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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41017 ***
+
+SOUTH AFRICA AND THE
+TRANSVAAL WAR
+
+[Illustration:
+
+ Maj. F. S. Maude
+ Maj. Hon. A. H. Hamilton
+ Lord Methuen
+ Col. Mackinnon, C.I.V.
+ Capt. C. F. Vandeleur
+
+GENERAL AND STAFF
+
+Photo by Gregory & Co., London]
+
+
+
+
+SOUTH AFRICA
+AND THE
+TRANSVAAL WAR
+
+BY
+
+LOUIS CRESWICKE
+
+AUTHOR OF "ROXANE," ETC.
+
+WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS
+
+IN SIX VOLUMES
+
+VOL. V.--FROM THE DISASTER AT KOORN SPRUIT TO
+LORD ROBERTS'S ENTRY INTO PRETORIA
+
+EDINBURGH: T. C. & E. C. JACK
+MANCHESTER: KENNETH MACLENNAN, 75 PICCADILLY
+
+
+
+
+ Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
+ At the Ballantyne Press
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS--VOL. V.
+
+
+ PAGE
+
+ CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE vii
+
+
+ CHAPTER I
+
+ THE DISASTER AT KOORN SPRUIT 1
+
+ THE REDDERSBURG MISHAP 16
+
+ ESCAPE OF PRISONERS FROM PRETORIA 21
+
+ PREPARATIONS FOR ACTION 32
+
+ THE BATTLE OF BOSHOP, APRIL 5 38
+
+
+ CHAPTER II
+
+ MAFEKING, APRIL 46
+
+ AFFAIRS IN RHODESIA 53
+
+
+ CHAPTER III
+
+ THE SIEGE OF WEPENER 54
+
+ OPERATIONS FOR RELIEF 68
+
+ THE TENTACLES AT WORK 82
+
+
+ CHAPTER IV
+
+ THE GREAT ADVANCE--
+
+ FROM BLOEMFONTEIN, BRANDFORT, AND THE VET TO
+ WELGELEGEN, MAY 9 87
+
+ FROM THABANCHU TO WINBURG AND WELGELEGEN
+ (GENERAL IAN HAMILTON), MAY 9 95
+
+ TOWARDS THE ZAND RIVER TO KROONSTAD, MAY 12 101
+
+
+ CHAPTER V
+
+ MAFEKING, MAY 108
+
+ WITH COLONEL MAHON'S FORCE 117
+
+ ON THE WESTERN FRONTIER 132
+
+ THE RELIEF 134
+
+ HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED BY THE BRITISH EMPIRE 140
+
+
+ CHAPTER VI
+
+ FROM KROONSTAD TO JOHANNESBURG 144
+
+
+ CHAPTER VII
+
+ GENERAL RUNDLE'S MARCH TO SENEKAL 154
+
+ THE HIGHLAND BRIGADE 156
+
+ LORD METHUEN'S MARCH FROM BOSHOP TO KROONSTAD, MAY 29 159
+
+ THE BATTLE OF BIDDULPH'S BERG, MAY 28, 29 161
+
+ FIGHTING ON THE WESTERN BORDER, MAY 30 169
+
+
+ CHAPTER VIII
+
+ GENERAL BULLER'S ADVANCE TO NEWCASTLE 171
+
+
+ CHAPTER IX
+
+ THE INTERREGNUM AT PRETORIA 179
+
+ FROM JOHANNESBURG TO PRETORIA 184
+
+
+ APPENDIX
+
+ REARRANGEMENT OF STAFF 193
+
+ DEATHS IN ACTION AND FROM DISEASE 195
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS--VOL. V.
+
+
+ MAP SHOWING THE LINES OF ADVANCE FROM BLOEMFONTEIN TO PRETORIA
+ _At Front_
+
+
+ 1. _COLOURED PLATES_
+
+ PAGE
+
+ GENERAL AND STAFF _Frontispiece_
+
+ SERGEANT--18TH HUSSARS 48
+
+ MOUNTED INFANTRY 56
+
+ SCOUT--6TH DRAGOON GUARDS 68
+
+ THE ROYAL MARINES 76
+
+ NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS AND DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY 80
+
+ WEST SURREY AND EAST SURREY 96
+
+ OFFICERS OF THE SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS 160
+
+
+ 2. _FULL-PAGE PLATES_
+
+ THE DISASTER AT KOORNSPRUIT 8
+
+ THE REDDERSBURG MISHAP 16
+
+ BRITISH PRISONERS ON THEIR WAY TO PRETORIA 24
+
+ LORD ROBERTS'S COLUMN CROSSING THE SAND RIVER DRIFT 100
+
+ THE SURRENDER OF KROONSTADT 104
+
+ MAFEKING: "THE WOLF THAT NEVER SLEEPS" 108
+
+ THE LAST ATTACK ON MAFEKING 136
+
+ LORD ROBERTS AND HIS ARMY CROSSING THE VAAL RIVER 140
+
+ ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY CROSSING THE VAAL 144
+
+ GENERAL IAN HAMILTON THANKING THE GORDONS FOR THEIR
+ ATTACK AT THE BATTLE OF DOORNKOP 148
+
+ THE CITY OF LONDON IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTING GENERAL
+ HAMILTON'S LEFT FLANK IN THE ACTION AT DOORNKOP 152
+
+ HAULING DOWN THE TRANSVAAL FLAG AT JOHANNESBURG 156
+
+ THE GRENADIER GUARDS AT THE BATTLE OF BIDDULPH'S BERG 168
+
+ PURSUING THE BOERS AFTER THE FIGHT ON HELPMAKAAR HEIGHTS 176
+
+ SCENE IN PRETORIA SQUARE, JUNE 5 184
+
+ THE ENTRY OF LORD ROBERTS AND STAFF INTO PRETORIA 192
+
+
+ 3. _FULL-PAGE PORTRAITS_
+
+ LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR ARCHIBALD HUNTER, K.C.B. 32
+
+ COLONEL LORD CHESHAM 40
+
+ LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR H. M. LESLIE-RUNDLE, K.C.B. 64
+
+ MAJOR-GENERAL POLE-CAREW 72
+
+ MAJOR-GENERAL IAN HAMILTON 88
+
+ LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR FREDERICK CARRINGTON, K.C.M.G. 112
+
+ LIEUT.-COLONEL BRYAN T. MAHON, D.S.O. 120
+
+ LIEUT.-COLONEL PLUMER 128
+
+
+ 4. _MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS IN THE TEXT_
+
+ PLAN--KOORN SPRUIT DISASTER 5
+
+ MAP--DISTRICT S. AND E. OF BLOEMFONTEIN 15
+
+ THE MODEL SCHOOL, PRETORIA 22
+
+ NEW CAMP FOR BRITISH PRISONERS AT PRETORIA 29
+
+ FIELD GUN--ELSWICK BATTERY 39
+
+ THE NATIVE VILLAGE OF MAFEKING 47
+
+ MAFEKING POSTAGE STAMPS 52
+
+ THE DEFENCE OF WEPENER 58
+
+ WEPENER 66
+
+ OPERATIONS AT DEWETSDORP 76
+
+ MAP OF MOVEMENTS S. AND E. OF BLOEMFONTEIN 82
+
+ KENT COTTAGE, ST. HELENA 86
+
+ LORD ROBERTS AND STAFF WATCHING THE BOERS' RETREAT
+ FROM ZAND RIVER 103
+
+ KROONSTADT 107
+
+ GENERAL BADEN-POWELL AND OFFICERS AT MAFEKING 114
+
+ MAP AND ITINERARY, COLONEL MAHON'S MARCH 118
+
+ MAP OF ROUTE FROM N. FOR RELIEF OF MAFEKING 127
+
+ MAFEKING RAILWAY STATION 139
+
+ DEVIATION BRIDGE AT VEREENIGING 153
+
+ HIGHLANDERS AT THE END OF A FORCED MARCH 160
+
+ MAP OF PORTION OF NATAL 175
+
+ MAP--JOHANNESBURG TO PRETORIA, &C. 186
+
+
+
+
+CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE--Vol. V.
+
+
+MARCH 1900.
+
+=31.=--Loss of British convoy and seven guns at Koorn Spruit.
+
+
+APRIL 1900.
+
+=4.=--Capture of British troops by the Boers near Reddersburg.
+
+=5.=--General Villebois killed near Boshop, and party of Boer
+ mercenaries captured by Lord Methuen.
+
+ General Clements received the submission of 4000 rebels.
+
+ British occupation of Reddersburg.
+
+=7.=--Skirmish near Warrenton.
+
+=9.=--Colonial Division attacked at Wepener.
+
+=11.=--General Chermside promoted to command Third Division, vice
+ General Gatacre, ordered home.
+
+=20.=--Boer positions attacked at Dewetsdorp.
+
+=23.=--General Carrington arrived at Beira.
+
+=25.=--Wepener siege raised.
+
+ General Chermside occupied Dewetsdorp.
+
+ Bloemfontein Waterworks recaptured.
+
+=26.=--Sir C. Warren appointed Governor of Griqualand West.
+
+=27.=--Thabanchu occupied.
+
+=28.=--Fighting near Thabanchu Mountain.
+
+
+MAY 1900.
+
+=1.=--General Hamilton captured Houtnek.
+
+=5.=--British occupation of Brandfort.
+
+ Lord Roberts's further advance to the Vet River.
+
+=6.=--The Vet River passed and Smaldeel occupied.
+
+=7.=--General Hunter occupied Fourteen Streams.
+
+=8.=--Ladybrand deserted by the Boers.
+
+=9.=--Capture of Welgelegen.
+
+ Mafeking Relief Force reached Vryburg.
+
+=10.=--Battle of Zand River.
+
+ Occupation of Ventersburg.
+
+=12.=--Lord Roberts occupied Kroonstad without resistance.
+
+ Commandant Eloff attacked Mafeking, and was captured by Col.
+ Baden-Powell.
+
+=13.=--General Buller advanced towards the Biggarsberg.
+
+=14.=--Occupation of Dundee.
+
+=15.=--Occupation of Glencoe.
+
+ Mafeking Relief Force defeated the Boers at Kraaipan.
+
+=16.=--Christiana occupied.
+
+=17.=--General Ian Hamilton occupied Lindley.
+
+ Colonel Mahon, at the head of the relief force, entered
+ Mafeking.
+
+ Lord Methuen entered Hoopstad.
+
+=18.=--Occupation of Newcastle.
+
+=20.=--Colonel Bethune's Mounted Infantry ambushed near Vryheid.
+
+=22.=--General Ian Hamilton occupied Heilbron after a series of
+ engagements. The main army, under Lord Roberts, pitched its
+ tents at Honing Spruit, and General French crossed the Rhenoster
+ to the north-west of the latter place.
+
+=23.=--Rhenoster position turned.
+
+=24.=--British Army entered the Transvaal, crossing the Vaal near
+ Parys, unopposed.
+
+=27.=--The passage of the Vaal was completed by the British Army.
+
+=28.=--Orange Free State formally annexed under the title of Orange
+ River Colony.
+
+ The Battle of Biddulph's Berg.
+
+=29.=--Battle of Doornkop: Boers defeated.
+
+ Lord Roberts arrived at Germiston.
+
+ Kruger fled his capital at midnight amid the lamentations of the
+ populace.
+
+=30.=--Occupation of Utrecht by General Hildyard.
+
+ Sir Charles Warren defeated the enemy near Douglas.
+
+=31.=--Battalion of Irish Yeomanry captured at Lindley.
+
+ The British flag hoisted at Johannesburg.
+
+JUNE 1900.
+
+=5.=--The British flag hoisted in Pretoria.
+
+[Illustration: MAP SHOWING THE LINES OF ADVANCE FROM BLOEMFONTEIN TO
+PRETORIA.
+
+(_The Rand District and the Movements around Pretoria are shown on Map
+at p. 186._)]
+
+ EDINBURGH AND LONDON: T. C. AND E. C. JACK.
+
+
+
+
+SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAAL WAR
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE IMMORTAL HANDFUL[1]
+
+MAFEKING, 18TH MAY 1900
+
+ Shout for the desperate host,
+ Handful of Britain's race,
+ Holding the lonely post
+ Under God's grace;
+ Guarding our England's fame
+ Over the open grave,
+ Shielding the Flag from shame--
+ Shout for the brave!
+
+ Ringed by a ruthless foe
+ Dared they the night attack,
+ Answered him blow for blow,
+ Hurling him back;
+ Cheering, the charge was pressed,
+ More than they held they hold,
+ Won bayonet at the breast--
+ Shout for the bold!
+
+ Long, long the days and nights;
+ Bitter the tales that came,
+ What of the distant fights?
+ Rumours of shame?
+ Scorning the doubts that swell,
+ Nursing the hope anew,
+ They did their duty well--
+ Shout for the true!
+
+ Shout for the glory won,
+ Empire of East and West!
+ Shout for each valiant son
+ Nursed at thy breast!
+ Fear could not find them out,
+ Death stalked there iron-shod,
+ Help found them Victors--shout
+ Praises to God!
+
+ --HAROLD BEGBIE.
+
+
+DISASTER AT KOORN SPRUIT
+
+The last volume closed with an account of Colonel Plumer's desperate
+effort to relieve Mafeking on the 31st of March. On that unlucky day
+events of a tragic, if heroical, nature were taking place elsewhere.
+These have now to be chronicled. On the 18th of March a force was moved
+out under the command of Colonel Broadwood to the east of Bloemfontein.
+The troops were sent to garrison Thabanchu, to issue proclamations, and
+to contribute to the pacification of the outlying districts. They were
+also to secure a valuable consignment of flour from the Leeuw Mills. The
+enemy was prowling about, and two commandos hovered north of the small
+detached post at the mills. Reinforcements were prayed for, and a strong
+patrol was sent off for the protection of the post, or to cover its
+withdrawal in the event of attack. Meanwhile the enemy was "lying low,"
+as the phrase is. Whereupon Colonel Pilcher pushed on to Ladybrand, made
+a prisoner of the Landdrost, but, hearing of the advance of an
+overwhelming number of the foe, retired with all promptness to
+Thabanchu. The Boers, with the mobility characteristic of them, were
+gathering together their numbers, determining if possible to prevent any
+onward move of the forces, and bent at all costs on securing for their
+own comfort and convenience the southern corner of the Free State,
+whence the provender and forage of the future might be expected to come.
+Without this portion of the grain country to fall back on, they knew
+their activities would be crippled indeed.
+
+In consequence, therefore, of the close proximity of these Federal
+hordes, Colonel Broadwood made an application to head-quarters for
+reinforcements, and decided to remove from Thabanchu. On Friday the 30th
+he marched to Bloemfontein Waterworks, south of the Modder. His force
+consisted of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade (10th Hussars and the composite
+regiment of Household Cavalry), "Q," "T," and "U" Batteries R.H.A.
+(formed into two six-gun batteries, "Q" and "U"), Rimington's Scouts,
+Roberts's Horse, Queensland and Burma Mounted Infantry. The baggage
+crossed the river, and outspanned the same evening. On the following
+morning at 2 A.M. the force, having fought a rearguard action throughout
+the night, arrived in safety at Sanna's Post. Here for a short time they
+bivouacked, and here for a moment let us leave them.
+
+At this time a mounted infantry patrol was scouring the country. They
+were seen by some Boers who were scuttling across country from the
+Ladybrand region, and these promptly hid in a convenient spruit, whence,
+in the time that remained to them, they planned the ambush that was so
+disastrous to our forces and so exhilarating to themselves. There are
+differences of opinion regarding this story. Some believe that the
+ambush was planned earlier by a skilful arrangement in concert with the
+Boer hordes--the hornets of Ladybrand, whose nest had been disturbed by
+the invasion of Colonel Pilcher--who owed Colonel Broadwood a debt. They
+declare that the hiding-place was carefully sought out, so that those
+sheltered therein should, on a given signal from De Wet, act in accord
+with others of their tribe, and blockade the passage of the British, who
+were known--everything was known--to be returning to Bloemfontein.
+
+According to Boer reports, the plans for the cutting off and surrounding
+of Colonel Broadwood were carefully made out, but only at the last
+moment, and if, for once, Boer reports can be believed, the successful
+scheme may be looked upon as one of the finest pieces of strategy with
+which De Wet may be accredited. The Boer tale runs thus: The Dutchman on
+the 28th, with a commando of 1400 and four guns and a Maxim-Nordenfeldt,
+was moving towards Thabanchu for the purpose of attacking Sanna's Post,
+where he believed a force of 200 of the British to be. He did all his
+travelling by night, and found himself on the evening of the 30th at Jan
+Staal's farm, on the Modder River, to the north of Sanna's Post. Then,
+in the very nick of time, he was informed by a Boer runner that Colonel
+Broadwood's convoy was moving from Thabanchu. Quickly a council of war
+was gathered together. It was a matter of life or death. De Wet, with
+Piet de Wet, Piet Cronje, Wessel, Nell, and Fourie, put their heads
+together and schemed. They were doubtless assisted by the foreign
+attachés who were present. The result of the hurried meeting was the
+division of the Boer force into three commandos. The General himself,
+with 400 men, decided to strain every nerve to reach Koorn Spruit and
+ensconce himself before the arrival of the convoy. Being well acquainted
+with the topography of the country, the race was possible--400 picked
+horsemen against slow-moving, drowsy cattle! The thing was inviting.
+Success rides but on the wings of opportunity, and De Wet saw the
+opportunity and grabbed it! The rest of the Boers were to dispose
+themselves in two batches--500 of them, with the artillery, to plant
+themselves N.N.E. of Sanna's Post, while the remainder took up a
+position on the left of their comrades, and extended in the direction of
+the Thabanchu road.
+
+It was wisely argued that Broadwood's transport must cross Koorn Spruit,
+and that if the Boers were posted so as to shell the British camp at
+daybreak, the convoy would be hurried on, while the bulk of the force
+remained to guard the rear.
+
+Accordingly, the conspirators, with amazing promptitude, got under way,
+the four guns with the commando being double-horsed and despatched to
+the point arranged on the N.N.E. of Sanna's Post, while the other
+galloped as designed. Fortune favoured them, for they reached their
+destinations undiscovered; and the scheme, admirable in conception, was
+executed with signal success.
+
+Day had scarcely dawned before the Boers near the region of the
+waterworks apprised the convoy of their existence. The British kettles
+were boiling, preparations for breakfast were briskly going forward,
+when, plump!--a shell dropped in their midst. Consternation prevailed.
+Something must be done. The artillery? No; the British guns were useless
+at so long a range. As well have directed a penny squirt at a garden
+hose! All that was to be thought of was removal--and that with all
+possible despatch. Scurry and turmoil followed. Mules fought and
+squealed and kicked, horses careered and plunged, but at last the convoy
+and two horse batteries were got under way, while the mounted infantry
+sprayed out to screen the retreat. All this time shells continued to
+burst and bang with alarming persistency. They came from across the
+river, and consequently it was imagined that every mile gained brought
+the convoy nearer to Bloemfontein and farther from the enemy. They had
+some twenty miles to go. Still, the officers who had charge of the party
+believed the coast to be clear. After moving on about a mile they
+approached a deep spruit--a branch of the Modder, more morass than
+stream. It was there that De Wet and his smart 400 had artfully
+concealed themselves.
+
+The spruit offered every facility for the formation of an ingenious
+trap. The ground rose on one side toward a grassy knoll, on the slopes
+of which was a stony cave from which a hidden foe could command the
+drifts. So admirably concealed was this enclosure and all that it
+enclosed, that the leading scouts passed over the drift without
+suspecting the presence of the enemy. These latter, true to their talent
+of slimness, made no sign till waggons and guns had safely entered the
+drift, and were, so to speak, inextricably in their clutches.
+
+Their manoeuvre was entirely successful. Some one said the waggons
+were driven into the drift exactly as partridges are driven to the gun.
+Another gave a version of very much the same kind. He said, "It was just
+like walking into a cloak-room--the Boers politely took your rifle and
+asked you kindly to step on one side, and there was nothing else you
+could do!"
+
+The nicety of the situation from the Boer point of view was described by
+a correspondent of _The Times_:--
+
+"The camp was about three miles from the drift, which lay in the point
+of a rough angle made by an embankment under construction and the
+bush-grown sluit which converged towards it. Thus when the Boers were in
+position, lining the sluit and the embankment, the position became like
+the base of a horse's foot. The Boers were the metal shoe, our own
+troops the frog. At the point where the drift cuts the sluit the nullah
+is broad and extensive. The Boers stationed at this spot realised that
+the baggage was moving without an advanced guard. They were equal to the
+situation. As each waggon dropped below the sky-line into the drift the
+teamsters were directed to take their teams to right or left as the case
+might be, and the guards were disarmed under threat of violence. No shot
+was fired. Each waggon in turn was captured and placed along the sluit,
+so that those in rear had no knowledge of what was taking place to their
+front until it became their turn to surrender. To all intents and
+purposes the convoy was proceeding forward. The scrub and high ground
+beyond the drift was sufficient to mask the clever contrivance of the
+enemy. Thus all the waggons except nine passed into the hands of the
+enemy."
+
+The waggons, numbering some hundred, had no sooner descended to the
+spruit and got bogged there than, from all sides sprung up as from the
+earth, Boers with rifles at the present, shouting--"Hands up. Give up
+your bandoliers." A scene of appalling confusion followed. Some cocked
+their revolvers. Others were weaponless. So unsuspecting of danger had
+they been that their rifles, for comfort's sake, had been stowed on the
+waggons, the better to allow of freedom to assist in other operations of
+transport. Some men of the baggage guard shouldered their rifles;
+others, from under the medley of waggons, still strove ineffectually to
+show fight. The Boers were unavoidably in the ascendant. The hour and
+the opportunity were theirs.
+
+[Illustration: PLAN--DISASTER AT KOORN SPRUIT.]
+
+At this time up came U Battery, with Roberts's Horse on their left. The
+battery was surrounded, armed Boers roared--"You must surrender!" and
+then, sharp and clear, the first shot rang through the air. This was
+said to have been fired by Sergeant Green, Army Service Corps, who,
+refusing to surrender, had shot his antagonist, and had instantly fallen
+victim to his grand temerity. The drivers of the batteries were ordered
+to dismount, but as gunners don't dismount graciously to order of the
+foe, the tragedy pursued its course. Major Taylor, commanding the
+battery, however, succeeded in galloping off to warn the officer
+commanding Q Battery of the catastrophe. Meanwhile, in that serene and
+pastoral spruit reigned fire and fury and the clash of frenzied men.
+Down went a horse--another, another. Then man after man--groaning and
+reeling in their agony. Many in the spruit lay dead. At this time the
+troop of Roberts's Horse had appeared on the scene, and were called on
+to surrender. Realising the disaster, they wheeled about, and galloped
+to report and bring assistance. This was the signal for more volleys
+from the enemy in the spruit, and the horsemen thus sped between two
+fires--that of the Mausers below them and of the shells which had
+continued to harry the troops. Nevertheless the gallant fellows rode
+furiously for dear life on their journey. Men dropped from their saddles
+like ripe fruit from a shaken tree. Still they sped on. They must bring
+help at any price. Meanwhile the scene in the spruit was one of horror,
+for the Boers were sweeping every nook and corner with their Mausers.
+Cascades of fire played on the unfortunate mass therein entangled, on
+waggons overturned and squealing mules, on guns and horses hopelessly
+heaped together, on men and oxen sweating and plunging in death-agony.
+The heaving, struggling, horrific picture was too grievous for
+description. Only a part of their terrible experience was known by even
+the actors themselves. Luckily, a merciful Providence allows each human
+intelligence to gauge only a certain amount of the awful in tragic
+experience. There are some who told of wounded men lying blood-bathed
+and helpless beneath baggage that weighed like the stone of Sisyphus; of
+horses that uttered weird screams of agonised despair, which petrified
+the veins of hearers and sent the current of blood to their hearts; of
+oxen and mules that stamped and kicked, dealing ugly wounds, so that
+those who might have crawled out from under them could crawl no more.
+Some guns were overturned--a hopeless bulk of iron, that resisted all
+efforts at removal; others, bereft of their drivers, were dragged wildly
+into space by maddened teams, whose happy instinct had caused them to
+stampede. Seeing the disaster, they had pulled out to left and struggled
+to get back to camp, yet even as they struggled they were disabled and
+thus left at the mercy of the foe.
+
+Major Burnham, the famous scout, who having been taken a prisoner
+earlier and at this juncture remained powerless in the hands of the
+Boers, thus described the terrible sight which he was forced to
+witness:--
+
+"One of the batteries (Q), which was upon the outside of the
+three-banked rows of waggons, halted at the spruit, dashed off,
+following Roberts's Horse to the rear and south. Yet most of them got
+clear, although horses and men fell at every step, and the guns were
+being dragged off with only part of their teams, animals falling wounded
+by the way. Then I saw the battery, when but 1200 yards from the spruit,
+wheel round into firing position, unlimber, and go into action at that
+range, so as to save comrades and waggons from capture. Who gave the
+order for that deed of self-sacrifice I don't know. It may have been a
+sergeant or lieutenant, for their commanding officer had been left
+behind at the time. One of the guns upset in wheeling, caused by the
+downfall of wounded horses. There it lay afterwards, whilst three steeds
+for a long time fought madly to free themselves from the traces and the
+presence of their dead stable companions."
+
+Those of the unfortunate men who were uninjured struggled grandly to
+save the guns, to drag them free from the scene of destruction, but
+several of the guns whose teams were shot fell into the hands of the
+enemy. Some gallant fellows of Rimington's Scouts made a superb effort
+to rush through the fire of the Federals and save them, but five guns
+only were rescued. These were all guns of Q Battery, which, when the
+first alarm was given, were within 300 yards of the spruit. When the
+officer who commanded the battery strove to wheel about, though the
+Boers took up a second position and poured a heavy fire on the galloping
+teams, a wheel horse was shot, over went a gun, more beasts dropped, a
+waggon was rendered useless, but still the teams that remained were
+galloped through the confusion to the shelter of some tin buildings,
+part of an unfinished railway station, some 1150 yards from the
+disastrous scene. Here a new era began. Much to the amazement of the
+Boers, the guns came into action, and continued, in the face of horrible
+carnage, to make heroic efforts at retaliation, the officers themselves
+assisting in serving the guns till ordered to retire. At this time Q
+Battery was assailed by a terrific cross fire, and gradually the numbers
+of the gunners and horses became thinned, till the ground, covered with
+riderless steeds and dismounted and disabled men, presented a picture of
+writhing agony and stern heroism that has seldom been equalled. But the
+splendid effort had grand results.
+
+No sooner were the British guns in action than the whole force rallied:
+the situation was saved. The Household Cavalry and the 10th Hussars were
+off in one direction, Rimington's Scouts and the mounted infantry in
+another, making for some rising ground on the left where their position
+would be defensible and a line of retreat found. Meanwhile Q Battery
+from six till noon pounded away at the Dutchmen, while Lieutenant
+Chester-Master, K.R.R., found a passage farther down the spruit
+unoccupied by the enemy, by which it was possible to effect a crossing.
+Major Burnham's account of the artillery duelling at this time is
+inspiriting:--
+
+ "As soon as the gunners manning the five guns opened with
+ shrapnel, the Boers hiding in Koorn Spruit slackened their
+ fire, preferring to keep under cover as much as possible. In
+ that way many others escaped. The mounted infantry deployed and
+ engaged the Boer gunners and skirmishers to the east, and the
+ cavalry with Roberts's Horse dismounted and rallied to cover
+ the guns from the fire. A small body was also despatched to
+ strike south and fight north. My captors directed their
+ attention to Q Battery. They got the range, 1700 yards, by one
+ of the Boers firing at contiguous bare ground, until he saw by
+ the dust puffs he had got the distance, whereupon he gave the
+ others the exact range, which they at once adopted. The gunners
+ gave us nearly forty-eight shrapnel, for they were firing very
+ rapidly, but although they had the range of our kraal, they
+ only managed to kill one horse. I noticed that the Boers,
+ though they dodged and took every advantage of cover, fired
+ most carefully, and yet rapidly. It was the same with those in
+ the spruit as inside the kraal where I sat. That day the Boers
+ said to me they had but three men killed in the spruit, and
+ only a half-dozen or so wounded. Those artillerymen, how I
+ admired and felt proud of them! and the Boers, too, were
+ astonished at their courage and endurance. Fired at from three
+ sides, they never betrayed the least alarm or haste, but coolly
+ laid their guns and went through their drill as if it had been
+ a sham-fight, and men and horses were not dropping on all
+ sides. There was a little bit of cover a hundred yards or so
+ behind the battery, around the siding and station buildings of
+ the projected railway and embankment. Thither the living horses
+ from the limbers and guns were taken, and the wounded were
+ conveyed. When, three hours later, their ammunition for the
+ 12-pounders was scarce, and the Boer rifle fire from the gulch,
+ the waggons, and ridge opened heavy and deadly, the gunners
+ would crawl back and forward for powder and shell. Had it not
+ been for those terrible cannon, the Boers told me that they
+ would have charged, closing in on all sides upon Broadwood's
+ men."
+
+[Illustration: THE DISASTER AT KOORNSPRUIT: DRIVERLESS TEAMS STAMPEDING
+
+Drawing by John Charlton]
+
+When the order to retire was received, Major Phipps Hornby ordered the
+guns and their limbers to be run back by hand to where the teams of
+uninjured horses stood behind the station buildings. Then such gunners
+as remained, assisted by the officers and men of the Burma Mounted
+Infantry, and directed by Major Phipps Hornby and Captain Humphreys (the
+sole remaining officers of the battery), succeeded in running back four
+of the guns under shelter. It is said the guns would never have been
+saved but for the gallant action of the officers and men of the Burma
+Mounted Infantry, who, when nearly every gunner was killed, volunteered,
+and succeeded, under the heaviest fire, in dragging the guns back by
+hand to a place of safety. It was while doing this that Lieutenant P. C.
+Grover, of the Burma Mounted Infantry, was killed. Though one or two of
+the limbers were thus valiantly withdrawn under a perfect cyclone of
+shot and shell, the exhausted men found it impossible to drag in the
+remaining limbers or the fifth gun. Human beings failing, the horses had
+also to be risked, and presently several gallant drivers volunteered to
+plunge straight into the hellish vortex. They got to work grandly,
+though horses dropped in death agony and man after man, hero after hero,
+was picked off by the unerring and copious fire of the Dutchmen. It is
+difficult to get the names of all the glorious fellows who carried their
+lives in their hands on that great but dreadful day, but Gunner Lodge
+and Driver Glasock were chosen as the representatives of those who
+immortalised themselves and earned the Victoria Cross. Of Bombardier
+Gudgeon's magnificent energy enough cannot be said. One after another
+teams were shot, but he persisted in his work of getting fresh teams.
+Three times he strove to roll a gun to a place of safety, and on the
+third occasion was wounded. The splendid discipline of the gunners was
+extolled by every eye-witness, and the way the noble fellows, surrounded
+with Boer sharpshooters, stood to the guns was so marvellous, so
+inspiriting, that even the men who were covering the retirement, at risk
+of their lives were impelled to rise and cheer the splendid action of
+the glorious remnant. The correspondent of _The Times_ declared that
+"When the order came for the guns to retire, ten men and one officer
+alone remained upon their feet, and they were not all unwounded. The
+teams were as shattered as the gun groups. Solitary drivers brought up
+teams of four--in one case a solitary pair of wheelers was all that
+could be found to take a piece away. The last gun was dragged away by
+hand until a team could be patched up from the horses that remained. As
+the mutilated remnant of two batteries of Horse Artillery tottered
+through the line of prone mounted infantry covering its withdrawal, the
+men could not restrain their admiration. Though it was to court death to
+show a hand, men leaped to their feet and cheered the gunners as they
+passed. Seven guns and a baggage train were lost, but the prestige and
+honour of the country were saved. Five guns had been extricated. The
+mounted infantry had found a line of retreat, and total disaster was
+avoided. But the fighting was not over. The extrication of a rearguard
+in the front of a victorious and exultant enemy has been a difficult and
+a delicate task in the history of all war. In the face of modern weapons
+it is fraught with increased difficulties. For two hours Rimington's
+Scouts, the New Zealand Mounted Infantry, Roberts's Horse, and the 3rd
+Regiment of Mounted Infantry covered each other in retreat, while the
+enemy galloped forward and, dismounting, engaged them, often at ranges
+up to 300 yards."
+
+The force was surrounded by the enemy on all sides, and there was no
+resource but to fight through--the cavalry and mounted infantry taking a
+line towards a drift on the south. Roberts's Horse made a gallant and
+desperate effort to outflank the Dutchmen, and lost heavily; and
+Aldersen's Brigade, with magnificent dash and considerable skill,
+succeeded in holding back the hostile horde. This retirement was no easy
+matter, for the position taken up by the Federals was exceptionally
+favourable to them. To the north the spruit twisted in a convenient
+hoop, which sheltered them; to the south was the embankment of the
+railway in course of construction; from these points and from front and
+rear the enemy was able, in comparative security, to batter and harass
+the discomfited troops.
+
+Fortunately, in the end, Colvile's Division, which had been making its
+way from Bloemfontein, arrived in time to check the Boers in their
+jubilant advance, though some hours too late to prevent the enemy from
+capturing and removing the waggons and guns.
+
+While the retreat was being effected more valorous work was going on
+elsewhere. The members of the Army Medical Corps, with the coolness
+peculiar to them, were exposing themselves and rushing to the assistance
+of the wounded, many being stricken down in the midst of their splendid
+labours. Roberts's Horse made themselves worthy of the noble soldier who
+godfathered them, and one--a trooper of the name of Tod--a prodigy of
+valour, rode deliberately into the _mêlée_ in search of the wounded, and
+returned with the dead weight of a helpless man in his arms, under the
+fierce fire of the foe. If disaster does nothing more, it breeds heroes.
+The melancholy affair of Koorn Spruit brought to light the superb
+qualities that lie dormant in many who live their lives in the matter of
+fact way and give no sign.
+
+Splendid actions followed one another with amazing persistence, man
+after man and officer after officer attempting deeds of daring, each of
+which in themselves would form the foundation of an heroic tale.
+Lieutenant Maxwell of Roberts's Horse, from the very teeth of the enemy
+dragged off a wounded man--a lad who, by the time he was rescued, had
+fainted. But the young subaltern promptly got him in the saddle, and the
+pair sped forth from the fiery zone alive. The Duke of Teck also rushed
+to the succour of Lieutenant Meade, who was wounded (a bullet cutting
+off his finger and piercing his thigh), gave up to him his horse and
+removed him from the scene of danger. At the same time Colonel Pilcher
+was gallantly rescuing Corporal Packer of the 1st Life Guards. Major
+Booth (Northumberland Fusiliers) lost his life through doggedly holding
+a position with four others, in order to cover the retreat.
+
+When the Queenslanders arrived they too showed the stuff they were made
+of, the best British thews combined with the doughtiest British hearts.
+They plunged into action--so dashingly indeed that the Boers very nearly
+mopped them up. But Colonel Henry was equal even to the skittish foe,
+and contrived to entertain the Dutchmen by leading them so active a
+dance that eventually the Colonials were able to fight out their own
+salvation.
+
+At last the guns got away and followed the line of retreat taken by the
+cavalry. The troops then conducted their retirement by alternate
+companies, each company taking up its duties without fluster, and
+covering the other company's retirement with great steadiness until they
+reached Bushman's Kop. The marvellous coolness of the force was
+particularly amazing, as every man, with the Boers still at his heels,
+believed himself to be cut off, yet in spite of this belief showed no
+signs of concern. In one regiment, consisting of 11 officers and 200
+men, two officers were killed, four wounded, and sixty-six men killed
+and wounded.
+
+Strange scenes took place during those awful hours in the donga, and
+wonderful escapes were made. One trooper was seized on by a Boer.
+"Surrender," cried the Dutchman, but before another word could be
+uttered, the trooper's sabre whistled from its sheath and the Boer was
+dead. Another who was wounded got off, as he said, "by the skin of his
+teeth." He had become jammed under a waggon in company with a Boer--who
+had crept there for cover--and the hindquarters of a dying mule. Over
+the cart poured a rattling rain of bullets, to which he longed to
+respond. The Boer, believing the wounded man to be his prisoner, made
+himself known. "Hot work this," he said. The next instant the Boer was
+caught by the throat and knocked insensible, while the Briton promptly
+extricated himself and vanished from the seething, fighting mass.
+Another of the Household Cavalry, when summoned to surrender his rifle,
+threw it with such force at the head of his would-be captor that he was
+able to make good his escape.
+
+The following interesting account was given from the point of view of an
+officer of the Life Guards who was present:--
+
+"We heard firing at 6.30, and while we were saddling bang came two
+shells a little short, followed by three others. The firing went on for
+half-an-hour incessantly. The convoys got under way very quickly,
+followed by Mounted Infantry and Life Guards. Luckily only two shells
+burst, and only one mule was killed. We moved on to the spruit and were
+shot at by Mausers from our right flank. The convoys were on the brink
+of the drift. Some of the waggons were actually crossing, and our
+artillery close on to them, when a terrific fire came from the spruit.
+The U Battery was captured--the men and officers being killed, wounded,
+or prisoners. We went about and retired in good order in a hail of shot,
+being within 120 yards of the enemy. It is wonderful how we escaped. Two
+of our men were shot--one in the thigh and the other in the
+shoulder--and we had altogether 32 missing. Our leading horses and
+baggage were within nine feet of the fire; yet many of them got off,
+including my servant and horse. I lost, however, my saddlebags, with
+change of clothes, trousers, shoes, iron kettle, and letters which I
+grudge the Boers reading. We got out of fire and lined the river banks,
+firing shots at the Boers, who were, however, too distant. We were well
+hid in a position like what the Boers had held themselves, and we hoped
+to enfilade them, but the river twisted too much, and it is impossible
+to locate fire with smokeless powder. We then followed the 10th Hussars
+for four miles towards Bushman's Kopje. The Ninth Division Infantry,
+under Colvile, came over the ridge with eighteen guns, and we heard a
+lot of heavy firing."
+
+He went on to say: "Why we are alive I can't say. Many of the bullets
+were explosive, as I heard them burst when they hit the ground. The
+shelling was most trying, as we had to stand quite still for twenty
+minutes a living target."
+
+A laughing philosopher, a Democritus of the nineteenth century, gave to
+the world, _viâ_ the _Pall Mall Gazette_, his curious experiences. Among
+other things he said:--
+
+"Roberts's Horse was ordered to trot off to the right of the convoy.
+'Oh! those are our men, you fool,' said everybody. Two men came up to
+the Colonel. 'We've got you surrounded, you'd better surrender,' say
+they; and heads popped up in the grass forty yards from us. Boers
+appeared all along the ridge a hundred yards ahead. 'Files about,
+gallop!' yells the adjutant. (They dropped him immediately.)
+
+"I was carrying a fence-post to cook the breakfast of my section (of
+four men). I turned my horse; there came a crackling in the air, on the
+ground, everywhere; the whole world was crackling, a noise as of thorns
+crackling or the cracks of a heavy whip. My gee-gee (usually slow) went
+well, stimulated by the horses round it, and actually took a water-jump;
+I had to hold my helmet on with my right hand, which still held the
+fence-post, and I thought my knuckles would surely get grazed by a
+bullet. They were pouring in a cross-fire now as well, and once or twice
+I heard the _s-s-s-s-s_ of the Mauser bullet (the crackle is explosives,
+you know). It was very exhilarating; the gallop and the fire made me
+shout and sing and whistle. I jumped a dead man, and almost immediately
+caught up B., who is one of my section.
+
+"The fire was slackening, and we were half a mile away by then, and we
+looked round to see whether anybody was forming up. The plain was dotted
+with men and many riderless horses. Everybody was yelling, 'When do we
+form up?' You feel rather foolish when running away. At about one mile
+we formed up again. From the rear, and from the place we had come from,
+and from the river bed, there came a noise as of thousands of
+shipwrights hammering. Nine (?) of our guns were captured; the remaining
+three fired at intervals. My squadron was sent into a depression on the
+left of the New Zealanders. Here we dismounted (No. 3 of each section
+holding the horses), and went up as a firing line, range 1200, 1400, and
+1600 yards. The General passed. 'Ever been in such a warm corner?' says
+he to the bugler. 'Oh yes,' says the little chap, quite cheerfully and
+untruthfully. The General remarked, laughing, that _he_ hadn't. I felt
+sorry for him, and heard the newsboys shouting, 'Another British
+disaster!' and the Continental papers, 'Nouvelle défaite des Anglais!
+Yah!' It was the greatest fun out, barring the loss of the guns and men.
+For we were not losing a situation of strategic importance or anything
+of that kind. The Boers had collared our blankets and things, but we
+chuckled at the thought of what they would suffer if they ever slept in
+'em."
+
+Sergeant-Major Martin, who, with Major Taylor (commanding U Battery),
+was incidental in warning Colonel Rochfort and Major Phipps Hornby of
+their danger, and thus assisting to save Q Battery, described his
+experiences:--
+
+"A Boer commander stepped out and confronted the Major with fixed
+bayonet; all his (the Boer's) men stood up in the spruit ready to shoot
+us down if we had attempted to fight, ordered the Major to surrender,
+and also the battery. The battery had no chance whatever to do anything.
+As the trap was laid, so we fell into it. Now, as the Major was talking
+to the Boer commander, I turned my horse round (I was then three yards
+from him) and walked quietly to the rear of our battery. When I got
+there, putting spurs to my horse, I galloped for all I was worth to tell
+the Colonel to stop the other battery, as U Battery were all prisoners.
+I then looked towards the battery; the Boers were busy disarming them. I
+went a little distance in that direction to have a last look. By this
+time the Household Cavalry had come up, and the 14th Hussars; they
+halted, soon found out what had happened, and turned round to retire. As
+they did so the Boers opened fire on us. The bullets came like
+hailstones. It was a terrible sight. One gun and its team of horses
+galloped away; by some means or other it was pulled up. I took
+possession of it, still under this heavy fire, and, finding one of our
+drivers, I put him in the wheel, and drove the leaders myself. We had
+between us 14 horses. I drove in the lead for about six miles, following
+the cavalry, who had gone on to see if we could get through. Eventually,
+after several hours, I got into safe quarters."
+
+The list of loss was terrible:--
+
+ Brevet-Major A. W. C. Booth, Northumberland Fusiliers;
+ Lieutenant P. Crowle, Roberts's Horse; Lieutenant Irvine, Army
+ Medical Service (attached to Royal Horse Artillery), were
+ killed. Among the wounded were: Brevet-Colonel A. N. Rochfort,
+ Royal Horse Artillery, Staff. Q Battery Royal Horse
+ Artillery.--Captain G. Humphreys, Lieutenant E. B. Ashmore,
+ Lieutenant H. R. Peck, Lieutenant D. J. Murch, Lieutenant J. K.
+ Walch, Tasmanian Artillery (attached). Royal Horse
+ Guards.--Lieutenant the Hon. A. V. Meade. Roberts's
+ Horse.--Major A. W. Pack Beresford, Captain Carrington Smith,
+ Lieutenant H. A. A. Darley, Lieutenant W. H. M. Kirkwood.
+ Mounted Infantry.--Major D. T. Cruickshank, 2nd Essex Regiment;
+ Lieutenant F. Russell-Brown, Royal Munster Fusiliers;
+ Lieutenant P. C. Grover, Shropshire Light Infantry (since
+ dead); Lieutenant H. C. Hall, Northumberland Fusiliers.
+ _Wounded and Missing._--Captain P. D. Dray, Lieutenant and
+ Quartermaster Hawkins. _Missing._--Lieutenant H. R. Horne.
+ Royal Horse Artillery.--Captain H. Rouse, Lieutenant G. H. A.
+ White, Lieutenant F. H. G. Stanton, Lieutenant F. L. C.
+ Livingstone-Learmonth. 1st Northumberland
+ Fusiliers.--Lieutenant H. S. Toppin. 2nd Duke of Cornwall's
+ Light Infantry.--Lieutenant H. T. Cantan. 1st Yorkshire Light
+ Infantry.--Captain G. G. Ottley. Royal West Kent
+ Regiment.--Lieutenant R. J. T. Hildyard. Captain Wray, Royal
+ Horse Artillery, Staff; Captain Dray, Roberts's Horse;
+ Lieutenant the Hon. D. R. H. Anderson-Pelham, 10th Hussars;
+ Lieutenant C. W. H. Crichton, 10th Hussars.
+
+The casualties all told numbered some 350, including 200 missing.
+Reports differ regarding the strength of the enemy. Lord Roberts
+estimated it at 8000 to 10,000, while De Wet declared he had only about
+1400 men.
+
+All that remained of U Battery was one gun, Major Taylor, a
+sergeant-major, a shoeing-smith, and a driver!
+
+In Q Battery, Captain Humphreys, Lieutenants Peck, Ashmore, Murch were
+wounded, and the latter two reported missing.
+
+The whole of the grievous Saturday afternoon was spent by the gallant
+doctors in tending the ninety or more of our brave wounded who lay
+helpless in the spruit. They were carried to the shelter of the tin
+houses, and the work of bandaging and extracting bullets was pursued
+without a moment's relaxation. The removal of the sufferers from the
+neighbourhood of the spruit on the day following was a sorry task, and
+the sight that presented itself to the ambulance party was one which was
+too shocking to be ever forgotten. In the spruit itself the wreckage of
+waggons which had been looted by the Boers covered most of the scene,
+and, interspersed with them were horses and cattle, maimed, mutilated,
+and dead. With these, in ghastly companionship, were the bodies of slain
+soldiers and black waggon-drivers. The living wounded were conveyed from
+the disastrous vicinity in ambulances and waggons brought for them under
+the covering fire of the guns, which swept the length of the river and
+deterred the enemy from attempting to block the passage of the
+melancholy party. The Republicans, however, fired viciously from
+adjacent kopjes, but without disturbing the progress of the operations.
+
+At noon General French's cavalry, with Wavell's Brigade, had left
+Bloemfontein to occupy a position on the Modder between Glen and Sanna's
+Post, and keep an eye on further encroachments of the Boers. The enemy,
+on the fatal Saturday night, had destroyed the waterworks, thus forcing
+the inhabitants of Bloemfontein to fall back on some insanitary wells,
+as a substitute for which the waterworks had been erected. Here, on
+their departure for Ladybrand, they left 12 officers and 70 men, who had
+been wounded in the fray, and whom they doubtless considered might be an
+encumbrance to their future movements. These were conveyed by ambulance
+to Bloemfontein.
+
+[Illustration: MAP ILLUSTRATING THE MILITARY OPERATIONS TO THE S. AND E.
+OF BLOEMFONTEIN.]
+
+As an instance of Boer treachery, it was stated that the Free State
+commandant Pretorius, whose farm overlooked the spruit wherein the
+ambuscade was arranged, had given up arms and taken the oath to retire
+to his farm. Yet on the day of the disaster he led the Boers to the
+attack, while the members of his family were prominent among the looters
+of the wrecked waggons. Other tales of cruelty and ill-treatment and
+treachery on the part of the Boers were well authenticated. It is
+useless to repeat them, but the circumstances are merely noted to give
+an explanation for a change of policy which was necessitated by the
+actions of the enemy--a change which was, unfortunately, adopted only
+when many martyrs had been made in the cause of forbearance.
+
+
+THE REDDERSBURG MISHAP
+
+The Boers, triumphant with their success at Koorn Spruit, scurried to
+Dewetsdorp, drove out the British detachment which had been posted there
+by General Gatacre, and on the 4th of April came in for another piece of
+luck, for which we had to pay by the loss of three companies of Royal
+Irish Rifles and two companies of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
+
+The unfortunate occurrence took place near Reddersburg, somewhat to the
+east of Bethanie Railway Station. A party of infantry, consisting of
+three companies of Royal Irish Rifles and two companies of the
+Northumberland Fusiliers, who had been in occupation of Dewetsdorp, and
+engaged on a pacification mission on the east of the Free State, were
+ordered on the 3rd to retire to Reddersburg, a place situated some
+thirty-seven miles from Bloemfontein and fifty miles from Springfontein,
+where General Gatacre had taken up his head-quarters. In their
+retirement the troops, it is said, took a somewhat unusual detour, and
+thus, if they did not court, ran risk of disaster. Anyway, they had
+travelled about four miles to the east of their destination when, at
+Mosterts Hok, they were surprised to discover a strong force of some
+2500 Boers. They were still more surprised to find that, while they
+themselves were unaccompanied by artillery, and were possessed of little
+reserve ammunition, the Dutchmen were provided with three or four
+formidable guns. Thus, the situation from the first was alarming. Our
+men, comparatively defenceless, saw themselves hedged in by an
+overmastering horde. They quickly occupied a position on a peaked hill
+rising in the centre of ground sliced and seamed with dry nullahs. These
+popular havens of refuge were at once seized by the Boers and deftly
+made use of. The Dutchmen, under cover of the dongas, crept cautiously
+up on all sides of the kopje, surrounding it and pouring cascades of
+rifle-fire on the small exposed force. In no time the chance of retreat
+was barred on all sides, and there was no resource but to fight through.
+But unfortunately, as British ammunition was limited and the Boers
+warily kept well out of range, all that could be done was to prolong
+hostilities in the hope that delay would enable reinforcements from
+Bethanie to come to the rescue. But these did not arrive. The Boers,
+grasping the situation, gathered courage and approached nearer and
+nearer. With the dusk coming on and some 2500 of the foe enfilading them
+from three sides, the British position, as may be imagined, was not a
+hopeful one. Nevertheless, the Royal Irish Rifles displayed the national
+spirit of dare-devilry--"fought like bricks," some one said--never
+losing heart under the persistent attacks of shot and shell that
+continued till nightfall.
+
+[Illustration: THE REDDERSBURG MISHAP: MEN OF THE IRISH RIFLES AND
+MOUNTED INFANTRY DELIVERING UP THEIR ARMS
+
+Facsimile of a Sketch by Melton Prior, War Artist]
+
+Hoping and waiting and fighting; so passed the dreadful hours of dark.
+Then, with the dawn, the enemy, flushed with triumph, commenced to pound
+their prey with redoubled vigour, while our parched and almost
+ammunitionless troops, in a ghastly quandary, alternately fought and
+prayed for relief!
+
+Meanwhile the news of the affair having reached Lord Roberts, General
+Gatacre, on the afternoon of the 3rd, was ordered to proceed from
+Springfontein to the spot, while the Cameron Highlanders were despatched
+from Bloemfontein to Bethanie.
+
+General Gatacre, with his main body and an advance guard of mounted
+infantry under Colonel Sitwell, then marched _viâ_ Edenburg to the
+succour of the detachment. On the morning of the 4th, Colonel Sitwell
+having arrived at Bethanie, some fifteen miles from Mosterts Hok, heard
+sounds of artillery in the distance, and believing that the engagement
+was going on, prepared to rush to the rescue. But with the small force
+at his disposal, he deemed it impossible to try a frontal attack, and
+decided to make an attempt to get round the enemy's right flank. The
+manoeuvre was unsuccessful, for a party of hidden Boers, from a kopje
+north-west of Reddersburg, assailed him and forced him to retire and
+wait till the main column should come to his assistance. But by the time
+General Gatacre had reached the scene (10.30 A.M. on the 4th) the drama
+had been enacted, the curtain had descended on the tragedy. The small
+and valorous party on Mosterts Hok, which for thirty hours had been
+fighting and were at last sans water, sans ammunition, sans everything
+in fact, had been forced to surrender. No sign of them was to be seen.
+The unfortunate band--many of them the survivors of the fatal exploit at
+Stormberg--were now on their way to that aristocratical
+prison-house--the Model School at Pretoria.
+
+General Gatacre, finding further effort useless, then occupied the town
+of Reddersburg. There, the Boers had hoisted the Free State flag, and
+were making themselves generally objectionable. Quickly the Boer banner
+was torn down and the Union Jack run up, though during the operations
+the General narrowly escaped assassination. He was fired at from a
+house, but fortunately escaped with only a scratch on the shoulder.
+
+By evening, acting on instructions from Bloemfontein, and owing to the
+fact that the enemy was massed in all directions and surrounding the
+town, the force and its prisoners returned to Bethanie, and there
+encamped to mount guard over the rail. Details regarding the movements
+of the troops on this grievous day were given by a correspondent, in the
+_Daily Telegraph_, whose version throws a somewhat depressing light on
+the sufficiently depressing affair. The writer declared that:--
+
+"A large British force, with a brigade division of artillery (eighteen
+guns), on the march to Bloemfontein, was at Bethanie, about eleven miles
+from Reddersburg, on the night of April 3, and got the news of the
+above-mentioned infantry being surrounded about 11 P.M. The men
+immediately saddled up, got under arms, and remained all night ready to
+move off in relief, but did not receive orders to do so until 8 A.M. on
+April 4, and then were only permitted to proceed at a walk, constantly
+halting to water the horses. The result of the delay was that the column
+arrived just too late, and was then not even allowed to pursue the enemy
+and release the prisoners, who were dead beat and could not possibly
+have been hurried along. The relief column was manoeuvred outside the
+town of Reddersburg during most of the day, and then was ordered to
+return to Bethanie, but, when within a few miles of camp, with the
+horses and men tired out, a complete change of instructions were issued,
+and the column was wheeled about and told to march back and take the
+town of Reddersburg. The Cameron Highlanders, who had just come off a
+troopship from Egypt, and were, consequently, quite unfit, could hardly
+move, but all had to turn, for no apparent reason, and march to the
+ground they had left. The mounted infantry and artillery trotted back
+and occupied Reddersburg about dusk, with only one casualty, viz. an
+officer of mounted infantry, and the force bivouacked, with very little
+food, just outside the town.
+
+"About midnight, the order was given to return to Bethanie again, and
+the men, who could hardly crawl, were awakened, the march resumed, and
+Bethanie was reached about 7 A.M. on April 5, after great and
+unnecessary distress both to men and animals, while no object was
+gained, the whole expedition being a miserable fiasco, disheartening and
+humiliating to every one present.
+
+"To whom blame is attributable it is difficult to say, as the officer in
+command seemed not to have a free hand, but to be directed by wires
+received at intervals, which must have taken five or six hours to reach
+him. Either the relief ought never to have been attempted, or it ought
+to have been carried out expeditiously and with determination."
+
+Mr. Purves, who, as a lance-corporal with one of the Ambulance Corps,
+was in the thick of the fray, gave a graphic description of the unhappy
+affair:--
+
+ "Reaching Dewetsdorp on the morning of Sunday, April 1st, we
+ first became aware that our progress was being watched by the
+ Boers. Just as we were about to camp outside the dorp, our
+ scouts exchanged a few shots with those of the enemy. Beyond a
+ temporary disarrangement of our plans, nothing happened, as the
+ main body of the enemy did not show at all, and things quieted
+ down till nightfall, when another alarm was caused by the
+ arrival of the Mounted Infantry (Royal Irish Rifles and
+ Northumberland Fusiliers), who were mistaken by our people for
+ Boers, as their arrival was unexpected, and our presence in
+ the position occupied by us was a surprise to them. The Mounted
+ Infantry actually dismounted to prepare for business, when
+ fortunately a mutual recognition took place, and a hearty
+ greeting to the brave fellows who were to bear the brunt of the
+ coming action was extended by our force. Captain Casson (one of
+ the first to fall at Mosterts Hock) commanded the new-comers.
+ After a night's rest, we started again on the march, which
+ continued without event till Tuesday, 3rd, when our scouts at
+ 11.30 came back with the news that the enemy were upon us,
+ making for two kopjes in front of us. Both of these were
+ immediately crowned by our little force of 440--the
+ above-mentioned Mounted Infantry, with some of the Royal Irish
+ Rifles taking the northern kopje, and the remainder of the
+ Royal Irish Rifles that to the south. Rifle firing opened at
+ once, and gradually grew hotter till about 2 P.M., when the
+ Boers opened with artillery, four guns being brought into play
+ in positions that enabled them to sweep our two lines.
+ Fortunately, the firing was most erratic, and little or no
+ damage was done by the shells. Volley fire from the Royal Irish
+ Rifles soon put one of the guns out of action. We had no
+ artillery, and the wonder is that we held the position,
+ extended as it was far beyond what seemed tenable to so small a
+ force, for the long time we did. The bearers of C Company, Cape
+ Medical Staff Corps, had a particularly warm time of it. Sent
+ as they were at the commencement of the action right on to the
+ fighting line, they stuck to their posts till the very last
+ without any cover, and only retired with the last line of
+ straggling defenders, who worked their way back through a
+ deadly hail of bullets, explosive and otherwise, to their own
+ camp, after the Boers had won the day. The first day's fight
+ lasted till darkness, when we tried to snatch some rest--a
+ luxury that came to few. Next morning at 5.30 found us sniping
+ at one another prior to the forenoon fire that soon kept every
+ one busy at all points. At 8 the artillery commenced firing,
+ and the fight became fiercer till about 9, when our men on the
+ north kopje, unable to contend against the fearful odds,
+ hoisted the white flag, and the Boers on that side rushed the
+ position, and were thus able to pour a murderous fire into the
+ unfortunate Royal Irish Rifles on the southern height, who,
+ while their attention was riveted on the enemy on their front,
+ were in ignorance of what was going on in their rear for a
+ while. When they turned to reply to the rear attack, their
+ position was taken, and the poor fellows, accompanied by nine
+ of the stretcher-bearers, had to run for the hospital, distant
+ 600 yards, under a fearful cross-fire. Several of the Rifles
+ were killed, but the bearers escaped marvellously. The
+ hospital, which was pitched between the two kopjes, suffered
+ from the shelling, and was in itself dangerous; while, to add
+ to the risk, a trench thrown up to protect the sick was
+ mistaken by the Boers for a rifle-trench, and became a mark for
+ their special attention. One shell burst near the
+ operating-tent while the surgeons were at work on a wounded
+ man, and riddled the tent, fortunately hitting no one. Another
+ banged into a buck waggon. A third cut a mule in halves. A
+ slight bruise on the knee was the only hurt suffered by any of
+ the Hospital Corps. Our dead numbered ten, whom we buried on
+ the battle-field, placing over the grave a neatly dressed and
+ lettered stone, executed by Private Buckland, C Medical Staff
+ Corps. Two of the wounded died afterwards in the temporary
+ hospital at Reddersburg, and are buried in the cemetery there.
+ The wounded, thirty-two in number, were sent down from Bethanie
+ to one of the base hospitals, for treatment in the convalescent
+ stage. Enough praise cannot be given to the warm-hearted people
+ of the Dutch village of Reddersburg. It mattered not that we
+ were British. Their all was placed at our disposal, and to
+ their generosity much of our success with the wounded is to be
+ attributed."
+
+The casualties were as follows:--
+
+ _Killed_--Captain F. G. Casson, Northumberland Fusiliers; 2nd
+ Lieut. C. R. Barclay, Northumberland Fusiliers. _Dangerously
+ Wounded_--Captain W. P. Dimsdale, Royal Irish Rifles. _Slightly
+ Wounded_--Lieut. E. C. Bradford, Royal Irish Rifles.
+ _Captured_--Captain Tennant, Royal Artillery; 2nd Lieut.
+ Butler, Durham Light Infantry, attached to Northumberland
+ Fusiliers; Captain W. J. McWhinnie, Royal Irish Rifles; Captain
+ A. C. D. Spencer, Royal Irish Rifles; Captain Kelly, Royal
+ Irish Rifles; 2nd Lieut. E. H. Saunders, Royal Irish Rifles;
+ 2nd Lieut. Bowen-Colthurst, Royal Irish Rifles; 2nd Lieut.
+ Soutry, Royal Irish Rifles, and all remaining rank and file.
+
+Lieut. Stacpole (Northumberland Fusiliers) was also wounded on the 4th.
+He was riding for reinforcements, and as he approached Reddersburg,
+unknowing the place was in the hands of the Boers, he was greeted with
+shots which killed his horse, wounded him, and placed him at the mercy
+of the enemy, by whom he was captured. The Boers in their retreat,
+however, left their prisoners behind. The total of killed and wounded
+numbered between 50 and 150. The strength of the British was 167 mounted
+infantry, 424 infantry. The enemy were said to be 3200 strong.
+
+The unlucky termination of the affair completed the eastern flanking
+movement of the Boers, who were now trickling over the country from
+Sanna's Post on the south to a point east of Jagersfontein road. They
+soon held the Free State east of the railway beyond Bethulie, and
+considerable numbers went south towards Smithfield and Rouxville, their
+determination, after their recent successes, being to harass the British
+force as much as possible. It was now becoming evident that all the
+present trouble was due to over-leniency, and it began to be urged that
+some measures must be adopted which would ensure for the conquerors of
+the enemy's country the respect that was due to them. The humanitarian
+attitude of Lord Roberts had produced an unlooked-for result. The
+Commander-in-Chief had attempted to administer justice for a
+seventeenth-century people on the ethics of those of the nineteenth, and
+the experiment had proved disastrous. The enemy, far from being
+impressed by the show of magnanimity, was laughing in his sleeve at his
+immunity from pains and penalties. Our troops were forced now to move in
+a country where nearly every man was a foe or a spy, and one who,
+moreover, thought meanly of us for the concessions which had been made.
+As an instance of contrast between our own and the Dutchman's mode of
+dealing with those considered as rebels, an instructive story was told.
+A Free State burgher at the outset of hostilities entered the Imperial
+service as a conductor of transport. It was a non-combatant's
+occupation, and one for which he was fitted, owing to his knowledge of
+the Kaffir and Dutch languages. This man was captured by the Boers, who,
+declaring him to be a rebel, instantly shot him dead. We, on the other
+hand, accepted an obsolete rifle, a flint-lock elephant gun belonging to
+the days of the Great Trek perhaps, as a peace-offering and then told
+the rebel to go away and turn over a new leaf. His new leaf resolved
+itself into unearthing Mausers and Martinis, and popping at us from the
+first convenient kopje--if not from the windows of his farm!
+
+To this cause may be attributed the sudden return of so-called ill-luck,
+which seemed epidemic. April had brought with it an alarming list of
+losses at Sanna's Post, which was followed by a grievous total of
+killed, wounded, and missing--five companies lost to us--at Reddersburg.
+We had, moreover, disquieting days around Thabanchu, Ladybrand, and
+Rouxville, and were being forced gradually, and not always gracefully,
+to retreat. For instance, in the retirement from Rouxville, four
+companies of the Royal Irish, some Queenstown and Kaffrarian Rifles, had
+merely escaped by what in vulgar phrase we term "the skin of their
+teeth." It was merely owing to the smartness of General Brabant, who
+sent two squadrons of Border Horse from Aliwal North to the rescue, that
+the small force escaped being cut off. This officer's little band
+garrisoning Wepener was meanwhile beginning to test the Boer force in
+earnest.
+
+
+THE ESCAPE OF PRISONERS FROM PRETORIA
+
+At this time great excitement prevailed owing to the escape from
+Pretoria of Captain Haldane, D.S.O. (Gordon Highlanders), who was
+captured after the disaster to the armoured train at Chieveley; of
+Lieutenant Le Mesurier (Dublin Fusiliers), who was taken prisoner with
+Colonel Moeller's force after the battle of Glencoe; and of Sergeant
+Brockie, a Colonial volunteer. These officers had a more adventurous
+task than even that of Mr. Churchill, for since the war correspondent's
+escape the Boers had naturally taken additional precautions, and had
+mounted extra guard over their prisoners. The officers most ingeniously
+contrived to dig a trench underneath the floor of the prison, and here
+they hid themselves. For eighteen long days they remained cramped in
+this small underground hole, in the daily expectation that the other
+officers and their guards were about to be transferred to new quarters,
+when a chance of escape would be offered.
+
+Captain Haldane gave exciting details of his adventures in _Blackwood's
+Magazine_; but, before dealing with them, it is interesting to consider
+the position of the vast congregation of British officers that had
+gradually been collected within the confines of the Model School.
+Curiously enough, after all the fighting, the sum total of prisoners of
+war on both sides was now nearly equal. By the 23rd of March the Boer
+prisoners in our hands were 5000, while the British prisoners in
+Pretoria numbered some 3466. Since that date, through various unlucky
+accidents, the Boers had captured some 1000 more of our troops, and thus
+early in April the enemy almost equalled us in the matter of capture!
+
+[Illustration: THE MODEL SCHOOL, PRETORIA.]
+
+The Model School stands in the centre of the town. It is commodious,
+though devoid of privacy (on the principle of a boys' dormitory) well
+ventilated, lighted with electricity, and roofed with corrugated iron.
+At the time of the escape there was a gymnasium, and also a
+scaling-ladder against the wall, which suggested infinite possibilities
+to such men as Captain Haldane, who had all the exciting histories of
+"Latude," "Jack Sheppard," and "Monte Christo" at his fingers' ends.
+There were rough screens to enclose some of the cubicles, and the walls
+in some cases were decorated with cuttings from the illustrated papers,
+or with humorous sketches made by talented amateurs. Two of these were
+especially admired, a chase after President Steyn personally conducted
+by Lord Roberts, and a caricature of President Kruger, which latter was
+highly appreciated even by the Boers when it came under their notice.
+
+The special nook of the Rev. Adrian Hofmeyer, who had made himself into
+a general favourite, and was laconically declared to be a "regular
+brick," was the most decorative of all, being made gay with various
+scraps of colour and design to cheer the weary eye. By this time the
+reverend gentleman, having had a more trying experience of incarceration
+than most, had got to look upon the Model School in the light of
+residential chambers, and consoled others with the account of his own
+experiences. His story was not an enlivening one:--
+
+ "I was lodged in the common jail, Cronje's law adviser having
+ informed him it would not be legal to shoot me. Cronje
+ consequently thought the best thing to do would be another
+ illegality, namely, imprison a non-combatant and correspondent.
+ Mr. Cronje has ample time to-day in St. Helena to meditate upon
+ this and other illegal acts of his. I was locked up in a cell
+ eighteen feet by nine feet, and for the first few days was
+ allowed to have my meals at the hotel. Soon, however, this
+ liberty was taken away, for it proved too much for the
+ Christian charity of the Zeerust burghers to see a despised
+ prisoner of war marched up and down from the hotel to the jail
+ under police escort. Other restrictions were soon imposed also,
+ and after a little while I was locked up day and night, the
+ door of the unventilated cell being open only three times a day
+ for fifteen minutes at a time. No books nor papers were allowed
+ me, no visitors, and the few loyal friends who tried to supply
+ me with luxuries were cruelly forbidden to do so by the
+ authorities. I cannot help thinking to-day of the strange irony
+ of fate. The commanders who practised this cruelty upon me were
+ Cronje and Snyman. The one is to-day a prisoner of war, and
+ can, perhaps, put himself in my place. He is an old personal
+ acquaintance, too."
+
+The worthy padre was afterwards removed, and gave a further description
+of his experiences.
+
+ "After eight weeks of such life I was taken to Pretoria, and
+ there quartered in the Staats Model School with the British
+ officers. Here everything was better, and I quickly recovered
+ my health and strength. The building was a magnificent one, and
+ the surroundings very pleasant, but our jailer, a Landdrost,
+ and our guards, the Zarps, never forgot to remind us of the
+ fact that we were prisoners. The food we got from Government
+ sufficed for one meal; the rest we had to buy, being charged
+ most exorbitant prices. When I left, the officers' mess
+ amounted to £1600 per month for 144 officers. On my arrival, I
+ was asked by the officers to conduct service for them every
+ Sunday, in addition to that held by an Anglican clergyman. For
+ two Sundays, therefore, we had two services a day, and then
+ Winston Churchill escaped, and the following extraordinary
+ letter was sent the officers by the Anglican clergyman:--
+
+ "'GENTLEMEN,--By the kind courtesy of the Government, I have
+ been permitted to hold services for you in connection with the
+ Church of England, which services I have felt it a privilege on
+ my part to conduct. After what has recently occurred--viz. the
+ escape of Mr. Churchill from confinement--I exceedingly regret
+ that, in consideration of my duty to the Government, I must
+ discontinue such regular ministrations, as I desire to maintain
+ the honour due to my position. Of course I shall always be glad
+ to minister to you in any emergency, with the special
+ permission of the authorities, who will, with their usual
+ kindness, duly inform me.--With my best wishes, I am,
+ gentlemen, yours sincerely, ----.'
+
+ "Out of charity, I do not publish the reverend gentleman's
+ name,[2] but I can add that 'the emergency' referred to never
+ presented itself. Since that time, I had the pleasure and
+ honour of conducting the services every Sunday, and they were
+ the pleasantest hours I spent in prison. Our singing was so
+ hearty and good, that many of the townsfolk strolled up of a
+ Sunday morning to hear us."
+
+[Illustration: BRITISH PRISONERS ON THEIR WAY TO PRETORIA: THE FIRST
+HALT
+
+Drawing by S. Begg]
+
+As may be imagined, all manner of devices were invented for the purpose
+of securing news, the only intelligence of outside events coming to the
+unhappy prisoners through the _Standard and Diggers' News_, which
+journal, of course, dwelt gloatingly on British disasters. But the
+authorities were suspicious. One day a harmonium was removed, owing to
+the treasonable practice of performing "God save the Queen"; on another,
+a cherished terrier was banished, as he was declared to be a smuggler,
+and charged with the crime of carrying notes in his tail! But at last,
+an ingenious ruse was successfully perpetrated. A man, accompanied by a
+dog, came to the railings and there engaged in a private dialogue, which
+savoured of the maniacal, till the eagerly listening officers discovered
+that there might be method in the strange man's madness. A sample of the
+scene was given by the correspondent of the _Standard_:--
+
+"'Would you like a swim?' asked the master, and the dog, with a wag of
+his tail, answered 'Yes.' 'Ladysmith is all right,' continued the man,
+and the tail wagged assent. 'We will come again,' said the master, and
+the dog agreed. For a time the prisoners thought him mad, this man with
+the dog who talked in his beard, and mixed his dog talk with such names
+as 'Ladysmith,' 'Mafeking,' 'Cronje,' 'Roberts.' Then the truth dawned
+on them, and the 'Dog Man' became a hero, whose coming was watched with
+longing, and whose mutterings in his beard were 'as cool waters to the
+thirsty soul,' or as 'good news from a far country.' One day the 'Dog
+Man' was missing, and there was lamentation, until, looking towards the
+house opposite, the prisoners saw him standing well back in the passage,
+at the entrance to which two girls kept watch. The 'Dog Man' was waving
+his hat in eccentric fashion, and the waving was found to be legible to
+those who understand signalling. Next morning a tiny flag was
+substituted for the hat, and communication between the officers and the
+Director of Telegraphs was established by flag signal."
+
+The prisoners endeavoured to keep up an air of jocosity, though, as
+one confessed, their tempers were "very short and inclined to be
+captious." Naturally their occupations were limited, and it was not
+unusual to see gallant commanders engaged in darning their socks, or
+washing their clothes under the pump. Their attire, too, was not of the
+choicest, some of them having been accommodated when sick with suits
+technically known as "slops," purchased for a low price in Johannesburg.
+Hence one officer disported himself in choice pea-green, while another
+figured in rich yellow. These prison suits were scarcely becoming,
+particularly as many of the smartest of the smart were growing beards,
+or, if not beards, the ungainly chin tuft or "Charley," which destroyed
+their martial aspect. Sometimes they engaged in games, bumble puppy and
+the like, and occasionally expanded to other sports. A letter from a
+sprightly member of the band to the _Eton College Chronicle_ described
+the humorous side of their daily life:--
+
+ "MODEL SCHOOL, PRETORIA.
+
+ "DEAR MR. EDITOR,--Whilst following the fortunes of old
+ Etonians in South Africa, perhaps it may have escaped your
+ notice that a small and unhappy band has already reached
+ Pretoria. Mr. Rawlins's House is represented by Captain Ricardo
+ (Royal Horse Guards), and H. A. Chandos-Pole-Gell (Coldstream
+ Guards); Mr. Carter's by Major Foster (Royal Artillery); the
+ late Mr. Dalton's, Mr. Ainger's, and Mr. Luxmore's respectively
+ by M. Tristram (12th Lancers), G. Smyth-Osbourne (Devonshire
+ Regiment), and G. L. Butler (Royal Artillery); and Mr.
+ Cornish's by G. R. Wake (Northumberland Fusiliers). The
+ histories of their separate captures would take up too much of
+ your valuable space. Some have been here but a short time, some
+ many weeks; and during their captivity their thoughts turned to
+ old Eton days, and the game of fives recommended itself to them
+ as a means of passing some of the many weary hours. There was
+ no "pepper-box," or "dead man's hole"; but a room, two of whose
+ walls mainly consisted of windows, with the aid of three
+ cupboards and a piece of chalk, was quickly converted into a
+ fives court. Entries for a Public Schools' tournament were
+ numerous, Eton sending three pairs. Tristram and Gell
+ unanimously elected themselves to represent Eton's first pair,
+ closely followed by Eton II., Ricardo and Osbourne, Eton III.
+ being Wake and Butler. The facts that Tristram had recently
+ been perforated with Mauser bullets, and Gell had spent
+ Christmas and the three preceding weeks in the various jails
+ between Modder River and Bloemfontein, were no doubt
+ responsible for their not carrying off the coveted trophy.
+ Alas! they were badly beaten in the first round by Marlborough.
+ Not so Eton II. and III., who carried the Light Blue
+ successfully into the second round, both having drawn byes.
+ This good fortune could not last, and they fell heavily at the
+ second venture, being beaten by Wellington and Rugby
+ respectively. The ultimate winners proved to be Wellington,
+ after a desperate encounter with Charterhouse.
+
+ "So much for our pleasures; our troubles are legion, but we
+ will not burden you with them. We daily expect to hear of the
+ E.C.R.V. sharing the hardships of the campaign, and covering
+ themselves with glory to the tune of
+
+ "FLOREAT ETONA.
+
+ "_P.S._--We all hope to be at Eton on the 4th of June.
+
+ "_Feb. 14, 1900._"
+
+(Curiously enough, the 4th of June brought to a close the deadly period
+of durance vile. On that date the gallant crew spent their last night as
+prisoners!)
+
+To return to Captain Haldane and his partners in adventure. Ever since
+Mr. Churchill's escape he had racked his brains to discover a means of
+escape, and had made multifarious plans, many of which were rejected as
+absolutely hopeless, while many others failed after efforts which
+testified to the perseverance and ingenuity of their inventors. It was
+no easy matter after Mr. Churchill's exploit to hit on a means of
+evading the wily and now alert Boer.
+
+The guard were armed with rifles, revolvers, and whistles, and as these
+consisted of some thirty men, who furnished nine sentries in reliefs of
+four hours, there was little hope of escaping their vigilance.
+Fortunately the prisoners, such as had plain clothes in their
+possession, were permitted to wear them, otherwise the dream of freedom
+could scarcely have been indulged in. Bribery was not to be thought of,
+and a repetition of Mr. Churchill's desperate dash for freedom was
+impossible. It remained, therefore, for Captain Haldane and his
+colleagues to invent a new and ingenious method of bursting their bonds.
+An effort to cut the electric wires to throw the place in darkness while
+they scaled the walls, proved a sorry failure, and at last, having tried
+the roof and other points of egress and found them wanting, the
+companions hit on the happy idea of burrowing a subterranean place of
+concealment. Here they thought to scrape on and on till they bored a
+tunnel into the open! The discovery of a trap-door in the planks under
+one of the beds lent impetus to their designs, and they arranged to
+excavate a route diagonally under the street, and so pass into the
+gardens of the neighbouring houses. Marvellous was the patience and
+perseverance with which they, almost toolless--with only scraps of
+biscuit tins and screwdrivers--toiled daily in the accomplishment of
+their plan, and pathetic their dismay when their tunnel finished up by
+landing them in several feet of water with a promise of more to come.
+But they were indefatigable. Captain Haldane, like the great Napoleon,
+argued that the word impossible was only to be found in the dictionary
+of fools. Rumours that the prisoners were to be removed to a new
+building in two or three days only contrived to render the conspirators
+more desperate in their craving to be at large, and again the trap-door
+system was discussed. The young men determined on revised operations,
+and hit on the plan of living underground in the cave they should dig,
+thus disappearing from Boer ken and conveying the idea that they had
+already bolted, leaving as evidence of flight their three empty beds!
+Here they proposed to wait till, the hue-and-cry after them having
+ceased, and the prison doors having been opened for the removal of the
+other officers, they could slink forth at their leisure. But the change
+of prison did not come to pass as soon as expected. The empty beds told
+their tale; the place was searched, the crouching creatures in their
+burrow heard the tramp of armed men above them, voices in close
+conference, and afterwards the departing footsteps of the discomfited
+Boer detectives. It was decided that the prisoners were gone, and
+further report, amplified by Kaffir imagination, declared that they were
+already on their way to Mafeking! Still, though safe from discovery, the
+plotters were far from comfortable. Food in very meagre quantities was
+smuggled through the trap-door, till at last, famine being the mother of
+resource, by a process of what they called "signalgrams," their wants
+and intentions were conveyed to those above. Then when the appointed
+raps gave notice of the opening of the mysterious portal, potted meats
+and other luxuries were liberally passed down. And here, in this
+ventilationless, miry hole, in darkness and dank-smelling atmosphere,
+they groped a weary existence, daring neither to cough, nor sneeze, nor
+whisper, lest discovery should rob them of success. They were
+unwashed--so grimy as to be unrecognisable even to themselves--they were
+cramped and covered with bruises, brought about by bumping their heads
+against the dome of their low dwelling; they were often hungry and
+sleepless, but they were buoyed up with a vast amount of hope and pluck.
+
+Day after day sped on with unvarying monotony, and gradually hope began
+to exude at the pores. Six days passed, and they thought patience had
+come to the end of her tether. They longed to hold themselves upright,
+to see daylight, to eat their quantum of food, and, above all, to hear
+the sound of their own voices. But still they held on--longer, longer.
+Every day they knew made their chance of escape more secure, for the
+authorities in Pretoria, assured of their departure, had now ceased even
+from the habitual nine days of wonderment regarding their fate. Then
+they began to dig and burrow still further, this time with the
+assistance of a bayonet and a skewer, and for days and days pursued
+their silent, secret work, in hope to dig a channel some thirty feet
+long to reach the hospital yard beyond the Model School. Meanwhile they
+stored food in preparation for the great journey, and listened acutely
+for news of the proposed transfer of the prisoners to other quarters. At
+last they had their reward. A note was passed down to say that the
+officers were to be removed on the morrow. Then all was excitement. The
+curtain was drawing up on the play of which the prologue had promised so
+much. The trap-door was carefully fastened down, false screws being put
+into the screwholes so as to render the hiding-place as inconspicuous as
+possible.
+
+At last came the looked-for hour. Sounds of packing-up and the shuffling
+passage of footsteps betokened activities. The commandant went his
+rounds, and then a cheery voice was heard to say, "All's well.
+Good-bye." They knew that was a signal--_the end had come_! So in time
+the whole party of prisoners disappeared, and with them their
+custodians! The coast was clear. Peeping forth from their ventilator the
+joyous hidden trio could view the street, the moving of baggage, and all
+the bustling preparations for a general exodus. Their rapture knew no
+bounds. But escape was even then deferred. Sightseers and police tramped
+through the vacated rooms all day, moving perilously near the trap-door,
+and laughing and jesting, unsuspicious of the precious haul that might
+have been theirs. It was late in the afternoon before the last visitors
+departed. Then, after collecting maps of their proposed route, taking a
+final meal, packing their meat lozenges, chocolate, &c., and money, they
+dressed and waited anxiously for the kindly cloak of night....
+
+Meanwhile the other prisoners were removed to a camp from which escape
+was almost impossible. The place was enclosed with barbed wire fencing
+standing as high as a man. It measured about one hundred and fifty yards
+in length, and in width at the ends might have measured fifty yards.
+From this pen it was possible to gaze out over the hills to see life
+with the eye of Tantalus, so near and yet so far--men and women passing,
+trees and houses and cattle, all giving pictures of the free life
+without, that it was impossible for them to share. No efforts now to
+evade the guard could be made, for the enclosure was dotted thickly with
+electric lights, and was so thoroughly illuminated in every corner that
+there was no spot where a man could not have read. The dwelling-house
+was walled, and roofed with zinc, bare within and comfortless, and in
+the dormitory one hundred and forty cots were ranged side by side. A few
+screens, as in the Model School, were arranged at some of the bedheads,
+but of privacy there was none. The exchange was a sorry one, and Captain
+Haldane and his companions, Mr. Le Mesurier and Mr. Brockie, were wise
+in making a vigorous bid to get clear of the fate that overtook their
+comrades.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Already a whiff of coming liberty seemed to reward these conspirators
+for their dark days of anticipation. Their meal and their preparations
+completed, they reconnoitred and discovered that all was clear. Then,
+joyously, the intending fugitives emerged from their terrible lair. With
+some difficulty they stood upright, their limbs refused their office,
+they felt old, rheumatic stricken, incapable of movement. But at last,
+boots in hand, creeping, as the French say, on _pattes de velours_, they
+dragged themselves to a broken window, and, passing through the gap made
+by the shattered pane, gained the yard. Climbing over the
+railings--luckily unnoticed in spite of the brilliant rays of the full
+moon--they made for the nearest road leading to the Delagoa Bay Railway.
+Fortunately for them young Brockie, who was a Colonial and up to the
+"tricks of the trade," donned the Transvaal colours round his hat. Added
+to this he wore his arm in a sling, to give the impression that he was a
+wounded Boer. Thus they got through the somewhat deserted street to the
+outskirts of the town unchallenged. Once a policeman almost spoke to
+them, his suspicion was on the eve of being aroused, but the solitary
+myrmidon of the law, inquisitive yet discreet, found himself face to
+face with three desperate men whose expression was not reassuring! He
+wisely slunk off. Towards the railway line they now went, experiencing a
+series of hairbreadth 'scapes, for there were orders to shoot any one
+seen wandering on the railway track. But they dodged in holes and round
+corners, in rank grass and in ditches and dongas, traversing river and
+spruit, and plodding along the highway, now losing their bearings, now
+retracing their steps, ever striving to reach Elands River station,
+twenty miles east of Pretoria.
+
+[Illustration: NEW CAMP FOR BRITISH PRISONERS AT PRETORIA.
+
+(Drawing by J. Schönberg.)]
+
+On the left of the railway line ran the river, and as they toiled
+on--the silver of the stream and the glint of the railway lines
+shimmering in the ray of the moon--they descried tents, heard voices,
+and, worse still, a dog's bark, inquisitive, suspicious. Quickly to
+earth they went, hiding and dodging in the long grass between river and
+line. This, the critical moment of their journey, forms one of the most
+exciting phases of Captain Haldane's altogether interesting narrative.
+
+"After lying in the grass about twenty minutes, for we did not care to
+move so long as the dogs remained on the alert, we heard voices coming
+in our direction, and the barking of the dogs became more distinct. A
+whispered conference was held, and then we dragged ourselves like snakes
+diagonally back towards the river. Reaching a ditch, Le Mesurier, who
+was following me, came alongside and asked me if I had seen Brockie, who
+had been following him. I had not, so we waited a few moments; but
+seeing nothing of him, and the enemy drawing near, we crossed the
+obstacle, and found ourselves at the edge of the stream. Again we
+paused, this time for several minutes, and the searchers came in view,
+following our track.
+
+"The crisis had come: to stay where we were meant probably recapture. I
+whispered to Le Mesurier to follow me quietly, and not to splash. The
+next minute I was in the river, which was out of my depth, and Le
+Mesurier dropped in beside me. Holding on to the roots of the reeds
+which lined the bank, we carefully pulled ourselves some distance
+down-stream, and then paused. The searchers and their dogs were
+evidently now at fault, and showed no signs of coming our way, so we
+continued our downward course, and ultimately swam across and into a
+ditch on the other side.
+
+"We had been a good half-hour in the stream, which seemed to us
+intensely cold, and our teeth were chattering so that we could scarcely
+speak. My wrist-watch had stopped; but Le Mesurier's, a Waterbury, was
+still going, for it had been provided by his care with a waterproof
+case. We now crept along the ditch up-stream again, and then turned off
+towards the hillside, which was dotted with large boulders. Coming round
+the corner of one of these, we found a tent in front of us, and not
+caring to pass it, we tried to climb up the steep face of the hill.
+Failing at one point, we found a kind of "chimney," up which we climbed,
+pulling and pushing each other till the top was gained. A few minutes'
+rest was necessary, for our clothes were heavy with water and the climb
+had made us breathless. Le Mesurier had done wonders with his ankle--the
+cold water had been most efficacious. Next we walked along the rocky
+face of the hill, parallel to the direction we had followed below, and
+gradually descended to the level and struck a path. Brockie was
+irretrievably lost, and it was useless to attempt to find him. He had
+with him a water-bottle and sufficient food, and knew both the Dutch and
+the Kaffir languages. Following the path, we passed several clumps of
+bracken, one of which we selected as a suitable hiding-place. To have
+walked farther in our wet and clinging garments might have been wiser,
+but we decided that we had had sufficient excitement for one night
+without trying to add to it."
+
+So there they remained--wet, frigid, excited, aching--all through the
+long sleepless hours, with nothing to vary the monotony save the nip of
+the musquitoes. When morning came, their jaded limbs, like the joints of
+wooden dolls, almost threatened to creak; and only with the warmth of
+sunrise did they regain some of their pristine elasticity. For food they
+now became anxious; their supplies were waterlogged, their chocolate was
+a thirst-creating mash, and their precious whisky bottle in the course
+of recent adventures had lost cork and contents. A miserable day passed
+hiding in a swamp, and crouching out of the light of day till again at
+night, and in a thunder-storm, they thought it advisable to resume their
+journey. Then, by the mercy of Providence, footsore, throatsore,
+heartsore, and hungry they came on a field of water melons. Though
+ravenously they took their fill, their joy was not of long duration. The
+inevitable bark of the Boer dog warned them to be off. After this they
+again lost their bearings, making needless detours, and only reaching
+Elands River station--worn, weary, and down-hearted--before daybreak.
+Then making their way to some gum trees that offered welcome shelter,
+they again sought to sleep, but it was not to be. Imagination had made
+molehills into mountains and footsteps into cracks of doom. A Dutch
+youth passed by, his dog growled and sniffed; discovery seemed imminent,
+but the hand of fate intervened, they remained safe. Two nights, three
+nights were passed on the veldt in anticipation of a train that might be
+on its way to Balmoral. Their sufferings, their anxieties, and risks
+make many a tale with a tale. Hiding continued during the day, now in an
+antbear hole, now among grasses sodden with dew, the fugitives, from
+caution, fatigue, and other causes, covering to that time only
+thirty-six miles in four days. Finally, to make a long story short, the
+unhappy wayfarers, their spirits and constitutions at the lowest ebb,
+were led by the kindness of a Kaffir into the safe keeping of a British
+subject, the manager of the Douglas Colliery Store, who then nourished
+them and helped them to repair the terrible havoc wrought by the past
+days of anxiety and starvation, and assisted them to make plans for
+getting over the border. Here, newly arrayed in decent clothing, washed
+and trimmed--for they had originally presented the effect of veritable
+scarecrows--they began to regain energy and hope. They were then
+initiated in the first moves of a scheme to carry them to safety. With
+the assistance of Dr. Gillespie, the doctor of the miners--a "rare guid"
+fellow from all accounts--they got, on the 24th of March, to the
+Transvaal Delagoa Bay Colliery; and here for some days following a
+conspiracy was set on foot to buy some bales of wool, sufficient to
+make a truck load, and forward the bales, plus the escaped prisoners, to
+a firm at Lorenço Marques. The scheme succeeded, though only after some
+smart and sympathetic manoeuvring on the part of the newly found
+British friends, and many hours of terrible risk and suspense. Finally,
+to the intense joy of the two adventurous ones, they found themselves on
+Portuguese territory. On Sunday the 1st of April they were free men!
+From that time their ways were fairly smooth. They were the heroes of
+the hour, for every one had heard of their story and was expecting them,
+Sergeant Brockie having preceded them after some equally exciting
+experiences.
+
+On the 6th of April the gallant pair left Lorenço Marques for Durban,
+Captain Aylmer Haldane hastening to rejoin his regiment, the 2nd
+Battalion Gordon Highlanders, at Ladysmith, and Mr. Le Mesurier (Dublin
+Fusiliers) going round to join General Hunter's Division in the Free
+State. Thus the two enterprising officers, after enduring almost
+unequalled tortures of body and mind, found themselves free to return to
+duty and fight again for the honour and glory of the Empire.
+
+
+PREPARATIONS FOR ACTION
+
+Bloemfontein meanwhile was a strange mixture of pastoral simplicity and
+martial magnificence, and curious, almost wonderful, was the view from a
+distance of the landscape in the vicinity. The whole earth, as though
+blossoming, seemed to have thrown up mushrooms far and wide--mushrooms
+grey, and white, and green. Dotted among them were strange forms, like
+the shapes of antediluvian reptiles--grasshoppers, locusts of mammoth
+size. Coming nearer the town it was possible to recognise both mushrooms
+and reptiles for what they really were, namely, the tents and the guns
+of the largest army that England has put into one camp since the Crimea!
+In and out and round about wandered horses and mules innumerable, so
+numberless, indeed, that the casual onlooker wondered at the outcry for
+equine reinforcements. Yet these were urgently needed, and none but
+those "in the know" could comprehend how much the strategical problem
+relied for solution on their arrival, and how paralysed were the
+movements of the generals for want of them. Some people opined that the
+Commander-in-chief would start off for Pretoria at express speed, others
+hinted that his plan of campaign would be altered to meet the
+complications that had arisen owing to the renewed activity of the Boers
+in the south-eastern corner of the Free State. But Lord Roberts was
+unmoved by either impatience or disaster. He evidently determined to
+fritter his resources on no operations that could not be concerted and
+rapidly effective.
+
+[Illustration: LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR ARCHIBALD HUNTER, K.C.B.
+
+Photo by Bassano, London]
+
+Meanwhile stores, ammunition, warm clothing (for the wintry weather was
+setting in), and boots were being brought in enormous quantities from
+the Cape. The wardrobes of the hard-fighting multitude were in sad need
+of repair, and some wag declared that certain tatterdemalions could only
+venture abroad after dark, for fear of shocking the Mother Grundys of
+Bloemfontein. Horses, too, were being gradually collected, for it was
+felt that until there was a sufficiency of remounts, General French's
+dashing evolutions would be too costly to be appreciable. The great
+gallop to Kimberley had cost an immense amount in horse-flesh--about
+1500 out of 5000, some said--and, in consequence, the splendid cavalry
+was again reduced to impotence, just when the Boers, though demoralised
+by the surrender of Cronje, might have been pursued and punished as they
+deserved. According to later computation, it was decided that the army
+must wear out at the rate of 5000 horses a month, and therefore no move
+could be set on foot till the incoming supply was organised to meet the
+demand.
+
+But for the state of horses and men the Field-Marshal could have stuck
+to his well-known principle, one acquired from the great Napoleon
+himself, namely, that a commander-in-chief should never give rest either
+to the victor or to the vanquished. As it was, he was stuck fast, and
+the Boers were not slow to take advantage of the opportunity thus given
+them to recuperate.
+
+Up to the time of the Koorn Spruit and Reddersburg disasters things
+seemed to be ranging themselves satisfactorily, but little by little the
+authorities began to discover that the entire attitude of the apparently
+pacified burghers was decidedly false. By degrees they learnt that,
+instead of disturbing a hornet's nest and clearing it, they had, as it
+were, got into the midst of it themselves. It became evident that within
+the town there existed a conspiracy for the purpose not only of
+supplying the enemy with information, but keeping him ready equipped for
+hostility. Under the mask of neutrality, certain Germans and others
+incited the burghers who had laid down their arms to take them up again.
+This, in the true sense of the word, for it was found that upwards of
+some 3000 weapons had been buried for use in emergency. But once General
+Pretyman obtained a true grasp of the situation, and could prove the
+duplicit nature of the persons with whom he had to deal, the work of
+weeding and deportation of the obnoxious element of Bloemfontein society
+was taken in hand.
+
+Early in the month a prominent figure was removed from the fighting
+scene. The death was announced of Colonel the Hon. G. H. Gough[3] at
+Norval's Pont. This distinguished officer till the time of his death
+had been acting as Assistant Adjutant-General to General French's
+Cavalry Division. His services had been many and brilliant, and his loss
+was deeply deplored.
+
+The occupation of pacifying the disturbed western districts continued.
+General Settle and his forces had been operating between De Aar,
+Prieska, Kenhardt, and Upington, and General Parsons had occupied
+Kenhardt, and in a few days all traces of rebellion in the district
+between Van Wyks Vlei and Kenhardt had disappeared. As a matter of fact,
+it was discovered that many of the rebels were ignorant of why they were
+fighting at all. Some one addressed them and said, "What are you
+fighting for?" and they answered, "Equal rights for all white men in
+South Africa." "Then," said the speaker, "go and fight Paul Kruger. He
+alone refuses white men equal rights!" Still more ignorant were many of
+the subsidised sympathisers, while other foreigners who were forced to
+fight were evidently apathetic regarding the issue of the struggle. The
+following story was told of a Pole, who was not sorry when taken
+prisoner. When asked why he fought, he said, "Vat could I do? Dey give
+me musket and bandolier, and say, 'You must fight.' The captain say to
+me, 'You take that mountain,' and I ask, 'Vare shall I take it?'" If the
+tale was not absolutely accurate, it was still typical of the
+nonchalance of many who were engaged in the Transvaal cause.
+
+Of changes there were many. On the 10th, it was announced in general
+orders that Major-General Sir H. Chermside had been appointed to the
+command of the Third Division _vice_ Lieutenant-General Sir W. F.
+Gatacre "ordered to England." There was a good deal of sympathy
+expressed by all who knew the difficulties with which General Gatacre
+had had to contend. But, as an old campaigner remarked, luck counts for
+as much as merit in actual warfare. "Give me a man who is lucky, and I
+ask nothing more." Luck was at the bottom of it all, and luck is
+all-important where multitudes of men have to follow, heart in hand,
+blindly rushing to glory in the footsteps of faith. General Gatacre's
+name now spelt disaster, and as men had to be marched to ticklish work
+that wanted nerve and confidence of the best, a luckier commander was
+chosen. Accordingly, a much-tried officer--a soldier to the marrow--was
+sacrificed on the altar of necessity.
+
+An Infantry Division from the Natal side was formed under the command of
+Sir Archibald Hunter, and called the Tenth Division, while the Eleventh
+Division was commanded by General Pole-Carew. General Ian Hamilton
+commanded a division of mounted infantry, ten thousand strong, formed of
+South African and other mounted Colonial contingents, and divided into
+two brigades under Generals Hutton and Ridley. As this division came in
+for a considerable amount of exercise in course of Lord Roberts's great
+advance, it is particularly interesting to examine and remember its
+component parts.
+
+General Hutton's brigade comprised the Canadians, the New Zealanders,
+and all the Australians except the cavalry. The staff was as follows:--
+
+ Colonel Martyr, Chief Staff Officer; Lord Rosmead,
+ Aide-de-Camp; Colonel Hoad (Victoria), Assistant
+ Adjutant-General; Major Bridges (New South Wales), Deputy
+ Assistant Adjutant-General; Major Cartwright (Canada), Deputy
+ Assistant Adjutant-General; Colonel Gordon (Adelaide), officer
+ on the line of communication; Major Rankin (Queensland), Staff
+ Officer; Major Vandeleur (Scots Guards), advanced base
+ transport officer; Captain Lex, Army Service Corps, supply
+ officer.
+
+The brigade consisted of four corps of mounted infantry, under Colonels
+Alderson, De Lisle, Pilcher, and Henry.
+
+The first corps consisted of a 1st Battalion of Canadians, under Colonel
+Lessard; a 2nd Battalion, under Colonel Herchmer; and Strathcona's
+Horse, under Colonel Steel.
+
+The second corps consisted of the New South Wales Mounted Infantry,
+under Colonel Knight, and the West Australians, under Captain Moor.
+
+The third corps was formed of the Queenslanders, under Colonel Ricardo,
+and the New Zealanders, under Major Robin.
+
+The fourth corps consisted of the Victorians, under Colonel Price; the
+South Australians, under Captain Reade; and the Tasmanians, under
+Captain Cameron.
+
+Each corps had a battalion of Imperial Mounted Infantry attached to it,
+except the New South Wales Corps. A battery joined the division, as well
+as the Canadian Battery and a number of Vickers-Maxims. The New South
+Wales Army Medical Corps, under Colonel Williams, were the medical
+troops of the division.
+
+General Ridley's brigade consisted entirely of South African troops.
+
+Lord Roberts, always appreciative of the Colonials, ordered the body of
+Colonel Umphelby of the Victorian Contingent, who was killed at
+Driefontein, to be removed to Bloemfontein, there to be buried with
+honours appropriate to the distinction of that gallant officer's
+services.
+
+Rearrangements of all kinds were taking place, the better to meet the
+peculiarities of the situation. Sir Redvers Buller was asked to
+co-operate by forcing Van Reenen's Pass, and threatening the enemy's
+line of retreat; but the task was one bristling with difficulties, as
+until Northern Natal should be cleared of the enemy he considered it
+unsafe to move westward. Accordingly, to meet the necessity for strong
+action in the east of the Free State, it was decided the Natal Field
+Army should continue its work in its own ground, minus the Tenth
+Division (Hunter's), which should be moved by sea to East London, one
+brigade (Barton's) to replace the Eighth Division (Rundle's), diverted
+from Kimberley to Springfontein, and one brigade (Hart's) to operate in
+the neighbourhood of Bethulie. It must here be noted that the country
+south of a line drawn from Kimberley to Bloemfontein seemed to be almost
+under control, but the pacification of the angle south-east of
+Bloemfontein had, as yet, to be accomplished.
+
+Meanwhile, President Kruger made a tour of the positions of his army, in
+order to stimulate the Free Staters to further efforts; but very many of
+these began to show symptoms of unbelief, and refused any longer to
+swallow the assertions that Russia had taken London and that America was
+coming to the aid of the Boers, which the President and other kinsmen of
+Ananias in the Transvaal took the trouble to repeat. Daily, various Free
+Staters surrendered--some of them genuinely, while others merely gave up
+an old rifle for convenience' sake, burying some four others for use in
+emergency--took to their farms, and there developed from fine
+fighting-men into mean and despicable spies. With these slippery fish it
+was difficult to cope, and the problem of how to manage them took some
+little time to solve. Still, the task of remodelling and improving the
+army continued, all working to bring the long halt to a conclusion as
+speedily as possible.
+
+Efforts wonderful and successful were made to increase the mobility,
+particularly of the mounted portions of the troops. One section of the
+Vickers-Maxim guns (1-inch guns) was attached to each cavalry brigade,
+and two sections to each brigade of mounted infantry. To add to the
+mobility of the horse artillery the waggons of each battery were reduced
+to three, spare teams being allowed for each gun.
+
+The Eighth Division (Rundle) which, as we know, had been diverted from
+Kimberley to Springfontein, and the Third Division (Gatacre's, now
+Chermside's) which was concentrated at Bethanie, were fulfilling a
+part of Lord Roberts's scheme for sweeping the right-hand bottom corner
+of the Free State clear of the enemy. Assisting them was General Hart,
+with a brigade of Hunter's Division, and engaged also in the operation
+were the mounted infantry, under General Brabazon, and part of the
+Colonial Brigade under General Brabant. Another part of this Brigade,
+which had moved towards Wepener at the beginning of the month, had there
+been blockaded by the enemy, and though their position was not regarded
+as serious, Lord Roberts was forming plans for a general converging
+movement which would have the effect of routing the Boers from the end
+of the Free State altogether.
+
+Energetic measures of every kind were adopted for the control of the
+Free State. General Pretyman, who had been appointed Military Governor
+of Bloemfontein, developed a scheme for the protection of those who had
+taken the oaths of submission, and who were hourly in dread of the
+reprisals of the Boers. Though some of the Free Staters for long had
+been entirely sick of the war, and were only forced into fighting in
+fear of ill-treatment by the Boers, others, as we are aware, had merely
+hidden their arms in the determination to take up fighting whenever a
+good chance offered. In order to secure the interests of the pacific,
+and keep an eye on the treacherous, General Pretyman began to organise a
+corps of Mounted Police for service in the Free State, at the same time
+dividing the conquered radius into sections. Each section was to be
+administered by a Commissioner chosen for his experience in Colonial
+matters. Colonel Girouard, R.E., also formed a railway corps, employing
+some ten volunteers from each regiment to help in the enormous
+operations now being set on foot. A change was also made in the postage
+stamp of the country. The existing issues of stamps of President Steyn's
+Republic were marked V.R.I. in black ink, and also with figures denoting
+their value as recognised by the Imperial Government. The threepenny
+stamps were marked with the nominal value of 2½d., to agree with the
+twenty-five centimes of the Postal Union. Naturally the philatelists
+were all on the alert, and stamps as well as trophies were fetching
+absurd prices in the town.
+
+Of recreation there was also a little. On the 18th of April a somewhat
+original concert was organised by the war correspondents, on behalf of
+the Widows' and Orphans' Funds of London and Bloemfontein. The
+originality of the scheme and the interest thereof lay in the fact that
+conquerors and conquered met together on the common ground of charity,
+and mutually contributed to make the undertaking a success. £300 were
+realised. Mr. Rudyard Kipling put forth his quota. He did honour to the
+Colonials in verse, and this ditty, to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," was
+sung by Miss Fraser, the daughter of Mr. Steyn's former opponent for
+the Presidency. Among the marketables were portraits of Lord Roberts and
+Mr. Kruger. These were the work of some of the artist journalists.
+"Bobs" was "knocked down" for a big figure, and became the property of
+Lord Stanley, a valuable trophy that may well become an historical
+heirloom. This concert was only one of the many efforts at harmony made
+by Lord Roberts, who, as diplomatist and statesman as much as soldier
+and conqueror, foresaw a future wherein the people of the Free State,
+originally actuated by no animosity towards the British, would become
+reconciled to the beneficent rule of the British Empire, as contrasting
+with the despotic rule of the Boer Republics, and live side by side with
+us in the true spirit of liberty, fraternity, and equality enjoyed by
+British subjects.
+
+
+WITH LORD METHUEN--THE BATTLE OF BOSHOF
+
+Against the misfortunes of Koorn Spruit and Reddersburg we would place
+one brilliant victory--a victory gained by Lord Methuen at Boshof,
+mainly through the smartness, bravery, and unspeakable steadiness of the
+Imperial Yeomanry, who were under fire for the first time, and the
+splendid dash of the Kimberley Corps, whose experiences during the siege
+had lifted them almost to the rank of veterans.
+
+It may be remembered that Lord Methuen at the end of February took up
+the post of Administrator of the Kimberley district, which extends as
+far south as the Orange River, subsequently leaving Colonel Kekewich in
+command of the local forces. The General commenced active operations on
+the western frontier, for the purpose of clearing the country of
+rebellious obstructions, and protecting the lines of communication with
+the north.
+
+At Boshof there was concentrated a comparatively large army, composed of
+two batteries of artillery, about 6000 infantry, and 1000 mounted
+infantry, which were massing together to march to Kroonstadt, where they
+expected eventually to take their place as the left wing of the main
+army. The town itself presented a desolate aspect, all the Dutchmen
+being absent on commando under Commandant Duplessis, and being in force
+on the Vaal River, some miles distant.
+
+Lord Methuen hearing that a detachment of the enemy was moving along the
+Jacobsdal road, and threatening his communications, ordered Colonel
+Peakman to effect its capture. As a result of this order a most
+successful fight took place, some five miles east of Boshof, on the 5th
+of April.
+
+Taking part in the action were two companies of the Bucks Yeomanry, one
+of the Berks Yeomanry, one of the Oxford Yeomanry, one company of the
+Sherwood Rangers, one of the Yorkshire Yeomanry, and also the Kimberley
+Mounted Volunteers. With these was the Fourth Battery R.F.A.
+
+[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS.--12-lb. Field Gun of the Elswick
+(Northumberland Service) Battery. By permission of Messrs. Armstrong,
+Whitworth & Co., the makers.]
+
+The Imperial Yeomanry under Lord Chesham on this occasion had their
+first chance of distinguishing themselves and seized it, behaving, as
+some one who looked on said, "like veteran troops." The affair began in
+haste. A Yeomanry patrol suddenly discovered the enemy and announced his
+near approach. There was a rush. "To horse! to horse!" sang out the
+troopers keen for action. Their steeds were grazing, but in less than
+thirty minutes every man was careering off to duty. The Boers, some
+sixty-eight in number, were tenanting a kopje, and round their lair the
+troops disposed themselves, Lord Scarborough's Squadron of Yeomanry to
+left, and the Kimberley Mounted Corps to right. The rest of the Yeomanry
+attacked from the front, occupying two small kopjes some fourteen
+hundred yards distant from the enemy. These promptly greeted them with a
+persistent fusillade. Then the right flank slowly began to creep up,
+taking advantage of cover as nature had provided, while the front
+marched across the open. This advance of the troops was masterly, though
+no cover was available till the base of the kopje occupied by the enemy
+was reached. Method and coolness were displayed to a great extent, and
+to these qualities was due the day's success. For three and a half hours
+the operations lasted, the men closing gradually in, and finally
+surrounding the kopje and storming it. The surrounding process, both by
+the Yeomanry and the Kimberley force, was carried on with amazing skill
+and coolness till the moment came for which all were panting. The
+Yeomanry then fixed bayonets and charged. A rush, a flash of steel, and
+then--surrender. The Boers hoisted a white flag! but even as they did so
+their comrades poured deadly bullets on our advancing men. Captain
+Williams of the "Imperials," who was gallantly in advance of his
+comrades, dropped, shot dead in the very hour of victory. There was
+small consolation in the fact that the murderer was instantly slain by
+an avenging hand.
+
+At this time the men had gained the hill and were within seventy yards
+of the Boer trenches. But the Boers, notwithstanding their display of
+the white flag, continued to blaze with their rifles till a Yeomanry
+officer shouted that he would continue to fire unless the enemy threw
+down their rifles and put up their hands. This threat brought the
+cowards to their senses. They obeyed, and the position was gained with a
+rousing, ringing cheer. Then came the sad part of triumph, the
+collection of the gallant dead and the succour of the wounded. Among the
+first were three, Captains Williams and Boyle, and Sergeant Patrick
+Campbell. The enemy's dead and wounded numbered fourteen, while our
+wounded numbered seven.
+
+Captain Cecil Boyle was shot through the temple within eighty yards of
+the Boer position while gallantly leading his men. He was a soldier to
+the core, one who, merely from a sense of patriotic responsibility, was
+among the first to leap to his country's call, and who threw into his
+work so much energy, zeal, and grave purpose that the atmosphere of the
+camp made him feel at the end of a week as if, to use his own words, "I
+had done nothing but soldiering all my life." He, at the invitation of
+his old chum, Colonel Douglas Haig, began work at Colesberg "to watch
+the cavalry operations." There he had what he thought the supreme good
+luck to be appointed galloper to General French. After the relief of
+Kimberley and the capture of Cronje he went to the Cape to meet the
+Oxfordshire Yeomanry, and with them gallantly advanced to meet his
+fate--the first Yeomanry officer in this history of ours to fall in
+action.
+
+[Illustration: COLONEL LORD CHESHAM, Imperial Yeomanry
+
+Photo by Russell & Sons, London]
+
+At the close of the fight the clouds which had been lowering over the
+position like a pall of purple suddenly burst. Torrents descended,
+saturating the heated troops and sopping the ground whereon lay the
+maimed and slain. With thunder bellowing and lightning splitting the
+skies, with an accompaniment of deluge and darkness, the troops and
+their prisoners found their way to camp. Under cover of the
+obscurity some of the latter made a wild endeavour to escape, but the
+Yeomanry were too proud of their "bag" to allow a single one to get
+free, and finally had the satisfaction of seeing their bedraggled prize
+lodged in jail.
+
+Lord Methuen commanded, and expressed himself much gratified with the
+success of the operations, with the courage and coolness and method with
+which all his orders were carried out. Colonel Peakman, of Kimberley
+fame, who had already accomplished a quite unusual record of fighting,
+displayed an immense amount of talent in the field, and his corps, in
+every way worthy of him, cut off the enemy's retreat with remarkable
+skill. So much indeed, that the Boers complained of the slimness of the
+troops who, by apparently retiring hurriedly, drew them within range of
+the British volleys! Our troops were pitting themselves now against no
+unruly or uninitiated barbarians, for the hostile force was under the
+command of the notable Frenchman, Colonel de Villebois-Mareuil. This
+gallant officer was killed by shrapnel from the 4th Field Battery Royal
+Field Artillery before the display of the white flag by the Boers. He
+was accompanied by many of his compatriots, who were taken prisoners.
+The force indeed was mainly cosmopolitan, it being composed of
+Hollanders, Frenchmen, Germans, and Russians, three Boers only belonging
+to the commando. Not a man of the enemy escaped. Eight were killed, six
+wounded, and fifty-four polyglot prisoners, with sixty horses and their
+baggage, were brought into camp. Two guns were also captured.
+
+The courage and dash of the Imperial Yeomanry was eulogised on all
+sides, even by the Colonials, who hitherto had been somewhat disposed to
+look down on their brother Volunteers from civilised and inexperienced
+England. The magnificent spirit which inspired one and all, the grit
+displayed by the wounded, and their self-abnegation were the subject of
+much comment. A Colonial trooper, writing home his applause, said:
+"Where all behaved so well it is almost invidious to mention any one in
+particular, but as an instance of the fine spirit which animated them, I
+would mention two whose names I have ascertained, Sergeant-Major Coles,
+of the Bucks Yeomanry, and Throgmorton, a trooper in the Oxfords. These
+two continued in action after being wounded, the former with a bullet
+through the shoulder, and the latter with a gunshot wound in the head,
+and sooner than crowd the ambulance they rode in afterwards, twelve
+miles in the darkness, through one of the worst thunder-storms it has
+been my lot to witness. What they must have suffered in the state they
+were in they alone know."
+
+From all accounts the French colonel who fell was entirely confident of
+success. Before the engagements he sent an invitation to his compatriots
+to join his force. He thought he had discovered the flaws in the Boer
+armour, and was bent on giving the Federals an object lesson in how to
+defeat and scatter the British. He also issued a manifesto addressed to
+the French legions, the translation of which ran thus:--
+
+ "To the Legionaries, who have known me as their
+ comrade.--Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men,--I know
+ that you have not forgotten me, and we understand each other,
+ and therefore I appeal to you. There is here in front of the
+ Vaal a people whom it is desired to rob of its rights, its
+ properties, and its liberty in order to satisfy some
+ capitalists by its downfall. The blood that runs in the veins
+ of this people is in part French blood. France, therefore, owes
+ to it some striking manifestation of help. Ah, well! You are
+ the men whom a soldier's temperament, apart from all the great
+ obligations of nationality, has gathered under this people's
+ flag, and may that flag bring with it the best of fortune! To
+ me you are the finished type of a troop that attacks and knows
+ not retreat."
+
+He also wrote to the Parisians:--
+
+ "The Dutch are splendid at defence, but they cannot follow up a
+ defeat and crush the enemy, which the French legionaries would
+ be able to do.... Come and I will receive you here; and I
+ promise you that very few days shall elapse before we will show
+ the world the mettle of which the French legionaries are made."
+
+The display to unprejudiced onlookers was distinctly poor, however, and
+the example of strategy set by the gallant Gaul scarcely served to
+demonstrate astounding military genius.
+
+The Colonel's plan of campaign was nevertheless most carefully made out,
+as a document which subsequently fell into Lord Methuen's hands served
+to show. Very dramatic sounds the orders for the movements on April 4,
+as translated by the correspondent of the _Daily Telegraph_:--
+
+ "To-night the detachment of the raid will attack Boshof and
+ follow its route, under the favour of a surprise and the
+ prevailing darkness. For this purpose, the following
+ dispositions will be observed: The column will set off at four
+ o'clock in the afternoon, with the detachment of Boers under
+ Field-Cornet Daniell, in such a manner as just to reach Boshof
+ by night. At a certain point the detachment will divide, and
+ will reach their respective places of assembly to the east and
+ west of the town. Boshof is situated in a plain, and is flanked
+ by certain kopjes, of which the importance and distance from
+ the town are reported as follows: to the north, two naked
+ kopjes, weakly guarded, and a good distance from the town.
+ Between them passes the Hoopstadt-Boshof road. To the east, on
+ the road to Kimberley, which it commands, one kopje, which is
+ not guarded by the enemy. Upon this the Boers will take up
+ their position. Finally, to the south-east of the town, and
+ exactly opposite to it, there is a kopje, where the English
+ have an outpost of fifty men. On the summit of this is formed a
+ small parapet of stones, about half the height of a man. This
+ will form part of the attack reserved for the detachment of the
+ raid.
+
+ "The Hoopstadt and Kimberley roads cross in the interior of the
+ town.
+
+ "The plan of attack will be carried out under the following
+ conditions: At eleven o'clock in the evening, the Boers under
+ Field-Cornet Daniell will be in position on the Kopje C, and
+ the telegraph wire on the Kimberley road will be cut by them.
+ At the same time, the raiding party will assemble behind the
+ Kopje E, situated two kilometres from the town. The horses and
+ the Scotch cart will there await the final operations, as well
+ as the native servants, if there are any. One man will be left
+ behind with each team of six horses. Commandant Saeremburg and
+ Lieutenant de Breda will, before the departure, choose these
+ men, the importance of whose mission will be readily
+ understood, since upon their vigilance will depend the safety
+ of the expedition in the event of retreat. The group left
+ behind will be under the orders of Nicollet. The men will
+ remain standing at the head of the horses, which will be
+ saddled and bridled, the cart boys at the head of the mules,
+ all ready harnessed.
+
+ "At half-past eleven, the attacking party will march in three
+ échelons, twenty mètres apart, the centre in the van. The
+ centre échelon, under the special direction of the General,
+ will be formed by the French platoon. The centre échelon,
+ commanded by Commandant Saeremburg, will consist of one-half of
+ the Dutch, and the left, under Lieutenant Bock, of the other
+ half. Furthermore, the men who have been in the habit of
+ messing together in groups will appoint a leader, from whom
+ they will on no account separate nor get out of touch. When
+ these groups do not exist, or exceed ten in number, the leaders
+ of the party will break them up and form parties of six or
+ eight, and appoint a head of the group. The General will see
+ these heads of groups at three o'clock in his camp, to give
+ them instructions further than can be detailed here.
+
+ "In the approaching march the commandants will give their
+ orders in a low voice, and the men will be ranged in line, so
+ that they can see the heads of groups and lie down instantly.
+ It is of importance, also, to watch the investigations of the
+ search-light, if the English have one at Boshof, which has not
+ yet been ascertained. The moment the ray is turned towards the
+ échelon, the leader will make his group lie down, and the march
+ will not be resumed until the light is turned away. At the rise
+ of Kopje D, a halt will be made behind the cemetery, and the
+ Saeremburg échelon will carry the kopje by assault and will
+ occupy it. From there it will hold ... the two kraals Z Z,
+ where the English encamped in the market-place in Boshof itself
+ could make the first attempt at resistance. In no case, for an
+ easily understood reason, will it fire upon the town. Firing,
+ moreover, can only be carried out by volleys discharged by word
+ of command given by the head of each group.
+
+ "Continuing their march, the two other échelons will pass a
+ well behind the kraals, and will attack the English camp
+ outside the town. In this effect, the French échelon, after
+ firing two volleys, will advance at the charge, with the cry,
+ 'Transvaal and Free State!' and will thus complete the panic.
+ As there are no bayonets, the rifles will be kept loaded and
+ carried under the arms at the position of the charge. After
+ having crossed the camp from the east to the south, the rout
+ will be accomplished by firing. Lieutenant Bock's échelon will
+ remain under the orders of the General, as a reserve, should
+ the Boers placed on the Kimberley road on the Kopje C have to
+ deal with the fugitives. He could also render assistance, if
+ the enemy issuing from Boshof should endeavour to turn the
+ attack. He would then be informed of this eventuality by
+ Field-Cornet Coleman, who will cover the left of the attack in
+ such a manner as to observe all that may be menaced. For this
+ purpose, the Afrikanders will conform to the general movement
+ of the march of approach, and retire as soon as the attack
+ begins on the west of the English camp to a distance suitable
+ for observation.
+
+ "To facilitate recognition the brim of the hats will be covered
+ with a white handkerchief.
+
+ "The meagreness of our information does not permit of even an
+ approximate estimate of the English force. The forces in Boshof
+ seem, however, to be between 300 and 400 men. Whatever happens,
+ the assailants should remember that their moral superiority is
+ overwhelming, and even in the event of retreat, they can
+ easily, covered by the darkness, regain their horses and retire
+ from Boshof without risk."
+
+In view of these magnificent preliminaries, one may look without vanity
+at the celerity and completeness of the British operations which were
+rewarded with victory. The Frenchman's _programme_ makes a quaint
+contrast to the terse description of a quartermaster-sergeant of the
+Imperial Yeomanry, who thus sketched the events of the 5th of April:--
+
+ "We received orders to turn out as soon as possible; we were
+ soon all bustle, caught and saddled our horses, and off we went
+ post-haste. One of our patrols had been shot in the night by a
+ foraging party of Boers. We trotted off for about two hours,
+ and then caught them out-spanned at the bottom of a kopje. We
+ dismounted and got on some more kopjes close by and began
+ exchanging shots. Then we mounted again, and half of us went
+ round to their right and half to the left to cut off their
+ retreat; and our artillery, of which three guns had followed
+ us, began to shell them in front. When we had got well round
+ them we dismounted again and advanced to the attack, taking
+ cover. Then, after a few volleys, ran up about twenty yards;
+ then a few more volleys, and up again until we were within
+ about a hundred and fifty yards, when we made a rush for it
+ with fixed bayonets. About seventy yards from the top there was
+ a large wire fence. We had to clamber through, and then, when
+ we were about fifty yards away, they came out and surrendered.
+ There were thirteen of them killed, and we had fifty-four
+ prisoners, amongst them General de Villebois-Mareuil and four
+ or five more Frenchmen. They had a cart with them full of
+ ammunition and dynamite, so they were evidently on some foray
+ to blow some bridge or other up. They were stationed on two
+ kopjes. The one our own lot went against was on the right. Most
+ of their bullets fell short whilst we were advancing, and when
+ we made our final rush they went over us. About twenty of them
+ escaped before we reached them. It was about five o'clock when
+ the fight was over, and we commenced a twelve-mile march to
+ camp about 5.45. After going about two miles it came on dark,
+ and we had a very heavy thunder-storm all the way to camp,
+ which we reached about ten o'clock last night, wet to the
+ skin."
+
+The blow so deftly and quickly struck at the marauding parties of the
+Boers was valuable from many points of view. It served to restore
+confidence in Lord Methuen's leadership--confidence which had been
+considerably shattered by the disaster of Majersfontein--and it helped
+to suppress a tendency to raiding in the west of Cape Colony. So
+complete a success could not but have a sobering effect on the rebels,
+and give them pause in their mad career of hostility.
+
+On the 7th of April, at dawn, Lord Methuen marched ten miles on the
+Hoopstadt Road to Zwartkopjesfontein Farm without opposition. On the 8th
+he proceeded further, but finally, by Lord Roberts's orders, retraced
+his steps to Zwartkopjes. On the 10th, at daybreak, two flying columns
+started forth--General Douglas to south-east and east of the camp,
+Colonel Mahon (commanding Kimberley Mounted Corps) from Boshof towards
+Kimberley. Colonel Mahon's movements, on which the relief of Mafeking
+was depending, must be taken in detail later on. Lord Methuen operated
+in this district till the 17th of May, when he moved to Hoopstadt and
+brought his force within the zone of the main operations. On the 21st he
+proceeded to Kroonstadt.
+
+In the Kimberley district the First Division had been rearranged as
+follows:--
+
+ Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen. 9th Brigade (Major-General C.
+ W. H. Douglas).--1st Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st Loyal North
+ Lancashire, 2nd Northamptonshire, 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry.
+ 20th Brigade (Major-General A. H. Paget).--Composed of Militia
+ Battalions, 4th, 20th, and 44th Field Batteries; 37th Howitzer
+ Battery. Brigade Imperial Yeomanry (Colonel Lord Chesham).--1st
+ Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 5th Battalion, 10th Battalion. Cape
+ Police, Diamond Fields Horse, Part Kimberley Light Horse,
+ Diamond Fields Artillery.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] From "The Handy Man, and other Verses" (Grant Richards).
+
+[2] The Rev. J. Godfrey.
+
+[3] Colonel the Hon. George Hugh Gough commenced his military career in
+1871, when he took a commission as cornet in the 14th Hussars, of which
+he held the adjutancy for nearly four years until 1879, when he was
+promoted captain. In 1882 he obtained the brevet rank of major, and in
+1885 he was promoted major and brevet lieutenant-colonel, and four years
+later he obtained his colonelcy. Colonel Gough passed through the Staff
+College in 1883, after serving as A.D.C. to the Lieutenant-General
+commanding the expeditionary force in Egypt in 1882. Among his staff
+appointments was that of private secretary to the Commander-in-chief
+(Lord Wolseley), which he attained in 1897, and again in 1898, after
+holding the post of assistant military secretary at the head-quarters of
+the army. Colonel Gough's war services included the Boer War of 1881,
+when he was aide-de-camp to the officer commanding the base and the
+lines of communication; the Egyptian campaign of 1882; and the Soudan
+Expedition of 1884-85. In the former his horse was killed under him at
+Tel-el-Kebir, and he was mentioned in despatches. He received the order
+of the Mejidieh (4th class), the bronze star, and the medal with clasp.
+In the Soudan Expedition, where he was in command of the Mounted
+Infantry, Colonel Gough was again mentioned in despatches, greatly
+distinguishing himself at the battle of Abu Klea, where he was wounded.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+MAFEKING, APRIL
+
+
+On the first Sunday in April Lieutenant Hanbury Tracy, with two waggons,
+was sent to bring in the dead, after the unsuccessful but gallant effort
+made by Colonel Plumer to enter the town on the 31st of March. As has
+been said, Commandant Snyman's report of the number of slain was greatly
+exaggerated, and the wounded he would not give up. Captain Crewe, who
+had died of his injuries, was buried in the melancholy little cemetery
+at Mafeking, already a sad memorial of deeds of daring. Of Lieutenant
+Milligan nothing definite was known, and it was believed that he was
+among those who had been buried by the Boers. Captain Maclaren (13th
+Hussars) was still in the hands of the enemy--a prisoner, and seriously,
+if not mortally, wounded. The total casualties on Colonel Plumer's side
+were said to be seventy-eight. Two officers and six men were killed,
+three officers and thirty-six men were wounded, and one officer and
+eleven men were taken prisoners.
+
+On the 4th of April there was intense joy over the arrival of Lieutenant
+Smitheman, who appeared at Mafeking carrying a despatch for Colonel
+Baden-Powell from Colonel Plumer. His appearance was naturally a signal
+for surprise and excitement, as every crumb of news from the outside
+world was precious as pearls. Previous to this visit only one white
+man--Reuter's cyclist--had succeeded in getting through the Boer lines.
+Mr. Smitheman was well acquainted with the country, and had
+distinguished himself as a scout in the Matabele campaign. His latest
+exploit was full of moment, and there was no doubt that in thus
+establishing a link with the garrison his visit would be fraught with
+important results when the opportunity to attempt the relief of the
+garrison should present itself. This smart officer had made his way into
+the beleagured town piloted by a native diviner--a personage who claimed
+by means of a rod to ascertain the whereabouts of Boers, as other
+diviners have decided the presence of water. Whether Lieutenant
+Smitheman owed his safe conduct to the acumen of the native or to the
+dexterity of his own actions was much disputed, but the result was
+eminently satisfactory.
+
+Commandant Snyman having been absent for a day or two, the community
+enjoyed temporary peace, but on the 6th the tyrant was back again, and
+by way of good-morrow his gun "Creaky" blew up the office of Major Goold
+Adams. On the 7th, Mr. Smitheman returned to Colonel Plumer, bearing
+upon him much serviceable information. A party of native women
+endeavoured to escape to Kanya, but were intercepted by the
+enemy--stripped, sjamboked, and forced to return. There was also a smart
+fight between the Boers and some Fingoes, who had gone on a
+cattle-raiding expedition. These defended themselves valiantly for
+twenty-five hours, but only one man was left to tell the tale. This man
+succeeded in crawling to the shelter of some reeds, and thus escaped
+unobserved.
+
+[Illustration: THE NATIVE VILLAGE OF MAFEKING.]
+
+The following correspondence now passed between Commandant Snyman and
+Colonel Baden-Powell in reference to the former's alleged employment of
+"barbarians" by the British in cattle-raiding expeditions:--
+
+ "MARICO LAAGER, MOLOPO, _April 7_.
+
+ "_To his Honour_ Colonel BADEN-POWELL, Mafeking.
+
+ "Enclosed I beg to send to you a copy of a pass signed 'A. T.
+ Mackenzie, Black Watch,' and dated April 4, which is a clear
+ proof that Kaffirs are sent out, with your Honour's knowledge,
+ naturally, as head officer, to plunder, rob, and murder. I am
+ very sorry to see that tyranny carries away the good nature of
+ so polite a nation as the English. They know that the
+ barbarians have nothing else in view. Twenty Kaffirs were sent
+ last week in a northerly direction by an English officer,
+ according to the statement of a wounded native who was taught a
+ lesson by one of my burghers. Thirty-two were sent on the 4th,
+ according to a pass found in the pockets of one of the killed.
+ They were all shot yesterday. I request you to be kind enough
+ to fetch the bodies. Please send an ambulance under a Red Cross
+ flag in the direction of Canton Kopje, and notify me
+ immediately the waggons have left. I will send some of my
+ burghers to point out the battle-field.--Your Honour's obedient
+ servant,
+
+ "J. P. SNYMAN."
+
+
+ "MAFEKING, _April 7_.
+
+ "_To his Honour_ General SNYMAN.
+
+ "Sir,--I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of to-day.
+ In regard to the pass signed 'Mackenzie,' this man had no
+ authority to issue a pass of any kind, much less for the
+ purpose stated. I am obliged to you for bringing the case to my
+ notice. As regards your Honour's statement that your burghers
+ killed thirty-two natives, I beg to inform you that I know
+ nothing whatever about these men. They were certainly not
+ acting under orders received from myself, nor, so far as I am
+ aware, from any of my officers. I would point out that there
+ are a number of natives about the country in a destitute
+ condition owing to their homes having been burnt and their
+ cattle stolen by your burghers, and it is only too probable
+ that they have taken the law into their own hands to endeavour
+ to obtain food. Of this I have warned your honour before. For
+ their acts I must decline to be held in any way responsible.--I
+ have the honour to be your obedient servant,
+
+ R. S. S. BADEN-POWELL,
+ Colonel commanding H.M. troops in Mafeking."
+
+On the 10th of April, in the dead of night, the enemy's field-guns were
+moved to positions completely surrounding the town, and shells were
+poured in with unparalleled persistency. Thirty dropped into the women's
+laager--four into the hospital. Under cover of the bombardment the
+Boers, who had been reinforced by a German corps, made an attack on Fort
+Abrams, which they imagined had been disabled by their shell-fire. They
+were somewhat amazed to find that the garrison of the fort was not only
+alive, but kicking. The corporal in charge, who had calmly waited till
+his assailants had got within range, suddenly poured a fierce volley on
+the approaching numbers. Result: five of the enemy were left on the
+field, to be recovered later under a Red Cross flag. The effects of
+bombardment were many and various. At one time the Dutch Church was
+struck, at another some shells bounded on the roadway, flew through the
+air straight across the town, landing with awful detonations a mile on
+the other side. Some failed to burst, and then the duty of extracting
+the charge was a ticklish one. One man in so doing was blown to ribbons,
+pieces of him being cast to the winds and picked up quite a hundred
+yards from the scene of the disaster. Another man was so forcibly struck
+that a portion of leg and boot were forced through the iron-roofed
+verandah some seventy yards off! Every house was pocked with its
+melancholy tale. There were holes you could jump through in the ceiling
+of some of the rooms, while others were shattered past recognition.
+Dixon's Hotel had its end smashed, and the market-place bore signs of
+merciless battering.
+
+[Illustration: SERGEANT--18th HUSSARS
+
+Photo by Gregory & Co., London]
+
+On the 12th a welcome guest came in the form of a pigeon, bearing a
+message from Colonel Plumer. No small creature of the winged tribe had
+ever before conveyed so much satisfaction, save perhaps the first
+prominent performer in the days of the ark. News also arrived by runner,
+of Mr. Smitheman's safe arrival, and a message from her Majesty was
+delivered to Colonel Baden-Powell. This kindly expression of the
+Sovereign's sympathy was highly appreciated, and served to inspirit the
+whole community.
+
+Later, a splendid effort was made by Colonel Plumer's force to run a
+herd of cattle into the town. A party of Baralongs, under a native
+captain, got to within seven miles of the town when they were attacked
+on both flanks by the enemy. They nevertheless pursued their way,
+screening themselves as far as possible behind the bodies of the cattle,
+which were driven in front of them. But the Boer fire was unerring, and
+soon only fifteen of the poor beasts remained. These, at last, had to be
+abandoned, for owing to the lack of ammunition the cattle-runners were
+forced to make themselves scarce. Such as were wounded were left behind,
+and were murdered by the Boers. Several native women who, from fear of
+starvation, attempted to pierce the Boer lines, were also put to death.
+This behaviour much incensed the British, for the Baralongs had from the
+first earned the esteem of the community by their unswerving loyalty.
+Major Baillie, writing home, eulogised their conduct, and expressed a
+hope that their devotion would be recognised at the end of the war. He
+said:--
+
+"After the first day's shelling the mouthpiece of the Baralong tribe,
+Silas Molemo, came up to Mr. Bell, the resident magistrate, and said to
+him, 'Never mind this; we will stick to you and see it through,' which
+they certainly have done. They are not a tribe who would make a dashing
+attack, or, to use the expression, 'be bossed up' to do things which
+they don't particularly want to; but, given a defensive position, they
+will hang on to it for all they are worth, as they have proved many
+times during the war in the defence of their stadt. They have had their
+cattle raided, their outlying homesteads destroyed, their crops for this
+year are nil, and all through a time when the outlook to a native mind
+must have seemed most black they have unswervingly and uncomplainingly
+stuck to us, and never hesitated to do anything they were called on to
+do." (It is pleasant to note that after the relief the Baralongs
+received formal recognition of their splendid loyalty.)
+
+"The better the day, the better the deed," was evidently the motto of
+the Boers, for on Good Friday they applied their energies to the
+construction of new trenches and fortifications about fifteen hundred
+yards beyond their former position. In order not to be behind the times,
+the bread ration of the day was marked with a cross, to do duty as a
+"hot cross bun." On the following day misfortune hung over the place,
+for two troopers, Molloy and Hassell, belonging to the Fort Ayr
+garrison, were caught by a shell and mortally wounded. On Easter Day
+there were sports to revive the spirits of the garrison.
+
+On the 19th of April the Creusot gun was withdrawn, and the inhabitants
+took heart. To vary their menu they now engaged in a locust haul, the
+result of which was to supply a third variant to the bill of fare. Lady
+Sarah Wilson, telegraphing to her friends, described her diet of horse
+sausages, minced mule, and curried locusts! The latter insects were
+reported to be tender as chicken and as tasty as prawn "almondised." The
+natives had a good meal, and visibly grew fat. On the following day a
+telegram was received from Lord Roberts requesting the garrison to hold
+out till the 18th of May. It was disappointing, none could deny, but
+they consoled themselves that a message showing they were marked down in
+the programme of "coming events" was better than nothing at all.
+Fortunately the food still held out. Water--pure water--was rare as
+Edelweiss, and liquor of other kind was unobtainable. Only money was
+what our friends on the Stock Exchange call "tight." The bank was closed
+to the general public, and her Majesty's presentment upon a coin was a
+prize to be cherished and clung to till--well, till the crack of doom
+should make the ever-promised and never-realised relief unnecessary.
+
+But the great food problem well-nigh exhausted all the energies of those
+concerned with it. Captain Ryan, D.A.A.G., sat daily in the interior of
+his bomb-proof office receiving a procession of persons who filed in to
+make their impossible demands, and deliberating on the curious fact that
+the stomach rules the world. The honour of the British Empire at that
+moment hung by a mere thread--it was a question of how slender a thread
+of nourishment could keep body and soul tacked together to represent the
+figure of an Englishman! Nevertheless Mafeking, like Kimberley, was
+bound to have its marriage bells. A Dutch bride, ignorant of English,
+was led to the altar by a private of the Bechuanaland Rifles, ignorant
+of Dutch. Philosophers predicted considerable felicity, as between them
+the couple had sufficient language for love-making and scarce sufficient
+for controversy.
+
+At this time Captain Ryan made a statement regarding the supplies of the
+town, which serves to show the pitch to which caution was carried:--
+
+ "The total number of white men is approximately 1150, of white
+ women 400, and of white children 300. The coloured population
+ consists of some 2000 men, 2000 women, and 3000 children.
+
+ "Both the white and coloured men originally received eight
+ ounces of bread. The allowance has now been reduced to six, but
+ a quart of soup is given to make up the deficiency. Half a
+ gallon of sowan porridge a day will sustain life. The
+ recipients are of three classes; those who receive it in lieu
+ of two ounces of bread; those who wish to purchase food over
+ and above the quantity to which they are entitled; those who
+ are absolutely destitute, both black and white, and who receive
+ the porridge free. It has been suggested that the natives
+ should not be charged for sowan porridge, but it is thought
+ unwise to pauperise either blacks or whites. If any profit has
+ been made from the sale by the end of the siege it will be
+ employed in buying grain for the many native women and children
+ in Mafeking who have been involved in a quarrel which is not
+ theirs.
+
+ "The horse soup is made from the carcasses of animals which had
+ ceased to be serviceable and those killed by the enemy's fire,
+ as well as horses and donkeys purchased from individuals who
+ can no longer afford to keep them. This soup is unpopular among
+ the natives, but this is due rather to prejudice than to its
+ quality.
+
+ "The distribution of supplies is entirely under Imperial
+ control. The Army Service Corps possesses a slaughter-house, a
+ bakery, and a grocery, at which the authorities receive and
+ distribute all vegetables, and it receives and distributes milk
+ to the hospital, to women and children, and to men who have
+ been medically certified to need it.
+
+ "At present the hospital is supplied with white bread, and it
+ is hoped that the supply will be continued. Hospital comforts
+ are issued to such as are in need of them, both in and out
+ patients, on receipt of an order from a medical officer. For
+ the nurses and doctors, who work day and night, the authorities
+ endeavoured to provide slightly better rations than those
+ available for the general community. Our sources of supply have
+ been chiefly through Mr. Weil, who had a large stock on hand
+ for the provisioning of the garrison, until the contract
+ terminated at the beginning of February. Since then supplies
+ have been collected from various merchants, storekeepers, and
+ private persons and stored in the Army Service Corps depôt, and
+ from the original Army Service Corps stocks, of which forage
+ and oats formed a great proportion. Fresh beef is obtained by
+ purchase from a private individual named White, and in a lesser
+ degree from the natives.
+
+ "Breadstuffs are obtained, like groceries, by commandeering the
+ stocks of various merchants and private persons."
+
+Lord Roberts now commuted the sentence of the court-martial which tried
+Lieutenant Murchison for the murder of Mr. Parslow to one of penal
+servitude for life. Many of those who had been associated with this
+officer did not consider him responsible for his actions, and were
+relieved at the lightening of the punishment of a comrade-in-arms.
+
+On the 27th Colonel Baden-Powell sent the following message to Lord
+Roberts:--
+
+"After two hundred days' siege I desire to bring to your lordship's
+notice the exceptionally good spirit of loyalty that pervades all
+classes of this garrison. The patience of everybody in Mafeking in
+making the best of things under the long strain of anxiety, hardship,
+and privation is beyond all praise, and is a revelation to me. The men,
+half of whom are unaccustomed to the use of arms, have adapted
+themselves to their duties with the greatest zeal, readiness, and pluck,
+and the devotion of the women is remarkable. With such a spirit our
+organisation runs like clockwork, and I have every hope it will pull us
+successfully through."
+
+[Illustration: POSTAGE STAMPS ISSUED AT MAFEKING DURING THE SIEGE.]
+
+At this time, the Boers being more peaceful, the citizens prepared to
+celebrate the two hundredth day of the siege by horse dinners. Various
+other mysterious meats, whose origin none dared investigate, appeared on
+the bill of fare. One lady developed a genius for treating the meat
+rations, and went so far as to give a dinner-party. Her process was
+elaborate. The meat ration was cut up and the objectionable pieces
+removed. It was then soaked in salt and water for three hours, and made
+into soup thickened with starch. The next course was the beef out of the
+soup, served with potato tops, which were found most delectable. Then
+came a sowans pudding. Sowans proved a failure when served as porridge
+or curry, but when the preparation was mixed with starch, bicarbonate of
+soda, and baking powder, people were swift to partake.
+
+In addition to the usual delicacies, minced mule and the aforesaid sowan
+porridge, invented by an ingenious Scottish crofter of the name of Sims,
+there was now manufactured a curious brawn of horsehide, which was
+generally sneered at but devoured with alacrity. Curio hunters longed to
+preserve a slab of it for presentation to the British Museum, but the
+feat of self-abnegation was too hard to be endured. Besides, as some
+philosopher said while putting it into a place of safety, it would be
+the highest horse that was ever exhibited by the time it got there, and
+the building wouldn't hold it. The community was almost entirely a
+teetotal one. "Wee drappies" grew so wee as to be almost invisible, and
+when a case of whisky was raffled for it fetched £107, 10s.!
+
+On the 29th a military tournament was held, whereat a great display of
+cheerfulness was affected, to cover the fact that fever, malarial and
+typhoid, was gaining ground in the hospitals.
+
+
+AFFAIRS IN RHODESIA
+
+The Rhodesian troops were now at Moshwana, British Bechuanaland, in camp
+some thirty miles from Mafeking. The small force with a single
+serviceable gun could really accomplish little, and it was marvellous,
+considering its extreme weakness, how it managed to maintain the
+aggressive at all.
+
+Early in April Colonel Plumer started a pigeon post, and the first
+pigeon despatched arrived at Mafeking within four hours. The second was
+not so fortunate, but later on the successful bird was sent off again,
+on an educational trip, with younger birds in its wake.
+
+On the 22nd Trooper Brindal of the Rhodesian Regiment died of the wounds
+sustained in the action on the 31st of March. Archdeacon Upcher and
+Father Hartman returned from the sad mission of discovering and burying
+the remains of Lieutenant Milligan, who fell at Ramathlabama. The enemy
+now were being reinforced from time to time by parties from east and
+south, and as far as could be ascertained by Colonel Plumer, who sent
+out native runners to apprise him of the doings of the southern relief
+column, the Boers around Mafeking numbered about 3000.
+
+On the 24th General Carrington's force, consisting of 1100 men, with
+mounts and transports, arrived at Beira, and proceeded from thence to
+Marandellas, twenty-five miles from Salisbury, the capital of Rhodesia.
+The route, the first 200 miles of which is through Portuguese territory,
+is covered by railway. The distance from Beira to Salisbury is some 375
+miles. The Beira railway was carried in 1898 as far as New Umtali, where
+it was connected with the system of the Mashonaland Railway Company. At
+Salisbury the railway ceases, and between this point and Bulawayo, the
+terminus of the Cape Railway, a space of 280 miles needed to be covered
+by an extension. From Bulawayo all promised to be plain sailing, as,
+owing to the untiring energies of Colonel Plumer and his small
+force--whose valuable services have never been sufficiently
+esteemed--the road and rail to Mafeking had been protected and
+preserved.
+
+On the 28th, Lieutenant Moorson left Mafeking and reached Colonel
+Plumer's camp at noon of the 29th, conveying to him the latest
+intelligence, and helping him to formulate plans for the big project of
+relief which will be described anon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE SIEGE OF WEPENER
+
+
+Early in April a portion of the Colonial Division, composed of Cape
+Mounted Rifles, the Royal Scots Mounted Infantry, Driscoll's Scouts,
+Kaffrarian Mounted Rifles under Captain Price, Brabant's Horse, two
+15-pounders, two naval 12-pounders, two 7-pounders, one Hotchkiss, and
+three Maxims, the whole force under Colonel Dalgety, crossed the Caledon
+Bridge at Jammersberg Drift, took possession of it as the most important
+strategetical point, and occupied the town of Wepener without
+opposition. The Colonel had no sooner done so than he was surrounded by
+Dutchmen, and made aware that he must prepare to stand a siege. A party
+of Boers accompanying a German officer, who were blindfolded before
+being brought in, now entered Wepener bearing a message from the
+commandant. He very kindly demanded the instant surrender of the British
+to save further bloodshed. The messengers retired without taking with
+them a reply to the considerate request, but asking whether some mistake
+had not been made, and inviting their surrender instead. As the Boers
+were now threatening an attack on the force, Sir G. Lagden demanded a
+demonstration by the Basutos on the Basuto border. This was readily
+responded to, for the nation naturally resented any invasion of their
+territory by their hereditary foes; and, moreover, the chiefs had been
+vastly impressed by the "big heart" of the Englishmen with whom they had
+come in contact, and their stubborn resistance of the Boer attacks.
+Wepener itself was evacuated, but a camp at Jammersberg, three miles
+off, was formed, entrenchments made, and defences ingeniously
+constructed. The position, somewhat resembling Ladysmith, was situated
+in the saucer-shaped hollow of many hills. It was practically isolated,
+but the lines were strong, and meat was plentiful.
+
+Colonel Dalgety, who commanded the gallant little force, is an old
+officer of the Cape Mounted Rifles, and has as a record of services the
+Gaika and Galeka expeditions, and the operations in Basutoland in
+1880-81. He had no doubt in his ability to hold out against the
+besiegers, although the force was only 1700 to 1800 strong, and the
+position was really too extensive. To protect it properly required about
+4000 men. The Cape Mounted Rifles, with a company of Royal Scots, were
+ordered to hold the left of the position, the weakest point; 1st
+Brabants and some Kaffrarian Rifles the front; 2nd Brabants the right;
+and Kaffrarian Rifles the rear.
+
+A stirring day's work was recorded on the 8th by an officer, whose
+experiences were published in the _Globe_:--
+
+ "_April 8_, 7 A.M.--As I write, with my back against the
+ trench, we have reached the fifth day of the noisy concert
+ without any appreciable result, except that we have expended
+ most of our ammunition. Not a gun has been dismounted, not an
+ inch of our long line of defence (ten miles, about) been
+ yielded to the enemy; but about 150 gallant fellows, mostly
+ gentlemen by birth, of the Colonial Division, are _hors de
+ combat_, and we are still looking and longing to see the relief
+ columns of Kitchener or Gatacre appear on the horizon.... While
+ sitting chatting with Captain Cholmondley, I saw across the
+ ravine my own squadron, 'M,' descending rapidly into the valley
+ to reoccupy the rifle-pits which Ruttledge had vacated at
+ daylight, and exposed to a heavy shrapnel fire. I scrambled
+ down the ridge and joined them at the pits, but had scarcely
+ got my men posted, when Cookson was seen coming towards us at a
+ mad gallop. My orders were to leave one troop (Ruttledge's) in
+ the rifle-pits, and take the other three to support Colonel
+ Dalgety, who was hard pressed on our left rear. I should have
+ to cross a plain swept by the Boer fire.
+
+ "When I had climbed up the steep ravine on the top of the main
+ ridge we found all our horses hidden away in a fold of the
+ ground. To mount was the work of a minute, and then we were
+ launched on our mad gallop across a plain swept by Boer Maxim
+ and rifle fire. I led, and the men followed most gallantly into
+ the 'jaws of death.' Nothing but annihilation seemed to await
+ us; but on we swept over that mile and a half like wild men, an
+ excited American, constantly by my side and sometimes ahead of
+ me, shouting, 'In the joy of battle.' It was, I think, the most
+ exciting quarter of an hour I have spent in my adventurous
+ life. My horse was going at racing pace, when suddenly I came
+ upon a kranze, down which I leaped in fox-hunting style. I
+ thought this would finish all my bad riders; but although they
+ tailed off somewhat into a longer line than the open order I
+ had ordered, they were still in the ruck, and we all came
+ together somewhat too closely at a wire fence, which brought us
+ to a standstill. Having negotiated this, we came upon another
+ similar one, which we all got through somehow. All this time
+ the little columns of dust were rising all round and constantly
+ under my horse's belly. Again we were brought up by a deep
+ donga, along which we had to turn to our right and skirt it
+ till it was negotiable, where the banks had been cut down on
+ each side for the horses of the C.M.R. to cross. I made then
+ for a group of dismounted horses held in shelter behind a
+ strong causeway. Here was Dalgety, to whom I reported myself.
+ In a few minutes the Boers brought another gun into position,
+ which sent a shell into us, killing four gun mules linked
+ together in their harness, six troop horses, one of mine, and
+ one nigger, who was holding the mules. They fell in a heap, and
+ presented a most gruesome appearance. One or two men were also
+ wounded by the same shell, which was the signal for a skurry
+ for shelter behind huge boulders. The horses were sent down to
+ the donga before mentioned, where, though sheltered from shot
+ and shell, they spent four miserable days, until at last a
+ heavy rain filled the donga, and some of the horses were
+ swimming. All had had their saddles on from the first day. Some
+ of these had been torn off by the horses' frantic efforts to
+ get out, and were lost in the mud. Finally they all got out,
+ and covered the plains under the Boer fire. Many of them were
+ shot.
+
+ "After the deadly shell I began to count up my men and find out
+ how many were missing after the charge across the plain, and
+ the last dose of shrapnel. To my surprise, they all answered to
+ their names excepting two. Macarthy had been struck full in the
+ forehead by a Mauser bullet, and fell from his horse as one
+ dead. He is now recovering. Reid, an American, was shot through
+ the side and arm, and is also recovering. Turner, my senior
+ lieutenant, had been struck in the hip with a bit of segment
+ shell, but stuck most pluckily to his post."
+
+The officer went on to narrate an episode which deserves to be
+remembered among the deeds of heroism which distinguished this notable
+period: "Coming across from the C.M.R. lines towards the Kaffrarian
+lines was a stretcher carried by four men with a wounded man on it. As
+soon as it came from under the shelter of the kopje on which we and the
+C.M.R. live, about 1200 yards from the ridge held by the enemy, opposite
+the open end of the horse-shoe, it was received by a hail of bullets. On
+went the gallant bearers for about a hundred yards, when they came to a
+sudden stand, put the stretcher on the ground, and seemed to consult.
+First one ran about twenty yards, to fall, apparently shot dead; then
+another did the same, and the third; and the three corpses were lying on
+the ground. The fourth man fell on his knees between the stretcher and
+the enemy. The Boers, then satisfied that they had disposed of this lot,
+ceased firing at them for the space of some minutes, when suddenly the
+four dead men came to life, rushed to the stretcher, and went on with it
+at the double, though little columns of dust rose thicker than ever
+round the devoted bearers. When they had crossed the fire zone and came
+under the shelter of a small kopje, something very like a cheer rose
+from the three hundred spectators of this exciting scene. Putting the
+breach of the Geneva Convention out of the question, there could not be
+a better exemplification of the savagery of the Boers. Even a savage foe
+would have respected such courage as these men showed in their efforts
+to save their wounded comrade. The wounded man turned out to be Captain
+Goldsworthy of the C.M.R., wounded in two places, whom I afterwards saw
+in hospital here, and the one who shielded him with his own body was a
+young trumpeter in the C.M.R., who, I believe, will get the V.C."
+
+[Illustration:
+
+(Corporal) (Sergeant)
+
+MOUNTED INFANTRY
+
+Photo by Gregory & Co., London]
+
+On the 8th a commando some 2000 strong, with four guns, laagered five
+miles out in the direction of Dewetsdorp, and on the 9th the town of
+Wepener was occupied by the Boers, who, in number from 5000 to 6000,
+spread themselves crescentwise around the British position. Not long
+were they inactive. Their guns began to open on the camp, and received a
+prompt answer from the 15-pounders. A vigorous artillery duel,
+involving great loss to the besieged, was then kept up throughout the
+day.
+
+A member of the stalwart band gave his impressions of the first days of
+the fighting: "The brave lot of fellows of the C.M.R. were stormed at
+until we almost gave up hope that any human being could stand against
+it; but very fortunately for us they did so, and although the Boers came
+almost behind them and enfiladed their trenches, killing and wounding
+between sixty and seventy of the regiment. Goodness knows how many of
+the Boers were killed. Their losses must have been great, no matter what
+they may say afterwards. Towards daylight the enemy retired to their
+former position, and at daybreak the fight went merrily on its way, but,
+luckily, shifted from the poor played-out C.M.R. for a few hours. Major
+Sprenger, poor fellow, was simply riddled with bullets. Captain
+Goldsworthy and Major Waring, together with several other officers, were
+wounded, and now the C.M.R. are commanded by only a few officers,
+including their most gallant Colonel Dalgety. Captain Cookson, another
+of their officers, is an especial favourite with our men, as he looks
+after them as well as his own men in action. He fears no dangers, and so
+instils confidence into others.
+
+"All went well with us until the good-night shell, which bursts over our
+camp about six o'clock each night, arrived. Cookson and I were
+superintending the sending of the food to the trenches, where our brave
+men were so bravely holding their own, when I heard the whistle of the
+shell and heard it burst, and simultaneously was knocked down by a
+shrapnel bullet, which, fortunately for yours truly, did not penetrate
+far into my thigh. As no bones were broken, I hope--in fact, I am
+sure--I shall be able to walk in a day or two from now. Lieutenant
+Duncan, also wounded in the leg, and myself were placed in a small
+schanze, erected for the purpose, but as there was no roof to it, and
+the rain poured for hours during the night, we were soaked to the bone.
+It could not be helped, there being no other place in which to put us;
+so we did not complain. It was just as well we did not go to the
+hospital, which is already overcrowded--no fewer than 110 wounded men
+there--as I learn that one of our wounded men was yesterday killed in it
+with a Boer bullet; in fact, the Boers several times fired at it. We now
+have a waggon sail over our schanze, and feel nice and comfortable. We
+expect to be able to move about by Easter Sunday. Captain Hamilton has
+been very kind; comes to visit us two or three times a day, and runs a
+strong chance of being shot, as the snipers shoot at every one who shows
+himself. He is only one of the lot; they are all the same."
+
+[Illustration: THE DEFENCE OF WEPENER. (From a Sketch by Major A.
+Festing.)]
+
+On Tuesday, the 10th, came more duelling. In the morning with artillery,
+in the afternoon with rifles. The Cape Mounted Rifles did good
+execution, for the Boers who had approached to 250 yards of their
+position were forced to remove. An officer of Brabant's Horse spoke most
+enthusiastically of the C.M.R. He said:--
+
+"We fought all day and all night. The big gun and rifle fire were almost
+deafening, and as we are entirely surrounded, it was pouring in on all
+sides, a continuous hail of shot and shell. Towards afternoon they
+directed all their gun fire to one spot, and blew to bits the schanzes
+of the C.M.R., thus leaving them almost unprotected, and in the night
+they attempted to take the position by assault. Although the C.M.R. were
+very considerably outnumbered, the Boers were unable to attain their
+object. They had not reckoned on the opposition of, undoubtedly, one of
+the finest regiments in the whole world, as the C.M.R. are. We (1st
+Brabants) were unable to send reinforcements to the gallant fellows, as
+we expected an attack ourselves at any moment, and our position is such
+an extended one, that it required every man to hold it. If only we had a
+few hundreds more to hold the trenches with us, and an ample supply of
+ammunition, we would be quite happy."
+
+The scarcity of ammunition began to cause anxiety, and also the
+condition of the atmosphere. The air was almost unbreathable. Fumes from
+dead horses, cows, pigs, which were strewed on the surrounding plains,
+rose in sunshine or rain as from a caldron of pestilence. There was no
+avoiding them, and death by worse than shot and shell--by slow ravaging
+malaria, or greedy epidemic--seemed to be traced by the finger of
+expectation across the foul atmosphere. No longer was there pleasure in
+gazing out at the beautiful green hills, that but a little while ago had
+been speckled with white tents and draped with the ethereal gossamer of
+blue smoke from the fitful flame of the camp fires. War had sounded its
+most discordant note--hard--emphatic. The tents were all struck. On the
+ground they lay prone, battered by the pouring rain. Camp fires were now
+few and far between, and the only smoke to be seen came from the
+snorting nozzles of implements of death. The rattle of musketry made the
+melody of day and night. The men, huddled up in their trenches, rained
+on by heaven-sent storm, rained on by hell-sent shrapnel, unable to
+raise a head lest the movement would be their last, still remained
+glorious fellows, cheery, jocose, hailing the humours of their tragic
+position with shouts of laughter, and skipping, with true heroism, the
+ghastly and the terrible that thrust itself between them and their
+courage.
+
+One of their number described the trenches as "simply ordinary trenches
+dug in the ground, with the earth and stones thrown out on the front
+side, strengthened by sand-bags. During the first day's fighting they
+were not very good, and the heavy losses sustained were attributable to
+that fact. The men improved them during the night, however, and they
+grew and grew until they were really like rabbits burrowing into the
+ground. During the shelling men would sit or lie down under the bank,
+and it was wonderful how the trenches protected them. Some of the
+trenches had hundreds of shells fired into them during the day, and as
+long as the men kept well down, they got off comparatively lightly. It
+was a fearful strain, however, as you might be crouching behind a
+traverse of sand-bags, when thump would come a shell and knock the
+sand-bags all over the place, upon which you would have to skip into the
+traverse and expose yourself while doing so to a hail of bullets from
+the Boer snipers. As the Boers were all round us, they brought guns to
+bear from different points, so as to enfilade the trenches, so we had to
+build transverse walls, sand-bags, or traverses to protect ourselves.
+The front Cape Mounted Rifles' trenches were fearfully battered during
+the day, and the tired men had to patch them up as best they could
+during the night. During the day we could not show our heads over the
+parapets, as there would immediately come a volley from the Boer
+riflemen."
+
+All the troops had unceasing work, but most of the casualties fell to
+the share of those in the southern position--the Cape Mounted Rifles,
+Captain Garner's Squadron of Brabant's Horse, Captain Seel's Company of
+Royal Scots Mounted Infantry, and Driscoll's energetic scouts. The
+Kaffrarians, commanded by Captain Price elsewhere in four different
+positions to east and west--took their share of the defence, while on
+the heights north-east and north-west, the 1st and 2nd Regiments of
+Brabant's Horse, under Major Henderson and Colonel Grenfell
+respectively, also worked incessantly to protect the garrison.
+
+The object of the concentration of the Boers around this region was
+supposed to be connected with offering opposition to General Brabant's
+advance, but the Dutchmen in their policy were somewhat uneasy, owing to
+their close proximity to the Basuto border.
+
+Their alarm was not without reason, for if there was a force eager to
+attack them it was the Basutos, and these were only held back from
+rushing into the fray by the personal influence of Sir Godfrey Lagden
+and his British colleagues, who can never sufficiently be applauded for
+the skill and diplomacy with which they managed to keep, by invisible
+moral coercion, a fiery horde from rushing over the borders and possibly
+massacring such Free Staters as came in their way. The Boers, however,
+were not conscious of this coercion, and consequently their action
+around Wepener was somewhat cramped, and thus it was that the little
+community managed to defy them. Meanwhile discomforts were many, and the
+clouds often emptied themselves like a vast shower-bath involving doused
+trenches, drenched clothing, and the suspension of operations. On the
+11th a cheery message was received from Lord Kitchener, who paid a visit
+to Aliwal North, and from thence sent word that he hoped "for an early
+change" in the circumstances of the besieged. Spirits rose. What
+Kitchener, the adamantine, said was sure to be done. On Thursday, 12th,
+the fourth day of fierce fighting, the Boers continued their aggression
+all day. During the contest an entertaining interlude in the drama of
+warfare took place. The enemy was busy shelling one of the garrison's
+15-pounders, when a shot knocked off the left sight of Captain Lukin's
+gun. The Captain, generous in his admiration, jumped on top of the gun
+and made a complimentary salaam to the Boer gunner. Later on, by using
+the reserve sight on the right side, he himself planked a shell right
+into the adversary's gunpit, whereupon the officer in charge, imitating
+Captain Lukin's example, promptly leapt up and bowed his
+congratulations!
+
+During the night of the 12th the Dutchmen attempted another attack, but
+volley after volley was poured into them with such animation that by 4
+A.M. they were glad enough to retire. Fortunately not a man was killed
+or wounded, and those who had so well defended themselves felt a
+somewhat natural satisfaction in seeing the Boer ambulances at work the
+next morning. Soon it was rumoured that the Boers were bringing up
+another gun, and the garrison, who were beginning to get tired of being
+peppered at by guns big and small, began to long for the arrival of
+reinforcements.
+
+Friday the 13th, the following Saturday and Sunday, were used by the
+Boers for their Easter devotions--not that they were too devout to enjoy
+a little sniping in the intervals. Nasal hymns took the place of the
+snorts of Long Tom, but after the reiterations of the Vickers Maxim the
+Federals resumed their bombardment with renewed zest, and Oom Sam, the
+British howitzer, took up the tune. Unfortunately, the Dutchmen resorted
+to expansive bullets. One of the commandants tried to assert that these
+were captured from the British, but truth not being the Boer forte, no
+effort was made to refute the vile impeachment.
+
+The garrison next made a dashing sortie and captured a Boer gun.
+Aggressive action was necessary. Reinforcements were daily reaching the
+besiegers, and hostile gangs were collecting in the vicinity of
+Dewetsdorp. These soon gathered round the plucky British force, which,
+to protect itself, launched out with such vigour that the Boers,
+especially the Zastrom Commando, who had assaulted to a jubilate,
+retreated to a dirge. The women wept, and the men themselves grew
+anxious, for the Basutos, warlike and excited, were massing on the
+border, and a sword of Damocles, in the form of an exasperated legion of
+natives, threatened to drop on the Dutchmen's heads. They were getting
+into difficulties on all sides. One of Olivier's guns was smashed, and
+another had been captured in the sortie by the Cape Mounted Rifles. But
+the energies of this sprightly corps had also cost them dear. During the
+four days' fighting, from the 9th to the 13th, eighteen were slain and
+132 wounded! The men on the south-western fringe fared worse even than
+the others. They feared to cook in their trenches lest they should
+attract the Boer fire, and meals brought from adjacent shelters were
+cold before they could reach them. Such reviving and inspiriting
+refreshment as hot tea or coffee was almost unknown, and as a natural
+consequence, particularly in such damp weather, warmth external and
+internal was most craved for and very generally missed. Washing was a
+luxury not to be thought of, indeed, a rain bath in a trench had to
+serve all purposes. The strain of such conditions on the men was most
+trying, and the account given by one of the officers was far from
+exaggerated. "They had to go into their trenches on the night of the
+8th, and from then till the 25th they had to stay in them, crouching in
+them all day while being heavily shelled and 'sniped' at by the enemy's
+riflemen. During the night a couple of men from each trench would be
+sent to the place near the centre of the position where the food was
+prepared and take it up to their comrades. Cooking could only be done at
+night in dongas, and behind cover, such as walls, &c., and by the time
+the food got to the men it was ice cold, so the poor fellows, or the
+majority, in the forward trenches did not get anything hot in the shape
+of food or drink for eighteen days. Night was a blessed relief, as they
+could get out of the trenches and stretch themselves, but to cap our
+misery we had several days' heavy rain, and the trenches got full of
+water. The fellows had to bale it out with buckets, patrol tins, and
+even hats, I believe. Those rainy nights were awful, and the men were
+getting quite 'jumpy.' I really thought some of them would lose their
+reason, and was quite prepared to find some dead from exposure in the
+morning. However, the rain stopped in time, otherwise we would have been
+in great danger as the men could not have stood it. There is a limit to
+human endurance."
+
+The investment had no showy nor picturesque characteristics: it was just
+a case of stern resistance, of obdurate endurance, that was infinitely
+more exigent in its demands on the human character than the brilliant
+soul-stirring deeds of open battle. Fortunately the Boers were getting
+correspondingly uncomfortable. They had surrounded Wepener, it is true,
+but, with a native guard of some 3000 strong assembled to prevent any
+encroachments on the Basutoland border, they remained where they were at
+their peril, and every hour brought with it the chance of being hemmed
+in on all sides. Yet they stuck on, inspired with the belief that by
+some, for them, lucky chance Colonel Dalgety might drop into their
+hands. Meanwhile the natives were assisting the besieged to the best of
+their power, and the resident Commissioner at Mafeteng was exerting
+himself to provide ambulances and medical stores, in hope of being able
+to forward them should opportunity offer. The charitable arrangement was
+much appreciated, for the state of affairs was far from salubrious.
+Apart from sick and wounded, many of the Boers, after the night attack
+of the 12th, had left their comrades unburied, and the bodies were still
+lying in the mill furrow, to the distress of those shut up within the
+narrow confines of the camp. The Caledon River now rose and added to the
+alarm of the Federals, who were aware that if it should become in flood
+they would undoubtedly be cut off. At the same time those within the
+besieged area were also beginning to get additionally concerned.
+Ammunition for the howitzer was running low, and the rifle ammunition
+promised to hold out but for a very limited period. Messages were
+continually being received from Lord Roberts, who heliographed _via_
+Mafeteng congratulating the troops on their brave defence, and
+assuring them that he was keeping a watchful eye on them. This should
+have been consoling, but every hour, every instant, was now of
+importance. Still there was no lack of pluck. These men who had beaten
+the Boers three times were confident that they would make a good fight
+of it to the last. "We'll not surrender till half of us are killed,"
+they said, and the gallant fellows, in their trenches, under a storm of
+shot and shell, pursued their games of cards as though they meant to
+"sit tight till Doomsday." Of them an officer writing at this time said:
+"The defence, so far, has been heroic. In the Crimea twenty-four hours
+on and twenty-four hours off was considered hard work. My men have been
+ten days in their trenches without leaving them, wet to the skin oftener
+than not, and day and night exposed to shrapnel, not able to raise their
+hand above without getting a bullet through them, and yet not a grumble
+is heard. As I sit scrawling this in pencil, with my back against the
+damp earth, the jest goes round, and peals of laughter follow the
+sallies of your light-hearted countrymen from the Emerald Isle. I
+positively love these men, and shall never forget, in spite of the ague
+attacks and the racked head, the enjoyment of these hours spent packed,
+all arms and legs, in the mass of humanity which fills these
+trenches--the work of our own hands."
+
+They had tasted neither bread nor biscuits for a week. Fortunately they
+had meat in plenty, and occasionally certain meal-cakes which, though
+filling, brought about a sensation graphically described as
+"hippopotamus on the chest." Some one declared they were quite as hard
+and nearly as damaging as Boer bullets!
+
+In spite, however, of their assumed jocosity they could not but be
+cognisant of the fact that, what with damp and dysentery, irregular
+meals, tainted water, poor medical appliances, and indifferent stores,
+the future was threatening. Questions as to the coming of the promised
+relief began to be anxiously bandied about, and now and again a terrible
+doubt crept in that it might never come at all.
+
+Easter Monday they thought of as Bank Holiday in England. They pictured
+the gay Cockney multitude scampering free in parks and sunshine while
+they, huddled together in a deluge of perpetual rain, were wondering if
+life in trenches was worth living. Then some one, a philosopher,
+declared you couldn't get a daily rain-water bath at home for love or
+money, and they laughingly made the best of it. They wallowed in damp
+and mud, and counted on their fingers that there had been eight days of
+hard fighting, and wondered how many more they were good for. Books were
+scarce and conversation monotonous. "Any signs of Brabant or Gatacre?"
+some one would question. "None. I guess they've got lost somewhere."
+"Any chance of the rain stopping?" "None. We shall have deluges
+to-morrow." So passed the time between Job and his comforters.
+
+Fighting proceeded wearily, spasmodically. The Boers too were damp, in
+spirit and in body, and the carols of Long Tom lost some of their
+demoniac mirth. Now and then the besiegers would smarten themselves up
+with a volley, occasionally they would snipe intermittently--a little
+venomous spitting at the obdurate, sturdy, magnificent fellows they had
+learned as much to respect as to detest. Still no relief column. Hoping,
+the men in their trenches puzzled and offered solutions for themselves.
+
+"Perhaps the relievers had fallen into a trap," said a pessimist.
+
+"Oh no; the rain must have delayed them," said some one more cheery.
+
+"Perhaps the drifts are unpassable," volunteered a third.
+
+"I wonder if any of us will be left to receive them?" questioned the
+pessimist.
+
+"Poof! only ten per cent. of us are disabled as yet!" chaffed the
+optimist lightly.
+
+Though they did not know it, General Chermside, with the Third Division,
+had now marched about eight miles east of Reddersburg, and encamped in
+the locality where the Royal Irish Rifles surrendered. On the 19th a
+large body of the enemy was moving on with the apparent object of
+encountering General Brabant near Rouxville, and later on from the
+distance the muffled roar of musketry gave promise of the relieving
+action. Naturally, the spirits of the garrison began to rise, but their
+joy was short lived, for soon the Boers appeared on the west, and there
+brought five guns to bear on the British force. All day the round lips
+of the new visitors opened and hooted and spat! The Kaffrarian Rifles
+were treated to no less than 130 shrapnel shells. Brabant's regiment and
+the Maxim kept up an active fire on the Boer gunners; but the guns were
+so cautiously protected that their efforts were crowned with small
+success. Even the redoubtable Captain Lukin failed to make his usual
+impression, for this officer had now decided that economy--economy of
+ammunition--must make the better part of Wepener valour. Major Maxwell,
+at dusk, with his cheery sappers, set to work to remedy the ravages of
+the day, but the prospect of affairs was not rendered more heartening by
+information which came in to the effect that Olivier, De Wet, Froneman,
+and others were closing in with their commandoes and mercenaries,
+numbering some 8000, from Rouxville, Smithfield, Ficksburg, and even
+from Ladybrand. This discovery caused no little anxiety. All were aware
+that Lord Roberts could and would come to their relief; but,
+nevertheless, it was impossible to ignore the fact that provisions
+began to dwindle and the poor trek oxen began to go, and no signs of a
+relieving column were evident. The officers and men were now on duty all
+night in the trenches--melancholy work, for deluges of rain made them
+sopping, and served to damp even the bellicose ardour of the most
+valorous.
+
+[Illustration: LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR H. M. LESLIE-RUNDLE, K.C.B.
+
+Photo by Russell & Sons, London]
+
+Their position by day, too, was pathetic in the extreme. It was
+impossible even for the most rollicking and dauntless to look unmoved to
+right or to left of him. Perhaps on one side he would be bounded by a
+"pal" doubled up and sweating with the agony of his wounds, while on the
+other would lie, clay-cold and immobile--with that unmistakable
+stiffness that they had learnt to know too well--a form that some
+moments before had been vibrant with humanity. In this _entourage_ it
+was necessary throughout the long hours to keep up persistent fire at
+the enemy, and dodge and manoeuvre so that the fate that loomed large
+and unforgetable on either hand might be kept at bay! Few indeed were in
+possession of a whole skin in these times--they fought, got wounded,
+went into hospital, came out partially healed and fought again, only to
+go back with fresh holes for repair. Sometimes they were carried to the
+churchyard by comrades of their corps--gaunt, weary, aching, grimy
+fellows with large hearts, who grimly professed to envy those--many
+there were by now--who had "every night in bed!"
+
+On the evening of the 23rd there was some jubilation in Jammersberg
+camp. General Brabant heliographed from a place some fourteen miles
+distant, reporting an engagement with the enemy, and that they were
+retiring, though there was a strong force on his left flank. Heavy
+firing continued to be heard all day, most probably from the artillery
+of Generals Rundle and Chermside, who, at this time, were approaching
+Dewetsdorp from the south, or of Generals French and Pole-Carew, who
+were nearing that destination from the north. The plot was thickening.
+The sun was shining, the guns were going, and there was a chance the
+Boers might yet be hoist with their own petard, and in expectation
+thereof a veritable thrill passed through the camp.
+
+Then the Boer fire began to slacken perceptibly, the barking of big guns
+mysteriously subsided. What was happening? Anxiety and suspense made the
+young faces--faces that had been young at the commencement of the
+war--still more drawn and haggard; it was felt that should the Boers
+capture the position they would give little quarter to the Colonial
+Division, and these had determined never to hoist the white flag. The
+fact was, the Boers were silently preparing to sneak away. They had
+heard of the converging of the British armies, they were in receipt of
+information regarding a grand scheme for mopping them up, and after
+taking a last sullen, despairing lunge they took themselves off.
+
+On the morning of the 25th a serpentine _cortège_ of waggons and carts
+and riders was seen winding its way in the direction of Ladybrand.
+Colonel Dalgety half suspected that Brabant's force would presently
+appear and chase this retreating company, and got himself and some 300
+of his men in readiness to assist in harassing those who so recently had
+harassed him. But Brabant's force was apparently worn out, and was about
+some fourteen miles off when the retirement commenced, and though to his
+splendid exertions the retreat was due, it was evident that the enemy
+would manage to slide off without chastisement.
+
+[Illustration: WEPENER.]
+
+Thus ended the story of a grand achievement, an almost unique example in
+the way of defence of fortified positions, 1700 men having for seventeen
+days and nights in the trenches defended seven miles of entrenchment
+without giving up a single position! By the end there had been about 200
+casualties, and only 1500 men were left to defend the tremendous length
+of entrenchments. One of the valiant defenders gave a graphic summary of
+the continuous fighting:--
+
+ "We lost between twenty and thirty killed and wounded the first
+ day--not very many, considering what we had against us. At
+ night the big guns ceased fire, and there was only a shot now
+ and again during the night. On Tuesday morning at breakfast
+ time the big guns started again; but there were only five guns
+ that day, and we found out after the fight that we had knocked
+ out three of the Boer guns on the previous day. The firing on
+ the Tuesday was not so brisk, but at 8 P.M. the Boers attacked
+ in force at the C.M.R. trenches, but our men were ready for
+ them, and played one of the Boers' own games with them. They
+ saw them coming, and the Royal Scots lined up on one side and
+ the C.M.R. on the other side of the spruit. Our men allowed
+ them to get right in and then opened fire at fifty yards. Every
+ man had his bayonet fixed and ready, and at the word they went
+ for them. In less than an hour it was all over, and the Boers
+ were beaten back, leaving 300 dead. It was pitiful to hear them
+ crying. They have not the heart of a school-girl, and they
+ cannot stand a beating. After the Tuesday night the enemy kept
+ very quiet for a few days, only independent firing going on
+ both with rifles and big guns. This went on for several days,
+ at times a little brisk, and then the Boers seemed to get tired
+ and tried to rush us again with 2000 men. This was on the
+ fifteenth day at ten in the morning. By twelve o'clock we had
+ them beaten, and the next day they left us and we came on up
+ here."
+
+A great deal of the success of the resistance was due to the ingenuity
+of the entrenchments. The work had been carried out under the direction
+of Colonel Maxwell, R.E., and the splendid stand made by the besieged
+was made possible almost entirely by his genius. Captain Lukin was also
+a tower of strength, and but for his services with the guns the garrison
+would have suffered much more than it did. Captain Grant, C.M.R., too,
+was invaluable, working late and early, and carrying out with immense
+zeal the plans of the chief, while Colonel Grenfell was an untiring
+right-hand man to Colonel Dalgety.
+
+Another of the heroes of the siege was Major Sprenger, of the C.M.R.,
+who fell in his country's service almost at the beginning of the siege.
+He was a born soldier, and a distinguished member of a distinguished
+corps. He won his commission by his smartness and soldierly qualities,
+having risen to the rank of sub-inspector in the old F.A.M.P. On the
+merging of that corps into the C.M.R., he continued as lieutenant, and
+was awarded the next step for gallantry in the field, he being the first
+to mount the scaling ladders in the storming of Moirosi's Mountain.
+
+General Brabant afterwards described the Cape Mounted Rifles as being
+the very finest corps in her Majesty's service, and recommended them to
+the notice of Lord Roberts. As for the artillery under Captain Lukin,
+the General said he did not think there was a battery in her Majesty's
+service that could excel it.
+
+The casualties at Wepener from April 9th to 18th were:--
+
+ _Killed_:--Cape Mounted Rifles--Major Sprenger, Lieutenant E.
+ A. Taplin. Brabant's Horse--Lieutenant Tharston. _Severely
+ wounded_:--Cape Mounted Rifles--Major J. C. Warring, Lieutenant
+ J. Heilford, Lieutenant L. Martin, Lieutenant R. Ayre,
+ Lieutenant W. H. Nixon, Lieutenant H. G. F. Campbell. Brabant's
+ Horse--Lieutenant W. J. Holford. Driscoll's Scouts--Lieutenant
+ W. Weiner. Kaffrarian Rifles--Lieutenant C. Lister. _Slightly
+ wounded_:--Cape Mounted Rifles--Captain C. L. M. Goldsworthy.
+ Brabant's Horse--Surgeon-Captain L. C. Perkins (returned to
+ duty), Lieutenant Turner Duncan, Lieutenant and Quartermaster
+ P. Williams. 1st Royal Scots Mounted Infantry--Lieutenant C. G.
+ Hill (1st Berks Regiment, attached).
+
+The total losses were 33 killed and 132 wounded--a somewhat heavy bill
+for so small a force, when it is remembered that many of the wounded did
+not report their injuries but remained on duty during the siege.
+
+In his diary the officer before quoted wrote: "We were relieved to-day
+at last, and march to-morrow. We have gone through an awful time, and
+some of the men look quite ghastly. They dragged their wasted forms from
+the trenches to-day at a crawl to the camp, which had been repitched. I
+had to give up the night before last, and after visiting my sentries,
+got back into the trenches in agony. At midnight I reached the hospital,
+where they injected morphine, and, after twenty-four hours lying on a
+stretcher, I am on my legs again.... Seventeen days and nights under
+fire, and the disgusting part of the whole is that it has been in vain.
+The Boers have slipped through our fingers after all."
+
+The relief of Wepener may be said to have taken place on the 25th. To
+discover how this was automatically accomplished, it is necessary to
+follow Lord Roberts's strategic plan, and to return to the events of the
+22nd of April.
+
+
+[Illustration: SCOUT--6th DRAGOON GUARDS
+
+(Carabineers)
+
+Photo by Gregory & Co., London]
+
+OPERATIONS FOR RELIEF
+
+As a continual reorganisation of the forces was taking place, it will
+assist us, before going further, to examine a rough table of the date,
+as compiled from various authorities by the _Morning Post_:--
+
+ DISTRIBUTION OF FORCES
+
+ _Commanding-in-chief_--FIELD-MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS.
+
+ THIRD DIVISION.
+
+ Lieutenant-General Sir H. G. CHERMSIDE.
+
+ 22nd Brigade (Major-General R. E. Allen).
+
+ 2nd Royal Irish Rifles.
+ 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers.
+ 1st Royal Scots.
+ 1st Derbyshire.
+
+ 23rd Brigade (Major-General W. G. Knox).
+ (Composition not known.)
+
+ 74th, 77th, and 79th Field Batteries.
+
+ SIXTH DIVISION.
+
+ Lieutenant-General T. KELLY-KENNY.
+
+ 12th Brigade (Major-General Clements).
+
+ 2nd Worcestershire.
+ 2nd Bedfordshire.
+ 2nd Wiltshire.
+ 1st Royal Irish Regiment.
+
+ 13th Brigade (Major-General A. G. Wavell).
+
+ 2nd East Kent.
+ 1st Oxfordshire Light Infantry.
+ 1st West Riding.
+ 2nd Gloucester.
+
+ 76th, 81st, and 82nd Field Batteries.
+ 38th Company Royal Engineers.
+
+ SEVENTH DIVISION.
+
+ Lieutenant-General G. TUCKER.
+
+ 14th Brigade (Major-General J. G. Maxwell).
+
+ 2nd Norfolk.
+ 2nd Lincoln.
+
+ 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers.
+ 2nd Hants.
+
+ 15th Brigade (Major-General C. E. Knox).
+
+ 2nd Cheshire.
+ 1st East Lancashire.
+ 2nd South Wales Borderers.
+ 2nd North Stafford.
+
+ 83rd, 84th, and 85th Field Batteries.
+ 9th Company Royal Engineers.
+
+ EIGHTH DIVISION.
+
+ Lieutenant-General Sir H. M. L. RUNDLE.
+
+ 16th Brigade (Major-General B. B. D. Campbell).
+
+ 2nd Grenadier Guards.
+ 2nd Scots Guards.
+ 2nd East Yorks.
+
+ 17th Brigade (Major-General J. E. Boyes).
+
+ 1st Worcester.
+ 2nd Royal West Kent.
+ 1st South Stafford.
+ 2nd Manchester.
+
+ Brigade Division Royal Field Artillery.
+ 5th Company Royal Engineers.
+
+ NINTH DIVISION.
+
+ Lieutenant-General Sir H. E. COLVILE.
+
+ 3rd Brigade (Major-General H. A. MacDonald).
+
+ 1st Argyll and Sutherland.
+ 1st Gordon Highlanders.
+ 2nd Seaforth Highlanders.
+ 2nd Royal Highlanders (Black Watch).
+
+ 19th Brigade (Major-General H. L. Smith-Dorrien).
+ (Composition not certainly known.)
+
+ Highland Light Infantry.
+ 2nd Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
+ 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry.
+ Canadian Regiment.
+
+ Brigade Division Royal Field Artillery.
+
+ TENTH DIVISION.
+
+ Lieutenant-General Sir H. HUNTER.
+
+ 5th Brigade (Major-General A. Fitzroy Hart).
+
+ 2nd Somerset Light Infantry.
+ 1st Connaught Rangers.
+ 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
+ 1st Border.
+
+ 6th Brigade (Major-General G. Barton).
+
+ 2nd Royal Fusiliers.
+ 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers.
+ 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
+ 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers.
+
+ 63rd, 64th, and 73rd Field Batteries.
+
+ ELEVENTH DIVISION.
+
+ Lieutenant-General R. POLE-CAREW.
+
+ 18th Brigade (Major-General T. E. Stephenson).
+ (Composition not certainly known.)
+
+ 1st Essex.
+ 1st Yorkshire.
+ 1st Welsh.
+ 2nd Royal Warwickshire.
+
+ 1st Brigade (Major-General Inigo R. Jones).
+
+ 3rd Grenadier Guards.
+ 1st Coldstream Guards.
+ 2nd Coldstream Guards.
+ 1st Scots Guards.
+
+ 18th, 62nd, 75th Field Batteries.
+
+ CAVALRY DIVISION.
+
+ Lieutenant-General J. D. P. FRENCH.
+
+ 1st Brigade (Brigadier-General T. C. Porter).
+
+ 6th Dragoon Guards.
+ 6th Dragoons.
+ 2nd Dragoons.
+
+ 2nd Brigade (Brigadier-General R. G. Broadwood).
+
+ 10th Hussars.
+ 12th Hussars.
+ Household Cavalry.
+
+ 3rd Brigade (Brigadier-General J. R. P. Gordon).
+
+ 9th Lancers.
+ 16th Lancers.
+ 17th Lancers.
+
+ 4th Brigade (Major-General J. B. B. Dickson).
+
+ 7th Dragoon Guards.
+ 8th Hussars.
+ 14th Hussars.
+
+ G, J, M, O, P, Q, R, T, U Batteries Horse Artillery.
+
+ MOUNTED INFANTRY DIVISION.
+
+ Major-General IAN HAMILTON.
+
+ 1st Brigade (Major-General E. T. H. Hutton).
+
+ 1st Corps (Colonel E. A. H. Alderson).
+
+ 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles.
+ 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles.
+ Lord Strathcona's Corps.
+ One Battalion Imperial Mounted Infantry.
+
+ 2nd Corps (Colonel de Lisle).
+
+ New South Wales Mounted Infantry.
+ West Australian Mounted Infantry.
+
+ 3rd Corps (Colonel T. D. Pilcher).
+
+ Queensland Mounted Infantry.
+ New Zealand Mounted Infantry.
+ One Battalion Imperial Mounted Infantry.
+
+ 4th Corps (Colonel Henry).
+
+ Victorian Mounted Infantry.
+ South Australian Mounted Infantry.
+ Tasmanian Mounted Infantry.
+ One Battalion Imperial Mounted Infantry.
+
+ 2nd Brigade (Major-General Ridley).
+
+ South African Irregulars Mounted Infantry.
+ Several Batteries Artillery.
+
+ COLONIAL DIVISION.
+
+ Major-General BRABANT.
+
+ Cape Mounted Rifles.
+ Kaffrarian Mounted Rifles.
+ Montmorency's Scouts (200).
+ Brabant's Horse (1200).
+ Border Horse.
+ Frontier Mounted Rifles.
+ Queenstown Volunteers.
+ Cape Garrison Artillery.
+ Two Naval 12-pounders.
+
+ OTHER TROOPS WITH LORD ROBERTS.
+
+ 21st Brigade.
+
+ Battalions not known.
+
+ (Brigades not known.)
+
+ 2nd Berkshire.
+ 1st Royal Sussex.
+ 1st Suffolk.
+ 1st Cameron Highlanders.
+ C.I.V. Infantry.
+ Roberts's Horse.
+ Kitchener's Horse.
+ Two Squadrons Imperial Light Horse.
+ 7th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.
+ C.I.V. Mounted Infantry.
+ Ceylon Mounted Infantry.
+ Lumsden's Horse.
+ Lord Loch's Horse.
+ 43rd, 65th, 86th, and 87th Howitzer Batteries.
+ 2nd, 5th, 8th, 9th, 17th, 38th, 39th, 68th, and 88th Field
+ Batteries. (Parts of 8th, 9th, and 11th Divisions.)
+ Four naval 4.7-in. guns.
+ Part of Siege Train.
+
+Towards the end of April the authorities found that the situation was
+growing in interest as in difficulty. In the south-east of the Free
+State Colonel Dalgety and his small but truculent band had become the
+pivot round which British and Free Staters were manoeuvring, and the
+red drama of war on the north and west of Wepener was becoming tragic as
+that of the region around Mafeking. Developments on a large and
+complicated scale were taking place, developments not as might be
+imagined in the direction of Pretoria, but for the purpose of catching
+the enemy in the northern and eastern portion of the Free State, and
+dealing with as much of him as possible before proceeding to larger
+things. There were now several separate columns on the march, each and
+all so arranged that, at a given moment and at a given place within a
+very short time they could concentrate for purposes of battle when
+battle should be imminent, and with a view to mopping up such Boer
+commandos as might chance to step in between the fangs of the British
+lion. (We are already aware that the Boer commandos in this region were
+far too knowing, and the anxious fangs eventually snapped on nothing at
+all! Still a vast mass of the foe was held in the south-east of the Free
+State while plans for the great advance northwards were being
+elaborated.)
+
+Lord Roberts began the second act of his campaign by deploying the army
+from Karee Siding as far as Wepener, a distance of some seventy miles.
+Indeed, on Sunday the 22nd of April, we find that one portion of the
+army was at Bushman's Kop, south of Wepener, another was near
+Dewetsdorp, half-way between the latter place and Bloemfontein, another
+was moving to Tweede Geluk, some twenty miles from Bloemfontein and
+twenty-two from Dewetsdorp, and already in communication with General
+Rundle, who was making for Dewetsdorp, while troops were also at or near
+Sanna's Post and fifteen miles west--at Kranz Kraal, a valuable passage
+of the Modder between Sanna's Post and the railways which for some weeks
+had been much used by the Boers. All these troops were sprayed out at
+distances varying from twenty to thirty miles from each other, and were
+capable of getting into heliographic communication. As this somewhat
+complicated machinery requires to be examined and not dismissed with a
+word, it is better, if possible, to follow the commanding officers as
+they each moved on his special duty.
+
+Generals Rundle and Chermside had concentrated their divisions at
+Reddersburg with a view to assisting in what was called "the big
+partridge drive." The force of the united commanders moving from
+Reddersburg towards Dewetsdorp was now about 15,000 strong. It was
+composed of the 4th and 7th Imperial Yeomanry, the Mounted Infantry
+companies of the 1st Berkshire and 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, sixty
+of Montmorency's Scouts (Captain McNeil), General Campbell's Brigade,
+General Boyes's Brigade, and General Allen's Brigade. The united
+artillery was commanded by Colonel Jeffreys, R.A. It comprised the 38th,
+69th, 74th, 77th, and 79th Field Batteries. The Boers, disposed by De
+Wet, occupied a position astride the country from Leeuw Kop to Wepener,
+those in the former place covering those in the latter, and _vice
+versâ_.
+
+About the 20th the troops, under Sir Leslie Rundle, were approaching
+Dewetsdorp, keeping the Boers in a perpetual state of anxiety and
+disturbance by worrying tactics which the Dutchmen were at a loss to
+understand. "The idea is to keep 'em on the dance where they are," said
+a Tommy who affected an interest in strategy, "keep 'em lively, so that
+when they want to run they've no legs to do it with." At the same time
+the Boers took their share in contributing to the life of the
+proceedings, and were also the means of bringing to light more deeds of
+British heroism. Early in the morning of the 20th a strong force of
+Yeomanry, with Mounted Infantry and two guns, had started out over the
+green pastures of the Free State to reconnoitre the enemy's left and
+discover his strength. (The left was the most vulnerable point of the
+foe, as, that turned, he would be cut off from Wepener and forced north
+into the arms of the advancing troops.) They soon came upon the main
+Boer position, and were assailed with a sharp fire from the Dutchmen. A
+smart encounter, or rather a series of encounters took place, during
+which the Yeomanry displayed remarkable steadiness under fire, and
+executed their share of the movements with the promptness and dexterity
+of seasoned--Mr. Kipling calls it "salted"--troops.
+
+McNeil's Scouts (late poor De Montmorency's), always the first to be "in
+it," observed a party of Boers racing for a desirable kopje, and
+obtained permission to try and cut them off. With the party was Mr.
+Winston Churchill, who, thinking that fun was in the air, put spurs to
+his horse and was off with the intrepid band of scouts. For some time
+there was an animated race, the Boers being nearer to the strong
+eminence than the British, though less well mounted. When it came to
+climbing, it seemed as though they might get the worst of it.
+Rush--rush--rush went the fifty scouts; scamper--scamper--scamper went
+the foe. It was almost a neck-and-neck affair, when suddenly there came
+wire, and before this could be cut there were Boers in possession of the
+great kopje, Boers blazing downwards as fast as muskets would allow.
+Thereupon Captain McNeil shouted his orders: "Too late! back to the
+other kopje. Gallop!" and all obeying, the good steeds were off as hard
+as legs could carry them. And now happened the episode which singles out
+the reconnaissance from numerous military undertakings of the same kind,
+for it brought into notice another of the heroes of the war, whose
+courageous act will not easily be forgotten. As before said, Mr. Winston
+Churchill, the correspondent of the _Morning Post_, who, it may be
+remembered, escaped from the Pretoria prison, was accompanying McNeil's
+Scouts in their exciting expedition. No sooner was the order given to
+"gallop," than Mr. Churchill made a bound for his saddle. It twisted,
+the horse, alarmed by the fire, bolted, and the young man found himself
+on foot and alone, with the Boers a second time within an ace of him. A
+horrible vision, grown lifelike in a moment, as the vision of his past
+before a drowning man, now flashed before him; the walls of the dreaded
+Model School seemed to close in--nearer--nearer. But the Boers, he
+decided, should not get him again without a struggle. This time he had
+his pistol, he could not again be hunted down unarmed in the open. He
+shouted--a despairing roar--to the scouts, who were fleeing all
+unconscious of the accident that had befallen him. Then one, turning
+aside, heard, stopped in his rush for life, wheeled about, grasped the
+dismounted man, and an instant later, with Churchill at the back of his
+saddle, was off again. Then the rifles above, at a range of only forty
+yards, rippled out a deadly tune, as the flying hoofs of the horse,
+wounded, and leaving behind him a track of blood, flung up the turf and
+sod. Yet, from the showers of lead and dust they came out alive, and Mr.
+Churchill lived to tell the tale of his miraculous rescue. Curiously
+enough, the gallant scout whose action saved the journalist's life,
+owned the talismanic name which moved the army as the magnet moves a
+needle. Trooper Roberts was recommended to the notice of Lord Roberts by
+General Rundle, for, as Mr. Churchill said, all the officers were agreed
+that the man who pulled up in such a situation to help another, was
+worthy of some honourable distinction.
+
+[Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL POLE-CAREW
+
+Photo by Gregory & Co., London]
+
+The fighting elsewhere continued with considerable heat, and the long
+day was vibrant with the brawl of big guns and the cacophonous whirr of
+shells. Without artillery to help in pounding the enemy, General
+Brabazon decided it was useless to continue the reconnaissance; he
+therefore withdrew with what some one described as "an instructive
+little rear-guard action." He had done an immense amount of work,
+reconnoitred, located laagers, forced the enemy to move his guns, and
+generally discomfited him at the cost of less than a score of men. Now
+he rested on his oars, for instructions from head-quarters arrived
+advising General Rundle to wait till reinforcements should arrive before
+further pressing his attack.
+
+Accordingly, on Sunday the 22nd of April, General French was despatched
+from Bloemfontein to assist. The force consisted of the 3rd and 4th
+Cavalry Brigades, the Eleventh Division (General Pole-Carew's), and some
+naval guns. The plan was to move to Dewetsdorp, and _en route_ to turn
+out the enemy from his position at Leeuw Kop. General Dickson, with the
+4th Brigade of Cavalry and a battery of Horse Artillery, was to move
+towards the south-east from Springfield, so as to head off the enemy in
+the event of his retreating to the east. General Stephenson, with the
+18th Brigade, 83rd, 84th, and 85th Batteries, R.F.A., and two 4.7 naval
+guns, was to march south and effect a junction with General Pole-Carew
+and the Guards' Brigade, and Colonel Alderson's Mounted Infantry
+Brigade. At Leeuw Kop, the Guards were to get round the enemy's left
+flank, while a central attack was to be delivered by the 18th Brigade
+under General Stephenson. The Guards (who had hitherto been protecting
+the line), were met some five miles out, they having marched from
+Ferriera Siding. They proceeded to the position mentioned, some fifteen
+miles south-east of Bloemfontein, where the Boers were encountered. They
+were found to be ensconced in the high eminence of Leeuw Kop itself, and
+other kopjes thickly covered with bush in the north. Thereupon
+operations began, the artillery opening the programme some five miles
+off, followed by an attack late in the day on the part of the 18th
+Brigade and the Guards, to front and left of the enemy's position. On
+the north side of the position was a picturesque farm, towards which the
+18th Brigade advanced. Five scouts were allowed to approach within a
+hundred yards before the enemy fired. Then our guns (84th Battery Field
+Artillery) having discovered the position, began to play upon
+it--hidden though it was by high trees and shrubberies--with such
+accuracy and vigour that the enemy retreated to some distant kopjes,
+whence they plied their Vickers-Maxims and Mausers with a will. Shells
+buzzed and bounded among them, but our men never flinched. They pursued
+their way more and more to the left, in order to surround the offending
+kopjes. The Warwicks in the centre, the Essex on the right, the Welsh on
+the left, moving in echelon, advanced. By-and-by General Dickson's
+cavalry, from its distant position, attempted to engage in the flanking
+movement, and to surround the hills if possible with mounted men during
+the development of the infantry attack. The operations were suddenly
+overtaken by an appalling darkness, which turned out to be a flight of
+locusts that came and went, leaving the land more bare than it was
+before. The infantry now were pouring volleys on the kopje, whence they
+were again attacked with such warmth that they had to "lie low." Their
+position at this time was an unenviable one, it being too exposed for
+advance, and too advanced for retirement. At last the Essex made a
+glorious dash on the western slopes, while the Warwick and Welsh
+regiments, wildly cheering, clambered ahead of them on the northern
+heights. The Boers fired half-heartedly for a time, but were
+subsequently seen careering down the eastern slopes, their sole care
+being to save themselves. Unfortunately in this gallant assault, Captain
+Prothero, Welsh Regiment, was mortally wounded.
+
+The Guards, meanwhile, had extended on the right, while the Mounted
+Infantry, consisting of one battalion Imperial Mounted Infantry, 1st and
+2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, and Strathcona's Horse (on their right)
+came in for so devastating a welcome from the Creusot gun which the
+enemy had posted on a neighbouring hill, that they were forced to
+retire. But the artillery came to the rescue, and the Boers removed
+their gun. The Dutchmen now found their numbers too meagre to hold their
+line of defence, which covered a semicircular chain of kopjes on the
+east, and in the morning of the 23rd all the enemy who held Leeuw Kop
+were discovered to have trekked eastward. The position was ours.
+Quantities of ammunition and rifles were seized, and General French had
+commenced an animated chase to the south, though his cavalry were unable
+to find the Boers in any strong position in the vicinity. A noticeable
+feature of the day's experiences was the exhibition of the white flag on
+the farmhouse, whence the Boers fired on the Canadians. These gallant
+fellows came safely out of the treacherous downpour, but lost two
+horses.
+
+On the same day (the 22nd), while the other tentacles of the great
+octopus, the British army, were twisting as shown, General Ian Hamilton
+with his Mounted Infantry Division was moving on towards Sanna's Post
+to take possession of the waterworks there. As the enemy in some
+strength was holding the neighbouring hills, it was found necessary to
+despatch the Ninth Division, consisting of Smith-Dorien's and
+MacDonald's Brigades, to the support of General Ian Hamilton. With these
+movements we must deal anon. As Sanna's Post is situated some twenty
+miles from Tweede Geluk (where the Eleventh Division was operating), and
+twenty-five from the road to Dewetsdorp, near where we have left General
+Rundle, the nicety of the disposition of the troops in their relation to
+each other may be appreciated.
+
+Moving almost at the same time, was Maxwell's (late Chermside's) Brigade
+(Seventh Division), which marched eastward and seized the hills covering
+the waggon-bridge over the Modder River at Kranz Kraal--the bridge whose
+utility to the Boers has been described.
+
+Meanwhile General Brabant with his Mounted Division and General Hart's
+Brigade from Rouxville, had reached the vicinity of Bushman's Kop, some
+fourteen miles from Wepener. The bulk of the Boer force had opposed
+themselves to this advance, and during this time the strain on Colonel
+Dalgety at Wepener had naturally been relaxed. By Monday, the 23rd, the
+Colonial Division, supported by Hart's Brigade, had turned the Boer
+position, after having kept up a running fight all day. The casualties
+of the fight were twenty-five wounded. Some of these were removed to
+Basutoland, under arrangement with the resident Commissioner at
+Mafeteng. General Brabant was moving in a north-easterly direction,
+keeping Basutoland on his right flank, his operations being watched with
+amazing interest by the natives in this region. He was now some eight
+miles from Wepener and sixty from Bloemfontein, and in heliographic
+communication with Dalgety, a circumstance which caused the Boers round
+Wepener to grow uneasy as to their positions.
+
+To return to General Pole-Carew. On the morning of Monday, the 23rd, the
+Boers, as we know, were found to have evacuated their main position at
+Leeuw Kop, and the Mounted Infantry took possession of the hill from
+which the enemy had been routed by the infantry. General French by then
+had moved on independently of his transport. Boers were known to be in
+the southern fringes of the Leeuw Kop position, but, without engaging
+them, General French pushed on, posting the 16th Lancers to keep an eye
+on his flank, till they should be relieved by the mounted troops which
+were following. Meanwhile, slowly in the rear, screened by the 4th
+Mounted Infantry, General Pole-Carew advanced his division and baggage
+train, and sent Roberts's Horse to relieve the 16th Lancers on the hill
+they were holding. The relievers came in for nasty attentions from a
+Maxim, but in spite of this they behaved with great gallantry, made for
+the kopje on which the Boers were ensconced, and finally cleared the
+summit. But this was not accomplished without lamentable loss. Major
+Brazier Creagh, 9th Bengal Lancers, who but recently had succeeded to
+the command of the regiment, was mortally wounded. Presently, to the
+assistance of Roberts's Horse came the 14th Hussars, squadrons of which
+regiment distributed themselves in hope of cutting off the enemy in
+retreat, but the Dutchmen, with all smartness, plied their guns till it
+was deemed best to retire, leaving the 2nd Coldstreams in the original
+position gained.
+
+[Illustration: THE OPERATIONS AT DEWETSDORP. (A Sketch from the Right of
+the Boer Position, by Major A. Festing.)]
+
+The cavalry soon became engaged. The Boers were espied in a long, low
+kopje to the east and west of the Dewetsdorp Road, the wide, flat ridge
+of which General French meant to seize. The 9th Lancers advanced to
+secure it, but the Boers instantly raced for the most advantageous
+position, with the result that while the troopers planted themselves on
+one edge of the plateau the Boers did likewise on the other. An animated
+combat ensued, the Lancers fighting most pluckily. The Boers offered
+determined resistance, whereon a "pom-pom" was ordered to the rescue
+of the Lancers, who were losing heavily. This weapon disturbed the
+efforts of the Dutchmen to sweep onwards, and soon they were put to
+flight, the "pom-poms" of the British harrying them in their retreat.
+The cavalry engagement was a pretty affair but costly, the dashing
+Lancers, enfiladed with a cruel fire, losing one officer, Captain Denny,
+K.D.G.'s, three wounded, and thirty-two men killed and wounded. The
+wounded officers were Captain H. F. W. Stanley, 9th Lancers, Lieutenant
+V. R. Brooke, 9th Lancers, and Lieutenant the Hon. A. W. J. C.
+Skeffington, 17th Lancers.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+(Corporal) (Officer)
+
+THE ROYAL MARINES
+
+Photo by Gregory & Co., London]
+
+General Pole-Carew, whose object was to establish communications with
+General Rundle, and for that purpose was advancing his division, with
+baggage train, as quickly as possible, now appeared in the direction of
+the main kopje, where the Boers for some days had been hiding. Here
+Roberts's Horse came into action; they located the position, which was
+shelled with great vigour, while at the base was a containing line of
+the Warwickshire Regiment, which enabled the General to pass with
+division and baggage, almost under the nose of the enemy, in perfect
+safety. The Boers made a struggle to arrest the passage of the column,
+but it was a feeble one. They opened fire from the ridge where they had
+first ensconced themselves, and past which General Pole-Carew had to
+march, but the guns of the 85th Battery made their acquaintance with
+such scant ceremony and so much warmth that there was a stampede. After
+a few shots had burst into some groups of Boers they all speedily got
+out of range, taking with them their baggage and guns.
+
+General Rundle, who as we know was waiting to march on Dewetsdorp, now
+communicated by heliograph that there were some 7000 of the enemy in his
+vicinity, and also that the country in front was crowded with low hills
+in which they might be hidden; but General Pole-Carew proceeded boldly
+to advance, and in his advance made some very necessary reprisals on
+such farmers, who, preferring covert-guile to open war, had been found
+aiding the enemy after receiving lenient treatment at our hands. He had
+previously set fire to a farmhouse whence, with a white flag flying over
+it, the Boers on Sunday had fired on our men. The farmers were told they
+could no longer play their double games, acting as they did at one
+moment the slim warrior, and the next the pastoral innocent.
+
+Meanwhile General Rundle with some 2500 Boers in front of him was
+waiting till he should get into touch with General Pole-Carew. He was
+warned by heliograph of the approach of the 4th Cavalry Brigade and of
+General French, and throughout the 23rd there was little done save
+running the gantlet of shells which the Boers persistently fired but
+without doing serious damage. The Yeomanry, who already had shown
+remarkable "grit," received considerable attention from the "Creusots"
+of the enemy, who were apparently holding on to all their eastern
+positions regardless of the fact that the gigantic prongs of the steel
+trap which was being prepared for them were shortly about to close. All
+the forces were now gradually getting in touch with each other, and the
+Dutchmen's days were numbered. So it was thought on the night of the
+23rd. The 24th broke quietly. No shot was fired. Rundle's force swung to
+the left, pivoted on Chermside, who remained in defence of the position,
+while the mounted brigade protected the outer flank. In this General
+French, now arrived from the north, also assisted, and proceeded to turn
+the enemy's left. The British movements were conducted with due silence
+and secrecy, they being determined to produce a surprise for the Boers.
+The surprise "came off," as the saying is, but it was on the wrong side.
+When the men creeping up the stony kopje came to peer for the enemy in
+the trenches they found--merely trenches. "Not a bloomin' Boer
+anywhere," cried a disgusted Tommy, kicking the quiet boulders with a
+dilapidated boot! The Dutchmen were galloping to Ladybrand. The
+magnificent web that had been prepared for them was empty.
+
+An officer in the Royal Scots gave some interesting details regarding
+the part taken by the Third Division in this somewhat complex
+movement:--
+
+ "At this time we heard rumours that one of our mounted
+ companies, the one commanded by Captain Molyneux-Seel, was,
+ together with the Colonial Division, besieged at Wepener. This
+ proved to be correct. At 1.30 A.M. on 12th April we got orders
+ to march at 9 A.M., under General Chermside, who had taken over
+ the command of the Third Division from General Gatacre, towards
+ Dewetsdorp and Wepener, to the relief of the column at Wepener.
+ We reached Reddersburg that afternoon. The rain came on late
+ that evening, and literally flooded us out. Every officer and
+ man was up from midnight, running about trying to keep warm. We
+ had been without tents since 31st March, and are still without
+ them (17th May). On 14th April we moved forward again and
+ reached Rosendal, the scene of the recent disaster to the three
+ companies of the Royal Irish Rifles and Mounted Company of the
+ Northumberland Fusiliers. Graves, shells, cartridges, &c., here
+ showed the tough work they had had. We remained at Rosendal
+ waiting for the Eighth Division to come up until 19th, and had
+ a very wet time of it. We marched again on 19th towards
+ Dewetsdorp, about ten miles, when we went into bivouac. On 20th
+ we moved off at 6 A.M., and after marching some six or seven
+ miles we found the enemy in a position of very great strength
+ covering Dewetsdorp. Our mounted infantry and artillery drove
+ in the advanced posts, and we established ourselves on the
+ Wakkerstroom Hills, in front of the enemy's position. It was
+ then quite dark. We cooked our dinners as best we could, and
+ lay down and slept the sleep of the just. I forgot to say that
+ we found it very difficult to put out our outpost pickets in
+ the dark, and one unfortunate party, belonging to the
+ Worcestershire Regiment, actually walked into the enemy's lines
+ and were captured."
+
+The circumstances of the capture were these. A party of some twenty-five
+cooks and mates were carrying food to their comrades on the top of a
+hill. In climbing, dinner in hand, they sought an easy place of ascent,
+and while doing so, moved too far and found themselves practically in
+the Boers' arms. Another portion of this unlucky regiment, a few days
+later, was drawn up for "foot and arms" inspection, and while thus
+exposed made a target for the enemy, who promptly seized the opportunity
+and killed two and wounded four of the men. Continuing his story, the
+officer before quoted said:--
+
+ "At 6.15 A.M. on the 21st we were standing under arms, with
+ extra ammunition issued, awaiting orders, when, "boom," the
+ first gun had been fired, and the shell burst some 300 yards to
+ our left. To cut a long story short, the battalion remained in
+ reserve that day with the rest of the brigade, and also the
+ next day, but early on the 23rd we were moved up to the first
+ line. The battalion was on the right of a battery of artillery,
+ behind the crest of the hill on a gentle slope. Except for the
+ men in the trenches our position was unknown to the enemy, but
+ the mere fact of manning the trenches was sufficient to draw
+ fire, and in less than half-an-hour we had four of the men who
+ were with the main body of the battalion behind the brow hit.
+ The bullets flew all round us, and went "phut, phut" into the
+ ground at our feet, and it is strange that more did not find
+ resting-places in our bodies. In half-an-hour we had thrown up
+ parapets in front of each company, behind which the men were
+ safe, and we suffered no more casualties. All that day and the
+ next we remained in this position. It was most interesting
+ watching the shells as they burst amongst our trenches, around
+ the gunners, and over ourselves. The Boers had nine guns, and,
+ I believe, 5000 men. Amongst the guns was a quick-firer, a
+ 9-pounder Krupp gun, a high-velocity gun, and two pom-poms. The
+ last-named are unpleasant to the senses, but do little harm.
+ The noise of the discharge resembles in the distance the
+ knocking at a door, and the men constantly replied, 'Come in,'
+ cheery and fearless fellows that they are! On the early morning
+ of the 25th (?) we missed our usual awakener of guns and
+ pom-poms, and eventually we found the Boers had evacuated their
+ positions, and, alas! had escaped us and Generals French and
+ Hart. We at once pushed forward on to Dewetsdorp."
+
+After all the marching and turning and fighting and manoeuvring the
+knowing hordes had been able to steal off from every part of their
+horse-shoe position round Wepener entirely without chastisement! Here
+were five infantry and three cavalry brigades with more than seventy
+guns engaged in surrounding them, and yet they had succeeded in slipping
+through our fingers! Quite quietly, on the night of the 22nd, they had
+sent off their waggons; on the 23rd they had taken a parting kick at
+Wepener; and on the 24th they had retreated--"silently stolen away" to
+Ladybrand--while part of their force before Dewetsdorp, acting as a
+covering party, had retired on Thabanchu. That we were foiled and fooled
+may in a measure have been due to some tactical bungling, but certain
+it was that the Boers had superior advantages, for they were moving in a
+country entirely friendly to them, were well informed of all our
+intentions and movements, and were assisted in all their schemes by
+so-called farmers who, subtle and shifty, had comfortably surrendered
+the better to engage in covert operations which, while replenishing
+their pockets, did not imperil their skins! Moreover they escaped scot
+free, because Lord Roberts was not inclined to fritter more of his
+troops on side issues while the great object of the campaign, the
+seizure of Pretoria and the crippling of the Boers for prolonged
+military operations, was occupying his entire attention. The capture of
+De Wet's forces, or a part of them, was of secondary importance in
+comparison to the protection of railway communication with the sea base,
+and De Wet's minor successes, even when the disasters of Koorn Spruit
+and Reddersburg were counted among them, were not sufficient to frighten
+the Chief into a change of his larger strategical design.
+
+Pursuit being useless, General French sent General Brabazon to the
+relief of Wepener (which was already free), and he himself occupied
+Dewetsdorp. On the 25th, however, he received orders from Bloemfontein
+to chase the Boers to Thabanchu, which, at dawn, he proceeded to do,
+followed later by General Rundle and the Eighth Division. Meanwhile part
+of the Third Division under Chermside kept the Union Jack floating in
+Dewetsdorp and watched over the outlying districts. General Pole-Carew,
+his work in the south done, started for Bloemfontein to prepare for the
+main advance.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Then followed a glorious march into Wepener. Generals Hart and Brabant
+riding to Jammersberg Drift were cheered with enthusiasm, and the former
+General congratulated the defenders on their dogged pluck, and declared
+that the credit of the relief was due to General Brabant, "with whom it
+was an honour to serve." General Brabant, on his side, was loud in
+praise of the gallant Colonials, and of the assistance given him by the
+Cape Field Artillery, declaring that the very first time they came into
+action they saved him at a critical moment. His story merits repetition.
+He was advancing to the relief of Wepener, and had to take Bester's Kop,
+a very difficult position indeed, and he had to turn the position and
+leave his infantry supports a long way behind him and make a wide sweep
+round. In doing so his force came suddenly upon a body of the enemy
+within 190 yards of them. For a few minutes the enemy made it very warm.
+The General called up two guns under Lieutenant Janisch. He knew, he
+said, that Lieutenant Janisch's gunners had never been in action before,
+and in the circumstances he was a little doubtful as to how they would
+behave. But what did Lieutenant Janisch do? He at once set to work,
+and under a terrible fire, with shrapnel at 650 yards, and any man
+who knew what that meant, or who had seen it done as he had, would say
+that it was marvellously well done, with perfect coolness--with the
+coolness of veterans. In ten minutes Lieutenant Janisch had cleared the
+hillside. That, said the General, was a grand thing for men to do, men
+who, many of them, had never seen a shot fired in anger, and he had
+drawn the attention of the Commander-in-chief to the fact. There were no
+braver men in the service than the Royal Artillery, but the R.A. could
+not possibly have behaved better than the Cape Field Artillery did, and
+his only regret was that he could not get the other guns under Major
+Inglesby.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+ NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS
+ (Corporal)
+
+ DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
+ (Lance-Corporal)
+
+Photo by Gregory & Co., London]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+The Colonials afterwards proceeded to join General Rundle's force, as
+the enemy, to avoid being caught, was now "on the run." Flying
+north-eastward along the Ladybrand Road some three or four thousand of
+them went as fast as legs, equine and human, would carry them. They
+evacuated the kopjes near the waterworks, they bolted from the
+neighbourhood of Dewetsdorp, they rushed from Jammersberg Drift--in
+fact, as the jovial Colonials said, "the enemy conjugated the verb to
+skedaddle" from all positions in a masterly manner. They were getting
+good practice, but they began to fear that there were others who might
+learn to cut across country besides themselves.
+
+On the 28th General Brabazon, having completed his work at Wepener,
+moved _via_ Dewetsdorp on the way towards Thabanchu. As he was nearing
+this place he suddenly became aware that a British convoy had been
+caught in between the hills and was being briskly shelled by the Boers.
+Promptly he bribed a Kaffir to worm through the Boer lines and convey to
+the sturdy Yeomanry who were defending the convoy, the advice to hold on
+till he should advance to their aid. The message was delivered, and the
+Yeomanry stuck out manfully until, at dawn, the General and his Yeomanry
+came upon the scene. Thereupon the Boers, with their usual astuteness,
+made off, while rescuers and rescued alike pursued their way in triumph
+to Thabanchu.
+
+Soon Wepener was deserted. The British in that locality took refuge in
+Mafeteng, while the troops which had evacuated the place were sweeping
+up the Free State after the Federals. These "slimly" enough were getting
+away with herds, and stores, and guns without being caught in any very
+huge numbers. A large party of Free Staters had taken up a truculent
+position to the north of Thabanchu Mountain, for the purpose of
+protecting their fellows and covering the withdrawal of their waggon
+convoys from the south, and they succeeded in taking with them the
+twenty-five prisoners of the Worcesters, who had unwarily dropped into
+their clutches at Dewetsdorp. The Transvaalers, on the other hand, at
+the instance of President Kruger, were trekking towards the north in
+order to save their energies for coming operations across the Vaal, but
+they took good care before leaving to make themselves as obnoxious as
+possible to such farmers as had surrendered to the British Government.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+THE TENTACLES AT WORK
+
+We left General Ian Hamilton on April 22nd, starting from Bloemfontein
+to take possession of the waterworks at Sanna's Post. His force was
+composed of about 2000 Light Horse, Australians and Mounted Infantry,
+and one battery of Horse Artillery; but following him closely, as has
+been said, came the Ninth Division, consisting of Smith-Dorrien's and
+MacDonald's Brigades. On reaching the waterworks the General decided,
+after reconnoitring, that they were but weakly held, and proceeded to
+attack the enemy, drive him into the distant hills, and recapture the
+waterworks and the drift over the river. The enemy had removed the
+eccentrics from the waterworks, thinking to paralyse British operations
+for a month or two, but it soon became evident that the mechanists in
+Bloemfontein were prepared to manufacture new ones at short notice. The
+drift was occupied on the 24th, and the enemy, for reasons above
+mentioned, made his way to a formidable position behind Thabanchu,
+whither it was decided he must be chased, and speedily.
+
+On the same day 800 Boers were found at Israel's Poort, some seven miles
+from Thabanchu. Their demeanour was aggressive. They were posted on a
+semicircle of small kopjes, carefully entrenched and protected by two
+guns and barbed-wire entanglements. General Ian Hamilton decided that
+the Dutchmen must be removed, and removed they were, mainly by the
+gallantry of the Canadians and the Shropshires, supported by the
+Grahamstown Horse. With remarkable celerity the hills were cleared and
+the Boers driven off. The Canadians, commanded by Colonel Otter,
+approached by clever successive rushes to the foot of the kopjes before
+the Boers opened fire. Then, in the midst of a sharp volley from the
+enemy they came on the barbed-wire entanglements, but, undaunted, cut or
+cleared them, and with a gallant rush ascended the hill. With great
+ingenuity they took whatever cover they could, while from above, the
+storm from the hostile Mausers--which during the engagement had doubled
+in number--grew hotter and hotter. Colonel Otter was struck in the neck,
+but pursued his way, cheering on his gallant men. Presently another
+bullet found him out; tore from his shoulder its badge, but did no
+further damage. Still up they all went, with a glorious, an inspiriting
+yell, which apparently sent the Federals scudding into space. The crest
+of the hill was now the property of the Canadians and the Grahamstown
+Volunteers, who unfortunately lost a valuable officer--Captain Gethin.
+The Canadian losses were not so heavy as might have been expected, owing
+to the skill with which their advance was arranged and carried out; but
+the splendid turning movement was not without cost to others. During the
+fight Major Marshall (Grahamstown Mounted Rifles) was severely wounded,
+and also Lieutenants Murray, Winnery, Barry, Hill, and Rawal. Colonel
+Otter (Canadian Regiment), as has been said, was only slightly injured.
+The same night General Hamilton occupied Thabanchu.
+
+On the 25th General French, as we know, had received orders from
+head-quarters to pursue the enemy in his retreat northwards to
+Thabanchu. Here the cavalry, covering Rundle's advance, arrived at
+midday on Friday the 27th to find General Ian Hamilton engaged with a
+horde of Boers temporarily routed, but holding a threatening position to
+the east of the place. An effort was made to dislodge the Dutchmen
+entirely. Cavalry and Mounted Infantry were sent to either flank, while
+the infantry advanced in front. But the mounted force was small, and
+moreover dreadfully fatigued (they having endured considerable
+hardships--half-rations among them--in the hurried march to Thabanchu),
+while the Boer position, as usual, was extensive, and therefore the
+cavalry was recalled. The Boers followed up the retirement with great
+skill, pressing so closely on the troops as to cause considerable
+anxiety, particularly for the safety of Kitchener's Horse, which did not
+get clear away till midnight. It was evident that the foe was bent on
+making valiant and despairing efforts to arrest the progress of the
+troops towards the east. From this part of the Orange Free State, in the
+neighbourhood of Ladybrand and Ficksburg, they drew their corn and other
+supplies, and these they were determined not to relinquish without a
+struggle.
+
+During the day's engagement Lieutenant Geary, Hampshire Regiment, was
+killed, and Captain Warren, of Kitchener's Horse, was severely wounded.
+
+Meanwhile General Rundle with the Eighth Division had arrived from
+Dewetsdorp. The advance of Generals Rundle and Chermside towards the
+north had had the effect of a vast sweeping machine. The country south
+and east had gradually been scoured of the enemy, with the result that
+he was gathered--and very cleverly gathered!--in a heap in the hills
+around Thabanchu. Some of the Transvaalers, however, were returning to
+their farms, while others were scuttling across country, retiring "the
+better to jump," as the French would say.
+
+General Pole-Carew's march and prompt measures were also producing
+excellent effects, and helping to correct the misunderstandings created
+in the ignorant mind by British leniency. Till now the Boers had not
+been taught that there was necessity for honour even among foes, but now
+the General took drastic measures to show burghers on whose farms he
+found rifles that British "magnanimity" was not without its limits.
+Wherever these turncoats were found their horses and cattle were
+captured, their meal and provisions destroyed or carried off. In this
+way the delinquents were punished, and the Federal Army was crippled in
+the matter of supplies. Generals Pole-Carew and Stephenson, in
+conjunction with General Rundle's advance, and acting on information
+from the Intelligence Department, had made a round of certain farms in
+the district of Leeuw Kop, and everywhere propagated their wholesome
+lesson. The women and children, however, were treated with great
+consideration. There were, of course, tragic moments with these
+weaklings, whose notions of morality in the art of war were nil. All
+that interested them was to preserve their homesteads, and sell at as
+profitable rates as possible their goods to the first British buyer who
+had money in his pocket. They saw no sin in declaring they had no
+concealed ammunition when the place was stocked with it, or in handing
+out a few disabled rifles and burying the better ones for use "on a
+rainy day." Only when General Pole-Carew insisted that the Boers should
+give up with their Mausers a reasonable amount of ammunition, on pain of
+being seized as prisoners of war, were Mausers and ammunition in plenty
+forthcoming. There was now no doubt that these prompt measures helped to
+clear the military situation with astonishing rapidity. A typical
+conversation which conveyed a world of instruction took place during one
+of General Pole-Carew's invasions. A young Transvaal prisoner, who was
+standing among the confiscated goods from many farms, was questioned how
+long he thought the war would last. He cast a rueful glance at the
+commandeered effects, and said, "Not long, if this continues!" General
+Pole-Carew could have had no greater compliment to his acumen in dealing
+with what for more than a month past had been a perplexing problem!
+
+So far, things were progressing favourably. At Bloemfontein there had
+been some fear of a water famine, but the recent rains had beneficently
+filled the dams, and good drinking-water was obtained by boring. The
+repairs of the damage done by the Boers to the waterworks went on apace,
+and at the same time arrangements for the general advance northwards
+were approaching completion. It was decided that the task of continuing
+the sweeping operations in the south-eastern corner of the Free State
+should be assigned to General Sir Leslie Rundle, and to this end he was
+to be left at Thabanchu in command of the Eighth Division, plus some 800
+Imperial Yeomanry under General Brabazon, while Generals French and
+Hamilton proceeded north.
+
+Thabanchu, on account of its strategical importance, both in view of its
+proximity to Bloemfontein and of checking further raids, the British
+determined to hold, and hold firmly, for the future. Accordingly at dawn
+on the 28th General French directed a great movement for the purpose of
+entirely routing the Boers from its neighbourhood. This was easier in
+conception than accomplishment. General Gordon's Cavalry Brigade moved
+round the left, the Mounted Infantry with General Smith-Dorrien's
+Infantry Brigade assailed the right, while General Rundle's somewhat
+worn-out division held the front of the enemy's position. The Boer left
+was so strong that General Gordon had to content himself with merely
+hammering at it, but the Boer right crumbled away before General
+Hamilton's advance, and opened a road for General Dickson's Cavalry
+Brigade, which, once having dashed through, sent the Boers scampering
+like goats from ridge to ridge. In a few moments it seemed that, with
+the British in the rear of their hill, the Dutchmen would be enclosed.
+Quickly came General Hamilton with such troops as he could muster to
+effect this desired consummation; but more quickly still, and with
+surprising regularity and precision, the Boer hordes, moving with such
+discipline as to be mistaken for a British mounted brigade, marched off
+to the north-east, while others of their huge numbers returned in force,
+harassed General Dickson's left and rear, and forced him in his turn
+quickly to retire. Thus ended a laudable effort.
+
+[Illustration: KENT COTTAGE, CRONJE'S QUARTERS IN ST. HELENA.]
+
+The operations around Thabanchu and Ladybrand had therefore to be
+briskly continued, for at this time General Rundle stood in hourly
+danger of being invested, and General French with his flying warriors in
+a region of hill and dale was somewhat handicapped in his ability to
+help him. Still he kept a magnetic eye on the enemy which served to hold
+him, while General Ian Hamilton, moving on the left, prepared if
+possible to proceed forwards and join the main advance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE GREAT ADVANCE[4]
+
+
+The evil effects of British leniency became still more evident. A
+hostile society had been organised in Bloemfontein for the purpose of
+communicating with the enemy and arming surreptitiously at the
+neighbouring farms. Spies carried news of the British movements, and
+messengers came in and out under pretext of bringing their goods to
+market. In short, it was discovered that the outlying farmers were
+developing into secret-service agents, and were, moreover, lending
+themselves to the atrocious practice of flying white flags for the
+purpose of firing at short ranges at unwary patrols. It was found
+necessary to meet such duplicity with stern reprisals, and following the
+example set by Moltke in '71, when it was incumbent on him to protect
+his communications from _franc-tireurs_, it was decided that strongest
+measures must be resorted to to prevent abuse of confidence in the
+future. Lord Roberts had tried magnanimity and it had failed. He now
+determined that a severe course must be adopted by which offenders in
+future might be made to suffer for acts of duplicity in property and in
+person. Accordingly, no one was permitted to pass in and out of
+Bloemfontein, the enemy was deprived of their horses in order that their
+activity in despatch riding might be limited, and the discovery of
+hidden cartridges or suspicious documents were in future to be looked
+upon as sufficient to convict. Various residents in the town were tried
+on charges of concealing arms and ammunition, and sentenced to a year's
+imprisonment respectively, while their property was confiscated. These
+examples were productive of almost instantaneous good result, for
+unprecedented supplies were pouring into Bloemfontein. General
+Pole-Carew, who returned to the capital on the 29th of April, had done
+wonderful work in correcting the abuses that early leniency had brought
+about. Wherever farmers who had made their submission were discovered to
+be again fighting, their property had been confiscated. Forage had been
+taken and receipts given as a rule, thus preventing the surrounding
+farms from becoming depôts for the enemy. Such precautions adopted
+earlier would have averted many bloody tussles and much inconvenience
+and loss of time, for _sans_ forage the raiding capabilities of the
+various commandos would have been sorely handicapped.
+
+However, even chieftains may live and learn, and Lord Roberts applied
+himself quickly to the lesson that was forced on him by the ingratitude
+of the conquered. At the same time the last strokes were being put to
+the preparations for the great onward march. The regiments were
+exchanging their tattered and battered cotton khaki for woollen suits,
+wherewith to meet the change of season, and their soleless boots were
+being replaced by new ones. All this transmogrification was not to be
+accomplished in haste, for the same reason that made it impossible to
+bring up necessaries for the hospital. The line of rail was groaning
+with the enormous bulk of provisions needful to sustain the bare life of
+the force, and consequently such matters as raiment and equipment had to
+take a secondary place among the urgent needs of the moment. General
+Pole-Carew's Division, after a hard bout of fighting, no sooner returned
+than it made ready to engage in the pending operations.
+
+The day being Sunday (the 29th), the Field-Marshal, accompanied by Lady
+Roberts and their daughter, attended divine service at the Cathedral, a
+last family reunion previous to setting off on the unknown--the great
+march to Pretoria. At that time none could guess what form of resistance
+the burghers of Johannesburg and Pretoria might take it into their heads
+to offer, and fearful threats to stagger humanity by blowing up the
+mines and committing various other acts of barbarism were bruited
+abroad.
+
+Fever still raged in the town, and as many as 3000 patients were said to
+be in hospital. The outburst of sickness, due in the first instance to
+the polluted conditions surrounding Cronje's camp at Paardeberg, was
+accelerated by the lack of water after the affair at Koorn Spruit, when
+the triumphant Boers captured and disabled the waterworks and deprived
+the town of pure water, leaving the population dependent for
+drinking-water on wells which, in many cases, were merely sinks of
+abomination.
+
+Nevertheless, the red business of war had to be pursued at all costs,
+and May Day was kept in martial manner. With dawn came the music of
+bands innumerable and inspiriting, and the mighty clangour of armed men,
+of clamping steeds, of rolling waggons. Pole-Carew and his division were
+starting for Karee Siding, _en route_ for the great, it was hoped, the
+final move! In the market-square, to watch the march past of the brigade
+of goodly Guardsman, of stalwart Welsh, Warwick, Essex, and York
+regiments, stood Lord Roberts, Lady Roberts, and their daughter. It was
+a grand though workmanly spectacle, the bearded veterans in their
+woollen khaki being laden with blankets, macintoshes, haversacks, and in
+some cases, countrymen's bandanna bundles stocked with good things.
+Though this may be looked on as the beginning of the general exodus, the
+Chief himself did not move till later.
+
+[Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL IAN HAMILTON
+
+Photo by Johnston & Hoffmann, Simla]
+
+Before starting off Lord Roberts made elaborate arrangements for
+simultaneous movement in other parts of the theatre of war. Wepener
+relieved, Hart's Brigade was sent to join Barton's at Kimberley. At that
+place there was therefore the complete Tenth Division under General
+Hunter, and Lord Methuen's redistributed division comprising the
+brigades under Generals Douglas and Paget. Elsewhere, wheel was arranged
+to move within wheel.
+
+Lord Roberts's programme seemed simple enough--on paper. He, with a
+portion of his army, the Seventh and Eleventh Divisions, intended to
+advance with speed and on the broadest front possible, hugging the
+railway line (astride which the Boer positions were sure to be found),
+till he should have reached the capital of the Transvaal and struck a
+blow which should destroy the arrogant hopes of President Kruger and
+demonstrate to the Boers the futility of further resistance. At the same
+time, on the east of the line, a strong detachment was to keep an eye on
+the hovering hordes of Dutchmen which still lingered there, while
+further still, Sir Redvers Buller was to advance along the railway from
+Ladysmith, and if possible to join hands with the main army later on
+during the operations. Simultaneously, on the west, the relief of
+Mafeking was to be attempted by a flying column, while both Hunter's and
+Methuen's divisions in support acted in concert, and further held
+themselves in readiness to advance and join in the general operations
+should occasion demand.
+
+The main army, consisting of the Seventh and Eleventh Divisions, was to
+march, as said, on the broadest possible front; the left wing--the
+cavalry under General French--to proceed in advance over the open
+country; while the right wing, also in advance, commanded by General Ian
+Hamilton, was to perform a sweeping movement throughout the Boer-haunted
+regions along the Winburg, Ventersburg, and Kroonstadt roads, and
+threaten in turn the defensive positions of the foe, forcing them
+everywhere to choose between investment or retreat.
+
+The troops acting in concert with Lord Roberts in his second great
+advance were distributed as follows:--
+
+
+_Commanding-in-chief_--FIELD-MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS.
+
+SEVENTH DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General G. TUCKER.
+
+ 14th Brigade (Major-General J. G. Maxwell).
+
+ 2nd Norfolk.
+ 2nd Lincoln.
+ 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers.
+ 2nd Hants.
+
+ 15th Brigade (Major-General A. G. Wavell).
+
+ 2nd Cheshire.
+ 1st East Lancashire.
+ 2nd South Wales Borderers.
+ 2nd North Stafford.
+
+ 18th, 62nd, 75th Field Batteries.
+ 9th Company Royal Engineers.
+
+NINTH DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General Sir H. E. COLVILLE.
+
+(Temporarily broken up.)
+
+ 3rd Brigade (Major-General H. A. MacDonald).
+
+ 1st Argyll and Sutherland.
+ 2nd Seaforth Highlanders.
+ 2nd Royal Highlanders (Black Watch).
+
+ELEVENTH DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General R. POLE-CAREW.
+
+ 1st Brigade (Major-General Inigo R. Jones).
+
+ 3rd Grenadier Guards.
+ 1st Coldstream Guards.
+ 2nd Coldstream Guards.
+ 1st Scots Guards.
+
+ 18th Brigade (Major-General T. E. Stephenson).
+
+ 1st Essex.
+ 1st Yorkshire.
+ 1st Welsh.
+ 2nd Royal Warwickshire.
+
+ 83rd, 84th, and 85th Field Batteries.
+
+
+CAVALRY DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General J. D. P. FRENCH.
+
+ 1st Brigade (Brigadier-General T. C. Porter).
+
+ 6th Dragoon Guards.
+ 6th Dragoons.
+ 2nd Dragoons.
+
+ 2nd Brigade (Brigadier-General R. G. Broadwood).
+
+ 10th Hussars.
+ 12th Lancers.
+ Household Cavalry.
+
+ 3rd Brigade (Brigadier-General J. R. P. Gordon).
+
+ 9th Lancers.
+ 16th Lancers.
+ 17th Lancers.
+
+ 4th Brigade (Major-General J. B. B. Dickson).
+
+ 7th Dragoon Guards.
+ 8th Hussars.
+ 14th Hussars.
+
+ G, J, O, P, Q, R, T, U Batteries Horse Artillery.
+
+MOUNTED INFANTRY DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General IAN HAMILTON.
+
+ 1st Brigade (Major-General E. T. H. Hutton).
+
+ 1st Corps (Colonel E. A. H. Alderson).
+
+ 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles.
+ 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles.
+ Lord Strathcona's Corps.
+ One Battalion Imperial Mounted Infantry.
+
+ 2nd Corps (Colonel de Lisle).
+
+ New South Wales Mounted Infantry.
+ West Australian Mounted Infantry.
+
+ 3rd Corps (Colonel T. D. Pilcher).
+
+ Queensland Mounted Infantry.
+ New Zealand Mounted Infantry.
+ One Battalion Imperial Mounted Infantry.
+
+ 4th Corps (Colonel Henry).
+
+ Victorian Mounted Infantry.
+ South Australian Mounted Infantry.
+ Tasmanian Mounted Infantry.
+ One Battalion Imperial Mounted Infantry.
+
+ 2nd Brigade (Major-General Ridley).
+
+ South African Irregulars Mounted Infantry.
+ Several Batteries Artillery.
+
+INFANTRY DIVISION.
+
+(Temporarily attached to Mounted Infantry Division.)
+
+Major-General H. L. Smith-Dorrien.
+
+ 19th Brigade (Colonel J. Spens).
+
+ 2nd Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
+ 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry.
+ 1st Gordon Highlanders.
+ Canadian Regiment.
+
+ 21st Brigade (Major-General Bruce Hamilton).
+
+ 1st Derbyshire.
+ 1st Royal Sussex.
+ 1st Cameron Highlanders.
+ City Imperial Volunteers.
+
+EIGHTH DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General Sir H. M. L. RUNDLE.
+
+ 16th Brigade (Major-General B. B. D. Campbell).
+
+ 2nd Grenadier Guards.
+ 2nd Scots Guards.
+ 2nd East Yorks.
+ 1st Leinster.
+
+ 17th Brigade (Major-General J. E. Boyes).
+
+ 1st Worcester.
+ 2nd Royal West Kent.
+ 1st South Stafford.
+ 2nd Manchester.
+
+ Brigade Division Royal Field Artillery.
+ 5th Company Royal Engineers.
+
+THIRD DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General Sir H. G. CHERMSIDE.
+
+ 22nd Brigade (Major-General R. E. Allen).
+
+ 2nd Royal Irish Rifles.
+ 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers.
+ 1st Royal Scots.
+ 2nd Berkshire.
+
+ 23rd Brigade (Major-General W. G. Knox).
+
+ (Composition not known.)
+
+ 74th, 77th, and 79th Field Batteries.
+
+
+COLONIAL DIVISION.
+
+Major-General BRABANT.
+
+ Cape Mounted Rifles.
+ Kaffrarian Mounted Rifles.
+ Montmorency's Scouts (200).
+ Brabant's Horse (1200).
+ Border Horse.
+ Frontier Mounted Rifles.
+ Queenstown Volunteers.
+ Cape Garrison Artillery.
+ Two naval 12-pounders.
+
+
+SIXTH DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General T. KELLY-KENNY.
+
+ 12th Brigade (Major-General Clements).
+
+ 2nd Worcestershire.
+ 2nd Bedfordshire.
+ 2nd Wiltshire.
+ 1st Royal Irish Regiment.
+
+ 13th Brigade (Major-General C. E. Knox).
+
+ 2nd East Kent.
+ 1st Oxfordshire Light Infantry.
+ 1st West Riding.
+ 2nd Gloucester.
+
+ 76th, 81st, and 82nd Field Batteries.
+ 38th Company Royal Engineers.
+
+
+OTHER TROOPS WITH LORD ROBERTS.
+
+(Brigades not known.)
+
+ Highland Light Infantry.
+ 1st Suffolk.
+ Roberts's Horse.
+ Kitchener's Horse.
+ Marshall's Horse (Grahamstown Volunteers).
+ 1st Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.
+ 4th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.
+ 7th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.
+ 8th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.
+ 11th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.
+ C.I.V. Mounted Infantry.
+ Ceylon Mounted Infantry.
+ Lumsden's Horse.
+ Lord Loch's Horse.
+
+ 43rd, 65th, 86th, and 87th Howitzer Batteries.
+ 2nd, 5th, 8th, 9th, 17th, 38th, 39th, 68th, and 88th Field Batteries.
+ Eight naval 4.7-in. guns.
+ Part of Siege Train.
+
+The advance may be said really to have commenced on the 30th of April,
+with the departure on the one hand of General Ian Hamilton from
+Thabanchu, followed rapidly on the other by General French. The
+Field-Marshal, as stated, did not move for a day or two later. When he
+did so, events succeeded each other with the precision of clockwork. The
+hundred and twenty miles from Bloemfontein to Kroonstadt was
+accomplished in a fortnight, and may be described as an almost bloodless
+progress. Many glorious deeds were done, and some lives were lost; but
+this march must be looked on as a whole, and not viewed in detail. There
+were at least no decisive battles. Every step, marvellously organised
+and magnificently carried out, became a development of the pushing-on
+system by a species of skilfully devised military pressure from all
+parts. The enemy was driven from point to point, now fighting, now
+retreating, destroying water-tanks and pumping adjuncts, blowing up
+bridges and twisting rails, as a natural consequence of his spite; while
+the British, sprayed out over the country, made an almost triumphal
+progress, routing the enemy from every stronghold, and capturing waggons
+and prisoners by the way.
+
+Brandfort, whither the Boers had departed after the battle of Karree,
+was occupied by Lord Roberts on the 3rd of May, the Boers, under General
+Delarey, vacating their strongholds south of the town and retreating
+towards the north-east. Brandfort is merely a village situated some
+thirty-six miles north of Bloemfontein, and owes its importance to the
+fact that it is situated on the direct road to Kroonstadt.
+
+A reconnaissance was made there some four days previous to the advance,
+when a grievous though heroical incident took place, which cannot be
+overlooked, as it serves to show the stuff of which the men of Lumsden's
+Horse were made. Some twenty-five of the Behar Section, who were holding
+a detached kopje during the reconnaissance, were surrounded and fired on
+in their isolated position by some 200 Boers. The officer commanding
+(Lieutenant Crane) was almost instantly wounded, so also was
+Sergeant-Major Marsham. Two gallant troopers, Case and Firth, though
+well aware that they were outnumbered and that surrender in the
+circumstances would be justifiable, refused to desert their officer,
+though ordered by him to do so, and continued valiantly to fire till
+they themselves dropped dead, a sacrifice to their own gallantry. Nor
+were the rest of the band less remarkable for "grit," for out of the
+small number holding the kopje nine were wounded and five killed! It was
+hoped on the arrival of the army at Brandfort that the wounded prisoners
+might be recovered, but it was afterwards found that the Boers had
+removed them.
+
+To return to the main advance. The town was occupied without serious
+opposition, as the Dutch hosts, some 4000 of them, who had declared
+their intention of fighting to the bitter end, simply melted away under
+pressure of the cleverly combined movement. The force had been preceded
+overnight by two battalions of Guards, who were deputed to hold a
+menacing kopje, which mounted guard over a spruit, known to be a
+favourable harbourage for the enemy. As a natural consequence of this
+skilful preparation, the Boers were forced to resign their comfortable
+hiding-place, and the army was enabled to advance in safety. The 1st
+Brigade of Mounted Infantry (Hutton) covered the left flank, and 14th
+Brigade of the Seventh Division (Maxwell) supported by the 15th Brigade
+(Wavell) covered the right flank. General Pole-Carew's Division marched
+in the centre, General Inigo Jones on the right, and General Stephenson
+on the left.
+
+General Maxwell encountered the enemy, who, posted in a good position,
+attacked him with two guns, which eventually were silenced by the
+British artillery. He then succeeded in sending the whole of the eastern
+force scudding towards the north, while General Hutton on his side,
+making an unusual detour, and assisted by No. 9 Field Battery and
+Colonel Alderson with his smart Colonials, prepared a little surprise,
+and contrived so to pound and harass the enemy on the hill commanding
+the town, that their valour, chastened by discretion and shrapnel,
+subsided, and they scurried away across the plains, thus leaving the
+coast clear. Several prisoners were captured, among them the commandant
+of the town, who had returned there for the purpose of destroying the
+instruments at the telegraph office. Among the defending force was the
+Irish-American Contingent, a riotous crew, who, according to the
+townsfolk, must have been to the Boers more bother than they were worth.
+During the engagement Captain Williams (2nd Hampshire Regiment) was
+wounded.
+
+On the 4th, the Mounted Infantry, under General Hutton, covering a front
+of ten miles, proceeded on their way, reconnoitred up to the Vet River,
+and meanwhile cleared the rail of such Boer stragglers as happened to be
+hanging about, as far as Eensgevonden, where they bivouacked. They were
+followed the next day by the rest of the force, all branches of which
+had been in communication by heliograph.
+
+At dawn on the 5th, the river was found by the West Australians to be
+held by the enemy. The guns advanced, and a fierce artillery duel
+followed, in which the 84th and 85th Batteries had some exciting
+experiences, and escaped as by a miracle without injury. Later on, two
+naval 12-pounders assisted them, and there was warm work till sunset,
+the Boers on the opposite bank fighting with rare obstinacy, and only
+desisting occasionally the better to leap to the attack. Meanwhile on
+the left, the sound of General Hutton's further operations could be
+heard. Having endeavoured to find a drift to the west, this officer
+encountered the enemy in possession, and was greeted by a duet from a
+hostile Maxim and a pom-pom. This presently developed into a quartet,
+the British galloping Maxim and a pom-pom taking so prominent a part
+that presently the Boers, concealed in the bed of the river, began to
+feel uncomfortable. News had come in to the Chief at mid-day that the
+enemy meant to hold the Vet River, and was there located with the
+necessary equipment of field-guns and Mausers, and that he was already
+in touch with Hutton's Brigade on the left. The army, taking advantage
+of such daylight as remained, moved on, and presently, across the river,
+and on the distant hills, blue-grey smoke in panting puffs bespoke the
+activities of the Colonials. To their assistance went naval guns, great
+and small, carrying messages of fuming green horror to the other side of
+the water. While this was taking place the Canadians and Tasmanians were
+grandly fighting their way across the river, and the gallant New
+Zealanders, taking their share, plunged into the midst of the Boers and
+scattered them from a kopje they were holding, themselves paying dearly
+the penalty of triumph. They were afterwards supported by two companies
+of the Guards. The Dutchmen eventually were routed from their positions
+south of the river, and General Hutton succeeded in turning the enemy's
+right, and establishing himself the next day on the north bank. The only
+officer wounded in General Pole-Carew's Division was Lieutenant the
+Hon. M. Parker, Grenadier Guards. General Hutton's operations had been
+entirely successful, some forty Boers had been put out of action, twelve
+prisoners and a Maxim were captured with comparatively small loss to the
+entire force. The Boer horde, which had left its position by the river,
+now congregated some ten miles off, with a view to the protection of the
+main body of the foe, who were falling back on Kroonstadt.
+
+The turning movement was declared to be an admirable feat, executed
+admirably by the Canadians, New South Wales, New Zealand Rifles, and the
+Queensland Mounted Infantry, whose dash and daring were much eulogised.
+The first phase of the general advance was promising well. Lord Roberts,
+according to his plan, had cleared and engaged the south-eastern
+districts with such celerity that the enemy had not been given breathing
+time to concentrate in front of the advancing force. On the 6th the
+British Army crossed the Vet River and encamped at Smaldeel Junction,
+where many of the Dutchmen, confessing themselves sick of the war,
+surrendered. The rest of the enemy was in swift retreat in the direction
+of Zand River and Kroonstadt, where it was thought they would make a
+final stand. They took care, however, to damage the rail. Rackarock,
+placed at intervals on the line, was discovered by a Westralian Mounted
+Infantryman. The force captured a Maxim gun and twenty-five prisoners.
+Meanwhile, General Ian Hamilton had occupied Winburg. But of his march
+anon. The following days, the 7th and 8th, there was a halt for two
+days. The object of the halt was to enable the cavalry to return from
+Bloemfontein, and take its place in the original combined scheme of
+operations as described, and also to allow of the completion of certain
+necessary work on the railway. On the 8th, General French with his
+cavalry, forming the left wing of the advancing army, reached Smaldeel.
+It was doubtful whether the Federals intended to dispute the passage of
+the Zand River, but Hutton to right and Broadwood to left reconnoitred,
+and it was found that both Delarey and Botha, with some sixteen guns
+between them, were posted on the north bank in the direct line of the
+main advance, and therefore the British troops might prepare for stiff
+work.
+
+Reports now came in that the enemy was hurrying back from the Zand to
+the Vaal though some of the burghers, the Free State ones, remained and
+delivered up rifles and horses to the British authorities. They had
+decided to break with the Transvaalers on the border of their territory.
+While the halt was taking place, there was activity elsewhere. A strong
+force from Chermside's Division, on the 3rd, had garrisoned Wepener
+under Lord Castletown, who was appointed Commissioner for the Wepener
+district, and General Brabant's Colonial Division had moved to
+Thabanchu, where it arrived on the 7th. On the 9th, Lord Roberts drew
+in his right column, and concentrated his whole force in the
+neighbourhood of Welgelegen, some seven miles south of the Zand River.
+The march of General Ian Hamilton to this point now claims attention.
+
+
+FROM THABANCHU TO WINBURG AND WELGELEGEN
+
+(GENERAL IAN HAMILTON)
+
+On the 30th of April General Ian Hamilton was marching north with a view
+to making his way to Winburg _via_ the Jacobsrust Road. His force
+consisted of cavalry, including Broadwood's mounted infantry,
+Smith-Dorrien's, Bruce Hamilton's, and Ridley's commands. His progress
+was blocked by Botha, who, having been driven northward from Thabanchu,
+now turned at bay and planted himself firmly on Thaba Mountain, and
+across the road towards Houtnek. The centre and left of his position
+seemed almost impregnable, therefore the right, as the weakest point,
+was chosen for attack. The mounted infantry made for the stronghold, and
+Smith-Dorrien, with part of his brigade, followed in support--all the
+troops pushing their way towards the objective under the ferocious fire
+of the foe. The Boers, seeing the designs of the British, made valiant
+efforts to retain the hill, and continual reinforcements came to their
+aid, rendering the task of our advancing troops more and more dangerous.
+At this time, the fight growing momentarily warmer, and the struggle for
+possession of the vantage point more and more intense, Captain Towse
+(Gordon Highlanders) with twelve of his men and a few of Kitchener's
+Horse managed to gain the top, but in so doing suddenly found himself
+and his diminutive band removed from support. At this critical juncture
+a party of some 150 Boers approached, intending also to seize the
+plateau occupied by the small band of Scotsmen, and came within 100
+yards of the Highlanders without either observing them or being observed
+by them. But, no sooner were the Dutchmen aware of the existence of the
+British, and of their small number and their apparent helplessness, than
+they promptly called on them to surrender. "Surrender?" cried Captain
+Towse in a voice of thunder, and instantly ordered his men to open fire!
+The blood of Scotland was up. The command was quickly obeyed, and the
+lion-hearted little band not only fired, but led by their splendid
+officer charged fiercely with the bayonet straight into the thick mass
+of Dutchmen. A moment of uproar, of amazement, and then--flying heels.
+The valorous Highlanders had succeeded, despite their inferior numbers,
+in driving off the hostile horde and taking possession of the plateau!
+But, unfortunately, the magnificent daring of the commanding officer had
+cost him almost more than life. A shot across the eyes shattered them,
+blinding him, and thus depriving her Majesty's Service of one of its
+noblest ornaments.
+
+But the great work was accomplished--and the summit of the hill was
+gained and kept. The Dutchmen elsewhere, in vast masses, were fighting
+hard with guns and pom-poms, and at close of day had assumed so
+threatening an attitude that General French was telegraphed for, and the
+troops were ordered to sleep on the ground they had gained, and prepare
+to renew the attack at dawn. General French arrived from Thabanchu the
+same night, and next morning (the 1st of May) hostilities were resumed.
+
+Again the enemy, led by Botha, fought doggedly, even brilliantly, but
+the troops, after some warm fighting, succeeded in routing him and
+forcing a passage to the north. In the operations General Hamilton was
+assisted by Broadwood's brigade of cavalry and the 8th Hussars under
+Colonel Clowes, whose gallantry helped to harass the enemy's rear and
+forced them eventually to evacuate their position. Bruce Hamilton's
+brigade of infantry also did excellent work. The final stroke to the
+enemy's rout was effected by the Gordons and Canadians, and two
+companies of the Shropshire Light Infantry. These came within 200 yards
+of the foe, and with a ringing cheer launched themselves boldly at the
+Dutchmen's front--so boldly, so dashingly indeed, that at the sheer hint
+of the coming collision the Boers had scampered. Promptly the 8th
+Hussars charged into the flying fugitives, and forty prisoners were
+"bagged." Guns were then galloped on the evacuated position and shells
+were sent after the dispersing hordes.
+
+The enemy lost twelve killed and forty wounded. Among the former was a
+German officer and two Frenchmen, and among the latter a Russian who
+commanded the Foreign Legion. The British wounded were Captain Lord
+Kensington, Household Cavalry; Major H. Alexander, 10th Hussars; Captain
+A. Hart, 1st East Surrey Regiment; Captain Buckle, 2nd Royal West Kent.
+Captain Cheyne, Kitchener's Horse, was missing.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+ WEST SURREY
+ (Adjutant)
+
+ EAST SURREY
+ (Sergeant-Major)
+
+Photo by Gregory & Co., London]
+
+On the 2nd, after the dashing assault of the Thaba plateau and defeat of
+the Boers, a day's halt was ordered at Jacobsrust, as General Hamilton's
+force had been incessantly fighting for over ten days. Lord Roberts's
+plan in the Free State was now nearly complete. His proposition was to
+hold with an adequate force the whole of the front from left to
+right--from Karee Siding, Krantz Kraal, Springfield, the Waterworks,
+Thabanchu, Leeuw River Mills, and Ladybrand--thus pressing the Boers
+steadily up and up, till resistance should be pushed to the narrowest
+limits. Fighting here and there continued, but the sweeping process
+preparatory to the great forward move was being very thoroughly
+accomplished. Reinforcements now arrived, and General Hamilton's force,
+which in reference to Lord Roberts's advance took its place as the
+army of the right flank, was composed as follows:--
+
+ Infantry {19th Brigade } Smith-Dorrien.
+ {21st Brigade } Bruce Hamilton.
+
+ Cavalry 2nd Cavalry Brigade Broadwood.
+
+ { 3 Batteries F.A. }
+ Artillery { 2 Batteries H.A. } Waldron.
+ { 2 5-in. Guns }
+
+On the 4th the enemy, ubiquitous, were found again in great numbers at
+Roelofsfontein. They formed a barrier to the onward passage of the
+troops, and approaching them with a view to strengthening that barrier
+came more Boers fleeing from Brandfort. There was no time to be lost,
+so, with prodigious haste General Broadwood with two squadrons of Guards
+Cavalry and two of the 10th Hussars galloped to the scene, and threw a
+formidable wedge between the allies. Thereupon such Boers as were
+hastening to fill the gap came into collision with the cavalry. These,
+supported by Kitchener's Horse, who had dashed nimbly into the fray,
+succeeded in defeating the Dutchmen and forcing them back discomfited.
+Their neatly arranged plan of campaign had failed, and realising the
+impossibility of joining forces, the Boers set spurs to their horses and
+made for the drift, speeded in their mad career by shells from the
+batteries of the Horse Artillery. But the brilliant cavalry feat was
+costly. Lord Airlie, whose dash and daring had continually almost
+approached recklessness, was injured, so also was Lieutenant the Hon. C.
+H. Wyndham, while Lieutenant Rose (Royal Horse Guards), the gallant
+A.D.C. to the late General Symons, was mortally wounded. The unfortunate
+officer was felled with many bullets from some sharpshooters who were
+marking the crest of the ridge held by the British. Most of the losses
+were sustained by the cavalry, whose splendid action saved much time and
+possibly many fierce engagements on the line of march.
+
+A Scots colonist who owned an estate near Winburg, which had the
+misfortune to be situated in the very midst of the belligerents, gave an
+interesting account of the days directly preceding the occupation of
+Winburg, when a series of conflicts had been taking place along the road
+from Thabanchu. From the 2nd of May and onwards small parties of fleeing
+Boers and German free-lances had been seen escaping from the British and
+seeking cover in the kopjes near Welkom:--
+
+ "The Boers, nearly 4000 strong, with thirteen guns, occupied
+ the hills round Welkom; the British, under Generals Ian
+ Hamilton and Broadwood, at Verkeerdi Vlei, two hours distant,
+ also General Colvile with the Ninth Division, and General
+ Hector MacDonald with the Highland Brigade, at Os Spruit, two
+ and a half hours farther east on the Brandfort side. Cannon
+ firing started at 7 A.M., and continued for two or three
+ hours, Naval guns, Armstrongs, Howitzers, Maxim-Nordenfeldts,
+ &c. &c., all booming together. We heard the rifle-firing quite
+ distinctly. About ten o'clock the Boers began to give way, and
+ arrived here, about 1000 of them, with six cannon. We supplied
+ them with water and milk, &c., and thanked God to hear them say
+ they did not intend making a stand. Across the river they moved
+ through the drift very swiftly--guns, waggons, transport, men,
+ horses--all in fairly good order. Just as they got through, the
+ Boers up on the Brandfort direction began to give way, and
+ shells from the British cannon burst repeatedly among them.
+ This went on for about one hour, when a grand stampede set in,
+ and the flight and confusion and bursting shells was a sight
+ never to be forgotten. In the flight the drift got jammed up.
+ One cannon upset in the drift and blocked the traffic. Then
+ they tore up here past the house, and got through at the top
+ drift. How they all got through is still a mystery to me.
+ Suddenly a shell from the large naval gun burst down at the
+ mill. It made a terrific explosion, and shook both house and
+ store. The British had meantime worked round, and got some
+ cannon up to my camp (the Kaffirs' huts), and began shelling
+ the flying Boers, as my camp commands the road for miles. The
+ cannon-firing was simply awful, and nearly deafened the lot of
+ us; even things inside the house shook."
+
+By-and-by when the fire slackened, to the delight of the British party,
+some 500 of the 17th Lancers were seen approaching, their scouts in
+advance. Quickly they were assured that they were riding into the arms
+of friends. The Scotsman mounted to the roof of his house, and there,
+with the white pinafore of one of his bairns in hand, he waved a frantic
+welcome. The signal was returned, and joy and relief almost overcame
+him. Then followed some pleasant experiences, for the Colonist played
+the host to a distinguished multitude. He said:--
+
+ "On the arrival of the Lancers we supplied them with water and
+ tea, but they pushed on, and the officer in charge asked me to
+ go with him to General Broadwood. This I did, and after
+ satisfying him as to the roads, &c., he thanked me and asked me
+ for the use of the house for General Hamilton and staff, which
+ I said I would give. As I returned to the house on foot a
+ wounded officer rode up to me. This was Colonel the Earl of
+ Airlie, in command of the 17th (12th?) Lancers, wounded in
+ elbow. He stayed with us until next day, and a finer and more
+ homely man I have never met. Notwithstanding his wound, he
+ insisted on helping to put Tommy to bed, and, although the
+ house was soon full of lords, generals, &c., and the staffs of
+ two divisions, he helped Florrie (the host's wife) in every way
+ he could. Lady Airlie is in Bloemfontein, and he returned
+ thither. He gave us his Kirriemuir Castle address, and insists
+ on us coming to see him. About sundown the General and staff
+ arrived, among them Major Count Gleichen, Smith-Dorrien, Duke
+ of Marlborough, and a lot of others. Winston Churchill also was
+ with them. The scene that night at Welkom will never be
+ forgotten by us. Fourteen thousand men bivouacked on the farm,
+ camp fires for miles around. About seven o'clock the Highland
+ Brigade arrived in the distance, pipes playing. It is quite
+ dark here at 6 P.M., so you can picture to yourself the scene.
+ With the arrival of MacDonald's Highlanders the total army on
+ Welkom was between 19,000 and 20,000 men. The house here was
+ in great brilliancy. The Union Jack was planted in front, and
+ officers were arriving every few minutes with despatches. A
+ telegraph line is laid by the troops as they move on, so we had
+ a direct wire from the house here to Bloemfontein."
+
+Delightful was it to the Scotsman to find himself specially introduced
+to General Hector MacDonald, and see the braw company of Highlanders
+march past his house. But their appearance was far from spruce, indeed
+the whole army was begrimed with dust and wear and tear, honourable
+filth on their bronzed and sweating faces, for which a Walt Whitman--had
+such been there--would have felt impelled to hug them. The sad part was
+the death of Captain Ernest Rose (Royal Horse Guards) who had been
+wounded in the previous fighting. The Colonist, writing of the affair
+narrated: "When the news was brought to the General and staff at nine
+o'clock at night that Rose had died of his wounds they were all
+fearfully cut up. He was buried at midnight, just at the back of the
+house here on the other side of road, about 100 yards from where I now
+sit. The General asked me to promise him to have the grave built in and
+to look after it, as it would be a fearful blow to the officer's father,
+Lord Rose. He had only two sons, and the other one died of fever last
+month in Bloemfontein." He went on to say: "The great bulk of the troops
+had gone forward, only MacDonald and the Highland Brigade remained
+behind, and they were encamped over at the station, so there are still
+about 5000 men in town. I found Major Count Gleichen, who had stayed the
+night at Welkom, was provost marshal, and Lieutenant Rymand,
+intelligence officer."
+
+At dawn on the 6th the march to Winburg was continued, and the troops
+prepared themselves again to meet with stout resistance from the hordes
+which had been pressed across the drift. But when the main army neared
+the outskirts of the place they were nowhere to be seen. The fact was
+that the 7th Mounted Infantry and the Hampshires had done a smart piece
+of work, "off their own bat" as it were, and forced the congregating
+Federals to think better of any plan of resistance to the entry into
+Winburg which they had made. The little affair was concisely described
+by an officer who took part in it:--
+
+ "The officer commanding the Mounted Infantry Corps ordered the
+ 7th Battalion Mounted Infantry (which was leading the advance
+ on the right) to race with the enemy for the occupation of the
+ big hill, about 3000 feet high, overlooking Winburg, which lies
+ between the approaches to the town from the south and from the
+ east, both of which it entirely commands. The Boers were
+ approaching this hill from the north and the east, and had they
+ succeeded in occupying it, we should have had great difficulty
+ in driving them off it and capturing Winburg. But the Mounted
+ Infantry got there before them. As soon as they received the
+ order to try and occupy it, the 7th Battalion Mounted Infantry
+ (having extricated themselves from the deep ravines near the
+ river) raced for the hill, the Hampshire squadron making for
+ the point overlooking Winburg, the Borderers and Lincolns
+ supporting them on the right. When half-way up the hill they
+ jumped off their horses and scrambled to the top, and, meeting
+ with no opposition, made their way across the open summit to
+ the rocky edge overlooking Winburg. There a wonderful sight met
+ their view. The whole Boer force, about 5000 or 6000 strong,
+ and several miles in length, was seen trekking slowly past
+ Winburg in a northerly direction. The road they were moving by
+ passed within about 2000 yards of this point of the hill, so
+ the Hampshires (who were at first only twelve strong, the
+ remainder having been delayed crossing the ravines) opened fire
+ for all they were worth to make the enemy think that the hill
+ was strongly occupied. This considerably hastened the enemy's
+ movements, and the rear-guard commandos which had yet to pass
+ near the hill thought better of it, and went round another way
+ behind some high hills out of shot."
+
+At noon a staff officer under a flag of truce summoned the Mayor of the
+town to surrender, promising to protect private property and pay for
+such foodstuffs as might be required. Thereupon was enacted a curious
+drama. While the magnates were putting their heads together and
+discussing the position, Botha and some five hundred of his mercenaries
+came on the scene. The commandant bounced that he would not surrender
+without fighting, and accused Captain Balfour (who had offered to let
+such Free Staters as should surrender their arms return to their farms)
+of attempting to suborn his burghers. Botha frantically insisted on the
+arrest of the staff officer, the staff officer as furiously flourished
+his flag of truce. The Boers pointed their rifles, the women screamed,
+the townsfolk gabbled, and general turmoil prevailed. In the end the
+citizens whose property, so to speak, lay in the palm of the British
+hand, preferred the Mayor's discretion to Botha's valour, and that
+warrior, swelling with indignation, and followed by his equally
+bombastic "braves," shook the dust of the town off their shoes and
+galloped to the north.
+
+At night General Hamilton reached the town, where he was joined by
+General Colville's Division, which was marching from Waterval towards
+Heilbron, and was thereupon directed to follow the leading column at a
+distance of ten miles.
+
+[Illustration: THE GREAT ADVANCE: LORD ROBERTS'S COLUMN CROSSING THE
+SAND RIVER DRIFT
+
+Facsimile of a Sketch by Melton Prior, War Artist]
+
+The advance of the army is arranged, as some one described, not as a
+continuous movement but as a caterpillar-like form of progress, the
+first part of the move being a species of advance, the second a drawing
+up of the tail end of the creature. Thus the vast machine is carried
+from point to point, the halting-places being usually at positions of
+strategic consequence. The Boers had run away from their first positions
+at Brandfort and on the Vet; the second ones on the Zand, the Valsch,
+and the Rhenoster were now to be purged of the Republicans. It was
+necessary before going forward to make a three days' halt, during
+which the tail end of the monster--the railway--was put in working
+order, and supplies collected and brought up. The enemy's position on
+the Zand was reconnoitred, and on the 9th the advance was resumed,
+General Ian Hamilton hurrying to assist in the operations at the Zand
+River, the Highland Brigade being left in possession of Winburg.
+
+
+TOWARDS THE ZAND RIVER TO KROONSTADT
+
+By the 9th of May, as we know, General Pole-Carew's and General Tucker's
+Divisions and General Ian Hamilton's Column (moving from Winburg), with
+Naval and Royal Garrison Artillery guns, and four brigades of cavalry,
+had concentrated at Welgelegen. The enemy, pushed back on all sides, now
+held the opposite bank of the Zand River in force; but nevertheless it
+was decided that the army would cross, and cross it did. The crossing
+was accomplished on the 10th, the enemy being routed from all his strong
+positions. According to the correspondent of the _Times_, the scheme for
+the general advance had been planned as follows: "A concentration of the
+line of advance was to take place at Kroonstadt. General Ian Hamilton,
+after leaving a brigade at Winburg, was to advance on the right flank
+with his Mounted Infantry, Broadwood's Cavalry Brigade, and the 19th
+Brigade, _via_ Ventersburg. The main advance with Lord Roberts was to be
+made by the Eleventh Division, supported by Gordon's Cavalry Brigade,
+the connection between the railway and right flank being kept by General
+Tucker's Division. The left was entrusted to General French with the 1st
+and 4th Cavalry Brigades and General Hutton's Brigade of Mounted
+Infantry. As the left in all probability would find it necessary to act
+independently, the Mounted Infantry belonging to General Tucker became
+attached to the main column for screening purposes."
+
+The enemy, some 6000 strong with 15 guns, was found to be posted on a
+series of hills running diagonally against the east side of the Zand,
+but after some vigorous shelling by General Tucker they evacuated their
+main position by the river, blew up various culverts that lay in front
+of the British force, and prepared to make a vigorous stand against the
+Mounted Infantry advancing in the centre. These, having debouched on the
+plain on the north of the river were promptly assailed by guns from the
+hills to the right, but they still pushed on towards the west of the
+railway, while a battery of Horse Artillery tackled the region whence
+came the hostile shells. The scene of the fight was dotted with
+farmhouses and native kraals, and here numerous parties of skirmishers
+were knowingly concealed. The 8th Mounted Infantry Corps, dismounting,
+advanced in extended order across the nullah-riven plain under a heavy
+shell fire, while the British guns barked merrily and wrought
+devastation among the Boer guns, which were hastily scurried away,
+pursued now by the 4th Mounted Infantry, who, full of excitement,
+galloped off to capture the retiring treasures, and in so doing ran
+almost into the arms of some 500 Boers. These, rushing from ambush,
+forced them back on their supports. But the fire from a well-directed
+Maxim, and from Lumsden's Horse, who had captured a hill and stuck to it
+amid a hurricane of Boer missiles, served to rout the Dutchmen and send
+them after their guns and convoy, which unfortunately, by this time, had
+been got safely away.
+
+Of General Ian Hamilton's part in the proceedings on the right an
+eye-witness contributed to the _Morning Post_ an interesting account:--
+
+ "At daybreak on May 9 Ian Hamilton's column left their bivouac
+ at Klipfontein and marched north to Boemplatz Farm without
+ resistance. About mid-day the Mounted Infantry, who were a mile
+ or two ahead of the column, on topping the ridges overlooking
+ Zand River, came under fire of the enemy concealed in the
+ dongas near the river, and on the hills beyond, and in the
+ kopjes on our right. They remained there all the afternoon,
+ peppering and being peppered in return. The veldt here was
+ alive with buck and hartebeest, and they were so tame that
+ herds of them grazed between the Mounted Infantry screen and
+ the main body. This was too much for some officers of the
+ C.I.V., and they left their bivouac near the main body, about a
+ mile in the rear, and let drive at the buck.
+
+ "Meanwhile the Hampshire Squadron of Mounted Infantry, which
+ were playing hide and seek with their brother Boers, began to
+ wonder how it was that bullets were coming from their rear as
+ well as from their front. When they discovered that these
+ bullets from the rear were intended for buck, they sent down a
+ message, the language of which was hardly parliamentary, to the
+ would-be buck slayers, and threatened to send a volley at the
+ buck themselves. More Boer commandos were seen to be arriving
+ from the east towards dusk, so there seemed to be every
+ prospect of a warm time the next day, especially on the right
+ flank. Up till now Ian Hamilton's column had been working quite
+ independently, and had marched north from Thabanchu as a flying
+ column, but this afternoon we were acquainted with the presence
+ of another force on our left by seeing Lord Roberts's balloon
+ in the air about eight miles away. That Lord Roberts met with
+ but slight resistance may be accounted for by the fact that Ian
+ Hamilton's column away on his right was always a few miles
+ ahead of him, and threatened the enemy's flank. Lord Roberts's
+ force had been marching north along the line of railway, and
+ now the two columns were converging with a view to reaching
+ Kroonstadt together.
+
+ "Those on outpost duty that night heard the rumbling of waggons
+ for many hours in the vicinity of the enemy. Evidently their
+ transport was being moved out of harm's way. The night was
+ bitterly cold, and many of those on outpost duty had nothing
+ but greatcoats to keep them warm, some of the waggons not
+ having yet arrived. At daybreak our 'Long Toms' made excellent
+ practice at what looked like a Boer laager on the slope of the
+ hill across the river to the north. At about 7 P.M. the battle
+ commenced in earnest, and the crack of our rifles, the double
+ crack of the enemy's, the barking of Maxims, the 'pom-pom' of
+ the Vickers-Maxims, and the boom of the 'Long Toms' were heard
+ all along the line. Our front must have been ten or fifteen
+ miles along the Zand River, because Roberts's column was now a
+ few miles to our left, and French's Cavalry Division was on
+ Roberts's left; but for reasons mentioned above the Boers
+ showed a bold front to Ian Hamilton's column only. The enemy
+ kept up a steady fire from the positions they had occupied
+ during the night, some Boers in the dongas having advanced to
+ within a short distance of our firing line.
+
+ "As the day wore on, reinforcements appeared to arrive for the
+ enemy, and they made a determined effort to turn our right.
+ Here they were opposed by Kitchener's Horse, who were hard
+ pressed, and had to be hurriedly reinforced by the New
+ Zealanders. On the extreme right the enemy now became very
+ bold, and report says that the sergeant-major of Kitchener's
+ Horse made a bull's-eye on a Boer's head at only fifteen yards'
+ distance. All this time we had kept the enemy at bay without
+ the aid of a single gun, though they had been firing at us with
+ common shell and shrapnel, but to our great joy in the
+ afternoon four field-guns came to our assistance, and proceeded
+ to deluge the kopjes and dongas with shrapnel. Brother Boer now
+ finding matters getting rather unpleasant slunk out of the
+ dongas and off the kopjes in groups of ten and twenty in an
+ easterly direction, and now the enemy having been pressed back
+ all along the line, the 7th Mounted Infantry, Kitchener's
+ Horse, and the New Zealanders were left as a rear-guard, and
+ the main body moved on five or six miles. At dark we followed
+ them, and crossed the Zand River unmolested, and bivouacked on
+ the other side of the drift on the position which had been all
+ day occupied by the Boers. It was reported that the following
+ day the bodies of fifty or sixty of the enemy were found in the
+ Zand River dongas, and many more on the kopjes on the right, so
+ the losses were not all on our side."
+
+The following casualties occurred in General Ian Hamilton's column
+during the day's fight: Second Lieutenant R. E. Paget, 1st Royal Sussex
+Regiment, wounded; Captain Leonard Head, East Lancashire Regiment,
+dangerously wounded (since dead).
+
+[Illustration: Towards the Zand River
+
+ French's
+ Cavalry
+ on horizon.
+
+ Boers Blowing up
+ Railway Bridge.
+
+ Boers Retreating
+ with Convoy
+ and Guns.
+
+ Lord Kitchener.
+
+ Lord Roberts.
+
+ Shelling the Boers'
+ Rear-guard.
+
+LORD ROBERTS AND HIS STAFF WATCHING THE BOERS' RETREAT FROM ZAND RIVER;
+GENERAL FRENCH IN PURSUIT ON THE EXTREME LEFT. (Facsimile of a Sketch by
+Melton Prior, War Artist.)]
+
+Meanwhile General French, whose object was to turn the enemy's right
+flank and capture Ventersburg station by nightfall, had also a brisk
+encounter with the Boers, which involved some loss of life, particularly
+among the Inniskillings. The 1st Brigade, under General Porter, advanced
+towards a kopje, which was captured by the Inniskillings. Here they were
+confronted by an advancing khaki-clad regiment, said to be the newly
+raised Afrikander Horse, which was mistaken for British troops. Before
+they could be recognised they had opened fire on the hills, and so
+violently assailed those holding it, that the Dragoons were forced to
+make for their horses, leaving behind them fourteen slain and many
+wounded. Guns and the dashing Canadians were sent in support of General
+Porter, while General French continued to develop his flanking movement.
+The 4th Brigade (8th Hussars and 7th Dragoons) were deployed on the
+right of the enemy, and grandly charged a body some 300 strong. They,
+however, suffered considerably in consequence, for while rallying, the
+squadrons were fiercely fired on by such of the Dutchmen who had
+succeeded in bolting to cover, dismounting and firing, before the
+assailants could get out of range. The object of the charge was
+nevertheless effected, and by nightfall, by a series of tactical
+evolutions--a species of military impromptu resulting from the
+exigencies of the situation--the enemy's flank had been turned, and the
+Cavalry Division was safely disposed at Graspan. Unfortunately, the
+casualties during this movement were heavy, some 200 slain, wounded, and
+missing.
+
+[Illustration: THE SURRENDER OF KROONSTADT: TROOPS MARCHING PAST LORD
+ROBERTS AND STAFF
+
+Drawing by S. Begg, from a Sketch by Melton Prior, War Artist]
+
+It was reported that a party of the British, going up to a kraal on
+which a white flag was hoisted, were suddenly attacked by a large number
+of the enemy. Two officers, Captain Haig, of the 6th Dragoons, and
+Lieutenant Wilkinson, 1st Australian Horse, were taken prisoners, and
+several men were unaccounted for. During the day's fight, Captain C. K.
+Elworthy, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) was killed. Among the wounded
+were: 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)--Lieutenant R. H. Collis;
+Lieutenant M. M. Moncrieff. Tasmanian Mounted Infantry--Major C.
+Cameron.
+
+On the evening of the 10th, the British Army, converging in the
+direction of Kroonstadt, occupied a front of some twenty miles, of which
+the left centre (Pole-Carew's Division) was at Ventersburg Road.
+Ventersburg Siding had been demolished by the departing Boers, or rather
+by their mercenaries, the Irish-Americans, but the Boers here made no
+show of opposition. They were very near at hand, however, for report
+said the valorous Steyn had but a few hours previously been wasting
+tears and threats on recalcitrant burghers in the district, burghers
+who, now refusing to fight any more, hung about for the purpose of
+laying down their arms.
+
+On the 11th, the army moved on some twelve miles to Geneva Siding. In
+front, the left wing (French's Cavalry) flew ever well ahead, while the
+right centre (Tucker's Division) marched slightly in the rear, and the
+right wing (Hamilton's Column) worked its way onwards in the direction
+of Lindley. By dusk, General French had seized a drift over the Valshe
+River, below Kroonstadt, just in time to prevent the passage being
+opposed by the enemy. The manoeuvre was cleverly managed, and in most
+inconvenient circumstances, for the transport having gone back to the
+Zand River, men and horses had been already a day without food. But
+rapidity was the word, and the deed kept pace with it. Both brigades
+were advanced as swiftly as possible, and divided each towards a
+convenient drift, scurrying to get there before the enemy could be
+informed of the direction taken. The result was, that when the foe,
+strong in men and guns, debouched from the scrub-country in the region
+of Kroonstadt, they were saluted with heartiness by the 4th Brigade,
+who had taken possession of the coveted vantage ground. The Boers
+retreated, and gathered themselves together to guard the road to the
+town; but General French made a rapid detour, which they saw might
+outflank them, whereupon they discreetly withdrew.
+
+At night a gallant effort was made by that indefatigable officer, Major
+Hunter Weston, R.E., to cut the railway communications in rear of the
+enemy. Escorted by a squadron of cavalry, and accompanied by Burnham the
+American scout and eight smart sappers, he proceeded as usual, under
+cover of darkness, towards the line. Here, however, he came in touch
+with the Boers, and his troopers charged the Dutch patrol and captured
+them. Then leaving his escort, he, the scout and sappers, after much
+hiding in the moonlight and groping in nullahs, reached the line through
+the enemy's convoy and launched the explosive into the midst of the
+Dutchmen, causing considerable panic among them. He, however, was
+defeated in his main object, though the hairbreadth escapes and deeds of
+cool-headed pluck accomplished during the small hours of the night make
+a long tale, both exciting and soul-stirring.
+
+On Saturday the advance was resumed. The town of Boschrand, some eight
+miles below Kroonstadt, was found deserted, the Boers before the
+ubiquitous French having sped as an arrow from the bow. The Dutchmen had
+taken care to put a good deal of country between them and the British,
+for, after reconnaissance towards Kroonstadt had been made, it was found
+that though they had been seen the night before encamped from Kroonstadt
+to Honing Spruit they had melted away, and had evidently decided that
+they would make no further stand till the British arrived within the
+confines of the Transvaal. President Steyn had already taken himself off
+to Lindley, and Commandant Botha had departed with his Transvaal
+burghers to prepare for a big fight on the Vaal.
+
+The entry of Lord Roberts into Kroonstadt was a fine spectacle, all the
+men, despite their hard, 128-mile march being in splendid condition, and
+wearing on their faces the air of honest satisfaction at work
+accomplished--pride in themselves and in their admired Chief. The
+procession was headed by Lord Roberts's bodyguards, who were all of them
+Colonials. Following them came the staff and foreign attachés, then
+trooped in the North Somerset Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, a
+stalwart and bronzed host; after which marched General Pole-Carew's
+Division, consisting of the Guards, the 18th Brigade, the Naval Brigade,
+the 83rd, 84th, and 85th Batteries, two 5-inch guns manned by Royal
+Artillerymen, and the 12th Company of Royal Engineers. The sight was a
+most imposing one, and the vision of troops apparently innumerable
+streaming through the streets highly impressed the Boers, who many of
+them had entered on the war with the highest confidence in their
+military prowess and the inferiority of the British as a fighting race.
+
+[Illustration: KROONSTADT ON THE VALSCH RIVER.]
+
+Mr. Steyn, it was said, before his departure the previous night had used
+in vain, persuasions, threats, and even violence to the burghers in the
+effort to rally them. An enterprising photographer went so far as to
+take a portrait of the late President in act of kicking and cuffing his
+followers--"to put valour into them," so it was explained. They,
+however, turned their backs on the smiter, and many of them surrendered
+to Lord Roberts. Mr. Steyn had announced that in future Lindley,
+situated between Kroonstadt and Bethlehem, would become the seat of the
+Free State Government, and thither fled, knowing in his heart that the
+days of the Free State were numbered. The Transvaalers, disgusted with
+the "Orange" men, had refused any longer to fight in the Free State, and
+took themselves off to the Vaal River; while, on the other hand, the
+Free Staters, furious with the Transvaalers, charged them with having
+made them into a "cat's-paw" and then left them in the lurch. The
+valiant Federals were, in fact, at loggerheads, and many surrendered,
+being only too thankful to part company with their quondam allies.
+
+The troops halted at Kroonstadt for ten days to recuperate, and while
+they enjoyed their well-earned rest, stirring events took place
+elsewhere.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[4] See map at front.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+MAFEKING
+
+
+There was an immense amount of undiscovered genius in Mafeking till
+Colonel Baden-Powell brought it to the front. The art of making
+ball-cartridges out of blank, and the manufacture of gunpowder, cannon,
+shells, fuses, postage stamps, bank notes, and a strategetic railway,
+served to occupy and amuse those whose days were an unending round of
+monotony. The Colonel's vigilance, that in other times had earned for
+him the Matabele title of "'Mpeesi, the wolf that never sleeps,"
+communicated itself to all, and it was to this general spirit of
+alertness that the success of the garrison's sturdy defence was due. But
+on their hearts despond was setting its seal; young faces were becoming
+lined with anxiety, and even those whose dramatic powers enabled them to
+feign merriment were conscious that the effort was becoming even more
+pathetic than resignation to their fate.
+
+[Illustration: MAFEKING: "THE WOLF THAT NEVER SLEEPS"
+
+Drawing by W. Hatherell, R.I., from materials supplied by Major F. D.
+Baillie, Correspondent of the _Morning Post_]
+
+Young Eloff, who had gallantly volunteered to subdue Mafeking or die in
+the attempt, beguiled the interval in preparing for his feat of chivalry
+by indulging in a mild form of jocosity. He informed Colonel
+Baden-Powell that he had heard of his Sabbath concerts, tournaments, and
+cricket matches, and would be glad, as it was dull outside, to come in
+and participate in them. The Colonel replied in the same vein--begged to
+postpone a return match till the present one was finished, and suggested
+as they were now 200 not out, and Snyman and Cronje had been
+unsuccessful, a further change of bowling might be advantageous! In
+reality the young Boer was racking his brains with plans for the future,
+getting information regarding the forts and defences, and deciding when
+the time came for assault to do the thing with a flash and a flourish!
+
+And his ambition was not entirely groundless, for things were coming to
+a sorry pass, and the tension grew daily more severe. It was necessary
+to be eternally pushing out trenches and capturing forts in order to
+secure grazing and breathing space, but this action had the result of so
+extending the lines, that the problem of how to protect ten miles of
+perimeter against some 2000 Boers, with only 700 men, became harder than
+ever to grapple with. Fortunately there was still an inner line, but
+even this was difficult to guard, now that the gallant seven hundred
+were reduced in stamina by long privation and immediate famine.
+
+A great deal of irritation was caused by pilfering and house-breaking
+that went on. As the men were in the trenches and the women in the
+women's laagers, all the ill-conditioned vagabonds, the human sauria
+that had trailed from the Rand and Bulawayo, at the hint of loot "made
+hay" while there was no police at liberty to cope with them. Every hand
+in Mafeking had been required, and the police had been forced to become
+soldiers, defenders of the state and not of private property. And well
+they had done their work! For over six months some 2000 to 3000 Boers
+had found fodder here for their eight guns, including a 9-pounder. They
+had been kept stationary, and thus prevented from combining with the
+Tuli column, or invading Rhodesia, or joining forces with any of the
+aggressive commandos in the south. And this wonderful arrest had been
+accomplished by men who at the beginning of hostilities were practically
+unarmed and unfortified. It was no marvel, therefore, that President
+Kruger and his advisers, who had started their fell work with such
+confidence, now began to wag their heads in acridity and dismay. The
+overweening bumptiousness of the several commandants who, full of
+buoyant and bellicose aspirations, had attempted the subjugation of
+Mafeking, had been their undoing. These had become the laughing-stock
+even of their own people.
+
+Commandant Cronje early in the war had been so convinced of his ability
+to capture Mafeking that he had caused a proclamation to be printed
+annexing the district to the South African Republic. But he had found it
+a disastrous place, and had left it with some loss of prestige, as had
+many others who had attempted "to do the trick" and failed. Until this
+date the Boers had expended considerably over 100 tons of ammunition,
+lost over 1000 men killed and wounded, and had four guns disabled, yet
+nothing was accomplished.
+
+Commandant Eloff was then specially deputed by Kruger to pulverise
+"B.P.", and came to his work in high spirits accompanied by a man--a
+deserter--who, having served as a trooper in the Protectorate Regiment,
+was well acquainted with the plans of the fortifications and the
+military customs of the place. Of course, it was the object of the
+youthful commandant to make an attack as speedily as possible, for
+rumours of approaching relief threatened to put an end to his
+machinations and spoil his ambitious scheme. He knew that a relief
+column had reached and was advancing from Setlagoli, and that what had
+to be done must be done now or never. Still he had a notion that after
+passing Kraaipan any journey for troops would be arid, waterless, and
+discomforting, and believed that the column might be cut off before it
+could offer serious opposition to his plans.
+
+Commandant Snyman, on his side, was as depressed as his colleague was
+jaunty. He was scarcely flattered to find a youngster determining to
+solve a problem which for a considerable time had defeated him, and
+therefore at the onset, in regard to the momentous plans for attack, the
+two commandants were scarcely at one. The rift widened as affairs
+developed. Indeed, in letters which subsequently passed between the
+pair, it was discovered that Eloff, to use his own words, "had been
+preparing to trip him up for years." This Snyman must evidently have
+known, and determined to show--as he did when the opportunity
+offered--that "two could play at that game." At this time, however,
+though the trail of the green and yellow monster might have been seen
+winding about the Boer laagers, there was no suspicion that when
+combined action against the common enemy--the British--would be needed
+the older commandant would fail the younger one.
+
+Curiously enough, though at the instance of the Boers the Sunday truce
+had been agreed upon, they were the first to break through the compact.
+On the 6th of May, while the usual auction sales were taking place, and
+the ladies were cautiously doing their weekly shopping, an affair of
+some moment since prices ruled high, the rattle of musketry betrayed
+that something was wrong. It was then discovered that the Boers had
+fired on the horse guard, killing Trooper Franch, and wounding three
+horses, and causing a stampede of the herd towards their own lines.
+Fortunately the ever-wary B. P. kept a machine gun in the valley, and a
+sharp engagement took place, but nevertheless the Boers succeeded in
+capturing some of the all too precious cattle. The affair was soon over
+and the terrified ladies continued their shopping, but the incident was
+sufficient to demonstrate that soon, if the Boers should fail to succeed
+by fair means, they would have recourse to foul.
+
+At last, on the 12th of May, came the great, the long-looked-for
+assault. It was not yet dawn, the stars were still blinking pallidly,
+when an ominous crackling awoke the town. It came from the east, where
+rosy tints of the sunrise were beginning to show themselves. At once
+every one was astir. The alarm bugle blared out, bells sounded, forms
+all sketchily attired, some still in pyjamas, rushed to their posts.
+
+Though the bullets came from the east, whizzing and phutting into the
+market-square, Colonel Baden-Powell, with his natural astuteness,
+declared that the real attack would come not from there but from the
+west, the corner where stood the stadt of the Baralongs. All got their
+horses ready, armed themselves with whatever came to hand, and fled
+precipitately out into the nipping air of the morning. For an hour this
+brisk fusillade continued, then at about 5.30 there was a lull. The sun
+now was slowly beginning to rise, reddening the east with vivid blushes.
+But the colonel's eyes were fixed on the west, and there sure enough was
+what at first seemed a reflection of the sunrise--a tremendous flaming
+mirage surmounted by dense volumes of smoke, and accompanied by a weird
+stentorian crackling commingled with yells discordant, and despairing
+lamentations from the direction of the native village. There was no
+doubt about it, the stadt was ablaze! whether by accident or design none
+at that moment could decide. Away went the guns, after them the
+Bechuanaland Rifles, rushing to the fray; and then on the morning breeze
+came a strange sound--cheers--but not British cheers--cheers that sent a
+thrill of horror through all who anxiously awaited the upshot of the
+encounter. It was scarcely to be credited, but it was the truth! The
+enemy had arrived! They were already in the fort that was held by
+Colonel Hore and his staff! They were not 500 yards off! At this time,
+though the bullets from the east fell less thickly, those from the west
+began to pour in, and through this cross fire the besieged rushed to
+their several destinations. Women, distracted, fled hither and thither;
+men shot and shouted and gave orders. Columns of smoke and cascades of
+sparks told the tale of conflagration, and natives scared, babbling,
+panic-stricken, tore through the streets.
+
+There was just cause for alarm. The evil hour had come. The Boers had
+reached the orderly-room which stood outside the Kaffirs' stadt. The
+clerk, finding himself surrounded, hurriedly telephoned to the Colonel,
+"The Boers are all in among us." Such news it was almost impossible to
+credit, and the Colonel put his ear to the telephone. Then the sound of
+Dutch voices convinced him of the horrible truth. The next thing was a
+message saying that the Boers had taken Colonel Hore and his force
+prisoners, and that the British were powerless to help them. Telephonic
+communication was immediately destroyed with wire-pliers, but a state of
+consternation prevailed. It was perfectly true that Colonel Hore was
+powerless, as with his small force of twenty-three all told it was
+impossible to guard the many outbuildings that surrounded him against
+such overwhelming numbers, particularly as at first in the dusk it had
+been impossible to distinguish whether the advancing men were foes or
+friends.
+
+All--young and old, men and even women--were madly rushing to the front,
+all eager to check the Boers in their wild rush forward. The prisoners
+in the jail were let loose and armed to join in the common duty, small
+boys seized weapons, shovels or pokers for want of anything better, and
+invited themselves to help to turn the invaders out. A singular
+cheeriness prevailed; the sniff of battle exhilarated, intoxicated
+them; they swore to protect Mafeking or die in the attempt!
+
+Meanwhile the dashing Eloff, who so long had boasted that he would bring
+Mafeking to her knees, had at last achieved something of a success. The
+fort was seized. He and his band of 700 men had advanced up the Molopo,
+burnt the stadt as a signal to his allies, and thus made an entry. The
+storming party was composed mostly of foreigners, and numbered some 300
+all told. Many of them were Frenchmen, who, when they emerged from
+Hidden Hollow and rushed on Colonel Hore's fort, were heard to be
+shouting "Fashoda! Fashoda!" while such Boers as could speak English
+were sent in front to roar "Hip, hip, hurrah! Relieved at last!" so as
+to deceive the besieged with the idea that the relief column was
+arriving. Behind were 500 burghers, with Snyman, in support; but when
+they heard the firing they discreetly waited to see the result, and
+through their discretion Eloff eventually lost what he had gained. The
+Baralongs, whose stadt was burning, and who themselves were burning for
+revenge, had permitted some 300 of the party to seize the outlying
+forts, and then, with an astuteness peculiar to them, decided they would
+get between the Dutchmen and their supports, and "kraal them up like
+cattle." But this was not done in a moment.
+
+To return. When the storming party had reached the fort, they broke up
+into three. One hundred and fifty of them attacked the fort and seized
+it, together with the Colonel and twenty-three men of the Protectorate
+Regiment, who, mistaking them in the dusk of the early dawn for friends,
+had not fired. When they found out their mistake, it was too late.
+
+Regarding Colonel Hore's lamentable position and his surrender, the
+correspondent of the _Times_, who had the ill luck as a man and the good
+luck as a journalist to get taken prisoner, said: "Commandant Eloff
+demanded the unconditional surrender of the twenty-three men who were
+established at the fort, an order which, had Colonel Hore refused,
+implied that every man with him would be shot. The exigencies of the
+situation had thus suddenly thrown upon the shoulders of this very
+gallant officer an almost overwhelming responsibility. It was impossible
+to withdraw to the town. Such a movement would have meant retirement
+over 700 yards of open, level ground without a particle of cover, and
+with a force of 300 of the enemy immediately in the rear. For a moment
+Colonel Hore had considered, but realising that escape was impossible,
+that indeed the Boers were all round him, he ordered the surrender,
+accepting the responsibility of such an act in the hope of saving the
+lives of the men who were with him. But the situation imperatively
+demanded this action in consequence of events over which he had no
+control. It was, perhaps, a moment as pathetic and great as any in
+his career, which, honourable and distinguished as it has been, has
+brought to him some six medals. The surrender was effected at 5.25 A.M.,
+and the news of such a catastrophe did not tend to relieve the gravity
+of the situation. With the Boers in the fort and in occupation of the
+stadt, it was necessary so to arrange our operations that any junction
+between the stadt and the fort would be impossible. At the same time we
+were compelled to prevent those Boers who were in the stadt from cutting
+their way through to the main body of the enemy. The situation was
+indeed complex, and throughout the remainder of the day the skirmishing
+in the stadt and the repulse of the feints of the enemy's main body,
+delivered in different directions against the outposts, were altogether
+apart from the siege which we were conducting within our own investment.
+From the town very heavy rifle fire was directed upon the fort, which
+the Boers in that quarter returned with spirit and determination. But
+the position in the stadt had become acute, since behind our outposts
+and our inner chain of forts, which are situated upon its exterior
+border, were a rollicking, roving band of 400 Boers, who for the time
+being were indulging in pillage and destruction wherever it was
+possible."
+
+[Illustration: LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR FREDERICK CARRINGTON, K.C.M.G.
+
+Photo by Elliot & Fry, London]
+
+For those inside the fort the tension was extreme. Colonel Hore, with
+Captain Singleton, Veterinary Lieutenant Dunlop Smith, fifteen
+non-commissioned officers and men of the Protectorate Regiment, Captain
+Williams and three men of the South Africa Police, and some native
+servants, were packed in by a crowd of the enemy, while a babel of
+tongues--German, French, Italian, Dutch--made a clamour that obfuscated
+the senses. Many of the Boers were busy looting, breaking open anything
+that came to hand in the officers' quarters, notwithstanding the
+remonstrances of their allies, the foreigners. Trooper Hayes, a deserter
+from the Protectorate Regiment, who was well acquainted with the
+fortifications, and had led Eloff into the town, swaggered about in the
+presence of the prisoners adorned with Colonel Hore's sword, and his
+watch and chain. His desire to get rid of as many of the British as
+possible was shown by his suggestion that they should stand on the
+verandah as a mark for their own men. Through the long hours the
+prisoners were cabined and confined in a very limited space, listening
+to the progress of the battle which still raged outside, and hearing the
+hail of bullets, hostile and friendly, that spluttered and splintered
+around the fort. It was a dreadful day of suspense and agony. Food was
+handed in, but water, owing to the tanks having been perforated by
+bullets, was scarce, and the sufferings of the wounded, both Britons and
+Boers, were horrible. Bravely Mr. Dunlop Smith and his assistants
+responded to the call of Eloff to assist the wounded Boers, and nobly
+they risked their lives over and over again, running the gantlet of the
+British fire in the service of their fellow-creatures.
+
+Meanwhile Baden-Powell's braves had surrounded the fort, and managed to
+make a vigorous stand against further encroachment of the enemy, while
+skirmishing of a more or less desperate kind was taking place in the
+direction of the stadt, round the kraal, and a kopje in its vicinity.
+
+[Illustration: GENERAL BADEN-POWELL, LORD EDWARD CECIL, AND OTHER
+OFFICERS, AT THE ENTRANCE TO THEIR "DUG-OUT." (Photo by D. Taylor,
+Mafeking.)]
+
+The capture of the kraal and surroundings by Major Godley, Captain
+Marsh, and Captain Fitzclarence was ingeniously accomplished. They had
+not taken lessons in Boer warfare for six months for nothing,
+consequently, instead of making themselves targets for the foe, they
+crept towards the walls, bored loopholes with their bayonets, and poured
+their fire on the invaders. These fought pluckily, but presently came
+the artillery, and directly the order was given to commence fire the
+enemy thought it high time to surrender. Then came the question of the
+fort, where Colonel Hore was still the prisoner of Eloff. Brisk and
+accurate firing took place, and so hot was the attack that many of the
+British were wounded by their own people. The victorious Eloff and his
+party, cut off from his supports and devoid of the assistance reckoned
+on from Snyman, now found his position as conqueror highly unenviable.
+Night was coming on, and many of his party struggled to slink out and
+desert him, but he fired on them and left their dead bodies to add to
+the confusion. Finally, as there was no help from without,
+Eloff--surrounded by Colonel Baden-Powell's troops--did the only thing
+that could be done in the circumstances--he surrendered to his own
+prisoner, Colonel Hore. Thereupon, he, and others of his gang, numbering
+110, including Baron de Bremont, Captain von Weissmann, and several
+field-cornets, were deprived of their arms and marched into the town, to
+be accommodated in the Masonic Hall and in the jail. Their appearance
+was greeted with courteous silence and a certain admiration for the
+daring of the attack, but the exuberance of the Kaffirs was uncheckable,
+and they hooted lustily. They had suffered much at the hands of their
+tormentors, and in this, their hour of triumph, they would not be
+denied. Of the Boers, 110 were prisoners, 10 were killed, and 19
+wounded. It was supposed that other corpses may have been dragged away
+and disposed of by the natives, who thus got possession of rifles, which
+weapons had been refused them by the British.
+
+The British casualties were:--
+
+ _Killed._--Lieutenant Phillips, Trooper Maltuschek, Trooper
+ Duberley. _Wounded._--Captain Singleton, Lieutenant G. Bridges,
+ Sergeant Hoskings, Regimental Sergeant-Major S. Malley--all of
+ the Protectorate Regiment; Hazelrigg, Cape Police; Smidt, Town
+ Guard.
+
+Sergeant-Major Heale, in charge of the Dutch prisoners, an esteemed
+member of the garrison, was killed by a shell. Of Trooper Maltuschek, a
+few words written by Major Baillie deserve to be quoted, as showing the
+manner of man and Briton he was. It appears that the gallant fellow
+absolutely declined to surrender, and fought till he was killed. "It
+wasn't a case of dashing in and dashing out and having your fun and a
+fight; it was a case of resolution to die sooner than throw down your
+arms; the wisdom may be questionable, the heroism undoubted. He wasn't
+taking any surrender. As far as I am concerned, I have seen the British
+assert their superiority over foreigners before now, but this man, in my
+opinion, though I did not see him die, was the bravest man who fought on
+either side that day. It is a good thing to be an Englishman. These
+foreigners start too quick and finish quicker. They are good men, but we
+are better, and have proved so for several hundred years. I had always
+wanted to see the Englishman fight in a tight hole, and I know what he
+is worth now. He can outstay the other chap." In these last words is
+the whole summing up of the story of battle. In Mafeking, particularly
+on this terrific day, the British men--and women--had "outstayed the
+other chap."
+
+The reason that the loss after so many hours' fighting was comparatively
+insignificant, was owing to the fact that the garrison was so splendidly
+handled, and that every soul, ladies included, took a plucky share in
+the work. Lady Sarah Wilson, Mrs. Buchan, Miss Crawford, and Miss Hill,
+the matron of the hospital, all distinguished themselves by their plucky
+actions; and Mrs. Winter and Mrs. Bradley were indefatigable in
+ministering to the wants of the men. Even the most peaceful beings
+became bellicose in the common cause, and Reuter's correspondent gave an
+amusing account of how Mr. Whales, the editor of the _Mafeking Mail_,
+who was exceedingly plucky but quite unacquainted with military matters,
+comported himself in the dire emergency. When the railway workshops were
+manned Mr. Whales got a gun to help; but every time he discharged it, it
+hit him on the nose, with the result that when all was over, he returned
+to the bosom of his family covered with his own blood!
+
+Of course this was merely a passing jocosity, for the same chronicler
+declared that "the most interesting phase of the fight was the manner in
+which every one in the town showed himself ready to take his share in
+its defence. The seven months' siege had left very few cowards. All
+sorts of men who have staff billets and do not generally man the forts
+seized rifles and hurried to the railway line, the jail, and the
+workshops, resolved to die in the last ditch, which was the railway
+line, within three hundred yards of the market-square, the enemy being
+only five hundred yards below the line." He further said, "It is
+customary in London rather to look down on town guards, Volunteers, and
+citizen soldiers, but it was by these that the town was held and
+Commandant Eloff was beaten."
+
+Strange tales were told in that eventful day of the kind treatment meted
+out to the Boers. They were given clean towels and soap (the latter was
+at first mistaken for an eatable), and tended like brothers, while all
+the past aggravations endured at their hands were forgotten or at least
+ignored. The prisoners, wounded or sound, were greeted almost
+affectionately by the town. Such drink as there was was shared, and for
+the time being, amid the general jubilation, at the close of the
+melodramatic episodes of the day it was difficult to decide which were
+the happier, friend or foe. Thus generously wrote Mr. Angus Hamilton of
+the enemy: "We who had been prisoners and were now free rejoiced in the
+liberty which was restored to us, yet it was difficult to restrain
+oneself from feeling compassionately upon the great misfortunes which
+had attended the extraordinary dash and gallantry of the men who were
+now our prisoners. They had done their best. They had proved to us that
+they were indeed capable, and that we should have kept a sharper
+look-out, while it was indeed deplorable to think that it was the
+treachery of their own general in abandoning them to their fate, that
+had been mainly instrumental in procuring them their present
+predicament."
+
+Sergeant Stuart's account of his experiences was curious. On the morning
+that Eloff entered, he heard shooting at the east end of the town, and
+sprang out of bed, "shoved" on a coat, and seized his rifle. When he got
+out he saw flames at the west end, and ran across the open towards the
+fort. When he came nearer he saw 400 Boers looking over a wall. They
+cried out, 'Up hands! surrender.' He was within forty yards, so he
+turned and bolted. They fired but did not touch him, and he reached the
+fort. He surrendered soon after, with Colonel Hore and twenty-four
+others. They were put into a little hut, and kept there all day, firing
+going on all round. At 6 P.M. Eloff came into the room--about six feet
+square--and leant against the door, and said, 'Where is Colonel Hore?'
+'There he is.' 'I surrender,' said Eloff, 'if you will spare our lives
+and stop the firing.' The prisoners then sprang up and took their rifles
+from them, making them their prisoners. Another authority declared that
+when Eloff was taken before Colonel Baden-Powell, that officer with his
+customary ease received him affably, and merely said, "Come and have
+dinner; I am just about to have mine!" Certain it is that Commandant
+Eloff, Captain von Weissmann, and Captain Bremont were entertained at
+headquarters.
+
+
+WITH COLONEL MAHON'S FORCE
+
+There were whispers in Bloemfontein, there were whispers in Kimberley,
+there were whispers in Natal. Secretly a scheme, originated by Sir
+Archibald Hunter (commanding Tenth Division), for the relief of Mafeking
+was being organised, and the action was to be started so that the
+movements of the flying column formed for the purpose should synchronise
+with Lord Roberts's great advance on Pretoria. The Imperial Light Horse
+(Colonel Edwards) whose laurels had grown green in the harsh nursery of
+Ladysmith, were brought over from Natal; the Diamond Fields Horse, and
+the Kimberley Light Horse (Colonel King), who had developed into
+veterans to the tune of the Kamferdam big gun, were marked down for the
+dashing enterprise. Some picked men--twenty-five from each of the four
+battalions of Barton's Fusilier Brigade, under Captain Carr (7th
+Royals)--were also included among the "braves" who were to form part of
+Mahon's flying column, and M Battery R.H.A., under Major Jackson.
+
+The object of the flying column was to fly, but at the same time it
+behoved the expedition to be discreet in its rush, for any advance that
+could not provide convoy, stores, and medical comfort for the relief
+would have ended in a showy demonstration which would have been more
+embarrassing to the besieged than satisfactory. It was necessary to go
+well laden, and thus keep together the body and soul of Mafeking, and
+the party of rescuers were immovable till General Hunter, slower and
+surer in his progress, should have advanced along the railway and
+repaired the line. It was also imperative to avoid, if possible, any
+collision with the enemy till Mafeking should be neared, and there was a
+chance of co-operation by Colonel Plumer's and Colonel Baden-Powell's
+men.
+
+[Illustration: MAP AND ITINERARY OF COLONEL MAHON'S DASH TO MAFEKING.]
+
+The organisation of the transport was therefore a very serious
+undertaking, one which engaged all the attention of Major Money, R.A.,
+for over a week, and which involved indescribable labour. Major Money's
+qualifications as an organiser have been described as second only to
+those of Colonel Ward, the "Universal Provider" of Ladysmith. Assisting
+also was Captain Cobbe (Bengal Lancers), who had been laboriously
+engaged in transport work both in Naauwpoort and Kimberley.
+
+Efforts to maintain secrecy regarding the movement of the force were
+many, and all connected with the programme were vowed to silence
+regarding the objective of the march; yet, for all that, the Boers knew
+when it had started, indeed they declared that a week before the event,
+the Mafeking besiegers had heard of the project, and were firmly
+convinced of their ability to cut off the party at Roodoo's Rand, or
+failing that, to smash it up at a point nearer its destination.
+
+The Imperial Horse quietly encamped at Dronfield in order to excite as
+little suspicion as possible, then followed M Battery R.H.A., under
+Major Jackson, and two "pom-poms" under Captain Robinson. Meanwhile some
+of the Imperial Yeomanry and Kimberley Volunteers sprayed out over the
+region of Barkly West and Spitzkop, in order to clear the way for the
+advancing column. At Dronfield also the transport work was carried on,
+fifty-five waggons being loaded by Major Weil and Sir John Willoughby,
+both zealous officers, who were full of keenness in the undertaking;
+while the De Beers community, whose ardour in Imperial matters was
+proved, continued to throw themselves heart and soul into the great
+scheme. Twenty waggons contained stores; five, medical comforts; and the
+rest were loaded with the wherewithal to feed 1100 men and 1200 horses.
+
+At Barkley West was Colonel Mahon, with Colonel Rhodes as intelligence
+officer. Major Baden-Powell, Scots Guards, the brother of the hero of
+Mafeking; Captain Bell-Smythe, the brigade major; Prince Alexander of
+Teck, Sir John Willoughby, Major Maurice Gifford--the one-armed soldier
+of Matabele fame--were also among the select number, whose good fortune
+it was to engage in the exciting enterprise.
+
+The column slowly moved out on a nine miles' march to Greefputs, which
+was, so to speak, the official starting-point--a grand force composed of
+some of the smartest men of the colony and in the pink of condition!
+
+From the latter place to Spitzkop, a distance of nineteen miles, the
+column moved on the morning of the 5th of May. About mid-day the troops
+had intended to advance, but a rumour of Boers in the distance arrested
+their progress. On the east, ten miles off, could be heard the knocking
+of General Hunter's guns and some Boerish retorts, and somewhere, in
+kopjes in the vicinity, were rebels or Dutchmen--at least so it was
+said, but after a brisk search the road was reported clear, and the
+march proceeded, through the blistering sunshine, over the scorching
+western plains to a place called Warwick's Store, and from thence, after
+a halt for refreshment, on to Gunning Store, a total distance of
+thirty-five miles. As may be imagined the cool of the moon-blue night
+was refreshing to the toasted wanderers, and still more refreshing was
+the capture of two waggon-loads of rebels and their Mausers. Time was
+not wasted for much slumber or much breakfasting, and by 6 A.M. on the
+6th the column was proceeding on its way towards Espach Drift on the
+left bank of the Harts River. The nine miles' journey was accomplished
+by 9.30, where the column outspanned till 2.30. At that hour they
+started to complete their twenty miles in the sunshine, which landed
+them at Banks Drift--a deep drift where watering the horses was no easy
+matter. In this locality, called Greefdale Store, wood was scarce, but
+still the troops were within stone's throw of food, and were able to
+supplement the scanty rations which had been cut down to the smallest
+possible figure. The daily allowance was not sumptuous. A great deal of
+valour and cheeriness had to be sustained on ½ lb. of meat, ¾ lb. of
+biscuit, 2 oz. of sugar, 1/3 oz. of coffee, and 1/6 oz. of tea. When
+fresh meat could be captured a change of diet was seized as a relief,
+and loot from rebels helped to fill the growing vacuum. In certain
+localities fowls and bread were purchasable. In others beer made a
+welcome variety to the daily quantum of grog--a tot of rum or lime
+juice--but really substantial meals were few and far between.
+
+An unfortunate occurrence blighted the day's proceedings. Major
+Baden-Powell, who, full of rejoicing, was going to the rescue of his
+brother, met with a nasty accident. His horse in crossing the deep sand
+of the veldt bungled, and the Major sustained injuries which made him
+unconscious for some hours. Happily he recovered with the elasticity of
+his race, and there was no fear that Colonel Baden-Powell's hope,
+expressed in December,[5] would fail to be gratified.
+
+From Greefdale, on the 7th, the column marched to Muchadin, moving on
+the right bank of Harts River. Nothing eventful occurred, and the rest
+of the twenty miles was traversed by 5 P.M. They were now some miles to
+west of Taungs. This region was found to be evacuated by the Dutchmen,
+though remains of their recent occupation were evident. The railway
+station was taken possession of by Major Mullins and a squadron of the
+Imperial Light Horse. Telegrams were found giving valuable insight into
+the Dutch moves, and showing that the Boers were lying in wait near
+Pudimoe, the place--encrusted with menacing rows of kopjes--that the
+column was about to approach on the morrow.
+
+Next day the column was on the move earlier than usual. Before dawn all
+were astir, and the distance from Taungs to Pudimoe, twelve miles, was
+covered by 8.30 A.M. The Boers were invisible. They were ensconced
+somewhere, with intent to pounce, it was certain, but Colonel Mahon
+determined, if possible, to avoid imbroglio till the finish. At 10 the
+troops were moving on to a place called Dry Harts Siding, which was
+reached at noon. But there was little rest, for on this day twenty-eight
+miles were covered, ten miles being marched in the cool of the evening.
+At 9 P.M. under the blinking stars, they outspanned at a place called
+Brussels Farm, where food--hot food, ardently desired and eagerly stowed
+away--was plentiful.
+
+[Illustration: LIEUT.-COLONEL BRYAN T. MAHON, D.S.O.
+
+Commander of the Mafeking Relief Force]
+
+The next morning the force was on its way to Vryburg, doing eight miles
+before 9 A.M. They took up the thread of their travels at noon, marched
+another thirteen miles, and found themselves by tea-time at the desired
+and welcome haven of rest. The stores were at once invaded, and creature
+comforts were purchased at heavy rates. The British were received with
+some show of enthusiasm. In the little white town margined with
+aromatic, emerald-leafed pepper trees banners waved and Union Jacks
+fluttered, and passers-by came in for a handshake with men of their own
+kind, who invited them to "pot-luck." Some of a commando that had been
+lurking in the vicinity of Pudimoe now trickled in and surrendered;
+other members of the Dutch conspiracy turned informer, while the loyal
+British subjects, who had declined to rebel to order of the Boers,
+poured out their experiences. One of them declared that during the Boer
+reign in the town British ladies who had remained there were not
+permitted to walk on the causeway, a regulation that in the Transvaal
+had previously been confined to Kaffirs! In other respects, beyond
+despoiling the police camp and the former Bechuanaland Residency, the
+Boers had done little harm.
+
+A leaf from the diary of a member of the Scots Fusiliers describes this
+halt in a town which was somewhat Janus-faced in its loyalty:--
+
+ "_9th May._--I awoke much refreshed by my good night's rest.
+ 5.30 A.M.--On the march. The ground being densely shrubby, many
+ halts have to be made to allow the scouts to reconnoitre the
+ front. 10 A.M.--Roodepoort. We are now nine miles from Vryburg.
+ Water and rations are, as usual, scarce. 11 A.M.--'Halloa! what
+ the deuce is this?' A gaily decorated carriage with three
+ pretty maidens! 'Well, I never! what can they want!' Oh, thank
+ you, as they gracefully throw us some loaves of lovely white
+ bread, and with the most charming of smiles welcome us to
+ Vryburg. 'Bravo,' my bonny lassies! had it not been for my
+ uncouth apparel and bristly whiskers, 'a kiss,' I should have
+ vaunted you. 12 noon.--So the Boers have fled from Vryburg!
+ What an infernal pack of cowards, and no mistake! All the
+ better for us; the less opposition the sooner at our journey's
+ end. 2 P.M.--We continue the march. 5 P.M.--Vryburg. An
+ enthusiastic crowd of supposed loyalists greet our arrival with
+ cheers. Somehow their welcome is not at all appreciated. Most
+ of them are Dutch, and, considering the Boers have been amongst
+ them until two days ago, we fail to see what loyalty they could
+ have established for us in so short a time. 7 P.M.--On outpost;
+ an exceedingly cold night."
+
+But whatever the sentiments of the people, there was decent food and a
+brief chance of comfortably partaking of it, and there was a sigh when
+the enjoyable time came to an end, and Vryburg, with its apology for
+civilisation, its costly meals and inferior cigars, so highly
+appreciated in those days of sparse comfort, had to be left behind.
+Farewell drinks--beer, gin and lime-juice, green chartreuse, tea--were
+disposed of, and then from five till midnight the steady march onwards
+was pursued. The conditions of the march, if nothing worse, were
+uncomfortable. No man dared betray his presence with the whiff of a
+cigar; and after the sun-scorchings of the baking African day, the
+searching, chill air of the moonlit veldt nipped the bones and filled
+the frame with aguish apprehensions. So cold were the nights that some
+declared they had to sleep walking up and down to save themselves from
+being frozen. Still, through it all, every member of the gallant band
+remembered the glorious object of his mission, and, when inclined to
+growl, packed away personal irritations and meditated on the number of
+hours which would elapse before London would be ringing with the news of
+the great relief. Every soul of this goodly company was swelling with
+pride and satisfaction at having the good luck to be among those chosen
+for the spirited exploit, and it was this pride, this almost heroic
+afflatus, which served to cast into insignificance the thousand and one
+inconveniences, trying to constitution and to temper, which were
+involved in this momentous if fatiguing march. It is true, bullet and
+shell were as yet only in the near future, but the aggravations of
+these, as all men agreed, were not to be compared with the sustained
+fret of marching under unrelenting sunshine, sleeping in violent chills,
+eating irresponsive biscuit, tackling "bully" without the assistance of
+a hatchet as a mincer; and enduring through all a parching thirst, a
+perpetual craving for water, which, when found, bred a loathly suspicion
+of the imps of enteric and dysentery that might lurk therein. As Mr.
+Stuart of the _Morning Post_ declared: "To go through ten or a dozen of
+our days uncomplainingly was a higher test of manhood than to fight,
+howsoever gallantly. To stand to arms an hour before sunrise, possibly
+to march for hours without a cup of coffee in the empty stomach,
+possibly to do patrol or picket as soon as the outspan place was
+selected, to return barely in time for a wad of stringy beef and some
+chunks of biscuit, to march again across the sand or over lumpy grass,
+so tired that at every halt they lay at their horses' feet dozing till
+the unwelcome 'Stand to your horses' was called, to go to bed without
+fire, without the last sleepy pipe: that was often what Mahon's men
+called a day."
+
+It is well to emphasise what may be called the greys and drabs and
+neutral tints that go to the making up of a complete picture of
+heroism; it is imperative to appreciate the superb nuances which in
+their very retirement and unostentatious inconspicuousness made the
+background to now immemorial scenes in our nation's history. There are
+so many who have contributed their tiny inch of fine neutral tint, their
+little all of patience and self-abnegation to make up this
+background--infinitesimal atoms in the great machinery, whose names and
+histories are enveloped in the vast dust bosom of the veldt, yet who,
+unknown and unsung, have contributed the "mickle" which has made the
+"muckle" belonging to the Empire. The ruminations of a soldier, who,
+rolled up in his overcoat, was struggling to sleep, shows the pathetic
+side of the brilliant undertaking: "Horses and mules are dropping down
+from sheer exhaustion, unfit for further service. They are left on the
+veldt a prey to the hungry vultures.... I shudder as I inwardly apply
+the case to myself, how perhaps in years to come, when of no more use to
+my country, I am left, like those poor creatures, to the mercy of an
+ungrateful world, or, worse still, thrown as a pauper into some home of
+destitution."
+
+On the 11th they were early astir in the dewy air of the morning, moving
+across open country to Majana Mabili, which was reached at 7.30 A.M.,
+and on from this place after tea, on and on for eleven miles, till the
+stars began to shimmer, and moon to light the open veldt. The night was
+spent at a spot known as the "Hill without Water," a name sufficiently
+inhospitable and repellent.
+
+Nearly the whole of the 12th was spent in marching, with short periods
+for rest, from Jacobspan to Setlagoli, the latter part of the way over
+infamous roads, drifts, and stretches of sand, ledged with limestone and
+other impediments disastrous to cattle and to the tempers of their
+owners. However, the reception in Setlagoli compensated for many
+discomforts, for at the hotel, the proprietor of which was a Scotsman,
+there was fat fare and "a true Scots welcome," which in other words
+means that the company regaled themselves at the expense of mine host,
+who refused to accept any equivalent for his hospitality! During the day
+some sad scenes had occurred, scenes so pathetic that they touched the
+hearts of the rank and file in the pursuance of their duty. One of them
+said, "Some Dutch farmers who had been brought in by our scouts as
+suspects, were followed by their wives and children. Undoubtedly the
+poor women thought that after examination by the chief officer they
+would be allowed to return with them. As it was, however, we had some
+very clever detectives with us, who unfortunately caused them to be
+handed over to the guard as prisoners. The women in their extreme
+anguish at seeing their husbands about to be separated from them, rushed
+in amongst us, flung their arms around their necks, and refused to leave
+them. The scene that followed was a pitiful one, and not until the
+convoy had gone some distance on its way did their heart-rending cries
+cease to be heard."
+
+On Sunday the 13th of May the plot began to thicken. Colonel Mahon, as
+we are aware, had been reserving himself, knowing that the nearer he
+came to his destination, the more certain was he of repeated tussles
+with the enemy. Native scouts now informed him the Dutchmen were
+assembling at Maribogo, hanging round Kraaipan Siding, and lurking in
+their hundreds in the frowning kopjes that fringed the nek near Koodoo's
+Rand. Precautions were taken, and all remembered the Mafeking besiegers
+had bragged of their intention to cut off the party at Koodoo's Rand.
+The Light Horse, in very extended columns of squadrons, provided the
+advance and the scouts, and the transport moved in five parallel
+columns. Nothing as yet was seen of the Boers, and the troops reached a
+point nine miles off, called Brodie's Farm, in safety. Here they watered
+their horses, and rested till the early afternoon. Here they were joined
+by an officer who had ridden from Colonel Plumer's force, which, acting
+on information received, had by then reached Canea. Three questions were
+forwarded from Colonel Plumer. First, he wished to know the number of
+Colonel Mahon's men; second, his guns; third, the amount of his
+supplies. It became necessary to concoct a reply which should defeat the
+curiosity of the Boers, and to that end Colonel Mahon and Colonel Rhodes
+put their astute heads together, with the result that for the number of
+men they answered, _The Naval and Military Club multiplied by ten_ (94
+Piccadilly). The number of guns was described as _The number of brothers
+in the Ward family_ (six); and the amount of supplies was represented by
+_The C.O., 9th Lancers_ (Small, Little). It was now decided that both
+Colonels--the relieving officers--should join hands at Jan Massibi's,
+Colonel Mahon's plan being to make a detour to the north-west of his
+route and thus surprise the enemy, who imagined he would come straight
+by way of Wright's Farm.
+
+Now came a critical moment. The column moved out from Brodie's Farm in
+the afternoon, and had scarcely started before they became aware that
+Boers were slinking everywhere, behind trees, in the scrub, in the dried
+grass of the veldt. They had been so admirably concealed that the
+Imperial Light Horse scouts had ridden beyond them. Now, however, when
+they began to blaze away with rifles from the scrub, the scouts turned
+upon them, caught them in the rear, while in front they were greeted
+with such warm volleys that they made for their horses, which had been
+deftly hidden in the bush. Others of their number strove to get a chance
+of enfilading the convoy, which was promptly diverted from its course to
+the left, while the guns galloped to the rescue, and took up a position
+that commanded the open ground to the right, and here blazed away,
+pouring cascades of shrapnel whenever the smoke from the Dutchmen's
+Mausers gave them a clue to the whereabouts of the hostile weapons, and
+a chance to put in some execution. Meanwhile, the Boers were firing fast
+and furious at the gunners, and awaiting reinforcements which were
+spurring across the far distance. The Imperial Light Horse, dashing as
+ever, were pouring volleys into the enemy, and sweeping them towards the
+British 12-pounders, and there was a good half-hour's brisk interchange
+of aggressions, much of the fighting being done on foot and at fairly
+close quarters. The pom-poms also rapped out a warning tune, and the
+smart Light Horse, now riding, now dismounted, hunted the foe across the
+ochreous grass of the veldt, keeping him perpetually on the run, or
+"winging" him so that he could run no more. Meanwhile Colonel King, on
+the right rear with his Kimberley men, assisted in the fight, and
+finally after much volleying and sniping the Dutchmen took themselves
+off. But the brilliant skirmish was not without its penalties, for
+twenty-one men were wounded, while six--including a native driver who
+had been knocked from his waggon in the course of the fray--were killed.
+Major Mullins of the Light Horse was seriously injured in the spine, an
+unlucky incident, following, as it did, on the loss to the gallant
+regiment of Major Wools Sampson and Major Doveton. Corporal Davis of A
+Squadron was hit, but managed even afterwards to do considerable damage
+among the Boers. Mr. Hands, the correspondent of the _Daily Mail_,
+sustained a compound fracture of the thigh, and Major Baden-Powell
+narrowly escaped, so narrowly, indeed, that his watch was stopped and a
+whistle twisted in his pocket by the force of the bullet. Captain
+Mullins, Kimberley Mounted Corps, was also injured.
+
+After their exhilarating and successful conflict it was decided that the
+force should bivouac where they were, the country to the north having
+been scouted and reported free of the enemy. It was said also to be
+devoid of water. No water could be found, and food was scanty, but the
+troops after their satisfactory rout of the Boers went to sleep in the
+moonlight full, if of nothing else, of contentment!
+
+With the passage of every hour precautions became more necessary, for
+the Boers might now be expected to crop up from any quarter. At 6 A.M.
+the troops started, the men riding six yards apart from each other, for
+Buck Reef Farm, a distance of five miles. A drift had to be negotiated,
+and water from the bed of the River Maretsani was dug up, and, richly
+yellow though it was, enjoyed. It was necessary to make the most of this
+refreshing if suspicious draught, for now the march onwards promised to
+be almost entirely waterless, with the enemy possibly mounting guard
+over any pools which might present themselves.
+
+Through the long dull afternoon they trailed upwards over a hill for
+eight long miles, and then on, for another eight, ploughing the sand and
+wearily craving for water. Man and beast were united in the common want,
+the absorbing yearning. Day passed into twilight and dusk broke into
+moonbeams; then, jaded and travel-sore, they outspanned for a brief
+rest.
+
+At 1 A.M. on the 15th they were again on the move, and by 3 A.M. were
+making their way over the plains of sand and tussocky grass towards the
+one haven of their desire, Jan Massibi's--every nerve and muscle
+strained to meet Colonel Plumer and his small force to time, to get to
+the trysting-place with celerity and secrecy which should outwit the
+Boers, and prevent them driving a wedge between the two relief columns
+that had endured so much to arrive at a now almost achieved end! So, on
+and on, half asleep, half awake, famished, dry, aching, dull but not
+desponding, they went, halting often, napping sometimes, mounting again
+and pursuing their way towards that ever-to-be-desired point in the west
+where Plumer was thought to be. And sure enough there they found him!
+The day dawned, the morning brightened, and in the distance, light--a
+glow of fires--was seen. Between the relievers and the glare was a
+native stadt, and nearer still a river. Here the scouts in advance came
+on other scouts, eyed them suspiciously, eagerly, delightedly. They were
+Plumer's scouts, and the joy of the encounter amply compensated for the
+pains of all who had covered during the past two days twenty-eight
+miserable miles in miserable condition. All the weariness of the night
+was forgotten, all the discomforts set aside. The horses galloped to the
+Molopo brink like wild creatures, drinking furiously; and the men, too,
+milder in their transport, greeted the streak of glittering stream with
+unfeigned rejoicing.
+
+It must here be noted that while the column was moving from Buck Reef
+Farm to Jan Massibi's, Colonel Plumer's force was approaching the same
+point from the north, and beautifully, like the grooves of a Chinese
+puzzle, the two relief parties met together about 5 A.M. Colonel Plumer
+was accompanied by his regiment of Rhodesians, some 350 of them, who for
+five months, under exceptional difficulties of climate and conditions,
+had been untiring in their efforts to hold back the enemy in their
+attempt to invade Rhodesia _via_ Tuli, and in their determination to
+retain the Bulawayo Railway for over 200 miles south of the Rhodesian
+border in British hands. This diminutive force, though it had achieved
+so much, had been powerless for want of guns to achieve still more.
+Colonel Plumer, in addition to Colonel Spreckley and others who had been
+fighting with him, was accompanied now, by a battery of Canadian
+Artillery, under Major Hudon (an officer whose delicate French accent
+gave a refining touch to the British tongue), and some 200
+Queenslanders. How Colonel Plumer came into possession of the valuable
+addition to his troops must be described. It may be remembered that a
+force called the Rhodesian Field Force, numbering some 5000 men and 7000
+horses, under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick
+Carrington, was originated to provide against the contingency of an
+attack on Rhodesia from the south, and to avert any plan on the part of
+the Boers to migrate or escape to the north. It was composed mainly of
+Colonial troops, and placed in charge of a general whose unequalled
+experience of the country through which he was travelling and fighting
+made him unusually valuable. Besides Colonials were some 1100 Yeomanry,
+a company of the Lancashire, Belfast and Dublin's, and Lord Dunraven's
+Sharpshooters.
+
+[Illustration: MAP SHOWING THE ROUTE FOR THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING FROM THE
+NORTH.]
+
+While Sir Frederick Carrington was at Capetown he, knowing that Colonel
+Plumer's force was weak in artillery, devised a scheme for helping him.
+He made an arrangement with Mr. Zeederberg--the well-known Rhodesian
+coach-owner and a first-rate type of the Colonial Dutchman--by which the
+guns before named and escort were to be conveyed by mail coaches to the
+Rhodesian column. Mr. Zeederberg accompanied the General to Beira, and
+there telegraphed to Rhodesia suspending the ordinary mail service
+(conveying passengers and mails from Salisbury and Bulawayo), and
+diverting the mules to the Marandellas-Bulawayo Road. That done, no
+sooner had the troops steamed from Beira to Marandellas than the men
+were transferred to the stage-coaches and the mules were hitched to the
+guns, and thus the force was got to Bulawayo twenty days earlier than
+they would have done if moved in the ordinary manner.
+
+The active way in which the Colonials threw themselves into the movement
+deserves consideration. On the 13th of April C Battery of the Royal
+Canadian Artillery, under Major Hudon, were ordered to proceed _via_ the
+Cape to Beira, there to join General Sir Frederick Carrington's force.
+They reached their destination on the 22nd, and entrained for
+Marandellas, where the General had established his base camp. After a
+long and trying journey in open trucks, scorched by sun, burnt by sparks
+from the engine, agued by night chills, and jolted on one of what is
+called the worst railways in the world, they reached their destination
+on the 26th. Colonel Plumer was known to be helpless without artillery,
+and therefore no time was to be lost, as every haste was necessary to
+equip that officer for the approaching operations.
+
+Accordingly the "Salisbury to Bulawayo" resources were utilised as has
+been described, and two guns left Marandellas on the 30th of April,
+followed on May the 1st and 2nd by others, which were carried a distance
+of over 300 miles to Bulawayo by the 6th. From Bulawayo they were
+forwarded to Ootsi, where the rail was found to be destroyed, and
+consequently the remaining sixty miles to Safeteli were accomplished by
+a forced march. Colonel Plumer was joined by the Colonials on the 14th,
+and at once proceeded to meet Colonel Mahon at Jan Massibi's. A more
+ingenious synchronal achievement can scarcely be imagined.
+
+[Illustration: LIEUT.-COLONEL PLUMER
+
+Photo by Bassano, London]
+
+The meeting of Colonel Mahon and Colonel Plumer was most cordial, and
+many old chums and acquaintances forgathered and cheerily exchanged
+reminiscences over their morning coffee. Here, in this remote corner of
+South Africa, near the brown thatched cottages of Jan Massibi's staadt,
+was gathered around in the sunlight a stalwart company of picked men
+whose equal could scarcely be discovered in any part of the world. Men
+of breeding and distinction; men in the prime of life, brawny and tough
+and smart; men intellectual, courageous to daredevilry, and withal full
+of resource. Here, on the Kimberley side, were warriors old and
+tried--Colonel King, who had been General Hunter's aide-de-camp in
+Ladysmith; Colonel Peakman, the hero of many Kimberley fights; Major
+Karri Davies and dashing Colonel Edwards; popular Colonel Rhodes the
+pioneer; and the ever-jovial Dr. Davies of the Light Horse. There were
+Prince Alexander of Teck, a youthful veteran by now; Major the Hon.
+Maurice Gifford, a soldier to the finger-nails; Captain Bell-Smythe, the
+energetic brigade-major; and many more, all chivalrous and hardy men of
+mark.
+
+On the Rhodesian side were other grand specimens of British manhood.
+There was first the colonel--bronzed, dark-eyed, meditative--a man who
+without display had skirmished his way along the border-side from Tuli
+downwards, keeping the Boers in eternal suspense and so perpetually
+employed that they were unable to gain breathing time to concentrate
+their energies on Mafeking. Next came Colonel White, one of the bulwarks
+of Rhodesia; an adventurous spirit of the first order, an unerring shot,
+and, like most of his comrades, a chip of the old British block that
+furnished the material of the Light Brigade. There were Colonel
+Spreckley, a seasoned and notable fighter, alas! engaging in almost his
+last exploit, and Colonel Bodle of the British South Africa Police, a
+tower of strength, with vast experience of the western frontier of the
+Transvaal, and the necessary "slimness"--cultivated in a practical
+school--without which the handling of live eels like the Boers was
+impossible. There were Major Bird, another gallant and indefatigable
+officer; Lieutenant Harland, bright, blue-eyed, and buoyant, a typical
+British soldier; and Lieutenant Smitheman, valiant as Mettus Curtius and
+acute as a weazel--the first officer who had been successful in worming
+himself into Mafeking and out again!
+
+Colonel Mahon's force had been travelling at the rate of twenty-two
+miles a day over sandy tracks and waterless deserts, and skirmishing by
+the way. They were, by now, very sun-baked and weary, but jovial beyond
+measure. In the evening camp-fires were lighted and goodly fare roasted,
+the flesh of captured oxen coming in handy to appease the appetite of
+the voracious travellers. It was a grand night of rest and plenty and
+cheeriness at the thought of work accomplished, and of plans which
+promised to end in triumph over the enemy. A spirit of _camaraderie_
+prevailed. All alike were tingling with the glow of ambition which
+hatches heroes. It was an unique company--an inter-British-national
+throng, and vastly interesting in its heterogeneous characteristics. The
+Bushmen were perhaps the most curious and refreshing type of the
+Imperial Brotherhood. Every one with an appreciation for the genuine was
+swift to pronounce them delightful fellows, sound in wind and limb, full
+of go, spirited and keen for work of any kind that came to hand. In
+addition to this they were friendly and hospitable, would share their
+last chunk of "bully" with any one who was suffering from a vacuum, and
+had the "nous" to forage for themselves and find their way about in the
+veldt in a manner that excited as much admiration as surprise. They
+could ride too. They sat a buckjumper as a child sits a swing, and
+seemed to be horsemasters as it were by instinct. Full to overflowing
+with loyalty, they talked of home and Queen as though they had been born
+on the steps of Buckingham Palace. They were democratic withal. Their
+loyalty was to the superb, the estimable, and the Queen to them was the
+sample of the ideal womanhood, holding them enslaved by the power that
+is the firmest of all powers--the hair-line of respect.
+
+To return to our "moutons" and to the sheep-pen in the heart of the
+veldt. At last dawned the memorable 16th--the ever-to-be-remembered
+morning when Mafeking, like a little white clothes-drying yard, came to
+be seen in the distance. All along the north bank of the Molopo for nine
+miles had marched the two columns, Colonel Plumer's Brigade leading,
+followed by Colonel Edwards and the Second Brigade, till at last, in the
+far grey plain, the little hamlet that had been the subject of so much
+persecution and so much British anxiety, came in sight.
+
+Then all were prepared for the worst or for the best. They lunched
+frugally, cooled themselves with draughts from the clear river, and then
+... then the enemy made his last, his expiring effort. He began to blaze
+with his rifles on the extreme left, and continued so to blaze till
+volley followed volley. Off went the Light Horse buoyant and brisk
+towards the north, followed by Colonel King and his redoubtable
+"Kimburlians," who started to frustrate any attempt at a rear attack.
+But this attempt not being made he joined forces with the Light Horse,
+with whom were M Battery and the pom-poms.
+
+Meanwhile the Boers in front began to ply their guns "for all they were
+worth," shifting their pieces so as to enfilade the right of the
+British, thinking on that flank to make a more favourable impression.
+But on both fronts some Dutchmen were collected, and those on the left
+were engaged by the Light Horse and a section of M Battery, while on the
+right Colonel Plumer's Maxim-Nordenfeldt with the Battery of the
+Canadians did excellent execution. Two squadrons of Rhodesians advanced
+from the south across the river, to watch Boer reinforcements which
+hovered in the distance.
+
+The Boers now made an effort to attack the convoy, which had been
+diverted to the left; but here the Dutchmen had the astute Colonel
+Peakman to deal with. This officer promptly set his guns to work, and
+pounded them with such precision and warmth that they were glad enough
+to fall back on their main body. Then the Canadians assailed them, and
+later Captain Montmorency with his Maxim-Nordenfeldt silenced the big
+Boer gun. So effective was the action of the artillery that about 3 P.M.
+the Boers were beginning to show signs of removal. Meanwhile the Light
+Horse and the Kimberley troops were pushing boldly on, and by four
+o'clock the besiegers were on the run, their scurrying silhouettes
+dotting for a moment or two the skyline and then vanishing into space!
+
+On the right fighting still lingered on, the enemy trying hard to hold
+their ground, the Canadians trying equally hard to dislodge them from a
+position before Mafeking known as the White House. There was some tough
+work here, and presently M Battery from 3600 yards north of the house
+came to the assistance of the Canadians. Finally the Fusiliers and the
+Queenslanders with fixed bayonets, and a rush and roar, assailed the
+enemy's last position, and the door to Mafeking was opened! Off
+scrambled the remnant of the Boer hordes, leaving behind them ammunition
+and many other things grateful to the hearts of the conquerors.
+
+For the first time the enemy found themselves outmatched in the way of
+guns as in the way of wits. Gloating, they had been circling round
+Mafeking, waiting with confidence for an exhausted force. They found
+instead a force that had marched warily, and reserved itself, and came
+with full rush upon them; a force that had been concentrating its
+energies to give them as much fighting as they cared for. The whole
+route was now purged of Boers, and when at dusk the column outspanned it
+was but for a brief hour or two. Without warning, Colonel Mahon
+inspanned again, determining to take advantage of the moonlight and the
+clear road; in a very short time he was wending his way towards the
+great destination. At four o'clock on the morning of the 17th his
+mission was accomplished!
+
+The losses were many, for the fighting, during the short time it lasted,
+was fierce and sustained; and the Boer force numbered some 2000, while
+the British columns amounted to about 1500. There were over sixty killed
+and wounded:--
+
+ Lieutenant Edwin Harland, Hampshire Regiment--commanding C
+ Squadron Rhodesian Regiment, was killed. The following were
+ wounded: 2nd Royal West Surrey Regiment--Major W. D. Bird,
+ severe. British South Africa Police--Lieutenant Richard Sherman
+ Godley, slight. Rhodesian Regiment--Lieutenant John Alexander
+ Forbes, slight. Royal Horse Artillery--Lieutenant N. M. Gray,
+ severe. Kimberley Mounted Corps--Captain C. P. Fisher, slight.
+ Imperial Light Horse--Lieutenant Hew Campbell Ross, slight.
+
+Gallant young Harland was generally regretted. He had taken the place of
+Captain Maclaren when that officer was wounded in the attempt to rescue
+Mafeking on the 31st, and had displayed such first-rate talents, both as
+soldier and scout, that he had earned for himself the title of
+"Baden-Powell the Second."
+
+The following table describes the forces engaged in the Relief:--
+
+ MAFEKING.--Protectorate Regiment (800), Cape Mounted Police,
+ British South Africa Company's Mounted Police, Bechuanaland
+ Rifles--1500 men. COLONEL PLUMER'S FORCE.--Rhodesia Regiment,
+ Southern Rhodesia Volunteers, Bechuanaland Border Police, A
+ Detachment of Canadian Artillery. COLONEL MAHON'S FLYING
+ COLUMN.--100 men from Barton's Frontier Brigade, 200
+ Queenslanders (Bushmen). KIMBERLEY MOUNTED CORPS.--Diamond
+ Fields Horse, Kimberley Light Horse, Cape Police, Imperial
+ Light Horse, Diamond Fields Artillery, M Battery Royal Horse
+ Artillery--1200 men.
+
+
+ON THE WESTERN FRONTIER--THE INVASION OF THE TRANSVAAL _VIA_ CHRISTIANA.
+
+At the same time, on the Western Frontier, affairs were progressing in
+accord with Lord Roberts's strategical programme. Sir Charles Warren had
+arrived to take up his new post as military governor of Griqualand West,
+and General Hunter was engaged in a species of overture to cover the
+advance of the Flying Column which had started on the 5th. Without
+opposition he effected the passage of the Vaal River at Windsorton.
+There was great satisfaction to feel that British shells were at last
+exploding in Transvaal territory, and that the voice of the new gun,
+"Bobs," was spreading devastation far and wide. Three Boer laagers were
+dispersed, and on the 4th of May the new weapon caused considerable
+commotion within the Republican border. Ambulances were seen performing
+their melancholy duty for some time after the morning shelling had
+ceased. On the 5th Barton's Brigade encountered 2000 and more of the
+enemy some two miles north of Rooidam. The Dutchmen held a hilly and
+jungly position extending over four miles, but from their beloved kopjes
+they were routed time after time, and with considerable loss, by the
+magnificent dash of the troops, who carried one ridge after another with
+splendid energy and daring. The Yeomanry under Colonel Meyrick
+especially distinguished themselves, their courage and coolness under
+fire being remarkable. They not only engaged the enemy at very close
+quarters, but chased them for miles. General Hunter, having settled the
+Dutchmen, after a contest of some eight hours' duration, joined hands
+with the British force under General Paget at Warrenton.
+
+Fourteen Streams was now occupied without opposition, the enemy having
+found the attentions of the artillery in the direction of the left bank
+of the Vaal far too pressing for his liking. At sight of the approach of
+the 6th and half the 5th Brigades of infantry the Boers scampered,
+leaving behind them in the trenches saddles, ammunition, and wardrobes.
+A British camp was formed at Fourteen Streams--C Company of the Munster
+Fusiliers, under Lieutenant Caning, having been the first to cross the
+river during the night. These were followed at dawn by the rest of the
+troops. The river was low, and the Engineers set to work to construct a
+pontoon bridge for heavy traffic, and to mend the old railway bridge and
+make it fit for immediate use.
+
+The following casualties took place during the advance: Captain Lovett,
+1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers, died from wounds, and Captain MacMahon, 2nd
+Royal Fusiliers, was wounded.
+
+The ten days' march to Vryburg, which was reached on the 24th of May,
+was comparatively uneventful, but the Yeomanry did excellent work, as
+the following report of a Glasgow yeoman serves to show:--"We were most
+of the time on half-rations, and every morning were up before 2 A.M....
+The first day we left the camp at Warrenton we crossed the Vaal River,
+where the railway bridge was blown up. They have now got a temporary one
+made, which they completed two days after we left.... On the other side
+we joined the Union Brigade; Colonel Hart (Barton), I think, is
+commander of it. We had two batteries of artillery with us, and some
+other brigade joined us next day, and we were supposed to be about
+12,000 strong under General Sir A. Hunter. They do not tell you whether
+you are going to fight or on a day's march, the regulars say; but we all
+expected one the day after we left, as we were advised to make any
+personal arrangements we had to make. Next day we moved off about 6.30.
+Nineteenth and 20th Companies were the scouts, and 17th and 18th the
+support. It is rather exciting the first day you are out scouting, with
+ninety cartridges in your bandolier and ten in your magazine, expecting
+to come in contact with the Boers every minute. Some of their patrols
+were seen two days before we left. On Wednesday morning we came in sight
+of Christiana, which we took in great style. We galloped half round it
+at half a mile distance in extended order, the Major and Captain C----
+galloping up to houses, putting the butts of their rifles through the
+windows, and looking to see if the houses were occupied. There were very
+few people there; 2000 Boers had left the day before. However, we came
+across two or three, who were disarmed, and all the arms that were got
+in the town were broken up. We commandeered a lot of cattle, sheep, and
+horses, left a company of infantry in charge of the town, left again
+that night, and did about other six miles' march towards Toungs. We saw
+about a hundred Boers two days later, but they did not let us get near
+them. We are the only cavalry attached to the column, so that we have to
+do all the scouting, front and rear guards. It is quite a sight to see a
+column on the march. First scouts are out in front advancing in line,
+about a hundred yards apart, then the supports, next a skirmishing line
+of infantry, then two or three companies of them. After this long lines
+of transports, the artillery, droves of cattle and sheep, then more
+infantry, and behind the rearguard. I have only washed once since I left
+Warrenton, now twelve days ago, and then I had no soap, and had to dry
+my face with my handkerchief. We had to leave all our stuff behind us so
+as to march as light as possible. These last two days we have been
+getting bread, as they have now got the railway put right up this
+length. We were only getting two hard biscuits per day, coffee in the
+morning and tea at night, pretty often without any sugar, and sometimes
+we couldn't manage to get sticks to make a fire. The beer is 4s. per
+bottle. The Boers have commandeered everything nearly, and the folks
+here were glad to see us. The enemy cleared out of here fourteen days
+ago."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Space does not admit of a detailed account of this excellent movement,
+which was originated in support of the Mafeking Relief Column, and had
+for a double object the protection of Mahon's force and the invasion of
+the Transvaal from the west.
+
+To appreciate the turn of wheel within wheel of Lord Roberts's strategic
+machinery it is necessary to give a glance at the map of the Transvaal.
+It will then be seen that synchronously with the occupation of
+Christiana by General Sir Archibald Hunter on the 16th and the Relief of
+Mafeking by Colonels Mahon and Plumer, we find Lord Methuen moving
+towards Hoopstad, Lord Roberts holding Kroonstad, General Ian Hamilton
+pushing up towards Lindley and Heilbron, and farther east Generals Clery
+and Dundonald advancing towards Ingogo and Laing's Nek respectively!
+
+
+THE RELIEF.
+
+To return to Mafeking. On the day that Colonel Mahon and Colonel Plumer
+joined hands near Jan Massibi's thatched village, news leaked in that
+the long-talked-of relief was verily at hand. They had heard this kind
+of thing before, and their despair lest the Boers should attack the town
+to obtain the release of Eloff was scarcely allayed. However, on the
+16th, dust was espied in the distance, and there was a rush to the roofs
+of the houses to ascertain whether that dust was hostile or friendly. It
+was afterwards discovered that it was the sign of the retiring enemy,
+and eventually towards dusk it was announced that the Relief Column was
+really in sight. The longing eyes of Mafeking looked out, and for the
+first time saw their persecutors in full retreat, saw them begin to run,
+and then, later, scudding for their lives, while their gratified ears,
+so tuned to the sound of the vicious artillery of the foe, now heard the
+cheery notes of the Canadian artillery, the pom-poms, and other pieces,
+clearing the barricades that for so long had shut out the free air of
+day. In the late afternoon Major Karri Davies, who after the routing of
+the Federals had never drawn rein till he reached Mafeking, accompanied
+by some eight of the Imperial Light Horse, the Light Horse that had been
+first in Ladysmith, marched into the town. Surprise was intense! Then
+surprise thawed into warmth, and then warmth grew to fever-heat. Rapture
+eventually reached boiling-point, and the nine men, gaunt, worn, haggard
+with fatigue, were deafened with cheers, and had not strength enough to
+do the handshaking.
+
+Meanwhile, as we know, Colonel Mahon had outspanned. He did this only to
+inspan again, and proceed by moonlight to the town. He had followed the
+rule of South African strategy,--said he was going to do one thing and
+did the other,--thus outwitting the Boers, who having retired wearily,
+were gathering themselves up to lunge at him, and intercept his entry so
+soon as the dawn should break. But by four in the morning of the 17th,
+while the chill dramatic moonbeams were yet bathing the scene with
+strange mystery, Colonel Mahon and his merry men--they were merrier than
+merry at the prospect of their welcome--led by Major Baden-Powell, the
+brother of the hero of the defence, approached the town. The news of the
+arrival spread like wildfire. Immediately all was bustle, and bliss, and
+gratulation. Men, women, and children beamed. Some wept; some danced.
+The natives indulged in wild sounds, and showed rows of dazzling teeth.
+Exuberance took amazing forms; stranger wrung the hand of stranger,
+friends grasped and re-grasped: if they had been foreigners they would
+have embraced! The large hearts of the heroes within and the large
+hearts of the heroes from without were throbbing in unison, bursting
+with satisfaction in the accomplishment of great work in the cause of
+their country and of their fellow-men. The ragged, battered, grimy,
+magnificent throng was almost at a loss to express itself. Words lagged,
+and even those forthcoming were blurred by a foggy haze in the throat,
+while a strange mistiness crept over eyes that for seven months had been
+bright with the fire of determination. But withal, there was no
+emasculating abandonment to rapture of the hour. There was no unbuckling
+of armour. At nine the serious work of war began again. The united
+forces went out on a reconnaissance in the direction of MacMullin's
+farm, where the chief Dutch laager was fixed, and then all the
+artillery, even to the grandfatherly "Lord Nelson," performed in concert
+in honour of the great occasion. Cascades of shrapnel and little white
+balls of smoke danced and played over the laager, and bombs burst with
+violent detonations, and then, like magic, wreaths of dust began to rise
+and increase, and cloud the distance. It was the Dutchmen scampering for
+dear life across the veldt, their waggons and guns--all save
+one--rumbling into space. This one was abandoned in the hurried flight,
+the Boers having taken the precaution to destroy the breech, but it was
+nevertheless captured as a precious souvenir of times more pleasant in
+reminiscence than in being. The forts were visited in turn, and at
+Game-Tree--that dreadful thorn in the side of the garrison--the Union
+Jack went up to a chorus of cheers. Finally, the place was devoured by
+fire, to the satisfaction of those who had so long regarded it with
+apprehension and hate. At MacMullin's farm were found the Boer wounded,
+deserted of their kind, who had scuttled with such alacrity that even
+their still smoking breakfasts had been foregone. Lieutenant Currie and
+his smart Cape Boys, and Major Baillie (4th Hussars), came on one or two
+stragglers in the Boer laager, who wisely surrendered. Snyman's official
+correspondence was discovered, and from this much valuable information
+was gleaned. From one bundle of papers the garrison learned the pleasing
+intelligence that Kroonstadt had fallen; from another, that Kruger was
+not best pleased with the old Commandant--indeed, the President without
+palaver had inquired by telegram whether his failure of the previous
+Saturday had been due to drink! The rescue of Captain Maclaren (13th
+Hussars) from the clutches of the enemy caused great satisfaction, and
+he was borne off in triumph to the hospital, where he was comfortably
+located. He was suffering still from the wounds sustained during the
+fight on the 31st, one of which had been inflicted after he was helpless
+by a Dutchman, who deliberately fired on him at a distance of twenty
+yards, and subsequently robbed him of watch and money!
+
+By noon the reconnaissance was at an end,--the place was found to be
+clear of the horrible girdle that for seven months had encompassed
+it,--and then the Market Square became a scene of unrestrained
+enthusiasm. The Town Guard got itself into position ready to do honour
+to the warriors who had come through fire and blood to release their
+fellow-countrymen, while every nook and corner of the broken hamlet was
+filled with excited, cheering folks--folks whose vocal cords seemed
+scarcely to have suffered from scant fare and unceasing vigils, and who
+yelled as though by sheer force of lung power they meant to swell their
+song of jubilation to the four corners of the earth!
+
+[Illustration: THE LAST ATTACK ON MAFEKING: B.S.A. POLICE ESCORTING BOER
+PRISONERS TO THE GAOL
+
+Drawing by H. M. Paget, from materials supplied by Major F. D. Baillie,
+Special Correspondent of the _Morning Post_.]
+
+Perhaps the march past of the united relief columns was the most unique
+and imposing ceremony ever performed within the confines of such a
+"chicken-run." Here, in this tiny compass, the whole empire veritably
+met together--South Africans, Australians, Canadians, English, Scots,
+and Irishmen, Indians, Cape Boys--all following one another, unit after
+unit, like some quaint scenic procession of the nations. There were the
+bronzed colonels--Baden-Powell, and Mahon, and Plumer, now household
+names throughout the world--accompanied by their staffs, the _élite_
+of the embattled array. There were the glorious 12-pounders--M Battery
+of the Royal Horse Artillery, whose every limber looked dear to the eyes
+that long had been strained in eagerness for their coming--and their
+guardians, the helmeted band of staunch and sturdy gunners, who carried
+the voice of Empire far and wide--there were the plumed and mettlesome
+Colonials, very fighting-cocks at the sniff of war--there was the lion
+rampant in the form of the Union Brigade (the picked portions of it from
+the Royal Fusiliers, Royal Scots, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and Royal Irish
+Fusiliers), a right regal company, the very sight of which in common
+times would have caused the heart of Britons to throb, and which now
+sent the cup of patriotic rapture brimming over. Cheers or tears? Shouts
+or sobs? It was a "toss"-up which would supersede the other, and amid
+the stupendous _fracas_ even the dauntless hero of this unparalleled,
+soul-stirring outburst turned aside that none should view the emotion
+that threatened to overwhelm him.
+
+The painter, when he depicted Agamemnon in the hour of sublime
+sacrifice, drew a veil over the features of the chief. He judged the
+supreme moment of human exultation too sanctified for common gaze. Even
+so must we draw the veil of silence over this supreme moment in the life
+of the saviour of Mafeking ... the soundless epic is the more sonorous.
+
+The parade over, addresses were presented and the usual formalities gone
+through. The gratitude of the town for the relief--the appreciation of
+the magnificent work done by Colonel Baden-Powell, and the stupendous
+energy of the succouring forces, were all dilated on and thanks
+returned. A hailstorm of cheers then broke out--cheers for Queen and
+country, for Baden-Powell, Mahon, Plumer, Colonel Rhodes, Major Karri
+Davies; in fact, every one cheered every one else, for all were too
+deserving, too heroic, to overlook the deserts and heroism of those who
+had imperilled their lives over and over again to maintain the prestige
+of their native land. So passed the day, and at night chums and comrades
+gathered together and jested and laughed, and told yarns of skirmish and
+sortie and surprise, till they sank to sleep in their greatcoats and
+blankets, fairly worn out with their eleven days and nights of boot and
+saddle.
+
+On the 19th, the garrison assembled for a last, a solemn function. A
+great thanksgiving and memorial service was held at the cemetery, and
+all bade a last farewell to those who had shared with them the
+tribulations of the siege without reaping the harvest of honour their
+hands had sown.
+
+At the close of the impressive ceremony three volleys were fired over
+the noble dead who had given their lives to attain the great end, and
+then an effort was made to sing the National Anthem, but the notes were
+quavering with the emotion which these hitherto fearless men now feared
+might unman them.
+
+Finally Colonel Baden-Powell--a little abruptly to cover the touching
+nature of his farewell--addressed the garrison:--
+
+ "We have been a happy family during the siege. The time has now
+ come for breaking up. When we were first invested I said to
+ you, 'Sit tight and shoot straight.' The garrison has sat tight
+ and shot straight, with the present glorious result. Many nice
+ things have been said about me at home, but it is an easy thing
+ to be the figurehead of a ship. The garrison has been the
+ rigging and sails of the good ship Mafeking, and has brought
+ her safely through her stormy cruise."
+
+He then thanked the ladies, beginning with the matron of the hospital,
+whose pluck and devotion could not be sufficiently extolled. Turning to
+the Protectorate Regiment, he said:--
+
+ "To you I need say nothing. Your roll of dead and wounded tells
+ its own tale."
+
+Shaking hands with Colonel Hore he thanked him for the assistance he had
+given him, and to the artillery, under Major Panzera and Lieutenant
+Daniel, he said:--
+
+ "You were armed with obsolete weapons, but you made up for
+ these by your cool shooting and the way you stuck to your
+ guns."
+
+The colonel afterwards turned to the British South Africa Police:--
+
+ "I need not repeat to you men the story of the little red fort
+ on the hill, which Cronje could not take."
+
+And to the Cape Police, under Captain Marsh, he addressed himself as
+follows:--
+
+ "You have not been given an opportunity of doing anything
+ dramatic, but throughout the siege you have held one of the
+ nastiest places in the town, where the enemy were expected at
+ any moment, and where you were always under fire."
+
+The colonel next made some graceful remarks to the Town Guard. He
+compared them to a walnut in a shell; saying that people thought that
+they had but to break the shell to get at the kernel. But the enemy had
+learnt better. They had got through the husk and found they could get no
+hold on the kernel. In conclusion, he announced that any civilians who
+wished to return to their ordinary occupations immediately might do so.
+Those who had none to return to, whose billets had been lost or
+businesses ruined, would be permitted in the meantime to draw trench
+allowances and to remain on duty in the inner defences.
+
+Major Goold Adams was then cordially thanked for all the excellent work
+he had done as Town Commandant, after which the Railway Division (under
+Captain Moore) and Lieutenant Layton (who had received a commission for
+his splendid services) were addressed:--
+
+ "I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. You have
+ transformed yourselves from railway-men to soldiers. Your work
+ is not yet done, because it will be your business to reopen
+ communication and get in supplies."
+
+[Illustration: MAFEKING RAILWAY STATION--THE FIRST TRAIN ARRIVING FROM
+THE NORTH AFTER THE RELIEF. (Photo by D. Taylor, Mafeking.)]
+
+To the Bechuanaland Rifles Colonel Baden-Powell exclaimed:--
+
+ "Men, you have turned out trumps. With volunteers one knows
+ that they have been ably drilled, but there is no telling how
+ they will fight. I have been able to use you exactly as Regular
+ troops, and I have been specially pleased with your straight
+ shooting. The other day, when the enemy occupied the
+ Protectorate Fort, they admitted that they were forced to
+ surrender by your straight shooting, under which they did not
+ dare to show a hand above the parapet."
+
+The chief delighted the juvenile Cadet Corps by giving them their meed
+of praise for their conduct as soldiers, concluding with, "I hope you
+will continue in the profession, and will do as well in after life."
+
+He then turned to the outsiders, the Northern Relief Force under Colonel
+Plumer, which had borne the brunt of the seven months' fighting, and
+expressed his regret that they had been too weak to relieve the town
+"off their own bat." But he eulogised the splendid work done in bad
+country and climate. The Southern Force under Colonel Mahon were
+congratulated on having made a march which would live in history. Their
+chief was complimented on the magnificent body of men he commanded,
+while the Imperial Light Horse, associated as it was with memories of
+Ladysmith, Colonel Baden-Powell declared he was especially pleased to
+see, as these would be able, in consequence of their own experience, to
+sympathise with the people in Mafeking.
+
+So the amazing defence of Mafeking was over! For seven months the
+gallant little town had withstood every ingenious device of the Boers,
+and in the end it had come off victorious. The first shot was fired on
+the 16th of October, and from that day the rumble of bombardment had
+been the accompaniment of almost every hour between the rising and
+setting of the sun. And now all was serene and still, and only the
+battered walls of the once neat little hamlet told the terrible, the
+glorious tale of British doggedness and British pluck.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+ Lord Roberts Lord Kitchener
+
+LORD ROBERTS AND HIS ARMY CROSSING THE VAAL RIVER
+
+Drawing by R. M. Paxton, from a Sketch by W. B. Wollen, R.I.]
+
+
+HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED BY THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
+
+For some time the ears of London had been pricked up in anxious
+expectation. Lord Roberts had promised to relieve Mafeking by the 18th
+of May, and the Field-Marshal was known to be punctuality personified.
+All the town remained in a state of suppressed excitement, little flags
+were selling like wildfire, and big flags were being got into readiness
+for the great, the longed-for word. Early in the morning of the 17th the
+papers were anxiously perused, and man asked man if any news had leaked
+out. The 18th arrived. Nothing was known. The War Office maintained its
+adamantine calm. The day grew middle-aged, almost old--then, as the
+shutters were about to go up (twenty minutes past nine was the exact
+hour), one telegram of Reuter's fired the fuse, and London, followed
+presently by the whole British Empire, was ablaze with excitement. The
+flame, like most flames, broke out almost unnoticed. Some one on a
+cycle--some one in a cab, heard the glorious three words, and sped
+breathless to carry the contagion of his rapture far and wide. Street
+after street began to smoulder--to glow; and, presto! the town was one
+vast conflagration! Such a furnace of patriotism had never been seen
+within the confines of the staid metropolis. By ten o'clock the populace
+of one consent had run wild into the streets--the houses were too
+cramped to hold them--they ran wild, roaring and yelling and shouting
+and singing, passing into the heart of the Capital in dense
+armies--passing? nay!--for soon none could pass, but had merely to be
+propelled good-humouredly by the compact mass that surged apparently to
+no destination whatever. Whence came the clamouring hosts it was
+impossible to say--they seemed to rise from the earth, so rapidly, so
+mysteriously, did their numbers increase. Liberty, equality, fraternity,
+was the motto of this memorable night. All ages, and ranks, and sexes
+were linked together in the bonds of sympathetic patriotism--countess or
+coster, duke or drayman, it was all one--an identical beam of triumph
+imparted a relationship to every British face. Minutes had scarcely
+grown into hours before the Union Jack fluttered from every window, from
+every cart and 'bus, from every hand, and the roar of human joy was as
+the roar of the ocean in a tempest. At the theatres, as at the railway
+stations, the crowds heard and wondered only for a moment, for the
+electrical news got into their midst, and they on the instant took up
+the cry and the cheer, and repeated them with all their might. Indeed,
+theatrical performances were suspended while the joyous audiences sang
+and re-sang "Rule, Britannia" and "God Save the Queen," and then,
+unsatisfied, tore into the open to let off steam as it were, and view a
+sight which never before has been witnessed, and probably never again
+will be visible in the precincts of London Town. The Mansion House,
+where the display of the message had caused a huge concourse to
+assemble, was next besieged, and the old walls literally shook with the
+mighty roar of the multitude. The "National Anthem" swelled out
+thunderously with volume that was almost awe-striking as the combined
+voice of a Handel Festival, and shouts for the Lord Mayor grew and grew,
+and became deafening as that honoured citizen and splendid patriot
+showed himself.
+
+He then delivered the following speech: "I wish the music of your cheers
+could reach Mafeking. For seven long weary months a handful of men has
+been besieged by a horde. We never doubted what the end would be.
+British pluck and valour when used in a right cause must triumph. The
+heart of every one of you vibrates with intense loyalty and enthusiasm,
+I know, and the conscience of every one of you assures you that we have
+fought in a righteous and just cause." The crowd, incapable of silence
+for very long, broke into "Rule, Britannia," and when this outburst of
+emotion was expended, the Lord Mayor continued: "We have fought for our
+most glorious traditions of equality and freedom, not for ourselves
+alone, but for the men of all those nations who have settled in South
+Africa and who were under the protection of the British flag." Three
+cheers for Colonel Baden-Powell were then called for, and three for Lord
+Roberts, and these having been heartily given, he said: "The people of
+Bloemfontein and Mafeking are now singing 'God Save the Queen'; you can
+do it for yourselves." This they proceeded to do not once but twenty
+times through the livelong hours of the night. Meanwhile the following
+practical telegram was despatched by the Lord Mayor:--
+
+ "_To_ BADEN-POWELL, Mafeking, _via_ Cape Town.
+
+ "Citizens London relieved and rejoiced by good news just
+ received. Your gallant defence will long live in British
+ annals. Cable me what money wanted for needs of garrison and
+ inhabitants after long privations.
+
+ "ALFRED NEWTON, _Lord Mayor_."
+
+At the same time a huge portrait of Colonel Baden-Powell was displayed
+in front of the Mansion House, and the strains of "God Save the Queen"
+and "Rule, Britannia" were now intermingled with the lively tune of "For
+he's a jolly good fellow." These combined choruses were echoed and
+re-echoed, and carried along like a gigantic stream of sound into the
+suburbs of London, into sleeping Kensington and remote Clapham, so that
+men and women turned in their beds--sat up, terrified at first, then
+realising the situation, gave up thought of rest, and listened with
+swelling hearts to the triumphant din. And so, on and on--through the
+night till morning broke!
+
+Then, the whole face of London seemed transmogrified. National
+emblems--red, white, blue, yellow, green, stars and stripes--draping the
+houses and festooning the roads, gave the town the aspect of one huge
+bazaar. Balconies were decorated, awnings thrown out, and in some cases,
+to give a touch of realism, bathing towels[6] were hung from the
+verandahs. People passing by, and ignorant of the double meaning of the
+curious drapery, shrugged their shoulders, scoffed--then, awakened by a
+flash of illumination, looked again and broke into renewed cheers.
+Before the dwelling of the mother of the defender of Mafeking a vast
+crowd collected, wielding flags and laurels, and displaying in their
+midst the bust of the hero with a British lion crouching at his feet.
+Cheers rent the air, and increased in volume when the proud parent of
+this splendid Briton appeared on the balcony and acknowledged the
+demonstration. The glad tumult in front of this point of attraction
+continued throughout the day, people coming from far and wide here to
+vent their ecstasy of enthusiasm--some in shouts, many in tears.
+
+By nightfall, the whole Empire was pouring forth its excitement in
+congratulatory telegrams, for, four minutes after the receipt of the
+intelligence in London the news had passed over the Atlantic cables and
+was in the New York office of the Associated Press, whence it was
+forwarded to the farthest limit of the North American Continent. Canada,
+New South Wales, Sydney, and all the other colonies whose bravest and
+best had contributed to the great doings in the Transvaal, were now
+aglow with bunting and illuminations. Church bells pealed, processions
+passed shouting and rejoicing, ships were dressed from truck to
+taffrail, and prayers and anthems of praise were got ready to be offered
+up on the following day at all churches.
+
+Thus, for a brief space, was seen a vast concourse of millions of souls
+of differing opinions, customs, and creeds, diffused even to the
+remotest corners of the British-speaking world, yet closely united by a
+bond of fraternal sympathy in consequence of the triumph of British
+manhood in the most unique ordeal that the loyalty of any nation has
+been called upon to endure.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[5] See Vol. III. p. 39.
+
+[6] The hero of Mafeking at Charterhouse was nicknamed "Bathing Towel."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+FROM KROONSTAD TO JOHANNESBURG
+
+
+From the 12th to the 22nd of May was spent by the main army, at
+Kroonstad, where, owing to sickness and other causes, a halt was
+obligatory. It was necessary that supplies should be collected, an
+advanced depôt formed, the railway repaired, and the safety of both
+flanks secured. Meanwhile, efforts were made to protect the farmers who
+had surrendered from the revengeful tactics of the Boers. Lord Lovat's
+gillies arrived at Kroonstad and met with the approval of the
+Commander-in-Chief. General Hutton, with a force of mounted infantry,
+had reported an attack on Bothaville and the capture of three
+commandants and about a score of Zarps, from their hiding-place near
+Smaldeel. On the 20th, the 1st Cavalry Brigade marched out from their
+camp near Kroonstad, to open up the country on the left of Lord
+Roberts's main advance along the western fringe of the railway. They
+were accompanied by the 4th Cavalry Brigade (7th Dragoon Guards and 8th
+and 14th Hussars), and supported by General Hutton's Brigade of Mounted
+Infantry (Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders). On the 21st, the
+cavalry seized the drift at the confluence of the Honing Spruit and the
+Rhenoster; and on the 22nd, Lord Roberts and the main army, leaving only
+the 1st Suffolks behind, marched from Kroonstad to Honing Spruit, the
+third station to the north, and some eighteen or twenty miles off.
+General Ian Hamilton, after a series of engagements with De Wet's
+hordes, from Lindley, onwards, had secured an advanced position at
+Heilbron, while the cavalry division had moved up, crossed the Rhenoster
+River, and threatening the right rear of the enemy had forced the
+Dutchmen to leave a strongly-entrenched position on the north bank of
+the river. The presence of French and Hamilton to west and east of them
+had served to unnerve the hostile hordes, who now had our cavalry within
+twenty miles of either flank. They spent their bellicose ardour by
+destroying some miles of railway, the bridge over the Rhenoster, and
+some culverts, and then flying in hot haste before the vast machinery of
+the advancing army, to a new point of defence some twenty miles in
+front, a point which promised shortly to become equally untenable.
+
+[Illustration: THE GREAT ADVANCE: ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY (CAVALRY
+DIVISION) CROSSING THE VAAL
+
+Drawing by R. Caton Woodville]
+
+The following casualties took place in the Winburg Column, May
+21st:--New South Wales Mounted Infantry--Wounded severely, Lieutenant A.
+J. M. Onslow, 1st Royal Irish--Lieutenant M. H. E. Welch.
+
+On the 23rd, Lord Roberts and his majestical and magnificent apparatus
+of war, its thousands of gallant souls, its multiplicity of vehicles,
+its endless supplies and zoological train, encamped on the south bank of
+the Rhenoster River. The Boers, apparently demoralised in their
+preparations for resistance, and having had their left flank turned by
+Hamilton at Heilbron, were now continuously "on the run." Meanwhile
+burghers hourly came in to surrender arms and ammunition, the last
+vestige of truculence having evaporated. The Boer Government telegraphed
+to Lord Roberts offering to exchange an equal number of prisoners on
+parole, and threatening if the offer should be refused to remove from
+Pretoria to some other district the 4000 prisoners now confined there.
+As to the fate of the Johannesburg mines there was considerable
+uncertainty; reports declared they would be destroyed in the event of
+entry to the Transvaal by the British, and also that the town itself
+would be defended, as defence works were being rapidly pushed forward,
+guns got into position, and trenches and defences constructed.
+
+On the other hand it was stated that, on hearing of the threat to
+destroy the mines and possibly the town, Commandant Louis Botha had
+hastened to the President, and in a stormy interview had asserted his
+intention, if such a thing were contemplated, himself to defend
+Johannesburg from such an act of vandalism. He concluded by denouncing
+the diabolical intention and saying, "We are not barbarians." Mr. Kruger
+did not argue the subject--possibly his conscience tweaked him on the
+subject of barbarity--but gave in. Terrible altercations were daily
+taking place between the Boers, the Free Staters, and their mercenaries,
+and the burghers were inclined to throw all the blame of defeat on the
+Hollanders who had brought about the war and left the Boers to bear the
+brunt of the loss to life and property that hostilities entailed. These
+were merely reports, but they served, as the passage to the north
+proceeded, to show which way the wind blew.
+
+On the Queen's birthday the 4th Brigade of cavalry crossed the Vaal near
+Pary's Drift, and the 1st Brigade at a drift farther east of Pary's,
+while General Ian Hamilton's column was ordered to move towards
+Boschbank still higher up. They arrived just in time to save the
+coal-mines from being destroyed. The operation of crossing the Vaal was
+one of the most risky that has been undertaken in the campaign, as the
+road down to the drifts led through about six miles of mountainous
+country forming a narrow pass, well suited to Boer tactics. Fortunately,
+although the Boers were seen hovering in the vicinity, the arrival of
+the cavalry was unexpected, and they made no effective resistance.
+
+It will be seen that here the distribution of the advance underwent a
+change. General French adhered to his original course on the left, but
+General Hamilton, screened by Gordon's Cavalry, crossed in front of the
+main army, and concentrated near Vredefort on the west, thus preparing a
+little surprise for the Boers, who were collected in their thousands
+opposite Engelbrecht Drift in the expectation that the British General
+would continue to proceed towards the north. Meanwhile, the cavalry, to
+a desultory accompaniment of musketry, was engaged in securing the
+approaches to Lindique Drift, over which the baggage had to pass. On the
+26th, Colonel Henry's Mounted Infantry, and the Bedfordshires, crossed
+at Viljoen's Drift and there encountered an Irish-American rabble in act
+of injuring the coal-mines and bridge; and the wreckers--an
+alcoholically-valiant gang of hirelings--speedily made off, leaving
+behind them three days' supplies, which came in most handy for the
+benefit of the troops. By this time General Hamilton had reached
+Boschbank, and Lord Roberts had arrived at Wolve Hoek.
+
+The Cavalry Division, finding the force of Mounted Infantry had moved to
+Vereeniging--and thus opened up communication with Lord Roberts's main
+advance--flew on. On the evening of the 27th they seized the head of the
+horse-shoe of hills wherein the Boers in large numbers had ensconced
+themselves. This dashing exploit was attended with the loss of only one
+Scots Grey and one Carabineer wounded. The position thus gained
+overlooked the Boers' main position at Klips Wersberg, defending
+Johannesburg.
+
+While this was going on (on the 27th) Lord Roberts, with the 7th and
+11th Divisions, crossed the Vaal facing Vereeniging, and encamped on the
+north bank, and found vacated several intricately prepared positions
+whence the Boers had intended to offer opposition. They had abandoned
+position after position at the approach of one or other of the great
+feelers of the big British machine that threatened to surround them.
+
+The fact was, this enormous army was moving as an avalanche--stupendous
+and strong--an avalanche that swept all things before it. Horses and men
+were in splendid fettle, their spirits were rising, their confidence
+intense, and all endeavoured to emulate the example in activity set them
+by the Field-Marshal, who, like a young man of thirty, was up before
+dawn and working hard till sundown. In spite of the cold
+nights--especially trying after the heat of midday--the
+Commander-in-Chief looked healthy and well, while his troops, who had
+marched magnificently in trying circumstances, needed no finer eulogy
+than to be described as worthy of him.
+
+A grand march of twenty miles brought the main army on the 28th, to
+Klip River, within eighteen miles of Johannesburg--a march so rapid and
+so well organised that the Boers, who had prepared a delicate salute of
+five guns with which to welcome the troops, had barely time to hustle
+their weapons into the train and steam off as some of the West
+Australian Mounted Infantry dashed into the station! These smart
+Colonials were very much to the fore all day and showed a vast amount of
+dash and dexterity. Major Pilkington and a patrol of some thirty of them
+were moving in advance of the 11th Division in hope to find a suitable
+drift for the passage of troops and guns across the Klip River. The
+drift was discovered, but also the Boers--a posse of them hovering among
+the kopjes that flanked the road. Without ado, the little party prepared
+themselves for the worst, spreading themselves, rifles in hand, to
+protect the position they had gained, a position of some importance,
+since it commanded bridges about a mile and a half to east and west of
+the road. The party divided into two groups, arranged themselves at each
+bridge, and endeavoured to make a line--a very thin line--as a uniting
+link between the groups. It was somewhat like the fable of the frog that
+tried to blow himself out to the size of a bull--but in this case the
+minute object's pretence was successful; the thirty isolated men deluded
+the Boers, and caused them to believe that these sturdy defenders of the
+drifts were supported by a huge force in reserve. Blazing away with
+their rifles, the Dutchmen attacked the small party, and an uneven
+contest commenced and proceeded till dusk. Lieutenant Porter, while
+directing some operations, was wounded, but fortunately at this juncture
+there came to his rescue some guardsmen, who were escorting a convoy,
+and these, owing to the gallant manner in which the drifts had been
+held, managed in the darkness to get their convoy into safety, and
+enable the Westralians, whose work was accomplished, to "silently steal
+away." Meanwhile, during the whole day, some ten miles to the left--on
+the west of the railway--sounds of animated knocking portended much
+activity on the part of Generals French and Hamilton in the
+neighbourhood of Syferfontein and Klip River. General French was engaged
+in a reconnaissance in force of the enemy's position. After drawing the
+fire of all the Dutch guns, and consuming a good deal of powder, the
+casualties on the part of the cavalry were small--about five--mostly
+Inniskillings.
+
+On the 29th of May, part of the Cavalry Division, General Ian Hamilton's
+Mounted Infantry, the 19th and 21st Brigades, and some Colonials who had
+moved parallel to the main advance since it left the Vaal, found
+themselves about twelve miles south of Johannesburg. East of Doornkop
+some 4000 Boers, with six guns, had taken up a menacing position,
+strengthened with various natural obstacles, while the ground had been
+blackened with grass fires to afford an effective background to
+approaching kharki. The troops, supported by the guns, at once steadily
+advanced to attack the Boer centre, while Generals French and Hutton
+operated on the west to turn the right flank of the position. After an
+hour's smart fighting the infantry were able to push on, Porter's
+brigade having ridden five miles to the west, and turned the enemy's
+right, while the infantry, with fixed bayonets, had driven the enemy
+from every cherished kopje. In the attack, the Gordons in the centre of
+the right, the City Imperial Volunteers in the centre on the left,
+advanced gradually on the Boer position. The gallant nature of the
+advance over the burnt and blackened ground, which made the infantry
+into targets for the foe, excited the admiration of all. Grandly the
+Gordons flung themselves upon the enemy, in spite of the Boer guns and
+"pom-pom," that dealt death and destruction among their numbers. Seventy
+of the dashing fellows dropped, and the only consolation for so great a
+loss was, that by nightfall 6000 Dutchmen were scudding away in the
+darkness, while General Hamilton was bivouacking on the ground seized
+from them, and Generals French and Hutton, who had turned the right
+flank of the position, were threatening Krugersdorp. The conduct of the
+City Imperial Volunteers was magnificent, and to them, as well as to the
+Gordons, much of the credit of the day's work was due. They behaved as
+skilled troops, taking cover with great ingenuity, and returning the
+attacks of the enemy with amazing coolness and precision. Their
+sustained volleys succeeded in clearing out the Boers immediately in
+front of Roodepoorte. Commandant Botha--not Louis Botha, but a
+kinsman--with a hundred foreign and Irish subsidised sympathisers, was
+captured, and, in addition to these, a Creusot gun and twelve waggons of
+stores and ammunition were secured.
+
+The losses among officers in this engagement were comparatively few.
+Captain St. J. Meyrick, 1st Gordon Highlanders, was killed. Among the
+wounded were:--
+
+ City Imperial Volunteers--Capt. G. W. Barkley. 1st Gordon
+ Highlanders--Capt. G. E. E. G. Cameron, Lieut.-Col. H. H.
+ Burney, Capt. P. S. Allen, second Lieut. A. Cameron,
+ Surg.-Lieut. A. H. Benson, Dr. R. Hunter. Vol. Co. Gordon
+ Highlanders--Capt. J. B. Buchanan, Lieut. J. Mackinnon, Lieut.
+ H. Forbes. Royal Army Medical Corps--Lieut. A. H. Benson. 2nd
+ Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry--Lieut. H. W. Fife (since
+ dead). 10th Hussars--Lieut. T. Lister.
+
+During General French's operations near Klip River, on the 27th, 28th,
+and 29th, the wounded officers were:--
+
+ New Zealand Rifles--Captain Palmer. 7th Dragoon Guards--Major
+ W. J. Mackeson, second Lieut. G. Dunne. Capt. D. L. MacEwen,
+ Cameron Highlanders, attached to Intelligence Department, was
+ taken prisoner.
+
+[Illustration: GENERAL IAN HAMILTON THANKING THE GORDONS FOR THEIR
+ATTACK AT THE BATTLE OF DOORNKOP
+
+Drawing by S. Begg]
+
+To return to the main advance on this day (29th). While Generals French
+and Hamilton were engaging Botha and his hordes outside Johannesburg,
+turning their flank wherever they posted themselves, Lord Roberts
+decided to pursue boldly the programme of his main advance upon the
+enemy's East Rand and Pretoria communications, a programme which was as
+faultlessly and rapidly carried out as it was skilfully conceived.
+
+From the neighbourhood of the Klip River the troops pushed on rapidly to
+Germiston without meeting with serious opposition. So swiftly were the
+movements executed that the nimble Boers were beaten at their own game,
+and had to turn tail without removing the whole of the rolling-stock.
+Thus, the Commander-in-Chief came at once into possession of the
+Junction connecting Johannesburg with Natal, Pretoria, and Klerksdorp by
+railway, and through a piece of splendid strategy Boer resistance was
+paralysed, and the railway system of the State was brought completely
+under his control. Any concentration of forces in Pretoria or on the
+fringes was now practically impossible.
+
+The history of the hurried capture of this vital strategical position
+was inspiriting. Colonel Henry, with the 8th Mounted Infantry, started
+at dawn with orders to seize Elandsfontein at all costs. The 3rd Cavalry
+Brigade in support made a detour to the east towards Boksburg, in a
+direct line to Pretoria, followed rapidly along the line by Pole-Carew's
+and Tucker's Divisions. The object of the somewhat wide easterly move
+was to outflank the enemy's defensible positions and secure the
+communications to Pretoria, and thus cut off and isolate the force
+prepared to check the advance of the British. Just as the advance guard
+neared the Natal line, a train was seen conveying half of the Heidelberg
+Commando from Volksrust to the north. It was impossible to arrest it,
+but after firing on the departing machine, the troops proceeded to
+demolish the line and secure the Natal communications. The Mounted
+Infantry which, owing to the uselessness of the Klip River Bridge, were
+without artillery, were now assailed by a party of Boers with guns, who
+had ensconced themselves in the ridges which menaced the southern road,
+but nevertheless they pressed forward bent on obeying orders and gaining
+Elandsfontein. They pushed ever on and on till the great city, the
+monstrous hive of gold-getters, the scene of Boer despotism and
+Uitlander servility, became visible from the rolling hills. Momentarily
+they expected to hear a roar, to see a flare and an upheaval, and to
+know the worst had come--the mines had been destroyed! But all was
+silence. The huge town, surrounded in places by a blanket of smoke,
+seemed slumbering on the bosom of the undulating downs. In the distance,
+however, the station showed active. Trains were steaming off to
+Pretoria. Others with their steam up were preparing to follow. These
+trains must be arrested, and their freight captured. It was a case,
+unfortunately, of horse-flesh versus steam. But still it was worth the
+venture! Off went a section of the Yorkshire Mounted Infantry, galloping
+like fury to the station, while the main body made for Boksburg; and the
+Australians, toolless, tore to Knight's Station, and there piling up
+trollies, boulders--anything, in fact, that came to hand--blocked the
+line. They were pelted by hidden Boers, but fled carefully to cover
+after accomplishing their object.
+
+Meanwhile, some of the Yorkshire Mounted Infantry had seized the
+station, and, with it, three locomotives whose steam was up ready for
+departure. But the enemy were in strength there--they were at least
+strong in proportion to the twenty dashing Yorkshire men who had plunged
+into the mêlée, and these gallant fellows found themselves in a critical
+position, fighting like demons for their hardly-earned prize with
+desperate men, whose sole source of salvation lay in the locomotives
+that stolidly panted and wheezed in utter disregard of the fierce fight
+raging for their possession. Then, with almost theatrical precision, a
+vast procession was seen to be approaching: a river of kharki flowing
+down the southern slopes into the Rand. It was the Mounted Infantry from
+Boksburg and the Infantry Division--the goodly Grenadiers
+leading--pouring in their numbers to the rescue of the gallant little
+band! Thus by nightfall one of the most fateful of the operations of the
+war was concluded, and Johannesburg was virtually seized without the
+wrecking of a mine and with little loss of life. During the operations
+Captain MacEwan, Cameron Highlanders, and Lord Cecil Manners
+(correspondent to the _Morning Post_) were taken prisoners. Lieutenants
+Pepper, West Australian Mounted Infantry, Beddington, Imperial Yeomanry,
+and Forrest, 1st Oxford Light Infantry, were wounded. Immense crowds,
+surprised to find that the struggle was a matter of hours and not of
+days, watched the fighting from west and east corners of the town, and
+the shock of the fall of Elandsfontein disorganised their plans and
+demoralised themselves.
+
+While this was going on, the Cavalry Division had advanced through the
+gold mines, having Johannesburg on their right, and was encamped on the
+west of the town, keeping a wary eye on the Boers, who were fleeing
+hot-foot to Pretoria.
+
+Within the City of Gold, all was turmoil. On the discovery of the
+situation there followed a violent up-rising. The Kaffirs, on seeing the
+Boers repulsed, rushed to the Jews' houses to loot them, and the
+foreign contingents immediately set out on a species of internal
+invasion, breaking open shops and stores and houses, and throwing out of
+doors and windows goods collected for the benefit of needy burgher
+families. The uproar, however, was speedily suppressed by the firm
+measures of Dr. Krause. In answer to the flag of truce sent in by the
+Field-Marshal, this official went out to meet him. There being still
+many armed burghers in the place, the Transvaal Commandant requested
+Lord Roberts to postpone his entry for six hours. To avert disturbance
+this arrangement was agreed to, and Lord Roberts decided to postpone
+till the 31st his entry into the conquered town.
+
+So Johannesburg was ours! The advance, which appeared to be so rapid,
+straightforward, and simple, owed these qualities to Lord Roberts's
+splendid, almost prophetic, instinct for gauging the enemy's
+expectations with a view to disappointing them; to his strategic
+manipulation of his cavalry and mounted infantry, and to the magnificent
+marching capability of the infantry. Everywhere, the Boers had fenced
+themselves across the route, sometimes extending their line of defence
+for twenty miles or more, and everywhere, in dread of having one flank
+or the other turned, they had been kept oscillating between stubborn
+resistance and rapid flight till their nerves had given way, and they
+had scuttled back and back to their undoing. At the Vet, the Zand, the
+Valsch, the Rhenoster, and the Klip Rivers, they had cunningly prepared
+themselves, till, with the infantry menacing them in front and the
+cavalry and infantry threatening both flanks, they had realised that
+retreat was inevitable. Their last hope had been set on the city of
+mines; and now from thence, a routed, raging rabble, they were fleeing
+in despair.
+
+The splendid progress of the infantry was a remarkable achievement, of
+which enough cannot be said. It was no mere feat of pedestrianism. It
+was a march in face of an enterprising enemy, and harassed with
+discomforts sufficiently multifarious to try the endurance of a
+Socrates. A scorching sun by day and a frigid temperature by night,
+occasional sand blasts rendering drier than ever parched throats already
+dry as husk from the tramp through a sand-clogged and almost waterless
+country, were but items in the programme. If water there chanced to be,
+it was ochreous and fouled by the passage of many quadrupeds, and such
+food as there was--bully beef and adamantine biscuit--demanded the jaws
+and digestion of an alligator. Yet these sturdy fellows plodded along,
+lumbering through sand drifts and squelching in mire and morass, or laid
+themselves to rest on the hard or soggy ground with a philosophy so
+devil-may-care as almost to fringe on the sublime. With unquenchable
+gaiety, they had accomplished a march of 254 miles (the distance from
+Bloemfontein to Elandsfontein) in eighteen days, giving as an average
+fourteen miles a day. (This calculation naturally excludes the ten days'
+halt at Kroonstad.) From Kroonstad to Elandsfontein, a distance of some
+126 miles--covered in seven days (22nd to 29th)--marching had gone
+forward at the rate of eighteen miles a day. Napoleon's much vaunted
+march from the Channel to the Rhine in 1805 showed an average of sixteen
+miles a day, when the distance traversed was 400 miles, and the time
+taken twenty-five days. But that march, unopposed throughout, was
+comparatively plain sailing. Quicker forced marches have been known,[7]
+but in the present case the march was continuous, and may be said to
+beat all records of rapid marching under equally inconvenient
+conditions.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+The twenty-four hours were allowed to pass. Then, at the entrance of the
+town Dr. Krause met the Commander-in-Chief, and rode with him to the
+government offices, and introduced to him the heads of the various
+departments, all of whom were requested to continue their respective
+duties till they should be relieved of them.
+
+To those who had never seen Johannesburg the first glimpse was a
+surprise. Strangely incongruous did it seem to move from the isolation
+and rugged simplicity of the open veldt to the centre of a large and
+peculiarly civilised town. The note of modernity was sounded on every
+side. Buildings more than magnificent greeted the eye accustomed only to
+homely farms and mushroom staadts. Tramways ribbed the streets, electric
+lights gleamed a whiter glare than moonbeams, and nineteenth-century
+luxury, and in some cases refinement, were in evidence at every turn.
+But the public buildings were closed, and the handsome shops boarded up
+for precaution's sake, while the streets were thinly populated, owing to
+the fact that many of the British sympathisers had been expelled, and
+the Boer community was on commando.
+
+[Illustration: THE CITY OF LONDON IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTING GENERAL
+HAMILTON'S LEFT FLANK IN THE ACTION AT DOORNKOP ON THE 29TH OF MAY
+
+Drawing by C. E. Fripp, R.W.S., War Artist]
+
+But though at first the place was deserted, by degrees people began to
+trickle in, and by the time the square in front of the government
+buildings was reached there was a goodly throng. The Vierkleur was still
+flying when Lord Roberts, at the head of General Pole-Carew's division,
+marched into the town; but presently the keys were formally surrendered,
+the flag was hauled down, and a small Union Jack, worked by Lady
+Roberts, was hoisted in its place.
+
+At the conclusion of the ceremony the rousing strains of the Guards'
+band were heard, and the 11th and 7th Divisions marched past, with the
+Naval Brigade, the heavy artillery, and two Brigade Divisions of Royal
+Horse Artillery. General Ian Hamilton's column and the Cavalry
+Division and Mounted Infantry were too far away to take part in the
+proceedings.
+
+[Illustration: VAAL RIVER DEVIATION BRIDGE AT VEREENIGING, NEARLY
+COMPLETED. (Photo by W. H. Gill, London.)]
+
+It was an impressive spectacle; one ever to be remembered. From
+afternoon till night, troops--great, brawny, bronzed, and workmanlike
+Britons--came clanking in procession through the town, while from
+balconies and windows banners and flags were waved, and gay ladies, many
+of them Englishwomen, wild with excitement and enthusiasm, threw down
+flowers and sweets and cigarettes to give vent to their unrestrained
+joy. Far into the evening the stream of kharki continued ceaselessly to
+flow under the magnesian rays of the electric lights till the infantry
+had passed to their camp, three miles to the north, and Lord Roberts had
+settled himself at Orange Grove.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[7] See vol. iv. p. 41.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+GENERAL RUNDLE'S MARCH TO SENEKAL
+
+
+While Lord Roberts was moving from Bloemfontein, co-operative action was
+being taken elsewhere. On the 2nd of May the Boers evacuated Thabanchu
+and trekked towards the north, and on the following day General French,
+leaving General Rundle in command, started to join Lord Roberts's main
+scheme. Soon after General Brabant joined General Rundle's force.
+
+On the 4th, General Rundle moved forward from Thabanchu, attacked the
+enemy, captured their positions, and headed them eastward. There was
+little hard fighting, the General's movements being mostly carried out
+with so much celerity, and strategical and tactical skill, that the
+enemy, seeing British forces apparently in strength everywhere, judged
+it advisable to move from post to post rather than run the risk of being
+mopped up.
+
+On Friday, the 11th of May, Colonel Grenfell, with the 2nd Battalion of
+Brabant's Horse, attacked the Boers at Ropin's Kop, but was overpowered
+by the enemy and forced to retire, with several wounded. On the
+following day, Saturday, he, however, drove the Boers out of their
+position, and captured Newberry Mills at Leeuw River, thus depriving the
+Dutchmen of an immense store of flour and grain which it had been their
+ambition to seize. This smart piece of work was accomplished almost
+without casualties. While these operations had been going forward, some
+500 of the Yeomanry had occupied the northern slopes of Thaba Patacka, a
+position whence they hoped to attack the Boers who might be slinking off
+in the direction of Basutoland. General Boyes, on the west, was equally
+active, to the dismay of the Boers, who, owing to General Rundle's
+clever strategy, imagined the British held a front of over twenty miles.
+
+On the 13th of May General Rundle advanced to Brand's Drift, twenty
+miles to the north-east, taking prisoners and accepting the surrender of
+many Free-staters, who were perished with cold and exposure, and
+sickened by defeat. Meanwhile, General Brabant, performing like
+operations, was slowly moving northwards. On the night of the 15th,
+Ladybrand was occupied by a force of the Glamorganshire Yeomanry, and
+thus the two Generals maintained possession, by magnificent strategic
+moves, of the whole southern corner, which is practically the granary
+of the Free State, gradually scaring away the enemy from the country
+through which they passed. On the 24th, a simultaneous movement was
+made, Brabant's Colonials marching to occupy Ficksburg, while General
+Rundle with General Campbell's Brigade, followed by that of General
+Boyes, proceeded towards Senekal.
+
+During the march an unfortunate incident took place. On reaching
+Mequaling's Nek, a rumour reached General Rundle that the Boers were in
+retreat from Senekal, consequently on the next day, the 25th, Major
+Dalbiac and Major Ashton, R.M.A. (Intelligence Officer to the Division),
+were ordered to investigate the nature of the water supply, and to find
+a camping ground in the neighbourhood of the town. Major Dalbiac and a
+company, mainly composed of Middlesex Yeomanry, accompanied Major Ashton
+as escort, and the party left at dawn and proceeded to Senekal. Here
+they encountered apparently peaceful inhabitants, and were entirely
+ignorant of the fact that the Boers had merely vacated the place for the
+purpose of hiding themselves in a hilly coign of vantage, which
+practically commanded the streets of the town. Major Ashton proceeded
+with the inquiries he was deputed to make, and received from a citizen
+the keys of the official buildings, which had been left by the
+Landdrost, who with the postmaster and other responsible persons had
+decamped. Then came the surrendering of arms, and while this was going
+on, suddenly, without warning, a heavy fusillade was launched at the
+Yeomanry who formed a group round Major Ashton. For a moment chaos
+reigned; then all sprung to action. The Boers, delighted at their
+surprise, blazed away fast and furious, while the two Majors, gathering
+together their little band, made hurried arrangements. Major Ashton,
+with some ten men, enclosed himself and promptly commenced firing on the
+incoming enemy, while Major Dalbiac with a score of the Yeomanry,
+dashingly galloped off in hope of taking the enemy in rear. But the
+Boers were many and the unfortunate Yeomanry quite outnumbered. No
+sooner had they wheeled round the hill, than rifles poured a withering
+fire on them. Six horses dropped even as the men dismounted, and the
+ground, open and quite devoid of cover, was strewn in one moment with
+the slain and the suffering. Major Dalbiac almost instantaneously
+dropped dead. He was shot through the neck, and four men shared his
+fate. Lieutenant Hegan Kennard, wounded in the face, was in a desperate
+plight, while nearly all who remained were injured. Some half-a-dozen
+men had been sent back with the horses on the first outbreak of the
+attack, and these only of the valorous band escaped. Meanwhile news of
+the ambuscade had been carried to General Rundle, who instantly ordered
+off the Wilts Yeomanry, 2nd Grenadiers, and 2nd East Yorks, with
+artillery, to the succour of the unfortunate party. These arrived in
+time to save Major Ashton. He had fortunately occupied the side of the
+town towards which the British approached, and the Boers, at the first
+sound of the guns which had been directed against the kopje where they
+had ensconced themselves, made off with all possible speed. By the time
+General Rundle had neared the town, it had resumed its pristine state of
+innocence, and the inhabitants were preparing effective demonstrations
+of loyalty. In the evening the remains of the unfortunate dead at the
+foot of the hill were recovered, and it was found that Major Dalbiac's
+body had been rifled by his dastardly opponents of every article of
+value, and even the ribbons of his medals were missing. On the 26th,
+General Rundle with the 8th Division entered the town and formally took
+possession of it.
+
+The remains of Major Dalbiac and the four men of the Middlesex Yeomanry
+who were killed in the unfortunate affair were buried with military
+honours, the General and Staff attending the funeral. A patrol of the
+Hants Yeomanry, while out scouting, got in touch with the enemy, and
+escaped by what is called the skin of their teeth. Many had very narrow
+escapes, and one man was killed. Sergeant-Major Foulkes, whose horse was
+shot under him, was saved through the gallantry of Private Andrews, who
+returned and bore off his dismounted comrade, while Captain Seely and
+others behaved in like manner to ensure the safety of those left without
+mounts.
+
+
+GENERAL COLVILE AND THE HIGHLAND BRIGADE
+
+Of the Highland Brigade since the tragedy of Majersfontein and the smart
+fight at Koodoesberg little has been said. Their brilliant march and
+action before Paardeberg, in which General MacDonald was wounded, served
+to demonstrate the stuff of which they were made and to restore their
+self-confidence and zest for battle. Lord Roberts's gracious speech,
+delivered at the camp, recalling his pleasant association with the
+Brigade in India, where "they had helped to make him," and saying that
+as he had never campaigned without Highlanders, he "would not like to be
+without them now," had done much to heal the sore which still rankled in
+many breasts.
+
+[Illustration: HAULING DOWN THE TRANSVAAL FLAG AT JOHANNESBURG
+
+Photo by Lionel James]
+
+On the 1st of May the 9th Division marched from Waterval, picked up the
+Seaforths at the waterworks, and also the Highland Light Infantry from
+Bloemfontein. The Division, of which the Highland Brigade, the
+Seaforths, Black Watch, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and
+Highland Light Infantry formed the infantry battalions, with the 5th
+Battery Royal Field Artillery, two naval guns (4.7 calibre), and a
+company of Engineers, was under the command of Major-General Sir H.
+Colvile. The Highland Brigade was commanded by General MacDonald. The
+Eastern Province Horse, a smart and sportsmanlike set of mounted men,
+numbering about a hundred, also accompanied the force, and did valuable
+service in scouting. Later on the force was joined by Lovat's Scouts,
+but not till the advance was well under way. On the 4th the Brigade
+bivouacked at Susanna Fountain after an animated tussle with the enemy,
+who were finally routed by the gallantry of the Black Watch.
+
+The Division reached Winburg, as we know, on the 6th, and remained in
+possession till the 17th. Then, the Black Watch and the Argyll and
+Sutherland Highlanders advanced, leaving behind them the Highland Light
+Infantry and Seaforths in the town. On the following day the Zand River
+was crossed. Ventersburg was entered without opposition, the way having
+been previously swept by Lord Roberts's force which had arrived there on
+the 10th. Here there was a brief halt--a much needed one--as the troops
+had marched thirty-four miles in 18½ hours. On the 23rd they
+proceeded towards Lindley, and were joined _en route_ by the remainder
+of the divisional and brigade troops. On the 24th the troops reached a
+point east of Bloemspruit, where they bivouacked, and the next day
+brought them into the teeth of the enemy, who were hiding in a ridge at
+Maquanstadt. From this point the Dutchmen were driven by the Seaforths,
+who from thence proceeded to a peaked kopje which commanded the water
+supply, a position which was at once vigorously contested by the Boers.
+After a hard fight, in which one officer and three men were wounded, the
+Seaforths succeeded in occupying the position. Here they were joined by
+the Black Watch and the 5th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery, the
+rest of the troops remaining behind at Hopefield till the 26th.
+
+At Bloemberg, a horseshoe-shaped ridge near Koorspruit (an affluent of
+the Valsche), the Boers were found strongly posted, and no sooner had
+the Black Watch appeared than they were greeted by a crackling
+cross-fire that sent them quickly to cover. Here they held the enemy
+while a wide turning movement was made to the right. The inner side of
+the horseshoe position was attacked by the Seaforths, while the outer
+was assailed by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders under Major
+Urmston, who deftly approached the stony eminence which concealed some
+sixty of the enemy, and charged with such force and impetuosity that
+presently the entire position was vacated, and the whole body of Boers,
+some 1000 in number, were seen racing over the boulders with more than
+their usual agility. The Bloemberg Ridge gained, it was promptly
+occupied by Black Watch and Seaforths.
+
+By midday the passage of the hill was accomplished, and by 4 P.M. the
+troops had reached Lindley. The expedition had cost them two killed and
+eleven wounded. The Highland Brigade crossed the Valsche River and
+bivouacked north of the drift on the Heilbron Road. Still more
+north--about two miles--went two companies of Argyll and Sutherland
+Highlanders to ensconce themselves on a kopje which commanded the road
+towards Heilbron.
+
+On the afternoon of the 27th the advance was continued. The Highlanders
+crossed the Rhenoster River at Mildraai, and on the following day, 28th,
+moved still further forward till stopped by the presence of the enemy,
+who barred the line of march on the north of Roodeport. The Highland
+Light Infantry--the advanced guard--were deployed and sent to seize some
+kraals about 1200 yards from the enemy's position, which sprayed itself
+over about six miles of country. One company was detached to hold a hill
+on the right front, supported by the Black Watch, while the Seaforths
+attempted a turning movement to the left and the Argyll and Sutherland
+Highlanders guarded the rear and both rear flanks from a point of
+vantage on Spitzkop. The artillery blazed copiously for an hour, while
+the Boers also made animated resistance, but after good sixty minutes of
+assault the enemy gave way, and the Seaforths succeeded in getting round
+the right flank, while the Highland Light Infantry and Black Watch
+gained the centre of the now deserted ridge. But the Boers had only
+scuttled to other ridges whence they could let loose Pandemonium with
+increased vigour. Thus the Highlanders came in for murderous attention
+in front, rear, and flank. Presently to their rescue went the invaluable
+naval guns, snorting vengeance, and determining to show that, though the
+Field Artillery became outranged and impotent, there was laudable
+lyddite to save the situation. On this, and with startling velocity, the
+Federals removed themselves, and they were stimulated in their departure
+by long-range volleys from the Highland Light Infantry. While the
+Dutchmen were speeding into the unknown, the Highlanders triumphant were
+advancing to a position north of Marksfontein. Having crossed the drift
+they bivouacked on the other side, while the ox transport moved up to
+the shelter of their wing. The day's work was not without its pathetic
+side, for thirty men and three officers were wounded, while two gallant
+Highlanders were among the slain. The wounded officers were: Seaforth
+Highlanders--Lieut.-Col. Hughes-Hallet, Lieut. Ratclyffe, and Lieut.
+Doig.
+
+At this time the Duke of Cambridge's Yeomanry were to have met Sir H.
+Colvile, but owing to their failing by an hour or so to join him on his
+march up from Lindley they were surrounded, and on the 31st were
+captured by the enemy. The tale of the disaster is told elsewhere. On
+the 29th, the Division began to move gradually on in caterpillar
+fashion, drawing up a back segment to propel the forward one, inch by
+inch, or mile by mile. Mr. Blundell's description in the _Morning Post_
+of the advance shows how risky and ingenuous a proceeding the movements
+of baggage in face of the enemy may be. "The route lay over a series of
+ridges and spruits and along a parallel line of hill on which the Boer
+forces had taken up their position. The baggage, &c., was first
+concentrated and taken over the spruit, with the Seaforths as right rear
+flank guard and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as rear guard. As
+the baggage and transport advanced the Highland Light Infantry advanced,
+and the battalions guarding flank and rear retired from their position
+and followed the baggage across the drift, while small bodies of the
+enemy hovered round the retiring rear at a respectful distance and
+unable to do any serious damage."
+
+Finally at 7 P.M. on the 29th, exactly to time ordered by the chief, the
+General and his tired warriors marched into Heilbron, having covered
+within eight days a distance of 126 miles, fighting "a swarm of hornets"
+at intervals the whole way, and losing in the advance fifty-four wounded
+and nine killed--a loss in comparison with the work done by no means
+heavy. Mr. Blundell's description of the class of work and its reward so
+happily hits off the nature of the movement, that the temptation to
+quote him is irresistible. "To appreciate the humours of the military
+situation in these regions, one would have to turn to the experiences of
+one's schoolboy days with wasps' nests, when, after the capture of the
+main position, the survivors take to guerilla warfare in the grass,
+crawling up your trousers and dropping on your neck from unexpected
+quarters, and inflicting damage to your temper and prestige out of all
+proportion to the losses incurred or the advantage gained."
+
+
+FROM BOSHOP TO KROONSTAD
+
+Christiana, as we know, was occupied on the 16th of May by one of
+General Hunter's brigades, while Lord Methuen moved his Division from
+Boshop to Hoopstad, thus bringing his troops into the zone of the great
+operations, and pursuing his march eastwards along the south bank of the
+Vaal. (Hunter's Brigade afterwards removed to cover the repair of the
+line along the Bechuanaland Railway towards Vryburg, and there for the
+present we must leave them.)
+
+[Illustration: HIGHLAND BRIGADE AT THE END OF A LONG FORCED MARCH.
+(Photo by a British Officer.)]
+
+From Boshop Methuen's force moved on in zigzag fashion, their
+destination being Kroonstad. From Hoopstad to Bothaville they passed
+over good roads, through picturesque country, followed for miles by the
+graceful bends of the Vaal River--a ribbon of silver fringed with
+willows. The weather was now growing more and more chilly, and after
+sundown frost began to nip and biting winds to whistle through the
+bones. Nights were spent in trying to gain warmth, and when dawn came
+the sun was welcomed with thanksgiving. The infantry in these raw
+mornings had the advantage of the cavalry, as they could work themselves
+into a glow, but there were other occasions in which the mounted men had
+their revenge, and could forge on ahead and secure, before the arrival
+of the lagging pedestrians, all manner of tempting edibles--chickens,
+ducks, sucking pigs, and the like, which happened to be at the farms.
+These luxuries were greedily coveted, for, coming along from Boshop some
+220 miles, diet had been limited to biscuits--hard, dry, and
+irresponsive--and any variety in the monotonous fare was received with
+unqualified rejoicing. Near Bothaville, as dawn broke, a curious episode
+took place. In the distance was spied a tent--a species of farmyard
+in the centre of the open veldt. Chickens and cattle and a trek waggon
+fringed the strange mushroom-shaped domain. It being necessary to
+discover the nature of the occupant of this shanty, one of the military
+party approached and hallooed. No answer. He roared louder. Then from
+the inner recess of the tent a burly voice bellowed--"You can't
+commandeer me; I'm an Englishman. The first Dutchman that pokes his head
+around here will look like a sieve when I've done with him." To this
+warlike challenge the British soldier meekly replied--described himself
+and his business--whereupon a change rapid as amusing came over the
+scene. Out from the tent, "like a cork from a bottle," burst the inmate,
+glad past speech, excited past effervescence--wife, children, came
+rushing forth from their hiding-places, rapture writ in smiling letters
+over every feature. The British were come--at last--at last! The valiant
+couple were taken in charge, removed to Bothaville and protected, and
+their long days of loyal suspense and tribulation were at an end. Then
+on went the goodly multitude, through streets whose houses fluttered
+with white, taking with them as they went their Boer prisoners, who,
+sitting in their own carts, alternately shivered and snarled. At
+Kroonstad--reached on the 27th of May--they pitched their camps, not in
+the town itself but discreetly removed from the awful reminiscences of
+dead horse and beast left by Boer and British armies in their last
+tussle, and here they thought to take a brief rest before marching away
+from rail and civilisation. But man proposed and the exigencies of the
+situation disposed, and by the 1st of June we find Lord Methuen's troops
+hastening off to the assistance of the 13th Battalion of Imperial
+Yeomanry at Lindley. To understand the urgent necessity for this detour
+we must return to Senekal.
+
+[Illustration: OFFICERS OF THE SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS
+
+Photo by Gregory & Co., London]
+
+
+THE BATTLE OF BIDDULPH'S BERG (28TH AND 29TH OF MAY)
+
+So soon as General Rundle entered Senekal--on the 26th of May--he
+proceeded to make inquiries as to the whereabouts of General Colvile,
+whom he believed to be at Lindley, some forty miles north-east of him.
+It so happened that General Colvile had just vacated that place and
+continued his march in the direction of Heilbron. No sooner was his back
+turned than the Boers pounced on Lindley, and not only pounced, but
+contrived to make themselves instantly aggressive. As ill luck would
+have it, the Duke of Cambridge's Yeomanry under Colonel Spragge, who had
+been sent from Kroonstad to join General Colvile's force, were caught by
+the enemy a few miles short of their destination.
+
+They were in the awkward position of having missed General Colvile and
+lost a _pied-à-terre_ at Lindley.
+
+In this dilemma a message was sent to General Rundle informing him of
+the desperate quandary.
+
+The General, instantly reviewing the critical state of affairs, devised
+a strategical plan which, he thought, would serve--far off as he was--to
+extricate the entangled forces who were demanding his assistance. He was
+aware that a posse of Boers was within some six miles of him, circling
+around towards Bethlehem in the east, and he conceived the scheme of
+attacking these with such force and determination as to press them hard
+and force them in their turn to appeal for help from the hordes that
+were infesting Lindley to the annoyance and dismay of the not yet united
+British forces who had prayed his aid. This device was masterly in the
+extreme, as it, so to speak, forced the masses of the enemy to come
+south in all haste, and thus saved risks of failure which might have
+resulted from a long movement of infantry over a distance of about forty
+miles. So, leaving General Boyes with three battalions in occupation of
+Senekal, General Rundle, with a force consisting of 2nd Grenadier
+Guards, 2nd Scots Guards, 2nd East Yorkshire, under General Campbell,
+the 2nd West Kent Regiment, the 2nd and 79th Batteries Royal Field
+Artillery, and the 4th and 7th Battalions of Imperial Yeomanry--marched
+off towards the east over some miles of open country over which the tall
+grass, bleached now by many days of scorching sun, waved thickly round
+their knees. In the distance were three ominous hills--such hills as the
+Dutchmen delight in--fronted by a lower eminence which was occupied by
+the enemy. These espied the coming of the British, and promptly betook
+themselves to their main position on two of the hills, Biddulph's Berg
+and Tafel Berg. From these points of vantage they greeted the Kent and
+Derbyshire Yeomanry, who had advanced to reconnoitre, with a storm of
+bullets which at once laid low many a brave fellow. Still the Derbyshire
+Yeomanry pursued their way, worked round the hill and dismounted and
+proceeded to seek cover, where they were forced to remain till dark set
+in, unable to stir lest the volleys of the enemy should find them out.
+On the western side the Kent Yeomanry were hotly attacked, and many were
+wounded. Meanwhile, from the foremost hill, whence the Boers had spied
+out the coming of Rundle's force, the British now in possession,
+commenced to fire upon the heights of the Biddulph's Berg; the artillery
+too dropped shells in the direction of the enemy; and the sun went down
+on the hostile forces, fighting vigorously so long as a ray of daylight
+served to illumine the deadly operations. Then they bivouacked where
+they were. At dawn the battle was resumed, and an effort was made to
+turn the enemy's right flank. The Grenadiers under Colonel Lloyd moved
+off to the west, supported by the Scots Guards, West Kent, and Imperial
+Yeomanry, marching over miles of hard dried grass till within range of
+the Boers' lair. But as usual the foe was invisible. It was imagined
+that he had vacated the position in the night; but to be on the safe
+side a cascade of shrapnel was poured over the steeps. Even this brusque
+process of search was unavailing. Not a sign of life was visible, though
+wounded Dutchmen must have lain in their hiding-places with stoical
+calm. And now commenced the dangerous, the awe-striking feature of the
+day. The grass, dried to chip, suddenly burst into a blaze. The
+carelessness of some one had set it alight, and presently the gallant
+Grenadiers found themselves fanned with the heat of an oven and forced
+to move from their position. They were now ordered to face the Boer
+hiding-place and attack it, while the 79th Battery behind them prepared
+again to scour the hill. Then, following their usual tactics, the Boer
+guns burst forth with loud and startling uproar, surprising the troops,
+who had almost accepted the idea that the enemy had fled. There was no
+doubt that he was "all there," with two guns and a "pom-pom," and meant
+to make himself objectionable. Just as the Boer shell was dispersing the
+amazed Yeomanry (who but a few moments before had been preparing the
+pipe of peace in full security of the Dutchmen's supposed evacuation),
+the grass again broke into flame, growing and leaping by bounds, so that
+the best efforts to stay its progress were unavailing. Still, the
+artillery duel, once commenced, continued briskly, briskly as the veldt
+fire below, that, sweeping round the wounded as they fell, made a new
+and awful panorama in the sufficiently horrific scene of war. The
+British gunners worked their hardest to silence the Boer gun, and as
+they proceeded, the great furnace of roaring, crackling grass gathered
+and grew, and the volumes of smoke soon rendered the Boer position
+invisible. During this time not a sound of musketry had been heard, only
+the Boer gun had given tongue vociferously enough to tax all the
+energies of the British gunners to silence it. Then came the order for
+the Grenadiers to advance, and this, in spite of smoke and the violent
+efforts of the Boer artillery, they did in right soldierly fashion,
+making for the direction of the offensive weapon with splendid coolness
+and precision. But no sooner had they neared to within some hundred
+yards of the piece than they suddenly found themselves pelted at by the
+hitherto inactive rifles of the foe. Thick and fast buzzed the bullets
+of the Dutchmen, loud roared the guns as the shells burst and bellowed.
+One man after another dropped--was killed, maimed, mutilated--and there,
+invisible, lay as he fell, a prey in his helplessness to the devouring
+flames that were now leaping and crackling with an almost majestical
+vehemence, rushing far and wide, like some vast, ravening, raging demon,
+with a thousand fiery tongues panting forth volumes of blue-white breath
+over the whole universe. And within this fearful area the perpetual
+rattle and roll of musketry continued their fell work, while the
+wounded, red with their gore, and redder with the scorching of the
+flames, crept, and crawled and reeled to places of safety, or, woeful
+truth, writhed where they fell, victims to the most horrible torture
+that fiendish imagination has yet devised. Amid the stentorian rampage
+none could hear their cries for aid, none could see their struggles for
+release. Only now and then, when some succeeded in emerging from the
+fiery chaos, could the appalled few who were beyond the vivid halo of
+destruction realise the mighty horror that lay on the skirts of
+Biddulph's Hill. But the battle raged on. The Yeomanry, under Colonel
+Blair, were off in hot haste to attack and rout some Boers who were
+endeavouring to make a flank attack, while the artillery, despite the
+scene of carnage, battered the hills whence the Boers, safely hidden,
+were pouring a horrible fusillade upon the persevering, dauntless
+Grenadiers. These remained for hours returning the fire of the enemy, in
+a position of unparalleled peril, until the order came to retire. This
+movement was executed with splendid precision, but many were left upon
+the field, and in the succouring of them deeds of heroism followed each
+other with such rapidity that several glorious acts passed unwitnessed
+and unsung. Lieutenant Quilter, with twenty men, volunteered to rescue
+the helpless, and rushed into the flaming furnace without arms, and
+under the relentless fire of the enemy. One after another of the
+wretched sufferers were hauled off to safety by these gallant
+deliverers, who, in full consciousness of the grim fate that must have
+been theirs should they themselves have dropped, pursued their work with
+almost amazing heroism. Colonel Lloyd received many injuries, and was
+also much scorched, but continued to command his gallant Grenadiers till
+further wounds made him helpless. He might again have been wounded where
+he lay, but for the assistance of a young drummer (Harries), into whose
+hand a bullet passed while he was tending his commanding officer.
+
+While the battle was proceeding, General Rundle received a communication
+from Lord Roberts ordering him to go to the assistance of General
+Brabant, who also was in difficulties. It became necessary, therefore,
+to effect the retirement. The manoeuvre had, however, produced the
+desired effect, for the Boers had been somewhat hard hit, and had given
+up their aggressive operations, leaving the neighbourhood of Lindley
+open to our force. On Wednesday the 30th General Rundle was informed
+that De Villiers, the Boer Commandant, was seriously wounded, and that
+fifty Dutchmen had been killed, and many injured, whereupon a doctor and
+champagne were sent to the late enemy; this in spite of the fact that
+very early in the proceedings of Monday the Boers had commenced the
+battle with their customary treacherous tricks. From an adjacent
+homestead they had flown a white flag, taking care that directly the
+scouts went forward to accept their surrender they should be pelted
+liberally as a reward for their confidence. As a result, one of the
+British party was wounded mortally, and another severely. Fortunately,
+the next day (Tuesday) the ruffians received their deserts, for the
+farmhouse was liberally pounded by the 2nd Battery of Artillery. Nor was
+this the sole barbaric act of the day. A West Kent Yeoman, while
+scouting, had passed a Dutch farmhouse, and was invited in to coffee,
+being assured by the Dutchwoman, who desired to play the hostess, that
+no Boers had been near the place for days. Happily the wary yeoman
+refused, for he had no sooner turned to ride off than he was pelted with
+bullets from a party of Boers who had immediately rushed from the
+homestead to fire at him. His marvellous escape was merely due to the
+nature of the ground round the farm, which afforded him cover.
+
+Still General Rundle's sense of humanity overcame the instinct of
+reprisal; for after the battle he offered shelter to the Boer wounded,
+even promising to tend them without considering them prisoners of war.
+
+In the engagement at Biddulph's Berg thirty of the British were killed
+and 150 wounded. Among the wounded officers were:--Grenadier
+Guards--Col. F. Lloyd, D.S.O., Capt. G. L. Bonham, Capt. C. E. Corkran,
+Lieut. E. Seymour, Lieut. A. Murray. Scots Guards--Major F. W. Romilly
+D.S.O. Royal Welsh Fusiliers--Captain R. S. Webber, A.D.C. to General
+Rundle.
+
+On Thursday, May 31st, the troops proceeded to Ficksburg to the
+assistance of General Brabant, who had engaged the enemy near the Basuto
+Border on the Tuesday, and was still fighting.
+
+In spite of General Rundle's desperate fight, the 13th Battalion (Irish)
+Imperial Yeomanry, on whose account the battle was undertaken, had a
+most disastrous encounter with an overwhelming number of Boers near
+Lindley on the 31st of May. This battalion, as we know, was attacked on
+the way from Kroonstad to Lindley, and temporarily helped by the
+operations near Senekal. Subsequently the party came upon a superior
+force of Boers, and was forced to surrender.
+
+The _Cape Times_ gave its version of the affair:--
+
+ "The story was told by Corporal Marks, who, with Trooper Brian,
+ alone escaped capture. The force in question consisted of about
+ 500 men, under the command of Colonel Spragge, and was
+ comprised of the Duke of Cambridge's Own and the Irish and
+ Belfast Yeomanry. The Duke's were 125 strong. With this force
+ was a convoy of waggons, while the scouts, of whom our
+ informant, Corporal Marks, was in command, numbered five.
+
+ "The little battalion left Kroonstad on May 25, under hurried
+ orders to reinforce General Colvile at Lindley without delay.
+ On their way they captured and disarmed a troop of sixteen
+ Boers whom they found in possession of a quantity of
+ ammunition. Taking their prisoners with them, they hurried on
+ at full speed, arriving at Lindley on Sunday, May 27, about
+ noon. As they entered the town a number of horsemen were seen
+ galloping out at the other end in the direction of Heilbron.
+ Much to their disappointment our men found that General Colvile
+ had left at daylight that day, after some severe fighting, for
+ Heilbron....
+
+ "On Wednesday night, after the gallant little band had been
+ fighting against enormous odds for three days, Colonel Spragge
+ decided to send one scout (C. Smith), in company of a Kaffir
+ guide, in search of General Rundle, who was supposed to be in
+ the neighbourhood of Senekal, with an urgent message for help.
+ Corporal Marks and Trooper Brian were instructed to leave at
+ the same time with a similar message for General Colvile. A
+ close Boer line had been drawn round the position of the
+ devoted garrison, and it was necessary to pierce the cordon to
+ reach Heilbron. The scouts left unarmed, and after a terrible
+ night of it, Marks and Brian got through the enemy's lines. The
+ night was bitterly cold, and the Boers had lighted camp fires,
+ which proved serviceable guides to the two men. They passed so
+ close to the pickets that they could hear them talking and
+ laughing perfectly distinctly. Taking a circuitous route, they
+ kept the Heilbron road some distance on their right, and by
+ rapid marching reached Colvile's camp at seven o'clock on
+ Thursday morning. The message was delivered to the General,
+ whose reply was that he could do nothing. Unhappily, Smith and
+ the Kaffir were captured by Boers, and Smith was shot on the
+ spot.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+ "The following is a copy of the despatch given to Corporal
+ Marks for delivery to Colonel Spragge:--
+
+ "'Your message received 7 A.M. I am eighteen miles from Lindley
+ and twenty-two from Heilbron, which latter place I hope to
+ reach to-morrow. The enemy are between me and you, and I cannot
+ send back supplies. If you cannot join me by road to Heilbron
+ you must retire on Kroonstad, living on the country, and if
+ necessary, abandoning your waggons.--(Signed) H. E. COLVILE,
+ Lieutenant-General.'
+
+ "General Colvile appears to have believed that the little force
+ could make a dash for it and cut their way through to
+ Kroonstad. In any case, he did not see his way to go to the
+ help of the men who had been marching to reinforce himself.
+ Knowing that this message could be of no possible service to
+ Colonel Spragge, and realising the urgency of the case,
+ Corporal Marks decided to take the responsibility of not
+ wasting time by returning to deliver this message, and he and
+ Brian made for Kroonstad as hard as their horses would gallop.
+ About eight miles north-east of the town they learned that Lord
+ Methuen was in the neighbourhood, and they reached his camp
+ about half-past four that afternoon (Thursday). Lord Methuen
+ immediately made preparations to relieve the plucky little
+ force in such hard straits at Lindley, and started the same
+ afternoon. He reached Lindley without opposition the same
+ night. But it was too late."
+
+ Another account said:--"The battalion, consisting of the Duke
+ of Cambridge's Own and three companies of Irish Yeomanry--under
+ 500 in all--reached Kroonstad on Friday morning, May 22, after
+ a long forced march. A few hours after their arrival they
+ received an urgent message from General Colvile requiring them
+ to join him without delay at Lindley, and they started at 8
+ P.M. that same evening with one day's rations, reaching
+ Lindley, fifty miles distant, on the Sunday morning. When the
+ advanced guard reached the town they found it apparently
+ deserted, the only signs of British occupation being empty beef
+ and biscuit tins; and were informed that General Colvile had
+ left at daybreak. Almost immediately they were fired at from
+ behind walls and houses, and finding the place untenable
+ retreated about a mile outside the town, where Colonel Spragge
+ took up a good position on some kopjes, with a stream of water
+ and good shelter for the horses and waggons. This place they
+ defended, fighting by day and fortifying by night, till
+ Thursday, at 2 P.M., on slender rations, though surrounded by
+ greatly superior numbers. On Thursday morning the Boers were
+ largely reinforced, and also brought up cannon--three Krupps
+ and a 'pom-pom,'--when the shell-fire telling dreadfully at
+ short range, Colonel Spragge felt it would be madness to hold
+ out longer, and surrendered after losing more than
+ seventy-eight in killed and wounded out of his small
+ force--when all was over some of the unwounded were so
+ exhausted that they could hardly march into Lindley, where
+ their gallant enemies as well as the non-combatants gave them
+ the highest credit for the stand they had made in an almost
+ hopeless position. Next day Lord Methuen arrived after a
+ splendid forced march, and the wounded were set free."
+
+In regard to the loss of the Duke of Cambridge's Yeomanry, there was a
+good deal of criticism, and accounts dealing with the _raison d'être_ of
+the disaster vary. Mr. Winston Churchill, in support of Sir H. Colvile,
+declared that it was sent out with the absurdly inadequate escort by the
+fiat of a higher authority, with the full knowledge that Heilbron was
+surrounded by a force of Boers estimated at from 4000 to 5000 men. It
+was also despatched without warning, being sent, or at any rate received
+at Heilbron, so that it was impossible to operate from the latter place
+to assist its passage, especially as it was actually captured almost
+immediately after leaving Kroonstad, and fourteen miles from Heilbron.
+
+"In the case of the Yeomanry, the message giving notice of the change of
+place, where it was to join the 9th Division from Ventersburg to
+Lindley, was by error addressed to the 9th Brigade, and this was not
+received by Sir H. Colvile till the 21st of June. The first intimation
+of their position was given by a messenger to General Colvile's camp
+when twenty miles out of Lindley from the Yeomanry, then five miles on
+the other side on the Kroonstad road. The messenger asked for
+reinforcement and supplies, but did not represent the situation as very
+serious, as, in fact, at that time it was not. But at this juncture
+General Colvile was surrounded by a large force of Boers on his flank
+and rear, and short of supplies himself, and on a time march under
+orders to reach Heilbron on the 29th. He therefore advised Colonel
+Spragge to retire on the Kroonstad road, and authorised him, if
+necessary, to abandon his baggage, &c."
+
+Lord Methuen, who at the time was on the march to Kroonstad, was ordered
+off, as we already know, to the rescue. Within half-an-hour he had
+started, and by 10 A.M. on the 2nd of June he had accomplished
+forty-four miles in twenty-five hours. But his expedition was of no
+avail, for Spragge's Irishmen had been taken prisoners. Nevertheless
+having arrived, Lord Methuen proceeded to attack the Boers with vigour,
+and after five hours' continuous fighting, put some 3000 of them to
+flight.
+
+The official list of prisoners of war showed 22 officers and 863
+non-commissioned officers and men.
+
+Among the officers were the following:--
+
+ 13th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry--Lieutenant-Colonel Spragge,
+ Lieutenant-Colonel Holland, Captain Robinson, Captain Humby,
+ Lieutenant Mitchell, Lieutenant Stannus, Lieutenant the Earl of
+ Leitrim, Lieutenant Rutledge, Lieutenant Montgomery, Lieutenant
+ Lane, Lieutenant Du Pré, Lieutenant Donnelly, Sergeant Wright,
+ Sergeant Woodhouse. Captain Keith had been killed in the affair
+ of the 29th, when Captain Sir J. Power was dangerously wounded,
+ and Captain the Earl of Longford, Lieutenants Stuart, Robin,
+ and Benson, were wounded together with Lieutenant Bertram of
+ the Eastern Province Horse (since dead).
+
+The following officers were also wounded on June 1 and 2:--
+
+ 3rd Battalion Imperial Yeomanry--Captain L. R. Rolleston,
+ Captain M. S. Dawsany, Lieutenant L. E. Starkey.
+
+Soon after this time the 9th Division was split up, owing to the
+necessity of detaching small forces. Generals Smith-Dorrien and
+Bruce-Hamilton joined their forces with that of General Ian Hamilton,
+while General MacDonald with the Highland Brigade acted as an
+independent force, and General Sir H. Colvile returned to England.[8]
+
+[Illustration: THEIR ORDEAL OF FIRE: THE GRENADIER GUARDS AT THE BATTLE
+OF BIDDULPH'S BERG
+
+Drawing by R. Caton Woodville]
+
+
+FIGHTING ON THE WESTERN BORDER
+
+Meanwhile Sir Charles Warren's troops, moving from Faberspruit, some
+twelve miles from Douglas, had a nasty experience. The force consisted
+of some four hundred Duke of Edinburgh's Volunteers, one and a half
+companies of the 8th Regiment of Imperial Yeomanry, some of Paget's
+Horse, twenty-five of Warren's Scouts, and some guns of the Royal
+Canadian Artillery. During the night, a particularly dark one, the
+Boers slunk up in two parties to the gardens of farmhouses near which
+the yeomanry on the one hand, and Sir C. Warren's and the Duke of
+Edinburgh Volunteers on the other, were quartered. In the dusk before
+dawn, these suddenly blazed out on the British, who, like lightning, got
+under arms. But in the shock and uproar of the first alarm the English
+horses that had been kraaled burst through the kraal walls and
+stampeded, thus making the scene of turmoil more intense. With the first
+streak of daylight the whole British force poured shot and shell into
+the gardens where the Boers had hidden themselves, and for a good hour
+the troops were at work driving the invaders from the neighbourhood of
+the camps. The Boers lost heavily, and a portion of the Yeomanry
+suffered correspondingly while pressing forward to the support of the
+pickets. Many of Paget's Horse were wounded, notably Lieutenant
+Lethbridge, whose injury was dangerous, and of the Duke of Edinburgh
+Volunteers three were killed and four wounded. Their gallant
+Colonel--Colonel Spence--was shot dead while in act of giving orders.
+Major Kelly, A.D.C. to Sir Charles Warren, was wounded; Lieutenant
+Patton, A.D.C., was shot in the knee, and Lieutenant Huntingdon was
+slightly injured. Many Boers were wounded and thirteen were killed, but
+others contrived to gallop off scot free, as owing to the stampeding of
+the horses it was impossible to follow them up. The total British
+casualties were eighteen killed and about thirty wounded. The result of
+the engagement had a decidedly beneficial effect upon the rebels, who
+were at that time hesitating on which side of the fence to locate
+themselves.
+
+Colonel Adye had also surprised the enemy and gained a victory at Kheis
+on the 27th--a victory which had the effect of defeating the plans of
+the rebels who had assembled within some twenty miles of that place in
+hope to effect a junction with others of their kind. The action was a
+smart one, and many hundred head of stock and prisoners were captured,
+but it was also costly, as Major J. A. Orr-Ewing, 5th Co. Imperial
+Yeomanry, was killed; Captain L. H. Jones, 32 Co. Imperial Yeomanry;
+Surg.-Capt. Dun, 5th Co.; Lieut. Venables, Nesbitt's Horse, were
+wounded; and two gallant young officers, Captain Tindall, 1st Welsh
+Regiment, and Lieutenant Matthews, 2nd Gloucester Regiment, both
+succumbed to the severe injuries they had received.
+
+Sir Charles Warren, after his engagement, marched without opposition
+from Faberspruit to Campbell, which was reached on the 5th of June.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[8] While dealing with the matter it is due to General Colvile to repeat
+the statement made by himself at the end of the year to a representative
+of Reuter's Agency:--
+
+"I am accused of being chiefly responsible for the surrender of the
+Yeomanry at Lindley. In my opinion the primary cause of this surrender
+was the insufficient information given by the headquarters staff to
+Colonel Spragge and myself. Had I been informed of Lord Roberts's
+intentions and of the intended movements of Colonel Spragge, who was in
+command of the Yeomanry, and had Colonel Spragge been made acquainted
+with the orders I received from Lord Roberts, this disaster would never
+have happened. The following details will make it clear that the loss of
+the Yeomanry was primarily due to bad staff work. On May 20 I received a
+telegram from the chief of the staff ordering me to concentrate my
+troops, consisting of the Highland Brigade, the Eastern Province Horse,
+a field battery, and two naval guns, at Ventersburg on May 23, to leave
+that town on the 24th and to march to Heilbron, _via_ Lindley, arriving
+at Lindley on May 26, and at Heilbron on the 29th. I was informed that I
+should be joined at Ventersburg by the 13th Imperial Yeomanry and
+Lovat's Scouts.
+
+"On arrival at Ventersburg, finding that neither the Yeomanry nor the
+Scouts were there, I informed the chief of the staff by telegraph, but
+received no answer from him at the time, though his reply was handed to
+me more than a month later, among a bundle of undelivered telegrams.
+This telegram was worded as follows: 'May 24. Yeomanry are so late they
+cannot catch you at Ventersburg. You must march without them. They will
+join you later _via_ Kroonstad.' As I did not receive the telegram till
+the march was over it did not affect my action, but had I received it at
+the time its wording would have led me to suppose that the Yeomanry
+would join me at Heilbron, as was actually the case with Lovat's Scouts.
+At this time Lord Roberts's army was disposed roughly as follows:
+General Hunter's Division on the Kimberley-Mafeking Railway, Lord
+Methuen on the Vaal River, headquarters and General Pole-Carew's
+Division on the Bloemfontein-Johannesburg Railway, General Ian
+Hamilton's column at Heilbron, and General Rundle and Brabant to the
+south-east of me. It was, therefore, extended across the Free State, and
+I assumed that Lord Roberts intended to advance in this formation,
+sweeping all before him till he got within striking distance of the
+Vaal, thus forcing the enemy to extend, and that he would then select
+one point for forcing the passage of the river. I also supposed that
+Heilbron, which is the head of a short line of railway, would be the
+supply depot for the columns to the east, as Winburg had been.
+
+"My very definite orders, and the fact that I was not to move till the
+last possible moment, which necessitated my averaging seventeen miles a
+day, strengthened the assumption that I was taking part in a combined
+movement, in which great exactitude in conforming to the time table is,
+of course, of the utmost importance. In a telegram which Lord Roberts
+had sent to General Hamilton a short time before on a similar occasion
+he had impressed on him the importance of columns arriving
+simultaneously. As I had been officially informed that General Hamilton
+was in occupation of Heilbron, I assumed that my orders to be there on
+the 29th indicated that that was the day on which he would be required
+to take part in the general advance, and that any delay on my part would
+either retard the advance and upset the Commander-in-Chief's
+calculations, or that by leaving Heilbron unoccupied I should hand over
+an important supply depot to the enemy. I have thus explained why in no
+circumstances should I have felt myself justified in disobeying Lord
+Roberts's orders, which I simply carried out from first to last. I now
+proceed to recite the circumstances in which I became acquainted with
+Colonel Spragge's difficulties, and the action I took.
+
+"I left Ventersburg on May 24 as ordered, and on the 26th, after a fight
+outside Lindley, entered it, finding that the place had been vacated by
+us, a fact of which no notification had been given me, though I had been
+informed of our occupation of it. Marching at daylight on the following
+morning we crossed the Rhenoster River just before sunset, having been
+engaged the greater part of the day, and on the morning of the 28th I
+received the following message: 'Colonel Spragge to General Colvile.
+Found no one in Lindley but Boers. Have five hundred men, but only one
+day's food. Have stopped three miles back on Kroonstad road. I want help
+to get out without great loss.--B. Spragge, Lieutenant-Colonel, May 27,
+1900.' I asked the orderly who Colonel Spragge was, and on hearing from
+him that he was the officer commanding the Yeomanry I learned for the
+first time that these troops were following me. The statement, which I
+have seen several times repeated in the papers, that I had urged the
+Yeomanry to hurry after me, is absolutely untrue. I have reason to
+believe that this baseless newspaper report has obtained credence in
+some high official quarters. I have already expressed my views of the
+necessity of being at Heilbron at the time ordered, and as it is a
+recognised rule of war that the lesser must be sacrificed to the greater
+interest, I should in any circumstances have considered it my duty to
+push on even had I been sure that such action would have entailed the
+loss of the Yeomanry. But in this case I had two additional reasons for
+doing so. First, that, as Colonel Spragge had succeeded in retiring
+three miles on the Kroonstad road I was convinced that he would have no
+difficulty in making good his retreat, though possibly with loss, as the
+colonel himself had said; secondly, that I had then only two days' more
+food for my force, and had I fought my way back I should not only have
+reduced the Highland Brigade to the verge of starvation, but should
+certainly have had insufficient supplies to take me back to Heilbron."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+GENERAL BULLER'S ADVANCE TO NEWCASTLE
+
+
+The relief of Ladysmith caused the Boers to fall back towards the
+Drakensberg, and Sir Redvers Buller, whose troops were thoroughly
+exhausted, encamped his army to north and west of the dilapidated town,
+and there remained stationary for several weeks. It was necessary that
+the force should thoroughly recuperate and get into working order in
+time to co-operate with the great central advance when Lord Roberts
+should give the word. There was an immense amount to be done. The
+mounted troops, many of them, needed to be remounted, and winter
+clothing was required. The reconstruction of the transport also demanded
+alteration, while it was necessary, in conjunction with Lord Roberts's
+operations, to keep a wary eye on the Boers and prevent them from
+crossing into the Free State and swelling the enemy's forces opposing
+the great advance.
+
+As with the departure of Sir Charles Warren to the western frontier,
+some slight changes had taken place in the Natal Field Force, it becomes
+necessary to inspect a rough table of the divisions at this time under
+Sir Redvers Buller:--
+
+NATAL
+
+GENERAL SIR REDVERS BULLER.
+
+SECOND DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General Sir C. F. CLERY.
+
+ 2nd Brigade (Major-General Hamilton).
+
+ 2nd East Surrey.
+ 2nd West Yorks.
+ 2nd Devons.
+ 2nd West Surrey.
+
+ 4th Brigade (Colonel C. D. Cooper).
+
+ 1st Rifle Brigade.
+ 1st Durham Light Infantry.
+ 3rd King's Royal Rifles.
+ 2nd Scottish Rifles (Cameronians).
+
+ 7th, 14th, and 66th Field Batteries.
+
+FOURTH DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General LYTTELTON.
+
+ 7th Brigade (Brigadier-General F. W. Kitchener).
+
+ 1st Devon.
+ 1st Gloucester.
+ 1st Manchester.
+ 2nd Gordon Highlanders.
+
+ 8th Brigade (Major-General F. Howard).
+
+ 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers.
+ 1st Leicester.
+ 1st King's Royal Rifles.
+ 2nd King's Royal Rifles.
+
+ Two Brigade Divisions Royal Artillery.
+ 13th, 67th, 69th Field Batteries.
+ 21st, 42nd, 53rd Field Batteries.
+
+FIFTH DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General H. J. T. HILDYARD.
+
+ 10th Brigade (Major-General J. T. Coke).
+
+ 2nd Dorset.
+ 2nd Middlesex.
+ 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
+
+ 11th Brigade (Major-General A. S. Wynne).
+
+ 2nd Royal Lancaster.
+ 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers.
+ 1st South Lancashire.
+ 1st York and Lancaster.
+
+ 19th, 28th, and 78th Field Batteries.
+
+CORPS TROOPS.
+
+ 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
+ 2nd Rifle Brigade.
+ 1st King's Liverpool.
+ Imperial Light Infantry.
+ 61st Field Battery (Howitzers).
+ Two Nordenfeldts (taken from the Boers).
+ Natal Battery 9-pounders.
+ Fourteen naval 12-pounder quick-firers.
+ 4th Mountain Battery.
+ 10th Mountain Battery, two guns.
+ Four 4.7 naval guns.
+ Naval 6-in. gun.
+ Part of Siege Train.
+
+CAVALRY DIVISION.
+
+ 1st Brigade (Major-General J. F. Burn Murdoch).
+
+ 2nd Brigade (Major-General J. F. Brocklehurst).
+
+ 3rd Brigade (Major-General the Earl of Dundonald).
+
+ 5th Dragoon Guards.
+ 1st Royal Dragoons.
+ 5th Lancers.
+ 13th Hussars.
+ 18th Hussars.
+ 19th Hussars.
+ A Battery Royal Horse Artillery.
+ South African Light Horse.
+ Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry.
+ Bethune's Mounted Infantry.
+ Natal Carabineers.
+ Natal Mounted Rifles.
+ Border Mounted Rifles.
+ Umvoti Mounted Rifles.
+ Natal Police.
+ Colt Battery.
+
+ZULULAND.
+
+ Addison's Colonial Scouts.
+
+For some weeks it appeared as though no move were contemplated; but on
+the 7th of May the machinery began to revolve. General Clery's Division
+proceeded from Ladysmith to Modder Spruit, while Lord Dundonald and
+General Dartnell also prepared to move their troops out of camp at Bug's
+Farm. Lord Roberts at this time had reached a point in the Free State
+level with Ladysmith, and Sir Redvers Buller thus became included in the
+scheme of advance, and was able to act in conjunction with him. The
+Boers, numbering some 7000 or 8000, were swarming on the Biggarsberg
+range, having prepared entrenchments on all points commanding the road
+from Ladysmith to the Transvaal and as far as Helpmakaar. They knew well
+by experience, however, the discomforts attendant on their position, for
+their only clear way of escape was by Laing's Nek--the passes over the
+Drakensberg on the west, and Zululand on the east being now closed to
+them.
+
+On the 11th of May activities began. Dundonald's Cavalry Brigade and
+Clery's Infantry Division were assembled in the neighbourhood of Sunday
+River Drift south of Elandslaagte. The General's plan was to post his
+left at Elandslaagte and swing his right flank round by Helpmakaar and
+crumple the Boers up towards Dundee.
+
+On the 12th Sir Redvers Buller, with the right column, moved towards
+Helpmakaar, following the same route as that taken by General Yule in
+his famous retreat from Glencoe, while General Hildyard (the central
+column) made a demonstration by crossing Sunday River, near the railway
+line, and Lyttelton's Division (the left column) prolonged the line
+farther west. Meanwhile, the brigades of Clery and Dundonald--over ruts
+and obstacles, mere apologies for roads--had reached Waschbank, and were
+facing the frowning heights of the Biggarsberg, which loomed large and
+ominous and threatening about fifteen miles in the distance.
+
+The Biggarsberg region, now so pregnant with historical interest is so
+called after one of the early pioneers of Durban, an Englishman, named
+Edward Biggar, who in 1838 fought side by side with the Boers against
+Dingaan. Of the great range in those days a Natalian writer said:
+"Besides being the first eastern plateau terrace of the Drakensberg,
+musically termed 'Quathlamba' by the natives residing in it, it consists
+of two long lines of elevation, divided by great ravines abounding in
+romantic cascades, dizzy precipices, and great pointed peaks towering
+towards the heavens in fantastic forms, veritable mountain forts,--
+
+ 'Which like the giants stand
+ To sentinel enchanted land.'
+
+Majestic krantzes were round us bristling in great tree ferns, huge
+aloes, and African Euphoboebia, the latter's bright scarlet blossoms
+contrasting sharply with the dark green foliage, nursing the base of
+isolated lofty hills, whose sunless pillars were hidden in earth's
+depths, unknown to human search."
+
+This picturesque range runs across North Natal south-east towards the
+junction of the Tugela (the "Angry" River of the Kaffirs) and the Mooi
+River, and some of the peaks tower above the land of Natal 5000 to over
+7000 feet; and from these, on a clear day, may be traced the whole
+crimson history of Buller's relief of Ladysmith. In the present onward
+march great precautions had to be taken, as this--a comparatively short
+cut to save a round of some thirty miles--was teeming with the enemy,
+whose flank on the Biggarsberg it was the chief's design to turn. The
+march was resumed the whole day under menace of the enemy, who hovered,
+vulture-like, in the distant heights, and towards afternoon came into
+the plains, attacking and wounding some of the British patrols. They
+also succeeded in taking prisoners three of the South African Light
+Horse, Australians lately joined, who, mistaking the enemy in their
+kharki disguise for friends, walked unsuspectingly into their arms. By
+nightfall the troops were encamped at Vermaak's Farm, with the Boers and
+their guns not very far distant.
+
+Sunday's proceedings were opened in the haze of the morning with a shell
+from the hostile band, and after a time the naval guns woke up, spat
+forth some four times, and reduced the Dutchmen to silence. The Mounted
+Brigades, with a battery of Royal Horse Artillery, had moved on
+beforehand, and by the time the passage at arms between the big guns
+was in full swing, they and the transport were safely in a place of
+shelter. The Mounted Infantry and the 2nd Brigade, under General
+Hamilton, then engaged in the herculean task of getting up the rugged
+steeps of the Biggarsberg, and there, securing a nek which was the key
+to the summit, prevented the enemy from attempting to waylay the
+advancing army. On the ridges taken by General Hamilton were formidable
+trenches prepared for defence, which could now serve the foe no longer.
+
+While this flanking process was taking place, Colonel Bethune, with his
+composite force of Mounted Infantry, was co-operating in the direction
+of Helpmakaar, thus threatening the Boers' left flank, and rendering
+their position at Helpmakaar distinctly uncomfortable. The guns on both
+sides worked furiously--those of the Boers with poor success; and at
+dusk, when the troops bivouacked, there was reason to hope that by
+morning the region of Helpmakaar would be purged of the enemy. And so it
+proved.
+
+With the dawn of day it was discovered that the Dutchmen were in full
+retreat towards Dundee, pursued by the cavalry. But the enemy were
+covered in their retreat by some 1500 Boers, whose tactics were
+excellent. Each section as it fell back set fire to the grass, thus
+drawing a veil of smoke between them and Dundonald's men, and
+intercepting the rush of the pursuers, who more than once were almost
+within a lance-length of them. They succeeded in getting clear away, in
+spite of the magnificent dash of the pursuit, which covered some forty
+miles. Then, having secured some kops, they made sufficient stand to
+check our advance through the rippling sea of flame made by the veldt
+fires, while their main body vanished, leaving open the road to Dundee.
+
+The Boers, finding themselves outflanked, decided to make no stand,
+either at Dundee or Glencoe, and both these places, of now historical
+interest, were occupied in the course of the 15th, and the 16th was
+spent in resting after the fatigues of the preceding days. Dundee was a
+sad and deserted-looking place. Though the coal-mines were untouched,
+its houses were denuded of furniture, and bore evidences of Boer
+occupation and Boer mischief. Wall papers hung in shreds, doors were
+unhinged and broken, windows were merely gaps, and the word dilapidation
+was marked everywhere. The inhabitants, such few as remained, gave the
+troops a cordial welcome.
+
+[Illustration: GENERAL BULLER'S ADVANCE TO NEWCASTLE.]
+
+On Thursday the 17th the force was again up and doing, the earliest
+birds being the Mounted Infantry. They journeyed along towards
+Dannhauser Station, midway between Dundee and Newcastle. On the
+afternoon of the 18th the troops swarmed into the pleasing green-girt
+town of Newcastle, after a long and fatiguing march along a
+fire-blackened plain, devilishly prepared by the departing Boers for the
+purpose of showing up the advance of the kharki-clad legions. Joy and
+welcome was writ on every face, and hearty cheers greeted the arrival of
+the army. Sir Redvers Buller was presented with a banner which had been
+secretly worked by the ladies of the locality in anticipation of his
+coming. The town they found had been rechristened Viljoensdorp by the
+Boers, whose labours there had also been anticipatory. They had
+destroyed the large water-tanks for supplying the engines at Glencoe,
+Dannhauser, and Newcastle, but the inconveniences were merely temporary,
+and repairs were actively set on foot. Report came in that the Dutchmen
+were full of activity, swarming in the direction of the famous Laing's
+Nek and Majuba Hill, therefore on the afternoon of Saturday the 19th,
+Lord Dundonald, with naval guns, went ahead to unearth them. They,
+however, remained buried wherever they were, and the desperately-fatigued
+men and horses of the Mounted Brigades returned towards Ingogo Station,
+while some of the troops encamped on the battlefield. But their fatigues
+or its grievous memories scarcely damped their spirits, for they were on
+the confines of the Transvaal, and Pretoria, the land of promise, seemed
+near at hand.
+
+Sir Redvers Buller forthwith issued the following proclamation:--
+
+ "The troops of Queen Victoria are now passing through the
+ Transvaal. Her Majesty does not make war on individuals, but
+ is, on the contrary, anxious to spare them, as far as may be
+ possible, the horrors of war. The quarrel England has is with
+ the Government and not with the people of the Transvaal.
+ Provided they remain neutral no attempt will be made to
+ interfere with persons living near the line of march, every
+ possible protection will be given them, and any of their
+ property that it may be necessary to take will be paid for.
+ But, on the other hand, those who are thus allowed to remain
+ near the line of march must respect and maintain their
+ neutrality, and residents of any locality will be held
+ responsible both in persons and property if any damage is done
+ to the railway or telegraph, or if any violence is done to any
+ member of the British forces in the vicinity of their homes."
+
+On this, many Natal Dutch gave themselves up and others were captured,
+but it was again observed that those farmers who tendered their
+submission tendered with it, not Mausers, but other weapons of more
+ancient pattern.
+
+Affairs at this time were going on most satisfactorily, the troops,
+after a 120-mile march, accomplished in nine days, including a day's
+halt and two days' fighting, had almost cleared Natal of the invaders,
+and were in possession of the country from Van Reenan's Pass to the
+Buffalo River. A message of congratulation on their efforts was received
+from the Queen, and the General expressed his satisfaction at the
+successful work accomplished. One unfortunate affair damped the spirits
+of the advancing army.
+
+[Illustration: GENERAL BULLER'S ADVANCE: PURSUING THE BOERS AFTER THE
+FIGHT ON HELPMAKAAR HEIGHTS
+
+Drawing by J. Nash, R.I., from a Sketch by G. Foucar]
+
+On the 17th, Colonel Bethune was detached, with about 500 men, from
+Dundee. His column consisted of five squadrons of mounted infantry, two
+Hotchkiss and two Maxim guns. His instructions were to show his force in
+N'qutu, in the centre of British Zululand (to which a magistrate and
+civil establishment were about to return), and afterwards to rejoin Sir
+Redvers Buller at Newcastle. The orders were executed, and Colonel
+Bethune moved towards Newcastle on the 20th May, _via_ Vryheid, due
+north of the road which leads to Utrecht. About six miles north-west of
+Vryheid, the Boers were ambushed in the thick shrub that abounds in the
+neighbourhood, with the result that E squadron of Mounted Infantry,
+which had pushed ahead to reach Vryheid before dark set in, suffered
+severe loss. Few escaped to tell the tale, the outline of which was as
+follows: The Boers no sooner saw the troopers approaching than they
+jumped from their hiding-place and surrounded them. Captain Goff (6th
+Dragoon Guards), who was commanding the squadron, dismounted his men and
+made a valiant stand, but the Boers poured a volley on them,
+incapacitating most of the horses and many of the men. The commanding
+officer was shot dead. Still the party continued to reply to the fire of
+the enemy till, ammunition running short, they knew resistance would
+soon be unavailing. Meanwhile, the scene of confusion was horrible. The
+Boers had set the crisp, dry grass into a blaze, and behind the smoke of
+it were able to fire with impunity at the helpless British force. The
+rest of the column had hastened towards the scene of the disaster, but
+what with the crackling glare of the flamboyant grass, the suffocating
+clouds of smoke, and the deceptive darkness of the gloaming, Colonel
+Bethune dared not open fire at close quarters lest he should injure his
+own already wounded force. Gallantly the men of D squadron dashed into
+the mêlée, and rescued from thence such troopers as survived. Lieutenant
+Capell, who gave his horse to an injured trooper, was taken prisoner,
+and Lord De la Warr, while going to the relief of another, was slightly
+injured in the leg.
+
+He afterwards gave to a correspondent of the _Central News_ an
+interesting narrative of his experiences on that eventful day. He was
+acting as aide-de-camp to Colonel Bethune, and was directed to take
+messages to the captains of E and D squadrons, in the thickest of the
+fight. His instructions were to order them to retire, but when he came
+upon the scene he found that E squadron was already practically
+surrounded. He was able, however, to deliver his order to Captain Ford
+of D squadron, and then set out to return to Colonel Bethune through a
+heavy fire. In galloping back he saw Trooper Cooper, of Durban, lying
+wounded in the grass, which was then blazing. The flames were gradually
+making their way towards the wounded man, who was unable to move. A
+horrible death in a few minutes was certain, unless succour could be
+rendered him. Earl De la Warr instantly dismounted, crept up through the
+smoke, and was in the act of rescuing the man when he was pounced upon
+by about twenty Boers, who fired at him at close range. He was wounded,
+though not severely, and just managed to drag himself away from the
+burning grass. His horse had bolted, and he was only rescued when he had
+practically given up all hope.
+
+The following casualties among officers occurred: Killed--3rd Dragoon
+Guards, Captain W. E. D. Goff; Bethune's Mounted Infantry, Lieutenant H.
+W. Lanham and Lieutenant W. McLachlan. Wounded--Bethune's Mounted
+Infantry, Captain Earl De la Warr and Lieutenant De Lasalle.
+Missing--Bethune's Mounted Infantry, Lieutenant A. E. Capell.
+
+The whole of the wounded were taken by the enemy, and Colonel Bethune
+had no resource but to retire on N'qutu.
+
+The Boers were falling back from Natal, and the British at this date
+were in possession of Christiana, Kroonstad, Lindley, and Newcastle.
+Thus, it will be seen, we were sweeping up, like an incoming tide, from
+all quarters. Sir Redvers Buller now halted to concentrate his army,
+collect supplies, and repair the rail, in order that his next move
+should be both rapid and effective. That being the case, his programme
+for the celebration of the Queen's Birthday took an unique form. The
+General decided that the men should spend "a record day" in repairing
+the rail. This they did with a will, as, indeed, they did all things at
+the behest of their much-respected chief. Repairs on all sides were
+prosecuted with ardour, the railway engineering staff working away at
+bridging operations on the Ingagane River at Waschbank, till, by the
+28th, the line was clear to Newcastle. To clear the right flank Generals
+Hildyard and Lyttelton had been directed to Utrecht and Vryheid
+respectively, and the month closed with the entry into Utrecht, the
+first Transvaal town to be taken by the Natal Field Force. In the
+skirmishing which occurred, Captain St. John and Lieutenant Pearse had
+their horses shot under them, and Lieutenant Thompson had the misfortune
+to be wounded and taken prisoner. The town, however, was not really
+occupied till some weeks later.
+
+Their part of the strategical programme accomplished, General Hildyard's
+Division left for Ingogo, while that of General Lyttelton marched to
+Coetze's Drift, due east of Ingogo, for the purpose of clearing the
+country between Vryheid and Wakkerstroom.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE INTERREGNUM AT PRETORIA
+
+
+While tremendous excitement was convulsing Johannesburg, Pretoria was
+simmering. The populace was trekking away towards the Lydenburg
+Mountains, their ox-carts rumbling incessantly along the streets, while
+a stream of Dutchmen, motley of habit and of mien, moved out before the
+rumour of the advancing army. They had decided that, though they might
+no longer be able to resist, they could still retain the ability to
+annoy! Mr. Kruger, with his Executive, amid the lamentations of his
+admirers, also fled. He hurried to the Middleburg Railway, leaving
+behind him a committee of citizens who were deputed to surrender the
+town to the British. He fled not empty-handed. In the dead of night gold
+in bars was piled recklessly into whatever vehicles could be found to
+hold it, and the spoil was shipped on board the train which bore the
+President from the scene of his really amazing career. With him went a
+good many of the British prisoners, though many more stoutly resisted
+the order for removal and showed fight. Their attitude betokened a
+general uproar, the story of which may be gleaned from the accounts of
+various officers who lived through days of tension which, coming atop of
+a long experience of incarceration, seemed to them like some hideous
+nightmare of the senses.
+
+An officer, who had been captured by the Boers while in the hospital at
+Dundee after the retreat of General Yule, described the circumstances
+connected with the threatened commotion:--
+
+"We were all at dinner, when Wood, of Standard Bank, and Hay, the
+American Consul, came in with two Hollanders. Their object in coming was
+to get us to send officers to the 5000 odd men out at Waterval, who were
+threatening to break out. It transpired that Kruger and the Government
+were 'clearing' (the report said in ambulance carts). The town was in a
+state of chaos, looting and drinking, and the British were expected next
+morning. The commandant--a Hollander, and not a bad chap in spite of
+it--then came in and announced that the British scouts were within six
+miles of Pretoria, and that he expected them in on the following
+morning. He appealed to us as soldiers, and asked us not to make it
+difficult for him to carry out his duty till the end. Well, we were in
+such good spirits that we gave him three cheers. Then Colonel H---- got
+up and called for three cheers for Wood and Hay, who have done so much
+for our men at Waterval. If it had not been for these two, and for
+subscriptions in the town and from us, the men would have been
+absolutely neglected. For though the Boer authorities took all the
+credit for what was done, they did nothing, discouraging all efforts,
+and treating with suspicion any one who stirred in the matter. At one
+time the hospital almost broke down for want of funds. Well, we gave
+them a tremendous ovation, and then sang 'For he's a jolly good fellow'
+over and over again. Then we struck up 'God save the Queen.' You never
+heard it sung as it was! It had been forbidden for nearly eight months.
+For the first Sunday when it was sung they took away the organ, and made
+themselves objectionable in many small ways. We had only once before
+sung it--on the Queen's birthday....
+
+"About twenty-five officers went off after dinner to keep the men in
+order. Waterval is about ten miles from here. If this step had not been
+taken there is no saying what might have happened. The men had heard the
+booming of guns all day, in the direction of Johannesburg, and it is not
+to be wondered at that when the Boers tried to move them they flatly
+refused to budge. There are Maxims at each corner, and the loss of life
+would have been very great. But the Boers gave in. What might have
+happened if the men got loose in the town, after so much privation and
+such hardships, can be imagined, but the sending of officers should
+alter all things."
+
+Naturally, at this time, the officers, who were prisoners, were bursting
+with excitement. On the 3rd, guns, about ten or twelve miles to south
+and south-west, were heard, and on the 4th, early, shells from British
+guns crashed on the ridge of hills south of the town--the first shots
+being fired at a redoubt behind the Artillery Barracks in Pretoria.
+Soon, to their delight, this was cleared of Boers, and subsequently two
+big forts on either side of the gorge in which is the railway then
+received attention. Three lyddite shells from the howitzer batteries
+were placed in the western fort, and a fierce and continuous fire from
+the 4.7 naval gun was concentrated on the railway station, and though
+the place remained intact the moral effect of the attack was sufficient
+to clear the course. Before dusk, more lyddite and shrapnel were
+concentrated on the huge hill south of Pretoria, and on part of the main
+ridge which had been shelled all day. The prisoners, acutely listening
+in their "bird cage," fancied they heard in the distance a British
+cheer, and confidently went to rest calculating on the morrow's freedom.
+At 1 A.M., however, they were awakened. The commandant declared that he
+had received orders from Botha, and they must at once pack and trek
+outside the town--as the town was to be defended, and was therefore
+unsafe. Waggons were prepared to receive the kit; and the guard, usually
+numbering about forty-eight, had been more than doubled; and over one
+hundred armed Boers and Hollanders were waiting to escort 125
+defenceless officers.
+
+Colonel Hunt, Royal Artillery, the senior prisoner, was consulted. It
+was known that once moved, chance of release would be uncertain; and the
+colonel with his brother officers decided to adopt a policy of passive
+resistance. They parleyed; they argued the impossibility of removal at
+so short notice. They demanded what mounts were provided. The commandant
+declared they must walk. This the officers refused to do. Colonels never
+walked, they said. Cavalry and field officers must be provided with
+horses to ride. And again in the matter of food--how about that? Thus
+arguing, the commandant was detained about an hour and a half; but still
+he declared he had come to do a duty, and do it he must. The policy of
+passive resistance having run to its extreme limits, the colonels
+decided to place the commandant under arrest--to detain him in the
+building and trust to luck. The assistant-commandant, who arrived to
+"put in his oar," was promptly "bagged" also. At 2.45 A.M. more
+wrangling took place. The commandant was reminded that an agreement had
+been practically entered into with the Transvaal Government that the men
+at Waterval should be kept quiet on condition that they were not moved,
+and that the Transvaal Government could not move the prisoners without a
+breach of faith. The commandant seemed impressed, and offered his word
+of honour that if released he would telephone to say there could be no
+removal--and countermand waggons and cancel arrangements. His word of
+honour was accepted. The commandant retired from the prison, and the
+officers went to bed fearing the worst.
+
+The remainder of the story is soon told. At 9 A.M. the Duke of
+Marlborough, accompanied by his irrepressible kinsman, Winston
+Churchill, galloped to the prison and told the prisoners they were free.
+The prisoners cheered and shouted themselves hoarse. The guard was
+disarmed without a murmur, and the prisoners' servants placed to do duty
+in their stead, an arrangement which afforded them much merriment and
+infinite satisfaction. The whole situation was the result of a most
+successful piece of bluff, and the officers were not a little gratified
+with the exercise of diplomacy which had brought about delay at a most
+critical moment. They had been unable, however, to prevent the
+departure, on the 4th, of some 1000 prisoners, which removal was a
+distinct breach of faith, considering the negotiations before alluded
+to.
+
+An officer related his experiences on the momentous 4th and 5th of
+June:--
+
+"On Monday morning, 9 A.M., guns were heard quite close. We knew the
+Boers, 15,000 strong, had taken up a position about six miles out, and
+it was said they had solemnly sworn to die or win. About 10 A.M. we saw
+a shell burst over the hill to the south close to one of the forts. Then
+shrapnel after shrapnel was landed just over the fort and all along the
+crest line, about four miles away from us. Then some larger gun placed a
+lyddite close to the big fort, sending up an enormous column of red dust
+and making a huge report. It was a grand sight. It went on all day, and
+we sat there in deck chairs watching. We could see very few Boers about.
+About 3 P.M. we saw the balloon, about fifteen miles off, I should
+think. Later in the afternoon the railway was shelled near the suburbs,
+and just before dark, away to the west, we saw clouds of dust and what
+we took to be fleeing commandos. After such a day we all went to bed in
+excellent spirits. Our long depressing wait was very near its end, and
+we should now escape the terrible prospect of being moved away to the
+east. About 1 A.M. we were wakened up by the commandant, who turned on
+the electric light and walked along the line of beds, saying, 'Pack up,
+gentlemen, you have got to start at 3 P.M. and march six miles.' 'Why?'
+'I don't know why; those are my orders.' 'Which direction?' 'To the
+railway, to the east.' Well, I knew what that meant at once, for I had
+expected the move for the last month, and many a very depressed hour had
+I spent thinking of the possibility of being carted about for six months
+in the cold--no food--no news--and every chance of being shot down. I
+lay in bed thinking what I should do--what we ought all to do. Some got
+up at once and dressed, quite ready to move, saying they were only going
+to move us out of range of the firing. But Colonel H---- luckily was not
+of that opinion, and nearly every one felt what it meant. We knew
+nothing for certain, but we thought our people were only six miles off.
+Outside the Hollanders' guard had been trebled--about 200--and there
+were about twenty armed and mounted Boers. It was soon agreed that no
+one should move unless a rifle was pointed at his head. The Hollanders
+are only half-hearted, and the Boers don't act without leaders. So the
+commandant and sub-commandant, who were alone inside, and only armed
+with revolvers, were made prisoners. They were told we refused to move;
+that they would have to shoot; and that, if they did shoot, every one of
+them would be hung by Bobs, who, we knew, was only seven miles off.
+Well, the commandant was talked round and fairly bluffed. He undertook
+not to move us, and to become a prisoner of the Boers if they insisted.
+He went out and had a talk with the Boer commandant; they had words,
+and the Boers galloped off to the town, calling him a ---- Hollander,
+and saying they would have to get a Maxim. We had delayed the thing
+anyway for a time, and the railway might be cut any time by French. It
+was frightfully cold; I did not turn in again. Many went and hid in the
+roof, in ditches, and all sorts of places, where they were bound to be
+found. I got a bread-knife and cut a hole in the rabbit wire, which is
+only a small part of the obstacle, and asked the Hollander sentry to
+look the other way if I tried to get out when the commander came. But
+there were so many of them that one was afraid of the other. He only
+hesitated, and said he would see. We waited on till daylight and no one
+came. We looked anxiously at the hills all round in hopes of seeing our
+troops on the hills, but could see nothing. We waited and watched
+anxiously, and thought we should have a day of suspense. About 8 A.M. on
+Tuesday, 5th June, large bodies of men were visible to the west, about
+seven miles off, but it was impossible to say whether they were our men
+or Boers. Even if they were our men, it was possible that we should be
+hustled off under their noses. About 9 A.M. two men in felt hats and
+kharki and a civilian galloped up. Even till they were 100 feet off I
+feared they might be Boers. Then they took off their hats and waved
+them; there was a yell, and we all rushed through the gate. They were
+Marlborough and Winston Churchill, and we were free!"
+
+Some of the late prisoners rushed out of the enclosure down hill into
+the town, scampering and yelling. It was so good to be free! It was so
+grand to feel that the scene of their incarceration had already almost
+become British soil! One climbed up the flagstaff with the Union Jack in
+his mouth and fastened it at the top (the great emblem, manufactured
+from a Transvaal flag, had been held in readiness for many months).
+There, in the town, were British sentries over all the Government
+buildings, over the house of the President--where Mrs. Kruger still
+remained--and over all the banks, and in the square. But the smart
+guardsman of Pall Mall was nowadays strangely transmogrified. Battered
+and travel-stained in his shabby kharki and worn helmet--the latter
+perhaps adorned, in lieu of plume, with tooth-brush, spoon, or other
+useful article--and equipped with loaf or cook-pot, or like practical
+paraphernalia not laid down in the regulations, he made a quaint, yet
+inspiriting picture of martial vagabondage. But to the eyes of his
+long-expecting fellow-countrymen he was none the less refreshing, almost
+adorable, and in a perfect frenzy of rejoicing the prisoners laughed and
+threw up their hats and waved their arms like very lunatics freed from
+strait-waistcoats, or the thrall of the padded room.
+
+The chief was not timed to arrive till two, but long before that hour
+the prisoners of war were drawn up in the square to feast their eyes
+with a sight for which they had hungered wearily, some of them since the
+grievous autumn days when they had found themselves in Dundee hospital
+at the mercy of the Boers. And sure enough the spectacle that then
+followed was worth waiting a lifetime to see, and one which none who
+witnessed it will ever forget.
+
+To return, however, to Johannesburg, and to those who, during this time
+of terrific suspense, were marching as fast as legs would carry them to
+take possession of the Boer capital.
+
+
+FROM JOHANNESBURG TO PRETORIA
+
+June had opened more than propitiously. It found Lord Roberts with the
+British flag hoisted in Johannesburg, and within appreciable distance of
+seizing the capital, while in the southern portion of the Free State,
+rebellion was known to be nearing its conclusion. General Brabant--after
+some exciting experiences at Hammonia, in which Lieutenant Langmore
+(Border Horse) was severely wounded, and Lieutenants Boyes and Budler
+were made prisoners--had just joined hands with General Rundle. The
+former was engaged in watching the passes around the Basuto border,
+while the latter, with his usual vigilance and animation, mounted guard
+over the region between Ficksburg and Senekal. Here (at Senekal) General
+Clements caught up the chain and made his Brigade into a connecting link
+with the forces of Lord Methuen, which were at Lindley, forty miles to
+the north, which latter place was within communicable distance of
+Heilbron, where General Sir H. Colvile with the Highland Brigade kept
+clear the passage to the north. Thus it will be seen a complete cordon
+of communications was maintained, which formed a barrier to further
+inroads by the Free Staters, and forced them little by little to take
+their choice between surrender or flight.
+
+At the same time a change had been wrought in the condition of affairs,
+and the Orange Free State had been rechristened the Orange River Colony.
+
+[Illustration: SCENE IN PRETORIA SQUARE, JUNE 5: WAITING FOR THE ENTRY
+OF LORD ROBERTS AND HIS ARMY
+
+Drawing by A. Pearse, after a Photograph by the Earl of Rosslyn]
+
+At noon, on the 28th of May, an interesting ceremony had taken place in
+the Market Square at Bloemfontein and the Royal Standard had been
+hoisted. General Pretyman (Military Governor), surrounded with a vast
+concourse of persons, both British and Dutch, had read in an impressive
+voice for the benefit of all concerned, Lord Roberts's proclamation
+annexing the Orange Free State--which had been conquered by Her
+Majesty's Forces--to the Queen's dominions. He had then declared that
+henceforth the State would be recognised as the Orange River Colony,
+after which the troops presented arms and a salute of twenty-one guns
+was fired by the Naval Brigade and Royal Artillery, followed by lusty
+cheers for the Queen. At the same time a very different scene had been
+enacted in Pretoria. By the order of President Kruger, the day had been
+observed as one of humiliation throughout the country; humiliation and
+prayer for relief from oppression and preservation of the independence
+of the country--the country whose independence had been wrecked entirely
+by the ignorant and careless pilotage of the President himself.
+
+In Johannesburg itself quietness soon began to reign, the people coming
+in resignedly to give up arms. On the whole there seemed to prevail a
+general sentiment of surprised relief at the peaceful mode of British
+occupation, and a dawning hope that before long hostilities would come
+to an end, and life resume its workaday habit. For the first two days of
+June the chief remained encamped at Orange Grove in order that all the
+troops, rested from their fatigues, might be gradually moved up so as to
+surround Pretoria, north, west, and south. But meanwhile the cavalry
+made a reconnaissance, and in course of the operations Lieutenants
+Durrand, Sadleir, Jackson, and Pollock, 9th Lancers, were wounded. The
+latter officer was missing, as was also Lieutenant the Hon. C. M.
+Evans-Freke, 16th Lancers.
+
+[Illustration: MAP SHOWING DISTRICT BETWEEN JOHANNESBURG AND PRETORIA,
+AND THE POSITION OF THE BRITISH FORCES ROUND THE LATTER.]
+
+From Johannesburg to Pretoria the distance is about thirty miles by
+road. East and west of Johannesburg for some 100 miles runs the
+Witwatersrand ridge, which commands the town and offers a strong
+position against any enemy advancing from the south. At Boksburg, on the
+east, are various natural redoubts of rubbish heaps thrown up from the
+mines, whose hideous chimneys rise clear against the cloudy atmosphere
+of the swarming city. Further on comes a species of desert, dotted now
+and then with a green oasis, and sliced with valleys wrinkled with
+undulating ridges, and beyond that, Pretoria. The town sits, so to
+speak, in the lap of hills, each hill crowned with forts, of which the
+two most formidable faced south, as menace to all invaders. The natural
+disposition of the surrounding heights makes it possible for a small
+force to resist a strong one with comparative ease. On the north a
+girdle of eminences, each a rocky and frowning fortress, renders
+approach in face of the enemy well-nigh impossible. Beyond Six-Mile
+Spruit, which lies some twenty-six miles from the Rand, and six from the
+capital, are three more frowning ridges, natural strongholds. And these
+it was necessary to assail. Both Schanzkop to west and Klapperkop to
+east of the line looked gaunt and ominous, the very fire and sword of
+the cherubim, and the approaches were charred black by intentional veldt
+fires so as to serve as blackboards to throw up any demonstrations in
+chalk-grey kharki. It was here, nevertheless, that the chief had decided
+to make his entry to Pretoria, keeping the direct Johannesburg road, and
+avoiding if possible the more dangerous of the fortified positions.
+
+On the 3rd of June the great march was resumed. The army moved in three
+columns--the Cavalry Division under General French on the left, General
+Ian Hamilton's force in the centre, the main column, consisting of
+Pole-Carew's Division and Maxwell's Brigade of Tucker's Division
+(General Wavell's Brigade was left to hold Johannesburg), Gordon's
+Cavalry Brigade (covering the eastern flank) and the corps troops under
+the chief's direct command bearing towards the line of rail as described.
+Colonel Henry, with Ross's Mounted Infantry, Compton's Horse, the Sussex
+Yeomanry, the Victorian Rifles, the Colt Battery, and J Horse Battery,
+formed the advance guard of the main column, while Colonel de Lisle's
+6th Mounted Infantry formed the advance guard of General Ian Hamilton's
+Division.
+
+At dawn, on the 4th of June, Colonel Henry came in touch with the enemy
+at Six-Mile Spruit. Report had hinted that the Boers could not decide to
+offer opposition to the entry of the troops, and it was hoped that no
+serious fighting was intended. But there was tough work to come. The
+enemy opened fire and forced the troops to take cover for a time; but,
+afterwards, holding their own, they pushed on in view of Schanzkop and
+Klapperkop, the forts which yet suggested horrible possibilities. The
+enemy was also ensconced in sangars on other ridges round about, and
+assiduously plied their magazines. Then followed an artillery contest
+between J Battery and the guns of the Dutchmen, while Ross's Mounted
+Infantry, hastening to the left, secured a position from which another
+battery was enabled to join in the thunderous chorus.
+
+No sooner was it found that Colonel Henry was definitely engaged, than
+General Ian Hamilton, who was somewhat west of the main army, was
+ordered to combine and assist the now warming operations--and presently
+his mounted troops had reinforced the advanced line, while the artillery
+of the main column came vigorously into play. A big gun from Schantz
+Fort sounded; a reply from the blue-jackets spat out. Lyddite burst over
+the feebly demonstrating Boers and damaged them, and showed them, that
+if they asked for it, there was more to come. At three, fifty guns
+threatened in concert--an argument that was well-nigh conclusive.
+Meanwhile up came the infantry, grandly steady in their advance. To
+right went the Guards' Brigade over the blackboard prepared for them,
+while Stephenson's Brigade, with Maxwell's Brigade on its left, forged
+straight ahead. There were kindly boulders which presently covered them,
+and allowed them to open a warning fire with rifles and Maxims. The
+Boers by this knew what to expect. They knew that their hours in their
+commanding kops were numbered; they knew by this time that the bayonet's
+gleam might follow, and then----
+
+They had little time to consider. General Broadwood's troopers were
+making for their right flank, debouching in the distant plain on the
+left, circling them round, menacing their retreat. Up the kopjes swarmed
+the infantry, away towards the enemy's flank galloped the cavalry--bang
+and boom and boom roared the heavy artillery, addressing the forts that
+had seemed to play the cherubim to British advance. These were mute. The
+projectiles battered them or passed on into the town itself whence rifle
+fire burst out in fitful cascades, but resistance was no longer in the
+Dutchmen.... It was now growing dusk. Colonel de Lisle's sprightly
+Australians, cutting across country, were chasing Boers and guns almost
+into the town, while the infantry with sunset, were occupying the
+coveted positions--were handling the key of Pretoria!
+
+But the Australians, darkness or no darkness, were on the
+war-path--nothing could stop them. They captured the flying Maxim of the
+flying Dutchmen, pursued them till they were within rifle fire of the
+streets--the streets where scurrying and panic-stricken forms were to be
+seen like ants disturbed, running hither and thither. Then Colonel de
+Lisle, equal to the occasion, profited by the general dismay and the
+demoralisation to send in an officer under a flag of truce to demand the
+surrender of the town.
+
+An account of this momentous episode was given by Lieutenant W. W.
+Russell Watson, a Sydney officer, who was the most prominent actor in
+the proceedings:--
+
+"Colonel de Lisle came up, beaming with delight, and said, 'Now, lad,
+you have done so well, are you fit to take the white flag into the city
+and demand the surrender of the city in the name of Lord Roberts and the
+British army?' 'Rather!' said I. So we tied a handkerchief on to a whip,
+and after saying good-bye to Holmes and the others, I started for the
+Landdrost of the capital with the white flag in the air alone and
+unarmed.
+
+"I had not gone far when I was stopped by an artilleryman, so requested
+him to take me into town. He did so; but the Landdrost (chief
+magistrate), the Burgomaster (mayor), the Commandant-General, were still
+fighting on the hills about the city, so the Secretary of State was
+found, and he conducted me to Commandant-General Botha's private
+residence. He then telephoned to the Secretary for War, and they then
+despatched messages to their Generals to come at once to a council of
+war. First, General Botha himself came; then Generals Meyer and
+Walthusein and the military governors of the city. By this time I had
+been there two hours, during which time Mrs. Botha kindly gave me coffee
+and sandwiches, which, as I had not had a square meal for thirty-six
+hours, were most acceptable.
+
+"Now came the discussion of the council. The General asked my mission,
+and this I told him with as much dignity as I could muster. He looked me
+up and down, and told me to be seated. They all spoke in Dutch, and some
+of the Generals were very excited. However, after an hour's chat, they
+drew up a letter, and Botha informed me that if I would conduct the
+Governor of the city to Lord Roberts, terms and conditions would be
+arranged. So they all shook hands with me, and said that I ought to be
+pleased at meeting their greatest statesmen and Generals.
+
+"Off I went with the Governor and General Walthusein to Colonel de
+Lisle, who was waiting on the outskirts of the city for my return. The
+Colonel then joined us, and away we went to Lord Roberts, who was six
+miles off; so we did not arrive until 10.45 P.M. He was in bed, so just
+sat up and said, 'How do you do? If General Botha wishes to discuss with
+me the unconditional surrender of the town, I will meet him at Colonel
+de Lisle's camp at 9 A.M. to-morrow. In the meantime, I will not fire a
+shot. Good-night!'"
+
+So unconditional surrender it was, and that at the cost of little more
+than seventy killed and wounded.
+
+The report of the chief was as follows:--
+
+"Shortly before midnight I was awoke by the officials of the South
+African Republic, Sandburg, Military Secretary to Commander-General
+Botha, and a general officer of the Boer army, who brought me a letter
+from Botha, proposing an armistice for the purpose of settling terms of
+surrender.
+
+"I replied that I would gladly meet the Commander-General the next
+morning, but that I was not prepared to discuss any terms, as the
+surrender of the town must be unconditional.
+
+"I asked for a reply by daybreak, as I had ordered the troops to march
+on the town as soon as it was light.
+
+"In his reply, Botha told me that he had decided not to defend Pretoria,
+and that he trusted that the women, children, and property would be
+protected."
+
+The next morning the main army moved on towards the railway station,
+while General Ian Hamilton's troops wound their way to the west of the
+town. (General French, it may be noted, had made his way to the north,
+and had skirmished himself into possession of an enveloping area.)
+Pretoria was now in sight. But even as the troops neared the railway
+station, trains--trains bearing away the surrendering Hollanders--were
+seen to be steaming forth. A chase followed, but barbed wire, gardens,
+houses, made pursuit impossible, and one train escaped. Others which
+were still in the station, however, were arrested, but not before a
+scrimmage of a bellicose kind had taken place between Major Shute, the
+advance guard, and the would-be fugitives. Then followed the release of
+the British prisoners and the excited rushing of the emancipated ones
+through the town. Meanwhile Major Maude and his party moved along amid
+the expectant populace, placing sentries at important points in the
+road, to the tune of the roars and cheers from the British prisoners,
+who--many of them--were almost wild with enthusiasm. After having
+secured the government buildings, the officers of the Staff attached to
+the Guards' Brigade paid their respects to Mrs. Kruger, who, attired in
+black silk and a white cap, received them with her usual Dutch calm, in
+the cottage where the old statesman was wont to live in almost
+peasant-like simplicity. Here, not many days ago, the most interesting,
+if not the most admired, figure of latter-day history had smoked the
+cavernous pipe which was his invariable companion. Here, not many days
+ago, sitting in the shady verandah and guarded by two policemen, and the
+white marble lions given him by Mr. Barnato, he had plotted and schemed
+behind the impenetrable mask that served him for a face. Now he was
+gone; and the great marble lions, massive and obdurate as ever, had
+become as the emblems of British majesty. The commanding officer
+informed the wife of the late President that the burghers guarding the
+Presidency would now be replaced by British soldiers, whereupon the
+Dutch guard placed pistols and ammunition on the pavement by the side of
+the marble monsters; and their occupation, now and henceforth, was
+ended!
+
+At two o'clock, on the 5th of June, came the grand finale. Lord Roberts,
+Lord Kitchener, the Staff, and foreign attachés, numbering nearly 300,
+formed up in the main square in the centre of the magnificent official
+buildings, and there, once more, was hoisted the British flag amid the
+cheers--sincere and insincere--of the populace. Then followed the great
+spectacle--a pageant wherein was asserted the majesty of Great
+Britain--in the form of an unending host of muscular and disciplined
+heroes. The roll of drums, the flow of kharki, the clank and clang of
+armed men, began and continued for hours and hours, while the amazed
+inhabitants, arrayed in their bucolic best, wide-mouthed, wide-eyed,
+stood watching the vast procession, the like of which the little town
+had never before beheld.
+
+Particularly remarkable among the vast cortège of seasoned warriors were
+the patriotic C.I.V.'s, whose soldierly bearing drew forth eulogies from
+the chief himself. All were agreed that they were the finest body of men
+that had ever been seen, and every one declared that their actions had
+been as excellent as their appearance.
+
+A not less attractive feature of the great day was the march past of the
+Naval Brigade, its smart amphibians, its jolly blue-jackets so square
+and brawny and brave, and its big guns on improved gun-carriages, all of
+which had done such good work from beginning to end. The roar that
+greeted them as they swung along the streets of the conquered town was a
+sound to echo in the memory for many a year to come.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+At such an imposing spectacle in so primitive an arena our enemies--real
+or subsidised--of course, took the opportunity to scoff. True, the
+ceremonial was scarcely as impressive as might have been the occupation
+of some less primitive capital; but its significance was twofold, and
+had ramifications far beneath the surface. The importance of the event
+to the British nation, and indeed to the whole European audience of
+critics, could not be overestimated. For, not a spectacle, but a symbol
+was intended. Great Britain came, not to conquer new territories, nor to
+acquire new power. She came to assert herself, and maintain her prestige
+in the face of the whole world, and meant, by the occupation of
+Pretoria, to mark the new epoch, drawing a line between the old era of
+maladministration, chicanery, and despotism, and a fresh one of law and
+order, and equal rights for white men. The great object of the war,
+therefore, had been achieved.
+
+In October 1899, the Government of the South African Republic had sent
+an ultimatum to the Government of the British Empire. To this there
+could be but one answer, and that answer was given. Lord Roberts, in the
+month of March 1900, seized the capital of the Orange Free State, and in
+June took possession of the capital of the Transvaal, and from that time
+the two South African Republics virtually ceased to exist. Within
+appreciable distance we now saw before us a vast British Empire
+stretching from the Cape to the Zambesi, and a huge population--a mixed
+population consisting of a majority of Kaffirs and a minority of Dutch
+and English-speaking Europeans--cemented together by the most just and
+fair of all laws--British law. If the principles that guide this law had
+been followed by the two extinct Republics, which had owed their very
+existence to British toleration and British magnanimity, they would have
+continued to live and to prosper, and to develop in harmony with their
+own interests and those of the Mother Power which, so to speak, had
+afforded them the protection to promote their own growth. But, having
+grown, having battened on the advantages of their position in relation
+to the British, they became inflated with the idea of their own
+importance, and denied to the English-speaking settlers in the Transvaal
+that liberality of treatment which was extended to their own countrymen
+in the British colonies. The arrogance of this denial, and the success
+in maintaining it for many years, gave birth to more arrogance still.
+The British at last were not only to be trodden down, but were to be
+driven into the sea!
+
+That Mr. Kruger should have so far lost his sound common sense as to
+dream of an ascendency of the Dutch in South Africa, was due partly to
+the misleading representations of needy foreigners and _chevaliers
+d'industrie_, who endeavoured to convert the President into a figurehead
+for their own piratical cruiser, and also to the folly of certain
+self-seeking British politicians, who tried to persuade the shrewd
+Dutchman into a belief in Boer arms and Boer diplomacy, and actually
+deceived him with the notion that their sympathetic bleats represented
+the trumpet voice of the British nation! It became necessary to teach
+him his mistake, and the lesson was taught. Thus it came to pass that,
+at the end of a long and really remarkable career, the despot was
+fleeing as fast as steam would carry him from the scene of his life's
+labours, while Lord Roberts, crowned with years and honour, reigned in
+his stead!
+
+[Illustration: THE ENTRY OF LORD ROBERTS AND STAFF INTO PRETORIA
+
+After a Photograph by the Earl of Rosslyn]
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX
+
+REARRANGEMENT OF STAFF
+
+
+The following rearrangement of divisional and brigade commands in South
+Africa took place during the month of April:--
+
+CAVALRY DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General J. D. P. French commanding.
+
+ 1st Brigade (Cape)--Colonel (Brigadier-General) T. C. Porter, 6th
+ Dragoon Guards.
+ 1st Brigade (Natal)--Lieutenant-Colonel (Brigadier-General) J. F.
+ Burn-Murdoch, 1st Dragoons.
+ 2nd Brigade (Cape)--Colonel (Brigadier-General) R. G. Broadwood,
+ 12th Lancers.
+ 2nd Brigade (Natal)--Colonel (Major-General) J. F. Brocklehurst.
+ 3rd Brigade (Cape)--Colonel (Brigadier-General) J. R. P. Gordon,
+ 17th Lancers.
+ 3rd Brigade (Natal)--Colonel (Major-General) Lord Dundonald.
+ 4th Brigade (Cape)--Colonel (Major-General) J. B. B. Dickson, C.B.
+
+MOUNTED INFANTRY.
+
+Colonel (Major-General) I. S. M. Hamilton, C.B., commanding.
+
+ 1st Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) E. T. H. Hutton, C.B.
+ 2nd Brigade--Colonel (Brigadier-General) C. P. Ridley.
+
+1ST INFANTRY DIVISION (CAPE).
+
+Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen commanding.
+
+ 1st Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) C. W. H. Douglas.
+ 20th Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) A. H. Paget, Scots Guards.
+
+2ND DIVISION (NATAL).
+
+Lieutenant-General Sir F. Clery commanding.
+
+ 2nd Brigade--Major-General H. J. T. Hildyard, C.B.
+ 4th Brigade--Colonel (Brigadier-General) C. D. Cooper, Royal Dublin
+ Fusiliers.
+
+3RD DIVISION (CAPE).
+
+Major-General Sir Herbert Chermside, commanding.
+
+ 22nd Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) R. E. Allen.
+ 23rd Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) W. G. Knox, C.B.
+
+4TH DIVISION (NATAL).
+
+Lieutenant-General Hon. N. G. Lyttelton, C.B., commanding.
+
+ 7th Brigade--Colonel (Brigadier-General) W. F. Kitchener, West
+ Yorkshire Regiment.
+ 8th Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) F. Howard, C.B., C.M.G.
+
+5TH DIVISION (NATAL).
+
+Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Warren commanding.
+
+ 10th Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) J. T. Coke.
+ 11th Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) A. S. Wynne, C.B.
+
+6TH DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General T. Kelly-Kenny, C.B., commanding.
+
+ 12th Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) R. A. P. Clements.
+ 13th Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) A. G. Wavell.
+
+7TH DIVISION (CAPE).
+
+Lieutenant-General C. Tucker, C.B., commanding.
+
+ 14th Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) J. G. Maxwell.
+ 15th Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) C. E. Knox.
+
+8TH DIVISION.
+
+Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Rundle commanding.
+
+ 16th Brigade--Major-General B. B. D. Campbell.
+ 17th Brigade--Major-General J. E. Boyes.
+
+9TH DIVISION (CAPE).
+
+Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Colvile commanding.
+
+ 3rd (Highland) Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) H. A. MacDonald,
+ C.B.
+ 19th Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) H. L. Smith-Dorrien, Sherwood
+ Foresters.
+
+10TH DIVISION (NATAL).
+
+Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Hunter commanding.
+
+ 5th Brigade--Major-General A. F. Hart, C.B.
+ 6th Brigade--Major-General G. Barton, C.B.
+
+11TH DIVISION (CAPE).
+
+Lieutenant-General R. Pole-Carew, C.B., commanding.
+
+ Guards Brigade--Colonel (Major-General) I. R. Jones, Scots Guards.
+ 18th Brigade--Colonel (Brigadier-General) T. E. Stephenson, Essex
+ Regiment.
+
+
+
+
+DEATHS IN ACTION AND FROM DISEASE
+
+
+The following is a list of the officers who died in South Africa between
+January and June:--
+
+ JANUARY 1900
+
+ =4.=--In action at Colesberg: Major C. Bateson Harvey,
+ Lieutenant A. V. West.
+
+ =5.=--Disease: Major C. P. Walker, Lieutenant C. P. Russell,
+ Lieutenant C. S. Platt.
+
+ =6.=--In action at Rensburg: Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Watson,
+ Lieutenant F. A. P. Wilkins, Lieutenant S. J. Carey, Lieutenant
+ C. A. White. Action at Ladysmith: Lieutenant-Colonel
+ Dick-Cunyngham, V.C., Major Miller-Wallnutt, Major R. S. Bowen,
+ Major F. Mackworth, Captain W. B. Lafone, Lieutenant C. E. M.
+ Walker, Lieutenant L. D. Hall, Lieutenant R. J. T. Digby-Jones,
+ Lieutenant H. N. Field, Lieutenant W. F. Adams, Lieutenant J.
+ E. Pakeman, Lieutenant Noel M. Tod, Second Lieutenant W. H. T.
+ Hill, Second Lieutenant F. H. Raikes, Second Lieutenant G. B.
+ B. Denniss. Wounds received at Colesberg: Captain A. W. Brown.
+
+ =11.=--Wounds received at Ladysmith: Captain the Earl of Ava.
+
+ =13.=--Fever: Lieutenant W. Dixon Smith.
+
+ =15.=--Fever at Pietermaritzburg: Lieutenant E. Stabb, R.N.R.
+
+ =16.=--Dysentery at Pietermaritzburg: Major F. F. Crawford.
+
+ =19.=--Fever at Mooi River: Second Lieutenant D. B. Gore-Booth.
+
+ =20.=--Wounds received at Venters Spruit: Captain C. A.
+ Hensley. Action at Potgieters: Major C. B. Childe.
+
+ =21.=--In action at Potgieters: Captain C. Ryall. Wounds:
+ Captain A. D. Raitt. In action: Lieutenant-Colonel
+ Buchanan-Riddell, Capt. F. Murray, Captain C. Walters,
+ Lieutenant R. Grant, Lieutenant J. W. Osborne, Second
+ Lieutenant H. G. French-Brewster.
+
+ =23.=--In action at Chieveley: Captain H. W. de Rougemont.
+
+ =24.=--Fever at De Aar: Captain C. G. Mackenzie. In action at
+ Spion Kop: Major H. H. Massy, Major A. J. J. Ross, Captain N.
+ H. Vertue, Captain G. M. Stewart, Captain C. L. Muriel, Captain
+ M. W. Kirk, Captain C. G. F. G. Birch, Captain the Hon. J. H.
+ L. Petre, Captain C. S. Knox-Gore, Captain C. H. Hicks,
+ Lieutenant J. J. R. Mallock, Lieutenant E. Fraser, Lieutenant
+ A. P. C. H. Wade, Lieutenant H. F. Pipe-Wolferstan, Lieutenant
+ F. M. Raphael, Lieutenant H. W. Garvey, Lieutenant C. G.
+ Grenfell, Lieutenant P. F. Newnham, Lieutenant T. F.
+ Flower-Ellis, Lieutenant H. S. M'Corquodale, Lieutenant V. H.
+ A. Awdry, Lieutenant the Hon. N. W. Hill-Trevor, Lieutenant A.
+ Rudall, Lieutenant K. Shand, Lieutenant F. A. Galbraith, Second
+ Lieutenant W. G. H. Lawley, Second Lieutenant H. A. C. Wilson.
+ Wounds received at Spion Kop: Major S. P. Strong.
+
+ =28.=--Fever at De Aar: Captain W. A. Hebden.
+
+ =29.=--Wounds received at Ladysmith: Lieutenant W. R. P.
+ Stapleton-Cotton.
+
+
+ FEBRUARY 1900
+
+ =1.=--Wounds received at Venters Spruit: Captain D. Maclachlan.
+
+ =2.=--Disease at Ladysmith: Second Lieutenant F. O. Barker.
+
+ =4.=--Disease at Ladysmith: Captain K. L. Tupman
+
+ =6.=--In action at Potgieters Drift: Major T. R. Johnson-Smyth,
+ Second Lieutenant C. D. Shafto.
+
+ =6.=--Sunstroke at Wynberg: Captain E. Dillon. In action at
+ Koodoesberg: Captain H. M. Blair.
+
+ =8.=--Wounds received at Koodoesberg: Captain C. Eykyn,
+ Lieutenant F. G. Tait.
+
+ =10.=--In action: Lieutenant Buchanan, Lieutenant Carstens.
+
+ =11.=--Fever at De Aar: Lieutenant R. W. Bell. In action at
+ Rensburg: Major G. R. Eddy.
+
+ =12.=--In action at Rensburg: Major A. K. Stubbs, Lieutenant J.
+ Powell. Wounds received at Rensburg: Lieutenant-Colonel C.
+ Cunningham, Lieutenant J. C. Roberts. Wounds received at
+ Dekiels Drift: Captain H. G. Majendie.
+
+ =13.=--Wounds received at Rensburg: Lieutenant-Colonel H. A.
+ Eager. In action at Gaberones: Captain J. G. French. In action
+ at Waterval Drift: Second Lieutenant H. W. Ritchie. Wounds
+ received at Ladysmith: Major D. E. Doveton. Disease: Captain H.
+ W. Foster. Fever at Pretoria: Lieutenant C. A. P. Tarbutt.
+
+ =14.=--Wounds received at Mafeking: Captain R. H. Girdwood.
+
+ =15.=--In action at Waterval: Lieutenant C. P. M. C. Halkett.
+ Wounds received at Rensburg: Major F. R. Macmullen.
+
+ =16.=--Wounds received at Kimberley: Second Lieutenant Hon. W.
+ M'Clintock-Bunbury. Action at Monte Christo: Captain T. H.
+ Berney. Action at Bird's River: Captain E. C. H. Crallan,
+ Lieutenant Chandler. Action near Kimberley: Lieutenant A. E.
+ Hesketh, Lieutenant E. G. Carbutt, Second Lieutenant P. F.
+ Brassy.
+
+ =17.=--Fever at Ladysmith: Second Lieutenant W. A. Orlebar.
+
+ =18.=--Fever at Sterkstroom: Captain T. S. C. W. Broadley. In
+ action at Paardeberg: Lieutenant-Colonel W. Aldworth, Captain
+ E. P. Wardlaw, Captain B. A. Newbury, Captain A. M. A. Lennox,
+ Lieutenant J. C. Angell, Lieutenant G. E. Courtenay, Lieutenant
+ H. G. Selous, Lieutenant F. J. Siordet, Lieutenant A. R.
+ Bright, Colonel O. C. Hannay, Lieutenant E. Perceval,
+ Lieutenant H. M. A. Hankey, Second Lieutenant R. H. M'Clure,
+ Second Lieutenant A. C. Nieve, Second Lieutenant V. A.
+ Ball-Acton.
+
+ =19.=--Dysentery at Wynberg: Captain R. A. E. Benson. In action
+ at Hlangwane Hill: Captain W. L. Thorburn.
+
+ =20.=--Wounds received at Paardeberg: Major C. R. Day, Captain
+ E. J. Dewar, Lieutenant J. C. Hylton-Jolliffe, Second
+ Lieutenant D. B. Monypenny, Captain Waldy. Wounds received at
+ Rondebosch: Captain C. H. Thomas. In action at the Tugela
+ River: Captain S. L. V. Crealock, Lieutenant V. F. A.
+ Keith-Falconer, Second Lieutenant J. C. Parr. Fever at
+ Ladysmith: Lieutenant G. W. G. Jones.
+
+ =21.=--Wounds received near Ladysmith: Captain R. E. Holt.
+ Dysentery at Kimberley: Lieutenant Grant.
+
+ =22.=--In action at Arundel: Captain A. F. Wallis. In action at
+ Pieters Drift: Lieutenant R. H. C. Coë. In action at Ladysmith:
+ Lieutenant R. W. Pearson, Lieutenant the Hon. R. Cathcart, and
+ Second Lieutenant N. J. Parker.
+
+ =23.=--Dysentery at Wynberg: Major C. H. Blount. Fever at
+ Ladysmith: Captain G. S. Walker. Wounds: Captain H. M. Arnold.
+ Wounds received at Groblers Kloof: Lieutenant F. C. D.
+ Davidson. In action at Railway Hill: Lieutenant-Colonel C. C.
+ H. Thorold and Lieutenant-Colonel T. M. G. Thackeray. In action
+ at Pieters Hill: Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel C. G. H. Sitwell. In
+ action at Railway Hill: Major F. A. Sanders and Lieutenant W.
+ O. Stuart. In action at Colenso: Captain S. C. Maitland. In
+ action near Ladysmith: Lieutenant B. H. Hastie and Lieutenant
+ C. H. Hinton.
+
+ =24.=--In action at Stormberg: Lieutenant-Colonel F. H. Hoskier
+ and Captain the Hon. R. H. J. L. de Montmorency. Fever at
+ Sterkstroom: Captain A. T. England. In action near Ladysmith:
+ Lieutenant F. A. Stebbing.
+
+ =25.=--Fever at Modder River: Midshipman S. Robertson. Wounds
+ received at Spion Kop: Lieutenant H. V. Lockwood.
+
+ =26.=--Wounds received at Ladysmith: Major E. W. Yeatherd.
+
+ =27.=--In action at Pieters Hill: Lieutenant-Colonel W. M.
+ O'Leary, Major V. Lewis, Captain H. S. Sykes, Lieutenant H. L.
+ Mourilyan, Lieutenant H. B. Onraët, Second Lieutenant F. J. T.
+ U. Simpson, and Second Lieutenant C. J. Daly.
+
+
+ MARCH 1900
+
+ =3.=--Blood-poisoning at Modder River: Captain R. Price.
+
+ =5.=--Fever at Naauwpoort: Lieutenant J. W. C. Walding.
+
+ =7.=--In action at Poplars Drift: Lieutenant D. J. Keswick.
+ Wounds received near Ladysmith: Lieutenant E. A. P. Vaughan.
+
+ =8.=--Fever at Ladysmith: Lieutenant R. E. Meyricke. Fever at
+ Modder River: Lieutenant S. D. Barrow.
+
+ =9.=--Fever at Ladysmith: Captain A. W. Curtis and Lieutenant
+ C. Arkwright.
+
+ =10.=--In action at Driefontein: Captain A. R. Eustace, Captain
+ D. A. N. Lomax, Lieutenant F. N. Parsons, V.C., and Second
+ Lieutenant A. B. Coddington. Fever at Wynberg: Captain E. E. D.
+ Thornton.
+
+ =11.=--Wounds: Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. E. Umphelby.
+
+ =12.=--Fever at Wynberg: Dr. W. C. Grigg. Wounds received at
+ Driefontein: Lieutenant C. F. L. Wimberley. Fever on transport
+ _Sumatra_: Lieutenant T. D. Whittington.
+
+ =13.=--Drowned at Norvals Pont: Second Lieutenant F. N. Dent.
+
+ =16.=--Fever at Pietermaritzburg: Major H. E. Buchanan-Riddell.
+ Fever at Naauwpoort: Captain R. W. Salmon. Fever at Ladysmith:
+ Lieutenant R. H. Kinnear.
+
+ =17.=--Fever at Ladysmith: Major J. Minniece.
+
+ =19.=--Dysentery at Ladysmith: Captain W. L. P. Gibton.
+
+ =20.=--Fever at Mooi River: Lieutenant A. W. Hall.
+
+ =22.=--Fever at Kimberley: Major H. J. Massy.
+
+ =23.=--Wounds received at Spion Kop: Major-General Sir E. R. P.
+ Woodgate. In action near Bloemfontein: Lieutenant Hon. E. H.
+ Lygon.
+
+ =26.=--Fever on her Majesty's ship _Powerful_: Fleet-Paymaster
+ W. H. F. Kay.
+
+ =27.=--Fever at Naauwpoort: Captain F. W. Hopkins.
+
+ =28.=--In action at Norvals Pont: Colonel the Hon. G. Gough.
+
+ =29.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Captain C. M. Kemble. Wounds
+ received at Karee Siding: Lieutenant E. M. Young.
+
+ =30.=--In action at Brandfort: Captain A. C. Going. Fever at
+ Ladysmith: Lieutenant B. T. Rose. In action at Lobatsi: Captain
+ A. J. Tyler.
+
+ =31.=--In action near Bloemfontein: Major A. W. C. Booth and
+ Lieutenant P. H. S. Crowle. In action at Sanna's Post:
+ Lieutenant G. H. Irvine. Wounds: Lieutenant P. C. Grover.
+ Wounds received at Ramathlabama: Captain F. Crewe. In action at
+ Ramathlabama: Lieutenant F. Milligan. Meningitis: Lieutenant
+ Whittington.
+
+
+ APRIL 1900
+
+ =2.=--Wounds at Pietermaritzburg: Lieutenant C. B. du Buisson.
+
+ =3.=--In action at Reddersburg: Captain F. G. Casson and Second
+ Lieutenant C. R. Barclay. Wounds received at Karee: Captain W.
+ M. Marter. Fever at Ladysmith: Lieutenant G. E. S. Salt.
+
+ =4.=--Wounds received near Bloemfontein: Lieutenant F.
+ Russell-Brown. Wounds received at Reddersburg: Captain W. P.
+ Dimsdale.
+
+ =5.=--In action at Rietfontein: Captain C. Boyle and Lieutenant
+ A. C. Williams.
+
+ =9.=--In action at Wepener: Major C. F. Sprenger.
+
+ =10.=--Fever at Mooi River: Lieutenant G. H. Morley. In action
+ at Wepener: Lieutenant H. F. B. Taplin and Lieutenant A. H.
+ Thornton.
+
+ =15.=--Fever at sea on his way home: Lieutenant T. B. Ely.
+ Fever at Ladysmith: Second Lieutenant S. H. Hutton. Fever at
+ Pietermaritzburg: Second Lieutenant E. O. N. O. Leggett.
+
+ =16.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Captain R. Peel, Captain B. C. C.
+ S. Meeking, and Lieutenant C. O. Bache.
+
+ =18.=--Dysentery at Ladysmith: Captain S. Laurence. Disease at
+ Kimberley: Captain E. M. Litkie.
+
+ =21.=--Dysentery at Pretoria: Assistant-Surgeon Jackson. Fever
+ at Gaberones: Lieutenant Wallis. Fever at Bloemfontein:
+ Lieutenant H. W. Prickard.
+
+ =23.=--Dysentery at Naauwpoort: Second Lieutenant R. J.
+ Gibson-Craig.
+
+ =24.=--Wounds at Karreefontein: Captain F. L. Prothero.
+
+ =25.=--In action at Dewetsdorp: Captain P. R. Denny. In action
+ at Israel's Poort: Captain H. Gethin. Wounds received at
+ Sanna's Post: Lieutenant J. D. Murch.
+
+ =26.=--Fever at Queenstown: Captain C. Biddulph. Wounds at
+ Eirstelaagte: Captain G. P. Brasier-Creagh.
+
+ =27.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Major H. T. Hawley. In action at
+ Thabanchu: Lieutenant F. S. Geary. Peritonitis at Bloemfontein:
+ Captain A. B. Bennett.
+
+ =28.=--Wounds at Bloemfontein: Captain H. F. W. Stanley. Fever
+ at Kimberley: Midshipman L. G. E. Lloyd.
+
+ =30.=--In action at Thabanchu: Major E. C. Showers, Lieutenant
+ J. H. Parker, and Lieutenant Munro.
+
+
+ MAY 1900
+
+ =1.=--Pneumonia on board the _Dilwara_: Lieutenant C. Martin.
+
+ =2.=--Fever at Aliwal North: Lieutenant J. T. Dennis.
+ Tuberculosis at Port Elizabeth: Lieutenant Holt.
+
+ =4.=--In action at Welkom: Captain C. E. Rose.
+
+ =5.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Captain H. E. Dowse.
+
+ =6.=--Wounds at Callerberg: Captain Lovett. Wounds at
+ Thabanchu: Captain E. G. Verschoyle. Wounds at Winburg:
+ Lieutenant P. Cameron.
+
+ =7.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Captain R. Fawssett and Lieutenant
+ E. H. St. L. Chamier.
+
+ =8.=--Dysentery at Estcourt: Lieutenant S. Oglesby. Dysentery
+ at Modder Spruit: Captain Warren.
+
+ =9.=--Wounds received at Warrenton: Major H. S. le M. Guille.
+ Fever at Deelfontein: Lieutenant B. Cumming.
+
+ =10.=--Dysentery at Bloemfontein: Chaplain the Rev. C. F.
+ O'Reilly. Pneumonia in Bloemfontein: Captain T. W. Milward.
+ Wounds received at Zand River: Captain L. Head and Captain C.
+ K. Elworthy.
+
+ =11.=--Fever at Naauwpoort: Second Lieutenant A. C. FitzG.
+ Homan.
+
+ =12.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Captain H. S. Prickard.
+
+ =13.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Lieutenant H. P. Rogers.
+
+ =14.=--Disease at Capetown: Captain D. G. Seagrim.
+
+ =16.=--Fever at Naauwpoort: Lieutenant G. B. Guthrie. Disease
+ at Naauwpoort: Lieutenant A. Lascelles. In action near
+ Mafeking: Lieutenant Wilfred. In action at Mafeking: Lieutenant
+ E. Harland.
+
+ =18.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Lieutenant G. G. Moir and
+ Midshipman J. Menzies.
+
+ =20.=--In action near Vryheid: Captain W. E. D. Goff,
+ Lieutenant H. W. Lanham, and Lieutenant W. M'Lachlan. Fever at
+ Bloemfontein: Lieutenant E. W. M. Noel.
+
+ =21.=--Died at Gaberones: Lieutenant H. Wallis. Fever at
+ Bloemfontein: Captain G. C. Fordyce-Buchan.
+
+ =22.=--Fever at Deelfontein: Major P. Marsh. Fever at
+ Kroonstad: Lieutenant the Hon. J. D. Hamilton. Fever at
+ Springfontein: Lieutenant F. G. Peel.
+
+ =23.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Major H. M. Browne. Fever at
+ Boshof: Lieutenant E. L. Munn.
+
+ =24.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Second Lieutenant Fletcher.
+
+ =25.=--In action at Senekal: Major H. S. Dalbiac. Fever at
+ Wynberg: Captain N. G. H. Turner. Fever at Bloemfontein:
+ Captain L. Livingstone-Learmonth. Fever at Mooi River: Major
+ Cooper. Fever at Boshof: Second Lieutenant W. H. Amedroz.
+
+ =26.=--Fever at Kroonstad: Major A. S. Ralli and Captain W. H.
+ Trow. Fever at Bloemfontein: Lieutenant R. S. Bree and
+ Lieutenant J. D. Dalrymple-Hay.
+
+ =27.=--Pneumonia at Wynberg: Captain R. N. Fane.
+
+ =28.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Lieutenant P. C. Shaw. Fever at
+ Pietermaritzburg: Lieutenant A. Wylde-Brown. In action at
+ Kheis: Major J. A. Orr-Ewing. In action at Kwisa: Lieutenant C.
+ Slater.
+
+ =29.=--In action at Fabers Spruit: Colonel W. A. Spence. In
+ action near Kroonstad: Captain C. S. Keith. Wounds received at
+ Kheis: Lieutenant G. H. Matthews and Captain A. H. U. Tindall.
+ Wounds received at Senekal: Second Lieutenant A. H. Murray.
+
+ =30.=--In action near Johannesburg: Captain St. J. Meyrick and
+ Lieutenant H. W. Fife. Dysentery at Pinetown Bridge: Captain J.
+ W. J. Hardman.
+
+ =31.=--Wounds received at Elandslaagte: Lieutenant C. G. Danks.
+
+
+ JUNE 1900
+
+ =1.=--Fever at Kroonstad: Captain S. Robertson. Fever at
+ Florida: Lieutenant G. F. Nethercole. Wounds at Lindley:
+ Lieutenant Sir J. E. C. Power, Bart. Dysentery at Bloemfontein:
+ Second Lieutenant F. S. Firth.
+
+ =2.=--Fever at Bloemfontein: Lieutenant L. O. F. Mellish and
+ Lieutenant C. H. B. Adams-Wylie. Wounds at Bappisfontein:
+ Lieutenant J. F. Pollock. At sea on board the _Dilwara_:
+ Lieutenant R. J. Jelf.
+
+ =4.=--Fever at Kroonstad: Lieutenant C. E. Eaton.
+
+ =5.=--Fever at Kimberley: Captain E. G. Young. In action at
+ Schippens Farm: Lieutenant R. L. C. Hobson.
+
+
+END OF VOLUME V.
+
+
+Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. Edinburgh & London
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBERS' NOTES
+
+
+ Page v: Re-arrangement standardised to rearrangement
+ Pages vi, 8: Koornspruit all one word in original. Left as is, as the
+ title of a picture
+ Page vi: Blomfontein standardised to Bloemfontein
+ Page 2: Llanddrost corrected to Landdrost
+ Page 4: Variable hyphenation of sky(-)line as in the original
+ Pages 16, 128: Variable hyphenation of dare(-)devilry as in the
+ original
+ Page 19: Variable spelling of Hock (in Mosterts Hock) as in original
+ Page 31: musquitoes as in the original
+ Pages 36, 176: Variable spelling of Van Reenan's Pass/Van Reenen's
+ Pass as in the original
+ Page 44: Variable hyphenation of out-spanned as in the original
+ Page 45: Fusileers standardised to Fusiliers
+ Page 46: beleagured as in the original text
+ Page 54: strategetical as in the original
+ Page 55: skurry as in the original
+ Page 59: caldron as in the original
+ Page 70: Sqadrons corrected to Squadrons
+ Page 74: Variable presence of acute accent on échelon as in the
+ original
+ Page 75: screeened corrected to screened
+ Page 99: ariving corrected to arriving
+ Page 100: franctically corrected to frantically
+ Page 102: 7 P.M. as in the original. Should perhaps be A.M.
+ Page 108: strategetic as in the original
+ Page 109: Buluwayo corrected to Bulawayo
+ Page 119: Barkly as in the original
+ Pages 121, 148, 158: Variable spelling of Roodepoort/Roodepoorte/
+ Roodeport as in the original
+ Page 133: "and did about other six" as in the original
+ Page 149: Johannesberg corrected to Johannesburg
+ Page 155: Landrost standardised to Landdrost
+ Page 157: Variable spelling of horse(-)shoe as in the original
+ Page 164: fusilade corrected to fusillade
+ Page 169: Variable circumflex accent on depôt as in the original
+ Page 172: Nordenfelts corrected to Nordenfeldts
+ Page 176: Variable hyphenation of battle(-)field as in the original
+ Page 180: duplicate "had" removed from "If this step had had not been
+ taken"
+ Page 191: Zambesi as in the original
+ Page 192: ascendency as in the original text
+ General: Variable spelling of khaki/kharki as in the original text
+ General: Variable spelling of Valshe/Valsch/Valsche as in the original
+ text
+ General: Variable hyphenation of head(-)quarters as in the original
+ text
+ General: Variable hyphenation of mid(-)day as in the original text
+ General: Variable hyphenation of rear(-)guard as in the original text
+ General: Variable circumflex accent on viâ as in the original text
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of South Africa and the Transvaal War,
+Vol. V (of VI), by Louis Creswicke
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41017 ***
generated by cgit v1.2.3 (git 2.25.1) at 2026-06-02 17:49:40 +0000