diff options
Diffstat (limited to '41017.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 41017.txt | 10402 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 10402 deletions
diff --git a/41017.txt b/41017.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b37b43e..0000000 --- a/41017.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10402 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. V -(of VI), by Louis Creswicke - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. V (of VI) - From the Disaster at Koorn Spruit to Lord Roberts's entry into Pretoria - -Author: Louis Creswicke - -Release Date: October 10, 2012 [EBook #41017] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SOUTH AFRICA, TRANSVAAL WAR, VOL V *** - - - - -Produced by Brownfox and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from -images generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - - -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 -attaches 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 _melee_ 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, _via_ 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 defaite 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 _via_ 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 L1600 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. Schoenberg.)] - -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 Lorenco 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 Lorenco 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 21/2d., 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. L300 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 - echelons, twenty metres apart, the centre in the van. The - centre echelon, under the special direction of the General, - will be formed by the French platoon. The centre echelon, - 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 - echelon, 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 echelon 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 echelons will pass a - well behind the kraals, and will attack the English camp - outside the town. In this effect, the French echelon, 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 echelon 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 depot, 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 L107, 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 _cortege_ 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 -versa_. - -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 depots 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 attaches, 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 1/2 lb. of meat, 3/4 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 _elite_ -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 depot 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 melee, 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 181/2 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-a-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'etre_ 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 Pre, 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 melee, 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 attaches, 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 cortege 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. Coe. 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. Onraet, 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 echelon 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 depot 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 via 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 THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SOUTH AFRICA, TRANSVAAL WAR, VOL V *** - -***** This file should be named 41017.txt or 41017.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/0/1/41017/ - -Produced by Brownfox and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from -images generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at - www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |