cease to exist as a
+nation. Can it be right to sacrifice a nation which has fought as the
+African nation has done?"</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Rheeder (Rouxville) then spoke as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"I know that the times are very dark, but still there are some rays of
+light. You have been asked whether you will continue fighting until you
+are exterminated. But there is another alternative. Will you not
+continue fighting until you are relieved? I maintain that our
+independence must be a <i>sine qu&acirc; non</i> of any negotiations that we
+make&mdash;we cannot give it up. So long as we have life we must continue to
+fight, and we must only lay down our arms when relief arrives."</p>
+
+<p>General Kemp now rose to his feet. "I am fully aware," he said, "of the
+very serious position in which we are placed. Yet, when the war began,
+the position was no less grave. We must continue our resistance. When we
+recall to our minds how much this war has cost us, and what rivers of
+blood have flowed, we feel that it is impossible to surrender. As far as
+I am concerned, unless relief comes, I will fight on till I die.</p>
+
+<p>"But one should not look only at the dark side of the picture. It is
+true enough that in some districts food is scarce, but there are none in
+which it is absolutely unobtainable. The districts threatened by famine
+must be abandoned&mdash;that is the way to deal with the difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>"It has been pointed out that a large number of our men have been killed
+or taken prisoners. This fact, however, only fills me with courage. A
+cause that has cost us so dearly must never be forsaken. To own
+ourselves beaten would be to dig a grave for the African nation, out of
+which it would never rise. Why should we lose our trust in God? Up to
+this moment He has aided us, and He will always be our Helper."</p>
+
+<p>Vice-Commandant Breijtenbach (Utrecht) then spoke as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"The burghers whom I represent have told me to inform them, when these
+deliberations have come to an end, whether<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> a continuation of the war is
+possible, and if it be possible, how it is to be accomplished. If I
+cannot assure them that we are able to continue the struggle, the men of
+Utrecht will not fight any more. As you know, I can give them no such
+assurance.</p>
+
+<p>"There are ten districts in the Transvaal which are unable to fight any
+longer. It surely is not proposed to leave these districts in the lurch!
+We must not only consult our sentiments, but also our reason. And what
+does the voice of reason say? This&mdash;that the continuation of the war is
+an impossibility. Should you decide now to continue the war, you would
+have to start a fresh campaign; and you know that that is beyond our
+powers.</p>
+
+<p>"A previous speaker has referred to the help of the Lord, but who is
+able to fathom His counsels? Yet we can understand the answer God has
+given to our prayer&mdash;that prayer which we offered with the Mausers in
+our hands when the war began. And what was the answer we received ... I
+leave it to you to reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we must use our reason. If we continue the struggle we give the
+death-blow to our existence as a nation. We have been told that there
+are ten districts that cannot go on fighting. Are we going to say, 'We
+will continue the struggle and leave these districts to their fate'? No!
+We must save what we can."</p>
+
+<p>General Liebenberg then spoke. "I am able to give my support," he said,
+"to all that has fallen from the lips of Messrs. Viljoen and De Clercq.
+It cannot be doubted that the future is very dark. Yes, we can only
+trust in God, and use our reason to the best of our ability. I have been
+commissioned by those whom I represent to retain our independence if
+possible, and if it be not possible to make peace on the best terms that
+we can get."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Uijs was the next speaker. He explained that if the war were
+to be continued he would have to leave his district and abandon the
+women and children to the mercy of the Kaffirs. He could see a chance of
+saving the mounted men if only he could feel certain that they would all
+follow him, but the case of the women and children would be hopeless. A
+serious difficulty confronted the delegates, and it was with them, and
+no longer with the Government, that its solution rested. Never before
+had he been called upon to face so gigantic a task. It was not the time
+now to criticize one another, but to practise mutual forbearance. The
+Bible had been quoted by one of the speakers, but let them not forget
+the text in which the king is spoken of who calculated whether he was
+strong enough with ten thousand to encounter him who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> marched against
+him with twenty thousand. Then there was the question as to the disposal
+of the widows and orphans. What was to become of them if the burghers,
+by refusing to come to terms with the enemy, should no longer be able to
+act as their mutual protectors? Let them make no more widows and
+orphans, but let them open their eyes and recognize that the hand of God
+was against them.</p>
+
+<p>The next business was the reading of two letters&mdash;one from General Malan
+and the other from General Kritzinger. Malan reported on his doings in
+the Cape Colony, while Kritzinger advised that the war should be
+discontinued.</p>
+
+<p>General Du Toit then spoke, emphasizing the responsibility of the
+delegates and the importance of the occasion. He went on to say that he
+represented a part of the nation which had suffered very severely, but
+which nevertheless had commissioned him to stand up for independence, if
+by any means it could be retained; if he failed in this, he was to take
+whatever course seemed best to him. In his district the burghers were
+not reduced to such a pass as to oblige them to surrender, but the
+condition of other districts must also be taken into consideration, and
+if it appeared that the war could not be continued, the delegates must
+get the best terms they could. In their demands they must be
+united&mdash;this was the principal reason why dissension was so much to be
+avoided. For himself, he could only say that whether the meeting voted
+to continue the war or to bring it to a conclusion, he would fall in
+with the wishes of the majority. Any decision would be better than the
+failure of this conference, as that would leave everything undecided.</p>
+
+<p>He was followed by Secretary of State Reitz, who said:</p>
+
+<p>"You all know what the Governments have done. The question now is, Is
+there anything further that we can do? For my part, I think that there
+is. We might offer to surrender Witwatersrand and Swaziland; we might
+also relinquish our rights to a foreign policy; we might even accede to
+an English Protectorate. If France has been able to do without Alsace
+and Lorraine, surely we can do without the goldfields. What benefit have
+they ever done us? Did the money they brought ever do us any good? No!
+rather it did us harm. It was the gold which caused the war. It is then
+actually to our advantage to cede the goldfields, and moreover by so
+doing we shall be rid of a very troublesome part of our population."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Reitz then went on to discuss in detail the position in regard to
+Swaziland, the question of a British Protectorate, and the surrender of
+our right to treat with foreign powers.</p>
+
+<p>General Muller (Boksburg) expressed sympathy with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> views of the
+Secretary of State, while Vice-Commandant Roux (Marico) said that he was
+prepared to sacrifice many things, but that he intended to hold out for
+independence.</p>
+
+<p>The next speech was made by Landdrost Stoffberg (Zoutpansberg), who
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"I agree with General Du Toit in what he said about the necessity for
+unity amongst us. Disunion must not be so much as mentioned. I have a
+mandate from the burghers of Zoutpansberg not to sacrifice our
+independence. But if anything short of this will satisfy the English, I
+am quite prepared to make concessions. Some of the burghers think that
+it might be well to surrender the goldfields for a certain sum of money,
+while others point out that the gold was the cause of the war. I also
+think that we have suffered through the gold, and that we might give up
+the goldfields without doing ourselves any harm. For what has the gold
+done for us? It has enriched us, many will say. Yes! but it has also
+been a stumbling-block to many a man. And is it not better to be a poor
+but independent nation than to be rich and at the same time subject to
+another Power. Let the goldfields go. We shall still, with our markets,
+be rich enough."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Mentz (Heilbron) then rose.</p>
+
+<p>"I appeal to the forbearance of the delegates," he said, "for making any
+speech at this meeting. I fear I am unable to give as rose-coloured a
+report as my brother Free-Staters have done: My district has been
+continually harassed by the enemy's troops, and great devastation has
+been wrought. But the greatest trouble I have is the presence of so many
+families, for there are still two hundred in the district. I have only
+eighty burghers under my command, and it is clear to me that I shall
+soon be obliged to leave the district. What will then become of these
+families? I received a commission not to sacrifice our independence. But
+since my burghers met more than half of them have been made prisoners.
+The remainder have instructed me to do my best to preserve our
+independence, but if I find that it cannot be maintained to act
+according to my own judgment. It appears to me that it may be possible
+to retain our independence by ceding some part of the country; if this
+be the case it ought most certainly to be done. I can remember the late
+President Brand saying in connexion with the diamond fields, 'Give them
+up; you will gain more by giving them up than by keeping them.' This
+remark may well apply to the present situation."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Flemming (Cape Town) reported that his district was well-nigh
+devastated. But they still possessed a fair number of cattle, which they
+had carried away with them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> But even if they had no cattle, that would
+be no excuse for surrender, for in his district it was possible to live
+on the game. The view which he and his burghers had taken was that since
+they had already sacrificed nearly everything they possessed, they would
+not now sacrifice their independence. For should this also be lost, then
+there would be nothing left to them. That had been their opinion, but
+they had not then known how matters stood in the Transvaal. Now that he
+was aware of the state of affairs, he agreed with State Secretary Reitz
+that their best course was to cede a part of their territory.</p>
+
+<p>Vice-President Burger now rose from his seat, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"This meeting has to formulate a fresh proposal to the English
+Government, and to await its answer. If this proposal be rejected, well,
+you will be no worse off than you are at present. If there be a man who
+has earnestly considered what the sacrifice of everything means to us,
+then I am that man. It has been said, we must retain our independence,
+or else continue to fight; and we are still able to hold out for another
+six months, or even a year. Now, supposing that we can hold out another
+year, what should we gain by doing so? Why, we should only grow weaker,
+whilst the enemy grew stronger! I emphatically state that the war cannot
+be carried on any longer; and I ask if there is any man here who can
+maintain with a clear conscience that the struggle can be successfully
+continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Some of you may tell me that complications may arise in Europe. But
+that is a groundless hope. Others may say that it is astonishing enough
+that we have been able to hold out till now, and that we still have the
+power of making our voices heard. Yes! that is very surprising; but
+shall we retain this power long? I heard some delegates say, 'We shall
+fight till we die!' That is a manly sentiment. But was it not, perhaps,
+prompted by a desire to make a fine speech, which would go down to
+posterity? Was not the aim in some cases that future generations might
+recall these speeches when they were told of the brave fight our men had
+made?</p>
+
+<p>"Let every one consider this well: Is he prepared to sacrifice the
+nation on the shrine of his own ambition? Ambition, although it may cost
+us our lives, can never lead to martyrdom. A martyr is made of finer
+stuff!</p>
+
+<p>"Have we not arrived at the stage of our history when we must pray, 'Thy
+will be done'? That prayer, considered rightly, is a prayer of faith. Do
+not let us imagine that we can compel God to do <i>our</i> will&mdash;that is not
+faith.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg of you to consider what will become of the women<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> and the
+children and the banished burghers if you still persist until your last
+shot has been fired. What right shall we have to intercede for these
+unfortunate ones when we have rejected the proposals of the English
+Government? We shall have no right whatsoever.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it is God's will that the English nation should oppress us, in
+order that our pride may be subdued, and that we may come through the
+fire of our troubles purified.</p>
+
+<p>"My opinion is that we should make a peace proposal to England, yielding
+as much as we rightly can; and if England rejects our proposal, it will
+be time enough then to see what other course is open to us.</p>
+
+<p>"There is one fact which we cannot allow ourselves to forget. There are
+ten districts in the Transvaal which must be abandoned. In the Free
+State, too, there are districts in a similar plight. It is the opinion
+of lawyers that so long as the inhabitants remain in a district their
+property cannot lawfully be confiscated; but if the district be
+abandoned, then confiscations can take place.</p>
+
+<p>"It is criminal to say, 'Come what may, we will fight till everything is
+lost and all of us are dead!'"</p>
+
+<p>The following resolution was then proposed by General Kemp, and seconded
+by Mr. J. Nand:</p>
+
+<p>"<i>This meeting decides, in order to expedite the work in hand, to depart
+from the original programme; and to constitute a Commission, to be
+composed of the Hon. Jacob Smits and the Hon. Judge Hertzog, and to give
+this Commission authority to draw up, conjointly with the two State
+Presidents, a draft proposal, to be laid before the delegates to-morrow
+morning.</i>"</p>
+
+<p>This resolution was put to the meeting, and accepted by the delegates.
+The meeting then adjourned.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>At half-past seven in the evening the delegates reassembled.</p>
+
+<p>General Cilliers (Lichtenburg and Marico) was the first to make a
+report. "In my division," he said, "things are in a very favourable
+condition. Yet we are bound to take the other divisions into
+consideration. My burghers said to me, 'Stand firm for independence!'
+But when they gave me the order they did not know about the condition of
+the other districts. Will those other districts&mdash;such of them, I mean,
+as are in a worse predicament than ourselves&mdash;be able to co-operate with
+us in continuing the war? Some of them have already answered my question
+in the negative. Must we then not ask ourselves, What will be the best
+for the nation as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> whole? Shall we say continue the war, or shall we
+approach the enemy and make a proposal?</p>
+
+<p>"But are we really justified in prolonging the struggle, and making
+still further sacrifices? Some will answer, 'Yes, for we have a God in
+whom we have trusted from the beginning; shall we not continue to trust
+in Him who has worked such wonders for us already?' But I have heard a
+brother say, 'God's hand is against us.' It was bitter to hear these
+words from him, and for myself I will have none of them. My vote is
+given here and now for a continuance of the war.</p>
+
+<p>"But we must hear what the rest of the delegates have to say, and if
+they can point out some other way by which we can retain even a portion
+of our national independence, we must be ready to follow it."</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman next addressed the meeting.</p>
+
+<p>"I fear," he began, "that too much is being made of the condition of my
+division: things are not so prosperous with us as some here appear to
+imagine. But for all that, my burghers are for nothing short of absolute
+independence. They cannot forget the blood which has already been spilt
+in our cause. They mean to hold out until they are relieved.</p>
+
+<p>"I sympathize deeply with those districts that are less happily
+circumstanced than my own, but it pains me to discover that there are
+some here who doubt that God is for us. For what has supported us up
+till now save faith in God?&mdash;the faith of those who first prayed God to
+prevent the war, and then, when they saw that this was not His will,
+fought like men, putting all their trust in Him.</p>
+
+<p>"Up till now the Lord hath been my helper; the enemy has cut us off from
+everything, and yet we see our two little Republics still full of hope,
+still holding out."</p>
+
+<p>He concluded his speech by saying that he would like to hear the
+opinions of Generals Botha, De Wet, and De la Rey. They ought to be able
+to throw much light upon the matter.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant General Botha then rose, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to have an opportunity of giving my views upon the present
+state of affairs. We know that differences of opinion are to be found
+everywhere and on every question; when, therefore, a man differs from
+those who think that this war can and ought to be continued, we must
+ascribe his opinion to discouragement, weakness, or cowardice. We must
+acknowledge the truth of the facts from which he draws his conclusions,
+and which have compelled him to utter it. His object is to make known
+the true state of the country&mdash;which indeed is his plain duty. Were he
+not to do so on the present occasion he would be accused, later on, of
+having kept secret<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> what he ought to have revealed. Differences of
+opinion then need not, and must not, cause a disunion and discord.
+Whatever our private opinions may be, yet, as delegates of the burghers,
+we must speak and act as one man.</p>
+
+<p>"The war has now lasted two years. But the question for us to answer is
+this: Are we going forwards or backwards? My own conviction&mdash;a
+conviction founded upon the views expressed by my commandos and the
+speeches which I have listened to at this meeting&mdash;is that we are not
+gaining, but losing ground. There is nothing, in my opinion, more
+evident than that, during the last six months, the tide has been setting
+steadily against us, and in favour of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"A year ago there were no blockhouses. We could cross and recross the
+country as we wished, and harass the enemy at every turn. But now things
+wear a very different aspect. We can pass the blockhouses by night
+indeed, but never by day. They are likely to prove the ruin of our
+commandos.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, as regards food. We are told that there is food here, and food
+there; but how are we to get at it? How are we to transport it from one
+district to another? Outside the frontiers of our Republics there are
+plenty of provisions, but it becomes daily more difficult to get them
+into our hands. The cattle, for instance, that used to be at Ladysmith
+have now been removed to Estcourt. Even the friendly Kaffirs, from whom
+we are now able to obtain provisions, may quite possibly soon turn
+against us. The time is coming when we shall be compelled to say,
+'Hunger drives us to surrender.'</p>
+
+<p>"The horses have been chased about so incessantly, and have suffered so
+much from want of forage, that their strength is almost exhausted. They
+are so weak that it is almost impossible to accomplish any long distance
+with them.</p>
+
+<p>"As to the Cape Colony, I had always understood that the Colonists were
+going to rise <i>en bloc</i>, but General Smuts has just told us that there
+is no chance of such a thing happening. And he speaks from personal
+knowledge, having just returned from paying them a visit. Moreover, he
+has seen our horses, and says that it is impossible for them to go into
+the Colony, so it appears that our successes there are over. This is a
+severe check indeed; but it could not have been otherwise. We have not
+enough horses to enable us to give the Colonists effectual help, and
+they themselves have been cowed by the heavy penalties imposed upon all
+those who did rise. Many of those who are well disposed towards us dare
+not join us now.</p>
+
+<p>"Again, there is no chance of European intervention: not one of the
+Powers will do anything for us. To see this it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> only necessary to
+peruse that correspondence between the Netherlands and England, which
+was the cause of these negotiations. There we shall find that the Dutch
+Minister says that our deputation is only accredited to Holland, whereas
+it had been accredited by the two Republics to all the Governments in
+Europe. Moreover, the correspondence makes it very plain that England
+will not tolerate the intervention of any foreign Power whatsoever. But
+the truth is, that no foreign Power wants to help us. When the women
+were first made prisoners I thought that European intervention might
+perhaps be attempted, because to make prisoners of women is a thing
+quite outside the usual methods of warfare. But nothing was done even
+then. We were told that we had the sympathy of the nations of
+Europe&mdash;their sympathy, and nothing more!</p>
+
+<p>"I have come to a subject that is very near our hearts&mdash;our women-folk.
+If this meeting decides upon war, it will have to make provision for our
+wives and children, who will then be exposed to every kind of danger.
+Throughout this war the presence of the women has caused me anxiety and
+much distress. At first I managed to get them into the townships, but
+later on this became impossible, because the English refused to receive
+them. I then conceived the idea of getting a few of our burghers to
+surrender, and sending the women in with them. But this plan was not
+practical, because most of the families were those of prisoners of war,
+and the men still on commando were not so closely related to these
+families as to be willing to sacrifice their freedom for them.</p>
+
+<p>"We have heard much talk about fighting 'to the bitter end.' But what is
+'the bitter end'? Is it to come when all of us are either banished or in
+our graves? Or does it mean the time when the nation has fought until it
+never can fight again? As to myself, personally, I can still continue
+the struggle. I have horses, my household is well provided for, and as
+far as my own inclination goes I am all for going on. But am I only to
+consider myself? Is it not my first duty to look at the interests of my
+nation? I have always been, and still am, of the opinion that, before
+letting the nation go to rack and ruin, it is our duty to parley. We
+must not let the chance for negotiations slip out of our hands. When our
+numbers have fallen to only four or five thousand men under arms we
+shall no longer have that chance, and this will undoubtedly happen if we
+hold out for another year, or even six months.</p>
+
+<p>"There are some who say, 'We must trust in God and keep on fighting,'
+and I grant them that miracles are possible at all times. But it is
+beyond our power to say whether God will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> work a miracle for us. We do
+not know what His will may be. If we continue the war, and if it should
+afterwards appear that everything has been in vain, our responsibility
+will be only the heavier, the blinder our confidence now is. And over
+and over again we shall hear, 'He is dead,' 'and he, and he.' Will not
+this make our remorse all the more bitter? Our commandos are so weak,
+our country so exhausted, that the loss of one great battle, the
+surrender of a single strong force, would spell ruin for us.</p>
+
+<p>"'But we have managed to hold out for so long.' Yes, but there is a
+natural reason, a military reason, why this has been the case. The fact
+that our commandos have been spread over so large a tract of country has
+compelled the British, up to the present time, to divide their forces.
+But things have changed now; we have had to abandon district after
+district, and must now operate on a far more limited territory. In other
+words, the British army can at last concentrate its forces upon us.</p>
+
+<p>"I firmly believe that, under like circumstances, no other nation in the
+world would have fought as our nation has done. Shall such a nation
+perish? No! we must save it. If we delegates are convinced that we can
+no longer offer resistance to the enemy, it is our plain duty to tell
+the people so. We must not let them be exterminated for want of timely
+advice. More than twenty thousand women and children have died in the
+camps during this one year.</p>
+
+<p>"There are men of our own kith and kin who are helping to bring us to
+ruin. If we continue the war, it may be that the Afrikanders against us
+will outnumber our own men.</p>
+
+<p>"What is there left to hope for? Are we to retain our independence by
+ceding a part of our territories? Most assuredly yes, if such a
+compromise is feasible. As regards Swaziland, it is of so little
+importance to us that we can give it up without a thought. Then there
+are the goldfields&mdash;let them go. They are but a cancerous growth,
+sapping the very life of our country.</p>
+
+<p>"We must face the fact that things are not at a standstill: we are
+slipping back every moment. We must all pull together, or everything is
+lost. If our sacrifices will buy our independence, well and good. But
+suppose that we are compelled to give it up&mdash;well, if it even comes to
+this, we must never do so unconditionally. An unconditional surrender
+would be well enough if the leaders only had to be considered. But we
+must think of the interests of the nation. We must say to our people,
+'We have no thought of ourselves: our only desire is to place ourselves
+in the breach, if so we may save you.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>General Botha then proceeded to discuss eventualities in the event of
+independence being lost. Representative government, he said, might
+perhaps still be retained, and the national language need not
+necessarily be supplanted. Thus the nation would still retain its old
+ideals and its old customs. General Roux had been pertinently asked
+whether it were better to strive for the recuperation of the people now
+or to wait until they were altogether overpowered and reduced to such
+straits that it would require some thirty years before they could once
+more call themselves a nation. He then went into the terms of the
+proposal by the British Government, and repeated that there must be no
+idea of unconditional surrender.</p>
+
+<p>The General concluded in the following words:</p>
+
+<p>"Although we do not <i>wish</i> to accept terms, we have no right to refuse
+them altogether. On the other hand we must not say to the English, 'Do
+with us as you like.' For then our descendants would eternally reproach
+us. We should have lost the privilege of looking after our own wives and
+children. They would be handed over to strangers. No! we must secure by
+some means or other that we ourselves shall be able to provide for them.
+The fate of our country is in the hands of the men in this tent. It has
+been bitter, indeed, for me to have to speak as I have done. But if I
+have not spoken the truth, convince me of my error, and I will be the
+first to own it. But do not condemn me, for I have had no other object
+than to tell you what I believe to be the truth."</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I will not detain you long," he began, "but there are a few points to
+which I wish to draw attention. In regard to the districts under my
+command, every one will understand that my burghers, after their recent
+brilliant successes, are firmly resolved not to sacrifice their
+independence. If I allude to the battles which I have just fought it is
+with no thought of boasting, but only that you may picture to yourselves
+the effect which they must have had upon the enemy; and that no one may
+be angry with myself and my burghers for standing firm when our feet are
+on such solid ground.</p>
+
+<p>"But since my arrival at Vereeniging I have heard about our districts
+where matters are in a far less favourable condition than in my own. So
+far as I myself am concerned, I cannot think of laying down my arms. Yet
+it appears to me that some parts of the country will be compelled by
+starvation to give up the struggle. It is well that those who represent
+these parts have spoken openly, and not left this meeting in ignorance
+of the state of affairs only to go and lay down their arms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I myself have never thought intervention possible. Even before the war
+broke out I said that nothing would come of it. I saw that South Africa
+was divided between Germany and England. And that if only the Republics
+could be extinguished, then England and Germany would be the only Powers
+left, and Germany would be safe. But if the Republics were victorious,
+then Germany would be in danger. Why then should Germany interfere in
+favour of the Republics, when she has everything to lose by such a
+course of action? No! intervention was entirely out of the question.</p>
+
+<p>"There has been talk about fighting to the bitter end; but has not the
+bitter end already come? Each man must answer that question for himself.</p>
+
+<p>"You must remember that everything has been sacrificed&mdash;cattle, goods,
+money, wife, and child. Our men are going about naked, and some of our
+women have nothing but clothes made of skins to wear. Is not this the
+bitter end?</p>
+
+<p>"I believe that the time has now come to negotiate. England will never
+again give us the chance of doing so, should we allow this opportunity
+to slip by. But how shall we negotiate? I must leave it to this meeting
+to answer that question. If we do not obtain what we ask for, we shall
+at least stand or fall together. Yet let us act with reason.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot agree with one of the opinions expressed by Commandant-General
+Botha and States-Secretary Reitz. They have stated that they are against
+surrendering the goldfields to England; firstly, because England would
+never accept such a proposal, for by doing so she would declare to the
+whole world that she had only been fighting for the goldfields; and,
+secondly, because if we gave up the goldfields we should lose a source
+of revenue, without the aid of which we could not repair the damages
+which the war has wrought."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-in-Chief de Wet spoke as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"I am of opinion that the circumstances in the Orange Free State are no
+less critical than those in the Transvaal. Nine districts were entirely
+ruined; but these, though at one time abandoned by the burghers, have
+now been reoccupied.</p>
+
+<p>"If I now differ from those who are of opinion that it is useless to
+prolong the war, it must not be thought that I am lacking in respect for
+their judgment. By no means. I know that what has been said about the
+wretched plight of the people is only too true; but they must not take
+it amiss if I point out that the same condition of affairs was described
+in the correspondence from the Transvaal which fell into the hands of
+the English at Reitz. But, granting that the facts have been correctly
+stated, even then the Orange Free State will refuse to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> give in. Let me
+be candid with you, and say frankly that, in my opinion, this is
+virtually the Transvaal's war. This, however, makes no difference to me.
+For me the barrier of the Vaal River has never existed. I have always
+endeavoured to maintain the Nauwere-Vereeniging,<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a> and I feel
+strongly the obligation which the union of the two States casts on each
+one of us. They are two nations, but their cause is one.</p>
+
+<p>"What, then, is the prevailing feeling in the Orange Free State? Of the
+six thousand burghers who have been attending meetings, I myself have
+been in command of five thousand, and I can confidently say that never
+were five thousand men more unanimous in their opinion than were those I
+led when they cried, as with one voice, 'Persevere; we have everything
+to lose, but we have not yet lost it.' What, then, is the answer to be?
+I am firmly persuaded that we have only one course before us. If we are
+unable to obtain what we are asking for, then it only remains for us to
+alleviate as best we may the lot of those who cannot help themselves. I
+do not as yet clearly see how this is going to be done, but, at all
+costs, let us continue fighting. What was our total strength when we
+began this war? Sixty thousand men all told. Against this the English
+had a standing army of seven hundred and fifty thousand troops. Of these
+two hundred and fifty thousand, or one-third, are now in South Africa.
+We know from experience that they are unable to send more than
+one-third. And we? Have we not also one-third of our army left?</p>
+
+<p>"I do not wish to imply that I am not prepared to concede something, but
+nothing will induce me to consent to any part of the country in <i>our</i>
+territory being given up. It will never do to have an English colony
+planted in our midst, for England then would have far too firm a hold
+upon our country.</p>
+
+<p>"It is said, and with some truth, that the goldfields have been a curse
+to us, but surely there is no reason why they should continue to be so.
+I fail to see how, without retaining possession of these goldfields, the
+Republics are to be saved. Swaziland perhaps could be ceded, but never
+the goldfields. I feel that any intervention is out of the question; but
+is not the very fact that it has not taken place a sure proof that it
+was not the will of God? Does it not show that He is minded to form us,
+by this war, into a nation worthy of the name? Let us then bow to the
+will of the Almighty.</p>
+
+<p>"My people will perhaps say, 'Our Generals see only the religious side
+of the question.' They will be right. Without faith we should have been
+foolish indeed to have embarked on this war and to continue it for so
+many months. Indeed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> it <i>must</i> be a matter of faith, for the future is
+hidden from us. What <i>has been</i> is within our ken, but what is before is
+beyond the knowledge of the wisest man.</p>
+
+<p>"Cape Colony is a great disappointment to me. I do not refer so much to
+what we have learnt about it from the reports as to the fact that no
+general uprising can be expected in that quarter. So much we have heard
+from General Smuts. But though there is to be no uprising, we have no
+reason to think that there has been any falling off in the number of our
+adherents in the Colony. The little contingent there has been of great
+help to us: they have kept fifty thousand troops occupied, with which
+otherwise we should have had to reckon.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel deeply for our women and children; I am giving earnest
+consideration to their miserable plight. But their sufferings are among
+what we may call the necessary circumstances of the war. I have nothing
+to do with the circumstances. For me, this is a war of religion, and
+thus I can only consider the great principles involved. Circumstances
+are to me but as obstacles to be cleared out of the road.</p>
+
+<p>"If we own ourselves defeated&mdash;if we surrender to the foe&mdash;we can expect
+little mercy from him. We shall at all events have dug the grave of our
+national independence, and, as things are, what difference is there
+between this and digging our own graves?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Birkenstock said that the question about the goldfields must be
+carefully considered. This source of income must not be given up.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was then closed with prayer.</p>
+
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Saturday, May 17th</span>, 1902.</h4>
+
+<p>The Chairman first called upon Chief Commandant de Wet to offer up
+prayer.</p>
+
+<p>A private report from Mr. J. Schmorderer, who had brought the missive
+from the deputation in Europe, was then read.</p>
+
+<p>The first delegate to speak was Landdrost Bosman (Wakkerstroom), who
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"My opinion is that the best way of ascertaining the probable future
+course of events is to see what has already happened in the past. A year
+ago there were six hundred burghers in my district, and each man had a
+horse; now there are not more than half that number, and many of them
+have to go on foot. Last year we had from three to four thousand bags of
+maize ready to hand; this year there are not more than as many hundred,
+and how to get at them is more than I can tell. If such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> has been the
+history of the past year, in what sort of condition shall we be at the
+end of the present one?</p>
+
+<p>"The great difficulty with regard to our families is not how to clothe
+them, but how to feed them. I know of a woman who has lived for weeks on
+nothing but fruit. I myself have had to satisfy my hunger with mealies
+for days together, although I have no wish to complain about it. Even
+the scanty food we can get has to be obtained from the Kaffirs by
+persuasion. Moreover, the Kaffirs side with the English, who in their
+counter-marches are clearing all the food out of the country.</p>
+
+<p>"The men in my district told me that if I came back and reported that
+the war was to be continued, they would be obliged&mdash;for the sake of
+their wives and children&mdash;to go straight to the nearest English camp and
+lay down their arms. As to the women it is true that they are at present
+full of hope and courage, but if they knew how matters stood in the
+veldt, they would think very differently. Even now there are many of
+them who say that the war ought to be put a stop to, if only for their
+sakes.</p>
+
+<p>"The Kaffirs are another great source of trouble; in this problem they
+are a factor which cannot be neglected.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no hope of intervention, nor can we expect anything from the
+English nation. Facts that have come to my knowledge prove to me that
+England has become more and more determined to fight to the bitter end.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not see what we can possibly gain by continuing the war. Our own
+people are helping the English, and every day the enemy are improving
+their position. What advantage can there then be in persisting in the
+struggle? We have now a chance of negotiating, and we should seize that
+chance. For we have the opportunity given us of obtaining some help for
+our ruined compatriots, who would be entirely unable to make a fresh
+start without assistance.</p>
+
+<p>"As to the religious side of this matter, I am not ashamed to say that I
+believe I am serving God in the course which I am taking. We must not
+attempt to obtain the impossible against all reason. If we make any such
+attempt, the results will probably be exactly opposite to what we wish.
+I have the greatest doubt whether it really is in order to give glory to
+God that the nation wishes to retain its independence. On the contrary I
+believe that the motive is obstinacy, a vice to which human nature is
+always prone.</p>
+
+<p>"It has been said that it would be shameful to disregard the blood
+already spilt; but surely one ought also to consider the blood that
+might yet be shed in a useless struggle."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The proposal of the Commission was now read, and after some discussion
+accepted. It ran as follows:</p>
+
+<p>The meeting of national representatives from both Republics&mdash;after
+having considered the correspondence exchanged, and the negotiations
+conducted, between the Governments of the two Republics and His
+Excellency Lord Kitchener, on behalf of the British Government; and
+after having heard the reports of the deputies from the different parts
+of both Republics; and after having received the latest reports from the
+representatives of the two Republics in Europe; and having taken into
+consideration the fact that the British Government has refused to accept
+the proposal of our Governments made on the same basis; and
+notwithstanding the above-mentioned refusal of the British
+Government&mdash;still wishes to give expression to the ardent desire of the
+two Republics to retain their independence, for which already so much
+material and personal sacrifice has been made, and decides in the name
+of the people of both Republics to empower both Governments as
+follows:&mdash;To conclude a peace on the following basis, to wit: the
+retention of a limited independence offering an addition to what has
+already been offered by the two Governments in their negotiations, dated
+the 15th of April, 1902.</p>
+
+<p>(<i>a</i>) To give up all foreign relations and embassies.</p>
+
+<p>(<i>b</i>) To accept the Protectorate of Great Britain.</p>
+
+<p>(<i>c</i>) To surrender parts of the territory of the South African Republic.</p>
+
+<p>(<i>d</i>) To conclude a defensive alliance with Great Britain in regard to
+South Africa.</p>
+
+<p>During the discussion it was clearly explained that the territory which
+it was suggested should be ceded was the already mentioned goldfields
+and Swaziland. The question was put whether the South African Republics
+would have to pay for the damage done during the war. "By all means let
+us pay," said Mr. De Clercq. "If I could only buy back the independence
+of the Orange Free State, I would gladly give all I possess."</p>
+
+<p>Several other Transvaal delegates expressed themselves in the same
+sense, and said that they fully appreciated the sacrifices which the
+Orange Free State had made. General Froneman thanked them in the name of
+the Free State.</p>
+
+<p>He felt that the two Republics no longer thought of themselves as having
+conflicting interests. In the fire of this war they had been firmly
+welded together.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Ross (Vrede) thought it wrong even to discuss the possibility
+of giving up independence. The delegates had received a definite
+mandate. They had been com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span>missioned to see that the national
+independence had remained untouched, whatever else might have to be
+given up. This being the case, they might come to decisions on all other
+points, so long as they remembered that independence was not an open
+question.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant J. Van Niekerk (Ficksburg) spoke to the same purpose. He
+could not even think of sacrificing independence.</p>
+
+<p>After some other delegates had made a few short remarks, General Brand,
+seconded by Commandant A.J. De Kock, proposed the following resolution,
+which was accepted by the meeting:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"This meeting of the national representatives of the two Republics
+hereby charge the Governments to nominate a Commission for the
+purpose of entering upon negotiations with His Excellency Lord
+Kitchener, acting on behalf of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
+The Commission is to endeavour to make peace on satisfactory terms,
+and is then to lay the result of its negotiations before this
+meeting, for the sanction of the two Governments."</p></div>
+
+<p>The meeting was then closed with prayer.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Appendix B</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">THE CONFERENCE AT PRETORIA BETWEEN THE COMMISSION OF THE NATIONAL
+REPRESENTATIVES AND LORDS KITCHENER AND MILNER (MAY 19th-MAY 28th</span>,
+1902)</h3>
+
+
+<p>Minutes of the Conference held at Pretoria on May 19th, 1902, between
+Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, representatives of the British
+Government, and Commandant-General L. Botha, Commander-in-Chief C.R. de
+Wet, General J.H. De la Rey, Judge J.B.M. Hertzog, and General J.C.
+Smuts, delegates of the national representatives, who had met at
+Vereeniging on May 15th, 1902.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. N.J. de Wet acted as interpreter; Mr. O. Walrond was secretary for
+the English Government; and the Rev. J.D. Kestell and D. Van Velden
+acted in a similar capacity for the Commission.</p>
+
+<p>The Conference met at ten o'clock in the morning at the house of Lord
+Kitchener. After having greeted each other, the members took their seats
+at the table in the centre of the room.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General L. Botha opened the proceedings in the following
+words:</p>
+
+<p>"Allow me to state that, although the negotiations have taken a longer
+time than we expected, I am able to assure your Excellencies that we are
+acting in good faith, and that everything has been done with the sole
+aim of concluding the peace which we all desire.</p>
+
+<p>"I must also draw attention to the fact that everything we transact here
+must be submitted to our national representatives, in order to obtain
+their sanction."</p>
+
+<p>The suggestion was then made that the proposals which the Commission was
+prepared to make should be laid before the Conference, whereupon the
+following letter was read to the meeting:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="right"><span class="smcap">Pretoria</span>, <i>19th May, 1902</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>To their Excellencies, Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, Pretoria.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Your Excellencies</span>,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>With a view to finally concluding the existing hostilities, and
+being fully empowered by the Government of the two Republics, we
+have the honour to propose the following points&mdash;in addition to the
+conditions already offered in the negotiations of April last&mdash;as a
+basis for negotiations:</p>
+
+<p>(<i>a</i>) We are prepared to cede our independence as regards our
+foreign relations.</p>
+
+<p>(<i>b</i>) We wish to retain self-government in our country, under
+British supervision.</p>
+
+<p>(<i>c</i>) We are prepared to cede a part of our territory.</p>
+
+<p>Should your Excellencies be prepared to negotiate on this basis,
+then the above-mentioned points can be elaborated.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">We have the honour to be,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Your Excellencies' most obedient servants,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">LOUIS BOTHA.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">C.R. DE WET.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">J.H. DE LA REY.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">J.B.M. HERTZOG.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">J.C. SMUTS.</span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p>When this letter had been read, a discussion followed.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "Considering the wide difference between this proposal and
+that made by His Majesty's Government, when we last met, I fear that I
+can hold out very little hope of any good results following negotiations
+on the basis you have suggested."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "We can take those proposals into consideration, but I
+cannot see how it is possible to bring them into harmony with those of
+His Majesty's Government."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "If this is the position you take, we should
+like to receive from you a final answer to our proposals."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "Do you wish us to refer your proposals to His Majesty's
+Government?"</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "Yes, unless you have full powers to give us a
+final reply."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I am quite convinced that your proposal will be rejected;
+and I feel bound to say that to refer it, as it stands, to His Majesty's
+Government will only do you harm."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "If you have no power to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> decide upon this
+proposal here, we should like you to refer it to His Majesty's
+Government."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I have no objection to taking the responsibility of
+refusing your proposal on myself. The instructions received by myself
+and Lord Kitchener are quite clear on this point."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I must then understand that when Lord
+Salisbury said that this war was not carried on with a view to annex
+territory, he did not mean it."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "It is no longer a question of territory, for annexation
+is an accomplished fact."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I am unable to see how our proposal is
+inconsistent with annexation."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I cannot now recall the exact words used by Lord
+Salisbury, but it is true that Lord Salisbury declared that his
+Government did not begin the war with the intention of obtaining
+territory. But in the course of the war circumstances developed in such
+a way that the decision to annex the Republics became a necessity, and
+the British Government have pronounced their firm intention not to
+withdraw from this decision."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "I should like to be informed as to what the great
+difference is between the basis now proposed by us and that laid down by
+His Majesty's Government during the negotiations of last year&mdash;I do not
+mean the difference in details, but in principle."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Do you mean by your proposal that the Boers will become
+British citizens?"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "I cannot see that our proposal is necessarily in
+contradiction to that of last year. Our proposal only makes provision
+concerning the administration."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner then quoted from the terms offered at Middelburg by the
+British Government the previous year:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"At the earliest possible date military administration shall cease, and
+be replaced by civil administration in the form of a Crown Colony
+Government. At first there will be in each of the new Colonies a
+Governor, an Executive Council consisting of the highest officials, and
+a Legislative Council, which latter shall consist of a certain number of
+official members and also of a nominated non-official element. But it is
+the wish of His Majesty's Government to introduce a representative
+element as soon as circumstances permit, and, in course of time, to
+grant to the new colonies the right of self-government.</p>
+
+<p>"It may be that I do not properly understand your proposal, but it seems
+to me to differ not only in detail, but also in spirit from the scheme I
+have just read to you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "I entirely agree with you that there is a difference in
+idea between the two proposals; but only such a difference in idea as
+might well be found between Colonies of the same State. In other words,
+one constitution is adapted for one colony, whilst another constitution
+is found fitting for another colony, but yet they all belong to the same
+Empire."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "Exactly. There are different constitutions in different
+Colonies; but it seems to me that the <i>policy</i> laid down in your
+proposal differs from that laid down by His Majesty's Government."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "I think that I am expressing the opinion of the whole
+Commission when I say that we wish for peace. I draw attention to this
+to show the way in which, according to my opinion, we should consider
+the matter. For if we on both sides are really desirous of coming to a
+settlement, we should not make too much of theoretical difficulties, so
+long as the practical aim has been obtained. For instance, the different
+Colonies which now are joined to form the United States once possessed
+constitutions differing much from one another. Now the constitution laid
+down in our proposal does not differ so much from that laid down in
+yours that a practical difference should arise therefrom; and such a
+practical difference would arise if you insisted upon carrying on
+negotiations on your own basis. I imagine that England has a certain
+object before her in South Africa, and I believe that that object can be
+as well obtained by our proposal as by that of Middelburg. I therefore
+ask, Is the difference so great that, in order for England to obtain her
+object, an entirely new status must be called into existence?"</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "We are comparing two different things. Here in the
+Middelburg scheme there are a number of definite proposals, which enter
+upon a great mass of particulars. I do not mean to imply that <i>we</i> have
+not the power to go into particulars. I perfectly understand that it
+lies within the power of Lord Kitchener and myself to carry on further
+deliberations with you about details, so as to throw light on any
+doubtful points, and, perhaps, to make such changes as would not
+fundamentally affect the scheme. As you say that your proposals are not
+in contradiction with those formulated at Middelburg, then there is no
+reason why you should not lay aside your proposals and discuss the
+Middelburg proposals, which are definite."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "I quite admit that you, Lord Milner, are entitled to say
+that there is a fundamental difference between our proposals. But it is
+another question whether the difficulty that thus arises is of such a
+nature that we&mdash;those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> of us who on both sides are anxious to conclude
+peace&mdash;should not be able to find a solution to it satisfactory to both
+parties. I cannot answer that question; nor can I see why the same
+result would not be reached by negotiating on the basis proposed by us
+as by carrying on negotiations on the Middelburg proposal."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I understand, then, that you acknowledge that there is a
+fundamental difference between the two bases. Well, I do not think that
+we are empowered to negotiate on a basis differing from that laid down
+in the last report of His Majesty's Government, and also differing from
+the tenor of the Middelburg proposal. I may say that I believe that His
+Majesty's Government in their latest message went as far as it was
+possible for them to go with the object of meeting you. The whole spirit
+of the telegram was to that effect."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I hope you will understand that I do not
+speak as a lawyer. (Lord Kitchener, laughing: "That's the case with me
+too!") I fully concur with what General Botha and Judge Hertzog have
+said in regard to our eagerness to establish peace. In order to be
+brief, I will only remark that I did not understand His Excellency, Lord
+Milner, to mean&mdash;any more than I myself meant&mdash;that we should go to the
+nation with the Middelburg proposal, with the idea of coming back with
+it unaltered."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "No; if I gave that impression, I did not intend to do so.
+But I believe that when you went to your people with the last message
+from His Majesty's Government it was with the knowledge&mdash;which the
+message itself made clear&mdash;that His Majesty's Government was not
+prepared to take into consideration any terms which differed widely from
+the policy laid down in the Middelburg proposal."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "That was indeed what I understood; and
+accordingly we have now come with a proposal which does not differ very
+much from the Middelburg proposal."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "I thought that the vital principle your Government had
+in view was the destruction of our independence, and in our proposal the
+independence of the two Republics with regard to foreign relations is
+given up. I was therefore of opinion that the two parties might come to
+an arrangement on this basis. I did not think that for the restoration
+of peace the Middelburg terms were essential."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "Not in the details, but in the general ideas. As the
+British Government has laid down a basis, and you have had weeks in
+which to consider the matter, it would never do for you now to put it on
+one side. Lord Kitchener<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> has given your nation considerable time in
+which to take counsel; and now you come back, and, ignoring the
+Middelburg terms, you propose entirely different ones of your own, and
+say, let us negotiate on these. I do not believe that I and Lord
+Kitchener would be justified in doing this. But in case he is of another
+opinion, the British Government can be asked if they are prepared to set
+on one side all the former deliberations and begin again on a new
+basis."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "We cannot, of course, prevent Lord Kitchener
+from asking his Government any questions he pleases, but, at the same
+time, we request that you will cable our behests to the English
+Government."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I cannot see that we are beginning again on a
+new basis, for, in consequence of the negotiations in April last, you
+were ordered by the British Government to encourage us to make fresh
+proposals. Our present proposal is the direct result of that order."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I did my best to get fresh proposals from you, but you
+would not make any. You forced the British Government into making
+proposals."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I am of opinion that we must both work
+together in this matter of formulating proposals."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "You were asked to make proposals, but you did not do
+so; and now, after the British Government has made a proposal, you
+yourselves come forward with one of your own."</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey: "I think that it was the encouragement given us by
+correspondence between the Netherlands and the British Government that
+caused us to make our proposals."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "That correspondence was at the beginning of the
+negotiations."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "If we had been obliged to make a new
+proposal in April, we would not have been able to make one so fair, and
+so much to the advantage of the British Government, as our present one,
+for, not having consulted the nation, we would have been compelled to
+insist on entire independence."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I must remind you of what has taken place; not with the
+object of putting you in the wrong, but in order to make the position
+clear, for there are some points about it which are not very clear. You
+came and made a proposal. The British Government gave you a distinct
+answer&mdash;they refused to accept it. Their answer was perfectly outspoken,
+and perfectly intelligible. At the same time they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> said, 'We are anxious
+for peace; will you make other proposals?' You then said, 'No! we have
+no power to do so; we must first consult the nation.' We admitted that
+argument. Then you said, 'Let the British Government make proposals.'
+The British Government did so, and they are fully entitled to an answer.
+In what position do you think you are placing Lord Kitchener and myself?
+You come back with a totally fresh proposal, and do not say anything
+about ours. This is not fair treatment to the British Government, and we
+are not bound to take your proposal into consideration."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "I have endeavoured to show that our reply really cannot
+be taken as ignoring the proposal of the British Government. The great
+question in the correspondence in April between us and the British
+Government was the question of independence; and now, after having
+consulted the nation, we come here and say that we are prepared to
+sacrifice in some degree our independence, and we indicate how far we
+will give it up. And, as General Smuts has said, that is the basis which
+we have laid down in our present proposal."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "You say that you give up your independence as regards
+foreign relations."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "Yes. But then you must understand that this is only a
+general principle, which we treat in detail later on."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "The independence is given up both in regard to our
+foreign relations and in regard to interior administration, which will
+be placed under the supervision of the British Government. So that the
+effect of these two articles is, that the independence is sacrificed,
+and that the two Republics will not in the future be able to be regarded
+as Sovereign States."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I understand perfectly well that they would not be
+Sovereign States any longer, but my intellect is not bright enough for
+me to be able to say what they really would be."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "They would be a new kind of 'international animal.'"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "It has more than once happened in the course of history
+that difficulties have been solved by compromise. And this draft
+proposal goes as near as seems possible towards making us a Colony."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Do you accept the annexation?"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "Not formally; but I do not see in what way this proposal
+is in opposition to the annexation proclamation."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I am afraid I am not clever enough to comprehend this.
+There would be two Governments in one State. And how do you imagine that
+this arrangement could be carried on?"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "A more ample explanation will have to be given of the
+word 'supervision'; and I thought that this was just one of the points
+on which we could carry on further discussions and negotiations."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I am certainly not going to give up an explicit basis for
+a vague proposal."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I feel convinced that your proposal would never be able
+to be carried out in the practical governing of a country."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I agree that our proposal has not been fully
+worked out, but neither have the Middelburg proposals. This was clearly
+indicated by Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner when these proposals were
+made, and they were only looked upon as a basis on which we could
+negotiate, so that the business might be begun. We naturally cannot
+compel the British Government to accept our proposal; but, at all
+events, it is a basis."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I am very anxious that these discussions should not end in
+smoke, and I shall not allow any formalities to stand in the way, but to
+abandon the definite proposals of Middelburg (March 7th) for a thing
+like this, and to begin a fresh discussion on the basis of something
+which is so very vague will surely land us in trouble. I believe we are
+quite entitled to keep you to the Middelburg proposal, which we might
+modify in regard to details."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "Perhaps it would be well if you would first
+give an answer to our proposals."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I think that (unless your Excellencies have
+power to give a final answer to our terms) it would not be unfair if we
+were to ask you to lay our proposal before your Government."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "We are come here with the earnest intention
+of concluding peace; and I think that if our proposal is carried out
+Boer and Briton will be able to live side by side in this country. I
+presume that it is the wish of both parties to be fair and just, and to
+make a peace by which both can abide, and which will be permanent in
+South Africa."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "That is certainly our aim."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Your proposal would involve important changes in our
+own&mdash;changes which, so far as I understand them, we should be unable to
+permit."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I am of opinion that before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> a proposal is
+made from your side you should give a definite answer to ours."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner: "Well, then, change your proposal into
+ours."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I do not believe that the British Government is prepared
+to go any further to meet you than they have done in their last
+proposal. They think that they have already gone far in their efforts
+for peace&mdash;further, indeed, than the general opinion of the British
+public would warrant."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "The difference between our proposals seems to be too
+great."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "We shall always remain under the supervision
+of the British Government."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Will you then consider yourselves British subjects?
+'Supervision' is a new word, and 'suzerainty' has already caused us too
+much trouble."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "The idea is not so very new. There are several kinds of
+different States, all belonging to the British Empire. For instance,
+there is Basutoland."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "There are many different kinds, but this one is a new
+variety."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "If your Excellencies could only understand us! We have
+no wish to lose a single minute. We have been to the nation, and we know
+what the nation wants and what their temper is. If, then, we are to make
+a proposal here, it must be:&mdash;Firstly, a proposal which shall meet the
+English Government in a fair way; and, secondly, a proposal which we are
+honestly convinced will be acceptable to our nation. And such a proposal
+we have laid before you. And now we are placed in a disadvantageous
+position, for we are here before your Excellencies, who have not full
+power finally to decide the matter."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "We are in the same position as yourselves."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "We offer you here what we know is in accordance with the
+mind of the nation; we cannot possibly do anything that is against it."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "Are we to understand that the Middelburg proposals are not
+according to the mind of your people?"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "As yet no answer has been given to them. The only
+decision come to by the national meeting is that which we are now laying
+before you."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Are you prepared to set aside your present proposal and
+to hand in another one bearing a closer resemblance to that of
+Middelburg? We must try and find some middle course; and as we are here
+to endeavour to arrive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> at something definite, let us try to obtain a
+basis for discussion. Shall we make a new proposal?"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "As soon as there is a final answer to our proposal we
+shall be able to take a fresh one into consideration."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I believe that the fact that you have refused to enter
+upon the proposal made by the British Government justifies us in not
+considering your proposal. Let us rather say that your very refusal
+implies your answer to what we have proposed."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "I understand the position to be as follows&mdash;The British
+Government has declined our proposals, and at the same time holds fast
+to the old basis, but without prejudice to its power of making a new
+proposal."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "The whole difference between you and myself is that I take
+the letter of 7th March to be the utmost concession that the British
+Government is able to grant; not that that letter binds us down to every
+clause of the proposal, but that it is an indication of how far our
+Government is prepared to go on the general question. Your answer,
+however, is no answer at all."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener then read his telegram, dated 14th April. ["A difficulty
+has arisen in getting on with the proceedings; the representatives state
+that constitutionally they have no power to discuss terms based on the
+surrender of independence, inasmuch as only the burghers can agree to
+such a basis. Therefore, if they were to propose terms, it would put
+them in a false position with regard to the people. If, however, His
+Majesty's Government could state the terms which, subsequently to a
+relinquishment of independence, they would be prepared to grant, the
+representatives, after asking for the necessary explanations, and
+without any expression of approval or disapproval, would submit such
+conditions to their people."] "Clearly you have not kept to what you
+undertook in this telegram."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "If it had only been a question of our
+feelings being hurt by having to give an answer on the basis proposed to
+us by the British then it would not have been necessary for the people
+to come together at Vereeniging. But in matter of fact we have come here
+with a proposal, which, rightly understood, is nearly equivocal to the
+Middelburg proposal, and which meets the wishes of the English
+Government as far as possible."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I do not see why we should insist so much on
+our proposal. If it is not to the mind of your Excellencies, if it is an
+unacceptable proposal, then let us have a definite answer to it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "We wish to have an answer to the proposal made by us."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "I do not see that any proposal has been made by the
+British Government. A certain basis only has been laid down, and
+therefore no formal answer is required."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "Our proposal is six times as definite as yours, and I
+believe that the British Government is justified in wanting to know if
+your people are inclined to come to terms on the general lines which
+have been placed before them."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Here is quite an original suggestion: How would it be
+if you were to go back to your people and ask them if they would not
+make a proposal?"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "You must understand that the Middelburg proposal, with
+all that took place in April, has been read to the people. Their answer
+was neither 'Yes' nor 'No.' They simply elected the delegates. The
+delegates as yet have not given any answer. They are still considering
+the matter, and, in order to gain time, they have commissioned us to see
+whether we could not come to some arrangement."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "We are getting away from the subject. Tell us what
+alterations you want, and then place our proposal before your people."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Should you agree that your proposal is not in
+opposition to the annexation, we shall have accomplished something."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "Is it your opinion that our proposal must be set aside?"</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Yes, surely. It is impossible for us to act on it."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "It is impossible for us to take your proposal into
+consideration. We can send it to England, but this would certainly tend
+to hinder the negotiations. This is my personal opinion, which naturally
+you are not bound to accept. All that we can say is, that this is the
+only answer that we can give you."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "It would be better to draw up a new document, in which
+everything of importance would be noted down, and all unimportant
+matters left out."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "But paragraph 3 of our proposal has not even been
+mentioned. We are prepared to cede a part of our territory."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "This would be in contradiction to the annexation of the
+whole. If the <i>whole</i> becomes annexed by us, how then can a <i>part</i> be
+ceded by you?"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "The ceded part would then become a Crown Colony, the
+remaining part being governed as is here proposed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "You mean that one part would become a British Colony of
+the ordinary type, and another part a protected Republic?"</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Two forms of government in the same country would lead
+to great friction. Our proposals are too divergent. From a military
+point of view, the two forms of government could not co-exist. Before a
+year was over we should be at war again."</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was then adjourned till the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>During the interval the Commission discussed the situation, and sent
+General J.C. Smuts to deliberate on several points with Lord Kitchener
+and Lord Milner.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting opened again at four o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "In consequence of an informal conversation with General
+Smuts, Lord Kitchener and I have drawn up a document, which will show
+the form in which, as we think, the only agreement that can be arrived
+at must be worded. It is a draft document, and we believe the
+Governments will be able to sign it. Our idea is that after it has been
+taken into consideration here it might be laid before the burghers, and
+you could ask them, 'Are you willing that we should put our signatures
+to it?'"</p>
+
+<p>This document ran as follows:&mdash;"The undersigned, leaders of the Boer
+forces in the Veldt, accepting, in their own name, and in that of the
+said burghers, the annexations as mentioned in the proclamations of Lord
+Roberts, dated respectively the 24th May, in the year of our Lord
+nineteen hundred, and number 15, dated 1st day of September, in the year
+of our Lord nineteen hundred, and accepting as a consequence thereof
+their status of British citizens, agree herewith immediately to lay down
+their weapons, and to hand over all guns, small arms, ammunition, and
+stores in their possession, or under their hold, and to cease all
+further resistance against the Government of His Majesty King Edward
+Seventh, or his successors. They do this trusting in the assurance of
+His Majesty's Government that neither their personal freedom nor their
+property shall be taken away from them, or from the burghers who
+surrender with them; and that the future action of His Majesty's
+Government in relation to the consequences of the war shall be in
+harmony with the declaration mentioned below. It is clearly understood
+that all burghers who at present are prisoners of war, in order to be
+able to enjoy the above-mentioned assurance, will have to notify their
+acceptance of the status of British citizens."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "Are we to understand that our proposal is now
+altogether rejected?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner and Lord Kitchener: "Yes."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "Then I understand that you are going to be
+guided only by the Middelburg proposals?"</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "No; we can alter them."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "This draft document was originally written out in order to
+be annexed to the Middelburg proposals. But instead of the Middelburg
+proposals, this document is now drawn up, in order to place us in the
+position to formulate the proposals differently."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "If the idea is then that the Middelburg proposals should
+be amended, would it not be best to do so now, and then to annex them to
+this document?"</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "That which will take the place of the Middelburg proposals
+has to be added as a schedule to this document, and we have to work out
+this schedule together."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "I think it would be far better if you were to alter the
+proposal yourselves, and then lay it before us for consideration; we
+could then see what we could do to meet you."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I think that a sub-committee should be formed by you in
+order to draw up the schedule."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "My idea is that the schedule should be drawn up, so that
+it and the document could be taken into consideration together."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "We should like to consider first whether we will help in
+drawing it up."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I am willing to draw it up in conjunction with you, or to
+let it be drawn up by you alone, but, from past experience, I must
+decline to draw it up by myself."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "If we were to sign this document, would not the outcome
+be that we leaders made ourselves responsible for the laying down of
+arms by our burghers."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "Yes. And should your men not lay down their arms it would
+be a great misfortune."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I do not think so, for if some of the burghers refused
+to lay down their arms, the signatories could not help it. There are
+sure to be some who are dissatisfied."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "The document does not mention this."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "It can be amended."</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey: "Well, then, there can be no peace, for one part of
+the burghers will hold back and continue the war."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "If the national meeting agrees to give you power to sign
+this document, it will certainly mean that the burghers as a whole are
+agreeable; and those who after this do not submit will be&mdash;well, I do
+not know what I can call<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> them&mdash;outlaws. But we will not consider such
+an eventuality possible."</p>
+
+<p>General Botha: "We desire a peace that will be honourable to both
+parties. And, as I understand this document, we are leaving honour
+behind us, for we are now not only surrendering our independence, but we
+are allowing every burgher to be fettered hand and foot. Where is the
+'honourable peace' for us? If we conclude peace, we have to do it as men
+who have to live and die here. We must not agree to a peace which leaves
+behind in the hearts of one party a wound that will never heal. I will
+do everything in my power to obtain peace. But it seems to me that this
+document asks too much of us, because, if I interpret it aright, it
+means that we must surrender our independence, that every one must give
+up his weapons, and that the leaders, in addition, must sign an
+undertaking to this effect."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "All that we wish is that the people should live peacefully
+together as British citizens. If we do not obtain this, then I do not
+know what we do obtain."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I do not think that the Commandant-General realizes
+what the schedule contains. In it we state what we are ready to grant.
+Perhaps it would be best that the schedule should be arranged now, and
+then you will see that an honourable peace is proposed."</p>
+
+<p>General Botha: "Well, then, explain the document."</p>
+
+<p>Lords Kitchener and Milner: "You are to help us: we do not know what the
+burghers demand."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "By signing this document we shall place
+ourselves in the position which the Commandant-General has so clearly
+described."</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey: "We cannot form a judgment on anything that is not
+properly elaborated. I have no objection to the constitution of a
+sub-committee with the duty of helping in the work."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I also have no objection, since I understand
+that it binds nobody to anything."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "No, nobody will be bound."</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey: "We wish to have the matter concluded, so that we may
+know what is before us."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I should like to have it clearly understood
+that I do not think there is the least chance of a Government of which
+Lords Kitchener and Milner are the heads being accepted. An arrangement
+of this nature would, it seems to me, be an insurmountable difficulty.
+When I feel so strongly in this matter, it would not be fair to their
+Excellencies for me to remain silent."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I think it would be better if General de Wet were to
+wait until he has seen the whole document before he gives his opinion."</p>
+
+<p>It was then agreed that Judge Hertzog and General Smuts should act as a
+sub-committee, in order to draw up a complete draft with Lord Kitchener,
+who was to be assisted by Sir Richard Solomon.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting then adjourned.</p>
+
+<p>On Wednesday, 21st May, 1902, the Conference reassembled.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner laid before the meeting the documents which he had drawn up
+with the help of the sub-committee. It was in the form of a contract,
+and the names of the members of both Governments were now filled in. The
+document was the same as that telegraphed, with the exception of Article
+11, dealing with the notes and receipts and the sum of three million
+pounds.</p>
+
+<p>It was read in Dutch and English, and ran as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Commander-in-Chief, and His
+Excellency Lord Milner, High Commissioner, on behalf of the British
+Government;</p>
+
+<p>"Messrs. S.D. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Louis Botha, J.H. De la Rey, L.J.
+Meijer, and J.C. Krogh, on behalf of the Government of the South African
+Republic and its burghers;</p>
+
+<p>"Messrs. M.T. Steyn, W.J.C. Brebner, C.R. de Wet, J.B.M. Hertzog, and
+C.H. Olivier, on behalf of the Government of the Orange Free State and
+its burghers, being anxious to put an end to the existing hostilities,
+agree on the following points:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Firstly, the burgher forces now in the Veldt shall at once lay down
+their arms, and surrender all the guns, small arms and war stores in
+their actual possession, or of which they have cognizance; and shall
+refrain from any further opposition to the authority of His Majesty King
+Edward VII., whom they acknowledge as their lawful sovereign.</p>
+
+<p>"The manner and details of this surrender shall be arranged by Lord
+Kitchener, Commandant-General Botha, Assistant-Commandant-General J.H.
+De la Rey, and Commander-in-Chief de Wet.</p>
+
+<p>"Secondly, burghers in the Veldt beyond the frontiers of the Transvaal
+and of the Orange River Colony shall, on their surrender, be brought
+back to their homes.</p>
+
+<p>"Thirdly, all prisoners of war, being at the time burghers out of South
+Africa, shall, on their declaring that they accept this status of
+subjects of His Majesty King Edward VII., be brought back to the farms
+on which they were living before the war.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Fourthly, the burghers who thus surrender, or who thus return, shall
+lose neither their personal freedom nor their property.</p>
+
+<p>"Fifthly, no judicial proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be taken
+against any of the burghers who thus return for any action of theirs in
+connexion with the carrying on of the war.</p>
+
+<p>"Sixthly, the Dutch language shall be taught in the public schools of
+the Transvaal and of the Orange River Colony, where the parents of the
+children demand it; and shall be admitted in the courts of justice,
+wherever this is required for the better and more effective
+administration of justice.</p>
+
+<p>"Seventhly, the possession of rifles shall, on taking out a license in
+accordance with the law, be permitted in the Transvaal and in the Orange
+River Colony, to persons who require them for their protection.</p>
+
+<p>"Eighthly, military administration in the Transvaal and in the Orange
+River Colony shall, as soon as possible, be followed by civil
+government; and, as soon as circumstances permit it, a representative
+system tending towards autonomy shall be introduced.</p>
+
+<p>"Ninthly, the question of granting the franchise to the natives shall
+not be decided until a representative constitution has been granted.</p>
+
+<p>"Tenthly, no special tax shall be laid on landed property in the
+Transvaal and Orange River Colony to meet the expenses of the war.</p>
+
+<p>"Eleventhly, a judicial Commission shall be appointed, to which the
+government bank notes, issued under Law No. 1 of the South African
+Republic, may be presented within six months. All such notes, if found
+to have been duly issued in conformity with the terms of the law, and if
+the presenting party shall have given consideration in value, shall be
+honoured, but without interest.</p>
+
+<p>"All receipts issued in the Veldt by the officers of the late Republics,
+or by their orders, may also be presented to the said Commission within
+six months; and if they have been given <i>bona fide</i> in exchange for
+goods used by the burghers in the Veldt, they shall be paid in full to
+the persons to whom they were originally issued.</p>
+
+<p>"The amount payable on account of the said Government's notes and
+receipts shall not exceed &pound;3,000,000; and in case the whole amount of
+such notes and receipts accepted by the Commission should exceed that
+amount, a <i>pro rata</i> reduction shall be made.</p>
+
+<p>"The prisoners of war shall be given facilities to present their notes
+and receipts within the above-mentioned six months.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Twelfthly, as soon as circumstances shall permit, there shall be
+appointed in each district of the Transvaal and of the Orange River
+Colony a Commission, in which the inhabitants of that district shall be
+represented, under the chairmanship of a magistrate or other official,
+with a view to assist in the bringing back of the people to their farms,
+and in procuring for those who, on account of losses through the war,
+are unable to provide for themselves, food, shelter, and such quantities
+of seed, cattle, implements, etc., as are necessary for the resuming of
+their previous callings. Funds for this purpose, repayable by
+instalments extending over a number of years, shall be advanced&mdash;free of
+interest&mdash;by the Government."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "If we come to an agreement, it will be the <i>English</i>
+document which will be wired to England, on which His Majesty's
+Government will decide, and which will be signed."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "Will not a Dutch translation be annexed?"</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I have no objection to the addition of a Dutch
+translation. This, then, is the document which we are prepared to lay
+before the English Government."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "There are a few points on which I wish to
+speak. The first is in reference to the receipts given by our officers.
+It seems to me quite right that they should be mentioned in the
+paragraph about government notes. These receipts were issued, in
+accordance with instructions given by our Government, for the purchase
+of cattle, grain, and other necessaries for the support of our
+commandos; and the chief officers now present, as well as all other
+officers, have acted according to these instructions and issued
+receipts. Therefore I make this request. Some of these receipts were
+afterwards paid in part, and others in full, in government notes. But
+many were not paid at all. I do not believe that the amount is great,
+but it will strengthen our hands to be able to take up this affair
+honourably, for our honour is concerned in so far as we have signed the
+receipts. It will be a great point in our favour to be able to go before
+our delegates and tell them that they are guaranteed on this point, for
+most of them are officers."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I understand that General Botha refers not to
+commandeer or requisition notes, but only to actual receipts issued on
+the Treasury."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I do not see any difference between these receipts and
+commandeer notes. The willingness of persons to sell goods makes no
+difference in a legal document."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I mean that it makes a difference whether<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> it is an
+order on the Treasury or a requisition note. I should limit this
+(guarantee) to receipts on the Treasury, issued in consequence of a law
+that permitted a certain sum to be issued."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "No decision was come to in the Free State as
+to how much was to be issued."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Am I to understand by this that it is an unlimited
+amount, or does it come within the amount decided on by the Volksraad?"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "While the Government existed the Volksraad empowered it
+to issue notes up to a certain amount. And this was done. Moreover the
+officers in the Veldt had the right to make purchases for the commandos
+and to give receipts for them."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I can see no difference between receipts and requisition
+notes, and they have been issued for an unlimited amount."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "These receipts were issued under a totally different
+law. They were not paid out of the credit voted by the Volksraad."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I would have it clearly understood that I
+quite agree with what has been said by the Commandant-General, namely
+that the honour of every officer is engaged for these documents, and if
+your Excellencies agree it will give us a strong weapon with which to
+return to the delegates."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "The proposal is <i>de facto</i> that the British Government
+shall repay all the monies which the Republics borrowed with the object
+of fighting against England."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "Yet we have fought honourably, and if we
+give up our independence it is no more than fair that you should meet us
+in this matter."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "Am I to understand your position to be that
+we must surrender everything, and that whilst you take away the freedom
+of our country (which amounts to many millions) you at the same time
+refuse all responsibility for our debts. We had been recognized by you
+as belligerent, and so are entirely in our rights in asking that when
+you seize the riches of the country you shall also take its debts upon
+your shoulders. So long as the British Government reaches the great goal
+at which it is aiming, a matter so easily arranged as this should not
+cause any difficulty: we are not bickering about trifles, but are
+bringing forward what to us is a real hardship, and you must take it for
+granted that when we say something here we really mean it. And now we
+tell you that this matter is an obstacle in our way. Per<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>sonally, we
+have not signed many receipts: it was the officers of lower rank who
+signed the greater number, and it is these very officers who form the
+majority of the national meeting at Vereeniging. In some instances, I
+may add, special persons were appointed for the purpose of carrying out
+this work."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "We do not take over the assets without taking also the
+liabilities. We take over all the debts owed by the country before the
+war, and we have even agreed to take over a debt&mdash;a legal debt&mdash;in the
+shape of notes, which notes we are fully aware it only became necessary
+to issue on account of the war, and thus we are already paying a part of
+the cost incurred in fighting us. I think this is a very great
+concession; and when I agreed that it should be put down I said that I
+believed (and I still am of the same opinion) that the English
+Government would take exception to it, although I hope that this will
+not be the case. But to go further than this, and to ask us to pay not
+only a debt contracted under a law for the furtherance of the war, but
+also every debt contracted by every officer in the armies of both
+Republics, for the purpose of fighting us, is to my mind a most
+extravagant proposal. In answer to what General Botha has said, I may
+observe that the Commission appears to think that we have no persons
+behind us whose feelings and prejudices (if you use that word) we are
+bound to take into consideration. If this matter causes a difficulty
+among your burghers, I can only say that I am sure that your proposal
+will cause the British Government the greatest trouble when dealing with
+the nation, with whose feelings they have to reckon."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I should like to explain the position of the
+Orange Free State. In the Transvaal a law was passed empowering the
+Government to issue &pound;1,000,000; but in the Orange Free State nothing was
+done, as the Government possessed the right to pay with receipts, and we
+thought that a receipt was as good and as legal as a note; and
+therefore, from my point of view, the two are of equal importance."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I might point out that we should not insist
+so much on the technical meaning of words&mdash;and this is especially true
+for your side, because we have assembled here with the aim of stopping
+the hostilities which cause you such great expenses every month; and our
+meeting may be able to bring these expenses to an end. Therefore, if you
+accept our proposal and pay these receipts, you might save almost enough
+to cover the cost you incur. It would be much cheaper to make an end of
+the war by co-operation than to let matters drift on. Therefore I
+believe that it is the duty of both parties to be willing to make
+concessions when obstacles appear."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>General de Wet: "I can assure His Excellency, Lord Milner, that the
+people always believed that should everything be lost they still would
+be able to obtain this money due on receipts. If this is not granted, I
+cannot imagine what the results will be. I am afraid of the
+consequences; and I trust that you will do your best to meet our
+wishes."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "It will not be a very large sum, but we
+cannot give you the exact amount."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "You can well understand that our expenses
+are only a drop in the ocean compared with yours. If I am right, the
+Orange Free State had three quarters of a million when the war began,
+and the issue of receipts only started when that sum was exhausted. Your
+Excellencies must acknowledge that we have the same obligation of
+creditor through these receipts as we should have in any other case."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "You have already many of our notes in your
+possession. In one case alone there were fifty thousand hidden away, and
+found by you. I have stated privately to Lord Milner that what we are
+now striving to obtain has already been granted to us <i>de facto</i> by Lord
+Kitchener. In Lord Kitchener's Middelburg proposal the paying of the
+Government notes was refused, but there was a proviso that the receipts
+should be paid to the amount of one million. Should this now be
+withdrawn, surely such a withdrawal would form a deviation from the
+Middelburg proposal. The paying of notes is legal, and is on quite
+another footing, and I cannot understand how it could have been refused
+in the Middelburg proposal. That it should be granted now is only
+reasonable. But as regards the payment of receipts, although it was
+allowed then up to a certain amount, it is now withdrawn. At this
+present stage of the proceedings I think that a point which had already
+been practically conceded in the previous negotiations should not be
+allowed to form a stumbling-block to a final agreement. I believe that
+the amount is only small; I was for one year in conjunction with De la
+Rey in command of the forces of the South African Republic. During that
+period of time an account was kept of all the receipts, and only a short
+time back the books were still in our possession. These receipts were
+issued in an orderly manner, and each of them was duly entered in a
+book, as far as I was able to judge. These receipts amounted to quite a
+small sum; and although Lord Milner would draw back if the sum was very
+big, the question how far he will go can be settled when the proposal is
+accepted. Yet I personally think that there are no grounds for fear, and
+the amount is really far smaller than you imagine."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I do not think it is so much a question of amount. This
+paying of notes and requisition notes appears to me very unreasonable. I
+believe that in this matter I am only voicing the opinion of the great
+majority of the British nation when I say that my countrymen would much
+prefer to pay a large sum at the conclusion of hostilities with the
+object of bettering the condition of the people who have been fighting
+against them than to pay a much smaller sum to meet the costs incurred
+by the Republics during the war. Whether such a view is right or wrong,
+it is a view you have to reckon with. We do not wish to pay the accounts
+of both parties; and my opinion of the clause quoted from the Middelburg
+proposal is that that clause was one of its faults. But should anything
+of the kind become necessary, then I think that the paying of the notes
+is less objectionable than the paying of the requisition notes. I placed
+this point about the payment of notes in the draft because I thought
+that if it came to a choice between paying one or the other you would
+prefer that the notes should be paid. However, if it should be thought
+better to return on this point to the Middelburg proposal, although I am
+greatly against the clause, I will waive my objection to it if Lord
+Kitchener is agreeable."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "I am afraid that we cannot agree to this, for we thought
+that the notes would be beyond all dispute."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "I do not think that your Excellency is representing the
+matter fairly when you say that you will not pay the bills of both
+parties. There is one thing to be taken into consideration as regards
+the Orange Free State, and which must be considered before everything
+else, and that is, that we have made no loans nor have we given any
+government notes. The notes we used were notes of the South African
+Republic, which had been sent to the Orange Free State. Our law was
+formed on the idea that in case of war all the costs should be paid by
+commission notes. The Orange Free State acted on this principle, and
+receipts were issued. If we take into consideration at the same time
+that we have been and still are recognized by you as belligerent, then
+we can only say: On our side we surrender everything that we possess,
+and we only ask the other party to acknowledge the fact that if we had
+contracted a loan it would have been to the charge of the British
+Government, who, in taking everything from us, renders itself
+responsible for our public loans. Lord Milner should understand that it
+is of just as much importance to us for the receipts to be paid as it is
+to the South African Republic for the loan, which it contracted before
+the war, to be taken over by the British Government. But I can even go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span>
+further and give Lord Milner the assurance that we have acted more
+economically when issuing these receipts than we should have done had we
+contracted the loan previous to the war. Now we have only what is
+absolutely necessary to meet our present needs. So that Lord Milner must
+own that we find ourselves in the same position towards those who are in
+possession of receipts, as we should have occupied towards any other
+creditor we might have had before the war began. I must give my support
+to what the Commandant-General has said; and I can only repeat what I
+have already informally told Lord Milner, namely, that this difficulty
+is almost insurmountable."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "We can refer this to our Government. But your proposal is
+altogether antagonistic to the Middelburg proposal, which absolutely
+rejected the idea of taking over all the debts of the two States."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I should like to know the amount."</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey: "My issue of notes amounts to between twenty and
+fifty thousand pounds; but I cannot say what the issue in receipt has
+been."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "There really is a feasible compromise, namely, to allow
+the notes and receipts to come in and to establish the suggested limit
+of &pound;1,000,000."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Would that meet your difficulty?"</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "No."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Well, would two or three million be sufficient? We must
+have a limit before we can do anything."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "It is impossible to stipulate the amount."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "If you were in a position to give a limit, it would
+simplify matters."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I agree with that entirely, and I can quite
+understand the position in which you are placed. Yet it is absolutely
+impossible to assign an amount. Will you give us your permission to
+adjourn for a moment in order to discuss the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was then adjourned. It reassembled at 2.30 p.m.</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "We have agreed to fix on a sum of &pound;3,000,000
+for the government notes and receipts; their amount paid <i>pro rata</i> can
+be lowered should this sum prove insufficient. We have drawn up an
+article to lay before the meeting."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts then read a draft which was inserted at the end of Article
+11 in the draft agreement.</p>
+
+<p>In answer to a question by Lord Kitchener, Commander-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span>in-Chief de Wet
+said: "The prisoners of war on the different islands who are in
+possession of such notes should be given an opportunity of sending them
+in for payment."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "What is the next point you wish to raise? We now
+understand what your position is."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "Am I to understand that you mean that we are
+getting away from the point in discussion?"</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "This document contains your view of the matter, so we are
+now aware of your idea."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "We must know what to say to the delegates."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Is this the only point you wish to bring forward, or
+are there others in addition?"</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "There is another concerning the protection of
+debtors, which is a vital question for us."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "We must not have any beating about the bush. Everything
+must appear in the document."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "Most of the debts contracted before the war will have to
+be paid after the war; and if the debtors cannot pay we are afraid that
+it will result in the ruin of a great part of the inhabitants. We should
+like to see steps taken to prevent this. If Lord Milner intends to take
+such steps, we should like to be informed what they are."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I think it would be best if you were to make a proposal on
+this point."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "Our proposal is roughly that all interest which became
+payable during the war should be joined to the principal, and that this
+should be payable six months after the war."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Is it necessary to make a proposal about this?"</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "If the Government is prepared to meet us in this
+difficulty it will be unnecessary to place a formal clause in the draft
+agreement."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "As I look at the matter, the Government is making certain
+promises in this document, and I consider that all promises to which a
+reference may be made later should appear in it. Everything to which the
+Government is asked to bind itself should appear in this document, and
+nothing else. I do not object to clauses being added, but I wish to
+prevent any possible misunderstanding."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "Well, in that case we are quite willing to propose such
+a paragraph."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "We waive this question, so that early
+measures may be taken to arrive at an understand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span>ing. In case a great
+number of the inhabitants become subjects of His Majesty, it is to every
+one's interest, and principally to that of the Government, that these
+people should not be ruined. They will be thrown upon the mercy of a
+Government, whose duty it is to study their interests. If steps are not
+taken to prevent it, speculators who have been buying up the liabilities
+will, as soon as peace is concluded, enforce them, and directly the
+Courts of Justice are opened they will issue summonses. Against this we
+have to be on our guard."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I agree with the Commandant-General. I think that as these
+people become subjects of His Majesty, then some provision will have to
+be made for them. But I believe it to be neither necessary nor advisable
+to point out in every particular case the way in which His Majesty's
+Government has to provide for these people. I think that an idea
+exists&mdash;perhaps it is a very natural idea&mdash;because we have been fighting
+against the burghers that, therefore, after peace has been concluded we
+shall still retain a feeling of enmity against them. Just the opposite,
+however, is the truth. Our endeavour will naturally be, from the moment
+hostilities cease, to gain the confidence of the people and to do our
+best to promote their welfare. But if we have to bind ourselves
+beforehand in regard to the manner in which we shall deal with all sorts
+of involved legal questions, further misunderstandings are certain to
+occur. If you have not confidence in us&mdash;that we shall try to be a
+righteous Government, and to maintain the balance between the different
+classes of His Majesty's subjects&mdash;then you must put in writing every
+point that strikes you, and let them be laid before His Majesty's
+Government, to see what they think about them."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I trust that you will not think that we are
+trying to tie the hands of His Majesty's Government. There are many
+other points which will give the Government opportunity to win the
+confidence of the people. But about things which concern the financial
+position of burghers who are entirely ruined we feel it our duty to
+obtain definite promises. They will be a weapon in our hands when we
+return to the delegates."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I do not quite understand, Lord Milner. I did
+not interpret Mr. Chamberlain's telegram in the sense that we had to
+present new proposals in order to bind our hands further. I thought that
+proposals were to be made with a view to establishing peace."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I do not think that it is altogether necessary to
+include this proposal in the document. It concerns the very involved
+legal questions as to what the rights<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> of creditor and debtor shall be,
+and as to what the law in the Transvaal may be on the matter. I think
+that every one can rest assured that the interests of the Boers will be
+protected by the Government in every way; and this, whether the point is
+put down now or left in the hands of the Government with the
+recommendation from this Commission to take the matter into serious
+consideration.</p>
+
+<p>"I think that I know of a better way to deal with this involved
+question. Let this matter be brought under the consideration of the
+Government. I may be mistaken, but, as far as I can see, it will prove a
+very thorny question for the lawyers, and will take a long time before
+it can be clearly stated. It is, however, the wish of us all that you
+should return to the delegates equipped in such a way that you will be
+able to arrive at a decision. You may rest assured that the matter which
+you have brought before us has been included in the minutes of this
+meeting. I do not think that it is necessary for you to go further than
+this. The matter can now be carefully considered, not only here, but
+also in England; and you may be quite sure that your interests will
+receive, in every way, full consideration."</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey: "I think that the matter has been sufficiently
+discussed in the presence of your Excellencies, and that it need not be
+placed in the draft contract, for by so doing one might stumble on legal
+questions."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "This is my point of view: There are two
+parties, and one of them is about to cease to exist. It is, therefore,
+natural that this party cannot allow a vital question to pass unnoticed.
+It is for this reason that I cannot agree that this matter should be
+omitted from the draft contract. It will not be necessary that the
+military Government which now exists should continue after the war."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "But the question will have to be settled by the Civil
+Government. It is a matter for lawyers, and must be laid before them,
+and will require much consideration."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "When hostilities are concluded it will be
+possible to summon a burgher for a debt contracted before the war. I put
+this request because our law states that no burgher can be summoned till
+sixty days have elapsed since the conclusion of peace."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "You may entirely rely upon this, that whenever the war
+is over each burgher will have the absolute right to obtain
+consideration for his position in every way, and that his interests will
+be protected under the new as under the old r&eacute;gime."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I understand that perfectly. But the
+possibility exists that syndicates may be formed to buy up all the
+debts, and the people may be ruined before a single burgher is in the
+position to earn anything or to have his position restored."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I quite agree with what the Commandant-General has
+said, and he is quite right to bring the question up. Yet I do not think
+that the draft contract is the best place in which to bring it forward.
+Once peace is a fact, then it will be the duty of every one to draw the
+attention of the Government to what is required to aid the nation; but
+to bring up difficulties at the present moment, and to attempt to right
+them, seems to be an endless task, and one for which this document was
+not destined."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I am of opinion that this is a matter which
+should be settled by a proclamation; but I want to have as many weapons
+as possible in my hands when I return to the national delegates, and one
+of the first questions that will be asked me is this, 'What guarantee do
+we possess that we shall not be ruined by our creditors?' It would not
+be much trouble to you to give us now a draft of the proclamation which
+would be issued as soon as peace is concluded."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "But this would be something quite apart from the matter
+under discussion."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "Yes."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "What is the good then?"</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "It is such a vital question for us that you
+cannot take it amiss if we insist upon it, for we have to give up
+everything."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "Of course, no one is blaming you."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "But without any thought of blame, I must point out that
+the effect of their proposal would be that another clause would have to
+be inserted in the draft contract, undertaking that such a proclamation
+would be issued."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "I think that as long as the delegates receive an
+assurance that the Government will take this matter into consideration,
+in the interests of their subjects, whom they are bound to protect, that
+such an assurance ought to suffice. There should be no written
+undertaking, but only a promise that the matter shall receive attention.
+It is not advisable after the subject has been brought before the
+Government to press the matter further. The feelings of the burghers,
+moreover, in other ways than this, will be brought before Lord Milner."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "If we wished to do so, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span> could insist upon
+many other little points, but we only bring up vital questions."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "This is one of the questions which, when once brought
+under the consideration of the Government cannot be put aside; and you
+may tell the burghers that their interests will be protected as fully as
+is possible. I think that, in so complicated a matter, this ought to be
+sufficient for them. All that is debated here is recorded in the
+minutes, and these minutes will be considered not only here, but also in
+England. Are you satisfied with this?"</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "Yes, so far as I am concerned."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I also am satisfied."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I hope it is quite understood that if the matter is
+allowed to remain where it is, my Government will be under no obligation
+to treat the matter in any particular way."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "But there is a pledge that the matter will be properly
+considered."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "Yes, naturally; if we put anything down in writing. I am
+convinced that it is necessary to make it quite clear that this document
+must contain everything about which there is anything in the form of a
+pledge."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "There is, then, a pledge that the point upon which you
+have touched will be considered in your interests."</p>
+
+<p>General Smuts: "There still remains the question of the payment of
+receipts."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Kitchener: "That will be placed before the Government. The sum is
+an essential point; I believe the amount to be considerable. I should
+now like to know that it is understood that we are agreed about all
+these draft proposals, including your amendments, and that there are no
+further questions to be brought forward&mdash;it is necessary to know this,
+as they would have to be telegraphed to England."</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "We have no further points to raise."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "The telegram that I shall despatch is as follows:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>'The Commission is prepared to lay before their burgher meeting the
+following document (in the event of it being sanctioned by His
+Majesty's Government), and to ask of the meeting a "Yes" or "No."'</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Is that satisfactory?"</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "Yes, naturally. Only I cannot say that this
+document has my approval. Yet I shall be content to abide by the
+decision of the delegates."</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog: "I should not like to think that we are bound to use our
+influence with the delegates."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "I think that is understood. I understand that the members
+of the Commission are not bound in respect of the opinions they may
+express before the burghers. They are only bound, if the British
+Government approves of the document, to lay it before the people. I
+propose to send the following telegram:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>'The Commission is prepared to lay the following document before
+the burgher meeting at Vereeniging, for a "Yes" or "No" vote, in
+the event of His Majesty's Government approving of it.'</p></div>
+
+<p>"I want also to state that we have completely deviated from the
+Middelburg proposal. I believe everyone is fully aware that the
+Middelburg proposal has been annulled altogether. Should an agreement be
+arranged in conformity with this document, and signed, then no attempt
+must be made to explain the document, or its terms, by anything in the
+Middelburg proposal."</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was now adjourned.</p>
+
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Wednesday, May 28th, 1902.</span></h4>
+
+<p>The Commission met Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner at eleven o'clock with
+the purpose of hearing the British Government's answer to the draft
+proposal sent by their Lordships.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner read the following memorandum:</p>
+
+<p>"In answer to the telegram composed at our last meeting with the consent
+of the Commission and of which the members have received a copy, the
+following message has been received from His Majesty's Government:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'His Majesty's Government sanctions the laying before the meeting for a
+"Yes" or "No" vote the document drawn up by the Commission and sent by
+Lord Kitchener on the 21st May to the Secretary of War, with the
+following amendments:</p>
+
+<p>'The final proposal made by the British Government, on which the
+national representatives at Vereeniging have to answer "Yes" or "No."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Commander-in-Chief, and His
+Excellency Lord Milner, High Commissioner, on behalf of the British
+Government;</p>
+
+<p>'Messrs. S.W. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Louis Botha, J.H. De la Rey, L.J.
+Meijer, and J.C. Krogh on behalf of the Government of the South African
+Republic and its burghers;</p>
+
+<p>'Messrs. M.T. Steyn, W.J.C. Brebner, C.R. de Wet, J.B.M. Hertzog, and
+C.H. Olivier on behalf of the Government of the Orange Free State and
+its burghers, being anxious to put an end to the existing hostilities,
+agree on the following points:</p>
+
+<p>'Firstly, the burgher forces now in the Veldt shall at once lay down
+their arms, and surrender all the guns, small arms, and war stores in
+their actual possession, or of which they have cognizance, and shall
+abstain from any further opposition to the authority of His Majesty King
+Edward VII., whom they acknowledge as their lawful sovereign.</p>
+
+<p>'The manner and details of this surrender shall be arranged by Lord
+Kitchener, Commandant-General Botha, Assistant-Commandant-General J.H.
+De la Rey, and Commander-in-Chief de Wet.</p>
+
+<p>'Secondly, burghers in the Veldt beyond the frontiers of the Transvaal
+and of the Orange River Colony, and all prisoners of war who are out of
+South Africa, who are burghers, shall, on their declaration that they
+accept the status of subjects of His Majesty King Edward VII., be
+brought back to their homes, as soon as transport and means of
+subsistence can be assured.</p>
+
+<p>'Thirdly, the burghers who thus surrender, or who thus return, shall
+lose neither their personal freedom nor their property.</p>
+
+<p>'Fourthly, no judicial proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be taken
+against any of the burghers who thus return for any action in connexion
+with the carrying on of the war. The benefit of this clause shall,
+however, not extend to certain deeds antagonistic to the usages of
+warfare, which have been communicated by the Commander-in-Chief to the
+Boer Generals, and which shall be heard before a court martial
+immediately after the cessation of hostilities.</p>
+
+<p>'Fifthly, the Dutch language shall be taught in the public schools of
+the Transvaal and of the Orange River Colony when the parents of
+children demand it; and shall be admitted in the Courts of Justice,
+whenever this is required for the better and more effective
+administration of justice.</p>
+
+<p>'Sixthly, the possession of rifles shall, on taking out a licence in
+accordance with the law, be permitted in the Trans<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span>vaal and the Orange
+River Colony to persons who require them for their protection.</p>
+
+<p>'Seventhly, military administration in the Transvaal and in the Orange
+River Colony shall, as soon as it is possible, be followed by civil
+government; and, as soon as circumstances permit it, a representative
+system tending towards autonomy shall be introduced.</p>
+
+<p>'Eighthly, the question of granting a franchise to the native shall not
+be decided until a representative constitution has been granted.</p>
+
+<p>'Ninthly, no special tax shall be laid on landed property in the
+Transvaal and Orange River Colony, to meet the expenses of the war.</p>
+
+<p>'Tenthly, as soon as circumstances permit there shall be appointed in
+each district in the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony a Commission,
+in which the inhabitants of that district shall be represented, under
+the chairmanship of a magistrate or other official, with the view to
+assist in the bringing back of the people to their farms, and in
+procuring for those who, on account of losses in the war are unable to
+provide for themselves, food, shelter, and such quantities of seed,
+cattle, implements, etc., as are necessary for the resuming of their
+previous callings.</p>
+
+<p>'His Majesty's Government shall place at the disposal of these
+Commissions the sum of &pound;3,000,000 for the above-mentioned purposes, and
+shall allow that all notes issued in conformity with Law No. 1, 1900, of
+the Government of the South African Republic, and all receipts given by
+the officers in the Veldt of the late Republics, or by their order, may
+be presented to a judicial Commission by the Government, and in case
+such notes and receipts are found by this Commission to have been duly
+issued for consideration in value, then they shall be accepted by the
+said Commission as proof of war losses, suffered by the persons to whom
+they had originally been given. In addition to the above-named free gift
+of &pound;3,000,000, His Majesty's Government will be prepared to grant
+advances, in the shape of loans, for the same ends, free of interest for
+two years, and afterwards repayable over a period of years with three
+per cent. interest. No foreigner or rebel shall be entitled to benefit
+by this clause.'</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "In making this communication to the Commission we are
+instructed to add that if this opportunity of concluding an honourable
+peace is not taken advantage of within a time to be fixed by us, then
+this conference shall be regarded as closed, and His Majesty's
+Government shall not be bound in any way by the present terms. I have,
+in order<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span> that there may be no mistake about these terms, made a copy of
+the documents and of Lord Kitchener's telegram, also of the amendments
+and additions determined on by His Majesty's Government, and of the
+memorandum to which I have just drawn your attention."</p>
+
+<p>A debate now followed on the time that should be allowed for the
+discussion of the proposals at Vereeniging, and it was agreed that
+Commandant-General Botha should propose a term that very day before the
+Commission left Pretoria.</p>
+
+<p>It was subsequently settled that the delegates must arrive at a decision
+before Saturday evening, May 31st.</p>
+
+<p>General Botha asked if there were any objection to the delegates erasing
+any paragraph of the proposal sent by the British Government.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner: "There must be no alteration. Only 'Yes' or 'No' is to be
+answered."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha: "I think that the burghers have the right to
+erase any article they may wish, for they have the right to surrender
+unconditionally."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner replied that the burghers certainly had the power to do so,
+but the document of the British Government could not be changed.</p>
+
+<p>There now followed an informal discussion about the colonists who had
+been fighting on the side of the Republics.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Milner communicated what the British Government's intentions were
+with regard to these colonists; and read the following document:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"His Majesty's Government has to formally place on record that the
+colonists of Natal and the Cape Colony who have been engaged in fighting
+and who now surrender shall, on their return, be dealt with by the
+Colonial Governments in accordance with the laws of the Colonies, and
+that all British subjects who have joined the enemy shall be liable to
+be tried under the law of that part of the British Empire to which they
+belong.</p>
+
+<p>"His Majesty's Government has received from the Government of Cape
+Colony a statement of their opinion as regards the terms to be offered
+to British subjects of the Cape Colony who are still in the Veldt or who
+have surrendered since April 12th, 1901. The terms are as follows:&mdash;In
+regard to the burghers, they all, on their surrender, after having laid
+down their arms, shall sign a document before a resident magistrate of
+the district in which their surrender has taken place, in which document
+they shall declare themselves guilty of high treason; and their
+punishment, in the event of their not having been guilty of murder, or
+of other deeds in contradiction<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> to the customs of civilized warfare,
+shall be that for the rest of their lives they shall not be registered
+as voters, nor shall they be able to vote in Parliamentary, district, or
+municipal elections. As regards justices and veldtcornets of the Cape
+Colony, and all other persons who had occupied official positions under
+the Government of Cape Colony, and all who held the rank of commandant
+in the rebel or burgher forces, they shall be brought on the charge of
+high treason before the ordinary Courts of the country, or before such
+special Courts as later on may legally be constituted. The punishment
+for their misdeeds shall be left to the discretion of the Court, with
+this reservation, that in no case shall capital punishment be inflicted.</p>
+
+<p>"The Government of Natal is of opinion that the rebels should be judged
+by the laws of the Colony."</p>
+
+<p>The meeting now adjourned.</p>
+
+<p>The secretaries and Messrs. de Wet and J. Ferreira, with the help of
+lawyers, set themselves the task of making copies of the proposal of the
+British Government for the use of the national representatives at
+Vereeniging. This work kept them engaged until the evening.</p>
+
+<p>At seven o'clock the Commission left Pretoria and returned to
+Vereeniging.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396a" id="Page_396a">[Pg 396<i>a</i>]</a></span></p>
+
+<h4>THE MIDDELBURG PROPOSAL.</h4>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="center"><span class="smcap">Lord Kitchener to Commandant-General Botha.</span></p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Pretoria</span>, <i>March 7, 1901</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Your Honour</span>,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>With reference to our conversation at Middelburg on the 28th
+February, I have the honour to inform you that, in the event of a
+general and complete cessation of hostilities, and the surrender of
+all rifles, ammunition, cannon and other munitions of war in the
+hands of the burghers, or in Government depots, or elsewhere, His
+Majesty's Government is prepared to adopt the following measures.</p>
+
+<p>His Majesty's Government will at once grant an amnesty in the
+Transvaal and Orange River Colony for all <i>bon&acirc; fide</i> acts of war
+committed during the recent hostilities. British subjects belonging
+to Natal and Cape Colony, while they will not be compelled to
+return to those Colonies, will, if they do so, be liable to be
+dealt with by the laws of those Colonies specially passed to meet
+the circumstances arising out of the present war. As you are
+doubtless aware, the special law in the Cape Colony has greatly
+mitigated the ordinary penalties for high treason in the present
+case.</p>
+
+<p>All prisoners of war, now in St. Helena, Ceylon, or elsewhere,
+being burghers or colonists, will, on the completion of the
+surrender, be brought back to their country as quickly as
+arrangements can be made for their transport.</p>
+
+<p>At the earliest practicable date military administration will
+cease, and will be replaced by civil administration in the form of
+Crown Colony Government. There will, therefore, be, in the first
+instance, in each of the new Colonies, a Governor and an Executive
+Council, composed of the principal officials, with a Legislative
+Council consisting of a certain number of official members to whom
+a nominated unofficial element will be added. But it is the desire
+of His Majesty's Government, as soon as circumstances permit, to
+introduce a representative element, and ultimately to concede to
+the new Colonies the privilege of self-government. Moreover, on the
+cessation of hostilities, a High Court will be established in each
+of the new Colonies to administer the laws of the land, and this
+Court will be independent of the Executive.</p>
+
+<p>Church property, public trusts, and orphan funds will be
+respected.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396b" id="Page_396b">[Pg 396<i>b</i>]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Both the English and Dutch languages will be used and taught in
+public schools when the parents of the children desire it, and
+allowed in Courts of Law.</p>
+
+<p>As regards the debts of the late Republican Governments, His
+Majesty's Government cannot undertake any liability. It is,
+however, prepared, as an act of grace, to set aside a sum not
+exceeding one million pounds sterling to repay inhabitants of the
+Transvaal and Orange River Colony for goods requisitioned from them
+by the late Republican Governments, or subsequent to annexation, by
+Commandants in the field being in a position to enforce such
+requisitions. But such claims will have to be established to the
+satisfaction of a Judge or Judicial Commission, appointed by the
+Government, to investigate and assess them, and, if exceeding in
+the aggregate one million pounds, they will be liable to reduction
+<i>pro rata</i>.</p>
+
+<p>I also beg to inform Your Honour that the new Government will take
+into immediate consideration the possibility of assisting by loan
+the occupants of farms, who will take the oath of allegiance, to
+repair any injuries sustained by destruction of buildings or loss
+of stock during the war, and that no special war tax will be
+imposed upon farms to defray the expense of the war.</p>
+
+<p>When burghers require the protection of firearms, such will be
+allowed to them by licence, and on due registration, provided they
+take the oath of allegiance. Licences will also be issued for
+sporting rifles, guns, etc., but military firearms will only be
+allowed for purposes of protection.</p>
+
+<p>As regards the extension of the franchise to Kaffirs in the
+Transvaal and Orange River Colony, it is not the intention of His
+Majesty's Government to give such franchise before representative
+Government is granted to those Colonies, and if then given it will
+be so limited as to secure the just predominance of the white race.
+The legal position of coloured persons will, however, be similar to
+that which they hold in the Cape Colony.</p>
+
+<p>In conclusion I must inform Your Honour that, if the terms now
+offered are not accepted after a reasonable delay for consideration
+they must be regarded as cancelled.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">I have, etc.,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 8em;">KITCHENER, GENERAL,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Commander-in-Chief British Forces, South Africa.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">To His Honour, Commandant-General Louis Botha.</span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Appendix C</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPECIAL NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AT
+VEREENIGING, SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, THURSDAY, THE 29th OF MAY, 1902,
+AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS</span></h3>
+
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">May 29th, 1902.</span></h4>
+
+<p>The Rev. J.D. Kestell having offered prayer, the Chairman requested
+Vice-President Burger to address the meeting.</p>
+
+<p>Vice-President Burger said that the documents laid before the
+Governments by the Commission would now be read to the meeting.
+Thereupon Mr. D. Van Velden read the following letter:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p class="center"><span class="smcap">Report of the Commission.</span></p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Pretoria</span>, <i>28th May</i>, 1902.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>To the Governments of the Orange Free State and the South African
+Republic:</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Honble. Gentlemen</span>,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>In accordance with instructions received from you, we went to
+Pretoria in order to negotiate with the British authorities on the
+question of peace. We have the honour to make the following report:</p>
+
+<p>The meetings lasted from Monday, May 19th, to Wednesday, May 28th,
+its prolongation having been principally caused by the length of
+time taken up by the cable correspondence with the British
+Government.</p>
+
+<p>We first handed in a proposal (annexed under A)<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> in which we
+attempted to negotiate on the basis of a limited independence with
+surrender of part of our territory. Lords Kitchener and Milner
+refused emphatically to negotiate on this basis, and expressed the
+opinion that to cable this proposal to the British Government would
+be detrimental to the objects of these negotiations. They told us
+they had already informed the two Governments that the British
+Government<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> would only negotiate on the basis of an amended form of
+the Middelburg proposal. In order finally to formulate this
+proposal, Lord Milner asked the assistance of some members of the
+Commission; and this was granted, on the understanding that the
+assistance of these members of the Commission should be given
+without prejudice to themselves.</p>
+
+<p>As the result of the deliberations of this sub-committee, Lord
+Milner produced a draft proposal, in which we insisted that a fresh
+clause (No. 11) should be inserted; and this was done. This draft
+proposal (annexed under B)<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> was then cabled to the British
+Government, revised by them, and then communicated to us in its
+final shape (annexed under B).<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> We were informed by the British
+Government that no further revision of this proposal would be
+allowed, but that it must now be either accepted or rejected in its
+entirety by the delegates of the two Republics; and that this
+acceptance or rejection must take place within a stipulated time.
+We then told Lord Kitchener that he should know our final decision
+by the evening of the next Saturday at latest.</p>
+
+<p>During our formal negotiations certain informal conversations took
+place in reference to the British subjects (in Cape Colony and
+Natal) who have been fighting on our side. As a result of these
+informal conversations a communication from the British Government
+was imparted to us (annexed under B).<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a></p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">We have the honour to remain, etc.,</span></p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">LOUIS BOTHA.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">J.H. DE LA REY.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">C.R. DE WET.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">J.B.M. HERTZOG.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">J.D. SMUTS.</span><br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p>Vice-President Burger said that the delegates must proceed to discuss
+this document, and that they would then be asked to decide&mdash;firstly,
+whether the struggle should be continued; secondly, whether the proposal
+of the British Government should be accepted; and, thirdly, whether they
+were prepared to surrender unconditionally.</p>
+
+<p>It was decided that minutes of the meeting should be kept, and the
+delegates then proceeded to discuss the different articles of the
+British Government's proposal. The whole of the morning and a part of
+the afternoon sitting were devoted to questions dealing with the meaning
+of the several clauses, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> members of the Commission answering to the
+best of their ability.</p>
+
+<p>After these questions had been disposed of, Mr. De Clercq rose to speak.
+He said that he had already given his own opinion, but that now it was
+for the whole meeting to decide whether they would give up the war, and,
+if they resolved to do so, whether they would accept the proposal
+unconditionally. As to the proposal, it could not be denied that it did
+not give all that they themselves desired, but <i>that</i> could not have
+been expected. Should they now return to their commandos and be asked by
+their burghers what they had effected, they would have to reply,
+"Nothing." How would they be able to meet their burghers with such an
+answer as that? It would therefore be better to get terms from the
+British Government; and by doing so they would also gratify the British
+nation. As for himself, he was for accepting the proposal, unless it
+could be proved to him that unconditional surrender would be a still
+better course to take.</p>
+
+<p>General Nieuwouwdt then proposed that the meeting should, without
+further delay, proceed to vote whether the war should be terminated, and
+whether the terms offered to them should be accepted.</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman seconded this proposal.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) felt that this was too important a matter to
+be treated with such haste. A decision about such a document as the one
+now lying before the meeting could not be come to in a moment. The
+delegates would hardly agree with the last speaker in his opinion that
+they should at once proceed to vote whether the war should or should not
+be continued. Time was required before coming to such a decision.
+Moreover it had to be proved whether it were possible to continue the
+war. There were some districts where it certainly could no longer be
+carried on. Was it possible for one part of the nation to continue
+fighting without the other? Then there was the question whether their
+resources and the troops which they still had were sufficient to justify
+them in prolonging the struggle. If they were insufficient the war must
+be discontinued and terms must be accepted. It would not be an easy
+thing to do; one could not, with a light heart, give up the independence
+of their country; but half a loaf was better than no bread,<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> and
+even such a sacrifice as this might be necessary if the nation was to be
+saved.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Jacobsz (Harrismith) was at one with the last speaker in
+holding that they must not be in too great a hurry to vote on the
+proposal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. P.R. Viljoen (Heidelberg) felt that the proposal of the British
+Government would so tightly bind them that they would never again be
+free. They were <i>knee-haltered</i><a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a> now, but under certain
+circumstances they might even be <i>hobbled</i>.<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a></p>
+
+<p>He considered that the meeting should ask the Governments to stop the
+war.</p>
+
+<p>General Du Toit (Wolmaransstad) said that the times through which they
+were passing were very critical; every one ought to say exactly what he
+thought, and no one ought to be condemned for doing so. A delegate who
+should say that the war could not be continued must not be considered
+disloyal to his country because he did so. As regarded the three
+questions before the meeting, according to the opinion of his burghers
+the war ought to be continued. The views of his burghers when he left
+the commandos had been clearly expressed. "Let us retain our
+independence, or go on fighting," they had said. But why were they of
+this mind? Because they were unaware how matters stood in other
+districts. The eyes of the delegates, however, while directed towards
+God, were also able to observe the condition of the eastern parts of
+their country. If the burghers in those parts could not hold out, it
+would be impossible for the other commandos to do so. It could not be
+denied that some of the commandos were no longer able to continue
+fighting. That being the case, even if there were a majority in favour
+of prolonging the struggle, that majority would have to yield to the
+wishes of the minority, and for this reason: if the war were to be
+continued in conformity with the wishes of the majority, and if the
+minority were to be compelled to surrender (and nobody would be
+surprised at this), then the majority would find themselves too weak to
+go on fighting. Thus there were clear reasons why the war must be ended.
+Moreover, its continuation would involve not only the <i>national</i> but
+also the <i>moral</i> death of the Republics. But it was still to be proved
+that a continuation of the war was even possible; for himself he feared
+that it was not so, and if fight he must he could only fight without
+hope and without heart. If he were now to go back to his burghers, and
+they were to ask him why he persisted in the war, and he was compelled
+to reply that he was doing so on the strength of opinions expressed in
+newspapers, and on the encouragement given to the cause of the Republics
+in their pages, he would be told that he was building on sand. Again, he
+feared that if the war were to be continued, detached parties would be
+formed which would try to obtain terms from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span> the English for themselves.
+And should the commandos in time become so weak as to be forced to
+surrender unconditionally, what then would be the fate of the officers?
+Would they not lose everything, and be banished into the bargain? Let no
+one think, however, that he was trying merely to do what was best for
+himself. No. There was now a chance for negotiating; should the meeting
+let slip that chance, unconditional surrender would most certainly
+result, and that would be disastrous to all. He hoped that he would not
+be misunderstood; if the meeting decided to go on with the war, he, for
+one, would not lay down his arms. No, he would actively prosecute the
+war, and operate in conjunction with the other generals. But what would
+be the use of it: he sided with those who held that the struggle could
+no longer be carried on.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Rheeder (Rouxville) wished to reply to those who demanded
+reasons for the continuation of the war. One reason, he said, was to be
+found in the fact that England would not allow them to have any
+communication with the deputation in Europe; that meant that something
+advantageous to us was being held back. Another was the consideration of
+what their descendants in time to come would say. "How is it," they
+would ask, "that we are not now free men? There were a large number of
+burghers in the veldt to continue the war&mdash;what has become of our
+independence?" And what answer shall we be able to make?&mdash;we whose
+courage failed us before such tremendous odds, and who laid down our
+arms when victory was still possible? The speaker would only be
+satisfied if the meeting were unanimous for stopping the war, not
+otherwise. He thought of the families. How would the delegates face
+their families on their return, after the sacrifice of independence? He
+considered that the commandos should leave those districts where
+resistance was no longer possible and go to others. If to discontinue
+the war meant to surrender independence, then the war must not be
+discontinued.</p>
+
+<p>Vice-President Burger said that he had not heard from the last speaker
+any reasons whatsoever for continuing the war.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Rheeder then remarked that if they wanted to surrender their
+country they should have done so earlier, when the burghers were not
+entirely destitute. But now nothing was left to them. As to the
+narrowness of the field of operations, there was still room enough to
+fight.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant P.L. Uijs (Pretoria) referred to the frequent allusion which
+had been made to their European deputation. That deputation was now in
+Holland, and must know if anything was going on there to the advantage
+of the Republics.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span> If there were any hopeful signs there, their comrades
+would certainly have informed them. They had not done so, and therefore
+the meeting should dismiss this subject from its thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting then adjourned until 7.15 p.m.</p>
+
+<p>Upon reassembling, Commandant Cronje (Winburg) said that he would not
+detain the meeting for long; he only wished to say a very few words. It
+had been rightly said that they were passing through a momentous period
+of their history. To his mind the present was <i>the</i> critical epoch in
+the existence of the African nation, whose destinies they had now to
+decide. Delegates were asking what hopes they could now entertain. But
+what grounds for hope were there when the war began? In his opinion
+there were none. It was only that men believed then that Right was
+Might, and put their trust in God. And God had helped them. When the
+enemy had entered their country everything was dark. There had been a
+day on which more than four thousand men had surrendered. Then, even as
+now, they had been without hope. Then, even as now, those who wanted to
+continue the war had been told that they were mad. That had been some
+two years ago, and yet the war was still going on. Then, even as now,
+there had been no food, and yet they had managed to live. The delegates
+represented a free people; let them not take a step of which they would
+afterwards repent. As regarded intervention, he had often said that one
+could not rely on it. But they <i>could</i> rely on God. When he returned to
+his burghers, and was questioned as to his reason for the course of
+action which he had advocated, he hoped to be able to answer, "Belief in
+God." There had always been times when there was no food, and yet they
+had always managed to live. A deputation had been officially sent to
+Europe, and was now there to represent their interests. Had the meeting
+lost its confidence in that deputation? Did it not realize that if the
+case of the Republic was hopeless in Europe the deputation would send
+word to that effect? It had been said that by continuing the war they
+would be exterminating the nation. He did not believe this. The way to
+exterminate the nation was to accept the British proposal. To go on with
+the war was their only policy, and it was a very good policy. The
+deputation had claimed that their advice should be taken before any
+negotiations were attempted. What right, then, had the delegates to give
+up the war on the basis of the proposal now before them? To do so was to
+give the death blow to their national existence; later on they would
+have cause to rue it. Moreover, the proposal did not safeguard the
+interests of their brethren in Cape Col<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span>ony. Again, landed property
+belonging to burghers had already been sold, and in all probability
+these burghers would never see any of the proceeds. The sum (&pound;3,000,000)
+which the proposal offered to compensate for all damages, was not
+sufficient to cover damage already done. For these and other reasons the
+proposal could not be accepted. No other course was open to them except
+to reject the proposal and to continue hostilities.</p>
+
+<p>General Froneman (Ladybrand) agreed with the last speaker. He loved his
+country, and could not think of surrendering it. The reasons which had
+induced them to begin the war were still in force. He had been through
+the whole campaign, and saw stronger reasons now than ever before for
+the continuing of the war. His districts, like those of others, were
+exhausted, and yet his burghers remained in the veldt. He had been
+present at the surrender of the four thousand; he had seen General
+Cronje give up his sword. Those had been dark days, but the struggle
+still went on; they could still keep on their legs. It had been God's
+will that this war should take place. Prayers had been offered that it
+might be averted, but God had ruled it otherwise. Therefore they must
+carry the war through, and never think of surrender. They were
+Republicans. What would it be to have to give up that name for ever? He
+had consulted his burghers and their women-folk; he had asked them,
+"What conditions of peace will you accept?" They had answered, "No peace
+at all, if it means any loss of independence." And so, before he could
+vote for peace, he would have again to take the opinion of his burghers.</p>
+
+<p>Veldtcornet B.H. Breijtenbach (Utrecht) urged that a definite yes or no
+must be given to the question, Is the war to continue? The general
+condition of the country had been laid before the meeting, and it had
+been clearly shown that its condition made the carrying on of the war
+impossible. One could not escape from that fact. Why then should they
+argue any longer? What reason had they for wishing to prolong this
+struggle? They surely would not do so blindfold. Unless good reasons
+could be alleged for continuing it, the war would have to be stopped. As
+those good reasons were not forthcoming, he would vote with those who
+were for peace. To continue the war would be a crime. Some of the last
+few speakers had stated that there had been no sufficient reasons for
+commencing the war. That might be true. They might have been
+over-confident then. Be that as it might, they certainly had lost so
+much ground since then that they must now give up the struggle. This was
+his irrevocable opinion. It had been clearly shown that fourteen
+commandos were unable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span> to continue in the veldt. This made peace a
+necessity, for what was to be gained by continuing a struggle without a
+proper army. The war might last a few months longer, but it must end
+then&mdash;and end in disaster.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant W.J. Viljoen (Witwatersrand) said that some speakers were for
+and others against the continuation of hostilities. The first were
+guided by faith alone; the second had brought forward definite grounds
+for their opinion. A year ago both parties had been inspired by faith,
+but what had been the result? He would be glad enough to be convinced,
+but those who wished to continue the war must show grounds for such a
+line of action.</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey would only say a few words. He had received definite
+instructions before he went to his burghers neither to encourage nor
+discourage them, whatever they might say at their meetings. He had
+strictly observed these instructions, and had never attempted to
+influence them. There were present among the delegates nine men (one
+being from Cape Colony) who represented his burghers, and who would
+testify as to their state of mind and temper; he need not therefore say
+anything. The delegates could bear witness how full of courage the men
+were. Nevertheless, the war could not be continued. Say or do what they
+would at that meeting, the war must cease. Some had talked about faith.
+But what was faith? True faith consisted in saying, "Lord, Thy will, not
+mine, be done." They must bow before the will of God. The delegates, he
+continued, must choose one of the three courses which were open to them.
+It would be a great calamity if they were to decide to surrender
+unconditionally. Had it been necessary to do so it should have been done
+while they still possessed something. Should they then continue the war?
+But the question as to what would become of the people under those
+circumstances must be faced&mdash;to continue fighting would be the ruin of
+the nation. The delegates might go away determined to fight, but the
+burghers would lay down their arms, and the state of affairs which would
+thus ensue would not redound to their honour. But the British Government
+offered guarantees; it would help the nation so that the nation might
+help itself. If any one were to say now, "Continue fighting," he and his
+generals might have the heart to do so if they kept their minds fixed on
+their recent exploits. For himself, however, he would refuse absolutely
+to accede to that request. And what real advantage had accrued from his
+successes in the veldt? What had followed on them? All his cattle had
+been taken away, some three hundred of his men had been killed, wounded,
+or taken prisoner. Some of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> delegates set their hopes on the
+European deputation, but what did that deputation say a year ago? It
+said that all depended on their continuing to fight. They <i>had</i>
+continued to fight. What more, then, was there left for them to do? Some
+gentlemen present had definite mandates from their burghers, who very
+likely had no knowledge of the actual state of affairs when they gave
+those mandates. He himself had not known at that time in what a plight
+the country was. He challenged each and all of the delegates to show
+their burghers the proposal of the British Government, and then to see
+if those burghers were not in favour of unconditional surrender. But if
+the meeting insisted on the continuation of hostilities, the nation
+would be driven into <i>hands-upping</i>; thus the war would end in dishonour
+and disgrace.</p>
+
+<p>Landdrost Bosman (Wakkerstroom) was glad that General De la Rey had
+spoken out so boldly; it was every one's duty to do so. He himself also
+was against the continuance of the war.</p>
+
+<p>Although it had been said that the war had been begun in faith, it ought
+not to be forgotten that it had also been begun with hope of
+intervention, as was shown by the sending of the deputation to
+Europe&mdash;that deputation which, as they had often heard, had done so much
+good work. Another proof that there had then been hope of intervention
+was that the burghers had ordered the delegates to keep them in
+communication with the deputation. And that they had not relied
+exclusively on faith at the beginning of the war was shown by the fact
+that they had founded great hopes on what their brethren in Cape Colony
+might accomplish. These hopes had now been dissipated by General Smuts,
+who had just said that there was no chance of a general insurrection.</p>
+
+<p>Again, could the war be continued when their commandos were so much
+weakened, and when food was so scarce? It was nonsense to say that food
+had been scarce a year ago; there had been a sufficiency then, and at
+the present time there was not. One could ride from Vereeniging to Piet
+Retief without seeing more than two or three herds of cattle. Moreover,
+the women and children were in a most pitiable condition. One delegate
+had spoken against any scheme which would be as it were a trampling on
+the blood which had already been spilt&mdash;he shared that delegate's
+sentiments; but he considered that to shed yet more blood in a cause
+which was to all appearance hopeless would be still more reprehensible.
+He should prefer not to enter into the religious aspect of the question.
+It was difficult to fathom the purposes of God; perhaps it might be the
+Divine will that they should lose their independ<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span>ence. All that they
+could do was to follow the course which seemed to be good and right.
+Were they, then, to surrender unconditionally? He would say no. It would
+be giving the enemy opportunities for doing things from which they might
+otherwise desist. Moreover, by voting for such a policy the leaders
+would incur the displeasure of the nation. In choosing what course they
+would pursue the delegates should let nothing else sway them save the
+good of the nation. They must not be carried away by their feelings;
+they must listen only to the voice of reason.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant H.S. Grobler (Bethal) felt that, under the circumstances, the
+war could not be continued. It had already reduced them to such straits
+that they would soon have to fly to the utmost borders of their
+territories, leaving the enemy unopposed in the very heart of the
+country. At the beginning of the war they had not relied on faith alone;
+there had also been guns, war material and provisions. But now none of
+these things were left to them. It was terrible to him to think that
+they must sacrifice the independence of their country. He was a true son
+of his country, and could not consent to the surrender of her
+independence unless that were the only way of saving the women and
+children from starvation. But it was not only the women and children who
+were on the verge of starvation; the burghers still left in the laagers
+were in the same predicament. What, moreover, was to happen to the
+prisoners of war, if the struggle were to be continued? And to the
+families in the camps? The delegates must not forget those families. If
+the people generally were dying a <i>national</i>, the families were dying a
+<i>moral</i>, death. It was a sad thought that there were among their women
+in the camps, many who were thus losing their moral vitality. It was a
+thought which should make them determined to conclude the war.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Van Niekerk (Ficksburg) said that his commandos had
+commissioned him to hold out for independence. The proposal of the
+British Government could not be accepted. They must take no hasty step.
+If they persevered in the war, the enemy would grant them better terms.
+All they had to do was to act like brave men.</p>
+
+<p>General J.G. Celliers (Lichtenburg) had already told the meeting what
+mandate he had received from his burghers. But he was there to do the
+best he could for the nation as a whole. The condition of the country
+was very critical. The fact that his own commandos were faring well was
+not a sufficient reason for continuing the war. He must take all
+circumstances into consideration. He had said that he was in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span> favour of
+an arrangement by which peace should be made without the sacrifice of
+independence. Such an arrangement they had attempted to bring about.
+They had elected a Commission, which had done all in its power to give
+effect to their wishes in this matter. And the result was the proposal
+of the British Government now lying before them. That was what the
+Commission had obtained for them. Which of them could say that he could
+have obtained better terms for the people than those contained in that
+proposal? Or that, if the war were to be continued, the people would
+gain any advantage which that proposal did not give them? It had been
+said that the deputation in Europe had encouraged the burghers in their
+prolonged struggle. The last message they had received from the
+deputation had been: "Go on till every remedy has been tried." Could
+that be called encouragement? It had also been said that the nation must
+have faith. He admitted the necessity&mdash;but it must not be the sort of
+faith which chose what it would believe, and what it would disbelieve.
+They must be prepared to believe that it might be the will of God that
+they should yield to the enemy. As he had more insight into the state of
+affairs than his burghers, and therefore was better qualified to form a
+judgment, he did not feel himself bound by their mandate. Had the
+burghers known what he now knew, they would have given him a very
+different commission. He felt that it was a serious thing to continue
+sacrificing the lives of his fellow-countrymen. Moreover, however dear
+independence might be, it was useless to attempt impossibilities. Their
+one aim should be to safeguard the interests of the nation. His vote
+would be with those who were for accepting the proposal of the British
+Government.</p>
+
+<p>Commander-in-Chief de Wet was the next to address the meeting. His
+speech was as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"As I feel it to be my duty to speak out all my mind before this
+meeting, I shall go back to the very beginning of the war. And recalling
+my feelings at that period, I can say that I had less hope then for
+intervention than I have now. I do not mean to say that I am sanguine
+about it even now; but I know to-day, what I did not know then, that
+great sympathy is felt for us by other nations. Even in England this
+sympathy is to be found, as is shown by the largely-attended 'Pro-Boer'
+meetings which have been held in that country. And that the feeling in
+our favour is widespread is evident from the reports which we received
+by word of mouth from the messenger to whom the deputation entrusted its
+recent letter, for we cannot believe that the deputation would have
+employed an unreliable person. And what did that messenger say? Among<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span>
+other things, he said that our cause was winning new adherents every
+day. It may be asked, however, why the deputation did not send a report
+of its own? I reply that it had its hand upon the pulse of the
+Governments, and that the information it was thus gaining was of such a
+character that it could not be entrusted to any messenger whatsoever.
+Perhaps the deputation was unable <i>in any way</i> to communicate what it
+knew to us&mdash;it would never do to noise abroad the secrets of European
+policy. The silence of the delegates ought not, then, to discourage us;
+on the contrary, we should regard it as a hopeful sign.</p>
+
+<p>"If there is any one man who feels deeply for the critical condition of
+our country, I am that man. And critical our condition certainly is; so
+that I am not surprised that some of us are asking, 'What hope have we
+now in continuing the struggle?' But I would ask another question: 'What
+hope had we at the beginning of the war?' Our faith in God&mdash;we had
+nothing else to rely on! At the very outset of the war I knew that we,
+with our forty-five thousand troops, were engaged in a contest against a
+nation that had no less than seven hundred and fifty thousand men under
+arms, and who could easily send against us a third of that number. And
+to counterbalance the terrible odds against us, we had nothing, as I
+knew, but our faith. At that time there were some who expected that
+effectual help would come from Cape Colony. I was never deluded by this
+hope. I knew of course that there were men there who would fight with us
+against England; I knew how much those men sympathized with our cause;
+but I also knew that the circumstances of that country would make it
+impossible for the colonists to help us more than they have, as a matter
+of fact, done. No! God was our one Hope when the war began. And if, when
+the war is over, victory lies with us, it will not be the first time
+that faith in God has enabled the weaker nation to overthrow the
+stronger.</p>
+
+<p>"Those of you who urge that the war should be discontinued, ask us, who
+are for carrying it on, what tangible reason we have for our hope. But
+what tangible reason for hope was there at the beginning of the war? Are
+our affairs darker now? Quite the contrary&mdash;miracles have been worked in
+our favour during the last twenty-two months. General Botha wrote to me
+some time ago, saying that the scarcity of ammunition was causing him
+much anxiety. And he had good cause for that anxiety&mdash;ammunition was
+exhausted. When a burgher came to me at that time with an empty
+bandolier, it absolutely terrified me. But now, to use an expression of
+General Joubert's, my pleasure is tempered with shame when I think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span> of
+the plentiful store of ammunition which we possess. I am not angry with
+those of my compatriots who ask for reasons&mdash;I give my reasons&mdash;nor have
+I given a thousandth part of them.</p>
+
+<p>"The enemy has already made us some concessions. There was a time when
+Lord Salisbury said that the English Government would be satisfied with
+nothing short of unconditional surrender. He does not say so to-day.
+England is negotiating with us&mdash;that is to say, she shows signs of
+yielding to our demands. If we continue the war, England will negotiate
+again; she will offer still more favourable terms; she will not even
+stick at independence.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want more of my reasons? Look back once more upon our past
+history, and you shall find them. Recall the time when the Transvaal was
+at war with England. At that time we did not know the English so well as
+we now know them; we had only thirteen cartridges for each man; and
+there were the so-called 'Loyalists'&mdash;a chicken-hearted crew&mdash;to hamper
+us. Faith was our only support then&mdash;and you all know how that war
+resulted.</p>
+
+<p>"I am asked what I mean to do with the women and children. That is a
+very difficult question to answer. We must have faith. I think also that
+we might meet the emergency in this way&mdash;a part of the men should be
+told off to lay down their arms for the sake of the women, and then they
+could take the women with them to the English in the towns. This would
+be a hard expedient, but it may be the only one possible.</p>
+
+<p>"America has been referred to by some of the speakers, who have compared
+our circumstances with those of the United States, when they made war
+upon England. The comparison is, in one respect at least, an apt one,
+for we also have large territories to which we can always retreat.</p>
+
+<p>"As to Europe&mdash;we know little of the condition of things there. Our
+information about Europe comes only from newspapers, and 'Jingo'
+newspapers at that. If there is not a great deal going on in Europe
+which England wants to hide from us, why is she so careful not to let us
+see European journals? If there were anything in them <i>unfavourable</i> to
+our cause, England would flood our country with them in her own
+interests. We must also note that England will not permit our deputation
+to return to us.</p>
+
+<p>"Taking all these facts into consideration, and remembering that the
+sympathy for us, which is to be found in England itself, may be regarded
+as being, for all practical purposes, a sort of indirect intervention, I
+maintain that this terrible struggle must be continued. We must fight
+on, no matter how long, until our independence is absolutely secure."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>General Beijers (Waterberg) said that he had to give an answer to the
+question whether he ought to follow his reason or his conscience; he
+could only reply that conscience had the first claim upon him. If he
+were to perish whilst following the guidance of reason, he would feel
+that he had been unfaithful; whereas, were he to die whilst obeying the
+dictates of conscience, he would not fear death. Martyrs of old had died
+for their faith; but he feared that the martyr spirit was now only to be
+met with in books! Those martyrs had died, and with their death it had
+seemed that all was lost; but the truth, for which they had given up
+their lives, had lived!</p>
+
+<p>But how is it now with us? We think our cause a righteous one, but are
+we willing to die for it? Some spoke of our existence as a nation&mdash;but
+whether that were to be preserved or lost, did not lie with us&mdash;it was
+in the hands of God&mdash;He would take care of it. Right must conquer in the
+end. They must take care to be on the side of right, should it even cost
+them their lives. He agreed with those who said that, even if the
+present deliberations were to come to nothing, they would have another
+chance, later on, of negotiating. This had been proved by what had
+already happened. General de Wet had shown them how Lord Salisbury had
+gone back upon his first demands; he (General Beijers) could tell them
+that on one occasion Lord Roberts had declined even to speak to General
+Botha&mdash;and yet the English were negotiating with them now. He was quite
+open to conviction, but at present he could not see that the war ought
+to be stopped. Nevertheless he was not blind to the critical state of
+their affairs. But their case was not yet hopeless; their anxiety about
+food, their lack of horses&mdash;these were not insurmountable difficulties.
+They might even find some means by which to save their womenfolk.</p>
+
+<p>No. These difficulties were not insuperable; but there was one
+difficulty which <i>was</i> insuperable&mdash;the present spirit of the nation.
+When a spirit, be it what it might, inspired or ruled a man, then that
+man would submit to no other sway. The spirit that now ruled the
+burghers was a spirit that was driving them over to the enemy. Against
+that spirit it was impossible to contend. General De la Rey had said
+that, if the proposal now before the meeting were to be shown to the
+burghers, they would at once accept it&mdash;that was the sort of spirit that
+was in them, and one must take it into consideration, for he was
+convinced that it presented an insurmountable obstacle to the
+continuation of the war.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was then closed with prayer.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span></p>
+<h4><span class="smcap">Friday, May 30th, 1902.</span></h4>
+
+<p>After the preliminary prayer had been offered, Vice-President Burger
+said that before beginning the business of the day, it was his sad duty
+to inform the meeting that the President of the Orange Free State had
+been obliged to resign, on account of serious illness. President Steyn
+had been compelled, in order to obtain medical assistance, to put
+himself in the hands of the enemy. He had further to communicate that
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet had been appointed Vice-President of the
+Orange Free State. He wished to express his deep sympathy with the
+representatives in the severe loss which they had sustained. President
+Steyn, he said, had been a rock and pillar to their great cause.</p>
+
+<p>Vice-President de Wet having thanked the Vice-President of the South
+African Republic for his kind and sympathetic words, Mr. J. Naude (the
+representative of Pretoria, and of General Kemp's flying columns) put
+some questions with regard to the colonists who had been fighting on the
+Boer side. These questions were answered by General Smuts. Mr. Naude
+then asked if the delegates were expected to come to any decision about
+independence.</p>
+
+<p>General Botha replied that the Governments had informed Lords Kitchener
+and Milner that they were not in a condition to decide that
+question&mdash;that it was a matter for the nation to settle. The delegates
+had then gone to their burghers, and now had returned, and were present.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Naude said that it must therefore have been known at Klerksdorp that
+the delegates had to decide upon the question of independence. If that
+were so, he found himself in a difficulty. Either the delegates had been
+misled, or they were the victims of a mistake, for they had never been
+told that they had been elected as plenipotentiaries. Notwithstanding
+all that the lawyers might say, he considered himself as having a
+certain definite mission. He had obtained the votes of his burghers on
+the understanding that he would take up a certain position. He had asked
+them whether independence was to be given up, and they had answered in
+the negative. He could not therefore vote for the acceptance of the
+proposal now before the meeting, for that proposal demanded the
+surrender of independence. His burghers had also insisted on being
+allowed to keep their arms, and on the use of their language in schools
+and Courts of Justice, both of which conditions were refused by the
+British proposal. Since, therefore, he could not agree to the proposal,
+he was for continuing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span> war. Some asked what were the chances of
+success? He remembered the state of feeling among the burghers at
+Warmebad&mdash;that was a dark time indeed. The Commandant-General had paid
+those burghers a visit, and had told them that they had nothing to lose,
+but everything to win, by continuing the struggle. That had been enough
+for them. They had not had much prospect then; they could not see
+whither their road was leading. But they had found out afterwards. It
+had been a dark time too when Pretoria was taken, but most of the
+burghers had remained steadfast. And after the darkness the light had
+come back. Again a dark cloud was over them&mdash;it would pass away, and the
+light would reappear.</p>
+
+<p>General De la Rey explained that he had not intended to mislead anybody
+at the gatherings of the burghers. Every document which the Government
+had handed over to him had been laid before those gatherings. Mr. Naude
+had asked whether the delegates at that meeting had to decide about
+independence. Most certainly they had. And to do so was a duty devolving
+upon Mr. Naude as much as on any other delegate present. They would have
+to decide, not for their own districts alone, but for the whole country.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Naude said that he had no wish to free himself from his
+responsibility, but he could not forget that he had come there with a
+definite mission.</p>
+
+<p>Judge Hertzog wished again to explain the rights of the question from a
+legal point of view. One must ask: If the nation were here, what would
+it wish to be done? And one must act in conformity with what one thinks
+its answer would be. The Judge then proceeded to speak on the matter in
+general. What, he asked, were the arguments in favour of continuing the
+war? In the first place, England was growing weaker just as their own
+nation was. Any one could see that with their own eyes. It was true as
+regarded the financial side of the question. No doubt England could
+still collect millions of pounds, if she wished, but the time would come
+when she would have trouble with her tax-payers. Already the British
+Government found it difficult to pay the interest on the sum borrowed
+for war expenses, as was proved by the fact that a corn tax had been
+levied in England. That tax would not have been levied unless things had
+been in a serious condition. In the second place, he would ask how it
+was they had not been allowed to meet their deputation? It would only
+have taken the deputation fourteen days to perform the journey; by now
+it would have been among them. But permission had been refused them. And
+why? It was said that to grant a permission would have been a military
+irregularity. But the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span> present meeting was also a military irregularity.
+There must be something more behind that refusal. But what were the
+arguments against going on with the war? He would enumerate them&mdash;the
+situation in which they found themselves was critical; the country as a
+whole was exhausted. Nearly all the horses had died or had been
+captured. The strongest argument of all, however, was that some of their
+own people had turned against them, and were fighting in the ranks of
+the enemy. Then the condition of the women caused great anxiety; a fear
+had been expressed that a moral decay might set in among the families in
+the camps. That consideration had great weight with him. No one with any
+heart could remain indifferent to it. If there was one thing which more
+than anything else made him respect Commandant-General Botha, it was
+that the Commandant-General had the heart to feel, and the courage to
+express, the importance of that consideration. The present war was one
+of the saddest that had ever been waged. He doubted if there had ever
+been a war in which a nation had suffered as they had. But all those
+sufferings, horrible though they were, did not influence his decision.
+Did he but see the chance of finally securing freedom for the nation, he
+would put all such considerations on one side, and go on fighting till
+death. No; it was not the horror of the situation which influenced him;
+there was something that weighed upon his heart yet more heavily&mdash;it was
+<i>the holding of that meeting at Vereeniging</i>. He reproached no one.
+Every one had acted with the best intentions. Nevertheless that meeting
+was a fatal error; it would give them their death blow. For what had it
+produced&mdash;a statement from the lips of the Commandant-General himself
+that the condition of the country was hopeless. If there were yet any
+burghers whose courage was not gone, would they not be utterly
+disheartened when they heard what their leaders had said at that
+meeting? That was the saddest thought of all. He could understand that
+those burghers who had already lost heart should be leaving the
+commandos, but now those who had never yet been disheartened would
+become so. But notwithstanding all this, it was difficult to feel
+certain which was the right course to pursue&mdash;to give up the war or to
+continue it. He could only suggest that those who were now in doubt on
+the matter should support the line of action which, before their doubt
+began, had appeared to them to be best.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. L.J. Meijer (a member of the Government of the South African
+Republic) then gave some account of the devastation of that part of the
+country which lay to the north of the Eastern Railway, and on the
+further side of the Sabi River. (This<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span> report coincided with those
+already given by the delegates.) He went on to say that as they were all
+in the dark, and could not see the road they were travelling along, they
+must take reason and conscience for their guide. They had already lost
+much: let them not lose everything. And what could they hope to gain by
+continuing the struggle? To do so might be to throw away their last
+chance of peace. What would their progeny say of them if they were to
+persist in the struggle and thus lose everything they had possessed?
+They would say, "Our forefathers were brave, but they had no brains."
+Whereas, if they were to stop the war, their progeny would say, "Our
+forefathers did not fight for their own glory." He pointed out that
+however little the British proposal contained of what they desired, it
+nevertheless promised them representative government. In the past he had
+been against the war; he had wished that the five years' franchise
+should be granted. Although the people had opposed this measure he had
+always supported it. And why? Because he had feared that were that
+measure not conceded African blood would stain the ground. Must they
+still continue to shed blood? After the capture of Bloemfontein there
+had been a secret meeting of the council of war at Pretoria. His
+Government had then been willing to surrender, but the Free State had
+refused. The two Governments had therefore decided to go on with the
+war. A year later, in the month of June, there had been another meeting.
+A letter had been sent to the Free State. The two Governments had met at
+Waterval, and had once more decided to continue the struggle. Later on,
+again, the Government of the South African Republic wrote another letter
+to the Free State; but there had been no opportunity of meeting until
+the present occasion, which saw them assembled together at Vereeniging.
+Were they again going to decide to continue their resistance? It was a
+matter for serious consideration. There was but little seed-corn left.
+This must, if they had to go on fighting, be preserved from the enemy at
+all costs; were it to be destroyed, the African nation must cease to
+exist. But they could not continue the war. It was the Boers now who
+were teaching the English how to fight against us; Boers now were with
+the enemy's forces, showing them how to march by night, and pointing out
+to them all the foot passes.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant Van Niekerk (Kroonstad) pointed out that the Colonists had
+already rendered them valuable aid, and could still do so. Were they now
+to abandon these Colonists, and&mdash;thinking only about saving
+themselves&mdash;leave them to fight on alone? It would be sad indeed if the
+burghers were compelled to lay down their arms.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General L. Botha said that in regard to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span> holding of a
+national meeting, he had already chosen delegates with power to act. He
+spoke of the state of affairs at the beginning of the war&mdash;the two
+Republics had then at least sixty thousand men under arms. In reference
+to the Cape Colony, he said that it had never been expected that that
+country would allow its railways to be used for the transport of troops.
+The Commandant-General then proceeded as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I used to entertain hopes that the European Powers would interfere on
+our behalf. All that they have done, however, has been to look on while
+England was introducing all sorts of new methods of warfare, methods,
+too, which are contrary to all international law.</p>
+
+<p>"When the war began we had plenty of provisions, and a commando could
+remain for weeks in one spot without the local food supply running out.
+Our families, too, were then well provided for. But all this is now
+changed. One is only too thankful nowadays to know that our wives are
+under English protection. This question of our womenfolk is one of our
+greatest difficulties. What are we to do with them? One man answers that
+some of the burghers should surrender themselves to the English, and
+take the women with them. But most of the women now amongst us are the
+wives of men already prisoners. And how can we expect those not their
+own kith and kin to be willing to give up liberty for their sakes?</p>
+
+<p>"As to the deputation, we must remember that it was accredited to all
+the Powers of Europe. And yet it has only been able to hand in its
+credentials to the Netherlands Government. Does not this prove that no
+other Government is willing to receive it? If you need further proof, I
+refer you to the letter in which the deputation&mdash;they were still allowed
+to write to us then&mdash;said: 'There is no chance for us in Europe.' The
+deputation wanted to be allowed to return home, but our Government
+advised them to remain in Europe, because their arrival in South Africa
+would be a death blow to the hopes of many. That is why the deputation
+is still in Europe. Later on they said that, although they knew that
+there was no chance of intervention, yet they felt that they ought to
+persist in their efforts, because of the sacrifices which we had already
+made. It is possible that a war may arise in Europe from which we shall
+gain something, but what right have we to expect such a contingency?
+Moreover, great nations take but little interest in the fate of small
+ones&mdash;indeed, it is to the advantage of the former that the small
+nations should be wiped out of existence.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot refrain from alluding to the faithlessness of some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> of our
+burghers, who are to be found in the ranks of the enemy. But this is not
+the only sign of the way in which affairs are trending&mdash;I look back on
+the past. I remember that we have been fighting a full year since we
+last heard of our deputation. What have we gained since June, 1901?
+Nothing. On the contrary, we have been going backwards so fast that, if
+this weakening process goes on much longer, we shall soon find ourselves
+unable any more to call ourselves a fighting nation. What have we not
+undergone in the course of this year which is just over! In the
+concentration camps alone, twenty thousand women and children have died.
+When I was in Pretoria I received reports from our information office,
+and otherwise, of our losses. I found that there were thirty-one
+thousand six hundred prisoners of war, of whom six hundred had died, and
+that three thousand eight hundred of our burghers had been killed in the
+war. Is not a loss such as this, in so short a time as two and a half
+years, a serious matter? Think, too, of the sufferings which those
+twenty thousand women who died in the camps must have endured!</p>
+
+<p>"I am not deaf to the claims of the colonists who have been fighting for
+us. I have said that if we surrender our independence, we must provide
+for them. Should we serve their interests by continuing the war? No,
+indeed! The best thing for them would be that we should bring it to a
+close. But if we are absolutely determined to go on fighting, let us at
+least say to them, 'We advise <i>you</i> to desist.'</p>
+
+<p>"What I am saying now is in substance what I said at Warmbad at a time
+when there were two thousand men of that district in the Veldt. How many
+are there now? Four hundred and eighty! On that occasion I also said
+that we must continue the war until we were driven by sheer starvation
+to make peace. Well, in some divisions starvation has already come. The
+delegates themselves have had to confess that our strength up till now
+has lain in the fact that we have been able to continue the struggle in
+every district. In this way we have divided the enemy's forces. But if
+we are compelled to abandon some of our districts, and to concentrate on
+certain points, then the English also will concentrate, and attack us
+with an irresistible force.</p>
+
+<p>"It has been suggested that we ought to march into Cape Colony. I know,
+however, what that would mean&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet marched into
+the colonies. He had a large force, and the season of the year was
+auspicious for his attempt, and yet he failed. How, then, shall we
+succeed in winter, and with horses so weak that they can only go
+<i>op-een-stap</i>.<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What, then, are we to do? Some will reply, 'Go on with the war,' Yes,
+but for how long? For ten or twelve years? But would that be possible?
+If in two years we have been reduced from sixty thousand fighting men to
+half that number, where will our army be after another ten years of war?
+It is clear enough to me that if we go on any longer, we shall be
+compelled to surrender. Would it not be better to come to some agreement
+with the enemy, while we have the opportunity? We have all received the
+gift of reason; let us use it on the present occasion.</p>
+
+<p>"As far as I and my own burghers are concerned, to continue the struggle
+is still possible. But we must not only think of ourselves. We must
+almost think of others. There are, for instance, the widows and orphans.
+If we accept the terms now offered to us, they will remain under our
+care. But if we go on with the war until we are forced to surrender, who
+will then take care of them? Or if we were all killed, what could we do
+for them? We should not even be able to send a deputation to Europe, to
+ask for money to help us to rebuild our farms, and to feed our burghers.</p>
+
+<p>"There are three questions now before us&mdash;three alternatives between
+which we have to choose&mdash;the continuing of the war, unconditional
+surrender, and the acceptance of the British proposal. With regard to
+the first, I fail to see what satisfactory result can come to us from
+persisting in this unequal contest, which must result in the end in our
+extermination. As to the choice between the other two, in many ways
+unconditional surrender would be the better. But, for the sake of the
+nation, we may not choose it. Although to reject it may involve us in
+many hardships, yet we must think of nothing else but the interests of
+the nation. Our only course, then, is to accept the proposal of the
+English Government. Its terms may not be very advantageous to us, but
+nevertheless they rescue us from an almost impossible position."</p>
+
+<p>After a short adjournment the delegates again assembled at about 2 p.m.</p>
+
+<p>General C.H. Muller (Boksburg) said that his burghers had sent him to
+defend their menaced independence. One part of them had authorized him
+to act as his judgment should dictate; another part had ordered him to
+hold out for independence and to try to get into communication with the
+European deputation. He had long ago told his burghers that they must
+trust in God if they wished to continue the war, for they could not do
+so by relying only on their guns and rifles. He did not like to think of
+what they would say if he were to go back to them and tell them that he
+had not been in communi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span>cation with the deputation, and that the
+proposal of the English Government had been accepted. He could not bring
+himself to surrender. Nevertheless, having in view what the
+Commandant-General and others had said, he felt that he must do so, for
+it was impossible for him to prosecute the war single-handed. But could
+not the delegates continue to stand by one another, and make a covenant
+with the Lord? The district which he represented was one of the poorest
+in the whole country, and the &pound;3,000,000 offered by the enemy did not
+include any provision for those who, like his burghers, could do nothing
+to help themselves. He would again suggest that the delegates should
+make a vow unto the Lord. For himself, he could not vote for the
+acceptance of the British proposal.</p>
+
+<p>General J.H. Smuts then spoke as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Up till now I have taken no part in this discussion, but my opinions
+are not unknown to my Government; we have arrived at a dark period both
+in the history of our war, and in the course of our national
+development. To me it is all the darker because I am one of those who,
+as members of the Government of the South African Republic, provoked the
+war with England. A man, however, may not draw back from the
+consequences of his deeds. We must therefore keep back all private
+feeling, and decide solely with a view to the lasting interests of our
+nation. This is an important occasion for us&mdash;it is perhaps the last
+time that we shall meet as a free people with a free government. Let us
+then rise to the height of this occasion; let us arrive at a decision
+for which our posterity shall bless, and not curse us.</p>
+
+<p>"The great danger for this meeting is that of deciding the questions
+before it on purely military grounds. Nearly all the delegates here are
+officers who in the past have never quailed before the overwhelming
+forces of the enemy, and who therefore are never likely to do so in the
+future. They do not know what fear is, and they are ready to shed the
+last drop of their blood in the defence of their country.</p>
+
+<p>"Now if we look at the matter from <i>their</i> point of view, that is to
+say, if we look at it merely as a military question, I am bound to admit
+that we shall come to the conclusion that the war <i>can</i> be continued. We
+are still an unconquered power; we have still about eighteen thousand
+men in the field&mdash;veterans, with whom one can accomplish almost
+anything. From a purely military standpoint, our cause is not yet lost.
+But it is as a <i>nation</i>, and not as an <i>army</i>, that we are met here, and
+it is therefore for the nation principally that we must consult. No one
+sits here to represent this or that commando. One<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span> and all, we represent
+the African nation, and not only those members of it which are now in
+the field, but also those who rest beneath the soil, and those yet
+unborn, who shall succeed us.</p>
+
+<p>"No! We do not only represent our burghers on commando, the troops over
+which we are placed in command; we represent also the thousands who have
+passed away, after making the last sacrifice for their country; the
+prisoners scattered all the world over; the women and children dying by
+the thousand in the prison camps of the enemy; we represent the blood
+and the tears of the whole African nation. From the prisons, the camps,
+the graves, the veldt, and from the womb of the future, that nation
+cries out to us to make a wise decision now, to take no step which might
+lead to the downfall or even to the extermination of their race, and
+thus make all their sacrifices of no avail. Our struggle, up to the
+present, has not been an aimless one. We have not been fighting in mere
+desperation. We began this strife, and we have continued it, because we
+wanted to maintain our independence and were prepared to sacrifice
+everything for it. But we must not sacrifice the African nation itself
+upon the altar of independence. So soon as we are convinced that our
+chance of maintaining our autonomous position as Republics is, humanly
+speaking, at an end, it becomes our clear duty to desist from our
+efforts. We must not run the risk of sacrificing our nation and its
+future to a mere idea which can no longer be realized.</p>
+
+<p>"And ought we not to be convinced that independence is now irretrievably
+lost? We have been fighting without cessation for nearly three years. It
+is no exaggeration to say that during that period we have been employing
+all the strength and all the means which we possess, in the furtherance
+of our cause. We have sacrificed thousands of lives; we have lost all
+our earthly goods; our dear country is become one continuous desert;
+more than twenty thousand of our women and children have perished in the
+camps of the enemy. And has this brought us independence? Just the
+reverse; it is receding further and further from us every day. The
+longer we fight, the greater will be the distance between us and the aim
+for which we are fighting.</p>
+
+<p>"The manner in which the enemy has been conducting, and still continues
+to conduct, this war, has reduced our country to such a state of
+exhaustion, that it will soon be a physical impossibility for us to
+fight any longer. Our only hope lies in the chance of help from outside.
+A year ago I, in the name of my Government, communicated the condition
+of our nation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span> to His Honour States-President Kruger, in Europe. He
+wrote in reply that we must rely on the state of affairs in Cape
+Colony&mdash;and the sympathy of European nations&mdash;and that we must continue
+the war until all other means were exhausted."</p>
+
+<p>The speaker here enlarged upon the political developments which had
+taken place in the United States and in the principal European countries
+during the preceding two years, and then continued:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"So far as we are concerned, the sum total of the foreign situation is
+that we obtain a great deal of sympathy, for which we are naturally most
+grateful. More than this we do not obtain, nor shall obtain for many a
+long year. Europe will go on expressing sympathy with us until the last
+Boer hero has died on the field and the last Boer woman has gone down to
+her grave&mdash;until, in fact, the whole Boer nation has been sacrificed on
+the altar of history and of humanity.</p>
+
+<p>"I have already, on a former occasion, told you what I think about the
+situation in Cape Colony. We have made great mistakes there; perhaps
+even now Cape Colony is not ripe for the sort of policy which we have
+been pursuing with regard to it. At all events, we cannot entertain any
+hopes of a general rising of the Colonists. We cannot, however, give too
+much honour to those three thousand heroes in the Colony who have
+sacrificed all in our behalf, even though they have not succeeded in
+securing our independence for us.</p>
+
+<p>"Thus we have given President Kruger's advice a fair trial. For twelve
+months we have been testing the value of the methods which he urged upon
+us. And, as a result of it all, we have become convinced that those
+methods are of no avail&mdash;that if we wish to remain independent we must
+depend upon ourselves alone. But the facts which the various delegates
+have brought before our notice show that we <i>cannot</i> thus depend upon
+ourselves; that, unless we obtain outside help, the struggle must come
+to an end. We have, then, no hope of success. Our country is already
+devastated and in ruins; let us stop before our people are ruined also.</p>
+
+<p>"And now the enemy approaches with a proposal, which, however
+unacceptable it may be to us in other respects, includes the promise of
+amnesty for our Colonial brethren who have been fighting side by side
+with us. I fear that the day will come when we shall no longer be able
+to save these so-called rebels, and then it will be a just ground for
+reproach that we sacrificed their interests in a cause that was already
+hopeless. Moreover, if we refused the proposal which the British
+Government now makes to us, I am afraid that we shall considerably
+weaken our position in the eyes of the world, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> thus lose much of the
+sympathy which to-day it evinces in our favour.</p>
+
+<p>"Brethren, we have vowed to stand fast to the bitter end; but let us be
+men, and acknowledge that that end has now come, and that it is more
+bitter than ever we thought it could be. For death itself would be sweet
+compared with the step which we must now take. But let us bow before the
+will of God.</p>
+
+<p>"The future is dark indeed, but we will not give up courage, and hope,
+and trust in God. No one shall ever convince me that this unparalleled
+sacrifice which the African nation has laid upon the altar of freedom
+will be in vain. It has been a war for freedom&mdash;not only for the freedom
+of the Boers, but for the freedom of all the nations of South Africa.
+Its results we leave in God's hands. Perhaps it is His will to lead our
+nation through defeat, through abasement, yes, and even through the
+valley of the shadow of death, to the glory of a nobler future, to the
+light of a brighter day."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant A.J. Bester (Bloemfontein) said that at the meeting at which
+he had been elected his burghers had told him that they were resolved
+not to become the subjects of England. The arguments now urged against
+the continuation of the war were not new&mdash;they had been used in former
+times of depression. History gave many instances in which their nation
+had been delivered out of the most critical positions. One could not
+help believing that Right would conquer. How was it to be explained that
+two hundred and forty thousand troops had failed to exterminate two
+small Republics? Then there had been miraculous escapes; surely the
+thoughts of these ought to encourage them. They must all be of one mind.
+His own decision was to stand or to fall for his freedom.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) asked whether the proposal could not be
+accepted under protest.</p>
+
+<p>General J.C. Smuts answered that the meeting could empower the
+Governments to accept the proposal, and to add that they did so with
+such and such provisos.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant A.J. Bester (Bloemfontein) thought that there had been enough
+said, and recommended that the discussion be closed.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant F.E. Mentz (Heilbron) also thought that it was not necessary
+to argue any more. He believed that the war could not be continued. In
+Heilbron, Bloemfontein, and part of Bethlehem there were not five head
+of cattle left. The helpless condition of the women and children also
+demanded consideration. The state of the country was becoming so
+desperate that they were now obliged to break away from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span> kraals. He
+himself had been compelled to this not long ago, and had lost forty men
+in one day. He would have to leave his district, but could not bring it
+to his heart to leave the women behind. It was quite clear to him that
+the war must be stopped, for some parts of the Transvaal were absolutely
+unable to go on fighting. Moreover, were the war to continue, commando
+after commando would go over to the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>General Kemp (Krugersdorp) took a more encouraging view of affairs. He
+would stand or fall with the independence. His mandate was to that
+effect. His conscience also would not justify him in taking any other
+course. He thought that the proposal of the English Government was
+vague, that there was not sufficient provision for the Boer losses in
+it, and that it treated the Dutch language as a foreign tongue.
+Circumstances had often been dark, and the darkness would pass away this
+time as it had done before. Remembering the commission which had been
+given to him by the burghers, he could not do otherwise than vote for a
+continuation of the war.</p>
+
+<p>Vice-President Burger: "I have already given my opinion. I am sorry that
+the meeting seems to be divided. It is necessary for the welfare of our
+nation that we should be of one mind. Are we to continue the war? From
+what I have seen and heard, it is clear to me that we cannot do so. I
+repeat that there is no possibility of it, neither does any real hope
+exist that by doing so we should benefit the nation. It is idle to
+compare our condition in the struggle in 1877-1881 with that in which we
+now find ourselves; I speak from experience.</p>
+
+<p>"It is true that the victory was then ours; that it was so is due to the
+help which we received from outside. The Orange Free State remained
+neutral, but assistance came from President Brand in South Africa and
+from Gladstone in England: thus it was not by our own sword that we were
+enabled to win.</p>
+
+<p>"It will be asked why, if we have kept up the struggle for two years and
+a half, can we not still continue to do so?</p>
+
+<p>"Because, in the meantime, we have become weaker and weaker, and if we
+persist the end must be fatal. What grounds have we for expecting that
+we may yet be victorious? Each man we lose renders us weaker; every
+hundred men we lose means a similar gain to the enemy. England's
+numerical strength does not diminish; on the contrary, there are even
+more troops in the country at this moment than when Lord Roberts had the
+command. England also has used our own men against us, and has not been
+ashamed of arming the Kaffirs; the enemy are learning from our own men
+in what way they should fight&mdash;he must be blind indeed who cannot see
+these facts.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I do not think we can appropriately call this altogether a 'war of
+faith.' Undoubtedly we began this war strong in the faith of God, but
+there were also two or three other things to rely upon. We had
+considerable confidence in our own weapons; we under-estimated the
+enemy; the fighting spirit had seized upon our people; and the thought
+of victory had banished that of the possibility of defeat.</p>
+
+<p>"The question still remains, What are we to do? I have no great opinion
+of the document which lies before us: to me it holds out no inducement
+to stop the war. If I feel compelled to treat for peace it is not on
+account of any advantages that this proposal offers me: it is the weight
+of my own responsibility which drives me to it.</p>
+
+<p>"If I think that by holding out I should dig the nation's grave, nothing
+must induce me to continue the struggle.</p>
+
+<p>"Therefore I consider it my duty, as leader of our nation, to do my
+utmost that not one man more shall be killed, that not one woman more
+shall die.</p>
+
+<p>"The sacrifice must be made; is not this also a trial of our faith? What
+shall we gain by going on? Nothing! It is obvious that further
+surrenders will take place&mdash;here of a few, there of many&mdash;and our
+weakness will increase.</p>
+
+<p>"We shall also be obliged to abandon large areas of the country. Will
+this make us stronger? Rather, will it not enable the enemy to
+concentrate still more? And the abandoned tracts&mdash;to whom will they
+belong? To the enemy!</p>
+
+<p>"In all probability this is our last meeting. I do not believe that we
+shall be given another chance to negotiate: we shall be deemed too
+insignificant. If we reject this proposal, what prospects have we in the
+future? If we accept it, we can, like a child, increase in size and
+strength, but with its rejection goes our last opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>"Fell a tree and it will sprout again; uproot it and there is an end of
+it. What has the nation done to deserve extinction?</p>
+
+<p>"Those who wish to continue the war are influenced chiefly by hope; but
+on what is this hope founded? On our arms? No. On intervention? By no
+means. On what then? No one can say.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry that the Transvaal and the Orange Free State are at variance
+on this point, and I regret that it is the Transvaal which has to
+declare itself unable to proceed further; but the enemy have
+concentrated all their forces in this State, and we can hold out no
+longer."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. L. Jacobsz: "I have hitherto not spoken, because I am a
+non-combatant. I have also suffered much, although less than others. I
+have listened to what has been said, but my opinion is not changed by
+the views I have heard expressed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I repeat now what I said at Klerksdorp, namely that the struggle cannot
+continue. I have noted the condition of the country, which is such that
+the commandos can no longer be supported. I would point out the
+condition of the women and children, of whom many are dying, and all are
+exposed to great dangers. If there was a chance of succeeding in the
+end, then we might hold out, but there is no such chance; there is no
+possibility of intervention, and the silence of the deputation is
+ominous.</p>
+
+<p>"I sympathize with the heroes present at this meeting; we must have a
+foundation for our faith, and we cannot altogether compare our people
+with the people of Israel. Israel had promises made to them; we have
+none. I would further point out that, in the interests of the nation, it
+will not do to surrender unconditionally: the terms before us may be
+deceptive, but they are the best obtainable.</p>
+
+<p>"With regard to the difficulty of those delegates who consider that they
+are bound to act as they have been commissioned, I am of the same
+opinion as Judge Hertzog and General Smuts."</p>
+
+<p>Commandant J.J. Alberts (Standerton) spoke more or less in the same
+strain. He was of opinion that the war should be finished by ceding
+territory, but, failing this, that it should be ended on any terms
+obtainable.</p>
+
+<p>Vice-President de Wet expressed his opinion that, considering the short
+time at their disposal, they should proceed, if possible, to make some
+proposal.</p>
+
+<p>General D.A. Brand said that he would have spoken if he had not thought
+that enough had been said; he considered it desirable to close the
+discussion, and was willing to make a proposal.</p>
+
+<p>Veldtcornet D.J.E. Opperman (Pretoria South) considered that the
+difficulties of continuing the war, and of accepting the proposal, were
+equal. Some of his burghers would fight no longer. What troubled him
+most was the condition of the women; it went to his heart to see these
+families perish. He was of opinion that, for the sake of the women and
+children who were suffering so intensely, the proposal should be
+accepted under protest.</p>
+
+<p>Veldtcornet J. Van Steedden, seconded by Veldtcornet B.J. Roos, moved
+that the discussion be now closed.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was adjourned after prayer.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span></p>
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Saturday, May 31st, 1902.</span></h4>
+
+<p>The meeting was opened with prayer.</p>
+
+<p>General Nieuwouwdt, seconded by General Brand, made the following
+proposal:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"This meeting of special deputies from the two Republics, after
+considering the proposal of His Majesty's Government for the
+re-establishment of peace, and taking into consideration (<i>a</i>) the
+demands of the burghers in the veldt and the commissions which they had
+given to their representatives; (<i>b</i>) that they do not consider
+themselves justified in concluding peace on the basis laid down by His
+Majesty's Government before having been placed in communication with the
+delegates of the Republic now in Europe, decides that it cannot accept
+the proposal of His Majesty's Government, and orders the Governments of
+the two Republics to communicate this decision to His Majesty's
+Government through its representatives."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. P.R. Viljoen, seconded by General H.A. Alberts, made a proposal,
+amended afterwards by General Smuts and Judge Hertzog, which appears
+later on under the proposal of H.P.J. Pretorius and C. Botha.</p>
+
+<p>A third proposal by General E. Botha and General J.G. Celliers was laid
+upon the table, but subsequently withdrawn.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. F.W. Reitz considered it to be his duty not only to the nation but
+also to himself as a citizen, to say that, in case the proposal of the
+British Government should be accepted, it would be necessary for the
+meeting to make provisions as to whose signatures should be attached to
+the necessary documents. He himself would not sign any document by which
+the independence would be given up.</p>
+
+<p>Remarks were made by several members on the first proposal, and Mr. P.R.
+Viljoen asked that no division should arise.</p>
+
+<p>Vice-President de Wet then said that, as the time was limited, and all
+could not speak, he would propose that a Commission should be nominated
+in order to draw up a third proposal in which various opinions of the
+members should be set down; and that, whilst the Commission was occupied
+in this way, the Orange Free State delegates on their part and those of
+the South African Republic on their part, should meet in order that an
+understanding might be come to between them. They must endeavour to come
+to a decision, for it would be of the greatest possible advantage to
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant-General Botha thought that this hint should be taken. They
+had suffered and fought together: let them not part in anger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The above-mentioned Commission was then decided upon, and Judge Hertzog
+and General Smuts were elected.</p>
+
+<p>Then the Orange Free State delegates went to the tent of Vice-President
+de Wet, whilst those of the South African Republic remained in the tent
+in which the meeting was held.</p>
+
+<p>After a time of heated dispute&mdash;for every man was preparing himself for
+the bitter end&mdash;they came to an agreement, and Judge Hertzog read the
+following proposal:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"We, the national representatives of both the South African Republic and
+the Orange Free State, at the meeting held at Vereeniging, from the 15th
+of May till the 31st of May, 1902, have with grief considered the
+proposal made by His Majesty's Government in connexion with the
+conclusion of the existing hostilities, and their communication that
+this proposal had to be accepted, or rejected, unaltered. We are sorry
+that His Majesty's Government has absolutely declined to negotiate with
+the Governments of the Republics on the basis of their independence, or
+to allow our Governments to enter into communication with our
+deputations. Our people, however, have always been under the impression
+that not only on the grounds of justice, but also taking into
+consideration the great material and personal sacrifices made for their
+independence, that it had a well-founded claim for that independence.</p>
+
+<p>"We have seriously considered the future of our country, and have
+specially observed the following facts:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Firstly, that the military policy pursued by the British military
+authorities has led to the general devastation of the territory of both
+Republics by the burning down of farms and towns, by the destruction of
+all means of subsistence, and by the exhausting of all resources
+required for the maintenance of our families, the subsistence of our
+armies, and the continuation of the war.</p>
+
+<p>"Secondly, that the placing of our families in the concentration camps
+has brought on an unheard-of condition of suffering and sickness, so
+that in a comparatively short time about twenty thousand of our beloved
+ones have died there, and that the horrid probability has arisen that,
+by continuing the war, our whole nation may die out in this way.</p>
+
+<p>"Thirdly, that the Kaffir tribe, within and without the frontiers of the
+territory of the two Republics, are mostly armed and are taking part in
+the war against us, and through the committing of murders and all sorts
+of cruelties have caused an unbearable condition of affairs in many
+districts of both Republics. An instance of this happened not long ago
+in the district of Vrijheid, where fifty-six burghers on one occasion
+were murdered and mutilated in a fearful manner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Fourthly, that by the proclamations of the enemy the burghers still
+fighting are threatened with the loss of all their movable and landed
+property&mdash;and thus with utter ruin&mdash;which proclamations have already
+been enforced.</p>
+
+<p>"Fifthly, that it has already, through the circumstances of the war,
+become quite impossible for us to keep the many thousand prisoners of
+war taken by our forces, and that we have thus been unable to inflict
+much damage on the British forces (whereas the burghers who are taken
+prisoners by the British armies are sent out of the country), and that,
+after war has raged for nearly three years, there only remains an
+insignificant part of the fighting forces with which we began.</p>
+
+<p>"Sixthly, that this fighting remainder, which is only a small minority
+of our whole nation, has to fight against an overpowering force of the
+enemy, and besides is reduced to a condition of starvation, and is
+destitute of all necessaries, and that notwithstanding our utmost
+efforts, and the sacrifice of everything that is dear and precious to
+us, we cannot foresee an eventual victory.</p>
+
+<p>"We are therefore of opinion that there is no justifiable ground for
+expecting that by continuing the war the nation will retain its
+independence, and that, under these circumstances, the nation is not
+justified in continuing the war, because this can only lead to social
+and material ruin, not for us alone, but also for our posterity.
+Compelled by the above-named circumstances and motives, we commission
+both Governments to accept the proposal of His Majesty's Government, and
+to sign it in the name of the people of both Republics.</p>
+
+<p>"We, the representative delegates, express our confidence that the
+present circumstances will, by accepting the proposal of His Majesty's
+Government, be speedily ameliorated in such a way that our nation will
+be placed in a position to enjoy the privileges to which they think they
+have a just claim, on the ground not only of their past sacrifices, but
+also of those made in this war.</p>
+
+<p>"We have with great satisfaction taken note of the decision of His
+Majesty's Government to grant a large measure of amnesty to the British
+subjects who have taken up arms on our behalf, and to whom we are united
+by bonds of love and honour; and express our wish that it may please His
+Majesty to still further extend this amnesty."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. P.R. Viljoen then withdrew his proposal.</p>
+
+<p>Commandant H.P.J. Pretorius, seconded by General C. Botha, presented the
+proposal, as read by the Commission.</p>
+
+<p>General Nieuwouwdt also withdrew his proposal, but it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span> at once taken
+over by General C.C.J. Badenhorst, seconded by Commandant A.J. Bester,
+of Bloemfontein.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting then adjourned till the afternoon.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>In the afternoon at 2.05 it again met.</p>
+
+<p>Proceeding to the voting, the proposal of H.P.J. Pretorius, seconded by
+General C. Botha, was accepted, by fifty-four votes against six. Then
+Vice-President Burger spoke a few words suitable to the occasion as
+follows:&mdash;"We are standing here at the grave of the two Republics. Much
+yet remains to be done, although we shall not be able to do it in the
+official capacities which we have formerly occupied. Let us not draw our
+hands back from the work which it is our duty to accomplish. Let us ask
+God to guide us, and to show us how we shall be enabled to keep our
+nation together. We must be ready to forgive and forget, whenever we
+meet our brethren. That part of our nation which has proved unfaithful
+we must not reject."</p>
+
+<p>Later, Vice-President Burger spoke a few words of farewell to the
+Commandant-General, to the Members of the Executive Councils, and to the
+delegates.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon, as it turned out for the last time, Commandant
+Jacobsz, seconded by General Muller, made the following proposal, which
+was unanimously accepted by the meeting:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"This meeting of Delegates, having in view the necessity of collecting
+means to provide for the wants of the suffering women and children,
+widows and orphans, and other destitute persons, who have through this
+war come to a condition of want, and also having in view the
+desirability of nominating a Committee, whose duty it shall be to
+arrange the necessary steps in this matter, and to finally decide on the
+management and distribution of the donations received, decides:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"To nominate the Hon. Messrs. M.J. Steyn, S.W. Burger, L. Botha, C.R. de
+Wet, J.H. De la Rey, A.P. Kriel, and J.D. Kestell, as the Committee, to
+carry out all arrangements for the above-mentioned purposes, that may
+seem desirable and expedient to them, and also to appoint new Members,
+Sub-Committees and working Committees; and the said Committee is
+empowered to draw up regulations, and to amend them from time to time as
+shall seem to them expedient.</p>
+
+<p>"This meeting further decides to send abroad from the above-mentioned
+Committee, Messrs. C.R. de Wet, L. Botha, and J.H. De la Rey, in order
+that they may help in collecting the above-mentioned donations."</p>
+
+<p>Then this&mdash;the last meeting of the two Republics&mdash;was closed with
+prayer.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Index</h2>
+
+
+
+<ul>
+<li>Aard, Commandant Frans van&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Election as Commandant of Kroonstad, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Killed in engagement between Kroonstad and Lindley, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Abraham's Kraal&mdash;Bombardment by British, Boer Flight, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a></li>
+
+<li><i>Achterlaaiers</i>, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></li>
+
+<li>Active Service&mdash;Calling up of Orange Free State Burghers, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Commando Law as to Equipment, Provisions, etc., <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Notification to Orange Free State Burghers to hold themselves in readiness, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Alberts, Capt.&mdash;Tribute to, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a></li>
+
+<li>Albrecht, Major&mdash;Command of Boer Reinforcements at Koedoesberg, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a></li>
+
+<li>Ammunition&mdash;Amount possessed by Boers in 1902, <a href='#Page_408'>408</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of Ammunition by the Boers, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Dewetsdorp, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Doornspruit, Capture of Train near, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Roodewal&mdash;Amount captured, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a></span></li>
+<li>      <span style="margin-left: 6em;">Digging up, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>, <a href='#Page_193'>193</a></span></li>
+<li>      <span style="margin-left: 6em;">Disposal of, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Tweefontein, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Ammunition hidden in Cave, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Amnesty&mdash;General Amnesty for Boer Sympathisers in Cape Colony and Natal, proposed, <a href='#Page_322'>322</a></li>
+
+<li>Annexation of the South African Republic&mdash;Battles fought after the alleged Annexation, <a href='#Page_229'>229</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations at Pretoria, References to the Annexation, <a href='#Page_367'>367</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Armistice to admit of attendance of Officers at the Vereeniging Meeting (May, 1902), <a href='#Page_315'>315</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Arms, Surrender of, <i>see</i> titles Banishment and Surrender</li>
+
+<li>Assistant-Commander-in-Chief Gen. de Wet obtaining Post from Government, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a></li>
+
+<li>Assistant-Commander-in-Chief of the Orange Free State&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prinsloo, Mr. Marthinus, Illegal Election of, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steenekamp, Commandant, Nomination of, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Badenhorst, Siege of, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Abandonment of Siege, <a href='#Page_79'>79</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Badenhorst, Veldtcornet, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vice-Commander-in-Chief in Districts of Boshof, etc., Appointment, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Baggage Animals of British Troops&mdash;Exhaustion of, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Use of, <a href='#Page_279'>279</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Baker's, Col., Column&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet lying in wait with a view to Reprisals, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a></li>
+
+<li>Banishment Proclamation of Aug. 7, 1901 (Lord Kitchener's Proclamation), <a href='#Page_247'>247-250</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Battles fought subsequent to, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Burghers, Effect on, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kitchener's, Lord, Letter to Commander-in-Chief de Wet enclosing copy of Proclamation, <a href='#Page_247'>247</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Reply, <a href='#Page_248'>248</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Officers, Effect on, <a href='#Page_250'>250</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">President and Commander-in-Chief of Transvaal and Orange Free State&mdash;Replies, <a href='#Page_250'>250</a>, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steyn's, President, Letter to Lord Kitchener, <a href='#Page_251'>251-259</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Terms of, <a href='#Page_247'>247-251</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Bank Notes of the South African Republic&mdash;Peace Terms, Arrangements for honouring Notes, <a href='#Page_380'>380</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prisoners of War, Opportunity of sending in Notes for Payment, <a href='#Page_386'>386</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Barbed Wire Fences, <i>see</i> Wire Fences</li>
+
+<li>Barton, Gen., Attack on at Frederiksstad by Commander-in-Chief de Wet and Gen. Liebenberg, <a href='#Page_164'>164-167</a></li>
+
+<li>Beijers, Gen.&mdash;Continuance of the War, Spirit of the Nation an obstacle&mdash;Speech at Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_410'>410</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Waterberg District, Situation in&mdash;Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Bergh, Capt.&mdash;Attacks on Boer Forces with bands of Kaffirs, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a></li>
+
+<li>Bester, Commandant A.J.&mdash;Continuance of the War, Argument in favour of at the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a></li>
+
+<li>Bester Station, Skirmish at, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></li>
+
+<li>Bethlehem&mdash;Commandants of Boer Forces, Appointments, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Defence of&mdash;British Reinforcements, Arrival of, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Dispositions of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Voetgangers</i> on Wolhuterskop, Bravery of, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Engagement near, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fall of, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Bethlehem Commando&mdash;Fidelity of Burghers, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Footnote_44_44'><i>note</i></a></li>
+
+<li>Bezuidenhoutspas&mdash;Occupation by Vrede Commando, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></li>
+
+<li>Biddulphsberg Engagement&mdash;English wounded burnt by veldt fire, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a></li>
+
+<li>"Big Constable"&mdash;Transvaalers mistaking President Steyn for Police Agent, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a></li>
+
+<li>Birkenstock, Mr.&mdash;Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., <a href='#Page_399'>399</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902&mdash;Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_343'>343</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Blauwbank, Fight at, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Camp abandoned&mdash;Booty taken by Boers, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Convoy, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Attack on, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Blijdschap&mdash;Arrival of Laager of Women, <a href='#Page_268'>268</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Lange sentenced to death for High Treason at, <a href='#Page_268'>268</a>, <a href='#Footnote_101_101'><i>note</i></a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Massing of Commandos at, <a href='#Page_268'>268</a></span></li>
+
+<li><i>Blikkiescost</i>, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></li>
+
+<li>Blockhouse System&mdash;"Blockhead" System, alleged, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Success in breaking through Blockhouses, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bothaville, Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British loss of faith in Blockhouses, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cost of erection and maintenance, <a href='#Page_262'>262</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Description of, <a href='#Page_262'>262</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Districts surrounded by the British, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Failure of, alleged, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Lindley-Kroonstad Line, Boers breaking through, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Palmietfontein, Boers breaking through Line near, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prolongation of the War by, alleged, <a href='#Page_263'>263</a>, <a href='#Page_264'>264</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Small number of Captures effected, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Springhaansnek&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet breaking through the Line of Blockhouses on the march to the South, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Thaba'Nchu and Sanna's Post, Forts between&mdash;Capture by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Trenches dug by British near Blockhouse Lines, etc., <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>, <a href='#Page_294'>294</a>, <a href='#Page_295'>295</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Bloemfontein&mdash;Capture by British, <a href='#Page_55'>55</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Defence of&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Arrangements, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Water Works&mdash;Occupation by General Broadwood, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a></span></li>
+
+<li>"Boer Biscuits," <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></li>
+
+<li>Boer Forces&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Burghers who had returned home after fall of Bloemfontein, Re-call to the front, <a href='#Page_71'>71</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Commandos left with Commander-in-Chief de Wet after fall of Bloemfontein, <a href='#Footnote_29_29'><i>note</i> 57</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Confusion among Burghers at Holspruits, <a href='#Page_294'>294</a>, <a href='#Page_295'>295</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Discipline, <i>see</i> that title</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Disposition of Forces after fall of Bethlehem, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Harrismith Commando, Refusal to part with Waggons&mdash;Return home, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Medical Certificates, Abuse of, <a href='#Footnote_30_30'><i>note</i> 59</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mobility, <i>see</i> that title</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Numbers at Outset of War, <a href='#Page_408'>408</a>, <a href='#Page_414'>414</a>, <a href='#Page_415'>415</a>, <a href='#Page_419'>419</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Numbers at the Termination of the War, <a href='#Page_322'>322</a>, <a href='#Page_338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a>, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>, <a href='#Page_359'>359</a>, <a href='#Page_360'>360</a>, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Orange Free State Commandos&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Commander-in-Chief, Election of, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Harrismith, Concentration at, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>, <a href='#Page_6'>6-7</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Heilbron Commando, <i>see</i> that title</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Number of Burghers ready to fight after fall of Pretoria, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Panic after Paardeberg, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a>, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>, <a href='#Footnote_29_29'><i>note</i> 57</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Permission given to Burghers by Commander-in-Chief de Wet to return home, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a> <a href='#Footnote_29_29'><i>note</i></a>, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>&mdash;Gen. Joubert's Protest, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Reduction in numbers due to Paardeberg Surrender, etc., <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Roberts', Lord, Surrender Proclamation&mdash;Effect on Numbers rejoining Commandos, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Non-observance of Terms, Burghers returning to Commandos, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Separation of Free Staters and Transvaalers after fall of Kroonstad, Reasons for, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Boesmanskop Skirmish, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a></li>
+
+<li>Boshof, Vrow&mdash;Gift of Clothes to Burghers who had swum the Orange River, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a></li>
+
+<li>Bosman, Landdrost&mdash;Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., <a href='#Page_404'>404</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_406'>406</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902&mdash;Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Botha&mdash;Capture at Honingkopjes, Subsequent Escape and Death, <a href='#Page_110'>110</a></li>
+
+<li>Botha, Commandant-General&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Continuance of the War, Arguments against&mdash;Terms of Surrender, etc., <a href='#Page_414'>414</a>, <a href='#Page_415'>415</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Estcourt Skirmishes&mdash;Capture of Armoured Train, etc., <a href='#Page_19'>19</a></span></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fortitude after Fall of Pretoria, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Independence of the South African Republic and Orange Free State&mdash;Vereeniging Conference Delegates' power to decide as to Independence, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Junction with Commander-in-Chief de Wet at Rhenosterriviersbrug, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Middelburg Peace Proposals, <i>see</i> that title</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mission to Europe on behalf of Relief Fund Committee, <a href='#Page_428'>428</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations&mdash;Member of Commission of National Representatives at the Pretoria Conference, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>, <a href='#Page_365'>365-396</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902&mdash;Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page_338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page_354'>354-358</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Botha, General Philip&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dewetsdorp Defences, Occupation of, <a href='#Page_175'>175</a>, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Engagement with General Knox's Forces, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Reinforcements sent to Commander-in-Chief de Wet before Paardeberg, Command of, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Stinkfontein&mdash;Failure to recapture Position, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Storming of, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tabaksberg, Engagement at, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Botha, Mr. Jan&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute to, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a></li>
+
+<li>Bothaville&mdash;Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surprise Attack by the British on Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Forces&mdash;Boer Panic, <a href='#Page_168'>168-170</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Losses of the Boers, <a href='#Page_170'>170-171</a></span></li>
+
+<li><i>Bout Span</i>, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a></li>
+
+<li>Boys&mdash;Presence with Commandos, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Children killed and wounded, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>, <a href='#Page_295'>295</a>, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Brabant's, General, Successes, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></li>
+
+<li>Brabant's Horse&mdash;Attack on Commandant Kritzinger and Captain Scheepers, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Opinion of, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Brand, President&mdash;Assistance rendered to South African Republic in War of 1877-1881, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a></li>
+
+<li>Brandfort, Boer Forces at&mdash;Hotels closed by Commander-in-Chief, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a></li>
+
+<li><i>Brandwachten</i>, <a href='#Page_22'>22</a></li>
+
+<li>Breijtenbach, Veldtcornet B.H.&mdash;Continuance of the War, Impossibility of Carrying on the Struggle, <a href='#Page_403'>403</a>, <a href='#Page_404'>404</a></li>
+
+<li>British Forces&mdash;Artillery, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute to, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">March from Bethlehem to Reitz, under guidance of Free Staater, <a href='#Page_263'>263</a>, <a href='#Page_264'>264</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sixty Thousand Men, Cordon of, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>, <a href='#Page_293'>293</a>, <a href='#Page_294'>294</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Broadwood, General&mdash;Occupation of Thaba'Nchu, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Retreat towards Thaba'Nchu before General Olivier, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Broodspioen, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a></li>
+
+<li>Bruwer, Commandant&mdash;Appointment to Command of Bethlehem District, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a></li>
+
+<li>Buller, Sir Redvers&mdash;Drakensberg Frontier, Crossing of, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Landing at Cape Town, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Relief of Ladysmith, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Strength of Positions operated against by Sir Redvers Buller, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Bulwana Hill&mdash;Boers surprised by British, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a></li>
+
+<li>Burger, Vice-President&mdash;Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., <a href='#Page_398'>398</a>, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a>, <a href='#Page_425'>425</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Meeting with Orange Free State Government, Letter to President Steyn, <a href='#Page_301'>301</a>, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902&mdash;Address at the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_336'>336</a>, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351-354</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steyn, President, Resignation of&mdash;Announcement at Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Cape Colony&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Attempted Inroad&mdash;March towards Cape Colony&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Blockhouses&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet breaking through the Line at Springhaansnek, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a>, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a>, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Dewetsdorp&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>      <span style="margin-left: 6em;">Defences, British neglecting to hold, <a href='#Page_175'>175</a>, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a></span></li>
+<li>      <span style="margin-left: 6em;">Storming of, <a href='#Page_175'>175-179</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Forces under Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_172'>172</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">"Good Hope" Farm, Engagement near, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a></span></li>
+<li>      <span style="margin-left: 6em;">Knox's, Gen., Arrival with British Reinforcements, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Gun and Amount of Ammunition taken, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Karmel, March towards, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a>, <a href='#Page_182'>182</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Knox's, Gen., Pursuit of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>, <a href='#Page_190'>190</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Orange and Caledon Rivers in flood&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet "cornered," <a href='#Page_182'>182</a>, <a href='#Page_183'>183</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Prinsloo's, Commandant Michal, Commando&mdash;Appearance in the nick of time, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Retreat across Orange River, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a></span></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Expedition into&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Capture of Farm held by British Troops, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Courage and Endurance of Burghers, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Diminution in number of Boer Forces, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a>, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Engagements with British Troops, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a>, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Escape of Boer Forces in the darkness, <a href='#Page_216'>216</a>, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Fodder, Lack of, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a>, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Knox's, Gen., Movements, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Miraculous Nature of Boer Achievements, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>, <a href='#Page_224'>224</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Moddervlei, Passage of&mdash;Boer Loss of Ammunition and Flour Waggons, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>, <a href='#Page_210'>210</a>, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Officers serving with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Position of Boer Forces after crossing Orange River, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Retreat across Orange River, Difficulties of, etc., <a href='#Page_217'>217-224</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Strategy employed to mislead Gen. Knox, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">General Rising of Burghers, Impossibility of&mdash;Reports of Delegates at the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_340'>340</a>, <a href='#Page_341'>341</a>, <a href='#Page_342'>342</a>, <a href='#Page_355'>355</a>, <a href='#Page_360'>360</a>, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_406'>406</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Position of affairs at the beginning of 1901&mdash;Colonial Burghers' Sympathy with Boer Cause, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sheep-farming, success of in North-Western Districts, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Small Commandos sent to Cape Colony, Policy of, <a href='#Page_234'>234</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Cape Mounted Rifles, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's opinion of, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a></li>
+
+<li>Cartwright, Mr., Editor of <i>South African News</i>&mdash;Punishment for publication of "not to take prisoners" Anecdote concerning Lord Kitchener, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a></li>
+
+<li>Casualties, <i>see</i> Losses in Killed and Wounded, etc., on either side</li>
+
+<li>Cattle&mdash;Blockhouse Line between Lindley and Kroonstad, Boer Cattle breaking through, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of Boer Cattle on "Majuba Day," <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Destruction by the British, <a href='#Page_192'>192</a>, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Supply available on May 15, 1902&mdash;Report of Vereeniging Delegates, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page_338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a>, <a href='#Page_340'>340</a>, <a href='#Page_341'>341</a>, <a href='#Page_343'>343</a>, <a href='#Page_344'>344</a>, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Causes of the War&mdash;British Government Interference with the inner policy of the South African Republic, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Declaration of War by the South African Republics as the Cause&mdash;President Steyn's Contradiction, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Extermination of the Republics already determined on by England, alleged, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Franchise Law&mdash;British Government Demands, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Goldfields the main object, alleged, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Jameson Raid as a Cause, alleged, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Memorials to H.M. Government concerning alleged Grievances&mdash;President Steyn's efforts to keep the Peace, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Orange Free State joining issues with the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steyn's, President, Letter to Lord Kitchener, <a href='#Page_250'>250-259</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Troops landed by the British Government prior to outbreak of War, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ultimatum of Boers, Lord Salisbury's Assertion, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Ceylon&mdash;Boer Prisoners taken with Gen. Prinsloo sent to Ceylon, <a href='#Page_156'>156</a></li>
+
+<li>Chamberlain, Mr. J.&mdash;Boer Ultimatum&mdash;Telegrams to Sir A. Milner, <a href='#Page_329'>329</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Jameson Raid&mdash;Defence of Mr. Rhodes, President Steyn on, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Cilliers, Gen. J.G.&mdash;Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., <a href='#Page_404'>404</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902&mdash;Address at the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>, <a href='#Page_354'>354</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Cilliers, Sarah&mdash;Death at Frederiksstad Engagement, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a></li>
+
+<li>Clothing&mdash;De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Clothes hidden in Cave, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Difficulty of obtaining, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hides for tanning, Destruction by the British, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Stripping British Prisoners to obtain, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Colenso&mdash;British losses at, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></li>
+
+<li>Colesberg&mdash;Strength of Boer Positions, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></li>
+
+<li>Colonial Burghers&mdash;British subjects fighting on Boer Side, Boer Hopes of Assistance unfulfilled, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_406'>406</a>, <a href='#Page_408'>408</a>, <a href='#Page_420'>420</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Government Intentions with regard to Rebels, <a href='#Page_394'>394</a>, <a href='#Page_395'>395</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Proposal for General Amnesty, <a href='#Page_413'>413</a>, <a href='#Page_414'>414</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Safeguarding in Peace Negotiations, <a href='#Page_398'>398</a>, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a>, <a href='#Page_403'>403</a>, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a>, <a href='#Page_414'>414</a>, <a href='#Page_415'>415</a>, <a href='#Page_416'>416</a>, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_427'>427</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Commandeering&mdash;Provisions of Commando Law, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></li>
+
+<li>Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet, Gen.&mdash;Appointment of, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Secret Election of, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prinsloo, Election of, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span></li>
+
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span>Commando Law&mdash;Provisions as to Commandeering, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></li>
+
+<li>Commandos&mdash;Division of into small parties, <a href='#Page_225'>225</a></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Advantages of, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">List of Districts and Commandants, <a href='#Page_225'>225-227</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Skirmishes, Splendid Record, <a href='#Page_267'>267</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Small Commandos sent into Cape Colony&mdash;De Wet's Policy, <a href='#Page_234'>234</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">(For particular Commandos <i>see</i> their names)</span></li>
+
+<li>Commissariat&mdash;Comparison of Boer and British Commissariat Arrangements, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></li>
+
+<li>Compensation for Boer Losses, <i>see</i> Repatriation</li>
+
+<li>Concentration Camps&mdash;Number of Deaths in, etc., <a href='#Page_416'>416</a>, <a href='#Page_419'>419</a>, <a href='#Page_426'>426</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Women&mdash;Flight of to avoid being sent to Camps, <a href='#Page_193'>193</a>, <a href='#Page_279'>279</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Maintenance of Boer Women and Children by the British Government&mdash;President Steyn on, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Treatment of, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Conduct of the War by British&mdash;Exhaustion of the Republics, <a href='#Page_419'>419</a></li>
+
+<li>Continuance of the War in 1902, Vereeniging Conference&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Burghers, Attitude of, <a href='#Page_404'>404</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_410'>410</a>, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Effect on Vereeniging Meeting, <a href='#Page_413'>413</a>, <a href='#Page_414'>414</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Comparison of Situation with that of 1877-1881, Futility of, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Speech, <a href='#Page_407'>407</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kruger's, President, Advice, <a href='#Page_420'>420</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Possibility, Question of&mdash;Situation in South African Republic, Reliance on Government, etc., <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>, <a href='#Page_349'>349</a>, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>, <a href='#Page_354'>354-358</a>, <a href='#Page_359'>359</a>, <a href='#Page_360'>360-362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a>, <a href='#Page_399'>399</a>, <a href='#Page_400'>400</a>, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a>, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a>, <a href='#Page_403'>403</a>, <a href='#Page_404'>404</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_407'>407</a>, <a href='#Page_408'>408</a>, <a href='#Page_410'>410</a>, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a>, <a href='#Page_413'>413</a>, <a href='#Page_414'>414</a>, <a href='#Page_415'>415</a>, <a href='#Page_417'>417</a>, <a href='#Page_418'>418</a>, <a href='#Page_420'>420</a>, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a>, <a href='#Page_426'>426</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Reasons for, <a href='#Page_400'>400</a>, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Correspondence relating to the War, Preservation of, <a href='#Page_247'>247</a></li>
+
+<li>Court Martial on Commandant Vilonel, Composition of, <a href='#Footnote_38_38'><i>note</i> 85</a></li>
+
+<li>Cowboys, Capture by Boers&mdash;Blauwbank Capture, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a></li>
+
+<li>Cronje, Commandant&mdash;Continuance of the War, Reliance on God, etc., <a href='#Page_402'>402</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">European Intervention, Boer Deputation to Foreign Courts, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a>, <a href='#Page_403'>403</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Cronje, Gen. A.P.&mdash;Modder Spruit, Command at, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sanna's Post, Share in Engagement, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vechtgeneraal of Orange Free State, Nomination as, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Cronje, Gen. Piet&mdash;De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Scheme for breaking Lord Methuen's Railway Communications&mdash;Refusal to permit Execution of, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ladysmith, Occupation of Positions South and Southwest of, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Magersfontein&mdash;Command at, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Refusal to profit by Commander-in-Chief De Wet's Advice, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Message in reply to Commander-in-Chief De Wet's warning before Paardeberg, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Retreat towards Paardeberg, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surrender at Paardeberg (<i>see</i> Paardeberg)</span></li>
+
+<li>Cronje, Vechtgeneraal Andreas&mdash;Command of Boers' Reinforcements from Bloemfontein, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a></li>
+
+<li>Cropper, F.C., Death of, near Lindley, <a href='#Page_269'>269</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Dakasburg Engagement, <a href='#Page_200'>200</a></li>
+
+<li>Dalgety, Colonel&mdash;Command at Badenhorst, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a></li>
+
+<li>Davel, Commandant&mdash;Command of President Steyn's Bodyguard, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a></li>
+
+<li>Days of Thanksgiving and Humiliation, Appointment of, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a></li>
+
+<li>De Clercq, Mr.&mdash;Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, <a href='#Page_399'>399</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902&mdash;Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_344'>344</a>, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a></span></li>
+
+<li>De la Rey, General&mdash;Colesberg Command, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., <a href='#Page_403'>403</a>, <a href='#Page_404'>404</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fortitude after Fall of Pretoria, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Independence of the South African Republic&mdash;Powers of Vereeniging Delegates to decide on Question, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a>, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kraaipan, Capture of Armoured Train, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Magersfontein Laager, Command at, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mission to Europe on behalf of Relief Fund Committee, <a href='#Page_428'>428</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations&mdash;Member of Commission of National Representatives at the Pretoria Conference, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>, <a href='#Page_365'>365-396</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Permission given to Burghers to return home, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Reitfontein, Work at, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Roberts', Lord, Attempt to cross the Orange River&mdash;Success in preventing, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902&mdash;Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_358'>358</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steyn's, President, and General de Wet's visit to, <a href='#Page_300'>300</a></span></li>
+
+<li>De Lange&mdash;Sentence of Death for High Treason at Blijdschap, <a href='#Footnote_101_101'>268 <i>note</i></a></li>
+
+<li>De Wet, General Piet&mdash;Advice to Commander-in-Chief De Wet after Siege of Badenhorst, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Discontinuance of Struggle proposed&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Reception of Proposal, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Lindley Garrison, Capture of, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Swartbooiskop, Guarding after Fight at Nicholson's Nek, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a></span></li>
+
+<li>De Wet, Jacobus, Capture of, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a></li>
+
+<li>De Wet, Johannes&mdash;Death near Smithfield, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a></li>
+
+<li>De Wet, Veldtcornet&mdash;Wounded during Retreat from Dewetsdorp, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a></li>
+
+<li>Debtors, Protection of, against Creditors for Six Months after the War&mdash;Peace Negotiations at Pretoria (May, 1902), <a href='#Page_387'>387</a></li>
+
+<li>Declaration of War by South African Republic (<i>see</i> Ultimatum)</li>
+
+<li>Deputation to European Powers to ask for Intervention (1900)&mdash;Departure from Delagoa Bay, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Encouragement to continue Struggle, <a href='#Page_407'>407</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">England's Refusal to permit Return of Deputation, <a href='#Page_409'>409</a>, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a>, <a href='#Page_413'>413</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">European Governments unwilling to receive, <a href='#Page_415'>415</a>, <a href='#Page_416'>416</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Failure of, <a href='#Page_355'>355</a>, <a href='#Page_356'>356</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Object of, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Silence of, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a>, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a>, <a href='#Page_403'>403</a>, <a href='#Page_404'>404</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_407'>407</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Delagoa Bay Harbour, Forbidden to Boers by Portuguese Government, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Footnote_28_28'><i>note</i> 54</a></li>
+
+<li>Destitution caused by the War, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a>, <a href='#Page_322'>322</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Appointment of Committee to Collect and Administer Relief Funds, <a href='#Page_428'>428</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Devastation by the British&mdash;War against Boer Property, <a href='#Page_192'>192</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Crops destroyed, Corn burnt, etc., <a href='#Footnote_37_37'><i>note</i> 83</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Farm-burning and Waggons (<i>see</i> those titles)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Male Attire, Burning of, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Dewetsdorp, Occupation by British, <a href='#Page_71'>71</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Storming by Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Forces, <a href='#Page_174'>174-179</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Diederiks of Boshof, Commandant, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li>
+
+<li>Discipline of Boer Forces&mdash;Imperfect Discipline, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Failure to remove Cattle along Railway Line, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Roodewal, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Difficulties in carrying away Booty, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sanna's Post, irritating Results at, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Stricter Discipline, Results of, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Taljaart's and Prinsloo's, Veldtcornets, Burghers "preferred to go their own way," <a href='#Page_286'>286</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Waggon Difficulty, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Harrismith Burghers' Refusal to part with their Waggons at Spitskopje, <a href='#Page_161'>161-163</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Doornberg, War Council at&mdash;Decision as to Presidential Election, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a></li>
+
+<li>Doornspruit&mdash;Line near crossed by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, Capture of Train, Ammunition, etc., <a href='#Page_132'>132</a></li>
+
+<li>Drakensberg Range&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boundary between Boer and British Territory in 1899, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Passes, Occupation by Orange Free State Commandos, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Drive Tactics of British&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bethlehem-Lindley to Frankfort-Vrede Line&mdash;Cordon of Sixty Thousand Men, <a href='#Page_290'>290-296</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Forces caught between Cordon of Troops and Vaal River, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Harrismith, Heilbron and Bethlehem District, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a>, <a href='#Page_286'>286</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Du Toit, General&mdash;Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., <a href='#Page_400'>400</a>, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a></li>
+
+<li>Dundee, Line near, cut by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Elandsfontein Engagement&mdash;Commandant Michal Prinsloo's Exploit, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a></li>
+
+<li>Elandskop&mdash;British Attack in Hope of Capturing Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a></li>
+
+<li>Elandslaagte Engagement, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a></li>
+
+<li>Els, Veldtcornet Marthinus, wounded outside Ladysmith, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></li>
+
+<li>Epithets applied by the British to the Boer Forces, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a></li>
+
+<li>European Journals kept from Republics by England, <a href='#Page_409'>409</a></li>
+
+<li>Eustin, Lieut. Banie, wounded and captured by British, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a></li>
+
+<li>Extermination of the South African Republics&mdash;British Determination to exterminate the Republics prior to the Outbreak of War, alleged, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Fanny's Home Farm&mdash;Recapture of Guns by British, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a></li>
+
+<li>Farm-burning, etc., by the British&mdash;Heilbron, Bethlehem and Harrismith District, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Roberts', Lord, Proclamations, ordering, <a href='#Page_192'>192</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Shelter, Lack of&mdash;Women living in Narrow Sheds, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wholesale Destruction of Farms by the British, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Fauresmith and Jacobsdal Burghers&mdash;Failure to rejoin Commandos, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Return Home without Permission after Poplar Grove, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Ferreira, Mr. T.S., Commander-in-Chief, at Kimberley&mdash;Death due to Gun Accident, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></li>
+
+<li>Firing of the Veldt by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a></li>
+
+<li>Fissher, Abraham&mdash;Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></li>
+
+<li>Food Supply&mdash;Failure of Food Supply, Reason for Acceptance of British Peace Terms, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a>, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a>, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_406'>406</a>, <a href='#Page_410'>410</a>, <a href='#Page_416'>416</a>, <a href='#Page_417'>417</a>, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_427'>427</a>, <a href='#Page_428'>428</a></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kemp's, Gen., Plan of Commandeering Food Supplies from the Kaffirs, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in the various Districts on May 15, 1902&mdash;Reports of the Delegates to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page_338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a>, <a href='#Page_340'>340</a>, <a href='#Page_341'>341</a>, <a href='#Page_342'>342</a>, <a href='#Page_343'>343</a>, <a href='#Page_344'>344</a>, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page_355'>355</a>, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Forces&mdash;Comparison between numbers, etc., engaged on either Side in the War, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">(<i>See</i> also titles Boer and British Forces)</span></li>
+
+<li>Fourie, General Piet&mdash;Bethlehem Engagement, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Blauwbank, Exploits at, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cape Colony Expedition, Part in, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a>, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page_210'>210</a>, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a>, <a href='#Page_213'>213</a>, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Commandos escaped from behind the Roodebergen, Command of, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Despatch of, to the South-Eastern Districts, <a href='#Page_225'>225</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Engagement with British Troops from Bloemfontein (1900), <a href='#Page_80'>80</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prinsloo's Surrender, Escape from, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Springhaansnek, Leader in Attack on Blockhouse Line, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a>, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vice-Commander-in-Chief in Bloemfontein District, Appointment, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Franchise&mdash;British Government Demands on the South African Republic prior to Outbreak of War, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a></li>
+
+<li>Frankfort, British Success at (1900), <a href='#Page_82'>82</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ross', Commandant, Engagement with Colonel Rimington's Troops, <a href='#Page_267'>267</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Fraser, Gordon&mdash;One of two faithful Burghers of Philippolis District, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a></li>
+
+<li>Frederiksstad Station&mdash;Attack by Commander-in-Chief de Wet and General Liebenberg on General Barton, Causes of Failure, etc., <a href='#Page_165'>165-168</a></li>
+
+<li>French, General&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Koedoesberg, Fight for, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Magersfontein&mdash;Boer Lines broken through, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Froneman, General&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Continuance of the War at all Costs advocated, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a>, <a href='#Page_403'>403</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Escape from Paardeberg, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Frederiksstad, Attack on General Barton&mdash;Failure to hold advanced Position, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Koedoesberg, Share in Fighting at, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prinsloo's Surrender&mdash;Escape from, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Railway Line wrecked near America Siding, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Reddersburg, March on, <a href='#Page_72'>72</a>, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Rhenosterriviersbrug Engagement, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Smithfield Expedition, Results of, <a href='#Page_79'>79</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Train captured by, near Jagersfontein Road Station, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ventersburg, Failure to hold Position, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Gatacre, General&mdash;Capture of Stormberg, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></li>
+
+<li>Gatsrand&mdash;Death of Danie Theron, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></li>
+
+<li>Germany&mdash;Attitude towards the War, Reasons for Non-intervention, <a href='#Page_358'>358</a>, <a href='#Page_359'>359</a></li>
+
+<li>Gladstone&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Assistance rendered to South African Republic in War of 1877-1881, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, tribute to, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Goldfields&mdash;Surrender of, to the British proposed, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>, <a href='#Page_357'>357</a>, <a href='#Page_358'>358</a>, <a href='#Page_359'>359</a>, <a href='#Page_360'>360</a>, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a>, <a href='#Page_364'>364</a></li>
+
+<li>Gouveneurskop&mdash;General de Villiers' Exploits at, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a></li>
+
+<li>Government of Orange Free State&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Accompanying Commander-in-Chief de Wet in Departure from Roodebergen, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bethlehem, Transference to, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cape Colony, Expedition into, Decision to accompany, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of Members of the Government by the British at Reitz&mdash;Escape of President Steyn, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Operations after Prinsloo's Surrender&mdash;Government accompanying Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Executive Raad, Constitution of, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Heilbron, Transference to, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad, Transference to, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Third Transference, Reasons for, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Volksraad&mdash;Impossibility of assembling a legally constituted Volksraad, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a>, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Government of South African Republic&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of Members by the British at Reitz, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Appointments to Vacancies, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Treachery on the part of Burgher Steenekamp, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steyn's, President, Visit to Machadodorp, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Termination of the War (<i>see</i> that title)</span></li>
+
+<li>Governments of the Orange Free State and South African Republic&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Deliberations, Meeting at Klerksdorp, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations at Pretoria, Boer Proposals for Retention of Self-Government under British supervision, <a href='#Page_366'>366</a>, <a href='#Page_371'>371</a>, <a href='#Page_372'>372</a></span></li>
+
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span>Grain Waggons, captured by British near Vredefort, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a></li>
+
+<li>"Granary" of Orange Free State lost to Boers, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a></li>
+
+<li>Grant by the British Government for Repatriation Purposes, Re-stocking Farms, etc., <a href='#Page_394'>394</a></li>
+
+<li>Great Britain, King of&mdash;Thanks of Boer Generals for Efforts to promote Peace&mdash;Resolution at the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a></li>
+
+<li>Grobler, Commandant H.S.&mdash;Continuance of the War, Impossibility of carrying on the Struggle, <a href='#Page_406'>406</a></li>
+
+<li>Grobler, Mr. E.R.&mdash;Colesberg Command, <a href='#Page_22'>22</a></li>
+
+<li>Groenkop, Description of, <a href='#Page_278'>278</a></li>
+
+<li>"Guerillas"&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Designation of Boer Forces by the British as "Guerillas," Objections to the term, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a>, <a href='#Page_229'>229</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Meaning of the term, <a href='#Page_229'>229</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Guns&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Captures&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Blauwbank, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Colenso and Stormberg, <a href='#Page_22'>22</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Dakasburg Engagement&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>      <span style="margin-left: 6em;">Capture of a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, <a href='#Page_200'>200</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Dewetsdorp, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Nicholson's Nek, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Sanna's Post, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Tweefontein, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Losses, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Bothaville, Number lost at, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Fanny's Home Farm, Recapture of Guns by the British, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Frederiksstad, Retreat after&mdash;Loss of one gun, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Springhaansnek, Gun Abandoned, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>, <a href='#Page_190'>190</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Ventersdorp, Loss of Krupp Gun near, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>"Hands-uppers," British use of, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a></li>
+
+<li>Harbour, Boer Lack of, <a href='#Footnote_28_28'><i>note</i> 53</a></li>
+
+<li>Harrismith&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Engagement with British Troops near, <a href='#Page_272'>272-274</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Boer Casualties, <a href='#Page_274'>274</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Failure of Boer Charge, <a href='#Page_273'>273</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Orange Free State Troops, Concentration at, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Harrismith Burghers&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Visit to, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surrender following Prinsloo's Surrender, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Waggon, Refusal to part with&mdash;Return home, <a href='#Page_161'>161-163</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Hasebroek, Commandant&mdash;Cape Colony Expedition&mdash;Holding the Enemy in Check, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a>, <a href='#Page_215'>215</a>, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Engagement with Colonel White near Thaba'Nchu, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>, <a href='#Page_190'>190</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Hattingh, General&mdash;Command at Harrismith and Vrede Commandos, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Commander-in-Chief in the Drakensberg Appointment, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Hattingh, Veldtcornet Johannes&mdash;Leader in Springhaansnek Attack on Blockhouse Lines, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a></li>
+
+<li>Heenop, David&mdash;Swimming the Orange River, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a></li>
+
+<li>Heilbron&mdash;District to which Commander-in-Chief de Wet belonged, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Government of Orange Free State transferred to, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mentz, Commandant F.E., Engagement with Colonel Byng's Column, <a href='#Page_267'>267</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Heilbron Commando&mdash;Commandant Mr. L. Steenekamp, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vice-Commandant, Election of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Visits to, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Heliographic Communication, Use by Boers, <a href='#Footnote_102_102'>286 <i>note</i></a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a></li>
+
+<li>Hertzog, Judge&mdash;Continuance of the War, Arguments for and against&mdash;Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Despatch of, to the South-Western Districts, <a href='#Page_225'>225</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mission to bring back Commandos which had escaped from Prinsloo's Surrender, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations&mdash;Member of Commission of National Representatives at the Pretoria Conference, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>, <a href='#Page_365'>365-396</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Rejection of British Terms&mdash;Proposal, <a href='#Page_425'>425</a>, <a href='#Page_426'>426</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Report on Attitude of Burghers in North-Western Parts of Cape Colony, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Appointment in Districts of Fauresmith, etc., <a href='#Page_158'>158</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Hides for Tanning&mdash;Destruction by the British, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a></li>
+
+<li>Hijs, Commandant, P.L.&mdash;Impossibility of European Intervention, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a>, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a></li>
+
+<li>Holspruits&mdash;Boers breaking through British Lines, <a href='#Page_293'>293</a>, <a href='#Page_294'>294</a></li>
+
+<li>Honing Kopjes&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's first Engagement with Lord Kitchener, <a href='#Page_108'>108-110</a></li>
+
+<li>Honingspruit Station, Failure of Commandant Olivier's Attack, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a></li>
+
+<li>Horses&mdash;Bothaville, Capture of Horses by Boers, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Condition of Boer Horses, <a href='#Page_338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a>, <a href='#Page_341'>341</a>, <a href='#Page_342'>342</a>, <a href='#Page_343'>343</a>, <a href='#Page_344'>344</a>, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page_355'>355</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dependence of the Boers on their Horses, <a href='#Page_172'>172</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fodder, Scarcity of, <a href='#Page_341'>341</a>, <a href='#Page_355'>355</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Skin Disease among, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page_272'>272</a></span></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wild Horses of the Veldt, Use of, by the Boers, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>, <a href='#Page_293'>293</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Humiliation Days, Appointment of, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Independence of the Republics&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Afrikander Feeling as to, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Government Attitude towards, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Correspondence between Presidents Kruger and Steyn and Lord Salisbury, <a href='#Page_330'>330-332</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Meetings to ascertain the feeling of the Burghers as to Surrender of Independence, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Irretrievably Lost," <a href='#Page_419'>419</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Maintenance of&mdash;Burghers' Mandate to Vereeniging Delegates, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page_338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a>, <a href='#Page_400'>400</a>, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a>, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a>, <a href='#Page_403'>403</a>, <a href='#Page_404'>404</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_407'>407</a>, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a>, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a>, <a href='#Page_417'>417</a>, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations&mdash;Conference at Pretoria between Commission of the National Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (May 19-28, 1902), <a href='#Page_366'>366</a>, <a href='#Page_370'>370</a>, <a href='#Page_371'>371</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Refusal of the British Government to consider Terms based on Retention of Independence, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>, <a href='#Page_397'>397</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steyn, President, Views of, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surrender of&mdash;Conditions offered by the British in exchange, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>, <a href='#Page_358'>358</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vereeniging Conference, opinions of Burghers' Delegates, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>, <a href='#Page_336'>336</a>, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>, <a href='#Page_354'>354</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a>, <a href='#Page_364'>364</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Intervention of Foreign Powers on behalf of the Republics&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Attitude of England towards, <a href='#Page_356'>356</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Deputation to European Powers (<i>see</i> Deputation)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Hopes unfulfilled, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_406'>406</a>, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a>, <a href='#Page_414'>414</a>, <a href='#Page_415'>415</a>, <a href='#Page_416'>416</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Germany, Reasons for Non-intervention, <a href='#Page_358'>358</a>, <a href='#Page_359'>359</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Improbability of Intervention, <a href='#Page_355'>355</a>, <a href='#Page_358'>358</a>, <a href='#Page_359'>359</a>, <a href='#Page_360'>360</a>, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a>, <a href='#Page_433'>433</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Intervention not desired by Boers, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steyn, President, on, <a href='#Page_354'>354</a>, <a href='#Page_355'>355</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Jameson Raid, President Steyn on, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a></li>
+
+<li>Jew at Nicholson's Nek&mdash;Burgher declining to do Business, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a></li>
+
+<li>Johannesburg Police, Behaviour at Nicholson's Nek, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a>, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a></li>
+
+<li>Jonson, Burgher, Death at Bester Station&mdash;First Victim in the Fight for Freedom, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></li>
+
+<li>Joubert, General&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Junction with Orange Free State Forces at Rietfontein, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Kaffirs&mdash;Arming by England, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Attitude towards the Boers&mdash;Reports of Vereeniging Delegates, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page_338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a>, <a href='#Page_340'>340</a>, <a href='#Page_343'>343</a>, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page_355'>355</a>, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Women, Treatment of, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of Kaffirs by Boers at Dewetsdorp, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>, <a href='#Page_179'>179</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Release of Prisoners, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Treatment of Kaffirs by Boers&mdash;Kaffirs captured at Leeuwspruit Bridge, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Warfare, Native Methods&mdash;Boer Sufferings at the Hands of Zulus and Basutos, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Kemp, General&mdash;Continuance of the War, Independence of the Republics, etc., <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on May <a href='#Page_15'>15</a>, 1902&mdash;Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Kitchener, Lord&mdash;Armistice agreed on, to admit of Attendance of Boer Officers at the Vereeniging Meeting, <a href='#Page_316'>316</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Misunderstanding on the Part of the British Columns, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>, <a href='#Page_318'>318</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of President Steyn and Commander-in-Chief de Wet anticipated&mdash;Visit to Wolvehock Station, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Escape from Armoured Train, near Leeuwspruit Bridge, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Honingkopjes and Roodepoort&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's first Engagement with Lord Kitchener, <a href='#Page_108'>108</a>, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Independence of Republics as basis for Peace Negotiations, Refusal to consider&mdash;Pretoria Conference, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>, <a href='#Page_397'>397</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad, Arrival at, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Middelburg Peace Proposals (<i>see</i> that title)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations&mdash;Conference at Pretoria with Commission of National Representatives (May 19-28, 1902), <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>, <a href='#Page_365'>365</a>, <a href='#Page_395'>395</a>, <a href='#Page_396'>396</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Proposals by the Boer Representatives in April, 1902, <a href='#Page_305'>305-313</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prisoners, Order given to Gen. Knox "not to take prisoners"&mdash;<i>South African News</i> Statement, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Klerksdorp&mdash;Peace Deliberations, Meeting of Governments of the Republics, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a></li>
+
+<li>Knight, Captain Wyndham&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surrender at Rhenosterriviersbrug, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tribute to, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Knox, General&mdash;Bethlehem, Engagement near, with Generals Botha and Fourie, and Commandant Prinsloo, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cape Colony&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Operations&mdash;Attempted Inroad&mdash;Fighting near Smithfield, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a></span></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Expedition into Cape Colony, Dispositions to prevent, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad taken by, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Pursuit of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>, <a href='#Page_190'>190</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Thaba'Nchu, Engagement near, with Gen. Fourie, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Koedoesberg&mdash;Struggle between General French and Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a>, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a></li>
+
+<li>Kotz&eacute;, Mr. (General Prinsloo's Secretary)&mdash;Bearer to Commander-in-Chief de Wet of News of General Prinsloo's Surrender, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a></li>
+
+<li>Kraaipan&mdash;Armoured Train captured by Boers, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a></li>
+
+<li>Kritzinger, Commandant&mdash;Crossing of Orange River, Seizure of British Outpost, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a></li>
+
+<li>Kritzinger, Commandant, and Captain Scheepers&mdash;Engagement with Brabant's Horse, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a></li>
+
+<li>Krom Ellenborg, Sub-district to which Commander-in-Chief de Wet belonged, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></li>
+
+<li>Kroonstad&mdash;British Advance, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Abandonment by Boers, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture by General Knox, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Government of Orange Free State transferred to, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Government of Orange Free State transferred to Heilbron, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kitchener's Lord, Arrival&mdash;Strength of British Forces, etc., <a href='#Page_111'>111</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Kroonstad Commando, Share in Battle of Modderspruit, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></li>
+
+<li>Kruger, President&mdash;Despatch of Mission to Europe to represent Condition of the Country to President Kruger, proposed, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace, Joint Letter to Lord Salisbury stating Conditions on which the Republics were willing to make Peace, <a href='#Page_330'>330</a>, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Poplar Grove, Visit to Boer Troops at, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">War Council at Kroonstad, Presence, at, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Krugersdorp-Potchefstroom Railway&mdash;Crossed by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Ladysmith&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Retreat on Ladysmith, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bulwana Hill&mdash;Boers surprised by British, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Engagement of 3rd Nov., 1899, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Relief, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Landsheer, Doctor de&mdash;Death at Bothaville, English Newspaper Report, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a></li>
+
+<li>Language Question&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Equal Rights for English and Dutch Languages in Schools&mdash;Boer Peace Proposals to Lord Kitchener (April, 1902), <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Terms of the Peace Protocol, <a href='#Page_380'>380</a>, <a href='#Page_393'>393</a>, <a href='#Page_394'>394</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Objections to, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a>, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Leeuwspruit Railway Bridge&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme for breaking British Lines of Communication, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Froneman's, General, Failure to carry out Instructions, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kitchener's Lord, Escape, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Leeuwspruit Scheme, Failure of, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Methuen's, Lord, Railway Communications&mdash;General Cronje's Refusal to permit Execution of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme for Cutting, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Orange Free State Railway&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Work on, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Scheepers, Captain, Work of, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wolvehoek, Wrecking the Railway, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Liebenberg, General&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Frederiksstad&mdash;Failure of Attack on General Barton, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mooi River, Junction with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Retreat from Rustenburg, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a>, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Liebenbergsvlei&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Retreat, <a href='#Page_284'>284</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Guns, Recapture by British at Fanny's Home Farm, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Lindley&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Garrison Captured by General Piet de Wet, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Destruction by the British, Alleged, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page_272'>272</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Engagement near, <a href='#Page_268'>268</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Postponement of Second Boer Attack&mdash;Escape of the British during the Night, <a href='#Page_270'>270</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Halt of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Forces, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page_272'>272</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Lindley-Kroonstad Line of Blockhouses&mdash;Boers breaking through the Line, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a></li>
+
+<li>Lines of Communication&mdash;Boer Attempts to cut British Lines, <a href='#Page_172'>172</a>, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">America Siding Railway Line Wrecked by General Froneman, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Schemes of, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Frederiksstad Station&mdash;Wrecking of Railway Bridge and Line, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Little Majuba"&mdash;Name given to Swartbooiskop after Nicholson's Nek, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Loans by the British Government for restocking Farms, etc., <a href='#Page_394'>394</a></li>
+
+<li>Long Tom damaged by Dynamite, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a></li>
+
+<li>Looting by British, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></li>
+
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span>Losses in Killed, Wounded, etc., on either side during the War, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>, <a href='#Page_247'>247</a>, <a href='#Page_265'>265</a>, <a href='#Page_266'>266</a>, <a href='#Page_415'>415</a>, <a href='#Page_416'>416</a>, <a href='#Page_417'>417</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Blijdschap, <a href='#Page_269'>269</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bothaville, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cape Colony Expedition, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a>, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Colenso, <a href='#Page_22'>22</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dakasburg Engagement, <a href='#Page_200'>200</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dewetsdorp, <a href='#Page_177'>177</a>, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Engagement between Commandant Hasebroek and Colonel White, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Frederiksstad Engagement, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Heilbron, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Koffiefontein, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a>, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ladysmith, Engagement of 3rd Nov., 1899, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Leeuwspruit Bridge, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Lindley, <a href='#Page_267'>267</a>, <a href='#Page_269'>269</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Magersfontein, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Modder Spruit, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nicholson's Nek, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Paardeberg, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prinsloo's Surrender, <a href='#Page_127'>127</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Reitz, <a href='#Page_265'>265</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Rhenosterriviersbrug, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Roodewal, Extent of British Losses, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sanna's Post, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a>, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Stinkfontein, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a>, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Stormberg, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tijgerfontein, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tweefontein, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vanvurenskloof, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Verkijkersdorp, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vredefort Engagement, <a href='#Page_134'>134</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Loyalty to British Government&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Final Advice to the Boers, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a></li>
+
+<li>Lubbe, Commandant&mdash;Return from Paardenberg's Drift, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wounded and Captured near Thaba'Nchu, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Lyddite Shells, Effect of&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bethlehem Incident, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Magersfontein Laager, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Maagbommen, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a></li>
+
+<li>Macdonald, General Sir Hector&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Command of Reinforcements against Bethlehem, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Machadodorp&mdash;President Steyn's Visit to the Government of the South African Republic, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a></li>
+
+<li>Magalies Mountains, Passage of, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>, <a href='#Page_147'>147</a></li>
+
+<li>Magersfontein Engagement&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Losses, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Magersfontein Laager&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Command, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Duties and Annoyances of Command, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Shelling by British, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Women, Presence of&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Failure to induce Government to Prohibit, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Mailbags captured at Roodewal, Contents used by Boers, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a></li>
+
+<li>"Majuba Day"&mdash;Capture of Commandant van Merwe and men, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a></li>
+
+<li>Malan, Lieut.&mdash;Expedition into Cape Colony, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a>, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a></li>
+
+<li>Martial Law&mdash;Proclamation by Governments of the Republics, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></li>
+
+<li>Massey, Major&mdash;Command at Dewetsdorp, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute, <a href='#Page_175'>175</a>, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a></li>
+
+<li>Matthijsen, Corporal Adriaan and the crossing of the Magalies Mountains, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>, <a href='#Page_147'>147</a></li>
+
+<li>Mauser Rifle in Portrait of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, History of, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a></li>
+
+<li>Mears, Commandant&mdash;Loss of Guns at Fanny's Home Farm, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a></li>
+
+<li>Medical Certificates, Abuse of by Burghers, <a href='#Footnote_30_30'><i>note</i> 59</a></li>
+
+<li>Meijer, Commandant J.&mdash;Tribute to, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page_272'>272</a></li>
+
+<li>Mentz, Commandant J.E.&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Continuance of the War, Impossibility of, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902&mdash;Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Merve, Commandant-General van, wounded at Sanna's Post, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a></li>
+
+<li>Merve, Commandant van der&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Appointment to Command of Winburg Burghers, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of, on "Majuba Day," <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Meyer, Mr. J.L.&mdash;Continuance of the War, Arguments against, Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_413'>413</a>, <a href='#Page_414'>414</a></li>
+
+<li>Meyer, Veldtcornet&mdash;Loss of Position at Stinkfontein, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a></li>
+
+<li>Middelburg Peace Proposals&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Annulled by the Terms of Peace arranged at the Pretoria Conference (May, 1902), <a href='#Page_392'>392</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Communications between the Boer Leaders with reference to the proposed Conference, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Difference between the Basis of Negotiations proposed by the Boer Representatives in May, 1902, and the Middelburg Proposals, <a href='#Page_367'>367</a>, <a href='#Page_372'>372</a>, <a href='#Page_373'>373</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Receipts issued by Boer Officers, Proviso as to Payment, <a href='#Page_384'>384</a>, <a href='#Page_385'>385</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Milner, Lord&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Ultimatum&mdash;Mr. Chamberlain's Telegrams, <a href='#Page_329'>329</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Independence of Republics as Basis for Peace Negotiations, Refusal to consider&mdash;Pretoria Conference, <a href='#Page_365'>365-396</a>, <a href='#Page_397'>397</a></span></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations&mdash;Conference at Pretoria with Commission of National Representatives (May 18-29, 1902), <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>, <a href='#Page_365'>365-396</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Mobility&mdash;British Incapacity to keep pace with Boers, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a> (<i>see</i> also Waggons)</li>
+
+<li>Modder River&mdash;British entrenched at, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li>
+
+<li>Modder Spruit, Battle of, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer and British Losses, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a>, <a href='#Page_12'>12</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Modderrivierpoort (<i>see</i> Poplar Grove)</li>
+
+<li>Muller, Capt.&mdash;Exploit at Roodewal, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a></li>
+
+<li>Muller, General C.H.&mdash;Continuance of the War&mdash;Vereeniging Delegates' Refusal to accept British Surrender Proposal, <a href='#Page_417'>417</a></li>
+
+<li>Myringen, Burgher, killed at Rhenosterriviersbrug, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Naauwpoort&mdash;Prinsloo's Surrender, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></li>
+
+<li>Natal&mdash;British Subjects fighting for the Boers (<i>see</i> Colonial Burghers)</li>
+
+<li>Natal Operations&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Absence of Commander-in-Chief de Wet after 9th Dec., 1899, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bester Station Skirmish, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Colenso, Magersfontein, and Stormberg Engagements&mdash;British Losses, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Drakensberg Passes, Occupation by Orange Free State Commandos, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Estcourt Skirmishes&mdash;General Louis Botha's Exploits, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Failure of Boers to cut off English at Dundee and Elandslaagte, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kraaipan, Capture of Armoured Train by General De la Rey, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ladysmith (<i>see</i> that title)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Modder Spruit, Battle of, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Natal Frontier, Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet's Reconnaissance, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nicholson's Neck (<i>see</i> that title)</span></li>
+
+<li>National Representatives (<i>see</i> Peace Negotiations)</li>
+
+<li>National Scouts&mdash;Arming men who had taken the Oath of Neutrality, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bergh's, Captain, Attacks on Boers with bands of Kaffirs, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page_272'>272</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Night Attacks by the British instigated by, <a href='#Page_263'>263</a>, <a href='#Page_264'>264</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Services to the British, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>, <a href='#Page_224'>224</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Naude, Mr. J.&mdash;Independence of the South African Republic and Orange Free State, Vereeniging Delegates' power to decide as to Position of British Subjects fighting on Boer side, etc., <a href='#Page_411'>411</a></li>
+
+<li>Neikerk, Altie van&mdash;Capture at Honingkopjes, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a></li>
+
+<li>Neikerk, Captain&mdash;Appointment as Commandant of President Steyn's Bodyguard, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a></li>
+
+<li>Nel, Commandant&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Farm stormed by English&mdash;Escape of Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Modder Spruit&mdash;West Wing of Boer Forces commanded by Nel, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nicholson's Nek&mdash;Failure to hold Swartbooiskop, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a>, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Resignation, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Nerwe, Van de&mdash;Drowned in crossing Orange River, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a></li>
+
+<li>Netherlands&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace&mdash;Correspondence with the British Government, <a href='#Page_301'>301</a>, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Response to the Invitation implied in the forwarding of the Correspondence, etc., <a href='#Page_305'>305</a>, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>, <a href='#Page_370'>370</a>, <a href='#Page_371'>371</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Queen of&mdash;Thanks of Boer Generals for efforts to promote Peace&mdash;Resolution at the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Newspapers&mdash;Circulation of European Papers prohibited in Republics by England, <a href='#Page_409'>409</a></li>
+
+<li>Nicholson's Nek&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ambulance for British wounded&mdash;Sir G. White's Delay in sending, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Booty taken by Boers, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Swartbooiskop&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Nel's, Commandant, Failure to hold, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a>, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Storming by Steenekamp and Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a>, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">White Flag Incident, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Transvaal Burghers, Work of, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Nieuwouwdt, General&mdash;Peace, Rejection of British Terms, Proposal, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a>, <a href='#Page_425'>425</a></li>
+
+<li>Night Attacks by the British&mdash;Success of, Losses caused to the Boers, <a href='#Page_263'>263</a>, <a href='#Page_264'>264</a></li>
+
+<li>Norvalspont&mdash;Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet's Schemes for Operations in rear of British, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Oath of Neutrality, Breaking&mdash;Re-arming of Burghers who had taken the Oath, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme, <a href='#Page_156'>156-160</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Military Authorities' Breach of Terms of Lord Roberts' Proclamation justifying Scheme, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Olivier, Commandant&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bethlehem District, Appointment to Command, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Honingspruit Station, Failure of Attack on, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prinsloo's, General, Position as Private Burgher, Dissatisfaction with, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Oliviershoekpas&mdash;Occupation by Bethlehem Commando, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></li>
+
+<li>Orange Free State&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Annexation of&mdash;Battles fought after the alleged Annexation, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a>, <a href='#Page_229'>229</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Return of, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a></span></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Government (<i>see</i> Government of Orange Free State)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Number of Burghers in Arms after Fall of Pretoria, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Outbreak of War&mdash;Orange Free State joining issues with the South African Republic, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">President&mdash;Powers granted to President in Matters Concerning War, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation of Boer and British Forces in 1901, President Steyn on, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a>, <a href='#Page_256'>256</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Ortel, Mr. Charles&mdash;Owner of Abraham's Kraal, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a></li>
+
+<li>Outbreak of the War, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Paardeberg&mdash;General Cronje's Forces surrounded by the British, Bombardment of Laager, etc., <a href='#Page_39'>39</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Reinforcements, Arrival of, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cronje's, Gen., Determination not to abandon Laager, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Efforts to release General Cronje&mdash;Storming of Stinkfontein, etc., <a href='#Page_40'>40-46</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Abandonment of Position by Boers, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Botha's, General, Attempt to recapture Position abandoned on 25th February, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">British Efforts to recapture Position, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a>, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Way of Escape opened to General Cronje, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sketch of Boer and British Positions, <a href='#image02'>38</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surrender of General Cronje, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Effect on Boer Forces, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Theunisson, Mr., Capture by British, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Paardenberg's Drift, British Advance on, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Camp of "Water-draggers" surprised by British, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Palmietfontein&mdash;Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a></li>
+
+<li>Panic among Boer Forces&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Burghers returning to Farms after Fall of Pretoria, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Holspruits, <a href='#Page_294'>294</a>, <a href='#Page_295'>295</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Peace Negotiations&mdash;Boer Overtures, etc.&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Armistice agreed on, to admit of attendance of Officers at the Vereeniging Meeting, <a href='#Page_315'>315</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>, <a href='#Page_318'>318</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Concessions in addition to the Terms already offered in the Negotiations of April, 1902, <a href='#Page_366'>366</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Conference at Pretoria between the Commission of National Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (19-28 May, 1902), <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>, <a href='#Page_365'>365</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Draft Document drawn up to place Negotiations in position to amend the Middelburg Proposals, <a href='#Page_376'>376</a>, <a href='#Page_377'>377</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Prolongation of Meetings due to Cable Correspondence with Great Britain, <a href='#Page_397'>397</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Report of Commission discussed at Vereeniging Meeting, <a href='#Page_397'>397</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Governments of the Republics, Meeting at Klerksdorp, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Burger's, Vice-President, Letter to President Steyn, <a href='#Page_301'>301</a>, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Independence (<i>see</i> that subheading)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Middelburg Peace Proposals (<i>see</i> that title)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">National Representatives&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Commission sent to the Pretoria Conference (May, 1902)&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>      <span style="margin-left: 6em;">Decision to appoint Commission, <a href='#Page_364'>364</a></span></li>
+<li>      <span style="margin-left: 6em;">Names of Members, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Election of Representatives for the Commandos, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>, <a href='#Page_314'>314</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Meeting at Vereeniging (15th May) to consider the Situation, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>, <a href='#Page_358'>358</a>, <a href='#Page_359'>359</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Peace Terms Proposed, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a>, <a href='#Page_364'>364</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Netherlands' Communication with the British Government, <a href='#Page_301'>301</a>, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Boer Response to the Invitation implied in the forwarding of the Correspondence, etc., <a href='#Page_305'>305</a>, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>, <a href='#Page_370'>370</a>, <a href='#Page_371'>371</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Letter sent to Commandos, <a href='#Page_336'>336</a>, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Presidents of the Republics&mdash;Correspondence with Lord Salisbury, and Lord Salisbury's Reply (5th March, 1900), <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>, <a href='#Page_330'>330-332</a>, <a href='#Page_409'>409</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Proposals to Lord Kitchener (April, 1902), <a href='#Page_299'>299</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Correspondence between Lord Kitchener and the Secretary of State&mdash;Independence Difficulty, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a>, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Signing of Peace at Pretoria, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steyn's, President, Views, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a>, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Terms of Peace sanctioned by the British Government and accepted by the Boers (May, 1902)&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Acceptance of British Terms, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>, <a href='#Page_427'>427</a>, <a href='#Page_428'>428</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Acceptance under Protest proposed, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Dissatisfaction among men of the Commandos, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Failure of Food Supply as reason for acceptance, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Unconditional Surrender v. Acceptance, <a href='#Page_399'>399</a>, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a>, <a href='#Page_404'>404</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_417'>417</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Better Terms, Possibility of obtaining, <a href='#Page_406'>406</a>, <a href='#Page_409'>409</a>, <a href='#Page_410'>410</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Decision as to Acceptance or Rejection essential, <a href='#Page_425'>425</a>, <a href='#Page_426'>426</a></span></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Middelburg Proposal Annulled by the Terms of the Peace Protocol of May, 1902, <a href='#Page_392'>392</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Milner's, Lord, Telegrams, <a href='#Page_392'>392</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Rejection of Terms proposed, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a>, <a href='#Page_425'>425</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Signatures to Acceptance, Question of, <a href='#Page_425'>425</a>, <a href='#Page_426'>426</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sub-committee appointed to aid in formulating Peace Proposals, <a href='#Page_378'>378</a>, <a href='#Page_398'>398</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Text of Draft Proposal and of Draft Proposal with Amendments sanctioned by the British Government, <a href='#Page_379'>379</a>, <a href='#Page_393'>393</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Time allowed for discussion of Terms, <a href='#Page_394'>394</a>, <a href='#Page_395'>395</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Ultimatum," Description of British Terms, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Penzhorn, Mr., Relatives of&mdash;Kindness to Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a></li>
+
+<li>Petrusberg&mdash;Capture of by British, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Visit, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Plans, Sketch Plans of Engagements, <a href='#image04'>97</a>, <a href='#image05'>276</a></li>
+
+<li>Plessis, Veldtcornet du&mdash;Death due to White Flag Treachery at Reddersburg, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a></li>
+
+<li>Poplar Grove&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Concentration of Boer Troops at, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kruger's, President, Visit to Boer Troops, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Panic among Boers&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet unable to prevent flight, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Potchefstroom, Portrait of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, History of Mauser Rifle, which appears in the photograph, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a></li>
+
+<li>Potgieter, Commandant (of Wolmaranstadt)&mdash;Escape from Paardeberg, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a></li>
+
+<li>Potgieter, Mr. Hendrik&mdash;Appointment as Public Prosecutor of Orange Free State, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a></li>
+
+<li>Preeij, Vice-Commandant Ignatius du, killed near Bethlehem, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></li>
+
+<li>Presidency of Orange Free State&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Expiration of President Steyn's term of office&mdash;Difficulties in the way of an Election, Action of the Doornberg War Council, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Resignation of President Steyn, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Rhodes, Mr., proposed as Candidate, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Pretoria&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture by British, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Panic ensuing among Transvaalers, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations&mdash;Conference between Commission of National Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (May 19-28, 1902), <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>, <a href='#Page_365'>365</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Pretorius, Willem&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Storming of British Schanze on Orange River, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tribute to, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page_272'>272</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Veldtcornet, Nomination as, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Prinsloo, Commandant Michal&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bethlehem Engagement, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Elandsfontein Exploit, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Liebenbergsvlei Engagement, <a href='#Page_284'>284</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Springhaansnek, Covering Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Passage of Blockhouse Lines at, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Train captured and burned by, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vice-Commander-in-Chief of Bethlehem and Ficksburg Sub-districts, Appointment, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Prinsloo, Mr. Marthinus&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Assistant Commander-in-Chief, Irregular Election as, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Commandant of Winburg District, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State, Election, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Natal Campaign, Preliminary Arrangements, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Resignation of Post as Commander-in-Chief in the Drakensberg, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surrender at Naauwpoort, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Letter to Commander-in-Chief de Wet announcing Surrender and Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Reply, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">News brought to Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Suspicious Circumstances of Surrender, <a href='#Page_127'>127</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Prinsloo's, Veldtcornet, Burghers, Capture of, <a href='#Page_286'>286</a></li>
+
+<li>Prisoners&mdash;Boer Prisoners&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bank Notes of the South African Republic, Opportunity of sending in for Payment, <a href='#Page_386'>386</a>, <a href='#Page_387'>387</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ceylon&mdash;Prisoners taken with General Prinsloo sent to Ceylon, <a href='#Page_156'>156</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Merwe, Commandant, and men&mdash;Capture on "Majuba Day," <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Number taken by the British, Frederiksstad, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a>, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_264'>264</a>, <a href='#Page_265'>265</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Total Number (35,000) in the Hands of the British in 1901, <a href='#Page_256'>256</a>, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Taljaart's and Prinsloo's Veldtcornets, Burghers, Capture of, <a href='#Page_286'>286</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Prisoners&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Inability to keep their Prisoners, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a>, <a href='#Page_426'>426</a>, <a href='#Page_427'>427</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Clothing taken by the Boers, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Numbers taken, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a>, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a>, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>, <a href='#Page_179'>179</a>, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a>, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>, <a href='#Page_267'>267</a>, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Release on Fall of Pretoria due to Transvaalers' negligence, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Treatment by Boers&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Personal Property of Prisoners, etc., Disposition of, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Footnote_47_47'><i>note</i></a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Prisoners taken in Cape Colony Expedition, Treatment of, <a href='#Page_210'>210</a></span></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kaffir Prisoners taken by Boers&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Dewetsdorp, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>, <a href='#Page_179'>179</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Release of Prisoners, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Leeuwspruit Bridge, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a></span></li>
+
+<li>"Pro-Boers"&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Tribute to, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Meetings in England, <a href='#Page_407'>407</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Public Prosecutor of Orange Free State&mdash;Appointment of Mr. Hendrick Potgieter, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Railways&mdash;Wrecking the Lines, Cutting British Lines of Communication, <a href='#Page_172'>172</a>, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">America Siding, Line near, wrecked by General Froneman, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Aar and Hopetown, Line blown up, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Frederiksstad Station, Bridge and Line wrecked, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Leeuwspruit, Failure of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Attempt, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Orange Free State Line, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Work on, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>, <a href='#Page_155'>155</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Scheepers, Captain, Work of, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Schemes of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wolvehock, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Rebels&mdash;Colonial Burghers Fighting on Boer Side (<i>see</i> Colonial Burghers)</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Roberts', Lord, Description of Burghers continuing to fight after annexation of the Republics as "Rebels," <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Receipts issued by Boer Officers for the Purchase of Cattle, Grain, etc.&mdash;Peace Negotiations, Boer Representatives' Request for a Guarantee of Payment, <a href='#Page_382'>382</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Amount likely to be required, <a href='#Page_386'>386</a>, <a href='#Page_387'>387</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Middelburg Proposal, <a href='#Page_384'>384</a>, <a href='#Page_385'>385</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Orange Free State, Position with reference to Receipts, <a href='#Page_383'>383</a>, <a href='#Page_384'>384</a>, <a href='#Page_385'>385</a>, <a href='#Page_386'>386</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Terms of Peace Agreement, <a href='#Page_380'>380</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Reddersburg&mdash;Boer Messenger fired on by British, <a href='#Page_74'>74</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Commanding Officer's Reply to Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Advice to Surrender, <a href='#Page_74'>74</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Dispositions, <a href='#Page_71'>71-74</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mostertshoek, British Failure to reinforce Detachment at, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">White Flag Treachery, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Reich, Dr.&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Meeting with at Senekal, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a></li>
+
+<li>Reitz&mdash;Engagement near, <a href='#Page_263'>263-266</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surrender of Arms by Commandos after Declaration of Peace, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Reitz, Secretary of State&mdash;Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902, Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a></li>
+
+<li>Relief Funds for Destitution caused by the War&mdash;Appointment of Committee to Collect and Administer, <a href='#Page_428'>428</a></li>
+
+<li>Repatriation of Boers&mdash;Compensation for Losses sustained during the War&mdash;District Commissions, Institution of, <a href='#Page_393'>393</a>, <a href='#Page_394'>394</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Grant of &pound;3,000,000 by the British Government, <a href='#Page_393'>393</a>, <a href='#Page_394'>394</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Inadequacy of Proposals, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a>, <a href='#Page_403'>403</a>, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Loans by the British Government, <a href='#Page_394'>394</a>, <a href='#Page_395'>395</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Rheeder, Commandant&mdash;Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., <a href='#Page_401'>401</a></li>
+
+<li>Rhenoster River, Fighting on, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hurried Retreat of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Rhenosterriviersbrug&mdash;General Froneman's Success, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a></li>
+
+<li>Rhodes, Mr. C.&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Jameson Raid&mdash;Mr. Chamberlain's Defence of Mr. Rhodes, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Presidency of Orange Free State&mdash;Mr. Rhodes proposed as a Candidate, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Rietfontein, Battle of (<i>see</i> Modder Spruit)</li>
+
+<li>Roberts, Lord&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Advance of, into the Orange Free State, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bloemfontein, Appearance before, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dispositions after Capture of Kroonstad (May 18, 1900), <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Inaction after Paardeberg, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Thaba'Nchu, Operations near (1900), <a href='#Page_82'>82</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Proclamations&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Burning of Buildings within radius of Ten Miles from Railway wrecked by Boers, <a href='#Page_192'>192</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Oath of Neutrality, Proclamation as to Charge against Lord Roberts of violating Terms of Proclamation, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a></span></li>
+<li>      <span style="margin-left: 6em;">Effect in preventing Burghers from rejoining Commandos, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Roodewal Disaster due to negligence of Lord Roberts, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sanna's Post, Failure to reinforce Troops at, <a href='#Footnote_33_33'>70 <i>note</i></a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ventersburg, Attack on, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Roch, General&mdash;Natal Campaign, General Roch's Command in Opening Movement of Boer Forces, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></li>
+
+<li>Roodebergen&mdash;De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Departure from, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Occupation by Boer Forces&mdash;Commander-in-Chief De Wet's Opposition to Scheme, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Passes of, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Roodepoort&mdash;Commander-in-Chief De Wet's first Engagement with Lord Kitchener, <a href='#Page_108'>108</a>, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a></li>
+
+<li>Roodewal Station, Action at, <a href='#Page_98'>98-101</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Booty burnt by Boers, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sketch Plan, <a href='#image04'>97</a></span></li>
+
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span>Roux, Assistant Commander-in-Chief&mdash;Prinsloo's Surrender, weak and childish Conduct of General Roux, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page_127'>127</a></li>
+
+<li>Roux, Deacon Paul, Appointment as Vechtgeneraal, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></li>
+
+<li>Russian Reception of Escaped Burghers, <a href='#Footnote_54_54'>110 <i>note</i></a></li>
+
+<li>Rustenburg&mdash;General Liebenberg's Retreat, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a>, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Salisbury, Marquess of&mdash;Peace Negotiations, Boer Proposals of March 5, 1900&mdash;Reply to, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>, <a href='#Page_409'>409</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace&mdash;Correspondence with Presidents Kruger and Steyn, <a href='#Page_330'>330-332</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Sanna's Post, Action at&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Broadwood's, General, Troops, Arrival of, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Preparations, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a>, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Koornspruit, Position occupied by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a>, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Women and Children from Thaba'Nchu, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Care for, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Scheepers, Captain, and Commandant Kritzinger&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Brabant's Horse, Engagement with, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Despatch Rider chosen by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, to carry Message to General Cronje before Paardeberg, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a>, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Orange River, Crossing of&mdash;Seizure of British Outpost, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Railway Lines, Wrecking of, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Scouting Services, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Zandnek Engagement, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Scouting&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer and British Methods&mdash;Services rendered to the British by Boer Deserters, etc., <a href='#Page_18'>18</a>, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Importance of, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">National Scouts, Services of (<i>see</i> National Scouts)</span></li>
+
+<li>Secrecy as to Future Movements&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Determination to keep his Plans secret, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a></li>
+
+<li>Self-Government, Retention of under British Supervision&mdash;Peace Negotiations, Boer Representatives' Proposals at the Pretoria Conference (May 19, 1902), <a href='#Page_366'>366</a>, <a href='#Page_371'>371</a>, <a href='#Page_372'>372</a></li>
+
+<li>Sheep&mdash;Huge Tail of African Sheep, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a></li>
+
+<li>Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902&mdash;De Wet's Commander-in-Chief, Address at the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_358'>358-362</a></li>
+
+<li>Situation of the Boer and British Forces in 1901, President Steyn on, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a>, <a href='#Page_256'>256</a></li>
+
+<li>Sketch Plans of Engagements, <a href='#image02'>38</a>, <a href='#image04'>97</a>, <a href='#image05'>276</a></li>
+
+<li>Smith, Veldtcornet Hans, of Rouxville, Desertion after Roodewal, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a></li>
+
+<li>Smuts, General&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Continuance of the War, Arguments for and against&mdash;Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_418'>418</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations&mdash;Member of Commission of National Representatives at the Pretoria Conference, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>, <a href='#Page_365'>365-396</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902&mdash;Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_340'>340-342</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Sobriety of Boers, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a></li>
+
+<li><i>South African News</i>&mdash;Publication of, Order not to take Prisoners, Anecdote of Lord Kitchener, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a></li>
+
+<li>South African Republic&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Journey with General De la Rey, Incidents during, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Extermination of, by the British determined on prior to the Outbreak of War, alleged, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Government of (<i>see</i> Government of South African Republic)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation of, in 1902&mdash;Impossibility of continuing the War, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Situation of Boer and British Forces in 1901&mdash;President Steyn on, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a>, <a href='#Page_256'>256</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Speller, Veldtcornet, of Wepener&mdash;Capture by British at Stinkfontein, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a></li>
+
+<li>Springhaansnek&mdash;Blockhouse Line broken through by the Boers, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a>, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a></li>
+
+<li>Spruit, Commandant&mdash;Capture by British at Stinkfontein, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a>, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>; Subsequent Escape, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a></li>
+
+<li>States-Procureur of Orange Free State&mdash;Capture of Mr. Jacob de Villiers at Bothaville, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a></li>
+
+<li>Steenekamp, Burgher&mdash;Betrayal of Members of the South African Government to the British, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a></li>
+
+<li>Steenekamp, Commandant&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Assistant-Commander-in-Chief, Nomination as, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Heilbron District, Commandant of, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Illness of, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vredefort Road Station, Attack on, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Steyn, President&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Accompanying Commander-in-Chief de Wet in his departure from Roodebergen, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bethlehem Engagement, Presence at, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bloemfontein, Departure from, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bodyguard&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Davel, Commandant, Command of, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Niekerk, Captain&mdash;Appointment as Commandant, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a></span></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Botha, General Philip, Visit to, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Burgher's Vice-President, Request for Meeting with Orange Free State Government, <a href='#Page_301'>301</a>, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cape Colony Expedition, Decision to accompany, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of Members of Governments of the South African Republics by the British at Reitz&mdash;President Steyn's Escape, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Causes of the War&mdash;Letter to Lord Kitchener, <a href='#Page_250'>250-259</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State, Refusal to allow Election&mdash;Consent to Election of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Schemes for operating in the Rear of the British, Opposition to, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Tribute to, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Eyes, Weakness of&mdash;Visit to Dr. van Rennenkamp, <a href='#Page_300'>300</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Government of the South African Republic, Meetings with&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Machadodorp Visit, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Vrede Meeting, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Illness of, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Independence of the Republic, Refusal to surrender, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Intervention of Foreign Powers, Attitude as to, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad War Council presided over by President Steyn, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace&mdash;Correspondence between Presidents Kruger and Steyn and Lord Salisbury, <a href='#Page_330'>330-332</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Resignation owing to Illness, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ventersdorp&mdash;Meeting with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Western Parts of the State, Visit to, <a href='#Page_298'>298-302</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Steyn, Willie, Capture at Honing Kopjes&mdash;Subsequent Escape, <a href='#Footnote_54_54'>110 <i>note</i></a></li>
+
+<li>Stinkfontein, Stormed and Abandoned by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a></li>
+
+<li>Stormberg&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Losses at, <a href='#Page_22'>22</a>, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture by General Gatacre, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></span></li>
+
+<li><i>Stormjagers</i>, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a></li>
+
+<li>Strauss, David&mdash;Prisoner taken by the British in contravention of Lord Roberts' Proclamation, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a></li>
+
+<li>Stripping British Prisoners in order to obtain Clothing, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a></li>
+
+<li>Supervision of the British Government&mdash;Peace Negotiations, Boer Representatives' offer to accept Supervision as a Compromise on the Independence Question, <a href='#Page_366'>366</a>, <a href='#Page_371'>371</a>, <a href='#Page_372'>372</a>, <a href='#Page_373'>373</a></li>
+
+<li>Surrender&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Banishment Proclamation (<i>see</i> that title)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Oath of Neutrality, Lord Roberts' Proclamation (<i>see</i> Oath of Neutrality)</span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Peace Negotiations at Pretoria in May, 1902&mdash;Draft Agreement, <a href='#Page_376'>376</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Surrender of Arms after Declaration of Peace, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a></li>
+
+<li>Swartbooiskop&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nel's Commandant, Failure to hold, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a>, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Storming by Commandant Steenekamp and Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a>, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Swaziland&mdash;Cession to the British, Proposals of the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_360'>360</a>, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a>, <a href='#Page_364'>364</a></li>
+
+<li>Sympathy felt for Boer Cause in England&mdash;Indirect Intervention, etc., <a href='#Page_407'>407</a>, <a href='#Page_410'>410</a>, <a href='#Page_420'>420</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Tabaksberg Engagement, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a></li>
+
+<li>Taljaart's, Veltcornet, Burghers, Capture of, <a href='#Page_286'>286</a></li>
+
+<li>Telegraph Wires&mdash;cutting wires between Wolvehock and Viljoensdrift, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a></li>
+
+<li>Telegraphic Communication between Orange Free State and Transvaal, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a></li>
+
+<li>Termination of the War&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Attitude of the Burghers, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Women, Opinion of, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Conference between Transvaal and Orange Free State Governments&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Decision to continue Fighting, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Klerksdorp Meeting, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Forebodings, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Letter from Commandants in the Field to Secretary of the Orange Free State&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Conference with Transvaal Government, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Discussion of, by President Steyn and Generals De la Rey and De Wet, <a href='#Page_234'>234</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Steyn's President, Answer, Extracts from, <a href='#Page_236'>236-239</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Terms of, <a href='#Page_234'>234-237</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mission to President Kruger on behalf of South African Republic proposed, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vereeniging Conference&mdash;Views of the Representatives, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>, <a href='#Page_349'>349</a>, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>, <a href='#Page_354'>354</a>, <a href='#Page_354'>354-358</a>, <a href='#Page_359'>359</a>, <a href='#Page_360'>360-362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Territory, Session of&mdash;Peace Negotiations&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Pretoria Conference, Boer Representatives' Offer, <a href='#Page_366'>366</a>, <a href='#Page_375'>375</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vereeniging Conference Proposals (15th May, 1902), <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>, <a href='#Page_357'>357</a>, <a href='#Page_358'>358</a>, <a href='#Page_359'>359</a>, <a href='#Page_360'>360</a>, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_362'>362</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a>, <a href='#Page_364'>364</a></span></li>
+
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span>Thaba'Nchu&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Retreat on after Badenhorst, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Occupation by General Broadwood, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Thanksgiving Days, Appointment of, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a></li>
+
+<li>Theron, Danie&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Death at Gatsrand, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Paardeberg&mdash;Passing Enemy's Lines to carry Message from Commander-in-Chief de Wet to General Cronje, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Scouting Party, Appointment as Chief by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Scouting Services, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Train Captured by, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Theron, Jan&mdash;Appointment to succeed Commandant Danie Theron, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></li>
+
+<li>Theunissen, Commandant of Winburg, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture by British at Stinkfontein, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Election as Commandant of Winburg, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Thring, Veldtcornet&mdash;War Experiences, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute, etc., <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></li>
+
+<li>Tijgerfontein Engagement, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a></li>
+
+<li>Tintwaspas&mdash;Occupation by Kroonstad Commando, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></li>
+
+<li>Tonder, Mr. Gideon van&mdash;Killed by Lyddite Shell at Magersfontein, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></li>
+
+<li>Trains&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Blowing up with Dynamite, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Devices to throw the British off the Scent, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Mechanical Devices, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Captures of, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Transvaalers&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Negligence in leaving Prisoners at Pretoria, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nicholson's Nek, Work at, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Truter, Commandant&mdash;Abandonment of Krupp gun and Ammunition, <a href='#Page_182'>182</a></li>
+
+<li>Tweefontein&mdash;Attack on British Position, <a href='#Page_275'>275-283</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sketch Plan, <a href='#image05'>276</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Uijs, Commandant&mdash;Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902, Report to the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_349'>349</a>, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a></li>
+
+<li>"Uitschudden"&mdash;Institution of, in order to obtain Clothing, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a></li>
+
+<li>Ultimatum by the South African Republic&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cause of the War alleged&mdash;</span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Salisbury's, Lord, Assertion, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>, <a href='#Page_409'>409</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Salisbury's, Lord, Demand, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>, <a href='#Page_409'>409</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Steyn's, President, Contradiction, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Chamberlain's, Mr. J., Telegrams to Sir A. Milner, <a href='#Page_329'>329</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Text of the "Ultimatum," <a href='#Page_325'>325-328</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Unconditional Surrender&mdash;Discussion at Vereeniging Meeting of May 29, 1902, <a href='#Page_398'>398</a>, <a href='#Page_399'>399</a>, <a href='#Page_401'>401</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_406'>406</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Vaal River&mdash;Crossing of President Steyn's Party, <a href='#Page_300'>300</a></li>
+
+<li>Valsch River Bridge, Destruction by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></li>
+
+<li>Van Dam, Under Captain&mdash;Command of Johannesburg Police at Nicholson's Nek, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a></li>
+
+<li>Van Niekerk, Commandant&mdash;Continuance of the War, Argument in favour of, <a href='#Page_414'>414</a>, <a href='#Page_415'>415</a></li>
+
+<li>Van Reenen's Pass&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Occupation by Harrismith and Winburg Commandos, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">War Council at&mdash;Commander-in-Chief de Wet attending in place of Commandant Steenekamp, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Vanvurenskloof, Boer Retreat from, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a></li>
+
+<li>Vechtgeneraal of the Orange Free State&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Abolition of Post, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Creation of Post, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Appointment of, <a href='#Page_22'>22</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Roux, General Paul, appointed by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ventersburg&mdash;Boer Lines broken through, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Ventersdorp&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fighting near, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Meeting between President Steyn and Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Vereeniging&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Meeting of General Representatives to discuss the Situation (May 15, 1902), <a href='#Page_333'>333-364</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Authority given to Delegates to voice the wishes of their Constituencies, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page_338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page_400'>400</a>, <a href='#Page_402'>402</a>, <a href='#Page_403'>403</a>, <a href='#Page_404'>404</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_407'>407</a>, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a>, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a>, <a href='#Page_417'>417</a>, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Thanks of the meeting to the King of England and Queen of the Netherlands for efforts to promote Peace, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Unity among Delegates essential, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page_338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page_349'>349</a>, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_357'>357</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Meeting of Special National Representatives to discuss British Peace Terms (May 29, 1902), <a href='#Page_397'>397</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Armistice agreed on to admit of Attendance of Officers, <a href='#Page_315'>315</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>, <a href='#Page_318'>318</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Divisions among Delegates, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a>, <a href='#Page_425'>425</a>, <a href='#Page_426'>426</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Meeting a Fatal Error, <a href='#Page_413'>413</a>, <a href='#Page_414'>414</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Questions to be decided, <a href='#Page_398'>398</a>, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a>, <a href='#Page_417'>417</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">(For details of subjects discussed <i>see</i> Independence, Peace Negotiations, etc.)</span></li>
+
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span>Verkijkersdorp&mdash;Capture of Women's Laager near, by the British, and Rescue by Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, <a href='#Page_238'>238-241</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">British Casualties, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Vice-Commanders-in-Chief, Orange Free State&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Badenhorst, Veldtcornet, C.C., Appointment for Districts of Boshof, etc., <a href='#Page_159'>159</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet, Gen., Appointment of, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fourie, Gen., Appointment for Districts of Bloemfontein, etc., <a href='#Page_157'>157</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hertzog, Gen., Appointment for Districts of Fauresmith, etc., <a href='#Page_158'>158</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Vice-President of Orange Free State&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Appointment of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_411'>411</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Creation of Temporary Post, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Viljoen, Mr. P.R.&mdash;Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902, Report of the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a></li>
+
+<li>Villiers, General de&mdash;Death due to Wound received at Biddulphsberg, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Natal Expedition, Commanding as Vechtgeneraal, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prinsloo's Surrender, Escape from, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Work in South-Eastern Districts of the Orange Free State, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Villiers, Mr. Jacob de, States-Procureur of Orange Free State, Capture of at Bothaville, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a></li>
+
+<li>Vilonel, Commandant&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Resignation&mdash;Enforced Resignation due to Insubordination, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surrender to British&mdash;Recapture by Captain Pretorius and Trial for Desertion, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Removal from Bethlehem to Fouriesburg, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Waggons, Persistence in use of, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Visser, Commandant&mdash;Death of at Jagersfontein Engagement, Faithfulness and Valour of Commandant Visser, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a></li>
+
+<li>Vleeschkorporaal, Duties of, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a></li>
+
+<li>Vrede&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Meeting with Louis Botha, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Meeting between President Steyn and the Transvaal Government, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Vrede Commando, Surrender following Prinsloo's Surrender, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></li>
+
+<li>Vredefort&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of British Outpost, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Engagements near, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_134'>134</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Retreat of the Boers to the Vaal River, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surrender of Arms by Commando after Declaration of Peace, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Vredefort-weg Station&mdash;Commandant Steenekamp's Success at, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a></li>
+
+<li>Vrijheid&mdash;Kaffir Atrocities, Murder and Mutilation of Burghers, <a href='#Page_426'>426</a>, <a href='#Page_427'>427</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Waggons&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Boer Reluctance to abandon use of, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a>, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a></span></li>
+<li>    <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Harrismith Burghers' Refusal to part with their Waggons at Spitskopje, <a href='#Page_161'>161-163</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Use of Little Waggon, <a href='#Page_293'>293</a>, <a href='#Page_294'>294</a>, <a href='#Page_398'>398</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Destruction by British, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">No Waggons with Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, <a href='#Page_279'>279</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vilonel's, Commandant, Persistence in using Waggons, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Waggon Camps, Regulation prohibiting, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+
+<li>War Commission&mdash;Orders to commence Natal Campaign, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></li>
+
+<li>War Councils, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Decisions of Council of March 28, 1900, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Doornberg, Council at&mdash;Decision as to Presidential Election, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad Council&mdash;Officers present, Decisions, etc., <a href='#Page_58'>58</a> <a href='#Footnote_30_30'><i>note</i></a>, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a></span></li>
+
+<li>War of 1877-1881&mdash;Futility of Comparison with War of 1899-1902, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a></li>
+
+<li>Warfare, Boer Methods of&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Checking an Enemy's Advance&mdash;Boer Tactics, <a href='#Page_213'>213</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Rapidity of Action, Importance of, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Wauchope, General&mdash;Death at Magersfontein, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></li>
+
+<li>Weilbach, Commandant&mdash;Desertion of Post at Bloemfontein, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></li>
+
+<li>Wessels, General J.B.&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Wessels, Mr. C.J.&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Commander-in-Chief of Free Staters at Magersfontein and Kimberley, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Wessels, Veldtcornet&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Capture of, at Frederiksstad, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dewetsdorp Exploits, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>, <a href='#Page_177'>177</a>, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a></span></li>
+
+<li>White, Colonel&mdash;Engagement with Commandant Hasebroek near Thaba'Nchu, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>, <a href='#Page_190'>190</a></li>
+
+<li>White Flag Treachery at Reddersburg, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a></li>
+
+<li>Wire Fencing&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bothaville Boers cutting the Wire, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Erection of, by the British, <a href='#Page_262'>262</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Lindley-Kroonstad Line of Blockhouses&mdash;Escape of Boers, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Palmietfontein, Boers breaking through Line, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Witkopjes Rheboksfontein Engagement, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a></li>
+
+<li>Witwatersrand, Cession to the British&mdash;Proposals of the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_360'>360</a>, <a href='#Page_361'>361</a>, <a href='#Page_363'>363</a>, <a href='#Page_364'>364</a></li>
+
+<li>Wolfaard Brothers&mdash;Wounded by Lyddite Shell at Magersfontein, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></li>
+
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span>Wolmarans, Daniel&mdash;Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></li>
+
+<li>Wolvehock&mdash;Railway blown up by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></li>
+
+<li>Women and Children&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Care for, after Sanna's Post, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Difficulties of providing for&mdash;Deliberations of the Vereeniging Conference, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a>, <a href='#Page_342'>342</a>, <a href='#Page_343'>343</a>, <a href='#Page_344'>344</a>, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>, <a href='#Page_349'>349</a>, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>, <a href='#Page_356'>356</a>, <a href='#Page_405'>405</a>, <a href='#Page_406'>406</a>, <a href='#Page_410'>410</a>, <a href='#Page_412'>412</a>, <a href='#Page_413'>413</a>, <a href='#Page_415'>415</a>, <a href='#Page_416'>416</a>, <a href='#Page_417'>417</a>, <a href='#Page_423'>423</a>, <a href='#Page_424'>424</a>, <a href='#Page_425'>425</a>, <a href='#Page_426'>426</a>, <a href='#Page_427'>427</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Flight of Boer Women to escape Capture by the British, <a href='#Page_279'>279</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kaffir Treatment of Boer Women, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Magersfontein Laager, Presence in, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sufferings in Concentration Camps, etc., <a href='#Page_198'>198</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>, <a href='#Page_421'>421</a>, <a href='#Page_422'>422</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Treatment by the British, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Verkijkersdorp Laager, Capture of by British, and rescue by Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, <a href='#Page_238'>238-241</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Wonderkop&mdash;General de Villiers' Exploits, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a></li>
+
+<li>Wounded, Boer Treatment of&mdash;</li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Doornspruit, Care of Wounded after, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_134'>134</a></span></li>
+<li>  <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nicholson's Nek&mdash;Care for Wounded by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Yeomanry, Imperial&mdash;Gallantry at Tweefontein, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a></li>
+
+<li>Yule, General&mdash;Ladysmith Retreat conducted by, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></li>
+</ul>
+<ul>
+<li>Zandnek&mdash;Captain Scheepers' Engagement near, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a></li>
+
+<li>Zwavelkrans Farm&mdash;British Convoy Captured by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Small loaves manufactured of flour, with fermented raisins
+instead of yeast, and twice baked.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Officer in charge of the meat&mdash;literally, Flesh-corporal.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Literally, a team of oxen which are not all of the same
+colour.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Storm-hunters; so-called from being rapidly cooked.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Stomach-bombs&mdash;a reflection on their wholesomeness.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> A Vice-Commandant has no duties to fulfil so long as the
+Commandant is himself in camp and fit for work.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Fighting general.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Sometimes referred to as the battle of Rietfontein.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Water-courses.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> About nine miles: distance reckoned by average pace of
+ridden horse&mdash;six miles an hour.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Clear off.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Hill.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Literally, watch-fire men. They were the furthest
+outposts, whose duty it was to signal by means of their fires.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Pioneers.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> A table-shaped mountain.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> A shelter-mound of earth and boulders.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> A ravine or water-course.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> In the district of Jacobsdal.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Biscuits.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Mr. Philip Botha had just been appointed
+Vice-Vechtgeneraal.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Brother to Judge Hertzog.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> "How is it with you?"</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Eleven or twelve days after, Commandant Spruit was again
+with us. When he appeared, he seemed to us like one risen from the dead.
+We all rejoiced, not only because he was a God-fearing man, but also
+because he was of a lovable disposition. I heard from his own mouth how
+he had escaped. He told me that the day after his capture, he was sent,
+under a strong escort, from Lord Roberts' Headquarters to the railway
+station at Modder River, and that he started from there, with a guard of
+six men on his road to Cape Town. During the night as they drew near De
+Aar, his guards fell asleep, and our brave Commandant prepared to leave
+the train. He seized a favourable opportunity when the engine was
+climbing a steep gradient and jumped off. But the pace was fast enough
+to throw him to the ground, though fortunately he only sustained slight
+injury. When daylight came he hid himself. Having made out his bearings
+he began to make his way back on the following night. He passed a house,
+but dared not seek admission, for he did not know who its occupants
+might be. As he had no food with him, his sufferings from hunger were
+great, but still he persevered, concealing himself during the day, and
+only walking during the hours of darkness. At last he reached the
+railway line to the north of Colesberg, and from there was carried to
+Bloemfontein, where he enjoyed a well-earned rest. In the second week of
+March he returned to his commando, to the great delight of everybody.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> This correspondence will be found in <a href="#Page_246">Chapter XXX</a>.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Member of the Free State Volksraad and Executive Council.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Member of the Free State Volksraad and Executive Council,
+and also President of the Volksraad.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Member of the first Volksraad of the South African
+Republic.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> This harbour, then the only harbour in South Africa open
+to us, was subsequently forbidden us by the Portuguese Government, whose
+officials even went so far as to arrest eight hundred of our burghers
+(who, for want of horses, had taken refuge in Portuguese territory), and
+to send them to Portugal. The ports of German West Africa cannot be
+counted among those which were available for us. Not only were they too
+far from us to be of any service, but also, in order to reach them, it
+would have been necessary to go through English territory, for they were
+separated from us by Griqualand West, Bechuanaland, and isolated
+portions of Cape Colony. We had, therefore, during the latter portion of
+the war, to depend for supplies upon what little we were able to capture
+from the enemy.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> The men I still had with me belonged to commandos from
+Bloemfontein, Ladybrand, Wepener, Ficksburg, Bethlehem and Winburg. They
+were respectively under Commandants Piet Fourie, Crowther, Fouche, De
+Villiers, Michal Prinsloo and Vilonel; and these Commandants took orders
+from Vechtgeneraals J.B. Wessels, A.P. Cronje, C.C. Froneman, W. Kolbe
+and Philip Botha.
+</p><p>
+The Colesberg and Stormberg commandos had received the order to go
+northwards in the direction of Thaba'Nchu and Ladybrand. These commandos
+also had been panic-stricken since General Cronje's surrender.
+</p><p>
+The Kroonstad, Heilbron, Harrismith and Vrede burghers, under
+Commander-in-Chief Prinsloo, were directed to remain where they were,
+and guard the Drakensberg.
+</p><p>
+General De la Rey followed my example, and gave his men permission to
+return home for some time.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> This council also enacted that officers should be very
+chary in accepting doctors' certificates. The old law had laid it down
+that if a burgher produced a medical certificate, declaring him unfit
+for duty, he should be exempted from service. That there had been a
+grave abuse of this was the experience of almost every officer. There
+were several very dubious cases; and it was curious to note how many
+sudden attacks of heart disease occurred&mdash;if one were to credit the
+medical certificates. I remember myself that on the 7th of March, when
+the burghers fled from Poplar Grove, I had thrust upon me suddenly eight
+separate certificates, which had all been issued that morning, each
+declaring that some burgher or other was suffering from disease of the
+heart. When the eighth was presented to me, and I found that it also
+alleged the same complaint, I lost all patience, and let the doctor know
+that was quite enough for one day. When this question of certificates
+was discussed at the council, I suggested in joke that no certificate
+should be accepted unless it was signed by three old women, as a
+guarantee of good faith. The system had indeed been carried to such
+lengths, and certificates had been issued right and left in such a
+lavish manner, that one almost suspected that the English must have had
+a hand in it!</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Ford.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Water-course or ravine.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> I may note here that it seemed very strange to me and to
+all whose opinion I asked, that Lord Roberts, with his sixty thousand
+men, sent no reinforcements from Bloemfontein. The battle had taken
+place not more than seventeen miles from the capital, and it had lasted
+for four hours; so that there had been ample time to send help. The
+English cannot urge in excuse that, owing to our having cut the
+telegraph wire, Lord Roberts could know nothing of General Broadwood's
+position. The booming of the guns must have been distinctly heard at
+Bloemfontein, as it was a still morning. In addition to this plain
+warning, the English had an outpost at Borsmanskop, between Koorn Spruit
+and Bloemfontein. I do not mention these things with the object of
+throwing an unfavourable light upon Lord Roberts' conduct, but merely to
+show that even in the great English Army, incomprehensible
+irregularities were not unknown, and irregularities of such a character
+as to quite put in the shade the bungles we were sometimes guilty of.
+But the Republics, young though they were, never thought of boasting
+about the order, organization, or discipline of their armies; on the
+contrary they were perhaps a little inclined to take too lenient a view
+when irregularities occurred.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Vexed.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> I have never been able to understand why the great force,
+stationed at Reddersburg, made no attempt to come to the aid of the
+unfortunate victims at Mostertshoek. Their conduct seems to me to have
+been even more blameworthy than the similar negligence which occurred at
+Sanna's Post. They were not more than five miles off, and could watch
+the whole engagement&mdash;and yet they never stirred a foot to come and help
+their comrades. And it was fortunate for us that it was so, for we
+should have stood no chance at all against a large force.
+</p><p>
+To oppose successfully such bodies of men as our burghers had to meet
+during this war demanded <i>rapidity of action</i> more than anything else.
+We had to be quick at fighting, quick at reconnoitring, quick (if it
+became necessary) at flying! This was exactly what I myself aimed at,
+and had not so many of our burghers proved false to their own colours,
+England&mdash;as the great Bismarck foretold&mdash;would have found her grave in
+South Africa.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Cape Mounted Rifles.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> This "granary" lay in the Ladybrand, Ficksburg and
+Bethlehem districts, and not only supplied the Free State, but also the
+greater part of the Transvaal. If the districts of Wepener, Rouxville,
+Bloemfontein, and Thaba'Nchu be included, this "granary" was the source
+of a very large yield of corn, and there had been an especially rich
+harvest that year. As the men were away on commando, the Kaffirs reaped
+the corn under the supervision of the Boer women; and where Kaffirs were
+not obtainable the women did the work with their own hands, and were
+assisted by their little sons and daughters. The women had provided such
+a large supply, that had not the English burnt the corn by the thousand
+sacks, the war could have been continued. It was hard indeed for them to
+watch the soldiers flinging the corn on the ground before their horses'
+hoofs. Still harder was it to see that which had cost them so much
+labour thrown into the flames.
+</p><p>
+In spite of the fact that the English, in order to destroy our crops,
+had let their horses and draught oxen loose upon the land, there was
+still an abundant harvest&mdash;perhaps the best that we had ever seen. And
+so it happened that whilst the men were at the front, the housewives
+could feed the horses in the stable. But Lord Roberts, acting on the
+advice of unfaithful burghers, laid his hand upon the housewives' work,
+and burnt the grain that they had stored.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> This Court was not composed of officers, but consisted of
+three persons, one of whom was a lawyer.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Township.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Police Agent.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Railway trucks.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Everyone will know him, this brave man of pure Afrikander
+blood, subsequently a famous Commander, a martyr. I appointed him
+Captain of Scouts, and from the moment that he commenced his work I saw
+that a <i>man</i> had come forward. It was sad to think in what manner such a
+man was deprived of his life. I shall speak more of him later on, for,
+as our proverb says, "I had eaten too much salt" to pass over his career
+unnoticed</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Afterwards Commandant, and, still later, Assistant
+Commander-in-Chief.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> At the conclusion of peace it was the Bethlehem commando
+which had the greatest number of burghers under arms.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Highlanders.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> A pond which only contains water during "the rains."</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> The <i>Uitschudden</i> (stripping) of the enemy had not become
+necessary at that date. I can say for myself that when, at a later
+period, it came into practice, I never witnessed it with any
+satisfaction. Yet what could the burghers do but help themselves to the
+prisoners' clothing, when England had put a stop to our imports, and cut
+off all our supplies?</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> At this time the burghers were beginning to use the rifles
+which they had taken from the enemy.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> Rhenoster River bridge.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> These dated back to the time of Moselekatze (Umzilygazi).</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> He was afterwards appointed Commandant.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Literally the proverb runs as follows: "There are some
+trials which will not sit in one man's clothes."</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> I.e. the ruins of Kaffir stone huts, built in the time of
+Moselekatze.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> Among these seven burghers were Willie Steyn, Attie Van
+Niekerk, and a certain young Botha. It was Steyn and Botha, with two men
+of the name of Steytler, and two other Free-Staters whose names I have
+forgotten, who managed to escape from the ship that lay anchored in the
+harbour of Ceylon. They swam a distance of several miles to a Russian
+ship, by which they were carried to one of the Russian ports, where they
+received every hospitality. I shall always be grateful to the Russians
+for this. They then travelled through Germany into Holland, being
+subsequently conveyed in a German ship to German West Africa. Thence
+they made their way through Boesmansland to Cape Colony, and, after many
+adventures, joined General Hermanus Maritz's commando. Botha,
+unfortunately, was killed in a skirmish some time later. What will the
+world say of these young burghers? Surely, that more valiant and
+faithful men than they have never lived. I regret that I do not remember
+the names of all Willie Steyn's comrades. I travelled with him by train
+from the Free State to Cape Town, where I had to join General Louis
+Botha and J.H. De la Rey, so as to accompany them to Europe on my
+nation's behalf. He promised then to give me all the particulars of his
+escape, but I suppose there has been some obstacle in the way.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> The word <i>honing</i> means honey.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> At that time the Natal and Delagoa Bay railways were still
+in our possession.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> He had left the remainder of his burghers at Witnek and at
+Houtnek, near Ficksburg.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> Infantry.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> As I have already stated, I intend to write on another
+occasion a book dealing with the art of scouting; and the above incident
+will there form a striking proof of how foolishly the English scouts did
+their work.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> Precipice.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> The Harrismith and Vrede commandos had also received
+orders to join us.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> I put down here the very words I used, for any other
+course would not be honest.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> Kaallaagte&mdash;a barren hollow.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Parijs is situated on the Vaal River.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> The reason why Captain Scheepers was so late in sending
+his report was because he himself was engaging the enemy with six of his
+men near Zandnek. He had come across a convoy of fourteen waggons and
+thirty men, and had, after an hour's fight, nearly brought them to the
+point of surrendering, when reinforcements arrived. He was thus forced
+to retire, and then discovered that the enemy were approaching our
+laager; and he had a hair's breadth escape from capture in bringing me
+the report.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> "Mooi" means beautiful in the Taal language.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> Master.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Ravine.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> General Store.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> Commandant Van Tender had been made prisoner at the same
+time, but he eluded the vigilance of his captors, and running for his
+life under a shower of their bullets, got away in safety.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> Uncle Peter.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> Judge.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> Pioneer.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> Nieuwjaarsfontein.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> A table-shaped hill.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> He was subsequently appointed Vice-Commander-in-Chief in
+Cape Colony.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> In the original a Kaffir word is used here. The literal
+meaning of the phrase is "to throw the knuckle bones"&mdash;the Kaffir
+equivalent for dice.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> <i>Vlei</i>&mdash;a valley with stagnant water in it.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> The Boer proverb is:&mdash;"Blood creeps where it cannot
+walk."</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> I had appointed him in place of Commandant Truter, who had
+resigned.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> Our forethought proved later on to have been of little
+avail. For notwithstanding the bountiful rains which had fallen at the
+end of November and the beginning of January in the southern and western
+parts of the State we found, when we arrived there, that the grass had
+been entirely destroyed by the locusts. Neither could we obtain any
+fodder; and so the difficulty of providing for our horses was as great
+as ever.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> At this date the English had not re-garrisoned the town.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> Barend.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> Stellenbosched: this was the word the English applied to
+officers, who, on account of inefficiency, or for other reasons, had to
+be dismissed. Stellenbosch was a place where only very unimportant work
+was performed.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> I must give a short account of Willem Pretorius, for he
+was a dear friend of mine. He had only reached the age of twenty when I
+made him a Veldtcornet. His courage certainly could not be surpassed,
+yet he never let it go beyond his reason. About twenty days before the
+conclusion of Peace, he was killed by a bullet at a range of 1,100
+paces. Throughout the whole previous course of the war fortune had
+favoured him almost miraculously: six horses had been killed and many
+more wounded under him; yet he had never received more than a scratch.
+But in the end he, like so many other brave men, was destined to die for
+the country that he loved so dearly. Poor Willem! You and the other
+heroes in our struggle will live for ever in our memories.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> Broodspioen: <i>literally</i> a bread spy. This was the name
+applied to a burgher, who, with or without an order from his officer,
+rode in advance of his commando to obtain bread for himself and his
+comrades. He was frequently a man who placed the interests of his
+stomach before the safety of his commando.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> A swamp.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> There were still two Krupps left, but we had no ammunition
+for them.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> Farmer's wife.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> Stripping.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> Veldtcornet Franz Jacobsz was afterwards appointed in the
+place of this Commandant, who resigned.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> When this Commandant resigned, Veldtcornet J.J. Van
+Niekerk was appointed in his place.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> When, at a later period, Commandant Theunissen was put in
+command of the burghers of Fauresmith, Commandant Mijburg was appointed
+in his place. This latter Commandant was afterwards killed.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> Where the yeomanry were captured.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> (District Vrede)&mdash;encounter with Brabant's Horse.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> Stripping.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> The previous evening we had received a report of two
+English camps on the Wilge River: One at Duminy Drift, the other at
+Steildrift&mdash;under General Elliott. They were led by Piet de Wet and
+other National Scouts.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> Nobody dies of fright.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> The report of the Commission of which he was a member.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> Resident Magistrates.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> A court-martial was held at this place, and several
+persons appeared before it. A certain De Lange was condemned to death
+for high treason.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> We had heliographic communication between Elandskop and
+Blaauwkop, which formed a connecting link between Bethlehem and Lindley;
+and from Blaauwkop we had communication with Verkijkerskop. There was
+also heliographic communication between Bethlehem and Lindley, and
+Biddulphsberg, across the line of blockhouses.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> "Rooije" is the Taal for "red."</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> In this I was correct. They contrived to break through
+where the enemy were more scattered.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> Spruit&mdash;rivulet.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> Also my son, Jacobus (Kootie). He has now returned from
+St. Helena, whither he had been sent as a prisoner, and we have met. He
+tells me that on the night when I broke through, he wanted to come with
+me, but was unable to do so, because his horse had been shot under
+him.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> Shortly afterwards I heard that it was Colonel
+Rimington's column who were encamped there. They discovered the cave,
+and removed the documents and wearing apparel, leaving me with only a
+suit of clothes&mdash;which I should have liked to preserve as a curiosity!</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> A salt lake.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_109_109" id="Footnote_109_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_109"><span class="label">[109]</span></a> Commandant Jacobsz was somewhere not very far from
+Kimberley; Commandant Bester, close to Brandfort; Commandant Jacobus
+Theron, near Smaldeel; Commandant Flemming, near Hoopstad; and
+Commandant Pieter Erasmus, near the Gannapan.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_110_110" id="Footnote_110_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110_110"><span class="label">[110]</span></a> A complete report of the various proceedings in connexion
+with the conclusion of peace will be found in the Appendix of this
+book.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_111_111" id="Footnote_111_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111_111"><span class="label">[111]</span></a> Infantry.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_112_112" id="Footnote_112_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112_112"><span class="label">[112]</span></a> Closer Union.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_113_113" id="Footnote_113_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113_113"><span class="label">[113]</span></a> See page <a href="#Page_363">363</a> <i>et seq.</i></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_114_114" id="Footnote_114_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114_114"><span class="label">[114]</span></a> See page <a href="#Page_379">379</a> <i>et seq.</i></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_115_115" id="Footnote_115_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115_115"><span class="label">[115]</span></a> See page <a href="#Page_391">391</a> <i>et seq.</i></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_116_116" id="Footnote_116_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116_116"><span class="label">[116]</span></a> See page <a href="#Page_395">395</a> <i>et seq.</i></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_117_117" id="Footnote_117_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117_117"><span class="label">[117]</span></a> The Boer form of this proverb is: Half an egg is better
+than an empty shell.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_118_118" id="Footnote_118_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118_118"><span class="label">[118]</span></a> The head fastened to the knee.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_119_119" id="Footnote_119_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119_119"><span class="label">[119]</span></a> Having two legs fastened together.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_120_120" id="Footnote_120_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120_120"><span class="label">[120]</span></a> The step of a tired horse.</p></div>
+</div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS' WAR***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 18794-h.txt or 18794-h.zip *******</p>
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Three Years' War, by Christiaan Rudolf de Wet
+
+
+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: Three Years' War
+
+
+Author: Christiaan Rudolf de Wet
+
+
+
+Release Date: July 8, 2006  [eBook #18794]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS' WAR***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Taavi Kalju, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 18794-h.htm or 18794-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/7/9/18794/18794-h/18794-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/7/9/18794/18794-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THREE YEARS' WAR
+
+by
+
+CHRISTIAAN RUDOLF DE WET
+
+Frontispiece by John S. Sargent, R.A.
+
+Four Plans and a Map
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: (signature) C. R. de Wet
+
+
+
+
+New York
+Charles Scribner's Sons
+1902
+Copyright, 1902, by
+Charles Scribner's Sons
+All rights reserved
+Published, December, 1902
+Trow Directory
+Printing and Bookbinding Company
+New York
+
+
+
+
+      TO
+MY FELLOW SUBJECTS
+      OF
+THE BRITISH EMPIRE
+
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+
+By way of introduction to my work I wish, dear reader, to say only this
+short word: "I am no book-writer."--But I felt that the story of this
+struggle, in which a small people fought for liberty and right, is
+rightly said, throughout the civilized world, to be unknown, and that it
+was my duty to record my personal experiences in this war, for the
+present and for the future generations, not only for the Afrikander
+people, but for the whole world.
+
+Not only did I consider this my duty, but I was encouraged to write by
+the urgings of prominent men among my people, of men of various
+nationalities and even of several British officers.
+
+Well, dear reader, I hope that you will not feel disappointed in reading
+these experiences, as it is not in me, as is perhaps sometimes the case
+with historical authors, to conjure up thrilling pictures--imaginary
+things--and put them together merely to make up a book or to make a name
+for themselves. That be far from me! In publishing my book (although it
+is written in simple style) _I had one object only_, viz., to give to
+the world a story which, although it does not contain the whole of the
+truth, as regards this wondrous war, yet contains nothing but the
+truth.
+
+The original has been written by me in Dutch, and I can therefore not be
+answerable for its translation into other languages.
+
+C. R. DE WET.
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+CHAPTER                                                              PAGE
+
+     I. I GO ON COMMANDO AS A PRIVATE BURGHER                           3
+
+    II. NICHOLSON'S NEK                                                13
+
+   III. LADYSMITH BESIEGED                                             19
+
+    IV. I AM APPOINTED VECHTGENERAAL                                   22
+
+     V. THE OVERWHELMING FORCES OF LORD ROBERTS                        26
+
+    VI. PAARDEBERG                                                     39
+
+   VII. THE WILD FLIGHT FROM POPLAR GROVE                              49
+
+  VIII. THE BURGHERS RECEIVE PERMISSION TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES       56
+
+    IX. SANNA'S POST                                                   61
+
+     X. FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ENGLISH TAKEN PRISONER AT REDDERSBURG 71
+
+    XI. AN UNSUCCESSFUL SIEGE                                          77
+
+   XII. THE ENGLISH SWARM OVER OUR COUNTRY                             82
+
+  XIII. OUR POSITION AT THE END OF MAY, 1900                           92
+
+   XIV. ROODEWAL                                                       96
+
+    XV. I MAKE LORD KITCHENER'S ACQUAINTANCE                          108
+
+   XVI. BETHLEHEM IS CAPTURED BY THE ENGLISH                          117
+
+  XVII. THE SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO                                     123
+
+ XVIII. I AM DRIVEN INTO THE TRANSVAAL                                129
+
+   XIX. I RETURN TO THE FREE STATE                                    144
+
+    XX. THE OATH OF NEUTRALITY                                        156
+
+   XXI. FREDERIKSSTAD AND BOTHAVILLE                                  161
+
+  XXII. MY MARCH TO THE SOUTH                                         172
+
+ XXIII. I FAIL TO ENTER CAPE COLONY                                   180
+
+  XXIV. WHEREIN SOMETHING IS FOUND ABOUT WAR AGAINST WOMEN            191
+
+   XXV. I AGAIN ATTEMPT TO ENTER CAPE COLONY                          197
+
+  XXVI. DARKNESS PROVES MY SALVATION                                  215
+
+ XXVII. WAS OURS A GUERILLA WAR?                                      225
+
+XXVIII. NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ENEMY                                   230
+
+  XXIX. PRESIDENT STEYN'S NARROW ESCAPE                               242
+
+   XXX. THE LAST PROCLAMATION                                         246
+
+  XXXI. BLOCKHOUSES AND NIGHT ATTACKS                                 260
+
+ XXXII. MY COMMANDO OF SEVEN HUNDRED MEN                              267
+
+XXXIII. A SUCCESS AT TWEEFONTEIN                                      275
+
+ XXXIV. I CUT MY WAY THROUGH SIXTY THOUSAND TROOPS                    284
+
+  XXXV. I GO TO THE TRANSVAAL WITH PRESIDENT STEYN                    298
+
+ XXXVI. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS                                            305
+
+XXXVII. THE END OF THE WAR                                            319
+
+CORRESPONDENCE                                                        325
+
+
+APPENDICES
+
+A.--REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE GENERAL REPRESENTATIVES HELD AT
+      VEREENIGING IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC ON THE 15TH OF
+      MAY, 1902, AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS                              333
+
+B.--THE CONFERENCE AT PRETORIA BETWEEN THE COMMISSION OF THE
+      NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND LORDS KITCHENER AND MILNER
+      (MAY 19TH-MAY 28TH, 1902)                                      365
+
+C.--MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPECIAL NATIONAL
+      REPRESENTATIVES AT VEREENIGING, SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC,
+      THURSDAY, THE 29TH OF MAY, 1902, AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS        397
+
+INDEX                                                                429
+
+MAP                                                   _At end of volume_
+
+
+
+
+THREE YEARS WAR
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+I Go on Commando as a Private Burgher
+
+
+In the month of September, 1899, the burghers of the Orange Free State
+were notified, under the Commando Law, to hold themselves in readiness
+to go on active service at the shortest possible notice.
+
+Before proceeding any further I should like to explain that portion of
+the Commando Law which dealt with commandeering. It stipulated that
+every burgher between the ages of sixteen and sixty must be prepared to
+fight for his country at any moment; and that, if required for active
+service, he must provide himself with a riding-horse, saddle and bridle,
+with a rifle and thirty cartridges--or, if he were unable to obtain a
+rifle, he must bring with him thirty bullets, thirty caps, and half a
+pound of powder--in addition he must be provisioned for eight days. That
+there should have been an alternative to the rifle was due to the fact
+that the law was made at a time when only a few burghers possessed
+breech-loading rifles--_achterlaaiers_, as we call them.
+
+With reference to the provisions the law did not specify their quality
+or quantity, but there was an unwritten but strictly observed rule
+amongst the burghers that they should consist of meat cut in strips,
+salted, peppered, and dried, or else of sausages and "Boer biscuits."[1]
+With regard to quantity, each burgher had to make his own estimate of
+the amount he would require for eight days.
+
+It was not long after they were notified to hold themselves ready that
+the burghers were called up for active service. On the 2nd of October,
+1899, the order came. On that day the Veldtcornets, or their
+lieutenants, visited every farm and commandeered the men.
+
+Amongst the commandeered was I; and thus, as a private burgher, I
+entered on the campaign. With me were my three sons--Kootie, Isaac, and
+Christiaan.
+
+The following day the men of the sub-district of Krom Ellenborg, in the
+district of Heilbron--to which I belonged--mustered at Elandslaagte
+Farm. The Veldtcornet of this sub-district was Mr. Marthinus Els, and
+the Commandant of the whole contingent Mr. Lucas Steenekamp. It soon
+became known that the War Commission had decided that our commando was
+to proceed as rapidly as possible to the Natal frontier, and that with
+us were to go the troops from Vrede and Harrismith, as well as some from
+Bethlehem, Winburg, and Kroonstad. Carrying out these orders, we all
+arrived at Harrismith six days later.
+
+Commando life now began in real earnest.
+
+The eight days during which the burghers had to feed themselves were
+soon over, and now it was the duty of the Government to provide for
+them.
+
+It may be interesting to mention here that the British commissariat
+differed greatly from ours. Rations were served out daily to their
+troops. Each soldier received the same quantity and the same quality as
+his comrade. Our methods were very different, except as regards flour,
+coffee, sugar, and other articles of that nature. The British soldier,
+for instance, received his meat ready cooked in the form of bully-beef
+(_blikkiescost_ we called it), whilst the burgher received his meat raw,
+and had to cook it as best he could.
+
+Before I leave this subject I may be forgiven if I describe the method
+of distributing meat to the burghers. After it had been cut up, the
+Vleeschkorporaal[2] handed out the pieces--a sufficiently responsible
+task, as it proved, for, as the portions differed much in quality, it
+became of the first importance that the Vleeschkorporaal should be a man
+whose impartiality was above suspicion. To avoid any temptations to
+favouritism, this useful personage used to turn his back on the
+burghers, and as the men came up in turn he would pick up the piece of
+meat which lay nearest to hand and, without looking round, give it to
+the man who was waiting behind him to receive it.
+
+This arrangement should have been satisfactory to all, but it sometimes
+happened that some burgher, whom fortune had not favoured, made no
+effort to conceal his discontent, and thus squabbles frequently
+occurred. Then the Vleeschkorporaal, fully convinced of his own
+uprightness, would let his tongue go, and the burgher who had complained
+was a man to be pitied. But such quarrels only occurred early in the
+campaign. By the time that the Vleeschkorporaal had been a few weeks at
+his work he had gained a considerable knowledge of human nature, and the
+injustice of his fellows no longer troubled him. Accordingly he allowed
+the complaints of the men to go in at one ear and at once to come out at
+the other. The burghers, too, soon became convinced of the foolishness
+of their conduct, and learnt the lesson of content and forbearance.
+
+As I have already stated, the burgher had to boil or roast his own meat.
+The roasting was done on a spit cut in the shape of a fork, the wood
+being obtained from a branch of the nearest tree. A more ambitious fork
+was manufactured from fencing wire, and had sometimes even as many as
+four prongs. A skillful man would so arrange the meat on his spit as to
+have alternate pieces of fat and of lean, and thus get what we used to
+call a _bout span_.[3]
+
+The burghers utilized the flour supplied to them in making cakes; these
+they cooked in boiling fat, and called them _stormjagers_[4] or
+_maagbommen_.[5]
+
+Later on, the British, finding that by looting our cattle they could get
+fresh meat for nothing, were no longer forced to be content with
+bully-beef. They then, like ourselves, killed oxen and sheep; but,
+unlike us, were very wasteful with it. Often, in the camping places they
+had vacated, we found the remains of half-eaten oxen, sheep, pigs, and
+poultry.
+
+But I shall not go further into this matter. I leave it to other pens to
+describe how the British looted our property, wantonly killed our
+cattle, and devastated our farms. In the course of this narrative my
+intention is to mention only those cases which I saw with my own eyes.
+The reader, perusing them, may well pause in surprise and cry out, "Can
+such things be possible?" To such a question I have only one
+answer--"They actually occurred, and so my only course is to record
+them."
+
+But enough of these digressions. Let me return to my proper subject--the
+story of my own experiences and doings in the great struggle which took
+place between Boer and Briton.
+
+As I have already said, I had been commandeered, and, together with the
+other burghers of the Heilbron commando, had just reached Harrismith, on
+the road to the south-eastern frontier.
+
+During our stay there the other commandos, in obedience to Commando Law,
+joined us, and we proceeded to elect a Commander-in-Chief. The
+Commandants present were Steenekamp, of Heilbron; Anthonie Lombaard, of
+Vrede; C.J. De Villiers, of Harrismith; Hans Nande, of Bethlehem;
+Marthinus Prinsloo, of Winburg; and C. Nel, of Kroonstad. The result of
+the voting was that Prinsloo was chosen for the supreme command.
+
+Then the burghers of Winburg selected Mr. Theunissen as their
+Commandant. He fulfilled his duties admirably, until he was made a
+prisoner of war. This happened when he was leading a courageous attack
+at Paardeberg in order to relieve General Piet Cronje.
+
+From Harrismith our commando advanced to within six miles of the
+Natal-Free State frontier, and camped not far from Bezuidenhoutspas, in
+the Drakensberg. This imposing range of mountains, which then formed the
+dividing line between Boer and British territory, slopes down gently
+into the Free State, but on the Natal side is very steep and
+precipitous.
+
+The day after we had elected our Commander-in-Chief I was sent by
+Commandant Steenekamp, with a small detachment of burghers, to the Natal
+frontier. I saw nothing of the English there, for they had abandoned all
+their positions on the frontier shortly before the beginning of the war.
+When I returned in the evening I found that the burghers had chosen me,
+in my absence, as Vice-Commandant[6] under Commandant Steenekamp.
+
+It was at five o'clock on the afternoon of that day--the 11th of
+October, 1899--that the time, which the ultimatum allowed to England,
+expired. The British had not complied with the terms which the South
+African Republic demanded--the time for negotiations had passed, and war
+had actually broken out.
+
+On this very day martial law was proclaimed by the Governments of the
+two Republics, and orders were given to occupy the passes on the
+Drakensberg. Commander-in-Chief Prinsloo despatched Steenekamp that
+night to Bezuidenhoutspas. Eastwards from there the following commandos
+were to hold the passes:--Bothaspas was to be occupied by the commando
+from Vrede; Van Reenen's Pass by the commandos from Harrismith and
+Winburg; and Tintwaspas by the commando from Kroonstad. Westwards, the
+burghers from Bethlehem were to guard Oliviershoekpas.
+
+Commandant Steenekamp was very ill that night, and was unable to set
+out; he accordingly ordered me to take his place and to proceed forward
+with six hundred burghers.
+
+Although I had only to cover six miles, it cost me considerable thought
+to arrange everything satisfactorily. This was due to the fact that real
+discipline did not exist among the burghers. As the war proceeded,
+however, a great improvement manifested itself in this matter, although
+as long as the struggle lasted our discipline was always far from
+perfect. I do not intend to imply that the burghers were unwilling or
+unruly; it was only that they were quite unaccustomed to being under
+orders. When I look back upon the campaign I realize how gigantic a task
+I performed in regulating everything in accordance with my wishes.
+
+It did not take me long to get everything arranged, and we made an early
+start.
+
+It was impossible to say what might lie before us. In spite of the fact
+that I had visited the spot the day before, I had not been able to cross
+the frontier. The English might have been on the precipitous side of the
+mountains under the ridge without my being any the wiser. Perhaps on our
+arrival we should find them in possession of the pass, occupying good
+positions and quite prepared for our coming.
+
+Everything went well with us, however, and no untoward incident
+occurred. When the sun rose the following morning the whole country, as
+far as the eye could reach, lay before us calm and peaceful.
+
+I sent a full report of my doings to Commandant Steenekamp, and that
+evening he himself, although still far from well, appeared with the
+remaining part of the commando. He brought the news that war had started
+in grim earnest. General De la Rey had attacked and captured an armoured
+train at Kraaipan.
+
+Some days after this a war council was held at Van Reenen's Pass under
+Commander-in-Chief Marthinus Prinsloo. As Commandant Steenekamp, owing
+to his illness, was unable to be present, I attended the council in his
+place. It was decided that a force of two thousand burghers, under
+Commandant C.J. De Villiers, of Harrismith, as Vice-Vechtgeneraal,[7]
+should go down into Natal, and that the remaining forces should guard
+the passes on the Drakensberg.
+
+Let me say, in parenthesis, that the laws of the Orange Free State make
+no allusion to the post of Vechtgeneraal. But shortly before the war
+began the Volksraad had given the President the power to appoint such an
+officer. At the same session the President was allowed the veto on all
+laws dealing with war.
+
+As Commandant Steenekamp was still prevented by his health from going to
+the front, I was ordered, as Vice-Commandant of the Heilbron commando,
+to proceed with five hundred men to Natal.
+
+It soon became apparent that we had been sent to Natal with the object
+of cutting off the English who were stationed at Dundee and
+Elandslaagte. We were to be aided in our task by the Transvaalers who
+were coming from Volksrust and by a party of burghers from Vrede, all
+under the command of General Roch.
+
+We did not arrive in time to be successful in this plan. That there had
+been some bungling was not open to question. Yet I am unable to assert
+to whom our failure was due--whether to the Commandants of the South
+African Republic, or to Commander-in-Chief Prinsloo, or to Vechtgeneraal
+De Villiers. For then I was merely a Vice-Commandant, who had not to
+_give_ orders, but to obey them. But whoever was to blame, it is
+certainly true that when, early in the morning of the 23rd of October, I
+cut the line near Dundee, I discovered that the English had retreated to
+Ladysmith. It was General Yule who had led them, and he gained great
+praise in British circles for the exploit.
+
+If we had only reached our destination a little sooner we should have
+cut off their retreating troops and given them a very warm time. But now
+that they had joined their comrades at Ladysmith, we had to be prepared
+for an attack from their combined forces, and that before the
+Transvaalers, who were still at Dundee, could reinforce us.
+
+The British did not keep us long in anxiety.
+
+At eight o'clock the following morning--the 24th of October--they came
+out of Ladysmith, and the battle of Modder Spruit[8] began. With the
+sole exception of the skirmish between the Harrismith burghers and the
+Carabineers at Bester Station on the 18th of October, when Jonson, a
+burgher of Harrismith, was killed--the earliest victim in our fight for
+freedom--this was the first fighting the Free-Staters had seen.
+
+We occupied kopjes which formed a large semicircle to the west of the
+railway between Ladysmith and Dundee. Our only gun was placed on the
+side of a high kop on our western wing. Our men did not number more than
+a thousand--the other burghers had remained behind as a rear-guard at
+Bester Station.
+
+With three batteries of guns the English marched to the attack, the
+troops leading the way, the guns some distance behind. A deafening
+cannonade was opened on us by the enemy's artillery, at a range of about
+4,500 yards. Our gun fired a few shots in return, but was soon silenced,
+and we had to remove it from its position. Small arms were our only
+weapons for the remainder of the contest.
+
+The English at once began as usual to attack our flanks, but they did
+not attempt to get round our wings. Their object appeared to be to keep
+us in small parties, so that we should be unable to concentrate a large
+force anywhere.
+
+Meanwhile the troops which were making the attack pushed on closer and
+closer to us. The country was of such a nature that they were able to
+get quite near to us without coming under our fire, for small kloofs[9]
+and other inequalities of the ground afforded them excellent cover. But
+when they did show themselves they were met by such a frightful and
+unceasing fire that they could not approach nearer than two hundred
+paces from our lines.
+
+The brunt of the attack was borne by the burghers from Kroonstad, who,
+under Commandant Nel, formed our western wing. More to the east, where I
+myself was, our men had less to endure. But every burgher, wherever he
+might be, fought with the greatest courage. Although there were some who
+fell killed or wounded, there was no sign of yielding throughout the
+whole battle, and every one of our positions we successfully held.
+
+Till three o'clock in the afternoon we kept up our rifle fire on the
+English, and then we ceased, for the enemy, realizing the impossibility
+of driving us out of our positions, withdrew to Ladysmith. Shortly
+afterwards we were able to go over the battlefield. There were not many
+dead or wounded to be seen; but burghers who had been stationed on the
+high kop previously mentioned had seen the English remove their wounded
+during the engagement.
+
+We ourselves had eleven men killed and twenty-one wounded, of whom two
+subsequently died. This loss touched us deeply, yet it was encouraging
+to notice that it had not the effect of disheartening a single officer
+or burgher.
+
+Just as the battle began Mr. A.P. Cronje arrived on the scene. He had
+been nominated by the President as Vechtgeneraal, and had taken over the
+command from Vice-General C.J. De Villiers. He was most useful in this
+engagement. When it was over I agreed with him in thinking that our
+forces were too weak to pursue the retreating English troops. As soon
+as I was able to leave my position it gave me great pleasure to shake
+hands with him, for he was an old friend and fellow-member of the
+Volksraad. It was pleasant to greet him as Vechtgeneraal--he was the son
+of a valiant officer who had fought in the Basuto war of 1865 and 1866.
+He had reached the age of sixty-six years, an age when it is very hard
+for a man to have to stand the strain which the duties of a
+Vechtgeneraal necessarily entail.
+
+[Footnote 1: Small loaves manufactured of flour, with fermented raisins
+instead of yeast, and twice baked.]
+
+[Footnote 2: Officer in charge of the meat--literally, Flesh-corporal.]
+
+[Footnote 3: Literally, a team of oxen which are not all of the same
+colour.]
+
+[Footnote 4: Storm-hunters; so-called from being rapidly cooked.]
+
+[Footnote 5: Stomach-bombs--a reflection on their wholesomeness.]
+
+[Footnote 6: A Vice-Commandant has no duties to fulfil so long as the
+Commandant is himself in camp and fit for work.]
+
+[Footnote 7: Fighting general.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Sometimes referred to as the battle of Rietfontein.]
+
+[Footnote 9: Water-courses.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Nicholson's Nek
+
+
+Until the 29th of October we retained our positions at Rietfontein. On
+that date General Joubert joined us with a portion of the Transvaal
+commandos. On his arrival it was settled that the Transvaalers should
+proceed to the north of Ladysmith and occupy positions on the east of
+Nicholson's Nek, whilst the Free-Staters were to go to the west and
+north-west of that town.
+
+A party of burghers, under Commandant Nel, of Kroonstad, were ordered to
+station themselves on a kop with a flat top, called Swartbooiskop,[10]
+an hour and a half to the south of Nicholson's Nek. After the battle
+which was fought on the 30th of November this kop was christened by us
+Little Majuba.
+
+Just after sunrise on the 30th of November the roaring of cannon came to
+our ears. The sound came from the extreme end of our position, where the
+Transvaalers were stationed. No sooner did we hear it than the order to
+off-saddle was given. I myself asked Commandant Steenekamp, who had
+arrived the previous day from Bezuidenhoutspas, to go to General Croup's
+laager, about two miles distant, and to request him to advance to where
+the firing was taking place. To this request General Croup acceded, and
+Commandant Steenekamp went there with three hundred men, of whom I was
+one. Our way led past the kop to the south of Nicholson's Nek. What a
+sight met our gaze on our arrival there!
+
+The kop was occupied by the English.
+
+This must be ascribed to the negligence of Commandant Nel, who had
+orders to guard the kop. He excused himself by assuring us that he had
+been under the impression that one of his Veldtcornets and a number of
+burghers were occupying the hill.
+
+What could we do now?
+
+Commandant Steenekamp and I decided that we must storm the hill with the
+three hundred men whom we had at our disposal. And this we did, and were
+sufficiently fortunate to capture the northern point of the kop.
+
+On reaching the summit we discovered that the British troops occupied
+positions extending from the southern point to the middle of the
+mountain.
+
+The enemy, the moment we appeared on the ridge, opened a heavy rifle
+fire upon us. We answered with as severe a fusillade as theirs. Whilst
+we were shooting, twenty of Commandant Nel's men joined us and helped us
+to hold our ground. When we had been engaged in this way for some time
+we saw that the only possible course was to fight our way from position
+to position towards the English lines.
+
+I now observed that the mountain top was of an oblong shape, extending
+from north to south for about a thousand paces. At the northern end,
+where we were, the surface was smooth, but somewhat further south it
+became rough and stony, affording very good cover. In our present
+situation we were thus almost completely exposed to the enemy's fire.
+The English, on the other hand, had excellent positions. There were a
+number of ruined Kaffir kraals scattered about from the middle of the
+mountain to its southern end, and these the enemy had occupied, thus
+securing a great advantage.
+
+Our bullets hailed on the English, and very shortly they retreated to
+the southernmost point of the mountain. This gave us the chance for
+which we had been waiting, for now we could take the splendid positions
+they had left.
+
+Whilst this was going on an amusing incident occurred. A Jew came up to
+a burgher who was lying behind a stone, on a piece of ground where
+boulders were scarce.
+
+"Sell me that stone for half-a-crown," whined the Jew.
+
+"Loop!"[11] the Boer cried; "I want it myself."
+
+"I will give you fifteen shillings," insisted the Jew.
+
+Although the Boer had never before possessed anything that had risen in
+value with such surprising rapidity, at that moment he was anything but
+ready to drive a bargain with the Jew, and without any hesitation he
+positively declined to do business.
+
+In the positions from which the English had retired we found several
+dead and wounded men, and succeeded in capturing some prisoners.
+
+The enemy were now very strongly posted at the south end of the
+mountain, for there were in their neighbourhood many Kaffir kraals and
+huge boulders to protect them from our marksmen. Their fire on us became
+still more severe and unceasing, and their bullets whistled and sang
+above our heads, or flattened themselves against the stones. We gave at
+least as good as we got, and this was so little to their liking that
+very soon a few white flags appeared in the kraals on their left wing,
+and from that quarter the firing stopped suddenly.
+
+I immediately gave the order to cease fire and to advance towards the
+enemy. All at once the English blazed away at us again. On our part, we
+replied with vigour. But that did not continue long. In a very short
+time white flags fluttered above every kraal--the victory was ours.
+
+I have no wish to say that a misuse of the white flag had taken place. I
+was told when the battle was over that the firing had continued, because
+the men on our eastern wing had not observed what their comrades on
+their left had done. And this explanation I willingly accept.
+
+Our force in this engagement consisted only of three hundred men from
+Heilbron, twenty from Kroonstad, and forty or fifty from the
+Johannesburg Police, these latter under Captain Van Dam. The Police had
+arrived on the battlefield during the fighting, and had behaved in a
+most praiseworthy manner.
+
+But I overestimate our numbers, for it was not the _whole_ of the
+Heilbron contingent that reached the firing line. We had to leave some
+of them behind with the horses at the foot of the kop, and there were
+others who remained at the first safe position they reached--a frequent
+occurrence at that period.
+
+I took careful note of our numbers when the battle was over, and I can
+state with certainty that there were not more than two hundred burghers
+actually engaged.
+
+Our losses amounted to four killed and five wounded. As to the losses of
+the English, I myself counted two hundred and three dead and wounded,
+and there may have been many whom I did not see. In regard to our
+prisoners, as they marched past me four deep I counted eight hundred and
+seventeen.
+
+In addition to the prisoners we also captured two Maxim and two mountain
+guns. They, however, were out of order, and had not been used by the
+English. The prisoners told us that parts of their big guns had been
+lost in the night, owing to a stampede of the mules which carried them,
+and consequently that the guns were incomplete when they reached the
+mountain. Shortly afterwards we found the mules with the missing parts
+of the guns.
+
+It was very lucky for us that the English were deprived of the use of
+their guns, for it placed them on the same footing as ourselves, as it
+compelled them to rely entirely on their rifles. Still they had the
+advantage of position, not to mention the fact that they out-numbered us
+by four to one.
+
+The guns did not comprise the whole of our capture: we also seized a
+thousand Lee-Metford rifles, twenty cases of cartridges, and some
+baggage mules and horses.
+
+The fighting had continued without intermission from nine o'clock in the
+morning until two in the afternoon. The day was exceedingly hot, and as
+there was no water to be obtained nearer than a mile from the berg,[12]
+we suffered greatly from thirst. The condition of the wounded touched my
+heart deeply. It was pitiable to hear them cry, "Water! water!"
+
+I ordered my burghers to carry these unfortunate creatures to some
+thorn-bushes, which afforded shelter from the scorching rays of the sun,
+and where their doctors could attend to them. Other burghers I told off
+to fetch water from our prisoners' canteens, to supply our own wounded.
+
+As soon as the wounded were safe under the shelter of the trees I
+despatched a message to Sir George White asking him to send his
+ambulance to fetch them, and also to make arrangements for the burial of
+his dead. For some unexplained reason, the English ambulance did not
+arrive till the following morning.
+
+We stayed on the mountain until sunset, and then went down to the
+laager. I ordered my brother, Piet de Wet, with fifty men of the
+Bethlehem commando, to remain behind and guard the kop.
+
+We reached camp at eight o'clock, and as the men had been without food
+during the whole day it can be imagined with what delight each watched
+his _bout span_ frizzling on the spit. This, with a couple of
+_stormjagers_ and a tin of coffee, made up the meal, and speedily
+restored them. They were exempted from sentry duty that night, and
+greatly enjoyed their well-earned rest.
+
+To complete my narrative of the day's work, I have only to add that the
+Transvaal burghers were engaged at various points some eight miles from
+Nicholson's Nek, and succeeded in taking four hundred prisoners.
+
+We placed our sentries that evening with the greatest care. They were
+stationed not only at a distance from the camp, as _Brandwachten_,[13]
+but also close round the laager itself. We were especially careful, as
+it was rumoured that the English had armed the Zulus of Natal. Had this
+been true, it would have been necessary to exercise the utmost vigilance
+to guard against these barbarians.
+
+Since the very beginning of our existence as a nation--in 1836--our
+people had been acquainted with black races, and bitter had been their
+experience. All that our _voortrekkers_[14] had suffered was indelibly
+stamped on our memory. We well knew what the Zulus could do under cover
+of darkness--their sanguinary night attacks were not easily forgotten.
+Their name of "night-wolves" had been well earned. Also we Free-Staters
+had endured much from the Basutos, in the wars of 1865 and 1867.
+
+History had thus taught us to place _Brandwachten_ round our laagers at
+night, and to reconnoitre during the hours of darkness as well as in the
+day-time.
+
+Perhaps I shall be able to give later on a fuller account in these
+pages--or, it may be, in another book--of the way we were accustomed to
+reconnoitre, and of the reasons why the scouting of the British so
+frequently ended in disaster. But I cannot resist saying here that the
+English only learnt the art of scouting during the latter part of the
+war, when they made use of the Boer deserters--the "Hands-uppers."
+
+These deserters were our undoing. I shall have a good deal more to say
+about them before I finally lay down my pen, and I shall not hesitate to
+call them by their true name--the name with which they will be for ever
+branded before all the nations of the world.
+
+[Footnote 10: About nine miles: distance reckoned by average pace of
+ridden horse--six miles an hour.]
+
+[Footnote 11: Clear off.]
+
+[Footnote 12: Hill.]
+
+[Footnote 13: Literally, watch-fire men. They were the furthest
+outposts, whose duty it was to signal by means of their fires.]
+
+[Footnote 14: Pioneers.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+Ladysmith Besieged
+
+
+The Orange Free State and the South African Republic held a joint
+council of war on the 1st of November, and it was then decided to lay
+siege to Ladysmith.
+
+We also agreed to send out a horse-commando in the direction of
+Estcourt. This commando, under Vice-General Louis Botha, had several
+skirmishes with the enemy. On the 15th of November he engaged an
+armoured train, capturing a hundred of the British troops. This was
+General Botha's chief exploit, and shortly afterwards he returned to
+camp. But I must not anticipate.
+
+On the night of the council of war, General Piet Cronje was sent to
+occupy positions to the south and south-west of Ladysmith. He had with
+him the Heilbron burghers, a part of the commandos from Winburg and
+Harrismith, and two Krupp guns. On the following day a brush took place
+with the enemy, who, however, speedily fell back on Ladysmith. On the
+3rd, a few of their infantry regiments, with a thousand or fifteen
+hundred mounted troops, and two batteries of 15 and 12-pound Armstrong
+guns, marched out of the town in a south-westerly direction.
+
+The English brought these two guns into position at such a distance from
+us that we could not reach them with the Mauser; nor would it have been
+safe for us to advance upon them, for between them and us lay an open
+plain, which would have afforded no cover. One of our guns, which was
+placed exactly in front of the enemy, did indeed begin to fire; but
+after a shot or two, it received so much attention from the English
+artillery that we were compelled--just as at Rietfontein--to desist.
+
+The British infantry and cavalry did not show any excessive eagerness to
+tackle us; and we, on our side, were as disinclined to come to close
+quarters with them. Nevertheless, the enemy's infantry, backed up by the
+thunder of twelve guns, did make an attempt to reach us; but though they
+advanced repeatedly, they were for the most part careful to keep out of
+range of our rifles. When they neglected this precaution, they soon
+found themselves compelled to retire with loss.
+
+Our second gun, which had been placed on a _tafel-kop_[15] to the east
+of the ground where the engagement was taking place, did excellent work.
+It effectually baulked the enemy's mounted troops in their repeated
+efforts to outflank us on that side, and also made it impossible for the
+English to bring their guns farther east, so as to command the
+_tafel-kop_. They did, indeed, make an attempt to place some guns
+between us and Platrand, which lay to the north of our eastern position,
+but it was unsuccessful, for our Krupp on the _tafel-kop_ brought such a
+heavy fire to bear on the troops and gunners, that they were forced to
+retire.
+
+We, on our part, as I have already said, found it equally impossible to
+storm the English positions. To advance would have been to expose
+ourselves to the fire of their heavy guns, whereas an attack to the
+south would have involved exposure to a cross-fire from the guns on
+Platrand.
+
+Altogether it was a most unsatisfactory engagement for us both. Nothing
+decisive was effected; and, as is always the case in such battles,
+little was done except by the big guns, which kept up a perpetual roar
+from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon. At that hour the
+British fell back on Ladysmith.
+
+Our loss was one killed and six wounded, among the latter being
+Veldtcornet Marthinus Els, of Heilbron.
+
+It was evident that the English did not escape without loss, but we were
+unable to ascertain its extent. My own opinion is that they did not lose
+very heavily.
+
+From that day nothing of importance happened until I left Natal; though
+both the Transvaalers and Free State burghers had a few slight brushes
+with the enemy.
+
+During the night of December the 7th, "Long Tom," the big Transvaal gun,
+which had been placed on Bulwana Hill, had been so seriously damaged by
+dynamite, that it had to remain out of action for some time. We all
+admitted that the English on that occasion acted with great skill and
+prudence, and that the courage of their leaders deserved every praise.
+Yet, if we had only been on our guard, we might have beaten off the
+storming party; but they had caught us unawares. Nevertheless, the
+mishap taught us a useful lesson: henceforth the Transvaal Commandants
+were more strict, and their increased severity had an excellent effect
+both on the burghers and gunners.
+
+General Sir Redvers Buller had landed at Cape Town early in November. We
+were now expecting every day to hear that he had assumed the chief
+command over the English army encamped between Estcourt and Colenso. The
+number of troops there was continually increasing owing to the
+reinforcements which kept pouring in from over the ocean.
+
+Great things were expected of Sir Redvers Buller, to whom the Boers, by
+a play of words, had given a somewhat disrespectful nick-name. He had
+not been long in Natal before his chance came. I must, however, be
+silent about his successes and his failures, for, as I left Natal on the
+9th of December, I had no personal experience of his methods. But this I
+will say, that whatever his own people have to say to his discredit, Sir
+Redvers Buller had to operate against stronger positions than any other
+English general in South Africa.
+
+[Footnote 15: A table-shaped mountain.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+I am Appointed Vechtgeneraal
+
+
+Up to the 9th of December I had only been a Vice-Commandant, but on the
+morning of that day I received a telegram from States-President Steyn,
+asking me to go to the Western frontier as Vechtgeneraal.
+
+This came as a great surprise to me, and I telegraphed back to the
+President asking for time to think the matter over. To tell the truth, I
+should have much preferred to go through the campaign as a private
+burgher.
+
+Almost immediately after this there came another telegram--this time
+from Mr. A. Fisscher, a member of the Executive Council, and a man whom
+I respected greatly on account of his official position. He urged me not
+to decline the appointment, but to proceed at once to the Western
+borders. I did not know what to do. However, after deliberating for a
+short time, and with great difficulty overcoming my disinclination to
+leave my present associates, I decided to accept the post offered to me.
+Commandant Steenekamp was kind enough to allow me to take with me
+fourteen men, with whom I had been on especially friendly terms; and,
+after a few parting words to the Heilbron burghers, in which I thanked
+them for all the pleasant times I had passed in their company, I left
+the laager.
+
+It was heart-breaking to tear myself away from my commando: that 9th of
+December was a day which I shall never forget.
+
+The following morning I arrived, with my staff, at Elandslaagte Station,
+on our way to Bloemfontein. A special train, provided by the Transvaal
+authorities, at the request of my Government, was waiting for us, and
+we started without a moment's delay. As we journeyed on, the conductor
+would sometimes ask me whether I should like to stop at such and such a
+station, but my answer was always:
+
+"No! no! hurry on!"
+
+But when we got as far as Viljoen's Drift, there was an end to my
+"special train!" In spite of the Government's orders that I was to be
+sent forward without delay, I had to wait six hours, and then be content
+to travel as an ordinary passenger.
+
+At Bloemfontein we found everything ready for us, and at once started on
+our journey of sixty or seventy miles to Magersfontein, where we arrived
+on December the 16th.
+
+During the time I had spent in travelling, three important engagements
+had taken place, namely those of Colenso, Magersfontein and Stormberg.
+At Colenso, the English had suffered heavy losses, and ten guns had
+fallen into our hands. Magersfontein also had cost them dear, and there
+General Wauchope had met his fate; while at Stormberg seven hundred of
+them had been taken prisoners, and three of their big guns had been
+captured by us.
+
+At Magersfontein were six or seven thousand Transvaal burghers under
+General Piet Cronje, with General De la Rey as second in command. Thus
+it fell to my lot to take over the command of the Free-Staters. The
+Commander-in-Chief of these Free State burghers, as well as of those who
+were camped round Kimberley, was Mr. C.J. Wessels; Mr. E.R. Grobler
+commanded at Colesberg, and Mr. J.H. Olivier at Stormberg.
+
+I spent my first few days at Magersfontein in organizing the Free State
+burghers. When this task had been accomplished, General De la Rey and I
+asked General Cronje's permission to take fifteen hundred men, and carry
+on operations in the direction of Hopetown and De Aar with the intention
+of breaking Lord Methuen's railway communications. But Cronje would
+hear nothing of the scheme. Say what we would, there was no moving him.
+He absolutely refused to allow fifteen hundred of his men to leave their
+positions at Magersfontein, unless the Government found it impossible to
+procure that number of burghers from elsewhere. Thus our plan came to
+nothing.
+
+Shortly afterwards De la Rey was sent to the commandos at Colesberg, and
+I succeeded him in the command of the Transvaalers at Magersfontein. The
+Government then put General Wessels in sole command at Kimberley, and
+gave General Cronje the chief command over the Free State burghers at
+Magersfontein. Thus it was that I, as Vechtgeneraal, had to receive my
+orders from Cronje. I had the following Commandants under me: Du Preez,
+of Hoopstad; Grobler, of Fauresmith; D. Lubbe, of Jacobsdal; Piet
+Fourie, of Bloemfontein; J. Kok and Jordaan, of Winburg; Ignatius
+Ferreira, of Ladybrand; Paul De Villiers, of Ficksburg; Du Plessis, and,
+subsequently, Commandant Diederiks, of Boshof.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The English had entrenched themselves at the Modder River, we at
+Magersfontein. There was little or nothing for us to do, and yet I never
+had a more troublesome time in my life. I had all the Transvaalers under
+my orders, in addition to the burghers of the Free State, and the
+positions which I had to inspect every day extended over a distance of
+fifteen miles from end to end. I had to listen to constant complaints;
+one of the officers would say that he could not hold out against an
+attack if it were delivered at such and such a point; another, that he
+had not sufficient troops with him, not to mention other remarks which
+were nonsensical in the extreme.
+
+In the meantime, the enemy was shelling our positions unceasingly. Not a
+day passed but two of their Lyddite guns dropped shells amongst us.
+Sometimes not more than four or five reached us in the twenty-four
+hours; at other times from fifty to two hundred, and once as many as
+four hundred and thirty-six.
+
+In spite of this, we had but few mishaps. Indeed, I can only remember
+three instances of any one being hurt by the shells. A young burgher,
+while riding behind a ridge and thus quite hidden from the enemy, was
+hit by a bomb, and both he and his horse were blown to atoms. This youth
+was a son of Mr. Gideon van Tonder, a member of the Executive Council.
+Another Lyddite shell so severely wounded two brothers, named Wolfaard,
+Potchefstroom burghers, that we almost despaired of their lives.
+Nevertheless, they recovered. I do not want to imply that the British
+Artillery were poor shots. Far from it. Their range was very good, and,
+as they had plenty of practice every day, shot after shot went home. I
+ascribe our comparative immunity to a Higher Power, which averted
+misfortune from us.
+
+I had not been long at Magersfontein before I became convinced that Lord
+Methuen was most unlikely to make another attack on our extensive
+positions. I said nothing of this to any of the burghers, but on more
+than one occasion, I told General Cronje what I thought about the
+matter.
+
+"The enemy," I repeated to him over and over again, "will not attack us
+here. He will flank us." But Cronje would not listen to me.
+
+The presence of women in our laager was a great hindrance to me in my
+work. Indeed, I opened a correspondence with the Government on the
+matter, and begged them to forbid it. But here again my efforts were
+unavailing. Later on, we shall see in what a predicament the Republican
+laagers were placed through the toleration of this irregularity.
+
+Meanwhile, the inevitable results of Cronje's policy became more and
+more apparent to me, and before long we had to suffer for his obstinacy
+in keeping us to our trenches and _schanzes_.[16]
+
+[Footnote 16: A shelter-mound of earth and boulders.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+The Overwhelming Forces of Lord Roberts
+
+
+I speedily discovered the object which the English had in view in taking
+such advanced positions and in bombarding Magersfontein. They wished to
+give us the impression that they were able to attack us at any moment
+and so to keep us tied to our positions. In the meantime they were
+making preparations in another direction, for the movement which was
+really intended--namely, the advance of Lord Roberts with his
+overwhelming force.
+
+The Commander-in-Chief, Piet de Wet (and before him Commandant H.
+Schorman), had plenty of work given them by the English. But General De
+la Rey had been so successful that he had prevented Lord Roberts,
+notwithstanding the enormous numbers he commanded, from crossing the
+Orange River at Norvalspont, and had thus forced him to take the Modder
+River route.
+
+Lord Roberts would have found it more convenient to have crossed the
+Orange River, for the railway runs through Norvalspont. Yet had he
+attempted it, he would have fared as badly as Sir Redvers Buller did in
+Natal. Our positions at Colesberg, and to the north of the river, were
+exceedingly strong. He was wise, therefore, in his decision to march
+over the unbroken plains.
+
+It was now, as I had foreseen, that the English renewed their flanking
+tactics.
+
+On the 11th of February, 1900, a strong contingent of mounted troops,
+under General French, issued from the camps at Modder River and
+Koedoesberg. This latter was a kop on the Riet River, about twelve
+miles to the east of their main camp.
+
+At ten o'clock in the morning, General French started. Immediately I
+received orders from General Cronje to proceed with three hundred and
+fifty men to check the advancing troops. As I stood on the ridges of
+Magersfontein, I was able to look down upon the English camps, and I saw
+that it would be sheer madness to pit three hundred and fifty men
+against General French's large force. Accordingly I asked that one
+hundred and fifty more burghers and two guns might be placed at my
+disposal. This request, however, was refused, and so I had to proceed
+without them.
+
+When we arrived at Koedoesberg that afternoon, we found that the English
+had already taken possession of the hill. They were stationed at its
+southern end, and had nearly completed a stone wall across the hill from
+east to west. Their camp was situated on the Riet River, which flows
+beside the southern slopes of the _berg_. The enemy also held strong
+positions on hillocks to the east of the mountain, whilst on the west
+they occupied a ravine, which descended from the mountain to the river.
+
+Commandant Froneman and I determined to storm the _berg_ without a
+moment's delay. We reached the foot of the mountain in safety, and here
+we were out of sight of the English. But it was impossible to remain in
+this situation, and I gave orders that my men should climb the mountain.
+We succeeded in reaching the summit, but were unable to get within seven
+hundred paces of the enemy, owing to the severity of their fire from
+behind the stone wall. And so we remained where we were until it became
+quite dark, and then very quietly went back to the spot where we had
+left our horses.
+
+As General French was in possession of the river, we had to ride about
+four miles before we could obtain any water.
+
+Early the following morning we again occupied the positions we had held
+on the previous evening. Although under a severe rifle fire, we then
+rushed from position to position, and at last were only three hundred
+paces from the enemy. And now I was forced to rest content with the
+ground we had gained, for with only three hundred and fifty men I dare
+not risk a further advance, owing to the strength of the enemy's
+position.
+
+The previous day I had asked General Cronje to send me reinforcements,
+and I had to delay the advance until their arrival. In a very short time
+a small party of burghers made their appearance. They had two
+field-pieces with them, and were under the command of Major Albrecht. We
+placed the guns in position and trained them on the English.
+
+With the second shot we had found our range, while the third found its
+mark in the wall, so that it was not long before the enemy had to
+abandon that shelter. To find safe cover they were forced to retreat
+some hundred paces. But we gained little by this, for the new positions
+of the English were quite as good as those from which we had driven
+them, and, moreover, were almost out of range of our guns. And we were
+unable to bring our field-pieces any nearer because our gunners would
+have been exposed to the enemy's rifle fire.
+
+Our Krupps made good practice on the four English guns which had been
+stationed on the river bank to the south. Up till now these had kept up
+a terrific fire on our guns, but we soon drove them across the river, to
+seek protection behind the mountain. I despatched General Froneman to
+hold the river bank, and the _sluit_[17] which descended to the river
+from the north. While carrying out this order he was exposed to a heavy
+fire from the enemy's western wing, which was located in the
+above-mentioned ravine, but he succeeded in reaching the river under
+cover of the guns. Once there, the enemy's artillery made it impossible
+for him to move.
+
+And now a curious incident occurred! A falcon, hovering over the heads
+of our burghers in the _sluit_, was hit by a bullet from one of the
+shrapnel shells and fell dead to the ground in the midst of the men. It
+was already half-past four, and we began to ask ourselves how the affair
+would end. At this juncture I received a report from a burgher, whom I
+had placed on the eastern side of the mountain to watch the movements of
+the English at the Modder River. He told me that a mountain corps, eight
+hundred to a thousand men strong, was approaching us with two guns, with
+the intention, as it appeared, of outflanking us. I also learnt that
+eighty of my men had retreated. I had stationed them that morning on a
+hillock three miles to the east of the mountain, my object being to
+prevent General French from surrounding us.
+
+It now became necessary to check the advance of this mountain corps. But
+how? There were only thirty-six men at my disposal. The other burghers
+were in positions closer to the enemy, and I could not withdraw them
+without exposing them too seriously to the bullets of the English. There
+was nothing for it, but that I with my thirty-six burghers should attack
+the force which threatened us.
+
+We rushed down the mountain and jumping on our horses, galloped against
+the enemy. When we arrived at the precipice which falls sheer from the
+mountain, the English were already so near that our only course was to
+charge them.
+
+In front of us there was a plain which extended for some twelve hundred
+paces to the foot of an abrupt rise in the ground. This we fortunately
+reached before the English, although we were exposed all the way to the
+fire of their guns. But even when we gained the rise we were little
+better off, as it was too low to give us cover. The English were
+scarcely more than four hundred paces from us. They dismounted and
+opened a heavy fire. For ten or fifteen minutes we successfully kept
+them back. Then the sun went down! and to my great relief the enemy
+moved away in the direction of their comrades on the mountain. I ordered
+all my men from their positions, and withdrew to the spot where we had
+encamped the previous night. The burghers were exhausted by hunger and
+thirst, for they had had nothing to eat except the provisions which they
+had brought in their saddle-bags from the laager.
+
+That evening Andreas Cronje--- the General's brother--joined us with two
+hundred and fifty men and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt.
+
+When the sun rose on the following day, the veldt was clear of the
+enemy. General French had during the night retreated to headquarters.
+What losses he had suffered I am unable to say; ours amounted to seven
+wounded and two killed.
+
+Our task here was now ended, and so we returned to Magersfontein.
+
+The following morning a large force again left the English camp and took
+the direction of the Koffiefontein diamond mine. General Cronje
+immediately ordered me to take a force of four hundred and fifty men
+with a Krupp and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, and to drive back the enemy. At my
+request, Commandants Andreas Cronje, Piet Fourie, Scholten and Lubbe
+joined me, and that evening we camped quite close to the spot where the
+English force was stationed!
+
+Early the next day, before the enemy had made any movement, we started
+for Blauwbank,[18] and, having arrived there, we took up our positions.
+Shortly afterwards the fight began; it was confined entirely to the
+artillery.
+
+We soon saw that we should have to deal with the whole of Lord Roberts'
+force, for there it was, advancing in the direction of Paardenberg's
+Drift. It was thus clear that Lord Roberts had not sent his troops to
+Koffiefontein with the intention of proceeding by that route to
+Bloemfontein, but that his object had been to divide our forces, so as
+to march via Paardenberg's Drift to the Capital.
+
+I accordingly withdrew with three hundred and fifty of the burghers in
+the direction of Koffiefontein, and then hid my commando as best I
+could. The remainder of the men--about a hundred in number--I placed
+under Commandant Lubbe, giving him orders to proceed in a direction
+parallel to the advance of the English, who now were nearing
+Paardenberg's Drift, and to keep a keen eye on their movements. It was a
+large force that Lubbe had to watch. It consisted chiefly of mounted
+troops; but there were also nine or ten batteries and a convoy of light
+mule waggons.
+
+I thought that as General Cronje was opposing them in front, my duty was
+to keep myself in hiding and to reconnoitre.
+
+I wished to communicate with General Cronje before the English troops
+came up to him, and with this object I sent out a despatch rider. The
+man I chose for the mission was Commandant G.J. Scheepers--whose name
+later in the war was on every man's lips for his exploits in Cape
+Colony, but who then was only the head of our heliograph corps. I
+informed General Cronje in my message that the English, who had been
+stationed at Blauwbank, had made a move in the direction of
+Paardenberg's Drift; and I advised him to get out of their road as
+quickly as he could, for they numbered, according to my computation,
+forty or fifty thousand men.
+
+I thought it wise to give Cronje this advice, on account of the women
+and children in our camps, who might easily prove the cause of disaster.
+When Scheepers returned he told me what reply General Cronje had made.
+It is from no lack of respect for the General, whom I hold in the
+highest honour as a hero incapable of fear, that I set down what he
+said. It is rather from a wish to give a proof of his undaunted courage
+that I quote his words.
+
+"Are you afraid of things like that?" he asked, when Scheepers had given
+my message. "Just you go and shoot them down, and catch them when they
+run."
+
+At Paardenberg's Drift there were some Free-Staters' camps that stood
+apart from the others. In these camps there were a class of burghers who
+were not much use in actual fighting. These men, called by us "water
+draggers," correspond to the English "non-combatants." I ordered these
+burghers to withdraw to a spot two hours' trek from there, where there
+was more grass. But before all had obeyed this order, a small camp,
+consisting of twenty or thirty waggons, was surprised and taken.
+
+In the meantime, keeping my little commando entirely concealed, I spied
+out the enemy's movements.
+
+On the 16th of February, I thought I saw a chance of dealing an
+effective blow at Lord Roberts. Some provision waggons, escorted by a
+large convoy, were passing by, following in the wake of the British
+troops. I asked myself whether it was possible for me to capture it then
+and there, and came to the conclusion that it was out of the question.
+With so many of the enemy's troops in the neighbourhood, the risk would
+have been too great. I, therefore, still kept in hiding with my three
+hundred and fifty burghers.
+
+I remained where I was throughout the next day; but in the evening I saw
+the convoy camping near Blauwbank, just to the west of the Riet River. I
+also observed that the greater part of the troops had gone forward with
+Lord Roberts.
+
+On the 18th I still kept hidden, for the English army had not yet moved
+out of camp. The troops, as I learnt afterwards, were awaiting the
+arrival of columns from Belmont Station.
+
+On the following day I attacked the convoy on the flank. The three or
+four hundred troops who were guarding it offered a stout resistance,
+although they were without any guns.
+
+After fighting for two hours the English received a reinforcement of
+cavalry, with four Armstrong guns, and redoubled their efforts to drive
+us from the positions we had taken up under cover of the mule waggons.
+As I knew that it would be a serious blow to Lord Roberts to lose the
+provisions he was expecting, I was firmly resolved to capture them,
+unless the force of numbers rendered the task quite impossible. I
+accordingly resisted the enemy's attack with all the power I could.
+
+The battle raged until it became dark; and I think we were justified in
+being satisfied with what we had achieved. We had captured sixteen
+hundred oxen and forty prisoners; whilst General Fourie, whom I had
+ordered to attack the camp on the south, had taken several prisoners and
+a few water-carts.
+
+We remained that night in our positions. The small number of burghers I
+had at my disposal made it impossible for me to surround the English
+camp.
+
+To our great surprise, the following morning, we saw that the English
+had gone. About twenty soldiers had, however, remained behind; we found
+them hidden along the banks of the Riet River at a short distance from
+the convoy. We also discovered thirty-six Kaffirs on a ridge about three
+miles away. As to the enemy's camp, it was entirely deserted. Our booty
+was enormous, and consisted of two hundred heavily-laden waggons, and
+eleven or twelve water-carts and trollies. On some of the waggons we
+found klinkers,[19] jam, milk, sardines, salmon, cases of corned beef,
+and other such provisions in great variety. Other waggons were loaded
+with rum; and still others contained oats and horse provender pressed
+into bales. In addition to these stores, we took one field-piece, which
+the English had left behind. It was, indeed, a gigantic capture; the
+only question was what to do with it.
+
+Our prisoners told us that columns from Belmont might be expected at
+any moment. Had these arrived we should have been unable to hold out
+against them.
+
+By some means or other it was necessary to get the provisions away, not
+that we were then in any great need of them ourselves, but because we
+knew that Lord Roberts would be put in a grave difficulty if he lost all
+this food. I did not lose a moment's time, but at once ordered the
+burghers to load up the waggons as speedily as possible, and to inspan.
+It was necessary to reload the waggons, for the English troops had made
+use of the contents to build _schanzes_; and excellent ones the
+provisions had made.
+
+The loading of the waggons was simple enough, but when it came to
+inspanning it was another matter. The Kaffir drivers alone knew where
+each span had to be placed, and there were only thirty-six Kaffirs left.
+But here the fact that every Boer is himself a handy conductor and
+driver of waggons told in our favour. Consequently we did not find it
+beyond our power to get the waggons on the move. It was, however, very
+tedious work, for how could any of us be sure that we were not placing
+the after-oxen in front and the fore-oxen behind? There was nothing left
+for it but to turn out the best spans of sixteen oxen that we could, and
+then to arrange them in the way that struck us as being most suitable.
+It was all done in the most hurried manner, for our one idea was to be
+off as quickly as possible.
+
+Even when we had started our troubles were not at an end. The waggons
+would have been a hard pull for sixteen oxen properly arranged; so that
+it is not surprising that our ill-sorted teams found the work almost
+beyond their strength. Thus it happened that we took a very long time to
+cover the first few miles, as we had constantly to be stopping to
+re-arrange the oxen. But under the supervision of Commandant Piet
+Fourie, whom I appointed Conductor-in-Chief, matters improved from hour
+to hour.
+
+After a short time I issued orders that the convoy should proceed over
+Koffiefontein to Edenberg. I then divided my burghers into two parties;
+the first, consisting of two hundred men with the Krupp gun, I ordered
+to proceed with the convoy; the second, consisting of a hundred and
+fifty men with the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, I took under my own command, and
+set out with them in the direction of Paardenberg's Drift.
+
+My spies had informed me that there were some fifty or sixty English
+troops posted about eight miles from the spot where we had captured the
+convoy. We made our way towards them, and when we were at a distance of
+about three thousand yards, I sent a little note to their officer,
+asking him to surrender. It was impossible for his troops to escape, for
+they found themselves threatened on three sides.
+
+The sun had just gone down when my despatch-rider reached the English
+camp; and the officer in command was not long in sending him his reply,
+accompanied by an orderly.
+
+"Are you General De Wet?" the orderly asked me.
+
+"I am," replied I.
+
+"My officer in command," he said in a polite but determined voice,
+"wishes me to tell you that we are a good hundred men strong, that we
+are well provided with food and ammunition, and that we hold a strong
+position in some houses and kraals. Every moment we are expecting ten
+thousand men from Belmont, and we are waiting here with the sole purpose
+of conducting them to Lord Roberts."
+
+I allowed him to speak without interrupting him; but when he had
+finished, I answered him in quite as determined a voice as he had used
+to me.
+
+"I will give you just enough time to get back and to tell your officer
+in command that, if he does not surrender at once, I shall shell him and
+storm his position. He will be allowed exactly ten minutes to make up
+his mind--then the white flag must appear."
+
+"But where is your gun?" the orderly asked. In reply I pointed to the
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which stood a few hundred paces behind us, surrounded
+by some burghers.
+
+"Will you give us your word of honour," he asked me when he caught sight
+of the gun, "not to stir from your position till we have got ten miles
+away? That is the only condition on which we will abandon our
+positions."
+
+I again allowed him to finish, although his demand filled me with the
+utmost astonishment. I asked myself what sort of men this English
+officer imagined the Boer Generals to be.
+
+"I demand unconditional surrender," I then said. "I give you ten minutes
+from the moment you dismount on arriving at your camp; when those ten
+minutes have passed I fire."
+
+He slung round, and galloped back to his camp, the stones flying from
+his horse's hoofs.
+
+He had hardly dismounted before the white flag appeared. It did not take
+us long to reach the camp, and there we found fifty-eight mounted men.
+These prisoners I despatched that evening to join the convoy.
+
+I then advanced with my commando another six miles, with the object of
+watching Lord Roberts' movements, in case he should send a force back to
+retake the convoy he could so ill spare. But the following day we saw
+nothing except a single scouting party coming from the direction of
+Paardenberg's Drift. This proved to consist of the hundred burghers whom
+I had sent with Commandant Lubbe to General Cronje's assistance. I heard
+from Lubbe that General French had broken through, and had in all
+probability relieved Kimberley; and that General Cronje was retreating
+before Lord Roberts towards Paardeberg. I may say here that I was not at
+all pleased that Commandant Lubbe should have returned.
+
+On account of Lubbe's information, I decided to advance at once in the
+direction of Paardenberg's Drift, and was on the point of doing so when
+I received a report from President Steyn. He informed me that I should
+find at a certain spot that evening, close to Koffiefontein, Mr. Philip
+Botha[20] with a reinforcement of one hundred and fifty men. This report
+convinced me that the convoy I had captured would reach Edenberg Station
+without mishap, and accordingly I went after it to fetch back the gun
+which would no longer be needed. I found the convoy encamped about six
+miles from Koffiefontein. Immediately after my arrival, General Jacobs,
+of Fauresmith, and Commandant Hertzog,[21] of Philippolis, brought the
+news to me that troops were marching on us from Belmont Station. I told
+Jacobs and Hertzog to return with their men, two or three hundred in
+number to meet the approaching English.
+
+We were so well supplied with forage that our horses got as much as they
+could eat. I had, therefore, no hesitation in ordering my men to
+up-saddle at midnight, and by half-past two we had joined
+Vice-Vechtgeneraal Philip Botha. I had sent him word to be ready to
+move, so that we were able to hasten at once to General Cronje's
+assistance. Our combined force amounted to three hundred men all told.
+
+[Footnote 17: A ravine or water-course.]
+
+[Footnote 18: In the district of Jacobsdal.]
+
+[Footnote 19: Biscuits.]
+
+[Footnote 20: Mr. Philip Botha had just been appointed
+Vice-Vechtgeneraal.]
+
+[Footnote 21: Brother to Judge Hertzog.]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: PAARDEBERG (CRONJE'S).
+
+FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+Paardeberg
+
+
+An hour after sunrise we off-saddled, and heard, from the direction of
+Paardeberg, the indescribable thunder of bombardment. That sound gave us
+all the more reason for haste. We allowed our horses the shortest
+possible time for rest, partook of the most hurried of breakfasts, and
+at once were again on the move, with the frightful roar of the guns
+always in our ears.
+
+About half-past four that afternoon, we reached a point some six miles
+to the east of Paardeberg, and saw, on the right bank of the Modder
+River, four miles to the north-east of the mountain, General Cronje's
+laager. It was surrounded completely by the enemy, as a careful
+inspection through our field-glasses showed.
+
+Immediately in front of us were the buildings and kraals of
+Stinkfontein, and there on the opposite bank of the river stood
+Paardeberg. To the left and to the right of it were khaki-coloured
+groups dotted everywhere about--General Cronje was hemmed in on all
+sides, he and his burghers--a mere handful compared with the encircling
+multitude.
+
+What a spectacle we saw! All round the laager were the guns of the
+English, belching forth death and destruction, while from within it at
+every moment, as each successive shell tore up the ground, there rose a
+cloud--a dark red cloud of dust.
+
+It was necessary to act--but how?
+
+We decided to make an immediate attack upon the nearest of Lord Roberts'
+troops, those which were stationed in the vicinity of Stinkfontein, and
+to seize some ridges which lay about two and a half miles south-east of
+the laager.
+
+Stinkfontein was about a thousand paces to the north of these ridges,
+and perhaps a few hundred paces farther from where Cronje was stationed.
+
+We rode towards the ridges, and when we were from twelve to fourteen
+hundred paces from Stinkfontein, we saw that the place was occupied by a
+strong force of British troops.
+
+General Botha and I then arranged that he should storm the houses,
+kraals and garden walls of Stinkfontein, whilst I charged the ridges.
+And this we did, nothing daunted by the tremendous rifle fire which
+burst upon us. Cronje's pitiable condition confronted us, and we had but
+one thought--could we relieve him?
+
+We succeeded in driving the English out of Stinkfontein, and took sixty
+of them prisoners.
+
+The enemy's fire played on us unceasingly, and notwithstanding the fact
+that we occupied good positions, we lost two men, and had several of our
+horses killed and wounded.
+
+We remained there for two and a half days--from the 22nd to the 25th of
+February--and then were forced to retire. While evacuating our
+positions, three of my burghers were killed, seven wounded, and fourteen
+taken prisoner.
+
+But the reader will justly demand more details as to the surrender of
+Cronje, an event which forms one of the most important chapters in the
+history of the two Republics. I am able to give the following
+particulars.
+
+After we had captured the positions referred to above, I gave orders
+that the Krupp and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt should be brought up. For with
+our hurried advance, the oxen attached to the big guns, as well as some
+of the burghers' horses, had become so fatigued, that the guns and a
+number of the burghers had been left behind. The ridges were so thickly
+strewn with boulders, that even on the arrival of the guns, it was
+impossible to place them in position until we had first cleared a path
+for them. I made up my mind to turn these boulders to account by using
+them to build _schanzes_, for I knew that a tremendous bombardment would
+be opened upon our poor Krupp and Maxim-Nordenfeldt as soon as they made
+themselves heard.
+
+During the night we built these _schanzes_, and before the sun rose the
+following morning, the guns were placed in position.
+
+By daybreak the English had crept up to within a short distance of our
+lines. It was the Krupp and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt that gave our answer.
+
+But we had to be very sparing of our ammunition, for it was almost
+exhausted, and it would take at least five days to get a fresh supply
+from Bloemfontein.
+
+Our arrival on the previous day had made a way of escape for General
+Cronje. It is true that he would have been obliged to leave everything
+behind him, but he and his burghers would have got away in safety. The
+British had retreated before our advance, thus opening a road between us
+and the laager. That road was made yet wider by the fire from our guns.
+
+But General Cronje would not move. Had he done so, his losses would not
+have been heavy. His determination to remain in that ill-fated laager
+cost him dearly.
+
+The world will honour that great general and his brave burghers; and if
+I presume to criticize his conduct on this occasion, it is only because
+I believe that he ought to have sacrificed his own ideas for the good of
+the nation, and that he should have not been courageous at the expense
+of his country's independence, to which he was as fiercely attached as
+I.
+
+Some of the burghers in the laager made their escape, for, on the second
+day, when our guns had cleared a wide path, Commandants Froneman and
+Potgieter (of Wolmaranstadt), with twenty men, came galloping out of
+the laager towards us.
+
+Although we were only a few in number, the British had their work cut
+out to dislodge us. First they tried their favourite strategy of a
+flanking movement, sending out strong columns of cavalry, with heavy
+guns to surround us. It was necessary to prevent the fulfilment of this
+project. I, therefore, removed the Krupp and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt from
+their positions, and divided our little force into three portions. I
+ordered the first to remain in their position, the second was to proceed
+with the Krupp round our left wing, while I despatched the third party
+to hold back the left wing of the British. I had no wish to share
+General Cronje's unenviable position.
+
+We succeeded in checking the advance of the enemy's wings; and when he
+saw that we were not to be outflanked he changed his tactics, and while
+still retaining his wings where they were, in order to keep our men
+occupied, he delivered at mid-day, on the 20th, an attack on our centre
+with a strong force of infantry.
+
+The result of this was that the British gained one of our positions,
+that, namely, which was held by Veldtcornet Meyer, an officer under
+Commandant Spruit. Meyer was entirely unable to beat off the attack,
+and, at nightfall, was compelled to retire about two or three hundred
+paces, to a little ridge, which he held effectively.
+
+As the English took up the abandoned position, they raised a cheer, and
+Commandant Spruit, who was ignorant of its meaning, and believed that
+his men were still in possession, went there alone.
+
+"_Hoe gaat het?_"[22] he called out.
+
+"Hands up!" was the reply he received.
+
+There was nothing left for the Commandant to do but to give himself up.
+The soldiers led him over a ridge, and struck a light to discover his
+identity. Finding papers in his pocket which showed that their prisoner
+was an important personage, they raised cheer upon cheer.[23]
+
+I heard them cheering, and thought that the enemy were about to attempt
+another attack, and so gave orders that whatever happened our positions
+must be held, for they were the key to General Cronje's escape. However,
+no attack was delivered.
+
+Nobody could have foreseen that two thousand infantry would give up the
+attack on positions which they had so nearly captured, and we all
+expected a sanguinary engagement on the following morning. We had made
+up our minds to stand firm, for we knew that if General Cronje failed to
+make his way out, it would be a real calamity to our great cause.
+
+Fully expecting an attack, we remained all that night at our posts. Not
+a man of us slept, but just before dawn we heard this order from the
+English lines:
+
+"Fall in."
+
+"What can be the meaning of this?" we ask one another.
+
+Lying, sitting or standing, each of us is now at his post, and staring
+out into the darkness, expecting an attack every moment. We hold our
+breath and listen. Is there no sound of approaching footsteps? And now
+the light increases. Is it possible? Yes, our eyes do not deceive us.
+The enemy is gone.
+
+Surprise and joy are on every face. One hears on all sides the
+exclamation, "If only Cronje would make the attempt now." It was the
+morning of the 25th of February.
+
+But the enemy were not to leave us alone for long. By nine o'clock they
+were advancing upon us again, with both right and left wing reinforced.
+I had only a few shots left for the Krupp, and thirty for the
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, and this last ammunition must now be expended on the
+wings. One gun I despatched to the right, the other to the left, and the
+English were checked in their advance. I had ordered the gunners, as
+soon as they had fired their last round to bring their guns into safe
+positions in the direction of Petrusberg. Very soon I observed that this
+order was being executed, and thus learnt that the ammunition had run
+out.
+
+The burghers who, with their rifles, had attempted to hold back the
+wings, now having no longer any support from the big guns, were unable
+to stand their ground against the overpowering forces of the enemy, and
+shortly after the guns were removed, I saw them retreat.
+
+What was I to do? I was being bombarded incessantly, and since the
+morning had been severely harassed by small-arm fire. All this, however,
+I could have borne, but now the enemy began to surround me. It was a
+hard thing to be thus forced to abandon the key to General Cronje's
+escape.
+
+In all haste I ordered my men to retire. They had seen throughout that
+this was unavoidable, and had even said to me:
+
+"If we remain here, General, we shall be surrounded with General
+Cronje."
+
+All made good their retreat, with the exception of Veldtcornet Speller,
+of Wepener, who, to my great regret, was taken prisoner there with
+fourteen men. That occurred owing to my adjutant forgetting, in the
+general confusion, to give them my orders to retreat. When Speller found
+that he, with his fourteen men, was left behind, he defended himself, as
+I heard later, with great valour, until at last he was captured by
+overpowering numbers. It cost the English a good many dead and wounded
+to get him out of his _schanzes_.
+
+Although I had foreseen that our escape would be a very difficult and
+lengthy business, I had not thought that we should have been in such
+danger of being made prisoners. But the English had very speedily taken
+up positions to the right and left, with guns and Maxims, and for a good
+nine miles of our retreat we were under their fire. Notwithstanding the
+fact that during the whole of this time we were also harassed by
+small-arm fire, we lost--incredible as it may appear--not more than one
+killed and one wounded, and a few horses besides. The positions which we
+had abandoned the British now occupied, hemming in General Cronje so
+closely that he had not the slightest chance of breaking through their
+lines.
+
+No sooner had we got out of range of the enemy's fire, than the first of
+the reinforcements, which we had expected from Bloemfontein, arrived,
+under the command of Vechtgeneraal Andreas Cronje. With him were
+Commandants Thewnissen, of Winburg, and Vilonel, of Senekal.
+
+A council was at once held as to the best method of effecting the
+release of General Cronje. It was decided to recapture the positions
+which I had abandoned. But now the situation was so changed that there
+were _three_ positions which it was necessary for us to take. We agreed
+that the attack should be made by three separate parties, that General
+Philip Botha, with Commandant Thewnissen, should retake the positions
+which we had abandoned at Stinkfontein, General Froneman the position
+immediately to the north of these, and I, with General Andreas Cronje,
+others still further north.
+
+The attack was made on the following morning. General Botha's attempt
+failed, chiefly owing to the fact that day dawned before he reached his
+position; a hot fight ensued, resulting in the capture of Commandant
+Thewnissen and about one hundred men. As I was so placed as to be unable
+to see how affairs were developing, it is difficult for me to hazard an
+opinion as to whether Commandant Thewnissen was lacking in caution, or
+whether he was insufficiently supported by General Botha. The burghers
+who were present at the engagement accused General Botha, while he
+declared that Thewnissen had been imprudent. However that may be, we had
+failed in our essay. The position had not been taken, and Commandant
+Thewnissen, with a hundred whom we could ill spare, were in the hands of
+the enemy, And to make matters still worse, our men were already seized
+with panic, arising from the now hopeless plight of General Cronje and
+his large force.
+
+I, however, was not prepared to abandon all hope as yet. Danie Theron,
+that famous captain of despatch-riders, had arrived on the previous day
+with reinforcements. I asked him if he would take a verbal message to
+General Cronje--I dare not send a written one, lest it should fall into
+the hands of the English. Proud and distinct the answer came at
+once--the only answer which such a hero as Danie Theron could have
+given:
+
+"Yes, General, I will go."
+
+The risk which I was asking him to run could not have been surpassed
+throughout the whole of our sanguinary struggle.
+
+I took him aside, and told him that he must go and tell General Cronje
+that our fate depended upon the escape of himself and of the thousands
+with him, and that, if he should fall into the enemy's hands, it would
+be the death-blow to all our hopes. Theron was to urge Cronje to
+abandon the laager, and everything contained in it, to fight his way out
+by night, and to meet me at two named places, where I would protect him
+from the pursuit of the English.
+
+Danie Theron undertook to pass the enemy's lines, and to deliver my
+message. He started on his errand on the night of the 25th of February.
+
+The following evening I went to the place of meeting, but to my great
+disappointment General Cronje did not appear.
+
+On the morning of the 27th of February Theron returned. He had performed
+an exploit unequalled in the war. Both in going and returning he had
+crawled past the British sentries, tearing his trousers to rags during
+the process. The blood was running from his knees, where the skin had
+been scraped off. He told me that he had seen the General, who had said
+that he did not think that the plan which I had proposed had any good
+chance of success.
+
+At ten o'clock that day, General Cronje surrendered. Bitter was my
+disappointment. Alas! my last attempt had been all in vain. The stubborn
+General would not listen to good advice.
+
+I must repeat here what I have said before, that as far as my personal
+knowledge of General Cronje goes, it is evident to me that his obstinacy
+in maintaining his position must be ascribed to the fact that it was too
+much to ask him--intrepid hero that he was--to abandon the laager. His
+view was that he must stand or fall with it, nor did he consider the
+certain consequences of his capture. He never realized that it would be
+the cause of the death of many burghers, and of indescribable panic
+throughout not only all the laagers on the veldt, but even those of
+Colesberg, Stormberg and Ladysmith. If the famous Cronje were captured,
+how could any ordinary burgher be expected to continue his resistance?
+
+It may be that it was the will of God, who rules the destinies of all
+nations, to fill thus to the brim the cup which we had to empty, but
+this consideration does not excuse General Cronje's conduct. Had he but
+taken my advice, and attempted a night attack, he might have avoided
+capture altogether.
+
+I have heard men say that as the General's horses had all been killed,
+the attempt which I urged him to make must have failed--that at all
+events he would have been pursued and overtaken by Lord Roberts' forces.
+The answer to this is not far to seek. The English at that time did not
+employ as scouts Kaffirs and Hottentots, who could lead them by night as
+well as by day. Moreover, with the reinforcements I had received, I had
+about sixteen hundred men under me, and they would have been very useful
+in holding back the enemy, until Cronje had made his escape.
+
+No words can describe my feelings when I saw that Cronje had
+surrendered, and noticed the result which this had on the burghers.
+Depression and discouragement were written on every face. The effects of
+this blow, it is not too much to say, made themselves apparent to the
+very end of the war.
+
+[Footnote 22: "How is it with you?"]
+
+[Footnote 23: Eleven or twelve days after, Commandant Spruit was again
+with us. When he appeared, he seemed to us like one risen from the dead.
+We all rejoiced, not only because he was a God-fearing man, but also
+because he was of a lovable disposition. I heard from his own mouth how
+he had escaped. He told me that the day after his capture, he was sent,
+under a strong escort, from Lord Roberts' Headquarters to the railway
+station at Modder River, and that he started from there, with a guard of
+six men on his road to Cape Town. During the night as they drew near De
+Aar, his guards fell asleep, and our brave Commandant prepared to leave
+the train. He seized a favourable opportunity when the engine was
+climbing a steep gradient and jumped off. But the pace was fast enough
+to throw him to the ground, though fortunately he only sustained slight
+injury. When daylight came he hid himself. Having made out his bearings
+he began to make his way back on the following night. He passed a house,
+but dared not seek admission, for he did not know who its occupants
+might be. As he had no food with him, his sufferings from hunger were
+great, but still he persevered, concealing himself during the day, and
+only walking during the hours of darkness. At last he reached the
+railway line to the north of Colesberg, and from there was carried to
+Bloemfontein, where he enjoyed a well-earned rest. In the second week of
+March he returned to his commando, to the great delight of everybody.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+The Wild Flight from Poplar Grove
+
+
+The surrender of General Cronje only made me all the more determined to
+continue the struggle, notwithstanding the fact that many of the
+burghers appeared to have quite lost heart. I had just been appointed
+Commander-in-Chief, and at once set my hand to the work before me.
+
+Let me explain how this came about.
+
+As I have already said, General C.J. Wessels had been appointed
+Commander-in-Chief at Kimberley. In the month of January he was
+succeeded by Mr. J.S. Ferreira, who at once proceeded to make Kimberley
+his headquarters. On the relief of that town, one part of the besieging
+force went to Viertienstroomen, another in the direction of Boshof,
+while a small party, in which was the Commander-in-Chief himself, set
+out towards Koedoesrand, above Paardeberg.
+
+It was while I was engaged in my efforts to relieve Cronje, that a gun
+accident occurred in which General Ferreira was fatally wounded. Not
+only his own family, but the whole nation, lost in him a man whom they
+can never forget. I received the sad news the day after his death, and,
+although the place of his burial was not more than two hours' ride from
+my camp, I was too much occupied with my own affairs to be able to
+attend his funeral.
+
+On the following day I received from President Steyn the appointment of
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief. I had no thought of declining it, but the work
+which it would involve seemed likely to prove anything but easy. To have
+the chief command, and at such a time as this! But I had to make the
+best of it.
+
+I began by concentrating my commandos, to the best of my ability, at
+Modderrivierpoort (Poplar Grove), ten miles east of the scene of
+Cronje's surrender. I had plenty of time to effect this, for Lord
+Roberts remained inactive from the 24th of February to the 7th of March,
+in order to rest a little after the gigantic task he had performed in
+capturing Cronje's laager. His thoughts must have been busy during that
+period with even more serious matters than the care of his weary troops;
+for, if we had had two hundred killed and wounded, he must have lost as
+many thousands.
+
+Those few days during which our enemy rested were also of advantage to
+me in enabling me to dispose of the reinforcements, which I was now
+receiving every day, and from almost every quarter.
+
+While I was thus engaged, I heard that General Buller had relieved
+Ladysmith on the 1st of March, that General Gatacre had taken Stormberg
+on the 5th, and that General Brabant was driving the Boers before him.
+
+These were the first results of General Cronje's surrender.
+
+But that fatal surrender was not only the undoing of our burghers; it
+also reinforced the enemy, and gave him new courage. This was evident
+from the reply which Lord Salisbury made to the peace proposals made by
+our two Presidents on March 5th. But more of this anon.
+
+Our last day at Poplar Grove was signalized by a visit paid to us by
+President Kruger, the venerable chief of the South African Republic. He
+had travelled by rail from Pretoria to Bloemfontein; the remaining
+ninety-six miles of the journey had been accomplished in a
+horse-waggon--he, whom we all honoured so greatly, had been ready to
+undergo even this hardship in order to visit us.
+
+The President's arrival was, however, at an unfortunate moment. It was
+March the 7th, and Lord Roberts was approaching. His force, extending
+over ten miles of ground, was now preparing to attack my burghers, whom
+I had posted at various points along some twelve miles of the bank of
+the Modder River. It did not seem possible for the old President even to
+outspan, for I had received information that the enemy's right wing was
+already threatening Petrusburg. But as the waggon had travelled that
+morning over twelve miles of a heavy rain-soaked road, it was absolutely
+necessary that the horses should be outspanned for rest. But hardly had
+the harness been taken off the tired animals when a telegram arrived,
+saying that Petrusburg was already in the hands of the English.
+President Kruger was thus compelled to return without a moment's delay.
+I saw him into his waggon, and then immediately mounted my horse, and
+rode to the positions where my burghers were stationed.
+
+Again I was confronted with the baleful influence of Cronje's surrender.
+A panic had seized my men. Before the English had even got near enough
+to shell our positions to any purpose, the wild flight began. Soon every
+position was evacuated. There was not even an attempt to hold them,
+though some of them would have been almost impregnable. It was a flight
+such as I had never seen before, and shall never see again.
+
+I did all that I could, but neither I nor my officers were able to
+prevent the burghers from following whither the waggons and guns had
+already preceded them. I tried every means. I had two of the best horses
+that a man could wish to possess, and I rode them till they dropped. All
+was in vain. It was fortunate for us that the advance of the English was
+not very rapid. Had it been so, everything must have fallen into their
+hands.
+
+In the evening we came to Abraham's Kraal, a farm belonging to Mr.
+Charles Ortel, some eighteen miles from Poplar Grove. The enemy were
+encamped about an hour and a half's ride from us.
+
+The next morning the burghers had but one desire, and that was to get
+away. It was only with the greatest difficulty that I succeeded in
+persuading them to go into position. I then hastened to Bloemfontein, in
+order to take counsel with the Government about our affairs generally,
+and especially to see what would be the most suitable positions to
+occupy for the defence of the capital. Judge Hertzog and I went out
+together to inspect the ground; we placed a hundred men in the forts,
+with Kaffirs to dig trenches and throw up earthworks.
+
+I was back at Abraham's Kraal by nine o'clock on the morning of March
+the 18th. I found that our forces had been placed in position by
+Generals De la Rey, Andreas Cronje, Philip Botha, Froneman and Piet de
+Wet, the last-named having arrived with his commandos from Colesberg a
+few days before the rout at Poplar Grove.
+
+We had not long to wait before fighting began, fighting confined for the
+most part to the artillery. The English shells were at first directed
+against Abraham's Kraal, which was subjected to a terrific bombardment;
+later on they turned their guns upon Rietfontein, where the Transvaalers
+and a part of the Free State commandos, under General De la Rey, were
+posted. The attack upon these positions was fierce and determined; but
+De la Rey's burghers, though they lost heavily, repulsed it with
+splendid courage. I will not say more of this. It is understood that
+General De la Rey will himself describe what he and his men succeeded in
+accomplishing on that occasion.
+
+From ten in the morning until sunset the fight continued, and still the
+burghers held their positions. They had offered a magnificent
+resistance. Their conduct had been beyond all praise, and it was hard to
+believe that these were the same men who had fled panic-stricken from
+Poplar Grove. But with the setting of the sun a change came over them.
+Once more panic seized them; leaving their positions, they retreated in
+all haste towards Bloemfontein. And now they were only a disorderly
+crowd of terrified men blindly flying before the enemy.
+
+But it was Bloemfontein that lay before them, and the thought that his
+capital was in peril might well restore courage in the most disheartened
+of our burghers. I felt that this would be the case, and a picture arose
+before me of our men holding out, as they had never done before.
+
+Before going further I must say a few words about the peace proposals
+which our Presidents made to the English Government on the 5th of March.
+They called God to witness that it was for the independence of the two
+Republics, and for that alone, that they fought, and suggested that
+negotiations might be opened with the recognition of that independence
+as their basis.
+
+Lord Salisbury replied that the only terms he would accept were
+unconditional surrender. He asserted, as he did also on many subsequent
+occasions, that it was our ultimatum that had caused the war. We have
+always maintained that in making this assertion he misrepresented the
+facts, to use no stronger term.[24]
+
+Naturally our Government would not consent to such terms, and so the war
+had to proceed.
+
+It was decided to send a deputation to Europe. This deputation,
+consisting of Abraham Fissher,[25] Cornelius H. Wessels,[26] and Daniel
+Wolmarans,[27] sailed from Delagoa Bay.[28]
+
+The reader may ask the object which this deputation had in view. Was it
+that our Governments relied on foreign intervention? Emphatically, no!
+They never thought of such a thing. Neither in his harangue to the
+burghers at Poplar Grove, nor in any of his subsequent speeches, did
+President Steyn give any hint of such an intention. The deputation was
+sent in order that the whole world might know the state of affairs in
+South Africa. It fulfilled its purpose, and was justified by its
+results. It helped us to win the sympathy of the nations.
+
+But I must return to my narrative.
+
+A few days before the flight from Poplar Grove, I had appointed Danie
+Theron captain of a scouting party. I now left him and his corps behind,
+with instructions to keep me informed of Lord Roberts' movements, and
+proceeded myself to Bloemfontein. There I disposed the available forces
+for defence, and kept them occupied in throwing up _schanzes_. These
+_schanzes_ were erected to the west and south of the town, and at
+distances of from four to six miles from it.
+
+On the evening of the 12th of March, Lord Roberts appeared, and a few
+skirmishes ensued south of the town, but no engagement of any importance
+took place. We awaited the morrow with various forebodings.
+
+For myself, I believed that that 13th of March should see a fight to the
+finish, cost what it might! for if Bloemfontein was to be taken, it
+would only be over our dead bodies.
+
+With this before my eyes, I made all necessary arrangements, riding at
+nightfall from position to position, and speaking both to the officers
+and to the private burghers. They must play the man, I told them, and
+save the capital at any cost. An excellent spirit prevailed amongst
+them; on every face one could read the determination to conquer or to
+die.
+
+But when, about an hour before midnight, I reached the southern
+positions, I heard a very different story. They told me there that
+Commandant Weilbach had deserted his post early in the evening. What was
+I to do? It was impossible to search for him during the night, and I was
+compelled to take burghers away from other commandos, and to place them
+in the abandoned positions. On their arrival there, they discovered that
+no sooner had Weilbach failed us than the enemy had seized his post--the
+key to Bloemfontein! We did all that we could, but our situation had
+been rendered hopeless by the action of a Commandant who ought to have
+been dismissed out of hand for his conduct at Poplar Grove.
+
+That night I did not close an eye.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The morning of the 13th of March dawned.
+
+Hardly had the sun risen, when the English in the entrenchments which
+Commandant Weilbach had deserted, opened a flank fire on our nearest
+positions.
+
+First one position and then another was abandoned by our burghers, who
+followed one another's example like sheep; few made any attempt to
+defend their posts, and in spite of my efforts and those of the officers
+under me, they retreated to the north.
+
+Thus, without a single shot being fired, Bloemfontein fell into the
+hands of the English.
+
+[Footnote 24: This correspondence will be found in Chapter XXX.]
+
+[Footnote 25: Member of the Free State Volksraad and Executive Council.]
+
+[Footnote 26: Member of the Free State Volksraad and Executive Council,
+and also President of the Volksraad.]
+
+[Footnote 27: Member of the first Volksraad of the South African
+Republic.]
+
+[Footnote 28: This harbour, then the only harbour in South Africa open
+to us, was subsequently forbidden us by the Portuguese Government, whose
+officials even went so far as to arrest eight hundred of our burghers
+(who, for want of horses, had taken refuge in Portuguese territory), and
+to send them to Portugal. The ports of German West Africa cannot be
+counted among those which were available for us. Not only were they too
+far from us to be of any service, but also, in order to reach them, it
+would have been necessary to go through English territory, for they were
+separated from us by Griqualand West, Bechuanaland, and isolated
+portions of Cape Colony. We had, therefore, during the latter portion of
+the war, to depend for supplies upon what little we were able to capture
+from the enemy.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+The Burghers Receive Permission to Return to their Homes
+
+
+Thus Bloemfontein had fallen into the hands of the English; but whatever
+valuables it contained were spared by the enemy. I did not myself
+consider the place much superior to any other town, and I would not have
+thought it a matter of any great importance if it had been destroyed.
+Still, I felt it to be very regrettable that the town should have been
+surrendered without a shot.
+
+How can I describe my feelings when I saw Bloemfontein in the hands of
+the English? It was enough to break the heart of the bravest man amongst
+us. Even worse than the fall of our capital was the fact that, as was
+only to be expected, the burghers had become entirely disheartened; and
+it seemed as if they were incapable now of offering any further
+resistance. The commandos were completely demoralized. Indeed! the
+burghers from Fauresmith and Jacobsdal had already returned home from
+Poplar Grove without asking for permission to do so; and now all the
+others were hurrying back in the greatest disorder to their own
+districts.
+
+I felt sure that Lord Roberts' troops would remain for some time in the
+capital, in order to obtain the rest they must have sorely needed. And I
+now asked myself what I could do whilst the English were remaining
+inactive. For notwithstanding all that had happened, I had not for a
+single moment the thought of surrender. It seemed to me that my best
+course was to allow the burghers, who had now been away from their
+families for six months, an opportunity to take breath![29]
+
+After everything had been arranged I went to Brandfort and thence to
+Kroonstad, at which place I was to meet President Steyn, who had left
+Bloemfontein the evening before it fell.
+
+On my road to Kroonstad I fell in with General P.J. Joubert, who had
+come to the Free State, hoping to be able to discover some method for
+checking the advance of Lord Roberts. He was anything but pleased to
+hear that I had given my men permission to remain at home till the 25th
+of March.
+
+"Do you mean to tell me," he asked, "that you are going to give the
+English a free hand, whilst your men take their holidays?"
+
+"I cannot catch a hare, General, with unwilling dogs," I made reply.
+
+But this did not satisfy the old warrior at all. At last I said:
+
+"You know the Afrikanders as well as I do, General. It is not our fault
+that they don't know what discipline means. Whatever I had said or done,
+the burghers would have gone home; but I'll give you my word that those
+who come back will fight with renewed courage."
+
+I knew very well that there were some who would not return, but I
+preferred to command ten men who were willing to fight, rather than a
+hundred who shirked their duties.
+
+Meanwhile President Steyn had proclaimed Kroonstad as the seat of the
+Government, so that in future all matters were to be settled there.
+
+On March 20th, 1900, a war council was held, which was attended by
+from fifty to sixty officers. President Steyn presided; and there
+sat beside him that simple statesman, grown grey in his country's
+service--President Kruger.
+
+The chief officers at this council were Commandant General Joubert,
+Generals De la Rey, Philip Botha, Froneman, C.P. Cronje, J.B. Wessels,
+and myself. A number of the members of both Governments also put in an
+appearance at this meeting.
+
+Do not let it be imagined that the object we had in view was to come to
+an agreement on any peace proposal made by the English. Nothing could
+have been further from our minds than this. Lord Salisbury's letter to
+our two Presidents, demanding unconditional surrender, had rendered any
+thought of peace impossible. On the contrary, we were concerned to
+discover the best method of continuing the war. We knew, I need scarcely
+say, that humanly speaking ultimate victory for us was out of the
+question--that had been clear from the very beginning. For how could our
+diminutive army hope to stand against the overwhelming numbers at the
+enemy's command? Yet we had always felt that no one is worthy of the
+name of man who is not ready to vindicate the right, be the odds what
+they may. We knew also, that the Afrikanders, although devoid of all
+military discipline, had the idea of independence deeply rooted in their
+hearts, and that they were worthy to exist as a Free Nation under a
+Republican form of Government.
+
+I shall not enter upon all that happened at that meeting. I shall merely
+note here that besides deciding to continue the war more energetically
+than ever, we agreed unanimously that the great waggon-camps should be
+done away with, and that henceforth only horse-commandos should be
+employed. The sad experience we had gained from six months' warfare,
+and more especially the great misfortune that had overtaken the big
+waggon-camp of General Cronje, were our reasons for this new
+regulation.[30]
+
+I left the meeting firmly determined that, come what might, I should
+never allow another waggon-camp. But, as the reader will see before he
+has concluded the perusal of these pages, it was not until many months
+had elapsed that the waggons were finally suppressed. All the mischief
+that they were destined to bring upon the African Nation was not yet
+completed.
+
+One of the effects of this council was to produce an unusually good
+spirit among the officers and burghers. There was only one thought in my
+mind, and only one word on every tongue: "FORWARD!"
+
+I proceeded from Kroonstad to the railway bridge at Zand River, and
+remained there until the 25th of March, when the commandos reassembled.
+What I had foreseen occurred. The burghers were different men
+altogether, and returned with renewed courage to the fight. They
+streamed in such large numbers on this and the following days, that my
+highest hopes were surpassed. It is true that certain burghers had
+remained behind. Such was the case with the men from Fauresmith and
+Jacobsdal, and with a large proportion of the commandos from
+Philippolis, Smithfield, Wepener, and Bloemfontein. But with these
+burghers I was unable to deal on account of Lord Roberts' Proclamations,
+which made it impossible for me to compel the burghers to join the
+commando; and I decided that I had better wait until I had done some
+good work with the men I had, before I made any attempt to bring the
+others back to the commando.
+
+On the 25th of March we went to Brandfort. The arrival of the burghers
+at the village doubled and even trebled its population. I was forced to
+close the hotels, as I discovered that my men were being supplied with
+drink. From this I do not wish the reader to infer that the Afrikanders
+are drunkards, for this is far from being the case. On the contrary,
+when compared with other nations, they are remarkable for their
+sobriety, and it is considered by them a disgrace for a man to be drunk.
+
+[Footnote 29: The men I still had with me belonged to commandos from
+Bloemfontein, Ladybrand, Wepener, Ficksburg, Bethlehem and Winburg. They
+were respectively under Commandants Piet Fourie, Crowther, Fouche, De
+Villiers, Michal Prinsloo and Vilonel; and these Commandants took orders
+from Vechtgeneraals J.B. Wessels, A.P. Cronje, C.C. Froneman, W. Kolbe
+and Philip Botha.
+
+The Colesberg and Stormberg commandos had received the order to go
+northwards in the direction of Thaba'Nchu and Ladybrand. These commandos
+also had been panic-stricken since General Cronje's surrender.
+
+The Kroonstad, Heilbron, Harrismith and Vrede burghers, under
+Commander-in-Chief Prinsloo, were directed to remain where they were,
+and guard the Drakensberg.
+
+General De la Rey followed my example, and gave his men permission to
+return home for some time.]
+
+[Footnote 30: This council also enacted that officers should be very
+chary in accepting doctors' certificates. The old law had laid it down
+that if a burgher produced a medical certificate, declaring him unfit
+for duty, he should be exempted from service. That there had been a
+grave abuse of this was the experience of almost every officer. There
+were several very dubious cases; and it was curious to note how many
+sudden attacks of heart disease occurred--if one were to credit the
+medical certificates. I remember myself that on the 7th of March, when
+the burghers fled from Poplar Grove, I had thrust upon me suddenly eight
+separate certificates, which had all been issued that morning, each
+declaring that some burgher or other was suffering from disease of the
+heart. When the eighth was presented to me, and I found that it also
+alleged the same complaint, I lost all patience, and let the doctor know
+that was quite enough for one day. When this question of certificates
+was discussed at the council, I suggested in joke that no certificate
+should be accepted unless it was signed by three old women, as a
+guarantee of good faith. The system had indeed been carried to such
+lengths, and certificates had been issued right and left in such a
+lavish manner, that one almost suspected that the English must have had
+a hand in it!]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+Sanna's Post
+
+
+On the 28th of March a council of war was held. The first business
+transacted referred to disciplinary matters; the council then proceeded
+to lay down the conditions under which the commandos were to operate. It
+was decided that General De la Rey with his Transvaalers should remain
+at Brandfort with certain Free State commandos under General Philip
+Botha, and that the remaining troops, under my command, should withdraw
+in the evening.
+
+Great was the curiosity of the officers and burghers concerning our
+movements, but no man learnt anything from me. I was determined that in
+future my plans should be kept entirely secret. Experience had taught me
+that whenever a commanding officer allows his intentions to become
+public something is sure to go wrong, and I made up my mind to hold the
+reins of discipline with a firmer hand.
+
+It is, of course, true that scarcely anything could be done without the
+free co-operation of the burghers. They joined the commando when they
+wished, or, if they preferred it, stayed away. But now I intended that
+the men who joined the commando should be under a far stricter
+discipline than formerly, and success rewarded my efforts.
+
+We left Brandfort on the same evening. My object was to surprise the
+little garrison at Sanna's Post, which guarded the Bloemfontein Water
+Works, and thus to cut off the supply of water from that town.
+
+I started in the direction of Winburg, so as to throw every one off the
+scent. On all sides one heard the question, "Where are we really going?
+What can we have to do at Winburg?"
+
+The following day I concealed my commando, and that evening some spies,
+on whom I could rely, and who were aware of my secret intentions,
+brought me all the information I required.
+
+At this point I had a great deal of trouble with Commandant Vilonel. It
+appeared that, notwithstanding the express interdiction of the council
+of war, there were some thirty waggons, belonging to burghers from
+Winburg who were under his orders. I reminded him of the decision to
+which the council had come; but he replied that he did not wish his
+burghers to have to undergo the hardship of travelling without waggons.
+We started that evening, and, sure enough, there he was with his lumber
+following behind us.
+
+I gave him notice in writing the next morning that he must send back the
+waggons that very night when we were on the march. This provoked from
+him a written request that a war council should be summoned to revise
+the decision come to at Kroonstad. I answered that I absolutely declined
+to do any such thing.
+
+In the course of that day I received a number of reports. I was informed
+that General Olivier was driving General Broadwood from Ladybrand
+towards Thaba'Nchu. A little later I heard from General Froneman and
+Commandant Fourie how matters stood at Sanna's Post. I had disclosed my
+plan to them, and sent them out to reconnoitre. There were--so they told
+me--according to their estimation, about two hundred English troops
+which were stationed in such and such positions.
+
+I at once summoned Generals A.P. Cronje, J.B. Wessels, C.C. Froneman,
+and Piet de Wet, and took council with them, telling them of my plans
+and enjoining strict secrecy. I then gave orders that Commandant P.
+Fourie and C. Nel, with their burghers, three hundred and fifty in
+number, should proceed under my command to Koorn Spruit, and be there
+before break of day.
+
+[Illustration: SANNA'S POST.
+
+FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.]
+
+We settled that Generals Cronje, Wessels, Froneman, and Piet De Wet
+should proceed with the remaining burghers, numbering eleven hundred and
+fifty, to the ridges east of the Modder River, right opposite Sanna's
+Post. They were to take with them the guns, of which we had four or
+five, and bombard Sanna's Post as soon as it was light.
+
+The English, I expected, would retreat to Bloemfontein, and then from my
+position in Koorn Spruit I should be able to decimate them as they
+passed that ravine. I had sent a large number of burghers with the four
+generals so that our force might be sufficiently strong to turn General
+Broadwood, in case he should hear that there was fighting at Sanna's
+Post and come up to reinforce the garrison.
+
+Here again I had trouble with Commandant Vilonel. I had little time to
+argue--the sun was already setting, and we had to be off at once. I had
+declined to allow a single waggon to go with me, but the Commandant
+declared that he would not abide by the decision of the council of war.
+He also refused to allow his burghers to go into positions which he
+himself had not reconnoitred. He asked that the attack should be
+postponed until he had examined Sanna's Post through his telescope.
+
+My patience was now at an end. I told Commandant Vilonel that he must
+obey my orders, and that if he did not do so I should dismiss him,
+unless he himself resigned. He preferred to resign. My secretary
+procured paper, and the Commandant wrote out his resignation. I at once
+gave him his dismissal, and felt that a weight had been taken off my
+shoulders now that I was free from so wrong-headed an officer.
+
+There was no time now for the burghers to elect a new Commandant in the
+usual way. I therefore assembled the Winburg commando, and told them
+that Vilonel had resigned, that an opportunity of choosing a substitute
+should be given to them later on, but that in the meanwhile I should
+appoint Veldtcornet Gert Van der Merve. Nobody had anything to say
+against "Gerie," who was a courageous and amiable man; and, after he had
+given orders that the waggons should be sent home, we continued our
+march.
+
+I met some of my spies at a _rendezvous_ which I had given them on the
+road to the Water Works, and learnt from them that the force under
+General Broadwood had come that evening from the direction of Ladybrand
+and now occupied Thaba'Nchu.
+
+I had ordered my generals to take up positions opposite Sanna's Post and
+east of the Modder River. I now left them and rode on to Koorn Spruit,
+not knowing that General Broadwood had left Thaba'Nchu after nightfall
+and had proceeded to the Water Works. My advance was made as quietly as
+possible, and as soon as we reached Koorn Spruit I hid my burghers in
+the ravine, placing some to the right and some to the left of the
+drift[31] on the road from Thaba'Nchu and Sanna's Post to Bloemfontein.
+
+As soon as it became light enough to see anything we discovered that
+just above the spruit[32] stood a waggon, with some Kaffirs and a number
+of sheep and cattle beside it. The Kaffirs told us that the waggon
+belonged to one of the "hands-uppers" from Thaba'Nchu, and that they had
+been ordered to get it down to Bloemfontein as quickly as possible and
+to sell it to the English. The owner of the sheep and of the cattle,
+they said, was with General Broadwood, whose troops had just arrived at
+Sanna's Post.
+
+The light grew brighter, and there, three thousand paces from us, was
+Broadwood's huge force.
+
+I had only three hundred and fifty men with me; the other generals, to
+the east of the Modder River, had not more than eleven hundred and fifty
+between them.
+
+The numbers against us were overwhelming, but I resolved to stand my
+ground; and, fortunately, the positions which I had chosen were much to
+our advantage--there would be no difficulty in concealing my burghers
+and their horses.
+
+I ordered that every one should still remain hidden, even when our party
+to the east of the Modder River began to shoot, and that not a round was
+to be fired until I gave the command.
+
+General Broadwood was preparing to strike camp. It was then that I told
+my men to allow the British troops to get to close quarters and
+"hands-up" them, without wasting a single bullet.
+
+Then our guns began to fire.
+
+The result was a scene of confusion. Towards us, over the brow of the
+hill, came the waggons pell-mell, with a few carts moving rapidly in
+front. When the first of these reached the spruit its occupants--a man
+with a woman beside him--became aware that something was wrong.
+
+I was standing at the top of the drift with Commandants Fourie and Nel.
+I immediately ordered two of my adjutants to mount the cart and to sit
+at the driver's side.
+
+The other carts came one after the other into the drift, and I ordered
+them to follow close behind the first cart, at the same time warning the
+occupants that if they gave any signal to the enemy, they would be shot.
+
+The carts were filled with English from Thaba'Nchu. I was very glad that
+the women and children should thus reach a place of safety, before the
+fighting began.
+
+So speedily did the carts follow each other that the English had no
+suspicion of what was occurring, and very shortly the soldiers began to
+pour into the drift in the greatest disorder. As soon as they reached
+the stream they were met by the cry of "Hands up!"
+
+Directly they heard the words, a forest of hands rose in the air.
+
+More troops quickly followed, and we had disarmed two hundred of them
+before they had time to know what was happening. The discipline among
+the burghers was fairly satisfactory until the disarming work began. If
+my men had only been able to think for themselves, they would have
+thrown the rifles on the bank as they came into their hands, and so
+would have disarmed far more of the English than they succeeded in
+doing. But, as it was, the burghers kept on asking:
+
+"Where shall I put this rifle, General? What have I to do with this
+horse?"
+
+That the work should be delayed by this sort of thing sorely tried my
+hasty temper.
+
+Very soon the enemy in the rear discovered that there was something
+wrong in the drift, for one of their officers suddenly gave orders that
+the troops should fall back. But in the meantime, as I have already
+stated, we had disarmed two hundred men; while, about a hundred paces
+from us on the banks of the spruit stood five of their guns, and more
+than a hundred of their waggons, in one confused mass. A little further
+off--two or three hundred paces, perhaps--two more of the enemy's guns
+had halted.
+
+The English fell back some thirteen hundred yards, to the station on the
+Dewetsdorp-Bloemfontein railway. I need scarcely say that we opened a
+terrific fire on them as they retreated. When they reached the station,
+however, the buildings there gave them considerable protection. I little
+knew when I voted in the Volksraad for the construction of this line,
+that I was voting for the building of a station which our enemies would
+one day use against us.
+
+An attempt was made by the English to save the five guns, but it was far
+beyond their powers to do so. They did succeed, however, in getting the
+other two guns away, and in placing them behind the station buildings.
+From there they severely bombarded us with shrapnel shell.
+
+While the English troops were running to find cover in the buildings,
+they suffered very heavily from our fire, and the ground between the
+station and the spruit was soon strewn with their dead and wounded,
+lying in heaps. But having arrived at the railway they rallied, and
+posting themselves to the right and left of the station, they fired
+sharply on us.
+
+The eleven hundred and fifty burghers who were to the east of the Modder
+River now hurried up to my assistance. But unfortunately, when they
+attempted to cross the river, they found that the Water-Works dam had
+made it too deep to ford. So they proceeded up stream over some very
+rough ground, being much inconvenienced by the dongas which they had to
+cross. When they had covered three miles of this they were again
+stopped, for an impassable donga blocked the way. They had therefore to
+retrace their steps to the place whence they had started. Ultimately
+they crossed the river below the dam, in the neighbourhood of the
+waggon-drift.
+
+This delay gave General Broadwood a good three hours in which to tackle
+us. And had it not been for the excellent positions we had taken on the
+banks of the spruit, we would have been in a very awkward predicament.
+But, as it was, only two of my men were hit during the whole of that
+time.
+
+As soon as our reinforcements had crossed the river, General Broadwood
+was forced to retire; and his troops came hurrying through Koorn Spruit
+both on the right and on the left of our position. We fired at them as
+they passed us, and took several more prisoners. Had I but commanded a
+larger force, I could have captured every man of them. But it was
+impossible, with my three hundred and fifty men, to surround two
+thousand.
+
+Our men on the Modder River now attacked the enemy with the greatest
+energy, and succeeded in putting them to flight, thus bringing the
+battle to an end.
+
+The conduct of my burghers had been beyond praise. I had never seen
+them more intrepid. Calm and determined, they stood their ground, when
+the enemy streamed down upon them like a mighty river. Calm and
+determined they awaited their arrival, and disarmed them as they came.
+It was a fresh proof to me of the courage of the Afrikander, who indeed,
+in my judgment, is in that quality surpassed by no one.
+
+Our loss was three killed and five wounded. Among the latter was
+Commandant General Van der Merve, who, although very seriously injured,
+fortunately recovered. I had no time myself to note the enemy's losses,
+but, from their own report, it amounted to three hundred and fifty dead
+and wounded. We captured four hundred and eighty prisoners, seven guns,
+and one hundred and seventeen waggons.
+
+Here again I had the greatest trouble in unravelling the medley. Many of
+the horses, mules and oxen had been killed, whilst some of the waggons
+were broken. Everything was in a state of indescribable confusion, and
+at any moment a force might arrive from Bloemfontein.
+
+But, fortunately, no reinforcement appeared. Our burghers who had
+pursued the retreating English, saw, at about twelve o'clock, a body of
+mounted troops approaching from Bloemfontein. But this force at once
+came to a halt, remaining at the spot where we had first seen it.[33]
+
+When everything was over a party of troops from General Olivier's
+commando arrived on the scene of the recent operations. They had been
+following General Broadwood, and on hearing the firing that morning, had
+hastened in our direction, maintaining on their arrival, that it was
+quite impossible for them to have come any sooner.
+
+[Footnote 31: Ford.]
+
+[Footnote 32: Water-course or ravine.]
+
+[Footnote 33: I may note here that it seemed very strange to me and to
+all whose opinion I asked, that Lord Roberts, with his sixty thousand
+men, sent no reinforcements from Bloemfontein. The battle had taken
+place not more than seventeen miles from the capital, and it had lasted
+for four hours; so that there had been ample time to send help. The
+English cannot urge in excuse that, owing to our having cut the
+telegraph wire, Lord Roberts could know nothing of General Broadwood's
+position. The booming of the guns must have been distinctly heard at
+Bloemfontein, as it was a still morning. In addition to this plain
+warning, the English had an outpost at Borsmanskop, between Koorn Spruit
+and Bloemfontein. I do not mention these things with the object of
+throwing an unfavourable light upon Lord Roberts' conduct, but merely to
+show that even in the great English Army, incomprehensible
+irregularities were not unknown, and irregularities of such a character
+as to quite put in the shade the bungles we were sometimes guilty of.
+But the Republics, young though they were, never thought of boasting
+about the order, organization, or discipline of their armies; on the
+contrary they were perhaps a little inclined to take too lenient a view
+when irregularities occurred.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+Four Hundred and Seventy English taken Prisoner at Reddersburg
+
+
+In the evening of the day on which the events described in the last
+chapter occurred, I handed over the command to Generals Piet de Wet and
+A.P. Cronje, and taking with me three of my staff, rode to Donkerpoort,
+in the direction of Dewetsdorp, on a reconnoitring expedition.
+
+Early the following morning I came to a farm called Sterkfontein, where,
+at noon, I received the news that a party of English, coming from
+Smithfield, had occupied Dewetsdorp.
+
+It was thirty miles from Sterkfontein to my commando, but,
+notwithstanding this, I sent an order that 1,500 men, under Generals
+J.B. Wessels, C.C. Froneman and De Villiers, should come up with all
+haste and bring three guns with them.
+
+During the time that must necessarily elapse before the arrival of this
+force, I sent men out to visit the farms of those burghers who had gone
+home after the fall of Bloemfontein, with orders to bring them back to
+the front.
+
+By the evening of the 1st of April I had all the men of the district
+together; but it was then too late to make a start.
+
+At ten o'clock the following morning the English left Dewetsdorp, and
+marched towards Reddersburg. Directly I received news of this, I sent
+word to the Generals, that they must hasten to Reddersburg; while I,
+with the men who had rejoined, made my way to the north, so as to take
+up a position on the enemy's flank. I had with me one hundred and ten
+men in all. Many of them were without rifles, having given up their arms
+at Bloemfontein. Others were provided with serviceable _achterlaaiers_,
+but had little or no ammunition, because they had already fired off
+their cartridges in mere wantonness in the belief that they might have
+to give up their rifles any day. My handful of burghers were thus as
+good as unarmed.
+
+During our march I kept the English continually under surveillance. They
+were unable to advance very rapidly, as the bulk of their force was made
+up of infantry. But they were too far ahead for the commandos whom I had
+sent in pursuit to be able to get at them; and for me, with the handful
+of almost unarmed burghers which I commanded, to have attempted an
+attack would have been worse than folly.
+
+On the evening of the 2nd of April, the English encamped on the hill to
+the west of a farm called Oollogspoort; whilst we off-saddled to the
+north of them, on Mr. Van der Walt's farm. The enemy, however, was not
+aware of the position of our laager.
+
+The following morning, at four o'clock, I sent a third report to the
+commandos. They had been some way on the road to Dewetsdorp, and thus,
+far out of the course to Reddersburg, when my second report reached
+them; and now my despatch rider met only Generals Froneman and De
+Villiers with seven hundred men and three guns, and was too late to
+prevent General Wessels from going on to Dewetsdorp.
+
+Shortly after sunrise General Froneman received my report. He had been
+riding all night through without stopping, and many of his horses were
+already tired out. But as my order was that the Generals were to leave
+behind those who were unable to proceed, and to hasten on at once
+without so much as off-saddling, he did not wait to be told twice, but
+pushing forward with all speed, arrived on the 3rd of April at
+Schwarskopjes on the Kaffir River. He had left Sanna's Post on the
+afternoon of the previous day.
+
+Those who consider that he was marching with seven hundred men and three
+Krupp guns, and that his horses were so exhausted that some of them had
+to be left behind, will agree with me that he did a good day's work in
+those twenty-four hours.
+
+Fortunately for us, it was not at that time the habit of the English to
+start on their march before the sun had risen. And, by another lucky
+chance, our opponents were off their guard, and quite unsuspicious of
+attack, although they must, undoubtedly, have heard something of what
+had happened at Sanna's Post.
+
+General Froneman gave me to understand that it was necessary to
+off-saddle the horses, and to give them a long rest, as he had been
+riding without any break since the previous evening.
+
+"However necessary it may be," I replied, "it is impossible;" and I
+pointed out to him that if we were to delay, the English would occupy
+the ridge between Muishondsfontein and Mostertshoek, and thus obtain the
+best position. I, therefore, ordered the men to proceed with all speed,
+and to leave behind those who could not go on. The General did not
+appear to be "links"[34] at this, but called out with his loud voice,
+"Come on, burghers!"
+
+We were fortunate in being able to keep up with the enemy by riding
+along a little plain, which was hidden from them by an intervening hill.
+Our course ran in a direction parallel to their line of march, and at a
+distance of about six miles from it. But unluckily, the English were the
+first to reach the ridge. When we appeared at the point where the hill
+which had concealed us from them came to an end, their vanguard had just
+passed the eastern end of the ridge at which we were both aiming; and we
+had still some four or five miles to go before we could reach it.
+
+I saw that the enemy was not strong enough to occupy the whole ridge, so
+I at once gave orders to General De Villiers to advance, and to seize
+the western end at a point just above the farmstead of Mostertshoek.
+The enemy, observing this manoeuvre, took up their position on the
+eastern extremity of the ridge. Whereupon I divided the remaining
+burghers into small companies, with orders to occupy kopjes from six to
+seven hundred paces still further to the east; leaving to myself and
+Commandant Nel the task of seizing a small ridge which lay south-east of
+the English lines.
+
+All these positions would have to be taken under fire, and before making
+the attempt I sent the following note to the British Commanding
+Officer:--
+
+     "SIR,--
+
+     "I am here with five hundred 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."
+
+I sent this note post haste, and then rested a little while awaiting the
+return of the despatch rider.
+
+And now a shameful incident occurred. The messenger had received the
+answer to my letter, and had covered about a hundred paces on his way
+back, when the enemy opened so heavy a fire upon him that it is
+inexplicable how he managed to come through unscathed.
+
+The answer which he brought from the officer was in the following
+terms:--
+
+"I'm d----d if I surrender!"
+
+I at once ordered my men to rush the positions which I had already
+pointed out to them; and notwithstanding the fierce opposition of the
+enemy, they succeeded in carrying out my orders.
+
+But although we had thus gained very good positions, those which the
+English held were quite as good, and perhaps even better, except for the
+fact that they were cut off from the water. However, when they had first
+become aware of our presence--that is, while they were at
+Muishondsfontein--they had taken the precaution of filling their
+water-bottles.
+
+Our guns did not arrive until so late in the afternoon that only a few
+shots could be fired before it became dark.
+
+Acting upon my orders, the burghers kept such good watch during the
+night that escape was impossible for the English. I also sent a strong
+guard to a point near Reddersburg, for I had heard that a reinforcement
+of from thirteen hundred to two thousand British troops had come from
+the direction of Bothathanie railway station, and were now encamped at
+Reddersburg.
+
+I had begun operations with only four hundred men under me, but before
+the sun rose on the following day my force had been doubled by the
+addition of those who had been compelled to remain behind and rest their
+tired horses.
+
+On the previous evening it had seemed to me highly improbable that we
+should be able to storm the ridge in the morning. I had expected that
+the force at Reddersburg--which lay only about four or five miles from
+Mostertshoek--would have seen the fight in progress, or heard the
+cannonading, and would have hastened to the assistance of their
+comrades.[35] Nevertheless, I had given orders that as soon as it was
+daylight, every one must do his utmost to force the English to
+surrender.
+
+It was now rapidly growing lighter, and I ordered the gunners to keep up
+a continuous fire with our three Krupps. This they did from half-past
+five until eleven o'clock, and then the enemy hoisted the white flag.
+
+My men and I galloped towards the English, and our other two parties did
+the same. But before we reached them, they again began to shoot, killing
+Veldtcornet Du Plessis, of Kroonstad. This treacherous act enraged our
+burghers, who at once commenced to fire with deadly effect.
+
+Soon the white flag appeared above almost every stone behind which an
+Englishman lay, but our men did not at once cease firing. Indeed! I had
+the greatest difficulty in calming them, and in inducing them to stop,
+for they were, as may well be imagined, furious at the misuse of the
+white flag.
+
+Strewn everywhere about on the ground lay the English killed and
+wounded. According to the official statement, they had a hundred
+casualties, the commanding officer himself being amongst the killed.
+
+We took four hundred and seventy prisoners of war, all of them belonging
+to the Royal Irish Rifles and the Mounted Infantry. But I cared nothing
+to what regiment they belonged or what was the rank of the officer in
+command. Throughout the whole war I never troubled myself about such
+matters.
+
+Our loss, in addition to Veldtcornet Du Plessis, whose death I have just
+described, was only six wounded.
+
+I had no longer any need to fear a reinforcement from Reddersburg, but
+nevertheless there was no time to be lost, for I had just heard from a
+prisoner of war that a telegram had been sent from Dewetsdorp to the
+garrison at Smithfield, bidding them consult their own safety by
+withdrawing to Aliwal North. I made up my mind to capture that garrison
+before it could decamp. I waited until I saw that the English ambulances
+were busy with their wounded, and then with all speed rode off.
+
+As the direct road might prove to be held by Lord Roberts, I caused the
+prisoners of war to be marched to Winburg via Thaba'Nchu. From thence
+they were to be sent forward by rail to Pretoria.
+
+[Footnote 34: Vexed.]
+
+[Footnote 35: I have never been able to understand why the great force,
+stationed at Reddersburg, made no attempt to come to the aid of the
+unfortunate victims at Mostertshoek. Their conduct seems to me to have
+been even more blameworthy than the similar negligence which occurred at
+Sanna's Post. They were not more than five miles off, and could watch
+the whole engagement--and yet they never stirred a foot to come and help
+their comrades. And it was fortunate for us that it was so, for we
+should have stood no chance at all against a large force.
+
+To oppose successfully such bodies of men as our burghers had to meet
+during this war demanded _rapidity of action_ more than anything else.
+We had to be quick at fighting, quick at reconnoitring, quick (if it
+became necessary) at flying! This was exactly what I myself aimed at,
+and had not so many of our burghers proved false to their own colours,
+England--as the great Bismarck foretold--would have found her grave in
+South Africa.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+An Unsuccessful Siege
+
+
+My object now was to reach Smithfield. We set out at once and late in
+the evening I divided my commandos into two parties. The first, some
+five hundred men in all, consisted chiefly of Smithfield burghers under
+Commandant Swanepoel, of Yzervarkfontein, but there were also some
+Wepener men amongst them. I gave General Froneman the command over this
+party, and ordered him to proceed without delay and attack the small
+English garrison at Smithfield. With the second party I rode off to join
+the burghers who were under General J.B. Wessels.
+
+I came up with Wessels' division on the 6th of April at Badenhorst, on
+the road from Dewetsdorp to Wepener. Badenhorst lies at a distance of
+some ten miles from a ford on the Caledon River, called
+Tammersbergsdrift, where Colonel Dalgety, with the highly renowned
+C.M.R.[36] and Brabant's Horse were at that time stationed. I call them
+"highly renowned" to be in the fashion, for I must honestly avow that I
+never could see for what they were renowned.
+
+During the fight at Mostertshoek on the previous day I had kept them
+under observation, with the result that I learnt that they had
+entrenched themselves strongly, and that they numbered about sixteen
+hundred men, though this latter fact was a matter of indifference to me.
+The history of Ladysmith, Mafeking, and Kimberley, however, served me as
+a warning, and I asked myself whether it would be better to besiege the
+wolf or to wait and see if he would not come out of his lair.
+
+But the wolf, on this occasion, was not to be enticed out on any
+pretext; and moreover it was probable that Lord Roberts would be able to
+send a relieving force from Bloemfontein; so I decided to attack at
+once. First, however, I despatched some of my best scouts in the
+direction of Bloemfontein and Reddersburg, while I ordered the commandos
+under Generals Piet de Wet and A.P. Cronje to take up positions to the
+east and south-east of the capital.
+
+Early in the morning of the 7th of April I made an attack on two points:
+one to the south-west, the other to the south-east of Dalgety's
+fortifications, opening fire on his troops at distances of from five to
+fifteen hundred paces. I dare not approach any nearer for lack of
+suitable cover. The place was so strongly fortified that many valuable
+lives must have been sacrificed, had I been less cautious than I was.
+
+After a few days I received reinforcements, and was thus enabled to
+surround the English completely. But their various positions were so
+placed that it was impossible for me to shell any of them from both
+sides, and thus to compel their occupants to surrender.
+
+Day succeeded to day, and still the siege continued.
+
+Before long we had captured some eight hundred of the trek-oxen, and
+many of the horses of the enemy. Things were not going so badly for us
+after all; and we plucked up our courage, and began to talk of the
+probability of a speedy surrender on the part of the English.
+
+To tell the truth, there was not a man amongst us who would have asked
+better than to make prisoners of the Cape Mounted Rifles and of
+Brabant's Horse. They were Afrikanders, and as Afrikanders, although
+neither Free-Staters nor Transvaalers, they ought, in our opinion, to
+have been ashamed to fight against us.
+
+The English, we admitted, had a perfect right to hire such sweepings,
+and to use them against us, but we utterly despised them for allowing
+themselves to be hired. We felt that their motive was not to obtain the
+franchise of the Uitlanders, but--five shillings a day! And if it should
+by any chance happen that any one of them should find his grave
+there--well, the generation to come would not be very proud of that
+grave. No! it would be regarded with horror as the grave of an
+Afrikander who had helped to bring his brother Afrikanders to their
+downfall.
+
+Although I never took it amiss if a colonist of Natal or of Cape Colony
+was unwilling to fight with us against England, yet I admit that it
+vexed me greatly to think that some of these colonists, for the sake of
+a paltry five shillings a day, should be ready to shoot down their
+fellow-countrymen. Such men, alas! there have always been, since, in the
+first days of the human race, Cain killed his brother Abel. But Cain had
+not long to wait for his reward!
+
+Whilst we were besieging these Afrikanders, news came that large columns
+from Reddersburg and Bloemfontein were drawing near. So overwhelming
+were their numbers that the commandos of Generals A.P. Cronje and Piet
+de Wet were far too weak to hold them in check, and I had to despatch
+two reinforcing parties, the first under Commandant Fourie, the second
+under General J.B. Wessels.
+
+General Froneman had now returned from Smithfield, whither I had sent
+him to attack the garrison. He told me that he had been unable to carry
+out my orders, for, on his arrival at Smithfield, he had discovered that
+the garrison--which had only consisted of some two or three hundred
+men--had just departed. He learnt, however, that it was still possible
+to overtake it before it reached Aliwal North. Unfortunately, he was
+unable to persuade Commandant Swanepoel, who was in command of the
+burghers, to pursue the retreating troops. He therefore had to content
+himself with the fifteen men he had with him. He came in sight of the
+enemy at Branziektekraal, two hours from Aliwal North; but with the
+mere handful of men, which was all that he had at his command, an attack
+upon them was not to be thought of, and he had to turn back.
+
+His expedition, however, had not been without good result, for he
+returned with about five hundred of those burghers who had gone home
+after our commandos had left Stormberg.
+
+We had to thank Lord Roberts for this welcome addition to our forces.
+The terms of the proclamation in which Lord Roberts had guaranteed the
+property and personal liberty of the non-combatant burghers had not been
+abided by. In the neighbourhood of Bloemfontein, Reddersburg, and
+Dewetsdorp, and at every other place where it was possible, his troops
+had made prisoners of burghers who had remained quietly on their farms.
+The same course of action had been pursued by the column which fell into
+our hands at Mostertshoek--I myself had liberated David Strauss and four
+other citizens whom I had found there. While peacefully occupied on
+their farms they had been taken prisoners by the English column, which
+was then on its way from Dewetsdorp to Reddersburg.
+
+This disregard of his proclamations did not increase the respect which
+the burghers felt for Lord Roberts. They felt that the word of the
+English was not to be trusted, and, fearing for their own safety, they
+returned to their commandos. I sent President Steyn a telegram,
+informing him that our burghers were rejoining, and adding that Lord
+Roberts was the best recruiting sergeant I had ever had!
+
+General Froneman and the men whom he had collected soon found work to
+do. The enemy was expecting a reinforcement from Aliwal North, and I
+sent the General, with six hundred troops, to oppose it. He came into
+touch with it at Boesmanskop, and a slight skirmish took place.
+
+In the meanwhile I received a report from General Piet de Wet, who was
+at Dewetsdorp, notifying me that the English forces outnumbered his own
+so enormously that he could not withstand their advance. He suggested
+that I ought at once to relinquish the siege and proceed in the
+direction of Thaba'Nchu.
+
+I also received discouraging news from General Piet Fourie, who had had
+a short but severe engagement with the troops that were coming from
+Bloemfontein, and had been compelled to give way before their superior
+forces.
+
+Piet de Wet's advice appealed to me all the more strongly since
+reinforcements were pouring in upon the enemy from all sides. But I was
+of opinion that I ought to go with a strong force after the enemy in the
+direction of Norvalspont, as I was convinced that it was no longer
+possible to check their advance. But General Piet de Wet differed from
+me on this point, and held that we ought to keep in front of the
+English, and I was at last compelled to give in to him.
+
+Accordingly I issued orders to General Froneman to desist from any
+further attack upon the reinforcement with which he had been engaged,
+and to join me. When he arrived I fell back on Thaba'Nchu.
+
+My siege of Colonel Dalgety, with his Brabant's Horse and Cape Mounted
+Rifles, had lasted for sixteen days. Our total loss was only five killed
+and thirteen wounded. The English, as I learnt from prisoners, had
+suffered rather severely.
+
+[Footnote 36: Cape Mounted Rifles.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+The English Swarm over our Country
+
+
+On April 25th we arrived at Alexandrie, six miles from Thaba'Nchu. The
+latter place was already occupied by English outposts. General Philip
+Botha now joined me; he had been engaging the enemy in the triangle
+formed by Brandfort, Bloemfontein and Thaba'Nchu. My commandos numbered
+some four thousand men, and I decided that it was time to concentrate my
+forces.
+
+Lord Roberts was about to carry out the plans which he had formed at
+Bloemfontein, namely, to outflank us with large bodies of mounted
+troops. He attempted to do this to the north-east of Thaba'Nchu, but at
+first was not successful. On a second attempt, however, he managed,
+after a fierce fight, to break through our lines. It was during this
+action that Commandant Lubbe was shot in the leg, and had the misfortune
+to be taken prisoner. At Frankfort also, Lord Roberts met with success,
+and General De la Rey was forced to retreat northwards.
+
+I was now firmly convinced, although I kept the belief to myself, that
+the English would march to Kroonstad; and I could see, more clearly than
+ever, the necessity of operating in their rear. I had suggested to
+President Steyn when he had visited us at Alexandrie, that I should
+proceed to Norvalspont, or even into Cape Colony, but he was against any
+such project. This, however, was not because he disapproved of my
+suggestion in itself, but because he feared that the Transvaalers might
+say that the Free-Staters, now that their own country was in the
+enemy's hands, were going to leave them in the lurch. Yet in spite of
+his opposition, I had ultimately to carry out my own ideas, for, even if
+I was misunderstood, I had to act as I thought best. I can only say that
+each man of us who remained true to our great cause acted up to the best
+of his convictions. If the results proved disastrous, one had best be
+silent about them. There is no use crying over spilt milk.
+
+We now pushed our commandos forward to Zand River. At Tabaksberg General
+Philip Botha had a short but severe engagement with Lord Roberts'
+advanced columns. I was the last of the Generals to leave Thaba'Nchu.
+
+I was very anxious to prevent the "granary"[37] of the Orange Free State
+from falling into the hands of the English; with this object in view, I
+left behind me at Korannaberg General De Villiers, with Commandants De
+Villiers, of Ficksburg, Crowther, of Ladybrand, Roux, of Wepener, and
+Potgieter, of Smithfield, and ordered the General to carry on operations
+in the south-eastern districts of the Free State.
+
+This valiant General did some fine work, and fought splendidly at
+Gouveneurskop and Wonderkop, inflicting very serious losses upon the
+English. But nevertheless he had to yield to the superior numbers of the
+enemy, who ultimately gained possession of the "granary" districts. But
+he made them pay for it dearly.
+
+General De Villiers followed the English to Senekal and Lindley, and at
+Biddulphsberg, near the first named village, he again engaged them
+successfully, killing and wounding many of them. But a grave misfortune
+overtook us here, for the General received a dangerous wound on the
+head.
+
+There was still another most deplorable occurrence. In some way or other
+the grass caught fire; and as it was very dry, and a high wind was
+blowing, the flames ran along the ground to where many of the English
+wounded were lying. There was no time to rescue them; and thus in this
+terrible manner many a poor fellow lost his life.
+
+General De Villiers' wound was so serious, that the only course open was
+to ask the commanding officer of the Senekal garrison to let him have
+the benefit of the English doctors' skill. This request was willingly
+granted, and De Villiers was placed under the care of the English
+ambulance. Sad to say, he died of his wound.
+
+Some time later I was informed that the man who had carried the request
+into Senekal was ex-Commandant Vilonel, who was then serving as a
+private burgher. A few days later he surrendered, so that one naturally
+inferred that he had arranged it all during his visit to Senekal.
+
+Shortly after he had given up his arms, he sent a letter to one of the
+Veldtcornets, asking him to come to such and such a spot on a certain
+evening, to meet an English officer and himself. The letter never
+reached the hands of the person to whom Vilonel had addressed it; and
+instead of the Veldtcornet, it was Captain Pretorius with a few
+burghers, who went to the appointed place. The night was so dark that it
+was impossible to recognize anybody.
+
+"Where is Veldtcornet--?" asked Mr. Vilonel.
+
+"You are my prisoner," was Captain Pretorius' reply, as he took
+Vilonel's horse by the bridle.
+
+"Treason! treason!" cried poor Vilonel.
+
+They brought him back to the camp, and sent him thence to Bethlehem. A
+court-martial[38] was shortly afterwards held at that town, and he was
+condemned to a long term of imprisonment.
+
+In the place of General De Villiers I appointed Deacon Paul Roux as
+Vechtgeneraal. He was a man in whom I placed absolute confidence. As a
+minister of religion he had done good service among the commandos, and
+in the fiercest battles he looked after the wounded with undaunted
+courage. His advice to the officers on matters of war had also been
+excellent, so that he was in every way a most admirable man. But his
+fighting career unfortunately soon came to an end, for he was taken
+prisoner in a most curious way near Naauwpoort, when Prinsloo
+surrendered.
+
+I must now retrace my steps, and give some account of what I myself had
+been doing during this time.
+
+I proceeded to the west of Doornberg, and only halted when I reached the
+Zand River. What memories does the name of that river bring back to me!
+It was on its banks that in 1852 the English Government concluded a
+Convention with the Transvaal--only to break it when Sir Theophilus
+Shepstone annexed that country on the 12th of April, 1877. But this
+Convention was re-established by Gladstone--greatest and noblest of
+English statesmen--when he acknowledged the independence of the South
+African Republic.
+
+Here on the banks of this river, which was so pregnant with meaning, we
+should stand, so I thought, and hold the English at bay. But alas! the
+name with all its memories did not check the enemy's advance.
+
+On the 10th of May Lord Roberts attacked us with his united forces; and
+although his losses were heavy, he succeeded in breaking through our
+lines near Ventersburg, at two points which were held by General
+Froneman. And thus the English were free to advance on Kroonstad.
+
+I gave orders to my commando to move on to Doornkop, which lies to the
+east of Kroonstad. I myself, with Commandant Nel and some of his
+adjutants, followed them when the sun had set. We rode the whole of that
+night, and reached the township on the following morning. We immediately
+arranged that the Government should withdraw from Kroonstad, and that
+very day it was removed to Heilbron. President Steyn, however, did not
+go to Heilbron, but paid a visit to General Philip Botha, whose commando
+had held back the English outposts some six miles from Kroonstad.
+
+The President, before leaving the town, had stationed police on the
+banks of the Valsch River with orders to prevent burghers from entering
+the dorp[39]; he had only just crossed the drift before my arrival. I
+came upon some burghers who, as they had been ordered, had off-saddled
+at the south side of the river, and I asked them if they had seen the
+President. As they were Transvaalers, they answered my question in the
+negative.
+
+"But has nobody on horseback crossed here?" I said.
+
+"Oh, yes! the Big Constable[40] crossed," one of them replied. "And he
+told us not to pass over the drift."
+
+"What was he like?" I inquired.
+
+"He was a man with a long red beard."
+
+I knew now who the "Big Constable" had been; and when I afterwards told
+the President for whom he had been taken, he was greatly amused.
+
+General Philip Botha discussed the state of affairs with me, and we both
+came to the conclusion that if Lord Roberts attacked us with his united
+forces, his superior numbers would render it impossible for us to hold
+our disadvantageous positions round Kroonstad. We had also to take into
+consideration the fact that my commando could not reach the town before
+the following day. Whilst we were still talking, news arrived that there
+was a strong force of cavalry on the banks of the Valsch River, six
+miles from Kroonstad, and that it was rapidly approaching the town.
+
+On hearing this, I hastened back to the south of the township, where a
+body of Kroonstad burghers had off-saddled, and I ordered them to get
+into their saddles immediately, and ride with me to meet the enemy. In
+less time than it takes to describe it, we were off. As we drew near to
+the English we saw they had taken up a very good position. The sun had
+already set, and nothing could be done save to exchange a few shots with
+the enemy. So, after I had ordered my men to post themselves on the
+enemy's front till the following morning, I rode back to Kroonstad.
+
+When I arrived there, I found that the last of the Transvaal commandos
+had already retreated through the town and made for the north. I at once
+sent orders to the burghers, whom I had just left, to abandon their
+positions, and to prepare themselves to depart by train to
+Rhenosterriviersbrug.
+
+At Kroonstad there was not a single burgher left. Only the inhabitants
+of the township remained, and they were but too ready to "hands-up."
+
+One of these, however, was of a different mould. I refer to Veldtcornet
+Thring, who had arrived with me at Kroonstad that morning, but who had
+suddenly fallen ill. On the day following he was a prisoner in the hands
+of the English.
+
+Thring was an honourable man in every way. Although an Englishman by
+birth, he was at heart an Afrikander, for he had accepted the Orange
+Free State as his second fatherland. Like many another Englishman, he
+had become a fellow-citizen of ours, and had enjoyed the fat of the
+land. But now, trusty burgher that he was, he had drawn his sword to
+defend the burghers' rights.
+
+His earliest experiences were with the Kroonstad burghers, who went down
+into Natal; later on he fought under me at Sanna's Post and
+Mostertshoek, and took part in the siege of Colonel Dalgety at
+Jammersbergsdrift. He had stood at my side at Thaba'Nchu and on the
+banks of the Zand River. I had always found him the most willing and
+reliable of officers, and he had won the respect and trust of every man
+who knew him.
+
+He was faithful to the end. Although he might well have joined our
+enemies, he preferred to set the seal of fidelity upon his life by his
+imprisonment. Long may he live to enjoy the trust of the Afrikander
+people!
+
+I remained late that evening in the town. It was somewhat risky to do
+so, as the place was full of English inhabitants, and of Afrikanders who
+did not favour our cause. In fact, I was surrounded by men who would
+have been only too pleased to do me an injury.
+
+I said farewell to Kroonstad at ten o'clock that night, and was carried
+to Rhenosterriviersbrug, thirty-four miles from Kroonstad, by the last
+train that left the town. But before I departed, I took care that the
+bridge over the Valsch River should be destroyed by dynamite.
+
+In the meantime, those portions of the Heilbron and Kroonstad commandos
+which had gone into Natal at the beginning of the war, received orders
+to leave the Drakensberg. Obeying these orders they joined me, and, with
+my other troops, had occupied splendid positions on either side of the
+railway line. Commandant General Louis Botha was also there with his
+Transvaal burghers, having arrived in the Free State a few days
+previously. Captain Danie Theron was still with me as my trustworthy
+scout, and he constantly kept me informed of Lord Roberts' movements.
+
+For a few days Lord Roberts remained at Kroonstad, but about the 18th
+of May he again began to move his enormous forces. He sent out four
+divisions. The first he despatched from Kroonstad to Heilbron; the
+second from Lindley to the same destination; the third from Kroonstad to
+Vredefort and Parijs, and the fourth from Kroonstad along the railway
+line.
+
+The two Governments had agreed that Commandant General Louis Botha
+should cross the Vaal River, and that we Free-Staters should remain
+behind in our own country. And this was carried out, with our full
+approval.
+
+The Governments had also decided that even if the English entered the
+Transvaal, the Free State commandos were not to follow them. I had long
+ago wished that something of this nature should be arranged, so that we
+might not only have forces in front of the enemy, but also in their
+rear. Thus the orders of the Governments exactly coincided with my
+desires.
+
+Lest any one should think that the Transvaalers and the Free-Staters
+separated here on account of a squabble, or because they found that they
+could not work harmoniously together, let me state that this decision
+was arrived at for purely strategic reasons. We had now been reduced to
+a third of the original number of forty-five thousand burghers with
+which we had started the campaign. This reduction was due partly to
+Cronje's surrender, and partly to the fact that many of our men had
+returned to their farms. How, then, could we think of making a stand,
+with our tiny forces, against two hundred and forty thousand men, with
+three or four hundred guns? All we could do was to make the best of
+every little chance we got of hampering the enemy. If fortune should
+desert us, it only remained to flee.
+
+To flee--what could be more bitter than that? Ah! many a time when I was
+forced to yield to the enemy, I felt so degraded that I could scarcely
+look a child in the face! Did I call myself a man? I asked myself, and
+if so, why did I run away? No one can guess the horror which overcame
+me when I had to retreat, or to order others to do so--there! I have
+poured out my whole soul. If I did fly, it was only because one man
+cannot stand against twelve.
+
+After the Transvaalers had crossed the Vaal River, I took twelve hundred
+men to Heilbron, where there was already a party of my burghers. General
+Roux with other Free-Staters was stationed east of Senekal, and the
+remainder of our forces lay near Lindley. But the commandos from Vrede
+and Harrismith, with part of the Bethlehem commando, still remained as
+watchers on the Drakensberg.
+
+When I arrived at Heilbron, late at night, I received a report that
+fighting was taking place on the Rhenoster River, between Heilbron and
+Lindley, and that General J.B. Wessels and Commandant Steenekamp had
+been driven back. But on the following morning, when the outposts came
+in, they stated that they had seen nothing of this engagement. I
+immediately sent out scouts, but hardly had they gone, before one of
+them came galloping back with the news that the enemy had approached
+quite close to the town. It was impossible for me to oppose a force of
+five or six thousand men on the open plain; and I could not move to
+suitable positions, for that would involve having the women and children
+behind me when the enemy were bombarding me. I had therefore to be off
+without a moment's delay. I had not even time to send my wife and my
+children into a place of safety.
+
+Our whole stock of ammunition was on the rail at Wolvehoek. I had given
+orders to Mr. Sarel Wessels, who had charge of the ammunition, to hold
+himself in readiness to proceed with it by rail, through the Transvaal,
+to Greylingstad as soon as he received orders to do so.
+
+But now the ammunition could not remain there, as Sir Redvers Buller was
+gaining ground day by day towards the veldt on the Natal frontier and
+the ammunition would thus be in danger of being taken. Therefore there
+was nothing left for me but to get it through by way of Greylingstad
+Station. It had to be done, and,--I had no carriages by which I could
+convey it, as I had not sufficient hands to take carriages from the
+trucks.[41] There was only one way (course) open; the commandos from
+Smithfield, Wepener and Bethulie still had, contrary to the Kroonstad
+resolution, carriages with them at Frankfort; I hastened to that village
+and sent the necessary number of these carriages under a strong escort,
+to fetch the ammunition from Greylingstad.
+
+In order to do this responsible work I required a man whom I could
+trust. Captain Danie Theron was no longer with me, because he, being a
+Transvaaler, had gone with General Louis Botha. But there was another:
+Gideon J. Scheepers.[42] To him I entrusted the task of reconnoitring
+the British, so that the carriages which were going to fetch the
+ammunition could do in safety what they were required to do, and I knew
+that he would do it.
+
+[Footnote 37: This "granary" lay in the Ladybrand, Ficksburg and
+Bethlehem districts, and not only supplied the Free State, but also the
+greater part of the Transvaal. If the districts of Wepener, Rouxville,
+Bloemfontein, and Thaba'Nchu be included, this "granary" was the source
+of a very large yield of corn, and there had been an especially rich
+harvest that year. As the men were away on commando, the Kaffirs reaped
+the corn under the supervision of the Boer women; and where Kaffirs were
+not obtainable the women did the work with their own hands, and were
+assisted by their little sons and daughters. The women had provided such
+a large supply, that had not the English burnt the corn by the thousand
+sacks, the war could have been continued. It was hard indeed for them to
+watch the soldiers flinging the corn on the ground before their horses'
+hoofs. Still harder was it to see that which had cost them so much
+labour thrown into the flames.
+
+In spite of the fact that the English, in order to destroy our crops,
+had let their horses and draught oxen loose upon the land, there was
+still an abundant harvest--perhaps the best that we had ever seen. And
+so it happened that whilst the men were at the front, the housewives
+could feed the horses in the stable. But Lord Roberts, acting on the
+advice of unfaithful burghers, laid his hand upon the housewives' work,
+and burnt the grain that they had stored.]
+
+[Footnote 38: This Court was not composed of officers, but consisted of
+three persons, one of whom was a lawyer.]
+
+[Footnote 39: Township.]
+
+[Footnote 40: Police Agent.]
+
+[Footnote 41: Railway trucks.]
+
+[Footnote 42: Everyone will know him, this brave man of pure Afrikander
+blood, subsequently a famous Commander, a martyr. I appointed him
+Captain of Scouts, and from the moment that he commenced his work I saw
+that a _man_ had come forward. It was sad to think in what manner such a
+man was deprived of his life. I shall speak more of him later on, for,
+as our proverb says, "I had eaten too much salt" to pass over his career
+unnoticed]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+Our Position at the End of May, 1900
+
+
+Once more it became necessary that the seat of Government should be
+changed, and towards the latter part of May our administrative
+headquarters were established at a place between Frankfort and Heilbron.
+The object of our Government in choosing this position was to be able to
+keep up telegraphic communication with the Transvaal. And their choice
+was soon to be justified, for after Johannesburg had been taken on May
+31st and Pretoria on July 5th, the only telegraphic connexion between
+the Free State and the South African Republic was via Frankfort,
+Greylingstad and Middlesburg. The terminus, at the Transvaal end, was
+situated not far from Pretoria.
+
+But, for the moment, it looked as if fortune were again going to smile
+on us, after our long spell of ill luck. On May the 31st Lindley and its
+garrison of Yeomanry fell into the hands of General Piet de Wet. The
+Yeomanry lost heavily, and five hundred of them, including, as I was
+told, several noblemen, were taken prisoner. These were the last
+prisoners of war that we were able to send into the South African
+Republic. Soon afterwards, when Pretoria was on the point of falling
+into the enemy's hands, the prisoners there had to be sent further east,
+but--owing either to the stupidity of the Transvaal Government, or to
+the treachery of the guards--a great many of them were left behind for
+Lord Roberts to release and re-arm against us. Our burghers grumbled
+much at this, and blamed the negligence of the Transvaalers.
+
+Before we had had time to get the captured Yeomanry through into the
+Transvaal, Sir Redvers Buller had forced his way over the Natal
+frontier, crossing the Drakensberg between Botha's Pass and Laing's Nek.
+This event, which happened on June the 17th, caused yet another panic
+among our commandos.
+
+"We are now," they said, "surrounded on all sides. Resistance and escape
+are equally impossible for us."
+
+Never during the whole course of the war were President Steyn and I so
+full of care and anxiety as at this time. With Buller across our
+frontier, and the enemy within the walls of Johannesburg and Pretoria,
+it was as much as we could do to continue the contest at all. However
+brave and determined many of our burghers and officers might be, and, in
+fact, were, our numerical weakness was a fact that was not to be got
+over, and might prove an insuperable obstacle to our success. Moreover,
+the same thing was now going on in the Transvaal after the capture of
+Pretoria, as we had witnessed in the Free State after the fall of
+Bloemfontein--nearly all the burghers were leaving their commandos and
+going back to their farms. Plenty of officers, but no troops! This was
+the pass to which we were come.
+
+It was only the remembrance of how the tide had turned in the Free State
+that gave us the strength to hold out any longer.
+
+President Steyn and I sent telegram after telegram to the Government and
+to the chief officers, encouraging them to stand fast. Meanwhile the two
+Generals, De la Rey and Louis Botha, were giving us all a splendid
+example of fortitude. Gazing into the future unmoved, and facing it as
+it were with clenched teeth, they prosecuted the war with invincible
+determination.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+That the reader may the better appreciate the actual condition of our
+affairs at this time, I think it well to make a short statement as to
+the various districts of the Orange Free State, and the number of men
+in each on whom we could still rely!
+
+The burghers of Philippolis and Kaapstad had surrendered _en masse_ to
+the English. In the first named of these districts, only Gordon Fraser
+and Norval, in the second only Cornelius du Preez and another, whose
+name has escaped my memory, remained loyal to our cause. I mention these
+men here, because their faithfulness redounds to their everlasting
+honour.
+
+In the district of Boshof, we could still reckon on Veldtcornet
+Badenhorst,[43] and twenty-seven men.
+
+Jacobsdal was represented by Commandant Pretorius (who had succeeded
+Commandant Lubbe, after the latter had been wounded and taken prisoner
+at Tabaksberg), and forty men.
+
+In the district of Fauresmith, Commandant Visser and some seventy men
+had remained faithful.
+
+In Bethulie, Commandant Du Plooij, with nearly a hundred men, were still
+in arms.
+
+Bloemfontein was represented by Commandant Piet Fourie and two hundred
+burghers.
+
+The commandos of Rouxville, Smithfield, Wepener and Ladybrand, fell far
+short of their full complement of men, as a great number had remained
+behind at home.
+
+Of the burghers from Winburg, Kroonstad and Heilbron, many had already
+laid down their arms, and the drain upon our troops in these districts
+was still continuing.
+
+None of the burghers belonging to the districts of Ficksburg,
+Bethlehem,[44] Harrismith and Vrede had yet surrendered--their turn was
+to come.
+
+All told, we were 8,000 burghers.
+
+After my men had gone northwards, those burghers of Hoopstad, Jacobsdal,
+Fauresmith, Philippolis, Bethulie, Smithfield, Rouxville, Wepener,
+Bloemfontein and the southern part of Ladybrand, who had laid down their
+arms and remained at home between the beginning of March and the end of
+May, were left undisturbed by Lord Roberts--so far as their private
+liberty was concerned.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was now camped at Frankfort, waiting for the ammunition, which ought
+to have already arrived from Greylingstad Station. It was about this
+time that the Government decided, on the recommendation of some of the
+officers, that the rank of Vechtgeneraal should be abolished. In
+consequence of this decision all the officers of that rank resigned. I
+did not approve of this course of action, and obtained from the
+Government the rank of Assistant Commander-in-Chief. I was thus able to
+re-appoint the old Vechtgeneraals, Piet de Wet, C.C. Froneman, Philip
+Botha and Paul Roux, and I at once proceeded to do so.
+
+[Footnote 43: Afterwards Commandant, and, still later, Assistant
+Commander-in-Chief.]
+
+[Footnote 44: At the conclusion of peace it was the Bethlehem commando
+which had the greatest number of burghers under arms.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+Roodewal
+
+
+The ammunition arrived safely, and towards the end of May I made my way
+to a certain hill, some twelve miles from Heilbron, to which we had
+given the name of Presidentskopje, and where Commandants Steenekamp and
+J.H. Olivier were posted.
+
+Here I left the greater part of my commandos. But I myself, on the 2nd
+of June, set out in the direction of Roodewal Station, taking with me
+six hundred burghers, mounted on the best horses that were to be
+obtained. I reached the farm of Leeuwfontein the same night, and found
+it an excellent place in which to hide my men out of sight of the
+Heilbron garrison. The farm stood about nine miles to the south of that
+town.
+
+The following evening we moved on as far as Smithsdrift, which is a
+drift on the road from Heilbron to Kroonstad. There again I concealed my
+men.
+
+On the afternoon of the next day, June the 4th, news was brought me that
+a convoy was on its way to Heilbron from Rhenoster River. This convoy
+encamped that evening at the distance of a mile from the farm of
+Zwavelkrans; the spot chosen was about five hundred paces from the
+Rhenoster River, and quite unprotected.
+
+Before sunrise I sent a party of burghers down to the river, some five
+hundred paces from where the convoy was encamped, and by daybreak we had
+entirely surrounded the enemy.
+
+No sooner had the sun appeared than I despatched a burgher with a white
+flag to the English officer in command. I ordered my messenger to
+inform the officer that he was surrounded, that escape was out of the
+question, and that if he wished to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, his only
+course was to surrender.
+
+[Illustration: ROODEWAL.
+
+FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.]
+
+On hearing this one of their men came to me with the object of demanding
+certain conditions. It goes without saying that my answer
+was--"Unconditional surrender!"
+
+He asked for time to communicate this to the officer in command. I
+granted this request, and he returned to the convoy.
+
+We were not left in suspense for long. The white flag was hoisted almost
+immediately, and two hundred _Bergschotten_,[45] with fifty-six heavily
+laden waggons, fell into our hands.
+
+Fortunately, all this occurred out of sight of Roodewal Station and
+Heilbron, and, as not a single shot had been fired, I had no reason so
+far to fear that there was any obstacle in the way of my main
+project--the capture of the valuable booty at Roodewal.
+
+I at once returned with my capture to the spot where we had been the
+previous night. General Philip Botha conducted the prisoners and the
+booty to the President's camp, returning to our laager on the following
+morning.
+
+On the evening of the 6th of June I started on my road to Roodewal. At
+Walfontein I divided my troops into three parties. The first party,
+consisting of three hundred men with one Krupp, I despatched under
+Commandant Steenekamp to Vredefort Road Station, with orders to attack
+it the following day at sunrise. General Froneman, with Commandants Nel
+and Du Plooij, were in command of the second party, which consisted of
+three hundred burghers, with two Krupps and one quick-firing gun. My
+orders were that, at daybreak, they were to attack an English camp which
+was lying a mile to the north of the railway station at Rhenoster River,
+and close to some brick-coloured ridges. The third party I commanded
+myself. It consisted of Commandant Fourie and eighty burghers, with one
+Krupp; and with this force I pushed on to Roodewal Station.
+
+At Doorndraai I left behind me a few waggons, with twenty men to guard
+them. I had previously stationed a hundred burghers there, with the
+object of keeping in touch with the enemy.
+
+The information which Captain Scheepers had gained while scouting was
+amply sufficient to show me how the land lay.
+
+Although I had heard that there were not more than fifty of the enemy at
+Vredefort Road Station, I had nevertheless sent three hundred burghers
+there. This was because I was aware that the main English force lay to
+the north of the station, so that these fifty men might be reinforced at
+the shortest possible notice. The numbers which General Froneman had to
+encounter were much greater, and the enemy held safe positions. But as
+General Froneman was himself able to take quite as good positions, I
+only gave him the same number of troops as I had assigned to Commandant
+Steenekamp. I also gave orders that two guns should proceed with him.
+
+I was informed that there were only one hundred of the English at
+Roodewal, but that these hundred were very securely entrenched. My
+information was, however, at fault, for I discovered later on that there
+were at least double that number.
+
+I arrived at Roodewal very early in the morning of the 7th of June. I
+brought my men up to within eight hundred paces of the station, and
+ordered them to unharness the horses which were attached to the Krupp,
+and to place it in position.
+
+But listen! There is the crack of rifles in the distance! That must be
+the sound of the enemy's fire on General Froneman. Again, and yet again,
+the sound meets my ears. Then all is quiet once more.
+
+It was still two hours before the sun would rise, and I took full
+advantage of the opportunities which the darkness gave me. I ordered
+four of my burghers to approach as close to the station as was possible,
+and to find out everything they could about the enemy's position.
+Following my directions, they crept with extreme caution towards the
+English lines, until only a hundred paces separated them from the
+station. They returned before it was light, and brought back word that
+unless the enemy had thrown up unusually high _schanzes_, there must be
+an untold quantity of provisions piled up there. Everything had been
+very quiet, and they had seen no one stirring.
+
+The day now began to dawn, and as soon as it was light I sent a message
+to the enemy demanding their surrender. The answer came back at once. On
+the back of my note these words had been written:
+
+"We refuse to surrender."
+
+I instantly opened a hot fire upon them, bringing the Krupp as well as
+the Mausers into action. But the reply of the enemy was no less severe.
+
+We had no cover. There was only a shallow _pan_[46]--so shallow that it
+scarcely afforded protection to the horses' hoofs! A thousand paces to
+the north-west of the railway I had observed a deep _pan_ where the
+horses would have had better cover, but even there our men would have
+been just as exposed as they now were. I had decided against taking up
+my position in this _pan_, because I should have been obliged to cross
+the line to reach it, and in doing so should have run the risk of being
+observed by the English.
+
+Thus it was that the burghers were compelled to lie flat down in order
+to afford as little mark as possible to the enemy. But the men who
+served the Krupp were naturally unable to do this; and, seeing that the
+gun must be moved, I gave this order: "Inspan the gun, gallop it three
+thousand paces back; then blaze away again as fiercely as you can!"
+
+Under a hail of bullets the horses were attached to the gun. Whilst
+this was being done, I ordered my men to fire upon the English
+entrenchments with redoubled energy, and thus, if possible, prevent the
+enemy from taking careful aim.
+
+Incredible though it may appear, Captain Muller got the gun away without
+a single man or horse being hit. When he had covered three thousand
+paces, he halted, and turning the Krupp on the enemy, he shelled them
+with good effect.
+
+At about ten o'clock, General Froneman succeeded in forcing the English
+troops which he had attacked to surrender. I therefore ordered the two
+Krupps which he had with him to be brought up with the utmost despatch.
+At half-past seven they arrived, and immediately opened fire on the
+English.
+
+When the enemy had been under the fire of three guns and eighty Mausers
+for an hour, they thought it best to hoist the white flag. We
+accordingly ceased firing, and I rode out towards the station. Before I
+had reached it, I was met by two of the officers. They told me that they
+were willing to surrender, on condition that they were allowed to retain
+their private property and the mail bags, for it appeared that there
+were two English mails under their charge.
+
+I replied that so far as their private belongings were concerned, they
+were welcome to keep them, as I never allowed the personal property of
+my prisoners to be tampered with in my presence.[47] But I told them
+that the letters were a different matter, and that I could not allow
+them to reach their destination--unless they were directed to a bonfire!
+
+There was nothing left for the officers to do, except to agree to my
+terms then and there; for had they hesitated even for a moment, I should
+certainly have stormed the station.
+
+But they wisely surrendered.
+
+On our arrival at the station, we were all filled with wonder at the
+splendid entrenchments the English had constructed from bales of cotton,
+blankets and post-bags. These entrenchments had been so effectual that
+the enemy's loss was only twenty-seven killed and wounded--a remarkably
+small number, when it is remembered that we took two hundred of them
+prisoners.
+
+I had expected that our booty would be large, and my expectations were
+more than realized. To begin with, there were the bales of clothing that
+the English had used as entrenchments. Then there were hundreds of cases
+of necessaries of every description. Of ammunition, also, there was no
+lack, and amongst it there were projectiles for the Naval guns, with
+which Lord Roberts had intended to bombard Pretoria.
+
+Some of the burghers attempted to lift these gigantic shells, but it
+took more than one man to move them.
+
+I read in the newspapers afterwards that I had inflicted a loss of three
+quarters of a million sterling on the English Government--let that give
+the extent of my capture.
+
+But at that moment we did not realize how much harm we had done to them.
+We had little time for anything which did not directly forward our
+cause. I was, however, very sorry that I could not carry away with me
+the blankets and boots which we found in large quantities, for they
+would have been most valuable for winter use. But there was no time for
+this, as the English held the railway and could at any moment bring up
+reinforcements from Bloemfontein, from Kroonstad, or from Pretoria. So,
+as I could not take the booty away with me, I was obliged to consign it
+to the flames.
+
+But before I did this I gave the burghers permission to open the
+post-bags, and to take what they liked out of them. For in these bags
+there were useful articles of every description, such as underclothing,
+stockings, cigars and cigarettes.
+
+Very soon every one was busy with the post-bags--as if each burgher had
+been suddenly transformed into a most zealous postmaster!
+
+Whilst my men were thus pleasantly occupied, two prisoners asked me if I
+would not allow them also to open the post-bags, and to investigate
+their contents. I told them to take just what they fancied, for
+everything that was left would be burnt.
+
+It was a very amusing sight to see the soldiers thus robbing their own
+mail! They had such a large choice that they soon became too dainty to
+consider even a plum-pudding worth looking at!
+
+Although I had ordered my men to wreck the bridges both to the north and
+to the south of us, I still did not feel secure--any delay on our part
+was fraught with danger, and the sooner we were off the better.
+
+But before we could start, I had to find some method of removing the
+ammunition which I wished to take with me. Since I possessed no waggons
+available for this purpose, my only course was to order my burghers to
+carry away the quantity required. But my burghers were busily engaged in
+looting.
+
+Those who have had any experience of our commandos will not need to be
+told that it was a difficult task to get any men to help me in the work.
+I did succeed, however, in dragging a few of the burghers away from the
+post-bags. But the spirit of loot was upon them, and I was almost
+powerless. Even when I had induced a burgher to work, he was off to the
+post-bags again the instant my back was turned, and I had to go and hunt
+him up, or else to find some other man to do the work. Yet, in spite of
+this, I succeeded in removing the gun and Lee-Metford ammunition. We
+carried away some six hundred cases of this ammunition,[48] and hid it
+at a spot about three hundred paces from the station.
+
+When the sun set, the burghers were again on the march. But what a
+curious spectacle they presented!
+
+Each man had loaded his horse so heavily with goods that there was no
+room for himself on the saddle; he had, therefore, to walk, and lead his
+horse by the bridle. And how could it be otherwise? For the burghers had
+come from a shop where no money was demanded, and none paid!
+
+But the most amusing thing of all was to watch the "Tommies" when I gave
+them the order to march. The poor Veldtcornet, who was entrusted with
+the task of conducting them to our camp, had his hands full when he
+tried to get them away from the booty; and when at last he succeeded,
+the soldiers carried such enormous loads, that one could almost fancy
+that every man of them was going to open a store. But they could not
+carry such burdens for long, and soon they were obliged to diminish
+their bulk, thus leaving a trail of parcels to mark the road they had
+taken!
+
+And now it was time for the fire to do its work, and I ordered fifteen
+men to set the great heap of booty alight. The flames burst out
+everywhere simultaneously--our task was completed.
+
+In an instant we had mounted our horses and were off.
+
+When we had covered fifteen hundred paces, we heard the explosion of the
+first shells, and wheeled round to view the conflagration. The night was
+very dark, and this rendered the sight that met our eyes still more
+imposing. It was the most beautiful display of fireworks that I have
+ever seen.
+
+One could hear, between the thunder of the big bombs, the dull report of
+exploding cordite. Meanwhile the dark sky was resplendent with the red
+glow of the flames.
+
+I must now give some description of General Froneman's engagement to the
+north of Rhenosterriviersbrug.[49]
+
+The firing we had heard before sunrise came from the English outposts,
+as they were retreating to their camp. The burghers and the English had
+both seized positions on small hills and in abandoned Kaffir kraals.[50]
+
+Although the English had very good positions, and out-numbered our men
+by two to one, they found it impossible to hold out against our fire.
+They had no guns, whilst we possessed, as the reader knows, two Krupps
+and a quick-firing gun, which latter had the same effect as a
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt. Thus the enemy was forced to surrender; and five
+hundred of them were taken prisoner, among whom were Captain Wyndham
+Knight and several other officers. Their casualties amounted to the
+large total of one hundred and seventy killed and wounded, Colonel
+Douglas being one of the killed.
+
+Commandant Steenekamp had also met with success, for he had captured the
+English camp at Vredefortweg Station, and taken thirty prisoners,
+without firing a shot.
+
+Thus we had made eight hundred of the enemy our prisoners, and destroyed
+an enormous amount of their ammunition, and this with scarcely any loss
+on our side. At Roodewal only two of my men had been wounded, whilst
+General Froneman had lost but one killed--a burgher named Myringen--and
+two slightly wounded.
+
+It had been a wonderful day for us--a day not easily forgotten.
+
+We were deeply thankful for our success. Our only regret was that it had
+been impossible for us to keep more of the clothing and ammunition. But
+although we had not been able to retain it, neither had the enemy. It
+was winter, and we had managed to burn their warm clothing. The English
+would certainly feel the want of it; and some time must elapse before
+they could receive a fresh supply from Europe.
+
+Undoubtedly Lord Roberts would be very angry with me; but I consoled
+myself with the thought that his anger would soon blow over. I felt sure
+that after calm consideration he would acknowledge that I had been
+altogether within my rights, and that he had been rather unwise in
+heaping together at one place so large a quantity of insufficiently
+protected stores. He should have kept his supplies at Kroonstad, or,
+better still, at Bloemfontein, until he had reconstructed all the
+railway bridges which we had blown up on the line to Pretoria. Lord
+Roberts had already begun to trust the Free-Staters too much; and he had
+forgotten that, whatever else we may have been thinking about, never for
+a single moment had we thought of surrendering our country.
+
+I received a report the following day that thirty English troops had
+been seen eight miles to the west of Roodewal, and moving in the
+direction of Kroonstad. I despatched General Froneman with thirty of the
+burghers to fetch them in.
+
+The next day, which was the 9th of June, I went with our prisoners to
+within three miles of the railway, and left them there under Veldtcornet
+De Vos,[51] ordering him to conduct them the rest of the way.
+
+It was now my duty to bring away the ammunition which I had left at
+Roodewal and to put it into some safe place. With this in view, I sent
+the Commandants, when night had fallen, to Roodewal, each with two
+waggons, and ordered them to bring it to my farm at Roodepoort, which
+was three miles away from the railway bridge over the Rhenoster River.
+
+There was a ford near my farm with sandy banks; and I told the
+Commandants to bury the ammunition in this sand, on the south side of
+the river, and to obliterate all traces of what they had done by
+crossing and re-crossing the spot with the waggons. I found out
+subsequently that the Commandants had left some of the ammunition behind
+at Roodewal.
+
+Before I conclude this chapter I have to record an event which filled me
+with disgust.
+
+Veldtcornet Hans Smith, of Rouxville, contrived to have a conversation
+with Captain Wyndham Knight, who, as I have already stated, was one of
+our prisoners. The Veldtcornet obtained from him a "free pass" to
+Kroonstad through the English lines, and also a written request to the
+British authorities there to allow him and twenty burghers to proceed
+without hindrance to Rouxville. Alas! that any Free State officer should
+be capable of such conduct!
+
+Captain Wyndham Knight will be held in high esteem by all who truly
+serve their country, for he was a man who never deserted the cause of
+his fatherland, no matter what dangers he encountered.
+
+Veldtcornet Hans Smith with his twenty burghers decamped on the night of
+the 10th of June, but some days had passed before I discovered the mean
+trick he had played.
+
+It was far easier to fight against the great English army than against
+this treachery among my own people, and an iron will was required to
+fight against both at once. But, even though one possessed an iron will,
+such events caused many bitter moments; they were trials which, as an
+African proverb[52] says, no single man's back was broad enough to
+carry.
+
+[Footnote 45: Highlanders.]
+
+[Footnote 46: A pond which only contains water during "the rains."]
+
+[Footnote 47: The _Uitschudden_ (stripping) of the enemy had not become
+necessary at that date. I can say for myself that when, at a later
+period, it came into practice, I never witnessed it with any
+satisfaction. Yet what could the burghers do but help themselves to the
+prisoners' clothing, when England had put a stop to our imports, and cut
+off all our supplies?]
+
+[Footnote 48: At this time the burghers were beginning to use the rifles
+which they had taken from the enemy.]
+
+[Footnote 49: Rhenoster River bridge.]
+
+[Footnote 50: These dated back to the time of Moselekatze (Umzilygazi).]
+
+[Footnote 51: He was afterwards appointed Commandant.]
+
+[Footnote 52: Literally the proverb runs as follows: "There are some
+trials which will not sit in one man's clothes."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+I Make Lord Kitchener's Acquaintance
+
+
+On the morning of June the 10th my anticipations were realized by the
+approach of a large English force from Vredefortweg and Heilbron.
+Commanded by Lord Kitchener, and numbering, as I estimated, from twelve
+to fifteen thousand men, this force was intended to drive us from the
+railway line.
+
+I gave orders that the few waggons which we had with us should proceed
+in the direction of Kroonstad, to the west of the line; once out of
+sight, they were to turn sharply to the west, and continue in that
+direction. This manoeuvre, I hoped, would serve to mislead the enemy,
+who was on the look-out for us.
+
+So much for the waggons. For the rest, I felt that it would never do for
+us to withdraw without having fired a shot, and I therefore got my men
+into position on some kopjes (where Captain Wyndham Knight had been four
+days previously, and which lay to the north of Rhenosterriviersbrug) on
+my farm Roodepoort, and on the Honingkopjes.
+
+The English, with their well known predilection for a flank attack on
+every possible opportunity, halted for an hour, and shelled our
+positions with Lyddite and other guns. This did _not_ have the desired
+effect of inspiring terror in the burghers who were under my command at
+Honingkopjes.
+
+Then the enemy began to move. I saw masses of their cavalry making for a
+piece of rising ground to the north of Roodepoort. As the burghers there
+were hidden from me, I was unable to observe from where I stood the
+effect of this flank movement. Knowing that if they were able to give
+way and to retreat along the river we should have no means of
+discovering the fact until it was too late and we were surrounded, I
+came to the conclusion that it was essential for me to go to Roodepoort
+to assure myself that the cavalry had not yet got round. But it was most
+important that no suspicion of the danger which threatened us should be
+aroused in the burghers--anything calculated to weaken their resistance
+was to be avoided on such an occasion. Accordingly I merely told them
+that I was going to see how affairs were progressing at Roodepoort, and
+that in the meantime they must hold their position.
+
+I rode off, and discovered that the English were already so close to our
+troops at Roodepoort that fighting with small arms had begun. I had just
+reached an eminence between Roodepoort and the Honingkopjes when I saw
+that the burghers in the position furthest towards the north-west were
+beginning to flee. This was exactly what I had feared would happen.
+Immediately afterwards the men in the centre position, and therefore the
+nearest to me, followed their comrades' example. I watched them
+loosening their horses, which had been tethered behind a little hill;
+they were wild to get away from the guns of the English and from the
+advance of this mighty force.
+
+It was impossible for me now to go and tell the burghers on the
+Honingkopjes that the time had come when they too must retreat. My only
+course was to order the men near me not to effect their escape along the
+well protected banks of the river, but to the south, right across the
+stream, by a route which would be visible to burghers on the
+Honingkopjes. They obeyed my orders, and rode out under a heavy gun and
+rifle fire, without, however, losing a single man. The men on the
+Honingkopjes saw them in flight, and were thus able to leave their
+position before the enemy had a chance of driving them into the river or
+of cutting them off from the drift.
+
+Unfortunately, seven burghers from Heilbron were at a short distance
+from the others, having taken up their position in a _kliphok_.[53]
+Fighting hard as they were, under a deafening gun-fire from the enemy,
+who had approached to within a few paces of them, they did not observe
+that their comrades had left their positions. Shortly afterwards,
+despairing of holding the _kliphok_ any longer, they ran down to the
+foot of the hill for their horses, and saw that the rest of the burghers
+were already fleeing some eight or nine hundred paces in front of them,
+and that their own horses had joined in the flight. There was now only
+one course open to them--to surrender to the English.[54]
+
+I ordered the burghers to retreat in the direction of Kroonstad, for by
+now they had all fled from Roodepoort and Honingkopjes--a name which,
+since that day, has never sounded very _sweet_ to me.[55]
+
+During the morning I received a report informing me that there were
+large stores at Kroonstad belonging to the English Commissariat, and
+that there was only a handful of troops to protect them. I had no
+thought, however, of attempting to destroy the provisions there, for I
+felt sure that the British troops, who had but just now put us to
+flight, would make for Kroonstad. They would know that the stores stood
+in need of a stronger guard, and moreover they would naturally think
+that we should be very likely to make an attack at a point where the
+defence was so weak.
+
+Obviously, under these circumstances, it would never do for us to go to
+Kroonstad.
+
+Accordingly, as soon as darkness came on, I turned suddenly to the west,
+and arrived at Wonderheuve late at night. I found there Veldtcornet De
+Vos with the prisoners of war.
+
+Meanwhile, as I had anticipated, the vast English army marched up along
+thirty-four miles of railway to Kroonstad. Lord Kitchener, as I heard
+later on, arrived there shortly after noon on the following day.
+
+We left Wonderheuve early in the morning, and advanced along Rietspruit
+until we reached the farm of Vaalbank, where we remained until the
+evening of the next day, June the 13th. That night I saw clearly that it
+was necessary for us to cross the line if we wanted to keep ourselves
+and our prisoners out of the clutches of Lord Kitchener; he had failed
+to find us at Kroonstad, and would be certain to look for us in the
+country to the west of the line.
+
+I also felt myself bound to wreck this line, for it was the only railway
+which Lord Roberts could now utilize for forwarding the enormous
+quantities of stores which his vast forces required.[56] I resolved
+therefore to cross it at Leeuwspruit, north of Rhenoster River bridge
+(which the English had recently repaired), and then, in the morning, to
+attack the English garrisons which had again occupied Roodewal and
+Rhenoster River bridge.
+
+I had given orders that all the cattle along the railway line should be
+removed; General Louis Botha had made the same regulation in regard to
+the country round Pretoria and Johannesburg. If only our orders had been
+carried out a little more strictly, and if only the most elementary
+rules of strategy had been observed in our efforts to break the English
+lines of communication, Lord Roberts and his thousands of troops in
+Pretoria would have found themselves in the same plight as the
+Samaritans in Samaria--they would have perished of hunger. It was not
+their Commander-in-Chief's skill that saved them, not his habit of
+taking into account all possible eventualities--no, they had to thank
+the disobedience of our burghers for the fact that they were not all
+starved to death in Pretoria.
+
+I arranged with General Froneman that he should cross the line at the
+point I had already selected, that is to say, north of Rhenoster River
+bridge, and that in the morning he should attack, from the eastern side,
+the English who were posted at Leeuwspruit Bridge. I, in the meanwhile,
+would make my way with a Krupp to the west side of the line, and having
+found a place of concealment near Roodepoort, would be ready to fall
+upon the English as soon as I heard that the other party had opened fire
+on them from the east.
+
+But my plan was to come to nothing. For when, during the night, Froneman
+reached the line, a skirmish took place then and there with the English
+outposts at Leeuwspruit railway bridge. At the same time a train arrived
+from the south, on which the burghers opened such a fierce fire that it
+was speedily brought to a standstill. General Froneman at once gave
+orders to storm the train, but his men did not carry out his orders.
+
+_Had they done so, Lord Kitchener would have fallen into our hands!_
+
+Nobody knew that he was in the train, and it was only later that we
+heard how, when the train stopped, he got a horse out of one of the
+waggons, mounted it, and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
+
+Shortly afterwards the train moved on again, and our great opportunity
+was gone!
+
+General Froneman succeeded in overpowering the garrison at the railway
+bridge, and took fifty-eight prisoners. He then set fire to the bridge,
+which was a temporary wooden structure, having been built to replace
+another similar one, which had been blown up with gunpowder.
+
+Three hundred Kaffirs were also made prisoners on this occasion. They
+protested that they had no arms, and had only been employed in work upon
+the railway line. This absence of rifles was their saving. Possibly they
+had really been in possession of arms, and had thrown them away under
+cover of the darkness; but the burghers could not know this, and
+therefore acted upon the principle that it is better to let ten culprits
+escape than to condemn an innocent man to death.
+
+General Froneman went on towards the east of Doorndraai. He was very
+well satisfied with his bridge-burning and his capture of prisoners, and
+in his satisfaction he never gave thought to me.
+
+I waited in my hiding-place, expecting that, as we had agreed, the
+firing would begin from the east, but nothing happened. I did not care
+to make an attack on my own account from the west, for my positions were
+not practicable for the purpose, and being short of men, I feared that
+such an attempt might end in disaster.
+
+It was now ten o'clock.
+
+A few English scouts appeared on the scene, and four of my men attacked
+them. One of the enemy was shot, and the rest taken prisoners. And still
+I did not hear anything from General Froneman.
+
+At last I came to the conclusion that he must have misunderstood my
+instructions. If that were the case, I must do the best I could myself.
+Accordingly I opened fire on the English with my Krupp.
+
+Still no news of General Froneman!
+
+Then I ordered my burghers to advance. Our first movement was over the
+nearest rise to the north-west; we halted for a moment, and then made a
+dash for Leeuwspruit Bridge--but we found nothing there.
+
+Late in the evening I met General Froneman, and heard from him the
+narrative which I have given above.
+
+The following day I sent well on to twelve hundred prisoners of
+war--including Kaffirs--to the President's camp, which lay east of
+Heilbron. We then advanced to a point on the Rhenoster River, near
+Slootkraal, remaining in concealment there until the night of the 16th
+of June. The following morning we occupied some ridges at Elandslaagte,
+on the look-out for a large English force which was marching from
+Vredefortweg to Heilbron.
+
+My intention was to give them battle at Elandslaagte, and to hold on to
+our positions there as long as possible; and then, if we could not beat
+them off, to retire. If only the burghers had carried out my orders
+strictly, we should certainly have inflicted heavy losses on the
+English, even if we had not won a complete victory.
+
+The English had not sent out their scouts sufficiently far in advance,
+and came riding on, suspecting nothing. We occupied positions on the
+right and left of the road along which they were advancing, and my
+orders were that the burghers should let the troops get right between
+our ridges, which were about three hundred paces from each other, and
+then fire on them from both sides at once.
+
+Instead of doing this, however, the burghers began to fire when the
+English were five hundred paces from them--before, that is to say, they
+had got anywhere near the door of the trap which I had set for them.
+
+The enemy wheeled round, and galloped back for about fifteen hundred
+paces. They then dismounted, and fired on us. But, having no sort of
+cover, they were soon compelled to mount their horses again and retire
+to their guns, which were about three thousand yards from us. These guns
+now opened a heavy fire upon our ridges; we replied with our three
+Krupps, with which we made such good practice that we might have been
+able to hold out there indefinitely, had not a Lyddite and an Armstrong
+gun happened just then to arrive from Heilbron, which lay about ten
+miles behind us. Thus attacked both in front and rear, there was nothing
+to do but retire. Fortunately, we had not lost a single man.
+
+First we rode in a southerly direction, but as soon as we got into cover
+we struck off to the east, setting our faces towards Heilbron.
+
+Then, to our immense relief, the sun went down. How often during our
+long struggle for independence had not the setting of the sun seemed to
+lift a leaden weight from my shoulders! If, on a few occasions, the
+approach of night has been to our disadvantage, yet over and over again
+it has been nothing less than our salvation.
+
+We got back safely, under cover of the darkness, to our little camp near
+Slootkraal, and there remained in hiding until the following day. It was
+there that Commandant Nel handed in his resignation. In his place the
+burghers of Kroonstad chose Mr. Frans Van Aard as their Commandant.
+
+That night we set out for Paardenkraal, twenty miles to the north-east
+of Kroonstad, staying there until the evening of the 19th.
+
+The time for my attack on the railway line having now come, I divided my
+men into three parties for that purpose. I sent on Commandant J.H.
+Olivier, who had joined me at Paardenkraal, to Honingspruit Station,
+General Froneman to America Siding, while I myself made my way to
+Serfontein Siding.
+
+At daybreak General Froneman wrecked the line near America Siding, and I
+did the same at other places, also destroying the telegraph poles. Each
+pole was first shot through with the Mauser, and then pulled until it
+snapped at the point where the bullet had pierced it.
+
+Things did not go so well with Commandant Olivier. He attacked the
+station, but, unfortunately, not so early as had been arranged.
+Consequently he was not able to bring his gun into action before the
+enemy had observed him. When I came up to him there was a strong English
+reinforcement from Kroonstad close at hand. We had too few men with us
+to be able to offer resistance, and had to retreat, returning to
+Paardenkraal at nightfall.
+
+[Footnote 53: I.e. the ruins of Kaffir stone huts, built in the time of
+Moselekatze.]
+
+[Footnote 54: Among these seven burghers were Willie Steyn, Attie Van
+Niekerk, and a certain young Botha. It was Steyn and Botha, with two men
+of the name of Steytler, and two other Free-Staters whose names I have
+forgotten, who managed to escape from the ship that lay anchored in the
+harbour of Ceylon. They swam a distance of several miles to a Russian
+ship, by which they were carried to one of the Russian ports, where they
+received every hospitality. I shall always be grateful to the Russians
+for this. They then travelled through Germany into Holland, being
+subsequently conveyed in a German ship to German West Africa. Thence
+they made their way through Boesmansland to Cape Colony, and, after many
+adventures, joined General Hermanus Maritz's commando. Botha,
+unfortunately, was killed in a skirmish some time later. What will the
+world say of these young burghers? Surely, that more valiant and
+faithful men than they have never lived. I regret that I do not remember
+the names of all Willie Steyn's comrades. I travelled with him by train
+from the Free State to Cape Town, where I had to join General Louis
+Botha and J.H. De la Rey, so as to accompany them to Europe on my
+nation's behalf. He promised then to give me all the particulars of his
+escape, but I suppose there has been some obstacle in the way.]
+
+[Footnote 55: The word _honing_ means honey.]
+
+[Footnote 56: At that time the Natal and Delagoa Bay railways were still
+in our possession.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+Bethlehem is Captured by the English
+
+
+It was at this time that I decided to make my way to Lindley, which had
+been retaken by the English a few days after General Piet de Wet had
+captured the Yeomanry in that town. The object of my journey was to
+discover if it were not possible to again seize the place. On the 21st
+of June I covered half the distance to Lindley, and the following day I
+arrived within ten miles of the town.
+
+I rode round the town with Piet de Wet the next day, in order to find
+out our best method of attacking it.
+
+Commandant Olivier had been sent by me that morning in the direction of
+Kroonstad to oppose a strong English column, which I had been informed
+was approaching. But my plan must have leaked out in some way or other,
+for the enemy carefully chose so well protected a route that they gave
+Commandant Olivier no chance of attacking them. Thus the following
+morning the English arrived safely at Lindley, and now there was no
+possibility of capturing the town.
+
+In the meantime President Steyn's laager had moved from the east of
+Heilbron and joined us. He himself, with the members of the Government,
+had gone to Bethlehem. General Marthinus Prinsloo was there too; he had
+resigned his post of Commander-in-Chief of the commandos which guarded
+the Drakensberg. Commandant Hattingh of Vrede had been chosen in his
+place, and he also was at Bethlehem.
+
+A difficulty now arose as to Prinsloo's position. The President
+declared that Prinsloo was nothing more than a private burgher; but
+Commandant Olivier was not satisfied with this, and asked that there
+might be an election of a Commander-in-Chief. This request, however, the
+President refused to grant.
+
+I did not wish the office of Commander-in-Chief to devolve upon myself,
+for I knew that I did not possess the confidence of the officers. And as
+some eight miles to the east of Lindley there was telegraphic
+communication with Bethlehem, I was able to hold a conversation with the
+President over the wires. I accordingly again asked him to permit an
+election. But it was all in vain; the President declined to allow an
+election to take place.
+
+I now took matters into my own hands. I collected the officers together
+with the object of holding a secret election. Thus I should discover
+what their opinion of me might be as chief of the Free State forces. I
+was firmly resolved that should the majority of the officers be against
+me, and the President should still refuse his consent to an election,
+that I would send in my resignation, and no longer continue to hold the
+post of Commander-in-Chief.
+
+Commander-in-Chief Hattingh, Vechtgeneraal Roux, and all the oldest
+commandants of the Free State, were present at this meeting. The voting
+was by ballot; and the result was that there were two votes for General
+Marthinus Prinsloo, one for General Piet de Wet, and twenty-seven for
+myself.
+
+I at once wired to the President, and told him what had occurred. He was
+ready to abide by the decision, and I was satisfied now that I knew
+exactly where I stood. Mr. Marthinus Prinsloo was also contented with
+the turn events had taken. And I must say this of him, that it was not
+he who had insisted on an election.
+
+It soon became apparent that the enemy's object was the capture of
+Bethlehem. The English forces round Senekal advanced towards Lindley,
+and having been joined by the troops stationed there, had proceeded in
+the direction of Bethlehem; consequently a very large British force was
+marching on that town.
+
+We on our part now numbered over five thousand men, for General Roux had
+joined us with some[57] of his burghers.
+
+The English were unopposed until they reached Elandsfontein, but there a
+battle took place in which big guns played the main role, although there
+was also some heavy fighting with small arms.
+
+In this engagement Commandant Michal Prinsloo did a brave deed. I
+arrived at his position just after the burghers had succeeded in
+shooting down the men who served three of the enemy's guns. With a
+hundred men he now stormed the guns, hoping to be able to bring them
+back with him to our lines. Whilst he charged, I cannonaded the enemy,
+with a Krupp and fifteen pound Armstrong, to such good effect that they
+were forced to retreat behind a ridge. In this way Commandant Prinsloo
+reached the guns safely, but he had no horses with him to drag them back
+to us. He could do nothing but make the attempt to get them away by the
+help of his burghers, and this he tried to accomplish under a fierce
+fire from the English. But he would still have succeeded in the
+endeavour, had not unfortunately a large force of the enemy appeared on
+the scene, and attacked him and his hundred burghers. I was unable to
+keep the English back, for both my guns had been disabled. The nipple of
+the Armstrong had been blown away, and--for the first time--the lock of
+the Krupp had become jammed. Had it not been for this mishap, Commandant
+Prinsloo would certainly have been able to remove the guns to the other
+side of a ridge, whither teams of our horses were already approaching.
+But, as it was, he had to hurry away as fast as possible, and leave the
+guns behind.
+
+When the enemy arrived they had outflanked us so far to the north, that
+we had nothing open to us but again to abandon our positions. We
+therefore retired to Blauwkop, and on the following day to Bethlehem.
+
+In the meantime I had once more become encumbered with a large waggon
+camp, which proved a source of great danger. During the last few weeks
+waggons had been accumulating round me without attracting my attention.
+The reason that the burghers were so anxious to bring their waggons with
+them, was to be found in the fact that the English, whenever they
+arrived at one of our farms, always took the waggons and oxen. The Boers
+felt it very hard to be robbed in this way of their property; and they
+hoped to be able to save their waggons and carts by taking them to the
+commando.
+
+It was natural for them to wish to save all they could; but I was
+convinced that the waggons could only be saved at the expense of our
+great cause. But nobody could see it in that light. And as I could only
+appeal to the free will of my burghers, I dare not attempt to get rid of
+the waggons by force. If I had made any such attempt, serious
+consequences would certainly have followed, even if a revolt had not
+ensued. The great fault of the burghers was disobedience, and this came
+especially to the fore when their possessions were in jeopardy.
+
+I now made up my mind to defend the town of Bethlehem. The following
+morning I went with the Generals and Commandants to reconnoitre the
+country, so that I might be able to point out to each of them the
+position that I wished him to occupy.
+
+Our line of defence began at the south of Wolhuterskop (a kop to the
+south-west of Bethlehem), and extended from there to the north-west of
+the town.
+
+When I had given my instructions to the officers, they returned to
+their commandos, which were stationed behind the first ridges to the
+south of Bethlehem, and brought them to the positions I had assigned to
+them.
+
+So many of the horses were exhausted, that a large number of the
+burghers had to go on foot. Such of these _Voetgangers_[58] as were not
+required to attend to the waggons, I placed at Wolhuterskop.
+
+When I had done this I gave notice to the inhabitants of Bethlehem, that
+as the dorp would be defended, I must insist on the women and children
+leaving it at once. It was not long before a number of women and
+children, and even a few men, started out on their way to Fouriesburg.
+The prisoner Vilonel, also, was conducted to this town.
+
+At four o'clock that afternoon the advance guards of the enemy
+approached; and fifteen of their scouts made their appearance on the
+ridge to the north of the town. The burghers reserved their fire until
+these men were almost upon them. Then they let their Mausers speak, and
+in a moment there were nine riderless horses. The other six English made
+their escape, although they must have had wounds to show for their
+rashness.[59]
+
+Only a few moments had passed before the roar of guns was mingled with
+the crack of rifles, and the whole air was filled with the thunder of
+battle.
+
+Everywhere the burghers fought with the utmost valour; the _Voetgangers_
+on Wolhuterskop were perhaps the bravest of them all. Whenever the enemy
+approached our positions, they were met by a torrent of bullets. And
+thus the day came to a close.
+
+But the next day a large force of English appeared from the direction of
+Reitz. This had come from the Transvaal, and, if I remember rightly, was
+commanded by General Sir Hector Macdonald. He had come up and joined
+Generals Clements, Hunter, Broadwood and Paget, with the object of once
+and for all making an end of the Free-Staters.
+
+Our positions were now exposed to a most terrific bombardment, but
+fortunately without any serious consequences. I must describe here the
+fearful havoc that one lyddite shell wrought. It fell into the position
+held by Commandant Steenekamp, to the north-west of Bethlehem, and
+struck a rock behind which twenty-five of our horses were standing.
+Without a single exception every horse was killed!
+
+The attack was pressed with the greatest vigour on the positions held by
+Commandants Van Aard and Piet Fourie. It became impossible for these
+officers to maintain their ground; and, at about twelve o'clock, before
+I was able to send them any reinforcements, they were compelled to give
+way.
+
+Thus retreat became inevitable, and the enemy entered Bethlehem.
+
+One of our guns we were unable to remove; but before we withdrew it was
+thrown down the _krans_[60] of the mountain, and broken to pieces.
+
+I knew at the time the number the English had lost, but now it had
+slipped my memory. I obtained the information from a man named Bland,
+who acted as our telegraphist. He had tapped the telegraph wire at
+Zwingkrans, and before General Clements had detected that he was not
+communicating with Senekal, he had received from that General a full
+list of the English killed and wounded.
+
+We withdrew our commandos in a southerly direction to Retiefsnek,
+whither President Steyn and the Government had already preceded us.
+
+[Footnote 57: He had left the remainder of his burghers at Witnek and at
+Houtnek, near Ficksburg.]
+
+[Footnote 58: Infantry.]
+
+[Footnote 59: As I have already stated, I intend to write on another
+occasion a book dealing with the art of scouting; and the above incident
+will there form a striking proof of how foolishly the English scouts did
+their work.]
+
+[Footnote 60: Precipice.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+The Surrender of Prinsloo
+
+
+The English, now that they had taken Bethlehem, were in need of rest;
+and this was especially the case with General Macdonald, who had come up
+by forced marches from the far-off Transvaal. A short breathing space
+was also a great benefit to us, for we had many preparations to make in
+view of probable events in the near future. I did not deceive myself as
+to the meaning of the present situation; now that all of us, except two
+small parties at Commandonek and Witnek, had retreated behind the lofty
+Roodebergen, I could see that, in all probability, we must before long
+be annihilated by the immense forces of the enemy.
+
+The Roodebergen, which now separated us from the English, is a vast
+chain of mountains, extending from the Caledon River on the Basuto
+frontier to Slabbertsnek, then stretching away to Witzeshoek, where it
+again touches Basutoland. The passes over this wild mountain range are
+Commandonek, Witnek, Slabbertsnek, Retiefsnek, Naauwpoort and
+Witzeshoek. These are almost the only places where the mountains can be
+crossed by vehicles or horses; and, moreover, there are long stretches
+where they are impassable even to pedestrians.
+
+It is plain enough, therefore, that nothing would have pleased the
+English more than for us to have remained behind the Roodebergen. If
+those Free-Staters--they must have been thinking--try to make a stand
+there, it will be the last stand they will ever make.
+
+And the English would have been quite right in their anticipations. To
+have stayed where we then were would, without doubt, have been the end
+of us. Therefore, when the proposal was made that we should take
+positions in the mountains, I opposed it as emphatically as I could,
+alleging incontrovertible arguments against it. It was then decided that
+all our forces, with the exception of a small watch, should issue forth
+from behind the mountains.
+
+We also arranged to divide the whole of the commandos[61] we had with us
+into three parts:--
+
+I was in supreme command of the first division, which was to march under
+the orders of General Botha. It consisted of burghers from Heilbron,
+under Commandant Steenekamp, and of Kroonstad men, under Commandant Van
+Aard. Besides these, there were also five hundred men from Bethlehem,
+under Commandant Michal Prinsloo; the burghers from Boshof, under
+Veldtcornet Badenhorst; a small number of Colonials from Griqualand,
+under Vice-Commandant Van Zyl; and some Potchefstroom burghers, who
+happened to be with us. Further, I took with me, for scouting purposes,
+Danie Theron and his corps of eighty men, recruited from almost every
+nation on the face of the earth; Captain Scheepers and his men also
+served me in the same capacity.
+
+The Government and its officials were placed under my protection;
+and I was to set out, on July the 15th, in the direction of
+Kroonstad-Heilbron.
+
+The second division was entrusted to Assistant Commander-in-Chief Paul
+Roux, with P.J. Fourie and C.C. Froneman as Vechtgeneraals. It was
+composed of burghers from Fauresmith, under Commandant Visser; from
+Bloemfontein, under Commandant Du Plooij; from Wepener, under Commandant
+Roux; from Smithfield, under Commandant Potgieter; from Thaba'Nchu,
+under Commandant J.H. Olivier; from Jacobsdal, under Commandant H.
+Pretorius; and of the Deetje Bloemfontein commando, under Commandant
+Kolbe.
+
+This force was to wait until the day after my departure, that is, until
+the 16th, and then proceed in the evening in the direction of
+Bloemfontein. From the capital it was to go south, and during its
+advance it was to bring back to the commandos all those burghers in the
+southern districts who had remained behind.
+
+General Crowther was given the command over the third division, which
+consisted of the burghers from Ficksburg, under Commandant P. De
+Villiers; from Ladybrand, under Commandant Ferreira; from Winburg, under
+Commandant Sarel Harebroek; and from Senekal, under Commandant Van der
+Merve.
+
+This division was to start on the 16th, and marching to the north of
+Bethlehem, was to continue advancing in that direction until it fell in
+with the commandos from Harrismith and Vrede under Commander-in-Chief
+Hattingh. It would then operate, under his directions, in the
+north-eastern districts.
+
+The remainder of Commandant Michal Prinsloo's Bethlehem men--that is to
+say, the burghers of Wittebergen--were to stay behind as a watch, and to
+take orders from Mr. Marthinus Prinsloo. This watch was divided into
+three sections: the first to occupy a position at Slabbertsnek, the
+second at Retiefsnek, and the third at Naauwpoort. They were forbidden
+to use waggons; thus if the enemy should appear in overwhelming numbers,
+it would always be possible for them to escape across the mountains.
+
+My reason for selecting these men in preference to others, was that they
+belonged to the district, and thus were well acquainted with every foot
+of this rough and difficult country. Their duties were simply to protect
+the large numbers of cattle which we had driven on to the mountains, and
+I anticipated that there would be no difficulty about this, for now that
+all our commandos had left those parts, the English would not think it
+worth while to send a large force against a mere handful of watchers.
+
+Thus everything was settled, and on the 15th of July I set out through
+Slabbertsnek, expecting that the other generals would follow me,
+conformably to my orders and the known wishes of the Government.
+
+But what really happened?
+
+Immediately after my departure, some of the officers, displeased that
+Assistant Commander-in-Chief Roux should have been entrusted with the
+command, expressed the wish that another meeting should be held and a
+new Assistant Commander-in-Chief elected. This would have been
+absolutely illegal, for the Volksraad had decreed that the President
+should be empowered to alter all the commando-laws. But even then, all
+would have gone well if Roux had only stood firm. Unfortunately,
+however, he yielded, and on July the 17th a meeting was called together
+at which Mr. Marthinus Prinsloo was chosen Assistant Commander-in-Chief.
+He had a bare majority even at the actual meeting, and several officers,
+who had been unable to be present, had still to record their votes.
+
+Not only, therefore, had Prinsloo been elected irregularly, but his
+election, such as it was, could only be considered as provisional.
+Nevertheless, for the moment, power was in his hands. How did he use it?
+
+He surrendered unconditionally to the English.
+
+On the 17th and 18th of July the enemy had broken through at
+Slabbertsnek and Retiefsnek, causing the greatest confusion among our
+forces.
+
+Many of the officers and burghers were for an immediate surrender, as
+appears from the fact that the same assembly which, in defiance of the
+law, elected Mr. Prinsloo as Commander-in-Chief, also decided, by
+seventeen votes to thirteen, to give up their forces to the enemy. But
+this decision was at once rescinded--an act of policy on the part of the
+officers--and it was agreed to ask for an armistice of six days, to
+enable them to take counsel with the Government.
+
+A more senseless course of action could hardly be imagined. The Boer
+Army, as anybody could see, was in a very tight place. Did its officers
+think that the English would be so foolish as to grant an armistice at
+such a time as this--when all that the burghers wanted was a few days in
+which to effect their escape? Either the officers were remarkably
+short-sighted, or ... something worse.
+
+It was still possible for the commandos to retire in the direction of
+Oldenburg or of Witzeshoek. But instead of getting this done with all
+speed, Mr. Prinsloo began a correspondence with General Hunter about
+this ridiculous armistice, which the English general of course refused
+to grant.
+
+It was on July the 29th, 1900, that Prinsloo, with all the burghers on
+the mountains, surrendered unconditionally to the enemy.
+
+The circumstances of this surrender were so suspicious, that it is hard
+to acquit the man who was responsible for it of a definite act of
+treachery; and the case against him is all the more grave from the fact
+that Vilonel, who was at that time serving a term of imprisonment for
+high treason, had a share in the transaction.
+
+Prinsloo's surrender included General Crowther, Commandants Paul De
+Villiers, Ferreira, Joubert, Du Plooij, Potgieter, Crowther, Van der
+Merve, and Roux; and about three thousand men.
+
+The most melancholy circumstance about the whole affair was that, when
+the surrender was made, some of the burghers had reached the farm of
+Salamon Raath, and were thus as good as free, and yet had to ride back,
+and to go with the others to lay down their arms.
+
+As to Roux, the deposed Commander-in-Chief, there is a word to be added.
+I had always heard that he was a very cautious man, and yet on this
+occasion he acted like a child, going _in person_ to General Hunter's
+camp to protest against the surrender, on the ground that it was he
+(Roux), and not Prinsloo, that was Commander-in-Chief. One can hardly
+believe that he really thought it possible thus to nullify Prinsloo's
+act. But he certainly behaved as if he did, and his ingenuous conduct
+must have afforded much amusement to the English general.
+
+If any one is in doubt as to what was the result of General Roux's
+absurd escapade, I have only to say that the English had one prisoner
+the more!
+
+Those who escaped were but few. Of all our large forces, there were only
+Generals Froneman, Fourie and De Villiers (of Harrismith); Commandants
+Hasebroek, Olivier, Visser, Kolbe, and a few others; a small number of
+burghers, and six or seven guns, that did not fall into the hands of the
+English.
+
+What, then, is to be our judgment on this act of Prinsloo and of the
+other chief officers in command of our forces behind the Roodebergen?
+
+That it was nothing short of an act of murder, committed on the
+Government, the country, and the nation, to surrender three thousand men
+in such a way. Even the burghers themselves cannot be held to have been
+altogether without guilt, though they can justly plead that they were
+only obeying orders.
+
+The sequel to Prinsloo's surrender was on a par with it. A large number
+of burghers from Harrismith and a small part of the Vrede commando,
+although they had already made good their escape, rode quietly from
+their farms into Harrismith, and there surrendered to General Sir Hector
+Macdonald.--One could gnash one's teeth to think that a nation should so
+readily rush to its own ruin!
+
+[Footnote 61: The Harrismith and Vrede commandos had also received
+orders to join us.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+I am Driven into the Transvaal
+
+
+As I have already stated, I led my commando, on the 15th of July,
+through Slabbertsnek, out of the mountain district. My force amounted to
+the total of two thousand six hundred burghers. The Government travelled
+with us, and also alas! four hundred waggons and carts. Whatever I did,
+it seemed as if I could not get rid of the waggons!
+
+That night we reached a farm six miles to the east of Kaffirs Kop;
+during our march we passed a column of the enemy that had left Bethlehem
+in the afternoon.
+
+On the following day I came into contact with some English troops, who
+were marching in the direction of Witnek. They sent out a body of
+cavalry to ascertain what our plans might be. It was very annoying to me
+that they should thus discover our whereabouts, because it made it
+impossible to carry out my intention of attacking one or other of the
+English forces.
+
+However, nothing was done that day, as neither we nor the enemy took up
+the offensive.
+
+In the evening we pushed on to the east of Lindley, and the following
+day remained at the spot we had reached. The next evening we marched to
+the farm of Riversdale; and the night of the 18th found us on the farm
+of Mr. Thomas Naude, to the north-west of Lindley. We discovered that
+the English had all left this village and gone to Bethlehem. My scouts
+reported to me, the following day, that an English force, some four
+hundred men strong, was approaching Lindley. Need I say that these men
+had to be captured? With five hundred burghers and two guns I went out
+to do this. When I was only a short distance from my camp, I received a
+report that a large force of cavalry, numbering seven or eight thousand
+men, had arrived on the scene from Bethlehem. This compelled me to
+abandon the idea of capturing those four hundred men, and, instead, to
+try to escape in a westerly direction from this large body of mounted
+troops.
+
+That evening we reached the farm of Mr. C. Wessels, at Rivierplaats. The
+next day we were forced to move on, for the mounted troops were coming
+nearer to us. They marched, however, somewhat more to the right in the
+direction of Roodewal; whereas I went towards Honingspruit, and halted
+for the night at the farm of Paardenkraal.
+
+On the following morning, the 20th of July, I let the commando go on,
+whilst I stayed behind to reconnoitre from a neighbouring kop. The
+President, and also some members of the Government, remained with me. We
+had the opportunity of accepting the invitation of Mr. C. Wessels to
+take breakfast at his house. It was there that General Piet de Wet came
+to me and asked if I still saw any chance of being able to continue the
+struggle?
+
+The question made me very angry, and I did not try to hide the fact.
+
+"Are you mad?"[62] I shouted, and with that I turned on my heel and
+entered the house, quite unaware that Piet de Wet had that very moment
+mounted his horse, and ridden away to follow his own course.
+
+After breakfast we climbed the kop; and when we had made our observation
+we followed after the laager. On reaching the commando, I gave orders to
+outspan at twelve o'clock.
+
+While this was being done I heard from my sons that Piet de Wet had
+told them that we should all be captured that night near the railway
+line. He had not known that it was my intention to cross the railway
+that night, but he had guessed as much from the direction I let my
+commando take.
+
+At two o'clock I received a report that two divisions of English troops
+were drawing near. One division was six miles to the left, and the other
+eight miles to the right of the road along which we had come.
+
+I gave orders immediately that the laager should break up. What an
+indescribable burden this camp, with four hundred and sixty waggons and
+carts, was to me! What a demoralizing effect it had upon the burghers!
+My patience was sorely tried. Not only were we prevented from moving
+rapidly by these hampering waggons, but also, should we have to fight, a
+number of the burghers would be required to look after them, and so be
+unable to fire a shot.
+
+We marched to the farm of Mr. Hendrik Serfontein, on Doornspruit, and
+whilst I was there, waiting for darkness, some burghers, who were not my
+scouts, brought a report that there were English camps both at
+Honingspruit and at Kaallaagte.
+
+This alarmed the President and the members of the Government, because,
+should this report prove true, we should be unable to cross the railway
+line without hard fighting, and besides there would be a considerable
+risk of being taken prisoner.
+
+For myself, I did not pay any attention to these burghers. I relied on
+my own scouts, and I waited for their reports. I knew that if there had
+been any truth in what we had been told, that I should have heard the
+news already from the men whom I had sent out in the morning in that
+direction. At last some of Captain Scheepers' men appeared--he was
+scouting in front, and Captain Danie Theron in the rear--and reported
+that the railway line was clear, with the exception that at Honingspruit
+there were half a dozen tents, and four in the Kaallaagte[63] to the
+north of Serfontein, and a few small outposts. This information came as
+a great relief to the President and the members of the Government.
+
+If I was to escape from the large force which was dogging my footsteps,
+it was now necessary to cross the railway. I had made all preparation
+for this move. I had left behind me, that afternoon, on the banks of
+Doornspruit a commando of burghers, with orders to keep the enemy back
+until we should have crossed the line. And now I only waited until the
+darkness should come to my assistance.
+
+As soon as the night came I ordered the waggons to proceed in four rows,
+with a force on each side, and with a rearguard and vanguard.
+Immediately behind the vanguard followed the President and myself. When
+we were about twenty minutes' march from the railway line I ordered the
+two wings of my force, which were about three miles apart, to occupy the
+line to the right and left of Serfontein Siding.
+
+Before we had quite reached the railway I ordered the vanguard to remain
+with the President, whilst I myself, with fifteen men, rode on to cut
+the telegraph wire. Whilst we were engaged in this task a train
+approached at full speed from the south. I had no dynamite with me, and
+I could neither blow it up nor derail it. I could only place stones on
+the line, but these were swept away by the cowcatcher, and so the train
+passed in safety.
+
+I had forbidden any shooting, for an engagement would have only produced
+the greatest confusion in my big laager.
+
+Just as the last waggon was crossing the line, I received a report that
+Captain Theron had captured a train to the south of us. Having ordered
+the waggons to proceed, I rode over to see what had happened. When I
+arrived at the scene of action I found that the train had come to a
+standstill owing to the breaking down of the engine, and that on this
+the English troops had at once opened fire on my men, but that it had
+not been long before the enemy surrendered. Four of the English, but
+only one of our burghers, had been wounded.
+
+It was very annoying that the laager was so far off, but it was
+impossible to carry off the valuable ammunition which we found on the
+train.
+
+I gave orders that the four wounded soldiers, who were under the care of
+the conductor of the train, should be taken from the hut in which I had
+found them, and placed in a van where they would be safe when I set fire
+to the train. After the burghers had helped themselves to sugar, coffee,
+and such things, I burned everything that was left. My ninety-eight
+prisoners I took with me.
+
+We had not gone far when we heard the small arm ammunition explode; but
+I cannot say that the sound troubled me at all!
+
+Thus we crossed the line in safety, and Piet de Wet's prediction did not
+come true. He knew that we had a large force behind us, and believing
+that the railway line in front of us would be occupied by troops, he had
+said: "This evening you will all be captured on the railway line." Yet
+instead of finding ourselves captured, we had taken ninety-eight
+prisoners, and destroyed a heavily-laden train! How frequently a Higher
+Power over-rules the future in a way we least expect!
+
+That night we reached the farm of Mahemsspruit. From there we moved on
+to the Wonderheurel; and on the 22nd of July we arrived at the farm of
+Vlakkuil. I remained here for a day, for I wished to find out what the
+English troops (they had remained where we left them by the railway
+line) were intending to do.
+
+Whilst I was waiting I despatched some corn on a few of my waggons to
+Mr. Mackenzie's mills near Vredefort, giving orders that it should be
+ground.
+
+During the afternoon it was reported to me that a strong column of
+English were marching from Rhenosterriviersbrug to Vredefort, and that
+they had camped on the farm Klipstapel, some eight miles from my laager.
+
+Shortly after sunrise the following morning a second report was brought
+to me. It appeared that the enemy had sent out a force to capture our
+grain waggons, and had nearly overtaken them.
+
+In an instant we were in our saddles, but we were too late to save our
+corn.
+
+When the enemy saw us they halted at once; and meanwhile the waggons
+hurried on, at their utmost speed, to our camp.
+
+The English numbered between five and six hundred men, whilst we were
+only four hundred. But although we were the smaller force, I had no
+intention of allowing our waggons to be captured without a shot, and I
+ordered my burghers to charge.
+
+It was an open plain; there was no possible cover either for us or for
+the English. But we could not consider matters of that sort.
+
+The burghers charged magnificently, and some even got to within two
+hundred paces of the enemy. They then dismounted, and, lying flat upon
+the ground, opened a fierce fire. One of the hottest fights one can
+imagine followed.
+
+Fortunately a few paces behind the burghers there was a hollow, and here
+the horses were placed.
+
+After an hour's fighting, I began to think that any moment the enemy
+might be put to rout. But then something happened which had happened
+very often before--a reinforcement appeared.
+
+This reinforcement brought two guns with it; thus nothing was left to me
+but retreat. Our loss was five killed and twelve wounded. What the loss
+of the English was I do not know, but if the Kaffirs who lived near
+there are to be trusted, it must have been considerable.
+
+In the evening I moved my camp to Rhenosterpoort; whilst the English
+went back to Klipstapel.
+
+And now the English concentrated their forces. Great Army Corps gathered
+round. From Bethlehem and Kroonstad new columns were constantly
+arriving, until my force seemed nothing in comparison with them.
+
+I was stationed on the farm of Rhenosterpoort, which is situated on the
+Vaal River, twenty miles from Potchefstroom. At that town there was a
+strong force of the enemy, on which I had constantly to keep my eye.
+
+But, notwithstanding their overpowering numbers, it seemed as if the
+English had no desire to follow me into the mountains of Rhenosterpoort.
+They had a different plan. They began to march around me, sending troops
+from Vredefort over Wonderheurel to Rhenoster River, and placing camps
+all along the river as far as Baltespoort, and from there again
+extending their cordon until Scandinavierdrift was reached.
+
+We were forced now either to break through this cordon, or to cross the
+Vaal River into the South African Republic. The Free-Stater preferred to
+remain in his own country, and he would have been able to do so had we
+not been hampered by a big "waggon-camp" and a large number of oxen. As
+these were with us, the Boers found it hard to make up their minds to
+break through the English lines as a horse-commando, as it necessitated
+leaving all these waggons and oxen in the hands of the enemy. But there
+we were between the cordon and the Vaal River.
+
+Almost every day we came into contact with the enemy's outposts, and we
+had an engagement with them near Witkopjes Rheboksfontein. On another
+occasion we met them on different terms, in Mr. C.J. Bornman's house.
+Some of his "visitors" were, unfortunately for themselves, found to be
+English scouts--and became our prisoners.
+
+We remained where we were until the 2nd of August. On that day we had to
+drink a cup of bitterness. It was on the 2nd of August that I received
+the news that Prinsloo had surrendered near Naauwpoort.
+
+A letter arrived from General Broadwood in which he told me that a
+report from General Marthinus Prinsloo addressed to me had arrived
+through his lines. The bearer of it was General Prinsloo's secretary,
+Mr. Kotze. And now the English General asked me if I would guarantee
+that the secretary should be allowed to return, after he had given me
+particulars of the report he had brought.
+
+Mr. Prinsloo's secretary must certainly have thought that he was the
+chosen man to help us poor lost sheep, and to lead us safely into the
+hands of the English! But I cannot help thinking that he was rather too
+young for the task.
+
+I had a strong suspicion that there must have been some very important
+screw loose in the forces which we had left stationed behind the
+Roodebergen, for on the previous day I had received a letter from
+General Knox, who was at Kroonstad, telling me that General Prinsloo and
+his commandos had surrendered.
+
+In order to gain more information I gave General Broadwood my assurance
+that I would allow Mr. Prinsloo's secretary to return unhurt.
+
+When I had done this the President and some members of the Government
+rode out with me to meet the bearer of this report. We did not wish to
+give him any opportunities to spy out our positions. Half way between
+the English lines and our own we met him. He presented us with this
+letter:--
+
+     HUNTER'S CAMP, _30th July, 1900_.
+
+     TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, C.R. DE WET.
+
+     SIR,--
+
+     I have been obliged, owing to the overwhelming forces of the enemy,
+     to surrender unconditionally with all the Orange Free State laagers
+     here.
+
+     I have the honour to be, Sir,
+       Your obedient servant,
+         M. PRINSLOO,
+           _Commander-in-Chief_.
+
+I sent my reply in an unclosed envelope. It ran as follows:--
+
+     IN THE VELDT, _3rd August, 1900_.
+
+     TO MR. M. PRINSLOO.
+
+     SIR,--
+
+     I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated
+     the 30th of last month. I am surprised to see that you call
+     yourself Commander-in-Chief. By what right do you usurp that title?
+     You have no right to act as Commander-in-Chief.
+
+     I have the honour to be,
+       C.R. DE WET,
+         _Commander-in-Chief_.
+
+Hardly had I written this letter before two men on horseback appeared.
+They proved to be burghers sent by General Piet Fourie, who was with
+Prinsloo at the time of his surrender. These burghers brought from
+Generals Fourie, Froneman, and from Commandant Hasebroek and others, a
+fuller report of the surrender of Prinsloo. We learnt from the report
+that not all of the burghers had surrendered, but that, on the contrary,
+some two thousand had escaped. This news relieved our minds.
+
+President Steyn and myself determined to despatch Judge Hertzog to the
+commandos which had escaped, giving him instructions to bring them back
+with him if possible. We had been told that these commandos were
+somewhere on the Wilgerivier, in the district of Harrismith.
+
+My position had now become very difficult. It seemed, as far as I could
+discover, that there were five or six English generals and forty
+thousand troops, of which the greater part were mounted, all of them
+trying their best to capture the Government and me.
+
+My force numbered two thousand five hundred men.
+
+On the afternoon when I received the above-mentioned letter, there was
+still a way of escape open to me, through Parijs[64] to Potchefstroom.
+This road crossed the Vaal River at Schoemansdrift, and then followed
+the course of the stream between Parijs and Vanvurenskloof. It was now,
+however, somewhat unsafe, for that same afternoon a large force of the
+enemy was marching along the Vaal River from Vredefort to Parijs. These
+troops would be able to reach Vanvurenskloof early the following
+morning; whilst the force at Potchefstroom, which I have already
+mentioned in this chapter, would also be able to arrive there at the
+same hour.
+
+I led my burghers that evening across the Vaal River to Venterskroon,
+which lies six miles from Schoemansdrift. The following morning my
+scouts reported that the English were rapidly approaching from
+Potchefstroom in two divisions; one was at Zandnek: the other had
+already reached Roodekraal on its way to Schoemansdrift. One of these
+divisions, my scouts told me, might be turning aside to Vanvurenskloof.
+
+Now the road from Venterskroon passed between two mountain chains to the
+north of Vanvurenskloof; and I feared that the English would block the
+way there. I had to avoid this at all costs, but I had hardly a man
+available for the purpose. The greater part of my burghers were still to
+the south-east and south-west of the Vaal River.
+
+There was nothing left for me to do except to take the burghers who
+remained with me, and, whilst the laager followed us as quickly as
+possible, to advance and prevent the enemy from occupying the kloof.
+This I did, and took a part of my men to Vanvurenskloof, whilst I sent
+another body of burghers to Zandnek.
+
+Everything went smoothly. The enemy did not appear and the laager
+escaped without let or hindrance--and so we camped at Vanvurenskloof.
+
+I must have misled the English, for they certainly would have thought
+that I would come out by the road near Roodekraal. But I cannot
+understand why the force in our rear, which had arrived at Parijs the
+previous evening, remained there overnight, nor why, when they did move
+on the following morning, they marched to Lindequesdrift, eight miles up
+the Vaal River, and not, as might well have been expected, to
+Vanvurenskloof.
+
+The burghers whom I sent in the direction of Roodekraal had a fight with
+the enemy at Tijgerfontein. A heavy bombardment took place; and my men
+told me afterwards that the baboons, of which there were a large number
+in these mountains, sprang from cliff to cliff screaming with
+fright--poor creatures--as the rocks were split on every side by the
+lyddite shells.
+
+The burghers came to close quarters with the enemy, and a fierce
+engagement with small arms took place.
+
+It appeared later that the enemy's casualties amounted to more than a
+hundred dead and wounded. Our loss was only two men.
+
+As I have already stated, we camped at Vanvurenskloof. The next morning,
+while we were still there, we were surprised by the enemy--an unpleasant
+thing for men with empty stomachs.
+
+I did not receive any report from my scouts[65] until the English were
+not more than three thousand paces from us, and had already opened fire
+on the laager, not only with their guns, but also with their rifles. We
+at once took the best positions we could find; and meanwhile the waggons
+got away as quickly as possible. They succeeded in getting over the
+first ridge, and thus gained a certain amount of shelter, whilst we kept
+the English busy.
+
+The enemy approached nearer and nearer to us with overpowering forces.
+Then they charged, and I saw man after man fall, struck down by our
+merciless fire. We were quite unable to hold the enemy back, and so we
+had to leave our positions, having lost one dead and one wounded.
+
+That night we marched ten miles to the east of Gatsrand, on the road to
+Frederiksstad Station, and the following morning we arrived at the foot
+of the mountain. Here we outspanned for a short time, but we could not
+wait long, for our pursuers were following us at a great pace. It was
+not only the force from the other side of Vanvurenskloof with which we
+had to deal. The united forces of the English had now concentrated from
+different points with the purpose of working our ruin.
+
+The English were exceedingly angry that we had escaped from them on the
+Vaal River, for they had thought that they had us safely in their hands.
+That we should have succeeded in eluding them was quite beyond their
+calculations; and in order to free themselves from any blame in the
+matter, they reported that we had crossed the river at a place where
+there was no ford, but this was not true; we had crossed by the waggon
+and post ford--the well-known Schoemansdrift.
+
+But whether the enemy were angry or not, there was no doubt that they
+were pursuing us in very large numbers, and that we had to escape from
+them. That evening, the 7th of August, we went to the north of
+Frederiksstad Station, and blew up a bridge with two spans and wrecked
+the line with dynamite.
+
+The following day we arrived at the Mooi River. This river is never dry
+winter or summer, but always flows with a stream as clear as crystal. It
+affords an inexhaustible supply of water to the rich land that lies
+along its bank. It is a fitting name for it--the name of Mooi.[66]
+
+At the other side of this river we found General Liebenberg's commando,
+which, like ourselves, was in the trap.
+
+The General joined us on our march, and the following day we were nine
+miles from Ventersdorp.
+
+Early that morning a report came that the English were approaching and
+were extended right across the country.
+
+"Inspan!"
+
+No man uttered a word of complaint; each man did his work so quickly
+that one could hardly believe that a laager could be put on the move in
+so short a time. And away the waggons and carts skurried, steering their
+course to Ventersdorp.
+
+It was impossible to think of fighting--the enemy's numbers were far too
+great. Our only safety lay in flight.
+
+We knew very well that an Englishman cannot keep up with a Boer on the
+march, and that if he tries to do so, he soon finds that his horses and
+oxen can go no further. Our intention was then to march at the very best
+pace we could, so that the enemy might be forced to stop from sheer
+exhaustion. And as the reader will soon see, our plan was successful.
+
+Nevertheless we had to do some fighting, to protect our laager from a
+force of cavalry that was rapidly coming up with us.
+
+They wanted to make an end of this small body of Boers, which was always
+retreating, but yet, now and again, offering some slight
+resistance--this tiny force that was always teaching them unpleasant
+lessons; first at Retiefsnek, then to the north of Lindley, then on the
+railway line, then near Vredefort, then at Rhenosterpoort, and then
+again at Tijgerfontein. Yes; this sort of thing must come to an end once
+for all!
+
+We attacked the approaching troops, and succeeded in checking their
+advance. But our resistance could not last long, and soon we had to
+retreat and leave one of our Krupps behind us.
+
+Had I not continued firing with my Krupp until it was impossible to save
+it, then, in all probability, the laager would have been taken. But
+with the loss of this Krupp we saved the laager.
+
+I withdrew my burghers; I released the prisoners whom I had with me.
+
+And now it was my task to make it as difficult as possible for my
+pursuers. The winter grass on the veldt was dry and very inflammable,
+and I decided to set fire to it, in order that the English might find it
+impossible to obtain pasture for their oxen and cattle. I accordingly
+set it alight, and very soon the country behind was black.
+
+We hurried on until we reached Mr. Smit's farm, which is one hour on
+horseback from the southern slopes of the Witwatersrand--the great
+dividing chain of mountains that runs in the direction of Marico.
+Crossing this range, we continued on the march the whole night until, on
+the morning of the 11th of August, we arrived at the southern side of
+the Magaliesberg.
+
+In the afternoon we went over the saddle of the mountain and across the
+Krokodil River.
+
+My idea was to remain here and give our horses and oxen a rest, for the
+veldt was in good condition, and we could, if it were necessary, occupy
+the shoulder of the mountain behind us.
+
+General Liebenberg took possession of the position to the west, near
+Rustenburg; but hardly had he done so, before the English made their
+appearance, coming over another part of the mountain. He sent me a
+report to this effect, adding that he was unable to remain where he was
+stationed.
+
+Thus again we had to retreat, and I was unable to give my animals the
+rest I had intended to give them.
+
+We now took the road from Rustenburg to Pretoria, and arrived the
+following evening close to Commandonek, which we soon found was held by
+an English force.
+
+I left the laager behind and rode on in advance with a horse-commando.
+When I was a short distance from the enemy, I sent a letter to the
+officer in command, telling him that, if he did not surrender, I would
+attack him. I did this in order to discover the strength of the English
+force, and to find out if it were possible to attack the enemy at once,
+and forcing our way through the Nek, get to the east of the forces that
+were pursuing me.
+
+My despatch rider succeeded in getting into the English camp before he
+could be blindfolded. He came back with the customary refusal, and
+reported that although the enemy's force was not very large, still the
+positions held were so strong that I could not hope to be able to
+capture them before the English behind me arrived.
+
+I had therefore to give up the thought of breaking through these and
+flanking the English. Thus, instead of attacking the enemy, we went in
+the direction of Zoutpan, and arrived a few hours later at the Krokodil
+River.
+
+I had now left the English a considerable distance behind me; and so at
+last--we were able to give ourselves a little rest.
+
+[Footnote 62: I put down here the very words I used, for any other
+course would not be honest.]
+
+[Footnote 63: Kaallaagte--a barren hollow.]
+
+[Footnote 64: Parijs is situated on the Vaal River.]
+
+[Footnote 65: The reason why Captain Scheepers was so late in sending
+his report was because he himself was engaging the enemy with six of his
+men near Zandnek. He had come across a convoy of fourteen waggons and
+thirty men, and had, after an hour's fight, nearly brought them to the
+point of surrendering, when reinforcements arrived. He was thus forced
+to retire, and then discovered that the enemy were approaching our
+laager; and he had a hair's breadth escape from capture in bringing me
+the report.]
+
+[Footnote 66: "Mooi" means beautiful in the Taal language.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+I Return to the Free State
+
+
+Whilst we were encamped on the Krokodil River, President Steyn expressed
+a wish to pay a visit, with the Members of his Government, to the
+Government of the South African Republic, which was then at Machadodorp.
+This was no easy task to accomplish, for one would have to pass through
+a part of the Transvaal where there was a great scarcity of water--it
+was little better than a desert--and where in some places the Kaffirs
+were unfriendly. In other words, one would have to go through the
+Boschveldt. There would also be some danger from the English, since the
+President would have to cross the Pietersburg Railway, which was in that
+direction.
+
+However, this plan was approved.
+
+I decided not to accompany the President, but to return at once with two
+hundred riders to the Orange Free State. I intended to make it known on
+the farms which I passed on the way that I was going back, hoping thus
+to draw the attention of the English from our laager.
+
+I called together the Commandants, and informed them of my intention.
+They agreed that the course I proposed was the right one. Commandant
+Steenekamp was then nominated to act as Assistant Commander-in-Chief,
+with the duty of conducting the laager through the Boschveldt.
+
+On August the 14th President Steyn left the laager on his way to
+Machadodorp; and I myself took my departure three days later. I took
+with me General Philip Botha and Commandant Prinsloo, and 200 men, and
+also Captain Scheepers with his corps, which consisted of thirty men.
+With the addition of my staff we numbered altogether 246 men.
+
+Thus our ways parted--the President going to the Government of the South
+African Republic, the laager to the north, and I back to the Free State.
+I had now to cross the Magalies Mountains. The nearest two passes were
+Olifantsnek and Commandonek. But the first named was too much to the
+west, and the second was probably occupied by the English. I therefore
+decided to take a footpath that crossed the mountains between the two
+saddles. I was forced to choose this middle road because I had no means
+of ascertaining whether Commandonek was, or was not, in the hands of the
+enemy.
+
+On August 18th we arrived at a house where some Germans were living--the
+parents and sisters of Mr. Penzhorn, Secretary to General Piet Cronje.
+They were exceedingly friendly to us, and did all in their power to make
+us comfortable.
+
+We did not stay here for long, but were on the march again the same day.
+Soon after we had mounted our horses we came in sight of a large English
+camp, which was stationed on the road from Rustenburg to Pretoria,
+between Commandonek and Krokodil River. This camp lay about six miles to
+the south-east of the point where we first saw it. Another great camp
+stood about seven miles to the north-west.
+
+The enemy could see us clearly, as it was open veldt, with only a few
+bushes cropping up here and there. We now rode on in the direction of
+Wolhuterskop, which is close to the Magalies Mountains. I thought I
+should thus be able to reach the great road from Rustenburg to Pretoria,
+which was eight or nine miles from the footpath across the Magaliesberg.
+When we were about two miles east of Wolhuterskop we suddenly came upon
+two English scouts. One of them we captured; and he told us that there
+was a great force of the enemy in front of us and marching in our
+direction. What could we do now? It was impossible to proceed along the
+footpath because that road was closed by the enemy. North and west of us
+there were other bodies of troops, as I have already said; and there,
+directly in front of us, were the chains of the Magaliesbergen. Thus we
+found ourselves between four fires.
+
+In addition to this, I was much troubled by the thought that our horses
+were now exhausted by all this endless marching. I knew this was also
+the case with the English horses, but for all I knew, they might have
+obtained fresh ones from Pretoria. They could at all events have picked
+the best horses from each camp, and thus send an overpowering force
+against me. This was one of those moments when a man has to keep his
+presence of mind, or else all is lost.
+
+Whilst I was still thinking the matter over, troops began to come out of
+the camps, about two miles to the west of us on the road between
+Wolhuterskop and Magaliesberg. The scout who had escaped might now be
+with that force. I had therefore to act at once.
+
+I decided on climbing the Magalies Mountains, without a path or road!
+
+Near by there was a Kaffir hut, and I rode up to it. When the Kaffir
+came out to me, I pointed to the Magalies Mountains, and asked:--
+
+"Right before us, can a man cross there?"
+
+"No, baas,[67] you cannot!" the Kaffir answered.
+
+"Has a man never ridden across here?"
+
+"Yes, baas," replied the Kaffir, "long ago."
+
+"Do baboons walk across?"
+
+"Yes! baboons do, but not a man."
+
+"Come on!" I said to my burghers. "This is our only way, and where a
+baboon can cross, we can cross."
+
+With us was one Adriaan Matthijsen, a corporal who came from the
+district of Bethlehem, and was a sort of jocular character. He looked up
+at the mountains, 2,000 feet above him, and sighed:--
+
+"O Red Sea!"
+
+I replied, "The children of Israel had faith and went through, and all
+you need is faith. This is not the first Red Sea we have met with and
+will not be the last!"
+
+What Corporal Matthijsen thought I do not know, for he kept silence. But
+he pulled a long face, as if saying to himself:--
+
+"Neither you, nor anybody else with us, is a Moses!"
+
+We climbed up unobserved to a bit of bush which, to continue the
+metaphor of the Red Sea, was a "Pillar of Cloud" to hide us from the
+English.
+
+We then reached a kloof[68] running in a south-westerly direction, and
+ascended by it, still out of sight of the English, till we reached a
+point nearly half-way up the mountain. There we had to leave the kloof,
+and, turning to the south, continue our ascent in full view of the
+enemy.
+
+It was now so precipitous that there was no possibility of proceeding
+any further on horseback. The burghers had therefore to lead their
+horses, and had great difficulty even in keeping their own footing. It
+frequently happened that a burgher fell and slipped backwards under his
+horse. The climb became now more and more difficult; and when we had
+nearly reached the top of the mountain, there was a huge slab of granite
+as slippery as ice, and here man and horse stumbled still more, and were
+continually falling.
+
+We were, as I have said, in view of the enemy, and although out of reach
+of the Lee-Metfords, were in range of their big guns!
+
+I heard burghers muttering:--
+
+"Suppose the enemy should aim those guns at us--what will become of us
+then? Nobody can get out of the road here!"
+
+I told them that this could only be done if the English had a Howitzer.
+But I did not add that this was a sort of gun which the columns now
+pursuing me were likely enough to possess.
+
+But nothing happened. The English neither shot at us, nor did they
+pursue us. Corporal Matthijsen would have said that they were more
+cautious than Pharaoh.
+
+We now reached the top of the mountain--entirely exhausted. I have
+ascended many a mountain--the rough cliffs of Majuba, the steep sides of
+Nicholson's Nek--but never before had I been so tired as I was now; yet
+in the depths of my heart I was satisfied. All our toil was repaid by
+the glorious panorama that now stretched out before us to the south. We
+saw the undulating veldt between the Magaliesbergen where we stood, and
+the Witwatersrand. Through a ravine we had a view extending for many
+miles, but wherever we cast our eyes there was no sign of anything that
+resembled the enemy.
+
+As it was now too late to off-saddle, we began, after having taken a
+little rest, to descend the mountain on the other side, my object being
+to reach a farm where I hoped to get some sheep or oxen for my men, who
+not only were tired out, but nearly famished.
+
+We went down the mountain--well, somewhat quicker than we had climbed
+it; however, we could not go very fast, as the incline was steep. In an
+hour and a half we reached a Boer farm.
+
+One can imagine how the burghers recovered their spirits as they ate
+their supper, and what it meant for them to give their tired limbs a
+rest.
+
+The following morning we found good horse-provender, and plenty of it.
+It was not as yet the habit of the English to burn everything they came
+across--they had not yet begun to carry out that policy of destruction.
+
+I now felt quite easy about the safety of our camp. The attention of
+the English would be turned in quite another direction.
+
+I was quite right in this view of the matter. For I heard a few days
+later that the enemy had not been able to pursue the laager as their
+draft-cattle and horses were so completely exhausted, that they had
+fallen down dead in heaps. I heard also that they had soon been made
+acquainted with the fact that I was on my way back to the Free State,
+where I would soon begin again to wreck railway lines and telegraph
+wires. They had also discovered that President Steyn had left the laager
+and was on the road to Machadodorp.
+
+It was on the 18th of August, 1900, that we were able to eat our crust
+of bread in safety on the farm just mentioned, and to let our horses
+have as much food as they wanted. It seemed that for the time being a
+heavy burden had fallen from our shoulders. That afternoon we crossed
+the Krokodil River, and stopped at a "winkel"[69] under the
+Witwatersrand, which had been spared as yet, although it was nearly
+empty of stores. Fodder, however, was plentiful, and thus, again, we
+could give our horses a good feed.
+
+I now received a report that a strong contingent of the enemy was on the
+march from Olifantsnek to Krugersdorp, and accordingly we rode off in
+the night. We found that this force was the very one that had flanked
+our laager the previous week, when we were passing Ventersdorp. The road
+which the enemy were taking was the same which Jameson had marched when
+he made his inroad into the South African Republic.
+
+My intention was to cross the enemy's path before daylight the following
+morning, which I succeeded in doing; and we heard no more of this force.
+I proceeded now in the direction of Gatsrand.
+
+From there I still went on, and crossed the Krugersdorp-Potchefstroom
+Railway, about eight or ten miles to the north of Bank Station.
+
+The line was then not guarded everywhere. There were small garrisons at
+the stations only, and so one could cross even in the day time. To my
+vexation, I had not a single cartridge of dynamite, or any implements at
+hand with which I could wreck the line. It was painful to see the
+railway line and not be able to do any damage to it! I had made it a
+rule never to be in the neighbourhood of a railway without interrupting
+the enemy's means of communication.
+
+We arrived now at the farm of Messrs. Wolfaard, who had been captured
+with General Cronje; and here I met Commandant Danie Theron, with his
+eighty men. He had come to this place to avoid the troops lying between
+Mooi River and Ventersdorp. His horses, although still weak, were yet
+somewhat rested, and I gave him orders to join me in a few days, in
+order to reinforce me until my commandos should come back. My intention
+was not to undertake any great operations, for my force was not strong
+enough for that. I intended my principal occupation to be to interrupt
+the communications of the enemy by wrecking the line and telegraph.
+
+With regard to the main line in the Free State I must remark here that
+things there were in a different condition from what they were on the
+Krugersdorp line, which we had crossed. The Free State railway was Lord
+Roberts' principal line of communication, and he had provided guards for
+it everywhere.
+
+During the night of August 21st, we arrived at Vanvurenskloof. How
+delightful it was when the sun rose to see once more the well-known
+mountains to the south of the Vaal River in our own Free State!
+
+"There is the Free State," we called out to each other when day broke.
+Every one was jubilant at seeing again that country which of all the
+countries on the earth is the best. From here I despatched General Botha
+with the purpose of collecting the burghers of Vrede and Harrismith who
+had remained at home, and of bringing them back to join me.
+
+We remained only as long as was necessary to rest the horses, and then
+at once went on. The same evening we arrived at the farm of
+Rhenosterpoort, where our laager had waited since we had crossed the
+Vaal River more than a week ago.
+
+The proprietor of the farm of Rhenosterpoort was old Mr. Jan Botha. It
+could not be that he belonged to the family of Paul Botha, of Kroonstad,
+for Jan Botha and his household (amongst whom was his son Jan, an
+excellent veldtcornet) were true Afrikanders. And even if he did belong
+to the family of Paul Botha, then the difference in his feelings and
+actions from those of other members of his family was no greater than
+that, alas! which frequently occurred in many families during this war.
+One member put everything at the disposal of his country, whereas
+another of the same name did everything possible against his country and
+his people. But there was no such discord here. The two old brothers of
+Mr. Botha, Philip and Hekky, were heart and soul with us.
+
+Potchefstroom was not at that time in the hands of the English. I rode
+over to the town, and then it was that the well-known photo was taken of
+me that has been spread about everywhere, in which I am represented with
+a Mauser in my hand. I only mention this so as to draw attention to the
+history of the weapon which I held in my hand. It is as follows:--
+
+When the enemy passed through Potchefstroom on their way to Pretoria,
+they left a garrison behind them, and many burghers went there to give
+up their arms, which forthwith were burnt in a heap. When the garrison
+left the dorp the burghers returned. Amongst them were some who set to
+work to make butts for the rifles that had been burnt.
+
+"This rifle," I was told by the man who showed it to me, "is the two
+hundredth that has been taken out of the burnt heap and repaired."
+
+This made such an impression on me that I took it in my hand, and had my
+photo taken with it. I am only sorry that I cannot mention the names of
+the burghers who did that work. Their names are worthy to be enrolled on
+the annals of our nation.
+
+After having provided myself with dynamite, I left Potchefstroom and
+returned to my commando, then quietly withdrew in the night to
+Rhenosterkop. From there I sent Veldtcornet Nicolaas Serfontein, of the
+Bethlehem commando, in the direction of Reitz and Lindley, to bring the
+Kaffirs there to a sense of their duty, for I had heard that they were
+behaving very brutally to our women. The remainder of the Bethlehem
+burghers under Commandant Prinsloo and Veldtcornet Du Preez, remained
+with me to assist me in getting under my supervision the commandos which
+had escaped from behind the Roodebergen. These were under the command of
+General Fourie, and some were in the south of the State. I left Captain
+Scheepers behind me with orders to wreck the line every night.
+
+That evening I went to Mr. Welman's farm, which was to the south-west of
+Kroonstad.
+
+There I received a report that the commandos under General Fourie were
+in the neighbourhood of Ladybrand. I sent a despatch to him and Judge
+Hertzog asking them to come and see me, with a view to bringing the
+burghers under arms again, in the southern and south-western districts
+of the State.
+
+This letter was taken by Commandant Michal Prinsloo and some despatch
+riders to General Fourie. The night that he crossed the line a train was
+passing, and he wrecked the railway both in front of it and behind it.
+The train could thus neither advance nor retreat, and it fell into the
+hands of Commandant Prinsloo, who, after having taken what he wanted,
+burnt it.
+
+With regard to myself, I remained in the neighbourhood of Commandant
+Nel's farm.
+
+Here I had the most wonderful of all the escapes that God allowed me in
+the whole course of the war.
+
+On the third evening at sunset, a Hottentot came to me. He said that his
+"baas," whose family lived about twelve miles from the farm of
+Commandant Nel, had laid down their arms, and that he could not remain
+in the service of the wife of such a bad "baas." He asked me if he could
+not become one of my "achterrijders."
+
+As he was still speaking to me, Landdrost Bosman from Bothaville, came
+to pay me a visit.
+
+"Good," I said to the Hottentot, "I shall see you about this again." For
+I wished to cross-question him. I then went into the house with the
+Landdrost, and spent a good deal of time in writing with him. Late in
+the evening he went back to Bothaville and I to bed exactly at eleven
+o'clock.
+
+I had scarcely laid down when the Hottentot came back to my thoughts,
+and I began to grow uneasy. I got up and went to the outhouse where my
+Kaffir slept. I woke him up and asked him where the Hottentot was. "Oh,
+he is gone," he replied, "to go and fetch his things to go with the
+baas."
+
+I at once felt that there was something wrong, and went and called my
+men. I told them to saddle-up, and went off with my staff to the farm of
+Mr. Schoeman on the Valsch River, to the east of Bothaville.
+
+On the following morning before daybreak, a force of two hundred English
+stormed the farm of Commandant Nel. They had come to take me prisoner.
+
+From Schoeman's farm I went to the Rhenoster River and found Captain
+Scheepers there. He reported that he had wrecked the line for four or
+five consecutive weeks, as I had told him.
+
+I also received there the sad news of the death of the
+never-to-be-forgotten Danie Theron, in a fight at Gatsrand. A more brave
+and faithful commander I have never seen.
+
+So Danie Theron was no more. His place would not be easily filled. Men
+as lovable or as valiant there might be, but where should I find a man
+who combined so many virtues and good qualities in one person? Not only
+had he the heart of a lion but he also possessed consummate tact and the
+greatest energy. When he received an order, or if he wished to do
+anything, then it was bend or break with him. Danie Theron answered the
+highest demands that could be made on a warrior.
+
+One of Commandant Theron's lieutenants, Jan Theron, was appointed in his
+place.
+
+From there I went with Captain Scheepers to the railway line, where I
+burnt a railway bridge temporarily constructed with sleepers, and
+wrecked a great part of the rails with dynamite. I then proceeded to
+various farms in the neighbourhood, and after a few days, with
+Commandant Michal Prinsloo, who had joined me, I returned to the same
+part of the railway in order to carry out its destruction on a larger
+scale.
+
+At twenty-five different places a charge of dynamite was placed with one
+man at the fuse, who had to set light to it as soon as he heard a
+whistle, that all charges could be ignited at the same time, and every
+one be out of the way when the pieces of iron were hurled in the air by
+the explosion.
+
+When the signal was heard the lucifers were struck everywhere, and the
+fuses ignited.
+
+The English, keeping watch on some other part of the line not far from
+us, on seeing the lights fired so fiercely on the burghers that they all
+took to their horses and galloped off.
+
+Only five charges exploded.
+
+I waited for a moment, but no sound broke the silence.
+
+"Come on!" I said, "we must fire all the charges."
+
+On reaching the line we had to search in the darkness for the spots
+where the dynamite had been placed. And now again the order was given
+that as soon as the whistle was blown every one had to ignite his fuse.
+
+Again there was a blunder!
+
+One of the burghers ignited his fuse before the signal had been given,
+and this caused such a panic that the others ran away. I and a few of my
+staff lay flat on the ground where we were until this charge had
+exploded, and then I went to fetch the burghers back.
+
+This time everything went off well, and all the charges exploded.
+
+The bridge I had destroyed had been rebuilt, and so I was forced to burn
+it again. When this was done we departed and rode on to Rietspruit,
+where we up-saddled, and then pushed on to Rhenosterpoort.
+
+[Footnote 67: Master.]
+
+[Footnote 68: Ravine.]
+
+[Footnote 69: General Store.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+The Oath of Neutrality
+
+
+Arriving at Rhenosterpoort, I found there Commandant F. Van Aard, with
+his commando. He told me that after I had left the laager, the burghers
+had not been troubled again by the English. He had gone on to Waterberg,
+and after having stayed there for a short time, he had returned to the
+laager. He still had some of his waggons with him, but in many cases the
+oxen had been so exhausted that the waggons had to be left behind, the
+burghers returning on horseback, or even on foot. He also told me that
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief Steenekamp had, just before my arrival, crossed
+the line in the direction of Heilbron, in which district there were then
+no English.
+
+Generals Fourie and Froneman, with Hertzog, were also at Rhenosterpoort,
+having left their commandos behind, in the district of Winburg.
+
+They had much to tell me which I had heard already, but which I now
+obtained at first hand. It appeared that the burghers who had been taken
+prisoner with General Prinsloo had been sent to Ceylon, notwithstanding
+the promise that had been given them that their property would be safe,
+and that they would be allowed to return to their farms.
+
+It was now that I conceived the great plan of bringing under arms all
+the burghers who had laid down their weapons, and taken the oath of
+neutrality, and of sending them to operate in every part of the State.
+To this end I went with these officers to the other side of the railway
+line, in order to meet General Philip Botha in the country to the
+south-east of Heilbron, and also, if possible, General Hattingh, who was
+in command of the Harrismith and Vrede burghers.
+
+We succeeded in crossing the railway between Roodewal and Serfontein
+siding, but not without fighting. Before we came to the railway line the
+English opened a cross fire on us from the north-east, from the
+direction of Roodewal; and almost directly afterwards another party
+fired on us from the south. We succeeded, however, in getting through
+with the waggons which Commandant Van Aard had with him, but we lost one
+man killed, and three wounded.
+
+On the following day I gave Commandant Van Aard the order to go to his
+district (Midden Valsch River) in order to give his burghers an
+opportunity of getting their clothes washed, and of obtaining fresh
+horses, if any were to be had. For although the enemy already had begun
+to burn down our houses, and to carry away our horses, things had not as
+yet reached such a pitch that the columns spared nothing that came in
+their way.
+
+Commandant Van Aard started off on his errand, but alas! a few days
+afterwards I heard that he--one of the most popular of all our
+officers--had been killed in a fight near his own farm between Kroonstad
+and Lindley. He was buried there, where he had fallen, on his own land.
+
+And now began the great work which I had proposed to accomplish.
+
+I gave instructions to Vice-Commander-in-Chief Piet Fourie to take under
+his charge the districts of Bloemfontein, Bethulie, Smithfield,
+Rouxville, and Wepener, and to permit the burghers there, who had
+remained behind, to join us again. He was not, however, to compel
+anybody to do so, because I was of opinion that a coerced burgher would
+be of no real value to us, and would besides be untrustworthy. The
+following officers were to serve under Fourie: Andrias, Van Tonder and
+Kritzinger. The last-named had been appointed in the place of
+Commandant Olivier, who had been taken prisoner at Winburg.[70]
+
+I had appointed Judge Hertzog as a second Vice-Commander-in-Chief, to
+carry out the same work in the districts of Fauresmith, Philippolis and
+Jacobsdal. He had under him Commandant Hendrik Pretorius (of Jacobsdal)
+and Commandant Visser. The latter was the man who, when the burghers
+from Fauresmith, even before the taking of Bloemfontein, had remained
+behind, broke through with seventy or eighty troops. He had always
+behaved faithfully and valiantly until, in an engagement at
+Jagersfontein, he gave up his life, a sacrifice for the rights of his
+nation. His name will ever be held in honour by his people.
+
+These two Vice-Commanders-in-Chief had no easy task to perform. In fact,
+as every one will admit, it was a giant's burden that I had laid upon
+their shoulders. To lighten it a little I made the following
+arrangement: I sent Captain Pretorius, with a small detachment, in
+advance of General Fourie, to prepare the road for him, and Captain
+Scheepers to do the same for Judge Hertzog. The first had to say: "Hold
+yourselves in readiness! Oom Pieter![71] is coming." The other had to
+say: "Be prepared! The Rechter[72] is at hand!"
+
+All went well. General Fourie set to his task at once and did excellent
+work. He had not been long in his division before he had collected seven
+hundred and fifty men, and had had several skirmishes with the enemy. It
+was on account of his acting so vigorously that the English again put
+garrisons into some of the south-eastern townships, such as Dewetsdorp,
+Wepener, and others.
+
+With General Hertzog things went even better. He had soon twelve hundred
+men under arms. General Fourie had not succeeded in getting together an
+equally large force in his division, because many burghers from these
+districts had been taken prisoner at the time of the surrender of
+Prinsloo. General Hertzog also fought more than one battle at
+Jagersfontein and Fauresmith.
+
+I ought to add that after I had crossed the Magaliesberg I had sent
+Veldtcornet C.C. Badenhorst, with twenty-seven men, on a similar errand
+to the districts of Boshof and Hoopstad. I promoted him to the rank of
+commandant, and he soon had a thousand troops under him, so that he was
+able to engage the enemy on several occasions. He had not been long
+occupied in this way, before I appointed him Vice-Commander-in-Chief.
+The reader who has followed me throughout this narrative, may very
+naturally ask here how it could be justifiable for nearly three thousand
+burghers thus to take up arms again, and break their oath of neutrality?
+I will answer this question by another--who first broke the terms of
+this oath?--the burghers or the English military authorities? The
+military authorities without any doubt; what other answer can one give?
+
+Lord Roberts had issued a proclamation saying that, if the burghers took
+an oath of neutrality, and remained quietly on their farms, he would
+give them protection for their persons and property. But what happened?
+He himself ordered them to report to the British military authorities,
+should any Boer scout or commandos come to their farms, and threatened
+them with punishment if they did not do so. Old people also who had
+never stirred one step from their farms were fined hundreds of pounds
+when the railway or telegraph lines in their neighbourhood were wrecked.
+Besides, instead of protection being given to the burghers, their cattle
+were taken from them by the military, at prices they would never have
+thought of accepting, and often by force. Yes; and from widows, who had
+not even sons on commando, everything was taken away. If then the
+English, on their part, had broken the contract, were not the burghers
+perfectly justified in considering themselves no longer bound by the
+conditions which the oath laid on them?
+
+And then if one goes further into the matter, and remembers that the
+English had been employing such people as the National Scouts, and had
+thus been arming men who had taken the oath of neutrality, how can one
+think that the Boer was still under the obligation of keeping his oath?
+
+There is also the obligation which every one is under to his own
+Government; for what Government could ever acknowledge an oath which
+their citizens had no right to take?
+
+No! taking everything into consideration, no right-minded burgher could
+have acted otherwise than to take his weapons up again, not only in
+order to be faithful to his duty as a citizen, but also in order not to
+be branded as a coward, as a man who in the future could never again
+look any one in the face.
+
+I arranged various matters at Doornspruit, in the district of Kroonstad,
+on the 23rd of September, 1900, and then went from there in the
+direction of Rietfontein, in order to meet the commando which I had
+ordered to be at Heilbron on the 25th.
+
+[Footnote 70: Commandant Van Tender had been made prisoner at the same
+time, but he eluded the vigilance of his captors, and running for his
+life under a shower of their bullets, got away in safety.]
+
+[Footnote 71: Uncle Peter.]
+
+[Footnote 72: Judge.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Frederiksstad and Bothaville
+
+
+When I was on the road to Heilbron, I heard that the commandos under
+General Hattingh (those, namely, of Harrismith and Vrede) were near the
+Spitskopje, seven miles to the south-east of Heilbron. I therefore went
+out of my course and proceeded in the direction of these commandos. They
+were among those who had stood the crucial test, and had not surrendered
+with Prinsloo.
+
+It was a real pleasure to me to meet the Harrismith burghers, and to
+talk with them over bygone days. This was our first meeting since
+December, 1899. The last time we had seen each other was when we were
+encamped round Ladysmith, where we were, so to speak, neighbours--our
+positions being contiguous.
+
+But what a shock went through my heart when I saw the cumbersome
+waggon-camps which had come both from Vrede and Harrismith! For I
+remembered what trouble and anxiety the waggons and carts had already
+caused me, and how my commandos, in order to save them, had been forced
+to fly 280 miles--from Slabbertsnek to Waterberg. As Commander-in-Chief,
+I was now determined to carry out most strictly the Kroonstad regulation
+and have nothing more to do with the waggons.
+
+I did not think that I should have any difficulty in convincing the
+commanders of Harrismith and Vrede that the best thing would be to do
+away with these unnecessary impediments, because, shortly before, the
+English themselves had given me a text to preach from, by taking away a
+great number of waggons from Commandant Hasebroek at Winburg and at Vet
+River. Nevertheless, my words fell on unwilling ears.
+
+It was not long after I had arrived in the camp when I got the burghers
+together and spoke to them. After thanking the officers and men for not
+having surrendered with Prinsloo at Naauwpoort, I congratulated them on
+their success at Ladybrand, where they had driven the English out of the
+town and forced them to take refuge in the caverns of Leliehoek. I then
+went on to tackle the tender subject--as a Boer regards it--of
+sacrificing the waggons. No! I did not say so much as that--I only
+insisted on the waggons being sent home. Now this was very much the same
+as saying: "Give up your waggons and carts to the enemy"--an order
+which, expressed in that bald manner, would have given offence.
+
+However, I was resolved to have my way, and at the end of my speech, I
+said, "I may not ask you, and I will not ask you what you will do with
+regard to the waggons. I only tell you that they must disappear."
+
+On the following day I called the officers together, and gave them
+direct orders to that effect. I was very polite, but also very
+determined that the waggons should be sent off without a moment's delay.
+I also gave orders that the Harrismith and Kroonstad burghers under
+General Philip Botha should occupy themselves in cutting the English
+lines of communication between Kroonstad and Zand River. The Bothaville
+burghers were to carry out similar operations in their own district.
+
+On that same afternoon I rode with my staff to the Heilbron burghers,
+who now had returned to their farms. (They had had permission to go home
+after they had got back from Waterberg.) They had assembled in very
+strong force.
+
+The enemy also had arrived in this part of the country, and we were
+therefore obliged at once to get ourselves ready to fight in case it
+should be necessary, or to retreat if the enemy should be too strong for
+us.
+
+With the Heilbron, Harrismith and Vrede commandos, I had now a very
+considerable force at my command.
+
+When I met the burghers on the 25th of September I found that I must
+send a force in the direction of Kroonstad, in order to oppose outposts
+which the enemy had stationed some six miles from that town.
+
+I at once sent orders to General Hattingh that he was to come over to me
+with his burghers. But what did I hear? The burghers had not been able
+to make up their minds to part with their waggons; most of the men from
+Vrede and Harrismith had gone home with these waggons, although there
+was a Kaffir driver and a leader for almost every one, and although I
+had given express orders that these Kaffirs were to be the ones to take
+back the waggons. How angry I was! At such moments as these one would be
+well nigh driven mad were there not a Higher Power to hold one back.
+
+And, to make the situation still more serious, the English now came on
+from all sides, and I had no troops! The Kroonstad burghers were in
+their own district. I allowed those from Bethlehem to leave me in order
+to carry on operations in their part of the country; the same likewise
+with the Winburgers and the valiant Commandant Hasebroek, while the
+burghers of Vrede and Harrismith had gone home.
+
+I had therefore with me only a small contingent from those districts, in
+addition to the burghers from Heilbron.
+
+The reader will understand that, under these circumstances, the forces
+which now began to concentrate on us were too great for us to withstand;
+and that no other course lay open to me than to go through
+Schoemansdrift; and, in case I should be pursued, to Bothaville, in
+order to enter the _zandveld_ (desert) through which it would be
+difficult for the enemy to advance.
+
+We continued in the direction of Wolvehoek Station, and on the
+following night crossed the line between Vredefortweg and Wolvehoek,
+where I wrecked the railway at various points, and also took prisoner a
+small force of thirteen who had been lying asleep in their tents. This
+last incident happened early in the morning of September 30th.
+
+We had crossed the line, and were about three miles on the further side
+of it, when a train came up and bombarded us with an Armstrong and a
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, without however doing any damage. Our guns were too
+far behind the vanguard, and the poor horses too tired to go back for
+them, or we should have answered their fire. However, we got an
+opportunity of using our big guns against 200 mounted men, who had
+pursued us, but who, when they saw we were ready to receive them, turned
+round and--took the shortest road to safety!
+
+That evening we marched to a place a little to the south of Parijs, and
+the following day to the kopjes west of Vredefort. There we stayed a few
+days until the enemy again began to concentrate at Heilbron.
+
+I then divided my commando into two parts. One part I took with me,
+while I sent the Harrismith burghers (those at least who had not gone
+home with the waggons) under General Philip Botha, in the direction of
+Kroonstad, where he would meet the commando of that district, which had
+received orders to operate to the west of the railway line. General
+Philip Botha nominated Veldtcornet P. De Vos as Commandant of the
+Kroonstad contingent instead of Commandant Frans Van Aard. He made a
+good choice, for Commandant De Vos was not only a valiant officer, but
+also a strictly honourable man.
+
+For some days the enemy remained encamped on the farm called Klipstapel,
+which lies to the south-east of Vredefort. Then they attacked us. We
+held our own for a day and a half, but at last had to retreat to the
+Vaal River, whither the English, doubtless thinking that we were again
+going to Waterberg, did not pursue us. This was on the 7th of October,
+1900.
+
+I now received a report from General Liebenberg that General Barton and
+his column were in the neighbourhood of Frederiksstad Station. He asked
+me (as he was too weak to venture anything alone) whether I would join
+him in an attack upon the English General. I decided to do so, and sent
+him a confidential letter saying that I would join him in a week's time.
+
+In order to mislead the English, I retreated ostentatiously through
+Schoemansdrift to the farm of Baltespoort, which stands on the banks of
+the Rhenoster River, fifteen miles from the drift. The following night I
+returned by the way I had come, and crossed the river a little to the
+west of Schoemansdrift.
+
+When on the following night we were again in the saddle I heard from
+many a mouth, "Whither now?"
+
+Our destination was Frederiksstad Station, where we were to engage
+General Barton. Previous to an attack, thorough scouting should always
+take place. Accordingly I sent out my scouts, and discovered that
+General Liebenberg had entirely cut off the English from their
+communications, so that, except for heliographic messages, they were
+entirely out of touch with the rest of their forces. Now I do not know
+if they had "smelt a rat," but they were certainly well entrenched near
+the station on ridges to the south-east and to the north.
+
+We had therefore to besiege General Barton in his entrenchments. For the
+first five days we held positions to the east, to the south, and to the
+north-west. On the fifth day I agreed with General Liebenberg that we
+should take up a new position on the embankment north-west of the
+strongest part of the English encampment. This position was to be held
+by two hundred men, of whom I gave eighty to General Froneman and one
+hundred and twenty to General Liebenberg. It was a position that we
+could not leave during the day without great danger, and it needed a
+large force to hold it, for its garrison had to be strong enough to
+defend itself if it should be attacked.
+
+If only my arrangements had been carried out all would have gone well.
+
+But what happened?
+
+I thought that two hundred men had gone in accordance with my orders to
+that position. Instead of this there were only eighty there when, on the
+following morning, a very strong reinforcement of English, ordered up by
+General Barton, appeared from the direction of Krugersdorp. I did not
+hear of this reinforcement till it was so close that there was no chance
+for me to keep it back. In fact, when I got the report the enemy were
+already storming the unfortunate handful of burghers and firing fiercely
+upon them. If these burghers had only had enough ammunition they would
+have been able to defend themselves, but as they were obliged to keep up
+a continuous fire on the storming party their cartridges were speedily
+exhausted. When this happened there was nothing for them to do but to
+fly. This they did under a fierce fire from three guns, which had been
+bombarding them continuously since the morning--doing but little damage
+however, as our burghers were behind the railway embankment. But now
+they had to fly over open ground, and on foot, as they had gone down
+without their horses because there was no safe place for the animals.
+
+If two hundred burghers--the number I had arranged for--had been in the
+position, there would have been no chance of the enemy's reinforcement
+being able to drive them out: and in all probability General Barton
+would have been obliged to surrender. Instead of this we had a loss of
+thirty killed and wounded, and about the same number were taken
+prisoners. Among the dead was the renowned Sarel Cilliers, grandson of
+the worthy "voortrekker"[73] of the same name. Veldtcornet Jurie
+Wessels was the most distinguished of the prisoners.
+
+It was a miserable affair altogether: General Froneman ought to have
+called his men back when he saw that General Liebenberg had not sent his
+contingent. I have heard however that Captain Cilliers refused to leave
+the position until it became no longer tenable. It was hard indeed for
+him to lose a battle thus, when it was nearly won, and to be compelled
+to retreat when victory was all but within his grasp.
+
+We retired towards Vanvurenskloof, and on arriving there the following
+evening heard that a great English force had come from Schoemansdrift
+and captured Potchefstroom, that another force was at Tijgerfontein, and
+a third at Schoemansdrift.
+
+Early next morning we crossed the Vaal River at Witbanksfontein. There
+we off-saddled.
+
+Now I had sent out scouts--not, however, Commandant Jan Theron's men,
+but ordinary burghers whom the Commandants had sent out--and just as we
+had partaken about noon of a late breakfast, these burghers came
+hurriedly into the camp, shouting: "The enemy is close at hand!"
+
+It was not long before every one had up-saddled, and we were off. The
+English had taken up positions on the kopjes due north of the Vaal
+River, whilst we had for our defence only kraals and boundary walls. As
+these offered no shelter for our horses, we were forced to retreat. And
+a most unpleasant time of it we had until we got out of range of their
+guns and small arms. During this retreat we lost one of our guns. This
+happened while I was with the left wing. One of the wheels of the
+carriage fell off, and the gun had to be left behind. Another incident
+of our flight was more remarkable. A shell from one of the enemy's guns
+hit an ox waggon on which there were four cases of dynamite, and
+everything was blown up.
+
+The oxen had just been unyoked and had left the waggon, or else a
+terrible catastrophe would have occurred.
+
+We lost also two burghers, who, thinking that it would be safe to go
+into a dwelling house, and hide themselves there, gave an opportunity to
+some English troops who were on the march from Schoemansdrift, to take
+them prisoner.
+
+We retired for some distance in an easterly direction, and when it
+became dark, swerved suddenly to the west, as if aiming for a point
+somewhat to the south-west of Bothaville. The following evening we
+stayed at Bronkhaistfontein, near the Witkopjes. From there we went on
+next morning to the west of Rheboksfontein, remaining that night at
+Winkeldrift, on the Rhenoster River.
+
+There I received a report that President Steyn with his staff was coming
+from Machadodorp, where he had met the Transvaal Government. The
+President requested me to come and see him, and also to meet General De
+la Rey, who would be there.
+
+I told the commandos to go on in the direction of Bothaville and went
+with my staff to the President. We met on the 31st of October near
+Ventersdorp. From him I heard that when he came to Machadodorp President
+Kruger was just ready to sail from Lourenco Marques, in the man-of-war
+_Gelderland_, which had been specially sent by Queen Wilhelmina to bring
+him over to the Netherlands. This was shortly before Portugal ceased to
+be neutral--the old President got away only just in time.
+
+General De la Rey had been prevented from coming: and on the 2nd of
+November I went with the President towards Bothaville.
+
+I had received reports from General Fourie, Judge Hertzog, and Captain
+Scheepers, that the burghers in their districts had rejoined; this made
+me think that the time had now come to make another dash into Cape
+Colony. President Steyn had expressed a wish to go with us.
+
+We marched on with the intention of crossing the railway line somewhere
+near Winburg. On the morning of the 5th we arrived at Bothaville, where
+we found General Froneman, who had been marching with the commandos from
+Rhenoster River. Little did we know that a terrible misfortune was
+awaiting us.
+
+That very afternoon a strong English force, which indeed had been in
+pursuit of us all the time, came up, and a skirmish took place, after
+which the English withdrew out of reach of our guns, while we took up a
+position under cover of the nearest hill. Without suspecting any harm we
+went into camp about seven miles from the English, keeping the Valsch
+River between us and them.
+
+I placed an outpost that night close to the river and told them to stay
+there till the following day. The burghers of this watch returned in the
+morning and reported that they had seen nothing but wreaths of smoke
+ascending from the north bank of the river. They believed that these
+came from the English camp.
+
+We were still safe then--so at least we all believed.
+
+But the corporal who had brought this report had but just left me, and
+was scarcely one hundred paces off when I heard the report of rifles. I
+thought at first that it was only some cattle being shot for food, but
+all at once there were more shots, and what did we see? The English were
+within three hundred paces of us, on a little hill near Bothaville, and
+close to the spot from whence my outpost had just returned.
+
+It was early morning. The sun had not risen more than twenty minutes and
+many of the burghers still lay asleep rolled up in their blankets.
+
+The scene which ensued was unlike anything I had ever witnessed before.
+I heard a good deal about panics--I was now to see one with my own eyes.
+Whilst I was looking for my horse to get him up-saddled a few of the
+burghers were making some sort of a stand against the enemy. But all
+those who had already up-saddled were riding away at break-neck speed.
+Many even were leaving their saddles behind and galloping off bare-back.
+As I up-saddled my horse I called out to them:--
+
+"Don't run away! Come back and storm the enemy's position!" But it was
+no use. A panic had seized them, and the victims of that panic were
+those brave men who had never thought of flight, but only of resisting
+the enemy!
+
+The only thing I could do was to leap into the saddle and try to
+persuade the fugitives to return. But I did not succeed, for as I
+stopped them at one point others galloped past me, and I was thus kept
+dodging from point to point, until the whole commando was out of range
+of the firing.
+
+The leader of the enemy's storming party was Colonel Le Gallais, without
+doubt one of the bravest English officers I have ever met. On this
+occasion he did not encounter much resistance, for only a very few of
+the burghers attacked him, and that only at one point of his position.
+Among these burghers were Staats-Procureur Jacob De Villiers, and
+Veldtcornet Jan Viljoen. As for the rest of our men, it was useless to
+try to get them to come back to the fight. The gunners however did
+everything they could to save their guns, but had not enough time to get
+the oxen inspanned.
+
+Our loss was, as far as I could make out, nine killed, between twenty
+and thirty wounded, and about one hundred prisoners. Among the dead were
+Veldtcornets Jan Viljoen, of Heilbron, and Van Zijl, of Cape Colony; and
+among the wounded, Staats-Procureur Jacob De Villiers and Jan Rechter,
+the latter of whom subsequently died. The wounded who managed to escape
+included General Froneman, who was slightly wounded in the chest; Mr.
+Thomas Brain, who had been hit in the thigh; and one of my staff who was
+severely wounded, his shoulder being pierced by a bullet.
+
+According to English reports, Dr. De Landsheer, a Belgian, was killed in
+this engagement. The English newspapers asserted that the doctor was
+found dead with a bandolier round his body. I can vouch for the fact
+that the doctor possessed neither rifle nor bandolier, and I am unable
+to believe that he armed himself on the battlefield.
+
+Six of our Krupp guns were captured in this battle, but as our
+ammunition for these pieces was nearly exhausted, the loss of them made
+little difference to us.
+
+I feel compelled to add that, if the burghers had stood shoulder to
+shoulder we should certainly have driven back the enemy, and the mishap
+would never have occurred. We were eight hundred men strong, and the
+enemy numbered not more than one thousand to one thousand two hundred.
+But a surprise attack such as theirs had been usually produces
+disastrous consequences.
+
+[Footnote 73: Pioneer.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+My March to the South
+
+
+The horses of the burghers were in a very weak condition; and as the
+Boer is only half a man without his horse--for he relies on it to get
+him out of any and every difficulty--I had now to advance, and see if I
+could not find some means of providing my men with horses and saddles. I
+went on this errand in the direction of Zandriviersbrug to the farm of
+Mr. Jacobus Bornman.
+
+Here, however, I divided the commandos. General Froneman, with the Vrede
+and Heilbron burghers, I sent back to cross the railway lines between
+the Doorn and Zand Rivers, with orders to operate in the northern
+districts of the State. I took with me Commandant Lategan of Colesberg,
+with about one hundred and twenty men, and Commandant Jan Theron, with
+eighty men, and proceeded on the 10th or 11th of November across the
+railway line between Doorn River and Theronskoppen, with the intention
+of executing my plan of making an inroad into the Cape Colony.
+
+We wrecked the railway line and blew up a few small bridges, and then
+proceeded in the direction of Doornberg, where I met Commandant
+Hasebroek and his burghers. I sent orders to General Philip Botha to
+come with the Harrismith and Kroonstad burghers, which he had with him.
+They arrived about the 13th of November.
+
+We then marched, with about fifteen hundred men, in the direction of
+Springhaansnek, to the east of Thaba'Nchu. At the northern point of
+Korannaberg, Commandant Hasebroek remained behind, waiting for some of
+his men to join him.
+
+We took with us one Krupp with sixteen rounds--that was our whole stock
+of gun ammunition!
+
+By the afternoon of the 16th we had advanced as far as Springhaansnek.
+The English had built a line of forts from Bloemfontein to Thaba'Nchu
+and Ladybrand. And just at the point where we wanted to pass them, there
+were two forts, one to the south and the other to the north, about 2,000
+paces from each other, on the shoulder of the mountain.
+
+My first step was to order the Krupp to fire six shots on one of these
+forts; and, very much to the credit of my gunners, almost everyone of
+these shots found its mark. Then I raced through.
+
+All went well. The only man hit was Vice-Assistant-Commandant Jan
+Meijer, of Harrismith, who received a wound in the side. He was shot
+while sitting in a cart, where he had been placed owing to a wound which
+he had received a few days before, in the course of a hot engagement,
+which General Philip Botha had had at Ventersburg Station.
+
+We now rode on through Rietpoort towards Dewetsdorp, staying, during the
+night of the 17th of November, at a place on the Modder River. The
+following day we only went a short distance, and halted at the farm of
+Erinspride.
+
+On the 19th I made a point of advancing during the _day_, so as to be
+observed by the garrison at Dewetsdorp.
+
+My object was to lead the garrison to think that we did not want to
+attack them, but wished first to reconnoitre the positions. This would
+have been quite an unnecessary proceeding, as the town was well known to
+me, and I had already received information as to where the enemy was
+posted.
+
+The garrison could only conclude that we were again flying, just as we
+were supposed to have done--by readers of English newspapers--at
+Springhaansnek. They would be sure to think that after reconnoitring
+their positions at Dewetsdorp we had gone on to Bloemfontein. Indeed, I
+heard afterwards that they had sent a patrol, to pursue us to the hills
+on the farm of Glengarry, and that this patrol had seen us march away in
+the direction of Bloemfontein. In fact the enemy seemed to have a fixed
+impression that I was going there. I was told that they had said: "De
+Wet was either too wise or too frightened to attack Dewetsdorp; and if
+he did, he would only be running his head against a wall." And again,
+when they had received the telegram which informed them that I had gone
+through Springhaansnek, they said: "If De Wet comes here to attack us,
+it will be the last attack he will ever make."
+
+We came to the farm of Roodewal, and remained there, well out of sight,
+the whole of the 20th of November. Meanwhile our friends (?) at
+Dewetsdorp were saying: "The Boers are ever so far away."
+
+But on the evening of the same day I marched, very quietly, back to
+Dewetsdorp, and crept up as close as I dared to the positions held by
+the enemy's garrison. My early days had been spent in the vicinity of
+this town, which had been named after my father by the Volksraad; and
+later on I had bought from him the farm[74] where I lived as a boy.
+
+By day or by night, I had been accustomed to ride freely in and out of
+the old town; never before had I been forced to approach it, as I was
+now, _like a thief_! Was nothing on this earth then solid or lasting? To
+think that I must not enter Dewetsdorp unless I were prepared to
+surrender to the English!
+
+I was _not_ prepared to surrender to the English. Sooner than do that I
+would break my way in by force of arms.
+
+At dawn, on the 21st of November, we took possession of three positions
+round the town.
+
+General Botha, who had with him Jan and Arnoldus Du Plessis as guides,
+went from Boesmansbank to a _tafelkop_,[75] to the south-east of the
+town. On this mountain the English had thrown up splendid _schanzes_,
+and had also built gun forts there, which would have been very
+advantageous to us, if we had only had more ammunition. The English had
+undoubtedly built these forts with the intention of placing guns there,
+and thus protecting the town on every side should danger threaten. But
+they did not know how to guard their own forts, for when General Botha
+arrived there he found only three sentries--and they were fast sleep!
+Two of them escaped, leaving their clothes behind, but the third was
+killed.
+
+Commandant De Vos and I occupied a position on the ridge which lies to
+the north of the town; from this point we could shoot into the town at a
+range of about 1,600 paces.
+
+Commandant Lategan was stationed on the hill to the west of the town,
+close to the farm of Glengarry, whose owner, Mr. B.W. Richter--father of
+my valiant Adjutants, B.W. and Jan Richter--must have been much
+surprised that morning when he discovered that something very like an
+attack was being made on Dewetsdorp.
+
+The enemy held strong positions on points of the ridge to the south-east
+(above the Kaffir location) to the south-west and to the north-west.
+Their _schanzes_ were built of stones, and provided with trenches. On
+the top of the _schanzes_ sandbags had been placed, with spaces left
+between them for the rifles.
+
+Of Major Massey, who was in command, and his force, consisting of parts
+of the Gloucestershire regiment, the Highland Light Infantry, and the
+Irish Rifles, five hundred all told, I have only to say that both
+commanding officer and men displayed the greatest valour.
+
+Although Commandants Hasebroek and Prinsloo had not arrived,
+nevertheless I had as many as nine hundred men. But I was obliged to
+send a strong patrol to Roodekop, eighteen miles from us in the
+direction of Bloemfontein, in order to receive reports in time, should
+reinforcements be coming up to the help of the English. I had also to
+send men to keep watch out towards Thaba'Nchu, Wepener and Reddersburg;
+nor could I leave the President's little camp (which I had allowed to
+proceed to the farm called "Prospect") without some protection. Thus it
+was that of my nine hundred men, only four hundred and fifty were
+available for the attack.
+
+It delighted me to see how courageous our burghers were at Dewetsdorp.
+As one watched them creeping from _schanze_ to _schanze_, often without
+any cover whatever, and in danger at every moment of falling under the
+enemy's fire, one felt that there was still hope.
+
+On the first day we advanced until we were close to the _schanzes_ on
+the south-east and on the north; we remained there during the night in
+our positions, our food being brought to us.
+
+The second day, November 22nd, firing began very early in the morning,
+and was kept up until the afternoon. Our most advanced burghers, those
+of Harrismith, had come to within about one hundred paces of the first
+_schanze_.
+
+I saw one of our men creeping on till he was close under the enemy's
+fort. Directly afterwards I observed that rifles were being handed over
+the _schanze_ to this man. Later on it appeared that the man who had
+done this valiant deed was none other than Veldtcornet Wessels, of
+Harrismith. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Commandant, to
+take the place of Commandant Truter; later on again, he became
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief.
+
+Our burghers could now enter this fort without incurring much danger.
+But they had hardly done so, when the two English guns, which had been
+placed to the west of the town, opened fire on them. When this
+happened, I gave orders to my men that a great _schanze_ of the English,
+about eighty paces from the one which we had just taken, should be
+stormed. This was successfully carried out by Veldtcornet Wessels, who
+had with him about twenty-five men. The enemy meanwhile kept up a heavy
+fire on our storming party, from some _schanzes_ which lay still further
+away; our men, therefore, had nothing left them but to take these also.
+Then while our men kept in cover behind the fort which they had just
+taken, the English left the _schanzes_ upon which the storming party had
+been firing so fiercely; this, however, Veldtcornet Wessels and his
+burghers did not know, because, after having rested a little, and
+desiring to renew the attack, they only saw that everything was quiet
+there, and that they were now only under the fire of guns from the
+western forts, which lay right above the town. I also had not observed
+that the forts had been abandoned.
+
+Just as the sun was setting, and when it was too late to do anything,
+General Philip Botha, with his two sons, Louis and Charlie, rushed up to
+Veldtcornet Wessels and told him what the real state of affairs was.
+
+I now saw columns of black smoke rising from the mill of Mr. Wessels
+Badenhorst, to the south of the town. Everybody was saying: "The English
+are burning their commissariat; they are going to surrender!"
+
+The English had a strong fort on the north, near the place where
+Commandant De Vos was stationed. In order to take this _schanze_ one
+would have been obliged to cross 200 metres of open ground. Moreover, it
+was so placed that it was the only part of the English possession which
+De Vos's guns commanded. Accordingly, when the sun had gone down, I sent
+orders to him that he was to storm this _schanze_ before daybreak on the
+following morning.
+
+My orders were duly carried out.
+
+Commandant De Vos crept stealthily up to the fort, and was not observed
+by the enemy until he was close to them. They then fired fiercely on
+him, killing two of his burghers, but our men would not be denied; they
+leapt over the _schanze_ and compelled the enemy to surrender. The
+English losses on this occasion were six killed, a few wounded, and
+about thirty taken prisoner.
+
+While this was going on, Veldtcornet Wessels, in accordance with orders
+which I had given him the previous evening, had taken possession of the
+river bank exactly opposite to the town, which he was now preparing to
+storm.
+
+The English had only a few _schanzes_ to the west of him, and these were
+not more than two hundred paces off.
+
+I had been to the laager at "Prospect" the night before, with the
+intention of returning so as to be in time for the storming of the town.
+I had arranged to go there very early in the morning, because my journey
+could be accomplished with much less risk if carried out in the dark.
+Unfortunately, however, daylight overtook me when I had got no further
+than the Kaffir location, and I had to race from there, over country
+where I had no sort of cover, to the ravine near the town. From this
+ravine to where Veldtcornet Wessels was waiting for me on the river
+bank, I rode in comparative safety.
+
+The reader can easily imagine how delighted I was to meet again the
+Dewetsdorp folk, to whom I was so well known. But I could not show
+myself too much. That would not have been safe. After I had visited
+three houses--those of the Schoolmaster, Mr. Otto, of Mr. Jacobus Roos,
+and of old Mr. H. Van der Schijf--and had partaken in each of a cup of
+coffee, I hurried off to my burghers.
+
+The remaining English _schanzes_ had been so well constructed that their
+occupants could still offer a very stubborn resistance, and they did so.
+It was not until about three o'clock on the afternoon of the 23rd of
+November that we saw the white flag go up, and knew that the victory was
+ours.
+
+We took four hundred and eight prisoners, amongst whom were Major Massey
+and seven other officers. We also took fifty Kaffirs. Two Armstrong guns
+with more than three hundred rounds of ammunition, some waggons, horses
+and mules, and a great quantity of Lee-Metford cartridges also fell into
+our hands.
+
+We never knew the exact numbers of the English dead and wounded, but
+they must have lost something between seventy and one hundred men.
+
+Our own loss was heavy. Seven of the burghers were killed and fourteen
+wounded; most of these, however, slightly.
+
+The sun had already set before we had put everything in order, and it
+was late in the evening when we returned to our laager at "Prospect."
+There I received a report that a great column was marching from the
+direction of Reddersburg, in order to relieve Major Massey--but they
+were too late!
+
+Very early the following morning we made preparations to intercept the
+advance of this column. We took up positions to the west of Dewetsdorp,
+and the day was spent in exchanging shots with the enemy's guns. During
+the night we remained in our positions, but when the sun rose I
+discovered that the column, which was already too strong for us, was
+expecting a reinforcement, and as no attack was attempted on their side,
+I decided to leave the position quietly, and to march on. My inroad into
+Cape Colony must no longer be delayed.
+
+Our positions at Dewetsdorp were so situated that I could leave them
+unnoticed. I thought it well, however, to leave behind a small number of
+burghers as a decoy, so that the English should not pursue us at once.
+
+[Footnote 74: Nieuwjaarsfontein.]
+
+[Footnote 75: A table-shaped hill.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+I Fail to Enter Cape Colony
+
+
+The enemy gave us plenty of time in which to effect our escape, and by
+nightfall we had abandoned our positions at Platkop. Taking with us the
+prisoners of war (whom I intended to set free on the far side of the
+Orange River), we marched towards Vaalbank, arriving there on the
+following morning. That day the English attacked us unawares. While I
+was at Dewetsdorp, Captain Pretorius had come up to give me a report of
+his recent doings. I had sent him, two months previously, from the
+district of Heilbron to Fauresmith and Philippolis, in order to fetch
+two or three hundred horses from those districts; he had told me that he
+had brought the horses, and that they were with his 200 men at
+Droogfontein.
+
+It was about eight o'clock in the morning after our night march that our
+outpost at Vaalbank saw a mounted commando riding from Beijersberg in
+the direction of Reddersburg. I was at once informed of this, but as I
+was expecting Pretorius from that direction, I merely said: "It is sure
+to be Captain Pretorius."
+
+"No; this is an _English_ commando."
+
+English or Australian--it made very little matter--they were enemies.
+
+I had no need to give the order to off-saddle, the burghers did it at
+once of their own accord. But before we were ready for him, the enemy
+opened fire on us from the very ridge on which our outpost had been
+stationed.
+
+Off went the burghers, and I made no effort to stop them, for the spot
+where we were did not command a good view of the surrounding country,
+and I already had my eye on some ridges, about half an hour's ride away.
+There we should be able to reconnoitre, especially towards Dewetsdorp,
+whence I expected the enemy at any moment. During the retreat
+Veldtcornet de Wet was severely wounded. Moreover, some of our horses
+had to be left behind, being too exhausted to go any further.
+
+We marched on towards Bethulie. When in the neighbourhood of this town,
+and of the farm of "Klein Bloemfontein," I fell in with General Piet
+Fourie and Captain Scheepers, and took them with me. While on this farm
+I set free the Kaffirs whom I had taken prisoner at Dewetsdorp; they
+pretended they had not been fighting, but were only waggon-drivers. I
+gave them a pass to go into Basutoland.
+
+We then proceeded towards Karmel, and just as we were approaching the
+farm of "Good Hope," we caught sight of an English column which had come
+from Bethulie, and was making for Smithfield. I at once opened fire upon
+them from two sides, but they were in such good positions that we failed
+that day to drive them out. On the morrow, early in the morning, the
+fight began afresh.
+
+About four o'clock in the afternoon General Charles Knox, with a large
+reinforcement, arrived from Smithfield, and we had once more to retire.
+It was here that I sustained a loss upon my staff--my nephew, Johannes
+Jacobus de Wet. It was sad to think that I should never again see
+Johannes--so brave and cheerful as he had always been. His death was a
+great shock to me.
+
+Our only other casualties were four burghers wounded, whereas the enemy,
+unless I am much mistaken, must have lost heavily.
+
+Whilst this fight was in progress General Hertzog joined me. We arranged
+that he should with all speed make an inroad into Cape Colony, between
+the Norvalspont and Hopetown railway bridges, and that I should do the
+same between the railway bridges at Bethulie and Aliwal North. He was to
+operate in the north-western part of the country, I in the eastern and
+midland parts.
+
+That night we continued our march towards Karmel, under a heavy downpour
+of rain. Next morning it was still raining when we started to continue
+our march; later on in the day we off-saddled for a short time and then
+went on again, so as to be able to cross the Caledon River before it
+became impossible to do so. I can assure you that it rained so hard
+while we were fording the Caledon, that, as the Boers say, "It was
+enough to kill the big devils and cut off the legs of the little ones."
+We then marched on--still through heavy rain.
+
+Commandant Truter, who was in command of the rear-guard, had left a
+Krupp and an ammunition waggon behind. I was not at all pleased about
+this, but, as we had not a single round of Krupp ammunition left, the
+gun would only have hampered us.
+
+That evening we reached the Orange River, at a point some three miles to
+the north of Odendaalsstroom, but, alas! what a sight met our eyes! The
+river was quite impassable owing to the floods, and, in addition, the
+ford was held by English troops stationed on the south bank.
+
+Our position was beginning to be critical, for there was an English
+garrison at Aliwal North, so that I could not cross the Orange River by
+the bridge there. It was also highly probable that the Caledon would be
+in flood, and I knew that General Charles Knox had left a division of
+his troops at Smithfield--they would be sure to be holding the bridge
+over the Caledon at Commissiedrift. Moreover, Jammerbergsdrift, near
+Wepener, was doubtless well guarded, so that there, too, I would have no
+chance of crossing the river. There was still Basutoland, but we did not
+wish to cross its borders--we were on good terms with the Basutos and
+we could not afford to make enemies of them. Surely we had enough
+enemies already!
+
+To make the best of a bad job I sent Commandant Kritzinger[76] and
+Captain Scheepers, with their three hundred men, to march in the
+direction of Rouxville with orders that as soon as the Orange River
+became fordable, they were to cross it into Cape Colony without delay. I
+entertained no doubt that they would succeed.
+
+Everything is as it must be, and unless one is a sluggard--who brings
+trouble upon himself by doing nothing to avoid it--one has no reason to
+complain.
+
+Such were my thoughts as I contemplated our situation.
+
+The Orange River was in flood--the Government and I, therefore, could
+not possibly remain where we were for long. The English were so fond of
+us that they would be sure to be paying us a visit! No, to wait there
+until the river was fordable was not to be thought of.
+
+The reader will now perceive how it was that my projected inroad into
+Cape Colony did not become a fact. My dear old friend, General Charles
+Knox, was against it, and he had the best of the argument, for the river
+was unfordable. What then was I to do? Retreat I could not, for the
+Caledon also was now full. Again, as I have already explained, it would
+not do for me to take refuge in Basutoland. But even that would be
+better than to attempt to hold out where I was--in a narrow belt of
+country between two rivers in flood--against the overpowering force
+which was at General Knox's disposal, and which in ten or twelve days
+would increase tenfold, by reinforcements from all parts of the country.
+
+I knew that the Orange and the Caledon Rivers sometimes remained
+unfordable for weeks together. How could I then escape?--Oh, the English
+had caught me at last! They hemmed me in on every side; I could not get
+away from them. In fact they had "cornered" me, to use one of their own
+favourite expressions. That they also thought so appears from what I
+read afterwards in the _South African News_, where I saw that Lord
+Kitchener had given orders to General Charles Knox "not to take any
+prisoners there!" For the truth of this I cannot positively vouch; but
+it was a very suspicious circumstance that Mr. Cartwright, the editor of
+the newspaper to which I have referred, was afterwards thrown into
+prison for having published this very anecdote about Lord Kitchener.
+
+Our prospects were then by no means bright; I knew very well that those
+trusty counsellors of the English--the National Scouts--would have
+advised their masters to seize the bridges and thus make escape
+impossible for Steyn and De Wet.
+
+Without delay I proceeded to the Commissiedrift bridge over the Caledon.
+As I feared, it was occupied by the enemy. Entrenchments had been dug,
+and _schanzes_ thrown up at both ends.
+
+Foiled here, I at once sent a man down to the river to see if it was
+still rising. It might be the case that there had not been so much rain
+higher up. The man whom I had sent soon returned, reporting that the
+river was falling, and would be fordable by the evening. This was good
+news indeed.
+
+On the other hand, our horses were exhausted. They had now for three
+days been obliged to plough their way through the wet, muddy paths. We
+had no forage to give them, and the grass was so young as yet that it
+did not seem to strengthen them at all.
+
+Nevertheless, we had to be off. And there was but one road open to
+us--we must somehow get across the Orange River and thus obtain
+elbow-room. Accordingly we returned to make for Zevenfontein, a ford ten
+or twelve miles further up the river. If it were not already in the
+enemy's hands, we would surely be able to get across there. Shortly
+before sunset, on the 8th of December, we arrived at Zevenfontein. To
+our immense joy, it was unoccupied and fordable.
+
+I at once marched towards Dewetsdorp, intending, if only General Knox
+and his huge force would give me the chance, to rest my horses, and then
+make another attempt to enter Cape Colony.
+
+But it was not to be.
+
+The English were afraid that if President Steyn and I were in Cape
+Colony their troubles would be doubled. General Knox therefore
+concentrated all his available forces in order to drive us northwards.
+It was disappointing, but there was a bright side to it. If the English
+were pursuing me, they would have to leave Commandant Kritzinger and
+Captain Scheepers, who would thus be able to cross the Orange River.
+
+These two officers, however, were not left entirely in peace. While they
+rested for a time near Zastron, in order to give their horses a chance
+of recovering their strength, there came a division of Brabant's Horse
+to pay them a visit. The result was that about sixty of the visitors
+were wounded or taken prisoner, while the rest found it as much as they
+could do to get back to Aliwal North, whence they had started.
+Commandant Kritzinger and Captain Scheepers had then another opportunity
+for rest until the day should come when they could make an inroad into
+Cape Colony according to my instructions.
+
+Although, as I have already said, the English were passionately devoted
+to President Steyn and myself, I was deprived of their endearments for
+the space of two whole days, during which I was at Wilgeboomspruit. Here
+I was joined by Commandant Hasebroek with his commando, and all of
+us--horses as well as men--enjoyed a little rest. But very soon General
+Knox was again at our heels, and, to escape him, I marched west in the
+direction of Edenburg, hoping at last to be able to get into Cape
+Colony. Not only were the forces of General Knox _behind_ us, but, when
+we arrived at the farm of "Hexrivier," and thus were within two hours'
+march of Edenburg, I heard from my scouts, whom I had sent on in
+advance, that there was a great English column in _front_ of us at that
+town.
+
+In the evening, therefore, I turned off towards the east, and marched in
+the direction of Wepener.
+
+The following morning the enemy was again on our track; but, as we had
+covered twenty miles during the night, we were so far ahead that it was
+unnecessary for us to move very fast during that and the following day.
+
+At mid-day, the 13th of December, we took up excellent positions--placed
+in a line of about eight miles from end to end--on the farm called
+"Rietfontein," which is in the district of Wepener, north-east of
+Daspoort. We were so strongly posted that the enemy had to halt and wait
+for the arrival of the rearguard. I had calculated on this, and knew
+that darkness would come to our aid before the English were ready to
+attack us. But in front of us there was a strong line of forts,
+extending from Bloemfontein through Thaba'Nchu and Springhaansnek, to
+Ladybrand. Through this line we should have to fight our way; this would
+be difficult enough, and it would never do to have General Knox at our
+heels, to increase the difficulty. Our only plan, then, was to make a
+long night march, and thus to get well out of the way.
+
+Accordingly, I gave orders to the men to hold their positions until
+dark, and to let the enemy see that they were doing so. I had even had
+_schanzes_ built, so as to impress them with the idea that I intended to
+attack them the following day if they advanced towards my positions. And
+just before the night came on, I ordered the burghers to show themselves
+from behind all our _schanzes_.
+
+Then night fell, and I at once gave orders to march off.
+
+The burghers could not understand this, and began to grumble about
+it--what could their General mean? Why this sudden change in his plans?
+I said nothing, but thought to myself, "You shall know why to-morrow."
+
+We marched directly towards Springhaansnek. It was very slow work, for
+many of the burghers' horses were so weak that their owners had to go on
+foot. General Philip Botha and I were with the rearguard, and did not
+expect to reach the line of forts until ten o'clock on the following
+morning.
+
+We had not advanced very far before we were joined by Commandant Michal
+Prinsloo, who had with him three hundred of the Bethlehem burghers. He
+had come down from Springhaansnek, and as his horses were in good
+condition I ordered him to go in advance of us, to pass through
+Springhaansnek, and then to occupy positions to the north of the lines
+of forts and east of Thaba'Nchu.
+
+My object in making this arrangement was that when on the following
+morning we were crossing the mountains, he might be able to hinder the
+enemy at Thaba'Nchu from either checking our advance, or sending
+reinforcements to the Springhaansnek forts.
+
+And in point of fact, Prinsloo's commando proved to be our salvation;
+for the English, from their high position at Thaba'Nchu, spied us as
+soon as day broke, and indeed sent troops to reinforce the point for
+which we were making. But Prinsloo succeeded in holding them in check,
+so that when we arrived at Springhaansnek we had to fight against strong
+positions, but against nothing else--but I must not anticipate.
+
+Before it began to be light on the morning of the 14th of December,
+Commandant Prinsloo passed through the enemy's lines between the forts.
+The English fired upon him, but he did not turn back. Then a small
+outpost of the enemy, which lay half-way between the forts, made an
+attempt to turn the oncoming burghers by shooting at them from the
+front. The Commandant only gave strict orders that the men must force
+their way through. The consequence was that two of the enemy, who did
+not get out of the way in time, were literally ridden over. The burghers
+thought that these two unfortunate men had been trodden to death by the
+horses, but it was not likely that any of them would dismount to see if
+this were actually the case.
+
+As I have already said, General Botha and I were in the rearguard. We
+knew, however, that Vice-Commandant-in-Chief Piet Fourie--a man whom
+nothing on earth would stop, if he had once made up his mind--was
+leading the van, and that he was supported by Veldtcornet Johannes
+Hattingh, who was as resolute and undaunted as his chief.
+
+Fourie did not wait for us to catch him up, but at once went down the
+mountain side. When we saw this, General Botha and I rode with all speed
+ahead, telling the burghers to come on more gently with their weary
+horses. I did not fear thus to leave them behind, because I knew that
+General Knox was still a long way in the rear.
+
+Just as General Fourie, leading the first storming-party, had passed
+between the forts, we came up with him, our burghers still straggling on
+behind us. As soon as we had crossed over the first piece of rising
+ground, I halted my men, and ordered them to leave their horses out of
+sight of the enemy, and to return to the brow of the hill, so as to be
+able to fire into the forts on the right and left hand, which were from
+eight hundred to nine hundred paces from us. From this hill we kept up
+as fierce a fire as we could, and this to a great extent prevented the
+enemy in those forts from firing on our burghers who were still coming
+on in a long train.
+
+It is necessary, in order that the reader may understand the task which
+we had set ourselves to accomplish, to say a few words about
+Springhaansnek. At either side of the way by which we must pass, there
+were two strong forts, at a distance of from a thousand to twelve
+hundred paces from each other. In the space between them there was
+absolutely no cover; and the distance from the point where the burghers
+were first visible to the men in these forts, to the point where they
+again disappeared from view, was at least three thousand paces.
+
+Over these terrible three thousand paces our burghers raced, while a
+storm of bullets was poured in upon them from both sides. And of all
+that force--eight thousand strong--no single man was killed, and only
+one was wounded!
+
+Our marvellous escape can only be described to the providence and
+irresistible protection of Almighty God, who kept His hand graciously
+over us.
+
+What the enemy's loss was I never heard.
+
+In addition to the burghers, a few carts and waggons, as well as one of
+the two guns which had been taken at Dewetsdorp, got safely through the
+English lines. The other gun was left behind by the sergeant of the
+artillery, before he reached the fighting line. He sent the horses of
+the gun-carriage with the gunners, back to Commandant Hasel, who
+subsequently followed us to Ijzernek, to the west of Thaba'Nchu.
+
+My ambulance with Dr. Fourie and Dr. Poutsma, were stopped by the
+English. Dr. Fourie had, as was quite proper, remained outside the
+fighting line, with the intention of coming through afterwards. This he
+was permitted to do on the following day. He brought me a message from
+General Knox to the effect that Commandant Hasebroek had lost heavily in
+an engagement with Colonel White, who had marched out from Thaba'Nchu.
+But I had already received information that the Commandant had got
+through the enemy's lines unhurt, and that on the contrary it was he who
+had killed some of Colonel White's men, while they were attacking him.
+
+We decided to retreat still further, in order to reach a place of safety
+where we might rest our horses, in preparation for that long dash into
+Cape Colony, which I still intended to carry out on the first
+opportunity. I felt sure, however, that my commandos would be allowed
+no rest by the enemy as long as the President and I were with them.
+Accordingly I planned that as soon as we got to the north of Winburg he
+and I should absent ourselves from the commandos for some time, while I
+proceeded to arrange certain matters (to be set down in a later chapter)
+by which I hoped to effectually "settle"[77] the English.
+
+On our arrival at a certain farm to the south of Senekal we discovered
+that General Knox was once more at our heels. We had several small
+engagements with him, in one of which a son of Commandant Truter, of
+Harrismith, was killed.
+
+On the afternoon of Christmas Day, 1900, we left the farm, and rode on
+to the Tafelkop, nine miles to the west of Senekal.
+
+[Footnote 76: He was subsequently appointed Vice-Commander-in-Chief in
+Cape Colony.]
+
+[Footnote 77: In the original a Kaffir word is used here. The literal
+meaning of the phrase is "to throw the knuckle bones"--the Kaffir
+equivalent for dice.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+Wherein Something is Found About War against Women
+
+
+It was decided here, on the 26th December, to divide the large
+commando into two. The one part was to be under the command
+of Assistant-Chief-Commander P.H. Botha, and the other
+Assistant-Chief-Commander Pete Fourie.
+
+I entrusted to President Steyn a bodyguard under Commander Davel, who
+went with the Government in the direction of Reitz.
+
+As regards myself, I went to Assistant-Chief-Commander C.C. Froneman,
+who was with the Heilbron Commander, L. Steenekamp, in the neighbourhood
+of Heilbron. It was my intention to take with me from there a strong
+escort, and to dig up the ammunition at Roodewal taken on the 7th of
+June, as both our Mauser and our Lee-Metford ammunition were nearly
+exhausted, although we still had a fairly large supply of Martini-Henry
+Giddy cartridges.
+
+I then started from Tafelkop, on the 27th of December, and arrived two
+days later at General Froneman's commando, close to Heilbron. I had to
+wait there till the evening of the 31st December, until the necessary
+carriages and oxen had been got together for carrying the ammunition
+with us. Carriages were now no longer to be got easily, because the
+British had not only taken them away from the farms, but had also burnt
+many of them. Where formerly in each farm there were at least one
+carriage and a team of oxen, and in some two, three or even more, there
+were now frequently not a single one. Even where there were carriages
+the women had always to keep them in readiness to fly on them before the
+columns of the enemy, who had now already commenced to carry the women
+away from their dwellings to the concentration camps within their own
+lines, in nearly all villages where the English had established strong
+garrisons. Proclamations had been issued by Lord Roberts, prescribing
+that any building within ten miles from the railway, where the Boers had
+blown up or broken up the railway line, should be burnt down. This was
+also carried out, but not only within the specified radius, but also
+everywhere throughout the State. Everywhere houses were burnt down or
+destroyed with dynamite. And, worse still, the furniture itself and the
+grain were burnt, and the sheep, cattle and horses were carried off. Nor
+was it long before horses were shot down in heaps, and the sheep killed
+by thousands by the Kaffirs and the National Scouts, or run through by
+the troops with their bayonets. The devastation became worse and worse
+from day to day. And the Boer women--did they lose courage with this
+before their eyes? By no means, as when the capturing of women, or
+rather the war against them and against the possessions of the Boer
+commenced, they took to bitter flight to remain at least out of the
+hands of the enemy. In order to keep something for themselves and their
+children, they loaded the carriages with grain and the most
+indispensable furniture. When then a column approached a farm, even at
+night, in all sorts of weather, many a young daughter had to take hold
+of the leading rope of the team of oxen, and the mother the whip, or
+vice versa. Many a smart, well-bred daughter rode on horseback and urged
+the cattle on, in order to keep out of the hands of the pursuers as long
+as at all possible, and not to be carried away to the concentration
+camps, which the British called Refugee Camps (Camps of Refuge). How
+incorrect, indeed! Could any one ever have thought before the war that
+the twentieth century could show such barbarities? No. Any one knows
+that in war, cruelties more horrible than murder can take place, but
+that such direct and indirect murder should have been committed against
+defenceless women and children is a thing which I should have staked my
+head could never have happened in a war waged by the civilized English
+nation. And yet it happened. Laagers containing no one but women and
+children and decrepit old men, were fired upon with cannon and rifles in
+order to compel them to stop. I could append here hundreds of
+declarations in proof of what I say. I do not do so, as my object is not
+to write on this matter. I only touch upon it in passing. There are
+sufficiently many righteous pens in South Africa and England to pillory
+these deeds and bring them to the knowledge of the world, to remain on
+record for the future. For what nation exists, or has existed, which has
+not a historical record whether to its advantage or to its disadvantage?
+I cannot do it here as it should be done. And too much cannot be said
+about this shameful history.
+
+I had to unburden my heart. Now let me proceed.
+
+On the evening of the 1st of January, 1901, I pushed on towards Roodewal
+Station, for I had obtained all the waggons I needed for my purpose.
+Perhaps that night the outposts were asleep; but however that may be, we
+reached the railway without the enemy being aware of our movements. The
+hour was growing late, and so we had no choice but to remain where we
+were, nine miles from the spot at which we aimed. But the following
+evening we were again on the march, and reached the place where the
+ammunition had been buried. We found it untouched, and just where we had
+left it, a few miles from the railway, and quite close to the English
+camp, at Rhenosterriviersbrug.
+
+We were very careful to recover every cartridge, since it was clear that
+the war must still continue for a long space of time. _We_ could have no
+thought of giving up the struggle, whilst the pride of England would not
+allow her to turn back.
+
+We loaded our waggons with the ammunition, and I gave to General
+Froneman the task of conducting it across the railway line. I myself
+proceeded to the Vredefort commandos, which were stationed some fifteen
+miles away, for the state of affairs amongst these commandos called for
+my presence. On the 4th of January, when night had fallen, I crossed the
+railway near Vredefortweg, unnoticed by the enemy.
+
+Two days later I was back again with General Froneman's commando, where
+I found that the ammunition had arrived in safety. I was informed that
+General Knox had divided his forces into three parts, one of which had
+engaged General Fourie and Commandant Prinsloo, near Bethlehem. We had
+given the enemy a good beating, but had lost two men in the affair. I
+regret to say that one of them was that clever officer, Vice-Commandant
+Ignatius du Preeij. He was a man whom every burgher loved, for he was
+goodness personified. The second of General Knox's division had set out
+in the direction of Heilbron, whilst the third had pursued General
+Philip Botha along the Liebenbergsvlei.[78]
+
+This division had attempted to mislead General Botha by all sorts of
+tricks, but on January the 3rd he had put up notices outside different
+farmhouses, stating that he did not like such familiarity.
+
+On one occasion the General, with only fifty burghers, had charged one
+hundred and fifty of the bodyguard, and had taken one hundred and
+seventeen prisoners, leaving the whole of the remainder either killed or
+wounded.
+
+A panic now occurred among General Knox's forces. The division that was
+marching to Heilbron suddenly turned aside towards Kroonstad, only to
+meet with General Botha, who left them in anything but an undamaged
+condition.
+
+The division which had been despatched to deal with General Fourie and
+Commandant Prinsloo entered Senekal.
+
+When I arrived at General Botha's camp, which was situated six miles to
+the east of Lindley, I found that General Knox had already taken
+Kroonstad.
+
+After this we allowed ourselves a rest.
+
+On the 8th of January I received reports from Commandant Kritzinger and
+Captain Scheepers dealing with the state of affairs in Cape Colony. They
+informed me that they had safely crossed the Orange River by a
+foot-path. There was another footpath, more to the south, which an
+English outpost of eight men was guarding. These soldiers occupied a
+house near by, and the first warning they had that we had crossed the
+river was when the door of their abode opened, and they heard the order
+to "hands up."
+
+Commandant Kritzinger and Captain Scheepers also assured me that the
+sympathies of the Colonial burghers were strongly with us. Like every
+other right-minded man, I had expected this to be the case, for "blood
+is thicker than water."[79]
+
+Although the Colonials were well aware what a dangerous course they
+would be pursuing if they joined us, and how, later, they would be sure
+to be treated as rebels, they nevertheless threw in their lot with ours.
+
+From Judge Hertzog I received a very encouraging report as to the
+burghers in the north-western parts of Cape Colony. This news decided me
+on leaving behind, in their own districts, parts of the commandos from
+all the various divisions, and on taking others to join with me in a
+second expedition into Cape Colony. The following were the officers I
+took with me, ordering them to assemble at Doornberg, in the district of
+Winburg, on the 25th of January, 1901: Generals Piet Fourie, Philip
+Botha and Froneman; Commandants Prinsloo (Bethlehem), Steyn (Ficksburg),
+Hasebroek (Winburg), De Vos (Kroonstad), Merve (Parijs), Ross
+(Frankfort), Wessel Wessels[80] (Harrismith), Kolbe (Bloemfontein), and
+Jan Theron, with the renowned Theron Scouts.
+
+From the 8th to the 25th of January we were in the north-western
+districts of the Free State. We were waiting for a suitable opportunity
+to make a dash into Cape Colony.
+
+[Footnote 78: _Vlei_--a valley with stagnant water in it.]
+
+[Footnote 79: The Boer proverb is:--"Blood creeps where it cannot
+walk."]
+
+[Footnote 80: I had appointed him in place of Commandant Truter, who had
+resigned.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+I Again Attempt to Enter Cape Colony
+
+
+I was now about to make a second attempt to march into Cape Colony. I
+had great fears that my plans would leak out, since I was obliged to
+mention them to the commandants. But I was not able to confine all
+knowledge of my future movements entirely to the commandants. For I had
+sent many a burgher home to fetch a second horse; and the burghers began
+to make all sorts of guesses as to why they had to fetch the horses; and
+one could hear them mutter: "We are going to the Colony."
+
+But nevertheless they were all in good spirits, with the exception of
+some, who had for commander a most contradictory and obstinate officer.
+
+By January the 25th nearly the whole of my commandos had assembled; only
+General Philip Botha, with the burghers from Vrede under Commandant
+Hermanus Botha, had yet to arrive in order to complete our numbers; and
+he had been prevented coming.
+
+President Steyn and the Government decided to go with me and my two
+thousand burghers.
+
+At Doornberg the council of war was called together by the Government.
+President Steyn then communicated to the meeting that his term of office
+would soon expire. He pointed out that the provisions of the law
+designed to meet this contingency could not be carried out, because a
+legally constituted Volksraad could not be summoned at the present
+moment.
+
+The council of war decided to propose a candidate to the burghers
+without any delay, at the same time giving them the option of
+nominating candidates of their own. Further, it was decided that the
+candidate who should be elected should be sworn in as Vice-States
+President, and retain that title until the time arrived when the
+condition of the country should make it possible to hold an election in
+conformity with the law.
+
+After the voting had taken place, it was found that the former
+President, Marthinus Theunis Steyn, had been unanimously re-elected.
+
+At the burghers' meeting the voting resulted in the same way, except at
+a meeting at which Mr. Cecil Rhodes was proposed as a candidate. This
+proposal was not seconded!
+
+President Steyn was declared elected. And he was then sworn in.
+
+The executive Raad now consisted of the President, as chairman, with T.
+Brain, Secretary of State, W.J.C. Brebner, Secretary of State, A.P.
+Cronje, Jan Meijer and myself as members. Mr. Rocco De Villiers was
+Secretary of the War Council, and Mr. Gordon Fraser, Private Secretary
+to the States President.
+
+No States-Procureur had been appointed since Mr. Jacob De Villiers had
+been taken prisoner at Bothaville; but the Council appointed Mr. Hendrik
+Potgieter, Landdrost of Kroonstad, as Public Prosecutor.
+
+Various causes had made it impossible for a legally constituted
+Volksraad to sit. Some members had, as we called it, "hands-upped";
+others had thought that they had done quite enough when they had voted
+for the war. I would be the last to assert that they had done wrong in
+voting thus. The whole world is convinced that, whatever the Boers might
+have done, England was determined to colour the map of South Africa red!
+And England succeeded beyond her expectations! For South Africa was
+stained with the blood of burghers and defenceless women and children,
+and with the blood of English soldiers who had died in a quarrel for
+which they were not responsible, and which could have been avoided!
+
+There were other members--and I had no patience with them--who had said:
+"We will give our last drop of blood for our country," and then had
+taken good care that no one should have a chance of getting even the
+first drop! They preferred to remain quietly at home, and wait for the
+English to come and make them prisoners of war!
+
+Only a minority of the members had remained faithful to our cause, and
+these did not constitute a quorum; and so no sitting could take place.
+This small party, as far as I can recollect, consisted of the following
+ten members: C.H. Wessels Bishop, Chairman; Wessel Wessels (Vrede); J.B.
+Wessels (Winburg); A.P. Cronje (Winburg); Jan Steijl (Bloemfontein); Jan
+Meijer (Harrismith); J.J. Van Niekerk (Fauresmith); Daniel Steyn
+(Heilbron); Hendrik Ecksteen (Vrede); and Hendrik Serfontein
+(Kroonstad).
+
+We marched from Doornberg on the 26th of January to Commandant Sarel
+Hasebroek's farm, which is eight miles to the north of Winburg.
+
+There was a strong English force seven or eight miles to the east of
+Winburg, and another body of the enemy eleven or twelve miles still
+further to the east. In addition, a column was marching northwards from
+Ventersburg, west of our position.
+
+It was perfectly plain that the enemy were aware of our intentions; but
+this, as I have already said, could not be helped. Our army was so
+constituted that no secret could be kept; and I decided for the future
+to tell no one of any further plans I might form.
+
+On the 27th of January I reconnoitred to the east of Winburg, and took
+care to let myself be seen, for I wished to make it appear that it was
+my intention to proceed in that direction in the evening. Meanwhile I
+secretly sent my scouts to the west.
+
+That night I marched to the west of Winburg, crossing the branch
+railway without meeting with any opposition, and arrived on the
+following morning at the Vet River--to the south of the town. We did not
+advance very fast,[81] as we expected that we should soon once more have
+to face the difficulty of marching with exhausted horses.
+
+In the afternoon we continued our way till we had passed Tabaksberg. The
+following morning, January 28th, I received a report that the English
+were advancing in two divisions. I ordered my burghers to up-saddle and
+to occupy positions to the east of Takasberg.
+
+The enemy's right wing was to the east, and we stationed ourselves on
+some ridges that lay in front of them, but were unable to deliver an
+attack. We charged their left wing, however, and captured a
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which was in perfect order, at the cost of one killed
+and three wounded. Our other losses amounted to a very small number.
+
+As to the enemy's losses, they took some of their dead and wounded away,
+but they left behind them several of their dead at the spot where we had
+captured the gun.
+
+To remain there and continue the fighting the next day could not even be
+thought of; for if we had waited the English would have had time to
+bring up reinforcements, and my plan of entering Cape Colony would have
+been rendered impossible.
+
+Our position was difficult enough. The enemy were at our heels, and we
+had to get away as best we could. In front of us there was the line of
+fortifications from Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, which had been greatly
+strengthened since we had forced our way through it at Springhaansnek.
+It was impossible to get through at Springhaansnek now.
+
+I decided to march towards Thaba'Nchu. But in order to deceive the
+English I sent a strong patrol on the following day in the direction of
+Springhaansnek, ordering them to make no attempt to conceal their
+movements.
+
+I could advance for eight miles without attracting the enemy's notice;
+but if I had gone further I should have been seen from the forts. I need
+scarcely say that it was greatly to my advantage not to give the English
+a chance of seeing me. And so when we had covered eight miles we
+off-saddled. If I had allowed the English to discover what I was doing
+they would have brought up troops from Thaba'Nchu, Sanna's Post and
+Bloemfontein; and these troops in combination with the force behind me
+might have put me into a very awkward position.
+
+My old friend, General Knox, whose duty it had been to prevent me
+entering Cape Colony on a previous occasion, was again entrusted with
+the same task. Any person who has had dealings with this General will
+acknowledge that he is apt to be rather a troublesome friend; for not
+only does he understand the art of marching by night, but he is also
+rather inclined to be overbearing when he measures his strength with
+that of his opponents.
+
+And now, as we were in camp, congratulating ourselves that we were safe
+for the time being, my scouts reported that this same General Knox was
+approaching. I at once ordered the burghers to up-saddle, and to inspan
+the ten waggons we had with us laden with ammunition and flour.
+
+I left behind me a portion of my commando under General Fourie, whose
+duty it was to check General Knox, whilst I myself was going forward to
+clear a road through the enemy's forts.
+
+It was lucky for us that General Knox had been deceived by the strong
+patrol I had sent in the direction of Springhaansnek, and that he had
+come to the conclusion that my commando was marching to the same place.
+He therefore started off in that direction and continued until he
+discovered his mistake. Then he turned aside and came in contact with
+General Fourie. Our men held him back for a few hours, and lost two men,
+very badly wounded in the engagement.
+
+Whilst this was occurring I had reached the forts between Thaba'Nchu and
+Sanna's Post. When I was there a reinforcement of cavalry approached
+from the direction of Bloemfontein.
+
+I immediately opened fire (with a gun and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt at a range
+of 4,000 paces) on the fort, which obstructed my road. After we had
+fired a few shots the English abandoned that fort and fled to the
+nearest fort to the east. Shortly afterwards this fort was also
+abandoned.
+
+The fort to the west was captured by Commandant Steenekamp and the
+Heilbron burghers. They succeeded in taking a few prisoners; but most of
+the enemy fled to Sanna's Post. Only one of the Heilbron burghers was
+wounded--Piet Steenekamp, the son of the Commandant.
+
+And now our road was clear; and we passed through! General Fourie joined
+us two hours after sunset. Then we marched on to Dewetsdorp[82] where we
+arrived on January 31st.
+
+General Knox, I heard, proceeded to Bloemfontein; thence he sent his
+troops to the railway bridge across the Orange River, near Bethulie. He
+was now aware that we were determined to enter the Colony at all costs,
+and so he stationed troops everywhere to turn us back. He placed forces
+not only at Bethulie railway bridge, but also at Springfontein, and
+Norvalspont. Thus he could easily prevent us crossing at the fords.
+
+I had now to find some trump card which would spoil the game he was
+playing!
+
+I ordered General Froneman to proceed from the source of the Kaffir
+River in the direction of Jagersfontein Road Station, to the west of
+Dewetsdorp: General Fourie I despatched in the direction of
+Odendaalsstroom, on the Orange River, to the farm of Klein
+Kinderfontein, to the west of Smithfield.
+
+I then sent scouts to the neighbourhood of Odendaalsdrift. They told me
+that there was an English patrol at the drift, and that they had heard
+that the enemy expected that we should try and cross into Cape Colony at
+that spot.
+
+The following day I ordered a patrol to ride up and down the river; and
+I caused a report to be spread to the effect that I considered it too
+dangerous to cross the Orange River below its junction with the Caledon,
+owing to the river being already very full and quite unfordable if there
+was any rain at all; and that I had for this reason decided to recall
+General Froneman, and to take Odendaalsstroom by force, or else to
+attack the enemy at the Aliwal-north Bridge.
+
+I felt quite sure that this rumour would reach General Knox that very
+day, for he had plenty of friends in the neighbourhood of the Caledon
+and the Orange River.
+
+General Froneman had orders to march in the direction of Zanddrift,
+which is about half-way between Norvals Pont railway bridge and that of
+Hopetown. He succeeded in capturing a train close to Jagersfontein Road
+Station, by the simple device of blowing up the line both in front of it
+and behind it. In this train the burghers found a great quantity of
+things they greatly needed.
+
+It should not be forgotten that there were scarcely any factories in
+South Africa, and this was more especially the case in the two
+Republics. And, as all imports had been stopped for some considerable
+time, it was natural that any booty which consisted of such things as
+saddles, blankets and ammunition was very acceptable.
+
+When the burghers had helped themselves to what they wanted, the train
+was burnt.
+
+For the space of a day I remained quiet, so that I might be quite sure
+that the English had received the report I had spread.
+
+I soon discovered that my plan had been quite successful. The English
+marched off in the direction I wished, believing, no doubt, that the
+rumours they had heard were true; whilst I, on the evening of the 5th of
+February, 1901, took some of the burghers, with the guns and waggons, to
+a spot between the stations of Springfontein and Jagersfontein, and the
+following day remained in hiding.
+
+I left General Fourie behind me with a horse-commando, with orders to
+remain there for two days, and to carry on manoeuvres in the direction
+of Odendaalsstroom.
+
+I crossed the railway line that evening without any mishap to my force,
+but to my great sorrow the valiant Lieutenant Banie[83] Enslin, one of
+the best of my scouts, was severely wounded the same night, and fell
+into the hands of the English. He had ridden in advance with one of
+Theron's Scouting Corps, with the object of finding a favourable spot
+where he could lead us across the railway. The night was very dark, and
+he had lost his way. We crossed, as I have already said, without
+hindrance; but he and his companions rode into an outpost of the enemy a
+few miles to the north. The English opened fire on them, with the
+unhappy result that the estimable Banie was so seriously wounded that he
+had to be left behind. His comrades joined us the following morning,
+bringing the sad news with them.
+
+We now continued our march at as rapid a pace as was possible; but the
+road was so soaked by rain that it was difficult for the oxen and the
+mules to draw the waggons and the guns.
+
+On the 8th of February we overtook General Froneman at Lubbesdrift, six
+miles to the north of Philippolis. We pushed on that evening towards
+Zanddrift, which we reached on the 10th of February. Then we crossed
+over into Cape Colony.
+
+When we had crossed the river, I received a report from my scouts that
+there were about twenty of the enemy in a strong _schanze_ on a kopje,
+which was about half an hour's march further up stream. I gave orders
+that a veldtcornet and twenty-five men, among whom was one of my staff,
+Willem Pretorius, should go and capture the _schanze_.
+
+The veldtcornet preferred not to approach beyond a certain distance, and
+consequently Willem Pretorius and four other men were left to do the
+work.
+
+Willem climbed the hill from one side, and the others, dividing into
+two, climbed it from the other side at two different points. They were
+met by a severe fire from the fort, but when they got to close quarters
+up went the white flag, and the English shouted "We surrender!"
+
+Thus Willem Pretorius and four burghers captured twenty prisoners and a
+like number of horses, saddles, bridles, rifles and bandoliers, not to
+mention some three thousand cartridges.
+
+When the veldtcornet at last arrived with his twenty men, he certainly
+proved himself very useful in carrying away the booty!
+
+This veldtcornet was shortly afterwards "Stellenbosched."[84] I then
+nominated in his place Willem Pretorius[85] as veldtcornet.
+
+We left the river that afternoon behind us, and marched south to Mr.
+Bezuidenhout's farm. The following day we waited there for General
+Fourie to join us. He arrived the next day--and now we were ready to
+begin the game once more!
+
+Our position was embarrassing, for not only was there a large English
+force at General Fourie's heels, but also there were two strong columns
+on the north from Colesberg, which were making for Hamelfontein. And
+these two columns were some twelve miles from us.
+
+I at once set out in the direction of Hamelfontein, and the following
+day I discovered that the enemy's columns had divided into two parties;
+one of them had gone in a westerly direction, whilst the other was
+marching straight towards us. Meanwhile the force which had pursued
+General Fourie had crossed the river at Zanddrift.
+
+My intention had been to divide my force into three divisions directly I
+arrived in the Colony. But I had been obliged to wait till General
+Fourie could join me; and when he had come, there was such large numbers
+of the enemy on every side that they gave me no opportunity of carrying
+out my original intention.
+
+I may mention here that Lieutenant Malan, who became afterwards
+Commandant, and ultimately Vechtgeneraal, had penetrated into the Colony
+with fifty or sixty men, and had advanced considerably farther than I
+had done.
+
+That afternoon I ordered the small waggon to proceed to a point between
+Philipstown and Petrusville.
+
+We had several slight skirmishes with the English; and at sunset we
+nearly fell into their hands, but fortunately we were successful in
+holding the enemy in check until our small laager had passed.
+
+During that night we marched to Hondeblaf River. The following morning
+we found that there was no grass for the horses, for the locusts had
+eaten it all. The horses, poor creatures, were very hungry, and also
+much exhausted by all those forced marches. When we had been at Winburg,
+the pasture had been very poor although it had rained every day. This,
+of course, was very good for the veldt; but unfortunately it did not
+rain grass--the veldt required time to produce it.
+
+All this was most unlucky. Already some of my men had to go on foot, and
+there were no horses to be obtained in that district.
+
+The number of my burghers had now been diminished by nearly six hundred
+men. Commandant Prinsloo had remained behind with three hundred men,
+Vice-Commandant Van Tonder with one hundred, and lastly, Commandant De
+Vos at the Orange River with two hundred.
+
+There was now only one course open to us--and that was to cross as
+quickly as possible the railway line near Hopetown, for if an English
+force was brought down by rail, it would mean our utter destruction.
+
+We accordingly moved away at once from Hondeblaf River. The following
+day the English were again hot on our track. I ordered General Fourie
+and General Froneman to oppose the enemy, for it was necessary that
+something should be done to save our rearguard from being cut off. These
+Generals had several sharp engagements with the English, resulting in
+the capture of a number of prisoners, and a considerable loss in dead
+and wounded to the English.
+
+After we had been on the march for a short time, a "Broodspioen"[86]
+came rushing up to me. (Had not my scouts been riding in a different
+direction they would have given me notice of his proximity.) He told me
+that he and a friend of his of the same calling had gone to a farm near
+by to buy bread, but when they had approached the house, a number of
+English soldiers appeared at the door and called out "hands up!" His
+friend had been captured, but he having been some fifteen paces from the
+house, had managed to escape under a hail of bullets. He had had to
+gallop one thousand paces before he could get out of range behind a
+ridge that stretched between us and the farm. I ordered the burghers to
+halt behind the ridge, and sent a small body of men ahead to determine
+the strength of the enemy. We could now see that the English had hidden
+their horses behind some fruit-trees. When they caught sight of our men
+on the top of the ridge, they took up positions behind kraals and a
+dam-wall not far from the house, knowing well that escape was
+impossible.
+
+I thought it best to send a note to this handful of men, advising them
+to surrender, for I did not wish that any of my burghers' lives should
+be sacrificed in an unnecessary attack. Whilst I was writing the letter
+they punctuated it by an incessant fire, to which the burghers replied
+by a few shots, although none of the enemy were visible. As soon,
+however, as my despatch rider appeared with a white flag, their firing
+ceased. The answer they returned left something to be desired--"We shall
+not surrender!"
+
+I immediately ordered fifty of my men to attack them. Hardly had I given
+the order, when a number of young burghers sprung on their horses and
+galloped at break-neck pace towards the kraals.
+
+And now there was an end to all boasting, for without firing a single
+shot the enemy surrendered.
+
+We took twenty prisoners there, and an equal number of rifles and
+bandoliers. The horses we captured--again twenty in number--were in
+excellent condition, and all up-saddled. We now had made ninety men our
+prisoners since we crossed the Orange River.
+
+The joy of the Broodspioen, who had been for fifty minutes in the hands
+of the English, was very great; and I believe he never returned again to
+his very doubtful profession.
+
+The following day we came to a farm about six miles to the east of
+Houtkraal Station, which we christened Moddervlei,[87] on account of the
+experience we had on the night following our arrival.
+
+The great English force was close behind us, and when night fell the
+enemy were not more than five miles from us.
+
+It was at the hour of sunset, shortly before we came to the swamp, which
+I shall presently describe, that my scouts came across fifteen of the
+enemy. When the English saw our men they turned round at once. But they
+did not get away before one was shot from his horse, and another
+seriously wounded, and several of them taken prisoner.
+
+I now sent two patrols to blow up the railway, seven miles at each side
+of the point where I intended to cross. I had no wish that an armoured
+train should appear and prevent my crossing.
+
+But, before we could reach the railway line a swamp lay in our way. This
+swamp was about one thousand paces broad, and was covered knee deep with
+water, and in some places even deeper; for heavy rain had fallen during
+the afternoon. The water, however, would have been a matter of very
+little consequence, had it not been that the bottom of the swamp was of
+such a nature that the horses sank in it up to their knees, and even
+sometimes up to their girths. But we fourteen hundred riders had to get
+over it somehow or other!
+
+Let the reader try to picture to himself the condition of the swamp when
+the last burgher had crossed!
+
+Many of the men lost their balance as their horses struggled in the mud,
+and several of the burghers had to dismount and lead their poor
+tired-out animals.
+
+The guns and the waggons caused us a great deal of trouble. We inspanned
+thirty oxen to each gun; but if it got stuck fast in the mud, fifty oxen
+were sometimes not sufficient to move it.
+
+At last we got the guns through, and succeeded in getting a trolley,
+and the little waggon which carried my documents and papers, safely to
+the other side. But the ammunition and flour-waggons were impossible to
+move when they had once entered the swamp.
+
+It was a night which I shall never forget!
+
+We had now to determine what we should do with the waggons. The day
+would soon break and we could only cross the railway line when darkness
+covered our movements. It would be disastrous to us if, while we were
+still between the swamp and the railway, troops should be brought up by
+rail from De Aar and Hopetown.
+
+It was perfectly clear that those who had crossed the swamp must go on.
+And so I advanced, at the same time giving General Fourie orders to
+remain behind with a hundred of the men whose horses were less exhausted
+than those of the other burghers, and to try to get the waggons through.
+In the event of the enemy arriving before his task was completed, I told
+him to leave the waggons and make his escape to the south.
+
+Having given these orders, I proceeded with my commando to the railway
+line. Only the weakest of the horses were with us, so that many of my
+burghers had to go on foot.
+
+The ninety prisoners we had taken were with me. I could not release
+them, because I did not want them to tell the enemy how exhausted our
+horses were. Should the English know this they would know exactly where
+our weak point lay.
+
+I pitied the poor "Tommies," but what else could I do but order them to
+march with me? I treated them as well as I could, and made no difference
+between them and the burghers. And after all, many of our own men had to
+go on foot.
+
+Any delay was dangerous, and so we hurried on as fast as possible. When
+we reached the railway line, day had already begun to break.
+Fortunately, we met with no opposition; the patrols had followed my
+orders and broken the line.
+
+When the sun rose one could see what a terrible condition the burghers
+were in. On every man's face utter exhaustion could be read. But how
+could it have been otherwise? The men had had fighting to do the
+previous day, and had only once been able to off-saddle, and that not
+long enough to cook a piece of meat. Rain had also been falling in
+torrents, and most of the men were wet to the skin, for very few of them
+had waterproofs. And to make matters still worse, the burghers were
+covered with the mud from the swamp that still clung to them.
+
+Twenty-four hours had passed without the men being able to lie down and
+rest; and sleep, of course, had been entirely impossible.
+
+Three miles beyond the railway line I gave orders to off-saddle,
+although there was no grass for the horses. Hardly had we dismounted
+when I was told that we should find grass about one hour's ride further
+on. And so we mounted again, fatigued though we were, and found pasture
+at last for the poor animals. I thought it better that the masters
+should endure more hardships than that the horses should go without
+grass. We were rewarded for our short ride by the knowledge that our
+horses had something to eat, and we could sleep in peace without having
+to think that our animals were starving.
+
+But before we could sleep hunger compelled us to kill a sheep which we
+had bought from a farmer living near. In that part of Cape Colony
+sheep-farming is almost the only occupation, and so well adapted is this
+district for rearing sheep that it is quite an exception to see a lean
+one. It may interest some of my readers to know that the African sheep
+has a very remarkable peculiarity; it possesses a huge tail, which
+sometimes weighs as much as ten pounds.
+
+We were unable to obtain bread, and our flour had remained behind in the
+waggons. The sound of an explosion had told us that General Fourie had
+not been able to save them, and that by now they must have been burnt.
+
+I heard later on that General Fourie had been attacked by the English
+and had not been able to set fire to the waggons himself. But the
+English, so my scouts informed me, had done the work for him, and so
+thoroughly that they had also burnt some of their own waggons which had
+got into the swamp.
+
+After we had helped ourselves to a good "African boutspan," and had
+slept with our saddles as pillows, we were all in good spirits again,
+although we could not forget our experiences in the swamp.
+
+The burghers whom I had with me were of the right stamp, and were
+prepared to sacrifice everything for the freedom of the people. If any
+one had asked them whether they were ready to undergo any further
+hardships, they would have replied that a hundred swamps would not
+discourage them. They knew that freedom was a pearl of such value that
+no man since the world began had been able to set a price upon it.
+
+When General Fourie had abandoned the waggons, he retreated to the
+south, crossing the railway at De Aar. He joined me again near
+Petrusville when I was returning to the Free State.
+
+As the English had to march round the swamp, leaving their waggons
+behind, we were not pressed for time, or obliged to march very far. We
+took advantage of this respite to give our horses a little rest.
+
+I now proceeded to the west of Hopetown, in the direction of
+Strijdenburg. The following day the English were again on our heels in
+greater numbers than ever, and advancing more speedily than before. I
+was obliged to engage their vanguard for nearly the whole of that day.
+
+That evening we arrived at a spot about ten or twelve miles to the
+north-west of Strijdenburg. Here I left Commandant Hasebroek behind
+with three hundred men, till the following morning, with orders to watch
+the enemy and hold them back if necessary. This would give my burghers
+who were on foot, or whose horses were exhausted, a chance of getting
+away.
+
+I might here explain to the uninitiated our methods of checking the
+advance of the enemy.
+
+The burghers who had the best horses would remain behind any rise or
+kopje they could find in the neighbourhood. When the enemy approached
+and saw ahead of them two or three hundred burghers they would halt and
+bring their guns (which were usually placed in the middle of the column)
+to the front. When they had got the guns in position, they would bombard
+the ridge behind which the burghers were stationed. But as our men had
+no wish to remain under fire, they would then quietly withdraw out of
+sight. But the English would continue bombarding the hill, and would
+send flanking parties to the right and left. Sometimes it would take the
+English several hours before they could make sure that there were no
+Boers behind the rise.
+
+It was tactics such as the above that gave my burghers who were
+handicapped by the condition of their horses, time to retreat.
+
+It sometimes happened, in these rearguard actions, when the position was
+favourable, that the enemy were led into an ambush, and then they were
+either captured or sent racing back under our fire to bring up their
+guns and main force. Had we not acted in some such way as this, all my
+men would have been taken prisoner in this and in many other marches.
+
+The large forces which the English on all occasions concentrated round
+me deprived me of any chance of fighting a great battle; and I could
+only act in the way I did.
+
+If the reader is eager to know how it was that I kept out of the enemy's
+hands until the end of the war, I can only answer, although I may not
+be understood, that I ascribed it to nothing else than this:--It was not
+God's will that I should fall into their hands.
+
+Let those who rejoice at my miraculous escapes give all the praise to
+God.
+
+[Footnote 81: Our forethought proved later on to have been of little
+avail. For notwithstanding the bountiful rains which had fallen at the
+end of November and the beginning of January in the southern and western
+parts of the State we found, when we arrived there, that the grass had
+been entirely destroyed by the locusts. Neither could we obtain any
+fodder; and so the difficulty of providing for our horses was as great
+as ever.]
+
+[Footnote 82: At this date the English had not re-garrisoned the town.]
+
+[Footnote 83: Barend.]
+
+[Footnote 84: Stellenbosched: this was the word the English applied to
+officers, who, on account of inefficiency, or for other reasons, had to
+be dismissed. Stellenbosch was a place where only very unimportant work
+was performed.]
+
+[Footnote 85: I must give a short account of Willem Pretorius, for he
+was a dear friend of mine. He had only reached the age of twenty when I
+made him a Veldtcornet. His courage certainly could not be surpassed,
+yet he never let it go beyond his reason. About twenty days before the
+conclusion of Peace, he was killed by a bullet at a range of 1,100
+paces. Throughout the whole previous course of the war fortune had
+favoured him almost miraculously: six horses had been killed and many
+more wounded under him; yet he had never received more than a scratch.
+But in the end he, like so many other brave men, was destined to die for
+the country that he loved so dearly. Poor Willem! You and the other
+heroes in our struggle will live for ever in our memories.]
+
+[Footnote 86: Broodspioen: _literally_ a bread spy. This was the name
+applied to a burgher, who, with or without an order from his officer,
+rode in advance of his commando to obtain bread for himself and his
+comrades. He was frequently a man who placed the interests of his
+stomach before the safety of his commando.]
+
+[Footnote 87: A swamp.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+Darkness Proves my Salvation
+
+
+Commandant Hasebroek held the enemy in check whilst we continued our
+march to a place called Vrouwpan. On the following day we struck the
+Brak River at a point ten miles south-east of its confluence with the
+Orange River, to the east of Prieska. It was not fordable, and we had to
+off-saddle.
+
+There was absolutely no chance of getting across--the best of swimmers
+would have been helpless in that swollen torrent, which rushed down to
+the Orange River, its great waves roaring like a tempestuous sea.
+
+About two hours before sunset Commandant Hasebroek reported that the
+English were rapidly approaching. The question was, "Which way shall we
+go?" It was impossible to escape either to the south of the river or in
+the direction of the enemy, for the veldt was too flat to afford us any
+cover. If we were not to be cornered against an impassable torrent, we
+must make our way down stream to the north-west; and even then we should
+be in danger of being driven on to the Orange River, which was only ten
+miles distant. By taking this road the English would not see us, on
+account of a ridge which lay between us and them.
+
+My plan was to get behind this ridge and to march under its shelter
+until darkness came on; then, proceeding up the Orange River, to attack
+the enemy in the rear. They were, however, only nine miles from us, and
+should their advance be rapid, they would reach the friendly ridge
+before night came on; and the danger would then be that before I had
+fulfilled my purpose, we should be hemmed in between two swollen rivers
+with the most fatal consequences. The risk was great, but no other
+course was open to us. There was no time to seek advice from any one; I
+had but a moment to spare in which to acquaint President Steyn with my
+scheme. He said at once: "General, do as you think best."
+
+My mind had been already made up; but my respect for the President was
+so great, and we had always worked in such harmony, that I did not like
+to do anything without his knowledge; besides which, his advice was
+often of great value. Joshua of old prayed that the day might be
+lengthened: but here the case was different; we had reason to be
+thankful that the day was passed and night had begun to fall before the
+vanguard of the enemy had reached the ridge, from the summit of which
+they might have observed us.
+
+That night was the darkest I had ever known. And this was in our favour.
+Very quietly we retreated in a line parallel with the English column
+until, on the following morning, we were not only out of sight but a
+good nine or ten miles behind the enemy, who were marching on, fully
+expecting to corner us between the two rivers.
+
+The English army had been enormously reinforced, and it was clear that
+now more than ever they were putting forth all their powers to silence
+President Steyn and myself effectually.
+
+From their point of view they were right; for had things turned out in
+such a way that we could have remained in Cape Colony, then I am
+convinced we should have made matters very awkward for them.
+
+But what were we to do now? With so many burghers on foot or provided
+only with worn-out horses, it was useless to think of circumventing the
+enemy, and thus getting once more to the south of them; whereas to go up
+stream along the banks of the Orange River until we could discover a
+ford, and then to return across it into the Free State, would mean the
+upsetting of my plan of campaign.
+
+I was obliged to make the best of a bad bargain; and I decided to find a
+way across the Orange River before the enemy had discovered my
+whereabouts.
+
+That day, the 20th of February, we set out along the river, looking for
+a ford. The river was falling, but as there was no feasible crossing we
+had no choice but to go on, trusting that we should find one near the
+confluence of the two rivers. Here again we were disappointed; the punts
+which should have been there had been destroyed some time before by the
+English, but we heard of a boat six miles higher up, so on we marched.
+When found, it was only a small boat, capable of holding, at most,
+twelve men, but we got to work at once, and by the evening of the 22nd
+there were two hundred dismounted burghers on the other bank of the
+river. Some crossed by swimming, in attempting which a man of the name
+of Van de Nerwe was drowned.
+
+A few of those who crossed in the boat succeeded in pulling their horses
+after them.
+
+On the morning of the 23rd I received a report that the English forces
+were close on our heels. We did not expect them so soon, but they had
+made a long night's march. Without delay we off-saddled, and proceeded
+along the river, while the rearguard covered our retreat. The force of
+the enemy was, however, too great, and the rearguard had, after a short
+engagement, to give way.
+
+Fortunately the veldt was broken, and we could (as we had done a few
+days previously) march ahead out of sight of the enemy. Towards two
+o'clock in the afternoon we were obliged to off-saddle, but could only
+do so for one hour, for the English were upon us again. Our gun and
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt we had to leave behind for the enemy; the draught
+cattle had become exhausted, and we had no dynamite with which to blow
+up the guns.
+
+But what did it matter? England had already so many big guns that two
+more could not make much difference, if added to the four hundred which
+that country--one of the oldest and strongest of Empires--had brought
+against a small nation, fighting only to defend its sacred rights.
+
+Nevertheless, it cut me to the heart to give up my guns[88] on that
+day--the 23rd of February--the commemoration day of the independence of
+the Orange Free State. In happier times we had celebrated this day
+amongst our friends, to the accompaniment of salvoes of rifles. Now we
+were obliged to celebrate it by giving up the only two guns with which
+we could still shoot, and which we were now to see turned upon
+ourselves.
+
+My feelings on that day I can never forget! Those Englishmen who go by
+the name of "Pro-Boers" are the best fitted to describe the anguish
+which then overpowered me, for they stood up for justice even against
+their own people. And this not because they were hostile to their
+Government, or to the greatness of England's power, but only because
+they were not without moral sense, because they could not stifle
+conscience at the expense of justice, nor identify themselves with
+iniquitous actions.
+
+But the day will come--of this I am convinced--when not Pro-Boers only,
+but all England will acknowledge our rights--the rights which we shall
+then have earned by our quiet faithfulness and obedience. I cannot
+believe that any father will look without pity on a child who comes to
+him as a child should--obedient and submissive.
+
+The 23rd of February, 1901, the forty-seventh anniversary of the Orange
+Free States, had been a disastrous day for us indeed, but it was to end
+in another miraculous escape, for in the darkness of that evening it
+again happened that we were delivered from an apparently unavoidable
+misfortune. As I have said already, the English were firing on my
+rear-guard; at the same time my scouts came in to tell me that, just in
+front of us, at a distance of not quite four miles, there was another
+great army of the enemy. I had intended to march that night to the west
+of Hopetown. But now if I went in that direction I should only run
+straight on to this army. If we went to the left we could only advance
+2,000 paces before being visible to the English on the kop close to
+Hopetown, from where they could make known our movements by heliograph.
+At our front, at our back, on our left, the outlook was hopeless; and to
+the right lay the cruel river. Stand still we could not--the enemy were
+upon us--it was impossible that anything could save us--no, not
+impossible--a rescue was at hand.
+
+The sun was just going down, and by the time we could be seen from
+Hopetown, night would have covered us with its sheltering wings.
+
+We should then be able to execute a flank movement, and make a detour
+round the enemy who were before us. But now I knew that we must be
+prepared to march nearly the whole night through, in order that we might
+be able, early on the following morning, to cross the railway lines. If
+we did not do this, then we should have the enemy close in our rear, and
+perhaps an armour train threatening us in front. But ... there were the
+burghers on foot and those who had weak horses; and I had not the heart
+to make them march on foot for so long a time, yet the thought of
+allowing such trustworthy patriotic burghers to fall into the hands of
+the enemy was unbearable. I therefore decided on letting them take a
+cross road to the north, to the banks of the Orange River about five
+miles from our position. There, on the banks of the river, were many
+bushes amongst which they could hide themselves until the enemy had
+passed by. They could then proceed along the banks of the river and
+cross it by means of the boat. I cautioned them not to march in one
+troop, or in one trail, but to spread out, so that the English could not
+easily follow their tracks. In this the poor burghers succeeded; they
+already, on that memorable and sad day, had marched eighteen miles; but
+they had yet to cover another five miles to the river before they could
+take their night's rest. They accomplished this feat (on the second day)
+under the valiant and true Commandant Hasebroek, whose horse, although
+tired, was still able to proceed. As for me, I marched away in the
+evening, and after we had rested that night for a few hours, we arrived
+at a place a short distance to the south of Hopetown. About eight
+o'clock we crossed the line, which was fortunately at that point not as
+yet guarded by forts, and off-saddled about six miles beyond. We had
+eaten nothing since the previous day, and it will easily be understood
+that we were so hungry that we, as the Boer proverb says,--"could have
+eaten off a nail's head." There we got some sheep, and it was not long
+before they were killed, broiled, and eaten; what a meal we made!
+
+Towards mid-day we headed once more for the Orange River. We thought
+that by the time we arrived it would be fordable, for we had seen on the
+previous morning that it was falling rapidly, but what was our
+disappointment! there must have been rain higher up the stream, as the
+river had become fuller, and there was still no chance of crossing.
+
+The English were approaching. We had, however, to use our field glasses
+to enable us to see them, as we were fifteen or sixteen miles in front
+of them. Once more there were burghers whose horses were tired and who
+had to march on foot. We thought now that there would be a better chance
+at Limoensdrift; and every one who knew this ford said that it was a
+shallow one. The following day saw us there, and--the river was quite
+full! We then tried higher up, still with the same result--every drift
+was unfordable.
+
+At last we reached the Zanddrift, where we had crossed seventeen days
+before. We knew that this was a shallow drift, and on arriving there I
+got two young burghers,--of whom the one, David Heenop, was an excellent
+swimmer,--to make a trial. The water had not appeared to be so deep as
+we found it to be, when the two burghers plunged into it. They could not
+remain on their horses' backs, but had to swim alongside of them to the
+other side of the river. All thought of their return was out of the
+question; they had risked their lives in crossing, and I gave them
+orders from my side of the river not to attempt the passage back. But
+they had not a stitch of clothing on them, for they had stripped
+themselves before entering the water! In this state, then, they were
+obliged to mount their horses and proceed, and this under a burning sun,
+which scorched them with its rays. About three-quarters of an hour's
+ride from there was a Boer farm; their only course, they thought, was to
+ask for gowns from the ladies there, in which to dress themselves. When
+they arrived at a short distance from the house (such was the account
+they gave on joining me later on) they halted and shouted to the house
+for clothing. A Boer vrouw[89] named Boshof, sent to each one through
+her son--not a gown, but a pair of trousers and a shirt of her
+husband's, which she had been able to hide from the English, who had
+passed there, and who generally took away, or burnt, all male attire.
+
+The enemy had, in the meantime, approached quite close to us, and we
+were again obliged to look for a drift up stream. We had hopes that if
+the river did not all of a sudden rise, we should find one. We came so
+close to the English that we had to open fire on their advance guard
+before we could proceed.
+
+Here General Judge Hartzog met us with his commandos from the
+south-west of Cape Colony, and with him, General Fourie.
+
+That night we marched about fourteen miles.
+
+In the night, after crossing the Zeekoe River, we arrived at a Boer
+farm, to which (we are told) twenty English scouts had paid a visit
+shortly after sunset, and, having asked for information concerning us,
+had gone away by the same road we were following. About four or five
+miles from there we had to cross a ridge. It was dark, and I had
+forgotten those twenty English. I had sent out no scouts before me, but
+rode, as was my habit, with my staff, in front of the commandos. As we
+approached the summit of the mountain I saw a group of horses fastened
+together, and some men lying in front of them. The horses and men were
+not twenty paces to the left of the path, among the bushes. I thought at
+first that they were some of my burghers who had ridden on in advance,
+and were now lying there asleep; I myself had rested for a while at the
+foot of the mountains, to give the burghers, who were on foot, a chance
+of coming up with me. The thought angered me, for it would have been
+against all orders that any burghers, without special permission, should
+go in advance. I proceeded to wake them up.
+
+"What do you mean by riding ahead like this?" I called out to them.
+Nearly all with one accord sprang up and asked, "Who are you?" "Hands
+up!" I called out; as one man their hands went up. They explained that
+they were seven of the twenty scouts before mentioned,--but here the
+remainder opened fire upon us from about two hundred paces to the front.
+I called out to the burghers, "Charge!"
+
+The burghers did so, but as they came to the little hill where we had
+seen the sparks from the guns they found nobody. The English had fled,
+and, as the moon had just gone down, it was too dark to pursue them.
+Taking with us the seven prisoners, we continued on our way until the
+following morning. We allowed them to retain their clothes. It was
+still before the "uitschuddings"[90] period.
+
+The day broke, and after having been turned back on the banks of the
+Brak River, we marched to the fifteenth ford. "If we could only get
+across here," we said. We knew that once across we should have a respite
+from the enemy, and could with thankful hearts take breath even if it
+were only for three or four days.
+
+When we came to the river I at once ordered a few burghers to undress
+and go in. Alas! when the horses entered the ford, the water came over
+their backs, and they had almost to swim. "Now they will have to swim!"
+we cried, but presently we saw that the farther they went the shallower
+it became, and that they walked where we expected them to swim, until at
+last the water reached only to the horses' knees.
+
+What a scramble there was now among the burghers in order to cross! Soon
+the river was one mass of men from bank to bank.
+
+I can hardly describe the different exclamations of joy, the Psalms and
+the songs that now rose up from the burghers splashing through the
+water. "Never will we return," "No more of the Colony for me," "The Free
+State," "On to the Free State!" "The Free State for ever!" Then again,
+"Praise the Lord with cheerful song," "Hurrah!" These were among the
+expressions which met my ears.
+
+Although this was only an old waggon-ford, which had not been used for
+the last few years, my little waggon and a few carts got across. One of
+the carts was drawn by two small donkeys. Somebody told me that the
+little donkeys had to swim a short distance where it was deep, and at
+one time disappeared beneath the water; but that the driver was so full
+of joy--or of fear--that he went on whipping the water!
+
+A fearful experience we had had! We asked each other in wonder, "Is it
+possible? How could we have endured it?" But as I have only been
+hinting at things, the reader will perhaps say, "O come! it hasn't been
+as bad as all that!"
+
+Give me leave then, dear reader, to place before you the whole of the
+circumstances. England's great power pitted against two Republics,
+which, in comparison with European countries, were nearly uninhabited!
+This mighty Empire employed against us, besides their own English,
+Scotch and Irish soldiers, volunteers from the Australian, New Zealand,
+Canadian and South African Colonies; hired against us both black and
+white nations, and, what is the worst of all, the national scouts from
+our own nation sent out against us. Think, further, that all harbours
+were closed to us, and that there were therefore no imports. Can you not
+see that the whole course of events was a miracle from beginning to end?
+A miracle of God in the eyes of every one who looks at it with an
+unbiassed mind, but even more apparent to those who had personal
+experience of it. Yet, however that may be, I had to declare again that
+if there had been no national scouts and no Kaffirs, in all human
+probability matters would have taken another turn. But as things have
+turned out, all that can now be said is, that we have done our best, and
+that to ask any one to do more is unreasonable. May it be the cry of
+every one, "God willed it so--His name be praised!"
+
+[Footnote 88: There were still two Krupps left, but we had no ammunition
+for them.]
+
+[Footnote 89: Farmer's wife.]
+
+[Footnote 90: Stripping.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+Was Ours a Guerilla War?
+
+
+Something almost miraculous now happened! Hardly had we been three hours
+across the river when it became completely unfordable!
+
+We knew that we should have now a few days at least in which to rest
+ourselves, and we marched slowly to the farm of Lubbeshoop. From there I
+sent General Fourie to operate in the south-eastern districts, where he
+had been before, and despatched Judge Hertzog to the south-western
+districts.
+
+We were of the opinion that we should be able to do better work if we
+divided the commandos up into small parties. We could not risk any great
+battles, and, if we divided our forces, the English would have to divide
+their forces too.
+
+The commandos were now divided as follows:
+
+1. The district of Kroonstad: the men under Commandants Philip De Vos,
+Jan Cilliers and Maree.
+
+Sub-district of Heilbron: the men under Commandants F.E. Mentz, Lucas
+Steenekamp and J. Van de Merwe.
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Johannes Hattingh.
+
+2. The district of Vrede: the men under Commandants Ross and Manie
+Botha.
+
+Sub-district of Harrismith: the men under Commandants Jan Meijer, Jan
+Jacobsz,[91] and (at a later period) Brukes.
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Wessel Wessels.
+
+3. The district of Winburg: the men under Commandant Hasebroek.
+
+The sub-district of Ladybrand: the men under Commandant Koen.
+
+The sub-district of Ficksburg: the men under Commandant Steyn.[92]
+
+The sub-district of Bethlehem: the men under Commandant Michal Prinsloo.
+
+All of these men were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief C.C. Froneman.
+
+4. The district of Boshof: the men under Commandant J.N. Jacobsz, P.
+Erasmus and H. Theunissen.[93]
+
+Sub-district of Hoopstad: the men under Commandants Jacobus Theron (of
+Winburg) and A.J. Bester (of Brandfort).
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief C.C.J. Badenhorst.
+
+5. The district of Philippolis: the men under Commandants Munnik and
+Hertzog.
+
+Sub-district of Fauresmith: the men under Commandant Charles Nieuwouwdt.
+
+Sub-district of Jacobsdal: the men under Commandant Hendrik Pretorius.
+
+Sub-district of Petrusburg: the men under Commandant Van du Berg.
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge J.B.M. Hertzog,
+who also was in command of the western part of Bloemfontein.
+
+6. The district of the southern part of Bloemfontein: the men under
+Commandants Ackerman and Willem Kolbe.
+
+Sub-district of Thaba'Nchu: the men under Commandant J.P. Strijl (a
+member of the Volksraad).
+
+Sub-districts of Bethulie and Smithfield: the men under Commandant
+Gideon Joubert.
+
+Sub-district of Rouxville: the men under Commandant Frederik Rheeders.
+
+Sub-district of Wepener: the men under Commandant R. Coetzee.
+
+All of these were under Vice-Commander-in-Chief Piet Fourie, and later
+on under George Brand.
+
+Not long after this arrangement had been made the district under General
+Froneman was divided into two divisions, and Commandant Michal Prinsloo
+was promoted to be Vice-Commander-in-Chief of Bethlehem and Ficksburg as
+separate sub-districts. Bethlehem was then given three Commandants,
+namely, Commandants Olivier, Rautenbach and Bruwer.
+
+All this new arrangement of our forces made it impossible for great
+battles to be fought; it offered us the opportunity of frequently
+engaging the enemy in skirmishes, and inflicting heavier losses upon
+them than would otherwise have been the case. For the same reason our
+losses grew larger from month to month, but they did not increase in the
+same proportion as those of the enemy. Again, we captured more prisoners
+than formerly. It is much to be regretted that we were unable to keep
+them, for had we been in a position to do so, the world would have been
+astonished at their number. But unfortunately we were now unable to
+retain any of our prisoners. We had no St. Helena, Ceylon or Bermuda,
+whither we could send them. Thus, whilst every prisoner which the
+English captured meant one less man for us, the thousands of prisoners
+we took from the English were no loss to them at all, for in most cases
+it was only a few hours before they could fight again. All that was
+required was that a rifle should be ready in the camp on a prisoner's
+return, and he was prepared for service once more.
+
+The fact that we fought throughout the Free State in small detachments,
+put the English to some trouble, for they felt themselves obliged to
+discover a vocabulary of names to apply to us!
+
+Thus when Lord Roberts on the 24th of May, 1900, proclaimed the Orange
+Free State (and afterwards the Transvaal) as annexed by the British
+Crown, he described those who continued to fight as rebels. Then again
+we were called "Sniping Bands" and "Brigands." But the list of epithets
+was not exhausted yet, for it appeared that we were "Guerillas," and our
+leaders "Guerilla Chiefs!"
+
+I was always at a loss to understand by what right the English
+designated us "Guerillas." They had, however, to withdraw the
+_soubriquet_ at the Peace Negotiations, when they acknowledged that our
+leaders formed a legal government.
+
+Let me say a few words more about this term "Guerillas." We will suppose
+that England has captured New York, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Paris,
+Amsterdam, or any other capital of a free and independent State, Kingdom
+or Empire, and that the Government of such State, Kingdom or Empire
+still continues to defend itself. Would England then be entitled to call
+their antagonists "Guerillas"? Or, we will suppose that England's
+capital has been taken by another nation, but the English Government
+still remains in existence. Could England then be considered to be
+annexed by the other nation, and could the enemy term the English
+"Guerillas"? Surely it would be impossible!
+
+The only case in which one can use this word, is when one civilized
+nation has so completely vanquished another, that not only is the
+capital taken, but also the country from border to border is so
+completely conquered that any resistance is out of the question.
+
+But that nothing like this had happened in South Africa is clear to
+every one who recalls the names of Lindley,[94] Roodewal, Dewetsdorp,
+Vlakfontein, Tafelkop[95] and Tweefontein, not to speak of many other
+glorious battle-fields on which we fought _after_ the so-called
+annexation.
+
+Nor must we forget to mention the defeat that Lord Methuen received at
+the hands of General De la Rey immediately before the conclusion of
+peace; a defeat which put the crown on all our victories.
+
+But, as I have already said, it very soon appeared that when England
+stamped us as "Guerillas," they really did not mean to use the word at
+all.
+
+[Footnote 91: Veldtcornet Franz Jacobsz was afterwards appointed in the
+place of this Commandant, who resigned.]
+
+[Footnote 92: When this Commandant resigned, Veldtcornet J.J. Van
+Niekerk was appointed in his place.]
+
+[Footnote 93: When, at a later period, Commandant Theunissen was put in
+command of the burghers of Fauresmith, Commandant Mijburg was appointed
+in his place. This latter Commandant was afterwards killed.]
+
+[Footnote 94: Where the yeomanry were captured.]
+
+[Footnote 95: (District Vrede)--encounter with Brabant's Horse.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+Negotiations with the Enemy
+
+
+It was the intention of President Steyn to remain for some time in the
+division of Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge Hertzog. Meanwhile, I went to
+the northern commandos, in order to keep in touch with Generals Louis
+Botha and De la Rey and our Government. When I was about twelve miles to
+the south of Petrusburg, I received a letter from General Botha,
+informing me that Lord Kitchener desired to have a conference held, at
+Middelburg, in the middle of February, as the English Government wanted
+to make a Peace Proposal. General Botha asked the President and myself
+to come yet nearer, so that, in case we might be wanted, we should be
+within reach.
+
+I sent on his letter to President Steyn, giving him my opinion of it,
+and asking if he would come. The President, who was always ready to do
+anything for his country or people, did not lose one moment, but came at
+once. Meanwhile, I went on ahead with my staff, taking with me also
+Captain Louis Wessels, and five of his men.
+
+About the 15th of March I crossed the railway line, ten miles to the
+north of Brandfort, during the night. There we placed some charges of
+dynamite under the rails, but before we had completed our work, a train
+came up so quietly that one might call it a "scouting train." It was a
+dark night, and there was no lantern at the head of the engine, so that
+we did not see it until it was close upon us. We had, therefore, no
+chance to ignite the fuse. We retired to a distance of about one hundred
+paces from the line, when a fierce fire was opened upon us from the
+train. We replied to this as the train went past, to be succeeded
+immediately afterwards by a second one. As soon as this also had passed
+us, we fired the fuses and blew up the railway line at different places
+close to each other.
+
+Immediately after this two trains came up, stopping close to the place
+where the explosions had occurred, and fired on us for about ten minutes
+without intermission. We paid them back in their own coin, and then each
+train went its way, leaving the repairing of the line to the following
+day.
+
+From there we marched on, without accident, except that a German
+received a slight wound, and one horse was killed. We soon reached
+Senekal (which had been abandoned by the English), where for the first
+time I met Dr. Reich and his wife. The doctor received us very heartily;
+although he did not belong to our Field Ambulance, he did everything
+that he could for our wounded, as he had done for those of the enemy.
+
+From Senekal I went on to pay a visit to the Heilbron commando, after
+which I proceeded to Vrede, arriving there on the 24th of February.
+
+It was at Vrede that I had asked Louis Botha to meet me, if he could
+manage it, and the day after my arrival this meeting took place. The
+General told me that the negotiations between him and Lord Kitchener had
+resulted in nothing.
+
+Although this was not very satisfactory, still it was just as well that
+I should meet the Commandant-General of the Transvaal. We had much to
+discuss and, after a long talk, we parted with the firm determination
+that, whatever happened, we would continue the war.
+
+On the 27th General Botha returned to the Transvaal, and I to the
+Heilbron commando. After a few days President Steyn came from the south
+of the Free State, in order to meet the Transvaal Government at Vrede.
+After this meeting had taken place he went off to a camp of his own,
+for it was thought better that he should not remain with the commandos
+any longer. I gave him fifty burghers, under the command of Commandant
+Davel, to serve as a bodyguard.
+
+I had but just returned from my meeting with General Botha when a
+serious matter arose at Petrusburg, demanding my immediate presence
+there. It was three hundred and sixty miles there and back, and the
+journey promised to be anything but a pleasure trip--far less a safe
+excursion--for me; but the country's interest requiring it, I started on
+the 8th of April, although much fatigued by my inroad into Cape Colony.
+
+My staff succeeded in capturing an outpost of sixteen men on the railway
+line near Vredefort, the English losing one killed and two wounded.
+
+I visited the commando at Vredefort, arranged everything at Petrusburg,
+and started on my return journey on the 17th. I crossed the railway line
+between Smaldeel and Ventersburg Road Station, and after paying
+Commandant Hasebroek a short visit, I came back to the Heilbron
+commando.
+
+Our tactics of dividing our commandos, and thus keeping the English busy
+in every part of the Free State, or, where they were too numerous for
+us, of refusing to allow them to give us battle, so enraged them that
+they no longer spared the farmhouses in the north and north-western
+districts. Even in the south and south-west many of the houses were
+wrecked, but the work of destruction was not carried out with the same
+completeness as in the afore-mentioned districts. The enemy, moreover,
+did not spare our cattle, but either drove them off or killed them for
+food. As for our women-folk--any of them who fell into the hands of the
+enemy were sent off to the concentration camps.
+
+I have no space here, however, to write about the treatment of the
+women; it is such a serious matter that it would require whole chapters
+to deal with it adequately. Abler pens than mine will deal with it in
+full detail. I will only remark here that the Boer women were shamefully
+treated, and that if England wishes to efface the impression which these
+cruelties have left upon the hearts of our people, she will have to act
+as every great conquering race must act, if it is ever to be reconciled
+with the nations it has vanquished.
+
+Our winter season had now begun. We had no provisions except meat, bread
+and maize. Even these were rather scarce, but we could not yet say that
+we were altogether destitute. Coffee and sugar--except when we had an
+opportunity of helping ourselves from the enemy's stores--were unknown
+to us. With regard to the first-named commodity, however, the reader
+must know that in the district of Boshof there grows a wild tree, whose
+roots make an excellent substitute for coffee. Broken up into small
+pieces and roasted, they supplied us with a delicious beverage. The only
+pity was that the tree was so scarce that the demand for this concoction
+very greatly exceeded the supply. We therefore invented another
+drink--which we also called coffee--and which was composed of corn,
+barley, maize, dried peaches, sweet potatoes, and miscellaneous
+ingredients. My own favourite beverage was abundant--especially after
+heavy rain!
+
+The question of clothing was now beginning to be a very serious one. We
+were reduced to mending our trousers, and even our jackets with leather.
+For the tanning of this leather the old and feeble were employed, who,
+as soon as the enemy approached, fled, and as soon as they had passed,
+returned to their tanning. At a later period the English had a trick of
+taking the hides out of the tanning tubs and cutting them to pieces, in
+the hope, I suppose, that we should then be compelled to go barefoot and
+unclothed.
+
+It was to obviate such a catastrophe as this that the custom of
+_Uitschudden_[96] now came into force. The burghers, although against
+orders, stripped every prisoner. The English had begun by taking away,
+or burning, the clothes which the burghers had left in their
+houses--that was bad enough. But that they should cut up the hides,
+which they found in the tanning tubs, was still worse; and--the burghers
+paid them back in the same coin by stripping the troops.
+
+Towards the end of May I crossed the railway line to Parijs and
+Vredefort, intending to go on from there to see General De la Rey, and
+discuss our affairs with him. I had come to the conclusion that it would
+be good policy to send small commandos into Cape Colony; for small
+bodies of men can move rapidly, and are thus able to get out of the way
+if they are threatened by overpowering numbers. Moreover, such small
+detachments would compel the English to divide their forces.
+
+When I reached Vredefort I received a despatch from President Steyn,
+summoning me to him. I had thus to abandon my idea of visiting General
+De la Rey; instead of this, I wrote him a letter requesting him to come
+to the President. I also sent for Judge Hertzog.
+
+De la Rey was the first to arrive, and, without waiting for Judge
+Hertzog, we at once proceeded to take into consideration the following
+letter from the Government of the South African Republic.
+
+     GOVERNMENT OFFICES,
+       IN THE FIELD,
+         District Ermelo,
+     South African Republic,
+       _May 10th, 1901_.
+
+     TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARY, O.F.S.
+
+     SIR,--
+
+     I have the honour to report to you that to-day the following
+     officers met the Government, namely, the Commandant-General,
+     General B. Viljoen, General J.C. Smuts (Staats-Procureur), the
+     last-named representing the western districts. Our situation was
+     seriously discussed, and, among others, the following facts were
+     pointed out:--
+
+     1. That small parties of burghers are still continually laying down
+     their arms, and that the danger arising from this is becoming every
+     day more threatening, namely, that we are exposed to the risk of
+     our campaign ending in disgrace, as the consequence of these
+     surrenders may be that the Government and the officers will be left
+     in the field without any burghers, and that, therefore, heavy
+     responsibility rests upon the Government and War Officers, as they
+     represent the nation and not themselves only.
+
+     2. That our ammunition is so exhausted that no battle of any
+     importance can be fought, and that this lack of ammunition will
+     soon bring us to the necessity of flying helplessly before the
+     enemy. And that through this same lack it has become impossible for
+     us to afford adequate protection to our people and their cattle,
+     with the result that the general population is being reduced to
+     poverty and despair, and that even the troops will soon be unable
+     to be supplied with provisions.
+
+     3. That through the above-mentioned conditions the authority of the
+     Government is becoming more and more weakened, and that thus the
+     danger arises of the people losing all respect and reverence for
+     lawful authority, and falling into a condition of lawlessness. And
+     that to prolong the war can only lead to hastening the ruin of the
+     people, and making it clear to them that the only authority in the
+     country is that of the enemy.
+
+     4. That not only is our nation becoming disorganized in the manner
+     above referred to, but that it will also most certainly happen that
+     the leaders of the nation, whose personal influence has hitherto
+     kept it together, will fall into utter contempt, and lose that
+     influence which is our only hope for reviving the national spirit
+     in the future.
+
+     5. That the people are constantly demanding to be told what hope
+     still exists of successfully prosecuting the war, and that they
+     have the right to expect to be informed in an honest and
+     straightforward manner that their cause is hopeless, whenever this
+     has become evident to the Government and the Leaders.
+
+     Up to the present time the Government and the nation have been
+     expecting that, with the co-operation of their Deputation and by
+     the aid of European complications, there would be some hope for the
+     success of their cause, and the Government feels strongly that
+     before taking any decisive step, an attempt should again be made to
+     arrive with certainty at the results of the Deputation and the
+     political situation in Europe.
+
+     Having taken all the facts into consideration, the Government,
+     acting in conjunction with the above-mentioned officers, have
+     arrived at the following decision:
+
+     Firstly, that a request should be addressed this very day to Lord
+     Kitchener, asking that through the intervention of ambassadors sent
+     by us to Europe, the condition of our country may be allowed to be
+     placed before President Kruger, which ambassadors are to return
+     with all possible speed.
+
+     Secondly, that should this request be refused, or lead to no
+     results, an armistice should be asked for, by which the opportunity
+     should be given us of finally deciding in consultation with your
+     Government, and the people of the two States, what we must do.
+
+     This second proposal is, however, subject to any solution which
+     your Government, taking into consideration the above-mentioned
+     grievances, may be able to suggest.
+
+     The Government feels very keenly that it would no longer be right
+     to allow things to go on as they have been going on, and that the
+     time has arrived for taking some definite steps; it will,
+     therefore, be glad to receive an answer from your Government as
+     soon as possible.
+
+     I have the honour to be,
+       Yours, etc.,
+         F.W. REITZ,
+           _Secretary of State._
+
+The answer which the President sent to this letter was formerly in my
+possession, but has been lost with many of my documents. I am able,
+however, to give an extract, which I received from the Rev. J.D.
+Kestell. It was to the following effect:--
+
+The President was much disappointed with the letter of the Transvaal
+Government; he said that although there had been in the past some
+surrenders in the Free State, this difficulty had now been overcome.
+Moreover, although the ammunition had for a long time been scarce,
+nevertheless, after every fight, there had been enough to begin the next
+with. To the question, What probability was there of their being able to
+continue the struggle? he would reply by asking another question--What
+hope had the two little Republics, at the beginning of the war, of
+winning the fight against the might of England? If they had trusted in
+God at the beginning, why did they not continue to trust in Him?
+
+He also pointed out that if the Boer cause was really quite hopeless,
+the Deputation would have been sure to send word to that effect.
+Further, he assured the Transvaal Government that if an armistice were
+to be obtained, and if during it the people of the Free State were to be
+asked for their opinion, the decision of the burghers who were still in
+the field would be to continue the war.
+
+He could not approve of the decision of the Transvaal Government to ask
+Lord Kitchener to allow ambassadors to be sent to Europe, for, by so
+doing, the Government would be showing its hand to the enemy; he added
+that he was very sorry that such a decision had been taken without first
+consulting the Free State.
+
+As to the fear expressed by the Transvaal Government, that the
+Authorities and the Officers in the field would be left without
+burghers, the President said, that even if the Government and the
+Officers of the Free State were to surrender, the nation would not do
+so. It would be a great misfortune, he added, if the Orange Free State,
+which had not only lost its property and the lives of many of its
+burghers but also even its very independence, in the defence of the
+sister Republic, should now be abandoned by that Republic; that then all
+confidence in one another and all co-operation between Afrikanders would
+come to an end for ever: and that, under such circumstances, it would be
+too much to expect that the African nation should ever be able to rise
+again. If then the Boers wished to remain a nation, it was absolutely
+necessary to continue the war.
+
+After having quoted various appropriate passages from the newspapers,
+the President went on as follows:--
+
+"All these considerations combine to make me believe that we should be
+committing a National murder if we were to give in now. Brethren! Hold
+out a little longer. Let not our sufferings and our struggles be in
+vain; let not our faith in the God of our fathers become a byword. Do
+all that you can to encourage one another."
+
+The President concluded this very remarkable and powerful letter with
+the question:--
+
+"Are we again to leave the Colonial burghers in the lurch? God forbid."
+
+We decided to set out for the Transvaal in order to discuss the matter
+with the Government; and on the evening of the 5th of June we marched
+four or five miles from Liebenbergsvlei, to a place opposite
+Verkijkersdorp. We were, all told, between sixty and seventy men,
+including the staff and part of the bodyguard of President Steyn, the
+staff of General De la Rey, and eight of my staff officers.
+
+The following morning, an hour and a half after sunrise, a burgher came
+galloping up to tell us that the enemy had just captured a laager of
+women.[97]
+
+It seemed impossible to ride over to the rescue of these women, for our
+horses had still to make the long journey into the Transvaal. I asked
+our guest, General De la Rey, what he thought about the matter. He at
+once replied that we must go and liberate the women. As we were already
+up-saddled in readiness for our march, I had nothing to do but to give
+the order to start. The President, with his staff and some of the
+bodyguard, remained behind; while General De la Rey, Commandant Davel
+and I, with fifty-five men, hurried off. The retired General, Piet
+Fourie, was also with us.
+
+The enemy had marched with the laager on to a hill near the Kaffir
+kraal, consisting of four or five huts and a building made of sods.
+
+We first caught sight of the English when we were at a distance of four
+miles from them; they were then busy drawing up the waggons of the women
+in rows of ten or twelve. The oxen belonging to the first row stood
+close against the kraal, as we saw later on; those of the second row
+being behind them, and so on.
+
+The women told us afterwards that they had asked to be allowed to retire
+to a place where they would not run the risk of being shot by us (for
+the English had taken cover barely one hundred paces behind the waggons
+and were preparing to fight us from there), but that they were ordered
+to remain behind the soldiers. They were thus exposed to the danger of
+being hit by us, if we shot a little too high. It was, they said, the
+most terrible day they had ever spent.
+
+When we came within range of the English, they opened a hot fire upon
+us. We had to gallop over ground as smooth as a table with no cover
+until we were close up to them, and protected by a small hill. We left
+our horses here, and ran as fast as we could up the incline. At the top
+we were within forty paces of the place where the English were lying in
+wait for us. As soon as our heads appeared over the brow of the hill
+they fired on us; but there was only one round fired, for our reply was
+so sharp and severe that many of them were at once mowed down. The rest
+jumped up and retreated behind the last row of waggons, several of them,
+however, being killed during their flight.
+
+Our men dashed through between the waggons, but the English were the
+first to reach the kraal. They had made loopholes in its walls, through
+which they now fired on us. The only shelter we had was a Kaffir hut,
+which as is well known, always has a round wall. There was no chance for
+us to make loopholes--the wall was too solid--so that if a burgher
+wanted to shoot he had to expose his whole body, while the English lay
+ready behind their loopholes to fire on us. So it happened that eleven
+burghers were killed and seven wounded. Among the dead was Captain
+Thijnsma, and among the wounded, Lieutenant H. Howell.
+
+In the meantime we had got the waggons away, except the row which was
+nearest to the kraal, and which were too close to the enemy for us to be
+able to approach them safely.
+
+No sooner had the English taken refuge in the kraal than the women fled
+with the waggons; and it is astonishing to relate that only one little
+boy of thirteen years was killed, and a woman and a girl slightly
+wounded. One of the burghers whom the English had taken prisoner was
+also killed.
+
+I have no exact figure as to the losses of the English, but judging from
+the number of dead and wounded lying on the battlefield, I should say
+that their casualties must have been about eighty.
+
+The fight lasted from eleven till three o'clock, and then a
+reinforcement of cavalry, from eight hundred to one thousand men strong,
+appeared with some guns. The force with which we had been engaged,
+numbering about two hundred men, belonged to the column which was now
+coming up. As we could not drive the English from the kraal before the
+arrival of the reinforcements, we had to give way.
+
+Although I had given orders that all the waggons which had managed to
+escape should be sent on to Reitz, in the actual event only a few carts
+went there. The women had left the waggons behind, close to the hill at
+the foot of the English position, where I could not see them, in order
+to await the result. They had forgotten what I had told them, namely,
+that they were to get away as quickly as possible. This order I had
+given in the expectation that a reinforcement might arrive at any
+moment.
+
+After I had ordered a few men to bring the wounded into a safe place, I
+retired with the remainder, some forty-five in number. Among these was
+Veldtcornet Serfontein and his burghers.
+
+The English now directed their fire upon the women's laager, to compel
+it to come to a standstill. Whether any of the women and children were
+killed or wounded I was unable to ascertain, but it was horrible to see
+the bombs bursting over their heads. Thus the women again fell into the
+hands of the enemy.
+
+With four of my adjutants and Piet Fourie, I succeeded in driving away
+quite one thousand five hundred head of cattle. The bombs fell heavily
+on them also, but I got them safely away. Late that evening we arrived
+at the spot where we had left President Steyn, only to find that he had
+gone away. He had been obliged to retreat before the force which the
+previous evening had been at Duminy Drift, and which had passed near him
+during the day. The President had accordingly gone some twelve miles in
+the direction of Lindley.
+
+It was one of the coldest nights we had that winter, and our pack-horses
+which were carrying the blankets were with the President. It was
+impossible for us to sleep without any covering on such a night as that,
+and so we were obliged to march on. We had moreover to look for
+something to eat, for we had had nothing since breakfast. Our horses had
+never had their saddles off from the time we went out to fight until we
+arrived about midnight at the President's camp.
+
+[Footnote 96: Stripping.]
+
+[Footnote 97: The previous evening we had received a report of two
+English camps on the Wilge River: One at Duminy Drift, the other at
+Steildrift--under General Elliott. They were led by Piet de Wet and
+other National Scouts.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+President Steyn's Narrow Escape
+
+
+The following morning we had to continue our journey to the Transvaal.
+It being necessary to keep out of sight of the enemy, we marched first a
+short distance to the south, and then went south-east. After a few days
+we reached Vrede. There Commandant Manie Botha spared us a few burghers
+who knew this part of the country well to serve as guides across the
+railway line. We headed to the north of Volksrust, and on the second
+evening after we had left Vrede, we struck the railway line at a spot
+which was guarded by an outpost. They opened fire on us at once. General
+De la Rey and I then came to the decision that after the burghers had
+exchanged a few shots, we would quietly retreat a short distance, and
+then, with a sweep, try and cross the line at another spot. This ruse
+was successful and we crossed unobserved. But the first of our men had
+hardly got seventy paces from the railway line, when a fearful explosion
+of dynamite took place, not thirty paces from the spot where we had
+crossed. Whether this was managed by electricity or whether the hindmost
+horses had struck on the connecting wire of some trap set by the enemy,
+I cannot say; at all events, we escaped with only a fright.
+
+On the fourth day after this we met the Transvaal Government and held a
+conference at once, in accordance with the letter mentioned in my last
+chapter. It grieved us much that things should have taken this turn, for
+it nearly always happened that somehow matters of this sort came to the
+ears of the English.
+
+But the Transvaal Government had again taken courage, as they had
+received an answer to the cable which they had sent to the Deputation,
+which answer instructed them to hold out; and also because two
+successful battles had taken place shortly before--one fought by General
+Kemp, and the other by Commandant Muller. We remained there for two
+days, and after it had been settled by the two Governments that the war
+should be continued with all our might, and also that days of
+thanksgiving and humiliation should be appointed, we went away
+accompanied by the genial and friendly Commandant Alberts, of
+Standerton, who brought us across the Natal-Transvaal railway. Captain
+Alberts was renowned as a valiant soldier; we now also found him to be a
+most sociable man. He beguiled the time with agreeable narratives of
+events in which he had taken part, and almost before we realized it we
+had reached the railway line. We crossed in safety and took a hearty
+farewell of our friendly Commandant and his burghers.
+
+On our march to Zilverbank--a farm on the Waterval River--I did not
+require any guide, for I knew the surroundings, having lived there for
+two years. After breakfast on the following morning we went on to within
+four or five miles south of Hexrivier farm, about three miles to the
+north of the Vaal River. There we off-saddled; and shortly after General
+De la Rey took leave of us. He wanted to cross the railway at a place
+between Vereeniging and Meyerton Station. This would lead him by a
+shorter road to his commandos than if he went through the Free State.
+Our farewell was affectionate--all the more so because we did not know
+whether we should see each other again on this earth. Then we continued
+on our way with light hearts; having been inspirited, not only by the
+pleasant company of the last few days, but also by the decision taken by
+the two Governments, that, come what might, our independence should not
+be sacrificed by us.
+
+I crossed the Vaal River at Villiersdorp and remained there that evening
+and through the following day. Then President Steyn and I parted. He
+went to Bezuidenhoutsdrift, and I, by way of Frankfort, to the Heilbron
+commando. I remained at Frankfort for one night, with Commandant Ross
+and his men, and had a very enjoyable time.
+
+With the Heilbron people I stayed a few days only, because I had
+important work to accomplish in the Winburg district; to this district
+therefore I went.
+
+As the commandos were now so scattered there was enough work for each of
+us in his own district, and I had much more riding to do than formerly.
+I found Commandant Hasebroek and his men at Doornberg a few days later.
+Whilst there I received from President Steyn a report of his narrow
+escape at Reitz, on the 11th of July, 1901, when he and some of his
+bodyguard escaped, whilst, unfortunately, Commandant Davel and all the
+members of the Government, except Mr. W.C.J. Brebner, who was absent,
+were taken prisoners.
+
+From Winburg I paid a visit to Vice-Commandant-in-Chief J. Hattingh, of
+the Kroonstad commando, and then went to President Steyn. My joy in
+finding that the President was safe, was only equalled by my grief at
+the loss of such old friends as General Cronje, Member of the Executive
+Council; General J.B. Wessels; T. Brain, Secretary to the Government;
+Commandant Davel; Rocco De Villiers, Secretary to the Executive Council;
+Gordon Fraser, Private Secretary to the President; MacHardy, Assistant
+Secretary; Pieter Steyn, brother of the President and Veldtcornet of the
+staff; and my other friends in the bodyguard. It was sad to think that
+such men were prisoners, and were lost to us so long as the war
+continued. We had become rather accustomed to such experiences, but what
+made this so hard to bear was that treachery had a hand in it--when the
+English took the Government and President Steyn's bodyguard prisoners,
+they had had a Free State burgher as their guide.
+
+The vacant posts in the Government had now to be filled up, and the
+President appointed the following persons:--In the place of A.P. Cronje,
+General C.H. Olivier, as Member of the Executive Council; and in place
+of Mr. T. Brain, Mr. W.C.J. Brebner, as Government Secretary. Mr.
+Johannes Theron he appointed Secretary to the Executive Council, instead
+of Mr. Rocco De Villiers; and Mr. B.J. Du Plessis Private Secretary to
+himself in place of Mr. Gordon Fraser.
+
+The President also decided to have, in future, only thirty burghers as
+his bodyguard, and appointed Captain Niekerk as their Commandant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+The Last Proclamation
+
+
+I now impressed upon my officers as forcibly as I could the importance
+of intercepting the communications of the enemy by blowing up their
+trains. A mechanical device had been thought of, by which this could be
+done. The barrel and lock of a gun, in connexion with a dynamite
+cartridge, were placed under a sleeper, so that when a passing engine
+pressed the rail on to this machine, it exploded, and the train was
+blown up. It was terrible to take human lives in such a manner; still,
+however fearful, it was not contrary to the rules of civilized warfare,
+and we were entirely within our rights in obstructing the enemy's lines
+of communication in this manner.
+
+Owing to this, the English were obliged to place many more thousands of
+soldiers along the railway line, in order to keep the track clear. Even
+then, the trains, for a considerable time, could not run by night. The
+English soon discovered how we arranged these explosions, and the guards
+carefully inspected the lines each day to find out if one of these
+machines had been placed beneath the rails. We knew that one had been
+found and removed, whenever we saw a train pass over the spot without
+being blown up. This, however, only made us more careful. We went to the
+spot which we had fixed upon for the explosion, hollowed out the gravel,
+placed the machine under the sleeper, and covered it up again, throwing
+the gravel that was left to a good distance from the line. After this,
+the guards could not discover where the machine was placed. They trebled
+the troops on the line in consequence.
+
+The month of July had passed, and we wondered what August held in store
+for us. The customary fights of the different commandos still went on;
+here five, here ten, here thirty of the English were killed, wounded or
+made prisoners. If these numbers had been put down they would have
+mounted up to a considerable total; but the war was not of such a nature
+that an office could be opened to record them. Reports of battles were
+sent to me, and after I had allowed them to accumulate for three or four
+weeks, they were sent to the different Vice-Commandants-in-Chief for
+their general information, and then torn up.
+
+Many reports and much correspondence concerning the beginning of the war
+have been preserved. I gave them to a trustworthy friend with
+instructions to bury them, but do not know where he placed them, as he
+was taken prisoner later on, and I have never been able to find out
+where he was sent to. These documents are of great value, and ought to
+be published.
+
+I was on the farm of Blijdschap, between Harrismith and Bethlehem--my
+English friends, Generals Knox, Elliott and Paget, with their Colonels
+Rimington, Byng, Baker, etc., etc., will not have forgotten where
+Blijdschap is--when I received a letter from Lord Kitchener, enclosing
+his Proclamation of the 7th of August, 1901.
+
+This proclamation was as follows:
+
+     "By his Excellency Baron Kitchener of Khartoum, G.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
+     General Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's forces in South Africa;
+     High Commissioner of South Africa, and Administrator of the
+     Transvaal, etc.
+
+     "Whereas the former Orange Free State and South African Republic
+     are annexed to His Majesty's possessions;
+
+     "And whereas His Majesty's forces have now been for some
+     considerable time in full possession of the Government seats of
+     both the above-mentioned territories, with all their public
+     offices and means of administration, as well as of the principal
+     towns and the whole railway;
+
+     "And whereas the great majority of burghers of the two late
+     Republics (which number thirty-five thousand over and above those
+     who have been killed in the war) are now prisoners of war, or have
+     subjected themselves to His Majesty's Government, and are now
+     living in safety, in villages or camps under the protection of His
+     Majesty's forces;
+
+     "And whereas the burghers of the late Republics, now under arms
+     against His Majesty's forces, are not only few in number, but have
+     also lost nearly all their guns, and war requisites, and are
+     without proper military organization, and are therefore not in a
+     position to carry on a regular war, or to make any organized
+     resistance against His Majesty's forces in any part of the country;
+
+     "And whereas the burghers who are now still under arms, although
+     not in a position to carry on a regular war, continue to make
+     attacks on small posts and divisions of His Majesty's forces, to
+     plunder and to destroy farms, and to cut the railway and telegraph
+     lines, both in the Orange River Colony and in the Transvaal and
+     other parts of His Majesty's South African possessions;
+
+     "And whereas the country is thus kept in a state of unrest, and the
+     carrying on of agriculture and industries is hindered;
+
+     "And whereas His Majesty's Government has decided to make an end of
+     a situation which involves unnecessary bloodshed and devastation,
+     and which is ruining the great majority of the inhabitants, who are
+     willing to live in peace, and are desirous of earning a livelihood
+     for themselves and their families;
+
+     "And whereas it is only just that steps should be taken against
+     those who still resist, and principally against those persons who
+     are in authority, and who are responsible for the continuance of
+     the present state of disorganization in the country, and who
+     instigate their fellow citizens to persist in their hopeless
+     resistance against His Majesty's Government;
+
+     "I, Horatio Herbert Baron Kitchener, of Khartoum, G.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
+     General Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's forces in South Africa;
+     High Commissioner in South Africa, on behalf of His Majesty's
+     Government, proclaim and make known as follows:
+
+     "All Commandants, Veldtcornets and leaders of armed bands--being
+     burghers of the late Republics--still resisting His Majesty's
+     forces in the Orange River Colony and the Transvaal, or in any part
+     of His Majesty's South African possessions, and all members of the
+     Government of the late Orange Free State and of the late South
+     African Republic, shall, unless they surrender before the 15th
+     September of this year, be banished for ever from South Africa; and
+     the cost of maintaining the families of such burghers shall be
+     recoverable from, and become a charge on, their properties, whether
+     landed or movable, in both Colonies.
+
+     "GOD SAVE THE KING.
+
+     "Given under my hand at Pretoria, the seventh day of August, 1901.
+
+     "KITCHENER, GENERAL,
+       _High Commissioner of South Africa._"
+
+I answered Lord Kitchener very carefully in the following words:--
+
+     "EXCELLENCY,--
+
+     "I acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's missive in which
+     was enclosed your Proclamation, dated the 7th August, 1901. I and
+     my officers assure your Excellency that we fight with one aim
+     only--our independence, which we never can or will sacrifice!"
+
+It would have been childish to fear that letter and that Proclamation.
+From the short answer which I sent to Lord Kitchener, the reader will
+clearly see the opinion that I and my officers held concerning it:
+"Bangmaak is nog niet doodmaak,"[98] as our proverb says.
+
+It was curious to see how this Proclamation was taken by the burghers.
+It had no effect whatsoever. I heard many burghers say that it would now
+be seen whether the officers had the cause of their country really at
+heart or not, and whether they were themselves to surrender and lay down
+their arms before the 15th of September. I must here declare that I know
+of no single case where an officer in consequence of this proclamation
+surrendered; on the contrary, when the day fixed by Lord Kitchener for
+the surrender had passed, the burghers had more reason to trust in their
+officers than before; and I can assure my readers that if at the
+beginning of the war we had had officers of the same kind as we had
+towards the end of the strife, it would have been easier to have
+maintained discipline.
+
+September the 15th was thus fixed upon by Lord Kitchener as the last day
+on which we should have an opportunity of surrendering. The President
+and Commander-in-Chief of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State
+returned answer that they would still continue the war, and subsequent
+events put a seal to their answer.
+
+Three battles were fought--one by General Brand at Blakfontein, another
+by General De la Rey in the west of the Transvaal, and yet another by
+General Botha at Itala, all in the month of September.
+
+President Steyn sent Lord Kitchener a long letter, in which he showed
+most clearly what the causes of the war had been, and what was the
+condition of matters at that time. The letter was as follows:--
+
+     IN THE VELDT, _August 15th_, 1901.
+
+     TO HIS EXCELLENCY, LORD KITCHENER, ETC.
+
+     EXCELLENCY,--
+
+     I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's
+     letter, dated Aug. 7th, 1901, enclosing your Excellency's
+     Proclamation of the same date.
+
+     The conciliatory tone of your Excellency's letter encourages me to
+     speak freely, and to answer it at some length. I have noticed that
+     not only your Excellency in your letter asserts, but that also
+     responsible statesmen in your country assert, that the declaration
+     of war from the South African Republic, and the inroad on the
+     British territory, had been the cause of the war. I hardly believe
+     it necessary to remind your Excellency that, in 1895, when the
+     South African Republic was unarmed and peaceful, and had no thought
+     but that their neighbours were civilized nations, an unexpected
+     attack was made on them from the British territory. I do not
+     consider it necessary to point out to your Excellency that the mad
+     enterprise--for surely the instigators of it could not have been
+     sane--miscarried, and the whole body of invaders fell into the
+     hands of the South African Republic. The South African Government,
+     trusting in the integrity of the English nation, handed over to His
+     Majesty's Government all the persons whom they had taken prisoner,
+     notwithstanding that, in conformity with international law, these
+     persons had merited death.
+
+     I also do not consider it necessary to remind your Excellency that
+     after an honest judge had condemned the leaders of this expedition
+     to imprisonment, the most prominent of them were not compelled to
+     serve the whole of their time, but, previous to its termination,
+     were liberated for various most insufficient reasons. Neither need
+     I remind your Excellency that when a Parliamentary Commission was
+     nominated, to investigate the causes and reasons of the said
+     expedition, this Commission, instead of investigating the matter,
+     would not allow the proofs to come to light, and that, when the
+     Commission, notwithstanding the high influence at work during its
+     sitting, had found the chief conspirator, Mr. Rhodes, guilty, and
+     had reported him as such to Parliament, Mr. Chamberlain, who was
+     one of the members of the Commission, contradicted his own
+     report[99] by defending Mr. Rhodes.
+
+     Your Excellency will have to acknowledge that the South African
+     Republic as well as the civilized world was perfectly justified in
+     coming to the conclusion that the Jameson expedition, which we
+     first believed to have been undertaken by irresponsible persons,
+     and without the cognizance of His Majesty's Government, was well
+     known, if not to all, yet still to some members of His Majesty's
+     Government. I need not remind your Excellency that since that time,
+     not only has no reasonable indemnity been paid to the South African
+     Republic, as was at that time promised, but also that the Republic
+     has been harassed with despatches and threats concerning its
+     internal Government. I also need not tell your Excellency that
+     outside influence was used in order that memorials to His Majesty's
+     Government might be drawn up concerning alleged grievances, so that
+     His Majesty's Government might have the desired opportunity of
+     interfering with the inner policy of the South African Republic.
+
+     As I have said, I do not think it necessary to remind your
+     Excellency of the above-mentioned facts, because I am of opinion
+     that they are well known to you. I, however, should like your
+     Excellency to be good enough to pay attention to the following
+     facts:--
+
+     When, at the time of the circulation of the last-mentioned
+     Memorial, I could see that a certain party was working hard to
+     involve the British Government in a war with the South African
+     Republic, I stepped into the breach, and endeavoured, by bringing
+     the parties together, and by using my influence with the South
+     African Republic, to induce the latter to give in to the demands of
+     His Majesty's Government in order to maintain the peace.
+
+     I succeeded in getting the Transvaal to yield, not because I was of
+     the opinion that the English Government had any right to make such
+     demands, but only in order to prevent bloodshed. When the British
+     Government was still not satisfied, then the South African
+     Government made concession after concession to the ever-increasing
+     demands made upon them, until at last there came a request that the
+     law on franchise should be laid before a Commission. On the behest
+     of the British Agent in Pretoria, the South African Republic made a
+     proposal granting far more than was demanded by the High
+     Commissioner. As this proposal was not accepted by His Majesty's
+     Government, who made yet further demands, the South African
+     Republic withdrew their proposal, and declared themselves willing
+     to accept England's proposal to lay the law before the Commission.
+     The British Government then closed all correspondence, and wrote to
+     the South African Republic saying that they would make their
+     demands later on. In other words, the British Government then gave
+     to the South African Republic an ultimatum, and it was clear that
+     they were only prevented from commencing the war at once by the
+     fact that they had not then landed sufficient troops in the
+     country.
+
+     The Orange Free State Government then again came to the rescue, in
+     order to attempt at the last moment to avoid the war, and cabled
+     through the High Commissioner direct to the British Government,
+     asking for information as to the nature of the demands which were
+     to be made upon the South African Republic; which cable, to my
+     sorrow, was never sent in its entirety. The only answer to my cable
+     was the continual arrival of transports of troops from all quarters
+     of the globe, which were massed, not only on the frontier of the
+     South African Republic, but also on the frontiers of the still
+     friendly Orange Free State. Then, when the South African Republic
+     saw that England had no intention of repairing the alleged
+     grievances, but had only brought them up as an excuse for depriving
+     the Republic of its independence, they requested that the troops
+     might be taken from their frontiers, and that all disputes might be
+     settled by arbitration. This happened about three weeks after the
+     British Government had issued their ultimatum, and about one month
+     after the Orange Free State Government had received a wire asking
+     them to remain neutral, thus clearly giving them to understand that
+     the British Government intended to make war on the South African
+     Government. This telegram was sent to the Orange Free State because
+     they knew that the latter had made a defensive alliance with the
+     South African Republic since the year 1899.
+
+     Then the South African Republic decided that they must defend their
+     frontiers against the enemy who threatened their borders, and I was
+     obliged to take a most painful step, namely, that of severing the
+     bonds of friendship that existed between us and the British
+     Government, and, true to our alliance with the Transvaal, to help
+     the sister Republic. That we were perfectly correct in our surmise
+     that the British Government had firmly decided to wipe out the two
+     Republics has been clearly proved since the breaking out of the
+     war. It was not only made evident from the documents that fell into
+     our hands, although there it was easy to gather that since 1896,
+     that is from Jameson's raid, the British Government was firmly
+     determined to make an inroad into the two Republics: only lately it
+     has been acknowledged by Lord Lansdowne that he in June, 1899, had
+     already discussed with Lord Wolseley (then Commander-in-Chief of
+     His Majesty's troops), the best time at which to make an attack on
+     the two Republics. Your Excellency will thus see that it was not we
+     who drew the sword, but that we only put it away from our throats.
+     We have only acted in self-defence--one of the holiest rights of
+     man--in order to assert our right to exist. And therefore I think,
+     with all respect, that we have a right to trust in a just God.
+
+     I again observe that your Excellency reverts to the impossibility
+     of intervention by any foreign power, and that your Excellency
+     interprets our resistance as only based on the hope of such
+     intervention.
+
+     With your Excellency's permission, I should like to clear up our
+     position with regard to intervention. It is this: We hope, and
+     still are hoping, that the moral feeling of the civilized world
+     would protest against the crime which England is now permitting in
+     South Africa, namely, that of endeavouring to exterminate a young
+     nation, but we were still firmly determined that, should our hopes
+     not be realized, we would exert our utmost strength to defend
+     ourselves, and this decision, based on a firm trust in a merciful
+     God, is still unshaken in us.
+
+     I further notice that your Excellency thinks that our fight is
+     hopeless. I do not know on what grounds this assumption is based.
+     Let us for a moment compare our mutual situations of to-day with
+     those of a year ago, after the surrender of General Prinsloo. Then,
+     the Cape Colony was altogether quiet, and free from our commandos.
+     The Orange Free State was almost entirely in your hands, not only
+     as regards the principal townships, railway lines and villages, but
+     also the whole country, except where Commandant Hasebroek was, with
+     his commando. And in the South African Republic the situation was
+     very similar. That country was also mainly held by you, except in
+     the parts which General De la Rey and General Botha occupied with
+     their commandos, far up in the Boschveldt.
+
+     How do matters stand now?
+
+     The Cape Colony is, so to speak, overrun by our commandos, and they
+     are really in temporary possession of the greater part of Cape
+     Colony. They go about there as they choose, and many of our
+     nationality and others also are continuing to join us there, and
+     uniting forces with us against the cruel injustice that is being
+     done to the Republics.
+
+     In the Orange Free State I willingly acknowledge that your
+     Excellency is in possession of the Capital, the railways, and some
+     other towns not on the railways, but that is all that your
+     Excellency has got. The whole of the Orange Free State, except the
+     parts which I have just mentioned, is in our possession. In most of
+     the principal towns there are landdrosts[100] appointed by us; thus
+     in this State the keeping of order and the administration of
+     justice are managed by us, and not by your Excellency. In the
+     Transvaal it is just the same. There also justice and order are
+     managed by magistrates appointed by our Government.
+
+     May I be permitted to say that your Excellency's jurisdiction is
+     limited by the range of your Excellency's guns. If your Excellency
+     will look on the matter from a military point of view then it must
+     be acknowledged that notwithstanding the enormous forces that are
+     brought against us in the field, our cause, in the past year, has
+     made wonderful progress. Therefore we need be in no way
+     discouraged, and, if your Proclamation is based on the assumption
+     that we are so, then it has now even less justification than it had
+     a year ago. I am sorry that anything I say should appear boastful,
+     but the assertions in your Excellency's Proclamation compel me to
+     speak in this manner.
+
+     With regard to the 35,000 men which your Excellency says are in
+     your hands, I cannot speak as to the numbers, but this much I will
+     say, I am not referring to those men who were led astray by the
+     Proclamation of your Excellency's predecessor, and so failed in
+     their duty to their Government; nor to those--thank God they are
+     but few--who from treachery or other cause have gone over to the
+     enemy; but of the remainder who have been taken, not too honestly,
+     as prisoners of war, and are still kept as such. Of these I will
+     say that they are either old men and feeble, or young boys not yet
+     of age, who were carried off by force from their farms by your
+     Excellency's troops, and shut up against their will in your
+     Excellency's camps. To say of these therefore, that they are
+     "dwelling peacefully with you," is an assertion which can hardly be
+     taken seriously. I am able to say with perfect truth, that except
+     the prisoners, and the few who have gone over to the enemy, the
+     overpowering majority of the fighting burghers are still under
+     arms. As regards those who have gone over from us to the enemy--a
+     rare occurrence now--I can only say that our experience is not
+     unique, for history shows that in all wars for freedom, as in
+     America and elsewhere, there were such: and we shall try to get on
+     without them.
+
+     As regards the 74,000 women and children who, as your Excellency
+     alleges, are maintained in the camps, it appears to me that your
+     Excellency must be unaware of the cruel manner in which these
+     defenceless ones were dragged away from their dwellings by your
+     Excellency's troops, who first destroyed all the goods and property
+     of their wretched captives. Yes, to such a pass had it come, that
+     whenever your men were seen approaching, the poor sacrifices of the
+     war, in all weathers, by day and by night, would flee from their
+     dwellings in order that they might not be taken.
+
+     Does your Excellency realize that your troops have not been ashamed
+     to fire (in the full knowledge of what they were doing) with guns
+     and small arms on our helpless ones when they, to avoid capture,
+     had taken flight, either alone or with their waggons, and thus many
+     women and children have been killed and wounded. I will give you an
+     instance. Not long ago, on the 6th of June, at Graspan, near Reitz,
+     a camp of women, falsely reported as a convoy to your Excellency,
+     was taken by your troops. This was rescued again by us, whilst
+     your troops took shelter behind our women, and when your
+     reinforcement came up, they opened fire with guns and small arms on
+     that camp, notwithstanding the fact that they knew it contained
+     women only.
+
+     I can quote hundreds of cases of this kind, but I do not think it
+     necessary, because if your Excellency will take the trouble to ask
+     any soldier who respects the truth, he will be compelled to confirm
+     my assertion. To say that the women are in your camps of their own
+     free will is not in accordance with the facts, and for any one to
+     assert that they are brought to the camps because the Boers are
+     unwilling to provide for the maintenance of their families as it is
+     said that His Excellency the Minister for War has asserted in
+     Parliament, is to make himself guilty of calumny, that will do more
+     harm to the calumniator than to us, and is a statement which I am
+     sure can never meet with your Excellency's approval.
+
+     Now, as regards the Proclamation itself, I can give your Excellency
+     the assurance as far as I am myself concerned, that it will make no
+     difference to my fulfilling my duty faithfully to the end, for I
+     shall be guided by my conscience and not by the enemy. Our country
+     is ruined; our hearths and homes are wrecked; our cattle are
+     looted, or killed by the thousand; our women and children are made
+     prisoners, insulted, and carried away by the troops and armed
+     Kaffirs; and many hundreds have already given their lives for the
+     freedom of their fatherland. Can we now--when it is merely a
+     question of banishment--shrink from our duty? Can we become
+     faithless to the hundreds of killed and prisoners, who, trusting in
+     our firmness, offered their lives and freedom for the fatherland?
+     Or can we lose faith in a just God, who has so wonderfully upheld
+     us till now? I am convinced that should we do so, we should be
+     despised not only by your Excellency and all honest men, but also
+     by ourselves.
+
+     I will close by giving your Excellency the assurance that no one is
+     more anxious than I to see peace restored, and I am therefore ready
+     to meet your Excellency at any time in order to discuss the terms
+     on which this peace can be arranged; but in order that I may not
+     mislead your Excellency, I have to say that no peace will be
+     accepted by us which imperils the independence of the two
+     Republics, or which does not take into consideration the interests
+     of our Colonial brethren who have joined us. If it is a crime to
+     fight in one's self-defence, and if such a crime is to be punished,
+     then I am of opinion that His Majesty's Government should be
+     satisfied with the annihilation of the country, the misery of women
+     and children and the general desolation which this war has already
+     caused. It is in your Excellency's power more than in that of any
+     one else, to put a stop to this, and by doing so, to restore this
+     unfortunate part of the world to its former happiness. We ask no
+     magnanimity, we only demand justice. I enclose a translation of my
+     letter in order to avoid any misinterpretation of it by your
+     Excellency, as this happened not long ago when a letter which I had
+     written to the Government of the South African Republic, and which
+     at Reitz fell into your hands, was published in such a way that it
+     was nearly unrecognizable, as not only was it wrongly interpreted
+     in some places, but sentences were inserted which had never been
+     written, and other parts were left out altogether, so that an
+     entirely wrong meaning was given to the letter.
+
+     I have the honour, etc.,
+
+     M.T. STEYN,
+       _State-President of the Orange Free State._
+
+[Footnote 98: Nobody dies of fright.]
+
+[Footnote 99: The report of the Commission of which he was a member.]
+
+[Footnote 100: Resident Magistrates.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+Blockhouses and Night Attacks
+
+
+While the great events recorded at the end of my last chapter were in
+progress, I paid a visit to the Harrismith burghers, who were under the
+command of Commandant Jan Jacobsz, and also to some of the Bethlehem
+men. On my return I learnt that the enemy were occupied in building a
+line of blockhouses from Heilbron to Frankfort.
+
+It has always seemed to me a most unaccountable circumstance that
+England--the all-powerful--could not catch the Boers without the aid of
+these blockhouses. There were so many other ways in which the thing
+might have been done, and better done; and the following incident, which
+occurred during the war, serves to show that this policy of the
+_blockhouse_ might equally well have been called the policy of the
+_blockhead_.
+
+On the 27th of February, 1902, the English made one of their biggest
+"catches" in the Free State. They had made a great "kraal"--what they
+themselves call a "drive"--and stood, "hand in hand," one might almost
+say, in a ring around us, coming from Heilbron, Frankfort, Bethlehem,
+and Harrismith, and stretching, on the Transvaal side, from Vrede to the
+Drakensberg.
+
+Narrower and narrower did the circle become, hemming us in more closely
+at every moment. The result was that they "bagged" an enormous number of
+men and cattle, without a solitary burgher (or, for the matter of that,
+a solitary ox) having been captured by means of their famous blockhouse
+system.
+
+The English have been constantly boasting in the newspapers about the
+advantages of their blockhouses, but they have never been able to give
+an instance of a capture effected by them. On the contrary, when during
+the last stages of the war it happened, as it often did, that they drove
+some of our men against one or other of the great blockhouse lines which
+then intersected the country, and it became necessary for us to fight
+our way through, we generally succeeded in doing so. And that, with
+fewer casualties than when, as in the instance I have just given, they
+concentrated their forces, and formed a circle around us.
+
+The English then were busy when I returned from the south in building a
+blockhouse line from Heilbron to Frankfort. They accomplished this
+speedily, and then proceeded to the construction of other similar lines,
+not being contented until they had "pegged out" the country as
+follows:--
+
+On the Natal frontier there was a line from Vrede to Bothaspas,
+continued westward by a series of forts to Harrismith, whence the line
+went on, still westward, to Bethlehem, and thence down to the Basutoland
+border at Fouriesburg.
+
+Kroonstad was made, so to speak, the "axle," whence a series of "spokes"
+proceeded; one to the north-east, to Vrede; a second to the north-west,
+through Driekopjes Diamond Mine, to Winkledrift, and thence down the
+Rhenoster River to its confluence with the Vaal; a third, to the
+south-east, to Lindley; and a fourth, to the south-west, along the
+railway line, to the frontier of Cape Colony.
+
+In the western districts there was a line along the left bank of the
+Valsch River to the point where it joins the Vaal, and another (also
+terminating at the Vaal River) starting from Zand River railway bridge,
+and running parallel to the Zand River. There was also a line from
+Boshof, across the Cape Colony frontier, to Kimberley.
+
+Last, but not least, came the "White Elephant" with which the reader is
+already acquainted--the line from Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, through
+Thaba'Nchu.
+
+All these lines were in the Free State. I make no mention here of the
+thousands of miles of similar blockhouse lines, which made a sort of
+spider's web of the South African Republic.
+
+The blockhouses themselves were sometimes round, sometimes angular,
+erections. The roofs were always of iron. The walls were pierced with
+loop-holes four feet from the ground, and from four to six feet from one
+another. Sometimes stone was used in the construction of these walls, at
+other times iron. In the latter case the wall is double, the space of
+from six to nine inches between the inner and the outer wall being
+filled with earth.
+
+These buildings stood at a distance of from a hundred to a thousand
+paces from one another; everything depended upon the lie of the ground,
+and the means at the enemy's disposal; a greater distance than a
+thousand paces was exceptional. They were always so placed that each of
+them could be seen by its neighbours on both sides, the line which they
+followed being a zigzag.
+
+Between the blockhouses were fences, made with five strands of barbed
+wire. Parallel with these was a trench, three feet deep and four to five
+feet across at the top, but narrower at the bottom. Where the material
+could be procured, there was also a stone wall, to serve as an
+additional obstacle. Sometimes there were two lines of fences, the upper
+one--erected on the top of the earth thrown up from the
+trench--consisting of three or four strands only.
+
+There was thus a regular network of wires in the vicinity of the
+blockhouses--the English seemed to think that a Boer might be netted
+like a fish. If a wild horse had been trapped there, I should like to
+have been there to see, but I should not have liked to have been the
+wild horse.
+
+The building of these blockhouses cost many thousands of pounds, and
+still greater were the expenses incurred in providing the soldiers in
+them with food, which had to be fetched up by special convoys. And it
+was all money thrown away! and worse than thrown away! for when I come
+to describe how I broke through these blockhouse lines (see next page),
+the reader will see that this wonderful scheme of the English prolonged
+the war for at least three months.
+
+Let us turn now to another, and a more successful device of the enemy.
+
+From the first weeks of the winter, 1901--the reader must remember that
+our winter commences in _May_--the English began to make night attacks
+upon us; at last they had found out a way of inflicting severe losses
+upon us, and these night attacks grew more and more frequent during the
+last period of the war. But they would never have thought of them at
+all, if they had not been instructed in them by the National Scouts--our
+own flesh and blood!
+
+These tactics were not always successful. It sometimes happened that the
+English got "cornered"; sometimes they had to "right about turn" and run
+for their lives. The latter was the case at Witkopjes, five miles to the
+south of Heilbron, and again, near Makenwaansstad. But on only too many
+occasions they managed to surprise troops of burghers on their camping
+places, and, having captured those who could not run away, they left the
+dead and wounded on the ground.
+
+We soon discovered that these night attacks were the most difficult of
+the enemy's tactics with which we had to deal.
+
+Sometimes the burghers, surprised by a sudden visit from the English at
+such an unconventional hour, found it necessary to run away at once as
+fast as their legs would carry them, so that they often arrived at the
+nearest camp without their hats. Indeed a series of these attacks
+produced such a panic among our men that I have known a Boer lose not
+only his hat, but also his head.
+
+I come now, in the regular course of my narrative, to an engagement
+between my burghers and an English force which had marched from
+Bethlehem to Reitz, a distance of thirty miles. This force was guided by
+a son of one of the Free State Members of Parliament, and, marching all
+night, reached Reitz just as the day began to dawn. This was a smart
+piece of business; and though the guide to whom its success was due was
+my enemy, I fully appreciated the skill which he then displayed.
+
+The English captured ten or twelve burghers at Reitz, whither they had
+perhaps gone in search of the President.
+
+I was ten miles to the west, on the farm of Blijdschap, and did not
+receive reports of what had happened until towards noon.
+
+What was I to do? I could not call up men from Heilbron, Bethlehem,
+Vrede, or Harrismith: it would have been at least twenty-four hours
+before they could have arrived. All I could do was to summon Veldtcornet
+Vlok with some of the Parijs commandos and Veldtcornet Louwrens, and
+Matthijs De Beer, and the men. With these and my staff we would not
+number more than sixty or seventy all told.
+
+I at once gave orders to these veldtcornets to meet me at a certain
+place, and they were there by the appointed hour.
+
+My intention was to deliver a flank attack upon the English while they
+retreated during the night; for, as they only numbered five hundred men,
+I felt sure that they would not care to remain thirty miles away from
+their column, but would fall back upon Bethlehem.
+
+In the afternoon I marched to within a short distance of Reitz, in order
+to discover the enemy's plans; then, immediately after sunset, I sent a
+few burghers quite close to the town, with orders to meet me again at a
+certain point about two thousand paces to the south, and to inform me
+whither the enemy were going to march. The scouts returned at ten
+o'clock that night, and reported that the enemy was on the march towards
+Harrismith. In order to reach this town they would have to start by the
+Bethlehem road, from which the Harrismith road forks, at about eight
+thousand paces from the town.
+
+Our horses stood ready up-saddled; I had only to give the order to
+mount.
+
+I meant to cross the Bethlehem road and go to a deep hollow which I knew
+of near the Harrismith road; then, when the English appeared against the
+horizon, we would fire at them.
+
+But my scouts had blundered. The English were not going to Harrismith
+after all. For as we came to the Bethlehem road, we nearly stumbled over
+them. They were riding quietly along only a short distance from us. As
+we were galloping they knew of our proximity before we were aware of
+theirs, and when we were less than two hundred paces from them they
+opened fire.
+
+"Charge, burghers!"
+
+They all heard me, but they did not all obey. About fifty of the most
+valiant of them galloped straight at the enemy. The rest fled.
+
+After a short but fierce engagement we were forced to retire, as six of
+our men had been hit. Fortunately, their wounds were but slight, the
+most severe being that of my son Isaac, who had been shot through the
+leg below the knee.
+
+We rode away a short distance, and saw looming through the darkness a
+company of horsemen approaching us from Reitz. I thought at first that
+they were some of my own burghers--the ones who had taken to their
+heels--but it turned out to be General Wessel Wessels, who was nearer
+than I knew with his staff, in all some twenty men. I, however, could
+muster seventy, and we decided to cut off the retreat of the enemy. But
+they had, in the meantime, been riding on so fast that we did not reach
+them until it had grown quite light. An engagement, short and fierce as
+the last, ensued, but as the enemy was from six to seven times as strong
+as we were, and had a gun and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt with them, we could
+not stand against them, and had to let them go on their road.
+
+We were fortunate in suffering no loss there, and while the English
+marched on to Bethlehem we rode off in the opposite direction.
+
+We had now a short period of repose. The English were so busy building
+blockhouses that they had no time to fight us. Our poor horses were in a
+miserable condition, for so little rain had fallen that the grass was
+very dry and sapless. But at least we could now give them the rest which
+they sorely needed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+My Commando of Seven Hundred Men
+
+
+Towards the end of September Commandant F.E. Mentz had an engagement
+with Colonel Byng's column near Heilbron. A portion of this officer's
+force had held a ridge where there were some Kaffir kraals for cover;
+and Commandant Mentz had with fifty burghers stormed this ridge,
+shooting down from thirty to forty of the enemy, and taking twenty-five
+prisoners. We lost two killed and three wounded. The Frankfort burghers
+under Commandant Ross had also not been idle, for they had attacked a
+division of Colonel Rimington's troops with the result that sixteen
+killed and wounded fell into their hands--among these were seven of the
+National Scouts.
+
+Thus fighting was taking place all over the country. I do not give any
+report of the various engagements, as I was not present at them, and, as
+I have already said, I only wish to record my own experiences. But it
+will be easily seen, even from the scanty information I can give of
+these skirmishes, that our small commandos had a splendid record of
+success.
+
+It is my intention to ask all my Vice-Commanders-in-Chief to narrate
+their experiences. And when the whole story is told I am convinced that
+the world will be astonished at what we were able to accomplish.
+
+But however well these small commandos had fought, I myself believed
+that the time had now come to make a great stroke. With this object in
+view I gave orders that a number of the burghers should come to
+Blijdschap, in the district of Bethlehem, under the command of the
+following officers:--General Michal Prinsloo with Commandants Olivier,
+and Rautenbach of the Bethlehem Commando; Commandant David Van Coller,
+who was in command of the Heilbron burghers in the place of Commandant
+Steenekamp, who had resigned; Commandant Hermanus Botha of Vrede;
+Commandant Roen of Ladybrand; and Commandant Jan Cilliers of Kroonstad.
+
+By the beginning of November I had a force of seven hundred burghers
+under me at Blijdschap.[101]
+
+Although the spring was now far advanced, the veldt was in a very
+backward condition. I therefore ordered the various subdivisions of my
+commando to go and camp on the different farms in the neighbourhood. I
+spread the horses over a large area, as they would thus find better
+pasture and so the sooner recover their strength.
+
+When November was drawing to a close I had an engagement with the
+English to the south of Lindley. I had with me at that time General
+Hattingh, General Wessel Wessels, and General Michal Prinsloo.
+
+An English force had encamped two days previously on the farm of
+Jagersrust, which lies some ten miles to the south-east of Heilbron, and
+about the same distance from Blijdschap. I had wished to make an attack
+on them the night they arrived, but they were too near to Heilbron for
+me to venture on it.
+
+The previous week three columns which came from Winburg and Kroonstad
+had been operating near the Liebenbergsvlei, and driving a large laager
+of women before them towards the north-east of the Liebenbergsvlei. But
+they had now left the laager alone and returned to Kroonstad. The women
+had arrived at Blijdschap at noon on November 28th on their way back to
+Lindley.
+
+The morning following, two hours after sunrise, I received a report from
+General Hattingh, who with Commandant Cilliers and a hundred men was
+stationed close to Blijdschap. The General reported that the English
+from Jagersrust were hotly pursuing the women's laager. And it soon
+appeared that the women were being driven to the west of Blijdschap.
+
+When General Hattingh heard that the English were hard by, he was some
+twenty minutes' ride from Blijdschap, but he mounted his horse at once
+and rode there as quickly as he could. On his arrival he immediately
+gave orders to up-saddle, and, having sent me a second report, he
+started in pursuit of the enemy.
+
+As soon as I had received General Hattingh's reports, I followed him
+with General Wessels and a force of only a hundred men. I was at least
+five miles from General Hattingh, and the English were twelve miles
+ahead. General Michal Prinsloo was unfortunately a considerable distance
+away; and thus it was that I could not at once get together my whole
+force of six hundred burghers.
+
+But General Michal Prinsloo had spent the time in attacking the English
+force on their left front. Shortly after he had engaged the enemy I came
+up behind them and delivered an attack on their right. But the veldt was
+very uneven and high hills and intervening hollows made any co-operation
+between us impossible, for one force could not tell where the other
+force was.
+
+Meanwhile General Hattingh had attacked the enemy in the rear and thus
+compelled them to withdraw their vanguard, which was then not far from
+the women's laager and had nearly succeeded in capturing it. But now
+that the whole force of the enemy was opposed to General Hattingh, he
+was forced to give way and leave his positions. We lost two killed and
+three wounded. Among the dead was the valiant F.C. Klopper of Kroonstad.
+
+When I, with General Wessels and Commandant Hermanus Botha hurried up,
+Commandant Hattingh was just on the point of retreating.
+
+The English I saw numbered about a thousand mounted men and they had
+three guns with them. I determined to make a flank attack, and
+accordingly marched round to their right, at the same time sending
+orders to General Prinsloo to get in the rear, or if he preferred in
+front of the enemy, so that we might make a united attack upon them as
+they marched in the direction of Lindley.
+
+It now began to rain and a little later a very heavy thunderstorm burst
+on our heads. This forced the English to halt on the farm of
+Victoriespruit.
+
+The rain continued to fall in torrents and hindered General Prinsloo
+carrying out my orders.
+
+And now the sun went down.
+
+As our horses were quite exhausted by the hot pursuit after the English,
+and the burghers wet through to the skin, I decided to postpone the
+attack to the following day. I was also influenced in my decision by the
+consideration that as the English were so far from any point from which
+reinforcements could come, it was quite safe to let them alone until the
+morning. Nobody could have foreseen that they would escape that night.
+
+We slept about five miles from them to the north-east, whilst General
+Prinsloo and his men were not very far away to the south-east.
+
+That night we placed the ordinary outposts, but no "brandwachten."
+
+When on the next morning I sent my scouts out to discover the movements
+of the enemy, what was my surprise when they reported that they had
+fled. They had gone, my scouts informed me, towards Heilbron, which was
+about eighteen miles off, and they had left behind them five laden
+waggons and one cart; and where they had crossed Karoospruit they had,
+very naturally, lightened their waggons, and flour, seed, oats,
+tarpaulins, and tents marked the point where they had crossed the
+spruit. The enemy were already so far ahead when I received this report
+that it was quite out of the question to catch them before they reached
+Heilbron; so all idea of pursuing them had to be abandoned.
+
+So far as I was able to find out, this column was under the command of
+Colonel Rimington.
+
+As I was unable now to get in touch with the enemy, I set off with my
+commando to what was once the town of Lindley. Alas! it could not any
+more be called a town. Every house was burnt down; not even the church
+and parsonage were spared.
+
+We found the veldt in very good condition; the early spring rains and
+the downpours of the previous day had quite revived the grass. And so I
+decided to remain at Lindley as long as possible, to give our horses a
+chance of recovering their condition. It was impossible to provide them
+with forage, for the amount the English had left behind was entirely
+insufficient as a supply for the large number of horses we had with us.
+
+For ten or twelve days we remained at Lindley, and so the horses had a
+short breathing time, but not long enough to give the poor animals time
+fully to regain their strength. In addition to being overworked, some of
+our horses were suffering from a skin disease which we were quite unable
+to cure. This disease had never before been known in the Republics.
+
+When I was at Lindley I sent Commandant Johannes Meijer, one of my
+staff, with forty men, to Cape Colony. With him went that brave soldier,
+Captain Willem Pretorius, of whom I have made mention previously. If
+Commandant Meijer had had sufficient time to collect a commando in the
+Colony, I am sure that he would have proved that the younger generation
+of Free-Staters, to whom he and Willem Pretorius belonged, possess
+qualities which were entirely unsuspected before the war began.
+
+On the 8th of December three columns of the enemy appeared from
+Kroonstad.
+
+It had been my plan to remain at Lindley and wait my chance of dealing
+with Colonel Baker, for he had under him a certain National Scout, who
+constantly made raids from Winburg with a band of four or five hundred
+Kaffirs. A few months previously a division of Commandant Hasebroek's
+commando had been attacked at Doornberg by this man's Kaffirs, and four
+burghers had been murdered in a horrible manner. More cases of this
+nature had taken place, and I only mention this one in passing. I am not
+in a position to give all the instances, but many of them were sworn to
+in affidavits, of which copies were sent to Lord Kitchener. The original
+affidavits fell into the hands of the English; but fresh ones shall be
+drawn up on my return to South Africa, so that I may be able to prove
+the statements I have made. The narration of these brutalities I prefer
+to leave to persons more conversant With the facts than myself. I have
+only alluded to the subject so as to make it clear why I like to keep my
+eye on Colonel Baker's column.
+
+I must now continue my story where I left it.
+
+I took up my position to the north-west of Lindley, in front of the
+columns which approached from Kroonstad. But after a few skirmishes with
+them, I returned to the east till darkness came on. When night had
+fallen I went round to the south, behind Kaffirskop, expecting to
+receive the news that Colonel Baker was coming up from Winburg, for he
+generally carried on his operations in conjunction with the forces at
+Kroonstad.
+
+On the following day the enemy marched to Liebenbergsvlei, between
+Bethlehem and Reitz. Thence they took the road between Lindley and Reitz
+to Kroonstad.
+
+Piet de Wet, of the National Scouts, was with these columns.
+
+After we had remained two days at Kaffirskop, we crossed the Valsch
+River. The news then came that a column with a convoy was on the march
+from Harrismith to Bethlehem.
+
+I felt that it was my duty to attack this column, but, although I
+advanced with all haste, I was not in time to catch the enemy before
+they reached Bethlehem. When I saw this, I decided to wait, at a
+distance of some fifteen miles to the north-east of Bethlehem, for I
+expected that the column would return to Harrismith.
+
+The troops remained in Bethlehem till the morning of the 18th of
+December; they then marched out towards Harrismith.
+
+I at once divided my commando into two parts, each consisting of two
+hundred and fifty men. One of these divisions I posted behind the
+eastern end of the Langberg, about forty miles from Bethlehem; the other
+on the banks of the Tijgerkloofspruit, at the point where the road to
+Harrismith crosses the stream.
+
+I gave strict orders to both divisions that as soon as I opened fire on
+the English with the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, they were to charge down on them
+from both sides at the same time.
+
+The enemy, I may mention, were about six or seven hundred men strong,
+and had two guns.
+
+I myself, with the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, was now on a high round hill, on
+the eastern side of Tijgerkloof. I was very careful to be out of sight
+of the English, so that they might get quite close to the burghers
+before the gun disclosed my presence.
+
+I succeeded in hiding my burghers so successfully that the English did
+not observe them until they were within about twelve hundred paces of my
+men in Tijgerkloof.
+
+Some of the enemy's scouts rode on ahead, and when I judged that they
+must almost immediately see the burghers, I ordered Captain Muller, who
+was standing behind a rise, to come out of cover and open fire; then I
+jumped on my horse, and down the hill I went, at full gallop, to my
+burghers.
+
+I had scarcely covered half the distance, when Captain Muller opened
+fire on the enemy.
+
+As the sound fell on my ears, it seemed to me that nothing now could
+save them!
+
+What was now my bitter disappointment when I saw that only one-third of
+my burghers were charging. The others were keeping under cover, and do
+what I would I could not drive them out.
+
+Everything went wrong.
+
+When the burghers who were charging the English discovered that the
+greater part of their comrades had remained, they turned round and
+retreated. But before this had happened they had attacked the English at
+four different points.
+
+It had been a short but a very hot engagement.
+
+There was no possibility of inducing my men to charge, and so I thought
+it wisest to retreat, swallowing my disappointment as best I could.
+
+The burghers re-assembled to the south of the Langberg; and we found
+that our loss was two killed and nine wounded, of whom two subsequently
+died.
+
+We could not ascertain the English losses, but we saw their ambulances
+very busy. We heard afterwards that they had suffered much more severely
+than we had done.
+
+[Footnote 101: A court-martial was held at this place, and several
+persons appeared before it. A certain De Lange was condemned to death
+for high treason.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+A Success at Tweefontein
+
+
+The column had marched to Harrismith.
+
+It was time that I accomplished something further, and I determined that
+the next blow I struck should be a heavy one. I therefore retired to the
+north-east of Bethlehem, and concealed my men in the veldt round
+Tijgerkloof (which was suited to the purpose) whilst I made my plans.
+
+Colonel Firman's brigade was camped between Bethlehem and Harrismith, at
+Elands River bridge, where he was building the line of blockhouses
+between the two towns. This camp was so well entrenched that there was
+no possibility of storming it, and I knew that so long as Colonel Firman
+thought I was still in the neighbourhood he would not dare to come out
+and give me an opportunity of attacking him.
+
+I saw that a ruse was necessary to entice him out of his fortress. With
+this object in view I sent for Commandant Jan Jacobsz, with his fifty
+men from Witzeshoek. When he joined me I confided my secret to him, and
+ordered him to go back with his fifty men, and to let Colonel Firman see
+him doing so. He also had instructions to let some of his veldtcornets
+ride to the Kaffir kraals, which were close to the English camp, in
+order to tell these Kaffirs that he had had orders to come to me with
+fifty men, but that when he arrived I had commanded him to return to his
+district, because I was going to march with my commando to Winburg.
+
+The following day Colonel Firman's scouts were, as might have been
+expected, informed by the Kaffirs of what they had heard from the
+burghers under Commandant Jacobsz; and the day after--that is, the 22nd
+of December--Colonel Firman's column, about six to seven hundred men
+strong, marched from Elands River to Tweefontein, half-way between
+Elands River and Tijgerkloof. On the farm of Tweefontein there was a
+mountain called Groenkop--which has since, for a reason which will soon
+be apparent to the reader, received the name of "Christmas Kop."
+
+[Illustration: TWEEFONTEIN.
+
+FROM A SKETCH BY THE AUTHOR.]
+
+I gave Commandant Jacobsz orders to come to me with his fifty men on
+Christmas Eve, but this time with the strict injunction that he must
+conceal his march from the enemy. I also called up Veldtcornet Beukes,
+with his fifty men, from Wilge River, in the district of Harrismith.
+Veldtcornet Beukes was a brave man and trustworthy; he was shortly
+afterwards promoted to the command of a division of the Harrismith
+burghers.
+
+My intention was to attack Colonel Firman early on Christmas morning.
+
+Two days previously I had, with General Prinsloo and the Commandant,
+reconnoitred the neighbourhood of Groenkop, on which Colonel Firman was
+encamped. I approached as near as possible to the mountain, but could
+only inspect it from the west, north, and east, but on the following day
+I reconnoitred it also from the south.
+
+My plan of making the attack early the next morning was somewhat spoilt
+by the fact that the English had already, on the 21st of December,
+quitted their camp on the mountain. Thus they had had four days in which
+to entrench themselves.
+
+Whilst we were reconnoitring the mountain from the south, we saw three
+horsemen coming cautiously out of the camp, riding in a north-easterly
+direction, and thus giving us no chance to intercept them. Commandant
+Olivier and Captain Potgieter now made a detour, so that they could cut
+off the unsuspecting scouts from their camp, and could also get nearer
+to the mountain themselves. I knew that by doing so they would draw the
+fire of the two guns, which would tell me precisely where Colonel
+Firman's battery stood.
+
+Before these officers could accomplish their purpose they were observed,
+and seeing that they could not cut off the three men, they turned their
+horses and galloped back. But when they saw that the three scouts had
+the temerity to pursue them, they faced round at the first rise and
+suddenly confronted them. The three (who were Kaffirs), seeing that the
+tables were turned, hastily wheeled round towards their own camp, but
+before they could reach it one of their number was caught and shot down.
+One gun and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt now fired upon our two officers as
+long as they were in sight, and thus we learnt that the guns were placed
+on the high western point of the mountain, from which they could shoot
+in all directions.
+
+Let me describe Groenkop. On its western side was a precipice, on the
+north and south a steep descent, and on the east a gentle slope which
+ran down to the plain.
+
+From which side should the attack take place?
+
+Some of the officers were of the opinion that this should take place on
+the east, where it was the least steep, but I differed from them, for
+through our field-glasses we could see that the walls of the fort were
+so built that it was quite clear the enemy had thought that, should they
+be attacked, it would be from the east. The forts were built in a
+semicircle towards that side, and although this would be of little
+importance once the fight had begun (because the defenders had only to
+jump over the wall to find themselves still entrenched), still it was to
+the advantage of the attacking party to come from a side where they
+would not be expected.
+
+These reasons brought me to the conclusion that the English would not
+be on the look-out for us from the west, and I therefore decided to make
+the attack from this side, the steep side of the mountain. But I did not
+then know how steep it really was.
+
+On the western point there were four forts close to each other. Each was
+sufficient to give shelter to about twenty five men. To the south there
+were four forts, and to the east three.
+
+The top of the mountain was not more than three to four hundred paces in
+diameter. To the east in a hollow the convoy was placed, and from every
+_schanze_ we could rake it with our fire.
+
+I remained on the spot from which I was reconnoitring, and sent word to
+the commando, in the afternoon of the 24th of December, to come to a
+certain place at Tijgerkloof, which they could do without being
+observed. I ordered them to remain there until nightfall, and then to
+advance within four miles of Groenkop, to the north, where I would meet
+them.
+
+This was done. I found the commando at the appointed place, and also
+General Brand and Commandant Karel Coetzee, who had come on a visit that
+day to my commando. They also took part in the attack. My men consisted
+of burghers from General Michal Prinsloo, Commandants Hermanus Botha,
+Van Coller, Olivier, Rautenbach, Koen, Jan Jacobsz and Mears, in all six
+hundred men. Of these I left one hundred in charge of the
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt and the pack-horses.
+
+We had not a single waggon with us; every man put what he had with him
+on his pack-horse, for long we had made it a rule not to be hampered
+with waggons. Yet whenever we picked up reports of engagements in the
+camping places of the English we repeatedly saw that they had taken a
+Boer camp--and their greatest delight was to say that it was one of De
+Wet's convoys.
+
+They could not have been convoys of mine, because for the last fifteen
+months I had had no waggon-camp with me. If a waggon-camp was taken, it
+could only have been one consisting of women, who were flying in order
+to escape capture by the English, and to avoid being sent to the
+concentration camps. Everywhere in the State the women were taking to
+flight, and their terror was increased tenfold when the news came that
+many a woman and child had found an untimely grave in these camps.
+
+The troops which had not remained with the pack-horses now advanced
+towards the mountain. Each commando was ordered to ride by itself, and
+to leave in single file. My orders were that they were to march quietly
+to the western foot of the mountain; here the horses were to be left
+behind, and the climb made on foot, the burghers keeping the same order
+as that in which they had been riding. Should the English, however,
+discover us before we reached the mountain, we must then storm it
+altogether, and leave the horses wherever we had dismounted.
+
+We succeeded in coming to the mountain unobserved, and at once began the
+climb. It was exactly two o'clock in the morning of December 25th, 1901.
+
+When we had gone up about half-way we heard the challenge of a sentry:--
+
+"Halt; who goes there?"
+
+Then followed a few shots.
+
+My command rang out through the night--
+
+"Burghers, Storm!"
+
+The word was taken up by the burghers themselves, and on all sides one
+heard "Storm! Storm!"
+
+It was a never-to-be-forgotten moment. Amidst the bullets, which we
+could hear whistling above and around us, the burghers advanced to the
+top, calling out, "Storm! Storm!"
+
+The mountain, however, was so steep that it can scarcely be said that we
+stormed it; it was much more of a climb. Often our feet slipped from
+under us, and we fell to the ground; but in an instant we were up again
+and climbed on, and on, to gain the summit.
+
+I think that after the sentry heard us, three or four minutes must have
+elapsed before the troops, who were lying asleep in their tents or on
+the veldt, were awakened and could come out, because their camp was
+about a hundred paces distant from our point of attack.
+
+Directly we reached the top the deafening roar of a heavy fight began,
+and lasted from fifteen to twenty minutes. Shortly before this the
+Armstrong gun and the Maxim-Nordenfeldt had each fired two shots, but
+they fired no more; as we reached the top the gunners were shot down at
+their guns.
+
+After a short but desperate struggle the English gave way, or
+surrendered, and we took possession of the Armstrong and
+Maxim-Nordenfeldt.
+
+We continued to fire on the troops, who had retreated to a short
+distance. Again they gave way, and took up another position a little
+further on, and so it went on for about two thousand paces, and then the
+English took to flight.
+
+As we had no horses with us and it was dark, we did not pursue the
+fleeing enemy, but returned to the camp. The whole engagement lasted, so
+far as I could judge, for about an hour. I cannot say for certain,
+because I made no note of the time.
+
+It was a party of Yeomanry with whom we had been dealing, and I must say
+they behaved very gallantly under exceptionally trying circumstances;
+for it is always to be expected that when men are attacked during the
+night a certain amount of confusion must ensue.
+
+It was heartrending to hear the moaning of the wounded in the dark. The
+burghers helped the doctors to bring the wounded into the tents, where
+they could be attended to; I gave the doctors as much water as they
+liked to take for the wounded.
+
+It was greatly to be deplored that the ambulance had been placed in the
+centre of the camp, for this was the cause of Dr. Reid being fatally
+wounded.
+
+When the day began to dawn we brought the waggons and guns down the
+mountain. I sent them in the direction of Langberg, to the west of
+Groenkop.
+
+The enemy lost about one hundred and sixteen dead and wounded, and two
+hundred and forty prisoners of war.
+
+Our loss was also heavy--fourteen dead and thirty wounded; among the
+dead were Commandant Olivier from Bethlehem and Vice-Veldtcornet Jan
+Dalebout from Harrismith; among the wounded was one of my own staff,
+Gert de Wet. Later on two more died, one of them being Veldtcornet
+Louwrens. I appointed Mr. A.J. Bester as Commandant in the place of
+Commandant Olivier.
+
+Besides one Armstrong and one Maxim-Nordenfeldt, our booty consisted of
+twenty waggons, mostly ox-waggons, a great quantity of rifle and gun
+ammunition, guns, tents, five hundred horses and mules, and one waggon
+laden with spirits, so that the burghers, who were not averse to this,
+could now satisfy their thirst.
+
+The sun had hardly risen when the enemy opened fire from a mountain two
+miles to the north-east of Groenkop, where there was a little camp with
+one gun. If I still had had the same numbers as were with me at the
+storming of Groenkop, then I could also have taken this little camp. But
+it was not to be thought of, for some of my men had been sent away with
+the waggons, and the others--well, every one had a horse that he had
+taken from the English, and as these horses were in the pink of
+condition for rapid retreat, I thought it wiser not to call upon the
+burghers to attack. I ordered them, therefore, to go back after the
+waggons, and in the evening we camped to the north of Bethlehem. From
+here, on the following day, I sent the prisoners of war through
+Naauwpoort into Basutoland.
+
+On the same day I gave orders to General Michal Prinsloo to take the
+commando and to strike a course between Reitz and Heilbron. I myself
+paid a visit to President Steyn and General Wessel Wessels, after which
+I put matters straight in our hospital at Bezuidenhoutsdrift, which was
+under the charge of Dr. H.J. Poutsma.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+I Cut my Way Through Sixty Thousand Troops
+
+
+The English could not endure the thought that we had their guns in our
+possession. And, accordingly, when General Michal Prinsloo came near the
+Liebenbergsvlei, on the road between Reitz and Heilbron, he met a strong
+force of the enemy which had come from Kroonstad. The English then had a
+taste of what it was like to be under the fire of our artillery; and so
+well did the gunners do their work that the enemy were forced to
+retreat. This occurred shortly before sunset on the afternoon of the
+28th of December.
+
+But the forces in front of General Prinsloo were too strong for him, and
+so when night came he marched past, and the following morning was twelve
+miles to the south-west of them.
+
+The enemy advanced against the position which General Prinsloo had
+occupied the previous day, quite unaware that he was now in their rear.
+In the meantime the General was watching their movements from behind,
+and quietly enjoying their mistake.
+
+I left the hospital that afternoon, and crossing the Liebenbergsvlei to
+the rear of the English, I joined the Heilbron commando.
+
+The following day the enemy retreated to the farm of Groenvlei, which
+lies just to the north of Lindley. They remained there for a few days
+awaiting large reinforcements.
+
+"I quite understand your plan," I said to myself, as I set to work to
+split up the great force which the enemy were concentrating. And with
+this object in view I sent each Commandant to his own district,
+believing that by dispersing my own men I should again induce the
+English to divide their troops into smaller parties. Commandant Mears,
+with his fifty men, I ordered to remain with the guns and the artillery,
+and to guard them by very careful scouting.
+
+In less than a fortnight seven large columns of the enemy were operating
+in the district between Heilbron and Bethlehem and Harrismith. These
+columns burnt all the houses within their reach, and those which had
+been spared before were now given over to the flames. And not only were
+the houses destroyed, but every head of cattle was taken.
+
+Towards the end of January, 1902, still more columns arrived and a
+"drive" began.
+
+I remained in the neighbourhood until the 2nd of February and stationed
+Commandant Mears with the guns to the east of the Wilge River. The
+English formed a circle round him, but he succeeded in getting the guns
+away in safety. When he was out of their clutches, I sent him orders to
+bring the guns through the blockhouse line between Lindley and
+Bethlehem, and then to push on towards Winburg.
+
+It was my intention, on arriving there, to collect as rapidly as
+possible a commando from the men of Bethlehem, Kroonstad, and Winburg,
+and to attack the first column that gave me a chance of doing so.
+
+Commandant Mears carried out my orders at once. A force of the enemy had
+been waiting for him for three or four days at the farm of Fanny's Home,
+on the Liebenbergsvlei. But before the sun had risen, a strong force
+under Colonel Byng had surrounded him and forced him to abandon the
+guns. And not only were the guns lost, but Captain Muller and thirteen
+gunners were taken prisoner.
+
+Thus the guns had not been of much benefit to us, for the English had
+kept us so constantly on the move that it had been impossible to use
+them.
+
+The forces of the enemy between Harrismith and Vrede had formed a line
+extending from the Harrismith-Bethlehem blockhouses to the blockhouses
+between Vrede, Frankfort and Heilbron. And now the troops were advancing
+in close contact with each other, hoping thus to force us against one or
+other line of blockhouses.
+
+Nearer and nearer they came, until at noon on February the 5th we saw
+them to the east of Liebenbergsvlei. As I was watching their movements
+from the top of Elandskop, I was informed by heliogram[102] from
+Blaauwkop and Verkijkerskop that there was a cordon of the English from
+Frankfort to a spot between Bethlehem and Lindley.
+
+The intention of the enemy appeared to be to drive us against the
+Heilbron-Kroonstad blockhouses and the railway line. We had therefore to
+be prepared to fight our way through the blockhouses. And these, as I
+found out lately, had been greatly strengthened.
+
+On the 6th of February I was on the march, intending to advance to
+Slangfontein, to the west of Heilbron. I sent orders to Commandants
+Mentz, Van der Merwe, and Van Coller, to take a portion of Commandant
+Bester's burghers, telling them to go to Slangfontein. For I hoped to
+break through at some point or other that night.
+
+Still nearer the enemy came, marching almost shoulder to shoulder.
+
+The Commandants Van Coller and Van der Merwe did not go to Slangfontein.
+They broke through the English columns near Jagersrust, and crossed the
+Heilbron-Frankfort blockhouse line, where they put a few soldiers to
+flight, not, however, without a loss of two burghers, who were killed.
+
+Neither did the burghers under Veldtcornets Taljaart and Prinsloo
+arrive. They preferred to go their own way--and all were captured with
+the exception of twenty-eight men. But this misfortune was not due to
+the blockhouses. On the contrary, they were taken prisoners when they
+were attempting to hide themselves in small bodies. In this way more
+than a hundred burghers fell into the hands of the English.
+
+There were now with me Commandant Mentz, and portions of the commandos
+of Commandants Bester, Cilliers, and Mears.
+
+That afternoon we marched to a farm which was twelve miles from the
+Lindley-Kroonstad line of blockhouses. When it was quite dark, we left
+the farm with the intention of breaking through this line before
+daybreak. There had been five or six hundred head of cattle with us,
+but, without my being aware of it, they had gone astray in the darkness.
+
+We intentionally left the path, because we thought that the English
+would be most vigilant at points where paths crossed the line.
+
+Suddenly we found ourselves at a wire fence. The darkness was so thick,
+that it was only after we had cut the wire that we discovered that we
+were close to a blockhouse. Although the house was not more than a
+hundred paces from us, we could hear and see nothing. When we were some
+four hundred paces on the other side of the line of the blockhouses, I
+sent a burgher back to see if all the men and cattle had crossed
+safely--for we were riding in a long trail, and amongst us were old men
+and youngsters of only ten years, or even less. These boys would have
+been taken away from their mothers had they stayed at home; and thus the
+only way to keep them from captivity was to let them join the commandos.
+
+The burgher soon returned, and told me that the whole commando and all
+the cattle had crossed the line. Then I marched forward again.
+
+At break of day we were close to the Valsch River. Here I made a short
+halt, in order to allow the stragglers to come up. It was then that a
+man came to me who had been riding far behind, and had thus not seen
+that we had cut the wire. He was probably one of those who quite
+needlessly feared a blockhouse line.
+
+"General, when shall we come to the blockhouses?" he asked me.
+
+"Oh! we are through long ago!" I answered.
+
+It did not require any deep insight, I can assure you, to see how
+delighted this burgher was that we were safely out of it!
+
+We discovered now that the cattle had not crossed the line. When I
+investigated the matter more closely, I found that they had gone astray
+before we reached the blockhouses. But it was impossible to wait for
+them, and there was nothing left but to proceed without them.
+
+When we arrived at the Valsch River, there was a sound of shouting
+behind us, and presently the cattle appeared coming over a rise. I heard
+from the drivers that they had lost their way, and had only reached the
+blockhouses at daylight. But they had succeeded in breaking through
+under a fierce rifle fire. Twenty head of cattle had been killed or
+wounded, and one of the men's horses had been shot under him.
+
+The burghers who had accomplished this valiant deed were: Jan Potgieter,
+Gert Potgieter, Jzoon, and Wessel Potgieter--all from the district of
+Heilbron.
+
+I have, myself, seen a report in an English paper of my breaking through
+the blockhouse line. This paper declared that I had driven a great herd
+of cattle in front of me to break down the fencing!... This is the way
+the English write the reports.
+
+This breaking through of my cattle inspired the English, at least so I
+thought, to dig trenches everywhere. But they were again wrong; for
+although a vehicle might have some difficulty before the trench was
+filled in, no riders, pedestrians, or cattle would have been stopped for
+a moment.
+
+And now we marched on, till we reached a spot about fourteen miles to
+the south of the blockhouse line; and there we remained for three days.
+
+Whilst we were waiting here, I sent two burghers back to the blockhouse
+line, to discover in what direction the English columns had marched, so
+that I might know where I should go myself. Now, less than ever, was it
+advisable to make night marches, for our horses were in a very poor
+condition.
+
+The day following I received a heliographic message from these burghers,
+who were now on the other side of the line. They signalled that I could
+come on with my commando, since the English columns had returned to
+Kroonstad and Heilbron.
+
+When night came I started on my way back. I did not go (as before) to
+the east of Lindley, but to the farm of Palmietfontein, which lies to
+the west. When we were close to the line, I sent some burghers in
+advance to cut the wire. But this time there was a reception ready for
+us, which we certainly would rather have been without! This was to be
+ascribed to the fact that instead of only two scouts, as I had ordered,
+about ten had gone to reconnoitre. So large a number had attracted the
+attention of the enemy, and the guards had concentrated at the spot
+where we wished to break through.
+
+Thus before my commando reached the line a fierce fire was opened on it
+from two sides. Yet notwithstanding this the wires were cut and we
+reached the other side, but not without loss. One of my burghers was
+killed, and one wounded. A boy of ten was also killed, and another of
+seven severely wounded. We could not ascertain the losses of the enemy.
+
+It was terrible that children should be exposed to such dangers; but, as
+I have already said, if we had not taken them with us they would have
+been captured. During the very "drive" I have just described, two
+children who had remained at home with their mothers were taken
+prisoner by the English. One of these was a boy of nine, the little son
+of Jacobus Theron. Notwithstanding the prayers and entreaties of the
+poor mother, he was torn from her and carried away. In the same way
+another boy, twelve years old, whose name I do not know, was dragged
+from his mother's arms.
+
+The chronicling of such inexplicable cruelties I leave to other pens. I
+have drawn attention to them to make it clear that it was not without
+good cause that children joined the commandos. Some of these little ones
+became a prey to the bullets of the enemy, and the South African soil is
+stained by the blood of children slain by England.
+
+With the exception of the sad incidents I have described, we came
+through in safety.
+
+I afterwards heard that Lord Kitchener had on this occasion gone to
+Wolvehoek Station in order to see President Steyn and myself carried
+away in the train to banishment! But his calculations were not
+altogether correct.
+
+A Higher Power had willed it otherwise.
+
+The burghers had now returned to their own districts. I myself went to a
+farm in the neighbourhood of Elandskop belonging to Mr. Hendrick
+Prinsloo--the _rooije_.[103] After I had been there a few days I heard
+that a strong column was approaching Lindley from Kroonstad. During the
+night of the 17th of February this column attacked some burghers who
+were posted less than four miles from Elandskop, with the object--as I
+heard later--of catching me. And they would have been quite successful
+in their attempt had I been sleeping in the house where their
+information led them to believe they would find me. But as a matter of
+fact, I seldom, if ever, slept in a house, for to tell the truth, there
+were scarcely any houses left to sleep in! The women who had escaped
+capture lived in narrow shelters, which had been made by placing
+corrugated iron sheets on what was left standing of the walls that
+remained.
+
+I crossed the Liebenbergsvlei on the 18th of February, and proceeded to
+the farm of Rondebosch, which stands to the north-east of Reitz. There I
+met the Government.
+
+And now another big "drive" took place. The English columns marched to
+the south of the Kroonstad-Lindley blockhouse line in the direction of
+Bethlehem. Other troops came from Heilbron, and advanced to the north of
+the Heilbron-Frankfort line, driving Commandant Ross across this line to
+the south.
+
+Nearer and nearer these two great divisions approached each other, until
+at last they stretched without any break from the Bethlehem-Lindley to
+the Frankfort-Vrede line of blockhouses. On the 21st of February the
+whole column moved towards Vrede and Harrismith.
+
+It seemed to me that my best plan would be to go with President Steyn
+and the Government to the Witkopjes, which lay between Harrismith and
+Vrede, and then to break through the English columns near Vrede or
+Harrismith, or, if it proved impossible to do so at these points, at
+least to force a way through somewhere.
+
+On this occasion we had a great deal more difficulty in escaping from
+the English than we had had during the previous "drive." Not only had we
+to deal with these large forces behind, but also with thousands of
+troops which were now approaching from Villiersdorp, Standerton,
+Volksrust, and Laingsnek, and which were extended across the country in
+one continuous line. The whole cordon thus formed consisted, as the
+English themselves acknowledge, of sixty thousand men.
+
+And again on this occasion they did not attempt to drive us against one
+or other of the blockhouse lines, but they came, column on column, from
+all sides, and formed a big circle round us. They thus made it quite
+apparent that they had lost all faith in their blockhouses.
+
+I only received news of the approach of these reinforcements on the
+evening of the 22nd of February, after they had passed the blockhouses.
+The report was brought to me by Commandant Hermanus Botha, a party of
+whose burghers had been driven across the Vrede-Frankfort line during
+the previous night. I have already stated that some of the burghers
+under Commandant Ross had shared the same experience, and now they were
+retreating before the English. I also heard that Commandant Mentz had
+gone eastwards, in the belief that the forces behind him would move to
+the west, but that unfortunately the columns also moved to the east, so
+that he jumped into the lion's mouth, which was only too ready to close!
+
+We marched that night to Cornelius River, and the day following to Mr.
+James Howell's farm at Brakfontein. It was my intention to break through
+somewhere between Vrede and Bothaspas.
+
+But my scouts brought me word in the evening that there was a very poor
+chance of success in that neighbourhood, for the columns had
+concentrated there. Other scouts, however, reported that there was a
+small opening at Kalkkrans, on the Holspruit; and so I decided to march
+to Kalkkrans.
+
+When the sun had set I left Brakfontein and started on my road to
+Kalkkrans, with the firm determination to force my way through there,
+cost what it might. If I failed in the attempt I knew that it would mean
+an irretrievable loss, for not only should I myself be captured, but
+also President Steyn and the whole Government.
+
+I had with me a portion of the Harrismith burghers, the commandos from
+Vrede and Frankfort, and sections of the commandos from Standerton and
+Wakkerstroom, these latter under Commandant Alberts. This Commandant had
+come to these districts to obtain horses for his burghers; he was
+obliged to be content with the wild horses of the veldt, for there were
+no others to be had.
+
+Beside the above burghers, I had with me old men and children, and
+others who were non-combatants. These had joined the commando to escape
+falling into the enemy's hands.
+
+Altogether I had well-nigh two thousand persons with me. Commandant
+Mentz was, like myself, enclosed in the "drive," but some distance away.
+General Wessels, Commandant Beukes, and some of the Bethlehem burghers
+were in the same predicament to the west of us. I did not know for
+certain where these officers were placed, and therefore I could not
+inform them of my plan to break through that night, for I had only come
+to this determination after the sun had set. But I felt sure that they
+would at all costs make their way through the cordon.[104]
+
+Commandant Jan Meijer had met me at Brakfontein, but one party of his
+burghers was still six miles to the south. When I decided to break
+through, I sent him orders to follow me; and this he was quite capable
+of doing, as he was well acquainted with this part of the country. My
+orders were that the mounted men were to proceed in advance, taking with
+them my little waggon drawn by eight mules.
+
+This waggon had accompanied me into Cape Colony, and since that
+time--for fourteen weary months--had never left me. I had even taken it
+with me when, a fortnight previously, I had broken through the
+blockhouse lines.
+
+Behind the horsemen came the aged and the sick, who occupied the
+remaining vehicles, and lastly the cattle, divided into several herds.
+
+In this order we rode on.
+
+When we were approaching the spot at which I expected to find the enemy,
+I ordered Commandant Ross and one hundred men, with Hermanus Botha and
+Alberts, and portions of their commandos, to go on ahead of us.
+
+After passing through Holspruit we inclined to the west, as the road to
+the east would, according to my scouts, have led us right into the
+English camp. But it was not with one camp only that we had to deal: the
+English were everywhere: a whole army lay before us--an army so immense
+that many Englishmen thought that it would be a task beyond the stupid
+and illiterate Boer to count it, much less to understand its
+significance. I will pander to the English conception of us and say, "We
+have seen them: they are a great big lot!"
+
+We had hardly moved three hundred paces from where we had crossed
+Holspruit, when the English, lined up about three hundred yards in front
+of us, and opened fire. We saw that they did not intend our flight to be
+an easy one.
+
+Before we had reached the "spruit,"[105] and while crossing it, the
+burghers had kept pushing ahead and crowds had even passed us, but the
+enemy's fire checked them and they wheeled round.
+
+Only the men under Commandants Ross, Botha, and Alberts did not waver.
+These officers and their veldtcornets with less than one hundred men
+stormed the nearest position of the enemy, who were occupying a fort on
+the brow of a steep bank.
+
+I shouted to my command: "Charge."
+
+I exerted all my powers of persuasion to arrest the flight of my
+burghers; even bringing the sjambok into the argument.
+
+Two hundred and fifty were all that I could bring back to the fight,
+whilst, as I have said, the Commandants had a hundred with them when
+they charged; the rest, regardless of my attempts to stop them, fled.
+
+I was also without my staff, some of whom had remained under the fire of
+the enemy awaiting my orders as to what was to be done with my little
+waggon. Others, amongst whom was my son Kootie, who was then acting as
+my secretary, had followed me, but had got lost in the confusion of the
+moment.
+
+This confusion arose from the fact that the burghers imagined that they
+had got through at the first attempt, but had found themselves again
+fired at from the front. Meanwhile, I hurried to and fro, encouraging
+the burghers in their attempts to break through. When thus engaged I
+came across two of my staff, Albertus Theunissen and Burt Nissey. To
+them I gave the order: "Get the waggon through at all costs." I also
+found my son, Isaac, and kept him with me. The English now were firing
+not only from in front but also on our right, and there was nothing for
+it but to clear a road for ourselves, and this we eventually succeeded
+in doing, and in about forty minutes had at last broken through.
+
+The enemy had dug trenches, thirty to forty paces from each other, which
+served as _schanzes_. In each of these trenches were placed ten to
+thirty men. They had also a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which, at first, kept up
+a hot fire; but soon was silenced as the gunners were shot down. The
+rest of the troops retired with the gun, but had to leave the caisson
+behind them. It was evident to me from the way in which they fired that
+the English were retreating, and so I dispatched two men to tell the
+burghers, who had gone back, to come on; but this they did not do,
+thinking perhaps that they could discover a safer route on the following
+evening. This was short-sighted policy on their part, for the circle
+within which they were caught was daily becoming narrower, and it was
+plain that on the third day the enemy would be so close that all hope of
+escape would be gone.
+
+The two burghers did not return, and we went on without them, taking
+with us our wounded--twelve in number. Two of these, whose injuries were
+serious, had been placed by some of my staff on my waggon; one was Van
+der Merwe, a member of President Steyn's bodyguard; the other was a boy
+of thirteen years old, named Olivier.
+
+We hurried on, and came, shortly after sundown, to the farm called
+"Bavaria," on the Bothasberg. There Van der Merwe died.
+
+The boy had already been relieved from his sufferings. Thus, once again,
+the soil drank the blood of a child.
+
+Eleven of my men were left dead on the battlefield. We had to leave them
+there, for to recover their bodies might have meant the sacrifice of
+more lives.
+
+When the burghers and I forced our way through the storm of bullets, we
+had with us President Steyn, the Members of the Government, and the Rev.
+D. Kestell, minister of the Dutch Reformed Church at Harrismith.
+
+The greater part of the English, indeed all of them, so far as we could
+observe, remained, during the 24th, on the spot where we had left them.
+We found out, later on, that we had broken through their lines at the
+point where Colonel Rimington's force was stationed.
+
+The following day the columns departed. We then went to bury our dead,
+but found that the enemy had already done so. But as the graves which
+they had made were very shallow, we dug them deeper.
+
+During that night (the 25th) another force of burghers, to the number of
+about three hundred and fifty, broke through the English cordon. Our men
+only lost two killed, and eleven wounded.
+
+Besides those already mentioned, the burghers under General Wessel
+Wessels and Commandant Mentz were also among those who escaped of the
+two thousand troops surrounded by the enemy.
+
+With the others it fared but ill.
+
+The English closed in, and the circle became narrower and narrower.
+
+On the 27th of February, 1902--"Majuba Day"--Commandant Van Merwe and
+four hundred men fell into the hands of the enemy.[106]
+
+On that very day, in the year 1881, the famous battle of Majuba had been
+fought. Nineteen years afterwards, on the same day of the same month, we
+suffered a terrible defeat at Paardeberg, where we lost General Piet
+Cronje and a great force of burghers.
+
+And now the 27th of February had come round again, and this time it was
+the twenty-first anniversary of Majuba that we were celebrating. The day
+of our coming of age had thus arrived, if I may be allowed to say so.
+But instead of the Republics now attaining their majority--as they
+should have done, according to all precedent--_minority_ would have been
+a more fitting word to describe the condition in which we now found
+ourselves--for, through the losses which we had just sustained, we were
+_minus_ not only a large number of burghers, but also an enormous
+quantity of cattle, which ought to have served as food to our commandos
+and families, but which the enemy had captured.
+
+The cattle which had just been taken from us had formed the greater part
+of our cattle in this district. We had always been able, until now, to
+get them safely away; the unevenness of the veldt here was greatly in
+our favour. This time we could not. How am I to explain the
+inexplicable? _We had sinned--but not against England!_
+
+[Footnote 102: We had heliographic communication between Elandskop and
+Blaauwkop, which formed a connecting link between Bethlehem and Lindley;
+and from Blaauwkop we had communication with Verkijkerskop. There was
+also heliographic communication between Bethlehem and Lindley, and
+Biddulphsberg, across the line of blockhouses.]
+
+[Footnote 103: "Rooije" is the Taal for "red."]
+
+[Footnote 104: In this I was correct. They contrived to break through
+where the enemy were more scattered.]
+
+[Footnote 105: Spruit--rivulet.]
+
+[Footnote 106: Also my son, Jacobus (Kootie). He has now returned from
+St. Helena, whither he had been sent as a prisoner, and we have met. He
+tells me that on the night when I broke through, he wanted to come with
+me, but was unable to do so, because his horse had been shot under
+him.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+I go to the Transvaal with President Steyn
+
+
+On the 26th of February I went with the Government to Duminys Drift, on
+the Wilge River, and we thus found ourselves again at the farm of
+Rondebosch.
+
+The Government remained there for a few days, and then President Steyn
+decided to go into the western parts of the State, where Generals
+Badenhorst and Nieuwouwdt were then operating. He thought that if he
+absented himself from the north-eastern districts the English would
+cease their devastations in that part of the country, for it was well
+known that the enemy's concentration of forces was principally aimed at
+the President and myself.
+
+I, however, did not intend to follow his example, but, on the contrary,
+got myself ready to join the Heilbron commando. By March 22nd all my
+preparations were made, and I had, alas! to say farewell to my trusty
+friend--my little waggon! I saw that it must be relinquished--that I
+could not carry it about with me any longer. I left it at a farm, first
+taking out my documents and papers; I ordered these to be concealed for
+greater safety, in a cave on the farm of General Wessels.
+
+The clothes and ammunition of myself and staff had been hidden in this
+cave for some time.
+
+The following day I joined President Steyn, who told me that he wished
+me to accompany him in his march to the west. And although it did not
+agree with my own ideas--principally, because I did not want the enemy
+to think that I was running away from them--I consented to this plan,
+and the more willingly because it was some time since I had visited the
+western commandos.
+
+It was a long journey that lay before us, and I had only the clothes
+that I was then wearing. I would have sent for another suit had I not
+heard that the enemy were encamped close to the cave where our treasures
+lay hidden.[107]
+
+I had therefore to do the best I could with what I had. There was no
+clothing to be got in the western districts, so that when my present
+outfit was worn out, I should be compelled to put on "khaki"--although
+there was nothing I relished less than to rob a prisoner of war.
+
+We started out that same evening in the direction of the railway line.
+Our party consisted of about two hundred men, composed as follows: the
+President, with his bodyguard of thirty men, under Commandant H. Van
+Niekerk, the Government, Commandant Van de Merwe, of Vredefort, my staff
+and myself.
+
+Before daybreak we got through the Heilbron-Frankfort line of
+blockhouses without accident; and on the following night (March 5th) we
+crossed the railway line, between Wolvehoek and Viljoensdrift. Whilst we
+were occupied there in cutting the telegraph wires, the enemy fired a
+few rounds on us, at a distance of five hundred or six hundred paces. We
+approached nearer, and they then opened fire with a Maxim--but without
+doing any damage.
+
+We continued on our road, past Parijs and Vredefort, towards Bothaville,
+and we came upon a blockhouse line which extended from Kroonstad to the
+Vaal River. We rested for two days, to the north of Bothaville; during
+this time my scouts captured from the enemy eighteen horses, most of
+which were in good condition.
+
+On the night of March 12th we broke through the blockhouse line, some
+five miles to the west of Bothaville. When we were about fifty paces
+from the line, somebody to our left challenged us:
+
+"Halt! Who goes there?"
+
+He challenged us a second time, and then fired.
+
+At once seven or eight sentries fired upon us. Shots also were directed
+at us from the right. Nevertheless we cut through the barbed wire and
+crossed in safety, the firing still continuing, until we were about
+fifteen hundred paces on the far side of the line. Fortunately no one
+was hit.
+
+Having thus escaped from the last "White Elephant" that we should have
+to reckon with, the next obstacle to be encountered was the Vaal River.
+For the President, since we had crossed the Valsch River, had decided to
+visit De la Rey, in order to place himself under medical advice. His
+eyes had become very weak during the last fortnight or so, and he
+thought that Dr. Van Rennenkampf might be able to do something for them.
+
+Thus we had to cross the Vaal River.
+
+But we heard that there was a military post at Commandodrift, where we
+wanted to cross, and further, that all the other fords were occupied by
+the English. We should have been in a great difficulty had not one of
+our burghers, Pietersen, who knew this district thoroughly, brought us
+across the river by a footpath ford.
+
+We crossed on March 15th. The current was so strong that in places the
+horses were almost swimming; in other places the river-bed was strewn
+with huge boulders, over which our steeds had to climb. However, we all
+managed to get safely over, and arrived at Witpoort on the evening of
+the 16th. On the following day we joined General De la Rey.
+
+It was a most interesting occasion. We had a hearty reception, several
+impromptu "addresses" being presented to the President, who in turn
+spoke to the burghers with much fire and enthusiasm. They were already
+in the best of spirits, as they might well be, for their General had but
+recently won victories over Von Donop and Lord Methuen.
+
+Dr. Van Rennenkampf, having examined the President's eyes, said that he
+must remain for some time under his care. Accordingly I left President
+Steyn with De la Rey, and, on the third day after our arrival, set out
+with my staff to join General Badenhorst, who was then in the
+neighbourhood of Boshof. It was becoming more and more important that I
+should see Badenhorst and Nieuwouwdt, and discuss with them how best
+they might collect their forces, for I wished to be able to attack the
+first English column that should enter the western district of the
+State.
+
+I had received reports that, with the exception of the garrison at
+Boshof, the west, for the moment, was free from the enemy; and this
+information caused me no surprise, for I could well believe that they
+had just "packed up their trunks" in the north.
+
+On the 25th of March I joined General Badenhorst on the Gannapan,[108]
+thirty miles to the north-east of Boshof. I at once sent an express to
+General Nieuwouwdt, ordering him to come to me with all speed, and to
+bring about four hundred and fifty of his men with him. Meanwhile,
+General Badenhorst received instructions from me to get all his
+scattered commandos together.[109]
+
+Before there had been time for these orders to be carried out I
+received, on March 28th, a letter from President Steyn, giving me the
+following information:
+
+Mr. S.W. Burger, Vice-States President of the South African Republic,
+had written to President Steyn, saying that he was at Kroonstad, and
+that he wished to meet the Government of the Orange Free State. He also
+said that a copy of the correspondence between the Governments of the
+Queen of the Netherlands and of the King of England had been sent to him
+by Lord Kitchener.
+
+From this correspondence it appeared that the Netherlands Government
+(considering the condition of affairs to be exceptional, in that the
+Boers who were still fighting were unable to negotiate either with the
+British Government or with the Deputation in Europe) felt justified in
+offering to act as an intermediary. In this capacity they were prepared
+to ask the Deputation if they were willing--supposing that a safe
+conduct could be obtained from England--to go to South Africa, and
+discuss matters with the Boers, in order to be able subsequently to
+return to Europe, empowered to conclude a Treaty of Peace, which would
+be binding both in South Africa and in Europe.
+
+Lord Lansdowne, in the name of the British Government, replied that his
+Government highly appreciated the humane intentions of the Government of
+the Netherlands, but that they had made up their minds to abide by their
+former decision, and not to accept any foreign intervention. Further,
+that the Deputation could, if they wished, address a request for a safe
+conduct to the British Government, but that the matter could not be
+decided in England, until the precise nature of the request, and the
+grounds on which it was preferred, were fully understood.
+
+Lord Lansdowne also said that the British Government was not quite clear
+as to whether the Deputation still retained any influence over the Boer
+leaders in South Africa; that they thought that the power to negotiate
+for the Orange Free State lay with President Steyn, and, for the
+Transvaal, with President Burger; and that they considered that the most
+satisfactory arrangement would be for the leaders of the Boers to
+negotiate directly with the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in
+South Africa, who had been ordered to transmit at once to the British
+Government any offers or proposals which might be made to him.
+
+Lord Lansdowne concluded by saying that, if the Boers wished to
+negotiate, it must be in South Africa, and not in Europe. For, if the
+Deputation were to go to South Africa, at least three months must elapse
+before anything could be effected, and, as hostilities must continue
+during this delay, much suffering would be caused.
+
+Vice-President Burger went on to say that when he received a copy of
+this correspondence he could only conclude that Lord Kitchener,
+indirectly at least, if not directly, was asking the Boer leaders to
+negotiate with him. Accordingly, he wrote to Lord Kitchener for a free
+pass, and, having obtained it, came with his Government by rail to
+Kroonstad. He now, accordingly, requested President Steyn to let him
+know when and where the two Governments could meet. He also intimated
+that he had written to Lord Kitchener, informing him that he
+wished--after consulting the Government of the Orange Free State--to
+make a Peace Proposal.
+
+President Steyn told me that when the Free State Government received
+this letter from President Burger, they had not been able to see their
+way to refuse what the latter asked, as the promise of a Peace Proposal
+had already been sent. They had regretted, however, that the Transvaal
+Government had made use of a safe conduct, and gone through the English
+lines--not that they had for one moment distrusted the Government--but
+simply because the proceeding had seemed to have been ill-advised.
+Nevertheless the Free State, finding itself not only obliged to discuss
+the matters in question with the Transvaal, but also, conjointly with
+the Transvaal, to make a Proposal to Lord Kitchener, had appointed a
+place of meeting in accordance with the request which had been addressed
+to it.
+
+This was what I learnt from President Steyn's letter.
+
+On the 5th of April the President received another letter from President
+Burger, arranging that the meeting should take place at Klerksdorp. A
+safe conduct for the President and Government of the Orange Free State
+was sent at the same time.
+
+[Footnote 107: Shortly afterwards I heard that it was Colonel
+Rimington's column who were encamped there. They discovered the cave,
+and removed the documents and wearing apparel, leaving me with only a
+suit of clothes--which I should have liked to preserve as a curiosity!]
+
+[Footnote 108: A salt lake.]
+
+[Footnote 109: Commandant Jacobsz was somewhere not very far from
+Kimberley; Commandant Bester, close to Brandfort; Commandant Jacobus
+Theron, near Smaldeel; Commandant Flemming, near Hoopstad; and
+Commandant Pieter Erasmus, near the Gannapan.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+Peace Negotiations
+
+
+General De la Rey, who, as a Member of the Transvaal Government, had to
+be present at the coming deliberations, accompanied the President to
+Klerksdorp, where they arrived on the 9th of April, and found the
+Transvaal Government already there awaiting them.
+
+The two Governments held their first meeting in the afternoon
+of the same day. The South African Republic was represented
+by:--Vice-States-President S.W. Burger; Commandant-General Louis Botha;
+Secretary of State F.W. Reitz; General De la Rey; Ex-General L.J.
+Meijer; and Mr. J.B. Krogh. Although not a member of the Government, the
+States-Procureur, L. Jacobsz, was also present.
+
+On behalf of the Orange Free State appeared:--States-President M.T.
+Steyn; Commander-in-Chief C.R. de Wet; Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge
+J.B.M. Hertzog; States-Secretary W.J.C. Brebner; and General C.H.
+Olivier.
+
+It was decided that no minutes should be taken. Accordingly, I am only
+able to give a summary of the proceedings.
+
+The meeting having been opened with prayer, the Vice-President of the
+South African Republic said that the fact that Lord Kitchener had sent
+in a copy of the correspondence between the Governments of the
+Netherlands and England, was looked upon by himself and his Government
+as an invitation on the part of England to the two States to discuss the
+matter dealt with in that correspondence, and to see if peace could not
+be concluded. Before, however, the meeting could make a proposal, it
+would be necessary to hear what the state of affairs really was.
+
+Thereupon, firstly, Commandant-General Louis Botha, then I, and lastly,
+General De la Rey, gave a report of how matters stood.
+
+President Burger now asked whether an interview with Lord Kitchener
+should be asked for, and (in case Lord Kitchener acceded to this) what
+we were to demand, and what we should be prepared to sacrifice. He went
+on to ask President Steyn what he thought of the proposal which the
+Transvaal had made to the Free State Government in the October of the
+previous year.
+
+President Steyn answered that he was still of the same opinion as in
+June, 1901, when the two Governments had agreed to stand by
+Independence. If the English now refused to grant Independence, then the
+war must continue. He said that he would rather surrender to the English
+unconditionally than make terms with them.
+
+The remainder of the day was occupied in listening to speeches from
+State-Secretary Reitz and President Burger.
+
+On the following day the speakers were:--L.J. Meijer, J.B. Krogh,
+myself, State-Secretary Reitz, and Judge Hertzog. The last-named made a
+proposal, which was seconded by General C.H. Olivier. This proposal,
+after it had been subjected for revision to a Commission, consisting of
+the two Presidents, Mr. Reitz, and Judge Hertzog, was accepted on the
+following day. It ran as follows:--
+
+     "The Governments of the South African Republic and of the Orange
+     Free State, having met, induced thereto by the receipt, from His
+     Excellency Lord Kitchener, of the correspondence exchanged in
+     Europe between the Government of His Majesty the King of England,
+     and that of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, referring to
+     the desirability of giving to the Governments of these Republics an
+     opportunity to come into communication with their plenipotentiaries
+     in Europe, who still enjoy the trust of both Governments:
+
+     "And taking into consideration the conciliatory spirit which, as it
+     appears from this correspondence, inspires the Government of His
+     Britannic Majesty, and also of the desire therein uttered by Lord
+     Lansdowne, in the name of his Government, to make an end to this
+     strife:
+
+     "Are of opinion that it is now a favourable moment to again shew
+     their readiness to do everything possible to bring this war to an
+     end:
+
+     "And decide, therefore to make certain proposals to His Excellency
+     Lord Kitchener, as representative of the Government of His
+     Britannic Majesty, which may serve as a basis for further
+     negotiations, having in view the achievement of the desired peace.
+
+     "Further, it is the opinion of these two Governments that, in order
+     to expedite the achievement of the desired aim, and to prevent, as
+     far as possible, any misunderstanding, His Excellency Lord
+     Kitchener should be asked to meet personally these Governments at a
+     time and place by him appointed, so that the said Governments may
+     lay before him Peace Proposals (as they will be prepared to do), in
+     order that, by direct conversation and discussion with him, all
+     such questions as shall arise may be solved at once, and also that
+     this meeting may further and bring about the desired result."
+
+A letter was now written to Lord Kitchener (who was at Pretoria)
+enclosing the above Proposal, and signed by the two Presidents.
+
+In the afternoon the two Governments met again, to consider what
+proposals they should make to the British Government. After a lengthy
+discussion, it was decided, on the proposal of General De la Rey,
+seconded by States-Procureur L. Jacobsz, that the matter in hand should
+be entrusted to the Commission, which consisted, as I have already said,
+of the two Presidents, States-Secretary Reitz, and Judge Hertzog: and
+the next morning this Commission handed in the following report, which
+was accepted by the meeting:--
+
+     "The Commission, after having taken into consideration the wish of
+     the meeting, namely, that proposals should be drafted (in connexion
+     with the letter of yesterday, signed by the two Presidents, to His
+     Excellency Lord Kitchener) for eventual consideration by His
+     Excellency Lord Kitchener, proposes the following points:--
+
+     "1. The concluding of a Treaty of Friendship and Peace, including:
+
+       "(_a_) Arrangements _re_ a Customs Union.
+
+       "(_b_)      "       _re_ Post, Telegraph and Railway Union.
+
+       "(_c_) Granting of the Franchise.
+
+     "2. Demolition of all States Forts.
+
+     "3. Arbitration in any future differences which may arise between
+     the contracting parties; the arbitrators to be nominated in equal
+     numbers from each party from among their own subjects; the said
+     arbitrators to add one to their number, who is to have the casting
+     vote.
+
+     "4. Equal rights for the English and Dutch languages in the schools.
+
+     "5. Reciprocal amnesty."
+
+The same morning a letter enclosing this proposal was sent to Lord
+Kitchener, after which Judge Hertzog and Commander Louis Botha addressed
+the meeting.
+
+After the latter had finished an address of great importance, General
+Wilson, who had the command at Klerksdorp, entered the room where the
+meeting was being held and stated that Lord Kitchener was prepared to
+grant us an interview, and that we could travel to Pretoria that very
+evening.
+
+Accordingly, on the evening of the 11th of April, we went to Pretoria,
+where, on the following morning, we met Lord Kitchener and handed in our
+proposal.
+
+Lord Kitchener wished for a proposal of a very different character from
+that of the two Governments; but as it would not have been proper for
+them to make any proposal injurious to Independence, the Presidents
+declared that they could not do so, and asked him to send to the English
+Government the proposal which they had already laid before him. Lord
+Kitchener at last acceded to this request, and the following telegram
+was accordingly sent to England:
+
+     FROM LORD KITCHENER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
+
+     "PRETORIA, _April 12th, 1902_.
+
+     "The Boer Representatives desire to acquaint His Majesty's
+     Government with the fact that they entertain an earnest wish for
+     peace, and that they, therefore, have decided to ask the British
+     Government to bring hostilities to an end, and to proceed to
+     formulate a Treaty of Peace. They are ready to accept an Agreement,
+     by which, in their opinion, all future wars between them and the
+     British Government in South Africa may be avoided. They think that
+     this aim can be attained if provisions are made in relation to the
+     following points:--
+
+     "1. Franchise.
+
+     "2. Equal rights for the Dutch and English languages in Educational
+     matters.
+
+     "3. Customs Union.
+
+     "4. Demolition of all the forts in the Transvaal and Free State.
+
+     "5. Arbitration in case of future disagreements, and only subjects
+     of the parties to be arbitrators.
+
+     "6. Mutual amnesty.
+
+     "But in case these terms should not be satisfactory, then they wish
+     to know what terms the British Government will give them, so that
+     the result which they all desire may be attained."
+
+On Monday, April 15th, Lord Kitchener sent to the two Governments a copy
+of the following telegram, which he had received from the Secretary of
+State:--
+
+     FROM SECRETARY OF STATE TO LORD KITCHENER.
+
+     "LONDON, _April 13th, 1902_.
+
+     "His Majesty's Government shares with all its heart in the earnest
+     wish of the Boer Representatives, and trusts that the present
+     negotiations will lead thereto. But they have already declared in
+     the clearest manner and have to repeat that they cannot take into
+     consideration any proposals which have as basis the sanction of the
+     Independence of the former Republics, which are now formally
+     annexed to the British Crown. And it would be well if you and
+     Milner were to meet the Boer Representatives, and make this plain
+     to them. You must encourage them to make fresh proposals which we
+     will willingly receive."
+
+In this telegram, as the reader will have observed, the name of Lord
+Milner is mentioned. Up till now we were dealing with Lord Kitchener
+alone, but at our next conversation the first-named was also present.
+
+Both Representatives of the British Government insisted that we should
+negotiate with them, taking the surrender of our Independence for
+granted. We could not do so. We had repeatedly told Lord Kitchener that,
+constitutionally, it was beyond the power of our Governments to discuss
+terms based on the giving up of Independence. Only the nation could do
+that. Should however, the British Government make a proposal which had,
+as a basis, the temporary withdrawal only of the Independence, then we
+would lay this proposal before the nation.
+
+Thereupon the following telegram was drawn up and dispatched:--
+
+     FROM LORD KITCHENER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
+
+     "PRETORIA, _April 14th, 1902_.
+
+     "A difficulty has arisen in connexion with the negotiations. The
+     representatives declare that, constitutionally, they are not
+     entitled to discuss terms which are based on the surrender of their
+     independence, as the burghers alone can agree to such a basis. If,
+     however, His Majesty's Government can propose terms by which their
+     independence shall be subsequently given back to them, the
+     representatives, on the matter being fully explained to them, will
+     lay such conditions before the people, without giving expression to
+     their own opinions."
+
+The reply to this was as follows:--
+
+     FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO LORD KITCHENER.
+
+     "LONDON, _April 16th_.
+
+     "With great astonishment we have received the message from the Boer
+     leaders, as contained in your cable. The meeting was arranged in
+     accordance with their desires, and they must have been aware, from
+     our repeated declarations, that we should not be prepared to
+     consider any proposal based on the revival of the independence of
+     the two South African States. We, therefore, were justified in
+     believing that the Boer representatives had abandoned all idea of
+     Independence, and that they would make terms for the surrender of
+     the forces still in the Veldt. They now declare that they are not
+     constitutionally in a position to discuss any terms which do not
+     include the restoration of their Independence, but they ask what
+     conditions would be made if, after consulting their followers, they
+     should abandon the claim for Independence. This does not seem to us
+     a satisfactory way of expediting the end of the hostilities which
+     have caused the loss of so many lives and so much money. We are,
+     however, as we said before, desirous of preventing any further
+     bloodshed and of accelerating the restoration of peace and
+     prosperity in the countries harassed by the war, and we empower you
+     and Lord Milner to refer the Boer leaders to the offer made by you
+     to General Botha more than twelve months ago, and to inform them
+     that--although the great decrease which has lately taken place in
+     the forces opposed to us, and also the further sacrifices involved
+     by the refusal of that offer, would justify us in dictating harder
+     terms--we are still prepared, in the hope of a lasting peace and
+     reconciliation, to accept a general surrender in the spirit of that
+     offer, with such amendments with regard to details as might be
+     agreed upon mutually."
+
+It was quite self-evident that the Governments could not accept this
+proposal of the British Government, because by it the independence of
+the Republics would be sacrificed.
+
+President Steyn pointed out emphatically that it lay beyond our right to
+decide and conclude anything that would endanger the independence of the
+two Republics. The nation alone could decide on the question of
+independence. For this reason, therefore, we asked if we might consult
+the people, and it was agreed by Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner that we
+should go back to our commandos and hold meetings in every district, in
+order to learn thus the will of the nation. It was further agreed that
+at the meetings of the nation representatives should be chosen who, on
+the 15th of May, 1902, at Vereeniging, should inform the Governments
+what course the nation desired them to take.
+
+On the 18th of April Commandant-General Louis Botha, General De la Rey,
+and I left Pretoria, provided with a safe conduct for ourselves and for
+anyone whom we should appoint, and proceeded to our different commandos.
+
+I went first to the burghers of Vrede at Prankop, where I met General
+Wessel Wessels with his commandos on the 22nd of April. The nation was
+in a very miserable condition, suffering from the want of all
+necessaries, and living only on meat and maize, which food was also
+exceedingly scarce, and would only last for a few months more.
+Notwithstanding this, the burghers decided, to a man, that they would
+not be satisfied with anything less than independence, and that if the
+English would not accede to this they would continue to fight.
+
+Mr. Wessel Wessels, Member of the Volksraad, was elected as chairman,
+and Mr. Pieter Schravezander as secretary. The representatives chosen
+were Commandants A. Ross, Hermanus Botha, and Louis Botha (son of Philip
+Botha).
+
+My second meeting I held at Drupfontein, in the district of Bethlehem,
+on the 24th of April, with the burghers under the command of Commandants
+Frans Jacobsz, Mears, and Bruwer. Mr. J.H. Naude was made chairman, and
+Landdrost J.H.B. Wessels secretary. It was unanimously decided that
+independence had to be maintained, and Commandants Frans Jacobsz and
+Bruwer were chosen as representatives.
+
+The next meeting I held on the 26th of April, at Tweepoort Farm, with
+the commandos under General Michal Prinsloo. Mr. Jan Van Schalkwijk was
+chosen as chairman, and Mr. B.J. Malan as secretary. Here also the votes
+were unanimous, and General Michal Prinsloo, Commandant Rautenbach, and
+Commandant J.J. Van Niekerk were elected as representatives.
+
+After that on Roodekraal Farm. I met the burghers under Commandants
+Cilliers, Bester, Mentz, and Van Coller. The chairman was B.W. Steyn
+(Member of the Volksraad), and the secretary Mr. S.J.M. Wessels. Here
+again it was unanimously decided not to surrender the independence, and
+Commandants Mentz, Van Coller and Bester were the representatives
+chosen.
+
+The fifth meeting I held with the commandos under General Johannes
+Hattingh, on the 1st of May, on the Weltevrede Farm, under the
+chairmanship of Mr. Jan Lategan, Johannes C. Pietersen being secretary.
+As representatives we chose General Hattingh and Commandant Philip De
+Vos. The voting was unanimous that the independence should be
+maintained.
+
+On the 3rd of May I held my sixth meeting, with the commandos under
+General C.C. Froneman, at Schaapplaats. Mr. Jan Maree was chairman, and
+Mr. David Ross secretary.
+
+The result was the same as at the other meetings, and General Froneman,
+Commandants F. Cronje and J.J. Koen were chosen to represent the
+commandos.
+
+From there I went to Dewetsdorp, where I met, on the 5th of May, General
+George Brand's commandos. Mr. C. Smith acted as chairman, and Mr. W.J.
+Selm as secretary; the representatives chosen were General Brand and
+Commander J. Rheeder; and the burghers were equally determined to keep
+their independence.
+
+I went on to Bloemfontein, and thence by rail to Brandfort, and
+afterwards to the Quaggashoek Farm, where, on the 11th, I held my eighth
+meeting, with the commandos of C.C.J. Badenhorst. The chairman was Mr.
+N.B. Gildenhuis, and the secretary Mr. H.M.G. Davis. The elected
+representatives were General Badenhorst and Commandants A.J. Bester and
+Jacobsz. This was my last meeting, and it also decided on maintaining
+the independence.
+
+The commandos under the Commandants Van der Merwe and Van Niekerk
+(Vredefort and Parijs), Flemming (Hoopstad), Nagel (part of Kroonstad),
+and General Nieuwouwdt (Fauresmith, Philippolis, and Jacobsdal), were
+visited by Commander-in-Chief Judge Hertzog, Member of the Executive
+Council. At meetings held with these commandos the following
+representatives were chosen:--General Nieuwouwdt, and the Commandants
+Munnik Hertzog, J. Van der Merwe, C. Van Niekerk, Flemming, A.J. Bester,
+F. Jacobsz, H. Pretorius, and Veldtcornet Kritzinger.
+
+At these meetings also the burghers were unanimous in their decision not
+to give up their independence. I must add that Commandant H. Van Niekerk
+was chosen as representative of the bodyguard of President Steyn. It had
+been agreed with Lord Kitchener at Pretoria that if the chief officers
+of a commando were chosen as representatives, then there would be an
+armistice between this commando and the English during the time the
+officers were absent at the meeting at Vereeniging. It was also decided
+that Lord Kitchener should be informed of the date of the departure of
+such officers.
+
+This was done. I sent the following telegram on the 25th of April to
+Pretoria:--
+
+     "TO HIS EXCELLENCY, HEADQUARTERS, PRETORIA:
+
+     "At meetings held in the districts of Vrede and Harrismith and in
+     that part of Bethlehem east and north-east of the blockhouse lines
+     of Fouriesburg, Bethlehem, and Harrismith, General Wessels and the
+     Commandants were duly chosen as representatives.
+
+     "I have decided that all the representatives shall leave their
+     different commandos on the 11th of May, and therefore, in
+     accordance with our mutual agreement, I shall expect an armistice
+     to be granted to the different commandos from that date until the
+     return of their commandants from the meeting at Vereeniging, on or
+     about the 15th of May.
+
+     "I should be glad to receive Your Excellency's sanction to my
+     request that each Representative should have the right to take one
+     man with him.
+
+     "Your Excellency will greatly oblige by sending a reply to
+     Kaffirsdorp in the district of Bethlehem, where I am awaiting an
+     answer.
+
+     "C.R. DE WET,
+        General Commander-in-Chief, Orange Free State.
+          BETHLEHEM, _April 25th, 1902_."
+
+To this I received the following answer from Lord Kitchener:--
+
+     "IMPERIAL RESIDENCY, PRETORIA,
+         _April 25th, 1902_.
+
+     "TO GENERAL DE WET, KAFFIRSDORP.
+
+     "In answer to your message, I agree altogether with your demands
+     that during the absence of the chosen Representatives from their
+     commandos, from the 11th of May until their return, such commandos
+     shall not be troubled by us. I also agree that every
+     Representative, as you propose, shall be accompanied by one man.
+
+     "I shall also be glad if you would send an officer, at least two
+     days before the Meeting, in order to let me know about the number,
+     and the necessary arrangements for the treatment of the
+     Representatives at this Meeting.
+
+     (Signed) "KITCHENER."
+
+On the 11th of May I sent a telegram to Lord Kitchener, in which I said
+that, as all my generals and chief officers had been chosen as
+Representatives, the armistice must begin on the 11th of May. The
+telegram was as follows:--
+
+     FROM GENERAL DE WET TO HIS EXCELLENCY LORD KITCHENER.
+
+     "PRETORIA, _May 11th, 1902_.
+
+     "The following chief officers have been chosen as Representatives
+     for the commandos of the districts: Hoopstad, Boshof, and parts of
+     Winburg and Bloemfontein,--districts to the west of the railway
+     line.
+
+     "1. General C. Badenhorst.
+
+     "2. Commandant J. Jacobsz.
+
+     "3. Commandant A. Bester.
+
+     "It thus appears that all my generals and chief commanding officers
+     are chosen as Representatives to attend at the Meeting of
+     Vereeniging, on the 15th inst., and according to our mutual
+     agreement at Pretoria, an armistice will be given from to-day (11th
+     May, 1902) in all districts of the Orange Free State up to a date
+     which shall be agreed upon after the close of the Meeting at
+     Vereeniging. Any answer, previous to noon of the 11th inst., will
+     reach me at Brandfort.
+
+     "Commander-in-Chief,
+        Orange Free State Armies."
+
+In answer to this I received the following telegram:--
+
+     "IMPERIAL RESIDENCY, PRETORIA,
+         _May 12th_.
+
+     "TO GENERAL DE WET, BRANDFORT.
+
+     "I have given orders, according to our Agreement, that from
+     to-morrow, the 13th inst., all commandos, whose leaders or chief
+     officers have been chosen to attend the Meeting at Vereeniging,
+     shall be exempted from being attacked by my columns during the
+     absence of their leaders, in so far as such commandos withhold from
+     offensive operations. But that does not imply that outposts cannot
+     be taken prisoner in case they should approach our lines.
+
+     "KITCHENER."
+
+It was rather surprising to me that Lord Kitchener, in this telegram,
+spoke only of an armistice beginning on the 13th of May, because in his
+telegram of the 25th he had agreed that there should be an armistice
+from the 11th of May. I heard also from officers of Heilbron, Vrede,
+and Bethlehem, whom I met, on the evening of the 14th of May, at
+Wolvehoek Station, that the English columns had operated in their
+districts on the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th. My order was that my
+officers should not operate, but should retreat, if the enemy should
+unexpectedly operate on the 11th. On the above-mentioned dates houses
+were burnt down, cattle carried away, maize and other grain destroyed,
+burghers taken prisoner, and (in one instance) shot.
+
+Such a misunderstanding was very regrettable, and all the more so
+because we were never indemnified for the damage thus done.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+The End of the War
+
+
+On the morning of the 15th of May, I arrived at Vereeniging with some of
+the Free State delegates. The others were already there, together with
+the thirty Transvaal delegates, Commandant-General Louis Botha and
+General De la Rey. In addition to the above, the following had also
+arrived: Vice-State President Burger, States-President Steyn, the
+members of the two Governments, and General J.C. Smuts (from Cape
+Colony).
+
+I was exceedingly sorry to find that President Steyn was seriously ill.
+For the last six weeks he had been in the doctor's hands; and, since his
+arrival at Pretoria, had been under the care of Dr. Van der Merwe, of
+Krugersdorp. This physician said that serious consequences might ensue
+if his patient were to attend our meetings, and advised him to go to his
+home at Krugersdorp, where he could be properly nursed. It was sad for
+us to receive this news immediately we arrived. We asked ourselves what
+we should do without the President at our meetings? At this moment he
+seemed more indispensable to us than ever before.
+
+President Steyn was a statesman in the best sense of the word. He had
+gained the respect and even the affection of us all. Of him, if of any
+man, it may be said that he never swerved from his duty to his country.
+No task was too great for him, no burden too heavy, if thereby he could
+serve his people. Whatever hardships he had endured, he had never been
+known to complain--he would endure anything for us. He had fought in our
+cause until he could fight no longer, until sickness laid him low; and
+he was worn out, and weak as a child. _Weak_, did I say? Yes! but only
+in the body--his mind was still as strong, as brave, as clear as ever.
+
+And thus it was that President Steyn was only able to be present on two
+occasions at our meetings; for, on the 29th of May--before the National
+Representatives had come to any decision--he went with Dr. Van der Merwe
+to Krugersdorp.
+
+As I write these lines--six months after the meetings at
+Vereeniging--and think that during all the intervening time he has been
+lying on a bed of sickness--I am cheered by the news which I received in
+Holland that hopes are now entertained of his ultimate recovery.
+
+The National Representatives began their important deliberations on the
+morning of the 13th of May, 1902.
+
+For three days we discussed the condition of our country, and then
+proceeded with Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner to Pretoria. This
+Commission was composed of Commandant-General L. Botha,
+Commander-in-Chief C.R. de Wet, Vice-Commandant-General J.H. De la Rey,
+Vice-Commander-in-Chief Judge J.B.M. Hertzog, and States-Procureur J.C.
+Smuts.
+
+The negotiations with the representatives of the British Government
+continued from the 18th to the 29th of May; and upon their conclusion
+the Commission communicated to the National Representatives the terms on
+which England was prepared to conclude peace.
+
+On May the 31st we decided to accept the proposals of the English
+Government.[110] The Independence of the two Republics was at an end!
+
+I will not attempt to describe the struggle it cost us to accept these
+proposals. Suffice it to say that when it was over, it had left its mark
+on every face.
+
+There were sixty of us there, and each in turn must answer Yes or No. It
+was an ultimatum--this proposal of England's.
+
+What were we to do? To continue the struggle meant extermination.
+Already our women and children were dying by the thousand, and
+starvation was knocking at the door--and knocking loudly!
+
+In certain districts, such as Boshof and Hoopstad, it was still possible
+to prolong the war, as was also the case in the districts of Generals
+Brand and Nieuwouwdt, where the sheep and oxen, which had been captured
+from the enemy, provided an ample supply of food. But from the
+last-named districts all the women and children had departed, leaving
+the burghers free to wander at will in search of food--to Boshof, to
+Hoopstad, and even into the Colony.
+
+In other parts of the Free State things were very different. In the
+north-eastern and northern districts--for instance, in Ladybrand,
+Winburg, Kroonstad, Heilbron, Bethlehem, Harrismith and Vrede--there
+were still many families, and these could not be sent to Boshof or to
+Hoopstad or to the Colony. And when, reduced to dire want, the commandos
+should be obliged to abandon these districts, their wives and families
+would have to be left behind--to starve!
+
+The condition of affairs in the Transvaal was no better. We
+Free-Staters had thought--and I, for one, had supported the view at
+Vereeniging--that, before sacrificing our independence, we ought to tell
+the owners of these farms, where there were still women and children, to
+go and surrender with their families, and thus save them from
+starvation. But we soon realized that such a course was not
+practicable--it would involve the loss of too many burghers.
+
+Moreover, even if, by some such scheme as this, we had succeeded in
+saving the women, we, who remained in the field, would still have been
+exposed to the dangers of starvation, for many of us, having no horses,
+could not have left want behind us, by removing to Cape Colony or some
+other equally prosperous region.
+
+In the large eastern divisions of the Transvaal also, there were many
+burghers without horses, while the poor jaded creatures that remained
+were far too feeble and exhausted to carry their masters into Cape
+Colony, without the certainty of being captured by the enemy.
+
+Our forces were now only twenty thousand in all, of which the Transvaal
+supplied ten thousand, the Free State six thousand, while the remainder
+came from Cape Colony. But our numerical weakness would not in itself
+have caused us to abandon the struggle had we but received encouraging
+news from the Colony. But alas! reports which we received from there
+left us no room for hope.
+
+No room for hope! that was the message of Vereeniging--a message which
+struck a chill in every heart. One after another we painted the
+destitution, the misery of our districts, and each picture was more
+gloomy than the last. At length the moment of decision came, and what
+course remained open to us? This only--to resign ourselves to our fate,
+intolerable though it appeared, to accept the British proposal, and to
+lay down our arms.
+
+Most bitter of all was the thought that we must abandon our brethren in
+Cape Colony and in Natal, who had thrown in their lot with ours. And
+many a sleepless night has this caused me. But we could not help
+ourselves. There was nothing else to do.
+
+And as things have turned out, may we not hope that the Cape and Natal
+Governments, following in the wake of the British Nation, will soon
+understand that the wiser course is to forgive and forget, and to grant
+as comprehensive an amnesty as possible? It is surely not unjust to
+expect this of these Governments, when one remembers that whatever the
+Colonists may have done, must be ascribed to the tie that binds them to
+us--the closest of all ties--that of blood.
+
+It is now for the two Governments to strive to realize the situation,
+and then, by granting a general amnesty, to promote, as far as in them
+lies, the true progress of South Africa.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On the evening of the 31st of May, 1902, the members of the Government
+of both Republics met Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, in the former's
+house, at Pretoria.
+
+It was there that the Treaty of Peace--the British Proposal which the
+National Representatives had accepted--was now to be signed.
+
+It was a never-to-be-forgotten evening. In the space of a few short
+minutes that was done which could never be undone. A decision arrived at
+in a meeting could always be taken into reconsideration, but a document
+solemnly signed, as on that night, by two parties, bound them both for
+ever.
+
+Every one of us who put his name to that document knew that he was in
+honour bound to act in accordance with it. It was a bitter moment, but
+not so bitter as when, earlier on the same day, the National
+Representatives had come to the decision that the fatal step must be
+taken.
+
+On the 2nd June, 1902, the Representatives left Vereeniging, and
+returned every man to his own commando. It was now their sad duty to
+tell their brave and patient burghers that the independence which they
+cherished so dearly was gone, and to prepare them to surrender their
+arms at the appointed places.
+
+I left Pretoria on the 3rd of June with General Elliott, who had to
+accompany me to the various centres to receive the burghers' arms.
+
+On the 5th of June the first commando laid down their weapons near
+Vredefort. To every man there, as to myself, this surrender was no more
+and no less than the sacrifice of our independence. I have often been
+present at the death-bed and at the burial of those who have been
+nearest to my heart--father, mother, brother and friend--but the grief
+which I felt on those occasions was not to be compared with what I now
+underwent at the burial of my Nation!
+
+It was at Reitz that the commandos of Vrede, Harrismith, Heilbron and
+Bethlehem laid down their arms. Accordingly I went there on the 7th of
+June, and again had to be a spectator of what I fain would never have
+witnessed. Had I then to go on from commando to commando, to undergo
+everywhere the martyrdom of beholding ceaseless surrenders? No! I had
+had enough, and could bear no more. I decided, therefore, to visit all
+the other commandos, in order to acquaint the burghers with what had
+taken place, and to explain to them why we, however unsatisfactory the
+Peace Proposal was, had felt bound to accept it, and then to leave each
+commando before the men handed over their arms to General Elliott.
+Everywhere I found the men utterly despondent and dissatisfied.
+
+The whole miserable business came to an end on the 16th of June, when
+the burghers who had fought under Generals Nieuwouwdt and Brand, laid
+down their arms--the Nation had submitted to its fate!
+
+There was nothing left for us now but to hope that the Power which had
+conquered us, the Power to which we were compelled to submit, though it
+cut us to the heart to do so, and which, by the surrender of our arms,
+we had accepted as our Ruler, would draw us nearer and ever nearer by
+the strong cords of love.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+To my Nation I address one last word.
+
+Be loyal to the new Government! Loyalty pays best in the end. Loyalty
+alone is worthy of a Nation which has shed its blood for Freedom!
+
+[Footnote 110: A complete report of the various proceedings in connexion
+with the conclusion of peace will be found in the Appendix of this
+book.]
+
+
+
+
+CORRESPONDENCE
+
+
+A LETTER FROM THE STATES-SECRETARY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC TO THE
+BRITISH AGENT AT PRETORIA
+
+     MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
+       PRETORIA, _9th October, 1899_.
+
+     SIR,--
+
+     The Government of the South African Republic feel themselves
+     compelled to again refer the Government of Her Majesty, the Queen
+     of Great Britain, to the London Convention of 1884, concluded
+     between this Republic and the United Kingdom, which in Article XIV.
+     guarantees certain specified rights to the white inhabitants of
+     this Republic, to wit:--
+
+     "All those who, although not born in this Country, yet abide by the
+     laws of the South African Republic, (_a_) shall have full freedom
+     to come with their families into, to travel in, or to reside in any
+     part of the South African Republic; (_b_) shall be entitled to hold
+     in possession their houses, factories or warehouses, shops, and
+     allotments, either on hire or as their own property; (_c_) may
+     transact their business, either in person or through agents, to
+     their own satisfaction; (_d_) shall not be subjected to any other
+     general or local taxation--with regard to their families or
+     properties, or their commerce or trade--than those which shall be
+     laid on the burghers of the said Republics."
+
+     Our Government wishes also to draw attention to the fact that the
+     above-mentioned rights are the only ones which Her Majesty's
+     Government, in the above-mentioned Convention, has stipulated for
+     the foreign inhabitants in this Republic, and that only
+     contravention of these rights can give the British Government the
+     right of diplomatic intervention; whereas, further, the adjustment
+     of all other questions concerning the position, or the rights, of
+     the foreign inhabitants under the said Convention is vested in the
+     Government and National Representatives of the South African
+     Republic; among the questions the adjustment of which comes
+     exclusively under the authority of the Government and the
+     Volksraad, are those of the Franchise and representation in this
+     Republic.
+
+     Although, therefore, the exclusive right of this Franchise and
+     representation is indisputable, our Government has approved of
+     discussing in a friendly way the Franchise and the representation
+     with Her Majesty's Government; without, however, acknowledging by
+     so doing any right thereto on the side of Her Majesty's Government.
+     Our Government has also, by the wording of the already existing
+     Voting Law, and the decision concerning the representation, always
+     kept this friendly consultation in view.
+
+     On the side of Her Majesty's Government, however, the friendly
+     manner of these consultations has made way for a more threatening
+     tone; and the minds of the people of this Republic, and of the
+     whole population of South Africa, have been brought into a state of
+     apprehension; and a state of unusual tension has been created by
+     the action of Her Majesty's Government, in no longer abiding by the
+     laws concerning the voting right, and the decision concerning the
+     representation of this Republic; and lastly, as is expressed in
+     your letter of the 25th of September, 1899, in breaking off all
+     friendly communication, giving us to understand that Her Majesty's
+     Government were about to formulate their own proposals for final
+     arrangement. Our Government can see in the before-mentioned
+     notification nothing less than a new violation of the Convention of
+     1884, which does not reserve to Her Majesty's Government the right
+     of a one-sided adjustment of a question which belongs exclusively
+     to the inner policy of our Government, and has been already settled
+     by them.
+
+     On the grounds of the tension, the considerable loss arising
+     therefrom, and the interruption of business in general, which is
+     caused by the correspondence on the Franchise and the
+     representation of this Republic, Her Majesty's Government has not
+     long ago insisted on a speedy adjustment, and finally, through your
+     intervention, insisted on an answer--within forty-eight
+     hours--(later on somewhat amended)--to your Memorandum of the 12th
+     of September, which was answered by the Memorandum of our
+     Government of the 15th of September, and by the Memorandum of the
+     25th of September, 1899; on which other friendly negotiations were
+     interrupted, and our Government received notice that the proposal
+     for final arrangement would be made within a short time; but
+     although these promises were repeated, no such proposal has as yet
+     reached our Government. When the friendly correspondence was still
+     going on, a great increase of troops was made by Her Majesty's
+     Government, which troops were drawn up in the neighbourhood of the
+     frontiers of our Republic. Taking into consideration certain events
+     in the history of our Republic, which events need not here be
+     recited, our Government found themselves compelled to look upon the
+     Army in the neighbourhood of the frontier as a threat to the
+     independence of the South African Republic, because they were not
+     aware of any circumstances which could justify the presence of such
+     a force in South Africa and in the neighbourhood of their frontier.
+
+     In answer to a question concerning this, addressed to His
+     Excellency the High Commissioner, our Government received, to their
+     great astonishment, the covert accusation that from the State of
+     the Republic an attack on Her Majesty's Colonies was being
+     arranged, and also a mysterious hint of coming possibilities, by
+     which our Government were strengthened in their suspicion, that the
+     independence of the Republic was threatened.
+
+     As a measure of defence, they were, therefore, compelled to send a
+     body of burghers to the frontiers in order, if required, to be able
+     to resist such an eventuality. The unlawful interference of Her
+     Majesty's Government in the inner policy of our Republic, in
+     defiance of the London Convention of 1884, which interference
+     consisted in the exceptional strengthening of troops in the
+     neighbourhood of the Republic's borders, has thus created an
+     unbearable state of affairs, of which our Government--not only in
+     the interests of our Republic, but also in the interests of the
+     whole of South Africa,--feel it their duty to bring to an end as
+     speedily as possible, and consider themselves called upon to insist
+     emphatically and energetically on an immediate conclusion of this
+     condition of things, and to ask Her Majesty's Government to give
+     them the assurance (_a_) that all points of mutual difference shall
+     be adjusted by friendly arbitration, or by any other amicable way
+     that may be agreed upon between our Government and that of Her
+     Majesty; (_b_) that the troops on the frontiers of the Republic
+     shall be recalled at once, and that all reinforcements which, after
+     the 1st of June, 1899, have arrived in South Africa, shall be
+     removed within a time agreed upon with our Government,--with the
+     counter assurance and guarantee from our Government that no attack
+     on, or hostilities against, any part of the possessions of the
+     British Government shall be undertaken by the Republic during the
+     further negotiations within the time which shall be agreed upon by
+     the Government--our Government shall, in accordance with this, be
+     ready to call back the armed burghers of the Republic from the
+     frontiers; (_c_) that Her Majesty's troops, which are now on the
+     high sea, shall not be landed in any of the harbours of South
+     Africa.
+
+     Our Government has to insist on an immediate and favourable answer
+     on the above four points, and urgently requests Her Majesty's
+     Government to give an answer in this spirit before, or on,
+     Wednesday, October 11th, 1889, before 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
+     They wish to add further, that in case, against their expectations,
+     no satisfactory answer within this time should be received by them,
+     that they, to their great sorrow, would be obliged to look upon the
+     actions of Her Majesty's Government as a formal declaration of war,
+     for the consequences of which they do not consider themselves
+     responsible; and, in case further movements of troops should take
+     place within the above-mentioned time in the direction of our
+     borders, that our Government will be compelled to look upon this
+     also as a formal declaration of war.
+
+     I have the honour to be, etc.,
+       F.W. REITZ,
+         _State-Secretary._
+
+
+MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S TELEGRAMS:--
+
+
+FROM MR. CHAMBERLAIN TO THE HIGH COMMISSIONER, SIR ALFRED
+MILNER.
+
+(Sent 7.30 p.m. _10th October, 1899_)
+
+     "10th _October_, No. 7. The British Agent has, in answering the
+     demands of the Government of the South African Republic, to say
+     that, as the Government of the South African Republic have declared
+     in their dispatch, that they will look upon a refusal to consent to
+     their demands as a formal declaration of war, he has received
+     orders to demand his passport."
+
+
+FROM MR. CHAMBERLAIN TO THE HIGH COMMISSIONER, SIR ALFRED
+MILNER.
+
+(Sent 10.45 p.m. _10th October, 1899_)
+
+     "10th _October_, No. 8. The Government of Her Majesty has received
+     with great sorrow the determined demands of the Government of the
+     South African Republic contained in your telegram of the 9th of
+     October, No. 3. You will, as an answer to the Government of the
+     South African Republic, communicate to them that the conditions put
+     forward by the Government of the South African Republic are of such
+     a nature that the Government of Her Majesty cannot possibly think
+     of taking them into consideration."
+
+
+CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS AND LORD SALISBURY
+
+
+FROM THE STATES-PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND THE
+ORANGE FREE STATE TO HIS EXCELLENCY LORD SALISBURY, LONDON.
+
+     "BLOEMFONTEIN, _5th March, 1900_.
+
+     "The blood and tears of the thousands who have suffered through
+     this war, and the prospect of all the moral and material ruin which
+     now threatens South Africa, render it necessary for both parties
+     carrying on the war to ask themselves calmly, and in the faith of
+     the Trinity, for what they are fighting and if the aims of both
+     justify all this horrible misery and devastation. On this account,
+     and with an eye to the assertion of several English Statesmen that
+     the war was begun and carried on with the determined end to
+     undermine Her Majesty's authority in South Africa, and to establish
+     in the whole of South Africa a Government independent of Her
+     Majesty's Government, we consider it our duty to declare that this
+     War was only commenced as a measure of defence and for the purpose
+     of obtaining a guarantee for the threatened independence of the
+     South African Republic, and was only continued in order to ensure
+     the indisputable independence of both Republics as Sovereign
+     International States, and to obtain the assurance that the subjects
+     of Her Majesty who have taken part with us in the war will not
+     suffer the least hurt either in their lives or their possessions.
+     On these conditions alone we demand, as in the past, to see peace
+     restored in South Africa, and an end made to the wrong that now
+     exists there. But if Her Majesty's Government has decided upon
+     destroying the independence of the Republic, nothing remains to us
+     and our people but to persist to the bitter end on the road now
+     taken, notwithstanding the overpowering might of the British
+     Empire, trusting that God, who has lit the inextinguishable fire of
+     the love of liberty in our hearts, and in the hearts of our
+     fathers, will not abandon us, but will fulfil His work in us, and
+     in our descendants.
+
+     "We hesitated to lay this declaration earlier before Your
+     Excellency, because we were afraid that as long as the advantage
+     was on our side, and our Army had in their occupation positions of
+     defence far into the British Colonies, such a declaration would
+     have hurt the feelings of the English nation; but now that the
+     prestige of the British Empire may be considered to be restored,
+     through the capture of one of our armies, and we are compelled by
+     this to sacrifice other positions which our armies occupied, this
+     difficulty is removed, and we can no longer hesitate to tell you,
+     in the face of the whole civilized world, why we are fighting, and
+     on what conditions we are prepared to make peace."
+
+
+FROM LORD SALISBURY TO THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE STATES-PRESIDENTS OF
+THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND ORANGE FREE STATE.
+
+     "LONDON, _11th March, 1900_.
+
+     "I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Honour's
+     cable, dated 5th March, from Bloemfontein, of which the purport is
+     principally whether Her Majesty's Government will acknowledge the
+     indisputable independence of the South African Republic and Orange
+     Free State and treat them as Sovereign International States, and
+     will offer to conclude the war on these conditions.
+
+     "In the beginning of October of this year, there was peace between
+     the Queen and the two Republics, under the Convention which then
+     held good. There was a discussion carried on during a few months
+     between Her Majesty's Government and the South African Republic, of
+     which the purport was the amendment of very serious grievances
+     under which English inhabitants suffered in the South African
+     Republic. In the course of these negotiations, the South African
+     Republic obtained the knowledge that Her Majesty's Government had
+     made considerable preparations for war, and had taken steps to
+     provide the necessary reinforcements for the English garrisons at
+     Cape Colony and Natal. No inroad on the rights guaranteed by the
+     Conventions had, until then, taken place on the English side.
+     Suddenly the South African Republic, after having two days
+     previously issued an insulting ultimatum, declared War on Her
+     Majesty; and the Orange Free State, with which there had been no
+     disagreement, took a similar step. Thereupon an inroad was made
+     into Her Majesty's territory by the two Republics; three towns
+     within the British frontier were besieged, a great part of the two
+     Colonies was over-run, with great destruction of property and life,
+     and the Republics claimed the right to treat the inhabitants of Her
+     Majesty's territory as if this territory had been annexed by one of
+     these States. The Transvaal having these actions in view, had for
+     years stored up, on an enormous scale, military provisions, which
+     could only have been destined for use against England.
+
+     "Your Excellencies made some remarks of a negative nature
+     concerning the aim for which these preparations were made. I do not
+     consider it necessary to discuss the question which you have thus
+     raised, but the consequences of the preparations, made in great
+     secrecy, have been that the British Empire has found itself forced
+     to repel an inroad which has brought on a costly war, and caused
+     the loss of thousands of valuable lives. This great misfortune has
+     been the punishment that Great Britain has had to undergo during
+     the last few years for having suffered the two Republics to exist.
+     Keeping in sight the use which the two Republics have made of the
+     position presented to them, and the misfortunes which their
+     unprovoked attacks on Her Majesty's territory have brought, Her
+     Majesty's Government can only reply to Your Honour's telegram by
+     saying that they are not prepared to acknowledge the independence
+     either of the South African Republic, or of the Orange Free State."
+
+
+
+
+Appendix A
+
+REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE GENERAL REPRESENTATIVES HELD AT
+VEREENIGING, IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, ON THE 15TH OF MAY, 1902,
+AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS
+
+
+The first meeting of the representatives of the two Governments took
+place at 11.30 a.m. on May 15th.
+
+There were present:--
+
+_For the South African Republic_--His Honour the President, S.W. Burger,
+F.W. Reitz, Commandant-General L. Botha, Messrs. J.B. Krogh, L.J.
+Meijer, L.J. Jacobs, and His Honour the Staats-Procureur.
+
+_For the Orange Free State_--States-President, M.J. Steyn; Judge, J.B.M.
+Hertzog; Secretary of State, W.J.C. Brebner; Commander-in-Chief, C.R. de
+Wet; and Mr. C.H. Olivier.
+
+The first matter discussed was the formula for the oath which the
+delegates were to take, and it was decided that it should run as
+follows:--
+
+     "We, the undersigned, duly swear that we, as special national
+     representatives, will remain true to our people, country, and
+     Government, and that we will serve them to the best of our ability,
+     and fulfil our duties faithfully and with all necessary secrecy, as
+     is the duty of all faithful burghers and representatives of the
+     nation. So help us God."
+
+The question now arose as to whether the representatives had the right
+to decide, if circumstances rendered it necessary, upon any matter
+touching the independence of the country, irrespective of the powers
+given to the various delegates, for at some of the meetings the
+delegates had only received limited powers, whilst at others full
+authority had been given them to act according to their own judgment.
+
+After considerable discussion it was decided to lay the matter before
+the delegates themselves.
+
+The following representatives were called into the tent, and took the
+oath:--
+
+_For the South African Republic._
+
+1. H.A. Alberts, Vechtgeneraal; for Heidelberg.
+
+2. J.J. Alberts, Commandant; for Standerton and Wakkerstroom.
+
+3. J.F. De Beer, Commandant; for Bloemhof.
+
+4. C.F. Beijers, Assistant-Commandant-General; for Waterberg.
+
+5. C. Birkenstock, burgher; for Vrijheid.
+
+6. H.J. Bosman, magistrate; for Wakkerstroom.
+
+7. Christiaan Botha, Assistant-Commandant-General; for Swaziland and the
+States Artillery.
+
+8. B.H. Breijtenbach, Veldtcornet; for Utrecht.
+
+9. C.J. Brits, Vechtgeneraal; for Standerton.
+
+10. J.B. Cilluos, Vechtgeneraal; for Lichtenburg.
+
+11. J. De Clercq, burgher; for Middelburg.
+
+12. T.A. Doenges, Veldtcornet; for Dorp Middelburg in Regeeringswacht.
+
+13. H.S. Grobler, Commandant; for Bethal.
+
+14. J.L. Grobler, burgher; for Carolina.
+
+15. J.N.H. Grobler, Vechtgeneraal; for Ermelo.
+
+16. B.J. Van Heerden, Veldtcornet; for Rustenburg.
+
+17. J.F. Jordaan, Commandant; for Vrijheid.
+
+18. J. Kemp, Vechtgeneraal; for Krugersdorp.
+
+19. P.J. Liebenberg, Vechtgeneraal; for Potchefstroom.
+
+20. C.H. Muller, Vechtgeneraal; for Boksburg.
+
+21. J.F. Naude, burgher; for Pretoria, late Commandant with General
+Kemp.
+
+22. D.J.E. Opperman, Veldtcornet; for Pretoria.
+
+23. B.J. Roos, Veldtcornet; for Piet Retief.
+
+24. P.D. Roux, Veldtcornet; for Marico.
+
+25. D.J. Schoeman, Commandant; for Lijdenburg.
+
+26. T.C. Stoffberg, Landdrost; for Zoutpansberg.
+
+27. S.P. Du Toit, Vechtgeneraal; for Wolmaransstad.
+
+28. P.L. Uijs, Commandant; for Pretoria.
+
+29. P.R. Viljoen, burgher; for Heidelberg.
+
+30. W.J. Viljoen, Commandant; for Witwatersrand.
+
+_For the Orange Free State._
+
+1. C.C.F. Badenhorst, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Boshof, Hoopstad,
+West Bloemfontein, Winburg, and Kroonstad.
+
+2. A.J. Bester, Commandant; for Bethlehem.
+
+3. A.J. Bester, Commandant; for Bloemfontein.
+
+4. L.P.H. Botha, Commandant; for Harrismith.
+
+5. G.A. Brand, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Bethulie, Rouxville,
+Caledon River, and Wepener in the eastern part of Bloemfontein.
+
+6. H.J. Brouwer, Commandant; for Bethlehem.
+
+7. D.H. Van Coller, Commandant; for Heilbron.
+
+8. F.R. Cronje, Commandant; for Winburg.
+
+9. D.F.H. Flemming, Commandant; for Hoopstad.
+
+10. C.C. Froneman, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Winburg and Ladybrand.
+
+11. F.J.W.J. Hattingh, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for the eastern part of
+Kroonstad, in the district of Heilbron.
+
+12. J.B.M. Hertzog, Commandant; for Philippolis.
+
+13. J.N. Jacobs, Commandant; for Boshof.
+
+14. F.P. Jacobsz, Commandant; for Harrismith.
+
+15. A.J. De Kock, Commandant; for Vrede.
+
+16. J.J. Koen, Commandant; for Ladybrand.
+
+17. H.J. Kritzinger, Veldtcornet; for Kroonstad.
+
+18. F.E. Mentz, Commandant; for Heilbron.
+
+19. J.A.P. Van der Merwe, Commandant; for Heilbron.
+
+20. C.A. Van Niekerk, Commandant; for Kroonstad.
+
+21. H. Van Niekerk, Commandant.
+
+22. J.J. Van Niekerk, Commandant; for Ficksburg.
+
+23. I.K. Nieuwouwdt, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Fauresmith,
+Philippolis, and Jacobsdal.
+
+24. H.P.J. Pretorius, Commandant; for Jacobsdal.
+
+25. A.M. Prinsloo, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Bethlehem in Ficksburg.
+
+26. L.J. Rautenbach, Commandant; for Bethlehem.
+
+27. F.J. Rheeder, Commandant; for Rouxville.
+
+28. A. Ross, Commandant; for Vrede.
+
+29. P.W. De Vos, Commandant; for Kroonstad.
+
+30. W.J. Wessels, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Harrismith and Vrede.
+
+The meeting now proceeded to choose a chairman, and the following were
+proposed:--J. De Clercq, C.F. Beijers, C.C. Froneman, W.J. Wessels, and
+G.A. Brand.
+
+The choice of the meeting fell on General C.F. Beijers, who called upon
+the Rev. Mr. Kestell to offer prayer.
+
+His Honour, S.W. Burger, now declared that the meeting was formally
+opened, and after the Chairman had spoken a few words, the
+representatives adjourned until three o'clock.
+
+When they reassembled, the Chairman requested President Burger to
+explain the objects for which the meeting had been called.
+
+Then the President spoke a few words of welcome to all; he expressed his
+sorrow for the absence of some who would certainly have been present had
+they not given their lives for their country. But still there were many
+left to represent the two Republics.
+
+"The difficulties which confront us," continued the President, "are like
+a great mountain, at the foot of which we have just arrived. Everything
+now depends on us who are assembled together here. It is impossible to
+deny that the state of affairs is very serious, and that the future
+looms dark before us. Our position requires the most careful
+consideration, and as there are sure to be differences of opinion, it
+will be necessary for us to bear with one another, and yet, at the same
+time, to speak our minds freely."
+
+The President proceeded to refer to the correspondence which had taken
+place between Holland and England. A copy of this correspondence had
+been sent, through Lord Kitchener, to the Governments of the two
+Republics. The opinion of the Transvaal Government (which was the first
+to receive the correspondence) was that advantage should be taken of
+this opportunity. It was proposed to ask Lord Kitchener to allow the
+Transvaal Government to meet that of the Orange Free State, so that they
+might discuss the desirability of making a peace proposal to England.
+The two Governments had accordingly met, and had corresponded with Lord
+Kitchener and Lord Milner. As a result of this, a letter, with the above
+correspondence annexed, had been sent to the various commandos.
+
+"We felt," continued President Burger, "that we had no power to
+surrender our independence, and that we were only justified in making
+such terms of peace as would not endanger our national existence.
+Whether it is or is not our duty to surrender our independence is a
+question that must be left to the decision of our people. And it is to
+represent the people that you are here. It is from your lips, then, that
+our Governments must learn the opinions of the two nations. It is clear
+enough that the English Government has no idea of allowing us to remain
+independent--it expresses surprise that we even dare to speak of such a
+thing.
+
+"You have now to report upon the condition of the country, and upon the
+circumstances in which your wives and children are placed. You have also
+to decide whether you are willing to make any further sacrifices. We
+have lost so much already that it would be hard, indeed, to lose our
+independence as well. But, although this matter is so near to our
+hearts, we must still listen to the voice of reason. The practical
+question, then, which we have to ask ourselves is, whether we are
+prepared to watch our people being gradually exterminated before our
+eyes, or whether we should not rather seek a remedy.
+
+"The Government can do nothing without the support of the nation. You,
+therefore, must determine our best course. For instance, if you come to
+the conclusion that we have exhausted every expedient, will you still
+continue the struggle? Are we not to desist until every man of us is in
+captivity, in exile, or in his grave? Again let me urge you to speak
+freely, and yet with consideration for the feelings of others. For
+myself, I can truly say that my spirit is not yet broken; but I would
+hear from you what the feeling of the people is."
+
+"At this point, however, a difficulty arises. Some of you, having only
+received limited powers from your constituencies, appear to think that
+you would not be justified in exceeding your mandates, while others have
+been authorized to act as circumstances may seem to require. But I do
+not think that this difficulty should be insurmountable. At least I beg
+of you not to allow it to cause any dissension among you. Let us all be
+of one mind. If _we_ are united, then will the nation be united also;
+but if we are divided, in what a plight will the nation find itself?"
+
+A letter was then read from the deputation in Europe, which had been
+written five months previously, and which had been brought through the
+English lines in safety. It contained little more than an assurance that
+our cause occupied a better position in Europe than it had ever done
+before.
+
+The Chairman then asked Commandant L. Botha to address the meeting.
+
+Complying with this request, the Commandant said that he wished to be
+assured, before anything further was done, that the fact that some of
+the representatives had been entrusted with limited powers, whereas
+others had been given a free hand, was not going to prove to be an
+insurmountable obstacle to united action on their part.
+
+To this Judge Hertzog replied that it was a principle in law that a
+delegate is not to be regarded as a mere agent or mouthpiece of his
+constituents, but, on the contrary (when dealing with public affairs),
+as a plenipotentiary--with the right, whatever his brief might be, of
+acting to the best of his judgment.
+
+States-Procureur Smuts concurred in this opinion, which appeared to
+satisfy both the Commandant-General and also all the other
+representatives, for no further allusion was made to the subject by
+anybody.
+
+Commandant-General Botha now made his report.
+
+In the districts of Vrijheid and Utrecht, he stated, the store of maize
+was so small that it could not last for more than a short time; but
+there was still a great number of slaughter-cattle. In the districts of
+Wakkerstroom there was hardly sufficient grain for one month's
+consumption. Two other districts had still a large enough number of
+slaughter-cattle--enough, in fact, to last for two or three months. In
+Ermelo, to the west and north-west of the blockhouses, and in Bethal,
+Standerton, and Middelburg, there was grain for one month. But the
+Heidelberg and Pretoria commandos had now, for the first time, no corn
+remaining for food. In the neighbourhood of Boksburg the only grain left
+was the old maize of the previous year, whilst there were no cattle at
+all in the district. When he had visited Boksburg he had found that the
+commandos had had no meat for three days. In the country between
+Vereeniging and Ermelo there were only thirty-six goats, and no cattle
+whatsoever. In the Wakkerstroom district, however, there were still a
+few slaughter-cattle. The horses were everywhere worn out and exhausted.
+They had been so constantly kept on the move, owing to the enemy's
+increasing attacks, they could now only cover the shortest distances.
+
+The Kaffir question was becoming from day to day more serious. At
+Vrijheid, for instance, there was a Kaffir commando which had already
+made several attacks upon the burghers. This attitude of the Kaffir
+population was producing a very dispiriting effect upon the burghers.
+
+The women were in a most pitiable state, now that the lines of
+blockhouses had been extended in all directions over the country.
+Sometimes the commandos had to break through the lines and leave the
+women behind alone; and when the burghers later on returned they would
+perhaps find that the women had been driven from their houses, and, in
+some instances, treated with atrocious cruelty.
+
+Referring to the numbers in the field, he said that there were, in the
+whole of the Transvaal, ten thousand eight hundred and sixteen men, and
+that three thousand two hundred and ninety-six of them had no horses.
+The enemy during the summer had taken many of the burghers prisoner; and
+since June, 1901, the commandos had diminished to the extent of six
+thousand and eighty-four men. The burghers thus lost to them had either
+been killed, or taken prisoner, or had surrendered their arms.
+
+The number of households was two thousand six hundred and forty.
+
+The Commandant-General concluded by saying that the three greatest
+difficulties with which they were confronted were their horses, their
+food supply, and the miserable condition of their women and children.
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet then spoke. He said he would leave it to the
+delegates who were officers to make reports. They had come from far and
+near, and knew exactly what the condition of things was. He, however,
+could state that the number of burghers in the Orange Free State was six
+thousand one hundred and twenty, of whom about four hundred were not
+available for service. The Basutos, he found, were more favourably
+inclined to the Boer cause than ever before.
+
+"General De la Rey," continued General de Wet, "like myself, does not
+quite know what task he has to perform here, but he thinks with me that
+the duty of making reports belongs to the delegates. However, he feels
+bound to state that in his divisions there is a great scarcity of
+everything. But precisely the same state of affairs existed there a year
+ago. And when his burghers were at that time without food--well, he went
+and got it for them." (Cheers.)
+
+General Beijers (Waterberg) then addressed the delegates, telling them
+that he would not detain them long. In Zoutpansberg, he stated, they had
+still a plentiful supply of food, for they were able to buy from the
+Kaffirs. At Waterberg the Kaffirs were neutral, but at Zoutpansberg they
+were getting out of hand. Yet, since no co-operation existed amongst
+them, they were not to be feared, and any uprising could easily be
+quelled.
+
+Besides this trouble, they had many difficulties to face, which were
+produced by horse-sickness and fever.
+
+As to the question of grain, there was food enough for the whole of the
+Transvaal and the Orange Free State. But now the English were beginning
+to buy up the maize at L1 a sack.
+
+General Muller (Boksburg) reported that in his division the burghers had
+never suffered from hunger. He could still hold out for a few months
+more, as food could be obtained from the Kaffirs. There was, it could
+not be denied, a tendency to mutiny amongst the Kaffirs, but he did not
+think that this need cause any anxiety. He believed that he would be
+able to carry on operations until the end of the winter.
+
+General Froneman (Ladybrand) said that the condition of his divisions,
+namely Winburg and Ladybrand, gave no cause for uneasiness. There were
+still eighty families in the districts, but they were able to provide
+for all their necessities. The Kaffirs were peaceable and well disposed,
+and were of great service to the burghers, for whom they bought clothing
+in Basutoland. It was possible for the burghers, he considered, to hold
+out for more than a year.
+
+General Hattingh (Kroonstad) declared that in one part of the Kroonstad
+district there were still plenty of sheep and cattle, and that seed had
+been sown for next year's harvest. But another part of the district was
+entirely exhausted, and had to obtain its supplies from Bethlehem.
+
+General Badenhorst (Boshof) stated that he could report on the Boshof
+district and the parts of the Winburg and Bloemfontein districts to the
+west of the railway. There were enough cattle to last his commandos for
+years, even if they had no other food at all. Recently he had captured
+fifteen hundred head of cattle, and he was in a position to give
+assistance to other districts. Grain, however, was not so plentiful as
+it had been the previous year, but nevertheless there was still a large
+enough supply to permit him to send help to others.
+
+General Nieuwouwdt (Fauresmith) reported that his district was entirely
+devastated, and that for the last seven months there had been a dearth
+of all provisions; nevertheless, his burghers had contrived to live.
+There was, moreover, enough corn left to last them for another year.
+There were now only three women in the whole of his district.
+
+General Prinsloo (Bethlehem) declared that he would be telling a
+falsehood if he were to say that there was no food in his district. He
+possessed slaughter-cattle and corn, and could help other districts. One
+of his commandants had recently found a store of maize (consisting of
+one hundred and thirty sacks) buried in the ground. The enemy had made
+many inroads into his district, and especially during the last few
+months. The blockhouses were a source of constant annoyance to him.
+
+General Brand (Bethulie) reported upon the south-western part of the
+Orange Free State, where he commanded. There were some parts of his
+division, he said, which had been entirely laid waste. Everything had
+been carried off; there was not a sheep left; and the burghers had been
+without meat for days. But he was able to capture booty, and could still
+hold out for a year.
+
+General Wessels (Harrismith) drew attention to the constant passage of
+large Kaffir families through the districts of Harrismith and Vrede. He
+could tell the delegates that the Kaffirs had been quite astonished that
+there were still cattle and sheep and supplies of grain in the
+districts. He had not yet come to the end of his provisions; but, even
+if everything were taken, he saw a chance of obtaining food from
+elsewhere.
+
+Commandant C.A. Van Niekerk (Kroonstad) declared that if there was one
+part of the country which was entirely exhausted it was the part where
+he was in command, namely Hoopstad and a portion of Kroonstad. But yet,
+during the last twelve months, they had been able to obtain food, and
+even to sow for the ensuing year. There were no cattle in his district;
+but he had taken a thousand sheep and fifty-two cattle from the English.
+
+Commandant Van der Merwe (Heilbron) spoke to the same effect.
+
+General Smuts was the next to address the meeting. He began by saying
+that his expedition into Cape Colony had been the outcome of the advice
+which the deputation had given in July, 1901, namely to continue the
+war. That _he_ had been in command of it had come about in the following
+way. News had been received in the Transvaal that affairs in Cape Colony
+were taking a favourable turn, and accordingly General De la Rey had
+received orders to go thither, and to take over the command there. But
+afterwards it was thought wiser to annul these orders, because De la Rey
+could not well be spared from the western parts of the Transvaal. Owing
+to this, he (General Smuts) took the task upon his own shoulders, and
+crossed the Orange River with two hundred men. He had had a difficult
+task to accomplish. He had marched through Cape Colony to Grahamstad,
+and from thence he had pushed on towards the coast, through Graaff
+Reinet. Thence he had proceeded to the neighbourhood where he was now
+carrying on operations.
+
+He had visited every commando, and as he had seen that there were signs
+of disorder amongst them he had taken them all under his own command. In
+this way he had found himself at the head of some fifteen hundred men.
+During his expeditions Commandant Lotter had been captured with a
+hundred men; this had reduced his force to only fourteen hundred. But
+since then the number had nearly doubled, so that they now had two
+thousand six hundred men (divided into twenty commandos) under arms in
+Cape Colony. In addition to these men there was a division under General
+De Villiers operating in Griqualand West, and another under Commandant
+Van der Merwe in Bechuanaland. The total numbers of these two divisions
+amounted to about seven hundred men.
+
+Passing on to the question whether help was to be expected from Cape
+Colony, General Smuts declared that there would be no general rising.
+The reports which represented such a rising as possible had exaggerated
+matters. There were great difficulties in the way of a general rising.
+First, there was the question of horses--and in Cape Colony the want of
+horses was as great, if not greater, than in the Republics. Secondly, it
+was exceedingly difficult for Colonials to rise, for they knew that not
+only would they have to be _voetgangers_,[111] but also that if they
+were captured they would be very severely punished by the English. The
+scarcity of grass was also greatly against any such attempt. The horses
+had to be fed, and, as the enemy had forbidden any sowing, it was almost
+impossible to find food for them. A counter proclamation had indeed been
+issued by the Republics, but it had been of no avail.
+
+He was of opinion that the small commandos which had already been in
+Cape Colony had done the best they could. The question that now arose
+was whether the whole of their forces ought to be sent from the
+Republics into Cape Colony. He himself thought that there was an opening
+for them, but the difficulty was to find a method of getting them there.
+The existence of this difficulty, and the facts which he had brought
+before the delegates, had forced him to the conclusion that a general
+rising in Cape Colony was an impossibility.
+
+As to the continuation of the war and matters of that nature, they must
+naturally be settled by the Republics, and not by Cape Colony.
+
+The meeting was then adjourned until eight o'clock in the evening.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Upon its reassembling, Commandant Nijs (Pretoria, North) said that in
+that part of the district of Pretoria which lay to the north of the
+Delagoa Bay Railway there were still cattle enough to last for a
+considerable time, but that the store of grain would be exhausted within
+a fortnight. The number of horses also was insufficient. The district
+could muster one hundred and fifty-three mounted men and one hundred and
+twenty-eight _voetgangers_. In the division of Onderwijk, Middelburg,
+there were twenty-six mounted men and thirty-eight _voetgangers_.
+
+Commandant Grobler (Bethal) stated that in his district they had not
+been left undisturbed during the summer. Only a short time previously he
+had lost sixty-three men in an engagement, where he had been besieged in
+a kraal, out of which he, with one hundred and fifty-three burghers, had
+managed to escape. Bethal had been laid waste from one end to the other,
+and he had no provisions for his commandos. He had on his hands three
+hundred women and children; these were in a serious position, owing to
+the lack of food; some of the women had also been assaulted by Kaffirs.
+
+General Christiaan Botha (Swaziland) then reported on the condition of
+the Swaziland commando. They had no provisions in hand, and were simply
+living by favour of the Kaffirs. They had no women there. His commando
+of one hundred and thirteen men was still at Piet Retief. As there was
+no grain to be had, they were compelled to go from kraal to kraal and
+buy food from the Kaffirs, and this required money. Yet somehow or other
+they had managed to keep soul and body together. "I have fought for the
+Transvaal," he concluded, "for two and a half years, and now, since I
+hear that there is food in the Free State, I shall fight for the Free
+State for two and a half years more."
+
+General Brits (Standerton) said that he had still provisions for two
+months, but no cattle. He had sixty-five families with him, and found it
+very difficult to provide them with the necessaries of life. Altogether,
+things were in a most critical state.
+
+Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) spoke as follows:
+
+"I shall go deeper into some of the points which the Commandant-General
+has brought forward in his general report of the matter. At Vrijheid we
+have been harassed by large forces of the enemy for six or eight months,
+and the district is now completely devastated. The presence of women and
+children causes great difficulty, for of late the English have refused
+to receive the families which, compelled by absolute famine, wished to
+take refuge with them. There is also continual danger from the Kaffirs,
+whose attitude towards us is becoming positively hostile. Both horses
+and grain are scarce; but as far as the latter is concerned there will
+be sufficient, provided that the enemy does not return. One morning
+recently a Kaffir commando, shortly before daybreak, attacked a party of
+our men, who lost fifty-six killed out of a total of seventy. That peace
+must be made at all costs is the opinion of all the families in my
+district, and I feel it my duty to bring this opinion before you."
+
+Commandant Alberts (Pretoria and Middelburg) said that his burghers had
+had no rest for a year, and that during that period no ploughing or
+sowing had been done in the district. Consequently a commando would not
+be able to find the means of subsistence there. On three occasions he
+had been forced to take refuge in a kraal, but fortunately had always
+been able to make his escape. They had no cattle which they could use
+for food, although he had received some, through Commandant Roos, from
+the Free State. Their horses were in the worst possible condition.
+
+Landdrost Bosman (Wakkerstroom) then gave an account of the condition of
+affairs in his district. They were dependent for everything, except
+meat, upon the Kaffirs, giving them meat in exchange. This year there
+had been a very poor crop of mealies, and, such as it was, it had been
+much damaged by the enemy. Still the burghers might manage, with what
+mealies they had, to last out for another two months; but the women and
+children also needed to be provided for. The cattle were beginning to
+run short, and the few horses that they had were so weak that they would
+require a fortnight's rest before they could be used. It might become
+necessary for the commandos to leave the district, and if so, what was
+to become of the families?
+
+Mr. De Clercq (Middelburg) regretted that he was unable to give as
+cheery a report as some of the gentlemen present had done. The part of
+Middelburg which he represented was in an almost hopeless condition.
+There were no slaughter-cattle, and only enough grain to last for a very
+short time. Out of five hundred horses only one hundred now remained,
+and these could do no work, being too weak even to get away when it
+became necessary to retreat from the enemy. The state of the burghers
+was very discouraging; if they should be compelled to leave the district
+the question would arise whether, considering the condition of their
+horses, it would be possible for them to reach their new destination.
+There were fifty families in Middelburg, and things were going very
+badly with them. The district would have to be abandoned, and what would
+then be the fate of the families, which even now could only be scantily
+provided for? The women had wished to go on foot to the English, but he
+had advised them to wait until the results of the present negotiations
+should become known.
+
+Commandant David Schoeman (Lijdenburg) said that although but a short
+time ago there had been eight hundred head of cattle in his district,
+they had now all been carried off. Grain there was none. Should fighting
+be continued, he was at a loss to know how he could provide for the
+women.
+
+Commandant Opperman (Pretoria, South) reported on that part of the
+Pretoria district which lies south of the line. What he said agreed
+substantially with the report of Commandant Alberts. (See page 343.)
+
+Commandant Liebenberg (Potchefstroom) stated that during the last eight
+or nine months blockhouses had been erected in his district. All that
+was now left to him was a strip of country about twelve miles long; here
+he could still exist. A good deal of seed had been sown, but the crops
+had of late fallen into the hands of the English. The grain was
+altogether spoilt; some of it had been burnt, the rest trodden down by
+the horses. There were ninety-three households in his district. Between
+Lichtenburg and Potchefstroom there were some women from the Orange Free
+State who were reduced to the most dire straits. They had told him that
+if things did not improve they intended to go on foot to Klerksdorp,
+and he had replied that they must wait for the result of the
+negotiations. He had still four hundred mounted men, in addition to one
+hundred _voetgangers_. He could hold out for a short time longer, and
+then would have to look for some way out of his difficulties.
+
+General Du Toit (Wolmaransstad) said that there were five hundred
+families in his district, but little enough for them to live on. Though
+his horses were weak, he would be able to save himself by strategy if he
+should get into a tight corner. His commandos were small--only four
+hundred and fifty mounted men. The cattle were in good condition, but
+grain was scarce.
+
+Commandant De Beer (Bloemhof) had still under his command as many as
+four hundred and forty-four mounted men and one hundred and sixty-five
+_voetgangers_. Both grain and cattle were scarce, but then Bloemhof had
+never possessed many head of cattle. So far the families had not
+suffered from want. He would be able to hold out for another year.
+
+General Kemp reported that he had under him Krugersdorp, Rustenburg, and
+parts of Pretoria and Johannesburg. In the district of Krugersdorp no
+more sowing was possible, and the majority of cattle had been carried
+away. Yet there was no want. Why should he lack for anything when he was
+in possession of a great "commissariat" extending as far as the
+Zoutpansberg, where General Beijers was in command? He took what he
+wanted from the Kaffirs--it was not their property; he was only taking
+back what really belonged to the burghers.
+
+Commandant-in-Chief de Wet here asked why the eastern divisions of the
+Transvaal could not do like General Kemp, and take what they required
+from the Kaffirs?
+
+General Kemp replied that the fact that in the eastern parts the Kaffirs
+were united with the English made the difference. The Kaffirs there, he
+said, gave all they looted to the English, who then sold them the cattle
+back again. If then cattle were taken in those parts, it would be cattle
+which was really the property of the Kaffirs. Moreover, the Zulus were
+Kaffirs of a different sort to those with which he (the General) had to
+deal. General Botha also had said that among the Kaffirs in the Eastern
+Transvaal there were not to be found any cattle belonging to the
+burghers.
+
+Mr. J.L. Grobler (Carolina) had not as yet had to complain of any lack
+of cattle or grain in his district. The English, however, by their
+system of blockhouses, had cut the burghers off from the greater part of
+the crop. If nothing happened, the newly-sown crops ought to produce a
+good harvest; but he did not like the temper of the Kaffirs. His men
+could still hold out for another six or seven months. The three hundred
+horses still remaining to them were in a weak condition; such as they
+were, there was not one apiece for the burghers.
+
+Mr. J. Naude (Pretoria) said that he represented a part of Pretoria and
+General Kemp's flying column. In his district sowing and harvesting went
+on as usual. There were fortunately no women and children. Although the
+commandos had not a superabundance of cattle, yet no one lacked for any
+of the necessaries of life.
+
+The meeting was then closed with prayer, and adjourned until the
+following morning.
+
+[Footnote 111: Infantry.]
+
+
+FRIDAY, MAY 16TH, 1902.
+
+The meeting opened with prayer a little after nine a.m. The
+correspondence which the two Governments had addressed to the burghers,
+in order that it might be communicated to their representatives at one
+of these meetings, was first read. It was then debated whether the
+meeting should request Lord Kitchener to put it into communication with
+the deputation in Europe. After speeches _pro_ and _con_, it was decided
+not to do so.
+
+Thereupon General Froneman proposed the following resolution:
+
+"This meeting is of opinion that the Governments should be asked in the
+first place to thank His Majesty the King of England and Her Majesty the
+Queen of the Netherlands, through Lord Kitchener, for the efforts which
+(as appears from the correspondence between the said Governments) they
+have made to set on foot negotiations for peace; and, in the second
+place, to express to them the regret of this meeting that His Majesty's
+Government has not accepted the proposal of Her Majesty's Government
+that the representatives of the two Republics now in Europe (who still
+enjoy the full confidence of their fellow-countrymen) should be allowed
+to return home, and also that Lord Kitchener has declined a similar
+request addressed to him by the Governments of the two Republics."
+
+This proposal was seconded by Commandant Flemming, and carried.
+
+After another proposal, made by H.J. Bosman, and seconded by J.L.
+Grobler, had been rejected, the correspondence referred to above came
+under discussion.
+
+The first speaker was Mr. P.R. Viljoen, who spoke as follows:
+
+"We can apply to our own country those words of Scripture, 'The place
+whereon thou standest is holy ground.' The soil on which we are now
+standing, wet as it is with the blood and tears of our forefathers and
+also of the many who have fallen in this present struggle, may well be
+regarded as 'holy ground.'
+
+"That we should ever have to surrender this country is a horrible
+thought. Yet it must be faced. It is certain at least that many
+districts must be abandoned, for the enemy is doing his utmost to
+collect us together at a few isolated places, where he will be able to
+concentrate his forces upon us.
+
+"From the reports which we have received it appears that the state of
+affairs in the Orange Free State is still hopeful. Not so in the
+Transvaal. There our prospects are of the gloomiest.
+
+"My opinion is that we must endeavour to bring this war to an end. If
+there was the least chance of our being able to maintain our
+independence, we would still fight on, and not even the bitterest
+sufferings would appear unendurable. But have we any such chance?--that
+is the question which we have got to answer.
+
+"We know nothing, it will be said, of the present state of affairs in
+Europe, for the report from our deputation, which has just been read in
+your presence, is six months old. Nevertheless, if anything favourable
+to us had occurred since then, we must have heard of it by now.
+
+"It is evident that we must endeavour to obtain peace on terms
+honourable to ourselves. But how are we to do so? By keeping our
+independence in view when making terms with the enemy, you will answer.
+Nevertheless, I think it would be advisable for us to commission our
+Governments to ask the English Government once more what concessions it
+is prepared to make to us on condition of our surrendering our
+independence. Until we know this we can come to no final decision.
+
+"Though it is a bitter thing to have to say, yet I feel it my duty to
+tell you that I honestly believe it to be impossible for us to carry on
+the war any longer."
+
+Mr. De Clercq then addressed the meeting in the following words:
+
+"The question before us is, whether or not the war can be continued? To
+answer it, we must look forward into the future. We must ask ourselves
+what consequences will ensue from a continuance of hostilities, and what
+will be the result of their cessation.
+
+"We have only fifteen thousand men against the enemy's quarter of a
+million. Our food and horses are scarce, and we have other difficulties
+besides these. It is impossible to go on with the struggle.
+
+"Nevertheless, if I believed that to do so would give us a chance of
+retaining our independence, I also would be ready for further
+sacrifices. But as it is impossible to retain our independence, surely
+we shall only be storing up misery for the future if we continue
+fighting until every man of us is a prisoner or in his grave. I am of
+opinion that our most reasonable course is to save what is still left to
+us--our existence as a nation. It is not too late to save it now, but
+who can tell what the future holds in store for us? If we are to be
+still further reduced in number, we shall soon cease to exist as a
+nation. Can it be right to sacrifice a nation which has fought as the
+African nation has done?"
+
+Commandant Rheeder (Rouxville) then spoke as follows:
+
+"I know that the times are very dark, but still there are some rays of
+light. You have been asked whether you will continue fighting until you
+are exterminated. But there is another alternative. Will you not
+continue fighting until you are relieved? I maintain that our
+independence must be a _sine qua non_ of any negotiations that we
+make--we cannot give it up. So long as we have life we must continue to
+fight, and we must only lay down our arms when relief arrives."
+
+General Kemp now rose to his feet. "I am fully aware," he said, "of the
+very serious position in which we are placed. Yet, when the war began,
+the position was no less grave. We must continue our resistance. When we
+recall to our minds how much this war has cost us, and what rivers of
+blood have flowed, we feel that it is impossible to surrender. As far as
+I am concerned, unless relief comes, I will fight on till I die.
+
+"But one should not look only at the dark side of the picture. It is
+true enough that in some districts food is scarce, but there are none in
+which it is absolutely unobtainable. The districts threatened by famine
+must be abandoned--that is the way to deal with the difficulty.
+
+"It has been pointed out that a large number of our men have been killed
+or taken prisoners. This fact, however, only fills me with courage. A
+cause that has cost us so dearly must never be forsaken. To own
+ourselves beaten would be to dig a grave for the African nation, out of
+which it would never rise. Why should we lose our trust in God? Up to
+this moment He has aided us, and He will always be our Helper."
+
+Vice-Commandant Breijtenbach (Utrecht) then spoke as follows:
+
+"The burghers whom I represent have told me to inform them, when these
+deliberations have come to an end, whether a continuation of the war is
+possible, and if it be possible, how it is to be accomplished. If I
+cannot assure them that we are able to continue the struggle, the men of
+Utrecht will not fight any more. As you know, I can give them no such
+assurance.
+
+"There are ten districts in the Transvaal which are unable to fight any
+longer. It surely is not proposed to leave these districts in the lurch!
+We must not only consult our sentiments, but also our reason. And what
+does the voice of reason say? This--that the continuation of the war is
+an impossibility. Should you decide now to continue the war, you would
+have to start a fresh campaign; and you know that that is beyond our
+powers.
+
+"A previous speaker has referred to the help of the Lord, but who is
+able to fathom His counsels? Yet we can understand the answer God has
+given to our prayer--that prayer which we offered with the Mausers in
+our hands when the war began. And what was the answer we received ... I
+leave it to you to reply.
+
+"Yes, we must use our reason. If we continue the struggle we give the
+death-blow to our existence as a nation. We have been told that there
+are ten districts that cannot go on fighting. Are we going to say, 'We
+will continue the struggle and leave these districts to their fate'? No!
+We must save what we can."
+
+General Liebenberg then spoke. "I am able to give my support," he said,
+"to all that has fallen from the lips of Messrs. Viljoen and De Clercq.
+It cannot be doubted that the future is very dark. Yes, we can only
+trust in God, and use our reason to the best of our ability. I have been
+commissioned by those whom I represent to retain our independence if
+possible, and if it be not possible to make peace on the best terms that
+we can get."
+
+Commandant Uijs was the next speaker. He explained that if the war were
+to be continued he would have to leave his district and abandon the
+women and children to the mercy of the Kaffirs. He could see a chance of
+saving the mounted men if only he could feel certain that they would all
+follow him, but the case of the women and children would be hopeless. A
+serious difficulty confronted the delegates, and it was with them, and
+no longer with the Government, that its solution rested. Never before
+had he been called upon to face so gigantic a task. It was not the time
+now to criticize one another, but to practise mutual forbearance. The
+Bible had been quoted by one of the speakers, but let them not forget
+the text in which the king is spoken of who calculated whether he was
+strong enough with ten thousand to encounter him who marched against
+him with twenty thousand. Then there was the question as to the disposal
+of the widows and orphans. What was to become of them if the burghers,
+by refusing to come to terms with the enemy, should no longer be able to
+act as their mutual protectors? Let them make no more widows and
+orphans, but let them open their eyes and recognize that the hand of God
+was against them.
+
+The next business was the reading of two letters--one from General Malan
+and the other from General Kritzinger. Malan reported on his doings in
+the Cape Colony, while Kritzinger advised that the war should be
+discontinued.
+
+General Du Toit then spoke, emphasizing the responsibility of the
+delegates and the importance of the occasion. He went on to say that he
+represented a part of the nation which had suffered very severely, but
+which nevertheless had commissioned him to stand up for independence, if
+by any means it could be retained; if he failed in this, he was to take
+whatever course seemed best to him. In his district the burghers were
+not reduced to such a pass as to oblige them to surrender, but the
+condition of other districts must also be taken into consideration, and
+if it appeared that the war could not be continued, the delegates must
+get the best terms they could. In their demands they must be
+united--this was the principal reason why dissension was so much to be
+avoided. For himself, he could only say that whether the meeting voted
+to continue the war or to bring it to a conclusion, he would fall in
+with the wishes of the majority. Any decision would be better than the
+failure of this conference, as that would leave everything undecided.
+
+He was followed by Secretary of State Reitz, who said:
+
+"You all know what the Governments have done. The question now is, Is
+there anything further that we can do? For my part, I think that there
+is. We might offer to surrender Witwatersrand and Swaziland; we might
+also relinquish our rights to a foreign policy; we might even accede to
+an English Protectorate. If France has been able to do without Alsace
+and Lorraine, surely we can do without the goldfields. What benefit have
+they ever done us? Did the money they brought ever do us any good? No!
+rather it did us harm. It was the gold which caused the war. It is then
+actually to our advantage to cede the goldfields, and moreover by so
+doing we shall be rid of a very troublesome part of our population."
+
+Mr. Reitz then went on to discuss in detail the position in regard to
+Swaziland, the question of a British Protectorate, and the surrender of
+our right to treat with foreign powers.
+
+General Muller (Boksburg) expressed sympathy with the views of the
+Secretary of State, while Vice-Commandant Roux (Marico) said that he was
+prepared to sacrifice many things, but that he intended to hold out for
+independence.
+
+The next speech was made by Landdrost Stoffberg (Zoutpansberg), who
+said:
+
+"I agree with General Du Toit in what he said about the necessity for
+unity amongst us. Disunion must not be so much as mentioned. I have a
+mandate from the burghers of Zoutpansberg not to sacrifice our
+independence. But if anything short of this will satisfy the English, I
+am quite prepared to make concessions. Some of the burghers think that
+it might be well to surrender the goldfields for a certain sum of money,
+while others point out that the gold was the cause of the war. I also
+think that we have suffered through the gold, and that we might give up
+the goldfields without doing ourselves any harm. For what has the gold
+done for us? It has enriched us, many will say. Yes! but it has also
+been a stumbling-block to many a man. And is it not better to be a poor
+but independent nation than to be rich and at the same time subject to
+another Power. Let the goldfields go. We shall still, with our markets,
+be rich enough."
+
+Commandant Mentz (Heilbron) then rose.
+
+"I appeal to the forbearance of the delegates," he said, "for making any
+speech at this meeting. I fear I am unable to give as rose-coloured a
+report as my brother Free-Staters have done: My district has been
+continually harassed by the enemy's troops, and great devastation has
+been wrought. But the greatest trouble I have is the presence of so many
+families, for there are still two hundred in the district. I have only
+eighty burghers under my command, and it is clear to me that I shall
+soon be obliged to leave the district. What will then become of these
+families? I received a commission not to sacrifice our independence. But
+since my burghers met more than half of them have been made prisoners.
+The remainder have instructed me to do my best to preserve our
+independence, but if I find that it cannot be maintained to act
+according to my own judgment. It appears to me that it may be possible
+to retain our independence by ceding some part of the country; if this
+be the case it ought most certainly to be done. I can remember the late
+President Brand saying in connexion with the diamond fields, 'Give them
+up; you will gain more by giving them up than by keeping them.' This
+remark may well apply to the present situation."
+
+Commandant Flemming (Cape Town) reported that his district was well-nigh
+devastated. But they still possessed a fair number of cattle, which they
+had carried away with them. But even if they had no cattle, that would
+be no excuse for surrender, for in his district it was possible to live
+on the game. The view which he and his burghers had taken was that since
+they had already sacrificed nearly everything they possessed, they would
+not now sacrifice their independence. For should this also be lost, then
+there would be nothing left to them. That had been their opinion, but
+they had not then known how matters stood in the Transvaal. Now that he
+was aware of the state of affairs, he agreed with State Secretary Reitz
+that their best course was to cede a part of their territory.
+
+Vice-President Burger now rose from his seat, and said:
+
+"This meeting has to formulate a fresh proposal to the English
+Government, and to await its answer. If this proposal be rejected, well,
+you will be no worse off than you are at present. If there be a man who
+has earnestly considered what the sacrifice of everything means to us,
+then I am that man. It has been said, we must retain our independence,
+or else continue to fight; and we are still able to hold out for another
+six months, or even a year. Now, supposing that we can hold out another
+year, what should we gain by doing so? Why, we should only grow weaker,
+whilst the enemy grew stronger! I emphatically state that the war cannot
+be carried on any longer; and I ask if there is any man here who can
+maintain with a clear conscience that the struggle can be successfully
+continued.
+
+"Some of you may tell me that complications may arise in Europe. But
+that is a groundless hope. Others may say that it is astonishing enough
+that we have been able to hold out till now, and that we still have the
+power of making our voices heard. Yes! that is very surprising; but
+shall we retain this power long? I heard some delegates say, 'We shall
+fight till we die!' That is a manly sentiment. But was it not, perhaps,
+prompted by a desire to make a fine speech, which would go down to
+posterity? Was not the aim in some cases that future generations might
+recall these speeches when they were told of the brave fight our men had
+made?
+
+"Let every one consider this well: Is he prepared to sacrifice the
+nation on the shrine of his own ambition? Ambition, although it may cost
+us our lives, can never lead to martyrdom. A martyr is made of finer
+stuff!
+
+"Have we not arrived at the stage of our history when we must pray, 'Thy
+will be done'? That prayer, considered rightly, is a prayer of faith. Do
+not let us imagine that we can compel God to do _our_ will--that is not
+faith.
+
+"I beg of you to consider what will become of the women and the
+children and the banished burghers if you still persist until your last
+shot has been fired. What right shall we have to intercede for these
+unfortunate ones when we have rejected the proposals of the English
+Government? We shall have no right whatsoever.
+
+"Perhaps it is God's will that the English nation should oppress us, in
+order that our pride may be subdued, and that we may come through the
+fire of our troubles purified.
+
+"My opinion is that we should make a peace proposal to England, yielding
+as much as we rightly can; and if England rejects our proposal, it will
+be time enough then to see what other course is open to us.
+
+"There is one fact which we cannot allow ourselves to forget. There are
+ten districts in the Transvaal which must be abandoned. In the Free
+State, too, there are districts in a similar plight. It is the opinion
+of lawyers that so long as the inhabitants remain in a district their
+property cannot lawfully be confiscated; but if the district be
+abandoned, then confiscations can take place.
+
+"It is criminal to say, 'Come what may, we will fight till everything is
+lost and all of us are dead!'"
+
+The following resolution was then proposed by General Kemp, and seconded
+by Mr. J. Nand:
+
+"_This meeting decides, in order to expedite the work in hand, to depart
+from the original programme; and to constitute a Commission, to be
+composed of the Hon. Jacob Smits and the Hon. Judge Hertzog, and to give
+this Commission authority to draw up, conjointly with the two State
+Presidents, a draft proposal, to be laid before the delegates to-morrow
+morning._"
+
+This resolution was put to the meeting, and accepted by the delegates.
+The meeting then adjourned.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+At half-past seven in the evening the delegates reassembled.
+
+General Cilliers (Lichtenburg and Marico) was the first to make a
+report. "In my division," he said, "things are in a very favourable
+condition. Yet we are bound to take the other divisions into
+consideration. My burghers said to me, 'Stand firm for independence!'
+But when they gave me the order they did not know about the condition of
+the other districts. Will those other districts--such of them, I mean,
+as are in a worse predicament than ourselves--be able to co-operate with
+us in continuing the war? Some of them have already answered my question
+in the negative. Must we then not ask ourselves, What will be the best
+for the nation as a whole? Shall we say continue the war, or shall we
+approach the enemy and make a proposal?
+
+"But are we really justified in prolonging the struggle, and making
+still further sacrifices? Some will answer, 'Yes, for we have a God in
+whom we have trusted from the beginning; shall we not continue to trust
+in Him who has worked such wonders for us already?' But I have heard a
+brother say, 'God's hand is against us.' It was bitter to hear these
+words from him, and for myself I will have none of them. My vote is
+given here and now for a continuance of the war.
+
+"But we must hear what the rest of the delegates have to say, and if
+they can point out some other way by which we can retain even a portion
+of our national independence, we must be ready to follow it."
+
+General Froneman next addressed the meeting.
+
+"I fear," he began, "that too much is being made of the condition of my
+division: things are not so prosperous with us as some here appear to
+imagine. But for all that, my burghers are for nothing short of absolute
+independence. They cannot forget the blood which has already been spilt
+in our cause. They mean to hold out until they are relieved.
+
+"I sympathize deeply with those districts that are less happily
+circumstanced than my own, but it pains me to discover that there are
+some here who doubt that God is for us. For what has supported us up
+till now save faith in God?--the faith of those who first prayed God to
+prevent the war, and then, when they saw that this was not His will,
+fought like men, putting all their trust in Him.
+
+"Up till now the Lord hath been my helper; the enemy has cut us off from
+everything, and yet we see our two little Republics still full of hope,
+still holding out."
+
+He concluded his speech by saying that he would like to hear the
+opinions of Generals Botha, De Wet, and De la Rey. They ought to be able
+to throw much light upon the matter.
+
+Commandant General Botha then rose, and said:
+
+"I am glad to have an opportunity of giving my views upon the present
+state of affairs. We know that differences of opinion are to be found
+everywhere and on every question; when, therefore, a man differs from
+those who think that this war can and ought to be continued, we must
+ascribe his opinion to discouragement, weakness, or cowardice. We must
+acknowledge the truth of the facts from which he draws his conclusions,
+and which have compelled him to utter it. His object is to make known
+the true state of the country--which indeed is his plain duty. Were he
+not to do so on the present occasion he would be accused, later on, of
+having kept secret what he ought to have revealed. Differences of
+opinion then need not, and must not, cause a disunion and discord.
+Whatever our private opinions may be, yet, as delegates of the burghers,
+we must speak and act as one man.
+
+"The war has now lasted two years. But the question for us to answer is
+this: Are we going forwards or backwards? My own conviction--a
+conviction founded upon the views expressed by my commandos and the
+speeches which I have listened to at this meeting--is that we are not
+gaining, but losing ground. There is nothing, in my opinion, more
+evident than that, during the last six months, the tide has been setting
+steadily against us, and in favour of the enemy.
+
+"A year ago there were no blockhouses. We could cross and recross the
+country as we wished, and harass the enemy at every turn. But now things
+wear a very different aspect. We can pass the blockhouses by night
+indeed, but never by day. They are likely to prove the ruin of our
+commandos.
+
+"Then, as regards food. We are told that there is food here, and food
+there; but how are we to get at it? How are we to transport it from one
+district to another? Outside the frontiers of our Republics there are
+plenty of provisions, but it becomes daily more difficult to get them
+into our hands. The cattle, for instance, that used to be at Ladysmith
+have now been removed to Estcourt. Even the friendly Kaffirs, from whom
+we are now able to obtain provisions, may quite possibly soon turn
+against us. The time is coming when we shall be compelled to say,
+'Hunger drives us to surrender.'
+
+"The horses have been chased about so incessantly, and have suffered so
+much from want of forage, that their strength is almost exhausted. They
+are so weak that it is almost impossible to accomplish any long distance
+with them.
+
+"As to the Cape Colony, I had always understood that the Colonists were
+going to rise _en bloc_, but General Smuts has just told us that there
+is no chance of such a thing happening. And he speaks from personal
+knowledge, having just returned from paying them a visit. Moreover, he
+has seen our horses, and says that it is impossible for them to go into
+the Colony, so it appears that our successes there are over. This is a
+severe check indeed; but it could not have been otherwise. We have not
+enough horses to enable us to give the Colonists effectual help, and
+they themselves have been cowed by the heavy penalties imposed upon all
+those who did rise. Many of those who are well disposed towards us dare
+not join us now.
+
+"Again, there is no chance of European intervention: not one of the
+Powers will do anything for us. To see this it is only necessary to
+peruse that correspondence between the Netherlands and England, which
+was the cause of these negotiations. There we shall find that the Dutch
+Minister says that our deputation is only accredited to Holland, whereas
+it had been accredited by the two Republics to all the Governments in
+Europe. Moreover, the correspondence makes it very plain that England
+will not tolerate the intervention of any foreign Power whatsoever. But
+the truth is, that no foreign Power wants to help us. When the women
+were first made prisoners I thought that European intervention might
+perhaps be attempted, because to make prisoners of women is a thing
+quite outside the usual methods of warfare. But nothing was done even
+then. We were told that we had the sympathy of the nations of
+Europe--their sympathy, and nothing more!
+
+"I have come to a subject that is very near our hearts--our women-folk.
+If this meeting decides upon war, it will have to make provision for our
+wives and children, who will then be exposed to every kind of danger.
+Throughout this war the presence of the women has caused me anxiety and
+much distress. At first I managed to get them into the townships, but
+later on this became impossible, because the English refused to receive
+them. I then conceived the idea of getting a few of our burghers to
+surrender, and sending the women in with them. But this plan was not
+practical, because most of the families were those of prisoners of war,
+and the men still on commando were not so closely related to these
+families as to be willing to sacrifice their freedom for them.
+
+"We have heard much talk about fighting 'to the bitter end.' But what is
+'the bitter end'? Is it to come when all of us are either banished or in
+our graves? Or does it mean the time when the nation has fought until it
+never can fight again? As to myself, personally, I can still continue
+the struggle. I have horses, my household is well provided for, and as
+far as my own inclination goes I am all for going on. But am I only to
+consider myself? Is it not my first duty to look at the interests of my
+nation? I have always been, and still am, of the opinion that, before
+letting the nation go to rack and ruin, it is our duty to parley. We
+must not let the chance for negotiations slip out of our hands. When our
+numbers have fallen to only four or five thousand men under arms we
+shall no longer have that chance, and this will undoubtedly happen if we
+hold out for another year, or even six months.
+
+"There are some who say, 'We must trust in God and keep on fighting,'
+and I grant them that miracles are possible at all times. But it is
+beyond our power to say whether God will work a miracle for us. We do
+not know what His will may be. If we continue the war, and if it should
+afterwards appear that everything has been in vain, our responsibility
+will be only the heavier, the blinder our confidence now is. And over
+and over again we shall hear, 'He is dead,' 'and he, and he.' Will not
+this make our remorse all the more bitter? Our commandos are so weak,
+our country so exhausted, that the loss of one great battle, the
+surrender of a single strong force, would spell ruin for us.
+
+"'But we have managed to hold out for so long.' Yes, but there is a
+natural reason, a military reason, why this has been the case. The fact
+that our commandos have been spread over so large a tract of country has
+compelled the British, up to the present time, to divide their forces.
+But things have changed now; we have had to abandon district after
+district, and must now operate on a far more limited territory. In other
+words, the British army can at last concentrate its forces upon us.
+
+"I firmly believe that, under like circumstances, no other nation in the
+world would have fought as our nation has done. Shall such a nation
+perish? No! we must save it. If we delegates are convinced that we can
+no longer offer resistance to the enemy, it is our plain duty to tell
+the people so. We must not let them be exterminated for want of timely
+advice. More than twenty thousand women and children have died in the
+camps during this one year.
+
+"There are men of our own kith and kin who are helping to bring us to
+ruin. If we continue the war, it may be that the Afrikanders against us
+will outnumber our own men.
+
+"What is there left to hope for? Are we to retain our independence by
+ceding a part of our territories? Most assuredly yes, if such a
+compromise is feasible. As regards Swaziland, it is of so little
+importance to us that we can give it up without a thought. Then there
+are the goldfields--let them go. They are but a cancerous growth,
+sapping the very life of our country.
+
+"We must face the fact that things are not at a standstill: we are
+slipping back every moment. We must all pull together, or everything is
+lost. If our sacrifices will buy our independence, well and good. But
+suppose that we are compelled to give it up--well, if it even comes to
+this, we must never do so unconditionally. An unconditional surrender
+would be well enough if the leaders only had to be considered. But we
+must think of the interests of the nation. We must say to our people,
+'We have no thought of ourselves: our only desire is to place ourselves
+in the breach, if so we may save you.'"
+
+General Botha then proceeded to discuss eventualities in the event of
+independence being lost. Representative government, he said, might
+perhaps still be retained, and the national language need not
+necessarily be supplanted. Thus the nation would still retain its old
+ideals and its old customs. General Roux had been pertinently asked
+whether it were better to strive for the recuperation of the people now
+or to wait until they were altogether overpowered and reduced to such
+straits that it would require some thirty years before they could once
+more call themselves a nation. He then went into the terms of the
+proposal by the British Government, and repeated that there must be no
+idea of unconditional surrender.
+
+The General concluded in the following words:
+
+"Although we do not _wish_ to accept terms, we have no right to refuse
+them altogether. On the other hand we must not say to the English, 'Do
+with us as you like.' For then our descendants would eternally reproach
+us. We should have lost the privilege of looking after our own wives and
+children. They would be handed over to strangers. No! we must secure by
+some means or other that we ourselves shall be able to provide for them.
+The fate of our country is in the hands of the men in this tent. It has
+been bitter, indeed, for me to have to speak as I have done. But if I
+have not spoken the truth, convince me of my error, and I will be the
+first to own it. But do not condemn me, for I have had no other object
+than to tell you what I believe to be the truth."
+
+General De la Rey spoke.
+
+"I will not detain you long," he began, "but there are a few points to
+which I wish to draw attention. In regard to the districts under my
+command, every one will understand that my burghers, after their recent
+brilliant successes, are firmly resolved not to sacrifice their
+independence. If I allude to the battles which I have just fought it is
+with no thought of boasting, but only that you may picture to yourselves
+the effect which they must have had upon the enemy; and that no one may
+be angry with myself and my burghers for standing firm when our feet are
+on such solid ground.
+
+"But since my arrival at Vereeniging I have heard about our districts
+where matters are in a far less favourable condition than in my own. So
+far as I myself am concerned, I cannot think of laying down my arms. Yet
+it appears to me that some parts of the country will be compelled by
+starvation to give up the struggle. It is well that those who represent
+these parts have spoken openly, and not left this meeting in ignorance
+of the state of affairs only to go and lay down their arms.
+
+"I myself have never thought intervention possible. Even before the war
+broke out I said that nothing would come of it. I saw that South Africa
+was divided between Germany and England. And that if only the Republics
+could be extinguished, then England and Germany would be the only Powers
+left, and Germany would be safe. But if the Republics were victorious,
+then Germany would be in danger. Why then should Germany interfere in
+favour of the Republics, when she has everything to lose by such a
+course of action? No! intervention was entirely out of the question.
+
+"There has been talk about fighting to the bitter end; but has not the
+bitter end already come? Each man must answer that question for himself.
+
+"You must remember that everything has been sacrificed--cattle, goods,
+money, wife, and child. Our men are going about naked, and some of our
+women have nothing but clothes made of skins to wear. Is not this the
+bitter end?
+
+"I believe that the time has now come to negotiate. England will never
+again give us the chance of doing so, should we allow this opportunity
+to slip by. But how shall we negotiate? I must leave it to this meeting
+to answer that question. If we do not obtain what we ask for, we shall
+at least stand or fall together. Yet let us act with reason.
+
+"I cannot agree with one of the opinions expressed by Commandant-General
+Botha and States-Secretary Reitz. They have stated that they are against
+surrendering the goldfields to England; firstly, because England would
+never accept such a proposal, for by doing so she would declare to the
+whole world that she had only been fighting for the goldfields; and,
+secondly, because if we gave up the goldfields we should lose a source
+of revenue, without the aid of which we could not repair the damages
+which the war has wrought."
+
+Commandant-in-Chief de Wet spoke as follows:
+
+"I am of opinion that the circumstances in the Orange Free State are no
+less critical than those in the Transvaal. Nine districts were entirely
+ruined; but these, though at one time abandoned by the burghers, have
+now been reoccupied.
+
+"If I now differ from those who are of opinion that it is useless to
+prolong the war, it must not be thought that I am lacking in respect for
+their judgment. By no means. I know that what has been said about the
+wretched plight of the people is only too true; but they must not take
+it amiss if I point out that the same condition of affairs was described
+in the correspondence from the Transvaal which fell into the hands of
+the English at Reitz. But, granting that the facts have been correctly
+stated, even then the Orange Free State will refuse to give in. Let me
+be candid with you, and say frankly that, in my opinion, this is
+virtually the Transvaal's war. This, however, makes no difference to me.
+For me the barrier of the Vaal River has never existed. I have always
+endeavoured to maintain the Nauwere-Vereeniging,[112] and I feel
+strongly the obligation which the union of the two States casts on each
+one of us. They are two nations, but their cause is one.
+
+"What, then, is the prevailing feeling in the Orange Free State? Of the
+six thousand burghers who have been attending meetings, I myself have
+been in command of five thousand, and I can confidently say that never
+were five thousand men more unanimous in their opinion than were those I
+led when they cried, as with one voice, 'Persevere; we have everything
+to lose, but we have not yet lost it.' What, then, is the answer to be?
+I am firmly persuaded that we have only one course before us. If we are
+unable to obtain what we are asking for, then it only remains for us to
+alleviate as best we may the lot of those who cannot help themselves. I
+do not as yet clearly see how this is going to be done, but, at all
+costs, let us continue fighting. What was our total strength when we
+began this war? Sixty thousand men all told. Against this the English
+had a standing army of seven hundred and fifty thousand troops. Of these
+two hundred and fifty thousand, or one-third, are now in South Africa.
+We know from experience that they are unable to send more than
+one-third. And we? Have we not also one-third of our army left?
+
+"I do not wish to imply that I am not prepared to concede something, but
+nothing will induce me to consent to any part of the country in _our_
+territory being given up. It will never do to have an English colony
+planted in our midst, for England then would have far too firm a hold
+upon our country.
+
+"It is said, and with some truth, that the goldfields have been a curse
+to us, but surely there is no reason why they should continue to be so.
+I fail to see how, without retaining possession of these goldfields, the
+Republics are to be saved. Swaziland perhaps could be ceded, but never
+the goldfields. I feel that any intervention is out of the question; but
+is not the very fact that it has not taken place a sure proof that it
+was not the will of God? Does it not show that He is minded to form us,
+by this war, into a nation worthy of the name? Let us then bow to the
+will of the Almighty.
+
+"My people will perhaps say, 'Our Generals see only the religious side
+of the question.' They will be right. Without faith we should have been
+foolish indeed to have embarked on this war and to continue it for so
+many months. Indeed, it _must_ be a matter of faith, for the future is
+hidden from us. What _has been_ is within our ken, but what is before is
+beyond the knowledge of the wisest man.
+
+"Cape Colony is a great disappointment to me. I do not refer so much to
+what we have learnt about it from the reports as to the fact that no
+general uprising can be expected in that quarter. So much we have heard
+from General Smuts. But though there is to be no uprising, we have no
+reason to think that there has been any falling off in the number of our
+adherents in the Colony. The little contingent there has been of great
+help to us: they have kept fifty thousand troops occupied, with which
+otherwise we should have had to reckon.
+
+"I feel deeply for our women and children; I am giving earnest
+consideration to their miserable plight. But their sufferings are among
+what we may call the necessary circumstances of the war. I have nothing
+to do with the circumstances. For me, this is a war of religion, and
+thus I can only consider the great principles involved. Circumstances
+are to me but as obstacles to be cleared out of the road.
+
+"If we own ourselves defeated--if we surrender to the foe--we can expect
+little mercy from him. We shall at all events have dug the grave of our
+national independence, and, as things are, what difference is there
+between this and digging our own graves?"
+
+Mr. Birkenstock said that the question about the goldfields must be
+carefully considered. This source of income must not be given up.
+
+The meeting was then closed with prayer.
+
+[Footnote 112: Closer Union.]
+
+
+SATURDAY, MAY 17TH, 1902.
+
+The Chairman first called upon Chief Commandant de Wet to offer up
+prayer.
+
+A private report from Mr. J. Schmorderer, who had brought the missive
+from the deputation in Europe, was then read.
+
+The first delegate to speak was Landdrost Bosman (Wakkerstroom), who
+said:
+
+"My opinion is that the best way of ascertaining the probable future
+course of events is to see what has already happened in the past. A year
+ago there were six hundred burghers in my district, and each man had a
+horse; now there are not more than half that number, and many of them
+have to go on foot. Last year we had from three to four thousand bags of
+maize ready to hand; this year there are not more than as many hundred,
+and how to get at them is more than I can tell. If such has been the
+history of the past year, in what sort of condition shall we be at the
+end of the present one?
+
+"The great difficulty with regard to our families is not how to clothe
+them, but how to feed them. I know of a woman who has lived for weeks on
+nothing but fruit. I myself have had to satisfy my hunger with mealies
+for days together, although I have no wish to complain about it. Even
+the scanty food we can get has to be obtained from the Kaffirs by
+persuasion. Moreover, the Kaffirs side with the English, who in their
+counter-marches are clearing all the food out of the country.
+
+"The men in my district told me that if I came back and reported that
+the war was to be continued, they would be obliged--for the sake of
+their wives and children--to go straight to the nearest English camp and
+lay down their arms. As to the women it is true that they are at present
+full of hope and courage, but if they knew how matters stood in the
+veldt, they would think very differently. Even now there are many of
+them who say that the war ought to be put a stop to, if only for their
+sakes.
+
+"The Kaffirs are another great source of trouble; in this problem they
+are a factor which cannot be neglected.
+
+"There is no hope of intervention, nor can we expect anything from the
+English nation. Facts that have come to my knowledge prove to me that
+England has become more and more determined to fight to the bitter end.
+
+"I do not see what we can possibly gain by continuing the war. Our own
+people are helping the English, and every day the enemy are improving
+their position. What advantage can there then be in persisting in the
+struggle? We have now a chance of negotiating, and we should seize that
+chance. For we have the opportunity given us of obtaining some help for
+our ruined compatriots, who would be entirely unable to make a fresh
+start without assistance.
+
+"As to the religious side of this matter, I am not ashamed to say that I
+believe I am serving God in the course which I am taking. We must not
+attempt to obtain the impossible against all reason. If we make any such
+attempt, the results will probably be exactly opposite to what we wish.
+I have the greatest doubt whether it really is in order to give glory to
+God that the nation wishes to retain its independence. On the contrary I
+believe that the motive is obstinacy, a vice to which human nature is
+always prone.
+
+"It has been said that it would be shameful to disregard the blood
+already spilt; but surely one ought also to consider the blood that
+might yet be shed in a useless struggle."
+
+The proposal of the Commission was now read, and after some discussion
+accepted. It ran as follows:
+
+The meeting of national representatives from both Republics--after
+having considered the correspondence exchanged, and the negotiations
+conducted, between the Governments of the two Republics and His
+Excellency Lord Kitchener, on behalf of the British Government; and
+after having heard the reports of the deputies from the different parts
+of both Republics; and after having received the latest reports from the
+representatives of the two Republics in Europe; and having taken into
+consideration the fact that the British Government has refused to accept
+the proposal of our Governments made on the same basis; and
+notwithstanding the above-mentioned refusal of the British
+Government--still wishes to give expression to the ardent desire of the
+two Republics to retain their independence, for which already so much
+material and personal sacrifice has been made, and decides in the name
+of the people of both Republics to empower both Governments as
+follows:--To conclude a peace on the following basis, to wit: the
+retention of a limited independence offering an addition to what has
+already been offered by the two Governments in their negotiations, dated
+the 15th of April, 1902.
+
+(_a_) To give up all foreign relations and embassies.
+
+(_b_) To accept the Protectorate of Great Britain.
+
+(_c_) To surrender parts of the territory of the South African Republic.
+
+(_d_) To conclude a defensive alliance with Great Britain in regard to
+South Africa.
+
+During the discussion it was clearly explained that the territory which
+it was suggested should be ceded was the already mentioned goldfields
+and Swaziland. The question was put whether the South African Republics
+would have to pay for the damage done during the war. "By all means let
+us pay," said Mr. De Clercq. "If I could only buy back the independence
+of the Orange Free State, I would gladly give all I possess."
+
+Several other Transvaal delegates expressed themselves in the same
+sense, and said that they fully appreciated the sacrifices which the
+Orange Free State had made. General Froneman thanked them in the name of
+the Free State.
+
+He felt that the two Republics no longer thought of themselves as having
+conflicting interests. In the fire of this war they had been firmly
+welded together.
+
+Commandant Ross (Vrede) thought it wrong even to discuss the possibility
+of giving up independence. The delegates had received a definite
+mandate. They had been commissioned to see that the national
+independence had remained untouched, whatever else might have to be
+given up. This being the case, they might come to decisions on all other
+points, so long as they remembered that independence was not an open
+question.
+
+Commandant J. Van Niekerk (Ficksburg) spoke to the same purpose. He
+could not even think of sacrificing independence.
+
+After some other delegates had made a few short remarks, General Brand,
+seconded by Commandant A.J. De Kock, proposed the following resolution,
+which was accepted by the meeting:
+
+     "This meeting of the national representatives of the two Republics
+     hereby charge the Governments to nominate a Commission for the
+     purpose of entering upon negotiations with His Excellency Lord
+     Kitchener, acting on behalf of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
+     The Commission is to endeavour to make peace on satisfactory terms,
+     and is then to lay the result of its negotiations before this
+     meeting, for the sanction of the two Governments."
+
+The meeting was then closed with prayer.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix B
+
+THE CONFERENCE AT PRETORIA BETWEEN THE COMMISSION OF THE NATIONAL
+REPRESENTATIVES AND LORDS KITCHENER AND MILNER (MAY 19TH-MAY 28TH,
+1902)
+
+
+Minutes of the Conference held at Pretoria on May 19th, 1902, between
+Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, representatives of the British
+Government, and Commandant-General L. Botha, Commander-in-Chief C.R. de
+Wet, General J.H. De la Rey, Judge J.B.M. Hertzog, and General J.C.
+Smuts, delegates of the national representatives, who had met at
+Vereeniging on May 15th, 1902.
+
+Mr. N.J. de Wet acted as interpreter; Mr. O. Walrond was secretary for
+the English Government; and the Rev. J.D. Kestell and D. Van Velden
+acted in a similar capacity for the Commission.
+
+The Conference met at ten o'clock in the morning at the house of Lord
+Kitchener. After having greeted each other, the members took their seats
+at the table in the centre of the room.
+
+Commandant-General L. Botha opened the proceedings in the following
+words:
+
+"Allow me to state that, although the negotiations have taken a longer
+time than we expected, I am able to assure your Excellencies that we are
+acting in good faith, and that everything has been done with the sole
+aim of concluding the peace which we all desire.
+
+"I must also draw attention to the fact that everything we transact here
+must be submitted to our national representatives, in order to obtain
+their sanction."
+
+The suggestion was then made that the proposals which the Commission was
+prepared to make should be laid before the Conference, whereupon the
+following letter was read to the meeting:
+
+     PRETORIA, _19th May, 1902_.
+
+     _To their Excellencies, Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, Pretoria._
+
+     YOUR EXCELLENCIES,--
+
+     With a view to finally concluding the existing hostilities, and
+     being fully empowered by the Government of the two Republics, we
+     have the honour to propose the following points--in addition to the
+     conditions already offered in the negotiations of April last--as a
+     basis for negotiations:
+
+     (_a_) We are prepared to cede our independence as regards our
+     foreign relations.
+
+     (_b_) We wish to retain self-government in our country, under
+     British supervision.
+
+     (_c_) We are prepared to cede a part of our territory.
+
+     Should your Excellencies be prepared to negotiate on this basis,
+     then the above-mentioned points can be elaborated.
+
+     We have the honour to be,
+     Your Excellencies' most obedient servants,
+     LOUIS BOTHA.
+     C.R. DE WET.
+     J.H. DE LA REY.
+     J.B.M. HERTZOG.
+     J.C. SMUTS.
+
+When this letter had been read, a discussion followed.
+
+Lord Milner: "Considering the wide difference between this proposal and
+that made by His Majesty's Government, when we last met, I fear that I
+can hold out very little hope of any good results following negotiations
+on the basis you have suggested."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "We can take those proposals into consideration, but I
+cannot see how it is possible to bring them into harmony with those of
+His Majesty's Government."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "If this is the position you take, we should
+like to receive from you a final answer to our proposals."
+
+Lord Milner: "Do you wish us to refer your proposals to His Majesty's
+Government?"
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Yes, unless you have full powers to give us a
+final reply."
+
+Lord Milner: "I am quite convinced that your proposal will be rejected;
+and I feel bound to say that to refer it, as it stands, to His Majesty's
+Government will only do you harm."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "If you have no power to decide upon this
+proposal here, we should like you to refer it to His Majesty's
+Government."
+
+Lord Milner: "I have no objection to taking the responsibility of
+refusing your proposal on myself. The instructions received by myself
+and Lord Kitchener are quite clear on this point."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I must then understand that when Lord
+Salisbury said that this war was not carried on with a view to annex
+territory, he did not mean it."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "It is no longer a question of territory, for annexation
+is an accomplished fact."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I am unable to see how our proposal is
+inconsistent with annexation."
+
+Lord Milner: "I cannot now recall the exact words used by Lord
+Salisbury, but it is true that Lord Salisbury declared that his
+Government did not begin the war with the intention of obtaining
+territory. But in the course of the war circumstances developed in such
+a way that the decision to annex the Republics became a necessity, and
+the British Government have pronounced their firm intention not to
+withdraw from this decision."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I should like to be informed as to what the great
+difference is between the basis now proposed by us and that laid down by
+His Majesty's Government during the negotiations of last year--I do not
+mean the difference in details, but in principle."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Do you mean by your proposal that the Boers will become
+British citizens?"
+
+General Smuts: "I cannot see that our proposal is necessarily in
+contradiction to that of last year. Our proposal only makes provision
+concerning the administration."
+
+Lord Milner then quoted from the terms offered at Middelburg by the
+British Government the previous year:--
+
+"At the earliest possible date military administration shall cease, and
+be replaced by civil administration in the form of a Crown Colony
+Government. At first there will be in each of the new Colonies a
+Governor, an Executive Council consisting of the highest officials, and
+a Legislative Council, which latter shall consist of a certain number of
+official members and also of a nominated non-official element. But it is
+the wish of His Majesty's Government to introduce a representative
+element as soon as circumstances permit, and, in course of time, to
+grant to the new colonies the right of self-government.
+
+"It may be that I do not properly understand your proposal, but it seems
+to me to differ not only in detail, but also in spirit from the scheme I
+have just read to you."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I entirely agree with you that there is a difference in
+idea between the two proposals; but only such a difference in idea as
+might well be found between Colonies of the same State. In other words,
+one constitution is adapted for one colony, whilst another constitution
+is found fitting for another colony, but yet they all belong to the same
+Empire."
+
+Lord Milner: "Exactly. There are different constitutions in different
+Colonies; but it seems to me that the _policy_ laid down in your
+proposal differs from that laid down by His Majesty's Government."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I think that I am expressing the opinion of the whole
+Commission when I say that we wish for peace. I draw attention to this
+to show the way in which, according to my opinion, we should consider
+the matter. For if we on both sides are really desirous of coming to a
+settlement, we should not make too much of theoretical difficulties, so
+long as the practical aim has been obtained. For instance, the different
+Colonies which now are joined to form the United States once possessed
+constitutions differing much from one another. Now the constitution laid
+down in our proposal does not differ so much from that laid down in
+yours that a practical difference should arise therefrom; and such a
+practical difference would arise if you insisted upon carrying on
+negotiations on your own basis. I imagine that England has a certain
+object before her in South Africa, and I believe that that object can be
+as well obtained by our proposal as by that of Middelburg. I therefore
+ask, Is the difference so great that, in order for England to obtain her
+object, an entirely new status must be called into existence?"
+
+Lord Milner: "We are comparing two different things. Here in the
+Middelburg scheme there are a number of definite proposals, which enter
+upon a great mass of particulars. I do not mean to imply that _we_ have
+not the power to go into particulars. I perfectly understand that it
+lies within the power of Lord Kitchener and myself to carry on further
+deliberations with you about details, so as to throw light on any
+doubtful points, and, perhaps, to make such changes as would not
+fundamentally affect the scheme. As you say that your proposals are not
+in contradiction with those formulated at Middelburg, then there is no
+reason why you should not lay aside your proposals and discuss the
+Middelburg proposals, which are definite."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I quite admit that you, Lord Milner, are entitled to say
+that there is a fundamental difference between our proposals. But it is
+another question whether the difficulty that thus arises is of such a
+nature that we--those of us who on both sides are anxious to conclude
+peace--should not be able to find a solution to it satisfactory to both
+parties. I cannot answer that question; nor can I see why the same
+result would not be reached by negotiating on the basis proposed by us
+as by carrying on negotiations on the Middelburg proposal."
+
+Lord Milner: "I understand, then, that you acknowledge that there is a
+fundamental difference between the two bases. Well, I do not think that
+we are empowered to negotiate on a basis differing from that laid down
+in the last report of His Majesty's Government, and also differing from
+the tenor of the Middelburg proposal. I may say that I believe that His
+Majesty's Government in their latest message went as far as it was
+possible for them to go with the object of meeting you. The whole spirit
+of the telegram was to that effect."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I hope you will understand that I do not
+speak as a lawyer. (Lord Kitchener, laughing: "That's the case with me
+too!") I fully concur with what General Botha and Judge Hertzog have
+said in regard to our eagerness to establish peace. In order to be
+brief, I will only remark that I did not understand His Excellency, Lord
+Milner, to mean--any more than I myself meant--that we should go to the
+nation with the Middelburg proposal, with the idea of coming back with
+it unaltered."
+
+Lord Milner: "No; if I gave that impression, I did not intend to do so.
+But I believe that when you went to your people with the last message
+from His Majesty's Government it was with the knowledge--which the
+message itself made clear--that His Majesty's Government was not
+prepared to take into consideration any terms which differed widely from
+the policy laid down in the Middelburg proposal."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "That was indeed what I understood; and
+accordingly we have now come with a proposal which does not differ very
+much from the Middelburg proposal."
+
+General Smuts: "I thought that the vital principle your Government had
+in view was the destruction of our independence, and in our proposal the
+independence of the two Republics with regard to foreign relations is
+given up. I was therefore of opinion that the two parties might come to
+an arrangement on this basis. I did not think that for the restoration
+of peace the Middelburg terms were essential."
+
+Lord Milner: "Not in the details, but in the general ideas. As the
+British Government has laid down a basis, and you have had weeks in
+which to consider the matter, it would never do for you now to put it on
+one side. Lord Kitchener has given your nation considerable time in
+which to take counsel; and now you come back, and, ignoring the
+Middelburg terms, you propose entirely different ones of your own, and
+say, let us negotiate on these. I do not believe that I and Lord
+Kitchener would be justified in doing this. But in case he is of another
+opinion, the British Government can be asked if they are prepared to set
+on one side all the former deliberations and begin again on a new
+basis."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "We cannot, of course, prevent Lord Kitchener
+from asking his Government any questions he pleases, but, at the same
+time, we request that you will cable our behests to the English
+Government."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I cannot see that we are beginning again on a
+new basis, for, in consequence of the negotiations in April last, you
+were ordered by the British Government to encourage us to make fresh
+proposals. Our present proposal is the direct result of that order."
+
+Lord Milner: "I did my best to get fresh proposals from you, but you
+would not make any. You forced the British Government into making
+proposals."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I am of opinion that we must both work
+together in this matter of formulating proposals."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "You were asked to make proposals, but you did not do
+so; and now, after the British Government has made a proposal, you
+yourselves come forward with one of your own."
+
+General De la Rey: "I think that it was the encouragement given us by
+correspondence between the Netherlands and the British Government that
+caused us to make our proposals."
+
+Lord Milner: "That correspondence was at the beginning of the
+negotiations."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "If we had been obliged to make a new
+proposal in April, we would not have been able to make one so fair, and
+so much to the advantage of the British Government, as our present one,
+for, not having consulted the nation, we would have been compelled to
+insist on entire independence."
+
+Lord Milner: "I must remind you of what has taken place; not with the
+object of putting you in the wrong, but in order to make the position
+clear, for there are some points about it which are not very clear. You
+came and made a proposal. The British Government gave you a distinct
+answer--they refused to accept it. Their answer was perfectly outspoken,
+and perfectly intelligible. At the same time they said, 'We are anxious
+for peace; will you make other proposals?' You then said, 'No! we have
+no power to do so; we must first consult the nation.' We admitted that
+argument. Then you said, 'Let the British Government make proposals.'
+The British Government did so, and they are fully entitled to an answer.
+In what position do you think you are placing Lord Kitchener and myself?
+You come back with a totally fresh proposal, and do not say anything
+about ours. This is not fair treatment to the British Government, and we
+are not bound to take your proposal into consideration."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I have endeavoured to show that our reply really cannot
+be taken as ignoring the proposal of the British Government. The great
+question in the correspondence in April between us and the British
+Government was the question of independence; and now, after having
+consulted the nation, we come here and say that we are prepared to
+sacrifice in some degree our independence, and we indicate how far we
+will give it up. And, as General Smuts has said, that is the basis which
+we have laid down in our present proposal."
+
+Lord Milner: "You say that you give up your independence as regards
+foreign relations."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "Yes. But then you must understand that this is only a
+general principle, which we treat in detail later on."
+
+General Smuts: "The independence is given up both in regard to our
+foreign relations and in regard to interior administration, which will
+be placed under the supervision of the British Government. So that the
+effect of these two articles is, that the independence is sacrificed,
+and that the two Republics will not in the future be able to be regarded
+as Sovereign States."
+
+Lord Milner: "I understand perfectly well that they would not be
+Sovereign States any longer, but my intellect is not bright enough for
+me to be able to say what they really would be."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "They would be a new kind of 'international animal.'"
+
+General Smuts: "It has more than once happened in the course of history
+that difficulties have been solved by compromise. And this draft
+proposal goes as near as seems possible towards making us a Colony."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Do you accept the annexation?"
+
+General Smuts: "Not formally; but I do not see in what way this proposal
+is in opposition to the annexation proclamation."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I am afraid I am not clever enough to comprehend this.
+There would be two Governments in one State. And how do you imagine that
+this arrangement could be carried on?"
+
+General Smuts: "A more ample explanation will have to be given of the
+word 'supervision'; and I thought that this was just one of the points
+on which we could carry on further discussions and negotiations."
+
+Lord Milner: "I am certainly not going to give up an explicit basis for
+a vague proposal."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I feel convinced that your proposal would never be able
+to be carried out in the practical governing of a country."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I agree that our proposal has not been fully
+worked out, but neither have the Middelburg proposals. This was clearly
+indicated by Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner when these proposals were
+made, and they were only looked upon as a basis on which we could
+negotiate, so that the business might be begun. We naturally cannot
+compel the British Government to accept our proposal; but, at all
+events, it is a basis."
+
+Lord Milner: "I am very anxious that these discussions should not end in
+smoke, and I shall not allow any formalities to stand in the way, but to
+abandon the definite proposals of Middelburg (March 7th) for a thing
+like this, and to begin a fresh discussion on the basis of something
+which is so very vague will surely land us in trouble. I believe we are
+quite entitled to keep you to the Middelburg proposal, which we might
+modify in regard to details."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Perhaps it would be well if you would first
+give an answer to our proposals."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I think that (unless your Excellencies have
+power to give a final answer to our terms) it would not be unfair if we
+were to ask you to lay our proposal before your Government."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "We are come here with the earnest intention
+of concluding peace; and I think that if our proposal is carried out
+Boer and Briton will be able to live side by side in this country. I
+presume that it is the wish of both parties to be fair and just, and to
+make a peace by which both can abide, and which will be permanent in
+South Africa."
+
+Lord Milner: "That is certainly our aim."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Your proposal would involve important changes in our
+own--changes which, so far as I understand them, we should be unable to
+permit."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I am of opinion that before a proposal is
+made from your side you should give a definite answer to ours."
+
+Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner: "Well, then, change your proposal into
+ours."
+
+Lord Milner: "I do not believe that the British Government is prepared
+to go any further to meet you than they have done in their last
+proposal. They think that they have already gone far in their efforts
+for peace--further, indeed, than the general opinion of the British
+public would warrant."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "The difference between our proposals seems to be too
+great."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "We shall always remain under the supervision
+of the British Government."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Will you then consider yourselves British subjects?
+'Supervision' is a new word, and 'suzerainty' has already caused us too
+much trouble."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "The idea is not so very new. There are several kinds of
+different States, all belonging to the British Empire. For instance,
+there is Basutoland."
+
+Lord Milner: "There are many different kinds, but this one is a new
+variety."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "If your Excellencies could only understand us! We have
+no wish to lose a single minute. We have been to the nation, and we know
+what the nation wants and what their temper is. If, then, we are to make
+a proposal here, it must be:--Firstly, a proposal which shall meet the
+English Government in a fair way; and, secondly, a proposal which we are
+honestly convinced will be acceptable to our nation. And such a proposal
+we have laid before you. And now we are placed in a disadvantageous
+position, for we are here before your Excellencies, who have not full
+power finally to decide the matter."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "We are in the same position as yourselves."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "We offer you here what we know is in accordance with the
+mind of the nation; we cannot possibly do anything that is against it."
+
+Lord Milner: "Are we to understand that the Middelburg proposals are not
+according to the mind of your people?"
+
+General Smuts: "As yet no answer has been given to them. The only
+decision come to by the national meeting is that which we are now laying
+before you."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Are you prepared to set aside your present proposal and
+to hand in another one bearing a closer resemblance to that of
+Middelburg? We must try and find some middle course; and as we are here
+to endeavour to arrive at something definite, let us try to obtain a
+basis for discussion. Shall we make a new proposal?"
+
+General Smuts: "As soon as there is a final answer to our proposal we
+shall be able to take a fresh one into consideration."
+
+Lord Milner: "I believe that the fact that you have refused to enter
+upon the proposal made by the British Government justifies us in not
+considering your proposal. Let us rather say that your very refusal
+implies your answer to what we have proposed."
+
+General Smuts: "I understand the position to be as follows--The British
+Government has declined our proposals, and at the same time holds fast
+to the old basis, but without prejudice to its power of making a new
+proposal."
+
+Lord Milner: "The whole difference between you and myself is that I take
+the letter of 7th March to be the utmost concession that the British
+Government is able to grant; not that that letter binds us down to every
+clause of the proposal, but that it is an indication of how far our
+Government is prepared to go on the general question. Your answer,
+however, is no answer at all."
+
+Lord Kitchener then read his telegram, dated 14th April. ["A difficulty
+has arisen in getting on with the proceedings; the representatives state
+that constitutionally they have no power to discuss terms based on the
+surrender of independence, inasmuch as only the burghers can agree to
+such a basis. Therefore, if they were to propose terms, it would put
+them in a false position with regard to the people. If, however, His
+Majesty's Government could state the terms which, subsequently to a
+relinquishment of independence, they would be prepared to grant, the
+representatives, after asking for the necessary explanations, and
+without any expression of approval or disapproval, would submit such
+conditions to their people."] "Clearly you have not kept to what you
+undertook in this telegram."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "If it had only been a question of our
+feelings being hurt by having to give an answer on the basis proposed to
+us by the British then it would not have been necessary for the people
+to come together at Vereeniging. But in matter of fact we have come here
+with a proposal, which, rightly understood, is nearly equivocal to the
+Middelburg proposal, and which meets the wishes of the English
+Government as far as possible."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I do not see why we should insist so much on
+our proposal. If it is not to the mind of your Excellencies, if it is an
+unacceptable proposal, then let us have a definite answer to it."
+
+Lord Milner: "We wish to have an answer to the proposal made by us."
+
+General Smuts: "I do not see that any proposal has been made by the
+British Government. A certain basis only has been laid down, and
+therefore no formal answer is required."
+
+Lord Milner: "Our proposal is six times as definite as yours, and I
+believe that the British Government is justified in wanting to know if
+your people are inclined to come to terms on the general lines which
+have been placed before them."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Here is quite an original suggestion: How would it be
+if you were to go back to your people and ask them if they would not
+make a proposal?"
+
+General Smuts: "You must understand that the Middelburg proposal, with
+all that took place in April, has been read to the people. Their answer
+was neither 'Yes' nor 'No.' They simply elected the delegates. The
+delegates as yet have not given any answer. They are still considering
+the matter, and, in order to gain time, they have commissioned us to see
+whether we could not come to some arrangement."
+
+Lord Milner: "We are getting away from the subject. Tell us what
+alterations you want, and then place our proposal before your people."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Should you agree that your proposal is not in
+opposition to the annexation, we shall have accomplished something."
+
+General Smuts: "Is it your opinion that our proposal must be set aside?"
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Yes, surely. It is impossible for us to act on it."
+
+Lord Milner: "It is impossible for us to take your proposal into
+consideration. We can send it to England, but this would certainly tend
+to hinder the negotiations. This is my personal opinion, which naturally
+you are not bound to accept. All that we can say is, that this is the
+only answer that we can give you."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "It would be better to draw up a new document, in which
+everything of importance would be noted down, and all unimportant
+matters left out."
+
+General Smuts: "But paragraph 3 of our proposal has not even been
+mentioned. We are prepared to cede a part of our territory."
+
+Lord Milner: "This would be in contradiction to the annexation of the
+whole. If the _whole_ becomes annexed by us, how then can a _part_ be
+ceded by you?"
+
+General Smuts: "The ceded part would then become a Crown Colony, the
+remaining part being governed as is here proposed."
+
+Lord Milner: "You mean that one part would become a British Colony of
+the ordinary type, and another part a protected Republic?"
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Two forms of government in the same country would lead
+to great friction. Our proposals are too divergent. From a military
+point of view, the two forms of government could not co-exist. Before a
+year was over we should be at war again."
+
+The meeting was then adjourned till the afternoon.
+
+During the interval the Commission discussed the situation, and sent
+General J.C. Smuts to deliberate on several points with Lord Kitchener
+and Lord Milner.
+
+The meeting opened again at four o'clock.
+
+Lord Milner: "In consequence of an informal conversation with General
+Smuts, Lord Kitchener and I have drawn up a document, which will show
+the form in which, as we think, the only agreement that can be arrived
+at must be worded. It is a draft document, and we believe the
+Governments will be able to sign it. Our idea is that after it has been
+taken into consideration here it might be laid before the burghers, and
+you could ask them, 'Are you willing that we should put our signatures
+to it?'"
+
+This document ran as follows:--"The undersigned, leaders of the Boer
+forces in the Veldt, accepting, in their own name, and in that of the
+said burghers, the annexations as mentioned in the proclamations of Lord
+Roberts, dated respectively the 24th May, in the year of our Lord
+nineteen hundred, and number 15, dated 1st day of September, in the year
+of our Lord nineteen hundred, and accepting as a consequence thereof
+their status of British citizens, agree herewith immediately to lay down
+their weapons, and to hand over all guns, small arms, ammunition, and
+stores in their possession, or under their hold, and to cease all
+further resistance against the Government of His Majesty King Edward
+Seventh, or his successors. They do this trusting in the assurance of
+His Majesty's Government that neither their personal freedom nor their
+property shall be taken away from them, or from the burghers who
+surrender with them; and that the future action of His Majesty's
+Government in relation to the consequences of the war shall be in
+harmony with the declaration mentioned below. It is clearly understood
+that all burghers who at present are prisoners of war, in order to be
+able to enjoy the above-mentioned assurance, will have to notify their
+acceptance of the status of British citizens."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Are we to understand that our proposal is now
+altogether rejected?"
+
+Lord Milner and Lord Kitchener: "Yes."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Then I understand that you are going to be
+guided only by the Middelburg proposals?"
+
+Lord Kitchener: "No; we can alter them."
+
+Lord Milner: "This draft document was originally written out in order to
+be annexed to the Middelburg proposals. But instead of the Middelburg
+proposals, this document is now drawn up, in order to place us in the
+position to formulate the proposals differently."
+
+General Smuts: "If the idea is then that the Middelburg proposals should
+be amended, would it not be best to do so now, and then to annex them to
+this document?"
+
+Lord Milner: "That which will take the place of the Middelburg proposals
+has to be added as a schedule to this document, and we have to work out
+this schedule together."
+
+General Smuts: "I think it would be far better if you were to alter the
+proposal yourselves, and then lay it before us for consideration; we
+could then see what we could do to meet you."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I think that a sub-committee should be formed by you in
+order to draw up the schedule."
+
+Lord Milner: "My idea is that the schedule should be drawn up, so that
+it and the document could be taken into consideration together."
+
+General Smuts: "We should like to consider first whether we will help in
+drawing it up."
+
+Lord Milner: "I am willing to draw it up in conjunction with you, or to
+let it be drawn up by you alone, but, from past experience, I must
+decline to draw it up by myself."
+
+General Smuts: "If we were to sign this document, would not the outcome
+be that we leaders made ourselves responsible for the laying down of
+arms by our burghers."
+
+Lord Milner: "Yes. And should your men not lay down their arms it would
+be a great misfortune."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I do not think so, for if some of the burghers refused
+to lay down their arms, the signatories could not help it. There are
+sure to be some who are dissatisfied."
+
+General Smuts: "The document does not mention this."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "It can be amended."
+
+General De la Rey: "Well, then, there can be no peace, for one part of
+the burghers will hold back and continue the war."
+
+Lord Milner: "If the national meeting agrees to give you power to sign
+this document, it will certainly mean that the burghers as a whole are
+agreeable; and those who after this do not submit will be--well, I do
+not know what I can call them--outlaws. But we will not consider such
+an eventuality possible."
+
+General Botha: "We desire a peace that will be honourable to both
+parties. And, as I understand this document, we are leaving honour
+behind us, for we are now not only surrendering our independence, but we
+are allowing every burgher to be fettered hand and foot. Where is the
+'honourable peace' for us? If we conclude peace, we have to do it as men
+who have to live and die here. We must not agree to a peace which leaves
+behind in the hearts of one party a wound that will never heal. I will
+do everything in my power to obtain peace. But it seems to me that this
+document asks too much of us, because, if I interpret it aright, it
+means that we must surrender our independence, that every one must give
+up his weapons, and that the leaders, in addition, must sign an
+undertaking to this effect."
+
+Lord Milner: "All that we wish is that the people should live peacefully
+together as British citizens. If we do not obtain this, then I do not
+know what we do obtain."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I do not think that the Commandant-General realizes
+what the schedule contains. In it we state what we are ready to grant.
+Perhaps it would be best that the schedule should be arranged now, and
+then you will see that an honourable peace is proposed."
+
+General Botha: "Well, then, explain the document."
+
+Lords Kitchener and Milner: "You are to help us: we do not know what the
+burghers demand."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "By signing this document we shall place
+ourselves in the position which the Commandant-General has so clearly
+described."
+
+General De la Rey: "We cannot form a judgment on anything that is not
+properly elaborated. I have no objection to the constitution of a
+sub-committee with the duty of helping in the work."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I also have no objection, since I understand
+that it binds nobody to anything."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "No, nobody will be bound."
+
+General De la Rey: "We wish to have the matter concluded, so that we may
+know what is before us."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I should like to have it clearly understood
+that I do not think there is the least chance of a Government of which
+Lords Kitchener and Milner are the heads being accepted. An arrangement
+of this nature would, it seems to me, be an insurmountable difficulty.
+When I feel so strongly in this matter, it would not be fair to their
+Excellencies for me to remain silent."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I think it would be better if General de Wet were to
+wait until he has seen the whole document before he gives his opinion."
+
+It was then agreed that Judge Hertzog and General Smuts should act as a
+sub-committee, in order to draw up a complete draft with Lord Kitchener,
+who was to be assisted by Sir Richard Solomon.
+
+The meeting then adjourned.
+
+On Wednesday, 21st May, 1902, the Conference reassembled.
+
+Lord Milner laid before the meeting the documents which he had drawn up
+with the help of the sub-committee. It was in the form of a contract,
+and the names of the members of both Governments were now filled in. The
+document was the same as that telegraphed, with the exception of Article
+11, dealing with the notes and receipts and the sum of three million
+pounds.
+
+It was read in Dutch and English, and ran as follows:--
+
+"General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Commander-in-Chief, and His
+Excellency Lord Milner, High Commissioner, on behalf of the British
+Government;
+
+"Messrs. S.D. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Louis Botha, J.H. De la Rey, L.J.
+Meijer, and J.C. Krogh, on behalf of the Government of the South African
+Republic and its burghers;
+
+"Messrs. M.T. Steyn, W.J.C. Brebner, C.R. de Wet, J.B.M. Hertzog, and
+C.H. Olivier, on behalf of the Government of the Orange Free State and
+its burghers, being anxious to put an end to the existing hostilities,
+agree on the following points:--
+
+"Firstly, the burgher forces now in the Veldt shall at once lay down
+their arms, and surrender all the guns, small arms and war stores in
+their actual possession, or of which they have cognizance; and shall
+refrain from any further opposition to the authority of His Majesty King
+Edward VII., whom they acknowledge as their lawful sovereign.
+
+"The manner and details of this surrender shall be arranged by Lord
+Kitchener, Commandant-General Botha, Assistant-Commandant-General J.H.
+De la Rey, and Commander-in-Chief de Wet.
+
+"Secondly, burghers in the Veldt beyond the frontiers of the Transvaal
+and of the Orange River Colony shall, on their surrender, be brought
+back to their homes.
+
+"Thirdly, all prisoners of war, being at the time burghers out of South
+Africa, shall, on their declaring that they accept this status of
+subjects of His Majesty King Edward VII., be brought back to the farms
+on which they were living before the war.
+
+"Fourthly, the burghers who thus surrender, or who thus return, shall
+lose neither their personal freedom nor their property.
+
+"Fifthly, no judicial proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be taken
+against any of the burghers who thus return for any action of theirs in
+connexion with the carrying on of the war.
+
+"Sixthly, the Dutch language shall be taught in the public schools of
+the Transvaal and of the Orange River Colony, where the parents of the
+children demand it; and shall be admitted in the courts of justice,
+wherever this is required for the better and more effective
+administration of justice.
+
+"Seventhly, the possession of rifles shall, on taking out a license in
+accordance with the law, be permitted in the Transvaal and in the Orange
+River Colony, to persons who require them for their protection.
+
+"Eighthly, military administration in the Transvaal and in the Orange
+River Colony shall, as soon as possible, be followed by civil
+government; and, as soon as circumstances permit it, a representative
+system tending towards autonomy shall be introduced.
+
+"Ninthly, the question of granting the franchise to the natives shall
+not be decided until a representative constitution has been granted.
+
+"Tenthly, no special tax shall be laid on landed property in the
+Transvaal and Orange River Colony to meet the expenses of the war.
+
+"Eleventhly, a judicial Commission shall be appointed, to which the
+government bank notes, issued under Law No. 1 of the South African
+Republic, may be presented within six months. All such notes, if found
+to have been duly issued in conformity with the terms of the law, and if
+the presenting party shall have given consideration in value, shall be
+honoured, but without interest.
+
+"All receipts issued in the Veldt by the officers of the late Republics,
+or by their orders, may also be presented to the said Commission within
+six months; and if they have been given _bona fide_ in exchange for
+goods used by the burghers in the Veldt, they shall be paid in full to
+the persons to whom they were originally issued.
+
+"The amount payable on account of the said Government's notes and
+receipts shall not exceed L3,000,000; and in case the whole amount of
+such notes and receipts accepted by the Commission should exceed that
+amount, a _pro rata_ reduction shall be made.
+
+"The prisoners of war shall be given facilities to present their notes
+and receipts within the above-mentioned six months.
+
+"Twelfthly, as soon as circumstances shall permit, there shall be
+appointed in each district of the Transvaal and of the Orange River
+Colony a Commission, in which the inhabitants of that district shall be
+represented, under the chairmanship of a magistrate or other official,
+with a view to assist in the bringing back of the people to their farms,
+and in procuring for those who, on account of losses through the war,
+are unable to provide for themselves, food, shelter, and such quantities
+of seed, cattle, implements, etc., as are necessary for the resuming of
+their previous callings. Funds for this purpose, repayable by
+instalments extending over a number of years, shall be advanced--free of
+interest--by the Government."
+
+Lord Milner: "If we come to an agreement, it will be the _English_
+document which will be wired to England, on which His Majesty's
+Government will decide, and which will be signed."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Will not a Dutch translation be annexed?"
+
+Lord Milner: "I have no objection to the addition of a Dutch
+translation. This, then, is the document which we are prepared to lay
+before the English Government."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "There are a few points on which I wish to
+speak. The first is in reference to the receipts given by our officers.
+It seems to me quite right that they should be mentioned in the
+paragraph about government notes. These receipts were issued, in
+accordance with instructions given by our Government, for the purchase
+of cattle, grain, and other necessaries for the support of our
+commandos; and the chief officers now present, as well as all other
+officers, have acted according to these instructions and issued
+receipts. Therefore I make this request. Some of these receipts were
+afterwards paid in part, and others in full, in government notes. But
+many were not paid at all. I do not believe that the amount is great,
+but it will strengthen our hands to be able to take up this affair
+honourably, for our honour is concerned in so far as we have signed the
+receipts. It will be a great point in our favour to be able to go before
+our delegates and tell them that they are guaranteed on this point, for
+most of them are officers."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I understand that General Botha refers not to
+commandeer or requisition notes, but only to actual receipts issued on
+the Treasury."
+
+Lord Milner: "I do not see any difference between these receipts and
+commandeer notes. The willingness of persons to sell goods makes no
+difference in a legal document."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I mean that it makes a difference whether it is an
+order on the Treasury or a requisition note. I should limit this
+(guarantee) to receipts on the Treasury, issued in consequence of a law
+that permitted a certain sum to be issued."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "No decision was come to in the Free State as
+to how much was to be issued."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Am I to understand by this that it is an unlimited
+amount, or does it come within the amount decided on by the Volksraad?"
+
+General Smuts: "While the Government existed the Volksraad empowered it
+to issue notes up to a certain amount. And this was done. Moreover the
+officers in the Veldt had the right to make purchases for the commandos
+and to give receipts for them."
+
+Lord Milner: "I can see no difference between receipts and requisition
+notes, and they have been issued for an unlimited amount."
+
+General Smuts: "These receipts were issued under a totally different
+law. They were not paid out of the credit voted by the Volksraad."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I would have it clearly understood that I
+quite agree with what has been said by the Commandant-General, namely
+that the honour of every officer is engaged for these documents, and if
+your Excellencies agree it will give us a strong weapon with which to
+return to the delegates."
+
+Lord Milner: "The proposal is _de facto_ that the British Government
+shall repay all the monies which the Republics borrowed with the object
+of fighting against England."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "Yet we have fought honourably, and if we
+give up our independence it is no more than fair that you should meet us
+in this matter."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Am I to understand your position to be that
+we must surrender everything, and that whilst you take away the freedom
+of our country (which amounts to many millions) you at the same time
+refuse all responsibility for our debts. We had been recognized by you
+as belligerent, and so are entirely in our rights in asking that when
+you seize the riches of the country you shall also take its debts upon
+your shoulders. So long as the British Government reaches the great goal
+at which it is aiming, a matter so easily arranged as this should not
+cause any difficulty: we are not bickering about trifles, but are
+bringing forward what to us is a real hardship, and you must take it for
+granted that when we say something here we really mean it. And now we
+tell you that this matter is an obstacle in our way. Personally, we
+have not signed many receipts: it was the officers of lower rank who
+signed the greater number, and it is these very officers who form the
+majority of the national meeting at Vereeniging. In some instances, I
+may add, special persons were appointed for the purpose of carrying out
+this work."
+
+Lord Milner: "We do not take over the assets without taking also the
+liabilities. We take over all the debts owed by the country before the
+war, and we have even agreed to take over a debt--a legal debt--in the
+shape of notes, which notes we are fully aware it only became necessary
+to issue on account of the war, and thus we are already paying a part of
+the cost incurred in fighting us. I think this is a very great
+concession; and when I agreed that it should be put down I said that I
+believed (and I still am of the same opinion) that the English
+Government would take exception to it, although I hope that this will
+not be the case. But to go further than this, and to ask us to pay not
+only a debt contracted under a law for the furtherance of the war, but
+also every debt contracted by every officer in the armies of both
+Republics, for the purpose of fighting us, is to my mind a most
+extravagant proposal. In answer to what General Botha has said, I may
+observe that the Commission appears to think that we have no persons
+behind us whose feelings and prejudices (if you use that word) we are
+bound to take into consideration. If this matter causes a difficulty
+among your burghers, I can only say that I am sure that your proposal
+will cause the British Government the greatest trouble when dealing with
+the nation, with whose feelings they have to reckon."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I should like to explain the position of the
+Orange Free State. In the Transvaal a law was passed empowering the
+Government to issue L1,000,000; but in the Orange Free State nothing was
+done, as the Government possessed the right to pay with receipts, and we
+thought that a receipt was as good and as legal as a note; and
+therefore, from my point of view, the two are of equal importance."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I might point out that we should not insist
+so much on the technical meaning of words--and this is especially true
+for your side, because we have assembled here with the aim of stopping
+the hostilities which cause you such great expenses every month; and our
+meeting may be able to bring these expenses to an end. Therefore, if you
+accept our proposal and pay these receipts, you might save almost enough
+to cover the cost you incur. It would be much cheaper to make an end of
+the war by co-operation than to let matters drift on. Therefore I
+believe that it is the duty of both parties to be willing to make
+concessions when obstacles appear."
+
+General de Wet: "I can assure His Excellency, Lord Milner, that the
+people always believed that should everything be lost they still would
+be able to obtain this money due on receipts. If this is not granted, I
+cannot imagine what the results will be. I am afraid of the
+consequences; and I trust that you will do your best to meet our
+wishes."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "It will not be a very large sum, but we
+cannot give you the exact amount."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "You can well understand that our expenses
+are only a drop in the ocean compared with yours. If I am right, the
+Orange Free State had three quarters of a million when the war began,
+and the issue of receipts only started when that sum was exhausted. Your
+Excellencies must acknowledge that we have the same obligation of
+creditor through these receipts as we should have in any other case."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "You have already many of our notes in your
+possession. In one case alone there were fifty thousand hidden away, and
+found by you. I have stated privately to Lord Milner that what we are
+now striving to obtain has already been granted to us _de facto_ by Lord
+Kitchener. In Lord Kitchener's Middelburg proposal the paying of the
+Government notes was refused, but there was a proviso that the receipts
+should be paid to the amount of one million. Should this now be
+withdrawn, surely such a withdrawal would form a deviation from the
+Middelburg proposal. The paying of notes is legal, and is on quite
+another footing, and I cannot understand how it could have been refused
+in the Middelburg proposal. That it should be granted now is only
+reasonable. But as regards the payment of receipts, although it was
+allowed then up to a certain amount, it is now withdrawn. At this
+present stage of the proceedings I think that a point which had already
+been practically conceded in the previous negotiations should not be
+allowed to form a stumbling-block to a final agreement. I believe that
+the amount is only small; I was for one year in conjunction with De la
+Rey in command of the forces of the South African Republic. During that
+period of time an account was kept of all the receipts, and only a short
+time back the books were still in our possession. These receipts were
+issued in an orderly manner, and each of them was duly entered in a
+book, as far as I was able to judge. These receipts amounted to quite a
+small sum; and although Lord Milner would draw back if the sum was very
+big, the question how far he will go can be settled when the proposal is
+accepted. Yet I personally think that there are no grounds for fear, and
+the amount is really far smaller than you imagine."
+
+Lord Milner: "I do not think it is so much a question of amount. This
+paying of notes and requisition notes appears to me very unreasonable. I
+believe that in this matter I am only voicing the opinion of the great
+majority of the British nation when I say that my countrymen would much
+prefer to pay a large sum at the conclusion of hostilities with the
+object of bettering the condition of the people who have been fighting
+against them than to pay a much smaller sum to meet the costs incurred
+by the Republics during the war. Whether such a view is right or wrong,
+it is a view you have to reckon with. We do not wish to pay the accounts
+of both parties; and my opinion of the clause quoted from the Middelburg
+proposal is that that clause was one of its faults. But should anything
+of the kind become necessary, then I think that the paying of the notes
+is less objectionable than the paying of the requisition notes. I placed
+this point about the payment of notes in the draft because I thought
+that if it came to a choice between paying one or the other you would
+prefer that the notes should be paid. However, if it should be thought
+better to return on this point to the Middelburg proposal, although I am
+greatly against the clause, I will waive my objection to it if Lord
+Kitchener is agreeable."
+
+General Smuts: "I am afraid that we cannot agree to this, for we thought
+that the notes would be beyond all dispute."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I do not think that your Excellency is representing the
+matter fairly when you say that you will not pay the bills of both
+parties. There is one thing to be taken into consideration as regards
+the Orange Free State, and which must be considered before everything
+else, and that is, that we have made no loans nor have we given any
+government notes. The notes we used were notes of the South African
+Republic, which had been sent to the Orange Free State. Our law was
+formed on the idea that in case of war all the costs should be paid by
+commission notes. The Orange Free State acted on this principle, and
+receipts were issued. If we take into consideration at the same time
+that we have been and still are recognized by you as belligerent, then
+we can only say: On our side we surrender everything that we possess,
+and we only ask the other party to acknowledge the fact that if we had
+contracted a loan it would have been to the charge of the British
+Government, who, in taking everything from us, renders itself
+responsible for our public loans. Lord Milner should understand that it
+is of just as much importance to us for the receipts to be paid as it is
+to the South African Republic for the loan, which it contracted before
+the war, to be taken over by the British Government. But I can even go
+further and give Lord Milner the assurance that we have acted more
+economically when issuing these receipts than we should have done had we
+contracted the loan previous to the war. Now we have only what is
+absolutely necessary to meet our present needs. So that Lord Milner must
+own that we find ourselves in the same position towards those who are in
+possession of receipts, as we should have occupied towards any other
+creditor we might have had before the war began. I must give my support
+to what the Commandant-General has said; and I can only repeat what I
+have already informally told Lord Milner, namely, that this difficulty
+is almost insurmountable."
+
+Lord Milner: "We can refer this to our Government. But your proposal is
+altogether antagonistic to the Middelburg proposal, which absolutely
+rejected the idea of taking over all the debts of the two States."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I should like to know the amount."
+
+General De la Rey: "My issue of notes amounts to between twenty and
+fifty thousand pounds; but I cannot say what the issue in receipt has
+been."
+
+Lord Milner: "There really is a feasible compromise, namely, to allow
+the notes and receipts to come in and to establish the suggested limit
+of L1,000,000."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Would that meet your difficulty?"
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "No."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Well, would two or three million be sufficient? We must
+have a limit before we can do anything."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "It is impossible to stipulate the amount."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "If you were in a position to give a limit, it would
+simplify matters."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I agree with that entirely, and I can quite
+understand the position in which you are placed. Yet it is absolutely
+impossible to assign an amount. Will you give us your permission to
+adjourn for a moment in order to discuss the matter?"
+
+The meeting was then adjourned. It reassembled at 2.30 p.m.
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "We have agreed to fix on a sum of L3,000,000
+for the government notes and receipts; their amount paid _pro rata_ can
+be lowered should this sum prove insufficient. We have drawn up an
+article to lay before the meeting."
+
+General Smuts then read a draft which was inserted at the end of Article
+11 in the draft agreement.
+
+In answer to a question by Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+said: "The prisoners of war on the different islands who are in
+possession of such notes should be given an opportunity of sending them
+in for payment."
+
+Lord Milner: "What is the next point you wish to raise? We now
+understand what your position is."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Am I to understand that you mean that we are
+getting away from the point in discussion?"
+
+Lord Milner: "This document contains your view of the matter, so we are
+now aware of your idea."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "We must know what to say to the delegates."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Is this the only point you wish to bring forward, or
+are there others in addition?"
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "There is another concerning the protection of
+debtors, which is a vital question for us."
+
+Lord Milner: "We must not have any beating about the bush. Everything
+must appear in the document."
+
+General Smuts: "Most of the debts contracted before the war will have to
+be paid after the war; and if the debtors cannot pay we are afraid that
+it will result in the ruin of a great part of the inhabitants. We should
+like to see steps taken to prevent this. If Lord Milner intends to take
+such steps, we should like to be informed what they are."
+
+Lord Milner: "I think it would be best if you were to make a proposal on
+this point."
+
+General Smuts: "Our proposal is roughly that all interest which became
+payable during the war should be joined to the principal, and that this
+should be payable six months after the war."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Is it necessary to make a proposal about this?"
+
+General Smuts: "If the Government is prepared to meet us in this
+difficulty it will be unnecessary to place a formal clause in the draft
+agreement."
+
+Lord Milner: "As I look at the matter, the Government is making certain
+promises in this document, and I consider that all promises to which a
+reference may be made later should appear in it. Everything to which the
+Government is asked to bind itself should appear in this document, and
+nothing else. I do not object to clauses being added, but I wish to
+prevent any possible misunderstanding."
+
+General Smuts: "Well, in that case we are quite willing to propose such
+a paragraph."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "We waive this question, so that early
+measures may be taken to arrive at an understanding. In case a great
+number of the inhabitants become subjects of His Majesty, it is to every
+one's interest, and principally to that of the Government, that these
+people should not be ruined. They will be thrown upon the mercy of a
+Government, whose duty it is to study their interests. If steps are not
+taken to prevent it, speculators who have been buying up the liabilities
+will, as soon as peace is concluded, enforce them, and directly the
+Courts of Justice are opened they will issue summonses. Against this we
+have to be on our guard."
+
+Lord Milner: "I agree with the Commandant-General. I think that as these
+people become subjects of His Majesty, then some provision will have to
+be made for them. But I believe it to be neither necessary nor advisable
+to point out in every particular case the way in which His Majesty's
+Government has to provide for these people. I think that an idea
+exists--perhaps it is a very natural idea--because we have been fighting
+against the burghers that, therefore, after peace has been concluded we
+shall still retain a feeling of enmity against them. Just the opposite,
+however, is the truth. Our endeavour will naturally be, from the moment
+hostilities cease, to gain the confidence of the people and to do our
+best to promote their welfare. But if we have to bind ourselves
+beforehand in regard to the manner in which we shall deal with all sorts
+of involved legal questions, further misunderstandings are certain to
+occur. If you have not confidence in us--that we shall try to be a
+righteous Government, and to maintain the balance between the different
+classes of His Majesty's subjects--then you must put in writing every
+point that strikes you, and let them be laid before His Majesty's
+Government, to see what they think about them."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I trust that you will not think that we are
+trying to tie the hands of His Majesty's Government. There are many
+other points which will give the Government opportunity to win the
+confidence of the people. But about things which concern the financial
+position of burghers who are entirely ruined we feel it our duty to
+obtain definite promises. They will be a weapon in our hands when we
+return to the delegates."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I do not quite understand, Lord Milner. I did
+not interpret Mr. Chamberlain's telegram in the sense that we had to
+present new proposals in order to bind our hands further. I thought that
+proposals were to be made with a view to establishing peace."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I do not think that it is altogether necessary to
+include this proposal in the document. It concerns the very involved
+legal questions as to what the rights of creditor and debtor shall be,
+and as to what the law in the Transvaal may be on the matter. I think
+that every one can rest assured that the interests of the Boers will be
+protected by the Government in every way; and this, whether the point is
+put down now or left in the hands of the Government with the
+recommendation from this Commission to take the matter into serious
+consideration.
+
+"I think that I know of a better way to deal with this involved
+question. Let this matter be brought under the consideration of the
+Government. I may be mistaken, but, as far as I can see, it will prove a
+very thorny question for the lawyers, and will take a long time before
+it can be clearly stated. It is, however, the wish of us all that you
+should return to the delegates equipped in such a way that you will be
+able to arrive at a decision. You may rest assured that the matter which
+you have brought before us has been included in the minutes of this
+meeting. I do not think that it is necessary for you to go further than
+this. The matter can now be carefully considered, not only here, but
+also in England; and you may be quite sure that your interests will
+receive, in every way, full consideration."
+
+General De la Rey: "I think that the matter has been sufficiently
+discussed in the presence of your Excellencies, and that it need not be
+placed in the draft contract, for by so doing one might stumble on legal
+questions."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "This is my point of view: There are two
+parties, and one of them is about to cease to exist. It is, therefore,
+natural that this party cannot allow a vital question to pass unnoticed.
+It is for this reason that I cannot agree that this matter should be
+omitted from the draft contract. It will not be necessary that the
+military Government which now exists should continue after the war."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "But the question will have to be settled by the Civil
+Government. It is a matter for lawyers, and must be laid before them,
+and will require much consideration."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "When hostilities are concluded it will be
+possible to summon a burgher for a debt contracted before the war. I put
+this request because our law states that no burgher can be summoned till
+sixty days have elapsed since the conclusion of peace."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "You may entirely rely upon this, that whenever the war
+is over each burgher will have the absolute right to obtain
+consideration for his position in every way, and that his interests will
+be protected under the new as under the old regime."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I understand that perfectly. But the
+possibility exists that syndicates may be formed to buy up all the
+debts, and the people may be ruined before a single burgher is in the
+position to earn anything or to have his position restored."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I quite agree with what the Commandant-General has
+said, and he is quite right to bring the question up. Yet I do not think
+that the draft contract is the best place in which to bring it forward.
+Once peace is a fact, then it will be the duty of every one to draw the
+attention of the Government to what is required to aid the nation; but
+to bring up difficulties at the present moment, and to attempt to right
+them, seems to be an endless task, and one for which this document was
+not destined."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I am of opinion that this is a matter which
+should be settled by a proclamation; but I want to have as many weapons
+as possible in my hands when I return to the national delegates, and one
+of the first questions that will be asked me is this, 'What guarantee do
+we possess that we shall not be ruined by our creditors?' It would not
+be much trouble to you to give us now a draft of the proclamation which
+would be issued as soon as peace is concluded."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "But this would be something quite apart from the matter
+under discussion."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "Yes."
+
+Lord Milner: "What is the good then?"
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "It is such a vital question for us that you
+cannot take it amiss if we insist upon it, for we have to give up
+everything."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "Of course, no one is blaming you."
+
+Lord Milner: "But without any thought of blame, I must point out that
+the effect of their proposal would be that another clause would have to
+be inserted in the draft contract, undertaking that such a proclamation
+would be issued."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "I think that as long as the delegates receive an
+assurance that the Government will take this matter into consideration,
+in the interests of their subjects, whom they are bound to protect, that
+such an assurance ought to suffice. There should be no written
+undertaking, but only a promise that the matter shall receive attention.
+It is not advisable after the subject has been brought before the
+Government to press the matter further. The feelings of the burghers,
+moreover, in other ways than this, will be brought before Lord Milner."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "If we wished to do so, we could insist upon
+many other little points, but we only bring up vital questions."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "This is one of the questions which, when once brought
+under the consideration of the Government cannot be put aside; and you
+may tell the burghers that their interests will be protected as fully as
+is possible. I think that, in so complicated a matter, this ought to be
+sufficient for them. All that is debated here is recorded in the
+minutes, and these minutes will be considered not only here, but also in
+England. Are you satisfied with this?"
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "Yes, so far as I am concerned."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "I also am satisfied."
+
+Lord Milner: "I hope it is quite understood that if the matter is
+allowed to remain where it is, my Government will be under no obligation
+to treat the matter in any particular way."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "But there is a pledge that the matter will be properly
+considered."
+
+Lord Milner: "Yes, naturally; if we put anything down in writing. I am
+convinced that it is necessary to make it quite clear that this document
+must contain everything about which there is anything in the form of a
+pledge."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "There is, then, a pledge that the point upon which you
+have touched will be considered in your interests."
+
+General Smuts: "There still remains the question of the payment of
+receipts."
+
+Lord Kitchener: "That will be placed before the Government. The sum is
+an essential point; I believe the amount to be considerable. I should
+now like to know that it is understood that we are agreed about all
+these draft proposals, including your amendments, and that there are no
+further questions to be brought forward--it is necessary to know this,
+as they would have to be telegraphed to England."
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "We have no further points to raise."
+
+Lord Milner: "The telegram that I shall despatch is as follows:
+
+     'The Commission is prepared to lay before their burgher meeting the
+     following document (in the event of it being sanctioned by His
+     Majesty's Government), and to ask of the meeting a "Yes" or "No."'
+
+"Is that satisfactory?"
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet: "Yes, naturally. Only I cannot say that this
+document has my approval. Yet I shall be content to abide by the
+decision of the delegates."
+
+Judge Hertzog: "I should not like to think that we are bound to use our
+influence with the delegates."
+
+Lord Milner: "I think that is understood. I understand that the members
+of the Commission are not bound in respect of the opinions they may
+express before the burghers. They are only bound, if the British
+Government approves of the document, to lay it before the people. I
+propose to send the following telegram:
+
+     'The Commission is prepared to lay the following document before
+     the burgher meeting at Vereeniging, for a "Yes" or "No" vote, in
+     the event of His Majesty's Government approving of it.'
+
+"I want also to state that we have completely deviated from the
+Middelburg proposal. I believe everyone is fully aware that the
+Middelburg proposal has been annulled altogether. Should an agreement be
+arranged in conformity with this document, and signed, then no attempt
+must be made to explain the document, or its terms, by anything in the
+Middelburg proposal."
+
+The meeting was now adjourned.
+
+
+WEDNESDAY, MAY 28TH, 1902.
+
+The Commission met Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner at eleven o'clock with
+the purpose of hearing the British Government's answer to the draft
+proposal sent by their Lordships.
+
+Lord Milner read the following memorandum:
+
+"In answer to the telegram composed at our last meeting with the consent
+of the Commission and of which the members have received a copy, the
+following message has been received from His Majesty's Government:--
+
+'His Majesty's Government sanctions the laying before the meeting for a
+"Yes" or "No" vote the document drawn up by the Commission and sent by
+Lord Kitchener on the 21st May to the Secretary of War, with the
+following amendments:
+
+'The final proposal made by the British Government, on which the
+national representatives at Vereeniging have to answer "Yes" or "No."
+
+'General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Commander-in-Chief, and His
+Excellency Lord Milner, High Commissioner, on behalf of the British
+Government;
+
+'Messrs. S.W. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Louis Botha, J.H. De la Rey, L.J.
+Meijer, and J.C. Krogh on behalf of the Government of the South African
+Republic and its burghers;
+
+'Messrs. M.T. Steyn, W.J.C. Brebner, C.R. de Wet, J.B.M. Hertzog, and
+C.H. Olivier on behalf of the Government of the Orange Free State and
+its burghers, being anxious to put an end to the existing hostilities,
+agree on the following points:
+
+'Firstly, the burgher forces now in the Veldt shall at once lay down
+their arms, and surrender all the guns, small arms, and war stores in
+their actual possession, or of which they have cognizance, and shall
+abstain from any further opposition to the authority of His Majesty King
+Edward VII., whom they acknowledge as their lawful sovereign.
+
+'The manner and details of this surrender shall be arranged by Lord
+Kitchener, Commandant-General Botha, Assistant-Commandant-General J.H.
+De la Rey, and Commander-in-Chief de Wet.
+
+'Secondly, burghers in the Veldt beyond the frontiers of the Transvaal
+and of the Orange River Colony, and all prisoners of war who are out of
+South Africa, who are burghers, shall, on their declaration that they
+accept the status of subjects of His Majesty King Edward VII., be
+brought back to their homes, as soon as transport and means of
+subsistence can be assured.
+
+'Thirdly, the burghers who thus surrender, or who thus return, shall
+lose neither their personal freedom nor their property.
+
+'Fourthly, no judicial proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be taken
+against any of the burghers who thus return for any action in connexion
+with the carrying on of the war. The benefit of this clause shall,
+however, not extend to certain deeds antagonistic to the usages of
+warfare, which have been communicated by the Commander-in-Chief to the
+Boer Generals, and which shall be heard before a court martial
+immediately after the cessation of hostilities.
+
+'Fifthly, the Dutch language shall be taught in the public schools of
+the Transvaal and of the Orange River Colony when the parents of
+children demand it; and shall be admitted in the Courts of Justice,
+whenever this is required for the better and more effective
+administration of justice.
+
+'Sixthly, the possession of rifles shall, on taking out a licence in
+accordance with the law, be permitted in the Transvaal and the Orange
+River Colony to persons who require them for their protection.
+
+'Seventhly, military administration in the Transvaal and in the Orange
+River Colony shall, as soon as it is possible, be followed by civil
+government; and, as soon as circumstances permit it, a representative
+system tending towards autonomy shall be introduced.
+
+'Eighthly, the question of granting a franchise to the native shall not
+be decided until a representative constitution has been granted.
+
+'Ninthly, no special tax shall be laid on landed property in the
+Transvaal and Orange River Colony, to meet the expenses of the war.
+
+'Tenthly, as soon as circumstances permit there shall be appointed in
+each district in the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony a Commission,
+in which the inhabitants of that district shall be represented, under
+the chairmanship of a magistrate or other official, with the view to
+assist in the bringing back of the people to their farms, and in
+procuring for those who, on account of losses in the war are unable to
+provide for themselves, food, shelter, and such quantities of seed,
+cattle, implements, etc., as are necessary for the resuming of their
+previous callings.
+
+'His Majesty's Government shall place at the disposal of these
+Commissions the sum of L3,000,000 for the above-mentioned purposes, and
+shall allow that all notes issued in conformity with Law No. 1, 1900, of
+the Government of the South African Republic, and all receipts given by
+the officers in the Veldt of the late Republics, or by their order, may
+be presented to a judicial Commission by the Government, and in case
+such notes and receipts are found by this Commission to have been duly
+issued for consideration in value, then they shall be accepted by the
+said Commission as proof of war losses, suffered by the persons to whom
+they had originally been given. In addition to the above-named free gift
+of L3,000,000, His Majesty's Government will be prepared to grant
+advances, in the shape of loans, for the same ends, free of interest for
+two years, and afterwards repayable over a period of years with three
+per cent. interest. No foreigner or rebel shall be entitled to benefit
+by this clause.'
+
+Lord Milner: "In making this communication to the Commission we are
+instructed to add that if this opportunity of concluding an honourable
+peace is not taken advantage of within a time to be fixed by us, then
+this conference shall be regarded as closed, and His Majesty's
+Government shall not be bound in any way by the present terms. I have,
+in order that there may be no mistake about these terms, made a copy of
+the documents and of Lord Kitchener's telegram, also of the amendments
+and additions determined on by His Majesty's Government, and of the
+memorandum to which I have just drawn your attention."
+
+A debate now followed on the time that should be allowed for the
+discussion of the proposals at Vereeniging, and it was agreed that
+Commandant-General Botha should propose a term that very day before the
+Commission left Pretoria.
+
+It was subsequently settled that the delegates must arrive at a decision
+before Saturday evening, May 31st.
+
+General Botha asked if there were any objection to the delegates erasing
+any paragraph of the proposal sent by the British Government.
+
+Lord Milner: "There must be no alteration. Only 'Yes' or 'No' is to be
+answered."
+
+Commandant-General Botha: "I think that the burghers have the right to
+erase any article they may wish, for they have the right to surrender
+unconditionally."
+
+Lord Milner replied that the burghers certainly had the power to do so,
+but the document of the British Government could not be changed.
+
+There now followed an informal discussion about the colonists who had
+been fighting on the side of the Republics.
+
+Lord Milner communicated what the British Government's intentions were
+with regard to these colonists; and read the following document:--
+
+"His Majesty's Government has to formally place on record that the
+colonists of Natal and the Cape Colony who have been engaged in fighting
+and who now surrender shall, on their return, be dealt with by the
+Colonial Governments in accordance with the laws of the Colonies, and
+that all British subjects who have joined the enemy shall be liable to
+be tried under the law of that part of the British Empire to which they
+belong.
+
+"His Majesty's Government has received from the Government of Cape
+Colony a statement of their opinion as regards the terms to be offered
+to British subjects of the Cape Colony who are still in the Veldt or who
+have surrendered since April 12th, 1901. The terms are as follows:--In
+regard to the burghers, they all, on their surrender, after having laid
+down their arms, shall sign a document before a resident magistrate of
+the district in which their surrender has taken place, in which document
+they shall declare themselves guilty of high treason; and their
+punishment, in the event of their not having been guilty of murder, or
+of other deeds in contradiction to the customs of civilized warfare,
+shall be that for the rest of their lives they shall not be registered
+as voters, nor shall they be able to vote in Parliamentary, district, or
+municipal elections. As regards justices and veldtcornets of the Cape
+Colony, and all other persons who had occupied official positions under
+the Government of Cape Colony, and all who held the rank of commandant
+in the rebel or burgher forces, they shall be brought on the charge of
+high treason before the ordinary Courts of the country, or before such
+special Courts as later on may legally be constituted. The punishment
+for their misdeeds shall be left to the discretion of the Court, with
+this reservation, that in no case shall capital punishment be inflicted.
+
+"The Government of Natal is of opinion that the rebels should be judged
+by the laws of the Colony."
+
+The meeting now adjourned.
+
+The secretaries and Messrs. de Wet and J. Ferreira, with the help of
+lawyers, set themselves the task of making copies of the proposal of the
+British Government for the use of the national representatives at
+Vereeniging. This work kept them engaged until the evening.
+
+At seven o'clock the Commission left Pretoria and returned to
+Vereeniging.
+
+
+THE MIDDELBURG PROPOSAL.
+
+     LORD KITCHENER TO COMMANDANT-GENERAL BOTHA.
+
+     PRETORIA, _March 7, 1901_.
+
+     YOUR HONOUR,--
+
+     With reference to our conversation at Middelburg on the 28th
+     February, I have the honour to inform you that, in the event of a
+     general and complete cessation of hostilities, and the surrender of
+     all rifles, ammunition, cannon and other munitions of war in the
+     hands of the burghers, or in Government depots, or elsewhere, His
+     Majesty's Government is prepared to adopt the following measures.
+
+     His Majesty's Government will at once grant an amnesty in the
+     Transvaal and Orange River Colony for all _bona fide_ acts of war
+     committed during the recent hostilities. British subjects belonging
+     to Natal and Cape Colony, while they will not be compelled to
+     return to those Colonies, will, if they do so, be liable to be
+     dealt with by the laws of those Colonies specially passed to meet
+     the circumstances arising out of the present war. As you are
+     doubtless aware, the special law in the Cape Colony has greatly
+     mitigated the ordinary penalties for high treason in the present
+     case.
+
+     All prisoners of war, now in St. Helena, Ceylon, or elsewhere,
+     being burghers or colonists, will, on the completion of the
+     surrender, be brought back to their country as quickly as
+     arrangements can be made for their transport.
+
+     At the earliest practicable date military administration will
+     cease, and will be replaced by civil administration in the form of
+     Crown Colony Government. There will, therefore, be, in the first
+     instance, in each of the new Colonies, a Governor and an Executive
+     Council, composed of the principal officials, with a Legislative
+     Council consisting of a certain number of official members to whom
+     a nominated unofficial element will be added. But it is the desire
+     of His Majesty's Government, as soon as circumstances permit, to
+     introduce a representative element, and ultimately to concede to
+     the new Colonies the privilege of self-government. Moreover, on the
+     cessation of hostilities, a High Court will be established in each
+     of the new Colonies to administer the laws of the land, and this
+     Court will be independent of the Executive.
+
+     Church property, public trusts, and orphan funds will be
+     respected.
+
+     Both the English and Dutch languages will be used and taught in
+     public schools when the parents of the children desire it, and
+     allowed in Courts of Law.
+
+     As regards the debts of the late Republican Governments, His
+     Majesty's Government cannot undertake any liability. It is,
+     however, prepared, as an act of grace, to set aside a sum not
+     exceeding one million pounds sterling to repay inhabitants of the
+     Transvaal and Orange River Colony for goods requisitioned from them
+     by the late Republican Governments, or subsequent to annexation, by
+     Commandants in the field being in a position to enforce such
+     requisitions. But such claims will have to be established to the
+     satisfaction of a Judge or Judicial Commission, appointed by the
+     Government, to investigate and assess them, and, if exceeding in
+     the aggregate one million pounds, they will be liable to reduction
+     _pro rata_.
+
+     I also beg to inform Your Honour that the new Government will take
+     into immediate consideration the possibility of assisting by loan
+     the occupants of farms, who will take the oath of allegiance, to
+     repair any injuries sustained by destruction of buildings or loss
+     of stock during the war, and that no special war tax will be
+     imposed upon farms to defray the expense of the war.
+
+     When burghers require the protection of firearms, such will be
+     allowed to them by licence, and on due registration, provided they
+     take the oath of allegiance. Licences will also be issued for
+     sporting rifles, guns, etc., but military firearms will only be
+     allowed for purposes of protection.
+
+     As regards the extension of the franchise to Kaffirs in the
+     Transvaal and Orange River Colony, it is not the intention of His
+     Majesty's Government to give such franchise before representative
+     Government is granted to those Colonies, and if then given it will
+     be so limited as to secure the just predominance of the white race.
+     The legal position of coloured persons will, however, be similar to
+     that which they hold in the Cape Colony.
+
+     In conclusion I must inform Your Honour that, if the terms now
+     offered are not accepted after a reasonable delay for consideration
+     they must be regarded as cancelled.
+
+     I have, etc.,
+       KITCHENER, GENERAL,
+     Commander-in-Chief British Forces, South Africa.
+       To His Honour, Commandant-General Louis Botha.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix C
+
+MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPECIAL NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AT
+VEREENIGING, SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, THURSDAY, THE 29TH OF MAY, 1902,
+AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS
+
+
+MAY 29TH, 1902.
+
+The Rev. J.D. Kestell having offered prayer, the Chairman requested
+Vice-President Burger to address the meeting.
+
+Vice-President Burger said that the documents laid before the
+Governments by the Commission would now be read to the meeting.
+Thereupon Mr. D. Van Velden read the following letter:
+
+     REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
+
+     PRETORIA, _28th May_, 1902.
+
+     _To the Governments of the Orange Free State and the South African
+     Republic:_
+
+     HONBLE. GENTLEMEN,--
+
+     In accordance with instructions received from you, we went to
+     Pretoria in order to negotiate with the British authorities on the
+     question of peace. We have the honour to make the following report:
+
+     The meetings lasted from Monday, May 19th, to Wednesday, May 28th,
+     its prolongation having been principally caused by the length of
+     time taken up by the cable correspondence with the British
+     Government.
+
+     We first handed in a proposal (annexed under A)[113] in which we
+     attempted to negotiate on the basis of a limited independence with
+     surrender of part of our territory. Lords Kitchener and Milner
+     refused emphatically to negotiate on this basis, and expressed the
+     opinion that to cable this proposal to the British Government would
+     be detrimental to the objects of these negotiations. They told us
+     they had already informed the two Governments that the British
+     Government would only negotiate on the basis of an amended form of
+     the Middelburg proposal. In order finally to formulate this
+     proposal, Lord Milner asked the assistance of some members of the
+     Commission; and this was granted, on the understanding that the
+     assistance of these members of the Commission should be given
+     without prejudice to themselves.
+
+     As the result of the deliberations of this sub-committee, Lord
+     Milner produced a draft proposal, in which we insisted that a fresh
+     clause (No. 11) should be inserted; and this was done. This draft
+     proposal (annexed under B)[114] was then cabled to the British
+     Government, revised by them, and then communicated to us in its
+     final shape (annexed under B).[115] We were informed by the British
+     Government that no further revision of this proposal would be
+     allowed, but that it must now be either accepted or rejected in its
+     entirety by the delegates of the two Republics; and that this
+     acceptance or rejection must take place within a stipulated time.
+     We then told Lord Kitchener that he should know our final decision
+     by the evening of the next Saturday at latest.
+
+     During our formal negotiations certain informal conversations took
+     place in reference to the British subjects (in Cape Colony and
+     Natal) who have been fighting on our side. As a result of these
+     informal conversations a communication from the British Government
+     was imparted to us (annexed under B).[116]
+
+     We have the honour to remain, etc.,
+
+     LOUIS BOTHA.
+     J.H. DE LA REY.
+     C.R. DE WET.
+     J.B.M. HERTZOG.
+     J.D. SMUTS.
+
+Vice-President Burger said that the delegates must proceed to discuss
+this document, and that they would then be asked to decide--firstly,
+whether the struggle should be continued; secondly, whether the proposal
+of the British Government should be accepted; and, thirdly, whether they
+were prepared to surrender unconditionally.
+
+It was decided that minutes of the meeting should be kept, and the
+delegates then proceeded to discuss the different articles of the
+British Government's proposal. The whole of the morning and a part of
+the afternoon sitting were devoted to questions dealing with the meaning
+of the several clauses, the members of the Commission answering to the
+best of their ability.
+
+After these questions had been disposed of, Mr. De Clercq rose to speak.
+He said that he had already given his own opinion, but that now it was
+for the whole meeting to decide whether they would give up the war, and,
+if they resolved to do so, whether they would accept the proposal
+unconditionally. As to the proposal, it could not be denied that it did
+not give all that they themselves desired, but _that_ could not have
+been expected. Should they now return to their commandos and be asked by
+their burghers what they had effected, they would have to reply,
+"Nothing." How would they be able to meet their burghers with such an
+answer as that? It would therefore be better to get terms from the
+British Government; and by doing so they would also gratify the British
+nation. As for himself, he was for accepting the proposal, unless it
+could be proved to him that unconditional surrender would be a still
+better course to take.
+
+General Nieuwouwdt then proposed that the meeting should, without
+further delay, proceed to vote whether the war should be terminated, and
+whether the terms offered to them should be accepted.
+
+General Froneman seconded this proposal.
+
+Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) felt that this was too important a matter to
+be treated with such haste. A decision about such a document as the one
+now lying before the meeting could not be come to in a moment. The
+delegates would hardly agree with the last speaker in his opinion that
+they should at once proceed to vote whether the war should or should not
+be continued. Time was required before coming to such a decision.
+Moreover it had to be proved whether it were possible to continue the
+war. There were some districts where it certainly could no longer be
+carried on. Was it possible for one part of the nation to continue
+fighting without the other? Then there was the question whether their
+resources and the troops which they still had were sufficient to justify
+them in prolonging the struggle. If they were insufficient the war must
+be discontinued and terms must be accepted. It would not be an easy
+thing to do; one could not, with a light heart, give up the independence
+of their country; but half a loaf was better than no bread,[117] and
+even such a sacrifice as this might be necessary if the nation was to be
+saved.
+
+Commandant Jacobsz (Harrismith) was at one with the last speaker in
+holding that they must not be in too great a hurry to vote on the
+proposal.
+
+Mr. P.R. Viljoen (Heidelberg) felt that the proposal of the British
+Government would so tightly bind them that they would never again be
+free. They were _knee-haltered_[118] now, but under certain
+circumstances they might even be _hobbled_.[119]
+
+He considered that the meeting should ask the Governments to stop the
+war.
+
+General Du Toit (Wolmaransstad) said that the times through which they
+were passing were very critical; every one ought to say exactly what he
+thought, and no one ought to be condemned for doing so. A delegate who
+should say that the war could not be continued must not be considered
+disloyal to his country because he did so. As regarded the three
+questions before the meeting, according to the opinion of his burghers
+the war ought to be continued. The views of his burghers when he left
+the commandos had been clearly expressed. "Let us retain our
+independence, or go on fighting," they had said. But why were they of
+this mind? Because they were unaware how matters stood in other
+districts. The eyes of the delegates, however, while directed towards
+God, were also able to observe the condition of the eastern parts of
+their country. If the burghers in those parts could not hold out, it
+would be impossible for the other commandos to do so. It could not be
+denied that some of the commandos were no longer able to continue
+fighting. That being the case, even if there were a majority in favour
+of prolonging the struggle, that majority would have to yield to the
+wishes of the minority, and for this reason: if the war were to be
+continued in conformity with the wishes of the majority, and if the
+minority were to be compelled to surrender (and nobody would be
+surprised at this), then the majority would find themselves too weak to
+go on fighting. Thus there were clear reasons why the war must be ended.
+Moreover, its continuation would involve not only the _national_ but
+also the _moral_ death of the Republics. But it was still to be proved
+that a continuation of the war was even possible; for himself he feared
+that it was not so, and if fight he must he could only fight without
+hope and without heart. If he were now to go back to his burghers, and
+they were to ask him why he persisted in the war, and he was compelled
+to reply that he was doing so on the strength of opinions expressed in
+newspapers, and on the encouragement given to the cause of the Republics
+in their pages, he would be told that he was building on sand. Again, he
+feared that if the war were to be continued, detached parties would be
+formed which would try to obtain terms from the English for themselves.
+And should the commandos in time become so weak as to be forced to
+surrender unconditionally, what then would be the fate of the officers?
+Would they not lose everything, and be banished into the bargain? Let no
+one think, however, that he was trying merely to do what was best for
+himself. No. There was now a chance for negotiating; should the meeting
+let slip that chance, unconditional surrender would most certainly
+result, and that would be disastrous to all. He hoped that he would not
+be misunderstood; if the meeting decided to go on with the war, he, for
+one, would not lay down his arms. No, he would actively prosecute the
+war, and operate in conjunction with the other generals. But what would
+be the use of it: he sided with those who held that the struggle could
+no longer be carried on.
+
+Commandant Rheeder (Rouxville) wished to reply to those who demanded
+reasons for the continuation of the war. One reason, he said, was to be
+found in the fact that England would not allow them to have any
+communication with the deputation in Europe; that meant that something
+advantageous to us was being held back. Another was the consideration of
+what their descendants in time to come would say. "How is it," they
+would ask, "that we are not now free men? There were a large number of
+burghers in the veldt to continue the war--what has become of our
+independence?" And what answer shall we be able to make?--we whose
+courage failed us before such tremendous odds, and who laid down our
+arms when victory was still possible? The speaker would only be
+satisfied if the meeting were unanimous for stopping the war, not
+otherwise. He thought of the families. How would the delegates face
+their families on their return, after the sacrifice of independence? He
+considered that the commandos should leave those districts where
+resistance was no longer possible and go to others. If to discontinue
+the war meant to surrender independence, then the war must not be
+discontinued.
+
+Vice-President Burger said that he had not heard from the last speaker
+any reasons whatsoever for continuing the war.
+
+Commandant Rheeder then remarked that if they wanted to surrender their
+country they should have done so earlier, when the burghers were not
+entirely destitute. But now nothing was left to them. As to the
+narrowness of the field of operations, there was still room enough to
+fight.
+
+Commandant P.L. Uijs (Pretoria) referred to the frequent allusion which
+had been made to their European deputation. That deputation was now in
+Holland, and must know if anything was going on there to the advantage
+of the Republics. If there were any hopeful signs there, their comrades
+would certainly have informed them. They had not done so, and therefore
+the meeting should dismiss this subject from its thoughts.
+
+The meeting then adjourned until 7.15 p.m.
+
+Upon reassembling, Commandant Cronje (Winburg) said that he would not
+detain the meeting for long; he only wished to say a very few words. It
+had been rightly said that they were passing through a momentous period
+of their history. To his mind the present was _the_ critical epoch in
+the existence of the African nation, whose destinies they had now to
+decide. Delegates were asking what hopes they could now entertain. But
+what grounds for hope were there when the war began? In his opinion
+there were none. It was only that men believed then that Right was
+Might, and put their trust in God. And God had helped them. When the
+enemy had entered their country everything was dark. There had been a
+day on which more than four thousand men had surrendered. Then, even as
+now, they had been without hope. Then, even as now, those who wanted to
+continue the war had been told that they were mad. That had been some
+two years ago, and yet the war was still going on. Then, even as now,
+there had been no food, and yet they had managed to live. The delegates
+represented a free people; let them not take a step of which they would
+afterwards repent. As regarded intervention, he had often said that one
+could not rely on it. But they _could_ rely on God. When he returned to
+his burghers, and was questioned as to his reason for the course of
+action which he had advocated, he hoped to be able to answer, "Belief in
+God." There had always been times when there was no food, and yet they
+had always managed to live. A deputation had been officially sent to
+Europe, and was now there to represent their interests. Had the meeting
+lost its confidence in that deputation? Did it not realize that if the
+case of the Republic was hopeless in Europe the deputation would send
+word to that effect? It had been said that by continuing the war they
+would be exterminating the nation. He did not believe this. The way to
+exterminate the nation was to accept the British proposal. To go on with
+the war was their only policy, and it was a very good policy. The
+deputation had claimed that their advice should be taken before any
+negotiations were attempted. What right, then, had the delegates to give
+up the war on the basis of the proposal now before them? To do so was to
+give the death blow to their national existence; later on they would
+have cause to rue it. Moreover, the proposal did not safeguard the
+interests of their brethren in Cape Colony. Again, landed property
+belonging to burghers had already been sold, and in all probability
+these burghers would never see any of the proceeds. The sum (L3,000,000)
+which the proposal offered to compensate for all damages, was not
+sufficient to cover damage already done. For these and other reasons the
+proposal could not be accepted. No other course was open to them except
+to reject the proposal and to continue hostilities.
+
+General Froneman (Ladybrand) agreed with the last speaker. He loved his
+country, and could not think of surrendering it. The reasons which had
+induced them to begin the war were still in force. He had been through
+the whole campaign, and saw stronger reasons now than ever before for
+the continuing of the war. His districts, like those of others, were
+exhausted, and yet his burghers remained in the veldt. He had been
+present at the surrender of the four thousand; he had seen General
+Cronje give up his sword. Those had been dark days, but the struggle
+still went on; they could still keep on their legs. It had been God's
+will that this war should take place. Prayers had been offered that it
+might be averted, but God had ruled it otherwise. Therefore they must
+carry the war through, and never think of surrender. They were
+Republicans. What would it be to have to give up that name for ever? He
+had consulted his burghers and their women-folk; he had asked them,
+"What conditions of peace will you accept?" They had answered, "No peace
+at all, if it means any loss of independence." And so, before he could
+vote for peace, he would have again to take the opinion of his burghers.
+
+Veldtcornet B.H. Breijtenbach (Utrecht) urged that a definite yes or no
+must be given to the question, Is the war to continue? The general
+condition of the country had been laid before the meeting, and it had
+been clearly shown that its condition made the carrying on of the war
+impossible. One could not escape from that fact. Why then should they
+argue any longer? What reason had they for wishing to prolong this
+struggle? They surely would not do so blindfold. Unless good reasons
+could be alleged for continuing it, the war would have to be stopped. As
+those good reasons were not forthcoming, he would vote with those who
+were for peace. To continue the war would be a crime. Some of the last
+few speakers had stated that there had been no sufficient reasons for
+commencing the war. That might be true. They might have been
+over-confident then. Be that as it might, they certainly had lost so
+much ground since then that they must now give up the struggle. This was
+his irrevocable opinion. It had been clearly shown that fourteen
+commandos were unable to continue in the veldt. This made peace a
+necessity, for what was to be gained by continuing a struggle without a
+proper army. The war might last a few months longer, but it must end
+then--and end in disaster.
+
+Commandant W.J. Viljoen (Witwatersrand) said that some speakers were for
+and others against the continuation of hostilities. The first were
+guided by faith alone; the second had brought forward definite grounds
+for their opinion. A year ago both parties had been inspired by faith,
+but what had been the result? He would be glad enough to be convinced,
+but those who wished to continue the war must show grounds for such a
+line of action.
+
+General De la Rey would only say a few words. He had received definite
+instructions before he went to his burghers neither to encourage nor
+discourage them, whatever they might say at their meetings. He had
+strictly observed these instructions, and had never attempted to
+influence them. There were present among the delegates nine men (one
+being from Cape Colony) who represented his burghers, and who would
+testify as to their state of mind and temper; he need not therefore say
+anything. The delegates could bear witness how full of courage the men
+were. Nevertheless, the war could not be continued. Say or do what they
+would at that meeting, the war must cease. Some had talked about faith.
+But what was faith? True faith consisted in saying, "Lord, Thy will, not
+mine, be done." They must bow before the will of God. The delegates, he
+continued, must choose one of the three courses which were open to them.
+It would be a great calamity if they were to decide to surrender
+unconditionally. Had it been necessary to do so it should have been done
+while they still possessed something. Should they then continue the war?
+But the question as to what would become of the people under those
+circumstances must be faced--to continue fighting would be the ruin of
+the nation. The delegates might go away determined to fight, but the
+burghers would lay down their arms, and the state of affairs which would
+thus ensue would not redound to their honour. But the British Government
+offered guarantees; it would help the nation so that the nation might
+help itself. If any one were to say now, "Continue fighting," he and his
+generals might have the heart to do so if they kept their minds fixed on
+their recent exploits. For himself, however, he would refuse absolutely
+to accede to that request. And what real advantage had accrued from his
+successes in the veldt? What had followed on them? All his cattle had
+been taken away, some three hundred of his men had been killed, wounded,
+or taken prisoner. Some of the delegates set their hopes on the
+European deputation, but what did that deputation say a year ago? It
+said that all depended on their continuing to fight. They _had_
+continued to fight. What more, then, was there left for them to do? Some
+gentlemen present had definite mandates from their burghers, who very
+likely had no knowledge of the actual state of affairs when they gave
+those mandates. He himself had not known at that time in what a plight
+the country was. He challenged each and all of the delegates to show
+their burghers the proposal of the British Government, and then to see
+if those burghers were not in favour of unconditional surrender. But if
+the meeting insisted on the continuation of hostilities, the nation
+would be driven into _hands-upping_; thus the war would end in dishonour
+and disgrace.
+
+Landdrost Bosman (Wakkerstroom) was glad that General De la Rey had
+spoken out so boldly; it was every one's duty to do so. He himself also
+was against the continuance of the war.
+
+Although it had been said that the war had been begun in faith, it ought
+not to be forgotten that it had also been begun with hope of
+intervention, as was shown by the sending of the deputation to
+Europe--that deputation which, as they had often heard, had done so much
+good work. Another proof that there had then been hope of intervention
+was that the burghers had ordered the delegates to keep them in
+communication with the deputation. And that they had not relied
+exclusively on faith at the beginning of the war was shown by the fact
+that they had founded great hopes on what their brethren in Cape Colony
+might accomplish. These hopes had now been dissipated by General Smuts,
+who had just said that there was no chance of a general insurrection.
+
+Again, could the war be continued when their commandos were so much
+weakened, and when food was so scarce? It was nonsense to say that food
+had been scarce a year ago; there had been a sufficiency then, and at
+the present time there was not. One could ride from Vereeniging to Piet
+Retief without seeing more than two or three herds of cattle. Moreover,
+the women and children were in a most pitiable condition. One delegate
+had spoken against any scheme which would be as it were a trampling on
+the blood which had already been spilt--he shared that delegate's
+sentiments; but he considered that to shed yet more blood in a cause
+which was to all appearance hopeless would be still more reprehensible.
+He should prefer not to enter into the religious aspect of the question.
+It was difficult to fathom the purposes of God; perhaps it might be the
+Divine will that they should lose their independence. All that they
+could do was to follow the course which seemed to be good and right.
+Were they, then, to surrender unconditionally? He would say no. It would
+be giving the enemy opportunities for doing things from which they might
+otherwise desist. Moreover, by voting for such a policy the leaders
+would incur the displeasure of the nation. In choosing what course they
+would pursue the delegates should let nothing else sway them save the
+good of the nation. They must not be carried away by their feelings;
+they must listen only to the voice of reason.
+
+Commandant H.S. Grobler (Bethal) felt that, under the circumstances, the
+war could not be continued. It had already reduced them to such straits
+that they would soon have to fly to the utmost borders of their
+territories, leaving the enemy unopposed in the very heart of the
+country. At the beginning of the war they had not relied on faith alone;
+there had also been guns, war material and provisions. But now none of
+these things were left to them. It was terrible to him to think that
+they must sacrifice the independence of their country. He was a true son
+of his country, and could not consent to the surrender of her
+independence unless that were the only way of saving the women and
+children from starvation. But it was not only the women and children who
+were on the verge of starvation; the burghers still left in the laagers
+were in the same predicament. What, moreover, was to happen to the
+prisoners of war, if the struggle were to be continued? And to the
+families in the camps? The delegates must not forget those families. If
+the people generally were dying a _national_, the families were dying a
+_moral_, death. It was a sad thought that there were among their women
+in the camps, many who were thus losing their moral vitality. It was a
+thought which should make them determined to conclude the war.
+
+Commandant Van Niekerk (Ficksburg) said that his commandos had
+commissioned him to hold out for independence. The proposal of the
+British Government could not be accepted. They must take no hasty step.
+If they persevered in the war, the enemy would grant them better terms.
+All they had to do was to act like brave men.
+
+General J.G. Celliers (Lichtenburg) had already told the meeting what
+mandate he had received from his burghers. But he was there to do the
+best he could for the nation as a whole. The condition of the country
+was very critical. The fact that his own commandos were faring well was
+not a sufficient reason for continuing the war. He must take all
+circumstances into consideration. He had said that he was in favour of
+an arrangement by which peace should be made without the sacrifice of
+independence. Such an arrangement they had attempted to bring about.
+They had elected a Commission, which had done all in its power to give
+effect to their wishes in this matter. And the result was the proposal
+of the British Government now lying before them. That was what the
+Commission had obtained for them. Which of them could say that he could
+have obtained better terms for the people than those contained in that
+proposal? Or that, if the war were to be continued, the people would
+gain any advantage which that proposal did not give them? It had been
+said that the deputation in Europe had encouraged the burghers in their
+prolonged struggle. The last message they had received from the
+deputation had been: "Go on till every remedy has been tried." Could
+that be called encouragement? It had also been said that the nation must
+have faith. He admitted the necessity--but it must not be the sort of
+faith which chose what it would believe, and what it would disbelieve.
+They must be prepared to believe that it might be the will of God that
+they should yield to the enemy. As he had more insight into the state of
+affairs than his burghers, and therefore was better qualified to form a
+judgment, he did not feel himself bound by their mandate. Had the
+burghers known what he now knew, they would have given him a very
+different commission. He felt that it was a serious thing to continue
+sacrificing the lives of his fellow-countrymen. Moreover, however dear
+independence might be, it was useless to attempt impossibilities. Their
+one aim should be to safeguard the interests of the nation. His vote
+would be with those who were for accepting the proposal of the British
+Government.
+
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet was the next to address the meeting. His
+speech was as follows:--
+
+"As I feel it to be my duty to speak out all my mind before this
+meeting, I shall go back to the very beginning of the war. And recalling
+my feelings at that period, I can say that I had less hope then for
+intervention than I have now. I do not mean to say that I am sanguine
+about it even now; but I know to-day, what I did not know then, that
+great sympathy is felt for us by other nations. Even in England this
+sympathy is to be found, as is shown by the largely-attended 'Pro-Boer'
+meetings which have been held in that country. And that the feeling in
+our favour is widespread is evident from the reports which we received
+by word of mouth from the messenger to whom the deputation entrusted its
+recent letter, for we cannot believe that the deputation would have
+employed an unreliable person. And what did that messenger say? Among
+other things, he said that our cause was winning new adherents every
+day. It may be asked, however, why the deputation did not send a report
+of its own? I reply that it had its hand upon the pulse of the
+Governments, and that the information it was thus gaining was of such a
+character that it could not be entrusted to any messenger whatsoever.
+Perhaps the deputation was unable _in any way_ to communicate what it
+knew to us--it would never do to noise abroad the secrets of European
+policy. The silence of the delegates ought not, then, to discourage us;
+on the contrary, we should regard it as a hopeful sign.
+
+"If there is any one man who feels deeply for the critical condition of
+our country, I am that man. And critical our condition certainly is; so
+that I am not surprised that some of us are asking, 'What hope have we
+now in continuing the struggle?' But I would ask another question: 'What
+hope had we at the beginning of the war?' Our faith in God--we had
+nothing else to rely on! At the very outset of the war I knew that we,
+with our forty-five thousand troops, were engaged in a contest against a
+nation that had no less than seven hundred and fifty thousand men under
+arms, and who could easily send against us a third of that number. And
+to counterbalance the terrible odds against us, we had nothing, as I
+knew, but our faith. At that time there were some who expected that
+effectual help would come from Cape Colony. I was never deluded by this
+hope. I knew of course that there were men there who would fight with us
+against England; I knew how much those men sympathized with our cause;
+but I also knew that the circumstances of that country would make it
+impossible for the colonists to help us more than they have, as a matter
+of fact, done. No! God was our one Hope when the war began. And if, when
+the war is over, victory lies with us, it will not be the first time
+that faith in God has enabled the weaker nation to overthrow the
+stronger.
+
+"Those of you who urge that the war should be discontinued, ask us, who
+are for carrying it on, what tangible reason we have for our hope. But
+what tangible reason for hope was there at the beginning of the war? Are
+our affairs darker now? Quite the contrary--miracles have been worked in
+our favour during the last twenty-two months. General Botha wrote to me
+some time ago, saying that the scarcity of ammunition was causing him
+much anxiety. And he had good cause for that anxiety--ammunition was
+exhausted. When a burgher came to me at that time with an empty
+bandolier, it absolutely terrified me. But now, to use an expression of
+General Joubert's, my pleasure is tempered with shame when I think of
+the plentiful store of ammunition which we possess. I am not angry with
+those of my compatriots who ask for reasons--I give my reasons--nor have
+I given a thousandth part of them.
+
+"The enemy has already made us some concessions. There was a time when
+Lord Salisbury said that the English Government would be satisfied with
+nothing short of unconditional surrender. He does not say so to-day.
+England is negotiating with us--that is to say, she shows signs of
+yielding to our demands. If we continue the war, England will negotiate
+again; she will offer still more favourable terms; she will not even
+stick at independence.
+
+"Do you want more of my reasons? Look back once more upon our past
+history, and you shall find them. Recall the time when the Transvaal was
+at war with England. At that time we did not know the English so well as
+we now know them; we had only thirteen cartridges for each man; and
+there were the so-called 'Loyalists'--a chicken-hearted crew--to hamper
+us. Faith was our only support then--and you all know how that war
+resulted.
+
+"I am asked what I mean to do with the women and children. That is a
+very difficult question to answer. We must have faith. I think also that
+we might meet the emergency in this way--a part of the men should be
+told off to lay down their arms for the sake of the women, and then they
+could take the women with them to the English in the towns. This would
+be a hard expedient, but it may be the only one possible.
+
+"America has been referred to by some of the speakers, who have compared
+our circumstances with those of the United States, when they made war
+upon England. The comparison is, in one respect at least, an apt one,
+for we also have large territories to which we can always retreat.
+
+"As to Europe--we know little of the condition of things there. Our
+information about Europe comes only from newspapers, and 'Jingo'
+newspapers at that. If there is not a great deal going on in Europe
+which England wants to hide from us, why is she so careful not to let us
+see European journals? If there were anything in them _unfavourable_ to
+our cause, England would flood our country with them in her own
+interests. We must also note that England will not permit our deputation
+to return to us.
+
+"Taking all these facts into consideration, and remembering that the
+sympathy for us, which is to be found in England itself, may be regarded
+as being, for all practical purposes, a sort of indirect intervention, I
+maintain that this terrible struggle must be continued. We must fight
+on, no matter how long, until our independence is absolutely secure."
+
+General Beijers (Waterberg) said that he had to give an answer to the
+question whether he ought to follow his reason or his conscience; he
+could only reply that conscience had the first claim upon him. If he
+were to perish whilst following the guidance of reason, he would feel
+that he had been unfaithful; whereas, were he to die whilst obeying the
+dictates of conscience, he would not fear death. Martyrs of old had died
+for their faith; but he feared that the martyr spirit was now only to be
+met with in books! Those martyrs had died, and with their death it had
+seemed that all was lost; but the truth, for which they had given up
+their lives, had lived!
+
+But how is it now with us? We think our cause a righteous one, but are
+we willing to die for it? Some spoke of our existence as a nation--but
+whether that were to be preserved or lost, did not lie with us--it was
+in the hands of God--He would take care of it. Right must conquer in the
+end. They must take care to be on the side of right, should it even cost
+them their lives. He agreed with those who said that, even if the
+present deliberations were to come to nothing, they would have another
+chance, later on, of negotiating. This had been proved by what had
+already happened. General de Wet had shown them how Lord Salisbury had
+gone back upon his first demands; he (General Beijers) could tell them
+that on one occasion Lord Roberts had declined even to speak to General
+Botha--and yet the English were negotiating with them now. He was quite
+open to conviction, but at present he could not see that the war ought
+to be stopped. Nevertheless he was not blind to the critical state of
+their affairs. But their case was not yet hopeless; their anxiety about
+food, their lack of horses--these were not insurmountable difficulties.
+They might even find some means by which to save their womenfolk.
+
+No. These difficulties were not insuperable; but there was one
+difficulty which _was_ insuperable--the present spirit of the nation.
+When a spirit, be it what it might, inspired or ruled a man, then that
+man would submit to no other sway. The spirit that now ruled the
+burghers was a spirit that was driving them over to the enemy. Against
+that spirit it was impossible to contend. General De la Rey had said
+that, if the proposal now before the meeting were to be shown to the
+burghers, they would at once accept it--that was the sort of spirit that
+was in them, and one must take it into consideration, for he was
+convinced that it presented an insurmountable obstacle to the
+continuation of the war.
+
+The meeting was then closed with prayer.
+
+[Footnote 113: See page 363 _et seq._]
+
+[Footnote 114: See page 379 _et seq._]
+
+[Footnote 115: See page 391 _et seq._]
+
+[Footnote 116: See page 395 _et seq._]
+
+[Footnote 117: The Boer form of this proverb is: Half an egg is better
+than an empty shell.]
+
+[Footnote 118: The head fastened to the knee.]
+
+[Footnote 119: Having two legs fastened together.]
+
+
+FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, 1902.
+
+After the preliminary prayer had been offered, Vice-President Burger
+said that before beginning the business of the day, it was his sad duty
+to inform the meeting that the President of the Orange Free State had
+been obliged to resign, on account of serious illness. President Steyn
+had been compelled, in order to obtain medical assistance, to put
+himself in the hands of the enemy. He had further to communicate that
+Commander-in-Chief de Wet had been appointed Vice-President of the
+Orange Free State. He wished to express his deep sympathy with the
+representatives in the severe loss which they had sustained. President
+Steyn, he said, had been a rock and pillar to their great cause.
+
+Vice-President de Wet having thanked the Vice-President of the South
+African Republic for his kind and sympathetic words, Mr. J. Naude (the
+representative of Pretoria, and of General Kemp's flying columns) put
+some questions with regard to the colonists who had been fighting on the
+Boer side. These questions were answered by General Smuts. Mr. Naude
+then asked if the delegates were expected to come to any decision about
+independence.
+
+General Botha replied that the Governments had informed Lords Kitchener
+and Milner that they were not in a condition to decide that
+question--that it was a matter for the nation to settle. The delegates
+had then gone to their burghers, and now had returned, and were present.
+
+Mr. Naude said that it must therefore have been known at Klerksdorp that
+the delegates had to decide upon the question of independence. If that
+were so, he found himself in a difficulty. Either the delegates had been
+misled, or they were the victims of a mistake, for they had never been
+told that they had been elected as plenipotentiaries. Notwithstanding
+all that the lawyers might say, he considered himself as having a
+certain definite mission. He had obtained the votes of his burghers on
+the understanding that he would take up a certain position. He had asked
+them whether independence was to be given up, and they had answered in
+the negative. He could not therefore vote for the acceptance of the
+proposal now before the meeting, for that proposal demanded the
+surrender of independence. His burghers had also insisted on being
+allowed to keep their arms, and on the use of their language in schools
+and Courts of Justice, both of which conditions were refused by the
+British proposal. Since, therefore, he could not agree to the proposal,
+he was for continuing the war. Some asked what were the chances of
+success? He remembered the state of feeling among the burghers at
+Warmebad--that was a dark time indeed. The Commandant-General had paid
+those burghers a visit, and had told them that they had nothing to lose,
+but everything to win, by continuing the struggle. That had been enough
+for them. They had not had much prospect then; they could not see
+whither their road was leading. But they had found out afterwards. It
+had been a dark time too when Pretoria was taken, but most of the
+burghers had remained steadfast. And after the darkness the light had
+come back. Again a dark cloud was over them--it would pass away, and the
+light would reappear.
+
+General De la Rey explained that he had not intended to mislead anybody
+at the gatherings of the burghers. Every document which the Government
+had handed over to him had been laid before those gatherings. Mr. Naude
+had asked whether the delegates at that meeting had to decide about
+independence. Most certainly they had. And to do so was a duty devolving
+upon Mr. Naude as much as on any other delegate present. They would have
+to decide, not for their own districts alone, but for the whole country.
+
+Mr. Naude said that he had no wish to free himself from his
+responsibility, but he could not forget that he had come there with a
+definite mission.
+
+Judge Hertzog wished again to explain the rights of the question from a
+legal point of view. One must ask: If the nation were here, what would
+it wish to be done? And one must act in conformity with what one thinks
+its answer would be. The Judge then proceeded to speak on the matter in
+general. What, he asked, were the arguments in favour of continuing the
+war? In the first place, England was growing weaker just as their own
+nation was. Any one could see that with their own eyes. It was true as
+regarded the financial side of the question. No doubt England could
+still collect millions of pounds, if she wished, but the time would come
+when she would have trouble with her tax-payers. Already the British
+Government found it difficult to pay the interest on the sum borrowed
+for war expenses, as was proved by the fact that a corn tax had been
+levied in England. That tax would not have been levied unless things had
+been in a serious condition. In the second place, he would ask how it
+was they had not been allowed to meet their deputation? It would only
+have taken the deputation fourteen days to perform the journey; by now
+it would have been among them. But permission had been refused them. And
+why? It was said that to grant a permission would have been a military
+irregularity. But the present meeting was also a military irregularity.
+There must be something more behind that refusal. But what were the
+arguments against going on with the war? He would enumerate them--the
+situation in which they found themselves was critical; the country as a
+whole was exhausted. Nearly all the horses had died or had been
+captured. The strongest argument of all, however, was that some of their
+own people had turned against them, and were fighting in the ranks of
+the enemy. Then the condition of the women caused great anxiety; a fear
+had been expressed that a moral decay might set in among the families in
+the camps. That consideration had great weight with him. No one with any
+heart could remain indifferent to it. If there was one thing which more
+than anything else made him respect Commandant-General Botha, it was
+that the Commandant-General had the heart to feel, and the courage to
+express, the importance of that consideration. The present war was one
+of the saddest that had ever been waged. He doubted if there had ever
+been a war in which a nation had suffered as they had. But all those
+sufferings, horrible though they were, did not influence his decision.
+Did he but see the chance of finally securing freedom for the nation, he
+would put all such considerations on one side, and go on fighting till
+death. No; it was not the horror of the situation which influenced him;
+there was something that weighed upon his heart yet more heavily--it was
+_the holding of that meeting at Vereeniging_. He reproached no one.
+Every one had acted with the best intentions. Nevertheless that meeting
+was a fatal error; it would give them their death blow. For what had it
+produced--a statement from the lips of the Commandant-General himself
+that the condition of the country was hopeless. If there were yet any
+burghers whose courage was not gone, would they not be utterly
+disheartened when they heard what their leaders had said at that
+meeting? That was the saddest thought of all. He could understand that
+those burghers who had already lost heart should be leaving the
+commandos, but now those who had never yet been disheartened would
+become so. But notwithstanding all this, it was difficult to feel
+certain which was the right course to pursue--to give up the war or to
+continue it. He could only suggest that those who were now in doubt on
+the matter should support the line of action which, before their doubt
+began, had appeared to them to be best.
+
+Mr. L.J. Meijer (a member of the Government of the South African
+Republic) then gave some account of the devastation of that part of the
+country which lay to the north of the Eastern Railway, and on the
+further side of the Sabi River. (This report coincided with those
+already given by the delegates.) He went on to say that as they were all
+in the dark, and could not see the road they were travelling along, they
+must take reason and conscience for their guide. They had already lost
+much: let them not lose everything. And what could they hope to gain by
+continuing the struggle? To do so might be to throw away their last
+chance of peace. What would their progeny say of them if they were to
+persist in the struggle and thus lose everything they had possessed?
+They would say, "Our forefathers were brave, but they had no brains."
+Whereas, if they were to stop the war, their progeny would say, "Our
+forefathers did not fight for their own glory." He pointed out that
+however little the British proposal contained of what they desired, it
+nevertheless promised them representative government. In the past he had
+been against the war; he had wished that the five years' franchise
+should be granted. Although the people had opposed this measure he had
+always supported it. And why? Because he had feared that were that
+measure not conceded African blood would stain the ground. Must they
+still continue to shed blood? After the capture of Bloemfontein there
+had been a secret meeting of the council of war at Pretoria. His
+Government had then been willing to surrender, but the Free State had
+refused. The two Governments had therefore decided to go on with the
+war. A year later, in the month of June, there had been another meeting.
+A letter had been sent to the Free State. The two Governments had met at
+Waterval, and had once more decided to continue the struggle. Later on,
+again, the Government of the South African Republic wrote another letter
+to the Free State; but there had been no opportunity of meeting until
+the present occasion, which saw them assembled together at Vereeniging.
+Were they again going to decide to continue their resistance? It was a
+matter for serious consideration. There was but little seed-corn left.
+This must, if they had to go on fighting, be preserved from the enemy at
+all costs; were it to be destroyed, the African nation must cease to
+exist. But they could not continue the war. It was the Boers now who
+were teaching the English how to fight against us; Boers now were with
+the enemy's forces, showing them how to march by night, and pointing out
+to them all the foot passes.
+
+Commandant Van Niekerk (Kroonstad) pointed out that the Colonists had
+already rendered them valuable aid, and could still do so. Were they now
+to abandon these Colonists, and--thinking only about saving
+themselves--leave them to fight on alone? It would be sad indeed if the
+burghers were compelled to lay down their arms.
+
+Commandant-General L. Botha said that in regard to the holding of a
+national meeting, he had already chosen delegates with power to act. He
+spoke of the state of affairs at the beginning of the war--the two
+Republics had then at least sixty thousand men under arms. In reference
+to the Cape Colony, he said that it had never been expected that that
+country would allow its railways to be used for the transport of troops.
+The Commandant-General then proceeded as follows:--
+
+"I used to entertain hopes that the European Powers would interfere on
+our behalf. All that they have done, however, has been to look on while
+England was introducing all sorts of new methods of warfare, methods,
+too, which are contrary to all international law.
+
+"When the war began we had plenty of provisions, and a commando could
+remain for weeks in one spot without the local food supply running out.
+Our families, too, were then well provided for. But all this is now
+changed. One is only too thankful nowadays to know that our wives are
+under English protection. This question of our womenfolk is one of our
+greatest difficulties. What are we to do with them? One man answers that
+some of the burghers should surrender themselves to the English, and
+take the women with them. But most of the women now amongst us are the
+wives of men already prisoners. And how can we expect those not their
+own kith and kin to be willing to give up liberty for their sakes?
+
+"As to the deputation, we must remember that it was accredited to all
+the Powers of Europe. And yet it has only been able to hand in its
+credentials to the Netherlands Government. Does not this prove that no
+other Government is willing to receive it? If you need further proof, I
+refer you to the letter in which the deputation--they were still allowed
+to write to us then--said: 'There is no chance for us in Europe.' The
+deputation wanted to be allowed to return home, but our Government
+advised them to remain in Europe, because their arrival in South Africa
+would be a death blow to the hopes of many. That is why the deputation
+is still in Europe. Later on they said that, although they knew that
+there was no chance of intervention, yet they felt that they ought to
+persist in their efforts, because of the sacrifices which we had already
+made. It is possible that a war may arise in Europe from which we shall
+gain something, but what right have we to expect such a contingency?
+Moreover, great nations take but little interest in the fate of small
+ones--indeed, it is to the advantage of the former that the small
+nations should be wiped out of existence.
+
+"I cannot refrain from alluding to the faithlessness of some of our
+burghers, who are to be found in the ranks of the enemy. But this is not
+the only sign of the way in which affairs are trending--I look back on
+the past. I remember that we have been fighting a full year since we
+last heard of our deputation. What have we gained since June, 1901?
+Nothing. On the contrary, we have been going backwards so fast that, if
+this weakening process goes on much longer, we shall soon find ourselves
+unable any more to call ourselves a fighting nation. What have we not
+undergone in the course of this year which is just over! In the
+concentration camps alone, twenty thousand women and children have died.
+When I was in Pretoria I received reports from our information office,
+and otherwise, of our losses. I found that there were thirty-one
+thousand six hundred prisoners of war, of whom six hundred had died, and
+that three thousand eight hundred of our burghers had been killed in the
+war. Is not a loss such as this, in so short a time as two and a half
+years, a serious matter? Think, too, of the sufferings which those
+twenty thousand women who died in the camps must have endured!
+
+"I am not deaf to the claims of the colonists who have been fighting for
+us. I have said that if we surrender our independence, we must provide
+for them. Should we serve their interests by continuing the war? No,
+indeed! The best thing for them would be that we should bring it to a
+close. But if we are absolutely determined to go on fighting, let us at
+least say to them, 'We advise _you_ to desist.'
+
+"What I am saying now is in substance what I said at Warmbad at a time
+when there were two thousand men of that district in the Veldt. How many
+are there now? Four hundred and eighty! On that occasion I also said
+that we must continue the war until we were driven by sheer starvation
+to make peace. Well, in some divisions starvation has already come. The
+delegates themselves have had to confess that our strength up till now
+has lain in the fact that we have been able to continue the struggle in
+every district. In this way we have divided the enemy's forces. But if
+we are compelled to abandon some of our districts, and to concentrate on
+certain points, then the English also will concentrate, and attack us
+with an irresistible force.
+
+"It has been suggested that we ought to march into Cape Colony. I know,
+however, what that would mean--Commander-in-Chief de Wet marched into
+the colonies. He had a large force, and the season of the year was
+auspicious for his attempt, and yet he failed. How, then, shall we
+succeed in winter, and with horses so weak that they can only go
+_op-een-stap_.[120]
+
+"What, then, are we to do? Some will reply, 'Go on with the war,' Yes,
+but for how long? For ten or twelve years? But would that be possible?
+If in two years we have been reduced from sixty thousand fighting men to
+half that number, where will our army be after another ten years of war?
+It is clear enough to me that if we go on any longer, we shall be
+compelled to surrender. Would it not be better to come to some agreement
+with the enemy, while we have the opportunity? We have all received the
+gift of reason; let us use it on the present occasion.
+
+"As far as I and my own burghers are concerned, to continue the struggle
+is still possible. But we must not only think of ourselves. We must
+almost think of others. There are, for instance, the widows and orphans.
+If we accept the terms now offered to us, they will remain under our
+care. But if we go on with the war until we are forced to surrender, who
+will then take care of them? Or if we were all killed, what could we do
+for them? We should not even be able to send a deputation to Europe, to
+ask for money to help us to rebuild our farms, and to feed our burghers.
+
+"There are three questions now before us--three alternatives between
+which we have to choose--the continuing of the war, unconditional
+surrender, and the acceptance of the British proposal. With regard to
+the first, I fail to see what satisfactory result can come to us from
+persisting in this unequal contest, which must result in the end in our
+extermination. As to the choice between the other two, in many ways
+unconditional surrender would be the better. But, for the sake of the
+nation, we may not choose it. Although to reject it may involve us in
+many hardships, yet we must think of nothing else but the interests of
+the nation. Our only course, then, is to accept the proposal of the
+English Government. Its terms may not be very advantageous to us, but
+nevertheless they rescue us from an almost impossible position."
+
+After a short adjournment the delegates again assembled at about 2 p.m.
+
+General C.H. Muller (Boksburg) said that his burghers had sent him to
+defend their menaced independence. One part of them had authorized him
+to act as his judgment should dictate; another part had ordered him to
+hold out for independence and to try to get into communication with the
+European deputation. He had long ago told his burghers that they must
+trust in God if they wished to continue the war, for they could not do
+so by relying only on their guns and rifles. He did not like to think of
+what they would say if he were to go back to them and tell them that he
+had not been in communication with the deputation, and that the
+proposal of the English Government had been accepted. He could not bring
+himself to surrender. Nevertheless, having in view what the
+Commandant-General and others had said, he felt that he must do so, for
+it was impossible for him to prosecute the war single-handed. But could
+not the delegates continue to stand by one another, and make a covenant
+with the Lord? The district which he represented was one of the poorest
+in the whole country, and the L3,000,000 offered by the enemy did not
+include any provision for those who, like his burghers, could do nothing
+to help themselves. He would again suggest that the delegates should
+make a vow unto the Lord. For himself, he could not vote for the
+acceptance of the British proposal.
+
+General J.H. Smuts then spoke as follows:--
+
+"Up till now I have taken no part in this discussion, but my opinions
+are not unknown to my Government; we have arrived at a dark period both
+in the history of our war, and in the course of our national
+development. To me it is all the darker because I am one of those who,
+as members of the Government of the South African Republic, provoked the
+war with England. A man, however, may not draw back from the
+consequences of his deeds. We must therefore keep back all private
+feeling, and decide solely with a view to the lasting interests of our
+nation. This is an important occasion for us--it is perhaps the last
+time that we shall meet as a free people with a free government. Let us
+then rise to the height of this occasion; let us arrive at a decision
+for which our posterity shall bless, and not curse us.
+
+"The great danger for this meeting is that of deciding the questions
+before it on purely military grounds. Nearly all the delegates here are
+officers who in the past have never quailed before the overwhelming
+forces of the enemy, and who therefore are never likely to do so in the
+future. They do not know what fear is, and they are ready to shed the
+last drop of their blood in the defence of their country.
+
+"Now if we look at the matter from _their_ point of view, that is to
+say, if we look at it merely as a military question, I am bound to admit
+that we shall come to the conclusion that the war _can_ be continued. We
+are still an unconquered power; we have still about eighteen thousand
+men in the field--veterans, with whom one can accomplish almost
+anything. From a purely military standpoint, our cause is not yet lost.
+But it is as a _nation_, and not as an _army_, that we are met here, and
+it is therefore for the nation principally that we must consult. No one
+sits here to represent this or that commando. One and all, we represent
+the African nation, and not only those members of it which are now in
+the field, but also those who rest beneath the soil, and those yet
+unborn, who shall succeed us.
+
+"No! We do not only represent our burghers on commando, the troops over
+which we are placed in command; we represent also the thousands who have
+passed away, after making the last sacrifice for their country; the
+prisoners scattered all the world over; the women and children dying by
+the thousand in the prison camps of the enemy; we represent the blood
+and the tears of the whole African nation. From the prisons, the camps,
+the graves, the veldt, and from the womb of the future, that nation
+cries out to us to make a wise decision now, to take no step which might
+lead to the downfall or even to the extermination of their race, and
+thus make all their sacrifices of no avail. Our struggle, up to the
+present, has not been an aimless one. We have not been fighting in mere
+desperation. We began this strife, and we have continued it, because we
+wanted to maintain our independence and were prepared to sacrifice
+everything for it. But we must not sacrifice the African nation itself
+upon the altar of independence. So soon as we are convinced that our
+chance of maintaining our autonomous position as Republics is, humanly
+speaking, at an end, it becomes our clear duty to desist from our
+efforts. We must not run the risk of sacrificing our nation and its
+future to a mere idea which can no longer be realized.
+
+"And ought we not to be convinced that independence is now irretrievably
+lost? We have been fighting without cessation for nearly three years. It
+is no exaggeration to say that during that period we have been employing
+all the strength and all the means which we possess, in the furtherance
+of our cause. We have sacrificed thousands of lives; we have lost all
+our earthly goods; our dear country is become one continuous desert;
+more than twenty thousand of our women and children have perished in the
+camps of the enemy. And has this brought us independence? Just the
+reverse; it is receding further and further from us every day. The
+longer we fight, the greater will be the distance between us and the aim
+for which we are fighting.
+
+"The manner in which the enemy has been conducting, and still continues
+to conduct, this war, has reduced our country to such a state of
+exhaustion, that it will soon be a physical impossibility for us to
+fight any longer. Our only hope lies in the chance of help from outside.
+A year ago I, in the name of my Government, communicated the condition
+of our nation to His Honour States-President Kruger, in Europe. He
+wrote in reply that we must rely on the state of affairs in Cape
+Colony--and the sympathy of European nations--and that we must continue
+the war until all other means were exhausted."
+
+The speaker here enlarged upon the political developments which had
+taken place in the United States and in the principal European countries
+during the preceding two years, and then continued:--
+
+"So far as we are concerned, the sum total of the foreign situation is
+that we obtain a great deal of sympathy, for which we are naturally most
+grateful. More than this we do not obtain, nor shall obtain for many a
+long year. Europe will go on expressing sympathy with us until the last
+Boer hero has died on the field and the last Boer woman has gone down to
+her grave--until, in fact, the whole Boer nation has been sacrificed on
+the altar of history and of humanity.
+
+"I have already, on a former occasion, told you what I think about the
+situation in Cape Colony. We have made great mistakes there; perhaps
+even now Cape Colony is not ripe for the sort of policy which we have
+been pursuing with regard to it. At all events, we cannot entertain any
+hopes of a general rising of the Colonists. We cannot, however, give too
+much honour to those three thousand heroes in the Colony who have
+sacrificed all in our behalf, even though they have not succeeded in
+securing our independence for us.
+
+"Thus we have given President Kruger's advice a fair trial. For twelve
+months we have been testing the value of the methods which he urged upon
+us. And, as a result of it all, we have become convinced that those
+methods are of no avail--that if we wish to remain independent we must
+depend upon ourselves alone. But the facts which the various delegates
+have brought before our notice show that we _cannot_ thus depend upon
+ourselves; that, unless we obtain outside help, the struggle must come
+to an end. We have, then, no hope of success. Our country is already
+devastated and in ruins; let us stop before our people are ruined also.
+
+"And now the enemy approaches with a proposal, which, however
+unacceptable it may be to us in other respects, includes the promise of
+amnesty for our Colonial brethren who have been fighting side by side
+with us. I fear that the day will come when we shall no longer be able
+to save these so-called rebels, and then it will be a just ground for
+reproach that we sacrificed their interests in a cause that was already
+hopeless. Moreover, if we refused the proposal which the British
+Government now makes to us, I am afraid that we shall considerably
+weaken our position in the eyes of the world, and thus lose much of the
+sympathy which to-day it evinces in our favour.
+
+"Brethren, we have vowed to stand fast to the bitter end; but let us be
+men, and acknowledge that that end has now come, and that it is more
+bitter than ever we thought it could be. For death itself would be sweet
+compared with the step which we must now take. But let us bow before the
+will of God.
+
+"The future is dark indeed, but we will not give up courage, and hope,
+and trust in God. No one shall ever convince me that this unparalleled
+sacrifice which the African nation has laid upon the altar of freedom
+will be in vain. It has been a war for freedom--not only for the freedom
+of the Boers, but for the freedom of all the nations of South Africa.
+Its results we leave in God's hands. Perhaps it is His will to lead our
+nation through defeat, through abasement, yes, and even through the
+valley of the shadow of death, to the glory of a nobler future, to the
+light of a brighter day."
+
+Commandant A.J. Bester (Bloemfontein) said that at the meeting at which
+he had been elected his burghers had told him that they were resolved
+not to become the subjects of England. The arguments now urged against
+the continuation of the war were not new--they had been used in former
+times of depression. History gave many instances in which their nation
+had been delivered out of the most critical positions. One could not
+help believing that Right would conquer. How was it to be explained that
+two hundred and forty thousand troops had failed to exterminate two
+small Republics? Then there had been miraculous escapes; surely the
+thoughts of these ought to encourage them. They must all be of one mind.
+His own decision was to stand or to fall for his freedom.
+
+Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) asked whether the proposal could not be
+accepted under protest.
+
+General J.C. Smuts answered that the meeting could empower the
+Governments to accept the proposal, and to add that they did so with
+such and such provisos.
+
+Commandant A.J. Bester (Bloemfontein) thought that there had been enough
+said, and recommended that the discussion be closed.
+
+Commandant F.E. Mentz (Heilbron) also thought that it was not necessary
+to argue any more. He believed that the war could not be continued. In
+Heilbron, Bloemfontein, and part of Bethlehem there were not five head
+of cattle left. The helpless condition of the women and children also
+demanded consideration. The state of the country was becoming so
+desperate that they were now obliged to break away from the kraals. He
+himself had been compelled to this not long ago, and had lost forty men
+in one day. He would have to leave his district, but could not bring it
+to his heart to leave the women behind. It was quite clear to him that
+the war must be stopped, for some parts of the Transvaal were absolutely
+unable to go on fighting. Moreover, were the war to continue, commando
+after commando would go over to the enemy.
+
+General Kemp (Krugersdorp) took a more encouraging view of affairs. He
+would stand or fall with the independence. His mandate was to that
+effect. His conscience also would not justify him in taking any other
+course. He thought that the proposal of the English Government was
+vague, that there was not sufficient provision for the Boer losses in
+it, and that it treated the Dutch language as a foreign tongue.
+Circumstances had often been dark, and the darkness would pass away this
+time as it had done before. Remembering the commission which had been
+given to him by the burghers, he could not do otherwise than vote for a
+continuation of the war.
+
+Vice-President Burger: "I have already given my opinion. I am sorry that
+the meeting seems to be divided. It is necessary for the welfare of our
+nation that we should be of one mind. Are we to continue the war? From
+what I have seen and heard, it is clear to me that we cannot do so. I
+repeat that there is no possibility of it, neither does any real hope
+exist that by doing so we should benefit the nation. It is idle to
+compare our condition in the struggle in 1877-1881 with that in which we
+now find ourselves; I speak from experience.
+
+"It is true that the victory was then ours; that it was so is due to the
+help which we received from outside. The Orange Free State remained
+neutral, but assistance came from President Brand in South Africa and
+from Gladstone in England: thus it was not by our own sword that we were
+enabled to win.
+
+"It will be asked why, if we have kept up the struggle for two years and
+a half, can we not still continue to do so?
+
+"Because, in the meantime, we have become weaker and weaker, and if we
+persist the end must be fatal. What grounds have we for expecting that
+we may yet be victorious? Each man we lose renders us weaker; every
+hundred men we lose means a similar gain to the enemy. England's
+numerical strength does not diminish; on the contrary, there are even
+more troops in the country at this moment than when Lord Roberts had the
+command. England also has used our own men against us, and has not been
+ashamed of arming the Kaffirs; the enemy are learning from our own men
+in what way they should fight--he must be blind indeed who cannot see
+these facts.
+
+"I do not think we can appropriately call this altogether a 'war of
+faith.' Undoubtedly we began this war strong in the faith of God, but
+there were also two or three other things to rely upon. We had
+considerable confidence in our own weapons; we under-estimated the
+enemy; the fighting spirit had seized upon our people; and the thought
+of victory had banished that of the possibility of defeat.
+
+"The question still remains, What are we to do? I have no great opinion
+of the document which lies before us: to me it holds out no inducement
+to stop the war. If I feel compelled to treat for peace it is not on
+account of any advantages that this proposal offers me: it is the weight
+of my own responsibility which drives me to it.
+
+"If I think that by holding out I should dig the nation's grave, nothing
+must induce me to continue the struggle.
+
+"Therefore I consider it my duty, as leader of our nation, to do my
+utmost that not one man more shall be killed, that not one woman more
+shall die.
+
+"The sacrifice must be made; is not this also a trial of our faith? What
+shall we gain by going on? Nothing! It is obvious that further
+surrenders will take place--here of a few, there of many--and our
+weakness will increase.
+
+"We shall also be obliged to abandon large areas of the country. Will
+this make us stronger? Rather, will it not enable the enemy to
+concentrate still more? And the abandoned tracts--to whom will they
+belong? To the enemy!
+
+"In all probability this is our last meeting. I do not believe that we
+shall be given another chance to negotiate: we shall be deemed too
+insignificant. If we reject this proposal, what prospects have we in the
+future? If we accept it, we can, like a child, increase in size and
+strength, but with its rejection goes our last opportunity.
+
+"Fell a tree and it will sprout again; uproot it and there is an end of
+it. What has the nation done to deserve extinction?
+
+"Those who wish to continue the war are influenced chiefly by hope; but
+on what is this hope founded? On our arms? No. On intervention? By no
+means. On what then? No one can say.
+
+"I am sorry that the Transvaal and the Orange Free State are at variance
+on this point, and I regret that it is the Transvaal which has to
+declare itself unable to proceed further; but the enemy have
+concentrated all their forces in this State, and we can hold out no
+longer."
+
+Mr. L. Jacobsz: "I have hitherto not spoken, because I am a
+non-combatant. I have also suffered much, although less than others. I
+have listened to what has been said, but my opinion is not changed by
+the views I have heard expressed.
+
+"I repeat now what I said at Klerksdorp, namely that the struggle cannot
+continue. I have noted the condition of the country, which is such that
+the commandos can no longer be supported. I would point out the
+condition of the women and children, of whom many are dying, and all are
+exposed to great dangers. If there was a chance of succeeding in the
+end, then we might hold out, but there is no such chance; there is no
+possibility of intervention, and the silence of the deputation is
+ominous.
+
+"I sympathize with the heroes present at this meeting; we must have a
+foundation for our faith, and we cannot altogether compare our people
+with the people of Israel. Israel had promises made to them; we have
+none. I would further point out that, in the interests of the nation, it
+will not do to surrender unconditionally: the terms before us may be
+deceptive, but they are the best obtainable.
+
+"With regard to the difficulty of those delegates who consider that they
+are bound to act as they have been commissioned, I am of the same
+opinion as Judge Hertzog and General Smuts."
+
+Commandant J.J. Alberts (Standerton) spoke more or less in the same
+strain. He was of opinion that the war should be finished by ceding
+territory, but, failing this, that it should be ended on any terms
+obtainable.
+
+Vice-President de Wet expressed his opinion that, considering the short
+time at their disposal, they should proceed, if possible, to make some
+proposal.
+
+General D.A. Brand said that he would have spoken if he had not thought
+that enough had been said; he considered it desirable to close the
+discussion, and was willing to make a proposal.
+
+Veldtcornet D.J.E. Opperman (Pretoria South) considered that the
+difficulties of continuing the war, and of accepting the proposal, were
+equal. Some of his burghers would fight no longer. What troubled him
+most was the condition of the women; it went to his heart to see these
+families perish. He was of opinion that, for the sake of the women and
+children who were suffering so intensely, the proposal should be
+accepted under protest.
+
+Veldtcornet J. Van Steedden, seconded by Veldtcornet B.J. Roos, moved
+that the discussion be now closed.
+
+The meeting was adjourned after prayer.
+
+[Footnote 120: The step of a tired horse.]
+
+
+SATURDAY, MAY 31ST, 1902.
+
+The meeting was opened with prayer.
+
+General Nieuwouwdt, seconded by General Brand, made the following
+proposal:--
+
+"This meeting of special deputies from the two Republics, after
+considering the proposal of His Majesty's Government for the
+re-establishment of peace, and taking into consideration (_a_) the
+demands of the burghers in the veldt and the commissions which they had
+given to their representatives; (_b_) that they do not consider
+themselves justified in concluding peace on the basis laid down by His
+Majesty's Government before having been placed in communication with the
+delegates of the Republic now in Europe, decides that it cannot accept
+the proposal of His Majesty's Government, and orders the Governments of
+the two Republics to communicate this decision to His Majesty's
+Government through its representatives."
+
+Mr. P.R. Viljoen, seconded by General H.A. Alberts, made a proposal,
+amended afterwards by General Smuts and Judge Hertzog, which appears
+later on under the proposal of H.P.J. Pretorius and C. Botha.
+
+A third proposal by General E. Botha and General J.G. Celliers was laid
+upon the table, but subsequently withdrawn.
+
+Mr. F.W. Reitz considered it to be his duty not only to the nation but
+also to himself as a citizen, to say that, in case the proposal of the
+British Government should be accepted, it would be necessary for the
+meeting to make provisions as to whose signatures should be attached to
+the necessary documents. He himself would not sign any document by which
+the independence would be given up.
+
+Remarks were made by several members on the first proposal, and Mr. P.R.
+Viljoen asked that no division should arise.
+
+Vice-President de Wet then said that, as the time was limited, and all
+could not speak, he would propose that a Commission should be nominated
+in order to draw up a third proposal in which various opinions of the
+members should be set down; and that, whilst the Commission was occupied
+in this way, the Orange Free State delegates on their part and those of
+the South African Republic on their part, should meet in order that an
+understanding might be come to between them. They must endeavour to come
+to a decision, for it would be of the greatest possible advantage to
+them.
+
+Commandant-General Botha thought that this hint should be taken. They
+had suffered and fought together: let them not part in anger.
+
+The above-mentioned Commission was then decided upon, and Judge Hertzog
+and General Smuts were elected.
+
+Then the Orange Free State delegates went to the tent of Vice-President
+de Wet, whilst those of the South African Republic remained in the tent
+in which the meeting was held.
+
+After a time of heated dispute--for every man was preparing himself for
+the bitter end--they came to an agreement, and Judge Hertzog read the
+following proposal:--
+
+"We, the national representatives of both the South African Republic and
+the Orange Free State, at the meeting held at Vereeniging, from the 15th
+of May till the 31st of May, 1902, have with grief considered the
+proposal made by His Majesty's Government in connexion with the
+conclusion of the existing hostilities, and their communication that
+this proposal had to be accepted, or rejected, unaltered. We are sorry
+that His Majesty's Government has absolutely declined to negotiate with
+the Governments of the Republics on the basis of their independence, or
+to allow our Governments to enter into communication with our
+deputations. Our people, however, have always been under the impression
+that not only on the grounds of justice, but also taking into
+consideration the great material and personal sacrifices made for their
+independence, that it had a well-founded claim for that independence.
+
+"We have seriously considered the future of our country, and have
+specially observed the following facts:--
+
+"Firstly, that the military policy pursued by the British military
+authorities has led to the general devastation of the territory of both
+Republics by the burning down of farms and towns, by the destruction of
+all means of subsistence, and by the exhausting of all resources
+required for the maintenance of our families, the subsistence of our
+armies, and the continuation of the war.
+
+"Secondly, that the placing of our families in the concentration camps
+has brought on an unheard-of condition of suffering and sickness, so
+that in a comparatively short time about twenty thousand of our beloved
+ones have died there, and that the horrid probability has arisen that,
+by continuing the war, our whole nation may die out in this way.
+
+"Thirdly, that the Kaffir tribe, within and without the frontiers of the
+territory of the two Republics, are mostly armed and are taking part in
+the war against us, and through the committing of murders and all sorts
+of cruelties have caused an unbearable condition of affairs in many
+districts of both Republics. An instance of this happened not long ago
+in the district of Vrijheid, where fifty-six burghers on one occasion
+were murdered and mutilated in a fearful manner.
+
+"Fourthly, that by the proclamations of the enemy the burghers still
+fighting are threatened with the loss of all their movable and landed
+property--and thus with utter ruin--which proclamations have already
+been enforced.
+
+"Fifthly, that it has already, through the circumstances of the war,
+become quite impossible for us to keep the many thousand prisoners of
+war taken by our forces, and that we have thus been unable to inflict
+much damage on the British forces (whereas the burghers who are taken
+prisoners by the British armies are sent out of the country), and that,
+after war has raged for nearly three years, there only remains an
+insignificant part of the fighting forces with which we began.
+
+"Sixthly, that this fighting remainder, which is only a small minority
+of our whole nation, has to fight against an overpowering force of the
+enemy, and besides is reduced to a condition of starvation, and is
+destitute of all necessaries, and that notwithstanding our utmost
+efforts, and the sacrifice of everything that is dear and precious to
+us, we cannot foresee an eventual victory.
+
+"We are therefore of opinion that there is no justifiable ground for
+expecting that by continuing the war the nation will retain its
+independence, and that, under these circumstances, the nation is not
+justified in continuing the war, because this can only lead to social
+and material ruin, not for us alone, but also for our posterity.
+Compelled by the above-named circumstances and motives, we commission
+both Governments to accept the proposal of His Majesty's Government, and
+to sign it in the name of the people of both Republics.
+
+"We, the representative delegates, express our confidence that the
+present circumstances will, by accepting the proposal of His Majesty's
+Government, be speedily ameliorated in such a way that our nation will
+be placed in a position to enjoy the privileges to which they think they
+have a just claim, on the ground not only of their past sacrifices, but
+also of those made in this war.
+
+"We have with great satisfaction taken note of the decision of His
+Majesty's Government to grant a large measure of amnesty to the British
+subjects who have taken up arms on our behalf, and to whom we are united
+by bonds of love and honour; and express our wish that it may please His
+Majesty to still further extend this amnesty."
+
+Mr. P.R. Viljoen then withdrew his proposal.
+
+Commandant H.P.J. Pretorius, seconded by General C. Botha, presented the
+proposal, as read by the Commission.
+
+General Nieuwouwdt also withdrew his proposal, but it was at once taken
+over by General C.C.J. Badenhorst, seconded by Commandant A.J. Bester,
+of Bloemfontein.
+
+The meeting then adjourned till the afternoon.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In the afternoon at 2.05 it again met.
+
+Proceeding to the voting, the proposal of H.P.J. Pretorius, seconded by
+General C. Botha, was accepted, by fifty-four votes against six. Then
+Vice-President Burger spoke a few words suitable to the occasion as
+follows:--"We are standing here at the grave of the two Republics. Much
+yet remains to be done, although we shall not be able to do it in the
+official capacities which we have formerly occupied. Let us not draw our
+hands back from the work which it is our duty to accomplish. Let us ask
+God to guide us, and to show us how we shall be enabled to keep our
+nation together. We must be ready to forgive and forget, whenever we
+meet our brethren. That part of our nation which has proved unfaithful
+we must not reject."
+
+Later, Vice-President Burger spoke a few words of farewell to the
+Commandant-General, to the Members of the Executive Councils, and to the
+delegates.
+
+In the afternoon, as it turned out for the last time, Commandant
+Jacobsz, seconded by General Muller, made the following proposal, which
+was unanimously accepted by the meeting:--
+
+"This meeting of Delegates, having in view the necessity of collecting
+means to provide for the wants of the suffering women and children,
+widows and orphans, and other destitute persons, who have through this
+war come to a condition of want, and also having in view the
+desirability of nominating a Committee, whose duty it shall be to
+arrange the necessary steps in this matter, and to finally decide on the
+management and distribution of the donations received, decides:--
+
+"To nominate the Hon. Messrs. M.J. Steyn, S.W. Burger, L. Botha, C.R. de
+Wet, J.H. De la Rey, A.P. Kriel, and J.D. Kestell, as the Committee, to
+carry out all arrangements for the above-mentioned purposes, that may
+seem desirable and expedient to them, and also to appoint new Members,
+Sub-Committees and working Committees; and the said Committee is
+empowered to draw up regulations, and to amend them from time to time as
+shall seem to them expedient.
+
+"This meeting further decides to send abroad from the above-mentioned
+Committee, Messrs. C.R. de Wet, L. Botha, and J.H. De la Rey, in order
+that they may help in collecting the above-mentioned donations."
+
+Then this--the last meeting of the two Republics--was closed with
+prayer.
+
+
+
+
+Index
+
+
+Aard, Commandant Frans van--
+  Election as Commandant of Kroonstad, 115
+  Killed in engagement between Kroonstad and Lindley, 157
+
+Abraham's Kraal--Bombardment by British, Boer Flight, 52
+
+_Achterlaaiers_, 3
+
+Active Service--Calling up of Orange Free State Burghers, 4
+  Commando Law as to Equipment, Provisions, etc., 3
+  Notification to Orange Free State Burghers to hold themselves in
+      readiness, 3
+
+Alberts, Capt.--Tribute to, 243
+
+Albrecht, Major--Command of Boer Reinforcements at Koedoesberg, 28
+
+Ammunition--Amount possessed by Boers in 1902, 408
+  Capture of Ammunition by the Boers, 173
+    Dewetsdorp, 178
+    Doornspruit, Capture of Train near, 132
+    Roodewal--Amount captured, 103
+      Digging up, 191, 193
+      Disposal of, 104, 106
+    Tweefontein, 282
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Ammunition hidden in Cave, 298
+
+Amnesty--General Amnesty for Boer Sympathisers in Cape Colony and Natal,
+  proposed, 322
+
+Annexation of the South African Republic--Battles fought after the
+    alleged Annexation, 229
+  Peace Negotiations at Pretoria, References to the Annexation, 367
+
+Armistice to admit of attendance of Officers at the Vereeniging Meeting
+    (May, 1902), 315
+  Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, 317
+
+Arms, Surrender of, _see_ titles Banishment and Surrender
+
+Assistant-Commander-in-Chief Gen. de Wet obtaining Post from
+    Government, 95
+
+Assistant-Commander-in-Chief of the Orange Free State--
+  Prinsloo, Mr. Marthinus, Illegal Election of, 126
+  Steenekamp, Commandant, Nomination of, 144
+
+
+Badenhorst, Siege of, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 77, 78
+  Abandonment of Siege, 79
+
+Badenhorst, Veldtcornet, 94
+  Vice-Commander-in-Chief in Districts of Boshof, etc., Appointment, 159
+
+Baggage Animals of British Troops--Exhaustion of, 148
+  Use of, 279
+
+Baker's, Col., Column--Commander-in-Chief de Wet lying in wait with a
+    view to Reprisals, 271
+
+Banishment Proclamation of Aug. 7, 1901 (Lord Kitchener's
+    Proclamation), 247-250
+  Battles fought subsequent to, 252
+  Burghers, Effect on, 252
+  Kitchener's, Lord, Letter to Commander-in-Chief de Wet enclosing copy
+      of Proclamation, 247
+    De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Reply, 248
+  Officers, Effect on, 250
+  President and Commander-in-Chief of Transvaal and Orange Free
+      State--Replies, 250, 251, 257, 258
+  Steyn's, President, Letter to Lord Kitchener, 251-259
+  Terms of, 247-251
+
+Bank Notes of the South African Republic--Peace Terms, Arrangements for
+    honouring Notes, 380
+  Prisoners of War, Opportunity of sending in Notes for Payment, 386
+
+Barbed Wire Fences, _see_ Wire Fences
+
+Barton, Gen., Attack on at Frederiksstad by Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+    and Gen. Liebenberg, 164-167
+
+Beijers, Gen.--Continuance of the War, Spirit of the Nation an
+    obstacle--Speech at Vereeniging Conference, 410
+  Waterberg District, Situation in--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 339
+
+Bergh, Capt.--Attacks on Boer Forces with bands of Kaffirs, 271
+
+Bester, Commandant A.J.--Continuance of the War, Argument in favour of
+    at the Vereeniging Conference, 421
+
+Bester Station, Skirmish at, 10
+
+Bethlehem--Commandants of Boer Forces, Appointments, 227, 228
+  Defence of--British Reinforcements, Arrival of, 121, 122
+    Dispositions of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 120, 121
+    _Voetgangers_ on Wolhuterskop, Bravery of, 121, 122
+  Engagement near, 194, 195
+  Fall of, 122
+
+Bethlehem Commando--Fidelity of Burghers, 94, _note_
+
+Bezuidenhoutspas--Occupation by Vrede Commando, 7, 8
+
+Biddulphsberg Engagement--English wounded burnt by veldt fire, 84
+
+"Big Constable"--Transvaalers mistaking President Steyn for Police
+    Agent, 86, 87
+
+Birkenstock, Mr.--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., 399
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 343
+
+Blauwbank, Fight at, 30
+  British Camp abandoned--Booty taken by Boers, 33, 34
+  British Convoy, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Attack on, 32, 33
+
+Blijdschap--Arrival of Laager of Women, 268
+  De Lange sentenced to death for High Treason at, 268, _note_
+  Massing of Commandos at, 268
+
+_Blikkiescost_, 4
+
+Blockhouse System--"Blockhead" System, alleged, 260
+  Boer Success in breaking through Blockhouses, 260, 261
+  Bothaville, Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, 299
+  British loss of faith in Blockhouses, 291, 292
+  Cost of erection and maintenance, 262
+  Description of, 262
+  Districts surrounded by the British, 261
+  Failure of, alleged, 261
+  Lindley-Kroonstad Line, Boers breaking through, 287
+  Palmietfontein, Boers breaking through Line near, 289, 290
+  Prolongation of the War by, alleged, 263, 264
+  Small number of Captures effected, 260, 261
+  Springhaansnek--Commander-in-Chief de Wet breaking through the Line of
+      Blockhouses on the march to the South, 173
+  Thaba'Nchu and Sanna's Post, Forts between--Capture by
+      Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 201, 202
+  Trenches dug by British near Blockhouse Lines, etc., 288, 294, 295
+
+Bloemfontein--Capture by British, 55
+  Defence of--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Arrangements, 54
+  Water Works--Occupation by General Broadwood, 61
+
+"Boer Biscuits," 3
+
+Boer Forces--
+  Burghers who had returned home after fall of Bloemfontein, Re-call to
+      the front, 71
+  Commandos left with Commander-in-Chief de Wet after fall of
+      Bloemfontein, _note_ 57
+  Confusion among Burghers at Holspruits, 294, 295
+  Discipline, _see_ that title
+  Disposition of Forces after fall of Bethlehem, 124
+  Harrismith Commando, Refusal to part with Waggons--Return
+      home, 161, 163
+  Medical Certificates, Abuse of, _note_ 59
+  Mobility, _see_ that title
+  Numbers at Outset of War, 408, 414, 415, 491
+  Numbers at the Termination of the War, 322, 338, 339, 347, 348, 359,
+      360, 361, 362
+  Orange Free State Commandos--
+    Commander-in-Chief, Election of, 6, 7
+    Harrismith, Concentration at, 4, 6-7
+    Heilbron Commando, _see_ that title
+    Number of Burghers ready to fight after fall of Pretoria, 94
+  Panic after Paardeberg, 48, 49, 51, 52, _note_ 57
+    Permission given to Burghers by Commander-in-Chief de Wet to return
+        home, 56, _note_ 57--Gen. Joubert's Protest, 57
+  Reduction in numbers due to Paardeberg Surrender, etc., 89, 90
+  Roberts', Lord, Surrender Proclamation--Effect on Numbers rejoining
+      Commandos, 60
+    Non-observance of Terms, Burghers returning to Commandos, 80
+  Separation of Free Staters and Transvaalers after fall of Kroonstad,
+      Reasons for, 89, 90
+
+Boesmanskop Skirmish, 80
+
+Boshof, Vrow--Gift of Clothes to Burghers who had swum the Orange
+    River, 221, 222
+
+Bosman, Landdrost--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 404, 405, 406
+  Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Report to the
+      Vereeniging Conference, 361, 362
+
+Botha--Capture at Honingkopjes, Subsequent Escape and Death, 110
+
+Botha, Commandant-General--
+  Continuance of the War, Arguments against--Terms of Surrender,
+      etc., 414, 415
+  Estcourt Skirmishes--Capture of Armoured Train, etc., 19
+  Fortitude after Fall of Pretoria, 93
+  Independence of the South African Republic and Orange Free
+      State--Vereeniging Conference Delegates' power to decide as to
+      Independence, 411
+  Junction with Commander-in-Chief de Wet at
+      Rhenosterriviersbrug, 88, 89
+  Middelburg Peace Proposals, _see_ that title
+  Mission to Europe on behalf of Relief Fund Committee, 428
+  Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives
+      at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396
+  Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 337, 338, 354-358
+
+Botha, General Philip--
+  Dewetsdorp Defences, Occupation of, 175, 176
+  Engagement with General Knox's Forces, 194, 195
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+  Reinforcements sent to Commander-in-Chief de Wet before Paardeberg,
+      Command of, 36, 37
+  Stinkfontein--Failure to recapture Position, 45
+  Storming of, 40
+  Tabaksberg, Engagement at, 83
+
+Botha, Mr. Jan--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute to, 150, 151
+
+Bothaville--Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, 299
+  Surprise Attack by the British on Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+      Forces--Boer Panic, 168-170
+    Losses of the Boers, 170-171
+
+_Bout Span_, 5
+
+Boys--Presence with Commandos, 287, 289, 290
+  Children killed and wounded, 289, 290, 295, 296
+
+Brabant's, General, Successes, 50
+
+Brabant's Horse--Attack on Commandant Kritzinger and Captain
+    Scheepers, 185, 186
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Opinion of, 75, 76
+
+Brand, President--Assistance rendered to South African Republic in War
+    of 1877-1881, 422, 423
+
+Brandfort, Boer Forces at--Hotels closed by Commander-in-Chief, 60
+
+_Brandwachten_, 22
+
+Breijtenbach, Veldtcornet B.H.--Continuance of the War, Impossibility of
+    Carrying on the Struggle, 403, 404
+
+British Forces--Artillery, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute to, 25
+  March from Bethlehem to Reitz, under guidance of Free
+      Staater, 263, 264
+  Sixty Thousand Men, Cordon of, 291, 292, 293, 294
+
+Broadwood, General--Occupation of Thaba'Nchu, 65, 66
+  Retreat towards Thaba'Nchu before General Olivier, 62
+
+Broodspioen, 207, 208
+
+Bruwer, Commandant--Appointment to Command of Bethlehem
+    District, 227, 228
+
+Buller, Sir Redvers--Drakensberg Frontier, Crossing of, 93
+  Landing at Cape Town, 21
+  Relief of Ladysmith, 50
+  Strength of Positions operated against by Sir Redvers Buller, 21
+
+Bulwana Hill--Boers surprised by British, 21
+
+Burger, Vice-President--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 398, 421, 422, 424, 425
+  Meeting with Orange Free State Government, Letter to President
+      Steyn, 301, 302
+  Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Address at the
+      Vereeniging Conference, 336, 337, 351-354
+  Steyn, President, Resignation of--Announcement at Vereeniging
+      Conference, 411
+
+
+Cape Colony--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Attempted Inroad--March towards Cape
+      Colony--
+    Blockhouses--Commander-in-Chief de Wet breaking through the Line at
+        Springhaansnek, 173, 187, 188, 189
+    Dewetsdorp--
+      Defences, British neglecting to hold, 175, 176
+      Storming of, 175-179
+    Forces under Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 172
+    "Good Hope" Farm, Engagement near, 181
+      Knox's, Gen., Arrival with British Reinforcements, 181
+    Gun and Amount of Ammunition taken, 173
+    Karmel, March towards, 181, 182
+    Knox's, Gen., Pursuit of Commander-in-Chief de
+        Wet, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190
+    Orange and Caledon Rivers in flood--Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+        "cornered," 182, 183
+    Prinsloo's, Commandant Michal, Commando--Appearance in the nick of
+        time, 187, 188
+    Retreat across Orange River, 184, 185
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Expedition into--
+    Capture of Farm held by British Troops, 207, 208
+    Courage and Endurance of Burghers, 212
+    Diminution in number of Boer Forces, 206, 207
+    Engagements with British Troops, 206, 207, 212
+    Escape of Boer Forces in the darkness, 216, 219, 220
+    Fodder, Lack of, 206, 207
+    Knox's, Gen., Movements, 201, 202, 203
+    Miraculous Nature of Boer Achievements, 223, 224
+    Moddervlei, Passage of--Boer Loss of Ammunition and Flour
+        Waggons, 208, 209, 210, 212
+    Officers serving with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 195, 196
+    Position of Boer Forces after crossing Orange River, 205, 206
+    Retreat across Orange River, Difficulties of, etc., 217-224
+    Strategy employed to mislead Gen. Knox, 202, 203, 204
+  General Rising of Burghers, Impossibility of--Reports of Delegates at
+      the Vereeniging Conference, 340, 341, 342, 355, 360, 361, 405, 406
+  Position of affairs at the beginning of 1901--Colonial Burghers'
+      Sympathy with Boer Cause, 195, 196
+  Sheep-farming, success of in North-Western Districts, 211
+  Small Commandos sent to Cape Colony, Policy of, 234
+
+Cape Mounted Rifles, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's opinion of, 77, 78
+
+Cartwright, Mr., Editor of _South African News_--Punishment for
+    publication of "not to take prisoners" Anecdote concerning Lord
+    Kitchener, 184, 185
+
+Casualties, _see_ Losses in Killed and Wounded, etc., on either side
+
+Cattle--Blockhouse Line between Lindley and Kroonstad, Boer Cattle
+    breaking through, 288
+  Capture of Boer Cattle on "Majuba Day," 296, 297
+  Destruction by the British, 192, 232
+  Supply available on May 15, 1902--Report of Vereeniging
+      Delegates, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 343, 344, 345, 346, 351, 352
+
+Causes of the War--British Government Interference with the inner policy
+    of the South African Republic, 252, 253
+  Declaration of War by the South African Republics as the
+      Cause--President Steyn's Contradiction, 251, 252
+  Extermination of the Republics already determined on by England,
+      alleged, 254, 255
+  Franchise Law--British Government Demands, 252, 253, 254
+  Goldfields the main object, alleged, 350, 351
+  Jameson Raid as a Cause, alleged, 251, 252, 253
+  Memorials to H.M. Government concerning alleged Grievances--President
+      Steyn's efforts to keep the Peace, 252, 253, 254
+  Orange Free State joining issues with the Transvaal, 254, 255
+  Steyn's, President, Letter to Lord Kitchener, 250-259
+  Troops landed by the British Government prior to outbreak of
+      War, 253, 254
+  Ultimatum of Boers, Lord Salisbury's Assertion, 53, 54
+
+Ceylon--Boer Prisoners taken with Gen. Prinsloo sent to Ceylon, 156
+
+Chamberlain, Mr. J.--Boer Ultimatum--Telegrams to Sir A. Milner, 329
+  Jameson Raid--Defence of Mr. Rhodes, President Steyn on, 251, 252
+
+Cilliers, Gen. J.G.--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 404, 405
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Address at the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 353, 354
+
+Cilliers, Sarah--Death at Frederiksstad Engagement, 166, 167
+
+Clothing--De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Clothes hidden in Cave, 298
+  Difficulty of obtaining, 233
+  Hides for tanning, Destruction by the British, 233
+  Stripping British Prisoners to obtain, 233
+
+Colenso--British losses at, 23
+
+Colesberg--Strength of Boer Positions, 26
+
+Colonial Burghers--British subjects fighting on Boer Side, Boer Hopes of
+    Assistance unfulfilled, 405, 406, 408, 420
+  British Government Intentions with regard to Rebels, 394, 395
+  Proposal for General Amnesty, 413, 414
+  Safeguarding in Peace Negotiations, 398, 402, 403, 411, 414, 415, 416,
+      421, 427
+
+Commandeering--Provisions of Commando Law, 3
+
+Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State--
+  De Wet, Gen.--Appointment of, 49
+    Secret Election of, 118
+  Prinsloo, Election of, 6, 7
+
+Commando Law--Provisions as to Commandeering, 3
+
+Commandos--Division of into small parties, 225
+    Advantages of, 227
+    List of Districts and Commandants, 225-227
+  Skirmishes, Splendid Record, 267
+  Small Commandos sent into Cape Colony--De Wet's Policy, 234
+  (For particular Commandos _see_ their names)
+
+Commissariat--Comparison of Boer and British Commissariat
+    Arrangements, 4, 5, 6, 7
+
+Compensation for Boer Losses, _see_ Repatriation
+
+Concentration Camps--Number of Deaths in, etc., 416, 419, 426
+  Women--Flight of to avoid being sent to Camps, 193, 279
+    Maintenance of Boer Women and Children by the British
+        Government--President Steyn on, 257, 258
+    Treatment of, 232, 257, 258
+
+Conduct of the War by British--Exhaustion of the Republics, 419
+
+Continuance of the War in 1902, Vereeniging Conference--
+  Burghers, Attitude of, 404, 405, 410, 411
+    Effect on Vereeniging Meeting, 413, 414
+  Comparison of Situation with that of 1877-1881, Futility of, 421, 422
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Speech, 407
+  Kruger's, President, Advice, 420
+  Possibility, Question of--Situation in South African Republic,
+      Reliance on Government, etc., 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353,
+      354-358, 359, 360-362, 363, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405,
+      407, 408, 410, 412, 413, 414, 415, 417, 418, 420, 421, 422, 423,
+      424, 426
+  Reasons for, 400, 401
+
+Correspondence relating to the War, Preservation of, 247
+
+Court Martial on Commandant Vilonel, Composition of, _note_ 85
+
+Cowboys, Capture by Boers--Blauwbank Capture, 33, 34
+
+Cronje, Commandant--Continuance of the War, Reliance on God, etc., 402
+  European Intervention, Boer Deputation to Foreign Courts, 402, 403
+
+Cronje, Gen. A.P.--Modder Spruit, Command at, 11
+  Sanna's Post, Share in Engagement, 64
+  Vechtgeneraal of Orange Free State, Nomination as, 11
+
+Cronje, Gen. Piet--De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Scheme for breaking
+    Lord Methuen's Railway Communications--Refusal to permit Execution
+    of, 23
+  Ladysmith, Occupation of Positions South and Southwest of, 19
+  Magersfontein--Command at, 23, 24
+    Refusal to profit by Commander-in-Chief De Wet's Advice, 25
+    Message in reply to Commander-in-Chief De Wet's warning before
+        Paardeberg, 31
+  Retreat towards Paardeberg, 36, 37
+  Surrender at Paardeberg (_see_ Paardeberg)
+
+Cronje, Vechtgeneraal Andreas--Command of Boers' Reinforcements from
+    Bloemfontein, 45
+
+Cropper, F.C., Death of, near Lindley, 269
+
+
+Dakasburg Engagement, 200
+
+Dalgety, Colonel--Command at Badenhorst, 77
+
+Davel, Commandant--Command of President Steyn's Bodyguard, 191
+
+Days of Thanksgiving and Humiliation, Appointment of, 243
+
+De Clercq, Mr.--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, 399
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 344, 348
+
+De la Rey, General--Colesberg Command, 24
+  Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., 403, 404
+  Fortitude after Fall of Pretoria, 93
+  Independence of the South African Republic--Powers of Vereeniging
+      Delegates to decide on Question, 411, 412
+  Kraaipan, Capture of Armoured Train, 8
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+  Magersfontein Laager, Command at, 23
+  Mission to Europe on behalf of Relief Fund Committee, 428
+  Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives
+      at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396
+  Permission given to Burghers to return home, 56
+  Reitfontein, Work at, 52
+  Roberts', Lord, Attempt to cross the Orange River--Success in
+      preventing, 26
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 358
+  Steyn's, President, and General de Wet's visit to, 300
+
+De Lange--Sentence of Death for High Treason at Blijdschap, 268 _note_
+
+De Wet, General Piet--Advice to Commander-in-Chief De Wet after Siege of
+    Badenhorst, 81
+  Discontinuance of Struggle proposed--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+      Reception of Proposal, 130
+  Lindley Garrison, Capture of, 92
+  Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, 64
+  Swartbooiskop, Guarding after Fight at Nicholson's Nek, 17
+
+De Wet, Jacobus, Capture of, 296, 297
+
+De Wet, Johannes--Death near Smithfield, 181
+
+De Wet, Veldtcornet--Wounded during Retreat from Dewetsdorp, 181
+
+Debtors, Protection of, against Creditors for Six Months after the
+    War--Peace Negotiations at Pretoria (May, 1902), 387
+
+Declaration of War by South African Republic (_see_ Ultimatum)
+
+Deputation to European Powers to ask for Intervention (1900)--Departure
+    from Delagoa Bay, 53, 54
+  Encouragement to continue Struggle, 407
+  England's Refusal to permit Return of Deputation, 409, 412, 413
+  European Governments unwilling to receive, 415, 416
+  Failure of, 355, 356
+  Object of, 54
+  Silence of, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407
+
+Delagoa Bay Harbour, Forbidden to Boers by Portuguese Government, 53,
+    _note_ 54
+
+Destitution caused by the War, 321, 322
+  Appointment of Committee to Collect and Administer Relief Funds, 428
+
+Devastation by the British--War against Boer Property, 192
+  Crops destroyed, Corn burnt, etc., _note_ 83
+  Farm-burning and Waggons (_see_ those titles)
+  Male Attire, Burning of, 221, 222
+
+Dewetsdorp, Occupation by British, 71
+  Storming by Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Forces, 174-179
+
+Diederiks of Boshof, Commandant, 24
+
+Discipline of Boer Forces--Imperfect Discipline, 7, 8, 9, 57
+  Failure to remove Cattle along Railway Line, 111
+  Roodewal, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Difficulties in carrying away
+      Booty, 103, 104
+  Sanna's Post, irritating Results at, 67
+  Stricter Discipline, Results of, 61
+  Taljaart's and Prinsloo's, Veldtcornets, Burghers "preferred to go
+      their own way," 286
+  Waggon Difficulty, 120, 121
+    Harrismith Burghers' Refusal to part with their Waggons at
+        Spitskopje, 161-163
+
+Doornberg, War Council at--Decision as to Presidential Election, 197
+
+Doornspruit--Line near crossed by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, Capture of
+    Train, Ammunition, etc., 132
+
+Drakensberg Range--
+  Boundary between Boer and British Territory in 1899, 7, 8
+  Passes, Occupation by Orange Free State Commandos, 7, 8
+
+Drive Tactics of British--
+  Bethlehem-Lindley to Frankfort-Vrede Line--Cordon of Sixty Thousand
+      Men, 290-296
+  Boer Forces caught between Cordon of Troops and Vaal River, 135, 136
+  Harrismith, Heilbron and Bethlehem District, 285, 286
+
+Du Toit, General--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 400, 401
+
+Dundee, Line near, cut by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 9, 10
+
+
+Elandsfontein Engagement--Commandant Michal Prinsloo's Exploit, 119, 120
+
+Elandskop--British Attack in Hope of Capturing Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 290, 291
+
+Elandslaagte Engagement, 114
+
+Els, Veldtcornet Marthinus, wounded outside Ladysmith, 20
+
+Epithets applied by the British to the Boer Forces, 227, 228
+
+European Journals kept from Republics by England, 409
+
+Eustin, Lieut. Banie, wounded and captured by British, 204, 205
+
+Extermination of the South African Republics--British Determination to
+    exterminate the Republics prior to the Outbreak of War,
+    alleged, 254, 255
+
+
+Fanny's Home Farm--Recapture of Guns by British, 285
+
+Farm-burning, etc., by the British--Heilbron, Bethlehem and Harrismith
+    District, 285
+  Roberts', Lord, Proclamations, ordering, 192
+  Shelter, Lack of--Women living in Narrow Sheds, 290, 291
+  Wholesale Destruction of Farms by the British, 232
+
+Fauresmith and Jacobsdal Burghers--Failure to rejoin Commandos, 60
+  Return Home without Permission after Poplar Grove, 56
+
+Ferreira, Mr. T.S., Commander-in-Chief, at Kimberley--Death due to Gun
+    Accident, 49
+
+Firing of the Veldt by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 141, 142
+
+Fissher, Abraham--Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), 53, 54
+
+Food Supply--Failure of Food Supply, Reason for Acceptance of British
+    Peace Terms, 233, 321, 401, 402, 405, 406, 410, 416, 417, 421, 422,
+    427, 428
+  Kemp's, Gen., Plan of Commandeering Food Supplies from the
+      Kaffirs, 345
+  Situation in the various Districts on May 15, 1902--Reports of the
+      Delegates to the Vereeniging Conference, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341,
+      342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 355, 361, 362
+
+Forces--Comparison between numbers, etc., engaged on either Side in
+    the War, 339
+  (_See_ also titles Boer and British Forces)
+
+Fourie, General Piet--Bethlehem Engagement, 281
+  Blauwbank, Exploits at, 33, 34, 35
+  Cape Colony Expedition, Part in, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207,
+      210, 212, 213, 221, 222
+  Commandos escaped from behind the Roodebergen, Command of, 238, 239
+  Despatch of, to the South-Eastern Districts, 225
+  Engagement with British Troops from Bloemfontein (1900), 80
+  Prinsloo's Surrender, Escape from, 128
+  Springhaansnek, Leader in Attack on Blockhouse Line, 187, 188, 189
+  Vice-Commander-in-Chief in Bloemfontein District, Appointment, 157
+
+Franchise--British Government Demands on the South African Republic
+    prior to Outbreak of War, 252, 253, 254
+
+Frankfort, British Success at (1900), 82
+  Ross', Commandant, Engagement with Colonel Rimington's Troops, 267
+
+Fraser, Gordon--One of two faithful Burghers of Philippolis District, 94
+
+Frederiksstad Station--Attack by Commander-in-Chief de Wet and General
+    Liebenberg on General Barton, Causes of Failure, etc., 165-168
+
+French, General--
+  Koedoesberg, Fight for, 27
+  Magersfontein--Boer Lines broken through, 36, 37
+
+Froneman, General--
+  Continuance of the War at all Costs advocated, 402, 403
+  Escape from Paardeberg, 41
+  Frederiksstad, Attack on General Barton--Failure to hold advanced
+      Position, 165, 166, 167
+  Koedoesberg, Share in Fighting at, 27, 28
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+  Prinsloo's Surrender--Escape from, 128
+  Railway Line wrecked near America Siding, 115, 116
+  Reddersburg, March on, 72, 73
+  Rhenosterriviersbrug Engagement, 99, 101, 104, 105
+  Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, 62
+  Smithfield Expedition, Results of, 79
+  Train captured by, near Jagersfontein Road Station, 203, 204
+  Ventersburg, Failure to hold Position, 85
+
+
+Gatacre, General--Capture of Stormberg, 50
+
+Gatsrand--Death of Danie Theron, 153, 154
+
+Germany--Attitude towards the War, Reasons for
+    Non-intervention, 358, 359
+
+Gladstone--
+  Assistance rendered to South African Republic in War of
+      1877-1881, 422, 423
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, tribute to, 85
+
+Goldfields--Surrender of, to the British proposed, 350, 351, 352, 357,
+    358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364
+
+Gouveneurskop--General de Villiers' Exploits at, 83
+
+Government of Orange Free State--
+  Accompanying Commander-in-Chief de Wet in Departure from
+      Roodebergen, 124, 129
+  Bethlehem, Transference to, 117
+  Cape Colony, Expedition into, Decision to accompany, 197
+  Capture of Members of the Government by the British at Reitz--Escape
+      of President Steyn, 244
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Operations after Prinsloo's
+      Surrender--Government accompanying Commander-in-Chief de
+      Wet, 124, 129
+  Executive Raad, Constitution of, 198
+  Heilbron, Transference to, 86
+  Kroonstad, Transference to, 58
+  Third Transference, Reasons for, 92
+  Volksraad--Impossibility of assembling a legally constituted
+      Volksraad, 198, 199
+
+Government of South African Republic--
+  Capture of Members by the British at Reitz, 244
+    Appointments to Vacancies, 244
+    Treachery on the part of Burgher Steenekamp, 244
+  Steyn's, President, Visit to Machadodorp, 144
+  Termination of the War (_see_ that title)
+
+Governments of the Orange Free State and South African Republic--
+  Peace Deliberations, Meeting at Klerksdorp, 303, 305
+  Peace Negotiations at Pretoria, Boer Proposals for Retention of
+      Self-Government under British supervision, 366, 371, 372
+
+Grain Waggons, captured by British near Vredefort, 133
+
+"Granary" of Orange Free State lost to Boers, 84
+
+Grant by the British Government for Repatriation Purposes, Re-stocking
+    Farms, etc., 394
+
+Great Britain, King of--Thanks of Boer Generals for Efforts to promote
+    Peace--Resolution at the Vereeniging Conference, 346
+
+Grobler, Commandant H.S.--Continuance of the War, Impossibility of
+    carrying on the Struggle, 406
+
+Grobler, Mr. E.R.--Colesberg Command, 22
+
+Groenkop, Description of, 278
+
+"Guerillas"--
+  Designation of Boer Forces by the British as "Guerillas," Objections
+      to the term, 228, 229
+  Meaning of the term, 229
+
+Guns--
+  Boer Captures--
+    Blauwbank, 33
+    Colenso and Stormberg, 22
+    Dakasburg Engagement--
+      Capture of a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, 200
+    Dewetsdorp, 178
+    Nicholson's Nek, 16
+    Sanna's Post, 67, 69
+    Tweefontein, 282
+  Boer Losses, 208, 209
+    Bothaville, Number lost at, 170, 171
+    Fanny's Home Farm, Recapture of Guns by the British, 285
+    Frederiksstad, Retreat after--Loss of one gun, 167
+    Springhaansnek, Gun Abandoned, 189, 190
+    Ventersdorp, Loss of Krupp Gun near, 141
+
+
+"Hands-uppers," British use of, 18
+
+Harbour, Boer Lack of, _note_ 53
+
+Harrismith--
+  Engagement with British Troops near, 272-274
+    Boer Casualties, 274
+    Failure of Boer Charge, 273
+  Orange Free State Troops, Concentration at, 4, 6
+
+Harrismith Burghers--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Visit to, 260
+  Surrender following Prinsloo's Surrender, 128
+  Waggon, Refusal to part with--Return home, 161-163
+
+Hasebroek, Commandant--Cape Colony Expedition--Holding the Enemy in
+    Check, 212, 215, 219, 220
+  Engagement with Colonel White near Thaba'Nchu, 189, 190
+
+Hattingh, General--Command at Harrismith and Vrede Commandos, 161
+  Commander-in-Chief in the Drakensberg Appointment, 117
+
+Hattingh, Veldtcornet Johannes--Leader in Springhaansnek Attack on
+    Blockhouse Lines, 187
+
+Heenop, David--Swimming the Orange River, 220
+
+Heilbron--District to which Commander-in-Chief de Wet belonged, 4
+  Government of Orange Free State transferred to, 86
+  Mentz, Commandant F.E., Engagement with Colonel Byng's Column, 267
+
+Heilbron Commando--Commandant Mr. L. Steenekamp, 4
+  Vice-Commandant, Election of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 7
+  Visits to, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 230, 243
+
+Heliographic Communication, Use by Boers, 286 _note_, 289
+
+Hertzog, Judge--Continuance of the War, Arguments for and
+    against--Vereeniging Conference, 412
+  Despatch of, to the South-Western Districts, 225
+  Mission to bring back Commandos which had escaped from Prinsloo's
+      Surrender, 137
+  Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives
+      at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396
+  Rejection of British Terms--Proposal, 425, 426
+  Report on Attitude of Burghers in North-Western Parts of Cape
+      Colony, 195
+  Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Appointment in Districts of Fauresmith,
+      etc., 158
+
+Hides for Tanning--Destruction by the British, 233
+
+Hijs, Commandant, P.L.--Impossibility of European Intervention, 401, 402
+
+Holspruits--Boers breaking through British Lines, 293, 294
+
+Honing Kopjes--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's first Engagement with Lord
+    Kitchener, 108-110
+
+Honingspruit Station, Failure of Commandant Olivier's Attack, 115, 116
+
+Horses--Bothaville, Capture of Horses by Boers, 299
+  Condition of Boer Horses, 338, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 355
+  Dependence of the Boers on their Horses, 172
+  Fodder, Scarcity of, 341, 355
+  Skin Disease among, 271, 272
+  Wild Horses of the Veldt, Use of, by the Boers, 292, 293
+
+Humiliation Days, Appointment of, 243
+
+
+Independence of the Republics--
+  Afrikander Feeling as to, 58
+  British Government Attitude towards, 337
+  Correspondence between Presidents Kruger and Steyn and Lord
+      Salisbury, 330-332
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Meetings to ascertain the feeling of the
+      Burghers as to Surrender of Independence, 313
+  "Irretrievably Lost," 419
+  Maintenance of--Burghers' Mandate to Vereeniging Delegates, 333, 337,
+      338, 347, 348, 362, 363, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407, 411,
+      412, 417, 421, 422, 423, 424
+  Peace Negotiations--Conference at Pretoria between Commission of the
+      National Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner
+      (May 19-28, 1902), 366, 370, 371
+  Refusal of the British Government to consider Terms based on Retention
+      of Independence, 53, 54, 309, 310, 397
+  Steyn, President, Views of, 306
+  Surrender of--Conditions offered by the British in
+      exchange, 346, 347, 358
+  Vereeniging Conference, opinions of Burghers' Delegates, 333, 336,
+      346, 347, 348, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 362, 363, 364
+
+Intervention of Foreign Powers on behalf of the Republics--
+  Attitude of England towards, 356, 362, 363
+  Boer Deputation to European Powers (_see_ Deputation)
+  Boer Hopes unfulfilled, 405, 406, 412, 414, 415, 416, 423, 424
+  Germany, Reasons for Non-intervention, 358, 359
+  Improbability of Intervention, 355, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 433
+  Intervention not desired by Boers, 54
+  Steyn, President, on, 354, 355
+
+
+Jameson Raid, President Steyn on, 251, 252
+
+Jew at Nicholson's Nek--Burgher declining to do Business, 15
+
+Johannesburg Police, Behaviour at Nicholson's Nek, 15, 16
+
+Jonson, Burgher, Death at Bester Station--First Victim in the Fight for
+    Freedom, 10, 11
+
+Joubert, General--
+  Junction with Orange Free State Forces at Rietfontein, 13
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+
+
+Kaffirs--Arming by England, 422, 423
+  Attitude towards the Boers--Reports of Vereeniging Delegates, 337,
+      338, 339, 340, 343, 345, 346, 355, 361, 362, 363
+  Boer Women, Treatment of, 151, 152, 153
+  Capture of Kaffirs by Boers at Dewetsdorp, 178, 179
+  Release of Prisoners, 181
+  Treatment of Kaffirs by Boers--Kaffirs captured at Leeuwspruit
+      Bridge, 113
+  Warfare, Native Methods--Boer Sufferings at the Hands of Zulus and
+      Basutos, 10
+
+Kemp, General--Continuance of the War, Independence of the Republics,
+    etc., 421, 422
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 345, 347, 348
+
+Kitchener, Lord--Armistice agreed on, to admit of Attendance of Boer
+    Officers at the Vereeniging Meeting, 316
+  Misunderstanding on the Part of the British Columns, 317, 318
+  Capture of President Steyn and Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+      anticipated--Visit to Wolvehock Station, 290, 291
+  Escape from Armoured Train, near Leeuwspruit Bridge, 112
+  Honingkopjes and Roodepoort--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's first
+      Engagement with Lord Kitchener, 108, 109
+  Independence of Republics as basis for Peace Negotiations, Refusal to
+      consider--Pretoria Conference, 309, 310, 397
+  Kroonstad, Arrival at, 111
+  Middelburg Peace Proposals (_see_ that title)
+  Peace Negotiations--Conference at Pretoria with Commission of National
+      Representatives (May 19-28, 1902), 320, 365, 395, 396
+  Proposals by the Boer Representatives in April, 1902, 305-313
+  Prisoners, Order given to Gen. Knox "not to take prisoners"--_South
+      African News_ Statement, 184, 185
+
+Klerksdorp--Peace Deliberations, Meeting of Governments of the
+    Republics, 303, 304, 305
+
+Knight, Captain Wyndham--
+  Surrender at Rhenosterriviersbrug, 105, 106
+  Tribute to, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 107
+
+Knox, General--Bethlehem, Engagement near, with Generals Botha and
+    Fourie, and Commandant Prinsloo, 194, 195
+  Cape Colony--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Operations--Attempted
+      Inroad--Fighting near Smithfield, 181
+  Expedition into Cape Colony, Dispositions to prevent, 201, 202, 203
+  Kroonstad taken by, 194, 195
+  Pursuit of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190
+  Thaba'Nchu, Engagement near, with Gen. Fourie, 201, 202
+
+Koedoesberg--Struggle between General French and Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 27, 28, 29
+
+Kotze, Mr. (General Prinsloo's Secretary)--Bearer to Commander-in-Chief
+    de Wet of News of General Prinsloo's Surrender, 135, 136, 137
+
+Kraaipan--Armoured Train captured by Boers, 8, 9
+
+Kritzinger, Commandant--Crossing of Orange River, Seizure of British
+    Outpost, 195, 196
+
+Kritzinger, Commandant, and Captain Scheepers--Engagement with Brabant's
+    Horse, 185, 186
+
+Krom Ellenborg, Sub-district to which Commander-in-Chief de Wet
+    belonged, 4
+
+Kroonstad--British Advance, 86, 87
+    Abandonment by Boers, 87, 88
+  Capture by General Knox, 194, 195
+  Government of Orange Free State transferred to, 58
+  Government of Orange Free State transferred to Heilbron, 86, 87
+  Kitchener's Lord, Arrival--Strength of British Forces, etc., 111
+
+Kroonstad Commando, Share in Battle of Modderspruit, 10, 11
+
+Kruger, President--Despatch of Mission to Europe to represent Condition
+    of the Country to President Kruger, proposed, 236, 237, 238
+  Peace, Joint Letter to Lord Salisbury stating Conditions on which the
+      Republics were willing to make Peace, 330, 331, 332
+  Poplar Grove, Visit to Boer Troops at, 50
+  War Council at Kroonstad, Presence, at, 58
+
+Krugersdorp-Potchefstroom Railway--Crossed by Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 149
+
+
+Ladysmith--
+  British Retreat on Ladysmith, 9, 10
+  Bulwana Hill--Boers surprised by British, 21
+  Engagement of 3rd Nov., 1899, 29, 30
+  Relief, 50
+
+Landsheer, Doctor de--Death at Bothaville, English Newspaper
+    Report, 170, 171
+
+Language Question--
+  Equal Rights for English and Dutch Languages in Schools--Boer Peace
+      Proposals to Lord Kitchener (April, 1902), 308, 309
+  Terms of the Peace Protocol, 380, 393, 394
+    Objections to, 412, 421, 422
+
+Leeuwspruit Railway Bridge--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme for
+    breaking British Lines of Communication, 112
+  Froneman's, General, Failure to carry out Instructions, 113
+  Kitchener's Lord, Escape, 112
+
+Leeuwspruit Scheme, Failure of, 112
+  Methuen's, Lord, Railway Communications--General Cronje's Refusal to
+      permit Execution of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme for
+      Cutting, 23
+  Orange Free State Railway--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Work
+      on, 153, 154
+  Scheepers, Captain, Work of, 154
+  Wolvehoek, Wrecking the Railway, 163
+
+Liebenberg, General--
+  Frederiksstad--Failure of Attack on General Barton, 164, 165, 166, 167
+  Mooi River, Junction with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 140, 141
+  Retreat from Rustenburg, 142, 143
+
+Liebenbergsvlei--
+  British Retreat, 284
+  Guns, Recapture by British at Fanny's Home Farm, 285
+
+Lindley--
+  British Garrison Captured by General Piet de Wet, 92
+  Destruction by the British, Alleged, 271, 272
+  Engagement near, 268
+  Postponement of Second Boer Attack--Escape of the British during the
+      Night, 270
+  Halt of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Forces, 271, 272
+
+Lindley-Kroonstad Line of Blockhouses--Boers breaking through the
+    Line, 287
+
+Lines of Communication--Boer Attempts to cut British Lines, 172, 246
+  America Siding Railway Line Wrecked by General Froneman, 115, 116
+  De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Schemes of, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153
+  Frederiksstad Station--Wrecking of Railway Bridge and Line, 140, 141
+  "Little Majuba"--Name given to Swartbooiskop after Nicholson's Nek, 13
+
+Loans by the British Government for restocking Farms, etc., 394
+
+Long Tom damaged by Dynamite, 21
+
+Looting by British, 6, 7
+
+Losses in Killed, Wounded, etc., on either side during the War, 201,
+    202, 247, 265, 266, 415, 416, 417, 422, 423
+  Blijdschap, 269
+  Bothaville, 170, 171
+  Cape Colony Expedition, 206, 207, 208, 209
+  Colenso, 22
+  Dakasburg Engagement, 200
+  Dewetsdorp, 177, 178
+  Engagement between Commandant Hasebroek and Colonel White, 189
+  Frederiksstad Engagement, 166, 167
+  Heilbron, 26
+  Koffiefontein, 35, 36
+  Ladysmith, Engagement of 3rd Nov., 1899, 20
+  Leeuwspruit Bridge, 112, 113
+  Lindley, 267, 269
+  Magersfontein, 23
+  Modder Spruit, 11
+  Nicholson's Nek, 16
+  Paardeberg, 50
+  Prinsloo's Surrender, 127
+  Reitz, 265
+  Rhenosterriviersbrug, 105
+  Roodewal, Extent of British Losses, 102
+  Sanna's Post, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70
+  Stinkfontein, 40, 46
+  Stormberg, 23
+  Tijgerfontein, 138, 139
+  Tweefontein, 181
+  Vanvurenskloof, 139, 140
+  Verkijkersdorp, 239, 240
+  Vredefort Engagement, 134, 135
+
+Loyalty to British Government--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Final Advice
+    to the Boers, 324
+
+Lubbe, Commandant--Return from Paardenberg's Drift, 36, 37
+  Wounded and Captured near Thaba'Nchu, 82
+
+Lyddite Shells, Effect of--
+  Bethlehem Incident, 121, 122
+  Magersfontein Laager, 24
+
+
+Maagbommen, 5
+
+Macdonald, General Sir Hector--
+  Command of Reinforcements against Bethlehem, 121, 122
+
+Machadodorp--President Steyn's Visit to the Government of the South
+    African Republic, 144
+
+Magalies Mountains, Passage of, by Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 145, 146, 147
+
+Magersfontein Engagement--
+  British Losses, 23
+
+Magersfontein Laager--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Command, 23, 24
+  Duties and Annoyances of Command, 64
+  Shelling by British, 24
+  Women, Presence of--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Failure to induce
+      Government to Prohibit, 25
+
+Mailbags captured at Roodewal, Contents used by Boers, 102
+
+"Majuba Day"--Capture of Commandant van Merwe and men, 296, 297
+
+Malan, Lieut.--Expedition into Cape Colony, 206, 207
+
+Martial Law--Proclamation by Governments of the Republics, 7, 8
+
+Massey, Major--Command at Dewetsdorp, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+    Tribute, 175, 176
+
+Matthijsen, Corporal Adriaan and the crossing of the Magalies
+    Mountains, 146, 147
+
+Mauser Rifle in Portrait of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, History
+    of, 151, 152
+
+Mears, Commandant--Loss of Guns at Fanny's Home Farm, 285
+
+Medical Certificates, Abuse of by Burghers, _note_ 59
+
+Meijer, Commandant J.--Tribute to, 271, 272
+
+Mentz, Commandant J.E.--
+  Continuance of the War, Impossibility of, 421, 422
+  Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 351, 352
+
+Merve, Commandant-General van, wounded at Sanna's Post, 68, 69
+
+Merve, Commandant van der--
+  Appointment to Command of Winburg Burghers, 64
+  Capture of, on "Majuba Day," 296, 297
+
+Meyer, Mr. J.L.--Continuance of the War, Arguments against, Vereeniging
+    Conference, 413, 414
+
+Meyer, Veldtcornet--Loss of Position at Stinkfontein, 42
+
+Middelburg Peace Proposals--
+  Annulled by the Terms of Peace arranged at the Pretoria Conference
+      (May, 1902), 392
+  Communications between the Boer Leaders with reference to the proposed
+      Conference, 230
+  Difference between the Basis of Negotiations proposed by the Boer
+      Representatives in May, 1902, and the Middelburg
+      Proposals, 367, 372, 373
+  Receipts issued by Boer Officers, Proviso as to Payment, 384, 385
+
+Milner, Lord--
+  Boer Ultimatum--Mr. Chamberlain's Telegrams, 329
+  Independence of Republics as Basis for Peace Negotiations, Refusal to
+      consider--Pretoria Conference, 365-396, 397
+  Peace Negotiations--Conference at Pretoria with Commission of National
+      Representatives (May 18-29, 1902), 320, 365-396
+
+Mobility--British Incapacity to keep pace with Boers, 140, 141 (_see_
+    also Waggons)
+
+Modder River--British entrenched at, 24
+
+Modder Spruit, Battle of, 9, 10, 11
+  Boer and British Losses, 11, 12
+
+Modderrivierpoort (_see_ Poplar Grove)
+
+Muller, Capt.--Exploit at Roodewal, 101
+
+Muller, General C.H.--Continuance of the War--Vereeniging Delegates'
+    Refusal to accept British Surrender Proposal, 417
+
+Myringen, Burgher, killed at Rhenosterriviersbrug, 105, 106
+
+
+Naauwpoort--Prinsloo's Surrender, 85
+
+Natal--British Subjects fighting for the Boers (_see_ Colonial Burghers)
+
+Natal Operations--
+  Absence of Commander-in-Chief de Wet after 9th Dec., 1899, 21
+  Bester Station Skirmish, 10, 11
+  Colenso, Magersfontein, and Stormberg Engagements--British Losses, 23
+  Drakensberg Passes, Occupation by Orange Free State Commandos, 7, 8
+  Estcourt Skirmishes--General Louis Botha's Exploits, 19
+  Failure of Boers to cut off English at Dundee and Elandslaagte, 9, 10
+  Kraaipan, Capture of Armoured Train by General De la Rey, 8, 9
+  Ladysmith (_see_ that title)
+  Modder Spruit, Battle of, 9, 10, 11
+  Natal Frontier, Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet's Reconnaissance, 7, 8
+  Nicholson's Neck (_see_ that title)
+
+National Representatives (_see_ Peace Negotiations)
+
+National Scouts--Arming men who had taken the Oath of Neutrality, 159
+  Bergh's, Captain, Attacks on Boers with bands of Kaffirs, 271, 272
+  Night Attacks by the British instigated by, 263, 264
+  Services to the British, 184, 185, 223, 224
+
+Naude, Mr. J.--Independence of the South African Republic and Orange
+    Free State, Vereeniging Delegates' power to decide as to Position of
+    British Subjects fighting on Boer side, etc., 411
+
+Neikerk, Altie van--Capture at Honingkopjes, 186
+
+Neikerk, Captain--Appointment as Commandant of President Steyn's
+    Bodyguard, 245
+
+Nel, Commandant--
+  Farm stormed by English--Escape of Commander-in-Chief C. de
+      Wet, 152, 153, 154
+  Modder Spruit--West Wing of Boer Forces commanded by Nel, 10, 11
+  Nicholson's Nek--Failure to hold Swartbooiskop, 13, 14
+  Resignation, 115, 116
+
+Nerwe, Van de--Drowned in crossing Orange River, 217
+
+Netherlands--
+  Peace--Correspondence with the British Government, 301, 302
+  Boer Response to the Invitation implied in the forwarding of the
+      Correspondence, etc., 305, 306, 370, 371
+  Queen of--Thanks of Boer Generals for efforts to promote
+      Peace--Resolution at the Vereeniging Conference, 345, 346
+
+Newspapers--Circulation of European Papers prohibited in Republics by
+    England, 409
+
+Nicholson's Nek--
+  Ambulance for British wounded--Sir G. White's Delay in sending, 17
+  Booty taken by Boers, 16
+  Swartbooiskop--
+    Nel's, Commandant, Failure to hold, 13, 14
+    Storming by Steenekamp and Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet, 14, 15
+    White Flag Incident, 15
+  Transvaal Burghers, Work of, 17
+
+Nieuwouwdt, General--Peace, Rejection of British Terms,
+    Proposal, 424, 425
+
+Night Attacks by the British--Success of, Losses caused to the
+    Boers, 263, 264
+
+Norvalspont--Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet's Schemes for Operations in
+    rear of British, 81, 82
+
+
+Oath of Neutrality, Breaking--Re-arming of Burghers who had taken the
+    Oath, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme, 156-160
+  British Military Authorities' Breach of Terms of Lord Roberts'
+      Proclamation justifying Scheme, 159, 160
+
+Olivier, Commandant--
+  Bethlehem District, Appointment to Command, 227, 228
+  Honingspruit Station, Failure of Attack on, 115, 116
+  Prinsloo's, General, Position as Private Burgher, Dissatisfaction
+      with, 118
+
+Oliviershoekpas--Occupation by Bethlehem Commando, 7, 8
+
+Orange Free State--
+  Annexation of--Battles fought after the alleged Annexation, 228, 229
+  De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Return of, 144, 150, 151
+  Government (_see_ Government of Orange Free State)
+  Number of Burghers in Arms after Fall of Pretoria, 94
+  Outbreak of War--Orange Free State joining issues with the South
+      African Republic, 254, 255
+  President--Powers granted to President in Matters Concerning
+      War, 9, 10
+  Situation of Boer and British Forces in 1901, President Steyn
+      on, 255, 256
+
+Ortel, Mr. Charles--Owner of Abraham's Kraal, 51
+
+Outbreak of the War, 7, 8
+
+
+Paardeberg--General Cronje's Forces surrounded by the British,
+    Bombardment of Laager, etc., 39
+  Boer Reinforcements, Arrival of, 45
+  Cronje's, Gen., Determination not to abandon Laager, 41
+  Efforts to release General Cronje--Storming of Stinkfontein,
+      etc., 40-46
+    Abandonment of Position by Boers, 44
+    Botha's, General, Attempt to recapture Position abandoned on 25th
+        February, 45
+    British Efforts to recapture Position, 42, 43, 44
+    Way of Escape opened to General Cronje, 41, 43
+  Sketch of Boer and British Positions, 38
+  Surrender of General Cronje, 47
+    Effect on Boer Forces, 48, 49, 51
+  Theunisson, Mr., Capture by British, 6, 7
+
+Paardenberg's Drift, British Advance on, 30
+  Camp of "Water-draggers" surprised by British, 32, 33
+
+Palmietfontein--Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, 289, 290
+
+Panic among Boer Forces--
+  Burghers returning to Farms after Fall of Pretoria, 93
+  Holspruits, 294, 295
+
+Peace Negotiations--Boer Overtures, etc.--
+  Armistice agreed on, to admit of attendance of Officers at the
+      Vereeniging Meeting, 315
+    Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, 317, 318
+  Concessions in addition to the Terms already offered in the
+      Negotiations of April, 1902, 366
+  Conference at Pretoria between the Commission of National
+      Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (19-28 May,
+      1902), 320, 365
+    Draft Document drawn up to place Negotiations in position to amend
+        the Middelburg Proposals, 376, 377
+    Prolongation of Meetings due to Cable Correspondence with Great
+        Britain, 397
+    Report of Commission discussed at Vereeniging Meeting, 397
+  Governments of the Republics, Meeting at Klerksdorp, 303, 304, 305
+    Burger's, Vice-President, Letter to President Steyn, 301, 302
+  Independence (_see_ that subheading)
+  Middelburg Peace Proposals (_see_ that title)
+  National Representatives--
+    Commission sent to the Pretoria Conference (May, 1902)--
+      Decision to appoint Commission, 364
+      Names of Members, 412
+    Election of Representatives for the Commandos, 313, 314
+    Meeting at Vereeniging (15th May) to consider the
+        Situation, 352, 353, 358, 359, 362, 363
+    Peace Terms Proposed, 362, 363, 364
+  Netherlands' Communication with the British Government, 301, 302
+    Boer Response to the Invitation implied in the forwarding of the
+        Correspondence, etc., 305, 306, 370, 371
+    Letter sent to Commandos, 336, 345, 346, 347
+  Presidents of the Republics--Correspondence with Lord Salisbury, and
+      Lord Salisbury's Reply (5th March, 1900), 50, 53, 54, 330-332, 409
+  Proposals to Lord Kitchener (April, 1902), 299
+    Correspondence between Lord Kitchener and the Secretary of
+        State--Independence Difficulty, 401, 402
+  Signing of Peace at Pretoria, 323, 324
+  Steyn's, President, Views, 258, 259
+  Terms of Peace sanctioned by the British Government and accepted by
+      the Boers (May, 1902)--
+    Acceptance of British Terms, 320, 427, 428
+    Acceptance under Protest proposed, 421
+    Dissatisfaction among men of the Commandos, 324
+    Failure of Food Supply as reason for acceptance, 321
+    Unconditional Surrender v. Acceptance, 399, 401, 404, 405, 417,
+        423, 424
+  Better Terms, Possibility of obtaining, 406, 409, 410, 423, 424
+  Decision as to Acceptance or Rejection essential, 425, 426
+  Middelburg Proposal Annulled by the Terms of the Peace Protocol of
+      May, 1902, 392
+  Milner's, Lord, Telegrams, 392
+  Rejection of Terms proposed, 424, 425
+  Signatures to Acceptance, Question of, 425, 426
+  Sub-committee appointed to aid in formulating Peace
+      Proposals, 378, 398
+  Text of Draft Proposal and of Draft Proposal with Amendments
+      sanctioned by the British Government, 379, 393
+  Time allowed for discussion of Terms, 394, 395
+  "Ultimatum," Description of British Terms, 321
+
+Penzhorn, Mr., Relatives of--Kindness to Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 145
+
+Petrusberg--Capture of by British, 51
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Visit, 232
+
+Plans, Sketch Plans of Engagements, 97, 276
+
+Plessis, Veldtcornet du--Death due to White Flag Treachery at
+    Reddersburg, 76
+
+Poplar Grove--
+  Concentration of Boer Troops at, 50
+  Kruger's, President, Visit to Boer Troops, 50
+  Panic among Boers--Commander-in-Chief de Wet unable to prevent
+      flight, 51
+
+Potchefstroom, Portrait of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, History of Mauser
+    Rifle, which appears in the photograph, 151, 152
+
+Potgieter, Commandant (of Wolmaranstadt)--Escape from Paardeberg, 41
+
+Potgieter, Mr. Hendrik--Appointment as Public Prosecutor of Orange Free
+    State, 198
+
+Preeij, Vice-Commandant Ignatius du, killed near Bethlehem, 194, 195
+
+Presidency of Orange Free State--
+  Expiration of President Steyn's term of office--Difficulties in the
+      way of an Election, Action of the Doornberg War Council, 197, 198
+  Resignation of President Steyn, 411
+  Rhodes, Mr., proposed as Candidate, 198
+
+Pretoria--
+  Capture by British, 92
+  Panic ensuing among Transvaalers, 93
+  Peace Negotiations--Conference between Commission of National
+      Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (May 19-28,
+      1902), 320, 365
+
+Pretorius, Willem--
+  Storming of British Schanze on Orange River, 204, 205
+  Tribute to, 271, 272
+  Veldtcornet, Nomination as, 205, 206
+
+Prinsloo, Commandant Michal--
+  Bethlehem Engagement, 194, 195
+  Elandsfontein Exploit, 119, 120
+  Liebenbergsvlei Engagement, 284
+  Springhaansnek, Covering Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Passage of
+      Blockhouse Lines at, 187, 188
+  Train captured and burned by, 152, 153
+  Vice-Commander-in-Chief of Bethlehem and Ficksburg Sub-districts,
+      Appointment, 227, 228
+
+Prinsloo, Mr. Marthinus--
+  Assistant Commander-in-Chief, Irregular Election as, 126
+  Commandant of Winburg District, 6, 7
+  Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State, Election, 6, 7
+  Natal Campaign, Preliminary Arrangements, 7, 8
+  Resignation of Post as Commander-in-Chief in the Drakensberg, 117
+  Surrender at Naauwpoort, 85
+    Letter to Commander-in-Chief de Wet announcing Surrender and
+        Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Reply, 136, 137
+    News brought to Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 135, 136, 137, 138
+    Suspicious Circumstances of Surrender, 127
+
+Prinsloo's, Veldtcornet, Burghers, Capture of, 286
+
+Prisoners--Boer Prisoners--
+  Bank Notes of the South African Republic, Opportunity of sending in
+      for Payment, 386, 387
+  Ceylon--Prisoners taken with General Prinsloo sent to Ceylon, 156
+  Merwe, Commandant, and men--Capture on "Majuba Day," 296, 297
+  Number taken by the British, Frederiksstad, 40, 46, 170, 171, 264, 265
+  Total Number (35,000) in the Hands of the British in 1901, 256, 257
+  Taljaart's and Prinsloo's Veldtcornets, Burghers, Capture of, 286
+  British Prisoners--
+  Boer Inability to keep their Prisoners, 227, 228, 426, 427
+  Clothing taken by the Boers, 233
+  Numbers taken, 16, 23, 66, 67, 69, 70, 76, 102, 105, 106, 112, 113,
+      163, 178, 179, 185, 186, 194, 195, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 222,
+      223, 267, 281
+  Release on Fall of Pretoria due to Transvaalers' negligence, 92
+  Treatment by Boers--
+    Personal Property of Prisoners, etc., Disposition of, 101, _note_
+    Prisoners taken in Cape Colony Expedition, Treatment of, 210
+  Kaffir Prisoners taken by Boers--
+    Dewetsdorp, 178, 179
+    Release of Prisoners, 181
+    Leeuwspruit Bridge, 113
+
+"Pro-Boers"--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Tribute to, 218
+  Meetings in England, 407
+
+Public Prosecutor of Orange Free State--Appointment of Mr. Hendrick
+    Potgieter, 198
+
+
+Railways--Wrecking the Lines, Cutting British Lines of
+    Communication, 172, 242
+  America Siding, Line near, wrecked by General Froneman, 115, 116
+  De Aar and Hopetown, Line blown up, 208, 209, 211
+  Frederiksstad Station, Bridge and Line wrecked, 115, 116
+  Leeuwspruit, Failure of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Attempt, 112, 113
+  Orange Free State Line, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Work
+      on, 153, 154, 155
+  Scheepers, Captain, Work of, 153, 154
+  Schemes of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153
+  Wolvehock, 163
+
+Rebels--Colonial Burghers Fighting on Boer Side (_see_ Colonial
+    Burghers)
+  Roberts', Lord, Description of Burghers continuing to fight after
+      annexation of the Republics as "Rebels," 227, 228
+
+Receipts issued by Boer Officers for the Purchase of Cattle, Grain,
+    etc.--Peace Negotiations, Boer Representatives' Request for a
+    Guarantee of Payment, 382
+  Amount likely to be required, 386, 387
+  Middelburg Proposal, 384, 385
+  Orange Free State, Position with reference to
+      Receipts, 383, 384, 385, 386
+  Terms of Peace Agreement, 380
+
+Reddersburg--Boer Messenger fired on by British, 74
+  British Commanding Officer's Reply to Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+      Advice to Surrender, 74
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Dispositions, 71-74
+  Mostertshoek, British Failure to reinforce Detachment at, 75
+  White Flag Treachery, 75, 76
+
+Reich, Dr.--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Meeting with at Senekal, 231
+
+Reitz--Engagement near, 263-266
+  Surrender of Arms by Commandos after Declaration of Peace, 323, 324
+
+Reitz, Secretary of State--Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902,
+    Report to the Vereeniging Conference, 350, 351
+
+Relief Funds for Destitution caused by the War--Appointment of Committee
+    to Collect and Administer, 428
+
+Repatriation of Boers--Compensation for Losses sustained during the
+    War--District Commissions, Institution of, 393, 394
+  Grant of L3,000,000 by the British Government, 393, 394
+  Inadequacy of Proposals, 402, 403, 421
+  Loans by the British Government, 394, 395
+
+Rheeder, Commandant--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,
+    etc., 401
+
+Rhenoster River, Fighting on, 89, 90
+  Hurried Retreat of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 90
+
+Rhenosterriviersbrug--General Froneman's Success, 104, 105, 106
+
+Rhodes, Mr. C.--
+  Jameson Raid--Mr. Chamberlain's Defence of Mr. Rhodes, 251, 252
+  Presidency of Orange Free State--Mr. Rhodes proposed as a
+      Candidate, 198
+
+Rietfontein, Battle of (_see_ Modder Spruit)
+
+Roberts, Lord--
+  Advance of, into the Orange Free State, 26
+  Bloemfontein, Appearance before, 54
+  Dispositions after Capture of Kroonstad (May 18, 1900), 88, 89
+  Inaction after Paardeberg, 50
+  Thaba'Nchu, Operations near (1900), 82
+  Proclamations--
+    Burning of Buildings within radius of Ten Miles from Railway wrecked
+        by Boers, 192
+    Oath of Neutrality, Proclamation as to Charge against Lord Roberts
+        of violating Terms of Proclamation, 80, 159
+      Effect in preventing Burghers from rejoining Commandos, 60
+  Roodewal Disaster due to negligence of Lord Roberts, 105, 106
+  Sanna's Post, Failure to reinforce Troops at, 70 _note_
+  Ventersburg, Attack on, 85
+
+Roch, General--Natal Campaign, General Roch's Command in Opening
+    Movement of Boer Forces, 9, 10
+
+Roodebergen--De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Departure from, 124, 129
+  Occupation by Boer Forces--Commander-in-Chief De Wet's Opposition to
+      Scheme, 124
+  Passes of, 123
+
+Roodepoort--Commander-in-Chief De Wet's first Engagement with Lord
+    Kitchener, 108, 109
+
+Roodewal Station, Action at, 98-101
+  Booty burnt by Boers, 104, 105
+  Sketch Plan, 97
+
+Roux, Assistant Commander-in-Chief--Prinsloo's Surrender, weak and
+    childish Conduct of General Roux, 126, 127
+
+Roux, Deacon Paul, Appointment as Vechtgeneraal, 85
+
+Russian Reception of Escaped Burghers, 110 _note_
+
+Rustenburg--General Liebenberg's Retreat, 142, 143
+
+
+Salisbury, Marquess of--Peace Negotiations, Boer Proposals of March 5,
+    1900--Reply to, 50, 53, 54, 409
+  Peace--Correspondence with Presidents Kruger and Steyn, 330-332
+
+Sanna's Post, Action at--
+  Broadwood's, General, Troops, Arrival of, 65, 66
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Preparations, 62, 64
+  Koornspruit, Position occupied by Commander-in-Chief de
+      Wet, 64, 65, 66
+  Women and Children from Thaba'Nchu, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Care
+      for, 66, 67
+
+Scheepers, Captain, and Commandant Kritzinger--
+  Brabant's Horse, Engagement with, 185, 186
+  Despatch Rider chosen by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, to carry Message
+      to General Cronje before Paardeberg, 31, 32
+  Orange River, Crossing of--Seizure of British Outpost, 195, 196
+  Railway Lines, Wrecking of, 152, 153, 154
+  Scouting Services, 124, 131
+  Zandnek Engagement, 139, 140
+
+Scouting--
+  Boer and British Methods--Services rendered to the British by Boer
+      Deserters, etc., 18, 121, 122
+  Importance of, 165, 166
+  National Scouts, Services of (_see_ National Scouts)
+
+Secrecy as to Future Movements--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+    Determination to keep his Plans secret, 61, 199
+
+Self-Government, Retention of under British Supervision--Peace
+    Negotiations, Boer Representatives' Proposals at the Pretoria
+    Conference (May 19, 1902), 366, 371, 372
+
+Sheep--Huge Tail of African Sheep, 211
+
+Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--De Wet's Commander-in-Chief,
+    Address at the Vereeniging Conference, 358-362
+
+Situation of the Boer and British Forces in 1901, President Steyn
+    on, 255, 256
+
+Sketch Plans of Engagements, 38, 97, 276
+
+Smith, Veldtcornet Hans, of Rouxville, Desertion after
+    Roodewal, 106, 107
+
+Smuts, General--
+  Continuance of the War, Arguments for and against--Vereeniging
+      Conference, 418
+  Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives
+      at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396
+  Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 340-342
+
+Sobriety of Boers, 60
+
+_South African News_--Publication of, Order not to take Prisoners,
+    Anecdote of Lord Kitchener, 184, 185
+
+South African Republic--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Journey with General De la Rey,
+      Incidents during, 238, 239, 242
+  Extermination of, by the British determined on prior to the Outbreak
+      of War, alleged, 254, 255
+  Government of (_see_ Government of South African Republic)
+  Situation of, in 1902--Impossibility of continuing the War, 421, 422
+  Situation of Boer and British Forces in 1901--President Steyn
+      on, 255, 256
+
+Speller, Veldtcornet, of Wepener--Capture by British at Stinkfontein, 44
+
+Springhaansnek--Blockhouse Line broken through by the
+    Boers, 173, 187, 188
+
+Spruit, Commandant--Capture by British at Stinkfontein, 42, 43;
+    Subsequent Escape, 43
+
+States-Procureur of Orange Free State--Capture of Mr. Jacob de Villiers
+    at Bothaville, 170, 171, 198
+
+Steenekamp, Burgher--Betrayal of Members of the South African Government
+    to the British, 244
+
+Steenekamp, Commandant--
+  Assistant-Commander-in-Chief, Nomination as, 144
+  Heilbron District, Commandant of, 4, 6, 7
+  Illness of, 7, 8, 9, 10
+  Vredefort Road Station, Attack on, 98, 105, 106
+
+Steyn, President--
+  Accompanying Commander-in-Chief de Wet in his departure from
+      Roodebergen, 129
+  Bethlehem Engagement, Presence at, 117
+  Bloemfontein, Departure from, 57
+  Bodyguard--
+    Davel, Commandant, Command of, 191
+    Niekerk, Captain--Appointment as Commandant, 245
+  Botha, General Philip, Visit to, 86, 87
+  Burgher's Vice-President, Request for Meeting with Orange Free State
+      Government, 301, 302
+  Cape Colony Expedition, Decision to accompany, 197
+  Capture of Members of Governments of the South African Republics by
+      the British at Reitz--President Steyn's Escape, 244
+  Causes of the War--Letter to Lord Kitchener, 250-259
+  Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State, Refusal to allow
+      Election--Consent to Election of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 118
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Schemes for operating in the Rear of the
+      British, Opposition to, 82
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Tribute to, 212
+  Eyes, Weakness of--Visit to Dr. van Rennenkamp, 300
+  Government of the South African Republic, Meetings with--
+    Machadodorp Visit, 144
+    Vrede Meeting, 231
+  Illness of, 319
+  Independence of the Republic, Refusal to surrender, 306
+  Intervention of Foreign Powers, Attitude as to, 54
+  Kroonstad War Council presided over by President Steyn, 58
+  Peace--Correspondence between Presidents Kruger and Steyn and Lord
+      Salisbury, 330-332
+  Resignation owing to Illness, 411
+  Ventersdorp--Meeting with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 168, 169
+  Western Parts of the State, Visit to, 298-302
+
+Steyn, Willie, Capture at Honing Kopjes--Subsequent Escape, 110 _note_
+
+Stinkfontein, Stormed and Abandoned by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 40
+
+Stormberg--
+  British Losses at, 22, 23
+  Capture by General Gatacre, 50
+
+_Stormjagers_, 5
+
+Strauss, David--Prisoner taken by the British in contravention of Lord
+    Roberts' Proclamation, 80
+
+Stripping British Prisoners in order to obtain Clothing, 233
+
+Supervision of the British Government--Peace Negotiations, Boer
+    Representatives' offer to accept Supervision as a Compromise on the
+    Independence Question, 366, 371, 372, 373
+
+Surrender--
+  Banishment Proclamation (_see_ that title)
+  Oath of Neutrality, Lord Roberts' Proclamation (_see_ Oath of
+      Neutrality)
+  Peace Negotiations at Pretoria in May, 1902--Draft Agreement, 376
+
+Surrender of Arms after Declaration of Peace, 323, 324
+
+Swartbooiskop--
+  Nel's Commandant, Failure to hold, 13, 14
+  Storming by Commandant Steenekamp and Commander-in-Chief de
+      Wet, 14, 15
+
+Swaziland--Cession to the British, Proposals of the Vereeniging
+    Conference, 350, 351, 360, 361, 363, 364
+
+Sympathy felt for Boer Cause in England--Indirect Intervention,
+    etc., 407, 410, 420
+
+
+Tabaksberg Engagement, 83
+
+Taljaart's, Veltcornet, Burghers, Capture of, 286
+
+Telegraph Wires--cutting wires between Wolvehock and Viljoensdrift, 299
+
+Telegraphic Communication between Orange Free State and Transvaal, 92
+
+Termination of the War--
+  Attitude of the Burghers, 237, 238
+  Boer Women, Opinion of, 361, 362
+  Conference between Transvaal and Orange Free State Governments--
+    Decision to continue Fighting, 242, 243
+    Klerksdorp Meeting, 303, 304, 305
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Forebodings, 58
+  Letter from Commandants in the Field to Secretary of the Orange Free
+      State--
+    Conference with Transvaal Government, 242
+    Discussion of, by President Steyn and Generals De la Rey and De
+        Wet, 234
+    Steyn's President, Answer, Extracts from, 236-239
+    Terms of, 234-237
+  Mission to President Kruger on behalf of South African Republic
+      proposed, 236, 237, 238
+  Vereeniging Conference--Views of the Representatives, 346, 347, 348,
+      349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 354-358, 359, 360-362, 363
+
+Territory, Session of--Peace Negotiations--
+  Pretoria Conference, Boer Representatives' Offer, 366, 375
+  Vereeniging Conference Proposals (15th May, 1902), 350, 351, 352, 357,
+      358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364
+
+Thaba'Nchu--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Retreat on after Badenhorst, 81
+  Occupation by General Broadwood, 65, 66
+
+Thanksgiving Days, Appointment of, 243
+
+Theron, Danie--
+  Death at Gatsrand, 153, 154
+  Paardeberg--Passing Enemy's Lines to carry Message from
+      Commander-in-Chief de Wet to General Cronje, 46
+  Scouting Party, Appointment as Chief by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 54
+  Scouting Services, 88, 89, 124, 131
+  Train Captured by, 132
+
+Theron, Jan--Appointment to succeed Commandant Danie Theron, 153, 154
+
+Theunissen, Commandant of Winburg, 45
+  Capture by British at Stinkfontein, 46
+  Election as Commandant of Winburg, 6, 7
+
+Thring, Veldtcornet--War Experiences, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's
+    Tribute, etc., 87, 88, 89
+
+Tijgerfontein Engagement, 138, 139
+
+Tintwaspas--Occupation by Kroonstad Commando, 7, 8
+
+Tonder, Mr. Gideon van--Killed by Lyddite Shell at Magersfontein, 25
+
+Trains--
+  Blowing up with Dynamite, 230, 246
+    Devices to throw the British off the Scent, 246
+    Mechanical Devices, 246
+  Boer Captures of, 132, 152, 153, 203, 204
+
+Transvaalers--
+  Negligence in leaving Prisoners at Pretoria, 92
+  Nicholson's Nek, Work at, 17
+
+Truter, Commandant--Abandonment of Krupp gun and Ammunition, 182
+
+Tweefontein--Attack on British Position, 275-283
+  Sketch Plan, 276
+
+
+Uijs, Commandant--Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902, Report to
+    the Vereeniging Conference, 349, 350
+
+"Uitschudden"--Institution of, in order to obtain Clothing, 233
+
+Ultimatum by the South African Republic--
+  Cause of the War alleged--
+    Salisbury's, Lord, Assertion, 53, 54, 409
+    Salisbury's, Lord, Demand, 53, 54, 409
+    Steyn's, President, Contradiction, 251, 252
+  Chamberlain's, Mr. J., Telegrams to Sir A. Milner, 329
+  Text of the "Ultimatum," 325-328
+
+Unconditional Surrender--Discussion at Vereeniging Meeting of May 29,
+    1902, 398, 399, 401, 405, 406, 423, 424
+
+
+Vaal River--Crossing of President Steyn's Party, 300
+
+Valsch River Bridge, Destruction by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 88, 89
+
+Van Dam, Under Captain--Command of Johannesburg Police at Nicholson's
+    Nek, 16
+
+Van Niekerk, Commandant--Continuance of the War, Argument in favour
+    of, 414, 415
+
+Van Reenen's Pass--
+  Occupation by Harrismith and Winburg Commandos, 7, 8
+  War Council at--Commander-in-Chief de Wet attending in place of
+      Commandant Steenekamp, 8, 9
+
+Vanvurenskloof, Boer Retreat from, 139, 140
+
+Vechtgeneraal of the Orange Free State--
+  Abolition of Post, 95
+  Creation of Post, 9, 10
+  De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Appointment of, 22
+  Roux, General Paul, appointed by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 85
+  Ventersburg--Boer Lines broken through, 85
+
+Ventersdorp--
+  Fighting near, 140, 141, 142
+  Meeting between President Steyn and Commander-in-Chief de
+      Wet, 168, 169
+
+Vereeniging--
+  Meeting of General Representatives to discuss the Situation (May 15,
+      1902), 333-364
+    Authority given to Delegates to voice the wishes of their
+        Constituencies, 333, 337, 338, 400, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407,
+        411, 412, 417, 421, 422, 423, 424
+    Thanks of the meeting to the King of England and Queen of the
+        Netherlands for efforts to promote Peace, 345, 346
+    Unity among Delegates essential, 337, 338, 349, 350, 351, 357
+  Meeting of Special National Representatives to discuss British Peace
+      Terms (May 29, 1902), 397
+    Armistice agreed on to admit of Attendance of Officers, 315
+    Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, 317, 318
+  Divisions among Delegates, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426
+  Meeting a Fatal Error, 413, 414
+  Questions to be decided, 398, 411, 417
+  (For details of subjects discussed _see_ Independence, Peace
+      Negotiations, etc.)
+
+Verkijkersdorp--Capture of Women's Laager near, by the British, and
+    Rescue by Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, 238-241
+  British Casualties, 239, 240
+
+Vice-Commanders-in-Chief, Orange Free State--
+  Badenhorst, Veldtcornet, C.C., Appointment for Districts of Boshof,
+      etc., 159
+  De Wet, Gen., Appointment of, 49
+  Fourie, Gen., Appointment for Districts of Bloemfontein, etc., 157
+  Hertzog, Gen., Appointment for Districts of Fauresmith, etc., 158
+
+Vice-President of Orange Free State--
+  Appointment of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 411
+  Creation of Temporary Post, 198
+
+Viljoen, Mr. P.R.--Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902, Report of
+    the Vereeniging Conference, 346, 347
+
+Villiers, General de--Death due to Wound received at Biddulphsberg, 84
+  Natal Expedition, Commanding as Vechtgeneraal, 8, 9
+  Prinsloo's Surrender, Escape from, 128
+  Work in South-Eastern Districts of the Orange Free State, 83
+
+Villiers, Mr. Jacob de, States-Procureur of Orange Free State, Capture
+    of at Bothaville, 170, 171, 198
+
+Vilonel, Commandant--
+  Resignation--Enforced Resignation due to Insubordination, 64
+  Surrender to British--Recapture by Captain Pretorius and Trial for
+      Desertion, 84
+    Removal from Bethlehem to Fouriesburg, 121, 122
+  Waggons, Persistence in use of, 62
+
+Visser, Commandant--Death of at Jagersfontein Engagement, Faithfulness
+    and Valour of Commandant Visser, 158
+
+Vleeschkorporaal, Duties of, 4, 5
+
+Vrede--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Meeting with Louis Botha, 231
+  Meeting between President Steyn and the Transvaal Government, 231
+
+Vrede Commando, Surrender following Prinsloo's Surrender, 128
+
+Vredefort--
+  Capture of British Outpost, 232
+  Engagements near, 133, 134, 135
+    Retreat of the Boers to the Vaal River, 164, 165
+  Surrender of Arms by Commando after Declaration of Peace, 323, 324
+
+Vredefort-weg Station--Commandant Steenekamp's Success at, 98, 105, 106
+
+Vrijheid--Kaffir Atrocities, Murder and Mutilation of Burghers, 426, 427
+
+
+Waggons--
+  Boer Reluctance to abandon use of, 62, 120, 121, 129, 131, 135, 136
+    Harrismith Burghers' Refusal to part with their Waggons at
+        Spitskopje, 161-163
+  De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Use of Little Waggon, 293, 294, 398
+  Destruction by British, 120, 121, 191
+  No Waggons with Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, 279
+  Vilonel's, Commandant, Persistence in using Waggons, 62
+  Waggon Camps, Regulation prohibiting, 58
+
+War Commission--Orders to commence Natal Campaign, 4
+
+War Councils, 19
+  Decisions of Council of March 28, 1900, 61
+  Doornberg, Council at--Decision as to Presidential Election, 197
+  Kroonstad Council--Officers present, Decisions, etc., 58 _note_, 59
+
+War of 1877-1881--Futility of Comparison with War of 1899-1902, 421, 422
+
+Warfare, Boer Methods of--
+  Checking an Enemy's Advance--Boer Tactics, 213
+  Rapidity of Action, Importance of, 75
+
+Wauchope, General--Death at Magersfontein, 23
+
+Weilbach, Commandant--Desertion of Post at Bloemfontein, 54
+
+Wessels, General J.B.--
+  Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58
+  Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, 64
+
+Wessels, Mr. C.J.--
+  Commander-in-Chief of Free Staters at Magersfontein and Kimberley, 23
+  Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), 53, 54
+
+Wessels, Veldtcornet--
+  Capture of, at Frederiksstad, 166, 167
+  Dewetsdorp Exploits, 176, 177, 178
+
+White, Colonel--Engagement with Commandant Hasebroek near
+    Thaba'Nchu, 189, 190
+
+White Flag Treachery at Reddersburg, 75, 76
+
+Wire Fencing--
+  Bothaville Boers cutting the Wire, 299
+  Erection of, by the British, 262
+  Lindley-Kroonstad Line of Blockhouses--Escape of Boers, 287
+  Palmietfontein, Boers breaking through Line, 289, 290
+
+Witkopjes Rheboksfontein Engagement, 135, 136
+
+Witwatersrand, Cession to the British--Proposals of the Vereeniging
+    Conference, 350, 351, 360, 361, 363, 364
+
+Wolfaard Brothers--Wounded by Lyddite Shell at Magersfontein, 25
+
+Wolmarans, Daniel--Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), 53, 54
+
+Wolvehock--Railway blown up by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 163
+
+Women and Children--
+  De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Care for, after Sanna's Post, 66, 67
+  Difficulties of providing for--Deliberations of the Vereeniging
+      Conference, 333, 339, 342, 343, 344, 345, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353,
+      356, 405, 406, 410, 412, 413, 415, 416, 417, 423, 424, 425, 426,
+      427
+  Flight of Boer Women to escape Capture by the British, 279
+  Kaffir Treatment of Boer Women, 151, 152, 153
+  Magersfontein Laager, Presence in, 25
+  Sufferings in Concentration Camps, etc., 198, 290, 291, 421, 422
+  Treatment by the British, 232, 239, 240, 241, 257, 258
+  Verkijkersdorp Laager, Capture of by British, and rescue by
+      Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, 238-241
+
+Wonderkop--General de Villiers' Exploits, 83
+
+Wounded, Boer Treatment of--
+  Doornspruit, Care of Wounded after, 133, 134
+  Nicholson's Nek--Care for Wounded by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 17
+
+
+Yeomanry, Imperial--Gallantry at Tweefontein, 281
+
+Yule, General--Ladysmith Retreat conducted by, 9, 10
+
+
+Zandnek--Captain Scheepers' Engagement near, 139, 140
+
+Zwavelkrans Farm--British Convoy Captured by Commander-in-Chief de
+    Wet, 96, 98
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS' WAR***
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